See that thing hanging round Ms Z’s neck??? Ms Z did this!!! I’m so proud of her!
Many years back, I bought the Hama beads from Growing Funs” for Mr E. But he never got interested in it. Ms Z surprises me today when she filled up a small circle disk with the beads. Its not easy for a 3yo little girl since it takes lots of patience and attention to complete it. She just sat there quietly while nobody noticed the house was so quiet! 
And all the praises over Ms Z got Mr E’s attention. The next 2 hours, we have Mr E, Ms Zoe & myself making something out of the beads with each of us making about 3! It is quite addictive actually.
If we have any games or toys that our child doesn’t like, keep it, you never know, maybe the other children will like it, maybe the child will start to have an interest for it when he/she is older.
On another note::::
With the beads that are so tiny and so MANY, accident happens, especially around tiny children!!! My dear Mr E spilled the whole container of beads!!! Not difficult to imagine the mess! Remember I learnt from “Liberated Parenting” about when the child does something not so pleasant, describe the problem and expect the child to clean it up? So, my first reaction was:
“MR E!!!! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE!!!!!”
(erm, in a not so soft voice, and not so nice tone )
The moment the statement spilt out of my mouth, I remembered that point from the book, so, the next thing that comes out of my mouth:
“There’s a dustpan & hand-broom, I’m sure you can clear it up.”
(A 180 degree change, in my normal house voice, in my normal tone 
) So, we have Mr E cleared up the mess, with Ms Z who volunteered to help. And they did it! Without me laying a finger, but snapping pictures of them hard at work. hee hee…
The point is this, when we learn a new behaviour which is very ‘unnatural’ for us, and we may even fail and forget to apply it, does it means we give up?
No! If the concept is good, and it has worked before, take baby steps and try again. Failed today, its ok, try another day. Perhaps initially, we succeed 1 out of 10 times, but when we persevere, there will come a day when it becomes part of us, and we will succeed at least 8 out of 10 times.
Happy Parenting 
that looks so nice on Zoe, and she looks soooo happy with her handiwork!
it must be an age thing with girls… a real coincidence cos kay just did 2 little ones for our Christmas tree, while ky did another…just 2 days back. he got them in his Christmas stocking… (something i bought when he got hooked in s/africa way back when he was 3!)
so true abt keeping some of the good stuff! now i know where to get more! tq for a timely post