Birthday Girl

We decided to celebrate Big Bee's 6th birthday in school this year - due to her consistent request. It was a Wednesday, and at 3.30pm, I trooped down to school with her big birthday cake (in the shape of a pink pony!). To create the atmosphere of gay festivities, I engaged the party services of MacDonald's at only $7 per kid, complete with a host, party games and food! Very good deal.

I was slightly late, so MacDonald's was there, setting up the table etc. Before hubby could rush from his meeting, we were already cutting the cake. Big Bee looked ecstatic with all her 12 friends cheering her on and singing the birthday song for her. It is amazing to realise that she had swiftly grown to an age when it is beginning to matter a lot to her that her best friends are all around her during special occasions like this.

After the cake cutting ceremony, games began. Kiasu Big Bee was elated that she won the pass the parcel game, although her team did not win a prize during the second teamwork game. Hubby arrived with packs of goodies for her friends (I bought miniature Guess Who? board games for her friends) as well as her favourite - her 2 new hamsters, Pebbles and Galaxy. They are our birthday gift to her, and I have never seen her soooo happy when we first bought them for her 2 nights before her birthday. She claimed she had been waiting a whole year for pets, and I am quite glad we are able to fulfill her dreams.

All her pals were amazed by the sight of the hamsters, everyone crowding around the hamsters and chatting about them. Big Bee was bursting with joy and happiness, so are we, the proud parents. Little Bee was at home with Mom as she was suffering from a bout of cough, so we wanted her to rest more.

The party ended in one hour after a chattery tea session with MacDonald's. I am so glad we had a simple yet meaningful birthday celebration to celebrate Big Bee's 6 years on this planet :)

Settling In

The little ones moved into our new home on April 12. It had been 2 weeks since (which included both hubby and myself going on business trips each!) and everyone seemed to have settled down comfortably. Mum is happily shuttling between our and her home every other day (if I am in town, of course). Sometimes, she takes the public bus home and everytime she comes here in the morning, she will also take the public bus! She never fails to gush about about convenient it is to come to our place. According to her, it is only 45 minutes by bus ride!

Well, the little ones are now comfy and settled, although in the first 3 nights, Little Bee had much problems sleeping through the night. She would wake up wailing away. I guess she was still trying to adjust to a new bed (we got out her original white cot, instead of the playpen she was used to in my parents' home while we stayed there) and a new room.

Big Bee, being such a big and adventurous girl, settled down with much glee. She loves her double decked bed, and we tried our best to make everything as comfortable and welcoming for both of them, putting toys almost everywhere!

As for hubby and me, because of our 2 consecutive business trips, we did not have much private time to enjoy the house yet. Well, it is time to begin. Our own home. Our own chill out pad!

Memories

We had been unpacking the house for 6 days now. It was a gruelling task, but fulfilling when we saw our 60 boxes reducing to a mere 10 boxes now. Hubby and I had cleared almost all our stuff, and are in the process of clearing the Bees' stuff (they had about 20 boxes on their own, can you imagine!)

As I cleared my stuff, I chanced upon so many things from the past, memories that bring a smile to my tired face - autographs from primary school mates, written pats-on-the-back from ex-teachers, letters and well-wishing cards from my clique's best friends, love letters from hubby and other ex-boyfriends. Memories like these define who we are - our personality, our outlook, our choices in life. It made me realise the speed of time, how precious life is - and that life is truly a linear journey. It doesn't meander, it doesn't wait for anyone along its path. Once we miss out the little enjoyments that life provides, we miss out these moments forever. Which is why it is so important for us to live in the moment, to focus in the right-here-and-now, rather than over-indulging in the past or worrying too much about the future.

Hubby and I also saw old photos of Big and Little Bee, and gazed with wonderment at how fast and how much they had grown. From blur babies unaware of their parents and surroundings to highly alert and sensitive beings with their own feelings, thoughts and personalities. It is just so important to cherish every single day of our children's lives, to relish in their current stage rather than wishing them to grow up soon. For time is cruel, it will quickly swallow up our youth, eating its way into our prime, making no excuses if we fail to grasp precious moments.

It's amazing how moving house can stir up these past memories, making me realise just how precious life is.