Airport Proud

Took the kids to our spanking new Terminal 3 at the Changi Airport today.

The Kindy brought Kieran and his classmates to T3 weeks before it was officially opened and he told me it was a beautiful terminal.

Indeed it was, we parked at basement 3, took one level up and were greeted by a huge foodcourt managed by Kopitiam. Promoters were handing out black balloons to kids about the chic foodcourt.

We took a lift to level 2, there were cascades of ferns on the walls and a moving blade-like mill at the hall. Took some photos and a short videoclip.



We then went to level 4 to the viewing mall but were disappointed that there was only one plane and the view was relatively far. However, we have great view to the restricted immigration area from the top. Shops were nice and easy to find compared to T2.

Before we had a short tea-break at Wang Jiao for kaya-butter toasts, runny eggs and milo, we rode the return Skytrain to T2 to complete the visit.

The spacious T3 was opened on 9 Jan 08 while I returned from Shanghai on 10 Jan morning and so I thought I might have the chance to land on the new terminal but it was good old T2 to my dismay. However, I was glad that North Asia bound flights will depart from T3 and I may be going to HK in March.

I can't wait to experience it and am proud of our airport - it's latest terminal no less.

Our kak-kak

Today, hubby and I took our current helper, Siti back to the agency as our very first helper, Yani is back and we could bring her back to our place.

She was very happy when she saw us at the agency to collect her.

Kieran zoomed out of our home when he knew his kak-kak is back, chatting with our neighbour. They hugged each other, it was sweet.

Yani was exceptionally happy when Raeyen saw her and blurted "kak-kak". We were surprised that he remembers her because when she left, he was only 18 months old. Raeyen was very happy, he kept calling her, asked her to watch his new trick and wanted to cling onto her. We were relieve to see that.

New Year's Day

Had no idea where to go, we took the kids to VivoCity on 1 January 2008.

Had wanted to catch Alvin and the Chipmunks but no good seats were left. Roamed around the mall, kids went to the outdoor playground, they rode on the toy ponies for 10 minutes and then we ate at Carl's Jr for lunch, the boys loved the vanilla milk shake and slurped the whole cup!

After lunch, we chanced upon GV box office and realised tickets for "I Am Legend" were available, Acting on impulse, we bought the tickets since it was near Raeyen's naptime (but he didn't sleep throughout the movie!!!).

The movie was scary and I think I would freak out if I were the last survivor on earth. Unknown or strange virus attack on humans is a scary thought and no one knows what this will bring to our tomorrow. Hence, we should cherish every moment we have and be less petty over small matters.

Raeyen's 1st day of school

Today (at 2 years, 5 months, 3 weeks & 3 days old) is a little milestone for Raeyen as he started school at Kieran's kindy. Hubby and I were excited as we prepared him for his little journey into pre-nursery.

He was as excited as he finally could follow his gor-gor to school, just like a big boy. Happily we went to the car as we drove to the school. He chanted, "Raeyen go school!"

There were many parents like yesterday, Kieran took him to the line where the little ones were and his principal praised him for doing so. We stood far enough to avoid Raeyen from seeing us yet we could still see him. He was nonchalant and looked around the sea of children who dressed like him. He was the same throughout the assembly as the children sang and prayed for a birthday boy, all the children and new students.

After all the children were led to their classrooms, some teachers took care of Raeyen as he went (8am) an hour earlier than most pre-nursery kids. We were relieved that he behaved and was at ease with the staff. He didn't express any separation anxiety after spotting us and even bade us goodbye.

I couldn't stay for long today due to work but hubby did. He waited for him to return by school bus at the foot of our block at about 11.30am. He called me and said Raeyen returned home a cheerful boy. I was very happy to hear that and let's hope he stays the same in the days to come.

What we did this Christmas

We had a busy schedule this season with loads of food:

23 December

Went to hubby's army friend's place for an early Christmas party. We had curry chicken and the kids exchanged gifts. We headed to my brother's place to celebrate Eugene's 15th birthday-cum-Christmas dinner. We him a Borders gift card as we want him to hit the books like the old days.

24 December

Our tradition in spending Christmas Eve with the Yoongs stays. We celebrated at their place, had dinner, cake and gift exchange there. May had ordered food from Sakae Sushi days ago and went down to collect her order at 6pm but was shocked that people with 5pm orders were still there waiting for their food. It was chaotic as the restaurant could not fulfill many advanced orders and made many disappointed and angry. She gave up and packed some from Ajisen. The food was still good and the kids enjoyed their ramen, tempura prawns and company of each other. The parents watched the WIld Hogs DVD while the kids played. We ate our scrumptious triple-layered chocolate logcake from Pine Garden's Cakes and exchanged gifts.

25 December

Went to an old friend's place to celebrate her daughter's 2nd birthday-cum-Christmas party around Katong area. They had a nice spread of buffet and mini cakes from Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf. In the evening, we sent Kieran to the Yoongs for a sleepover.

26 December

It was a working day for us but Kieran's childcare centre was closed hence he stayed with the Yoongs, who welcomed him over with open arms. May brought the kids to the zoo and they had such great time. May even got them animal soft toys - Megan got a polar bear, Kieran's a lion and he even asked May to get one for Raeyen. It was so sweet of him to remember his little brother and Aunty May got our little one a cuddly cheetah. They even took some digital shots during pony rides and a group photo. So sweet and a BIG THANK YOU to May!!!

Photos will be posted soon.

Kieran's Concert

No postings from me lately coz I was in Shanghai last week for work. Returned from on Thursday night, just in time to attend Kieran's concert (child care centre's) on Fri 7 Dec at Biopolis.

When we reached the building "Matrix" we could hear kids' voices everywhere. Kieran was decked in all red leotard. We had no idea how he would look like playing a ladybug.

We were pleasantly surprised that he actually looked very cute with all his friends in a ladybug headgear! They whizzed in and out at the stage depicting the pretty insect. The content of the concert was quite disappointing which I didn't want to dwell. Another letdown was the poor sound system, we could hardly hear the kids and it was so unbecoming from a high-tech building that houses the brainiest in the field of biomedical sciences.

At the end of the concert, we took some photos of him in this cute costume and he took one for us in return, and it was well taken I must say. You could tell how proud we were.

My Birthday

Celebrated my actual birthday by not seeing the kids the whole day because it was my company's dinner and dance and as part of the organising committee didn't help much.

My committee members celebrated with a surprise while we were busy organising for the event in the afternoon at the hotel.

Hubby attended the dinner after work and by the time we got home, the kids were asleep.

We managed to celebrate as a family on Sunday 2 December.

Top management having fun

My company is having its annual dinner & dance this Friday and I am part of the committee organising the event and we themed it "DISCOvering (my company name)". We have also organized an company idol contest for that night and my boss (top guy in this MNC) and some colleagues are performing a skit - a spoof on Mr Bean. Why Bean? Coz he looks like one and he can speak like him too.

They had another round of rehearsal outside the office and we had a good laugh at my boss' spontaneity and guts to pull the goof. He didn't try very hard, he was a natural

That reminds me of the rap video by the top brass of MDA, reported in today's Straits Times, check out their funny video in YouTube (they didn't look like they were having fun):

Weekend do

SATURDAY

After Kieran's gym class, went to Vivocity with Choo for shopping. It was a liberated fun to be out shopping without hubby and Raeyen, though Kieran did whine, "Can we go now?", "Huh, another shop!", "Can we go to the carpark now?", "Can we go home now?"

I was looking for a suitable top or dress for my company dinner & dance coming Friday. The theme is DISCO and I ought to find something "glittering".

After a few hours of shopping and sipping coffee, I managed to buy a LBD from Mphosis. It looks like a singlet top full of sequins from shoulder to under bustline, followed by tiny pleats till the hem. It's simple and functional as I can wear it again.

SUNDAY

Met May & family for the movie - Enchanted at GV Bishan. It's a girl's movie even for me and May - 2 very big girls who still dream about being a princess. It's hilarious - fairy tale entwined with present day - a simple love story.

Then we went to May's place, the kids helped to put up their Christmas tree. May, Megan and I went to buy Teochew porridge as supper before heading home.

In the car, Kieran asked if we could put up our Christmas tree. We promised we would on the following weekend. I think we have not put up our tree for about 3 years already. Hmm, another excuse for shopping - this time, Christmas ornaments!

Toiletries used by my babies

Trying to document what sort of toiletries were used by Kieran and Raeyen when they were babies:

Diapers: Pampers, Huggies Dry Comfort, Mamy Poko

Bath: SebaMed, Johnson & Johnson

Shampoo: SebaMed, L'oreal

Lotion: SebaMed, Avent

Nappy Rash Cream: Desitin, Drapolene, Mustela

Massage: Avent

Cradle Cap: Dentinox

Teething Gel: Dentinox

Aromatherapy: Lavender, Eucalyptus

My Coach

Not really a person as a coach but the leathergoods - Coach.

I have been trying to find a nice purse to replace my 10-year old Louis Vuitton monogram snapped billfold and coin purse.

Until one day on my return from Hong Kong, I stumbled onto the Coach boutique and took fancy on its new Heritage Stripe Collection of pink, blue and green. I couldn't help it but bought the pink purse at about S$400, which is about S$80 cheaper than in Changi Airport.

That purchase made me happy and I am now looking for a tote that is roomy enough to hold my laptop and personal stuff. I am eyeing on the Coach Signature Reversible Tote.

Our weekend

Kieran had a bad bout of diarrhea on Saturday that he had to skip gym class = we didn't get to do much at home other than watching the Transformers DVD.

On Sunday, we met up with May, Yin and Megan at Vivocity for brunch at Pacific Coffee. Yin was on wheelchair this time. Kieran and I will continue to pray for his recovery. Yin told us that he received a call from HDB recently that someone complained about a lady driving his car and parked on a space meant for the handicapped. He explained and the officer said they would investigate.

It happened that May, Megan and I went to buy dinner while May was driving his car, which has the handicap decal on. However it was "Class 1" for handicapped driver. As Yin cannot drive now, the decal (by right) has to be changed to "Class 2" for someone other than the handicapped driver. As we got out from the car after parking on THAT space, a bespectacled man raised his voice at us as he was walking up the car park ram, "Do you know this is meant for the handicapped?" May was dumbfounded at the moment, but I was hotheaded and replied, "Of course we do, we are not some inconsiderate creeps that park at one when there's no handicap label on the car." Little did we expect this guy actually lodged a complaint. All we did was: parked, bought the food and drove back - all in a jiffy. What's his problem? Had he not thought about adding more trouble for Yin and May? I felt terribly bad, if I hadn't responded to that guy, would he complain?

Halloween Fun @ Night Safari

Took the boys to the Night Safari on 27 October. They were thrilled, literally thrilled as eerie creatures were around the park to create the ghostly atmosphere.

We had a great time at the opening show where snakes and other nocturnal animals wowed us with their antics.

After the show, we hopped into the Halloween-themed tram (boy, there were MANY people). The staff warned that it might be scary along the way so we "guarded" the boys as we sandwiched them. True enough, some "Freddie Kruggers", vampires, etc came alive when the tram came to a halt. Raeyen was hugging me tightly like a koala while Kieran was teeny-bit braver. He even screamed at one of them face-to-face.

Before we went home, we saw some more eerie characters wandering the park and took one photo with these 2 girls. Great make-up!

Movie treat

Along with May family, our whole clan went to watch Bee Movie at GV Bishan yesterday - Deepavali holiday.

It was a great animated movie, though the storyline is somewhat simple. It's brilliant of the creators to think of the high-tech way in which bees work in the hives. The kids enjoyed the movie, the company, pop corns and it was Raeyen's 2nd time to a cinema. He liked the movie too but snoozed half-way through.

After the movie, Kieran went to Megan's place while we stayed a little longer at Junction 8. Bought a pirate-themed bedsheet for Kieran at Aussino before heading home.

We brought Raeyen to May's place and had dinner there. The kids enjoyed the time together and Megan even agreed to have a sleepover next time, so sweet.

Busy & Kieran's Concert

I have been busy at work.... after our 2-week Perth holiday, headed to Sydney from 21-26 October, then Hong Kong from 30 Oct to 2 Nov - all for work.

No time to update my blog of what went on, etc.

Hubby, Raeyen and I attended Kieran's concert for the Kindergarten last Sunday 4 November. He danced a Mexican number very well with a girl partner. He was shaking his macaras, decked in all white (hmm... PAP-like) and wearing a straw hat. Very handsome and commanding on stage. I was beaming, not sure about hubby.

Here's a videoclip of Kieran dancing with the girl in pink dress:



By the way, Raeyen will be attending Kieran's kindy next year for pre-nursery. This little tot is already very excited, dorning on Kieran's old uniform and sashayed around the house!

"Whenever you are asked if you can do a job, tell 'em, 'Certainly I can!' Then get busy and find out how to do it'" Theodore Roosevelt (1858-1919)