Dear Sweetie Ceyone,
The month of August started with huge excitement as my little cousin Antara visited us from India. She had been to Singapore before but that was her first solo trip as her 16th birthday gift from Priyanka Mami and Shirish Mama. You enjoyed spending time with her and called her AuntiAntaMaasi lovingly. We did several short outings with Antara and everyone seemed to have fun.
Antara loved trying out various cuisines and we joined hands with her. We went to the Japanese restaurant Kuru Kuru at walking distance from our home. You enjoyed the outdoor seating and played with the chopsticks and the mini teapot shaped soy sauce jar.
One of the days we went down for a swim and it was quite hard to keep you away from the water. I had instructed Tita not to let you in the water as we all had recently recovered from illness.
Your beautiful love for books involved everybody in the house, anytime of the day. I had created a small library for you under the TV table and you pulled out books of your choice and brought to us for reading. Sometimes, we read 5-6 different stories at a stretch. I could see the thirst for knowledge in your face and tried to simplify the stories for your understanding. I didn't know when you started remembering them by heart and filling in for my pauses.
You called ice cream apannita and said 'want apannita'. Gradually those want sentences increased in frequency and I felt bad turning you down (for health reasons). During Antara's visit, we finally went to Cold Stone to enjoy apannita. You loved sweet things but didn't eat excessively. Yours was a more savoury kind of taste preference.
In the light of different cuisines, we went for an Italian dinner at Bella Pasta on Robertson walk. You were fascinated by the boats that went by and thought the bridges to be tunnels. It was a great activity for you to watch the boats intently.
We visited the Singapore zoo with Naani. You had a nice and fun day there.
One of the evenings, Papa invited us to join his office team visit at the Gardens by the Bay sound and light show. It was a spectacular show but didn't interest you a lot.
We had more play dates with Tiya chan and Mayuko san. Naani made bread pizza for Tiya chan and you. You both liked it.
One of your recent favourites was the Chip and Dale and Donald Duck cartoon show. You started to understand the humour and laughed at the funny scenes. I observed you with amazement to be able to understand the content.
That year, the Indian festival of rakshabandhan was special. You received your first rakhi from Norah. It was a cute 'chhota bheem' cartoon rakhi and it was pulled off the string the moment I unwrapped it.
Our play dates with Samar also continued. You both extended the hand of hi fives and friendship towards each other. Samar always gave you hugs and you stood still and waited for it to end.
Some random play time at home.
My childhood best friend Dolly maasi created that collage of our similar pictures. She was with Ayaansh and I was with you.
One of the evening we went to ToysRUs in Forum Mall at Orchard and you had an hour of fun at the lego pit. Legos were relatively new to you.
Our usual Ikea trip and another shopping outing at Marks & Spencer at Wheelock Place.
The most harmonious and peaceful sleep. Papa and I referred it to be like Lord Buddha's sleep.
Our Sunday favourite Marina boulevard, followed by dinner at Punjab Grill Indian restaurant.
The month of August started with huge excitement as my little cousin Antara visited us from India. She had been to Singapore before but that was her first solo trip as her 16th birthday gift from Priyanka Mami and Shirish Mama. You enjoyed spending time with her and called her AuntiAntaMaasi lovingly. We did several short outings with Antara and everyone seemed to have fun.
We went to the Marina boulevard to view fireworks rehearsal for Singapore National Day. I was under the impression that you'll enjoy the spectacle a lot. However, I did not anticipate that the loud noise would put you off. I kept moving in and out of the mall doors with you during the fireworks time. Other than that you liked the outing and heartily ate the pita bread at Pita Pan.
Antara loved trying out various cuisines and we joined hands with her. We went to the Japanese restaurant Kuru Kuru at walking distance from our home. You enjoyed the outdoor seating and played with the chopsticks and the mini teapot shaped soy sauce jar.
One of the days we went down for a swim and it was quite hard to keep you away from the water. I had instructed Tita not to let you in the water as we all had recently recovered from illness.
Your beautiful love for books involved everybody in the house, anytime of the day. I had created a small library for you under the TV table and you pulled out books of your choice and brought to us for reading. Sometimes, we read 5-6 different stories at a stretch. I could see the thirst for knowledge in your face and tried to simplify the stories for your understanding. I didn't know when you started remembering them by heart and filling in for my pauses.
You called ice cream apannita and said 'want apannita'. Gradually those want sentences increased in frequency and I felt bad turning you down (for health reasons). During Antara's visit, we finally went to Cold Stone to enjoy apannita. You loved sweet things but didn't eat excessively. Yours was a more savoury kind of taste preference.
In the light of different cuisines, we went for an Italian dinner at Bella Pasta on Robertson walk. You were fascinated by the boats that went by and thought the bridges to be tunnels. It was a great activity for you to watch the boats intently.
Weekly play date with Vivaan. The friendship deepened gradually.
Our oasis in the desert Naani came to us in August following my long stretching thyroiditis coupled with fever and chills. After several blood tests and sonography tests, the doctor prescribed me steroid medication and Naani came to spend time with us.
We visited the Singapore zoo with Naani. You had a nice and fun day there.
One of the evenings, Papa invited us to join his office team visit at the Gardens by the Bay sound and light show. It was a spectacular show but didn't interest you a lot.
We had more play dates with Tiya chan and Mayuko san. Naani made bread pizza for Tiya chan and you. You both liked it.
One of your recent favourites was the Chip and Dale and Donald Duck cartoon show. You started to understand the humour and laughed at the funny scenes. I observed you with amazement to be able to understand the content.
It was the time of the lantern festival in Singapore and our neighbour and my friend Mui Hong brought the famous moon cake for us. You took the opportunity to sniff the box.
That year, the Indian festival of rakshabandhan was special. You received your first rakhi from Norah. It was a cute 'chhota bheem' cartoon rakhi and it was pulled off the string the moment I unwrapped it.
Our play dates with Samar also continued. You both extended the hand of hi fives and friendship towards each other. Samar always gave you hugs and you stood still and waited for it to end.
One of my ever favourite selfie with you. Notice how beautifully you've put your hand on mine.
Some random play time at home.
My childhood best friend Dolly maasi created that collage of our similar pictures. She was with Ayaansh and I was with you.
One of the evening we went to ToysRUs in Forum Mall at Orchard and you had an hour of fun at the lego pit. Legos were relatively new to you.
Our usual Ikea trip and another shopping outing at Marks & Spencer at Wheelock Place.
The most harmonious and peaceful sleep. Papa and I referred it to be like Lord Buddha's sleep.
When Papa took you for walks and to the Tiong Baharu Park.
Our Sunday favourite Marina boulevard, followed by dinner at Punjab Grill Indian restaurant.
Our family
Naani made a list of your brilliant efforts at speech and forming sentences. I'll compile it into the next post.
May your childlike curiosity and eagerness to learn about new things always rise.
May your childlike curiosity and eagerness to learn about new things always rise.
Cuddles and hugs filled with love,
Mumma
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