Snapshots at Fred's Birthday Oct' 08

The Chronicles of the Children: Tris is boss! (Episode 3)

After the candles were blown, Ash very helpfully placed the knife on the table ... well, she meant it to be picked up by Uncle Fred for the cake-cutting ceremony. But lo and behold, quick as lightning, Tristan had taken possession of the knife! Ash's 'not you!' came too late. Of course, Tris wasn't about to surrender his toy! He knew exactly what one had to do with the knife. And that was to aim for the cake and slice through vehemently. Well, he did oblige some diplomacy of sorts under his mommy and daddy's prompting: 'Uncle Fred, c-u-t TO-get-ther!' But he was really only too eager to wield the knife, at the expense of his daddy's handsome face. So again like lightning, Tris orchestrated the cutting ;) Again, we were tickled ;) Well, no complaints. Boss took over! ;)

The Chronicles of the Children: The kids' affair with birthday cakes & candles (Episode 2)

The kids just love the whole birthday singing, candle blowing and cake cutting sequence. Ashley very unabashedly stationed in front of the cake while Tristan 'eye-balled' the candles on the cake. Well, the kids were gently reminded by mummy that the spotlight was not on the candles and the cake but on Uncle Fred ;) Of course, Ash was slighly embarrassed upon the reminder and inched away... hee, just slightly to give Uncle Fred more view of his cake ;) The song came to a perfect ending with Tristan's resounding 'NOWWWW!', sang with masculine gusto. After a split second of rest, Tris was back in action! Watch him 'attacking' the candles! haha... we were absolutely amused ;)

The Chronicles of the Children: Tris, the budding singer (Episode 1)

When my sister knew that we were visiting one night with a birthday cake to celebrate Fred's birthday (and this was really an impromptu arrangement), she immediately got Tristan to rehearse a birthday song. Her efforts paid off as Tris was at his best, most unreserved and most enthusiastic demeanor. He greeted 'Chin Yi Yi' and 'Uncle Fred' loudly at the gate.

Oh, I always love the way the kids would suddenly appear in the doorway to welcome us. Even when Ashley had her sullen moments, she would somehow just glide to the doorway, with face slightly downcast and her 'I feel a little beaten and under the weather' kindda look and managed a weak 'Chin yi yi'. Well of course, kids being kids, the next moment, she would be enthusiastically showing off her latest masterpiece or her latest adopted animal. I love the honesty of kids. They never put up a show. They are always so real and fresh ;)

So - back to Tristan. Here's a clip of his most earnest rendition of 'Happy Birthday', complete with hand gestures and mini dance moves.

Tristan's games 1

We played different games with Tristan. In this clip, we flashed a yellow star in his view to make him respond and smile ;)

As with all babies, Tris loved to be rocked. Watch how delighted he was at the swings.

Tristan's expressions

I love to observe Tristan's expressions. Observe the below photo carefully. Tris was grabbing Fred's watch in his tiny palm.

The sucking-of-thumb expression

The rolling-of-tongue-to-one-side expression

The I'm-trying-to-eat-my-cake expression

Tristan's games 2

Tris loved to crawl and chase after balls under the dining table.

He bit at the playpen and made futile attempts to escape ;)

He fiddled with empty boxes and pushed Uncle Fred's face away when a peck was forced upon his cheek. haha.

Tristan, my nephew

As I am writing this blog, the song "Top of the World" plays at the background. The uplifting lyrics and catchy melody suit my mood to the tee. This is exactly how I feel whenever I see my little nephew, Tristan ;) Tristan Thor, born 16th May, 2006, is the second son of my sister, younger brother of Ashley Thor. Coincidentally, his birthday is the exact date my mother was born and just one day before my sister was born. So now, our family just celebrates 3 birthdays together ;)

Tristan was the long awaited and greatly desired addition to the family. Consequently, we were over the top when he finally arrived. I couldn't wait to get to the hospital to meet him.

Fred carrying Tris. Tris was just a little bundle ;)

As it is with newborns, they look... hmm.. what's the word? Raw? As in you can't quite make out who they look like at day one. I tried hard to identify but couldn't find any resemblance with anyone in the family... haha. He could pass off as anyone's baby. I am sure Fred could have fooled people as Tris's daddy in the shot above. Well, not until you see this video and the real daddy, my gallant BIL came into the picture. He was one proud and cool daddy that day ;)

The subsequent days were fun too because Tris's features started becoming more hmm... definitive? He looks more like my sister or so I thought, in the earlier months.

Ashley's Growing Up

I just reviewed a clip I took of Ashley at 4 years old when her little brother, Tristan, was born. Looking at her mannerism back then and now, at 6 years of age, she has really blossomed into a young girl, who is more independent-minded (my mother will echo this statement) and vocal. She is finally.. hmm... ready for primary school next year? I wonder if my sister will agree with me ;)

Ashley at 4 years old

Ashley at her 6th birthday this year

Although I enjoy my niece at different stages of her development, I can't help but feel a sense of loss that she is growing up so fast. One day, she will become all grown-up, a teenager with a sense of adventure and invincibility, hopefully not too distant or overly preoccupied in her own world of thoughts and emotions. Like how I was and all teenagers basically. My little princess is going to lose that innocence, that freshness as a toddler, that make-believe fantasy world she lives in and realise the adult world is less 'fun'?

I am not sure I want her to grow up but I know she has to... sigh.

Ashley, my niece

My niece, Ashley, born 11th August, 2002, is the joy of our family. When she first entered our lives, we were excited! I remember holding her one night when she was only a few days old. In that dimly-lit bedroom when I was practising soothing her to sleep (I was aunty for the first time, so no experience), I held her fragile little body so closely to my bosom. And I whispered into her ears that she was a very precious baby, a gift from God to my sister, and the rest of us. I was sure she heard my words of love and affection.

Ash didn't have a lot of hair as a baby. So my sister would dress her head up with cute and pretty hair bands. I would call her a little potato affectionately. In my mind, the shape of her head with her loose and sparing strands of hair was quite like a potato ;P

Then, she grew up gradually, started walking, talking. I would visit her at Jurong West where she would rush to the door to greet me. She would welcome me most enthusiastically & that always made my day! How I love her pretty face & big, engaging eyes.


At Ashley's second birthday, she told her mummy she would love to have a telly tubby for her birthday cake. So I searched the website for a photo and ordered a photo-cake for her. I discovered that being able to fulfil a child's desire is the most satisfying and pleasing thing an adult can do!






Ashley at Choa Chu Kang flat, grinning for my camera ... she still had her babyish look in this photo

Ashley had a great play companion in the family's first maid.


This was taken at Gleneagles hospital cafeteria on the day my sister gave birth to Tristan, Ash's younger brother.

I asked Ash if she was prepared to welcome her brother...

Naturally, Ash wasn't too sure how to handle little brother Tris and was a tat too rough with him, or so I heard from my mom. Well, she did get the hang of it after a while...

Ash with Fred during Chinese New Year, 2006

Whenever I visited Ash, if she were in a happy mood, she would rope me into her little fantasy games. Playhouse, cards, sticks, charades. But mainly drawings. Ash has a flair for drawing. She is truly a genius in art. And when a child's imagination and happy emotions are rolled into the drawings, the drawings are just so captivating and fresh, for the adult person.

In these photos below, Ash and I showed off our versions of a community for little bunnies. We agreed to take these photos to remember what we did ;)

A recent shot of my sister and her two lovely children