A magical kisses - Muakzzz

It was a gloomy friday morning. Mama tucked myself in my comfortable bed; opened my eyes reluctantly. Fortunately, it was a pleasant sight as I opened my eyes, and I don't mind to sacrifice the comfort of my bed,  but to enjoy the moments of my two girls moving about on our bed; chatting away with their baby languages. 

"Good Morning, Chloe. Come and give Mama a Kiss." Mama requested softly while yawning and stretching my arms. 

Chloe gazed at Mama's direction, trying to grasp what Mama said to her with her half-concious mind. In about half a minute later, she crawled towards Mama, and then Chloe gave Mama a Great Big MUAKZZ with a Great Big Heart. These lovely gestures instantly melt my heart, and I thought nothing is more rewarding than a kiss and a hug from my Chloe at this moment. 

Mama then turned to Baby Clarisse and greeted her with a cuddle, "Baby, Good Morning."

"Clarisse, come! Give Mama a kiss too." I was about to touch her face with my lips, and Clarisse moved her head towards my right cheek. 

"Muaks" I felt & I heard. Gosh... I was totally awake! It was a kiss from Clarisse. A kiss!!!!! 

I immediately burst out in tremendous joys , " Papa! Papa! Clarisse kissed Mama!"

"Clarisse, give Mama a Kiss again!" We always like to confirm it again by asking them to repeat their NEW FOUND SKILL.  

"Muaks," Clarisse placed her beautiful lips against Mama's cheek and kissed Mama with a sound just like her Jie Jie Chloe. 

My children give me such sense of blissfulness and boundless contentment that I can't ask for anything more in my life. Love that brings so much happiness within a family.... Let LOVE continues in our family forever and ever, LOVE that never end. 

Chloe is a DOLL

Last night, I had my hair done in pigtails. 

Chloe : MaMa. (Pointing at my hair) Mama, doll.

Mama : What? (It was not very clear to me at that moment)

Chloe : (Again, Pointed at my hair done in pigtails) Mama, You are a Doll. You are a "GIRL DOLL"

We used to show Chloe Flashcard whereby the Doll has this cute pigtails too. I would flash the card to her,  and read aloud "GIRL" or "DOLL"

This morning, I was in the kitchen preparing Chloe's Snack to bring to school. Chloe came screaming for Mama...

Chloe : MaMa! MaMa! Look! Look! Chloe is a DOLL.

Haha..Kakak tied her hair in pigtails too, and Chloe loves it so much, looked for mirror everywhere and started admiring herself in pigtails. 

My sweetie Pie, so adorable and so Vain too, just like Papa. MaMa forgot to take a photo of her in pigtails. She was so so cute, especially when she said she is a DOLL. Haha....

"Nah"

"Nah"  is a colloquial expression used in our family when we hand/pass something to another person. For instance, when I passed Papa his Mobile Phone, it always comes with a spontaneous "Nah" expression. We are doing this so often that, and naturally our children picked up the same colloquial expressions that we use in our everyday life. 

It didn't appear a big deal to us when Chloe uses "Nah" because it is "Normal" especially when she says it everyday just like us. But, when it comes to Clarisse, it just took us by surprise. 

Last night, Baby Clarisse and Chloe were playing with some musical instruments with Papa & Mama at the Play area.

Papa : Clarisse, give Papa the Drumsticks

Clarisse : Nah (and she handed the drumsticks to Papa.)

We thought we heard it wrongly. Papa returned the drumsticks to Clarisse and again....

Papa : Clarisse, give Papa the Drumsticks.

Clarisse : (She handed the drumsticks to Papa again...then..) Nah

It was so cute & amusing too. 

Most probably teething

As I mentioned yesterday, Baby Clarisse had a slight fever in the afternoon (about 3.30pm). I told Novi to give her 2.5ml of Uphamol to control the high temperature. Chloe has the tendency of going up till 40 deg and I don't want the same happen to Clarisse. Therefore, I instructed Novi to measure her temperature using the thermometer, it was 36.3 deg C (YES, the FAULTY Thermometer, It is 2 degree C below) which means Baby Clarisse's temperature is approx 38.3 deg C, slightly at the high side. 

I called home again at about 5pm, and I heard Chloe and Clarisse screaming away in the background while I was on the conversation with Novi. Novi told me that Clarisse's fever had subsided. Like my brother said to me "Are you sure your baby is sick? She is still so active, and playing, and screaming."

It could be just TEETHING - Crying Nights and Fever.... Yeah...New Teeth coming, Can introduce more food to her soon. :)

Bento #5 - Hearty Cats

Two "Hearty" & Two Cats with Seedless Grapes

packed in a Purple Barney Lunchbox for Chloe

Is Clarisse teething? Or Just Notti?

Papa & Mama got home late last night at about 11.30pm. Upon our return, we heard Baby Clarisse crying vigorously in the family area. At this hour, Baby Clarisse & Chloe are usually soundly asleep. We were both astounded by her loud cries, and we quickly rushed to the family area to check her out. Accordingly to Novi that she had fed Baby Clarisse milk again (usually the last feed is 9pm before sleep), but it did not stop her from crying. Novi carried her around and tried to distract her with almost everything, but it did not work as well.

Mama quickly went for a shower, and then came out to take over Baby Clarrise from Novi. It took me by surprise that she didn't want to come to Mama. Baby Clarisse usually prefers Mama over anyone, but last night Baby Clarisse refused to come to Mama. Baby Clarisse looked very upset and agitated whenever Mama try to hold her. In the end, I told Novi to go to bed and insisted to calm down Clarisse myself. 

Again, Mama tried to distract Baby Clarisse with EVERYTHING but it did not work just like before. In the end, we had to resort to Barney Series again (sigh, together with Chloe - She was awaken by Clarisse's loud cry.) Anyway, initially Baby Clarisse was calmed by watching the Barney. Out of sudden, Baby Clarisse started to cry again even with BARNEY dancing in her favorite songs - the wheels on the bus. She cried and dozed off, wake up and cried, cried and dozed off again, then woke up and cried again, until......about 3am in the morning. 

No matter how we tried to cuddle her, hug her, kiss her, sing to her, give her all her favorite toys, nothings seems to soothe her. We were suspecting it could be due to teething which is making her uncomfortable, and today she is having a slight fever. :( Hopefully, it is just a TEETHING series. *sigh*

Bento #4 - Smiling Jacob

Smiling Jacob's Oatmeal Apple Biscuit, 

Strawberries & Tamago Boro

for Chloe's Snack Time at School

11th Month old Baby Clarisse

Oh dear, My Baby Clarisse is turning One in a month's time. Papa said he wants to look for a place to hold a 1st Birthday Party for Clarisse but yet to hear about it. Mama can't rely on Papa. Mama is going to do it myself, otherwise it will never happen or it will be a LAST MINUTE thing.

Baby Clarisse is learning how to walk. Well, she still can't walk yet, but I know she is trying. She likes to let go of her grip when she feels confident. However, it will never last for more than 1 minute. She would wobbles and falls, and then she will try again.

Up till now, Baby Clarisse has two teeth only. Still no sign of new teeth. Well, that's fine because she is eating well. So far, I am serving her a few variety of porridge with no SALT no SUGAR no SOYA 

SAUCE no AJINAMOTO

This is the list of what Baby Clarisse eating at this age:-

- ABC (Carrot, Potato, Onion, Skinless Chicken Breast) Porridge 

- Cauliflower Porridge

- Broccoli Porridge

- Pumpkin Porridge

- Wolfberries, Dates and Lily Bulb Porridge

- Spinach and Ikan Bilis Porridge 

- Tofu Porridge

- Lean Pork Porridge

- Fish Porridge with Ginger

- Beetroot Porridge (but usually she won't eat it, she doesn't like the COLOUR)

- Corn & Carrot Porridge

- Biscuits that are easily dissolve with Saliva/Liquid

- Bread

- Cheese

- Yogurt

- Banana Mash

- Dragonfruit Mash

- Apple Mash

Gosh...I just realised that I didn't introduce enough fruit to Baby Clarisse. Bad Mama!! Mama shall look into Baby Clarisse's daily meal plan carefully. But, I will start a proper plan after she is totally recovered from her flu, as she is still coughing. Mama doesn't want to worsen the cough. Better keep everything simple until she is well. Anyway, I know she is recovering very very soon. 

Petite Cupcakes

Mama attended the workshop on Petite Cupcakes at The Cooking House in Hartamas. It is from 2.30pm - 6.00pm, and we get the hands on for the four different types of Cupcakes. According to the instructor, Pei Ling, that these are the popular cupcakes. 

Demonstration by Pei Ling

Cream Cheese Frosting Demonstration

Beetroot Juice - Steam Beetroot for 10mins 
and make into juice

Peanut Buttercream. I don't fancy cream,  
but this Peanut
Buttercream is actually quite nice

Vanilla Cupcakes. It is hard at the top and 
it sinks in the middle.
The instructor said it is because 
I over-beat the Sugar.

Vanilla Cupcakes

Vanilla Cupcakes is going for a prom, 
I dressed up my Vanilla
Cupcakes with the Peanut Buttercream. 
Gosh, I never like CREAM,
and I actually don't mind to put this 
into my mouth. Again and again.
Geezz....this is bad ~ SO FATTENING! 

Red Velvet Cupcakes. 
It is moist inside. Nice! Yum Yum.
The "RED" is from the Beetroot but 
if nice RED is desire, need to
mix with Food Colouring, and stabilized 
it with Baking Soda & Vinegar 

Red Velvet Cupcakes are looking good. Yum~

Red Velvet Cupcake is going to 
the prom with Vanilla, So, Mama
dressed up Red Velvet with Cream Cheese. 
Guilty Mama is actually having the Cupcake 
now (at 12.45 midnight),  I scraped off the cream
initially, but then I thought why not give it a bite, WOW, the cream
cheese is good (but very sweet). So Guilty now! The Cupcakes itself
without any sorts of cream is really yummy yummy!

Moist Carrot and Walnut Cupcakes. 
Simple and Healthy Cupcakes.
Ugly but Healthy and nice. 
Furthermore, out of 4 cupcakes, this is
a LESS sweet cupcakes. 
But Papa said it is too SWEET maybe
because he is afraid that I might 
force him to eat another one. Ha!

It is moist and soft inside. 
I want to do this for my children as breakfast.

Last but not least, the Chocolate Fudge Cupcake. 
I tried this without any frosting. 
Hmm..Not a fan of Chocolate Fudge, 
it looks like charcoal and not so 
appetizing here but the inside is also very moist
and soft. 

Oh, Chocolate Fudge Cupcakes want to 
play dress up too.
They are coated with dark chocolate ganache 
and chopped hazelnut.

Cupcakes are ready for the prom. 

Come on, hop in, Mama is bringing all of you home. Let's go!! 

Tips learnt:-

(1) Buttermilk = 1 tbsp Vinegar + 1 Cup Milk

(2) Beetroot Juice = Red Food Coloring BUT not = dragonfruit Juice

     Pei Ling said dragon food won't work. 

(3) Dont over beat the sugar. 

Papa is out again...

Naughty Papa is out for a drink again! And he complains that he has no life! He's got the best that make every man envy! He has a beautiful wife (yes, that's me!), and he has two beautiful daughters (yes, my girls), and he's got the most comfortable career, he has a wonderful parents, he has an understanding in-laws, he has a white furry cute little meimei, he has enough vit.M to enjoy some luxuries occasionally, he has friends at gym to workout with him everyday, he has friends who drinks with him on weekly basis, he has a wife who is understanding to let him to have his drinking time with his friends, he has a wife who tries to plan some romance every Friday (but got rejected because he wants to go out to drink with his friends) and so many many more.....

What more do you want?? You are outside with your best friends (beer and drinking kakiS) now, while leaving your wife alone at home with two sleeping children. Some more, I'm not allowed to watch Harry Potter because I've to watch it with you. Arghhhh... Ridiculous!!

Papa, have fun! We are still going for Harry Potter 7 Part ii even you will miss the part I. I don't care because I'm going to watch it myself tonight while waiting for a drunk man to get home.

Papa and Clarisse

Papa bring Clarisse walk walk....

Hello Kitty Breakfast

I used the Hello Kitty Rice Mould that I bought to Cut the Cheese.  Mama was rushing in the morning but wanted to do something for Chloe. So,  I spent 10 minutes to fix a Cheese Sandwich on Wholemeal Bread. They don't look attractive at all but enough to attract Chloe. Honestly, these Sandwich Cutters create a lot of wastage, Mama either has to be the one to eat them up or throw them away. Hmmm........

Breakfast for Chloe

Chloe was very happy to see these Cute Hello Kitty Sandwiches. 

Chloe : Mama, where is Hello Kitty?

Mama : Where? 

Chloe : No More already. Chloe eats Hello Kitty.

My girls fall sick ...

Chloe has been coughing in the night since ALMOST 2 months ago. Her night coughing stopped after two visits to Dr. Patrick, which was only LAST WEEK. Then, last Saturday, out of nowhere, she had this bad flu during the day and cough in the night again. In fact, I think she was having slight fever on that night too but the FAULTY thermometer indicated only 37 deg C. I didn't believe it, and tested on everyone else. At that time, everyone else was approx. 35 deg C, and my "beloved" hubby said the thermometer is working perfectly. Anyway, I did not insist or argue further, and treated it as "normal" temperature since the thermometer said so.  

On Sunday, Chloe was coughing quite badly day & night with a continuous flu, and Baby Clarisse also start to have the flu too minus the cough.

I was a little worried on feeding them too much medication, especially Chloe. So, I went to a Chinese Herb Shop and bought 化痰粉 (fa tam fun) which is suppose to dilute the flam and help to stop the flu. So, I fed Chloe the Chinese Medicine as per instructed dosage in the afternoon. I didn't give any medication to Clarisse because Clarisse is still below 1 year old and I don't want to take any risk to give anything to Clarisse without Doctor's advise. Anyway, the cough turns quite bad until Chloe couldn't sleep properly, so I went back to the same Chinese Herb Shop on the same day, and ask for a stronger & better medicine. He recommended 猴枣散 (hou zou san), but he mentioned that these are not miracle medicines, furthermore chinese medicine effect is usually slower than the western, so he told me to be patient and don't expect my girl to heal immediately after single dosage. 

So, I fed her the 猴枣散 (hou zou san) before we went to bed. Papa & Mama had a little drama in the night (Yes, we shouted to each other!!!) because Chloe was having fever (and the stupid thermometer again performed its "SUPERB" measurement by telling me that Chloe's temperature was only 37.2 degC a.k.a. Normal). Baby Clarisse slept well and didn't wake up crying for uncomfort. Chloe, on the other hand, was crying a lot and her cough woke her up constantly. Moreover, her temperature raised higher and I could feel the heat releasing from her body. I was nervous, and looking at the clock constantly. I fed her the chinese medicine at 9pm and I didn't want to mix any other medicine within the 4 hours duration. So, I was waiting and looking, waiting and looking, and finally the clock ticked 12 midnight, and I immediately fed chloe 5ml of Neurofen. Papa wanted to insert the Voltaren gel, but Chloe was crying vigorously and I don't really like the idea of it. Papa was also hesitating; Chloe was crying; Mama was terribly Impatient ending up shouting here and there. In the end, we resorted to 5ml of Neurofen & a piece of Animal Biscuit. Oh, also 3 Barney Episodes.  

This morning, I heard Baby Clarisse started coughing a little too. It makes me worried even more. Papa & Mama had decided to give up the chinese medication idea, and went straight to Dr. Patrick with our two girls. 

CHLOE

Diagnose :-

- Low Grade Viral Infection

- Very Blocked Nose

- Slightly inflamed throat

- No Fever (Dr's thermometer 37.2degC, Papa's thermometer 35.2degC)

Prescription for Chloe

- Aerius 2.5ml every morning x 7 days

- Nasal Spray (Non-medicated) 3 times a day 

- Medicated Nasal Spray 2 spray every night x 5 days

- Ventolin 2 puff a day x 5 days

CLARISSE

Diagnose :-

- VERY Low Grade of Viral Infection (from her beloved sister)

- Very Blocked Nose

- Clear Lungs, Clear Throat

- No Fever

Prescription

- 2.5ml twice a day Axol for the cough when necessary

- illadin Nose Drop 2 drops each time , 2 times a day

- Nasa Spray (Non-Medicated) 3 - 4 times a day

Since Doctor diagnosed it as Viral Infection, no antibiotic prescribed to my girls. Also, Mama didn't use Ventolin on Chloe and I didn't feed Axol to Clarisse unless it is really bad, then I will feed them the cough medicine. 

*PHEW* Such a relieve now. My girls are fine, just caught a little Viral Infection which I think it is probably due to the haze. 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Baby Clarisse and Darling Chloe,

Get well soon. Mama loves you all. It is such a pain to see you girls fall sick. Speed recovery, ya?

With lots of Love Love Love,

Mama

Egg Tarts

I was thinking what snack to prepare for Chloe to bring to "school" today, and I remembered I Chloe loved the Egg Tarts Pastry that I made last week. Thus, I decided to make the mini egg tarts for Chloe.

3 sizes of Egg Tarts in the Making..... Tick Tock Tick Tock Tick Tock......

Mini Tarts

HOMEMADE Mini Egg Tarts as Snack for Chloe

HOMEMADE Mini Egg Tarts Packed in Barney Lunch Box

Egg Tarts for Adults

Egg Tarts by Mama

Fillings :-

3 Eggs

1 Dash of Vanilla Essence

250gram Fresh Milk

80 grams Castor Sugar

Pastry :-

125grams Butter

50grams Icing Sugar

225grams of Flour

1 Dash of Vanilla Essence

1 Egg

Procedures:-

1. Beat Butter and Sugar until fluffy.

2. Add in Egg & Vanilla Essence and Mix Well.

3. Add in the sieved flour with the above mixture.

4. Knead until it form a dough and let it rest for 10 mins

5. Mold the dough into the tart molds

6. Bake it for 10 mins or till it turn a little white @ 175 Deg C

7. Dissolve Sugar in Milk with Low Heat

8. Add in Egg gradually and whisk gently. Do not whisk till foamy.

9. Add in the Vanilla Essence 

10. Pour the Egg Mixture into the Half Baked Tarts Pastry through a sieve 

11. Place the Tarts at the lower deck of the oven and bake for about 10 mins @ 150 deg C.

** Make sure the Egg Mixture don't bubble, otherwise it will be wrinkled when it's cool.  One of them actually bubbled, and it became a wrinkled tart. Haha.. But Still Yummy**

It is an easy to make and good to eat. Try it.

My First Bento Creation

I always wanted to prepare Bento for Chloe to bring to school, but she was too young for school then. Chloe is now attending classes, but there is no lunch time, there is only 10 - 15 mins of snack time. I was told not to bring any heavy meal, just bring snacks like biscuits. 

I tried to find blogs that recommend fun snacks for kids as I am getting a little bored with giving Chloe Animal Shape Biscuits and Sausage Buns. I tried to give her Chocolate Biscuits in Bear Shape but is still BISCUITS. Then, I thought I can prepare some sandwiches for her in many fun ways like other mommies. So, I bought some bento accessories online. Click Click Click and I ended up spending quite a bit. *Sigh* All these accessories don't come cheap at all. 

Well, the damage is done. Let's not talk about it. Let's have a look at my first Bento. It looked cute and it actually tasted good too. Papa also gave Mama a credit for this project. 

Miso Fish Fried Rice in Suzy's Zoo Moulds,
Mash Pumpkin, Butter Fried Carrot, Peas & Corns.

Chloe was excited to see this Bear Shape Fried Rice!!

This Rabbit is not as cute as the Bear I think,
But Chloe likes Rabbit better.

"Wow, Mama...I want I want I want" Chloe said

"Mmm...Nice! Mama, Chloe "mum mum" Rabbit"
Chloe Said

Night Terror Again...

When I refer to Night Terror or Sleeping Pattern, I usually connect it with CHLOE, and never CLARISSE, so far. 

This round, it's Clarisse's turn. 

For the past two nights, Baby Clarisse woke up at about 1am and started to cry with her eyes half closed. Initially, I thought it was her blocked nose which made her cry in the night. We then gave her a nasal spray, hoping to clear up her blocked nose so that she can get back to her dreamland. However, it didn't work on Clarisse. Baby Clarisse turned out more furious and cried louder when we tried to spray the saline into her nose. 

Baby Clarisse cried non-stop, and nothing could stop her from crying. We tried her favourite music box, we tried to give her teddy bear, we tried walking around, we tried to sing to her, we tried to leave her alone (1 minute), we tried to give a book to her, we tried to bang the wall or the door to make some sound to distract her, we tried to show her the "dancing couple" display plate.....etc etc... but NOTHING works! So, I thought let's try to give her the iPad. True enough, she stopped crying and stared at the Elmo Video Clip for A WHILE. Then, back to crying mode again. (* It was easier to calm down Chloe, she was easily distracted *)

I was nervous and didn't know what to do. Baby Clarisse cried from 1am to 2.30pm. Mama was getting tired too, so I had no choice but to play the Barney DVD for Clarisse. Well, thanks to Barney, Clarisse stopped crying, dozed off on the couch with Mama after 15 mins - 20 mins of Barney. 

She is no longer a BABY baby. Hahaha...She is turning One soon, and she can register things that happens in the day and maybe dream about it in the night which causes the drama in the night. 

Poor Baby. Don't worry, sweetheart. It is a process of growing up. You will outgrow it just like your Jie Jie. Love you a lot, Muaks.

I need a DICTIONARY!

Dear Dictionary, Please define "GOOD PARENTS"

(1) One who always cuddles, hugs, spoils his children and refuse to send them to school in the morning even when it is his DAY OFF.

OR

(2) One who insists on sending her children to classes EVEN it is her WORKING DAY, and give her children an "ANGRY FACE" when they are playing tantrum. 

I was very angry this morning. "Good" Papa was awake, and it is his DAY OFF today. But he refused to join us for breakfast and he refused to send his girl to classes. He even told my girl to stay home because he insisted that SHE IS SLEEPY. He confused my girl, and my girl ended up saying, " I want to sleep with Papa and I want to go to school." Argghhh...

Since he was awake, so I asked him for breakfast. I knew he won't join me because we argued a zillions time because of breakfast issues. But I was trying my luck, hoping that he will join us for breakfast and send Chloe to class SINCE he is already awake. 

Well, he didn't say NO but he was grumbling grumbling grumbling, and I didn't want to spoil my day. Thus, I decided to quickly hop into my car with Chloe and have our precious time ourselves without a grumbling man.

To be honest, I was angry but it was not up to the stage which made me feel sad or really unhappy. Luckily, I ran off. 

But, Chloe cheer me up and I have a GREAT morning with her. We arrived BV at about 8.45am. Chloe and Mama shared a Breakfast Plate which consist of  toast, bacon, ham, sausage, beans, mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, hash brown, sunny side up, orange juice, coffee. Mama also ordered a cup of Hot Chocolate for Chloe. It was a huge serving and we didn't manage to finish it all. 

After the scrumptious breakfast, Mama sent Chloe to Gymboree. Chloe gave Mama a hug and kiss, then removed her crocs. Before she walked into the class, she turned around and waved Goodbye to Mama.

"Chloe, have fun." Mama said

"Yes Mama. Bye Mama. Chloe No Cry!" Chloe replied and off she went into the Play area to join the other kids. 

It is my pleasure and I am more than willing to send my kids to attend classes which make them happy. Chloe & Clarisse both love Gymboree Classes. I just have to remind myself, it is my HAPPY duty. Don't have to be unhappy or even angry when someone does not know how to enjoy his family time with his children and WIFE. It is his LOST and my GAIN.

To Papa,

Ok. A credit for you. AT LEAST, you pick up Chloe from Gymbo in the afternoon while I AM STILL AT WORK. Like I said, You are a "Good" Papa, but you are definitely the lousiest husband in this universe!!!!!!!

Love you so much,

Wifey

My Fairy

My Fairy Clarisse Girl, So Adorable!!!!!!!!!

The Best Kindy for my preschooler

Even though I am happy sending Chloe to Vital Years, but I think learning language only is not enough exposure for Chloe. So, I was very determined to hunt for "THE BEST KINDY" for my child like what I had read from some blogs. Thanks to many dutiful mothers cum bloggers, they have given me a great idea of how should I go about on my kindy search. 

Internet is really very helpful in my hunt process. What I need to do is simply key in the word "Kindergarten" and you will get an endless list of them. The disadvantage is the endless list will take me forever and ever to run through. With the SUPER POWER of MOTHER LOVES, some bloggers posted their kindy hunt experience and provided some comparison of these kindies in their own perspective. Some even illustrated with photos and followed with comments. It was marvelous! I told myself I want to be like them, so dutiful and determined to find THE BEST one for child.

So, with the recommendations of these Mummy Bloggers, I managed to shortlist a few kindies. I actually printed out all their address and made appointment to see ALL of them today. (Yes, Hubby and I purposely took a day off today for kindies visit and the next half of the day to view some unit at Ceriaan Hartamas)

I have made my selection based on my preferred location, then the recommendation by the Mummy Bloggers. 

- Peter & Jane

- Juara Cerdik

- Kuen Cheng

- Precious Steps

- SummerField

- Kinderland Hartamas

- Diyana

- Villa Maria

I realised that I was a "LITTLE" ambitious to actually plan to visit all these schools in less than 3 hours. Hahaha...So, in the end, I have decided to go to those that are in TOP OF MY LIST. So, we went to Peter and Jane first, then to Villa Maria. Juara Cerdik is also on top of my list, but because the appointment is made end of this month not today so I didn't have to rush for the school visit. We managed to do TWO only, and then we had to rush to pick up Chloe from Vital Years. After sending Chloe home, I insisted to pay Kuen Cheng a visit even though it is placed LAST OF MY LIST,  because the afternoon session ends at 3.00pm. 

After these visiting, I have decided not to make any comparisons (I actually took some photos and make a remark of each school to post on my blog.) Also, I am not going to see the rest of the kindies in my list. Each kindy has its own pros and cons, and I am sure the most important things is that my girl is happy being in school. 

Papa & Mama have decided to send Chloe to P&J for Nursery, then will enroll Chloe into Kuen Cheng for K1 & K2. Let me briefly explain my choice.

BECAUSE P&J is using the Montessori Material...Nah...Any system or method of teaching is not so crucial to me. To me, safety comes FIRST, hygiene and cleanliness of the centre come FIRST too. Other than that, all can be neglected at MY set of tolerance level. Both P&J and Kuen Cheng has met my Main Criteria. To be honest, P&J teachers did not show me their passion of being there teaching these adorable children in the centre. All teachers there are YOUNG and CERTIFIED. Passionate-wise, hmm...Yet to discover but I don't want to judge at this stage. But Why Kuen Cheng was last in my list has become my choice, simply because during my visit to Kuen Cheng, I can find discipline in these children in school. They are not shouting or running about while the class is commencing, and they follow instruction closely. Teachers there are 40+ I guess, and very young and energetic assistant in every class. All of them shows their passion through their facial expression while conducting their classes. It was a very impressive and convincing visit at Kuen Cheng, especially thanks to 许老师 (Teacher Xu) for bringing us around the school compound and informed us how important for us to prepare our children for the primary one entry since I am very DETERMINED to send my children for chinese education. 

K2 students in Kuen Cheng can actually memorise 弟子规 (di zi gui) and Teacher Xu told me that they might not recognize all words but actually some at their level is considerably good. Teacher Xu also reminded us that once enter P1, the school expect these P1 students to know the basic and they are not going to teach from the beginning. No more A B C, 1 2 3, 一二三，Satu Dua Tiga! And they will straight away commence the government syllabus. There is a MALAY TEST for P1 student after two weeks of schools. Should any students fail the test, they have to attend a special Malay Class. Gosh..So stressful!! Also, the math and science will be taught in Malay and no English anymore. 

Stress Stress Stress. Who is Stress? I AM! I was told by many that Kids at young age do not know what is stress and that kids' brains are like sponge, can absorb anything easily. Once they reach a plateau, they will slow down at their own pace. So, feed them as much as possible now, and leave it to them when they knows how to analyze and make their down decision for their own future. 

That's it. I am going to call up P&J to indicate my INTEREST and register Chloe into their WAITLIST. YES! It is FULL at the moment. But I will try my best to get my girl in. It shouldn't be so difficult, I HOPE. 

As for Kuen Cheng, I shall make a remark EVERY WHERE VISIBLE to remind me for early enrollment for Year 2013. 

YES, I am a KIASU Mama and I am happy to be KIASU my my children's sake. Love it. :P 

How effective is Vital Years to my Preschooler?

Chloe has attended Vital Years for 2 weeks to date, and the common question I get from friends and relatives is always "How is Chloe's Progress in Vital Years? Can she read now? Can she write now?"

I usually replied "Nothing Much" or "Like that lor" with a shrug because I didn't really expect much from Vital Years and besides Chloe has only attended TWO WEEKS of classes. What miracle can happen in merely two weeks? It must be crazy to expect Chloe to write and read on her own after two weeks classes. 

I think I was expecting too much from Vital Years and thus I UNintentionally complained quite a bit about Vital Years of being lack of Professionalism. Complaining which also means lacking of confidence in Vital Years. Lack of Confidence leads to low expectation in my child's progress. 

Hey, let me tell you this TODAY that I was so wrong to make such an inaccurate judgement about Vital Years. (Hmm...Actually I don't remember making very bad comments :P )

After two weeks, I actually find Chloe has improved a little in her speech. During the journey home from Vital Years, I always take the opportunity to talk to her. She surprised me on the last few trips home with her ability of describing THINGS like "Mama, see those clouds in the sky?" - and this is the exact words that she used. Compared to before Vital Years, she would say "Mama, see, see, cloud there." So, is this a Progress? Of course!!! Being skeptical about Vital Years had stopped me from noticing my child's progress!!

Okay, Fine! Let's not talk about progress in her reading and writing skills. Let's talk about how enthusiastic she is to be at school everyday. We were late for class on Monday because I sent Chloe for her Hep A jab. On our way to send Chloe home from the Clinic, she cried badly and she insisted to go to "school". Even though we were SO late, but we managed to send her to attend the class for the last 1 1/2 hour.

Every morning when Mama sent Chloe up to the centre, she would walked up the stair joyfully and never forget to tell Mama that "Mama, Chloe is a good girl. No Cry in School." Upon arriving the center doorway, she would turn to Mama and said "Bye, Mama. I Love You, Mama". Immediately, she would rush into the centre with her GREAT BIG SMILE, and I could faintly hear Chloe greeted her teachers & aunties in the centre. 

Another BONUS! Guess what? How a? Should I even mention about it? It's a TABOO to talk about it! Hahaha..Nah...I don't care. Dang Dang Dang Dang~~~ Chloe is actually "sleeping through the night" after attending classes at Vital Years. Hahaha..To many of you, must be wondering what is the big deal?!! In my case, YES, it is a major transition. So far *touch wood*, She sleeps through without waking up in the night to ask for cuddling or TLC. I mean I don't mind Chloe waking up to ask for our TLC every night, but I reckon it is not a very good habit to mold. Well, last two nights because of her flam, she woke up coughing and crying for TLC. It is perfectly fine for me. Just that, it is EVEN BETTER if she could actually sleep through without waking up. :P HOORAY for Mama & Papa. 

Because of Vital Years experience, it makes me hunt for a kindy more aggressively. I have been googling for kindies, reading blogs about which is a better kindy for my child. I shall elaborate in my next post. 

I am very grateful to Vital Years for making me realize how important is it for me to ACT quickly to expose my preschooler to a proper learning environment. Vital Years is a place for preschoolers to learn how to read & write in English, but because of their good program structure, it was actually needless for  teachers to update me on my child's progress. My child will update me her progress in her very own way, I just need to pay more attention and I will find the answer. 

I always ask Chloe what did she do in school every day on our journey home. The first week's answer was only "DRAWING", and when it comes to her 2nd week. Her answers varies a little day by day. From drawing to drawing & reading, from drawing & reading to drawing, reading a book & singing, from drawing, reading a book & singing to drawing sun, reading mickey mouse book and sing London Bridge.  Is Vital Year good? It is a "VERY GOOD" to me. I refuse to make comparison and I am happy at where I am now AT THIS CURRENT STAGE. Why worry? As long as my girl is happy. 

Baking project - Egg Tarts

Ingredient
Crust
- 250grams flour
- 60grams icing sugar
- 70grams butter
- 1 egg yolk
- 1/2 egg white
- 1/4 tsp vanilla essence

Filling
- 3 eggs
- 280grams fresh milk
- 160grams castor sugar
- 1/4 Vanilla essence
- 1 tsp rum ( I didn't use rum, no rum at home. )

1. Beat the butter and sugar until fluffy, then add in yolk, egg white and vanilla essence.
2. Mix the flour, and knead until it firm into. Dough. Don't attempt to add flour, because it will turn into dough after kneading.
3. Leave it to rest for 15mins.
4. Mould the dough in tart moulds
5. Bake it in a lower tray for 10 mins at 175 deg c
6. Dissolve sugar in fresh milk over medium heat.
7. Remove the milk syrup from the heat, add in the eggs mixture gradually and light whisk, but not foamy.
8. Pour the eggs mixture into the slightly baked crust using a sieve.
9. Return the tarts into the oven, 10 mins at 175 deg c.
10. Voila!

Lesson
1. Don't add flour even if sticky while kneading. Keep kneading, it will form into dough.
2. Too much sugar in the tart mixture, cut half the sugar!!!!
3. Don't whisk the egg mixture till foamy.
4. Try 5 mins on 200 deg c for the crust only. Just need the crust turn slightly white, don't have to be cooked since the tarts will be sent into the oven again.
5. Need more same size tart mould.
6. Will try to add in rum next time.

Recipe adopted from a blogger, and I m so so so sorry, didn't manage to save the sites, will try to search again and post it here later.

One fine free day at home

Thanks to the Bersih Rally, Mama decided to stay home the whole Saturday to avoid the massive jam in KL. *** Actually it was just an excuse for me to skip work!***Ahem, for safety reason, Mama stayed home with everyone else except for my Boss cum Dad who actually went to office to work.

We woke up in the morning, together with Chloe and Clarisse. As usual, Papa a.k.a the lazy cat, This is show Chloe called him sometimes, was still in his dreamland. I didn't bother to wake him up, cause waking him up means quarrels which I am not interested at all. Therefore, Mama made a smart choice to spend some quality with my princesses like a walk inside the house garden, we played cooking cooking, played bubbles and then Mama bathed both my girls. A complete Spa treatment from head to toe i.e pretend body scrub using foam instead, then a total hair wash, then a warm bath in a tiny blue tub. Followed by a 5mins massage with Chico Baby Body Lotion, then put on comfy cotton clothing. The Spa completed with a Baby Manicure and a Stylist Hairblow.

After the Spa treatment, Clarisse was so comfortable that she went to sleep immediately while Chloe was in the kitchen with Mama baking Butter Cake. To be Precised, it is a cinnamon apple BUTTER CAKE, which I also added the blueberries which are going to rot anytime soon like the other raspberries in the fridge. *sigh* It was a total failure, my mum said it was too buttery (butter cake is too butterish? Hmm...) and my brother who is my former dessert supporter rated it 4 out of 10. My sis said it's ok but she wouldn't have another. Hubby said NO without even tasting it, well, he is never a sweet person so no comment from him. My dad had most if it, but his comment was "you've improved".... Yeah, it was really bad. I want to put all this lousy rating to the recipe. :p To be honest, there is nothing wrong with the cake except the burnt side, it was the butter cake too buttery which the crumbs don't go well with butter cake.

Then, we had a simple lunch prepared by my mum, noodles and fish balls in anchovies soup. After lunch, I sent Chloe and Clarisse to the room for their afternoon nap. Then, Mama got back to the kitchen and went on with my secong baking project - Egg Tarts. Hey, it was not o bad too but my bother rated it 6, then he went on to tell me that,"after tasting this tart, the cake is 2 and your tart is 6." My mum said it was too sweet which I agree.

I wanted to take a pictures of my projects before I start writing this blog, but I realized that all the tarts are all gone! They were 8-9 mini tarts, 4 medium tarts and 2 large tarts. They are all in different sizes because there are not enough tart moulds at home. Mum bought them in 4 different sizes. So, just in one days, all the tarts are one, it can't be too bad. The huge cake left 1/8 of the portion, but I agree that this recipe doesn't suit my taste. Butter Cake is better off being simply butter cake without any fancy variation. Egg tarts wise, I will try making it again, with a little changes in the recipe like reduce the sugar, use high protein flour, don't over bake it, try to make a softer crust. Try it again until I get it right, if I have the time. But sweets are not popular at home, all the effort made will not be popular. So, I'm going make buns and loaves in the next rally, which is....dunno when...haha....

After all the baking projects, and babies are awake. Mama got my two babies dipped into a shallow balloon pool, a present for Chloe from ayi two years ago. After a long day with babies and project, mama's energy had a sudden drop to th minimum, and I rested on the couch before dinner. Had home cook dinner At home with everyone...

I was too tired to stay up late, watched bride's war and slept at 11.30pm.....

When Papa was away for 4 days....

I used to feel really really emotional when Papa travelled overseas. Papa was actually away for 4 days and I didn't post anything about how much I miss him. Maybe I don't love you anymore, Papa. :P

My daily schedule is so tight that I don't have time to actually "MISS" Papa. 

I wake up everyday "SO EARLY" (**7.30am**) in the morning and then I have to pick Chloe's clothes from her "extensive closets". After that, I have to get myself prepared for work. 

At about 8.30am, Chloe and Mama will leave home for Breakfast. Usually, we will take up another 5 - 10 minutes to do the "goodbye hand wave" to Baby Clarisse or Mama would carry her to have a 5 mins walk around the house compound. 

We arrived the Breakfast place at about 9.00am, which is nearby the Learning Centre. After Breakfast, Mama would walk Chloe up to the centre. I can tell everyone now that Chloe is very stable now, no more tears. She said "byebye" to Mama on Tuesday with a sulky face and a little of tears. And today, Mama is so proud of Chloe. Before I sent her up to the centre today, she said," Mama, Chloe Good Girl, No Cry ah" . When we arrived the centre's doorstep, Chloe gave Mama a kiss and said bye to me in her very confident and loud voice. 

Then, Mama rushed back to the office because Mama's terribly late for work. Since Mama is late for work, Mama is usually rushing a lot at work in order to clear up all my work before it piles up. At about 11.45am, Mama has to prepare to leave the office to pick up my darling.

Depending on the traffic, it usually takes me an hour to fetch Chloe home and back to the office. Then, I will have a quick lunch in the office, and back to my work again. Due to the limited working time, I am always in the rush. Hehehe..because Mama needs to make sure I am able attend the classes at the GYM. :P 

By the time Mama's GYM session is over, Mama arrived home at about 8.30pm. After a shower, it's time to have some bonding time with my babies. Right after a very short bonding time, Chloe & Clarisse will have their milk. After the milk, Novi will take Baby Clarisse and Mama will stay in the room to make Chloe sleep. 

Other than Monday night, the rest of the night was smooth sailing without Papa. Chloe has noone to turn to when Mama scold her or punish (**Just like Monday**). Mama switched on the light, reading some recipe while Chloe lied down on her sleeping spot quietly until she feel asleep herself. 

No Patting. No Hugging. No Scratching Back. Not a single funny request from Chloe. 

If Mama is not too tired, Mama will go watch a DVD. Otherwise, Mama would just go to sleep. Baby Clarisse usually will be sent into the room even before Chloe fall asleep. Only on certain day, she wake up asking for some cuddling from Mama. But, rarely. She would just sleep through and indulge herself in her sweet dreamland. 

Mama is so BUSY!