FAMILY of FIVE

2009-08-18T10:20:00.001+08:00

Photos of my little princess

2009-08-18T09:31:00.007+08:00

It been a long time since my last post. Before I forget my password to my blog, I was thinking of just posting my girl's photo.

Clarisse is very cheerful, like to make funny faces and always make you happy. She is very helpful and thoughtful.

I will always remember the time when we went to Wild Wild Wet, she tried to help me get out of the float by offering me her hands. So sweet of her.

Trip to Laguna Redang

2009-03-25T13:40:00.005+08:00

Went for a short trip during the school holidays to Laguna Redang. Travelled in a group of 13 and off we go. Though it was a very tiring trip but my boys enjoyed it.

Below are some of the pics.

Waiting for the ferry. They are so bored that they made funny faces.

Snorkeling Time!

Sunrise!!

Last but not least, Clarisse in her mini jean skirt.

Jean Skirt Re-construct

2009-03-23T13:13:00.004+08:00

This was done 2 weeks ago. Given this 3/4 jean skirt to me by my cousin but was kept in my cupboard all this while.

I decided to re-construct the jean skirt, and here is how it looks like now.

One 3/4 skirt became 2 mini skirt for me and Clarisse. Clarisse's skirt is from half of the bottom skirt

Here's the 2 skirts. Mine with pleats made from the balance of the fabric that I have and the other half of the bottom. Clarisse's skirt with ruffles.

Bought some fabric button shells from Daiso some time ago but did not know what to do with it. I use it to make some fabric buttons and sew them onto Clarisse's skirt.

My New Toy

2009-03-13T09:25:00.006+08:00

It's has been a while since my last update. No bento updates cos Clarence prefer to queue up with his friends during recess to buy some snacks. For the past few months, he has been eating pizza from the canteen everyday. I think he is too shy and does not know how to order from the other stalls.

We went to Tampines Court early this month to look at those sewing machine with no intention of buying cos my mum's place has the old manual type. As I was browsing thru, one of them was on promotion and has the functions which I wanted, able to do zig zag stitch, button hole, sew button and etc. As a result, I bought my new toy (Brother BM 2600 sewing machine)
My first project was to sew a new carrier for my yoga mat since the old is torn. Here's my the pic. I have re-cycled the handle and the string for the top.

Went on to sew my lunch bag, handphone holder, ez-link card holder.

My lunch bag.

Handphone pouch
Ez-link card holder

Last night, I managed to sew a sun hat for Clarisse and another Ez-link card holder. I can only start sewing at around 10pm when she goes to sleep. Things when smoothly and was able to complete by 11:30pm.

Here the pic of the sun hat and Clarisse wearing it.

All are sewn from the same fabric. I dare not buy too much fabrics in case I have nothing else to sew and no where to store. Ha Ha.

CNY Cookies

2009-01-23T09:25:00.009+08:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR !!

Baked some cookies yesterday since I was on leave. Personally I like the Pooh butter cookies cos they turn out so cute.

Butter Cookies

Unbaked Almond Rice Puff

Forget to take picture of the Chocolate cookies. Will post it later. Very pleased with this year baking as I received good comments.

Bento #16 & #17

2009-01-12T08:44:00.003+08:00

Wanted to make the rice ball to look like monster but it turn out to be mummies.

Today's bento:

Rice mixed with furikake and roll over with seaweed. Quail egg chicks and crabsticks and some grapes.

Bento #14 and #15

2009-01-08T08:36:00.004+08:00

My boys requested for pizza for reccess today.

Here's today bento

Pizza (bread with hotdog, crabstick & cheese), nuggets, orange and grapes.

Mini Lotus bun

Oops.. did not notice the food pick has fallen off when I took this picture.

Bento #12 and #13

2009-01-07T09:14:00.003+08:00

Last night, requested hubby to drive me to the supermarket to add in some stock for my boys bento cos it's lacking greens and fruits which is not quite healthy for them. Brocolli is the only vege that both boys will eat, they are very choosy on vege. Clement will go for white vege like bean sprouts and cabbage and Clarence will go for green vege with hard stem like asparagus etc.

I am very happy to see my creation today. At last I added colors to my boys bento.

Today's bento:-

Rice, brocolli, meatball on seafood tofu, crabstick and grapes. Furikake in the container and the nutella bread.

The nutella bread, as usual, is for Clarence after school. Clement told me not to pack for him cos he likes to eat school food. As he has no chance to eat during recess, he eats after school before boarding the school bus. And guess what, he eats another round when he reaches grandma's place. Maybe the portion is too little for him or he is just greedy?????

Bento #10 and #11

2009-01-06T09:37:00.007+08:00

Indeed it is very tiring to wake up an hour earlier just to make bento for the kids. When you know that the kids finished up all the food, it's all worth it. Must salute all bento mummies out there.

Here's today bento

Bread roll with ham & cheese, ham flower, seaweed chicken, meat ball with crabstick

Pooh cut out bread with nutella and the other with cheese

The pooh bread with nutella is for Clarence and decided to make a set for my girl too. Have a great time playing with the cutter.

Bento #8 and #9

2009-01-05T10:05:00.005+08:00

Clarence's first day at school, they normally have buddy to bring them for recess and I thought I can have a break for another few days before I start preparing bento for my boys to bring to school but the first day experience told me that I need to prepare bento for Clarence for recess.

My boy is so shy that he dare not ask for anything except to the drink stall to buy a packet of milo. Then, they sat down at a table to finish his drink. After guiding him on how to dispose the packet, I saw my poor boy sitting alone at the table, the buddy is no where to be found. He is also so lost as to what to do. In the end, I need to bring him to the assembly area where the teacher will bring them back to the classroom.

Today is the second day of school and I tell myself I need to prepare something for the boys. Here is the bento for today.

Prata with hotdog, nuggets and star biscuits for recess. The cut out are bread with Bak Kwa.

Th bread are for them to fill their stomach before taking the school bus back to the grandmother's house as the journey is about 2 hours. Hmm...already thinking of what to prepare for them tomorrow.

Hotdog Dinosaur

2008-12-31T08:59:00.006+08:00

Clement called me yesterday telling me that he and Clarence have made two dinosaur using hotdog. They said that they will wait for me to go back to look at it first before the hotdogs go into their stomach. I told them that I will take a picture and post it in the blog.

Here's their hotdog dinosaur

Clement's Dino

Clarence's Dino

Egg Mould from 3lilangels

2008-12-29T09:40:00.007+08:00

Sometime ago, I have requested Sharon from 3lilangels to help me get the quail egg mould and I think it took her a few trips there before she managed to get one. It's so sweet and kind of her.

I was so excited when meeting up with Sharon. We exchanged our items and here is what she got for me. Quail Egg mould and also egg mould for rabbit, bear, fish and car. Not forgetting a big lollipop too.

My boys were so excited when they saw it. Clement has requested for a rabbit shape egg and Clarence has requested for car shape egg. Sorry boys, you will only get it when school re-open.

Thank you Sharon (3lilangels).

Holicks Doggie Cookies

2008-12-10T09:20:00.003+08:00

Last weekend was a long weekend and decided to bake something for my kids. Saw the Holicks Doggie Cookies from http://happyhomebaking.blogspot.com/2007/01/holicks-doggie-cookies.html.

As usual, they keep asking when the biscuits are going to be ready. I also brought some for my colleague to try. Good comments from some but a few commented that it is not sweet enough. Maybe have to add more chocolate chips inside. All the Doggie Cookies are gone in 2 days.

If given the time, will make this cookie for the coming Chinese New Year. I think the children will love it.

Holiday Update

2008-12-09T10:07:00.030+08:00

Back for more than a week but no time to sort out the photos cos busy unpacking, washing, etc. Piles of work waiting for me in the office and that the reason why I have not been updating my blog.

Just to share some photos and summary of my trip to Shanghai and Hong Kong.

Departure on the 15/11. My boys are so excited as it was their first time on board an aircraft.

Clarisse in a bassinet on board Cathay Plane. In fact, she is already too big for it but still it is better than having her sitting on my lap all the time.

Second day in Shanghai was a guided tour. We went to the Shanghai Pearl TV tower. As we are given the complimentary tickets to go up the tower, it comes with full disappointment. We cannot see anything up there. It was all cover with haze as it was early in the morning. Next, we went to a jade factory, as usual, we were being pestered to buy something from there. My husband bought a jade "Pixiu" which say to prevent accident when driving. After that, we went for a complimentary mini steamboat lunch followed by foot massage. We went to Daning street for shopping and dinner before the ERA show. This was the best of all. Arobats performed excellent acts. A must see if you were to go there.

Third day was at Yu Yuan Garden, eating their famous Xiao Long Bao. Shopping was fun as you can get things you want at very cheap price after bargaining. My boys bought some toys there. We left Yu Yuan not long after cos we need to go to the place (can't remember the name) where my mum wanted to have some silk cloth tailored there. She make herself 4 blouses. Me 2 blouses and my husband 4 pants. All can be ready the next day.

Fourth day. Pictures taken at Shanghai Wild Insect Museum. First picture, at the entrance. The second is at a stone stepping area where the children can play and can you guess what the insects are in the third pictures?

They are not real insects. They are ball point pens. Interesting right.

Fifth day was my shopping day.
In fact, we went back to Yu Yuan again in the morning. Shop for more souvenirs and me, lots of Pooh stuff like nail clippers, bags, spoon and chopstick, ear stick with lights etc. In the evening, we went to the famous street in Shanghai known as Nanjing Lu. The whole stretch are shopping but we only went to one which is more for kids. Bought Disney school bags there as they are much cheaper than in Singapore.

As it is near our hotel, we normally go there for our dinner. It have restaurant like Lao Bei Jing where you can have the Bejing roasted duck , Daniang shui jiao and Ajisen, etc. All worth the money.

We continue our journey on the sixth day in Hong Kong.

After we check in the hotel, my mum help to look after my kids while me and my husband went to collect something which I reseve before my trip there. Can you guess what they are? Scroll down..............

Finally, I get my Pooh Bento accessories from a shop in Hong Kong. They are bread cutter, container, pancake pan, bento box, vegetable cutter and furikake container.

See how happy my girl is with those Pooh Items. Anyway those items are intended for her use when she is older.

Seventh day was at Ocean Park, lowland and highland. Lowland are mainly for children where they play rides. Quite similar to those in Genting. After a few hours there, we took a cable car up to the highland. Activities up in the highland were Jelly fish place, underwater world, Dolphins shows. They did not play any rides there cos they are meant for older children.

On the Eighth day morning, we went to Lantau Island, we took a ferry and bus transfer in order to reach the Big Buddha. My boys started to climb up the steps the moment they reached there. My mum & I waited for them below. After a while, I decided to climb up too as it will be a wasted trip if I don't go up. After carrying my girl for a few steps, I put her down cos of my knee cap problem, I do not have the strength to carry her up all the way. Suprisingly, she managed to climb up all the way. In total, there are 256 steps. She climbs more than 200 steps. Met up with my husband and I went down with my boys while my girl is still up there walking here and there with my husband. She refused to come down when my boys went up again to look for her. Poor me, have to go up and carry her down.

After which, we went to the Peak since we are already at the area whereby we can catch a bus to the peak tram. It was our first time taking the open top bus. We took a Peak Tram up to the Peak. It was very windly up there. Below is a picture of what you can see up there.

On the nineth day, we went to Snoppy world. Over here, it just a playground where children can play slides, open bus, etc. You can also take pictures with your favourite character. After which, was my shopping time.

The whold of tenth day was spent in Disneyland. My girl like the theme on "It's a small world" and we took the rides twice. Disneyland is a better place as compare to Ocean Park for young children as they can play most of the rides and there are show on 3D effect. We stayed on till the fireworks. By the time we reached hotel, it was past 8 pm. Tired night for all.

We will be flying back on the eleventh day.

That's all for now. A bit long winded but hope you enjoy reading.

Taking a Break

2008-11-13T09:33:00.003+08:00

School is over. Holidays are coming. Will be going on a short trip to Shanghai and Hong Kong with my family this Saturday 15/11/08.

My kids are all so excited about this trip as this is their first time taking the plane. (Some old people says cannot tell them till last minute, cos "pang dan" , afraid that they will fall sick. That's what happen to my boys. One is having fever and cough and the other having running nose and cough. Don't know how true).

Me, my first trip since my honeymoon 10 years ago. I am equally excited like my kids. Clarence has been counting down everyday. He will tell me how many days more which make me more anxious cos it's like there are still a lot of things not done yet.

Luggage not fully pack. Don't know what thing to bring. Whether the children have enough clothing, etc. (temperature in Shanghai is aroung 15 degree c.). Anyway, we will see how it goes.

My boys have already written down a list of things they want to buy (toys of course). I will be happily on a look out for bento stuff. Any of you know where I can get those things?

I will take a short break from blogging. Have a nice weekend.

Chicken Little

2008-11-10T11:35:00.003+08:00

As seen in other mummies blog, using quail egg to make it look like a chick. As I have cooked some quail eggs for my boys, I start to play around with the quail eggs.

So how's the chicken little? Do they look like chicks or spaceship?

Bento #7

2008-11-10T11:20:00.005+08:00

Make sandwiches bento today for Clement but he does not want to bring to school. He requested for sushi, but I told him that it require more time to prepare it. Wanted to add the seaweed chicken for him cos that is his favorite but he is down with cough and was told to avoid chicken for a while.

Top section: Egg sandwiches

Bottom section: Egg sandwiches and star shape apples

Since he refused to bring to school, I will have that for my lunch today.

Bento #5 & #6

2008-11-06T10:00:00.007+08:00

Bento for today, my boys requested for sushi. It took me almost an hour to complete the bento. Maybe new to bentoing, that's why (excuses). I spent sometime searching for my small rice scoop which I bought not long ago with the rice mould and use it only one time, only to know that my mother-in-law has thrown it away thinking that who would use a small scoop for the big rice cooker. She also threw away the picks (and of all picks, it's those colourful animal picks), container and etc whenever she washes the lunch box for my son although I have told her that they can be re-cycled. Just feeling sad of course.

Anyway, that will give me reasons to buy more bento accessories.

Bento #5 - Clement

Top section: Star shape fish fillet, seaweed chicken, mikan and star biscuit
Bottom section: Maki and soy sauce in rabbit container

Bento #6 - Clarence

Top section: Star shape fish fillet, mikan and star biscuit

Bottom section: Seaweed Chicken and Pork floss Maki

Clarence does not like pickles and so have to make him the Pork floss Maki. He is a very fussy eater. For my bento, it also consist of Maki and Seaweed Chicken and of course, all the balance from the cut out. That's the reason why I did not post my bento.

Bento #4

2008-11-05T09:37:00.005+08:00

Decided to prepare myself a bento for lunch cos I always have headache thinking of what to eat during lunch. Since I have leftover rice from last night dinner, I make myself some fried rice. Notice that I always use the same lunchbox. It's my favourite cos there are different compartment and I can reheat during lunchtime.

Left section: Fried rice with crabstick and egg (Forget to sprinkle some fried sliver fish)

Right top : Black Pepper siew mai, chilli sauce in the container

Right bottom: Pork Gyoza

Breakfast for Clarence is very simple. Since he like dinosaurs so much, I decided to make him some dinosaurs cut out bread. Bought the cutter sometime ago but have not start using it.

Dinosaurs Bread with Peanut Butter

A Smile Again

2008-11-05T09:23:00.012+08:00

Finally, a smile again on my little girl face. She was down with fever and throat infection. She also got white spots on her tongue (luckily not HFMD) which made it so painful for her to eat anything. Her only food for whole of last week was only water as she refused milk and porridge. My poor girl has lost so much weight. Some of her baby fats are gone. Below is the before and after photo of her.

Before.......

After.......

Now that she is able to eat. She starts going round looking for food. Whenever she sees food, she will say "Um Um". Hope she will fully recover soon.

New product - Transportation Theme Pasta

2008-10-30T09:30:00.008+08:00

Not been updating my blog recently cos I have been having sleepless night lately. My girl is down with fever since Monday. She will cling on to me the moment I reach home. No time to do my personal things. This was suppose to be an earlier post.

Went shopping in NTUC last weekend to replenish some stocks and headed for the Pasta Section as we have run out of it. Usually we will go for the brand pastaZARA, cos they have Pasta in animals theme. To our suprise, they have now come out with the Transportation Theme Pasta. Clarence was first to notice it and without any hesitation, we got a pack. Below is the picture of the pastaZARA and I took some out for photo shoot. They have aeroplane, train, car and motorbike.
And of course, we have it for lunch as well.

Pasta in mushroom soup with Tako balls and crabstick

This is the only food whereby Clarence can finished 1 BIG bowl. He is usually a small eater. All of us have it for lunch except for my hubby cos he normally prefer to eat chinese food.

Bento #1, #2, #3

2008-10-23T09:58:00.016+08:00

Finally, I can post pictures of my bentos.

As requested by my boys to prepare something for them, I have decided to use some of the leftover items like nuggets, fish fillet and seaweed. Having to wake up an hour earlier to do the preparation, I find that it is worth it. The result really makes my boys very happy and I'm surprised by the end result. The pictures are taken from handphone and is not very clear. Luckily, I have it capture on camera too. Will download the pic from camera when I have the time.

Bento #1 for Clement

Maki, Nuggets, Fish shape fillet (Penguin and rabbit pick), Tamago and Crabstick sushi.

Green container consist of seaweed rice cracker and peanuts

Soy Sauce in the Rabbit container

Bento #2 for Clarence

Top section: Blue container consist of seaweed rice cracker and peanuts, Nuggets, Fish shape fillet (Giraffe and seal pick)

Below section: Maki, Tamago and Crabstick sushi.
Soy Sauce in the Panda container

Bento #3 for myself

Top left: Nuggets with cut pickles for decor.

Below left: The leftover of the cut out from the fish fillet and mix with crabstick and mayo

Right section: Maki and the one wrap in plus sign seaweed is rice with the leftover fish fillet mayo.

Exam Fever

2008-10-22T09:15:00.002+08:00

Today, my elderest boy is having his first exam paper "English". His other papers will follow next few days as well as next week. Normally when children are having their exam, I think most parents are more anxious and worries than the children. Don't know how well they can do for all the papers

Having go thru some of the previous assessment with him and mentioned to my hubby his weakness in some of the areas, my hubby take the initiative to be home last few days to go thru with him on this weakest subject "Chinese Language".

I would like to thank my hubby for his help and to wish Clement all the best in his exam.
GOOD LUCK CLEMENT! Mummy know you can do it.

My 3rd attempt on Muffin

2008-10-20T09:46:00.013+08:00

Last Friday night, my 2 boy keep on bugging me to make Muffins for them. As I have most of the ingredients, I did not disappoint them since they are so supportive to my cooking, baking and experiment. With the help from them and of course with my little girl, we manage to complete the baking (and the mess they made). The whole process takes about an hour to complete. The recipe is from Love972 Violet's Kitchen. Below is the finished product.

Muffin
Self Raising Flour - 300gm
Fine Sugar - 250gm

Whole egg - 135gm (est 2 big eggs)
Milk (Fresh Milk) - 105gm/ml
Butter - 125gm
Vanilla Essence - 1/4 tsbp

(Added some chocolate chips in the muffin)

Method:
1) Using low heat, melt the butter & set aside to let it cool down. Mix in the egg, milk & vanilla essence.
2) Heat up the oven to 220 Degree Cel (10mins).
3) Sieve the self raising flour into a bowl & mix with the fine sugar.
4) Pour the butter mix into the flour and turn in one direction until evenly mix.
5) Pour the mixture into container & bake for 15 - 20 mins.

After long.........wait

Guess what my boys did? They couldn't wait to attack the muffin. Look at the way they hold the muffin (the muffin is fresh from the oven).

Down with a muffin each for the boys, 3 muffins went into my hubby's stomach (he missed my first 2 rounds of baking).

My 3 Kids

2008-10-17T16:40:00.000+08:00

My 3 children, 2 boys and 1 girl. They are Clement 9 yrs old, Clarence 6 yrs old and Clarisse 16 months. Picture taken in Airport Terminal 1 when sending their daddy off to his first business trip to Hong Kong on 23/08/08.

My first post

2008-10-17T16:05:00.001+08:00

Having seen so many mommies starting blog for themselves as well as for their children, it tempted me to do one too. Still very new to blogging and will try to see if I can keep myself going.