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kids in motion

kids in motion, precious moments, Videos I dig

By far the best rendition of the Macarena ever

December 5, 2011

Most preschool performances have several things in common – mediocre stage direction, abysmal choreography, average lighting and a very distracted cast. For the most part, it doesn’t even look much like a performance.

But then they usually also have the most enthusiastic audience.

Because there’s a universal rule of parenting that we all adhere to: “When your kid puts up a performance, you scream and cheer like it’s the best thing you’ve ever seen.”

Which is what we did last Friday when the kids had their year-end school performance. I’ve watched it 20 times and it still cracks me up.

And here’s a dose of Hipstamatic Happiness to kick start your Monday.

On another note, the awesome TaoShu iPad app is out and you can download it here. The kids really love TaoShu – till this day, these are the only Chinese books they will allow me to read.

Also, it’s good to have Petrina Kow back on air every Monday with Joe Augustin. Tune in to Lush 99.5 to check it out.

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kids in motion, playgrounds!

Stand up tall on tippy toes

November 28, 2011

We’ve all been nursing a flu over the past couple of days so it’s been a weekend of drippy noses and mopey baby faces.

There were mopey adult faces too but I’m not cruel enough to make you see pictures of those.

When the kids felt better, we brought them out to Ikea for a walk. We’ve been to Ikea many times with the kids but they’ve never been in the kids play area because Kirsten never made the height limit and Truett wouldn’t go in without her.

Solidarity is a big deal around here.

Every time we checked her height, she would say, “I cannot go in, I’m too short.” Tru would offer her helpful advice like “you must stand very straight so you will be taller like me” but no matter how straight she stood, she was still too short.

This time, she stood as straight as she could and even though she still missed by a hair’s breadth, the lady at the counter had compassion on her and let her in.

“I’m taller like a BIG girl now,” she said proudly as she took her brother’s hand and walked in.

Just like that, this baby ain’t mopey no more.

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And not forgetting this week’s Hipstamatic Happiness.

Have a great week, you guys!

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how i pretend to be a cool mum, kids in motion

I’m definitely going to need an ice-cream today

September 5, 2011

Last weekend flew by quick. I thought I was supposed to have 2 days for the weekend but it only felt like 1, and a short one at that. I did a Truett this morning when I woke up like “NOOOOO, IT’S NOT MONDAY!! It’s Sunday right, please let it be Sunday.”

I opened my eyes slowly, waiting to hear the kids jump on the bed and prod at my eyelids but there was just the gentle breathing of sleeping kids and it was the husband telling me to wake up. He never tells me to wake up on a Sunday so I knew it was well and truly Monday.

It’s a terrible way to start a Monday because I like to be prepared on Sunday nights. I mourn the passing of my weekend a little bit, then potter around the house preparing for the week ahead. But mostly, I brace myself for the Monday blues so that when I wake up the next morning and the feeling of dread hits me in the gut, I’ll be all “Hah! I’m ready.”

Sort of like when you knew the husband is waiting behind a pillar to jump out at you because you saw him hiding from a mile off. That’s much better than not expecting it and having him scare the living daylights out of you.

It’s all in the preparation. Or as Ross would say, the Unagi.

Anyway, this calls for happy pictures. And ice-cream. I’m going to get myself a large scoop of salted caramel ice-cream for breakfast.

Kirsten finally allowed me to tie her hair on Saturday. It’s ridiculously cute because it makes her cheeks look chubbier than they already are. Like a hamburger.

And happiness is discovering a new water playground on a hot afternoon.

PS. In other news, the results for the Strider giveaway are out!

PPS. In other other news, I was on 93.8 Live’s Raw and Ready with Sarah Cheng De-Winne to talk about Mother, Inc and other parenting stuff. If you missed it, the podcast is right below or you can download the mp3 (right click, save link as)  here.

[powerpress]

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kids in motion

Exclusive: Manchester United signs Arsenal superstar

February 11, 2011

We interrupt normal programming to bring you some breaking news.

***

Turns out that Fernando Torres’ shocking move to Chelsea from Liverpool is not the biggest transfer news this January window. While angry Liverpool fans are still burning Torres jerseys at Anfield and sticking needles in little floppy-haired effigies, the attention has turned to even more shocking news.

Arsenal prodigy Truett Kao who just signed a 5-year contract with the Gunners last summer has made a move to Premier League rivals Manchester United. His mother was evidently thrilled, citing the move as a “big step up in his career”. “He’s moving from 2nd to 1st place in the Premier League, I’d call that an upgrade anytime,” she said.

He also added a new middle name after his favorite player, so he will now be called Truett Rooney Kao. His father, a diehard Arsenal fan, says it’s a ridiculous name, preferring Van Persie but even he admits that Truett Van Persie Kao Kai Xuan sounds exactly like the kind of kid everyone wants to beat up. Nobody has 6 names, aight?

Seeing that he’s cup-tied for the Champions League, he’ll be sitting out the match against Marseille but he’s expected to start against bitter rivals Manchester City this weekend. Which is why he is spending his time doing drills and improving his already fancy footwork with his new Red Devils ball.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson expects his latest signing to add a new attacking threat to his team of superstars. “He’s got a superb scoring ability, he’s fast and makes excellent passes. He’s been on our radar for the last few months and we’re pleased to have him.”

Meanwhile, at the Arsenal camp, Arsene Wenger has taken 0.01% of his profits from selling the player to sign new youngster Kirsten Kao (who happens to be Truett’s sibling, no less) for a price of only $2,000. “Ve are very happy to have zis new player and she holds ze record for being ze youngest ever Arsenal player. For now, she needs to lose some weight and work on her fitness. Hopefully, she can do well but if not, ve can sell her for maybe $50,000 and it vill be a good profit for Arsenal.”

According to insiders, even though the 2 siblings are now playing for different teams, they still maintain a very close relationship, often training together in their hometown of Singapore.

They have a common understanding that on the pitch, family alliances will have to take a backseat as they try to challenge for silverware but off the pitch, it is amazing that these 2 remain the tightest of friends.

PS I’ve just added a portfolio page with some recent work. That’s the work I do in between diaper changes and baby snuggles, right after I cook, clean and chauffeur.

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kids in motion

Balance bikes and barter trades, they’re both in this season

February 1, 2011

I only recently got to know about this ingenious invention called balance bikes when we were hunting for a bicycle for Truett. It’s like a regular bicycle but without training wheels or pedals, which seemed rather bizarre at first but after watching some 20-month-olds with their balance bikes on youtube, I was sold.

When I was growing up, we all did the tricycle and training wheel thing before struggling to keep our balance on a two-wheeler. It was usually a rather unpleasant affair accompanied by lots of falls and tears.

Introducing the balance bike. Kids instinctively know how to propel themselves forward using their legs and they first learn how to balance on a bike without the pedals as a distraction or the training wheels as a crutch. When they’re able to lift their feet off the ground and cruise without falling, they can progress to a regular bike all on their own.

Last weekend, we picked up a  Kettler Sprint balance bike for Tru in princess pink and he’s been bugging us to let him ride it everyday since. Why pink, you ask? Because real men rock pink and we got it at a really good price. Mostly the second one. Also, I like my boy to be comfortable with his feminine side.

Unless he gets way too comfortable then we’ll make him do manly grunts while rolling around in the mud. That’ll up his masculine factor just about right.

Baby girl wanted to try the bike so she barter-traded 3 flowers and a hug with her brother for a turn. I usually have to arbitrate the terms of the trade to make sure it’s all fair and square but I’m teaching them the subtle art of negotiation here so I sometimes leave it to them to work it out unless someone (usually Kirsten) gets fleeced then I intervene.

Unfortunately, her legs were way too short to push herself so the husband had to push her around for a ride. A deal is a deal after all.

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kids in motion

I like to move it move it

January 25, 2011

I’ve heard lots of people say how movement shots are great for kids and how it’s nice to capture pictures of them jumping, which is great and all except that baby girl doesn’t even know how to jump. Her idea of jumping is like a cross between a constipated squat and a knee spasm that results in zero elevation.

In mathematical terms,

(constipated squat + knee spasm) x 0 elevation = jump fail

But while I was going for that perfect picture, I realized that what made for a more awesome picture was the fact that she was learning how to jump and enjoying the process. I’ll get the perfect jump shot with Air Jordan hangtime soon enough, now is the time to get the gawky zero elevation shot.

So here they are.

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kids in motion, stuff best described as not safe for parents

Toddlers: more dangerous than you think

January 13, 2011

At some point in your life, you’re probably going to encounter this specimen of small humans called toddlers and you probably won’t know what to do with them. They seem small and powerless but they have some mysterious hold over much bigger humans. They’re known to make grown-ups pander to their every whim and fancy, dictate behavior by screams and get treated like royalty.

Experts are just starting to discover their source of power and how they reel in their victims. The most common is this four-step technique.

Step #1: They will try to fool you with their cuteness, like flash you those chubby cheeks and juicy thighs to make you swoon.

Step #2: They will trick you with their speed. Those lumbering movements may seem slow and uncoordinated but they’re surprisingly quick.

Step #3: They will try to distract you with their grin and their gay apparel. The moment you go “ooh so adorable”, you’re toddler meat.

Step #4: By the time they get close enough, there’s no chance of escape.

The next time you see one of these running towards you like this, RUN AND DON’T LOOK BACK. Save yourselves before it’s too late.

Unless it’s already too late for you, then welcome to the club, I guess. Being a slave to a tiny person ain’t so bad.

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