Archives for December 2008

I am in the mood for christmas…finally

I discovered on saturday that one of the best way to jumpstart the Christmas mood is to invite good friends over for dinner.

It was a simple pot-luck. As the host, I made beef stew and potato cassarole. Mom chipped in with bee hoon and cheese cake. I put on some Christmas music, tealight candles and christmas lights to set the mood. L made caesar salad, K did her usual; konnyaku jelly (will expect something more advanced from K next year), HL brought fruits.

K was absolutely thrilled to have Alex share his cardboard playhouse,

ride on his dump truck together,

and entertain the adults by tickling the ivories.

Despite Alex being a little tired after a busy afternoon, K really enjoyed her company. We will definitely need to arrange for more playdates for the tots.

Before the evening ended, we exchanged christmas presents. We could not wait till boxing day and unwrapped them on the spot. It was truly a lovely evening with great company. Thanks ladies, tots and dads for the pressies and a fabulous evening.

After this dinner, I am actually inspired by my not-so-perfect attempt at potato cassarole to make better food next year. I refuse to believe that with 2 gifted cooks in my family; my Mum and Nick, I do not even have a miniscule of a cooking gene in me.

Share it:

Related posts:

Meltdown central

The first meltdown this morning started like this.
“K, let’s go and take your bath.”
“No, no…no”.
Then he threw himself on the couch, started crying, kicking legs and flailing arms in protest.


I whipped out the camera, took this video of K. K stopped when he saw the camera. Watch his face in this clip.

http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=2571832&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=0&show_portrait=0&color=00ADEF&fullscreen=1

Taming temper tantrums from Rachel T on Vimeo.

Looks like someone is pretty good at shedding crocodile tears, yet his natural response to pose for the camera gave him away.

The 2nd meltdown happened an hour later when K insisted on washing his hands.
“Wait, let mommy do this first.”
“Wash hands, wash…”
He sat on the floor and then started to cry like it was the end of the world.

Unfortunately, this time round, I gave in to the tantrum. And K was quite happy relishing in the success of being able to get his way.

After 2 mins at the sink, I decided it was quite enough. I carried him down and told him no more of washing hands. Then the 3rd meltdown happened.

This time I ignored the tantrum and made sure I practiced the old reinforcement theory. Left him alone but told him that I will be waiting outside the hall where he is finished. K continued the next minutes crying for the helper. The helper came over to help him, I raised my voice and told her to leave him there. I told K that no one is going to help him to as he had to stop crying.

Eventually he stopped, then I went over to him and gave him a hug and explained that crying is not acceptable and it does not help him to get what he wants.

3 temper tantrums in 2 hours. I guess this may be a prelude to the terrible twos. I am beginning see the ‘Hyde’ in K making its brief, yet repetitive appearance these couple of weeks. So, to tame K’s temper tantrums, I will need to maintain my composure and be consistent with my response to tantrums.

No one should get in the way when I am dealing with K’s tantrums , not doting grandparents, father or helper. This toddler will have to learn that he is not going to get anywhere with his tantrums.

Share it:

Related posts:

Countdown to Christmas

Countdown another 9 more days to Christmas, and I am in a pensive mood.

Getting presents for everyone just becomes more challenging each year. Guess its time to start blasting the cheesy christmas songs at home and get myself in the mood for Christmas.

YouTube Preview Image

YouTube Preview Image

Share it:

Related posts: