Dip in the Pool!

Yesterday, we planned for a dip at Bishan Loft's swimming pool with my niece and nephews. Intially, we intended to call it off as it was raining heavily at Sembawang area. However, Chrus called us and urged us to proceed as planned as Bishan's skies have cleared and so, we decided to go ahead as planned. Haha, packing after having unpacked.

Together with my brother and Jerad, we reached my sis's place around 5.30p.m and after getting all the balls, floats all pumped up and getting the kids dressed in swimming gear, we went downstairs. We occupied a jacuzzi pool confined to ourselves. Jovan was so elated as he sat in the float, kicking vigorously with his legs in the pool. He accidentally gulped mouthfuls of water but he did not cry and make any fuss! Our prince is really a water lover. He kicked almost non-stop, just as he did when he was in my womb. The powerful kicks he delivered when I was pregnant was unforgettable. His leg kicking actions are still as strong as ever!



Compared to Jovin, our dear princess didn't dare to plunge into the pool intially and stayed afloat on the boat. All kids were down in the pool, shooting and playing witht he swords etc, having so much fun. Sis and me were the standby 'lifeguards' haha and I was busy capturing the videos and photos of the kids. Finally, after much cajoling, Jovin dared to make the first step into the pool. We switched to baby pool and Jovan happily 'walked into the pool, did back stroke haha aided by dearest daddy. Crystal carefully guided Jovin in the pool and our girl finally got accustomed to it.



We were really surprised Jovan loved the pool so much. Jovin wasn't a water lover and we still remembered she cried so much the first time we placed her in the pool when they were about the same age. The kids enjoyed an hour of water fun in the pool, followed by shower time in bath tub and dinner at nearby coffeeshop. We had a great night at sis's place and we only left around 10p.m, almost forgotten it was the first day of school re-opening today! I bet the kids look forward to the next play time session, I do too :)

Window Shopping at Plaza Sing!

This evening, we brought the kids to Plaza Singapura. As usual, the crowd and carpark lots were the 2 challenges we had to face as in every weekend. Wanted to go foodcourt but there was not even an empty seat so we decided to head for Xinwang Hongkong restaurant instead. Ordered our usual dishes but instead of our usual drinks, ordered strawberry snow ice this round instead. Jovin was staring so hard at the gigantic snow ice when it was served. Seeing her so pitiful, we decided to grant her the wish of tasting the snow ice too. She had a few sips and of course loved it! In total, she had 3 sips and that's already considered a bonus. As for Jovan, he was happily playing with the plastic cutlery but kept dropping the spoons on the floor, so poor daddy had to pick it up. Fortunately, there came this young couple who sat beside us and kept playing with him so that managed to divert his attention :)



After dinner, we roamed around the shops. The kids roamed around in LEGO shop. It was a mistake to 'free' Jovan out of the pram as he walked so briskly around the shop and kept touching all the LEGO displays and our 2 little 'J's were in 'cahoots' with each other, trying to move the smaller LEGO boxes from one place to another. Really had a hard time settling them and ensuring we do not cause any damage.



After LEGO, we went into Build-A-Bear workshop which James and I last came across during our US honeymoon and we even built a bear there! It's now available in Singapore too. The kids almost went bonkers when they saw the huge array of bear displays and accessories in the shop, especially Jovin who is fond of such beary things. She hugged many bears and dogs, posed with many soft toys, put on hats, tiaras, placed the soft toys in bath-tubs etc. See the way she posed? She really enjoyed so much. I promised Jovin to bring her here on her birthday to build a bear too and she immediately set her eyes upon a princess like bear with tiara donned in pretty dress. Before we left, she even hugged and kissed the bear, saying good night to her! I told Jovin mummy will bring her back here on her birthday and she was so elated about it!



As we proceeded to the ground level, there were bicycles on sale. We picked a junior one with four wheels for Jovin and she had a try on it. She wasn't that steady though, but it was an entirely different experience for her. We might consider buying as her 4th year birthday present. Both kids had fun on the animal riders too. Actually it was just a simple animal but couldn't understand why the kids went gaga over it. There were a few other toddlers sitting on the displays too who were enjoying themselves so much like our kids too. Well, guess that's kids who are really easily appeased. We had a great night out and most amazingly, we didn't spend money on any shopping. Hmmm, pure window shopping. The happiest person is none other than daddy :)

Little 'J's Superband!

My mum recently bought our little 'J's a set of musical instruments. These few nights, the new superband of Little 'J's has been formed and the two of them have been busy practising so hard on the drums, trumpets etc. Well, their most ardent fans i.e Daddy and Mummy gotta 'bear ' with it till the superband fever subsides.....

Little 'J's at Work!

During weekday nights, we will usually engage our kids in doing some sessions apart from assessment books, story telling, flash cards etc. Recently, I bought Jovin some sand art pieces and she was so interested in doing it. To divert Jovan's attention, I gave him the puzzle block story board and to my surprise, this worked! Both of them were in the same room, each engrossed in their own activities for at least 30mins! The 30 mins was a real great breather session for me to read newspapers and catch some TV programmes. Intially, I helped Jovin with the sand art but she insisted doing it by herself. Outcome? Erm, not too bad though colours a bit off hehe but that's creativity huh? As for my darling Jovan, he was busy taking the puzzle blocks in and out, trying to fit into every corner he could. Wanted to help him but he rejected my help. Woo... it's a rare sight to see them in peace for half an hour. Great accomplishment!

Father's Day 2009

Part 1: Father's Day Dinner for Daddy James



Last night, we had a simple father's day dinner for James. Intially wanted to go Vivo, however we left home too late around 7.30p.m. Thus, decided to settle for AMK hub instead. It coincided with late night shopping event which resulted in horrendous queues at our intended choice of restaurant New York New York. James decided to change his mind and we had dinner at a eatery selling Chinese cuisine instead. Luckily, we could get a convenient seat near the entrance, thus having enough legspace for the pram ( baby chairs were all utilised!)It was mummy's treat, so daddy ordered seafood claypot, mock goose, taiwan's famous sanbei chicken. Jovin got her favourite hot ribena and Jovan happily entertained himself with a bowl and spoon haha! The dishes were rather well-cooked and it catered to our taste buds! James liked it and we managed to enjoy a good dinner with the friendly staff taking a family photo of us. So nice of them :)

Part 2: Bubble Time





We had a great bubble session indoors at our very own bathroom this afternoon! Jovin even dressed herself in her favourite strawberry swimming costume as she was allready to get soaked and wet! James, being the bubble-man, created streams of bubbles in the bathroom as the kids happily jumped and played around with the bubbles. Jovan practically sat on the floor, smudging the bubbles and Jovin made several sneaky attempts on Jovan by blowing and using the bubble machine. Daddy and the 2 kids had a whole whale of fun bubble session which lasted half an hour. Mummy was busy taking videos and photos while trying to shun from the bubble attacks.... Kids just love to get wet and drenched. Moreover, with daddy and mummy's open consent, they really immeresed themselves in a session of bubble time :)

Part 3: Father's Day Dinner for Ah Gong



After our bubble session, we had a a short rest before proceeding for Father's Day dinner celebration for Ah Gong at a food stretch near Thomson Plaza. Parents didn't want us to spend excessively, thus they chose the restaurant themselves. It's one of those average-pricing stores which they usually patronize. To daddy, it's cheap and good and he loves their chicken. We were among the latest as usual, hehe. Food was already served and we saw the whole spread of dishes on the table like salad prawn, kangkong, seafood claypot etc. The dishes flooded almost the entire table! Jovan was cooperative and sat on the high chair throughout. Jovin had her dinner as I fed her with her favourite sweet and sour pork ribs, bean curd etc.

After dinner, we went to nearby Thomson Plaza with no specific agenda but the kids really appreciated the rare opportunity to run and chase one another. Level 2 was very spacious and mum baby sat the kids for us, with my dearest niece's assistance as well. We took some memorable funny shots and I joined in making funny poses and funny faces with them. I always love such family gatherings, especially the kids who are as close as siblings as they meet other almost everyday at my mum's place. Looking forward to our next gathering next months for my nephew's birthday.

James had a series of father's day celebrations and bonding sessions. He truly enjoyed and let himself wild when he was playing bubbles with the kids. His laughter and smiles showed it all. Jovin presented James with a piece of artwork did at school stating Happy Father's Day - From Jovin. Though simple, but it's the thought that counts. He always tells me, he really cherishes such bonding sessions with the kids and seeing them after a hard day at work is the greatest consolation he gets. That's what our little bundles of joy brings us :)