Oh, I keep forgetting my happy moments and admittedly, when talking to my mom tonight, who was so terribly down, it's hard to focus on happiness, but of course there is plenty:
1. Picking Saskia up from the gym childcare and seeing her excitement at conquering her initial apprehension
2. The very many kisses I received from her while carrying her through the mall this afternoon.
3. The support I'm receiving in regards to my mom from my friends and my siblings
4. The exciting life I lead, I mean, there isn't a day where nothing happens!
5. Having so many friends just outside our door. We really live in a wonderful neighborhood!
Saturday, July 06, 2002
Last night I noticed the rear tire on the van had a screw in it and it was awfully low. So off to Merchant's Tire first thing this morning to get it fixed. The guy there had a whole jar of screws, nails, shards of glass and other stuff that had punctured tires. Pretty impressive!
After that, Saskia and I went off to the gym, where she really enjoys herself with Backyard Baseball. She has definitely entered the 6 year old stage though, begging to go to the gym with me and begging to take her home the moment we get there. And without failing she won't want to leave when I'm done. I feel like I have a 2 year old all over again!
We had a talk on the way back though, that saying "I hate you" to either Rick or me was really not something to continue. We brainstormed and came up with "I'm really mad at you" as an alternative. Also, she herself chose a book yesterday at Borders called "Sometimes I'm Bombaloo", about a girl, who mostly is a sweet little girl, but sometimes loses it and hates everything and everyone and stamps her feet and throws things etc. Very much what we're going through right now. We were able to fend off another tantrum tonight by asking her is she was going "Bombaloo". Hurray for children's book writers!!!
This afternoon we all went bathing suit shopping. Mine were all falling apart and Rick's is faded from blue to some totally unknown color. I was amazed, as I was feeling bloated and all, that I walked away with 3 tankini's (the one shown is the one I bought with a cute matching skirt, all under $50!)! All less than half price as in this crazy country one can not find a bathing suit after the weekend of the 4th of July!
Rick found 2 suits and Saskia too. So all were happy. And all in a relatively short time span.
Then quickly home, as we were going to go out to dinner with my mom and Saskia still wanted to go to the pool. We quickly changed in our bathing suits and went swimming, Rick came later. He told me my mom had called and unfortunately, she didn't feel up to going out to dinner with us.
So the 3 of us went to the Japanese restaurant anyway and had a very nice dinner together. Saskia forgot her coloring stuff, so we first went to Staples to get her some paper and markers, guaranteeing us a quiet dinner.
After dinner, the neighbors put on a post July 4th fireworks show and I just got in from socializing with a bunch of them. Our neighborhood is a lot of fun, as all of us are within about 5 years of age from each other and we alle have kids similar ages. We were discussing how no one would be allowed to sell their house in the foreseeable future, for fear a less fun person would enter ;).
After that, Saskia and I went off to the gym, where she really enjoys herself with Backyard Baseball. She has definitely entered the 6 year old stage though, begging to go to the gym with me and begging to take her home the moment we get there. And without failing she won't want to leave when I'm done. I feel like I have a 2 year old all over again!
We had a talk on the way back though, that saying "I hate you" to either Rick or me was really not something to continue. We brainstormed and came up with "I'm really mad at you" as an alternative. Also, she herself chose a book yesterday at Borders called "Sometimes I'm Bombaloo", about a girl, who mostly is a sweet little girl, but sometimes loses it and hates everything and everyone and stamps her feet and throws things etc. Very much what we're going through right now. We were able to fend off another tantrum tonight by asking her is she was going "Bombaloo". Hurray for children's book writers!!!
This afternoon we all went bathing suit shopping. Mine were all falling apart and Rick's is faded from blue to some totally unknown color. I was amazed, as I was feeling bloated and all, that I walked away with 3 tankini's (the one shown is the one I bought with a cute matching skirt, all under $50!)! All less than half price as in this crazy country one can not find a bathing suit after the weekend of the 4th of July!
Rick found 2 suits and Saskia too. So all were happy. And all in a relatively short time span.
Then quickly home, as we were going to go out to dinner with my mom and Saskia still wanted to go to the pool. We quickly changed in our bathing suits and went swimming, Rick came later. He told me my mom had called and unfortunately, she didn't feel up to going out to dinner with us.
So the 3 of us went to the Japanese restaurant anyway and had a very nice dinner together. Saskia forgot her coloring stuff, so we first went to Staples to get her some paper and markers, guaranteeing us a quiet dinner.
After dinner, the neighbors put on a post July 4th fireworks show and I just got in from socializing with a bunch of them. Our neighborhood is a lot of fun, as all of us are within about 5 years of age from each other and we alle have kids similar ages. We were discussing how no one would be allowed to sell their house in the foreseeable future, for fear a less fun person would enter ;).
Last night I noticed the rear tire on the van had a screw in it and it was awfully low. So off to Merchant's Tire first thing this morning to get it fixed. The guy there had a whole jar of screws, nails, shards of glass and other stuff that had punctured tires. Pretty impressive!
After that, Saskia and I went off to the gym, where she really enjoys herself with Backyard Baseball. She has definitely entered the 6 year old stage though, begging to go to the gym with me and begging to take her home the moment we get there. And without failing she won't want to leave when I'm done. I feel like I have a 2 year old all over again!
We had a talk on the way back though, that saying "I hate you" to either Rick or me was really not something to continue. We brainstormed and came up with "I'm really mad at you" as an alternative. Also, she herself chose a book yesterday at Borders called "Sometimes I'm Bombaloo", about a girl, who mostly is a sweet little girl, but sometimes loses it and hates everything and everyone and stamps her feet and throws things etc. Very much what we're going through right now. We were able to fend off another tantrum tonight by asking her is she was going "Bombaloo". Hurray for children's book writers!!!
This afternoon we all went bathing suit shopping. Mine were all falling apart and Rick's is faded from blue to some totally unknown color. I was amazed, as I was feeling bloated and all, that I walked away with 3 tankini's (the one shown is the one I bought with a cute matching skirt, all under $50!)! All less than half price as in this crazy country one can not find a bathing suit after the weekend of the 4th of July!
Rick found 2 suits and Saskia too. So all were happy. And all in a relatively short time span.
Then quickly home, as we were going to go out to dinner with my mom and Saskia still wanted to go to the pool. We quickly changed in our bathing suits and went swimming, Rick came later. He told me my mom had called and unfortunately, she didn't feel up to going out to dinner with us.
So the 3 of us went to the Japanese restaurant anyway and had a very nice dinner together. Saskia forgot her coloring stuff, so we first went to Staples to get her some paper and markers, guaranteeing us a quiet dinner.
After dinner, the neighbors put on a post July 4th fireworks show and I just got in from socializing with a bunch of them. Our neighborhood is a lot of fun, as all of us are within about 5 years of age from each other and we alle have kids similar ages. We were discussing how no one would be allowed to sell their house in the foreseeable future, for fear a less fun person would enter ;).
After that, Saskia and I went off to the gym, where she really enjoys herself with Backyard Baseball. She has definitely entered the 6 year old stage though, begging to go to the gym with me and begging to take her home the moment we get there. And without failing she won't want to leave when I'm done. I feel like I have a 2 year old all over again!
We had a talk on the way back though, that saying "I hate you" to either Rick or me was really not something to continue. We brainstormed and came up with "I'm really mad at you" as an alternative. Also, she herself chose a book yesterday at Borders called "Sometimes I'm Bombaloo", about a girl, who mostly is a sweet little girl, but sometimes loses it and hates everything and everyone and stamps her feet and throws things etc. Very much what we're going through right now. We were able to fend off another tantrum tonight by asking her is she was going "Bombaloo". Hurray for children's book writers!!!
This afternoon we all went bathing suit shopping. Mine were all falling apart and Rick's is faded from blue to some totally unknown color. I was amazed, as I was feeling bloated and all, that I walked away with 3 tankini's (the one shown is the one I bought with a cute matching skirt, all under $50!)! All less than half price as in this crazy country one can not find a bathing suit after the weekend of the 4th of July!
Rick found 2 suits and Saskia too. So all were happy. And all in a relatively short time span.
Then quickly home, as we were going to go out to dinner with my mom and Saskia still wanted to go to the pool. We quickly changed in our bathing suits and went swimming, Rick came later. He told me my mom had called and unfortunately, she didn't feel up to going out to dinner with us.
So the 3 of us went to the Japanese restaurant anyway and had a very nice dinner together. Saskia forgot her coloring stuff, so we first went to Staples to get her some paper and markers, guaranteeing us a quiet dinner.
After dinner, the neighbors put on a post July 4th fireworks show and I just got in from socializing with a bunch of them. Our neighborhood is a lot of fun, as all of us are within about 5 years of age from each other and we alle have kids similar ages. We were discussing how no one would be allowed to sell their house in the foreseeable future, for fear a less fun person would enter ;).
Friday, July 05, 2002
Well, yesterday afternoon, we did end up going to a waterpark, it was crowded, hot, the water was hot etc. But we did enjoy ourselves, trying the different things out. Especially the river was a lot of fun. There is something about floating around on an inner tube.
Around 4, we made our way back home and swam some more at our own pool, so I could swim laps (30 total) and feel I had some exercise at least. Saskia had a fit when we left the waterpark, but all was better when she was back in our own pool.
At 7:30 we went to eat dinner at a French/Italian restaurant and watched the fireworks from their back porch. They were so hospitable! Saskia was allowed to do anything she liked, they wined and dined us and the food was delicious. Definitely a place we'll return to.
The fireworks were beautiful. As soon as I get around to it, I'll put the pictures on my Webshots page.
This morning we were awakened at 5:50am by a call from Katja. At first I was quite scared, but thankfully, nothing serious. She had been awake since 2 with an itchy, burning rash and she didn't know what to do. I told her to wait till her grandpa woke up and then we called and advised to use Benadryl. They called later to say she felt much better. No idea what that could have been.
After a workout, I went and ran some errands with Christine and had lunch with her. Then Rick picked up his new car and we went for a ride in it tonight. Super-exciting!
I'm beat after the early morning wake up call, so I'm off to bed early tonight.
Around 4, we made our way back home and swam some more at our own pool, so I could swim laps (30 total) and feel I had some exercise at least. Saskia had a fit when we left the waterpark, but all was better when she was back in our own pool.
At 7:30 we went to eat dinner at a French/Italian restaurant and watched the fireworks from their back porch. They were so hospitable! Saskia was allowed to do anything she liked, they wined and dined us and the food was delicious. Definitely a place we'll return to.
The fireworks were beautiful. As soon as I get around to it, I'll put the pictures on my Webshots page.
This morning we were awakened at 5:50am by a call from Katja. At first I was quite scared, but thankfully, nothing serious. She had been awake since 2 with an itchy, burning rash and she didn't know what to do. I told her to wait till her grandpa woke up and then we called and advised to use Benadryl. They called later to say she felt much better. No idea what that could have been.
After a workout, I went and ran some errands with Christine and had lunch with her. Then Rick picked up his new car and we went for a ride in it tonight. Super-exciting!
I'm beat after the early morning wake up call, so I'm off to bed early tonight.
Thursday, July 04, 2002
July 4th! Happy birthday, America!
We only have Saskia today. For a brief moment we considered going to Baltimore, but there is an excessive heat warning for both DC and Baltimore and it is unpleasantly hot outside, so we decided to stay in the area.
Yesterday, I got my nails painted in patriotic colors, together with Christine and Mallory. It was much fun! I have a flag on my big toe and red, white and blue flowers on my hand nails. I doubt it will last long, but it looks good today at least.
This morning, we went to the 4th of July parade in Fairfax. I brought an umbrella for some shade, as at 10am it was already 95 degrees! It was a nice parade, though we probably didn't even see half of it, it was simply too hot! One girl fainted from the heat, so the paramedics had to make their way through the crowds.
Then we had brunch and came home to be in some airconditioning. We're thinking of going to a water park this afternoon, though for me it needs to be one with lots of shade!!
We only have Saskia today. For a brief moment we considered going to Baltimore, but there is an excessive heat warning for both DC and Baltimore and it is unpleasantly hot outside, so we decided to stay in the area.
Yesterday, I got my nails painted in patriotic colors, together with Christine and Mallory. It was much fun! I have a flag on my big toe and red, white and blue flowers on my hand nails. I doubt it will last long, but it looks good today at least.
This morning, we went to the 4th of July parade in Fairfax. I brought an umbrella for some shade, as at 10am it was already 95 degrees! It was a nice parade, though we probably didn't even see half of it, it was simply too hot! One girl fainted from the heat, so the paramedics had to make their way through the crowds.
Then we had brunch and came home to be in some airconditioning. We're thinking of going to a water park this afternoon, though for me it needs to be one with lots of shade!!
Tuesday, July 02, 2002
The first day of July! I can't believe it! Time is definitely flying this year. I have to admit it, I'm starting to get spooked by the media reports of a possible terrorist attack on the 4th. I know, nothing I can do about it, but still...
We said goodbye to Marie Anne and Thomas this afternoon, though she just called to say they hadn't left yet, as their flight to New York got canceled. She was worried about going straight to London from here, so she was going to go from Washington to New York to Frankfurt to London. Fate had it, though, that she is now rerouted on a nonstop to London. I told her the chances of something going wrong are so much greater on 3 flights, than on one. She seemed ok with it anyway.
We had such a good time with them, I'm always really sad to say goodbye. Marie Anne came back Sunday afternoon around 1pm and we went shopping for the kids in the afternoon. Then we had dinner at the Melting Pot . It was a nice dinner, but both Saskia and Thomas were exhausted and Saskia got such a headache she cried all the way home :(. Then last night, she wanted to go back, as she hadn't enjoyed her dinner there the night before :). The kids love fonduing.
After we got home, the kids went straight to bed and Marie Anne and I went outside to join the neighborhood party belatedly. It was much fun, with fireworks by one of them. Too bad the kids didn't get to see them, as fireworks are prohibited in Singapore.
We stayed up chatting till well past midnight and decided to have no hurry for the next morning. Well, the kids had had such good sleeps, that they were up at 7! Oh well, so much for sleeping in!
After Marie Anne finished her conference call (I have to admire her, she's *always* working), we went off to the gym, putting Saskia and Thomas in the childcare. They both loved it!! They wouldn't come with us when we went to pick them up.
After a quick grocery store run and shower, our babysitter came and Marie Anne and I went shopping for the afternoon. It was fun! And I got a gorgeous Swatch watch from her! Too much of a gift, but much appreciated. I also used my Express coupons and got a bunch more shirts and some jewelry from them.
For dinner, we decided on Japanese, one of Saskia's favorite restaurants (more because of the candies at the entrance than the food ;)). Then, for dessert, we went to the mall to get some Dippin' Dots, as Marie Anne had read about them in my blog and Saskia loves them too. Thomas decided to get a regular ice cream, however.
We put the kids to bed in Kai's room, I read them a chapter of Mrs. Piggle Wiggle and they slept in seconds. Marie Anne and I chatted a bit more and I showed her how to play the Sims. But we were both very tired, so went off to bed soon as well.
This morning at 8, Saskia came to wake me and Thomas was still asleep (Saskia didn't let him for long ;)). After we all ate breakfast, we were off to the gym again, as Marie Anne had another day on her guest pass. The kids certainly loved it (as did we!) and again they wouldn't come with us in the end.
But the promise of Zany Brainy got them moving. Marie Anne especially liked their arts and crafts section, she told me they don't have anything like that in Singapore. Then Saskia and Thomas had lunch at Subway, Saskia boggled them there, because she just wanted a plain roll, none of their cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickles, etc. etc. etc. ;)
Marie Anne and I wanted a more sophisticated lunch and went to Manhattan Bagel.
Then it was rushing to get ready to go to the airport! I wanted to make sure they'd be there on time, but now I wish I hadn't been in such a hurry. They ended up having to stay at Dulles for hours!
After dropping them off, Saskia and I went to Dairy Queen and she had a strawberry sundae there. Then I decided her bangs were too long and took her to the nearby Hair Cuttery. Ok, sorry, small rant here. This is a salon, where people go to get a decent haircut. This woman cut Saskia's hair in 10 minutes and she did an *awful* job! It's uneven, not straight, just terrible!!! I wish I had the gall to say something about it. But then, she probably wouldn't have been capable of fixing it anyway :(.
When we got home, I quickly cleaned out the car and started a laundry and straightened up the house (yes, the mundane things still need doing) and then Saskia and I set off for the pool. She had a grand time! Her best friend was there and they played and played. I was bored, but that's ok, it's fun to be bored sometimes!
At 7:15, Rick got back from Michigan, we had dinner and here we are vegging in front of Frazier (no doubt a re-run, but not one I've seen).
Happiness is:
1. Watching 2 six year olds playing in the pool and just loving it
2. Feeling the heat of the car after coming from an airconditioned store
3. Summer! It is hot, but boy, is it nice to walk out and be warm
4. Living in the United States. Sure, there is much wrong with it, but overall, it's a great country to live in!
5. Seeing hubby walk back in the door after being away for 5 days!
We said goodbye to Marie Anne and Thomas this afternoon, though she just called to say they hadn't left yet, as their flight to New York got canceled. She was worried about going straight to London from here, so she was going to go from Washington to New York to Frankfurt to London. Fate had it, though, that she is now rerouted on a nonstop to London. I told her the chances of something going wrong are so much greater on 3 flights, than on one. She seemed ok with it anyway.
We had such a good time with them, I'm always really sad to say goodbye. Marie Anne came back Sunday afternoon around 1pm and we went shopping for the kids in the afternoon. Then we had dinner at the Melting Pot . It was a nice dinner, but both Saskia and Thomas were exhausted and Saskia got such a headache she cried all the way home :(. Then last night, she wanted to go back, as she hadn't enjoyed her dinner there the night before :). The kids love fonduing.
After we got home, the kids went straight to bed and Marie Anne and I went outside to join the neighborhood party belatedly. It was much fun, with fireworks by one of them. Too bad the kids didn't get to see them, as fireworks are prohibited in Singapore.
We stayed up chatting till well past midnight and decided to have no hurry for the next morning. Well, the kids had had such good sleeps, that they were up at 7! Oh well, so much for sleeping in!
After Marie Anne finished her conference call (I have to admire her, she's *always* working), we went off to the gym, putting Saskia and Thomas in the childcare. They both loved it!! They wouldn't come with us when we went to pick them up.
After a quick grocery store run and shower, our babysitter came and Marie Anne and I went shopping for the afternoon. It was fun! And I got a gorgeous Swatch watch from her! Too much of a gift, but much appreciated. I also used my Express coupons and got a bunch more shirts and some jewelry from them.
For dinner, we decided on Japanese, one of Saskia's favorite restaurants (more because of the candies at the entrance than the food ;)). Then, for dessert, we went to the mall to get some Dippin' Dots, as Marie Anne had read about them in my blog and Saskia loves them too. Thomas decided to get a regular ice cream, however.
We put the kids to bed in Kai's room, I read them a chapter of Mrs. Piggle Wiggle and they slept in seconds. Marie Anne and I chatted a bit more and I showed her how to play the Sims. But we were both very tired, so went off to bed soon as well.
This morning at 8, Saskia came to wake me and Thomas was still asleep (Saskia didn't let him for long ;)). After we all ate breakfast, we were off to the gym again, as Marie Anne had another day on her guest pass. The kids certainly loved it (as did we!) and again they wouldn't come with us in the end.
But the promise of Zany Brainy got them moving. Marie Anne especially liked their arts and crafts section, she told me they don't have anything like that in Singapore. Then Saskia and Thomas had lunch at Subway, Saskia boggled them there, because she just wanted a plain roll, none of their cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickles, etc. etc. etc. ;)
Marie Anne and I wanted a more sophisticated lunch and went to Manhattan Bagel.
Then it was rushing to get ready to go to the airport! I wanted to make sure they'd be there on time, but now I wish I hadn't been in such a hurry. They ended up having to stay at Dulles for hours!
After dropping them off, Saskia and I went to Dairy Queen and she had a strawberry sundae there. Then I decided her bangs were too long and took her to the nearby Hair Cuttery. Ok, sorry, small rant here. This is a salon, where people go to get a decent haircut. This woman cut Saskia's hair in 10 minutes and she did an *awful* job! It's uneven, not straight, just terrible!!! I wish I had the gall to say something about it. But then, she probably wouldn't have been capable of fixing it anyway :(.
When we got home, I quickly cleaned out the car and started a laundry and straightened up the house (yes, the mundane things still need doing) and then Saskia and I set off for the pool. She had a grand time! Her best friend was there and they played and played. I was bored, but that's ok, it's fun to be bored sometimes!
At 7:15, Rick got back from Michigan, we had dinner and here we are vegging in front of Frazier (no doubt a re-run, but not one I've seen).
Happiness is:
1. Watching 2 six year olds playing in the pool and just loving it
2. Feeling the heat of the car after coming from an airconditioned store
3. Summer! It is hot, but boy, is it nice to walk out and be warm
4. Living in the United States. Sure, there is much wrong with it, but overall, it's a great country to live in!
5. Seeing hubby walk back in the door after being away for 5 days!
