Project B-Day 2006 Completed ... better start planning for B-Day 2007

Finally, the weekend has passed.

Compared to previous years, I think I put it a little more effort this year.

After all, snowylady put in a lot of effort for snowylass' birthday in June and she (snowylady) really deserves lots and lots of presents, love, hugs and kisses. Unfortunately, the wallet is a little bare ...

Ever since she returned to work after the end of her no-pay leave, each day have been tough on her, and the children. Even in school, she has to make sure to continue pumping milk so that snowylad can continue to have it - we really, really, really do not like the idea of the children taking formula milk.

Between me and her, we have to ensure the children are picked up from school and feed them and bathe them. Very little time for bonding, reading books, anymore, in the evenings.

But we keep reminding the children we love them through many other ways.

Sometimes, I get scolded for being irresponsible, and the children got upset.

Snowylady and I have to affirm that we love each other, not just to ourselves, but to the children too.

Snowylady's birthday this year fell on Friday. It was not something to look forward to, spending the birthday in school with students misbehaving, and herself falling ill.

I had an idea but procrastinated until it was almost too late.

Fortunately, on last Wednesday morning, and Thank God for 24 hours supermarkets, I brought snowylass to Cold Storage @ Holland V before dropping her at childcare. We picked out a nice birthday card for mummy (didn't have too many too choose from). Got one with more white spaces - then I begged her childcare teachers to help her 'decorate' it.

Miss N didn't seem enthusiastic but when I picked snowylass in the evening, there was a note with the card from Miss H that the job was all done - and it was a darn good job too!

Snowylady saw the card when I picked her up from school later, but she promised to pretend not to see it until the next day. Didn't really matter, I suppose, 'cos snowylass was so excited by her 'special surprise' for mummy that she blurted it out that night.

The next day, I called to book our favourite holiday getaway (locally) to check in tomorrow - too many stuff to do on Friday and didn't want to waste it by checking in late. During lunch, zoomed down to Parkway Parade hoping to find her 'lots and lots' of presents without having to borrow from the loansharks.

Two weeks ago, she already picked something out, but that was only one item.

She really likes the idea of lots and lots of presents, partly because of her childhood when family situation meant she went without most things other kids take for granted.

So, at PP, I walked around, thinking and thinking.

Stuff toys are out - they take up precious little space at home. So are little ornamental decors.

And our bookcase is threatening to collapse, though both of us still got more we haven't shelved.

Chocolates is always good. There's a Chocz at PP. What to choose, what to choose ...

Finally, saw this cute heart shaped box, but rather than taking the pre-selected ones, I chose my own. Found that I had to shell out an extra buck for that lovely cup choc that had 4 flowers of different colours, but, hey, it's really cute.

Next, a single rose bouquet - no point buying too many - enough that she gets flowers, I hope.

Finally, found a shop which sold some cute Disney stickers rather cheaply.

3 items, I guess it'll have to do this year. Until the purse is more filled and we got more space at home.

Dinner that night would have been more enjoyable if the restaurant had proper baby chairs, but I reminded myself, the main celebration is the next day.

Saturday. I think the children were more excited than us when we were checking in.

STOMP actually SMS'ed me that I was shortlisted for the grand prize draw that evening. I already made up my mind not to go, which was strengthened when I read that 5,000 people were shortlisted and asked to go to PS. No thank you.

It was quite exciting for snowylad when I brought him out for a walk so that the 'two girls' can have their naps. Since last month, Snowylass had taken to calling herself and mummy 'the two girls' and me and snowylad as 'the two boys'.

I brought snowylad to Marina Square to see the changes they made. Noted that they have an Imperial Treasures La Mian Xiao Long Bao - good, we can have dinner there, which is not too ex and their shanghai nian-gao is just nice for the little girl. *sigh* until the children are older, the adults really cannot get to enjoy proper meals.

Two highlights that evening.

First was I finally found a nice little cake as birthday cake. For some reason, snowylass seemed to be unable to muster a lusty rendition of 'happy birthday' without a cake and a candle.

The second must be when 'the two girls' and the baby could all fit snugly into the bathtub. My job was to wait at the side with the towels. It was really cute watching snowylass teaching snowylad what to do with the rubber duckie.

At first, we were afraid the kids, esp. snowylad, might be too excited to sleep. It happened with snowylass the first time we brought her to sleep away from home outside. Thankfully, they both crashed.

As I fell asleep, I prayed that next year will be better.