The Sunshine Moments of 2011

We spent a very quiet New Year's Eve, busying ourselves with re-doing the girls' bedroom to a brand new theme and spending the evening looking at photos of our recent holiday. Warm, snuggly and intimate. 

As 2012 looms ahead of me, I read through some old blog posts (and were amazed at how fast time slithered past as always) and reflected about some momentous instances in the past year. 

Here are my top favourites:

1) We went a little overdose on holidays this year, probably in a bid to escape from hectic working life in Singapore! But these holidays sealed our close family bonds and allowed us to spend unfettered, unobstructed time with the Bees. 

We had a languorous time with ourselves in Penang, doing nothing but chilling out, eating and soldering our nuclear family ties. 

We decided to bring the entire extended family on a longer trip to Taiwan (which I had yet to publish my post!). It was so gratifying to see the 4 grandparents' eyes lighting up every morning to see their beloved Bees. And we managed to spend 7 days of precious time with all our parents in a stunning and beautiful country with breathtaking natural scenery.

And we loved our latest holiday to South Korea where we spent a very quiet but memorable Christmas, away from everyone we know, only to hole up in a rural small town.  

I am never really very good at travel blogging, but will try to publish posts on the last 2 holidays soon!

2) I am thankful that Big Bee got into a special performance class for next year, whilst maintaining my usual level-headedness that this is but her first step in a long odyssey. And more importantly, as her parent, I need to inculcate the values of working hard and expecting the best, yet, if the best is unreachable due to whatever reasons, it is perfectly fine so long as your family loves you and you are healthy and happy. Strange, juxtaposed lessons to impart...but challenges are synonymous with parenting! 

3) Little Bee had just turned 5, and had grown and grown in K1- much to both Hubby's and my chagrin. Nothing wrong with her becoming more self-reliant, more worldly-wise, of course. But...we will miss her little baby self, her chubby cheeks and her pure immaculate innocence as she stepped onwards to K2 next year. She is a lot more independent now and somewhat cynical at times (just like her big sister), albeit with frequent dazzling sessions of absolute charm and baby naivete. She is popular in her K1 class and has many best friends. Her teachers adore her and had also discovered her love for performing, so we shall see how they nurture her in school. She had also commenced her ballet classes last year...and is enjoying every bit of her classes. 

4) Meanwhile, Big Bee has matured beyond description, and is now deep in tweenhood as she turned 9 this year. She is now like my friend, and sometimes even my mentor. I look to her for advice on some issues and she never failed to dish out sensible advice. When I go crazy with Little Bee, dancing and singing around the house, sensible and no-nonsense her would shake her head as if barely tolerating these 2 mad childish females! She stopped bringing my home-prepared lunch boxes to school, which was a little sore point for me, preferring instead to buy food with her friends in the canteen during recess. Yet, at times, her enthusiasm, excitement and love for adventure shines through - and I never fail to cherish these 2 sides of her personality. 

5) Hubby and I managed to meet another time in Beijing for one night in April during both our work trips for a little couple time. And we also managed to escape to Bintan during our anniversary for a night. There were also a few occasions when we requested my Mum to stay the night in our house, just so we could indulge in a little supper and movie, and even a happening concert, to regain our connection and solidify our emotions without distractions. I definitely love these moments. 

6) Work-wise, I am grateful for an exciting and new portfolio at work, which is something that I had always wanted. Yet, I am even more thankful that I am travelling much lesser for work now. As my frequent flyer status dwindled down the tiers year on year, I rejoice in the fact that this is a powerful indication that I am with my darling Bees most nights of the year, instead of some cold, impersonal hotel bed. 

7) On the homelearning front, we had covered the themes of Space, Solar System, Planet Earth and Lifecycles this year. I hope to continue to work regularly with the Bees on fun homelearning, whilst balancing the dry, more academic aspects of homework and assessment books (urgh). We are also doing more painting at home, with me as art teacher and the Bees attending art workshops for the first time this holiday (they love it!). Being all-rounded individuals is so important for character development and ultimate experience of everything in life. The Bees also became flower girls for the first time, and would be flower girls the second time on the first day of 2012 :) 

8) Gatherings with close friends are getting lesser with everyone's busy schedules as our kids enter primary school. But yet, I am thankful for holiday breaks to catch up with friends and for all the random occasions throughout the year when my cousins and the Bees' cousins would meet and have fun! 

9) Hubby had acquired a new hobby - marine fishes! So, this past year had seen a slew of new pets from octopuses to starfishes to seahorses to all sorts of colourful marine fishes! He had become quite an expert, and had imparted quite a lot of knowledge to the Bees as well! Thanks to him, we now have an teeming and lively aquarium with marine life to admire every day.

10) I still love all those simple outings in Singapore when we would traipsed to the myriad parks around our sunny little island, indulged in alfresco picnics, immersed ourselves in performances and museums, or simply relaxing at home with breakfasts and homecooked meals. 

2011 had been a lovely year...but I am still reeling from the feeling that it had soared past us way too rapidly! 

Posing with lionesses in one of our many zoo trips

What were your most significant moments in 2011?