I need to jump on my trampoline!

Well, that's what Kimi tells us these days.  Or he will say, I need more exercise so I need to jump on my trampoline now!

We just bought a trampoline for Kimi and left it in the hall (yes, my place not only looks like a nursery, it is also looking like a gym now!) so that he has full access to it anytime.

The benefits for trampolining are plenty and therapists are now using it as a tool for ADHD and other learning disorders children.  It helps to promote better gross motor skills and has the capability to calm them down.  Not that Kimi has ADHD, however, he is like an Energizer bunny so it is a good idea to have a trampoline for him to expend his energy.

The trampoline was delivered on Tuesday, 10/8/10 and so far he has been jumping on it and loves it! After a few jumps, Kimi has came up with his own jump moves - counting from 1-20 while punching in the air alternating his hands. 

And he has also tried the jump in the air and doing a split move!  I almost fell off the chair when I first saw this.  Now although I know it is safe cos he knows how to do it but the thing is, he is trying to jump higher.  So, I have to repeatedly remind him of the rules for safe trampolining. :) 

Since this is originally for adults, the hb has jumped on it and I can use it too.  There is a sale on this now at only S$145 from Aibi.  So far so good, everyone seems to be enjoying it so it is a great buy.  Thanks Charmaine for the great recommendation! :)

Hama Fun!

I just realised that I had forgotten to blog about these wonderful beads - Hama Beads.  These can be bought at Growing Fun.  We made this in January and Kimi had lots of fun with it.

You can use the stencil and follow the colour or just create your own.  Iron on it and it becomes a rigid display!  Excellent for training fine motor.

 Kimi, concentrating intensely 

 The finished whale

All For the Fun of Water!

We decided to let Kimi skip school today cos hb had been travelling non-stop the past weeks and we had so little time together as a family, esp so for hb. I think he felt the need to spend more playtime with Kimi as after 1.5 days rest at home, he will be on another 12 days trip, yet again.

After hearing so much good things about Jurong East Swimming Complex, we decided to try it out although there is a similar one at the estate we lived.  Best of all, the charges are same as any other public pools despite the slides, rides and wave pool. :)

As we arrived in Jurong town, it started to rain rather heavily.  I urged Kimi to pray to God for the rain to halt so we can proceed to the other part of Jurong where the pool was.  As always, God was faithful and as we pulled into Jurong East, the sun was shining and the dark clouds did not chase us! 

In fact, it was cloudy with enough sun for a warm time yet not scorchingly hot.  God loves His little children and their simple faith!!  The rain continued the moment we pulled out of the driveway of the complex.  Amazing? Yes!  That is my God, He answers ALL Prayers, no matter how small or big as long as we call out to Him. Hallelujah!  All Glory to Jesus!

Here's some pix of a beautiful family time spent together!

A father and son shot

The slides!!!

Kimi can't wait to jump in the pool

Going with papa on the lazy river on a float

Moving towards the water jets!

How refreshing!

Then, the wave pool can on (once every hour) and both father and son went on it with the float

Then they decided to go without it during the next wave ....

Enjoying the waves

Kimi venturing on his own - he's never afraid of waves even at a young age ... he loves water!

New Daiso Bento Tools

Finally, Daiso brought in some new stocks of pick and other bento tools.  These were collected over the last few weeks in June.  I don't see these pick, especially the balloon ones on sale anymore. 

Heard the animals and transport picks are available at Vivo.  But, you know how limited quantity they bring in and how quickly these runs out.  Do give a call to reserve before going.

I simply love the animals and transport picks!!  Although I already have the balloon picks, I bought another set just in case.  You know how easily they can get misplaced?  And to think I paid 2-3 times more for it.  Oh well...

Bento box separators and Food Drawing Pen

More separators

Animal sauce bottles.  The tranport ones were out of stock but a kind bento friend got it for me last week! Yay! Tks Karen!

What we've been doing.... Pulled Elbow and Reads

I've been really busy and tired that I just realised that I've not updated for more than 2 weeks!! I have so many soup and food recipes that I need to update and other stuff too! Please, I hope I can get more 'Me' time so I can update them! In the mean time, pls be patient ok? :)

Alright, back to what happened the last 2 weeks. Kimi was sick for 10 days or more and was not in school since Easter holiday and just when he was about to be well, he had a Pulled Elbow accident at Church on Sunday (11/4/10).

Kimi said the teacher pulled his hand and it was misaligned. Scary yes? YES!! Super stressful for me on Sunday as I was alone and after some examinations by my Church's doctor, he advised me to bring Kimi to the hospital to be really sure.

In the end, after some arm twistings (literally) and a few x-rays later, I had to call in the Orthopedic to really give me a proper diagnosis and re-alignment. This is because the Dr-on-Duty made Kimi cry even more after he tried to do some alignment and he could not tell me for sure it was elbow or wrist! I almost shouted at him!

Anyway, to cut a long story short, Kimi who normally wouldn't even bat an eyelid when he falls or knock his head, was super whiny and kept crying. So, I was sure he was in real pain. After carrying him from noon to 4pm, I literally had no more arms and the left side of my upper body (arms included) ached for 2 whole days!

Well, he is so much better today! :)

Although we have cut back alot on home activities due to Kimi's new schedule, we did not let up on the readings. As Kimi is huge on Go Diego Go, I bought a pack of Scholastic Phonics Reader for him and he loves it. I had to read all 12 at one go each time before nap and bedtime, EVERYDAY. That lasted for 2 weeks or more till I decided to get the Dora Set, thinking he might get bored. But ...

No, he wanted he to read all 24!! I couldn't - it was just too tiring. I made him choose 12 or sometimes less. It's so funny how Kimi will bargain for another one more or another 2 more. So cute!

I personally prefered the Diego Set as I feel it is more interesting and I could expand very much more on the stories while Dora was just plain? limited? Well, it's just a story, nothing much to add to, maybe only in a few of the books.

Then Charmaine recommended the Scholastic Sight Word Readers and Kimi loved it. I've managed to 'hide' the Diego and Dora sets so everyday we read 25 small books.

I would highly recommend this as it is very easy to read, clear, clean fonts and lovely, colourful picutres. After, reading to Kimi about 2 or 3 times, he could read the books himself. Of course, it has to be the titles he loves. :)

Here's Kimi, reading the books last night.

5 Grains Noodle

This is currently what we enjoy eating and it has replaced the udon that I use for the Miso Udon Soup with Chicken.  I like it cos it is made from 5 kinds of grains and it is softer to eat.  So, easier for Kimi who can be quite lazy at times to chew.

Do check it out if you have time.  I get mine from the cold section at Sheng Siong.  Have yet to see these at NTUC.

Scoot scoot scoot and away!

Every since we gotten Kimi his scoot for Xmas, he's been loving it and wants to use it everyday! We love this make and have been eyeing it for almost a year. We were so blessed to see it on sale at Taka for S$125 and grabbed it.

It's really a safer and smoother ride with 2 wheels in front and anchored low. Kimi's old scoot also had 2 wheels but the built, etc was really crap and we felt it was more dangerous than safe.

Get a Micro if you want to start your kids on scoots... Er, I don't work for them ok? Just wanted to share a good buy. :)

We have 1 confident scooter now who wants to move on to skate boards!! Faint! Now, Kimi is using the scoot as a skate board, balancing on the side... Goodness!

This was taken on 2 Jan 2010.

Just For Me

This is what I LOVE to eat...I don't even mind eating it everyday! :) Cold cold salad drizzled with Japanese Sesame dressing and top with warm, juicy salmon! BLISS!!

I'm so happy with the quality of this salmon I bought from Fassler. June and I went to its factory and bought LOADS of fish and seafood.

I was still complaining to her that it wasn't very much cheaper but hey, I'm a total convert! And Yes, I will drive all the way there to buy my fish cos it is sooo much fresher and worth every penny! So for the taste and freshness, yes, it is cheaper!

Great Tot Finds

I am a FAN of Daiso. Yes, I admit I am addicted to this place. Cos, the things are affordable yet of relatively good quality.

This is what I found recently. These are Kumon-like activity book for folding cutting, pasting, etc. So nice and cute!

Grab them before it runs out! :)

Gold Rush

Meant to post this last week but forgotten about it.

Kimi's favourite yummy goldies are back! Finally, no more crap kiwi and Kimi can enjoy his favourite fruit again.

Quick grab these for your babies as they are in store and in season now! Great boost of vitamin C!

Going Green Over Tea

Excuse the frosting on the doughnut - the girl did not pack it properly. I was a little upset ... but, well it tasted good so it made my day!

Suddenly I had craving for everything Green Tea today. So I bought everything in Green Tea flavour.

I'm not exactly 'crazy' over donuts but I really like Munchy Donuts' http://www.munchydonut.com/index.htm as the dough is soft even after a day and their frostings are not just sugar and overly sweet. My first choice is Green Tea, Oreo and then Cinnamon. In fact, I'd prefer those simple donut with sugar dusting.

I like the way they prepare their Green Tea frosting as I can taste the slightly bitter aromatic tea. Unlike others (I shall not name here) which just taste like a sugar overload with colourings and dough that turns hard once it's cooled.

It's yummy time the next few days! Wakakakaka!

Jacob Ballas Children's Garden Part 1

First stop today was to get Kimi's bench from Toys 'r' us at Vivo City. I wanted this kind of table for him and not those from IKEA which has separate table and chairs. Why? Cos I know my son too well. He will probably not sit and will be pushing the chairs and table around the whole house. Worst still, climbing on these! Can you just imagine the dangers? Also, they are a tad young to be sitting nicely on these chairs - well, at least not for my little one.

So, what's the best or shall I say 'safest' option? My choice for rowdy toddlers - picnic style bench that comes all in one... at least if he decides to climb, this is safer, sturdier and chances of the chair or table sliding and slipping is zero.

I saw this bench a few days ago and it was on sale at S$79.90! So I made hb go today to pick it up.

Post update : Kimi is starting to enjoy sitting here after a few days of use. He can understand when I tell him to sit at his bench to read, drink or just wait for me there!

Chocolicious

These 2 are 1 of my favourite Choc Milk Drink avail. The packet one is from Frankfurt while the bottled one is from Seoul.

I simply love the one from Frankfurt as it is so chocolatey yet not overly sweet or scarily rich. It's so yummy!

Interesting Cheese

I was wondering what Buko Cheese was when Cath blogged about this. I've never heard or seen it before. Went walk about at Giant Tampines today and saw it and decided to give it a try. It's yummy!

Kimi loves it too, so glad he did cos he's been fussy during brekkie of late. This soft yoghurt cheese spread is light and has a soft tangy taste, great for those who do not like too strong or heavy cheese taste.

Somehow, feel less guilty too! Keke! :)

Bento Madness 3

I first chanced upon these Hello Kitty & My Melody Egg Moulds last year just before I got pregnant. But I've not been able to get it. Finally, after waiting for more than a year, hb managed to find them and bought it for me. I still have yet to find my car shaped egg moulds so I am keeping my fingers crossed for hb to find them. He also bought a lunch box for me but it was not the one which I wanted. But it's alright, will ask him to continue to find for me.

Will post some pix of how the egg will look when I get round to makin some!

More Bento Madness

Went to Daiso ... yes, again! Really can't resist these! Look at the cute sauce bottles!

Bento Madness

I'm really getting into it! Collecting all things bento related! All things that can shape a nice rice ball, cut a cute shape or cute bottles/pots for sauces and mayo.

With my kind of luck, I'd better buy what I like when I see it now. Don't you guys have the same prob? You never can find the stuff when you need them or not a cab in sight when you need one and throngs when you don't?

So, I'd rather be safe than sorry. Here's my latest loots :-

Cute pancake shapes, lunch boxes holders, sausage shapers, sauce and mayo holders, rice (omu) moulds

Great Buys from Japan

I've started collecting interesting moulds, cutters and food picks in preparation when Kimi can start to feed himself. I especially love those kawaii (cute) bento packed lunches with foods made into cute and interesting pieces.

Hence, asked hb to get some from Japan for me. Some of the rice shapers and egg moulds :-

The piggy, face-shaped and bunny egg moulds are from Japan while the rest are from Daiso.

Hb also bought these scrumptious grapes, it tastes like wine and cost S$13 for a this small bunch! Again, my little gourmet loves it!

Of Herbs,Spices, Apricots and Substitutes

A few mummies have been asking me how to flavour our babies' food since salt and sugar are preferably avoided till 1 yr old.

I've come up with a list of food flavours you can use when cooking for your babies.

In fact, even for my home cooking, I do not use msg. I add a little sugar to simulate the msg effect which works well.

Hence, I've come up with this idea of using dried apricots to flavour Kimi's food and it works well!. Plus apricots, fresh or dried contain beta-carotene and significant levels of iron, great for a growing baby!

And if you want a little salty taste to the food, you can blend or add some celery to the food. But, pls be careful cos some babies may not like the strong smell of celery. So trial and error. You can also use dried kelp powder. This is a great natual flavouring for foods as it provides good iodine minus the bad sodium. Other flavouring techniques are using vegetable or chicken stock as well as herbs and spices.

Try different ways to see which appeals most to your baby!



Flavouring/Substitution List

• Vegetable stock
• Chicken stock
• Salt - Celery, ikan bilis powder, mushroom powder, powdered kelp
• Msg - sugar, dried apricots, red dates, apple/pear puree
• Basil, Parsley, cinnamon, cilantro (chinese parsley), etc
• Spices too when they are bigger and can stomach stronger, sharper tastes!

AsparaGOOD??

Asparagus - This is one of my favourite veg, in fact I love most veg especially those that are dark green.

Decide to introduce this fab veg to Kimi so bought a bunch and set out to puree these lovely spears for him.

Hmm, the steamed & pureed taste is good for me but I am quite apprehensive... got a feeling Kimi may not like it as it has a slight bitter aftertaste. I hope he will learn to appreciate this veg as it is packful with nutrients, good for a growing baby. In fact, it's good for everyone!

Of course, asparagus will taste different if I stir-fried with scallops! But, darling, not yet ok? When you are ready, mummy will make it more tasty for you, I promise! But for now, you just have to make do with asparagus prepared this way. Will throw in some pear to make it better!!














(left to right) - 1) All washed & ready for steaming, 2) Steamed & yummy asparagus


(left) - Looks like pea ya?













Find out more by asparagus here :-
http://www.asparagus.org/maab/nutrition.html