Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden

Wednesday, 26 October 2011, was a holiday in Singapore. It was Deepavali, a Hindu holiday meaning “festival of lights” that signify the triumph of good over evil. Since there was no work on that day I planned to bring Hendrik out. Joseph needed to go overtime for work so only the 3 (Hendrik, Tito Jared and me) of us went to Jacob Ballas Children’s Garden (JBCG). JBCG is located at the Bukit Timah Core of the Singapore Botanic Gardens which is said to be Asia’s first children’s garden. It is dedicated to all children in Singapore with the aim of providing a unique discovery and learning experience in a garden setting.

The 3 of us arrived at the JBCG around 11:30am and were greeted with this tree sculpture. If you will notice, the leaves on the trees are actually shapes of children playing in different positions.

We saw the “Water Play” area when we turned right from the entrance. We stopped there for a while as Hendrik wanted to watch the kids playing with the water. I asked him if he wanted to join them, but as he is not a fan of water he straight away rejected the idea.

We took a photo of this calabash when we walked our way to the next spot. There were so many calabash trees in the garden. 

This is “The Magic of Photosynthesis” area where kids get to know the plant’s food making process.

I tried to explain to Hendrik how this thing works, and he was surely very interested looking at the sun and air as I repeatedly turn the the handle to make them light up.

And so Hendrik had his turn to turn the handle to light up the oxygen.

 And he was gladly pointing that he made it! =)

It started to rain so we went back to the Visitor’s Center area with the rest of the garden’s guests to take shelter from the rain. While we were waiting for the rain to stop, Hendrik saw a worm on the floor.

At first, he was afraid that he wanted me to carry him, but I told him that it was okay and that the worm won't come near him. I also got closer to the worm and took a photo of it showing Hendrik that there was no harm in getting closer to it. He got the message so he came closer and looked at it intently as it crawled on the floor.

When the rain stopped, we were the first to reached "The Magic of Photosynthesis" area. Hendrik got all the area by himself to explore. He was grabbing his opportunity to operate the machines before the crowd gathers the area again.

Then, we found our way to the entrance of the "Fantastic Forest". As suggested by its name, the area was surrounded by tall trees and various plants.

In the middle of the forest was the "Suspension Bridge". Hendrik braved and managed to cross the bridge by walking very slowly and carefully and holding my hand real tight throughout the whole time. It must have been a relief for him after overcoming that episode. ^_^

The "Cave" was waiting for us as we deserted the bridge. Here is Mommy and Hendrik asking Tito Jared to take a memento of the them of the waterfalls in the cave.

It started to rain again when we were walking our way towards the tree house, so we had to get back to the cave and took shelter. We shared the cave with a Caucasian family and waited for the rain to stop. While at the cave, Hendrik ate his Loackers as it was already past 12noon.

When the rain stopped, we went our way to the main "attraction" of the garden - the "Tree House". Too bad it was closed for renovation when we visited, but we sure will be back again soon.

After a few minutes in the "Tree House" it rained again for the third time. This time we did not take shelter at the cave, but went to the area outside the classrooms. We stayed there for about 10 minutes until Mr Sun started to show up and the sky became brighter and brighter. 

Then, we continued our walk and came across the "Timber Deck". Hendrik climbed a mini mountain and posed for picture at the top.

The "Potting Garden" where one needs to get permission from the garden staff before one can go in.

Hendrik in one of the shades in the garden.

One of the many cute signs around the garden, and this one was from the "Sensory Garden".

We took the bridge again on our way to the exit. Hendrik hesitated at first, but was easily convinced when I assured him that we will cross the bridge slowly and carefully and that he can hold my hand all throughout.

Before heading to the exit, we had a quick visit to the "Playground". Hendrik only played for a short while in the sand using the rake and the scoop that we found in the area as it was time for us to take our late lunch. It was already half past 1 in the afternoon.

I initially planned to bring Hendrik and Tito Jared to the mall for lunch. Since we were already hungry, we just decided that we try the "Kidz Cafe" located at the Visitor's Center area of JBCG. Hendrik and I ordered chicken and fish with French fries and milo while Tito Jared ordered jumbo hotdog with French fries and sandwich with chips.

We arrived home at about 3:30 in the afternoon, just nice for Hendrik to have his afternoon nap.

~~~ end ~~~

First Date w/ Mommy

Saturday, 15 October 2011, was the day when Hendrik and I had our very first date together. Our very first date because there was no Lola, no Tita Daisy, no Tito Jared, and no Daddy with us – it was only me and Hendrik. I was actually looking forward to this day since I thought it would be a different kind of date (if you know what I mean). I remember I used to have words running around my head whenever I see mother-and-daughter or mother-and-son together in a restaurant eating together, I used to tell myself that someday I want to experience the feeling and see what it is like to have a date with my kid. Yes, the day finally came - and it was made possible because Joseph needed to go to Pulau Ubin to scout the area for their coming photo shoot and he tagged Jared along.

We started the day by having breakfast at home. Since Joseph and Jared needed to go out early, I was left with Hendrik and did all the preparations for our date together – brushing Hendrik’s teeth, bathing him, preparing his milk and bottles, extra clothes, wipes and nappies - I didn’t have to worry that he will poo because he had already done it earlier in the morning. ^_^

After everything’s ready and had said our prayers, Hendrik and I left home at noon. We were supposed to take bus 72 to Yio Chu Kang MRT station, but we missed it. I was telling Hendrik to hurry up because I saw the bus coming from where we were at the footbridge. And as he heard me, he was running and climbing down the stairs as fast as he could while still holding my hand. But, as luck would have it, we missed the bus by just a few minutes. I think Hendrik was a bit sad that we missed the bus after trying his best to be fast. Bus 43 came in no time so I decided we just take it rather than wait for a longer time for another bus 72 under the hot weather. As usual, Hendrik tapped the fare card in the bus and in the train station. Our train ride from Buangkok station to Dhoby Ghaut station was very smooth. We were offered a seat in the train and Hendrik as usual asked a lot of questions about the things around him.

It was past 1pm when we reached Dhoby Ghaut station. I was hungry and I supposed Hendrik was also hungry as we only had oatmeal for breakfast. As soon as we were out of the station Hendrik informed me that he needed to pee. Park Mall is just across the street so we headed there and looked for the toilet. I was pleased that Hendrik made it to the toilet before he passed urine. We had only been training him to use briefs and to pass urine in the toilet bowl since a few months ago. While at park Mall, we also looked for a place to eat. I thought the restaurants there would not be that crowded compared to nearby malls as I only saw a few people inside the building. We first saw and entered a Japanese restaurant, but Hendrik and I left after a few minutes coz we both did not feel comfortable. The place was quite dim, only a number of people were eating, and none came and asked what we wanted to order. Next to the Japanese restaurant was Han’s. It was wide open, very bright and the people were happily eating their meals. One Chinese auntie greeted us and showed us where we can sit. I ordered chicken chop set meal with mushroom sauce. It was served with soup of the day, garlic bread, veggies, French fries, drink and a dessert. I ordered extra rice for Hendrik coz he told me that he wanted to eat rice. He was pointing to the chicken chop, rice, and French fries alternatively indicating that he wanted to eat them one after another. He was really hungry. It was a good thing for me as I didn’t have a hard time making him eat (which is usually the case at home). I ate the rest Hendrik did not manage to finish and the rest that he did not want to eat. We were both full and satisfied with our hearty meal.

We took bus 190 from Penang Road to Raffles Girls’ School where I work. I needed to drop by the school because I forgot to put the library keys to my boss’ pigeonhole Friday after work. She needed the keys to open the library the following Monday morning. Bus 190 was packed because it was a Saturday. Good thing was that we were able to secure a seat in front; if not, it would have been a challenge to balance standing up with all the braking and turning of the bus with Hendrik in hand. Hendrik also commented that the bus was moving very fast and there were a lot of people coming in the bus. I told him that he needed to hold tightly into his seat so that he won’t fall. When we came to our bus stop, I was quite nervous because we had to wade through the crowd and I was afraid that the bus will start rolling away with us still trying to get off. But Hendrik understood me very clearly when I told him beforehand that he had to move very fast when its time to get off. True enough, we managed to alight the bus quickly and safely. After putting the keys in my boss’ pigeonhole, I encouraged Hendrik to pee first before leaving school because we will be taking quite a long journey to the public library at Compass Point Mall. He didn’t want to pee because he was already finished taking a pee, he reasoned out.

We were walking the pathway from RGS to the bus stop when I saw bus 105. We were supposed to take that bus to Toah Payoh. This time I did not rush him because I knew we would not be able to catch it as we were still far from the bus stop.  When the bus rolled away and passed us, I told Hendrik that we missed bus 105, to which he replied that we missed a bus again! We took a seat in the shade and waited for another bus 105 to come.

We alighted at Jackson Square in Toah Payoh to change another bus to Sengkang. Hendrik would always ask me which bus we were taking, and he would monitor the bus numbers coming to see if our bus has arrived. I told him that we were taking bus 159 to the public library at Compass Point Mall. I also told him that it will be a long ride as Sengkang is far from Toah Payoh. Nevertheless, it was still a pleasurable 45-minute bus ride with my son. Though he got bored after some time as he kept on asking me if we were alighting, he still kept his cool. He understood that the public library and the mall were far. He did not throw any tantrums, but instead busied himself with monitoring the card reader as to when it is and when it is not ready to read a card. He also kept asking questions about the things he saw along the way and I also tried my very best to answer all of his questions. I persuaded him to take a nap but he would not. He is the type that would not miss out on anything.

Hendrik brightened up when he saw the entrance to Sengkang Public Library. I told him that I needed a drink first before we head to the library. He accommodated my request and waited for me patiently as I drink the mineral water I bought from the Kopitiam (food court) nearby. While at the library, he was happy to see many kids’ books on the shelves. He helped himself and picked a couple from the shelves and asked me to read them for him. As I finish reading the stories, he would get up from his seat, go to the shelves again, randomly picks a book, and give it to me to read to him. The book titles that I can remember I read to him were “The Ugly Duckling” and “The Stone Soup”. As I read the words to him, he was listening intently and made comments here and there about the drawings and pictures he saw on the books. One lady reading by herself beside us overheard Hendrik's comments looked and smiled. =) After reading a couple of stories to him, I persuaded Hendrik that we go to Kiddie Palace (kids’ store) and get him a new toothbrush. He was hesitant at first and wanted to stay in the library longer; but being an obedient child he finally agreed after a few persuasions.

While I was scrutinizing the various toothbrushes inside Kiddie Palace and wondering which one would best suit Hendrik, he was also looking through things and every now and then exclaims with delight when he sees something that he owns or is familiar with. I would hear him say “Mommy, are we buying this?” showing me a Johnson’s top-to-toe wash or a TollyJoy wipes or bottle cleaner. I would answer him, “No my love, we already have it at home.”

After choosing and buying 2 new toothbrushes for Hendrik, I thought that it would best to end our date with a sweet treat. I thought of bringing him to Swensen’s and have a cake and drink, but I realized that I ran out of cash. I also thought that Hendrik must have been tired after the long day. On our way to the basement, I saw Famous Amos and told him that we will buy his favorite cookies. After choosing his cookies we went our way to wait for our bus ride home. As both of us have sweet tooth, we were both nibbling the uber-sweet and uber-yummy Famous Amos cookies while waiting for the bus.

We arrived home past six in the afternoon. Hendrik played with his toys for a short while until I ordered him to go to his crib. He asked for milk, and in no time dozed off.

 
When I asked him if he enjoyed our date, he said “yes” right away, and I sure did too! I am so looking forward to having more exclusive dates with my son… ^_^

~~~ end ~~~

3 Decembers

It’s the time of the year again when I start scouting for family package tours and short getaways for the coming December holidays. Since Hendrik came in 2008, my family normally spends our Christmas in Singapore and outside of the country for the New Year. 

I have this personal notion to culminate the year by going overseas for many reasons. First, it is one way of being grateful to the things that transpired throughout the whole year to reward ourselves for the job well done and the trials we have gone through. Second, I particularly love the idea of welcoming and celebrating the very first day of the year in another place. I don’t know why, but it just makes me feel good. What makes it more special and memorable is that New Year’s Eve is just 1 day shy from my birthday, so we get to celebrate my birthday abroad too! =) 

So far, our three December overseas trips (holiday starts last week of December and ends until first week of January) were our post Christmas, my birthday and New Year celebrations rolled into one! There are indeed a lot of things to be grateful for.

As the saying goes, a picture says a thousand words - so I am not going to write our itinerary and describe the excitement and fun we had with our trips. The following slideshows will convey the feelings and messages they depict.

1st December: Kuala Lumpur (KL), Malaysia - 2008

2nd December: Hong Kong (HK), China - 2009

3rd December: Malacca, Malaysia - 2010

~~~ end ~~~