Greg's First Movie

Greg has been looking forward to watch his first movie and I thought I shall bring him go watch the KungFu Panda this morning. We were early when we arrived at Plaza Singapura so we went for breakfast at McCafe. Greg ordered a chocolate brownie but didn't want to eat, so ended up I had to finish the two cakes.Next he wanted to try popcorn. I still remember Edwin kept himself busy with the popcorn the first time he went to watch movie, and I thought if the movie didn't turn out to be interesting for Greg, at least the popcorn could keep him company. Kekeke.

Greg needs a ticket if his height is above 90cm. Well, his height is still hovering around there, I didn't get him a ticket, and also he insisted that he would sit on my lap during the show. Greg was very excited about the show at the beginning, and as usual he would ask lots of questions about the content of the movie. About an hour passed, he started to get tired and he asked, "Mummy, I think I want to switch off this big TV already. I am so tired. The show is so long..". Kekeke... well, he was patient enough to sit still till the movie ended. After that, we went to the food court for lunch, and he lamented again, "Mummy, the movie not nice..next time we don't go for such long movie ok?"kekeke... however, I do enjoy the show somewhat. Afterall, I have not watched a movie for a few years already! =)

Weekend Trip to Sentosa

Greg loves staying in a hotel where he gets to sleep in between KengYong and I. He kept pestering us to bring him for another hotel stay. I thought it'd be nice to have a break and small getaway too. Anyway, KengYong booked a room at Siloso Resort in Sentosa and we spent our weekend there. The hotel room has a queen size bed and a cot. It's slightly better than a chalet but it doesn't match even a three star hotel room. Our room wasn't sound proof and I could hear lots of noises outside even at night. Also, the rooms in this resort aren't any cheaper than any simple hotel room in Singapore. I think I wouldn't return to Siloso resort for a stay next time unless I don't have any other choices.

Well, on Saturday afternoon, Greg and KengYong went for a dip at the resort's pool once after we checked in. I couldn't join them because Gareth wanted to nap. We went to watch Songs of the Sea in the evening and some of the scenes were spectacular. Greg didn't enjoy it because of many unexpected loud scenes with balls of fire and fireworks but I give my thumbs up for the show. Gareth napped through the whole show and only woke up when we were about to leave. I didn't sleep much in the night because Gareth refused to sleep in the cot alone that night.He insisted to squeeze onto the small bed with the three of us! Omigosh!Greg played Luge a couple of times with KengYong during the trip and he didn't seem to get tired of it.

Though it's a two-day-one-night trip to Sentosa, we had to bring two suitcases! I cannot imagine the number of suitcases we have to carry if we embark on a trip longer than this. Well, it's a very tiring weekend for me... I dislike it especially when I saw the huge pile of laundry I have to do after the trip. But well, I guess at least Greg has enjoyed his hotel stay!

Fidgets!

One good thing about being a full-time Stay-At-Home-Mum is that I could bring my boys to explore fun places on weekdays when these places aren't that crowded. We went to a newly opened indoor playground at Turf City (#04-05) called Fidgets! It's opened daily at 9am and we arrived there at 9am after parking our car at Carpark B. The place is quite easy to find, and there were only a few angmo taitais with their young children during our 3 hours there.

In their big playground, they have several slides. Two covered ones, one metal one that allows one to slide into the ball pool and another two long slides which resemble those at big splash. Greg had great fun there, but I thought the long slides are pretty dangerous because they are quite steep and the speed is super fast when one slides down. If the kid loses his/ her balance from the sitting position, he/she could get some abrasions. This happened to Greg when he lost his balance once. Greg also almost had a fall when he was "scaling up" some squares fast to get to the top. Luckily I was there to hold onto him, otherwise he may fall right to the bottom where there was only a small cushion mat. Hence, if you are going there with your young kid, please supervise him/ her closely when your kids are climbing up. It'd also be good if he/ she could wear long sleeves and pants to protect his/ her elbows and knees. Parents may like to dress the same way to reduce unnecessary abrasions at the playground.kekeke.

Besides the big playground, they have two smaller playgrounds - one is for infants and the other is for kids below 4 years of age. There was also an area where the children could read books and another small play area where the kids could ride on some vehicles. I have also checked out their cafeteria - nothing fantastic. I ordered a regular cup of hot chocolate that cost me $5.60 (so expensive!) and Greg ate a slice of chocolate cake ($6.90!). Their menu consists of mainly cakes, muffins and beverages.

Overall, my verdict of this place is "ok lah! Can go if not so crowded!" I just thought the place can be quite dangerous especially when there are many bigger kids around. But well, Greg's verdict is "Mummy, I want to come back again!". Besides the climbing and sliding that he loves, I know he likes the ball pool where he could aim and throw the balls into a little hole, and then there's a machine that brings these balls back into the ball pool. Cool isn't it?

Gong Xi Gong Xi!

It's Lunar New Year again. Last year couldn't celebrate because of Dad's passing, and no celebration this year because of Mum's demise. Quite sad when CNY arrived on Thursday because it had never been the same since last year. Anyway, Raymond, Rina and I decided to book into Fullerton Hotel on the first day of CNY for a night stay there. The kids had fun and we had really close view of the fireworks at night. Otherwise my CNY this year is the same as my any other day. Nothing special. No really nice foods too. Two of my major dinner appointments were cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances... and sigh! If Mum and Dad were around, I do not have to think hard where to head for during CNY, and yes, there's always good food at Mum's place anytime I went. It's totally different now. I long for CNY no more.

Gregory's Third Birthday!

It's Gregory's 3rd birthday today! Since it falls on a Saturday, we decide to celebrate it outside home and school this year. After much consideration, I thought the Atlantis City at Delta Sports Complex was a more suitable one. I booked the whole indoor playground cum party area from 6-9pm. We have also catered dinner buffet for those who turned up. It was not easy organising Greg's birthday because he was so indecisive in his choices. For instance, he had wanted a 3D Mr. Bean birthday cake at first. After that, he decided to change it to Barney. When he changed his mind to Thomas the Train again, I told him that the bakery uncle has baked his Barney cake already and I managed to persuade him to get Thomas the Train jelly instead. I have been ordering jelly from Mrs. Chan for Greg's birthday since he turned one and I must say her jelly tastes very nice.

Greg had great fun at the playground with his cousins and friends. Raymond bought him a bubble machine for his birthday and Greg insisted that he must bring it along to share the fun with his friends. In addition, Teacher Roze was also nice to be the games master that evening. She has organized simple games for the kids and everyone had some fun and laughter. Last but not least, I must also thank LiPing for videotaping the party down - it'd definitely leave some fun memories for Greg! Below are some pictures of the kids enjoying themselves at the party!

I am glad Gregory and the kids have enjoyed themselves. They loved it so much that they refused to leave the place when the party ended at 9pm. One thing I regret I didn't do was to take more group and family pictures. I was just so busy entertaining the guests and making sure things go smoothly for the party. Come to think of it, we have spent quite a fair bit on this party - the place, the food, the cake, jelly, prizes for the games and the goodie bags for the kids. Well, I have always wanted a birthday party myself - envied those who had one. I have never got a chance to have had one so thought may as well create one fun one for Greg. I am happy that I did because he kept saying, "Mummy, remember my birthday party? I hope it's my birthday again!". =)

Sentosa On Sunday

Greg had been pestering us to bring him to Sentosa. KengYong and I were wondering how he came to know about this place, as we have not talked about it, and the last time we took him there via cable car was when he was about 1 year+. Anyway, we promised to bring him to Sentosa on Sunday morning if the weather was good. Greg was happy admiring the environment around when he was in the cable car, but I think he's a little scared because he kept asking KengYong to hold him. After the cable car ride, we drove in to Sentosa because Greg wanted to play sand on the beach. We went to Siloso Beach and on our way to the beach, he spotted the place where he could play Luge. He insisted that he wanted to play Luge with KengYong after his sand play.

Greg's height was measured at the Luge station where KengYong purchased the tickets, and was re-measured again before he and KengYong took the "sky-bench" up. Apparently, the minimum height for the kids to play was 90cm if accompanied by adults and luckily, Greg's height is slightly above 90cm (sigh! He didn't grow much!). Actually, I was quite worried about him taking the "sky-bench" up because the staff said they could not do much if Greg decided not to sit on it half way through. Anyway, I guess I was overly worried for nothing. Greg seemed brave enough to take it, and he nodded his head when I asked him if he really wanted to do it just before he hopped onto the "sky-bench". Well, he appeared thrilled to be able to take Luge with KengYong when I received them at the end point and Greg had wanted to go another time!
Greg: Mummy, you go up with me can?
Me: No. Mummy can't.
Greg: Why? Your tummy too big?
Me: Yes. Mummy has didi inside. Not safe for Mummy to play the Luge. Next time ok? When Didi comes out, Mummy takes the Luge with you.
Greg: Why Didi so long still doesn't wanna come out??? *pulling a long face*

Anyway, just before he napped at home, he asked if his cousins (Edwin, Roy, Xian, Regine and Reuben) can go Sentosa and take Luge with him the next time.. hmmm.. I guess I should organize one family gathering at Sentosa when Edwin returns from his China exchange programme trip. It should be fun! =)

O'Kids Spot on Saturday Morning

After the fun we had at Delta Sports Complex on the Thursday that passed, Rina and I decided to meet at O'Kids Spot at Orchid Country Club on Saturday morning. It's another indoor playground - it's scale is bigger than the one at Atlantis but smaller than Gogobambini. As usual, I missed out the fun.. I could only be the photographer while the rest had fun climbing here and sliding there. Both Rina and KengYong still prefer the indoor playground at Gogobambini to the one at O'Kids Spot. KengYong found the tunnels in the latter too small and frustrating for an adult to crawl whereas Rina felt that the playground at Gogobambini has more cushion and is safer. Greg had some bruises after playing at O'Kids Spot (e.g., on the right side of his face, knees and elbows). Aiyo... doubt we would go O'Kids Spot again. However, I think little Regine has a different verdict from the rest; Though she's so young and small, she's always so adventurous to climb, crawl and slide, even at great heights. She's often spotted running about in the playground with a wide smile on her face! =)

A Fun Deepavali Morning

Rina and I had originally arranged to visit the Zoo on Deepavali morning but it rained. So we decided to explore the new SOL playground cafe at Turf City. It was such a big disappointment. It did have an indoor play area and an outdoor playground. Unfortunately, the playground outside was wet and the toys in the play area were either lousy or were out of order. Besides, the staff took a long time to serve us our drinks and I thought their food isn't cheap. At first we thought of moving on to Gogobambini but we had been there too many times and I believed it's going to be very crowded on a public holiday. Anyway, our final decision is to bring Regine and Greg to Atlantis at Delta Sports Complex. It's Greg's second time visiting the Atlantis. Greg had a great time playing there, because Rina and Regine joined in the fun. It's always more fun and merrier when there are more people you know play with you. Too bad I could not join in... *sobsob*

Weekend Hotel Stay

KengYong had a free one night stay offer at Ritz Carlton Hotel Singapore and we decided to use it this weekend. We thought we had better used it before our second boy decides to make his appearance into this world. On Saturday morning, we were busy packing our luggage and even for a night stay at the hotel, we had to lug so many things there. Of course, most of them belong to Gregory. I really cannot imagine how many luggages we have to bring along with us if we were to travel overseas with two boys for more than two days in future! Below is a picture of Gregory enthusiastically pulling the big luggage bag out of the house.. he has packed his stuffed toy dog and giraffe into the little orange haversack he's carrying. It's a must that he bring them along...otherwise, he would not be able to sleep well.

We arrived at the hotel at about 12+pm. The ambience there was grand and nice. We were given apple juice/ strawberry iced tea on arrival, and free flow of cookies. The room was also quite big and comfortable. Greg was so excited that he couldn't nap so we brought him down for a swim.













After his swim, he took a nap while KengYong and I decided to shop around Marina Square. Our helper kept an eye on Greg while we went shopping but Greg napped for no more than an hour that afternoon. Yanti called us to inform that Greg has woken up. I guess he's too excited about the stay in the hotel. Anyway, to keep him entertained before we had our dinner, we walked around the Millenia Walk and Marina Square. Greg went into a shop and I was showing him a big black scarf. He said if the scarf were to be put around his head, he would look like Teacher Salimah (one of the teachers in his childcare who wears tudung). Yanti laughed and without hesitation, she folded the scarf and placed it on Greg's head. I quickly dished out my camera and took a photo...haha.. he looked quite girlish with the "tudung" on, and he kept saying that he's "teacher salimah"... I wonder how Teacher Salimah would feel if she knows about it..

We met Rina for dinner at Imperial, Marina Square before we headed to the little play area at Kiddy Palace, so as to keep little Regine and Gregory occupied. Below on the left is the picture of Rina enjoying her food, taken by Gregory. Photo of Greg and Regine on a swing is on the right.

It was indeed a tiring Saturday for me. I was so exhausted by 9pm but Greg was still so full of energy despite the fact that he only napped for less than an hour that afternoon. Anyway, I woke up at about 8am on Sunday whilst KengYong and Greg were still snoring away. I decided to use the hotel's bathtub to have a relaxing morning bath. See picture below: I filled up the tub with water and the bath salt (provided by the hotel).

I had a quick shower at the shower area, and as I made my way to the bathtub, suddenly someone opened the toilet door (cannot be locked) and said, "Mummy, what are you doing?"... aiya... there went my relaxing morning bath! *sobsob* Still, I jumped into the water, and soaked myself for a while before I decided to change into my clothes. How I wish he could sleep longer.. always waking up at the wrong time!

Asked Greg how he felt about the trip, he said "I am so tired. Even dogdog and giraffe are tired". I asked him how he knew his stuffed toys were tired... and well, he showed me a photo he took (see below).. hmmm..
Well, it is indeed a tiring weekend for Greg, KengYong and I though it was just a one night hotel stay in Singapore. However, it's certainly a weekend different from the ones we usually have. =)