Exploring Our Children’s Potentials

Sometime in June this year the Singapore Blog Awards team chose and invited 12 bloggers to blog at omy.sg

It’s ‘Singapore’s first bilingual-friendly (Mandarin and English) news and interactive web portal by leading media group Singapore Press Holdings Ltd (SPH)‘

The thing is, I’m a mom of two and with my ‘1001 things to do’ every day, I’m simply not keen on maintaining another blog with a ‘separate content’.

So, I decided to share my oureverydaythings.com’s blog entries over there.

[Btw, my blog URL is: http://blog.omy.sg/oureverydaythings]

AND, because omy.sg has both mandarin and english readers, my blog’s content gets to reach out to a wider audience, including China (because omy.sg is one of the few sites that are not blocked in China).

And I thought that’s just fantastic!

Anyway.

There was some media coverage in July (I know this blog post is SO outdated!), and I thought I should really keep these newspaper ad clippings here on my site as well.

[Errr … I can’t read what it says, but I think the heading says, ‘Omy’s 12 Star Bloggers’. Sigh. I’m so hopeless in Chinese!]

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Top left: Advertisement on some newspaper in July 2010 (can’t remember which one though).

Top right: This was when Oureverydaythings’ site was the featured blog on fun.omy.sg/blog

Above image: One page coverage on Mypaper on 19 July

Really.

Water splashes and jumps in the pool make the shot even more fun!

(And the kids will very much welcome the idea, too!)

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I shared a bit about taking photos of kids and water recently. Click here to view the post.

I don’t know how familiar you are with Salonpas, but I totally grew up with this brand name!

My WHOLE family knows Salonpas!

My grandparents and parents would even specifically request that I get a few packs for them whenever we go and visit them in Jakarta!

And check this out!

I searched my inbox and found this email from my mom sent to me last year (see the date print on the photo!)

She went to the extent of taking a shot of the Salonpas pack that she bought during her visit to Singapore last year, and emailed the photo to me all the way from Jakarta (ie. the screenshot above!), just so that I got her the RIGHT brand and type.

She even told me how I could easily buy these packs at major pharmacies, supermarkets and shops!

Hehe. Her request was very specific.

Anyway.

I must admit though that I tend to associate these Salonpas packs with the ‘older generation’ in my family!

I buy Salonpas Pain Relief Patch by the packs for my family.

But never for myself.

After all, they’re the ones who’re more ‘in need’ of such pain relief, right?

Errr … Wrong!

I occasionally DO get uncomfortable stiffness and some mild pain on my shoulders, upper and lower back!

Which I usually just (try to uncomfortably) … ignore.

Well, that is … UNTIL I was sponsored 3 packs of that exact Salonpas Pain Relief Patch to try for myself and review!

Oh btw, you know what?

I got these packs exactly the day AFTER Wilson and I went go-karting!

Yes, exactly when my right arm was all very sore!

SO.

I got both Anya and Vai to help and put the patch on my upper arm!

[The patch is thin, stretchable and flexible! Patch size is 7cm x 10cm!]

[They were like, ‘YAY! Let’s put this on Mommy!’]

It was my first time seeing the inside of the pack too!

And I thought the plastic film and the slit was a really nice feature.

Even the kids found it easy to peel and apply!

Errr … they tested out the patch first though, and saw how it was flexible and could get ‘stretched’ from side to side!

After that, they put the patch on my upper right arm.

[I’d personally apply the patch where it can’t be seen, OR, wear something that ‘covers’ the patch when I go out and about. But, even if you choose not to cover it, the ‘skin colour’ of the patch does make it less conspicuous]

And.

This is what I found:

– Within seconds, I could feel the patch ‘working’ (you know, that nice heaty feeling meant to relieve the mild muscle ache on the area)

– Great elasticity and adhesion! (ie. stretched accordingly when my arm moved about)

– When I took the patch off a few hours later, there’s NO sticky/greasy feel, NO mess and I could peel it off easily!

[No wonder my mom was SO specific about which Pain Relief Patch to get for the family!]

So.

There you go.

Now I know what Pain Relief Patch I can use when my arms or upper / lower back aches!

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TO RECEIVE YOUR PACK OF 5 SALONPAS PRODUCT SAMPLES:

Click this LINK, leave your comments there, and respond to this question, ‘In what situations would YOU use Salonpas products?’

[Always great to have these handy around the house!]

Latest entry by 19 October.

Enjoy your Salonpas packs, everyone!

On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
The emblem of suff’ring and shame;
And I love that old cross where the dearest and best
For a world of lost sinners was slain.

Refrain:
So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it some day for a crown.

Oh, that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,
Has a wondrous attraction for me;
For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above
To bear it to dark Calvary.

In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,
A wondrous beauty I see,
For ’twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,
To pardon and sanctify me.

To the old rugged cross I will ever be true;
Its shame and reproach gladly bear;
Then He’ll call me some day to my home far away,
Where His glory forever I’ll share.

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Written and composed by George Bennard (1873-1958)

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Here’s a little background of this hymn and the writer:

George Bennard was born in Ohio and later moved to Iowa with his parents. It was here that young George made his personal acceptance of Christ as his Savior.

He was ordained by the Methodist Episcopal Church and he was involved in conducting revival services, especially throughout the states of Michigan and New York.

One day, after returning to Michigan coming from one of his ministries, Bennard passed through a challenging experience and it caused him to reflect seriously about the significance of the cross and in particular, what the apostle Paul meant when he spoke of entering into the fellowship of Christ’s suffering. While contemplating on these truths, Bennard was convinced that the cross was more than just a religious symbol but rather the very heart of the gospel.

In 1913, Bennard was inspired and he started writing “The Old Rugged Cross”. He composed the melody first and the words of his completed hymn were put into his heart as answer to his own need.

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Today, this song (coupled with today’s sermon) reminded me how every repentance MUST essentially be linked with the understanding of the cross, of Christ and of the forgiveness sin. Otherwise, a change in one’s life is probably caused by the transformation of one’s ‘morality’ that has no base on the very essence of Christian faith.

It’s the Lantern Festival!

And we see lots of lanterns (and mooncakes!) everywhere.

From traditional paper lanterns to ‘modern’ battery-operated ones with cute animal and cartoon character shapes.

[Anya was only 1.5yo in the photo!]

Two years ago, the kids and I made Nemo lanterns.

Last year, we made hongbao lanterns were for Chinese New Year.

So I thought, for this year, why not we make our own lanterns again … for the Lantern Festival!

AND, to have things differently, we’ll use MILK CARTONS this time round! (with an overall theme of ‘outer space’, hehe)


[We used our used 1-litre milk cartons. And no, this post is NOT sponsored by Dutch Lady]

I asked the kids what ‘shape’ they’d like to have on their lanterns.

Vai requested to have ‘Lightning McQueen’ (of course!)

Anya wanted to have smiley faces on hers (and she drew them herself)

Btw, this craft activity is meant for the adults to make FOR the kids, because it involved a lot of cutting.

Kids will love these lanterns though because they get to make requests AND see the ‘glowing result’ afterwards!

All lovingly home-made … using recycled materials too!

Anyway.

Here’s how you can make these yourself too.

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What we used:

– Two used 1-litre milk cartons

– Scissors and (very sharp) cutter

– Scotch tape

– If you’re inserting a candle inside, you’d need: 2 candles, 2 small bottles

What we did:

– Cut out the top part of the milk carton, open the carton’s side and bottom (see top photo), rinse it thoroughly and pat it dry.

– Cut a strip off the top (about 1 cm). This will be the lantern’s handle

– Draw on the ‘outer side’ of the milk carton according to the kid’s request

– Using a very sharp cutter, cut out the shapes

[Vai’s Lightning McQueen. I simply tilted the car sideways and ‘trace’ the car’s shape! Heh.]

Tips:
– Draw lots of bit and pieces ‘everywhere’ as it’ll turn out nicer when the lantern ‘glows’ later
– Straight lines will be faster to cut!
– While you’re cutting the shapes out (it’ll take a while!), let the kids play and get themselves busy)

Once you’re done, it’ll look something like this:

[The outside of the carton]

[I love the silver-ish colour of the carton’s inside. This is why we chose to go with the ‘outer space’ theme!]

– Using scotch tape, tape the milk carton back (its side and bottom)

– Cut 1-cm slits on the 2 sides of the lantern (to insert your 1cm lantern handle)

[Tape the side and the bottom part of the milk carton, and insert the ‘handle’ into the 2 slits]

– Now here comes the tricky part, ie. If you want to place a candle inside (Skip the candle if the lanterns are for young kids to play with)

I made a quick ‘candle stand’ (photo below) after our lanterns were done.

Just to see our lanterns GLOW on our dining table!

I used: a bottle cap, a birthday candle and a thick carton so the candle stayed steady.

Anyway.

That’s it!!

And, we LOVED our humble home-made outer space lanterns!

Happy lantern-making!!

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[Extra note]

When we actually bring out the lanterns this weekend, I plan to use either a ‘tea candle’ OR a ‘bigger candle’ (so the lantern can last longer), burn the bottom a bit then quickly stick it onto the base inside a bottle. This way, when the lantern wobbles, the candle will not ‘fall’ because the sides of the bottle will also keep it in place.

Bottle’s size should fit well inside the milk carton, so it doesn’t move around easily.

I plan to tape a wooden chopstick to the lantern’s handle too, so the kids can walk around holding just the stick.

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[Lantern Festival events in Singapore]

For more info on what you can do in Singapore during this year’s Lantern Festival, check out this site!

So my oldest child has become ‘toothless’ now (read: one tooth LESS).

That particular tooth actually started to become wobbly since some 3 weeks ago. Anya told me how ‘the tooth could move a little!’

Since then, she often ‘pushed’ the tooth with her tongue and wondered when it’d actually fall out.

She did tell me how it didn’t feel comfortable at times though. Especially when she’s just chewed on something hard.

So, on Monday afternoon, she asked me if I could pull that particular tooth out! (To end the discomfort, I guess)

But hey.

Before that moment, I never thought I would ever need to PULL ANYONE’S TOOTH.

I mean, …. eewww, it’s still STUCK on the gum!

And HOW am I supposed to yank it off? I thought.

(See the photo above, by that Monday afternoon, she could ‘push’ the tooth forward)

I told her, ‘Okay. I’d put some some ice cubes around the tooth to numb the gum a little and pull the tooth out, AFTER you and Vai play at the playground.’

I was trying to delay the whole thing. Obviously.

AND.

Errr … I chickened out.

When we got back home from the playground, I told her how it’s probably better to wait for Daddy to pull the tooth out.

I was honest with her though, and told her how I felt a bit scared about pulling her wobbly tooth out since it’s my first time doing it.

Five minutes later, she went to get a drink and on her way to the kitchen, she went, ‘ARRRGHH! Mommy!! Mommy!! Something came out of my mouth!!!!’

And I was like, ‘Oh … HAHAHA … THAT’S YOUR TOOTH!! YAYYYY!!!’

Glad it fell out on its own! (And oh how I hope ALL my kids’ teeth fall out on their own too, with no parental intervention needed!)

Anyway.

Took photos of the baby tooth and her ‘new one-tooth-less smile’.

Told her how a new ‘adult’ tooth will grow on that spot.

And she was happy. Very happy.

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I’ve heard about tying one end of a dental floss on the wobbly tooth and tying the other end on a door, and when you slam the door, you pull the tooth!! Way too scary for us to do! Will never go for this approach anyway!

I’d love to hear how it goes in your family though!

Did you pull your kid’s wobbly tooth, or do they all fall out on their own?

How did YOUR parents handle this baby tooth thing when you were growing up?

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Here are two insightful links on baby / milk tooth:

– The Lifetime of Teeth in 3D

– Losing baby teeth : What to expect and when

I’ve tried baking these yummy muffins a few times and I loveeee this simple recipe.

Fail-proof too.

(Especially important for a beginner like me! Heh.)

Here’s the recipe!

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Ingredients

3 or 4 Large bananas, mashed

3/4 cup white sugar (original recipe calls for 1 cup though)

1 slightly beaten egg

1/3 cup melted margarine or butter

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1.5  cups flour (I used plain flour)

1. Mix the mashed banana, sugar, egg and margarine/butter together. Set aside.

2. In a separate bowl, mix together baking soda, baking powder, salt and flour.

3. Mix no. 1 and no. 2 above together!

4. Pour into greased muffin tins, and bake in 350 degrees F oven (about 177 deg C) for about 20 minutes

And that’s it!!!

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Oh btw, I don’t have a proper muffin tin (yet), so I’ve been using those individual foil muffin tins sold at supermarkets /neighbourhood shops (see photo above), bought paper muffin cases from IKEA (I love the prints!), and sort of ‘reshaped’ the foil tins because I wanted my muffins to be ‘taller’ instead of ‘wider’ (which explains why my muffins were not ‘nice and round’ in the photo above, hehe)

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Anyway.

If you like it too (or have another tried-and-tested great banana muffin recipe), please do share with me yeah!

In the mean time, … enjoy!

I wrote this on my Our Everyday Things’ Facebook Page the other day:

A child who seems to be helpless / out of control / ignorant /  challenging today, may be one who greatly and positively influences many in 20 – 30 years time.

Never look down on anyone who may seem to be a ‘nobody’ today, for we don’t know what’s in store for them in years to come.

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I don’t know about you, but I really believe in that.

I believe everyone of us has potentials.

And many of those may (very most likely) have not yet been discovered.

A small child, especially, is not capable of doing or accomplishing many things.

Well. Not JUST YET.

When I see great leaders, I thought about how they used to be young and small too!

And really. Who would’ve imagined that a baby who drooled and made a big mess with his food 40 years ago could lead a country today?

And.

Who would’ve guessed that a toddler who seemed timid and only started walking at the age of 18 months could excel in sports 15 – 20 years later?

Not many, I think.

[What will little Vai be in years to come? It’ll be interesting for mommy to find out!]

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Those thoughts crossed my mind when I saw this video on Youtube.

It’s a video clip made by P&G to honour the mothers of young athletes who participated in the recent Youth Olympic Games (YOG) held here in Singapore.

The mothers, who held their children’s hands when they learned to walk.

The mothers, who saw the children’s potentials since they’re little, and stood by them during the years of practice and trainings.

The mothers, who were there (by the pool, by the track, by the court) and during practice, meeting and competitions.

The mothers, who stood by their children when they’re feeling down during trainings, and supported them all the way.

(Btw, 25 mothers of overseas athletes were sponsored by P&G to come and stay in Singapore so they could support their children during the YOG! It must’ve been such an unforgettable experience for them all!)

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Oh, if you haven’t already seen P&G YOG Thank you Mum clip on TV, go and watch it!

(I especially like the part where it said, ‘When they saw doggy paddle, she saw determination.’)

The moms of those young athletes who competed in the Games most probably didn’t expect that their children would one day participate in an event as big as the recent YOG (ie. if you were to ask these mothers some 15 years ago, I mean)

BUT.

I’m sure that they still nurtured and explored their children’s potentials ALTHOUGH they didn’t know what their children would be like in the future.

(It’s what we mothers would naturally do, isn’t it?)

And, when their children were chosen to be the few athletes sent to compete in the Games, I could only imagine how happy, tense, anxious, proud and overwhelmed they all were when they actually were there at the stand, watching and cheering for their young ones at the Games.

[If I were one of the athletes’ moms, I know I would definitely be super loud … cheering and all! Haha]

[We took our kids to watch Gymnastics at the YOG, and WE were cheering loudly there!]

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Anyway.

I just thought of dedicating this post to all moms out there.

Moms who have endured morning sickness and labour hours.

Moms who probably just mopped the floor (again) after their kids spilled their drinks and food everywhere.

Moms who are feeling tired of receiving challenging attitudes from their kids recently.

Moms who make lots of sacrifices for their children’s sake.

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Here’s to all moms out there!

Let’s remember that what we do today will not go in vain!

And let’s stand by our little ones.

Happy Mothering!