Port of Lost Wonder

Enjoyed our family time on the eve of Daddy's birthday at Port of Lost Wonder, Sentosa --- a nice place for family bondings, picnics and water play. 

It was first time for us to not worry about Kuya wandering off because Miguel stepped up and took charge! In the photos you can see that they are always together as they would wait for each other all the time! At one point, when the lifeguard talked to Kuya about something, Miguel was there to the rescue, ready to explain about Kuya's autism. HAPPINESS OVERLOAD. I couldn't help but get teary eyed to see that happening.. we can think of it as the boys birthday "gift" for daddy :)

Port of Lost Wonder is open everyday, with $15 entrance fee per child on peak days and holidays and $10 on normal days. FREE entrance for adults. 

More photos here. 

Botanic Gardens

We found a little piece of heaven that's perfect for...

• nature tripping
• picnic 
• eating home cooked meals
• playing ball with the boys
• laughing out loud with sister
• listening to picnic goers playing guitar
• watching cute puppies playing chase with their masters 
• lying on a sleeping bag (next time i'd bring a small pillow though)
• enjoying so much that you'd think of coming back again. and again. 

That was one relaxing time with my sister Odessa and her boyfriend Chris. I made carbonara, chorizo, and turon which is their favorite. Boys must have their chicken of course. Super simple but fun fun picnic =) 

I know you've heard me say this a million times before. But there is no other way to say it: Best things in life are free! Nature. Being with family. Time freedom. Thank You Lord for life's simple pleasures! 

We won't have it any other way. We love our life just the way it is :) 

Botanic Gardens is officially the place I love in Singapore. It's a little piece of "Philippines" for me. It somehow satisfies my "laid back" life cravings. Can't wait for next time!

Adventure Cove Sentosa

The thrilling pipeline plunge, tidal twister, the bluewater waves, the lazy river... what more could you ask for in a water park? (I know, that all of my nephews and nieces were there too!) 

My favorite moments?

• Kuya not wanting to leave the big waves! I'm the happiest when Kuya does something he really likes, much more when he's the one initiating it.
• Daddy and Miguel spending time alone at the giant slide. Because he wanted the both of them to be partners that day.
• Me riding the floater. Alone. Enjoying like a kid. 
• Hubby and I at the Pipeline plunge. 
• Mae and I at the Pipeline plunge. 
• Corndogs! 

Made this layout with NEONS in my mind and Amy Tangerine Sketchbook papers were perfect for my idea. I like that these papers are so fun and cute but not too girly. 

The title is made with a mix of Sizzix Eclips and thickers. I also experimented with masking, painting and embossing with neon embossing powders but I didn't like how it turned out so I tried to cover it up with  washi and paper strips, and finished the layers with machine stitching. Talk about real SCRAP-booking haha!

Inspired by Corrie Jones' see-thru challenge at Two Peas, I covered up the "unwanted' photo (because I printed it with the wrong setting, making it dark, but I didn't want to throw it away) with vellum, sealed it with stitching and splattered with white paint. 

Now, here are the rest of our photos. The very few photos we have (WHY??!!) Because when you're dripping wet and enjoying that much, you tend to choose to ignore the camera :P 

I'm also submitting this to Let's Get Trendy Now 3's neon challenge. I can't get enough of neon nowadays haha! 

a walk to remember

So proud of my kiddos to be able to walk from Henderson Waves to Vivo City! Twas such a fun experience for them, for us and for all the families who joined.  Kuya and Migs loved it and we will surely do it again in the near future. Kudos to The PCF teachers and the organizers for such a very successful weekend walk :)

date night @ Arab St.

... it was one of my most favorite among our date nights :) Thank you BB! :)

Azkals in Singapore

I'm not a sports fan.  I only get to watch some sports shows when I know somebody playing in one of the teams, or if it's Manny Pacquiao's boxing match. I don't know much about any sports. But this time, hubby asked me out! :)  He hadn't asked me for a date for a long time and I thought it would be exciting to watch Philippines' Azkals vs. Singapore's Lions here in a foreign country!

Although our team didn't win, indeed it was more than just fun! It felt soooo good to see thousands of fellow Filipinos in one venue, cheering together for Azkals. At one point, I kept silent in the midst of shouts and cheers, realizing how much I love and miss my country.

Here is a nicely written article about that event.

My date and I ... most of the time he was busy taking 

photos of the game which is just fine with me because...

 I was also so busy staring at these hunks! LOL! =)

Happy 46th Birthday Singapore!

One of the best things Singapore gave me and my family is our St. Anthony community (Neocatechumenal Way) in Woodlands. We couldn't imagine life without our brothers and sisters who, like us, walk the narrow but fulfilling path. In life's ups and downs, we can rely on our brothers and sisters who love and accept us. We may be in a foreign land but we always feel at home because of our community.

Played with my Crate Paper's neighborhood collection, (one of the prizes I got for winning one of it's monthly contests! yay!), stickler, glimmer mists, and my forever favorites: buttons and dew drops!

Speaking of contests and prizes, do you want to win this one? :):):)

Visit Made With Love now and find out how you are able to win this scrappy goodness worth $100! It's our way of celebrating National Day! Hurry! Hurry! 

A letter for Miguel...

Dear Miguel, 

I think I have mentioned before that I blog so that you, my children, and your children's children are able to have a glimpse of our life. One of those moments I want to preserve is your birthday :)

You turned 3 last April 17 and what a day it was! 

You woke up to a simple but certainly special breakfast! I made your favorite chocolate cake, Daddy prepared balloons, and Tita Mae cooked some of your favorite breakfast. Ate JJ was there too! 

 still a bit sleepy

 the cake

reading the card from Tita Min

You were so thrilled, so happy that you couldn't stop talking about everything you saw :) That could have been enough for the day but there was more.... 

We went to Singapore Zoo. The most beautiful zoo in the world! And going there, though unplanned, we took a not-so-ordinary vehicle... a Benz limo :) what a special ride! And "specialness" of the day kept unfolding because once inside the car, you kept on talking and talking to uncle driver until he found out it was  your birthday... so...

He asked us if he could stop at a convenience store to buy you some treat! How sweet was that? I was so happy for you because it is not every day you meet a person like him. Who wouldn't mind about his precious time. Who was glad to "stop and smell the flowers". Who would go an extra mile to make your day a little bit more special in his own way. Another surprise not just for you but for me and Daddy. I thank God for that sweet moment! :)

 ...thank you Uncle! He spent even more than we paid him for the ride :)

but his being with you for a moment is beyond money :) it's priceless!

 Kuya was very happy too!

We were all so excited in the zoo! We've been there as a family a number of times but this time is different not just because it was your birthday but because it was first time for you to go there sans the pram and you are big enough to really appreciate everything including being in charge of the map! 

 daw korek 

Here comes another reason for us to say, God loves you so much He makes everything special for you, and that He approves the idea of not having a big party for your birthday... 

You and Daddy queued for the tickets, when another Pinay who got a privilege card or something approached me if we wanted 50% from our  (adult) tickets! What do you think I answered her? haha! But that's not all! When it was your turn at the counter, the staff found out again it was your birthday and asked us if we could show some ID to prove your birthdate. There was none so I suggested that they ask you, because kids won't lie :) and you said: "April 17!" That got you a free ticket, a free ice-cream from Ben & Jerry's, and a birthday badge! Some staff saw you wearing it and greeted you a happy bday and you answered back: "Thank you! No problem!" hahahahaha! 

Then, your bandmates (I'll upload your vidoe performing as a band soon) Tim and Paul dropped by to give you their present! We all sang a happy birthday song for you to your delight! And that capped your 3rd birthday. Yes, in pajamas! :) 

I hope when you see this post and these photos someday, you will feel and believe how much you are loved by us your family, and by everybody not just because you are really so lovable (see for yourself in my previous post, but because you are you. Thank God for giving us a son as adorable as you. You are an angel in every way. Thank God too that He made that day so meaningful and so special. A kind of birthday you so deserved! I love you very much 'nak. 

Love,

Mommy

P.S. Let's see what Daddy has to say on the comment section of this blog :D

{Click here for more photos: breakfast surprise, zoo part1, zoo part2, bandmates surprise}