So I Attended A MacDonald's Party - for Mother's Day

The teachers from the Nursery level were thoughtful to organise a bonding session for the children and their mummies in view of Mother's Day - complete with a cake surprise at the finale. Kudos for the effort! And I now know why MacDonald's a popular choice for kiddie parties - they have a winning formula. When I was a kid, MacDonald's birthday parties were like A Big Deal. Sadly, I have never attended one before, I guess it's not too late now!
From allocating designated personnels to handle our orders, to handing out Happy Meal toys and balloons to the kids - happy kids do make happy parents. You know, anything goes to ease our mealtimes with our little ones - with the exception of "i-gadgets" for this mommy. I'm sure you have done little tricks like, "Can I have the blue spoon because di-di wants one too?" or "Do you mind me buying just an extra biscuit cone because they are bound to argue if there's only one?". So I know there is virtue in sharing, but kids at this age haven't really perfected that one, not even for me till I could claim double digit for my age.
Therefore restaurants that go out of their way to make their little customers happy, win the parents' heart. Enough said. 
[It is also important to eat at food centres and coffeeshops, and not always in restaurants, but that will be another post to be taken up (if I get to it).]

Happy smiles all round!

Kodak Moments Once More

The hubby has decided to take up his old-new hobby again, and I couldn't be more happy about it. While he polishes his skill back to prime condition, I will continue to work with editing programmes with pictures shot from my Samsung Note 3 and Canon S90, being the less talented other half - but that doesn't stop me from being shutter happy.

Jovan has a thing for this Mickey Mouse ride.

But my favourite has got to be this

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Tada!

Hello great pictures! You are finally back with Momma!

What Would I Do Without You?: Daddy Hubby Hero

Okay, the title sounds a little heavy here but I've finally found time to put this down in words. 
Read an article (click to read) on a list of 19 things that a father does in this modern day and my own interpretation of that is, "What would I do without you?". You basically complete the whole list and more, single-handedly.
Of the top things that I love about you (next to accepting me for who I am, the whole deal), I love that you always put your family first. You plan ahead, you progress, all that in the name of love for the family.
You are always there.  I never have to make a big decision by myself because you aren't around. You know what's happening in the kids' lives; their latest words, current muses. You don't miss out.
Thank you for being always around. I can't do motherhood, or parenting without my best friend and partner. Happy Father's Day to you today, on tough days, even on days when you least feel like a hero,  cos' you ARE THE HERO, even when I don't say that enough.

 Of course we all adore you!

This is our latest family photo, taken last December (and we are looking everywhere but the camera). We need a take a new picture!

 

Walking with Style

Let's say that I'm not big on brand names when it comes to getting shoes for the kiddos, but I find it hard to even get a decent pair at most retail shops, with good soles and doesn't compromise on the style factor. A most basic pair would cost me close to $40. So when I hear of a warehouse sale for Pediped (thanks to my sis) that's close to my place, I wasted no time!

Kok Fah Technology Farm

Last weekend, we brought the boys to Kok Fah Technology Farm for some exposure to the modernised farm in Singapore. It's no longer the kind of kampung life we used to have but it's better than nothing. Actually, the level of cleanliness suits this anal mom better. It helps that the hubby drives and we can have access to these places, and they are just about 5km away from home - no excuse to say it's far.
The boys enjoyed their time there. It's a different kind of fun and I'd like to make it a monthly affair if possible. 

 Mama goat feeding Papa goat. Sweet.

 These cute puppies are for sale.

 And Jovan is not afraid to get up close to touch them.

Jaeden so not wanting to take picture, so he simply stood in the shot. -_-

I love how idyllic this place feels. 

   蓝天白云

Paradise in the western part of Singapore. 

Back At The Bird Park

As much as the sweltering heat is discouraging the hubby and I from pampering the boys with frequent outings, and I mean to non air-conditioned, warm and humid environments; we found ourselves mad enough  to attempt a visit to the Bird Park, with the cousins in tow! And indeed, it was a hot and sunny day even as we set out bright and early. 
Parenthood does train us to do things that we weren't willing to, for the sake of the kids. You wouldn't have caught me out in the sun years ago - I was allergic to sunlight. Ah ha.
Anyhow, the kids enjoyed themselves. Though I would always remind myself not to get into such physically exhausting endeavours with the kiddos at the end of every such trip, amnesia would follow soon after upon seeing the joy on their faces post excursion. 

Had to blast the exposure of this photo since it wasn't taken with flash.

The younger cousins do look alike with their sulken expressions as they share the same fate of being trapped in the stroller. 

  

Love this picture of the Tan cousins. I hope you guys grow up being close to one another. And Aarilyn will either be the dainty or feisty princess, the only flower among the ahem, thorns.

Ending off with my favorite picture of the moment. Ssshh, don't let Aarilyn know this is hers!

Animal Rides

  The Chinese say a woman's money is the easiest to earn. Not true. I think a parent's money is the easiest to earn. Because most parents are so busy working through the week, when it comes to the weekend, we try to indulge our kiddos a little here and there (speaking for myself mostly). On weekends that are pretty packed; where we have no room for a big outing to the zoo or park, the quickest gratification for the kiddos are these kiddy rides, and my boys are SO into it. Priced at $10 for 3 5-minute rides, they don't come cheap. But it makes my boys happy. So yes, $10 down each time we visit the shopping mall for a meal or grocery stop.