Happy New Year 2012

It's 2012.  For the first time, we brought them to a countdown party near our house.  For years, Mummy knew that there will be fireworks performance here near the riverside, but we had never participated in any.

Yesterday, at around 11.45pm, since we were all still awake, we decided to join in the fun.  We were surprised that at the wee hours, many of the residents had gathered here to watch the fireworks too.

After the countdown, it was the moment that my darlings were waiting for.  They simply love to play with sparkles.  Luckily, Mummy bought the "smokeless" type so there is lesser fumes and smell.  Daddy requested Mummy to buy the longest type next time as he was very busy helping his two princesses to light up new sparkles every now and then.  My darlings enjoyed dancing to the rhythm too.  Watch them here.

It's going to be a brand new year for us with Mummy returning to the workforce and both of them going to childcare centre.  This year's gonna be a great year for all of us.  Hurray.

Holiday Workshop @HESS

Mummy had signed my darlings up for the Winter holiday workshop at HESS.  However, the teaching was a little too way-below Mummy's expectation in this workshop and thus did not continue after a week.  They were basically taught a few words that are associated with Winter eg. Hanukkah.  However, no explanation were given as to what the words meant or how the words were spelt (Mummy has tried to seek clarification from the teacher on a word they were unclear of and worst still, the teacher just told me the word but she was not able to spell nor explain to me its meaning to me, so till date I'm still wondering what was that word.).  Although the teachers were warm and friendly (haha... totally opposite of what they experienced in their ex pre-school), Mummy found that it was not worth my effort to travel to so far away to Katong.  Besides, it was not easy to get a cab in the morning and also having to experience traffic jam along the Eunos area.

My darlings actually joined in their Trick or Treat session in October. It was a good moment for the kids as Mummy did not know that they were scared of Hawolleen. The night before Hawolleen, they were so scared that they could not sleep. It was finally after some assurance from Mummy that the Trick or Treat session was not scary at all, then they managed to sleep. In the end, they had great fun collecting goodies at the Trick or Treat session that their impression of Hawolleen had changed completely, thus prompted Mummy to sign them up for the Winter holiday workshop.  However, Mummy feels that this school is more suitable for those foreign children who have no English language foundation, so guess that will be the last time we stepped into this school.

Ice Skating Fun

Read from a friend's blog that kid can skate for free after making certain amount of purchases at Velocity (so it's twice the amount for Mummy, hee...).  Mummy loves ice skating and would definitely not miss this chance to get my darlings to have a go. 

At first, my darlings were a little apprehensive, yet they also wanted to try.  There were "snow" falling from the "sky" in the skating rink and the place really seems like a winter wonderland. 

The trainers were great to get them to start with a walk on the ice while holding on their hands and then slowly encouraging them to take the first step to walk on their own.  So tho' it was just a half an hour session, my darlings have progressed from having difficulties to even stand on the ice, to being able to walk confidently on their own. 

The most wonderful news is that my darlings love ice skating too and this will mean this is going to become 1 of our family activities in future.  Here's a video to share and see my Sweetie having fun at the last minute of the session.  To the trainers: a million thanks for your guidance and encouragement.  My darlings had a wonderful session.

There's nothing better than to have lunch at our favourite Japanese restaurant after that.  Yummy.

Dec Holiday Workshop

My Cutie attended the Speech & Drama Workshop at her Chinese Language School again, as usual there was a showcase at the end of the workshop.  We were glad to have the same teacher who taught her during her June Holiday Workshop.  Thank you once again, 潘老师.

Here's a video of my Cutie's performance on stage.  Good job, darling.

After that, Daddy gave us a lift to Ikea before going back to work.  Mummy met up with an "old" friend whom we seem to forever have endless topic to talk about for hours.  My darlings had a great time playing at the playground and kids' area in Ikea.  Mummy bought them an Ikea's mini log cake.  Guess what, this is already the 3rd mini log cake they have tried from different shops for the past 2 weeks.  Hee... hope they won't get too fat eating the yummy chocolate cakes.

Popstar City 2010

How time flies, my Sweetie has been attending Popstar City for 3 terms. 

Mummy is glad to have signed her up for this enrichment activity.  My darlings enjoy singing all the songs that are taught and we could also have a relaxing weekend at the cafe - reading the papers/magazines and having a yummy lunch while we wait for my Sweetie.

Tho' her class is for the 3-4 age group, Mummy is surprised to learn now that my Sweetie is the only 3-year old in her group.  Nevertheless, my Sweetie still gives her best.

Here's a video taken during one of the rehearsals for the song "Top of the World" (she's on extreme right). 

Her final stage performance for this year with "All I want for Christmas is my 2 front teeth".

A catchy tune and hereby, wishing everyone a Merry X'mas in advance.

School Holiday Workshop June 2010

Sent my Cutie to a holiday Chinese workshop during the school holidays (my Sweetie was supposed to be in too, but unfortunately her school holidays only started 2 weeks after the gazetted school holidays).


The holiday lessons were conducted 4 days/week for 4 weeks. Mummy was a little regretful after signing up cos'... it would mean almost no school holidays for my Cutie, ie. for Mummy too, having to go for class almost everyday.

But after watching my Cutie's performance on stage on the final day, Mummy felt that the effort was worth it.

Mummy is glad that my Cutie can settle well in a new environment with new teacher and friends. Mummy is also proud that she did not cry nor refused to perform on the stage (she used to be very clingy to Mummy especially when in a new environment).

Mummy noticed that this Cutie is clever to adjust her standing position and not back-facing the audience, while towards the end of the video (unable to record the performance in full as the SD card for camera was full).

Well done, Cutie. *Muck* [A big kiss and hug from Mummy].


Would also like to take this opportunity to thank her teacher (潘老师) for being so caring and encouraging, and thus helps to ease my Cutie's anxiety in school.

Finally, this workshop is over. But this would also mean the end of the school holidays. Oh no...

Pop Star Performance

Today was the last day of the Term for my Sweetie at Popstar City aka Kids' Performing at Robertson Walk and they have their end of Term performance on stage. We had our brunch there while waiting for her performance (the stage was situated inside the cafe). Well done, Sweetie.

The photo above was taken with her teacher AJ at the end of the performance. Haha... look at her sweetie pose.

Watch this Sweetie's 1st performance on stage:

Kumdori Land

Ever since Daddy was down with pain on his back, we have not been going to Everland for a while. So instead of travelling 2 hours to Everland, we visited the Kumdori Land Theme Park here in Daejeon.

Tho' this Kumdori Land is a lot smaller in scale (compared to Everland), my darlings were already very excited when at the entrance.

We had a go at the ferris wheel and the boat ride, my darlings' favourites are the kiddy car rides and the kiddy mini-cup-merry-go-round (which is in Kiwi fruit design).

We managed to watch the Summer Festival stage performance, but guess my darlings enjoyed most was the performance by the Kumdori's Mascots and the photo taking session after the performance.

However, it was the various coin-operated kiddy rides near the Exit that kept their excitement on high. Hence, you can imagine the considerable amount of time we spent there (tho' we were so near the exit).

We had not taken our dinner, but we didn't seem to feel hungry (maybe too much snacks, hee...). Guess it's the joy of watching our darlings having so much fun, so never underestimate the power of the little ones (they can simply make your day with their laughters). We didn't even spend a cent on these rides cos' my darlings only love to just sit in them.

Here's my Cutie dancing before the start of the Summer Festival Stage Performance.

R & B (Mix) Concert

After listening to the "Sorry, Sorry" song (by Super Junior, K-pop band) so often, now my darlings are learning to sing like them.

Hope they will not be influenced by the latest hit "I Don't Care" (by 2NE1, another K-pop band). Hee... can't imagine asking them for help and then they replied "I don't care". Kekeke....

Seoul Trip (Part 4 - InsaDong)

During our tour to Insadong (인사둥), we went to a side alley while sheltering from the rain. And... we were surprised to find a 6-storey mall (Ssamziegil 쌈지길) behind this traditional street and *sigh* it has no lift. We went to a book cafe called "Between Pages" for some refreshment and browsed through the English magazines (no books to read cos' all are in Korean language). Gee... can you find my darlings inside the cafe in the 1st picture above?



The picture on the left was taken at the same time as the 1st picture above.



The cosy ambience and being surrounded by books and magazines, just energises one with the desire to read a book/magazine too.

And my darlings enjoyed their afternoon nap there as well.

We found this Korean cartoon character "Dalki" on the 1st floor. Then we bought the Dalki pancakes too and haha... 2 of the pancakes we got were in the shapes of "poopoo", hee... nonetheless it was still yummy.








During this trip, mummy was actually more interested in shopping for cosmetics/skincare products. Guess my darlings became bored and knew how to keep themselves entertained (hee... or rather others entertained) with their dance and songs.

My Sweetie has already mastered the art of belly-dancing, hee... at the age of 2. Guess she can be quite a good dancer in future.

Kpop "Hot Hot" Concert

The titles of some Kpop are so unique that they can be used in almost any situation. For example, you want to apologise, you sing"Sorry, sorry"; you want to hear more of something, you sing "Tell me", when no one wants anything, you sing "Nobody" etc. Well, you will be amazed that these songs are actually among the top of the chart weeks after weeks. That means practically everywhere you go, you can hear them.

A few occasions I sang the "Sorry, sorry" to my Cutie (for fun) when I accidentally stepped on her etc. Yesterday, my Cutie told me to sing the Korean "Hot, hot" song when it's hot and to sing the Korean "Cold, cold" song when it's cold. Korean songs? Haha... mummy just laughed.

Then she decided to hold a concert for her "Hot, hot" song with my Sweetie.

Here presenting to you the first release of the latest kpop "Hot, hot" song (compose & music: Cutie).

Did you hear my Sweetie calling it quit and asked me to "put back" the guitar? Now, I got another role of being their concert manager? Mummy had better asked for a raise from Daddy, gee...

Driving Fun

Daddy got to know a park that has kiddy car rental for kids and so off we went. My darlings were very happy too (partly cos' they can bring their "babies" along too).

The amazing thing about the kiddy cars here is that it has remote control function, so that the poor adult don't have to bend their back to help to steer the wheel (ie. besides moving forward and backward, we can control left and right too). The only problem is that the adult has to constantly follow closely behind the car as the sensor range is very short.

My Cutie was able to control the remote control, thus it was quite fun too to "drive" using the remote control. When switched to manual mode, it was easy for my Sweetie to drive by just stepping on the pedals. Guess she remembers the time when she drives her motorised kiddy car at home in Singapore too (see post dated 19 August 2008). Gee... she was only 13 months old then.

My Cutie also enjoyed driving the car herself. See my Sweetie having a great time dancing too. She's quite good with forming simple sentences now and hee... not forgetting her "please" too.

"Mama, hug hug me please".

Guitar Concert

Found this video taken last month. Both of them were having fun with their new guitars then.

My Sweetie's guitar is identical to her Jie Jie's, but... not the same. Haha...

Well, when there's 2 kids in the house and having only 1 guitar, creativity is greatly needed to keep the house in "harmony".

Instead of buying another guitar, mummy cut out the same "guitar" from the box and tied a string on both ends. The second guitar looks exactly the same as the first (hee... only from the front).

The most wonderful thing is that this Sweetie of mine loves it and claims "Meimei's" (it's Meimei's). She is happy and contented with this guitar of hers and does not fight over the real guitar with her Jiejie. That's the sweetest thing about little babies. "Muck" (kiss).

Another concert again

Here's another concert to share.

Look at my Sweetie, guess she can be quite a fashion fab next time, from the way she put on her head band. Listen to her version of the song "Mama Mia".

They were holding onto their microphones (transformed from their golf clubs). This time round, my Cutie brought along her "ear phones" which has a "microphone" function. Haha... that was actually a stethoscope from her doctor's kit.

"Live" Concert again

See the way they sing, mummy couldn't help giggling at the way my Sweetie sings.

This "concert" sparked off when they imagined the toy as a microphone. It seems that to them anything that is long and has a round ball attached will get them singing non-stop.

Haha... there's a dance item included in the concert. See how well they synchronised.

Wow, must go for their concert again.

CNY @ Lotte World (Part 1)

It's CNY again, however it doesn't seem to be so here in Korea as there's no CNY decorations around wherever we go, tho' the Koreans do celebrate the Lunar New Year too. In Singapore, many would go overseas during this long holidays period. So we decided to bring the kids to Lotte World in Seoul, haha... and we don't have to pay for the air tickets.

We stayed at the Lotte Hotel World which is located just next to Lotte World, so it is very convenient and we got to see the outdoor theme park everytime.

Unfortunately, Daddy caught a chill on the day that we arrived. So we had been staying in the hotel room for 2 days and nights (had initially planned to go Lotte World on the 2nd day). It wasn't a bad idea actually cos' the tastefully-furnished hotel room and toilet were so warm and cosy. While Daddy was resting in bed, the kids got to play in the bathtub and Mummy got to enjoy some relaxing spa session of soaking in the bathtub (this would have been impossible in the bathtub in our house here cos' the toilet is too cold). We joined the 2 twin beds together and so you can imagine what a big bed we have. The cosy beds and comforters just made one wants to snuggle in bed, haha... My darlings also have a lot of fun jumping and bouncing on the bed. Seeing my 2 darlings playing together happily, I am glad to have 2 kids whereby they can keep each other company.

We finally went to Lotte World on the 3rd day and it's great that Daddy was getting better too. Daddy and Mummy had actually been to Lotte World in 1998 and amazingly everything is still exactly like before. Then we had tried the various exciting rides such as the Gyrodrop, Bumper Car etc.

Now with 2 young toddlers, bet you can guess that the rides that we took now were totally different from what we had 10 years ago. One of which is the Carousel rides which my darlings enjoy (guess they remembered the carousel rides they had while at the Daejeon Zoo few months ago).

But it was the family car kiddy ride which my Cutie loves most cos' she got the chance to be the "driver", bringing the family for a spin. Thus we ended up going for a few rounds of the ride. When we were back home late in the night (after 3 hours of travelling home, hee... of course driven by Daddy), we talked about her "driving" experience and she dozed off after a while, smiling.

Now they know who are Lorry and Lotty (the Mascots of Lotte World) after watching the parade and show. Will blog more about Lotte World in my other blog.

Tho' our tour itinerary was not going as to what we had planned and we were also unable to join in the various exciting rides, this has thus been the most enjoyable and relaxing tour that Mummy ever had. It's great to have our 2 darlings with us (tho' not with the logistics that comes along with, especially in this weather).

This is the 2nd CNY that we have as a family of four and bet it will be more enjoyable next year with both of them still in the toddlers stage but at a more independence stage then.

Will share more pics and videos soon.

Modern Interesting Gadgets

Recently, can't help but amazed at the modern invention of mankind.

First, it was when we went to collect our car. We told the cab driver our destination and haha.., he asked us how to go??? Thank God daddy had brought along his GPS to guide the driver. Though we had used GPS in the States, just didn't expect the need to use GPS in a small country like Singapore.

But indeed we still do. First, everything in Singapore just changes so quickly within these few years and also we have not driven around in Singapore for a while. The GPS can help to provide various options of the shortest route, the quickest route etc., which is definitely useful to us. The best is that it can even tell us the estimated arrival time. We will be informed if there is any red light or speed camera nearby (note: not that we love speeding). Just that have never noticed in the past that there are so many of these cameras around. The accuracy of the GPS is simply amazing, thanks to the many satelites above us (there were 7 when daddy showed me).

Can't help but wonder why then our local weather forecast isn't as reliable at all, with the forecast always so general which is practically the same every day? Rather I'm quite impressed with the weather forecast in the States, cos' its accuracy is near 100%. *sigh* guess there's a need for some improvement in our weather forecasting report.

Last week, Daddy gave me the Nintendo DS limited gold edition which he bought from the States. I didn't know I would love it cos' I'm actually not a 'game' person. But I simply love playing the Brain Age and Cooking Mama games.

Why? The Brain Age game is necessary to keep my dying brain active and of course will improve my brain power. With Cooking Mama, hee... I can learn some cooking 'skills' and it's very fun. Sometimes, I have to blow to the mic and there's a 'sensor' to detect (as if I'm blowing at the dish). I remembered the "Game & Watch" game in the early days just only have the left and right buttons to press. The dishes shown in the game look pretty tempting too. Everyday, my Cutie just loves to watch mummy "cook" (hee... play).

Of course, there's another wonderful invention and that's the Wii system. We don't have to go to bowling alley/tennis court etc and we can just stay at home and do the same actions using the Wii controller and nauchak. So interesting.

Then, there's also the latest LCD television which I can just simply hook it up with my laptop and hee... there I will have a big computer screen. Here's what happen when I hook up my laptop to the television and play the Mickey Mouse "Hotdog" song from youtube (internet) for my Cutie.

Isn't all these amazing? Well, for sure, I'm amazed.

A New Cutie Day

Now my Cutie is a fan of Dora. Hee... got another Dora's jigsaw for her. Every morning, after she wakes up, she will ask for permission to go to the living room to "play" with Dora, hee... the jigsaw puzzle. Then she will sit there quietly, fixing up the jigsaw while I take care of Sweetie or cook rice. Here's a pict of her playing the puzzle wearing her sunglass herself (haha... but it's night time).

Everyday during lunch time, Dora is a motivation for her to finish her meal. She knows that once she finishes her meal, she will be able to "see" Dora on television (the VCD). When I told her Dora's "coming" soon, she will say "Boots (the monkey) also". I'm glad that my Cutie can self-feed now, but it's a dilemma as a parent. On 1 hand, we want our darlings to be independent, yet when she doesn't want me to feed and only wants to feed herself, I can't help feeling sad (mixed feelings). Guess I have to comfort myself that my Cutie is a big girl now.

Though I can't really have much freedom in shopping, I'm glad that there's online shopping where I can place my order and get the items sent by post. As it's a bulk purchase by various mummies in the forum, so it is slightly cheaper than retail. But with postage, guess the items cost almost the same or more. Recently, I've ordered 2 of these cute pancake pans (1 hello kitty, of course and the other Doreamon). Yes, bet you can guess that my Cutie is into cooking lately (imitating mummy). Sometimes she will "bake" cookies or doughnuts or cook a meal for me, hee... and I'll gladly play along and "finish" the food. Here's a pict of her placing her pan near the fan as it is "hot" (haha... after "cooking").

My Cutie's vocab is getting better, she's using prepositions now eg "on the bed/table/sofa", "in the room", "behind mummy". It's really a joy to have her especially with my failing memory. The other day, forgot where I placed my handphone after using it and just commented "Where did mummy leave my handphone?" This Cutie pointed to my handbag and said "in the bag". Hee... this cute cute helper is really my great help.

Her singing and dancing are also getting better. She can hum the tunes and filled in most of the lyrics. She also loves to dance now. My Cutie has really grown up now.

Singing "1,2,3,4,5, once I caught a fish alive, 6, ... )

Singing and dancing Mickey Mouse Clubhouse "hotdog" song.

Fun at PP

Yesterday, we went to Parkway Parade (PP). Haven't been there for years, still find it a nice place to shop. However, the one having the most fun was not me, it's my Cutie. She was (once again) fascinated by fountain and children playing around the fountain. I don't want her to get wet, so I carried her and let her touch the water that is sprouting out. She was so happy. So amazing to be able to derive so much joy by just touching water.

The best fun she had was with the interactive media floor (dunno what is it really called) . Actually, it is just a rectangular area on the floor and there's a projector or some sort, giving out the image on the floor. Many children were having fun at this interactive floor, stepping and jumping away. Initially, I thought the balls or the rockets etc moved cos' it's programmed to be, that whether the children stepped on them will not make any difference. But after some observation, I'm surprised that the ball when in contact with my Cutie's shoes will bounce away. So in fact, the image is not some pre-program thingy.

The children were having so much fun, so was my Cutie. My main concern is that once children get excited, they tend to push and knock into one another. My Cutie, being one of the youngest there, got bumped a few times by the older kids and she will always come back to me, saying "pain pain". Maybe have to go there during weekdays when there are not so many children around. Today, as I showed her the video, I also taught her to put her hands in front of herself to protect herself. My poor Cutie.

As for my Sweetie, she was happily snugging away, enjoying the comfort of being hug and of course the air-con (cos' the weather yesterday was extremely hot and humid, yet other days it was raining including today). She was also smiling happily when awake, as if telling me that she loves shopping too. So sweet.