Fathers' Day at Palawan Beach (15 June)

Our family hardly celebrate Fathers' Day alone, since we've got two grandfathers to celebrate Fathers' Day with on that weekend. However since there was a term break for Kieona in her Chinese Speech and Drama classes at Hokkien Huay Guan, we decided that it was a great day to visit Palawan Beach at Sentosa.

The girls have been asking about Sentosa a lot and increasingly so, since it must have been a couple of months since we last went. The weather that Sunday was fantastic - the winds were gentle and the sun was not too glaring. Kieona and Kierra couldn't wait and once we set up the mat, were heading to play with the sand with their tools. Mommy had to remind them to apply their sunblock first and to take off their dresses before playing at the beach.

Applying sunblock

Sand Ice-creams, anyone?

At first, Daddy and Mommy just lazed around as we watched them digging away at the sand with Bibik. Mommy joined in after a while and when the girls had enough fun playing mermaid and building sandcastles with Daddy, we headed for the sea and sat at the edge of the seabed where the waves sometimes rolled in. Kieona, Kierra, Daddy and Mommy had so much fun riding the waves that when it was time to clean up and have lunch, we were all a little reluctant to go. The only downside of the waves catching and riding? The sand that stayed in our bikinis and swimming trunks.

"Little Mermaid"

"I've got you!"

More photos available at http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=29182&id=704853732&l=8c4da&ref=share

Fathers' Day Gifts

Kieona and Kierra do make wonderful gifts with help from their teachers in school, when it comes to Fathers' and Mothers' Days. This Fathers' Day, Daddy was surprised with a photo easel made by Kieona and a star card made by Kierra. Before Daddy got home, it was quite comical when Kierra insisted she had made Mommy a card for Fathers' Day. Mommy asked if it was for Daddy instead, as Mommy is not a Father but a Mother. Mommy further explained the Kierra has already given Mommy a very beautiful gift on Mothers Day. But she still insisted, until she woke up from her nap and saw Daddy. Once she saw Kieona's gift for Daddy on his table, she wasted no time to bring Daddy to her bag to get his goodie.... the star card.

Proud Daddy with his gifts

The photo easel and the star card

Pretty in Make-Up (7 June)

Mommy can't explain why the girls are so into having their faces made-up. Although Mommy is not big on putting stuff on her face for practicality reasons, the girls have always been fascinated whenever Mommy applies cosmetics and will insist to be done up as well. After having been forced to take a nap after Isaac's full moon celebration, the girls woke up feeling fresh and ready to slap colours on their faces. Mommy obliged since there was still time to dress up for Uncle Don and Auntie Zhen's wedding at the Four Seasons Hotel. Enjoy their make-up moments....

Kieona pursing her lips to even out the lip colour

Kierra's bedraggled look while having her eyes done

Little Isaac's Full Moon (7 June)

View of pool at The Eden, Tampines

It was a pity there was a heavy rain in the morning of baby Isaac's full-moon celebration. The girls were so looking forward to having a swim at The Eden, Uncle Winson and Auntie Peihan's house. Little Isaac was very cute and Ivan (his elder brother) was just as busy playing in a very well-mannered way everytime we met them. Although it was a short visit, Kieona and Kierra certainly enjoyed themselves at the lunch buffet spread. Kierra even went so far as to grab a red egg for herself, claiming it's hers even as Mommy had pick one up for her on the plate.

Uncle Winson, Auntie Peihan, Isaac
Kierra having a cold drink, brr
Kieona's satisfied look after filling her tummy

The Wedding Gift

It was with great sadness that we sometimes have to let go of things, things that mean a lot to us and has sentimental values, but are just not practical for us to hold on to. As the years go by, Mommy and Daddy has been trashing out things dear to us once, just to make way for more living space and space for the girls' toys. One of the things that we had to clean out was the below jigsaw puzzle which Clara Yee Yee's family had lovingly put together for Daddy and Mommy's wedding. It's a pity and we had to ask the girls to pose with it and keep a picture of it, so that we can remember it by and give it the utmost respect we have for the thoughts and efforts that went into this unique gift.

Kieona and Kierra, with a puzzle most dear

Concert at Bishan Park (18 May)

Sunday, 18 May was a special day. We've never quite been arty-farty kind of people but Mommy reckons if the NAC-Exxonmobil Concert in the Park was free, at Bishan Park (near), and has elements of letting the kids chill out, why not?

It was supposed to be more of a picnic cum watching of free performances on a lazy Sunday, but since both Kieona and Kierra overslept and Daddy and Mommy were busy working on the Baby Slings And Carriers website (their baby), Mommy brought no snacks, no drinks and was in a frenzy when she woke the girls up to leave for the place in the evening. (Arghhh!! Mommy!)

Kierra watching the performance on-stage

Kieona absorbed with the surrounding

Eugene Pie Pie was there with his mother too, as Mommy had asked if they wanted to join us. Although we all went there in a big rush and were late to get the best grass patch to sit on, everyone had a really cool time. Weather was beautiful, with a slight breeze. We wish we had gotten a place nearer the stage though, as it was quite difficult to watch the performances from so far away and with so many people walking around in front.

Yee Yee had brought some snacks for Eugene, and the three kiddos just went munch, munch, munch, most of the time. As Pie had just learnt how to walk, he went around the grass patches but started crying when he fell. So, he is afraid of the grass!! That was pretty funny to Mommy and she kept laughing about it.

Us all, on a small mat

Kids munching

The highlight of the whole outing was perhaps not the performances, but the story-telling inside a huge blow-up fish which the girls enjoyed. Only up to about 15 people were allowed inside the "fish" at a 15 minute session. Although it was pretty stuffy in there, Mommy was quite surprised that the girls got so absorbed in the story-telling that they hardly blinked. We even saw Kieona's classmate, Ravshaan at the same session.

The traveller....
She's so engrossed

Since that was the last story-telling session we went to, the main event had already ended by the time we came out of the "fish". We were told that there was a centipede hiding below Mommy's bag on the mat at the grass patch and Yee Yee was so shocked when Bibik picked up the bag. The mere mention of it makes Mommy feel so disgusted. Eeeks! Thank goodness we were all not there.

Perhaps it's because the girls don't frequent the parks and open areas so much. They had so much fun running around with their balloons after that and it was so difficult to get them to leave. Mommy could see the disappointed looks on their faces when it was finally time to go. All in, it had been one of the most enjoyable way for us to end the week.

We Pierced Our Ears (17 May)

Kieona had been asking about ear-piercing for a little while now. She started asking Mommy if ear-piercing was painful and whether you need to have our ears pierced to wear earrings. Mommy said yes to both questions. She also asked if I liked to wear earrings. I said not really since I do not always change earrings. Then Kieona sent me a shocker, "Mommy, if you don't like to wear earrrings, then why are you wearing them?". Innocent enough as a question and very logical. Mommy said, "Well, I wear them because I do not want the holes to close". It took a few more days of asking it it was painful and how painful it was before Kieona completely stopped asking about it.

Since Mommy is not really very keen on letting Kieona and Kierra put on earrings at such a young age (cost and hygiene concerns), Mommy thought that that was the end of the saga and tread carefully in case I accidentally trigger it again. Apparently Kieona had not forgotton about it. A few days later while on the couch watching a television program, Kieona asked again.

Kieona: Mommy, if want to wear earrings must pierce ears first right?

Mommy: Yes, darling.

Kieona: It is a little bit painful right, Mommy?

Mommy: Yes, dear.

Kieona: It is not very painful, just a little bit painful right?

Mommy: Yes, Kieona. It is just a little bit painful.

Kieona: I like to wear earrings, Mommy.

Mommy: Ok.

Kieona: I think I want to pierce my ears. Can I?

Mommy: Erm, ok. (Mommy thinks - she's finally asked.) You may pierce your ears - it is really your choice. I have explained to you that it's going to hurt a little. But we've got to go to somewhere more established, like the one Mommy went to. And you must pierce the other side once you've pierced one side. If you feel the pain, you cannot say you don't want to pierce the other side ok?

Kieona: Ok. It's only a little bit painful right, not very painful right?

Mommy: Yes. (I don't believe in telling lies about such things with my kids, even though I'm not the most eager to let them have their ears pierced.)

Mommy asked Kierra whether she wanted to have her ears pierced too. She said no for the longest time, but on the day we went to B*Dazzle in Wisma Atria, she said she wanted it too. Even though there was some hemming and hawing at the shop, we decided to just let her have a go. Knowing Kierra, she will ask for it by the time we get home when she sees Kieona has earrings, if we do not let her do it then.

Kieona, with the pink studded earrings

Kierra, proud with the pink beauty on her ears

Our First Facial Masks (15 May)

Children are creatures of imitation.....

Mommy and Daddy have started getting back on taking better care of our facial skin by using masks a little more regularly. Being the vainpots Kieona and Kierra have always been, they also started asking for it. Mommy thought - no harm, especially since I can cut holes in those small paper pads that I buy and soak them in Diamond Water before putting on their tiny faces to absorb the moisture. Mommy's pretty sure maintenance has to start early for good skin to prevail when it matters. So there, the girls had their virgin facials that day!

Kieona and Kierra's first facials

Kieona the Architect

Did I ever mentioned about Kieona's love for building tall buildings with her Mega Blocks? Well, she sure does. She gets frustrated at times when she spends effort building one and it fell and cumble to pieces or when Kierra or Eugene destroys it, but she usually picks herself up enough to rebuild one that is taller and more stable.

Kieona built this, all by herself

Kieona the Supermodel

We sometimes get amused by the things our kids do, and sometimes they form their own ideas about what they want to do even if they have never quite been exposed to it. I know, because since a very young age, Kieona asked about modelling when Mommy didn't even know where she picked up the term "modelling". We signed her up for child modelling for a year when she was two, and didn't continue at the moment since there isn't really many jobs and Mommy's time is already so packed trying to bring them to and from enrichment classes. Modelling, Mommy feels, can take a backseat for a little while.


Kieona dear hasn't forgotten those days of primping and dressing up for the photo shoots though, and has recently started asking for modelling again. Just look at her professional-looking pose.

Pretty Kieona posing in front of the camera

I want Breakfast....

Kierra: sob, sob...

Has Mommy ever mentioned that Kierra usually take her own sweet time with breakfast? Till today, we still can't find a very effective way to help her eat faster. Usually she looks like that at breakfast if we hurry her, or threaten to take away her breakfast. She will always say that she still wants the breakfast, even though she hardly looked like she is eating it.

The Singapre Flyer (27 April)

The Singapore Flyer by day

The Singapore Flyer is a new attraction. Although we have never officially thought about being on it (Mommy thinks it's too much money to pay for a ride on a Ferris wheel), we went on it anyway that Sunday 27 April as there was a promotion and kids under 12 go free.

Daddy and Daddy's darlings

Kieona and Mommy wowing at the largeness of The Singapore Flyer

It was rather exciting, as there were some food establishments there and it was afterall somewhere we have never been to. The girls were particularly excited as they were always talking about the giant Ferris wheel when we pass by the area in its construction stage.

Kierra munching in biscuit at Popeye's
Kieona watching her fries in case they're gone The Singapore Flyer - so small?
Queueing up for balloon sculptures

The view was breathtaking, since it is hard to get a quiet view of Singapore's skyline otherwise. However since the wheel was so huge and it doesn't stop for boarding or alighting (yes, we had to jump on or off the huge drums), the ride was a good half hour and both Kieona and Kierra got a little bored after the novelty wears off barely ten minutes on the Flyer.

The view is great! Jie-Jie, how high are we?
Happiest Family on The Singapore Flyer

The before and after were much more fun, as Kieona gorged herself with chicken, fries and biscuits at Popeye's before we had the ride, and chocolate prata at Shalima Palace (an Indian Fusion restaurant on level 2) after the ride. According to her, she was "so hungry".

We're bored, but getting off...

Is that a Prata Tower with chocolate?

These are yummy....

Just a side note - you may ask why Indian restaurant since we're with kids and Indian food is usually quite rich. Well, it wasn't our first choice actually. We had intended to dine at Jalapeno's Pepper a few doors away. The resturant wasn't exactly crowded but the service was downright poor. We were there for ten minutes and not only did nobody asked us what we wanted or got us a seat, no one even told us where to wait so that they could get us a seat. Daddy asked the manager if we could be seated and he just told us to wait. Never told us where and what was happening. He was just busy trying to key in the register. Mommy thinks that as paying customers (the food isn't exactly cheap), we shouldn't be made to feel so unwelcomed. We moved on and chanced on Shalima Palace (which was quite empty) and the staff were really friendly and courteous so we decided to just pop in to try their food. It turned out that it's empty not because the food is not good, but because we realised Indians normally eat a late dinner (and we were right!). It was full-house by the time we left, and we did really enjoy the experience very much.

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