Field Trip for the boy

As a mummy, I want to be very much involved in my kids' everyday life. Eversince they started attending school, I will always try to be present for their field trips, excursions and parent-teaching meeting session. I need to know how are my kids doing, if they enjoyed the activities planned by the school, if the programmes are beneficial and safe for my babies and more. I just have to know that everything is well and if not, how can I get involved to make things right.

Yesterday, my boy had a short field trip to the nearby NTUC as the teachers want to teach the kids grocery shopping. As they are still very young, parents / guardians are encouraged to join so I enrolled myself LOL.

The adults gathered at 3pm outside the school and waited for everyone to be present before we set off to our destination.

Spot my lil boy who is ready for the outing

Along the short walk to the supermarket, he told me that he must hold my hand during shopping (because his teachers told him so). And I wonder why he never listen to me despite me telling him countless times to hold our hands or follow us when we are out yet he follows his teacher's instructions.

When we reached the entrance, the teacher gave the kids the task of finding strawberries, banana and wholemeal bread so that they can have their tea break back in school.

The enthusiastic kids passing the teacher the strawberries

But their attention span were too short. My boy has started to get distracted

The cheeky boy went to grab everything he see

Last stop. He found the wholemeal bread. Well-done!

After the teacher taught them that they have to pay for their purchases, we walked back to the school to prepare for their tea break.

Well, I didn't expect that the parents / guardians will be invited to prepare the tea break together with our kids. Appreciate another bonding moment with my boy.

He insisted that I have to follow him into the school as he was afraid that I will go off without him

Mother & child moment captured while waiting for the tea break

Step-by-step guide on how to prepare the Strawberry Banana Bread

And so, we started with cutting the banana. Loving his smile!

Next, he prepared the strawberries

And spread the yogurt on the bread

Place the strawberries on the bread

And place the sliced banana on another slice of bread

He took one mouthful and exclaimed "Banana not nice!" The teachers and parents turned to us. I can only smiled and asked my boy "Oh! You don't like the banana?" Awkward moment!

Nonetheless, he removed the banana and continue to enjoy the bread

Thereafter, he went to take his bag happily while waiting for me to fill up the evaluation form and bring him home

It was a simple yet interesting activity and I really appreciate the effort put in by the teachers. At least I know that my boy do understand instructions like "holding hands during shopping" but he just chose not to behave while with us. And I always welcome activities that allow me to bond with my kids. I was happy to see my cheeky boy smiling throughout the trip and during the preparation of the tea break. Deep within me, I know he is happy to see me there being with him and to spend that moment together.

I saw some kids without their parents / guardians and they looked lost / sad. I felt bad for them as they must be wondering where are their parents when they saw other parents with their class mates. That is why I always make it a point to be present whenever I can as it makes a difference to my children and for me too!

Jayven turns 3!

My lil cheeky monkey turns 3 in early April!
Gosh! I cannot believe how fast my 2 babies are growing. As they grow older, I am finding it more challenging to keep up with them, especially the hyper energized boy.

It has been a while since the kids has a vacation hence we decided to book a staycation in Festive Hotel in RWS. We have not stayed in this hotel before but heard of the family deluxe room so we trusted that the kids will love it.

Finally the day has arrived and the kids were so excited to check in

Just as expected, the lil ones loved the loft bed and has climbed up and down multiple times. In order to distract them, we decided to explore RWS instead of staying in the room (it was drizzling thus we had to change our plans from outdoors to indoors)

As long as we stayed in the room, the kids kept themselves busy with the ladder

We had plans for the Skyline Luge but the weather was uncooperative hence we went to Trick Eye Museum instead. It was interesting and we had fun with many poses. Even the lil ones were enjoying themselves at the beginning but started to be whiny towards the end when they were exhausted.

This is so cute! And his height just fit in nicely LOL

See how well the girls can pose. It seems like they were really riding on the horse

Optical illusion. My girl looks bigger than me

And now I look gigantic

Father and son team

This is so funny!

I love how the kids are enjoying themselves

Tired and hungry, he was restless

The girl can really pose LOL

I wonder what was the boy looking for

It was a pretty small museum and we were out in no time. Furthermore, the kids were getting restless hence we went in search for drinks and snacks.

Then, the 2 girls chanced upon MegaBounce and wanted to go for it. Janelle has been eyeing this for very long and finally she has gotten the chance.

Happy girl!

See how high she bounced!

We ended the day with packed dinner back to the hotel room to relax and laze. Till it was time for bed, my kids decide that they did not want to sleep on the loft bed. Instead both of them came to squeeze on the bed with us. Bummer! I thought they will love the loft bed and shared the bed together, giving us a bigger space to sleep for at least 2 nights. But that did not come true.

The next morning was blessed with good weather. It was pretty sunny but well, better sunny than raining. So we gotten the kids ready for the Skyline Luge.

Hello! Easter Holidays

I always love to see my kids run with excitement

Going on the Sky Ride. Erm, my girl was terrified but she managed to force a smile here

Aww, don't they look cute with the helmets?

We went on the Skyline Luge 3 times as there was a package price. Wanted to bring the kids to POLW thereafter but it rained. We were hopeful that it would be a passing rain but yet it became heavy downpour. The kids were very upset and I really hate to see them disappointed especially when it was my boy's actual birthday. However, there was nothing we could do except to let them play in the room and subsequently in the bath tub.

 Olaf cake for his birthday as per his request. See how fascinated he was with the cake!

2 + 2 = LOVE! Happy 3rd birthday my baby boy!

Finally! After 5 hours of rain, we brought the kids to the swimming pool despite the drizzle at 6pm. Soon after, the lil ones were starving so we got them ready and brought them to the cafe downstairs for dinner. And the exhausted birthday boy fell asleep upon the 3rd feeding. Hahaha! Well, it was an early night for him. But I knew he have enjoyed himself and that's all that matters.

Finally! Splashing time

It was time to check out the next day and my kids couldn't bear to leave the place. My firstborn cried upon packing up all the way till we check out and to the car park. She has requested that she would like to come back for staycation again during her birthday so I guess a promise has been made.

A good break from the busy schedule. Quality time spent with the family. Definitely a worthwhile staycation.

Happy birthday my cheeky boy! Daddy, mummy and jie jie love you forever. May you grow up a healthy boy and stay safe always!

Family First

It has been a loonnngggg while since I last wrote.
Yesterday was my last day at my workplace after a year of madness rush and never-ending work.

I have came to the decision of leaving as there was many incidents of neglecting the kids (and my hubs), guilt-pricking moments of yelling or shoving them away (while rushing my work from home) and hearing my kids saying that 'Mummy, you have no time for me?'

Simply too much to bear the negativity when I am trying to balance between work and family. I cannot bear the thought of placing my family as second priority and for my kids to grow up with the memories of how mummy did not have time for them. How about flexi-work arrangement with my company? Nope. They do not practice such arrangement. Alas! I can only choose to give up my job.

It has been a year of endless work and I could hardly take a good break or breather. Now I am looking forward to having a self-rewarding pampering short break before I embark on my new challenge. Yes, I am not stopping work. But I am getting out of the retail industry.

Cheers to my pursuit in striking a balance between work and family!
I love my family and I love working too. Definitely there must be some ways that we can juggle both well.

And yes! I am finally back to my blog which have been neglected for a while too.
Will be back with more memories :)

Looking forward to an awesome 2015!

I have been missing in action for 2 months. Been so busy, work has not been smooth-sailing, frequent traveling in November and December, was suffering from fatigue and absolutely no energy for the kids.

Alas! I am so so so glad that this phase has passed and I started the new year with positivity! Yes, work will continue to be crazy but I am determined to balance my time between work and my family.

I can still remember I was busy working on my laptop on Christmas morning and my girl just gave me a wake up call. She requested for my time and attention and I told her that I was busy thus she has to play on her own first. So she just turned away from me and said "So you have no time for me now?"

OUCH!!! I am so guilty of having no time for them. No time for them though I was physically home on weekday nights but busy on my laptop. No time for them as I had to get them to sleep early for the next day. No time for them as I was traveling. No time for them in the morning as we are always in a rush for school and work. No time for them over the weekends as I have to rush reports or charts.

Hence, the top priority in my new year resolution is more quality time for the kids. And I mean devoted time with them. Not just being physically with them yet busy replying emails via phone or checking emails, but to shower them with my full attention and enjoying the moments with them.

Goodbye 2014. You have not been fantastic especially toward the last quarter but it was a year blessed with love from kinship and friendship.

Welcome 2015! I hope that this year will be an AWESOME year for me and my family.

Looking forward to a year of awesomeness!

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.