National Day Long Weekend

Because of my wedding anniversary, I managed to take child care leave on Monday so that I can have a longer weekend spent with the family. I booked a chalet in Changi that faces the sea and invited my in-laws to stay together. We had a wonderful time. Checked in on Sunday, after lunch... The single storey bungalow simply reminds me exactly of my dream house. My dream house is actually a single storey bungalow with a big garden for me to grow my vegetables and herbs for my cooking. I like single storey because next time when I am old, I do not have to worry about climbing the stairs. If my house has a swimming pool, it will be best. If not, I am also fine. I remember attending the Adam Khoo course with my students in our school and the speaker mentioned about having a dream and being specific about what you exactly want. For me, this is my dream but whether it will come to pass or not, I will just do my best in what I do now and if it happens, it would be great. If not, I would still choose to be happy and be contented with what I have!

The seaview from our chalet

The view was breathtaking..

After checking in, we brought the children for cycling at Changi Beach. Danielle and Caleb both had a great time. I was pleasantly surprised at Danielle's maneuvering skills in her bike. She has great psycho-motor skills! She was even cycling way ahead of Caleb..I had trouble keeping up with her even by running along with her! The kids also spent time at the playground.

You can see Danielle enjoying the thrill of swinging up high. She's definitely more daring than Caleb.

She really amazes me especially when she actually steered all by herself right back into the bicycle kiosk and even parking the bicycle all on her own without stopping and adjusting her bike, in the middle of the row of bicycles which were neatly parked in a row. After cycling, we went to my club for a swim before dinner.

After dinner, Danielle was holding hands with Keane (my sister in law's son) on the way back to the car. How cute..

When we went back to the chalet, the kids changed into their PJs and played together on the bed and in the living room.

The next morning, CT and I woke up early to catch the sunrise just outside our chalet. It was romantic as we used to do this during our honeymoon or on holidays with the family.

Caleb also woke up early and joined us in admiring the scenery..

After that, we had breakfast together. We steamed the char siew pau and da pau which we bought last night. The children bathed and wore their Red and White clothes to prepare for National Day Celebration in school this morning. I figured that no matter what, I will make sure my kids go to school, enjoy themselves and hopefully learn something there.

After dropping the kids off to school, we dropped our helper, Vicky home before CT and I head out to M Hotel for a buffet lunch to celebrate our wedding anniversary which is today..the actual day. After getting married for 7 years, I felt CT and I really have come a long way. Definitely, it was not all smooth sailing..but throughout these years, we managed to work hard at our relationship and to learn to cherish and love each other. More importantly, we have 2 wonderful kids who has given us much joy and has taught us a lot as well.. Thank You God for my husband, Chee Tiong and for my 2 babies- Caleb and Danielle who each has their own unique character which I appreciate and am thankful for.

Anniversary date with Lion King

On 8 Aug 2003, my THEN boyfriend waited outside my school gate to pick me up after our National Day celebration, brought me to his house and went down on his knees with a bouquet of sunflowers (my favourite flower by the way) and asked me to be his girlfriend. One year later, 8 Aug 2004, I got married to him... It has been 7 years of marriage and I find that I am loving Chee Tiong more and more... Anyway, for our anniversary date, CT brought me to go watch Lion King as he knew I have always wanted to watch it AGAIN. Yes, the last time I caught it was probably about 10 years ago when I was in London with my family as we went there for holiday cum visit as my brother was studying in Imperial College for an exchange programme during his NUS days then. I enjoyed it so much that when I knew it would be coming to Singapore, I kept telling CT that he had to catch it! Before the show, we went to Raffles City for lunch. I am not one who craves after expensive food. It really doesnt matter to me. Company is definitely more important to me. So anyway, we had Macdonalds for lunch as there was a promotion for the new burgers! It was 2 for the price of 1! After Macs, we went to "The Handburger" Restaurant in Raffles City basement for a dessert burger which we was also a 1-for-1 promotion as well! How cool! We are definitely a sucker for promotions as you can tell!

I would definitely go back to this place to try their beef burgers! Yum yum.. After lunch, we walked over to Marina Bay Sands for the Lion King show.

We bought the 2nd most expensive tickets as were sitting about 7th row from the stage. So, it was pretty near.

The theatre is pretty nice. However, I was slightly disappointed with the stage as I was comparing with what the one I saw in London and the stage in Singapore seemed smaller. Moreover, they added local flair into the show like Chinese or singlish...so it felt kind of strange. Nevertheless, I enjoyed myself especially when I was sitting by the aisle and got close brush with the crew as they came down from the aisle quite a number of times. I even reached my hand and touched the elephant! Thanks dear for the date! May we continue to have many more good years ahead with each other...

Bukit Timah Hike

Have always wanted to bring the children to Bukit Timah ever since my ex-colleague introduced me to the place. We finally went and the kids enjoyed themselves.

It was a good way to drain our children's energy as they are very active, especially Caleb who was walking and running very fast. He was way ahead of me..But being a good brother, he stopped once in a while to wait for Danielle.

After walking the steep slope, the children had to face big, huge steps that even their legs had trouble reaching. It was cute especially to see Danielle really lifting up her legs to go up the steps.

Anyway, after the tiring climb up the steps, we were rewarded by the sight of monkeys which the kids were excited about.

On the way back down the steep slope, Caleb was walking backwards as it wont strain his knees. I was amazed how he could walk backwards the whole time. I couldnt even do that as I am just not used to walking backwards.

After our hike, as our car was heading out, we noticed the dead train tracks. So we immediately parked our car to the side of the road, got down and walked along the tracks just for the fun of it! Caleb was pretending he was a train..

It was a great adventure just walking along the tracks, sitting on it ..

and even lying on it!

After that, went for a good dinner at Boon Tong Kee Chicken Rice Restaurant just opposite Beauty World.

I would definitely love to do it again with the family....

My boy..

Caleb is quite focus when it comes to writing or drawing. He would be able to sit down and do that for quite a while. Anyway, here's what he does.. He would practice writing his Chinese and English name.

Then here's what he draws..

I have to say, Caleb has a lot of imagination. He could play with his blu tack for hours and making all sorts of sound effects with it. He would sleep with the blu tack and when he wakes up and finds the blu tack missing, he would cry for it. May he continue to be focused in whatever he does..and allow that mind of his to be creative and imaginative.

"Crowded classrooms and half-day sessions are a tragic waste of our greatest national resource - the minds of our children." -Walt Disney

Thoh's papa birthday

My colleague, Mr Thoh's birthday falls exactly one week after Caleb. That is why I would not forget. Initiated a lunch for him together with other colleagues at Pu Tien, Tampines. Mr Thoh has retired for almost a year already and we all missed him. But thank God, we still meet once in a while to catch up.




Actually watching Mr Thoh today made me a little sad as he was limping. Among all of us, he is the fittest as he climbs Bukit Timah every week, effortlessly. However, he recently has a back problem which affects his leg.

Nevertheless, I pray he will be healed as soon so that he can continue his weekly climb with his friends and be as fit and young forever!

Caleb turns 4!

As usual, simple birthday celebrations for my children with in laws in the afternoon, and my side, at night..


There's Caleb and my sister-in-law, Linda who has the same birthday!


Linda with the kids!


At night, my side of the family plus Marianne's family came over to my place for dinner. I cooked vegetable curry to go with my mum's bee hoon, as well as grilled chicken wings. Also ordered pizza.




It was a dinosaur themed party..Well, I just wanted to do a little something for Caleb.


So here's the goodie pack for the kids and his birthday cake!




Here's Caleb ,together with his new presents bought by godma..Cars 2 lego!




After dinner and cake cutting, we went down to the kids' playground at the roof top garden to play.





Was glad Caleb had an enjoyable time. Like to take this opportunity to thank God for watching over him and pray Caleb will continue to grow up into a loving and joyful person.

Pre-celebration with family

Today, my family had a pre-celebration birthday for Caleb because on his birthday itself, my parents, brother and in-laws would be celebrating for him.

My birthday present for Caleb this year is simply to bring him to East Coast Park for cycling and sandcastle building. I actually gave him a few options as to what he wants to do and he chose cycling. I feel this is the best birthday present by far as its meaningful and I do not want my children to grow up expecting presents or think that money solves everything.

Anyway, here's the children cycling in East Coast Park.





Danielle's legs were still too short but she insisted on riding.


After an hour, we went to build sandcastles.

Everyone chipped into the building of it and it was definitely great bonding for the family.



All of us, though tired, had a really enjoyable time as we saw the fruits of our labour at the end of it all



After that, we had dinner at East Coast Lagoon Food Centre which definitely brings back memories of my good old days where my parents used to bring me there after my swimming training at night.

We used to eat duck rice or porridge there and so I ordered that for my children to also enjoy what I used to enjoy in the past.

As for myself and CT, we ordered the beef tribe noodles and also ordered satay which the kids love!



Great activities in the beach plus great food and company..what more can I ask for? I feel so blessed..Happy Birthday Caleb! Hope you enjoyed yourself!