September Staycation #kateturns6 (1)

Some months back, there was no window period where I could plan for a holiday. And I desperately wanted one, but given the circumstances, I made do with a staycation plan. Credit must be given to the sister, who so patiently listened to me whine and whine then also provided me with options of where to stay.

 

Months later, the stars had aligned and the dust had settled and it's time for our staycation. A good reminder that it is always more intense and grumpy in the heat of the moment, but it shall pass so always good to have a sounding board to toss the bad qi (I has special sister to share special moments. Lucky is me) and to always just breathe and let it pass cos it will always get better.

 

So anyhoo, Saturday morning rolled about and the kids were thrilled to know that "we get to stay in hotel? Got carpet?" (no prizes for guessing who made that second question/statement) and after a harried session of packing, my little girl and I headed off early on Saturday morning.

 

It's our usual routine of heading to town for her class, and it's always special because we get to do regular routine stuff like walking, catching a bus/train and just being together. I get to observe her in her silly/happy/grumpy moods and her confident strides as she is familiar with our route and routine (I want bread - and it's always a toss between two regular types - plus she loves to toss some coins to a regular basker at a regular spot).

 

 

Lunch

 

After a hearty lunch, we took a bus to the Marina area and headed to check in.

Their own luggage - perfect size for a one-two night stay

The BFF was invited to join us and it was basically a lazy afternoon of bouncing around in the room (the kids) until it was not too hot then we hit the pool.

 

Sunblock

1-2-3 - let's go!

Bang bang

More water fun, 3 kids in a tub

After many hours of water play, we headed to the mall to have dinner. It was a filling meal, followed by play at an indoor playground, then more play back in the room where the children indulged in silly games like hide-and-seek etc. By the time everyone hit the sack, it was past 11pm. It was a long day.

While the kids slept late and I had hoped for a bit of a lay-in, it was not meant to be. The kids awoke at their regular time and it was up-and-about like any other day.

 

Where they spent the night. The husband created a 'door' for them.
We got a huge bed to ourselves! Aaaahhhh... such comfort and space

This is the face you get when you insist on a pic.
I had wanted to take his dirty face (he'd just had some oreos).

And this is the face you get when you don't give her what she wants =.=
For the record, she wanted a packet of chips which I obviously said no to.
All further disasters were averted when I said she could have the packet in the afternoon.

 

Going for breakfast.

For the record, the mall has dismal breakfast options. No thanks to the kids' badgering, we ended up eating Maccas for breakfast - yuck. The mall was also very quiet in the morning, so really, nothing much at all. We had opted not to indulge in the hotel spread though, not this time.

After breakfast, we headed back to the hotel to change and hit the pool. We spent the rest of Sunday morning in the sun, swimming, playing with water, reading the papers and getting nicely toasted.

Just because he so cute.

The room was a premier room at the Marina Mandarin and it was pretty spacious, with some furniture, a king-size bed and a very big bathroom with enough room for a tub. It was very comfortable and definitely was a steal at the promotion I got it for. To watch the kids make themselves comfortable in the room pretty much instantly was also amazingly cute - I hope they realise how fortunate they are! I'd also let K know that this stay was part of her birthday celebrations and I hope she enjoyed herself - I hope they both did.

Special memories are built upon such treats. Happy birthday to my sweet baby girl.

Favourite moment of this weekend

A beautiful morning with the sun streaming in, me witnessing them
talking in their child-like chatter with each other of sights and views; to watch
them interact and all four of us so comfortable... it was beautiful.

T-G-I-Flyday!

Totally random dates are the best! While I only clocked 2 minutes of flight time (and already, my back is sore); to spend the time with the husband watching him enjoying himself like a child in the wind tunnel... It was very nice. 

This week has been a series of random date one after another. Hooray!

The husband brings the kids to the zoo

Put your hands up if you like corporate benefits! *waves arm frantically

 

The husband was fortunate enough to get his hands on this corporate entry to the zoo and off he went with the kids in tow! As they went on a week-day, I did not join them but it makes me very happy to know that the husband is willing and able to bring them out and I love how too the kids love to be out with him. I know of many fathers who are not too present in the family zone and while the husband has his moments of seclusion, I know he's a partner whenever he can. I just wish he doesn't spoil the kids that much when they go out because I will never, ever be the 'cool' parent in our partnership ;P

 

This will be a pictorial post as I was not present, but it's so nice to be able to see them in play. My kids are a fortunate pair, aren't they?

 

My loves

J, probably mi-question, half in-awe & amazement

Reptile (euw)

 

Look!

Fast-food lunch

Who doesn't love friend chicken!?

 

Polar bear

 

Igloo play

Taking the safari boat ride - they shared tales of how fun the ride was :)

I love tigers

A highlight was feeding the goats!

 

The story behind this pic was J wanting the goats to "SHARE!"
(haha, he's so funny)

Sweet endings

Terrific Tuesday Treats

The husband and I decided, on a whim, to head to the gym.
I clocked in a decent workout. My arms are achey today and
so are my abs (and back - bad posture!)

 

We headed for some simple, so-good-yet-bad bak chor mee and then... *drumroll please

 

WAFFLES WITH HORLICKS-TIM-TAM & STOUT-CHOCOLATE
ICE-CREAM DRIBBLED WITH CHOCOLATE SAUCE, SUGAR
POWDER AND ALMOND FLAKES

Can you tell that I'm terribly excited about ice-cream and waffles? I felt very happy and blissful because just a week ago, the husband and I had an unplanned date-night mid-week too. And to have him to myself (no kids!) and waffle+ice-cream - what a great start to September.

Hope we all have some kick-ass last quarter of 2015!

Teachers' day

So, it is Teachers' Day this Friday. While I hear many stories of parents helping their children with gifts etc, I've always been more lazy practical. Last night, we got around to doodling and what better occasion than to draw up cards for this special day!

 

H A P P Y T E A C H E R D A (Y)

 

J made two cards. The above is the complete cover of the first card; where only an "s" and apostrophe is missing from the whole greeting. On the inside, he wrote his name and thrashed the markers in brown-and-green drew a tree. For the second card (sorry teacher) he got impatient and didn't wish to write anymore so he only managed HAPPY (2x somewhat legible) and half the word of "teacher". Oops. But the inside was pretty decent!

J's first "face"

I'm so proud of this boy and his ability to write letters. I think influence from watching his sister do work must help in some way, and thanks to guidance, he does recognise his ABCs. Phew! I can't comment too much about the short attention span, as I think that's quite normal for a little boy and to watch him draw his face, it's so adorable. I remember when K drew her first "man"; it looked like a big wobbly face with 'arms and legs' sticking out from the face - the husband said that she had drawn a potato - hahaha!

Serious artiste at work

 

Re-attempting the card because she judged the quality of her own first card

My little Miss Perfect - always wanting to do better; and I do appreciate her efforts to be better and not give up. But sometimes, sometimes,this can be so trying. I do try to remind myself of what a sweet child she is... and I know her teacher will appreciate the card she hand-drew.

K visits the office

Beautiful (warm but windy) stroll by the Bay

 

We chanced upon a wooden see-saw

 

Someone scored some toys