Happy Birthday, my baby boy

I wasn't sure if I could, but I did and I'm so glad that I did - take the day off. 

Things have been really busy at work and I'm already going to be off for a couple of days next week and I felt bad for taking leave but truly, I need to remember that leave is meant to be taken and while I'm mindful not to take advantage of my employers, I also know that from now, I'll always take the day off to be with my kids on their birthdays. I always did with Kate and I feel awful that I considered not doing so for Jake but today was a great reminder that the day is special and I want to be with them on the day that I birthed them.

I took a leisurely lie-in and had breakfast with the kids. Nothing special, just our usual fare of bread and biscuits then it was time for Missy to go to school.

My children in all their innocence, enjoying the breeze and waiting for the school bus to shuttle Kate to school.

When Kate goes to school, Jake and I go out to play. Driving anywhere never crossed my mind because I know this little boy will love to take the train. He's familiar with how it operates and requests for the ezlink card when he sees the gantries and knows he needs to "tap". He always dutifully returns it to me once we pass through. 

We had lunch - best ramen ever - and while our lunch partner went back to work, we continued to have nothing to do! Well, I secretly planned to go utilise my Christmas present (vouchers are so practical but so awesome!) so off I went to accomplish my intention. The boy was getting cranky as he was way past his nap and after feeding him his milk, he went to sleep very quickly. As quickly as it took me to walk from Robinson Road to Raffles Place! The weather was warm but the sunshine and outdoors felt so attractive that I strolled slowly to City Hall.

The sleeping baby who didn't witness any of the spectacular view, but we were both enjoying the breeze.

After completing my errands (shopping therapy rocks), the boy awakened and I promised him that we'd go to "thee war-ter" (see water). 

Mersmerised.

One of us. 

Then we had cake. 

Cake is a big thing for me - it isn't a proper birthday if there isn't cake! - so I got one for him, just us. And look at how happy he is!

Blowing out the candle - sooo cute. 

Then he goes on to cut the cake. 

Birthdays are just so cute and Jake - at 2 years old - knows the drill well! He did it all very proudly, like 5 times. I indulged him because it is his birthday afterall and really, there are no rules that you cannot! Besides, this is what the day is about. To do what made us happy!

Nom nom nom. 

We then took the train home and it was already 5pm. How quickly time flies when you're having fun!

I'd originally planned to bring the kids to the park, but the weather was too hot and I was also tired, and I decided that it'd be fun and practical for them to have a dip in their private pool.

Simple pleasures, huge joys

Then we had dinner with yeye and nainai. The food was so-so, but the kids don't know any better and what's important is how we all made the effort to eat together. Nothing rocks more than family socks.

NO ONE GETS IN THE WAY OF ME BLOWING MY BIRTHDAY CANDLE

It's been a nice day and with 2 minutes left to the 27th day of February, I'll click to end this post and go plant goodnight kisses on my birthday boy. 

Jake turns two - Elmo Birthday Party

I want to write about Jake's birthday party before his actual birthday (tomorrow!) so here goes.

After the weeks of preparations from catering to booking of surprises to crafting and goodie bags prep, the day finally arrived. 

My helpful helpers took the kids and involved them in picking up the balloons for the party!

Happy Kate with a bunch of Elmos #socute

Then the sister followed up with this pic with "Spot Mom and everyone in the car". HAHA!

On the other side of Singapore, the husband and I were preparing our barang and heading to the party venue. 

When we arrived - after the caterers, haha - there was the food being set-up and I proceeded to pack the goodie bags. And the sister and her entourage arrived soon after and we began the decorations too. I'm waiting for more pics of the party, but you can just imagine a whole room full of Elmo!

With kids ranging from 1.5yo to 10yo, the kids were pretty much self-entertained and they pretty much invaded the playground and worked up a sweat. It took much cajoling for them to finally sit and eat their dinner. The sister and I took attendance of the kids and when everyone was there, we proceeded to launch our surprise!

HELLO ELMO!

Never mind that he has horns, and he doesn't look like the round-faced friendly Elmo that we're more familiar with. He looks close enough like Elmo so HELLO ELMO!

And this, ladies and gentlemen, is what makes it worthwhile - look at the faces of intense concentration! #heartmeltingmoments #totallyworthit 

We played simple games involving Elmo (Elmo says) - singing kid-friendly songs the likes of "If you're happy" and it was quite a feat trying to speak over the noise and squeals and excitement of everyone in the room! (yup, adults included)

Little Jake, dancing along

Shout HOORAY!

We finished off with a long Q of meet-and-greet with Elmo where everyone had a chance to hug Elmo and take a polaroid with him. Followed by cake!

Elmo-cake toppers, Happy Birthday Jake!

Rainbow colours to add to the colourful party

A family portrait with Elmo

Loving grandparents. My kids are so fortunate to have the love showered upon them.

And special mention again, to my sister, favouriteyiyi, the co-party planner! #tadah

Independent Kate was having so much fun the whole party running around that I don't have a pic of her with us (it's probably in the official party camera, I hope) but here's a series of pics I took of my two little Elmos. Love their tees!

A final picture of my little boy with his favourite Elmo. 

Dear Jake,

I hope you enjoyed your Elmo party as much as I did. It is always a joy to help do things to bring happiness to your life. It's been a fun ride these past two years and you have grown to be such an independent, clever, gung-ho little person. You cannot be more of a boy's boy, really. 

I love you always, forever. 

Mommy.

PS: Here's a flashback entry of Kate and her big Barney bash when she turned 2. 

Going strong with lots of love

According to the stars (the horoscope readings), the husband and I are in for a busy-bee year. And is it only two months into the new year? I feel like we've been running non-stop since day one. Not all bad, I suppose, because time whizzes by but it's so easy to lose sight of many things because we're constantly on the go-go-go. 

This morning, I woke up on the second consecutive day to jog - the husband was surprised and asked "Running again?" My response, "Yes, I didn't run properly yesterday (pushing Jake) and I'm stressed."

I'm not unhappy - in fact, my life is going really well and I have things constantly planned for work, for play, for the kids, for myself... so I'm not complaining. Amidst it all, I remind myself that I want to be happy, to be there for my kids and husband because they are the reason why I am who I am.

Hand-in-hand with my little lovelies. They bring such extreme emotions to my life - stress, frustration, anger, happiness.. I'll never let go of your hands, babies. 

Jake's 2nd birthday party - preparing Elmo

Two weeks before the party, I found out about my work-trip which was the Mon-Wed of the same week of the party. I had to do some major planning ahead! Thanks to the sister, we started with lots pretty Elmo looking stuff off the worldwideweb.

Mini square Elmo faces on sticks. Skills required - cut and paste.

I chanced upon some affordable and useful markers that I was thrilled to pop into the goodie bag, and throw in a bit of an Elmo touch. I envisioned using the Elmo satay sticks all about the food table - stick 'em where you can!

On another night of prep, we cut out customised name tags ala Sesame Street style.

Always good to have little elves about to help out. I'm very proud of this helpful little elf who was very enthusiastic to help. She was never once jealous that it wasn't her party; she was just thrilled that there was a party!

While in Sydney: I scouted the supermarkets like a typical Mother/Asian would for the awesome choccies and Fluffy alike, and got these adorably on-theme coloured dots (Note: we never got to use them but ate them on their own instead. Raspberry M&Ms FTW!)

Eve of party: last minute cutting and preparation of more decoration featuring Jake, the handsome (I'm the Mother. I can say what I want!) and Sesame Street characters. 

Jake's Elmo-themed Birthday Party - sneak

The day went by in a blink of an eye, I remember just trying to keep with the programme and just going with it, then remembering to feed myself; willing the kids to stop shouting because the noise was pretty rough, the highlight of the party when Elmo appeared and the kids all lit up with joy (!), and me rewarding myself with (quite a few) beers and finally, I collapsed onto a chair and - the end. 

I'll write more, but I still cannot believe that the party is over after all the preps I did; special mention to my sister who helped or this wouldn't have happened. So, thank you #favouriteyiyi. 

More pics to come (I took only but a few! Boo.) but just a few here...

Happy Birthday backdrop (compliments from jiujiu); group pic; #favouriteyiyi with birthday boy and Elmo.

Just because. I love my baby boy!

And on a non-emotional angle, that has little to do with the birthday itself, here's a pretty funny pic of the husband with this (I know, WHY does Elmo have horns but nair mind don't ask me) mascot.

My little man - turning 2

Jake turns 2 - TWO! - next week. Tomorrow, we celebrate his birthday with a fun birthday bash! I cannot believe how quickly time has flown by with him and truly, I'm amazed at how fortunate I am to be the mother of two lovely kids. Just look at this angelic face when he's asleep. It's been a rough coupla weeks leading up to the party and I really hope that everything goes smoothly tomorrow and he and all his little friends enjoy the party. 

Dear Jake, 

You never cease to amaze me with your antics. I do not understand why it fascinates you to play with soil and dirty yourself; why you laugh when you trip and fall over yourself; how you come to me whining when you hurt yourself (seldom, but so precious when you do), how you flash that cheeky and mischievous grin and I know you have something naughty up your sleeve, how you laugh at something totally random just because you - in your worldly opinion - find it hilarious, how your favourite spot in the house is "Papa's room"; how you still cannot sleep through the night (please, I beg you, this has got to get better please!), how you capture our hearts with how you are. 

I love you with all my heart, baby and I did try my best to plan what I could, along with the help of your favourite yiyi. I hope you have fun at your party tomorrow!

Love always, Mommy

My pictorial capture of Sydney, Australia

17 Feb: Facetime with my big baby before hitting the plane. 

Random - an M&M holding a prickly hedgehog and a durian?! If you look closely, you can see Mr Red holding a seed in the fork! Guess he doesn't like his fingers to smell.

17 Feb: Still within 10 minutes of my last picture; my gates were so far I practically arrived at Terminal 1 (was at 3).

17 Feb: 2.5 movies, partially-read magazine, a 1-hour nap and a crinked nap later,  I've arrived. Korean for dinner/supper the first night. 

A very quaint few of the Korean restaurant. It was one of the places open at the late hour. 

17 Feb/18 Feb: 2am. Lights off.

18 Feb: 7am wake-up call *GROANS

18 Feb: 7.05am: I decided to jump right out of bed & hit the gym.

And was shocked to see how crowded the gym was! This pic is terribly taken (I didn't want to get told off for being a pervert, I'm not!) but truly, the whole gym was bustling with adrenalin and muscle. It's probably so busy because it is a gym for members too; not merely a hotel's gym.

18 Feb: Breakfast at the hotel. This was my second round of food. Not pictured is my wholemeal toast with 2 slices of ham and plenty of cream cheese. 

18 Feb: Noon. After a busy morning of work, we were done and headed for lunch!

18 Feb: 6pm. After all the work is done for the day, I hit the roads for a run to see the Sydney Opera House. Again, I'm amazed by the beauty of the place - the greenery, the fantastic weather, the number of people out running/doing yoga/ walking about - it was truly peaceful and extremely therapeutic.

18 Feb: Sydney Opera House. I was so happy when I saw it in its full glory. Truth is, it looks better from far (there was lots of construction going on). But I was determined to take a pic of myself with it and I stopped a random stranger to snap a pic of me. Jump shot no less!

I cannot get over how much nature there is just about. Absolutely lovely!

A rarity, but I thought a selfie would be nice (no, I cannot ask a stranger to snap a pic of me running, goodness!)

18 Feb 8.30pm: After clearing my work, I made some friends (friend/family of my colleague) and we were brought to two different bars for grub and booze. The first was down this alley called Palmer & Co. It was a nice little watering hole. 

18 Feb: Dinner was a $10-burger and a pint of Little Creatures. 

The end.