Photoshoot

Today, we went to take Ku-jie's graduation photos with Ye-ye and Ma-ma.

Once I saw how much fun Ku-jie was posing in front of the camera, I also wanted to pose here and pose there. Hee.

Then Daddy, Mummy and di-di had to join in the fun too.

Di-di became a bit cranky after that, 'cos he needed his morning nap. So off he went catch a few winks... while I changed into my casual clothes and... jumped right into action again!

No need to write much lah... 'cos everyone was fighting to take photos with me. HAHAHAHA...

Finally, di-di woke up liao... and he took over the floor.

Still quite unsmiling hor? So the photographer suggested taking a mood shot 'cos he was, well, erm... moody. :P

So while di-di took some time off to warm up, it was left to me again to sizzle on the studio floor.

FINALLY! After much silly monkeying from Daddy, Mummy & Ku-jie, di-di finally showed flashes of his precious pearly teeth.

He was on a roll!

Soon, the photoshoot came to an end and we were all feeling tired and hungry. But at least we got nice photos! Heh.

:)

Change

A child can change in a sudden . You turn your back for a few seconds, and when you look at him again you find that he has already grown into someone else. Just when you thought that the Terrible Two's might have skipped Ash, it came back with a vengence and brought along his best pal as well... the Tantrum Three's. What's next? The Fearsome Four's?

Toddlers, like sea monkeys, seem to grow so fast. One moment Ash is a cute, obedient and oh-so-adorable kid and overnight, he had somehow managed to morph into this opiniated young man who seem to be on this never-ending quest to irritate the hell out of his parents.

Truth is, I never imagined someone to be able to be so headstrong and bent on doing something regardless of what anybody says. But enough about myself. Everyday, I see Ash growing. Growing into this person whose character is a lot like mine. Or so Sharon says.

Now all the seemingly mundane chores are magnified into these mammoth tasks. Simple things like asking Ash to lie down and go to sleep or to switch off the TV are met with a swift retort, "I DON'T WANT!" Tears usually follow after that.

Sleeping time is especially daunting now; with this young gentleman religiously chanting 'Ashton don't want sleep...Ashton don't want sleep...' We usually leave him to his own devices and he usually plonks onto his bed with his eyes closed after 15 minutes of chanting. And that is if we are lucky. Some nights, he will try to push his luck and ask for his Goofy (That's his current fave by the way) VCD to be played while he's on the bed with ALL the lights in the bedroom switched on. And if we refuse, our ears will be treated to this crying marathon, while our eyes will come face to face with a very wet (and sticky) face.

But there are sweet times amid the gloom.

Whenever Ash senses that I'm starting to get angry or upset over his actions, he'll quickly put his arms around me and go, 'I love you, Papa.' Like that how to scold right? Or whenever he wants to buy something like an ice-cream, he'll say what he wants and for that extra effect, he'll throw in, 'I love you.' Like that how to reject right?

Don't get me wrong. I wouldn't trade Ashton and Ayden for anything else in the world. At least not yet.

Kidding.

Cultural Learnings of Batam for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Singapore

Over the weekend, we were off to Batam with Kong-kong, Por-por, Gu-gu and Jie-jie Sherlyn for a short recharge.

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We stayed at Batam View, which was a first for di-di and me.

Daddy said it had undergone renovations sometime last year... well, all I'm glad is that they have added these cute colourful doggie figurines for me to practise my poses on. :P

Hotel room was big and comfy. And of course the standard protocol of jumping and going gila on the bed had to be carried out.

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What's a holiday getaway without some fun in the pool right?

Luckily for me, the kids' pool depth is just about right for me... although I had to tip-toe my way in the pool.

Di-di had his comfy car to soak in the pool; no wonder he so shiok lah... no need to kick also can get around.

Lucky Mummy took pity on me, and sometimes carried me in the pool. Hahaha... yah, me lazy.

Daddy said he too would have carried me... if he wasn't tied up with taking photos. Yah right.

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Dinner time was a sedap one, 'cos we had ours at the nearby Kelong restaurant. So not only did I have my fave seafood - prawns, I also got to see the many small fishes swimming beneath me.

And being the kind-hearted boy that I am, I also threw a few grains of rice into the sea for the fishes to eat. Okay okay, a handful of rice.

And check out this creative use of water pipes!

Di-di said it was comfy enough... Hee hee.

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The other advantage of staying at Batam View is that it has its own private beach, which makes a lot of sense to me. 'Cos I really love the sea and the sand lor! :P

And the good thing about the beach that the sea is very calm and clear. And I even spotted the occassional tiny fishes swimming by.

And di-di's reaction to the beach was a marked improvement compared to the previous time when we were at Sembawang beach. At least this time, he walked on the sand barefooted. He also sat on the sand, while using his hand to gently tap the sea water.

It was business as usual for me. Heh.

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But ultimately, the hotel room was the most favourite place for di-di and me to go back to.

And it was on this trip that di-di had managed to walk unassisted for more than 20 steps liao! YAY! In fact, he could trot from the hotel room entrance all the way to the windows...

...to play with the curtains. Hahaha...

And that usually means we are pretty knocked out come night time.

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Overall, nice and enjoyable trip with Kong-kong and Por-por. Oh, and 'cos I got to sit the ferry too. :)