Exploring Our Children’s Potentials

Last year I posted two old photos of mine. When I was about two or three years old, and when I had my third birthday.

And what do you know. I found another one when I was clearing up an old drawer at my mom’s place in Jakarta last November! I think I was about six years old in that photo.

[Err, I still can’t remember who that little girl was though!]

And gee, check out how HIGH UP my socks were! Thanks to my habit of pulling my socks to the MAX!

Anyway. I have people telling me – after seeing some photos of Anya  – how she looks like me when I was little. But if you ask me, I think Anya looks like me the most in this one. Yes? No?

Hmm I may be biased.

True joy comes from within. It doesn’t depend on what’s going on the outside.

True joy is like a flower that continually produces a really nice fragrance. Fragrance needs not be poured onto a flower for the flower to release that nice and fresh smell, because fragrance comes from within.

One who is full of joy is not necessarily a wealthy person. And, one who is wealthy is not necessarily full of joy.

One who is full of joy does not necessarily have a problem-free life. And, one whose life is always smooth-sailing does not necessarily have joy in his life.

If you’re wealthy but you know you have a sinful heart, you’d enjoy your wealth while feeling guilty. You may enjoy your smooth-sailing life, but you’d be reminded of the sins you’ve committed by that little voice in your heart and mind.

Many often relate joy to the amount of money they have in their bank and to the amount of physical wealth they own.

Let us start ‘counting’ our assets’ NOT from a materialistic point of view, but from the amount of TIME we have in our hands and the opportunities that are presented in front of us.

Let’s count our ‘assets’ based on how our emotions are well influenced by God’s holiness.

…

True joy is found in Jesus Christ. And it can be experienced when we ourselves have a personal relationship with HIM.

[Extracted from the book ‘Sanctification of Emotions’ by Stephen Tong]

… in a happy way. While waiting for our bus to come.

As you’d most probably know, entries to the Cheeky Little Soles baby shoes giveaway contest has officially been closed last night at 12am (again, thanks to Littletoez.com for the sponsoring the goodies!)

And to make things easier (when we randomly choose the four winners this weekend!), I’ve created a list of those who’re in the draw based on gender and date of entry. See if your name is there!

Thanks everyone for participating!

Will announce the four lucky owners of Cheeky Little Soles soft-soled baby shoes early next week!

All the best!!

Last Saturday we went with the kids to see this year’s Chingay Parade.

The last time we went was some three years ago. Vai wasn’t born then, and Anya was close to turning two. She was mesmerised by the colours and floats, but I guess she’s still a bit too young to enjoy and understand what it was all about.

This time round we couldn’t get to the ‘good spots’ though. The organiser apparently has changed the rules and they’ve reserved the ‘good areas’ for ‘ticket holders’.

Anyway.

Having been out and about since lunch time, we were there early. The kids watched the performers get their floats ready and their make-up done. Anya kept on telling me how she wanted to wear the butterfly costumes and join the parade when she’s much bigger, to which I said of course she could! I know I would love to participate in such events too if I had the chance.

When the parade finally started, we saw bits of fireworks from afar, colourful floats, acrobatic performances, people from different cultures and lots of other things.

The kids mostly stood and watched the parade with their heads sticking out between the railings. And although we had been out for some eight hours by then, they were still so chatty and energetic even when we’re already on our way back home.

I, on the other hand … just had to doze off, and rest my tired eyes and feet.

I’m getting old.

… And what do you see?

Click HERE to take an even closer look!

Now that Chinese New Year is over, what can we do with these empty hong baos (red packets)?

Recycle and use them for crafting with the kids!

We made our very own Hong Bao lanterns the other day!

(Do give it a try, … it’s actually easy to make!)

What you need:

1. Red packets

2. Construction paper (basically any kind of paper will do)

3. Glue, scissors

What you do:

1. Cut out one strip off the ‘long side’ of the construction paper (this will be the lantern’s ‘handle’)

2. Let the kid glue cut-out pieces of the red packets ONTO the construction paper
(Anya carefully covered the construction paper with red packets. I mean, neatly and COMPLETELY covered, while Vai pasted bits and pieces of the red packets EVERYWHERE)

3. Once done, then it’s the parent’s turn.

a) Fold the paper once (length-wise) into two (see picture)

b) Cut straight lines (about 1 inch wide from each other) across the paper, but don’t cut each strip ‘all the way’. Leave about 1 inch at each end (see picture)

4. Open up the paper again, and form a ‘cylinder’ (like a toilet paper roll), and glue the two ends

5. Stick the lantern’s handle, one on each side

And that’s it!!

…

Anya then kept on asking me to ‘light-up’ her lantern (as lanterns are ‘supposed to be lit up’, she said).

And so after the kids promised they wouldn’t touch anything and just ‘watch’ (after I explained that I’d be using fire on the candles, and it can be dangerous if they’re not careful), I took out a small birthday candle, stuck it onto a margarine lid, lit it up, and slowly lowered Anya’s hong bao lantern onto the margarine lid.

And WOW. Her lantern glowed SO wonderfully.

We loved it!

Just a quick reminder to everyone that the Cheeky Little Soles giveaway is ending THIS THURSDAY, 5 February, at 12 midnight, Singapore time!

Four super cute soft-soled leather baby shoes to be won!

Click HERE to read more about it, and to take part in this giveaway contest!
(you must leave your comments on the giveaway blog post)

All the best, everyone!