Celebrating SG50 - What Singapore Means To Me

"Look MaMi! See what I have built!" Recently, Pei Pei received her SG50 LEGO set from school, and she couldn't wait to start building it.

"Can you tell me more about what you have built?" I asked.

"That is Changi Airport!" She pointed at the structure on the left.  

20+ years ago, my parents brought my siblings and I from Hong Kong to Singapore. When we arrived Singapore, one of the first things that caught my eyes was Changi Control Tower. On our way to our new home, another thing that caught my eyes was the clean and green environment. 

When we reached our 3-room flat, I was so amazed by the spacious house - it was bigger than our house in Hong Kong! I was thrilled to find that there were 2 toilets in the house! It was such a luxury to me, as we had to take turn to use the one-and-only-one toilet back in Hong Kong!

After settling down for 2 months, my siblings and I started to attend school in Singapore. At first, I was struggling with English, it was a nightmare to me that all subjects except Mother Tongue Languages were taught in English! Though I could understand Chinese lesson, I couldn't speak Mandarin well. But as I reflect now, I would say that I am glad to have the opportunity to receive bilingual education here.

Some time ago, we brought the children to Hong Kong for a family vacation. I wondered what would happen to me if my parents did not bring me to Singapore. Perhaps I would not have met my husband and then have my two lovely children!

This year is a special year to Singapore, as she is celebrating her 50th year of independence. Over the Jubilee Weekend, we had a great family bonding time!

Do you find these games nostalgic? We had a great time playing these games over the weekend.

We watched the RSAF Black Knights' aerial display twice. Yes, twice! On last Friday, we went to Marina Barrage, after we decided to give ArtScience Museum a miss due to the super long queue. Despite the rain, there were a lot of people in the area to support. On National Day, we went to Marina South Pier to support the RSAF Black Knights again. It was a spectacular performance! Kudos to the team which has put in so much effort to make it a memorable experience for us!

Other than watching the RSAF Black Knights' aerial display on National Day, we visited Singapore's first UNESCO World Heritage Site - Singapore Botanic Gardens (read our experience here). It is such a pride to have one of UNESCO World Heritage Sites right in the place that we call home!

On National Day, we were thankful to enjoy free train and bus rides! Where else can you enjoy free public transport for the whole day?

The highlight during the Jubilee Weekend for the children was to watch National Day Parade on television together with grandparents and Ah Yi! While watching the fantastic performance, we enjoyed some hawker food and my home-cooked prawn paste chicken legs as dinner! Before my parents and sister left our place, I thanked my Dad for bringing us to Singapore!

As we are celebrating SG50, I hope to take this opportunity to remind my children to appreciate what they have, and do not take things for granted. It was a tough journey for the pioneers to bring us what we have today. I hope that my children would grow up to be gracious Singaporeans who can contribute actively to the society. 

What does Singapore mean to you?

This blog post is part of a blog train "What Singapore Means to Me" initiated by Finally Mama. 

The next mom on the blog train is Qian Wen, a mother of 3 who blogs at Raising Our Successful Children. Read on what Singapore means to her and how she raises her children to become Singaporeans.

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A Full-time-Working-Mum's Favourite Me-Time

"You need to take some time for yourself!" 

That was a kind suggestion offered when I was almost went mad 7 years ago. I was a noob mum then. Me-time? What is me-time? Perhaps my me-time was sleeping, which was a luxury!

When I returned to work after the maternity leave, I faced struggle in balancing work and family. Do I get some me-time during office hour? Not to boast about myself, I am very focused at work! My colleagues even label me as the most efficient worker in the team! So, office hours = work, no me-time!

So how do I find time for myself to keep sane? Take a peep at my after work hours -  after the children have gone to bed, and if I have not k.o. with them, I would enjoy my adult time - blog and read (what were you thinking when I said adult time??).

In particular, my favourite me-time is reading. Not children's story books! I enjoy reading travel books and blogs! After I started working and before I have children, I used to travel at least once a year. So I am quite deprived of travelling overseas ever since I became a mother. Reading these would make me feel like I have travelled to those places!

My current reads are travel books to Taiwan, as we are planning a family trip during year end!

As there is limited space at home, instead of buying the books, I usually borrow from the library. If you are interested in reading travel guides, do visit Library@Orchard at Orchard Gateway Level 3-4, it has a good collection of travel guides!

Daddies and mummies, what is your favourite me-time?


This blog post is part of a blog train "Mummy's Me-Time" initiated by Prayerfull Mum.

The next mummy on the blog train:


Angeline blogs at Simply Mommie and has been a stay-home mom for almost 7 years now. She's mom to two lovely children who have given her new insights to life as she now finds herself on a journey of re-discovery of the world through their little eyes.









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5 Things I Will Do Differently in 2015

Year 2015 marks a new phase of my parenting journey, as my firstborn embarks on her formal education journey. To make Year 2015 a better year for myself and my family, these are 5 things that I will do differently.

1. Learn to cook healthy meals for family

Last year, I was very keen to learn how to make dessert, and bought an oven to pick up baking. This year, I shall learn to cook more healthy meals for my family.

2. Bring my children for outdoor activities more often

I used to be an outdoor person. Somehow, as I grow older, I become allergic to the sun and I didn't bring my children for outdoor activities often. I shall bring them for outdoor activities more often. Swimming would be one of the outdoor activities in our list. However, I can't teach them how to swim since I am a human submarine, so I shall look for a coach soon. Any recommendations?

3. Unplug when my children are with me

I had a tendency to take a look at my phone, and started replying messages or emails in front of my children. I shall put away my phone when they are around. So if you need to contact me super urgently, give me a call ok?

4. Manage my emotion

Oh yes, I still remember the Orange Rhino challenge which I attempted in 2013. And it was not really successful as I still raise my voice at my children sometimes. I shall continue to manage my emotion and not to flare up at them easily.

5. Let it go

The children are going to be 6 and 7 years old, they are no longer babies whom I have to hold their hands tightly. I used to shout "Beware of the bicycle!" even when the cyclist was 1 km away,  I shall let go and allow them to be more independent.

This post is my participation in the blog train "5 or 15 Things I Will Do Differently in 2015" initiated by Catch Fortywinks.

Next on the blog train:
Winnie works full time and spends the evenings home learning and reading with her two kids. At ToddlyMummy, she shares her thoughts on parenting, fun moments of home learning sessions and outdoor adventures.

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Surviving the First Two Days of Primary School for the Mum

On 1 January 2015 (Thursday), I suffered from insomnia. Because Pei Pei would be going to Primary School on the next day! I thought I was more excited than Pei Pei, who was already sound asleep at 9+ p.m.

School bag, checked. School uniform, checked. Socks and shoes, checked. Story book for silent reading, checked. Pencil box, checked. Tissue paper (not for me to dry my tears), checked.

But somehow, I felt that I missed something. What did I miss?

At 3 a.m., I jumped out of the bed. Because I finally realised what I missed - pocket money! And yes, this was my first time giving out pocket money to my child. 

Together with DaDi, we attended the first day of school together with Pei Pei. We had some bonding activities organised by the school. After that, we followed her to the student care centre, she stayed there for a few hours to get familiarised with the environment and routine.

On 4 January 2015 (Sunday), I suffered from insomnia again! Because Pei Pei would be in school all by herself on the next day! 

I was super worried, and kept thinking...

1. Does she know where the morning assembly area is?
2. Does she know where the toilets are?
3. Would she get lost in school?
4. Would she lose her belongings?
5. Would she spend all her pocket money on the sweet drink at the canteen?
6. Does she know how to count money and get the change when she buys things?
7. Are the buns or sandwiches that I prepared enough for her during recess?
8. Does she know the location where the student care centre student fetches her after school hours?
9. Do her classmates' mummies make bento / lunch boxes for them? Would she be upset that I only made sandwiches for her? (I can't wake up at 5 a.m. to cook!)
10. Would she be bullied by the other children in the school?

At the school gate, I attempted gate crashing, but it failed, as I was stopped by the security guard. I reminded Pei Pei, "If you don't know where the assembly area is, ask!"

I was thankful that a school staff happened to walk past us, and offered to guide her to the assembly area. The nervous me stood outside the gate, kept looking at her. The security guard smiled and said, "Don't worry. He is the Vice-principal!"

At school dismissal time, I was having a meeting at work. I kept worrying about whether she reached the student care centre safely. As I was about to walk out of the meeting room to make a call to the student centre, DaDi had already called and reported that Pei Pei landed safely!

When I fetched her from student care centre after work, she was very happy and kept telling me what happened in school. I felt so relieved that everything went smoothly. All my worries seemed to be unnecessary!

I survived the first two Primary School days! Finally I had a good night sleep!


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Pampering the Tired Mum with Soosul

[Sponsored Review + Giveaway]

All parents would understand that sleep can be a luxury. Even when my children are now 5 and 6 years old, my sleep is still being disturbed when they wake up in the middle of the night and wake me up. When they are sick, I can forget about my beauty sleep too, as I have to check on them every now and then.

And you know, lack of sleep is very damaging to our skin. Pigmentation on my cheeks are getting from bad to worse, and the number of fine wrinkles around my eyes are no longer countable using my fingers. I really need some pampering for my poor skin!

Thanks to the nice folks from Hebeloft, I had an opportunity to try out Soosul - skincare products made in Korea. The key component of this brand is sang-hwang mushrooms (Phellinus Linteus) which is said to be able to inhibit cancer.

Soosul Eye Cream

The intensive eye cream contains 10% of Sang-hwang mushroom extract, together with various natural Korean medicinal herbs and vitamins, it is said to prevent the formation of fine wrinkles, and provides moisturising and anti-wrinkle effect.

I can feel the richness of the cream when I apply near my eyes, yet it is absorbed into the skin so quickly that I don't feel it is sticky or oily.


Soosul Whitening Sleeping Pack

It is the perfect type of mask for a lazy person like me! Just apply 30 minutes before I go to bed, and I can wash it off in the next morning! It is said to suppress melanin formation and prevent hyper-pigmentation while nourishing and hydrating skin. Like the eye cream, it is rich and yet it does not make me feel sticky as it is absorbed by the skin quickly.


Soosul Peeling Gel

Once the peeling gel comes into contact with water, it forms gentle scrubbing substance and clean my face thoroughly. I am glad that it does not cause much irritation to my sensitive skin.


There are other skincare products carried by Hebeloft, do check out their website: http://www.hebeloft.com


[Giveaway] (Closed)
Hebeloft had kindly offered to give away one set of Soosul Eye Cream + Whitening Sleeping Pack (worth S$248)!

Just 2 simple steps!

1. Like PeiPei.HaoHao's Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/Peipeihaohao (Thank you if you have already "Liked" us)
2. Like this Facebook post, and leave a comment, telling us why you would like to win this set of skincare products. Please also provide your email address in the Facebook comment or you may send your email address to mami (at) peipeihaohao (dot) com

The giveaway is open to Singapore residents only and will be closed on 11 January 2015, 2359hrs. One winner will be randomly drawn. The winner will be notified via email. So remember to provide your email either on the Facebook post or email us, ok?

Update: Congratulations KL Teo!

Disclaimer: I received Soosul products from Hebeloft for review purpose. No monetary compensation was received. All opinions, photos and the skin are mine. Content on this post is for informational only, it is not presented by a qualified healthcare professional. The giveaway is sponsored by Hebeloft. The giveaway is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administrated by, or associated with Facebook.

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Thank You for the Piano, Grandpa

"He asked why you seldom talk to him." Mum told me what Grandpa said to her. 

As a teenager back then, I usually hid into my room to study or do my stuffs. Even when Grandpa came all the way from Hong Kong to Singapore to visit us for a while, I didn't interact with him much. 

And the next time I saw him again, it was in a casket in Hong Kong. Only then I regretted, I could have talked to him more often when he was still alive.

We lived in Hong Kong when I was young. Whenever Grandpa visited us, he would buy lots of food and brought us to Fairwood (a fast food chain in Hong Kong) for lunch. That was the fond childhood memory that I have.

After Grandpa left, Mum gave us part of his inheritance - some money that I used to purchase a piano. From a not well-to-do family of five with Dad being the sole breadwinner, we couldn't actually afford to purchase a piano. In my pursuit of study in music, this came as a very precious gift.

This piano has been with me for 20 years, with this piano, I passed my piano examinations, I composed songs for the musicals produced by my university hostel, and now my children are playing it.

This piano also serves as a reminder to myself - cherish people around you when they are still alive.

Even though this piano is so old, with one faulty key, I didn't throw it away because it is a gift from Grandpa.

Thank you for the piano, Grandpa!

This post is part of a blog train hosted by Agatha from Green Issues by Agy on "I Didn't Throw It Away". We have become such a throw-away society, but there are some things in our households that we still keep. Why is that so? Perhaps this blog train can unlock the reasons behind it! Follow the daily posts on this blog train and read about the stories behind the things we have kept for many years and why we didn't throw them away.

Next on the blog train is Serene, a mumpreneur of her Oily Buisness and SAHM to 2 children (1 year and 6 years old). She blogs at xavvy-licious about the children's growing milestones, home learning, homecooked recipes as well as their holiday getaway.

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Behind the Scene of PeiPei.HaoHao - Writing Process Blog Hop

Memory is one of the best gifts that I can give my children. That was my thought when two lines were observed on the pregnancy test kit. That was how this blog was born. Oh by the way, there were only 3 words in the first blog post!

Initially this blog was meant to chronicle my pregnancy journey and the growing up journey of my children, and to keep my family and friends update about what happen to us. As more of my friends joined me in the parenthood club, I thought it would be useful to share with them and other parents about my parenting experience, activities with children, simple recipes as well as my opinions on some products and services.

1. What am I working on?

I am working on blog posts that share activities for preparing my children for primary one, crafts activities and science experiments.

But honestly, I need to work on spending more time in reality. There was a period of time when I was so occupied with blogging that I neglected my real life. Of course, I am not giving up blogging totally, but I need to know my priority.

2. How does my work differ from others in its genre?

I occasionally share some of my not-so-professional-drawings, perhaps that is something unique about my blog. I hope my drawings may bring a smile to you :D

3. Why do I write what I do?

My memory is not very good nowadays, so I hope to retain my memory through writing.

4. How does my writing process work?

Usually I blog using my laptop after my children sleep. Sometimes when I travel on public transport, I would use the time to pen down my thoughts on smartphone.

Oh, you ask me about what software or app to draw? Well, I use pen and paper. No, no, they are not software or app. I am the old school person who can only draw with pen and paper, then scan and colour using photoshop (ok this is a software).


Writing Process Blog Hop

Blogging allows me to get to know other bloggers and learn from them, like Winnie from Toddly Mummy who introduced me to this blog hop. Like me, she is also a full-time-working-mother with two children. Look out for her sharing on book reviews and activities with her children!

Next in the blog hop:
Serene from Xavvy-lious - A mother of two children, she hosts a monthly blog linky on Chinese Fun. This provides useful ideas in teaching Chinese to children.
Amaia from You Made My Day - She shares various aspects from social media, fitness, life style to crafts. It is my honour to receive You Made My Day Blog Award from her! She has made my day too!

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Planning Staycation with Young Children

Did I tell you that Pei Pei and Hao Hao have not stepped out of Singapore yet? Ok, I admit we are paranoid - have too many worries about bringing the "Fearless Five" Pei Pei and "Super Fearless Four" Hao Hao out of Singapore. 

Well, let's start with baby step. We will have a staycation in Singapore first.

Hey, it is just a staycation, what is the big deal? Some parents whose children are seasoned travelers may think this way. But it is a big deal to me! While Pei Pei has stayed overnight at her grandparents' place before, it is going to be Hao Hao's first time sleeping out of our home. The biggest deal is, it is MY first time bringing my children to sleep on a foreign bed!

Though it is just an overnight stay, I still put in effort to think through the plan carefully.

Cost

My wallet is "private limited" (read: poor). And the price of hotel and resort stay in Singapore is not very cheap. So I looked out for promotions. While some online hotel booking websites have good offers sometimes, do check the hotel's websites too, you may find surprise!

Location 

Yes, I know Singapore is small. But I hope to minimise time on traveling, so that we can maximise time to have fun! I am not too keen to lug the children to do shopping, perhaps the sun, the sand, the sea would be more exciting, so obviously I would choose a hotel / resort one that is near the beach. If your highlight of the staycation is retail therapy with your children (I don't think I can enjoy that with the four itchy hands), then choosing a hotel in shopping district like Orchard Road would be suitable.

Itinerary 

Huh? You may ask. It is just a staycation, just relax. But with the children around, do consider activities for the family. I don't think my children would love to sit with me at the balcony of the hotel room and read for 1 to 2 hours. Some homework has to be done, such as where the family- friendly restaurants / attractions around the hotel / resort, any special events nearby, etc.

Packing list

 Mandatory to pack these for my children:

• Extra sets of clothes - don't bring just enough, bring extra! I think I am going to bring 4 sets of clothes for each child - 1 set for day 1, 1 set for day 2, 1 set for night, 1 set just in case for any accidents 
• Swim suits - paid for the swimming facility of the hotel already, must make sure we fully utilise it!
• Snacks - they go cranky when they are hungry (me too!), so must stand-by some "fuel" to re-charge them (and myself).
• Pillow / bolster  - I don't wish to go home at 10 pm just because the children cannot sleep without their smelly pillow / bolster.

Yay, we have booked the hotel stay on this coming Sunday! Wish me luck to have a smooth staycation!

Do you have other tips on planning staycation with young children?

Updates:
We survived our first family staycation! Read about our adventure!
Stay - Resorts World Sentosa Hard Rock Hotel
Play - Resorts World Sentosa Hard Rock Hotel and Festive Hotel swimming pools
Eat - Hard Rock Cafe and Malaysian Food Street

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Restoring Youth with Mary Kay TimeWise®Plus+ Regena-Firm™

[Sponsored Review]

When I was young, I loved the sun, the sand, and the sea. But I hated to apply sun block, because I felt that it was greasy. 

In fact, I did not really care much about my skin. When I visited a skin doctor in the year when I got married, the doctor asked me what skin care products I used. My reply was "Cleanser only." I could see that she almost rolled on to the floor out of shock.

Coupled with sleepless nights since I have children, my skin deteriorated rapidly. Even though I am still considered as "youth" defined by National Youth Council, my skin does not agree. My cheeks became dry and sensitive, wrinkles started to appear around my eyes and on my forehead, and my eyes became puffy.

Even Pei Pei laughed at me, "MaMi, why your face like that? See mine, so smooth!"

Oh, yes, I have never heard of anyone asking Pei Pei and Hao Hao, "Is she (pointing at me) your elder sister?" 

When my friend Flo Mummy asked for mummies who would like to try Mary Kay's new Mary Kay TimeWise®Plus+ Regena-Firm™ skin care products, I raised my hands, hoped that my aging skin would not deteriorate further. 

The skin care regime with Mary Kay TimeWise®Plus+ Regena-Firm™ is very simple: Cleanser, Intensive Serum, Day / Night Treatment, Correcting Eye Cream.

I like TimeWise®Plus+ Regena-Firm™ Intensive Serum because it is rich and yet is absorbed by the skin almost instantaneously. I don't have the oily look at all!

One good thing about TimeWise®Plus+ Regena-Firm™ Day Treatment with SPF/PA+++ is that it functions as moisturizer + anti-aging cream + sunblock, all in one! It saves the trouble of applying many layers of different skin care products, this is crucial for me, especially during the mad rush early in the morning on weekdays, when I need to prepare myself for work and to prepare two children for school.

The packaging design for both Day and Night Treatment is so clever, just press the lid gently to dispense the amount of cream that I need, so that the cream would not be contaminated.

The design of Correcting Eye Cream is interesting too, there is an applicator which functions to massage the eyes. I like the cooling sensation by the applicator, it makes my eyes feel so fresh.

Mary Kay's True Dimension Lipstick looks so sleek and cool. 

After using Mary Kay TimeWise®Plus+ Regena-Firm™ skin care products for one month, my puffiness around my eyes was reduced!

Perhaps one day, someone would say that I am Pei Pei and Hao Hao's elder sister!

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary set of  Mary Kay TimeWise®Plus+ Regena-Firm™ skincare products for review purpose. No monetary compensation was received. All opinions are mine.

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Evidence of Our Overseas Trips on the Fridge

Before we have children, we travelled overseas at least once a year. Often, we bought magnets as memento, and placed them on the fridge.

Pei Pei and Hao Hao have not stepped out of Singapore yet. We are not very confident to bring them overseas yet, we are particularly worried about Hao Hao who is at his "Fearless Four", as he loves to run around and disappears in split second! 

I hope that we can add on the collection of magnets on the fridge soon. (p.s. someone please remind me to apply passports for Pei Pei and Hao Hao first!)

Make a guess which countries we have visited before?

What are on your fridge?

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The Joys of Parenthood

On 17 August 2013, I brought Hao Hao to a barber shop. Oh yes, he was going to have a hair cut. However, this was a special hair cut, because this was done in front of a TV camera.

Hao Hao and I were privileged to participate in the filming of a TV commercial commissioned by Prime Minister Office. When we were invited to a casting call in early August (See this post), I said yes, because this commercial is a meaningful one - it aims to promote families and parenthood.

This commercial was directed by Royston Tan, the local award-winning film-maker who directed the movie "881". Hao Hao liked him a lot as he was very friendly and he gave Hao Hao toys and stickers!

We were invited to the screening of the commercial and a movie treat on Sunday. I almost teared when I watched the commercial, not because we were on the big cinema screen... it was because this commercial captured the beautiful moments of raising children, and these brought back the precious memories that I have as a mother for 5 years.

Life is never be the same again after having children (Read this post on comparison of my life Before Children and After Children).

Sleepless nights, sore nipples during initial stage of breastfeeding, shifting from "me" to "them", children's tantrum, and many many other challenges, are part of the parenthood package.

But their smiles, their kisses, their hugs, their love, simply outweigh the challenges.

Being a parent makes me learn to become a better person. I hope to teach my children the right things, so I have to re-learn, and hopefully I can be a better role model. I am growing up with them too.

Being a parent makes me appreciate my parents even more. Now that I know it is not easy to be parents. It takes a lot of efforts, time, love, care and sacrifices to raise a child.

I am glad to take up this great job - being a parent.

Oh, before I forget, here are the parenthood journeys TV commercials. Can you spot us?

The commercial was first telecast yesterday (30 September) on local TV channels. Tell us what do you think about this commercial!

Do you have any memorable parenting story to share? Do share with HeyBaby.sg and their Facebook page!

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5 Must-Have from Daiso for Family with Young Children

I remember when I first visited the first Daiso in Singapore more than 10 years ago, I was amazed by the variety of products available! And each item costs only S$2! I can shop there for more than an hour!

Before I became a mother, I liked to visit the food section, and usually left Daiso with bags of snacks, cha-soba, instant curry.

After I become a mother, I change my attention to kitchen ware section and art & craft section! Because I love to make bento for my children, and to do art and craft activities with them.

Even Pei Pei and Hao Hao love to shop at Daiso with me!

In my opinion, these are the 5 must-have from Daiso for family with young children!

Not in order of merit...

#1. Popsicle maker

What beat cooling ice popsicles in hot weather? How about some green tea ice popsicles? The kids love them!

For a healthier choice, we can use fruits (e.g. kiwi, water melon, strawberries) and yogurt to make the ice popsicles!

#2. Vegetable cutters

There was a period of time when Hao Hao did not like to eat carrot. So I had to change the "image" of carrot to make it enticing for him to eat. These vegetable cutters did a great job! Now Hao Hao likes the carrot flowers!

#3. Egg mould

Another headache. Pei Pei loved to eat eggs, but suddenly, she lost interest in eggs for some time. So I used to same strategy as above to make her eat the eggs!

This is an example of simple meal with the use of the vegetable cutters and egg mould (See this post for the quick-fix recipe).

#4. Buttons

These are interesting craft materials. Other than sewing on clothes, they can be used to make decorative buttons to decorate greeting cards, notebooks, photo frame and so on. I particularly like to make pretty hair ties for Pei Pei.

I taught Pei Pei how to make the covered button, I think it is a good activity to develop a child's fine motor skill.

#5. Pipe cleaners

I am not using them to clean the pipes in the house. Pipe cleaners (chenille stems) are excellent craft materials for children. By simply cutting and twisting, many beautiful art works can be created!

The recent art-ivity using pipe cleaners is the making of firefly lanterns (See this post for the tutorial).

Feeling like going to Daiso to shop now? Here are the locations of Daiso outlets in Singapore!

East Point (Simei) #03-05/06

IMM (Jurong East) #03-48/50

Plaza Singapura (Dhoby Ghaut) #04-01

VivoCity (Harbourfront) #03-06/06A/06B

Sembawang Shopping Centre (Sembawang) #01-18

Rivervale Mall (Sengkang) #02-01

Bukit Panjang Plaza (Bukit Panjang) #04-03/04

ION Orchard (Orchard) #B4-47

Chinatown Point (Chinatown) #B2-01

Tampines One (Tampines) #03-17

What are your favourite / must-have items from Daiso?

Disclaimer: I have no affiliation with the management of the above mentioned products. Just want to share some of my favourite products from there. All the opinions are mine.

Disclaimer of disclaimer: I spent *cough cough* quite a lot of $$ shopping there. S$2 per item, how to resist??

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Casting Call for TV Commercial

We received an invitation to a casting call for a TV commercial, and I said yes to it.

Don't be mistaken, I am not pinning hope to become 星媽. 

The commercial was to promote a meaningful cause. In addition, the production assistant came to our house to conduct audition, we did not have to travel!

Heard that many families had participated in this casting call, so don't think we would be shortlisted. Anyway, it was an interesting experience!

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Thanks for Supporting Us in Singapore Blog Awards 2013

We did not win the Best Family Blog in Singapore Blog Awards. But I am really glad to be shortlisted as one of the top 10 finalists even though this is my first time taking part in this contest. I am really thankful to those of you who have supported us by voting for our blog and those who have given me lots of encouragement! THANK YOU!!

The venue is at Shanghai Dolly. Yes, it is a pub / night bar. Yes, I brought Pei Pei there. Yes she is under aged. So probably next time when someone asks her whether she has been to a pub / night bar before, she can proudly say that she has been there at only 5 years old!

The nominees in the Best Family Blog category are really friendly and supportive towards one another.  When the host announced the nominees and the winner for our category, we cheered for one another.

Interesting event booklet and door gift!

I will continue blogging to capture the fond memory of being a mother, and hope that through my blog, I can share with more parents and parents-to-be about the joy of parenthood!

A Real Childhood

In a restaurant, the two kids sitting next to our table were very busy. They were not busy eating, but were busy playing games on their tablets - each person had one tablet. Their mum was busy too, she was busy looking at her handphone. The only really busy person was their domestic helper - she was busy feeding the two children who did not have spare hands to feed themselves! Throughout the whole meal, there was minimum conversation among the mother and two kids. Perhaps they were communicating actively on Facebook.

Another table, two ladies were in an intense discussion. Ok, I admit I was kaypoh (busybody), but you know, when two people talk so loudly, it is difficult to ignore. They were trying to compete with each other - whose child attend more tuition classes and enrichment classes!

Then I looked at Pei Pei and Hao Hao. Is that the kind of childhood that they should have?

Things were different for the children 50 years ago.

Instead of playing Candy Crush and Angry Birds games, the children played with marbles or five stones.

Instead of rushing for tuition or enrichment classes after school, the children played zero point or went to longkang (drain) to catch fish.

Instead of logging on Facebook, Instagram or other social media to communicate with friends sitting next to them, the children were laughing with one another as they were playing police and thief in the kampung.

Instead of having fanciful kitchen set toy, the children took their mum's treasures from the kitchen to play Masak-masak (cooking game).

Instead of having a wide range of ready-made toys available from the toy shops, the children made their own toys like kites and catapults from twigs and leaves with their own creativity.

Instead of spending their pocket money on the Pokemon cards to "hao lian" (show-off) to their friends, the children spent some pocket money to play tikam tikam in the neighbourhood Mama shop, hoping to win a rubber to add to their collection.

Instead of confiscating their electronic gadgets by the parents when the children misbehave, a trip to Har Par Villa would make them behave!

Instead of rewarding the children with the latest model of  laptop that costs $3k to do their school projects, a bottle of  Green Spot drink or an ice ball that cost a few cents would bring the brightest smile on the children's face.

Though life was not as comfortable as compared to present, the children 50 years ago would have a real childhood - one that the children truly enjoy, one that the children truly learn.

A real childhood, something that I hope I can give Pei Pei and Hao Hao.

What do you think a real childhood is?


p.s. This post was written to participate in the Singapore Blog Awards' themed challenge - Inspiration from 1960s. So... if you like this post, please support us by clicking HERE to cast a vote for PeiPei.HaoHao, ok? You can cast one vote everyday until 23 June, and stand a chance to win a prize! Thank you! (with kisses from Pei Pei and Hao Hao)