Lego tales

Yester-evening, we had a short start to the weekend and in one generous moment of purchase, each child got a new set of lego. Everyone loves lego! By the time we got home, it was time to sleep and we had to convince the kids that they can play with their new toy tomorrow. And that's what we did.

0830: lego fix

There was a set of police station (with a mini jail!) with 2 policemen and 1 bad thug.. and 1 dog (so cute! - everyone loves lego details!) The other set purchased was a horse stable.

After K assembled the junior stable set she chose, she proceeded to join the husband to set up the (more difficult) police set. I distracted J, who was no help at all but a hindrance, really, and introduced him to the stable set. He played with it a bit and then suddenly exclaimed, "Mommy, the horse is flying." This little boy was swooshing the horse around - as if it was the most normal thing in the world.

Look Mommy, a flying horse!

You know, at that moment, I laughed. I laughed at his ingenuity of making his horse fly, I laughed with joy at how simplistic kids are - he wanted to make it fly, so he did. Who cares if it's real or not? And that moment was brilliant, a very happy moment where I felt immensely proud of my carefree little boy. 

After the husband had completed setting up the police station, I spent some time playing it with the boy. His clumsy (and rough) fingers kept breaking everything when he tried to maneuver the little legoman within the station; he undid the ladder (oh oh, broken), but that did not stop him. He delighted in driving the policemen and their vehicles (a motorcycle and a car) up and down - sound effects included. It was very cute to watch and I'm glad that this lovely toy brings lovely joy. 

And then he was fiddling with the vehicle, got frustrated and said (the funniest thing), "Mommy! Why cannot! He cannot drive the car!" 

Hands not (capable of) touching the steering wheel

HAHAHAHA oh boy, that made me laugh. Aaah, this little gem of a boy. What a sweetheart.

All this excitement of playing his new toy made him resistant to nap. So by 2pm, we had a very cranky boy on our hands. He insisted on "playing my new toy. Where is the policeman!" whine whine whine. I decided to hide the toy and told him that I'll look for it after he takes his nap. Meltdown ensued.

Then I had an idea.

You get one policeman to sleep with you and protect you, ok?

That worked. It worked in appeasing this boy in love with his new toy, plus he was already tired from being 2-hours late in taking his nap anyway.

What a joyful morning filled with anecdotes all associated with the new lego toys!

Sleeping beauty

Where'd my baby go?

Say what you want, but my kids are beautiful so he is a beauty. Plus he is sleeping, so he is my sleeping beauty. 

This was taken this morning, 29th August. My baby boy is no longer a baby, but a 2 year-6 month-2 day-old toddler. He still wakes up in the night for milk (ugh) and wets himself (ugh) but he is such a joy (awww) and we love him to bits. 

For everything that K is girly girl, he is a man's man. 

Happy Friday, everyone!

Movie night

So after some weeks of mad-work-mad-schedule-type of days, last night saw me leaving work when the sky was still bright. Hooray!

The kids were having their dinner when I arrived home and I was excited to reveal to them a plan that bubbled into my head when I was on the way back - let's gather around and watch a movie together!

I'm not too well-versed with movies, much less kids' movies; but I do recall this "cartoon Dragon" movie so the husband set to prepare the show. After dinner and shower, we all settled down for the kid's first ever movie night.

I missed the first bits of the show but I don't think I missed too much. We were all seated comfortably, with Kate on the same big chair as me and Jake in his own seat. 

I enjoyed myself! The show was witty - the wit was lost on the kids though; the conversation was too quick for them to grasp - the fighting scenes were exciting enough (even for me) - and poor K was actually frightened; the plot demonstrated good pace and unveiled good family/friend ties. 

While K squealed and covered her eyes in "scary fighting scenes", Jake was unfazed and at one point commented "fire" quite factually.

Line-up of dragons - everyone liked Toothless!
(For the uninformed, Toothless is the main dragon character in black)

What struck me most during the show - about the kids - was how K was so involved in the show. She is such an emotional child and while the fighting scenes scared her, it was the fact that any character was hurt that actually upset her. When it looked as if (especially) Toothless or Hiccup (the boy lead) was in danger. She had tears in her eyes as she repeatedly asked "is he ok?!?!" - that's my sensitive, sweet girl.

My boy, on the other hand, sat gripped in his chair. I'm not entirely sure how much of the plot he actually understood, but I know that he was watching the graphics and enjoying himself. At some points, I sensed his slight discomfort (fear is too strong a word for him, slightly frightened more like it) and he volunteered the information "I want to sleep already". I understood that as his way of wanting to stop watching - but despite that, he stayed on with all of us and based on how he was quite stoically taking it all in, I gathered that he was more absorbing the graphics and action than the storyline. That's doing pretty well for a 2yo, I say.

Being kid, making friends

It was a first for the kids and already today, they are saying "I want movie night!" over breakfast. I love exposing them to new things and watching them learn.

Perhaps, the next time we try something less adventurous - like Finding Nemo?

#newadventuresuccess!

Saturday morning quiet

Sleeping princess, peaceful and quiet. 

The boy is awake, stomping around disturbing us. Those moments of perfect when he lies down with his milk bottle beside me, snuggling up and squeezing himself on the same pillow as me. 

Happy weekend start! 

Shape Fun Run with Kate

Last year, I entered Jake for his inaugural race in the Shape Run 2013. This year, I had the opportunity to do it again with my mini me, and I decided to expose Kate to her first run experience. 

0730: making our way to the race venue

At the starting point - my mini me and me in our sporty Skechers GORun Ride 3!

Seeing the sea of Mommies and their mini mes at the run was so adorable and I really enjoyed the event; having some us-time with the little girl and us looking so sporty and awesome in our gear. May sound frivolous but it is pretty cute - the expanse of happy pink, my happy little child with her enthusiasm and innocence by my side on two levels of matchy-match. Me in my own colour co-ordinated outfit of pink and grey and K's spunky bright outfit of happy pink-yellow-white.

K had been excited about the run, and I think she was slightly overwhelmed by the fanfare of it all. Her innocent questions "Mommy, everyone also running? Mommy, they have the same shirt as you? It's only for adults?" made me thrilled to have this chance to share it with her. Past the start line, she was gearing to go and I tried to not make it too competitive for her; assuring her that I'd be by her side whether she chose to run or walk. We ended up doing walking/running in bits and parts through the whole 1.8km. 

My little big girl

With no time pressure, I grabbed the opportunity for us to take a mid-way #wefie

Aaannnnnndddd... watch her go!

I felt so proud when she chose to just sprint off, when she felt like it. I could tell she was feeling the adrenaline when she took off after watching others do so and I really hope that this experience gives her a clearer understanding of what we do when we tell her we "go to run". 

My favourite shot of the day - look at that determination, concentration and mid-stride pose. Love it!

Happy finishers!

She was so adorably, lamenting how "My heart is pumping so fast! Mommy!" when we crossed the finishing line, because she had given it the final sprint towards it. 

We grabbed some water to hydrate ourselves and she was rewarded with time on the jumping castle. 

So proud of my little girl

Slide-fun

After this point, she kinda got slightly grouchy and complained of feeling hungry and I felt awful because I was not prepared! I had no money on me, and I could only coax her that the car wasn't too far away and once we got my wallet I could buy something for her.

Fortunately, a fellow Mom had some snacks on her and offered K 2 cookies. Saved her rumbling tummy and me from having a cranky child on hand!

No longer a hangry child

The organisers, Skechers, were also kind enough to present us with some goodie bags and this little one had a field day going through it on the way home.

"Hmm, what goodies are there in here?"

We arrived home in high spirits and I'm so happy that I gave K her first exposure to this run. It was neither too long nor short and I'm most proud that she gave it a try. I did not have to carry her, or tell her too much - she was aware of what's happening and was able and willing to do it all by herself. She did feel insecure/slightly overwhelmed at times, I know because she requested for me to be by her side throughout - at water points, on the run - though once she saw that I kept to her pace, ensuring that I was always nearby, she pretty much became a lot more comfortable.

I asked if she would "come run with Mommy again" and she said "Yes". Looking forward to such fun activities and experiences that I can share with my little one!

Disclaimer: Skechers has kindly sponsored a pair of shoes and the run entry for my girl and I. All opinions are on my own.

A very fun day!

We were treated to a company-fun-day-out yesterday. The week leading up to it was stressful and hours were long, I even had to do a 7am yesterday. But after getting a caffeine boost, after I blocked out the work, I had such a blast. 

My team of green awesomeness. It was a simple and logical choice to wear green as that's our appointed team. One of us then chanced upon silly glasses that made our pics so much more green. I contributed the camou-cream but that only half-worked because the green cream ran out, so we made do with grey.

We had to do a scavenger hunt/race. A pile of task-cards were handed to us and we were to accomplish as many of them to gain as many points as possible. Most of the team were so game and that made it great!

After our first ride on the Mummy together. 6 out of 8 members took the ride! 

It was my first time on the ride and I had a blast! It kinda gave me a headache (both times I took it) but I'm glad I did. As someone said, "I don't want to come to to a theme park and not take rides!" How true that is. 

Lunch. 

One of my favourite pics of our task (to take a jump shot with Betty Boo).  We couldn't chance upon the Betty mascot so a team member suggested little Betty - which worked for us! I love how so many of us made the jump. Awesome!

Another silly picture of us with Madagascar

The best ride - Transformers! I enjoyed it sooo much.

Task was to have someone eating this snack and snap a pic together, and how lovely it is that the couple gamely melded with our team's green theme.

Finale. Love how the by-stander was cheering us on.

We then adjourned to the beach for some drinks, and oh boy, it was so much fun!

Beer pong. Team girls vs boys. We won!

Life is good.

Then of course, we cannot do without even more fun shots.

My version of the hoduken. I've never tried it, always wanted to and haha I look quite silly.

This was the best shot of the evening.

The family joined me after for dinner and it was such a fun time.

Jake meets Summer

Truth is, I nearly contemplated not going to the day because I had some work. But everything worked out when the work was postponed and after that crazy-morning bit of duty I put in, I was able to head off. And I'm so glad I did because really, the day at USS allowed me to just go wild, run free, and yell my lungs out on the rides. I had no kids to take care of, no worries about work and I just threw myself into play. It was so refreshing and I felt so good, so relaxed that it reminded me of how stressed and tired and slightly unhappy I have been all of last week.

Once again, I'm thankful for good friends, good times, alcohol and fun times.

I've got your backs

Sometimes, life throws you a curveball. Beyond tangible issues that we face on a daily basis - back-to-back meetings at work that leave you breathless, losing a toenail, eating bad MSG food for lunch (oh, those wasted calories!), stepping out of home 10 minutes off schedule and getting stuck in the rain - all sorts of situations can arise and it is always quite a matter of character building how you respond to it.

Work stress? Breathe. Delegate. Surge on. Plan. Don't give up.
Lost a toenail? Just paint over it, or not. #truestory
Eating bad food? Have chocolate after!

Then the day comes when you are whacked right in the head and heart about something that hurts so much that you are gutted. What do you do, when it's intangible? Over something that really hurt you and that you feel so much for that logic is difficult to locate?

You speak to your siblings, you speak to your husband, you take your time to review your life, your actions, your next steps... and you move on.

I'm so thankful for the network support I have. I'm also a believer that things happen for a reason and I'm willing to take full responsibility, suck up the blame. I'm also aware that going forth, careful steps need to be taken.

So much love for you two, please always hold on to each other

This picture, of my kids holding hands as they walk on in their lives, with me behind them watching their every step and praying that they walk well - is such an apt representation that it must be a sign.

A sign that we must keep walking. A sign that love is necessary to keep us going, that siblings are your best friends. A sign that parents are always there. A sign that I will keep trying to be the best mother I can ever be for them.

Happy Birthday, Singapore!

It was a lovely Saturday. I was super psyched because after praying and pleading and sourcing all around, I was about to get my hands on not one, not two but FOUR tickets to the National Day Parade! I was stoked! And no better way to demonstrate patriotism but getting hands on.

Trying to get J to paint as per sample.

My elder and more on-brief girl

We had to lay the paint to dry, and in between K and I cut out the crescent and starts to be glued onto the paint-piece.

National Day also coincided with my BIL's birthday so off we went for a celebratory lunch.

Cousins

Post a big meal, we headed home for a power nap before we got ready to go to the parade! After being late at the preview, I was anxious not to be late again so that we would not miss the Red Lions!

All dressed and ready to go! With their finished hand-crafted Singapore Flag 

Enroute to the parade

The queues to get into the parade premise was alot more stringent compared to rehearsals, definitely due to the fact that there were Ministers and important people at this parade. We took about an hour to get in! Including queueing up to get past security checks, grabbing our goodie bags and climbing up a slow but long flight of stairs to get up. 

And then, not long after we settled down, the magic moment!

Red Lions sighted!

See those specks in the sky?

My well-trained little boy who gamely yelled "Oooooooooo Yeah!", the traditional cheer to welcome the Red Lions' landing

Happy Birthday, Singapore from our family!

Party people - phweeeet!

My patriotic little girl waving her flag while singing along

With my little monsters whom I love soooo much

So proud of my little champion who can recite the pledge, and she did so with gusto!

They had a time of their lives and I was so happy to watch them happy

See how this boy is sitting? #comfortable much

The parade had ended by then, but the crowds were going out in full force and we just say comfortably in our seats and continued to watch the participants party on. I'd been involved in the parade as part of the marching contingent twice in my school days and I remember clearly the thrill and exhilaration you feel, that sense of pride and happiness when it's all over. 

We watched the participants cheer, receive words of thanks and kudos from the parade leads, and then we were all pleasantly surprised when they displayed a short burst of fireworks just for the participants as a show of thanks. 

Loved the gesture of the committee

Leaving

I was quite dismayed by the amount of litter that people left behind. It left an unpleasant after-taste in my mouth, as it's sad that these participants who happily soak in the cheers and celebrations, will also unkindly leave behind their mess. I tried to pick up whatever litter I could within my area and helped to dump them away.

Owning the road

Still hanging on to the celebratory mood

Isn't this cute!

The last highlight of the night was when we bumped into Dick Lee - he is a famous local figure who is extremely talented; and this year he played the role of Creative Director for the parade. I enjoyed the show tremendously and there were several poignant moments that tugged at the heartstrings. The songs and medleys that were strung together was amazing and awesome - perhaps it was the simplicity that did it but whatever it was, I thoroughly enjoyed it all. So to bump into him, and be able to shake his hands and say "thanks" felt good! I did not even think of taking a pic with him but I kinda wish we did.

It was a lovely, lovely day and I'm very thankful that we had the opportunity to watch the parade this year, not once but twice and even on the actual day. I'm thankful for the kind people who passed tickets to us and I know both kids enjoyed themselves, thoroughly.

Happy Birthday, Singapore. Thank you for being the lovely home that you are.