Bukit Timah Nature Reserve...Part I

We haven't been for dim sum for quite a while and Papa suggested that we have some dim sum brunch. Mama suggested that we go to China Square Tea House...no particular reason, but only ease of getting a table!



Frederick Di Di was supposed to join Gwendolyn for a swim on Saturday, but Auntie Adele informed Mama that he was kind of feverish. Hence, the adults are still meeting up for dinner, but not early to swim. Papa was asking for activities to bring Lyn Lyn to do and we thought of trying Bukit Timah Nature Reserve for monkeys! Yeah...Lyn Lyn was all excited and we headed to the Nature Reserve. It was kind of quiet, as it was after lunch time. When Mama saw the slope and none of us were in proper trekking attire, Mama suggested that we all go to the Hindhere Park instead of trying out the full trek!

In order to get Lyn Lyn motivated to walk by herself, Mama utilised some of Dora's adventure and linked all the trail to some of the adventures that Dora had! At first glance, Mama told Lyn Lyn that she needs to go over the "Troll Bridge" before she reaches the "Dragon Mountain", in order to find the monkeys! She performed the Dora moves and after completing the tasks, she sang "We Did It" in the Dora way, twisting her waste and singing the song! After that, she was debriefing the adventure and asking for each and everyone's favourite part of the adventure! It's good for her to try and rationalise the relationships amongst different activities that she's done and the trails that she's been on! Very educational indeed!

Apart from the educational bit, we encountered an "obstacle": a BIG lizard along the way...well, not actually along our path, but it was wondering around the "uncompleted park". To be fair to the park management, there was indeed a signboard to tell people that there's the probability of such an encounter, but we noticed that too late. Mama carried Lyn Lyn whilst Papa was trying to capture some pictures of the lizard! Despite the lizard, we saw some butterflies and squirrels and Lyn Lyn was saying: I am scared of the Iguana, but I am not scared of Scooter (in Barney show, the squirrel had the name of "Scooter"!)

At the end of that Hindhede Park was the Hindhede Quarry, which was a very nice place! Even though it's small, but you hardly see such nice scenary in Singapore! Apparently, there's a bigger Singapore Quarry from the Bukit Timah trek side and we didn't go that far!

Anyways, Lyn Lyn was rather disappointed that we didn't have any encounter with the monkeys and we promised her to try again tomorrow! We went into the Exhibition Hall for a while and she loved seeing the 2 preserved tigers in the display!

Joel's Birthday

22 March 2007 was Joel Di Di's 2nd birthday and Mama brought Gwendolyn to buy a small cake to celebrate with him. Lyn Lyn was rather disappointed not to be able to get a Thomas The Train cake, but she ended up getting him a Taz and Bugs Bunny cake instead. As Lyn Lyn needed to get the cake from IMM after school, she arrived at grandma's place a little later than normal. To her surprise, Gu Cheung will be arriving at grandma's place to pick Joel Di Di's up fairly soon. As such, she didn't have enough time to cut the cake with him. In the end, Mama agreed with Gu Cheung that the cake cutting will be postponed to Friday!

As normal, Lyn Lyn was all excited about blowing candles and Mama has for-warned her not to blow out Di Di's candles, as it's Di Di's birthday. What if someone else blew out all her candles during her birthday, how would she feel. She stopped for a while and thought about it and agreed to share with Di Di...In the end, Joel managed to blow out 1 candle!

Lyn Lyn saw Mama feeding Di Di and wanted the same treatment!

Family Fun Day @ Sentosa

Since all of us haven't been for an outing for a very very long time, Bao Bei Gu Gu asked everyone whether all of us are available, so that we can go to Sentosa together (P.S. Bao Bei Gu Gu's birthday 2 days ago and Joel Di Di's birthday in a few days' time)! In the morning, Gwendolyn was making a fuss that she didn't want to put on her beach wear to go to the beach...didn't want this and that...it took a while to persuade her to put on her clothing, just that certain portion of it resembles to Papa and likewise to Mama as well! After much efforts, we managed to go and pick up grandma, Da Gu Gu and maid jie jie. We met Bao Bei Gu Gu, Gu Cheung and Joel Di Di directly at Sentosa and we head straight to the Beach Carpark, where we finally meet up and walked to the Siloso Beach!

Joel Di Di seemed to be over-dressed for the beach...hm...

After quite a long walk, finally we've reached the beach and have found the exact same spot where Lyn Lyn went almost a year ago! We settled down and the Papas started pitching the tent, whilst the Mamas took care of the kids and unpacked the toys to keep them entertained. However, our very "happy helper", Lyn Lyn, based on her previous experience with the tent, wanted to show off her knowledge of the "stick" used in pitching the tent, kept asking for the "stick", so that she can have a "stake" in pitching the tent!

Finally, all done and all of us were sitting around, enjoying breakfast, scenary or the breeze!

As this is Joel Di Di's first time to the beach AND playing with sand, he was extra excited and enthusiastic, whilst Lyn Lyn, showing off her experience with it and kept instructing Di Di this and that...

Joel's posture is a little obscene...but good balancing

Some hands-on moments

Lyn Lyn's aiming at building some sand castles, whilst Joel Di Di was experimenting with splashing, throwing and pouring the sand! Lyn Lyn asked for water to wet the dry sand, so that they can stick together and emerge as an object standing by itself...but after numerous tries, it still failed. Why? She kept pouring water and made the sand too wet...

Since the sand castles are not working out as she's planned them to be, she saw Bao Bei Gu Gu lying comfortably on the hammock and has decided to share in it by sitting on Bao Bei Gu Gu...Ooooooopppps...Lyn Lyn was too heavy and Bao Bei Gu Gu almost fainted...


After playing for a while, Lyn Lyn realised that she hasn't had her lunch. She saw Papa drinking icy cold ribena and asked for her share to enjoy herself, whilst Mama prepared some biscuits for her to snack before she head for some water action!


Whilst Lyn Lyn was enjoying her food, Joel Di Di couldn't afford to disregard any new opportunities to play. He's decided that food is of a secondary concern, as he's discovered a new "playgound", where he could play with water as much as he liked! It was like heaven to him that he can't be bothered about water splashing into his eyes, observing the movement of the popping water streams was more fun and important!


With the previous experience, where Lyn Lyn removed all her clothings when playing at this water fountain area, Mama brought along all the necessary gears for her to have the most fun this time. After her snack, she joined Joel Di Di for some water fun, again, showing off her experience in this arena by jumping and hopping with the water...

Not sure how long they played at this water fountain area, but it should be close to 30 minutes! Both mummies worried that the kids are exposed for too long and may catch cold, we brought them to the shower area to shower the 2 of them (in the open!). Concurrently, Papa was packing away the tent, mats, toys, etc. In order to keep the kids occupied, Mama brought along some bubbles...this is also Joel Di Di's first time playing with bubbles...he didn't want to stop and was amazed by them! Both kids, attracted the kids in the surrounding to join in "chasing" after the bubbles too! Both created a scene at the Siloso Beach before we moved on to Sakae Sushi for some later afternoon snack!

Guess what? Lyn Lyn finished one whole bowl of adult-sized udon again! Not sure why she asked Gu Cheung to feed towards the end of the meal!

Finishing off with a strawberry ice-cream!

So, what's next? All of us were too tired, so we took the shuttle bus for 2 rounds, in both directions, to all 3 beaches! Initially, we were considering watching the muscial fountain show, but the first show will only commence at 7:40pm, and it was only 5:00pm, we thought that it's too long a wait for the kids...in the end, we've decided to take a ride in the new monorail to the Merlion to take some pictures instead!

All kids enjoy holding onto the railings in the monorail

At one of the movable object at the Merlion water steps,

where Joel Di Di was showing his amazement to the structure!

Grand Finale: a family picture at the Merlion

Fly, aeroplane fly!

Since Sunday, Bao Bei Gu Gu has already planned for an outing @ Sentosa, Mama didn't really plan for anything on Saturday. We went to WCP McDonald's with Auntie Adele and Frederick Di Di for a late breakfast. This time, Mama brought along the new styrofoam aeroplane to try it out and Gwendolyn requested to bring her tricylce along!

Frederick Di Di insisted on pushing Lyn Lyn Jie Jie

Even though the plane looks rather fragile, it is made of very stiff styrofoam. According to Mama, it is rather expensive. When Papa first started throwing the plane, it flew high and low, up and down according to the direction of the wind. It was amazing seeing how the plane flies! It even went around the tree and made a u-turn without hitting itself into the tree! As we thought it was a good plane and very durable...after warming up for a while...

Lyn Lyn chasing after the plane, trying to "catch" it

Lyn Lyn Jie Jie showing Frederick Di Di how to play

Throwing by herself...just as we thought she's done it, OooOoo...it fell down

After warming up and as the real stylish plane flying is about to take place, the plane broke up into 2 pieces after a rather gentle crash landing...what an anti-climax! No choice, but all of us have to go home...

Where's Papa & Mama?

Friday, 9 March 2007 was the last day of term before the school holidays start from Monday proper. Gwendolyn had an end of term party and Mama went to pick her up just after her lunch...wondering why? Parents have been kindly asked to bring some food for sharing and Mama prepared Lyn Lyn's favourite buttered sweet corn and cheese with hotdogs! According to Lyn Lyn, she claimed that she's finished all the sweet corn and didn't eat the hotdogs...hm...can anyone verify that please?

Anyways, Mama picked Lyn Lyn from school and went straight to grandma's place. Initially, Lyn Lyn was wondering why, but Mama told her that Papa and Mama are flying away for a few days to shop for her and find a new place to bring her next time. Even though not very convinced, but she was all teary. At first, she didn't really want to let Mama go, but grandma told her that she'll bring both Joel and her to the supermarket and Mama gave Lyn Lyn $1 for the Barney ride...she happily accepted the $1 and held it tight in her hand...with a big hug and a big kiss, she let Mama go...

Papa Mama went to Bangkok with Uncle Victor and Auntie Ya Ya for the weekend and shopped for things for Lyn Lyn...below are just some of them...

Mama and Lyn Lyn has same same slippers now!

My Breakfast Trolley

Gwendolyn had this birthday present from her last birthday, but Papa Mama kept it until now, as around that time, she's just got her new kitchen! Also, there was no space for the trolley and the table (it comes in a set), as her room was packed with big toys! As Papa Mama have recently moved the toys to grandma's place, this trolley set has finally emerged from her "toy store"...she loves preparing breakfast every morning for everyone, asking whether Papa wants to drink tea and Mama wants to drink coffee. She will do all the necessary procedures in offering sugar and milk, and carefully stirring it afterwards! After serving the drinks, she'll ask whether she can serve Papa Mama any bread...she knows how to distinguish from cake to croissant as well!

What's more? She remembers to wash up the "dirty" cups, spoon and plates in her kitchen afterwards!

Plugging

Finally, Papa Mama are removing the Chinese New Year deco and flowers. Gwendolyn has been asked to help with removing the mandarin oranges from the plant, so that Mama can keep them for preservation to make 咸柑吉. Lyn Lyn was so excited in plugging away the fruits and kept asking WHY? Mama told Lyn Lyn that when Mama used to be a child, Gong Gong saw Mama plugging once and was smiling/laughing away whilst plugging. As Mama had this vague memory of the pleasure from plugging it, Mama bought one, so that Lyn Lyn can enjoy the fun as well! Whilst plugging, she kept asking Mama to repeat the story about Gong Gong buying one for Mama to plug!

Did anyone notice that there's no leave on the plant? Not that Lyn Lyn has plugged them, but all have fallen off due to the lack in water and sunlight!

A job well done!

Shopping at Taka

After visiting Uncle Gong Gong and Auntie Rose Por Por, everyone went to Taka to get Gwendolyn a new pair of sandals. Since she complained that her froggy shoes are tight and Papa Mama find that her toes are sticking out from the Kitty shoes...Lyn Lyn decided on a new pair of Snow White sandals. Even though she said she didn't like it, she refused to remove it, but kept walking around the area with the new pair of sandals on!

As usual, she went on to the toys section, but this time, had her eyes set on the sunglasses! To go with her new pair of sandals, she asked for a pair of shades with a Snow White character as well. How consistent!

After choosing her new shades, she saw a jie jie playing with the "doodle" writer and she couldn't wait, but to fight with the jie jie to have a go. Kids are kids. She has 2 at home which she hardly play, but prefer to "fight" with someone else for a toy outside. Papa Mama decided some of her toys should be placed at grandma's place, so that she'll fight with Joel Di Di and the toy will appear to be more fun to play with!

Visit to Uncle Gong Gong & Auntie Por Por

As Sunday was the last day for all CNY visits, Papa Mama brought Gwendolyn to visit grandma's brother's place at Toh Tuck after the baby bash. In fact, Lyn Lyn's been there before, after they came to our place for Christmas lunch! When we reach there, she has just fallen asleep. Uncle Gong Gong and Auntie Por Por gave her a mattress to sleep on, whilst the adults have some catchup chat.

When Lyn Lyn finally woke up, she didn't really have enough sleep and was a little grumpy. Mama pat her for a while and reminded her of the fish...she nodded and followed uncle to feed the fish. She didn't eve only feed the fish, but she can scoop the fish with a net and eventually touched the fish too! What an experience! She didn't like touching the fish, as it was a little slimy! But she tried removing the water pipes and playing with them, pretending she was "washing" the fishes!

After messing up the fish pond, she went back indoor to play with the big exercise ball, trying to get herself on top of it...don't be mistaken that Auntie Marie was trying to push her on the floor, instead, she was trying to help Lyn Lyn balance and not to fall off!

Baby Chloe's Baby Bash

Sunday was Baby Chloe's 1st month bash and Papa Mama brought Gwendolyn to the celebration! It was held at the Hillington Green condo's function room in Bukit Batok. It's quite a nice environment, designed with every units being able to see some of the water features at the condo!

When she first arrived, Anthea, Auntie Clare's niece, who went to her birthday party last year, was there and was excited to see her Sesame Street bag. As always, most kids liked her Sesame Street bag and couldn't stop having their hands on it. Anthea wanted to borrow the bag from Lyn Lyn, but Lyn Lyn was reluctant at the beginning, as she hasn't warmed up yet. But as she noticed the food, she started to concentrate on that and has forgotten about her bag. Anthea took her chance to get hold of the bag and tried asking Lyn Lyn for a 2nd time. This time, as Lyn Lyn was busy with her food, she was ok with it, even though there was a minor fight for a short while.


In order to separate the two of them, Papa brought Lyn Lyn to the playground, whilst Mama catch up with Auntie Tong Gunn, Mama's colleague at work.




Whilst playing, Lyn Lyn still remembers the purpose of the visit...to see Baby Chloe...since she's just visited her at home the week before, she can still remember Baby Chloe vividly!

Finally, as with most kids, stickers played an important role in breaking the ice between kids...see how Anthea and Lyn Lyn were enjoying themselves, sharing the stickers and sticking onto each other...

The Cheese Prata Shop

Saturday breakfast was roti prata at the Cheese Prata shop behind NUS. Surprisingly, Gwendolyn loved this Indian/Malay breakfast, of course, without the curry gravy! She alone, can finish one and a half slices of cheese prata. That's a lot of a child of her age! She even shared Mama's hot Kopi-cino as well...

Evening was spent at Uncle Don and Auntie Lena, as it was Auntie Lena's birthday! Whilst Summer and Lyn Lyn were busy playing with each other, the adults were busy playing Black Jack and In Between! Mama's forgotten to take pictures for the kids, as she was too into the exciting games...sorry!