The Apple's Diary!

It's the annual MindChamps Family Day. Ever since Jon started at playgroup level, we had been attending the annual event. Every year the teachers worked hard to prepare the activities and rolled it out with the champs and their families. It was hard work and most of the time, weather didn't help in such event. This year, instead of an outdoor event, it was held indoor at the Delta Sport Hall. Wow... that saved a thinking cap for bad weather plan and I soon realised that being indoor was indeed a much better venue. For the very first time, we actually stayed from the beginning (okay, we came in late and missed the morning zumba) to the end. We played all the games and stayed on for the photoshoot. Classes' banners Guess whose banner is who's? completed all 6 stations - our 1st ever This year's choice of an indoor venue couldn't be better. Being indoor and confined to the sport hall also meant that the kids could run wild and parents need

This Straits Times article caught my eye. " Mums have meltdowns too, let's just move on. " by Clara Chow. Since Good Friday weekend onwards, my 2 children weren't behaving well. I mean they have usual tantrums and fights but the past 2 weeks were a new level of growing up. They fought very badly with each other, scratching each other, biting each other and the younger one started to use his legs to kick his brother. But nothing has quite prepared for yesterday, the biggest meltdown ever by the youngest one. The triggering point was a "No" to the library because the timing didn't allow a trip to the library after their Berries class. I proposed an evening trip which was refused. So there he stood and not inching any step. His father was starting to be frustrated and just huddled him into the car. The entire drive home had him constantly scratching me and even biting me. It was mayhem. By the time peace had restored, both myself and the husband ha

We decided to spend Easter Day with a brunch since helper is on her off day. As usual by the time we were ready to leave the house, it was already 10.30am. So a quick google on great places for brunch led us to Paddy Hills and I recalled cousin-in-law posted her gastronomic experience a day ago on Paddy Hills. To make sure we would have a table when we reached, I called for reservation which was politely told, they were not able to take in reservation on weekends. Nonetheless, we went ahead and was lucky to find a parking lot in shop of the cafe. Unfortunately, the menu I had googled had changed. What we were given is a transition menu that has fewer items on it. So the kids had only 2 choices - bolognese and Chicken Little bolognese with tube penned Bolognese ($12) came first and Jonathan enjoyed it, much to my relief. It wasn't very saucy and on the dry side. The good thing was the capsicum was chopped in bite size so it was easy for me to suss out for fussy Jon.

April is still cold in Munich, but for some reasons, it didn't occur to me I should bring along my winter clothing. So I came barely dressed for the cold temperature and rainy weather. Marienplatz It has been hectic since mid-March till now... with local conference, training and a work trip to Munich. On my arrival day, I explored their tram and S-, U-barn system and got some help to purchase a ticket for my tram ride. I had been to Munich 2 years back and thus still have some recollection of the shopping areas eg. the Marienplatz and the central Munich train station. The weather has been real cold and I have been surviving by layering on. The hotel (Ibis Parkstadt Schwabing) I am staying is in a great neighbourhood. Parkstadt Schwabing is our equivalent of business park. Major international companies set up their offices in this area. There's residential places, supermarket and even kindergarten, all within walking distance. Tram station is about 5 min walk from