Thursday, December 29, 2011

London - 21.12.2011 (day 1)

We've outdone ourselves again by planning another last minute trip.
It was so last minute that 
we only bought our tickets and booked hotel accommodation 
24hrs prior to the flight!
Honestly, I don't know how we did it at all!

This is the first time I am flying solo with 2 kids on a long haul flight.
I was having the jitters.
But, thankfully, 
by the grace of God, 
we breezed through the 12 hour flight!

21.12.2011
London Heathrow Airport Tube Station
£8 for a full day travel pass
Children under the age of 10 travels for FREE!

Travelling on the tube was fuss free.
Took the Piccadilly line
straight from the airport to Knightsbridge
where our hotel was situated.
Please be forewarned!
Most of the subways in London are poisoned with endless flight of stairs.

We were smacked right in between Hyde Park & Harrods.
I must stress,
It is a damn ATAS (upmarket) Area!
Big Brand Names line the streets all the way to our hotel entrance!
( I was obviously not expecting this!)
~Thank you Margie for the great hotel lobang!!~

Met up with Couz Jacqueline
who was in London for a student exchange program.

First Stop
Satisfy my Roast Duck Cravings
from Gold Mine @ Baywater

Then it is off to Hyde Park for Christmas Wonderland.
Reminded me very much of Christmas Market in Germany.
The only difference was we were boozing beers and having frankfurters in Germany
But whereas for now,
Parenthood has changed our Priorities,
we were riding on silly kiddy rides instead!

As you can clearly tell,
the kids were having a great time
while my pockets burn in pain!
(Those rides don't come cheap I swear!)

I would pat myself on the back.
It was an Awesome First Day in a Foreign Land Alone with 2 kids!

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Friday, December 09, 2011

Christmas Came Early: We Won Ourselves a HTC Evo 3d Phone!!

I still stand in disbelieve that we WON a HTC Evo 3D phone!
It took a while for the reality to sink in 
that we are the ONLY winner for 
HTC; The Escapade to Sydney Photo Voting Contest organized by Asiaone.

Christmas definately came early for me.

Thank you
HTC & Asiaone
for making this possible!!

This video should make you drool over my sparkling new phone.
It's Freakin' Cool!!!

Thursday, December 08, 2011

Disney Junior; The Party Life Saver

Many thanks to
Georgina from T\PR
and 
Mai from Disney Channels Southeast Asia
for the kind invitation to lunch 

.READ ON.
-i swear this is going to be darn exciting-

I find it hard to disappoint my kids on their birthdays.
So year after year, 
I'll ask the kid's about their dream theme birthday party for the year 
and then regret even asking that question.

Just for the records:
Like a good friend once said,
"whatever you promise a kid,
you MUST deliver!"
Either that or they'll remember it for life!
(The best memory chip on earth got implanted on the kids,
while mine kept failing on me!!)

 *grin*
Here comes the piece good news!!!
We can all fire our kiddy's party coordinator!
 (and of course buy that gorgeous bag, 
we've been eyeing all year round!!)
Disney Junior has got all our theme parties covered!

Check out this Website!!
Our Fairy Godmother in Themed Party Planning;

I totally love how thoughtful Disney Junior is!
 Ranging from Invitations, Crafts, Activities, Favors
and even Great Food Ideas.
They've got just about everything covered!!


No more excuses for bad parties.
Let's ROCK our kid's world with FABULOUS Disney Parties!!


~Highlights of the Day~

Activities to keep Hiroshhi Occupied

Ahoy! Captain Hiroshi on board!

Pirate Party Hat & Eye Patch
could be printed off
Disney Junior's website!!

Another Printable off Disney Junior Website.
Hiroshi knows all the characters
in Jake and the Neverland Pirates.
I've got a certified tv addict at home!

Just in case you missed it.
Honestly, check this out!

Saturday, December 03, 2011

Sanrio is at NEX for Christmas!!!!

I obviously did not know that NEX at Serangoon 
is housing the Sanrio Characters this Christmas!

I am not the biggest hello kitty fan.
Oh well, not big enough to q up outside MacDonald's
and fight over kitty
during the McDonald's hello kitty craze....

But, the Hello Kitty Christmas Show at Nex was great!
Good story line with almost the full line up of Sanrio characters!!
Show time; 1pm, 4pm, 7pm
Meet & Greet Photo Pass: $30 in a single recipt
(collect meet & greet photo pass 1hr from show time)

Friday, December 02, 2011

Impact Models Studio: Polka Dots Christmas Little Fashion Party 2011

We were never conventional parents.
And we believe all work and no play 
makes Hiroshi/Sophia a dull boy/girl.
 So therefore, 
we've decided to sign them up 
for something totally non academic this school holidays.

Impact Models Studio Polka Dots Christmas Little Fashion Party 2011

Awesome staffs greeted the kids at the door.
The venue was perfectly staged for the theme.
You could just feel the excitement in the air!!

What FABULOUS name tags
I want to be a kid all over again!!

The beauty of the whole party is 
you get to drop your kids off 
at 10 am and only pick them up by 5pm.
*grin*
Many parents out there would be thankful for that!

There wasn't any spare time for breather for either the kids or staff at the agency.
Those precious couple of hours were packed with activities.
Not only did the kids churn out beautiful Christmas Crafts,
they were also taught basic modelling.

Just like Cinderella's fairy godmother,
The staff at the agency turned those kids really gorgeous 
with appropriate makeup, hairdo & styling! 
They even had the time to pose for their individual portfolio shoots
and rehearse for the grand finale.

My Gems looking nothing less then PERFECT!

 What's a party without friends?!?!?

Parents were invited back to the studio at 5pm.
Where the staff at the agency proudly presents the fruits of their labor for the day.
A fashion show by none other than our kids.

I swear,
it is the BEST fashion show ever!

Genuine smiles could totally vouch for it!!

Crafts done by the Kids
Plus water bottle full of Candies

As we speak,
Both kids are out flat in their own room on their own beds....
Will definitely see ourselves signing up for more activities
by Impact Models Studio.

Monday, November 21, 2011

Celebrating Hiroshi's 6th Birthday at EcoKidd Punggol (24th ave)

It is amazing how much influence these birds have on kids!
 A friend told me that every other birthday party she goes to
has an angry bird theme,
and the phenomenon is growing!

And of course Hiroshi wants one too!

An online baker quoted me $12/cupcake for 50 pcs!!!
That's like a whooping $600 bucks just for cakes alone!
What an Extortion!

Well, that leaves me with no choice 
but to roll up my sleeves 
and do all the grease work on my own.

That's my mantra in life.
( I believe that you can do anything if you put your heart & "google" into it!)

My 1st attempt on the basic red bird.
Totally forgotten about the angry brows in the 1st pic.
Looking pretty decent huh?!?!?

Crappy little bird 
that splits into 3 other crappy little birds......

It's no matter you are black or white....

The most useless bird in the collection.
(I can never shoot him in the right direction!!!)

One of my personal favorite.
Speed bird!

How can you be angry with such an innocent looking pig?!?!?!

Hell YES! 
When they snigger at you when you miss them!

The pigs are getting worried!
When Hiroshi saw the candle, 
he angrily protest. I am 7, not 6!!!!
The "I can't wait to grow up" syndrome 
that we've all gone through when we were younger.....

Hiroshi & Sophia excited about 
sharing the angry bird cupcakes with their classmates.....

This is my favorite picture of the day.
I think my family is AWESOME!

Angry Bird Cupcakes on Cupcake Stand

Contented happy smiles like that 
keeps me wanting to bake for them year after year!

I'm FINALLY 6, 
going 7!!!

Facts of the day:
Black Bird is the most popular angry bird among the kids.
Nonetheless, the kids were still WOW-ed by the cupcakes!

See I told you the pigs were in deep shit!

Still going by our NO JUNK policy.
Angry Bird Stationary for Goodie Bags!
(Includes pencil case, ruler, eraser, sharpener, pencils, & pencil caps)

Angry Bird-Day my Dear Hiroshi!
May you be blessed with happiness & good health!

Friday, November 18, 2011

Happy Birthday 6th Hiroshi!!!!

*grin*
Hiroshi and his precious birthday present; 
Remote Control Helicopter.

Sophia gets a present too for being a good sister.


Hiroshi requested to watch Adventures of Tin Tin.
So, I've decided to splurge on IMAX since it was his birthday.
It was AWESOME!
Great Sound and Perfect Clarity!

Father & Son having a Jolly Good Time!

Happy 6th Birthday Sweetheart.
You are growing way too fast for me to catch up.
I miss cradling you in my arms,
I miss your chubby baby fats,
I miss your wobbly 1st steps,
I miss your baby language that I never could understand.

Just like what I've always ask God for,
I pray for you to stay healthy & happy for the rest of your life!
(p/s: continue to send us your hugs, kisses and "I love you")

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Pokémon Christmas At City Square Mall 2011

Well, it's the time of the year again!
where parents scout shopping malls 
for their kiddy's favorite cartoon character's special appearance.
And if your little pumpkin adores Pokémons,
you're in luck!

City Square Mall is housing those adorable Pokémons.
Other than the perfect opportunity to meet their favorite characters,
they will also be educated about the importance of energy efficiency.
Isn't that what we call, 
killing 2 "pokémons" with 1 stone?!?!?!?

1) The Pokémon Eco-Christmas Show and Photo-Taking Session

To take a picture with the Pokémon characters, shoppers can redeem a photo-taking pass with $30 spent in a maximum of 3 combined same-day receipts at the Customer Service Counter on Level 2 one hour before each show. In this season of giving, City Square Mall will be handing out complimentary Pikachu headbands to the first 2,000 children present for the show, while stocks last.

Date: 26 November – 4 December 2011
Time: 7pm (Tuesday – Friday)
1pm, 4pm & 7pm (Saturday & Sunday)
Venue: City Square Mall Level 1 Atrium

2) Pokémon Eco Pen Holder Workshop

Children between the ages of 3 to 12 years old will learn how to make a Pokémon pen holder using recycled materials at City Square Mall’s signature eco-workshops promoting the 3Rs – Reduce, Re-use and Recycle.

Date: 26 November – 25 December (Saturday & Sunday only)
Time: 2pm and 5pm
Venue: City Square Mall Level 1 Atrium

3) Pokémon Nintendo DS Challenge

Participants will challenge Pokémon Trainers to a game of Pokémon with their Nintendo DS. The participants will start with the first level and progress to the next level upon winning a game. Winners of all four levels will be invited to participate in the Pokémon NDS Winners Cup Tournament while those who have lost the game may re-challenge the Pokémon Trainers.

Date: 19 November – 4 December (Saturday & Sunday only)
Time: 12pm – 2pm / 3pm – 5pm / 6pm – 8pm
Venue: Levels 1 – 4 of City Square Mall

4) Pokémon NDS Winners Cup Tournament

Participants who have cleared all four levels of the Pokémon Nintendo DS Challenge will be invited to take part in this tournament using their own Nintendo DS. They will be matched up against each other and play in several Swiss Matches. Top 3 winners will each walk away with a Nintendo 3DS Pokémon Rumble Blast Video Game. For the first prize winner, there will be a Winners Cup Trophy presented while the second and third prize winners will each receive a medal respectively.

Date: 10 December
Time: 12pm – 8pm
Venue: City Square Mall Level 1 Atrium

5. Pokémon TCG Workshop

Pokémon Professors will be on hand to teach new players who wish to learn how to play the Pokémon Trading Card Game, as well as guide beginners who want to improve their playing skill.

Date: 10 December
Time: 12pm – 8pm
Venue: City Square Mall Level 1 Atrium

6. Pokémon TCG City Championship

Participants who have pre-registered on the City Square Mall website will compete with players within their respective age divisions – Junior, Senior and Masters – in several Swiss Matches. Players should use their own cards during the championship and the undefeated player in each age division stands to win an 18 x Pokémon TCG Booster Pack and the Pokémon City Championship Winner’s Medal.

Date: 17 and 24 December
Time: 12pm – 8pm
Venue: City Square Mall Level 1 Atrium



Christmas comes alive for the weekends in the lead up to Christmas for everyone in the family to enjoy the festive cheer:

1) Santa Claus Meet & Greet

Meet and take a picture with Santa Claus and City Square Mall’s eco-fairies to capture that magical moment.

Date: 10 December to 25 December (Saturday & Sunday only)
Time: 1pm, 4pm, 7pm
Venue: City Square Mall Level 1 Atrium

2. Melodious Carolling

Date: 16, 19, 21 and 22 December
Time: 7.15pm to 8pm
Venue: City Square Mall Level 1 Atrium

Have an Awesome Pokémon Electrifying Christmas at City Square Mall!

And just in case, 
if I don't get to see you to say this personally.
Have a Merry Christmas and a Great New Year Ahead!