The Victors handed down a Sylvanian house to K and yesterday evening, the hubs decided to bring it to the bedroom at bedtime. I had the idea of reading Hansel and Gretel and suggested to K to use her minikins as Hansel, Gretal, the Woodcutter, the Stepmother and witch. So there we were, the 3 of us  with me reading from the book, the hubs using the minikins to act out the scenes and our captivated audience of 1, K watching.

When the 'show' was over and K lying down, the hubs layed down beside her and told her that I said that we should not be patting her to sleep anymore. On my part, it is because I think she needs to learn how to sleep on her own. Our ex-neighbour's daughter sleeps by herself, in her own room. But with K, she still wants to sleep in ours and when we said no patting, she started tearing. She was quiet but we could see the tears rolling down her face.

It is so heart-breaking. Our daughter, though she wants to grow up, still needs and wants us so much. She always sits right beside the hubs at the sofa and he always complains that she is literally sticking onto him. I always tell him, it won't be so in a couple more years. 

So, yes, a reminder for me to savour the present where she still wants us. I always want her to be at 2, where she still needs me and since she still shows that she does, I should relish these moments. it won't be so in a couple more years.

The Victors & Whites brought over 3 bags of books when they came over for our Malacca trip 2 weeks ago. And then there are some more bags of books that were given to K from a church member. K has yet to be able to read on her own, totally yet so I've kept some of her baby books still.

On the eve of Christmas, this was the main reorg I had set out to do. Move our old Ikea bookcase into the girls' room. Thankfully, we did not throw it away as we were holding out for the eldest SIL to pick it up from us as she was very keen on having it. 

The girly pink bookshelf and the empty space on her left where we had her red Ikea table, which has since been moved out to the living area, and her toys strewn all over the left side.         

                                    

And now, the revitalised bookcase with her storybooks and toys. The pink bookshelf has then exchanged places with the Ikea bookcase.

Let's hope she will spend many good hours reading the books here and that this area is kept as neat as it is now. 

I had wanted to go to the ice-skating rink after the Christmas party at home but everyone except me thinks it's not possible. They were right....I was exhausted at the end of the day and only took a shower when the clock past midnight. Anyhow, am so grateful that the eldest brother helped mopped the entire house and I could wake up feeling relaxed on Boxing Day.

Esther who had her cousin from Malaysia, from the SIL's side, stay over, had planned for some skating on Boxing Day and suggested to me to join them instead because it was cheaper too. I had wanted to go on Christmas Day because they had some Christmas special going on. But anyhow, I brought the girl along and this is our 2nd time at the rink. The patient husband sweetly sat rink-side for that almost 2 hours while we or I glided happily. K tried standing and walking on the skates for awhile but otherwise sat on the skating aid for almost the whole time. Esther and her cousin fell a few times and Josh joined us a while later. I didn't buy all the nephews and nieces anything this Christmas so paid for Josh. Esther and her cousin arrived before us so I couldn't do so for them.

But we enjoyed ourselves and I would love to go back again. Maybe when the girl's childcare centre closes next and I'll bring her again.

After our nap, which I completely knocked out from all that activity, we drove over to the Victor's for their Christmas dinner invite.

And it's so anti-climatic that we are back to work today. My body is aching from that almost 2 hour work-out at the rink and I am still longing for the bed.

We spent the whole of yesterday at home, just to do some 'spring-cleaning'. We had dinner at Jem and also did some grocery shopping.

Today at church was like a family affair. It was only the 2 brothers' family and mine who were present. The rest of the church members were all overseas. Thus the usual church Christmas lunch and gift exchange were scrapped off and since the eldest SIL already ordered a log cake, it was shared amongst us. And then we all adjourn to the usual coffee shop for lunch.

While Jerry's family and the eldest SIL went back to his place, the rest came to mine to rest. Well, actually just the eldest brother, Tim and Bev. After making her pasta sauce, the eldest SIL called for the eldest brother to pick up the sauce. And she wanted to come over as well so she can rest a bit.

I started preparing at about 4, which in my personal opinion, was early but everyone else came at 4ish! The 2nd SIL, with her good intentions, helped me out in the kitchen but it ended up with me thinking that I should have started preparing a lot earlier so I could do things my own way. But like what I said, she has her good intentions.

                                         

 

There was so much food although the 2nd SIL had whatsapped me privately asking me if there would be enough. In the end, there was so much left over! 

After the food, was the gift exchange which, we played the same way last year and in our previous church. It does not fail to add laughter and great fun. I think my brothers would have wanted to stay longer that's why all of them came so early this year but the night does not wait. When everyone left, the eldest brother helped me mop the entire house! My eldest SIL, never fails to help me with the washing. The 2 of them stayed over and we viewed photos from our Tokyo trip till almost midnight. Even K.

We had a great family time this Christmas. And I hope you had a blessed one too!

Received a parcel, through mail this time. This time, from a Santarina! When I saw the package addressed to me, I was elated! Let's face it, with emails and all, postage mail is still the best. I've decided to start mailing festive cards from 2017 onwards. That is Lunar New Year and Christmas greeting cards. You can take it as my New Year resolution...hehehehe

My ex-neighbour from Redhill sent this to me. Such sweet thoughts. She made one for the girl too when she was born. And the girl asked why is her towel smaller than mine. Lol.

My ex-neighbour will be moving out from Redhill as well so I will have completely no more connection to our first home. The home that we, even the girl, still miss.

Received this from a secret Santa at work this morning. For the 4 of us in our department, with our names on each purse. Such a sweet gesture. The hunt is now on to find who this sweet gentleman is. At least we know it's a guy.

We just came back from our pilgrimage trip to Malacca! And this should round up the 'holidays' for us for 2016. This time, instead of driving, the hubs hired a mini-bus with driver.

The Victors and Whites came up to our place on Thursday morning for the ride while the Salahudeens caught up with us on Friday instead and they drove in, with their holiday extended in Malaysia till Christmas over a few states. Although we extended our usual 3 day stay to another day, it still seemed a bit rush, especially with the shopping. But with friends this time, the hubs and I could indulge in some noon-time booze. Lol. 

Being the holiday season, Malacca sure was crowded. I'm definitely going to make full use of the next 2 years holidaying during off-peak seasons before K starts her primary education.