Tuesday, November 26, 2019

Reasons to sign your kids up for golf

Yesterday was a great day for us.
It was the last day of golf for our kids and the first time they took part in a tournament to end the golfing year. We will be up against 30 odd kids, some much older than them, are my boys ready? 

Total count during registration: 33!

We were at the course from 2:30pm till 7:30pm, with some very scorching sun followed by Cat 1 wet weather which delayed the game for 2 hours.
This being Adam’s and Ashton’s first times attending a tournament of any sort, I told them to just try their best, have fun and be safe. 
“No pressure to win anything”, I added for good measure to not dampen their moods and give them too much stress.

Waiting after the warm-up

and more waiting for the rain to go away -__-“


Finally the games resumed and eventually ended at 7ish PM. By then everyone was sweaty and famished. Some girls were already crying. My own boys wanted nothing more than to sit somewhere, devour the refreshments and play Fortnite with their friends. 
Adam with his good friend Kimi, whom he befriended earlier this year on the Golf course.


The moment came for prize presentation. When the judges announced “Adam, 3rd. Where’s Adam?” I gasped and looked at Adam and cheered him to go up to collect his medal with his team.
I can tell he was very happy though he tried not to show it.
Ashton on the other hand, did not win anything.
However, he said he enjoyed himself very much with his team mates and he went on to eat his nuggets and fries happily. 
Andy & I were very happy and proud of our boys for their performance and sportsmanship. 
They were up against 30 odd kids and we really weren’t banking on winning anything. 
Coming in 3rd was such a sweet bonus for Adam.

With the invigilator and Chairman

Happy and beaming Coach Fred. Thank you for all your sweat & grit training my 2 boys!






Of all the extra-curriculum enrichments I have signed Adam up for - Swimming, coding, Scratch programming, Lego robotics - he enjoys Golf the most. Ashton... not so. 

Since a few people have asked me about junior golfing for their children, I thought I would share what I feel about kids learning Golf from my humble past year shuttling my kids to and from Seletar Country Club.

1 - 6 yo is the best year to start your child on Golf.
Some kids join as early as 5, but I think at 5 they need to learn water safety and phonics and stuff like that first. I’d say 6 is a good age because by then, their body mechanics & coordination would be better formed. They would also be reasonably tall enough to use golf clubs without the need to change another set after half a year (depending on their growth spurts). 
Mind you, Golf equipment don’t come cheap and it’s advisable to try them at the physical shops rather than buy online. 
6 year old is also a magical year whereby it’s their last year as a pre-schooler and you still don’t have Pri school homework & logistics to worry about.

2 - From basics to obtaining Proficiency cert (PC), it takes about 1-1.5yrs depending on your child’s progress and interest to perform; and another year or so before they can get their Handicap. 
Therefore, really, from January of the year your child turns 6 is a good time to start so that by the time they enter Pri 1, they would have or going to get their PC. If for whatever reasons you decide to halt golf, at least they get their PC first. That’s like a basic to obtain so as not to let your whole year’s effort of sending them go to nought. 

3 - Golf teaches them discipline, and how to reflect on self improvement every game they play. 

4 - Golf is a non-contact sport. 
For Ashton who has had spine surgery before, I would be worried to put him through high-impact sports like Soccer or Basketball. Golf is a good way for him to get outdoors and play with others without having body contact.

5 - Golf is a skill that can be useful way into adulthood. 
Many friendships are forged and business deals are made on the Golf course. There are also opportunities to become a golf coach in future if teaching is your child’s interest. 

6 - For academically average children like my own, learning an additional skill can be useful for them in future. 
My kids are quite average I would say. Adam isn’t a straight As student, and both of them surely aren’t the over-achievers Type A personality people. Andy is always careful that I don’t over-burden them with my expectations and let them have time to be kids. Therefore, that is the reason I let them pick up golf as I feel it could be useful for them to build their EQ and inter-personal relationship skills. They will have to team up with kids from all walks of life, different skill levels, and receive & carry out instructions without babysitting from parents. 

7 - Having a hobby can be a form of letting loose for the kids on weekends. It is a healthy sport and an avenue for them to unwind after a week of school work and studies. 


** If you would like to find out more about Seletar Junior Golf program, you can contact Fred 93371680 for more info.





Saturday, August 25, 2018

My precious baby turned SIX!

Ashton turned SIX yesterday, holy macaroni! 
Where did all the time go?!

We have a family tradition - we go to Swenson's for Fire House on our birthdays so yesterday we went (24/08/18) and today we threw him a home party instead.
A small-scale, intimate party with family and his closest friends.

Ashton requested for a Minion's theme so everyone in the family was colour-coordinated.
Everyone except the husband, that was, because he refused to dress up like Mr Gru (full black with a stripy neck scarf). 
Children, I hope that you guys will choose easier themes for your Mom to coordinate next year.



Anyway, here are some photos from the party!

This Minion piƱata was literally a hit with the kids!

But first, water time!!!

The troopers marching to the pool with determination written all over their faces.

Ashton and his friends in the Kids pool.

These boys are a riot!



Living the thug life like a boss! 

With his closest friends in school (other than the boys in the last row: Adam, Alden and Rayden).
The Moriah kids are all going to different primary schools next year so we mummies have already planned another playdate before they graduate and go separate ways!















It's been a crazy pre-weekend running the birthday errands and doing last minute purchases.

Even though I didn't manage to get proper photos with everyone especially the adults, I want you all to know that I appreciate every single one of you!

HAPPY 6th BIRTHDAY ASHTON~!
Daddy & Mummy love you so much, you are inarguably the best thing that happened in our lives, a godsend.

Our only wish for you is for you to grow up to be a happy and healthy boy.
Your old man and old woman agree that we will support you in whatever you wish to pursue, but of course we also secretly wish you'd be a CEO or millionaire.
We love you and are counting on you!



Thursday, May 31, 2018

Roses are red, violets are blue.

Someone other than my husband sent me flowers.

Long-stemmed red roses with baby's breath that absolutely swept me off my feet and took my breath away.


Only this secret lover will know what are the right buttons to push.
You see, I am an old soul who derives pleasure from things like good books, movies in bed, and gardening during my free time. 

Black dress: ASOS
Strappy heels: Stuart Weitzman

Sunset, roses and champagne - what a deadly combination.


"She is a mystery, but allow me to uncomplicate her for you. She isn't impressed by material things.
She's a romantic; all she wants is love, conversation, and wine."
- Jonny Ox


The secret lover I was referring to is Floral Garage Singapore.


Floral Garage is a local florist that caters to every kind of events, ranging from parties to corporate events.
Also, when I was browsing through the catalogue, there were Sooooo many pages to choose from and in the end I decided that I shall just stick to good ol' roses instead.

If you're fickle-minded like me and cannot decide which bouquet to choose for your spouse/ partner/ friend/ loved ones, you can always count on Floral Garage's "Freestyle service" which is their signature service.
Just tell them what are your preference of colours/ types of flowers, what to avoid, occasion, and leave the rest to them.

Floral Garage also offers same day delivery so you can be sure your loved ones can receive top speed service.
Thank you Chesna and Floral Garage for the partnership. The roses brightened up my day and brought a smile to my face!
I am sure you guys will continue to dazzle other deserving recipients with your lovely bouquets!



Monday, May 21, 2018

Life with boys, summarised in one night.

Adam had his good friends, Alden and Rayden, over on Sunday for his belated 9th birthday party and also because exams were over and the boys wanted to unwind.
When your bestie's kids are also your kids' besties, you can expect nothing short of a mayhem every time our families get together.

That was kinda what happened last night.
Everything was going fine, the kids had cake, they played Nerf waterguns in the pool, champagne was free-flowing for the adults, and the kids were having fun playing Catching when suddenly Rayden came running over to look for me.

I marched into my bedroom and saw blood everywhere on Ashton's entire left cheek. He had a laceration just slightly above his eye and the blood flowed as freely as our champagne.
Thankfully I had copious amounts of alcohol to help me deal with the ordeal calmly.
I simply scooped Ashton up, pressed a ball of tissue to his gaping wound and instructed Andy to drive us to Mt Alvernia as it was nearest to our home minus the long wait as compared to KKH.

After a consultation with the A&E doctor, it was decided that Ashton needed a plastic surgeon to stitch him up.
Another hour or so was spent waiting for the plastic surgeon and anaesthetist to arrive as it was already midnight.
Ashton was a champ, he didn't cry at all! He was just super brave about the whole thing.

I changed into scrubs and accompanied Ashton into the OT and when Ashton was comfortably sedated, I rushed home to pack some overnight stuff before rushing back again.

When I returned to the ward, Ashton was fast asleep with his favourite stuffed penguin.
I bunked with him that night. 
We were finally discharged some 14 hours later in the afternoon of Monday.
The hospital bill came up to be the equivalent of a Birkin bag, thank goodness for insurance.

This wasn't how I'd imagined my Sunday night to end.
Parenthood is seriously one heck of a roller-coaster ride and I'm sure you agree - it's not for the faint-hearted.


Anyway, here are a coupla photos from the party earlier on.
Alden (11), Adam (9), Ashton (coming 6), Rayden (9). They all spontaneously wore the same Star Wars shirts!

4 boys - 4 times the trouble.
I briefly imagined us to have 4 sons and my ovaries simply committed suicide.

My bestie Twinkle and I. Aiyo why I so dark from all the swimming.



Happy 9th Birthday my firstborn son. 
I love you for who you were before, who you are now, and who you will be.

Glad you kids had fun.
Next time, playdates at our house shall be Bible Studies, no more rough-housing!




Saturday, May 19, 2018

Life lately.



The other day, I secretly ate Adam’s snack which he had saved for tea-time consumption and when he couldn’t find it, I had to pretend to search high and Low for it when it’s actually in my stomach.
Eventually he started losing his shit because we couldn’t find it (because it was in my tummy) and he was SURE it was in the fridge as he put it in himself, I had no choice but to confess to my crime and needless to say, he was soooo mad at me. 

He said he won’t friend me anymore because I’m naughty and a liar, horror of horrors!

Thankfully, Mother’s Day rolled around and I was quickly forgiven over a lovely brunch at Marriot Hotel Poolside Grill.
I let my kids order whatever they fancied on the menu even though they always can’t finish their food and their strawberry milkshakes cost $18 per glass. Husband’s treat :)





I had a dandy good time savouring the seafood platter and sea-urchin spaghetti with my mom, my brother and my in-laws. The food was top-notch! 
For dessert, I forced served everyone my 3D flower jelly which I had spent hours doing with my bestie Twinkle.



She came over at 5:30pm on Friday evening and we finished at 12:30am Sat!!! 
But of course in between we had moments of shouting at our kids not to break anything in the house, we ate KFC, drank white and red wine, we talked rubbish (she told Andy she’s gonna bring me to a male stripper club as I’ve not experienced my life as a 30-something until I’ve been to one but anyway please don’t take her too seriously, I think she was drunk).

Amidst all the nonsensical moments we had, we managed to make some pretty awesome jellies alright!

Our kids had so much fun that night. Our husbands brought them swimming until the sky was dark, they came back to eat KFC for dinner, and continued the second half of their evening playing catching and Hide-and-seek in all the nooks and crannies of my house (all our bedrooms connect to the patio and my Study connects to the backyard which connects to the kitchen).
My house was like a frat house that night: nobody sleeps, everyone's drunk and hyper.

The next morning.... finding Adam asleep in the aircon without covers, and Ashton was on the floor.


.
.
.
Anyway, Mother's Day wouldn't be made possible without my sometimes annoying but mostly lovable offspring.

Adam, my Happy Pill, my firstborn and thus making me a mom. 
I was none the wiser, and made many mistakes as he was the first baby in our families, at a time when most of my friends were either married-without-kids or not married yet. Sorry for being my lab-mouse. But you always have your signature smile for me, and never stop telling me you love me. 
When I’m angry with you, you will brave my beatings and cry but you never ran away to avoid the beatings or said you hated me. 
You showed me what unconditional love is all about, when I should be the one showing you instead. 
Adam is the one I can count on for directions to the mall carparks, to fix things, set up my Netflix channel, when hubby isn’t around.


Ashton, oh my sweet little baby. 
You’re polar-opposites from your rowdy and rambunctious brother, and you are such a joy to parent. Always the quiet, fuss-free baby, I thought I was particularly biased towards him as the last baby of the family, but when his Teachers told me they’re very happy to be teaching him and what a good kid he is, I feel so proud as his mother. 
Ashton is the one to fetch me a drink in my room, or bring me my bedroom slippers without me asking. 


To my children, I love you fiercely and every day I am trying very hard to give you my bestšŸ’•šŸ‘¦šŸ»šŸ‘¦šŸ» 

To all you moms out there, working moms, stay-home moms, single moms, wishing you strong women a [belated] #happymothersday2018 #ęƍäŗ²čŠ‚åæ«ä¹