Independency

We've noted the slack in our maid's work and I had asked her numerous times, if she'd like to go back('cos I've talked to her a few times and she always cited family problems).  Each time she'd tell me that she still wants to continue to work.

  

Many things had also happened and we had always closed an eye 'cos they're tolerable, so far.  I had also took over the care of my baby literally 100% when I first noted the slack and that was a few months ago but as she's still able to help us with the washing and cooking, we didn't think too much about sending her back.

Today, finally she told us that her elder son had been calling her at night, crying, saying that the caregiver, his grandmother had been beating him and she said she couldn't work and wants to go back already.  There could be other reasons like hving already earned enough, etc, but if she wants to go, we won't keep her.  We'd be arranging for her to go back by end of this month and in the meantime, I'd have to look for part-time cleaning help and we'll monitor if I can cope with the baby but with Renee going to P1 soon, I don't know...  What worries me more is the moves that we've to make and without a helper, it's certainly going to be a strain for me...

On the other hand, Renee was very happy upon hearing this and she immediately said that she'd help me with the housework, hahaha.  I doubt lah, but we could start off with her taking her own showers and she said she wanted to start today! hahaha.  And so indeed, we tried it today, with me watching in the shower-room of cos.  Though she didn't do a wonderful job but she has improved, from the last time I've 1st started training her and I believed, and hoped, that after the next few days of monitoring, she'd be able to do it herself entirely, that would save me some time/work in the future.(I guess my earlier training her and those times when she was left to do most of the job herself while e maid was using the hp in the shower, had helped, :D).

Tired Girl...

We've been good and had stayed home since Monday but mommy's beginning to feel bored and had almost brought the kids out this afternoon, heee.  Then, remembering that the weekend is drawing near, I decided to just bring them downstairs to play instead.  Renee's happy enough with the decision, :).  So, right after she's done her practice, I geared up the stroller and put baby on it, hoping that by bringing her down more often on the stroller might help to get her more used to being on it, :).

After dinner, I cleaned baby up and jie jie wanted me to shower her too, aiyoh!  Sooo busy me, hahaha.  However, when I came out of the shower, Renee pampered me with a good session of massage.  She started off with a good punching massage but being young, she got tired and soon changed to a gentle rub...  Although she wasn't able to help relieve that hard lump of tensed up muscle on my back(resulted from the constant carrying of bb in the carrier I think), she's made me felt so comfortable that I almost fell asleep, :).  Of all the times she's given me massages, I would say tonight's the best and she didn't complain nor asked if she could stop already like she used to do at times in the past.  Maybe because it's been awhile since she's done this or perhaps she knew that I'm really aching... :D(papa asked why she's only giving me a massage n she replied "cos mommy is always carrying meimei" awwwww).

She must have been very tired from the massage, 'cos she KO once she hit her bed, without the usual urgings of papa tucking her to bed and talked to her, lolz.

Good Job Board Gift

Besides hving the 'progressing' test on Thursday, Renee also got to exchange her completed 'good job board' at her maths school.

She's been aiming at the 'Barbie' stationary set for a while now but when she finally got to redeem it, she chose the notebook with the reflective 'Winnie Pooh & Friends'  'Disney Princesses' cover instead!  I was surprised and asked if she's really sure about it especially when she's already got so many notebooks at home(I've still got 2 new spare ones at home for her, one of which is also Winnie Pooh's) and she said yes.  So, I told her to take another look at the showcase and rethink her decision before she regrets it as she'd have to wait for the new 'good job board' to be completed.

After a brief hesitation and my prompting, she finally decided that she'd like to have the 'Barbie' set and fortunately, she's not damaged the plastic cover of the notebook when she'd first opened it up excitedly(it was still in perfect condition), so we exchanged it...

When I asked her later that evening why she's chosen the notebook when she's really wanted the stationary set, she replied "because I thought you won't like it..." Awwww.... she ar, really melts my heart(even more of daddy's, lolz.  hopefully she'd stay this sensible all the way, lolz).

The Note

One night, some weeks ago, I was rather upset with Renee's 'misbehaviour'(the boredom must have really gotten to her) and I refused to speak to her. Then immediately, I saw her walking quietly to the study room and instead of pouting in there, she came out shortly and handed me this note with a sad look in her eyes(which gave me a good chance to correct her spelling, lolz). Still feeling rather emotional at that time, I couldn't control my tears... She's a 'strong' girl who held high pride and probably fearful of being 'rejected' again, she had not wanted to apologise to me upfront but chose this way of relaying her sincerity instead and this was what had touched me at that moment - her sensibility to understand the need that I should be feeling happy during this period and most importantly, that she was wrong... Awww, how can one not love such a girl... :***)

I'm a Big Girl now, I shower myself!

It's been a while since I've been preping her(mostly verbally) that she'd soon have to do everything(almost) herself including, showering.

Looking/asking around, it seems like most children here are showered by parents/domestic helpers/grandparents, etc til they're at least Pri 2-3 and I was thinking, oh my, do I really have to shower her til she's reached primary 3 level/age? Well, if it has to be, then of cos it has to be But anyway, to prepare her to be more independent(for future or whatever), I've been guiding her during her showers occasionally and today, I thought, hey, why not give it a try?

Renee's never like water flowing down her face as she feared it stinging her eyes and so, I thought she wouldn't take to the idea of showering herself 'cos that'd mean washing her hair herself, hahaha. However, she surprised me by agreeing to the task and so off we went into the bathroom, me standing 'on watch', :D(of cos I rushed out to get my camera when I sud rem that I should record this, lolz. but the batt ran out on me before her task was fully completed). She further surprised me by washing her hair rather well, but of cos with the initial 'instructions' here and there to remind her since she's never been able to see how I did it for her. The whole process took about 15mins and when I teased her shower had taken too long, she remarked that she's enjoying the shower but was getting alittle tired when she reached the last of the scrubbing part - her feet, hahahahaha.

Thereafter, before I went into the room to do my face masque, she told me that she wanted to do some reading and took 1 of the thick story books to the sofa. After a while, I began to wonder why she hasn't came to me with questions like always and I went into the hall to have a peek. Well well, another surprise for me - she was brushing up! It was 9:30pm and I recalled, that was the timing I've set for her for non-school days. I asked why was she brushing up, was she getting ready for bed? and she nodded. I told her I was very happy and proud that she's such a good girl. Then remembering what I had jokingly told her whilst we were watching the tv earlier(a girl was tucking herself to bed and I'd said to her "oh that's such a good girl, look, she tucks herself to bed") and I asked if it was due to that, she smiled shyly and so I teased her again, :). Then, she started to dust her bed, her feet - these were all that I've taught her(but she seldom does these days, lolz) and again, I told her that I'm very very pleased with her good behaviour and will sure tell papa about it when he's home later, :). As parents, we all know that we don't get such good behaviour from our kid(s) everyday, so whilst I always enjoy such display of virtues to its fullest each time it happened, I'd ensure that I compliment, to encourage her :)

Buddha's Day

It's the 'Buddha's day' today(the actual day) and when I remembered that Renee's once said that she wanted to make an offering of fruits/flowers to Buddha, I told her last night that she could go take some of her money out from the coin bank and do so today.

Initially, she took 9 out and I told her they're good enough to pay for some fruits + flowers and could even give the balance to the donation box. Then she began to take more out and said that she wanted to donate more(even all in her coin bank!). Papa gently reminded/teased her that she'd need to check if she's got enough for herself and perhaps knowing that she won't need them(now), she said, "nevermind...".

Then, she said she wanted to draw something for Buddha and she did this(nothing much, no time, less than 5 mins 'cos it's past bed time already) :

*she had wanted to drop this drawing into the donation box as well but I told her that it might not be nice to do so since it's mainly for donations and I suggested that she 'show' it to Buddha instead. However, she didn't get to do that cos it was left in my bag and we forgot about it after our lunch :(

And for all the days she's been requesting for papa to pick her up late from school(so she could play with her friends), she asked to be picked up earlier today 'cos she wanted to give her offerings to Buddha and pray, :).

A Good Talk

Renee has been 'giving me faces' whenever I chided her for... many matters, not keeping her toy/stuff before taking another set/thing out to play with, not drinking enough water, etc...

Over the few months, I'm tired from the strain and I finally had a talk again with her yesterday :

Mommy : "darling, come here, I want to speak to you"

Renee : (still standing there, not looking at me) "....."

Mommy : "Renee, can you please come over here. Look at me when I'm talking to you?"

Renee : (finally sat herself down on the stool but still kept quiet even though she glanced up at me)

Mommy :"darling why are you so naughty lately? Why don't you listen to me?"

Renee : "....."(still not speaking)

Mommy : "baby, it's ok, just tell me what is it, why are you behaving like that? why are you treating mommy like that when mommy loves you so much?"

Renee : "but why you always scold me"

Mommy : "I don't want to scold you too, but u've been very naughty. Like those times u didn't respond to my beckoning when we're out, not keeping your toys, throwing tanthrums when I wake you up from naps...". "I would like to shiork shiork you too, but if you always throw tanthrums like that, you made it very hard for me to do that 'cos I get very angry. So darling, can you please, be a good girl so I can sayang you more?"

Renee : "Ok"

And she did, well, at least for these 2 days, :) - I hope it'll be like this for a looonnng looonnng time... For the good behaviour, we've also been doing quite abit of 'artwork' and here're some(more to come over the next few days, lolz) :

The wind, after the rain yesterday, seemed to have became stronger and this is what happened when we were doing the artworks :

paper scattered around

And then it's Renee @ work, with her artwork produce, hahaha :

The 'First' Day II

Just as I've finished the earlier post, I heard Renee coming through our door and although she was smiling widely, she replied "not so good" when I asked how her day had been... However, like we've kinda expected, she seemed to adapt well but of cos, it would still take time for her to overcome the missing of her favourite friend, Vanessa, which I know, the bonding of new friends would help better(like she had liked her CC friends better then?).

On the other hand, Nicole, her ex Pre-N friend, whom used to be the friendliest in class, has seemed to have forgotten about her(which Renee said might be due to the girl being 'shy') and the only new name she's 'learnt' today was 'Jun Hong' - which was easy for her to remember 'cos that's also the name of another boy from the pm session, :).

Seeing her dark eye bags, I told her to have a nap first and whilst tucking her to bed, she made her requests of mee-sua for lunch later and for me to sleep with her(which I told her I would after my chores, though I'm not too sure myself). Then she also told me that she'd like to go back to the pm session(mayb becos she's heard that Vanessa had also switched to the am and then back to the pm before) when we've got another car, awww... Though it's warmed my heart to know that she's sensibly agreed and adapt to the change but I can't help but feel alittle sad to hear this, 'cos it means she misses her friend. I really really hope that she could bond with her new friends soon, so that in the event that if we really do get another vehicle, I could do other things with her in the afternoon instead of going through the hassel of another 'change'(even if it's possible 'cos I'd hope not to)...

*She's cheekily asked to unwrap the rest of her presents, which we'd eventually agreed to have 1 each day, 'cos it's just nice, 5 left, to last til her birthday, :D.

A Comforting Touch

1 of Renee's toe nails cracked and despite feeling very tired with a backache(read coming post, lolz), I tried to trim it off before it cracked further and caused her more pain.

I was cutting off the cracked nail when she asked why I shielded it from her sight and I told her that she won't feel the 'fear' if she doesn't look at it and

She said "mommy, next time when I become a mommy, I want to be like you"

Mommy : "oh why?"

Renee : "because I want to take good care of my baby even if I cut my finger"

Mommy : "why you say that?"

Renee : "because you cut your finger and you still 'pong pong'(shower) me. you are a good mommy"

Awww...I guess the pain of her cracked toe nail might have made her 'feel' the pain I had when I've cut myself whilst preparing her meal... :).

Charity Act

A Good Heart

I've been told many times, how being a single child at home could do to most children, 1stly - the unwillingness to share(actually I still see children with siblings at home unwilling to share, so is this theory really solid? I begin to have my doubts). Not that Renee is unwilling to share, yes, when she was much younger, she did tend to but since she's been exposed to the 'children society', she's developed the sharing skills. In fact, she's acted sensibly by not snatching or taking friends' toys when we visit them at their homes as she knew that she's not to do that since the toys do not belong to her. In fact, many times, she's even given up whatever toys she had taken(first), be it at school/gatherings, to friends/relatives whom wanted to 'snatch' from her. But besides this good trait(to us, this is good in a way), she's been quite 'stingy' when it comes to her money, hahaha and she doesn't even know the value of $ and cents yet! However, after some explanation/guidance, she's now buying gifts/cakes for her aunts whenever we remembered the occasions(oops, sorry for the times/those we've forgotten).

There was still 1 thing which I've been trying to 'teach' her - Charity. It's not easy, explaining this to a young child but I'll try to do so, from time to time. Today, when we came back from breakfast, we casually talked about donations again, she was unwilling at first but later replied that she will give 10 dollars. Then, searching through the mails I've collected, she took the copy of 'WildLife' from the Zoo and turning to a page where it depicts pictures of 'larvaes' being eaten as delicacies, she asked why. In an attempt for an easier explanation, I told her that in some countries, they do not have that much food to eat and they eat these worms. She kept quiet for awhile. Then, as I was unloading the groceries in the kitchen, she suddenly came to me and said she wanted to give her all money to the 'poor people' and...:

Mommy : "oh really? Ok. We can take your money and slowly give them"(I actually meant, she can give to various donation points) But,

Renee : "No! I want to give them all now"

Mommy : "why?"

Renee : " I want them to have food soon"

She was still looking at the same page when I joined her at the sofa and she turned to me and said : "mommy, I'm thinking what to do for the poor people"

Mommy : "what?"

Renee : "we buy them X'mas presents", "we help them to find good papa and mommy, then we buy them colouring books, crayons... nicer than mine", "oh, we also need to buy them coffee table and buy cooking stuffs so the mommy can cook"

Mommy : "but I think we don't have enough money"

Renee : "then we take papa's"

hahahahahahahahaha

I'm not sure how long these good thoughts will stay with her but we hope it'll be a long long looooong time, all her life, :).

The Picture

Making the 'Bed'

This is what our darling girl will do on 'good' days, lolz :

Good but Emotional...

The 3 of us went to the office today but we have to send the A6 to service first.

Later in the afternoon, daddy's got a call from an ex-colleague citing a new business opportunity(I had thought it was a client) and they were to meet up around 5pm. Since we're unable to pick up his vehicle with this arrangement and he's going to exchange the damaged golf bag at Paragon, I told daddy to drop us at Robinsons so we can shop(I need to utilise the redeemed vouchers) whilst waiting for him.

Renee had woken up very early this morning(maybe excited about going to the office) but since her 'Dua Peks' were also in the office to play with her for a while, she managed to stay alert til we hit the road. With this power nap, she transformed! She was such a good girl the whole evening that I bought her these, lolz :

At the cashier, I was told that there's member discount on this already on offer top! Hurray

However, despite the fantastatic behaviour, she got abit emotional too. Once, she sat down quietly and when I asked why she looking so sad, she said "why you pull me out from the childcare?". We of course, have already explained the reason to her. Done at Robinsons and after our delicious dinner(it's very yummy to her, hahaha) at Noodle Palace rest., we proceeded to the new OrchardCentral but it was even quieter there and when Renee sighted the sofas, she requested to take a seat. She was soo happy that she kept snapping pictures with my mobile but after a while, I got sooo bored that I didn't even wanna continue exploring the new mall and took her back to Centrepoint, hahaha.

When daddy told us that he could only pick us up after 9pm, I decided to go browse the shoe department at R to pass time and whilst sitting there, I teased Renee by waving to her(but I wasn't waving 'goodbye' to her nor did I give any indication of leaving her there in pretense) and suddenly she ran to me and almost teared...I was totally puzzled and asked her why but she didn't want to answer me.... :(.

*when daddy came to pick us, he told me what the meeting was about and if I had known earlier, I would have dissuade him from going - is it worth the time spent there? It was a MLM seminar that he was brought to.

A Thoughtful Child

"Mommy..." was what I heard muttered sofly beside me early this morning(before the first morning light). I was sooo tired that I didn't even stir but I could hear little footsteps, directing back to the princess' bed... Then, a soft sob jotted me up from my sleeping position and when I reached her, "why darling, why are you crying?", she replied with a sad face and amidst her sobs "I had a scary dream". Oh geez, my little girl's frightened by a bad dream(must be due to the scary image she saw on tv - repeat telecast of e S'pore Idol last evening), had not even want to wake me up and yet I've failed to react instantly...

Daddy, woken by my alarm this morning, asked "why is mommy sleeping on your bed, baby?" Good thing I've heard her sobs and managed to comfort and offer her a sense of security on time, :).

A Good Girl?

Renee has been a relatively good girl today(with lesser nonsense/demands/tanthrums, from her) and that just makes her extra looovable! Simply love her loads when she's at her best, :D.

And finally, after trying to find an alternative in vain, to sort out her finger pressing on the 'B' note(that makes her song out of tune) yesterday, I gave up and told her to figure it out herself. Today, she seemed to have found an alternative during her practice! Though not exactly the proper way I'd say but it's a good start for 'problem solving', wouldn't you say? heee. As for the 'problem', I'll have to take it up with her violin teacher the next lesson(hope I won't forget, heee).

At school, the children's favourite Mdm Chew(Zhou laoshi) had left and Renee had missed the chance to bid her farewell since her last day was last week when Renee had not attended school, :(. And today, I received a note informing us that the English teacher, Mrs Ong also, would be leaving on the 27th Feb and Mrs Chua, the VP, will be taking over the lessons for the time being. Oh man!...

*Sob sob*, but we're still friends... :)

When I got to the school after my facial(sooo 'lucky' today to have the HOS-head of salon attending to me!) today, the children were again playing the 'big bad wolf' game at the hall with the teachers. Renee came to me(surprisingly she walked and ran towards me) with a pitiful look and told me that Vanessa had pushed her, causing her to fall and hit the floor, resulting in a rather big lumpy patch on her forehead... :(.

I was just wondering last week how nice if the school allows home-clothes this Friday - with it being the last day of school for the year, 'cos Renee's got 3 pcs of the school T-shirts, so it'll be just 'perfect'(for me, cos i don't have to iron again, haha) if she wears them for only 3 days this week(thursday being the Teacher & Parent Meeting day). Then, I saw the notice in the book - It's home-clothes attire on Friday, Hurray!

We were requested to bring some food/snacks for the children to share during the class party and on our way home just now, I teased Renee if she would share the food with her friends and she went : "I want to share my food with WeiWei, Tony, Kirsten, Vanessa....." Ohhh, I'm glad she's forgiven her friend now when she had earlier pouted that her friend had caused her to fall and had not apologised...

The little big-eyed girl, Vanessa(the tallest in the class and has the longggest hair) looked frightened when she saw me just now and when I smiled at her, she almost teared... Oh geez, she must have been soo afraid that I'll scold her, poor kid... - Renee had also told me that Vanessa only ate biscuits during lunch break(her own) 'cos she doesn't like macaroni and no-one prepared any meal for her to take in school, pooor thing...

Ribbon, ribbon, are you right for my dress? :D

PeiXiang must have thought that I was requesting for her to come later when I asked last evening, the timing she would be here, that she came at 10am today :D

The minute I opened the door for her, she said "let you sleep longer" hahaha.

Feeling lazy, we had thought to just go to Hougang Mall or Compass Point for dinner but I remembered that I needed to get some ribbon/lace to 'cover' up the front of one of my dresses, so I told daddy to go to Plaza Singapura. However, the ribbon that I've got is too thick in width so I might have to buy another again, haiz...

As usual, the restaurant that we dined in was really 'children friendly' and Renee was given a party pack, a Minnie Mouse mask, a pink colour balloon and was later asked to choose a hairclip(which she didn't since she doesn't fancy any of them - she was probably comparing them to those on the web that I've just shown her this morning, haha), hahaha.

When we got home, the 'marks' on Renee's big toes(left by her socks) told me that we seriously needed to get her a new pair of the shoes asap. Although she was smart enough to put on the thinner pair of socks(she must have thought that the tightness she felt yesterday was due the medium-thickness pair that I've picked for her), but I guess the shoes are really getting too small for her, finally lolz.

From the look of it, it appeared that it might have hurt from wearing the shoes but she hadn't make any noise these 2 days(though she had chosen not to wear this pair prior to this wkend), not even whilst she was rubbing her big toes after removing her shoes just now... For that, I've placed order of 10 hairclips for her :D.

School!

Yes, it's back to school today for Renee! :)

She was sooo happy and exclaimed 'Kinderland!' when we were near the school.


Still feeling goggy after getting my groceries, I got home and told daddy to pick her up since he'd be using my car later. The minute Renee came back, I had told her that we'd be doing 1 of the new 'artwork' books but I still felt goggy after her lunch and decided to take a short nap. She wasn't happy and wanted to do the artwork immediately but had sweetly let me take my nap whilst she played with her toys beside me... When I awoke about 45mins later, she asked if I'm ready to get up and when I answered "yes", U should see the look of joy on her face, so cute :D

Whilst doing her artwork, she asked : "why papa pick me?" and I replied : "becos mommy's not feeling well" and she started singing(in her own tune): "I like mommy, I like mommy" hahahha.

Cleaner
Noticed 2 missed calls from Rui but it was already past 11pm when I realised about it so I decided to return the calls this morning. However, prior to that, I gave PX a text, asking her to affirm our earlier 'arrangement' so that I know what to tell Rui. PX called me this morning and said that I could tell Rui that I've found help but before I phone her, Rui called... - to change 'day' again. I took the opportunity to tell her that I would not be needing her services for the next few weeks(keeping it neutral first) and as usual, I got her 'ok, nevermind' answer hahaha. So, it's 'let's see how things go' again...

The Weekend

Saturday

Still coughing badly and didn't get a good night's sleep. Had gone to bed @2am+, woke up @4am+ and unable to resume my sleep, I've to read til 7:40am when sleepiness finally began to draw me in... Finally woke up again @8:30am to wait for the 'new' cleaner(but she called to say that she'd be late)...

Why the change of cleaning aunty again? Well, the mommy whom has recommended me the Korean lady had decided to send back her maid when her PIL had gone back to their hometown and because of this, the Korean lady told me that the alternate Fri/Sun arrangement will take effect this week(on last Sunday)! I had agreed to this arrangement earlier as I thought it might be a good idea afterall, since we would occastionally go for our wkeend stay at the club. However, this being the school holiday week, and as most of you would have known, we had initially planned to go for the 'stay-away' on Thursday, so that makes her coming over this Friday impossible. When I told her about it, I had assumed that she'd only begin for that mommy after my confirmation but sadly, it didn't happen this way. How irresponsible for her to leave me with no cleaning done for the week, especially when I tried to accomodate her when she needed, haiz...

On Monday night, I phoned one of my ex cleaners up(a local lady whom Eileen knew and has helped me til she changed her childcare job) and luckily or co-incidentally, she agreed to come help me today since she's taking leave for her Malacca trip from Wednesday onwards. Renee was very happy when she heard this and I'm actually quite surprised that she still remembers aunty Pei Xiang! To re-confirm that she remembered correctly,
I asked : "Renee, does aunty PX speak English?"
Renee : "Yes"
Mommy : "What about aunty Rui and aunty Lee?"
Renee : "No. Only aunty PX"
Ok, this confirmed it lolz

PX said that if I want, she can still help me but might not be able to make it on a 'regular day' basis. I can be flexible as long as the 'in between' days aren't that far apart and I'm available... She'd be coming again next Saturday and thereafter, we'd need to arrange again. I shall contact her in a couple of days' time to re-confirm this arrangment before I decide on what to tell the Korean lady.

PX had spent quite abit of time at our place today and though she claimed it was herself who took her time(about 5 hours, She had done that also in the past but only charged me S$40) but I still paid her S$50 since she cleaned up the place pretty well(she may slacken soon hahaha).

Didn't have enough time for a quick nap and so when daddy came home at 4pm, I quickly prepared Renee's dinner and got both of us ready whilst he napped... Got daddy to drive insteast as I was still feeling abit goggy. Reached my mom's around 5:30pm and I went down with Eileen and Pearlyn after dinner to get a cake for Li :). Forgot to take a pic of the card Renee's given Li but managed one on the cake :

It was pouring when we were all about to leave and after a half hour wait, we decided to proceed home. Daddy drove over and took my BIL, sis to their cars whilst Eileen + her kids, Elsie and Li waited with us. It was sooo cold(the wind was very strong) and good thing Elsie had just given Renee a Puma sweater dress but bcause it's sleeveless, we have to put on the long sleeves top as well hahaha. When they all came back with their vehicles, a police patrol car also arrived but parked in the middle of the sheltered pick up area. Daddy waited for it to clear space for our vehicles but it didn't move so daddy had no choice but to honk at it and it finally moved hahaha. The whole scenario(sheltering from the rain, etc..) was like a mini fun adventure lolz.

Sunday

Don't know why I've been waking up super early lately. Even though I've slept through from 2am+, after I've taken the last pack of my 2nd round of medication(each round 2 pkts), I still woke up voluntarily at 7:30am. Unable to resume my sleep, I went to the freezer and took out a box of fish to defroze. Then I read again til I got alittle sleepy at around 8:30am, switched off my alarm('cos I've assumed that Renee will wake me up at ard 9:30am but she didn't!!!). I woke up at 10:20am and she was still asleep!!! Had she woke up, remembered my request of her not to wake up too early and gone back to sleep? 'Cos when I asked her, she had replied : "because I want you to sleep...".

Waking up late had busted my plans to bring Renee out for breakfast and go look for the 1st book of the earlier 2 activity books I've got for her. Was kinda looking forward to it actually 'cos it is the first Sunday we're both 'free'(with daddy out to golf and no cleaner here)! Ok, if PeiXiang is really coming again this Saturday, then I will get another chance...*crossing finger*- hope I won't miss it again heee.

By the time daddy came home, it was already past 4pm and as usual, I got the 2 of us and Renee's food ready whilst daddy took his nap. No specific place to go to, we ended up at Suntec City for our ribs again. However, there was a bookfair by Popular and I quickly went to look for the book whilst daddy took Renee to the sports shop. Saw many other activity books but the load made me looked like a kiasu mommy, so I put some back and paid for only 5, heeee... A pity these book are only acquired today, else Renee could have a good time doing them during the holiday. Nevermind, we can still do some of them after school.

OH, that reminded me - it's school again tomorrow and so I quickly took out the Student Portfolio for daddy's review since we'd have to return it when school resumes but daddy was only half-way through the file when Renee called out for him from the room and he ended up sleeping inside hahaha.

*Wanted to take photos and show you guys the contents of the portfolio, but there were alot more this time, 'cos she had attended almost the full of the 3rd school term(started late 1 week due to our trip). There're artwork, photos, skills observation checklist/notes based on their 'Theme', 'Kinderfit', 'Twinkleland' activities and I'd already felt my energry draining away just looking at them, let alone to photograph, crop and post them lolz.

New shoes, etc!

Renee told daddy this morning : "daddy(now she prefers to call him daddy than papa), you have to bring me to school so mommy can stay at home, because mommy is not feeling well" and when I told her that I can still bring her there, she said : "why? but you're sick ar". Arrrh, soooo sweet of her...

The Principal approached me in the hall and though I was 'shocked' initially, I was told that there will be a performance by some students from China and we're invited to stay and watch. So, since I needed to pass the time before I can go collect my spree merchandises(the spree organiser said I'm to go ard 12pm :<), I stayed to watch for a while. To welcome them, the children were asked to sing their Kinderland school song(the mandarin version though) and this gave me the opportunity to 'listen' to its tune for the very first time. Hey, pretty nice :D

However, the performances were not what I would go for and just as I was prepared to leave, a boy began to perform with his violin and at that moment, I noticed Renee 'raised' herself up for a clearer view :D - she even told me about it after school.

Oh yes, Renee had also finished the food I prepared for her to eat in school('cos it's chicken macaroni for today).

The long waited stuffs, yeah!!! And although they're mostly still kinda 'too big'(except the 2 pairs of socks and the denim skort which has inner adjustable bands!!!) for her to wear now, I must say that these items are my 'best' buys soo far 'cos I really like the cut/design/material of the items!:

I simply love ankle socks!!!

The 1 with the hearts embroidery's(bought frm Gymboree looong time ago) still too big haha

With our old tv finally being transported to my FIL, we now have our original space back in the study/play room, and our hall is also free of Renee's car hahaha. And since the room has alittle more space now(cos the space is just being 'freed' a little as the car's also not very small), I can perhaps bring out the 'larger' game/acitivity set for her to play with...