Phuket - December 2012

For our year-end holiday this year, we decided to go to a beach resort and just chill. We picked Phuket, and the Centara Grand West Sands Resort & Villas, because it has its own water park. It's near the airport, and very far away from everything else. We didn't mind because we were not planning to go out of the resort!

The kids, waiting eagerly to board the plane. The Gan brothers were also super excited that their uncle was going to be the pilot on our flight.

The water park was small but a lot of fun. The kids enjoyed themselves enormously.

 *Photo from Centara's website

Even Aaron enjoyed himself, just splashing the water, watching all the older kids run around him, and coming down the slides.

Nadine loved this spiral slide. She must have gone on the slide for some 30-40 times! Mummy took Aaron on the slide a few times too, and he loved it! Mummy's 2 thrill-seekers!

Nadine even slid down on her tummy a few times, after seeing some ang-moh boys do it

Ethan preferred the straight-forward slide. No spirals for him. 

His 2 older brothers were off to more exciting stuff.

Gerald went on the 4-storey-high "splash jungle" slides many times, chaperoned by his poor father who had to climb 8 flights of stairs just as many times!

*Photo from Centara's website

Aside from the water park, the kids also enjoyed the pools (the big main "public" pool, and a small pool in our penthouse) and the kids' club.

Food and service at the resort was lousy. So on the 3rd night, we decided to venture out. We tried Kindee Restaurant, a highly-rated Thai restaurant on Trip Advisor. It was a somewhat rustic place, with pretty good local food.

As the adults enjoyed the dinner, the restless kids entertained themselves around the restaurant. And we caught Ethan and Nadine having a quiet moment together, discussing about the moon! 

We actually did go out on one of the days, to satisfy Gong-Gong KK's shopping craving. Went to the newly-opened Premier Outlet. It was laid out like the Premier Outlets in US and Europe, but aside from Nike, Adidas and Levi's, the other brands were not impressive at all. Having said that, Mummy bought 4 pairs of Nikes for Aaron (different sizes), at a really good deal. No sweet pinkish girly shoes, so didn't buy any for Nadine.

Daddy was really sweet to volunteer to stay back in the resort with the kids, so that they can play (and not be bored by the travelling and shopping), and Mummy can shop in peace. The 2 older Gan brothers decided to stay back too, and apparently, they had a splashing good time in the pool and at the kids' club.

On our last night, we went to Nai Yang Beach for dinner. It was the typical seaside dining experience, with a stretch of restaurants by the beach. We walked the stretch, and went into a random restaurant that was ready to serve us (we were quite early for dinner - 6ish). And that turned out to be the best and cheapest dinner we'd had in Phuket! Didn't even take note of the restaurant's name!

Overall, it was a pretty good holiday for us. All the more because we brought Bibi along, relieving Daddy and Mummy of having to do all the caring, babysitting, feeding, showering and changing. But after 2 beach holidays in a row, both the Lees and the Gans (the parents, ie) will probably plan for something different for the next holiday!

Christmas lights at Orchard Road

Brought the kids to Orchard Road to see the Christmas lights last week. We'd driven along the stretch a few times already, but thought it'd be fun for the kids to run around a little and soak in the festive atmosphere. And they sure did run! Got so excited and ran so much that it was too difficult to take photos of them. Didn't help that it was extremely crowded too. So here are the few photos we took.

Nadine, copying the sculpture's pose

Aaron, in a still moment, before he burst off again

Nadine, taking a breather beside a couple of Christmas trees, coz they're decorated with her favourite purple color 

Clever Jie-Jie

Yesterday, Aaron repeatedly asked for "car-car". Bibi brought out all his car toys, but they were not what he wanted. Got him frustrated and he started crying.

Then, Nadine cleverly opened the DVD drawer, and took out a Cars DVD. Aaron immediately stopped crying and signing "yes"!

How brilliant of Jie-Jie, to remember that her brother likes the Cars show, and to realise he's asking to watch the show!

Dinosaur Train

Nadine loves the American animated series, Dinosaur Train. It's one dinosaur show that is a lot more educational and intelligent than Barney, and the toys are also a lot more fun than just a stuffed Barney. So Daddy has been downloading the shows and buying the train sets for Nadine. His rationale - Aaron can play with the trains too when he's older.

Last week, we went to see the Dinosaur Train live musical at Marina Square. Our very first mall show!

We went an hour early, and saw that a few people had already started queuing up. Mummy decided not to be kiasu. So we went off to the little playground on the 2nd floor to play for a bit.

Aaron zoomed in on the batmobiles almost immediately. So boy! 

The show started with some warm-ups with the "paleontologist", and Nadine enthusiastically followed all his exercises. She was also able to answer all his questions about the colors of the dinosaurs.

 It was quite an entertaining show, with Buddy, Tiny and King, singing and dancing. Both Nadine and Aaron enjoyed themselves tremendously .... especially the McDonald's meal after the show!

Christmas tree

By the end of November, Christmas decorations are up everywhere in town, and a few of our neighbours have put up their Christmas tree. Nadine got really excited whenever she saw a Christmas tree. Last week, we finally put up our Christmas tree.

This year, Nadine's old enough to help decorate the tree, and she did it so enthusiastically. She made sure that there were decor all round the tree, not just the front.

It was a surprise for Aaron who had gone to sleep before we put the tree up. When he walked into the living room the next morning and saw the tree, his face just lit up. Priceless!

Aaron - 16 months old

Aaron is finally calling Daddy and Mummy - Dad Dad and Mi Mi. He can also call Jie Jie, MaMa, Gong Gong and PoPo.

Like Jie Jie, Aaron is a climber. He now can climb down from his high chair and up various cupboards. Makes us really nervous, especially since we don't have any grilles on our windows. Daddy keeps saying he'll call the contractor, but .....

Aaron can now mount and dismount from his toy car like nimbly. Here's him, with his own running commentary ...

End of pre-nursery for Nadine

In a blink of an eye, Nadine has finished her pre-nursery school year.

We started the year with a lot of excitement, anxiety and apprehension. We had no doubts of Nadine's ability to adapt to school and ability to learn. But we were just not too sure how she, or rather, her teachers, can control her mood swings (which, really, is just the typical 3-year-old swings that are nothing new to the teachers); and whether she will know how to share, care and love - knowing that she's quite aggressive by nature.

True enough, Mummy received a number of calls from her form teacher during the year, about Nadine hitting her friends. But her principal doesn't seem too worried about that. She felt that Nadine's just being a 3-year-old who acts faster than she thinks. The good thing is, she's quick to apologize. Nonetheless, we're trying to find ways to tame her!

That aside, Nadine's overall pre-n report is very good. And she made an improvement in the Chinese department! Last semester, she scored 'H' (needs help) for "I sing familiar Chinese songs" and "I am interested in Chinese stories". This semester, she scored 'I' for improving! Well done, Nadine!

Being a first time pre-school mum, I was really surprised when the school gave us a CD of photos, documenting Nadine's learning journey in pre-n. How lovely to get glimpses into her school life! Thank you for your thoughtfulness, LSK!

This must be during water play

Nadine loves to paint

Tea party

Making an image of Mummy, which she proudly gave to me

A little pan-flute orchestra! So creative!

Show & Tell - T for tyrannosaurus rex

Signs & words from Aaron

Aaron is sprouting new signs and words every day now.

Signs:
- dog
- eat
- bear
- hot
- cold
- star
- sleep
- apple
- train
- good night

Words:
- go
- dog dog
- bear bear
- more
- oh-oh
- bye bye
- knock knock
- ple ... for apple
- tar .... for star
- Goal! ... said with a lot of enthusiasm when he is kicking a ball
- pad ... for iPad

but... still no Papa or Mama  :-(

Fun in the rain

Nadine loves to jump on puddles of water. She does that to every puddle of water she sees along the road. So today, Daddy decided to let her have some fun, 'properly'.

Daddy told her that if she wanted to play in the rain, and jump on water, she'll need to be suitably dressed - in her raincoat and boots. She gamely put on the gear, and asked for her little umbrella. And off she went to have some fun in the rain!

Nadine's first kindergarten concert

Nadine's very first kindergarten concert.

Daddy and Mummy were more excited about the concert than Nadine. We were not sure if she'll have stage-fright, whether she can remember her parts, or if she'll go into one of her uncooperative moods. But turned out that we worried for nothing. Nadine did so well. She danced enthusiastically and vigorously, and remembered most of her parts. She made Daddy and Mummy so proud of her!

Even with the grand finale, in which students from all levels performed 3 songs together, Nadine remembered all the actions and lyrics, even the Chinese song!

Mummy bought Nadine a bouquet of flowers to reward her. Nadine was really happy to receive those flowers. Her joy translated to even greater joy for Daddy and Mummy!

Nadine, we're so proud of you and your performance! Well done, precious!

Aaron walking ... unsupported

After months of crawling and aided walking, Aaron finally plucked up enough courage to "auto-roam", in Aunty Rebecca's words.

According to Bibi, he followed her around the house yesterday, although a bit wobbly. And when Mummy got home, he happily walked into Mummy's arms. What a great way to be welcomed home!

Aaron - 15 months old

Photo: Courtesy of Matthias Tan, taken at Cohen's 3rd 1st birthday party

Weight: 9.5 kg

Height: 82 cm

Aaron went for his 2nd professional hair cut last Saturday. Suddenly, he looks like a boy. Not a baby any more. He's also beginning to be more "independent". Not a baby, waiting to be picked up, fed, and entertained any more. He knows how to initiate.

When he wakes up in the morning, he either quietly plays with his toy cars, or crawl to the door, and knock on it, to tell the world that he's awake, come get him. When he's thirsty, he will pick up his water bottle, use his mouth to open the cover, and drink. When he wants to get to Daddy or Mummy or Bibi in the kitchen, he'll try and enter from the front door. If we close the front door, he'll quickly crawl to the back door. Very determined little fella.

Last Sunday, while shopping at Toys R Us, he sprouted his first words. Not Papa, not Mama. Ball ball and car car! So boy!



Dilemma of a working mum

Nadine is always asking Mummy to fetch her home from school. Could be because whenever I pick her up from school, it's usually an outing day. Or maybe she envies her friends who get picked up by their parents. Or perhaps she just wants to see more of Mummy.

Every now and then, she'll ask me, "do you have to go to work today? why?"

Yesterday morning, she pointed to a Mum and said, "that's my friend's mummy. She doesn't have to go to work."

"How do you know?" I asked.

"Because she fetches her home."

It was said very matter-of-factly. But, it really got me thinking ........

And while thinking emo thoughts, something else came came to my mind. Since she takes the school bus, Nadine comes out from a different door as the other children who get picked up by their parents. She must have been really observant to note and remember that particular mum! Great observation, Nadine!

More signs from Aaron

Every day now, Aaron surprises us with a few new signs. It's like he's been absorbing all the signs from the hours of watching Baby Signing Time, and the signs are finally spilling out of him!

Yesterday, he signed:
- brush teeth
- ball
- thank you
- wash hands
- rain
- water

And he does all his signs with a wide smile  :-)

New signs from Aaron

Aaron can now sign:
- milk
- doll
- all done
- bus

And he's finally waving goodbye!

Burnt

Nadine received a memorable and painful Lantern Festival gift this year.

Last Sunday, she went downstairs to play lanterns with our neighbors. In her excitement, she ran under the lantern that Daddy was holding, and hold wax dripped on her ear. She whined for a bit, and Daddy scrapped off the thin layer of wax on her ear. After that, she ran off to play with her friends, and we didn't think much about it.

Back home, no more play, no more friends, time to shower, she suddenly remembered her pain. And only then did we realise it was quite a bad burn! The wound looked really angry for 3 days and even bled a bit before finally drying up on Thursday. Hopefully there will not be any scar!

Aaron's 1st independent steps

While trying to capture Aaron sign some new words - all done, milk and doll; Mummy caught him taking a few steps unaided!

Creative

We were at the toy shop yesterday, and Nadine wanted to buy a toy cash register. Mummy refused. Didn't want Nadine to have a habit of buying whatever she wants, whenever she wants; or to buy a toy whenever we're out. To her credit, she was quite compliant, although disappointed. She put back the toy without kicking up a fuse. But lingered in the shop for a while.

Later in the evening, Nadine took out the lego set and built this cash register! Brought it to Mummy, beaming, and wanted Mummy to be the cashier.

10 points for being creative and resourceful, Nadine! So proud of you!

Little drummer boy

Aaron loves to play the drums. Not sure if it's in the blood, or just coz he sees Daddy play all the time and wants to imitate him. He doesn't just hit 1 spot. He will hit the snare drum, toms, hi-hat and cymbals like a pro! Daddy's really pleased. Claims that Aaron can follow his tempo too. Hmm .....

Aaron signs 'sleep'

New sign from Aaron that he's happily repeating.

Gardens by the Bay

We went to Gardens by the Bay for the first time this evening. It is indeed a very beautiful place.

Aaron enjoyed himself tremendously, crawling and walking around.

  

Nadine, on the other hand, preferred to be pushed around. And because she wore such a "skimpy" dress, in Daddy's words, she was cold in the conservatory, and did not quite enjoy herself. She wasn't keen on taking photos too.

A failed attempt at taking a photo of Daddy and the kids

The place is so beautiful that it is so easy to take nice photos of it. The Singapore government has really done a great job in beautifying the Marina Bay area, and making our little island a more attractive place!

Aaron - 14 months old

Weight: 8.6 kg

Height: 78 cm

In the last week, Aaron has sort of decided that he doesn't want to sign any more. He simply refuses to sign 'please' and 'more', and would throw a tantrum if we insist on him signing. Sigh ... this boy, like his sister, certainly has a mind of his own.

He can walk, holding on to something or someone for support. But most times, he refuses to walk. He much prefers to crawl ... for now.

Bibi's birthday

Yesterday was Bibi's birthday. We brought her out for dinner and bought her a little cake that was just nice for 4 1/2 of us - Daddy, Mummy, Bibi, Nadine and Aaron.

We've been really blessed to have Bibi. She's a very capable helper - an extremely good cook, housekeeper, multi-tasker, and most important of all, loves Nadine and Aaron, and takes very good care of them. What a great blessing!

Luanne's princess-themed birthday party

Luanne turned 3 last Friday. On Saturday, her parents held a princess-themed party for her. It started with a glamour make-over for her and her 2 girlfriends, Vera and Nadine.

The 'professional' photos that were taken at the shop were not impressive. In fact, Aunty Lydia had a much better camera than the photographer!

Then there was a catwalk, which the girls were not quite interested in.

They were more interested in the shop's princess slippers, which all their mothers will never buy for them!

The princesses had their own little paparazzi ... 

After the make-over, there was a lunch party with more friends, with a princess cake, no less.

We hope you had fun, and will continue to enjoy plenty of blessings, love and joy throughout your life, Luanne!