A moment

Just having a moment watching Shake it off mtv.

Since moving to my mum's we've developed a new routine and some good habits. We kinda stopped watching cartoons/tv somehow, totally. She was just happy playing, jumping, hopping around. Only maybe once in a blue moon, she wanted to watch some mtv. Hopefully we can bring this over to our new place after we shift in.

Just two days ago we had this really funny conversation. She finished her fruit and used the tissue to clean her mouth. 

Me: Please bring the tissue to throw in the dustbin.

She brought the dirty tissue and past it to me.

Me: No, throw it into the dustbin.

Emma: You are the dustbin. 

Our third renovation project

So our house is in a war zone state. Actually its better than last week. Last week they were tearing the house apart.

Last week status. Tore off the parquet flooring which we hate.

Hacked off the kitchen as well.

Updates this week, they cleared away the debris, so its not as messy as last week.

The ground's clean.

Our air-con's 3/4 done, just waiting for the house to finish painting then they will come fix up the physical air con box thingy.

Lighting L box done!

Now the longest wait is for tiling to be done, and we will be able to see the light of the tunnel. 

Our project manager visits daily and provides me with an update. Some days he visits twice a day. Since this is his third reno project, he knows what to expect and how to resolve, or rather forced to know how to resolve. Being our third reno, we kinda know what we want and what we not want. 

Since our house is still in a mess, in the mean time, lets just look at our view.

Are we done yet?

End of long weekend

So its the end of the long weekend, took so long for it to come, but it went by in a zoom!

I spent 18 yrs growing up in Serangoon, then 3 yrs in Siglap, and another 7 yrs in Seng Kang. I actually felt alright when we were in SK, until we moved to Serangoon! I've forgotten the convenience of staying in a mature estate!

Now we can't wait to move to Kovan! As heartless as we are, the last time we drove past Seng Kang, we actually don't really miss the estate.

This morning after breakfast, we actually spent 2 hrs playground hopping. We went through 3 playgrounds which were just 2 mins away from each other!

Officially starting our reno tomorrow. I'm glad at least one of us is enjoying the project management (not me obviously). Now lets just fast forward to completion already.

How much we love super long weekends!

Friday we took a day off work for a very important day. Collecting of keys, its our second home!!

After that since we're on leave, we took the chance to dine at Pince and Pints!

There was zero crowd and we really love the food!! We had chilli lobster

And lobster roll

We really liked it so much that we were very sure we'll definitely be back! But the next time we'll just order both lobster roll!

The next morning we returned to our new home to meet up with the contractor to finalise the details. Hubs was up meeting the contractor, Ems and I spent the rest of the time bonding with our new environment. The weather was scorching! We played a while in the playroom enjoying the free aircon. 

Her new swimsuit which I couldn't resist buying!! 

A very happy girl after being in the pool for over an hour? The pool merry-go-round kept her busy, she hasn't grew to love the water slide yet though.

Hubs was done with the contractor shortly after. 

In the noon, we left to meet for high-tea with her favourite kor kor.

The high-tea at Amara was really ok only. We'll definitely not be back unless there were company.

Ending our day with some tv time.

I want to follow you everywhere

This morning she was downstairs, I wanted to go up and bring down my clothes to take a bath. She wanted to follow me up.

Me: Emma you stay downstairs, mummy go upstairs to take clothes, very fast come down.

Emma: Dowan. I want to follow you everywhere.

She then held my hands and follow me up. 

Joys of motherhood. Cliche. But so real. 

She refuse to come down after that. Thats why I didn't want her to follow me up. So much for 'i will follow you everywhere'.

Random chats

Yesterday Emma brought a bolster to school and we were convincing her to leave it at home.

Me: Nobody brings bolsters to school.

Emma: Have! Me!

*** 

She loves looking at our neoprints we took long ago. This morning shes looking at this from 2003.

Emma: Mummy so pretty (looking at the picture). Mummy later you go change ok, then you will be pretty.

Me: No need, mummy is already pretty now. Don't need to change.

Emma: No, mummy not pretty now. Later you go change your dress then you will be pretty.

I think I probably need more than a dress change, maybe plastic surgery to look 20 again.

Its a trying period

This week main parenting lesson: Keeping promises.

All time parenting lesson: Coping with a stubborn child.

We've been building in the routine of brushing teeth before bed. Its a grueling journey for over a month or maybe two? Every night we have to coax her to convince her to brush her teeth. These few nights she made a promise where she will brush her teeth after her milk, but didn't want to brush the minute she finish. We're also trying to teach her what is a promise. 

After scolding her that she didn't keep her promise and constant refusal to brush still. She's punished to stand at the corner and face the wall. This worked well for the first night, she brushed there after.

Second night onwards, after breaking promise and not brushing teeth again. She volunteered to stand at the corner and will not move away. She will not brush her teeth.

***

Yesterday was a trying day. We spent a whole day out, she wasn't the most cooperative child and apparently testing our limits for the entire day. In the evening, my mum was home!! (she usually goes for her geitai runs). We decided to leave her with my mum and we run our errands without her. Shockingly, she agreed to staying home without us without a fuss! In the car, hubs said, we both need a break from each other. Couldn't agree more. She probably needed a break from us thats why agreed willingly to stay home (we came home found her awake at 10pm (??!!??) with my mum and bro). But yesterday, I definitely needed a break from her.

I LOVE YOU SOO MUCH STILL!!!

Can you not be so naughty today please?

Why

Our curious child have been asking lots of questions, mostly starting with 'Why'. But sometimes the way her questions are phrased made me wonder where she picked up the style from. 

****

Last week we were at a bakery in front of a wide array of cartoon characters cake.

Me: Do you want to pick one cake? How about the Hello Kitty? Or the yellow car?

Still no reply as she stared at the cakes.

Me: How about the pink aeroplane? You like pink and yellow right? 

Emma: Hmm.. mummy, why I cannot choose the panda bear? 

****

At night when she wanted her night feed.

Emma: Mummy, why I cannot drink milk now?

If its 8pm, I'll reply yes you can. If its before 8pm, I'll reply 'Because you just had your dinner, you can only drink milk at 8pm.' So far she hasn't made a big fuss if she doesn't get her milk.

***

Her classmate gave her two sweets. She has already ate one. With her hands playing with the other and obviosusly eyeing to eat it.

Emma: Mummy why I cannot eat this sweet?

Me: Because just now I let you choose, and you picked the other sweet. You can only eat 1 sweet a day. 

Now we have pretty ears!

Weekends are so much fun with family!

Couple shot! With his forested hair poking into my face.

We had a fun filled weekend meeting up friends at Sandbank over the weekend.

Right next to our table there was a small paddle pool, we could just leave the kids to play when our friends were here. The 3 of them had the entire pool to themselves while we could eat and chat in peace!

In other news, Emma had her ears pieced! It was nicely done, no tears! And now she keep looking into the mirror and smile quietly to herself. 

I did leave the place with a small hole in my pocket though... since when has ear piecing been so expensive!