She's beautiful and she's my girl

Hubby took this beautiful photo of me and Tessa when we were at the National Museum.

For some reasons, Hubby loves to bring us to the National Museum. I choose to think that it was because it housed some of our very wonderful memories - like our wedding photo shoot.

It was amazing watching our little girl grows up day by day. It was simply gratifying looking at how beautiful, happy, cheerful and lively she is.

闹失踪

对不起，不是失踪了，只是妈妈我最近很忙。每天上课、下课、改作业、会议、报告…… 哪来的时间和闲情写博客。所以各位观众，不好意思，好久没有我们的消息。

我会尽量抽时间上载些照片的。

昨晚，难得和老公抽空一起去看了场演出。

《老九》是实践郭宝崑节的其中一部演出。2005年，《老九》首度改编为音乐剧，但实践这一次是推翻了首版《老九》音乐剧的版本，以全新的创作和阵容重新演绎郭宝崑最通俗易懂的作品之一。

老九，家中排行第九的独子。被家人寄以厚望的他，有机会问鼎一项极具声望的奖学金。就在即将迈向光辉前途的重要关头，他犹豫了。原来他想继续学习自己热爱而又濒临失传的传统木偶表演艺术。究竟老九会追求自己的理想，还是步上领取奖学金的光明大道？游走于理想与现实、传统与现代之间，他该作何抉择？

这部剧让我有共鸣。我曾经也背负着家人寄以厚望重重的担子，压在双肩的重担让我变得胆小、没有主见。现为人母，我才发觉到原来父母是无意让孩子背上承重的负担的。但是爱往往让人变得盲目、让你在有意无意间为孩子铺路，不管那是否是孩子所选择要走的路。

时时得警惕自己：不要因为爱、因为寄以厚望，而抹杀了孩子心里的老九。让孩子有足够的空间、勇气和决心去追逐梦想、实现愿望。让孩子有作选择的自由！

Learning the art of persuasion, negotiation and coercion

Every morning, Dylan will kick up a fuss when Granny wants to clean him up and dress him for school.

He simply hates to be sponge-bathed. You will find him and Granny engaging in a tug of war or worse a cat and mouse chase around the house.

This morning was no exception. He refused to be cleaned and was screaming and crying on top of his voice. To pacify him, I gave him a candy and he in turn agreed to be cleaned up for school.

Just before we are all dressed and ready to head out of the door, he pointed to my bag (where I kept my box of candies) and said, "Mommy, another candy then no more, OK?"

The Rock School

Thanks to Siao Mommy, Mommy and I had a great rock-climbing session today!

It was Mommy's birthday present actually, but I get to enjoy the privilege with Mommy =)!

Little Dylan also wants to try his hands on the rocks

Tessa: I want to reach to the blue caterpillar!

Mommy reaching all the way to the top!

Mommy had wanted me to do this because she believes it will teach me to focus and develop stronger character. She said that I should learn to persevere and not give up easily. I just would have to hang in there, move on and I will find myself going higher.

Well, but I was scared. I wanted to come down! I cried! I didn't understand that I would not fall if I let go of my hands until much later. I realized that the harness will help to ensure that I will get to the ground safely.

It was a tough sports - I still prefer scootering, cycling and the playground.

In any case, for those who would like to try their hands at rock-climbing, you can check out http://therockschool.sg/. This is a centre specially for kids and the trainers are all so friendly! They gave Dylan and me lollipop and chocolates.

Scuba diving!

Dylan's class did something very interesting today at Shichida.

They were given goggles to put on to pretend going scuba diving (though the wrong kind of mask).

The little boy did not dare to open his eyes after I put on his goggles. He was hilarious. But we had fun going round the room to touch and look at the various paper sea creatures teacher put up on the walls.

Camping

Daddy has been planning to do "camping" with the kids over the weekend, but did not have the opportunity to do so.

Finally today, they managed to "pitch" a "tent" and camp inside.

The kids had a lot of fun switching off the room lights to get into the mood of camping and used Daddy's iphone as a torch. They played, they read, they laughed.

They hijacked my mattresses and blanket for their tent

Swimming fun!

Dylan really loves swimming.

But unfortunately, he has been having bouts of running nose (sometimes bleeding nose), so he has not been joining Tessa in the pool regularly.

When he gets to go into the pool, you can see his face lit up. The little boy seems to be a natural swimmer.

Happy Birthday Mommy!

Today, we celebrated Mommy's birthday by giving her a SURPRISE!

Daddy bought Mommy a birthday cake and hide it in the refrigerator, out of her sight. On top of that, Daddy bought her a card and got me and Dylan to decorate it! We had so much fun hiding away from Mommy to decorate her card. It was a secret the three of us shared!

Daddy knows that Mommy loves to receive a card. Mommy thinks that greeting cards (traditional ones) are very meaningful and a great momento to keep.

In the evening, after we woke up from our nap, we began our mission to surprise Mommy with the cake and card! Mommy was so touched after she saw our efforts and she cried reading the card. Good job, special agents trio!

At night, Daddy brought the whole family out to dinner at Himawari for japanese buffet. We had so much food that we can hardly walk!

Happy birthday our dear Mommy. We love you!

Will you marry me please, Daddy?

Last night, Tessa asked her dad: Daddy, can you marry me please?
Then they danced and they kissed.

No wonder they said that Daddy and his daughter are lovers in their previous lives.
 
But it is just wonderful how the little girl loves her dad to want to marry him. Of course, she has limited understanding of what it means to be married to someone.
 
Growing up, I have always wanted to marry someone like my dad.
 
One of the reasons why I have always wanted my dad to walk me down the aisle when I got married was because I want to walk with him on my wedding day. It'll be like I am marrying my dad. Finally. =)
 
On the day when Tessa gets married, hopefully, she'll want to walk down the aisle with her dad, who simply adores her unconditionally.

Tessa's first movie experience

Today, Mommy and Daddy brought me to the movie! We are going to watch Madagascar 3!

I want to move it move it. I want to move it move it. Yeah!

This is my first time in the cinema and I am so excited! Unfortunately, Dylan cannot join us because he's too young.

Before the show, we went to grab a bite at Burger King.

That's me enjoying my fries and Coke =)

It is very cold and dark inside the cinema. I was given a booster so that I can see the screen better. Luckily Mommy brought along my cardigan. I was waiting for the characters to appear when Mommy informs me that this is unlike the live shows I see at the shopping malls. I will not get to see Lion, Zebra, Hippo and all in person. How disappointing.

Wondering where are all the Madagascar characters

The movie was very entertaining. I quite enjoy it. I am going back to school to tell my friends all about it!

Bout of Fever

I was on leave most of last week. Initially, I had plans for lunches with friends to catch up on long loss time and updates. Who knows Dylan was down with fever, for almost the entire week.

It all started last Sunday night. He was warm and lethargic. Then the fever came on and off, with it sometimes hitting a high of 39.8.

The poor boy's face was perpetually red from the fever. He was lethargic and refused to eat or even drink his milk at times. We were all worried that it is HFMD. But Dr Chong ruled that out. She warned of dengue if the fever persists.

In the end, I stayed home to look after him. He was cranky, always crying to be carried. Mom, Dad and I have to take turns to carry him to soothe him. He even refused his favourite ice-cream.

Fortunately, the fever finally came down by Friday, and he was back in school yesterday.

Ahoy!

We went to Port of the Lost Wonder today. Without Dylan.

Didi woke up still feverish, so Mommy and I had to go without him.

Mommy and I left home for school quite early in the morning. Mommy said that we are all going to travel to Sentosa on a big bus! Oh boy, so exciting!

Mommy sent me to the school and she was told to wait for me at Level 2.


The toddlers - Dylan would have been in this group if he could join us



The N2s!




Alistair and me!




On the bus - how do you like my silly face?



The pirate ship!

When we finally got inside Port of the Lost Wonder, I can't wait to change into my swimming costume and jump into the water! It's so fun!
 

That's me in the water play area even though it's actually time for sand play. Hahahaha!







The skies turned dark and grey :(



All of a sudden, the skies turned grey and the staff made an announcement that there has been lightning warning and so they have to close off the water play area. Relunctantly, all of us got out of the water play area, showered and headed for lunch.



Enjoying my cookie



After lunch, it was storytelling time! We went into this room where two young girls told us the story of the seahorse and the sea cucumber. The seahorse and sea cucumber are best friends and one day, they are separated from each other by a storm. The seahorse then set off on a journey to find his best friend, the sea cucumber and to take him home. We listened and followed the actions. It was quite fun!

Fortunately for all of us, the sun was shining brightly after the storytelling session! Most of us have permission from our Mommies and Daddies to put our swim suits back on and head to the water play area once again! Yippee!!!



I love this water play area!



Teacher Azura and Chen Lao Shi joined us in the water play!



I had so much fun playing with my friends and teachers

They are all waiting for the big bucket full of water to splash down on them!



Miss Ann carried me down the slide, it's a little scary!



Family Day to Sentosa

Tessa is all excited about going to Sentosa next Tuesday. It will be Dylan's first school excursion.

We will be going to Port of Lost Wonder at Sentosa. This is a new attraction and also the first kid's club by the beach (Palawan Beach). The kids will get to play with water and sand, we can picnic there too! Seems like lots of fun!

Ahoy! Here we come, the big pirates and little pirates!

Little Lady Killer

Look, Daddy! I think your son surpasses you in this area!

Little Artist at Work