To do list

Just to motivate myself...


1. Clean up my room. Pack away the steriliser, bring our the bottles holder and use that instead.
2. Throw away old medicine. Keep the kiddos para and brufen properly together with the thermometer and fever patch.
3. Try and keep the play area as neat as possible. This means selling or giving away of old toys and unopened boxes of toys. Mental note - STOP BUYING ANYMORE TOYS.
4. Do up a proper command centre. This should have a calendar with the dates of the kids activities written down. Currently they don't have much appointments to keep, but it's good to get started on this habit.
5. Bring out their personal boxes. This should have their personal documents and knick knacks of things to keep for them. Label the folders.
6. Spring clean the kitchen. Discard items that are expired. Bring out old pots and pans for the kids to bang on and play.
7. Sort out their flashcards. Do up a proper reading corner for them.
8. Do up a weekly list of activities starting from next week. To be realistic, we must have 5 achievable tasks. Weekends are meant for family outings and play only. No flashcards during the weekends.  Flashcards in Chinese to be taught by their dad. Limit to 10 mins of learning only. This includes reading to them in Chinese. (something I could never do right)

Let's start with this first. To be completed by first week of May.

20.5.14 update

I have crossed out those tasks that have been done. That's 4 out of 8 done by first week of May. Will push on and make sure that I complete the rest of the tasks by the end of May at least! Jia you Jen!

25.04.14 - Out with the old, in with the new.

This is something I live by when it comes to my childrens' clothings. Because they are only at 10th percentile, they are considered quite small for 17 months. Currently J is wearing 9 to 12 month clothes, some designs, 12m. Reagan is wearing 3 to 6 months for shorts and 6 to 9 months for tops. He is very lean, like his daddy, so while he puts on weight, he doesn't get all fat and chubby like other kids do. (which I wish he does)

So one of the items in my to do list involves packing away their too small clothings. Right now we are at half a toyogo box full of clothes. I will soon be packing away their bibs, nappy, mittens etc. I am keeping it for either my no. 3 or my sis or cousin's baby (we're all trying hard) It's times like this, where I will wish that I can get pregnant again soon, but on the other hand, my schedule is packed with these 2 dragons I hardly have time to do much and yes, this includes hey shio hey shio. There will be people asking why don't I stop at two? Deep down I know that to procreate is joy and that I will be fruitful and multiply, that's why for now, we are simply leaving it to God to fulfil this wish of mine. And besides, what kind of question is that? If I want to have 10 kids, its really up to me isn't it? Why do I owe anyone an explanation?

Recently I have been so busy trying to source for stuff for my scrapbook that I am making for the twins. I want them to have items and keepsakes to remind them of how important they are for me to want to document and keep as many things as I can about them. I hope, as they grow up, they will read this and see my love for them is unwavering and strong. Those scrapbook items of mine are bought in bulk hence cheaper, so again, I will be posting them up for all to see when I have gotten it. I digress.

So back to the packing of clothes. It was pretty chaotic because the twins didn't wanna nap today and I had to pack with them in the room. They helped by removing everything from the box and drawers and sitting in it. It was pure madness, the kids threw everything I had folded, walked around the room with their hangers while dancing to Hi5. After what seems like forever, we managed to get things done and packed before I had to leave for class. I wanted to specially talk about 1 incident which left such an impact on me today.

In the midst of the packing and the madness, the kids would suddenly stop their nonsense, turn around, grin at me with their widest smile and run towards me wanting to hug or kiss me. That feeling is so amazing and magical at the same time. At that moment, I felt nothing but pure joy. Joy that I never knew was possible. I felt like I was the bestest person in the world for the kids to love me this way. I guess the saying is true, that you will never be able to experience true and pure love until you become a mom. The kids had unconditionally loved me and this makes me want to be a better person for them. A person they can model after, a responsible person who walks right with God. I am recording this down, only because whenever I feel shitty, I will remind myself to log in here and read on my past entries. Then remind myself all over again why I am doing all these for them.

24.04.14 - Approaching 17 months

Many people after knowing that I have twins, always like to ask me how do I cope with them. Initially I would smile and say it's tough and they make me go nuts blah blah and so on but recently, I will just tell them that I just simply cope. I don't know how else to explain to others. It is because having twins really does drive you up the wall at times and just when you think that you have reached your breaking point, one or both of them does something so cute you forgot what you were mad about. The hours just fly by quickly. In the morning after breakfast, they will have their shower. After which, they will have their play time and then break for lunch. Usually after lunch they will be full and drowsy so it's time for nap. After nap, it's more play time and recently, we have introduced cleaning the floor with the magic clean so that their play area is always clean. And the next thing you know, it's evening and then it's time for their dinner, then shower again and then bed. Phew, what a day.

Now as we approach the terrible 2s, I am beginning to catch a glimpse of what to expect especially during meal times. There are days where I will celebrate when they can finish at least half a bowl of porridge. Other days, I ask myself, why do I even bother to plan a menu for them. (It's times like this where I will throw away the food while vowing I'm not going to cook them anything the next day, but I always do in the end.) The kids now are becoming more and more independent. They are beginning to have minds of their own and forming their own opinions, likes and dislikes. It isn't very easy to coax or distract them with a toy now. And on some days, you will find that NOTHING works!

That's not to say that I hate my kids or anything. I just feel that they have grown, are really not babies anymore and I must make a mental note to remind myself to stop calling them babies, because the right term to call them is "toddler".  We are soon reaching an age were their PD will stop asking for their corrected age, and they will be expected to perform just as well as their peers born in the same year. I hope that isn't asking a lot from them though, I would hate to pressure my kids this way.

Anyway moving on I would be sharing some of the stuff that I do with the kids for sensory play or education through play. Some of the items can be purchased through me, if anytime you see something you like, feel free to leave a comment or email me at sheisemailing@gmail.com.

For today, I will be sharing with you guys my banana pancake recipe which I felt is one of the best and simplest recipe. It doesn't take a lot of time to prepare this if you have everything you need on hand ready. This recipe is friendly for toddlers and my kids really loved it, even without the maple syrup.

Here goes -

Ingredients

Dry

1 cup of plain flour or multi purpose flour
1 tablespoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda (optional)
2 teaspoon baking powder
a dash of cinnamon (optional)

Wet

1 egg, beaten
1 cup of milk
2 tablespoons of vegetable oil (I used coconut oil)
2 ripe bananas

Step 1 - Mash bananas with fork, set aside
Step 2 - Combine dry ingredients on a plate or mixing bowl
Step 3 - Combine wet ingredients in a mixing bowl
Step 4 - Mix everything together till it forms a batter. Don't worry if it gets lumpy, you don't want to overbeat it and have it turn watery
Step 5 - Turn on skillet or frying pan and start in small batches until you are able to control the heat. Plate up and enjoy!