Girls just wanna have fun

I'd finally put up the bed canopy, which I'd gotten from car boot sale a few weeks' back (cost me only 1pound), in the girls' room. Not that there's any mosquitoes but more for decoration purpose. It has proved to be a hit with the girls. The moment it was up, they got onto the bed (Louisa's) with books and stuff and stayed in there for quite a while. I plan to put some personal touches to it, going to add beadings, ribbons and embellishments. Louisa had requested for underwater appliques. She's still crazy over Little Mermaid. Adrian (being the man he is) told me it'll be pulled down in no time.

Back to School

Today marks the 1st day of Reception (equivalent to K1) for Louisa. Previously, I'd written on how she didn't like the uniforms saying 'they're ugly' (she likes pink and all things pretty). I thought it'd just be a passing thing. But last evening, Adrian was telling her about going to school today and she burst into tears. She had said she wanted to go back to her 'old school' (nursery) and not the big school and she doesn't want to make new friends. Of course, the 'ugly uniforms' issue came up too. Adrian explained to her that she's now 4 and like all other 'big children', will wear school uniforms and go to 'big school' where she will still see quite a few of her old friends. I was really worried that she would throw a tantrum and not want to go to school this morning. Fortunately there was none. Adrian asked her to choose her own set of uniform (either polo shirt with skirt or pinafore with polo shirt). She chose the pinafore and commented it looks pretty. Phew! Kids do change their minds quickly.

The whole family went to school with her. I could tell that she was a little apprehensive and nervous. But upon reaching school ground and seeing some familiar faces, she started to relax. One of the things she had to bring to school today was pictures from somewhere she had visited during summer. I had printed out some photos from our Belgium trip for her to bring to school to share her trip with and she took along some photos from her recent birthday party as well. Mrs Lynch, her class teacher made her feel at ease the moment she stepped into class with welcoming words. Louisa showed her the pictures and when it was time for us to leave, she cheerfully bade us farewell without any hint of reluctance. Adrian and I were one pair of relieved parents.

Life is Short

After suffering from cancer and becoming half the size she used to be, my dad's beloved sister finally passed away peacefully at home this morning. She lost her son to the same type of cancer (bone) a couple of years back and wasn't really herself eversince. I'm glad she passed on at home, something which she'd requested a couple of days back. My dad's particularly upset because he didn't get to see her today before she left. He'd been visiting her at the hospital everyday without fail. Furthermore, my aunt had wanted to go to Swatow, their dad's hometown in China, when she was not so ill. Unfortunately, my dad had to postpone it a few times till she was too ill to go. Well, at least he took her to Genting Highlands some weeks back, which I hope will be consoling to him. No more pain....no more suffering.....may you rest in peace, Er Gu.

Slightly more than a month ago, I got to know of the news that my aunt was critically ill and she didn't have much time left. Within days, news of another aunt's (no blood relation) bad health reached me when I rang her to arrange a day to visit her. She's my MIL's friend whom I befriended in UK since 1998. She used to have breast cancer and that went into remission. But the cancer has come back and it's attacking her nerves near her spine. My MIL told me it's the 2nd relapse in 2 years, which doesn't sound good. She's now undergoing Chemotherapy and constantly in pain. I wanted badly to go see her since the last time we met was one year ago. I'd called her husband several times in the past year to arrange a get-together but she'd not been feeling well to receive guests. I still have her pot's lid which her husband had mistakenly left behind and take mine instead. That was during Lavigne's 1st birthday party. I hope she'll pull through again this time round and we can pay her a visit soon.

Daniel, my brother-in-law

Daniel, my brother-in-law, is such a dearie. He's very patient with the girls, helped me look after them when we went out to exchange some of Louisa's school attire today, took the girls cycling while I was cooking dinner, read them bedtime stories, wash dishes for me, took the garbage out, vacuumed the floor and basically helped entertains the girls whenever he can.....what more can I ask for in a brother-in-law.