Chinese New Year 2015!

One of my relatives noticed something during this CNY and I realised it is true. I no longer dress my gals like twins ie. same dress, same colour. Maybe because they are starting to have their own preference and no longer insists on buying pink all the time.

I let them each choose a CNY cheongsam this year and see what each one is wearing. Quite different design prints. Lol. :)

RaeAnne's birthday celebrations

Just realised we celebrated RA's birthday 3 times in all. The first was on 28 Nov as a combined celebration with RL at childcare (though there was only 1 cake). Then, on the actual day of her birthday, I brought goody bags down for her classmates during recess because we received quite a few from her classmates. I wanted to reciprocate the gesture to her new classmates.

And then on 24 Jan (Sat), I had a mini birthday playdate with a few of her K2 friends cos she missed them very much.

I guessed this is a transition from K2 to P1 so we end up celebrating with different groups of friends. Oh well, birthday gatherings/playdates is a good way to keep in touch with old friends since most of them are in different primary schools now. :)

She has been asking for a pet for the last 1-2 years. We have been buying time and now that she has turned 7. We finally decided to teach her about responsibility and let her have a pet terrapin as they are quite low maintenance. Ever since she entered Poi Ching, she has been visiting the eco pond, because of the huge terrapin there. And she thinks the terrapin in her school's eco pond is cute.

Did not manage to get one at Petlovers Centre Next as the terrapins' conditions were not good. Finally went to Bedok opposite Bedok library and got her 2 terrapins at $2.50 each. She named hers Sunny as terrapins love sunshine and the other one was named Cherry by Raelynn. Hope she will continue to love her terrapin for many years to come. :)

Happy wedding anniversary to dear Hubby

Today is our 10th customary wedding anniversary. It is the school terms so we can't really celebrate. Hope our marriage be stronger and more loving as the years go by. :)

RA enjoying Pri 1

It has been more than 2 weeks since RA entered Primary 1 at Poi Ching. I am glad she is happy so far. Yes there is homework everyday. Much more than I thought there will be. A few pages everyday on average. Even though her form teacher is a bit fierce, she is ok with her. Maybe because her FT gives out tokens as encouragement or maybe mummy is fiercer in her eyes. lol.

She enjoys buying her own food at recess. Her favourite food is the bolognaise shell macaroni from the Western Food stall. They top up with parmesan cheese and it comes with a fruit as the school has adopted healthy eating in its canteen. Every main course comes with a fruit no matter which stall you go to. I think it's a great idea. In this way, I don't have to especially pack a fruit for her in her lunch box. Great for busy working mums.

That's not to say that the canteen does not sell tidbits or crackers etc. Yes, they do sell some crispy bags or snacks. But I am fine with it. It is for us parents to teach the kids to eat food items from the food pyramid, and not to indulge too much in sugary drinks or snacks that are too salty or heaty. So far, RA has not tried buying such snacks or stationery from the bookshop. Partly because I don't give her a lot of pocket money. I give her $2 and her favourite western set costs $1.50. With $0.50 extra, she can't buy very much. But even if she does. Once in a while is fine. Everything in moderation.


After recess, her favourite thing to do is to explore the school. She loves the eco garden because there is a terrapin in the pond. She was angry at a naughty boy who threw things into the pond. She told me all the other kids nearby shouted at him to stop. I am glad that she can be kind towards animals. She even told me that she wants a terrapin for her birthday present this year.

Hope you continue to enjoy school, my not-so-little anymore but still a sweet gal.

All set for Primary 1

Finally, tomorrow, RA is going to Primary 1. No nap today and cooked dinner so that I can let her sleep earlier at 9+pm today. I should sleep too but too excited. haha.

Ok, run through the checklist
School bag
Pencil case with 3 pencils, 2 erasers, 1 sharpener, 1 stapler, 1 highlighter and 1 ruler
1 tall water bottle
Student's hand book
Books for Day 1. All wrapped (credits to Daddy) and labelled (credits to Mummy).
Uniform with name tags ironed and sewn. Credits to MIL.
Culottes with pleats ironed. Darn those pleats. Zzz.
White bata shoes and socks
Cardigan and Raincoat (just in case)
Digital watch ( in case she cannot loses track of time esp during recess)

Charged my camera just in case too. Poor 8 yr old Sony handycam has died. So that's all I am left with anyway. Haha. Hubby took morning leave too. Hope we'll all have a great day tomorrow!

Yet another staycation

We did another staycation with the gals over Xmas weekend. This time at Changi Village Hotel. We were supposed to join the CC's KL Kidzania tour but that got cancelled due to poor response. Since it was the Xmas boxing day weekend, it is difficult to make alternative travel plans without paying super inflated rates so we decided on another staycation again. Our 3rd one in this last quarter. But the last time we stayed at Changi village hotel was in 2010 during our photoshoot with the gals with Bambini. Our maid was still around back then. A lot of changes at the hotel now. The Retreat spa has moved so they are taken over by Stella Wellness Centre. Really not as good. Rooms are refurbished but I can't really tell the difference.

It rained the whole of Day 1. So we ended up taking the free hourly shuttle to the airport for some respite. The gals did the Mickey Clubhouse Bouncy castle so they were happy. Day 2, the weather was good so hb brought the gals to the roof top pool while I got to enjoy a 45mins massage. We went cycling after that since we were given free 1 hr bike rental. But it started raining after just half a hour. zzz.


Day 3 we brought the gals to the pool again. Then showered and had lunch before checking out at 3pm. This time we tried a lot of eateries that I have been wanting to try. Jacobs café, our old favourite, Chock full of beans and The Coastal Settlement. :)

K2 Graduation Camp and Growing Independent

RA had her K2 camp at cc yesterday. She was excited to go, happily packing her luggage and looking forward to seeing her best friend Caleigh again. I think I had more separation anxieties than her. I wondered if she will be ok. When I heard that she and her classmates were at Swensons Tampines after they watched Penguins of Madagascar the movie, I went to the restaurant and see if I could get a glimpse of her. But the waiter told me that they just went 15 mins ago.

When hb updated me that he saw the whole group outside Starbucks waiting for their transport, I rushed there again. I saw the big coach bus but all the kid were already onboard the bus. Luckily their teacher saw me so I did get to wave bye bye to RA. Hb and I were bringing RL to watch the same movie (since she whined and cried that RA was going on a school camp but she can't), my HP's battery was dead. I especially bought a power bank to charge it on the go so that I won't miss any calls, knowing that the cc teachers will call to inform that the kids have safely reached the school.

This morning when we went to pick her around 830am, she still wanted to play with her friends. I checked with the teacher and she slept quite well from 10pm to 7am. We decided to go for bf and run some errands so that she has more time to catch up with her friends, some who have withdrawn from cc but especially came back for this camp.

Got to admit that RA has grown up. She is quite independent now. Able to go for camps without Mummy being around. She sleeps in her own room now too. Cos RL has finally agreed to give up her baby cot and slept on her own in a big bed on 17 Nov. So, I just need to tuck both gals in bed, close the doors and leave them. So my me time starts much earlier. We have been waiting in the room for them to fall asleep for the longest time. Didn't think there will truly be a day where they can sleep on their own but it has finally happened. Not a myth anymore. Haha.

Raelynn is 5 years old!!!

My little baby has grown so much n today she turned 5. She finally agreed to stop sleeping in her baby cot on 7 November. It has been her security blanket for so many years. Managed to convince her by promising her her own big study table like RaeAnne's.


Since we already celebrated in school last week, we had the whole day to spend with her. More like 2 days cos i planned a staycation n took 2 days leave. It is also dec hols n we are not bringing the gals overseas this hols.

First stop pf our 1 day tour, Daddy's school. Hb has been promising to bring them to vjc for the longest time. But he is too busy during term time n the sch is closed on weekends. The gals are intrigued by the treehouses in the campus but too bad that's under renovation.

Then we went to ECP for some cycling. Was trying to find the V skate board for RL. but the inline skating shop was closed so we cpuld only rent ordinary bikes. Hb n i tried teaching the gals to cycle with little success. Luckily a helpful daddy gave us some v useful tips. Another daddy was not as nice when RL nearly bumped into his son's stationary bike in the middle of the pathway towards the bicycle track. He said we have no right to be there. Grr....

Hot n sweaty, we went to Grand Mercure Roxy hotel to check in n showered the gals. More like a soak in the bath tub. Their all time fav staycation activity. The hotel was nice to upgrade us to deluxe room n give us an extra bed foc.

We were lucky to win some shopping vouchers during our last staycation at Katong Village hot. So we went to Katong V shopping mall for lunch n ice cream. The gals eent to ho2t indoor playground since we had the last 2 play sessions left.

Then we went to PP for dinner n came back for an early night for the gals. The next morning, we went for a swim at the hotel pool. Then we had lunch again at Katong V mall to use up our shopping vouchers before checking out of the hotel. :)

Double Birthday Celebration

Decided to do a combined early birthday celebration for RA and RL at Elfa today. RL's bd is next Tues, 2 Dec while RA's 22 Jan next year. But since it's RA's last year at Elfa and a lot of her K2 friends are withdrawing from cc today, it's a birthday cum mini farewell party.

Raelynn has been having a runny nose and slight cough since Monday. Last night the poor gal woke up to cry cos her nose was blocked despite us giving fedac. So in the end, we brought her to see the doctor in the morning so that she can get better since we don't want to cancel the school party.

Luckily the meds and the nap after helped her so after she woke up, we rushed to get the cake from Bengawan Solo, get the candles and inflate the helium balloons. I bought the helium balloons and goodie bags cheap from taobao. But never expect the helium air per balloon to cost as much as $9 each. But we were rushing to the cc, no time to shop and compare. So lesson learnt. :P

What is the theme for the party this year? What else can it be? Frozen of course. I think the gals probably ate more than 5 frozen cakes from their friends' parties this year already, Lol.
But luckily their classmates didn't mind. The cake was 3kg but the kids nearly finished it. Maybe because it was chocolate cake or maybe because it was tea break time. Anyway, I am glad we don't need to lug the cake back. Just a small portion for Ils to try. :)

Another Milestone for RA - P1 Orientation

Today is RA's P1 Orientation. She reported to the hall at 145pm. When the teacher brought her and her classmates to the classroom and the school tour, mummies and daddies stayed behind to listen to the Principal's speech and watch the various video clips and presentations. RA said she watched a video story, did some colouring in class, and went on the tour of the school.

Today, we found out that recess time for P1 kids is 9am. Lessons end at 130pm. Add another 15 mins for flag lowering, dismissal and walking home, the earliest she can eat lunch is 145pm. Some of the single session schools give a 15mins snack break at 12 o clock for the students to eat something light in the classroom. But Poi Ching does not have this practice. All along they were operating on double sessions.

So myself and another parent gave our feedback but the P said it's fine. They can pack some biscuits in their bags. But if the teacher does not give them an official snack time, the kid will not dare to take the biscuits out of their bags to eat. I think more than 4 hours is too long for 6/7 years old to go without food. Duh.

After the P1 Orientation 2 hr programme ended, the few of us whose kids are in the same class formed a whatsapp chat group. There were 4 gals and 1 boy. Coincidentally, all the gals went to Crestar Ballet before.

Our conclusion is that we cannot give the kids a full bf since they need to eat again at 9am and they need to eat a lot. If not, they cannot last till 2pm for those who stay further away from school. No wonder kids grow skinny after starting primary school. :(