And then, I thought we didn't do anything fun during the term break apart from our Legoland trip and was feeling a bit sad for the kids, especially Yang who had been working hard through the break. So we decided kind of last-minute, that we should go cycling!
Got the kids' assurance that they would try to learn. Coz no training wheels for Kai's size, and likely none for Yang's too. So when the weather looked good last Friday, we chop chop set off after breakfast!
The last time we went was two years ago when we were still at BP. So the journey this time was really easier - MRT to Haw Par Villa and changed to a bus which dropped us right at the cycling kiosk. Told JY about it at breakfast and they decided to come along too.
The last time we went was two years ago when we were still at BP. So the journey this time was really easier - MRT to Haw Par Villa and changed to a bus which dropped us right at the cycling kiosk. Told JY about it at breakfast and they decided to come along too.
Just two days ago, we met for dinner at Le Shrimp, and the six boys were running all over Star Vista. Later when I told Yu that Auntie JY said nightmare to have six sons, he gave me a nice retort - twice the cuteness! 💕 This round, the five boys - K1 doing holiday homework - were each busy with cycling so no nightmare :p
I demonstrated how to cycle and then Sito and I stood around to watch them try. It took an hour or so before Yang finally managed to do it! What perseverance, what an achievement! So happy for him! I think this was the best birthday present he could give himself :)
He already took received presents from the grands two weeks ago, and we also got him True Singapore Ghost Stories book 1. Do we count the Lego sword? Ah well...
Anyway, Yang soon cycled (slowly) into Kai who was stationary and sustained some bruises on his legs and an abrasion on his left forearm. Maybe due to that and the heat, he felt very tired.
Resting on the ground under a tree
Kai got it next, after we changed his mountain bike (is that what it's called??) to a city bike, and could eventually go further and more steadily than Yang. Yu couldn't do it and asked for training wheels. We didn't give in. Towards the the of our two hours, he managed to cycle a short distance - he can probably nail it next time!
Said bye bye to our friends and left for lunch at Clementi. These kids like ice cream so it was Swensen's! And this was the first time we had their student deals - very good as it's the same as their usual but cheaper!
Firehouse birthday sundae without whipped cream for Yang :)
After lunch activities included shopping and cutting hair for Yang and Yu - Kai cut his the Saturday before but his brothers refused then 🤷♀️ Lucky it was a weekday else it would be very crowded to cut just before a new school term!
Strawberry cake as requested :)
And yes, pyjamas party! Coz they showered and changed before dinner. They all wanted my spaghetti for dinner. I was very tired but it was an easy meal even though I had not defrosted any meat ahead of time - just use my fave IQF minced beef, yeah! I think I have perfected the laziest one-pot, three-ingredient spaghetti, four if you include tomato paste from a tube :p
Cake was a great dessert after dinner and before our usual Friday movie night. All in, a wonderful birthday for Yang, I hope :)
Another strawberry cake as requested!
Ahhh, didn't realised AhYee got blocked - she's the one who gets cakes usually, and these are amazing cakes!
Headed to Crystal Jade La Mian XLB for dinner. We haven't been there since we moved back to HV and it closed after June so we just made it! Kids had their usual kosong noodles and a tray of xlb each. But they were more interested in playing with the grands' phones 🤦♀️
And yesterday, Facebook reminded me of a photo of Yang and his bear bear from 11 years ago, when his bear bear was bigger than him! I had to ask Yang to recreate the scene :p
How my baby has grown!
In the past few months, Yang has become somewhat meatier. I think Kai put on some meat around this age too but look at his thin frame now... So, Yang, eat more!
But how the bear bear has shrunk, no thanks to my frequent washing since Yang decided to hug this to sleep some time this year! 11yo and still super cute, he would tuck bear bear into his PJs with its head sticking out and snuggling his neck. Too cute, I cannot....
Might as well add another photo from yesterday. Papa has been helping Yang meditate before bedtime for a number of days now, starting during term break? We want him to learn how to focus better. Last night, Yu decided to join them. I thought I heard Yu calling me and thought they were done.
But I went in and saw this scene ❤️
Happy birthday to my sweetest middle child, Yang Yang! Hope you enjoyed your day, and benefit from these usually 1-1 meditation sessions with Papa :)