Money Matters

The kids are adjusting well in school and it is a new phase for Lucas. Lucas gets pocket money when he is not bringing food to school. Sometimes, he brings a meal and buy the second meal (breakfast or lunch) in school.  Sometimes, be brings both meals and don't get any pocket money.
After a few weeks, there are many stories. He borrowed money twice from his friends because he overspent. And on both times, there were to buy drinks. At such young age, he already knows how to borrow money. Then he also told us stories about how they are not being honest. The cashier at times gave too much change but the kids do not bother to return the extra. At times, when the cashier are distracted, the kids pretend they have paid but in actual fact, they have not paid in full. No wonder is school canteen is making a lost. So, the father told him he has to return the extra change he received to the cashier next week. No more cheating. And most of the time, he spent half of his pocket money buying snacks and drinks. Told him numerous time not to but he always has excuses. He bought 100 plus once and buy another brand of isotonic the next day. When I told him he broke his promise, he said I did not tell him other isotonic brands are banned too! Once, he spent his whole pocket money buying ice-cream for lunch! First taste of freedom deciding how to spend money and this is the outcome.


Chloe is another uncontrollable shoppeholic. When we go out, without fail, she will ask to buy one thing from each shop. The rule is they get to buy one thing when we go shopping and this girl is pushing it to the limit asking to buy one thing from each shop. I have to say no all the time and it can get very frustrating. Then, when we get home, she will ask "when we go next, can you buy it?". She does not give up easily.

Fashionable Girl

Chloe is fashionable or vain, depending on how you view it. She is a truly girlie girl. At 3 year old, she loves accessories. Most days, she wear either bracelet or ring. Some days, she wears all - ring, bracelet and necklace. Let's just wait for her to ask for her ears to be pierced.

A few weeks ago, we took them to the indoor aquarium. After the visit, we were at a shopping mall. There is a shop which I wanted to check out, French Sole. So, I took her there, while Dominic took Lucas to the bookshop. After a few minutes in the store, she got up from the stroller and was busy browsing. I was busy trying shoes. When I asked her which pair of shoes is nice and without failed, she will choose the bright colour and with sparkles. Then the sales lady brought out a set of shoes for mother and daughter!! I must admit that design is nice. It is leopard print with red trimming. Really outstanding. Chloe put them on and fortunately they are too big for her. That shoes costs RM600 (US$200) after discount. Nevertheless, Chloe wore  them and walked all over the shop all the time. She walked to the mirror, looked at herself, walked to another mirror and admired herself again. Then Dominic called to ask if I was done. I told him over the phone that his daughter liked a pair of shoes that costs RM600. Dominic and Lucas arrived in the shop in a flash!

In the end, did we buy them?? NO.

Chloe and that pair of shoes.

Still wearing that pair of shoes. Luckily she did not make a fuss when I asked her to take them off before we leave.

Retail Therapy

After months of 'holing-up' at home (during advance pregnancy and the birth), I needed a break badly. So, I embarked on a day off doing retail therapy while Lucas is in school and Dominic stayed at home with Chloe.
I had my hair cut and then started on my shopping spree. I went to a make-up counter and told the sales lady that I needed something to make my eyes look fresher. Business was slow for her and she gladly gave me a make-over. I walked away with a bag of goods. When I get home Lucas asked, 'Mommy, are you wearing make-up?'.
Then I proceed to shop for clothes. My wardrobe needed an overhaul badly. I was looking at the old photos, the trips we made before we got married till now. Guess what?? I'm still wearing those clothes!! As I'm taking a trip end November, I told myself that I do not want to be pictured wearing the same clothes as 7-9 years ago. At the end, I walked home with 2 tops and 1 pant. I wish I was doing better.

Retail therapy is only a temporary relief from taking care of the kids. When I'm back from shopping, it is actually very pleasant to see the kids. Retail therapy rocks when you are not too worry about the price tag.

Singapore

We spent the Labour Day weekend in Singapore. Since the holiday falls on a Friday, we thought of making my last trip before I am too heavy to go anywhere. In fact, I am already heavy..put on 8kg in 7 months and the baby is very low, hence putting a lot of pressure on my pelvic. I have been limping while walking, and finally decided to get a support belt. I bought a Emma Jane support belt and must said it does relieve some back pain. When the back is stronger, the pelvic area doesn't hurt so much and made walking a bit easier. However, I wasn't sure if the belt is going to affect the baby's comfort as I have the belt stripped on my lower belly. Each time I had the belt on, the baby seems to move a lot more.

Back to Singapore, we took Lucas to the Zoo. I arranged to meet up some college friends and their kids in the Zoo. It was a nice reunion with old friends. In the Zoo, Lucas is not interested in the animals at all. Nothing seems to excite him - not the lion, tiger or the polar bear. All he was interested in is pushing his stroller. This was Lucas's second trip to the Zoo and it is confirmed that he is not an animal person. The first trip was to the A'Famosa Zoo and he asked to go home after 45 mins. I supposed this is a blessing in disguise. He will not be asking to keep a pet at home - I am not an animal person myself.

After the experience in the Zoo, we figured the Botanic Garden would be better choice, and we were right. He was just happy and contented to push his stroller in the Botanic Garden. Here, we do not have to worry if his stroller is going to hit anyone as there is enough space for everyone and it doesn't costs us anything.

Lucas likes colours and shapes, and we are still wondering where would be an ideal place to take him. Arts gallery or museum?

Whilst we were in Singapore, we did some shopping of course. I do not know why but somehow shopping in Singapore is a lot more satisfying. Things are not necessary cheaper than KL. Maybe the varieties available and the sales services provided. The sales people know what they are selling and give good info on the products. The brand selection is also a lot more. During my 45 mins shopping spree, I managed to buy bedsheets, hand towels, Lucas's shoes and pyjamas, water tumbler while Dominic kept Lucas busy at the Mothercare's toy department.

Going Shopping with Lucas

Lucas has been acting as my 'wallet watcher'. Two weeks ago, we were having brunch and this little fellow was getting restless after sitting for awhile. I took him for a walk around the mall and stopped at a few shops, window shopping. Each time I am in a shop, he will pulled me out and said 'Out'. When I was in a hair accessories shop, I was trying some hair pins and I asked him 'Is this hair pin nice?'. He said 'NO'. He pulled my hand, walking towards the door and tell me 'Out'. Then he turned around and looked at the sales ladies and said 'Bye bye'. The two sales ladies burst out laughing.

Good Friday

Lucas and I had a good day yesterday. I finally managed to do some shopping after all the previous failed arrangement. My sister came along and helped to entertain Lucas while I shopped and tried on clothes. When you are in a mood to shop, everything look nice! There I was walking home with a few shopping bags:-) Lucas was happy too. He get to go out and see new things and not worry if I am going to make him go to sleep. Later at night, he went to sleep a happy boy - made no fuss and sang himself to sleep. If only this can happen more often ...but it will be too taxing to the wallet.

Shopping and Shopping

Today was such a heavy day for the wallet. We went to Camarillo Factory Outlet and went wild...kind of. There are things that we planned to buy and some unplanned. There were our purchases:

1. Luggage to replace our worn out one. We bought a Samsonite. It is expensive after conversion but we think it is still cheaper than KL.

2. Villeroy and Bach dinner set for 4. This was unplanned. I saw this during my trip to Melbourne and thought it was too expensive. Then I saw it here and the price is just irresistible. Now the headache is how to bring this home! I have this habit of buying dinner set when I go traveling. The last purchase was Noritake from Japan.

3. I bought a Coach handbag. The shop was packed with people like a wholesale shop. The clearance items are a good deal. That explained the crowd.

4. Sandals for myself and Dominic.

5. Shorts for Dominic. He completely forgot to being any shorts.

6. Clothes for Lucas. We are now buying him clothes for 2 years old! Osk B Kosh are so cheap and nice. Each top is onlyUS$5 include denim material. In KL, the cheapest is probably RM50 during sale and the design is not so cute. We got Lucas quite a few from Osh and Carters. I don't think we have Carters in KL.


We will not be shopping for a while...and I mean really a while, except for food.


On Saturday, we took Lucas for another core learning class at Gymboree. He did not enjoy this class that much. He even cried when I lied him down the mat. Looks like we will only we sending him to the music class. Actually, he doesn't need the class. The real reason is for me to network with other mothers. I can get valuable tips such as where to get good pediatrician, daycare baby sitter. He can also play with other babies his age, which he has not done before.

Gymboree offers 'friday date nite'. Parents can drop the baby there on Friday from 5pm to 9pm for US$40. It is like a baby-sitting. It is very difficult to get a baby-sitter here, just like M'sia.

And Dominic took Lucas to the apartment swimming pool or more precise the heated jacuzzi spa. He loves water. I think he has a mild tan now. He was very fair.
We have not weigh Lucas for a month now. He is definitely heavier and taller which he should be. We were guessing he is more than 9 kg now. His last weight was 8.2 kg. Hope he will learn to walk soon..a bit heavy to carry him for long. But hmm..maybe not so fast. Harder to keep an eye on him when he is walking!