Ashley the ballerina

Ashley is enjoying her ballet classes. I am so happy she is finally doing some form of activity. She did want to join the Dragons Rugby Club like her brothers but I thought she should try something girly - just for me to enjoy seeing my princess dance :)

Today she finally got her pink tutu and her ballet shoes - very proud of herself.

Lunch Date with my love

We are spending more and more time together just us recently. Having our super helper Gini makes a huge difference when we want to go out. She can pick up the little ones from kindy, feed them snacks and keep them entertained until we get home.

The other day we decided to visit Sky on 57 at Marina Bay Sands. I enjoy going out at night time but I also love having a posh lunch - especially when it comes with a great view!

Well we just couldn't say no to these extremely tasty oysters which are in season at the moment. Matthew and I have very similar tastes. Makes it easy to share :)

After the amazing oysters we both had a business lunch set each. There were quite a few options but of course we felt like eating the same thing!! French goat cheese with green salad.

New Zealand lamb rack - I still think they serve the best lamb in Singapore.

Then the dessert. I wish they had a little more to choose from. I had this sorbet with dried berries - nice enough but I felt like something different. 

After the lunch we walked around the balcony. Nice clear day - this is looking into the Marina area - Can you see a Merlion, a durian and some bananas in the photo below?? 

Singapore CBD area:

Love of my life :) :) :)

While we were there I got text messages from my best friend Rachael who was in town for a short visit from Jakarta. She happened to be lunching with her partner in the Marina area too. So we decided to meet up for a couple of drinks. 

Since we moved to Singapore I get to see Rachael more than ever. It was more than 20 years ago we studied in a English language school in NZ together. 

This photo makes me laugh, we are enjoying each others company but we all have our phones out. 

I think I had my second drink a little too fast. I was feeling quite drunk by the time we left. The restaurant is definitely nice but I also enjoy just relaxing on the sofa looking out over the sea too. 

Welcome back Rach!

Ashley's 4th Birthday - Part 3

We couldn't let Ashley's birthday celebration finish without the Bayshore Gang joining in. Ashley and Luca baked a pavlova with Daddy and decorated it beautifully. We took the cake and drinks to the pool in the early evening.

Ashley had a Hello Kitty birthday cake at her kindy and dinner at the Hello Kitty Cafe so I continued the theme. I found these great Hello Kitty bottles in the supermarket. Sparkling apple and grape juice! Ashley was quite impressed having some "big girl drinks".

Lovely evening drinks and nibbles with our extended Bayshore family :)

James and Nicola:

The kids gathered to sing Happy Birthday!! Our kids are so lucky to have so many friends!

Cutting the cake - doesn't she look grown up?!

The cake disappeared very quickly. It was such hot evening, all the kids were swimming until quite late. 

Our extra happy birthday girl!!

It was supposed to be an early evening thing but we ended up having dinner together too. It is so easy when you have eateries right there to serve hot food.

More Hello Kitty bottles!!

Luca and gorgeous Aisla - as you can see Luca is trying to be cool (he thinks he is Damian McKenzie...)

TJ and Oliver:

Yuka and Zuiyo:

The kids enjoyed some Chinese food while us adults had Thai and Indian. Thank you all for coming and making Ashley feel so special! 

In the coming three weeks we will have two more birthday celebrations. Oliver is next and Luca right after. Very busy time of the year for us. I still cannot believe the pace our kids are growing. They will be teenagers in no time at this rate :( Please slow down!!!!

Ashley's 4th Birthday - Part 2

Last year we put on a big birthday party for her at home which was pretty much what I wanted to do for her. So this year I asked her what she wanted to do on her birthday, she picked to spend the day with her best friends. Very good choice!

After school Ashley's little friend Frida, her brother and her mum came along to the indoor playground. It was amazingly empty so the kids had the place almost to themselves!!

Snack break!!

Ashley and Frida :)

From the playground we went to the Hello Kitty Cafe to have her birthday dinner (phew! IT WAS a super busy day!!) It is located in Terminal 3 at Changi Airport. Very good location for us. 

Ashley was very impressed to find Sakura and her family who came to join the celebration with us. 

Hello Kitty and our 4 year old princess:

Sakura and Ashley:

What to order... everything is Hello Kitty!!!

Ashley got a special present from Sakura - matching pink Ariel dress :) :) :) - so cute!!!

Thank you Keiko for coming along and taking a family birthday picture for us! Ashley had such a great time!!

Happy birthday to our tomboy/princess Ashley!!! We love you very much. 

Please stop growing up so fast!!!