Ding Ding Ding - Bring in the Festive Cheer

The past week was filled with parties and packing the kids schedule with last minute activities before the school reopens next week. The pictures below shall tell the story of what the Tays had been up to...

Xmas Party at my office

Tenting Christmas

Christmas came a little early for the kids - I had Kyla and Lezane decorating the Xmas tree at the end of Nov 09 and also had Kyla to do some craft works related to Xmas. She had made a sock, a xmas tree, a snow man (which the head was cut off) and many others. A couple of days ago, Weikai gave them their first pressie - a tent,which they had happily bunked themselves with pillows, bolsters and toys. Our house is becoming a mini play house for kids.

Farmer, Fox, Bird with Tick Tack Tock by Act 3

The last play Kyla attended was with Mildred at Alliance Francaise. The boys were left at home then. Yesterday, Ivy and I tried our luck in bringing the entire troop out on ourselves without our hubbies. We brought the kids for a 40 min play which the kids enjoyed, except for Randall. It was a free seating play on the floor at the Recital Studio, which I think is very suitable for kids as compared to theatres with chairs. It has lots of room for kids to stretch and run about. To my pleasant surprise, my super active Lezane can sit throughout the play without fuss. I had expected him to run amok in the studio. Also we bought books and had it autographed by the unknown author (at least to me). Overall, it was a great day with the kids. Hope to bring them to more plays in the future.

Sorting game - Shapes

On the very rare occasions that we are home during weekends, I try to engage the kids in arts and crafts and some 'brain food' games if possible. Last weekend, I took out a set of the Montessori sorting game, which Huilin gave to Kyla when she was a year plus for Lezane to try. I thought it would not catch his attention but to my surprise, it kept him engaged for quite a while. I must say he is pretty good for a first attempt. I must keep the momentum going and learn how to use the Logico sets soon.

December - Month of Rekindling Friendship and Kinship

December 2009 had been a month of meeting up with old friends and gatherings with relatives to celebrate the festive season and catching up with one another on each other lifes.

To date ,

1. We met up with an old friend who was back from US with his wife for Xmas hols and had a hearty chat and lunch at a german restaurant at Leban Rd.

2. Had a quick meet up with my cousin, Lili from KL at grandma's place. (but we did not manage to have any photos with her thou)

3. Jiesi and Serene, the mothers club from uni class came over to my place for a chit chat session.See how cute bb Sophie is.

4. Attended Weikai's paternal side X'mas party, whereby Kyla and Lezane were the happiest- beneficiaries of gifts from the aunties and uncles.
5. The annual X'mas party at Huilin's place (coming up).

6. Xmas and New Year's party in office (coming up).

7. JC outing (To be confirmed)

Celebrating Early X'mas with Barney

I did it again! Squeezing with the crowds just to catch a free 20 min Barney Show at United Square. It seems to be a yearly affair for Kyla to watch at least one Barney show. Last year, we caught the show at Lot 1. It is much better as it was near home and she managed to take a photo with Barney without much queuing.

After the Barney show, we spent the evening with a short and breezy stroll at Botanical Gardens to view the 100 Christmas Trees Lightup. When Lezane first entered the garden, he exclaimed "wowh..." He was intrigued by the beautiful sparkling lights in the dark but after a while, he got bored and wanted to be a koala bear again. Kyla and Mildred went around as little photo journalists snapping at each Xmas tree they passed by. I must say they looked really pro in taking the photos. But as for the quality of the photos, you can judge it below.

Witchy business

Kyla: Mummy I am Princess. Papa is Prince
Me: No, papa is King. Didi is Prince
Weikai: No mama is Dowager.
Kyla: What is Dowager? (she thinks for a while). Mummy is Witch.[weikai starts to burst out laughing and kyla starts to giggle]

This shows that I have been disciplining her too much and becoming an old naggy witch.

Balls and Cookies!

Cheryl and Clare had been trying for weeks (infact only two weeks) to arrange for a date with the kids (Mil,Kyla,Randall and Lezane) and finally we got to meet up at their place for some cookie art session for the girls and stairs climbing for the boys. I must say it was a cake tasting evening- we had brandy fruit cake, decadent heavenly chocolate muffins, peanut butter cookies, mango cake and butter cookies. That evening was a 'heavy caloric' one. The girls had a blastful time with decorating the cookies while the boys were simply sweating out by running around. Also, the evening was spent celebrating my three Dec born cousins, Cheryl, Mark and Clare's bday. It seemed that the cake cutting session was meant more for the kids rather than these big kiddoes.

On Saturday, Weikai and I brought the kids to the over hyped Polliwogs at East Coast. It was a small indoor playground but good enough for the kids. However, I was not overly impressed by it. Maybe when we were there, it was crowded for a moment with two parties going on [thankfully, most of the kids all proceeded to the party rooms, leaving much space for us to explore]. Of all the playgrounds i have brought my kids, my first choice would still be Fidgets. It has all the space for the kids and the play areas are catered to all age groups. Overall, I would describe this weekend as A Colourful Weekend of Balls and Cookies...

A Sign of Independence Soon!

Lezane has been 'suffering' recently. He had a bad cough again and had high fever last week, along with 5 tooth cutting thru' his gums. Ouch.. it really took a toll on him. He was super grouchy for many days, refused food for several days and his milk intake was minimal as well. However, this week he was feeling better and last evening, he was on his best behavior.

For the first time, he played with Kyla in the playroom for a good 30-40 min, while i was cleaning up the house after I returned from work. Only once, he came out of the room to look for me, smiled and trodded back to the room. He closed the door behind him as a matter of fact and continued to play. On a usual day, he would need me to carry him or play along side with him. I must be within 1 m radius. The moment he could sense that I would leave his radar for even a second, he would panick and run towards me. This is how sticky he is to me and also to his grandma. Although it was only a brief 30 min duration, I am elated as it is the first time Lezane can do some independent play. This is very much anticipated milestone as I need time for chores and at times for myself too.