Planning for a 4 year old Birthday Party

Mummy blogs…

Nicole is turning FOUR on 19 June!

The first thing that crossed my mind was the PARTY. How should we do it? Where should it be? And most important….how much are we going to spend??

With three kids, I learnt from other mummies that it would be really quite a challenge to do BIG celebrations for EACH kid EVERY year!

Well, in 2009, Nathan had his big-scale party, so Nicole would have to contend with having a simple party in school!

What I didn’t know was planning for this *small-scale* party is a MOE approved module in Parenting 101!

Lesson 1 – Never ask a Preschooler to make a decision

Lesson 2 – Never reinforce a decision that a Preschooler made

SCENARIO A

Since 1 June 2009

Mummy: Nicole, what’s your favourite colour?

Nicole: PURPLE! I like purple!

Mummy: Should we have a Purple Party? We buy purple plates, purple serviettes , purple balloons, and we ask all your friends to wear purple! So nice right?

Nicole: YEAH! I like a purple party!

On 8 June 2009

Mummy: Let’s go and buy the purple party things today. And we have to buy the purple invitation cards. Yeah!

Nicole: I don’t like purple.

Mummy: But… You said you liked purple.

Nicole: NOOOOOOO…. I don’t like purple!

SCENARIO B

Since 1 June 2008

Mummy: What food would you want to have at your party?

Nicole: McDonald’s!

Mummy: Sorry Darling, Mummy has ordered food for the party. We have McDonald’s for your party next year ok?

Nicole: Yeah! Next Year! Yeah!

On 1 June 2009

Mummy: Shall we order McDonald’s for your party this year?

Nicole: NOOO! Everyone has McDonald’s. So boring. I don’t want McDonald’s.

Mummy: ?!??! So what do you want then?

Nicole: Let’s serve sandwiches and potato chips.

Mummy: (to herself) Wah! so atas!

On 8 June 2009

Mummy: I’ll order three different kids of sandwiches ok?

Nicole: NOOO! I want McDonald’s.

Mummy: AHHHHHH!!!

Solution to Scenario A

Mummy: So what’s your favourite colour then?

Nicole: Green! Red! Yellow!

Mummy: Huh? That’s the colours of the traffic light

Nicole: YEAH!!! Let’s have a Traffic Light Party!!!

Mummy: (to herself) AHHHH!!! Help! What is a traffic light party?!?!?

Sigh… so I stopped talking about the party, (just in case the little missy changes her mind again), cracked my head to think how to execute a Traffic Light Party. Check out what we have thus far:

So there you have it: the invitations for Nicole’s Traffic Light Party. She can’t change her favourite colours anymore, cos we gave out the invites! haha…

Now I’ve to figure out what food to serve and what on earth happens at a Traffic Light Party!!

Technorati Tags: 4 year old party

ET Zone – Youth Camp

This June Holidays is going to be really exciting! The much anticipated Youth Camp is coming…..

Entitled “Castaway”, islanders will be “stuck” on St. John’s Island for 3 Days 2 Nights to battle their wits against each other.

From this 25-27th June 2009, prepare to be stretched, tested, encouraged and revitalized, as you make many new friends and new challenges in the Camp of the Century.

Check out the trailer done by Joshua below:

Technorati Tags: Youth Camp

Best Physics Teacher in the World

Ever heard of a Physics teacher being a Superstar?!?

Well, there is a teacher from MIT, who is known as a Superstar Professor due to the revolutionary methods he uses to impart knowledge to his students.

I remember I hated my Physic/Chemistry teacher in school, as he was always coming to school half drunk and he was a really boring teacher.

From what I watched on Youtube, Walter Levin seems very different – and he even has the Einstein hairstyle to increase his persona! :)

Anyway, great teachers and Leaders such as Ron Clark (This guy was even featured on Oprah), Lee Kuan Yew and Ps. Kong, are really a hard to find…and we should always treasure them!

Enjoy the Video :)

Technorati Tags: Top Teacher,MIT Physics teacher,Walter Levin

Pinocchio – Telling Lies

I was trying to explain the concept of lying to Nicole last week…but I did not know that she was way ahead of me.

It seems that they have already talked about it in School.

How do i know that?

I was telling Nicole:

Dad: We can’t lie right, or else our noses will grow longer (Kind of ironic isn’t it…)

Dad: Do you know about the boy, whose nose grew longer when he lied?

Nic: Yes Daddy! You are talking about the wooden boy…

Dad:Yes…Pinocchio!

Nic: Pino-cole! Haha…Pino-nicole!!! If i lie, i become Pino-cole!

:) that cracked Daddy up…I am so glad that she has got a sense of humor!

Technorati Tags: 4 year old,lieing

Food Review – Gunther’s (French Cuisine)

For our Wedding Anniversary this year, we decided to try out a French Restaurant at 36 Purvis Street.

Called Gunther’s, this restaurant has won numerous awards and was awarded Singapore's Best Restaurant for 2008/2009 by Singapore Tatler.

We were excited about trying out the posh restaurant, as we have heard so much about this place and you can find many good reviews online about Gunther’s.

Upon entering the restaurant, we were greeted by a friendly maitre d’ (Fancy name for captain), who welcomed us, and she said “We were expecting you!”

Oh my! So cool! – they usually just shake their head in acknowledgement, or shout table 8 or something in your face, when you tell them your name. :)

The place is really high class, and I was afraid to whip out my camera to take pictures.

I discreetly took out my Blackberry and took some pictures (My apologies for the not so great photos)

Btw, The place has only 7 tables, so you definitely need to make reservations if you want to eat there.

We went there for lunch and we tried the set menu that was price at $38 +++

This sounded quite affordable!

The service was great, with the waiters hiding in the corner of the room.

I felt like they were secret service agents, trying to observe everything in the room. In fact, they readily “pounced ” on us, when we looked to them for help.

I ordered the Angel Hair Pasta which was Great, and my wife had the Pork Ribs.

Both are supposed to be “Hot Favourites”, and I liked my wife’s pork ribs more!

The taste was really exquisite, and you could really savour why you were paying more for this meal!

Overall, the ambience is great, and if you want quality conversation with your partner, this is definitely the place to go!

However, I don’t think I will propose to my partner here – as the place really makes you uptight and stiff, unless of course, you are born of some royal descent and related to King Louis. :)

A bit of advice – It’s true, that the set menu costs only $38+++, but the beverages here will kill you.

When we 1st sat down, we were offered wine, and as we don’t really drink, we ordered coke instead.

I had 2 and it was $8.50 per glass (That is really expensive Coke! I felt like I was in a club!)

They also offered us bottled water, and I thought it was the norm to order water. That costs us an additional $10 for a bottle of “still” water.

I felt really “sore” about it, when the next table just had tap water. What’s more, they obviously had more purchasing power than us!

So, the bill went up to slightly more than $100 dollars for the 2 of us.

Oh well!…lesson learnt…U can afford to be more of a “cheapskate” in Singapore, especially with the Economic Recession as a ready excuse. :)

Technorati Tags: Fine Dining,French Cuisine

Free Studio Photos

Recently, at one of the fairs held in Expo, we gave away Free Studio Photos to our friends and relatives. Many thanks to people like, Joseph, David, Joycelyn, Delphine, Santy, Sandy, Lester and many more (Sorry, if i did not get to mention everyone) for helping to run the booth.

U guys made the booth “Rock” and also special thanks to graphic designers like Edwin and Hong Xiang for designing the posters and really working through the night. Although it was a rush job… thanks for producing this poster in 24 hours.

Anyway, we took some family photos, and here are some of the shots!

As u can imagine, it takes ages to get a good shot of all the kids, as they are always looking all over the place!

There is no secret – just take as many shots as possible!

Weng our helper also took photos with them as well. We told her to take as many as possible, so that she can show her Canadian Employers what our family looks like!

We don’t know when she is leaving yet, as it takes ages to get approval from the Canadian Embassey.

Technorati Tags: Family potraits

Win a Free Canon Ixus 95 Camera

I am so excited!!!

Just came back from a workshop at the Canon Head Office in Harbor Front, and I have been given a chance to try out the latest Canon Camera and Photo Printer!

Besides coming in Cool “Shocking Pink”, the Canon Ixus 95 and the Canon Selphy CP 780, is proving to be potent combination for any Parent!

How good are they?

Stay tuned, as I will be blogging about them this weekend, as I will using the camera & printer, on my excursion at the Jurong Bird Park!

Meanwhile, I will also need your help, as there will be voting phase to this competition…and the Great News is that they will pick:

1 lucky Voter…

To win the Camera and Printer too!

So…Stay tuned!

Btw, Many thanks to OMYsg, for giving me a chance to participate in this competition! :) Tks Alvin

Technorati Tags: Canon Ixus 95,Canon Selphy CP780

Britain’s Got Talent Finals

The winners of Brits Got Talent 2009 has been released.

Contrary to popular belief, Diversity won instead of Susan Boyle (She also happens to be the most downloaded women on the internet).

In fact, the pressure on Susan has been immense and that she is rumoured to be suffering from a nervous breakdown due to the pressure.

Looks like fame has its Price!

However, Diversity has proven to be worthy winners, and their dance routines are really slick, and a great pleasure to watch.

Included in their final routine is a parody of the judges, with buzzers included in the dance track!

Enjoy the videos! :)

Technorati Tags: Brit's Got Talent,diversity dance

Canon Selphy Contest

Received a phone call from OMYsg today…

I have been selected to represent Canon in this contest!

Will find out more later in the week….I am excited!

Wonder if i will get to WIN!…I don’t mind the free Canon Ixus Camera and Selphy printer!

Technorati Tags: Canon Selphy,Canon Ixus 95

Korea: Technological Innovations 2

One of the great things about going overseas, is that you get to see “New things” and experience a new culture.

One of the great technological innovations I saw in Korea, was the use of high tech gadget in their cafes. (Read Technological Innovations Part 1 here)

Whenever you go to Starbucks, don’t you hate it when you have to wait at the counter for your coffee to come.

…it just takes forever when the cup with your name comes along…Zzz

In Korea…things are a bit different.

1st of all, one of the great things over there is that the city never sleeps!

We went to one of their shopping malls at 12 midnight and their department stalls and restaurants were still fully OPEN! So, even after a busy day…we can still CHIONG! (Singaporean for explore fervently)

In fact, their wholesalers which sell really cheap clothes are open 24 hours (however, they are closed on Saturdays).

Well, after some window shopping, we stepped into a coffee joint, with a brand name that seemed foreign to us.

After placing your order, the restaurant will give you a module like this:

U get to go back to your table and continue your conversation with your friends. When your order is ready…the module will flash and vibrate…

As a result, you do not need to wait at the counter for your food and drinks…It’s really convenient and very service orientated! 

Btw, the ice-cream and waffles were really DELICIOUS!

Technorati Tags: Technology in cafes