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.