Country living

Visiting with family Boer - Nathalie, Klaas, Pieter and Ralph - is as close to 'country living' as we'll ever get to experience. It's a welcome change for us but I was a little worried about how Sera was going to react to all these 'living animals' on the farm. On the Boer farm, there are Storm and Kylie, the two flat coated retrievers. There is Ulanda, Nathalie's horse. And recently, a litter of seven kittens and their mom. We tried to prepare her for the onslaught of animals but we could do nothing when her hysteria started upon seeing Storm and Kylie.

Aww, Sera ... our little chicken-hearted girl!

Yas, on the other hand, was only a little ruffled, literally by Storm. He gave her a few loving licks and she was a little startled by all his blackness, enormity and wet pink tongue. But eventually, whenever he tried to lick her or come near her, she'd scold him. I'm not kidding. She would look at him crossly and let out a strange, slightly high pitch growl. It was hilarious!

Sera had the best time hanging out with her cousins, most especially Pieter who gave her his undivided attention. She was totally smitten with him! It was wonderful to see them get along so well. In the end, she proudly claimed that Pieter and Ralph were 'my brothers'!

That's the very handsome Storm. Sera squeezing as far back as possible and Yas, trying to stomp him with her tiny feet

Sera picking organic strawberries from Pieter's strawberry patch. Sera was apprehensive about eating them straight from the land but after opa took the first bite, she followed enthusiastically ... we had to stop her from plucking the patch empty!

The boys having a football match. Johan as usual can never resist joining a game of football. Can you see Sera near the entrance of the paddock? She didn't even realise that Ulanda was standing behind, in the meadow.

There is something about Sera and sand. Whenever she sees sand, she has to step on it (barefeet), touch it, crumple it in her hands ... she's almost spellbound by it? So here she is, just walking in the paddock, completed entranced by so much sand ... clueless that Ulanda was a few feet away. ha ha. I decided to warn her, not wanting her to scream and faint when she actually looks her in the eyes. She, of course, runs back to us.

Pieter very patiently got Sera to come up close and warm up to the kittens. I love this shot of them!

Yas had so much fun at the shallow waters, scooping the water with her plastic cup

Pieter and Sera catching crabs and shrimps

To the Zoo

Going to the zoo with the girls is always fun, and this time, it was Yasmin's first. So we set off early to Blijdorf Zoo, the weather a little overcast, and I thought, the perfect weather for the zoo.

So first off, a group photo of the zoo-goers.


The Blijdorf Zoo is a very spacious and open zoo. Since our last visit, two years ago, it has seen some facelifting and new enclosures. This arctic fox was really very sweet, I thought.




Camels ... yah, we see them all the time in the Middle East but rarely a camel with two humps. And look, one of them is floppy.

Sera was always looking out for the 'mama and the baby' ... so she was so happy to find the baby walking closely with its mama.

With this donkey, she even dared climb on it! Eeehoy ...

Sera nd I cozying up in the shell

A well deserved treat ...

Yasmin had a great time though she also dozed off for a good hour

But she was on the go after her nap and she enjoyed the zoo on her two feet

Our last stop, sitting by the elephants ... Sera was looking out for mama and baby elephants.

Visit with Opu van der Vorm

A visit with opu van der Vorm (Sera and Yasmin's great-grandma), who lives in the pretty town of Oostvoorne, a walk in the forest and then lunch by the sea-side.It couldn't get more idyllic than that.

This photo is for keeps!

We're actually walking around a pond, looking out for some forest creatures

Everyone was patiently waiting for the littlelest one, who wanted nothing to do with the stroller

And finally, Holland ...

We arrived in Holland, early in the morning, after a 13 hour flight. Somehow, it felt like a huge accomplishment. Honestly, as I sit here writing this post, I can't quite remember the flight ... I'm having selective memory here and maybe it's best I don't remember it. ha ha. I think Yas slept for at least 3/4 of the flight. Sera maybe slept for half the flight. Johan and I maybe slept for 1/3 the flight? It doesn't matter now ... we were just relieved to have landed in Holland!

The cool weather was a pleasant change and the girls took to their new surroundings very quickly. The first thing we did when we arrived at Johan's parent's house was to play in their very green and lush garden. Sera was thrilled to find a pair of yellow boots that fit her perfectly. I laughed out loud when she clumsily stomped around in them ... she was doing a 'Ms Phua Chu Kang'!!! (Sorry, only the Singaporeans will understand this joke). She claimed to everyone that the boots were her garden boots, and she'd wear them every time she went into the garden through out our stay there.

Yasmin was just beside herself, exploring oma and opa's house (we had to immediately child proof many items in the house). She also loved spending time in their garden, barefeet but her most favourite thing was going to the nearby park with Sera, to feed the animals there. Yah, there was a mini-zoo there - deer, goats, sheep, rabbits, pigs, chickens ... ducks in the lake. What a treat for the girls!

I have to say, she wears those boots well!

Yas and oma having a little cuddle

Johan and I taking a a stroll with Yas around the neighbourhood

Blame it on the jet lag! We were in the park before the animals were even awake ... before the church bells rang.

Bye Tioman!

On our way to the airport, on the resort shuttle bus, I let Sera snap away with my camera. She's, of course, thrilled and snaps away. I'm thinking I should get her a camera, a simple, second hand one from eBay or something. Anyway, here are some of shots ...

All tanned and looking rather relaxed ...

'I want a pink cake!'

That was all Sera wanted for her 3rd birthday. Never mind that it was such a simple request but PINK?!!! Ok ,pink is so not my colour and the thought of a pink coloured cake screamed artificial colouring, which didn't sit too well with me. Well, I thought the pink colouring could be achieved with some natural colouring, like beetroot or even strawberry puree? I had all these brilliant ideas but there wasn't time to get any to bring to Tioman. In the end, I conceded that I'd just have to settle for whatever the chef at the resort would come out with. A pink cake ... Sera sweetie, you will get it, even on Tioman island.

So for her 3rd birthday, we actually had two celebrations. Johan and I, being the lousy party planners that we are, had only three things in mind for her birthday - pink cake, birthday song, eat the cake. Ha ha. We like to keep things simple. But with all the aunties, uncles and grandma involved, we had a carpeted room decorated with balloons, a mini stage, tables and chairs, buffet spread and free flow of ice cream. Wait, there was even a DJ for the night and he was none other than uncle VJ himself. It was all very lavish and very, very appreciated. Even Johan got into the festivities despite being weak from food poisoning. awwh.

Her pink birthday cake! Auntie Sue-Lyn (life saver that she is) brought natural pink white chocolate shavings for the top of the cake (it was yummy!).

That was her pre-birthday party.

On her actual day. Grandma woke her up with a little pink heart shaped cake. It was the sweetest surprise and breakfast for her. After breakfast, the whole family went on a boating trip to Ringgis Island for snorkelling, to Paya Beach for lunch and for more snorkelling. Sera had such a great day ... we couldn't have asked for a better birthday celebration for her!

Such a cute cake!

Sleepy eyed Sera looking mighty pleased

All ready for our boat trip

Yasmin too ...

Sera had the best time swimming at Ringgis Island, where the resident shark swam beneath. ha ha

Sera hung out with us (Johan, myself, Mei, Sue-Lyn and Ben), relaxing in the water by the Paya Beach jetty. What a day!

Tioman

Our island holiday at Pulau Tioman will be like all our other trips there ... memorable in many ways. We had some downtime when many of us fell ill during this trip but in the end, we still had an enjoyable time. And it always helps when you have fun the way the kids do!

Our days quickly got into a nice, lazy routine ...

The first days, we had our breakfast in our own chalets but eventually the kids would just gather at the sand pit to work up an appetite. So in the end, we brought our breakfast to the beach. Ahh, what a life huh.


After breakfast, the girls got out of the pyjamas and into their swim suits, ready for the beach. I love this photo, which truly captures how the girls were every morning, dashing out of our chalet and into a day full of play and adventure!



Wait Yasmin, one photo with grandma before you go off ...


Sera was very good at collecting the beach towels for us.


Holidays are all about the memories that we collect and this one had many. Yasmin was just a riot of excitment whenever she was on the beach. We let her explore and feel the sand, which of course went straight into her mouth (much to the dismay of my aunties). She rubbed it into her hair, well, all over her body actually. She was such a sandy and messy baby but she loved it! She was very amused with the waves that lapped up unto the shore, and chuckled when she felt the light, cool water on her bare feet.



The water was very clear at low tide and we took the opportunity to be in it whenever we could. I will also remember her first swim out in the sea with Cho Kong (my grandpa) and me. It was one of those surprising moments that I'll always remember. Sera was giggling while walking all the way from the shore to the sand bank, stepping on little rocks and dead coral. She gasped when salt water splashed onto her face and found so much pleasure floating on her back, gazing into the blue skies.

This was our favourite part of the stretch of beach. It was quiet and we got a view of Pulau Ringgis. Apparently, there's a resident shark that circles the island ... so I was told when I was young. Ha ha. I realised I just had to pass on that little myth to Sera and she was truly excited.



A thoroughly contented Yasmin after her morning swim. Soon after, she would take her morning nap.


I will always have this image of Johan and the girls, on the beach, ALL the time. As usual, it is impossible to get all three to look at the camera, at least they're all looking in the one, same direction.


Yasmin was, like Sera, very curious about uncle VJ's tattoos.


Fresh coconuts whenever we felt like it ... Thanks uncle Simon for climbing the trees to pluck them and then hacking them open. What a treat!


Most days, we would stay out to play till the sun set over the island.

Singapore in fast forward

We had 10 days in Singapore and everyday was packed! As with our trips to Singapore, we try to meet up with our good friends and run necessary errands. We tried our best but we missed out on a few ... but it was still 10 days and it was worth the visit. So let me give you a speedy run down.

Attend Isaac's birthday party on the day we arrived

We were practically falling over from lack of sleep

Soon after this photo was taken, Yasmin fell asleep amidst the maddening crowd of uncles and cousins playing around her

Yasmin moves in her sleep. See that mattress in the background? That was where we put her down at night. In the morning, she was on Sera's mattress. Where was Sera? On our bed of course!

A $1 ride on a horsey, why not?

Visit with the Cosse family, our old neighbours from Dubai. Sera and Etienne watching 'Hi 5' together

Johan and the girls jam together before dinner

A visit to GoGoBambini at Dempsey Road. (Check out Johan's Ah Pek's outfit!)

Lunch outdoors at PS Cafe ...

Now check out this series of photos of Sera and Etienne. I happily clicked away, only to find out they had similar poses and expressions in each shot. Cute!

#1 - Checking out the guy chopping the grass

#2 - 'He is 2, and she is 3!"

#3 - Cheeky eyes

#4 - Looking sideways

#5 - bum shot

She got her first kid's meal at Ichiban Sushi. It was a huge meal and she managed only half

Went for a movie with Chloe, 'Dora and the Snow princess'

Sera's nervous meeting with 'Macho', uncle Ben and auntie Mei's puppy

We also had a lovely dinner with Lena at Siglap, met up with long-lost cousins at East Coast, had dinner and caught a disaster of a movie, Terminator 4, with VJ and Sue. Phew ... we were ready for our Tioman trip!