Friday, May 17, 2013

Combating Viral Fever...

Leaving on a jet plane to attend our cousin's wedding in less than 3 hours...yet the Princess is down with viral fever which started yesterday. Praying that the medications will do its job to bring down the temperature and she will feel well enough to fulfill her duties as the sweet flower girl for the wedding.

At Aunty April's Wedding in Seattle, USA on 9/10/2011

According to KKH website, fever caused by viral infections may persist for up to 5 to 7 days and will only completely settle when the viral fever has resolved.  These are some useful facts for parents to know about fever since it's one of the most common symptoms of any childhood ailments.

Fever basics


  • Fever is a common sign of infection
  • Viral infections are far more common than bacterial infections, and can last up to a week. 
  • Antibiotics do not cure viral infections
  • Fever itself is not harmful, except when it reaches 42ºC 
  • A fever does not necessarily mean that your child has a serious illness


Know your medications


A. Paracetamol
  • First line of medication to be used, can be given every 4-6 hours
  • Every 4 hours if temperature above 39 °C
  • Every 6 hours if temperature less 39 °C
  • Do not use in infants less than 3 months

B. Ibuprofen
  • Use only when fever is persistently above 39 °C, 1 - 2 hours after paracetamol
  • Given every 6 hours
  • Do not use in infants less than 1 year old, unless advised by your doctor

C.  Voltaren Suppositories (Diclofenac Na)
  • Use only when fever is persistently above 39 °C, 1 - 2 hours after paracetamol
  • Given every 12 hours
  • Do not use in infants less than 1 year old, unless advised by your doctor

Do not give your child:

  • Both Ibuprofen and Voltaren Suppositories at the same time as they belong to the same class of medications.
  • Either Ibuprofen or Voltaren Suppositories if there is any severe vomiting or bleeding disorders, in view of possible bleeding from the stomach and intestines.
  • Do not be alarmed if your child is still having a fever after the medication. 

 

How can I make my child more comfortable?


You can make your child feel more comfortable by giving him or her paracetamol and clear fluids often so that your child stays hydrated. Your child should rest in a cool environment and wear thin clothing; but wear enough to prevent shivering.

Tepid sponging – especially on the forehead, neck, armpits and groin – usually helps to bring down the fever if temperature exceeds 39.5ºC. Strenuous activities should be avoided until your child has recovered. You should watch your child for any signs that his or her illness is getting worse. If that happens, consult your doctor without delay.

 

Useful Telephone Numbers

  • Central Appointment - 6294 4050
  • Children's Walk-in Clinic - 6394 5835
  • KK Ask-A-Nurse Service - 1900 KK Nurse or 1900 556 8773 (chargeable at S$0.80 per minute)

Her first overseas flower girl role when she was 3...

Little Dana, Mommy & Daddy pray that you will recover soon so you can enjoy the reunion with your cousins and we can all have a fun time at the wedding.


 

Thursday, May 16, 2013

{Giveaway} June Holiday Programmes: HeART Studio Art Classes!

HeART Studio believes in providing quality art education for all our students to gain mastery in making art, to nurture their creative potential and to cultivate a community of artist and art lovers of all ages. Its class programmes include age appropriate activities uniquely designed to engage and inspire young artists, aged 3-12, to cultivate their creativity and learn technical art skills.

Dana attended their art lessons and thoroughly enjoyed tremendously. We are impressed with its airy, bright art studios and their team of young, passionate, talented teachers with a genuine love to work with children. One teacher whom we'll like to commend is Teacher Syafiq.  You can read more about Dana's experience at HeART Studio here.


This June school holidays, HeART Studio brings you a whole array of interesting art classes and camps to keep your little ones artistically occupied!

They have the Litle Masters Workshop (for 3-4 years old)


The Young Masters Workshop (5-6 years old)


The Young Masters Workshop (7 years and up)


GIVEAWAY!

We have TWO June Holiday Art Classes from the 5-6 years old Young Masters Workshop to be given away to 2 lucky Princess Dana Diaries readers (one class each).

Class title: Young Masters Workshop (5-6 years old) - Henri Matisse Interior Canvas Class and Foam Clay Animals/Vehicles 

Class schedule: 
Henri Matisse Interior Canvas Class (Worth $75)
13 June (Thurs) 10am-12.30pm or 2.30pm-5pm

These canvas classes focuses on the painting style of the artist, Henri Matisse. Students will be doing a painting according to the painting style that is chosen for the class but with a twist of their own interpretation and creativity.

Foam Clay Animals/Foam Vehicles (Worth $65)
7 or 14 June (Friday) 11.45am- 1.15pm or 4.15pm to 5.45pm

This program allows the child to experience the colorful clay from Korean and making a figurine out of it according to the chosen topic. This clay is different from any modeling clay because of its light characteristic and soft texture which makes its easier for the child to mould in into any shape. A new experience waits for those who have yet to try out foam clay.

Click here for detailed schedule

*If you are picked the winner, you can select one preferred class (a. Henri Matisse Interior Canvas, b. Foam Clay Animal or c. Foam Clay Vehicle only) and preferred timing based on availability.

 Follow these simple steps to enter the Giveaway. All the best!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway ends Friday 24 May 2013.


HeART Studio has also generously sponsored Art Class Giveaways for children of other age groups in other parenting blogs.  For 3-4 years old, hop over to my Mommy Blogger Friends - A Happy Mum & Beanie N Us.  For 7 years and above, hop over to DinoMama.

HeART Studio Singapore LLP

101 Soo Chow Walk (next to Thomson Plaza) Singapore 575385
Tel: (65) 6554 7563
Fax: (65) 6554 7562
Email: info@heartstudiosg.com


Food, Glorious Kampong Food!

During our Mothers' Day Staycation last weekend at the Changi Village Hotel, we dined at its in-house Saltwater Cafe.  We are generally not buffet fans but we do indulge a little on special occasions.  If you have family members who can only take Asian Food (like Dana's Great Grandma) or you are entertaining overseas guests who would like to be acquainted with the many yummy dishes which make Singapore a 'Food Paradise', then you must take them to Saltwater Cafe's Kampong Dinner Buffet.

Saltwater Cafe@ Changi Village - a Gem of Local Buffets!

It is an excellent buffet with wide selection of Asian dishes, complete with a great salad bar and the to-die-for Durian Pengat.  We feasted on many local dishes such as Kueh Pie-Ti, Rojak, Prawn Noodle, Chicken Satay, Pork satay, Beef Satay, Mutton Satay, Taiwanese Sausage, Lamp Chops, Sirloin Beef, Roti Prata, Chicken Curry, Chicken Rice, Roast Duck, Roast Char Siew, Sushi, Lor Mee, Sashimi, Scallops, Ice-Kachang, Cakes, Pastries, Nonya Kuehs and more than I can recall. They were even serving huai-shan (Chinese Yam) herbal soup which was our favourite! The food was tasty and suited Great Grandma and Grandma's taste buds. On weekends, a BBQ Grill is included in the buffet where chefs barbeque meats and sausages for guests at the poolside.

My favourite part of the buffet? The attentive, friendly service from their wait-staff and the DURIAN PENGAT that was out of this world!!! It is like a smooth durian puree with sago, served cold. It was so good that I finished two bowls (and would have eaten more if I wasn't so full)!  Dana and Caleb enjoyed the DIY Ice-Kachang station.  There was free flow ice-cream too.  Since it was Mothers' Day, every female diner was presented with a stalk of rose and a small set of hand/body lotion - a very thoughtful gesture!  I'll let the photos do the talking.

The HK Roast Meat Corner...
The Outdoor Grill...
Mouth-watering Satays and Cucumbers...
DIY Rojak and Kueh-Pie-Ti
Prawn Noodles 2 Ways: Fried or Soup
Indian Pratas and BBQ Meats
Cold Dishes...
Seafood Sashimi...
Colourful Nonya Kuehs and the irresistable Durian Pengat!
Strawberry Cream Puffs and Mango Moose Cakes...
Desserts in Cups!

If you are looking for a predominantly Asian Buffet, Saltwater's Kampong Buffet Dinner is good value-for-money. For the upcoming Father's Day, why not book a relaxing staycation at the Changi Village Hotel and make a reservation to dine here? It promises to be a treat for all in the family.

A lovely Mothers' Day Dinner at Saltwater Cafe...

Saltwater Cafe

1 Netheravon Road
Level 1 Changi Village Hotel
Tel: 65- 63797018
Daily: 6.30am to 11pm

Weekday Buffet Dinner (Mon to Thursday) S$36++
Weekend Buffet Dinner (Fri to Sunday) $42++
*Children under 6 dine free

About Saltwater Cafe: 

Headed by our celebrity Chef William Soh, who has been featured countless times by the media, Saltwater Café offers a choice of indoor or alfresco dining, and provides diners with a wide variety of local and International cuisine in both its buffet and a la carte menus. The Daily Kampong Lunch/Dinner Buffet is a must try with delectable local Singapore delicacies from a bygone era. 

For reservations, please contact the restaurant at +65 6379 7018.


Monday, May 13, 2013

Home & Away - A Mothers' Day Staycation...

Mother's Day, a day about thanking and appreciating the women in our lives whose sacrifices and love shape us into who we are today.  So when the occasion and the weekend presented itself, we scooped Dana's Grandma, Great-Grandma, Grand Aunt Judy off to somewhere off the beaten track for an inter-generational getaway. Our choice? Nope, not boisterous RWS Sentosa but the quaint old Changi Village. 

Going East to escape from it all!
Bright facade of the hotel jazzing up the relaxed vibes of Changi...
 Beautiful orchid blooms greet the guests at the entrance...

Just under 40 mintues by car, tucked away in the far eastern part of Singapore, away from the hustle and bustle of city living is a gem of an enclave that is Changi Village.  Right in its center, embracing this rustic laid-back ambiance is a well-furnished 4-star hotel, offering clean, modern accommodation and most importantly, the exceptionally warm hospitality which reflects the village 'kampong' spirit of days gone by.

Here we are at quaint old Changi Village!
Humour in the neighbourhood...

Once we arrived, and after we settled into our rooms, it was just plain simple laid back getaway:  no major plans, no major shopping, no agendas to follow, no schedules to keep...just being there, talking, laughing, interacting, connecting. 

Chilling out at the rooftop infinity pool...
Bonus activity at the pool - planes spotting!
Tranquility outside the room window...
Upgraded to this Junior Suite because it was my birthday - what a pleasant surprise!
Big Bathtub in Big Bathroom...
Premium brand of aromatherapy bath products...
Guess who's having a whale of her time?

Since we are already in this ulu part of the island,  Daddy whisked the entire troop off to Changi Chapel & Museum: a former chapel preserved for the remembrance and commemoration of the suffering and bravery of the POWs during World War 2. Dana may be a preschooler but we seized the opportunity to teach her a bit about Singapore's history.  We taught her that the soldiers paid the price for our freedom and the beautiful country we live in today was built through the sweat and toil of our forefathers so we must learn to be gracious and grateful...

I've visited the Changi Chapel with my students on history learning journeys many years ago but it still moved me deeply today.  Daddy being a history buff was naturally captivated by every note, every word, every ornament, every mural...the walls tell the stories of valor, courage and sacrifice...lest we forget and wage war...Great-Grandma is a war survivor herself so she shared tales with Dana whenever her memory is jotted by the museum exhibits...such poignant reminders on Mothers' Day.

The old rugged cross - a symbol of hope for the POWs...
 Wreath of honour and remembrance...
Names inscribed on each cross...each one represents someone's brother, son, father, husband...
 Dana lighting a candle in remembrance of the fallen soldiers...
 A prayer plaque...
Thousands of cranes offering peace and reconciliation...
Penning down her thoughts at the chapel...
A Mommy and Daughter moment...
The Cross of Changi...
Relic of St. Georges Church
 Because we remember...that's why we came...
A message from 5 yr-old Dana: 'Thank you for fighting for our freedom...'
 A grand-daughter's note to her pop...
The Changi Chapel, a slice of history preserved...
 The pews where the POWs sat...
Thank you for your sacrifice...
  4 generations of blessings - Great Grandma, Grand Aunt and little Dana

In our unhurried pace, we soaked in the two gems that Changi Village offers and rediscovered a little more about our tiny island...We would definitely return again, perhaps even take a bum boat at the jetty opposite the hotel to explore the rustic Pulau Ubin whilst its charm is still intact.  Home & away - thanking God for this most lovely and memorable way to spend Mothers' Day.

Changi Village Hotel  
Address: 1 Netheravon Rd  508502
Telephone: (65) 6379 7111

Changi Chapel and Museum (Free Admission)
 
Address: 1000, Upper Changi Road North, Singapore 507707 
Telephone:  (65) 6214 2451 
 
Operation hours:  9:30am - 5:00pm daily; last admission at 4.30pm
(Including Sundays and Public Holidays)
 
Getting There: By MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) and Bus
  • SBS Bus No. 2 from Tanah Merah MRT Station (EW4), or
  • SBS Bus No. 29 from Tampines MRT Station (EW2)    
     
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