Day 18

Usual routine. Paused the walk due to haze. Read more into my hobby on the internet. Grocery shopping, general cleaning, packing of goodie packs for Thursday's party...1 more day!!! YEAH!!!

Day 17

Both snoozed till 8:30am... After I'd set up the breakfast and got everything ready, I peered into their room and witnessed a lovely sight. The 2 girls were snuggling up with each other, chuckling in a playful tone. Estella was actually tickling Eliana on her cheeks!


Some candid comments this morning:
Eliana: "What is that smell!?"
- referring to the lingering burning smell due to haze. Thanks to our neighbouring country...

Estella: "Mama, I want you to tie my hair half, not too much, so that it's long and thin"
- referring to her mid-way pony tail

Estella: "Mama, if you cut my long hair away, I will be very upset..."
- yes, she must have long hair!!!

Both darlings brought along their lanterns for the school's lantern parade. Seemed like Angry Bird lanterns were very popular with the kids this year!

Day 16

Hazy day today (sigh!). Short playground time in the morning at void deck. Cycling for Eliana, and kick-scootering for Estella. They had a great time at the slide. Cooked lunch and dinner. Estella's appetite for books grew! She was reading off so many books today, and even attempted the K2 book! Eliana is very, very fascinated with her giant sticker book! They were so busy doing artwork today... all because I couldn't 'hide'/keep away the paper plates in time. Eliana easily used up 15 today for her artwork. She was found happily snipping away... colouring, making noodles and even cooking them in the oven. In a cheeky mood, she told me she is 'auntie' today... happily serving food to the children in school! And of course, Estella and I had to 'eat the food' she served up!

Day 15

Swimming + Mini party


Blessed 3rd birthday to Eliana!!!

Day 14

As usual... grocery shopping, picking up mini birthday cake, housework, lunch with Paw at TP, Spotlight shopping (again!!) at PS, packed and wrapped prezzies for girls, but got to hide away from them. Surprise mah... They got what they wanted. Will post the pics in the next entry.

Fetched girls early. Simple dinner with baked salmon. Started my hobby after they went to bed... Oh my, this hobby is addictive. Hmm.. makes me think a lot about my mom. Can't wait to show her my little artwork! : )

Day 13

Discovery of a new hobby! Thankfully, I managed to borrow the sewing machine from MIL. There's quite a bit of bonding there too, as she walked me through the equipment. There are so much free lessons on Youtube, books from the library. I can feel the excitement brewing. Suddenly, I felt the connection with my mom whom I'd spent much of childhood sitting next to her while she worked away on her sewing machine... Yes, I am going back to Spotlight again to shop! More focused the next time, I hope. *grin* I dream of the pretty things I can make out of the pretty fabrics, and the requests from both girls to make sisterly dresses for them, little cute pouches, cushion covers, toys, even clothes for their toys... It all started from wanting to make some small cafe curtains to block out my odd storage areas... I guess that's how hobbies/dreams grow. Let it grow, let it grow... (I just remembered how my mom always 'nag' at me for doing all the "有样没价" things last time...)

As for the girls, I fetched them early today since there is no outdoor time due to rain. Spent a good hour with Estella as she read 4-5 books to me. It was a bookworm day! Read 2 books to them at bedtime. Estella totally enjoyed both books. The first book is "Pretend", which featured the father and son playing pretend on couch, and imagining themselves out at sea fishing, meeting sharks, etc. We both role-played the book and it was absolutely hilarious. The Chinese book was good too. Estella was giggling away at the adventures/silly acts the owlet did, especially his DIY sunglasses made of 2 leaves!
During skype time with daddy, Starrie was getting restless that he couldn't fly out from the computer screen and be at home at once. Her new tagline was 'I want you to pat pat me to sleep!!!'...

Day 12

Usual morning routine. To tackle this perpetual late syndrome (PLS), I actually used the timer this morning. From the moment I said 'let's go', I discovered it took 10 whole minutes to pack them into the car, and another 20 minutes to drive, and 3 minutes to unload them and kiss them good bye at the school (after the mosquito repellent spray, 2 kisses & 1 hug). Total time clocked is 33 minutes!! Alright, I have always been very unrealistic, in denial perhaps, that it does take THAT LONG to boot them to school. :(

Ideas for time shavers?
- cut Estella's hair?
- insist that Estella needs not wear socks? / just wear sandals lah...
- always make sure we park the car at deck 1A or 1B (the higher we circle, the more time is needed)
- get them to pick and choose the extra items to bring to school the night before
(Alright, I've already pre-packed the school needs as much as possible the night before...)

So now, let's work backwards the timing, and try again. :)

Had a fruitful lunch gathering with the TT folks at CityLink, followed by HomeProject time at Spotlight. Oh boy, I was so fascinated by the selection of fabrics there! Thought I found a new hobby. I will make it back there again as I gather more new Home Projects.

Late night incident - Starrie vomited in the middle of her sleep. Thank God she is well this morning. :)

Day 11

Managed to run some errands like ordering a small cake for celebration part 1 of 3; started the CDA account for Starrie; grocery shopping - all after the morning walk. Settled a bit of work, Skyped with dearie.

Today's dinner is one of the simplest to prepare - hearty chicken soup with carrots/corn/celery/onion/winter melon, with brown rice. Absolutely no need to stand by the fire and watch, etc. I've even prepared extra for the next day. Tom's meal should be simple too. Good thing is the girls managed to finish their portion well. Post dinner snack was not too bad too - 2 bananas for #1, lotsa grapes for #2, topped with a single serving of chocolate ice-cream. :-)

Now, we are all waiting to skype with Daddy. #2 blurted out on the way to school this morning 'I miss Daddy...'. With that, #1 echoed on too... Sigh, of course, and there's me three!! And so, during skype, the girls kept yelling 'I wanna hug, I wanna hug...' The ultimate request came when Starrie asked Daddy to fly out from the computer and come home immediately! Wow, what imagination!!! Duh...


Yes, Day 11. 8 more days to go...

Interesting highlight of the day includes this conversation with my ex-vendor, who is currently 1 step ahead of me in starting out on her own. From the short 20 minutes of exchange, there's so much in common in terms of our faith, family goals, and career objectives. It's so encouraging to hear her obeying the Lord and now able to make more time for her 3 children, and also actively serving in her church. It's also wonderful to hear how the Lord provided for her exceedingly and abundantly. Thank God for your providence. I received my first cheque yesterday finally! Lord, I look to you...
"Take me, Mold me, use me, fill me
I give my life to the Potter's hand
Call me, guide me, lead me, walk beside me
I give my life to the Potter's hand" :)

Day 10

Brekkie - sch / walk - MBC - lunch with dear fren JQ - Renergy - IMM - sch - dinner at BS

Day 9

Brekkie - Surprise Time!! - Playtime - DVD - lunch - nap - Reading time / Play time - dinner at mkt area - DVD: Up - zzz

Got them a present each. They love their own toys so much. Created a lot more loving share-time and playtime. :)

Day 8

Brekkie - swimming class - lunch - nap - church (with extended family) - dinner - DVD - zzz

Pretty eventful. Had some extra energy to tidy up my own room till wee hours. Just reminded of how nocturnal I used to be last time... Pleased with the study table once again. :)

Day 7

School closure - library trip with tabao lunch - nap...

Day 6

School - walk - Towner - Expo sale - Trek - cook/dinner
Toy Story 3 is the girls' good friend...

Day 5

Mundane... School, walk, cook, haircut for girls :)
Yes, Eliana agreed to cut her hair and I wasted no chance to tidy up her hairdo.
Estella is so protective of her long mane, but still managed to trim her fringe.

Day 4

PH today. Wet weather, so no outdoor time. I am amazed by how much the girls can self-entertain. Occasionally, I hear cheeky remarks like 'let's not tell mommy this, ok?'. Hmm...
Also, Estella is actually quite amazed that I have a little box with several sets of earrings. She insisted that I tried on the different ones so she could comment nice or not! I think this little girl is seriously considering ear-piercing, although I have made no mention of it completely. She asked me if it was painful last time when I pierced my ears.
I am really having fun with them. Promised them silly stories tonight - came up with this one where the girls' packed lunch for picnic was stolen by monkeys. Estella concluded the takeaway for me - 'To look after your food even when you are playing.' Very clever girl... :) Ok, I didn't have names for the monkeys, and they insisted on naming them for me before I can wrap up the night.

Yes, my little monkeys... :)

Day 3

School - time with cuz - home

Day 2 - Sunday

Another day. Estella drafted the plan for me - go ECP cycling, kick-scootering, then go PP for lunch! Awww... brilliant! However, it wasn't as viable, and so we did the mini version at void deck. Eliana did a wonderful job on her very own bike too. Thanks to Estella, who lovingly assisted her along the way. :) Sisterhood... so sweet!

8am - breakfast & TV
10am - cycling & kick-scootering downstairs
11:30am - Skype time
12nn - lunch (baked pasta with tuna/mixed veggie, topped with mozzarella cheese with fruits) - Yummy, well-received, easy to prep and washup. Mental note to self - can repeat this again and again, with different sorts of pastas next time.
1pm - wash-up, get ready for nap
1:30 - 3:30pm - girls were too excited to sleep, continued to play with each other (while, I actually caught a cat nap myself while the girls were so busy playing!!!)
3:30pm - finally, both knocked out for nap; I could get the washing up done.
4pm - Estella woke up. Tea-break + Finding Nemo
6pm - Outing to playground
6:45pm - wash up + dinner
7:30pm - Nim's Island
10pm - supper (baked cheese bread squares, very well-received. With Milo)
11pm - zzz (alright, there was still quite a bit of chatting, playing going on even though bedtime was announced. Need to tighten timing some more...)

OMO Day 1 - 27 August, aka Polling Day (again...)

Capturing the mundane...

8am - voting / breakfast
9am - John to the airport / us to the clinic - syringing/wax removal for Estella. Yeewwww! It was really gross! The unforgettable sight of the 'meatball' that came flushing out of her ear - the culprit which caused the week-long ear-ache! Let's pray there's no more pain, or any infection.
11am - TV time / cook lunch (chicken yee mee with mixed veggie)
12nn - lunch + washup
1:30pm - Nap
2:40pm - Estella woke up from nap, crying for Daddy! (awww....)
3pm - prepare baked potato chips as teabreak
4pm - get ready for church service
5pm - service / DL
7pm - dinner
8-9pm - play / honey dew time
9:30- washup / supper / wind down

30 KM

Yes, 30km was how much we covered yesterday during our cycling date. Max speed was about 29kmh. Wonderful weather. Felt my body giving way right at the evening. Thank God, I feel much better today. Muscles are a bit sore, but stronger!

Reminder to self next time: Don't take curry during the lunch break ... What was I thinking of!??!?!

Eliana: Soon-to-be 3-year-old

Dear Eliana,

It's been an amazing journey with you for almost 3 years now. You are such a blessing to us from God. As a second-born, we noticed what a quick learner you are, how you grasp each situation well, and talk earlier. You also enjoy sharing your funny logic, make up new words (like 'pompamas', and 'ferrcast'), poo-time stories (like who's coming out first), play-pretend as teacher, perform your imaginative song/dance on the stage (and yes, you also like to make me your audience, which I love). There are just hours and hours of fun with you.

It's also a bitter-sweet thing sometimes during discipline moments. You know for sure I will give you the serious look during our 'talk'. Yet you will always tell me, 'Mama, I want to see you smile... Can you smile at me, please?"... Ahh... such a turmoil inside. Cos even when you are notti at times, you still look so adorable!

There are just so many funny lines you've said recently... here's to quote a few:

1. Diapers are for babies and little girls. I am big girl now, so I wear panty, not diapers! ~ Dress up
2. Everybody, sit down now! Cross your legs, fold your arms, and look at me, Teacher Eliana! ~ Play-pretend
3. HMMM!!!! The 'mommy' is coming out soon... there are also 4 'babies' coming... 'Daddy's is not coming today. ~Poo Time

Mommy, Daddy, Jiejie love you lots!!!