chatter-box Queen

There was a time when Ash refused to say anything other than the word 'NO'. She won't even mimic Barney or us or anyone. I used to read to her everyday, twice a day or whenever I sit down with her and we can flip through the same books over and over and over again..and yet, not a word. Not even something simple like "ball"..or "sun"..or whatever.

Was I ever worried? A little but I also did remember that (as a comparison and a means to provide self-comfort), hubby's nephew who's 11 now, started speaking proper sentences at 4 and a couple of words here and there at 3. So, "ok"..I thought. No rush. But of course, secretly, I wished she had responded more.

Then, she started saying many more words when she turned 2. Still slow and on a one-word basis but, we made progress. I stopped reading to her so frequently then because Em came along and just threw my schedule overboard. But, she continued to make progress; which is a good sign I believe.

Nowadays, she yaks non stop. Not in perfect sentences with perfect grammar and all. Lets face it, I tend to also get my tenses wrong so...what have I got to say about her? Also, hubby and I, we're guilty of not correcting her each time and instead, even copying her sometimes. I know, it's bad but you know, it won't be long before she finds out the proper way to say things and eventually, she'll learn (from school or well learned friends) so I simply wanted "preserve" her 'baby talk' as long as I can (like, to record all her baby talk onto usb drives). But I can see that, as the days go by, her growing up, she's learning new things, learning new words (like 'shit'...I am so gonna get an earful from the teacher one of these days)....SHe doesn't leave you alone even for a second without asking you something -- what this is, what is that...As much as I like to provide her with all the answers of the universe, sometimes, I just look at her blank and reply "err..mommy don't know wor". WHich is true because most of the time, this mommy really doesn't know O_O.

I really wonder, how long this type of questioning from a toddler will last? I hope not too long because I have another little one and she's likely to be doing the same thing, I reckon?.

the girls' playroom

I always liked to have a room where I can just stuff all their toys and whatnots so that, when they play, they only mess up the room and no where else because if you leave the toys in the living-room, chances are they'll end up under the couch, under the coffee table, under God-knows what. So, to clean one room, is easier than cleaning oh, I don't know - the entire living-room.

My problem is, I don't have a house with that many rooms to spare. We have only 2 rooms upstairs of which are occupied by us (the master-bedroom) and the girls' room. We have only 1 room downstairs which we've since turned it into a study. There used to be a gigantic sofa-bed but we've since moved it up to our room when the girls moved out. So, there's slightly more space in our study for me to put in their mickey mouse study (it comes with 2 chairs and is super cute) table and some of their favorite toys. Unfortunately, the room isn't big enough for all of their toys and books; it'll have to do for now.

So far, the arrangement served it's purpose especially when they are playing with their masak-masak. Plus, I can keep an eye on them when I'm on my lappie which turned out to be another advantage having them in the study. Everybody wins in this situation, don't you think? I am hoping of course that one fine day, when we can eventually afford a much larger house (with more rooms), we can then have a room specially for them but for now, it remains just a dream for me.

Ms Independent

So..it looks like Ash isn't just enjoying school, she's becoming more and more independent.

She won't allow me to go up the stairs towards her classroom with her. Instead, she'd shoo me away, whilst telling me "Ashley girl go (her)self. Go mommy". Every time.

Good? Of course! But...

As much as I feel elated with her new found courage, I'm also a wee bit annoyed and can't help but wonder if she's been up to no good at school. And whether, what mischief has she gotten herself into lately. If only I had bought the Nikon binoculars so I can spy-with-my little-eyes.

Alrighty...time for the CSI and Sherlock Holmes in me to get cracking!

the girl and her shadow

and her 'echo' too...

have a wonderful weekend all!!

Happy Thaipusam

To those of you celebrating

and

Happy Holidays too...:-D

Hubby's favourite

One of my hubby's favorite dish is deviled eggs. He tasted them once and never looked back. But, you know how eggs are high in cholesterol and bla bla bla...not good for the heart at our age. Go read about it at alli reviews and you'll know what I am talking about.

I made some for Christmas and every single piece were gone. OK, so I didn't make a whole lot because it was my first time attempting this dish and I was worried about how it'd turn out. I scoured the net for recipes and how-tos. Surprisingly (or not), there are different variations on how to make it. I mean, the fundamental procedure is the same but what you can add onto the eggs after, it's totally up to you. Some even recommended using a blender or food processor to blend the yolk so to have a really silky smooth feel but some preferred to blend and smash the yolk with a fork to have it more textured.

Well, however you do it, always do what suits you and your family. Never follow every word; adaptation is key.

onward to Chinese New Year

Finally...the tree is down. We dismantled it with the girls. Bad idea but we had to because if we did it while Ash's asleep, we would get an earful from her when she wakes to find the tree gone. So, better be safe than sorry.

She did ask us many times why we had to take it down. Even telling her that Christmas is over, all presents have been opened...she was still not satisfied. But, thankfully for us, she happily participated in the demolition process. Even Em wasn't left out. It was done in a jiffy so the pain was short-lived for the tree..:-).

However, I did get my floor all dirtied up because the girls kept dragging the tinsels on the floor and around the coffee table. uurrgghh..Can never leave those 2 alone for one minute!

So, that was that. You know, we didn't get any CNY decors this year for the house. Come to think of it, I don't think we have any in the past to begin with. Hmm..maybe we should be getting some this year. The one thing I feel really strongly about getting is for lime trees and most effective diet pills because how else am I gonna fit into my lil cheongsam? We don't want to bulges around the waist now do we? As for them trees, I think we should have one at least. Time for some more shopping. It's never-ending especially when Chinese New Year is around the corner.

a SAHM's new job responsibility

and that would be...being a driver...in addition to oh, you name it - janitor, housekeeper, educator, cook. Of course the last 2 don't really count where I am concerned because I was not much of a student and I certainly can never cook up a storm. But, I tries my best.

So while I was hoping this new job (on top of everything else) will pay well like how much Black Friday promoters receive, apparently, mine gets nothing in return for the hours I spend on the road each day. Absolutely zilch. Nandre. It's a wonder why I applied for the job in the first place.

Exhausting being the driver. After a week or so, I am ready to give it up to the first person to say "aye" heheh..Oh well, a mom's gotta do what a mom's gotta do - drive!

Dinner at Restaurant Kong Sai

Have you tried them?

Anyways, we had dinner with my sister and parents on Saturday. My sister suggested Kong Sai at Taman Paramount PJ. You know, I always get confused with where Paramount starts and ends cos I always thought the whole area is Seapark. If you're familiar with PJ, you'll know what I am talking about. Drives me crazy all the time.

OK, back to dinner. As you know, we hardly eat out. Even before kids, we hardly ate out. If we didn't cook, we'd be at my MIL's or my parents. But, my parents have been pretty adventurous recently and decided -- to hell with the wok, we are eating out!!. So, they have been to more places than I. With kids in tow, it's not easy having your dinner in peace. Ash is ok, but Em can get awfully messy and fidgety. Generally, we just give Em an empty plate, fork and spoon and some food which we feel is ok for her to eat/attempt to eat, she'll be all set. Provided of course, she's not cranky from lack of sleep or whatnot. Otherwise, the fidgety side gets the better of her.

So, naturally, it was the first time we've ever tried the food at this restaurant. My parents and sisters have been here before and raved so much about the food. Not only is the food delicious but the pricing is very reasonable too. Both hubby and I were fine with trying out new places to eat. Besides, we need to know where to go or direct people whenever they asks "what's good around your place?" because we would often give them a blank look and be scratching our head thinking of what/where to go grab some good food.

Let me tell you, the place didn't disappoint at all. The food was really good. The only thing that irked me was how packed the small 25x75 ground floor shop lot was even before 6.30pm. My dad did warn us to go early so we could get the big table and sit comfortably with 2 high chairs. But, no matter how early we went, the place was already packed to the brim. People were waiting outside and inside for tables. The number of people in there, you'd think they were giving away free food!

We had my dad's favorite - pork vinegar (chi keok chou) and peppered pig stomach soup. With that, we also ordered the poached chicken (the chicken was so tender), steamed fish (for the kiddos), yau mak (a veggie dish) and curry pork ribs with potatoes. They all had the yau fan while I had plain rice. Even though Em had her porridge before we left for the restaurant, I still gave her some plain rice, veggie and fish to keep her occupied. She doesn't like being eft out.

All plates were licked clean. Except for the pork vinegar cos that came in such a huge serving that my parents couldn't finish the bowl. They tau pau the remainder home and all went home with a full stomach, ready to hit the sack. The girls slept early and so did we. All happy and completely knackered out.

p.s : I apologize for not taking any pictures. My bad!

Mini

She's 20 months. She's gonna oh' so love being 20 months. I was gonna type 20..hahahah..Well, this mommy sometimes wishes she's 20 without the "months" after.

And, she's gonna love next week. It's her big big day/week. Hope she'll not act up and throw a fuss. **fingers crossed**

Have a great weekend y'all. I know it's a short posting and ending so abruptly but I will have a long day so best I get some rest. You guys take care..speak soon.

Ash's first couple of days...

..were a breeze. I guess I got worried for nothing after all. I should have more faith in my own daughter. Hubby, on the other hand, assured me that she'd do ok but I still had my doubts because she was rather reserved and shy when we met her teacher before school started.

She proved me wrong...yet again.

I was all prepared for her to bawl her eyes out, cling onto my legs refusing to let go of them. She didn't. She bade me farewell and I was out the door. Since classes were 2 hours the past 3 days, I didn't drive home. Instead, I went grocery shopping with Mini, had tea, even went to the library.

The first day, I hung around downstairs with Mini. But the 2nd and 3rd day, I went off. I felt relieved for sure that she's finally gain some independence but at the same time, I felt heavy -- like I had to leave a big part of me behind. I have left her behind with her grandparents no doubt, but this is different. Like I had to put my full trust onto a stranger (almost) and hope that this kind soul will look after my kid..even if it's just for a couple of hours. I've gotta learn to trust them. I still am..trying to.

You know how it is with your first born; they tend to receive the best (and worst) from us. Don't get me wrong, of course the feeling is great. No clingy toddler, you can do what you like. Well, it's a 'half feeling' for me because I still have to go through the motion with Mini. I have been dying for this day to come. Strangely, now that the day has arrived, why am I not enjoying it fully?

It is getting late and I am beat. Apart from feeling or supposedly feeling on top of the world, I am tired. ANd I finally know how a soccer mom feels : It.ain't.all.fun.and.games!!

where is Po Po?

Me : Where is Po Po (my mom. we were at her house)?

Ash : mmm...hm..in the fridge.

Me : **blink** *a little confused* huh? - in the fridge?

Ash : **burst into hysterics**...hahahhahahaha...

Me : -_-

**************

Not related to Po Po but..:

Ash : Where is Ashley-girl's prince? Where? Where to find? Where's the prince?

Me : errmmm...hmmm...mommy try to find ok? Now go orr liu first..

Welcome twenty eleven!!

It has been a crazy ride and I am starting the year book on a fresh page.

We'll see how the story unfolds then.

I know, I am very late with ushering in the new year but I've, we've been busy the last couple of days. Prepping Ash for school, doing last minute shopping, celebrating my dad's birthday. Did you know that the malls have all started their CNY goodies? I was looking for some new clothes for the kids, some for hubby and I and some Luxury bed linens and was pretty surprised at how efficient these people were in taking down the Christmas decors and on with the CNY decors. I mean, I haven't even taken down my tree yet!! Perhaps I am still in the Christmasy mood and not yet completely ready for the next celebration. I haven't even spring cleaned my house!! arrgghhh..

Lots to do; so little time. Better get cracking!