Swim Class

Ethan is now in a Saturday swim class with some other K1 boys. They've
been at it longer than him though, so he has some catching up to do.
The swim coach is an Aussie chap, and Ethan seems to understand his
accent and like the friendly fellow! Here is Ethan at one of his first
few classes with Daddy in the pool with Ethan for the first time.

At The Cross

Ethan took an immediate liking to a gift that Daddy received in his recent Korea trip. He promptly laid the small wooden cross on the bedroom floor, kneeled down an prayed a beautiful prayer to Jesus! I was too slow to get that on photographed, but he tried out a few positions and I managed to take this one saying thank you to Jesus for bringing Daddy home safely.

Sentosa Boardwalk Cycling

It was a drizzly day but we were sure glad we got out and brought the kids with bikes to Sentosa Boardwalk. It's a wonderful stretch and they great fun with the travellators and cycling on the deck, especially on the gentle ramps by the ocean.



The girls were not left out of the fun and Talia did extremely well navigating the wet surfaces and slopes.

Talia's Chopsticks

Talia is just marvelous with her chopsticks! Sometimes it seems like mind over matter as I don't know how she manages to deftly get her food with them. She loves using them and I dare say she is more capable with them than her big brother!

Talia's Brompton Ride

Talia got an early Saturday morning at East Coast Park on Daddy's Brompton with Goo Ma and friends! It was a special Daddy-Daughter outing while Ethan went to Ah Ma's house for the morning. Daddy is particularly pleased with the DIY seat that fits Talia so well and the fact that the kids took to doing separate things without fuss. Talia was very quiet and sleepy the whole ride but otherwise seemed to enjoy the experience. The best part is the increased "Daddy, I love you!" exclamations and signs of affection I got showered with afterwards.

School Together

Talia has started School this year!

Up till now, she had to watch longingly while her brother trooped off to an exciting place called School with Mummy or Daddy while she got left behind. This year she can happily join her brother, while he, of course is pleased with the new company with whom he can now travel with! Here they are on their first day of school.

Of course, things changed once Talia got to school and realized they would be in different classes! She started crying when Ethan went off to his class....and was quite inconsolable for a long time.... It was pretty heartbreaking to see her cry so much especially since most of her other classmates seemed so much calmer! The inevitable "I'm a bad mother" guilt trips & "what could I have done better" thoughts that every mum goes through was emotionally draining but with Ivan's calming effect, we persevered and tried to make school mornings as fun as possible, and by the end of the week, the tears had pretty much cleared up! Phew!

Wasn't able to take many photos of Talia in her first week as she was crying through most of it, but here are a couple of happy moments in that difficult week!

Model Subject

Ethan was so amenable to this haircut that I took this picture with his hairdresser...or should I say "stylist." Both she and I were quite happy with how handsome the model subject turned out. He especially likes getting wax or gel in his hair, spiking it up a little so he looks just like daddy. Very soon any imitation of Daddy's hairstyles will be a distant and embarrassing memory for him!

Afternoon Naps

These afternoon naps are always better in good company. Talia flopped over onto her brother on a lazy Chinese New Year afternoon and both kept right on sleeping.

Saturday Fun

It's a nice Saturday morning with some relax time with the kids as they ride bikes and play together at Duxton Plain Park near our home. Ethan and Talia really love each others company...and Daddy's too of course.

Little Cyclist

Talia has been turning heads wherever she rides cos our neighbors haven't seen such a small girl balancing on a 2 wheeler before. She is just so cute in her helmet and bike. Even though Ethan whizzes by and is very handsome on his bike, Talia still grabs more attention as she scoots along trying catch her brother.

Chip off the Old Block

It was quite some time ago that we dressed Ethan up in his snazzy "Comme Ca" shirt. It even had a tie and pullover interacts into the shirt. We chose Sunday so he looked just like daddy! As you can see, we love each other very much!

It's Just Lunch

It was one of those last minute decisions that turned an ordinary moment into a great memory. It was our day off, so Daddy was at home and Ethan and Talia were about to have their mid-day meal. Why don't we bring the kids' lunch downstairs for a no-fuss picnic?

They rode their toy scooter and tricycle down and we brought a picnic basket and towel for a mat. It was a cool and windy day. "Mmmm... yummy!" They exclaimed as they ate their ordinary porridge and sipped their everyday water bottles. Things always taste better al-fresco! It all lasted only 30 wonderful minutes, but it was the best and simplest lunch-time picnic ever!

Oh yeah, it was a nice change and a sort of mini-lunch-date-with-kids for Mum and Dad!

Better When Smiling

My two boys have lots in common. They both love using their computer and they have furrowed brows ridged with much intensity when concentrating!

When they do look up and smile they look much better! It's hard to figure out how much Ethan copies from his Daddy and how much is just naturally him!

The Urban Playground

Pockets of fun can be had if you are creative and easy going. The kids know no difference between cheap and expensive outings as they just like being together and having fun.

We took our bikes (Daddy's included) and cycled to get a haircut the other day at our friendly neighborhood hair dresser. At the increased $10/adult Chinese New Year price it is still a bargain. While waiting our turn Ethan and Talia frolicked on the not so clean toy outside. I've been teaching Ethan that these can be just as much fun without putting coins in if we make up our own sounds and actions, and Talia is getting in the act too. I think it's much healthier than hankering for coins whenever we come across these ubiquitous playthings.

The Little Traffic Light

There's a unique little traffic light at the bottom of Pearl's Hill that Ethan liked the look of. It only allows cars one of either direction at any one time since the single road going up is so narrow. We parked here on the way home from school to eat our favorite La Mien from northern China, located at a one-man-show, hole-in-the-wall, corner shop in the more easily accessible Pearl's Centre. Ethan eats 2/3 of a bowl while Daddy happily gobbles 1 1/3 bowls!