Raeanne's 2nd Birthday!

Raeanne turned 2 today!! :-). Blessed birthday, my 2nd-born.

We initially planned to have our usual family dinner at a nearby restaurant. However, this afternoon, Yi Yi Sarah called to say that she and AMK Kong Kong are down with flu. So better don't have dinner together lest the children catch the virus. Ok, so change in plans, we'll have dinner with only Kong Kong, Ma Ma, Auntie Lynn and Uncle Jingsong. Lo and behold, at 4pm, Mummy found that Raeanne was running a fever - 38.2 degree Celsius. To cut the story short, we had dinner at home with Kong Kong and Ma Ma.

Raeanne wasn't feeling too well and was grouchy and whiny even though she had 2 long naps today. The phlegm made her uncomfortable and she refused to eat. Glad the birthday cake cheered her up. She was her usual self when she took photos with the cake. :-).

The fever returned in the late evening. :-(. Hope she gets well tomorrow so we will be able to bring her out. We had wanted to bring her to either the zoo (yes, again) or Marina Barage.

Daddy didn't have to go to church earlier today as his class ended last week! Yeah! Daddy also just bought a new Korean Drama Serial on some ER thing about cardio surgeons. Think it is currently being screened on TV. He is now watching the 1st disc as mummy is updating the blog. Megan doesn't like this series as she is afraid of the blood and gory scenes. Her head is covered with a cushion 5/6 of the time when she drank her milk on the sofa. Our big mei really resembles me. :-). Ha ha... But happy for her that she is braver and has more courage than her mummy.

We Are the Reason

Megan played in the Christmas service this year. She did a fantastic job with the violin while mummy fumbled with the keyboard. By the way, this is Mummy blogging and I must include a very important disclaimer: I am not used to playing the church keyboard standing up ok! Ha ha, actually I was rather nervous. Come think of it, Megan rather "zai" - not at all nervous. She believes she was playing for Jesus' birthday party and her great-grandfather was watching from heaven (with a box of chocolates next to him). After the service, she said she wants Daddy to give a ballet recital at her next birthday party! Can't wait to see that!!

When we were first asked if Megan could play at the Christmas service, we prayed and asked for a suitable piece. We wanted something evangelistic instead of the traditional Christmas hymns and carols. We decided on We Are The Reason by David Meece but were hesitant as we were afraid it was too difficult for our Ah Mei. Daddy and Mummy felt it was a very meaningful song and really hoped Ah Mei (by the way, she doesn't like it when people call her that. She'll go "Please call me by my name. My name is Megan. So please call me Megan" in that psuedo-adult voice of hers) can learn to play it. Thus, we stuck to it.

So, we started by playing her the CD and teaching her how to sing the song. Mummy even sang it with her when she was out Christmas shopping and in the dressing room trying on clothes! Next, we tried the chorus with her on the violin and she picked it up extremely quickly as she likes the song. If mummy remembers correctly, she could play the entire chorus after going through twice with mummy. Thank God - phew!

Through this experience, we learnt yet a little more about our firstborn:
1. She not nervous playing in front of so many human beings!
2. She is more adaptable than we think she can be. We made changes to the song 4 days before Christmas and she could cope with the change in key, fingering, etc.
3. The violin is a source of security for her, despite the procrastinations over violin practices!

Included the video for your viewing pleasure.

Post-Christmas Sale Crowds

Went to Takashimaya today. Very crowded. Before the kids came, mummy didn't mind the crowds. Now, mummy doesn't really like crowded places anymore. Is it Daddy's influence? Is this good thing?

We were looking for Raeanne's birthday present. Brought her to the Toys department and thought we'd be democratic and let her choose her own present. She ran along the aisles, fiddled with this and that, picked up a stuff toy to hug and talk to, etc. At first, we thought she wanted a toy telephone. Later, she seemed more interested in hugging and talking to puppet Elmo, puppet Ernie and stuffed Cookie Monster. She even put Cookie on her stroller and tried to buckle him down! When we wanted to go, Raeanne refused to let anyone put him back on the shelf. She appears to be really very much more acquinted with the Sesame Street gang after the show at Marina Square. The one that Mummy had to queue for more than an hour (with a very excited Megan and the usually very active Raeanne) to watch and take photo with. And we watched the show not once, but twice!
Anyway, we didn't get anything in the end. Mummy was not keen on stuffed toys and we couldn't think of anything else. So we decided we'll celebrate her birthday first and get her a suitable present later.

Do let us know if you've any suggestions!

So busy....

Just want to add a quick update for the lack of updates. Well we are currently very busy preparing for the Christmas Service. Daddy is busy working on the service while Megan and Mummy is putting up a Violin / Piano recital at the Service. We are attempting to let Uncle Richard singalong with Megan's violin. She will be playing 'We are the reason'. Not sure how it will turn out as yet but we think it may be quite a challenge for the little girl. We will update later.

The service is going to be held at Futsing Level 2, 2 Alleby Road on 25th December 2008 at 11am. Breakfast starts at 10.10am. Join us if you are free. Admission Free! Its going to be fun with kids program as well.

Join us. Join us.

SSO Babies Proms at Victoria Concert Hall

Hmmm.... Mummy told me previously that we have to bring the girls to the Babies' Proms someday. So, after much procastination, we got ourselves 4 tickets and brought the girls for the SSO Babies' Proms. The SSO Babies' Proms is an annual event introducing classical music to children below 7 years of age.

We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves at the concert. It was mummy's first time being part of the audience at Victoria Concert Hall (VCH). It was the first time to VCH not needing to pick mummy up. It was also my first, and the girls', orchestral concert :).

Immediately after dropping little Gwyneth at the grandparents' place, we made our way at double quick time to VCH and attended the pre-concert activities. We got the first row at the hall.
Megan was selected to go upstage to be one of the conductors by the event coordinators. It was a first for her because she is usually pretty shy, but this time, she took the task bravely. We are very proud of her. This is the 2nd time this week she went upstage in a public event to answer questions or participate in an activity. We have been struggling in trying to incalculate some 'braveness' in her. We thought she is too shy or timid and we been working with her to improve this area of her character. It is very important in this society to be brave and confident. Mummy and I felt it's very important to work with her on this. So we are glad we are tasting the fruit of our labour.

Anyway, back to the concert. It was quite interesting. Immediately after the first piece, Megan told Mummy she wants to learn that piece. They played about 6-7 light classics and the conductor, Uncle Peter, lead the crowd in hand and feet actions. The concert ended with the kids going up the stage and standing next to their favourite instrument. Megan went for the violin. We hope she is inspired to practice hard. Not that she needs to be like them, but just that she realised that when she practices hard she will be able to make beautiful music.