A Christmas Plan, By 阳阳

What a way to make a plan. Love love love it!

A Christmas Treat @Melt Cafe Mandarin Oriental

It's been a long time since we were out for a meal together because of Covid. So this year we planned a Christmas lunch at my (our?) favourite buffet - Melt Cafe at Mandarin Oriental. And it didn't disappoint. I was pleasantly surprised that they kept the quality and spread as before Covid. Many places had cut corners because of the pandemic and raging inflation. And to top it off, they have a special kids room where they have pizza, pastries, candy and all other delights plus movie to keep the kids entertained while parents enjoy their lunch. 

 

Changi Jewel Rooftop Garden

Continuing the school holiday 'fun' we brought the kids to the jewel sky garden. It wasn't really much, at least not for what it cost. 阳阳 was afraid of the slide and only 萱萱 had any sort of fun. Towards the end 阳阳 was pretty tired and he seemed to be running a fever so we had to leave immediately before we could get lunch. It was the right decision, he had caught a bug from somewhere ...

Piano Trial Lessons

We had signed up for these a couple of weeks ago. Both kids attended the piano trial but it feels to me like 萱萱 would benefit more since she can read the instructions on the books. 阳阳 has to be guided closely so it may take awhile for him to get into it. Plus we don't have unlimited funds so we need to plan what makes sense for the kids. I suggested to Meimei to have 阳阳 go for IcanRead classes as a priority and maybe substitute OO's IcanRead for piano. We'll need to think about it a little more.

Kids @Kidztopia Marina Square Again

And here we are again. Its the school holidays after all and we didn't want to deny 萱萱 the chance at the playground. Plus it was obvious 阳阳 would have more fun too with his 姐姐 around. As much as they bicker, they enjoy each other's company when it comes to playground or sport activities.

 

阳阳 @Kidztopia Marina Square

萱萱's gone to church camp and so we decided to bring 阳阳 out for some me time. He was a little disappointed that he doesn't get to go to church camp. So we thought we would bring him to somewhere fun to make up for missing camp. He seldom gets undivided attention so this hopefully makes up for it and will help give him some good memories.

Meimei found a large indoor playground at Marina Square called Kidztopia. It sure is fun but he seems to be lacking that extra thrill without a playmate. I tried to join him in the playground but they are not made for adult height and my back was aching after 5 minutes of play. But if I was a kid ... I'm never leaving this place. It has so many different sections of play. Plus because we were early on a weekday there were not many kids around.

We topped off the day with lunch at Aston buffet where he could junk on all the fries, coleslaw and ice cream. Surely we'll bring 萱萱 and 阳阳 here again soon before the school holiday ends.

Elixir Haul #10 - Found My VSOP

Having tried so many different VSOP, my personal favourite, and Meimei's too, is the Hardy VSOP Fine Champagne. Bought 3 bottle even though only one is in the picture.

阳阳 JoyStar Year End Performance

阳阳's dressed up for year end performance. He was able to participate only because he is part of the hip-hop class. He hated the make-up though and was sulking the whole time till the performance. Once it was over he insist to remove it right there and the teachers couldn't change his mind. I find the makeup too tacky and girly so it was good he got it off.

I know it was exciting for us to see 萱萱 dance when she was in pre-nursery and it's unfortunate other parents didn't get to enjoy that part of pre-school this year. Hopefully next year they will resume the year end performance for all students so we'll have a better show. 

Kiddo Talk & Pic Nov 2022

Snail Pet

阳阳: mama I want a snail as a pet

Meimei: snail?? Why!?

阳阳: I really want a pet and I want one that is gentle

阳阳 At Joystar - Nursery

A collection of pictures at Joystar. All the teachers that Meimei used to have good contact with are no longer at the school so we don't get 'exclusive' pictures sent to us via WhatsApp. Now we need to log on the student portal and work through a whole suite of photos to find our baby's.

I'm quite impressed with the handiwork and crafts 阳阳's doing at school. Shows he knows his Chinese too just that he is not used to saying it at home. 

Kiddo Man Cave

阳阳 has a habit of hiding under his table to draw or play toys. I wonder if this is an instinctive man-cave element. You know like how boys in other countries would ask their dads to build a tree house so they can have their own special space away from prying eyes?

I warned him that it was dark under the table and not good for his eyes. Also cautioned him on hitting his head on the table top. Not very convincing cos the child in me also thinks it's very fun and cozy hahah I need to do a better job of being a parent.

Swimsafer Test 2.0 萱萱

I missed the first test because I was travelling. Glad I was able to go this time. It's at the same Hougang swimming pool as the first test. 萱萱 had some challenge completing the test though as the pool was shallow and she was able to stand up on it when she was not supposed to during the test laps.

We'll know the results in a few weeks. 

Encouraging 萱萱 To Read

With 萱萱 today so I brought her to the bookstore to buy some books. Hope this encourages her to read more. As my parents have done for me, I'm passing it on. So long as its books I am more than willing to buy it for our children.

Drawing On Window Condensation

Heavy cold rain today and the glass panels were fogged when we arrived to pick up 阳阳. 萱萱 had a blast drawing all sorts of designs. I was watching closely to make sure she wasn't drawing something naughty. :) the simple fun of youth.