Reminiscing 2013 - an eventful year

Today is the last day of year 2013. Thinking back, it has been a great year for me and my family though there were many unexpected events that happened along the way.

5th day into year 2013, Janelle was down with a high fever that lasted for almost 2 weeks. She was hospitalized for 5 days with the antibiotics drip poked onto her hands when her fever did not go down. It was a difficult period for her and the family then. And in late March (one week before his 1st birthday party), Jayven had a sudden seizure in the middle of the night and was hospitalized for observation.  

I have also made a serious decision to leave my job to look after my 2 kids when I realized that my mum's eyesight was failing her. Initially it was meant to be a short term arrangement as all of us thought that it was cataract and my mum will be well soon after. However, it turns out that she has retinal detachment related to diabetics and requires a few sessions of laser and a major surgery. Till now, she has not recover her full eyesight yet.

It was a tough decision as it meant that I will become financially dependent on my hubs and I have to do the housechores and cooking apart from looking after the kids. Lucky my hubs have been very supportive throughout and we managed to go for a couple getaway in BKK and a family vacation in Japan. I simply love vacations! Well, who doesn't?

The greatest achievement is that I have much more time for my kids and I can be there for them always. When I was working, I often felt bad that I couldn't be there for them when they were sick or when they wanted me (important meetings to attend, work late or work over the weekends). Hence I am very grateful that I can always be there for my kids and guide them well this year. Though it is definitely not easy staying at home with 2 kids while trying to remain sane, they have also brought much joy into my everyday life.

I am really glad that I have a loving, supportive hubs and 2 beautiful kids that bring much joy into our life. It has been a great year for me! May the new year be blessed with good health, happiness and love for me and my family and for everyone out there!

Loving my family

Family outing

Mother - daughter moments

My beautiful babies

Simply love family photos!

Family time is priceless!

Cheeky boy with his antics. Never fails to make us laugh.

Loving her smile!

Sibling bond. Isn't it sweet!

Smooch!

The loves of my life

Birds Paradise

Last Sunday, we decided to bring the lil ones out for a day of fun since it was the last weekend of year 2013. Frankly, we have brought them to zoo countless times and USS 3 times but they have never been to Jurong Bird Park. Guess Jurong is just too far away for us to make a trip there.

Anyway I am glad that we decided to bring them to the park. They had lots of fun especially with the addition of Birdz of Play. The weather did not seem encouraging when we set off for our destination. But the high-spirited firstborn seem undaunted by the weather and even started singing "Rain Rain, go away. Come again another day. Janelle and Jayven want to play." That was so unexpected as we did not prompt her to sing that song. In fact, we have no idea that she knows that song. Well, I guess her singing plea helped as the weather was clear and windy when we reached the park.

Happy to see the flamingo

Birdz of Play. And there was a Penguin Playland where the kids can participate in activities lined up for them.

Janelle can't wait to have a splashing good time

Look at her long legs

Splash!

Jayven's first attempt on the water slide

Having a great time

The dry area at Birdz of Play. Happy girl on the swing.

He was a bit reluctant to go on the swing initially but he enjoyed it so much that he refused to get off the swing eventually 

Swinging good times

Me and my babies! While waiting for the High Flyer Show

How can we miss the penguins at the bird park?

At the waterfall aviary

Happy daddy and his princess

It was a great family outing as we enjoyed ourselves. Apart from having fun at Birdz of Play, Janelle has also learnt new things about the birds and their habitats.

Happy kids = Happy parents!

It has been a good year for us and we look forward to welcoming the new year.

Christmas - season of joy and giving

When I was little, our family did not celebrate Christmas. No presents, no party, no gathering. As far as I can recall, I was more aware of Christmas since secondary school days where I will meet my school mates to celebrate and for gift exchange.

As I grow older, this season become more significant as it is the time for friends and family to gather together and show our love and appreciation with meaningful gifts. And now that our friends and us have kids, the groups get bigger and louder (with the kids playing, running, crying and screaming) and it is a joy to shop for the little ones and see their faces lit up with joy as they unwrap the presents.

For the kids nowadays, they are such fortunate lot as they receive many gifts from all the aunties, uncles and grandparents all year round. My kids have so much toys in the house which I think I can open a toy shop already.

Janelle and her besties. There was no specific theme for the party but guess they decided to theme it Disney magic with 2 princesses at the sides and Sulley in the centre.

Janelle with her presents.

One is huge enough for the boy.

Apart from our parties, Janelle also have celebration in school. Parents were invited and the lil ones performed for us to view before the celebration begin.

They danced and sang. Took a video of the entire performance too.

Janelle with her school friend, Emery

There was a contest where the parents have to wrap their kids using materials provided by the teachers. I just did a simple wrapping with the ribbon bow in front.

And to our surprise, Janelle was one of the 3 winners.

More photos with her friends. See her cheeky smile.

And a photo with her class teacher.

Hi-5 House Party

2 Sundays back, I brought my firstborn to watch Hi-5 House Party and she really enjoyed herself with all the singing and dancing along with the Hi-5 team.

We felt that my secondborn was too young for the show then but recently we realised that he love to sing and dance along with Hi-5 on tv. Well, we will definitely bring both along for the show when they come back to perform again.

Before the Hi-5 show, we stopped by at Suntec and chanced upon the minions. See how happy she is.

Say hi to minions

All ready for the Hi-5 show

With her bestie. It was a playdate arranged for them.

Roaming around MBS after the show.

Busy start for the favourite month

It's the favourite month! What's there not to love about December? People are looking forward to vacations, bonus, thanksgiving and CHRISTMAS! And over the years, there are more holiday activities to engage little minds (or it has always been the case but I have just discovered it since my eldest kid is 4yo).

It has been a busy start as we brought our kids to watch movies, musical play and meet the characters in town. It was a great time to meet up with friends and have fun together.

Janelle has always love animation and when we saw the trailer for Frozen, I knew that it is time for movie date again.

Movie date with her besties. The 3 princesses sat together in the theatre and I was proud that Janelle sat throughout the show with no fussing as she was sitting in the centre without me or my hubs at her side. It was also Jayven's first movie but he fell asleep 15mins into the show.

Last week, the kids were delighted as we brought them to meet Thomas and Friends, Care Bears, Barney and Angelina Ballerina. It was not an easy task though as we had to check when are the shows and the showtimes. If you have been bringing your kids for shows, you would have conveniently thought that Monday is the standard no-show day. But yet there was one show that happened on Monday but not Tuesday. And while we thought that there will be shows at 7pm on weekdays, there are certain shows scheduled for 1pm and 4pm on weekdays but no 7pm shows. Gosh! It was pretty challenging locking down the days and the showtimes.

The mesmerized Jayven watching Thomas & Friends

Date with the little friends. Glad that we managed to take photos of them together.

A family picture is a must :)

Meet the Care Bears! Chanced upon my friend's kids at the show. Such a coincidence!

Barney, Angelina Ballerina and Fireman Sam. But the meet and greet pass could only allow the kids to take pictures with one character instead of all. My girl chose Angelina and her reasoning was she has taken pictures with Barney before. Good logical thinking!

And last Saturday, we brought the kids to watch Red Riding Hood presented by SRT's The Little Company. It is a 90mins musical play recommended for 4 years old and above.

Watching Red Riding Hood with her bestie. Janelle had her eyes closed on all pictures due to flash light haha. The theatre was too dark.

Yes, Jayven joined in and had his own seat too. We were so proud that he sat through the 90mins play. When the show ended, he was still pointing to the stage. Guess he has enjoyed himself too.

The kids were kept occupied with the activities and there are more coming up. Honestly, it is really tiring to plan, arrange and bring the little ones out but seeing their happy smiles make everything worth it!