Vera's Graduation from Nursery One

Our 3-year old graduated form Nursery One last week and we attended her graduation as proud parents. I have to admit I had no idea what to expect. It was fun to watch and we were pleasantly amused when we saw Vera trotting around on stage in goldilocks curls and make-up, abeit clueless most of the time. We were also pleased that the school decided to conduct most of the graduation performance in Chinese this year.

Product Review - Safetytat

As a kid, my mom used to get me to hold on to her skirt when we were out so I would not get lost. One day, in a stroke of genius (or so I thought), I placed a spool of thread in my mom's handbag and attached the end of it to my finger. I thought that this way, I was sure to find my way back to her should I get lost in the crowd. Needless to say, I got both me and my mom entangled in a cobweb of fine thread in the mall as a result of my "brilliant invention" at the age of six.

Kids these days seem to have it all. Mobile phones, GPS, and now, SafetyTat! Yes, some brilliant soul has invented a waterproof sticker tattoo that you can attach to your child and write your mobile number on in case they got lost. How B.R.I.L.L.I.A.N.T is this??!?There are several type of SafetyTat tattoos to choose from, such as allergy alert, special needs and medical alerts. The tattoos have a medical grade adhesive and are applied without water and have a blank space for you to fill in emergency information with a pen that comes together. The tattoos are vibrant, easily identifiable and the best part is, it can last up to two weeks which means that if you are planning to go on a trip away from home, you only need one (at most two) tattoos.

I was delighted to receive a couple of samples flown in all the way from SafetyTat to try it out for myself and have to say that it is everything it promises to do, plus it is so much fun too! The tattoos are so amazing that it won an iParenting Media Greatest Products Award.

I am doing a pre-order for the Quick Stick Write-On! Boy/Girl Travel 6-pack and Allergy 6-pack for the special price of S$16.90. That is approx $2.80 for each tattoo that will last 2 weeks. If you are interested to order, please place your order HERE!

New Re-usable Cotton Tote

Looking for something to stuff your christmas shopping? This new re-useable, adorable and versatile 100% cotton tote is for you! It comes in 2 adorable prints designed by Pupsik Studio: Matryoshka Elephants and Rocking Horse.

Each handy bag measures approx 28(W) x 37(H) x 9(D) cm and has a 25cm long (50 cm overall) shoulder strap. Can be used to stuff gifts, books, toys, groceries and anything lovely under the sun!

Simply fold down and tuck in the corner of any handbag or nappy bag when not in use. Available here!

Giveaway by Sparkle Thots

I am so excited to announce another fabulous giveaway this week by another of our sponsors, Sparkle Thots. There will not be one but three lucky winners selected by designer Ruth who will each run away with a gorgeous set of (4) Sparkles Colour Therapy hairpins. (see below)

To stand a chance to win these gorgeous hair clips, simply visit Sparkle Thots and pick out a jewelry item that you like. Then come back here and post a comment in this post with your favorite item, and why you like it.

To multiply your chances of winning, you can also do any or all of the following:

1. Visit Sparkle Thot on our design blog Laissezfaire and post a comment with your favorite item there.

2. Fan Sparkle Thots on Facebook, come back and leave another comment with your facebook name.

3. Follow Sparkle Thots on Twitter, come back and leave another comment with your twitter username.

4. Heart Sparkle Thots on Etsy, come back and leave another comment with your etsy username.

5. Tweet or blog about this giveaway, come back and leave another comment with your twitter account or blog link.

The contest will run for a week and end on Monday, November 30th. Three lucky winners will be selected at random to win and announced here on Dec 1st.

psst....Ruth has told me that she will be running a clearance sale starting Wed Nov 25th and there will be a storewide 30% discount so do be sure to visit before everything gets wiped out! Happy shopping and don't forget to come back to post which is your favorite here!

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Congratulations to Ashley, Wei and Deb. You are our random winners for this giveaway!

Nadya's First Step

In celebration of nadya's first step on earth, we present this video (above) to dear family and friends! Needless to say, this important milestone was recorded in our "Little Milestones" Kit.

It is interesting how different Nadya's first step was in comparison to Vera(video below taken 2 years ago). Nadya seemed so ready for this moment, even though it was her first. Maybe it is because we never hurried her, unlike Vera, when we literally forced her to take her first step one day after her first birthday when we decided "it was time". I guess we were really anxious back then. This time with Nadya, you can say we are the super chilled parents who simply waited till she was ready on her own. No pressure. Ahh...the benefits of being the second born.

Vera's first step at 12 months -Nov 2007

Become a Pupsik Fan today!

We have just started a new Fan Page for Pupsik Studio. This is by no means a popularity contest. It is just one of the ways of staying in touch with you and hearing what you want from us at Pupsik Studio. We will also use this platform to announce the freshest deals, giveways, contests and other fun stuff we have to offer only to our fans.

Whether you are a mommy, daddy, baby or none of the above, if you love us, Fan us!

xoxo
Su Ling

Juggling Work and Kids

I came across this article by Gaby Hinsliff, who recently resigned from a high flying job as a political editor of the Observer Magazine to spend more time with her two year old son.

I think Gaby Hinsliff's article contains a lot of interesting observations and honest confessions from moms who try and juggle work and family. She writes that "survey after survey suggests a deep-seated, buried misery over the eternal battle between the two. Half of working mothers with children under 15 would stay at home full-time in an ideal world, according to a 2001 survey for the then Department for Education. Eight years on, this month's She magazine reports nearly three-quarters of its readers want to cut their hours. The journalist Cristina Odone's recent think-tank pamphlet, What Women Want, claimed if money were no object only 12% of mothers would work full-time. "

These survey results raise the question: if work truly makes mothers unhappy, what makes some of us do it?

And if the unhappiness of working mothers is well documented, Gaby confesses there is guilt, too, in giving up. She herself wonders if she has squandered the chances she has been given in trading her job title as "Political Editor" for the less glamourous title of "Homemaker". She asks herself, "Is this really what I was raised, educated and trained for?"

I have personally chosen the self-employed option so that I can continue working with more flexible hours after the babies came into my life. Since making this switch, I struggle from time to time when well-meaning relatives and friends ask questions and make passing remarks that go something like:

"Don't you think it is a waste? I mean, you graduated with a Masters degree and scholarship from XYZ University and you are throwing that all away to stay home and take care of the kids? Isn't it a waste?!?"

"I never expected you to do this (quit your job). I mean, you were always so driven!"

I usually am quite shocked by comments like this. I mean, it is not like I am staying home all day watching paint dry. While it is probably not intentional, such comments discredit the important work that moms do at home and reflect on how much value people place on outward success and achievement, particularly in the corporate world today.

Someone also commented to me recently that she felt that in comparison to work, "taking care of children does not bring immediate rewards". While I can see where she is coming from, I do feel that the daily rewards from staying home with your kids come in the form that you do not expect. The joy of hearing their laughter and sharing in their wonder and curiousity for the world around, for instance, is the best reward any mom can ask for.

It has been a year since I quit my full time job and the truth is, I have never been happier, more fulfilled and challenged doing what I am doing now. I feel blessed to have the opportunity of taking care of my kids while pursuing what I absolutely love doing with Pupsik Studio and Laissezfaire. While it has not been a bed of roses and I still struggle on a daily basis with time and juggling both responsibilities from home, at least I have much more flexibility doing what I love and do not have to negotiate with employers for part-time terms and benefits that I think I deserve.

I am not sure if I have found the right mix to balancing children and work and would love to hear how other moms are coping. Has anyone found or is working towards an “ideal” solution to this?

Cardboard-Box Oven Craft

The next time you are tempted to throw out that cardboard box that came with the new TV, think about how you could turn it into a fun craft project for your kid - like this cardboard-box oven by Martha Stewart! Tutorial and video here!

"Under the Sea” at the Singapore Science Centre

Our family was invited by proud sponsors Mead Johnson to attend the premiere of Imax “Under the Sea” at the Singapore Science Centre last week. We love taking the kids to the Science Centre and this is our second trip to the Imax theatre this year.

“Under the Sea” is a new IMAX 3D adventure that transport moviegoers to some of the most exotic and isolated undersea locations on Earth, allowing viewers to experience face-to-face encounters with some of the most mysterious and stunning creatures of the sea. Our first trip to the Imax theatre to watch “Sea Monsters” was back in June when we Vera was 2-and-a-half ( we didn’t take Nadya then as we were afraid the noise would scare her). Vitali and I enjoyed ourselves tremendously although the show scared Vera so much she fell asleep at the beginning of the movie out of fright.

It is amazing how much difference a few months makes. This time, at almost 3 years of age, Vera was super excited to watch the show. She probably thought the vivid life size sharks, giant octopus, turtles and sea snakes are really swimming to her as she screamed in delight and held on to me tightly to me throughout the show. Here is a trailer from the movie.



The show is fun and interesting for families and kids of all ages, provided they have the patience to sit through a 45 minute documentary and are not easily spooked by big fish eating other smaller fish.

The film features several interesting sea creatures that will capture your child’s attention. However, the documentary style of the show (even though it is narrated by funny guy Jim Carry) may lose very young kids towards the middle. I would definitely recommend this for kids above the age of 3 as an inspirational and entertaining way to explore the beauty and natural wonder of oceans, as well as the impact of global climate change.

The IMAX Under the Sea website also contains educational resources to download for kids by age group. The materials include worksheets, pictures, and even hands-on activities that kids can do to learn about sea animals, geography, the environment, and more.

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Promotion to the Science Centre and Imax Theatre!

As a leader in pediatric nutrition and a mission to create nutritional brands and products that nourish the body and mind, Mead Johnson Nutrition is collaborating with the Singapore Science Centre to offer a free admission ticket for your child to the Science Centre with every purchase of Enfagrow A+ / Enfakid A+ / EnfaSchool A+. This promotion is available from Enfa A+ milk purchased from any NTUC Fairprice outlets from 5 - 30 November. The coupon also includes discounts to the Omni Theatre. Simply bring along the coupon packaged at the top of the milk can to the Science Centre to redeem your free ticket. Enjoy!

US$75 Giveaway from Beaucoup to readers of Pupsik Studio!

There were 16 people who took part in the giveaway and we have found a lucky winner!Congratulations to Sandy who has been selected by a random generator to be the first person to appear on our list. Sandy wins a US$75 gift card from Beau-coup! ..............

We have a special surprise for you lovely readers of Pupsik Studio!

Beau-coup is offering a US$75 gift card (SGD$100+) to one lucky winner towards anything on their site! Beau-coup carries everything from wedding favors to baby shower favors, birthday party gifts and decorations, and just in time for all the fall festivities Fall wedding & party favors and Halloween party favors!

Their unique party favors are amazing! Check out their Custom Fortune Cookies (US$1.65 each) and adorable baby piggy bank (US$3.50) that are thoughtful and practical gifts for big and little kids alike. A great favor for baby showers or birthday parties! Their gourmet cupcake baking set is bound to make that birthday party extra special for the girls especially! And dare we not forget the boys! These porcelain airplane keepsake box is handpainted and made to look like a World War II plane. It opens up on one side to reveal a cavity big enough for that first tooth or other small trinket.
Also check out these super adorable Baby Bloomer Sachets and Diaper Stacker Sachets! HOW TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY TO WIN A $75 GIFT CARD!

• Post a comment here telling us which item(s) from Beaucoup's website you’d love to get if you win! This is a perfect chance to win a handfull of little party favours for that special baby shower or party you have been planning for that little one! (psst...you can enter here on my design blog site too to double your chance of winning!)

• Giveaway ends Thursday, October 29th at midnight PST. Winner to win a US$75 gift card will be chosen randomly and announced on Friday, October 30th . Good luck, everyone!!

xoxoSu Ling

Pupsik Studio