Part II: Celebration with Family

We only invited our closest family members to the Kyle's mini party, but it was rowdy enough to make people think we invited the whole block! Yup, it was THAT noisy and happening.

The racing car cake Kyle wanted

Star of the Day

Food galore

Getting ready to sing and cut the cake

A video of the cake-cutting ceremony. So funny, Rae was more excited to blow the candles than Kyle!

Family picture

Atok & Nenek with their 3 grandchildren Kyle and Rae with Nyayi, Atok and A-ngah

With my darlings
2 of my uncles are also January babies so we also celebrated their birthdays on that day.

Uncle Jefri (middle guy, white shirt)Uncle Wiwik (flowery shirt) with his family. They bought an additional cake.Thanks to Auntie June's family, Uncle Wiwik's family, my in-laws and Auntie Maria's family for coming and bringing goodies to the mini-party :)

For more pictures, you may view at www.kylenkyra.multiply.com

Part 1: Celebration with Friends

On the eve of Kyle's 3rd birthday, I took half-day off from work to go to his school in the afternoon and help him celebrate it with his friends.

Bought a cake and goodie packs for his bunch of playgroup buddies.

He was excited as hell. I was no better. I never had a chance to celebrate my birthday at school when I young. That was the downside of being a December baby. Schools close whenever your birthday arrives.

I brought Kyra and my maid along. Regina and my brother also went to the school with Rae. Regina and my brother have been scouting around for a good school as Rae will be reaching playgroup-age soon. So it was a good time for them to see-see look-look at Kyle's school.

With his classmates

Teacher Ruz lighting up the candles

They sang 2 versions of the birthday song, one in English and the other in Chinese! It was great :)

Kyle with Rae and Claire (his crush)

Me with my birthday boy

Only the birthday boy gets the privilege of wolfing down two slices of cakes. Ok, let's eat!

Special thanks to Teacher Ruz and Teacher Tan for letting me take up a bit of your teaching time.

For more pictures, you may view at www.kylenkyra.multiply.com

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Update on Kyle's Playgroup Orientation

The orientation started off with a welcome by the centre's principal, Mrs Lee and Kyle's form teacher, Teacher Ruzita. Basically, it covered aspects of the curriculum and what the kids will go through till they reach K2.

I must say I was quite impressed as the school adopts a more Westernised kind of teaching, instead of just classroom-based, there are lots of thinking, applying and outdoor playing and exploring. I have always believed that children learn more in a real-life situation. For example, to learn about fishes in a pond, you cannot just place a book with pictures in front of the child. You need to bring the child to an actual pond setting with fishes. There, the child will not only see the fishes and colour of the water or the plants, but smell the air, touch the water, feel the plants etc.

The school will also be implementing swimming classes soon at S$80/mth. I am definitely signing Kyle up for this as I have asked around and swimming instructors are only willing to train kids from 5 years onwards. It will be great for Kyle as I believe swimming is like walking or breathing, it is essential and you cannot do without it.

Some things I learnt about Kyle from Teacher Ruz and Teacher Tan:

1. He has a girlfriend! Ok, it is actually best friend. Her name is Claire Lum. They get along very well. Too well, it seems. Once Teacher Ruz caught them in the playtent hugging each other! OMG! Will my son be charged with molesting underaged girls? Wait a minute, he is also underaged what.

2. He like to lead. Whenever his teacher asks the class who wants to be the leader for a certain games or learning activity, his hands will pop out first! And he will actually go around giving instructions to his classmates!

3. He loves to dance. Needless to say. Once the music starts, he just cannot stop. Like energizer bunny :)

4. He is toilet-trained and pacifier-free. But only at school!! How come he comes home and urine in his pants and asks for 'poteng' when he wants to sleep?

5. He likes to play with blocks and is very good at forming things such as plane or bus.

6. This is a bad thing. He can get pretty aggressive in school, such as pushing another kid. I have countless of times scolded him whenever he does that to Rae or Kyra, but he still does it. Any mums out there can help me?

The school teaches many good things, such as love, which is for life-long.

And he goes home and applies it straightaway.

I love u Mama. Hug, hug :)

Kyle's Red Police Motorbike

Kyle will be turning 3 this Saturday.

I have been meaning to get for him a mini car/bike which runs on battery for his present. He lurvees anything that has wheels and moves. Cars, trucks, lorries, motorbikes, police vans, aeroplanes, you can name all the different kinds of transportation and he will know them. He may even correct you if you identify a form of transportation mode wrongly!

I thought a racing car would be good so last Sunday me and hubby went to this quaint little shophouse in Balestier to look around and purchase one we thought he would like. We decided on a Formula 1 racing car for Kyle (about S$200) and we also got a police motorbike (S$150) for Rae on behalf of my brother who thought Rae might be jealous if he saw Kyle with a new car.

When we got home however, Kyle was so attracted to the police motorbike that he did not want the racing car at all!! What a waste!

Bad choice? But Rae and Kyra loved the racing car.

Kyle's new love: The bright yellow police motorbikeSo hubby had to go back to the shop to return the racing car (sob sob..it was so nice!) and purchase another motorbike for Kyle. He chose red colour.

A satisfied customerHe is extremely hooked on his new toy. It runs on rechargeable batteries and lasts for about 3 hours before re-charging again. It has police sirens, signal lights, songs, side mirrors and reverse mode gear. Just like a real motorbike. So now instead of walking to our nearby mini-mart for bread, he will from now onwards cruise there on his motorbike. Sigh...so much for my efforts in preventing him from growing up to be a 'mat motor'!

Wearing Atok's helmet..hee..

Kyle's 1st Artwork

Kyle brought home his 1st piece of drawing from school early this week. Well, I wouldn't call it drawing, more like graffiti to me, but the best graffiti I have seen so far! Heh, this is coming from a biased mummy :)

My Picasso

Ok ok, he cheated. His teacher traced his hands for him and he was supposed to just colour them. But of course the colouration went beyond the enclosed lines. After his finished, Teacher Ruz asked him what he was coloring besides his hands, he replied, "My face". I like to call that being imaginative and creative :)

He loves to draw and would always pester me for a pen/pencil and paper. But at times I am quite cautious in giving in to him as I have at times stumbled upon him scribbling on the floor, the chair, wall or even his hands! Everywhere BUT the paper.

Hey..keep your pen on the paper, boy!He will be turning 3 soon on 26th Jan. So fast! It seems just like yesterday only when I was still pregnant with him. Whenever he comes home nowadays, he will say, "I love you, Mama. Hug, hug". And proceeds to kiss and hug me. Awww....all those labour pains are so totally worth it, I tell you.

His Angry Face (more like I wanna poo-poo face)

His Happy Face (Mentel, actually)Anyway, speaking of birthdays, just want to wish my gorgeous girlfriend, Erny Yunelis, a very Happy Birthday! She is witty, funny, cool and did I say gorgeous? Yes, I did, and I don't care I will say it again. Gorgeous. There you go. You are a lucky guy, Sunny :)

Enjoy YOUR DAY, babe.

Btw, I will be going to Kyle's playgroup orientation today. It is basically about knowing more about the school, their system and curriculum and basically sucking up to the teachers and rubbing shoulders with other parents. So, look out for it in my next update!

Baby Steps and more baby news

My darling princess has started to walk, yes, or more like toddle actually. Hee, yup, that little cutie of mine has started to get tired of crawling and decided to gather up her guts and try walking. Although she is still a little unstable, but she is quite the gutsy one and gets up and tries again after falling. Here is a short video of her 'toddling'.

And of course with the new discovery of how fun it is to walk about, comes the courage in her to start to climb chairs, tables, drawers, her playpen and my bed. I really need to have another pair of eyes at the back of my head, cos she is at a risk of falling each time she climbs.

Her brother has been quite the sweetheart though. Holding her hand when she walks and hugging her from the back when she sits down. Its just so heartwarming to watch. That moment is shortlived of course, as he tries to step on her hands or pushes her away or pulls her hair :) Ahh..kids...so unpredictable.

Eh, how come you so nice ah Abang?

Oh yes, a piece of good news to report, actually two news, which is, both my SILs are expecting girls! Certainly good news for Regina, whose family is getting too crowded with grandsons, and Puo Puo (Regina's mum) desperately hopes for a granddaughter. Also, for Kak Nong, who has already 3 boys and thus having a girl for the 4th, is the perfect icing on the cake. Congrats to you both!

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Had free tickets to Kids Explorer at NTUC Downtown East on Sunday. The kids had a ball of a time, clearly seen in the photos.

On the way

Kyle queueing up for the jeep ride

Hey mama!

Kyra on the circus horse ride

Can you spot Kyra?

Haha...so eager to grow up, i see *wink*

Red, green, blue (yup, he can identify colours already!)

Sliding down

Kyle's turn

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Shout-out to Yas and Shak: Ready for the weekend, guys? Confirm or not? Can't wait to see you both again!

A Fresh Start

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Hopefully Year 2008 brings us all good health, lots of happiness and lots of money..hee

So how did I welcome the new year? Well, not with a bang definitely, cos I was down with flu and cough, and so was hubby. After popping two Panadols, we slept for a few hours before deciding to head to East Coast Beach to countdown the new year.

We went with my mum, my brother's family as well as Auntie June's family. My SIL Ina also joined us. Ate grilled fish, cockles, honeyed chicken wings, satay, nasi goreng...one of my new year resolutions is to definitely cut down on unhealthy food :) So better stuff myself NOW before the new year starts!

After pigging out

We then headed to the beach for a mini-picnic. The kids played sparklers and blew bubbles.

When the clock strike 12, the ships out at seas blared their horns and fired signals in the sky, creating beautiful red jelly-fish like stars in the sky. People screamed and shouted, and blew their party whistles. It was a great sight, and we were happy ushering the new year with our family.

Year 2007 has been a rollercoaster ride for me, especially at work, with all the changes such as corporatisation and restructuring. I am praying for the best in 2008 and hopefully, I won't be forced to leave my job for greener pastures elsewhere.

On a personal level, my children, who are everything to me, are doing very well. I have never been happier. They are well and healthy and even Kyra has shown signs of increased appetite and weight gain. Kyle is doing well in school and will be joining the full-time programme starting 2nd Jan 08.

Hubby, however will be teaching in the afternoon session for 2008 (boo-hoo!). It only means coming home even later each working day and lesser time spent with us. I just have to be more patient and supportive, I guess and remind myself that he is working hard for the family.

I also have gained many great friendships and restored lost bonds in year 2007 and I am so grateful for that. Friends are who I seek solace from, whenever I am stressed or depressed, and these friends are one in a million.

Here's to a great 2008!

I've Been Tagged!

I have been tagged by my dearest girlfriend, Siti.

Here goes!

Part 1: On the Outside

Name: Ishma Sharie Binte Md Sharip
D.O.B: 12th Dec 1978
Current status: Married with 2 kids
Eye colour: Black
Hair colour: Originally black but becos I am so vain, tried experimenting with colours, now it is reddish/brownish
Righty or Lefty: Righty
Zodiac sign: Saggitarius

Part 2: On The Inside

Your Heritage: On my dad's side, have pakistani and javanese blood, whereas on my mum's side, javanese blood
Your fear: Mainly losing my family and loved ones. I am also terrified of pests such as cockroaches, lizards and rats
Your weakness: Shoes, clothes and bags...hehe...and desserts! I have a sweet tooth!

Part 3: Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow

Your thoughts 1st waking up: Urggh...off to work...
Your bedtime: Usually too tired to think of anything
Your most missed memory: When I was in secondary school, how I enjoyed the carefree and easy life I had with my girlfriends. Also, when I went to Europe with my mum, it was the best holiday ever.

Part 4:

Your Pick Pepsi or Coke: Coke please...even during my pregnancy, I was craving for Coke! And I cried when hubby forgot to buy for me!
MacDonald's or Burger King: McDonald's nuggets, mine and Kyle's favourite
Single or Group Dates: A bit of both is fine by me
Adidas or Nike: Adidas...more affordable and stylish
Lipton Tea or Nestea: Lipton tea
Chocolate of Vanilla: Chocolate of course!
Cappuccino or Coffee: I don't take both...tea only

Part 5: Do You?

Smoke: Nope. Tried once and hated it
Curse: Who doesn't?
Drink: Nope. Who wants brain damage?

Part 6: In the past month

Drank Alcohol: Never
Gone to the mall: Definitely...retail therapy does wonders for the mind!
Been on stage: Err no...I got stage fright
Eaten Sushi: Sorry no, i cannot stand the smell
Dyed hair: Not in the past month

Part 7: Have you ever?

Played a stripping game: Only with hubby ;)
Changed who you were to fit in: Hmm...yes...for the better

Part 8: Age:

You are hoping to be married: When I was in sec school, I wanted to settle down at the age of 25. And I did! One day after my 25th birthday, hubby and me were solemnised.

Part 9: In a Guy Or Girl:

Best Guy Eye Colour: Depends on who is the guy haha!! Of coz, for asians, black is best..
Hair colour: As long not blond. Yikes, malays guys with blond hair turn me off!
Short or Long Hair: Definitely short. Smart guys turn me on, hehe

Part 10: What were you doing?

1 min ago: Typing this entry
1 hr ago: On the phone with my father
1 mth ago: On leave...packing my bags to go Bangkok
1 year ago: Just like now, waiting for the clock to strike 1pm to go home and celebrate the new year!

Part 11: Finish the sentence.

Love: My family and my close friends
Feel: Blessed to be loved and to love
Miss: People who I have not met for a long time
Hate: Rather not say...make my heart boil only

Part 12: Tag 5 people!

1. Erny
2. Ros
3. Yasmin
4. Irfan
5. Tati