Kranji Farm Resort

Mama chanced upon a new farm resort from a promotional flyer and came to know about this new farm resort at Kranji. Without a second thought, Mama forwarded the information to Papa for his further research. Within 2 days, we've booked ourselves a "villa" at the resort, which comes with complimentary consumption of the mini bar in the room, breakfast for 2 and complimentary foot bath for 2! 20 Feb was just nice for such a getaway, as it was a day before Mama's birthday and Gwendolyn's school was closed for professional development!

The night before, Lyn Lyn was very excited and was packing her things into her Dora trolley bag -> her own luggage. Papa and Mama were busy discussing about which route to take to get there (only Kranji...as if very far away from home!!!) and packing the necessary items!

Finally...all ready to go...on the way to the resort, we went by Mandai, went pass some farms around Lim Chu Kang...then went pass a bridge, which has a nice view of one of the reservoirs and seeing Singapore on one side and Malaysia on the other! Such a panoramic view and you won't believe that you're actually in Singapore. However, to arrive at the resort, you'll need to go pass the Kranji industrial estate, which wasn't a very nice scene. Upon arrival, the entrance was rather interesting, with drive-in check-in services. When we stopped at the assiged "villa", just 10 steps away from the entrance, at our own porch, everything felt great! But when we finally opened the door to the "villa", our heart sank...it's terribly small...we can barely walk in the room...well, Mama agree that the shower was quite "green", as it has a glass panel, overseeing the planter in the "villa", but the whole setup was just tiny...even for 2 to share, let alone we're having a family outing!

The external look of everything looked fantastic!

The tiny room looked more roomy in pictures...but when you see the real thing, it's a turn-off

Since there wasn't much to do in the room after feeding Geraldine her lunch, we took a walk at the "farm" area...apart from the spacious spa facilities, the small stalls selling farm products, the tiny pieces of "farmland" and "plantation" areas were just laughable!

Lyn Lyn enjoying her foot bath with a little bit of massaging

The "farmland" has quite a variety of plants and fruits, mini durian trees, lime trees, dragon fruit trees, longan trees, banana trees, bittergourd plants, rice plantation, etc etc...good exploration for the kids

Dinner was at the only seafood restaurant within the resort premises, where Geraldine can walk on her own freely without worrying about cars...

As there wasn't much to do within the resort, Papa's decided to drive out to Woodlands Compass Point for some shopping...YES...shopping during a farm resort holiday...in the end, Lyn Lyn caught eye of an arcade gaming centre and requested for some fun time...Papa spotted a game involving the throwing of balls and another for colouring...Lyn Lyn had some fun time and we're all satisfied to get back to the "villa" for some rests...Don't think any of us are suitable to be farmers, we're still city dwellers!

When we're back, Mama showered the 2 sisters in the standing shower and Geraldine was trying to comb Jie Jie's hair...what a pair of lovely sisters...without further a do, both sisters fell asleep to get ready for the next day!


This was the first time, where Papa and Mama were actually looking forward to checking out from the "room" where they have spent their holiday...S$280 for the night stay was really expensive...experience was interesting, but quite a lot of the anticipated activities were not in place at the farm resort as yet...no doubt, the kids enjoyed themselves a lot for a night away from home!

Bye, farm resort...we won't see you next time!

Korean Restaurant

With 2 active children, it's not easy to find a dining place that has child friendly facilities. This Korean Restaurant is quite a rare find at Pasir Panjang Yess Centre! We had a feast there with Uncle Don, Auntie Lena, Uncle Victor and Auntie Yaya for dinner...just look at the amount of food ordered? Really a pig out session!

Free flow of Korean appetisers + various types of meat, seafood pancake, kimchi soup and ginseng chicken soup...yum yum

Whilst the adults were feasting, Summer and Gwendolyn were enjoying themselves in the playroom located right next to the dining table! Both gals were monopolising the room, whilst Summer's cousin and Geraldine were have a sweet nap!

Fun at play after a quick dinner post-nap time

Sakae Sushi

Our recent favourite lunch time place is Sakae Sushi @ TradeHub 21 on Boon Lay Way, as we love Japanese food and there is a playground for kids to play. When we arrive, Gwendolyn will help us order our food via the computer terminal at the table and help us with chopsticks, wasabi, soy sauce, etc...Whilst Geraldine will be busy eating her porridge, before joining us for some seaweed and sushi!

Geraldine has just learnt to hold her cup to drink by herself and has been practising

After we've fed ourselves, both kids went to the playground for some entertainment...Lyn Lyn would target the merry-go-round, asking Mama to push faster and faster each time, whilst Geraldine will be at the ball pit and cubby house, walking here and there. Only the recent trip, she tried the slide and it's not fun! As the slide is not smooth and flat enough for a downward slide, but with a bump in the middle...Mama doesn't think that it's an enjoyable ride!

Geraldine's been busy throwing the balls back into the pit, left by other players before her

Kids love the cubby house...as they can open doors and windows as and when they want to

Geraldine Loves Swimming

At first glance, some people may think that the pictures below looks quite familiar...there are certain angles that resembles Gwendolyn, with the same swimming costume and float! But when you look closer, you'll see that this is in fact Geraldine! She's enjoying swimming so much and refused to come out from the water!

Floating and being splashed upon

The water features never fails to interest babies and toddlers!

Bathing Both Sisters in the Bathtub

As Geraldine has become older and almost too big for the baby bathtub at home, Mama has decided to put her in the big bathtub when bathing her. A more wicked idea crossed Mama's mind...for convenience sake, Mama put both sisters into the same bathtub and bathe them together to safe time. Surprisingly, both were enjoying themselves so much, with each other's company!

Gwendolyn rinsing for Geraldine

Thank You

Thank you very much for those who have attended Geraldine's 1st birthday party! All the kids enjoyed themselves so much and see how many presents Geraldine has received and how pleased she is in the picture!

Both sisters were busy unwrapping the presents

Lo-Hei 2009

This is the first time we have a "lo-hei" session at home ("lo-hei is a Singapore CNY activity, whereby a mixture of colourful vegetables, sweet sauce, crackers, peppers and salmon sashimi are all put together for mixing. "Lo-hei" is a cantonese term, implying one being able to work well and being successful in whatever they do. Surprisingly, most Singaporeans don't know that there isn't such an activity in Hong Kong, but a locally developed CNY speciality)...actually, it can be quite fun...see how Gwendolyn and Summer both enjoying themselves...

All ready-made, bought from Sakae Sushi...

Gross Motor Skills

During our stay in Hong Kong, Geraldine was practising different sorts of gross motor skills with adult toys! This time round, she's using the tumbling tower of Fu Fu to try putting the block pieces from outside the floor, into the container. Well done, Geraldine...your skills are getting better and better!

Fun with Toy Vending Machine

Whilst waiting for our lunch table at Shark Fin City @ New World Centre (after 2pm, dim sum is half price), Mama brought Gwendolyn to walk round the shopping centre, as it has changed so much since Mama last went! We saw this stretch of toy vending machine and was looking for something suitable for Geraldine to play! After deciding that we wanted the miniature Crocs key chain, we're looking for mode of payment. Being "mountain tortoise", finally, Mama concluded that the machines are operated with Octopus Card, with a specific point linked to several machines. Papa came and help to analyse how to use the machines and finally, Mama and Lyn Lyn have decided to have a go...Yippee...we managed to operate the machines in our first try! Interesting...

Rolling Good Time

During our break in Hong Kong, Geraldine started this new trick, rolling on the floor whenever she feels like it...she seems to be having a rolling good time though!

Notice by Gwendolyn

This notice was placed at Gwendolyn's room door and reads:

Close For a Nap

Gwendolyn Spot

Geraldine

Pauline

Raymond

Special CNY Gift

Before we went to Hong Kong for CNY break, Uncle John and Auntie Kathy prepared a special CNY gift for Papa, Mama and Gwendolyn. Not only that, both of them came to deliver the special gifts too! At first, they said they've bought something that Lyn Lyn likes...none of us could guess what that was...when Auntie Kathy showed the special gift to Lyn Lyn, all of us couldn't stop laughing...a can of Abalone...haha...really is Lyn Lyn's favourite! Thank you so much! This is our first CNY hamper! What a special surprise!!!

Cap

Mama was tidying up Gwendolyn and Geraldine's room and found 2 caps, believed to belong to Lyn Lyn...but is too small for her now. Mama thought that it might be good to try it on Geraldine and Bingo...she loved it! She kept touching her head, removing and asking for putting on again, for a few rounds...Papa caught her on camera for 2 pictures...

Shower Cap?

Gwendolyn refused to wash her hair tonight, as she's already bathed and washed after her swimming lesson. She said she wanted to go to bed early as she didn't nap at all today! In the end, Papa suggested that she use the shower cap...and this is how she look in a shower cap...she said she looked funny...haha...

More Sleeping Posture

The way that Gwendolyn and Geraldine sleeps are quite different. Why? Lyn Lyn sleeps in a relax manner with both arms raised next to her head. Geraldine? From very early on, she was already sleeping sideways or even face down...this is just one of the postures captured by Papa!

Geraldine...is there something to hide?

Gwendolyn Fell From the Swing

Ms Emelia called Mama just after 10am this morning, informing Mama that Gwendolyn fell from the swing and had scratches all over her face and body! Trying hard to figure out what happened, Mama has requested Ms Emelia to monitor her and inform Mama of any unusal behaviour, if any! When Mama finally saw Lyn Lyn, Mama was heartbroken, but Lyn Lyn was so brave to tell Mama that she didn't cry at all, though it was painful. Thankful to say that she's immediately told Ms Emelia that she will not swing so high again next time!

Sometimes, kids have to learn from the hard way! No matter how many times Papa and Mama have warned her of the danger, she needed to fall once, to really learn her lesson. Nevermind, falling under close supervision is fine!

Lyn Lyn, you're so brave and Papa and Mama are really proud of you!

Scratches on the face...Papa and Mama have already warned her not to touch, if not, she'll scar her face and not be pretty any more!

Scratches on her body...looking rather serious...poor gal!

Friends of the Zoo with Summer

Since being a member of the Friends of the Zoo, Papa and Mama wanted to maximise the usage of the membership in bringing Gwendolyn and Geraldine to the zoo more often. Why waste when it's already being paid for?! Papa and Mama teamed up with Uncle Don and Auntie Lena, who are also Friends of the Zoo, to plan for more regular zoo trips. Our first mission was on 11 January 2009...the parents targetted at seeing some animals, have lunch at Ah Meng Restaurant, view one of the rainforest animal presentation and then dive straight to the Rainforest Playground!

Visiting the white tiger, the Australian outbacks, etc...

The kids are all well prepared with extra clothings and swimming costume, ready to join into the fun of being real wet...

The most fun was derived from the water-play area!

Replenishing lost energy after a fun session

Gerald or Geraldine?

Mama loved demi overalls, but never got a chance to own one. She chanced upon one at Fox Kids and bought one for Geraldine...doesn't she look like a little boy in that overall?

All toddlers walk in the same manner, with both hands and arms in the air to balance!

Couldn't get her hands off the slides!

Brunch with Ms Jam

Ms Jam has left Etonhouse, after the last day of the last term in November 2008. She used to be Gwendolyn's class teacher in N2 and Lyn Lyn misses her! Through Ms Angeline, we've arranged for a brunch on Saturday to meet up and catch up as well. She's started at a newly setup school nearby, but has been busy ever since joining!

It was nice to see her again and Lyn Lyn has planned to meet up with Jordan as well, next time, for some fun play session!

Playground Fun

Geraldine is a really playful baby...about 4 months ago, Papa and Mama thought that she's shy and skeptical when seeing strangers, as she's like a koala bear, hanging onto Mama most of the times...but she's really grown. Now, she loves adventures, especially sliding down from the slides and even climbing!

When wanting to go onto the slides, she'll bring you to the slide and tap on it with a little bit of noise

Whilst Gwendolyn is seasoned with playing on this playground, since she was a baby! All children loves playground no matter how old they are!

Apart from the slides, the rocking "animals" too...Geraldine knows how to rock by herself! Amazingly strong!

More walking around on the soft-landing playground...she's in love with the Sesame Street cup and kept holding it wherever she walks!