Chilling Out

In this sweltering heat, what's best than to soak in a pool of cool water, enjoy the sea breeze, shop in freezing malls and of course some ice-cream. And that's what we did these couple of weeks to beat the heat.

At the pool, getting wet and giving duckie a shower.

We were in the mall but came out for some fresh air as it was getting really cold inside, freezing cold, which explains the extra layer on Chloe.

Catching the breeze together. Let's grab some home!

Sand castles fit for the kings and queens in the making

'Testing out new wheels... something is missing here.'

'Ahh... now we are talking. The real deal! Oh! Another 16 years and I shall bring you home. Vroooom....!'

Love is sharing an ice cream together

And here is the ultimate heat buster! Hosing herself down while helping with the watering. Chloe was helping Simon to water the plants by just holding on the hose, somehow she managed to wrestle it out of his hands and ended up 'watering' herself. She did water the plants initially but very slowly she turned the nozzle on herself. That cheeky grin...

Giving her butt a pat, the wet test, to see if she's all wet or wet enough

And of course, she's never wet enough even though she's dripping all over. At this point, she decided that she's going to share the joy of being wet and cool, she turned the nozzle in our direction, sending us running like mad chicken. She laughed so hard till she hiccuped to see us dodging her water gun. 'Shoot! Shoot!'

Nothing is left dry and hot after this spray of water.

Standing nap

Nice pose? She was Miss Grump minutes before this, a total meltdown. Struggling to keep herself awake, not wanting to nap, she ran rounds around the sofa grumbling, crying and eventually collapse on the sofa. Eyes closed, she was still grumbling with finger in her mouth but finally fell asleep leaning on the sofa. So it's true you can stand and sleep.

The things we do during breakfast

Breakfast time is an eat and play affair. The first 10 minutes she will sit and eat her food, her favorite breakfast, a bowl of nice warm rice porridge with pork balls or fish with carrots. She dislike bread the most for breakfast. You will know whether the food passed the major 'Like or Dislike' test when she shares it with Sunny. Once it's finished she will get down from her chair and brings the bowl to Sri for washing.

The show begins the moment Chloe steps into the kitchen. She will check what Sri is doing and will want to have a go at it especially if she is preparing the raw ingredients for lunch. And if she is cooking, she will want to watch and imitate her stirring or frying actions.

This is her makeshift kitchen top and her personal chopping board. Today she is helping to cut up the cabbage but more like stabbing it to death. She loves the kitchen cos of all the different things each drawers and cabinets holds. This is her favorite drawer with all the ladles, spatulas and baking stuff.

The chef taking a break with a packet of Popper juice, a treat. The sugar rush... She's enjoying every sip.

My attempt to take a picture with both of them laying side by side failed. Sunny was laying on the floor and Chloe went over to join him. No idea what she is doing, I think she's trying to dig out the little loose stones.

Her love for shoes. Trying on my sandals and trying to walk with them, comical.

And this is what kept her busy for the longest time. Finger painting or the whole hand actually. This was something she disliked the most 5 months ago, the texture and the whole thing about getting her hands all dirty and slimy. Now, it's just the opposite, the dirtier, the happier. Hands, legs, face, clothes and just about everywhere.

Next up, the bathtub! Another favorite on her list.

For my Yiyi!

Happy! Happy! Happy!

For now, I only know how to wish you 'Happy! Happy! Happy!'. I promised that by your next birthday, I'll wish you more than happy. I'll sing you 'Happy Birthday' too. Have a great one!

Painting the Walls

To keep Chloe occupied for a few minutes while I re-iron a top (yes, I'm super anal about clothes not iron properly and my helper happened to be not very good with ironing yet), I let her paint since it's the thing I figure would hold her in one place for 5 minutes. I squeezed this new Crayola gel paint I bought into a container and gave her an old magazine to paint as I can't find any paper. She dipped her finger and gave Brad Pitt a red face followed by a smack and ruined some local socialite's gown. Cool! So she's very into it now. I made a dash for the ironing room to get my lines straightened out.

5 minutes later, I came out and she is painting the bathroom tiles. The floor is already covered and so is the white toilet seat. Thank goodness, this stuff comes off with a swipe without leaving any stains.

'This is the way I paint the walls when mammy is busy to play me.'

Firefighter

Chloe had some great fun at the family carnival at the park today. The usually quiet park was packed with tents, stalls, booths and a bouncy castle for the kids. Line were snaking from the different stalls as they were all dishing out freebies like ice-cream, pop-corns candy floss, lemonade and balloons. There were also clowns on stilts walking around, freaking Chloe out. We ended up joining the queue for balloons as that is the only thing she wants.

Along with a 2 of her regular playmates at the playground, they went tumbling in the bouncing castle. She was jumping, tumbling and falling all over the place having great fun when the man supervising the castle decided to let some 12 years old giants into the tiny castle to so call 'help look after the little ones'. The fun ended for the 3 of them as the giants threatened to tear the whole castle apart and stomp the little ones into pancakes, kids being kids, they want their share of fun too.

The plastic safety hat which Chloe got from the Civil Defence booth. Her precious toy of the day which she later let all her toys have a try.

The Ears That Saves My Sanity

My crying baby, a few minutes ago is now a happy cat

Her one dose of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse

You would not believe that just a few minutes ago she was wailing and flinging herself on the floor. Tears, mucus and saliva, the whole waterworks. All because she wanted me to carry her around just for fun, entertainment and I refused. Right! I was on the verge of stuffing earplugs and lock myself in the bathroom when I spot the 'ears' laying on couch. I picked it up, chuck it on her head, carry her into the bathroom. A screaming human cat pounding and scratching, demanding her share of fun.

Me: See, you look yucky. I don't want to carry yucky, crying baby. (Pointing to her in the mirror)
Chloe: NO!! (Still sobbing away)
Me: We clean up and I'll show you a cat.
Chloe: (She nodded her head)

So after wiping her, I took the eyeliner and transformed her into 'Cat Girl'. The frown gave way to a cheeky grin and she immediately adjusted her 'ears' properly and asked to be let down.

Me: So what does the cat says?
Chloe: Meeeow, mammy.
Me: Cat says meow, Chloe says mammy.
Chloe: (Smile)

Friends again!

Dance with me

I have a dancing queen at home! Chloe fell in love with the song 'Sway' by Pussycat Dolls, this is one of the songs from the 'Shall We Dance' soundtrack which I bought on impulse years ago (yes, it has been in cold storage for years) and which I pulled out randomly to play for her. It sure fired up her happy feet cells. The moment the music starts, she twirls, spins and marches around the living hall and she makes sure no one is sitting down, yes including Sunny.

So, we have a very excited toddler and an even more excited dog, barking at the top of his voice wondering what the hell is happening, why is this little person chasing me round the house and on top of that Chloe's happy squeals and shouts. Together, they almost brought the house down.

Imagine her, hands on hips, swaying from side to side then from squatting down, she started rolling her hands (like singing 'Wheels On the Bus') to a standing position and back down again. Cool moves, she did much better than me for her first time on the dance floor. She even have this alternate hands reaching for the sky with index finger pointing upwards. No pictures as I'm one of the disco babes (expired) on the dance floor with her, waddling like a penguin.