Buzz... from Bumblebee

i'm back! What, it's already 2009!?!

2009-02-02T11:51:00.000+08:00

It's been a long long while, i know. that's the beauty of blog...electronically. all memories are kept intact...

been busy with work.
family.

and i almost had no time for friends at all. except the grassroots, perhaps.

not gone for yoga for more than six months, but been paying thru the nose for membership. sigh. waste of money lor. where was the commitment? but when i had the time, i'd really rather go back home and see the gals.

was talking to a fellow-parent (daddy), and talking about the struggle of a working mother.

felt terrible as i shared the heartache of not seeing the gals as often as i wished. can really feel the distanced 'bond' with sheryn, unlike what i had with summer. then again, it's the strong commitment to work now, rather than a matter of spending within limits and getting on with single income instead. we're lucky the childcare centre they both go to doesn't charge a bomb for services, if not... can 'die'!

what with all the economy downturn crises here and there.... no one is spending and helping the worse-off...

it's so different. and difficult. not that it was any much easier previously. but the orgn is facing some unforeseen difficulties and sometimes it just makes me pull my hair! sigh.

last week, landlord of office wanted to increase rental by almost $800! goodness!... what are they thinking... by this week, some concrete plans would have to be made. either stay or gotta relocate! more evenings and weekends may be burnt then. sigh sigh sigh.

it's easy to post a blog and sigh, than to really heave out a sigh.
missed sheryn's growth developments, really. last night as she slept on her little bed, she sat up at least 4 times, to ... kiss me and said "mummy, love you."
and each time, i cherished it so much more, as i returned her kisses. she wouldn't see my tears in the darkness.

time flies, sheryn's gonna be two years old this month. i missed out two years already. how many more is it gonna be?

my new year resolution has to be spend more time with the kids. summer is growing fast too, passed 5 already, and asking lots of questions about life and reality. no time to lose.

mm... and this year is our 9th wedding anniversay too! wow... i knew dear dear for (lemme count....) 22 years already! if possible, i shall give him a surprise this anniversary. haha...

our family portrait - mar 08

2008-09-18T09:50:00.003+08:00

2 Jiu's birthday party - candid shots!

2008-09-18T09:50:00.000+08:00

parents' day too 'commercialised'?!

2008-05-12T14:43:00.000+08:00

Yep, i know, Mothers' Day is just over, and Fathers' Day will be coming in June... on 15th June, to be exact.

My parents are always telling us not to spend money on such commercialised celebrations.

But you know, when you see people around celebrating and treating parents to lavish makan sessions... hmmm... you wonder if your parents may feel neglected...?

This year, sis and i initiated a gathering for all first cousins and uncles/aunts (brothers, and brothers-in-law of my mum) at a cousin's condo, and we brought food and gathered together. Very nice of another cousin who bought a cake to mark the occasion! Very nice group photographs were taken, and we had such a good time.... I think it's the first big gathering ever since ah-gong passed away... I know mum must be missing ah-mah and ah-gong this time...

Summer's public dance performance!

2008-03-04T14:07:00.003+08:00

This photo was taken after the second public dance performance @ Ngee Ann Primary School.
These are Summer's class teachers and childcare centre director, namely (from left): teacher Eileen, ms Kelly and Guo Laoshi (teacher Quek).

Reunion Dinner - 4 Feb 08

2008-02-05T10:51:00.000+08:00

Gong Xi Gong Xi @ Chai Chee

2008-02-04T12:18:00.000+08:00

my new-found god-daughter.....! can't imagine we actually clicked so well! hahaha... had loads of fun with e & z around! simply high..... higher than the lion dance!

Long long ago

2008-02-01T00:18:00.000+08:00

A song i've not heard for so long... miss it...

Tell me the tales that to me were so dear,
Long, long ago, long, long ago,
Sing me the songs I’m delighted to hear,
Long, long ago, long ago,
Now you are come all my grief is removed,
Let me forget that so long you have roved.
Let me believe that you love as you loved,
Long, long ago, long ago.

Do you remember the paths where we met?
Long, long ago, long, long ago.
Ah, yes, you told me you'd never forget,
Long, long ago, long ago.
Then to all others, my smile you preferred,
Love, when you spoke, gave a charm to each word.
Still my heart treasures the phrases I heard,
Long, long ago, long ago.

Tho' by your kindness my fond hopes were raised,
Long, long ago, long, long ago.
You by more eloquent lips have been praised,
Long, long ago, long, long ago,
But, by long absence your truth has been tried,
Still to your accents I listen with pride,
Blessed as I was when I sat by your side.
Long, long ago, long ago.

thank you, Summer

2008-01-31T15:13:00.000+08:00

Oh dear, this morning i almost shot my mouth off at Summer, who so kindly took my shoes from the cabinet, and undid my buckles so that I could put them on easily! But I didn't have to undo my shoe buckles in order to put my shoes on!!

I almost snapped at her cos we were running late but LUCKILY I bit my tongue in time, and thanked her for her kind gesture instead.

On the way to work, I kept thinking how I almost scolded her for undoing my buckles, and how that would be so un-called for. I also count my blessings for having Summer, so thoughtful and sweet, she is sometimes so considerate and passionate that I would LOVE to think she must have inherited those genes from ME! wahahaha....

"Thanking our children must be one of those very important lessons we must learn. Don't take them for granted."

Busy with blogging!

2008-01-28T15:03:00.000+08:00

goodness! now i'm challenging my multi-tasking, or rather, multi-blogging competency!

well, busy busy like a bee lately. why? cos I'm starting a parenting club for parents! finally, my wish has come true!

been wanting to do something like this, you know, like meeting fellow parents with children of about same age... like those mummies and daddies of Summer's classmates! then, didn't know how to go about doing it, whether people would trust you or not and most of all, in what capacity was i gonna do that??! yikes!

so you can imagine my excitement when the family life champion thingy came along and well, after the 'powderful' injection of creative juices and empowerment (yep, that's the catalyst!) @ OBS, here it is, the first project of mine.... Interactive Parenting Club (I.P.C.) is formed.

With the support of my kampong (KCC) and my families, i started alone, but now with several other like-minded parents, I am not lonely anymore! hurray!

Do check out the links on the right... help to spread the word around for the club, and if you are a parent yourself, come join us! we chit chat, play with children, organise outings, learn from experts and not-so-experts too, we learn from mistakes and experiences, and most of all, we spur one another on the journey of parenting!

fingers tired now.... neeeeeed a rest! phew! c ya!

Pink-Toe... our new family member

2007-12-13T21:24:00.000+08:00

We went for a bear-making workshop @ Esplanade last Sunday. Summer chose this pink bear (goes without saying!), and she named her Pink-Toe. See, there's even a Birth Certificate! Welcome to the Ho Ho Ho family, Pink-Toe! (I had to spend money buying this little T-shirt for Pink-Toe, cos it's printed with "Ho Ho Ho" ! Oh, just couldn't resist it! hehe....)

Cute kidz...

2007-12-12T21:45:00.000+08:00

Summer's Art Work II

2007-12-12T21:18:00.000+08:00

Girl in skates! A snake!

Sheryn - budding ballerina??

2007-12-10T08:57:00.001+08:00

The Right Step - Ballet Concert

2007-12-10T08:41:00.000+08:00

More Birthday Treats!

For 2 nights (5 & 6 Dec), Summer attended a Ballet Concert @ Victoria Theatre, performed by students of Kampong Chai Chee CC Ballet Classes.

She was so thrilled by the hip-hop dances too! haha.... the little ones are so cuuuuuute!

p/s: Summer came home walking about in "tip-toes" whenever she remembers the ballet dancers she saw... =)

Birthday present from mama Helen

2007-12-10T08:39:00.000+08:00

Thank you for the gift, mama Helen!

Summer's Birthday Treat @ IKEA

2007-12-10T08:34:00.001+08:00

an ice-cream treat from Auntie @ Smales Counter... hehe

Christmas @ Marina Square

2007-12-07T21:36:00.000+08:00

* Summer & the Disney Princesses *

2007-12-06T11:28:00.000+08:00

Summer to Johor

2007-12-04T21:24:00.000+08:00

Santa Claus is Coming to Town!

2007-12-02T11:36:00.000+08:00

Double Kenn??

2007-11-30T23:34:00.000+08:00

I love my Sister!

2007-10-22T13:55:00.000+08:00

More of Sheryn...

2007-10-22T13:09:00.000+08:00

Lovely Sheryn

2007-10-02T17:12:00.000+08:00

Summer's 1st Sports Meet - won GOLD medal!

2007-10-02T16:56:00.001+08:00

Warm up, warm up...

A good friend of Summer's, Hong Yi is a loveable and cute boy in her class. Look how squimish Summer was! oh boy.... and girl....!

Holding the first medal in her life, Summer was very excited about the whole event! And her wish came true... her team came in first in the relay of passing quoint (a rubber ring that was placed on top of the head).

bye bye... ah gong

2007-10-02T06:42:00.000+08:00

It's been 10 days since ah gong passed away ...

Seemed like yesterday when ah gong was so strong and healthy to go travelling 'round Singapore in buses... He was our mobile bus guide, just ask him and he could tell you what bus to take to anywhere in Singapore!

A man of few words, a loving grandfather, who fell ill a few years after ah-ma passed on. Ah gong had always been our reason to get together with extended families and cousins. Now that he's left us... what would CNY visiting be like ???

My mind is in a whirl of thoughts... missing ah gong and heart is wrenching as I remember the moments at the funeral and crematorium...

Many a moment, Summer asked me unanswerable questions, why lao-gong-gong died... why is he sleeping there (in the coffin)... and finally on the last day of the funeral, she asked me what was lao-gong-gong saying... huh? She told me she saw him standing there and speaking, but she couldn't understand him. oh...

Cherish. Treasure. Don't take for granted.

Life has to go on... Summer: "Lao-gong-gong has gone to look for Lao-ma-ma. Lao-gong-gong has become a blue butterfly, and Lao-ma-ma is a pink butterfly. Sometimes when they are free, they will go to Tampines shopping and walk walk..."

awww......

Elephant (with spots!)

2007-08-23T14:40:00.000+08:00

Daddy drew an Elephant, and Summer filled in the "patterns"! haha...

Thumb-sucking Contest??

2007-08-23T14:28:00.000+08:00

So, who will win the "Cutest Thumb-sucking" Contest??

Summer's FairyLand

2007-08-14T13:26:00.000+08:00

Sheryn and Daddy

2007-08-08T19:35:00.000+08:00

I think Sheryn's daddy was indeed pleasantly surprised by our visit this afternoon.

He misses her as much as she misses him... ooohhh...

Surprise visit, and we had fun too!

2007-08-08T19:17:00.000+08:00

Brought our 2 princesses to Suntec City to "surprise" my hubby at lunch-time today. Auntie Susan gave Summer a bag with $10 inside, then told her she could buy anything that she wanted. Summer settled for a $2 beach toys set (What a steal, hehe!) and also paid for a new laundry basket for ma-ma's house, lastly with her remaining money, she treated us all to Green Tea Ice Cream cones. Yummy! She is generous, i tell you! hehee....

Jindabyne: Charity Movie Premiere 21 Sep 07

2007-08-07T13:39:00.001+08:00

So blessed! Family Life Centre has been selected as the beneficiary for the Charity Movie Premiere to be held on 21 September 2007 (Friday) @ GV VivoCity. All donors and guests will be treated to a cocktail reception at 7.30pm before the movie starts at 9pm. Each ticket costs $50 only, and 100% of the proceeds GO TO support the good works of Family Life Centre (find out what FLC does : http://www.familylifectre.org/).
You can also read up on this acclaimed Australian movie at this link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jindabyne_(film)

Catch the trailer here http://www.archerentasia.com/jindabyne/

Come on, do a good deed today! Buy a ticket and be treated to makan and movie! ;)

Cousins in Australia

2007-08-06T12:20:00.000+08:00

our very dear cousins, who are so far away, in Australia...

Don't they just look like a very beautiful post card or advertisement...

Gayl, Ryan and Grace, all the best to you guys, in whatever you do!

Missing you...from all of us in Singapore...

The Rose

2007-08-06T10:50:00.000+08:00

Some say love, it is a river, that drowns the tender reed
Some say love, it is a razor, that leaves your soul to bleed
Some say love, it is a hunger, an endless aching need
I say love, it is a flower, and you, it's only seed

It's the heart afraid of breaking, that never learns to dance
It's the dream afraid of waking, that never takes the chance
It's the one who won't be taken, who cannot seem to give
And the soul afraid of dying, that never learns to live

When the night has been too lonely and the road has been too long
And you think that love is only for the lucky and the strong
Just remember that in the winter, far beneath the bitter snow
Lies the seed, that with the sun’s love, in the spring becomes the rose.

~ hubby recently bought an album, sang by a pretty sweet Singaporean girl- Olivia, who did the recording in Japan. One of the ballads in the album is The Rose... very, very nice... suitable for slow dance with your loved one... ;)

Cousins

2007-08-05T13:51:00.000+08:00

My cousins ... ... all so lovely!
I love this photo!
2nd uncle and his beloved 3 children... always an envy for all! ;)

4th August - Birthday Party of 3

2007-08-05T13:48:00.000+08:00

The birthday gals and one little birthday boy!

Guess how young they are??? =)

Kenn: "Hello hello..."

2007-08-03T18:20:00.000+08:00

Sis is unwell, and hasn't seen Kenn for 2 days liao... So we asked Kenn Kenn to telephone his Mummy lor! hehe... Nice poses eh?

Now you see it, now you don't!

2007-08-03T09:59:00.000+08:00

Can't believe this! Summer showed us her magic of "The Disappearing Star" last night, and we were so amused by her! You're SENSATIONAL, Summer, way to go! =)

p/s: Summer admitted that she had watched someone performed such tricks on the TV, and that's where she picked it up. W O W... ...

love letter to Summer

2007-08-02T15:03:00.001+08:00

To my darling Summer,

I'm writing this love letter to you because I feel that you've been a wonderful help by entertaining your little cousin Kenn, and sister Sheryn.

Everyday after school, you'd come back to gong-gong's home, and cheer up the two little babies. Without fail, you'd make funny faces, or call out their names, and play with them and make them laugh. You told me that you love to see them laugh! How sweet of you, really!

I hope you know that we are all very proud of you too, when you accomplish what you had promised - by finishing your food, and to remember your manners when speaking with adults.

You are eager to please mummy and mama, and also mama-Irene and mama-Susan, I know. I've already told mama-Susan that you finished your food very quickly. You reminded me again, this morning, to announce to mama-Irene and mama-Susan that you could wear your socks and shoes by yourself. I will tell them, darling.

Remember that we all love you very much!

hugs and kisses,
Mummy
2nd August 2007

Convocation - post record dialogue

2007-08-02T12:38:00.000+08:00

Summer: "Mummy, when I graduate, remember to bring Sheryn to run to the TV outside, and clap your hands, ok?"

Mummy: "Huh?"

Summer: "Yah, just like what we did at Gu-gu's graduation ceremony..."

Mummy: "Oh... But Summer, if you are the graduand, I defintely want to go inside the auditorium to cheer for you, not sit outside lah! And we'll invite everyone to be there too!"

post-script: Due to insufficient entry invitation, only my parents-in-law, my hubby and Ning's BF entered the auditorium. Summer and I waited outside, and viewed the live telecast (can you believe it?!) on the TV. Yes, you guessed right, we ran to the TV and clapped and cheered for Ning when her name was announced! hahaha...

Singapore Pledge??

2007-08-02T12:11:00.000+08:00

Yep! The patriotic Summer, just learnt to recite the National Pledge. The school has taught her well!? haha...

"We, the citizens of Singapore, pledge ourselves as one united people, ...... "

Summer's Flower Garden

2007-08-02T11:51:00.000+08:00

This is Julia, Summer's favourite soft toy. (and she says that Julia is her darling daughter too.)

Convocation of our Super Star - Ning

2007-08-01T21:15:00.000+08:00

Whoa! Ning's convocation, finally!

Congrats, Ning! Way to go! =)

great ways to say i love you

2007-08-01T17:19:00.000+08:00

The best ways to say "I love you" are usually in simple, everyday, seemingly unimportant ways. Leo Buscaglia, who wrote and taught about love, said "Words and deeds that say 'You enrich my life' go on forever."

Here are some suggestions to get your own creative juices flowing so that your love for one another will go on forever.

• Make sure you say "I Love You" at least once each day to your spouse.
• Write love notes... and hide them in unexpected locations (e.g. inside pockets, on top of computer keyboard etc)!
• Give your spouse an unexpected hug, a surprisingly romantic kiss, or a teasing tickle often.
• Listen not just hear. Listen with your heart as well...
• Tell your spouse why you love him/her.
• Give the gift of your time by performing trivial chores for your spouse, such as folding the clothes, running an errand, washing the car, etc.
• Don't forget anniversaries and birthdays.
• Smile.
• Dance with your spouse in your own living room.
• Make a date and watch a video together.
• Hold hands and lock fingers.

Seem easy? Try them... it's always a joy to see your loved-ones being loved! ;)

"Have you brought joy to your family today?"

Hello, are you listening... actively?

2007-08-01T16:23:00.000+08:00

An important skill for parents to master is "active listening."
When parents listen actively, they send children the message that they are important enough to have the parent's undivided attention.
Many problems can be solved and even prevented when parents take the time to use active listening.
Importantly, when a parent is an active listener, he/she is able to guide children to solve problems for themselves.

Here are the steps to master this skill:
Stop what you are doing. Look at your child.
Give your full attention, listen to what is said.
Comment on what you think you heard.

Happy listening, folks!

Let's eat Chee Cheong Fun

2007-08-01T14:45:00.000+08:00

Introducing Summer's favourite food - Chee Cheong Fun! Yummy yummy!

We're gonna miss Faithe

2007-07-31T16:02:00.000+08:00

Mm... heard from Faithe's mummy that she'll be transferring Faithe to another Nursery school.... Oohh... Summer will miss her so ... They're such good friends! (sob..sob...)

Mimosa Mimosa

2007-07-31T15:58:00.001+08:00

Was teaching Summer how to identify mimosa few days ago. She was amused why the grass would fold away upon touching. "Don't be shy...", Summer kept saying. =)

McDonald's Red P.E.A. program - 29 Jul 07

2007-07-31T15:53:00.000+08:00

Summer attended the MacDonal's red PEA program where P=Play, E=Exercise, A=Art at the Mac near our home. Made a windmill, and was so pleased with her creativity! She was most happy to take a photo with Ronald! Glad she enjoyed herself! You're my girl, Summer! Yo!

Sheryn - the budding soprano??

2007-07-26T11:33:00.000+08:00

Sheryn has been a marvellous baby! Mum says she would entertain herself when awake, and sing songs on her own... or making cooing sounds... and sometimes, if she gets lonely, she'll sing in higher pitch to attract the attention of the busy adults! hahaha.... Oh, and these photos were taken just after she had her head shaved @ 5-mths old, see? She has such a nice round head, so pretty! haha...

Summer's Masterpieces - Art Work

2007-07-18T12:12:00.000+08:00

By the way, this last one is supposed to be The SUN... a rather friendly one though!

Summer @ the playground (before school) =)

2007-07-18T12:03:00.000+08:00

On the way to school, Summer requested to play at the newly "upgraded" playground near the bus stop. Since the time was still early, I decided to let her enjoy a little before school. Looked like she really had a good time eh!

Well, what to do, I DO have a soft-spot for children's laughter ! ! !

Flowers-a-picking

2007-07-15T12:06:00.000+08:00

4 Princesses

2007-07-12T12:57:00.000+08:00

What happens when 3 gals get together?

2007-06-30T11:19:00.000+08:00

2-year old Summer

2007-06-22T23:44:00.000+08:00

also abt 9-mths old

2007-06-21T23:43:00.000+08:00

Go back in time... Summer 9 mths old

2007-06-21T23:42:00.000+08:00

as i reflect upon how Summer has grown... I'd like to put up more photos of her when she was much younger... ohhhh, how time flies!

Psst... Daddy kissing Mummy!

2007-06-15T15:48:00.000+08:00

purposely uploaded this photo in small size... cos i know they are very shy ... hehe... nonetheless, i feel most touched to see this precious moment captured!

"The best way to love your children is to love your spouse."

Chill it, man...

2007-06-13T16:36:00.000+08:00

hahaha... was just going thru some jokes that were saved on the lap top... here's some to share....

Money is not everything.
There's MasterCard & Visa.

The more you learn, the more you know,
The more you know, the more you forget
The more you forget, the less you know
So ... Why learn.

Since light travels faster than sound,
People appear bright until you hear them speak.

"Your future depends on your dreams"

So go to sleep ....ZZZZZZZZ

A bus station is where a bus stops.
A train station is where a train stops.
On my desk, I have a work station....
What more can I say.......

a little prayer... hehehe

2007-05-31T16:29:00.000+08:00

what more can i say....

Sheryn in the bath! oops!

2007-05-29T15:04:00.000+08:00

Sheryn - 3 mths old

2007-05-28T14:20:00.000+08:00

Sheryn at 3 months old. Look at her sweet smile!
Way to go, Sheryn!
I love you! =)

Sisters

2007-05-28T14:10:00.001+08:00

I simply adore Summer... for all the love she's showering on Sheryn...

Having a sister of my own, I can't agree any stronger that a sister is indeed the Best Friend that I can ever have.

Enjoy your sisterhood, Summer and Sheryn!

Lots of Love,

Mummy

I'm B_A_C_K!

2007-05-28T13:57:00.000+08:00

Gosh! Time flies! It's been some time since I last posted! And guess what! We have a new addition to our family now! hehe....

Introducing Sheryn... she's 3 months old now. And that's her che-che Summer, all so excited about her little mei-mei!

"The Singapore Girl & Santarina" - edition

2007-03-01T11:58:00.000+08:00

my lovely nephew - Kenn

2007-01-30T16:02:00.000+08:00

Yo, this is Kenn ("ah kenn" or "kenn kenn" as we call him)...

He is one lovely little boy, who smiles at everyone, even strangers cannot help but love to lavish him with sweets and chocs! Of course he can't eat them yet... we'll conveniently consume them FOR him... hehe.... yummy!

before and after - Doggie

2007-01-01T15:21:00.000+08:00

Summer was taking art classes last December, and this is one of the master pieces created then.

PARENT - Job Description

2006-07-12T13:41:00.000+08:00

(I received this email, I think, from my hubby long time ago.... Just wanna share this with you guys... hahaha.....)

This is hysterical. If it had been presented this way, none of us would have done it!!!!

POSITION:
Mom, Mommy, Mama, Ma

Dad, Daddy, Dada, Pa

JOB DESCRIPTION:
Long term, team players needed, for challenging permanent work in an, often chaotic environment. Candidates must possess excellent communication and organizational skills
And be willing to work variable hours, which will include evenings and weekends and frequent 24 hour shifts on call. Some overnight travel required, including trips to primitive camping sites on rainy weekends and endless sports tournaments in far away cities! Travel expenses not reimbursed. Extensive courier duties also required.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
The rest of your life.
Must be willing to be hated, at least temporarily, until someone needs $5.
Must be willing to bite tongue repeatedly.
Also, must possess the physical stamina of a pack mule and be able to go from zero to 60 mph in three seconds flat in case, this time, the screams from the backyard are not someone just crying wolf.
Must be willing to face stimulating technical challenges, such as small gadget repair, mysteriously sluggish toilets and stuck zippers.
Must screen phone calls, maintain calendars and coordinate production of multiple homework projects.
Must have ability to plan and organize social gatherings for clients of all ages and mental outlooks. Must be willing to be indispensable one minute, and an embarrassment the next.
Must handle assembly and product safety testing of a half million cheap, plastic toys, and battery operated devices.
Must always hope for the best but be prepared for the worst.
Must assume final, complete accountability for the quality of the end product. Responsibilities also include floor maintenance and janitorial work throughout the facility.

POSSIBILITY FOR ADVANCEMENT & PROMOTION:
None. Your job is to remain in the same position for years, without complaining. Constantly retraining and updating your skills, so that those in your charge can ultimately surpass you.

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE:
None required unfortunately. On-the-job training offered on a continually exhausting basis.

WAGES AND COMPENSATION:
Get this! You pay them! Offering frequent raises and bonuses. A balloon payment is due when they turn 18 because of the assumption that college will help them become financially independent. When you die, you give them whatever is left. The oddest thing about this reverse-salary scheme is that you actually enjoy it and wish you could only do more.

BENEFITS:
While no health or dental insurance, no pension, no tuition reimbursement, no paid holidays and no stock options are offered; this job supplies limitless opportunities for personal growth and free hugs for life if you play your cards right.

More poses at the beach...

2006-07-11T13:12:00.000+08:00

A natural entertainer, oh my...

2006-07-11T13:02:00.000+08:00

taken at the East Coast Park, on July 2nd...
Aiyo, Summer is such a natural entertainer! She simply posed non-stop when I took out the camera!
Way to go, Summer!
You're my S T A R!

Just couldn't get enough of you....

Mirrors, mirrors on the walls..

2006-07-11T12:52:00.000+08:00

Summer realised that there are her reflections on the mirrors, and she posed almost during every use of the hotel lift!

I Love Ronald!

2006-07-11T12:49:00.000+08:00

"S" for Shopping??

2006-07-11T12:37:00.000+08:00

"Yeah, besides the rides, we could do shopping leh! Mummy bought many things for me..."

Is my dimple still there?

2006-07-11T12:27:00.000+08:00

ooh.. it's quite cold here.... Has my dimple shrunk??

Take my Car, anyone?

2006-07-11T12:19:00.000+08:00

Ooh... cars, cars, everywhere! Good thing Summer doesn't ask to have money slotted for each ride. Well, that's really one good thing about her there! hehe...

In the coach...

2006-07-11T12:17:00.000+08:00

Yeah! Genting, here we come!

Summer was simpy amused with all the facilities we could find in this coach! Video, ear phones, massage chairs, hahaha....

Nice pose, huh?

2006-07-11T12:14:00.000+08:00

I love this photo! Such a model, huh? hehe...

Funny Summer

2006-07-11T11:23:00.000+08:00

It's been a long long while since last updated this blog...

These photos were taken recently in May 2006, when we went to Genting, Malaysia for a short holiday. That was the first time Summer left Singapore, and she was extremely excited about it. Boy, was she wonderful! Even though we had not completely toilet-trained her, she was able to stay dry in the coach during the long journey... Of course, she had her toilet breaks during the intervals together with us all... I was really impressed!

Anyway, the only regret is that Summer's daddy couldn't come along with us all during this trip! wellz... next time hor, dd? =)

MA-I-AH-HO

2006-06-17T12:57:00.000+08:00

Oh yes, the karaoke singing at ye-ye's place during CNY '06!

Like real, right??

Summer and the Tiger

2006-06-13T14:36:00.000+08:00

Many Many ME

2006-06-13T12:42:00.000+08:00

See the many many sides of me??? hahaha... these were taken during 2006 CNY at lao-gong-gong's house...

Summer - 2 years old

2005-12-05T14:51:00.000+08:00

Time flies! It's Summer's 2nd Birthday today...

You're 2, Summer!

2005-12-05T14:38:00.000+08:00

Happy 2nd Birthday, Summer! =)
Costume of Da-Chang-Jin (Singapore version)

Pacifier "has gone to work"

2005-08-25T22:09:00.000+08:00

I was reading a parenting article just now, about how to help your child wean off a pacifier... And I recalled how I was warned not to let Summer use a pacifier, 'cos it's exasperating trying to wean it off.

Well, thing is, we'd offered Summer a pacifier (kinda like "for fun") when she was about 4 mths old,and she'd REFUSED it! We laughed it off. It was about 6 or 7 months, when she was teething and had discomfort that we offered it to her again. This time, she appreciated it! Fondly, we all started to name it "du-du".

However by the time Summer was 11 months or so, we decided to wean off the "du-du".

First day, she looked high and low for "du-du", and started to wail... I couldn't take it any longer....and gave in.

Second day, before her afternoon nap, she started to look for "du-du" frantically. I'd hidden "du-du", and finally, she managed to fall asleep after a fruitless search.

Then came the third day, I hoped Summer would be as tired and quickly go to sleep... Noooo...she didn't do that..... Here she asked again, "Mummy, du-du.." "Mm..Summer, where has du-du gone?" (in the same tone I ask her where daddy has gone.) And guess her answer? "Du-du has gone to work." YES! That's it! =) "Yes darling, du-du has gone to work. Now, let's sleep..."

And the rest was history.

Yes, envy me, 3 days was all I took for Summer to wean off her Pacifier! Hooray!!!!!! Well done, Summer!

Lotsa lurve,
Mummy of Summer

yummy....

2005-08-24T08:44:00.000+08:00

look at that! Summer is finally able to feed herself! (but we have to bear the mess!!)

oh wellz... nevermind lar.... letting her learn is better than having her only opening her mouth to be fed! hehe...

Being a Parent

2005-08-23T23:44:00.000+08:00

Being a parent changes everything...... BUT being a parent also changes with each baby.

Your Clothes

1st baby: You begin wearing maternity clothes as soon as your OB/GYN confirms your pregnancy.

2nd baby: You wear your regular clothes for as long as possible.

3rd baby: Your maternity clothes ARE your regular clothes.

Preparing for the Birth

1st baby: You practice your breathing religiously.

2nd baby: You don't bother practicing because you remember that last time, breathing didn't do a thing.

3rd baby: You ask for an epidural in your 8th month.

The Nursery

1st baby: You pre-wash your newborn's clothes, color-coordinate them, and fold them neatly in the baby's little bureau.

2nd baby: You check to make sure that the clothes are clean and discard only the ones with the darkest stains.

3rd baby: Boys can wear pink, can't they?

Worries

1st baby: At the first sign of distress - a whimper, a frown-you pick up the baby.

2nd baby: You pick the baby up when her wails threaten to wake your firstborn.

3rd baby: You teach your 3-year-old how to rewind the mechanical swing.

Pacifier

1st baby: If the pacifier falls on the floor, you put it away until you can go home and wash and boil it.

2nd baby: When the pacifier falls on the floor, you squirt it off with some juice from the baby's bottle.

3rd baby: You wipe it off on your shirt and pop it back in.

Diapering

1st baby: You change your baby's diapers every hour, whether they need it or not.

2nd baby: You change their diaper every 2 to 3 hours, if needed.

3rd baby: You try to change their diaper before others start to complain about the smell or you see it sagging to their knees.

Activities

1st baby: You take your infant to Baby Gymnastics, Baby Swing, and Baby Story Hour.

2nd baby: You take your infant to Baby Gymnastics.

3rd baby: You take your infant to the supermarket and the dry cleaner.

Going Out

1st baby: The first time you leave your baby with a sitter, you call home 5 times.

2nd baby: Just before you walk out the door, you remember to leave a number where you can be reached.

3rd baby: You leave instructions for the sitter to call only if she sees blood.

At Home

1st baby: You spend a good bit of every day just gazing at the baby.

2nd baby: You spend a bit of everyday watching to be sure your older child isn't squeezing, poking, or hitting the baby.

3rd baby: You spend a little bit of every day hiding from the children.

Swallowing Coins

1st child: when first child swallows a coin, you rush the child to the hospital and demand x-rays.

2nd child: when 2nd child swallows a coin, you carefully watch for coin to pass.

3rd child: when 3rd child swallows a coin you deduct it from his allowance!!

~ Author Unknown -- but could be ANY mommy in the world ~

Mama & Summer

2005-08-22T12:48:00.000+08:00

That's my dear mama and my darling daughter.... photo taken at the Singapore Changi Airport.

Yes, Summer's been trained to grin at the camera, so that she looks sooooooo cute! hehe...

Dedication to my dear hubby ~ And I Love You So

2005-08-21T11:07:00.000+08:00

And I love you so
The people ask me how
How I've lived till now
I tell them I don't know
I guess they understand
How lonely life has been
But life began again
The day you took my hand

And yes I know how lonely life can be
The shadows follow me
And the night won't set me free
But I don't let the evening get me down
Now that you're around me

And you love me too
Your thoughts are just for me
You set my spirit free
I'm happy that you do
The book of life is brief
And once a page is read
All but love is dead
That is my belief

***********************************************************************************
Thank you for supporting me to pursue my dreams... to make decisions about my life, though our lives have become one family's...
And thank you so much, for believing in me... that we can have a wonderful life with our darling Summer.
Thank you also, for bearing with me that sometimes my schedule can become quite erratic, and BUSY, that Summer has to stay over at mummy's place (I know you miss your princess dearly on such nights...)
Thank you, dear, for loving me... I love you too (3,4,5...hehe..) ... =)