In a few more weeks, school will once again start all around Australia. My kids are still young but obviously they move up one stage and soon they will have to decide on what they want to do further in their careers. I guess it doesn’t hurt to give the kids some basic ideas on what types of jobs are available even when they are still at an early age. Engineering, Medical, Veterinary, Radiologic Technician Jobs, Computing Jobs, etc. All of these have their own ‘flavor’ which suit different people. Good that schools here give an ‘intro’ to these during electives in high school.

The kids finished school year 2011. It was a great year for both of them and I can only be thankful for the blessings that they received. And not only that. I am even more thankful as I know that they have been blessings to others. These are indeed precious as a gold bullion or even more. Well, it’s a break for now. It may sound too early but we are excited on what the Lord will do next year!

Kids are just too precious. And that will remain true even how old they may be. Parents would probably still remember times when they would protect their little ones from everything including insect bites, scratches, or bruises. When they start going to school, that ‘protection mode’ will definitely be “on” as there are more elements that could hurt the kids both physically and emotionally. Even in their teens, we find ourselves finding things that will be good for them (yes, including skin maintenance such as gratiae for those adolescent skin issues! At the end of the day, it will only be natural for many parents to be on this role for as long as it works.

For many who are hunting for gifts for Christmas, personalized gift items are ever growing in popularity. Well, I think it is because of the ‘personal touch’ that makes these things attractive both for the giver and receiver. And they are quite flexible too as there are already suggestions for fathers, mothers, grandmothers, and grandfather gifts. Adding a name or personal message creates that personal touch which makes the gift giving/receiving event more memorable.

Having daughters is just a blessing both ways. The girls can borrow some of the my stuff and in turn, I can also borrow theirs! Though reality could be that it may be a bit lopsided on one side. I think the same could be true for other mothers and daughters out there. They could be sharing clothes, or makeup and other cosmetics (including the one you can see when you click here). I guess what makes it fun and worthwhile is the relationship that is built while ’sharing’.

Kids grow up pretty quickly. But as most would say, growing with them is the best part of growing up! It is just rewarding to see how they progress from toddlers and on to primary school and on. Helping and teaching them to make decisions are some of the rewarding moments especially when we see them make life decisions such as choosing careers. Whether they chose to go for Registered Nurse Jobs or take up Engineering or run their own business, the outcome can only be rewarding. Regardless of what age or stage you and your child is in, there will surely be times when you can all have fun as you take the next level or step up.

There seem to be two major things occupying several aisles in shoping centres or shopping malls today. These are sweets or lollies for the Halloween Trick or Treat and of course, toys for Christmas. Chocolates, gummies, and a whole multitude of sweet goods are on display to attract the kids and other sweet-toothed adults. Toy trains,
rc trucks electric toys, dolls, or toy pets are also jostling position with the sweets waiting to be wrapped and make it under the Christmas tree. The next eight weeks or so will definititely be busy in these areas. You could almost imagine the laughter and joy for those who are successful to get something and the tears and agony of those who can’t convince mom or dad to grab something.

The kitchen is perhaps one of the businest part of the house. It starts early in the morning, gets busy throughout the day and ends late in the evening for the last coffee, tea, or hot chocolate. Cupboards or cabinets open and shut many times as things get taken out and packed in every so often. Things get stacked low under cabinets and also stacked way high sometimes needing sturdy step stool to reach things. It is busy not just because moms stay in it to do all of the above. It is busier because the kids, and the dad sometimes couldn’t wait and sneak into the kitchen to ask if the food is ready. It is a very busy room.

It is often portrayed in movies how children tend to ‘fear’ dentists or dental procedures. And with that we may start thinking whether the fear in real life is actually ‘inspired’ by what kids see on television or on the movies. And this is where the suggestion to bring kids to a dentist in their early years to rub out this fear. Parents need not wait until something needs to be done. It can start from a simple check for the child to experience sitting on ‘the chair’. So the next time, kids won’t jump out of the same seat when the dentist starts to bring out his dental supplies for say, a routine cleaning. Our kids reacted differently to this. But now, both of them now find going to the dentist as just another trip to the dentist.

When I was a kid, I have always heard of stories about fathers having sons give out swisher sweet cigars. Now I’ve seen many sons born but realise I have yet to find first hand accounts of this ‘hand outs’. So at this point it maybe safe to assume this is no longer current practice (at least in the cultures I have been exposed to). It may even be easier to find someone tweeting a child’s birth!

Nowadays it is no longer surprising to find kids playing with touch devices such as iPods, iPads or other similar tablets and gadgets. Just head out to your usual foodcourt and I’m sure that in no time, you’ll find one. Younger kids could be spending more time in games while older kids are on to music (yes, even accessorized by earphones or with portable speakers) or also games, or both. Whatever the driving force is, the future seems clear on the usage of these devices by kids of the current and future generations.

Winter’s over for us here down under and we are just starting to enjoy the warmer days ahead. We did not go to the snow fields this year. This despite the news of having a good snow fall this year. Well, we did come last year so perhaps next year again? If it does happen then we might consider getting thule ski racks especially as we just need less expensive types considering our skill (or no-skill). Anyway, we’ll see how we go. For now there’s no point planning for snow when we should be planning for the beach.

Today marks the end of winter and the beginning of spring. This has different significance for different people. For many this could mean the beginning of the season to be more active thanks to the warmer months ahead. It could mean doing a bit more than rely on the best diet pills that work. For families it could mean more outdoor activities and longer bonding times. Whatever the significance is, there is no doubt that this is one of those changes that many look forward to.

Winter encourages a bit more of eating to warm and cosy up. While that may sound nasty, there are variations that would make one think otherwise. Getting food on gas or electric grills creates consistently nice warm food. I’ve found that it is hard to stuff up in grilling as the food almost always come out great even with just a dash of salt or pepper for taste. Even our kids like it.

Last we were pleasantly surprised with the unusually warmer temperatures in Sydney winter. Heaters were off and in some instances jackets were off as well! There were probably some who started to troop to the beaches. Shopping malls were not crowded at all which gives a hint that some people may have gone to picnics, or have gone preparing to do some time outdoors by getting their RVs tuned up and backed up with the rv insurance quote. But after about a few days of this warm weather, the weatherman started to warn that the cold weather will make a return. Lo and behold, the weatherman is correct (yeah, on one of the times we are hoping he is wrong!).