Exploring Our Children’s Potentials

Some people say, once you’re married, you tend to be more relaxed about how you look.

Perhaps it’s because we feel our spouse is already ‘ours’, and thus the need to ‘impress’ and ‘attract’ is simply no longer there.

Perhaps it’s because after a few years of marriage, we feel comfortable with ourselves and our spouse, and that we know we’re accepted by our spouse regardless of our outer beauty anyway.

AND perhaps, with kids and everything else that need to be cared for everyday, we simply feel we don’t have that much time to spend on ourselves too.

Well, in some sense I agree with the points above.

But, in many other ways, I disagree too.

Let me explain.

Sometime last year, I posted a blog entry titled ‘Marriage: Staying Together, Staying Happy‘, and in it I wrote:

… For the wife, especially later when you’re busy looking after the children fulltime : look after and keep yourself ‘physically attractive’ in the eyes of your husband …

It’s one practical tip I was again reminded of when a few ’senior married couples’ shared their words of wisdom last year.

Basically they’re saying, ‘Yes, inner beauty is important, but please don’t forget to look after your outer beauty too (eg. caring for our skin and body), which equally is important to the relationship you have with your spouse, especially when you’re all busy … and looking after yourselves and feeling good seem to be the last point in your daily list of things to do!’

Well, I’ve been married for more than 8 years now, and I must say I totally agree with the points shared above.

It’s not about the need to be vain or anything like that, I think. It’s more about paying reasonable care to ourselves and how we look in general.

So you see, when I was invited to check out SK-II’s products, I so welcomed the idea.

I’ve heard a lot about SK-II and it’d be super to find out for myself what it’s really all about.

And the other day, during my visit to SK-II’s counter at the Centrepoint’s Robinson, the staff – after doing some skin checks to determine my skin condition and the areas that need to be improved – recommended a set of SK-II products that suit me best (that’ll cleanse, tone and moisturise my skin).

Then she gave me all the samples I needed to bring home and try! *Cool*

When I got home, I went to find out MORE about SK-II products and about Pitera®, the signature ingredient that is the heart of the brand.

I read that a recent study revealed how loyal users have better basic skin conditions, like lighter skin tone, better moisturisation levels and skin firmness.

I also discovered seven extra goodness of Pitera®! (note: their Facial Treatment Essence contains more than 90% of this ingredient!)

A quick glance at their seven SK-II’s Christmas sets also tells me that each set comes with this Facial Treatment Essence!

Obviously something that shouldn’t be left without!

Anyway.

I’m sure you’ve seen their ads in magazines and all. How they feature not just one or two, but MANY celebrities who use SK-II products, like Cate Blanchett, Sammi Cheng, Susan Bachtiar, and Lee Sinje (pictured below).

And it makes me wonder if it’s really that good.

So, I gave it a go, of course, and tried out the samples I have with me!

Errr …

After I tried the whole cleanse-tone-moisture steps for the first time, I stood in front of my bathroom mirror, ran my fingers up and down my face and called out (loudly!) to my husband and said, ‘LOOK! LOOK! Quick, touch my face! Can you feel how much smoother it is?! It’s amazing!!’

Haha. I know it sounds silly, but it’s true. I immediately felt the difference on my skin, especially when compared to my ‘post-facewash feel’ after applying my usual facial cleanser.

I remember thinking at the time, GEE … if this is how it feels when I use it for the first time, I can’t imagine the kind of ‘transformation’ it’d have on my skin if I were to use the products regularly! (No wonder I see and hear quite a bit about SK-II’s ‘skin transformation’ stories).

Interesting huh, how we can feel good in the inside, when we feel good about the outside too!

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[SK-II Pitera® Committment Set]

While we’re at it, I’d like to quickly let everyone know that SK-II offers SEVEN unique Christmas sets with discounts between 34% and 41% off the normal price!

Each set has a complete list of products for a complete regimen (from cleansing, toning to moisturising), including its award winning Facial Treatment Essence!

If you are not yet a user of SK-II products, now IS an excellent time to give it a try!

And if you ARE a regular user already, the Christmas sets sure are great as good-value-for-money gifts! (For yourself and for others!)

So.

Happy Shopping, everyone!

Now that we’ve lived in Singapore for close to 11 years, one of the things that we’ve gotten used to is Singapore’s night life … how the city, especially its main Orchard Road, is still up and happening at 9pm (and beyond, for some others)

This is us with the new ION Orchard Shopping Centre in the background some few weeks ago (by now, festive Christmas lights and decorations are everywhere there!)

The night we were there, the mall even organised a LIVE outdoor concert performance by Carrie Underwood, an American Idol winner!

[If you look at the photo above closely, you can see the singer’s face projected onto the giant screen on ION Orchard’s ‘purple-lighted roof’]

And we enjoyed the free concert from across the road *smile*

I’ll be sending my child, my littlest, to his very first classroom in a month or so.

(And I still find it hard to believe that he’ll soon be ‘old enough’ to attend nursery school! How time flies!)

I realise how our kids eventually will step out of our home and learn from other people at some formal educational institutions.

But, while parents get busy preparing for their kids and their schooling years, many may have (unconsciously) forgotten that the most important teaching actually takes place within the walls of their home.

And with that in mind, I’d like to share with you this insightful article today.

It’s about our children, their home environment and the impacts of what we (and our little ones) do at home.

Happy reading, everyone!

…

Source: Focus on the Family
by Cheri Fuller

We want to have great schools to send our kids to, but the truth is their home environment has a profound impact on their learning. The old saying, “The most important work you do takes place within the walls of your home,” applies here. Let me demonstrate this truth with an example of how to raise writers (that is, students who have strong writing skills).

When I taught high school English, I could always determine which students did some writing at home with their parents in the course of their everyday life. They did better in classroom writing and generally had a more positive attitude about writing, assuming that it was what grown-ups did in real life, not just cruel and unusual assignments reserved only for school.

Then some interesting research came out a few years ago, studying factors in families that support kids’ developing writing skills, that confirmed what I’d observed in the classroom1.

Here are some of the findings:

These children had a lot of conversation and reading at home. There was at least one adult who interacted with them about their writing; took time to let them read their stories, poems, or whatever they’d written aloud; and encouraged them to express themselves on paper. They suggested real reasons to do practical writing like making lists (of friends to invite to a party or foods they’d like to eat in the coming week) and wrote notes to their kids at home on sticky notes, on a whiteboard in a central place for family messages, and in their lunch boxes.

These were not parents who were professional writers, but ones who saw writing as a lifelong skill and encouraged it at home.

Take this same principle and apply it to other things your children need to learn, such as math (the attitude about math that kids come into the classroom with, and experiences at home with measuring, learning to set up a simple budget, counting toys while putting them away on shelves) and reading (avid young readers tend to come from homes where there’s a lot of reading aloud, parents are engaged in their own reading, and interesting books and magazines are available).

Not just moms, but dads also have an important role in developing their kids to be lifelong learners. Mothers are often the ones expected to help with homework and volunteer at school, but over and over studies show that a father’s encouragement and support — whether it’s reading aloud to his children, sharing a hobby, or showing genuine interest in the content that his kids are learning, not just the grades — can have a powerful impact on raising lifelong learners.

And if you decrease your own and your children’s time in front of the television during the school week and spend the time in other, more productive ways like playing board games or talking around the dinner table, you’ll be surprised at how this translates into more motivation for learning in the classroom.

Excessive TV watching (including DVDs and videotapes) robs kids of important parent-child time and is strongly related to inattention and childhood obesity. And please don’t put a television or computer in your young child’s room, isolating him or her from family interaction and parental supervision.

Make the most of your role model, because the top way kids learn is by imitation. The daily example you set in being interested in learning about the world around you, being persevering, patient, and optimistic about your challenges at work or home (including parenting!), will help your sons and daughters develop the determination to keep going on difficult math problems or other tasks despite frustrations.

…

Adapted from Handbook on Choosing Your Child’s Education, a Focus on the Family book published by Tyndale House Publishers. Copyright © 2007, Focus on the Family.

When it comes to giving and receiving, I’m one who’s more into something personalised.

Like, instead of just buying gifts for their cousins, Anya and Vai recently made bracelets and key chains using colourful beads.

Or, instead of getting a birthday card for Anya’s friend, I’d encourage her to make one and write the words herself.

To me, it’s more meaningful this way, as the child puts more effort, thoughts and time into the making of something.

The child goes through the process of completing a ‘project’, and learns to feel the joy of giving too.

Now. The thing is, making things and giving them to others may not always be possible.

(read: Most of us in the end may end up buying a gift AND placing our hand-made card on the wrapper).

And this is when gifts like personalised music CDs come in really handy.

I really loved the personalised music CD Vai got from his little friend Rachel last year. The name ‘Levi’ was inserted into each of the many songs, and it just sounded so personal and nice.

(The idea was so good that we also got a CD for Anya and other friends’ kids after that. We specially love this and this)

This year, if you’re one of the many out there who are thinking hard about what to give as Christmas gifts, the people from 75volts.com (the ‘maker’ of these personalised music CDs) are extending special promotions, 20% DISCOUNT, especially for Our Everyday Things readers!

Something similar to what we had last year!

AND, this time round, they also have personalised music DVDs! (we watched and saw how the word ‘Anya’ was typed across the TV screen!)

(Top photo: This personalised DVD is more suitable for older kids, I feel. Like, those who are 7yo and up)

Anyway, here’s more info on the promo:

– Click HERE to read what Personalised Music CD and DVD is all about

– Click HERE to browse their personalised music CD collection, and HERE to check out their DVD collection

– Check if your name is on their list
Tips: Look for the right ‘pronunciation’, rather than the ‘correct spelling’ of the name you’re looking for, and check out their music samples with your chosen name afterwards!

– Minimum order : FOUR copies (CDs or DVDs) to enjoy the 20% discount

– Type in the promotional code “OET09″ when you’re checking out. You’d then be entitled to 20% DISCOUNT OFF!

– This special promo is valid only for ONE WEEK. From Tuesday, 1 Dec – 8 Dec.

…

Happy Shopping and Giving, everyone!

Kids LOVE to play.

All kids do.

But do we adults see ‘play’ as beneficial and necessary for the children’s development?

The reality is, some teachers and parents (ie. adults in general) do see ‘learning’ and ‘playing’ as two separate and disconnected terms.

It’s as if a child is unlikely to ‘learn’ when he’s ‘playing’.

I personally believe play IS the education of young children.

I’d like to share with you an extract from an article by Betty Jones, ‘The Play’s the Thing’. In her write-up, she shares the following points as some of the many ways children learn through play:

= to make appropriate choices among many possibilities

= to use their imagination, to improvise, to think flexibly, and explore new options

= to be aware of their own real interests, without being distracted by other possibilities: to say “yes” and to say “no.”

= to solve problems, both with materials and with people

= to cooperate with other children in the creation of mutually satisfying projects

= to work through their feelings in creative, non-destructive ways

= to pay attention to a project until it’s done

= to use something — a dramatic action, a word, a toy, a set of blocks, a collection of marks on paper — to represent something else — a real experience

= to see themselves as competent and interesting people, with useful skills and good ideas

…

As children enter Primary school level of education, I realise that the expectation level is high (especially if they are in Singapore). They’ll be expected to perform relatively complex tasks, and do quite a bit of ‘worksheets’ at school.

In other words, with so much to learn (on top of other extra-curricular activities), little ones most likely have much less time to just … play.

Well, UNLESS, we parents remember how important it is to encourage and create some sort of a balance in a child’s life.

Because really, young children NEED to play.

And play IS good for them too.

…

More readings on playing and learning:

> Play: What it’s so important

> How children learn through play

…

What are your thoughts?

We did some shoots for a few families last week.

Indoors. With studio lights and all.

(To be exact, Wilson was the one behind the camera, and I was the assistant, hehe)

We had both Anya and Vai in front of the camera too, of course.

And we got these.

I like.

…

Btw, if you’re interested in having such studio shoots done too, just email me: leonny[at]oureverydaythings[dot]com

And one last thing, do come and join our Reaction.Sg Facebook page too yeah! It’s where we share our work, photography-related info and news (fans are entitled to special photography rates!)

Anya had her very first ballet exam a couple of weeks ago.

Vai and I sent her to the dance studio but we all had to wait outside during the exam (read: we couldn’t see them perform in front of the examiner)

Managed to take some shots though. Here are some of the captured moments :

Anya and Gwen, who’s also in the same Kindergarten class as her.

And btw, YES, I managed to get Anya’s hair up in a bun that day!

*YAY*

What I did:
Immediately after Anya had her shower that morning, I put some hair mousse on her half-wet fringe and let her wear a hairband (the one with ‘little spikes’ on the inside). This way, her fringe continued to look ‘combed-up’ after I took out the hairband some two hours later!

After that, I smeared some more hair mousse on her hair, comb all her hair back, tie it all neatly in a bun and spray some hairspray all over. Used some hair gel to get all her soft baby hair (right below the bun) up.

That’s it!

The two girls practiced their steps while waiting for their turn.

Anya’s ballet teacher also checked if she could do her tip-toes and balancing correctly.

The girls went in a group of four and they each were given their ‘exam paper’. They’re supposed to pass it to the examiner upon entering the dance studio (basically the paper was for the examiner to write her comments on the performance)

And this was just a few minutes before the girls entered the studio.

‘Breathe in … tummy in’, the teacher said to Anya while checking on the other girls.

The girls came out of the dance studio after some ten minutes or so inside, each with a little pink ballet badge in their hands.

Anya was all smiles and happily showed me her very first badge.

‘It’s just like the badges Russell has!!’ she told me (read: she’s referring to Russell in the movie ‘UP’ by Pixar, hehe)

Anyway.

It all went well for our happy little ballerina.

*Yay*

Usually I rarely mention my mother and grandmother on my blog. But as today’s topic is on skincare, I know I must.

My mother is 65yo and my grandmother is 85yo, BUT despite their actual age, they have GREAT skin. I don’t think they look ‘their age’ either.

People say they both have ‘good genes’, and while I agree with that, I also think it has a lot to do with their daily routine of looking after their skin well with ‘proper’ skincare products since young!

Now.

I, on the other hand, am not quite like them (so far!) when it comes to skincare.

I sort of keep things simple and practical. I wash my face at least three times a day with some regular facial cleanser and apply some moisturiser on my face before I go to bed.

And though I’m out and about a lot under the sun, I’d usually apply some sunscreen lotion only when I know we’re going to be at the beach for a few hours.

Well.

I know I have no apparent facial skin problems right now, but I do have a strong feeling that I should probably consider caring for my skin better (for its sake some 30-40 years from today!)

The importance of proper skincare somehow just doesn’t quite register in my mind UNTIL I was invited to visit SK-II’s counter at The Centrepoint’s Robinsons and experience for myself the DIFFERENCE when their products were applied on MY skin.

(read: as opposed to just seeing some celebrities like Cate Blanchett posing next to SK-II products in magazines)

And so I went and happily spent some 1.5 hours at the SK-II counter that day (while Wilson went out with the kids)

The friendly (and smooth, porcelain-faced!) staff did some skin checks, explained to me the results and recommended suitable SK-II products to address my specific needs, without changing much of my ‘lifestyle’, ie. preference for day-to-day practical skincare approach!

It was good and insightful, AND I learned more about what my skin is like and how to avoid unnecessary damage to it!

Oh btw, have you heard about this interesting story behind SK-II and its ingredient ‘Pitera®’?

Let me share with you a bit about it.

You see, it all began at a sake brewery in Japan, where scientists noticed the elderly workers had wrinkled faces, but extraordinarily soft and youthful-looking hands.  Their hands were apparently in constant contact with the sake fermentation process.  And so after years of research, scientists managed to isolate the ingredient Pitera®, a naturally-derived liquid from the yeast fermentation process, and have it as part of their skincare products’ ingredients .

AND. You know what?

I learned too that they’re having Christmas promotions right now!

They’re offering a choice of SEVEN unique Christmas sets with discounts between 34% and 41% off the normal price!

For example, take a look at these two sets:

Set 1: SK-II Pitera® Miracle Gift Set

This set includes their most popular product, Facial Treatment Essence (which contains more than 90% of Pitera®)

– Facial Treatment Cleanser 20g
– Skin Signature 15g
– Facial Treatment Essence 30ml
– Facial Treatment Clear Lotion 40ml
– Facial Treatment Mask 1 pc

SK-II special recommended Christmas Price is $99
(worth S$133, ie. 34% discount off)

Set 2: SK-II Pitera® Discover Set

– Facial Treatment Essence 75ml
– Facial Treatment Clear Lotion 150ml
– Facial Treatment Cleanser 20g
– Facial Treatment Cleasing Gel 15g
– Skin Signature 15g

SK-II special recommended Christmas Price is $173
(worth S$237, ie. 37% discount)

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Now, I don’t about you but I LOVE those really nice leather cases!

And other than the fact that these sets are good value for money, they’ll sure make great festive gifts for loved ones too!

Actually, not just as a gift for others, … because after a whole year of hard work, it sure is nice too to pick a set and pamper ourselves once in a while.

*smile*

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[More Info]
There are seven different Christmas sets available! All SK-II Christmas sets above, except for the SK-II Pitera® Inspiration Set, are available at SK-II counters island-wide since mid October 2009. The SK-II Pitera® Inspiration Set is only available at SK-II counters that sell the SK-II LxP range.

Happy shopping!