KidsSTOP | Lickers Ice-Cream

Brayden 7Y2M11D
Bevlynn 2Y11M5D

At 1am on 5 May 2025, I was purchasing the tickets for KidsSTOP. The tickets were $30 for 2 Adults, 2 Children for play between 10am-1pm. Since I will be flying to S.Korea for work this coming Tue - Sun, I thought I'd like to spend a little more times with the kids to motivate myself for the upcoming long week. 

We took a bus 176 over to Blk 134 and walked about 5 minutes to the KidsSTOP.

We jumped right into the first game at the construction area with the crane and balls. We went into the Ant Hole; this was new for us. Previously it was under construction. Brayden and Hubs both tried at the height drop at the Giant Slide. Hubs was holding tight to dear life at 7m drop. He took a few minutes before letting his hands go. I did not dare to try at all. Until I was seeing how all those children below 7 going up again and again at 6m height drop. I gave it a try telling the lady lifting the rope to 5m; but before it could reach 5m I was asking her to stop and I let go. It was not too bad. I thought she was going beyond 5m and was waiting for me to say stop. As I was at the bottom, she revealed to me the actual height for me was 4m. WHAT?!?! That was nothing and a joke. I wanted to go again, trying to convince myself, at least a 5m should be the bare minimum. A boy around the age of 6 before me was going over and over again at 5m. I blushed; feeling both embarrassed and heart racing looking at the height over and over again. I told myself, "I'll just close my eyes and go for it". Before I knew it, in a few seconds, I was at a height of 5m dangling freely. No more turning back now - Let goooooooooooooo~~~ "Wheeeeeeeeeeeee!" It was like a gush of wind showering my face and my heart felt the weightlessness. O wait, probably it was just my imagination because the lady told me at 5m it isn't really that high to feel the actual drop. Ah well, I stood there pondering whether I should go higher. Nah probably next time, when my heart has not shrunk to a walnut, I'll try again then. 

We were having fun in the sand expedition and the shopping area. 3 hours passed very quickly. 

As we returned home, taking the 66 bus, we stopped by at the temple and a ice-cream shop LICKERS. The hazelnut truffle ice-cream, roasted pistachio and oolong lavender are my favourite. 

By the time we reached home was closed to 3pm, time for nap to re-energize. 

Jurong East Swimming Complex | TimeZone

Brayden 7Y2M11D

Bevlynn 2Y11M5D

It was Labour's Day Holiday! The weather was really hot and we had decided to go WestMall in the morning to get some cold air-con. After the breakfast, we dropped by the Claw Machine Shop and tried our luck; managed to get a cute furry black dog. 

In the evening, we went to Jurong East Swimming Complex; a place we had not been since Brayden was 3 years old. Again, we wanted to have a dip in the pool because it was been a very hot Hot HOT day. But as soon as we got there, there were dark clouds, and almost everyone was leaving the pool. There was a lightning alarm, so all have to be out of the pool until 5:30pm. We decided to stop by at the KFC & Pizza Hut on the 2nd floor to wait for the weather to turn. After waiting for 15 minutes, Lady Luck was shining upon us, the alarm was lifted at 5:30pm although there was a slight drizzle. 

The tickets for the featured pool for a weekend was cheap; Adult $2, Child $1. 

We quickly got changed and hopped right into the pool with our rented float. All 4 of us fitting into the float was a squeeze, we even almost got stuck. But in the end, we went in 3 at one time as we floated around and lazed about in the lazy pool. Ah, relaxing ride~~ The lazy pool had a strong current that pushed the float around a big circle. It was like an adventure in the river, and there were water splashing in certain parts of the pool. One don't really need much effort to go around. Bev and Bray loved the pool. 

After that, we headed over to the wave pool. It looked like a miniature wave on the beach. Floating on the wave pool made me little dizzy. The children loved to jump up and down as the wave swooshed in.

After 2 long hours, we were drained and came out tired. We went back to KFC for dinner again because we did not want to travel elsewhere considering it was getting really late and the kids have school the next day. 

When we got home, Bev was tugging me on my sleeves and said "Mommy, I want swimming" It was already 10 pm but she is asking for one more round. She must have not gotten enough of the swim. Well we'll sure go again!! 

On Sat, we went to TimeZone. This time, Bray and I were trying to get the tickets on the DragonBall game. On the second attempt, we had won 700 tickets. That is very hard to get, considering we will need to get the big dragonball to fall into the rotating pink hole (only one out of 6). So it was definitely good luck. 

Hot Hot Weather | Clean the Neighbourhood

Brayden 7Y2M5D

Bevlynn 2Y10M29D

Brayden loves to run with me in the evening. He is quite a runner, I would have been tired after 2 rounds but he could catch up with my pace. Bevlynn was very good with her speech, she'd can word out a lot of the sentences correctly but the words are not accurate; "ater (water), ombie (zombie), wimming (swimming), each (beach)" 

It was a very hot week, outside temperature could reach 35degC. It was due to the Elnino effect. I decided to bring the children for a dip in Clusia Cove to cool down. Hubs was having fever so he decided not to join us. When we arrived, the wind was strong and darks clouds were closing in. Weather was just nice and the children were playing in the sand. Then suddenly, Hubs turned up. I loved it when he still made it. It was the feeling like from the K-drama - the feeling like you never felt alone. The rain started drizzling. Without Hubs, it would have been a chaos handling two in the showers. Good to have him around to help. We had to run to the nearest shelter to grab a cab home. I was running with Bev in the stroller and Bray was with his Dad sharing a towel like a mini lion's dance. We all got wet after the 10 seconds sprint. Seems the rain was playing a trick on and started getting heavier as we ran. As soon as, we got on the cab, the rain stopped. ~.....~ 

On Sunday morning, we volunteered to clean the neighbourhood. Bev and Bray were very enthusiastic to find every single "treasure" (rubbish) hidden around the corners, in the grass, at the playground, under the trees. We got two full loads of plastic bags. Bevlynn even did not want to stop after an hour of search. 

I started watching "Queen of Tears" and realized sometimes when time is running short, you'd appreciate life with loved ones more. I remember how we were so innocent and life was easy in those university days. Now when we started working, we spend more of our time in the office. There is lesser time available to create precious memories. Hence, when I am home, I'd really love to spend more quality time focusing on my family. 

Bevlynn was watching the movie with me and out of a sudden shouted; "Mommy in TeeBee, Daddy in TeeBee, Daddy scold Mommy? Mommy cry, I scold Daddy"

I wonder where she sees the resemblance. 

The scene when "Daddy" was scolding "Mommy" in TV

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.