The Duo

Ever since Jayne started full-day childcare, the girls have much lesser time together at home. It used to be that they will spend their entire morning, evening and nights together. Now, Jayne leaves the house at 8.30am when Joey is not awake yet sometimes, and they will only get to meet again by dinner time at 7pm. I thought that because of that, the two sisters would treasure what little time they have together, but I guessed wrongly. They still squabble, argue and fight at night when they start playing together. =.=

So when I saw this scene last week, I was very glad. I love it when the sisters hang out happily together - I am very peace-loving by nature, you know. Having two hyperactive and very loud girls at home have made my life a lot less peaceful than what I ideally hoped for.

It was raining heavily that day, so being stuck at home, the girls thought it was a neat idea to bring their chairs to the kitchen right outside the toilet (Don't ask) and read their storybooks. It was bewildering and funny at the same time, but no real harm done, so I reckon I let them. Sometimes when we get bored at doing the same thing all the time, making small changes to things such as location and method brings the joy back in again. Check out the smiles on the girls' faces - They said it all. :)

And so Jayne has been adjusting well to her school though tears still fill her eyes every morning when we drop her off at school. Don't ask me why - I am guessing that she is more emo (or drama queen) by nature. Every evening when we pick her up from school, she is always happy telling us what happened at school that day and what did her friends say and do. The fact that she has many friends whom she mentions by name tells me that school is quite enjoyable. I am definitely glad for that. With the amount of time she spends in school everyday, the last thing I want is for her to be unhappy. Her teachers love her as well, and everyday one of the teachers would tie her hair up in cute styles including ponytails, plaits, double ponytails, buns etc. Funny enough, she only allows her teachers to tie her hair and not anyone else - not even me!

Cooking Babies

One set of toys that's been most frequently utilised in my house is the cooking set.

We've got several sets of those over the years from various birthdays, and we usually store them all in one big box. We also have a toy kitchen which the girls sometimes cook on, but mostly, they just throw the whole box of toys on the floor and assemble their meals from there.

I'm totally cool about them playing cooking and feasting because they are girls, and it's nice that they're cultivating the love for cooking from young. I personally know of many friends whose sons love playing cooking as well, and that's fine too, because the famous chefs in the world are all men. Cooking is the most universal game that all kids play, whether girls or boys.

Another reason why I love it when they play cooking is because once they start, they will play for at least an hour, and that basically means I have one hour to do my own stuffs in peace. Plus, these girls of mine love to play 'fine dining' version of cooking - They pretend to be great chefs, serving rich customers in high-class restaurants, so they have the cutest conversations that go like this:

Joey: "Excuse me, Mdm, may I know what would you like to have today?"
Jayne: "I would like to have some soup, please."
Joey: "Sure, Mdm. Coming right away!"

I say it's a totally cool way to practise proper conversational English, and a much-needed break from their usual Singlish-dominated ones.

Interestingly though, I've observed that the one who usually cooks is Joey, and the customer is always Jayne. Both are perfectly happy with this arrangement - Joey loves cooking, and Jayne is just interested in the role-playing as a customer. Compared to cooking, Jayne is way more interested in make-up instead. She has a set of toy cosmetics, as well as some empty compact cases and lipstick casings that her grandmother gave to her to play with. Joey, on the other hand, doesn't play with cosmetics. Both are girls, but their likes and preferences are so different! God indeed made every one of us unique and special.

When I am old, I'd have a daughter who cooks for me, and another who'd do makeup for me before I go on dates with hubby. God is so good to me. =D

Mine Fight. Do Yours?

I’ve been hesitating to ask cyberspace this question, for fear of the answers that I will get.

Growing up, I used to fight a lot with my younger brother. On some rare days, we appear as the best of friends as we devise little games to entertain ourselves. On majority of the rest of the days, we are at loggerheads, and always squabbling and fighting over something. I used to think it must be because I am a girl and he is a boy, and opposites who do not attract usually violently repel. But, truth dawned upon me one fine day. My girls are both girls, and they still fight. My theory has been proven wrong.

I used to wish I had a sister to grow up with, so that we can share clothes, shoes, makeup and perfumes. We could go shopping together, share juicy gossips about our friends and guys we are secretly in love with. Of course, I would never know how is it like to have a sister. And I had secretly placed all my hopes on my girls. Turned out, sisters do fight too. And these girls of mine are especially talented in WWF kind of fighting. I swear I didn’t watch violent movies during my pregnancies. Not my fault.

Quite amazingly though, both girls are made tough and even though they undergo all types of violence inflicted on each other by each other everyday, there’s not been any serious injuries so far. Sometimes when I watch them fight (err, you mean you don’t watch?), I always worry one of them might break an arm or a leg. Interestingly, contrary to common beliefs, they do not pull each others’ hair. They bite on some occasions though, when they are quite upset. Other than that, it’s just a lot of leg kicking and palm slapping. Yep, I’m serious.

But of course, there are good days and there are bad days. All siblings quarrel and fight, but they really don’t do it like 100% of the time. On the good days, they co-exist peacefully and it can be quite a pretty sight.

I especially like it when Jayne puts her arm over her sister. That kind of affection is so heart-warming and puts a smile on my face instantly. And it’s crucial I put up these few photos of peaceful co-existence just to calm my nerves while writing this entry and getting increasingly worried by the minute.

Just in case you are wondering why they are seated in front of the grille gate, they were chatting with our neighbour next door. The Malay boy is one year older than Joey, and they’re the only kids on our floor, so they are good friends.

So comes the golden question, which I really don’t expect any answers, unless it’s a Yes: “Do your kids fight too?”

Ok, you don’t say.

Hi Classmates, This Is My Baby Sister

And so, we did the traditional thing of having a mini birthday party for Joey at her school. According to her, everyone in school does it, and so, being the very kiasu kind parents we are, we had to have a party as well. You know, it’s totally for the sake of my child’s esteem system, nothing to do with ego or peer pressure. Absolutely.

But I’m really glad we decided to go ahead with the party because suddenly, all the names that I’ve been hearing at home are now attached to a certain face each. Makes things a whole lot easier, especially at the fast rate at which she friends and no longer friends someone in class. I’m sure you understand those stuffs – We’ve all gone through it ourselves.

It was cute to watch how when Joey came out of her class for her toilet break, she turned into this shy and coy girl who can’t walk in a straight line. Thereafter, she transfigured into the protective big sister, hugged her little sis and started introducing her to every one of her classmates. After she proudly proclaimed to everyone that Little Jayne was her baby sister, she started introducing her classmates to me one by one. Interestingly, everyone thought that Little Jayne was too cute and adorable, and started chatting her up. “What is your name?”, “How old are you?”, “You are sooooo cute!”

It was really cute to watch. I thought Little Jayne would be intimidated, but she took everything in her strides. She was coherent in her replies to the big sisters and big brothers, and even seemed to enjoy their company.

In Joey’s kindergarten, there is apparently a fixed order for a birthday celebration. We waited outside the classroom for the teacher’s cue to set up the cakes and drinks. Once we were inside, the teacher promptly told me that Joey will be seated at the ‘special birthday table’. Therefore, the girls will gather for group photo, then the boys, then everyone, then I’m supposed to light up the candles, sing birthday song, blow out candles and cut/distribute the cakes to the kids. Not that I’m complaining though – It was much easier when there was a protocol to follow. I love brainless operations. It just felt rather mechanical at some point. =P

It was funny how Joey wanted Jayne to sit next to her during the celebration. It was as if she needed her to boast her confidence. =P With two mini cakes infront of them, it looked as if they were BOTH celebrating their birthdays. Haha..

Happy birthday, Babe! One final celebration next Sunday! =X

Two Babes At The Pool

Over the weekend, hubby was busy with a good buddy’s wedding, so I brought the girls to the swimming pool by myself. We had a jolly good time, even though I wasn’t in the pool with the girls. I was watching them from the side and kept snapping their cheeky faces with a zoom. They were thrilled to be at the pool as always, and Baby Jayne kept posing for me, which was awesome as usual. =)

It’s a joy to watch them having fun, and I am constantly reminded that I must treasure the days when my girls would still ask me to bring them to the swimming pool, and get thrilled beyond measure when I said we were going to Mc'Donalds for fries and ice-cream. Once the kids are grown up and become independent, such joys would be few!

My babes are really funny eh? =D Baby Jayne, especially, would keep splashing and splashing so that I can take her photographs. LOL!

It was a Saturday afternoon, and there were many kids at the pool. Baby Jayne dared not venture too far to the deeper end of the pool, so she spent much time people-watching, which was very therapeutic as well I believe. =P

My Joey has the loveliest smile. =)

Now that Joey has overcome her fears of splashing waters, she’s trying to coax her little sister to overcome it as well. Haha..

But of course, Baby Jayne could not! =D My girls can talk loudly and look very brave, but they are really timid mice at heart when it comes to such things!

I used to try my best to coax and encourage them to be more daring and take more risks, but come to think of it, as long as they are having fun, that’s enough. Why force them to do what they are not ready to handle yet? =)

Great time of fun on a lazy Saturday afternoon… =)

A Universal Toy

There are some toys every house with kids must stock up on. Because these are toys that are universal – They appeal to every age group, both genders and every personality.

I’m talking about clay play.

Every year for Christmas, without fail, my kids would receive many boxes of Play Doh or all kinds of clay and moulding tools. It’s good because the different sets can all be mixed together. The many possibilities and different ways of creation would help let the kids play for a longer time before they get bored at the game. =)

The play doh clay pots tend to be quite expensive, so in order to cut cost, I found a cheaper alternative - soft clay from Daiso at $2 for one large block! In fact, I like the texture and quality of the Daiso clay better because it doesn’t leave a sticky and uncomfortable feeling on my hands after touching it, and it’s softer to be moulded.

These IKEA tray tables that we have at home came in handy. Each girl has a tray to play on. Very convenient and easy to clean up after play.

Universal toys are important if you want siblings of different ages to play happily together. =D

They Jumped Up & Down At SCAPE

The title basically said it all. I made my girls jump up & down at SCAPE, because I was bored. OK, we were all bored. We were waiting for daddy to finish a practice with his friends for an event, and there was nothing else we could do with our time.

The effects turned out quite well,in my opinion. Plus, mine was a less-than-pro camera. The most important thing was we had lots of fun and laughter! I smile every time I see these photos. They’re so adorable la, my kiddos!!! =P

The little one laughed more than she jumped. =.= I think jumping high on the spot is a skill that must be acquired. Baby Jayne probably can’t really do it yet. Mostly, she tiptoes instead. Haha!

While the level of hyperactivity of my kids has not decreased in any way, it now feels easier bringing them out. Yes, they still drive me crazy at times, but now that both are older, it’s a lot more manageable. I can finally see my spring edging out its head. Life is going to get easier and easier, I believe! =)

I have to confess though, that the initial plan for bringing my two girls to SCAPE was not to wait for Daddy to finish whatever he needed to do, but to bring the two girls for a walk down Orchard Road to see the Christmas decor. But I chickened out, and decided NOT to take the risk just yet. You know, I’ve always had this phobia that my two girls would scamper off in two different directions and I wouldn’t know who to catch first. That’s the reason why I’ve not found the courage to bring them to Orchard singlehandedly yet. =P Hopefully soon, I will.

Have a great week, everyone! =D

Sisters Lean On Each Other

Saw the girls watching TV and leaning on each other, and I thought that’s really sweet. =)

It is my deepest desire that these two girls would lean on each other, support each other and be the best friend and confidante to each other all throughout their lives. Yes, the girls argue, fight and snatch toys from each other, but at the end of the day, the sisterly love just gets stronger. It’s a lifelong bond that cannot be broken. =)

* * * *

As I’m writing this, I’m feeling really under the weather. Having a really bad migraine and feeling sick. It’s been so long since I last felt unwell. Plus, a really sad thing happened recently to my friends, and my heart is constantly feeling heavy and burdened for them. Many things I cannot understand or comprehend, but I do believe that God is always in control, and He knows best why it had to turn out that way. I only pray that my friends will get through the ordeal and emerge stronger than before. God, please remember them & restore unto them many folds of blessings. Amen.

Sisters

Now that Baby Jayne is older and no longer a baby who needs my constant attention all the time, things have started to become easier lately. Just last weekend, we brought the girls to attend a friend’s son’s birthday party at Costa Sands Chalet, and we could let the girls go swimming by themselves while we watch from the side. =) Joey is a good big sister – She’d look after Baby Jayne and hold her hands so that she won’t fall. Such an awesome thing to have an elder sister, I say!

The girls were, as usual, super excited to go swimming! They couldn’t wait to jump in!

I love the holiday atmosphere at the chalets. The lovely smell of BBQ in the air, and happy laughter everywhere. =) So relaxing! It’s been YEARS since I last went to a chalet. =P

The girls didn’t have their floats with them, so they stayed near to the steps. The pool was very shallow though, so Joey could have gone playing, but she accompanied her sister instead. Now, that to me, is going the extra mile.

I’m thinking of starting Joey on swimming lessons soon, since she loves swimming so much. Plus, it’s always a useful survival skill to pick up. Seeing how much she smiles, I know she’s really happy to be in the pool.

The girls made friends with a family who was trying desperately to get their twin baby boys to swim! The two boys kept crying the moment their feet touched the water, it was so cute!!! =D Baby Jayne tried talking to twin #1, but it only made him cry out more. =P The family had tons of patience. They persuaded, coaxed, encouraged, motivated. But the twins would not budge.

So awesome to have sisters as companion in whatever you do. It makes everything so much more fun! Just read an article today that a survey has shown that families with two daughters are the happiest family model. However, the survey findings mentioned that having two daughters meant the noise level would be minimal because girls love to whisper to each other, would play quietly together and yet would not hesitate to share about their lives with their parents. I’m not so sure about the noise level and play-quietly part for my kids. =P But I sure agree on the happiness part. =D

LOVE this photo of them! Methinks I’ve got two very adorable girls who smile with their eyes!!! =)