Christmas this year, part 1

Given our not yet finalized, super tentative plan for Christmas this year, Mama thought that putting up the Christmas decorations early might be a good idea. Combined with the fact that Kecil had already learned to 'anticipate' Christmas (no thanks to all the early decorations up around town since no less than 2 months ago!), it really seems like a good idea.
So, fresh from the UN Day celebrations last week, we went to work.

Of course we had to start with first cleaning the house. The dog hair would probably make its way everywhere again mere minutes after we finished cleaning up, but it's the spirit of the thing, no? Besides, the potential of instilling cleanliness in Kecil should not be passed just like that. Especially given how rare the opportunity is given Mama's own ahem... relaxed views when it comes to such things. Ahem.

When the house is reasonably clean, then it's time to take out the tree and its various bits and bobs. Kecil, as you noticed, was so into the spirit that she had to wear the reindeer headband. This Mama thinks it was the carols Mama played on the stereo. Ha!

And since Kecil is big enough to be 'into' Christmas, this year, she also got to help with the decorations:

Well... OK. To be fair, Kecil had always tried to help. The keyword, however, is the word try. Here's some documentation from 2 years back. Apparently Mama was too keen on getting the job done last year that she forgot to take pics.

Ah, I guess those reindeer headband is part tradition after all!

Anyway, back to this year's tree... it would seem that Kecil is very much satisfied with the result of our labor. In fact, between the two of us (well... Mama does most of the work), we managed to more or less put up ALL that needed to be put up from the stuff we already have inside the storage. We are still working on more stuff, mostly handmade, to be put around the house as additional decorations, but we are taking it slowly on that one. After all, Christmas is still some time to go, is it not?

Oh, and as for the tree? Ahahaha... please be patient until Mama is satisfied with the picture, yes? After all, this is only part one of the Christmas series, no? Until next time!

Sunglasses

With the country now pretty deep into the 'cold season' (read: it's pretty sunny, but with cold winds blowing from up North), and after Mama replaced her lost sunglasses (for the nth time!), Kecil decided that she wanted one as well.
That day when Mama finally bought Kecil her sunglasses turned out to be a perfect day for one.
Sunny, with lots of strong winds that lift all kind of dust around.
What a better way to protect your eyes from both the sun and the sand, yes?

Mama's camera dilemma

Camera-phone (edited): A carousel ride at the Mall

There are so many times that Kecil would go out with Mama and Daddy, and the camera would be left at home, resulting in no ... documentation. Or if there is any, they are of pretty bad quality (read: not to be released to the world before some tampering/beautifying efforts).

Camera-phone (edited): Narcissism 101, ahem.

Admittedly, bringing a huge DSLR to the toilet just for a quick snap after toilet break might be a bit too much. At the same time, perhaps the DSLR in question would have captured that precious expression (and the spirit of her antics) so much better than the much reviled camera phone did.

DSLR (SOOC): Something funny on the restaurant wall? (Note the lack of ... anything else interesting to capture)

There are times when Mama had already made the effort of lugging that huge piece of equipment only to end up having meal at a woefully uninspiring venue. Hmmpphhh..... Well, I suppose not every outing turn out to be a great photo op opportunity like that weekend horse-ride, no?

DSLR (SOOC): Taking a break at the waterfall during horse riding

Still, on the very days when Mama did not have the 'good camera', we'll have things such as these:

Camera-phone (edited): the same carousel ride

Camera-phone (SOOC*): Going to Skool in the morning

Camera-phone (SOOC): Visiting her friend straight after Skool

Pictures that really make Mama's eyes itch straight out of camera. Arrrr!!!!!
And so we are looking into rectifying the situation, and hopefully increasing the average quality of pics that we have here on this space, while not missing a beat in our day to day coverage of Kecil and her antics. After all, isn't that what this blog is all about?

DSLR (edited): Swimming at the end of a hot day

*SOOC= Straight Out of the Camera

United Nations Day Celebrations

This Mama was not joking when she said that Friday had been wildly anticipated, both by Mama and Kecil. We were informed of the event since like a few weeks back? And I am sure there had been a lot of preparations done in Skool in terms of preparing the students. This is because the day also served as a presentation day to show off the students.
On the parents' side, our job is mostly concerned with getting the kids dressed according to the countries selected (we drew blind slots), prepare the countries' flag, practice the Kiddo's line (just a simple one line, basically stating the kids' name and the country they were representing) PLUS a food item for the potluck.
Mama's assignment for the potluck was actually the carrot cake she made for Kecil's birthday. Ha!

Kecil, as you noticed, drew the slot for representing China.
We had the dress made at the local dressmaker, upon Mama's specific instructions (the design and materials are all sourced by Mama). Mama wanted the dress not ending up as a one-time-worn only, so we used cotton material, and drew a simple design that Kecil could wear for outings and such. Thankfully the materials are pretty easy to get, and the dressmaker is pretty familiar with the basic Chinese collar design.

Having gone through all the rehearsals in Skool and stood for the dress measurement at the dressmaker, Kecil was understandably wild in anticipation for the D-day! With the only twist of her refusing to try on the dress when Mama collected it 2 days before the event. She insisted that it was only to be worn on Friday!

Well, at least there was no hesitation whatsoever on the day itself. She even remembered the whole list of things to happen on Friday the moment she woke up that day:

• She got to wear the pink dress (with the pink shoes too!)
• Mama brings cupcake to school
• She got to say her lines
• Oh, and don't forget the flag, Mama!

Being still in one of the youngest class in Skool, Kecil's part in the festivities is limited to basic participation, which includes: a cat walk around the auditorium (complete with waving at the audience), presenting her line: Hi, my name is Kecil and I am from China! as well as participating in the mass dance.
Mama was only able to take pics of Kecil reciting her line, though. During the catwalk, Mama was too busy waving. But she did very well, waving to everyone and smiling. I guess those walkies with the Dog during which we waved at everyone we knew kind of help.
As for the dance... ahem.... let's just say Mama was defeated by the Stampede (of parents rushing to get as close as possible to get the best pics of the kids dancing). Meh. This was the best pic that Mama got from the dance, and that was not saying much. Hmmpphhhffttt!

We attacked the food from the potluck soon after (no pics, sorry). There was an incident when Kecil dropped her precious piece of pizza on the floor (she BAWLED!), but all in all, everything went all right.

At home, Kecil was seen running around in her Pink Cheena dress. Happily.
So I suppose Mama did succeed in fulfilling her brief of creating a UN Day costume that will still end up worn for daily use.

We look forward to more celebrations coming our way.
Oh, and don't forget, Mama owes you one on the Christmas decorations, right?

not so little anymore

Everybody knows how fast kids grow up. They do so in a blink of an eye. Seriously.
(What? You did not know? Well, NOW you know!)
And given the title of this blog, "not so little anymore", one would think that this Mama really knows that particular fact of life, no?
Well... theoretically, yes. But in reality?
It was just something that has to hit like a brick between the eyes, I guess.
Like when I posted Kecil's pic with her Daddy at the coffee joint the other day:

Followed with the discovery of some vintage photos from outings of days gone by:

Dear God! Was she really ever that small?
Apparently yes. Ahem. Here are a few more:

 Awww! for the barely there hair!

And oh, this Mama still remembers that colorful pillow that we bought to 'boost' the comfort factor of the baby chair. It was soon booted out due to practical considerations. (Messy eater does not mix well with pillows in her seat)

Days of being parents have its own challenges, but they do come with so many rewards. No least the privilege of watching the Kid grows. Literally.
As days progress and the only growth we, adults, seem to experience is the horizontal kind (ahem!), isn't it nice to look at these little beings and watch them bloom into a real person each day?

Friday ...

... was a wildly anticipated day, with the dress finally getting its first wear ... for the Skool's United Nations Day celebration!

In addition, with the UN Day finally out of the way, Mama felt that it was time to get to the Christmas decorations!

All in all, Friday was a very tiring day. So perhaps we shall continue with the rest of the story (both on the UN day AND the first installment of this year's Christmas stories) tomorrow.
At least you all know already what the trailer was all about, no?

After Skool these days

High from cotton candy

While the end of Skool used to mean coming straight home, these days are punctuated with visits to places other than home, straight from Skool, with uniform and Skool bags and all.
The other day there was that trip to the dressmaker... (that's the picture above. We came across a cotton candy seller, hence the 'happy' expression)
Followed with a trip to the doctor to take off Kecil's sutures (she got two stitches):

Waiting at the doctor's, still eating her cotton candy

Then there are also days when we got persuaded to play guest ...

(They generally make such a cute picture it's kind of hard to resist, you know?)
Which of course ended up with us spending like the whole afternoon (or almost) playing guest:

There are good days when the little girls would play relatively peacefully.
Then there are also days when things are not so peaceful. More towards ... full of dramas, rather.
Yet, somehow, these girls would come up with all kinds of excuse to repeat the process over and over again.

Well, I suppose some dramas always make for interesting life. So we'll work on it, while still being thankful.

How about you? Have some frienemies around?

(Since the visits are usually impromptu in nature, all pics are shot only using the camera phone, Mama's current frienemy numero uno. Friend, because it's always there. Enemy, because the quality of pictures taken are pretty abominable. Siiggghhh....)

trailer...

There is something a-brewing. Something that requires a trip to the dressmaker, a trip to the fabric shop, as well as some extra bits and pieces.

Something pink, something with special buttons.
Something to do with school, something that is coming up this Friday.

In the meantime, the sun and the mystery item are conspiring to let Mama play the wannabe wedding photographer who took so many pictures of a single outfit!
Well, crossing our fingers, we hope that Kecil would cooperate with the outfit comes Friday.
That she will be recovered from her most recent bout of cold/cough malaise.
That she will ... well.. we'll see on Friday, yes?
Oh, but we'll also need to cross our fingers that Mama will be able to get that post up on Friday itself. Otherwise, you might have to wait till... well... whenever Mama got around to doing it. Hehe...


Till then....

Get well soon, Oma!

Kecil's Oma just went through a major surgery yesterday. Having not been present in person for the whole series of events, all we know had come from the intermittent updates from overseas, through emails and various chats.
We did, however, hear that Oma had come through the surgery quite well, and is in the process of recovery.

Between work, school and sheer physical distance, it's not always the easiest thing to drop everything in order to get at Oma's side for this major occurrence, however, we do hope to be able to visit soon.
In the mean time, our prayers are for Oma, for quick recovery, for days ahead.

Get well soon, Oma!

Found

While we were out walking the other day, we came across a garage sale near the Korean church.
It was a good thing that Mama brought her wallet for walkies that day, because we did end up picking up something from the sale.

Any guess yet?It was long, and pink, and came in a (nice, fake leather, semi hard) pink case...What could it be?

It was a melodica!
Well.. actually in Indonesian we called it a pianika, and truth to be told, Mama had wanted one since she was small.
It just did not make sense back then as we did have a piano at home.
Of course, these days here, we don't have a piano.
And this Mama thought that something mechanical (it has to be blown to make sound!) would last longer than something that requires batteries.
Let's just say this Mama does not have the best relationship with batteries, yes?

Kecil is very happy with her new toy. She wanted to try it immediately, although Mama did not quite let her do that until we cleaned the melodica up.
The mouthpieces, as per Daddy's instruction, was actually washed with some high-grade alcohol!We are still far from raising a music prodigy, but still, it's quite fun to see the Kid toot tooting the melodica, which she has dubbed "Nica!" (from pianika). By the way, she does know how to fix the mouthpiece on, take it off, and put away the whole set into the case!

Unfortunately Kecil likes to hit the high notes (and dissonant chords), which definitely causes the Dog the occasional headache.In fact, this morning, we, the parents, also got a semi headache as Kecil found the pianika in the room and started using it on us as an alarm clock. Doh!Still, three cheers for emerging musical talent, no?