Month: September 2010

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Rewards Or Bribes?

Like many parents – we want the easy way out with our kids – so that we can carry on with what we are doing. Most times – it’s because we think we have no time – so we tell our kids – if you do this – I will do that for you or I will buy this for you. Are you as guilty as I am? some parents said it is not a bribe but a reward for good behavior – what do you say? is it a bribe or a reward?

I try and justify it as a reward but eventually you have to face up to the truth and it is a bribe. How do I know? because now Chloe would say to me – if i do this for you – will you buy me a toy? hhahaha!!! so yes – be careful how you reward your kids – because they will see it as a bribe and in the future – they are going to expect something from you every time you want them to do something – which they already should do it – because it is like their responsibility.

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Cottage By The Lake

We’ve always wanted to invest in a little cottage by the lake – but every year the property market seems to be going up and never down. Not too far away from town is what we are looking for – but it must have a lake – so that we can swim and canoe during the summer. I even know what kind of furniture I want inside my cottage – rustic furniture of course! One is currently on sale in ellenwood – about 20 mins away from town and guess what – owner is leaving all their rustic furniture for the new owner/s. And they are only selling because they are getting too old to come down here every summer – you see they are from United States and they come for the summer. But now that they are getting on in age – they want to sell it – and travel a little bit instead. We do love the cottage – it’s not too big nor too small – just the right size for our small family and also to get away during the hotter months. Lets see what the bank has to say eh?

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Darn Cold!

I’ve never had a cold this long – this darn cold just don’t want to go away ! I’ve used so much Puffs tissue – I think they need to give me a discount for buying them now. I don’t exactly feel crappy now – but I’m still leaking and blowing my nose non-stop. My voice is back – but I still sound weird – a little and this morning – i ate the last of the Contac C ! darn cold! when will it go away! I think this year – we have to go for our flu shots – just to be safe. What do you think? we’ve never had a flu shot before – so we are kinda undecided.

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The Fall Brings Lots Of Rain

The fall brings lots of rain here and rain boots is a must for everyone – especially the kids. Lucky for me – Chloe loves wearing her rain boots – in fact if she could wear it everyday – she would. It was wet this morning from yesterday’s rain – but because today is photo day for school – she was really torn in between wearing a pretty shoe and her rain boots. As you can see – she chose her rain boots instead – the wind was also cold this morning – so she had her gloves on as well. I guess rain is better than snow – I’ll take the rain anytime – just no hurricane please.

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Stop ! And Watch Your Kids

Yesterday evening – Chloe, PB and I were in the computer room and then she was talking about something and had the cutest, cheekiest smile – and I caught that cheeky smile in her – like the ones she had yesterday. Sometimes, I managed to capture it on photo – sometimes I don’t and I feel like the luckiest mom – because moments like that are priceless. So I asked PB – did you see that expression on Chloe’s face – in which of course PB did not – for his is oblivious most times – hahah! so I told PB – he is missing all the good stuff – coz’ they don’t stay young forever like this and they don’t have cheeky smiles like that forever too.

Kids are so precious and like I always said – God’s gift ! Chloe if you know her – you will know she is the cutest and sweetest kid. Sure she can be a brat – but most times – she is a pretty funny, mischievous and smart kid. She haven’t spent a lot of time with her grandparents – because for the last 6 yrs – she refused to go on her own to visit. This year in March – she decided that she would visit on her own – but come summer – her grandparents were too busy to take her every week. Now that fall is here – Grammie don’t even have one day a week to spend with her because she is still busy. I told PB – they are gonna miss out on the good times – she don’t stay this cute for very long. Soon she will grow older and she won’t wanna go anywhere with us – but her friends. Have you stopped and watch your kids lately? they don’t stay this cute forever. Stop – don’t miss out!

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Welcome Fall 2010

Well, the fall is here – the weather is getting colder in this small little town and Chloe had been in school for almost 3 weeks now. She settled into school this year – a lot quicker than we expected. In fact, this year – we see more changes in my little princess – no more teddy at school and no more sippy cup and no more fussing about school.

While Chloe is settling into school – we all got sick last week – and with no help at the store – and Chloe’s grammie couldn’t take her on Saturdays – it was definitely hard on us – but as usual – we survived and feel a lot better now. I also took a bad fall at the store last week – while playing with Chloe – because I didn’t wanna leave her to play on her own for too long. So because of the fall – I couldn’t do very much – knees with rug burn and the entire hand from shoulder to wrist all bruised and unable to do much either – but we survived the week.

The store had been busy – and people are already shopping for Christmas – and us – we are making the most of our new routines and new school year but most importantly – we continue to focus on our health and and my fitness routine. Also, I’ve come to a new resolution and will think first for myself and Chloe before any other things – from this day on – I will strive to do one thing – and that is to bring Chloe and myself home to visit family and friends. Soon everyone – soon – I will be able to travel – on my own with Chloe and go home for a much needed break.

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Seeing The Positive Of Your Child

I often complained that PB don’t see enough of the positive side of Chloe – instead – he likes to growl at her. I know he doesn’t do it intentionally but that’s the way he is. To me – he sees the bratty side of Chloe – the side where she wants to get into his way all the time and seeking for attention all the time. To me – he sees a child who has no manners and interrupts us whenever we have to talk to a customer. I can fully understand PB’s frustration sometimes – I’m no saint either and of course – we want to teach Chloe the right ways too – but she is but a child – and sometimes I find that PB forgets that. I too, forget that sometimes – and have to constantly remind myself.

But I am able to constantly see the positive side of Chloe – like today – I brought her to the park and she wanted to pick chestnuts with another kid – and she was quite a distance from me – but I need not shout for her to come back – she motioned to me that she was going further but when she saw that i shook my head – saying no – she told the other kid – that she wasn’t allowed to go further. Now that i call positively amazing ! to me – I think she was really sensible.

This evening – after supper I wasn’t feeling good – and told chloe i was gonna lie down for a bit. Sure she came in several times and insisted that I have some light on – in the bedroom even though my door was open. But that’s only because she is a kid and she needed some sort of assurance. She came in several more times and woke me up each time – but I see the positive side in her – she still let me lie down for a bit. Are you seeing the positive side in your kid? I’m trying to make PB see those positive side in Chloe and not growl at her so much – just because she is being a kid. What about you?

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I Miss My Esthetician!

I just went for a facial – the other day – and I tell you – I sure missed my Esthetician from back home in Singapore. Her name is Linda – and she does the best best adult acne treatment and she has the best technique for massage your face and your back. For the last 10 yrs, I have tried several spas and none compared with her. Don’t get me wrong – they are good but I still prefer Linda’s. I think it is because she really takes care of my needs – like taken care of the white heads around my eyes – and also doing my eyebrow shaping without any extra charge. Plus a quick 5 mins massage after – you are done your facial – pure bliss. Of course, she has special portion for all types of skins – if you have dark circles or if you are having a bad acne this morning. Yes! i dream of home – I dream of someone to take care of my acne problems without being critical – I dream of the familiar spa – the familiar hands. Oh when can I go home for a visit?

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Thoughtful Little Friend

Chloe went for a birthday party of her friend, Skye and even though we had gone thru’ some basic rules about how to behave when she was at the party – she still didn’t know how to play with the other kids. She ended up playing a lot on her own – but that’s ok with us. We told her no opening another lane – just because she didn’t want to wait for her turn. But what was most amazing was her friend Skye who is a year younger than her – seeing that Chloe wanted to sit beside her during cake time – asked her other friends if they could move aside for a space for Chloe. As you can see, Chloe was very happy here – Skye is the birthday girl in blonde/red hair – what a thoughtful little girl. But her parents are just as thoughtful too – so I guess Skye takes after her parents 🙂 I know! every kid is different – chloe will learn soon enough – I can’t wait for the day – where chloe would be this thoughtful with her friends.

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Sleeping Very Important To Diabetics!

Yes! sleeping – a lot of it – is very important to someone like myself – being a diabetic and all. I tell PB all the time – because I can’t sleep well – if he doesn’t get to bed and by the time he does – he wakes me up and I tend to have a hard time falling back to sleep. I toss and turn the whole night – and I get really upset because I know I need to sleep bad! Anyhow, PB said he is going to try looking for some natural sleeping aids for me – that way – I don’t feel so stress up about trying to get enough rest. And for those who can’t find me online after midnight these day – that’s because I need to be in bed by then – for I have to be up at 7am for Chloe to go to school. I’m not missing – just want to be healthy and get enough rest.