Getting old

The 20s seemed to have breezed by and we are already in our 30s. 30s brings a lot of new reflections in life. You have a brood of young ones to look after, older parents to worry about, and suddenly one feels lots of responsibilities.

I have been thinking a lot about 2 things recently. Firstly, about helping others. The other day, I saw a TV show about a man who did volunteer work delivering food to needy old people. It struck a chord in me and in the last half a year,  I have roped in Gary to help me with volunteering, once a month. As you go about being absorbed in your daily life, you don't realise just how blessed you until you see these lonely old people in their small and dark little homes. Is this something I would have done when I was younger? I don't know, but what I do know is that down the road, I hope to bring my children with me when I do volunteering, so that they can see for themselves that life does not just revolve around oneself and new toys only.
The other thing that I have been toying with is renewing my interest in music. My mum started me on music lessons (organ) when I was young and although I have not become a great concert organist, I have learnt to appreciate music better. It is also very therapeutic and I remember the hours my mum and I spent on Saturday mornings playing songs at the organ. Nat has recently started piano lessons and practising with her has re-sparked my own interest.As for Lucas, I did bring him for a trial violin class and he seemed to like it :) so I may start him on that later in the year.

I printed the piano sheet of a song that I like and I hope to practise and learn to play it well in maybe half a year. That would be a good personal achievement for me.  Music to me is something that is good to learn at a young age, it helps one calm down and relax and appreciate music. Whether they decide to pursue it down the road would be really up to them and I will support them, whatever their decision.

childhood toys

I had a russian doll when I was young, which amused me for hours. I used to take the dolls out one by one till I got to the smallest one, and then put it all back again, till everything was inside the big doll, and then start the process all over again. The concept of one doll in another was just so interesting. The other day, we happened to come across an image of this doll on the computer and nat was totally intrigued. Since then, she has been hankering after it. However, I must say these dolls are really quite hard to find. I happened to see one through the window of a toy shop last weekend and luckily for me, the price was affordable, so nat got her wish of owning a russian doll. She has been carrying it with her everywhere and loves taking it apart and putting it back together. It is quite nice to see your own kid playing with the same thing that kept you amused so many years ago.

Daddy's girl

It's been a while since we went for a date with our firstborn. So yesterday, with her 2 younger siblings still recovering from a nasty bout of fever, we decided to bring our baby girl to Hort Park. How she has grown. I remember taking pics of her here as a little toddler, and now this little girl, all of 5 years of age, successfully managed to walk the whole length together with us from Alexandra, all the way to Vivocity! I know she enjoyed herself, walking hand in hand with both Daddy and Mummy, and having our full and undivided attention.

Bringing kids out to enjoy nature is such a wonderful experience. I know the weather in Singapore is super hot but seriously, at the end of the walk, you feel super recharged and energetic. Mid-way through, our "terrible duo" were all ready to hop onto the cable car at Mount Faber and meet Mummy dearest at Vivocity, however, I stopped them and we continued on our walk :) Phew! At Vivocity, we had a wonderful Japanese meal and nat wolfed down almost a whole bowl of soba and chawamushi.

One thing I am glad for is that even though Gary is busy at work, the kids are still close to him. Just look at these pics of Daddy and his girl and it warms your heart. When he comes home from work, it is always his firstborn who rushes out with a squeal and gives him a bear hug.

Value these moments with your kids, they do grow up so fast!