Playing 9 to 5

Playing is hard work, at least for Evan and myself, two pregnant moms, who had to play hard with our little girls yesterday. Thank goodness grandma was around to watch over Sera! We set off at about 9am and didn't return home till 5pm ... and I was the most tired among all. Ha ha!

First stop, in the morning, was to Jacob Ballas Garden, at Botanical Garden, a lovely interactive garden made especially for kids till 12 years old. We took a leisurely stroll through the garden and then serious playtime happened when they stepped in the sandy playground and the water sprinkler pit. We spent the most time at the water pit just because it was literally the coolest place for parents and kids to cool off. Sera tried her hardest to keep dry, avoiding the sprinklers but mischievous grandma had something else up her sleeve!

Sera and grandma on the swinging bridge. Sera didn't like this one bit. Everyone was persuading her to get on it, which she finally did, albeit cautiously and not so enthusiastically.

Sera and Chloe at the sandy playground, helping themselves with toys that weren't theirs

At the water pit, Evan shows how to pump water manually.
The girls were quite fascinated by this simple contraption.

Ok, the following sequence is quite funny courtesy of grandma. Sera was trying her hardest not to get hit by the sprinklers. The problem was that she didn't realise that they came on and off every few minutes. So unbeknownst to her, grandma sneakily plonks her in the Danger Zone.

First STRIKE! She was doused in the sprinklers. She immediately went on all fours, and crawled miserably out of the downpour.


The shocked, little drenched 'rat'

STRIKE TWO! Again, grandma puts her in another Danger Zone. The other kids seem to know that the water was going to gush out from round metal plate in the middle. She joins them, unaware that ...


... she was, once again, being tricked by grandma! Ha ha ha


All dried up and clean, Sera and Chloe feast on healthy snacks prepared by Evan

We decided that we still had more room to have fun, so we drove to the other end of the island, to Downtown East. After lunch, which Sera slept through, we headed to Explore Kids for more monkeying around with the girls. After processing their 'club membership', we spend an hour in the indoor explore play park. Honestly, I was quite beat by then so grandma went into the Mega Play (a 3-storey obstacle) with Sera, climbing, crawling and bouncing around. Ha ha ha. Grandma will always be young considering she has to re-live her childhood over and over again with every grandchild!

And on the insistence of auntie Evan, we saved our littlest bit of energy for the Ferris wheel ride. Each family sat in their own little cage and needless to say, it wasn't just the kids that was so fascinated and maybe confused by the wheel, the adults were equally thrilled.

It was a long day but one that was filled with so much fun ... thanks Evan and Chloe for being so much fun!

Taking a photograph for her club membership

Bumping along in the Mega Play obstacle

Pausing for a photo before they continued their gruelling trek

Sera and grandma in a 'submarine' like tube

Disco like ball pool

The girls had a great time swimming in the clear plastic ball pool that had lights from below that changed every few minutes

All caged up in the Ferris Wheel


A top view of Evan and Chloe in the cage below us

Sera was clearly amused by the Ferris Wheel and was looking out for Evan and Chloe throughout the ride

A contented Sera, after a long day of play, watching Hi 5 ...

Happy Father's Day!

Dearest Papa,

Just for you, on Father's Day, I wore this pretty lime green dress! Check out this tiny white handbag grandma bought for me, and the bracelets that she made me wear! What a 'tai tai' I've become yah?


We went to Artz Pizza, at East Coast Park, for lunch. It was a very nice, quirky place and very laid back ... there was even a mini Merlion there?


I had your favourite Marguerita pizza, topped with mushrooms, and ice cream (but of course) for lunch.


Grandma, mama and I went for a stroll, by the beach. I was chasing and trying to catch the many birds ...


I stopped to check out the big footprints on the pavement ... '1, 2, 3, 4, 5 toes'. When you're here, I'll count to 5 in Spanish for you yah?


I made a friend, Crystal, a white fluffy dog with black boots ...



Her owner and grandma were coaxing me to pet her, look how they grabbed hold of my hand to touch her!


In the end, I couldn't resist and petted her on my own ... she was very sweet!


I love you papa ... see you very, very soon!


Liefs,
Sera Ling

Kung Fu cousins

It was Kung Fu Panda movie time for the three cousins this afternoon. As expected, the three of them were uncontrollably excited about going to the movies. And to add to the hyper trio, Chloe also joined us! So just before we entered the cinema, all four of them were kicking a storm outside the lobby area. The rest of us adults were just lounging on the sofas, looking at their tireless energy. The animated movie was entertaining for all of us. The kids didn't fidget and were glued to their seats, transfixed by all the action on the big screen.

Isaac and Sera posed sweetly for me, while Aaron continued to run around

Isaac, continued to stay put to pose for me. Ha ha!

Finally, I got Aaron to stay put for 2 secs and then he was off again

Grandma with Sera and Isaac ... and too late, Aaron zipped away


They settle into their comfy seats, rapidly stuffing popcorn into their mouths.
Shhhh ... movie is about to start.

Isaac's birthday

Isaac's fishing party was blessed with the biggest downpour ever. Despite the bad weather, we braved the rain and travelled across the island to spend the morning with the birthday boy. It was a bit of a mess - everyone got wet and some of us caught a fish or two. But there was delicious food, the company was good and the ice cream cake was yummy ... that's all we needed for a good time! Happy 6th birthday Isaac!

Isaac looking a little glum because of the rain but he was the first to snag a fish

The fishermen in action

Isaac and his friend, Brian, getting live bait

Finally, a big smile from the birthday boy!

The Great Singapore Sale

The famous Great Singapore Sale, which lasts for nearly two months, lures shoppers near and far unto our shores for their luck in getting good bargains. Well, I don't really buy into any of these sales ... really! But there were these cushions that were crying out for me to buy them ... and of course they were on discount! Ha ha. As you can see, Sera wasn't too pleased with all the bags around her.

http://www.greatsingaporesale.com.sg/

The colour blue

"Sera, what colour are the leaves on the trees?"

"BLUE!"

"What colour is your dress?" (it's pink)

"BLUE!"

What colour are the eggs? (they're white and brown)

"BLUE, BLUE ... BLUE!"

Apparently, her world seems to be very blue ...? Last Thursday, she was down with a flu, which later aggravated to a nasty cough.

"Sera, what colour are you feeling?"

"Blueeeeee ... "

Well at least she got that right. 'Blue' photos of Sera ...

Train ride to the airport

Nobody likes to take the public transport except for first-timers like Miss Sera. That is why, this morning, I thought a train ride would be fun and exciting for her. Indeed, it was. So we drove to the nearest train station, parked our car there and hopped unto the train to the airport. Why the airport? Why to see the air planes, of course! Yes, somehow, I've ended up being one of those parents who bring their kids to the airport on weekends. Grin.

A little sleepy but the train ride very quickly woke her up and got her all excited

"Wow, look at that! Cars, buses, houses, trees, bicycles ... ", she was doing a running commentary, as fast as the train went

We went to Terminal 1 to the viewing gallery where we managed to catch some planes taking off and landing. She was going 'zoom, zoom ... zoom" and then, with sad eyes said, "Papa ... papa." Just a few more weeks to go Sera.

Happy Anniversary Baby!

It's our 3rd wedding anniversary today ... sadly we can't celebrate it together. But I've been thinking of you the whole day (that is, more than usual) and reminiscing our wedding day, the times before our wedding when we were young, care-free ... oh so freeeeeeeee ... ha ha! Anyway, here are some photos of us enjoying the outdoors, just the way we've always liked it.

At Berkelah Falls in Johore Bahru. It was a treacherous hike up to the falls as it rained during the hike and throughout the night. It just got worse when we realised our tent had a hole in it. Ha ha ...

At Pulau Besar off the east coast of Johore. Remember, it also rained when we trekked the rugged coastline of the island but that was a fun trip

At Pulau Tioman, our trek in the jungle

I though this trek over the island would never end! Your dad was way in front of us, fit as ever and the two of us were lagging way behind, struggling ... but it was memorable, in a funny and painful way

Our wedding by the beach. This time, we only had to struggle to hear each other exchange our vows while the air planes were zooming over us!


Our Sera ... hmm, what can I say .. we just simply love her!

And finally, that's you and a 'rounder' me plus number two on the way ... very, very soon!

Back to school

Sera went back to school yesterday and she was so happy, like she was deprived from school for the past few weeks. Strange girl! I wasn't too worried about any transition, seeing she was well adjusted to attending school back in Doha. As usual, she didn't even look back at me or grandma once she went through her classroom gate. Grandma managed to get some shots of her exploring the playground. When I completed the administrative stuff, I took a peek into her classroom and I had to laugh. Sera was like a 'little monkey' singing and dancing to 'Head and shoulders, knees and toes ...', while the other kids were sitting on the floor looking at her curiously and even strangely. I think she adjusted in a matter of minutes!

The pre-nursery kids have their own private playground

Within minutes, Sera was removing her shoes

This is her school uniform. I was a bit put off with the idea of her wearing a uniform since I remember having to wear the same pinafore for 10 years. This one looks cheery enough and since it is not compulsory (unless they're out on an excursion) I guess I could let her wear the top with her own shorts or skirts.