Sweet Buns

Tried this sweet bun recipe from happyhomebaking's blog but obviously I didn't shape it nicely enough. The texture of this bun was supposed to light and fluffy but but I just couldn't get enough of the fluffiness. Will give it a try again soon.

Her Masterpiece

Brought her today to Tanjong Pagar CC to attend the Art Class conducted by KinderArt. Each of the student was given a chance to paint on their own canvas as masterpiece. Teacher Rudy was the teacher for today.

Well, the theme for today were cupcakes and the kids were taught how to conceptualise their idea and shape, not exactly to draw a cupcake out. Anyway, at least Giselle tried and I must say hers was quite a colourful piece :)

Her Favourite Hunt now - Rooftop Garden

Ever since her Daddy has brought Giselle to the roof-top garden at the top level of our carpark, she cannot stop requesting for it after dinner almost everyday.

She loves to blow bubbles, find and observe the different types of worms and ants there. When I am there with her, she would introduce me to new things that she has discovered previously. Sort of became her own territory now. haha

Just happened that her good friend, Ethan has came over to visit today, we suggested to bring both of them to the garden to take a look.

My little Gal coming to 4 years old in less than 2 mths

I just brought her for flu vaccination last Fri and I was surprised that she weighted 15.7kg. It was really a big jump because I used to think that Giselle is only 14kg. Came to my mind that she has grown up quite a bit recently.

Besides asking the reasons why, why, why, she can draw quite well now. At least something that I can interpret what she is drawing. haha.

Got back her progress file from her school and bascially she is able to meet the almost all the criterias. Other than being very independent, she is able to mingle well with her friends and know the virtue of sharing and taking turns. She could read most of the words given to her as well. However, I find she is not able to meet up with the expections during her speech and drama class. Alot of aspects needs to be encouraged like, facial expressions, initiative etc.

Her writings is neater now and she can sit down the whole hour at her desk at home to write and write... Well, not because she is really hardworking academically, but she does it so that I can "mark" and give her "chops" on her exercise book. haha. Kids are still kids! :)

Matcha Chiffon

Another chiffon cake again. haha.

One of my good friends passed this recipe to me as my brother been wanted me to bake one for him. He said he tried once at Tampopo Jap Restuarant and it was very nice. I told him I don't have such standard but no harm trying out.

This round, my eggwhite couldn't obtain the good stiff peak that I wanted as my eggwhite wasn't pure enough. Wanted to redo but I had ran out of eggs. Hence, no choice, just have to continue with it.

The batter was abit watery compared to the usual chiffon batters that I did previously. Hence, instead of scooping the batter via wooden spoon into the cake tin, I just pour the whole batter into the chiffon tin.

The end result was a soft, dense chiffon cake. haha.

Updates on Giselle's Swimming Class

My little gal is learning to dive into the water with her hands up as shown in the photo above. Initially she really relunctant to do that but now she is getting better.

Cheese Chiffon Cake

Since NTUC was having promotion for cream cheese, I bought 2 blocks and tried my hands on Cheese Chiffon.

The end result was a soft, light and fluffy cake but I couldn't take much of the cheese though. I find it is more like a normal vanilla sponge cake. hehe.

KinderArt, held in Giselle's School

The above shows 2 of Giselle's drawing done during her Art Lessons with KinderArt. This centre teaches "Concept Drawings" and the fundamental art elements. Well, if you ask me, I really don't see the "concept" at all. Her ART teacher kept saying Giselle is good etc etc.

Anyway, since Giselle loves this class so much, I will just let her continue with the next Term.

A Pair of Loveable Twins

Today went to visit one of my good friends at Raffles Hospital who has just given birth on 11 May 09 to a pair of "Long-Feng-Tai" through c-section. They are named " Jayden" and "Sheila".

They were just so adorable and I couldn't stop carrying them. Their mummy said they are now sucking well now :)

Jayden looks just like his 3 year old brother when he was just born. For Sheila, though she is smaller, her sucking power is no less than his little elder brother who was born 2 mins ahead of her.

Wish these 2 little baobeis will grow up healthy and strong!!!

Giselle's Visit to the Dental - Part II

BEFORE AFTER

Well, if you did read about her 1st visit to the dental clinic, you should know it was a flop as she refused to open her golden mouth.

After recommended by one of my good friend, I brought Giselle to the School Dental Service at Health Promotion Board for 2nd try. I was thinking even if she didn't co-operate with me this round, the cost would only be $9.

She was very excited prior to this visit and kept talking about it. Last night, we even had a pretend play where she played as patient and myself as the dentisit. I asked her why had she come to see me today? I was thinking she will reply as "because I want to have clean teeth". But she didn't. She said "Because I want to take stickers". Hahaha. Both of us had a good laugh by her reply :) Kids replies are always to innocent and direct!!!

When she saw the lady Dentist today, she did say "hello!" to the dentisit. But seconds later, her fear surfaced again...

But the dentist was very friendly and patient with Giselle. First she asked Giselle to rinse her mouth, and in order for her to reach the cup, she needs to climb on the dental chair. That's how she got Giselle to get on the chair and lie down (slowly). After that, she managed to get Giselle to open her mouth by saying that she need to brush her teeth. Hence, Giselle slowly opened her mouth to let the toothbrush go in. As the dentist was brushing for her, she checked on Giselle's teeth too. What a smart trick!

Dentist told Giselle's teeth are basically very clean, just some stain on the surface which are caused by good bacteria. With this good bacteria, her teeth will have a lower risk of tooth decay. Phew!:)

Slowly the Dentist told her to guggle Giselle mouth again. Then the cleaning process starts. She got Giselle to wear a cute sunglass and try the polishing tool on Giselle's finger nails. After Giselle got comfortable, she started to put the cleaning tool in Giselle's mouth and started polishing the tooth one by one. The Dentisit also let Giselle play with the suction tube (to suck out saliva) before putting it in her mouth.

Finally, Giselle completed the "big task" of paying a visit to the Dentisti SUCCESSFULLY! I am just so proud of her!!! Or maybe I should say I am so proud of myself for bring her to the dental. At least my gal now has overcome her fear to the dental :)

Happy Mothers' Day to ALL!!!

Did a layered Strawberry-cum-Peaches Sponge cake to bring to my Parents-in-Law Place for a little gathering.

I bought a Japanese non-dairy cream from Meidiya to frost the cake. This is my 1st time using non-cream and you could see it wasn't well done at all. I have to use ice to keep the cream temperature while whipping it.

The cream melted a little when it was brought to my PIL house. Everyone enjoyed the cake though and the best thing is I forgot to take a picture of the interior after it was sliced out. Nevertheless, the cream was very very yummy!

Apple-Cinnamon Crumble Cake

I have always been a fan of Apple Crumble and hence when I chanced upon a similar recipe in a book, I told myself to give a try on it.

For the crumbs, it is just unsalted butter rubbed in self-rising flour (sifted with cinnamon powder). For the base, it is a layer of butter cake which is thinner than usual). I was lucky that the results was very good (according to my husband). The sourness of the apple gave the whole cake a nice taste when the crumbs and the butter cake were mixed with sugar. Luckily I reduced the sugar a whole lot :)

Having fun at the Outdoor Space of Central Library

Since is Labour Day today, we brought Giselle to Bras Basah Complex to get some books. Thereafter, we went to Peck Siah Street for Hainanese Pork Chop Lunch and then coffee at Hanis @ Central Library. She loves the pork chop and kept asking for more rice to go with it...

Giselle had alot of fun running about the big open space... Actually sad to say it has been a long time since we had the chance to bring her out without any enrichment classes on the same day.

From the video above, she was actually counting the coloured flags hung on the ceiling :)

Her Little Project @ Home

Giselle is very into drawing "Mr Sunny" recently. Hence, I borrowed a science book on "Sun" from the library.

After reading the book to her, I asked her to do a little project by drawing a sun as a coverpage. 90% of the drawing were done by her. I only chipped in to help on the mountains...

Once she finished with the coverpage, she continued to draw a "family portrait" of us inside it. Of course, she didn't spell my name correctly... haha.

A new Hairstyle that I suddenly thought of...

Thought of this new pattern suddently and wanted to try on Giselle. She got impatient while I was tying for her but I am happy with the results.

Raisins & Choc Chips Mini-Muffin

Wanted to bake some muffins for Giselle and hence got this recipe from happybakingmum's blog. This round I let Giselle joined in the process and she really enjoyed it very much. Of course, part of her enjoyment also came from messing up my ingredients... Haha!

Art Lessons for Giselle

This little girl really likes to attend Art Lessons. So far, I have only sign her up for the Art enrichment class at her Fairfield school for every wed, 11.45am - 12.45pm. This lesson is conducted by external vendor, Kinderart.

Initially I was quite skeptical of this class as I find she didn't learn much. But after what Teacher Rudy told me, I have decided to let her continue. Teacher said Giselle is very attentive and independent. She takes instructions very well and finish her work fast too.

Almost everyday she will ask me when is her art class. haha.

"Fun-Loving Girl"...

That's what her Gong-gong always describe her... :)

When comes to playtime with her Gong-gong, she will go crazy - non-stop laughing, scream, jumping and running about. Sometimes make me think whether she is a girl or boy.. haha.

Golden Baked Breaded Pork Cutlets

I copied a recipe from Internet quite some time ago and decided to try it today. Since it was baked in the oven, I find the overall texture rather dry. But the taste was quite alright.

However, this is a healthy version of a "deep-fried" food for kids.

The "Why" questions...

It really made me dumb-folded at times. I guess it is a stage when all parents have to go through with their kids.

Sometimes, I will throw back the question of "why" to her and she became speechless too. Haha. But at times, i will try to reply her questions and if I am not sure about the answers, I told her I will find out the answers for her later.