Family Road Trip: Cameron Highlands & Melaka (20 to 23 June)

This was a long over-due family trip. We had wanted to take this trip to celebrate Tessa's birthday, but as we were concerned about the haze situation then, we had no choice but to postpone the trip.

We finally managed to plan for the trip in time to celebrate Mommy's birthday and Fathers' Day.

We took a long and difficult drive to Cameron Highlands where the weather is very cooling and nice. There, we visited tea plantations and strawberry farms. We had wonderful steamboat dinners and took long leisurely walks around our beautiful hotel's compounds. The Lakehouse is really a beautiful place to stay.

On our way back to Singapore, we stopped over at Melaka where we had our fair share of good food and shopping.

It was really nice that Grandpa agreed to join us on this road trip. It was great spending time and having fun as a family.

KidsFest at the National Museum of Singapore

We are going to the zoo zoo zoo!

The school's Family Day this year took place at the Singapore Zoo.

We had a fun-filled time with teachers, parents and the kiddos.

Happy 6th Birthday to our dearest Tessa!

Our little baby girl turns 6, officially.

Time really flies. It seems like she was 6 months old just not too long ago. Now she's 6 and ready to enter primary school next year!

It has been such a joy having her in our lives.

Happiest birthday to our precious baby girl!

Our movie date - Rio 2

Mommy and Daddy decided to bring Tessa and Dylan to watch Rio 2 the movie. We invited Shihan to join us. The kids had a great time - having breakfast at MacDonalds and watching the movie at AMK Hub.

Tessa's birthday celebration in school

We held Tessa's 6th birthday celebration in school today. It will be the last time that the little girl get to celebrate her birthday with her kindergarten pals.

Mommy granted her wish of having a princess cake which everybody enjoyed thoroughly.

This year, Mommy and Tessa also embarked on a special birthday project. Mommy decided to give away an autograph book each to Tessa's friends so that they have a memento to keep. Tessa took time and effort to write her well wishes for each of her friends in the autograph book that she is going to give to them.

The little girl spent many nights writing and drawing for her friends. We hope her friends will like and appreciate her love and efforts.

Fun Time at the Dragon Playground!

Tooth Fairy's Coming to Visit

Our little princess has a loose lower tooth and we brought her to the dentist. The dentist suggested to extract the tooth. And so our little girl braved through the tooth extraction. Without tears. So proud of her!

The dentist was very nice to have her tooth cleaned and placed inside a tooth-shaped container. The little girl was all ready for the tooth fairy to come visit and take away her tooth.

Mommy's boy

I wonder how much of us Dylan will remember when he grows up.

Will he remember how much he likes to stick to Mommy? How he fought with his dad to hold my hand? How he insist I'm his wife and not his dad's?

Or how much he loves to sleep with his Mama? How we will hug together through storytelling? How he will shower me with big hugs, kisses and 'I love you' before falling asleep? How sometimes he woke up in the middle of night, confused and anxious, until he found his place lying on top of me, hugging me tight, heaving a sigh of relief and whispering "Mama"?

One day, hopefully not so near in the future, my boy will do these no more. But will he remember the love and fondness we share?

Our Family Trip to Taiwan & Hong Kong (15 to 27 December 2013)

15 December 2013 (Sun): We left for our much anticipated family trip of the year! Taipei, here we come!!!

Rainy Taipei doesn't dampen our spirits! We visited the National Palace Museum and Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall.

We took the high speed rail to Taichung! It was so fun!

We arrived in Taichung to visit Lugang and Jiji.

Sun Moon Lake covered in fog was very beautiful and dreamy!

We had so much fun at Cingjing Farm feeding the sheep and riding on little pony.

We left the cold, wet Cingjing for some sunny seaside fun at Kending!

We experienced the sun, sea, sand, wind, rain and cold altogether at Kending!

The magnificent views and lighthouse in Kending!

We are back in Taipei for more fun and.... rain!

Uncle Terence brought us to Jiufen and Shifen as well as to his house for a sumptuous dinner!

Yeah! Baby Boss day for us!!! We became police officers, firefighters, singers, and doctors!

We flew from Taipei to Hong Kong to immerse in the Christmas festive spirits!

Oh happy day! In magical Disneyland!

Family trip to the Dentist

Daddy, Mommy, Tessa and Dylan went to the dentist yesterday to have our teeth checked, cleaned and polished. Daddy and Tessa had their cavities filled up!

Teacher Dylan

"OK everybody, cross your legs and fold your arms!"

"Raise your hand before you speak!"

"Tell me what flag is this? Japan? Very good!"

"What flag is this? Say Jamaica!"

The police birthday cake

Dylan is fascinated with police cars and fire engines. Not sure if he's influenced by his Dad.

He asked for a police car and policeman birthday cake. So we got one custom-made for him.

The policeman and police car black forest cake

The birthday boy very happy with his cake

Jiajia trying to smile

The sweaty boy waiting for the party to start

Princess doesn't really like her party hat

This princess is very pleased with her hat

Happy birthday our dear Dylan-boy

Today, our little boy turns three. He's been looking forward and counting down to this day.

Almost every day for a few months, he'll hold the calendar, flip to August l, point to the 18th and announce that it's his happy birthday.

Now that the day's finally here, he seems a little confused that he can now stop counting down. But he's elated of course, with all the presents and well wishes he received.

It's really meaningful to us that he shares the same birthday as his Dad. Three years ago, he was Daddy's biggest birthday present. This year, we treat Daddy to his favourite Italian hearty meal of pasta and pizza.

I wish the two important boys in my life a wonderfully happy birthday. Stay funny, fun and healthy always!

The birthday boys

Nice view from the restaurant

Daddy loves Italian food!

The princess enjoying her bread.

Hot & yummy bread!

Our starter - calamari

Lobster bisque

Daddy enjoying his soup

Bleah! Our funny faces!

Daddy and Princess Tessa's funny faces

Pizza!

Seafood spagetti

Yeah! Strawberry ice cream as dessert

Grrr.... so cold!

Hugging and watching planes go by

Cheese!

Funny face!

Mommy, look at me!

I'm exercising! Jump! Jump!

Climbing up all by himself

Threeeeeee!

Another funny face for the camera!