More Scrapz

The rest of our vacation photos. Done in 12x12 layout. Using Webster's Pages Seaside Retreat. The papers are gorgeous. Couldn't wait to use them so I saved up some photos from Langkawi just for this.

June Scraps

I spent most of June doing an 8X8 size album with our Langkawi photos from April. I used up October Afternoon's 8x8 papers of their latest collections, Thrift Shop and Fly a Kite. I didn't upload everything here though. Too many pages. Just some of my favourites.

Happy Daddy's Day

Just a post of appreciation to all the important men in my life.

To hubbie, who has been a good father to our 2 boys. Even though he's tired after work, he still spends some time with the kids. He lets Bryan especially play with his phone/computer and sometimes lets them watch their own programmes on tv in our room. He makes it a point to try his best to be there for Bryan's school activities. And loves to hear about Bryan's day. He lets Bryan choose what to do on a Sat morning, usually swimming. Even though he'd rather be sleeping in.

To my dad, who has introduced the world of nature and outdoors to me. He's made it a point to show that life is not just about studying or working. But we always have to stop and smell the roses. And enjoy the fresh air and the beautiful world that God made.

To my father -in-law, who has been very accepting of me into the family. He is a good and wise man. He also loves his grandchildren a lot and it shows when he plays with them and spends time with them.

I wish them all a long, happy and blessed life. I will always cherish our times together.

Birthday Parties

Bryan had his 5th birthday party over the weekend. His actual day falls on a Friday so we held it a few days early. I had invited a few of his classmates and their families to the club for a pool party. It was a lovely sunny late afternoon and the kids really had a lot of fun. Especially going up and down the small slide at the wading pool. The big pool had a big shallow area where the kids could actually stand up on and play. Gabriel was a little left out that day and he didn't have the chance to go swimming. But it's Bryan's big day and he definitely had a great time.

I have to say that the club did a great job with the catering. The food was pretty good and they used good quality plastic plates/cups instead of the paper ones. There was a function manager and he was very helpful. Everything went fairly smoothly and I think everyone enjoyed themselves.

Hmm... I might actually do this again next year. Saves me a lot of trouble and the kids just entertain themselves in the pool.

(Photos to follow. I'm just too exhausted over the weekend to put it up.)

Children's Garden

One morning, I brought the kids to the Jacob Ballas Gardens. We met up with a friend and her two girls there. And explored the Gardens. It was quite an adventure. We went round the place, and went through the maze, went up to the top of the treehouse and slides. Then there was the small river, waterfall, suspension bridge, cave. It was a super hot day and we were all so sweaty after that. Bryan had a great time. He even had ice cream. And Gabriel just went along for the ride. But it was fun and even more so with friends. We need another playdate like that sometime.

Cooking!

Bryan went for a cooking class. It was just a one off thing. But it's something interesting for him to do during the school holidays. It was at the church at his kindergarten. And he met up with a friend there. So it was all the more fun for him.

They made a potato and meat patty. It was all Bryan and the kids. They mashed the potato, mixed everything all up and had the adults do the cooking. Then they ate everything up. Bryan followed the instructions, and let everyone else have a go. He also waited his turn and only ate what was his. So he was very well behaved and I was rather proud of him that day. I would definately want to give that meat and potato thing a try at home.

Milestones

Gabriel is very different from Bryan. He's a little slower to talk and needs prompting. But he learns other things really fast. Like feeding himself. He'll use the spoon and insist on helping himself. He can drink from a bowl/cup but still spills a bit. He loves cleaning up afterwards and will use the face towel to clean himself.

He'll scribble with a pencil. Throw a ball, roll a ball, run and climb. He can sit on his 'car' and push himself a tiny bit.

Gabriel might be starting his terrible twos. He has good days and sometimes, he'll be a bit irritated and whine a bit more. I've had him yell and scream because he didnt' get what he want. But on the whole he's quite a good boy. And easy to calm down if he's upset. He's a little shy and a bit more sticky with me compared to Bryan. And he's rather quiet usually, not as talkative.

So on the whole, a rather different boy. But just as sweet as his brother.

Starting a New Chapter

So I received a letter from ICA to re-register for a new IC. Just another reminder that it's my big three-oh. Do I feel any different? Not really. It's just another birthday. Although, I see fine lines and I feel my skin becoming drier. Sigh... the beginnings of aging.

The past decade has been very fast paced. From graduating to starting work. From being a houseman to anchoring a clinic. And all the other trials in between. Moving back from Melbourne to Singapore. Studying for my post-grad diploma. Then there is the getting engaged, the wedding preparations, to having a baby. And then two.

So now, I've pretty much ticked off most of my important 'To Do Before 30'. I'm settling into motherhood. Things are quite smooth sailing. I love my hubbie. I love my kids. And I love my job. I also need to work on a new 'To Do' list. I'll be focussing a lot on my kids and making sure they are ok in school. But I wonder if I should have more career goals? Spiritual goals? Hmm...

Weekly Scraps

I still a stash of October Afternoon's old stuff, including the Weathervane line. I used some of them here. Just to highlight some of the Singapore Zoo's babies. I heard there's even a new zebra foal!


This is October Afternoon's Thrift Shop. I wasn't too keen on the line at first. But I'm warming up to it. I like some of the vintagy patterns, especially the music score. Gabriel is wearing a lot of Bryan's hand-me-downs including his shoes. (Which he pronounces - Shooz). It's really cute. This is one of Bryan's more expensive and nicest pair.