Hot on the heels of Teacher’s Day comes the kids’ equivalent. Anyhow, at this age it doesn’t quite matter. They get to party in school, presents go around and a day off from lessons. Whatever the occasion, it is just time to celebrate.

They had their fun in school and with the Sunday School kids too at Jacob Ballas. The waterplay area was a favourite (somewhere in that mess is my kid), and it was a relief that the weather was so good. Not searing hot yet no hint of rain. Perfection.

We popped into Arbite once again, this time with company. We had a lovely observant waiter who really was attentive to the kids. Kids’ cutlery, a mint, Lego blocks and everything. The food being nice was a plus point (ok, maybe it should be the other way round. I got screwy priorities. But you know what it is like with BAD service…), and I figure we’d be back again.

The evening was rounded off by lantern carrying… And it was no small feat that their paper lanterns were not burned in the short walkabout. Was quite surprised that J actually wanted to carrying the paper ones. And K the copycat followed suit. Saved my ears if you asked me.

And of course, back to the grind the next day.

We stumbled into Swensens the other day after a long while. The menu has been changed beyond our recognition. Not like it really mattered. The kids got their kiddy meals and went crazy role playing with their pirate boats thereafter. They blew out the lone candle on the Firehouse Birthday sundae. All in, it looked like we were celebrating their birthday.

But nah. Happy birthday to the husb.

]]> http://moomeh.com/index.php/2012/09/27/one-more-year/feed/ 0 http://moomeh.com/index.php/2012/09/11/school-was-out/ http://moomeh.com/index.php/2012/09/11/school-was-out/#comments Tue, 11 Sep 2012 15:20:08 +0000 Ruth http://moomeh.com/?p=1021

The one week break came and went. With it we actually went to a couple of places we haven’t been to in a while, and finally made a trip down to Jacob Ballas. Lots of fun for the kids, and completely energy zapping for the adults.

To all the teachers out there, we hope you had a blessed teacher’s day.

The kids had a lovely time at the party and came back with loads of stories. I guess the different cultures in the two schools shows. They were asked to draw a card, not bother with gifts, but who really listens?

We ended up colouring some picture cards and baking cookies. The kids helped. More or less. We counted the spoonfuls of flour, of sugar. We mixed the batter. We plopped cookie dough on the trays and liberally sprinkled them with hundreds & thousands (yes, that’s what those coloured sugary bits are actually called). And added pink and red hearts on some. We tried not to eat the cookies as they came out of the oven, nor pluck the decor off the cooled ones.

And finally we packed them in lil bags, splashed with washi tapes and typed a message out. Just for the special individuals who came to be our teachers. So much is caught, not taught.

ps: in case you were wondering, these is how ‘em cookies travelled to school.

All wonderful locations but we decided on the ole Bishan Park on National Day (yes, I am late in updating). A good decision if you ask me. It had crowds but because of the space, it didn’t feel that bad. And we finally got down to exploring the area. Although it is this close, we hadn’t been there since the major revamp. Or much prior.

The kids loved the space. And stared wide-eyed at the playground. J went wild while K freaked out at the sensation of sand between her toes. Was quite pleased to see how far J had come. Going about with abandonment and not the least bit worried about height. We all attempted the 2 storey slide. Such fun.

We’d be back. This time hopefully armed with bicycles and skate scooters (whatever do you call these thingamajigs?). And a tonne of water.

This has probably got to be a record of some sort for this blog. An absence of close to 7 months. Not proud of it but well, life happens. And we have been busy living in the real world. And in the real world, Jayden is now 5 (birthday some time in February) and Kathlene has just turned 3. Do the kids look different to you?

Not a great summary of what has been happening but it will do. And let’s just plunge right in to what actually just happened.

K celebrated her birthday in school. Her top priority was, blowing out the candles and her birthday presents. She came back armed with enough goodies from her teachers to keep her happy and her brother, envious. So I guess her KPIs were met. We baked the cake at home (the horrors haha!) and had a photo session with it before sending it off to school the next day.

Amazing what a great cover up frosting and pretty bunting is ain’t it?

She had birthday cupcakes at home on her actual day. Simply adorned with a sugar heart. And I figure we are all cake-d out for the month.

Amazing skies at dusk. The days are getting warmer and the cloud-scape has been nothing short of amazing. Rather therapeutic to watch them move and change their shape, flitting across the wide expanse of the skies.

** Photo taken on Olympus E-PL2

We are still settling into a routine, to get to work and mind the kids. I am thankful for productive days where I can just craft and prepare new releases for Valentine’s.

** Photo taken on Olympus E-PL2

Warm days always need some cooling off. We stopped by Cold Storage and cooled down at the dairy section. Cool breezes anyone?

** Photo taken with the iphone 4S

With Jayden and Kathlene being in school, there’s been time to sneak in a breakfast with friends. Young and younger! Lil A4 being all smiley during one of them morning brekkies when we are all half awake.

** Photo taken with the iphone 4S

Kathlene is still trying to overcome her disgust for sand. She absolutely hates the feeling of sand under her feet. Eeeeyuck! Playgrounds though, are still a lot of fun. Nevermind that I still miss the old concrete playgrounds I had growing up.

** Photo taken with the iphone 4S

Tea with a friend, and a photowalk is always a welcome treat. Antoinette with its french delights, was a delightful treat to the senses. Much cheaper than a trip out to Paris anyday.

** Photos taken with Olympus E-PL2

Quite frankly, the area has changed so much beyond recognition. I do think this was one of the better blend of old and new.

** Photos taken with Olympus E-PL2

Really really thankful to know these awesome people. From blogging to real life friends. From wedding preps, to weddings, to pregnancies, first months and birthdays. Here’s to many more to come.

** Photos taken with Olympus E-PL2

The short walk to school. Always a highlight after breakfast

** Photo taken with the iphone 4S

Me like hydrangeas. Enough said.

** Photo taken with the iphone 4S

Friday was a nice, sunlit day. With only Jayden in school, I brought Kath for a walk round the estate. Strangely familiar yet different, it was quite the novel way to teach Kath colours and nature. I was pleasantly surprised that she actually did not fuss, and that we managed quite a distance (2km!) on her little feet, before she finally decided she wanted to head home.

Sunlit days, with the amazing magnetic lens for the iphone, worked wonders.

We went out gallivanting in town today. Thankfully missing the lunch crowd by minutes, getting a table fast enough. Again, the photos were taken off the iphone. What I am thankful for today is, in my laziness to actually work with Photoshop, I managed to collage the image with apps straight off the phone. Life saver I say. If you have never tinkered around with apps, you really don’t know what you are missing out on!

** All photos taken with the iphone 4S. Amazing in my eyes.

It sure doesn’t look like it but we were minutes away from bedtime. To be more exact, we were minutes away from them actually falling asleep, and way past bedtime.

After a long day with kids, the magical moment when they doze off into the still of the night is rather welcoming. Enough said.

Nitey nite.

** All photos taken with iphone 4S

Self explanatory really. I’ve been hearing them tell tales on each other almost daily so such moments, are meant to be treasured. Kath, who only remembers being wronged, has no concept of when it occured and will persistently repeat it to anyone who would listen. Until the next wrong is done against her. Heh.

Poor Jayden. She’s really getting historical here.

** Photos from IPhone 4S as we were sending J off to school today. It is still orientation week meaning shorter hours and no lessons for K!