Who's That Boy?!

I usually visit the library on my own when he's at school - makes it easier for me to choose books. Yesterday, we spent the afternoon in the library together - this was probably only his third visit to the place. I left him at a row of shelves nearby, went to the computer terminal searching for a book title, turned around and was surprised to find my little boy sitting quietly on one of those colourful stools with his chosen book and reading all by himself.

Singapore River Cruise

We woke up on Raya public holiday and had nothing planned, as usual, for the day. We thought we should go take the sampan from Changi to Ubin, then looking at the overcast sky, we decided it was safer to take a boat ride at the Singapore River. Such happiness - priceless!

Fare ye well, Little Penguin

The crazy parents went crazier. What turned out to be a short evening trip with Matt, and his cousin Heather, to Sengkang Riverside Park to fly kite turned into a competition.

The hubs excitedly tried to fly the kite. It went up, but did not go too high. "No wind leh," he said. I looked up from throwing pebbles with the kids, and saw loads of kites flying up in the sky.

"Let me try!!"

I managed to get the kite up fairly high, after which I threw hubs a smug look :p We established who is the better one at kite-flying in the family.

For the records, hubs was really excited when the kite went up so high. He took over, and almost as if in a bid to de-throne me, attempted to fly my already-high kite higher. I voiced my concern that the little knot I tied to the kite might not be enough to withstand the strong strong wind up there.

I was fooling around with the kiddies when there was a yelp from hubs. Our kite has flown away. Far far away. Up and up and up into the sky. Further and further away. Apparently, the kite just slipped away as the end of the string was not attached to the kite line reel.

We tried to make a chase for it. But our little penguin rode with the wind, floating higher and higher towards the clouds in the horizon.

Adieu little penguin We miss you already ...

Flying the Kite

I do not recall ever flying a kite. I mean, like fly it all by myself. When I was younger, my dad was the one who'd fly it, and little me would just be looking up in awe at the kite in the sky with my jaw opened wide enough for a fly to go in.

Now, Matt's school organized aFamily-cum-Children's Day celebration to Marina Barrage, and we were asked to "bring a kite (optional)". So I turned to ask hubs if he knew how to fly a kite, and if we should bring one, after all, Matt loved the sight of kites when we were there some time back.

Hubs, in all macho-ness, did NOT tell me he could not fly a kite himself. "My father and I flew one probably like 20 years ago I think, hopefully I can do it." Great! All settled then. Over the next few minutes, though, the storyline changed, and he finally admitted that it was also his dad who flew the kite. My dear husband.

So. We decided we would try and make our little boy happy on Children's Day. Matt went out on an excursion with daddy dear to buy his first kite.

In the morning's extreme heat, while playing some games with his classmates, our thoughts were constantly with the kite. Heck, we decided to be delinquents and skipped the next game to try flying the kite!

:) Yay!









Then we went back to playing more games with Matt's classmates, after having satisfied ourselves that we could fly a kite!

Happy Children's Day, little Matt. With lots of love, your crazy parents.

Rochester House II

I went to Rochester House again with a girlfriend on National Day, and felt compelled to re-visit my earlier review.


We arrived at 9:30 for breakfast. They served only buffet. The waiter came up to us and asked if we would like to have some coffee or juice to start with. We assumed it was part of the buffet, and when the coffee arrived, I took a sip and it re-affirmed my assumption - it was one of those flat generic coffees. We were very surprised when we got the bill - each coffee cost friggin $4!


The food. It was downright bad. The food spread was limited, and the quality, shite. The bacon was bad, the spinach so overcooked (but they did call it spinach mash), some onion/rosti thingie were so soaked in oil. The sausage, mushroom and egg were at best average. The rest, maybe another 3 -4 dishes, were forgettable. The cost? $19, and $14 if you opt to eat only bread and jam/butter. We were not even aware there was A choice.


Their only redeeming factor was the playhouse and the sand pit. Both the boys had great fun, and both us mommies were just happy to catch a breather and chat. Pity about the food (and the coffee!) I hope they do something about the it, cause I don't think I will return anytime soon, unfortunately.

The Tanglin Tree

Since I am on the subject of children-friendly restaurants ... we checked out The Tanglin Tree some time back with a bunch of friends.



They have a playground for the kids in the form of a "treehouse". Like the sand pit at Rochester House, this is an outdoor playground complete with swings, a slide and a flying fox line. The nearby traffic at the junction of Tanglin Road and Grange Road makes the playground a little noisy, but that's manageable. There is also a very small, forgettable water play area filled with murky water, but then again, maybe we didn't do it much justice since Matt was more keen climbing up the treehouse. Another boy seemed content playing with the few toy boats floating around.

The food was good! Matt, however, did not like the mac-and-cheese we ordered for him, but that's just my boy being fussy. Thankfully, he ate the equally yummy bolognaise. Everyone enjoyed their meal there (and we whacked Matt's little mac-and-cheese!)

Unlike Rochester House, Tanglin Tree offers both alfreso and indoor air-conditioned dining options. Timing and weather matter if you are bringing kids since the playground is outdoor. At lunch time, the metal slide was hot!

Rochester House

Over the weekend, we decided to try a new restaurant where they provide supervised playtime for kids while parents enjoy some time of their own, and have their meal in peace.

The Playhouse
The Playhouse resides in a colonial bungalow where kids enjoy free-play with a good range of toys and activities. There are lego sets, tables and chairs for children sit and draw, a big Thomas the train wooden set, a slide, amongst others. I believe there is also a section for younger babies. Minders are present to supervise the children. You pay a fee for this.

Outside by the cafe, there is an outdoor, sheltered sand pit and water play area. The latter was closed when we were there - "the pool" was sandy and dry. Unlike the indoor Playhouse, the outdoor play area is not supervised.

The Cafe and the Food
We ordered the Sunday Roast - it was excellent!! Tender and juicy, yums! I enjoyed my salad, too, although I felt they were very stingy with the avocados. We ordered the Pirates fish and chips for Matt from the kids' menu, which turned out to be a disappointment. The fish batter was so thick, and hard, even by adult's standards. There was also very little fish inside. Perhaps we should have ordered the adult version.

We were there for lunch. The cafe is entirely outdoor. At 1230, we felt it was a tad bit too hot for alfresco dining. Perhaps brunch might have been a better timing.

The overall experience was pleasant. The prices were not exactly cheap, but okay. The concept of providing baby-sitting services at restaurants is not a new one, but Rochester House did it quite well, we felt, as they dedicated an entire bungalow AND a big outdoor sand pit to keep the children entertained. Here's more information.

The Nine Days

We hung out, went places. Monday we went, for the first time, to the National Museum for the Children's Season 2010, after reading about it on some blogs. I have been trying to arrange a playdate with my dear friend's daughter forever, but have not managed thus far because of work &/or nap time clash, so this week, we finally made it. We even managed 2 outings!

They had fun playing with the giant flannel storyboard, creating 6-legged sheep, and a ladder on a car since no fire engine could be found. They even tried to climb that little ladder. They got to try on some costume, which Matt totally hated.


I don't wanna be an insect; Izzy loving her frog costume

I also brought Matt for trial classes, first at BroadwayBabies at Kids Performing, and Kindermusik on another day. We both liked the former very much. The trainer was very good, very animated, and the kids loved him. To be able to command some attention from Matt, now that is something. Most importantly, Matt had fun. Maybe I might just tweak my work schedule and bring him there regularly.

Matt actually listening to teacher singing with a lego mike and reading Old MacDonald had a Farm

Then on Wednesday night, I thought he felt a tad bit too warm for my liking, and true enough, that night, his fever climbed up to 38.5C! Dang! When he woke up on Thursday morning, he was cranky, and spotted a wet nose :( We decided to bring him to the pediatrician in view of the long weekend. I braced myself for a full bout of flu since the last time he was ill was in October last year. But my little boy was a trooper, he fought it off on his own without medication, as he did the last round! Most proud of him. By Friday evening, the fever had worn off, and he was his jolly self again.

We also did some home improvement. We revamped Matt's bedroom, replacing his beloved sofa with a bed so that if we sleep over with him in his room, we have a proper bed rather than a sofa. Matt protested when he saw his favourite sofa gone, and cried endlessly until we had to drive him to sleep. Poor boy!

We moved the sofa to create a "second living room" upstairs. We now have a cozy chillout area. With a lot of coaxing and reasoning, Matt finally came to accept the new arrangement.

Oh, hubs and I have also embarked on a new project - gardening! We have absolutely the worst green fingers. We previously killed the most unkillable plant, so this will be a new challenge for us.

Been a good week for us, except dealing with the maids. Urgh. Don't wanna go there!

Changi Boardwalk

Last Saturday evening saw no rain and great weather in the evening, so we headed for the great outdoors. We decided on a different "walking material" for a change. So we headed to Changi Boardwalk. Not too strenuous like the 4.5km MacRitchie Tree Top Walk.


The Changi Boardwalk is a scenic coastal walk with panaromic views of the Changi coastline, with sailing boats gently bobbing up and down as the sun sets far down the horizon. It was a peaceful walk, with frequent stops as little Matt looked curiously at motor boats zooming by, canoes stacked up neatly in their rack, straw huts, the jetty and occasional planes flying by.

Canoes "come alive" for Matt; staring intently at the sail boats


The unmistakable father-son stride


My very happy boy

Mother-Son Morning

I've always longed for a nice mother-son outing. One that is different from the usual swim class, or grocery shopping. One that we can SIT DOWN, do nothing, and look at the world go by. But when I look at Matt and his active ways, I often wondered if the day would ever come.

Last Thursday though, I decided to try. I came home early from running an errand in the wee hours of the morning, and told him we'd take the bus and train. His eyes literall lit up :)

After his breakfast, he grabbed his bus and train toys before we boarded the shuttle bus from our estate, and then, the train to Bishan. I decided on Toast Box for breakfast. Got my teh-c but had to wait for my otah toast. I propped Matt up on the wooden stool, and we sat there waiting while Matt amused himself with the no. tag that was given to us for the otah toast.

"Tunnel!" he exclaimed. "I want bus. I want twain."

These kept him amused for a while until my otah toast came. I took his strawberries/blueberries snack out and we ate "together." It was a really nice feeling, a great mother-son moment for me, and hopefully for him. He grinned at me as he chomped on the strawberries, and I think he must be happy, too.

After breakfast, there was still plenty of time till the next shuttle bus comes along to bring us home. As we loitered around, I remembered there was a library nearby, and I've been wanting to bring him to one for a long time.

And oh my! The library is so changed from the times I went in my schooling years. Everything is so ... automated. And the library at Bishan is awesome - it has a room in the basement specially for children, complete with colourful stools and chairs and tables the right height for little toddlers. We picked some books, and Matt quietly sat there reading.

It is easy to sign kids up as members. All you need is their birth cert no. And they'd get their own library card! Cute eh?! Unfortunately, I didn't have Matt's with me that day.


It was a wonderful wonderful Thursday morning with Matt :) I guess I underestimated my little boy. He is capable of sitting down and letting mama enjoy a cuppa. A toast to more of such days!

Latest Craze - Fire Engines

Last Saturday morning, we brought Matt out to the fire station so he can see his latest favourite vehicle in real.

Night before at bedtime, I told him that we will bring him to the fire station to see fire engine. He flashed me a big grin, and got a little too excited to fall asleep. When he woke up the next morning, first thing he wanted was his 2 fire engine toys, and held on to them through breakfast, in the car, till we got to the venue.

Given his excitement, I thought he would be elated. But his response was completely anti-climactic. He looked up briefly in awe at the huge fire trucks, but mostly he just rolled his little fire engine toys along the big structures. Wasn't keen on climbing into the engine at all.

Most importantly, though, we all had fun. And he now has a little plastic red helmet, courtesy of the Singapore Civil Defence Force.

Bringing Meaning to CNY: Visiting the Less Fortunate; Respecting the Elderly

It was Day 8 of CNY, and some colleagues in hub's office organised a party for the Adventist Home for the Elders. I was not exactly keen on going, having to deal with the maid, still thinking about my lost iPhone, and still feeling bad from causing Matt's vomiting the night before. But I wanted to get out of my self-pity mood, although I thought seeing the less fortunate might make me brood even more.

And I wondered if Matt might make the old folks feel even worse, I mean, they might think of their own sad plight, how they have no close family members to celebrate with them.

I packed and went anyway. And I am so glad we did.

The set-up was simple, chairs arranged in a big circle in a void deck. When we arrived, they were having a lo hei.

Matt said xin nian kuai le to hub's colleagues, then found more happiness running about outside the party. I was busy watching over him, then hubs came out with the most brilliant idea to involve Matt - make him bring plates of food and serve the elderly.



Each time that he served, he illicited a warm smile.

And it warmed our hearts that our little kiddo managed to bring a smile to a few old folks in the way that only he can.

The Airport

We like bringing Matt to the airport. It is at the airport that he can see almost all modes of public transportation. Without fail, he will take the inter-terminal shuttle train, look at plane take off and land, see the many tour and mini buses outside the terminals, and the taxis queueing for passengers.

For me, it is a great place for him to run amok. And many a times, it means we are there to welcome home the man of our household, all tired from business trip, but elated to be home with his family. The most recent trip was even more meaningful because I have taught Matt to run up to papa and give him a big hug and a big kiss!

happy on the shuttle train; tired from all that running; hooded up and playing with mama's cards while waiting for papa

Tram Ride!

We brought Matt and my parents to the zoo. Matt loved it that we went out somewhere every day when my parents were in town. He seems to enjoy the zoo more and more these days. He'd point out the animals, and stop sometimes to look at them curiously. He remained cautious at the Rainforest Kidzworld.

He was elated when we went on the tram ride for the first time! He could hardly stay still for us to take a good shot, until he was suitably tired ..

Babies Prom

We brought Matt to SSO's Babies Prom on Saturday. He was his usual mischevious self, runnning along the rows of seats before the concert started. When the concert hall started filling up, he went up and down the aisle instead. Non-stop.

He was all about and suddenly stood fixated, staring at the musicians on the stage when they started playing. He was completely mersmerized.

This was him responding to a more interactive piece.

Big Big Big Big Bus!

Matt's first love in the realm of vehicles is the bus. It was his first word, too, if not, one of his firsts. They just somehow fascinate him. Even after being initiated to all the other heavy duty vehicles, he always returns to his favourite bus.

So we gave him a treat and brought him onboard the "big, big, big, big bus" ala SBS bus. Unbelievably lazy as we are, we drove to near the main road and walked to the bus stop.

Needless to say, he loved it. He held on tightly to our ezlink cards and watched intently as the bus pulled in into the bus stop. Inside the bus, he looked all around, studying every detail, looking out at the passing vehicles, observing people getting on and off, and staring hard as passengers flash their cards and the machine goes beep!

It has been such a long time since either hubs or myself took the bus, we forgot to tap the ezlink card when we got off. Oh well, small price to pay to see an excited, happy boy!