Complimentary Photo Session

A week ago, I received a phone call from a photo studio offering us complimentary makeover and 2 digital shots to take home. We went ahead with the apppointment, though we expected some sort of sales speech following our shoot. Today being the 3rd day of the Lunar New Year, the studio was quite crowded..we were surprise that we dont have to wait too long for the makeup, photo-shoot as we were the 2nd family and there are plenty of studios and photographers.

Naomi and Nathan are especially excited with the hairdo and the dated Korean costumes which we wore for the 2nd round of photo shoot.

At the end of it, we took 50 shots but were disappointed that we couldn't buy just a few of the nice shots. The package price is way too expensive , so we just took the two complimentary digital photos. I must say that the photo shots are nice, and they dont really hard-sell...but we find that the package price is not value for money.

SANDtastic SUNday at Mcdonalds

Video of Ronald Mcdonald doing the dance

Naomi and Nathan had a fun time at their 1st Mcdonalds Red PEA at Kallang Mac. There is art and craft, drama by Lorna Whiston about family values and appearance of Ronald Mcdonalds. Both of them kept talking about it after the event and requested us to bring them there every month. Adding on to the fun, they also won themselves some stickers, magnet and goodie bags after answering some questions. I have enjoyed myself too..overall , is a good program and best of all is Free ! It wasnt full house yesterday, however, to avoid disappointment , is best to pre-register before going.

Learning Should be fun, not stressful.

Seb and Myself may have been too harsh to Naomi and Nathan while helping them to practise on the piano. We both felt quite bad after flaring up at them - always not taking the practise seriously.

After reflecting, both of us felt that we should not have reacted this way, they are still young after all and we should not kill their joy of learning. It is really my desire to want to create a fun learning environment for the kids be it in academic, music learning etc...cos that's what I have learnt from Mindchamps. Only when you have fun learning, u will be motivated and you will remember when u've learnt. Especially for theory, it is pretty hard to teach them in a fun manner. Have been searching for good resources or even thinking of creating one myself , so that the kids can learn the theory through fun and games. Got to know about this software,PianoIsFun. It has got very good reviews, will purchase and update all of you on the progress of the kids in this area.

Parent Volunteer

Is a relieve to have completed the 40 hours for parent volunteering at Kong Hwa School today. Clocked a total of 41 hours 5 mins. We hope that Naomi can get it as it is near to our home (10mins walk) and is a pretty good school - not so stressful as the super good schools and not too bad in their standard too. Actually, kinda of enjoy the phonics class and excusions that I have volunteered. So pray that we can get in ...when Pri 1 registration starts in June.

Festive Mood at Parkway Parade

The Chinese New Year festive mood is in full swing! We visited Parkway Parade last weekend and the mall was packed with shoppers. Geraldine signed up as a member of Borders and got a 40% discount on some children's bargain books, much to the delight of the kids.

The Chinese New Year decorations this year are dedicated to the year of the rat. Many street stalls were selling Mickey Mouse designs. We decorated our living room with a few of these. They were gorgeous!

Heritage tours to Chinatown

As a parent volunteer in a pri school that is near my place, I followed the students for a heritage tour to Chinatown yesterday morning. The tour is conducted by a very experienced STB tour guide Mrs May. Her interesting commentaries made the tour really informative and I was surprised that being a Singaporean I didnt even know of such places and some of the things shared. It was really an eye opener for me. Though we walked for nearly 3 hours from Telok Ayer, Amoy Street, Ann Siang Hill to Pagoda street, Chinatown, I enjoyed myself admidst the hot scorching sun and tired feets. If given a chance, would like to bring my kids to experience such tours.

Unfortunately, I rushed out in the morning and forgot all abt my camera so dont have any photos to put in the blog.

Some of the interesting facts shared are :

1. Tan Thiam Hock temple is built without any nails. The whole structure is built so precisely on top of each other (just like lego blocks)

2. The 1st ACS school is along Amoy Street. The badge and the name is still at the shophouse and preserved but too bad , now is sold off to a PUB

3. Along Chinatown NE Line exit , we went to the shophouses which used to be an opium den and the coolie squarters.

4. At Telok Ayer Gardens (opp Hokkien Huay Kuay), there are those iron scupltures displaying the olden days lifestyles like the indian milk man, the old junk boat etc

5. We went into the Lee Clan Association where they still use blackboard and chalk for their announcement and there is an airwell in the centre of the hall for ventilation.

6. At the indian temple in Chinatown, the guide explained that the mango leaves symbolises welcome and to walk of evil and the leaves that are shaped like spears are to ward off evil. The banana leaves outside the temple symbolises that a special event is coming up. Apparently , today is Taipusum Festival .

Many many other interesting stuff shared...

My Bundle of Joy

The Yiangsters posing for a good shot (from left : Nathan, Nicole and Naomi)

Is never too hard to reach and lick my toes

With the addition of our 3rd kid, we are so so busy that we seldom take photos of baby Nicole. Was just commenting to Seb the other day, it seems that we are taking lesser and lesser photos as we have more kids. Baby Nicole is really a bundle of joy to our family. Naomi and Nathan loves her dearly and she is the inspiration to them every morning to get up early.

Nicole is a real cheerful baby, always smiling and giggling or screaming to attract attention. Thank God for this gift. By looking and carrying her, one can forget the tiredness and frustration from parenting and raising up the kids.

Learnings from Psalms

This morning, I began the day with a bad start. It was supposed to be good news to me but with a twist to it, it turned out to be a disappointment to me. It is not appropriate to elaborate the long story in this blog but it is work related.

Through the daily devotions on Psalms since the new year, the themes about injustice, about forgiveness towards people who have done me wrong , about standing victorious in trials are really applicable esp today.

I was feelling quite down and bothered by it that I went window- shopping with my two kids in the afternoon just to cheer myself up. Woman dont call "Retail therapy" for nothing, the shopping really helps , trust me !

I have learnt a lesson from both in the physical and spiritual side of things today.

Thank God for your test and trial, so that I may learn from it and emerge stronger than before. May God's promises and strength be a constant encouragment to me. Amen !