Locked out

How silly can I get? I got locked out of my car today. Took the girls to Tesco. Locked my own door (my car has no central locking), got the girls out of their car seats and locked the back doors and closed them before getting my key pouch out of the side pocket on the door. Luckily Adrian wasn't away. I called him to ask him to get the spare key from home. Jacob kindly drove him to the supermarket. I was so embarrassed when I saw him.

Louisa turns 4!

I can't believe Louisa is 4! Memories of her birth remains fresh in my mind like it was yesterday. When she blew out her candles, I found it hard to believe my baby is already four years old.

We held a party to celebrate her birthday at a function room at Adrian's uni (all thanks to Lawrence). Our house is too small to have a proper kid's party. Certainly no room for games. As the room comes with plenty of chairs and tables, what with a big open space outside, it proved to be the perfect venue for the party.

Themes:

1st birthday - Winnie the Pooh

2nd birthday - Hello Kitty (well, kind of)

3rd birthday - Fairy

4th birthday - Prince and Princess

Louisa is crazy over Disney Princesses, particularly The Little Mermaid. So I thought a 'Royal Theme' is the most appropriate. I hadn't intended to buy her a Disney Princess costume as she already has a pretty gown. I thought I could convince her to wear that for her party but 6 days before the big day, she still insisted on being Ariel, The Little Mermaid. I couldn't find the costume anywhere so I ended up buying materials and sewing it myself. I also made the crown and a cape for Adrian. He gamely wore the crown but not the cape. Sigh, I spent so much time on it and he didn't wear it. Louisa, on the other hand, was thrilled with her costume. It turned out very well and I was very pleased with my creation. The only thing was I don't have a sewing machine and so every stitches was hand sewn. I was so afraid it'd tear but other than one fin which came off after Victoria had stepped on it and one strap which was very last minute sewn on came off, all else were fine. Everyone in the family had something to wear to the theme (Lavigne was Snow White) but I had nothing. I bought some materials but didn't have time to make. In the end, I wore an outfit brought by Katie.

I must say I was very brave to decide to bake the cake myself this year. I don't bake cakes other than when I was in school and a few times during my uni days. Cakes in UK are VERY sweet which comes with EVEN SWEETER icings that I hate. I really miss those light and spongy cakes we find everywhere in Singapore. After scouring the internet for recipes and ideas, I decided on a castle design with alternating vanilla and chocolate sponge filled with Maltesers and fresh cream. The cakes were baked on Friday and decorated on Saturday. I cheated by using off-the-shelf swissrolls for the towers. They are so cheap and convenient. I underestimated the time needed to put the fresh cream on. It must have taken me a good 7 hours to complete the whole cake. Yes! 7 HOURS! Can you believe it? I was supposed to bring the finished cake over to Po's house as he has a very big fridge. I didn't finish the cake till 2am. Luckily I called him way before and he had told me he wasn't going to bed early as he's working on his thesis. All the time while I was decorating the cake, I thought I'd not succeed and would have to buy one off the shelf the following day. When it came to doing the tower roof, my original idea failed. I had applied cream on ice-cream cones and placed chocolate buttons on it to replicate roof tiles. As I went on to the second roof, the first one toppled over! Luckily it didn't ruin the rest of the cake. The cone went soft due to moisture from the cream. I should have bought the normal cones rather than wafer ones. In the end, I just placed the cones on each towers. So disappointing! It would have looked so good.

Thanks to my good friend, Lydia, who came one day early to help with wrapping the prizes and prepare the stuff for the games. I would not have coped without her help. As I had spent so much time on the costumes and cake, I didn't prepare much decorations. Only balloons and ribbons this year which was a bit of a letdown really. But I can't be more thankful the weather was lovely during the party. As it had been raining everyday before, I was really worried bad weather would dampen the whole event. Thank God it was bright and sunny and we could play treasure hunt outdoor.

Games:

1. Guess the Prince and Princess

2. Pass the glass slipper

3. Treasure Hunt

4. Bobbing the Apple

5. If you're a princess or prince and you're happy put on your crown......(basically sing it to the tune of 'If you're happy and you know it')

I got the adult guests involved by asking them to be in charge of the different games. For example, Philippe manned the CD player for the game 'Pass the glass slipper' and Katie, Fenni, Lydia and Emily were the guides for 'Treasure Hunt'. Not only I had less responsibilities, the adults didn't have to sit or stand around and feel bored. Also, I gave up my usual role as the photographer and passed on this great responsibility to Hoon Wei and asked Jacob to be videographer. This way, I needn't be an octopus.

We had mostly finger food this time round as compared to last year. I had more helpers then since my mother-in-law was here. Adrian reckoned we wouldn't have enough time to prepare too much cooked food. Also, we had a traditional English style party, meaning parents will not stay with their children. I wouldn't need to prepare more food to cater to them then. The only item I cooked was fried rice. The rest were mini springrolls, samosas and sotong balls which were fried by Gerald in the kitchen next to the function room, cocktail sausages, crisps, tortilla, vegetable sticks, sandwiches, cut fruits and popcorn.

I was most happy when I didn't have to bring back any of the cake. Most of it were eaten and the little leftovers were given to friends to bring home. Though the cake looked good, I was worried about the taste. However it turned out pretty nice. I received many compliments for it. Will I bake another birthday cake? Highly unlikely. Will I have a party like that for Lavigne in October? Not likely. I'm not being unfair. It's just that with Lavigne being only 2, she'll not appreciate a party. Furthermore, she has no friends yet. I know we had a party for her last year but turning one is a milestone. So perhaps, we'll have a small celebration with some close friends. Having a birthday cake and blowing out the candles are of course a MUST! Who knows, when the time comes, I may bake the cake myself again. If I do, it'll certainly be a really simple one.

Photos here.

Adrian got home safely

After being stranded in Portugal for 2 days, Adrian finally got a flight home today. The flight was delayed and eventually had to land at Terminal 5 which isn't in operation yet but there were too many planes at all the 4 terminals. The girls were so excited to see him. This was the 2nd time he was away from the family for so long - 7 days. The first time was in 2004 when he came to UK a month earlier than us.

Louisa and Lavigne were delighted when they saw the things he brought back for them....sweeties, chocolates, Disney Princess party stuff for Louisa's party....and me? I got a bag, a wallet and a matching key pouch from UCB. I love the wallet and key pouch alot. They're bright in colour and have flowers on them! I like colourful stuff and of course anything floral. Never fancy plain and dull wallets that are black or brown. Best of all, the wallet has all that I require - a coin pouch and a photo compartment. DH, this time you got it so, so right! Thank you!

Twice Unlucky

On 7th July 2005, four suicide bombers struck in central London, killing 52 people and injuring more than 770. Train services were affected. Adrian was due to travel back from Belgium on Eurostar that day. His train was cancelled. Luckily for him, he'd arrived early at the station and managed to catch an earlier train back.

8th August 2006, Metropolitan police said they had foiled a suspected plot to blow up several aircrafts in mid-flight between Britain and the United States. As a result of the critical alert, London Heathrow Airport grounded all planes bound from European cities, throwing air travel into chaos. Adrian is in Portugal and due home this evening on a BA flight. However, his flight had been cancelled and he is still in Lisbon. The earliest flight he can get to come home will be on Saturday morning.

One time affected, I guess he's unlucky. But twice?

Good Helper

My DD Louisa washed all the dishes in the sink today. I'd asked her to bring Lavigne's and her plates and cups to the kitchen after they'd had their lunch. I was going to wash them just now when I realised she had washed them all and did quite a good job. She's going to get a star sticker for that.

Louisa Speaks

Roslyn: Daddy won't be able to come home tonight.
Louisa: Why?
Roslyn: Well....there are bad people who wants to bomb some airplanes so the flights are cancelled.
Louisa: Mum, shall we call the police and let them do something to the bad people? Then daddy can come home.

Angry with other half

Adrian called me earlier to check for information with regard to flights into Heathrow being cancelled due to a major security alert. He is due back home tonight from Lisbon. As he will be at the conference, he has no access to any information and had asked me to email him any updates.

I switched on the telly and was shocked to learn that the Police said they had foiled a plot to blow up several aircrafts in mid-flight between Britain and the United States and had arrested 20 people who are all British Muslims. It was said that if the plot succeeds, the devastation will be far worse than 9/11. That sent a chill down my spine. On September 11, 5 years ago, I was in the UK and watched with horror on telly the destruction of the twin towers unfolding right in front of my eyes. I cannot imagine if the terrorists manage to bomb those flights this time round.

Anyway, I followed the news on telly and checked the internet for more information. As I do not have the flight details of the other half, I rang him to ask for it. He didn't answer my call. Shortly after, he rang me back and snapped at me for ringing him, saying that money will be deducted from his card even if he doesn't answer the call. I told him I needed to know his flight number and he snapped back at me the flight is already cancelled. Hello! Here I am worried about him and the girls will be disappointed daddy's not coming home today and I get snapped at. It was he who asked me to check for him in the first place and how can I check when I don't have his flight details? OK, I could've sent him an email but God knows when he'll check his mailbox and reply me.

Perhaps I'm petty. Perhaps I should be more understanding. But the other half didn't tell me his flight info at all. I only knew he was flying out on Sunday and coming back on Thursday. I had assumed I'd be driving him to and picking him up from the airport as usual. Then I overheard his conversation with someone about sharing a cab there on Saturday night. He only told me about his plan when I asked him. Didn't even tell me what time he was leaving until I asked him. Didn't tell me what time he is coming back on thursday until I emailed him to ask him. Didn't tell me his flight number until I asked him for it and what did I get in return? *Touch wood* But what if something bad really happens? I won't be able to check for information if I don't have the flight details. Should I ask for all details myself instead of him telling me first everytime? I don't think so. It SHOULD be HIS RESPONSIBILITY to tell me.

(He phoned me again while I was writing this to ask if there's any updates. I told him I stopped checking since he told me angrily his flight 'is already cancelled' earlier on so I assumed there's no need to check further.)

Trip to Leuven and Brussels, Belgium

I should be in Portugal now instead of sitting at home writing this. Oh well, nevermind!

This Belgium trip was planned quite last minute. We were supposed to be going to Portugal but that fell through and Adrian decided to bring us to Belgium with him on another conference instead. He had been there the year before and warned me Leuven is quite a boring town (which I disagree). A few people voiced their concerns as to whether I'll be able to cope with 2 young children in a foreign country. But hey, we are living in a foreign country anyway so there isn't much of a difference, is there? I was more concerned about where to bring them during those 3 days when Adrian would be at the conference. Kids under 4 travel free on Eurostar so better grab this opportunity before Louisa turns 4 end of the month.

Travelling light and travelling with kids certainly do not go hand-in-hand. There are just so many things to bring when you have little ones travelling with you. For us adults, we can wear an outfit for more than a day but for kids, their clothes get dirty easily and hence must prepare more than 1 set for a day. Then there are the diapers, standby medication, toys and books to entertain them with etc etc etc. When we went to Disneyland Paris in May, we had Jean and Lydia to help with the luggages but this time round, it's just the 4 of us. Luckily, a colleague of Adrian who has a home in Belgium is driving there for the conference and has kindly agreed to bring one luggage for us. So we coped....one stroller, one cabin-sized luggage, a big bagpack and another smaller one.

Day 1

Took the morning train to Brussels. Reached there around 2pm. It was really hot and we were all looking forward to checking into our hotel room. However, we were shocked to discover the room had no aircon and NO FAN! I rang the reception and asked if they have any fans and one (very small) was promptly brought up to our room. We unpacked and had a little rest before going out for a walk in the town centre. Adrian asked the receptionist if there are any airconditioned rooms and was told that all the top floor rooms (executive) are but all were booked until our last night and they cost an extra 25 Euros. We were so disappointed but put in a reservation for that day anyway.

I was surprised to see many people cycling. It seems like everyone owns a bicycle. I was awed by the medieval buildings. The town has a lively atmostphere with many restaurants and cafes scattered all over. Adrian took me to the beads shop which he had patronised last year. The shop is so beautifully done up (I didn't take any pics as I thought I'd ask for permission later when I make a purchase). The beads that they sell are all high quality and very, very pretty. I was so excited even I was just looking at the many different hues and shapes of beads. One interesting thing though. To make a purchase, you have to take a card when you enter the shop and write down the price and quantity of the beads you are buying. They do not count the beads and will trust whatever's written on the card. As we were rushing off to meet Adrian's friends for dinner, we didn't stay long in the shop and I couldn't make a purchase.

We had a nice dinner at Old Market Square. The portions were huge! Things are relatively cheaper in Belgium than in UK. Beer costs about the same as water and juice. I love their cherry beer and we bought some from the supermarket to bring home.

All the shops close by 6pm so we went back to our hotel after dinner. We asked for another fan. Louisa kept waking up that night and complained about the heat. I couldn't sleep. It was about 35 degree celsius that day....unbearably hot and humid and the room felt warmer than outside.

Day 2

Adrian rushed off after breakfast so I was left with the girls. I planned to bring the girls out in the mornings and back to the hotel in the afternoons for Lavigne to nap. This trip is meant to be 'rest-and-relax' anyway. Adrian did some research on the internet for places suitable for children to go to. Our destination today is Hortus Botanical Garden. The girls had fun running around and as a keen gardener, I enjoyed looking at the plants and flowers. This is where I managed to capture a few good pics too. On our walk back to the hotel, I bought some bites from a bakery and the girls ate at the hotel lobby where there is aircon. It was again so hot I couldn't sleep. In the end, I got my novel and went to the hotel lobby to read till about 2am. Even then I didn't feel cool enough.

Day 3

The weather didn't look promising and so I decided to go shopping instead. Summer sale was on but there wasn't much to buy. I bought a tee for Adrian and a few pieces of clothing for Louisa and myself from Zara. A rather uneventful afternoon we had....Louisa played with her soft dough....Lavigne napped while I read.

Day 4

We switched room today. Moved up to the executive room with aircon. I didn't expect much of the room so was pleasantly surprised to see that it was newly refurbished and huge by normal hotel standards and best of all, it was cold!

We went to Kessel-Lo Provincial Recreation Park. It is a family park for recreation, sports and education. There are 2 playgrounds, electric boat rides, minicars track, a midget golf course and an open-air heated splashing-pool. The playground dedicated for sand playing is, in my opinion, excellent and one of the best playgounds I've been to so far. A mother offered my girls her child's play kit to play with when the latter wasn't interested with it. At the animal farm, Louisa happily observed the goats while Lavigne was a little scared with them. One goat had an itchy head as it kept scratching it against a branch. Very funny to look at. I'd love to spend more time than we did at the park but I didn't realise it was that big and therefore didn't prepare enough food and other stuff for us to stay longer. Nonetheless, the girls had so much fun and were worn out after that.

Met up with Adrian's friends for dinner again. Passed a packed luggage to Philip again for him to bring back to UK. The girls were treated to ice-cream (compliments of Philip) and guess what...it rained today! Yes.....after we upgraded to the exective room. But Adrian said that our room would still be warm even if it rained since it always felt hotter when we were in the room.

Day 5

It was a pity we only spent a night in the executive room. All of us slept so well the previous night. I went to the bead shop after breakfast while Adrian looked after the girls at the hotel. I was so disappointed it was closed and doesn't open till 10pm. Adrian only gave me 1/2 hr so I didn't have time to wait. We checked out and took a train back to Brussels. Upon reaching the hotel, we ran into so many problems with our booking. First we were given an normal executive room when we booked for a king suite. We were told all the suites were taken up when we had already confirmed our booking. Then we were given a suite on the 1st floor facing the main road and I found out the aircon wasn't working. Finally after much complaints, we were brought to one queen suite which had been magically vacated. It was a non-smoking room but I could smell the smoking stench when I opened the door. We were told our luggages would be brought up to our final room but they were not even when we went back to the hotel after a trip to Mini-Europe and that we a few good hours later.

Day 6

We had a train to catch at 2.50pm so didn't have much time to go anywhere. Took the metro to the Grand'Place, a historic market square with its splendid guild houses and the impressive Gothic beauty of the Town Hall, widely considered to be one of the most beautiful town squares in Europe.

Checked out of hotel (we were charged for a phonecall made from our room at a time when we were out) and hopped on Eurostar for our journey back to UK.

Afterthoughts

Adrian is pleased we were able to cope with the girls on a trip abroad. Though we didn't really get to see much or go to many places, it was overall a good trip. For some reasons, Lavigne didn't have a good appetite when we were there. Perhaps it's the heat plus the fact that she was teething. Will I go again next year? You bet!

Click here to see the holiday photos. (Reached my limit for the month so didn't manage to upload all. Adrian doesn't agree to me upgrading to a Pro account)

Lavigne Speaks

#1 While in Belgium, I slept on the same bed beside Lavigne.

Lavigne: Excuse me! Move, mum!
Ros: (puzzled) Why?
Lavigne: You sleep here, mum! (pointing to a spot further away)

Apparently, I was sleeping 'too close' to her. LOL!

#2 Before dinner

Ros: Louisa, please come down for dinner. It's ready!
Louisa: I don't want to eat dinner.
Ros: There's sweetcorn, your favourite.
Lavigne: Come down, eya (that's what she calls Louisa). Come! Come! Eat dinner....got sweetcorn....nice!

#3 Likes to end my sentences with 'well done' whenever I praise her for being a good girl.

#4 Likes to put on her wellies and say,

Lavigne: Bye, mum!
Ros: Bye! Where are you going?
Lavigne: Go churd (church)/ go shop...buy ting.

#5 Things she likes to say these days:

• If she's done something and I ask her why, she'll go 'I didn't/ I did'.

• Whenever I ask about the whereabout of something, she'll say 'I doe know' or 'There! There!' (It's usually 'I doe know')
  
• 'What is this?'
  
• 'OK! OK! Wait!'


• '.....and then.......and then....'

Feel so light

I finally had my hair cut. It was getting way too long and bulky, plus I couldn't stand the split ends anymore. It was so long and out of shape I had it tied up in a ponytail and a clip to get the fringe out of the way these days. Long fringe has never suited me and I'm so glad to have my layered fringe back. The last time I had a proper haircut was almost a year ago. Gosh it was that long. It was cut by a Japanese trainee and I was pleased with it. The reason why I didn't go back is because the saloon is in London and no way am I going to bring my 2 girls all the way there just for a haircut though it cost only 5pounds. I'd trim my fringe and layer my hair now and then when they get in the way. This evening, I thought enough is enough. I locked myself in the toilet while Adrian was getting the girls ready for bed and went snip! snip! snip! My head feels much lighter now.

Thank You!

Thank you all for your compliments on my garden, LOs etc. I'm just an ordinary stay-home-mum struggling to look after my 2 girls. I made use of the evenings after they'd gone to bed or when hubby was around to entertain them to create my garden. When I need to pull out weeds or prune the plants now, the girls have their sandpit, see-saw and climbing frame to occupy their time with. As for scrapbooking, I spend hours in the evenings on my computer (much to the chagrin of hubby). I admire those of you who are working mums. Other than holding a full-time job in the day, you go home to attend to your child/ren at night.

New LO

It's been so long since I last scrapped. There are tons and tons of photographs waiting for me to scrap and I hope when the weather turns cold again, I will be able to come up with more LOs. Meanwhile, I scrapped this as I simply adore this picture!