Monthly Archives: September 2008

“… as my (a) family…”

Posted on 29 September, 2008 | 5 Comments

I had actually wanted to put this in the Random Quotes section of this blog (there, on the right), but thought it to be too significant.

I don’t know if she learnt it from school, or from Sesame Street’s podcast’s – this particular episode, but somewhere along the line Caitlin’s grasped the concept of family.

It’s a short work week this week. In fact, Caitlin’s school is closed this week as most of the parents had wanted it so, so that their family could get away and be with loved ones during this festivity.

Last night as I was putting her to bed, I was apologising for not being able to bring her shopping during the day as I had implied earlier in the day (she loves to walk about in shopping centres). I had suggested that perhaps Grandma can bring her along during the following days of supermarket-shopping; since starting school she’s not been able to tag along on these trips as her grandparents do these rounds in the morning, and picks her up from school afterwards.

Yay, she exclaimed.

Then I mentioned that Wednesday and Thursday are public holidays for all, and maybe then we could go out and do something.

“Mummee too?” she asked.

“Yes Mummee too..”

“YAY! Then Daddee, Mummee, Di-di (Mandarin for younger brother) and Caitlin can go out as my family !!

Wooo… this Daddee thought….

She understands the concept. She appreciates the opportunity. She looks forward to the outing as a family unit.

It’s just great!

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Posted in A toddler's POV, Adventures, Caitlin the heiress, Classic Quotes, Education, milestones, Parenting musing, Simple pleasures

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Keeping the toddler / pre-schooler busy over the holidays

Posted on 25 September, 2008 | 6 Comments

While I know schools here resumes on Jan 5 2009, and that Caitlin’s school year ends on Oct 25 2008 (I think!), I don’t know when her school term starts in 2009; I have a feeling they don’t have to follow the older kids’ school terms….

Even assuming that her school term does start along with the rest of the country: What can we do to keep her busy in those 2 months??

Of course, we will get her to revise / revisit her 2008′s school work and books, to keep them fresh in her head. But what new content should we consider for that time off school? And what about her daily routine, since it’s suddenly so free-for-all again? She can’t quite revert back to those of before-school, since daily routines starting this year includes her little brother, effectively changing a lot of things / creating extra preparations / stuff to pack into the car boot.

And let’s not forget Hot Mummee and Daddee; no, Daddee and Hot Mummee (cos I am not) are also still working fulltime..

I still have quite a few annual leave left for 2008; I could take days off (which I have already started planning) and chill with her. Or I could utilise the staff privilege and fly off somewhere- but where, what with our exchange rate the way it is?

Any ideas?

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Posted in A father's POV, A toddler's POV, Caitlin the heiress, Education

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Adding some colour to this blog

Posted on 24 September, 2008

Following up on the attitude of this last post….. Whatcha lookin at? I said: WHATCHA LOOKIN AT? You talkin’ to me? Heh heh! Yes you are!

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More Galleries

Bike seat for toddler :: is it worth getting one?

Posted on 5 September, 2008 | 5 Comments

I had been contemplating getting a bike seat since the early days when Caitlin was born.

I spotted something similar to the YouTube clip below, when I was walking back from lunch today at a bike shop in USJ. It was selling for RM425. It’s not the same as the one in the clip below, but very close.

I was in a hurry back to my car; forgot to take a snapshot of it to also include the brand, for reference. My PDA phone’s camera isn’t exactly the best.

Granted, I haven’t actually been seriously shopping for one, till I spotted this one today.

So my question is: Is it worth it?

Is it worth getting one?
Is it worth the price?

Caitlin may still fit in it. She does after all also already have a bike helmet. Caleb will still be too little for this; by the time he is, I am guessing Caitlin will be able to follow me around in her own bike- which she does already have one also but with training wheels, naturally.

Then, I don’t know how much longer Caitlin can fit in (this) one. I will probably need to bring her along for “fitting” if / when I get it. I know I can’t cycle uphill with her- she isn’t that light anymore!

She may also start getting jealous when she “graduates” out of it when Caleb can start using it; like she does now when we carry him, and when he gets new (baby) toys (I threaten to take away her “4 year old” toys when she gets like this, “since you wanna be a baby..”)

There are at least 2 places I can use this: Both grand parents’ place- the nearby TTDI park and the housing area with few cars, respectively.

So, while I shop around (likely only in bike shops and not departmental stores; Whadyareckon?

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Posted in A father's POV, A toddler's POV, Adventures, Caitlin the heiress, Caleb the heir, Ergonomics

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Raising girls and daughters :: Part 2

Posted on 3 September, 2008 | 8 Comments

After this event Wyluxx, his 16 yr old daughter and I went for a proper dinner (proper meaning we didn’t really have a meal before the event). This was in a typical-ish Chinese restaurant in a shoplot; you know, opened front no doors, siew chow joint. This was still on the foothills of Genting.

Upon reaching an empty table Wyluxx gestured for his daughter not to sit where she was about to, but to sit “over there”- another part of the table. She asked why, he said “You’rewearingaskirt..” She looked around, and spotted (“oh..”) the table of probably-blue-collared mid-aged men, sipping their tea with empty plates of whatever they had had. They eyed without staring.

I don’t think my niece as naive, but maybe just not as alert as she should be.

I used to be like this with my dates. Not so much telling her where to sit, but as a precaution I know where things and people are, who among these was looking and / or eyeing; just in case (there’s that reference to Jason Bourne again). Some dates knew where to sit, others knew where to sit also!

Not that Caitlin is already of that age (then again there are those who do like this age), but I would have to be on this similar alert too; as part of the street smarts that I would like my kids to be.

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Posted in A father's POV, Caitlin the heiress, The future

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