Warning: Expletives involved

There's a hilarious "children's" book that's topping the bestseller lists and it's called "Go the F___ to sleep". Now Noni Hazelhurst (an Australian actress who hosted Playschool for like 23 years) has done a video reading for it, and it's pretty damn funny.

You can read the article here.

I can totally relate to the book - I'm sure every parent can! Even now, with Aidan turning four in a couple of months, I STILL had to spend a good 45 minutes last night returning him back to bed in the middle of the night (2.45 - 3.30am, to be precise). Usually I'd just hug him to sleep because I'm just too darn lazy to return him back to bed, but he's going off night nappies soon, and the thought of being actually soaked while dreaming of cruising down the Nile is just too much to bear. That, and having to keep rewashing my sheets.

And then he was back again at 5.30am; this time since EG was already awake to get to work, he brought A back to the room on my behalf. Not that I was asleep anyways, since returning to bed at 3.30am I couldn't get back to sleep properly with my sleep cycle completely disrupted. And I really do think that with bad sleep, your body just can't deal with stress and physical labour (like standing for five straight hours in the kitchen baking & decorating - not back-breaking work, but tiring nonetheless). Hence your immune system is down, and you fall sick, sick, sick.

Throw in the cold weather and germs swarming around us, it really does bring out the inner hypochondriac in me! A's caught conjunctivitis, I'm still having a slight cold, and I'd only just recovered from a viral infection a couple weeks ago. I've washed my hands countless times today; I think my skin's about to peel off.


So I can totally commiserate with parents who, on top of sleep deprivation and their usual work, end their day having to negotiate with a four-year-old as uncompromising as Gaddafi.

While I do spend about a good 20-30 minutes putting Aidan to bed - teeth-brushing, book-reading, and the "three things" (GAWD the "three things", they take too long, why and how did ever we start this routine?!) which are Prayer, Songs, and "Pat-pat 20 times Mum!", I don't need to beg, cajole, bribe or threaten (no...that only happens during  daytime activities, like packing his toys, or getting off the computer - the computer! Aren't we suppose to nag them about the computer only when they reach 13???!!)

Many parents do though, and by the time they get out of the room, there's barely any energy left for quality time between spouses. You flop onto the couch, or into bed, breathe a sigh of relief, and you're out for the count.

That's why EVERY parent needs a book like this:

Just to blow off some steam!

Playdates 'R Us

Since Tess & Pierre left on Tuesday, the house has been rather quiet. We had a really great 2 weeks having my sis around, cooking for us, playing with Aidan...it was wonderful! And we got to celebrate her birthday (a few weeks early) with her too, which is pretty rare since she's usually in Singapore, and we're here in Melbourne, in July. Here's the cake we made for her.

You can read more about this at Buttercup Bakeshoppe's blog

Anyhoos, we solved the general loneliness by having playdates both yesterday and today with our neighbour Sarika's daughter, Samiksha (or Sammi, for short).

What a blast! Had a great tea-time at their house yesterday, and today we're returning the favour. Currently, the two of them are watching some telly as I typed this, and laughing about something memorable. ("Underpants!!" I overhear.)

When Aidan saw Sammi today, after emerging from his shower in the bathroom, he said, and I kid you not, "Hey! Wow, you're all dressed up...You look beautiful Samiksha!" She was wearing a blue-bow hairband and a pink jumper.

O. M. G. What a charmer!! I reckon he's got that silver-tongue from his Dad.

And then they ran off and created a ruckus in the guestroom and downstairs. Hmm. Must get them to pack the mess up before she goes...

 

 Cheeeeeese and whiskers!!

But the great thing about playdates is that it gives each mum a little time off to herself. I get to bake, and I hope Sarika gets some time to rest, seeing how she also has another baby to care for.

Speaking of baking, lots to prep for this Sunday's Southside Handmade and Vintage market! See you there if you're free, it's 11am-5pm in St. Kilda. :)

Two little butterballs sizzling in the pan...

With Aidan's cousin, Anna in town over the last month, the house has been filled with so much laughter. They played so well, quibbled and built a "castle" in the bedroom out of mattresses, pillows and blankets. How cute!

It was really great having family around and helping out and adding so much joy to the house. Now that they're all gone, it's been so quiet and strange. Boo. I miss my chats with my mum-in-law, and having EG's aunt cook super delicious meals everyday! Twice a day even! And my dad took care of all the laundry and ironing. I was terribly spoilt, mind you, and now that I've to do everything by myself again it takes some getting used to!

On the upside, my sis will be arriving in a couple of weeks, so Aidan and I looking forward her company!

 Anna...with her mouth covered in food AS USUAL!! 

(teeheehee I call her my little butterball...)

Told'ja Dad likes ironing!

The folks are back in town

So the in-laws have been here for a week, and it's been a blast, albeit noisy! Everyone's found a groove to make the household work - Mai Ling's the cook, MIL packs the house with speedy efficiency (OMG it's so neat now, I hope I can maintain it), DIL does the laundry, Ming Hui looks after the kids...what's there left for me to do?

Bake of course! ;p

Trialing some new stuff for the market next Sunday, as well as our Australia's Biggest Morning Tea collaboration with Fashion Deli in Toorak. Head there for gorgeous finds for your lil' chickadees!

Anyways, thought I'd put up some shots we took a short while ago at Wennie and Josh's wedding Photobooth! Plus the cake I'd made for the gorgeous couple:

Cheeky boys!

I LOVE how photogenic Aidan is...his eyes are just so 'bright' in pictures

 Hmm...my eyes look a little weird in this one...

The Happy Couple!!

Two-tiered chocolate fudge cake, with chocolate ganache and white fondant.

It's themed to match their wedding invite.

Adelaide guests

Last week was Easter break, when we had a phenomenal 5-day weekend. Amazing! I'd originally thought of simply relaxing and catching up with friends over brunch, but EG decided at the very last minute to go visit our friends Stan and Andrea over in Adelaide. SO we drove there...yes, all 8.5 hours.

I hadn't done a road trip in awhile, and was really honestly not looking forward to it, but hey, a holiday's a holiday right??

We had a magnificent time! I'll eventually post some photos up, but we really loved the welcoming hospitality of the Chngs, and made new friends along the way. Also visited Hahndorff (the only German outpost in Australia apparently...but very touristy) and ate the famous platter. And Maggie Beer's farmhouse and the Barossa Valley of course. Sweet!

But the other highlight of the trip was Aidan strengthening his friendship with the Chng's son, Jared. Jared and Aidan met on our last trip back to Singapore, and got along pretty well, but this trip sealed the deal. They could play and talk for hours! Aidan loved all of Jared's toys and games, and they had great fun pretending to be pirates (note to self: get more role-playing stuff for A).

The Chngs were so sad when we had to leave on Monday morning so we could make it back in time for a friend's wedding on Tuesday. So much so, they kept trying to convince us to stay and skip the wedding!

But surprise, surprise! Andrea's work sent her to Melbourne a lot sooner than expected and they landed here this morning, leaving Wed evening. Woohoo!

And this was what the boys got up to this morning:

 

Justin Bieber eat your heart out! 

Have you checked out my Boyz in Da Hood?

Too funny!!

Oh! And before I forget, last night Aidan was singing Marry You by Bruno Mars, when he paused and said to me, "Mama, when I grow up, I want to marry you!" 

And I asked, Why? 

And he said, "Because you're pretty and cool." *heart melts*

Oh my Gawd. Forget the pretty part, my son thinks I'm COOL!! For a mum, that's high praise!!

Let's hope he still thinks so when he's 10 and I'm dropping him off at school and I kiss my wittle baby in front of his friends.

BECAUSE YOU BET  I WILL.

Happy 6th Anniversary!

According to my son, who's in his superhero phase, he's Batman, EG is Superman and I am Wonder Woman.

And there's no other week that I've felt more heroic than this! A's been down with a terrible phlegm-y cough and fever since Tuesday (YET still has his usual hyperactive energy), EG's just caught it and is so under the weather he may as well be buried (in fact, he is, under the doona at the moment), and I've been tasked with keeping the house running (passable), neat (failing) and that they're BOTH fed, washed and put to be on time.

All this on top of making a wedding cake for Wennie and Josh's wedding today (congrats guys...double date next year??) AND the usual cupcake order for the store!

I'm so busy this weekend, we've had to put off our anniversary celebration til...well...soon... I think? Because next week's another round of baking for Buttercup Bakeshoppe's first market at the North Melbourne Market NEXT SUNDAY!

But back to topic, it's just as well we're home. EG's so sick (yet he still attended the wedding, then promptly spent most of the time lying in the car) I don't think he can sit through a candle-lit dinner tonight. And I've got to get back to baking cupcakes.

And at least it'll buy me some time to think of what to give him for our anniversary...can't believe we've been married 6 years! GAH! We've had our ups and downs, and how quickly the time has flown - I still remember spending our first anniversary crying in Footscray park after having a major fight with him, and refusing to pick up his 20 or so calls. And May had to come looking for me and talk some sense into my emotionally distraught self. Yet we've celebrated five more years since. One up for the Sohs!

Anyways, six days leading to our Sixth anniversary, what does he do? He starts by giving me a dark chocolate Lindt egg, and says "You're going to get six little presents each day until Saturday!" Then gives me a pack of cheese and crackers next (because he overheard me telling Ivy I hadn't had cheese in a long time - he LISTENED!), then a gorgeous teapot brooch with a floral motif, and a bunch of purple roses...and then he fell sick.

So I feel bad asking, "What about the other two pressies??!"

Basically, he's the Phil Dunphy in our relationship. Only after 12, I mean TWELVE years in our relationship did I finally get it right for his birthday this year, by getting him this:

I'd seen it in a store, thought he might like it, got it off book depository, waited 6 weeks for it to arrive, and was absolutely rapped when it turned out he'd been eyeing it for awhile after seeing it on Design Files. Two up for the Sohs!

But that still doesn't solve my dilemma. What do I get him this year??

Any ideas?

If we were in a band...

...what would we call ourselves?

I'm open to suggestions.


 

Finders Keepers market

Shots my friend Shaun took at the Finders Keepers market over the weekend...

Pucker up!

Spilt

No point crying over spilt milk!

(NB: Took this awhile back in Singapore, but kept forgetting to post!)

Why do you build me up...

It's been awhile since I posted, but I've been primo busy with getting stuff ready for the North Melbourne Craft markets!

As some of you know, I've been baking cupcakes steadily, since taking over from our cupcake lady at GB last May.


A gig I wanted to quit almost as soon as I took it up - I didn't know so much work was involved in making the different flavours and icing. And it consumes several hours of my time, plus I just couldn't get the swirl right!

Yet, almost a year later, I'm embarking on launching my own little bake shop!

Check it out at Buttercup Bakeshoppe.

I'm still working on the public website - the above link only works if you've logged into Facebook I think!

In the meantime, here're some pictures to drool over...

Vanilla and Chocolate Fudge buttercups

 

Peanut Butter and Cookies N' Cream Buttercups

Mini teal-coloured Vanilla buttercups

Red Velvet with cream cheese frosting for a friend's 21st party

And of course, the obligatory Aidan photos...hehehe...

Cheeky monkey!

The Prince among his Disney Princesses...at Mia's b'day party.

(He shoulda worn the Woody costume w/ the cowboy hat...then he'll REALLY be 

channeling Clint Eastwood)

You can't come into the trampoline mum!

Back to school

These past few days since returning home from SG has been a busy whirlwind.

Aidan's started in the 3 y.o. room at his regular childcare on Tuesday, but because it was just 2 days since returning I only had him in there for 3 hours, 1 of which I spent playing with him to acclimatise. But when I said I'll be back right after he's had lunch and dessert, he smiled and said, "Ok, you can go now... bye!"

And just yesterday, he started on 3 y.o. kinder at Maribyrnong Kinder with new teachers, new environment, new friends. He ran right in and starting playing with the new toys...he typed typed typed on the computer at the "office area" as he's seen me and EG do countless times and said he was sending "an emu". Then he picked up the phone and dialed Sai Yee's special number, and said "I'm calling Sai Yee now!" I sms-ed Tessa, and she quickly rang so she could speak to him and pretend he'd rung her. How cute.

However, when it was time for me to go...He DID NOT like it! At first he said I could go, but silly me I lingered in the waiting area, he wandered past and started clinging in when he realised I was really going.

It was HORRIBLE, the pains of leaving him behind again...I carried him back to the room and the teacher had to pry him off me finger by finger, and as the door shut and I walked towards my car I could hear him running back to the door with a thump and shouting "Mama!!!! Mama!!!"

OMG. It was a terrible feeling.


But when I came to pick him up he was happy playing agian. Phew!

Added to these new changes, I had two orders for this Thursday and Friday - 50 teal-coloured mini cupcakes, and a birthday red velvet cake enough to feed 60 people. It's been great getting right back into baking, and though it took me forever to get the right shade of teal (I had to refer to Wikipedia a few times), they turned out great. Well, at least the mini-cupcakes did, jury's still out on the red velvet cake! More baking tomorrow!

It doesn't get any easier

The last month or so spent with family in Singapore, and on our MEGA trip to Hong Kong and Guangzhou has been A-MAZE-ING. (I really should have a separate post for that...once I get the pics up!)

I'm loving how much A loves spending time with his cousins, his grandparents, his aunts and uncles. He really thrives on the attention and love, and he's getting a little spoilt. I think today has been the 1st day in a long while when he's actually bothered to feed himself, thanks to the yummy food at a friend's house we had (his new fav. - chicken rice!)

Sadly, this time next Sat, we'll be taking the plane back to Melbourne...

SIGH. I always get to this point at this time of the year...after all the festivities and fun from a holiday in Singapore, and I'm loathed to return to Melbourne.

It's not so much the place, Singapore, but the people. I think if I were to work here, it'd be pretty hard, which accounts for the brain-drain to Perth and Melbourne.

But I'll miss my sis, my parents, my in-laws, friends, Aidan's cousins... SNIFF!

AND IT'S BEEN THIS WAY FOR THE LAST DECADE!

Geez. You'd think after 10 years I'd feel a bit more rooted in Melbourne. But this sense of displacement always hits me. We stayed because of community, of Life and support...but slowly that's evolving, changing, as friendships drift and change and the ties that bind become weaker. You've more in common (kids, families, schools) and yet, less (how you raise them, what your family looks like, what school you can afford).

The divide seems to get bigger and bigger.

I guess maybe in SG our friends and us are pretty much all on the same page. But in Melbourne, the class difference really seems a little bit more stark.

And the stuff we have in common become less, and we have less to talk about.

The common Faith Hope and Love seem so...intangible. Ephemeral.

I feel torn I guess. Love is in Singapore. Yet opportunities seem more readily available in Melbourne.


And I do often feel alone in the (our) crowd. Yet who's to say I wouldn't feel this way if we move back to SG?

There's lots to look forward to this year - Aidan's growth, new routines, new things to learn, a possible bakeshop. I just hope I don't stuff it up!

Creator. My future and destiny is in your hands.

Big fat sigh

Today has been one of those days when I want to remind all my friends without kids about birth control.

Heather Armstrong

dooce.com

Today was a beautiful day. 22 degree weather, sunshine and a breeze.

We had a great morning with Milo cereal brekkie, played with our Bop It! (and scored 22 points together - teamwork!), then read about construction machines and Thomas the Tank Engine.

Aidan can read/recognise a few words other than his name now. Like THE and AND. Whenever we read books together I make an effort to point the words out and pause so he can fill in the blanks, and he's always excited when it's his turn to read THE or AND.

In the arvo we visited EG at the cafe and caught up with friends of my parents and their daughter who's planning to study here. Then visited TWO libraries and even squeezed in 20 mins at the Boathouse playground. Phew! So many activities!

By the time I got home I was ready to crash, and was thankful we had enough leftovers to constitute dinner. But I decided to get a head start on a cake I needed to make for a party this weekend. 

And that's when the s**t hit the wall. LITERALLY.

Since the last time I made the cake for another party it didn't rise as much as I thought it would, I increased the amount. It filled the tin just right. And I assumed it would rise a little bit, but not by much.

20 minutes later it looked like a sludgy Jabba the Hut.

I freaked out! Then calmed down, removed the oven's base plate (because the chocolate batter had oozed out and dripped down onto it), popped the cake tin onto a baking tray (which I should have done so in the first place, duh), and shut the oven door. And since the oven temperature dropped I adjusted the timing.

But it just kept oozing and oozing! Molten lava from a chocolate volcano. My hopes of salvaging the cake melted like the village of Pompeii. ARGH.

I turned to bring Aidan up for his bath, and the sweet bunny had finished his dinner and was bringing his empty bowl to the kitchen...dropping a million grains of rice along the way, as well as around his table. But he gets a gold star for the effort!

Back to the oven to stop the batter from oozing over the side of the baking tray and onto the exposed oven base. Too late! ARGH!

This is what it looked like, fully cooked. 

Jabba the Hut cake monster...nomnomnom I wanna eatchooo....

I'll see what I can fix tomorrow...sigh!

Back to Aidan...who had gone upstairs all on his own to poo! Good job!

I decided to take the vacuum out to clean up the rice mess he'd left behind, and as I was vacuuming the kitchen, I inadvertently sucked up the floor rag. ARGH. Which means to retrieve it, I'd have to dig around in the vacuum bag, pull it out covered in God knows what's already in the vac, and have it washed so I could use it again.

10 minutes later... Not so good job; he was standing outside with his underwear pulled up over his t-shirt, POO was smeared on the walls, his toothbrush cup (what the?) was hanging off the toilet paper holder.

DOUBLE TRIPLE ARGH!

Here's my theory. He'd finished his business, somehow got poo on his fingers and tried to climb up to the window sill where the toilet paper was sitting (EG'd put it there 'coz he keeps unravelling it while sitting on the dunny). He realised the mess he'd made, then dashed to grab water in his toothbrush cup to clean the mess up. Sigh...

This is what the poo mess looked like:

Just kidding!

Off to the bathroom. No recriminations. But no bedtime story either.

Patty cake patty cake

The last month, and week in particular has been a flurry of baking!

Just this past week alone, I made:

Fondant cars
Fondant holly...and each berry on the holly I might add!
CHOCOLATES! (of which I'm still slowly savouring*)
Cupcakes
More cupcakes
A huge 1st birthday cake for Zachariah

* haha that's a bad pun 'coz I made them at Savour Patisserie

But no rest for the weary...more baking coming up: Iced gingerbread Christmas ornaments to give away! And maybe some banana bread loaves for the neighbours...

Another year into the new decade

Soh!

I have officially pluralised my entry into my new decade. It's the thirtiesss now. Sigh!

But so much joy and accomplishment!

Thanks family. Love you all heaps.

 

PS. Aidan's birthday gift to me: First-time obedience. I say it, you DO IT NOW! ;p