If only the LUMOS tablet existed during COVID, then we would have an easier time with the kids having their own personal tablet each for their HBL and zoom lessons. We struggled very much with a laptop and a computer shared between 4 kids as purchasing a simple tablet does not come cheap! 

Famous for their competitively priced yet good quality home projector (check out their latest projector here) , LUMOS is now entering the tablet market with this  $149 Android tablet , yes there is no typo, I don’t think there is a cheaper tablet than this in the market, but is it any good?  

At first sight

At 10.1 inch monitor, and light weight, this is perfect for little one and for bringing out. With $79, you can add on tablet accessories – with Bluetooth keyboard, wireless mouse, stylus pen, and a protective case cover which is highly recommended if you or your kids are using it for work or school. 

Using it 

I think the biggest worry, is the slow speed and lags while browsing and toggling between apps, function given the price point. With 8GB RAM, you don’t have to worry about lagging performance, as it is SMOOTH, FAST and RESPONSIVE as it works seamlessly for browsing website, videos, and home-based learning. With 64GB of internal storage, you will never run out of space for your apps, files, photo and videos. If you really need more storage, there is a SD card slot too! 

Powered by Android, 4.0, the LUMOS Tablet has full access to the Google Play Store just like your smart phone – browsing, streaming, YouTube, Zoom etc.. There is also a Kids mode which you can setup a safe and controlled space for my kids. If you need to use the tablet for work, there is the WPS Office Apps that support pdf, ppt, excel and word doc.

With a 10.1-inch IPS display, the size is perfect for work and play, supporting 4K resolution, with a native 1920 x 800p Full HD display, with beautiful graphics with vibrant and vivid colours. 

Sound quality wise does not disappoint too, no need for external speakers! 

There is an inbuild 2MP front & 8MP  back camera for online meeting, photo and video recording

Loving it 

2 of the most outstanding features IMHO is the long battery life, and built-in screen mirroring capability.

With a 6000mAh battery delivering up to 8 hours of use on a single charge, you can bring it out on the go without having to charge.  

One of the ways I am using this tablet for myself is purely for entertainment, so I will cast it to a bigger screen, you can cast your tablet’s display onto a Smart TV or even the LUMOS projectors over WiFi in seconds.

My Verdict: It is definitely worth every cent! At $149, the LUMOS Tablet offers smooth performance, great display, long battery life, making it a steal for work, entertainment, or the kids. With a 1-year local warranty, get yours now on LUMOS! 

For primary school kids, I would advise adding on the $79 bundle for tablet accessories with Bluetooth keyboard, wireless mouse, stylus pen, and a protective case cover – as it is easier for the kids to do their school projects.

Add on $79 for accessory bundle

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post. No monetary compensation was received. All opinions are my own.

Continue reading →

As we were not travelling for the most of the June holidays and I know they will be pretty restless at home and I needed some peace and quiet at home for a busy work week, I decided to turn to Newton Show Camp as their camps are always fun and fulfilling for the boys. In fact, this is their 5th camp with Newton Show  you can read more about their experiences in the past camps here  they have done Harry Potter both Science and Maker, Multi Activity and Newton Lab, they have practically grow up with Newton Show especially small C, who started attending their camp since 5 year old! 

I asked the boys to look through the entire lists of camps this Summer (see below), and they chose the multi STEM for a change coz small J wanted to make lava lamp, in fact they have so many different camps, it is so hard to choose! 

Day 1 – Light-up

Learning all about electricity and the inventors that created/discovered electricity such as Thomas Edison and Nicola Tesla, create and decorate your own light up wands, draw your own city map and light it up using LEDs, using electricity circuit card  

My kids had their fair share of birthday parties since young  – McDonald’s parties, futsal birthday parties, parties at the condo function rooms etc, so I was really thinking hard what could be a memorable birthday party for my soon to be 9 year old, wanted something fuss free, easy to organise, host and no cleaning there after! 

Since my kids have been to many Newton Show camps and absolutely love them (you can read all my Newton Show camps review here) why have I not thought of hosting a birthday party at Newton Show till now.

Did you know that they host birthday parties  and the choice of parties is really quite extensive  – of course they have their science party (which is what they are famous for) , Harry Potter Party, Superhero Party, Themed party (mermaid, little pony, frozen,unicorn etc) or their 2-hour All Inclusive Science Party!  I am sure there is something for every kid! 

So I chose the a Science Party for the small C for his 9th birthday celebrations. Even for the science party, there are many different types to choose from  – Dry Ice, Polymers, Nitrogen, Einstein, Science for smallest (2+ year old)  and the “All Inclusive” Party , depending on which package you choose, the science experiments/show run from 60 minutes to 2 hours ! (Word of advice, depending on the age group, choose a suitable length for the science show as I noticed at the 1-hour mark, my party guests were looking for snacks and food already)

The party was hosted on the second floor of 9 Mohd Sultan Road , and the space was really big and spacious! Really a comfortable setting for my party guests and parents to chill and hang out.

We were quickly introduced to the 2 Professors who were the hosts for the party  – Professor SkyFall and Professor Flame once all the guests arrived! 

We witnessed many fun science experiments, in fact some of the experiments stumped even an adult as I can’t explain the science behind it, from dry ice explosion to fire in hand, it was non stop fun for 1-hour! There are also lots of interaction with all the party guests so its not just watching but every single of my party guests get to try their hand too!  Even my teens were so entertained and engaged!  Not only that, all the party guests get to take home their own “snow” too! Once the show was done, the table was cleared for cake cutting ceremony and photo taking.

Newton Show parties includes science experiments, a giant Happy Birthday Banner, Personalised Digital Invitation Cards, Professional Actors and hosting for the cake cutting ceremony. Prices from $649. 

From a parent’s perspective, there are only 3 other things that I needed to do  

1. Order a birthday cake

2. Send out the e-birthday invites (prepared by Newton Show)  and

3. Bring in some additional food (pizza) and drinks for the guests.

Optional  (goodie bags for your guests) 

In my recent memories, this has to be one of the most stress free birthday parties I have ever organised for any of my kids, all thanks to Newton Show’s science show and party hosting. 

Video review in IG 

https://www.instagram.com/p/C8DeQ0sS5mG/

So if you are looking for an educational, engaging, fuss free birthday party, you have to check out Newton Show’s birthday party.

With the 3 older siblings having their own ergonomic tables, small C has been incessantly asking for his own ergonomic study table since primary 1. I have been very hesitant to get small C his own study table, as there are already 3 “big” ergonomic tables at home and they do consume a lot space. I had tried to convince him to use his older siblings’ tables as not all the kids are home at the same time. I guess the kids are not very good at sharing and there is hardly any space to put small C’s books and belongings left. When I chanced upon Ergoworks more compart model Impact Ergo-Growing Study Desk IM-G1000A measuring at only 1m in length, (all the other models I have are at least 1.2m in length), I finally gave in . Now that small C is in primary 3, weighted assessments have started (no more honeymoon years) , I take that having a good table of his own is also a good way to build good habits of doing homework after school while catering to his growing up years. 

Without a doubt this will be the biggest ticket item, you will buy for your primary school child would be an ergonomic table. The single most important question for most parents, is there a need to spend on an ergonomic table? I have answered this question in my previous review post featuring another Ergoworks ergonomic table for small J 3 years ago. 

I have been using Ergoworks ergonomic school bags for the past 8 years for all my school going kids and I can vouched to its good quality and durability. These are my ergonomic bags review post for the past 8 years , post 1, post 2 , post 3, post 4 and the most recent upgraded the bags for the middle 2 kids at the start of this year post 5. This brand has been taking care of my 4 kids’ ergonomic needs since they started schooling. 

A bit about Ergoworks 

They are Asia leading brand in holistic ergonomic, posture care, and wellness solutions for the past 19 years. They offer an extensive range of high-quality, comfortable, and user-friendly ergonomic products, which is renowned for its functional features, health benefits, and professional services delivered to our customers. They provide total wellness and comfort to a diverse range of users across all age groups who desire maximum care for their body structure and posture. Their extensive range of products is professionally endorsed and recommended by both The Chiropractic Association (Singapore) and the Singapore Physiotherapy Association. They have since expanded to Malaysia as well, where they’ve formed a partnership with the Association of Chiropractic Malaysia, aiming to promote spinal health and posture among the community.

This is the model that I have gotten for small C Impact Ergo-Growing Study Desk IM-G1000A , I believe the most compact model in their range measuring 100cm (L) x 65cm (W) x 54-76cm (H) paired with IMPACT Kids Ergonomic Chair With Arm Rest IM-YB1108  

Ergonomic features:

The table’s height can be adjusted from 54 cm to 77 cm, suitable from 4 years old all the way to adults . The table should not be too high, otherwise they will be resting their hands awkwardly on the table and putting unnecessary stress on them. If the table is too low, they will be leaning forward too much and more likely to round their necks or hunch their backs. Adjusting the table’s height is straightforward and effortless, achieved by using a detachable lever to wind it up or down. For child safety, the lever can be securely stored away.

Beside table height adjustment, ergonomic table also feature a desk that tilts. This minimises the kids natural inclination to lean forward when writing or drawing, as it allows the desk to be brought closer to them. Desktop tilt angle adjustment is from 0 to 25 degrees to eliminate slouching and strain in neck and to cater to different tasks, such as reading, writing or drawing, as it requires a different angle for the posture (0-5°  for drawing and similar activities , approx. 10° for writing, 20°-25° for reading). Adjusting this angle depending on the task will provide your child with a better neck position, which will result in less tiredness and stress. 

Despite being so compact at 1m in length, I am amazed by the generous drawer size for stationery storage and shelving storage too! 

The table edges are design to be child safe with rounded edge bumper. 

tablet/book holder 

Ergonomic chair 

IMPACT Kids Ergonomic Chair With Arm Rest IM-YB1108  being an ergonomic chair, it is made for spine protection, with accurate seat height adjustment and also back rest angle adjustment.

When adjusting the chair’s height, make sure your child’s feet are supported, meaning that your child’s feet should touch the ground.- If the kid is not tall enough, consider getting an ergonomic foot rest or some ergo chair models do come with built in foot rest like this model . 

The other feature I like most (which I find it as an upgrade vs the older models) is the Ergonomic Mesh Backrest which enables better airflow and for longer hours of sitting 

The armrest are also very versatile, allow for use with/without, when you are reading or resting you can use it ,when you are studying you can push it to the back and out of the way.

The Impact Ergo-Growing Study Desk IM-G1000A model comes with blue, pink and grey. As for the IMPACT Kids Ergonomic Chair With Arm Rest IM-YB1108  chairs, it comes in blue, pink and grey. Small C chose the combination of grey table and grey chair for a more gender neutral colour which will look less kiddish as the kid grow older. 

Looking for a one of a kind never seen before birthday surprise , check out  Flower Chimp Cake Explosion Gift Box

Flower Chimp is your one stop destination for birthdays’ anniversary and all celebrations. 

In my years of preparing birthday cake and surprises for my kids, this is a first and my girl who just turn 13  was super surprised by it. Even the family who were watching this at the side was also SURPRISED! 

NOTE: Do ask the recipient to read the note on the cover of the box in order for the surprise to be executed well, don’t be too eager else the butterflies will not “fly” out as beautifully. 

Check out the IG reel to see my girl’s surprise. Don’t forget to video your recipient’s reaction when opening it. In fact, the box and the butterflies are reusable for another surprise ! 

What’s in the Box?

Each Explosion Box comes with a choice of Base Product variants:, four enchanting butterflies, and a customizable message card.

Choose from 3 enticing Base Product variants

Rainbow Cake

Ferrero

Chocolate Fudge

Add-Ons:

• 4x Extra Butterfly
• 8x Extra Butterfly
• 4x Custom Pictures
• Flower Shower
• Sweets Explosion

Featured in this post  is the Rainbow Cake with an add-on of 4x Extra Butterflies and Ferrero Rocher in a dome with an add-on of 4x Extra Butterflies.

After the surprise has ended, you can savour the nice rainbow cake or my girl’s favourite – Ferrero Rocher , I got her both  coz I couldn’t decide which my girl likes more. 

Build your explosion surprise box now

Buying ergonomic school bags should not be an annual affair as they are supposed to last for many years. But with big C going into secondary school, I think it’s high time that she gets a new ergonomic backpack. The bag that big C had gotten since primary 1 lasted all the way to primary 6, in fact it is still in good usable condition still (see below), but she has definitely grown taller, new requirement to carry their PLD (laptops), perhaps a bigger capacity bag and being tween/teen they are more self-conscious about the colour and design as well. 

With so many new entrants to the ergonomic school bag markets in recent months with many attractive designs and competitive pricing, I still decided to go back to Ergoworks to get big C’s new ergonomic school bags for her secondary school. Reason being, it was tried and tested and I do not wish to be burdened by the need to change the school bag every year as these ergonomic backpacks are not cheap either if we need to procure on an annual basis. 

This post introduces the range of Ergoworks Impact ergonomic bags for older kids – upper primary to secondary school kids. 

There are the models suitable for this age range. 

IPEG 2369 – $109.90 comes in black, navy blue and pink

IPEG 167 – $109.90  comes in navy blue, pink , royal blue and red

IMEG 162 – $109.90 comes in navy blue, pink and grey

IM-00385 – $149.00 comes in bright pink, pink and navy blue (reviewed below) 

IMEG 2370 – $109.90 comes in black, ice pink and aqua (reviewed below)

It is more advisable to head down to their flagship outlet at Marina Square so that the sales rep can advise you the difference between the different models, in terms of support, capacity, compartments etc. Also if you have an old Impact backpack, you can trade in for 20% off the price of the new backpack. 

Below are the 2 two backpacks chosen by big C and small J, both from a functionality standpoint and ultimately the design they preferred. They have not shopped for a new school bag since primary 1, so the experience in deciding is so different to when they were in primary 1, now they are more opinionated, in fact personally,  I think model IM-00385 has more compartments and support, but big C being all 12, she is more self-conscious about the colour and design so she chose IMEG 2370 instead.

IM-00385 in Navy Blue 

Even before the sales rep explained the functionality of the backpack, it was love at first sight! In fact, due to its extra features, this is probably why this model is the most expensive of this range. 

The lightest of this range at 0.89kg, this model also spots MANY MULTIPLE compartments (more than the other models). It has a stress-free backpack strap (not found in other models) so that the weight of the bag will not weight the kid down so much. 

Like all other ergonomic models, all Impact backpacks are designed using patented Orthopaedic Spinal Protection System to Reduce Stress on Spine & Back, Promote Better Posture & Spinal Health. The rest of the features are similar to that of other models – detachable waist belts, parachute pull rings, USA 3M Scotchlite Reflective Safety Materials , 100% Made in Korea High-Quality Ballistic Nylon, Air Breathable Ventilation System, Anti UV, Dust & Water Resistant Materials and laptop sleeve area too! 

IMEG 2370 in Ice Pink

This was big C’s choice, she wanted a less loud colour, more plain design, more fitting for a secondary school student according to her.. Nevertheless, this model is also perfect for secondary school, at 0.95kg it is just a tad bit heavier with lesser compartments.

Like all other ergonomic models, all Impact backpacks are designed using patented Orthopaedic Spinal Protection System to Reduce Stress on Spine & Back, Promote Better Posture & Spinal Health. The rest of the features are similar to that of other models – detachable waist belts, parachute pull rings, USA 3M Scotchlite Reflective Safety Materials , 100% Made in Korea High-Quality Ballistic Nylon, Air Breathable Ventilation System, Anti UV, Dust & Water Resistant Materials and laptop sleeve area too!  If you are more budget conscious, this is $40 cheaper and a very good ergonomic backpack in itself too and maybe from a colour perspective offers a different range of colour with this Ice Pink, Black and Aqua. 

Check out our visit to their flagship store this week here  

While you are shopping at their flagship store, do check out their range of ergonomic products as this store is also a one-stop solution on all things ergonomic – from ergonomic desk, chair, recliners, etc not just for kids and also adults too – all meant to improve your lifestyle and comfort. 

Website

Facebook

Instagram 

Marina Square

6 Raffles Boulevard #03-337 Marina Square

Opens Daily: 11:30am – 9.00 pm

Telephone: 6837 3370

They also have expanded to Malaysia with 2 outlets in Malaysia, you can check it out here. 

Small C has been with Heart Studio for more than 1 year and we have never repeated a theme or technique.  Every term is something new and creative. For this term, it is exploring Rhythm in Art. Using a plant as the main object and creating repeated patter, this term’s theme also uses different medium  – thread to create texture, aluminum foil as the base and over card board. The final piece looks like something that I would exhibit at home like an abstract art piece.

For the first week, small C drew all the different patterns and rhythm in his sketch book. 

The following week, he chose the Venus Flytrap as the main object for his art work. He drew on cardboard and then traced the outlines using thread. 

Thereafter, week 3 and 4 is to paint on the aluminium foil and created different colours for the textures created by the threads underneath. And finally creating pattern and rhythm surrounding the art work. Dont you think the final art work looks like those abstract art work that you hang in your living room ! 

I recently added the Aura Portable Blender to my kitchen arsenal, and I must say, it’s been a game-changer for my busy lifestyle. I would never have thought I needed a blender in my lifestyle, but this is not your ordinary kitchen blender. This sleek and compact device has revolutionized the way I enjoy my favorite smoothies and shakes, and it’s now an essential part of my daily routine. Undoubtedly, this is Singapore’s most powerful and portable blender , wireless , rechargeable using USB and blending in under 10 sec! 

At First Glance

The Aura Blender is a lightweight , weighing between 395g (with bottle cap) and 730g (with motor base) and a compact size of 19.4cm height x 6.8cm diameter. Probably the length of your regular drinking water bottle.  I have also added on Aura insulated sleeve so that my Aura Blender is protected and keep my cold drinks cold and warm drinks toasty warm.  The weight is merely coming from The AuraXtreme™ borosilicate glass jar. 

Using It

1. Portability: This blender is truly portable. It’s small enough to fit into most cup holders, making it convenient to take with you wherever you go. Whether you’re in the car, on a hike, or at the office, you can blend your favorite drinks without any hassle.

2. Powerful Motor: Despite its small size, the Aura Portable Blender boasts a surprisingly powerful motor that can handle tough ingredients like frozen fruits and ice cubes. The Aura Portable Blender’s AuraVortex™ blends at an incredible speed of 25,000 RPM. Equipped with the Aura Portable Blender’s Aura Nutri Extractor™ blades can crush most fruits and even ice! 

3. Rechargeable Battery: One of the standout features of this blender is its rechargeable battery. It comes with a long-lasting lithium-ion battery that provides multiple blending sessions on a single charge. No need to worry about finding an electrical outlet when you’re on the move . There is a build in indicator to check on the battery level too. 

4. Easy to Clean: Cleaning the Aura Portable Blender is a breeze. Its detachable components are dishwasher-safe, and you can also clean them by simply adding some water and a drop of dish soap, then running the blender for a few seconds.

5. Safety Features: The Aura Blender has a built-in safety feature which ensure the blades do not function unless the jar is firmly secured to the motor base.

6. Convertible into a water bottle. It comes with an additional cap to convert this blender into a water bottle, There is a top handle for easy carrying too! 

Loving It 

With my Aura Blender, now I can have breakfast on the go, especially if I am pressed for time for work. What’s even more convenient is its ability to transform items I find in my fridge into delicious drinks or snacks. Got some leftover fruits, yogurt, or greens? Simply toss them into the Aura Blender, and you’ve got a wholesome smoothie or a nutritious snack in no time. It’s a fantastic way to minimize food waste and maximize the use of fresh ingredients. In fact, as big C is heading for the PSLE, I am piling on her Vitamin C intake daily with fruit shakes! 

Video review :https://www.tiktok.com/@mypreciouzkids/video/7277491541789166866

The Aura Portable Blender has not only improved my own eating habits but has also positively impacted my children’s snacking regime. I can easily whip up nutritious and delicious fruit smoothies for them as an after-school snack or a quick treat. They love the vibrant colors and flavors, and I’m delighted to provide them with a healthy alternative to store-bought snacks.

In conclusion, the Aura Portable Blender has not only elevated the quality of my meals and snacks but has also seamlessly integrated into my daily life, offering convenience, nutrition, and versatility wherever I go. You may have the regular traditional blender, but it takes more effort to prepare smoothies and shake. With the Aura Aura Portable Blender, making smoothies and shakes is so effortless! It’s a game-changer for anyone with an active and fast-paced lifestyle, and it’s a fantastic addition to your family’s snacking routine!

Shop here 

The Aura Portable Blender has a 1-year local warranty, free delivery, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.