Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Flea Market 7 September

Having loads of stuff at home to clear and too little space to stack, Mommy was pleased when she saw that there was a banner advertising for flea market stall space somewhere near our estate. Daddy and Mommy immediately called the organizers (an RC at Yio Chu Kang) about the space and went that very same week on the first Friday it was open for public registration following the placement of the banner ad. We got a lot, although not ideal as most of the lots were taken up (as we found out) way before the banner went up.

It was pretty fun, as it being the first time we held such a sale - Daddy and Mommy went there real early at around 7.30am to set up. As the saying goes, zao2 qi3 de2 niao3 er2 you3 cong2 chi1 (Early bird catches the worm). Before we got all set up, sales were already taking place furiously and as Wai Gong, Wai Po, Sanyi Po, Sanyizhang Gong, Yee Yee & Yee Zhang got there, we were nearly half sold out. So their merchandise helped boost up our storefront. Daddy went home after helping with the set-up, so that he can bring the girls over after they have woken up and taken their breakfasts.

It was pretty fun, as Kieona and Kierra had a chance to participate in manning the storefront. Although they didn't help much, I am happy for the little exposure they get and hopefully take away some lessons from there. They're still young, and it's difficult to expect much. Well, at least they learnt one thing - never bother Mommy when she is collecting money. :)
The idlers....
Kieona learning about pricing
Our storefront - yes, Mommy is also clearing out the lingerie business
So are you chatting or sourcing for business?
Eugene, are you buying?
Mr Seng Han Thong, MP for Yio Chu Kang on his rounds

Daddy's 36th Birthday

In case you are wondering, that's a Black Forest (with liquor to boot)
Happy Birthday To You....
It's obvious Kierra is more interested in your cake, Dad
Daddy is 36 years old already!!! It seems weird to Mommy that we are all getting older and older while our children are still so young. How I wish time can come to a standstill sometimes. We just don't know how Daddy feels going one year closer to 40yrs.

Food Blog

In case some of you are unware, Mommy has a food blog where she shares her secret recipes. It was started because some friends who came over for the occasional meal always ask for some of the recipes. And this vain mother thought it such a waste not to share her successful experiments. :)

See it at http://goodfoodparadise.blogspot.com/.

Huge Ice-creams

We bought a few boxes of the Magnum ice-cream that a door-to-door salesman was selling. He said it was mini - but it looked big to me. Must have been conned!

Anyway, a few days later when Daddy wasn't in and Mommy was feeling a little peeved with the way things were working out at the website, Mommy declared a pampering time for us all and we had neat huge Magnum ice-creams! Well, it wasn't huge to me but to the girls they were. They've always only been allowed the mini Conettos because Mommy doesn't allow them too much junk food at home. The fact was that they asked for the same ice-cream as Mommy since whatever I gave them looked so small in comparison.

Happy girls they were with their large ice-creams. Well, I suppose it's one thing asking for them and being able to finish them. They did in the end, but they sure took a long time. Perhaps they're still not big enough to handle adult size desserts. :) Check those enjoyable moments out!
The girls with their adult size ice-creams
Kierra, that's the stick dear!

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Busy Parents....

While in the bath yesterday, Mommy suddenly felt philosophical about parenting. Perhaps because an auntie brought up the topic of child-rearing and how much effort it is. Apparently people around me have the idea that Kieona is going for modelling and other courses because her mother has the time to bring her there. That sets me thinking about the dynamics of parenting vis-a-vis our many other commitments.

Unfortunate to say - I do not have all the time in the world. All parents are created equal, with just 24 hours a day and 7 days a week just like any other parent to spend on all their children (yes, be it 1 child or 5 children or more). We all have to make a living, and this applies to our family unit as well. There are times I feel really tired, and there are times I get upset and worried, but I never once thought that I should do less for my children.

The reason for doing the things my children ask for (in terms of learning new courses or asking for new items) - as long as the requests are within reasonable means - is because I love my children. As long as all requests have an acceptable reason, we try to work it in. For all these wishes to be granted, I need to spend the time and effort. It is not easy but I try to juggle them - all for the sake of love for them.

In my opinion there is no parent who is too busy for his/her children, just parents who care enough to make the difference for that one child. We seek to make this difference.

I Want To Be a Doctor

Kieona told me yesterday that she wants to be a doctor when she grows up. Now, where did she learn that from? Hmm....

Teachers' Day 2008

The girls made some cards for their teachers on Teachers' Day this year. Mommy provided the materials. Aren't they sweet? Kieona even made one for Ms Kas - Mommy wonders if the card reached her hands in the end. (Ms Kas was Kieona's teacher when she was two years old - but she has left the school.)

Little Hairstylists

Kierra with her princess look
Kieona says Mommy should wear her hair like this
I am not sure what my girls will want to be when they grow up. However, judging by what they've been doing - it could be in the creative line. Well, at least for Kieona. Apart from the usual drawing and colouring, or even modelling or gymnastics - she seems to like things of grace and beauty, activities that allow her to test her creative juices. These hairstyles were all created by Kieona dearest.

Saturday, September 06, 2008

Holes in Panties?

Mommy: Kieona, please take care not to step on your panties. You may get holes if you are so rough with them.

Kieona: Mommy, my panties already has holes what.

Mommy: Huh? How come? Show me.

Kieona: If panties got no holes, then how I wear?

:D the darnest things kids say!

Tuesday, September 02, 2008

Little Fashionista Auditions

Kieona took part in The Little Fashionista contest held by United Square and her auditions was held last Friday. She had requested to join and try it out when I brought up the contest to her. Since both girls are now in full day school, I had to send her for only half-day school that day and fetched her home for some dolling up before going for the competitions.

Girls getting prepped....
Eugene watches on.....
Applying the bases....
Getting Kierra's make-up done is serious business for her....
The girls all ready to go.....
Although it was a lot of waiting and the kids got tired, Kieona was persistent and tried to stay as cheerful as she could. A lot of the girl contestants were older than her (she's 4 yrs old and a lot are actually 6 or 7 yrs old) so I couldn't expect a lot. Most of the girls seem to be well-made up and their hair well done while I had opted for a natural look for Kieona. Apparently it didn't work well since one of the judging criteria was overall made-up look. Then again, we also met a lot of mothers who kept asking their daughters to pose like this and like that, which I thought was kinda funny. Aren't they supposed to relax and just enjoy themselves?
Kieona, Kierra, Bibik & Eugene waiting while Mommy queues
We were made to queue for nearly an hour just to get a number. After which, Kieona was required to go into the waiting area in front of the stage with all the other kids. And they could only go in alone without their parents. I saw some kids crying, but Kieona said she's going to be fine when I asked her if she was going to be alright. My heart went aflutter watching her walk away and waiting for her turn. She sure is determined about the audition.
Finally, at the registration desk
Beautiful balloons at the event menu....
The stage - wow, looks pretty big and scary to Mommy
Kieona waiting on her own in the queue
She waited for close to another hour before it was her turn to get on-stage. I guess she must have been really tired by then but she still went about her business. As with all inexperienced contest participants, she just strutted around without knowing much about at which spot she should pose or where she should look. However, she still tried to strike a pose everytime she was asked to, and smiled sweetly to answer questions about her name and age. Such a brave fellow at 4 years old!

Even though we did not get into the finals, Mommy is pretty confident that Kieona has learnt much from this audition. It was the first time I watched her go up alone on stage and answering questions while smiling sweetly, without any preparations or any friends to go on stage with. This in itself is already a battle won in my heart.

Check out her video which we had posted on youtube.

Singapore Fireworks Festival 2008

Anyone who has known us for a while will know that my children are big fans of fireworks. Kieona watched her first fireworks at about two or three years old. Kierra at a younger age since our family always go for any outings together. After catching the fireworks on National Day, which wasn't fantastic, we wondered if there was any Singapore Fireworks Festival this year. There were something like four shows last year and it was fantastic. We only knew that they were holding it this year maybe a week or two before the event itself as there wasn't much PR blitz on it this year. Perhaps it's because it was a scaled down version (perhaps most fireworks show was centered on Beijing Olympics) and there were only two countries taking part, so there was very little publicity.

France & Korea participated on 22 August (Friday) and 23 August (Saturday) respecitively. We had wanted to go for both shows but Daddy could only make it on Saturday but Mommy wanted to bring the girls on Friday after swimming so that we could also catch the French team (which was great last year). Weather however, didn't permit and we had to cancel the trip as it poured and swimming was also cancelled. What a pity. The skies did clear up later but we were already home and preparing dinner, so we had to miss the French show. We did catch the Korean Team's show depite the slight drizzle. We had gone shopping at Marina early, as we had also wanted to take the opportunity to check out the girls' winter wear.

Overall, the fireworks show was great, despite having to stand in the drizzle for a while. Check out some of the fireworks we caught.

Relaxing at Starbucks before the show begins - it was sooo packed!
Kieona, Kierra, Mommy & Maria - Daddy was taking this picture so he wasn't in
Red Electric Showers?
Sparklers! How lovely!
Wow!!! Sea of red.....

Of Cupcakes & Muffins

Muffins especially home-baked ones, have always been a hot favorite in our home. Kieona and Kierra absolutely love them, with the extra bits of cranberries and raisins and chocolate chips I sneak in. Now even little meatpie comes looking for them in my kitchen.... :)
A muffin a day for the next three days....
Kieona with the freshly-baked muffin
Yummy, yummy... Kierra loves this

Budding Gymnasts?

I'm sure at least half of the world watches the Olympics 2008 held in Beijing. Although Mommy has never been a huge Olympics fan, it was inevitable for me to want to catch some of the Olympics actions like the Table Tennis (which the Singapore Women's Team was piped to make it to the finals and get the first medal for Singapore in 48 years), the gymnastics competitions (including rhythmics) as I was interested to help the girls visualize the purpose of learning gymnastics.

As a side note, please do not get me wrong. I have no intentions at all (nor Daddy for that matter) to push them to join an gymnastics competitions in future, but I'll like them to visualize what they can potentially accomplish if they were to want to aspire to go further in this sport.

The gymnastics competitions were a real eye-opener. He Ke Xin, a Chinese gymnast who won gold in the uneven bars event wowed Kieona over so much that she still pulls the corners of her eyes upwards to imitate her. The costumes of the rhythmics gymnastics were so brightly coloured that Kieona kept talking about them. The rhythmics gymnasts poise and the manner they carried themselves amaze Kieona and Kierra so much that they tried to walk like them. It was fun to watch, as the girls expecially Kieona started to get motivated to press on a little harder and was willing to try more stunts during their weekly gymnastics lessons. Look at what they can do in the below pictures.

Kieona from the top view
Feet touches her head like a contortionist
Kierra joins in
Not quite there yet, but she tries hard till today
While we were all pretty impressed about the gymnastics, we felt that the Table Tennis matches were nothing to shout about. In fact, both Daddy and I are less than proud of Singapore women's team winning the silver medal, simply for the fact that we thought there were more deserving parties. Why, you may ask? Since most of the Singaporeans are pretty proud about having won a medal after 48 years, why are we unimpressed?

If anyone has been following the news, you will probably be able to suss out what Captain Li Jiawei and the coach said & did before & after the match. The coach mentioned that "we only have 10% chance ...(of beating the China team or winning - exact words in brackets not remembered)". Li Jiawei on the other hand, smiled after losing the game. There was an article in the Straits Times forum written by Lek Yew Chuan which echoes my feelings. He wrote the following (in grey) which I quote.

"...I do not want my child to have a defeatist attitude, especially just before the final battle. It is one thing to be realistic but another to give up just before the fight (as head coach Liu Guodong and team captain Li Jiawei did before the final with China), and worse still smile while losing the fight (as Li did). ...... I do not want my child to feel Singapore takes care of only high-potential players and leaves the rest to fend for themselves (as happened to Gao Ning).......I hope my child will not resort to excuses to explain failures (as happened to Gao when the coach did not turn up).....I do not want my child to stop at second best and, worse still, announce proudly she will defend her position next time, instead of going one step further (as Liu did)."

Having been an athlete before, I never had a coach who told me (not ever) that I did not have a chance at winning. (I was the second best runner in my races.) Never have I ever told myself that I can never win. During JC2, my friends from the Commerce Stream had formed a girls' relay team and even though our runners were not the strongest compared to the Arts Stream team, we never thought about giving up and just wanted to win the gold medal for our stream. Practise we did and ran we did. I was the last runner for the team and when the baton was passed to me, I just ran and ran without anything on my mind. We won the medal by a huge margin and my team-mates told me too that when they ran, they just ran with thoughts of winning the race and nothing else mattered. That kind of spirit is what I had been thrust with when I joined any sports. So the defeatist attitude I saw on national TV was not something that sat well with me.

Well, even Daddy was pretty upset about this very unhealthy attitude. If Michael Phelps had even entertained any thoughts of what other people said and if he even for once doubted his own ability, perhaps he would not have been the celebrated miracle he is today - for winning that 8 gold medals within 17 days!

So Kieona, Kierra, always believe in yourself and break out of convention. If it is something you believe in, there is nothing you cannot do. Remember The Secret.

Our First Ever Business Roadshow August 2008

16 August 2008. That was the day BMSG held their World Breastfeeding Week Event. What has this got to do with our family - you'll wonder - to warrant them a mention here? Because that was the first time we had a business (www.BabySlingsAndCarriers.com) roadshow. Although the crowd wasn't fantastic, it was a great learning ground for us as a new business. There were things like the banner you see below in the first picture, as well as the brochures that had to be rushed, to consideration of the paper bags to be used, the manpower to allocate....
Mommy met and old friend, Sanjay & his family

Mrs Yu-Foo Yee Shoon, MP for MCYS
Now what's the difference between this carrier and that?
In case you are wondering if this entry was just about the event. Not really.... I thought this is a worthwhile entry to make as Kieona and Kierra did turn up for the event and saw for themselves how we go about our work, how we approach people to talk (explain our baby carriers), chatting with prospects (strangers) about our products, etc.

The sole purpose of us wanting their involvement in these things is also to help them appreciate things deeper than what they will learn from classrooms or even in the park. Hopefully, this will help our children grow up knowing how there are different ways to earning your keeps and growing our money. I guess an old adage that comes to my mind right now is, "give a man a fish and he will live for a day, teach him how to fish and that will feed him for a life."
Daddy demonstrating how to use the Patapum Toddler Carrier while Kieona naps
Kieona, Kierra... I hope exposures like this will help you understand the dynamics of work, of making a living, of how you choose to make that living, and how talking to a complete stranger is really not at all that scary.

Love,
Mommy