Cosy together

Nap time: The boy was supposed to be sleeping on our bed and the girl on her own bed. But when this is what I saw when I came into the room later on. Apparently the boy has made his way to find his jiejie and share the bed.

Westgate Wonderland - the biggest outdoor playground in shopping mall

Being an outdoorsy person, I always believed that one will learn more in the outside world than being cooped indoors. Hence I loved to bring my kids out and it is always a challenge to decide where to bring the kids to next in this small island.

I heard about the opening of Westgate in Jurong area but staying in the north-east district, Jurong seems very far and we hardly venture to the west. Afterall, there are so many malls in that area and I assume that Westgate is just another mall like the rest. I was wrong!

Having nowhere to go on last Sunday, I casually suggested to my hubs that maybe we could check out Westgate, the newest mall by Capitaland. As usual, we decided to check out the new mall from the highest level and we spotted a small play area for the kids at level 5 garden. But the door was locked hence we reckon that the play area is not ready yet. My girl was disappointed that she was not able to play.

As we moved down from the escalator, something caught our attention and we realised that there is another playground at level 4. That playground is huge! and I realised that it is known as Westgate Wonderland. The bonus? Entry is free! My excited kids was so thrilled as we entered into the outdoor playground. The name "Wonderland" is so apt! This fantasy themed playground is a wonderland to every kid.

The overall view of Westgate wonderland (Photo credit: Todayonline)

The playground is spilt into dry area for 2-5 years old, treehouse play area for 5-12 years old and a wet play area

The kids were very fascinated as they entered into this playground wonderland. Apparently I heard that music can be heard as you go under the giant tulips but I wasn't able to confirm as the kids were busy running about and I have no chance to experience it.

There were many pretty giant bugs at the play area for 2 - 5 years old that we couldn't resist taking photos of the kids with the colourful background

Another giant bug. See how happy the kids were surrounded by giant bugs in vibrant colours

There were two of such swings where the kids can have fun turning round and round. My girl was obviously having a great time. My boy had fun too but his expression reminded us that it was a very hot day

Regardless of the age restrictions or recommendations stated for the different play area, the kids couldn't resist climbing up the treehouse structure for 5 - 12 years old. I am a proud mummy witnessing my boy attempting to climb up on his own. Of course that was me following closely behind him while taking out my phone to take a snapshot of this scene

That was another structure that they have to conquer to get to the top and slide down. My girl had no difficulty in climbing up but I had to squeeze in and carry my boy up to the next level as it was too tall for him. This structure was more spacious as compared to other playground structure. I'm guessing that they are catering for the older kids till 12 years old hence the bigger space and height but it is good for the parents to follow the younger kids.

They have a Walltopia for the little ones to try rock climbing too. However, the kids should attempt under the adults' supervision. I saw many kids attempting to climb the wall without supervision. That is too dangerous.

Oh! It was Mummy's Day so how could I miss taking a photo with my 2 babies? With such a colour vibrant environment, I just had to get my kids to take a picture with me. Notice that reluctant face on my boy? He simply cannot wait to run all over the place.

We were not prepared for this great find at Westgate so the kids could not jump into the wet playground. Oops! Anyway they were very contented with running, climbing and sliding in this wonderland so they did not fuss over the wet play area too.

It has been a enjoyable day out for them and I was glad that they had fun under the sun. Vitamin D is important too. Westgate Wonderland is the biggest outdoor playground in the shopping mall and I hope that we will be seeing more of similar playground in other malls too (especially in north-east district!)

Tea with Mummy

Last Friday, I was checking my boy's comm book from school and saw an invitation to mummies to have tea session with their kids on this afternoon. And it stated that there will be a short performance by our kids. I wasted no time in taking a snapshot of the form and watsapp my superior asking to take half day leave. I wouldn't want to miss out on such moments with my boy.

Finally! Today is the day. The mummies were invited to the music room and the teachers brought the little ones in, class by class. It's always such a cute sight to see the little ones holding hands and walking in an orderly manner.

The decorated wall in the music room

The toddlers were the first to perform so my boy stood at the performing area with his sulking face. I have no idea why such an expression though. He saw me and I was expecting him to run towards me and cry. But there he stood and nope, he did not burst into tears. "Well done my little boy!" I thought. So he must be ready to perform for the audience then. I was wrong again. When the music came on, he stood there and stared blankly. Actually there was only one boy from his class who danced to the tune. The rest of the toddlers just stood still at their position.

There stood my boy looking at me. I was expecting him burst into tears and ran towards me.

After the first song, he ran towards me and clung onto me like a koala baby. They were supposed to perform another segment but he refused to let go of me. Well, I guess I was prepared for his reaction though delayed

The teachers have put in effort to get the little ones to do appreciation tokens for their mummies and to get them involved in the preparations of the snacks that were served after the performance.

Erm, as usual, I forgotten to take pictures of the food spread before they were snapped up. Here's a picture with half-filled snacks. The cookies and cornflakes tarts were prepared by the little ones. I wasn't hungry but I ate one cookie and cornflake tarts upon hearing that the little ones were involved in the preps. Well, it's my baby's efforts so must appreciate :)

Obviously he was more interested in the tea break than the performance. I guess that explained the sulking face?

I just have to take selfie with him. It's my first tea session with my littlest after all!

More selfies! Though he is more interested in the cake more than anything else

Guess what he is munching on next

This fussy boy was picking out all the raisins from the cornflake tarts and popping them into his mouth. No prizes for guessing right on who ate up all the cornflakes.

It was a simple tea session with my boy but it was the best tea party that I have ever attended. I really appreciate the efforts put in by the school to organise this appreciation party. It has been a very heartwarming session spent with my boy. From the expressions of the many mummies present there, I'm very certain that they had a great bonding time with their little ones too.

The artwork that was made by my boy for me!

His little palm print! With a sweet message and a photo of just the 2 of us!

This lovely piece of creation was from my firstborn! She couldn't contain her excitement and had to hand the card to me the moment she saw me when I fetched her from school. Just too precious!

And she proudly told me that she did the cover yesterday and had to wait for the paint to dry before she personally wrote those message for me in the card. I can feel my tears welling up in my eyes just by looking at the card.

I am just so glad that I took leave to spend the noon with my kids. Totally worth it and loving every moment. Motherhood is such a rewarding journey! Happy Mummy's Day to every mother out there!

A tiring week

Last Friday, we brought our firstborn to GP as she was having runny nose and cough with occasional tearing in her eyes. Diagnosed as sinus infection. Soon after, she developed high fever and vomited.

The number that every parents dread seeing

My poor baby resting on the bed

On Tuesday, the secondborn was having high fever for 2 days and did not have any appetite (he rejected his favourite milk too). Went to kkh, high fever at 39.9 degree and went straight to observation room. As he has history of seizure before, the staff have to ensure that his fever subsided and no recurrence of seizure before we could go home.

Traumatized baby on the bed in observation room

Then on Thursday, my hubs caught the nasty virus from the kids and was down with high fever. Went to the GP in the morning and took the medicine and rested for the entire day. Fever never came down and he felt very uncomfortable with the severe headache that developed with the high temperature. Accompanied him to Khoo Teck Puat Hospital in the evening after tucking the kids to bed. Had to wait for 2 hours before our number was finally called. His temperature was 39.9 degree when we reached but we were not given priority (the difference between adults and kids). I asked the nurse at triage if he could be given medicine to ease his severe headache while we waited for our turn but we were denied of the medicine. No priority, no medication (do we look like we would love to come to A&E if we did not feel that this require immediate attention?) Finally, number called and seen the doctor. And the doctor was surprised that we waited for 2 hours! Ended up he had to do blood tests and went on drip for the next hour plus.

Blood test results cleared, fever subsided and we went home at 2 plus in the middle of the night. Slept at 3am and woke up at 7am for work the next morning. My boy woke up after I came out from the shower and blood came flowing down from his nose! I had a shock as he did not knock onto anything the night before or when he woke up. I had to calm him down first and stop the bleeding.

Then the next morning, the same thing happened again! He woke up and his nose started to bleed! My hubs and I were very worried and we called the PD and brought him down to the clinic. PD advise that his nose is very sensitive and congested, thus causing the blood artery in his nose to burst when he rub his nose due to irritation / itchiness. Hmmm.... did we over-reacted? I'm certain that any parents who saw that scene would be horrified! Anyway I am glad that there is no serious complication behind the nose bleeding.

It has been a tiring week with the nasty virus passing around that caused various trips to clinics & hospitals and juggling the busy work schedule at the same time.

I am sooooooo glad that everyone is well now. To the nasty virus, please stay away from my family! I hope that everyone will be blessed with good health!

Children's Garden at Gardens by the Bay

It was a long weekend last week. There was no classes for Janelle on last Sunday hence we decided to bring them for an early workout before we spent the rest of the day at home. I have heard many rave reviews about Children's Garden at Gardens by the Bay and we decided to bring the kids there.

My 'not-so-little anymore' girl running around the water play area

This is a funny shot that I managed to take when another kid ran past and splashed the water onto his face

The duo having fun at the water play area

That is my girl running all over the area on her own

My lil boy checking out the area as he took much longer to warm up

I know that there are many different zones for the children in Children's Garden but the weather did not seem friendly that morning. Hence we did not manage to explore the entire garden. The sun was shining fiercely on us when we arrived at the water play area (the first zone on sight when we reached there). 15 minutes later, it became cloudy and we sensed rain coming.

I loved that the play area has a washing area for the kids and adults. I showered the kids there and we spotted the Toddler Play Zone when we walked to the cafe. The kids wasted no time in running to the play area. Fearful that the rain may come anytime, we allowed them to play at the toddler play area for 5 minutes only.

Children's Garden is a great place to bring the kids to as there are plenty of space for them to run about and there are different zones catered to children of different age group and preferences. Admission to Children's Garden is free hence we can bring our kids there anytime or end the day there after visiting Gardens by the Bay.

It was a short visit to the Children's Garden last Sunday. But seeing that the kids had so much fun frolicking in the water and running about in the toddler play area, I will definitely bring them back for more fun soon.

A day at the beach

Yesterday we brought the lil ones to Palawan Beach, as promised. My girl held on to the promise that I have made dearly and was very excited when the day finally arrived.

She loved the sand and sea but it has been a while since we last brought them to a beach. The last trip was in last June. So finally! We made a trip to the beach again. Our friends joined us with her girl and my kids were thrilled to have company.

On the way to the beach #funwithexpressions #happiness

We decided to have lunch at the food court at Palawan beach which was a bad choice. We were aware that the food centre was undergoing renovation works since our last visit ages ago. Hence we trusted that the food court should be ready by now and our hopes held high as we saw signages "Makansutra" leading towards the food court. To our surprise, there was only one store operating apart from the drinks stall. Thus, we had to opt for the only choice ie chicken rice. And we were told that they have ran out of rice and had to wait for 10 minutes while they prepared the rice. Well, I guessed we do not have other options but to wait. We have to feed the kids before they start playing.

It was very crowded at the beach but we managed to find a space to park our stuff and the kids wasted no time in getting their play equipments out.

Janelle has become more daring as she wandered into the water by herself. In the past, we have to hold her hands and get her warmed up before she dared to venture further into the water. She had a great time as she played with the sand, rolled on the sand and even allowed us to bury her feet under the sand. My firstborn has grown up!

My boy took a while to warm up to the sand and the water. But soon after he was having a fun time with his sister and friend. He was very amused when he saw his feet being covered with sand by his sister.

   

Despite the wet weather for the past few days, we were blessed with a sunny day when we were at the beach (the rain came when we were about to leave the island). The kids were playing well under supervision so the adults stole some time for selfies and a ball game. 

Am very happy to have a shot of my hubs and I. Loving every moment spent together.

See! The sun was so strong that my girl could barely open her eyes.

My boy and I. He had fun despite that grumpy face.

My bestie and I. A rare shot of us at the beach. Usually we were busy taking pictures of the kids or running after them.

 

A successful shot of the kids together. Parents will know how challenging it is to take a decent group shot of children.

The girls were enjoying their ice-cream after their wash up. Spot the poor lil boy at the side. Well, the 2 girls shared their ice cream with him after they spotted the poor boy by the side.

It's Good Friday! Photo opportunity with Easter Egg

They were not watching any videos or playing any game. They were attempting to take selfie! It was so cute when my friend's girl pulled Jayven closer to be in the screen. Very professional indeed!

It has been an enjoyable day out though the adults were totally washed out. I was supposed to join my colleagues at night for a celebration party but I was down with a headache (too much sun!) so I slept in early with my exhausted kids.

Funtastic day out! Great catch up with friends! Life's good :)