The Army dress

The swimming suit was not the only gift from Eyang that she trusted to Kecil's Tantes to bring over. Among other things, she sent this camouflage pattern dress for Kecil, as well as the purple batik you saw on the visits post.
There was a bit hesitation on Kecil's part when Mama pushed this dress on her (it would have been such a waste were she to outgrow her clothes before wearing them, no?).
After that purple batik, she has been a bit averse to dresses which are too long, but we managed to get her into the dress.

And when Mama took out her camera.... boy oh boy does the girl turn into a kid model in an instant!

And so we had a bit of fun in taking pics this morning. The photo op was soon followed with a trip to the market (shopping!) with Kecil carrying her Dora pencil case as her 'purse'.
It would seem that Kecil loves her Camo dress. I'm glad. Especially since we still have a pair of Camo pants that I need to convince her to wear. Perhaps soon.

Here's to more photoops, both Mama shots and Kecil shots. Until then!

Epic Holiday: The Epic Loot

The biggest, most epic loot from the epic holiday came in a heavy cardboard box with a pink Hello Kitty stamp. 

And just in case you are wondering, yes, this particular loot is also Mama's biggest justification for calling the holiday Epic. 

Especially since  we had to drag this particular piece of loot through 3 airports (with 1  night stopover in between) before we finally arrived home safely with the said item. 

Thank God for the availability of cars, taxis, trolleys as well as luggage deposit service through out the journey!

And if you are wondering about the loot.... let's first start with a story.

About a year back, Ami arrived back from her holidays with a small, pink bicycle. 

Well.. in her case, actually the bike arrived slightly later in a delivery box. 

But the point is that the bike became an instant hit. 

Do remember, however, that Ami is older than Kecil, so at the point when Kecil is still content about being pushed on her old, small tricycle, Ami was quickly picking up proper cycling.

Kecil, on the various occasions when she got to borrow the bike, usually only manage to move small distances on the smoothest surfaces. 

Most of time, she prefers to pedal backward. 

Me thinks because it's the path of least resistance, or something. 

In any case, Kecil's trike broke one day, sometime before we embarked on our Epic trip. 

I think it was a combination of a heavier load, general wear and tear as well as some abuse through the ups and downs of the road. 

But it broke, and we couldn't fix it. 

And Kecil demanded for a new one, a particular Hello Kitty one that Daddy once showed her on the computer.

And so it became one of the objective of our holiday to find the said item.

Thankfully, we succeeded.

A pink, super girly Hello Kitty bicycle, with hearts and Hello Kitty everywhere, complete with a matching pink helmet 

(Mama was so going to kiss that nice store employee for actually rummaging through the store and coming back with an adorable PINK helmet to go with the bike! That was some awesome service at Rodalink Store, Rungkut, Surabaya!)

Oh, and did I mention the cute Kid on top as accessory?

Yup, that Kid.

Anyway, unfortunately we do not really have smooth, flat roads around the house for Kecil to easily cycle on. Although somehow having her own bike managed to make her learn  how to pedal properly (in the right direction) within record time, climbing uphill is still  quite beyond her ability.

So Mama got a bit creative (more inspired by Ami's Mama, actually).

Oh, yup. We actually put a leash on the bike, so Mama can pull the bike whenever it gets too heavy for Kecil to pedal. It turned out pretty useful too, because we have to figure out the proper setting for the brakes. So now the leash can be used to pull the bike through steep inclines, or slow/stop the bike when going downhill. We really should be getting along with fixing the brakes, but in the meantime...we also have a bundle of energy ever so eager to 'test-drive' her loot.

Yeah, not a day passed without seeing this familiar sight near the front door these days. On the other hand, Mama also managed to get this pic:

Absolutely adorable! Hahaha.... I guess it was really Epic, the loot. Until next time!

The Pink Bubble gun

Sometimes, as a parent, there are just things, toys, stuff, that you just buy simply because.

Because the Little One wants it.

Because she begged and cried and generally created mayhem as you tried to do your grocery shopping, or back then, as was the case, last minute Christmas gift shopping.

Because it was pink and kind of cute.

Because it does not use any battery.

Because I know she does love her bubbles.

The good thing is that I turned out right. She does love her bubbles.

Even if it took some effort to get used to the mechanical function.

Just take a look at that look of concentration on her face.

And then the brain behind that lovely face started working and concocting mischief.

A few days later, Mama thought she saw something small fell off from the gun.

Thought nothing of it, but as she tried using the gun, it got stuck! 

And Mama thought, "Cheap stuff!"

And even bought Kecil a replacement gun, this time with battery

(out of sheer dumbness! Did not notice that the new gun required a battery)

Yesterday, while loitering around the house, Daddy picked up the gun, and upon finding that it did not work, sat down to get the gun disassembled and fixed.

Guess what had been preventing the gun to work?

Some unpopped corn stuffed inside the gun.

Hmm... I wonder who was responsible for that.....

So now that the gun is fixed, Kecil ends up with TWO bubble guns!

I guess we are looking at many bubbly days ahead.

All thanks to Kecil and her popcorns!

Ah well.

Disclaimer: Although names have been changed to protect privacy, Mama can assure you that this is Kecil's true story, and not a figment of Mama's imagination. But you already know that I only tell real Kecil stories here, right?

OUR new toy

Still remember Mama's camera dilemma and her love/hate relationship with her phone camera?
Well, here's hoping that we have put an end to all that.
Right before Daddy's business trip the other day, Mama must have put a fine bee buzzing in his head about this camera thingy, he actually came back with a nifty point and shoot, from Olympus Tough series, a cool baby-proof Kecil-proof camera.

It is OURS, not just Mama's or Kecil's, but shared.
We have been playing with it for a while, and it's a fun little thing. We are expecting great things from having this gadget in our arsenal, for sure. In the meantime, Kecil is happily snapping away with OUR new camera:

Just expect many more Kecil shots in the near future as we get better acquainted with our new toy.

How about you? Any new gadget in your arsenal lately?

Sunglasses

With the country now pretty deep into the 'cold season' (read: it's pretty sunny, but with cold winds blowing from up North), and after Mama replaced her lost sunglasses (for the nth time!), Kecil decided that she wanted one as well.
That day when Mama finally bought Kecil her sunglasses turned out to be a perfect day for one.
Sunny, with lots of strong winds that lift all kind of dust around.
What a better way to protect your eyes from both the sun and the sand, yes?

United Nations Day Celebrations

This Mama was not joking when she said that Friday had been wildly anticipated, both by Mama and Kecil. We were informed of the event since like a few weeks back? And I am sure there had been a lot of preparations done in Skool in terms of preparing the students. This is because the day also served as a presentation day to show off the students.
On the parents' side, our job is mostly concerned with getting the kids dressed according to the countries selected (we drew blind slots), prepare the countries' flag, practice the Kiddo's line (just a simple one line, basically stating the kids' name and the country they were representing) PLUS a food item for the potluck.
Mama's assignment for the potluck was actually the carrot cake she made for Kecil's birthday. Ha!

Kecil, as you noticed, drew the slot for representing China.
We had the dress made at the local dressmaker, upon Mama's specific instructions (the design and materials are all sourced by Mama). Mama wanted the dress not ending up as a one-time-worn only, so we used cotton material, and drew a simple design that Kecil could wear for outings and such. Thankfully the materials are pretty easy to get, and the dressmaker is pretty familiar with the basic Chinese collar design.

Having gone through all the rehearsals in Skool and stood for the dress measurement at the dressmaker, Kecil was understandably wild in anticipation for the D-day! With the only twist of her refusing to try on the dress when Mama collected it 2 days before the event. She insisted that it was only to be worn on Friday!

Well, at least there was no hesitation whatsoever on the day itself. She even remembered the whole list of things to happen on Friday the moment she woke up that day:

• She got to wear the pink dress (with the pink shoes too!)
• Mama brings cupcake to school
• She got to say her lines
• Oh, and don't forget the flag, Mama!

Being still in one of the youngest class in Skool, Kecil's part in the festivities is limited to basic participation, which includes: a cat walk around the auditorium (complete with waving at the audience), presenting her line: Hi, my name is Kecil and I am from China! as well as participating in the mass dance.
Mama was only able to take pics of Kecil reciting her line, though. During the catwalk, Mama was too busy waving. But she did very well, waving to everyone and smiling. I guess those walkies with the Dog during which we waved at everyone we knew kind of help.
As for the dance... ahem.... let's just say Mama was defeated by the Stampede (of parents rushing to get as close as possible to get the best pics of the kids dancing). Meh. This was the best pic that Mama got from the dance, and that was not saying much. Hmmpphhhffttt!

We attacked the food from the potluck soon after (no pics, sorry). There was an incident when Kecil dropped her precious piece of pizza on the floor (she BAWLED!), but all in all, everything went all right.

At home, Kecil was seen running around in her Pink Cheena dress. Happily.
So I suppose Mama did succeed in fulfilling her brief of creating a UN Day costume that will still end up worn for daily use.

We look forward to more celebrations coming our way.
Oh, and don't forget, Mama owes you one on the Christmas decorations, right?

trailer...

There is something a-brewing. Something that requires a trip to the dressmaker, a trip to the fabric shop, as well as some extra bits and pieces.

Something pink, something with special buttons.
Something to do with school, something that is coming up this Friday.

In the meantime, the sun and the mystery item are conspiring to let Mama play the wannabe wedding photographer who took so many pictures of a single outfit!
Well, crossing our fingers, we hope that Kecil would cooperate with the outfit comes Friday.
That she will be recovered from her most recent bout of cold/cough malaise.
That she will ... well.. we'll see on Friday, yes?
Oh, but we'll also need to cross our fingers that Mama will be able to get that post up on Friday itself. Otherwise, you might have to wait till... well... whenever Mama got around to doing it. Hehe...


Till then....

Found

While we were out walking the other day, we came across a garage sale near the Korean church.
It was a good thing that Mama brought her wallet for walkies that day, because we did end up picking up something from the sale.

Any guess yet? It was long, and pink, and came in a (nice, fake leather, semi hard) pink case... What could it be?

It was a melodica!
Well.. actually in Indonesian we called it a pianika, and truth to be told, Mama had wanted one since she was small.
It just did not make sense back then as we did have a piano at home.
Of course, these days here, we don't have a piano.
And this Mama thought that something mechanical (it has to be blown to make sound!) would last longer than something that requires batteries.
Let's just say this Mama does not have the best relationship with batteries, yes?

Kecil is very happy with her new toy. She wanted to try it immediately, although Mama did not quite let her do that until we cleaned the melodica up.
The mouthpieces, as per Daddy's instruction, was actually washed with some high-grade alcohol! We are still far from raising a music prodigy, but still, it's quite fun to see the Kid toot tooting the melodica, which she has dubbed "Nica!" (from pianika). By the way, she does know how to fix the mouthpiece on, take it off, and put away the whole set into the case!

Unfortunately Kecil likes to hit the high notes (and dissonant chords), which definitely causes the Dog the occasional headache. In fact, this morning, we, the parents, also got a semi headache as Kecil found the pianika in the room and started using it on us as an alarm clock. Doh! Still, three cheers for emerging musical talent, no?

l'édition de la mode

Mama's little fashionista continues to favor her dresses as compared to her pants and shorts, even for going out in the rain, much to Mama's dismay. But Mama does try to rotate her wardrobe, and sometimes, we even managed to get her out of the house looking like a boy:

Well, minus the headband, that is. But seriously, there were days when this Mama got asked if the Kid was a boy. Of course, there are also days, when she's absolutely girly:

Just a bit of story: this particular shirt had been sitting untouched in Kecil wardrobe for the longest time. For some reasons, Kecil just refused to wear it. Until that day.
That was also the same day Mama finally figured out why Kecil does not quite 'like' the shirt.
Quote verbatim: "It's like Daddy's!"
Ha! Ow she's my girly girl, all right. Haha...

This was Kecil trying out her (then) new dress, fresh out of the box from one of her Tantes.

Together with this silk, full length dress, also referred to around here as the 'Princess dress'.

Well, you might or might not deduced already, that MANY of Kecil's clothes are not bought by Mama, but by various members of the extended family. Trust me, that should Mama buy Kecil clothes, you might just be able to tell. But in any case, we are very grateful for all the fancy clothes coming in Kecil's direction. Rest assured, she loves them!

As for Mama, I'd say she's learning some fashion photography nowadays! Haha...