THE MARINA BARRAGE

We finally managed to drop by a new place that hubby wanted to visit. Its called "Marina Barrage" somewhere in Marina South. To get there we had 2 drive through lots of construction & such but if you follow the directional signs, it was a clinch to get there. By foot its virtually crazy to go there but I saw that they provide shuttle service (from where I dunno). They do have a small parking zone for visitors who drive, so that helps.



The place is actually a kind of dam of sorts. Its was a very windy evening, as we reached there. I was surprised that there were lots of people there, some even creating their own picnic areas. Some were kite flying, some took photos (like us). As can be expected there were lots of water features - ones that "sprout" and some even had special lights, which would seem colourful at night. There were also 2 wading pools, for the kids 2 play in. Of course, Ryan insisted on "jumping" in 2 try, so daddy had 2 join him.

Daddy said we should take a photo withe the Singapore Flyer as the backdrop, so here's one. I took one too but it didn't out too good so I'll spare the public the agony ... hehe!

Last few photos b4 we left. As you can see, Ryan was only clad in his diapers (which were wet) coz we decided to change him in the car, b4 we ride on home. Poor boy! I think he was a bit cold. Thou he didn't seem to care as he was busy looking out the bridge. He posed for a while ... & then we decided it was time to go home, as it was getting dark. Daddy promised Ryan that we will come again another day, this time with Ayra, in tow. Now Ryan would love that!

HAPPY RIDING!

Ryan got a chance to ride out one of those electric-charged mini vehicles for kids at a mall. He loved it! The ride's not cheap thou, $3 for a 10 minute ride but I guess it brings great joy to my son, so its priceless! (but that doesn't mean he gets 2 ride them ALL the time - we'll see). I'm actually surprised that he was rather confident during the ride - no worried burrows or whimpers (as it was his 1st time). He manuevered it extremely well & knew where & when to turn. I was very proud of him, he's definitely got his daddy's sense of direction & control of all terrain-vehicle. Mummy would have "crashed" it in no time. Hah! Life is fair isn't it!

Well, here are some pics for all to see. I got a video of him riding too but its so hard to download a vid these days coz its constantly gets disrupted or it hangs. I'll try but I doubt it'll appear ...

A helping hand from daddy ...

Well, I showed Mummy & Daddy that I C-A-N ride

TO THE PARK, WE PLAY

Recently we took Ryan & my niece, Ayra to a park. As obvious from the pics, they throughly enjoyed themselves. Ayra says that we should go there again soon & I agree. Sometimes you don't have to spend (a lot of) money to amuse the kids to bits. Ryan had a great time sliding down the slides wif his favourite playmate.

Aaah! the joys of childhood ...

Weee!!!

Swing, swing!

Look at those happy faces!

One for the photo album ...

Here they are admiring some fishes in the viewing area. They look so engrossed ...

Bye!!! See you next time!

QUOTATIONS

Some quotations I saw on the Net. Just rings true for me ...

CHINESE NEW YEAR EVE
Its the eve of the eve of Chinese New Year. We spent the day packing & throwing out stuff so it didn't surprise me that we were dead tired by the dinner time.We were so busy that we didn't even bother about lunch. Luckily, my mum called us over to have dinner. Its was delicious mee siam. For a first time try, its was scrumptious & sooooo delicious. I tell you ... my mum is one of the best cooks in the world (ok ok I might be exaggerating here but I guess I'm biased!). After that we headed home soon after.

Tomorrow it will be the eve of New Year. This year I'm trying to start a new tradition for my family - I am gonna attempt cooking our own special reunion dinner but it'll probably be a reunion lunch for us (as its more convenient). I wanted to start this tradition because I wanted Ryan to grow up knowing a bit about his Chinese heritage & culture. I feel that its my job as a parent & mother to try my best to inculcate a bit of both worlds into his life. He already has a head start into Malay tradition & culture as we celebrate Hari Raya in full force (courtesy of his mum). So its only right that he grows up being exposed to his Chinese roots. I will try my best to give him exposure, to both of his parents culture, as a child & later on a teenager. As a grown up. the rest is up to him.

I want him to be able to "taste" both cultures and be at ease in both worlds. As a child of mxed parentage, this is his legacy ... and his responsibility.

Here are a few pics I saw on the Net, just to get everyone into the mood for Chinese New Year. If I don't get the chance to wish everyone in person ...

Gong Xi Fa Cai! Happy Lunar New Year!!!

Lots of luck, love, health & prosperity in the Year Of The Ox!!!

RYAN'S UPCOMING BIRTHDAY

A series of photos celebrating my lovable son's 2nd birthday!

We started off Ryan's birthday celebrations by bringing him to Parkway Parade where they had a special area wherein bubbles came out of huge Oxes (in conjunction with the Chinese Lunar New Year & The Year of the Ox). Ryan loved the multitude of bubbles. How smart of those people to "invent" such a contraption ... it definitely captured the hearts of the kids that were lucky to be there, to play & jump around the bubbles.

What a wonderful start to celebrating Ryan's special day!

On the day of his birthday, Daddy had to work ... so it was up to Mummy 2 entertain & "spoil" lil birthday boy. So I decided 2 dress him up & took him 2 the mall. First & foremost, we took the train. He was less "upset" by the train ride this time but he wasn't exactly jumping for joy. I concluded that eventhough he's getting better at the train rides, he needs more of it to get accustomed to them. Well, better for SMRT right?

He didn't seem as anxious but there's room for "improvement" ...

Here's Ryan's eating his favourite food - roti prata or "tata" as he calls it. Yummy!

Let's not forget Barney ... come on, give him a big hug!

Big boys, ride big toys ... yah?

To round it off, a big cup og McDonald's Chocolate Milkshake ... sweeeet!

The cupcake & birthday song!

The party!!! Ok I've run out of space for the party pics ... have 2 do it on another entry!

A START TO 2009!

A couple of entries for the start of 2009. Just some pics of us doing our usual outings. (Will update with more photos & commentries, when I have the chance next).