March Holidays (Part 5) - Punggol Gallop Stable (20 March 2015)

 

It's Friday and we had yet to accomplish the place of recreation that David wanted to go. Every holiday, David would request to go for horse riding.

 

Last December, when we went to the Punggol Gallop Stable, the kids were unable to ride the horses as they were closed for AGM. Since then, David has been pestering us to bring him back there.

 

So here we are... and the kids go to ride their ponies... again.... haha.

 

The cost is $10 per ride per child for a 3-minute ride.

 

 

In the evening, it was the children's music lesson at Yamaha Music School at Tampines Mall. They have just completed their FSS (Music test for the Junior Music Course), and they would perform in the class that evening.

 

David playing the songs "Falling Leaves" and "March of the Little Bears".

 

 

Deborah was playing the songs "Falling Leaves" and "Little Bluebird".

 

 

March Holidays (Part 4) - Peppa Pig Meet & Greet / Dim Sum @ Swee Choon (19 March 2015)

 

The Peppa Pig Meet & Greet was held during the school holiday week at United Square. Deborah's former classmate, Chloe Choo and her sister, Cheryl were there too.

 

Thanks to Cherynn (Chloe's mother), we got to share the craft work coupons and later get to take pictures with Peppa Pig. It was actually our first time doing this, as previously, I would only bring the children for the stage shows that were free-of-charge.

 

 

After the Meet & Greet, we walked around and we bought a llao llao sanum (frozen yoghurt). The kids were also delighted when papa bought them each a Smiggle pencil case and a story book. That really made them look forward to school reopen.

 

 

We had dinner with my mom at Swee Choon Dim Sum Restaurant located at Jalan Besar. I found the place by coincidence when hubby asked me to look for any place that sells the egg custard buns. I googled and found this place near to where we were picking my mom up at Jalan Sultan.

It opens only from 6pm on weekdays. When we arrived at the shop at 5.50pm, there were two groups of people already waiting outside the door. Apparently, it is very popular among young people.

Deborah ordered a bowl of double-boiled chicken soup.

 

And David, of course, his favourite char siew buns.

I also order the fried fish skins, century egg lean meat porridge, egg tarts, chee cheong fun.

 

fried Guo Tie,

 

Not-to-be-missed Xiao Long Bao,



and of course, the irresistible egg custard buns.

 



March Holidays (Part 3) - Bento Set Making @ Big Fun Kitchen (18 Mar 2015)

 

Through a friend's recommendation, I signed up Deborah and David for the Bento Set Making at Big Fun Kitchen on 18 March 2015 from 10am to 12 noon, together with a friend, Xi Wen.

 

I chose not to attend the class with the kids since they are already quite independent. Moreover, they had a friend Xi Wen with them. So, I had time to catch up with my dearest friend, San San (Xi Wen's mommy).

 

After class, I understood from D&D that they did cutting of the sausages, rolling the rice balls, arranging it together with the vegetables (broccoli and carrots) in their bento boxes. The rice balls were made into kitty cats using nori for the eyes, whiskers and mouth. I didn't get to see their finished product because by the time I came to fetch them, David had everything in his stomach already, while Deborah was left with the broccoli and rice balls.

 

The children also get to bring back the bento boxes. And I had a  pleasant surprise when the culinary school actually uploaded the photos taken during class time on Facebook, and informed us via email.

 

The fees was $25 per child and $55 for 1 Adult and 1 child.

For upcoming classes and more information, you may visit their website: www.bigfunkitchen.com.

The school is also convenient located opposite People's Park Centre and the nearest MRT station is Chinatown. The school will also send you information on how to get there by the various mode of transport via email when your booking is confirmed.

 

 

  

 

 

 

March Holidays (Part 2) - Jurong East Swimming Complex / Raffles Marina (17 March 2015)

Before the school holiday began, we had asked the children to choose one place of recreation they would like to go. Unsurprisingly, Deborah chose a place where she could play water - Kallang Wave Water Park. However, we were there for 2 consecutive Saturdays, so we decided to look for an alternative.

 

Initially, I had wanted to re-visit the Adventure Cove at Resorts World Sentosa. But daddy was against the idea as the entrance fee (after discount) was $25 per person, which would be $100 for a family of 4. Even the children's ticket was going to cost $26 (before discount).

 

So I googled for alternative water parks and found it at Jurong East Swimming Complex. Entrance fees was $2 for adults and $1 for children and it is unlimited play time. So with the huge price difference, daddy wouldn't say no.

 

It houses similar facilities as the Adventure Cove - a lazy river, a wave pool, 3 water slides, and a children's water playground. Unfortunately, the 3 water slides were under maintenance. So we spent most of the time at the lazy river. I can't even remember how many rounds we went. Haha.

 

 

 

 We didn't take any pictures of ourselves as even I had joined in the fun!

 

After playing for almost two and a half hours, both daddy and I had sunburnt. Thankfully, the children wore their new long-sleeve swimsuits that Daddy purchased recently from Perth, so they were spared from the sun rays on their bodies.

 

After washing up, our tummies started to rumble and the kids started to grumble! So we headed to nearby Raffles Marina for lunch. It is a place that daddy frequents with his business associates but it was my first time there. It was a place I had heard so much about from many people.

 

Daddy advised we should arrive at 1pm or so, in order to avoid the lunch crowd. Daddy was right. When we arrived, the lunch crowd was lesser and we managed to sit at a table overlooking the sea, yachts and sky.

 

 

 Of course, we were famished and didn't waste any time to order our food. I had this lamb briyani that was absolutely tasty and satisfying. The lamb drumstick was as big as my fist! No regrets choosing this to fill my empty stomach.

 

 

It was too hot to take a stroll under the harsh afternoon sun. So we had just a few photos and decided to head home.

Mar Holidays (Part 1) - Sleeping Beauty (15 March 2015)

 

The March holidays has just ended and it is time for me to take time to recall how we had spent our family time together during the week.

 

First, I brought Deborah for a ballet concert - Sleeping Beauty at the Esplanade Theater. Since two years ago, I have tried to bring her for one such concert at least once a year to help her appreciate the ballet classes that she is attending regularly.

 

 

I felt the importance to let her see how her weekly ballet lessons can produce in her when she sees the ballerinas performing on stage. It gives her a big picture of the routine she is going through now. It is not an ambition I am insisting her to accomplish in the future. All I want to do is to let her see what it can turn out to be and provide an opening for her consideration when she gets older. At the end of the day, whether she pursues this as an interest or career in her life or give it up entirely, it is for her to come to that decision when she gets older. 

 

I wouldn't mind even if she just end up as a companion to watch ballet concerts with me as a form of mother-and-daughter's recreation when she gets older. Haha.

 

Times flies..End of Primary 1

Time has been zooming by really fast for 2014.

I still vividly remember the many hiccups, fears, anxieties adjustments, and the difficulties we experienced as Deborah entered Primary 1 - worried if her school bag was too heavy, feeling anxious whether she knows how to buy food during recess, worried if she will be bullied in school, upset when a classmate took her pencil, pissed off when a classmate shouted rudely at her, feeling sad when she once told me that no one ate with her during recess and how her classmate was always bossy and loud......

The school ended the year with Deborah putting up a performance for the parents together with her classmates in Pri 1 Joy. It is indeed a very moving and proud moment for me to see how she has gone through the year and grown so much more independent.

Deborah and her classmate put up a little skit in mandarin, then followed by a Chinese song titled "All Mothers are the same".

Then, they demonstrated how they would play with the Chinese character cards and how this could help to improve their mandarin and form sentences. Hence, parents could do this at home during recreation, learning while playing.

This is a "Thank you" card from Deborah to daddy and mommy.

Parent and child bonding time by playing rounds of charade.

 



Having recess with Deborah.

She was so delighted when mommy relaxed the rule and bought her a cup of her favourite mixed soda, as a reward for her wonderful performance earlier. Mommy is also very proud of her excellent conduct and academic results throughout the year.

 

Well done, our sweetie pie.

 



Zhi Yun's Birthday Party (24 Aug 2014)

Deborah's classmate cum partner, Zhi Yun, invited us for her 7th birthday party at The Minton Condominium on 24 Aug 2014.

 

There was a magic show lined up and from the smiles on Deborah's face below, yes, you guessed it... she enjoyed her so, so much. I think she laughed the loudest throughout the show. As usual, she is always so bright and cheery when there is loads of fun. What's more, this was her closest classmate's party... she was really so happy to be there.

 

 

Deborah standing with the birthday girl through out the cake-cutting...erm... cos she wanted to blow out the candles and perhaps, steal some of the limelight...I guess. Haha..

 

And look who is happy too...

 



 

...but he cried when a boy pushed him and his cake fell onto the floor later on.

 

 

And here's Deborah with her best pal & birthday girl, Zhi Yun.