It was back to work/school as usual after the Christmas weekend and thankfully it was a short week. December is always a busy month for me at work but we were able to go away for a few days last year with the Victors, Whites and Salahudeens to Melaka. But this period, the hubs' work project has started so we can't schedule a time for it. Besides, we are going away with the eldest brother and SIL on the 2nd week of January! Can't wait for our 1st 2018 family trip!

I had to do most, if not all the pick-ups in the week because the hubs has been having late meetings. Good thing I was able to leave work slightly earlier too. 

On Saturday, we made use of the borrowed car and went to Woodlands to stock up our frozen fish supply as well as soups. And in the late afternoon, we drove off to Tampines to pick up a suitcase that Bev has helped us buy from 1 of her trips. Esther joined us, being likely the last time she will spend much time with her cousin before she enters secondary school in the coming year. 

We left shortly after picking up the suitcase and the eldest brother and SIL joined us and we were off to dinner. I had very much wanted to go over to the carnival but it was still raining and it was late after dinner which meant that the crowd would have built up at the carnival grounds. I guess we'll visit again another time.

We ended up at Gardens By The Bay and spent a bit of time there, soaking up the Christmas illumination that would soon be brought down. :( It was crowded as well.

Church service today started much later because they wanted to do a barbecue after the service. Again it was either raining heavily, moderately or drizzling. The rain didn't really stop and I am quite amazed there is no news of flooding at all this year. 

We left the premises about 6ish and proceeded to the youngest BIL's new home. They have returned in the afternoon and our car free day is to start again. Lol. Their place was left as it was the last time the 3 of us were there to pick up the car. No renovation work seemed to have taken place! It's slightly more than a month overdue and it's not exactly in a liveable state. They seemed to always be getting to things like that. Sigh.

I helped the SIL unpack their suitcases, put aside clothes to be sent to the laundromart and some things back into the suitcases because cabinets were not ready yet. The air-con was leaking from their master bedroom. So much more work needs to be done but they do not want to move back to the 2nd BIL's home because well, nothing is more comfortable in your own space.

We went home about 10ish and the girl slept while in the grab car. It has been like this since the start of the Christmas week and I hope she doesn't get too used to this.

I watched the countdown on tv with the hubs lying asleep on the sofa behind me. Yes, that was how I 'entered' the New Year. Happy New Year and may this year continue to bring you good health and happiness!

We don't have any plans today and I was set to get the hubs to wash the 2 neglected toilets. Of course he did it but not without any grumblings. He wanted to do it tomorrow because he took a day off work but I would not hear of it. So while he washed the 2 bathrooms, I put our bedsheet, quilt cover etc to wash. 

When he was done, he was famished and grumbled again because the girl and I were not. We left the house about 3, went for lunch at the nearby coffeeshop and then had no idea where to go. The hubs drove along and asked if we wanted to go to Gardens by the Bay before I recalled that there was a carnival going on at Marina Bay. It is supposed to be the biggest carnival to be held.

There are 2 sites of the carnival. Supposedly 1 was catered for younger children and they were about 5 minutes walking distance to each other. Good planning I thought. At least not everyone is congregated at 1 area and when we went, we had to queue because it wasn't opened yet. When it did, the grounds were spacious and I think the layout was very well thought out. 

Some games were hard to beat but the hubs managed to win 2 prizes for the girl, both from the same stall. And that's because we think the girls tending to it were not very strict. The prizes were fantastic too! Of course the girl was more than happy. We did not get to go to the other site because it started to drizzle just when we were at the entrance. But we will return. We had so much fun. Again, the weather played a very good role in this.

Earlier in the day, I had allowed the girl to open her presents. This time, she received a lot lesser than she did compared to 2 Christmases back. Lol.

Anyhow, we are back to work tomorrow. And yay to another short week but boo to growing a year older.

How has your Christmas celebration been?

On Friday evening, I fetched the girl from school and met the hubs at home because when he called me to say that he didn't have to stay late, I was already in the bus, a few stops away from the girl's school. We went out again after changing at home and headed to the airport because I had wanted to bring the girl see the Sanrio decorations at the airport. We made it just as the drone show started and the girl and I were able to squeeze a spot right in front. We even spent enough at the airport to buy the Little Twin Stars plush toy pair.

On Saturday, the hubs went off in the morning to help the eldest brother clear the church premise and brought back home more than I had requested for! Urgh...my house is in a mess now. And then in the afternoon, it was ballet before we headed to the Victors' for their Christmas dinner. When we were in the car going for ballet, the girl told us that she didn't want to continue the new ballet term. Although I complain about it, I also don't want her to just drop out like that. I don't want her to have such a casual attitude towards anything. Picking up what she likes at her whim and fancy and ditching it without any thought. She needs to learn how to persevere. On the other hand I felt that I should not have given her a choice. Because when I don't, she usually partakes of it without resistance and whenever I ask, she always says no.

And then after ballet, it was off to the Victor's for their Christmas invite with friends. Thankfully we had the car so we do not have to lug a whole bag of presents with us on public commute. While walking away from the car to their block, the bottle of whiskey that the hubs was carrying fell out from it's container! He was carrying it the wrong side up! Hiaz.

After church service on Sunday, there was a sumptuous buffet lunch spread and we hung around for a bit before heading back to the eldest brother's. The rest of the family started streaming in from 5ish and we had a good family time together. We all could stay quite late because we didn't have to work the next day as the actual Christmas Day holiday falls on the Monday instead!

I had pick-up duty again yesterday and although I told the girl just 5 minutes at the playground, she ended up there for a good 1/2 hour. Coupled with the good weather we have been having, it makes me happy too. I really like the new playground.

And at night, I wrapped up all the presents that I had bought here and there because somehow I don't seem to have the luxury of time this year. Perhaps it's been quite busy at work and the hubs' new work project has started.

I'll have to do pick-up duty again today. 

The girl's ballet classes start again tomorrow after a 2 week break. And then we will go over to the Victors' for a Christmas gathering. Thankfully, we have loan of his SIL's car so we do not need to lug all the presents in public transportation. Then on Sunday after church where they will be having a Christmas meal after, we will then head to Jeremy's for our family's Christmas celebration. This year, he has decided to have it at their house so in that sense, no clean-up act for me this year! But honestly, I would not have minded if it is to be held at our home. 

And then on the actual day itself, I hope to have some rest.. So we shall see...Merry Christmas to you and hopefully this year wasn't too bad for you and yours!

With some balance left in my medical allowance, I brought the girl to the dentist yesterday. I've read that once a child starts growing teeth, that should be the start of their first dental visit. But I do not agree unless the child has issues. Wanting to give her a good experience at a clinic which caters to children so that she does not grow up with fear of visiting dentists in future, I searched and found 1 near home.

I left work earlier so that I could fetch her for the 5pm appointment. All in all, she had a good experience. The young dentist even referred to herself as 'jie-jie' and got her to 'play' with some of the equipment as well as allowed her to move her chair up and down. With this, I am pretty confident that I can bring her for dental consultation at a 'normal' dentist next time

Glad to report that her teeth are in good condition.

I had to fetch the girl again today as the hubs had to work late. His work project has started and he has pre-empt me to expect more late hours in the office for him. Which means I will have to pick the girl up more often. Thankfully, M had returned to Jerry's 2 weeks' back. She told the eldest brother that she was bored at my place but she did say before coming over that she will move back once she recovers. So in that sense, I do not feel like I need to rush home to cook dinner or ensure that M has dinner. It was quite a mad rush for me that 1 month M was putting up at our place and from now, we can make impromptu plans. 

So today, after signing off at the girl's school, I allowed her to play at the newly constructed playground in front of the childcare centre. It was closed for several months after they tore the old playground down and in it's place, a very nice one is built. 

The hubs then called at 6pm to say that he can get off work and we ended up going to IMM for dinner and some shopping. What we used to do when we had our car.

We had a final lunch as a church today because we are all joining a new church. Although the church members are all in this together, surely there is a tinge of sadness to what the eldest brother had built up in the 6 years. But we all trust that God will lead us.

After the lunch, the hubs decided that we go back to the eldest brother's place for awhile because the 2nd BIL called him earlier to meet up for dinner. Initial plan was that the girl and I head home while the hubs would go on his own to pick up the youngest SIL's car as their family would be away on a vacation in Europe for 2 weeks. 

So while we were at the brother's, I picked up the bag Bev had helped me buy when she was in Milan. She bought for me the cross body while the rest are hers. The hubs has said that he will get this for me as a gift! Yay!

And then we took a grab to the youngest SIL's new home, which incidentally, they slept over just last night! They have been staying at the 2nd BIL's for about a month after handing over the keys of their previous home. The new place is still WIP so it was just 1 night for them before they fly off to join the youngest BIL who went earlier to Germany for work. While the 3 of us were there, I helped her with some packing and the girl went to the NIL's room to play some board game. And then we went to meet the other family for dinner. 

We left about 8:30pm while the 2nd BIL and his family were still there. The hubs took over the driving from the youngest SIL and the MIL joined us so that we could send her back as well. And so, we have the car for the next 2 weeks!

There is no ballet class today and since we have been busy in the past few months shuttling between abacus in the morning and ballet in the afternoon, the break today and last Saturday was much needed. And since we will hardly have anymore Saturdays free, I suggested going to JB and the eldest brother was my most keen supporter. Lol.

Although we planned to meet at the bus-stop opposite our place at 8am, the train they were in stopped at Outram and was pulled out for maintenance (!) and the next train was at 8:02am thus they took the shuttle service instead and we ended up meeting at about 9am. It took us almost 3 hours to clear customs in JB and that we actually alighted the bus way before the Singapore immigration because traffic wasn't moving! We saw later it was because a trailer was filtering and caused a whole line of jam. Thankfully we made the walk with many other passengers from other buses as well.

As usual, we enjoyed ourselves but had to be mindful with what we buy because we are now travelling via public transportation. The eldest brother and SIL brought along a cabin trolley bag too for their shopping. 

We ended up reaching home at 11pm because it took awhile to search for a grab driver at the mall and then at the Singapore check-point, the buses took forever, almost an hour, to come. Some people even left the queue to walk to Woodlands central area. The brother and SIL reached home at almost midnight.

The hubs has sworn off going to JB over the school holiday period. :(

The girl's centre was closed on Monday and because Tim wanted to bring her out, I asked the eldest SIL if the girl could stay over at their place on Sunday and then Tim can bring her out the next day and send her home. Thankfully, the eldest SIL was ever accomodating.

So on Sunday, the hubs and I parted ways with the eldest brother, SIL and the girl at the train station, especially since the west train line was closed for the day and there was the circle line there that could bring us nearer home. Although we still had to change to a 1/2 hour bus ride.

The hubs and I took a glorious nap and for the longest time, I did not have to be concerned about dinner. After putting on some weight and have to clear so many clothes that I can no longer fit in, I was contented with just a pear, an apple and 2 cubes of brownies that Lynn had baked. I did not even bother about the hubs' request to make him something to eat. What?? Have I not served them enough every other day? Sunday evening was truly a time for me to relax and that's not to say I did not do anything at all. I still mopped the house, brought down the laundry and folded them.

Tim brought the girl to the Science Centre yesterday and he brought her for a movie too. Both, firsts for the girl. And then we met for dinner at the mall. 

My 'break' has ended. The girl has been frustrating me a lot lately and I am feeling like the worst mum ever. I have been raising my voice at her, and if that is not enough, I shout. I speak sarcastically to her at times that when I reflect, fear that she will grow up being a mean and sarcastic person. She hardly listens to instructions and doesn't even answer us on so many occasions. Although we never went through the 'terrible 2' stage with her, I do not know what it is now. It is like she is at her worst stage right now. I think I know why I do not have another child. God probably knows my limited capabilities and patience. HE has shown much Grace and Favour even providing me with 1.

Surely I am still in need of his Grace to guide me through this. That the girl will grow up to be a fine lovely lady.

Finally caught up with Lynn Chan ever since she came by to my place during CNY early this year. We used to be closed when we worked at the airport together and even after but we are not so close as we used to be. Of course leading different lives altogether has a great impact on how we view things. She is still that single, career driven lady while I am still the laid back person that I was.

With the hubs meeting his pre-U mates yesterday, I made use of the day to meet up with Lynn, who has finally left her job which was really giving her stress. Although I told her that unfortunately I cannot stay for long because I am bringing the girl along, we still parted ways about 9ish.

I had wanted to stick to an earlier timing but how to, when one hasn't spoken to a friend for so long?

Anyway, I had to because the girl really needed the early sleep, which was not to be, because this year she is participating in her school's graduation concert for the K2s. We were instructed to give them breakfast at home and be at the centre at 7.50am. All K had when she woke up was her milk and cod liver oil, which filled her up. I was worried that she'll get hungry but the teachers told the children no eating after applying lipstick..(!!!) 

The costume was strange and the make-up was horrible. The hubs commented that they should have parent volunteers to apply the make-up. The teachers told me they were afraid that different make-up shades are used but I would think it could be better managed if they simply inform the colours to be used.

I teared when the K2 'graduates' marched through the aisle to go on stage and sang their graduating song. Next year, the tears will be full blast, I reckon. Heck, I teared when I attended Josh's K2 graduating concert and when I picked him up in his early days in Primary 1. But I'm sure he is not even aware of it. 

Anyhow, K enjoyed herself, having a few main lines in her centre's play. After the concert, we had lunch with the parents of 3 of her classmates and after lunch, we brought them all up to the roof top play area. 

We had to cut short the fun because we had to buy a gift for Gaye's mum who is celebrating her 90th birthday in the evening. We had no idea what to buy and ended up with a festive hamper of biscuits, chocolates and treats. I had tasked the girl to make her a card as well.

Thankfully, the girl as well as the hubs had their afternoon nap while I put her laundry to wash and washed the balcony after that.

Yay to December. Not because I am looking forward to it, in fact I do not anymore. Because for the simple fact that it means we are so near the New Year and it means a year older in physical age. Yes, I am fearful already....aging.

Yay because there is no abacus class for the whole of this month! We can't have lessons on the 2nd Saturday of this month because the girl is participating in her school's graduation concert for the K2s. And the teacher wasn't able to make it for 2 other Saturdays. So, it calls for a break this month and it's amazing how relax I feel already.

Since we started the morning slow after I went for my annual dental check, we decided to bring the girl for a ride through Orchard to see the lights. As the eldest SIL spent the night at our place yesterday, the girl woke up early as usual, so fearful that her favourite aunt went home and could take a nap after lunch. We returned home after ballet as it was still early and left the house at about 6ish.

We alighted at Tanglin Mall to catch the 'snow' but we missed the timing and thus went for dinner at the food court. We managed to catch the 2nd 'snowfall' which isn't like how it used to be. Now the foam just putters out of the foam machine, located on the floor. But K said she had fun though. After that, we took a walk and then decided to take a bus ride. The lights on the lamp-posts are still a disappointment in the evening and there wasn't much light-up after Tanglin Mall to Forum. 

But who was to know! The road was closed to traffic and the bus diverted out of Orchard and then back to near Somerset. So we missed the entire shopping stretch where the lights were best. Further disappointment! And the girl has such a bad attitude these days, I want to slap her. She has been really testing my limits these days, talking back and simply being rude with her responses.

Anyhow, we took the loop service and by the time we were back on the train home, it was past 10 and the girl slept while we were in the train. So thankful a young chap offered his seat to me because we normally do not get offered.

On another note, the Christmas tree decoration for this year has been left to the girl because I have no time to do so. And she has fun putting it up.

A vendor, which happens to be the main sponsor for the local theater scene gifted me and a colleague with a pair of tickets each to watch a play. Thankfully, the eldest SIL was kind enough to come by to pick up the girl from school and then stay over. 

The hubs and I enjoyed the play thoroughly. Especially it being a local production, it had a lot of local puns that were very relevant. 1 of the lead actor also happened to be the son of the hubs' ex-boss. It was good to see that the theater was quite full. 

While we were at it, I suggested that we catch a movie too. It's been a long while since we went to the movies and so we took the train back and caught a movie at the mall near home. We watched the 1150pm movie and when it ended, stingy me suggested we walk back home. It really isn't that far, a train stop away. 

So the hubs and I finally had a date. :)

The office had a Superhero themed D&D on Friday. The top that I had ordered through the 2nd SIL was too big because I feared S would be too tight for me, thus I ordered M. Thankfully, I was able to sell it to a colleague. 

This year, the event was held in Zouk, a place that I used to go every week but have not been in more than a decade! And of course, in it's relocated premise. We had fun, had a few very sporting colleagues who dressed up. We had a few expired/retired superheros. Lol.

And on Saturday, I didn't accompany the hubs when he brought the girl for ballet because I had a headache and we had a gathering at his relative's home in the evening. Thankfully, I stayed home because it did go away and I was able to meet them at the train station later. I had to return home after arriving at the train station when the hubs called to bring a new set of clothes for the girl because she had stained it. By the time I left the house again, it was pouring.

As for yesterday, we went to Tampines for lunch with the eldest brother and SIL after church and then proceeded to their house thereafter. We watched 'The Sound Of Music', a play that's going on now which I can't find time for. The girl was able to sit through it. I like to expose her to musicals like this. And then we continued and stay till dinner.

The girl takes a break from Abacus next month, which means more free time for me too. No need to rush for anything, although it's the hubs who walks her to the centre. But at least I do not have to rush to cook lunch just so it's ready once she reaches home. 

Less than a week and we're in December. How I used to look forward to it but not as much anymore.

We went to Orchard after church on Sunday because I had some shopping vouchers and thus wanted to get a thermos flask. M uses A LOT of hot water and even uses it to wash her face! Instead of boiling water everyday, I decided to use the vouchers to offset the purchase of a thermos flask with a bigger capacity. 

And since we were there in the afternoon, we didn't get to see the lighted Christmas decoration. So what we did see were nothing much really. Boring even. Quite a disappointment. Perhaps we should take a ride through Orchard sometime in the evenings.

M is still not steady when we go for longer walks. We had dinner at a nearby coffeeshop on Sunday and the lighted signages are still too bright for her. I also spot her leaning on hand railings when we had to stop because we brought K's bicycle for the girl to ride.

The 3rd SIL delivered lunch to M yesterday and since I noticed that M managed to cook her own lunch on Sunday, I suggested to the eldest SIL that she does not need to travel all the way from the east to do so but she insisted. She says that M is not steady yet and that she has committed herself to help out for at least the whole of November. Bless her heart.

I have no idea why M would want to stay over at my place. It's void of a human touch the whole working day which can be an extreme to Jerry's noisy place but at least she can retreat into her room. I am also concerned if anything happens to her, who is there to mitigate? M is now on a life-long blood-thinning medication as the Dr detected heart murmur at the pre-surgery checks. I hope she makes more sense of this and feel the same too.

With M recuperating at our place now, I am trying to make an effort to cook as often as I can. Ivy has taken onto herself to buy lunch for M everyday, which means she travels from Tampines to JE just to do so. Hopefully M gets well enough to go down to buy her own lunch soon because it's really a lot more time spent travelling from the east to the west just to buy lunch.

I cooked lunch on Saturday while the girl was at abacus class and the hubs hanging out at Macs just below the centre. However, she did quickly nap sometime after her lunch settled because she woke up too early in the morning because she was sleeping at the living room with the eldest SIL when the sunlight shines right through at the break of dawn. And when it was time to leave for ballet, she was so resistant and even didn't want to go!

After ballet, we had dinner with the Victors and Whites and ended up being treated for a post-birthday meal! I even ended up scoring myself a year's supply of 1/2 slab of spare ribs!

After church on Sunday, we went back to change and left the house again because we were off to the NIL's birthday that he was celebrating in the new EC that the family have bought. The hubs brought the girl for a swim as well as the youngest NIL but we had to use the guest bathrooms because the unit was still bare. Lol....Hopefully their house would be done up the next time we visit them because the design at the 'public' toilet has not been given much thought. There is no counter top for bags to be placed amongst other things.

Having seen their new apartment, I am liking ours more and more despite it being old. But the hubs still thinks it makes good investment when the BIL decides to sell it after 5 years. Well, I guess so.

I turned another year older as of yesterday. Birthdays for me are kept very simple. I do not like the brouhaha over it because I am not one who seeks after attention. Having said that, I realised birthdays for the other 2 SILs, from the hubs' side is the same although we do make the effort to 'celebrate' for the 3 brothers.

I wanted to go shopping in JB on my day off because I had cleared so much from my wardrobe right. The young one wasn't in our plan initially but when she saw the hubs and I dressed down, she started probing and looked so sad that I told the hubs to bring her along. So this girl happily changed out of her uniform and put on the outing clothes that I brought out for her.

Instead of the route we took when we went on an overnight staycation with the eldest brother and his wife last month, we decided to try out the causeway link service that was available at the interchange. I guess being on a weekday helped because it took us only 1 1/2 hours door to door. We were so early, most of the shops were not opened yet. But eventually, I did shop and am happy with my buys. And we managed the shopping by bringing along a trolley cabin bag! Professionals or what?! We could even get some supermarket shopping done!

The wait for the bus back took awhile because at least 4 that came by wasn't heading back to Singapore. Thankfully we had a few other Singaporean day-trippers who were waiting as well so it wasn't too bad. Knowing that we are all in it together....lol. We eventually reached home at about 7pm. Not too bad.

When we opened the door to our home, K sighted her favourite aunt at the sofa and screamed. Abandoning her shoes at the door, she ran in and gave her such a tight hug. This girl. The house has been pretty much of a party for her since after M's surgery. Furthermore, the eldest SIL was staying the night and yes, the girl had to sleep with her and the hubs had to bring out her mattress and pillows to the living room.

Anyhow, that was how I 'celebrated' my birthday. :)

The saying 'Distance makes the heart grow fonder' sure runs through for me towards M.

M went for a cataract surgery yesterday and had to report to the hospital early morning. Couple of weeks before, she decided to 'recuperate' at my place after the surgery. I do not know why but after 'talking' with her with the eldest brother, we figured that she wanted the peace and quiet at my place compared to Jerry's. Anyhow, since she had to report at 7am for the surgery, she came along with Esther on Monday evening with her big bag load of stuff.

The eldest SIL, bless her, volunteered to come over to my place in the afternoons to buy lunch for M as well as cook dinner during M's stay at my place. But she could not do so yesterday which was fine because I can do it anyways, like how I've been doing it all the time. But she did come by in the afternoon and helped me make soup for dinner. The eldest brother accompanied M and brought her home.

Esther came by yesterday too and met me at K's school to pick her up. We went back home and I just had to prepare another dish for dinner. And then the eldest brother came over quite late and stayed over to accompany M for her follow-up check this morning.

All was fine until this morning when I saw M using her hands to sweep off milo powder off the kitchen counter top. I told her to use the kitchen counter rag and then she starts arguing that her hand is wet so the milo powder will not be swept onto the floor and that she has been doing housework for so many donkey years. Really, I do not need this. Not especially on a working morning. She used to put a newspaper on the table while she snacks on biscuits instead of using a bowl. So now, I always provide her with a bowl. And then the 'memories' of her staying with me after I gave birth at our previous home replayed in my head.

The eldest SIL consoled me by saying that it is different this time because I'm not stuck at home unlike the time I was in confinement. But I still need a place of refuge and comfort in my own home right. I do not want to end up not talking to her again and thankfully I have K to spend my time and pay my attention to now. 

Oh Lord, please be with me throughout.

The hub's youngest brother and wife would have received the keys to the EC at this point of entry.

After church yesterday, the 3 of us popped over to their place. The SIL has been busy packing with her sister as they would need to handover their current home to the new owners by end of November. So with the minor carpentry works and lighting that is required in their new place, time is very tight for them. 

The youngest BIL has amassed so much sports attire, it was like doing a clearance sale. Because of his job, he gets a lot of sponsored items from a particular brand and the hubs took some for a single mother colleague of his, who I've also given some of my own clothes to. And he took some for himself. I took a few pieces for my brother too. And the SIL gave me a pair of new working heels. K didn't miss out anything too. Except that she doesn't know. Haha...the SIL passed her some of her son's unused P1 workbooks. 

Talking about clearing, here is part of my loot that does not fit over my hips anymore. :( Thankfully, I could pass some of my tops to Esther.

We visited the hubs' mother yesterday after work. I met him and K below the PIL's block after I was done with some grocery shopping and yet I ended up waiting for them. When they arrived, we went to the nearby coffeeshop to buy dinner. The FIL was not in which meant that the MIL can manage on her own afterall.

And today, the hubs brought the girl for her abacus class while I did the chores and cooked lunch. 

The girl has always been requesting for fried rice whenever we eat out and it's been a while since I made this dish. So, I decided to cook it. Previously we were eating the reddish type of brown rice but I feel it too hard for fried rice. Now that we are using the brownish type, the texture is so much better.

Made more than enough that I could confidently have M lunch at my place today and the hubs had 2 full bowls of it!

And after ballet, the 3 of us together with M and Esther who came after her lunch, popped by M's estate and had dinner. Paint works look like it's 80% complete so I guess she will be able to move in before CNY. In fact, her estate has organised a resident get-together for the new block at the nearby CC tomorrow.

Another achievement unlocked!

The hubs text me in the late afternoon yesterday to say that he will be home late. I asked if he's going to have dinner with us and he said yes...so I decided to cook. Afterall, I've got the shabu shabu pork collar marinated from the night before. You see, when I have to do pick-up duties, I do not cook as I feel it too rush. And so, after picking the girl from school, we went straight home and I cooked while she occupied herself with other things.

And we had dinner on time! But then again I left work earlier because the boss is away on a business trip. I do not think I can cook if I leave work at the usual time I do usually. But I guess I should give it a shot.

And in the evening, after reading a chapter of Tangled to the girl, I decided to try on some of my working pants. I ended up trying them all for fit and then some. And I can no longer fit into most, if not all my working pants! Save for 3-4 pieces out of 15! And some have not even been worn! That's a good lot to be given away! It's so strange. I can somehow still wear clothes from the youth section from some high-street brands but my muffin top is overflowing from my working pants. This lot were really just taking up space from our move to Redhill to here and to be honest, I haven't worn my working pants since.

Are they upsizing clothing sizes? I guess I really need to renew my wardrobe. Especially my working clothes. 

Oh well. Oh! Welcome November!

The hubs invited the Victors and Whites for dinner on Friday evening at the club. Although I work further from home, I leave work earlier and so volunteered to pick the girl from school, go home for a change and meeting the hubs and our friends for dinner. I rather the travel then to stay in the office waiting for time to pass. Somehow the girl and I met Debs and her daughter at the club lobby and we were the last ones to arrive. Her husband too, went to the club directly after work.

And yesterday, the girl only had abacus in the morning. There is a break for her ballet and finally, it wasn't such a rush Saturday. As the hubs had an event at work, I sent the girl for abacus and came home to do whatever I needed to do before I had to pick her up again.

I cooked soup noodles for her lunch and M came with E a little later. I allowed K to play a while with her cousin while I mopped the house and in between couldn't help raising my voice at M who speaks so harshly about people. I felt bad after that. When I was done with the chores, I made K take her nap while M and E were still around and I napped too. 

When the hubs came home, the 3 of us went out shortly while M and E made their way back. 

We then took the train ride to the Pannu's for their Deepavali invite. It has been a long while since we connected back with them although I did meet up with the Pannu wife and daughter with K some months back. We met the Victors at their house and basically spent the evening there. The slight  headache I was nursing from the afternoon became worse and when we reached our block, I threw up a little downstairs and the hubs was quite sloshed by the time he washed up. *rollseyes*

Surprisingly, we still made it in time for church today. We were back again at the club for late lunch but this time with the eldest brother and SIL. We had so much that I had indigestion after that. Lol. 

They followed us home and I had to force the girl to take her afternoon nap again, especially since we came back so late last night and had to wake her up for church this morning. When I woke up, the eldest brother and his wife have left for home.

As much difficulty I had to make the girl nap, it was equally hard to get her to wake up. Her classmate's mother had gifted us with an invite to a mall's Halloween party and I had promised to bring her.

We did finally leave the house, like we were forcing her to. Sigh...some things we do as parents. She did eventually enjoy herself. There was a cute laughing pumpkin lamp as a door gift, a photo booth, a laser tag game, another game that required her to shoot the cards as well as a felt bag making station. After that, we went to some of the shops that were participating in the mall's event and collected candies.

                                    

Another fun weekend.

The difference to our Saturday morning routine is that the hubs will walk K to her abacus class while I stay home to do the household chores in peace and quiet. And if every Saturday would be like this, I would cook lunch and have it ready when the hubs returns home wif K after class ends. Despite the enrichment centre being only a 10 minute walk away, the hubs is sufficient with just his handphone, passing time in the air-con comfort of Mcdees while I work at home in the sweltering heat. I am so going to install air-con in our next home.

The hubs managed to pat the girl to her afternoon nap after lunch and 45 minutes later, had to wake her up for ballet. While the girl was at ballet, the 2 of us crossed over to the mall for some grocery shopping. At least we are making use of time. Otherwise, we would be wasting it sitting around for 45 minutes to pass. I told the hubs we should do our grocery shopping at times like this, when we have no plans immediately after ballet.

We then went home, I took a quick shower because the heat has caused my scalp to be so oily and my hair was so flat and messy. A while later, we were out again. This time to the hubs' nepalese aunt's home for the yearly traditional ritual and also our first time going there by public commute. But we had to make 1 transfer though. While we are usually the first few ones to arrive, this time, we were almost the last. But it doesn't matter because they were all time 'draggers'.

After church today, the hubs patted K and she actually had a 2-hour nap! She has not been taking her afternoon naps for the past few weeks and it means she will still do, if we enforce it with a lot of patting!

In the evening, in order to escape from the heat that has engulfed us for the entire week, we took a bus ride to Jurong Point and had dinner there. Thankfully, we had some cool breeze when we returned home in the evening.

It was a 1/2 day session at the girl's school yesterday and since I've taken the Children's Day off, it was the hubs' turn for yesterday. And a mother of another child, the girl's K1 mate, had text the hubs' about bringing her child over. However, she added that she will pick her daughter up at 6pm, which meant that she was not going to be around!

I was quite shocked as I would not in my wildest dream leave K alone in an environment I am not familiar with. Especially since it was only the hubs around with 2 girls! I trust the man but little children can say the most nonsensical things. The hubs too agree that he would never do the same. While we welcome K's friends to come over for play dates, we felt that the mother should have practiced more caution? I guess she trusts us. It is a different story if we are close friends.

Anyhow, as much as I wanted to leave work early I couldn't. The 2 girls had so much fun and the surprising thing was both even napped! During this time, the hubs was even able to cook dinner. The other girl's mother reached our home slightly after I did and even stayed for a while, just because the child did not want to leave yet. The hubs' had good sense in him to cook extra rice because the girl ended up wanting to eat dinner at our place. So her mother hung around. It was 7:30pm when they left and shortly after, Esther popped at our front door.

K definitely had a day of surprises. I had planned for Esther to stay over especially since she has finished her exams and having not seen the 3 siblings in a while, it was nice to have her come by to play with her little cousin. K has mentioned on few occasions that she has not seen her cousin for so long and I guess she misses her.

And today, we had another achievement unlocked! We took the public transport to the zoo and the journey turned out to be quite fast! We took the train to CCK and changed to a bus. Altogether, it was only about 30-40 minutes travelling time. Almost similar to driving.

Since the hubs' had with him 2 corporate passes from his office, he could sign in another 4 guests. So he was looking out for people he could extend the invite to. I told him to look out for foreign workers rather than the tourists that he was initially targetting. Tourists are here to spend their tourist dollar while the foreign workers hardly have days off to relax and the entrance fee is quite steep, in my opinion. So eventually he managed to bless a foreign worker and his foreign girlfriend. They were so happy and so would I be, if I were them.

We spent almost 6 hours at the zoo, taking in a show that we never caught before. It being a public holiday, the zoo was very crowded. But thankfully for the vastness in space, it didn't matter. Although it was scorching hot, I'm thankful too because the rain would have dampen our moods and we would not have been able to see as many animals. This time round, K and her cousin had the opportunity to pat 'free-roaming' monitor lizards, a snake, 2 dogs, a rat, a ferret and a rabbit.

And then we went back home the same way how we went to the zoo. The 3rd SIL came by to pick Esther up after dinner and K was so knackered, although she didn't show it, she took under 5 minutes to doze off.

The hubs had an early event yesterday morning but reached home before noon. So I got him to send the girl for her abacus class and buy me breakfast while I put her laundry to wash and hang. I also managed to wash the balcony and bathed before the 2 of us had to go pick her up.

It was quite a rush affair for us because the Salahudeens were sending over their carrom board, a air-hockey table and some stuff as they have sold off their house and were migrating to Australia sometime next year. They held a 'garage sale' some weeks back but since we no longer have the car, I told her to let anyone else who may want to buy what I was interested in instead. But she decided to provide delivery service. Lol.

We were supposed to lunch out together after they have set up the air-hockey table but they were late and so we ended up buying Macdees for the 3 of them, chit-chatting for a while and then them sending us to K's ballet class.

M who brought Esther out since the morning came by to give K a surprise when her class ended. But we could only take the train ride to JE together because we were heading out to the Victor's for a dinner invite. See, we can still travel to many places without the car! Ha.

After the boys watched their football, K had her fun with the younger daughter, we took a grab back home.

And today, while the 3 of us were walking to the train station to head to church, the hubs received several messages from work and had to go to 1 of the guild houses to look into a situation. So the girl and I made our own way to church.

While the brother stayed for Sunday School, K & I followed Ivy back home. We had lunch, stayed for a little while and were the first passengers while Bev drove! She only received her driving license about a week ago and not only were we her first passengers, the girl and I also met her boyfriend. She refused to let Ivy go down with us to take a look at him. Hahah...so in a way, I'm quite happy to say that she trusts me. Or maybe she was just worried that her mum would embarrass her? Lol....oh well...

That is our busy weekend.

It's been a while since I last recorded the conversations with K. So here goes:

**************************************************************

We were in the bus, headed for home, and across the aisle was a family with 4 children. All girls except for 1 we couldn't see who was under the mother's nursing cover.

K: Mummy see, the baby must be drinking milk.

Me: Hmmmm...maybe

Just a short while later,

K: Wahhh...Mummy, the mummy must have a lot of milk cos the baby still drinking.

Still looking over at the family, K who was sitting on my lap started elbowing me:

K: Mummy, can you PLEASE give me a mei-mei or di-di?!

***************************************************************

K and I were in the toilet at a church we were visiting, where some of the children were cousins.

K: Mummy, next time my children will not have any cousins. So sad.

Me: (Thinking not another one of this sibling request) Next time you give birth to 2 children then. 

K: But my children won't have any.

Me: -_-

****************************************************************

K: Mummy, next time when daddy die already, you can come over and stay with me and my husband. Just like mama.

Me: Then what if mummy dies first?

K: Then daddy can come over and stay with us.

Me: *rollseyes*

*****************************************************************

While I was trimming K's nails one evening,

K: I am so scared....next time I will ask my husband to cut my children's nails.

Me: What if he has to work late and your children's nails are very long already?

K: Then I anyhow cut first and let him cut properly when he comes back. Eeeee...I'm so scared.

SO funny she is when she comes out with all these unexpected conversations. Lol......

K attended her first abacus class today. She wasn't looking forward to it initially but thankfully when we picked her up at the end of the lesson, she seemed to like it. The teacher gave pretty good feedback too. The class is small, just the 4 of them, of varying ages. So K has more or less 1-to-1 attention because the other 3 girls have been there for a while already and only needs the teacher's help when they are unsure. 

The centre also happens to be a student care centre so if Ivy isn't able to look after K when she enters Primary 1, this will be the student care that we will send her to. There are pros and cons on sending K to after school care or to stay home. Of course, the ideal situation would be for me to stay home and look after her but then there goes my income...so there's really no such thing as a perfect situation.

Anyhow, the hubs decided to treat K to a Mcdee's lunch after class, with it being just downstairs. And as if it is becoming a trend, K didn't nap again when we got home. Then it was time to bring her for her ballet class. This time without the hubs because he had a dinner event so I let the only person who napped in the household continue in his beauty nap. *rollseyes*

We got home before it poured, after ballet and a while later, the hubs went off for his dinner. All spiffy in his shirt and pants with a coat over his arm and taking the express bus to town where the hotel is. Lol. Looks like he's getting used to it. He even took the bus back home and was so proud with how much he saved on transportation.

While the hubs was enjoying his dinner at some classy hotel, the girl and I had.....wrap. It was meant to be pizza but it ended up being wrapped. Lol.

I've been having good food for much of the week so it's time to lay off too. The youngest SIL had invited us and the 2nd BIL's family for a surprise birthday dinner buffet for the youngest BIL at M Hotel on Monday and on Wednesday, the boss and I had a networking lunch with our corporate travel agent and airline at a french restaurant. Then Friday, K & I were at JB and all you do in JB is indulge in good food.

I hope I don't get fat!

I had to take the day off today for Children's Day, because it is my turn to do so. Anyhow, I made prior plans to meet up with a friend whose daughter and K used to be at the same childcare centre. Both families have since moved and our 2 girls naturally joined other centres. However, after an interesting chat I had with the 2 other SILs, I cancelled the plan and went to JB with them instead.

The youngest SIL, in ranking not by age, is the only one whose family still has a car. So she picked the 2nd SIL and son up before coming for K and myself at the train station. And because I did not know it was only about a 1/2 hour or less train ride to the meeting point, K and I took a walk into the turf club and caught the morning exercise but because the place was huge, the horse was pretty far out.

We went to a newly opened mall in JB and spent the whole day there, although I didn't buy much. Just a pair of sandals and milk powder. So the 2 cousins spent time together except for the 1 year old who still doesn't have much clue to what's happening. Just 3 ladies with 3 kids. So brave uh.

In the evening, the 2 SILs checked that the causeway was jammed and so the youngest SIL suggested we drop by her younger brother's as they were celebrating her niece's 12th birthday as well. So we had light dinner there and left about 8pm. And this time, they could send me back because we left by the Tuas checkpoint. 

Almost 12 hours in JB with the out-laws and our kids. It was nice. Our first and probably not the last. :)

The hubs wanted to go to his parents' home on Saturday morning to deliver the kueh lapis he bought at his golfing trip in Batam, as well as a bottle of home-made pickled veg that Gaye helped him order. With Saturdays being quite busy for me now, I suggested going over to his parents on Friday evening instead. Since the hubs could not make it back in time to pick K from school, I suggested meeting him at his parent's block instead. 

After work on Friday, I took the express bus to the girl's school, picked her up, went home to change as well as pick up the stuff that the hubs had wanted to bring over to his parent's. I told him since we no longer have the car, to not buy anymore food stuff for them. Imagine to always have to send them over before the food turns bad. I told him to buy them non-perishables instead. Since he seems so into buying clothes for his mother recently, *rolleseyes*

The bus journey to the in-laws took merely 10-15 minutes from in front of our house and took another 5 minutes to walk to their block. The hubs bought dinner from his workplace and met K and I at the foot of his parents' block.

We had packed dinner with them, watched a bit of tv and left at 8:30pm. Short and sweet, like how I like it. Lol.

Saturday, I had no idea where time flew. By the time we came back from lunch with M, who came out of the lift just as we were waiting to go for lunch, it was already 2ish and I had to bathe and change to bring the girl for her ballet class.

All I remember doing in the morning was put K's laundry to wash and washed the balcony. I have no idea where the rest of the time went. M followed us to the CC but we went separate ways after it ended because we had a barbeque at his Nepalese cousin's condo to celebrate the Nepali New Year.

We took the train to Bishan where the youngest SIL picked us up and we went to the east together. I think I prefer gatherings with the Nepalese side because it is a cosier group of people compared to the big number from the MIL's side and they are ALWAYS gambling! And in a way, the Nepalese side is closer in blood terms also.

We left at 9ish, hitched a ride from the youngest SIL again to the train station and rode the long train ride home.

The hubs has gone on a 3 days golfing trip to Batam with his friends and so I planned a meet up with 2 ex-colleagues on Friday. 1 of them whom I happened to bump into when I was at the train station near home, on my way to work one morning. She has moved to a new condo development further up from the train station and takes the train from the one nearer to my place now. As for the other colleague, I've met up with her after we left the family business but not of late and since the 3 of us stay in the west, it was convenient. 

I brought the girl along with me, of course, and met the other 2 ladies at Westgate. After dinner, we had dessert, which was mainly for K. While Joleen took the train back home, SK and us took the feeder bus back. With so much happening at Jurong East now, there is no need at all to venture out further for a good meal over a good chat.

Saturday morning, I did the usual chores and suggested a tea-party with K's 'friends'. I carried her red table to her room where she set up the food, cake and propped her friends up on her stool. It was such a pretty photo moment with the bright colours from all that plastic food, blocks and toys. Lol....at least I made her happy. I was even able to make us lunch! Then it was pack up time, shower and while waiting for her hair to dry, I allowed her to watch some edutainment on the laptop.

Before I knew it, it was time to head out for her ballet class. There was a Malay language festival going on in the CC and so we spent some time there when her ballet class ended. K & I did a craft work each and she watched a traditional dance performed by students too. It is so nice that despite it being catered to the Malays, other races were made to feel welcomed when they reach out to the others to take part in the activities. Some of the volunteers were also from the other races.

I had wanted to do some grocery shopping but was not able to as K was hungry and we went straight home to get tabao.

And today, we took the bus to church. Almost the same time spent as the train journey but I think it's more comfortable because we both got seats throughout although the bus did travel through many places. But K enjoyed it because we passed through Little India and saw the beautiful Deepavali decorations, with her favourite elephants. We took the same route for our journey home.

The hubs came home in the late afternoon and we met the youngest BIL and family for dinner at IMM. They had gone to the relative married to the frenchman's home to get 'advise' on their December trip to Paris/London. Don't ask me what. It still perplexes me what kind of advise they were looking for when everything is available in the www. But since they called, we met them and went grocery shopping at the same time. They sent us home and we lent them our winter jackets at the same time.

And then it's back to the grind. Lol...

Yay...received the insurance payout for my luggage which went on it's own vacation on my recent business cum personal trip. Just take a look at the number of hours delayed. 200! Gosh.

Extra pocket money to spend! Woohoooo......:)

The car, is no more. I first sensed of it when I got home and saw 2 bags full of stuff at the entrance of the storeroom. That's my hubs for you. The suitcase we went to JB with, is still lying at the living room, with only his things inside.

Anyway, I confirmed it when I went to the kitchen and saw an empty lot. It's 1 thing to see the car parked in the lot and of course another to see the lot empty. The feeling of miss starts to trickle in. But oh well, it's just a matter of time. The hubs misses his car a lot more, for obvious reasons. His first .

He got some money back when he sent the car to the yard and the boss there actually offered the hubs slightly more money to have the car's ownership transferred to them because the car is very well kept. Well, except for the engine perhaps. Besides we actually have till December till it's official times up. So there is still 3 months of use in her but at a risk, I suppose.

As I mentioned before, I do not feel a necessity for a car but the hubs would like to get another although his feelings are not as strong as it was. During his recent call to his mother, I overheard the MIL asking the hubs why doesn't he get another car and it just irritates me. Well, looks like we do not have to go out of the way to send her home now! 

Anyhow, the hubs' new thoughts about a new ride is, unless he gets a windfall. :)

It has been an exciting weekend. We started it on Friday morning, meeting the eldest brother and his wife at the bus-stop just across the road, opposite our block. The girl was clueless because we wanted to surprise her, of course, and also I do not want her to be asking me throughout the week.

And so we took our 'adventure' a notch up by taking the public bus into JB! The bus-ride from our place to Wooodlands check-point was pretty smooth and we had wanted to take the 5 minute train ride but didn't have enough time to catch the next train at 10am. So we obediently queued up at immigration and caught the next bus across the causeway. It is pretty much a breeze travelling into JB on a working day. 

This time, we stayed a night as the 4 of us have always talked about. After clearing immigration at our neighbour's, we went straight to Doubletree Hilton by foot and managed to get early check-in. Then we took grab to our usual mall for our usual Japanese lunch. We didn't spend much time there though because the 2 man kept saying we could shop back at the malls near the hotel. But I think I would have bought more from there. I only bought a pair of flats for myself, this entire trip and then of course, toiletries. Anyway, thankfully I convinced the hubs to bring along the trolley bag, the one which went on it's own vacation, and it proved so convenient when we could put the shopping in and not have to carry plastic bags when we have to cross immigration again. The eldest SIL too ended up buying a cabin bag too, although on hindsight, I am not sure if she could have gotten it cheaper from here instead.

And today, K had a very short soak in the pool after the buffet breakfast with the eldest brother and hubs. Whole of 20 minutes because it was so windy at the pool area and the water was cold. We rested a bit then checked-out at almost 1pm. 

It was at the mall that the SIL spent a bit more time to choose a cabin bag while the hubs, K and myself went to the girl's section and ended up buying a pair of platform princess slippers for her. We enjoyed shabu shabu lunch before heading back towards the check-point. We had wanted to take the train back into Singapore but they were all sold out for the whole day! So we went back by the same route as the way we went into JB. 

All in all, we had fun. The SIL enjoyed herself and I'm sure K too when she saw the pool. She was so excited when we went to check it out before heading back to the room to change. The eldest brother is now contemplating a 2-night stay .....lol.

The hubs had a very early work event yesterday and only came home slightly before we had to leave for the girl's ballet class. While he was away, I brought the girl to 2 fairly new playgrounds within walking distance from our place. We managed 2 because she woke up so early and had been disturbing me until the skies opened up. 

After the playground, I signed her up for abacus class and she will start on the 1st Saturday in October. Ballet class will remain as it is in the late afternoon. And then we went home. I was able to wash the balcony before bringing her out, which really explains how early it was, and so came home to put her laundry to wash and mop the house.

She took a short nap and as I woke her up to prepare to leave for ballet, the hubs returned home. Poor him. Such a long day for him. We took the bus to the train station,which is only 1 bus-stop away, where I walk to every morning because I didn't want the hubs to feel 'inconvenienced' because of the car situation. We arrived rather early for ballet and after the lesson, took 2 trains and a bus to reach the Victors'. They had invited us over for their younger girl's 11th birthday. We arrived slightly late but was still ok.

The girl enjoyed herself with all the other girls making slime and made 3 while I made 1. We got to bring them back so that was the goody bag. It was nice also catching up with the other ladies and the hubs with the man. It has been a while.

We left at 9ish and took a grab cab home.

And today, the 3 of us were back on the train then bus again for the journey to church. The girl, who usually doesn't have to walk much because of the car, developed blisters. But she soldiered on with the plasters. It's all an adventure to her because she has been in the comfort of the car ever since she was born!

After church, together with the eldest brother and wife, we took a bus at the wrong direction and ended up somewhere for lunch. That much for an adventure. Lol. The eldest brother is also no longer driving but has been so the early part of this year and yet, they are very comfortable with public commute. The eldest brother has been driving at least 30+ years of his life so if he can manage it, we shouldn't be missing it so much.

The Victor couple came by in the evening with their younger girl and we had dinner nearby our place. While they came, the girl and I were napping....must have been from yesterday and all that walking. Lol.

The hubs has decided to let the car go.

It happened on the evening we touched down, when the hubs decided to send the SIL back home after dinner. The car experienced some problems on his way home and for the rest of the week, he was commuting to work and back home by public transport. He did send the car to the workshop at the end of the week and we did get to use it during the activity filled long weekend. 

However, the hubs felt that the car was not right again on his way home on Wednesday evening and this time he decided this is going to be IT. He is not going to waste anymore money fixing it already. We were supposed to dine out because the hubs had wanted to buy a new pair of working shoes but he changed his mind when he felt that the car wasn't stable and thankfully, he was able to get home in it.

I had to pick the girl up from school yesterday and today, the school is closed again and it is the hubs turn to take care of her. At the same time, it is the girl's follow-up at the hospital so the 2 commuted by bus, just like the previous time. I guess because there is no longer the use of the car, the hubs brought K straight home after the follow-up. Otherwise, he would always detour to his parents'.

The weather was so good that the 2 had a very good nap and K didn't want to go out even when I reached home. It is a Friday and we usually eat out the the nearby malls. But we eventually took a bus ride to IMM for dinner and to finally, look around for a pair of shoes for the hubs.

Although I got the girl to start early on the gifts she wanted to make for her teachers for this year's Teachers' day, she still didn't get to give it to them the day before school closed for that 1 day. Perhaps it was because of my business trip followed by the holiday, there was no one to follow through with her.

The girl decided that she wanted to make bracelets again for her teachers. As usual, I helped her knot them up when she finished each design and then helped her packed them. We had bought some beads when we were in Melaka. As she was 3 bracelets short, I made her do them during the long weekend.

Initially, she was wasn't keen on it anymore because in her own words, Monday will not be Teachers' Day anymore. I told her that 'it is better late than never' and thankfully, the eldest brother said the same thing to her when we met on Sunday.

I asked the hubs this morning if he reminded her to give the teachers the bracelets but he too forgot. When I checked her bag when they came home in the evening, I am glad to report that she has distributed them except for 1 because the teacher did not come in today.

Teachers in childcare centres spend more time with our blood. Indeed they also need to be well looked after.

K's school closed on Thursday for Teacher's Day. And since the hubs and I just returned from our trip on Monday, the SIL offered to come over to take care of the girl. So she stayed over on Wednesday evening and the girl, went to sleep with her without even asking.

The eldest brother joined us in the evening when we had dinner at the club. 

With my body or mind still adjusting to the time zone difference, I slept 12 hours on Thursday night to Friday morning.

Firday morning, we went marketing at Jurong West and had late breakfast. The Victors invited us for dinner as well as a 'private' tour of their new home. Lol. I really like their new home. Smaller than their previous but cosy and more 'modern'.

I think I clocked in another 10 hours or so of sleep on Friday night.

We had a lunch invite to Janice's new home yesterday and after that, headed back to the west for the girl's ballet lesson. The hubs had wanted to explore Tampines hub but thankfully we didn't. There simply wasn't enough time so we spent the extra 15 minutes exploring the new community centre that the girl's ballet lesson is held at. Incidentally, they even have a bowling alley there!

And today, we had Indian fish head curry as the eldest brother treated us for lunch, in celebration of the SIL's birthday.

Tomorrow onwards, it is really, in the girls' word, back to normal. 

Landed yesterday, back to work today. The girl was so reluctant to have the eldest SIL go that she cried. Apparently, she didn't miss us that much. I told the hubs, she didn't have time to. She did ask me why didn't I bring back baby no. 2 though. Ya, like it's so easy.

The hubs and I celebrated our 10th year anniversary on this trip. We went Amsterdam, Brussels, Brugge and Rotterdam. I must remind myself when I plan our future itineraries, to allocate more time in between. The hubs with his knee problem and I, with my back, cannot walk as much as we used to anymore. We need to take more breaks when his knee start to ache and my lower back, inflamed. I've joked that we may need to get 1 walking stick for him which doubles up as a stool when I have to sit. This may well become reality.

Thankful for the business class upgrade, I can still work today. When I got home yesterday, I put the girl's laundry to wash, did a bit of unpacking and more today while the hubs rested a bit, as usual, before he went to buy dinner for us.

Routine starts today, again.....thankful once again, for the short week! Hurray!