Category: Brat Stuff

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On Snow Days

Unlike last year, on snow days, we didn’t ship Chloe out to painting classes, instead we do craft work at the store and painting and reading together.  We also did some science experiments with copper wires, magnets and batteries albeit not too successful hahah!  but you get the hint right?  yes, this year we’ve decided that besides her piano classes, karate, swimming and painting classes, we are going to be spending a lot of snow days with her.

The above is the gratitude jar that we spoke about a few weeks ago, that we were going to show gratitude for what we have and not what we don’t have. I foresee this year a more fruitful year with Chloe as we have settled into a routine both at work and home and since Chloe is doing French this year, we may look for a french tutor for her next year to help her advance in her French language.

PS :  We are also using our snow days to collect bottles for the school and packing up old clothes and shoes to ship out to the children in Afghan.

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Kid’s Fun Is Good

Many months ago, my publisher asked me to comment on kids going to spa and having a manicure and pedicures with their moms.  While I go for manicures and pedicures whenever I have the time, I never bring Chloe along with me.  Well, occasionally I bring her to paint her nails with her girlfriends on special occasions but not often because too much, too soon is not good according to my mom.  Maybe, we are old fashion or maybe, it’s because we want them to stay a kid as long as we possibly could and not rush them to grow up.

I don’t let Chloe wear make up or lipsticks even on special occasions, she can get her nails painted but no coloring of her hair either.  Why?  because too much chemicals on a kid’s face, lips or on any part of her body, cannot be good for them, so my dermatologist girlfriend told me many years ago.With all those harsh chemicals that are in nail polishes, make up and hair coloring link to cancer and reproductive problems investigation, going el naturel will be the way for Chloe for a long time yet.

On top of all the above concerns, PB doesn’t want me to send the wrong message to the kid, in his opinion, too much too soon might send an inappropriate message to the kid.  Exposing what is meant for an adult is like rushing them to grow up and they won’t be enjoying their childhood as much as they should.  Plus, all kids are beautiful on their own and I want to teach mine that she is beautiful without needing anything else and that inner beauty is much more important.   So when Chloe came out from the computer room with a paper cutting like the above and doing funny actions, I cannot help but be glad that she is still child-like at 10 years old.

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The Lesson Of Giving – Chloe

Everyone who comes into our store ask Chloe how her Christmas was this year.  Well, this year as her parents we didn’t give Chloe anything for Christmas nor her birthday except for her birthday party.  But Santa gave her the 2 gifts she asked for and some stocking stuffer.  Why?

Well, this year we wanted to teach Chloe about giving and taking care of others first instead of  ourselves.  We’ve been so blessed throughout the year and since Chloe is the only child, we didn’t want her to grow up with the one child syndrome, whereby she thinks that she will get everything just because she wants it.  Chloe was really good about it and never argued with us and agreed that yes, we should take care of others first.

So this year for our family and friends, we bought more than our usual and gave more than our usual.  As for the money that we were supposed to spend on Chloe for Christmas and birthday, we chose to give it to 2 organization who needs it more than us.  I’m very proud of Chloe because not once did she whine about it nor did she say we didn’t get her anything.

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Presents From UK

Chloe and I are truly blessed, we get gifts from all over the world from friends and family.  This is from Pearly and it came all the way from UK with lots of food and chocolate for me and Chloe.  We are so grateful for awesome friends who think of us during every festive season and feel so blessed not because of the presents we get but because of the fact that we are in their heart and thoughts.  Thank you so much Pearly for being such an awesome friend and to all of you out there (you know who you are).

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My 10 Years Old Miracle

10 years ago today, I gave birth to a miracle baby – Chloe.  I was 39 years old when I had her and gynecologist from back home had told PB and I that I may not have a baby then because I had a huge fibroid and complications as well as being old.  But 3 years after I migrated to Canada and got married, I gave birth to a very healthy baby.  I carried her till full term and was sick all thru’ my pregnancy.  But if I had to do it again, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Chloe had been nothing but joy to both PB and I.  She is smart, compassionate and funny all the time.  Don’t get me wrong, she can be very bratty too but overall, she is a very good kid.  She can be sassy at home but she knows what is right from wrong.  She is hardworking in school and wants to do her best and she always care for her friends.

I thank God everyday for this miracle and I’m hoping that we will bring her up the right way.  To be honest, to have integrity and to do her best and to show compassion to the less fortunate and not to be afraid to speak her mind.

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FundRaiser Winners

This year we didn’t raise as much as we did the previous years * hang my head in shame*.  We’ve collected a total of $364 only but I want to thank all of you who’ve helped and supported Chloe’s school fundraiser.   God bless you and yours richly!

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Awesome Parents & Teachers Meet This Year

We just came back from Parents and Teachers meet with Chloe’s home room teachers for her 1st term in Grade 4.  I have to say that this parents and teachers meet was by far the most wonderful, we have had.  Don’t get me wrong, her previous years were good too but this year, Chloe has met the expectations of her teachers as well as our own.

Like I’ve mentioned before, her teachers had always been so helpful and they try their very best to help with anything that Chloe may need or needs help with.  This year Chloe has 2 home room teachers and both had good report on Chloe’s progress and even though I had questions about some of Chloe’s marks, they explained quite clearly how Chloe’s results came about and that we need not worry about it.  Like every Asian parent, I have to say that I’m still a tiger mom inside, so an understanding of Chloe’s weaker subjects or stronger ones is a must for this mom – so that we can help her on her weaker subjects and improve on her stronger ones.

As mentioned to before, Chloe loves school and I’ve also noticed that this year, she isn’t running to us for help when she encounters problems as much as she used to – credit needs to go to her previous home room teacher who had encouraged that Chloe speak up for herself.  As we watch Chloe grow with her teachers year after year, we can see that she has definitely grown to love this school and all her teachers.  I’m happy about it because it’s so important that kids like their teachers and respect them and listens to them.  My hope is that Chloe continues to love school and learn to be a positive and honest person with integrity and never sweat the small stuff and in the meantime, study hard and play hard as well.

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Christmas Decor Up Early

This year, we had our Christmas tree and decorations up as soon as the Remembrance day is over.  Why?  because we wanted to spend more time with Chloe and helping her prepare for her birthday and also her recital as well as her school concert.  Plus, we know that Christmas season are usually  busy at the store.   I felt so good when the tree was up because Chloe loves Christmas so much.  This year we didn’t disappoint her by setting up the tree late like last year.  Hopefully, when it comes to taking it down, we won’t take too long either.  hehe!

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Bring Up Ms Chloe

I read a very interesting article the other day by a awesome friend from Australia and thought about how I can apply what I’ve read with Chloe.  But it also made me think of a recent incident with someone else’s kid, while I always tell Chloe not to sweat the small stuff unless she is hurt badly, this kid I know or thought I knew must have been taught differently at her home.

It made me quite sad to see both kids and parents behaving this way because I know that it cannot be good for both in the future but coming from a totally different culture, I held my tongue.  I pray to God that my relationship with Ms Chloe wouldn’t be this way in the future.

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Festive Season 2013

Life cannot be better, good friends, good neighbors and family enjoying the Christmas parade and having hot chocolate at our store.  We have been so blessed this year, receiving gifts and food from family and friends from away.  Packages of goodies and gifts coming in for Chloe since November and of course, we are also busy preparing for her birthday.  She is going to be 10 years old!  time sure flies.  This year, school is going so good, she has such a great home room teachers and PAs, I cannot be more thankful.

The store had been really busy and we  have been busy buying a new store and hoping to expand.  We don’t want to rent anymore as we have been in business for 14 years to date.  So buying will be the only reason why we will be moving.  Alot of things had going on at home in Singapore too,  my parents dividing their properties amongst us – the siblings and while PB has no intention of getting anything from them, he is transferring his share of the properties to Chloe instead.  So the lawyers are going back and forth with the signing of documents and I guess my Chloe is going to be kinda comfortable when she grows up.

Why are my parents doing this now?  because they don’t want us to end up like when my grandparents passed away and my uncles and aunts were fighting over -who should get what.  While I know that my siblings are quite relax about the will, my parents fears that it might cause ill – feelings between us, so they rather do it while they are alive.  Like PB said, we don’t want anything, we are not well off but we are pretty comfortable here in Canada.  But my parents insisted that we should get part of the properties they have *sigh* – therefore, PB transferred our share of the Chloe.

In the meantime, we are just keeping busy at the store, which is forever busy it seems but we are happy and very glad that my parents are healthy and we missed them as much as they do us.