Breakfast on Saturdays

My mom is here on her monthly visit and as always her presence is greatly welcomed. This means, other than having additional company for Craig, I don't have to worry about dinner on week nights but instead come home to familiar comfort dinners.

We are pleased to announce C is rather adjusted at the creche though so far he only stays till after nap time. Especially with my mom being round, the little boy gets to come home early for his snacks instead of at 5pm when I pick him up.

As a family we've started some kind of a tradition where we have breakfast out on Saturdays when I don't have to work. With the weather permitting yesterday, we indulged in Mickey D's latte and deluxe breakfast at the beachside outlet close by. A stroll on the beach park was perfect to round up our big breakfast outing. Unlike our past few visits to this park, this time C was much more interested in the playground. We took time to let him run around bare foot in the sand and he was absolutely thrilled! Afterwards father and son took delight watching the marine traffic out at sea.

Say Cheese!

Many parents have told us that once a child starts at the creche they will learn independence in many ways. I remember Brian's mother telling me how Brian blossomed when he started going to home-based childcare. We are beginning to see the same with Craig. On a daily basis we see his personality coming through - his laugh, sense of humor, babbling, etc. Good fun!

Inaugural Youth Olympics Games

The inaugural Youth Olympics Games officially began two days ago here in Singapore. A day before that, we had the opportunity to witness the Olympic torch relay pass right by our apartment block. Years from today, Craig will tell his friends that he was that close to the torch relay of the first ever Youth Olympics and the following video clip will prove it. (Please pardon the unintended commentary in the beginning of the clip):

Creche landing

Our little boy turned 18 months old yesterday. A major milestone in many aspects but a significant one is that he is now old enough to start at the creche. As this is his first week, he is there only for half of the day and one of us is asked to stay with him. The real test will be next week when he will stay on longer and without either one of us with him. Having spent the first day with him, I think he will do alright although tears will be inevitable next week.

What a big boy! Riding the train holding on by himself:

We love the fact that the creche is a mere 7-minute walk from our apartment. The plan is that Brian will send him there in the morning while I will pick him up in the evening. He has two English-speaking teachers and two Mandarin-speaking ones. We are looking forward to his learning Mandarin from his Chinese teachers who are native-speakers (they are from China). Maybe the day will come when C will teach his parents some Mandarin!

Anxiously waiting for lunch to be served:

"No, no, no, no, no!"

As work required both Brian and me in Penang over the weekend, we took advantage of the close proximity to where my parents live by leaving Craig with them for a few days. Though initially apprehensive of how the little boy will do in view of his recent intensified separation anxiety, our fears were allayed after the first night when they reported that he is happier than ever. And having loads of fun.

It is hard to believe that I've been back to work for a month now as the weeks just flew by. Though greeted by a few pressing projects upon my return, my calender was still rather manageable for the rest of the year. Not so the case today. The months ahead are filling up with various speaking engagements including quite a few that require travel. Ah, yes, it is all coming back to me now...

Having worked over the weekend, we decided to take Monday off for C. It was a day well spent at a mall here which has a huge children's recreation area. As it was a school day, we did not have to deal with crowds both at the park and at the restaurant afterward for lunch. Other than a few minor tantrums fueled by exhaustion and hunger, C did really well. Nonetheless, we are very aware that the dreaded T2 is closing in on us as we definitely see manifestations of the phase - favorite expression now: "No, no, no, no, no!"

Being his first time, he was reluctant to approach the water spouts. I had to coax him:

He clearly enjoyed them subsequently:

Wordless Wednesday