So hard to get HDB now

I'm feeling very nervous with the latest property cooling measure of a 15-month wait-out period for private property owners to buy unsubsidised flats.

It's not clear whether this applies to us as we have an OTP already. I also want to kick myself - and my agent - for not submitting the application right after exercising the OTP! Why?? My COVID? Seller's divorce final judgement?

Anyway, I just submitted my end of the application. Now wait.

I'm so nervous I'm feeling dizzy and pukish. Can only sit here and type - better to vomit words than actual vomit.

If kena rejected, we will appeal. We have some financial considerations. It's not like we're selling high so no issue if we buy high as well. It's also not about the cost of renting for 15 months. Yes, will be high coz rental market is crazy now and we need a big enough space in either of only two specific neighbourhoods to facilitate safe access to school. Cannot emphasise more on "safe" access.

The key thing is - will there be a suitable unit two years on?? I doubt so. There are only that many big flats in that area. And the price by then, cannot imagine.

I don't understand this policy. This is different from the 30 months for subsidies; this is outright saying no, cannot buy any HDB at all. Healthcare is means-tested but everyone can access leh!!

Wa really feel like puking...

Yang's dyslexia assessment

When Yang first had spelling in primary one, I realised he couldn't spell well. I thought maybe it was only primary one and he could learn at a different pace from Kai. I also discussed this at PTM in May last year. His teacher was not concerned. Eventually, I sent him for phonics upon JY's recommendations. The phonics teacher said he could sound out words. He could indeed, when I tested him on the worksheets he did.

But his spelling did not improve in primary two. In the same vein, his hanyu pinyin was very bad - I could see some improvements now, maybe coz I made a big table on pinyin that exist?! :p 

Then his Chinese teacher called me to complain - not listening to instructions, terrible handwriting. She was worried as he is in the better Chinese class - ok that was new to me! Kai was - still is - indignant coz his Chinese was better than Yang's (in terms of spelling, knowing words etc) but he's in the regular class. I suspect it was coz Yang could speak better... Not much work in primary one to assess otherwise!

Anyway, I also read more and found that dyslexia is not just about reading but also spelling and writing. I dropped a love letter to his form teacher and got a call back quite quickly. She didn't think Yang was dyslexic but agreed his handwriting needed improvement.

Eventually, I couldn't take it and called up Dyslexia Association of Singapore (DAS). At first, I wanted to do a risk assessment. Then, heck it, go for the full assessment instead of waiting more! I applied towards the end of term 2. In early June holidays, DAS told me that they didn't get the response from Yang's teachers so the application could not be processed. I had to wait for term 3 to ask the teachers. Ended up DAS expected it over email but it was snail-mailed. Sian - I had told DAS to wait for snail mail; I also don't understand why the school policy is to snail mail *.*

Anyway, we were lucky to get an appointment sooner than the typical 10 to 12 weeks after application! I took Yang out of school on 26 July and headed far west to Jurong Point for the assessment.

But first, tic tac toast for breakfast!

My baby is hidden in a jacket...

I went to Orchard to get uniforms for the boys during the assessment. Travelling alone took three hours?! Gosh...

Lunch was a hotdog bun and some OCK fishballs

Fave spot on the LRT

I also like this part of the ride - the scenery is beautiful :) And my babies in front of it? Priceless!

He finished my fave taro milk tea that I brought all the way back from the far west!!!

Due to conflicting schedules, I only managed to speak with the psychologist on his assessment results on 17 August. Summary: There is insufficient evidence that Yang has dyslexia. My stats from 20 years ago and my work experience reading psych reports came in useful - this does not mean Yang does not have dyslexia; it means there is no proof that he has it *.*

Anyway, recommendations are to do structured phonics and see how; if need be, can reassess two years later. Psych also recommended occupational therapy for his handwriting. Will go into that separately.

So for now, I'm the phonics teacher. I CAN READ downstairs doesn't provide phonics for Yang's age group and I don't know if there are available classes at DAS for his level at our selected centre on selected days. I'm ahem, accomplished enough in English and have gone through much of a structured phonics syllabus with Yu on the Reading Eggs app. So I pulled online resources into a still-growing phonics curriculum to teach Yang. 

Gosh, it was very hard work to get it going! Besides the lessons, I had to make my own exercises! And we have agreed on phonics twice a week! Want to die ah... Due to Yu staying at home these two weeks, we have not had lessons. Just gone through a revision round with him this afternoon so that we can continue our lessons next week. 

The other hard part is to get Yang to focus and learn. Very often, I have to remind him to sit up straight, focus, speak up etc. He's really a piece of work!

But no choice. He has started writing lines in school. Next year, it would be composition drafts. No more copying lines from the board. He needs to know how to spell or at least try to spell words he wants! I'm glad he can read on his own. Need him to continue doing that as we work on spelling...

Good luck to us!

A nasty bout of flu

Last Thursday, Kai developed a sore throat during swimming lesson. I wondered if it was Covid, striking the kids one month after me, just like the last time!!!

The next day Friday was his e-learning day so he stayed home. When I came home from sending Yang to school, I found him in bed with a fever. Gave him medicine and told him to rest until he felt ready for e-learning. 

After a while, he decided that he was up to it and got up to do some work. But he felt bad again and went back to lie down for a while before getting up to finish up his work. So poor thing :(

But he tested negative on the ART.

That night, I was still awake when he came in with a pained look on his face. He was so unwell that it took me a few times to understand that he said he was having vertigo, like when he had Covid. He felt dizzy while in bed and wanted to puke. We stayed in front of the toilet bowl for while but only saliva came. Lucky Sito got back already and helped bring the tissue box while I supported the poor boy.

After a couple of times, I asked if he would like me to lie down with him. My baby said yes. And barely a minute in, he got up and puked. Was it me? *.* But it wasn't the end. He was still uncomfortable and let me put some oil on his belly. He eventually got up another time to puke successfully, after which he put his head on my chest, held my left hand and finally fell asleep.

Awww, my baby :)

But oh, my chest and my left arm! This boy is 33kg, more than half my weight! 

He was way better when he woke on Saturday. But not so for Yang, Yu and me...

On Friday when I sent Yang to school (or was it when I fetched him??), I noticed that he was coughing a little. It's difficult to get him to do ART so I got Kai to do again - it all started with him! Negative.

Yang developed a sore throat and fever by Saturday evening. Yu also developed a fever and came to find me past 11 pm. I was already asleep after taking some medicine as my nose started dripping after sleeping in Kai's bed the previous night. 

Poor boy cried that he felt uncomfortable. I knew immediately he had a fever. Details are fuzzy now coz I have been ill too... But he was crying in his bed and woke Kai. Then somehow he ended up in my bed. He often woke crying. And three times, he got up, went into my toilet, lifted up the toilet bowl and puked. It was mostly clear liquid. 

Now, after the kids' Covid in March, I told them all that they should make a beeline for the toilet bowl if they felt like puking. Kai and Yang puked back then but not Yu, so I was impressed that he remembered to head straight for the toilet bowl. 

Anyway, the third puke was near daybreak. I had been wiping down the burning boy the whole night coz he was crying or sleeping and I couldn't give him medicine. He woke crying near daybreak so I gave him some panadol suspension but he puked everything out soon after and told me the medicine made him puke coz he tasted it in the puke *.* Lucky he likes the taste so he continued taking it in the day.

He decided he would go back to his bed when he stayed for the next two hours. I knew coz I also slept for two hours until about 9 am when the house phone rang. I came out to answer the phone and Yu came out shortly after.

We were supposed to go to AhMa's place that Sunday but I wanted to be sure it wasn't Covid first - Kai's ART was still negative. But with Yang and Yu down too, we stayed in. Mum brought lunch over instead. I also couldn't take it after two bad nights and went to nap after lunch. Totally 不省人事 until Kai asked for afternoon snacks.

Yang and Yu were still running a temperature and took medicine throughout the day. Luckily no more vomit and Kai was alright by then, coz Sito had to leave in the late afternoon. I packed an easy dinner and quickly ended the day with some medicine. I was getting a bad body ache by then and really needed to rest. 

But I kept getting up to check on the boys. Yang gave me a huge scare when I twice found his eyes wide open! The second time, he didn't respond when I asked him how he felt. I was so scared and asked him to tell me if he was ok! He smiled and nodded. Wa liao. 

Kai went to school on his own on Monday and Tuesday. He has oral exams these two days. I wonder if adrenalin made him get well so much more quickly than his brothers...

Yang and Yu still had a fever for much of Monday. I was also very sick with runny nose and body ache. But Mama must wash bathrooms which had seen vomit. I was quite dead by mid morning and spent the rest of the day lying in bed with the boys. They still had energy to watch TV. I just slept until it was time to pack meals.

After a last dose of medicine on Monday evening, they had no more fever. My body ache came back after the medicine wore off so I woke many times at night to check on them. Then I couldn't take it anymore and popped some paracetamol in the dead of the night. 

Today, I still kept Yang and Yu home as they were coughing. And also I wasn't sure I could muster enough energy to go fetch Yang who would have been dismissed earlier than Kai. They were a lot more like their usual selves today, yeah! I was also on the mend, less runny nose and no need to pop more medicine for body ache.

This was worse than COVID! The kids except for Kai had fever for a longer time. Kai puked more. My body ache persisted for far longer as well. Issit coz we're vaccinated against Covid but not the flu bug of the season??

Well, I'm now not looking forward to washing bedsheets tomorrow - all four sets coz various kids sweated flu germs in them! Good luck to me...

Yu checking Yang's temperature unscientifically during breakfast today :)

Taking over from the helper - Part I

Within the first week of moving into this house, Yang, then 3, used a marker on the wall. Various marks and dents surfaced over the years. I told myself it was ok - we could do some major works when the kids are older and less destructive.

The kids are still kids and as destructive as ever. But I had undertaken some serious works already. Reason? We gave up the helper.

Unless you have a wonderful helper who cleans very well and takes care of things very well, or your threshold for cleanliness is very low, chances are high that there are serious jobs to be done once you take over the house. Sharing my experience in two parts:

*** *** ***

Summary for Part I - clean, repair and replace!

• Clean if it is possible and not too gross
• Repair if it is possible and not too gross
• Replace if it is impossible to clean or repair, or it is gross

I'll go by the different segments of the household to assess for CRR, instead of listing by CRR.

Laundry

• Iron: Replace - likely scratched. My helper burnt fabric on the ceramic ironing plate and took a knife to it 🤦‍♀️ 
• Ironing board: Repair - these are usually sturdy and can be washed down. I did :) 
  

Cooking

• Frying pans: Replace - I had to change these very frequently as they kept getting scratched! Of course I had to throw out the one she was using. So far no scratches from me 🤷‍♀️ 
• Cutting boards: Replace - very likely gross. I found a mouldy corner and a burnt (?!) edge. 
• Knives: Depends on your knife. If it is not made from one piece of metal, the connecting point between the blade and the handle is probably gross.
• Spatula - Replace - likely discoloured or has some melted plastic part!!
• Oven toaster: Replace - the insides were all black as helper liked to buy and bake marinated chicken wings
• Airfryer: Replace - the basket was not cleaned properly and oil etc has all caked up! Tried cleaning to no avail :(

Eating

• Plates and bowls: Clean - I had to use baking soda to scrub the rims and bottoms of ours. It was gross to see dirt coming off but they were too expensive to replace totally. At least the dirt came off??
• Utensils: Clean - check the forks especially. Scrub with baking soda and soak.
• Dining table and chairs: Clean - scrub the least noticed places, e.g. the underside 

Cleaning

• Rubbish bins: Replace - inside is probably very gross.... I reviewed our Ikea ones here.
• Vacuum cleaner: Depends on your model. Our Dyson which we bought when we got married, died somehow. I bought a cheap $20 hoover for helper to use. Happily dumped it for a new robot vacuum-mop and a $20 handheld vacuum for non-floor jobs. 
• Magiclean mop: Clean or replace - I had wanted to replace it as I kept hearing the handle drop off when helper was mopping. But when I tried it, it didn't drop for the longest time 🤷‍♀️ So I'm still using the old one. This is called user fault...
• Wipe cloths: Replace - don't know what each was used for. I got new ones, each with specific use.

Helper's bedroom

• Walls: Repair - I had to paint over the walls which were stained grey and brown 🤮 
• Cabinets: Clean - also de-odourise. Not sure why there was a sour smell inside 🤮 
• Mattress etc: Not CRR, just throw. No need anymore. I let her take away her bedsheets and blanket.

The simple summary for Part II - change the way things are done. Will link when I finish writing that.

Kai is so tall now

Not too long ago - maybe this year? - he was just at my shoulder height. But he is now past my shoulder by quite a bit. When did that happen??

And on Mid Autumn day, we were playing that silly thumb game we used to play under the desk during boring lessons (oops) when I discovered that his thumb nail is bigger than mine!!

I held his thumb to pose

His hand is still smaller than mine but I guess not for long...

Even though he is taller now, and even though he can be difficult and cynical even, there are many times when he shows that he's just a small boy. Like when he hugs me to say something (actually more like grabbing me at the waist to stop me from being busy), when he pouts to ask for things (❤️) , or when he wants me to be with him (sometimes) at bedtime.

I need to remind myself that he is still a small boy and not be too harsh on him...

The moon is very round this year

I'm very happy that Mid Autumn Festival is on a Saturday this year - this means Sito is home and we can 月圆人团圆！In fact, we had two mid autumn excursions this year.

Two Saturdays ago, we went to Sun Yat Sen Memorial Hall. I thought of it too late so the workshop we wanted was sold out. But the big lanterns looked cute on the website so off we went. And lucky us chanced upon a PA event at Zhongshan Park celebrating the festival!

So much fun at the bouncy castle!

And carnival games with prizes to be won!

Magic show on stage!

Yang won a big balloon!

They couldn't get enough of the games...

Dinner was at New Ubin Seafood again. We ordered less this time. Expensive zichar but worth it when the kids seemed to like the food.

Put them all on one side :p

And then we went back to the PA event. More bouncy castle, more games, and even a Chinese dance! I was so surprised that they sat through the dance. Maybe full from dinner plus tired from bouncy castle. As I wrote that last line, I felt glad they didn't puke!

Hello, us! 

Yes, watching the Chinese dance

And we still hadn't been to the lanterns, our original destination! So we finally brought them across the road to the now obvious lanterns coz it got dark. The lanterns were of planets. Don't know why it was not all eight *.*

I prepared a little quiz for them - to recite the names of the planets in English, Chinese and in order. We memorised this together before and it was fun to go through again! Or it was fun for me? :p Prizes were M&M fun packs!

Kai reciting the planets in order

My three lovely earthlings :)

Yang took this :)

Needless to say, we got home late. We also had to wait a bit for a taxi. And Yu had carsick - he didn't vomit but he started crying as we were nearing home :(

Last Saturday was the day of the festival itself. After dinner at Beng Hiang at Jurong East, we went to Jurong Lake Gardens for more big lanterns of the seasons and various countries. This time, I brought along a lantern with an electric bulb.

I love to see Kai hold Papa's hand :)

These two released water lanterns... into a tub *.*

Yu decided to join me in this photo :)

We walked quite a bit and Sito was thirsty. We happened to be at the concert place - yes, so 热闹！- and some F&B stalls. The queues were very long and very slow! Sito queued up with Yang for milk tea while I queued with Kai and Yu for sugar cane. At one point, we signalled to each other to just go home but the boys wouldn't hear of it! 

So we continued queueing and they continued grumbling... The music was quite nice though and thankfully it wasn't too hot. Sito got his milk tea and bandung drink shortly before me. Yu drank most of the bandung - told him he's like Papa who likes this drink. 

We got home even later this time. Our taxi cancelled on us after waiting a long time to get into the gardens. So we walked out and waited outside a school. Another taxi cancelled on us. We were lucky on the third try! Got home past 9 pm!!

Tired Yu sitting on my feet while waiting for our first taxi

Was glad that Yu felt quite ok this time round. He said being sleepy helped, hmmm... The boys dropped off soon enough. Must be tired. We also dropped off after stuffing down all four of our mini snowskin mooncakes haha! Those were our first mooncakes this year. Had a bit more at Mum's place yesterday but I think that was it! Save the calories, save the waist...!

We spotted the full moon on Saturday - it was big! But it was partially concealed by clouds. This morning, I managed to catch a shot of the still full moon. Happy :)

I remembered that last year, I wanted to make my own snowskin mooncake but was too late to start learning. The same thing happened again this year haha! Even busier now without extra help around the house. Anyway, Yu tried mooncake and didn't like it too much. Yang liked the mooncake yesterday. Kai, nooope! Hope they will all grow to enjoy mooncakes soon enough..

This was a really nice Mid Autumn Festival! :)

Spam/Scam calls

I haven't received +65 calls for a while and suddenly, I got quite a number this week. And I got reminded to write about a few calls I got previously...

*** *** ***

Earlier this year, I received spam/scam calls about every other day. One week in March, two calls stood out.

1) Spam call

I was ironing when I got a call with no caller ID.

Caller: Hello, can you hear me?
mf: Ya..
Caller: (some loan offer)
mf: Thanks but I don’t need a loan, bye!

Phone rang 10 seconds later

Caller: Eh why you hang up on me like that? Your parents never teach you ah…
mf: ???! I said thanks I don’t need and bye. I’m going to say this again - thanks I don’t need a loan bye!

He called a third time but I ignored.

Cannot take no for an answer

2) Likely scam

Was on the train when I picked up a call with SG number - no +65. Below translated from Mandarin.

Caller: Hey mf, just want to tell you I changed my number.
mf: Ok… but who are you?
Caller: Huh you see new number cannot recognise me ah?
mf: No...
Caller: Eh *my full name*! We just talked at work you can’t recognise me! Why like that (etc etc) never mind I WhatsApp you la..

Well, no WhatsApp came in from this number.

He knew my full name; he spoke with a Malaysian accent which is common; he had me wondering if I might really know him until he mentioned work - I’m not working

I already shred documents with names and contact info. Looks like next is to remove my name from what? Online shopping?

*** *** ***

In June, I received type #2 again. No idea if it was the same guy but my response was different. Again translated from Mandarin.

Caller: Hey mf, just want to tell you I changed my number.
mf: Ok… but who are you?
Caller: Huh you see new number cannot recognise me ah?

mf: ... Oh, Michael ah?

Caller: Ya lor!

mf: So what's up?

Caller: Just give you my new number. Keep in touch over WhatsApp ok?

mf: Ok ok! Bye!

I think it was the next day when he texted me. I didn't see until later so he called me. I wasn't very free so I didn't play long.

Caller: Hello!

mf: Michael ah, what happened?

Caller: Nothing la...

mf: Then why call me when you just left office? Just go and deliver! I thought something is wrong with your delivery...

Caller: ... Never mind, never mind...

He had hung up. Could tell he sounded... awkward? Sian? Of course, couldn't scam me! Yeah!

*** *** ***

Back to this week. I rejected all +65 calls. But I had a bumper crop of calls on Tuesday, and Yang was with me at every step...

1) A legit call

I just stepped into the bathroom when my phone rang. 

Yang (in his usual loud voice, super cute): Mama! Your friend is calling! There is no +65! (Oh yes, I taught them :p)

mf: What's the name?

Yang: No name, just number!

mf: Oh, never mind then. Just let it ring. 

Yang: Oh, now there is a +65!

mf: ??

So the called had hung up and the missed call showed up on my home screen with a +65. Later on, the same number called again. Turned out to be the polyclinic verifying my residency status. I think these guys need some training - how could they call and ask for NRIC issue date immediately?! Nowadays with all these scams, we should be careful too. I once made my bank verify their identity first :p

Anyway, I told the lady I'm a Singaporean and asked her to confirm both my two bills with them were based on Singaporean charges. Goodness.

2) A call from Bolivia

I was in the kitchen when a got another call. 

Yang again: Mama, you have a call from.... Bolivia!

mf: ??

Turned out the country was shown on the call screen. Ok, I don't know anyone from there so told him to let it ring. Most probably a scam.

This year, I did pick up one call from overseas. It was +44 1865 - yup, I still recognise Oxford's area code! It was a call from a current student seeking donations.

3) Spam call

This one has no called ID. Yup, another one of those loans. He spoke Chinese and addressed me by my surname. When I said "yes?", he switched to English. Then I totally lost him - and told him so! I have no idea what you're talking about. He went on a bit more and I heard "credit". I asked if he was trying to ask me if I wanted to borrow money. No need, thanks. I can lend you if you want! Yup, I said that, haha! 

Yang said I outsmarted him, ha! 

Lesson here - instead of replying, just ask who the caller is.

Another lesson, learnt and put to use already - I'm glad I shared about spam/scam calls with the kids :)

The month to wear red and white

We started August with COVID and Yu's puke.

Got a call from the school that Yu puked after lunch and that he was crying from a stomachache. He also had a rash on his upper lip. I picked him up and went straight the NUH urgent care clinic located downstairs from the school since Raffles wouldn't open for another hour and I wanted to grab some food for him at Fun Toast just across from the clinic. Yu had only one slice of toast when the nurse called us from the door. So we packed the toast and went in. 

Yu was very cute at triage. A friendly nurse checked his oxygen level and chatted with him while I stood behind him and spoke with another nurse about his symptoms. I heard him say he was five and going to primary one next year, in a soft voice which was so unlike him! He was shy but very collected :)

The PD addressed him directly too. But a question really made me blink thrice - on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the most painful, how would you rate your stomachache? I felt bewildered. I wondered how Yu felt; he was all quiet. I asked if he understood. Still quiet. Then the PD explained that 1 was like relaxed, like lying on the beach (!) and 10 was (some painful sounds). In the next second, Yu answered, softly of course, "Five."

But he couldn't describe his stomachache. I prompted him - was it poo poo pain? Was it vomit pain? Nope, he just shrugged. The PD also asked another question which I forgot but I remember his answer: I forgotted (sic).

I think he did very well :)

Anyway, no HFMD; the rash could be due to the wet nose-mask combi so I switched to cloth mask the next day. The stomachache and puking could be one off or the start of stomach flu. Just monitor and drink more water. 

There was some screw-up about medicine call not getting through. Lucky I went in to ask. Kai called while we were waiting for the medicine. Got him to heat up the pizza himself for his lunch. 

When we got home, I only managed to get Yang to finish his homework. Yang and Yu played together so well they couldn't hear me *.* I hope this was only coz they seldom played in the day on school days, else next year would be bad!!

Yu woke up late one day - not many more chances for such photos! 😢

A friend invited Yu to his birthday party. His mum invited ex teachers and ex classmates as well, as a gathering before primary school. It was so fun!! Think Yu spent an hour in the pool. I spent an hour standing by the pool looking like a hawk! He didn't have his puddle jumper with him as I heard it was a waddling pool but it was connected to the deep pool!

It was time for the playground after dinner so more play time! Then it was cake cutting and singing. The kids were jumping around happily! By then, I just sat and watched :p

Kai and Yang were home. I got them dinner before Yu and I left for the party. Sito cleaned up. Everything was done by the time we came home, which was like 9 pm? Kai and Yang were asleep by then!

Singing with his friends!

Source: Birthday boy's mum's video collage

And then it was National Day! Sito and I switched places - he got food while I isolated :p Well, somewhat isolated... :p KFC has become a standard so it was a lot of chicken while we watched the parade. The boys switched to YouTube Kids after 7 pm and turned back for fireworks after 8 pm.

Happy with dinner!

We just nua-ed at home on the school holiday after National Day coz COVID. So sad. The following week was another short week due to PSLE orals. Yu decided to stay home too *.* Got them to do some work on Monday coz I didn't manage to do any with them the past week. Also had a karaoke session :p Then they played Nintendo. 

Caught Yu in mid air as he jumped (off the sofa or up?) singing on the mic!

On Tuesday, we had an appointment to collect their passports. We got a queue ticket 5 min before our 2 pm appointment time. The ticket said there were like 200 pax in front of us. True enough, the place was packed! After standing for a short while, I found seats to keep the kids at one place... Kai nagged about waiting the whole time *.* Considering the crowd, I thought it was good that it got to our turn just past 2.30 pm!

There was just one seat in front of the counter and Kai must sit on it. And he must exclaimed why Yu was the first to get his passport. etc. Luckily the lady was very patient with us. Kai and Yang had their iris recorded; Yu was still too young. 

Early dinner at Paradise at Wisma!

Also bought popcorn for them before going for their haircut at Beauty World. Then I must grab some baked goods at Ng Kim Lee! Got them some popsicles to eat outside the shop so I could shop in peace. Got some muffins and cakes - happy :)

Still must look at the popsicles while eating...

I cut my finger again on Friday, 20 Aug. Broke a few bowls accidentally and was picking up the last big shard when I was cut. I quickly rinsed off the blood, pressed on it and sat on the sofa. Didn't feel faint; didn't faint. Phew! When I told Yu about it, he said I needed "mind power" (to help pick up the shards) - and he lifted both hands into the air! It was so funny!!!!!

Staycation again - way less snacks this time coz heavy dinner of fried rice with 加料

With the boy who recommended mind power to me :p

Sito came home on Saturday just before we left for dinner. He went out with us but did not eat as he wasn't hungry and he had to make a new pair of specs to replace the pair he lost that week. So kids and I had yummy tongue tip noodles - Kai ate so much! - before finding him at the specs shop. 

And just in time coz he almost got long-sighted glasses instead of short-sighted glasses! So apparently, he now has 老花 too but I don't think it's serious enough looking at the size of text on his phone... We make a good pair - I will see far for him and he will see near for me :)

Anyway, we borrowed some books from the library and exchanged some book bugs cards for the kids, and called it a day!

On Sunday, we went to the SGSecure roadshow downstairs. We queued for a show inside. Turned out to be a simulation exercise! Yu was sitting on my lap and when he heard the explosion sound, he jumped off and ran a couple of steps before turning to find me to go together! Poor boy had a big scare!

Little Yu being consoled by Papa after we exited the show

He didn't cry though. Kai and Yang were aware that wasn't real. Yu heard and continued with the exercise in another room, where we heard people trying to come in from the other side, where a man was "injured" and asked for help. Kai was nearest so I asked him to help. He didn't play along very co-operatively *.* He kept saying this wasn't real etc. The cynical teenager is emerging...!

They enjoyed the games at the roadshow

Eh hello, are you helping or killing the poor guy?! :p

Kai was listening to AED info while the other went hands-on already

We also watched a couple of clips on people helping in emergencies. Yang was especially interested. Need to introduce them to practical things like this. Shall find more to add to my home school slides on crisis management!

Some weeks, I'll bring Yu out for breakfast. He likes Yakun for one. He also likes being out with just me :) Only three more months of just the two of us!!!

Nope he didn't finish the whole plate...

As he was finishing his third piece, he pointed to the last piece on the plate and said, "I really can't handle this because I need (to drink) my milo." And he said it so seriously. I really could not handle it too, haha!

Btw, why must you button all the way up? :p

AhYe caught Covid so we spent another Sunday at home. Time to go Dian Xiao Er for dinner! I've been wanting to go for a while even though we just had the duck when I had Covid. Maybe I miss eating rice with chopsticks? So hard to do that at home coz I pile food into big bowls for everyone - save on washing up!

Yu was happy that Sito was rocking him with a shaking leg

He pretended to insert a coin - Papa has become a kiddy ride haha!!!

Mighty pleased look - and I like how he crossed his tiny arms :)

We had all finished and were waiting for Yang to finish. So this boy came over to our side. Oh, now we often sit the kids on one side where possible. Stare at them eating, heh! 

Very happy to get this shot!

I was sitting with them in front of the TV, and he leant on me. I miss this!! I whipped out my phone and took pictures discreetly... My big boy :)

Sito had a public holiday on the last day of August - yup, non-SG schedule! So we had a nice dim sum lunch and walked the mooncake fair at Takashimaya. Too full to sample mooncakes. We just bought our usual and tried a new one which had a nice box and taste. 

Happy us!

I put back my mask while Sito was happy to walk around maskless. Auntie must protect my nose... After dropping the mooncakes back home, Sito rested while I quickly packed a few things around the house before we went for a foot massage :)

We were going to get a drink when I received a call from the school. Yang called to tell me he hurt his leg and couldn't get back on his own. Sito went to fetch him and Kai while I got Yu and prepared for the evening.

Yang was limping. It was a superficial abrasion but a pretty large one. Took a long while and some drawing to figure out how he fell - on a kerb, slanted, and his leg dragged on the kerb causing the large red patch. He said the bone hurt and it wasn't orh cheh pain. But the skin felt more painful. 

There wasn't a raw wound or blood so I applied paw paw ointment and let him go without a bandage. But I let him skip school (Teachers' Day celebration) and check out the bone at the polyclinic. Thankfully no fracture! He's no longer limping but it still hurts. Could swim today too. Hope he gets all well very soon! Happy and healthy September, here we come!