~ Happy 46th Birthday Singapore! ~

Good Morning Singapore! It's your 46th Birthday today and we are delighted! ^_^ The children are dressed up all set to be part of this special day with you.

We are sorry that we will be missing in action saying the pledge with you later tonight but here's an early tribute. Gladys has been learning hard to recite the pledge in school and here's their little present to you.

Unlike the previous years, we are expecting to spend a quieter National Day this year. No fireworks, or partying nor staying home to watch the National Day parade. It will be a simple family day out and night out at the movies.

HAPPY 46th BIRTHDAY SINGAPORE!

~ National Day Celebration and Goodie Bags ~

While Denver & Gladys are having their own little fun and celebrations in school, Mommy also had my share of National Day performance filled with dance and songs at my workplace. I felt like going back to my school days where I received goodie bags, balloons and sat down to enjoy the show put up by the staff and students.

The stage area was beautifully decorated with balloons and there was also a lunch buffet catered for everyone. The children are delighted to see the balloons and little goodies that I brought back home. Looking forward to celebrating Singapore's birthday tomorrow!
 

~ Happy Mother's Day 2011 ~

It's Mother's Day, but it seems this year the event has been over-shadowed by the Singapore General Elections 2011 coverage. :) Nevertheless, we had dinner with my inlaws yesterday and lunch with my parents earlier.

Gladys also made me a flower in school and drew me a Happy Mother's Day drawing. I really enjoy looking at her art piece. It's colourful, innovative and she never fails to surprise me.

It will be another long weekend for us and more post-Mother's day celebration to come. :) Wishing all Mothers a Happy Mother's Day!

~ Easter celebration @ Nativity Church ~

This is an outdated post as we have been sick all week. It was Easter last Sunday and there was a mini-carnival at Nativity Church. We went down for a quick peek and got to enjoy our free breakfast. Denver & Gladys had loads of fun with the free games (fishing, shooting, throwing) and they were rewarded with chocolates, sweets and packets of cheese balls. That really brightens up the Sunday morning. :)

~ How we celebrate NDP 2010 - Fireworks, Shopping, Home ~

After spending a whole day at the Singapore Zoo and staying up to watch the fireworks late last night, we are exhausted. Early this morning, Denver woke up complaining of a tummyache and only to find out that he is having a fever. :( Oh dear.

Denver wanted to watch movie very much and initially we planned to take the kids out too. But with his condition, we can only stay home. Still, it is a special day and all of us dress ourselves up in Red and White. Gladys being the most energetic woke up early, drew me a picture, grab snacks out to eat on her own, played with her balloon flower hat and also sang Majulah Singapore.

We took the kids out for lunch and went for our grocery shopping at NTUC Xtra (Hougang Point). Denver is still having a mild fever but he is looking more active now. I guess if he can play with his sister, he shouldn't feel too bad. :)

We had a nap in the afternoon and this is when Denver's temperature went up again. Mommy sponged him while watching the NDP parade on television. In the past, they prefer the watch Playhouse Disney or Cartoon Networks. So this is the first time the kiddos sat down watching the NDP parade. The marching, singing, parachutes etc. They start to get really excited when they saw Sengkang CC is part of the celebration too! We knew there is a stage and carnival from 4pm-9pm, but Denver is ill and so we didn't went down earlier.

Gladys is upset and started to protest. She saw flags, balloons and wanted to go to the Padang too! "走了，走了" - She initiated us to go... but Denver gor gor is still ill, my dear! After much delay and struggle, we decided to drive past Sengkang CC and stop by for awhile. Hubby managed to park inside Compass Point and I took the kids to the back of the stage to avoid the crowd and also to let Gladys fulfill her wishes.

Gladys waved her flag that she brought along. We didn't manage to get the goodie bags which so many people have collected. That is probably the only disappointment so far. :) Well, at least we have been part of the party and we settled our dinner too.

We drove out of Compass Point and went to pump petrol at Shell. Seeing so many people gathering along the open field opposite the mall, our guess is that there will be Fireworks later! The children said that they wanted to stay on and watch. So we stopped by and waited for the grand finale to start. There are crowd all over - from the open fields to those sitting under the HDB blocks. Cars are parking along the road side and I have never seen Sengkang so 'happening' before!

We didn't know what time the fireworks display is going to start, but I expected it being anytime after the One Voice at 20:10pm. :) At around 820pm, Boom, Boom, Boom!!!! Here it goes!!! We are really just metres away and it was so LOUD! The kids covered their ears and Gladys hide behind me. The fireworks are so pretty and the children enjoyed it so much despite the earlier shock.

Hubby said the tanks drove pass too, but we missed it since we are standing at a different spot. It's also time for Denver to go home and rest. Gladys love National Day so much that she still wants to wear her red shirt and white pants. It took me quite awhile before I managed to convince her to change into her pyjamas.

This should be one of their most memorable National Day Celebration so far.

~ Fireworks at Sengkang National Day 2010 Countdown Party ~

8th August 2010 - It's the yearly National Day Countdown Party! Since 9pm onwards, we have been hearing the celebration going on downstairs. We took the children down at around 930pm to check out what's going on this year. There are performances including dance and singing, lucky draw, stalls along the side selling food, drinks, clothes, balloons etc. Not forgetting free flags, tattoos and mineral bottles!

Denver & Gladys with their Singapore Flag!

Mommy paid $1 where Denver had a lucky dip and he got a little goodie bag. Gladys wanted balloons and so we got her a flower hat ballon. :)

The main highlight is definitely the fireworks which Denver & I have been waiting for! Our friend & fellow blogger, Andy also brought his 2 kids to see the fireworks!

Unlike the previous years, the countdown and fireworks only start at mid-night. This year, it was much earlier than I expected. They started counting down 20 minutes before midnight. Luckily we were already downstairs and didn't miss it.

I was a little disappointed with this year's fireworks display as it is not as exciting and glamourous. But I cannot complain too much.. afterall we are celebrating within a neighbourhood. ^_^ Denver likes the firework display and I hope Andy's kids liked it too. Happy Birthday Singapore!!!

~ Father's Day dinner @ Sakae Sushi ~

We are back at Sakae Sushi again! Seems like we have been dining at Sakae every alternate month or so. :p This time we are utilizing the $50 voucher which I won in the Sakae Monthly Bloggers Affair in March to treat Hubby in celebration for Father's Day.

To avoid the long queue and crowd, we decided to pre-celebrate a week earlier. :) In addition, I also chose to dine at the Sakae outlet located in Changi Airport Terminal 2. Why?? Apart for plainly trying out at a new location, there are also other various reasons...

1) For a chance to be a Changi Millionaire when you spend a minimum of $60 in a single receipt at all outlets in Changi Airport.(More details: http://www.changiairport.com/at-changi/events-and-promotions/millionaire/faqs)

2) For every $30 spent at Changi Airport in a single receipt, you can redeem two tokens to ride the 12 metre slide located at Terminal 3!

3) Sakae is located near the viewing mall and there are many shops and activities around T2 and T3 where the whole family can enjoy after dining. :)

Here we are!! There is already a queue forming and luckily it is not too long. There is so much space around and the children can't help finding themselves running around.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY! Big Hugz from the kiddos.

After accumulating so many dining experience at Sakae, Gladys is now an expert and knows what she wanted. She already set her target on the Tomago sushi and once the plates are within her reach, SWOP.. its on the table right in front of her. Hahaha.. the excitement that comes from grabbing your food.

We had many plates of sushi today...I got so busy with taking the photos till I lost track on which one I have missed. :p

Cups for adults and for our kiddos. :)

I realized for the outlet at T2, they have a piece of damp cloth placed under the hot water dispenser. This is great as many times, the hot water tends to drip or over flow from the cup. In this way, the damp cloth will soak up the hot water keeping it safe, clean and neat. But it seems to me this is not available at the other outlets which we went. Maybe they can consider doing so for every Sakae outlets.

We had a good meal and the bill came out to be over $70! We get a chance for the Millionaire draw and also 4 free rides to The Slide @ T3. Hahaha.. It's not a bad idea to dine at Changi afterall. ^_^

~ Pre Father's Day dinner @ Chu Yi Kitchen ~

Next week is Father's Day. We usually dine together a week ahead to avoid the crowd. Hubby suggested to go to Chu Yi Kitchen located in Ang Mo Kio. The reviews online was pretty good so we decided to come here and try.

It is a pretty small cze char eatery place under the HDB block with a couple of tables. Looks like a coffeeshop style and yet provides catering and delivery service as well. Unlike the usual kopitiam where we'll be expecting many people dining, here is much quieter. We are also the only big group of diners filling up the table.

Chu Yi Kitchen (厨艺-美食之家)

Address: Block 151 Ang Mo Kio Ave 5, #01-3046 Singapore 560151
Operating hour: 10:00am - 10:00pm
Phone: +65 6459 2198

Signature dishes : Curry Fish Head, Big Prawn Hor Fun, Roasted meat platter

Nevertheless, we ordered the signature and recommended dishes like Big Prawn Hor fun, Curry fish head, Scholar tofu, Mixed meat platter, Yam Basket, Broccoli with scallop and Prawn paste fried chicken.

I particulary like the horfun, tofu and yam basket. For the Big prawn Hor fun, the prawns are big and serves on with a thick gravy. The vegetables are fresh and the hor fun taste nice too... unlike the usual that I normally eat. The ingredients in the Yam Basket is very fresh with bigger prawns, scallops etc and and the taste of the Yam is sweet and good. Scholar tofu surprised me with the prawn and cuttlefish paste within when I bite it.

As for the curry fish head, it wasn't as spicy as we expected it to be. In fact it was not spicy at all. Nevertheless, it has a unique sour flavour and serves well with the rice. Mixed meat platter is an interesting combination as it has pork, chicken and duck on a plate. Overall dining experience is satisfactory and the final bill is about $109 including the drinks and rice. Definitely will consider coming back again for another meal. ^_^

~ 天乐 is 1 month old ~

Beautiful Gift Packs by Melrose Bake House

Last week, my nephew TianLe just turned 1 month old. He is so adorable and really resembles my 2nd brother. ^_^ Owen says baby looks like me when I was young too..Hahaha..

Isn't he cute?? Chubby chubby and got lotsa hair. ^_^

Brother adores TianLe a lot and my mum also cherish the new addition to our family. Denver and Gladys going to have more cousins to play with. Come to think about it, hubby's brother's and my brother's kids are all boys which still leaves Gladys as the only Princess in our family tree (for the time being). :p Being surrounded by so many boys..no wonder she is so bossy and boyish..

HAPPY 1 Month Old TianLe ^_^

~ Happy Vesak Day ~

Tomorrow is Vesak Day - 卫塞节. We took the children to Puat Jit Buddhist Temple (般若念佛堂) at Anchorvale to do our prayers and bath the buddha. Later tonight, there will be chanting of prayers and more people will gather at the temple to make their offerings.

We came earlier to avoid the crowd and the organisers are still busy decorating and putting everything in place for the big day. Apart from praying, the children always remember to grab their sweets from the plate. Bathing the buddha is also what they enjoyed doing most... picking up the wooden scoop and cleansing the buddha 3 times. ^_^

Today is also "Eat with Your Family Day". We all had dinner at my bbil's place earlier and hence when Denver says he is still hungry, we took him to Compass point for some food. Well, it sort of become "Supper with my family" instead. ^_^

~ Happy Mother's Day 2010 ~

Today is Mother's Day. Daddy instructed the kids not to wake me up too early since it is a special day. Nevertheless, Gladys couldn't resist to call me at 8 plus. Denver drew me a Mother's Day card while I was resting in bed and Gladys follow suit.

Gladys can't really spell and so she wrote those funny OOL1O17 in representation of Happy Mother's Day. She also gave me the card she made in school. :)

It seems like a tradition where families will go out to eat during occasions. Hence, I have been indulging in food lately and feeling really fat. We had dinner with my inlaws last weekend, another dinner gathering with my bils' family yesterday and this morning with my mum at The Oasis - Taiwan Porridge Resturant (海京楼).

My mum with Ashton who just turn 1 last month.

Later in the evening, we had our dinner at Suki Sushi (since I love Japanese food) and the kids definitely enjoying the treat.

母亲节快乐

~ Welcome to this World - Baby 天乐 ~

I'm so Happy today! My 2nd sister-in-law gave birth to a lovely baby boy, 天乐 this morning! He is soooo ADORABLE! Lots of hair and has a very nice feature. He was sleepy soundly when we visited him earlier. So delicate and harmless... but he has such an alarming sharp voice when he was crying for milk. Haha.. Nevertheless, still very cute. :)

It's amazing! Ashton was born on Earth Day and my 2nd nephew is born on Labour Day. Coincidentally, Labour Day is also the day where Hubby and I got together officially. :) I am very happy for Brother Owen and really feels that 天乐 will bring a lot of joy and laughter to the family.

Dear 天乐, you are a very blessed baby with good parents to guide and love you along the way. I'm sure you will be a happy boy everyday (just like your name).

~ National Day Long Weekend ~

It was the National Day Looooong Weekend... No work and school on Monday! Yipeee!!!

We had a nice "All you can eat" lunch at Suki-Ya at Marina Square on Saturday. First time tried Sukiyaki and Shabu Shabu. There are free flow of meat slices (Chicken, Pork and Beef) - Personally, I like the Beef best. :) There is also a separate bar counter with fresh vegetables, toufu, mushroom, udon, eggs and many others.. It was not too bad (not really expensive - less than $20 per pax) and the kids enjoyed it.

Yesterday was Singapore's 44th Birthday and we all wear Red/White. :) First time ever.. hehehe. Went to Singapore Expo - Harvey Norman fair and bought a new camera. Haven't try taking photos using the new camera yet.

In the evening, Jasper and Royston came to our place to play PS3 while I help Hubby to pack his luggage for his flight on Tuesday. At the same time, I was watching the National Day parade.. waiting to say the pledge @ 8.22pm. Denver has been memorizing the pledge which he was taught in school (English and chinese version) for the past few days.

At 8.22pm, the kids were all called into the room to say the pledge!

We, the Citizen of Singapore

Pledge ourselves as one united people

Regardless of Race, Language or Religion

To build a Democratic society

Based on Justice and Equality

So as to achieve Happiness, Prosperity and Progress for our Nation!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Unfortunately, Gladys is still too young and buzy playing with her puzzle while we are saying the pledge. :p Hahaha. HAPPY BIRTHDAY SINGAPORE!

~ Birth of Boyan! ~

My good friend and colleague, Andrea finally gave birth to Boyan yesterday night!! He's a baby boy and I am really happy for her! We have awaited so loooong for this day to arrive. :) I went to visit her at Mt A earlier this afternoon and am glad to see baby and mommy are doing well. Boyan is really cute and I really love to carry him after his full month. :D

Boyan is really a cute boy! Congratulations! Really brings me back memories when I just had Denver. It was a very joyous moment for me which I'll never forget.