The missing link?

Gwendolyn's Spot and Steve collection is complete now, with the recent addition of Blue Spot...(actually, completed quite some time, but Mama didn't have time to update...hehe...) Blue Steve is happy now!

Bottle Tree Park

Auntie Angela organised a "prawn fishing" trip on 25 January 2007, at the new Bottle Tree Park at Yishun. It's a new place, where there is a prawn pond for patrons to fish and then eat at the restaurant afterwards. Gwendolyn refused to take a nap in the afternoon, but strangely enough, Papa Mama didn't tell her that we're going to try something new that night. Anyways, as we were trying to locate this park and look for information from the internet, we could only find information about the Bottle Tree Village, which is further in from Yishun, all the way into Sembawang. Nevermind, we followed Auntie Angela's instructions and finally found our way there. Unfortunately, it was raining...the kids cannot play at the playground. But still, they proceeded with the "prawn-fishing".

Lyn Lyn was so excited. As usual, she kept saying : I do, I do...but she was not patient and keep moving the fishing rod around...no prawn came for her bait. However, when we see Uncle Barry, Auntie Christina and Yasuko Jie Jie managed to fish for a few, we started to get a little excited...finally, Papa managed to fish ONE prawn...and that's our 1 and only prawn for that night! Oh well, $14.50 to buy a prawn, together with the fun experience, it's worth it...

Me and my prawn

After the fishing, we went back to the restaurant for our dinner. As Lyn Lyn is very tired, she kept asking for white rice only, so that she can stuff herself and sleep immediately...she fell asleep even when she was still eating the rice...



For more information about the Bottle Tree Park / Village, please see: www.bottletree.com.sg

Field Trip to the Vishnu Dairy Farm

Gwendolyn's school has organised the first school trip for this new academic year to the Vishnu Farm Pte Ltd, located at Lim Chu Kang, just further down from the Hay Dairies, which she went last year. Mama decided that she should give Lyn Lyn a little support in standing in front of the animals and took the day off to go with her. Lyn Lyn was very excited about Mama going to the field trip with her and same as her classmates. Vedant and Nicholas, who already know Mama from last year, together with Travis and Adrien, 2 new boys this year were extending their hospitality to Mama as well. When Lyn Lyn was seated with Travis at breakfast, Lyn Lyn passed Mama the yellow cereal, which she doesn't like. Travis in return, shared his cereal with Mama, after seeing Lyn Lyn doing so too!

Since the weather wasn't very good in the early morning, we all waited until the rain stops before setting off. Before that, Mama observed the kids in class, it was quite chaotic, where all the kids will be messing around with toys, some running, some playing together, whilst some played by themselves. However, when Ms Lay Cheng sang a "clean-up song", informing the kids that it's almost snack time, all got into robotic movement and start keeping the toys, before finally seated outside the washroom, waiting for their turn to go to the toilet and wash their hands. After that, they sat at the table, waiting for their snack. It was quite funny to see that! This morning, snack was sandwich and fruits, when Lyn Lyn requested that she doesn't want sandwich and only wanted apples...Mama noticed that the kids got into their routine quite well and can follow instructions accordingly.

After morning snack, all were ready to go! They all put on their shoes in the classroom, with their outdoor play hats and waterbottles, off we go!

Queueing up to board the bus

Vedant and Lyn Lyn were the first to board the smaller van and went straight to the back seats, forgetting about Mama totally. Throughout the journey, both were playing with each other, happily chatting away...Mama was busy taking pictures for them and both were laughing happily, until suddenly, Lyn Lyn spilled her water onto her pants and wet it. She suddenly turned from a happy smiley face into a worried face. She refused to smile and Mama was trying very hard to distract her. All she said was: I'm wet, can you please dry for me, despite Ms Wahila and Mama's efforts in telling her that it's only water and will dry up by itself.

All excited before the water-spill incident

Smile...didn't really smile when taking this picture with Ms Wahila (a.k.a. Ms Ila)

During the journey, Lyn Lyn was having some fun with Vedant...Top Left - hold the handle; Top right - stick out your tongue; Bottom Left - cover your face; Bottom right - tickle me...

Eventually, we've arrived at the Vishnu Dairy Farm at Lim Chu Kang. All the kids alighted and went into the barn to listen to a short briefing. Lyn Lyn dashed in front to see the cow and kept asking to feed the cow. It was so difficult to wait until the briefing was over and she was scared when being asked to milk the cow, she went near to the cow's head to feed it. She was so excited in feeding, whilst Mama was worried like mad, taking pictures for her and scared that she'll be hurt by the cow.

Acting patient - so that she can feed the cow later (or so she thinks?)

After the briefing, she rushed in front of the cow...scared Mama, as she was wearing a red hat...luckily, the speaker told us that cows can only see black and white...phew...

After feeding this cow, all the kids were being brought to the back barns to feed the calves. There were plenty of grass for the kids to feed and Lyn Lyn got all excited and kept feeding...but half way, she need to go to the toilet and Mama brought her out to pee. When she's done, where most kids were done with the feeding and ready to get back to school, she insisted that she needs to feed the cow for the last time. Mama brought her back in to feed for one last time before setting off to the bus again. When she board the bus, she couldn't see Vedant and she was all upset. Ms Lay Cheng and Mama told her that Vedant is sitting in front with someone else, she kept repeating to herself that she wanted to sit with Vedant. In the end, Mama asked her to sit with Nicholas instead...

Finally, everyone's back in school and it's lunch time. Mama bid farewell to Lyn Lyn before going off. It was really fun to see part of her school routine with eating, toileting and washing in the morning! The best part is to get closer to her classmates, so that we can have more common things to talk about at home!

The barn with all the calves!

All the kids were having their fair share of feeding with the calves!

P.S. There is no website for the Vishnu Dairy Farm, but there is a little information from onemotoring: http://www.onemotoring.com.sg/publish/onemotoring/en/motoring_buzz/features/animal_farm_part1.html

Child photography?

We went to the West Coast Park McDonald with Auntie Tricia for breakfast on Sunday. Gwendolyn hasn't seen Auntie Tricia for more than 3 months, as Auntie Tricia was busy with her sister's wedding. After breakfast, Lyn Lyn played in the park for a while before we set off to Vivocity to do some Chinese New Year clothing shopping. We went to Sushi Tei for lunch, where Lyn Lyn, had her usual favourite: Edamame, Udon and Yakitori. But this time, Auntie Tricia ordered JUMBO YAKITORI and Lyn Lyn couldn't finish 1 stick!

After that, we went to Haagen-Daz for some ice-cream. As Lyn Lyn couldn't stop, but asking for her STRAWBERRY ICE-CREAM...the adults have decided to order a fondue set to share, whilst giving all the 3 scoops of strawberry ice-cream to Lyn Lyn for her own consumption. Hm...yum yum!

When she's done with her 3 small scoops of strawberry ice-cream, she started taking snapshots of her own feet. Don't ask me why...but this is what she's taken...and kept taking for the next 10 pics!

After admiring her own legs / feet, she started snapping the adults...Mama doesn't understand, but why did the result of Auntie Tricia's picture similar to Mama's, whilst Papa has such a nice picture?????? This is just blatantly UNFAIR!!!

After Haagen-Daz, the ladies went to buy some shoes and Lyn Lyn has got a pair of new shoes at Colette too! She was asking for a pair of shoes with shoe lace, when Mama asked her: Do you know how to tie shoe lace? Lyn Lyn responded: No! But Mama knows! Oh Man...

Christabelle's Baby Shower

Saturday was baby Christabelle's first month baby shower. Papa, Mama and Gwendolyn went to the party at The Madeira at Bukit Batok. Even though the weather wasn't at all great, with occasional showers, but the cosy environment was enjoyable. As usual, Lyn Lyn was enthusiatic in serving herself with "bee hoon" and keep helping herself with the cordial drink. Initially, she was getting to know Uncle Ian and Emily Jie Jie, but suddenly, she asked for the baby and started looking for her.

Finally, she's found baby Christabelle and surprisingly, she started acting like a "Jie Jie" and patting her gently. She kept standing close to her and refused to walk away...which, she's never done something as such before!

After patting baby Christabelle, she kept asking for Uncle Don, Auntie Lena and Summer, as Papa and Mama told her that they'll be coming. As they haven't arrived yet, Lyn Lyn helped herself with exploring the pool area and started running around.


After a long wait, Summer's here...Lyn Lyn couldn't wait for Summer to finish her lunch and led her to the children playground for some fun! It's so cute looking at the two of them, enjoying each other's company!






Unfortunately, Summer has a wedding banquet to attend that night and she has to leave early with Uncle Don and Auntie Lena. Lyn Lyn went all teary face and kept telling Uncle Don that she wanted to go to his house...after "begging" for a few times and they've left, Lyn Lyn changed her focus and kept asking Uncle Victor: I want to go to your house! Hm, what's so fun about going to other people's house??? Food for thought then...!!!

Growing Up?

Recently, Mama has been talking to Gwendolyn, discussing about her upcoming birthday in April. What cake does she want to order, how old she is going to be, etc. But she doesn't seemed to accept the fact that having birthday party is a part of growing up and she rejected the idea that she's going to be THREE, instead of being TWO. She was very anxious and concerned about being THREE! When Mama probed further and heard her response, Mama couldn't stop laughing! Here's the excerpt of the conversation:

M: Mama; G: Gwendolyn

M: Growing up is fun, just like the Barney growing up song.
G: No, I don't like growing up.
M: Why? Why don't you want to grow up?
G: Because I want to be chubby chubby!
M: (laughing non-stop) But you can still be chubby chubby when you grow up! Just like Mama...
G: (seemed enlightened) No, I don't want to grow up. I want to be like Di Di, one-year old...
M: But Di Di is going to be TWO soon, like you!
G: No, I want to be cute cute and chubby chubby...

The conversation goes on about her not wanting to become THREE...

Potty training!

18 January 2007 marks the beginning of a new achievement! Gwendolyn's diapers have been removed for the whole day, except while sleeping. She was doing well throughout the day, going to the toilet to try and pee by herself every 30-45 minutes. There was only a minor accident in the afternoon, when she was too engrossed at play and wet ONE panty and ONE pair of pants! Well done!

To encourage her, Mama packs different types of panties for her to choose in school: strawberry shortcake, barney, hello kitty, dora...all her favourite characters!

Happy Sunday!

Papa and Mama "deposited" Gwendolyn at grandma on Saturday and went off for the My Fair Lady show at the Esplanade. Surprisingly, Lyn Lyn was quite easy in letting Papa and Mama off early in the afternoon, so that Papa and Mama can go home to settle some housework before setting of for the show.

On the gloomy sunday, where weather was terribly grey, Papa and Mama brought Lyn Lyn to Queensway to source for a new pair of track shoes (it's terribily difficult to get a pair for her...REALLY DIFFICULT!). To cut down on the amount of time spent for looking around, Mama asked the shop assistants directly upon arrival. Everyone gave the same answer: New Balance lah...got wide feet design! However, Lyn Lyn was just playing around and wasn't really concentrating on trying to shoes. In the end, we aborted the quest and set off for the newly extended Novena Square, only to be disappointed again that it wasn't great!

However, the only good thing about this new shopping is Haagen-Daz promotion: 1-for-1 takeaway ice-cream. In the end, Lyn Lyn and Mama have 1 cup each...Yum Yum!

After the yummy ice-cream session, Mama got in touch with Auntie Suzie to see whether her family is free to meet up. Why? Since Lyn Lyn has been asking Mama to talk about Auntie Suzie's house everyday. Finally, Auntie Suzie's family is free, so we met up for dinner at the Jurong West Red Chair Coffee Shop for dinner before setting off to have a fun time in their house.

Since Lyn Lyn hasn't been there for quite some time, she was very excited. Especially with the new piano that Ralston Gor Gor has...

She's amazed with this exercise machine of Uncle Ralph too! As a toddler, she's managing her balancing very well!


Wow, she's discovered such a huge ball at the bar corner...trying to play with Shannon Jie Jie together!

Look at me! I can carry the ball up high!

Hair cut at QB House

Papa and Mama wanted to cut Gwendolyn's hair for quite some time, especially behind. However, she's been rejecting the offer for many many times. Saturday morning, when Papa intended to get a haircut himself at the new QB House at IMM, Lyn Lyn was tempted to try for one herself! She was very excited initially, but when the hairdresser put the cloth around her and start cutting, she was scared. Mama has to be close to her and hold her hand. After a few snaps, she said: finished already. I don't want to cut any more. The hairdresser only managed to cut her fringe...oh well, at least the most important portion has been cut...

New Ikea at Tampines

The new Ikea store at Tampines was opened on 16 December 2006. According to the latest Family magazine, it is one of the family-friendly stores in Singapore. Papa and Mama decided to bring Gwendolyn for a trial on Saturday to check it out. FYI, the kid's playroom at Ikea Alexandra was a mere "ball-ground" and Mama has heard of some horror stories about that. Hence, no matter how much Lyn Lyn likes "ball ball", Mama refrained from letting her try.

This time, both Papa and Mama were amazed by the huge playroom at the entrance, with various activities for busy parents to drop their kids for some fun, whilst they go for their shopping. From the outside, Papa and Mama noted that there was a video area on a staircase, an activity table for kids to draw, some slide / crawling areas, etc. Lyn Lyn was so excited to know that she is tall enough to go inside and join the Gor Gor and Jie Jie's for some fun. We queued for a short while before Lyn Lyn is finally admitted. She excitedly removed her sandals, put on the number assigned to her container box and off she dash, exploring the new grounds all by herself. As all the parents are required to leave their mobile phone numbers when registering their kids, just in case anything happens, Papa and Mama enjoyed some carefree shopping for about 15 minutes.

Suddenly, Mama's phone rang. Someone from the "Smalland" informed her that Lyn Lyn was crying and requested Mama to go back immediately. From where Mama was, she tried to get back to "Smalland" as quickly as she could. Initially, Lyn Lyn was too upset to have noticed that Mama was standing right at the door. When she finally realised, she dashed all the way to the door and cried out loud. Below is an excerpt of the conversation of Lyn Lyn is being rescued from the playroom:

P: Papa G: Lyn Lyn

P: Was it fun?

G: (Sobbing) Yes.

P: Do you want to come back again?

G: No......

P: What happened?

G: ......

P: Were the kids rough?

G: Yes......they hit me.

P: Then what happened?

G: I hit them.

Experiencing the theory: Survival of the fittest without people she trust! Bad move...

To distract her from thinking about the bad experience again, Papa and Mama brought her for some food! This is a huge eating restaurant & cafe again, with a pavillion structure for kids to play within and parents sitting around the pavillion. Lyn Lyn was all happy again playing in a confined environment with both Papa and Mama in sight! At first, she was playing whatever was available. In the end, she got herself acquainted to a Jie Jie and started playing Ring-around-the-rosie. Initially, it was only the 2 of them, slowly, the crowd increased to 3 and then 4. Eventually, when we have to go, all the kids at the Pavillion were singing and playing that! What a scene...

Badminton @ the HP Club

Gwendolyn went for a badminton session with Papa and Mama on Sunday to stretch her limbs. It seems that she enjoys racket games...Uncle Don booked the badminton court at the HP Clubhouse from 10am to 12 noon! Lyn Lyn just managed to wake up to catch some exercise. Initially, she was excited about meeting Summer again for some fun. But when she got to know that Summer is unable to make it, she was a little disappointed. In the end, she decided that she can take on the adults single-handedly...here we go!

Warming up

Trying to hit the shuttlecock

Aiming - Coaching by Uncle Victor

Strength training - Coaching by Auntie Tonya

Take a rest, have a drink

Balancing - Passing the shuttlecocks from Auntie Tonya to Auntie Eunice

Playing Hi-5 the baby way

Not forgetting her Spot and Steve!

Drying hair after her shower

Dora Balloon

Finally found a Dora balloon and Gwendolyn loved it!

Choo Choo Train and Swing Swing Swing

During Christmas, IMM offered free choo choo train ride on level 2, right outside the food court, for kids. But kids less than 3 years old must be accompanied by parents, who has to pay S$3 per ride. So Mama accompanied Gwendolyn to try out the "indoor choo choo train". In fact, the choo choo train was going at very high speed within the shopping complex! Mama find it a little dangerous for the kids sitting in the train and passerbys around the shopping area!

After the exciting train ride, we proceed to the playground at level 2, which is meant to be for the older kids (Lyn Lyn saw it during the train ride!). Then there is this hanging slide thing that she's set her eyes on for quite some time, that is not for age, but she was eager to try. Since the playground is not as crowded as the normal days, she played it with Papa's help...she loved it!

Don't eat my ice-cream, okay?

What's so special about Gwendolyn eating ice-cream? Aren't everyone sick of seeing her eating ice-cream already? What's so special this time is that after paying for the ice-cream and she needed to keep the change in her pocket, she entrusted Mama with her cup of ice-cream, pointing 1 finger at Mama and said : Don't eat my ice-cream, okay?! Both Papa and Mama were in SHOCK.....