Simply Lambchops

Homemade Spiderman costume (for girls)

homemade costume Tuesday, September 23, 2014

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K's first typing exercise

all about K Monday, September 22, 2014

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This was part of a Teachers Day event organised by the Parent Partnership Committee (PPC), or more well-known as the Parent Support Group (PSG), from Ch's school. Pre-packed DIY crafts like pop-up cards, lollipop flowers and teabag envelopes were sold by the PPC as part of the Teachers Day celebration, to allow the children to make their gift of appreciation. The children could choose to "mail" their hand-made gifts to their teachers through the PPC Post by dropping them into the red mailbox.

DIY Cardboard Mail Box craft by Simply Lambchops

It all started during the brainstorming session by the PPC committee about the sale of DIY crafts to the school children. Someone suggested a postage service and I immediately volunteered to take charge of making the mailbox. It would be fun making something out of cardboard and it was certainly one way of getting rid of the cardboard boxes I have been keeping in my storeroom for projects like this!

I came across this tutorial by The Busy Budgeting Mama and oh, I love the simple yet classic look of the mailbox! The instructions were easy enough to follow, with pictures and short descriptions of the steps needed.

With a top slit and box drawer added. Oops, a Photobomber!

However when I wanted to paint the mailbox, I realised many of the usual painting media could not cover the colourful print of the cardboard! The glossy surface also made it difficult for the paint to stay on without being scratched off easily! In the end, I tried to spray paint it but I could still see the colourful print through the red layer. I was this close to just pasting red paper all over the mailbox as some of my blogger friends suggested. But I refused to give up. I love the bright red of the spray paint and I was determined to use that (sorry, my stubborn, OCD trait revealed!)

I figured that the glossy surface was the main problem. So, without wasting this big beautiful cardboard, I turned it inside out to expose the matte paper surface. Plus, the spray paint just wouldn't bind to the duct tape. I had to add a layer of masking tape on top of all the duct tape and the spray paint worked beautifully after that.

Ch and L were very fascinated by the completed mailbox and pretended to mail their own parcels and letters. Even the school children were very interested in the mailbox when it was brought over to the school!

Photo by Jo

The mailbox is an excellent toy for children as it encourages creative pretend play among young children. You can make felt envelopes like The Busy Budgeting Mama or just give your children some paper as envelopes. The kids can even do a dress-up play with a mailman-looking shirt! Such pretend play encourages language development as it involves communication skills, as well as social emotional development as the child learns to cooperate and interact with appropriate behaviours while playing together. Lastly, it doesn't cost much to make, and you can engage your child to participate in the crafting process by cutting the tapes (under adult supervision) or painting the box (you can choose to use acrylic paint which is less toxic to children).

If you would like to borrow the mailbox for some pretend play with your child, drop me a comment here.

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A hike up Bukit Timah Nature Reserve

Exploring Singapore Sunday, September 07, 2014

If you have not been to the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve (BTNR) or can't even remember when you last set foot there, it's time to visit the nature reserve before it closes to the public on 15 Sept 2014. You still have one more week to catch a scenic walk up to the Summit! The nature reserve will be closed to the public in two phases. The first phase will last for six months for the National Parks Board to carry out stabilisation work of the slopes. After which, the Main Road Trail leading to the Summit will be re-opened to visitors during the weekends. The rest of the nature reserve will be closed for about 18 months for other restorative works to be carried out on the trails and forests. We can also expect a new visitor centre at the foot of the BTNR.

I was happy that Ch's classmate and his dad were able to join our church's Brothers@Walk program to enjoy a Saturday morning walk at the BTNR. We walked along the Dairy Farm loop which was north of the hill. Some parts of the trail were muddy as it rained heavily the day before, and there were many parts with long flights of steps that challenged our physical endurance. I was half-hoping to have a more toned butt and thighs after that step-up workout but it gave me aching muscles for two days instead. The children were much better than many of the adults! The boys, including L, were in front of us most of the time and they didn't even look tired after we reached the Summit. Ch caught up with them eventually and also had commendable performance in conquering all the steps, some of which required more than two hands and a trekking pod to stabilise herself.

Briefing before the hike

Step by step to the Summit!

When we reached the Summit, one of the well-known residents of the BTNR snatched a pack of biscuits from T's bag. The action was swift and deft, and got the children very excited. A few of the adults started shouting to warn the kids to stay away from the monkey. It got very bold and even went to ransack an unattended plastic bag left on the bench by one of our church friends! After that small adventure, a group photo with the iconic rock at the Summit was taken before we proceeded down the hill.

The hike could have been at a slower pace for those who are less physical, so that we could catch our breaths and chat along the way. Also, I had a natural instinct to focus on the forest floor to prevent myself from slipping, and missed out on the majestic view of the tall trees and the fauna above me. Nonetheless, I was rewarded with the smaller details of the forest. There were many rubber seed capsules that had already split open and were strewn all around, tiny yellow fungi with their hyphae sticking up to say hello to their visitors, lots of lichens and bracket fungus, thick carpets of moss on the rocks and plenty of smaller plants.

This beautiful nature reserve is famous for the dipterocarp forest that is found on this hill as such a forest type usually occurs much higher above sea-level. It also contains at least 40% of the fauna and flora of Singapore even though the land area is less than 1% of the country's area. It is also a home to a very rare species of crab - the Singapore Freshwater Crab - that can only be found locally. While walking down the trail, I saw some of the badly eroded slopes that have been cordoned off. This extensive restorative work is indeed much needed to preserve the primary rainforest in our urban jungle.

Bukit Timah Nature Reserve by Simply Lambchops

Looking forward to a restored BTNR in 2016!

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We love home projects and costume parties!

homemade costume Thursday, September 04, 2014

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Wordless Wednesday #17 : The boy at his sweetest

Wordless Wednesday Wednesday, August 27, 2014

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All about K: She is THREE!

all about K Tuesday, August 19, 2014

Birthdays mark the end of a year of growth and development, a year of experiences, and a joyous start to the next year. Our family celebrated K's 3-year-old birthday yesterday, and this special day reminds us of the mercy and love our Heavenly Father has shown us since her birth, and especially for the past one year when she was hospitalised at the paediatric ICU twice. That was a total of 76 days being critically ill.

Our princess warrior survived Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO), kidney dialysis, chest tube insertion, intubations and ventilated using the High Frequency Oscillatory Ventilation (HFOV), numerous X-rays, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitations (CPR) performed on her, countless pricks for various blood tests and multiple insertion of feeding tubes through her nose into her stomach/small intestines - all these just in the last one year. I did a count on the number of medical specialists who help us manage her physical health currently - she sees the cardiac specialist, the respiratory specialist, gastroenterology specialist, renal specialist, eye specialist, ENT specialist for her ear, neurology specialist and her paediatrician who oversees her development. Not forgetting her endearing team of dietician and therapists for physiotherapy and feeding. I still need to add on a speech therapist for her speech and language development and an occupational therapist (both roles assumed by me for now). That is a loooong list of medical staff she sees!

Despite all these, K has repeatedly reminded us of God's promise for us that we are able to bear all these challenges and overcome them. Yes, we cried and were saddened each time she was critically ill with pneumonia. We almost stopped breathing when her oxygen dropped so low that she had to be given CPR to be resuscitated. We pained each day when she was on ECMO as well as being ventilated by the breathing tube. But each time, we continued to hold on to God, and we know that God hears our prayers and knows our pain too, and His plans will always be the best for K.

Each time K was critically ill in the PICU, she emerged stronger - not in terms of physical strength, but by her fighting spirit. Each time, she fought on harder, and overcame those hurdles in her life. The first time she stayed at PICU last year, she started doing the four-point crawl, a movement she didn't display for many months despite many physiotherapy sessions. The second time she stayed at the PICU in Feb this year, she was able to vocalize more sounds after her discharge. This recent admission left her physically the weakest. She did not have the strength to lift her head and arms, roll over or even sit up for many weeks. But slowly, little by little, she cooperated with me to complete her exercises and regained much of her strength to prove that she can.

She is also a very observant child, and imitates us well. She "uses" the stethoscope in a rather professional way, "checks" her temperature with the ear thermometer, and even knows that the sensor of the pulse oximeter should be fixed onto her finger for it to work! To my horror, I even caught her turning the control knob of the oxygen concentrator (a machine that delivers a concentrated level of oxygen to her) just like how I do it.

As we continue to walk this journey with K, to support her in whatever ways she needs, we pray that she will continue to shine her light for God to encourage the people around her, to continue her joyful outlook and not feel burdened by any factor that can weigh her spirits down, and to always look to God when she needs the strength to overcome any challenge. We are thankful to everyone who has played a part in her life to make it better, and happier for her.

Happy birthday, K!

PS. May I request for you to write a birthday wish or message to K? We will be reading all the birthday messages to her so that she knows she is so loved.

Linking up with Mum in the Making

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Happy 49th birthday, Singapore!

Saturday, August 09, 2014

Today is our nation's birthday! We are wearing red, just like what we do every year, to show our pride and love for Singapore! And the taste of pride was even sweeter when we saw fellow Singaporeans donning their red and white attire on our way for a morning picnic with our friends. This evening, we will also be waiting to watch the National Day Parade celebrations on TV, just like we have always done.

Having fun playing with acrobatic sets!

Our National Day picnic group photo!

This year, my wish for Singapore is to continue to have success and prosperity, as well as the peace and security we have always enjoyed. In the past, we didn't have to worry for our safety when we walked along the streets at night, and we shouldn't have to, in the future too. May our leaders to continue to be impartial, reliable and true to their promise for the nation. There has been a lot of talk about the younger generation being too vocal about their displeasure for our government. Though I agree with some of the displeasures brought up, to be fair, many of our leaders have been delivering good works.

To my children, it is my wish that you will remember the good things and opportunities that Singapore has to offer instead of focussing on what we lack and grumbling about it. I hope that wherever you may be in the future, you will continue to love Singapore, and to feel proud to be a Singaporean just like how you are now. Work hard for yourself and for God, and be a useful citizen, remembering that no one owes you a living. We have to create the future we want to see in Singapore ourselves. I also pray that you will grow to be a gracious citizen and contribute back to the society, especially for the disadvantaged, to your best ability.

K joining in the fun while we watch the NDP!

To my ex-students, it is comforting to know that many of you are doing well after your secondary school years, be it in your studies or careers. This is what your teachers have always emphasized and wish for, and I am happy that I have a little part to play in grooming the future of Singapore. I have benefitted from many of my ex-students through their course of work. For example, one is a capable nurse at NUH and took good care of K when she was hospitalised. One is a pre-school teacher whom in her own ways, encourage and remind me that everyone is unique, and that all can succeed. We just have to be patient with the progress. I pray that all of you will continue to do your best in whatever you do, and remember that you are the future of Singapore!

This is home truly,

where I know I must be.

Where my dreams wait for me,

where the river always flows.

What wishes do you have for Singapore? Do share them with me!

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A poem for Ch

Wednesday, July 30, 2014

[Reminiscing the past]

Many years ago, when Ch was probably about 3 years old, we met our friend - Phillip - for the first time at the church where we worship. The funny thing was, Ch wasn't stranger-shy at all and started talking to our ang-moh friend. She even invited him to our place and gave him directions which probably wouldn't lead him to the right apartment if he had follow those instructions. Ch was (still is, but her shyness level has increased) a natural at holding conversations with any adult. I guess our friend must have been very amused by her innocence and mega cuteness then.

A poem written by our friend - Phillip V.

For Charlene --

“I’m going to a beautiful land.”

Was the song I heard her sing.

And as I wondered about this place.

My thoughts were on Charlene.

There is wonder, in a little girl

That is innocent and sweet.

And in her song she reminded me

Of the things I’d like to be.

The whimsy of the song she played.

Knowing the support she would receive.