Conversations

I can’t even pinpoint when it happened.  But ever since the boy started going school, he’s been rapidly building up his vocabulary and linguistic skills, and before I knew it, we were already having simple conversations! Almost every day, he would also spring us a surprise with a new word or two.

Here are some of our recent conversations:

After a bad tantrum episode, I felt really mad and told him, “Kenan, mommy doesn’t want to stay home; I shall go out to work!”

With tears rolling in his eyes, he replied, “No, mommy stay home! Daddy go work!”

* * * * * * * * * *

One day, I was driving the boy to school and he suddenly said, “Mummy, be careful!”

I swear I wasn’t speeding, nor did I jammed on the brake to cause him to issue that cautionary note. But from that day on, l always remember those words and the cute little voice that said it whenever I’m on the road.

* * * * * * * * * *

I took out a packet of Milo from the fridge and was about to drink it when the little boy discovered what I was doing. He wanted a share of it too.

“Kenan, mommy’s hungry, so you just drink a little and leave the rest for me, ok?” I said.

I handed it to him, he took a sip and passed it back to me.

“Kenan drink a little only, mommy drink a lot!” I was absolutely touched that he could resist the temptation to drink more, which he would normally do as he enjoys Milo.

* * * * * * * * * *

The boy had been playing with a balloon for few days. So when I discovered it’s gone, I asked him what happened to the balloon.

Thinking for a moment, the boy reported, “Balloon boom already!”

A second later, he reiterated, “Burst!” and clapped his hands to mimic the sound.

* * * * * * * * * *

I’m always the one to tuck the boy to sleep. He refused to let anyone else do it. Ever since he started talking, whenever I tried to get the hubby to help, Kenan would always protest saying, “No, daddy go away!” or he would wave frantically and say, “Daddy bye-bye!” and pushes the dad out of the room.

After that, the hubby would always tell me how hurt he feels. Poor thing. He didn’t expect to have such a “mommy’s boy”! After all, he was the one who’s been so keen to have a child!

* * * * * * * * * *

Last Sunday, the boy was going out with his dad to the usual weekend dinner with the extended family. I had to stay home to look after my mom, who had just discharged from the hospital.

“Kenan, mommy won’t be going out with you and daddy tonight. Mommy has to stay home to take care of por-por,” I explained to the boy.

 “I want to stay home with mommy, I love mommy,” then he came over and hugged me tightly.

* * * * * * * * * *

I'm really beginning to enjoy these simple conversations with my little boy. But will there be a day when I'll complain that he talks too much or asks too many questions (especially those that I have no immediate answers to)?

I hope that if that day comes, I'll learn to be patient with him, so that he will continue to be curious about the world around him and develop a genuine love for learning. 

And if you do hear me complaining, please remind me to exercise greater patience!

Port of Lost Wonder: Where Pirate Ship and Foam Party Come Together

Have you heard the news yet? Singapore's first kids' club by the beach, Port of Lost Wonder (POLW) has opened!

Thanks to the very nice people of Sentosa, I got invited to a preview of this latest attraction on the Island last Saturday, which was also the day of their official launch.

As Kenan had class in the afternoon, we couldn't stay long, but it was enough for this mommy to recce the new kids’ wet 'n wild wonderland - and to share the details here.

Adventures at POLW

Copyright POLW, Sentosa Island

The POLW at Palawan Beach is just a few minutes' walk from the Beach Car Park

This is where you pay for admission and obtain your curio coins, which are for kids to pay for activities or a surprise snack

The coins come in a bag like this; kids will also receive a Port Pass to record their activities, collect stamps and redeem prizes!

Even before we entered POLW, the boy was already having fun! There was a bubble-making machine near the entrance spewing hundreds of bubbles to the delight of our boy.

Let the Fun Begin!

1. Ahoy matey!

The HUGE pirate ship docked right in the middle of the place is obviously the main draw of POLW.

Children were all having a splashing good time as they moved up and down the decks, jump into the waters and go down the numerous slides. However, parents do keep a close eye on your young children as they play with the various features, and in case the older kids get rowdy in their excitement.

The front and back of the Pirate Ship

2. Sand and foam

Enough of water play? Then head to the sand pit at the back to build some awesome sandcastles or have a frothy good time at a real cool kids-only foam party (pay 30 curios).

3. Pot a plant and meet some animal friends

Over at the Curiosity Island, children can work their little green fingers at a 'Pots & Planks' activity where they get to plant seedlings in a pot or boot and bring it home. The activity cost $20. From what I see on the board, it's not the POLW currency i.e. curios coins, they are referring to.

From what I read on the POLW website, there's also some activities involving little animals but I didn't see it when we were there and was a tad disappointed. Perhaps it wasn't time yet. Gotta check this one out another day as my boy is fond of animals.

There's also supposed to be board games, traditional games and storytelling, which I didn't see on that day. Made a mental note to look out for these too, at our next visit.

4. Picnic at the deck

POLW has thoughtfully incorporated a lounging area called The Deck so parents tired out from running after their energetic kids can take a break here. Families can also buy picnic baskets from Port Belly restaurant and enjoy a meal together in the open shaded area.

Other thoughtful designs include a diaper changing area, as well as locker facility.

Are you falling in love with this place yet? We'll likely be back soon, before the word goes out far and wide and it gets too crowded! 

Port of Lost Wonder

54 Palawan Beach Walk

Opening Hours:

10:00am to 6:30pm daily (last admission to POLW at 4:30pm)

Admission Charges: 

Weekdays -$8.00 (receive 50 curio coins and Port Pass)

Weekends & holidays - $15.00 (receive 100 curio coins and Port Pass)

Annual membership - $90.00 (600 curio coins, Port Pass and unlimited admission)

Charges is per child - accompanying adults enter for free. Love it!

Another reason why you should visit now? POLW is also having an opening specials - there's 15% off ticketing charges, and 20% off membership. For a limited period only.

For more information, check out POLW website or its Facebook page.

Falling Back into Place

Drained is how I felt the past two weeks.

Mom had been to the A&E twice during that period of time, and on the second visit, she got admitted.

The daily ferrying of the boy to and fro school, the looming deadlines, and spending a few hours every day in the hospital, made me feel drained of energy and emotions. On some days, I wished I could just lie in bed and not wake up. But the fact that I'm mom makes having a full day's rest impossible - at least in my case, because Kenan is a "mommy's boy" who looks to me for almost everything.

So, I'm really thankful when the mom-in-law agreed to stay over a few days to help me look after Kenan and supervise the maid. At least I could then go to the hospital for a few hours everyday with peace of mind, knowing that my boy will be well taken care of.

I'm also grateful for the hubby who tried to cheer me up and surprised me with a box of my favourite cakes. By the way, the bakery is not within our neighbourhood, I'm touched that he went that extra mile for me.

I call this the 'rainbow cake' - the cheerful colours sure perked me up. But nothing beats the sweet gesture of the hubby that warmed my heart...

After a few days' stay in hospital, mom is now back at home and slowly recovering.

Life is falling back into the usual routine, and routine is something I find myself craving for more and more these days. I like how routine gives me a sense of surety - just like knowing that the sun will always shine after the rain, reminding me that God is always there with and for me, even though I may not feel His Presence all the time.

source

Through waves and clouds and storms

His power will clear your way; 

Wait for his time; the darkest night 

Shall end in brightest day. 

--Paul Gerhardt

This post is a link up with Mama J's weekly Grateful Gatherings.

L'etoile - A Remote "Star" Discovered

I eat when I'm stressed. I eat when I'm happy. I celebrate special occasions, a project completed, getting a new client - basically whatever 'excuses' that  I can find for the moment, with eating.

And I don't just eat at "the usual places" (though there are favourites that I keep going back to). Instead, the hubby and I would go on a hunt for somewhere new. We love both the excitement of the hunt and the satisfaction and delight from finding a gem.

And we've been exploring a few places lately, the L'etoile cafe being one of our latest find. It was an overcast Sunday afternoon; the boy was napping when we decided on a whim to head out for afternoon tea. I did a quick check on google for new cafes and found L'etoile. We love it that it's not in the city; there's something attractive about an off-the-beaten-track location. They usually make for good getaways from the daily hustle and bustle, don't you think so?

L'etoile, which means "star" in French, is housed in a white, two storey shophouse at the junction of Owen Road and Dorset Road in Little India. Other shops nearby were closed on the day of our visit, so I can't say if it will be equally peaceful on a weekday (I've never been to this part of Singapore before this).

The Vibe: The indie cafe is inspired by French-themed Japanese cafes that the owner used to frequent when she was living in Nagoya some years back. This explains why the cafe exudes an eclectic charm that is both homely and inviting - simple, modern furniture such as wooden tables with red plastic chairs and sofa seats on the first floor, while a different world awaits the unsuspected customer as he ascends the staircase and steps into the spacious second floor: pretty lace curtains, black fans twirling lazily from the ceiling, old pieces of furniture and vintage items like a typewriter, grandfather clock and sewing-machine-turned-coffee-table are scattered around the room, with eye-catching, hand-painted bird cages adorning the walls.

Not surprising then, that all the seats here were occupied and we had to make do with the only vacant table on the first level (it's near the toilet and unfortunately, there was some unpleasant smell whenever someone opened the door).

Top right pic: Can you see the sewing-machine-turned-coffee-table at the bottom right corner? Bottom pics: there are plenty of reading materials, another reason why you might just end up staying longer.

Being a "lifestyle shop cum cafe", L'etoile sells knick knacks that friends bring back from their holidays (see top left pic).

The food: We weren't particularly hungry, so only ordered the macha azuki cupcake and carrot cake to share. I read that the cakes here are made by a Cordon Bleu-trained patissier, and I eagerly tucked into our orders. 

We both fell in love with the macha cupcake. It wasn't too sweet, the green tea cream was very fragrant and we thought the cupcake had a little caramel taste to it. The carrot cake was, in comparison, a bit lackluster. It was lighter in taste than most carrot cakes I've eaten but the saving grace was how every bite was full of  crunchy walnuts. 

We also enjoyed the pot of aromatic Earl Grey with lavender tea - it was an uplifting drink on a lazy afternoon (we aren't exactly coffee drinkers). However, we thought it was a bit too little for two person. We probably get a pot each the next time.

L'etoile also sells pies, crepes, scones and sandwiches. Brunch is available till 4pm on weekends and on most public holidays.

Family factor: If you have young kids, the cafe has highchairs available. Older kids might find it interesting to explore some of the vintage items on the second floor (most likely they have never seen an old sewing machine or a typewriter), just make sure not to spoil them!

By the way, if you drive, finding a place to park could be a challenge. We managed to park at some parallel lots further down from the cafe, but only because we were lucky to have spotted the only available lot left. Later, I checked streetdirectory.com and found another car park:

Map taken from streetdirectory.com

But like many Singaporeans, there's nothing to stop us when there's nice food and drinks awaiting.


L'etoile 
160 Owen Road
Operating hours: 9am to 8pm.
Closed on Mondays
Tel: 6298 2872

Baker & Cook - Simple Name, Great Food

Nestled in a cosy corner of the Greenwood enclave of restaurants is Baker & Cook, a relatively new artisan bakery cum café that has already garnered a following of sorts, judging by the crowd it draws on the Monday afternoon I was there.

Baker & Cook is set up by Dean Brettschneider, who is "regarded as one of the most respected bakers on the planet" and has over 25 years of experience under his belt. He has also authored 10 best-selling baking books and has his own TV shows.

With a celebrity baker as the owner and an maxim that says "passion is our main ingredient", you can bet they serve some really great food here

The Vibe: Warm, chic with a casual feel; a large communal table in the middle of the glass-paneled café adds to the friendly atmosphere here. The service staff are also full of smiles, which makes the place so much more welcoming. Outdoor seats are also available. No doubts the café is designed to be a great hangout place.

The Food: Cakes, muffins, tarts, breads, quiche, pizzas, sandwiches, pies (which come served with choice salad) - there's just so much to choose from.

Explaining about the fare they serve, Dean said, “Being a multi-cultural and multi-racial city, there is mix of nationalities here. That suits my type of baking which is not French, Danish nor German, but a mixture and great range of baking styles which will appeal to the sophisticated population in Singapore.”

And they make their own jams too (three flavours) - Apparently they are to be found at every table but I didn't notice it during my visit. What a pity! Maybe I was too engrossed in my conversations, shall keep a look out the next time I'm there.

Love the Bombolini donut (right bottom pic) - no guilt eating this as it isn't too sweet 

Anyway, I didn't eat much; but I tried their Bombolini donuts and I love it. You don't be deceived by its look though. While it's coated with sugar, it actually isn't too sweet. So is the custard found inside the donut -smooth, fragrant and with just the right amount of sweetness. The secret? They don't use sugar in their dough. I couldn't resist buying some home and my hubby who doesn't exactly fancy sweet bakes said it's good.

Drinks include coffees, teas, smoothies and cold drinks. I had the Vitamin Burst - has "lots of vitamin C from orange juice and a whole kiwi and plenty of anti-oxidants from blueberries". Very refreshing on a hot Monday afternoon, and don't we women need lots of vitamins for that healthy glow?

Family factor: They have highchairs here, so you can bring your little ones. More importantly, it makes for  a lovely place to hang out with other mommies or girl friends!

I'm kinda craving for another donut, maybe it's time to head to Baker & Cook again.


Baker & Cook
77 Hillcrest Road
Singapore 288951
Tel: 6469 8834

Opening hours
Sunday - Thursday: 7am - 8pm
Friday - Saturday: 7am - 10pm

Having Fun Without Gadgets

I know that it is inevitable that my boy gets exposed to gadgets and be drawn to them as a source of entertainment. While I'm guilty of the occasional "gadget babysitting", I still believe that at my son's age, he should really be exploring the world around him instead of getting fixated on a screen that may potentially put him on the path to myopia.

So I'm learning to close an eye to mess he creates in the name of fun and play, as long as he keeps away from my hubby's and my iPhones (no, we don't own an iPad as we don't want him to get the idea that he's got another new 'toy' to play with, so it's still the laptop for us).

Newspapers being thrown all over the floor. I'm not sure how fun this is but he sure enjoyed it!

He got all fingers black and dirty, so we whisked away to the bathroom for a wash. It's the first time he held a bar of soap in his hands (before that it's always the handwash) so it was another round of play again!

How about you? Are you ok with letting your child play with gadgets? How often and for how long are they allowed on the gadget each time?

The Ultimate (almost) Guide to Feeding Medicine to Toddlers

Source: freedigitalphotos

I know being a parent is going to be challenging. I’ve experienced the breastfeeding difficulties, now dealing with the ‘terrible twos’ and thinking of potty training gives me the headache. But never, not even for once, had I thought that giving medicine would be included in the list of parenting challenges! After all, we didn’t have that problem when Kenan was a baby. So when it did happen, the hubby and I were at a total lost.

Few weeks ago, my boy was prescribed an antibiotic together with several other medications for cough, phlegm and running nose.

While it wasn’t easy peasy giving him the other medications, it was nothing compared to the antibiotic.

For the first two days, we managed to get him to take it, but not without some struggle.

However, from Day 3 onwards, no matter what we did - coax, persuade, scold, threaten, try mixing with milk then chocolate milk – he simply refused. If we did manage to force some in – which took the combined effort of three adults, it would almost always spew out immediately, together with whatever food that was being digested in his stomach. The whole experience left all of us frustrated, exhausted, and to some extent, traumatised.

A week later, we went back for a doctor’s review and I shared with her what happened. After a discussion, the pediatrician felt that a change of medicine to something with more 'palatable' taste and texture might just help.

And it did turn out to be a good decision. By employing two different methods to feed him the medicine and giving him some rewards for the 'suffering' he endured, we succeed in getting him to finish the full course (five days).

What we did to get Kenan to take his antibiotic

1. Mixed it with Meiji chocolate milk (please see No.2 at “More tips” section below). The Meiji brand’s chocolate milk (which is our family’s favourite) is good as it’s thick and very chocolatey, so it helps to mask the taste of the second antibiotic. It didn’t work for the first one though, as that antibiotic was really very strong in smell and taste and the texture was more ‘sandy’/’grainy’ (by the way, dear folks at Meiji, if the milk starts flying off the shelves, how about giving me a commission?)

2. Prepare a cup of honey water (you could try Ribena too). After squinting some antibiotic into his mouth via a syringe, we let him drink a mouthful of honey water and repeat the process until the medication is finished. I adapted this method from Friend LK’s method. She would use two syringes, one with medicine and another one with water, and one teaspoon of honey. Start with medicine (half dose), followed by water and then lastly honey. Repeat the same process for the remaining dose. Do it fast and squirt the syringe at the side of the child’s mouth. Prepare more water and honey if needed.

3. Rewards. Kenan is recently into stickers so I rewarded him with them after he took the medicine. The first day, I gave him a sticker and he was real happy. The next day, he asked for two and I gave him. The third day, he bargained for three! And as you would have guessed by now, he told me he wants four stickers on the fourth day! Oh my, the little boy was keeping track!

The little boy sticking his hard-earned 'reward' into his book

I also shared about the ‘ordeal’ on Facebook and many parent friends shared their experiences with me, together with some great tips to go along. Below is the compilation of the tips.

More tips on feeding medicine

1. When using the syringe, feed it at the corner of the mouth so that it goes directly down the throat and the child doesn’t taste the medicine so much, said Friend S. “I used to squint medicine in the middle and the bitterness just makes my kids react. This method has worked well for me,” she added.

2.  Mix the medication into some food or drinks e.g. yogurt, fruit juice, milk, Ribena. But some will work better than others, depending on the type of medicine and how strong the taste is. So a bit of experimentation is needed here.

3. Not all antibiotics can be mixed with milk, please check with your doctor. When mixing with milk, it might be a good idea to do so with another brand than the one your child normally drinks. As Friend ND noted, “The child may associate milk with medicine in future and lose interest in drinking the milk.” That was true in our case. After I added the antibiotic to his formula (just once) and he rejected it, he was so hesitant to drink his milk when I subsequently gave it to him. But thankfully after explaining to him that it was just plain milk, he took it.

4. Friend MY uses two syringes, one with medicine, the other with water. After giving a bit of medicine, quickly squint in some water from the second syringe to “wash down the medicine”.

5. If your toddler can’t finish the medicine in one sitting, then spread it out. “Give bit by bit, every few minutes, you don’t have to feed all at once”, Friend MY highlighted. This may be tiring for parents but it beats having your child vomits it all out.

6. Give the medicine before food (before you do this, just check with doctor that it’s ok to do so for the particular medicine). I used to think that unless told otherwise, all medication should be taken after food. So when I applied this to feeding medicine to Kenan, we ended up with vomited medicine AND food. Then we not only have to worry about giving him the medicine again, we also had to think about whether to give him some food too since he vomited it out.

7. Lastly, Friend SL uses a very simple trick to get her child to take medicine – she puts two M&Ms into the medicine and viola, no fight, no struggle – the child takes the medicine in one quick mouth.

So there you have it. The art of feeding toddler medicine.  If you have other tips in feeding a toddler medicine, please share with me!