The Road Not Taken

Robert Frost is one of my favourite poets, and I really love his evocative poems about nature, love and sorrow. He had an amazing power to convey the smallest nuances of reality through his concise but vivid writings.

Recently, I chanced upon this poem of his again (The Road Not Taken, as reflected below). As a mother, I thought long and hard about how I can convey this message to my children, how I should be imbuing in them the inspiration to do what they truly want, even if that would be unconventional and different from the others. I also thought about how this poem can inspire them not to be too easily influenced by peer pressure, especially with Big Bee embarking onto her tweenhood journey.

And most of all, I thought about what we should really be teaching our children in a stressful Singapore - to go with the flow of rigid studies based on rote-learning, or to listen to their hearts and excel in something they are good at? I guess the big question would be: Can we parents learn to accept the different roads our children may choose to take? How can we be sure that we will always be standing beside them, advocating them unconditionally, without putting any of our expectations on them?

These are tough questions as our children grow bigger, with more societal pressures on them. But I hope to be always inspired by my own mother, who had always advised me to follow my dreams and to pursue my passions. In an age when most parents preached professional degrees like Medicine and Law, I remember vividly the day that she told me to follow my heart when I was choosing between a law degree and a more broad-based communications and social sciences one. Most parents will nudge their children to a professional degree, but my own mother took a look at me and said, "I do not think a legal profession will be suitable for you, and I do not think you will be happy. Just choose what you are interested in." It was a bold and wise statement coming from a woman without much education, and it had remained indelible in my mind since then. And since then, I had never felt happier in my university journey and my various careers.

Will I be able to tell my children the same message when they come to the same crossroads?

The Road Not Taken

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim
Because it was grassy and wanted wear,
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I marked the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

Robert Frost

Do Not Forget

I never cry in sad movies or musicals. When everyone is sniffling around me, I would look around, dry-eyed, and sometimes tried squeezing out a tear or two just to blend in with the crowds or with my friends. But no tears rolled out, usually. During our ROM vows, tears welled up in Hubby's eyes, and he choked on his vows. But I remained calm and dry-eyed, and I remembered looking at Hubby in horror and thinking to myself, "Oh no, please don't cry in front of this crowd (we had many friends and family with us that day)!"

In fact, Hubby sometimes commented I resemble a man in the sense that I am not very emotional and I don't express a lot of typical feminine traits. And I do agree with him.

However, when a friend sent me this video this afternoon, I started tearing rather profusely in my office.

This is a poignant reminder for all of us not to forget who we are and where we came from. Our conversations with friends are rife with the topics of our children and how wonderful they are. Have we ever spoken blatantly about how much we love our parents and the sacrifices they had made in order to mould us into who we are today?

Granted, I believe we spoke about our parents - but perhaps more of complaints and grumblings - about how they nagged at us, how they used to be Tiger Mums and Dads to us, but seldom of appreciation and endless love. I am one of those guilty of that!

For me, I am thankful that my parents are always there whenever I need them. I am thankful that my Mum gives up her precious time to care for my children while I work. I am thankful that my Dad loves the Bees a lot. And I am thankful that they used to be a pair of Tiger Mum and Dad, despite much hardships, to sculpt me into who I am today.

I am wondering if I should show my mum this video. She is a very typical lady who will cry at the drop of a pin...and I am not very good at comforting crying folks! :)

Or perhaps I should show my Bees. To remind them to appreciate their grandparents...and eventually, us, when we are older and not as strong or agile. Will we then become the burdens they will loathe? Or will we be taken for granted and ignored? Points to ponder indeed.

Sand Angels

Last December, on the 17th, Fio and I brought the kids to Sentosa, together with our mums. We had the most fantastic time from 10am till almost 6pm! We started our day by relaxing at the Palawan beach, making sandcastles and sand angels, just like what my cousins and I used to do in Sentosa as kids. 

Can you spot the sand angels?

I really cherish the bonding lunch at the adjacent foodcourt. To see 3 generations of grandmothers (who are sisters) and cousins sitting together, munching on scrumptious food at our old haunt (our mothers used to bring us to Sentosa very frequently too) - this is truly priceless. 

We ambled around Sentosa before we chanced upon a story-telling session for "The Gingerbread Man" at the Images of Singapore area. That was when I discovered Little Bee's flair and passion for showmanship! When the story teller asked for volunteers on stage, she was waving her arms so desperately! Eventually, she was selected to sing "Jingle Bells" and she did it with much gusto and bravado, with everyone clapping in rhythm to her singing! Bravo, Little Bee! 

Big Bee is the brainy one. After much persuasion from me, she participated in a quiz on stage - and won a prize as well. So, we have 2 happy girls with early Christmas presents from Sentosa! 

Big Bee went to the Butterfly Park with Fio as I have this irrational (and ridiculous) fear of butterflies and moths. She had a great time with Yiyi Fio, taking photos of the gigantic butterflies and screeching whenever any behemoth butterfly fluttered past her! Meanwhile, the rest of us had a great time resting languidly at the cafe outside, slurping ice-cream and sipping coffee! 

We ended the long but wonderful day with a stroll around Resorts World, awed by their colossal Christmas tree and soaked with relish in the overall joyous holiday mood! 

While I Was Away...

A fortnight ago, I had to be in Guangzhou for work over an immensely precious weekend which irked me to no end. As a working mother, weekends are probably the rarest and most treasured commodity for me to spend unfettered and uninterrupted time with Hubby and the Bees. Furthermore, in the 4 days that I was away, I had to miss Big Bee's grade 2 CSTD exams and Little Bee's final N2 assembly performance in school. What luck indeed!

Hence, I was very perturbed for weeks before that, but am glad that Hubby used this opportunity to spend extra bonding time with the girls in a very hectic weekend! 

Here were what I missed out with them: 

1) Big Bee's CSTD grade 2 exams

Hubby brought Big Bee to her 5th ballet exam on Friday (including the RAD ballet exam she took in school early this year). You would have thought the girl would be calm and jaded by her 5th exam, but Miss Perfectionist was as usual a jumble of nerves the night before the exam day, as well as in the hours leading to the exam. She had been scoring distinctions in all her previous ballet exams, so let's see how she fares this year, although I am always quick to advise her that we just want her to enjoy these exams as fun opportunities for her to perform solo. 

2) Ghim Moh market

On a bright and cheery Saturday morning, Hubby brought my mum and the Bees to the Ghim Moh market for a bout of scrumptious chwee kueh and other delightful hawker fare (we are old-fashioned Singaporeans when coming to local food, preferring the noise and clamour of hawker centres over sterile food courts!).

Hubby fell in love with the colourful hustle bustle of the market and its surrounding environs which are redolent of an old, nostalgic Singapore that is fast vanishing right under the pressure of barren modernity. They browsed around the many neighbourhood stores and the Bees had a fantastic ride on an electronic jeep around a square, along with other thrilled kids in similar rides (remember these car rides in the 1970s and early 1980s!?).

3) Coffee break and movie date

Hubby was excited to go on a date with the girls. After the Ghim Moh market adventure, he dropped my mum back at her home, and looked forward to some personal time with the Bees. He brought them for coffee and cakes at TCC, followed by an enchanting night under the stars in a drive-through movie showing Shrek (once again, this was so retro, reminiscent of 1970s and early 1980s in days long gone!). 

Unfortunately, he told me it started raining halfway during the movie, and he was stuck with 2 active girls eating their dinner in the restricted confines of the car, much to his chagrin! Luckily, the skies cleared up thereafter, and they were able to revert to their perch outside in the crisp cool air. 

4) Shopping with the girls on Sunday

As expected with daddies and little girls, Hubby was lured unwittingly by the clever Bees to buy a whole load of toys on Sunday, much to my displeasure. I am not one for buying bulky toys, preferring instead to indulge in homemade toys or crafts. They went on a shopping expedition with the original and innocent purpose of buying a birthday party present for Little Bee's friend. 

However, as all daddies who go all soft inside and wobbly around the knees when confronted by beseeching, doeful eyes of the daughters, Hubby bought a whole load of advanced Christmas and birthday presents for the Bees as well, much to their delight! I am very certain they were glad Mummy's not around to stop Papa as usual. 

5) Little Bee's N2 performance

On Monday, Little Bee has her final N2 assembly performance before she moved on to K1 next year. She was a bundle of hopping excitement when my mum, Hubby and Big Bee were there. As I watched the video afterwards, she was gamely showing off her family to all her friends, and kept waving enthusiastically at them from the performance area all throughout the assembly. With her signature sunny smile and big lit-up eyes, she did not display a sliver of shyness or stage fright at all. 

Looked like a flurry of activities indeed. Thanks so much and well done, Hubby! :) 

Of Museums And Theme Parks

LP and I brought our brood of eager, zealous kids for an entire day of adventure in Singapore last Thursday. We met at 2pm and played till 10pm. It was exhausting not just for the kids, but for us, the parents!

The Bees with WW and WD

I love this display at the entrance!

We met at the Singapore Art Museum to explore the Art Garden. The kids were thrilled with all the various displays, but I must admit that both LP and I thought this exhibition was over-rated and not up to our expectations. I was somewhat peeved by the shushing museum assistants the moment we entered the Floribots exhibit, who kept warning the kids not to touch the exhibits. That largely killed their interest in what could be a charming display of a flower's life-cycle, but with the assistants who were scared to bits about the kids even poking a fingertip at the exhibit, I thought it wasn't apt that such a display should be labelled as "interactive" in a "children's exhibition".

Other than that, we all appreciated The Enchanted Forest, which I thought was very beautifully done, and enabled the kids to be immersed in a magical, wild forest. Big Bee and Little Bee, together with WW and WD, diligently coloured butterfly pictures to paste them alongside other kids' butterfly artworks on the wall, and I thought that was a fantastic way to encourage the kids' creativity through displaying their works.

I also thought that the confined space at 8Q, where the exhibition was held, was extremely friendly for children to dash all over the entire building with very minimal supervision, especially for Big Bee and WW. As for smaller kids like Little Bee and WD, the spaces for freeplay, drawing and colouring were adequate, and the 2 little kids busied themselves with art and craft activities. I even had an opportunity to watch a local short film in the screening room with Little Bee!

Of course, the highlight of the Art Garden for the kids was the highly interactive motion-sensor play of light and movement in the Funky Forest and Daisies display. We spent the longest time there. LP and I could sit down, relax and chat whilst the 4 kids went berserk, bolting around the exhibit, playing with the 2 interactive iridescent displays.

The interactive Funky Forest, where kids could magically play with fireflies, swish moving streams around, tease fluttering birds and make fruit trees grow just with touches of their hands and feet.

We decided to stop for coffee and plentiful snacks after 2 hours of boisterous activity. I was amazed at how much LP's boys could eat!

Thereafter, we went our separate ways (I went home with the Bees for a short break!) before re-meeting at Universal Studios! We dragged our hubbies (and my mum) along this time, and I felt like I am a tourist in Singapore! We entered Universal Studios with the $2 night visit pass, and were overwhelmed by the dense, thick crowds. We took a leisurely walk around the Studios, and were all rather pleased by the overall ambience and experience. It certainly felt like we were in another world with the beautiful setting in the Hollywood Boulevard. We will be back for a full day of play one day - it is simply wonderful that Singapore now has our own theme park!

We all sat down for a long and absolutely delectable dinner at the Chinese restaurant along Hollywood Boulevard - Hollywood China Bistro. Scrumptious food, festive atmosphere, moderate service. We were all highly satisfied by the wonderful food, especially our hubbies!

In all - what a day! I think it is so delightful to spend a full day wandering around parts of Singapore that we had not been to before - truly marvelous to feel like tourists yet with the comfort of knowing we can pop home to relax anytime!

My Brother The Chef

My brother has a deep interest in cooking (unlike me!) and relished in cooking for the family. Over the Father's Day weekend, he invited our family, together with my Mum and Dad, for an Italian feast that he single-handedly whipped up for all of us! He almost baked a strawberry dessert, if not for me asking him to take a rest and spend quality time with us in the living room! 

It was such an enjoyable evening. We were treated to starters of a piquant salad filled with fresh lettuce and strips of brilliant carrot, complete with tangy Japanese dressing that piqued our appetite. Then, he brought out steaming plates of spaghetti bolognese with succulent shiitake mushrooms and tomatoes, and a plate of mouth-watering pasta with prawns just for Mum because she doesn't take beef. Glorious! 

Mum was beaming - she was probably thinking that her cooking genes did end up somewhere, unfortunately not in her daughter, but in her son! 

We all enjoyed the evening so much. Thereafter, we sat down and went through all our holiday photos, and had a great time chilling out. The Bees were entertained to bits, and we certainly look forward to another feast cooked by their beloved jiu jiu!

Bonding On Boxing Day

Boxing Day was a family affair for us, with the Bees spending much quality time with both sets of doting grandparents. Lunch was spent with Hubby’s parents in The Jewel Box’s Emperor Jade, with resplendent views of Sentosa and the expansive sea around it. We ordered a good mix of dimsum and staple dishes, and the food was highly palatable. More importantly, it was literally away from all the crowds, so we were able to have a good time chatting in peace. 

Big Bee loved the food so much that she ate loads! This girl is enjoying the stress-free holidays so much that she had been steadily gaining weight and developing a healthy rosy complexion. I shudder to think what the new school term will do to her appetite again. Little Bee loved the bright borderless interiors of the restaurant and the fact that she can roam around freely because not many tables were occupied. And the grandparents were very charmed by every little action of the Bees, as always.

In the late afternoon, we set forth to my brother's new house with my mother, Uncle Pat and Auntie Rose. We were awed by his lofty and airy apartment, and the Bees were thrilled to pure exhilaration when they saw their beloved jiu jiu and jiu ma! Hubby and I were able to relax a bit with my brother and sister-in-law helping to entertain the 2 boisterous kids! Meanwhile, I had a good time catching up with Uncle Pat and Auntie Rose who had just came back from an adventurous holiday in Israel - and they were both in their 60s! I hope Hubby and I can also travel to far-flung corners of the earth when we are old. 

Finally, we had dinner at Tampines' Ikea with my mother and shopped amongst the crowds before the kids turned in at 11.30pm! Gosh - their bedtimes are getting later and later! 

Vanishing Neighbourhoods

It was a lazy rustic afternoon with balmy sunrays and a steadfast docile breeze. There was an idyllic hush in the neighbourhood, marred only by the bashful whispering of the abundant leaves in the dignified angsana and rain trees surrounding us. Occasionally, we heard the apologetic rustling of a cleaner's broom against old tiles. A lone elderly woman wandered past, her mind focused on mirages of days long gone. A few groups of teenagers sauntered past, their young pristine minds unaware of the crowds that used to throng the very same pavement that they were walking on. 

Mum, the Bees and I were enchanted by these charming scenes in the old fading neighbourhood of Queenstown. We were at the library along Margaret Drive, enjoying a peaceful afternoon of books and coffee (and yummy potato wedges for the Bees!) yesterday. When we emerged from the cool air condition into the warm sunshine kissing our faces, we were bewitched by a picturesque yet crumbling neighbourhood. 

Hush hush in the library!

We sat down beneath a voluminous pong pong tree, with the Bees admiring its flourishing flora and bright green fruits (Little Bee thought they were apples!). We looked back at the weary hawker centre that had seen more vibrant days. Mum was instantly transported back to the dating days where Dad and her used to frequent the adjacent cinema before their regular suppers at the very same hawker centre.

The hawker centre that had seen many generations. Unfortunately, it will be closing soon.

Her faraway eyes indicated a nostalgic journey down the many years. Mum told me, "All these places will soon be upgraded and demolished. And what's left of them will just be within my memories." She also remarked how amazing it is to have 3 generations of us sitting now in the same place that Dad and her dated. 

The very same setting in a totally different stage of life. Life does sidle past us in such a swift and stealthy manner. As parents, I think it is fundamental that we bring our children to all these nooks and crannies of Singapore, so that they can truly understand the past and present, and apply these knowledge to their future. 

Spooky Halloween

The Bees celebrated Halloween with their friends through the spine-chilling tradition of tricking and treating in our estate. The households who are interested in dishing out treats will have a sticker stuck on their doors, and their unit numbers will be featured in a list given to the eager children, so non-participating households like ours will not be disturbed by over-zealous kids!

Big Bee was busy dressing up as a witch excitedly, way before the event. My mum dabbed on creepy white eye shadow on her and helped apply a layer of dark blue nail polish to make her look witchy!

The Bees in their Halloween costumes: Light versus Dark?? 

She invited her best friend Rachael, as well as another neighbour Karen and her little sister. As I was walking her home from school earlier, Rachael, Karen and Big Bee were chatting incessantly about what to wear! Girls will be girls, I guess! 

We were fairly hesitant about not letting Little Bee join the trick-or-treat expedition, for fear that she may end up being spooked. But poor her was so enthusiastic about dressing up that we just donned on a pair of fairy wings and an angel's halo, complete with a sparkling wand, so she can be a little good witch. 

The girls met each other amidst much hullabaloo and thrilled squeals. A storm with dense dark clouds was brewing overhead, making this the perfect setting for a creepy Halloween night. Already, there were many little devils, demons and witches scurrying about, busy finding the houses for tricks and treats. Children's chilling screams emanated all around, creating an ominous atmosphere of eerie fear. The older girls in our group were getting impatiently excited - running ahead to find the first household. 

The tricks-or-treats gang: (from left) Karen, Rachael, the Bees and my Mum, Karen's little sister 

Hubby and I did not follow them as we adjourned for my birthday dinner. However, Mum followed with Little Bee in tow. Thereafter, she told me that Little Bee was really spooked after 2 households, frightened by the silent little ghouls that guarded the 2nd home fearlessly, as well as by the elaborate Halloween facades and costumes decorated by many innovative families. Henceforth, she brought Little Bee into the safe sanctuary of our home immediately. 

Our domestic helpers followed the rest of the older girls around. Big Bee told me she loves Halloween, but she was rather startled by the ghostly decorations of some of the homes, complete with moving skeletons and abruptly shocking appearances of some human apparitions! 

I heard from my mum and helper that Big Bee was like a little leader, paving the way, knocking on doors and yelling "Trick or Treat!!!" before her friends. I am really glad she enjoyed herself independently, and I am sure she loves Halloween for a more concrete reason - a mountainload of goodies! 

Pillar Of Strength

My Mum is my pillar of strength when I am out in the battlefield at work. She cares very well for my darling Bees, and is highly dependable whenever I travel for work. 

She is also the Bees' fortress for Mandarin, as she will speak with them in Mandarin the whole day long! Hence, Little Bee can now say one to ten in strange, lilting Mandarin, and Big Bee is slowly improving in her oral Mandarin, something I had requested for my Mum to help coach her every afternoon. 

Without her, I will not be able to do all those things I can do in my career and life. She is a simple housewife her whole life, revolving her life around us, her children, dependable on my father for allowance, yet resourceful enough to supplement the allowance with her income as a home nanny. 

So, she is always motivating me to get out there and work, be financially independent and to be a strong woman, emotionally and cerebrally. Yet not forsaking the family, to be constantly hardworking and caring towards the kids, and not to outsource the caring of kids to anyone but myself or Hubby (and her!). 

I guess this is how values are transported through the generations and ages - by example, by love, by demonstration. 

Here's a little portrait of her and Little Bee. She is the de facto hairdresser for Little Bee who doesn't like anyone else cutting her hair! So, she always gets her hair cut in the balmy balcony, which is quite an experience for the little one, I am sure.

 

The Sport Of Kings

My mum planted the idea of going to the Singapore Turf Club for a children's carnival last Thursday. It was indeed a revelationary experience for the Bees as there are horse races, lots of horses around, games, bouncers and their ultimate favourite - junk foods like cotton candy and popcorn!

It was the first time that they had seen so many tall, strapping racehorses together. The girls watched with gaping mouths and voluminous eyes as some of the more stubborn horses adamantly refused to be ridden to the racetrack, acting aggressively and stopping abruptly, resulting in one jockey falling off the horseback. I asked Big Bee if she missed horseriding, and not surprisingly, she shook her head vehemently after seeing all the above chain of events. 

The weather was superb, with the setting sun as a magnificent backdrop to the galloping, majestic horses. The sapphire sky of an impending twilight was speckled with clouds tinged with tangerine and crimson. Outside the track, we were surrounded by dense palisades of dark green trees. Birds in little family groups flittered past the racetrack ever so often that Big Bee commented with amazement, "Mummy, did they purposely make the birds fly past? Because they seemed to fly past right after every race and how can there be so many birds flying nicely like this?!" Ha, the repercussions of urban living! 

The Bees had a fantastic time observing all sorts of equestrian idiosyncracies, watching the races, milling with the crowds, munching on popcorns and sinking their teeth into soft, sweet cotton candy. What a fun weekday evening! 

Swim Party

Charlie's Angels (from left): Big Bee, Val & Little Bee. Chloe was changing into her swimsuit in the bathroom!

Last Friday, my cousins and I organised a swim party for our kids, also fellow cousins, together with our Mums, who had lots of fun catching up on gossip over good food.


The 3 happy grannies with Little Bee

Poor Little Bee had a runny nose so was prevented from going into the pool. Big Bee had lots of solo practice swimming in the pool with Chloe watching her every move and attempting to swim about, making poor Irene so tired, clutching onto her in the water! Fio was busy trying to encourage Val to get into the pool, but little Val was more interested to sit by the pool, looking pretty in her gorgeous swimsuit!


Paddling and splashing!

Chloe and Big Bee are swim pals!

After lunch, the kids meddled with toys and indulged in a group craft activity, doodling and drawing harmoniously together. It was amazing how all 4 of them can play so peacefully and amicably together! We plan to let them hang out together more often, just like how our moms used to let us cousins play together ever so often years back.

Group tuition, anyone?

Busy busy...

Midnight Supper

Last night, after we put the Bees to bed, Hubby and I went out to do some urgent grocery shopping - thank goodness for Cold Storage Holland Village which opens 24 hours! It was peaceful and therapeutic to be able to shop in the empty aisles, chatting quietly and ruminating over the products without any flustered crowds around. After shopping, we ambled towards Crystal Jade for a midnight supper, feasting on porridge and sweet desserts. Holland Village is amazing - it never sleeps!

With the packed weekday schedule these days, I count my lucky stars that Hubby and I can still have some couple time together, no matter how brief it is. I still find that it is fundamentally important to sneak in some solitary time between spouses, so that we can reconnect to ourselves without the boisterous kids around us.

And credit goes to my beloved Mum who stays with us 3 nights a week, so that we can leave the sleeping kids in her good hands.

Striding Towards Independence...

Speeding on her favourite scooter

We had settled down into a comfortable and contented school routine with Big Bee. A couple of evenings in the first week of school, I remember asking Big Bee "How's your school?" the moment I stepped through the door. One night, she snapped at me grouchily and said "Why must you know everything about my school?" and refused to tell me what went on in school that day.

My heart was pierced with inexplicable hurt. Is my little girl shutting me out so soon in her life? Am I becoming an obsolete, typical mother whom she cannot relate to? My heart was clutched in the throes of dejected agony the whole night until my Mum gave me the best advice that only a mother can give: "Give her some space."

I was tremendously grateful for Mum's words. That was how she brought both my brother and I up - by giving us immense love and lots of space...whenever we asked for either.

So, at bedtime, I chatted with Big Bee and she bared her feelings. She felt utterly sorry for hurting Mummy, but requested: "Can you not ask me about school the moment you are home?" The exact reflections of my Mum! She is the wisest of mothers indeed!

A month down the road, and here we are - cheery, happy, with Big Bee sharing everything about her school with me everyday. Her friends. The funny incidents she encountered in school. The conflicts. Her deepest worries. We laughed, we gossiped, we brainstormed on tactics to ward off girls who are naughty to her. More importantly, I listen and empathise...without criticism, without judgement, without too much "I know it all" attitude.

It works well. Every night these days, at 8.30pm, she will drag me to her bed and giggled:"Mummy, let's have our chit-chat time now!" And she will tell me all her little secrets.

Motherhood is a learning odyssey indeed.

My poor attempts at bento breakfasts for Big Bee. I usually pack shaped bread with butter for her, who is a fussy eater. The marshmellows are mainly for her friends, who always fight to grab a piece!

Another Year Older

Birthdays are a lot more meaningful not with expensive presents or indulgent meals, but with simple, straight-from-the-heart and self-made creations like what Big Bee gave as her birthday present for me :)

And also my first present at 12.15am last night - a warm angpow from Mum who told me "35 years ago, I was in terrible labour giving birth to you!" Her statement reminded me that motherhood is a lifelong process of remembering the trials we went through - no matter how grown-up our children are. We will be forever the little bawling infant to our parents.

Big Bee slogged through this morning making the card after realising she has not enough money to buy Mummy any present!

I was also very touched by Hubby's efforts to make my birthday a special one. A nice dinner in an alfresco setting with a magnificent red sunset. A beautiful bouquet of lilies as a surprise in the office. And an adorable cake selected by Big Bee and Hubby last week.

When I asked Big Bee last week where Papa and her went to, she looked guilty and blurted out "I cannot tell you what type of cake I chose for you!" Papa nearly fainted as the cake was meant as a surprise. Kids are so innocent!

Plus the look of sweet delight on Little Bee's face, singing the birthday song loudly, clapping her hands zealously and blowing at my (many) candles with her jie-jie and me furiously.

I am so looking forward to 364 days later :)