The hikes

Lleyton and Leanne went on a few hikes with Daddy and Mummy, but the real agenda for Lleyton was to have the chance to take the "Thomas" or the bus.

Beach Road Prawn Noodles and National Library
Lleyton went on the same route almost exactly 2 years back. Look at how the two kids enjoyed the delicious prawn noodles. In order to fulfill Lleyton's request to take the bus back home, Daddy planned a longer route towards National Library such that the bus ride is more "worthwhile".

See the same boy 2 years ago.. yummy!

A change of clothes after the prawn noodles. Looks like she is posing.. her expression looks exactly like Mummy when she's young (or that is what Mummy thinks)

To Paradiz Centre and Plaza Sing

That week's itinerary was to take a stroll down memory lane towards Plaza Sing. Daddy and Mummy has ran out of ideas on urban hikes especially when Lleyton insisted that he wants to take the train. The difference was that Leanne doesn't seem to fall asleep like Lleyton in the Baby Bjorn carrier, and remained curious and alert throughout the entire journey.

Not that many photos taken until the last leg of the trip.

A comparison against half of the same route 2 years back.

The next challenge will be the hike to the Flyer!

A morning at the beach

One Sunday morning, Daddy drove the family to East Coast Park for Lleyton to practice cycling. Thereafter, the family proceeded to the beach for some sandplay.

Both Leanne and Lleyton looked wet and sweaty after the morning of fun!

Updates on the kids

What's up?
Mummy received numerous comments that this website has been rather inactive... yes, it is true that the posts are held back by Mummy. She wonders if anyone will even come to this site for an update after the long silence.

There's nothing too exciting within these fews months.. except that both Daddy and Mummy are so tied up with work on weekdays, and too lazy to blog on weekends.

The kids' development
Leanne has started walking very steadily since the beginning of December, to the extent that she could even play "catching" with Lleyton. Very cheeky and playful girl.. and lotsa laughter from her. She can say quite a few words but most of the time only Lleyton and herself what the conversation is about.

Lleyton has progressed to N2 and comments from his N1 teachers were that he has been rather vocal in school and can mix very well with almost all his friends in his class. Lleyton is FINALLY toilet-trained in the day (err.. most of the time at least.. with some accidents especially on rainy days?) He had his 3rd birthday celebrated in school and performed in the year-end concert.

Daddy trained them to sleep by themselves in their room after having milk. He claimed that this was made possible due to the Mummy's late nights at work (i.e. not around to disrupt the routine).

Leanne learned that the "naughty" corner was meant for "naughty" people. She has proven the point it by walking to the corner automatically upon Lleyton saying the words "naughty mei-mei". In actual fact, Lleyton was the naughty one but accused Leanne of being naughty.

Daddy reprimanded Lleyton firmly that he should never tell lies. Though not entirely sure, he was taught the hard way to speak trufully at all times.

The trips
Spent 3 days 2 nights at Festive Hotel, Resort World. Visited USS 3 times during the trip with the use of the Annual Pass. Lleyton loves the "yellow" accelerator. Daddy & Mummy went again all by themselves on their 5th year anniversary.

Went on a few hikes with Lleyton and Leanne, to build stamina and "walking" skills.

-The not so pleasant

A few trips were made to KKH: -
1) Lleyton hit his head against the edge of the TV console. Left for KKH with bleeding wound. Though a little swollen after the blood dried up, the doctor convinced Daddy and Mummy it should be just a superficial wound.

2) Leanne diagnosed with dengue fever after 5 days of persistent high fever. Surprisingly no mossie bites on her (more bites seen on Lleyton though). No admission required, thank goodness.

3) Had 4 jabs at a single visit (including a blood test to follow-up on her dengue). Nothing too unpleasant. Slight fever and back to her usual self.

Photos
Shall be posted later.. in a separate post. Watch the space...

Photos & Videos from Lleyton & Leanne's Birthday Party

Here are some of the better shots and clips from the event last Sunday.

Lleyton having fun before the event begins, trying out his tricycle, remote control boat, and bouncy castle in quick succession.

The stars of the day

Day at the Bird Park

This post is a little behind time, for this visit took place in September, but Daddy & Mummy has been caught with too many little things that Daddy finally decided to still put this up to share the photos and videos.

The day started with a nice breakfast outside the bird park. It was a sunny day, thus both Lleyton and Leanne were decked out in their finest caps.

The visit included two bird shows which the kids loved, as well as a feeding session. As expected, Lleyton "chickened" out of feeding the birds, whereas Leanne looked on nonchalently at the proceedings.

Lleyton had taken the panarail within the bird park to be his "Thomas" and shouted for "Thomsa" everytime he sees the panarail pass by. Thus, Daddy decided to break up the panarail ride into three parts, to maximise the fun. Here's a video of Lleyton waiting for his final ride on "Thomas".

Leanne turns 1

Today marks the day Leanne turns one! Thus a post to wish her happy birthday before the clock strikes twelve.

Mummy often likes to recall the day before Leanne was born, it being the very day of the start of her 1 week advance maternity leave, the day which she celebrated Lleyton's birthday in school, and the day whereby all 3 symptoms of labour appeared, yet not knowing she was already in labour. She had to attribute it to her high pain threshold which allow Daddy to bring her to hospital within 15 min with contractions already 10s apart. Thank goodness, labour was short and this considerate little missy arrived within 30 min upon Mummy being sent to the delivery ward.

She is probably one of the best things that happened to Daddy and Mummy, and of course, as a best friend to her elder brother. When she first arrived, the big brother treated her with hostility; today, he showed the highest level of tolerance he had for her, accomodating her sometimes unreasonable requests, which deeply demonstrated how fond he is of his little sister.

It is great fun watching the two little kiddos playing together. Leanne loves to interact with others even when she is surrounded with toys, unlike Lleyton who prefers to play on his own when he was her age. That was probably the kind of positive influence siblings can provide each other even at such a young age.

It is always so heartwarming to sense her joy and excitment when she sees Daddy, Mummy or her brother coming home from work or school, showering them with hugs and full of sweet smiles the moment they step into the house.

Today, a simple birthday party was set up for the duo, to mark this special day of Leanne and also that of her 3 year old brother. This party was smacked right in the middle of the busiest and uncertain period of Mummy's new work schedule, but she was glad everything turned out well (apart from the little blemish* created due to her lack of follow-up). Nevertheless, it is the joy the kids had which was priceless, accompanied by the great gifts and sweet thoughts from all their friends.

Leanne, may you stay sweet and adorable always. Happy Birthday!

Love, Daddy & Mummy

(* As a result of Mummy's "blurness", she only realised today that she had accidentally left out some guests in the invite list, even though she thought she had invited them. To the guests who did not get the invite, please know that you were only mistaken left out.)

Lleyton's outing in September

Mummy brought Lleyton and Leanne on a playdate to an indoor playground called Peek-a-Boo. Together with Shanice (Lleyton's classmate), the 3 kids had lots of fun.

The very next day, Lleyton joined Shanice again for the Barney show. As usual, he was watching quietly in his seat and occasionally making some comments when the dinosaurs appear. Not sure if he really enjoyed the show as Mummy did not see him singing along with the songs. Maybe he was not familiar with them? Mummy can't tell either, as she knows nuts about Barney.. haha.

More photos...

It has been extremely difficult to get Lleyton to pose for pictures. And when he does, he will give his "signature" grin coupled with victory signs (urm... 2 fingers on one + 3 fingers on the other?) which end up covering most part of his face.

Most of the time he won't even bother posing unless there are some favourite cartoon characters that he poses with.

Leanne definitely looks more natural in pictures..

Photos Updates on Lleyton and Leanne

Lots of changes and events have taken place in the past 3 months. Both Daddy and Mummy could hardly find a chance to to blog during this period.

Perhaps some pictures could do the explanation?

Swimming again?

Lleyton showing his brotherly love

Joining Mummy at a dinner gathering

Dressed like a ballerina for a wedding dinner

Supporting YOG Singapore 2010

Daddy is an ardent supporter of the inaugural Youth Olympic Games, held in Singapore. He had bought tickets for the events very early on, with plans to bring Lleyton to watch the football, and the entire family for handball.

Lleyton was very well behaved at the football game, sitting obediently beside Daddy and cheering Singapore on with his clappers. Naturally, Lleyton took the occasional break, to dip his fingers into a nice pack of raisins. It was a rather warm evening, as both Daddy and Lleyton came away from the match, soaking with sweat.

The handball match saw full support from the family, with Lleyton, Leanne and Mummy all attending with Daddy. In addition, Auntie Lingmei and Uncle TT also went along, decked out in the National red colour.

These games have probably come a tad too early for 10-month old Leanne, but Daddy felt that this is an experience of a life-time, and wanted the entire family to share this moment. Perhaps, but London 2012, the family can make a trip to watch the full summer Olympics???