ZOO again

Kyle showering

On board Ferry Pedro - named after the recylcing Otter.

I was serious when I said that I want to make full use of my Zoo pass. Barely 4 days after our last visit, I was there again! This time, Isabel and Joel joined us. We met at the entrance and then visited the white tigers, pigmy hippos and Autralian outback before we headed for the new ferry service across the reservoir. The kids were really excited.

The ferry cost us $15 for 2 adults and 2 kids and took us all the way to Rainforest Kidzworld. It was pocked there even though it's Monday. The kids including the baby Annette rushed in to play except for Joel who needed some coaxing.

My hubby followed us as he was off for the day and only needed to book into army for his reservist later in the day. He took loads of photos on his new toy, Canon PowershotSX10IS. It felt great not having to be the one taking pictures!!

We had our lunch while the kids played till 12.30 before they had their chicky meal with toy. As usual, mine were the last to finish. We rushed off to send Kyle for his holiday Speech and Drama camp which starts at 2. He was late for 1 hour.

Playdate @ Anchorvale

Since holiday is here, I invited Kyle's playmates from the time they were babies, Isabel and Alex and their siblings who are also Meryl's age and the Duo's good friend, Jeremy whom they meet everyday while waiting for the bus downstair for a playdate at home.

Siew was the first to arrive with her 3 kids, Isabel, Joel and Anette followed by the rest. Altogether there were 10 children including Jeremy's little sister, Carissa who came later. The kids played amongst themselves and were extremely happy to have company. The same goes for the mothers who munched away on home-made scones and biscuits and drinking tea.

The kids stopped by our table periodically for their snacks until it was time to pack away the toys and prepare for lunch. Lunch (watercress porridge) was uneventful and especially quick for some after I dangled Mamee noodles as a reward for those who could finish before 1pm, except for my son...sigh...

After lunch the kids were happy to just watch a Strawberry Shortcake disc whilst the mummies ate their lunch. The playing resumed after my son finished his lunch and the kids were happily jumping on my bed and playing army toys.

At about 2pm, they left and the kids quickly had their milk and settled down for their afternoon nap. Meryl slept all the way until close to 6.

Waterplay @ Kidzworld

Brought the Duo to the zoo last Thursday after a long long break. I was determined to make full use of my Zoo pass this holiday. I cycled the Duo to the main road to take bus 163 and then we changed to 138. They were kept occupied on the bus by Alice in Wonderland book. We reached the zoo at about 10.30. We did not tarry long to look at the animals but headed straight for the tram to KidzWorld.

Upon reaching, I was lucky to find a table, albeit not shaded, near the waterplay area. Kyle immediately stripped down to his swimming trunks and Meryl followed suit. I reminded Kyle to look after his little sister. It was a pleasure looking at how he held his sister's hand as they explored the grounds.

I took the opportunity to have a nice and relaxing meal of KFC while they played their guts out for 2 hours!! After that we head home in a cab and Meryl dozed off in the taxi before waking up for lunch at home.

Meryl's punishment

Meryl was banned from sleeping in our room for 1 week. This punishment was meted out because she was caught not sleeping and waiting for us till about 1am. Since she is too excited each time she gets to sleep in our room, we decided to oust her out for 1 week even though it is now holiday time.

She faithfully slept in her own room for the first few nights. One afternoon, I was preparing to settle them for their nap in my room. As I was ushering them in, she reminded me that she could not sleep in my room and compliantly went to her own bed while Kyle slept in our room. Hope she will be as honest when she grows up!!!

CROCS Mania

Last Friday hopped over to Singapore Expo for the MPH warehouse sale. They were also having a Crocs warehouse sale but I wasn't too keen on cors as i felt that the imitations were as good and much cheaper. I went in to look for my neighbour and saw the hordes grabbing dozens upon dozens as thought it was free for all. I succumbed and bought 2 pairs for the kids @$20 each and 3 pairs of pants @ $10 for Kyle. After choosing the merchandise, my friend asked me to pass it to her as she has a friend working there and he will make payments on our behalf. Shucks!!! I was thinking then that I should have bought more since I don not need to queue to pay. The queue was horrendous!!!

After I went to MPH, my neighbour called and said that her hubby was on his way to choose some shoes. This time, I went in and bought 4 more pairs of shoes ( 2 for moi and 2 more for the Duo) Again we didn't have to queue....shiok!!!

Meryl loved the pink pair opf boots to bits and Kyle was ga-ga over his 'army' crocs too. I told my hubby about the escapade and he was also tempted to get some.

That Sunday, we went back again - for the food fest and him for the Crocs sale. He gave up when he saw that people were queuing just to enter the hall!!! Ridiculous especially when recession is just round the corner!

Words of wisdom

We were on the way back from airport after sending their granddad off and we were reading a story about a mole who was afraid of the dark. I used the opportunity to remind them of our cycling trip and the sounds we heard in the dark and the animals that are active at night.

Kyle was not convinced as he still have fear of being in the dark alone. We told him that we can always think of beautiful things in our mind before we go to sleep. Meryl chipped in saying, 'It is only your imagination , there's nothing to be scared!' (She is the braver of the 2) Then she added, ' You know, you know why I not scared? Because I know that God is in my heart, He can protect me one. God can also protect you!'

The Bed Fight

Sun, 2.15pm, Naptime

The Duo were fighting over who gets to sleep on the bed. I suggested that it was Kyle's turn to sleep on the floor this afternoon but he refused to bulge. Meryl also wanted the bed as she had her turn on the floor last night already. I tried pleading with them, coaxing them but to no avail. I used the excuse that I will get backache when I sleep on floor.Meryl was very quick to answer me that when we wake up she will massage my back for me and added that she is Very Good at that. Kyle piped in and claimed that he will also give me a massage. So in the end, I slept on the floor!!

True to their words, when they woke up at 4.30, Meryl reminded me that she needed to massage me. She did a great job of stepping on my back and then using her fist to pound on my shoulders. Kyle also gave me a good massage after Meryl. I was appeased....

Kyle's Swimming Report

Kyle swimming in his underwear, freestyle.

He has learnt how to swim frog style partially but now learning to swim on his back without support.

Meryl is Officially learning swimming

Meryl has been attending lessons on and off for a few weeks as she wanted to do what Kyle was doing. Here she is with Alex and Danny. Kyle was down with a runny nose and did not swim that day.

Tonight she agreed to join the lesson again but wanted me to 'talk' to Brother L first. She did not want to put her head into water. So I asked her to tell Bro L herself and they negotiated for a while. She finally acceeded to putting her head a little bit into the water. Then she was happily inside the water.

When I finished my swim, I popped over to the training pool to see Meryl sitting on the side practising her freestyle strokes. She was happy to show me how she puts her head into the water and blow bubbles.

For the last part of the lesson, Bro L got them to swim on their back and Meryl did it very well. Watch the video especially the last portion when the coach let go of her! Finally before we left, I told Bro L that I I will put Meryl officially into the class.

Meryl learning to hold her breath under water with Kor Kor Justin coaching her during one of the sessions!

Kyle's Concert " The Lost Button"

Kyle with Alex, Belle and Victoria

Ryan quek and Kyle

Jenson

Kyle, Isobel and Joel

Kyle and Elizabeth

Aloysius and Kyle

Synopsis of Musical:

The story is about a Button who has lost its owner. He went around searching for its owner in Candyland, in ToyLand and finally found its owner, a Circus Clown.

The Mad Concert Rush

Saturday, 1st November 2008

Meryl's schedule for the day (I attended)

10am- 11.15am : Ballet
11.30 -12.15am : Lunch
12.30 - 1.30pm : Nap
1.30 - 2.15pm : Dina's Hari Raya Open house
2.30pm : arrive in school for concert performance
3.00 - 4.30pm : Graduation Concert at Sengkang Methodist Children Centre
5.00pm : Housewarming steamboat party at Aunt Jen's place
Swim after dinner

Kyle's schedule (Tim attended)

• Woke up at 7.45am wanting to get ready for concert.
• Spent whole morning doing nothing much.
• Had lunch and then refused to nap, afraid that he will miss his concert.
• Played at Danny and Dina's place till 2.45pm.
• Left house at 3pm, picked Alex and family.
• Concert at 4.30pm till 6.
• Arrived at Aunt Jen's place for dinner and a swim.

Overheard on the telephone

Doing the 'Backside Kiss'.

It was Friday night and I was having mj session and the kids were bored. I suggested that they call up Chandris and ask if they could pop over to play for a while. So the 2 kids tried calling him on the phone. Kyle helped and finally they got through the line. Meryl took over and asked the person on the other end if she could talk to Chandris. I think the person asked her who she was cos she answered, "I am Chandris' grildfriend!"

Chandris, btw is Meryl's classmate and they often walk back together after school as he is staying just a few floors below us on the next block. There was once I was back early and saw both of them bading each other farewell using 'Backside kiss'. The 2 of them walked backwards till their backside bumped into each other. They did that for a few times until they were satisfied before they headed home. I was curious as to whose idea it was but it is still a mystery how it all started.

A Night Adventure on Bike 3/11/08

Tonight was Jo's baking night and I had the kids to myself. After their dinner, gave them both a quick shower and then decided on what to do with them. It was a little too late to go visiting so in the end, we decided to go biking on the new highway next to the Sports Complex.

Meryl tried to get her way away by insisting on bringing her CJ7 but I disallowed. She begrudgingly put it back in after a few tries. We headed towards the pavement along the highway and enjoyed the cool night breeze as it rained in the afternoon. The whole stretch of road was quiet as very few cars know about the road. The side was floored by wild vegetations and we were treated to a symphony of sounds from the crickets and toads and whatever creepy crawlies that lurked within. It was away from the city bustle and it was good. The air, the sounds and the sights.

We decided to go till the end of the new road to see where it leads to. I had an inkling that it led to Jalan Kayu and I was right. I asked the kids if they wanted otar and Meryl said she wants. Kyle opted for prata. So we made our way there amidst some obstacles on the incompleted road. The Otar stall was closed and Kyle changed his mind and asked for ice-cream instead. I had my tau hue with gingko nuts and Kyle was given $2 to buy something to share with Meryl, on his own. I had half expected him to buy chips but he chose Meryl's favorite cod fish strips and paid the cashier himself and took back the change and all. They had a good time chomping on the cuttlefish and talking to their dad on the phone telling him about their 'adventure'.

On the way back, we spotted more frogs/toads. Meryl was still busy eating behind me on the bike while Kyle was busy looking out for frogs that came out to the pavement. Our mission was to help them get back to the bushes so that they will not be crushed by bicycles. At one point we saw a pair of mating toads and took some pictures. We saw a total of 7 frogs/toads tonight. Then Kyle decided to race me on my bicycle and he ran and ran and ran till we almost reach home. We reached home about 9.25 and I allowed them to watch their favorite 'Tom and Jerry' for being such good cycling mates!