Listening to the music playing softly at the background

Watching the lights on the tree dance merrily

And the kids, still in their pajamas, ripping off the wrappers excitedly

Feeling the warmth, the peace and the blessings

On Christmas Day

*****

The HunnyBunz’ Loot

 *****

Combining the presents, yiHang builds a really large and busy city

- Photo updated on 2/1/06 -

Day 1 : 18th December (Sunday)

Set Sail, Singapore

Before he even opened his eye, the excited toddler who had been counting down to this day was already chanting, “Hooray! Hooray! Today is Star Cruise Day! Hooray! Hooray!”

Amidst the excitement, we had breakfast, bathed the kids, changed them and checked through all 5 luggages to ensure the essentials like diapers, milk powders, bottles, Gerber puffs, sweaters, yiHang’s favourite board games, cereals and medicine were packed before heading to the World Trade Centre to meet my parents and my relatives from Perth.

Though there were many activities on board, the afternoon was spent browsing tours, *making reservations for the grand Gala Dinner and buying tickets for shows.

My parents tended to the kids and brought them to the Tropicalia show allowing us the opportunity for a romantic dinner at an Italian restaurant.

After dinner, we brought yiHang for games and activities followed by dancing. That tired him out. Which was good because, after the kids were fast asleep, we slipped out for a *Las Vegas styled topless show.

 *****

Day 2 : 19th December (Monday)

Penang, Malaysia

It was an emotional day.

For Me.

I smelled the sea

While the warm breeze caressed my skin.

Back again.

My home town.

And as I closed my eyes,

I could see my Grandpa’s loving smile.

And feel my Grandma’s hug,

her wrinkled skin,

her eyes filled with tears of joy,

and the sweet aroma of her cooking

 

A rare occasion.

Where all the siblings were home.

From Singapore. From Perth.

And the cousins too.

The only one missing was my sis.

The rest of the day was spent swimming, more eating and merry making.

Unfortunately my mom and Tian How were down with diarrhea since the night before.

We turned in early.

  

 *****

Day 3 : 20th December (Tuesday)

Phuket, Thailand

 

Woked up early to watch

Sunrise

From our cabin’s balcony.

After a leisure breakfast, we took the feeder boat to Patong beach.

We went *free and easy and got ourselves a real bargain.

Elephant rides, Thai food and Shopping for a fraction of the price offered by Star Cruise tours.

Our van met with an accident.

Luckily no body was hurt.

Just some time wasted.

By the time we got back to Patong beach, not much time was left for shopping.

But Lilik, our domestic help managed to get a piece of swim suit for just S$12.00.

And went for her very first dip in the pool.

 

It was the Gala Dinner.

yiHang went to the childcare for his kid’s size party.

We had Japanese.

While others had Western and Chinese.

 *****

Day 4 : 21st December (Wednesday) Back to Singapore

It was poring cats and dogs so we lazed in bed and had late breakfast.

We went to watch the “Reindeer Race” – a simple and fun betting game where there were six reindeers representing the numbers 1 to 6. Bets placed, Dices rolled, Reindeers moved.

yiHang was over the moon when he was chosen to be a reindeer. He was a purple reindeer with the number “1”. We regretted not placing heavy bets on him as he was unexpectedly the first to cross the finish line! But we won $13 anyway!

The rest of the morning was spent playing BINGO followed by lunch and a final tour round the ship.

  “Why the holiday so short?!” laments the toddler.

And with that, we were pretty sure this will not be our last cruise holiday. 

  

Photo Album : Star Cruise 2005

 *****

 

*Tips for those going for the SuperStar Virgo Cruise

- Guests are required to make reservations for Gala Dinner held on the last night of the cruise. Since tables are allocated on ‘first come, first serve’ basis, queue up as soon as the reservation is open if you want to ensure a place in the restaurant of your choice.

- IMO, not worth watching. Nothing close to those I’ve seen in Hong Kong and Las Vegas.

- Penang Tour packages purchased from Star Cruise starts from S$18 per pax. It’s cheaper if you grab a cab on your own. Plenty of cabs from the pier. Walked further down for better bargains. We got a 10-seater for just RM$80 (approx S$40). Email me if you need the driver’s contact.

- The childcare has fabulous activities to keep the kids entertained at just $6 an hour. Make sure that you are issued the StarKids card before the cruise to enjoy discounts on various activities and outlets. Otherwise bring along your tour receipts.

We wanted to frolic in sun, swim in the sea, meet the pink dolphins, dive with the sharks and fly on the trapeze.

But there were stuff to settle, errands to run, kids to feed and naps to take.

So it was not until the late evening that we made our way to Sentosa and content with a visit to the Underwater World and a stroll by the beach against a beautiful backdrop of lapping waves and setting sun. 

Of course, the beach train ride was an activity not to be missed. Followed by ice cream treats from YiYi (姨姨) and Uncle Vernon.

My parents and my Aunt, Uncle and cousin Elaine from Perth joined us for dinner. While the rest called it a day and checked into the hotel, I headed home with my sis, Vernon and yiXiang. My baby was thoroughly exhausted dancing to the beat at the Magical Sentosa show. 

Engulfed by a sense of new found freedom without the man and the toddler, I sneaked out to our usual hangout for supper.

The hotel rooms and part of the dinner were compliments from my in-laws who unfortunately were not able to join us as they were in the States. Otherwise it would have been a real bash!

 

The next morning, we headed back to Sentosa and met the rest for breakfast at Delifrance. The only activity we managed before checking out at noon was the fun rides at Sentosa Luge.

 

We were at Sentosa.

Yesterday we were spotted by Marie.

This morning, one of our blog readers (*wave* Yvonne, – hoped I got the name correct) came up to us to say hello.

*Swore I will never leave the house without makeup again*

Makes us feel like celebrities.

Now, excuse our absence while we learn to wave like the Queen to our fans.

Well, not exactly.

Just taking the long awaited but short holiday.

 

So，back to the age old question of 

WHO READS OUR BLOG !?

 

We were at Sentosa.

Yesterday we were spotted by Marie.

This morning, one of our blog readers (*wave* Yvonne, – hoped I got the name correct) came up to us to say hello.

*Swore I will never leave the house without makeup again*

Makes us feel like celebrities.

Now, excuse our absence while we learn to wave like the Queen to our fans.

Well, not exactly.

Just taking the long awaited but short holiday.

 

So，back to the age old question of 

WHO READS OUR BLOG !?

 

Mommy (to Papa):

You know, I invited SIX of Yihang’s classmates over to our place for a play date.

I even arranged to pick two of the boys up.

Don’t know if I could cope.

I dreamt about it.

Nightmare!

yiHang:

I dreamt about it too.

But its sweet dreams for me.

I was happy playing with my friends.

*****

 

They built cities.

They baked pizza.

They watched Scooby.

They drew.

They played rough.

They fought.

They made up.

And the boys had a great time.

Greedy

Girly

KayPoh

Interesting!

 

 

Papa don’t usually buy thing for the kids.

But when he does,

he does it in style!

The almost complete set.

All in one purchase.

On one shopping trip.

We went to Suntec City to catch the Care Bears musical. The beeline was exceptionally long and I felt bad taking up a kid’s place since there were still many queuing behind us. I told yiHang go in on his own and assured him that I would be behind the cordoned area waiting for him. 

Usually, a pass is required for the meet-and-greet session after the show. To my utmost surprise, every one was invited on stage for a snap with the care bears. The excited toddler rushed onto the stage before I could reach him. I told the attendants that he was alone. A large crowd blocked the entrance so instead of letting me in, they asked for my camera to take a photo for yiHang.

After that, yiHang was quickly ushered to the opposite side of the stage and I watched helplessly as my little boy disappeared into the crowd.

Tian How and I jostled through the throng of parents and kids but when we reached where we last spotted him, yiHang was no where to be found.

We searched frantically and even engaged the help of the staff.

Then …

Tian How’s phone rang.

“Papa, … where are you? Where is mommy?” asked the boy calmly.

And he guided us to him.

*****

Just before the show when we were in the queue, I taught yiHang to use my hand phone. I demonstrated to him how to unlock the phone, access the main menu and then access the phonebook and scroll down to search for numbers. I explain to him that “Papa” number is saved as “Hubby”.  I didn’t really think that he could remember all the steps and make a call. It was more like an activity to kill time. I left the phone in his pants pocket.

*****

We’ve told yiHang that if he were lost, don’t panic. Go back to the ‘original’ place and wait for us. And seek help.

He did just that!

It was me who was near to tears and forgot to go back to the ‘original’ place (where he was waiting for us) to look for him.

*****

He won a prize – again – at the care bears show. A set of care bears post cards!

 

Tea to calm the nerves (of the parents) after the Lost and Found episode!

yiHang appeared completely unaffected.

And claimed that he was not scared!

Geeze!

I was near a nervous-breakdown!

*****

 

Nope.

We do not think he is exceptionally smart or anything along that line.

His guardian angels were watching over him.

All the time.

  

ALL NIGHT ALL DAY
Words / Music: Hap Palmer from the album Baby Songs Good Night

All night, all day
Angels watchin’ over me my Lord
All night, all day
Angels watchin’ over me

Now I lay me down to sleep
Angels watchin’ over me, my Lord
Pray the Lord my soul to keep
Angels watchin’ over me

Bless this precious earth we share
Angels watchin’ over me my Lord
Land and water,
plants and air
Angels watchin’ over me

Bless each home
and family
Angels watchin’ over me my Lord
Help us all sleep peacefully
Angels watchin’ over me

After his swimming lesson, I brought the kids to Toys-R-Us. The toddler spent a good hour selecting his Christmas gift. He had such a difficult time deciding one over another and finally settled for Fast Lane Action City Playset (Fire Station).

We were about to pay when the cashier told me that the toy would cost a good ten bucks more, at $29.95! without the STAR card.

We did not get the toy since I intended to get the card from my sis and saved the couple of dollars! yiHang was extremely disappointed but did not protest.

However, the following day, he literally haunted me (and my sis) for the card and the toy. Though my sis was working on a project, she took a cab and picked us up. We headed to United Square. Cab fare – $7.00

“OK, Let’s get him the toy first so that he could play with it while we enjoy a good afternoon tea.” I assured my sis. Tea – $14.30

Nerve wrecking. Sheer exhaustion! We spent a good 40 minutes assembling the toy at McCafe. Gobbled up the cake and drinks in less than 10 minutes and headed home in a cab. Cab fare – $7.50 + $1.00 (Peak hour surcharge)  

Come to think of it, I should have gotten the toy in the very first place.

Though the tree was lopsided and imbalanced (in my opinion only!), it looked so much better than the previous years.

Because, the perfectionist me has learned to sit back, relaxed and derived joy in merely watching the gentlemen busied themselves decorating it with Santas, stars, ribbons, angels and glitzy glitters.

 

Yihang went to Benjamin’s home for a playdate.

All by himself.

Kong Kong (公公)sent him in the morning.

Mummy picked him in the evening.

They played, they drew and they baked.

And had a great time.

Without Me.

Geeze!

He’s growing far too fast.

 

I asked him for his masterpiece.

He said he couldn’t draw.

But drew this.

For her !

 

Early that morning, our little percussionist in white silk blouse and bright red pants was bursting with excitement. It was the school’s Christmas pageant.

We dropped him off at school as there were chartered buses to bring them to Raffles City where the event was held. Thus stole some time for a quiet breakfast for two.

Ladies in dresses, Gentlemen in suits. Kids in glittery costumes. The choir by parent volunteers presented a medley of Christmas songs to put us in the mood for the festive season. Songs, dances, food and good company.

What a bash!

While our baby has a good time walking, we have a hard time catching up with him. When I saw how carefree yiXIANG roams his world, this beautiful song came to mind.

Walking

Words: Martha Cheney / Music: Hap Palmer from the album More Baby Songs

Walking walking walking walking
Seems so easy now
But I remember when I was small
And I did not know how

I would take two steps and then fall down
And bump my bottom on the ground
My dad would say, “That’s O.K.”
“Try some more another day”

I would take two steps and then two more
And fall down on the kitchen floor
But up I’d stand, dust my hands
And tell myself I know I can

My boys grew up with Baby Songs. Meaningful Lyrics. Cute babies. We’ve enjoyed every album, even the grandparents love the songs. So if you’ve not heard Hap Palmer, go grab one. (Popular carries the whole series). 

 

 

Is it 1:30 yet?

Nope. Half an hour more.

Is it 1:30 yet?

Not yet dear.

Is it 1:30 yet?

It’s another 29 minutes and 30 seconds more!

 For the millionth time …

Is it 1:30 yet?

25 minutes more. But Yes Yes YES! You can switch on the TV now!

 Yeah. Sesame Street!

This is an everyday affair.

His favourite TV programme

Not to be missed.

*****

 

Thus yiHang was overjoyed when we brought him to the Sesame Street Live Show. His Papa took the day off. We picked him from school at 11:30am and headed to Takashimaya. Time was tight. We had a quick lunch at Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao, one of yiHang’s favourite restaurants. He simply loves the dumpling, noodles and soup.

By the time we reached the atrium half an hour before the show, there was already a long queue. Luckily Yihang managed to get a place right in front.

The show started with some games and there were prizes given out. The biggest prize was the Hokey Pokey Elmo (watch the preview – very cute!) for the kid who can dance the best hokey pokey.

Yihang gave his best shot.

And YiHANG WON!

Frankly, it was difficult to judge who the best dancer was as there were so many kids. We didn’t want him to be proud thinking that he was the best. So we told him, “Wah! So many children. All dance very well. But you are so lucky. Your botak head is as shining as a light bulb. So they spotted you easily and saw how well you danced!” Our toddler, who was beaming from ear to ear replied, “Luckily Kong Kong (公公) just shaved my head!”  

That made his day.

And for that matter, ours too.