Kampong mentality needed

We are just back from a family vacation to Penang. It was a great 3 days of playing in the pool and the beach although by today, it wasn't so much that we the parents needed a break from the kids (although we did!), it was that they needed a break from each other. Anyway, we went with my parents and the last time we travelled with them, the twins were 1 and we went to Bintan. I'm not sure how much I am  going to blog about this trip since...

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Cramping Our Style

I remember reading about the Boston snow storms a few years ago and how the many days of keeping kids indoors had them climbing the walls and the parents going mad. I worry that it is going to be a reality in the coming days. The haze is back and all the boys in my family, Packrat included are haze sensitive. The asthma, the eczema, the teary eyes and drippy noses hit in full force. That would mean, we have to stick air purifiers in every room...

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Out of the mouths of babes

Packrat's a great Dad. I need to say that from the outset. He doesn't yell at them like I do, he always speaks to the rationally and calmly and they respond to him. Granted, he is happy to feed them cake as a meal because it's got all the main ingredients for a balanced meal. But when all is said and done, he loves them, he would go to the ends of the world for them and they worship the ground he walks on. For Jordan, he's her hero. For Evan and...

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Hijacked Post! Dads Matter?

For Father's Day, the Daddy Matters group invited mum bloggers to allow their husbands to "take over" our blogs and say anything they want for one post. Here's Packrat hijacking my blog and writing about what he's learnt being a dad for nearly 6 years.    --- When I became a dad, I realised early on that I really was all thumbs. My first diaper change had me almost flipping little Evan over because I pulled his legs up too high....

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The fake birthday party

The twins' birthday isn't till the end of the month. They've been bugging us to throw them a party. Packrat and I are of the opinion that parties should be simple. The problem is that they get invited to parties which have magicians, bouncy castles and goodie bags and they want the same. We've told them in no uncertain terms that a. We don't print money. b. We are already doing a class thing where we bring cake into school (But we have told them...

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Hijacked post! (or a visit to the Science Centre)

Packrat has the kids every Saturday morning while I'm at work. All 3 of them. And here he is, writing about what he does while I'm at work. You will see how the Mommy rules don't count when Mommy isn't around i.e. Incriminating evidence of Muffin scarfing down a hash brown. But who am I to say anything when I'm not there? For Father's Day, the Daddy Matters group invited mum bloggers to allow their husbands to "take over" our blogs and say anything...

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The beauty myth

In case I sounded like I am googly-eyed about having kids in the previous posts and entirely clueless to the challenges and reality of them, I am not. I think that even if they don't read them till much later, I would like, on record some affirmation of why we enjoy them, challenges notwithstanding. And challenges, there are many. The biggest challenge with having girls, actually having boys too is to make sure they grow up with a good head on...

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Puppy Dog Tails and Snails

My favourite game growing up was an adaptation of playing tag. The person tagging others had to be hopping on one leg and the area we played within was marked out before hand. Evan recently discovered the joy of playing tag and we spent the afternoon taking turns to tag and be tagged. I tried to convince him to do it on one leg but I think that was being ambitious. I taught him to run in spurts, stop and reverse his direction or to fake a reverse...

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Sugar and Spice and all things nice

Jordan's been away at Princess Ballerina Camp. Every day for 3 1/2 hours, she danced and sang. It culminated in a showcase on the night of the last day. She was exhausted but you couldn't tell from the photographs. A friend with boys once told me that nothing made her want to have a girl as much as seeing Jordan decked out for ballet. And I agree with her. As a rule, I veto nail polish, heels and make up on a daily basis; her performances, whether...

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Bubble Joy

The holidays means spending a great amount of time outdoors. And the perennial favourite is still bubbles; especially now with us unearthing some huge bubble wands that make giant bubbles. And there is still something about bubbles that makes me feel happy and peaceful too. The only thing is that I now suffer from tired jaw muscles and perpetually soapy fingers. Now to find time to make my own! Technorati Tags: JED, blowing bubb...

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Domestic Helpers

Our helper threw out her back on the first day of the term vacation. This meant utter chaos in the house. Evan had a Lego camp to head to at 7.30 am, Jordan- Princess Ballerina camp at 8.30 and Muffin and I had a breakfast date after dropping her. The older two still went ahead with what they had to do but from the words "Mommy, Kakak is crying and cannot move!" at 6 am, it was non-stop action for me. Breakfast, showers, snacks and getting dressed...

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Saturday Morning Snapshot: Kidnapped to Phuket

Friday was our anniversary. I got kidnapped on Friday. Well, sort of. I was told to pack a bag with 2 days worth of clothes and to meet Packrat at work. When I did, he flagged a cab and told the cab driver to go to the airport. It was only when we checked in at the airport did I realise that we were off to Phuket.  It was a part of Phuket we'd never been to before. We were on a cliff, overlooking a bay. It was a stunning view. It was...

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