It was Dawn’s 8-year old birthday. We were having our “Golden Arch” dinner (aka McDonald’s).
Eva : Jie Jie, what do you want for your birthday present?
Dawn : (shocked) What? Now? You can buy now?
Eva : (in her cool composed manner) No. We can buy this Saturday.
Dawn : (thoughtful look) Do you have money?
Eva : No. Can you share your money with me? (paused…) I take some (of your money) you take some, ok?
😀
Year 2014. A year that started with much anxiety, adjustments, settling down and getting used to.
It was the year which Dawn entered Primary One, we got the keys to our own house after a long wait of 3+ years, the leaving of a very good boss, settling down with new schedules & priorities.
A tedious start of the year with daily early morning commute to the primary school, and rushing over from town back to school during lunch to fetch her. In the midst, chasing for house keys, house defects rectification and then the renovators to complete the work. We could hardly have much time to breath, hard.
It was indeed a long hiatus from penning down my musings and it felt like something was robbed away from me.
The year ended in a much better note than how we started it. Much peace, much stability and comfortable zone. It’s time to re-focus on the things I want to do. Looking forward to a bountiful 2015!
Yeah! Christmas is coming! And free shows in shopping malls are here too!
Ever since the craze about Christmas shows organized by Shopping malls started about 5-6 years ago, it had given some parents (like us) an additional excuse to visit the shopping malls more frequently. Well, we don’t get to see much of the cartoon characters here in Singapore, plus the shows are free to watch most of the time, so why not?
Since Dawn was 3, we had watched a few sessions of Barney, Strawbrerry Shortcake, High-5 etc in different shopping malls.
So what’s on for Year 2013? I have listed here the shopping malls which are having cartoon characters shows / play area or meet & greet sessions.
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SpongeBob SquarePants @ Changi Airport Terminal 3
15 Nov 2013 – 5 Jan 2014, 12pm – 10pm daily
SpongeBob SquarePants Bouncy Playground –
Take a tumble in the Krusty Krab Ball Pit, challenge yourself in the Pineapple House Maze, and cruise your way down Giant Slides! Simply spend a minimum of S$20 in a single receipt (S$15 for Changi Rewards members).
5-15 Dec 2013 at Atrium Level 1.
Show Sessions : 1pm & 7pm for Tues – Friday. 1pm, 4pm & 7pm for Saturday & Sunday. No shows on 9 Dec, Monday.
** Redeem a photo pass (admits a family of 4) with S$30 min spending in a single receipt.
Sesame Street @ Takashimaya Square Christmas Fantasy
28 Nov to 8 Dec 2013
1pm, 4pm & 7pm (No show on Mon 2 Dec & Sun 8 Dec, 1pm)
Exclusive Show for DBS/POSB Cardholders : Thu 28 Nov, 1pm
Little Ones Club Party : Sun 8 Dec, 10am to 12pm
The Little Big Club @ United Square Shopping Mall
29 Nov – 9 Dec 2013 : Barney, Fireman Sam and Angelina Ballerina
Mon – Fri: 2pm & 7pm (No shows on Tues) | Sat & Sun: 12.30pm, 3.30pm & 7pm
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11 – 16 Dec 2013 : Barney, Bob the Builder and Pingu
Mon – Fri: 2pm & 7pm (No shows on Tues) | Sat & Sun: 12.30pm, 3.30pm & 7pm
** Take a photo with them, with S$50 min spending in a single receipt.
Thomas & Friends @ City Square Mall
30 Nov to 15 Dec 2013
Show Sessions : 2pm & 7pm for Tues – Friday. 1pm, 4pm & 7pm for Saturday & Sunday. No shows on Mondays.
** Redeem a Meet & Greet pass with S$50 spending.
06 to 15 Dec 2013
Show Sessions : 1pm & 7pm for Tues – Friday. 1pm, 4pm & 7pm for Saturday & Sunday. No shows on Mondays.
** Redeem a Meet & Greet pass with S$50 spending.
06 to 22 Dec 2013 @ West Atrium
Show Sessions : 1pm & 7pm for Tues – Friday. 1pm, 4pm & 7pm for Saturday & Sunday. No shows on Mondays.
06 to 31 Dec 2013 @ Event Square
Show Sessions : 7pm Tues – Friday. 3pm & 6.30pm for Saturday & Sunday. No shows on Mondays.
** Limited Photo Pass available.
Forever Friends @ Various Frasers Malls
22 Nov to 25 Dec 2013 @ 8 different Shopping Malls
Click the link for all Show Sessions & Locations.
09 to 15 Dec 2013 @ JP1 Centre Stage Level 1
Show Sessions : 4pm & 7pm daily. No shows on Mondays.
** Redeem a pass with min S$50 spending in a single receipt.
26 Nov to 08 Dec 2013 @ Level 2 Stage Area
Show Sessions : 1pm & 4pm for Tuesday – Thursday. 1pm, 4pm & 7pm for Friday, Saturday & Sunday. No shows on Mondays.
** Redeem a Meet & Greet pass with min S$30 spending.
Care Bears @ Sembawang Shopping Mall
10 to 15 Dec 2013 @ Level 1 Stage Area
Show Sessions : 1pm & 4pm for Tuesday – Thursday. 1pm, 4pm & 7pm for Friday, Saturday & Sunday. No shows on Mondays.
** Redeem a Meet & Greet pass with min S$30 spending.
Barbie Mariposa @ Raffles City
@ Level 3
Show Sessions : 15 Nov to 08 Dec 2013, 1pm & 7pm for Tuesday – Friday. 1pm, 4pm & 7pm for Saturday & Sunday. No shows on Mondays. (Admission for the first 50 Children)
Magical Meetup : 03-08 Dec 2013, 1pm & 7pm for Tuesday – Friday. 1pm, 4pm & 7pm for Saturday & Sunday. No shows on Mondays. (Admission for the first 50 Children)
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Wow! That’s a few weekends to be busy with.
I will bring the 2 girls to catch some shows. What about you?
Disclosure : The above is complied by myself and all information is correct at the time of publication of this post. Please check on the url links for updated or complete information of the events.
Japanese Curry Rice is one such dish that is friendly to children as it is sweet and not spicy. It is also easy to prepare and cook. I am glad that both my girls love this dish and I will usually cook for them whenever they request for this.
I wanted to shape a Hello Kitty rice for Dawn but I realised I ran out of nori to cut out the whiskers & eyes…end up using sprinkles instead…what an awkward looking cat, but Dawn love them nevertheless. 😀
And look at how Eva had her curry rice 🙂
I had always thought that rolling a sushi (or maki) is a difficult task and I will never learn how to make my own sushi. However, I realised that I was so wrong!
It was until I went to a learning session and realised that it’s so easy to make some home-made sushi from my own kitchen. Well, of ‘cos the visual aspect of my home-made sushi is not as good as what we can buy from the restaurant, but it does not matter. What’s more, I can involve the kids in the process too!
And there you have it, Home-made sushi!
It’s that simple that even Dawn can do it!
It’s indeed a fun way to engage the children and they get to eat their own sushi.
Best part I felt for preparing this meal? The cleaning & washing is kept to the minimal 😀
How about making some pizza at home? Not only it is a quick and easy meal, the kids can be involved in the making process too!
Dawn’s pizza before putting it into the toaster oven.
Ta-da! Nicely done!
Eva can easily do the same too! She is only 2 and a half years old but she can follow instructions quite well too.
And this is Eva’s pizza before the bake..
Yummy Yummy!
Try it! It’s easy and an engaging activity with the children. Do be careful that the kids don’t go too near the oven though.
On a separate day, we did some Margherita Pizza. We did without the herbs as we did not have them at home. Just some fresh tomatoes, sliced cheddar cheese and Mozarella cheese.
I was looking through my digital photos folder and I cannot help but notice how well the 2 sisters play or do things together.
Even though they have their fair share of disagreeing with each other, fighting over the same toy etc, the “peace” time really made me feel so amazed by their sisterhood.
If only I have such moments captured in photos with my 2 sisters.
Moments like….playing together in the playground…
Checking out the new toy on the shelf…..
Posing together in their swimming costumes before heading to the swimming pool…
Indulging in their own ice cream (Yah, no need to share!)…
A great sisters hug over a lantern session on a Mid-Autumn Festival…
Playing an iPhone game…. (current favourite – Hay Day..)
Brave Jie Jie held on to Mei Mei’s hand during a car wash, explained each step and told Mei Mei not to be scared. All because Eva was scared and cried during the previous car wash experience…
Even the way they watch TV is the same… ie, before the mommy sees and asks them to sit up right!
Dressing up mei mei and herself in Ikea store…and become Mushroom Fairies…
And testing out new beds!
Even though it’s tiring to be a mother sometimes, these moments really warm my heart. And that’s when I will feel that the sacrifices that I made is all worth it. 🙂
Daddy bought 2 boxes of Crayola washable paints for the kids. The kids can’t wait to try them out!
What’s good with these paint is their “washable” ability. It’s so easy to wash off from their hands, from their clothes and even from the seat cover which Eva accidentally stained. My eyes were wide opened when hubby told me the $$ he paid for the 2 boxes of paint but all was redeemed after seeing the wonders of the paint.
Look at how they use the paint on their palms and fingers, you will know where I am coming from!
Dawn did some nice finger painting. The younger sister simply followed what Jie Jie was doing….
Look at Eva’s smiles when she saw her artistic “output. So much satisfaction, so much happiness 🙂
Dawn’s final artwork of her finger/hand painting.. 🙂
It’s really a headache sometimes, to think of a meal that I can involve the children in the preparation. With the kid running into the kitchen, constantly asking “Mama, can I help?”, I just can’t turn her away just like that.
I decided to make Pasta Salad today, for something different and also an easy way to involve Dawn in the process.
Dawn choose the different items and placed them into the mixing bowl. She loves squeezing the salad cream from the bottle and mix them on her own.
Simple, easy and a delicious way to involve your child!
During my school days, the popular choice of brand for a pair of running shoes was the one that comes with a “tick”. Even though that was like many years ago, I can still remember we were all very amazed by the visible midsole that came with “air cushion”.
Since the end of my school days, I had not owned a pair of running or performance shoes. However, just about a month ago, I bought a pair of Skechers walking shoes!
Look at my favourite Skechers shoes, with pink soles! 🙂 The weight of this shoes convinced me to part with my money. They are light and they fit my feet perfectly.
Skechers has “invaded” my household within the past one month. The other 2 pairs belong to my parents-in-law.
Since I have got my favourite pair of Skechers, I brought my hubby and children to find their favourite pair of Skechers.
Skechers has a wide range of shoes for different purpose and age groups. Look at the pretty collection for children! Pretty colours and stylish are just some words to describe their collection.
Dawn chose the pink shoes and she told me that she chose it because of the colour and the shiny crystals. It does fit her outfit perfectly issn’t?
Dawn’s dressing formula = T-shirt top + shorts/pants + SKECHERS Twinkle Toes: Shuffles – Triple Time shoes.
Next was Eva’s turn. She was shy and did not reach out to take her favourite shoe from the rack. Mummy took it and asked her whether she likes it. Eva gave a light nod and grabbed the shoe tightly in her hand. The shoe simply goes well with her outfit too!
Eva’s dressing formula = T-shirt top + shorts/pants + SKECHERS Twinkle Toes: Shuffles – Sweet Steps shoes
Oh, she was so sad because she knew that the shoe will be returned to the rack after mummy is done with taking the photos. :p
I went with hubby to another Skechers concept store on a separate occasion so that he can chose his favourite pair without much distraction from the kids. Look at the wide range of shoes he had to chose from!
How about pink or orange shoes? I said the pink…but too bad the pink is for ladies only.
Let’s try again. This time, he was given 4 pairs of shoes to chose from, by the sales assistant in the store.
Which which which?
He chose the Men’s Skechers GOrun Meb speed Running Shoes as it is in luminous yellow!
Indeed, Light is Power!!
Wow! My whole family is dressed by Skechers now, from the young to the grandparents!
How about you? Do you have your favourite pair of Skechers too?
