Eggs and Berries @ Changi City Point

To celebrate the long weekend, we decided to do some family cafe hopping. We used to visit Changi City Point some time back but had not been there recently, and Mummy suggested we try out the simple and comfy looking Eggs and Berries for some well-reputed handmade burgers. (Level One, near Starbucks)

Note the classy yet casual wall murals.

We visited a little early for dinner to beat the weekend crowd, and enjoyed a rather quiet setting despite the mall being quite crowded. Perhaps everyone was still finishing up their pre-dinner shopping.

There was a set burger meal and we decided to give it a go. Mummy is a fan of fried chicken wings, so the Wings and Fries was an easy decision.

Syrups for the pancakes (Strawberry, Chocolate and Maple) comes in little jars.

The kids went for Pancake with Chipolata and an egg of your choice (sunny side up, scramble...) . The set comes with a small cup of juice. Each set costs only $7.90.

The adults shared the burger set. ($13.90) We chose original burger buns with aged beef patty. Of course, the hot wedges got hijacked by the kids.

Wings and Fries ($7.90) : the verdict? Mummy the wings-expert felt that there was a little too much batter and the flavour did not get into the meat enough but the sauces were a nice change from the usual ketchup and chili. Fries were also a bit too salty for our liking.

Eggs Florentine. ($13.90) Poached eggs on salmon and toast was pretty, light and tasty. Definitely Mummy's favourite that night.

For dessert, we had Over The Rainbow, a fruity waffle topped up with a scoop of vanilla ice-cream. ($13.90. Top up ice cream for $3.50)

The café opens at 8am in the morning and it would be a great place for a quiet breakfast when the kids are away in school. They have other main pasta and meat dishes so we would be sure to try that the next time we go. Of course, not forgetting the Eggs Florentine. Yummy Yummy!

The Evolution of Mummy - An Illustration of Child (and Parent) Development

[A reflective piece by 'Daddy'.]

I was mulling over some old photos of our children's artwork and was amazed how the subjects of their drawings 'evolved' so quickly over time. The girls love to draw, and in the process of keeping the house tidy, we often we toss their creations into the bin too hastily. On a number of enlightened occasions, however, we've had the opportunity to snap a quick record of their work, and contribute it to a portfolio. This album becomes an 'illustration' (pun intended) of their development when we look back.

To best appreciate the 'evolution', we have to fix a subject and see how it changes over time (or in this case, the age of the artist). This essay is in appreciation of my 'better half', and today's subject is none other than 'Mummy'.

Pictures were contributed by both our children. Enjoy!

1 year 10 months: We all begin somewhere, and the artist is somehow able to communicate to me that this is none other than Mummy. We see a head (that mass blob) and not much else, but its a good start.

2 years 9 months: Mummy now has hair and well defined eyes.

Right about now, we see Mummy go through a growth-spurt, and she changes rapidly month by month...

3 years 6 months: Arms and legs are still undeveloped, but we see well-defined eyes, shoulder-length hair and a dress! Mummy must have been angry that day... note the resemblance to the Incredible Hulk (just kidding).

3 years 8 months: In two months she has developed a nose, and curly hair (new hairdo?). Still no arms but at least one leg looks well developed. More significantly, Mummy has learnt her 'ABCs' (well, maybe not A and C but looks like she's good at B).

3 years 9 months: And it only took a month to beef up those arms. Note the fingers are developing too. Well done!

4 years 1 month: TEEEEEETH!!! Congrats, you're able to chew solid food now!

4 years 3 months: The legs are lengthening. Oh my! What pretty eyelashes!

5 years 7 months: Maturity is reflected when you're able to use make-up and lipstick! I have absolutely no idea who the gentleman who forgot to shave on the right is, do you? Looks like a nice guy.

5 years 9 months: Mommy is now old enough to get married! Daddy still needs to shave though.

6 years 10 months: Mummy has two beautiful girls and a clean-shaven hubby.

Nine years of marriage has changed us, grown us, tested us and made us stronger. It's been an amazing journey of wonderful memories and experiences. Best of all, it's only just the beginning, and we have many more good days and a long way to go. Glad to share them with you.

Happy wedding anniversary!

Family Day Out Under the Sun @ Adventure Cove Waterpark

Wow how time flies! The last time Daddy brought the girls out to Adventure Cove Waterpark (Click HERE) was in 2013. Since then, they have been raving about it and looking forward to the day we get to go back with Mummy. However, we never seemed to have time for that day, until.....

A year and a half later, the opportunity presented itself as part of the MOE Family Day promotion. Daddy took leave so we could visit on a weekday school holiday to avoid the crowds. The girls had grown since our last visit and we hoped that they would be able to try more slides and have different experiences.

We got there right after it opened at 10.00 am, quickly changed out and got ourselves a locker before heading into the Adventure River for a lazy float around. The girls found it difficult to lie in the tube as they were small and fell through it easily. To mitigate this, they sat on Daddy's and Mummy's lap as we floated lazily around the park. The ride provides a good summary of all the attractions at a leisurely pace. However, for those who are familiar with the park, the Adventure River also allows you to disembark at the attraction of your choice without returning to your start point.

The Adventure River takes us through a tunnel with marine fish and sharks swimming all around us.

We float by the Ray Bay, part of the park's Immersive Experiences where you can interact with the rays for a fee.

We let the currents send us through caves and grottos complete with lighting, sound and props to create a number of different environments and scenarios. Now and then we'd glide under waterfalls and there are sections of the river where the current is stronger.

We allowed the river to take us a complete round and got off near our start point at the locker area. The giant wave pool, Bluwater Bay, caught our attention as the loud music and crashing sounds signalled that the large waves were activated. Mummy accompanied the older girl who was overwhelmed with excitement, while Daddy played the role of photographer with the younger girl who was intimidated by the large swells.

Very happy campers getting tossed around. This was significant as the last time we were here, the girl did not dare to try this. How quickly they change as they grow up! 

We were glad to have arrived early on a weekday. All the rides had no queues and we could try each slide as many times as we wished. The last time we were here on a weekend, each ride cost us 15 minutes in the queue.

Riptide Rocket: a roller-coasting experience in a tube. Mummy was simply 'washed-out' by our first slide and we could hear her screams long before they splashed down at the exit. The kid however, simply wanted to go again.

The Pipeline Plunge was up next, and it was Daddy's turn to take the all excited girl.

Splashing down after an exciting ride in the Pipeline Plunge with Daddy. So enjoyable we get to do it again.

Mummy's turn to accompany the kid on the Tidal Twister.

It was a pity that the younger girl did not meet the height requirement for the Pipeline Plunge and the Tidal Twister. Mummy and Daddy felt these were milder than the Riptide Rocket and something she could enjoy, but the height requirements were stricter.

The weather alternated between baking hot and occasional clouds. To cool off, the girls picked out ice-creams. One tip when visiting the park is to carry some cash with you, either in a small purse or as in Daddy's case, a pocket with a zipper. There are many snack kiosks selling food and drinks and you don't want to have to return to your locker to get your cash. In addition, opening the locker ends the rental.

Ice-cream for the kids.

Popcorn chicken for the adults.

Don't fill up those tummies just yet though. There are still lots of rides to try and many of them are too exhilarating for a full stomach. This next ride is one such example: the Duel Racer!

Weeee! Water sliding at it's purest. And as if the steep plunge was not enough, how about a mat to reduce friction and make it faster? The older girls had a few tries. Here, she races a total stranger.

"Can I have another go?"

Sirens, music and the wave pool calls once more

This time, she dons a life jacket and is able to enjoy being tossed around on the surface even in the deep end.

Seahorse Hideaway: a shallow wading pool to relax. The girls had fun splashing around in between the other rides.

During our last visit, the Big Bucket Treehouse was quite a hit as it was a safe climbing and sliding environment complete with spontaneous splashing buckets and water-cannons. The water slides were mild enough for younger kids to enjoy.

Sister bonding time!

Mother-daughter bonding time!

All the splashing action at the Big Bucket Treehouse.

Bring along a waterproof camera to capture all the fun and action if you have access to one. Alternatively, if you find holding on to a camera too troublesome, there are many photographers that will help you take photos along the way. Retrieve your photos at the exit in the gift shop using a serial number the photographers will issue to you on a wrist band. Do be warned, however, that should you fall in love with any of the photographs, you can take home a print out for $35 per piece.

We left the park in time for a late lunch after about three and a half hours play. Although not very long for a visit to the park, we managed to pack a lot in in as there were no queues.

A 'Build Your Own' salad and add a soup for a light hearted set meal.

The girls were tired and napped in the cab on the way home after a healthy salad lunch at the Cedele's at Resorts World Sentosa, and we were all slightly sun-baked. It was good quality time together, and with schedules getting more and more packed as the girls get older and more involved with school and other commitments, it was a nice chance to get together under the sun and grow closer.

Chicken Up @ Century Square, Tampines

Some say Singaporeans are united by the diversity and innovation of their cuisine. For us, food is definitely a 'language of love' and hearty meals are opportunities to bring us closer together.

I brought K to Chicken Up at Century Square after school one day. As it was a weekday and before lunchtime, the restaurant was not crowded although the crowd started streaming in quickly around 12.30 pm. We ordered Topokki With Cheese and Seafood ($20) and one of their in house specials - the Ganjang Chicken Wings (4 for $12). We wanted to order more chicken wings but the waitress advised us not to as the serving might be too big for just the two of us. It was good that we took her advice because we had difficulty finishing what we ordered.

Deep fried to maximum crispiness... sinful and full of flavour, just the way we like love it!

We love chicken wings very much. I peeled the chicken for K because they were freshly fried and were too hot for her to hold. The Topokki was hot and spicy, just the way we like it. I did not fancy the unique mussels and scallops mixed in, but they would have been perfect for Daddy if he was here.

The creative Koreans know how to make their deserts both visually appealing and tasty. We shared the Watermelon Bingsu - hollowed out watermelon with powdered ice and ice-cream.

If only Daddy was here. Well, that just means we had to come back with everyone else right?

Back again on a Sunday for dinner after a visit to the library, we got there around 6.30 pm and there was already a queue outside the restaurant. Chairs are provided in the queue outside the restaurant so we could rest our tired feet. The restaurant has both indoor and outdoor dining areas. We chose to sit outside to avoid a longer wait and it was good that they had two big cooling fans to disperse the heat. However, our table was just in front of the cooling fans so the kids had to sit facing the fans just so that our hair would not get into our mouths as we eat. Mummy had to eat with a hand holding her hair as the fans were just behind her She wished she could enjoy the meal properly.

We ordered my favourite Ganjang Chicken Wings again and this time the kids had a kid's set each. It comes with a watermelon or orange juice and a coloring activity book. Mummy ordered the Yangnyum Chicken Wings (4 for $12) and Japchae ($12).

The Japchae came first. K took such a liking to it that she finished half the plate before her kids' set arrived. It was seasoned with sweet soy sauce.

Yangnyum chicken wings - sweet sauce and seasame seeds. We preferred the original Ganjang wings as these were a little on the sweet side, and the skin-soaked sauce took away some of the dry-crispy feel.

The kids' set had this curry-rice option which is quite a hit with the older girl.

For the wing lovers among the kids. The sets were served with cheese-stuffed spring rolls that were simply yummy.

The colouring set that came along with the kids' meals.

And the bones get tossed in here!

What's dinner out without desert? We opted to share the Melon Bingsu and a Mango Bingsu.

Massive! We had difficulty keeping the melon spheres on while we tucked in and a couple of them rolled off and onto the table at first. Good thing Daddy was there to catch them and apply the 'five second rule'.

Pureed mango mixed in with a flurry of crushed ice and ice-cream.

I ordered a Coke along with my meal, and you know you've reached that milestone in life when the waiter chooses to share a Coke with...

Not the best way to encourage your 'forever young at heart' guests to return, but for the crispy wings between our teeth, we'll consider coming back next time.