Singapore Orchid Garden

Kids At Work

Elmo Cupcake Making Session

This was our 3rd year doing Christmas carolling and this year it was at the Lions Befrienders Senior Activity Centre at Bendemeer. As usual, Pei Ee would be the main coordinator and the rest of us would bring the kids or family along to help out. Sophie and Alfee didn't attend this year. Just a few days ago, I realised I had signed Sophie up for Elmo Cupcake Workshop at Yio Chu Kang Community Club. Thus, I thought it was probably for the better that I left the kids at home with my Ah Gong. My role was slightly more important this year because I had to conduct a craft session. Without Rose or CK, I wouldn't be able to do a decent job with both of them around. Therefore, I decided that I would go there on my own this time.

While I was away, Ah Gong sent Sophie to the Elmo Cupcake Workshop at Yio Chu Kang Community Club. I don't really have high regards for such holiday programmes but I was pleasantly surprised. The kids really made the cupcakes from scratch. I thought the cupcakes were ready made or made with premix and all the kids had to do was decorate them. Apparently, the teacher did teach them to make cupcakes from raw ingredients. Unfortunately, Sophie's cupcakes were not too beautifully decorated (or maybe those pretty ones were already eaten by the time I came back). Still, she has had fun and the cupcakes tasted nice, so I have no complaints.

Polliwogs @ Suntec

Ultraman

Painful Realisation

It's been a long, painful day for me and probably the kids. I woke up with a horribly stiff neck and body aches that I haven't quite experienced since my gym days. Though the pain was familiar, I feel twice as miserable now because the euphoria of 'painlessness' is still fresh in my mind. I have learnt to crave for something I'm unlikely to ever possess again - health. I should have let my body deteriorate gradually. I wouldn't have to miss the few days that I was able to function with loads of positive energy and happiness. Now, I know what I'm missing. This new understanding is totally useless. Nobody can understand me better even if I can articulate this accurately and clearly. I'm all alone in my awful world, screaming in silence. All alone in a painful, bitter, angry and lonely world.

Bento Making Workshop / Hives

Sophie's last cooking workshop for the year from YCK CC - Bento Making Workshop. Although I was in general quite happy with the simple, no fuss cooking workshops, CK warned me that the trainers aren't always willing to be accountable for the children in their classes. They might be burnt or scalded during the class and these trainers might not have any SOP or know first aid. Thus, I would be very careful from now on when I enrol her in cooking or any sort of classes from CC.

But Sophie did enjoyed herself and she loved her bento. Such workshops are good for her because she can learn without the pressure of putting up her best behaviour during class. She talked a lot to her friends (not that I condone to that sort of behaviour) in class yet she could easily follow the steps.

The best part of all this? She finished the whole set of bento for dinner!!! Just like that! That was more than what I eat! I was so happy, I took a picture of her leftover...

On a slightly less positive note… Alfee broke out in hives. It started with a bit of rashes on his legs, but soon it became quite apparent that it's not likely to go away without some medical intervention. Calamine lotion didn't work very well on those angry, itchy bumps. Aloe vera gel still works best. I read that hives could be a body's reaction to virus as well as food or environmental allergens. And the PD said I was probably right to think that he's got a flu. After a dose or two of histamine blocker, the hives went away. The body is such an interesting creation from our maker.  

 

Let's Stay In...

I doubt people understand how I feel about playdates and gatherings that involve children. I am very stressed whenever my kids interact with others in free play or unstructured playdates, especially if it's indoors. My kids, on their own, are manageable if they are in the park or wide open spaces without much of a crowd. But once they are in crowded places or with other kids, they face sensory overload and have great difficulty in self regulation. They find it challenging to control their behaviour and impulses and regulate their emotions and I can't help them much. I find myself feeling ridiculously embarrassed and apologetic as a result. After every gathering, I would be both tired and miserable. I would wish I didn't go. And aft a while, I start to doubt the value of our presence. Why would anyone want us there? Out of courtesy? Out of pity? I hate such self defeating thoughts. Thus, I sometimes just chicken out. Don't go. Nobody has to witness our imperfections and problems.

Christmas Handprint & Footprint - Clay

After Alfee's nap, we attempted to paint the handprint and footprint we had made yesterday. Although they weren't dry, I thought we could just paint and then leave them to dry over a few days. The air dry clay has a peachy base colour so the Crayola paint look a little dull, so we use poster paint to do a second coat.

The craft idea was deceptively simple but it won't look very good unless you have a certain foot shape or hand shape and you can paint reasonably well on irregular surface. Painting the depression wasn't very fun or easy either. From here onwards, I had to step in to do a lot of intervention work.

The reindeer was definitely much more manageable for children. I let Alfee put glitter glue and add in all the sequins, ribbons and pom pom. 

Olaf, however, was not so easy. Alfee's foot isn't the right shape so I had to alter it to create Olaf's head. By now, Sophie gave up on painting it. She politely excused herself and left me alone to finish it for her. With the glitter glue and sequins, it looks marginally ok. Sophie took a look and thank me for making her 'Olaf'. Maybe I should have just let her complete it herself. So hard to let it go...

The Singapore Zoo

I was feeling quite energetic and determined this morning, so I decided to bite the bullet and take the kids to the zoo on my own. Just before leaving the house, I texted the mother of Sophie's best friend and asked if she would like to go. I didn't wait for her reply and left soon after. I thought if she was to join us, she would need some time to get ready too. 

Coincidentally, they had planned to visit the zoo today for their toddler's birthday. We met at the ticketing booth and thus, we had some great company today. The kids were very happy to see one another. Of all the families we know through Sophie's schools, this is the only one who does regular playdates with us. Somehow, we aren't very popular candidates for playdates. Partly because I don't really make friends easily, partly because the kids are too spirited. 

Sophie sometimes has great ideas and intentions but she has too many other things to think about. Thus, she forgets easily. She asked me to take pictures of these red river hogs so that she can draw them later. However, I doubt she remembers now.

The day was hot and the zoo was reasonably crowded. The kids were hardly stationary enough for me to take pictures. Also, I brought the pram along (just in case Alfee refuses to walk) and it was difficult to manage everything.

Unlike Sophie, Alfee isn't very adventurous when animals are concerned. He's instinctively fearful of large animals. It doesn't help that I always warn them about wild animals. This little man was very serious and stayed very close to me whenever we came across big or scary looking animals and creatures.

With Papa around, we usually missed animal shows because he likes to follow his own agenda and schedule. Today, we managed to see the sea lion show at 10.30 am. AS I was in a terribly good mood, I gave the kids a treat of popcorn and potato chips. They were ecstatic by the simple pleasures.

We took the tram around the zoo before stopping for the elephant show at 11.30 am. I must really thank the family with us because I would have skipped the ride to avoid the hassle. Of course, I had little idea where to hop on and where we would end up. 

The crowd was quite intimidating at the elephant show. We had to split up and I realised some tourists can be very inconsiderate sometimes. They took up a lot of space and they wouldn't move to occupy the inner seats. They would rather let us squeeze through to get to those seats. They also look at us condescendingly. I'm referring to Asian looking ones (with caucasian accent).  

At the end of the show, we could pay $5 to buy a basket of fruit for the elephants. Sophie was very excited but we were not quick enough, they soon run out of feed. Sophie was quite upset and I know how much she really likes to feed animals. I must make a mental note to sit in the centre next time and jump at the first offer to buy the fruit basket.

Alfee was a little cranky after the elephant show so I decided it was time we leave the zoo. I'm sure the kids wished we could stay but they were too tired and the afternoon sun was punishing. If Papa was around, I could let Alfee sleep in the pram and get some lunch in the zoo. However, I couldn't buy food from the Ah Meng restaurant with the two kids around, especially Alfee.

Thus, we did the next best thing. We met Papa for lunch at Suntec City. It's really cool for the kids to see their papa at lunch on a weekday. We had a simple lunch at The Crystal Jade before visiting the Foundation of Wealth (or whatever it's called). Honestly, I think it's my first visit.Sophie was very serious about making her wish. She diligently made her wish and walked around the fountain 3 times. I wonder what she had wished for. But I won't ask. The kids fell asleep in the cab on the way home and so did I for a while. I was tired but I wasn't in pain or unwell. For that, I am very thankful.