Indoor Playgrounds in Toulouse, France - Kidou Recre

Fancy a playground to go on a rainy, windy or cold days? Seriously, staying at home with energetic children the whole time or even a few hours with them can drive you nuts. I love going out, with kids or without, I can't even warm up my sofa seat at home.

When I discovered the insanely amount of playgrounds in Singapore - indoor, outdoor and water play parks, I would make sure my kids go to this places. Some you need to pay and some totally free! Can you imagine, every shopping malls, place of interests, heartland areas have at a least one playground for the kids?! Even with no cars, you can still take train or bus to the playgrounds within a short time. That's what I love about Singapore.

When my family have to move to France, my first thought was where I could bring my kids to play everyday? Honestly, you can't really bring them out to play everyday unless you are talking about your own home garden (if you are lucky). The weather could be cold today and sunny tomorrow. Or it could be sunny but soooo windy. We can't go indoor playgrounds all the time. Firstly, it is costly. Secondly, it could be out of the way for people with no cars and thirdly, indoor playgrounds don't open everyday except Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays. Huh?

Ok, enough talk. The very first indoor playground I went to was

1. Kidoc Recre
    6 Rue Théron de Montaugé, 31200 Toulouse
    accessible by metro.

 This is one part of the play area. There are some more play areas on the right hand side (not shown in pic).

 Adults are not allowed on the play areas so make sure your children are confident enough.

 This is the baby area. For up to 2years old. A little pathetic i would say. But adults are allow inside.

 Trampolines! 1 child per trampoline so it's quite safe even for the smaller children.

 Hello Mr sun! Initially, alittle difficult for Stacy (3 years old at that time). Now she's an expert.

 The slide is very high so younger children can be scared of this but once they figure it out, it's great fun for them!

The recommended age for this is 5 years old and above. There are actually more obstacles at the other side, i just managed to take this part. Haha. Younger children will have a tough time coming out and may cry. And if that happen, sorry, no adults allow in the play area, the children just have to figure it out by themselves. (Seriously, the staff made an announcement on the microphone telling the father to get off the play area when he was trying to help his child).

I would say it's great fun and exercise for older kids (3 years and above). Younger children will have limited things to play. The place also have a cafeteria , the usual coffee, waffles sweets,  ice-cream and some hot food. Reasonably priced.

Stacy (4 years old) seems to like the place, Erica (2years old) will need some help and for me, i'm bored. Cos' i can't play with my children in the play area.  Haha.

Girls are karma? Seriously, get a life!

It took me awhile to finally write this post, after being upset for so long. While I ventured to write this post, the back of my mind is thinking whether readers who read this, will they write something nasty or encouraging.

Let's start with this friend I have... She is a devoted religious person and she sometimes shared about her faith to us. I meant she is a nice person but certain things that she said, kept me thinking ... Really hard. One of the things that she said and belief is about 'karma'.

What is karma? I searched Wikipedia and this came up: "Karma means action, work or deed;  where intent and actions of an individual influence the future of that individual. Good intent and good deed contribute to good karma and future happiness, while bad intent and bad deed contribute to bad karma and future suffering". 

This friend has 2 other siblings (older sisters). Her parents' business is selling Chinese fish soups. According to her religious practice, she told me her father accumulated bad karma through selling fish soup over the years. Ok, bad karma because killing life (fish) is a bad deed and because of that her father do not have a male heir to carry on the family sir name. Well, maybe if her mum will to give birth to a forth child, it could be a boy? And her father works hard to provide for the family, she should at least feel grateful?

Seriously, I hope what she believes in, she should keeps to herself. When I was pregnant with Stacy, I thought about what she said. So, my husband did 'bad' things or was it me? Pregnancy to a lot of mums-to-be are suppose to be joyous - like a celebration. To me, although I felt happy, I couldn't forget what this friend had said to me. 

2nd pregnancy with Erica, I refused to find out her gender. I had a general anaesthesia c-section to deliver Erica (not by choice). When I woke up, my husband told me 'it's a girl, she is very beautiful just like Stacy'. Honestly, I was a little disappointed. But when the nurse brought Erica into the room, I love her more than anything else in the world (ok, Stacy too ;) ). 

Yes, sometimes I still brood over what this friend said. But I told myself I am fortunate to have two beautiful, healthy children. Isn't that what all parents wish for their kids? 

Before having children, people used to asked, "when are you getting married?" After marriage, "when are you going to have children?" After having one child, " when are you going to have another one?" After having 2 same gender children, "when are you going to have a boy/girl?" Some people mouth just can't keep quiet...

It has never cross my mind, what the gender of my children should be. I just love children. But with some Asians' conservative mindset of having a male heir in the family can be quite overwhelming or worse having to face a friend who told you about karma. Go away please.

I hope this friend gets her son that she has wished for and I hope my children NEVER learn of this belief that having girls are karma. Utterly nonsense!

I love my children and I love myself. Bye. :)

101 of being a mother-in-law

No, my daughters not getting married. They are still babies. Nah,  not referring to my mother-in-law, she is excellent. Just thought about writing this subject, maybe to remind myself on how to be a mother-in-law In future or after some friends commented about their in-laws, blah blah blah.

1. Take care of yourself and husband. Now that your child and his/her spouse are going to lead their own life, it's time to put focus back on yourself, health and wealth.
2. Your child now have his/her family to take care of and may be busy, but that doesn't mean they are ignoring you, please give them their space.
3. Your child has becomes a father/mother, they have the rights to discipline or teach their own kids. Yes, their own methods may differ from you but please do not interfere unless they are harming their children.  
4. You have accepted your son/daughter-in-law so please do not say unkind words to them or belittle them. Remember that they are now taking care of your son/daughter and even grandchildren. They need to be happy. 
5. Spend some time with your grandchildren too. It make you happy and young again. but again,  please do not discipline them or even cane them without checking with their parents. The grandchildren may get confused, lose respect for you and even avoid you in future.  
6. Yes, your child will always be your baby but he/she has grown up to become parents themselves so do not treat them like a kid infront of their own children.  
7. Please do not scold your son/daughter-in-law especially infront of their kids. If you need to talk to them, do it privately. They have their dignity too.  You are truly not their mother who give birth to them.
8. Be happy that your child is taken care of by his/her spouse,  do not micro-manage what they are doing
9. Provide a listening ear if they come to you for support.  Do not 'chase' them away with your nagging,  scolding and 'did you do this and that' answer. Over time, they will not confide in you and only tell you things that you want to hear.
10. When you want to take family photos and potraits, include your child's spouse, not your child and grandchildren only. It is rude to do that. Remember to include your son/daughter-in-law even from the time they are bf and gf to your child. Especially when they are standing in the same room as everyone else. 
11. When your son/daughter comes to you and talk about an issue regarding your involvement with his/her family,  listen carefully. They may not be comfortable with certain things you do so they are telling you respectfully.  Do not defence or denies so strongly that it turn people off. or that you just want to say, 'because I am your mother, I can interfere with your family', is a big no no. The last thing you want is your son/daughter avoiding you.  
12. Do not fake illness and pain to get your son/daughter attention. One day, it will back fire and when you are truly sick, they will think you are telling lies again.
13. Don't be a possessive mother-in-law.  yes, you used to be the important woman in your children's life but now it's their husband/wife. mothers have to go great lengths to avoid your children choose between you and their spouse. You want your children to be in a happy marriage. 
14. accept that your son/daughter-in-law may not be able to attend all the family gatherings that you call for. They need their space and so do you.
15. Speak good of your son/daughter-in-law infront of friends and family, remember that words go around and can haunt you back.
16. When grandchildren visits you, don't scrutinise their hair, appearance or even their studies. She is the mother after all and will care for her baby more than her life just like you did when you had your children. 

Anyway,  it takes two or more to make peace. We don't have to change what we are not to suit another person. We don't have to stoop low and lose respect of ourselves. Respect, compassion and love go a long way. 

Not easy being a stay-at-home-mum, get it?

Somebody had made a comment before about being a stay-at-home mum (sahm) - that our jobs are so easy, just put the kids infront of the TV and the day will be gone. Ya right.. How I wish. Ask all the SAHM, they will definitely DISAGREE! Reality is, we have no time to eat, sleep, shit and even a 5min just staring into space. I think I have more time eating properly and getting 'me time' when I was working. I can even afford to go for a jog right after work in the evening. Now, I got to clean the house, prepare meals, 'entertain' the kids at the same time.

Recently, I have also become more active posting photos on Facebook and Instagram of my kids doing arts and crafts, playing, baking, outings and etc. I AM INDEED DOING MY WORK AS A SAHM. I am not trying to proof to anyone but I am very glad that I have the opportunity to be with them especially at this young age. Everything I do, the kids do, are valuable memories. Who knows, after my husband's contract is over, I will be back to working life again.

Just a few months ago, I was deeply upset by a comment made by someone close. she said she has a lot of teaching certificates, and that she is a qualified teacher, so she can teach very well... And that if she were my age, she would have open a childcare centre.  And she went on to comment why Stacy forgot her ABCs...Last time she used to know her alphabets very well. EXCUSE ME, the last time I checked, she knew a little and I started teaching her myself. Stacy knows her Alphabets well, but she was busy with something else when the questions was asked at her. Ok, I just kept quiet as there are people who feel that they are always right. Well, if I am rude and direct, I would tell her that one does not need to be a qualified teacher to teach, especially your own kids. Nobody is perfect, nobody is a perfect parent and we are always learning. AND PLEASE, do not criticize the parents' teaching methods and never stress my children. I will do it myself. Lol.

It is definitely not easy being parents, be it parents working the whole day and then dragging themselves back home to find kids wanting to spend time with them or it could be in my case, whole day and night with the children without a break. But it's worth it right? Seeing the smile on their faces, their every steps they take, their success and failure, they hugs and kisses you....

On Friday, my children did some craft works, not perfect but their efforts

Made snails using paper plates. Inspired by stacy's fav cartoon show, 'Turbo'

Suppose to be chickens but look more like chicks 

homemade gifts for Stacy's teachers

Was busy for the pass 6 weeks as my in-laws came over to France from Singapore to visit us. Brought them around Toulouse, Barcelona and lourdes. I think they enjoyed it or at least I enjoyed myself. Haha.

Today is the last day of school for Stacy before Christmas and to welcome the New Year.  Last year,  during this period of time, I remembered was our first 2 months in a foreign country - we were lonely, cold and homesick. This year we somehow seem to be more prepared, with our Christmas tree and some decoration. And we are going out of town after Christmas! Yippee!

I decided to have Stacy made soaps and cornstarch puppies (yes, its made of corn and we purchased a whole tub of cornstarch building blocks from a toy shop).

 2 puppies made from cornstarch material

beautiful soaps for the teachers

Hope Stacy's teachers like It.

Conversation with Stacy

During lunch today. ..

Me: Stacy, mummy so sick still has to bring you to play at the indoor playground. Thought I told you that mummy needs to rest to be well but you insisted you want to go.  And then mummy also hurt her thumb and still have to cook for you and Erica.

Stacy: (look here, look there)

Me: why you bully your mummy?

Stacy: but you're always bully me... today is my turn.

When your mood are down, buy wall stickers

Recently the kids kept getting sick and then recovered and then sick again. This has been taking a toll on me and Ken. As expats with no help from parents or friends,  both of us couldn't afford to get sick. Going to see a doctor is a dread...with language barrier and having to drive there with 2 sick kiddos, drive us nuts.

So in order to stay sane and positive,  I went to buy a wall stickers - online shopping! My favourite past time.  I chanced upon a lovely sticker on the website and thought this will be perfect for the living room area.

Tada!

I got it from http://www.wall-art.com/en/Wall-Stickers/Inspirational-Words/
Whenever I come down from the stairs or when I come back home and I see these words,  I feel so much better. Totally in love with it!

Hope it give me courage to deal with insanity around me.