Media Invite 

My kids love Otah after attending all of its 3 volume (we are waiting for volume 4 in Dec) and I have been planning for the Otah themed staycation with Otah meet and greet (probably after exam seasons) as we totally loved theme staycations (and I love Otah myself too, so cute) !So when I came to know about the Exploratory Hands-on Farms Tour on the Otah & Friends Bus at at KKDay booth at Jumptopia, I thought this would make up for the staycation that I had put on hold due to the kids exams.

We were so excited to take first ever Otah & Friends bus tour (there are 3 pick up points – Chinatown, Sengkang and Choa Chu Kang). We were greeted by Patricia all dressed in yellow  with by exclusive Otah & Friends pillow in the bus which you’ll also get to take home in the bus (making the bus ride super comfortable).

The first stop was Kok Fah technology farm, we learned about state-of-the-art hydroponics farming techniques, smell different herbs and the kids got to try harvesting red and green lettuces on their own and savouring fresh aloe vera juice before the next stop. There was a small animal farm and a parrot named Jarius too! 

The next stop was the popular Hay Dairies, where the kids experienced feeding goats for the very first time! And we got to enjoy cold goat’s milk at the end of the feeding session. Truth to be told, this was my kids’ first time visiting Hay Dairies and feeding the goats, my boys were especially thrilled by the experience that the friendly tour guide Patricia even brought them on a second round as we had a bit more time to spare! 

On weekends, you can also shop for the freshest greens at Kok Fah technology farm at their weekend markets. 

Not part of the tour typically, but we were in for a surprise during our tour as there was a special appearance by Otah at one of the farms too. We had a meet and greet and we took photo with Otah making this tour a super memorable one for myself and the kids! 

Check out the short video of our half day hands on tour with Otah!

I can’t wait to bring more Otah fun to my kids as they loved Otah tremendously!

Another theme perhaps closer to my heart, camera and photography and a cute cardboard craft thrown in, this is another innovative masterpiece by Heart Studio for the Little Dali class this term much to the delight of the kids. 

First up for week1 is an exploratory stage for kids to explore the type and shape of  cameras and also what is shown on the camera screen. As always kids were given samples of the different camera shapes and sizes for them to follow. 

Thereafter, would be to produce 2 hand drawn strips of film roll, to guide them a bit so that the kids don’t need to think too hard about what to draw, Teacher Jay asked them to draw based on a)photograph of themselves in a place, b)imagination and c)favourite food. Small C had a great time doodling on the 2 strips of paper which will be the film strips that go into the camera.   

For the third week is to paint the cardboard camera and to add features such as buttons and flash light! As real as it can get!

And for the final week is to put it all together with film strips that are beautifully coloured. This final masterpiece is great for pretend play too! And what we can even add on at home are more film strips that small C can doodle on!

Small C enjoyed his classes tremendously as he can independently draw and express himself through drawing. With little hand-holding, he is given lots of room to explore things he wants to draw and often able to produce creative artworks under the guidance of Teacher Jay. 

We can’t wait to see what are the themes for the final term of 2021. 

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Heart Studio

1 Charlton Lane #01-04, Singapore 539631

(65) 6554 7563

info@heartstudiosg.com

Wed-Fri: 10:00am to 8:30pm, Sat: 9:30am to 6:00pm, Sunday: 9:30am to 4:30pm

If you have been following my blog, you know that I raved about the myFirst Camera 2 which I had reviewed last year recommending it to be THE best gift for kids. We recently received  myFirst Camera Insta 2, and this has even surpassed our favourite item from myFirst last year and I will recommend this for this year gifting – birthday, Christmas or even to celebrate achievements in schools! In fact from the time, we received this camera, small J has been bringing this every where he went taking lots of photo and videos and here is the best part, printing them out for his grandparents just like the conventional polaroid camera but even better -read on. 

At first sight

Weighing a mere 232g, slightly bigger than myFirst Camera 2, I actually think this fits my child grasp even better than myFirst Camera 2. It comes with a lanyard which is perfect so that the camera can be sling and worn over the neck. With a battery capacity of 1500mAH and 2.5 hours charging from flat , the camera can last for a full day of outing. Besides photo and video taking capability, this insta camera supports thermal printing, and 2 rolls of thermal paper & 1 sticker thermal roll are provided with camera (if you run out ,you can purchase them from their webstore too. There are also decorative stickers to personalise your camera too! 

Using it 

Compared to the myFirst Camera 2, the photo quite is slightly better at 12MP and same video quality, what is clearly the winner is the thermal printing of under 10 seconds. Using this technology there is no need to refill ink or shaking and waiting for the picture to dry like in the case of a polaroid. Though it is in black and white , I would say they are pretty sharp and clear too. Here are some sample photo taken using the micro SD card provided with the camera too. 

Besides regular photos, there are also custom frames to create fun and cute photos too!! The photos and video taken easily be downloaded via the microSD card and a thumb drive reader that has been conveniently provided together with camera. 

Here are some sample photos

Loving it

I totally love the ability for this camera not just taking photo and video but on the spot printing. Besides the regular roll, there is also an extra fun factor – sticker thermal paper, now you can print your favourite photo and paste them anywhere you want, or making a photo album for your friends and family overseas that you have missed so much the past year or DIY scrap book as a fun holiday activities.

This camera has surpassed my expectations and I must say if given a choice between the 2 – myFirst Camera 2 and myFirst Camera Insta 2 I would definitely go for the Camera Insta 2 for its printing capabilties .

Here is small J explaining how to use my myFirst Camera Insta 2 which is easy and straight to kids! He had figure all these himself with zero guidance from me! 

For the month of August, with each purchase of myFirst Camera Insta 2, there is a free super cute camera bag worth $20 to house your camera. For further saving, you can quote mypreciouzkids15 when ordering online here. The camera comes in 2 colour – blue or pink and 1 year warranty.

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

Especially now more than ever, going to the cinema seems to not like in the past- vaccinated halls vs non vaccinated halls, where do kids go to, a whole load of protocols which makes the whole theatre going experience a very daunting one. And with Disney +  and Netflix, frankly perhaps going to the cinema will be a thing of the past especially with the projectors from LUMOS who is set to revolutionised home theatre experience at a fraction of the cost , starting from $199, what!!!  This is the price of my family of 6 going to the cinema the most 2 times only. 

LUMOS is a game changer to the cinema lovers having all essential specs at an amazingly low price from only $199 ($298 for smart) vs international brands at $600 

At First Sight

LUMOS Ray is unlike normal projector in terms of look and feel, much smaller and nifter than your regular projectors. Weighing at 1.2kg and , no one will know that this little device is a projector. 

Seeking a minimalist look, it will suit any house ID design and perhaps no one would have guess that this is a projector. At the back, there are a total of 6 ports  – HDMI, USB 3.5mm headphone jack, which are compatible with many devices such as laptop, tv set up box, headphone (if you want to watch into the wee hours ), game console like your Nintendo and PS.

Using it

The LUMOS Ray projector is super suited for non tech savvy people like me or my husband, as this is plug and play at the get go with its inbuilt andriod apps (for the SMART version). Built for small spaces and also bedroom of HDB and condo, a 3m distance will project a screen of 100 inch ( you can go up to 150 inch!!) Thanks to its portability, you can use in any part of your home – this wherever you want, your living room, master room, bedroom, kids’ room – practically anywhere. I have actually place in my extra room which was previously used for storage.

At 3000 Lumens (measure of brightness), the colours are so vibrant and vivid. At 720P, as the screen size that I am blasting at around 100 inches due to the size of my room, I have no complain over the sharpness, as good as it gets frankly. I will gladly watch this vs the inconvenience of going to the cinema (more so now) . Unless you want to blast to the size of the cinema screen or beyond 150 inch , then you need to get LUMOS AURO which is at 1080P and 6000 Lumnes for more sharpness and better picture quality.

With two inbuilt Dolby Audio speakers for surround sound quality , I am very happy with the sound quality though I am speaking as an non audiophile. Of course if you want to level up the sound quality, you can connect to your own powerful speakers via bluetooth or cables.

While the projector comes with its own remote control to help you navigate around, you can also attach a USB mouse or a USD keyboard so that it is easier to navigate the menu especially for the SMART version which comes inbuilt andriod apps.

Loving it 

I am using the SMART version which cost $99 more than the regular version but I highly recommend you to splurge as this version comes with inbuilt WIFI and apps like Netflix, Youtube and Android 6.0 operating system, and my husband downloaded the Singtel app to stream his favourite soccer matches!

Also on SMART, there is also the wireless mirror casting using  pre-installed apps known as Miracast and AirScreen where you can cast what you have on the smartphone on to big screen, so can play mobile games, use spotify and even do zoom call on huge screen – in fact there is no limit what you can blast. Works for Android phones like Samsung as well as iOS like Apple.

After using this for just 1 week, I realise what I have been missing out in my life. With the SMART version, this can completely revolutionised the world of home cinema. Who says we need to spend thousands of dollars building your home cinema, you can do it from as low as $199.

Enjoy a selection video clips showing your the resolution and sound quality – not too shabby for a projector in this price range! 

The LUMOS RAY is priced at only S$199 and the RAY Smart at S$298 with 1-year local warranty and free delivery. 
Customers who needs an adjustable projector stand can add the RIZE Adjustable Stand for only S$55 (this is super handy for height adjustment else you need to find the correct height to prop the projector)

The LUMOS RAY Home Cinema Projector is now available for purchase directly from LUMOS Projector via their website at www.lumosprojector.com/ray.

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

This happens to every one who owns a smart phone-  spam and scam calls! They are super annoying and a great nuisance and even my kids who see ” +” in front of a phone number, they first reaction it is a spam call! 

It is so prevalent now but the scammers have been so good at their game that it is pretty difficult to spot a scammers especially if they purport to be representing some government agencies  which you trust especially for elderly folks who are less wary and more trusting. 

With CallApp, you can solve all such caller ID spoofing problems by using one app! 

Featured on Google Play, CallApp is a FREE android app that is trusted by more than 100 million users and supports over 200 countries. It has not only been chosen by Google as one of the top Android apps, it has also won several awards and is highly recommended by many top-rated tech magazines worldwide.

How does CallApp able to do that? 

CallApp can instantly identify any number that is calling you, even those that are not saved as a contact in your mobile phone. This includes any individual or business, hence helping to identify potential telemarketers, harassment or fraud calls. CallApp also has the unique ability and technology to verify numbers against Caller ID spoofing, a feature that is not available in most Caller ID apps.

Never ever receive spam or scam calls ever

CallApp combines their tech capabilities with their creative techniques to give their users the ultimate call blocking app. While it can recognize a scammer or spammer when they call you, it also allows you to prevent these calls from coming in from the get-go. Any number can be blocked with just a click, and they’ll never know too! With CallApp, you will never receive a spam or scam call again. Besides blocking spammers, CallApp also allows you to block phone calls from private and hidden numbers instantly.

I don’t have this number in  my contact directory, this app is able to identify the caller’s identity through their database. 

I have successful block a number see below as they have been incessantly calling me to make donation. 

Ability to record mobile phone calls 

Sometimes, if is ever a need to record your phone conversation, be it an interview or doing a business deal, one of CallApp’s most unique features is its ability to record both incoming and outgoing phone calls. While respecting the right of privacy of both their users and others, they also provide the option of sharing your phone call recordings on various social media platforms.

Full Experience

Beside the core features , there are also many other features that are seamlessly integrated into one application, to provide its users with the full experience. These include an advanced contact book, backing up your contact lists, phone number search, personalised video ringtones, incognito mode, who viewed your profile, call reminders, analytics and insights and car mode. 

Premium Packages

The basic version of CallApp is free to download, but premium packages can also be purchased either on a monthly basis or a lifetime subscription from not more than USD1 per month, both of which offers an ad-free experience, unlimited call recordings, and access to CallApp plus (the ability to identify messages from unsaved contacts), unlocks all your profile views and data insights, store items for free and even provides you with premium support with a faster response rate.

This app will make you have a peace of mind, download CallApp now  especially to protect your loved ones.

My youngest child really love to doodles and he will take random paper or note book to doodle and draw and most time I will have to throw away as it will pile up even though it is sometime a pity as some of it he has put in a lot of effort to draw and doodle . myFirst Sketch Book is a brilliant invention for kids who loves to doodle and parents like me want to keep all in digital copy. 

At first glance 

Looking like a mini tablet, and weighing 335g, it is excellent size for my preschool and it comes with a free leather case to protect the tablet against rough usage on little hands. What is included – Sketch Book , Smart stylus ,Pen tips set, Free leather case, Charging cable and Quick Start Guide

Using it 

In a single charge, the tablet can be used for 50 hours or 2 weeks  while the stylus for 200 hours for endless drawing and doodles.  With a built-in memory, it can now save your child’s every single masterpiece and transfer to your phone via bluetooth conectivity using myFirst Sketch Book app.

What is revolutionary about this stylus is that you can adjust the font thickness, tip size to create different masterpieces on this digital sketch pad. Using the app, there are simultaneously remote drawing with colour too  on your smart phone. 

Loving it 

This is perfect for dining out or on road trip so instead of digital time, kids who love to doodle can use this and save all the thing they drew to keep them entertained!  

In fact this is not just for my kids, I have been using myFirst Sketch Book can also use it for my own work meeting where I need to note some down note or to do list and easily saved this too and transfer it to my smartphone immediately via bluetooth connectivity so that I would never lose the information, unlike the little notes that I have written, I often cannot find my little note or my outstanding list. 

I even use myFirst Sketch Book  to solve my p6’s son Math problem as I sometimes want to send the solution to him and we can keep this also for future reference. Definitely this also help to save trees as I don’t need to look for paper to do the workings. 

A device for both kids and adults, I cannot rave enough about how functional this sketch book is , for further saving, you can quote mypreciouzkids15 when ordering online here. 

Another interesting theme as we start Term 3 and it is open to interpretation by the little artists. Basing on wooden mannequin, the kids first learn how to draw a human in the correct proportion and then interpreting what they want the mannequin to represent, perhaps what they want to be growing up.  It is really fascinating to see all the different interpretation with some favourites like army and soccer players for boys and for girls ballerina and teachers. From small C’s art work, i learnt that small C aspire to be a chef! 

The first lesson was drawing of the wooden mannequin and the potential details that could be added to make the subject and the entire artwork more interesting. Thereafter 3 lessons would be to have it done on the actual art paper, with layers of paint and different objects added and finally for the final lesson is to put the final details to complete the masterpiece. Small C managed to complete the first art work of term 3 before shifting to online classes from next week onwards due to Phase 2 Heightened Alert. Having done the online classes before (review here), I am sure small C will be able to continue his weekly art classes at home with ease.

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Heart Studio

1 Charlton Lane #01-04, Singapore 539631

(65) 6554 7563

info@heartstudiosg.com

Wed-Fri: 10:00am to 8:30pm, Sat: 9:30am to 6:00pm, Sunday: 9:30am to 4:30pm

This is a biennale affair that I need to pay a visit to Ergoworks Flagship shop at Marina Square to choose an ergonomic bag for my children as they enter primary 1, so here I am again now with my youngest child small C with less than half year to go.  It is a no-brainer as I have used Ergoworks ergonomic school bags for all my kids since my eldest started primary 1 and the quality has lasted many years

Perhaps an update on big C bag of almost 4 years – still in pristine condition and she has not outgrown her bag as she is petite built so I have not change her ergonomic backpack since P1, you can read the review here and 2 years ago, this is the review for small J’s bag too. 

Why do I choose Ergonomic School Bag?

They are designed to distribute weight across the back, shoulder and neck, along with a good back care system, ergonomic school bags ensure sturdy support for the child’s spine and shoulders. This encourages healthy posture. As most bags also come with specialised compartments, allowing for books to be kept upright, this stabilises bag’s overall gravity.

Given that the Ergoworks ergonomic school bag can be used for many years, it is by far my best investments especially it helps to ensure kids overall better posture and can be used for many 2 years! IMPACT is the ONLY ergonomic brand internationally endorsed and recommended by Singapore Physiotherapy Association and The Chiropractic Association (Singapore).

With a whole wall of ergonomic school bags, you are definitely spoilt for choice. Do bring your child along so that your child can try for the best fit. The easiest to start is to ask for a few recommendations based on the size and built of your child. 

These are the final 3 backpacks that we have shortlisted.

After trying and deciding, small C decided to choose Impact IM-00706-NY – Ergo-Comfort Spinal Support with Magnetic Buckle Backpack which is one of the latest models. It comes in an overall print of robots (check out the girl’s version – it has the sweetest pink with mermaids! )

Weighing at 900g, the key feature of this ergonomic bag is S-type multi-directional support system to follow the curvature of the spine. Using light weight, water repellent, abrasion and UV resistant, it uses three-layer material design provides enhanced protection and durability of schoolbags for schoolchildren

I like the elastic compartment design to fix the book into position without shifting left and right. The bag also spots a ventilated side pocket on the left is for water bottles or rain gear and a zipper pocket on the right for storing small items. The bottom of the bag is also made of non-slip rubber surface, wear and dirt resistant and very stable.

left side pocket

right side pocket

front compartment

elastic compartment

The feature i like most is the open and close top using a magnetic buckle (unlike older design which uses a zipper). 

Here is small C all ready for primary 1! 

The next item that you may want to check out is an ergonomic table and chair set from Ergoworks, here is my review of a set I have gotten them early this year. 

Here is a short video of Ergoworks huge flagship located at Marina Square which not only houses ergonomic back pack, ergonomic table and chair but also all ergononomic needs for adults too – chair, table, workstation, sleep especially for our endless period of WFH. 

Giveaway of 2 Ergo Comfort Causal Backpack (Colour of choice)

1.  Like and follow @ergoworks

2. Like and follow @mypreciouzkids

3. Tag 1 or more friends (1 tag per comment)

4. Like and share on IG tag us

5. Bonus 5 chances, comment on this blog post why you would like to win this. 

Giveaway ends 15 Aug 2359. 

ERGOWORKS SINGAPORE

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Marina Square

6 Raffles Boulevard #03-140/141 Marina Square

Opens Daily: 11:30am – 9.00 pm

Telephone: 6837 3370

Do you know that 12.5% of kids between the ages of 6 and 19 suffer from loss of hearing as a result of using earphones turned to a high volume!

With HBL and online classes are here to stay, ensuring that my kids have the correct devices and gadgets for their online learning is utmost in my agenda especially since the start of this pandemic. I am so glad I found the award winning headphones and a global leader in SafeAudio headphones for children and young adults – Buddy Phones 

Catering to different age group of kids , BuddyPhones has many different models catering different age group , I will be focusing my review the 2 models –  Play + for my older 2 kids sand Explore + for my younger 2 kids 

The key feature of BuddyPhones is SafeAudio built in which uses a built-in, always on, sound control circuit to cap the volume at levels recommended for children by the World Health Organization at 85dB. BuddyPhones only uses BPA- and phthalate-free materials, which means we eliminate any exposure to harmful plastics that are known to cause illnesses. Not only that, the headphones come in fun, colorful stickers so that kids  can decorate and personalised their own set. Both models are foldable into their own travel bag (provided) perfect for flight too! 

Play  +

The flexibility of having it wireless and wired make this truly a wonderful product as kids don’t always remember to charge the battery before online classes and you still use it wired and not having to panic before class if the headphones are not charged. 

It comes in 3 SafeAudio™ levels to choose from to suit the child’s age or noisy surroundings. Their patented StudyMode® helps isolate voices from other sounds, producing crisper, clearer vocals for studying or watching lessons.

94dB (max) : TravelMode   
85dB (max) : KidsMode
75dB (max) : ToddlerMode

With a 20 hour battery life and a 20m wireless range, comes with built in microphone and foldable design making this the perfect head phone for my older kids as they have more online classes to manage.

Explore + 

New to the range of BuddyPhones head phone with its brand new look,  Explore + improved ergonomics featuring a wider more comfortable headband, and new soft protein PU leather fabric with audio is capped at 85 dB (ie there is only 1 volume level). This model comes BuddyJack audio splitter for sharing purpose up to 4 devices which I thought was ingenious! 

Same as the Explore+, it is foldable, with adjustable headband size and super durable especially in the hands of young kids and pre schoolers. The only other difference is that this model cannot be wireless. 

Sharing the same audio source using BuddyJack

Both models come in 6 superb colours -light blue, dark blue, grey, pink, white and yellow  –  4 colours as above. Available on Lazada 

Thank you for gifting each kid their own BuddyPhones so that they don’t have to fight over the headphones. As a parent, I am assured that my kids’ hearing are taken care off by using BuddyPhones and this will see them through their primary school year and beyond

Giveaway of 2 Explore+ to 2 lucky parents who want #safeaudio for their child

  “like” and “follow” @buddyphonesg and @mypreciouzkids on IG 
 “like” and “share” IG post and tag us
  tag friends who are keen on this (1 tag per 1 comment) 

Bonus: Comment why do you want to own an Explore+ in this blog post 

Giveaway ends 15 Aug 2021 2359

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