The kids' first Halloween celebration - Safari Boo at River Safari

Last Saturday, I arranged for another play date for the kids with their favourite cousing and BFF. It was their first Halloween celebration and it took place at River Safari.

The theme was A Merry-not-scary kids event Safari Boo. Kids can enter for free at 6pm till 9pm with paying adults at $15 each.

The kids getting ready

Too big for him but he insisted on wearing it from home till destination

Refused to take the mask off even in the car

Little batman, lil witch and Princess Anna at River Safari

We decided to feed the little ones before going in. To our surprise, they have expanded the cafe at the common area before entry to zoo or river safari. Finally more seats and more choices of food. But it was really very stuffy as the place is not well-ventilated.

While waiting for food, Queen Elsa and Princess Anna posing with the witch's hat and broom

All ready for the adventure after getting their tummies filled

They were busy running about and getting their photos taken before we could pull them to the entrance

See what I meant. They can pose anywhere anytime

When we entered, we saw staff giving out empty trick or treat bags to children and went forward only to realise that all  the bags have been given out. Hmmm... don't they anticipate that there will be many children coming for the event?

As the skies turn dark, it became challenging to walk in the dark too as the passageway were not well-lit at most places. Perhaps they wanted to create the pitch dark atmosphere that will theme well with Halloween but it is definitely not ideal for families with young kids. They should really look into adequate lighting for the premises for the future night events.

There were puzzles along the way for kids to engage the kids and adults. Spot one on the top right hand.

The kids were whining that they want to see Jia jia and Kai kai along the journey and we told them that they were getting closer to the Panda Forest. Who would have known?!! The Giant Panda enclosure was closed!!!! There was no announcement that the Panda Forest will be closed for the event. Not on the website. Not at the entrance. It just came as a shocking surprise to everyone who were full of anticipation to see the panda. The kids were really disappointed especially my girl. She said "Mummy, I had fun today but a little bit not fun cos we didn't get to see Jia Jia and Kai Kai."

 

We came across a funfair outside the Mama Panda Kitchen. And the kids participated in some of the activities like brushing the sand to discover the fossil and guess which creature did they belong to. See how focused the girls were.

Oh! And you will be rewarded with a lollipop when you guessed correctly (with lots of hints from the friendly staff). Erm, well it was supposed to be a fun night out for the kids so they get to savour the lollipop

The happy kids with their lollipop candies

Along the way, we get to meet mystical mascots like Unicorn, Mermaids and Fairies who will give candies and little gifts like clips and badges to all little kids as Tricks or Treats. The little ones enjoyed it and will head towards them when they spotted them from a distance.

There were also owls and iguana for photo opportunity.

It's a gigantic iguana!! Gosh! I refused to go near it. Told my girl not to touch it and she still did. Eeks! But I admired her courage.

The kids were amazed by Amazon Flooded Forest as they watched on at the aquarium

We gotten a pumpkin bucket for her to bring to her school for Halloween celebration. See how thrilled she is!

 Overall, the kids were happy and contented as they get to take home candies and gifts with great company of their cousin and BFF. But we felt that it was not that worth it as the most anticipated attraction was closed and we felt that we were walking in darkness most of the times. Nonetheless, as long as the kids had fun (but 'a little bit not fun' like what my girl said), we are happy too.

Happy Halloween!

Hectic week - balancing between work and family

Last week was a hectic week. I only worked 2 days but yet I was exhausted, both physically and mentally.

I had to call in and apply for urgent leave last Monday as my boy was ill and he was vomiting like a merlion. Poor boy was clinging on to his mummy for comfort. It happened so that my mum had her follow up on that Monday and there was no way my parents could bring him out along with them in that state.

He just vomit out whatever he ate or drank, to the extent that he even vomited water when there were nothing else left. Eventually my hubs and I brought him down to kkh for fear that he will get dehydrated. We were there for 4 hours as he has to be placed under observation. Lucky no admission was required and we could bring him home to rest.

So I went back to work on Tuesday as my parents were home to care for him. And Wednesday was Deepavali. Back to work on Thursday again and I was summoned by my hubs in the evening when I was on the way to a site recce. Was told that my dad has sprained his back and seem to be in great pain. Thus I had to be excused from the site recce and rushed back home.

When I got home, I realised that my dad did not hurt his back but rather there was a sharp pain from his back when he was having his dinner. The pain led to giddiness and he has vomited more than 10 times when I reached home. My hubs has called the ambulance and I followed along to KTP hospital. The medic was telling me that it could be heart blockage or heart attack as my dad's heartbeat was dropping and that really scared me! I was so scared of losing him. The fear of losing someone close to me was a terrible feeling and I was trying to stay calm.

Reached KTP and was immediately attended to while I had to wait outside the emergency room. My brother reached upon hearing the news from my mum. My hubs arranged for my parents in law to come over to our place to look after the kids before he travel down with my mum. We waited for 2 hours before we were brought into the emergency room for the doctor's diagnose. My dad had kidney stones which can cause excruciating pain and the pain return after the painkiller effect wear off. Hence he had to be warded for one night for observation.

Needless to say, I have to take urgent leave again on Friday to care for the sick boy and my mum and to visit my dad and arranged for discharge. I felt so bad about the urgent leaves taken especially during such busy crucial period. But yet it is my family members that we are talking about and I have to be there for them.

It has been a physically and mentally exhausting week for me. And to make it worse, my boss told me that I should consider hiring a helper. I guess no employer can really accept their staff taking urgent leave one after another. Anyhow, what difference will it make even if I have a helper? My boy was sick and my parents could not care for him, I will still take leave regardless I have a helper or not. My dad was not well and had to be warded. Even if I have a helper, I would still have taken leave to visit my dad and arranged for his discharge.

Haiz... It is indeed very challenging to balance between work and family though I am trying very hard to achieve that balance.

I hope things will get better and everything will just fall in place eventually.

The woes of a FTWM

My firstborn held tightly to me this morning and cried. She said she want mummy to stay at home, want mummy to fetch her from school.

Then my mum told me that my firstborn told them that she cried in school twice today because she missed me. And my girl told me personally again when I came home. OUCH!

She wants my time, wants me to play with her and give her undivided attention. Oh! But i have work to rush which I brought home and I have to keep the kids out of the study room to focus on my endless work.

Amidst all these, it was a rough day at work today. I felt unappreciated and was made felt worthless.

Returning to the workforce, I always have a wish, that is, to balance between work and family. But it seems that this little wish is so much to achieve. And I do not seem to be making either sides work.

Arghhh!!! I loathe this feeling. I hope I can see the rainbow soon.
I know one thing for sure though. I have a supportive hubs and kids who love me more than anyone else. And I love this family too!

Janelle turns 5!

This little girl loves parties, especially birthday parties. She loves gathering with the kids, sing birthday songs and having a share in blowing out the candles if possible.

She has become more aware of the days and was counting down to her actual birthday. So when the day finally reach, she was so excited that she didn't sleep in. Instead she was the first to wake up and asked me "Mummy, it's my birthday today, right?" with the excitement written all over her face.

After she affirmed with me that it is her birthday, she went around the house announcing it's her birthday, waking everyone up.

My hubs and I took leave to celebrate this special day with her and her wish was to play with her favourite cousin, Megan and she wanted water play. We planned to bring them to POLW but realised that it was closed for maintenance when we reached. Bummer!

The next nearest water theme park has to be Adventure Cove so we moved out of Beach Station to RWS, keeping our fingers crossed that the park is not closed for maintenance too.

We've been wanting to bring the kids there too but the fees were too high and we do not know if it is worth the entry fees. Nonetheless, we did not want to disappoint the kids so we decided to check it out.

Welcome to Adventure Cove! Lucky it's not closed for maintenance.

The park is huge too. There were quite a few zones that are suitable for kids. My hubs and I would love to try out the more thrilling zones but were unable to as we had to queue and being away from the kids for more than 5 minutes is not possible.

A selfie with my girl as requested. She was upset that I took selfies with my friends earlier on at a gathering and she was not in the picture. So she asked for a photo with me on her birthday. Simple wish that can be easily fulfilled :)

The first stop was the Adventure River. We grabbed a tube each and place the kids in front of us and off we float along the 620m long lazy river. Though floating along 620m may sound long but it is definitely not boring. There were many different zones and the one that the kids loved most was the Stingray Bay. We were in an underwater world where we could view the marine creatures swimming above and around us.

Nonetheless, I was not in time to grab my phone along the journey hence I was unable to take photos. Next station was the Big Bucket Treehouse which got the kids hooked onto going up the treehouse and sliding down the spiral slide with a SPLASH!

Spot my girl running up the treehouse by her own

The happy birthday girl picking herself up after landing with a big splash

That's my niece sliding down

Even the boys can't wait to get into action!

SPLASH!

That's the happy boy after the slide

These 2 girls just decided to sit there and wait for the bucket of water to drop on them

It took us alot of effort to pull the kids away from Big Bucket Treehouse to Bluwater Bay. We spotted the giant wave there and were excited about bringing the lil ones over. Just when we stepped into the water, the wave subsided. It took another 30mins before the wave came along again. We prep the kids by putting on the life jackets for them. The life jackets come in different sizes for toddlers to kids to adults.

Finally! A decent picture of one zone, Bluwater Bay. Spot the lil hut on the left side of the picture? That is the one of the many Cabanas for rental should guests want to relax and chill within.

My lil baby with life jacket

A group photo with the kids. Missing in this picture is my dad as he joined in the water fun to help to look after the lil ones. My mum and my sis were chilling at the beach benches then.

We had great fun surfing with the giant wave when it came. The lil ones enjoyed it so much that they requested to wait for the next wave to come again before they agreed to come out of the water.

A pity that my hubs and I were not able to go on other more thrilling rides but we had fun with the kids. Shower facilities are easily accessible, unlike most parks where there is only one main shower facility.

After a day of water play, we bought cake to celebrate Janelle's birthday at home. Well, she loves parties regardless simple or extravagant. My sister and niece joined in the celebration and it really made my girl happy as her favourite yiyi and cousin were present too.

No prizes for guessing right on the theme for the cake. I simply love to watch how kids enjoyed singing birthday song and blowing out candles together

Because it is her birthday, so she has gotten the balloon that she has been eyeing for the longest time.

Happy 5th birthday my little angel! You have brought so much joy into our lives, taught me unconditional love and make me strive to be a better person.

Mummy love you so much and my love for you will grow stronger as each day passes by. I hope you will grow up as a happy girl, stay healthy and be safe always!
 

My lovely angel!

Family Vacation to Gold Coast - Day 4, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary Park and Robina Town Centre

As we realised that the kids truly enjoyed themselves at Paradise Country, we decide to include a visit to Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary Park where the kids can look forward to more wildlife animals in Australia.

We gotten the tickets at the reception in Bel Air and off we went to another wildlife park adventure.

We decided to have our breakfast at the cafe there. This lil darling spotted this frog and requested to have her photo taken.

At the entrance. The kids love to take photos especially during holiday.

We can get up close and personal with the koala by paying a fee to have our photo taken with them. If I can remembered correctly, the fees range from AUD15 to AUD40 with different photo sizes and items such as key rings, postcards and magnets included.

My hubs was pretty 'lucky' as the koala decided to poo on his hand after the photo taking. Hahaha! A pity we were not able to buy lottery there.

Photo taking with koala bear. The kids love it!

My girl simply loves the koala bears!

It took us a while to pull them away from the koala exhibit before we can move on.

The sleepy koala bears. They are almost everywhere in the park.

Being a tourist, we had the park guide with us and we realised that the park is huge! Well, we have absolutely no idea where to head to so we hopped on the tram ride for a tour around the park before we decide further.

While waiting for the tram to move off. Smile! We are on a holiday!

Not forgetting the kids with their grandma. The usual cheeky monkey faces.

Another tram on the track returning to the main station

The tram brought us round the park and we sat through the entire journey before we decided on our first stop. I wanted to visit the Currumbin Wildlife Hospital and let my kids learn about more about caring for animals.

There is no queue system at this station and everyone just hop onto wherever there is vacancy.

This is a huge iguana that is being cared for in the hospital. The kids were terrified of it though.

We chanced upon a koala bear on the operating table. From what we gathered from the rest of the surrounding visitors, it seems that the koala is having a difficult labour. The vet were very tactful in handling her though.

There is a corner for visitors especially kids to experience how they can care for the wildlife animals. Janelle was trying to bandage the koala bear's arm as she said the arm is injured.

The tram also rode past the Kangaroos enclosure where they are free to roam. Visitors can choose to alight at this station to pet the kangaroos, feed them and take photos. We had the experience of kangaroos being too full for feed in Paradise Country so we decided not to get any feed for them. True enough, we saw many feed on the floor and the kangaroos were not interested at all. In fact, most of them were taking their nap and getting lazy.

One of the recommended activties is to catch Air Asia Free Flight Bird Show hence we went on a leisurely walk to the show as the weather is good and we can view other animals along the way.

Meet Tasmania devil bear! They look very different from the Warner Bros Taz.

While waiting for the show to start, there is photo opportunity with the baby croc. I was cheated by my girl as she said she wanted my company to take photos with the baby croc and she promised me that she will hold the head (cos her mummy is scared!). When it was our turn, she changed her mind and volunteered her mummy to hold the head and she will hold the tail instead. Anyway it was an experience as I would never thought of getting my photo taken with the croc if it was not for my girl. Check out the little boy's curiosity of the croc!

The bird show was pretty interesting as it is unlike the bird show in Jurong Bird Park. We got to learn more about the birds especially in the wildlife environment. But I guess the kids are just simply not into birds as they were pretty restless throughout the show.

They were more interested in playing among themselves when the show was ongoing

Now, who say that owls only come out when it's dark?

Even the pelicans make a guest appearance during the show

Check out the vulture in the air! We were able to have a photo opportunity with the vulture after the show but I was still lil fearful of getting too close to it. Too bad we were not able to take photo using our own camera.

The park is really huge and we were not able to cover the entire place with 2 kids in tow. By the time the bird show was over, it was almost time to leave the park as it was nearing to the closing time, that is 5.30pm. Hence we took a leisure walk back to the park entrance to pick up our photos and gotten some souvenirs before we say goodbye to the wildlife park.

We knew that Robina Town Centre is one of the biggest fashion malls in Gold Coast and they are open till 9pm on thursday! Thus we decided to visit the mall for some retail therapy.

The mall is really big! My mum in law was getting sick of western food and craved for Chinese cuisine so we went to try Yum Cha in Robina Town Centre. The food was not bad but the taste is still the best in Singapore.

After which, we walked around the mall and ended up shopping in Kmart till the mall closed. The prices are more reasonable in Kmart and we gotten alot of clothings and books for the kids.

We returned to the apartments and prep the kids for bed before my hubs and I headed out to Jupiters Casino which is located near Bel Air. It was boring! Nothing interesting and the atmosphere is dull.