Joseph's First Kindy Concert

Joseph had his first kindy concert not too long ago. Since I shared big sister's concert before, it's only fair that I share his too. He didn't seem too happy at first when I dropped him off at kindy. They had to put on their costume first and the teacher will ferry them to the concert venue to have their last rehearsal before the parents arrive. We arrived at the concert venue very early to get good seats.

He's not very happy!

I was crossing my fingers that he will be fine during his performance and save me from embarrassment. Haha. To my relief, it was a ok! *peace sign* 

Here's the video. 

Just Singing

Hello there! I am still here. Having a blogger's block recently and suddenly decided to share some videos for a start.

The kids love it when I borrow nursery rhyme books from the library. I will sing to them or they will sing-along and sometimes do a performance for me. The fact that I haven't been recording a video of them of late, I thought I should wake my lazy bones up and record their performance before they're all grown up. Kids really grow up so fast, don't you think?

Do enjoy the videos!

Art Lesson

I did not sign up my kids for any formal art lessons. Maybe I don't want to burden my daughter with too many classes since she is already taking up piano and ballet. There's plenty of resources from the internet and I found this Colourwheel Clown Art Project to introduce the colour wheel to my kids.

First, you find a white card paper. I use a paper plate actually and cut it into a circle and then I drew the lines myself.

Then I asked them to paint the primary colours first. Red, yellow and blue on every alternate pizza slices leaving the other slices empty first. 

Next, I get them to mix the colours on a palette. Red + yellow = orange. So we paint the pizza slice in between the red and yellow, orange. Blue + yellow = green. Blue + red = purple. Same goes to the other slices. 

I then get them to paste the colour wheel on a art paper. Right in the middle. The colour wheel will be the body. Then the kids will have to paint out the face, hands and legs according to their imagination.

 Walla! Elizabeth's masterpiece.

Joseph's masterpiece. That naughty boy just wouldn't leave the clown alone. He enjoyed making it messy.

So that's one project you can do with your kids. Teaching art and some bonding time as well. You can introduce patterns as well like polka dots or stripes to the clown's socks if you like. 

Reading Is A Good Habit

Yes, reading is a good habit right? My girl is quite a bookworm and now my boy has more interest in books compared to before. Hopefully he will become a bookworm like his sister also. Maybe he will once he knows how to read more words. 

Two videos here that are precious to me and I post it up for memories since I have a memory of a goldfish. :D

Happy Friday!

Eep, I'm A Year Older

Yesterday was my birthday and although we always convince ourselves that age is just a number, we all wish that we could be 16 all over again right? Never mind, age gracefully as they say. ;)

We did the usual like singing the birthday song, cutting the birthday cake and dinner celebration. It's like any other usual day, I still went to work, my kids still drive me up the wall sometimes although they did some sweet things for me too and hubby helped with more chores. :) I don't intend to post any birthday celebration pictures because they didn't turn out quite nice. But instead here is a birthday note from my sweet daughter and a funny video of Joseph.

The front of the birthday note.

If you have trouble understanding her note because of the spelling and grammar mistakes, let me decipher it for you. "One little mother, the one I know. She loves me and cares me 1 million. I like to the same 1 million. From daughter."

This is the funny video of Joseph acting like a zombie or monster. I don't know where he got the idea from. Maybe the music from the book sounded quite dramatic. LOL. So tell me whether he is acting like a zombie or monster or ???

This CNY and Potty Training Updates

Many people asked me how was my CNY after I returned to work. I just told them it was ok. But in reality, it was actually horrible. But how can I say that because that would only encourage them further to ask me to elaborate. Obviously, I won't mention it also here but yeah there you go. It was a horrible CNY for me. I just wish I could turn back the hands of time but what is done cannot be undone.

I'm not sure what this post is going to be about. But maybe I should move on to other brighter things or just share some pictures. 

The kids with their cousins on the morning of the first day of CNY. The newest addition to the family and the center of attention now, their 5 month old cousin Zi Qi.

Elizabeth in some of her CNY outfits.

Yee Sang is a must for me every CNY. It's my favourite.

The CNY mall deco in Suria KLCC. 

The kids posing for pictures in Suria KLCC.

On another good note, Joseph has been diaper less throughout the night already! It could be between the mid of January to the beginning of February. A major feat for him and we're very proud of him considering how reluctant he was with the idea at the beginning of potty training. And how he likes to poo once we slip on the diapers for the night. He was already without the diaper during daytime and nap time for quite some time already. Then we realised that on some nights he's diaper was completely dry. That's when we decided to try taking him off the diaper at night and see how it goes. So far there were only two or three series of unwanted occurrences. It's been all good. Cross my fingers. Well, potty training is all about hits and misses. All we need is patience and no pressure. Joseph is 3 years and 7 months. 

Playdough Activities 3

It's been a while since we've done any playdough activity. Then one fine day as Joseph was looking for snacks to munch in the kitchen cabinet, he discovered the playdough I kept in there. And then it's playdough time again. 

Joseph was as usual with his abstract creations and Elizabeth came up with two interesting playdough creation all by herself. 

Elizabeth's pumpkin. 

Her flower. Don't you think it looks like Calla Lily? 

Anyway, off topic here. Some updates on my children progress in school. Elizabeth doesn't cry anymore. Phew! That's my big girl. Everything's fine and dandy for now. Cross my fingers and toes.

Today morning, I went to speak with Joseph's class teacher for a while when I dropped him off at school. I accompanied him into his class and as soon as he saw his classmates, he greeted them, "Hello!" He sounded like a celebrity addressing his fans. LOL. His classmates were a bit stunned. Then I told him that I gotta go and he casually said, "Bye!" So I'm a bit baffled about his crying drama over the last few days. I asked his class teacher about it and she said that he is very ok in class. The headmistress also said that as soon as he entered the class, he would start playing with his friends. They said that it's a normal thing when they see other children cry, they will follow suit or maybe he just wants to be manja with me. Hmph! This boy is just crying in front of me when I drop him off but as soon as he enters the class, he's all good. I feel that he is just a drama king!  Maybe I should sign him up for acting or drama class next time. LOL. So another headache and mystery solved, I hope!

Have a great weekend!

Drawing Circles

My little boy Joseph can draw circles already! You know with two kids in tow, sometimes some minor milestones nearly go unnoticed. Especially with the second child. The first child usually gets more observation from us because back then, we only have one child to look after. 

Anyways, when did he started drawing circles, I'm not sure. But all of a sudden that day he whipped out his doodle toy and started drawing circles. Then he proudly showed it to me saying, "Mummy! Look, circle!" What else, I whipped out my camera lah. The doodle toy comes together with a book. He tried to copy the picture with quite an impressive outcome. Considering he hardly draws at home. From my recollection, I think his sister draws more at his age. 

Doodling for the camera.

Proudly showing to the camera.

Trying to copy Lenny the Binoculars from Toy Story.

Then big sister wants attention and wants to join in too. So she started drawing space like planets and stars. She requested for her picture to be taken also. LOL. Kids, always want attention from their parents huh?

This is her version of Earth, Saturn and Moon. Hehe.

Now with other planets and stars even snowflakes. Look! She even wrote her name in chinese. I'm so proud of her. Thanks to Papa for making her practice during the holidays before school starts. 

On the other hand, Joseph's potty training has shown progress despite me being lazier the second time around. I was not as hard on him as I was with his sister. I haven't been using a diaper during his afternoon nap for already a few months. I didn't keep track of how many months exactly. He can now go to the bathroom to pee and even flush by himself. 

There's good news too in the poo project. It's been a few months too that he is brave enough to tell us he wants to poo. Now he sits on his throne with an additional baby toilet seat on the toilet bowl. Poos without fuss now. Previously, he used to be scared of the toilet bowl and wants to quickly come down. He used to suppress his poo from coming out too and waits until we put on his diaper at night, then he'll do his business. Got me so frustrated. Now when I put him up on his throne to poo, he'll say, "Mummy go, don't see me!" And I'll just leave him alone until he calls me to clean up for him. How cute and konon like an adult. As for the night time diapers, I still don't have the confidence to let him be diaper free. Some night he's dry but some nights his diaper is still wet. I hope diaper free nights will be here soon.

Joseph is 3 years and 6 months while Elizabeth is 6 years and 2 months.  

Stepping Into Standard 1

I hope it's not too late to wish my readers a very Happy New Year and I hope everyone had a good start to the new year. I have been 'missing in action'. Maybe it's the holidays or maybe I've been experiencing a 'blogger's block'. LOL. Maybe it's the back-to-school chaos that's been happening. Elizabeth just started Standard 1 and Joseph just started kindy. I can't help thinking Elizabeth's is no longer a small baby anymore. My baby is in Standard 1 now! Boo hoo. So what's up in my life recently? Preparing them for school. From uniforms to bags to water bottle! My husband and I took a few days off from work to be with them.

So how did your children fare on their first day of school? Elizabeth did fine during the 1 day orientation and I thought I could breathe a sigh of relief. We did a trial run on that day. Woke her up, bathed, brush teeth, gave her breakfast, all the works. During orientation, the children went for a visit to their classes and around the school while parents listened to briefings by the headmistress, school chairman and head of the Parent Teachers Association. She did fine on that day.

Just after her bath with the uncombed hair. Hard boiled eggs with light soya sauce, her favourite and milk for breakfast. 

Giving a smile before setting off to school for her orientation. Her new school bag given by Grandma.

Then the real day came. She told me the night before that she doesn't want to go to school. I asked her why. She said that she's scared of the teacher. I said I don't see anything wrong with the teacher and she seemed nice. She said she was a little fierce at one point. But I told her that sometimes the teacher may seemed fierce just because they raise their voice. They have to raise their voice because they otherwise not everybody can hear her. That explanation was not enough apparently because she got teary eyed when she entered the school. Great scott! We even made it into Sin Chew's newspaper! LOL. History repeats itself. Her crying days in kindy are back? And I thought having Aiman, her good friend in kindy who is in the same class as her in Standard 1(what a coincident!) can make her feel better. She cried till day 4 of school and finally on day 5 it stopped. Thank God. I pray that this crying ordeal will be finally over.

We even made it in the newspaper ok. Hari ini dalam sejarah!

Trying hard to control her tears but it soon flowed after.

In a better mood already. Recess time with her meal. I catered food with the canteen first. See how it goes first then decide later once everything's more settled.

She's sitting right in front. An advantage for being one of the shortest in class? LOL. 

On the other hand, Joseph fared well in school. He was all smiles on his first day. Thank God! Phew! He always came home tired. I wonder if school is that stressful or he played too hard. LOL. Poor baby. And as if like taking turns. Suddenly he started crying on the 4th and 5th day. He was doing good so far. So I don't understand why. The teacher said he was ok in school. Maybe reality has set in and he knows this is not playschool. Anyway, I pray hard that he'll get over this soon.

This was on the first day. All smiles. Maybe he thought he was going to playschool. LOL.

Smiling for the camera. 

And you know what? Not only it'll be stressful for kids, it'll be a stressful journey for me now. What a bummer..hehe. With all the rush in the mornings, worry over their progress in school to making sure they get sufficient sleep. It's not easy for us mums huh? Now, I'm looking forward to the next school holidays. When is it? ;)

Boys And Games

About a year ago, I did blogged about how my daughter was also caught in the technology web, playing Angry Birds and all that here. During that time, Joseph wasn't caught in the web yet. I mean he enjoyed playing too but usually with guidance. It was the best time for Elizabeth because Joseph would never fight for the smartphone or game console.

But things are different now. Both my kids will fight for their turn to play games on my hubby's Iphone. Most of the time, didi will win the fight. Poor jie jie won't be playing long if it's her turn. I think partly because she feels uncomfortable with her brother hot on her heels! Although the apps downloaded are mostly educational or kid-friendly, I still impose a "only-play-on-weekend" rules on them.

Joseph caught on fast and is such an expert now playing on his own by observing and learning through his big sister. Do you know that their all-time favourite game is Cupcake Maker? LOL. If only they can do a real cupcake for me instead of a virtual one. Hehe.

Here's two videos of Joseph having all the Iphone to himself while jie jie was having her afternoon siesta.

The Stuff You'll Do For Your Kids Part 2

Remember I've blogged about being a human slide for my kids here? Well, the stuff you'll do for your kids this time is become a human bull or horse. Hahaha.

My hubby becoming the human bull or horse to the delight of the kids.

It all started when the cheeky boy requested papa to turn and let him ride on his back. Hubby sometimes acts like a bull and sometimes like a horse, I'm also confused. The kids enjoyed it so much especially when papa does the bull or rodeo horse bucking and makes them fall off. Then they will ask for more, "Again! Again!" Good workout for papa! LOL.

My Boy

Recently we celebrated my father in-law's birthday. We went hunting for a birthday present for him before we went back to Seremban, my hubby's hometown. So my hubby asked Joseph what he would like to give 'gong gong' for his birthday. The little tike said, "Angry bird...cake". We all laughed. He remembered he got an Angry bird cake for his birthday and I blogged about it here before. So that's what he wanted to get for his 'gong gong'. But in the end, we had my mother in-law's home baked cake and Joseph blew the candle first before the birthday man could even blow. 
-_-

He's quite a talkative boy and likes to join in our conversation. Like when Elizabeth is having a conversation with me he will add in a "mm..yes!" at every pause during the conversation.

He likes to compete with his sister and he will say, "Yay! I win! Awesome! Party day!" Must've learnt all these from the TV. Tsk tsk!

He can count from 1 to 20 sometimes until nearly 30. He likes singing songs. His current favourites now are the ABC song and "One, two pa pa shoe" (One, two buckle my shoe). He mispronounced it. LOL.

On days when he refused to sleep at once during bedtime, he'll tap me and say, "Mummy, I want..talk to you." Then he'll go on telling me of something that happened that day. My awesome boy is a joker and never fails to bring laughter in our lives. I must treasure all these moments, his hugs and kisses to me before he grows up. Although I do hope he will be as affectionate as now next time. LOL.

Joseph is 3 years and 1 month old.

Look Ma! No mouth!

Joseph proudly presenting is idea of a robot.

Joseph's robot now with an eye.



So Sweet

Maybe what the articles that I've read from Babycenter are true. Ever since Joseph hits 3 years old, his vocabulary and speech went on overdrive. It's like as if it changed overnight!

So I lost my voice and this is the second day I'm like trying with much effort to have a decent conversation. But yesterday morning, while I was preparing to leave for work, I started coughing and were trying to remove some phelgm from my throat (sorry, I know it's gross).

Joseph was already awake and he called out to me while lying on my bed. So I went to him and he said, "Mummy, go see doctor". I was like blank for a second and then I said, "Oh you mean you are asking mummy to go and see a doctor?" And Joseph answered, "Yes, mummy cough (make coughing noises), go see doctor ok?"

Awww..that's so sweet and it melt my heart. I'm on cloud 9. Maybe losing my voice wasn't so bad after all. Haha. Children really know how to touch our heart right?

Joseph my sweetheart.

My Boy Has A Ferrari..Porsche..BMW..

Joseph used to own just a few cars but now his collection has grown! I mean toy cars really. Hehe. Ever since then, this is how he plays with his toy cars everyday...



He seems to have forgotten and neglected his other toys and is just happy playing with the same toy cars everyday. So much so till he subconsciously influenced his sister to play along with him. I guess he just loves things on wheels and it must be a boy's thing. I'm sure those of you who have sons will agree.

Joseph and his toy cars are inseparable.

His toy cars collection at the moment. How nice if I could own some of the real cars myself. LOL.

The excited boy and his cars.

Boys will be boys...:)

Joseph is 3!

How time flies with each passing year and each birthday celebration of our children. It seemed like only yesterday I held Joseph for the first time in my arms and now he is 3 years old. We celebrated earlier during the weekend in Seremban as his birthday falls on Monday, 2nd of July. It was just dinner at a restaurant and then we cut cake at home. Angry birds is all the rage still this year huh? Because that's what I saw at the cake shop. Angry birds on nearly every cake. So I got Angry birds cake for Joseph. Haha.

Happy birthday boy grinning from ear to ear. Green is not my favourite colour but I'm left with no choice because the red angry bird was a female bird. LOL.

Joseph thrilled when we're all singing the birthday song to him.

Huff and puff!!

Gong gong helped to cut the cake. Angry children greedily digged out the Angry birds' eyes and beak. Soon even the whites of the eye and eyebrows were gone too. But it was such a scary sight so I didn't take picture of it. LOL.

The many faces of Joseph.

Dearie Joseph, I'm very proud to be your mummy. You bring joy and laughter to my life. And I'm so thrilled to walk through life together with you and of course your papa and jie jie too. May you have a wonderful life filled with sweetness and happiness. And I'll always be there with you every step of the way. Love you forever..xoxo..Mummy.

Mother's Day Card

In case, the card would go missing one day although I will definitely keep it, I decided to record it down into my blog. This year like other years since she went to kindy, my daughter came back with a Mother's Day card she did in school. She showed it to me proudly and wished me.

The front. It's so cute the way she writes her Chinese characters. Haha.

The back. I find it cute and funny with that question there , "Good for you Mummumy(wrong spelling haha)?" From is foam. hehe.

Thank you for your effort, dear Elizabeth. I appreciate the card very much. Mummy loves you very much! I can feel the love..hehe.

On to another story, my two kiddos are like any other siblings. They have their good times and bad times. They can be loving to each other during good times and behave like enemies during bad times. LOL. But there were a few occasions where it shows how much they love each other.

1. When I found out that Joseph did something naughty, his sister would defend him by giving me excuses or reasons on why Joseph did it. She made it sound like he wasn't in the wrong!

2. She gives in to him more than her brother gives in to her.

3. There was once the two squabbled and that left Elizabeth in tears. She ran away crying but Joseph ran after her and quickly apologised, "Sorry Jie Jie. Sorry Jie Jie".

4. Another incident happened when Joseph wanted to paste some stickers from his Thomas and friends sticker activity book. Elizabeth wanted to join in but he shooed her away. So she ran away in tears again. But again he ran after her and said to her, "Come Jie Jie, stick together".

I admit the squabbling I don't like but it's when they make up, it's so sweet to witness it. I'm sure you guys agree with me right?

School holidays are coming. Enjoy your holidays with your kiddos. :)

Joseph's first time attending his sister's Sports Day.

Happy Mother's Day

"Happy Mother's Day!" Elizabeth exclaimed animatedly while handing me a gift she did for Art in kindy when I picked her up from the babysitter. She gave me the gift last week. So I said, "Thank you dear but Mother's Day is next Sunday but it's ok." She told me how she did the paper cup as the pot and I just listened and stroke her hair. Even though the kindy came up with this idea to appreciate mums, I'm still thankful and touched with my daughter's action. I can feel the love.

Although Joseph has not been told about Mother's Day, his good night kisses everyday and sweet good byes everyday when I go off to work is enough to make my heart contented and know that he loves me. Hearing "good bye, mummy! (flying kiss)" always makes my journey to work filled with happiness despite the traffic jams.

When your child makes you happy, you want to make them happier. So go on and make your child happy. Sing and dance with them like I did last night. We sang and dance. We also played "London Bridge Is Falling Down". We were so exhausted after that but happy. Now, I'm excited to celebrate Mother's Day this weekend with my own mother and make her happy.

I'd like to wish all mothers reading this in advanced (because I don't blog on weekends) a Happy Mother's Day and hope you had a fulfilling one!

I placed the gift beside our family picture. Elizabeth was 2 years and 8 months and Joseph was 1 month old then.

Activity For Energetic Children

Got energetic toddler or preschooler? Do this.

Get your kids upside down in a fun game of "wheel barrel" where you lift up your child's feet and push him/her along as he/she walks on his hands. Good exercise for kids and ourselves too! Hehe. They liked it!

Have a nice weekend!