Church camp 27-30 dec 2015

We had a blast in the camp for both the adults n the kids. For once, we could finally weaned Joann off from us. She is v happy to b with the kids prog (so much so she's bored w us hmm) n we adults soaked ourselves in the spirit of God. The theme building lives together was so timely aft we ended the series of Nehemiah which talks a lot Abt building the church together. Think we have been thru 'ruins' n it's time we gather everyone to rebuild this body of God. Something we din quite expect it to happen but glad things are piecing together now esp when we are marching into 2016 together as a church. 

The whole camp prog was planned in such ways there was lots of chances to know others to build the body of Christ. Glad there was interest grp activities the kids could participate such as bowling just opp the changi village hotel at the civil svc club n even the board games which the kids n even us picked up more good games to play as a grp! The kids loved the German game Ligretto n even younger kids like Joann loved the ugly doll. Such times were good to know others as the kids got to play w the youths n even younger ones were together piecing jigsaws together. 

Everyone was sad when the camp came to an end but our friendships go beyond the camp n it sure overflows into our church life n beyond. Exciting times ahead as we watch the works of God unveil in our own lives n church life too!

Family for life....food decoration

Yest we attended a family for life event at enabling village near our home. It's meant to b deliberate time spent w family n since our usual sat is out as a family so we attended this. Not a huge crowd n some activities ard, Joann was keen on the bouncy castle, snake n ladder activities n we signed up for food decoration which was kind of fun coz we rarely do this at home.

It was run by shatec n we were to decorate bread into fish shape n with lots of sweet stuff like icing, M&Ms, choc chips n colorful stuff. The kids had fun just decorating it. 2nd food item was decorating the brownies n Ian enjoyed writing his name on the sticks but they sure tasted yummy. It was just a fun time playing as a family n this event is run monthly I think

Christmas staycation

For a change, we changed from Christmas meals to a stay over with the Chng clan (of coz missing jiu2 n family) we stayed over changi village hotel as we have been to that hotel n felt it was good to b away from hustle n bustle and we could still booked it pretty last min.

Kids were most thrilled to b out of home to go to a hotel (tho we would b back a few days later for church camp) we checked in yest n saw a lot of locals checking in, guess it's the long wkend. We had crazy time in the rooms as our rooms were all lined side by side. We explored the changi beach park, the kids had fun at the playground. Joann was going several rounds on the climbing rope thrill as lately she found herself hanging on well with ropes n this time she tried a few times w her cousins n later bravely went on her own. We rem how we 1st came here in Jan, she was already keenly trying it but daddy gotta assist in pushing her upwards n some months later, she is able to manovere on her own. Our little girl has grown so agile hmm 

Dinner was at changi village n was superb with the spread of local delights. A rare chance to have a bit of everything since usually our family can't eat so much so it's good to go in crowd but think we all ate too much haha. Dayi got a super cute set of macaroons just for the occasion n see the 2 special ones Joann n Ian picked for themselves 

Tdy we Skype w the Chng clan in us n it's been a while since we skype n was good for the folks to do it on such special time. Then it was pool fun n it was hot under the sun but the kids loved it nonetheless. Well we then adjourned to airport upon check out n was good trail thereafter. Guess we all had a belly merry Christmas this yr n definitely a hassle free one as we had good food wherever we go n we just need the good company! Hohoho merry Christmas 

Christmas wonderland

We thanked God for another wonderful day as it was a rare Sunday we don't hv usual family dinner n Thot we shld head out to the Christmas wonderland at gardens by the bay. Read a lot Abt the traffic n just last nite the road was temporarily closed coz of traffic. So we braved the traffic n went early like 4+ to check out the Christmas market. Was kind of nice except too hot as we stroll down from barrage (as most car parks had long trail of cars) n the kids were so hooked on looking at every activity. There was dozens of 'traps' haha a lot of game booths n it was just tough to win their prizes. Joann was asking endlessly for the games. Just merely enjoying watching pple play n losing their tokens, the kids knew it was tough so ended up telling them if they walked off wo playing the games which din guarantee them a prize, they are guaranteed an ice cream from us. Glad they din succumb to it.

Off we went for our dinner while waiting for the skies to turn dark n for the lights to come on. Everywhere was crowded so we managed to get a table at an oriental western restaurant haha what a mix up name Anw kids loved their kids meal b pleasantly surprised food was served fast despite of the crowd. 

Soon we ventured out n this time cooler n we were treated w Hwa Chung choir singing n rather cool to hear Christmas carols at the Christmas market. The mood is in the air n the wind started coming in, it was cooler despite the crowd coming in too. Had some mini pan cakes as food was hard to resist at the place hee. Was telling Ian how cool to go Christmas market in Europe but here it's humid. Saw a lot of kiddy rides n we were thrilled by the AIA trick art. There was skating rink, Santa Claus cottage n photo booths. 

N we were treated to this Christmas  music thingy under the super grove. Pretty cool to see the lighting n kids were enjoying the music with their ice cream cones. Just nice that we made it this evening n glad we braved thru the crowd

National day out

First saw this on advert n Thot it sounded like some baby day out so din pay much attention but then saw on Internet seems like it's for families nation wide but checking online we were too late to register. Anw abit wary of crowd but who knows this morning weather looks good n daddy says go. So off we went, hoping to go early to miss the mass. Din expect we would b going sports hub so soon again. It's the same system - a play card n u hope ard stations to play games. First thing we did was to register for craft workshops as there were time slots allocated but a lot of pple have pre registered so we weren't sure what we could get. Looking thru the list we wanted to register for 11am slot n Ian chose Christmas gift bag n we got it.

Off we went to play the station games, the kids couldn't wait to play the bouncy castle as we missed that at the para games. This time they really went bouncing ard - at castle, trampoline n then slide. Kind of fun as there was a part they had to rope climb to slide down n reached the bouncy platform. 

There aft they went to play soccer, guess something like that para games n mama queued for photo taking. Soon we were done n waiting for photo shoot. Quite pro as they had 3 backdrop n so we got the Christmas balloon design n they gave 4 shots n were printed out really soon! 

It was time for our 11am craft workshop n they did a nice owl Christmas bag at the sports hub lib. Cool n was done in a swift. We were left with last stamp for the card n was water activity. Little did we know there was water fun. Long queue for the paddle boat n apprehensive as we waited if Joann could manovere on her own as it was a kid by herself. Waited at least 30 mins n both kids were under hot sun driving the paddle boat n turned out it was the most fun activity for the day! The kids really enjoyed themselves n with completed card we were given more goodie bag n a very nice day out umbrella as it was all animal themed n the kids loved the animal umbrella too. Just glad we had a fun 2hr at the carnival n completed what we had set out to do n both kids felt they enjoyed it more than para games tho it was just so short 2 hrs! Thumbs up to national day out!

Our step challenge starts!

At the start of Sch hols, mama has been thinking how to keep the kids fit thru the hols since we got so much time thru the day. The start of hols, we would go downstairs n run but the kids lose momentum aft a (short) while sigh n get distracted by the many distractions downstairs. Their fav was climbing the 'ladder' n the old folks corner sigh n 2nd wk we were away. Last wk tried running again but it ended up mama running alone so was thinking hard of alternative.

Came across this step challenge on papers, a national drive but dunno why din see the advert till now, guess we read what we like to read on papers n omit such stuff. Last Sunday was determined to get the step tracker (a watch like thingy to track the steps u take each day) but no avail aft visiting a few n calling some outlets as the drive started 2 mths ago so stocks running low. Well we started the walking just yest. Did the usual route to Parliament House but kids no scooter went really slow n motivation was to get ice cream sigh so Parliament House was kind of too far so compromised to Liang court but the slurpee machine out of order so walked back n went past a 7-11 store n each got an ice cream n both grinning on way home n we shopped for a long while at GWC haha not tiring when u shop!

Tdy we took the same route n this time they knew what they were into, wanted to ask them to walk further to the central mall but both din want n slurpee machine was up at Liang court 7-11 n this brings so much cheer to both n we walked back n went to GWC again haha coz someone brought $ to buy things he couldn't buy the previous day n there we found the step tracker haha we din check out the previous day n guess our lives would b diff w the step tracker now. Onward we go 10,000 steps a day!

The future of us

Well much advert on that n with much anticipation to the exhibit but well not as crowded as we expected n exhibition is pretty small scale n a lot of forecast of how life would b in the future (they projected some scenes of the life in 2030, seems cool but scary how life would b, very tech savvy then but yet lack the human touch, somehow felt the whole exhibition is pre-empting pple how life would b n persuading pple to b more inclusive n consider any others like how spore used to b) expected to walk away with more, wonder if my kids understand the take home from this but it's definitely scary for me to think how life would b- busier than ever tho next time car would b automated, transport is more sofisticated but just lack all the humane emotions in all things. At the blue skies some where we are to send wishes, we just kept sending love msg, think love for others n not only self is v impt for the future of us! Just a very personal take home

Ian is another mth older

This seems to b the longest mth ever, just in the past mth we have done so much, ate so much, had so much fun n so much squabble together. Guess that is the result of long hols. The boy is still loving it without having to go Sch n able to watch tv serials that he loves, going to bed late n not having tons of homework. Well the time spent in hols can b sweet n can b bitter too coz of the amt of time he has together w mei2 n sure to squabble more n get more scolding but yet there are sweet time he will teach her very patiently n play with her lovingly. Well won't sure he is the tyrant kind of brother but sure wish he could b more selfless at more times. Guess he knows being older bro has to give in a lot more but yet at times he just thinks it's enough n his sis needs to b taught in a hard way hmm

Well well hols is the time they learn to b more loving coz they meet each other when they get up n eat at every meal. They sure give each other hugs n kisses each morning n spur each other to run on when we go exercise. Guess that is siblinghood n sure enjoy each other company tho squabble is inevitable. Another 3 more wks to go, we are half way thru the hols

Para asean games

For some time Ian has been bugging me to bring them to para games. But we were away for a good portion of the games n so had to squeeze in aft we are back. Yest was supp to b good but Thot the kids might b tired aft the trip so we went tdy instead. Our usual Kakis were away n so abit apprehensive to go w both kids in tow but glad we made it coz the games were more enjoyable than what we had at sea games in Jun. 

It was less crowded (tho a lot of grps were there either by Sch or cc) but coz we could hop at all the venues n games since it's free admission so we headed to table tennis 1st at Ocbc arena n it was cool place as in a few sports were there n we could just hop around the halls. 

The kids were introduced to para games as they hardly had chance to see pple on wheelchair or wo limbs to play the games. It was fun with all the cheering n fun. We headed to the carnival where the kids had endless fun w the lanyard n stamps. We r done w 5 stamps really soon n the trick was with that card w 5 stamps u could redeem some collectibles stuff n u could get a lucky dip (if it has a smiley on the ping pong ball, we could move on to play this spidey game which is to be hung into a pit of stuff to see if u win the big prize. Sigh n mummy got the 'lucky' dip n both kids din dare to go in for the game n so mummy had to go in haha n won a year worth of note book haha, din win the big prize. The games were meaningful as they taught how it was like for a handicapped to do some stuff like we had to play football with tainted glasses n the kids get to sit on wheelchair to know the feel of it. 

Aft lunch we wanted to watch the games again but we chanced upon a Nila fun run n it was like an amazing race, it was like an app game to go ard the places in the area n there were games to play along the way. But strangely the games were abit tough n ended up mummy had to perform the tasks like the uni cycle n Eco cycle (i.e. Balance on a wheel drive or 2 wheels drive) well but we had tons of fun just running ard n tho we din complete all (as afraid Joann can't run all the places wo nap) but we got prizes too haha. N we also managed to watch some games along the way like the boccia, athletics n was cool as we visited places like the national stadium. Aft we got our prizes we went to watch wheel chair basketball n it was the most exciting maybe coz of the speed the game went on but kind of eye opener for kids to see how the handicapped will still b so sporty n yet see beyond their physical handicap to play a sport. 

It was good to b able to catch so many of the games n we also ended the evening with more games at the carnival b4 daddy came to join us for dinner. It was a truly enjoyable day out n have fun at the para asean games n guess prob it is our last as the kids would b grown up at the next games. Fun times to remember 

Our Msia hols 2-6 dec 2015

We haven't tried venturing to kl on our own b4 n this hols we tried driving in, braving the traffic n it seems pretty ok to drive in. Glad we made it to the hotel pretty fast aft a full bf at JB. We were so early at kl that we went to have lunch n do shopping b4 check in time. The kids loved the family suite we booked coz it was huge n they could run ard (there is a full loop for them to run ard) n of coz the huge bath tub. We went more shopping n check out kidzania b4 we decided to go back for a swim b4 dinner in room. The weather was so good we couldn't resist a swim b4 a nice dinner in the room. 

The next day was spent in kidzania n the kids had a whale of the time n we ended the nite w dinner at IKEA just opp the hotel. The hotel is very well linked to malls, IKEA n even tesco. The next day we hit to Melaka for 2nd leg of our Msia hols with the rest of our family. The kids were thrilled to meet their cousins n all. We went to the usual Mille crepe place, the naan restaurant for our meals. We hit to jonker that nite coz weather was good n glad we made it as the following nite it poured n we went back in rain aft some movie time n batik painting done in the day. The kids enjoyed the time together n we had more fun in the suite with food we packed from the local mkt. 

The next day was to bid farewell to ah mu n family as they were heading to kl n we were going home. We had a blast of time just traveling in Msia n brought home much memories tho the kids wished they could stay on forever haha we had good family time at kl n splendid time with the rest of family at Melaka 

For 8 hrs, we conquered 19 tasks!

We have heard Abt kidzania but nv felt more ready for it than now coz Joann turned 4yo n she is more ready for all the activities as most of them must meet 4yo criteria. N most crucial is both of them can b company for each other since parents can't go in with them. It's a place to let them know earning $ is not easy as they do task to earn kidzo $ n we made kidzania passport so that they could earn $ faster haha as a motivation for them! But this passport can bring them to all kidzania over the world.

We had 8hrs spent at this place n did 19 tasks each of them.it seems endless as they keep wanting to go on but it was just tiring esp Joann din take nap n most of the time they r on their move really working or queuing for their turn. We enjoyed the magic show most haha coz we were audience but for them it's prob the super market coz they had 3 rounds of it n weren't tired. Tdy is a wkday n not supp to b so crowded but yet some popular tasks are really long so we skipped some of them. Guess we shld b back soon since the kids know how it's like to earn kidzo $ to buy that item they want from the store n for now, they hv atm card for their $$ in cimb bank. For that we shld visit 1 again to earn more $