Jolie loves to paint!

Jolie loves to paint! But we only do it once in awhile as, you can imagine, it can get pretty messy. I try not to limit her on what or how to draw, as the experts say it's better to let the children's imagination run wild as they express themselves creatively.

I do love watching her paint. The other day, she was painting a very "angry" painting. Every stroke she made was accompanied with an angry "Hmph!" So she was going "Hmph! Hmph! Hmph!..." as she painted. So funny.



So this is the end result.



After I picked up the drawing paper, I found little colourful footprints on the floor. So pretty!



I keep a photo record of all of her artwork on Facebook, as I planned to make it into a photobook later in her life. Wouldn't it be cool to see how her artwork evolved through the years?

Relax man...

Took Jolie out for a McDonald's breakfast today, it's nice to come once in awhile, but nowadays her appetite has grown to a point where I would need to order two hasbrowns as she could easily gobble down one by herself, leaving poor Mama with none!



Just outside, there was a cat totally enjoying a morning nap right in the middle of the pavement. She just slept on, oblivious to all the humans walking around her.



Everybody was so amused with the Diva cat and I think everyone, including me, was so envious. Lying there on the ground on a weekday morning, don't giving a damn about the world, just relax... Aren't you envious?

Jolie's wacky dance

Whenever the lights started flashing on the National Day 'flag', Jolie would start dancing even though there were no music. As usual, the little Princess would demand that everybody get up and dance with her. I just love her wacky dance moves, like "washing the windows", "the shake", "the march" and "the slide". Best of all, when she's done, she would switch off the lights, take a bow and demand that everybody clap for her. Such a diva!

A New Haircut

Gave Jolie a new haircut today. Since she's so anti about tying her hair, or even clipping her hair, I thought, might as well cut it shorter! So in addition to her fringe, I cut the back part shorter too. I actually wanted to cut it way shorter, but it was more difficult than I expected as my stupid scissors was not meant for cutting hair.

I know many people send their kids to hair dressers nowadays, and I think they could do a better job than me. But I guess I'm just old fashioned bah. My Mom used to cut all of our hair until we were teenagers, so I guess I'm following her footsteps. Besides, it seems a little silly to pay a hairdresser just to cut an inch of hair when I can do it for free. It's not that bad? And I don't hear Jolie complaining! Or am I just stingy? Hahaha...

Cute Ning Ning

It was late in the Chinese New Year, but I have yet to go visit my godmother. So Mom and I decided to do it on a weekday by ourselves. Since it's still CNY, I baked a Mandarin Orange Chiffon Cake and brought it over for everybody to try.

My Godmother was helping her son to watch over her 16 month old daughter, Ning Ning, which I have never seen before. My Mom kept saying that she looked just like her father, and she was right! She looked so adorable!



She looked so sweet and smile-ly next to Miss Grouchy over there.



Jolie was busy playing with all of Ning Ning's toys and wasn't too friendly towards her. I guess she was not too happy about how Mom and I were gushing at how adorable Ning Ning was. She is such a little sunshine! I wanted to carry her, but Jolie wouldn't let me and motioned to push Ning Ning away from my arms. When I put Ning Ning down, she quickly climbed onto my arms, reclaiming back her Mama. Her jealousy is always flattering and cute. :)



Little Ning Ning swaying to music.



Godmother said something about how these 2 would grow up together like how my Godsis and I did, and I find that notion quite nice, like a new generation with new connections. It would be so cute to see them play together when they grow bigger. :)

Valentines' Day 2011

It's Valentine's Day again! It's a little embarrassing, but I had forgotten to get Cobby anything for Valentine's Day this year. Makes me feel like such a selfish wife, especially since he has arranged for a nice dinner on Sunday, a day before the actual day.

To be fair, it has been pretty hectic, with Jolie's birthday party, followed by Chinese New Year. Before I know it, Valentine's Day had arrived and I didn't have any opportunity to go shop for a present! Besides, it was impossible to buy a present for Cobby! He doesn't seem to like anything! Well, the things that he might like would be impossible for me to buy, like a branded watch or a maybe a car or something. I'm out of ideas really.

So anyway, my dear sweet husband arranged a seven course dinner at a Japanese-French fusion restaurant, DOZO. So Jolie was left with MIL while we enjoy a little romantic dinner.



It's kindda funny because when we're there, the restaurant wasn't opened yet, so the customers, ALL COUPLES, stood outside waiting. After awhile we got in and got a lovely seat next to the window. The table was a little wobbly, but nothing that can't be solved with a little folded serviette.



So we ordered our food and started eating. Nah, no alcohol that night, this was just something to cleanse the pallet in between meals. Wonder why there wasn't any drinks menu that night?



So while eating I asked if he had gotten me any present. I was hoping for a "NO" as it would lighten my guilt a little. But a cheeky "I don't know?" response was a definite yes. So even as I was feeling a little more guilty, I couldn't help but become more and more curious. I'm always quite good at spoiling surprises, so Cobby has been getting more and more careful on not giving me too many information. So we spent the next few courses discussing clues about the gift, until Cobby stopped the game as he didn't want me to spoil the surprise.

My tempura "fan" that comes with my main course. Cute!



The meal ended with a delicious chocolate fondant cake and Jasmine tea. For a full details of my delicious meal, click here.



When we got back, I immediately asked for my present. Why wait? Look at the cute wrapping paper... :)



I was guessing a new handphone, so when I saw the label on the box, I was a little disappointed. Huh? Jewelery again? (Chey~ I sound like a little spoilt bitch hor~) But then the curiosity lingers, what could be in such a big box?



When I opened a little box inside, I gasped in surprise.



A heart shaped diamond ring! I was so touched and happy as I have wanted a heart shaped diamond ring since I saw the one that Xiaxue got for her engagement. I thought it was so cute and unique and nagged that I wanted one too. Of course, it's not as 'bling' as Xiaxue one but I was happy at the fact that not only did he actually heard my grumblings, he even remembered it and made an effort to go look for it for V-Day! (it had to be ordered from Germany or something, so it took awhile to actually get the ring ready.)

So it was a very Happy Valentine's Day for me. I should really find a way to make it up to him though!

A Church Wedding

A university classmate invited me to her church wedding and I was delighted to go! This was my 2nd church wedding ever, 1st time was Cobby friend. I'm not sure if I ever mention this before, but I'm a real sucker for weddings. I guess I'm a romantic who has watched too many Hollywood movies! :) The wedding has alot of processes, so here are just some of the hightlights.

This sounds silly, but I was a little excited to be there. It was grand church, very bright, new and clean. We don't know anybody there, so we just sat there and read the bible. Oh my Christians friends would be so happy for us, but we were just curious. It's like reading a story book really, the chapter on Genesis.



After awhile the procession started. And I was so happy for her! She looked so beautiful and happy! Reminded me of my wedding day. :)



A wedding dress with a long train is PERFECT for church weddings...



Then comes the singing of the hymns. Cobby was a St. Andrew boy, so he surprised me when he knew how to sing one of the songs.



Exchanging of the vows and rings.



I find this part quite meaningful. When the bride came in, she was led in by her father on her left and given to the groom, which was on her right. After the exchanging of rings, they switch places, signifying from now on, the husband would take the father's place on her left, and also take over the role to love and care for her. So touching right?! Sob sob...



The two emcees had to sing the hymns. The lady was OK, but guy was singing like he's auditioning for Singapore Idol. So drama! It's so funny, but I guess he's just passionate.



Overall a very enjoyable experience. It's shorter than the 1st church wedding I've been, so it's kindda short and sweet.



Somehow church weddings are just so romantic! I even know some people who would consider converting into Christianity just to have a Church wedding. I think that is SO SHALLOW! Anyway, I really love it. Congratulations to the happy couple!

Wearing MaMa's Heels

What is it about children and their desire to wear adult's shoes? Jolie just love to wear my, or sometimes, her Dad's shoes. Stomping around the house with her huge shoes. That day at my Mom's place, she wore my heels. But I guess they were a little high, so she used the shoe horn as support. Her mouth looks funny as she has food in her mouth. Another one of those irritating things that she likes to do nowadays. -_-





I vaguely remember myself as a child, always wearing my Mom's shoes too. I can't remember why, but I guess it's the desire to be like the adult in our life. Wearing their shoes, clothes, even my Mom's huge 80's sunglasses. Somehow it feels very glamorous, maybe we can't wait to grow up and have such 'cool' stuff of our own!

River Hong Bao 2011

Seemed like yesterday when we 1st brought Jolie to the River Hong Bao. Since Cobby was on leave, and we were in the CNY mood, we chio MIL to this year's River Hong Bao. But on the way there, we dropped by The Salvation Army and donated some of the stuff we didn't need from our store room and a few of Jolie's toys and kiddy cars. She have so many, I'm sure she wouldn't miss a few of them.

Say goodbye to your kiddy car baby!



After picking up MIL, we're there!



Like last year, I think we went there a little too early, so the afternoon sun was quite fierce! Why do we keep repeating our mistakes!?



Hoho! A TOTO outlet! Surely we had to give it a try, after all, it's Chinese New Year! Tis the season to gamble!



As you can imagine, we didn't win. Oh well, take it as charity! Jolie didn't really bother, just happy to have the whole ice cream to herself! (no lah, I ate abit too)



She was amazed to find the giant drums all around.



Giant coins too.



But most of all, she just loved to run around the open space of the floating platform. Run baby run!



Check it out! 1st time in history! An Olympic runner in heels! This is for all the women out there. Shopping is a form of sport too!





There wasn't much, but we had alot of fun there anyway.



So shiok, a human couch to settle into.



Come again next year!

CNY 2011 day 2 & 3

Bro said to meet in the morning for mahjong, but had to cancel as he had stayed up all night playing mj with his friends. BLAH~! So on the 2nd day we hung out at home, and only headed out to Cobby's aunt's place after Jolie woke up from her nap. Jolie wore a baby pink mandarin collar shirt with her jeans. MIL asked me why I didn't let her wear the matching pink pants. (She bought the clothes btw) I just thought that they look very much like pajamas! :P I wore a red top with my brown frilly short skirt.

Her nickname was Yishun Auntie as she lives in Yishun, so we spent the whole afternoon there. Jolie was so curious, constantly peeping at one of Cobby's cousin as he was taking a nap. She must be wondering why this person was sleeping in the middle of the day when everyone was up and about. But she was also very considered, making the "Shhhh..." sound, knowing that someone was sleeping. :)

I tried my luck at playing 钓红点, which is a card game Cobby's family love to play. This was my very 1st time playing with his family, so naturally I was very nervous. At first I was winning, but when I started losing most of Cobby's money, I quickly gave up my seat back to him. Oops, sorry dear!

After dinner we headed back home as MIL didn't want Jolie to stay up so late.

The next morning we headed to my Mom's place for mahjong session with bro. Jolie all ready to go!



Check out her new shoes!



Simple ensemble for the 3rd day.



We were early, so we started playing cards with my parents 1st. Apparently, MY MOM knew how to play 钓红点!!! I didn't know! Man, should have let her teach me instead of Cobby, at least no need to pay so much "school fees". Just when you thought you knew your parents, they surprise you again! But thankfully, the god of fortune was smiling at me, so I won $2 that morning on cards.

When bro finally arrived, (late as usual) we started playing. Dad was our reserve player that day, so he just helped anybody play whenever we need to stop for awhile. Like when Mom needed to cook, Bro needed to go toilet, me needing to put Jolie down for her nap, etc.



So we played until Jolie woke up from her nap, which was 4 plus. Not bad, won $11! Jolie posing for the camera while the rest played on...



After that we headed to Cobby's Hougang Auntie's (a.k.a. Ah Bu) place. Yes, you guessed it, she lives in Hougang. So clever! MIL was already playing mahjong there, so we just sat around. After awhile, Ah Bu chio us to play 钓红点, but since I was an amateur, we played only half price. Not bad, not bad, was pretty lucky, in the end I won $20 before stopping for dinner. YEAH!

They say I've officially graduated, so I was pretty pleased. But I think I was just lucky. Poor Cobby didn't do so well this New Year, keep losing money. But it's good! The Chinese would say that 破财挡灾. You lose money to block the bad luck, or you're not losing money, just losing away all your bad luck. I guess it's just a way to make everybody, especially the losers, feel better. :) Hohoho! Happy New Year!

大年初一 2011

新年快乐! Finally the day has come! I just LOVE Chinese New Year, somehow it's just closer to home, more meaningful than any holidays. And the best way to start CNY? Ang Pao of course! Well, we used to be on the receiving end, now its the other way around. :P I don't think she understand the concept of money yet, so I guess to her, it's another one of those things you politely receive and pass it to Mama. :)



Time to do the ang pao dance!




OK traditionally, as a good daughter in law, we're supposed to go to my Mother-in-law's place 1st. But since they don't start their celebrations until late in the afternoon, MIL agreed that it's ok that we head to my Mom's place 1st.

Time to dress up! We ended up leaving the house quite late as we forgot to iron Jolie's dress and prepare the ang paos the night before!







We haven't even had breakfast yet, so we were so hungry when we got to Mom's place. But never fear! One will NEVER go hungry at my Mom's place. When we got there, there was already freshly fried carrot cake and Shanghai rice cakes. YUMS! My favourite! Lets dig in!



Bro and Sis in law in a "general elections" mood. Very PAP!



Jolie in her "Stevie Wonder" look.





Enjoying her very 1st pineapple tart of the year. So shiok right...



Bro had to go distribute ang paos, so he couldn't stay for mahjong. So after he left, while Jolie my Mom was taking a nap, Cobby and I taught my Dad how to play 钓红点, a card game Cobby's family frequently played. After a late lunch at Macdonald's, we came back and Jolie was already awake. So we bade farewell and headed towards MIL's place.

When we got there, Cobby's cousins and aunts were already there, playing cards!





Jolie's cousin, Qi En was there too! (OK she's actually Cobby's cousin's daughter, so I'll just say she's Jolie's cousin, just to make things easier)



So they continued to play while I just hung around. I've just learned how to play, so I was a little intimidated to play with them.



They played the whole afternoon until it was time for dinner. What a spread!





After dinner the 2 girls found a new game where they would ferry each other. So cute!







As they grow older, they learn how to play with each other better. I'm glad that everyone had a good time. Tomorrow morning, we'll be meeting Bro for mahjong and visiting 2nd Aunt's place. :)