Goodbye, Pebbles

Big Bee's first pet hamster, Pebbles, passed on this morning - just 45 days after we bought Galaxy and Pebbles (the 2 female hamsters for Big Bee's 6th birthday).

We are still at a loss as to what happened to Pebbles. Just yesterday, we bought the second mobile ball house where the hamsters can stay inside and "roll" about as they scampered in the ball house. I remembered Hubby telling us that Pebbles kept shivering. So, I wondered if poor Pebbles died of fear? Their poor little hamsty hearts could be just too weak for the shock (or thrill) of rolling all around the house in a fast-moving, dynamic ball?

Poor Pebbles. I wish you rest in peace wherever you are.

Big Bee was the first to discover Pebbles' death. Her morning routine upon waking up usually comprises of lounging on the bed with us, then she will troop with me or by herself to the kitchen and check on the hamsters to snoop on what they are doing in their cage. This morning, I was lazy to walk with her to the kitchen, wishing to loiter longer on my warm bed, so she went alone. Minutes later, she walked back into the bedroom with a worried frown on her pretty little face, telling me "Mummy, Pebbles looked like she is dead. She is just lying facing up in the bathing container, not moving."

Skeptical, I told Big Bee that Pebbles could be in deep sleep since the mornings are usually their snooze time. I walked with her to the kitchen.

True enough, Pebbles looked strange and distant...lying on her back, face-up, with a slight grimace on her furry rodent face. Big Bee bravely extended her finger into the cage to shake Pebbles but there was no movement. Only stillness. Oh my god. I was horrified. So soon, this little life ends without fanfare.

Once we confirmed that Pebbles is truly dead, Big Bee expressed her feelings saying she was very angry and why Pebbles had to die so quickly. Hubby assured her that no matter how long Pebbles lived, the most important thing is that Pebbles had lived a happy life. Big Bee seemed consoled by this fact.

In the afternoon, I called her to ask how she was feeling. She said she felt sad instead of angry, which is a good and natural transition. I told her I was also feeling sad...letting her know it is very normal to express our emotions out loud.

Goodbye, Pebbles. You will always be remembered.

Our First Art Piece(s)

For the first time last Monday, hubby and I went shopping for art gallery paintings to spruce up our new home! We went to this obscure and quaint boutique art gallery at Lavender called Moni Gallery. Hubby discovered it online over the weekend, and we were aptly impressed by their abstract/modern art pieces, hence decided to hop by their gallery.

There were 2 storeys of art pieces - all wonderful in each of their ways. Hubby and I just roamed our eyes over the different art pieces, allowing them to beckon to us...eventually, we agreed on 2 paintings that we can relate most intimately with - Motivation and Generation, by 2 Australian painters. As there is a substantial sale going on (whoever heard of art gallery sales!), we managed to purchase each painting for about $1,500, including mounting on a stunning black silk screen.

We were beside ourselves with excitement and elation - our very first art paintings at home!

And last night, we put up the Generation painting above our living room settee...after much hard work from Hubby who spent a good hour drilling in the screw to hang up the painting! It looks so cosy and at home, filling our home with elegance and warmth :)

Picnic!

My friends (YM and LP) and I organised a picnic gathering at Botanic Gardens last Saturday evening. We decided to go somewhere non-air con to escape the HFMD epidemic, and it is always wonderful to escape into the great outdoors when you have so many kids tagging along!

We met up at 5.30pm, and it was such a hot day! The heat from the sun was almost stifling and the air felt so heavy! However, as the clock ticked closer to 6pm, we could feel the tiniest caresses of a very gentle wind that gradually became a soft easy breeze. Whew!

The bigger kids (Big Bee and LP's 2 boys) were happily indulging in some bubble play plus ball games and chasing/running around. YM's girl and Little Bee were tottling here and there, enjoying the greenery and wide expanse of verdant space, waving sociably to adult strangers! It will be a while before they will learn to play with each other, no doubt.

As the gathering involved a picnic, we had 3 mats spread out on the grass ... and unhealthy Mac's for picnic! Haha, all of us were too lazy to really cook. Besides, Mac's is always a favourite amongst the big kids. The 2 little toddlers were fed porridge, and Little Bee seemed to enjoy her porridge alfresco-style!

We packed up at 6.45pm with lavender dusk closing in on us. It was so idyllic, slowly sauntering through the darkening twilight and looming shadows, heading towards the cool of the night...

Chilling Out

Yesterday was the May Day holiday - another day for our little family to chill out and have fun. Due to the HFMD endemic plus Little Bee's cough, we avoided all places air-conditioned, and instead, decided on nearby Holland Village to hang out!

The weather's hot and humid - the sun was blazing down on earth, as if to imbue its last remaining rays further into our atmosphere. We could feel its angry gaze everywhere! Whew!

Hence, we selected a cool table under some shade outside Haagen Daz and indulged in ice cream galore - no doubt Big Bee's favourite food! She had a scoop of strawberry ice cream, whereas I could not resist a shot of rich chocolate ice cream. The yummiest snack went to Papa, with TWO amazing scoops of cookies and cream as well as vanilla ice cream complementing a fantabulous scoop of potent, thick, gooey and moist brownie that stunned my tastebuds to bits! Absolutely sinful but totally delicious.

Poor Little Bee had nothing to eat, of course, but she was gamely sitting down in one of those adult lounge chairs by herself and grinning away. She just loves going out - anywhere!

We strolled around the idyllic Holland V area, through the old but colourful shophouses and past many new trendy shops and restaurants. Hubby and I reminisced fondly about this place being the venue of our fateful first date and many wonderful dates thereafter. And now - we're bringing (literally) the fruits of our labour back here!

We meandered around till 5pm before going back home for rest and relax as well as dinner.