My Princess Clarissa 1st Birthday..

Had an awesome weekend celebrating my princess 1st birthday with close to 70 friends and relatives! Clarissa favorite cartoon character got to be Minnie mouse because the first thing she does every morning when she wake up is to hug and kiss her Minnie mouse soft toy! Therefore the theme for her 1st Birthday shall be

"Magical Disney Minnie Party"

The Character

What is Disney without Mickey or Minnie? So off I went to hunt for our Minnie Mouse.. Initially google gives me some overseas website but after narrowing my searches.. I finally chance upon this shop website called "Costumes 'N' Parties" that offer Minnie Mouse oversized mascot rental. The cost for rental over the weekend is about $130 for 3 days.. Quite a good deal ya!! I immediately droved down to the shop at Kampong Bahru to view the mascot first in case it look like some mutated rat instead of Minnie mouse then cannot la.. Look quite good so placed a $30 deposit to reserve a VVIP special appearance by Minnie mouse.. heehee

The Birthday Cake & Princess Outfit

My wife was the main person in-charge of these two items. After comparison with some bakery store online and offline. Considering the expected turnout, our Disney theme and since it's our darling princess first birthday. We decided to splurge a little and order from this online blogshop called "Shiberty Sweets". Cost of cake is around $310.

 

As for our princess outfit, it was also ordered online.. hahaha.. talk about savvy parent huh?!

 

G-market

The customized Minnie mouse bow is from this seller "Fella*licious from facebook"

*WTH am I blogging about such thing sia..*

 

 

Disney Theme Setup

To transform my normal house into the desired Disneyland ambience is almost impossible.. Especially with limited budget.. It's like you really need a fairy godmothers' magical help to turn Cinderella into a princess.. Haha.. BUT as long as I put my heart into something.. I am the Fairy GODFATHER Ben Teo!! Wahahaha now let the magic begin..

 

DIY Polka dot wall for photo taking

 

 

 Using Shower Curtain from DAISO!! Two dollar two dollar.. Hello Two Dollar~~ hahahah

 

 

Polka dot table cloth from DAISO too!!

 

 

 Cookie Jar decorated by wifey.. Minnie ribbon from Arab Street.. =)

 

 

Pictures of Clarissa from month 1 to 11 all over the house!

 

 

Minnie Mouse Balloons hanging in the sky~

 

 

More Balloons~~ hahahha

 

 

Now Let's Party..

 

 

The STAR for the day!

 

 

Receiving one of her many presents... Teddy from her Aunt Amanda..

 

 

The box house is mine now.. Teddy you stay outside!! hahaha

 

 

Buffet at 3pm = Everybody Starving.. hehehe

 

*Buffet from ChuYi Catering - Thanks Kewei & Sylvie for the special orders and lending us the chairs!*

 

After most of the guest have arrived and taken their food at around 4pm..

 

It is TIME for the arrival of our VIP guest~

 

WELCOME MINNIE TO SIGLAP~ ^^

 

Walk on the road like a boss!~

 

 

Everyone was delighted with Minnie Arrival~

 

 

 

 

Especially the Birthday Girl~ Look baby, Daddy bring Disneyland to you on your birthday!~

 

 

 

She adore Minnie so much~

 

 

 

The look on the boy face = "That's a DUDE in that suit grandpa... "

 

 

 

 

Scaring strangers on the street!! LMFAO.. Most cars actually slow down to wave back and some whip out their mobile to take video and pictures..

 

 

 Bye Bye everyone!! Time to take the craziness to another level..

 

 

Minnie buying ice cream at Macdonald~

 

 

But no pocket.. no wallet.. no money..

 

 

Run away loh..

 

 

Our special 3D Birthday Cake

 

 

Clarissa: Why is everyone looking here and singing daddy?!

Daddy: Just smile and wave girl.. smile and wave =D

 

 

Ok I'm smiling..

 

 

Photo taking is so tiring..

 

Is it over yet?!

 

Group pictures time~

 

Daddy Friends..

 

 

Mummy Friends..

 

 

Daddy Family

 

 

Mummy Friends

 

 

Daddy Colleagues

 

 

The Cousins (Daddy)

 

 

The Cousins (Mummy)

 

 

Daddy Camp mates

 

 

Mummy family

 

 

Time to cut cake loh... Daddy the cake so hard one leh..

 

 

 Nvm daddy hold you.. mummy help you

 

 

Clarissa: I swear I aim the ears very long liao... 来了Loh~ OUT YOU GO!!

Daddy: Well Done... That's my GIRL!

Mummy: NO!!~~~

 

 

The rainbow cake

 

 

 

Round 2: Encore Special appearance by Minnie Junior XXL.. Entertaining us with his dance to "Gangnam style and I'm Sexy And I Know It~"

 

 

Photo taking time continue~

 

 

 

Finally we have come to the end of the Disney Theme Birthday Party. Special thanks to everyone for making the effort to drop by, be seen and be entertain by my nonsense.. I sincerely hope all of you enjoy the food and the mini Disney magical experience that I tried my best to create for all of you.. If there's any area that I failed.. thanks for your understanding.. Last but not least, myself and my wife thanks all of you once again for all your gifts for our precious Clarissa~

Thank you

 

 

Erm... Granny Mouse?!!!? hahahahha

 



Happy Mother's Day to my Mum

This blog post is specially dedicated to my mum. I am going to keep it short and sweet with the lyrics from one of the song that I've chosen.. Mummy I know your life had not been smooth and you are really unhappy at times. Here is what I want to say to you..

 

First, I'll need you to click play to run the youtube video.

Let the song run in the background.

Then slowly scroll down my blog and follow the lyrics with my message to it..

You with the sad eyes (I can tell mummy)
Don't be discouraged (If you want something, go get it..)
Oh I realize
Its hard to take courage
In a world full of people
You can lose sight of it all (Sometime the problems in life may put you down mummy)
And the darkness inside you (And make you felt loss)
Can make you feel so small (or really upset about yourself and everyone...)

But I see your true colors (But what I see is a really courageous, compassion, intelligent and strong mother)
Shining through
I see your true colors (A mother that taught us how to be a good person)
And that's why I love you
So don't be afraid to let them show
Your true colors
True colors are beautiful, (Now that we've all grown up, your life should never be in darkness..)
Like a rainbow (But like a rainbow.. There are 7 colors in a rainbow.. You have 7 beautiful kids)

Show me a smile then, (Your smile is most beautiful thing that I've seen since young)
Don't be unhappy, can't remember (I don't want to see you unhappy mummy)
When I last saw you laughing
If this world makes you crazy (No matter how tough life is going to get)
And you've taken all you can bear
You call me up
Because you know I'll be there (Please don't take it by yourself.. You can call me or any of your 4 pillars because you know we will be there mummy..)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I know you are really into and busy with all kind of stuff especially "Amway" now and you wanted to be really successful in it and be a Diamond Winner.. And all the things that you are doing... You are doing it all for us..

But I just want to let you know mum...

 

To all of us..

 

in all of our hearts...

YOU ARE ALREADY A DIAMOND WINNER MOTHER!!!

 

 

 

 

And all these are your DIAMONDS...

 

 

So just do what you want to do mummy and we will always support you. But don't stress yourself too much ok...

 

Always REMEMBER you are already a winner.. We are your diamonds and also will be your RAINBOW after the rain.. 

 

I Love You Mum..

 

HAPPY MOTHER DAY!!

 

 

 

 

 

Credit: http://www.achievemagazine.com/dc13-final-night (Amway picture) 

 

 

Has he spoken?

A few days back, I posted this status on my Facebook timeline..

Well to be honest, things had not been looking good for me recently. I'm faced with new challenges in life and I've reached the crossroad in my life once again. The decision that I am going to make will be life changing. That's why I've decided to update my status to the above.. But please do not get mistaken, I am not a Christian "yet" even though my mum is a strong believer of Christ now and I've in fact spend a decade of my life in a Methodist school..

But what I am about to share is definitely unbiased towards God and based on my real life experiences. I was driving to work while posting the status, moment after updating that status in Facebook.. This song was aired on the radio station I was tuning in to.



"When you try your best, but you don't succeed
When you get what you want, but not what you need
When you feel so tired, but you can't sleep
Stuck in reverse"

"Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will try to fix you"

When I heard these lyrics, I got a chill yet comforting at the same time. For some weird reason, I felt peace at that particular moment and a tear stream down my face. But this is not all.. after a long and tiring day at work.. as usual our princess Clarissa will sleep between myself and my wife.. I looked at my lovely princess while she sleep beautifully.. something that I looked forward to every single day.. Suddenly the song "Fixed you by Coldplay" surfaced in my mind again, and the next thing I know... my baby turned over closer to me, placed one of her tiny hand on my shoulder and another on my face.. It felt really really comforting.. I've not felt anything like this before..

For all that I've realized, the Strength in fact came from the people that I've been working so hard and fighting for all the time.. My wife and my precious child.. As long as I still have them by my side, there's nothing that I cannot overcome.. As long as I've them by my side, I am in heaven.. If this is the way you answer to me God, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Please give me some time to come back to you...

BIRTHDAY SURPRISE FOR WIFE~~ HAHAHA

Was really busy with work recently and almost forgotten about my wife birthday. Heng ah never forget so still got time to prepare. Remember birthday date is not the toughest task... planning the gift is... haha... What she still need? Anything that she want which is within my means without overspending? These are the considerations while doing gift selection every time which gives all of us a headache.. Thanks God for my ever thinking, always full of witty ideas, crazy, cao keng and creative brain.. I've decided to give her a very special and meaningful day that she will always remember..

03/05/13 Friday

She asked if I've any plan tomorrow.. so I just pretend there is nothing.. oh let bring Le Xuan "Our baby" to Jurong Bird Park loh.. She agreed and suggested to go in the morning cause afternoon HOT but I declined. When she asked why not? I just bullshit to her that I check weather forecast afternoon weather good.. Well she didn't asked what about morning so I didn't say anything lo..

04/05/13 Sat (Her Actual Birthday)

Woke up really early to PISS her off by going SKIM in the morning of her birthday!! Cause I wanted to set the mood to all time low first then SURPRISE to swing the mood from negative to positive.. Well it didn't turn out well because she is too understanding and knew that I really love skimming so she is not as piss off as what I expected it... First part fail and it really suck to skim alone so I headed back home earlier by 10.30am. We catch a little movie 寒战 online.. WTF 郭富城 is damn hansum la.. k don't side track.. I need to waste some time in the morning because I've planned to reach JBP by 2.30pm.. So we went for lunch at Bedok Point Paradise Inn. Their food is quite good and I really want to compliment their services. The staff there are warm and friendly. Important point to note here is the staff are not some foreign talent but local. Will definitely return again.. Well done BP Paradise Inn!!

 

Prawn and Scallop fried rice. I personally think it's one of the best among the rest such as Crystal Jade and Tian Tai Fong..

咖啡排骨. Not bad. Very generous with their serving.. Quite a number of pieces given so I can say value for money la.. Have tasted better 咖啡排骨 in some Zi Char store before..

I forget what is the name of this dish already.. Rojak vege or something..

Very delicious sauce but the meat is so-so only... Not those kind that will melt in your mouth.. 

Anyway like I say, even though some of their food might not be up to expectation. But if their service level exceed expectation; especially for cafe and restaurant. Customer will definitely come back. Overall we had a great meal.. left happily and went back home to fetch Le Xuan to JBP..

 

LET's GO!!

Her trademark "I don't like to take photo" face.. haha same like her daddy..

Well it still depend on her mood la.. haha.. like a superstar!

Finally reach JBP~

DADA!! Surprise!! She was totally shock and overwhelmed to see her parent suddenly appeared in front of her at the entrance as she have no idea at all that they are joining us. Haha.. I've specially arranged with her dad a few days back to give her a surprise for her birthday and thankfully he agreed.. haha.. SUCCESS!! hehe

Haha.. Bird also can sing Birthday song.. power..

 

The last time I'm here is during my primary school excursion.. hahahha damn long la

 

 

Like a racer

Having a good times with the in-law

 

Tea Break time..

Dear with her lovely Mummy..

Dear with her beloved Daddy

Who's not smiling? Normal la haha.. at least she's looking..

 

 We left the park around 5.45pm.. Her dad suggested we had our dinner over at Jurong which is nearby BUT I insisted to eat at yishun instead because I've another surprise for her.. Unaware of the second setup, everyone was puzzled why I wanted to travel so far back to yishun.. I don't care being an ASS and insisted my way.. I WANT YISHUN! I WANT YISHUN!! hahaha..

 

We reached yishun around 6.45pm and had our dinner at our all time favorite zi char store.. Actually I'm still freaking full from the heavy lunch but I had to waste some time before the next surprise so I just eat lo.. Had their famous black pepper crab and a few side dishes.. Damn good!! Ok the next setup is at her house.. I've tied up with her brother to prepare the birthday cake and surprise her once we reach her house.. haha but well I'm not god la so not everything will go according to plan.. haha.. Here are a few bloopers after the dinner..

 

1) Herself and her parent insisted we just go home "Burnfoot" straight la.. don't need to go up to their place since my family is waiting for us at home... Hahaha HOW CAN?!

2) There is suppose to be no one at her place and her brother is SUPPOSE to be busy outside and can't celebrate her birthday for her... but her mum saw his car downstair and kept repeating.. "He's Home leh... " hahha

3) The house is suppose to be in total darkness that's why I wanted to buy time to 7.30-8pm... but after her father open the door he turn on the light immediately... haha.. you can imagine the awkward moment.. still surprise her la but not as expected.. 

  

 

Live footage of the blooper and "Surprise" back at home.. hahhahah

 

The organic birthday cake - courtesy of Joe Aw

 

 

 

Overall it was still a great success after a long day and my dear had a wonderful time with her family. To me, the best gift in the world cannot be bought by dollar and cents. It is that simple... so simple that sometime we might overlooked or took for granted.. I know this is going to sound cheesy but to me the best gift on earth is "Spending quality time with family or loved one". Therefore, what is more meaningful than arranging a day well spent with her family members for her on her birthday.. If her Dad, someone that have spent more than 26 years with her, is able to hand over the hand of his one and only precious daughter to ME on our wedding day... What is ME returning her back to them for a day?! To me, this is nothing and what all of us should never forget... If you loved someone, you should loved her family too.. especially her parent.. for they are the one through hardship created the person that you fall in love today..

 

Special thanks for the AW family. Daddy, Mummy and Brother Joe Aw and his gf Shi Lin for helping out with the surprises..