Papa's Birthday

It was Papa's 37th birthday. We blew the candles twice, once on our own and the other time with our church friends. Reuben was sleeping when we cut cake in the morning. So we decided to go ahead with the song without him. We had a nice D24 Durian cake from Emi Cakes. When my church friends came over on Tuesday night, we celebrated again with another church friend whose birthday falls on the same day as Papa's. Again, Reuben was sleeping, so we had to go ahead without him again. But it's alright, babies have their entitlement to sleep anyway. We wish Papa good health, wealth and lots of spiritual blessings and favour from God in this new year! :)

I love the glow of the flame. It's so warm and bright.

Yes Man, Ip Man

This holiday, I've watched two movies. My hubby and I hardly have the chance to watch movies these days. It's a luxury for us! To think that we used to watch movies so frequently during our "park-talling days". Sigh... Anyway, we put our two kiddos in my parents place so that we can spend some afternoon alone shopping, watching movies and dining. It was really good and I feel that every parent should try to steal some time to go out together with his/her spouse, without the children. Rekindle the love that we have. Sometimes we're just too engrossed in our work and children that we compromise our time with our spouse. For my 2009 resolution, I must make sure that both my hubby and I can go out together on our own, at least once every month!

Anyway, back to the two movies. Yes Man was by Jim Carrey. It's a classic simple love story. It's heart-warming and sweet but I would say, it's easily forgettable. Not much impact. Ip Man, by Donnie Yen was great. I think most guys will like this movie. Initially I was sceptical and resisted watching it because I thought it was just another pugilistic movie. Well, I'm right to a certain extent. It IS a pugilistic movie BUT it is one with a humorous punch! I came out of the theatre full of awe. Go watch it if you can.

Have fun! Go dating once again :)

Yes Man Vs Ip Man, I'm proud to be a Chinese! :)

Tricycle Ride

It was after I've attended the school meetings that I realised that the December school holiday is ending soon. Time seems to zoom pass this holiday. Even though we didn't go on an overseas trip, we have had quality time together. After my meeting on Tuesday, I got home and Phoebe was napping. I decided to take Reuben down to have a ride on the tricycle. It was his first time and he looked very steady on the tricycle. I think in some ways, Reuben is similar to Phoebe. He likes adventures and is rather active too. I shall treasure the remaining time I have with my two darlings before school starts on Monday!

Opening Presents

This Christmas, Phoebe and Reuben have received lots of presents. We should have waited till Boxing day to open all the presents at one shot. It would have been more exciting but Phoebe and mommy just couldn't wait for so long. We would have suffered from anxiety. So to save ourselves from the agony, we always open the presents immediately once we're alone at home. Phoebe likes to open presents. I used to be the one opening the presents for her when she was younger. Now, she's able to do it by herself. Watch these clips and I think you'll agree with me that I seemed much more eager than her! Haha. I still have a kid in me :)

My Royal Chinese Prince

2009 will be Reuben's first Chinese New Year. We decided to get him a Chinese costume. Reuben doesn't look nice in red because of his tan skin. So we got him this white romper Chinese costume. It fits just nice and the material is soft and not thick.

For the past three years, usually on the first day of Chinese New Year, Phoebe will wear the traditional Chinese costume. So next year, we'll do likewise for both kids. Actually, it's quite a waste of money because they'll wear their costumes just for this occasion and that's it! But what the heck! Chinese New Year will seem more watered down without the costumes. Take a look at my royal prince :)

The stud buttons at the bottom of the romper.

The Straw That Tamed Reuben

Reuben discovered that when he has the power to cause changes, the theory of Cause and Effect. Hence, he would deliberately throw something and watch it fall onto the ground. He does that at home and yesterday during lunch, he did it again when we were dining in Ikea! Much to my embarrassment, he took the paper serviettes and littered the floor. Unsatisfied, he took the sachets of sugar and teabags and dropped them onto the floor. I didn't realise what a mess he had created until I caught a lady looking at the floor around us in disgust. I bent down and gasped in horror. I was totally embarrassed. I cleared the litter immediately and didn't know what to do to keep this little boy from mischief. So I tried this and it worked! :) Wonderful!

Party Animals R Us

I love parties! Not just me, Phoebe too. We're party animals... We attended a post-Christmas and pre-New Year party in Ann and CM's place. They have a pretty Christmas tree. I've always like to go to their place despite the long journey. They're such hospitable hosts and their place is clean and neat. Oh, and now it is also very well equipped, with baby high chair, hot water, TOYS, milk warmer, bath tub, desitin, baby bowl and spoon etc. Probably the only thing that is missing is Children's VCDs! You have to work on that!! haha :)

Uncle Chek Meng, Auntie Ann and Little Yu Hin


Auntie Aveline and Uncle Willie, Asher's mommy & daddy

We had an excellent dinner - chicken soup, mixed vegetables, pork knuckles stew and chicken potato stew, all these to go with rice. For desserts, we had a log cake (the 3rd one I've eaten this Christmas), Korean strawberry, tangarine, dragon fruit, mango and almond jelly.

Carbohydrates, Protein and Fibre, and all the Vitamins ABC ! Very well balanced diet indeed. Even since Phoebe is able to eat the food that we eat, I'm very conscious about the balance of her diet. I make sure that her meals consist of the essential items that help her to grow well.

The kids played with the toys. They couldn't play with each other yet but they were well mannered, all playing in their own domain, no snatching or bullying. I was particularly pleased with Phoebe when I saw her putting the toys back into the toy box. Good girl! Mommy is proud of you! :)

The highlight was to get the 4 kiddos to look into the camera for a decent shot. No need to smile, as long as their eyeballs can synchronised, we will be very contented. Taking pictures for 2 kids is tough enough, talk about 4!! It's an uphill task, almost impossible. We could not even get them to sit still for 3 seconds. Poor Yu Hin was so flastered by all the commotion that he lost balance like a Humpty and hit his head. Blame it on the adults!!

When he was pacified, we continued with our photography task. The adults automatically started chattering like monkeys and clapping like chimpanzees just to get the kids to look in the same direction but the kids just couldn't be bothered. I guess the loud noises had frightened poor little peace-loving Yu Hin. He started to cry again. Blame it on the adults again! They are all so badly behaved!! Hmmfff!

Look at their eyeballs, darting here and there except in front!

Before we left, we had gift exchange. Not bad, we brought 2 presents for Asher and Yu Hin and came back with six! Does that give you more incentives to pro-create? Haha.

Thank you aunties and uncles for your presents! :)

Christmas @ The Park

On Christmas morning, we brought the kids to Pasir Ris Park despite the fact that the sky looked threatening. I was glad that we took the risk as it turned out to be a lovely morning for the two kids. There was no rain and it was windy. Perfect weather to visit the playground. As usual, the first stop was the swing. Just like jie jie, Reuben loves the swing. He enjoyed it so much that when we plucked him out from the seat, he kicked his legs vigorously and started crying loudly. We had to put him back on the swing again. The swinging motion made him drowsy, so we took him out of the seat and he wailed again. Haha :)

Sometimes I wish that I have these swings and obstacles in my home so that I can hang the two of them there and not let them bother me... heehee... Shooo... shoo... evil thought! :p

Bloggers Mommy Outing

Dark clouds + strong wind + rain = No zoo trip
Contingency plan : our wet weather programme = Raffles City.

We spent about 3 hours eating, chatting and playing in Shokudo. Then we shopped around and bought some clothes in Espirit. It was goooood. We should do it again :)

Another Christmas Party

On Christmas eve, I've invited my friend and her family for a simple dinner. Since. it's a western festive season, I can't be frying bee hoon or rice right ? Somehow, fried bee hoon or fried rice and Christmas do not click. So I made chicken steak with mash potatoes and some spaghetti, and not forgetting the greens - broccoli and carrot. I put a bit of every thing in a platter for each person. No alcohol, instead we had Sparkling apple and cranberry juice in wine glasses. We also had seedless grapes for fruit and my mum was very kind to make us some animal agar agar and also a beautiful log cake for our dessert. I laid the table with napkins and cutlery to look Christmasy. Every thing looks pretty. But shucks! I was too hungry that I forgot to take a picture of the dinner! Oh... so sad. The only item that I didn't forget to snap was my mum's log cake. My mum is really an excellent and talented cook! :)

Grandma's home-made Christmas log cake

After eating, the children played toys and interacted. Initially, they didn't know how to play with each other. It was only after sometime that they started to warm up and enjoy each other's company. However, we've to bid them goodbye soon after. Blame it on the little nonya! Haha :) We exchanged gifts, took some pictures under the tree and that's the end of our party.

Reuben in His Birthday Suit

I've not taken pictures of Reuben wearing his birthday suit for quite some time. So, today I decided to let you all feast your eyes on him. Reuben is not a particular chubby baby but he is meaty enough to hug and smooth enough to touch! Hee hee... :) All the "teeko" aunties are ogling at you, Reuben! (^_~)

Turn on your charm... electrocute all the old aunties...

The Long Wait

When I was expecting Phoebe, I imagine her born with a lush crown of hair because both my husband and I have lots of hair and mine is especially thick and black. I even told my mum that I would love to tie and plait my little girl's hair just like playing with the Barbie doll. But when Phoebe was born, she was BOTAK! So little hair, so fine, so pathetic. When she celebrated her second birthday, she was still pretty bald. It was only beginning of this year that more hair started to sprout from her scalp.

Finally, on 20 December 2008, after waiting for 3 long years, her hair was long enough for me to plait! So, I must take pictures of her little plaits. It's not that I want to take profiles of Phoebe in the criminal manner. But it's just that, this is the best way to capture her plaits in all angles. From now on, I must make sure that I plait her hair more often, just to compensate my years of waiting. Phoebe, please bear with mommy! Mommy is very deprived !

On her second birthday, her hair was still very little, barely covering her scalp.


Such cute little pretty plaits!

An Evangelistic Christmas Party

Our church cell group organised an evangelistic Christmas party for ourselves and we invited some guests. I invited my neighbours. It was quite a well-organised Christmas event. I prepared spaghetti, salad and fruit while other cell members prepared other food stuff such as chicken wings, nuggets. otah, sausages, log cake etc. Amongst all, I like the Shepherd's Pie the most. It was yummy! I've learnt how to go about making it and I shall try making a mini one using my small oven toaster on one of these days. After the food, we watched a video of an ex-hardcore drug addict giving testimony on how God has changed him and given him a new life. It was very touching! We sang some Christmas carols and shook each other's hand to wish each other a merry Christmas. Before everyone parted, we had a gift exchange session. Christmas is not just about wine and dine. It's about the birth of Christ. We hope that we've sow some seeds that night and helped the pre-believers know the true meaning of Christmas.

A scrumptious spread of food! Look at the yummy Shepherd's Pie. The taste still lingers...


The adults dined and the children played. Everyone was in the festive mood.


All the children had presents that night. This is Reuben's first Christmas and this is his Christmas presents - a handsome shirt given by our neighbours and a cute Marks and Spencer monkey given by our dear yi-yi (my sister).