Sunday, September 14, 2014

Kate turns 5

So just last weekend, we did a mini birthday celebration for K; a mini one with the immediate family as the brother & the girlfriend wasn't able to join us today. So this lucky girl gets not one, not two (this being the second) but three celebrations this year! (The actual day comes soon in a few days)

It was a windy, sunny day that helped keep the house cool with natural winds; and it was an easy party. One where people sat around, chatted, talked and ate. 

Preps (from top, clockwise): KATE TURNS 5 banner (credit: the sister), blue-and-white roses with a sprinkle of baby's breath (me), the Frozen pinata (Godpa), Olaf (Uncle B), Olaf tee for J & Elsa dress for K (me).

Stuffing the pinata - a very important task that the kids happily undertook (hm, I think B was also excited)

Decor: blue-and-white balloons, a castle sign "Princess K's Magical Snow Castle", protected by Olaf - a mini  paper cut-out & the real deal. While we didn't have any mascot this party, this snowman was the real deal maaaaan (can you tell I'm impressed?!)

Key entertainment for the afternoon was (drumroll please) - tadah - the Frozen Movie! & this shot was a special one of the kids singing Let it goooooo (but, of course)

No one got hungry - lotsa pretty colours all on-theme
One of three Elsas in different costumes and heights

A birthday shot with the favourite grandparents
The partay people! 
Happy 5th Birthday, K! A close-up of this delicious ice-cream cake from Swensen's. 

What's a party without lotsa sugar & treats?! (that's me, playing the aunty holding a plastic bag - of more bags. They came in very handy! Thanks to the sister!)

A pretty poor pic, but you can kinda make out the Q of kids who took their turns to hit the Frozen sisters very hard. (perhaps if the adults did it we'd have shattered the pinata if we allowed how we felt about the movie spill out!)

PANDEMONIUM! 

The calm after the storm. After everyone cleared the stairways (ah-hem. we made do with space), this little boy asked for permission to eat the cracker that he had been eyeing since he was packing the pinata). Gotta give it to him for his single-mindedness. He was one happy chap despite not sweeping too much candy at all. 
Olaf with Olaf with Olaf (like, Inception). 
& because Olaf is such a hit, here's one we took with him.

Before I end off, I believe you will know that a party doesn't just, well, happen. If you are familiar with planning a party - or anything at all, for that matter - it takes time. You need people that you can count on, to delegate tasks to and more importantly trust that they can make it happen - & surpass your expectations. Honestly, I need to dedicate this bit to my family. 
  • The husband - despite his busy schedule and tendency to forget everything if he can, is always reliable and can be counted on for his presence and actions to turn things about (you know, those bits & bobs that always happen). 
  • The mother & father - for their presence, and love for my children that I'm eternally thankful for. Mom made delicious keropok for the party - hit!
  • The brother & girlfriend - for their thoughtful gifts and though they are less, uh, expressive compared to the #favouriteyiyi, that's just their style. 
  • The sister & boyfriend - the sister is always the one that I can count on. & while it may seem that I'm always uh, delegating work to her; it's also because I will step up to help her anytime. And because she always does such a brilliant job of over-achieving her tasks, I do tend to rely on her expert services. & because I feel like I can never thank her enough - this is for you, sister #love. She's helped me accomplish excellent parties for K (the first yo party that never happened, her epic purple dinosaur party, her 3rd princess birthday & her 4th Hello Kitty birthday). Plus J's best Elmo party ever! Honestly, with such an impressive resume of past achievements, I'm filled with love & gratitude as I share the joy of my children with you. & thank you, for pulling a very awesome helper this year too, for those blisters & cramped fingers in making all the little touches add up to the huge success that this & every party is, thank you & you. 


Post-party SOS services provided, too. Where to find!

So this year, as I celebrate my little girl turning into practically a tween, I'm thankful that she is still as innocent as she is. I'm happy that she is happy with everything that we have done for her, and how our friends & family gamely attended the party on-theme in lovely colours to share this lovely day of frivolous fun. She spent the evening poring through her gifts and activating them (the craft items/interactive books) instantly. She is so blessed.


Friday, September 12, 2014

TGIF... and our weekend starts now!

So, yesterday was a bit of a tragic day. The day started out poorly with what I'm going to call "The return of the Horror Mother" - where I am basically cranky, short-tempered and allow anything to annoy me and the poor kids get the short end of the stick. Then work took forever, kept piling up and I came home past 11pm; only to discover K wasn't asleep yet and waiting for me... and I spent the next hour putting her to sleep; only to crawl back up for a dupper (dinn-supper), shower and to complete the rest of my work. I ended the uber long day at 2am.

But. Today is a beautiful day and I'm going to try to remember my friend's words - Repair, is as important; if not more important than what happened. So repair and make it better. 

So I'm going to be a happy person and keep the Horror Mother at bay. I lazed in a bit and thankfully the Mother helped to bring the kids out so that I could pack - we have a staycation planned tonight and we're looking forward!

And here's sharing what I briefed the kids to (try to) do; in my half-asleep state (in a bid to get them out of the room so that I can please get abit more lie-in)



Of course, I had to do it all over again but I like the idea of getting them involved. K's a lot bigger and independent and she can understand the brief "2 dresses, 1 set of pyjamas, 3 underwear..." (I could hear her reciting that when she was packing - so cute)

Alright then. I'm done with my yoghurt breakfast (hello sister, honey thick + creamy with a huge sprinkle of cereal!) and I'm going to wash up and hit the world - go meet my kiddos and head to our "holiday"!

Thanks to the Daddy

It's school holiday week, and the sweet 爷爷offered to bring the kids out to the zoo!

The one pic he shared with me.

He rang me that morning and asked the kids to be dressed and ready in the hour. And he'd take them with him. So random, but I love how he'll bother to do something with the children when he knows that they are on holidays.

And this pic below, depicts some of our communication. I try my best, to make it easy for him to understand by (taking a long time to) writing in Mandarin. He responds simply - typically - with "ok".

He also sends empty messages, sometimes

And really, this is my Dad; the great (& funnily adorable) 爷爷. He tries his best and while it may result in some hilarious (he lost the kids' bag at the zoo yesterday. Nothing critical lost as it contained their hats, bottles, wet wipes and the likes), exasperating (no, you cannot eat ice-cream! Tell 爷爷 you cannot eat ice-cream!) and accepting (you can share some french fries ok. but no ice-cream! - because I know Dad will indulge them so I just pick the lesser of the evils, depending on the kid's health) situations... I'm ever thankful for his love.

Did I mention that he is also the daily shuttle that ensures K arrives to school safely? His willingness to help really brings convenience to us and I think I don't give enough thanks to him. Oh, and not to mention how he quirkily arranged to sign K up for blading classes just because! He has also brought them out to the skating rink, McDonalds, the shopping mall, the zoo, the park... I'm so thankful!

To my sweetheart of a Dad, thanks for your love and help; we really appreciate it and love you as much/more in return. 

Thursday, September 11, 2014

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

The sensitive one

Who? The little firstborn. She weeps during "scary" movies.
The "scary" bits are defined as 
  • When anyone is in distress
  • When there are "exciting" scenes defined as those parts that are accompanied by fast-paced music with some general form of chaos or fighting or general upset
  • Especially when the key characters are involved - the likes of Hiccup or Toothless in that Dragon movie


 This is her, watching "Finding Nemo". 

Enraptured 
Mildly stressed - note the slight frown/worried expression and semi-clutched fist
Nearly in tears

I didn't capture a shot with real tears rolling down her face, because she got annoyed/mad with me for snapping her pics. She is genuinely upset when anything "scary" or dangerous happens.

Sigh, my sensitive little baby.

Monday, September 8, 2014

中秋节 and the first Frozen party

Today is the 15th day of the 8th month based on the traditional lunar calendar. So last Saturday, the family gathered to have a very yummilicious and 团圆steamboat dinner. Because the brother and the girlfriend will miss the Frozen party next weekend, we also threw in a small cake to celebrate the first of K's turning 5. An excited little girl deserves the happy celebration!

Dinner. Thanks to the husband for preparing this! (While I was out on a date)

Everyone's favourite part of the cake #lookalike

Can't recall why everyone was laughing, but I love this pic

Serious business
After stuffing ourselves with the cake, we then headed for some lantern-carrying to get into the mood.

Our little lantern troupe

We also then opened up some presents that K received and I love family time. Seeing how everyone hangs out and does things together - that's creating special memories. Here's our last lantern-carrying activity.

Creating customised jewellery
A family shot - 6 September 2014 (not sure why both kids look so unhappy?!)
And to end off this lovely evening of family and togetherness, I love this beautiful picture of my beautiful daughter.

I cannot believe you're turning 5, sweetie. I love you and I hope you enjoyed this first of your birthday celebrations.

Saturdate with my little man

We received an invitation to attend the opening of the Ralph Lauren Kid's boutique last Saturday. So off I went with my little man. 

Hello, bear!
We bumped into some friends, which was great! Always nice to catch up with friends.

(From L-R): Finn, with Mommy R, me and J, TJ with mommy M
There were thoughtful activities for the little ones such as balloon-sculpting, story-telling and popcorn.

Enraptured audience (The story was Matilda, by Roald Dahl. I'm not sure how much these kids actually understood of the story, but I think they probably enjoyed the animated style of sharing. I think J did)
Patiently waiting his turn with the balloon lady
The trio of boys
And here's one with my little Saturdate