Ang pows, Gong Xi Fa Cais and Smiles

We had a busy Lunar New Year compared to last year. Celebrated reunion dinner at Dan's side a day earlier and that was great as I was finally able to join my grandma and cousins on my side for reunion dinner as the dates no longer clashed. So had a fine time yusheng-ing and lo hay-ing!
As usual the first day was at Dan's company as he has to attend his yearly company CNY function. So was challenging to handle the two kids there on my own while waiting for them but PTL they behaved well!

This year was a little different as we went to visit my mum's relatives whom I have not seen since we were married and they were thrilled to see Jedi and Krisa. It felt good to get in touch again and reconnect as a family once more.

Family pic with my grandma and relatives on my side....and Jedi busy digging gold!

With Dan's family

Little Artist at Work...

Jedi's version of a bus. We couldn't make it out until he told us that the black and white boxes were the top and bottom of the bus. A creative way of turning Daddy's office recyled paper into a drawing of a bus!

Jedi's drawing of a Choo-Choo train. Inspired after watching Louie on TV where they teach kids to draw step by step. Perhpas the Choo-Choo train of the future?

Playmates and Fightmates!

Krisa almost gave me a heart attack yesterday when she climbed and positioned herself nicely on Jedi's bicycle for about 5 seconds before she "kissed' the floor with her head! My little chilli padi cried a little but soon got back on and I had to keep an eagle eye on her as her little head was already adorned with several green or purple bruises since she began walking!

Jedi on the other hand was thrilled to see his Mei Mei on his tricycle! He happily got on his bigger bicycle and crowed to his little sister to follow him. He began coaching her as Krisa just sat there. "Mei Mei! Your feet on the pedals!" "Come Come" and showered lots of positive encouragement and praise to coax her to move. Little did he know that although it was much appreciated, Krisa's legs were a little too short to reach the pedals!

It was a heartwarming scene to see them playing together happily and to see Jedi becoming more big bro like to his little sis. Praying for you two to always have a loving relationship despite the fights along the way. *muacks*

Hang Ups!

I have become more and more self-aware that I have a MAJOR hang up about food. Not in the kind or type of food but the QUANTITY eaten by my kids! This hang up of mine usually activates especially when they are sick. Yes yes. Sick children have less appetite and definitely can't eat much. I know I should be empathetic and understanding. But instead I find myself getting even more upset and worried that they are not getting enough food. A nagging thought would ring in my head, "not enough food...how to get well???". Then I start over- worrying that they will become like the hungry starving children in Etopia!
So I comfort myself by telling myself that even the children in Etopia still survive without much food. (no intention to poke fun at them of course!) And Dan would also knock some sense into me and tell me that they will be back to normal soon.These are times I really feel I'm neurotic!

A Lesson About Bertie the Bus....

I learnt an important lesson about patience, teaching patience and teaching as well as learning that rewards are best earned.
We have been motivating Jedi so far with the star chart system where he is able to convert a certain number of stars to exchange for a reward. The stars are given on a daily basis as a reward for good behaviour, showing love and kindness to his family members, sharing toys ESP with his mei mei etc.
Well, Jedi has become a new ''victim' to the Thomas the Train market and LOVES Thomas and his friends! After reading a story about Bertie the Bus, he seemed to have fallen in love with him and would pretend that any red bus was Bertie. So we decided to motivate him with this reward. In my excitement, I blurted that the reward up for grabs was a die-cast Bertie as he collects them. Oh man...I was bombarded almost every hour for beloved Bertie. He would keep telling me that he was a good boy, shout out that he was sharing toys with Mei Mei, happily bomb some gold in the toilet bowl and finished his food...so "Can I have Bertie NOW, PLEASE? ' Honestly, I was so tempted to give it to him to put an end to the pestering. I realized that it is so easy to just give in but its harder to say 'No 'and that it has to be earned and will be given when he has reached the target. It tugged at my heart to see his hopeful face crestfallen everytime I told him "Not yet."
So finally the day came when we could give him Bertie! Boy was he ecstatic! He kept saying, 'I earned it! I earned it!' And among all his toys, this Bertie was the most treasured. This taught me that as a parent its so easy to give in but harder to teach the value of patience as I am a rather impatient person myself! But the most heartwarming part of it is to see that he has learnt that rewards have to be earned through hard work and being patient, not giving up hope but resting in the promise that we have given him. So much like our Christian walk. The lessons our children teach us....

Krisalyn Turns 1!

Some pix of our little princess's birthday bash. Thanks to Uncle Mark with his HUGE camera! Had a small one mainly for relatives and some close friends. Krisalyn was all smiley and happy with the attention from the cameras! Time flies and its wonderful to look back and know that 1 year ago today she was being pushed out into this world! I don't miss the labour pains but I do miss that moment when I first held her in my arms. We love you Krisalyn dear. Daddy, Mummy and Kor Kor pray that you will grow in grace and beauty in the ways of the Lord all the days of your life. *muackies*

Boys' Toys vs Girls' Toys

Now that Krisa is almost 1 year old, she is beginning to be more toddler like and play with toys other than stuffing and tasting almost everything! However, now that I have 1 boy and 1 girl, I can see the gender differences already appearing. I still remember Jedi when he was a year old being obsessed with wheels, balls and cars or anything that had wheels and could move. He is till now and is completely content playing with his cars or train set for hours!

Krisa on the other hand has begun displaying her feminine ways and has begun imaginative play alot earlier than Jedi. She would be content with plastic bowls, cups and spoons and would be stirring and placing objects inside them. She also loves to stuff an empty spoon into Jedi's mouth and mine!! It would be accompanied by an "UMMM!" Probably imitating me when I feed her! The most hilarious thing is that she would ransack the kitchen drawer to find my breast milk cooler bag and carry it all around the house like a handbag! We have a budding shopping queen here! No wonder mothers and daugters bond!!