Staycation

Do you know the definition of a staycation? 
Basically, you don't get a stamp on your passport but spent almost the same amount of $$ as you would have if you had left Singapore. Haha. 

We had a staycation in Sentosa last Sunday and played tourists. Lucky us that Popo had a free night stay at Michael hotel, RWS. Otherwise, we would really end up spending a lot of $$. Daddy Lim didn't apply for leave and the plan was for me to stay over with the kids and make our way home the next day.

On Sunday, Popo brought Lil Isaac to RWS after church to meet up with my brother’s family while I brought Lil Shauna to Chinese class. Daddy Lim picked us after work and we arrived at the hotel at about 4.30pm. Naturally, the next thing to do is to dip in the pool and Popo disappeared into the casino almost immediately. Dinner was at one of the hotel cafes. The food wasn't too bad and was decently priced. 

The kids then each bought a lego set and we headed to the hotel room. This is Lil Isaac’s 1st mini Lego set and he had a great bonding session with Daddy Lim, fixing up his spiderman set. I am quite amazed with Lego actually. The set is meant for 5 YO and I thought that it would likely be too tough for the little boy, given the many mini pieces and instructions but he did it alright, just like what Lego said.

Meanwhile, Lil Shauna was independent and complete the 7 YO set totally on her own. 

Daddy Lim left at about 10pm. The 2 elder nieces decided to have a sleepover and the rest of the family left shortly too. Popo did appear bcos she was supposed to help with the kids. Not surprising, all she did was to instruct the girls to brush their teeth, settled in bed (to watch TV) and then she disappeared again. Zzzzzz… She didn't stay for more than 30 mins and only returned in the middle of the night. The hotel room only had a double bed. Sleeping arrangement got very creative that night. Ouch, my poor back!

We woke up bright and early the next morning despite the late night and went in search of bfast. We had donuts bcos Mac was jam pack. After bfast, I brought the kids to try the luge. I had always wanted to try the luge since like forever but never get down to doing so bcos it was too late; too hot; too little time; too expensive; too whatever.

Lil Isaac met the minimum height of 110cm but was too young (need to be 6YO) to ride the luge alone. I could easily pass him through but decided that he should pillion with me eventually, which is a great choice. I was glad that we were early bcos the q started forming after us. The luge wasn't tough to drive for an older kid or adult but would need certain strength/ body weight to easily operate it. We paid for 8 rides, inclusive of the skyrides at freaking $76! The idea was to each go for 2 rides. 

Lil Isaac and I had to be the last luge.. Felicia had some problem operating hers and soon, the other 2 girls disappeared and went out of sight. Felicia did get the hang of it after a while but didn't really enjoy the ride. I let Lil Isaac drive the luge at times but a couple of times, I thought that we would fly out of the luge. He basically went into full speed and swiveled at the turns! Not intentionally though. Imagine if he had been alone!

At the end of the ride, we took the skyride back to the top. The kids were worried at 1st but the ride proved to be great.

It was an express q for people who do repeated rounds. Then, Felicia decided that she had enough. So we the rest of us went for the 2nd round without her. Poor girl. Given that we still have 1 single ride left (Felicia’s), I paid for extra rounds. Eventually, Fione and LiL Shauna each went 4 rounds while Lil Isaac and I went 3. You can imagine the hole in my pocket. Blehhhh…

We rushed back to the hotel and couldn't be gladder for aircon. My brother offered to pick us and his girls up and sent us back home. It is pretty cool for a staycation but I would opt for a vacation if I have the choice. Sentosa is so expensive.

Mummy Lim

Festive Hotel

Popo was given 2 free nights hotel stay at the Resort World. My brother's family redeemed one night and invited us to swim at the pool and basically mess up the hotel room. Lol.

Daddy Lim was off and we w arrived at Resort World at 12ish. Popo had been rushing us to get out of the house since early morning and I suspected that it was bcos she wanted to go to the casino. Luckily, the room was already available and we could escape the heat. We were just fretting over where to go in Sentosa under the hot sun.

My brother's family arrived at about 1.30pm. We had already made ourselves very comfortable in their hotel room by then, munching tidbits with coffee and watching cartoon network. Muhahaha.

After some messing around in the room, what else to do then to head to the pool!

We had a lot of fun in the pool. I am amazed at how much fun the kids can have when they are in the water and when they have great companions.

Then, we headed for dinner. On the way.. Lil Isaac and Feline are so adorable. Feline said that she wanted Lil Isaac to be her boyfriend. Haha. They have a love-hate relationship; one moment holding hands and all and the next tearing at each other's hair.

We went for the laser light show after dinner.

The tickets are expensive. We paid $54 for our family of 4 and I don't think the 20mins laser, light and water show is worth.  Zzzz.

The kids were reluctant to leave for home on the night but the room is definitely too small for all of us. Our turn is coming up 2 weeks later. We redeemed the other free night. Hehe.

Mummy Lim

Staycation at Festive

Popo was really nice to use her points to redeem a hotel room at Festive Hotel for us on Sunday. That was my little "getaway" to help me retain my sanity and pull me through until my precious Korea trip in December.

Unlike previous times, we only reached the hotel nearing check-in time. Lil Isaac went with Popo and my brö's family first while I stayed behind to wait for the girls to finish their phonics class before sending them there.

The night stay was very relaxing. We didn't do much but swim and munch on alot of tidbits. It was like a buffet spread for the kids and I comforted myself that they will eat normal, healthy food thereafter.

We visited this man-made beach/ swimming pool at the Hard Rock hotel. It was really cool. One of the pools was a man made beach. The processed sand was very clean and so was the chlorine water. It actually looks and feels like a beach at one of those overseas beautiful beaches with calm and shallow water. While in the water, it is like walking in the sea. There was sand even on the pool floor. The kids had tons of fun.

We went to the butterfly park the next morning. I backed out at the last minute and asked Auntie to accompany Daddy Lim and the kids. I think my heart cannot take it. I asked Daddy Lim to take some pictures to show me and he ended up with 3 pictures of the butterfly. -.o"

They didn't stay long too. Daddy Lim said that Lil Shauna got scared at the first enclosure shortly and started asking why the butterflies were following them. Then she asked 2x to leave the park. At the second enclosure, Lil Isaac got frightened by some loud bird calls and started crying. Then they went to the indoor part of the park to look at the specimen and there were live display of the stick and leaf insects. The guide was very friendly and encouraging and asked if Daddy Lim wanted to hold the insects. It was Daddy Lim's turn to freak out. Lol.

We ended the stay with another swim before making our way home. Lil Shauna was reluctant to go but happily left when we promised her sand art at vivo city. Hehe.

Mummy Lim

Holiday @ Sentosa

It was really good. I haven't felt this way with any of our holidays since Lil Isaac came. I really enjoy myself and so did Lil Shauna. Maybe it was bcos Lil Isaac spent most of the time in the hotel room while we had fun with jiejie. Poor Lil Isaac. I did feel guilty for leaving him out of the fun but he really needs to grow up quickly.

We went Universal Studio and Lil Shauna enjoyed herself so much. She couldn't stop talking about it after that.

I am having blues about going back to work tomorrow. I think I need longer holidays. And we must bring the kids to Disneyland next year when Lil Isaac knows how to enjoy. More about our USS adventure in my next post.

Mummy Lim

Holiday @ Festive Hotel

Our desperation for a holiday has driven us to Sentosa and we booked a hotel @ Resort World - Festive Holiday.

We went to Sentosa with my brother's family late Sunday morning and spent the morning and early afternoon at Palawan beach. This is taken while we were waiting for the tram to the beach.



Lil Shauna definitely enjoyed herself at the beach and the waterplay.



Thereafter, we checked into the hotel. I love new hotels. The new hotels are no longer squarish or rectangle in shape. The design of the room is so unique, even the corridor looks good. This picture didn't do the hotel corridor justice. Think 10x better.


These are some pic that ah yee took of the room with her professional camera.



The room comes with a big masterbed, a sofa bed and most interestingly, this bunk bed, probably meant for kids. Festive hotel is a family/ kids friendly hotel. The kids have loads of fun climbing up and down and bunk bed and messing around in the bed.


The room is really comfortable, clean, new and spacious. Even the toilet is super nice and comes with a big bathtub.

Lil Shauna only took her nap at 4+pm after lots of coaxing. There was too much fun keeping her awake. Daddy Lim only join us at 5pm and we brought the kids swimming.


We wanted to catch the Song of the Sea but lost track of time. We had dinner and then shopping at this candy shop, a kids' paradise. The shop is decorated with loads of colorful and yummy looking sweets and chocolates. They even have this mini shopping cart for kids to entice them. We ended up buying chocolates and gummy bears. It will take enormous endurance to come out of the shop empty handed. The kids took pix with the BIG M&M. :)


Thereafter, my brother's family left and we returned to our room. Daddy Lim had urgent job and couldn't take leave as intended. He left in the night too and I shared the big bed with Lil Shauna. This morning, we had a simple bfast, another dip in the pool and a nice bathtub bath before checking out.

The hotel stay was really enjoyable. In fact, it does feel like an overseas holiday. I was telling ah yee that the next time, we can come back for a 2 nights stay and we can visit Universal Studio and sightseeing in Sentosa. These recent years, there are so many new developments in Sentosa, just that it will be very expensive. We will probably spend as much as an overseas holiday. -.o"

I feel even more desperate for an overseas trip now. I even skipped my nap just now talking to ah yee about our Tokyo trip in April! Hohoho.

And... Our 1st family portrait.


Mummy Lim

Desperate Getaway

Remember how Daddy Lim & I tried to get away for a holiday? After bouncing off many ideas, we are back to square 1. We really did book a hotel at Rasa Sentosa and spent a weekend there with a happy Lil Shauna.

We had a big room, a big bed...

and a balcony that oversees the swimming pool. Lil Shauna can stare at the people in the pool for a lonngggg time.

Actually, we didnt do much but swim and lazed around in the hotel. I even joked with Daddy Lim that we should just install a TV in our bedroom. Then we can switch on the air-con and it will feel exactly like staying in an hotel. But we did go to the Underwater World. The ticket actually gives us complimentary entry to the Dolpin Lagoon but the sun was too hot and we were too lazy to travel. We had contemplated watching the Song of the Sea but were worried that Lil Shauna fusses midway and we gave up that idea too.

It was a good choice to go to the Underwater World. Lil Shauna was so thrilled. She was so happie to see the big and small fishes and the fishes swimming everywhere and over our heads in the tunnel.

As usual, we ended up with a tired baby.

The rest of the holiday was spent swimming, lazing around and chasing after the crawling baby. We swam so much, or rather dipped in the pool so much. Lil Shauna feels a little warm now. I dun think she's sick but just too much sun.

Anyway, we had a good time. Lil Shauna is also old enuff to enjoy herself. We are so gg on a holiday when my boss is back!

Mummy Lim