Ayra's new school uniform

Here's Ayra in her new school uniform and that's Fuddin trying to get in the act. Anyway, she's all geared up. Let's see how it goes.

A Bathroom Swim...

I've just signed up for membership at the Civil Service Club and have been wanting to bring the kids for a swim there. The weather, however, has not been cooperative. It's been pouring the last few weeks and we've had to postpone the swim on numerous occasions so An and I decided to make our own makeshift pool.
The kids were pleasantly surprised when they woke up from their afternoon nap. A mini pool was waiting for them in the bathroom. Ayra wasted no time and jumped into the pool while Fuddin was a liitle apprehensive at first as the water was cold. He warmed up soon enough and was splashing happily within minutes. Ayra even attempted to use her diving apparatus but of course, it didn't work as the water was shallow.
Anyway, it's a miserable alternative to the real swimming pool but it'll have to do for now.

Baby Alive!

Ayra has a new toy. Eversince she saw the ad for the doll who feeds and then poos, she's been bugging us for it. Initially, we wanted to get it as her birthday present next March but I knew she really wanted it quick so we went to Toys R Us and bought the much coveted doll. Once we got home, she promptly started "babying" it. It encourageous her by saying things like "Hi Mommy", "I love you" and "Lets Play." After being rocked, the baby will sigh contentedly and fall asleep. Ayra will then instruct all of us to keep quiet so as not to disturb the baby (which is weird coz she makes a lot of noise when the real baby aka Fuddin sleeps).
The worst part was when the baby was fed. I gave the baby too much water as I wanted to clean the insides but the baby's diaper started leaking! It was a mess! I am not looking forward to the next feed. Sigh!
Still, I bet it's just a phase and the novelty will wear out. For now though, I have to be content with having a little "mommy" in the house.

Holiday!

These are the pics for our short Malacca trip. It was okay but quite exhausting! Fuddin was extra hyper, Ayra was ok but a little whiny and I ate way too much. The hotel was all right I suppose. Nothing fantastic but it was ok. Maybe next year we'll go to Langkawi. Fuddin will be older then and not so squirmy and hyper (or maybe he'll be worst).

Bitten!

He did it again and this time with a vengeance. My baby boy bit his sister. It was a shocking and painful experience for my girl but at least it has made her more wary of him. An has even resorted to teaching her self defence positions. If she is trying to block Fuddin, she must do it with her front facing him. The last time she blocked him using her back, he managed to sink his mighty (all 6 of them) teeth into her arm. Here's the culprit -

and here's the victim bravely showing off her battle scars. Now, whenever her dad is "naughty", she will threaten him with "I will ask Adik to bite Abah!" You know, I have a feeling it might just work. Heehee.

Sembawang Park Part 2

Yesterday was a tiring but fun filled day. We decided to go to Sembawang Park again and this time we brought reinforcements! Hee hee. We had a makeshift barbeque but didn't do much else as it was already noon and the weather was really quite hot. When we got back, both hubby and daughter promptly fell asleep from sheer exhaustion. Still, Ayra told me she can't wait to go back provided we bring her beloved "kakak" along.
In the evening, we went to Seoul Garden to have dinner. It was fun cooking the food and Ayra ate quite a lot. I managed to get her a free meal by saying "She's only three and she doesn't eat a lot anyway." Hee hee. Anyway, she had her crackers, hot dog, ice kacang and ice cream. Not bad by her standards. A clumsy waiter also accidentally spilled dirty water all over An's back and boxers. Heehee. It was quite sad for him but quite hilarious for me.
All in all, it was quite a good Anniversary although we didn't spend any time alone.

Sembawang Park

We had no idea where to go today. We just drove along and ended up at Sembawang Park. The place was packed with happy families and Abah was pretty interested in the crab catching corner. Ayra tried some miniature rock climbing and scratched herself in the process but she managed to climb the obstacle twice before the rain came down and we had to rush off. Fuddin seemed uninterested and was a bit cranky but I suppose he'll enjoy it more when he's a bit older. I forsee more trips to the park. Why not? Fresh air, lots of space and it's free!
Incidentally, tomorrow is our 7th year Anniversary. We don't know how to celebrate it yet. I was thinking just a quiet dinner but hubby says why not spend it at the beach. We'll see. 7 years. Not bad ,huh? Can't say it's been all smooth sailing but it's been a good marriage so far. I suppose keeping a marriage alive is a lot of effort but at the end of the day, it's all worth it. Plus, we have two beautiful children who light up our lives in oh so many ways. Here's to my hubby;
Happy Anniversary Dear, I do love you so.

Graduating from Apple Tree

An entry to remember Apple Tree, where she spent a happy year and made some friends. Next year, she'll be entering Montessori @ Graceland. She'll go straight to Nursery 2. She's pretty excited but I do hope she handles the changes. For one, she has to take the schoolbus on her own and secondly, she has to eat lunch there before she goes home. She's always been a picky eater so I hope she will learn to adapt and enjoy herself thorougly there. Here's to my baby's education. May it be a fulfilling and enjoyable journey.

Swimming

We went swimming yesterday. We initially wanted to go to the Civil Service Club but we were turned away because I hadn't applied for the membership club. We ended up at Bukit Batok Swimming Complex. Fortunately, we had the whole children's pool all to ourselves. It was great. Fuddin really thought he was a fish and was quite determined to "swim" on his own. He ended up with water in his nose and started sneezing! Poor boy. Still, he seemed happy enough. Ayra was doing her "swimming but actually not swimming at all" thing. She was screaming happily though so I figured that it was a good session for her. She's looking forward to our Malacca trip in December so she can swim at the hotel's pool again.

After swimming, we went to Lot 1 and bought Ayra her skate scooter. She really didn't know how to ride it but she started practising once we got home. She even brought it along when we went to her paternal granny's place in the evening. I reckon with all that practising, she has to improve, right?

All in all, it was a fun but oh so tiring day.

Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri 2006

It's been about a week since Hari Raya. Well, things have been hectic but allright. Fuddin didn't really enjoy himself (the photos are a testament to that) but I predict he will have a better time next year. Ayra was pretty happy and we have bought them toys using the money they collected on the day. All in all, it was a happy day, one we spent with the family.

Old photographs

An and I decided to put up some framed photographs of the kids so I was choosing which ones to develop. Here are some which I thought were cute.

An's 32nd birthday

My dear husband celebrated his 32nd birthday yesterday. We cut our Swenson's ice cream cake and opened the presents that Ayra and I got for him in a private ceremony (ie in our room)on Saturday night. Ayra helped to blow te candles out and she was pretty excited about the ice cream cake. Her dad was happy with the presents we got him and also the card which she made him.
Then yesterday, we broke our fast at his sister's place and the whole gang was there. There was so much food but you know it's hard to stuff everything in when you haven't eaten anything for such a long time. I ended up quite stuffed but unsatisfied, wishing I could stuff in more food. Anyway, his sister bought him another Polar cake and he opened his presents. I think he enjoyed his birthday although it was quite low key and simple.
Here's wishing my darling a good year ahead.

Fear of Needles

Ayra has always been terrified of injections. Actually, I've contributed to that also. When she doesn't want to eat for example, I will threaten her with a "If you don't eat, you will become ill and when you are ill, the doctor will have to give you an injection." She will then promptly eat her food but now, I'm paying for my mistake.
I found out that a vaccination jab which I thought was optional (it's a booster jab) is actually compulsory. It was due when she was 18 months old! It is so overdue. All the jabs she had was when she was 15 months and below so bringing her to the doctor was not a problem. Now, she refuses to go.
I had a little talk with her last night and she instantly broke into tears when she found out my intention. She started wailing and then pleading for me to get the idea out of my mind. I finally pacified her with "Let's not talk about this." What I plan to do though is to spring her a surprise one of these days. I am NOT looking forward to that day but what has to be done, must be done.

Fish Impersonators

I was looking through some of the older videos I took of Ayra. This is a classic. Here's some father-daughter bonding at its best. Ayra looks really small here. How she's grown. Now she can't stop talking.
Anyway, I don't think An will appreciate the fact that I've blogged this video but it's really cute and I couldn't pass the chance of showcasing both my darlings' impersonating talents.

Magic!

Ayra has a thing for magic. She fancies herself a magician but she's so obvious it's hilarious. Still she is only 3 and a half. Anyway, here's a magic trick especially performed by "Houdini (not) Ayra". There's always hope she will improve in the future.

Gearing up for Hari Raya Aidilfitri

An and I bought the lights to be put up to create the "Hari Raya Aidilfitri" mood. As you can see, the kids are pretty fascinated by it. Soon we had it up and I have to admit, for a couple of amateurs, An and I did a pretty good job. Last year, Fuddin was only about 6 months old so there wasn't really much time to dress the house up but this year we 've repainted some of the walls, will be changing the couch cover, cleaning a lot more (heehee) and who can forget the lights? We've even bought matching "baju kurungs" which will only be revealed on Hari Raya itself.

For now though, we still have 3 weeks of fasting to go. Sometimes, I do marvel at the magic of the month of Ramadan. It is quite unbelievable how I and millions of Muslims around the world can go without any food or drinks for about 14 hours each day for a whole month! Quite amazing isn't it? I'm already training Ayra. She's not allowed to eat or drink anything from 6pm till 7pm and then she breaks her "fast" with us. It makes her feel important and prepares her for what she has to do eventually. Adik also breaks his "fast" with us too. The truth is, i have to give him food to occupy himself while I break my fast, if not, I won't be able to eat in peace.

I am looking forward to Hari Raya Aidilfitri.

Before the lights were up...


After the lights were up...

Singapore Idol

Just want to take some time to congratulate Hady Mirza, our new Singapore Idol! I voted for him. He really has a good voice and I hope he goes far in his career. As for Jonathan, I don't think he'll do too badly either. I'm sure he'll succeed as well. Anyway, there won't be a Singapore Idol 3 so it's just Taufiq and Hady. I'm glad it's them though. I am a fan. Hee hee.

Pretty in Pink

Here's Ayra parading her newly bought pink boots and dress. Don't you think she looks cute?

Every cloud has a silver lining....

Ayra is unwell. She started off with the flu which progressed to fever. Yesterday, she had diarohea and there was blood in her stools. The doctor put us on standby and told us to go to the hospital if it got worse. Both she and I haven't had that much to sleep the past few nights. She's rather weak now but recovering slowly.

Still, every cloud has a silver lining. As she was suffering so much, we finally coaxed her into doing the impossible. Eat her medicine! We've been trying for 2 years now to get her to eat medicine. We've had to resort to the trusty suppository whenever she had fever and when it wasn't fever, just gave her lots of liquids and prayed hard. We even tried to force medicine down her throat and she will just throw it all up. Last night though, she relented and we managed to spoon down 3 types of medicine. Hooray!

She's resting now. I do hope she will be her cheerful, active self soon. As for Fuddin, he's having his day nap too. Thank God he's healthy now. He's running around more than usual and eating more too. He definitely is a growing boy. Here are some pics of ill Ayra and healthy Fuddin.

Dinner & Dance

Me and An went to his company's dinner and dance last Saturday. The theme was retro. It was all right. The food at Four Seasons was all right and the MC was hilarious but sadly, An didn't win any of the lucky draw prizes. He was, however, picked on by the MC to lead his group in a game. All those present had a good laugh at his expense. He seemed embarrased by it all but i really couldn't pass the chance of showcasing my dear husband's talent. Haha.

Happy Teacher's Day

First of all, Happy teacher's Day to all the teachers out there, including me. It's weird actually how some students are so nice to you on this day and not so nice every other day. Still, one day is better than none. My school had it's fair share of celebrations. On Wednesday night, we had dinner at Clarke Quay. The food was good but Ayra, who came along, didn't appreciate it. She ended up eating crackers and plain rice. Still, she was happy to walk around after dinner with Auntie Nat holding her hand. On Thursday, we had our school celebrations. My dear class outdid themselves. I had actually asked for a party (no shame whatsoever) but i was in another class during the time they had planned the party. Finally, they couldn't wait any longer and the whole class brought the cake and food to me. It was really a pleasant surprise! During recess, we continued with our little party and took many photos which will serve as good memories. All in all, it was a good teacher's day for me, thanks to 4N3. I appreciate it guys! I'll remember you guys always and wish you all the best for the coming N levels.

The Beach

We woke up early today to go to East Coast beach. We promised Ayra before that we would go there to build sandcastles (like baby Cheryl). When we got there though, the weather was not good. The sky was dark so we hurriedly got down to business. Sad to say, none of us had the patience to build a proper sandcastle and soon we had abandoned the idea. We walked by the beach instead and got our feet wet. We tried looking for seashells but only found one which Ayra promptly picked up and brought home. Maybe next time we'll build a proper sandcastle. For now, we still can build sandcastles in the air. Hee hee.

Underwater World at Sentosa

Today, we visited the sea creatures at Underwater World. It was a short trip but an enjoyable one! Ayra was pretty amazed by the size of some of the fishes. The last time me and my family went there was about 8 years ago! Dad says the fishes are the same ones. Maybe they are. As for Fuddin, he was distant as usual but did express occasional interest. Anyway, here are the pics to remember our outing by.