Painting

Let's introduce some paints to Kris. I started with GALT non toxic finger paints. Fingers paints are thicker than normal paints and are suitable as an introduction to young kids.

Kris looked with enthusiastic as I poured the different color of paints on a plate. I passed her a brush and roller brush. She hesitated and decided to dip the brush into the red paint. Next she lifted her brush and decide to dot the paper. This got her started and soon she was doing it so much faster and with fun. The roller brush is abandoned after a while as she does not know how to control the rolling mechanism.

Soon, she had paint on her face, clothes and on our sofa! Luckily, this kind of paint is easily washable.

Passing of Mr Lee Kuan Yew

Singapore lost our founding father, one of the greatest leader of the 20th century on 23 Mar 2015.

Thank you for all that you have done for Singapore. Your story will stay with many generations and I will definitely pass those learning to my children.

Reading

Since Kris was in my tummy, my husband and I read to her daily as part of our sleeping routine. This is not to give Kris a literacy headstart  but rather to get her familiarized to our voices.

Do I find it a chore? Come to think of it... I don't! My husband and I both enjoy taking turning picking our story to read or songs to sing. My favorite choices are fairytale and nursery rhymes while my husband favorite is the current news.

This daily routine continues till today. Seeing Kris ran towards us with a book in hand, waking up flipping the story book or dance as we sing along gave us great comfort and joy knowing that she loves reading and singing.

Reading Tips 

•  It does not needs to be a fairy tale. It can range from current news, cookbooks or fiction books.
• Reading should be fun. Inject different voices and hamming it up. Eg: When I read about a pig, I oinked! This tickled Kris and also taught her about the sounds that animals made. 
• Reading is part of bonding and not part of a chore.
• Relate the story. Eg: If I read about a day out in the zoo. I will tell Kris what we do in the zoo.
• Reading should be spontaneous. Its not you reading but both of you reading. Eg: When I read about bears, I will ask Kris whether she has any toy bear. This always allow her to think and find her toys. In return, we always give her a clap and this encourages her.

Our attentive reader

Adelaide

Thinking of a holiday destination with Kris in mind can be rather challenging. We came down with a few criteria:

Weather should be cool
Flight time should be acceptable
Transportation should be conveniently accessible
Destination should be child friendly
Toddler food should be easily accessible 

After much deliberation, we decided on Adelaide and our verdicts after the trip:

Night flights are NOT as comfortable and encouraging as what we thought. Kris had a difficult time falling asleep and was frustrated and grouchy throughout the 7 hours flight as there were a lot of disturbance around such as dinner was served at 1am!!! We had to take turns singing and cradling her.

The weather was fantastic ranging from 15 degrees to 20 degrees although it's suppose to be summer. Kris absolutely enjoyed the cool weather and often fell asleep in the baby carrier, snuggled and cool.

Apartments with a kitchen, washer and dryer are highly recommended as occasional dinners may be spent indoors, clothes can be washed and re-wore thus lightening the luggage space. We stayed over at Adina Apartment which is truly gorgeous and kids friendly. Kris had her share of fun whizzing within this 1 bedroom compact apartment. The apartment is also a stone throw away from the main shopping street.

Full Day tours are NOT advisable with young kids as they are unable to sit still in the coach and often Kris was crying her hearts out to the dismay of many of the other passengers.

Wildlife park is a MUST go. Kris enjoyed herself at Cleland Wildlife Park feeding ducks and kangaroos, touching and posing with the koalas and wombats, wandering around the huge park. After we came back from the park, Kris pointed to a kangaroo poster and told us "roo". Oh my little sunshine.

Walking down the streets feels so enjoyable and relaxed. The streets are wide and almost empty. Kris had a great time chasing pigeons, stomping on dried leaves, waving hello to others and listening and dancing toward the music that many buskers performed along Flinders street.

The supermarket is littered with food, adults or kids. We bought numerous type of goodies to be brought home for Kris and her hungry cousin. The restaurants are also very kids friendly, equipped with highchairs and kids utensils. Nursery rooms are also very easily accessible and abundance.

During the flight back, Kris was depleted of energy and slept for most part of the trip. :)

Our little map reader

Ducks Feeding

Posing with the koalas

Patrick the Dog

When my husband saw how much Kris enjoyed Emma, he bought her another of the animal themed balloon. Kris did not disappoint her papa and enjoyed running round the house with Patrick hopping behind her.
It's been 7 days and the bond between Kris and Patrick is growing strong. Mornings are spent chasing one another, nights are spent cuddling.
I wonder whether I should buy more of such animal themed balloons from the internet shop and have the balloon shop air them up.