The Tolentinos in Singapore 2018

Just in case you missed the 2 dedicated posts on our outings, click on these links.

Gardens by the Bay with the Tolentinos 2018
Wave House @ Sentosa, Esplanade & Merlon with The Tolentinos

This is post is more on the general stuff we did in between. Every moment is precious especially with this lot. We only get to see each other; the little ones are getting bigger and the elders are getting older.

Initially, we were so stressed on the living arrangement because unlike last year, they could sleep in Jhon's room but now with me and Sarah, it would be complicated on who is sleeping in the room or living room. Staying in a chalet for 1 week is not cheap either and I did thought of service apartments but on top of paying the airline tickets for 4 pax, shopping, food and outing finances, it will cost us a bomb.

Silly me, only realized almost 2 month before the estimated travel month, since Abg Jamil was going to Umrah, his room would be empty! With his permission, Jhon, Sarah and I will be sleeping in his room and Jhon's family will be in our room. Problem Solved! Loi and Jayden ended up sleeping in the living room luckily, we had extra pillows, blankets and the comfy thick play mat help too.

Anyways, we roughly planned their 1 week stay by having outings on alternate days so they can rest in between. It does not matter much to them because what they wanted was just bonding time.

Wah.. Jayden has grown a lot since we last saw them and also has been naughty as most toddlers are.

Meanwhile, this girl was at her stranger/ separation anxieties. She was completely fine interacting but once you hold her, panic attack. Occasionally, she would be okay lah so everyone got to hold and cradle her once in while.

Of course, we received plentiful of clothes from the Philippines and I loved them. They were so pretty and Sarah looked so cute in it. I was still in shocked that majority of the clothes were barely 2SGD after conversion.

There was 1 day I was feeling restless so I suggested Jhon to take the family to the park/ exercise/ playground area. It was places like these that we take for granted, you know? It was nice to see everyone enjoying the place. I was tickled how Pa was so into it and watched Ma giggled like a school girl at her husband.

Another thing we took for granted.
Playgrounds that are easily accessible. This was Jayden's first experience at a playground. They don't have it at where they live and probably had to travel somewhere further to enjoy it. Jayden absolutely love the slide and it was funny how awkwardly he played on it when Singaporean kids his age were experts; climbing up and sliding down by themselves.

Of course, we had a shopping day. We went to Changi City Point and ended up at Parkway Parade because we were looking for a specific pan/ pot for Ma. At CCP, Jayden tried the kiddy rides and it was funny when he took the train that goes in circles. In just a few rounds, he complained about being dizzy. haha

Since we were at Parkway, we took a quick detour to East Coast Park. Unfortunately, it was slightly drizzling and Jayden was sleeping so we didn't stay long but I got a shot of a precious moment of father and son. hehe

In a blink of an eye, it was time for the Tolentinos to head home.
It was nice to have them visit and I know Jhon too needed it; to spend more time with this family beyond the video chats.

There were ups and downs especially in finding food to cater to his mom but of course, generally, all of us had a wonderful time. It was indeed a sad goodbye because by the time we meet again, Sarah would be probably almost 2 years old.

Oh, and Sarah, as if knowing we were parting ways, let everyone hold her before take off. haha I hope everyone enjoyed their time too.

Wave House @ Sentosa, Esplanade & Merlon with The Tolentinos

This one was a hot and cranky outing. I really cannot tahan the heat and was borderline cranky. Thank God, Sarah was okay and I managed to cool her down as much as I can.

Kak Yana's work place had a family day event. She happily auto invited and applied Jhon and I (we always say yes one) forgetting that Jhon's family will be around. So she had to ask her colleagues for their tickets to bring them in too. haha

The place was at Wave House, Sentosa. It was a first for us too and by the time we reached the place, the event was already half way done. The heat was also unbearable so majority of us just stayed under the shade. As for me, I sat in the air-conditioned restaurant with Sarah most of the time because she gets understandably cranky if she was outside too long.

The carnival was actually fun lah. I didn't get to explore the place but they had plenty of games and glorious food! I spent most of the time eating and tending to Sarah. haha We also attacked the photo booth several times.



This was the only photo I took there. IKR?
Never mind, at least have keepsake photo with Abg Syazan. haha



The carnival ended at 11am and we were divided if we wanted to continue to go out or just go home but surprisingly, Jhon's family were still into it. They were thinking, they were in Singapore so they want to soak in as much as possible. Abang offered to spend more time at the beach but everyone was done with that so we parted ways.

We ended up at Esplanade to check out our famous durian architecture and the Merlion. It rained for a while which didn't really helped with the temperature. You know, it was those rainy hot weather types which made the ground release those almost toxic-like smells.

When the rain finally subsided, we continued our walk. It was still so hot though.















Funny story. Ma was kinda sulking, "I want to hold Sarah!" and I was like, "I offered to you and you didn't take her!" Ok, I was smiling but borderline cranky but Jhon backed me up though. lol Sarah seemed okay too, maybe she didn't want to be near her mom who potentially will become a monster. haha

Believe me when I said I was waving and singing like a mad women behind Jhon so Sarah won't freak out. haha That's why you can see Jhon's family laughing in some of the photos because they were laughing at me.









And that was that. All of us waved the white flag due to the head and went home for a nice home cooked dinner. Was it worth the photos?
Yes!

Gardens by the Bay with the Tolentinos - March 2018

On 12th March, Jhon's parents with his sister and son visited us and stayed over for the entire week. If you noticed the pattern, we visit each other on alternate years. Since we visited Philippines last year (when I was only 2 months pregnant with Sarah), they get to visit us again this year. On top of that, we were not ready to travel with a baby on the airplane; mostly scared lah. haha

Previously, we had taken them to Sentosa where we staycation for a night and visited S.E.A aquarium among other Sentosa things. This time, one of the place we brought them was Gardens by the Bay. I always try to make an effort to take them to a place where Pa and Ma would love too! Plus, it's not so hot because of the cooling control climate in there.

Of course, it would be nice to have my family to join us for bonding time but it was not a public holiday week but at least Mak managed to join us.

Okay, cue photo vomit!



















Awww.... Jayden and Sarah.
It's funny how Jayden looks like Jhon when he was a baby and since Sarah looks like more like Jhon, Jayden and Sarah actually looks like siblings instead of cousins. haha Once in a while, Sarah would laugh or grin a certain way and would look like sebijik like Jayden.











Group shot!
Unfortunately, Sarah does not like anyone else hold her so most of the time, she was only held by me or Jhon. Occasionally, Loi get to hold her but mostly at home.

This was the start of Sarah being what I like to call "See-no-touch" phase. She would smile, interact or even play with you but once you hold her, she would cry. haha











I was breastfeeding Sarah and everyone was lingering nearby but this lovebirds wandered off, strolling by themselves. Couples goals.







Yea, I am borderline obsessed having a proper photo with Sarah when we are out. It's the only time I am dressed up with make up and look presentable enough to take photos. Unlike Jhon, he can take photos with Sarah everyday at home and he still looks nice. hmph.

One with our moms.

Thank goodness for the cart ride because as beautiful the area was, it was way too hot. It would be a horrendous experience with 2 kids and 3 elderly in tow. Oh, and Sarah absolutely love the ride as she was dancing and smiling. haha

After which, we headed to Marina Square for an early dinner and also had planned to check out the big balloon display they always have every year. Unfortunately, Jayden was scared of them, perhaps way too balloons for him to handle so we just had dinner and headed home. It was great day!