Udon - Japanese Noodles!

Both Clarissa and Christa looks forward to having noodles when we visit The Curve (TON CHAN) or One Utama (Ajisen Ramen). They always go for the non-spicy option with lots of vegetables, shrimps, squid and chicken.

They then pride themselves with eating the noodles themselves with the "pheeee-eeet!" effects when they suck up the noodles. When we are not looking they occasionally pick the noodles right up and swallow them one by one. They would usually get a reprimanded for playing with food but they continue to enjoy their meal. We also introduce the girls to hot green tea and the girls learn to take sips slowly.

We usually give them small portions bit by bit to discourage wastage. However, the girls get 'deadly' stares from other patrons when they start fighting for more noodles. (Screaming and yelling would accompany such battles for attention). I don't really mind the stares but I pity the onlookers when they have their own children. What would they do?

Getting to know Christa

I have always spent time talking to Clarissa (4 yrs) after returning home from work. We seemed to enjoy talking and she would tell me what happened at Montessori. Sometimes I let her suggest our 'nite-out' plan for the family.

Christa (2 yrs) is more attached to Mommy (and the baby-sitter). I guess it would be a challenge trying to get close to her as she does throw temper tantrums quite regularly. I started introducing some favourite tidbits to get her to feel at ease. My involvement in preparing her night and morning milk bottle seemed to have helped. She gets me to carry her onto the toilet seat to show that she is as clever as her sister. With bigger roles, I seem to have gotten to know her better.

When I started her bedtime story individual sessions, that seemed to have hit it off well. I give a different story to Christa so that she can identify with the characters and words. At least, she doesn't 'shoo' me away when I sit on her bed! (She expresses territorial rights over everything she touches!!!). She however dislikes me playing with her cousins. Maybe I too belong to her!

I didn't do....

I heard the sound of thumping on glass from the bedroom. When I came out I was surprised to find Christa talking to the fish and slapping away at the 5 foot Aquarium last week. She was quick to hide her hands behind her back claming innocence. "I didn't do!", she said with a grin on her face.

Clarissa used to say, "I accidentally,...." and now Christa has introduced another phrase to escape further enquiry.

I reprimanded Christa and told her that she should not hit the glass as the fish would get scared and may jump out (and bite her!). But I think I was more afraid that she may use something harder to try and "Break Glass when bored".

Genting Indoor Park!

Fruit Feast in KL!

A piece of Kraft Cheese to start the day!

Since Mommy had to wake up earlier to go to work nowadays, I was helping out to prepare Christa's morning Growing-up milk just before she to woke up. Soon after drinking the milk, she assisted me (by lifting her buttocks off the mattress) when I changed her ScoobeDry diapers. She previously found it difficult to get up until I asked her the magic question. "Christa, do you want some Cheese?". She immediately opened her eyes, rolled off her bottom and pushed herself up and says, "I want Cheese! I want!".

I suppose giving her her daily dose of Calcium and milk through the cheese is a good idea. Better still if it also gets the children out of bed in a cheerful mood! We have avoided giving her sweat and other fatty foods and have been encouraging her to take more fruits and vegetables(see Daily Estimated Calories and Recommended Servings for Grains, Fruits, Vegetables, and Milk/Dairy by Age and Gender)

Off she went with me to the refrigerator and she patiently watched me peel off the plastic wrapper. Within 30 seconds, the whole slice was gone! She reached out to take my hand as we proceeded to the baby-sitter's home.