Mommy's 32nd birthday

It was a bright and early morning and Mommy was wondering why she felt very energized. It was a typical Friday and Daddy was out early for his weekly Friday meetings and Mommy usually gets very flustered over the girls' breakfast as there's just so many things to prepare before sending the girls off to school. There's the breakfast, the feeding. changing, tying of hair, spraying of insect repellent and checking of bags. But it was Mommy's birthday. The girls did not say anything as they probably didn't know.

Daddy messaged early to say he'll be back after his meeting and will pick the girls up. While waiting, a man turned up and delivered a flower arrangement and two bouquets of flowers. Wow, is it all for Mommy? It seemed so, and Mommy gladly signed for them. Soon the girls were home and ahem, the basket was from Daddy and the two small bouquets from Kieona and Kierra.

Kieona, Kierra with their flowers for Mommy

From Daddy dearestEugene: Where's my flowers for Godma?

It was a simple gesture, but it warmed Mommy's heart when Kieona and Kierra presented me with their individual bouquets. Well, Eugene was wondering where was his though, and that was funny. The girls still had swimming lessons and it was Friday as usual. Then it was home, dinner and a simple cake-cutting.

One for the camera

And looking at the cake, you really do wonder if it's Mommy's birthday or the girls' birthday.

Mommy's Doraemon cake

Abstract Art

It's been a long road Daddy and Mommy have walked down the parenting path, and yet not once have we quite regretted spending time playing with the kids and watching them grow. The proud moments are when you walk away and focus on something else and when you get back, you see something that the child has done which is beyond your expectations.

Kieona just did. She put in some time and effort drawing up something on her drawing board, which completely blew our minds away. It was just curves, done up in a rather artistic way. She said it's a birthday cake and a birthday party. It does look like there's a cake if you look carefully. Abstract art, anyone?

Kieona's birthday cake

The Big Breakfast (6 April)

Mommy is lazy most mornings and our family generally get by with bread for breakfast. The girls usually take cereals and milk. Easy and no need for much preparation. However, Mommy recently got into this frenzy where she believes a good breakfast helps prevent the body from over-gorging in the later part of the day, which in turn leads to weight gains. So, it's sometimes a good and visually appetizing feast of scrambled eggs with raisins and ham, plus a cup or fresk milk or other hearty breakfasts. Cereals are for days when we are in a rush.

All the kids in the house seem to welcome the change, with Eugene peering in to check for eggs every morning for breakfast when he arrives. Kierra is probably the only one who continues to dream through breakfast..... and still does.

Kierra, are you still sleepy?

Shoes For Sale (31 March)

Dear Kieona has always been into shoes, and Mommy always saw her as a consumer, until recently. She started using blocks to make into "shoes". And high-heeled shoes, mind you. At first, Mommy thought she was just messing up, but it turned out that she actually made those "shoes" for "sale". How enterprising!

Bibik asked her how much a pair costs, and she said "twenty cents". We had a good laugh, and asked if we could have a pair at "ten cents". She said "ok". Mommy then explained to her the concept of money and how as a seller we should make sure that what we sell can cover the cost of "buying" it in. Well, Mommy is not sure if she gets it, but no matter. It's all done in good fun.

"Will you like to buy this pair of shoes?"

Tua Gu Gong's Birthday (29 March)

Daddy's relatives on the maternal side usually have gatherings that are related to Tua Gu Gong. Almost every year, our family will try to make ourselves available on three dates - CNY Day 1, 7th Day of CNY (Ren Ri), Tua Gu Gong's birthday (in March) .

Kieona and Mommy - aren't we fabulous?

The usual venue for Tua Gu Gong's birthday is at Asia Grand Restaurant. Food is authentic Chinese, simple but really delicious and exquisite. The usually fussy Mommy and Kieona when it comes to gastronomic tastes are always pleased with every dish they serve there. They used to be housed at Asia Hotel (which we are not fans of because of the parking space) but this year, it has moved to Odean Towers and has a larger compound. The area is more spacious and comfortable. The food, just as great.

Look at the big "Shou Tao"

Since both Kieona and Kierra are at the age where they are more independent and do not need Mommy around all the time, our family had a great time polishing up the dishes and enjoying the company of the relatives whom we may have missed over Chinese New Year. Needless to say, the girls had so much fun that we ended up being the last to leave the restaurant that night.

Tua Gu Gong and Tua Kim Po looking at the birthday cake

Kierra, posing with the lobsters...

Erm Kieona, are you dancing?

Kierra saying cheese with Dee Kim Po

Visiting at Ruth and Eunice House (20 March)

It's a wonder how some kids get along right away or don't. With young kids like Kieona and Kierra, it does seem that they do not always remember the names of the friends whom they have visited or for that matter, played with. It is therefore rather cute when Mommy notices her two darlings using Ruth's and Eunice's names every once in a while and saying that they haven't met them for a while. For the record, Ruth and Eunice are the daughters of Uncle Eddy and Auntie Woan Jen. They stay in a little town called Ang Mo Kio, just like us. They happen to be Daddy's Uni schoolmates, but now they are our family friends.

We go by to visit every once in a while and it is really nice that Kieona and Kierra enjoy Ruth and Eunice company and vice versa. Afterall, Kieona is a year younger than Ruth and the same age as Eunice. Auntie Woan Jen and Mommy just find it rather interesting that Ruth will always play with Kieona and Eunice always plays with Kierra. Perhaps it's the birth order....

The girls (ahem, and mommies) chatting and drawing

Horse or Donkey? (8 March)

After the morning spent painting, the girls still felt very upbeat. Mommy was wondering how to keep the girls occupied when Daddy came back in the early afternoon. He had left early from his seminar as the guests had last minute change of plans. There, there.... we can visit the zoo and at the same time renew our membership! How glad Mommy was, since she didn't have to figure out what to do with the girls.

Although we've been to the Singapore Zoo a couple of times already (in fact pretty often last year), we were still rather amazed to spot some animals which we have failed to take notice of previously. This time round, we were a little confused over whether the photo below is that of a horse or a donkey. How do we tell?

What is that? Mommy, Kieona & Kierra wondered

Is it a horse?

Or a Donkey?

Well, can you tell the difference? We were stumped. But what are the keepers for right? We had to ask the question. Ahh, the difference is in its tail. This is actually a mini-horse!

Kieona, amused with the elephants' performance

Kierra, in a daze....

Drawing Fun! 8 March 2008

Mommy's got to admit it. With our very hectic lifestyle, we find it difficult to squeeze in time for Kieona and Kierra to just do their painting (which they really love). Well, we bought some new paint aprons (is that what you call them?) some time back and Mommy just had to use them. Since it happened that we didn't have many programs that Saturday when Daddy was out for his company's seminar, Mommy whipped out those paints and paper. Kieona and Kierra was off for some fun, and some destruction around the living room area!

Little artists hard at work

Kieona swam on her own 7th March 2008

Daddy was able to take some time out of work and attend Kieona and Kierra's swimming lessons on a Friday. Daddy and Mommy secretly took these photographs of the girls at their swimming lesson with Unce Saw as we were advised not to be present since the girls tend to learn better without us around. We were so pleased when we saw Kieona's progress.

Kieona paddling with the help of a board
Kieona - the sexy darling
Grumpy Kierra wanted to finish up as soon as she spotted Mommy

Kieona's 4th Birthday

Kieona's birthday cake at Wai Gong's house
Kieona and Ah Gong's birthday cake

Kieona sure is one lucky girl. Apart from the mega-huge birthday cake she had in school (a whopping 3kg chocolate cake with triple chocolate), she had two other birthday cakes - one which she said was a must at Wai Gong's house and another at Ah Gong's house as Ah Gong and Kieona share the same birthday. We've got pictures of the two smaller cakes and it's unfortunate we didn't manage to get any on the cake Kieona chose for her own celebration in school.

Dinner at Imperial Herbal, Vivocity! (16 Feb)

Us, refusing to go home...

It's a shame Eugene and family couldn't join us. Although we missed out on Ian's full birthday celebration, we were glad we get to eat at the famous Imperial Herbal Restaurant. Although Mommy mentioned that the food there is pricey, we all thought it was good value for money. The portions were big and the ingredients were fresh. Mommy is seldom impressed, but this was one place she likes. Although it had been a long day, Kieona and Kierra just refused to go home. Look at their cheeky faces!

Ian's 2nd Birthday (16 Feb)

Guess who's that? It's got to be Ian.

Proud mommies with their kiddos...

These stairs are such fun!

Little Ian, Auntie Elsie's son is two. We were all invited for the birthday party. We went early as there was to be Wai Gong's birthday celebration over dinner that night. Thanks to dear Mommy who forgot that it was supposed to be a birthday celebration cum dinner at Ian's grandparents house, so went ahead to book Wai Gong and Wai Po for dinner. Such a pity. Kieona and Kierra really had the most fun in the large area.

Dad Dad and us - lovely picture!

All we want for Valentine's....

Lovely bouquet of wildflowers....

Isn't this bouquet sweet? We were heading home after Kieona's gymnastic class and Auntie Joanna popped out to present Mommy this bouquet. It's Valentine's Day - and Daddy had surprised Mommy with the beautiful bouquet. Kieona and Kierra couldn't help smelling and touching the flowers. Kieona says Daddy will buy for her, next time. Mommy said her darling will, in time to come.

Happy Birthday 57th Wai Gong! (11 Feb)

Wai Gong was one happy birthday boy. Yee Yee was tasked to buy a birthday cake for Wai Gong and it was meant to be a surprise when he comes to our house to pick up Yee Yee and Eugene. Happy 57th Birthday, Wai Gong!

Wai Gong's birthday cake in our favourite chocolate flavour!Grandparents & grandchildren...

Chinese New Year 2008

Wow, wow, time has passed so fast again. Mommy overlooked posting Kieona's and Kierra's blog entries for over 5 months already! Time to do some work, Mommy!

Pre-CNY Reunion Dinner at home
Prepping up for CNY
Kieona Tikus from Skool House...
CNY 1st visit
Kieona & Kierra with Xiao Yee Poh
San Yee Poh, San Yee Zang Gong reliving memories
Dee Gu Kong with us
Wai Poh giving out angpow

Chinese New Year this year had been very, very exciting for the girls. This is the first year we changed our visiting plans, as some of Mommy's cousins on the paternal side requested we go later so they get to see us. As such, we went to Tua Gu Gong's (Daddy's uncle) house before noon and were able to catch the annual Lion and Dragon Dances. Both Kieona and Kierra were so absorbed and totally enjoyed the shows. Other places we visited included Gu Kong's (Mommy's uncles) house in the late morning and Zhor Mah Mah's house (our third stop and last stop where we also see cousin Rae-Ann/ Uncle Alvin and Auntie Gyn's daughter celebrate her first CNY).

Kierra the little imp before the lion dance

The Lion Dance....
Is that how dragons look?
Everyone, look at the camera!
We are hip!

Day 2, we again went visiting. This time was to Wai Gong and Wai Po's house in Ang Mo Kio, then Tua Yee Poh's house in Bukit Batok (where Ryan Di Di is still so nimble) and San Yee Poh's house (last stop). It was yet another day of catching up with the relatives, whom we saw so little of otherwise.

Day 3 was a Saturday, so all the merry-making went on. This time round we went to Auntie Zhen Zhen and Uncle Don's house at Nuovo for Daddy and Mommy's Archery gang gathering. It was fun as Kieona and Kierra had lots of friends around their ages. After that we went to Uncle Eugene's (Daddy's friend) house, where we met his brother, the famous singer JJ Lin, whom Kieona and Kierra took a photograph with. There, it was eat, eat and eat - like all the other venues we went.

Little child models, anyone?

Kieona, Kierra, Mommy and JJ?

Day 4 was Mommy's JC friends and teacher who came to our house. Pity though, as both Kieona and Kierra had been so tired out from the past three days of feasting, playing and visiting that they slept through the "party" at our own house.

Mommy and her friends. Where's Kierra?

All in, it had really been a pleasant Chinese New Year where everyone was pretty happy. Kieona and Kierra are also at the age where they have started to appreciate it and sure had a lot of fun collecting angpows as well.