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Gee. I have so many ‘Activity for Kids idea‘ posts waiting to be shared. Errr, as well as recent Jakarta trip posts, and Batam trip posts, and …

Not sure if I’d ever get to share them all.

Ah anyway.

Here’s one simple idea I’d like to share with you today.

It was when we made paper people.

What we did:

- On a piece of paper, I drew a circle (using a bottle lid), and two straight lines downwards for the body (see picture above)

- I cut out a few of these

- I let the kids draw the faces and the clothes.

The fun part is, they get to draw ANY kind of face and clothes they wish!

Like for example, below is Anya’s version of a princess, and … Vai’s version of Daddy Wilson!

While giggling away, he said, ‘Daddy has shark teeth!’

Notes:

- You could introduce different cultures using this idea, ie. their traditional costumes, or different hair colour and facial features to teach little ones different kinds of people in the world

- In the end, you can hang / stick these different Paper People on the wall and create a ‘village’

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As parents, we naturally encourage our children to look at pictorial books, read, scribble, draw, or write.

And when it comes to doing such activities, we usually apply these three basic ‘rules’ (in order to protect these little ones’ eyes):

- Don’t place the book too close to your face
- Don’t read while ‘laying down in bed’
- Don’t read in a dim area (ie. reading / writing area needs to have sufficient lighting)

[Everyone in my family wears glasses, and I'll try my best to minimise the possibility of my kids becoming short-sighted - myopic - like us]

Now, I don’t know if you’re like me, but I usually emphasise ONLY on those three points and pay not much attention to the kind of reading lamps we use at home.

We simply grabbed a nice looking desk lamp that we liked from IKEA, and we’ve been using it since.

[Glare is not obvious on matt surfaces]

I’ve never considered the fact that traditional reading lamps are very most likely glary.

And THAT, I recently learned, apparently is not good for the eyes.

[Visible glare on our glossy book]

I mean, I’ve often seen the ‘glare’ (like the reflection on glossy books/magazines), but somehow I just don’t think about it. I guess, I also don’t realise that there could be a better solution to it.

I’ve come to realise this aspect of reading lamps and the importance of choosing proper ones just recently, ie. when we got our hands on this 3M^TM Polarizing Light.

Frankly, at first I was a little sceptic.

They’re all reading lamps, I thought, … so why does this lamp by 3M be any different?

So I went on to check on its features, and apparently it has this patented ‘Polarizing Light Filter’, which others do not have, and this filter technology can do these things:

- Reduce direct and reflective glare by 50%-80% on reading materials and work surfaces (such glare can eventually result in eye fatique, headache and frequent tearing)

- Block out harmful UV rays to protect both the eyes and skin

- Make reading more comfortable and less tiring because it’s flicker free

When we tested out this 3M^TM Polarizing Light at home, one thing I immediately noticed.

It’s bright!

It’s brighter than my usual reading light, for sure.

And I immediately thought, does this mean it’ll use up more electricity? (the usual concern we parents have)

Apparently, it says that when used with energy-saving light bulb (of any brands), we’ll save up to 80% energy, ie. Less use of electricity.

Cool.

Anyway, here’s what I’ve got to say.

If you and your kids do your work on the computer, study and basically spend hours using an ordinary desk lamp all this while (like us!), do check out this product.

[Available in Popular bookstore, Home Fix and Best Denki]

Because it’s when we test things out ourselves that we’d get to see the difference and value their long-term benefits.

…

PS: This 3M^TM Polarizing Light is now in our bedroom, on our desk, next to our laptop, replacing our cute IKEA table lamp. It now accompanies me as I blog and do other work on my computer at night.

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We have just returned from our two-week holiday trip to Jakarta.

And it was one of those trips where we managed to do quite a lot of different stuff with our families!

More than usual, I’d say.

Family outdoor shoots. Birthdays. Beaches. Mountains. Flying Fox rides. ATV rides. And heaps more.

And of course, food! Oh so yummy food! (Am missing them already!)

Will post LOTS of photos and stories soon.

Errr … that is, a little after we’re at least half done with the washing, laundry, mopping, unpacking, and a whole lot of ‘things to do’!

Stay tuned.

[Anya, Vai and their cousin, Keira, at the beach right in front of our cottage at Anyer]

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Our Everyday Things is one of the top ten finalists in Singapore Blog Awards 2010, under ‘Best Photography Blog’ category. You can still vote for me once a day until Wednesday, June 30th. Do visit http://sgblogawards.omy.sg/category, login or create a free account, go to the Best Photography Blog category, look for the only Mommy Blogger with two kiddos there, and click ‘VOTE’! Thanks everyone!]
…

[Upon reaching Tanjung Uma. a humbling experience and sight]

I have shared quite a few posts on our recent trip to Batam, Indonesia.

And most recently, I shared some black and white photos of Tanjung Uma, the oldest fisherman village in Batam.

I’d like to share with you a few more photos today, coloured ones this time round, so that you too can take a glimpse of what we saw and experienced when the four of us ’sailed’ towards the fishermen’s homes on a small wooden boat.

I’ll write more details of how it all went in my next Tanjung Uma post.

Soon.

[Upon reaching the homes of the locals]

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Here’re my most memorable and meaningful moments during our recent visit to Batam.

It was when we checked out Tanjung Uma, the first and oldest traditional fisherman village in Batam.

I’ll share more photos and stories soon.

For now, let me share with you some photos, in black and white.

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We took heaps of photos during our recent trip to Batam.

And here are more of them.

These shots were taken using my Canon Powershot S90, and it was when the four of us unintentionally walked past this traditional market selling live chicken and ducks!

The beauty of exploring Batam on foot.

It sure was an interesting experience for the kids.

For the first time, they saw live chicken and ducks in their … errr, far from clean cages and living conditions. They watched the chicken seller chatted with us while holding a few live chicken by the legs in her hand.

This definitely is a sight and experience they won’t find in Singapore.

Which again, what made our recent trip to Batam more memorable.

In a good way.

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Last weekend, the kids and I went to a media event held at the Asian Food Channel, Orchard Central.

And it was all about Kiwifruit goodness, thanks to Zespri.

[Dr Leslie Tay was there to share with us how to make yummy stuff with kiwifruit]

[Yummy dessert: a mixture of Oolong jelly, wolfberry and green kiwifruit]

[Click HERE to find out how to prepare this Kiwifruit Toast that the kids and I made!]

[Anya and Vai insisted on staying back to continue with their colouring work when all fellow bloggers and their kids had gone home!]

…

Anyway.

It was an insightful event.

And other than getting to meet my fellow blogger friends there, I personally learned lots of new facts about kiwifruit and its goodness too. Like, how a kiwifruit has more Vitamin C than an orange!

Now. To find out more, here are some useful links I’d like to share with you:

- Why kiwifruit is good and healthy for you

- Yummy and nutritious kiwifruit recipes for kids

- Starters and Snacks: Recipes

- Ten reasons why we should consider Kiwifruit

…

Have a great weekend, everyone!

[Thanks to Ashley and Edelman for this shot, taken just before we left the event]

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[Vai resting at a corner where 'motorbike drivers', common public transportation in Batam, usually hang out]

During our recent visit to Batam, we brought the kids to explore the area, on foot.

We walked a lot, and saw the shops and street stalls from a closer view (ie. areas that we would otherwise ‘miss’ if we took a taxi).

We went on Batam’s ‘Angkot’ too (read: it’s a van with a certain route and you can simply hop on, pay and tell the driver when you’d like to get off)

[It's way cheaper than taking a taxi, and it's convenient too]

To us, what’s more important is the priceless experience for the kids, who are so used to Singapore’s clean and organised transport system.

It’s our way of letting these little ones experience a different kind of lifestyle.

A lifestyle that is different from the comfort and convenience Singapore offers everyday.

A simpler way of life, I must say.

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If you’re in Singapore, going over to Batam, Indonesia, for a quick break (and yummy food!) is SO easy, and relatively affordable.

After we decided to stay at the Pacific Palace Hotel during our quick trip to Batam last week, we found out that the nearest Ferry Terminal (to the hotel) is called ‘Harbour Bay Ferry Terminal’.

And the only way to get there from HarbourFront Centre, Singapore, is via Wavemaster Ferries.

[Click HERE to see the list of Ferries available from HarbourFront Centre]

As for the ticket price, a round ticket (Singapore-Batam-Singapore) costs $48 per person.

There’s a ferry going over to Batam’s Harbour Bay every hour, so as long as you’re at the Terminal at least one hour before the stated departure time to purchase your ticket, I think you’ll be fine.

…

A few quick tips and more info:

- Book your hotel in advance, and see if the hotel can pick you up from Harbour Bay Terminal. Taking a taxi from the Terminal to the Hotel will cost so much more!

- Pacific Palace Hotel charges Rp. 25,000 to pick guests up from the terminal, and taxis at Harbour Bay charge Rp.40,000 to drive us to the hotel. And mind you, the Pacific Palace Hotel is VERY closely located to Harbour Bay Terminal, so it really shouldn’t cost that much at all.

[Note: We thought the hotel facility was good, the breakfast buffet range was nice, the staff was relatively friendly, the massage at its spa centre was relaxing, the price promotion at the time was good, BUT the overall service by the staff was below standard. We had a few disappointing experiences there]

- Hotel Novotel Batam (opposite Pacific Palace Hotel) picks hotel guests up from Harbour Bay Terminal at NO extra cost.

- As far as I understand (please do correct me if I’m wrong), converting your Singapore Dollars to Indonesian Rupiahs should be done before you travel to Indonesia as the exchange rate will be better here than there!

Anyway.

I’ll share MORE photos of our trip to Batam over the next few days!

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Just recently, I had a chat with a friend about her history of breastfeeding and how it all started out badly for her.

After the baby was born, she was ready to exclusively breastfeed, but upon reaching home from the hospital, the confinement lady (whom her mother in law engaged as a ‘gift’ for her) kept giving the baby formula.

My friend shared with me how she’d wake up from her nap with painful and engorged breasts, ready to breastfeed her baby, only to see her baby sleeping soundly because the confinement lady chose to not wake the Mommy (though she’s been asked to do so), and simply gave the bottle.

It was a frustrating experience for her. She knew about the benefits of breastfeeding, tried to breastfeed her baby, but she didn’t have the support at home.

[Top right photo: Less than 10-minute-old Anya being weighed next to the delivery room at TMC. She was 3.970 kg]

…

How was YOUR breastfeeding experience, btw?

As for me, when I look back and think about my own experience, I must say it was all relatively smooth sailing (with minor hiccups here and there along the way).

Both Anya and Vai were born at Thomson Medical Centre (TMC), and the nurses were supportive when I asked for total breastfeeding.

[Photo: Less than a day old Vai and Mommy at TMC]

Wilson and I attended TMC’s in-house Parentcraft session, conducted by Mrs Wong Boh Boi (its Senior Lactation Consultant), and found the tips and live-demo REALLY helpful!

I exclusively breastfed Anya and Vai till they both started their solids at the age of 5.5 months.

Anya was breastfed for 13.5 months, and Vai for 22.5months.

…

[This was when we appeared in Baby Plus magazine back in 2007. That's 3yo Anya on the right. Vai was 5.5 months old, and was sleeping AND breastfeeding in that shot!]

I know there are many mommies out there who’re struggling with breastfeeding, or are in a lookout for more insights and help from experts.

I sure am not an expert, but I’d like to share with you tips and other insights which I learned and picked up from different sources.

Here they are.

WHY BREAST MILK IS THE BEST SOURCE OF NUTRITION

- Human breast milk is designed to be THE perfect baby food because it has all the nutrients needed to support the optimal growth of a baby (ie. Though it may not be possible for everyone, … if you could, you should try and breastfeed your child)

- Health experts all over the world recommend that babies should be exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life because of the overwhelming benefits for both mother and child

- A mother’s nutritional demands are greatest during breastfeeding and she needs MORE calories in her diet than when she was pregnant. Good nutrition is therefore extra important.

[Anya and Vai: Breastfed babies at 11 months old]

…

MORE BREASTFEEDING TIPS :

- Try to place baby at the breast as soon as possible after birth. Ideally, this will happen right in the delivery room.

- Try to get some professional help, such as a lactation specialist or a nurse who is knowledgeable about breastfeeding to help and observe your technique.

- It would be better to have mothers and babies in the same hospital room, as this allows mothers to rest while the baby nurses. Breastfeeding can be relaxing, not tiring.

- Try to nurse on demand (may be up to twelve feedings a day).

- Don’t let your baby sleep through a feeding. If it’s been three hours since your newborn last fed, then it’s time to wake him or her up.

- Nurse for as long as the baby wants. Most newborns require ten to forty-five minutes to complete a feeding.

- The key to successful breastfeeding is a proper latch. Before you leave the hospital you should be shown how to get your baby latched on properly. You should also know that he is actually getting milk from the breast.

…

More useful links on breastfeeding from:
- Health Promotion Board
- Familydoctor.org
- Breastfeeding.com

…

When I was breastfeeding Anya and Vai, I remember how I drank lots of water, soya milk and fresh milk every day.

I knew I had to eat well too as breast milk’s quality does depend on the mother’s dietary intake too.

[Btw, I ate a lot AND frequently as I was hungry all the time!  I tried to go for more nutritious meals over junk food too. Tough at times, I must say]

I didn’t know (until recently) that there’s apparently milk that’s specially formulated for breastfeeding moms, called Anmum^TM Lacta (the only one in the market!)

It contains all sorts of nutrients that breastfeeding moms need in order to give nutritious goodness to the breastfed child.

[If only I had known about this some few years ago!]

Anyway, while we’re on the topic of breastfeeding, I’d like to share with you THREE more things.

If you go to this link: http://www.anmum-mum.com.sg, you’ll find out how you can:

- request for a sample from Anmum^TM

- register for FREE to attend their Breastfeeding Forum, scheduled for July 31st!

The speakers include: Mrs Wong Boh Boi (an excellent lactation specialist!) and Dr Ang Poon Liat (who happened to be my two kids’ pediatrician at the time they’re born).

- enter a Breastfeeding Pledge Contest and WIN prizes!

…

And here’s one extra good news:

If you’re one of the selected contest winners, you’ll be receiving an EXTRA HAMPER from Our Everyday Things!

Yup, MORE goodies for you!

NOTE:

When you’re submitting your pledge online, there’ll be a drop down menu and remember to choose ‘BLOG’ and write ‘Our Everyday Things’ there to get that extra hamper from me, if you won the contest!

SO exciting!

Can’t wait to give that hamper away to you, readers! All the best!

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