Sibling Arrival (ry)

Ever since sister number three arrived, days seemed to have been very full. Fuller than my usual that is. And it has been great! As I mentioned before, having family over is a blessing.

Pilates and dieting, afternoon biking and power walking, GSS (Great Singapore Sale) temptations, meeting with friends, possible job opportunities and on and on and on...and a week has passed. Luckily, weather in this island still seem to be cooperating for us to be able to do our outdoor plans and roaming around in comfort. I wish it stays this way when sister number two and her family arrive on Sunday for their GSS stopover. They're coming with her MIL and SIL as well, who'll be staying in a hotel in the middle of the shopping fever and I can't wait to get-together.

Imagine the NOISE and CHAOS---saya!

Pondering in Poetry

When all the world slept,
You held me in my cradle
When all the world cried,
You stood by my side...

Comfort cannot be bought.
Love cannot be sought.
Both are given full heartedly,
And is offered so dearly...

***edited***

Smiles and Laughters

When you have family, visitors never cease to arrive! I am blessed to have LOTS!

Just two months ago, sister number four and hubby were here. Twas a great time filled with roaming around and munching! To be with food adventurers is one great way to experience Singapore!

Starting this week, in three days, sister number 3 will be arriving. Four more days and our helper will be back! Two more weeks and sister number 2 and family will be having a 4-day stopover here before heading to Phuket! Four more weeks and MIL and her sister, Karin, will be coming---whew!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

On another topic: it's YouTube time.

There are shows that make me laugh and there are those that make me cry. This one's the latter. Find out why and cry with me.

Simply Heart Fattening

We were having a break at the playground of McDonalds from our daily bike rides @ the East Coast Park when a woman approached my kids and asked for my permission to ask them some questions. After the kids agreed, I watched from afar for it was supposedly a surprise.

I could see Alyanna was shy but liked having her answers written down. Keanu had no qualms. He'll answer in his simplest way.

I know Mother's Day is over but let me share this site with all of you so you can read the simple words that make my being a Mom all the more worthwhile.

Great Sacrifices

I'm touched...

One Bike Day

Biking around our area towards the East Coast Park have become a bonding time for me and the little ones. The times between 5 to 7pm are always looked forward to. My youngest, sitting behind on his little chair and my daughter leading are silently treasured. We share our little observations and shallow jokes to each other and have a laugh.

On the way, we saw huge houses. Some of them quite old and a bit rundown. Sometimes too rundown that my little one would loudly say, "Mommy, is that house haunted?"---at which point the Indian resident of the house would be outside sweeping fallen leaves. My face heats up in embarrassment and I pedal faster to escape. My daughter will then be instructing him to next time just say, "schrecklich" (in German means, horrible) so no one would understand.-----hm, looks like I'm not educating them properly ha ha

*boink*

Mini ME

Hmm, if I can convince my boys to grow their hair, perhaps they'd look like me too(?) ha ha dream on momma

to all the MOMS and MOMS TO BE---

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!

Home Work

Being mom and home manager is a lot easier here in Asia. You have your trusted helper (yaya) to assist you, in most cases, delegate the housework to. Life, in this case, IS a box of chocolates ;-)

But as we all know, life ain't always easy. Our helper is going on her annual leave for three weeks to be with her family, specially her two children. She has not seen them for two years and as a mom, I know how it is to be away from them. She only asked for two weeks (being the usual leave time) but what the heck! What harm would another week do to my household?

I grew-up blessed with a family who could afford an easier life in the Philippines, where helpers can number up to three plus drivers and a gardener---but my mom made sure we had ample training for life to become an independent individual. Life out of Asia became my battlefield and believe me, all those training learned from home were all worth it. I came out a survivor.

Now, it's my children's turn and it began yesterday.....*evil grin*

Steak- ala-Tania

Yesterday, my son's girlfriend, Tania, cooked dinner for all of us. Her 3-month school break has begun and she wanted to surprise Rex before she gets busy with her part-time job. Isn't that nice?

Dinner preparation began around 6:30. I asked our helper to assist but give her the freedom to use anything she needs. Trying to find utensils, pots and pans in a kitchen not your own can be very challenging.

As the cooking went on, I took the little ones for a bike ride and when we came back, we utilized the corners of our sofas for some reading time. I browsed thru magazines as the little ones played "Old Maid". Meanwhile, Rex was probably asked to stay up in his room until dinner was served.

After almost two hours of cooking, we were surprised with a well presented plate of veggies and meat (beef rib eye, tenderloin and sirloin) topped with mushroom and oyster sauce---steaks to suit everyone's taste. Tasty. Tender. Juicy. Well done!

*A, came around after everyone had just finished and had his portion of good home cooking as well.*