Parenting and Kids

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Highlights of April 2015

A roadside purple bloom

A roadside purple bloom

April has been a really happy month for me. I recently returned from my 2nd couple trip this year.  I’ve been working hard  on focusing on my marriage and carving out time from our busy schedules to spend quality time with each other.

R and me at a Tea Making Workshop

R and me at a Tea Making Workshop

During my 4 day trip we visited many different places and attended two workshops.  In one of the workshops we attended we had the opportunity  to learn the history behind the traditional Hakka Thunder Tea (擂茶)  and were shown how to make it.  It was made using green tea leaves, black sesame, peanuts and puffed rice. We had the option of adding in raw sugar if we wanted it sweeter but I gave it a miss.  I also had my first encounter with fireflies and it was really a magical site. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to capture the sight on camera as the fireflies are very sensitive to light and may get traumatized by the camera flash so we were not allowed to bring along any cameras or hand phones.

A dark pink rose

A dark pink rose

I shared more pictures of my previous trip to Taiwan where I saw really lovely roses  at a Rose Exhibition that we went to. It was  a treat to see so many different varieties of roses in a garden and I took hundreds of pictures that day.

Rock formation at Herping Island Park

Rock formation at Herping Island Park

Pictures to the seaside at Herping Island Park were also shared as each time I go on a holiday I try to visit different places of nature.

A Lantern display featuring sheep

A Lantern display featuring sheep

It was a visual treat for me when I visited the Yuanshan Flower Expo Park as there was a Lantern Festival on during the trip in Feburary.

Baked eggplant and homemade bread with bacon

Baked eggplant and homemade bread with bacon

If you were wondering what I’ve been cooking lately wonder no more as I  featured what yummy foods  that I have been eating lately.

embracing motherhood

The blog train that I hosted on Embracing Motherhood  came to an end with my own piece on motherhood where I shared  what motherhood means to me and what I have learned so far being a mother of 3.

I also shared two books which I have reviewed

Always there Bear ( for kids 3-6 yr old) 

Parenting with Presence 

Tiger girl shopping for shoes

Tiger girl shopping for shoes

April ended on a high note for me as Tiger girl and I got  invited down to Pazzion to pick out a few pairs of shoes for  Mother’s Day as an early Mother’s Day treat for me.

How was April for you?

 

Writer’s Workshop: My Xtra Special Moments of Joy

R and me

R and me

 

Spending time with the one I love brings me much joy.  Last weekend  I flew over to where R is working to spend some couple time with him.   It was my special time together with him.

The last time we met up was in February when  we had our Valentine’s Day couple getaway before returning back to Singapore together  to celebrate Chinese New Year with the family.

Waiting for the sun to set on the boardwalk

Waiting for the sun to set on the boardwalk

Joy is ……….

being able to spend time with the one you love. Walking hand in hand basking in the setting sun.  Admiring the view as you feel the sea breeze blowing against you. 

The scenery from Ba Gua Hill

The scenery from Ba Gua Hill

Joy is ……….

Soaking in the lights and panoramic view  while having a romantic dinner at the top of a hill.  Taking in the wonderful sight of hundreds of lights dotting landscape. Each of them representing a street light or a building in the valley below.

Our room at Yuma  Hot Spring Motel

Our room at Yuma Hot Spring Motel

Joy is ……….

Having a peaceful night sleep without being disturbed by the kids.   This is really something that I have been dreaming off and it was really a  JOY to be able to experience it during this trip.

The indoor Jacuzzi at another motel which we stayed in.

The indoor Jacuzzi at another motel which we stayed in.

Joy is ……….

Enjoying myself  playing with bubbles and soaking in a tub  while blowing bubbles like a little girl.  Experiencing the fun that I used to have back then as a teenager.

The old street

The old street

Joy is ……….

Being a tourist and walking along streets reminiscing how it was back then in the 60s and 70s with shops that still were kept in its original condition selling olden day treats.

Our handmade rings

Our handmade rings

Joy is ……….

Celebrating your 14th Wedding anniversary 2 months in advance by making your own unique anniversary present at a jewelry making workshop.  We  made our own rings after selecting the pattern from the samples that we were given and did the engraving  all by ourselves under the supervision of the teacher.

It was certainly a really unique experience and a priceless gift which would be treasured forever.

What is your Joy in the present moment?

Jenny Matlock

Mama’s Losin’ It