Don't let the pigeon drive the bus!

With the cast 

I bought tickets with no expectations, and that perhaps was the best thing. I was suitably entertained, and was happy because both kids enjoyed the show! Even the husband did not fall asleep. Ha ha.

Our first experience at the theatre, years ago (with K) was a non-event, to say the least. Tickets were purchased, we turned up and K refused to stay in the darkened theatre. To say that she was traumatised, is quite apt. So a few years on, back at the same venue, she is older and a lot more receptive. She did not freak out - thank goodness!

She was engaged with the show (though she did space out at some bits and started talking), responded loudly and confidently when prompted and it was so cute to watch. 

J, at the same age where K was traumatised before, really surprised me! He was thoroughly engaged with the show, mimicking/responding to questions that were thrown at the audience, and was able to keep up with the little dance motions. It was extremely adorable.

So the first show went well and I'm extremely pleased. I even forked out too much money to buy two books on the show, and three days on, I read it with the kids today and both were suitably engaged and I hammed it up, exaggerating my read like the show and both thoroughly enjoyed shouting "NO" right back at me.

Such lovely experiences with the little ones.

Saturday with the kiddos

0645: alarm goes off.

0748: 5km run at MacRitchie accomplished.

1010: Breakfast with the little man

(And what he really ate from that s'wich)

0245: fun in the sun. That's a water gun we picked up lying about at the pool, he had a ball with it!

0410: snooze in the car. (Can you see her salivating?)

0500: Exploring the SAM (him)

Exploring the SAM (her)

Little friends

Little friends

Jumping jellybeans!

I couldn't resist joining in.

We ended off the day with dinner and sleep. It was a long day.

Kate and her rainbows

One evening, I was approached on my way home by a lady. We've seen them before - people holding files with larnyards around their necks. We usually shun because they are asking for some money or something - whatever it is, we usually don't have the time for them. 

That evening, I stopped - maybe the lady looked kind, maybe I was not in that much of a rush. Their cause was simple - please fill in these greeting cards that we will share with old people in the home from SASCO. The requirement was simple - can you write a message on these cards so that we can brighten the day of the old folks?

I took the card, then the pen... then I looked at the lady. I was stumped. I couldn't churn anything out while standing juggling my laptop bag and handbag and come up with something sincere. So I asked  the lady if I can bring the card home and have my kids draw on them. I admitted that I was having trouble writing anything that meant something right there.

She smiled, said ok, then passed me a few more cards. After a few days, I got off my absent-brain and handed them to K to draw. And this is what she did.

Rainbow and balloons

The cards are still with me, and I'm looking for the opportunity to hand the cards back to the lady/anyone from that organisation so that K's drawing can be rightfully handed over. 

The best bit will be when someone at the home receives these drawings and feel happy. 

The better bit? K asked me today if I had handed the drawings to the "old people. they see already?" 

I love how sweet she is and how simple her life is, where rainbows and balloons make her happy. 

Date night

Thank you for the initiative to organise this. To suggest we pop out and have adult conversation for 2 hours where it's just you and I. To fill up my tummy and my heart. 

Morning buddy

It's a good session for detox. A time to flush out the bad stuff, all the toxins in all forms - verbal, emotional, stress, the cajun and the ma la.

Do we look bad? Maybe not magazine front-cover material, but we are real. #sisterlove

Saturdate at the beach for the September babies

It was an evening date that nearly didn't happen due to the drizzle. But hooray for good weather, it did happen and I'm so glad! It was a cool evening, one that was somewhat wet but comfortable as no one got sunburnt or hot. The kids entertained one another and it was such a fun affair. Everyone had fun! I know I did.

1-2-3-4-5.. wait. where's one more child?!

Take 2 - six little munchkins! 

Beach bums (K did not want to sit down and wet her bum haha)

Our nearly-not-so-little boys

Enjoying the waters... (one missing, again!)

One of us adults!

Three princesses

So we gathered to celebrate their joint birthdays in September and I know I've said this before, but I cannot believe the girls are 5!

Tearing their presents apart

Frozen! (Yes, we sang "happy birthday to Elsas")

Wishes and happiness for another year of beautiful, healthy and fun growth 

I'm beginning to feel that we ought to do this every year, so the kids can spend time together to play. And it's fun to watch how different/alike they are from last year. 

Happy birthday to these September princesses, till the next gathering of fun!

I kneaded it

An hour of pain. Secret time-off for myself. My poor, achey shoulders.

Kate (really) turns 5

So the day rolled along, with the not-so-little one waking up in excitement, knowing that it was her day. She's on the cusp of understanding days and counting down to the days she looks forward to and she knew, oh she knew 17th of September.

She requested to her darling Papa if she could wear her (current) favourite Elsa dress to school and I would have said "no" (I know, Mommy, always the party pooper); but he said "yes" and I allowed him to indulge her. After all, it's hard to knock down a statement as simple yet powerful as "you are the most special girl today."

Never seen her so enthusiastic to prepare for school before, she was dressed and ready a whole 30(!) minutes before pick-up. & so, there were some moments of peace and quiet when I could observe her.

Oh, you beautiful child of mine. Look at how big you are now. This year, you're fanatical about Frozen and that's you in your preferred costume of the day along with your Elsa Queen. You are working quietly at (princess of course, what else) jigsaw puzzles and this was something you just picked up in the last year. Oh, how much you have grown, sweetheart.

We sent Kate off to school and while she was at school, we prepared to bring the celebration to her. She was so anxious/excited that she asked us countless times "you are coming to my school, later?"

This sight greeted us when we arrived at school.

The teacher finished off story-telling and allowed us to set up the cake.

Close-up of her (final!) Frozen cake for this year.

SFX, Class Charity B - with the form teacher (Teacher Evon) and all her friends. Oh, and Jake. Hah.

They all sang her the birthday song in English & Chinese and Jake blew out half her candles before she blew out the rest on her own. This little girl suffered from some form of anxiety attack and covered her eyes when everyone sang her birthday song. It's as if she was overwhelmed by shyness and expressed it in this odd way - I see this as a sign of her becoming more conscious; oh how I wish I could take away all forms of awkwardness and discomfort but truly, she needs to overcome and deal with these emotions on her own. Sigh - parenting is tough. 

Anyhow, we distributed goodies in the form of Frozen (on theme) pencil cases and lanyards - I know, where are the candies?! Truly, I always trash the candy when she gets any so I hoped to give something more practical. I know, I know, again Mommy the party pooper but since I arranged it all, I get to choose! And hey. They got to consume chocolate cake already. 

Here's one of Princess with her bestie in class, Meisha.

Jake getting comfy, all settled in within the class

One of K with her group mates. (From L-R), K, Erica, Ashlynn, Queenie, Meisha.

We finished the day with sushi with the MIL, back home to snooze, then chicken rice for dinner as requested for by the birthday girl.

Honestly, it didn't feel that much different from a regular day - perhaps because I was spent with all the pre-birthday birthdays already. But it mattered that the girl felt happy and knew that we all loved her with every bit of what we have. How different the kids look compared to last year.

Happy 5th birthday, my princess. I love you with all my heart, and so much more. 

Sept school holidays - staycation in Sentosa

It was school holiday week last week and as with most parents who work, I opted to take a day off to be with the kids. The morning started off with them going off for a morning of fun with 奶奶.

Indoor playground fun

They made a new friend

Swinging solo

Then we braved the public transport and made it to the waters.

Crossing the causeway from Singapore to Sentosa!

We made it!

It was hot, and I felt victorious finally being out of work with the kids.

And so we take silly pictures 

Hot & bothered, in need of a nap - with their new friends

Finally, at 3pm, we checked into the room. Aaaah, air-conditioning.

Looking for our room

My plan of getting everyone to take a power nap - failed. The husband had joined us by then & so we just took off for some fun activities. First, we filled our tummies. Truthfully, the food court was the cheapest option but it does serve pretty awful food. Thus, it's still considerably over-priced with poor value for money. It's so bad that the husband says "remind me never to eat here again".

Then, we headed for some rides!

Ski lifts!

Family shot.

Honestly, it was quite freaky going up that first time. My nerves were more calm on the second & third rides (we got the 3-ride-package), but it was still rather scary. The husband (scarily) pointed out that there was no safety net below us. GREAT.

Oh, and I had two accidents on the ride. The first ride was fine - just freaked out by the novelty of the ride. The second time, I was clumsy and hadn't adjusted my thighs properly when the attendant pulled the bars down. Result - the barrier nipped at my thigh and I have a bruise. Ouch. The third time, J's slippers dropped & as I bent down to pick it up (unsuccessfully, may I add) - the attendant (again!) pulled the bar down and I hit the back of my head. OUCH.

Tragic.

But the rides down were pretty fun. I was slightly nervous as I had never taken it before, plus I had to guard the life of one child. But phew - it was pretty awesome and we all had fun! (minus my accidents)

Helmets that barely fit. & check out K's I'm-so-sleepy-face.

K rode with me the first time. The next two times, this dare-devil opted to ride with the husband who was obviously a much faster driver than me!

After the rides, we trooped across the road to the beach. Finally, some beers to calm the nerves.

Frolicking in the sunset... & his diapers

Happiness - look at that face :)

#familylove

It happened to be the Sentosa Buskers Festival 2014 and we caught one clown-show.

Kids heading to drop some tips for the clown (you can kinda make him out holding the hat to that boy in white?)

It was about 745pm by this time and we were all pretty drained. We've messed up our meal times from the snacks consumed through the day, plus missing the afternoon nap just made the kids all semi-cranky. But we went ahead with one more burst of activity - water play!

Even though it was cold, even though I knew they were on the brink of sniffly noses; despite all that, it made it all worthwhile & fun to watch them run about in such a carefree manner with laughs & giggles. They ran, and came back to give me kisses & hi-5s, then ran back into the water with abandon. 

Climbing the 40-steps (yes, we counted) back up to the hotel.

The kids pretty much crashed after this. It had been, afterall, a rather exciting & long day for them. & we parents followed suit. We all crashed & at 4am, J woke up for milk & caused everyone to wake up - thankfully we all managed to go back to sleep.. until the blissful time of 0830! #amazingsleepin

The next morning

Ready to hit the pool

Checking-out

We kept the next morning simple, because it was the last chance to utilise the hotel's facilities before we left.

In all, the kids had a good time & J did not want to leave the hotel. He definitely is growing up, with clear knowledge & understanding of a "holiday". Memories are made of these, and I really hope the kids continue to appreciate the effort we try to create memory banks with these activities.