“Kids spell love T-I-M-E.”

“Kids spell love T-I-M-E.”
- John Crudele

Princess Birthday Party @ Austin Hills

This is the first time that Prince Christian is traveling overseas.

It was a short 3D/2N trip to Austin Hill Golf Resorts with 8 long-time family friends. The rooms were really huge, with space for 2 king-sized beds, and space for a tennis game.

Most of the time, the door interconnecting the 2 rooms was left unlocked, and Princess had a great time running from this room to the next, and then back again.

Time went by slowly in Austin Hill, so or it felt.

There was time for late morning breakfast, slow swims, relaxing Jacuzzi, hot sauna, detoxifying steam-room. And when we craved for some city activity, we headed to Jusco for late afternoon shopping.

Princess also had a go at a game of bowling, and a dip in the Jacuzzi.

~ The two darlings at breakfast ~

~ God-Ma Elita with Prince Christian ~

~ The 3 birthday pals, Chelsea on Jo’s lap, and Mervin ~

~ Group photo ~

PS:

Though not as exciting as perhaps Genting Highlands or Sunway Lagoon, still considered a great place for some recharging, reenergizing, and reconnecting with family and friends.

Virtual trip to Antarctica @ Snow City

Auntie Heather from the local home-schooling group, organized for 64 adults and children combined to embark on a virtual trip to Antarctica.

A talk was given by Auntie Victoria [who would be going to the North Pole next week] and we were all very engrossed in her tales of her adventures on her trips to Antarctica.

After the talk, the kids including Princess had fun playing with the snow.

~ Fooling around during the talk, with a M&M in her mouth ~

~ Can you spy Malcolm and Anselm in the background? ~

~ Squeezing in for a picture with Auntie Annabella and family ~

~ Candid pose of the kids ~

PS:

Princess was really disappointed that the flag she designed with Daddy Tiong the night before did not get selected by the judges for any prize.

She cried. And Mummy Eliz really found it hard to teach her that the process is often more important than the end results.

Princess 1st Hair-Cut @ Junior League

Courtesy of The Forum Shopping Centre, Princess had her first hair cut [more of a trim of the dead ends] at Junior League.

~ With a super cheeky smile ~

~ Enjoying the Strawberry Shortcake cartoon being played ~

Visit to Gift of Love Home

This afternoon, went along with with Catholic Mums to the Gift of Love Home, an old folks home with some over 30 residents.

We brought along some donations, and foodstuff.

Meant it as a trip to educate Princess about some of the less unfortunate in our society, and how we should always try to help.

In the end, the kids were more engrossed in swinging on the back porch swing than anything else.

Specially for Tiong - Glue of our family

A Father's Day Poem
- Author Unknown

God took the strength of a mountain,

The majesty of a tree,

The warmth of a summer sun,

The calm of a quiet sea,

The generous soul of nature,

The comforting arm of night,

The wisdom of the ages,

The power of the eagle's flight,

The joy of a morning in spring,

The faith of a mustard seed,

The patience of eternity,

The depth of a family need,

Then God combined these qualities,

When there was nothing more to add,

He knew His masterpiece was complete,

And so, He called it...

Dad

Have a Blessed Father's Day!

Mummy's confessions

I know I have limited capabilities as a Mom. I’m very far from perfect. I have flaws and I make mistakes, lots of them.

But I’ve chosen to invest my time and energy NOW and forgo certain other opportunities for the sake of raising my kids fulltime.

Yes, there’s no guarantee that - even after all that we’ve done for them now – that they will never go astray.

But one thing is for sure, I personally do NOT want to look back later on with regret (for not giving my best in bringing them up NOW).

Ten to fifteen years from now I’d like to be able to say,

“I’ve done as best as I can when I had the time and now I’m leaving my all grown-up children in God’s hands. May God’s grace and mercy be upon them always, keeping them in the right path, making full use of their lives so that they can be a blessing to others.”

There’s only so much that I can do for my children, and I’d like to learn to do my best each day, while there’s still time, and while I still can.

May God give us parents the strength and wisdom we all need.

[It takes many years for us to plant positive foundations in our kids, and just a few minutes and hours of bad peers and influences to destroy or ‘undo’ them one by one]

Kung Fu Panda Movie Event @ Suntec

Once again, we attended a movie event organized by Berriworks.

As Princess Chelsea’s Birthday was just a day ago, the organizers also kindly celebrated her birthday together with some others kids whose birthday falls in June.

Not purely a movie filled with laughter-provoking scenes evenly spread out in the show, Mummy Eliz can sense the movie-producers’ effort in trying to convey messages to the kids, parents and educators.

Synopsis

Po the Panda dreams of being a martial-arts master but is, in reality, a fat, lazy, black-and-white slob. But when his town is threatened by villainous snow leopard, Tai Lung, a group of real kung fu experts need to transform Po into the legendary "Dragon Warrior" who is destined to save the day.

Set in the legendary world of ancient China, this is the story of Po, our unlikely hero, who enters the rigid world of kungfu and turns it upside down. Po ultimately becomes a hero by learning that if he believes in himself, he can do anything.

[Message to kids:

"Before you can achieve anything, start off by believing in yourself. The secret is that there is no “Dragon Scroll” that would magically help you achieves your aim. The secret is the belief that you could do it, and then persisting throughout."]

Well, Tai Lung was not a bad kid to start, in fact, he was Shi-Fu’s adopted son, and dearly loved. Sadly, his ambitions were fueled on blindly by Shi-Fu, and when he was not chosen by Turtle Master to be the Dragon Warrior, he turned aggressive, vindictive, and revengeful.

[Message to parents and educators:

"In educating our kids the academic facts, did we also remember to show the child how to graciously accept defect, how to be proud of playing a supporting role, how to be part of a team, how to work for a greater good than one’s selfish gains?

This cannot be taught via books alone, the child need to experience disappointment, sadness etc in appropriate doses before one can learn how to properly deal with it. If the child is to be shielded all his life, would there be a day that he turns into Tai Lung?

This is certainly tough, because even as parents and educators, we might still be learning and trying hard to apply it."]

Master Turtle’s final words before he passes on:

[Message to everybody]

“The past is history,
The future is mystery,
The time now is a gift,
That is why it is called the Present”

~ Princess smiling happily as she ate the sweets in her birthday gift ~

~ Enjoying the performance by ToyBox ~

~ The Kung Fu kids ~

~ My Kung Fu boy ~

An unusual birthday celebration @ Mandai

Princess Chelsea’s Birthday is 2 days away from Grandpa Andrew’s 12th Death Anniversary, thus we decided to take the opportunity to visit Grandpa at Mandai, and at the same time, celebrate her birthday.

Together with Uncle John and Grandma Agatha, we had a most unusual birthday celebration.

Grandpa Andrew is very much missed, and if he is still around, he would definitely be so proud of his two grandkids.

~ Princess taking her first picture with Grandpa ~

~ Together with Daddy Tiong ~

~ “Happy Birthday to Chelsea, & we miss you Grand-Daddy”
– Sung to the tune of Happy Birthday to you ~

All things happen for a reason

A little while ago, we inherited a Little Tikes table from Uncle Varun from the Singapore Free-Cycle Group.

It was a lovely table, occupying an area in the kitchen. It is such a waste that Princess Chelsea used it only for her art & craft activities, Daddy Tiong always lament.

Auntie So Mei passed us an electronic piano on the day of Princess Chelsea’s Birthday Celebration at Auntie Fiona’s place. Imagine our delight when it fitted nicely and smugly on our Little Tikes Table!

Well, all things happen for a reason, and in this case, we witnessed it happening for the best reasons.

~ Prince Christian enjoying playing on the piano ~

~ Watch him in action with both hands ~

My Intense Boy

Ladies out there, looking for an intense lover, who would love you with all his heart?

Prince Christian would be a great choice.

Mummy Eliz still remembered clearly how he used to cry himself literally BLACK when he was still a newborn.

Well naturally, if he hates you, the bet is that he would hate forcefully too.

~ "Will you love me?" ~

Chelsea’s BDay Party @ Deerland & Fiona’s

Princess was feeling so excited in the morning, she kept repeating that the day of her birthday celebrations was finally here.

Her birthday celebration in Deerland Montessori coincides with the last day of school, thus many of her school friends were away on holiday.

Lesson had to be conducted thus we returned ard 1145pm. Princess had a great time, and was pleased to hand out the party packs.

Then off we rushed to Fiona’s place where our usual playgroup friends were waiting. We had a little poolside party, and manage to cut the cake before the rain started.

~ While waiting for the cake to be ready ~

~ Princess enjoying the ‘Happy Birthday’ song sung to her ~

~ Making a Princess Wish ~

~ Family Pic ~

~ With our usual playgroup frenz @ Fiona’s Condo ~

PS:

Thank you all for accepting the invitation to the party.

And special thanks to Auntie Fiona for allowing us to have the celebration at your place.

“Your kids need you more than gifts.”

“Your children need your presence more than your presents.”

- Jesse Jackson

Presents brighten up a child’s face for a while, they soon outgrow them.

It is true with Princess Chelsea. She seemed to get weary with her toys after a while, but never seemed to get tired of playing with her Daddy and Mummy everyday. They are the best of pals.

Childhood years pass ever so quickly, yet the rewards of parenting will last a lifetime. That is why Mummy is still contentedly being a SAHM.

Singapore Flyer Nite-Time Experience

Aunt Anne dotes on the two darlings so much, generously sponsoring us to experience the Singapore Flyer.

The pictures taken were not able to capture the great ambience inside.

With the ever-changing lights, and blue glow, all of us seemed to have entered a special zone, where time stood still.

The experience was better than expected, as at the venue, there was also a Yakult Rainforest Discovery Trail, and many eating and shopping places.

~ Princess presenting Daddy w/ a romantic kiss b4 boarding ~

~ Princess posing for a picture on the flyer ~

~ Lots of fooling around ~

~ Family picture ~

~ Daddy w/ his lover ~

~ Prince laughing excitedly ~

Princess says "I love you, brother"

Princess Chelsea will say "I love you, brother" to Prince Christian every night before he sleeps. And she certainly does try her best to be a great sister.

Witness her in action!

~ “Di-Di, let Jie-Jie show you how to drive” ~

~ “See, you did it~ Hurray!” ~

Science Ctr trip w/ dear Audrey

Princess Chelsea simply adores Audrey, a very nice young lady we befriended at Globe-Trotters Restaurant. Audrey was a play-assistant there, and Chelsea loved having her for company.

Thus Princess Chelsea was thrilled when she knew that she was going on a Science Ctr trip with Audrey and her friend.

We asked along Tong Wei and Auntie June as there was a set of extra tickets, and was glad Tong Wei had fun too.

~ Princess watching the rodents show w/ Tong Wei ~

~ The very cute view of their little backs ~

~ Princess having great fun with Audrey ~

~ “Chelsea Jie-Jie, please do not spray water on me!” exclaims poor Christian ~

~ Presenting Ms Universe Contestant, Chelsea ~

~ The sister-brother pair having lots of watery fun ~

~ Prince Christian showing it all ~

~ Posing for a final picture with Tong Wei before heading home ~

PS:

Thank you Audrey once again, for the tickets and the joy you brought to Chelsea.

Dora’s Pirate Adventure LIVE! @ Expo

Princess Chelsea enjoyed the Dora show really much, so much so that she kept talking about it even days after it ended.

As for our dear Prince Christian, he also had fun, but a different kind, his eyes kept looking at the flashing disco lights that light up the place.

This certainly is a memorable experience for all of us. Thank you all, for voting once again!

~ Princess Chelsea eagerly waiting for the show to start ~

~ Daddy with his two most precious darlings ~

~ Dancing near the front stage towards the end of the show ~

PS:

At the Meet & Greet Session after the show, Princess Chelsea was a little afraid of the real-live Dora, she kept saying the Dora smiled too much.

Pizza-Making Experience @ Globe-Trotters

Princess Chelsea had a short play-date with her playgroup friends for a Pizza-Making Experience @ Globe-Trotters, United Square.

The ‘decoration’ of the pizza took only 3 minutes at most, and as one could see, Princess Chelsea certainly enjoyed the experience.

~ Princess ‘decorating’ her pizza ~

~ Proudly showing off her decorated pizza ~

PS:

Thank you, Auntie Fiona for initiating this activity and also sending us the digital pictures.