Carnival @ Children's Gardens

I was still 2 minded the night before whether to go. Cos hb is not around and the carpark at CG will be closed. A little apprehensive about logistics in case Kimi decides to be uncooperative. Anyhow, Cam repeatedly asked me to go so decided to brave it. Hee!

After some rain in the morning, the air was rather cool when I arrived and I was happy to see many old friends who were so welcoming and excited to see how much Kimi has grown.

At the entrance, we were greeted by this huge inflatable clown with a bubble machine that spewed hundreds and thousands of lovely bubbles! Kimi was so happy and excited and spent at least 15mins there before I could pull him away.

Kimi decorated a gingerbreadman and I was surprised that the gingerbread was nice, so unlike many I have tasted. He then had a huge Dragonfly balloon (letter D, in line with this week's alphabet learning) and had an Elmo painted on his hand. Never expected he could sit there for the pix to be completed!

Next stop was clay painting and we chose a Duck figurine (needless to say why right? hee!) and the ladies at the same painting table were so fond of Kimi and he really entertained them. After that, we heard some banging but by the time we got there, the percussion workshop using recycled materials like pots, pans and sieve were ending and Kimi was so disappointed!

Luckily the Chinese orchestra was due to start and Kimi's face lit up again! Overall, we both enjoyed ourselves and Kimi had on his best behaviour. Sadly, we couldn't stay longer as it was inching towards Kimi's nap time. After 3+ hours of walking and activities, we both slept like a log when we got home!

Bubbles fascination - never mind the DANGER sign! *Faint!*

The plain gingerbreadman

Then Kimi wanted to bite into it - it smelled really nice! This really evoked X'mas feelings for me ...

Decorating with hands

Adding some final touch

The completed gingerbreadman

Kimi's Giant Dragonfly courtesy of Michelle. Tks Aunty Michelle!

Aunty Sharona painting an Elmo on Kimi. Amazed he could just sit thru the entire painting

Kimi so happy with his painting and kept pointing to it

Getting ready to paint the clay Duckie

Little artist hard at work

In full concentration

Dancing to the Chinese Orchestra!

Guess what we found? Kimi so happy to find a Parasaurolophus hanging on 1 of the branches - what sharp eyes he's got!

Kimi's first clay artwork!

Puzzles, Puzzles Everywhere

Post Update : 2nd Puzzle Video Updated below.

Kimi really enjoys his puzzles - just like me, I love puzzles too! But, I really don't know what to do with the completed work. I only want to piece them and not keep or frame them. So, that's why I've stopped piecing them. :(

But, I'm really happy Kimi has taken this side of me. Kimi could piece a 6pc puzzle when he was about 20months and now he tries to go for speed. He is starting to get bored now as the most I have is up to 6pcs.

However, I do keep some away and bring them out once in a while so he finds them interesting again. Hence, there are a few which he hardly plays like the Insect set but he was still able to piece all 4 sets. I'm so proud of his patience and achievement. (I've taken the video but can't upload, I've only uploaded a short one. Will try to do so later).

Puzzles indeed have made him a little more patient so I'm actively looking out for 6-12pcs puzzles. I really don't want to see this interest sizzle out. I've seen 2 sets but the pix were far from those we bought! These that we have are so colourful and pretty! If anyone knows where I can get these, pls leave me a message ok? Tks!

Btw, Kimi don't really fancy those that comes with a supporting board and frame. Think I may have no choice but 'train' him to like those?

2nd Day @ School

Today is Waterplay day and Kimi is so happy and so are all the other kids!

I spoke too soon yesterday re Kimi's lunch ... I've been warned before. My friend Elly once blogged about how we shouldn't say anything good about the kids in our blogs as she suspects that they 'read' our blogs and will do opposite of what we said good about them! It was hilarious, I thought till it happened to me. To the more superstitious, we call it 'pantang' but well... Kimi didn't even eat 1 scoop of his lunch today. :(

Maybe he just didn't like the macaroni? Let's see how tomorrow!

Kimi enjoying a private moment with papa
Look how bored Kimi was while waiting for the teacher to fill up the pool. Look at his hands, he can never NOT hold anything ...

Playtime! Kimi so happy splashing around!

Then he got on his knees and pretended to 'swim', 'kickwater' in the shallow pool! Think Kimi missed his swim class ...

More such splashings! Kimi was the only one who did this ...

Kimi looking sad as it was time to leave the pool ...

BB Honey Glazed Chicken

You can also serve this for the whole family on top of steamed white rice. I paired this with steamed sweet beans and sweet potato. Up the portions if serving for the whole family.

Ingredients

• 2 pc chix fillet
• Some sesame seed toasted lightly

Marinade

• 1/2 tbsp honey or maple syrup
• 1/2 tsp dark soya sauce
• Dash of pepper and ginger powder
• 1/4 tsp of minced garlic
• 2 tsp of lime/lemon juice

Method

1. Cut chix into thin strips and add to marinade
2. Let it marinate for at least 30 mins
3. Heat a little oil in pan and place chix strips on pan on medium fire
4. Once chix is almost cooked, add in balance of marinade and let it simmer and caramalise for 3-5 mins on medium low fire or until marinade is absorbed and reduced.
5. Dish and sprinkle sesame seed over chix strips and serve warm.
6. ENJOY!!

1st Day at Kids'

We set off early today as I wanted Kimi to eat brekkie at his new school. Hoping for him to get used to the environment quickly.

The day did not start as well and Kimi was cranky the moment he was awake. I knew that means disaster. I hoped and prayed hard that it will be a good day.

Anyhow, at school, Kimi decided not to eat the brekkie there after just one bite... well, I can't blame him cos I wouldn't too. The supposedly butter & bread combo had sooo little scrapping of butter. Maybe, I've been too generous with Kimi that he can't appreciate such 'sandwich'? Frankly, I can't too. So we skipped that.

Lessons started with circle time with singing and all. Kimi also didn't want to participate after like a minute into it. But, it's ok said his teacher, let him explore. Well, he was happy to explore and play on his own.
Kimi was most happy with the indoor gym-play of running, singing and dancing. My proudest moment was when Kimi finished his bowl of lunch (consisting of rice, minced chix & veg), self-feeding himself in like 10 or 15 mins? Wow! I was so happy!

Overall, Kimi seems to be adapting well. I even left for 30mins to get lunch and he was ok too. But, the teacher did say that when he saw some kids going home, he kept wanting to take his bag and leave too! Haha!

So far, I'm happy with the place. The teachers are nice and they kept enforcing personal hygiene/cleanliness and being nice to your friends. The asst teacher also stressed the importance of constant and close communications with parents and gave me her hp no. She also informed me that there will not only be weekly newsletters emailed to us but constant feedback to parents via hp or email.

I've also been asked to provide a family pix as there is a pix wall for the kids and that serves to let the kids get to know their friend's family and I guess, like a security blanket for them? I noted that the teacher constantly had her digi-cam in her pocket and would not hesitate to whip it out to snap shots of the kids at work, etc. Nice!

Tomorrow it's water play and I'm sure Kimi will enjoy himself loads!

In the lift, on the way to the car, Kimi gives me a reluctant smile.

The only shot of Kimi is full gear but it has to be blurred! Exasperation!
Anything that has animals makes Kimi happy!

Then Kimi got a little bored as he didn't want to join in.

Ahhh.. read a book, another favourite too!

But when the building blocks were out, he was there in a shot!

My favourite happy shot!

Lunch time! Kimi scooping the rice ...

And aim accurately ... goes into mouth! Another milestone achieved!

After lunch he had a slice of apple - seems like enjoying ya?

While the girls were showering, the boys stayed in the class for some more fun. Kimi and his little friends. Look, the boy even used his leg to try and tilt his chair back. Aiyo, his feet is so near Kimi's face.

BB Beef & Veg Burger On Hash

Pardon the cold-looking cheese above - it was actually rather soft when it was time to eat! Poor Kimi has to wait for his food all the time while mummy indulges in taking pix! Keke!

We did not do any homeschool this week as was busy organising Kimi's new school and stuff.

We had an early start today, feeding the swans at SBG again and water-play at Children's Gdn. Well, not me ... Kimi asked for it. He had been asking for it the past few days already but I kept telling him only during the weekends.

This morning, right after he had his milk, he went on and on about "duck, duck and signing me the eat handsign. So, we went and had our lunch at Vivo.

This is what Kimi had for dinner today. Something fast and easy. We only played matching games, memory games (sequencing) and linking memory games today and the last few days. Hope next week, we can settle down fast so we can continue with our lessons. Keke!

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp of minced beef (marinated with kelp and pepper)
• 1 egg lightly beaten
• 1 slice of bread OR 4 tbsp breadcrumbs (quickly processed in blender for bread crumbs)
• 2 florets of broccoli (chopped finely)
• 3 tbsp of fresh shaved corn (steamed lightly)
• 1 slice of cheddar cheese cut/tear into size of burger to top
• 1 small potato (shredded thinly with 'holed' potato peeler
• Some milk
• 4 pcs of Meiji cracker OR 2 pc of plain cracker (processed till fine)

Method
Beef & Veg Burger (Makes 5-6 mini burgers)

1. Add half of the egg mixture, breadcrumbs (use half 1st), broccoli and corn and mix well.
2. If too wet, you can a little more breadcrumbs or add a little more egg mixture if too dry.
3. Heat a little oil in pan, use small fire.
4. Using wet hands, shape small balls of mixture and flatten lightly before placing on pan.
5. Fry till golden brown, turn and place a small slice of cheese on top.
6. Once the underside is cooked, so has the cheese melted too.
7. Remove onto kitchen towels and place on top of hash once it is ready.

Hash

1. Once potato has been shredded, wash lightly in salted water. Rinse well and use kitchen towel to dry it.
2. Add some milk and pepper to the balance egg mixture. Stir lightly.
3. Stir in the potato shreds and cracker crumbs.
4. Heat oil in pan. Scoop a little, approximately the size of the burger and let it cook on low fire.
5. Turn other side and let it cook till golden.
6. Place burger on top and serve with fruit salad or fresh fruit juice.
7. You can also serve with a dollop of Japanese mayo or tomato sauce. I would recommend a squeeze of tomato sauce or chopped tomato instead.
8. ENJOY!!

Tips

• If you do not have crackers at home, you can substitute with a sprinkling of flour instead. I used crackers as it is more fragrant.
• Experiment with not just potatoes, you can add in pumpkin shreds, etc for variety and colour or whatever veg you need to give to baby to complete his daily requirements.

New School

This week and next will be quite busy for us as we have decided to change Kimi to another playschool. And we are very happy with the new school.

Kimi was supposed to attend another school which we had registered for earlier. But a trip there during lessons REALLY put me OFF! The teacher had on a sulky face and was teaching the kids on the top of her voice. More like 'lecturing' than teaching.

I also asked them a few questions and they answered me quite impatiently. Really not happy so I went looking aroung again before we decided on this school. The teachers here are really patient and kind. I hope such behaviour rubs off Kimi cos I know if I let him stay in that school, he will just learn to scream and act like the teachers there.

This new school is essentially a childcare but I shall only have Kimi stay for half a day and homeschooling him the other half 2-3 times a week and the rest of the week, fun! fun! fun!

I like how this school has individual classrooms, omitting the 'zoo' effect where you get an instant migraine the minute you step foot in it. You know, with kids, they always want to be heard so each of them screams louder than the one before!

I also like that they have really good structure and curriculum and are sooo open about what they do and encourage parent/teacher/school interaction! Everyday, there is a contact report for us parents!

They even offered to change Cookery Class which is scheduled on Fridays to another day so that Kimi can join in the fun. This is cos Kimi attends enrichment class on Fridays and do not attend school. This is really what I call customer-centric!

And although we are not Christians, I am not against Christian moral values, in fact, I think they are actually very very good for growing kids. Learning to be kind and putting others before self through interesting Bible stories are good and I really encourage that.

I have a good feeling about this place and I really hope that I did not make a wrong decision and pray that Kimi will enjoy his time there. Kimi will start next week and we are looking forward to it!

Will update at a later date! :)

Letter C - Part 2

This was supposed to be done and wrapped up last week by the weekend but I was busy and not feeling too good. Well, its' ok. We finish up with the letter C today with hb helping to undertake a little guiding. Well done, papa!

We started with reading and this was what we read :-

• The Very Hungry Caterpillar - Eric Carle
• If You Give A Mouse A Cookie - Laura Joffe Numeroff
• Who ate all the Cookie Dough? - Karen Beaumont

Then hb started Kimi on his alphabet and strokes practice and taught him about the life-cycle of a caterpillar (similar to butterfly - a revision for Kimi as I had went through this with him during Week B).

Hb then lead Kimi on to pretend play by asking Kimi to be a butterfly, flapping his wings, which he enjoyed!

We ended with our short lesson with Cookery Class by baking some Chocolate Chip Cookies and Kimi tasting his first SIN - Chocolate Chip Cookie after dinner! He loved it! Oh dear... think he may have a sweet tooth like me too! With stories and all, he really knows what a cookie is.

After dinner we did a caterpillar craft. Not recommended as I did most of it cos it's quite difficult to string through the poms poms with that filmsy wire. But Kimi liked the caterpillar so much and kept chuckling whenever as he sees its eyes rolling.

Happy reading with Papa

Papa explaining the process of the life-cycle of a caterpillar

Kimi tasked to do a matching game with the playset and pix card

Well done, Kimi!

Kimi pretending to be a butterfly - flapping his wings!

Getting better at strokes practice

Cookery class - Baking Chocolate Chips Cookies!

Helpful little helper!

Messing around? No, learning to count the dough as well as stealing a few tastes! Haha!

Books and Kimi's completed strokes practice sheets.

Having his first taste of a cookie and loving it! After dinner craft. Kimi giving his little caterpillar a kiss! Actually, I, too, was wondering why the caterpillar looked like a mouse? Haha!! Think it's the feelers!

Alphabet Puzzle Surprise

When we came home today, Kimi insisted on playing with the 2 pc alphabet puzzle which hb had played with him earlier in the day.

I was pleasantly surprised when I came out of the room and saw that he could piece some of them correctly and in such a short span of time. He even knew that X was for X'mas! Hmm, guess Kimi knows more than we think he does?

Some of the puzzles which Kimi has pieced
Putting the B to the corresponding pix - Bird.

Pointing out to me that S is for Snake

Gymboree Fun

Last minute decision to let the tots work their muscles so to Vivo Gymboree we went together with Estelle. It was almost like a private room for them as there were only 2 of them with another boy who left after a while.

Thursdays are best days as it allows free play from 10am to 7pm. Er, free as in free to choose the time slot and not free for you to play! haha!

Anyway, the kids had loads of fun and we intend to let them to this more often.

Oh ya, those who knows Estelle would know that after her Japan trip, she would jump at any cam that points at her and says cheese, posing and pointing to her cheeks. Well, Kimi imitated her and Serene was so lucky to capture that on her cam. Last pix says it all!

Fearless, just took to the climbing like that ...
Ready to slide!

Kimi has always been fascinated by Gymbo and enjoys balancing on this 'top'

Kimi's all time favourite - rolling in this thing ... remember Cat, our last time to Gymboree? Kimi never forgot...keke! He attacked this almost when he stepped in.

The 2 tots rolling this huge thing - they had fun!

The 2 cuties!

The COVETED pointing to cheeks and saying cheese ala Estelle shot!