(2003) Calling all 2003 babies

Hi moshi. Actually those "elderly" visiting Singapore are mostly towkays in Nagoya. They belong to the Chubu-Singapore Association and visit Asean for holiday regularly. If you are keen to interact with Japanese, I will organise a gathering when my friends visit. In fact someone is coming to stay at my house in Jun.

By the way, are you selling Curious George? Is that a DVD or VCD? If there is no interest yet, do you mind if I borrow it? Will buy from you if JK finds it interesting.
 


ky, just go to any GP as they will have the tool to check the ear. I think polyclinics should be eqipped too as ear infection is very common. We have stopped going to our PD since JK turned 2. JC only goes to her for for vaccinations and growth assessments but for general ailments (which have been common since JK went to cc last year), we have been going to a family clinic near our house. It helps to have the same Dr for the whole family cos she can link the causes more easily.

Thanks for recommending the books. Will check them out.
 
Moshi, great idea abt the heart-shaped cookies. Will check with a know-all friend and let you know if got any lobang.

On clearing out toys and baby goods, just wondering if anyone is keen to donate them to charity. Have been thinking of starting an initiative to collect these for lower income families. The last time I spoke to a social worker, she said it would be quite a hassle to organise something through her org as they have their hands full with other projects. The alternative is to sell the stuff ourselves and donate the money to a specific project benefitting children of lower income families. I have a few successes selling a few items through this forum, so have been thinking of rounding up a group to do make it a project. But I need to speak with some family centres to carry this through. Just gauging the level of interest here first.
 
CNY outing:
1. sarah (2A1C)
2. moshi (2A1C)
3. apricot (2A1C) - fish fillet with celery
4. mh (2A2C)
5. meilan (2A2C) - can join only after 12pm, will bring fried bee hoon
6. ky - tba

venue: sarah's plc
date: sun, 11feb
time: 11am

Sarah, which part of S'pore are you at?
 
Hi moshimoshi,
Wow, Mel is already doing silent reading! That's very admdirable. Whenever I asked him if he's reading his book, Brandon would reply he was looking at the pics, and quickly asked me to read to him. It's only recently he's actively reading silently by himself.
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Hi apricot & sarah,
Brandon started reading like Mel did. He was recognising and reading words from the storybooks we read (we didn't use readers until he was 2.5 yrs old). But I think it's phonics that really helps him becoming a better reader. We started him on phonics when he was abt 2.5 yrs old. The other thing we did was to introduce whole language (sight words) through Readers. At the same time, we were still having read aloud sessions too. I guess, all these contribute to his reading ability.
 
Hi moshimoshi,

Have also been thinking of hopscotch but too lazy. So, got him to hop around on one leg instead, hehe

Hi sarah,
Highly recommending "Singin' In the Rain" to Hannah if she hasn't seen it. Immediately after the show, Brandon was doing his own version of dancing in the rain (with an umbrella) and tap dance.
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Hi kristins_mom,
How's the weather now? It's freezing cold here. It actually snowed quite heavily on Wed/Thur. Now, I find myself wishing for a warm winter.
 
Just drop by to say hi. Got to go, probably will be MIA for a while since we have an guest from Japan coming this week.

Serenade and Moshimoshi...wow...silent reading...Kai is beginning to do that on his own too when he is being punished with time out in the room and he will read there on his own.
 
Hi Serenade,
How's the little ones' throat? Hope both are feeling better. Joanne once recommended boiling pear with rock sugar for cough, which I was told same thing last fri by the sinseh that it soothes the throat too. Hannah's throat was sored too. Peel the skin and boil with rock sugar, once boiled, simmer for half hr. Eat the pear and drink the water.

I love that movie, humming the song now. Does Brandon also watch "Annie", "Sound of Music"? Hannah loves it.

Hi Meilan,
Just kids' stuffs for your charity project? I think I have some old clothes to clear.

Btw, I'm in the east.

Moshi,
Shopping? Good idea. Must advance notice so that I can 'pass' H to grandparents.
 
Hi friends!

Have been MIA for some time and will be for the next couple of days. Am still trying hard to clear the mess after returning from Sg. I still have suitcases not cleared. So much for all the excess baggage. We don't seem to need the stuffs anyway.

Winter is gone for us over here... it was supposed to snow last Monday, so the forecast said.... and then on Tuesday and then on Wednesday... no snow... Bryan was disappointed. Then it finally did snow on Thursday night... just icing sugar snow and it melted the next day even before Bryan was up on Friday morning to look at it. No snowangel this winter... I just got a spring jacket today. Think I'll be wearing it soon!

Hubby was on leave to help out on some home improvements. We did loads this weekend. Cleared the balcony plants and put up new book shelves for the kids. Got a Igloo-tent from Ikea and that's the kids' favourite hideout now.
 
Thanks Sarah for mentioning Annie and the Sound of Music. Coz maybe the songs might hook Bryan on to watching. I must really go dig out some old movies.
 
Hi Serenade!
Thanks for sharing your ideas. They help me to understand learning reading better.
Bryan's school is using Jolly Phonics now. But I have no idea how it works. Maybe I'll borrow the book from his teacher.

Your game on word hunt sounds fun. Maybe I'll try it too when I get more organised. Like I said before, it's difficult to get Bryan to concentrate on the words. I point them out to him too... maybe I'll get him to point them for me the next time.

Yesterday, I was going through a sight word workbook. There are worksheets like asking the kids to colour the repeated words in the reader. That's the next thing I'm gonna try with him. Actually I've been giving him a little card with one sight word at a time and to get him to match the word for me on the pages of the book we read. We do it slowly, page by page. But my effort often ceases promptly.

Bryan is certainly more of an aural learner. He completes sentences for me most of the time and over the weekend when Daddy was reading Dr Seuss out loud to him, Daddy was surprised when Bryan made up sentences on his own in reply to the rhyming sentences from the book.
 
Hi Meilan!
Yeah... will certainly join you in your charity project when I'm back in Sg for good.

Actually, I would have been very keen to swop toys and books or vcds among parents with kids, e.g. on bulk loan for a month kind of thing, had I been in Sg. In that way, we don't have to spend so much money since we all love reading and playing with our kids.
 
Hi moshimoshi!

Would you like to have a look at what Bryan's school does every week for a plan? You can visit the school's website at www.carlschurzschool.com and look at the newsletter for the class.

I think following Mel to Science Centre might not be a good idea. I think children are better behaved when parents are not around. She will definitely stick to you or may even want to be carried or throw tanrtums or pretend to be scared or whatsoever- some childish behaviours will surface - if you tag along the excursion.

On the other hand, you might be able to point out to her the things you want her to explore further. How about bringing her back on another day with your hubby? That will be fun for the whole family too and you'll be surprised what she'll be showing you there.
 
Hi Pris!

Looks like we will be missing the mouth-watering online dishes, sigh! Be sure to capture some and leave them on the forum for us for an eye feast!
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hi hi ...

can i ask if you mummies believe in getting new clothes for CNY? I'm asking coz I'm not for it but then what would the kids be wearing? I've got tons of very good hand-me-downs which I'm thinking of letting the kids wear ... as for me, it's just my nursing clothes *again* ...

also, has anyone been to Wet Wet Wild and Escape Theme Park? Which one is more suitable for a 4-yr old?

Sarah, I will give the 11 Feb gathering a miss. I really want to go to Ben's playgroup that day as it'd probably be the only one for this month ... and we'll be bringing Keith along (coz maid's off that day) and hence don't wish Keith to be outside for too long ... sorry for the excuse but kinda difficult to accommodate esp with a baby ... have fun!

.ky.
 
I have brought my kids to both on Nov last yr.
For the wet wet wild, my boy (4 yr old this april) likes paddling in the children pool with the slides only, the rest are out of bound to him even thou we like him to try since there is a height limit.

For the theme park, he got to try a few. I think my kids enjoy both parks, but i feel that it is not too worthwhile since there is a limit to the rides they can take due to the height limitation. Furthermore, for my case, we adults also pay to enter and could not enjoy our adult rides since my kids either wouldnt let me try or would want to try with us when we wanted to have a go. (2 adults went with one 4 yr old and one 2 yr old).

If it is FOC, go for it ;-)
Do take note, if it is raining, they stop all rides in the theme parks. Do visit their website for the height limitation imposed, and also their range of activities.

cheers
sherlyn
 
ky,
I brought Bryan and Benny to wild wild wet last yr, they really enjoy themselves climbing up and down the playground in shallow water with the big Yakult pail of water. Benny can still remember all the fun time he had.. But you'll have to watch out for weather change and make sure they're under supervision at all time.
 
Ky,
We'll see you another day then.

I did not specifically buy CNY clothes for Hannah since she has few new pieces not worn. But I do believe in new undies and PJs though.
 
FYI. Moshi's computer is down, so will be MIA too.

The forum is kindof quiet these days. Spring cleaning, CNY shopping, kids falling sick etc.

K's_mom,
I share your sentiments on the loan exchange of books. It's such an expensive 'hobby' for we mommies. How often can the kids read the same book, watch the same DVD over and over again? Hannah probably won't get sick of it but I definitely will.

Serenade,
I recalled you suggesting setting a book club for us & the kids. Perhaps we can get the ball rolling before you return to SIN. Any idea how to go about doing it?
 
Hi sarah,
Both my kids are fine now. It's me who's not feeling so well. Much better today. Haiz, how I wish I can apply for MCs too... I'll keep the recipe in mind. It sounds simple enough for me
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Thanks!

Now I regret not getting "The Sound of Music" when I was in Sg. Do they sell Annie? How abt the old version of Oliver Twist? Looks like I'm the one gonna be burning a big hole in my pocket...

Book club, you just set my mind thinking. Actually I have no experience too but just a few suggestions. Might want to consider something easy to set the kids off first during the gatherings. For instance, reciting poems/nursery rhymes or acting out their favourite books. Then slowly proceed to encouraging the kids talk abt the books they have read, eg. the characters, plots, etc. Can also consider doing activities related with the books. Remember my blog on The Carrot Seed? Just rambling off my mind now... But it would be good if the interested mommies can gather and discuss the objectives and how to go abt it.

Have you heard of Toastmaster? It's a club thingy to help polish presenting/speaking skills. Can also consider along that line. I'm thinking of doing it with Brandon when we return. (All my stuff are still in Sg)
 
hiyee
m back, pc is down, borrowed bro's laptop.

i got some heart shaped rice crackers for the valentine's day heart, we'll let the kiddos decorate them and give to mommy n daddy with a hug n kiss n a i love u ;)
i haven't decided what to potluck, sarah, where are u near, where can i get yummy food?

mel is running a fever, gona check her temp

catch u guys 2mrw!
 
Hi Serenade!

I was browsing your blog again... can't do all at one shot, so a little at a time when the kids nap.

Your trip to Chamonix looked really fun.
The kids sure had lots of fun rolling on snow. When I saw Cheryl imitating Brandon attempting to slide down the slope, I immediately thought of Kristin. And when Brandon showed his concern for his little sister when she ran astray in town, he quickly went over to pulled her back and what your hubby said would have been the exact same words from my husbands' mouth... that was so funny!

Did you have to pay alot for the apartment for the week? Just wanna check out the costs. Maybe we should do one too since there's no snow here in Frankfurt so far. Though it's been predicted to be cold again next week, I doubt we'll get much of any snow.
 
Hi kristins_mom,

We paid Euros 375 a week for the apartment. However, that was the price just before peak season. Vaguely remember the price goes up to beyond Euros 500 during the peak season. Funny thing is several accommodation in Chamonix are actually owned and run by some Britons. This is the website http://www.mountain-base.com/ we got the apartment from.

Hmm, abt the fathers, great minds think alike? :p

Nothing worthy to blog abt these few days. Well, except for Cheryl's interest in naming colours. I have been trying to capture some footage on that but she kept getting distracted... You know something? I suspect Cheryl's a leftie too. Really wonder why cos both my hubby and I are right-handers.

Been checking your blog for new updates. My hubby also commented that Bryan looks more mature than Brandon.
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Hmm, when are you going to upload more photos? Can't comment on the new blogger over the old one cos I have never used the old one. But just realised that Wordpress might be better. It has better features than the new blogger.
 
Hi Serenade ... just checked out your blog last nite ... wow, very nicely done. wish I can write as well as u ... I'm just jotting down bits and pieces of things that happened and sometimes the thots do not get thru'... have told myself that I should focus on doing the activities and hence have not been able to write in details ... but looking at what you've written ... the kids are lucky to have you :>

praying hard for good weather this weekend cos escape theme park, here we come!

.ky.
 
Ky
i am sure the weather will be super dee duper, u have fun!

serenade
haven;t viewed your blog, can u resend the link?
i like the book club idea, throw in your ideas and we'll see how we can work it out.
Toastmasters is also for kids? i know they run it at various CC. Mel is pretty self conscious, would be good to expose her to public speaking, or maybe we can do it via the book club, the kids can take turns to present their book, do a role play or a form of book review.

K's mom
M not joining in for the excursion, u;re right abt her leeching on to me.

Mommies
how are your kids celebrating CNY in school, mel's school will have a songs and games session in the sanctuary and then a party in class, kids have to bring food to share, and they have to go in chinese costume. i've got a pretty purple qi pao for her, but my silly gal runs away when i show it to her. too womanly for her i guess keke.

okie, have a rest full weekend!
 
Hi Serenade!

375 for the whole week! Wow... you guys found a really good deal. But you are right, that was before the season started.

Btw, you've got mail... coz I decided to truncate this post and send it via email instead. Haha... got too much to say.

Brandon is so cute in the video - the one with him pulling the sledge and complaining that he was out of breath. When I told Bryan I was out of breath, he went, "Why can't you breathe, Mom? Are you going to die?" He looked pretty concern. I had to tell him it was an expression.

Yeah, I agree with ky. Your children are indeed lucky to have a mom like you.
 
Hi Serenade!

How do you get Cheryl's interest in colours going? Kristin's into her animals. I think it's the brother's influence. She took out a soft toy and said during lunch to me today, "It's a dog!"

Bryan only looks mature... but in many ways, he's a big cry baby still...

O yes, your Jack in the Beanstalk post got me thinking about something - honesty.
How do we teach that value?
 
I've been real busy this week. Bryan was down with flu again! Was running fever the day before but he's better now except for the 2 "caterpillars" down his nostrils..

Brought Benny for his medical appt at KKH today to get his reports on his scannings and what the doc told me was my worst nightmare. Senior surgeon wanted to op on him. Though not cancerous but lump will get complicated each time he gets an infection. Past cases' patient defer ops and end up having pus coming out from the skin of throat. Doc has to perform several ops to clear pus and remove lump.
Ben will be going through a major surgery, lump is not easy to remove as there's alot of veins near it. If it's completely removed, the swelling will not come back but still doc can't give me a guarantee.. Worst is, he's having an infection right now and running high fever today. The swollen lump was so big, the side of his neck is bloated and he's cranky and crying of pain. Doc has put him on antibiotics for a week to bring down the swelling before they can remove it on 28th Feb. I'm getting myself prepared before I can decide how to tell him abt the ops. Guess all I can do now is pray...
 
Hi Sarah,

Just like u
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I also believed in new undies and pyjamas. Aston was lucky to have new clothes flown back from his uncle in the US. SO we saved some money to buy new ones.
 
Hi Jo!

Please stay strong. My family will remember you in our prayer.

The thought of putting a three yr-old under GA just make us procrastinate on Bryan's circumcision. I wouldn't know how to explain an op to my son either.

*hug* too!
 
Hi Sarah, Hi apricot!

Why are new undies and pj's important?

Hi ky!

Actually I don't buy new things for CNY too.
It probably made a lot of sense to buy new things for the New Year in the past when there were still a big gap between city and villages and they travelled only once or twice a year kind of thing to get good stuffs and people only relied on the extras ($)at the end of the year for the extra something special. Nowadays, we don't need a special occasion to buy new stuffs... haha... talking about being spendthrift here!!!

Anyway, CNY is nothing here in Germany. My children don't even know there's money in angpaos! They don't know a thing about the goodies... haha, and I'll be talking about these things in Bryan's class. He'll be thinking if mommy came from another land... actually, Sg is another land!!!
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Also, Kristin has not really spent an actual CNY in Sg before.
 
Hi Joanne,
Sorry to hear about what has been going on. It must be really tough on you. Let's pray hard that the operation is the only hurdle that Benny ever needs to cross. Do keep a positive mind and be strong.
 
Hi ky,

How was your "adventure" on sat? Bet it must be a fun filled day!

Thanks for your compliment. Hmm, the kids are lucky to have me? I think it's more of the other way round - I'm the blessed one to have them
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.

I enjoy reading your blog too. It reminds me that simple pleasures are great too. We were thinking of a big fanfare birthday celebration for Brandon and Cheryl when we return to Sg. But after reading your entry, I'm having second thoughts. It seems meaningless now to have a huge party for the kids when they don't even know ALL the people we'd be inviting. Guess we'll settle for a simple celebration instead.
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About new clothes for CNY, think we had bought more than enough during the sales to last them through many CNYs.
 
Hi kristins_mom,

Looks like Kristin is going through the rapid vocabulary spurt stage! Enjoy jotting down all the stuff she's gonna say. Cheryl is more into combining words nowadays. She would say things like, "mama, sit. there. feed. me" I feel as excited as you do cos Brandon skipped that stage totally. He proceeded directly from using single words to sentences (at abt 26 mths old) directly. Is Kristin parroting after you? I just got Cheryl to repeat "I love mommy" after me :p

Colours - I'm not sure what I did with Cheryl exactly too. Perhaps it's all those pointing out of colours in everyday life. Or it could be those colouring sessions that we had. Or it could be Brandon, like what you said. But definitely no drilling or intense coaching.
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Btw, we brought the kids to a snow mountain on Sat. Boy, it was a long drive there, abt 3.5 hours. Spent an hour there before heading for home. Tiring but the kids enjoyed themselves greatly. Whenever we mention snow mountains, Cheryl will go "slide" and she knows her snowman pretty well too. When she comes across snowman pics, she'll go "snowman, snowman" excitedly :p
 
Thanks for the hugs and wishes..

Benny is still running fever from the infection and I have just brought forward his operations to 21st instead of 28th. (4th day of CNY) The swelling is so bad that he can't lift or turn his head too much.. Just like having stiff neck. Luckily I have my ILs who pop by everyday since Fri to help out in attending to the 2 Bs' never ending request else I won't be able to cook or rest.
 
Hi Joanne. I was MIA due to lymphaditis and sorry to come back here to find out that Benny has to undergo the surgery afterall. Mine was a mild case of swollen lymph nodes due to throat infection and already felt quite unwell and so can imagine Benny must be feeling terrible.

It's not easy for us SAHM esp when the kid is unwell. Take good care of yourself during this period as Benny will be counting on you.
 
Hi Serenade!

Was just browsing and thought this was a pretty good site.

When I saw these activites, I couldn't help but think about how much fun you and Brandon might have, completing the worksheets together.

Check it out:
http://www.kidzone.ws/phonics/worksheets1.htm

Hi Moshimoshi,

Maybe you can try it out with Mel too since she's already reading quite well.

My Bryan will still have a long way to go to reading on his own... Now am worried that my plan to want him to learn reading fast might backfire if he starts to lose interest when I stress him out too much... so now, am moving a few steps backwards and taking it slow again.

Maybe I should endeavour to teach Kristin... haha... that will spur her brother on to some proper learning... Just kidding. Actually, I've been fending their tantrums and misbehaviours more than anything else. So no energy at all to do any work...
 
Hi Joanne,
Sorry to hear that Benny has to go for surgery. He's a strong boy. You take care too.

Will keep you in my prayers.
 
hi hi everyone

thanks for the info on escape theme park ... we had a lovely lovely lovely day there. I think Ben had abt 7 different rides and he simply love them all ... He's almost 1m and we ride with him on each of the rides and made them as crazy as we can be ... my personal favourite and recommendation (since Ben loves them all) - the bumper boats - water shooting is fun esp on the hot day! The weekend was tiring for us as we did a few things to celebrate his birthday ... will update in the blog soon.

I'm busy with baking CNY goodies this week ... must do this week coz got coconut milk and pandan leaves and can't keep for long. Doing this the first time coz knowing that this is probably my only year which I'll have help.

Have decided not to buy any new clothes for the kids. Ben has bags of very nice clothes given to him last year that can probably last him till he's 5 or 6 yrs old ... I think the last time I bought him a new shirt is for his concert coz he needed somethings yellow.

Hi Joanne
Be positive about the surgery ... Benny needs your support.

.ky.
 
Mel is down with the worst drippy nose and cough we've ever encountered. interrupted sleep, heaps of tissue paper and crankiness. kept her at home for a few days already, sending her bk tomorrow before she thinks that it's school holiday already.

Hi Joanne
Hang on there, and take care of yourself too.

Hi ky
wow, u bake too! Ben's birthday? Happeeeee Birthday, handsome!


Hi K's mom
thanks for the link, but mel doesn;t like worksheets, cos she hates it when i start to correct her grip. so taking a few steps back here before damage done.

Am suffering from stiff shoulders again, so cant; type much, working on a valentines gift for mel to give to family, show u guys when it's done.
 
Hi K's mom,
I don't know, it has been years since I bought cny clothes but a must for new undies and PJs, so much so that it's like a 'tradition' now. Haha...I would certainly want Hannah to remember this little 'tradition' of mommy when I pass on..
 
moshimoshi, me too! Benjamin also suffer from cough and running nose, with bronchities symptons. Last Thursday midnight, the blocked nose even almost make him breathless, sent him in to KKH A&E for the puff.. haiz.. Think partly cos of the longer hours they spent in school. This is the 2nd time attack in a month, my GP even advise me to get a nebulizer to put at home for emergency. And advise me to give him influenza jab.

http://www.moh.gov.sg/corp/about/faqs/illness/details.do?cid=cat_faqs_illness_flu&id=825762

Any advise mummies???

Just hope all kids recovered asap..
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Hi worry mum!

Do you give Ben nose drops when his nostrils get congested? Am not sure if those saline ones - non-drugs, are available in Sg. They are good and you can use it as often to clear nasal congestion.

A doc friend once told us before not to give menthanol rub - you know, your vicks rub coz we wouldn't know if baby would start developing an allergy. But I guess then they were still babies. Now as 4yos... )hey, hey, our children will be four this year!!!), it should be alright.

I was recommended Dimetapp at the pharmacy in Sg for cold. It's real yummy so I have problems giving to the kids this time round. Already running low on supply - only got a bottle and half is already gone coz the kids have been having a cold since last week.

Now I don't really take cold that seriously anymore, after having been in Germany for a year. Coughs and colds are so common that it's only occasional that the kids do not have the "caterpillars" coming out of their nose. Unless there's a persistent high fever, then I'll start to panick.

And as the German pds here advise: Best ways to treat cold and cough is a lot of cold fresh air. So I have been walking my kids the past week and during the weekend. I think they are on their way to recovery already... it's mommy who still needs the rest coz they have now passed the "cold" baton to me!!!

I got the flu jab last Nov and got them for the kids too. Well, at least when we are down with flus now, it's not so bad... and they get well quicker. Maybe it's the flu jabs or maybe i've learnt to be more calm now.

DOcs in Sg usually prescribe drugs to treat with colds. BUt over here, they prescribe "cold air" as treatments - a walk in the wintry garden!!! haha!
 
Hi ky!

Big Birthday hug to Ben from me!

Wow, after your description of the wild wild wet, i think we really should go too in jul when we are back in Sg. Hopefully it will be truly hot and sunny then, unlike our previous trip back home in Dec/Jan.

Hey... you bake CNY goodies? Got nice and easy recipes to share? I don't know how to bake... sigh... but beging out here without any CNY goodies, I'm gonna give it a try. DO you have any cornflakes cookies recipe? Or anything simple? Just not pineapple tarts... nice to eat but very diff to bake.
 
Moshimoshi hi!

Poor Mel... she must have been missing school alot, hasn't she?

Poor parents... got to put up with the crankiness...

I missed my back exercise class at the gym this morning. Was too busy rushing to drop Bryan off at school and then running errands and also getting Kristin to go for a walk... stiff shoulders - that must hurt an awful lot... maybe it should be mommy's off day and then chilling out at some spa for you.
 


Hi sarah!

Went out in the morning to get some oil and herbal tea to replenish the kitchen's supplies.. so stopped by at a local dept store... couldn't resist and bought some clothes for the kids. Actually, only for Kristin - very diff to refrain buying for girls... did look high and low for something for Bryan too, but coudln't find anything.

I don't think Kristin's gonna wait till CNY for her new clothes... she'll get them like... er, tomorrow!
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