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.