Places to be remembered

Recently, my family went to Chin Mee Chin Confectionery to taste traditional Hainanese breakfast. We bought egg tart, cupcakes, bun with kaya and butter spreads, soft-boiled eggs, coffee, Milo and Horlick. It was about a dollar fifty per item. In the coffee shop, we also experienced the traditional coffee house  interior which I used this opportunity to educate my son that such coffee houses were common liken nowadays coffeeshop. 

Shop Front

Traditional Style of Displaying Food Items

CMC Confectionery Cleanliness Award

Peter enjoying his breakfast

In the past, my mom used to bring me to another coffee house which was located nearby too. It was the famous “Red House”. I remembered that the people running the place were elders. They would serve food and beverages such as cupcakes, colorful cakes, coffee and tea. We would be seated at one of those marble top table, traditional wooden Kopitiam chair under a KDK ceiling fan. The interior is absolutely unforgettable and classic. As such I felt that it was important to bring my son to places like CMC Confectionery to experience history before it was gone.      

Fengshan Children Club Celebrates

Recently Fengshan Children Club organised an October Children Birthday cum Children Day Celebration. My family were invited to attend this celebration. At the celebration, we got the opportunity to make an open terrarium to bring home. It was fun and educational because as Peter learnt how to carefully plant a plant into the soil and decorated it with lots of colourful stones. I even taught him how to take turns and share with others the materials.

After we did the terrarium, it was time to celebrate the October children birthday. Peter is one of the children born in October as such he is very excited and delighted to see many children celebrating his birthday and the chance to eat his favourite chocolate cake.

Then we are given a big goodies bag fill with snacks and gifts such as chocolate roll, rice crackers and stationery. I believed that the children were truly blessed by this club. 

Fengshan Children's Club

I joined the Fengshan Children's Club at the Fengshan Community Club. They organised lots of meaningful activities for children to participate in. For example, monthly mass birthday celebrations and outings.

Notice of Fengshan Children's Club

Recently I joined one of their outings to Paya Lebar Fire Station and Mainland Tropical Fish Farm. My four years old son Peter enjoyed the visit to the fire station as he got the chances to interact with firemen, equipment, vehicles and the station. 

Seated in a Fire Truck

Posting with a Firemen & Water Hose

He also enjoyed the visit to the fish farm as he was able to view many varieties of fishes, feed fishes and catch Long Kang fishes. To further enhance his experience of the fish farm, we bought fish food from the farm to feed the huge Arapaimas. It was fun and exciting.

Mainland Tropical Fish Farm

Feeding Koi

Feeding Arapaimas

Catching Long Kang Fishes

At the end of the visit, we gather together to celebrate the September children birthday.  It was a joyous occasion. 

Chocolate & Strawberry Cakes, Yummy!

And we enjoyed the birthday cakes and snacks (Chicken pie, Pineapple Almond Tart & Chocolate Roll). We are well fed, in fact, before we head off to any of the places, we were already given a cream roll and a bottle of water. All the food and drink were provided by the club. The cost of the tickets for adult and child were only S$3 and S$2 respectively. As such, it was very affordable and encouraging for all to join. Hope you can also visit your neighbouring Community Club for children activities that I believe will benefit your children greatly. 

Peter's Yijan Kids Hair Clipper T610S

My four years old son, Peter is afraid of going to the hair salon for haircuts. He would cry and struggle while having his hair done. Even thought the hairdressers did not mind him being such, however, I felt the need to do something about it. One day, I realised that my father trimmed his hair that touched his ears and Peter made no fuss about it. As such, I thought that I could try to cut his hair by myself.

Then while I was shopping in a baby fair. I came across Yijan Kids Hair Clipper T610S which I bought around $25.

Yijan Kids Hair Clipper T610S Packaging

Features:

Waterproof & Washable: Allows me to cut his hair in the bathroom and wash away his hair on the clipper easily

1mm to 12mm Clippers: Guides me to cut his hair to a certain length consistently

3 Clippers Range from 1mm to 12mm

Tonsorial Cloth: Prevents much fallen hair from irritating him

No Noisy: Peter is afraid of the loud clipper sound especially when it is near his ears

Dry Battery Operated: Safe without fear of electrocution and easy move around

Bright Yellow Colour and Cartooned: Ensuring him that it is suitable for children as such he didn’t reject the product and its function

Kids Hair Clipper

Durable and affordable: Used for a year for at least 5 times

At the start, I am afraid to use it cause I didn’t cut his hair before. As such, I learnt from youtube, sought advice from parents and practised on my son and it turned out great for all of the hair cuts. I even formulated a haircut for my son which he likes it very much. I would use the 9mm clipper all around his head and then used the 1mm to 9mm slope clipper to create slope around his hair line except his fringe. Quick, easy and simple method liken USA President Obama hair style :) 

Peter Hair Front View

Peter Hair Back View

Peter Hair Side View

 While cutting his hair, I also allowed him to watch his favourite videos on the Youtube in order to keep him still and sound for most of the time then I am able to concentrate on cutting his hair properly. Though he still needs some encouragement and an agreed time to cut his hair but at the end of  the day seeing his hair nice and short... it is all worth it.

Selphy Cp1200 Saving Tips :P

I love to keep photographs of wonderful memories especially of my children. For fun, I started to take notice of photograph printing machines. Then I came across a machine called Selphy Cp1200 by Canon company selling on the Internet. 

Canon Selphy Cp 1200

Canon Selphy Cp 1200 Packaging

I bought it after much consideration because to me it is quite costly. However, I bought it mainly because there is a great function called collage that allows the printer to print more than one photograph together on a page. As such I am going to use this function greatly to reduce the cost of printing my photographs. I decided to use this function to print photographs that are fun and informal. Only formal photographs such as birthdays, anniversary or any other important events then I will print one photograph on a page. 

After using this printer for the collage function, I enjoyed it. It is so fun and interesting as the printer seem to be able to read your mind most of the time on how to collage the photographs and collage them nicely for you. You can print lots of informal photographs in one page that will not cost you much. My children do have a lot of funny informal photographs that if I am going to print them out one photograph on one page, it will cost me a bomb.

Etc of my son collage 

The photographs quality are good enough for me as they are vivid in colours and images are clear. I shared this printer with my family as such we all save our time and effort to head down to a shop for printing services. All in all, I am truly blessed by a peace of mind and heart that I can print our precious memories that generations to come will get to enjoy them. 

A Funtastic Playroom

Recently, I brought my 3 years old son to the North East Community Toy Library located at Pasir Ris Elias Community Club set up by North East Community Development Council (CDC) and Cerebral Palsy Alliance Singapore (CPAS). It opens daily from 10.30am to 3.30pm then 4.30pm to 8.30pm and closes on Public Holidays. There is no limit as to how long you can play and no admission charges are required.

Toys nicely displayed

Ball Pit

Train Set

Nice Reminder Poster

 We went about 6.30pm and the place was not packed with children. As such my son got the chance to play with lots of toys. He played etc building blocks, trains, puzzle, stepping piano, ball pits, tents, cooking set and fishing. This toy library encourages special need and mainstream children to play together. I think that my child can learn emotional intelligent skills through playing with other children. As such, I find this place a meaningful and affordable place for children to play in. 

Great Experience @ Community Club

Fengshan Indian Cultural Fair flyer at block notice board

On 10 July 2016, I attended an event named “Fengshan Indian Cultural Fair” at Fengshan Community Club with my mother and son. At the event, I got to try out many Indian cultural activities such as Henna, Rangoli, Garland and sampling of Indian snacks such as Thosai, Samosa, Putu Mayam, Idli, Spicy White Chickpeas Gravy and Masala Tea.

Rangoli made by one of the participants

Garland made by exhibitor and me

I am grateful that I attended this event because it was near my home and experienced Indian cultural activities at a very affordable price of $2 per ticket.  Likens an Indian cultural Museum had been brought closer to my home. 

After attending it, I learnt more about our Indian committee as such felt closer to them. I really wish to encourage all to look more into events organised by your home nearby facilities such as Community Clubs and Residents' Committees as they aim to organise activities that are meaningful, affordable and convenient for all to participate.