Stories of Aiden and Ava growing up, parenting, stylish kids and living life to the fullest - from the eyes of a young couple in Singapore with two children.
A place to read about our family life, parenting tips and views, how to be fashion forward and enjoy life in stressful/costly Singapore.
We decided to sign up for a term at Julia Gabriel after our initial trial session with them. We opted for the bilingual class so that Ava can be exposed to both languages in a more structured play group setting. A 2.30-4.30pm class would be perfect leaving us with some time to explore after class before returning home for dinner. However, Ava's nap time is later nowadays so we went ahead for the 4.30-6.30pm class.
Snap snap! No monday blues.
No more pictures Mummy! Where's the sweet you promised?
Ava missed her nap before her second class, and with only thirty minutes of shut eye on our way to the centre, she woke up cranky and clingy.
The kids were introduced to ketupat (rice dumpling packed in a woven leaf pouch), and did a simple art work of peeling off double sided tape and sticking square shapes paper onto the ketupat. Unwilling to participate at first, I encouraged her by guiding her to peel the edge of the tape and she was curious to try doing it on her own.
The kids were introduced to the color yellow, parts of a duck and sound the duck makes. They painted and used soft feathers to complete their art work. The hands on activities helped Ava remember what was taught and she had fun learning.
There were some free play time in between the different activities. The kids were taught to play together in a group, share the toys and pack the toys together after they are done.
Likes how Ava independently feeds herself finger food and drinks from a cup during their tea break.
This cranky little one finally warms up at the end of the session at the free play area.
With Ava turning 20 month old this month, I started looking around for playgroup sessions for her to socialize with other kids and get a glimpse of how playgroup sessions are, before starting her on full day playgroup from next January.
With some positive reviews from friends and customers in the store, I decided to sign up for a trial class for the Bilingual PlayClub at Julia Gabriel Centre. On the day of the trial class, we swapped from the 2pm class to 4.30pm as Ava had a later nap than usual.
Setting out for her first playgroup session
We arrived at Forum Shopping Mall ahead of our session, and did some window shopping. Since running the PriviKids business full time, I hardly spend time alone with Ava. It was really nice to have the afternoon together and the bonding was great. Looking forward to our weekly outings!
Looking all grown up, time for our first dental appointment?
Hello lil pup!
When we arrived at the centre, it was bustling with activities, with kids playing at the play area and classes running. We did our registration, paid for the trial class and was directed to wait outside one of the studios. While waiting, Ava spotted the SPCA dog and I gave her a coin to drop into the box. She came back and asked for 'more' excitedly and repeated this over 10 times.
The Bilingual PlayClub is for kids age 18 month to 3 year old. For this session on Monday, 4.30pm - 6.30pm, there were 10 kids including Ava, and four teachers (two speaking in English and two in Mandarin). It was a very interactive session, with a lot of singing, actions and dancing involved. This is a parent accompanied class so it is a great opportunity to see how your kid behaves in the session alongside kids of the same age group.
Ava is the youngest in the group. She was hesitant to play initially when there was free play while waiting for the other kids to arrive. Keeping to herself and being really reserved, the teachers came to speak to her and showed her how to 'feed' the doll and she slowly opened up.
Although she whined a little when the teachers got too close for her
comfort, she did not fuss or cry loudly which I prepared myself for. When Aiden attended classes around the same age at 20 month old, I recall how clingy he was to me, and cried loudly when the class was singing and dancing to the songs.
After each session of playing with the toys, the kids would need to sing along as they keep the toys and help the teachers bring the drawers of toys for storage. When I prompted Ava to help out, she was willing to do so without being clingy to me, this was a big step! I was very pleased and proud to see her becoming an independent little girl.
The theme for the day was the color, purple. We sang songs about the color and pointed out to the various purple items in the studio and all the kids, mummies and teachers wore purple clothes and accessories. The teachers showed how to achieve the color purple with the colors blue and red, in an art work and we sang songs about this. After the singing session, there were hands-on sessions for the kids in creating their very own art pieces.
I was a proud mama looking at Ava listening to the instructions from the teachers and doing her own art work with the teachers' assistance.
There was snack time for the kids and it was another realization for me, at how Ava has grown. She is such an independent little girl as she can feed herself and enjoyed the raisin bread and rock melon fruit the teachers prepared. Being little miss 'tam jiak' (greedy), she asked for 'more'!
There was storytelling after snack time by the English teachers and Mandarin teachers. After which, more singing and dancing and we were directed to the play area outside the studio where there were slides, mobile cars and pretend play for the kids to indulge in.
We enjoyed ourselves at the trial class and I decided to sign Ava up for a term of 10 weeks to see how she progresses. Hopefully this would prepare her for next year!
Do share with us on your experiences with the playgroup sessions or classes you send your kids (age 18 month to 5 year) to.
Since becoming mummy four years ago to Aiden, time for myself has taken a backseat. With the brackets of time I have after work, in between meetings, I find myself missing the kids and wanting to spend time with them. I would pick Aiden from the childcare centre earlier when I am done at work and bring him for an ice cream treat or swim in the pool.
However, to recharge and be a better mum to the kids, I think every mum should take time off and indulge in what makes herself happy. Here are my top me-time indulgences: 1) Massages
Nothing beats getting a good massage, where all the knots and tension melt away, helping me feel energized and ready to take on my mummy role again! 2) Pretty nails
It is truly an indulgence these days, stealing some time for a manicure and pedicure. I love this pampering session where I get away from everything else, the kids calling out mummy! and walk out with happy bright nails.
3) Working out & sweating it out
I finally started running again after a long break. Love the wind on my face as I run in the evenings and feeling fitter with each run. I am looking to fit in sessions at the gym, working out at home and swimming into my exercise regime. Hope I keep up with this for the year ahead.
This is part of a blog train, Mummy's Me-Time hosted by Danessa.
The next mummy on the blog train is Michelle, the founder of The Chill Mom Maternity Concierge where
she helps busy first time moms manage the arrival of their babies. You
can find her sharing her motherhood experience, mompreneurship and
beauty tips at The Chill Mom Blog.
Missed another deadline for submission of materials for school? Skipped a consent form for a school excursion? For mummies who are time-pressed as I am, Stuck On You introduced the perfect solution for those last minute labeling needs, in their fabulous designs.
I was introduced to the wonderful range of labels from Stuck On You when Aiden started attending playgroup. The brand had such an extensive collection of labels, it blew me away.
The only downside of it was, we needed to plan ahead and order two to three weeks ahead for the customized labels to reach us. Recognizing the demand for instant labels that are stylish and cool, Stuck On You launched the Write On Iron On Labels, Write On Stick On Labels and Write On Shoe Labels. We share our review on the Write On Iron On Labels for Aiden and Write On Stick On Labels for Ava.
WRITE ON IRON ON LABELS
Ever found yourself in a rush for clothing labels? I was reminded a few times by Aiden's teacher that his uniforms needed labeling, but could not find time to get to ordering labels for him. So we were given a deadline to do it by the end of the week, and I was thrilled to discover these instant Write On Iron On Labels. Could not resist the pretty designs for girls, we ordered both the Iron On Labels for Aiden and the Stick On Labels for Ava.
Within a week, we received the labels and could not wait to get our hands on them. The attractive packaging makes these labels great gift ideas too.
A huge plus for these labels were the convenience and ease of application, in 3 easy steps!
The pack includes 40 iron-on clothing labels (including 15 large labels, 60x16mm, and 25 medium
labels, 60x10mm) that are laundry and dryer safe, they are waterproof and very durable. Love the wide variety of designs and prints on this pack of labels, not limiting us to one design.
We prepared an ironing board, clothes that needed to be labelled and got down to work.
First, we handwrite the name, using permanent marker.
Next, we place our label where we want it to be, and laid the parchment paper provided over it.
Finally, we ironed it on firmly.
We repeated the 3 easy steps for the clothes we needed to label.
And we are done! Aiden was thrilled to play a part in labeling his own uniform.
So now, if you need clothing labels in a hurry, you know where you can find them. The easy three step application, Write, Peel, Iron! are the perfect choice to quickly label and apply to your personal belongings. Watch this video on how to apply the iron on labels.
WRITE ON STICK ON LABELS
Besides clothing for school, there are water bottles, lunch boxes, milk bottles and many more belongings that need to be labelled. For mummies who love cool labels, try these Stuck On You Write On Labels. It is as simple as write, laminate, peel and label!
Look at these icon designs! We had fun teaching Ava to recognize the fruits and name them. We love the icon designs that appeals to the kids as much as ourselves. The designs make it easier for the kids to identify their own
belongings.
There are 30 labels measuring 60 x 16mm in this pack of Write On Stick On Labels. The labels are microwave and dishwasher safe, making them an ideal label for the water bottles and milk bottles.
Watch this video on applying the Write On Stick On Labels.
Here is a treat for all of you. Enjoy 15% off storewide at Stuck On You (excluding value packs) when you key this discount code privikids15GW upon checking out. This is valid till 31 July 2015.
Avoid lost property this year with Stuck On You!
Disclaimer: This blog post is in collaboration with Stuck on You. All opinions are our own.
Unveiling our new store at Suntec City Mall, and really happy to see our dream unfolding right before us. Love the way Daddy Darren puts it, Amazing things happen when you are chasing dreams. Took just one month to go from 'Should we take up this little unit?' to 'Hello Suntec!'
I definitely hope the amazing continues.
Sweat, blood, tears literally in the process of opening this store and I am happy to have friends, customers, overseas visitors come up to us, sharing how they love our store concept and the products we carry. Thank you. These little things keep us going.
Squeezing as much time as I could with Aiden and Ava, who works alongside mummy on photo shoots.
I love how a pair of shades and a wide smile work to brighten any outfit! Bold colors work on boys too, so be open and pick out hues of red, violet and yellow for them.
The baby in the family who is not so baby anymore. Floral prints are a favourite for little girls. And who can resist the cute matching baby bonnet! The dresses start from teeny 0-3 month size, who says newborn clothes are all boring white rompers? A big hit with parents looking for pretty baby shower outfits for their one month old baby.
One stop, fuss free shopping in our stores. Discover our new shoe collection, and complete your kids' wardrobe in the comfort of our store. An interesting observation - kids head straight into our store, sometimes ahead of their parents, to the play area. Pleasantly surprised, parents can spend time browsing in store and have to wait for their kids to finish playing before they leave! Wish more stores were like this, so I need not have to negotiate with Aiden on spending ten more minutes shopping in a (non toy) store. He would be the one negotiating for ten more minutes of play in the store.
The little white (and black) dress. Dance with me mummy, in the mood for some swirling action in this dress. Headbands for girls are a big trend, especially when girls resemble daddy most of the time. Before their rapunzel locks grow out, I guess headbands work wonders.
Just a year ago, I was working full time at my branding and marketing role, and with Ava joining us, my mum helped to care for her while we were at work and Aiden attended full day child care.
Today, I juggle my full time role running PriviKids, our kids apparel and lifestyle business and my role as mummy to Aiden and Ava. With the opening of our second store at Suntec City this April, I learn to prioritize and work even more efficiently. There is no typical day for parents as we all know how surprises come our way, and things do not always go as planned. I learn to relax more and enjoy the brackets of time I get to spend with the kids and family, and not get worked up over trivial things at home especially with the kids.
A MacDonald's treat when mummy's back home early.
Here's a glimpse at a day in our life:
7.00am: My phone alarm rings, and I quickly reached for it and hit the snooze button. Hoping it did not wake the kids, I made my way to their room to check on them. Great, both Aiden and Ava are still asleep, I get to sneak in more sleep. I snuggle back under the sheets.
7.30am: The alarm rings again and I find Daddy Darren in the shower and Ava at the door of Aiden's room (they sleep in his room). 'Morning Ava!' I greet her, flashing a wide grin when all I wanted was to crash back into bed. She reaches her arms towards me, still sleepy but determined to explore around. I make her breakfast of milk and biscuits or cereal and we spend some time on story books, blocks and balls.
She's at a stage where she's scared of many things and shows me this gesture.
Daddy Darren leaves for work around 8.10am. On mornings when the kids are awake early, he will fetch them to school and my mum's place. This is one of the (many) mornings the boy can't wake up in time.
8.30am: Aiden stirs in his bed and he lazes around for a good ten minutes before dragging himself to the bathroom. Meanwhile I clean Ava and change her into fresh clothes. Leaving her in the high chair while she snacks on biscuits, I bathe Aiden and change him into his uniform for school.
9.30am: Taking a speedy shower, I get changed and gathered all our bags and the kids out of the house. We stop by at the playground if time and weather allows, and the kids play for a short while before we make our way to the bus stop.
After dropping Aiden in school, I bring Ava to my mum's place.
11:00am: I start the day planning my to do list, attending to emails and ordering stocks for the stores. These days I shuttle between Suntec City and Changi City Point to the two stores, catching up with customers, and my team.
3:00pm: I leave the store after preparing our online orders, and dropping them off at the post office. Grabbing a quick lunch around this time, I fetch the kids earlier to spend some quality time with them, bringing them to the pool to swim or do a mini photo shoot with them.
On other days, I arrange for meetings and only return to the kids in the evening.
7:00pm: We have dinner at my parent's place and when Daddy Darren comes home, we play with the kids and let them choose the games they like playing before bed time.
Today, we visit the supermarket and the kids had so much fun!
10pm: I prepare milk for Aiden and Ava and we read a few books before dimming the lights, singing to them while they drink their milk and drift off to sleep.
Some days I doze off with them and on other days, I catch up with Daddy Darren on the business and his day before we go to bed.
This post is part of the Day in a Life blog train hosted by Mum in the Making. Click on the button to take a 24 hour peek into the lives of different mummies, or link up with your own post!
Up next on this blog train is Karen, who is a stay-at-home mum to an energetic toddler, who keeps her on
her toes. She has followed her husband on his overseas postings since
2007 and their family is about to make a move to the Middle East. Her
blog revolves around her daughter's exploits, their daily lives and
little adventures overseas.
You have started to take your first independent steps a few weeks ago and the family is so thrilled to see you stand without support for a longer period. With your new found skill, you waddle around the house and enjoy carrying a bag on your arm as you wave goodbye to us to go on your imaginary date. Your brother Aiden was amazed, 'Wow mei mei can stand for so long time', to see you achieve this milestone. I am sure there will be so many more games you both enjoy in time to come.
Whenever I see you after work, you will stretch out your arms longingly for me, and as soon as I have you in my arms, you will nestle your head right by my neck, lying contently on my shoulder. I love this moment, this quiet moment that belongs to the two of us. You giggle gleefully when I plant kisses all over you, squealing in delight and looking at me so lovingly. I often miss these moments while I am away from you, and tears well up my eyes.
Ever so playful, you enjoy tickles from me and try to make your escape when I chase you around the house on fours. You are a master of peek-a-boos, attempting this in the car, behind doors at home and out in the malls. Balls excite you too, as you kick and throw any in your way.
'Cat', 'ball' and 'mama' are words you are comfortable speaking, and I can't wait to hear you call me 'Mummy'.
You are pretty adventurous when it comes to food and are open to trying new flavors and textures. You run to me whenever I have my meals, always so curious and greedy, stealing bites from my plate and spitting them out when you do not like them.
You can be a drama queen when you choose to. Met with rejection when you want to put a toy in your mouth or play with your food, tears will well up in your eyes and you will let out the loudest cry as you tremble and wail. I need you to learn that you do not get everything you want, especially not by crying. Holding you close and speaking calmly to you to soothe you, I find distractions help to calm you down.
I want to be a bigger part of your life and spend more quality time with you in the months ahead, playing, laughing and indulging in food together.
Visit our shop! Refreshing online store concept selling stylish and quality clothes and lifestyle products for children. Also collects old clothes for donation.
