Cheeks to Cheeks

A conversation with Belle this morning:

Putting on a clip that has U.S. flag colors on it… 

Mom: Are you American?
Belle: No, I am Isabelle.

Note to self: Ask her if she is AN American next time.

My friends in my Facebook have the privilege to see recent photos of the girls and it’s high time for me to start posting the pics here. I did a post for Belle during her potty training phase and here is Cassie’s. Enjoy!

Here’s one with her having the pants on her head. My silly girl loves doing that.

Taa-dah!

My baby doesn’t look like a baby anymore, huh?

My pretty Cass looking pretty even when she’s doing #2.

I had fun shooting these photos and I hope y’all enjoy the pics.

Oh my gosh!

Oh my gosh!

Oh my gosh!

Cass signaled to go to the bathroom and she peed in the toilet! It’s unbelievable! I guess all those trips to the bathroom paid off. Whenever I’m alone with her and have the need to tinker I would bring her along. I would let her know what I would be doing. I.e.: I would let her know I’m shee-shee’ing (peeing) or ngm ngm (doing #2).

They say that the younger siblings learn faster in terms of potty training. I would have to agree with it but being a home parent is an added bonus too. When a child is being home parented (as in not in a daycare), the parent will have more patience and eagerness to potty train the child. I have friends who have great nannies who agreed on early potty training. If you can find such a nanny, she’s a keeper! Majority (I would say almost all) of the daycare centres in U.S. do not enforce potty training but most preschools mandate that their 3yo students have be potty trained, otherwise these children will not be accepted. That is so contradictive, isn’t it? Just to be clear: a daycare centre is different from a preschool. Daycare centres are more like a place for play groups. Basic learning like ABCs and 123s will be taught. Preschools are more structured when comes to education. Preschools prepares the kids for Kindergarten. Not that I’m saying Daycare centres are inefficient but majority of the daycare facilities are home-based. And, there is nothing wrong with that. I guess in a way the Preschool facilities sort off prepare the kids to the brick and mortar of a Kindergarten or Elementary school.

Anyway, I think I have differ from the main point. I am still flabbergasted and I can’t wait to tell the Hubby about it. Haha…isn’t it funny that I’ve actually blogged about it first? I guess a blogger is always a blogger.

It’s a blistering hot day and I have both girls with me today. Whenever both girls are home, my day will be interesting and today is no exception.

Just a few minutes ago, I had to fish up Belle’s favorite pen from the toilet ‘cos Meimei decided to test out the sink or float theory. If the bowl is clean, I have no problem retrieving the pen. All I need to do is gear up with some latex gloves and fishing it out will be easy peasy. But noooo…God had to test me. Cass decided to throw in the pen when Belle was doing both her #1 and #2!

I hadn’t any time to put on the gloves and I did not want the pen to sink any further. I did the inevitable.

Yup, I had it fished up quickly with my fingers and tried to do it with the least contact to the tainted water. So, for the past few minutes I was scrubbing both the pen and my hands with anti-bacterial soap.

Can my day be anymore interesting?

Today marks the kids’ Daddy’s 36th birthday.

Happy Birthday, hon! You had a big birthday pressie 2 years ago and you’ve agreed not to have another hefty birthday pressie this year. Love you!

Happy Mother’s Day to everyone I know and to my silent readers who are Moms!

Kick off your shoes and enjoy the one day where you will be pampered to the most. As for me I will probably be slaving the day away for my two royal highnesses. Ah, but that is what Mom is, isn’t it? *wink*

Our family grew up with music. I started playing the piano when I was at the age of six. My husband played the trumpet during his high school years. Needless to say, we wish to foster the love of music to both of our girls.

My three going-to-be four yea-old has begun to show a lot of interest in music. She loves all range of music from hip hop to classical flute. Loving music is the key but learning how music is created is the foundation. I was thrilled when I found out I was the chosen lucky few who get to review Trebellina and Friends DVD by The Cristofori Baby Company.

I followed the instruction that came with the DVD and coached my girls by having them repeat the notes and instrument names. My soon to be four year-old did fantastically well. My one year old who is in the barely talking phase amused me by going da-da-dada when she heard her sister repeated after me.

The DVD captivated them for a good mere 20 minutes (the DVD is about 30 minutes long). I thought to myself, “Oh no! They are not interested in this DVD. I will have to find another method to teach them music.” Needless to say I was quite disappointed. But my disappointment dissipates the next day. My three year old (who insists she is four) was playing in a corner with her toy instruments and started to name out each one of them. She had never done that before. Imagine the joy! It was like hearing Christmas bells in the air.

I truly believe the DVD did help my child recognize musical instruments but it will have to take a lot of DVD watching time for her to truly understand how music is created. Unfortunately, this child of mine prefers her cartoon DVDs over Trebellina and Friends. As a parent I will not totally rule out Trebellina. I will probably introduce Trebellina to her again only when she is ready to learn a musical instrument. It will definitely make piano learning a fun session. How I wished I had this when I was six. That said, I am giving this product a 2.5 out of 5 stars.

If you like to know more about Trebellina, click onto www.trebellina.com.

~Thanks Parent Reviewers and The Cristofori Baby Company for this opportunity~

My head is pounding.
My eyes are burning.
My nose is as stuffed as a Thanksgiving turkey.
Why, oh, why, do I feel so sicky?

Yup, the General is down. Looks like Daddy will have to hold the fort. Today is Monday, and I have both kids with me. How do mothers of multiple kids stay afloat when they are sick? Anyone care to impart their precious experience?

P/S: I will probably drop Cass off at the in-laws. Thank God they are around to help.