Chocolate Sables

And so for Son1 who has a more sophisticated taste bud, won't be so impressed with Rainbow sprinklers anymore. C'mon Mom, he's a b-i-g boy. He likes cookies,... in fact, his first love would gladly be chocolate cookies. But tooooo bad, this boy has a sensitive throat, anything baked and dry and cookie-like will just send his throat red and sore.

Yet, he wanted something chocolatey but not cakes, nor brownies, nor muffins, nor bread-like. So I settled on this... Sables.

Ohhh... Chocolate Chocolatey Sables... how should I describe this cookie? This has to be the easiest cookie recipe that I have whipped.  It is amazing, you have got to try them yourself.

It is light, airy, delicate, and literally melts in your mouth, dissolving itself away, much like sand. It is sensational, chocolatey and not to say, addictive. Much of the addiction was trying to figure out how did it disappear so readily in your mouth! LOL!!

Here's what you'd need:

* 140gm Plain flour
* 20gm Cocoa powder
* 140gm Butter (room temperature, softened)
* 60gm Icing sugar
* Pinch of salt (omit this if you are using salted butter)
* 2tbsp egg white (lightly beaten)

This is what I did:

1. Preheat oven to 170degC. Line baking tray with greaseproof baking paper, set aside.

2. Prepare pasty bag fitted with large rose petal swirl tip, set aside.

3. Sieve dry ingredients together -- flour and cocoa powder. Set aside.

4. In a mixing bow, beat butter, sugar and salt at medium speed till light and fluffy.

5. Add in egg white and beat until well incorporated.

6. On low speed, slowly add in the dry ingredient. Mix until well combined and transfer dough into piping bag.

7. Pipe dough on baking paper, about 1inch apart. Bake for 12 minute. Tops. Not any longer!

8. Lift baked sables onto wire rack to cool completely. Store in air tight container (that is, if you have any left).


Psst psst... Sables is French for Sand. Ahhhhh... now you know! You can get creative, and pipe into other shapes -- Chocolate Sables was originally piped as a "W" to represent Wittamer pastry shop in Brussels. I managed to make about 40 sunflower-sables from this dough, largely dependent on how big you pipe them.  And you can also add in chocolate chip or raisins at the flower's eye. 

Hop over to Ann and see her beautiful Sables! Envious. (Recipe was loosely adapted from hers).

Chocolate Cupcakes

Can you believe it?! We are at the end of the school term!!!

It really seems like yesterday that I was psyching my Sons for their first day of school. Preparing them for a new year in a new environment. Son1 in his first formal education in Primary One, and Son2 officially donned on his uniform for Pre-Nursery, congratulating them for being b-i-g boys now, and getting all excited about their Orientations, and fretting over the fetching and picking logistics arrangement, and going through menus for best-for-lunchbox-packed-lunches...

Wow! 11 months have since passed. What have I done?!

Time to reflect for the year and collect my memories.

Each boy has their to-bring list of party items for that last day of school. Chocolates being their favorite were their natural request. Son2 was more precise. "Chocolate Cupcakes" and nothing else. In fact, Chocolate Cupcakes with Rainbow Sprinklers. So I did it just the way he wanted it.

Added about 35gm of natural unsweetened cocoa powder (I used Hershey's here) to the vanilla cupcake recipe, and to make up for the increased dry ingredient, I increased milk by a slight 1/4cup (loosely). And a scant 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda to accompany the cocoa powder (omit this if you are using Dutch-processed cocoa powder. There is a Science to this, can't quite remember what I read, something to do with acidity and alkalinity).

End result? Very soft. Very spongy. Very fluffy. Very nice. Not cloyingly sweet. Tender, moist-ily spongy. This time I used only 120gm sugar. Think I have found my perfect combination. 120gm is the right sweetness for this Vanilla Cupcake recipe -- for me.

I attribute the softness and sponginess to the creaming of the butter and sugar. This time, I baked at night when my boys are soundly asleep (translated to mean, NO interruption!) and I had more time to pay attention to the beating process. Very important.

Needless to say, it has everything to do with my long-awaited-much-drooled-on KITCHENAID!!!! Hip Hip Hurray!!! Amazing piece of machinery! *Smooch smooch kiss* (show you next time ;)

Panini Sandwich

A toastedly, meltedly, crunchily, divine no-brainer.

Panini is an Italian pressed toast that's put together by any bread, typically Ciabatta. To it, one usually add prosciutto, ham or other deli, and cheese. It is served warm after toasting or pressing them together in a panini press (liken a sandwich toast).

In United States and UK, it's been adopted to be called "toasted sandwich". Ahhhh... doesn't it sound less foreign now?

Since I only have a grill pan, I improvised. Just two slices of bread of any kind, I would usually use ciabatta. Slice half horizontally. To it, spread your pesto, and some olive oil,add your vegetables, cheese and a meat. With a spatula, press them together and toast on your grill pan. Flip and toast it lightly on both sides.

Be sure that the meat is cooked before sandwiching it. Grill toasting does not cook the meat, it merely heat up to melt the cheese.

So what did I toast it with?
* Slices of honey baked ham
* Shredded chicken with mayonnaise
* Mushroom with cheese (resembling mushroom swiss)
* Sausage slices

So why ciabatta and not sandwich slices? Hmmm... I personally find ciabatta holds it together better without becoming overly soggy. When I pack this for my son's recess, the toast remain pretty fresh even after 3 hours. Quite unlike a normal sandwich bread.

But of course there are days when sandwich loaf is more readily available. So in a hurry to have my carb-fix, I make the simplest ever with sandwich bread -- as you can see from the picture, quite taken in a rush (hmmm... actually I have some tomato slices in it... can you spot them).

Simple, fast and easy. Even a boy can make this.

Milomisu

Kids friendly version of a caffeine-laden tiramisu.

An encore to the much raved Tiramisu. This time, I set aside some tiny portion for a non-alcoholic, non-caffeine version for my boys.

I replaced espresso with thick brew of Milo. And to 'compensate their motor-skill' or there lackof, I filled them in cups.

Da dah! Milo-misu is birthed.

Psst psst...
I like the custard tall and thick. It does magic to the tiramisu. Hence I find a tub of 500gm mascarpone portion just barely enough to fill 7 glasses or a 10" round tin. 

Egg-less Tiramisu

Let me tell you what is my next love. Tiramisu!!

 Of all the types of cakes I have tasted though not attempted to bake, Tiramisu scores a high top 3. In fact, safely the first in place.

I like the way the cocoa marries the coffee, and the light fluffy mascarpone custard, with that hint of coffee in the lady fingers sponge biscuits. It is utterly yum, yum and yum.

My boys tasted one forbidden spoonful at Pepperoni one fateful afternoon, and they fell madly in love. So I silently swear I shall attempt to make this one day soon, hopefully it will pass the jury's taste buds and make it for this Christmas. I shall omit the liquor but never mind the coffee. Whahahaha... I can always dope them later with other concoction. Evil evil.

We all must know, Tiramisu is Italian. It is an Italian trifle dessert, coz of its layers. It is translated to mean "pick me up". Quite rightly so, with the Masala / Rum / Tia Maria / Kahlua, and the strong coffee / espresso, and not forgetting the good quality cocoa powder for dusting. It should really 'perk you up right'!

A brief search online yielded very diverse recipes. Some used egg yolks, use used whole egg, some are eggless... Some use whipping cream along with mascarpone, whilst others did not. Some steps are so complicated, and others make it look literally like a piece of cake. I was truly lost. Even recipes from trustworthy blog-bakers like Stephanie, Gordon, Nigella, Ree differ! From their list of cast to the steps involved. Argh...

After A LOT of studies and research that took away precious hours of sleeping time, I think I figured it out. And this what I learnt...

1. Egg. You must know this is a non-bake cake. So quite naturally to lessen the risk of salmonella and other health hazards from consuming uncooked eggs, I decided to leave eggys out.

2. In place of eggs, they started using heavy whipping cream. I understand this is to stabilize the cake and enable it to bind and hold together better after chilling (?). Don't quote me here, I don't really know what I am talking about.

3. Traditional recipes use zabaglione custards. Quite simply, it is an italian custard that consist egg yolks beaten with sugar and masala liquor. But since we talked about point 1 above, we shan't do this, shall we?

4. Oh well, if you m u s t make this with eggs, then I'd strongly suggest that you get really fresh, pasteurized eggs. As fresh as you can find. I would also recommend that you cook the egg bain marie. And finish the cake within one day, particularly in our humid weather.

5. Liquor? Safely omitted. Can't have that with young children. Next life time.

After examining and cross-examining maaaaaaaaaaaaany, and I really mean, countless recipes, I finally settled on Happy Home Baking. From a trusted home baker in Singapore. Someone whom I have adapted recipes from. Someone whose blog I follow. And for the benefit of 'visual assistance', I like to refer to Bing's, her photos are beautiful! Pictures speak a thousand words indeed.

You should always trust your own countrywomen. From time to time.

Here's what you'd need:

For the Coffee / Espresso:
* 1 cup of good coffee (I brew a double shot espresso; else buy one from Starbucks or 3-in-1 coffee will do)
* Sugar to taste

Cream Filling:
* 500gm Mascarpone Cheese
* 6 tbsp icing sugar
* 2 1/2 tsp vanilla essence
* 1/2 tsp Coffee Emulco (I could have used 3 tbsp coffee but I didn't want caffeine in my cream, I needed my children to sleep)
* 400gm Whipping Cream (I used Emborg Whipping Cream that comes in 200gm/carton)

Sponge Fingers / Others
* about 30 sponge fingers (I used Savoiardi from Phoon Huat)
* Cocoa powder (for dusting)
* Blueberry, Strawberry, Passion Fruits (optional)

This is what I did:

Prepared your pan. I used a 10" round tin with removable base. I lined the side of the round tin with a strip of plastic to better hold the side of the cake.

Coffee
1. Make a good cup of coffee, add sugar to taste. Pour out onto a shallow plate and leave it to cool. Set aside.

Cream Custard:
1. In a electric mixer, cream your Whipping Cream till stiff peak (I stopped the moment the cream comes together and is no longer 'watery'). Be careful not to overbeat.

2. While mixer is whisking away, prepare another bowl and add in Mascarpone Cheese, Icing Sugar and Essences. With a hand whisk, manual whisk this mixture together till well blended.

3. Fold stiff Whipping Cream into the Mascarpone Cheese mixture in 2 additions.

4. At this point, I ran out of arm power, so I returned the mixture to the electric mixer and gave it a quick 30sec whisk, just to be sure that all are well incorporated together.

To assemble:

1. (A) Dip sponge fingers one by one, briefly and very s-w-i-f-t-l-y into the cooled coffee. Place at the base of the tin. You may have to break some fingers in order to cover the round base.

2. (B) Scoop some Cream Custard onto the fingers and level it.

3. (C) Dust cocoa powder over the cream custard.

4. Repeat steps A to C above. Be sure to ration your custard as you will need to end off with it (I managed to get 3 layers of A-C). Dust with cocoa powder as the final step.

5. Cling wrap and chill in fridge for at least 24 hours.

6. When ready to serve, remove cake from the tin pan. Remove the plastic strip that was lined on its side. Dust a layer of cocoa powder as the day old powder would have been wet by now. Top and decorate with strawberries/blueberries/passion fruit.

7. Sing a song, dance around the cake,... slice and enjoy!

Pizza

What do you do on days when you are lazy, tired, cranky, over-worked and consequently, brain dead?

When the boys refuse you any rest or moment of solitude, neither do they understand you are only human, nor, I strongly suspect, do they care. You can only blame it on their young, immature minds. In moments like this, I remind myself, I shall graciously give them 30 years each before they come close to appreciating my plight.

My good Lord God bless me.

So, I thought to occupy them with fixing their own dinner. I brought them to the Supermarket, and have them choose the ingredients they'd like for their first-ever self-baked pizza! That's exactly right. I made them make a list and we headed out. Of course, it's only wise of me to give them options and not open-ended choices! Either A or B,... and C or D... and so we went in search for their grocery list.

They were ELATED! Shouting and talking really loudly in the Supermarket. I was rather embarrassed frankly. People must be looking at them and wandered if they had never been shopping / to a supermarket / out of house even (yes, that's the extend of my embarrassment).

Am I glad I survive the 'little excursion'.

After all the dicing and chopping and grating, these are their creations.

Son1's Creation

And I must say, I am very proud of them. Considering this is their first attempt (well, not so for Son1 who has done this with me before Son2 came along. But he has no recollection! Good grief), I thought they really did a very fine job.

These pizzas do look very professional, don't they?! The best  of this? The cheese! They topped it up real crazy.

Son2's... Green is his favorite colour

Would I do this again? Absolutely!! There is nothing more satisfying for them than to fix their own favorite things and pizza is one of them. Soon I'd be teaching them how to steam an egg, fry a instant roti prata, bake their own cupcakes.

Slowly but surely.

Before that, they must learn to be civilized in public. Quite literally.

Best part of a meal...

... is the fellowship, not the food.

"Better is a dry morsel with peace and contentment, than a feast with strife." (Proverbs 17:1)

An epitome of fellowship. A table of laughter and hearty conversation where every member gathers at the end of the day. While the food nourishes the body, the fellowship nourishes the soul. Is not a table of humor, thanksgiving and grace better than a meal of riches and delicacies with contention and discord?

Boys have learned they are to come to the table to bless and be blessed. Only the best behavior is welcomed here; not tears nor arguments, whines nor complains.

Save for Son3 who's relatively new to the table, Son1 & 2 have learned their lessons well. Both having been banished and barred from the table. Son3 is learning the ropes real neat. I sure hope he soon acquire the skill of diplomacy at my table. Till then, I will have some more years of mess and mishap to bear with.

It should not be long before the table is truly a civilized one, I hope.

Confinement

I'm sure every mother has her fair share of things to say about their confinement experiences. With the excitement of a new born baby, there is a truly lot to do now, and talk about later. Everybody I know, is always eager to share about their 'secret' know-hows for their confinement. Starting from my own Mom and MIL.

Being a (relatively, ahem) young mother when I had Son1, I was naturally clueless about what confinement was all about.

Myths and old grandmothers' tales aplenty.

* cannot wash hair (hello! excuse me!)
* cannot shower (gosh)
* cannot touch tap / cold water (errr...)
* sweat it out (aka no fan or air con)
* no cold drinks / plain water; drink only red dates tea or brown rice water...
* cannot sit or lie on floor, not even mattresses on floor
* cannot walk on floor barefooted; best to keep socks on 24/7
* shower only in those herbal bath and not running tap water
* rest in bed as much as you can (a luxury really especially when Son3 was born)

In this incredibly humid part of the world, any wonder why some of these new mothers are driven to depression with these to-dos? Or, rather, to-not-dos.

I kept to some of these practices but bend the others. I shunned from wind and fan and air con (rather religiously). It was true for me that I developed major headaches after sitting beside a rather breezy window. Wind in my head sorta feeling. It was a heavy-headedness feeling and no caffeine or rest could take the discomfort away. I had to drink this specially concocted herbal soup for a week before I started to feel better.

And to not wash hair?! Gosh! Kill me right away. No way I can do that! So I sought 'permission' to wash on alternate days and was told to blow them c r i s p y dry.

The most torturous confinement I had was during Son3's birth. Sorry Son, but you were born in the peaking summer heat. I swear I sweat it out real good. What's more, I had two older boys to care for. They were stickier than ever, as though they fear you will usurp their positions in the family.

But it is true that I do feel worse off after 3 births. Age has something to do with it I believe (though I'm not that old according to WHO's standard). I do feel that I tire more easily these days, and my body aches after a day of outing or even nothingness. I think my 3rd epidural wasn't well administered. It's been a year since Son3's birth and so often, I can still feel that dull pain at the spot on my back.

So much grievances it seem. Where was my comfort and joy?

In retrospect, I can see that I was very blessed. I had endless string of support, particularly from all the grandparents. All throughout my 3 deliveries. Especially so for the latest, I recalled MIL made my soup daily and FIL had to lug pots and pans all over town to deliver these specially brewed soup to me. Of course, Grandpa FIL killed many birds with that one stone. He get to see all his 3 grandsons with every visit!

My Mom and Dad helped out with the other two boys on top of their regular working hours, thus allowing me time and space to rest and bond with Baby3.

And thankfully, I enjoy confinement food. Special fondness for Ginger-Fried Rice, Black Vinegar Pig Trotters, Herbal Soups (all kinds), Ginger Sesame Oil Pig's Liver... Slurp. Love.

Many of these recipes were lifted from books, family, and friends.

With 'ailing' memory and depleting memory space, I told myself I had better blog these down quickly. So I shall endeavor to include these in my posts. Sadly though, I have no photos to show. I should have thought of this a year earlier right? Sighz...

Mother's Day

A Mother's Love

A mother's eyes reflect the love of Heaven

A love borne long before this life began

A love which grows each day

Which will not fade away

A love inspired by Heavenly Father's plan

A mother's hands reflect a life of service

A life of sacrifice for those she loves

And with her giving hands she shapes the soul of man

Prepares him for eternal life above

A mother's words teach children righteous living

And her example leads them to the light

She speaks the words of truth that guide their tender youth

And point the course they take throughout their lives

A mother's life reflects itself in our life

Her ways of living are engrained in ours

And through the changing years and days of joy and tears

Her love will lead us on

Her words will point the course

Her hands will lift us up to God

... ... ...

How beautiful is this lyrics! Even though I can't remember the tune as I made my way out of church service today, the words echoed in my ears. It epitomizes motherhood in God's eyes. By His divine calling, Motherhood is a lifetime of dedicated service unto Him. What a privilege. What a blessing. To be called by Him.

If these words are how my children will look at me years later as they grow in strength and wisdom, then I pray that God's lesson for me to begin right here right now.

All glory unto Him. Amen.

This brought to mind a song that my primary school teacher taught us yore ago,...

"Mother of mine

You gave to me all of my life

To do as I please

I owe everything I have to you

Mother, sweet Mother of mine

Mother of mine

When I was young

You showed me the right way

Things should be done

Without your love

Where would I be

Mother, sweet Mother of mine

Mother you gave me

Happiness much more

Than words can say

I pray the Lord that

He may bless you

Every night and every day

Mother of mine

Now I am grown

And I can walk straight

All on my own

I'd like to give you

What you gave to me

Mother, sweet Mother of mine"

Chocolate Malt Cake

Told my boys since the beginning of this week that we will bake a cake for their Daddy's birthday. And it will be a Chocolate Cake, and they are to keep it a s-e-c-r-e-t! Otherwise, "... no cake for you!!" (Ahem. Mother of all Threats. Always works!)

It's been 5 days since I last shared the 'plan' with them. So far so good. They have not breathed a single word to Man. ... Or maybe they did (?)... and Man in turn made them promised not to tell me that they have told him. So now father and sons are all to pretend that sons haven't told father, and so father doesn't yet know, otherwise, "won't share MY cake with you!!"... *Gasp*

Oh too complicated. Such plot is far too complex for a 3y/o toddler -- Son2. ... Or maybe not... ?

Regardless, I must focus. I pray hope this plot will succeed, as with all my other earlier 'assignments'. I have bought all the ingredients and so, here we go! Now it's to plan the big question WHEN to bake, and HOW to hide. (It's easy to hide ingredients, but not the real thing. Pant.)

It was meant to be a really simple single layer cake. With simple frosting and Maltesers. But I don't have two 20cm round pans, and I didn't think I want to slice them in halves. So I thought I will split the batter into 3 different sizes and dah dah!

See those prying fingers!

3-Tier Chocolate Malt Cake is birthed.

The colors -- Red, Green, Blue, Yellow and Brown were literally my first-born's idea. Coincidentally, I had already decorated with these colors (rather sparingly though) before he shared with me his idea for his daddy's cake. Great minds really.

Verdict: I didn't enjoy the cake. But hey! I enjoyed making it - every single bit of it. It was a breeze. There's no need to worry about cake not rising, egg white not stiff, and all that jazz. This cake is really easy peasy. Most of all, I enjoyed decorating it though I'm not good at frosting it (yet!), as evident in the photos (Look at those uneven layering of the frost). So, why didn't I like the cake? I find it really too sweet for my liking, and the combination of cocoa and horlicks is a killer to my throat. Lethal. Too 'heaty' I feel. Not to mention the calories. Hence a tiny slice for me will do. *Hee*

Next assignment: My dad's birthday. Pant. (Not forgetting Mother's Day this weekend. Oh my!)

Here's what you'd need:

Cake
* 225gm unsalted butter
* 225gm castor sugar (I used only 200gm. Still thought it's too sweet)
* 80gm malted milk powder (Horlicks, sifted))
* 50gm cocoa powder (I used Hershey unsweetened, sifted)
* 4 eggs
* 200gm self-raising flour (sifted)
* 4 tbsp milk

Icing
* 250gm icing sugar
* 1tsp cocoa powder
* 45gm malted milk powder
* 125gm unsalted butter
* 2 tbsp boiling water
* Maltesers for decoration

This is what I did:

1. Grease and line the base of cake tins (I used 22cm, 17cm, and 8cm)

2. Cream the butter and sugar till fluffy and light. Add the dry ingredients - malted milk powder, cocoa powder and flour. Mix till blended.

3. Add egg one at a time. Mixing well after each addition.

4. Add milk and beat together till smooth and creamy.

5. Divide batter evenly between prepared tins. Bake in preheated oven at 180degC for about 25-30mins till cake has risen and is firm. Check doneness with toothpick.

6. Cool in tins for a short while before turning cakes out onto wire rack to cool completely.

7. When ready to frost, prepare boiling water and mix in malted milk powder and cocoa powder. Stir and set aside to cool

8. Cream butter and half of icing sugar till light and fluffy. Add in remaining sugar and cocoa mixture. Mix till well blended.

9. Starting with the base layer, spread the icing on. Place 2nd layer, frost. And finally the 3rd layer, frost. Decorate as you wish.

10. Chill and enjoy!

NB: The next time I do this (if I ever, I will do away with the Maltesers. And perhaps try a different frosting :)

Recipe from Ju

Rainbow Doughnuts

With the same recipe that I have used for the Vanilla Cupcakes, I made them into doughnuts.

Searched high and low for this doughnut pan. Found it in Kitchen Capers and swear, I must use it! Went through lots of trouble buying this pan actually.

These were last done in March during Son2's birthday. Baked these little bites for his class celebration, and was applauded by his teachers. *Curtsey* These mini doughnuts fitted their little hands really well. Teachers were spared the mess with creams and cake bits. *Phew*

More importantly, he was happy.

Nothing more to ask for :)

Bringing Up Boys - James Dobson

This is a FANTASTIC book!

Naturally, what drew me and glued me was Chapter 7 -- Mothers and Sons.

Brace yourself. I'm gonna share some excerpts (and reflections, if any) as I re-read this book for the 4th time... ... deep breath...

Except 1... Breathe in... Ready... Go!:

Despite the importance of an early mother-child bond, it may seem strange that little boys begin to pull away from their moms during the period between 15 - 36 months. Boys,... become negative at that time and resist any efforts to corral or manage them. ... They usually respond better to fathers - but not very much. ... Mom must take charge during these delightful but challenging days of toddlerhood. ... Respect for her authority and leadership are rooted in this period, and opportunities that are lost will be difficult to recover later on. Just remember that boys desperately need to be supervised. They also need to be 'civilized', quite literally. In the absence of firm but loving leadership, they tend to follow their own selfish and destructive inclinations, which can be harmful to a boy and to other members of the family. ...

breathe out... ...

Separation Anxiety Round II

Now it's starting all over again.

I went through this half a decade ago when Son1 started his nursery. I am going through this RIGHT NOW with Son2 in his new nursery. And in another 2 years' time, Son3's turn. Pant.

Round II, this time, is not easier than Round I.

I recalled my Mom used to tell me how sticky I was to her when I was a little girl. I was cared for by a stayhome babysitter. I remembered her unit was directly beside the lift landing where I knew my mom will come through at about 4pm daily. So, according to my Mommy dearest, I was so bright, though I couldn't read the clock as yet then. I would park myself promptly at the door, just about 345pm or so. I faithfully eyed the lift. Once I see my Mom, I would shout out and would not stop till she picks me up and bring me home. *hee hee hee*

Guess that was cute for a while. Till my Mom decide that she should take the other lift at the opposite end of the block. Though it was a longer route home, she took it anyway. So as to avoid me. How cruel.

Well, it is pay back time now. To the power of 3. Pant.

Son1 calls himself "Mommy's brain" (since I tend to forget things and would 'borrow' his brain to remember grocery list). So, whenever and wherever I go out, I have to bring him.

Son2 calls himself "Mommy's shadows"; he follows me everywhere I walk, even at home. Except the bathroom; he parks himself outside, intermittently knocking on my door, reminding me of his presence.

Son3, blessed is he. An infant still he may be but come nighttime, he too, will wail and search for me with his little round eyes. You can see just how he relaxes and settles back in once I carry him over.

These are the days where your children are needy and sticky. But it won't last long, many well-meaning older mother-friends will tell you. One day, slowly but surely, they will grow up and leave. Even the Principal during the Orientation said, "Mommies, step back and let the Daddies do their jobs. These young boys will gravitate towards their fathers as they grow... come P3 or P4, they will LOOK UP and LOOK FOR their fathers..."...

"Oh don't worry. They won't forget you. They will still come to you,... but for different things."

I wonder what those 'different things' are.

So for now, I shall cherish these moments and carve them deeply in my memory -- whatever space there is left. I shall remember your tears, Sons,... your clinging to me like monkeys to the tree... your sticky, slimy mucus and tears all over me... your suffocating hugs and wet kisses... your MOMMMMMMY, come..."...

Now,... Who's having the separation anxiety?! *sob*

I survived!!!

First week of school... much has been said and shared over the years... in anticipation of Son1's new academic year. Well, the first week has come, and has gone; much to my relief!

I was rather apprehensive as any new Primary School mother will tell you. Will my child interact well? Will the teachers be kind and patient with him? Will he have friends? Will he cry? Will he know what to do? Does he know how to even ask to go to the toilet? The anxiety is endless, and the questions never ending. I recall waking up just praying over these.

I am glad! So very glad. The Lord has answered not just one... but many of my prayers in meeting Son1 at his points of needs in the new environment.

The form teacher as I come to know, is the best in the school.
One of the teacher aides is my friend who volunteered her service for the first week.
The cousin happens to be in the same class.
Son1 is enjoying his new school and friends, and never once shed a tear even when he's lost in the compound. (He proudly introduced Son2 to his new friends; even Son2 likes kor kor's school :)

To this, praise be to the Lord! Now, even I am looking forward to school. LOL.

The journey has begun. It will be a non-stop journey till he wears his mortar board again.

And it's my prayer that I can be instrumental and be supportive of his new milestone. I shall always remember that my role is to guide and pray. And to that, Son1, I love you and I promise to always be there on my knees for you.

Dreadful HFMD

Yes... It was right... Son1 contacted HFMD. So he's been home bounded.

The very next day, Son2 was found with spots in his mouth after complaining of PAIN! " mommmmy, painfffuullll...!'

And so, he was packed home to join his elder brother.

That's not the end. Coz next day, lo and behold!! I found spots in MY mouth. Wail wail sob... The GP confirmed that me, the Great Mother, has caught it too. The doc warned, time and again, to watch out for my NB. Barely 4-months old, it will be unimaginable if he too catches it.

Immediately, I sent out SMSes to my prayer group, to pray for divine protection over the baby!

Well... 7 days have passed since Son1's first contact. Son3 is doing well! PTL!!! Besides the occasional fussing, he is not doing that bad really! Low grade fever has since subsided. Son1 & 2, too are recovering well... Back to being themselves, eating and drinking well.

PTL!

Now, am wondering when should I pack and head back home... ... Coz really, it is rather quiet n serene here at my mom's house -- with only my dad, baby and I. ;p Hmmmm... ...

What an adventure...

It all started on Tuesday. Like always, I woke up to get my boys ready for the day. After settling their breakfast, I happily sent off my first-born to school! Thinking to myself... Well, now I have the other 2 boys to attend to. Phew...

Barely 30mins after he left the house, my phone rang... And my nightmare began. The school office administrator was on the line. As any parent will tell you... We 'tremble' at the sound of the school office on the phone...

"Mrs Ong... I'm calling from XX school... Can u kindly arrange for someone to pick him up and bring him to the doctor..." ... ... "Yes Mrs Ong, you see, we found spots on his palms and ulcers in his mouth... ..."

WHAT?!?? My alarm went off! In my mind, images quickly connived! I have to bring him,... I have to arrange pickup... I have to plan relocating if the worst is true... I have to separate the boys... I should... Or, wait, should I... No, that's right, I should call my husband!

I jumped into action!!!

In less than an hour, I had him diagnosed, packed my bags. And in less than 2 hours, I handed him over to my mom (bless her heart! She has agreed to stay over at my place, while I will move out to hers with my other two sons), told her the whole list of to-dos, instructed my helper, said goodbye to my first-born... After a teary goodbye, we set off with a heavy heart.

All these because of my 3-month old new-born.

Never did I realized, we have to be away for a minimum of 10 days. Sob...