The things she does to her toys ....

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中秋节快乐！

Mid-autumn festival never fails to bring back childhood memories of me, my sis and cousins carrying our colourful cellophane lanterns that our grandma never fails to buy for us and going on our little adventure around my grandparents' neighbourhood (which is also now my parents'), going into the dark back alleys and trying hard not to fall into the long-kang.  

I'm really glad today, we've kept traditions alive with lanterns, mooncakes and making sure that everyone gathers together for dinner.

Jules was more interested in trying to light the candles on her paper lanterns then actually carrying the lantern itself.  We also got her one of those with LED light so that she could carry around without us having to worry it will end up burning up but she wasn't the lest interested, much preferring the traditional candle-lit ones. 

With her dragon lantern

This year was also extra special as her school organised a little Mid-Autumn Festival celebration in school just this evening.  The kids gathered in school last evening and were treated to face-painting, free roam of the playground, lots of yummy food and a lantern walkabout with sparkles all thrown in!! When we got to school, I think she was a little puzzled at why she was back in school at that hour and not in her uniform for that matter.  But soon warmed up when she saw the familiar faces of her teachers and friends.  I also finally caught a glimpse of her friend Timmy - a name she is always calling out at home during her pretend play where she imagines she's Teacher M.  I should add that he is quite a cute little boy - good taste you got there young lady! 

Facepainting

With her friend R at the playground

Sparkles!!!!

Going on their lantern walk

Jules had a fun 中秋节 and we hope you did too!! 中秋节快乐！

Happy Teachers' Day!

Jules school didn't really have any Teachers' Day celebration - since any celebration with kids at this age will probably mean more work for the teachers more than anything else.  Did were close today though although that didn't affect Jules since she doesn't attend schools on Fridays. 

Despite the lack of celebrations of any sort, I thought it would be nice to present them with a little gift for them to remember Jules by - since this will be the first and last Teachers' Day she's going to be spending with them. 

Jules' very first teacher was Teacher S, who has since left the Montessori due to family commitments.  She's cared for primarily now by Teacher Z and Teacher M, both of whom she adores.  I have to salute Teacher Z in particular for patiently ensuring my fussy eater daughter finishes her lunch - something none of the teachers could quite actually do for the first 3 months after she started school.  I'm just glad that Jules is being looked after by committed and dedicated teachers who adore her just as much as she does them. 

So for my first teachers' day gift that I've put together in years, I got inspiration from Sophie's birthday and gave away little glasses filled with pinto beans for the teachers to grow.  

The husband chipped in too by creating the gift tags to go along - and in his efforts to score extra brownie points, he put his photoshop skills to use by including a little picture of Jules on the card, which was kinda apt since I really wanted the gift to be something they'll remember her by.  We then got Jules to pen their names with a little help from us of course!

The teachers were very appreciative of the gift and many came up to thank me personally when I picked her up yesterday.  Many parents also made cards and brought biscuits for the teachers.  Very glad to see parents showing their appreciation to preschool teachers who are often neglected when we celebrate teachers' day.  

So to all teachers - whether you teach in preschool, mainstream schools or church school - here's wishing you a very happy teachers day - from a very grateful parent.   

"Gong Gong, Por Por, Ball"

That's one of Jules' favourite phrase these days.  No, it has nothing to do with asking her grandparents to play ball with her.  It's this ....

She's in love with the Disney movie -Up, and specifically the part on Ellie's and Carl's life together before Carl became all alone.  She calls it the "Gong Gong, Por Por, Ball" movie.  She has watched it so many times, she can also vaguely relate the story to you .... "Gong Gong, Por Por see clouds, baby" .... 

"Gong Gong, Por Por, painting" .... 

"Por Por hit, coins, broken" (if you've seen the movie, you would recall that the couple had to crack open the jar each time they met with unforseen situations) .... 

"Gong Gong sad" (shows me her sad sad face).  It's really sweet cos that look on her face, it's like she genuinely feels for Carl! 

We introduced her to Up for two reasons: (1) I was planning to work her birthday around an Up theme and (2) We had a Disneyland holiday planned for December, tickets all booked (although we're about to shelve those plans for somewhere else given the latest news on the situation in Japan).  

I'm kinda tickled really that Carl's and Ellie's character turned out to be her favourite.  But what makes me kinda proud is that our little girl has that little sensitive streak in her, enough to understand a cartoon show and feel sad for the characters.  

That's my little munch'kin for you. 

Letters to Julianne #27

Dearest Julianne, 

Oh hello there chatty little one!  Who is the little munch'kin who's now so totally talking her way through her day?  I've stopped keeping track of the new words you're saying cos I've lost count and also cos you've move on to speaking in full sentences - or sort of.  "I want ..." is clearly your favourite phrase.  No day is complete without your usual "I want to play, I want bread, I want Barney".  A close second is "Juju('s) ...".  We'll hear your "Juju('s) pants", "Juju('s) spoon", "Juju('s) book".   All very typical personality of a 2 year old - demanding ("I want") and self-centered ("Juju's).  Hopefully soon enough, we'll hear more "I will share".  

I'm a little disturbed that this throwing-a-tantrum business is getting more frequent of late and I really hope it's not a sign of what the Terrible Twos will bring.  Discipling you is harder than I thought it'll be which is why you end up getting your way most of the time.  Doesn't help that your Dada can't bring himself to discipline you either. 

Well August turned out to be a month of birthday parties!!  Yours very soon - in 2 months! We've decided we'll throw you a little party in school amongst your little friends - I think it'll all be very cute! 

Cheeky and sometimes naughty you may be, you are undeniably the sunshine of our lives.  Love you to the moon and back Jujubee!! Here's a peek of your August thru' instagram! 

Love, 

Mama

How much is the little girl at the window? 

Me: Juju, Once upon a time, there was a missing piece and it was not ...
Juju: "Happy"

Thrilled but the paper ball!