CNY: 8th Day

Sunday is another busy day, with 3 house visits: Auntie Moi Lre (Mama's colleague), Auntie Doreen and Uncle Leon and Auntie Adele and Uncle Kim Siong. We set off for Auntie Moi Lre's in Paya Leba first. Gwendolyn felt very at home after she arrived...followed all of Auntie Moi Lre's kids to the kids room and played together. As Lyn Lyn brought a toy for Auntie Moi Lre's kids, they opened the toy on the spot and started playing together. See how engrossed she is, even though she still doesn't understand how to play the game!

After staying for around 2 hours, we set off for Bukit Batok, for Auntie Doreen and Uncle Leon's house! Surprised that we're the only ones in the group who went, at least until we leave, we're still the only family! What a disappointment that Maximus Gor Gor refused to play together with Lyn Lyn...maybe they still need to warm up a litle more or get together a little more? But as usual, Lyn Lyn felt very at home, playing with all the available toys, especially the bowling set!

It was rather difficult to get both Maximus and Lyn Lyn to start playing together on the Thomas train set...but at least, it started...but Lyn Lyn kept knocking the tracks over and it seems like Maximus was rather irritated! Oh yeah, Lyn Lyn had her first "Lo Hei" ("捞起" - a Singapore Cantonese tradition during the CNY period) ! She enjoyed the crackers though!

Finally, last stop is Ghim Moh...Frederick Di Di was so excited when Lyn Lyn arrived...both missed each other so much...so funny! They were chasing after each other, pushing each other on the tricycle...offering each other food...they really have this good bonding by playing with each other often! Oh yes, last week, Lyn Lyn developed a new relationship with Auntie Carolyn and has forgotten to take a picture with her. Mama remembered and asked the two new friends to take a picture together! But seems like Lyn Lyn is more interested in her new infatuation in pistacchio nuts than taking the picture!

Highlight of the night: "Lo Hei" and Cake-cutting for Frederick Di Di's grandpa's 70th birthday! It was so funny that Lyn Lyn, as usual, acted as if it's her own birthday again, blowing the candles and cutting the cake...please see the pictures from Frederick Di Di's blog - http://fredericktan.blogspot.com/2007/02/yeyes-birthday-party.html

CNY: 7th Day

Gwendolyn had a busy CNY this year, activities continued into the 2nd weekend: Saturday morning was an second eye checkup, where she did very well in naming all the alphabets on the wall and willing to sit on the optician's chair by herself after some persuasion. The optician took a video/picture of her eyes and checked the measurements and readings from her previous visit 3 months ago. Nothing worsened and she'll only need to be back in a year's time!

Off we went to Uncle Victor and Auntie Ya Ya's house again, this time for Papa's army friends gathering. As Uncle Victor needs the tables for serving food this time, Summer and Lyn Lyn took the opportunity to sit inside the holes/boxes/space, whatever you like to call the hollow empty space under the tables. See how much they're enjoying themselves, just being seated inside the holes! Kidzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Shortly after visiting Uncle Victor @ Bishan, we quickly rushed back to Farrer Road, for Vedant's birthday party. Who's Vedant? Lyn Lyn's best friend at Etonhouse! She seemed to feel very at home and just run around the function room all by herself, grabbing whatever toys she can get hold of. She followed the other kids, just as she'll do so in school, when it's time for food, games, etc...following instructions, with occasional minor hiccups, e.g. she refused to stand together to take a group picture! Other than that, Papa and Mama saw her having fun and a jolly good time! Happy Birthday Vedant! Thanks for the invitation...

Baby Chloe

Friday, Mama picked Gwendolyn from school a little earlier than normal to go and see baby Chloe, the new bundle of joy to Auntie Clare and Uncle Chris, Mama's colleagues! Lyn Lyn was so excited about rocking baby Chloe, but as she doesn't know how to control her strength, Mama was a little worried about her "shaking", instead of "rocking". Initially, baby Chloe was sleeping calmly, as Lyn Lyn stayed, baby Chloe seemed a little irritated and started making some noise, covering her ears, etc. I was so difficult in keeping Lyn Lyn seated and observe the baby...

After the visit, Papa and Mama met at IMM, as Lyn Lyn requested for spaghetti. We all ate at Secret Recipe, even though the food wasn't fantastic, we didn't know where else to go, as it was getting a little late. Right outside Secret Recipe, there is this musical animal ride...Lyn Lyn, from her previous experience, she liked playing, but insisted that she sits behind, even though the other kids sit in front with their parents seated behind. She sat on the animal ride twice: once before dinner with Papa and once after dinner with Mama...

CNY: 3rd Day

Finally, we have visitors today. Not only to celebrate Chinese New Year, but it's Auntie Adele and Mama's birthday celebration. Their birthdays are only a day apart and both of them arranged for a celebration together with some common friends at our place for a BBQ. Whilst the adults were busy with the BBQ, the kids were playing bubbles in the playground! Frederick Di Di and Gwendolyn ate their favourite sausages and as always, Lyn Lyn ate some of Fred's porridge with a cunning grin! Then off they went, playing more bubbles!

Since it's getting rather hot, after the BBQ, the kids went upstairs for a quick shower, whilst the adults clean up and prepare for cake cutting. Lyn Lyn, as everyone knows, loved blowing candles and cutting cakes, insisted that it's her birthday and not Mama's birthday! She blew the candles and insisted on cutting the cake, but never ate any, as she was getting grumpy and wanted to nap! She slept very very late last night after visiting Auntie Suzie! Mama pat her to sleep and the adults started all the mahjong games...

Mama cooked a quick dinner and after that, Lyn Lyn was befriending Auntie Carolyn, whilst ignoring her "best friend" Auntie Tricia...nonetheless, when being asked who's her Best Friend, her politically correct answer always works! ALL ARE MY BEST FRIEND!

CNY: 2nd Day

Today is the 2nd day and we have more things to do: Visit Papa's cousin at Choa Chu Kang, Joel Di Di visiting us at Gwendolyn's home and all of us visiting Joel Di Di's grandparents at Bedok! Dinner was at home, as Mama said it's a very important "Start of the Year" dinner...and after that, we went to Auntie Suzie's house!!!

In the morning, Lyn Lyn was pounding around the snack area next to the TV, with all the Chinese New Year goodies. Her eyes were set on the crackers and nut nut. All morning, she was asking for them and quietly took them and opened by herself! She was so happy after being able to open them by herself!

We set off for Choa Chu Kang at around 10:45am and arrived at Uncle Anthony's place at around 11:10am. Uncle Anthony's daughter loves playing with Gwendolyn, but her younger brother, who's 7 months younger than Lyn Lyn was rather agressive. When Lyn Lyn approached his chair, he went a teary and screamed! He even hit Lyn Lyn and Lyn Lyn just sat down there and grinned...when Uncle Anthony removed the Di Di and took another the chair for him, he kept staring at Lyn Lyn, as if she would snatch away the chair from him anytime! Lyn Lyn couldn't care less, sat on the floor and played with the baby doll, feeding and bathing it. So sweet! Auntie brought some lunch and we all ate there before heading home to wait for Joel Di Di!

Joel Di Di dressed up in all red chinese costumes with a hat on his head. But the hat was very small. Lyn Lyn took away from him and tried it on herself...

Look at how cheeky she is when removing Joel Di Di's hat!

Joel was carried away with the toys in Lyn Lyn's room, especially the kitchen set. He kept "cooking" and "stirring". Bao Bei Gu Gu even thought of buying a kitchen set for him, but it's kind of weird, as he's a boy...hm...

After all the baby play, we all set off for Joel Di Di's grandparent's place! There, both kids were very excited, especially when it's a maisonette, with a staircase! Lyn Lyn kept asking Auntie Karen, Gu Cheung's youngest sister, to bring her up and down the staircase. Poor Karen...

Joel Di Di's grandma has homemade "lo hei" every year, her kids will take turns to help shred the veggies. As it was Gu Cheung's turn, Lyn Lyn observed how he did it and asked to help. At some point, she asked: Gu Cheung, are you making a mess? What an innocent but to-the-point question. Everyone wanted to ask this burning question, but no one dared to really ask! So funny...

On the way home, Lyn Lyn finally fell asleep in the car! She endured for the whole day...had her nap and still remembered she's supposed to go to Auntie Suzie's house when being awaken from her nap...she had a great time playing with all the kids at Auntie Suzie's house! What a fun 2nd day!

CNY: 1st Day

Happy New Year! Gongxi Gongxi...Gwendolyn woke up early in the morning to prepare herself for Chinese New Year. For once, she's willing to wear a dress without much persuasion...why? When she saw the red flower attached on Mama's new clothing, she spotted it and asked for it to be attached to hers. In the end, Mama told her to wear the red dress together with the red flower, so that she'll be pretty pretty...she acknowledged and put on her clothings very quickly!

After talking to Gong Gong and Por Por on the phone, wishing them "Gongxi good health" and "Gongxi pretty pretty", we set off for grandma's house. Lyn Lyn was very enthusiastic about carrying the red bags with her oranges! Also, not forgetting about them wherever she goes!

After reaching grandma's place, we all had lunch and then Papa and me took a nice long nap, as it was raining outside and we don't have anywhere else to go. Before I napped, Mama told me that she'll bring me to play in the playground, but it was raining. So, we went to the playground at IMM again, as this is a covered playground, sheltered from the rain!

After playing there, we went to Mario's Pizza again to have our dinner. It's renovated with new decorations, tables and chairs. But the food is still as nice! Oh yeah, now, they have more pizza type with sausages and even a starter with jumbo sausages! Yum Yum...

CNY: Reunion Lunch

This year, we had reunion lunch...as usual, we had steamboat and bbq at grandma's place! Before the lunch, Gwendolyn had some pictures with Joel Di Di. See how big she is, as compared to him, with only less than 1 year's gap apart.

Look at her cheeky face when touching Joel Di Di's face!

After lunch, Papa and Mama went to Suntec Carrefour to do some shopping to get some food items for the BBQ next Tuesday before we went back to grandma's place for dinner. After dinner, all of us went to the Marina Hong Bao event near the Padang. Obviously, the economy is good and the lanterns and displays are much nicer...see...

Lyn Lyn went round the play area and identified the bouncy castle as one amongst the rest that she wanted to play. Mama exchanged the token for her and off she went. Climbing all over the place, just like herself, a gal born in the year of the monkey! Mama was having trouble chasing after her front and back to take pictures for her.

That was not enough, she requested for a machine ride and because she's ScArEd (nowadays, she's very conscious about things that can / may scare her)...she asked for a ride which Mama can ride with her. We identified the helicopter, which in fact, is rather fast and violent...but as she insisted, might as well let her give it a go. See how things changed from her sitting side by side with Mama, to halfway, Mama has to carry her and keep her calm before the ride stops. In fact, the ride was very very long...good value for money and we're the only ones on the ride! What an irony! After the ride, we went home and that's the last thing we did before receiving the year of the GOLDEN PIG!

Auntie Ya Ya's Birthday Bash

12 February was Auntie Ya Ya's birthday and Uncle Victor organised a BBQ cum buffet dinner at their place on 11 February 2007. Gwendolyn was so excited about birthday parties and she couldn't wait to go! Papa and Mama brought Lyn Lyn for some shopping at Takashimaya to get a new hat before setting off to the party, which starts officially at 6pm, but it wasn't convenient for us to go home before going over afterwards, we went straight from town. But when we arrived, no one was there and Lyn Lyn was kind of upset. She said: where are they? I miss them? Where? Where? Where? No choice, Papa gave them a call and got to know that they've gone out to buy some food. So Papa and Mama brought Lyn Lyn to walk around the condo to take a look! There we are at the playground...Lyn Lyn was so excited to see something for her to play...she ran straight there and get herself onto every single structure!

What is she doing? Gargling with the water she's just drank!

Finally, when the birthday gal is back, we all prepared for the BBQ...Lyn Lyn was really a happy helper, helping herself with the cordial drink, going back and forth and fetching drinks for Papa and Mama too! One thing that she's improved a lot, or maybe she's familiar with this group of aunties and uncles, her social skills have improved so much that she'll just entertain herself by approaching different people to start a conversation with them, whilst Papa and Mama can have a decent carefree meal...it was such a pleasure to have her around, asking her various "WHYs" to all the aunties and uncles, to let Papa and Mama to have a little rest from answering to all her peculiar "WHYs"!

Can't remember how many sausages Lyn Lyn ate this time

Having fun, connecting with all the aunties and uncles

Happy Birthday, Auntie Ya Ya!

Singaporean's favourite past-time

Papa's finally able to cut Gwendolyn's hair this morning! When Mama wake up, she was surprised to see the new hair cut. Though it's not as short as Dora, but short enough to look a little different and neat!


After cutting Lyn Lyn's hair, we set off to the Clementi market to buy food from the wet market to prepare for Chinese New Year, as this is the last weekend before the actual new year! Papa and Mama were not surprised to see queues everywhere, be it cooked food centre or raw food stores...it was very difficult to decide which cooked food stall to buy our breakfast from, as even the least popular stores have a mini-Q tailing up...Lyn Lyn was fast to join in the fun, as Papa Q-ed for our food...

Basketball at Uncle Victor's

This is the first time Gwendolyn wears her new sports shoes to play basketball at Uncle Victor's place, whilst Papa and Mama prepares for tennis playing over there too.

Before arriving at Uncle Victor's place, Papa and Mama brought Lyn Lyn for Bah Kut Teh at Sin Ming. However, Mama doesn't feel that the Bah Kut Teh is so nice, as it's not very tasty. Nonetheless, Lyn Lyn finished half a bowl of rice with pig's trotters.

After arriving at Uncle Victor's place, he dug out some toys for Summer and Lyn Lyn to play, whilst the rest of the adults get ready for some tennis game!

Both Summer and Lyn Lyn were trying their luck with some basketball playing...As both were trying to immitate Auntie Lena in aiming at the basketball net and passing the ball. At times, they'll try to fight for the ball, but can be quickly separated when Mama insisted.

Intensive coaching by Auntie Lena and Uncle Ian

Lyn Lyn: Aim higher!

Some bubble-play after the intense basketball game

The Legends @ Fort Canning

Mama had an offsite meeting on 2 Feb 2007, at The Legends @ Fort Canning Park. She had a fun day there and have asked Papa and Gwendolyn to join her at the nice location for dinner after the meeting. Mama went to pick Lyn Lyn up from school and brought her to the outdoor playground to have some fun! Just see how happy she is...some of the items on the playground are different from her usual playground activities, especially the rope, which is similar to absailing!

Amongst the few restaurants available, we went for the Nasi Lemak buffet, which is being featured as a Friday Theme Dinner. In addition to the 2 buffets ordered by Papa and Mama, Mama ordered the hotdog and fries from the kid's menu for Lyn Lyn. She wasn't very interested with her hotdog and fries, but kept asking for rice from Mama. But the rice was really nice and Lyn Lyn ate all of Mama's share!

Lyn Lyn is learning how to take the food from the buffet table