Quest for shampoo

Before I start writing, I would like to clarify that this is my own personal review and hence please practise discretion when trying  the item for yourself.

I'm just going to jump right into this entry without having to bore you with the details on my quest for a good shampoo for the kids. They have started swimming recently quite frequently so their hair is subjected to the harsh chlorine from the pool. This made me quite upset because they don't have much hair to begin with especially for little J and now, the chlorine is drying out their already sparse hair. This got me looking around for a shampoo that will provide the needed moisture to keep their hair soft and smooth as before.

Therefore, in searching for a good shampoo, it must fulfil the following requirements:

1. Make my kids head smell good, even for hours after.
2. Keep their hair soft and smooth to the touch.
3. Be paraben free.
4. Must not smell too cloyingly sweet. I tend to stay away from fancy fruity smell as well.

I do not really care less for fanciful packaging and if possible, the simpler the better. So after going through a few organic shampoos cum body wash, I finally chanced upon Original Sprout Natural Shampoo. It is a little pricey at $25 per bottle but let me try and justify the price tag for you. Here's why:

1. It smells superb. I cannot stop smelling my kids! I mean, you know how when they starts to eat solids and their sweat don't smell so baby-ish anymore and borders on smelling a little sour-ish? That's when you need to get them a proper shampoo because those 2 in 1s don't seem to work as well anymore! This, my friend, works so well in the smell department, it's already a sure win.

2. It's organic, natural and without all the nasty stuff that generic shampoos may have. (Read: Parabens and Carcinogens) Wouldn't you want to delay such exposure for your loved ones for as long as you can? Or at least till they eventually want to make their own choices for shampoo?

3. SOFT. OH SO SOFT. OMG, their hair is so so soft after using this shampoo, I am seriously very tempted to use this on myself. I can't stop running my fingers through their hair and the softness of their hair makes me really happy. (I sound very psycho, I know. But I just love to stroke their heads when their are sleeping!)

4. It's tear free. I think. I haven't yet tried this on myself, but I was showering R jr and he accidentally rubbed his eyes after touching his head. He seemed ok. By ok it means he wasn't screaming, having his eyes turn red and trying to claw out his eyeballs.

5. You really don't need to use that much of the shampoo each time. I usually use about half pump or slightly more only.

I know this all sounds really good, so I bet you must be waiting for me to tell you the cons of this shampoo.

1. Expensive. But you pay for what you get.
2. It doesn't lather as well, but that is because it is sulphate free. That is the one that causes the suds in shampoos so I am fine with that.

Really. That's it. This are the only 2 cons I can think of at this moment and frankly, I can live with it. I am just too happy that I've finally found a shampoo that suits the kids and I absolutely love. Again, if you know me, my kids are the most important beings in my life, so I always try to provide the best that I can afford for them. I know some moms will think that I am being too lavish and all, especially when I'm spending such money on shampoos and stuff but hey, you are entitled to your opinions and I respect that. I won't say you are a bad mom just because you don't want to spend such money on your kids, so please, don't hate me if I do. You can buy this shampoo from Watsons or from the local distributor website - http://pout.com.sg/. I hope that if you decide to use this shampoo and love it, drop a comment and let me know too!

My next blog will be on aromatherapy oils - Love them? Hate them? If anybody is still reading this blog, feel free to comment on this topic!

Till the next entry,

xoxo.

- J

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.