Cute TTM

My cousin said Kiki is cute to-the-max. (cute ttm)

I didn't see this photo before as it was taken by my sis and yes, I do think she's as adorable as the cute little pink elephant, both having a red bow too.

Past Time

I sketched some floral patterns for Kiki to paint over.

Some shapes and patterns, four distinctively different patterns for each corner.

Let's begin.

We chose four colours, one for each corner.

Past Time

Going to School

Plays with her toys before going school.

I said - Smile! Smile nicely!

Changing Shift

These pumps from Bubble Gummers are very comfortable but they wear out quite easily.

(4 months) This is the second pair and she's now wearing size 7.

I read that toddlers are more suited for silicon soles footwear for a better sense of grip and feel of the ground and terrain they maneuver. If the sole is too hard, they are basically feeling a "flat" surface on their feet and toes. This will not give them the sense of "hard" or "soft" ground, nor the various textures of the ground, (e.g: walking on cement pavement, walking on grass or gravels- sand, rock, pebbles.) Our toes don't work as nimbly as our fingers but that doesn't mean they don't take in sensory stimulus. And by the way, toddlers are children aged 1 to 3, so, they are still developing this aspect of balance and grip. And this is why I still let her have soft-soles footwear eventhough they wear out faster than sturdier shoes.

My Gym

Kiki goes to the kids' gym twice per week.
She enjoys it there and all her instructors dote on her and they like to tease her.
She has been there for 18 months and is the most "loyal customer" in that centre.
They do lots of singing, story-telling, and of course physical climbing and other activities using props and structures.

Going to School

P.T attire today.
She has two sets of formal uniforms and two sets of casual P.T attires on rotation.

Finally, she didn't cry while leaving for school today.

The past few days were wailing matches, the worst being 2 days ago when I could hear her screaming "MAAAAA MAAAAA" from downstairs. Literally could hear her from 3 blocks away.

Now, she has gotten used that I would be home awaiting when she returns from school.

(I am on leave for few weeks to rest).

Personally, I do not like her wearing sandles. But these sandles are rather expensive so we try to use it often (haha). Secondly, I let her choose whatever footwear she fancies for the day.

Lunch

Yesterday's Lunch (& also became dinner)

Salmon, Long Bean Omelette. (looked like a pancake)
Tau Kua, Carrots Soup, etc.

I did't drink these. I've stopped drinking Coke for the moment.
It is scary that I am so inclined to drink this drink, so-much-so that it was a hard habit to break.

Jumping Clay

This is no ordinary Chilli, it is a "yong tau fu" chilli.
If you cut it open, you will see "fish paste" inside.

Wonder what to do next with these beads.

I tried to form letters in the tube of clay (you know, like those tube / rod candies) but to no avail.

Maybe should continue trying. Perhaps a smiley face first. Hummmm....

Jumping Clay

As it is too challenging for me to make Dora, I decided to just attempt some basic whatever that I can think of. These are the first few things I've made.


I got so bored I made a Brick Wall -_-"

Used the remaining bits to make a Capisicum.

Okay, this is the first model- A Very Cold Snowman. From his oversized clothing and scarf, you can tell he is cold. -_-"

A rose and a rat that was mistaken for an elephant who was dismantled soon after reaching the hands of Kiki.

Jumping Clay - Marble Ball

This is by far the easiest thing you can make from Jumping Clay.

Let me warn you, firstly, the paste is sticky like chewing gum (which is a nuisance) and it stains.

Although the lable tells you it doesn't stick nor stain, it didn't elaborate that it doesn't stick or stain when Dry, or at least semi-exposed to air. So, when you first handle the paste, please let it air dry for 5 minutes before you use your fingers to roll them into balls for easy handling.

Roll paste into balls for easy handling.

Roll them into "rods" (or some call it "line").

Twist the rods together.

Pull and twirl, fold them, pull and twirl. Repeat.

Jumping Clay - Marble Ball

Viola! A marble ball that looks like a Globe.
It bounces. That's how "Jumping" Clay got its name.

Today's Lunch

I must tell Maricar to reduce use of oil..... (Black Pepper Chicken)

Okay, these veggies are still green. Nice texture. (Kailan veg & Cherry tomatoes)

Toys

Good Morning!

Puss in Boots. (she hasn't read that book)

HappyCall Double Frying Pan

After stumbling onto the sell-a-vision channel that day, I was hypnotized into buying this frying pan. http://lejel.com.sg/index.php (SGD 108. includes delivery)

I tell you, all the food they cooked on the advertisment looked yummy, and cooking looked a breeze.
Caution: although it claims there'll be no leak flipping the pan over back and forth, there is still minimal leak. Verdict: Still, the benefits outweighs the inconvenice.

Look how easy this is. Chop all the veggies and toss them into the pan.
All done in less than 10 mins. It is called "double frying pan" because you can heat it from both sides. The handle clips tightly with magnetic hold and you can flip the pan back and forth and you don't need a frying ladle.

Warning: the pan heats up fast. the first time we used it, we charred all the fish-cakes black.


Sizzling hot and yum.

If you plan your dishes well, you can cook three dishes consecutively.

We hope to explore more home-cooked dishes with this and I shall keep you posted. =)

First Things First

Excerpts from “First Things First” Chapter 4- Quadrant II

Roger: Some time ago, a friend of mine – a business consultant- was moving into his new home. He decided to hire a friend of his to landscape the grounds. She had a doctorate in horticulture and was extremely bright and knowledgeable.

He had a great vision for the grounds, and because he was very busy and travelled a lot, he kept emphasizing to her the need to create his garden in a way that would require little or no maintenance on his part. He pointed out the absolute necessity of the automatic sprinklers and other labour-saving devices. He was always looking for ways to cut the amount of time he’d have to spend taking care of things.

Finally, she stopped and said, “Fred, I can see what you’re saying. But there’s one thing you need to deal with before we go any further. “If there’s no gardener, there’s no garden!”

A Friend

Her Joo came with her mommy last night.
Kiki takes to her so naturally. Every thing Kiki does, she looks at Her Joo for participation.
I was very amused because I've not seen Kiki wanting to play with anyone (except Maricar & us), but she seemed to like Her Joo quite much.

Her Joo wants to tie Kiki's hair and Kiki lets her.

Pam has been telling me to send Kiki to Her Joo's music school. To convince me, she asked Her Joo to play several astounding pieces for Kiki.

It is a lot of work to nurture Music interest, it takes discipline to practise, conscientious effort to attend lessons, time and finance to sustain.

I am still "KIVing" this although I do know that Pam has our interest at heart.

Jumping Clay

My cousin Xuiling made many clay figurines- Smurfs, Kungfu Panda, Angry Birds and many more from these clay and she said they were easy to use, hence I ordered some online.

However, they were a mess. I can't handle the sticky paste and it was no fun at all for now.

I was told to leave it to dry up a little before handling them so I will try again.

I would want to make Dora, Pororo and few other characters that Kiki likes.

For sure these are not meant for children under 3. For now, these are my muse.