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...

Moving on to the 2nd Quarter of 2017  with Maid... So it has been a month since she joined us. Minor hiccups here and there but overall, I have nothing to complain. She has her handphone with her all the time, she asked for wifi nightly for 2 hours, she probably nap in the afternoon when no one is home. She could be also chatting over her hp  while working but I am not going to bother so long work is done and no monkey business from her. It could be a good match for both of us. She prefers to be left alone, quietly working and I like to leave her to work in the background. We can communicate, no language barrier makes it so much simpler to convey my wishes. She's easy going and I appreciate that. Cross my finger that all will be well from now on. The boys... we are still doing our nightly routine which has now become part of their life. They automatically just sit at their table and wait for me to start their nightly revision. Even if they have some grand plans on buil...

I have never pay much attention to academic term until this year. This year is going to be such a memorable year, because we have to make several (major)  decisions. For the past 3 months, we saw the boys being more "auto" in their nightly study routine. finally all done! We finally completed Matthew's Heguru set of worksheets that were given in 2015. It took us so long to complete these 24 books. Yet it is late better than never. With him in K1, I am starting to expose him to assessment books and more writing and reading. This is in bid that he has a more gentle learning curve. He is still in Berries although he protested in the beginning. He is still having his piano class although the pace is real slow (as expected actually). Show&Tell - Jon's MBS For big boy, he has more work to do since he is in K2 now. Spelling and 听写 weekly and I mean this is introductory to Primary school life, we should still cherish this preschool year. swimming les...

On 24th February, we welcomed our 7th helper. She's 7th since we started having a live-in helper in 2011. The first 6 helpers were all from Myanmar and only 3rd helper was good enough to last almost 4 years with us. But the last 3 experiences with Burmese helpers really made me sworn off this nationality. It is a big no no now for me to take Burmese helper. It is also funny how whenever I change a helper, I have to replace some of the household appliances. This round, I had to change my airpot, my frying wok, rice cooker and vacuum cleaner. My Zojirushi airpot was damaged. Hopefully,  Tiger can last longer new Tefal rice cooker better don't damage the latest HappyCall frying wok new vacuum cleaner So 7th came. First impression of her was rather good. She snipped off her long hair for easier management (suggested she is really serious in earning her keep here) and understood I am a working mummy so I had very little time to ori...