Rapunzel, no more

Amanda had her second haircut (ever) last weekend. Excluding her fringe which has been regularly snipped when she was much younger, we have only trimmed the back of her hair that once. It has grown so long that it had reached her butt, and it's no wonder that she often says she is Rapunzel. 

Whenever we bring Wayne for a cut at Uncle Ben's place, I would always ask Amanda if she would like to cut hers too. Her answer has always been a resounding no. So we never forced her and to be honest, I loved the way her hair curled at the ends (those were baby curls) and I couldn't bear to have them trimmed off. Neither could Ben. When we finally had to cut her hair, Ben was shaking his head as he snipped. He shared my heartache looking at those locks gone. 

Well I was half expecting Amanda to cry and throw a tantrum at the salon but true to her unpredictable character, she breezed through the entire haircut with nary a whine. In fact, she seemed happy.  Even Ben's assistant who have seen her refuse a haircut many times before was surprised and asked what made her change her mind. I did ask her after that and her reply was "because I really really wanted the biscuit." Ah ha, not so surprising then.. We did promise her the Milo and biscuit which was always served to Wayne when he has his haircut. I should have known. 

So four years of those long mane cut short now, with those curls forever gone. Ben said those curls were from birth and once snipped, they were gone forever. 

All of a sudden, with those bangs, she looks so much more babyish. While I still prefer her in her long fringe, it's nice to have a change once in a while. 

When we got home that day after her haircut, she was playing in her room when she stopped and asked me, "Mommy do I look pretty in my short hair?".

Of course you do sweetie. You'll always be beautiful.  

Moving to bamboo....

New set of bamboo dinnerware for the kids. 

So. Pretty. 

Birthday blessings

Each year, on the kids birthday, I scramble to put together a simple party, for both sides of our family to come together and celebrate the birthday boy/girl turning a year older. This year was no exception, we had one for Wayne at Open Farm Community and one for Amanda at our home (realising home parties are still the best). 

Birthdays are great not just for the parties, but for the fact that all our attention is focused on the birthday boy/girl on their birthdays. For most days of the year, we just go about our daily routine, often not even realising what we are actually doing (maybe just me), but on these two days.. their birthdays.. I get that bit sentimental. I pause to recall their first birthday, their second, third and so on. I recall how tiny they once were, how they looked when they were still chubby and all their funny moments. I shower them with love and they get away with almost anything just for that day. Unspoken rule - no scoldings allowed on birthdays. I find myself thinking how I can be a better mommy to them. How I can be more patient, more loving, more fun.. And the list goes on. 

It's nice to just steal moments from our day in and out of hecticness, even if it's just for a few minutes, to remind myself how blessed I am to have this two little ones with me. And for them to feel extra special on this day as everyone comes together to celebrate with them. 

Big families are great ain't it - just imagine the number of presents they received on that one occasion! Too many, I always say. Especially when they don't just buy one toy for them, but multiple!!!! Vivien broke the record by getting Amanda 7 (what 7!?) different toys for her fourth birthday, when she could have gotten one, spoiling Amanda to the max. How blessed they are, thank you yeye, nainai, ah-por, ah-por kheng, uncle J, auntie Jen, grandpa, grandma, da-yi, uncle terry, san-yi, uncle Ken and yiyi for doting on the kids so much. 

Here are some photos of Amanda turning four in July.