Jacob Ballas Children's Garden

We celebrated National Day with an outing to the Jacob Ballas Children's Garden.

Started with prata ... am pleased that both kids like prata with curry and sugar, just like me!

The Garden had some special National Day activities at its entrance - face-painting and an art and craft table for the kids to make merlions.

Nadine had recently done picture composition in school on Jacob Ballas, and during class, her English teacher had described the various sites in the garden. Nadine was so excited to find all the spots!

Walking on the wobbly bridge

Balancing on a log

Found the big mushroom shade

 And they even got to climb a tree!

It was a great day out to a place that's somewhat "natural". But it was a scorching hot day too!

Bibi goes home

After 7 long years, Bibi finally went home. She had been with us since Nadine was born, and had spent more time with the kids than anyone else. She's done a fantastic job raising the kids, spoiling them, as well as disciplining them when necessary. She'll definitely be missed!

We broke the news to the kids a few weeks before she was due to leave. They were sad and reluctant, but not unduly upset, to our surprise. Perhaps some part of their little brains already knew that she wouldn't be there forever.

I bought her a Pandora pendant and necklace as a farewell gift - since Nadine loves Pandora so much.

And she bought us a pot of orchids. How sweet and thoughtful!

At the airport, the kids were playful right till the moment that she went into customs. Then Nadine started crying. But just for a short while. We distracted them with an outing to the Art Science Museum.

But that night, Nadine literally cried herself to sleep! She cried so pitifully it broke my heart. And she kept repeating, "Bibi's such an important person in my life! She's been there since I was born!" Poor darling!

Aaron turns 5

My baby turns 5!

Celebrating in school. This year, he asked for "stick insect" clap. Doesn't ask for the ordinary, this boy.

Birthday cake with the family, and a lovely photo with the sister

We held a birthday party for him at home this year, with the usual group of church friends - friends whose parents I grew up with, and with whom he's growing up with now.

Splashing fun in the pool. It had actually rained for the last few days, and weather forecast for the day was cloudy. But amazingly, sun came out when the kids went down to the pool! 

And Aaron's reply on how the weather was so good - "maybe because God knows it's my birthday!"

Happy birthday boy with his choice of birthday cake - Batman

How fast 5 years just flew past like that. Don't grow up too fast, my little cheeky monkey!

Nadine's 天下 report card

Was surprised that her teacher actually wrote that she paid attention in class. Quite different from the feedback from her school Chinese teacher.

However, she's decided she's had enough of these 2-hr classes. Major protest last week, and after half an hour's battle, we reached a compromise - I'd withdraw her from 天下, but she needs to do Chinese assessment everyday and master ready a Chinese book. Plus, I'd take all her savings from her allowance, to cover the 天下 fees.

Let's see where we go from here.