Brayden's Best of Friends | Mommy is sick

Brayden 7Y1M29D

Bevlynn 2Y10M22D

Brayden went to a ex-preschool friend, Xiao Yi's 7th Birthday Party. The 4 close friends get to meet again, all going to different primary schools but still played together as close as they were in preschool. There were times when they would message each other to check on one another. 

Bevlynn was really nice to stay home with me. As I was having a bad migraine from the recent heat wave. She saw me on bed and took care of me; massaging, taking my temperature, talking softly and checking how I was doing, not disturbing my rest and took nap with me. She's amazingly caring for a 2+ year-old. Brayden on the other hand, crave attention and kept asking me to accompany him to play. 

I am a very proud mommy. I was speaking to one of the leadership trainer and I love it when topic of family came into the picture. I can stop talking about them, this is the prime moment of my life : have good career, a loving husband, 2 children at a nice fun age, having good health, financially stable. I would not trade for anything else at this moment. 

I was asking Brayden if there was really a time machine, at which time would be go to? He'd do not have an answer. I would go to a time when we were so happy - such as the time when we spend in Australia & Kuantan. There is no way we can really travel back in time but we do have to create more of such happy moments in life.  

Home sweet Home

Brayden 7Y1M21D

Bevlynn 2Y10M14D

It has been a few weeks after Kuantan trip and we are starting to miss the slow peaceful life around the past holiday. It had been hectic in the office, bosses were giving tough tasks at work and there was almost a close call of harassment at work. 

I lifted myself up and made sure I know my main direction in life is still aligned. I am pretty strong headed and no matter how hard and whatever circumstances are thrown at me, I will want to get there. 

Two colleagues were sharing about how their partners during lunch. And I reflected on mine; I was confident that my husband has given me pretty much what I needed in life; security, family, love, stability, fun, simplicity. We do have differences but we hardly argue; I do have my temper and emotional moments all because of women's' hormonal changes and I do recognize them when it happens. 

Every morning we take time to have we-time. Every weekend, we'll drink and sit together at a cafe. We'll go for facial and massages together. We'd escape to JB on certain weekdays for our unconventional dates. He treats me well and show his loving ways through his own love language. We go for short trips; Genting, KL, Kuantan, Perth... I do not have those K-drama love stories but I love it. 

We were at one of my best friend Jane's house warming. She upgraded from a HDB to a condo. It was in a nice neighbourhood. Hubs and I discussed and knew we could afford such a lifestyle too but we prefer to hold back. We would like to build our financial strengths and foundations first before we lead ourselves into such an upgrade. Afterall to us, it is more of a status upgrade but hardly anything more. At this moment, our neighbourhood gives so much convenience to our lives; the park nearby for the children and elderly, the opposite markets and eateries, the school & swimming pool nearby, my office nearby. All these save time and through time saved, we can do much more to enrich our lives. We can spend more time with family, my father-in-law can manage his daily walks and exercise around the neighbourhood. Brayden also has his childhood friends here whom he'd always play with. It's our HOME SWEET HOME!

TIME, FAMILY, HEALTH - these are priceless and a condo does not cater to these values at this moment. 

 

A Walk to Brayden old pre-school

Brayden 7Y1M14D

Bevlynn 2Y10M7D

I had a walked with Brayden and Bevlynn at night through the HDB blocks, towards the 7-eleven near Brayden's pre-school. I recalled so many good memories with him. We pushed the stroller down the shelter near the carpark gantry which leads to the next block. That block has a sparkle tots pre-school which we would always stop awhile to play the toy setup on the wall, putting the balls in the holes, hitting the kitchenware, drawing with chalk. And we would look in and say hello to the other little babies in the pre-school (the feeling like we were free and they were jailed on the inside). 

We would walk pass a drain that is always overflowing like a heavy waterfall whenever it rains. It is a drain from upper block coming down beside a stairs to the lower block. It was fun. We would dip our foot in the overflowing water and also see & listen to the water fall into the drain. We would at times bring an umbrella and play at the rain that falls on the edge of the block, listening to the tup tup tup sound. 

We would cross the road to the older block (before the new block was constructed). That is the hardest, because Brayden will try to stall, pull us back and make excuses as to not go to school. He would then cry and cry when he needed to check-in to pre-school. I with a heavy heart will let go and pretend to go away (sometimes go for a quick breakfast at the block near the 7-eleven). But in fact, I will come back to his class 10-20 minutes later to see him starting his class happily with his friends. It was something I would do daily. 

Why have I not have much time to play with the children like this anymore? I always come back from work much later and not have much time to spend with them. I used to be able to send them to school and go to the playgrounds with them afterwards. Now not so much anymore. 

This week; Brayden imitate the actions from Physical 100 and hang at the monkey's bar. Bevlynn asked to put coins all over her. We played street fighter - All for good fun. 

Gene Visit to Singapore

Brayden 7Y1M7D

Bevlynn 2Y10M0D

Phang Jiu Jiu (Gene Bro) was visiting Singapore this weekend. It was the Good Easter Weekend! So we had a long weekend to enjoy going out. However the weather was really hot. The UV was the highest ever recorded. Anyone could get sunburn just going out under the sun for a few minutes. 

We were introduced to Snow, Phang Jiu Jiu's girlfriend. They just started their relationship in 3 March 2024, Phang Jiu Jiu's birthday. We went for dining at Jems and Jurong Point. She was a very nice Vietnamese girl coming to Singapore to work at nightclub for 6 months. They have to work really hard to earn a living. 

We had lunch with Uncle Edwin and Uncle Adrian too. It was always nice catching up with them and knowing they are getting more and more successful with their business and investments. They even wanted to engage Hubs to provide inspection service for their commercial lot. 

Bevlynn was punished outside of the house, sitting at neighbour's outdoor small sofa. She was crying a lot and making scenes for small matters. So I had to teach her that crying is not the way to go. She was sitting there and repeating "I listen to Mommy" over and over. That night, she was having nightmare the whole night and crying a lot but she turned really good over the weekend. She'd listen to everything and not throwing tantrums as much. Guess she really learnt her lesson.

Brayden had been really addicted to the phone. There was one point Hubs changed his password. One day, Brayden told him he'd known the changed password all along (while showing his intelligent, out-smart, look to Daddy). Daddy had changed his password to Mommy's password! He'd figured it out by himself. Haha. This boy is getting mischievous and smart. 

Funny Brayden and Bevlynn

Brayden 7Y1M4D

Bevlynn 2Y9M28D

Funny episodes by the children:

BRAYDEN

After the holidays, the midnight before the 1st day back to school, Brayden woke up around 3am and told me he had not finished his homework. I told him to sleep back. Then at 6.45am, he brought out his workbook and wanted to do the homework, but I told him there was no time and he started panicking and crying.

He did not want to go into the school, at the gate, he was hugging and crying, begging me to tell the teacher as to why he could not finish his work. I told him he needs to apologize and ask from teacher a day of extension. He still did not want to.... Until Yunfeng came and hugged him into school together. 

When he came back from school, he was happy because teacher did not ask about the homework at all. 

Another night, while he was sleeping, he shouted "Mei Mei Noooo! Mei Mei Noooo!! MEI MEI NOOO!!" He was sleep talking and his expression was very serious and upset. Looks like he was trying to discipline his sister even in his sleep. This came from everyday, Mei Mei had been a "big bully" to Gor Gor. Everytime Brayden wanted something, she'd wanted the same thing or toy. When Brayden got bored, she'd also give up! She just wanted the attention from the brother.

BEVLYNN

Bevlynn was being naughty and I told her that she needs to be good. Then she said "Gor Gor good boy, Mei Mei bad guy, Papa Kami Hami HA Mei Mei (rubbing action and beat on her thigh). This was really funny as we did not teach her to say that. She'd learnt it from Daddy and Gor Gor. 

Another time, I was in the toilet washing my hands and cleaning the toilet. I took a little longer to come out. Then Bevlynn was banging the door and asked me in a very serious tone "Mommy, Open Door!" After I opened the door, she looked at the clean toilet bowl and started crying. "Mommy I want to see poo poo" She thought I had flushed and wanted to see my poo. Which I told her I did not poo at all. She could not accept it and continued crying. What is so nice about seeing others' poo~~~~~ *sweat*

MOMMY

I love playing genie in a bottle with the children. I will pretend to rub a bottle and say "Poof~~~ Hello Master!" Then we will say our best wishes. 

While telling the story of "I Love You More Than..." And I will say I Love You More Than and Spread my arms so high and turn around multiple times to show them how big my love is for them... It's like turning round the globe over and over again. 

Trip to Kuantan | Day 5 & 6 | Club Med Cherating

 Cont'

Brayden 7Y0M22D

Bevlynn 2Y9M17D

Day 5 - Thursday 14.03.2024, We were undecisive if we'd like to go to Club Med as we were leaving the next day 3pm back to Singapore and there might not be lots of activities for Bevlynn because of her age (almost turning 3 soon). But we made a trip up anyhow, Cherating is very close to the border of Pahang--Terengganu. We were in the car as we booked a room on the spot via phone call and poor internet at the entrance at around 2pm. Talking about being spontaneous with 2 kids. Hubs was very patient in making it happen and I really loved that about him. 

I was filled with excitement as we drove into this thick forest and came a grand entrance. We were welcomed by a group of friendly Club Meds staff. Brayden had woken up from his nap at this point while Bevlynn was still fast asleep at the entrance sofa. We were already filling ourselves up with drinks at the main bar. 

We then head to the Enak Restaurant that served simple post lunch meals - fried rice and noodles. We were then allowed to check in. We changed into our swimwear and head off to the trapeze. It was for adult so Hubs had his first try on trapeze. We watched in amusement and awe. Not bad for a first-timer. He loved it but complained about leg muscle sore. 

We then decided to head over to the private beach. There is a train that come every 30 minutes. The kids loved it, even I loved it. As there were no water activities anymore, we thought perhaps we can go to archery instead. Hubs was playing the archery as it was the timeslot for the adults to play. 

After that, we head to the jaccuzi for a swim. Both Bevlynn and Brayden were happily swimming in there. We had a walked by the beach, Brayden never missing his sand castle building, then we had a short play at the ping pong table. Then we head back to our room to clean ourselves in preparation for dinner. Dinner buffet was good at the Mutiara Restaurant. After we had our fill, there was a Lion Dance Show, it was spectacular, the moves were dangerous and entertaining, it is like a performance given during a Lion Dance competition. 

There was activities night - all the activities were the Malaysian old-time favourites, Building the Giant Jenga, Congkak, Drawing Henna, Squid Game Flipping the Square Board, Bamboo Dance, Making Grasshopper from coconut leaves and... and... and...

The children were happy. The adults were too - Felt like a kid again. By the time we were back to our hotel room, it was close to 11.30pm. How time passed so fast but we were still very wide-awake. The adrenaline rush was too much. Soon the children were fast asleep. 

Day 6 - Friday 15.03.2024, I could hardly sleep. I decided to wake early to greet sunrise by the beach before 7am and to have a quiet breakfast. Hubs and Kids were waiting for me at the room when I was back. After breakfast, Brayden was trying out at the trapeze. He was holding me tight and asked for me to not make him do it. As always after constant push, he did it. He was amazing and even tried 3 times... He conquered his fear really well. 

We already check out our hotel because it had to be before 11am; although we are still allowed to use the facility and play the activities until 3pm. 

We had to quickly go to the next station to catch the kayaking session. It was at the private beach and we had to take the train there. It was the last 15 minutes but it was enough. The sun was scorching hot and it is fainting. I think if we spend time any longer, Hubs and Brayden might get sunburn. Bevlynn, the poor girl could only enjoy the sand and she was crying because I was getting some drinks from the bar. 

After that, we took some photos at the beach area and head over to the archery station. It was for family time. So Hubs and Brayden can play together. Bevlynn is already so tired, the train breeze put her to sleep. 

We went for the last swim before we showered and changed, took lunch at Mutiara and pack all our things into the car and head back to Kuantan. We bid Goodbye to Tong Suk and managed to catch our ride at 3pm and headed back to Singapore. 

It was a wrap to our holiday week in Kuantan. I really loved the time spent with family and the kids. It's a trip I'll never forget. 

 

 

 

 

 

Trip to Kuantan | Day 3 & 4 | More Fun at the Beach

Cont'

Day 3 - Tuesday 12.03.2024, Today is a free and easy day. We'd spent it at the Kuantan East Coast Mall and Kuantan City Mall (for Popular Bookstore). We shopped for some children clothes and let the children play in the mini playground at Parkson.  

After that we went to Taman Gelora for a walk at the beach. It was a long beach with lots of snails balitong, hermit crabs, and baby crabs. Bev peed into her pants at the beach, as the beach water was not very clean, we just wipe down a little with wet tissue.

There are many small white tents around Kuantan, as it is the Ramadhan month. So all the Malays are out selling the food for buka puasa. I love these Ramadhan night market - but Hubs don't really like the food there. He'd prefer to have some hawker food / other Chinese food. 

Ah Sam had cooked us dinner. We had a good chat at her home, talking about her relationship with my MIL - they were good friends when they were younger. MIL will bring the kids in bus to Kuantan to play with the family.   

Day 4 - Wednesday 13.03.2024, We went to Ah Wai's factory after breakfast in the morning. He is very successful and has a large factory called Net-Lite. We admire his tenacity to work hard and be successful. Even his wife Yenni is successful in her Beauty Inn shop, many Datin's come to visit her. 

Hubs visited Ah Hou (cousin) in the hospital. He was admitted due to a fall he had the week before our visit. We were pretty excited and wanted to meet him but unfortunately he had to stay hospitalized from the head surgery. 

The kids loved to watch Mulan at Tung Sok's house while waiting for the Daddy to come home. 

We went to a very nice beach in front of Puteh Beach Bar. It was a long beach with horse-riding, ATV and hardly any humans on the beach. The sand is cleaner and whiter there. I love this beach, it is serene and it has less wave, and small puddle of trapped pool of water. There's fish and crab inside the puddle. The both children dipped themselves in happily, without having me to worry about the waters. Hubs was playing the kite and horse-riding. 

We had dinner at one of a hidden seafood restaurant with the family. This would be the last dinner we had for this trip with the family. Tomorrow Ah Wai and Yenni are flying off on a business trip and we would make a spontaneous trip to the famous Club Med Cherating. 

After dinner, Ah Wai and Yenni was very nice to bring us over to Kuantan's esplanade. We played at the playground and bubbles, ate Farm Fresh ice-cream and walked along the Esplanade in the dark. It was not really crowded. We could see the night view of the Kuantan Tower 188. 

We took a walk at the long ART Street and took funny photos with the art drawing on the walls.