Abel LOVES water...First encounter with Sparkles

After the past few fearful attempts at the pool, Abel finally found joy being in the water. Today we were invited to Uncle Lam's place for a swim and BBQ.

We were simply amazed at how comfortable Abel was this time round in the baby pool. Holding onto a Cheryl's swim board, he actually waddle around first with Daddy and later even on his own while Daddy brought Keziah to the adult pool for a swim. Certainly not wanting to lose out, Abel actually climbed out of the baby pool in an attempt to join his sister, not realising the dangers of deep water. Yes, he had his swim jacket on but still you don't want to try that.

Uncle Lam even prepared sparkles for the kids. It was both Abel's and Keziah's first encounter with these. Just look how amazed Keziah was playing with them, asking one after another after the earlier one extinguished. On the other hand, our Abel was just too taken aback by the bright sparks that came flying out from this little stick.

Banana Muffins from scratch

We always had been using pre-mix to make our muffins but this time Mommy decided to try making them from scratch with the bananas that we had to bring along to church on Sunday for the little kids. As usual Mommy used what she had, omitting some ingredients that she didn't have. The muffins didn't turn out too bad. Shall try the full recipe the next time and see what difference it makes to add sour cream and vanilla essence.



Martha Stewart's Banana Muffins
Ingredients

Makes 12 Muffins or 36 Minimuffins
4 (1 1/2 to 2 pounds) ripe bananas, plus 1 for garnish (more if making mini muffins)
1 cup packed light-brown sugar (reduced to 3/4 cup)
1/2 cup canola oil
1 large egg
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup whole-wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup sour cream (omitted)
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract (omitted)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 175 degrees C. Line a muffin pan, regular or mini, with paper liners.
2. Peel four bananas, and place them in the bowl of a mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Beat until mashed, about 1 minute. Add brown sugar, oil, and egg; beat until smooth. Reduce speed to low. Add flours, baking powder, baking soda, and salt; beat until smooth. Add sour cream and vanilla; beat until combined.
3.Fill muffin liners three-quarters full. Slice remaining banana into 1/8-inch-thick rounds; place a slice on each muffin. Bake until tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 25 minutes for regular muffins and 20 for mini, rotating pan halfway through. Transfer to wire rack to cool. Store, covered, at room temperature

Block Party

Welcome to our new block. As our block is a brand new one, the Residence Committee (RC) had arranged for a block party. It was fun for the kids with bouncing castle, games, food, shows while having one of our Minister to grace the occasion. It was only during his speech that Mommy and Daddy realised that our block is so special to have been featured in this year's National Day Speech by PM Lee, being the first of its kind with a sky garden at mid-level. Guess it was a blessing in disguise as we never thought our flat as being so unique, having balloted first for another block of flats on the opposite side of the road unsuccessfully. God really has his plans for us.

Opera Gallery

Mommy had not been to ION since it's opening. However today, Mommy met Keziah's classmate's Mommy who said that there was a painting session with a famous Brazilian artist Britto in conjunction with the opening of an art gallery, Opera Gallery, at ION. Mommy decided to bring the kids down after their nap. Sadly, we were not in time for the paint session but we had a walk around, admiring the beautiful artwork. It's really an eye opener for Mommy who doesn't have much of an eye for art. The kids were more fascinated running around the place on top of admiring the Snow White painting.

Zoo with Ta Ta

Although we always go to the zoo, there's always something interesting each time we went. This time together with Ta Ta, we spotted some really rare sights: The tigers trying to make love, the ring-tailed lemur sleeping on a branch totally still that Keziah could stroke its hairy tail, beautiful birds and different species of butterflies (more than usual) of which one landed on Daddy's hand for us to capture a nice shots.



We were in time for goat feeding at the Kidzworld. It's the first time the kids were doing this at the zoo. With the initial reluctance, especially when the adult goats were so aggressive that they even knock their kids to get food from the visitor, the kids grew to love this feeding session.
Even Abel enjoyed it so much that he's even 'talking' to the goats (mummm mummm...) as he fed them.
Mommy simply loved his looks as he monkeyed around and his great laughter which were brought about by simply looking at how the goats behaved as they were fed.


We were at the Shaw amphitheatre to watch the rainforest fights back again at the request of our dear gal. Somehow, Abel really was so fearful of the loud drumming and all that he cried. Keziah was also affected by him and we ended up leaving midway.


We had packed for our picnic some sandwiches and porridge for Abel. Interestingly, Keziah still liked the plain homecooked food while our dear Abel decided that bread was still his favourite.


Our departing picture with the giraffes...

Shu Shu...ZOOoooo...

This morning Shu Shu borrowed our zoo pass and Keziah was so excited thinking that Shu Shu was going to bring her to the zoo. This was how the interesting conversation between Mommy and Keziah went.

K: Shu Shu's going to bring me to the zoo. (While Shu Shu was having a shower.)
M: Are you sure? Please go ask him first.
K ran upstairs to the shower and asked.
K: Yes, Shu Shu's going to bring me to zoo after church. We're going to zoo now.
M: No No, we are going to church now. After church, Ok?
Mommy asked Daddy to sms Shu Shu to check it out again.

At church,
K: Shu Shu's going to bring me to zoo after church? When we go home? (repeated a few times on the car and in church and even back home after waking from her nap)
M: Sorry, not today. Shu Shu said he will bring you another day.
K's looking abit disappointed and wondering if what Mommy said was true.
K: Why? Why not today?
M: I do not know. You can ask Shu Shu when you see him later.
K: When we go to the zoo?
M: No. But we will go zoo tomorrow with TaTa and have a picnic lunch. Go home and ask TaTa if he would like to join us, ok?
K: Yes!
And sure as it was, she asked TaTa after she woke up from her nap.

Back home when Shu Shu came home while Keziah was being prepared for bed,
K: Shu Shu, you bringing me to zoo? (something to this extent as Mommy was in the bathroom washing her feet and couldn't really hear in full)
S: another day, ok? To see the elephants, zebra, giraffe.......
K: (mentioned some animals) ok

Mommy was just amazed how persistent she was and her memory. She actually remembered about going to zoo. Mommy thought she would have forgotten after a day at church, having worship service and playing with her friends. Now she sure knows where she wants to go and what she wants or don't want to see.

Beware therefore, for when she wants it, she will whine and pine over things like a broken tape recorder that will seriously ring at your ear. It's Why? and more Whys? Mommy really needs to teach her (or actually continue to teach as this behaviour has started for quite some time...terrible 2s...tantrums 3s) to exercise some self-control and understand that she doesn't get everything she wants all the time...a long way to train..That's why the Proverbs 22:6 says "Train a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not turn from it". Train = hard work = labour

Keziah's first haircut at a salon

Hearing that EChouse at United Square has some toy car in which children could sit in and tv to keep the little one occupied while the hairstylist does a quick cut, Mommy decided to try it out on Abel to give him a more boyish haircut with a slope at the back. Despite enjoying the ride, he started crying once he heard the shaver without it even trimming a strand of his hair. Unsuccessful!

Nonetheless to avoid a wasted trip, Keziah got the haircut instead...





The verdict of the cut?
Guess our little gal likes it...

Marina Barrage

We had a church gathering at Marina Barrage. The kids had fun in the waterplay area. Just look how wet and wild Keziah was with her friends. Abel had to take a back seat in his stroller as his nose was a little runny. However, he was a good boy, enjoying looking at his sister and friends playing while he munched on his bread. The children were so excited when they saw kites flying high, even little Abel was saying 'kite' 'kite'..

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Abel at 19.5mth

Yes, he's great with his fingers. Mommy was just so surprised that he could thread even small pieces of shapes with holes no bigger than an adult's pinkie. It's just so amusing to see how he does it with such great concentration. Mommy just left him with a box full of these shape pieces after showing him once or twice how to do it the day before while she busy herself in the kitchen preparing his food and he came in with a chain of these all threaded. After his craze over his trains, he's onto lego now, building tall tower by fitting the pieces together and putting together animals and fences from the zoo lego set that we had.

A....apple..avocado..S...seed..sea

We started a little of our learning for the week with letter 'a' for Abel and 's' for Keziah ('s' coz K is learning that in school this week). Just struck Mommy to start with the fruits apple and avocado. We smell and taste the fruits, observed the cross section when cut into half and compared the size of the seeds.





Did a simple craft using all the stones, shells and seaweed that we collected last weekend from the seaside by getting Keziah to recreate the scene by painting using sponge and pasting all those bits we found. Mommy was intending to get Keziah to fit in the words but somehow time just got the better of us. This will be the next step to completing the picture.

Mooncakes...Peony Jade

Yummy yam paste mooncakes...

Clay Cove...the finished product..

The final art work collected after the glazing and firing...

East Coast Park...FINALLY..

It's been ages that we said we would bring the kids to East Coast Park but somehow something will crop up. Either the weather wasn't too good or that the kids overslept. Today's weather was actually quite gloomy and it rained the whole morning. Thankfully the rain cleared and left us with an overcast sky and cool breeze. We trottled off after the kids' nap with our sand toys to make our sandcastle. Well, we didn't actually build one as the kids weren't interested but we did do some digging and the kids explored the beach - watching the waves, looking at kites flying high, picking up stones, shells and even seaweed along the shore.


Abel was at first a little apprehensive at the feel of sand on his feet. Guess the sand wasn't too coarse and he was soon used to it. Running along the coast, pouring water and sand from one pail to another and even venturing very near to the waters as his sister would that we were so fearful he would dive in.


For the first time, Keziah was able to make a complete crab from the mould. It's just so interesting seeing how Keziah was so amazed with the seaweed which came in big bunches. She even wanted to bring it home. It's also Mommy's first time to note that these seaweeds actually have 'fruits' like little berries.


Nothing beats a nice dinner after it all. We settle for a HK cafe and the food there was pretty good! Mommy loved the ice blended mango drink.

Simple Food....

What you can simply make if you don't have much time..
Chicken stew 3 Sep


Meatball Tomato Pasta 10 Sep


Yes, somehow western meal is alot easier to make then Chinese meal. One dish solves the problem of a hungry stomach.

Sensory Park

A new found playground introduced by TPY mommies for the kids to explore at Lor 5, right next to the food centre. Interesting to call it a sensory park despite just a few musical play station to heighten the kids' sense of sight, touch and hearing. Good tunnels for climbing around.

Siblings' play...

Trains have now become Abel's favourite and he could play with it from morning till night. Of course, his dearest sister will join in and more often than not, laughter is mixed with power struggles over the toys.

Swimming @ Bukit Batok CSC

Weather was really nice for a swim with the Lians.

Just look at father and daughter...


Our gals getting wet and wild...


As usual Abel refused water, clinging onto Mommy. Even when Mommy went down to the waters to play with Keziah, he decided to simply stand and watch for the longest time before he finally took the courage to try the pool. Yes, he doesn't like water on his face and he was extremely carefully. However, Mommy's still very proud that he's starting to overcome his fears. He did afterall enjoy the slide and a little waddling down the currents pool. More swimming trips for him!