10th April has come and gone

Posted on April 27, 2012 by

I’ve been meaning to write something about my son’s birthday, but the day came and went and I never found the time to sit down, collect my thoughts and pen down my feelings and observations about his second year in this world with us.

The birthday week was amazing! It was simple but joyful, everyday. I couldn’t believe that every day was special, even though we didn’t plan them to be. It just makes me smile.

The last couple of weeks seem to have just flown by, and it’s almost May. This year has been wonderful for us, I’m a little sad that it is almost half over. John has been A LOT of fun. It’s almost crazy how much fun he is. He chatters away constantly, about seemingly the most random things. He says the funniest things – at the most inappropriate times sometimes. And he makes the sharpest observations. Sometimes I wish I had more time to pen all these down, because I know I’ll forget them in time, and all these antics won’t be remembered to make me smile and laugh again.

Isn’t it a little too soon for me to think that he’s growing up too fast? He’s only two..

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Irrelevance and Redundancy

Posted on March 22, 2012 by

*John points to his friend, Joshua’s, water bottle*

John: James is looking at me!
Me: Is that James?
Margaret: I don’t know. *turns to Joshua* Josh, is this train James?
Joshua: Yes.

And so I get my first taste of feeling irrelevant, I’m completely unfamiliar with my child’s interests – and he’s not even 2! And in my head I flash forward to a decade from now when he will be talking about something with his friend,  while I won’t have any valuable input. And under his breath, he will mutter to his friend, “Don’t mind my parents, they’re real square. And they thought Gordon was the square one. Sheesh”

Me: How do they tell them apart? I only know Gordon is square.
Margaret: No, Toby is the square one.
Me: Oh yes, Gordon thunders down the line and Toby is the square one.
Margaret: It’s scary that we actually know all this.

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Tabby McTat

Posted on February 28, 2012 by

This is our latest addition to John’s ever growing library of books. Like any Julia Donaldson book, the storyline is clever, heartwarming and has underlying values just waiting to be imparted to the child. In this book’s case [bookcase, hehe], loyalty to friends and family and appreciating how strong the bond of friendship can be.

As we have a cat at home, we connected with this book even more thanks to the funny antics of Tabby McTat.

I expect our copy Tabby McTat to get DOG-eared pretty soon. Oh he he he.

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KIDS AT THE HOUSE 2012

Posted on February 21, 2012 by

The line up for KIDS AT THE HOUSE 2012 at the Sydney Opera House is sweeeet!

The Gruffalo’s child is one of John’s favourite books at the moment, and I would love to bring him for this.

Sigh.

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Salmon Wantons!

Posted on February 18, 2012 by

picture and recipe taken from Tassals

This week has been “Cleverly use up leftovers week”. I had half a piece of defrosted salmon sitting in the fridge that I couldn’t refreeze and it was that sort of neither-here-nor-there sized piece that made me venture with this Salmon Wonton recipe.

I cut a few corners but it still turned out pretty good.

Here was our finished product. I had arranged them to look like little happy xiaolongbaos sitting on a plate, but there were only 2 left by the time I thought to take a picture. Apart from looking a little lonely, they also looked a little lackluster in appearance since I toasted the wantons instead of deep frying them, but it was still good in the taste department. And the only oil found here is the fatty omega 3 fish oils from the salmon, so you don’t feel as guilty having it as a late night snack!

Posted in the yums | Leave a comment

Valentine’s Day activity: Carrot and Cheese muffins

Posted on February 14, 2012 by

Baked a batch of Carrot and Cheese muffins for John today. He helped me by waving a carrot around like an orange lightsaber… boys  -.-

Anyway, this is one of John’s breakfast favorites. It hides calcium, vitamin C, betacarotene, fibre – how not to love?

It’s easy to make too, and a great way to use up lonely carrots sitting in your fridge. No need to be lonely on Valentine’s day Mr Carrot, please meet Ms Yoghurt, milk and cheese.

Recipe by Annabel Karmel below:

Preheat oven to 180 degrees celcius

Dry ingredients in one bowl:
3/4 cup self raising flour
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/3 cup parmesan cheese*
1/3 cup cheddar cheese*
a pinch of paprika

Wet ingredients in another:
1 egg (beaten)
1/3 cup milk
1/3 plain yogurt**
1 tbsp canola oil
1 tbsp maple syrup

Stir wet into dry, followed by 1 grated large carrot. Then scoop into muffin cups, almost full. Pop into the oven for 16-20 minutes and voila, Carrot and Cheese muffins for your little one!

*Whenever available, I prefer to use cheese from Organic Horizon. One of the lowest sodium content cheeses that I’ve come across so far
** I like Paul’s 99% fat-free plain yogurt, yummy plain, yummy in a muffin. Yummy!

Posted in food for toddlers | Leave a comment

Plants vs Zombies, sans Zombies

Posted on February 13, 2012 by

John has a new project in school, growing his very own Kang Kong plant!

He planted 5 Kang Kong seeds today and it is his to look after. He has to water it and care for it until it is ready to be eaten. When it is ready, we will bring it home to be cooked and eaten, yummy! I love how everything will come full circle for him and I like that it not only teaches him about the wonders of nature and science, but also teaches him responsibility.

Posted in pre-nursery school | Leave a comment