It's Playtime!

30th Oct 2009 Friday (Another outstanding post)

Last Friday we attended another playdate at Auntie Steph's place. As usual you had so much fun with Tory, Trudy and Julius. The pictures speak for themselves.

Tory: Welcome Keri! You are so late.

Keri: Thanks! Let me tell you the greatest joke in the world-

Keri: My mummy lost her way here and was driving up and down Holland Road for 30 mins! HAAHAAA!! HAAA!!!!!!
Tory: Funny meh?

Keri: Tory doesnt find it funny. Nevermind.... Trudy, let me tell you the greatest joke......

The picture is too dark. But can see both you and Tory are interacting.

Come on! Let's take a group picture!

Huh? Nobody is interested?

Going home so soon? Can we have more playdates?

Have Fun, Marsh!

29th Oct 2009 Thursday

We had a packed schedule today. In fact we are having a really busy week fill with trials, classes and playdates.I cannot believe I actually went ahead and schedule you for two classes in a day. I had always resisted the temptation and the peer pressure to overschedule you. But on second thoughts, time is running out and once I start work next week, I wont have that much time to do this during week days. So we went for the JG's chinese trial today at 11am before going for your kindermusik's class in the afternoon.

In fact I had already enrolled you for JG's playclub some time back. But you cant start till you are 18 months old. I cannot believe this. You are going to be 18 months old in 3 months time! 18 months is a huge milestone because it is like a ticket for you to access a whole new world out there! Suddenly you are able to attend so many more kinds of classes and activities. That sets me thinking of replanning your time when you earn your ticket to the big world out there.

I am still standing firm on my belief that you are going to play through your childhood. Academic studies can wait. I am an advocate in learning through play. So if you can learn while having fun, it will be a bonus to me. Having said that, I am not against hot housing babies. I am just not convinced that helping you to develop a photographic memory will allow you a headstart in your life? How is that so? I dont understand.

However, I am all for progammes that can teach babies to read earlier. For example-Babies Can Read or the Zoo-phonics methodology. I will be more than happy if they can teach you to read earlier in life through some playful and unique approach.

I also believe that all babies are different. At this moment, I am choosing classes that allows you to play, sing and dance not only to awaken your musical and linguistic intelligence. But I have noticed you have shown a lot of interests in singing and dancing. Maybe your preferences will change in the near future, but meanwhile, just have fun!


First time at JG.

Having fun with the puzzles.

We went to have lunch with Auntie Gladys at Piccotin before your kindermusik class.

Still my happy and bouncy baby even after a very short nap in between the classes.

Balls away! You love helping Teacher Angel to put the balls away every lesson.

Talk to Me!

27th Oct 2009 Tuesday

Today, we attended a music trial lesson at the newly open Staccato together with Trudy and Victoria. The lesson was alright, pretty similar to what we are doing at kindermusik but using classical music instead. Oh yes, they have the flashcards too. I guess it is the 'IN' thing to do with kids now. Anyway, it is just another music lesson and as usual you girls enjoyed yourselves

Recently, i observed that you have move on from parallel play to wanting to true playing with your friends. Caught you trying to 'talk' to your friends on many occasions and wanting to have more interactions. But at this stage, you are a rotten sharer and scream at the drop of a hat. But you tried to 'exchange' toys with your friends many times.( I shall blog about you and your tantrum in another entry). I am rather surprised on your social development because I read that children between 1 and 2 years will engage in something known as "parallel play," which means they'll play side by side with another child but not really interact (other than to grab a toy). True playing, where kids will engage in an activity with another child (like playing house or a game of chase) doesn't start until around 2 years. And until about 3 years, don't expect your child to have a deep understanding of sharing.


In another words, you are moving forward in your emotional and social development slightly faster. But at the same time, I was wondering is this the consequence of being too bored and lonely at home and having no one except me and only me to talk to all the time. You have always been a sociable baby. Maybe you are desperate to interact with the rest of the world. That is why you are initiating the conversations in your baby language with your friends. You are also holding conversations with me now. You would come and stand infront of me and blabber (as if you are asking a question) and I would answer and you would reply. We can go on and 'talk' for some time before you walk away happily. Oh yes, the time you 'talk' on the phone is also longer now.


My marshmellow practising her notes- Do-do-do-do, Re-re-re-re, Mi-mi-mi-miiiiiiii

HaHa... I can sing!

Trudy and Marsh sharing a toy!

Playing happily together (for a while)

What? Time to go?

Halloween Playdates

26TH Oct 2009 Monday

I have always wanted to celebrate Halloween as a child but the occasion was not popular or much celebrated as christmas or even Easter during my time. So ever since life became all about you for me, naturally I wanted you to enjoy the joys of these celebrations together with your friends. So I suggested having a halloween gathering and Auntie Jocelyn is so nice to open her house for the gathering. (Thank you, Auntie Jos! It was fun!) We had fun together with Julius, Trudy and Claire! And we mummies are already talking about the next Christmas gathering.

I love bringing you for playdates to help you strengthen your social skills. Your psychological well being has always been my priority. ANd I believe in starting early. And I am so glad both of us have made some really good friends!

Busy exploring with the new toys.

My little Marshmellow with her bunny ears and fairy wings.

A picture with our little host- Julius. He is so sweet to share all his toys with the three girls. A gentleman in the making!

My marshmellow showing Trudy how to flap her wings.

Trudy dressed in her beautiful Indian suit and made herself really comfortable on the couch.

Hey mum, can we come here again?

My little angel resting.

I am ready to play again!

The Three Charlie's Angels for the day

Cutie pie- Claire with a pumpkin on her head!

Ok. I am taking my bunny 's ears off now.

The kiddos having fun while mummies chatted away.

Gallop On!

24th Oct 2009 Saturday

Few weeks ago, I was reading this book titled- Gallop (By Rufus Butler Seder) to you. It is a very interesting read. What looks like a regular book will captivate you from page one. Flip the pages to see a technique called Scanimation in action- the images seem to move as though you were watching a video. You were fascinated by the horse galloping so I decided to bring you to see real ones. I recalled reading in Steph's blog about this place where you dine near the horses. So I brought you and popo to Riders's Cafe for breakfast today. I also think that the best lesson on ecology for you is to introduce you to different kinds of animals in this unusual way and environment. (other than going to the zoo)


Riders Cafe- located at the Bukit Timah Saddle Club. We really got to see horses at close proximity but we didnt manage to get good shots of them. They were trotting past us all the time. I wonder if you can associate these horses to the ones you read ?

Wow! It is so hot. I am keeping my shades on.

SO what 's for breakfast? PoPo, I order for you.

ummm.. yum yum. The pancakes are not too bad.

My Marsh and me.

My baby bookworm.

Pancakes with strawberries for Marsh.

And Rider's Breakfast for Popo and mummy!

Popo, I love you!

Hey, I found these bunnies along the road. I think they lost their way. Can we bring them back?

Popo, mummy and Marsh having a great morning together!

Family Tree

Life can only be understood backwards,
but it must be lived forwards.- Soren Kierkegaard

So my dear Marsh, while you are living your life now, I hope one of these days you 'll take some time to understand your family history and get to know the people who are closest to you.

This Mel trip has really set me thinking about our family. I believed you now know that we have a huge family in Australia- Melbourne, Sydney and Perth.

This is only less than a fraction of our family members staying in Melbourne.

Your grand uncle and grand auntie.

Having delicious steamboat at your cousin STeven's place.

YOur uncle Quinn. He is one of the nicest persons I have ever known in my whole life.

And of course your cousins Kathy and Karen who happened to be the clowniest cousins anyone could ever have!

Now you know what I mean? I Love them.

Not forgetting your uncle Chris and Aunt Carina (from popo's side) who are living in Melbourne too.