School Carnival 2013

It has been long since I last attended a carnival, less to mention to organise. This year, my school held a carnival with the intent for fund-raising. Well, my family was there to support us, mote importantly to 'spend' my $80 worth of carnival coupons haha... I wasn't in charge of any stall in particular as my form class happened to be a graduating class, so I actually had the luxury to walk around the stalls with my family.





The kids had a great time at the X-box games station and not forgetting the bouncy castle which was definitely apt for this bunch of little ones with endless energy. They also had fun at the arts and craft stall doing sun-catcher. As for us adults, we were more interested in the food and beverage stalls. Overall, it was a wonderful weekend and the carnival was indeed a great success! It was a great way to kickstart our holidays!

School's Out, Fun's In!

Hurray, the long-awaited year-end vacation is here. It's indeed great joy to both kids and myself haha.... Have been busy consolidating the list of live shows and performance timings in various shopping malls as well as arranging programmes and activities to keep my little 'J's entertained. Well, daddy usually doesn't give a hoot to all these. So poor mummy has gotta work that all out.

Holiday Shows







Till now, I have brought little 'J's to 4 performances - Barbie Mariposa, Ninja Turtle,Care Bear Show and the Sesame Street! Jovin has been so enthusiastic in all pre-stage activities and she won a prize in all the 3 shows which we've watched thus far! As for Jovan, his temperament is more unpredictable, thus not easy to get him cooperate at times especially when it comes to photo-taking. For example, Jovan was unwilling to join us for the photo shoot with Care Bears as he commented ' sissy'. Sigh.... At least Ninja Turtles could still turn him on :) . But I believe we wouldn't be stopping at that haha....

Singkids Indoor Playground



Earlier on, I bought the tix to the Singkids through Groupon. It was unlimited play during weekdays. So I was all prepared, equipped with my I-Pad, pre-loaded with my drama serials and sat there vigilantly while my little 'J's went wild. It was so coincidental that they met Jovin's classmate, Caleb and all had a great time. Caleb stayed for 3 hours and my little 'J's really played for long hours from 1-4p.m, followed by tea-break at Mac and some window shopping at Toysrus before they returned till daddy appeared at Vivo to 'haul' them back haha.....



It was so fun that they begged me to buy another set of tix since the offer was still available at Groupon, so I gave in and promised to bring them to Airport T3 next month and they could enjoy the Sponge Bob bouncing castle too.  Daddy simply shook his head haha.....




Holiday Activities

Little 'J's continued to attend art classes with special holiday programmes in store for them. Apart from that, I also signed them up for 2 baking classes - X'mas log cake and marshmallow brownies making. Really seemed so fun haha... We are also going on 2 excursions - Science Centre with our best pals and River Safari on 3 Dec! Well, apart from play, their formal classes with Mind Stretcher is starting on 6 Dec too. We managed to enrol Jovan in the P1 prep class - Maths & English @ Mindstretcher too. So both would be attending the same Fri night session! Saves me the hassle of dual timing....

Of course, there's the annual X'mas parties too and the joy of feasting and rejoicing with our loved ones....
I believe the flow of activities would be essential to keep my little 'J's entertained this Dec.

Happy Holidays 2013! 

Peeps into Jovin's lower primary days....

It's been 2 years since Jovin started formal curriculum in primary school. Starting next year, Jovin advances into P3 and she's going to challenge another subject - Science! I really pity schooling kids these days. Looking at her timetable for next year, it really differs so much from our times then. Her normal schooling hours end at 1p.m, however apart from Monday which she can take the return transport home directly after school, she has to stay late after school everyday! Sneak peeps into her after-school timetable for 2014:

Tue 1.30 - 3.30pm Compulsory Maths & English academic programmes
Wed CCA-  EL Drama Club
Thur Swimming till 5.30pm
Fri 1.30-3.30pm Higher CL Enrichment followed by private Maths Tuition from 7.30-9.30p.m

Dear and I really empathise with our princess and shocked at the compulsory academic programmes in store for all pupils all subjects at such a tender age. No wonder my poor girl is getting thinner by the days. Sigh..... However, we know that Jovin is still enjoying school life from the recounts and photos which her teacher recently emailed us.

Jovin has been coping well these 2 years. Though she looks petite, we know she eats well and is well-nourished, so we've got no worries on that score. Fearing she may be too tired and we wanted to stop her Art classes on Sat, but our girl refuses as she really loves attending art and craft classes. As for CL speech and drama class, it's her 4th year attending next year and she has been selected into the only class specially trained for public drama performances, so she is looking forward to that. No reason why we should limit her talents. Now she even made it into the school's EL drama club through audition! Guess she does inherits my genes in this aspect.

Dear and I know 2014 marks a great difference in Jovin's school life and it's the start of her MORNING session! Groaning............However, we are certain our princess is able to manage these and we the 3 pillars - daddy, mummy and Jovan would be there supporting her. All the way, Jovin!

Flashback at her lower primary days......Always jovial as what her name suggests :)

知己情人，一生只牵你的手

喜欢你的脸像天使那么动人
用微笑遮盖心中所有泪痕
我看到你孤单自己平衡
你让我心痛心疼

喜欢你的人那么真那么诚恳
阳光的笑容温暖受伤的人
勇敢的你却独自抚平伤痕
你给我友谊的真

感谢你
聆听我的孤寂陪我一同哭泣
让我不害怕那落幕后的空虚
我的心 我的心
终于寻得知己疼惜
感谢你
赶出我的孤寂让我放心哭泣
让我不害怕那不被了解的苦
我的心 我的心
站在舞台为你跳舞
冷酷世界虽然风雨从不停
但我拥有你我的心再也不下雪

以上的歌曲已从昔日的热播流行曲归纳为如今的经典情歌，但对于我和文强，却是那么地刻骨铭心。当年，若非为了排练这首情歌，我们也不会被凑成一对，今天也不会添加两个可爱的小文强、小林琳。

时间一晃，我和文强于2003年11月8日注册结婚。今年已是我们注册的十周年！常听人说，婚姻没有保障，是爱情的坟墓。但我倆已心甘情愿坠入数年。从相识至今已整整将近20年，虽并无像韩国爱情片所体现描绘出的童话般地爱情痴缠，但我们所经历过的却是实在，建立在稳固的感情基础上的恋情。一路走过这些年，从稚嫩到萌芽至今的成熟，很庆幸这一路上我们依然有对方的陪伴与扶持。经历过这漫长的共同经历，我们彼此更坚定希望能够共同渡过余下的岁月。在未来的这条婚姻道路上，我俩能够继续扮演对方生命里最重要的红颜知己角色。谢谢你，老公！

Jovin turns 8!

It's been 8 years! Really unbelieveable.... The memories seemed to be only yesterday when I screamed in labour, dear holding my hands tightly, nurses and the gynae fussing over me..... Today my precious princess has turned 8! Every year without fail, we made it a point to celebrate her big day. Probably, this is a tradition that runs in my family, so the tradition carries on....

Brussel Sprouts@ Big Splash - 12 Oct 2013

This year, Jovin was elated and enjoyed a 'guilt-free' birthday celebration as her last day of exams was on 28 Oct! We first arranged for a mini celebration with our JC dearest pals but of course the intended guests were Jovin's little guests - Kaden, Reyes and Chloe. We held the celebration on 12 Oct. That morning, we brought Jovin to the Icing Room where our little 'J's had an enjoyable time doing the cake decoration. Jovin was the main in charge whereas Jovan was her able assistant, listening attentively and abiding by sister's instructions.



In the evening, the kids had a wonderful time at Brussel Sprouts @ Big Splash. It was really an ideal choice for families with young kids.



Apart from Reyes who was too young, the 4 had ultimate fun at the mini playground. Though there was only a mini slide, a sand pit and some simple playground equipment, they were already regarded as kids' haven! We, the adults had a cosy time slouching around enjoying beer and nibbling on our mussels. We even had to 'coerce' the kids back for dinner and vroom off they went for their little games.







Finally around 9pm, we had the cake cutting celebration for the princess. However, we waited almost half an hour before the cake was FINALLY served! Then we realised they were short of manpower and were waiting for the dining table to be cleared before they could serve our cake. The staff joined in the singing of the birthday song with us and our dear princess grinned from ear to ear, hugging tightly to her presents. What really surprised us was, we actually heard 4 more times of birthday song singing after Jovin's! Haha there's plenty of Oct babies around!



Our little 'J's were so elated that they stayed up to unveil all the mysteries! Jovin got wonderful Lego Friends, Kitty Jewellery set and a cake decor set! All really understand Jovin's likes well and Jovin truly had a very sweet dream that night. Thanks to all our dearest pals who dote on her since young. Jovin is really blessed.

Family Birthday Celebration @ Home - 30 Oct 2013

This year, we held Jovin's birthday on the actual day itself as dear and I were scheduled to depart for biz trips during that weekend. On that Wed, we collected all the pre-ordered food complemented with both paternal and maternal grandmothers' specialities - kueh pie tee, fried bee hoon, fried chicken. It was truly a wonderful spread for the 16 of us!



We were really very grateful as all made it a point to come for the celebration despite a working day. Jovin had fun with her cousins as usual over Twister game and they even had a round of mini basketball @ Jovan's room haha.... Mum and my mum-in-law had a great chat too as they enjoyed the dinner.







For the cake, Jovin chose a Hello Kitty cake this time round from Breadtalk. It was indeed yummy with the vanilla and peaches in the filling. Dear and I bought her 3 sets of colured pens and art materials from Sniggles upon her request and Jovin got another set of Lego Friends from her aunt! Her Lego Friends collection is truly expanding by the days......

Jovin had a wonderful birthday celebration this year and we truly wish for our darling princess to stay cheerful and be in best of health always. Happy Birthday Jovin, we love u!