National Day Starts at Kith Cafe

Brunch excursions continue.  We met Joce, Clarence, Emma, Jian Ming, Jo, and Josiah at Kith Cafe @ Rodyk Street near Robertson Quay for breakfast on National Day.  Most of us came in red-and-white even though we didn't plan for it.  I guess having kids makes you do that to make the day more special.  Then again, I always do that anyway hahahaaa.  I like national day.  Majulah Singapura!  I love my country.  Just because.  I just do :)

Anyway, back to breakfast.  The food was not too bad.  I guess the big breakfast set was alright, nothing to shout about I thought.  But Jon thought the hot dog was great.  I didn't really try it so can't really comment there.  The place is small though, and not very kid friendly.  We ended up putting two small tables together, and still didn't have enough space for all of us.  And we had to kop chairs from here and there to get seats for 6, even though there were 9 of us.  The kids were running around most of the time, and a few of us were running after them, so it still worked out fine :) 

The kids had enjoyed watching the boats go by (the cafe is located along the river), running on the pavements, and trooping into a bicycle cum book and stationary store (yes, a rather unusual combination) which boasted a cute kitten and a friendly cockatoo.  I think the kitten was more afraid of the three of them then they were of it :)  It looked a little spooked and hid behind a table.

Clarence was definitely Uncle-of-the-day.  He single handedly managed all three kids at one point, and on more than one occasion carried two toddlers by himself :)  Definitely all ready of baby number 2.  Speaking of which it was good to chat with Joce and Jo who are also expecting, and like with our first kids, we are all due within months of each other.  We were exchanging info on our plans to make space at home for the second kid, how to handle the childcare situation, and all that.  It's reassuring to have friends who are at the same lifestage as you.  In particular, it was reassuring to find that we all didn't really have a plan we were completely satisfied with. I guess you just have to make do after a while. 

Later at night, we allowed Asher to stay up late to watch the NDP parade.  He had during his staycation with the grandies seen the aeroplanes, helicopters, and fireworks live from Fairmont Hotel, so he was quite eager to watch NDP when I told him that he could see all these things again.  Plus, he would get to see tanks, fire engines, soldiers, and people dancing. 

And, muahaha, I managed to get him to stand with  me for the pledge and national anthem, and he even enthusiastically joined me in dancing to "stand up for Singapore" :O)  Jon just rolled his eyes. 

After the parade came to an end around 10pm, I brought Asher to the bed and sang national day songs until he fell asleep :)  Brainwashing!!!  Hiah hiah hiah

Vesak Day Picnic @ Botanic Gardens

I love public holidays.  I doubt anyone will disagree with me.  Public holidays mean Jon's on leave.  It means we have a day outside of our usual weekend routines.  It means a day for special plans! 

The plan?  Picnic at the Botanic Gardens with my parents and Aidan :)  I'm sure I've said this a million times, I love the Botanic Gardens!  And what a perfect day to go.  It was breezy, sunny, but a little cloudy so it wasn't too hot.  It wasn't that humid too.  Clearly many families had the same idea cos the Palm Valley was quite crowded. 

And there was something funny about the valley that day.  It was covered with little bits of white, almost as if someone had torn tissue paper and thrown it all around.  But it couldn't have been cos there was just so much of the tissue-like white stuff.  Then Papa solved the great white-fluff mystery.  The cotton tree's pods had burst open!  The field was covered with cotton!  I've never actually seen cotton fresh off a tree before.  I feels so soft, like wool but without the oily feel.  Yes, yes, I know that's why they call it cotton wool...but this felt more wool-like than cotton wool. 

Can you see the cotton on the field?

Papa bringing Asher for a walk to look at the fishes

A picnic has to have food.  What did we bring?  KFC breakfasts!  Convenient, no need to prepare anything, and I like the wraps, but it always feels like they're finished too soon.  Hmm..

The cosy party

Happily munching away on Cheerios

There was a little yellow butterfly that seemed to like my father very much.  It keep settling on him much to our amusement.  And Asher was most fascinated with the little creature. 

Asher poked it here and left a bit of the, I don't know what you call it, the powdery stuff from a butterfly, on my Dad's shirt.

It was then quite cute to see Asher take a piece of tissue paper nearby and proceed to wipe the spot! 

This was voluntary.  No forced child labour here!!  And how shiok for my father!!

Back from the boys walk.  My mum and I lazed on the mat while they strolled off somewhere.

Being pampered by his Nai Nai.  Aidan was quite hot cos it was getting warmer. 

He ain't heavy, he's my grandson

Daddy and Son

Since the boys came back from their walk, my mum and I decided to bring the little boys for another walk, but this time on their strollers.  We came across this lovely area of hanging red ivy which the boys loved.  It was intriguing and I was quite fascinated too.  It was fun to walk through the ivy again and again (and again).  Thought it was very interesting that they did this 'display'. 

Where's Por Por/ Nai Nai?

Asher was so contented and tired out by noon that he actually fell asleep while being rolled back to the car in his stroller!  That hardly ever happens!  Has it ever?  I can't remember the last time it did!!  We should soo do this again.

Picnic @ The Botanical Gardens

It's been a while since the girls met up, and we decided to meet for brunch. Then it evolved to meeting for brunch under a big tree, and we then all assumed that big tree would be in the Botanical Gardens :) So yes, we went to the ever lovely Botanical Gardens for a morning picnic! Oh, and of course all the other-halves were invited to our picnic too :)

The picnic party








Nessie made yummy smoked salmon and ham & cheese sandwiches, and even brought a decadent slice of brie! Janine made a hearty and healthy potato salad complete with real bacon bits! Who can resist that? And PS made indulgent chocolate muffins, topped with chocolate icing! Great for a sweet treat after the savories! And Alex made a very healthy and refreshing fruit salad, that we all gladly tucked into as the sun got hotter.

Just lazing around after eating






Asher playing with some fans









PS also brought her new puppy, Obi! It was my first time meeting the little guy, and he's a handsome chap who knows a comfortable bed when he sees one :) He was initally on the straw mat, then slowly, slowly, he shifted and eventually migrated to the cloth picnic spread Jon and I brought :) And he duly marked out his territory by rolling all over one section of it, very cute :) Asher got to stroke him too! Asher's first time being up close and personal with a doggie. But he still needs to learn to be more gentle with animals, cos Asher was trying to tug on Obi's fur, and in trying to pat Obi's face, almost poked his eyes out! :)












"Cups are less fragile, I can bash them around!"

































The weather that morning was very good, not too humid, but we could have done with a little bit more wind. At one point it threatened to rain, but thank goodness the good weather held up! In any case, chilling, chatting, eating, relaxing, jibing, laughing - what more can you ask for? =) By the end of the picnic, we were warm, in need of shade, and in need of rest from the 'tiring' picnic :) And Asher needed to have his lunch too. But I think the morning's excitement wore him out, and he was too tired to eat much. So he just dozed on Jon's shoulder for the rest of the morning :)