My cousin invited us to his house for a gathering this new year and we decided to also help ourselves to the pool! Hee!

After a sumptuous lunch, we headed down to the pool but it started drizzling. The wet weather did not dampen our spirits and it didn't stop us from having ourselves a wonderful time too. (But we were praying that Cheryl would not fall ill...) The last time we went to the pool was quite some months ago and Cheryl had been asking for us to bring her swimming.

There were several occasions where we wanted to bring her but Cheryl had been ill a little too frequently this year and the weather hadn't been really cooperative too. So though it drizzled, we decided to not the rain win this time! Ha Ha!

Just look at how she was grinning! How can anyone say no to Cheryl? Whenever, we went swimming, I was always the camera man but we had Uncle Ben to take our pictures this time! I tried to get Cheryl to say, "Cheese" and pose with the peace sign rather unsuccessfully so I came up with this! I told Cheryl to say " High Five"!

We had lunch at Crystal Jade because Aunt Juliana's boyfriend decided to give us all a treat!

Wow, the place was crowded and by the time we go a table, we were starving! After lunch, Daddy drove us to to get his portable hard drive at Funan Centre, where we ran into an ex- school mate of mine.

The fellow tending to the shop looked really familiar and Daddy thought we could get a gadget for transferring of digital photos. I wanted to ask the guy about this gadget but my curiosity got the better of me. He was not just a school mate, in fact we were from the same CCA. What a small world!

After that, we went to Aunt Angie's place. The kids had a great time playing with each other and this time, the adults too. Daddy hadn't played mahjong for ages; I think it's been more than a year since he last played!

As for Cheryl, she was making herself very comfortable.

You must be wondering why am I putting so many R-rated photos of Cheryl (and Yeva). I can't help it! Just look at how cute they are! Cheryl wouldn't bath until she learned that she was going to sit in a tub and Yeva wanted to join in when she saw Cheryl playing with her toys. Yes, the two love birds are learning to get along with each other.

We had a wonderful gathering at Uncle Vincent's and Aunt Poh Hoon's place. They had renovated their place earlier and this was the first time we were there after their home was done up.

The steam-boat dinner they prepared was great and the company was wonderful too because Aunt Angie, Uncle Jun ming and our 2 little god-daughters, Zinnia and Yeva were there too. We ate while they played.

After we had our fill, it was time for our little ones to take their shower. Oh boy! When I saw the toys they had in the bath room, I don't blame them for standing outside the showers and watching the bath take place! That must have been the longest shower Cheryl and Yeva had!

After shower, Cheryl found herself some entertainment.

While the other kids were in the room playing, she was just quietly drawing.

This is the first day of the Lunar New Year!

We started the day with paying Daddy's relatives a visit but we were barely there when I received a call from Grand Mummy. My Uncle from Camera Highlands and his daughter had come down and they would be rushing back to Malaysia in a matter of minutes! So we had to quickly made our way there to meet them. They had not seen Cheryl before and it would be a pity if they missed this opportunity. Thankfully, we managed to catch them before they zoomed off to the customs.

When Cheryl was at Grand Mummy's place, she was fascinated with the lime tree that was placed at the door and when she saw that I had whipped out the camera, she immediately posed for these pictures.

Then we went to my Aunt's place. My cousin had just given birth to a baby boy 2 months ago and Cheryl was all excited about seeing a baby! She was so protective of him that when Henna was close by, Cheryl literally pushed her away.

These pictures were taken on the 3rd day of the new year! Cheryl has quickly learned what some new year goodies are; like her favourite is bak kwa. She would go around saying "bak kwa when we asked her what she wanted. She also loves cashew nuts and of course, soft drinks! Both Daddy and I were kind of worried that she would fall ill from all the food but thankfully, she was quite cooperative and would drink water whenever we asked her to.

She also indulged in chocolates, another one of her favourites. See the chocolate mustache? This is Daddy's doing and he even asked her to kiss Mummy! Babies have milk mustache and our Precious went around for quite some time with her chocolate one.

We also had many Loh Hei sessions; third time in 2 days! Cheryl also joined in; chopsticks and all!

This year, we had many reunion dinners.

Firstly, there was one with Daddy and his family and relatives on Friday evening. And there was another with my family on Saturday evening and after that, we went to Grand Uncle Steve's place where we had another session with my relatives. But the dinner there was very late in the night because Uncle Charles just returned from his overseas trip.

I am terribly sorry but I didn't do a great job at being the camera man ... some how, I forgot to take pictures and missed the opportunities to feature so many people.

This picture was taken on Saturday evening at Grand Mummy's place. See our bright little spark at the dining table, eyeing the food? She is begining to pose for the camera when she spots one.

Come this Valentine's Day, we would have lived our lives together as a couple for 8 years. Our relationship has seen its fair share of ups and downs and in the years together, we have learnt to appreciate the little things that we do for each other, like the back rubs I give my Darling, Chris and him, stroking my hair.

Yes, it's the little things that matters.

Baby, thank you for being there for me. We have seen each other at our ugliest and we could have just thrown in the towel but that would be taking the easy way out and I am extremely grateful that we decided that, for better and more so for worse, we will stand together. I know at times, I can get on your nerves and irritate the hell out of you but I hope that I make you laugh just as hard too. I am fortunate to know that you have my back and I will always be there to support you and lend a listening ear. Even if we had to walk to the end of the world, you know your walk will never be alone.

I cannot remember when it started but you have become my life quite literally. I do not need the flowers, or the fancy dinners because I know you truly mean it when you tell me you love me. For me, it is everything. But I am sure you can feel my delight when you do surprise me with gifts or a simple meal. Of course, there are times when I recall the rides you gave me on your bike, the dinners that you prepared or the laundry that you had done when I came home late from campus. We have come a long way, but I guess, with Cheryl now, our journey has just but began. Let us hold onto each other and together, anything and everything is possible.

I don't know how else to say it, but I guess I can steal a line from Michael Bolton and say, "Said I loved you but I lied, cause this is more than love I feel inside. Said I loved you but I was wrong, cause love could never ever feel so strong."

"Happy Valentine's, my Darling, the man of my dreams, the father of my child."

Our plans today were actually, to firstly bring our car in for polishing and then head to Discovery Centre to spend a quiet afternoon but what a day it turned out to be.

Cheryl suddenly came down with fever yesterday! :( Yes, and it was only 2 weeks ago when she had fever! And Daddy had already made an appointment to get our car a well deserved polish so we thought we could still go and bring along her medicine and feed her when it was time. But our little girl, refused her lunch and when we tried to feed her meds, she threw up all over. Poor girl, she probably hates to take her medicine as much as we hate giving it to her. It was very tiring to coax her and it must be worse for her to throw up too.

So our Discover Centre trip did not materialise and we hopped onto a cab to Grand Aunt Monique's place where Grandmummy and Diana along with Granddaddy and Ben were. They were there to help with the cookies baking.

Although it was a quiet afternoon; we just lazed around and did virtually nothing, it was okay because Cheryl had some rest and Daddy did not have to wait aimlessly at the place for the guys to finish doing the polishing which by the way ended at 6pm.

Cheryl also "helped" in the making of the cookies. Oh, she is in her pjs because I washed her clothes and hung them out to dry. Diana and I were also placing the freshly baked cookies in a container.

Here are the cookies! Aren't they pretty? Grand Aunt Monique had so many orders for the Chinese New Year! It was amazing how she managed to do all this every year. Grand Aunt June and Susan will also help and I guess this is how our extended family keeps our ties very close.

I am taking orders for the cookies, even during off peak seasons! So if you want to order, let me know. They are really good! My photo taking skills are mediocre and they do not do justice to the quality of the cookies.

Ever since the time, which by the way was the only time we brought Chery to the hair dresser, Cheryl had her fringe trimmed by the professionals, she had developed a liking towards the hair dryer.

She was amazed and at the same time terrified of this little thing that could blow hot air in her face. Then once, we were out with Aunt Angie, Uncle Junming and the little darlings and Cheryl had to take her shower at their place as it was getting pretty late. After her bath, Uncle Junming was assigned the task of blow drying the girls' hair. Oh, after that, there was no stopping Cheryl...

I do not use the hair dryer so guess what our little spark came up with?

Her mobile fan became the improvised hair dryer! I caught her in the act of "drying" her hair!

Sundays are such wonderful days because we always start the day with Church and then adjored for lunch with our friends.

Today, we spent the entire day out!

The kids went to the bouncing playground and despite being so young, both Yeva and Cheryl had a great time too.



After our Chicken Rice lunch at Katong, we went shopping and we ended the day with the kids posing for these pictures.

We went to the Carnival at my alma mater today. Hmm... actually, I was looking forward to this day the entire week! We had originally planned to go with Zinnia and the pretty Yeva but Zinnia had to attend classes in the morning and although we went in the afternoon, they didn't join us as it was nap time for our god-daughters.

Nevertheless, it was enjoyable. The place was crawling with people and although there were many kiosks and different games to play, they were more suitable for older kids and teenagers. Thankfully, there were still some kiddie rides which Cheryl could take. When she saw the rubber duckies in the water, she couldn't resist so we had a game, actually two games. We had one first then walked around but we soon realised that that game was the easiest to get tokens so we went back. Ha ha!

Cheryl took the train and she wanted to sit right in front! Initially, we were wondering if she would get up and fuss to get off but the ride went well. Then we sat her in a ride which saw her "flying" in the skies. She managed that well too, much to our surprise. Hmm, we should really ease off a little. She is growing up, you know.

We then walked around the campus and I was reminising the good old times and telling Daddy about the place and where I used to hang out. I haven't been back since I graduated in 1994! Oh my! It has been more than 10 years!

All the walking got us quite hungry and thirsty so we went to jostle with the crowd at the canteen. Cheryl had her share of food and ice cream!

Look at my darlings!

Overall, it was a good day!

But it wasn't a pleasant sight when we got back to the car as we had a parking ticket! We will be writing in for an appeal to get the fine waived! The carpark was full and the only available lots were for season-parking holders and Daddy wasn't ready to park in a red lot.

After that, Daddy brought us to Kent Ridge Park where we took the canopy walk. It was great to have some fresh air and nature around us.

Just look at our cheeky little spark! Cheryl joining Daddy for a little relaxation. Of course, both my darlings left me a seat!