Love Letters to Natalie
Thursday, March 30, 2006
Playgroup Fun
Dearest Nat,
This Tuesday was your 3rd lesson at Kids Loft. So far you have been enjoying the class. You have been learning something new each week and will always show off eagerly to us what you have learnt. I see the progess you make each week and is very proud of you.
Last Tuesday, you learnt the letter F and Fish. Teacher Lavina read to you the story of the rainbow fish and you pasted coloured papers on the fish. This week you learnt about the frog and teacher Lavina read to you the story of the big wide mouth frog which you really enjoyed. You laughed when teacher Lavina showed the class how the frog eat the flies with his tongue. You also had fun finger-painting the frog. You also love it when teacher Lavina stamped pictures of the animals on your hands, feet and tummy.
Sometimes I wonder if it is too early to enrol you in playschool. I wasn't too sure if you are ready but after observing you for the past 3 weeks, I think I've made the right decision. You are able to sit still in class and participate in all activities. I guess these informal classes will help to prepare you for the nursery/kindergarten etc to come even though that will be another 2 years down the road. Meanwhile, it is nice for you to have some fun with children of your age and learn something in the process. I am happy with that.
Today while working on the laptop, I told you I'll bring you out in a while. You quickly walked towards the door and guess what you took? My slippers!! You brought me my slippers and tried to put them on for me. I had a good laugh and had to disappoint you by telling you that it is not time to go out yet.
Alright, I have to stop here and play with you.
Love you,
Mommy
natnat's mom at 6:03 PM
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
Grandparents' Visit
natnat's mom at 5:03 PM
Friday, March 17, 2006
A request
Dear Uncles and Aunties,
My mommy would like to know who has been reading my blog so kindly leave a comment to say HI to us when you are here! \(^_^)/
This blog shares the intimate details of my life and it'd be wonderful if mommy and me know who are the people we are sharing these details with.
May God bless you all!
Love lots,
Natalie
natnat's mom at 10:32 AM
Thursday, March 16, 2006
Disney on Ice
Dearest Nat,
Once in a while, we need to break away from the norm and do something different. Tonight is such a night, we went to "Disney on Ice" at the Indoor Stadium together. The tickets were bought a couple of months back and finally the day has come!
Daddy left office earlier to come home so that we could take the car and be at the indoor stadium on time. We gave ourselves ample travelling time to allow for traffic jams and other unforseen circumstances. In the end, we managed to reach the indoor stadium on the dot despite being stuck in slow moving traffic all the way from home to destination.
The show was marvellous! This is Daddy and Mommy's first time watching Disney on Ice too. We would never thought of watching it if not because of you. In the end, I think we enjoyed the production more than you. The dancers are so graceful, the songs are beautiful and catchy and Disney is just wonderful! You clapped and danced along to the music and you shouted a loud "WOW..." when you saw something spectacular (which I can't rem what). You followed through the whole show with a few short milk breaks in between.
After the show, we went past the souvenir booth. I was taking a look at all those Disney merchandise and when I was about to leave, Daddy told me to buy something for you. I was quite reluctant as those merchandise aren't reasonably priced. I asked you "Do you want something?" and you nodded your head eagerly. Your Daddy repeated the same question and you nodded your head again. I decided to change the format of the question and asked you "Is it okay if we don't buy anything here?", you shook your head. We repeated that for a few times and in the end we gave in and bought a Mickey Mouse for you. When Daddy asked you to choose a toy, you pretended to be shy and gave him a really shy smile. When I handed the newly bought Mickey mouse to you, your face brightened up with immense joy and you hugged the Mickey mouse really tightly. The happiness on your face justifies every cent we spent on the mouse. There are things in life which cannot be measured with money, and your smile is one of them.
The Grand Finale
Watching the show
Very first moment with Mickey Mouse
Love,
Mommy
natnat's mom at 12:34 AM
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
First day at playschool
Dearest Nat,
Yesterday was your first day going to a playschool! How exciting it was!
On Monday, I was delighted to receive a sms from teacher Lavina inviting us to a trial class the next day. I've heard alot of wonderful things about teacher Lavina from Lily and couldn't wait to let you join her playschool. My only concern is whether you are ready for playschool or not. It is a weekly 1 1/2 hour session and I was worried that your attention span is too short for the class.
You might be the youngest in class, being the only December baby around, but you are certainly far from being the smallest in size. There's another boy who is a November baby and the rest are April, June and July. I'm quite proud that though you are the youngest, you are able to follow instructions, sit through the class and simply enjoy the 1 1/2 hours with your classmates.
Teacher Lavina's class is really enjoyable. We started the class with some free play, followed by story time (We read about Elmer the patchwork elephant by David Mckee), Arts and Crafts, Food, Zoo-phonics and finally music. Everything is packed into the 1 1/2 hours there.
You did a patchwork elephant using coloured paper with my help. I was very happy that teacher Lavina taught about elephant and the vowel "e" yesterday because I was teaching you about elephant too since our trip to the zoo. I even borrowed a few books on elephants from the library last week to reinforce your memory of the elephants we saw in the zoo.
I realised that interest can be nurtured. Before I really put in effort cultivating your interest in reading, you were not that interested in reading. Now you will keenly bring me your books and ask me to read to you. You become interested in elephants after learning, seeing and reading about them and so you often wait excitedly or if you were too impatient, flip to the page with elephants immediately. I'm very happy that you finally love to read.
This afternoon we went to the library to borrow another book on Elmer and I can't wait to read it to you. There are many Elmer books at the library and I'm planning to borrow the whole series. I love the library for their collection of books.
Full of joy
Love,
Mommy
natnat's mom at 5:07 PM
Saturday, March 11, 2006
Lazy Afternoon
Dearest Nat,
You are taking your nap now. I should be reading but came online instead.
Today is really warm. The weather is going to get warmer from now on and a warm Saturday afternoon makes me feel lethargic.
Your Daddy is playing online game now and I want to just let him enjoy his game. After your grandma comes back from the factory, we'll be going to the book exhibition at the expo together. I am not sure if we are buying you anymore books since you have quite a neat collection by now but we'll see how it goes when we are there. I might get you some Chinese books since you don't have any.
I've a large collection of Chinese storybooks which I read when I was a young girl. I can still remember vividly the story about the frog moving house which your grandma used to read to me almost every night. There's also the story about different farm animals performing their task. All these books are still in the storeroom but I'll have to go and dig them out. The books are not as fanciful as the books now but they are still fun to read. I must make it a point to get them from the storeroom for you.
Alright, time to get back to my reading.
Love,
Mommy
natnat's mom at 12:51 PM
Random Bits
Dearest Nat,
Here are some of the random stuffs I want to update here.
1) Swimming and Toys
We have been going to the pool almost daily when the weather is good, sometimes to practise swimming with you but most of the time just to let you play in the pool.
You are not scared of getting into the water nor getting your head wet. Recently I discovered that you are not even scared of getting your head into the water. You like to stick your head into the water just to scare mommy but after seeing that you are doing well, I play along with you by sticking my head into the water with you too.
Last Saturday, grandma and I bought you a set of beach toys which comes complete with a bucket, spade, flowering can and small squeaky rubber animals etc to play at the pool. We couldn't bear the disappointed look on your face when other kids refused to share their toys with you at the pool so we made it a point to get you some toys too.
The first time you brought the toys to the pool, the kids swarmed around you attracted by the toys. You generously allowed them to share your toys and I'm very proud of you. You only complained about it when they snatched away whatever you were playing with.
Now when I say "Let's go swimming!", you will promptly pick up the bucket of toys and walk towards the door happily. It makes me really happy to see you so happy.
Walking your way to the pool. You refused to let us carry the bucket for you.
Steadily, you walk
A photo with Daddy, your guardian angel
2) Library
Another place we have been going quite often is the library. However in view of the recent outbreak of HFMD, I will stop bringing you there and also other crowded places.
The library is a good place to spend our time on a weekday. You enjoy going through all the books in the baby books boxes, picking them out one by one and putting them back one by one too. We will usually borrow 4 books at a time to meet the target of 48 books by June. I also borrow Parenting books so as to meet the target of 16 books by June. Together we have joined the "Born to read, Read to bond" program organised by the library. Till today, we are still a far way from the target number of books.
Of all the books, you really like "Little Bo-Peep" (I've returned that book). When I asked you what little Bo-Peep is doing, you will tell me she's crying by pretending to cry and you know how to point out her Daddy and Mommy to me. Currently we are reading books on animals since we have been going to the zoo very often. You love the tigers, monkeys and elephants in the books.
I hope the HFMD will be over soon so that I can bring you to the library to terrorise those books again.
3) Haircut
Yes! I did it! I finally brought you to your long awaited haircut. Since you do not have much hair to start with, it is more like a trim than a cut.
I thought it is important to do it RIGHT the first time so I brought you to Fantastic Sam at the Forum. We requested for May Peng because I heard that she's good. The last thing I want is a wailing child at the salon with half cut hair.
The whole haircut experience went smoothly, without any fussing from you. You were very cooperative which I totally did not expect. I thought you would not be able to sit still, I thought you would be afriad of the scissors snipping away.. I thought of alot of things that didn't happen! Thank God!
May is really good. She gave you a sweet and a clip to gain your trust and she was really fast. The deed was done in less than 5 minutes. That 5 minutes cost me a hefty S$17.50. I didn't find out about the price beforehand. Anyway this is likely your last time to have your haircut there, I'm going to DIY now after watching how May did it.
Here are some pictures of you having your first haircut.
Sitting quietly on the chair
Just a little nervous
Enjoying the haircut .. erm.. candy
Almost done!
Love,
Mommy
natnat's mom at 12:53 AM
Friday, March 10, 2006
Adventure at the Zoo
Dearest Nat,
On Wednesday afternoon, we went to the zoo again!
We were feeling rather bored at home and I decided that we have to get out of the house and do something fun. Where is a better place than the zoo? It is cheap (we are "friends of the zoo), fun and educational for you. So off to the zoo we went in your grandpa's van again. This time I got smarter and got your tricycle along so that I don't have to sling you on a scorching day.
We went to look at the tigers first and I fed you your lunch while watching the handsome white tigers. They are my favourites! We also went to visit the Australian Outback again but we didn't get to feed the kangaroos again.
Then it was to the Elephant Show which we missed 10 mins on Monday. We were 45 mins earlier this time round so we just sat there and watch the elephants together. I enjoyed the 45 mins of peace and bonding with you. There weren't many people at that hour and I got to watch and point out the elephants for you, chat with you and share some snacks together. I brought some biscuits, raisins from home and bought a huge pack of cheese twisties at the entrance. As I fed you the twisties, you were also busy stuffing them into my mouth. It was a nice mother-daughter bonding time and I cherish it with all my heart.
Our little adventure began when 2 bushy tail monkeys on the loose suddenly appeared before us. They were obviously hunting for food. They stopped right in front of us and you were so excited to see them so close to us but I was a little worried that they might harm you. They were eyeing in the food you dropped on the floor. One monkey suddenly made a very quick dash and grabbed a raisin from the ground before dashing back to where it sat. We could see very clearly how the monkey devoured the raisin bit by bit and you were fascinated. I could see the excitment and thrill in your eyes. The monkeys continued to pick up food from the ground until there was none left.
The incident must have left you deep impression because now when I ask you "What did the monkeys do?" or "Show me Monkey!", you will eagerly imitate how the monkey ate their food followed with a monkey-like expression. When we were reading your books with you the other day and you pointed to the elephant and did the elephant sign too! The frequent trips to the zoo are doing you good!
We finally ended the day after the elephant show because you fell asleep while we were walking to the children's world and I decided to bring you home.
The fierce looking monkey
Eating greedily
Love,
Mommy
natnat's mom at 10:57 PM
Monday, March 06, 2006
Zoo again
Dearest Natalie,
Today is the first time we went to the zoo without your Daddy! Auntie Lily and I planned the outing last week since we both have the "Friends of the Zoo" card and Qile and you enjoy going to the zoo very much. I was excited and couldn't wait for today to arrive. Clearly I wasn't the only excited one. We went back to the office before going to the zoo and your grandma packed us a huge box of cookies (coz she knows you love to munch one them) to bring to the zoo to share with your friends.
Grandpa sent us there and we reached there early at 2:30 pm. You fell asleep on our way to the zoo and continued to nap till 3:15 pm. I sat at the KFC to have some snacks while waiting for you to wake up. I didn't think it was a good idea to walk around with a sleeping baby in the sling under on a hot hot day.
When you woke up, we went to catch the 3:30 pm Elephant show. It was quite a walk from the entrance and we passed by the new Australian outback on our way there. It looked very interesting with kangaroos hopping around freely. I misread the map and took a longer time than estimated to reach the elephant show so we missed around 15 mins of it. I managed to find a front seat for you and you were showing alot more interest in the elephants than the first time we visited zoo. I taught you the baby sign language for Elephant and you learnt how to sign it on the spot. I was so proud of you.
After the show, I un-slinged you and let you walked on your own. You walked really slowly, stopping every now and then to check out things that interest you. You were very excited about the elephant that you just saw and kept signing elephant (putting ur right hand to ur nose) to me. Seeing that we have some time left before the 4:30 pm animal show, I decided to go to the Australian outback to check out the kangaroos. It was a wise decision. We enjoyed ourselves there so much and I even fed a kangaroo. At the beginning, you were a little afriad of the hopping animal but after a while there, you began to warm up to them. You kept signalling me to touch the kangaroos for you because you were too scared to touch them yourself. I also took the opportunity to teach you the baby sign for Kangaroos. You learnt 2 new signs today! A group of Japanese girls near us kept exclaiming "Kawaii!", for a while, I thought they were referring to the kangaroos, then I realised they were referring to you when they pointed towards our direction. It was a happy moment for the proud mama here!
We rushed to the animal show at the children's world after the Australian outback. It started to drizzle when the show was about to end and we made a quick run to the KFC nearby at the children's world. Auntie Lily got us delicious Ben and Jerry ice cream to eat while watching the animal show, too bad we didn't get to finish due to the rain. By the time we reached KFC, the ice cream had melted. Still, it was a good treat! Auntie Lily also gave us some mini lemon cakes that Qile baked. They were yummy and you ate 3 or 4 of them and we brought home the rest. I can't wait for you to be older so that we can bake together too, it'll be so fun. Before that, I better learn how to bake first.
I changed you into your swim suit at the children's world so that you could join Qile and play with the water there. Alex also joined both of you after a while. All of you had such a good time. The water was rather cold but that didn't bother you. You were really happy! After waterplay, I put you on the swing and you loved it so much. Seeing the smile on your face and hearing your laughter just brighten up my day.
By the time we left the zoo in Auntie Lily's car, we were all tired but really happy. I'm looking forward to our next trip to the zoo already! Oh well, I am so so tired now after the zoo and a long dinner at the Turf City. It must be tiring for you too because you are sleeping very soundly now. I have to continue with my reading now and sleep a while later. Good night baby! I love you baby!
At the Australia Outback
Animals that we saw
Video taken at Children's World
Love,
Your Mommy dearest
natnat's mom at 11:48 PM
Wednesday, March 01, 2006
Weekday Lunch
Dearest Nat,
We had a lunch date with Aunt Lily and Qile, Aunt Alicia and Ruth Jie Jie on Monday. Mommy prepared a roast chicken, tomato soup, corn cobs and bread for lunch and Qile baked us some English scones for tea. We polished everything up and didn't waste a single bit of food. The company's good and the food's good and so it was an enjoyable afternoon for us.
You enjoyed playing with Qile and tagged along wherever he went. Now that you can walk, you get to play with older kids more. Qile made you a macaroni bracelet and a pair of red ribbon streamers. You're such a blessed little girl! You love the red ribbon streamers very much, waving them everywhere you go. It is enlightening how simple toys like this can bring so much joy. This is a good reminder for me that you don't need sophisticated and expensive toys to be happy, just alot of love and time from me.
After lunch we went to Turf City to check out the new playgroup - Kindyroo. Unfortunately we didn't make it in time for their openhouse. Anyway, we were given some brochures to read and I might make another visit there before deciding whether to sign you up.
I bought two interesting books for you at Turf City. One of them is in the shape of a steering wheel with a button in the middle that will go "beep beep" when you pressed it, just like a car horn. As you are into cars recently (you are able to identify our car and our maroon van and will tell us to get the car keys to go out and then demand to be in the driver's seat once we are in the car/van), I decided to get you that book. Another book allows you to stick your photo at the back and shows you different things in the garden. I try not to buy you books that can be found in the library these days because you have a library card now and I want to put the card to good use.
Alright, it is time for mommy to sleep.
Love,
Mommy
Playing with Qile Gor Gor
My chubby princess with sleepy eyes
natnat's mom at 12:33 AM
West Coast Park
natnat's mom at 12:18 AM
Having some crazy fun at the playground
My favourite photo of you with grandparents
Playing with Daddy and Aunt Yvonne at Takashimaya
Look at how serious you look on a bike!
