What to do in blizzard like weather in Finland with the kids!

Today is Boxing Day, 26th Dec 2010. The weather is vry cold, blizzard-like conditions and as Asians coming from hot and humid Singapore, it's really impossible to get out of the house. As we know, my 2 boys are active and adventurous, so no amount of scribbling, reading and craft will satisfy the need for action! We finally decided to turn the home into an 'active' playground and the only game we play was 'hide and seek'. Well, we had loads of fun and laughter; look at the rules that Javier played by.
[1] He will appear when you enter the room where he hides. *BOO!
[2] He will hide right under your nose. Daddy was standing in front of toilet and J went in and shut the door, opened it and said to his dad,"Papa, I want to hide in the toilet, ok?" We laughed till our bellies were filled.
[3] He will walk to his hiding place very quickly and loudly.... we obviously know where he's hiding!

The next game we are playing with him, is treaure hunt! Happy homestay!

Gill

It's mummy's birthday!

Yes! It's the same time of the year again. I'm blowing out 28 candles in the year 2010 with my closest family around me. I'm feeling the effects of being in a strange land without friends and relatives.
Almost every birthday celebration starts with lots of well wishes, cakes and food and ends with me feeling so blessed. This year is a very quiet year, without all of the fanciful stuff, but a simple song from my family via video conference and my 3 best friends conversing with me via video brings me such blessings and peace. I wish I can be at my favourite Italian restaurant along Bukit Timah Road, enjoying dinner with my dear dear. However, counting my blessings, I have to, in such severe temperatures, I have so much time with myself.

I miss you, my dearest friends and my lovely family. I really do. Thank you for all the blessings from the past till this day. And I will treasure the "present".

A sick week for the family

This past week has been a snow storm for me. I sleep a maximum of 5 hours before crawling out of bed, cleaning dirty noses and watery poo throughout the day. Cooking has become a chore simply because I have a Koala clinging to me in all of his waking hours. And, I have become really short tempered and the fuse is indeed running short with the kids. And then, I read something online that pulled me back to sanity. Life is about giving and sharing and learning. I am still learning how to be a competent stay at home mummy, which is a far cry from my life in SG. Having to cope with the chores, cooking, kids, and this week, sickness, is very tough.
So far, I have screamed and yelled at the kids, cried after and become stronger.
These two years are dedicated for my family, putting myself at the end of the list. All the good and bad will pass; when we look back at the time, we will recall and retain all the wonderful memories and sights. Just like work, there's always good and bad. Let's look at the good, forget the bad and move on; because when we look back, we won;t even remember the bad. How often do you remember the labour pain after the baby is one?

A story from "Opening The Door of your Heart"

On Commitment
My view of relationships and marriage is this: when the couple are going out, they are merely involved; when they become engaged, they are still merely involved, maybe more deeply; when they publicly exchange marriage vows, that is commitment.
The meaning of the marriage ceremony is commitment. During a ceremony, to drive home the meaning in a way people usually rememberfor the rest of their lives, I explain that the difference between involvement and commitment is the same difference between bacon and eggs.
At this point, the in-laws and friends start to pay attention. They begin to wonder, 'what has bacon and eggs got to do with marriage?' I continue.
"With bacon and eggs, the chicken is only involved, but the pig is commited. Let this be a pig marriage."
I have two friends getting married soon, and I hope that both their weddings opps, marriages, will be pig marriages.

There's a lot to learn and give in commitment. May your journey be as wonderful as mine, if not surpassing mine. Be happy.

Javier's school trip to Atlantis at Lower Delta

I was supposed to go for a class excursion to Singapore Botanical Gardens Jacob Ballas this morning. However, it rained heavily and we really couldn't go at all. So, there's the last minute plan to go to the Atlantis @ lower Delta. We had loads of fun and it was good value for a price at $4/ hr.


Jave upside down in ball pit


Jave's gone down the slide with Tcr Zhu'e


Jave n his new friend

Our Sunday @ Hort Park

Today mummy and papa brought didi and me to Hort park! It's the first time we were there and I had a great time though it was very hot. Didi didn't like it too much cos he was fussing and mummy had to carry him and walk around...

I brought my scooter there and had fun going down the slopes.
It was fun but really too hot, so, we shorten the trip and went home.
Trust me, we'll be back for more fun soon.


Mummy,didi and me!


Daddy and me!


Me on my scooter!


Can you see my sweat?

Javier's farewell at Masterpiece CCC

I am changing school so that it'll be much more convenient for mummy to fetch me to and fro school.

I'll miss my school, friends and teachers badly.

Mummy bought some cupcakes for my friends and teachers to enjoy and snap some photos for keepsake.


Hope I'll find the new school as fun!

Our new addition - Baby Jerome

Oops! This post is two months late! Baby Jerome will be turning two months old 16th March'2010. Mummy has been swamped with baby, me and herself!

Baby Jerome and Javier are still getting on lovingly, except for occassions when big J wants to have mummy's attention at 100%.

To all parents out there who are tired out by your children's wants and demands, cries and wimping, remind yourself that even when you are not 100% perfect as a parent, you are still adored by them. That is so unconditional and that's the gift as a parent.