What Do We Do?

Trying to get the kids busy during their waking hours in school holiday is a real challenge. They are either too hooked up to the TV or iPad and that is not good at all. Since, I am not working, I have no excuse not to get them off the TV or iPad. So, what do we do??

- We go swimming more often, like twice a week.
- We have playdates where we meet with Lucas's other friends in indoor playground and let them play for hours.
- We try to cook/bake more together like making jello. Will start on making cupcakes soon (once I'm confident it is going to be turned out well).
- We go to the outdoor playground more, whenever the weather permits.
- I took them to grocery shopping with me.
- They go to the grandparents' place more often.
- I sit down and get them to do some activity (like homework).
- I send Lucas for whatever trial class I can find. So far, he has attended drum class and Wing Chun Kung Fu class. He is asking for piano class and I will sure find him a trial class to attend. Chloe has also been asking for music class but nobody wants to take her at such tender age. I am trying to find a ballet school for toddler for her.

Honestly, I am more exhausted now than when I was working.


Learning to hold the drum stick correctly in his first lesson. The teacher initially was reluctant to teach him as he was saying Lucas is too young. After the first trial, the teacher was impressed enough to take him on for the full trial program i.e. 4 lessons. I was impressed too. He remembered all the drums names and can follow instructions from the teacher. Now, I am trying to brain-wash him by saying playing drums is cool. His grandmother kept asking if I really want him to learn drums - all the noise during practice. Let's see how long his interest goes.

I wasn't there when he had his Wing Chun Kung Fu but according to Dominic, the first thing Lucas said after the class was, 'This is so tiring!'. What a worm! But according to Dominic the class is not suitable for him. The kids are from 5 to 17 and he is too young there. It is very frustrating for his sparing partner whom is older. So, no more Kung Fu. Next, I will try him for football.

I'm not neglecting Chloe either. Had been calling so many music centres if they teach any instrument to a 2 year old and the answer is always NO. I will just have to accept it. Now, I'm looking for baby/toddler ballet. She loves dancing, unlike her brother. She can just hyme some tunes and starts dancing. Also, looking for a playschool for her. Found one but the fees are rather pricy. Let's see if I can find a cheaper alternative. Planning to start her with playschool when Lucas is back to school in September. Then, I get some peace and quiet in the morning. :))

A Teenager in the House

Lucas had just completed his first week of school holidays and there are 7 weeks to go!! The first week was at times peaceful and at times full of drama. One incident I must note because it is the first....

Me: Lucas, go take your shower.
Lucas: Wait, after this game (he is addicted to these games called Ninja Jump and Run Run Chicken on the iPad).
Me: (after a few minutes) You better go now before I punish you with no iPad for the rest of the day.
Lucas: FINE!! (not pleased at all with the threat).

A few seconds later.....BANGGGG - Lucas slammed the bedroom door to show his displeasure!
Dom : He is not even 5 but he is behaving like a teenager.
Me: What is he going to do when he is a teenager, threaten to commit suicide or run-away?
Dom: No, we will not get that far. He will just out-talk us using logic.
Me: (not so sure and is worried)


The next day, he was playing too much iPad again. I get him to do a few pages of activity book to break his iPad time. When he was done,

Me: Lucas, put the book and the colour pencils back to the playroom.
Lucas: I am not a maid, OK!
Me: (stunned) Daddy, you know what Lucas just said?
Dom: What?
Me: He said he is not cleaning up his pencils and book because he is not a maid!
Dom: Lucas, you cannot be a maid! You don't know how to do anything to be a maid. A maid knows much better than you.
Me: OK, no more iPad for today.

Luckily, no door slamming this time.

Of Course

The latest favourite word for Chloe is of course, 'Of Course.'.

Me: Finish your dinner or else no dessert for you.
Chloe: Of course I am getting my dessert.

Chloe: I want milk.
Me: No, it is still dark (wee hour in the morning).
Chloe: Switch on the light.
Me: The sun is not shining yet.
Chloe: Of course the sun is shining.

Chloe: I want to go to ko-ko's (Lucas's) room.
Me: No, ko-ko is sleeping.
Chloe: Of course he is not sleeping.

Me: You have another 5 spoons of noodles then you can have the ice-cream. It's a deal, ok.
Chloe: Of course it is not a deal.

Happy 2nd Birthday, Chloe

I returned from London just in time to celebrate Chloe's 2nd birthday. There wasn't much fuss. Grandparents bought her a birthday cake (chosen by Lucas), presents and dinner. I arrived home at around 7.30pm. Did not have any time to prepare dinner and buy Chloe her favourite junk food. We had dinner, sang her the birthday songs and ate ice cream.

For 2, she is progressing very well. She uses the potty in the daytime and she knows how to tell us if she needs to go to the toilet! She is talking very well for 2, eating better than Lucas. All of them say girls mature faster than boys.

How I Spent My First Week as Unemployed?

My first week of being unemployed was not bad at all. I was in London for a week, without kids and husband. My sister was in a business trip, and I bunked in with her. Dominic get my the air ticket. I spent the days shopping and more shopping - it was the great Summer sale and the whole of London, especially Regent Street and Oxford Street were on sale. I went with one luggage weighing 7kg and came back with 2 luggages weighing 23 kgs! I managed to catch a musical show, Mamma Mia in West End. It was very entertaining and I don't mind watching it again. I had a day trip to Stonehenge and Bath. Very relaxing and beautiful at the country side. I loitered around the city and I think I know zone 1 quite well now. It was a good trip but I am not in a hurry to go to London again.

Before I went, I prepped the kids, especially Lucas on me being away. Lucas was saying, 'Can you go for 3 days instead of 7 days? One day to go, one day to see the ferris wheel (London eye) and one day to come back'. When I returned, I asked Lucas if he missed me, and his reply was, 'No, because I have your picture in my head.' I wasn't sure what to make up of this but I supposed it is good. Meanwhile, Chloe resented me leaving her for a week. She refused to come near me for the first 10 mins!