Kiddos

With a chatty older brother, Jeb has been picking up words and speaking at a really fast pace now. He can string a proper sentence now with more than 3 words like, "I am not doing anything now", "You went to work Mama?" and stuff like, "Then the dinosaur came and eat the bear, then, then the bear no more", "The lion roar and then the bird die die". This boy has a very morbid imagination.

Whenever I look at Benjamin, my heart would always be filled with such thankfulness and gratefulness and I always think that maybe I really did something good in my previous life to deserve such a wonderful boy. And watching him grow from a tiny baby to this giant 5 year old now, I would always asked him in amazement, "Are you sure you're Benjamin?" and most times he would just nod his head.

So one day, as I was watching him do his stuff I asked him again.

Me: Are you sure you're really Benjamin?
B: Are you sure you're really Mama?

Woah, didn't see that coming kid. Good comeback!

You betcha Mama!

I can talk so much now! Bye!

English people

We've got Bangers and Mash, Fish and Chips, Battered  Snickers bars and now up and coming British label LOLA SKYE LONDON is here!

Only difference is that it's not food but they're affordable and trendy clothing from London! Duh!

Embellished Collar Blouse

Black PU Quilted

Black All Over Sequin Dress

Mesh Panel Midi Dress

I like that although it's ahem, targeted at younger women, these items that I found on Lola Skye clothing for ladies are suitable for me as well. Not too girly yet funtional for a working mother of 2 boys.

And one more picture to depict accurately how I would really dress on a daily basis. Just because their model looks way better than I do and just because. Cup of tea anyone?























PS: Go take a look see now and get a S$10 voucher when you sign up for their newsletter! While you're at it, use my voucher code ZBAPPpe* during check out for additional 15% off!
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PPS: This post has been brought to you by Zalora.

Sunday

So. The worst case scenario happened yesterday.

Jeb locked himself in the room after I took his lollipop away. I have warned and repeat myself to them many, MANY times that they are not allowed to locked the door at all whether in play or whatever because it is a rented house and I HAVE NO KEYS FOR IT.

Turns out, three year olds have the memory of a goldfish. Or they're really just pushing their limits.

I was in my bathroom when I heard the door closed and the unmistakable sound of the door locking. So I came out and immediately bang on the door yelling at Jeb to OPEN THE DOOR!

At first, he was really quiet though, probably thinking his Mama was crazy. I kept banging on the door and demanding him to open it (on hindsight, it seems like we're preparing for his teenage years, gulps!) and when he tried to and realising that he can't, he started crying. For the next hour.

Okay at this point, I have to say that I was really pissed off with him and that he deserves to be locked in. I really couldn't care less that he's only three years old and there is a danger of him falling from the windows (which are securely tied with cable ties). Because all I could think of was that HE DESERVES IT. And this episode in itself would serve as a punishment to him.

Anyway, we managed to get a locksmith, after the husband tried to break the lock by drilling and You-tubing the hows to, we got him out and then.... we punished him promptly.

WHAT?!

No reassuring hugs or kisses? Nope.

We had to inculcate to him that him being defiant on purpose has its consequences and that IT IS NOT OKAY to lock yourself in the room, AT ALL.

He was caned, made to face the wall and had to stand in front of us to apologize and went to bed without his milk.

PS: In the midst of all the hulabaloo, Benjamin asked if Jeb was gonna be locked up inside forever and me being very tired just told him that he's not helping much and he just gave a chirpy Ok! and skipped away.

And

I often pride myself as the last line of defence in my house whenever anyone gets sick. Which is why when I do get sick (which is rarely), I go down. Down all the way man.

It started with a bad throat, which quickly developed into a cough which then quickly developed into a full blown cold. The full works baby. Chills, cough, runny nose and a pounding headache which felt like an elephant was doing a tap dance, at beginner's level. 

Actually if these feels incoherent, it probably is because I've been surviving on broken sleep these past week because Jeb is still down with a persistent fever and a phlegmatic cough which makes him puke. I'm running out of my zzzzs and bed sheets.

I just want that damn fever to break and let us all have a good weekend.

This week and then a long weekend!

Benjamin caught a viral infection a few days ago and I stayed home to monitor his condition. I loved the fact that I get to be at home, but not of the reason though.

Meanwhile, I have a 3 year old going on 13 year old boy. They call this the threenager.

And not to boast or anything, but my cooking repertoire has improved significantly. My biggest critic aka the husband told me during one of the dinner I made was actually nice and he like it! If only I add a little more teeny tiny bit more salt to it and it'll be perfect. Well, still a compliment nevertheless!

As with all my cooking recipes, I would usually refer them online and made them up as I go along. So far, it has turned out not too shabby but I wouldn't want to jinx it either so, Google is still your best friend for good tasting food, not me.

He's growing up to be such a sweet boy and his heart is just so pure, so full of goodness. I hope he'll continue to be this way and not let the harshness of the world rob it away.

So looking forward to the long weekend!

Sleeping children keeps a mother sane

Sometimes when I blog surfed at home and if both boys happened to sit beside me, they would always asked whose photos am I looking at and who is that person. And because I have been following certain blogs for some time now and they've become mothers themselves, I would often just tell them they're my friends. #thickskinmuch heehee. Only common factors are the fact that we're all mothers and its only #associationbychildren, oh yeah.

Giving his kor kor a scratch when this mother ignored his pleas for it
 and kept snapping away.

One thing with kids is this. They have the weirdest sleeping positions and they bring the strangest things to bed.

This kid is just sunshine and happy smiles the moment he wakes up.

And of course, the sweetest time of the day is their bed time when after a whole day of incessant Mama! Mama! Mama! Mama! I get a reprieve and it is this sort of sweetness that makes this crazy thing called motherhood a little bit more sane.

If you're a mother and you know what I mean, fist bump!

Mother Me

Every night when I tuck the boys into bed (who am I kidding? The only reason I tucked them to sleep was just so I can sleep. First. Kidding! Not.), I would try to say something good about each of them. 

To Benjamin, I'll always tell him that he's really such a sweetheart and sensible boy and sometimes he would add in, "I'm awesome too, right Mama?" Oh yes you are. 

To Jeb, I'll always tell him that I'm so thankful for him and that please be good and listen to Mama and Daddy and he'll go,"No!" 

Same DNA but totally world's apart. 

These were taken when he was around two years old.

For one, Benjamin has always been a happy and cheerful boy. He's always game for a good time and has no problems socialising with other kids and adults. Also, he's really an aunty killer too. They would all be charmed by his 'fish-ball' face and he would go in for the kill by asking for sweets and such. 

And these are him right now. Five years old and has mastered the art of selfies. 

And then we have Jeb. Whose middle name is Danger. He has no qualms on doing anything related to danger at all. He's all swords and guns and fighting. 

With Benjamin, I was a lot stricter with him in terms of discipline which I am more lax now with Jeb. Now that I admit it, are you happy husband?! 

The husband has always said that I'm being biased with the both of them and indeed, I am! But I'm turning over a new leaf okay. I punished Jeb as hard as I love him too. And it always breaks my heart that I have to go to extremes to do that. 

With both of them, I find that I try to give them the experiences I never much had when I was their age. I try to do more things with them and bring them out to more places. I guess that's what parenthood does. To make memories with your own kids that you never had. 

And I'll always tell them that they're brothers for life and they are their own little family.