Princess Dana Diaries

Fun in Gold Coast! Lone Pine Koala Sancturary

2011-11-16T00:43:00.000-08:00

I was browsing my photos and realised I've not blogged about our trip to The Sunshine State of Queensland, Australia (gasp)! We took advantage of an airline promotion on Emirates and flew to Gold Coast for a 10 days self-drive vacation in early December 2010.

This is Dana's trusty yellow trunki which we used as a hand carry luggage on board the flight. In it was her pillow, snacks, books and colouring materials. It also came in handy to store the kiddy packs and toys distributed by the air crew.

Our first stop in Brisbane was the Lone Pine Sanctuary, Australia's First and Largest Koala sanctuary with over 130 Koalas. It's also rated one of the Top 10 Best Zoos in the world . We took the bus there from our serviced apartment and it was indeed a fun and educational visit for the entire family!

We were greeted by a baby Komodo dragon at the entrance.

Dana was so brave to cuddle a Koala on her own!

We took a Family Portrait with the Koala too!

As it was raining shortly after we arrived, we took shelter at one of its shed.

There, Dana entertained herself by feeding and playing with the baby lambs.

The Sanctuary also house many other Aussie animals like the Kookaburra (a terrestrial kingfisher native to Australia) and the Dingoes (a free-roaming wild dog mainly found in the outback and unique to the continent of Australia).

Despite the rain, the keepers carried on the Birds of Prey show. Here's a snowy Owl, an endangered specie and next to it is the majestic white-crested Eagle.

Next up was the Sheepdog Show where we saw the intelligent sheepdogs herd the lost sheep into the pens...

and the ubiquitous sheep shearing demo!

Dana got up close to touch the sheep and the wool shaven from its body...

We saw also wombats, kangaroos, lorikeets and snakes at the Sanctuary. It was a truly educational day for Dana. If you're headed to Queensland, don't forget to dedicate a day there!

Tip: Kids who colour a page from their interactive webpage and bring along on your visit will be given a small gift! Visit its website here for more details.

10 Things I'll Miss When my Kids are Big...

2011-09-28T00:59:00.000-07:00

Picture taken in May 2009 on my birthday. Dana was 1 yr old.

Whenever I browsed through Dana's baby photos, I can't help but lament how time flies. In a short span of 3 years, our little darling has grown into an active lil tot with a strong mind and character of her own.

Some days (especially at the end of a long work day), we wish she'll give us more time and personal space to watch our fav TV programmes (our TV's permanently tuned to NickJr or DisneyJr), read our newspapers in peace or give us the luxury to sleep in later on weekends (she wakes us up at 7am rain or shine!). We wish she'll ask lesser questions as she goes about her daily routines (WHY Mommy? WHY Daddy?) and that she'll demand less energy and attention from us every waking hour but a blog post from a Mommy coach came as a good wake-up call.

One day, our adorable daughter will grow into a big girl and she'll no longer need us; One day, Daddy and Mommy will no longer be her fav playmates and fav persons in the world. When I ponder on these special moments, my heart is filled with gratitude to be a Mom, and I'll give up anything in this world in a heartbeat for my lil girl.

I'm reposting the original entry from The Joyful Mother Blog here to share with all readers so that you too will savour this wonderful journey of parenting young kids. I've been blessed, I hope you do too.

Dana's feet at 1 month...

10 Things I'll Miss When my Kids are Big...

1. To have a non-interrupted conversation between my husband and I is an impossible feat (unless we are alone…). One day I will miss my children needing my full attention and listening to what they have to say a zillion times during the day.

2. My children yell “MAMMA” about 6 thousand times a day. One day I will miss being needed – even for little stuff.

3. My kids are expert whiners and complainers when they don’t get their way. One day I will wonder if I should not have given in a little more often.

4. To say that our bed is crowded at night would be an understatement. So crowded in fact, that some times Pappa is pushed completely out. One day I will miss those little bodies so warmly and tightly tucked into mine.

5. The pick ups and drop offs that never seem to end. One day my kids will drive themselves and won’t need the mamma taxi anymore.

6. Our smallest one sometimes refuses to walk up the stairs on his own, plays the baby card. One day I won’t be able to physically carry him and feel the weight of his precious little body.

7. My daughter sometimes struggles to fall asleep by herself. One day I will look back to those precious moments just as she and I drift off to sleep in each others arms and wish we had done that more often.

8. Sometimes my little one is shy around people and won’t respond to friendly conversation. One day he’ll be talking to people everyday and I won’t be around to watch.

9. On the weekends my kids don’t sleep in, there are up at the crack of dawn. One day my mornings will be silent.

10. Sometimes dinner is all about negotiation – getting the kids to eat their dinner. One day my husband and I will enjoy quiet, candlelit dinners alone! Yeah! Ok, I had to end with one that stopped my dribbling tears and made me giggle! :)

Dana at 2.5 years. Picture taken in Gold Coast, Dec 2010.

Mommy Mantra:

"I honor the moments in my divine role as mother and cherish the love and the connections that come forth within.”

Exploring Cameron Highlands! :)

2011-09-20T02:58:00.000-07:00

During the June school holidays, we took a short flight back to Penang to visit Dana's paternal grandmother whom she affectionately addresses as 'Penang Mama'. From there, Penang Mama drove us up to Cameron Highlands for a 3D2N vacation. It's our first time visiting this gem in Northern Malaysia and we enjoyed the relaxed pace and cool climate. Upon arrival, we brought Dana on an agricultural tour - visiting vegetable farms and nurseries.

Penang Mama and Dana were delighted to chance upon a vineyard with grapes are ready for harvesting!

Look how big and juicy the grapes are! I love their purplish hues, so pretty.

Here's the cheeky princess pretending to have a bite! :)

At the same vegetable farm, we saw many fresh herbs and vegetables such as tomatoes, cucumbers and parsley being grown organically! Dana had a great time picking cherry tomatoes!

Rows and rows of organically-grown cucumbers!

Fresh hydroponics Butterhead Lettuces, perfect for salads!

Dana with her freshly-harvested cherry-tomatoes!

While in Queensland, Australia last December, Dana had experienced picking Australian strawberries. Here in Cameron, the Malaysian strawberries are planted in pots (not in soil plots). Perhaps that explains why they are a tad smaller and not as sweet.

The gardener had to assist Dana in cutting off the stems using shears as we were not allowed to pick the strawberries with our bare hands. In this regard, we felt the Aussie strawberry picking experience was more authentic and fun.

A Fun Family Pose at the Strawberry Farm!

After the farm tours, we checked-in at the Strawberry Park Resort where we put up for 2 nights. It's a quaint little hotel with lush greenery and charming flowers dotting its landscapes. Our Tioga Suite was big, clean (newly renovated) and cosy.

In Malaysia, it's best to book accomodation that has been recently refurbished to ensure a comfortable stay.

We adore the beautiful flowers in full bloom around the resort.

Being surrounded by these beautiful blooms made us trigger happy! :)

The resort has a small playground with a gigantic slide to keep Dana happy too. Dana spent hours working away her boundless energy with Daddy. :)

After a good bath, we drove to the nearest Brinchang town for good old Teochew-style Steamboat at You Hoo Seafood Restaurant (Recommended!). They offer diners 2 choice of soup base for the steamboat: TomYam or Chicken. We tried both and found them yummy! :)

Address:

3, Jalan Besar, Brinchang

Cameron Highlands, Pahang

Tel: 05-491172

The next morning, we visited the famous BOH Tea Plantations!

The tea leaves are grown in bushes, and stretches on the hills as far as your eyes can see! What a beautiful sight.

On the way down the hills, Dana chanced upon a kid (Baby goat)! Being an animal lover, she cuddled the kid and fed it before bidding a reluctant goodbye.

One of the criteria for planning a memorable family vacation is that it must be educational for Dana and there must be unhurried time for family bonding. I think Cameron Highlands fits this just nice. Thank God for a safe and fun trip and thank Penang Mama for being our 'driver-guide'! :)

Dana Meets Mister Maker!

2011-09-01T02:58:00.000-07:00

One of the really cool shows that Dana watches (wtih blessing from Daddy and mummy) is Mister Maker on CeeBeeBies (BBC) TV - a craft show. Imagine our delight when Dana got ballotted to see Mister Maker live!

Mister Maker demonstrating to the children how to make a...

...Pom-Pom Bug! and all done in a minute. Simple and creative!

Look at the turnout at the Forum and you'll see how popular Mister Maker is.

Thank you CBeeBees for bringing Mister Maker to Singapore!

We hope to meet him in person again next year :)

Food for Tott! :)

2011-08-24T03:12:00.000-07:00

One of the priorities we both uphold as parents is to invest time and energy to create wonderful, lasting childhood memories for our girl.

Yesterday, desite work fatigue and having to beat the peak rush-hour traffic, we brought Dana to the newly opened baking concept store - TOTT for a baking session! It was a totally spontaneous decision and an added bonus to have Dana's best friend, Julian join us. I'll let the photos show you the sheer delight and enjoyment the 2 little bakers had. We're pleased to chalk up yet another a memorable learning experience for them :)

TOTT is situated at 896 Dunearn Road and it opens from 11am to 9pm daily. Check out its website here.

What the Ladybird Heard!

2011-08-16T00:21:00.000-07:00

I was introduced to this author - Julia Donaldson by Elliot's Mummy few months back. I recently ordered this title 'What the Ladybird Heard' and the whole family loves it!

It's a comical little story which takes place in a quaint little farmyard peppered with noisy farm animal noises (MOOS! BAAS! QUACKS! and OINKS!). There lives a quiet ladybird who never spoke a word. The adventure starts when the animals unites in a clever plot to stop two baddies from stealing their fine prized cow. With gorgeous illustrations, an exciting storyline and catchy rhymes, what's not to like about it? It's a fun read and Dana asks for it every night.

The farmyard where the ladybird and animals lived.

The characters in the book

The book even comes with an accompanying song which you can watch here on youtube (Performed by the author herself and her husband)! What an entertaining and talented pair, don't you think so?

Dana loves singing along to this Ladybird song in our car rides. A highly-recommended read indeed. :)

To view the entire collection of Julia Donaldson books on my favorite online bookstore - Book Depository, click here.

Hakuna Matata - Dana loves The Lion King :)

2011-07-12T22:36:00.000-07:00

We brought Dana to watch Disney’s internationally-acclaimed musical "The Lion King" at Marina Bay Sands two Fridays ago. The visual effects, artistic puppetry and creative stage craft were nothing short of stupendous, vibrant and creative. It's no wonder this musical has astounded over 51 million people around the world! If you've not brought your family to watch "Lion King", do so before it ends its run in Singapore on 4th September 2011.

These are the Top 3 Favourite Songs from the Musical which Dana loves singing to:

1. Hakuna Matata

2. I Just Can't Wait to Be King

3. He lives in You

Don't miss the chance to catch this superb production. Get your tickets here. :)

Dana's Discovers Nick Jr.!

2011-07-12T01:01:00.000-07:00

During the June holidays, Dana chanced upon a free preview of Nick Jr. channel on cable TV and fell in love with two of its shows targeted at pre-schoolers: 'DORA The Explorer' and 'Go DIEGO Go!' Prior to this, I never knew what was the hype with this pair of Latino cousins but now I do and I've proudly become a fan too!

For the uninitiated parents (like me), 'DORA the Explorer' stars a 7-year-old girl, Dora and her friends. In each episode, Dora invites viewers to join her on an adventure. Using Map to point out the stops on the way, Dora and the viewers must solve problems and overcome obstacles along the way to their goal.

'Go, DIEGO, Go!' stars Dora's cousin, Diego, an 8-year-old boy who loves nature and animals. In each episode, Diego rescues an animal in trouble using observation skills and scientific tools (like computers, field journal, and cameras) while introducing kids to information about each animal's sound, movement, habitat, diet, family, and other physical characteristics.

We found both shows to be very educational as they encourage the young viewers to think and participate in the problem-solving adventures. There are 3 other shows on Nick Jr. which come highly recommended in terms of educational and entertainment value:

1. 'Little Bill' (Created by Bill Cosby)

2. 'Blue's Clues'

3. 'Ni Hao Kai-Lan'

So thanks to Little Dana's discovery, Nick Jr. is our family's favourite channel. You can watch all these fantastic programmes on Nick Jr. (Starhub Channel 304). Do refer to the website for its Full Schedule. Enjoy!

Dana turns 3!

2011-04-25T20:25:00.000-07:00

5th of April was the day you were born...

Daddy & Mummy threw you a grandest...

and loveliest Mickey-themed Party...

which made you so very happy!

Mickey and Minnie even dropped by for a surprise visit...

to sing you the Birthday Song!

You were utterly delighted!

Blessed Terrific 3 my dearie!

May the Lord bless you abundantly with His special Favor, Annointing and Calling.

The gorgeous dessert buffet was catered from a very talented homebaker friend.

Check out her Facebook page here.

Pony Riding at Shane's Party! :)

2011-02-09T22:20:00.000-08:00

With my very hectic work schedules, I can no longer afford to update Dana's blog regularly. So here I am, blogging about an event which took place 3 months' ago in Dec'10. Mummy Sherin invited little Dana to Shane's 1st Birthday Bash at the rustic Bukit Timah Saddle Club. It was a gorgeous Sunday and all the kiddy guests were treated to free pony rides! Dana loves riding on the pony! Look at how comfortable she is on the horseback. Perhaps we would let her take up horse-riding as a sport in future :)

Blessed Birthday Shane! Thank you for letting us be a part of your fabulous celebration!

Our Princess at 32 months!

Dana's Current Fav TV show!

2011-01-12T19:14:00.000-08:00

Dana loves to watch The Little Einsteins on the Playhouse Disney Channel and this is one show which we are actually happy to indulge her in :)

We found Little Einsteins to be an exceptional preschool educational programme as it integrates art and music appreciation into their plot. Little viewers (like Dana) are introduced different classical tunes by famous composers in each episode along with significant musical terms and famous artwork/paintings. They are also encouraged to interact with the show by patting their legs, gesturing, or singing along to help the characters (June, Quincy, Leo, and Annie) succeed on their "mission".

Here's the theme song for the series:

For more educational games, songs and activities on Little Einsteins, visit this website - http://tv.disney.go.com/playhouse/littleeinsteins/index.html

10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1-BLAST OFF!

Dana's 1st School Concert! :)

2011-01-10T23:57:00.000-08:00

On 24 Nov, Dana made a debut at her pre-school's year end concert. Being her very 1st concert 'appearance', it was no doubt a BIG milestone for her and a much awaited event for us. Prior to the concert, parents were kept in suspense so the hall was filled with anxious parents who came early, armed with their digital cameras, DSLRs and viewcams (us included). The concert was to start at 5pm with the toddler's item scheduled as the last. We were worried that Dana might be cranky, hungry or impatient having to wait backstage for their turn but when the curtains were drawn, this was what greeted us:

Her brilliant smiles say it all - that she's confident and extremely happy to be part of this concert. Once the music played, she danced and moved according to the beat and rhythm. In total, the toddlers performed 2 items - an English Song and a Chinese song. We were almost moved to tears as we witnessed our little budding star shining on stage and having her 1st moments of 'glory'!

You're truly a star baby and you made Mommy and Daddy so proud with your 1st concert performance! We thank God for the preschool teachers for grooming you and giving you these opportunities.

May you continue to blossom under their guidance and care :)

Dana and her best friend Mark waving to the audience at the end of the performance :)

To the SSO we go! :)

2011-01-10T23:30:00.000-08:00

We spent a fun-filled morning at the Esplanade attending the SSO babies prom on 17 Nov. The Babies' Prom is organised by Singapore Symphony Orchestra and conducted by Peter Moore. It is the only concert in Singapore specially tailored for young children below 6. This is the 2nd year Dana is at the prom and she enjoyed herself tremendously.

We arrived early to participate in the pre-concert activities and Dana delighted herself with the colourful balloon sculptures! :)

Back inside the recital hall, the concert programme started. Uncle Peter and the SSO led the kids on a musical adventure exploring various sections which make up an orchestra and different forms of classical music.

We're pleased that Dana enjoys music at a young age and hope to nurture her interest in this area.

To more SSO Babies Prom we go!

A Fun-filled Deepavali Outing! :)

2011-01-10T23:03:00.000-08:00

On 5 Nov (Deepavali), Mommy and her friends organised an impromptu waterplay cum picnic playdate to the Marina Barrage. The rainy weather did not dampen our spirits nor deter the tots from having a good time! These photos will show you why the Barrage makes it to the top of our 'List of Favourite Places to go in Singapore' :)

Refer to this webpage for directions how to get to the Barrage - http://www.pub.gov.sg/marina/location/Pages/default.aspx

Christmas came early...

2010-11-09T01:29:00.000-08:00

It showered all day today and the cool weather seem to hasten the arrival of Christmas...

so with a cup of green tea in hand, I did a little scrap layout using some fav pics of the Princess.

The month of December is my fav month of the year, how about yours?

An Early Diwali Greeting!

2010-11-02T20:46:00.000-07:00

Dana would like to wish all a meaningful and enjoyable time celebrating the Festival of Lights!

Who's the Boss?

2010-11-02T00:35:00.000-07:00

In 3 days' time, our Princess would turn 31 months (or 2 years and 7 months). Like all other egocentric but smart toddlers her age, she wants to assert her rights and be in-charge of her life. Somedays it means directing mommies and daddies (even helpers) which footwear and clothes she wants to put on for that day, what food she wants to eat (and which she doesn't), and very often, what time she goes to bed. Well, here are some useful tips from the Babyzone website to navigate this tussle of control effectively:

1. Hire her as your helper.
For example, get her a small broom and have her sweep up the kitchen. Or, when baking, have her deposit some of the ingredients into the bowl. Sorting the laundry is always an adventure for a two year old. Keep tasks simple and interesting. Dana is responsible for picking up the soiled clothes and bringing them to the laundry basket in the kitchen after her shower every evening. She enjoys this simple task as Mommy's little helper! :)

2. Model the words that you want her to say.
When you ask her to help, use those words— "Please" and "Thank You". Lead by example, and she'll follow suit when she asks you to do something. We tell Dana daily "I Love You" and she mirrors this affection to us and her teachers & friends too!

3. Respect her ideas.
So, she may be wearing violently differently patterned shirts and pants but she thinks she is the cat's meow — especially because she came up with the concept of her outfit and successfully executed it. One example I can think of is at Dana art enrichment lessons. She has the liberty to select what colours, textures and materials to use to create her art piece; we respect her creativity and give her autonomy to express herself.

4. Give her your undivided attention.
Is there anything more frustrating than when you are talking to someone who is reading the paper or watching TV? If you are engrossed, tell her,"Mommy is reading the paper and will be with you in one minute." She may not understand the concept of "one minute," but at least you have acknowledged her attempts to get your attention. Then, take the time to listen to what she has to say. I usually take advantage of car rides when Daddy is at the wheel to read to Dana or ask her about her day. Daddy is better at this, he'll devote an hour at least each evening to play with Dana, have Dana tinkle on the piano or read with her before bedtime. On some weekends when I am busy, Daddy would bring Dana to cycle at the Park or engage in other outdoor play. Thank God for devoted Daddies so we can take turns to give Dana our undivided attention!

5. Choice A or Choice B.
Don't ask her to do something, such as go to bed, if it is not a choice. But do give her a choice in implementing what you need done. For example, "Would you like to walk to your bedroom or would you like to go piggy-back?" Giving her choices keeps her feeling that she is in control. I admit I am quite an authoritative parent and rarely give Dana a choice of tasks as I expect 100% obedience. Perhaps I can empower her a little more by trying this new suggestion tonight! :)

Sharing a Good Read

2010-10-31T23:14:00.000-07:00

What makes a Rainbow by Betty Ann Schwartz

Mummy Serene shared this book with me and I fell in love instantly the minute we received it in the post! I love how the story unfolds (with real ribbons) to reveal each colour of the Rainbow...Its compact size and colourful graphics also make it a perfect read for young children, highly recommended! Get it from our fav online book retailer The Book Depository today! :)

The Greatest Blessing of my Life...

2010-10-31T22:31:00.000-07:00

are these two.

They are my inspiration, the love of my life and my best reward.

Sitting at my office desk, missing their giggles,
counting down to the minute where I can run into their embrace again.
Each time I gaze at the them sharing the indisputable bond,
my heart is filled with wonder and oozes with a fuzzy warmth;

With them, I am truly blessed beyond measure.

I Love Saturdays like these...

2010-10-11T22:10:00.000-07:00

spent leisurely under the Sun; with the Sand under my feet and the Sea breeze swaying! :)

Photo taken on Sat morning at Hard Rock Hotel, Resort World Sentosa

Fun-filled October - Part 2 :)

2010-10-11T22:02:00.000-07:00

The 2nd part of our Children's Day celebration was fun-filled and very enriching. We brought Dana to a Dance Appreciation event organised by The Esplanade as part of their Octoburst! Programme for little kids. Dana was engrossed in watching the Sleeping Beauty Ballet and signed along with the Pantomine. She shows a keen interest in dance and we hope to continue nurturing her Musical-Rhythmic Intelligence by bringing her to such live performances :)

Here's our little Ballerina meeting the Professional Ballerinas after the show.

The earlier part of the weekend was spent at a Fund-raising Charity event organised by Dana's pre-school. All the proceeds from this carnival will go towards the Rainbow Centre -Margaret Drive School to fund programmes for children with multiple handicaps or with Autism. We responded to the call of the organisers by buying $50 worth of coupons and also donating some cute stationery items as game prizes. We hope that be engaging Dana in meaningful community projects from young, she'll grow to be empathetic and compassionate young person.

Dana's snapshots with her fav pre-sch teachers who sacrificed their Sat to man the fun-fair.

Fun in October - Part 1 :)

2010-10-05T21:26:00.001-07:00

To celebrate Children's Day, Dana's pre-school organised a special Day Out to Marina Barrage last Thursday. All the little children were ecstatic! Check out the slideshow and you'll feel the energy and fun too!

Right Dental Routine for our Kids

2010-09-20T01:01:00.000-07:00

Found this useful video on a fellow mummy blogger, Evelyn's blog.

Oops, I realised we've been brushing it wrongly for Dana all these while! Gosh, thanks for sharing Eve!
For more tips on improving our Oral health, do pop over to The BottomsUp! Life with Layla blog now. :)

Encouragement from an old hymn...

2010-09-19T20:43:00.000-07:00

Stanza 1.

God hath not promised skies always blue,

Flower-strewn pathways all our lives through;

God hath not promised sun without rain,

Joy without sorrow, peace without pain.

Chrous:

But God hath promised strength for the day,

Rest for the labor, light for the way,

Grace for the trials, help from above,

Unfailing sympathy, undying love.

Stanza 2.

God hath not promised we shall not know

Toil and temptation, trouble and woe;

He hath not told us we shall not bear

Many a burden, many a care.

Stanza 3.

God hath not promised smooth roads and wide,

Swift, easy travel, needing no guide;

Never a mountain, rocky and steep,

Never a river, turbid and deep.

Sawadee Ka, Phuket!

2010-09-16T01:57:00.000-07:00

In June, our family spent a delightful week in Phuket to celebrate our 11th Wedding Anniversary. Here's a countdown of the Top 6 Reasons why we have fallen so in love with this special destination in the Land of Smiles.

6. The Resort

The lovely Marriott Villa

We booked a 2-bedroom villa at the Marriot Vacation Club near the Phuket International Airport and loved its tranquility and greenery. The Villa was well-kept and tastefully furnished with modern furnishings and we appreciated the convenience of washer/dryer and fully-equipped kitchen! Dana loves the big comfy bed and spacious bathtub in the Master Bedroom too. The management also prepared a special Honeymoon setup for us, having been informed that we will be there for our Anniversary. What a sweet welcome gesture!

That's our happy family roaming around the resort after check-in

5. The Food

Feasting on good food while on holidays is like the icing on the cake. If there's one compelling reason to return to Phuket, it will be the food. We've never tasted more authentic Thai cuisines and fresher seafood (at more affordable prices). Before our trip, I did lots of research and jotted down some "Must-Visit" restaurants with rave reviews. This proved to be really helpful as almost all meals we had in Phuket were scrumptious and definite highlights of our trip.

The delectable dishes that we sampled

4. The Unhurried Pace of Life

Mummy & Dana posing by the pool on way to breakfast

The Healthy Breakfast Spread at the Resort Cafe

During our entire trip, we had time to slow our pace to smell the flowers, watch the sunset, chill out by the pool, enjoy leisurely meals, go for spa, enjoy movie nights (within our Villa). We also drove around Phuket in our 1.6L rental car, took in the sights and enjoyed the company of those who matters to us most - our family! In the afternoons, we brought Dana swimming at the resort pool and this adventurous little princess went down the 2meter long slide on her own! Auntie Sheryl also taught Dana how to scribble words on the sandy beach, what fun!

Here comes our brave lil' swimmer!

One of the beautiful sunsets we witnessed in Phuket

3. The Pristine Beaches and Azure Seas

Dana at Khai Island

On our Anniversary 17th June, we booked a Speedboat tour to the nearby islands for snorkelling. Though the Speedboat ride was very bumpy (and dangerous since it is monsoon season), the picturesque scenery that greeted us more than made up for it.

Taking a break after swimming in the sea

The Khai Islands were very pretty (apparantly, Leonardo Dicaprio's The Island was flimed here), the sky looked absolutely stunning and Dana had two brand-new experiences: she swam in the Andaman Sea with Daddy and hand-fed schools of fishes which surrounded her at waist-level!

Dana's unfazed by the feeding frenzy!

Daddy & Dana having a whale of a time in the Andaman Sea!

Dana loves the great outdoors!

2. The Celebration

After our speedboat tour, we adjourned back to the resort at dusk where our cousins surprised us with a simple but romantic celebration. There were cake, sparkling juice, lovely card and a big bouquet of fragrant lilies and roses awaiting us when we entered the villa. What a sweet and pleasant surprise! It was the best 10th Wedding Anniversary celebration we can ask for, and Dana was so happy to be part of it! It was an added bonus to be able to go for a private dinner as our cousins offered to babysit Dana for that evening.

The beautiful celebration in the Villa!

Our Romantic Anniversary Dinner!

1. The Sweet Memories

Dana singing 'Row Your Boat' in a colourful canoe

The best part of the Phuket trip must be the plentious opportunities to witness the joyous, spontaneous laughter of our princess who is and will always be the greatest gift in our marriage.

Dana enjoying the tree swing!

Our Biggest Reward - Each other & Dana!

Our Wedding Verse was taken from: Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not easily broken." We thank the Lord for sustaining our beautiful marriage and we humbly pray that we can enjoy many more years ahead as a couple and as a household who serves the Lord. To God be the Glory!

A Good Meal Solution

2010-09-14T06:35:00.000-07:00

Our maid has gone on 2 weeks' Hari Raya home leave. Living without a helper is actually manageable except for 1 major hurdle - settling Dana's dinner. With our hectic schedules as full time working parents, trying to find a good (i.e. healthy and nutritious) dinner for the Princess after work each evening is proving to be quite a challenge. Plagued by guilt, my mind drew a blank as a brand new week approaches. Surely we cannot feed our daughter the same salty, oily, MSG-laden food served at commercial dining establishments. She needs proper home-cooked food! In my moment of helplessness, a "watsapp'' chat with a good friend enlightened me. She would be hosting a gathering this weekend and the kids' menu would be catered from Petit Bowl. That could just be the solution for us! Why didn't I think of that?

What is Petit Bowl?
Simply put, Petit Bowl is a cafe (run by a husband and wife team) that provides nutritious, delicious meals for babies and children. They aim to be The Meal Solution, with Minimal Salt, Sugar, Modified Starch, Artificial Fillers, Nuts, Flavors or Color Pesticides, Chemical Fertilizers, GMO (Genetically Modified Organism), Waste and Spoilage.

Where is it Located? United Square, 101 Thomson Road, 01-77/78; Tel: 6256-5359; Open: 11am to 8.30pm daily.

Petit Bowl's Tasting Room at UE Square

What's on its Menu? The store sells meals for babies and kids up to six years old. It uses organic grains, vegetables and fruit and has items such as Apple and Prune Porridge, Butternut Squash Risotto, and Chicken with Sweet Corn and Rice. Customers can also buy frozen take-home packs. The individual servings just need to be steamed. On the chalk-written menu at the shop, there are about 35 items, with prices ranging from $4.90 for an Pear and Apricot Porridge to $6.90 for a Creamy Chicken Penne.

Its healthy meal offering

We had been invited to Petit Bowl's food tasting event before it was launched last Dec but it didn't occur to us to stock up these individually-packed take-away meals for Dana in our maid's absence! Without hesitation, we purchased 5 different meals from the shop to last the working week. This evening, we served Dana her first full Petit Bowl meal (Kid's 1st Beef Curry) with bated breath, curious as to how she will take to the meal. To our delight, it was so yummy that she asked for more! (which she rarely does). We are so relieved to have found a good meal solution! Now our only 'challenge' is to decide what meal to serve Dana the next day. Hmm.... should she have Cod fish with Creamy Mushroom, Sole with Grapes or Braised Beef with Parsnip? If you're wondering why these dishes all boast gourmet-sounding names, it's because they really are of gourmet standards! :)

That's us at the Petit Bowl's Food Tasting Event,

Nov 2009

Petit Bow'l's website is here: http://www.petitbowl.com/ You can also find them on Facebook. If you (like us) are in need of a good and quick meal solutions for your kids, you know where to go now! :)

How to handle your (fiercely) independent toddler

2010-09-13T01:29:00.000-07:00

Last week, our Princess turned 29 months. We know very well that she's a vocal, sociable and a confident little girl. Beyond that, she's also fiercely independent - demanding to do many day-to-day tasks on her own. "Mummy, I'll do it myself!" would be her retort - be it opening the front door, getting out of the car, putting on the socks or helping with the groceries shopping cart.

As a mom, I admit I sometimes find these attempts time-consuming and messy (leading to frustration for everyone) but I know it’s important to let her try and try…then try again. Whenever possible (especially on weekends), I try to work extra time into our schedule so that it is less rushed as she struggles with her shoes or wrestles with the last morsels of her fruits using her fork. Self-sufficiency is a big part of the toddler's self-esteem, so I have to be extra-patient and encouraging with my daughter.

Another instance where power struggle with our toddlers may come into play is at their favourite haunt - the playgrounds. As much as they love arriving at the playground, they really hate to leave it — so be prepared for some (very loud) protests (we've encountered it many times). The challenge is to stay cool yet stand firm; be considerate by giving your toddler plenty of notice before leaving the playgrounds (“Three more times on the slide!”) and by making departures appealing (“Let’s read that new book when we get home!”). Then seal the deal by giving them a healthy snack on-the-road.

It is our desire to bring Dana up well so David and I have been reading up quite a bit from parenting resources (books and websites). There's a very good section from this Growing Years Webpage which I will reproduce here since I find it very apt and applicable.

Avoid Overusing "NOs"

The fewer times you say “no” to your toddler, the less she’ll scream “no” back to you. Keep asking yourself, “How can I help my child do what I want her to do without saying, ‘No’?” Life can be more pleasant for everyone with fewer “nos.” Here are some ideas:

1. Look for ways to structure routines and play spaces so you won’t need as many restrictions.
Remove tempting dangers and breakables. Try to reduce time spent in activities that require your toddler’s patience or that might cause conflict. For example, long shopping trips seem to undo nearly all parents and their toddlers; try to cut them short.

2. Keep rules reasonable.
Your child is growing fast, but her ability to understand is still more limited than you might expect. She will press you to let her do things on her own, and that’s important for her learning. But she still may have accidents. She may break, drop or spill things. She can understand some rules, but not all.

3. Give your toddler independence practice.
As part of their growing independence, toddlers are often defiant and non-cooperative. You need to be firm but patient in enforcing rules. Look for safe and reasonable opportunities to let your toddler make her own decisions so she can practice her growing independence.

4. Play detective.
If your little one does something over and over that you have told her not to do, try to figure out the reason. Don’t assume that she is just trying to annoy you. Chances are she’s got her own very good reasons for doing what she’s doing. See if you can help her get what she wants in a way that is OK with both of you.

Sure, all this takes more time and patience and energy than saying “no,” but the long-term benefits are likely to be a toddler who is happier and easier to live with. :)

2010-08-31T20:02:00.000-07:00

To all my teachers at Preschool By the Park:

You are my special teachers

I just want you to know

I always had fun in your classes

How the time has flown!

Thank you for helping me

To learn all that I know

I will always remember you

Even when I'm grown!

Have a Wonderful Teachers' Day!

Nice Scraps!

2010-08-30T01:04:00.000-07:00

This past weekend, I was confined at home nursing a bad bout of laryngitis. So I took some time to scrap a little for 2 most important persons of my life! Looking at these lovely finished products cheered me up greatly! :)

Am starting to fall in love with digital scrapping. It's fun, hassle-free and so rewarding! :)

Our Sunny June Vacation!

2010-08-24T02:30:00.000-07:00

During the June holidays, Daddy, Mummy and Dana ventured to the romantic island of Phuket, Thailand for our 11th Wedding Anniversary Celebration. There were so many beautiful photos from the trip to share with you. What better way then to present them in a slick slideshow powered by one of our favourite travel website -Trip Advisor.com. Here are memories from DAY 1 of our wonderful trip to share with you. Enjoy! :)

Best of Phuket - Day 1 Slideshow: Angie’s trip from Singapore to Phuket was created by TripAdvisor. See another Phuket slideshow. Create a free slideshow with music from your travel photos.

Bidding A Fond Farewell...

2010-07-30T00:12:00.000-07:00

Today Dana's Chinese Teacher, Zhang LaoShi will be leaving the Preschool to reunite with her family. Zhang Laoshi has been the most patient, caring and wonderful teacher to the tots. It's a pity Dana couldn't continue to be under her tutelage for Mandarin lessons.

This morning, despite the heavy downpour, I brought Dana (along with some yummy home-baked cupcakes) to the preschool so we can take photos with this dear teacher before she leaves Singapore. We'll miss your gentle demeanour, sweet smile and fun Chinese lessons. May God bless you richly Zhang Laoshi and do stay in touch!

This is a photo of Dana which we included inside Zhang Laoshi's farewell card. Hope it'll help her remember Lil Dana!

11 years in love...and loving it!

2010-07-23T01:59:00.000-07:00

We celebrated a very romantic and special 11th Wedding Anniversary in Phuket on 17 June 2010. Will blog about the trip once I find time to edit the photos!

To my dearest hubby of 11 years,

Because in all my plans

You play a significant part;

Because a loving thought of you

Is always in my heart;

Because every little wish of mine

You've always tried to make come true;

You are the reason my days are worth waking up to,
Your love has made me a better person.
So on this, our special day, I want to say
How dearly I love you.

ELEVEN's such an awesome number. Blessed Anniversary Darling!

Dana's 1st Church Camp :)

2010-07-22T23:19:00.000-07:00

The month of June passed in a twinkling of an eye, leaving me with so many backlogged entries to post. On 8 June, we took a coach up to Sunway Lagoon, KL for our Church camp as a family and came back deeply blessed and spiritually nourished. The theme of the Camp "Faith & Fire" was aptly chosen. Our faith was re-ignited as we immersed in the Word of God delivered by the Camp Speaker Dr Philip Lyn (From Sabah). Personally, I left the camp with a renewed conviction that I should continue to serve the Lord our God with spiritual singularity; that I should proclaim His promises aloud boldly and to sow expectantly, faithfully and sacrifically. It's such a great blessing to be revived with a passion for God's Kingdom again.

Dana enjoyed the camp too. She had Maddy's and other tots' company at the camp. We also took her to the Sunway Lagoon Theme Park during one of the free afternoons where Dana had so much fun with the water slides and amusement rides! It's such a pleasant week being spiritually nourished at camp while spending free time bonding with our daughter.

We certainly look forward to attending more Church Camps as a family. Sunway Lagoon is really an excellent one-stop family destination! Would highly recommend it if you're in need of a short, affordable and fuss-free regional getaway!

Dearest Daddy...

2010-07-01T22:37:00.000-07:00

Growing up, I didn't have a daddy (my only Daddy was my Abba Father in Heaven) so I dreaded the sight of happy families celebrating Father's Day. Now that I'm blissfully married (for 11 years) to a wonderful husband who adores our beautiful daughter and loves the family with all his heart, it touches me each time when I see them interact. The bond between a Daddy and the daughter is special and cannot be replicated. This Fathers' Day, we celebrated it at home (Dana and I baked some cupcakes!) and this post is specially dedicated to you Daddy. Thank you for providing for us; Thank you for praying for us and above all - Thank you for loving us.

A Little Girl Needs her Daddy

A little girl needs her Daddy
For many, many things:

Like holding her high off the ground
Where the sunlight sings!
Like being the deep music
That tells her all is right
When she awakens frantic with
The terrors of the night.

Like being the great mountain
That rises in her heart,
And shows her how she might get home
When all else falls apart.

Like giving her the love
That is her sea and air,
So diving deep or soaring high
She’ll always find him there.

~ Author Unknown

Daddy, you colour our world with HAPPINESS, JOY & LOVE.

Happy Father's Day to the man who continues to make all our dreams come true.

A Summer's Breeze...

2010-06-21T22:53:00.000-07:00

These hot Summer days

are perfect for a walk in the park -

a pretty sundress,

a bunch of freshly picked posies,

streams of whimsical bubbles,

can make you so

happy

so let there be light

and enjoy being kissed

by the warm Summer's breeze.

~ I simply love this series of photos taken by Daddy in the park below our apartment on the afternoon Dana turned 26 months! Our once tiny bub is turning into a dainty, vivacious, young lady now! ~

When The Wiggles Came to Town!

2010-06-21T00:27:00.000-07:00

On 5th June, we brought our Princess to watch her favourite Australian group 'The Wiggles' perform live at The Singapore Indoor Stadium! It was a much anticipated event as Dana simply adores the Wiggles and we have no less than 10 Wiggles DVDs in our collection (which Mummy bought from Amazon sprees!). Nights before, Dana was too excited to fall asleep and kept telling us she wants to go to Wiggles Concert! When the day finally arrived, Dana don the Wiggles Tee (a gift from Auntie Sharon's brother in Sydney - Thank you!) and Dorothy the Dinosaur socks (a gift from Auntie Linda in Adelaide). At the entrance, Daddy bought her a Dorothy sunhat to complete the outfit. Doesn't she look adorable?

Since this was Dana's first concert experience, Daddy paid for the most expensive class of seats for her to get a good view. We also picked the aisle seats so that she can join in the dancing at the front of the stage if she wanted to. When the show started Dana was awed to see her favourite Wiggles chararacters came onto the stage one by one - Captain Feathersword, Dorothy the Dinosaur, Henry the Octopus, Wags the Dogs and of course the four main singers/songwriters/performers - Jeff, Murray, Sam and Anthony! It was amazing to see our little 2-year old clapping, singing, and swaying to the songs and even calling aloud the names of the entire Wiggles cast! She was one of the youngest in the audience who danced and sang at the aisle that night, without a care in the world, simply soaking in the song and dance spectacle and having a jolly good time!

The atmosphere was simple electric!

Watching how happy Dana was and how immensely she enjoyed this concert experience, the satisfaction we feel as parents is simply priceless! So much pride surged within me that I almost teared! Ah, tis' yet another milestone which we cross with our Princess...she is now 'Idol-ised' :) Can't wait to bring her for her 2nd Wiggles Concert!

Dana's eyes are transfixed on the concert as she clapped, sang and jiggled to the Wiggles tunes!

Of Birthdays and Special People

2010-06-20T22:14:00.000-07:00

The months of May and June are really special for us as it's a month of multiple birthday celebrations!

After my birthday on 11th May, it was Daddy's turn 10 days later. Dana woke up bright and early at 6.30am to sing Daddy a birthday song before he heads to work. We were so happy to have 'Ma-ma' (Daddy's Mum) here with us this year for his birthday. Ma-ma resides in Penang and shuttles between Malaysia and Australia often to visit Daddy's siblings. It's always a much treasured reunion when she stops over in SG to visit us.

Next we celebrated 'Wai-Po' (Mummy's Mum)'s birthday on 6th June before we set off for our Church Camp in KL. We always include Great Grand-mama and Grand-aunt Judy in our celebrations so they can join in the feast!

We treated 'Wai-Po' to a sumptuous Sunday DimSum Brunch at The Cathay Restaurant in Orchard. The food there's oh-so-yummy! I delight in blessing my loved ones and friends with my baking creations, and what better time to do it than on their birthdays, as a way to show our gratitude and love for them?

Last but not least, we also celebrated our helper Tri's birthday in early June. She has been with us for over 6 months now and Dana has formed a close bond with her. Even though I had a hectic week at work, I stayed up late to bake this Mango-Mirror Cheesecake for her. She was pleasantly surprised and touched.

We thank God for blessing our family with these special people in our lives. May God bless them with good health, abundant joy and endless good things as they turn 1 year wiser!

Art Attack!

2010-06-02T18:26:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday, Daddy went overseas on a working trip and I arranged an Art Trial for our Princess at The Abrakadoodle Art Studio.

The imaginative Abrakadoodle art education curriculum was developed by artists and educators in the United States and Singapore is privileged to be the first international site to benefit from this popular program.

In Abrakadoodle Classes, Kids
Paint, Sketch, Create, Connect, Form, Organise, Tear, Splatter,
Glue, Imagine, Enjoy, Think, Examine, Fold, Discover, Giggle,
Wonder, Construct, Mix, Brush, Smudge, Blend, Build, Stamp,
Smile, Cut, Roll, Squeeze, Color, Mould, Balance, Design, Doodle,
and...
LEARN!

Pretty much what an enrichment class for toddlers should be! So without hesitation, I signed Dana up for their once weekly Twoosy Doodlers Class (designed for 2-3yr olds); not in the hope to groom another young Picasso or Vincent Van Gogh but to inject more pure creative fun into Dana's childhood!

It's Mummy's Birthday!!

2010-05-16T23:02:00.000-07:00

On 11th May, I spent a most lovely birthday with 2 people who mattered most in my life - my dearest husband and my adorable Princess. Instead of counting candles, or tallying the years, I thank God all for the blessings that He sent to bring me cheers!

Dana presenting a bouquet to me on Daddy's behalf :)

Dana singing a birthday song to me at the breakfast table :)

What we did on Mothers' Day

2010-05-09T07:44:00.000-07:00

Over the weekend that just passed, we did what we enjoy most - back to Nature to enjoy the sunshine and to spend some unhurried quality time as a family. :)

Dana feeding the hungry bunnies at The Animal Farm We were the 1st visitors of the morning so the bunnies were all eager to be fed!

Spotted at the farm - a gaggle of geese, a lone rooster, a billy goat gruff, a huge cockatoo and a charming lil' flower girl!

Dana saying hello to a cat having its morning snooze at the Botanic Gardens, and some friendly ducks whom she fed bread to.

Of course, we took time to celebrate Mothers' Day with Dana's grandma and Great Grandma too.

Happy Mothers' Day from our family to yours!

Joyful Waterplay on Labor Day!

2010-05-05T19:12:00.000-07:00

Dana having a whale of a time at the pool

According to the Live Strong Website, Swimming is a good source of aerobic exercise which provides natural resistance to stimulate children's muscles and help build strength. It promotes good health, enhances social development skills, increases endurance and develops stamina. More importantly, water safety is valuable knowledge for everyone. Knowing how to swim can save your life in a dangerous situation. Children who know how to swim will be better equipped if they ever face a water emergency.

There are fitness benefits to both swimming as a workout and simply playing in the pool. All children should learn at least the basics of swimming before they are 4 or 5 years of age. One reason to teach kids the basics of swimming at a young age is because of their innate ability to float when they are young, making the process of swimming all the much easier to learn. As a person gets older, their baby fat disappears, and muscles start to grow, as do their fears.

For us, swimming is the IDEAL sport for the whole family to enjoy physical fitness and quality bonding time together. We try to bring Dana to the pool for waterplay at every opportunity. Last weekend being the Labor Day holidays, we brought her out swimming on two consecutive days! Our efforts at introducing swimming to Dana early seemed to have paid off as she is very comfortable with water and she relishes each waterplay session (as evident from the photos). We're so glad she's a water baby!!

P.S. Incidentally, this is my 100th post for the blog since I started it 2 years ago. Wanna shout a BIG THANK YOU to my friend Yen who encouraged me to start one to chronicle my journey as a mummy to Dana and to share her growth. I've been wondering what my 100th post will be since weeks back. Couldn't be happier with today's entry. Thanks for visiting and do drop a comment to say Hi if you can :)

My precocious daughter at 24 months...

2010-04-28T20:22:00.000-07:00

We love the sparkle in your eyes

We love your inqusitive questions of "What happened" & "How come?".

We love your running towards Daddy when he he picks you each evening.

We love your keeness to learn

and your fondness for all things nature big or little.

We love the sweet smiles you reserve specially for Mummy each morning

before we start the day walking to school hand in hand.

We love your bond with Great-Grandma
as you attempt to interact with her in your own smatterings
of Mandarin, Teochew and Sign Language :)

We love your strong sense of muscial rhythm and appreciation,

the performer in you is a bright star shining!

We love you our dearest daughter,
today more than yesterday but lesser than tomorrow,

We love you for giving us the blessing of being your parents,
to love you wholly and be blessed so much in return.

My blog is carbon-neutral! (A 2010 Earth Day Initiative)

2010-04-26T20:28:00.000-07:00

Earth Day is celebrated at the United Nations each year on the first day of Spring. This year it falls on April 22, 2010. Forty years after the first Earth Day, the world is in greater peril than ever. With rising carbon emissions, environmental pollutions, devastations of ecosystems, climate change, our Mother Earth is crying out for help. Earth Day creates an awareness for people to reflect about what we are doing to the environment and how we can protect it.

We can all do our part to Save the Earth in 5 practical ways:

1. Use Less Water: Take showers instead of baths, fix leaks, and turn off the tap when brushing your teeth. You can also request for a Water-Saving Kit from PUB (Singapore's National Water Agency) here.

2. Save Electricity: Make conscious effort to turn swtiches off when you’re done, buy products that are certified Energy Consumption Efficient (e.g. Refrigerators), replace your bulbs to energy-saving ones and try to reduce the reliance on Air-Conditioners on cool nights.

3. Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle: Try to find products with less packaging, use reusable bags on shopping trips (or find altenative uses for your plastic bags which you bring home). Creatively reuse other products (e.g. milk cartons, chocolate/candy containers), and recycle what's left. Donate your unwanted but usable items to The Salvation Army thrift stores.

4. Commute without Polluting: Leave your car at home and walk every chance you get. As you go along, pay attention to the life around you - birds, insects, trees, flowers, even the plants we call weeds. If it's not possible to walk, use public transportation, carpool, or bike to reduce air pollution and save on fuel costs.

5. Spread the word: Teach others where you work or go to school. Encourage people to Pick 5 for the Environment!

A German organisation is pledging to plant a single tree for each blog domain submitted to neutralise the carbon dioxide emissions generated by our blogs (I didn't realise that traffic generated by websites emit CO2 too!) One tree will be planted in Plumas National Forest, USA for each of the first 750 blogs participating in the "My blog is CO2-neutral" campaign. To find out how you too can join this note-worthy cause, check out its official website here: "My blog is CO2-neutral!"

New Read for the Week...

2010-04-21T05:50:00.000-07:00

Daddy was browsing at the Times Bookstore today and bought yet another Fairy Tale Audio Storybook for our Princess. This time, it's the Three Little Pigs!

Lift-The-Flap Fairy Tales: The Three Little Pigs [Illustrated] (Paperback)

This series comes with huge colourful illustrations and interesting lift-the-flaps which Dana likes. We enjoy reading it together very much at bedtime. We're on the hunt for more simple to read audio CD stories as they will come in handy the next time we go on our long road trips up Malaysia :)

Great Audio Books for Tots

2010-04-15T02:30:00.000-07:00

Few months back, Daddy bought these 2 Classic Tales (bundled with Audio CDs) for Dana from a children's bookstore at Paragon but we've only recently unwrapped them from their packaging. To our surprise, Dana enjoys the audio reading and has been asking us to replay the CD for her each night at bedtime. I'd like to share with the readers here:

1. The Three Billy Goats Gruff (Book & CD) (Paperback)

About this title: Three sprightly billy goats refuse to let anything stand in their way when, hungry for grass on the other side of the stream, they take on the big, hairy troll who lives under the bridge.

2. The Gigantic Turnip (Book & CD) (Paperback)

About this title: When an old man and woman decide to harvest their garden, a gigantic turnip won't budge. This hilarious tale features simple text perfect for reading aloud. Quirky, full-color illustrations provide plenty of counting practice, too.

Since Dana enjoys books with Audio-recorded readings, guess we'll be on the lookout for more such books from now :)

Allie Alligator, Bubba Bear and Catina Cat!

2010-04-15T01:58:00.000-07:00

After hearing rave review from an ex-colleague about how her pre-schooler son benefitted from the programme, we enrolled Dana for Zoo-phonics lessons officially last month in March.

Zoo-phonics is a whole brain approach developed to make children strong readers (and spellers) using “phono” (hearing), "oral” (speaking), “visual” (seeing), “kinesthetic” (moving), and tactile (touching) activities. What we like about Zoo-phonics Programme is that it capitalises on the kinesthetic and musical-rhythmic multiple intelligences which Dana is strong in.

Each letter has an animal and a motion to go with it. Through this method of assosciating each letter of the alphabet to a specific action and an animal, children learn the sounds of the alphabet in a concrete and fun manner. Even as an adult, I enjoy singing along to the catchy animal songs and mimicking the fun bodily movements!

After accompanying Dana for few lessons, I feel that Zoo-phonics is an excellent way to introduce phonic awareness to young children as it's very fast-paced and the teachers engage the class in constant motion (be it music, story-telling or art & craft). They also give the children room and space to make noise, interact and move about freely (which comes so naturally for them) while lesson is going on.

With the help of Zoo-phonics, we hope Dana will have a strong grasp of phonics which will put her on the path to becoming an avid reader (like her Daddy). The ability to decode (read) and encode (spell) will also come in useful when she starts formal schooling in a few year's time. A worthwhile enrichment indeed!

I flew a kite!

2010-04-11T08:32:00.000-07:00

Dana has been cooped up at home since her discharge so we decided to bring her out for some fresh air and outdoor play today. We headed for one of our fav places - the Marina Barrage!

There, Dana flown the kite for the 1st time! Daddy got the kite up in the air (not without repeated tries as it was rather windy) and Dana took over to fly it for a good 10 mins or so despite the strong wind! We're so proud of our precious daughter; she has grown so much and becoming a little individual of her own. Everyday, she never fails to amaze us with what she says and does. For today, she flew a kite! :) We're so happy to have our cheerful, active lil girl back!

A glimpse of Dana's 2nd Birthday Celebration...

2010-04-08T20:55:00.000-07:00

On Good Friday, we threw an advanced Birthday Party for Dana. Never did we imagine barely 2 days after, Dana would be warded in the hospital for Kawasaki. Thank God for His healing hand and His wisdom on the medical team. Now that she's discharged, I finally can post an update on the party.

It was exactly a week ago, when we were decorating the venue, storm clouds hovered over our heads and threatened to pour. Slight drizzle soon followed. Together with my hubby, we held hands at the poolside and prayed for the storm clouds to pass us and float to other parts of Singapore. We also smsed some close friends to pray that the sky will hold. Praise God for answering prayers - throughout the afternoon, there was bright sunshine and our outdoor party was able to be carried out as planned. Guests mingled around freely at the poolside, kids ran around enjoying the various activities we had planned. :)

The setup for a dreamy girly Princess Party

The Birthday Girl decked out in Pink

The Hi-Tea spread from Gustos Catering

The incredibly entertaining Brenda from Party Blasters which brought so much fun to our kiddy guests!

Birthday Girl having lots of fun on the Bouncy Castle

Another highlight of our Party - Facepainting by the very talented Pearlyn of Party Blasters!

What's a Birthday without a Cake? Here's the lovely Wiggles Birthday Cake from Pink Ginger by Nee

The moment Dana's been waiting for - the cake-cutting! Look how delighted she is! Happy Birthday To You Darling!

Thank you to all our friends and relatives for making Dana's Birthday Party such a wonderful and blessed occasion! When Dana was in the hospital, we showed her video clips of her party and it instantly brought a smile to her face. Blessed 2nd Birthday Dana Girl. You are our answered prayer and our dream come true. Mummy and Daddy love you so so much. May you grow healthily and strong in the Lord. To God be the Glory for your life. :)

P.S. Special thanks to Daddy's friend SzeKiat from http://www.eyeamseeingthings.com/ for being the Photographer for Dana's Party. Love the pics!

Fighting Kawasaki on her 2nd Birthday...

2010-04-06T08:11:00.000-07:00

On Easter Sunday, Daddy was supposed to serve in the Worship Ministry in church and we had planned to go to the House of God to celebrate Easter in our best dressed clothes but these plans never materialised. Early in the morning, when Dana's high fever cannot be subdued even with combination of paracetamol, ibuprofen and suppository given by our paediatrician, we knew something was very wrong and we rushed her immediately to the A&E department of KK Women's and Children's Hospital.

At the A&E, we were told that Dana could be having Kawasaki Disease. The term struck fear in our hearts as we've never heard of Kawasaki. A series of questions engulfed our minds. Kawasaki? What is it? It is treatable? Is it life-threatening? How did Dana contract Kawasaki? What Dana had to endure next to combat Kawasaki proved to be too traumatic for any 2-year olds.

We were told Kawasaki is disease is neither rare or common in Singapore but we are the highest country in the world with the highest incidences (outside of Japan). As information were scanty, we researched the web on our own on our nifty Iphones and found out that Kawasaki is an illness that involves the skin, mouth, and lymph nodes, and most often affects kids under age 5. The cause is unknown, it is not infectious but if left untreated, can lead to serious heart complications.

As there are no specific laboratory test for this condition, docs can only make a diagnosis clinically (by medical symptoms). Typically, a child with Kawasaki will have five days of high fever plus display 4 out of 5 of the following diagnostic criteria: (1) cracking of the lips; (2) rash on the trunk; (3) swelling of the hands or feet; (4) red eyes (conjunctival injection) (5) swollen lymph node in the neck (of at least 15 millimeters).

At the point of admission, Dana only has 3 out of the 5 symptoms (she has been having fever at nights, her toes and fingers started to swell while we wait at A&E, she's been complaining of pain in her lymph node on her right neck). However within hours of admission, she started to develop very painful dry, cracked lips (leading to bleeding on her entire lips) and rash on her thighs and back.

Since docs now are more certain that Dana indeed has Kawasaki, they advised us to commence treatment the next day(on Dana's 2nd birthday). On Dana's 2nd birthday, she underwent 15 hours of Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIG) transfusion and was given a high dose of aspirin to reduce the risk of heart problem (This aspirin therapy will continue even upon discharge when we return home, for another 2-3 months).

The past 3 days' fight against Kawasaki made our good-natured daughter very irritable and extremely fretful. She puts up a strong struggle and screams in fear at the mere sight of any medical staff who steps into our ward. The flurry of blood tests and physical medical examination which Dana were subjected to also made her extremely anxious, angsty and paranoid. All these must have stemmed from the traumatising pain inflicted on her from the insertion of the IV plug on her right vein (where she was bound up tightly in a towel and pinned down by the doctor and nurses) :(. Out of self-preservation, she cries and screams to vent her fear, frustrations as there were no utterances adequate enough to express how she is feeling. :(

As I sit here in the ward typing this blog entry, Dana's having recurrent nightmares shouting "I don't want!" and "I want to go home!" :( As her parents, it tears our hearts into a million pieces to see our child suffer yet not being able to do anything to take their place. We can only entrust her into the hands of God, believing and calling upon God's resurrective power to set Dana free from this painful ailment.

Throughout this trying and stressful period, friends and family members rallied around us. There were relatives who rushed down after work to give us moral support at the ward (even when we told them not to); friends who constantly smsed/called us and posted encouraging words on Facebook to tell us they are praying and fasting for Dana; family members who made daily long distance calls from overseas just to find out how we are; forum mummies who came together to order a hamper to show their love for our family. Another forum mummy turned friend specially carved out time this morning admist her busy schedules to visit Dana at the ward, bought her lots of healthy snacks, prayed with us and blessed our family with a love gift. Just this evening, an ex-church mate took a cab all the way from her home in SengKang (along with her hubby and her 1 yr old daughter) to deliver a toy to cheer Dana up and to pray with me. The love of so many earthly angels is God's way of telling us not to give up hope, that He is with us through it all and He will prevail over this illness.

With so many people rallying behind us, we had to stay optimistic and make the best use of the resources we have to make the hospital stay less traumatic for Dana. On her birthday yesterday, we sang birthday song to her in our little room with a small cream cake given by the hospital. We start each day by bringing her down to the playground for indoor rides; we indulged her in her favourite snacks (yakult, raisings, lollies, juices); we bought her new toys (a dollhouse! and a steering wheel) from the shops here at KKH; we brought along her fav toys from home to give her a sense of nolmacy and security; we showed her videos of her schoolmates, of her Princess Cupcake Party which just took place on Good Friday on our laptop. At night, we played the song "Jesus Loves Me" over and over again on the CD player, to soothe her spirit as she sleeps and perhaps to convince ourselves that Jesus is a good God, He is in control and He will let no harm befall our daughter.

So as of this moment, we are still here at KKH Ward 41 Room 1. Dana's high fever has been brought under control after 1 dose of IVIG transfusion but her rashes remain and she's started having diarrohea today. If you are reading this, please say a prayer for our beloved Princess, that she can be fully healed of Kawasaki disease and have her birthday wish granted to "go home" soon.

P.S. Dana has been discharged yesterday and is now recuperating at home. Thank all aunties and uncles for your well-wishes and prayers!

Welcoming April...

2010-03-31T20:30:00.000-07:00

April augments the start of Spring in temperate countries but closer to home, it is the Birthday Month of our daughter. We have planned a grand poolside party (weather permitting) for our close friends and family for this special day.

For those who have received the above invite, see you at Princess Dana's Royal Celebration!

It's Wiggles' Time!

2010-03-30T00:45:00.000-07:00

Booked tickets for Dana's 1st ever Wiggles Live in Concert right here in Singapore!

To book yours, click here: http://www.thewiggles.com.au/as/events/61

Fun in HongKong - Day 3 Shopping & Day 4 Ocean Park!

2010-03-29T20:19:00.000-07:00

Day 3
After a fantastic and fun-filled day at Disneyland, we had to roam around on our own the next 2 consecutive days as Daddy has to attend meetings and workshops. So after breakfast together at the hotel, we bade Daddy farewell and went on our little HK adventure by MTR!

Daddy and Dana at the breakfast table

First stop, H&M. After checking out the locations of H&M online, we headed towards the outlet at Festival Walk (at Kowloon Tong, 4 MTR stops away). I had no idea what Festival Walk is like but to my pleasant surprise, Festial Walk is spanking new, very upmarket. According to Wikipedia (just googled as I typed this entry), it's the Biggest Shopping Mall in HK with 200 shops, 27 restaurants, an 11 screen multiplex cinema and even its own Indoor Ice-Skaing Rink! When we were there, we saw children as young as 4 years old having their personal coaches to teach them how to ice-skate. Cool! I wish we can sign Dana up for such lessons in Singapore too...

The enormous Ice Rink at Festival Walk

Since we arrived slightly before 11am and H&M is not opened yet, we headed for a dimsum brunch first as I haven't had any dimsum meals since we touched down in HK! A forumer on Trip Advisor website highly recommended this Chinese fusion restaurant 'Jasmine' in Festival Walk. I had high expectations of the dimsums in HK since it's so highly acclaimed but the ones we ordered didn't live up to our expectations. The skin was thicker than those we have back home and the taste was rather bland...So in this regard I would say I still prefer Singapore dimsum as they are more refined. But their Chinese tea was aromatic and I love how it cleanses our palette.

Our First Dimsum meal in HK

We did some shopping at H&M then took the MTR in search of "Fa Yuen Street Market". HK street markets sell more variety of products compared to those found in KL. I bought some stickers to entertain Dana and also some boysenberries before heading back to our hotel by 5pm. This was an intentional slow-paced free & easy day so I can conserve my energy for Ocean Park on the next!

Day 4

We have to venture on our own again today as Daddy have work duties. Since there are no direct MTR to Ocean Park, Daddy booked a sit-in-coach transfer with Grayline to bring us to Ocean Park. The coach came promptly at 9.15am to pick Dana and I (we were their 1st pick-up). Subsequently it meandered along the morning Peak hour traffic to several other hotels to pick other passengers. By the time we reached Ocean Park, it was past 11.15am! I was rather displeased but decided to stay positive - at least Dana caught her morning nap during the coach journey and this hopefully, would last her for most part of our Ocean Park visit.

Upon arrival at the Park, I grabbed the Map and checked the timing of the Dolphin & Sealion Show at the Ocean Amphitheatre. Gosh, it's at 11.30am. Since the Park is enormous, we have to give ample time allowance to move from one location to another. I quickly carried Dana and made a dash up 3 long escalators which would lead us to the theatre. We arrived slightly late but Dana was able to enjoy the last bits of the performance. I was panting by then, imagine me carrying a 11kg toddler and a heavy diaperbag all on my own and running to catch the show. It was just an indicator to me of what was to come - Ocean Park is not toddler nor wheelchair friendly at all (there are no prams for rental, unlike Disneyland). Since it's built on the mountaneous highlands, the terrains are steep with steps and escalators linking each attraction so I practically had to carry Dana everywhere for most part of the day.

Dolphins on show

After the Dolphin Show, we headed to the Jellyfish World. We were mesmerized by the beauty and elegance of this creature. Can't help but marvel at God's ingenious creation!

Dana saw lots of Jellyfish at Ocean Park!

Closely situated to the Jellyfish World is the Reef Aquarium. There, Dana saw sharks, stingrays, sea turtles, lots of unqiue fishes and even seahorse! This exhibit carries more diverse wildlife than the Singapore Underwater World.

Dana admiring the wonderful Sea Creatures

By this time, Dana was starting to be restless and clamouring to be carried (as it's her usual afternoon nap time). We joined the queue for the Ferris Wheel so our aching feet can take a rest. I also took the opportunity to feed Dana some cake as I realised it was already past her lunch time. I am very proud to have a hardy traveller in Dana; even though she was hungry and tired, she did not whine or throw tantrums. She merely asked Mummy politely if she can have milk. What a thoughtful girl she was :)

Dana loves the Ferris Wheel ride!

After the Ferris Wheel, I decided to head down to the Lowland Waterfront Section of the Park as we have less than 2 hours to explore the rest of the attractions (we have to board the coach at 4.30pm for our return transfer). We took the scenic Cable Car ride which takes us across mountaneous hills, along the South China Sea. It's Dana's 1st Cable Car ride with Mummy and what a scenic ride it was! During the 20min ride, Dana helped me to scrutinise the map to plan our next destination. She's my helpful little guide! :)

That's us on the Cable Car!

Once we alighted from the Cable Car, we headed for the star attraction of Ocean Park - the Panda Bear exhibit! This was the favourite part of our visit. We came very close to the Pandas and Dana observed 2 Pandas wrestling and playing with each other. She was so tickled! Can't wait for the Singapore Zoo to welcome our Pandas gift from China. They are such adorable and friendly creatures!

Dana and the Pandas!

Soon it was 4pm, we had to make our way back to the Highland Summit Section where our meeting point was. We took the Ocean Express Train to bring us back up. The Ocean Express is a quick, smooth, thrilling funicular train can shuttle guests between the Park's two main lands in just 3 minutes. The train resembles a submersible vehicle and offers a vivid experience that simulates a journey through the ocean's depths. A must try if you do visit Ocean Park. Dana took some photos with the Mascots and Sea Creatures before we bade Ocean Park farewell.

Dana and the Goldfish Mascot

Dana on the Sealions!

Onboard the coach, I heaved a big sigh of relief. Thank God for wonderful weather - if it had rained, we wouldn't be able to cover so much attractions and I wouldn't be able to juggle an umbrella, a toddler and a diaperbag all on my own. Thank God for His protection when Daddy's not with us; there were no falls, no mishaps, no belongings missing. In fact we enjoyed ourselves and came back safe and sound. Above all, thank God for blessing us mother and daughter with a rewarding day at Ocean Park! As expected, Dana and I both dozed off on the return journey after a good day's workout. I think I burnt more calories than ever on this day.

Day 5

Back to Singapore after a most fruitful time spent bonding with Dana! Till our next trip, bye HongKong!

Dana enjoying her flight on the SQ A380!

Fun in HongKong - Day 1 City and Day 2 Disneyland!

2010-03-28T23:22:00.000-07:00

Dana's 1st trip to Disneyland!

Over the March school break, Dana and I had an unexpected treat! We followed Daddy on his short working trip to HongKong.

HongKong, being a busy cosmopolitan, land-scarce shopping paradise, is not unlike Singapore, hence it's not ranked as a top destination on our "Must Visit" places. However I must say this trip has given us pleasant new discoveries and insights why HK is such a popular holiday spot for many Singaporean families, especially those with kids. Firstly, the flight time of only 3 hours is a HUGE draw. Dana was kept occupied by the in-flight entertainment and she even took a short morning nap on our onward flight, rejuvenated in time when we arrive for the City Tour. Added to that is the affordable air tickets (made possible by budget airlines), delectable HK cuisine (think dimsums) and strong SGD to HKD currency conversion (for all you shopping queens!).

A very happy Dana on our holiday, doesn't she look cute in ponytails?

Day 1
Our first stop in HK brought us to the Reunification Square where we saw a huge gold-plated Golden Bauhinia sculpture, apparantly bequested to the HK people by the Chinese government on its return. The square was also the spot where ceremonies for the handover of Hong Kong and the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region was held in July 1997.

Photo of the Golden Bauhinia Statue at the Reunification Square

Day 2

The 2nd day of our trip was a highlight for everyone, we're going to Disneyland! The magic of Disney enchants young and old. We grew up watching cartoons of Mickey, Minnie, Donald Duck, Winnie the Pooh, and in turn perpetuate the magic of Disney to our young (by subscribing to and letting them watch Playhouse Disney channel!).I also remember reading fairy tales in my early primary school years. Tales such as Cinderella, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Pinnochio and Alice in Wonderland are classic and timeless.

Dana on the Cinderella Carousel ride

Walt Disney Animation Studio has also produced many exceptional animation movies such as Mulan, Lion King, Lilo & Stitch and Up (just to quote a few of my favourites). Needless to say, a visit to Disneyland was a dream come true not just for the young ones but for all adults too! Having been to the bigger and original Disneyland in LA, Anaheim, this trip was more for Dana. We headed for those kiddy rides such as Dumbo (Dana loves it) and the Cinderella's Carousel. Due to the snaking queues, we could not accede to Dana's requests to ride them again. Next time darling, we'll bring you to other Disneyland to try the rides...

Dana and mummy on Dumbo the Flying Elephant!

In between rides, we walked around leisurely and just took in the sights of Disneyland. The weather forecast for that day initially predicted thunderstorm but look how bright and sunny it turned out! Gorgeous isn't it?

Dana and Daddy with Disney's Balloons!

Personally another ride Daddy and I like a lot is the 'It's a small world' ride. It's nice to slow down your pace, take a breather, relax on the boat and just meander through the different continents to see the diverse culture and natural heritage each 'world' offers. Of course Dana fell in love with the 'It's a small world after all' song and keeps singing it till this day!

The beautiful and wondrous sights inside the Small World exhibit

Soon it was time for the Disney Parade. Strangely, HK Disneyland's parade is scheduled to take place at 3.30pm in the afternoon. As we could not stay for the fireworks in the night, we just had to catch the parade. So we reseved a good spot and waited for it to start. We were not disappointed. There were floats, each more beautiful and grand than the next...

Snow White & the Seven Dwarves Float

Alice in Wonderland Float

The Little Mermaid Float

Mickey & Minnie at their Disney Castle

After the parade, we managed to catch The Golden Mickey tour at 4.30pm (our last stop for the day). We throughly enjoyed the show and would highly recommend to everyone. The backdrops, costumes and stage directions were superb and simply enchanting! What a fantastic way to conclude Dana's 1st magical experiences in Disneyland.

Snippets of the Golden Mickey Show

Thank God for a great day out. Next up, HK Ocean Park! Stay tuned for my blog posts :)

Bestest Sunday!

2010-03-07T22:03:00.000-08:00

The Best Sunday at the Barrage

No fanciful clothes, No elaborate prep

Just hop into the car and off we go

Endless running, free space, fresh air

Chuckles of laughter, hugs, horsies-horsies

indulging in carefree merry-making

splendid kites, gorgeous sunset

take in the moment and wish time will pause

few hours was all it takes,

to transform an ordinary weekend into the Bestest Sunday ever.

Lunar New Year 2010!

2010-02-11T20:58:00.000-08:00

Before we drive up to Malaysia for our annual CNY reunion,

Dana wants to wish all her blog readers a most Abundant Lunar New Year!

May the Year of the Roaring Tiger bring you Good Health and Richest Blessings aplenty!

Gong Xi Gong Xi Gong Xi Ni!

With Love, The Sims

Dana at the Zoo!

2010-02-08T00:32:00.000-08:00

It proved to be a busy but fun weekend for our little Princess as Daddy specially kept last Saturday free to bring her to the Zoo! :) It being a typical hot and humid morning, Mummy tied a tiny ponytail for Dana and she was obedient enough to keep it on throughout the outing! I just loved how cute she look with the ponytail! :)

We were informed that Dana's lessons for this week will be on Sea Animals so we planned our itinerary at the zoo around the Splash Safari Show! Here, Dana came up close with the Penguins, the Manatees and the Sealions!

We feel that this is the right age to revisit the Zoo with Dana as her teachers has just completed a series of lessons on Farm animals and she was able to identify many of the animals she sees. She's also shown greater enthusiasm and concentration during the various animal feeding sessions and animal shows.

We were delighted and impressed that Dana was able to name the Chinese terms for some of the more common animals such as "Lao Hu" for Tigers, "Ban Ma" for Zebras, "Da Xiang" for elephants and even "Chang Jing Lu" for Giraffes! Looks like our Princess is on the road to effective bilingualism! We have the preschool Chinese Teachers to thank for this :)

It was a most worthwhile and enjoyable leisurely family outing. I wish we have time to do this every weekend...

Dana at Kids Kampong!

2010-02-08T00:14:00.000-08:00

Dana's outing to Kids Kampong last Friday was fun indeed. It was Dana's 1st outing with her playmates in school and she was extremely delighted Julian joined in the excursion too!

Upon arrival, the kids were given a small fishing net and a bucket each to fish in the little canal or "longkang" as it is more commonly known. It was not as easy as it looks trying to net those fast darting guppies but mummy managed to catch 6 for Dana to bring home (not without working out a sweat though)! Oh, it happens to be Dana's 1st time donning the preschool's uniform too, doesn't my baby look all grown up now?

After fishing, the kids had time to roam around the little compound to feed other farm animals. Dana saw a goose, some chickens, kois and tortoises but she especially loved the rabbits! Thank you teachers for organising such a fun and educational outing for the tots!

Kids Kampong is located at: No 11, Pasir Ris Farmway 1, Aqua Fauna Centre, Singapore 519355. Tel No.: (+65) 6583 9030

Fast approaching 2!

2010-02-04T01:45:00.000-08:00

Our Princess will be turning 22 months tomorrow, 2 months shy from entering the "Terrible Twos!" Gosh, where did all the time go? Look how she has blossomed - from a helpless sleeping babe to an independent agile inquisitive little girl who punctuates her sentences with "What's this, Daddy?" or "What's this, Mummy?" We hope your quest for discovery and learning remains insatiable as you continue to blossom!

We're celebrating her 22nd month by bringing her on a school excursion to The Kids Kampong! How exciting. Am sure it'll be lots of fun for the little ones :)

Adelaide Trip Report - Part 2 Deep Creek Conservation Park

2010-01-24T20:38:00.000-08:00

Day 4 of our Adelaide trip is a quinessential Aussie roadtrip holiday. Uncle Andrew took us on a 4WD adventure to Deep Creek Conservation Park, located on the south coast of the Fleurieu Peninsula, South Australia (approximately 1½ hours drive from Adelaide). The park is the largest remaining block of wildlife habitat on the Fleurieu Peninsula and is an important refuge for several species of wildlife who are under conservation (like the koalas in the photo).

We arrived at the park around midday and did the unthinkable - we had a pinic of sushi and sandwiches (lovingly prepared by Auntie Linda) under the hot Aussie summer heatwave of 40C! The kids were very sporting and didn't whine or fuss. We are so proud of our little Princess too. Despite the heat and pesky flies, she continues to enjoy her simple lunch of bananas and raisins :)

After our tummies were filled, we took a hike down to the Blowhole beach. The sea is a perfect respite for the scorching heat. Look how much fun Benjamin and Josiah are having in the sun!

And here's Dana riding the waves - simply ecstatic! We thank God for blessing us with such a fun-loving, wonder-filled adventurous little girl!

Our Adelaide vacation continues to be so awe-inspiring. Stay tuned for more trip reports!

Adelaide Trip Report - Part 1 Glenelg

2010-01-17T05:10:00.000-08:00

Our family took a 12 day vacation to Adelaide Australia last month (Dec 2009) primarily to visit Daddy's sister - Linda's family and to reward ourselves after a year's of hard work! It was a most enjoyable trip as Auntie Linda and Uncle Andrew planned a most hospitable and thoughtful itinerary for us. To our pleasant surprise, Adelaide is actually a very family friendly destination (not at all sleepy and less vivid compared to its sister states such as Sydney and Melbourne as some claimed!) While there, we discovered many underrated attractions suitable for the kids!

Here are some of our favourite places in Adelaide which we would highly recommend:

1. Glenelg

Glenelg is Adelaide's most popular beach suburb. You can take a vintage tram from the Adelaide city centre to Glenelg. There you can walk along the jetty and promenade (which was exactly what we did), swim at gorgeous Glenelg beach or just eat ice creams along the waterfront and admire the stunning sunsets at one of many alfresco cafes. Kids can also have fun at one of the huge playgrounds situated not far from the beach. It is a perfect destination for a day out!

The next time we visit Adelaide, we would love to stay in Glenelg at least for a night or two (instead of a day trip). Stay tuned for more of our trip recommendations which I will be posting in parts for easy reading! :)

On days when we were not out touring, our little princess was kept entertained by her lively and fun-loving Aussie cousins KorKor Ben, KorKor Josiah and JieJie Jasmine. She thoroughly enjoyed their company and kept asking for them even after we return. This may be the 1st time we visit Adelaide but certainly not the last! :)

Revisiting Dana's Birth to 1st Year - A Slideshow

2010-01-12T17:34:00.000-08:00

This slideshow was originally put together and screened at Dana's 1st Birthday Party last year. We weren't able to post the slideshow on the blog earlier as the codes were not compatible. But Praise God, last night, Daddy and I found a way to convert the slideshow into video format and embedded it here. Hope you'll enjoy this special journey as we revisit Dana's Birth to 1st Year with us before she reaches her 2nd Birthday milestone. Enjoy the presentation!

A New Decade!

2010-01-03T16:50:00.000-08:00

This greeting comes slightly late but it is still our sincere wish that 2010 will be a peaceful and good year for our family and loved ones near and far;

that it will be a great year of discovering new strengths and mastering new skills for our tots;

and it will bring greater Joy, Fulfillment and Wonders in our lives!

Blessed New Year to You!

Thank you Jesus for Christmas

2009-12-29T18:28:00.000-08:00

Sharing a poem I found on the web as we remember the real reason for the season.

C is for the Child born that night to be our Light. (John 8:12)

H is for Holy is His name. (Rev 4:8)

R is for Rejoice with gladness & joy. (Luke 1:14)

I is for Immanuel, God with us. (Isaiah.7:14; John 1:14)

S is for the Star that led the Wise men to Him. (Matt 2:2)

T is for the Truth & Grace that was sent our way. (John 1:14)

M is for Manger where Jesus laid as a baby. (Luke 2:7)

A is for Angels singing songs of joy. (Luke 2:14)

S is for Salvation free to all men. (John 3:16)

It has been a very meaningful Christmas for us this year as we set aside time mostly to spend with family. It's not the merry-making nor the presents from Santa; Not the bright lights nor the feasting or jingle-bell songs blasting in the malls but it's all about Christ's love for mankind and His gift of Salvation for you and I. Hope your Christmas has been great too!

Christmas Greeting 2009

2009-12-24T16:42:00.000-08:00

Just back from an awesome 12-day Aussie vacation with the family. Here's Dana and our dearest Godson Benjamin wishing all our blog followers a Most Blessed Christmas!

May the Love of Christ and the Peace of the Newborn King be your gift at Christmas and your blessing all year through!

Happy 20 Months Princess! :)

2009-12-06T23:53:00.000-08:00

We love you to bits my darling, you know that fully well :)

O so tickled! :)

2009-11-30T23:17:00.000-08:00

I love these pics which we took of our Princess last Sat at the pool.

It makes weekends worth looking forward to.

It cheers you up seeing your company can inspire such happiness in the little one.

T is for Teething!

2009-11-25T22:16:00.000-08:00

Last Sat on the day of our big move, Dana registered a higher than usual temperature. We were initially very worried as there was an outbreak of HMFD in her pre-school but it turned out that she was teething!

For few days that ensued, our Princess kept complaining of pain in her mouth (esp near the right cheek area) so we presumed her molars were erupting. Some of these symptoms presented themselves - irritability, loss of appetite, gumming and sucking and sleepless nights where she'll wake up crying due to the pain. It was a stressful period as we were clueless how to ease her discomfort except to give her some chilled carrot and cucumber strips to chew on. Thankfully, the fever was brought down swiftly by the Panadol and Ibufen and the pain subsided yesterday with Dana's back to her normal cheery self :)

Our baby's 1st set of Teeth

I believe this chart is extremely useful for 1st time parents like us. It names the teeth and the approximate schedules of each set of teeth so we know what to expect and how to seek help (if necessary). It is normal for a baby’s first tooth to appear at any age up to 12 months. In the majority of cases, teething starts at around 4-6 months with the eruption of the lower central incisors (see diagram). A new tooth usually appears about once a month and most children have a full set of 20 primary (milk) teeth by 2 ½ years.

What causes Teething Pain?

Teething pain results from pressure exerted on the gums from the tooth below. Just before each tooth pushes through, the gum above it reddens, swells and is tender to touch. The eruption of each tooth is uncomfortable for many babies, causing pain and a few minor symptoms for 2 to 3 days.

What are the Symptoms of Toddler Teething?

Most parents find that problems associated with teething improve after their baby's first few teeth have broken through. Then, just after his first birthday, the dreaded symptoms return:

• red and swollen gums
• red flushed cheek or face
• ear rubbing on the same side as the erupting tooth
• sleepless nights
• loss of appetite
• gum rubbing, biting or sucking
• general unhappiness

The reason is likely to be the arrival of his molars, the large teeth at the back of the mouth. Big and blunt, these teeth can take a while to push through, causing pain and misery in the meantime. (Plus, once the first teeth are through, the rest of the teeth may erupt in clusters, some on the same day or within five days of each other. Some parents also report that their baby develops a high temperature, loose bowel movements or diarrhoea just before a tooth breaks through but it's best to consult a doctor if in doubt.

How do we soothe Teething Pains?

Gentle pressure with something cool is often the best way to relieve the pain of teething. You could simply rub his gums with your finger though you need to be a little careful: he may well object to the intrusion and tell you so with a painful bite! Better still give your toddler something else to chew on:

• A peeled, raw carrot straight from the fridge or a frozen stick of cucumber or banana is good for him to chew on and is a useful shape to reach the precise spot that is hurting him. Stay with him when he is eating it, however, to make sure he doesn't choke on any pieces he bites off.

• A cool dessert spoon or partly-frozen wet cloth to chew on are also useful tools and offer interesting textures to keep him amused. Alternatively, a cool teething ring or dummy may also help.

You may find that your toddler will lose his appetite when he is teething. Chilled foods, like yoghurt or simple fruit purees, will soothe his gums and may be more tempting.

Drinking from a breast or bottle can be a particular problem. Sucking causes more blood to rush to the swollen areas, making them particularly sensitive. Drinking from a cup may be easier for him in the short-term. There will be times, however, when your toddler will reject all of these offerings and at these moments, a cuddle is the best therapy you can supply.

Source: http://www.babycenter.com.sg/toddler/caringfor/teethingdistress/

What we've been up to...

2009-11-18T16:06:00.000-08:00

We're moving!

Will resume updates to the blog once we're comfortably settled in our new apartment :)

Discipline without Anger

2009-11-14T04:48:00.000-08:00

With our Princess slowly approaching the infamous "Terrible Twos" stage, she is starting to exhibit more willful behaviour. We as her parents are faced with the enviable task of having to "discipline" this charming little tot whom we love with all our being.

On some occasions, we disciplined her out of anger at the spur of the moment; it's definitely not something that we are proud of. We humbly come before God to ask for His forgiveness and seek His wisdom to help us bring our precious daughter up in the ways of our Lord; that she will have a healthy respect for authority and rules but without crushing her inquisitive and carefree spirit...

Today is one of those days where my limits were severely tested again and I felt so very lousy for losing my cool. Found this short article enlightening. Share with all you parents out there. Taken from : All about Life Challenges

Anger management with children -- What are some helpful tips for keeping my cool while disciplining?

Utilize anger-management skills when disciplining children is vital. Children are often an easily available soft target for a parent's anger. Be careful not to direct anger toward your children when the source of that anger is somewhere else.

Discipline with love, not anger. Discipline is necessary, but do so with love and patience. Let your children know you love them; that you are trying to teach them to behave appropriately because you love them.

Learning and using anger-management skills can prevent your anger from escalating and going out of control. Learn to identify the early warning signs of anger and rage. Keep these indicators of anger in your mind when dealing with your defenseless children.

The real reason you are angry could be because:
You've had an extremely difficult day at work
You are angry at your spouse, circumstances or someone else
You are over exhausted or feeling physically sick or tired

These are just a few examples of when not to take on your children! Is this always practical? No, of course it isn't! But when you do have a choice, let your spouse handle them for a while. Tell your children they could stay in their rooms until you have had a chance to relax and gain composure.

Anger management skills: How do you relax and regain your composure?

Take a deep breath. Decide if it is really the children you are upset about. Take a little time out for yourself -- perhaps take a relaxed bath, or sit outdoors with a glass of hot chocolate or iced tea.

When the atmosphere is tense and charged, get away from the scene. Remove yourself from the immediate area. Seek outside help. Call a trusted friend, pastor, or counselor. Consider taking a parenting course.

Spend time in prayer. Ask God to bring calmness into your soul and remove your uncontrolled anger. Have faith that He does answer prayer.

You can control your anger at the children.

Anger, though a natural emotion, is something you can choose to control! You cannot let your anger get out of control. You cannot get violent or hostile with young children. Children are a special gift entrusted to us to love, care for, teach, and raise. Begin each morning with this prayer, "Thank you God for my children." Be conscious always that they are a blessing, that you are blessed to have them. Pray to God daily for strength and peace to deal with your anger and your children. Ephesians 6:4 says, "And now a word to you fathers. Don't make your children angry by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction approved by the Lord."

This does not mean "do not discipline,” it means do not discipline out of anger and frustration. Proverbs 29:15 says, “To discipline and reprimand a child produces wisdom” and Proverbs 19:18 says, “Discipline your children while there is hope. If you don't, you will ruin their lives.” The best way to teach our children self-control is by demonstrating it in our own actions. Learn to ask forgiveness and say "I'm sorry" if you have lost control or acted in anger and rage.

19 months....

2009-11-08T06:30:00.000-08:00

What does it mean to turn 19 months?

A growth spurt which allows me to fit into my new pair of toddler shoes and jeans snugly; an emerging opinionated personality which can dictate to Mummy and Daddy what I like (and dislike) be it food, fashion or choice of TV programme; a healthy sense of curiosity which keeps me eager to try new things every moment everyday; a strong grasp of language which allows me to articulate my needs and interact socially with people around me. But lastly and most importantly, a fiercely independent streak which signals to Mummy and Daddy that one day I will grow up and they must let my dreams take flight...

Baby TV

2009-10-27T07:49:00.000-07:00

While holidaying in Bali in June, we came across this commercial-free TV channel called Baby TV. We were initially skeptical of such a channel but after few viewings during our short vacation in Bali, we became a instant convert. We found that BabyTV’s programmes are geared to address the developmental milestones that our baby encounters in her first years and the programmes are made up of short stories and experiences that reflect her world. Later, we found out that all of Baby TV's programmes were specially developed in collaboration with child experts for infants and toddlers.

Since our return to Singapore, we've subscribed to BabyTV with Starhub Cable at only $4 per month and it has become one of Dana's daily mode of entertainment. I know some parents would frown at the thought of allowing our young ones to watch TV programmes for fear that they would become ''TV addicts" in the future. But we limit her TV time to not more than 1 hour a day. Whenever we switch on BabyTV, we ensure one of us (either Daddy or Mummy) would sit by her side and interact with her. Often, we sing along to the songs together; we discuss with her about what is shown on screen; we encourage her to respond to our questions and then we offer explanation for what the characters are going through and reinforce the concepts being taught. So far, it's been a really worthwhile and useful learning tool.

Here are the Top 5 Dana's fav programmes from BabyTV:

Kids & Pets - a group of toddlers meet live animals and learn to love them by playing with them, feeding them and learning about their habits.

Lily and Pepper - Lily and her friend Pepper the Bird engage in a wonderful journey of discovery. They visit the beach, the zoo, the garden and more and delight in their findings as they explore the world around them.

Louie's World - Louie the friendly dog introduces first words that describe basic objects in groups such as animals, toys, musical instruments, and more.

Oliver - Oliver the monkey takes viewers to familiar environments to introduce basic first concepts.

Tiny's Playground - Two tiny friends play different games through which they explore first concepts such as colour, shapes and numbers.

Of course Dana enjoys the many children songs and rhymes that were telecasted in between these programmes too. For more information on BabyTV, check out their website at http://www.babytv.com/ :)

The Magic of Eric Carle

2009-10-13T06:30:00.000-07:00

Of the many Eric Carle books in Dana's collection, this is one which we like very much. I had actually forgotten that I bought this title till Daddy fished it out from our bookshelves yesterday evening for Dana's bedtime story. It comes with an accompanying CD where the story is narrated. This was a bonus for us as Dana got to enjoy the story being read by a native English speaker (instead of Daddy and Mummy) for a change!

The story is simple for toddlers to follow. It begins in the factory where the ducks are made. They are then loaded on a freighter but during stormy weather ten little rubber ducks fall into the ocean and float away. The ducks bob along together for a while, but soon they drift in different directions, each encountering a different animal (such as a dolphin, a seal, a polar bear, and a flamingo). The last little duck is eventually adopted by a real mother duck, floating along with her ducklings. We find the story enjoyable and I've taken a liking to Eric Carle's trademark tissue paper collage drawings!

Here's a good resource page on how you can build on the story and practise counting with your lil' ones :) Enjoy!