Rock On

This is Jens' latest activity to keep him active and healthy (without the aid of best weight loss pills). He copied it from the Red Wiggle - Murray. He always have this guitar when he's watching video. It's funny how kids emulate adults. He particularly likes the song Murray's Guitar Saved the World. It's one of the piece in the Hot Poppin' Popcorn (which Jens called Popcorn Popcorn).

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It's All About What's In Down Under | Permanence in Change | I Am A Shoeaholic | A Juggling Act | Healthy Living | The Life of a Tatapilla

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Water and Play

Last weekend, we went to a bbq (birthday party not first communion invitations). I know that Jens should be over with the "shy" phase but he still is. I think, that's his attitude now. It takes quite a while for him to warm up with other people that he don't see often.

While the other kids are having fun with the inflatable pool in the backyard he was playing with something else. He was still sort of hiding from them. Just when some have left, he started to mingle. He dip in the pool as well though the water was a bit murky.


We were just a few blocks from the beach so we decided to have a short trip. A trip that turned out to be more than an hour as he got caught up with all the rides at the park.

*****

It's All About What's In Down Under | Permanence in Change | I Am A Shoeaholic | A Juggling Act | Healthy Living | The Life of a Tatapilla

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Whys and Apologise

Recently, we've been inundated with why's. It's really funny as one simple talk can last up to 5 minutes with Jens asking why when I finish explaining. I read that normally, whys would arise when the kid is 3 years old and our Tatapilla here is just 2 years and almost 5 months.

Anyway, I'd like to apologise to those who visited this blog for the past couple of days and saw that my header didn't work. One of my accounts was suspended. I should really work on secure online backup
and get a copy of all tje data I have online. Who knows what are those.

*****

It's All About What's In Down Under | Permanence in Change | I Am A Shoeaholic | A Juggling Act | Healthy Living | The Life of a Tatapilla

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Little Helper

I’ve been to Orgjunkie again and found these very insightful and helpful tips on how to teach kids to be organised. This trait or habit if you may call it that is very essential in the place where we live – where help is not really affordable (for us that is).

Here are some developmentally appropriate examples of chores for the 2-to-4-year-old age group that you might use if you want to adapt the TV incentive:

• Unloading the dishwasher. Watch for sharp knives!
• Putting away toys/games when finished with them. Try to label boxes/tubs/drawers with pictures and words so even the littlest children (and visitors to your home) know where everything goes.
• Putting PJs under their pillow.
• Feeding fish.
• Clearing dishes from the table. Learning to carry plates carefully teaches caution and respect for objects.
• Folding small items like washcloths and hand towels. Do teach the proper way to fold; this will take longer the first few times, but then you can delegate the task entirely.

Benefits:

Responsible organizational habits and routine
Immediate incentive
TV is a privilege, not a right
Paper makes system clear, hopefully fewer battles
Reward is not a sweet
Priorities first

Jens has been very good with putting away stuff after using them. He has lots of bath toys and he’s been “packing away” them without being told when he’s finished having a bath. He puts used utensils on the sink. He keeps his toys away – this is a painful process (for me watching him) as he puts back everything that he has taken out of the box piece by piece. Imagine how many trips and how long does it takes as he has 2 sets of blocks among others. It is exercise enough that weight loss diet is not necessary – if done by adults.

He is at the age when helping is always fun and he is finding his independence. My little boy is slowly turning into a big guy, really.

*****

It's All About What's In Down Under | Permanence in Change | I Am A Shoeaholic | A Juggling Act | Healthy Living | The Life of a Tatapilla

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Fruit Bat

Your Name Comes From Jupiter

You are an open-minded, adventurous person who has an expansive view of the world. You are quite cosmopolitan, and inflexibility of any wort really turns you off. You're outgoing, warm, and jovial. You are willing to welcome all newcomers into your life. You celebrate life every single day. There's so much to learn and do. You love to take it all in.

What Planet Does Your Name Come From?

Blogthings: We'll Tell You The Truth... Someone Has To!

I took this test in behalf of The Tatapilla for fun. Oh well, I just hope he will turn half of what was said if anything at all and I’d be happy as a lark.

Anyway, since the weather started to get warm he is back to being a fruit bat. For some reason that I didn’t realise then, three months ago he turned his nose up on fruit that he used to love. Later, I deduced that it must be the cold weather that turned-off his appetite on fruit. Now, he is on it again – banana, grapes, water melon, rock melon, plums, etc. Just as well, as the fruit are in abundance these days. They’re yummy and juicy. Yet, with all this fruit eating, The Tatapilla hasn’t lost his big fat belly (which makes him look cute). If he’s an adult Stimerex ES would be on the shopping list to get rid of the love handles. But, I reckon Jens needs those curves as a buffer for when the next bug hits.

*****

It's All About What's In Down Under | Permanence in Change | I Am A Shoeaholic | A Juggling Act | Healthy Living | The Life of a Tatapilla

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And What Are the Latest?

Guitar. He’s been watching The Wiggles for quite sometime now and we bought him a small guitar over a month ago. But it was just last night when he started being a rocker. Although, he mimics the Red Wiggle who is not a rock star, Jens plays with his guitar like he is one. He’s been rounding the kitchen and lounge room last night. I took some video of him doing his stint on the bed but it isn’t good enough as he keeps on grabbing the cam as he wanted to see himself. This gives me the idea for his Christmas gift – The Wiggles guitar.

Concern. When he sees that you are wincing or heard you grunt, he’ll look you in the eyes and ask “You alright?” with a genuine look of concern. It is very touching. When you ask him, if he is alright, he’ll say “I’m just alright” while tapping his chest.

Politeness. He’s been saying “Thanks”, “Thank you, “Your welcome”, “Please” already. But these days, he’s using them in more complicated scenarios. Last night, I offered him milk and he said, “No thanks, I’m full”. But he didn’t say No to an ice cream. Lol. (It’s been very hot lately and our 4396710 filter is really put into test).

Why. From what I read, he’s quite ahead of his age when it comes to answering and asking questions. One evening, he wanted to have a 2nd ice cream. I asked him “why would I give you another one?”. He said, “Coz, I’m smart”. I was out-witted. Lol. He’s been asking “why” for the past two days now. So far, they’re just easy to answer. I’m excited as well as dreadful of the day when the “why’s” are never ending.

*****

It's All About What's In Down Under | Permanence in Change | I Am A Shoeaholic | A Juggling Act | Healthy Living | The Life of a Tatapilla

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At The Pool

It's Jens' last session today at the pool. I didn't enroll him in another class as I really think that he can learn how to swim on his own when we'll just frequent the pool.

I found out today that he already closes his eyes when under water. He likes it when he goes under. The funny thing is, when he is on his back instead of kicking his legs he automatically crosses them. That's what he does usually.

Now, I won't get pressured to wake up early and get our washing down before 9am every Saturday. We can just have a trip to the pool when ever we want to. No pressure, no stress. Life should be simple as the circuit city would provide.

*****

It's All About What's In Down Under | Permanence in Change | I Am A Shoeaholic | A Juggling Act | Healthy Living | The Life of a Tatapilla

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New Wet Suit

His old togs are still good but I bought this new one as we're going to use when we go to Sydney anyway. His oldies have runs on them so I think he would ne needing a new one. Besides, these newbies looks good on him. It's a shame I didn't get any photos of him. He'd worn them today in his swimming lesson.

I bought them at the shop but I saw them first online. The price is just the same but of course I have to dip another 10 bucks for the shipping should I buy online. It was during one of our trips with just Jens and I (with our cell phones ready, incase we got lost).

*****

It's All About What's In Down Under | Permanence in Change | I Am A Shoeaholic | A Juggling Act | Healthy Living | The Life of a Tatapilla

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Guess What?

That's Jens' opening line for striking a converstation. Make it sound like "Guess Whot?". Kids are really funny these days, especially mine. He can talk back easily of what he was just told.

Just this morning, I told him that he is turning into a TV junkie as he watches "The Wiggles" before and after sleep. He told me, "I not a tv junkie!"

And he is Mr. Independent now to the 10th level. He doesn't want me to help him on anything like plucking his corn off the cob, taking the brush off the pan, getting off the car, or climbing the stairs. I wonder when he wants to apply for jobs like philadelphia pa jobs in the future, if he would solicit my advice. It's really scary as if he doesn't need us anymore. Oh well, there's the pros and cons.

*****

It's All About What's In Down Under | Permanence in Change | I Am A Shoeaholic | A Juggling Act | Healthy Living | The Life of a Tatapilla

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Cutting Molars

One day last week, Jens woke up in the morning with slight fever but clingy and whiny. I was baffled as he was a happy chappy before he went to sleep the night before. He doesn’t have any symptoms of cold or flu, either.

I realised the cause when he didn’t ask for a toast, like he used to and didn’t want to drink milk. He is teething. I’ve felt his lower molars about a fortnight ago but just brushed it off my mind. They now have cut into his gums and I can’t really imagine how painful it is as I don’t have a memory of having excruciating toothache, but with his age and the size of tooth that’s coming out of his gums let alone two at a time, must have been “hell” as what we adults call it – very far from a holiday feeling even if it’s not close to orlando vacations type.

I took a day off work as I feel he needs some TLC plus Daddy won’t be able to tend to him the whole day as he has a meeting with the accountant.

A dose of Panadol every 4 or so hours and lots of cuddles did it. He’s now back to day care.

*****

It's All About What's In Down Under | Permanence in Change | I Am A Shoeaholic | A Juggling Act | Healthy Living | The Life of a Tatapilla

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I Belong To You

Dinner time. I usually, give Jens dinner before serving ours, that so I can supervise him lest he’ll just muck around with his food. Although, he can feed himself quite good, sometimes, he needs coaxing and bribing in order to finish his veggies.

He was playing up – telling me he’s had enough of his dinner even if he had just downed less than half of it. I sort of told him that if he’s really good, I might give him some treats. Out of the blue, he said “I belong to you”. Sort of like saying that he’s my little boy and that he’ll get what he wants.

It’s funny how he says that sentence, with emphasis on To You with finger pointing.

He’s really excellent in his vocabulary (deserves a ski vacation – if he’s already an adult). Everyday, new word, new sentence, new phrase. It never stops to amaze me the speed that he is learning things.

Sometimes, I wonder how he can assimilate things and words even if he heard it once and in a different context. I guess I’ll just have to stop underestimating the power of kids to learn at a rocket speed – especially my kid.

*****

It's All About What's In Down Under | Permanence in Change | I Am A Shoeaholic | A Juggling Act | Healthy Living | The Life of a Tatapilla

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At The Shops

We dropped by Chemist before we head to the Supermarket today. Jens wanted to sit on the waiting chair there. I went to look for the lotion that I want to buy. When I came back, Jens was clutching a couple of catalogue in his armpit. It's like his portfolio. He's acting like an adult. Really cute.

At the Supermarket, he wanted to choose the grapes and water melon himself. Imagine how many do I have to pick before I got the right one.

There's a little toy section at the supermarket that we always check out - it's next to nappies (sorry copper kitchen sinks in there). He wanted to go down as he was sitting on the trolley. I knew his intention but I still let him. He picked-up a front-loader tractor and played with it but I told him that I won't buy it for him as we just bought him new toys last weekend. He told me "I'll just hold it 4 minutes". And so he did while I went to get some ice cream. He then decided to play chase-y as he wanted to take the toy home. But I know he just wanted to have fun. I promised him that we're going to buy another Barney DVD so that settled him.

Shopping for us has a new level. I know it'll get better or worse.

*****

It's All About What's In Down Under | Permanence in Change | I Am A Shoeaholic | A Juggling Act | Healthy Living | The Life of a Tatapilla

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All Natural

I thought I have found the right lotion for me and Jens. I've been swapping brands since I came here - what with the changing weather, my skin can't cope. I've been using the Vaseline and Jens, Johnson Natural. It's quite good but only works for a couple of hours. Plus, my lotion doesn't really moisturise the creases on my sole. You would say, I should use a proper foot lotion. I do. It's just that foot lotion are very sticky - makes me feel hot and sweaty.

But I tried my MIL's lotion one time and I like it. It's all natural and not sticky. The only thing I can find fault is the smell, but it's still pleasant as it smells of herbs.


It's quite dear compare to your usual body lotion but I think, it is worth it just like Nespresso. Might be dearer but the benefit is double than those the usual brands.

*****

It's All About What's In Down Under | Permanence in Change | I Am A Shoeaholic | A Juggling Act | Healthy Living | The Life of a Tatapilla

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