Birthday planning

Our little angel Raeyen will turn 2 on 10 July.

Was discussing with hubby if we should throw him an intimate party with families and good pals. After much deliberation, we decided to go ahead as Kieran received a similar 2nd birthday party. We initially wanted to give them a big-bang birthday celebration only on their 1st birthday, but things didn't turn out that way.

So, now his big day shall be Sunday, 8 July but mommy doesn't know what to do in terms of:

Cake: cupcakes, gourmet cake?
Food: self-cook, cater, finger food, lunch, dinner, menu?
Theme: cars, trucks, Brum, Thomas the Engine?

For cake alone, I am already torn with choices as I was looking at various bakers: Evangeline, Canele Patisserie, Cocoa & Butterscotch, Cupcake Momma

Faceworks

A dear friend returned from a whirlwind holiday in Japan and managed to grab some stuff - lipstick, spice blush, mascara and lip gloss from Majolica Majorca by Shiseido.

I read alot of rave about MM products and have since longing to try them. Shall use tomorrow! The prices are very reasonable (like Loreal's) and packaging is oh-so-sweet. With such a combination, how could I ever resist? I heard a couple of shops here carry MM but at exorbitant prices. These retailers should know better that people nowadays travel widely and ain't no "mountain tortoises".

Today, I placed an order of mineral makeup from Alima for myself, sisters-in-law and some girlfriends. Am so happy already and just can't wait to get hold of them!

Mineral goodness

Lately I have been reading so much about the goodness of mineral makeup. To defy the sign of aging, I need all the goodness I can find to help retain (and hopefully prolong *grin*) my youth.

In particular the brand Alima from the US.

I found a shop in Singapore that carries Alima products and bought two samples yesterday for myself among others. The two samples are satin matte foundation and luminous shimmer blush in soft rose-pink.

Couldn't contain my excitement, I applied them this morning and I LIKE THEM.

The foundation powder makes my skin feels like it was airbrushed and velvety smooth. The shimmer blush makes me look radiant with a tinge of pinkie glow. At first I was skeptical for it felt strange to apply foundation powder and blush in loose form. I applied them gingerly with my brush and they glided oh-so-easily. The foundation covers my skin well and I didn't feel at all cakey after a few hours. Only a light touch-up was required after lunch.

Convinced, I am going to buy online for the sake of beauty. Hah!

Plant story

I was reading a story from Bob the Builder book to Kieran last night and there was a scene where Farmer Pickles was looking gloomy as Bob approached him.

Below is my conversation with Kieran.

Me: When a person is gloomy, is he happy or sad?
Kieran: Sad
Me: Why is Farmer Pickles sad?
Kieran: Because it rained the whole time
Me: What happens when it rained so much to a farm?
Kieran: The plants cannot grow, they will FAINT
Me: Hahahahahaha

Movie

Raeyen was fine today after his "Merlion" act last night that shocked us.

As hubby felt a little better, we thought of bringing Kieran for a movie in the afternoon until his tummy took a wrong turn again. In the end, I had to take Kieran.

We headed to Tampines Mall.

Since hubby couldn't join us, we decided to catch Shrek 3 instead of Pirates of the Caribbean.

The movie was funny with the usual fairy tale characters and storyline along the good ones versus the villains (such as the stepsisters in Cinderella, Captain Hook). While it's weird to see Snow White in kungfu, the ending is endearing. After the movie, I got him the Shrek ear-band from McDonald's at $2.

Kieran didn't quite understand the movie as he said it wasn't funny when movie-goers laughed at some scenes. I guess he's more to "action" movies for he wanted to watch Fantastic 4: Rise of the Silver Surfer, Transformers and Harry Potter.

Road trip to Terengganu

We returned home exhausted last evening after an exhausted but fun trip to Terengganu.

Friday, 1 June
We set off from home at 5.30am to Komoco for the flag off at 6.30am. After customs, about 30 cars drove to Yong Peng for the famous fishball mee, which we found it tasted OK. We proceeded to Kuantan then Terengganu and checked into our hotel at Awana Kijal at about 5pm. The hotel is not in supreme condition but bearable.


Saturday, 2 June
Started in the morning, we went for our village tour. The first stop was the Sungai Pandan waterfall in Kuantan where we experienced walking on a hanging bridge overlooking the kid-friendly waterfall. Hubby and Kieran went for a dip there and Raeyen joined just before they returned. Then we went to the Turtle Sanctuary for the kids to release baby turtles into the ocean. It was a fantastic experience, never mind about the donation of RM60 per baby turtle. We went to see monkey working on a coconut tree and drank the famous Hai Peng coffee at Chukai. Returned to the hotel in the afternoon and the kids had a fun time in the kiddie pool.

Video of Raeyen by the pool


Sunday, 3 June
Checked out in the morning as we embarked our journey home. While driving towards Yong Peng, the convoy ordered the famous Muar otah. Bought some local foodstuff at the wholesale centre and had sumptuous lunch at the Mexica restaurant. At 6pm we drove towards JB in the rain and caught up in a massive traffic jam as there were 3 accidents! It took us 2 hours odd to get through to the Malaysian customs. After sending my sis home. Raeyen vomitted while hubby had tummy problem.

The trip could have been more fun if the weather was not scorching hot. While we cannot change the weather, it was still good fun zipping around the less-trodden path. The kids got to enjoy a different type of holiday, the adults got to learn how to handle the kids in confined space. I had become a make shift DVD portable player console for the kids during the road trip to kill some boredom. Trying to constraint Raeyen's movement in the car or strapping him in his booster seat which he doesn't fancy. Kieran was no problem at all. My sis was a great help and hubby's stamina to drive and skill in cutting lane in a single-lane 2-way road was admirable.

To me, a holiday is everyone's job to make sure each and every person in the travelling group enjoys the trip and stay happy. Getting angry over trivial matters is not worth the while.

Counting down to our driving holiday!

Hubby and I like driving holiday since pre-marriage days.

We joined Wheels for Fun in those days when it organised with Singtel. We drove to JB and Desaru and enjoyed them very much.

This time WFF is coming again with Komoco (Hyundai car distributor) to Trengganu from 1-3 June, staying at Awana Kijal Resort. I managed to persuade hubby to join as he was not so keen since this will be our first driving holiday with the kids. We roped in my second sis and have since registered.

I am so excited and hubby said we probably need to get a portable DVD player to keep the boys occupied. The boys may even get to release turtles and see fireflies (first time for me too) when there.

I can already imagine myself almost like a hysterical mom being sandwiched between 2 hyperactive boys while hubby drives and sis navigates.

Incidentally, eldest brother and family will also do a similar driving holiday to the same place but with Nissan, for all Nissan car owners next Saturday.

Shall update!

Mom to Angels blogging in Guangzhou

Crazy pre-GSS buys

Since Tuesday there have been a few pre-GSS sale from various department stores - Robinsons, Tangs and Isetan, which I went during lunchtime.

It was chaotic as I was racing against time in 3 days!

Highlights of my purchases:

1. Adidas black polo for hubby
2. Crocs Prima shoes in cotton candy for moi
2. Beverly Feldman Summmer Time clogs in natural for moi
3. Tomy car & cement mixer for the boys
4. Tomy rescue cars/trucks in carry box for Raeyen
5. Remote control sports car for Kieran
6. MAC blusher in well dressed
7. MAC angled brush 266
8. Fox denim coat for Kieran

Phantom of the Opera

Watched the musical on Thursday evening at 8pm with sis, niece and niece's friend at The Esplanade.

Our view was unobstructed and it was grand - the curtains, props and costumes. But I find the lady playing Christine was not so attractive nor appealing. But her voice, WOW!

The sound system was great as we can feel the Phantom presence in different corners of the theatre. The only shortfall is the mild dramatic effect on the fall of the chandelier ... it was almost in slow motion as it fell. It didn't give the WOW impact and we were expecting some sparks after the drop. However, the river scene was amazing... they must have used loads of dry ice to create the "river flow".

Overall a great show, it ended at 10.35pm.

By the time I got home, my boys were already sound asleep.

I'm Tired

Kieran's school work and Raeyen's cries are making me crazy. What am I to do to make them as angelic as possible? Or what have I not done right as a parent?

Kieran gets angry easily, Raeyen wants his way and screams all the time. Kieran is restless, Raeyen is full of energy.

They fight, Kieran doesn't give in, Raeyen throws toy at him. Kieran is possessive, Raeyen is persistent.

They whine, Kieran wants Mommy to do things for him while others can do just fine, even though Mommy may be occupied; Raeyen wants Mommy when Kieran goes near her.

Rushing home from work every day, despite more workload. Worrying about Kieran's academic development and character building, and Raeyen's well-being.

Kieran told me a horrific incident that Siti (helper) brought Raeyen when fetching him from childcare, and he saw Raeyen riding the swing car on the service road.

Siti is ultra-sensitive, little telling sends her tears down. She cried during 2 occasions in less than a month, for reason she refused to tell, only mentioned "I thought I did things wrong" upon probing. We miss Yani (ex-helper). Siti makes me worry more but she's already the third helper since Yani left.

Working day lunchtime is the only time I feel liberated - retail therapy becomes my quick-fix to daily home stress and the stress to achieve a work-life balance.

What's the best option?

Stay at home to mind the boys? I wish BUT impossible!

"Families" reunited

Sunday, 13 May, Mother's Day was a happy day as we finally met up with our good old friends, the Yoong family since last Christmas.

Kieran was excited that he's going to see Megan and Megan had a sleepless night due to our "reunion". Life has been hectic for Megan's mommy and her daddy was recuperating. We decided to meet at Ikea Tampines for various reasons:

1. The Yoongs have not been there
2. It's kids-friendly, Kieran & Megan could have 1-hour free play
3. The parents could catch up

Megan has grown taller and the 2 kids were just happy to meet each other again. When their queue numbers were called, they gave their brightest smile! I told Kieran to take care of Megan since it's her first visit.

The adults + Raeyen went to the cafe for late lunch.

When an hour was up, the kids were picked up. Megan said Kieran did look after her and both enjoyed each other's company. Megan asked if Kieran could go to her place for cycling. We promised to visit the weekend after.

I could still remember fondly the time when Kieran was 4 and 6 months old, sitting on Megan when she was in her mommy's tummy! We were celebrating Christmas and Valentine's Day then, before Megan was born in March.

Parents day out

Hubby and I went pak-tor today.

We had breakfast at a local kopitiam after sending Kieran to kindy. Headed home for some reading then headed to Vivocity. Shopped around, watched "Wild Hogs" - a hilarious, laugh-till-you-drop movie about 4 middle-aged men aka uncles on a roadtrip. The GV cinema has good seats and view is great!

We also had lunch at Tung Lok Signatures but were irritated by the over-zealous server who either stood too close to our table or fidgeted too much with our utensils, etc.... arghh!

Hopped into Tangs' ladies footwear but my fav pair of Beverly Feldman's natural multi rhinestone thong in size 37 was sold out and no reorder was possible. It was a letdown coz hubby wanted to buy for me as my Mother's Day gift.

Then hubby left for another appointment and I went to Mt E to visit Ivy as she delivered a chubby "piglet" yesterday.

Being a persistent shopper that I am, I went to Tang + Co at Taka to try my luck and was elated that they just reordered ever since its sell-out last Christmas! I'm happy as a bird! Muaaak, hubby dearest!

Flew to Mt E, went into Ivy's room and we chatted about her birth story. Her hubby and 2 boys wheeled baby Zayden in and ooh, he made my knees weak with his chubbiness (is there such a word?) at a whopping 3.895kg. Frankly, I am used to big babies and they are easier to handle. Ivy encouraged me to carry him though he was sound asleep. I couldn't help it coz I really love to cradle babies! We snapped some photos, chatted some more, more visitors came and I decided to go home to my boys.

We will visit Ivy and family with our boys one of the weekends.

Babies... they just make you go ga-ga!

Spidey Sunday

As promised, we took Kieran to catch Spiderman 3 after his Yamaha lesson.

It was his second movie after Cars as we were not sure if he would be ready. We got him a booster seat at Shaw Bugis Junction and caught the preview to Fantastic 4. He was well-behaved though he asked a few questions in between the movie, like "what's that?" when the fugitive evolved into the Sandman. We were glad that he could sit through the whole movie and we promised to bring him to more movies in future. Boy, was he happy!

Labour day out

Hubby thought it was a good idea to bring the kids for some sun after cooping up at home and lately the weather was all grey and duhh....

So, we drove to Bottle Tree Park, which I had practically no idea what to expect hence didn't even bother to bring a camera or viewcam.

I navigated while hubby drove and it was a breeze getting there via SLE, it's near Safra Yishun and next to AVA. While we were parking, we spotted 4 bottle trees, which was imported from Australia. The park is very big and many people were fishing and kids were doing "longkang" fishing, which I felt was a little cruel and unhygienic as people stood inside the shallow "pond" fishing! There is also a restaurant and playground.

Mommy trap

Read another article by Frances Ong in today's Today, page 28 titled "Let's Not Take Our Laptops To Bed".

I could see me in her article, occasionally bringing work home and working at night. Sometimes feeling "imbalanced" between work and family. The demands to perform well as an employee and mother. During my last performance appraisal, my boss asked if I would like to do "more" on marketing than communications (the former has a better prospect in our company = promotion opportunity = more travelling and longer working hours). I considered his proposal and chose to stay put for obvious reasons - Kieran is going into formal schooling soon and Raeyen is still in his toddlerhood.

The devil in me selfishly thought that I wouldn't choose to have kids if I could turn back the clock. If not for them, I probably would:
1) be a high-flyer, driving my dream car - Lexus RX300, buying whatever I fancy and holidaying in Europe and exotic places such as Maldives at least once a year!
2) still be 46kg with no strechmarks and could flaunt in my pink floral bikini from Tannlines.
3) be better off...

There is of course no turning back! Kieran and Raeyen will always be my angels who bring me laughter and tears, satisfaction and frustration, happiness and sadness, proud moments and embarrassments, etc. Having them complete me as a wife to my hubby for the love we have shared.