DadsforLife Conference 2011

I was invited to DadsforLife Conference via Twitterdad on 27th May.

Seriously before I attended the conference, I was expecting only at most 50-60 dads to be there cos the conference was held on a working day afternoon 230pm. Not a lot of Daddies will be able to take leave right? Wrong! About 800 over tickets were sold!! The place was packed!

Expected attendance was about 900+, just look at the hall, a great event definitely.

Met a fellow daddy blogger, sengkangbabies. I have been following Andy’s blog for some time, so happy to meet him and we had a good father-to-father talk =)

As always, the goodie bag is full of colourful gifts and good reading materials.

Thanks to the Resource Team peeps.. Paul and Hillary!

Enjoying A Digital Arts Lifestyle

This is a fun and interactive digital arts event that is held in conjunction with the Singapore Arts Festival 2011.

Organized by the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) and NTUC U Family, the event excites the entire family through the use of fun and interactive games in popular mobile apps. Based on the theme of “I Want To Remember”, we get to re-live the sights and sounds of the childhood days through a series of interactive digital games.

The event is held at Esplanade Park, so it was the perfect chance to bring the girls out for a stroll along the bay.

It was indeed the Arts Festival - mobile karaoke bus. I have to say the singing was not too nice but respect for their courage lah… =)

A surprise treat from the event staff. Häagen-Dazs ice-cream! The best way to win over a kid (or some adults too, namely Kless).

To participate in the digital games, each participants will be given an activity passport and will be required to collect a total of 4 stamps from each of the interactive booths.

I’m trying to read through the instructions but Joey is too eager to just get on with the game.

After 2 booths, Jayne decided that she had enough. “black face”.. hahahaa, I actually think she looks cute =p

After Joey has collected all 4 stamps, it’s time to try her luck at the digital ‘tikam’ booth. I still prefer the old-fashioned ‘tikam’ stall.

Besides the games, the entire Esplanade Park was transformed into a very nice place for a family gathering area. There were ample spaces for families to just sit around and enjoy some nature lifestyle.

Thanks to The Right Spin for recommending us the place. We had a great time.

Date:
13 May – 5 Jun

Time:
5pm – 12am (Sundays – Thursdays)
5pm – 1am (Fridays – Saturdays)

Venue:
Festival Village at the Esplanade Park

For more information: http://www.singaporeartsfest.com/253

How To Stop A Tantrum

Jayne is 2 years old now. This has never been the same when Joey was at the same age. Joey has always been more responsive to the cane, we don’t have to use it often, but the mere mention of certain discipline will get her attention. Jayne is totally different. Even with a whip of the cane (which is rare in case you think I’m a monster), she will only cry for about 5 secs, then she will seek refuge with whoever is available at that moment. She will just cling to them and act ‘pitiful’. How to really discipline such an innocent face, right?

Recently I read an article on how to stop a tantrum. Give you kids a choice.

Sometimes a simple “this or that” choice is the secret to keeping tempers and tantrums under control. By giving our kids choices on some things, we are letting them exercise control they desire and minimize battles of wills which are so common once kids reach 2 and 3.

Here are some pointers for discussions:

1. Make the decisions little
The point is not to let our child decide if she wants a bath or not. When we see the sweaty child dozing off before dinner; we know it’s time for a bath and sleep. Instead of pulling them straight to the bathroom or nagging them, why not let them decide on what bath toys to bring into the bathroom. Or which bath towel to use. This way, we get the child to bathe and also train the child in decision-making.

2. Give choices that you approve
Don’t give our kids the choice between fast food or healthy food. For sure they will choose fries over some porridge you have prepared for hours. Even adults like us will choose fast food. So the deal is not giving them choices that we do not approve. Instead give them choices like apple or banana, cartoon or board games. Of course, there is no harm giving our kids the occasional treat (ice cream, fries, etc).

3. Give concrete options for little kids
”Do you want to eat your cookie before or after dinner?” This may not work with kids in their 2s or 3s. They may not understand the difference or value of delay gratification. Instead give options like: Do you want to watch Mickey Mouse or Tom & Jerry before bedtime? Concrete options.

4. Stand firm
Always let our child know that there are only 2 or 3 choices she has and don’t budge. After a day of making little choices for herself, when she decides it’s not time to sleep yet, firmly tell her that she has made lots of decisions today, and now it’s Daddy’s time to make the decision.

When we are able to instil this training in our kids when young, it will definitely be easier for us when they grow up and we start to talk to them on bigger issues like BGR, Health, etc…

Orchid Bowl @ Safra Yishun Club

Last Friday our cg went out for bowling at Safra Yishun Club. It was a long time since the group of us went outdoor for some activity. So all of us were very excited.

Due to the number of kids in our group (12 of them) the best place has to be an aircon venue with ample space for them to run around without the parents being too worried they will be lost.

Claire and Chernise posing while waiting for the rest to come.

CUTE!

Jayen is so adorable, she tries to choose a ball for me, obviously it has to be her favourite colour.

The bowlers getting ready for our games.

The young ones helping out. But my guess is they are attracted by the colourfulness instead =)

Here is my girl giving her Papa some support.

Have you seen a child’s bowling ball before? For all these years of bowling, I have never seen or even know that there was such a bowling ball for the kids. Only 4 pounds. But 5 holes!!! Amazing!!

As the games goes on, the off-court activities seems to garner more attention. The kids were having a blast time! So happy to see them enjoying the night.

Jayne, Sherri, Natalyn, Christabelle

Cheryl

Little Jayden who just turned 1 a few weeks ago. He is surely growing up to be a fine man =)

The 2 girls are just 1 month apart. Jayne and Chernise. They were the best of friends that night. Going around the entire bowling centre, checking out the place, eating, playing, running, etc..

Those not running after the kids were the envy of us with kids. They can sit down and enjoy their bowl of noodles. Blessings!

Thanks everyone for a wonderful night of fellowship! We have to plan such gathering more often =)

For more information on the bowling rates.

Swee Choon Tim Sum Restaurant

This has to be the best dim sum place I have tasted in Singapore. Recommended by 2 good friends during one of our late working night. I was amazed by the numerous patrons even at 11pm. Truly a Singaporean culture!

Compared to other dim sum places, the menu selection is very good. You will have at least 40-50 dim sum to choose from. On top of that, they serve la mian, noodle, soup, porridge, rice & dessert. Really a place to enjoy almost everything you want to. Writing this blog is making me so hungry and definitely a trip to Swee Choon again in the coming week =)

When I was there the last time with Kless, we ordered about 10 of their signature dishes. Feast with your eyes!!

Shanghai Xiao Long Bao – ok for this I think Din Tai Fung is better, but Swee Choon can claim 2nd. The skin of the xiao long bao is just nice, not too thick and hard.

Fried Golden Doufu – top class! No where else can you find such a delicacy.

Plain Noodle La Mian with Fried Pork Cutlet – coming from a guy who doesn’t like pork, this pork cutlet is the best I have ever tried. Coupled with the plain la mian (added chilli), the combination is superb. This dish also serves as a stomach filler since the dim sum are smaller in portion.

Red Bean Paste Pancake – Kless named this as her top 3 favourite. The exterior is crispy and the red bean paste is not too sweet. I think one reason why it’s good is the red bean aroma after eating it. Definitely one of the dishes I would recommend.

Sichuan Oil Chilli Wanton – 3.5 out of 5 marks because of the sauce. Vinegar + Chilli, always a hit.

Chee Cheong Fun – this may be one of those dim sum that will hardly go wrong. However, we enjoyed it because of the smoothness of it. For us, we like to eat it plain with just soy sauce and sesame seed.

Chicken Claw – the NUMBER ONE choice!! I know a lot of people don’t even dare to eat chicken claws. But this is heavenly! prepared till it’s soft but not soggy. The only addition I can think of is maybe chilli, but itself like this is already enough for us.

Beancurd Prawn Roll – the most value for money. Why? Because the entire prawn roll is filled with only prawns! Big and juicy prawns!

Mee-Suan Kueh – one of their speciality. Fried mee suan on top of something like carrot cake. Not what I would like cos the taste is a bit bland. But it is suppose to be one of the best selling dish.

Address:
185/ 187/ 189/ 191 Jalan Besar
(opp McDonalds, parking available along Syed Alwi Rd or Desker Rd)

Opening Hours:
Mon – Sat (6pm – 10am)
Sun & PH (6pm – 12noon)
Closed on Tue nights

Payment mode: Cash or Nets

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