X'mas had came & went.

Children are the happiest lot as they played like there's no tomorrow and received so many gifts!

We had the longest day on X'mas eve. First, in the morning, we went for the church service to enjoy a x'mas performance. This year is also our first X'mas at CHC. We were also honoured to have Auntie Suzie & family, my mum & sis as well as dh's sis to join us. As we need to prepare for the pot luck dinner at Aunty Jeannie's place, we have to rush home immediately after the service. In the evening, we started merry making with food and good wine. We had a time of thanksgiving sharing. Kids had so much fun playing, running around, gift exchanging. We finally reached home at 2pm.

Our energy have been strained so much that we spent the X'mas "ruan-ing" at home. For X'mas, we brought Shannon a paint set & she's excited to use them. Sky is also happy on the mess he created - he painted more on himself than on the drawing block!

Shannon's water colour paint work.

It was "Dong Zhi" yesterday. This is one of the Chinese traditions where we eat "Tang Yuan" 汤圆 which symbolize family unity. Shannon happens to be off school as her CC was closed. Without fail, Ah Ma will make Tang Yuan for the family at this time of each year. This year, she rope in a helper, Shannon. Boy! Shannon had much fun helping Ah Ma to make tang yuan. Using glutinous rice flour, Ah ma taught Shannon how to make "sor" the dough and perfect it to mini round shape.

Results of Shannon's hard work.


It will be hard for me to continue this "legacy". I think I will just buy Glutinous Rice Ball from supermarket and nowsaday there's different type of fillings and variety for you to choose from. But, eating the plain small Tang Yuan in ginger & brown sugar soup made by Ah Ma & Shannon brings back memories of the old days. Somehow it taste better than those ready made one.

Since young, Shannon loves story telling session. She likes going to the library to borrow books. Sky loves the library too..not to read though........but for running around!! But, it's a little bit extreme today when she insisted on borrowing a malay story book.

So bo bian, Aunty Muna is roped in to read story to her. She has to read & do translation for her. Maybe this will brush up Aunty Muna's English as well?!! Or the reverse, Shannon gets to learn Malay?!?!

I have been waiting to hear "mummy" coming out of Sky for long. On & off, Sky called out "ma" or "mi" but i can't be totally sure that he's calling me. He has called everybody in the family & even our helper except me! Yes, called his beloved papa & jie jie affectionately & our helper, nana so sweetly. EVERYBODY BUT ME!

Unexpectedly, today, he called out to me "ma-mi" & gave me a wide smile! I wonder if it's his milestone or my milestone. He seems to know that I'm overjoy as i kept throwing him up in the air. For that moment, he kept mumbling meme, ma-mi & mama.

1. Brush Teeth
Me: You know that you must brush your teeth every nite before you sleep right?
Shannon: YES! (In a loud affirmative voice)
Me: So, do you brush them every night?
Shannon: opps (in a soft & sheepish manner)

2. Milk Bottle
Me: Shannon, can you drink your milk via cup tonight?
Shannon: Mummy, I'm not 4yrs old yet! I'm still 3yrs old!
~roll eyes~
She still remember the pact i made with her that she should not be drinking milk from her bottle anymore when she turns 4.

We were out partying again on Sunday. This time it's cousin Tomiko 1yr old & Troy 2yr old birthday party.

The baobeis & their cousins.


Troy's party at Queensway Macdonald. Shannon can't get enough of the playground!

We had finally begun our X'mas Shopping last Saturday. Without fail, every year, we will go to Takashimaya, which is our one stop mall for our X'mas purchase. Before shopping, we detoured to Tanglin Shopping Center for dinner. We knew there was a snow show & we wanted to bring the baobeis to get in the X'mas mood.

It was beautiful when the "SNOW" in other words "FOAM" sprayed around the X'mas Tree. Some parents came prepared with towels & raincoats for the childen to enjoy themselves in the "snow" party. We on the other hand are just the bystanders.

It has been long since we have time alone with Sky only. We decided my birthday would be a great time to spend with Sky since jie jie need to attend school.

Having hear that The Line at Shangri-La had good sumptuous spread, dh brought us there for a buffet lunch on my birthday. I must agree that the food spread is indeed wide. It ranges from western to India cusine. Food is good & we leave feeling very full & extremely satisfied!

Sky had a good time exploring Shangri-La too.




Though it's my birthday, dh bought the cake more for Shannon. When I told Shannon that it is my birthday on Monday Morning, she immediately questioned in a bewildered manner where the birthday cake is. To her, it seem unquestionable that a birthday can be celebrated without a cake. I guess kids at this stage enjoys cake-caking & blowing candles.

Have finally cross the big 3 today. But I seem to have so many things that are unaccomplished. I aim to have all these done by the time i turn 31.

1. Get my driving license.
2. Putting up unused stuff in Yahoo auction or Ebay.
3. As what Pastor Kong preach on Sunday - Have big dreams. Step out & shake away my fears and do what I dream to do. Now..i have to focus what my dream are ;p

We brought the kids to baby SSO at Victoria Concert on Sat and this happen to be Sky's first concert trip.

We have been faithfully attending this concert continuously for three years running. This year, Shannon has been brave enough to go along the March with the conductor without mummy. They also enjoyed the time up close & personal with the musical instruments.


After the concert, we went to United Sq Shopping centre to catch the free Barney show with Aunty Suzie. We dutifully queued for an hr. It's not much help when Shannon keep asking where's Barney?! But alas, Shannon was so tired out that she manage to fall asleep when she finally see Barney (for only 5mins?!!) Turns out, it's Sky who is enjoying the show more.


As usual, we went to church on Sunday Morning..
Can't help but to snap a shot of the siblings so loving towards each other.



In the evening, I brought Shannon to watch a musical play "The Gingerbread Man" at the DBS Arts Centre.


This is our first time watching a children's play and the duration was 1hr 45mins. I was quite worried that Shannon would feel restless and wouldn't last through the play. Surprisingly, the musical was highly entertaining & both Shannon & me were hooked. The play was fun & interactive which left us having a good time. Dh on the other hand went to a foot massage while waiting for us and ended up howling in pain :p He must be still missing the massage at Bali.

Immediately, i bought tickets for another upcoming children play for next year. This time I will be bringing Sky as well since the play's for 2-6yrs old.

It has been sometime since I last met up with my old friends. Actually not that long as we just attended Aunty Karen's wedding last month.


But it's not exactly a time for us to "yakk away". Though even now, it's not like before where we used to sit in a pup/coffee joints, talk & drink to our fill. The kids need our attention at one point or another. Maybe we can do that with our kids when they are....at least primary 1? Still remember the time we clubed when we were "young". Now, Aunty Karen's Charlottle is turning 1 soon!

At soup restauarant - 2 cool babes who insisted on not smiling for us!

Brought the kids to Raffles City to catch the Barbie in the 12 Dancing Princess show last sat. Shannon luv the show! I liked the show too & bought the DVD which Shannon spent the Sunday watching.

Poor mummy & daddy has been sick after coming back from Bali. Both of us are down with flu & even fever in the beginning of the week. As Sky is easily prone to sickness, we decide to let him sleep over at ah ma's place. Boy, he was so upset! He has been crying to go home every night! Especially when he see aunty and jie jie leaving, he gets hysterial!

We felt much better today and brought him back. He ran around, jumped around, played with his toys, hug his jie jie & sat on daddy's lap. This must be his happiest night of the week!

I was quite sad that I couldn't bring the kids to see Rocfish (the christian equivalent of Hi-5) at the Children CHC as it coincides with our Bali Trip.

However, I was pleasantly surprised that Ah-Yi SMS me while I was in Bali. Her friend gave her free tixs to Bob The Builder show & she' s bringing Shannon to the show.

It must be a wonderful day spent with Ah-yi starting with Mac for lunch and followed by taking the Mrt ride to expo to see the show.




That makes up the time not spending with us.

Day 0 - 17 Nov
We reached Bali at about 7pm. After we check in to the resort, we manage to walk around & shop in the Kuta area. Luckily, the shops there closed quite late. We also check out some of the day tours and decided to go for water rafting trip the next day.


Day 1 - 18 Nov
Water Rafting at the Bali longest river.




In the noon, we hired a driver to drive us to Sukawati - the local's market for shopping. It's also named as the Art Market as there's alot of art pieces. Nothing fancy us & we left after a while to have our dinner.

We went to Jimbaran to have a romantic seafood dinner by the beach. The sunset view was breathtaking.







Day 2 - 19 Nov (Back to see my Baobeis)
Before going to the airport, we went to Kuta Beach.

Technically speaking, I should be in Bali right now. But this morning, while we were checking in, the counter crew asked if we can volunteer to delay our flight to the next timing at 4.40pm. The "carrot" is $300 each & free upgrade to Business Class. Dh did some "business analysis" & decide it's worth the delay. Immediately, we got $600 cash on hand. So to say, we have only 1.5 days in Bali :( But, this trip is now fully sponsored & dh said we can always go back again (Especially, our initial 2 days trip shouldn't be enough).

During this extra 6hrs, we took a MRT to Tampines Mall to catch the latest James Bond 007 movie. I manage to spent some of the fortune buying clothes too :p

At 2pm, we return back to Changi Airport. Taking the business class means we can also chill out at the silver lounge. It's also here we take our free lunch (quite yummy food with Haggen Dazs ice cream to complete the meal!) & allow me to do this little update.

This is also our first trip without the baobeis. Will be missing them alot!! We will be back soon!

November is a good month for birthday parties. Just this month alone, we attended 3 birthday parties ranging from 1yr to 7 yr.

After Shannon's concert, we went to have a sumptuous meal at Ju Shing Jung Korean Charcoal BBQ Restaurant. This is also the continuation of celebrating Ah ma's birthday.

We just ordered grilled beef & chicken. The rest of the side dishes just come with it.

Look how full is the table.


While we were eating, Sky enjoyed himself at the play area. This place is super child friendly.


Unfortunately, after using all the energy in the concert, Shannon is too exhausted to enjoy.

Last Sat was Shannon's school year end concert. Understand from their teachers, the children has been practising their dance very hard to put up a good show. At times, Shannon will give us a preview of her dance steps at home.

However, nothing beats the feeling of seeing your own children performing on stage. I was paranoid that Shannon may suddenly get stage fright and end up not moving on stage. But, she and all the children put up a splendid performance.

Her two 造型. Her two dance items are Indian & Mongolian dance.

Lately, I have been receiving comments from friends that Sky look abit like the Precious Moment figurine. Does he really look like one?

It's so heartwrenching to read the reports of this 2yr old toddler's toe being ripped off in a escalator. Suddenly, there were increasing reports of such escalator accidents in SG as well as US and pointing to one big cause - rubber clog shoe(CROCS!)

We read the reports to Shannon. She got so concerned & kept asking lots of questions. I was so paranoid and had a mind of ditching the baobeis' crocs. But the level headed dh simply said no need for the drastic action.

What's more, I just learned that this little shiyr's mummy's a fellow churchmate from her blog. Will keep her family & little shiyr in prayers.

After church yesterday, we went to Vivo City with their godma. Sky simply luv there as there are plenty of spaces for him to run about.

With the compliments of Aunty May, I bought a long pants for Shannon at Pumpkin Patch at a discount. Must get more discounts from Aunty May again. hehe



The kids were enticed by the play court, though in my opinon abit rowdy. While Shannon was taking her lunch, Godma took Sky out to take his portfolio at the breathtaking harbour front view.

Sat was a tiring day for the kids.

As Dh & Uncle Martin make appt to service their cars together, we whiz the kids off the Uncle Martin place by early noon. Unfortunately, in a hurry, we forgotten to bring the camera out!

Long time frens - Shannon & Fredrick + Sky played the whole afternoon. It has been long since they last seen each other..about 6mths?

See how Lucas (Fred's little brother) has grown so big now..



Shannon so unglam..aiyo!



After playing for the whole noon, the kids have exhausted all energy...they quickly take a nap during the ride the King Albert's park Macdonal for Ian's 1yr old party.

This is the baobeis' first Macdonald party. However, due to the lack of sleep, shannon woke up feeling grouchy & doesn't want to join any activities. She only start to "wake up" when the food arrives.

The party is abit chaotic with so many children and i guess they may be too young to enjoy a party at Mac. I managed to catch old times with my ex-colleagues & old frens.



Promptly by 9.30pm that day, the kids were asleep!

Sat was Ah ma's birthday. What's a birthday without a cake. This year, i ordered a berrymisu cake from tiramisutra. The cake was yummy delicious. As usual, shannon majiam the b'day gal, stand rite in front & even blow the candle for Ah ma.

We did a mini celebration on Fri evening. As a typical Singaporean, this is another reason to gather the family & eat! As next sat is Shannon's concert, the birthday lunch will be on that day then.


I hope by the time i'm in my 60s, i can celebrate my birthday with my grandchildren by my side too! It feels blissful..oops, am i thinking too far fetch..

Dh had a normal haircut last night & came home pretty late..Hence, by the time he reach home, the kids were already in dreamland..
This morning, when Shannon woke up, she immediately noticed her daddy's new haircut. She went on to say, "Daddy! You had a haircut! U very handsome le!" and keep repeating "Daddy! You very handsome!" for at least 3 - 5 times.

I guess DH must be over the moon this morning.

Now that Shannon older, canning & scolding is part of the discipline act when she's naughty. After the session, we will reinforce that we still love her no matter what.

However, we seem to have reinforce this abit too much. Recently, when we scold her, she will react by saying "Shannon naughty, mummy also love right?

Parenting is such a tricky issue! Sign...

In conjunction with the Hari Raya Holiday, we planned a trip to Cameron Highlands with Aunty Suzie n family & our cell group members. The children enjoyed themselves esp Shannon who could eat tibits almost everyday.

Day 0
After dinner..R & R at the resort after a long drive (8 hrs!) up to Cameron.


Day 1
Visit to Strawberry Farm, Tea Planation & Honey Bee Farm


Day 2
We paid Ringgit 85 per pax to torture ourselves for rainforest walk. We trekked for 4hrs & today I'm still having the big workout effect feeling.
Heros & Heroines to name:
DH - Carried Shannon (the city gal who's just not used to muddy track) for 98% of the walk.
Aunty Esther - Despite 10wks preggie, she's still able to complete the trek..Still shudder at the flashback of the slopes.
Children - Able to complete the trek without much whinning.
Shannon - Still able to sleep during the bumby walk.














Day 4: Detour to Ipoh for food before heading home sweet home