Family Portal

traddition family pose

The 'males' in the family

The Groupon deal catches my eye when I see 'timeline photography'. $18 for family portal sounds good to me. Since Cieran was born, it has been in my mind to have a family photo taken by professional. Before I action, I went in to timeline to check on the photographer's profile. Somehow or rather, it gave me a nice impression, and eventually I bought 1 groupon. Its a good deal to me. The package includes 5 selected photos to be edited and given the option to have all photos saved on a CD taken home. Believed this deal has attracted lots of online purchaser. Immediately I schedule an appointment for the photo shoot, I got a response that the earliest weekend date was more than a  month. Popular! 

Ready? Get Set.... GO!

Eventually the day has arrived. All of us are in 'fun' mood for the photo shot. We are dressed in same design Ts and as we arrived at the studio.... "Wow, we have a football team today!" was greeted by the photographer. 2 young photographers! I knew this will be a modern, playful team. Alan was our photographer and immediately he set us into action. It was not our norm to pose in front of cameras. It takes a while for us to warm up indeed. I cant recall how many shots we have taken, but the session took us slightly more than an hour. As soon as we are done, Alan loaded them up in the computer.

The kids laugh as we go one by one each shot. We had a witty time laughing and selecting the photos.

Yippe!

A hilarious moments and great bonding session we had! It was truely a something that money can't buy.

First Ice Skating Experience!

I have seen few photos from my friend's facebook on ice skating, and thought it was a great idea to bring my children to check it out as well. But then, not sure how this idea would sound to them. Will they be bold to try? I guess I shouldn't have block them such exposure based on my own self-thinking .Thus, through one of the night's chat, I asked if they would like to try ice skating. To my surprised, Ashley was excited and immediately shouted a 'YES!'. Cieran got

Happy Children 1st time trying ice skating

the excitement from influence from jie jie. I further explained to them that the coach slot was subjected to availability and if we managed to get the slot, they will have a coach to guide them. If we didn't manage to get the coach, they will have to learn on their own, by the holding bar. Objective was to have fun, exposure and not to 'back out' from any learning. Both children nod in agreement. The nearest ice skating ring will be the one located at Kallang Leisure Park. Met my sister and nephew at 11am for the trial session. A pity that we failed in the coach list, so the children have to try on their own. It was an exposure to me as well. First time stepping into a ice skating ring, and first time to help my children put on the skates! It was a blessing that I came in well prepared. I had got my children wearing in long sleeves Ts and long pants, and I hadn't

Ashley on her own!

forgotten the sweaters! Inside the ring, as expected was rather chilly. To me, it was nice temperature as the weather had been real hot lately. My sister wasn't that well-prepared and was feeling cold. She was lucky to have me as her sister..haha! I lent her my shawl since I do not need it. I was amazed that the skate blade was not as sharp as I thought will be. The children had no problem walking on their own on ground after putting

Gaining more confidence

them on. Or rather, they were all too excited to what's welcoming them! Since there wasn't any coach available, we got the metal pedestal to help the children

self-play by the ring side. I have to praise the children that they were brave to try on their own. Cieran was a little too young to self-explore. Sorry for my boy that

Cieran prefers to eat

mummy can't helped much as mum was as clumsy. haha! In the end, this little boy rather sit with me and enjoy his packet of snacks, while Vernon and Ashley went on their own. Ashley started with hands tightly grabbing on to the pedestal, in fear of falling. Vernon on other hand, skate more naturally as he has been learning roller blading. As such, his balancing was better. My sister and I stood by the side of the wall, encouraging the children to be more adventurous, skate further and making more rounds around the ring. Soon, little niece Clara came to watch her cousins skate. Cieran was happy to see Clara. They are great pals! He has someone to play with, rather than waiting for Vernon and Ashley to finish with their skates. The ticketing was quite reasonable actually. We paid $15 for 2 hrs skate that includes rental of the skates. Visitor entering the ring pays $3. With more practice, the children were more daring. Ashley accidentally bumped on a boy, both fell. I went over to check on both, but they were fine. Taking this opportunity, I chatted with the boy. He was quite an interesting chap. His name is Klin and he was the same age as Ashley. I found out that he had learned how to skate  for 2 years and he skates well. So I asked Klin of hecan teach the 2 children , and he

balancing...

 happily agrees. He took this seriously and he caught up with Ashley and from far, I saw him advising Ashley to do away with the pedestal. He skate same speed as Ashley and followed wherever she goes. Truly a responsible little chap. He also showed both Ashley and Vernon how to fall safely and tips in getting feet up after falling. For a while, Ashley had more confident to skate freely without holding on. A pity that Klin had to go and he waved bye to the children as his dad called upon him to leave. Glad that the made friends and learnt some tips from Klin. Both children skate for almost an hour and it was a real experience for them. At the end of the day, I asked Ashley if she would like to come back for more

skating and I am glad that her reply was a
nod. The next time we come, I hope we will
 have a proper coach to guide the children and wished Cieran will be willing to take up the challenge in learning to skate. I know he will if mummy is learning.... maybe I should start convincing myself to learn first?.... haha.... 

Learning to let go



Big Eyes, Big Minds - Jacobs Ballas Garden



Millipede-notice the colour (yellow & black)



I have heard so much about Jacobs Ballas Children's Garden. Both children had been there during school's field trip, but this is my first time. Happen to find out about 'Big Eyes Big Minds-Singapore International Film Festival and bought the tickets that include a guided tour at Jacobs Ballas. 

Cotton Plant



Curious Cieran!



Banana tree!



We have a little challenge finding the exact location, nonetheless we arrived around 10.15am which is 'on time'! (Our tickets are for show starting at 10.30am)We watched several short films made by, and for children from countries over the world. It lasts about 30mins. Next, we started our guided tour by Uncle Loo. Well, maybe brother Loo, coz he looks young to  be called uncle. The tour is very educational. Not just the children, I have learn something new as well. The first stopover was an introduction about root plants. Loo showed the children tapioca plant with

Both are sweet potato plant

leaves that shaped like our ' palm of five fingers'. It's really a visual pleasure, as the children can relate better under Loo's comical explanations. It's also very hands on where children get to touch the tapioca and looking at pictures Loo have in his bag. There's also sweet potatoes of which several children raised their hands that they had eaten before. Loo explained the 2 colour differences between the sweet potato plants and it's interesting to find out why. Afterwhich, he showed the children millipede which he spotted and picked up from the

Calabash fruit

Cieran checking on the calabash seeds

soil. He explained further that millipedes are harmless and not poisonous. In fact, the millipedes are 'superheroes' for the garden as they feed on dead leaves, and their poos are great fertilizers for the plants. I am amazed that Cieran was brave to touched it! As for Ashley, it was after much encouragement and demonstration from me (actually I am quite scared too. Just putting on a brave front, coz the sight of this worm looks so eeee. ), she finally builds up her courage and touch it as well. It feels rough as the millipede is closing its

Painting using Calabash seeds

'protective cover' as it senses danger and curl up. Loo mentioned that in insect world, color yellow and black means danger, thus predator will keep away when they sees these colours, and the millipede will be 'protecting' itself like this. What useful information! :-) Next, we were introduced to cotton plant. An interesting facts about the flower of cotton plant. It was white in colour as you see it. However, when a bee or butterfly 'visited' the flower, it will turns pink! Loo also showed us a rather large fruit call Calabash, also know as the 'lipstick plant'. People uses the crust to make musical instruments or containers. The calabash has red color flowers and its seeds can be very useful too. This is because the seeds produces red ink. Look how the ink can be used in painting. After showing the useful plants that provides



An earthworm



'colourings', Loo caught sight of an earthworm and showed it to the children. He also explained that an earthworm is another superhero in the garden, of which it helps to loosen the soil on ground. Again, Cieran went on to see how does an earthworm feels like! He told me it was slimy. Haha! What a brave boy!

Next, we went to the spice corner where Loo showed us laksa leaves, pandan leaves which we commonly use them in cooking. Children also have some fun on 'touch  me not'



Exploring 'Touch Me Not' plant



plant. Cieran was astonished to see how the leaves close up when his little fingers touches them. I truly enjoyed watching their tremendous curiosity at work! Before the end of the tour, Loo showed the children a baby dragonfly. Not to mention it was the first time children see a baby dragonfly, it was my first time too! Loo explained that when it was a baby, it was a harmful creature in the garden. The baby dragonfly will eats on the roots of the plants, causing the plant to die. But when it grows up, it will contribute to the ecosystem by helping plants to pollen. We learn some useful facts again. The



whole tour enlighten us and it was definitely an educational trip. The next few hours, we spent exploring the garden on our own. The kids learn a little about

Cheers for getting it right!

photosynthesis (how plants make their own food), by having fun with

the props. An engaging props indeed! 

Ashley and me also walked into a maze and we are unable to get out... haha! Eventually, we cheated and walked backwards to the entrance. 

fungus found!



As we walk along, we discover some fungus growing on the trunks and Ashley gets over the moon as she recently

learn about fungi in school. We spotted few that are large, few small, and of different colours. What a discovery! As we walk deeper in the garden, the children's face lit up! There's a tree house playground withs and pit. Immediately they ran off after approval from me that they could go have some fun. Children's joy are easily satisfied with. While the children play, Jeremy and I sat by the bench relaxed. There's quite a handful of Caucasians enjoying the sun tan. We had a wonderful time at Jacobs Ballas Children's Garden and will surely be back again!



We have a GREAT time!


  

TSOD Openhouse 2012



Stretching



Once again its TSOD open hourse. This is a time where students showcase what they had learnt in TSOD during the year (before they sit for RAD exam). Its also a good opportunity for parents to see results from the investments put in.



Posing upright

Time passes, Ashley is in Grade 2 RAD syllabus and will be sitting for the test in April. I can recalled how young she was when she started with Ms June Lee. She skipped Pre-Pri and moved on to Pri and now it's Grade 2.  Each time I watch her dance, I knew my decision in supporting her in dancing is right. A pity that I have to withdrew her from the dance troupe as it clashes on her Chinese class. I hope I can put her back in next year.



Presenting a dance with expression (sewing pillow as a gift for a friend's birthday)