My Preciouz Kids

Giveaway

Big Ideaz Education has kindly sponsored 1 reader for 2 month access to the Writing Academy (8 weeks of lesson worth S$188) for kids p3 and above.

1. Liked FB pages of mypreciouzkids.com and Big Ideaz Education

2. Followed mypreciouzkids on Instagram

3. Liked and share this FB post and tag 3 friends who will be interested in this.

Please keep your Facebook shared post (as indicated in step 3) in order to qualify so that I can locate your entry. Bonus: repost the IG post with #mypreciouzkidsgiveaway and tag 3 friends (1 tag per comment)

I will be picking the 1 lucky winner. The giveaway closes on 4 February 2018 2359pm (Sun)

Winner: Teo Muan Hua

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post. No monetary compensation was received. All opinions are my own.

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Painting with a heart at Heart Studio

I have always known of the holiday art classes at Heart Studio from many years back and they have the most awesome themes that ALL kids love – My Little Ponies, Cars, Star Wars, Shopkin – you name a cartoon theme that your kids love they probably have it especially during the holiday programs. When I had only 2 kids, I do indulge them with weekly art and craft sessions with them at home but since the addition of the younger 2 boys, I didn’t had time to do that at all. It is very tough doing art and craft sessions for 4 kids and to clear the mess thereafter.

On a normal schooling days my kids have their regular enrichment classes and school, art classes would be an after thought. I do believe in the benefit of art classes as in my younger days I did dabble in it as well and even won some art competitions during my primary school days. I even had art classes but it was more pure practise than talent, so I can’t really draw and paint like a real artist. I don’t think my kids have much artistic streak or talent but my kids do love to doodle, paint , colour and draw. When I told them I sign them for a session of art with Heart Studio during the school holiday, they were over the moon. They have been asking me incessantly since the school hols started when is their painting session.

I only had a small happy problem – it is not possible to find a similar slot for all 3 kids based on their theme they like (qualms of a FTWM as i cant be possibly bringing each kid at a different session) but Heart Studio will be happy to do a swap during the same session. Big J had unicorn as his theme for his age gropu, which he isn’t too keen but big C is, so they did a swap. Big J was even happier painting snowman than unicorn for sure. And small J has the theme of his dream – Cars !

All 3 kids were in different classes due to the age group and complexity of the art theme. Before starting, they get to choose the picture they would like to paint as a guide.

I can tell the teachers at Heart Studio are patient and fantastic with kids. Small J is usually very apprehensive with new classes, he even asked if I will be with him throughout the art class initially but he warmed up to his teacher immediately! In fact, in small J’s class there was a boy 1 year younger than him and he could follow the class and listen to the teacher too!

You may wonder how is it possible for kids as young as 3 or 4 to paint such beautiful paintings – I was there thoroughout the session (not in the class per say but I check on their progress now and then). Firstly, they do have a picture to give them an idea how their final artwork will look like. They are guided step by step, stroke by stroke, detail by detail (big C unicorn had a tiara instead of a flower garland) and choose any colour details so make their art work truly their own (and only 1 in the world!)

first step is to sketch the object

painting the background and the main objects

drying before applying another layer of colour

There is definitely more help and guidance for the younger kids as the motor skills are still developing especially for fine lines and smaller details but i would like 90% are done by the kids themselves throughout step by step guidance from the very patient teachers (it was 2 hours 4 5min long!) and hence you wouldn’t believe how good the final product looks!

In fact, if you are looking to buy or commission paintings to decorate your kids room, may I suggest that you send your child for a session and you can have a respectable art piece by your own child at the end of your session for their own room!

In fact, as we were making out way home with their masterpieces, they asked when they can be back to paint again as they enjoyed it so much. The teachers at Heart Studio have been so wonderful and patience throughout that they had such a wonderful experience painting to their hearts’ contents and having a piece of their own framed in their rooms! I may not be able to slot it into their weekly schedule, but I will definitely slot it into their holiday schedule. This half day art camp definitely works for FTWM during the holiday seasons!

I think there are several more sessions for the December school holiday program , you can check out at this link

Heart Studio

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post. No monetary compensation was received. All opinions are my own.

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Child Kitchen by Ippudo : Super fun ramen making for the school hols and super value for money too!

All my kids are BIG fan of ramen. They even does the slurping noodle sound just to show oishi ramen taste!

And when I stumbled across the ramen and gyoza making session conducted by Child Kitchen at Ippudo Robertson Quay, I know it is a must try for my ramen loving kids. In fact, Child Kitchen is part of Ippudo group and they have been organising similar ramen cooking classes in Japan, Malaysia, Thailand etc and they brought it into Singapore (only at Robertson Quay outlet) a year ago. It doesn’t happen every weekend, probably on the average one or two session in a month and it get sold out pretty quickly too or it has been taken up by a private event. You can add your email into their mailing list and you get notify when a new session comes up.

In fact, such cooking sessions are also suitable for adults for enjoy cooking and savouring ramen. They believe in the power of food to unite people centering around how to cook an authentic ramen. Besides imparting culinary skills, these sessions are perfect for family bonding through the love for Japanese food.

After many missed opportunities and packed weekends, I finally secured slots for my 3 older kids at the start of the loooonnngg year end school hols. Suitable for kids aged 4 and above (below 6 need parent accompaniment) , we finally conducted our first ever ramen and gyoza making last Sunday! In fact, they have been incessantly asking me when the cooking session will happen when I told them about it in early Nov. Do note that you get Ippudo standard ramen to savour at the end of the session too – IMHO one of the best ramen in SG. At SGD 25 per pax (min 2 pax at SGD 50) for a 2-hour session , I think its the best value for money kids cooking session and you have a Ippudo standard bowl of ramen complete with cha siu and egg.

When we arrived – aprons, bandana, all set nicely on worktable.

We had 3 packet of flours for our 3 little ramen chefs. First order of the day is to make our own ramen. Mixing lye with floor, we knead into a big round dough. It was mess with flour, but it was clear fun mess (thank god i dont have to clean the mess too). Thereafter, we split into 3 portions -1 for each kid and their portion was placed back into the plastic bag and into their apron’s pocket for it to set.

Next, its time to make the gyoza skin. Dividing a small portion of dough into 3 parts (to make 3 gyoza each) , they had to create 3 round gyoza skin using a template. Thereafter, they will put the chicken filling in the middle of the skin and using the same filing on the side around to “create a glue” to skin the edges together. It will then be handed over to the real chef to steam and pan-fried the gyoza.

Finally, its time to bring out the ramen dough and the most fun part – flattening the dough. They double-wrapped the dough , lay out the mat and had all kids remove their shoes. The kids are tasked to flatten the ramen dough using their feet – stomp, jump etc what ever it takes to flatten it so that rolled into the noodle maker machine.

They did two more round of “flattening” using the noodle machine until the actual ramen size noodle. All the kids had a good portion (Adult size) which will be cooked and filled with soup by the kitchen.

After 1.5 hours of kneading, rolling, jumping, stomping, my kids were famished and eagerly awaiting for their own made ramen and gyoza! I must say it tasted even better than my ramen at Ippudo as it is made by my kids (I had a taste as I finished the left over as the portions were huge!). I guess this was our best kids cooking session , they were so full from their ramen and gyoza that they didn’t needed any dinner at all.

we even had our own Ippudo chopsticks and spoon to bring home

For December, they will be conducting ramen and cooking making session, do check out poster for more details and how to register.

Child Kitchen

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post. No monetary compensation was received. All opinions are my own.

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Bromin Tech/Lite – Probably the lightest ergonomic school bag in Singapore!

I was on the lookout for a lighter ergonomic school bag. If you want ergonomic feature in the school bag, the lightest I have seen is also weighing at 900g plus. Some ergonomic school bag goes up to 1.2kg without book too! So I am very mindful of the weight of an ergonomic school bag, and daddy is not too keen on ergonomic schoolbag due to the “heavier” weight! He is quite happy to get a light and non ergonomic school bag but I have always insisted that the kids should carry ergonomic school bags and I have tried to source for the lightest one possible. Currently the kids are using ergonomic school bags at 900g. Bromin Emporter seems to have heard me by introducing probably the lightest ergonomic school bag in Singapore.

A bit about Bromin, it is a Singapore-based bag maker and importer founded by Gabriel Tay, who is a father himself ie like a parent like me who recognises two facts – ergonomic bags are heavier and more expensive. Recognising this opportunity and being in the same industry, he has managed to design and manufacture 2 models (pink and blue) to fill up this gap in the market – an ergonomic school bag under 0.7kg and priced under SGD 90 (introductory prices) and the best part it has lifetime warranty !

With big J in mind, I had received both models – Tech and Lite to compare and contrast, however, I will be keeping 1 model for big J and the other bag (brand new, used for photography purposes for this review) will be given to one lucky read. Do note that my preference may not be your/your child’s preference.

Bromin Lite (Introductory price SGD 88)

Both models sport very similar back support with plush cushion with waist and chest strap to balance the weight of the bag on its carrier. So in this aspect both models are pretty similar! Its odd that I show the back of the bag instead of the front first because to me this is the most important part of an ergonomic bag – its back support!

I would say the Bromin Lite has a more sporty and stylish feel with the flip top cover and a G-Hook. It has a drawstring opening which opens wide to see all its content.

i liked that Bromin Lite opens up and stay that way to see all its content in a glance!

The front compartment extends inward into the bag so you wont have a “budging” front compartment when your kid stuff all his knick knack in the front compartment.

Measuring at 38cm high, 25cm wide and 21cm, it fits comfortable on my 1.25cm 8 year old and it weigh at a mere 665 g only!

The Lite model has 4 knobs at the bottom -this feature is not found in the Tech model.

Two good size side pockets for water bottle – similar in both models

Bromin Tech (Introductory price S$68)

This model sports similar great back support with plush cushion, waist and chest strap just like Lite model, and 2 side pockets! I would say this model look more like typical school bag and open using a zipper as compared to a drawstring opening in the Lite model.

For the Lite model, you see everything from the top while the Tech model it opens up to the front. The bag sits upright even when the main compartment is open.

The front compartment is not as roomy as Lite as it does not extend inwards but it does have extra pocket compartments in it with a key holder.

Measuring at 38cm high, 30cm wide and 18 cm deep (slight wider but less deep) and 10g heavier (so negligible!) at 675 g and it fits big J well too!

Side by side comparison

For those who are undecided which model ( I had a hard time selecting which suits J more), I have more side by side comparison for your decision making.

Its a pretty hard choice and it also very much depend on its user which method of opening he/she prefers – zipper or drawstring! But from a price point perspective, Bromin Tech seems to be a more economical model at SGD 20 cheaper and have almost similar dimensions and weight! Personally, I prefer a zipper opening to a drawstring version, hence I chose the Tech model for big J which means I will be giving out Bromin Lite to 1 lucky reader – giveaway steps at the end of the blog!

Lifetime warranty

The warranty protect against any manufacturing and material defects. However, it does not cover for any wear and tear from usage. Following the steps in the hang tag, do remember to register your warranty upon receiving the bag to ensure validity of your warranty.

For a limited time only, pre-order the bags online to enjoy $20 off retail price and delivery will be made in November at www.brominemporter.com/kids

You can also check out the bags at all Tom & Stefanie outlets from next week onwards (13 Nov) to let your kids try on the ergonomic bags themselves or order online for free delivery – introductory prices will be valid till end of the year. You can also order it from Lazada.

Bromin Emporter

Giveaway

As mentioned above, Bromin Emporter has given me 2 two different models in blue to review. I have kept Bromin Tech model for big J as he prefered that model. Hence, I do have the Bromin Lite model worth SGD 108 (in blue) to giveaway. Do note that it is an entirely new ergonomic school bag which I have opened and took photos for this review only. It was not used in any other way. Hence, I would need to arrange for a meetup for collection too , up to my convenience (weekday at Novena, weekend and nights at Potong Pasir).

1. Liked FB pages of mypreciouzkids.com and Bromin Emporter

2. Followed mypreciouzkids and Bromin Emporter on Instagram

3. Liked and share this FB post and repost this IG post using #mypreciouzkidsgiveaway and tag 5 friends in the same IG post (1 tag per comment) on the same IG post.

Please keep your Facebook shared post and IG shared post public (as indicated in step 3) in order to qualify so that I can locate your entry.

I will be picking the 1 lucky winners . The giveaway closes on 26 November 2017 2359pm (Sun)

Winner: @iamalicetan

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post. No monetary compensation was received. All opinions are my own

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A bloom for every occasion – A Better Florist

I always think that blooms and flowers are reserved for birthdays or anniversaries but I realised that flowers can be a gift for any celebrated occasions. I know that flowers wither and die and they do not last forever ie the man will say waste of money, but I came to realise that a bloom is a sweet gift to celebrate little milestones / occasions/ birthdays/ anniversaries and the list goes on! That is exactly what A Better Florist delivered to me.

So this wonderful gift was what I got last Friday, which happen to be my last day of work with a company that I had worked for 9.5 years, a company that I had joined shortly after my marriage and I had 4 kids during my tenure with the company. I am truly grateful for the immense work life balance that probably is the reason why I manage to add my brood to above national average too. It was a bitter sweet occasion and a totally emotional-charged day for me and coming back home to see the bloom and the sweet bites made it all better! Believe it or not, the flowers did make my bitter sweet mood all better through the weekend as I prepared for new challenges ahead leaving my comfort zone and probably having lesser time with the kids and blogging. So if you hear less of mypreciouzkids on social media, its probably I was swamped with my new work.

Enough of me and back to the bloom, I chose The Wonderland which was not only had a beautiful bouquet of tulips, macarons and chocolates (which was the extra surprise)! But of course I didn’t quite have a share of the macarons as they are my kids’ favourite dessert -it came from macarons.sg which is really nice and not overly sweet!

I must also give a shout out to their wonderful CSR by sharing a picture of your bouquet on Instagram by using hashtags #FlowersDoGood #ABetterFlorist tag @ABetterFlorist and also someone who makes you smile, A Better Florist will deliver a flower to a special needs child at Rainbow Centre. Besides that, one winner will be chosen every month and the winner will receive three free bouquets to the people of their choice!

So as I realise, you don’t really need to wait for a birthday or an anniversary to put a smile on your loved ones’ face or just simply to brighten a long and difficult day like my day last Friday and A Better Florist delivers really fast and fresh too!

A Better Florist

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Wooden toys (i dare say) that last till the next generation – Janod by My Miracle Baby

I have a love and hate relationship with electronic toys..i guess more hate than love. When I had my first kid, I brought lots of toys, electronic ones mostly. It doesn’t help that that a particular well-known imported toy brand had many warehouse sales making the toys a bargain so my house was filled to the brim with electronic toys. I love them as there is so much light and sound effects coming from it and it sounded like the real thing, however, over the years I find it difficult keep track or remove the batteries when not in play for a long time. I also noticed that kids often are very attracted to electronic toys but the span of attention is often shorter and they lose interest in such toys very fast. So with many instances of batteries leakages etc, I have stopped buying electronic toys or any toys that requires batteries in the past years as I do not have the time or energy to keep track of the batteries and also my kids lose interest in it very fast too.

Lately, I am in more into free forms toys – toys like Lego and also wooden toys. I came acquainted to a French brand called Janod.

Janod is a brand which specializing in wooden toys for the past 40 years. They are recognised for their striking range of children’s wooden educational toys, each beautifully designed with bright bold colours with children’s learning in mind. In Singapore, Janod is exclusively distributed by My Miracle Baby

There are many wooden pretend play toys by Janod carried exclusively by My Miracle Baby, I had to think really hard as big C is a little past the age of playing for kitchen sets and I have 2 younger boys. Do I get a “boy” toy for the sake of the 2 younger ones like the tools set or a kitchen set? Finally I decided I should not segregate what is consider boy’s or girl’s toys but one that they would be most keen in and I always seen them gearing to a particular pretend play set at play gym etc – a kitchen set. No one say boys can’t play kitchen set, or that it is a girl toys – in fact my 8 year old boy plays with it too!

The kids were so excited when they saw their latest toy. All toys will give the same effect however, a good toy is one where they are use their imagination during play and many hours of play thereafter, that is when parents feel that its money’s worth and on my part, I do not have to worry about removing the batteries in case of leakages!

There were a few kitchen/cooking set by Janod carried by My Miracle Baby but the French Cocotte Maxi Cooker caught my attention as it doesn’t look too girly..the other set was all pink and sweet.

Let me spam you some pictures how cute is this set. The detailing is superb right down to the “feet” which are like chicken feet.

love this wooden clock, perfect for teaching the middle two about time

these stick on with magnet!

even the pot handles are in chicken motif and the dials are shaped like eggs!

comes with a hook to hand the red mitten

really cute!

even the handles are rooster motif

Enough on how beautiful is this set as kids probably can’t appreciate it as much as the mummy. To them, it will be how much fun hours can they get out of it – especially there is no light and sound effect.

It is interesting that my 2 year old seems to be enjoyed the kitchen set the most of my 4 kids. He will spend a good time playing with it…pretending to wash his hand at the sink, cooking, cleaning etc. He will also make the water flowing sound when he “washes” his hands at the sink -pretend play at its best.

I also added the existing fruits and food set so make it more fun to play as there are more things to be “cooked”.

Besides pretend play toys, Janod has puzzles, musical instruments, blocks, magnetic books, pull along toys etc, not a single toy by Janod require batteries. So if you are ever looking to invest in some toys or buying as a gift, do look into buying such range of toys and from reputational brands like Janod. I am sure some of the toys can be even pass on to your kids’ kids in future. You can view the full range of Janod toys here.

Besides Janod, My Miracle Baby also carries mummies and kids related products such strollers , swaddles, car seats from reputable brands all over the world – a one stop webstore for mummies and mummies-to-be too!

My Miracle Baby