"Mommy, did I have dinner?"

We're back in Spokane but much more jetlagged than when we arrived in Singapore.

I'm trying not to do the time conversion thing. But at 2.50am when two WIDE AWAKE children are waiting for me to give them dinner, it makes sense because the husband reminds me it's already 5.50pm in Singapore!

Only Jon, the one least resistant to naps, is making up for the lack of sleep better. Now how do I get that across to Ben and Kait -- that we all need more hours of sleep every day?!

There's also more to unpack because we had lugged back our old belongings. That was the very tedious part of our trip: consolidating them from our different relatives' homes. Stuff like old photo albums of our childhood, wedding, and Jon's first years, and some fave things of sentimental value -- for which memories are made of these. But it was quite the juggling act at the airports, with more to cart around to check in and re-check in, and what with the long walk to the security checkpoint and all.

Believe me there were more crazy moments than this "feels like moving house (again)" part. But here's what we really have to be grateful for: The precious moments and memories we packed in from the trip itself.

Squeezing in this update amidst the chaos, and us being thrown back into the swing of things. Besides what Vern has unpacked into organized messes and still more messes to get to, there are also our heaps of laundry everywhere I'm working on the backlog and new loads. Though I churned them out faithfully while in Singapore, it was only for as much clothes that could air-dry in time. The housewife part of me is happy to see my trusty dryer again (vs. the less efficient ones at where we stayed)! And yes, it's always good to be connected again and especially with those of you who come here and see how we're doing.

Picture added, courtesy of the husband's phone, and more about Kait's haircut later.

Singapore, sweet Singapore

Our home country Singapore is every bit the bustling city it's always been, and even more built-up now! New attractions have been added and architectural marvels, too, take to the skies in the likes of the Singapore Flyer, Sky Park, and The Pinnacle, just to name a few.

Yet there are also the familiar sights, sounds, and smells...

Some HDB flats proudly display the Singapore flag ahead of the nation's 45th birthday next month. August is also when Singapore will play host to the first-ever Youth Olympic Games.

At the hawker centre, our children got all sweaty even before digging into their fishball noodles. The least alien to them of the smorgasbord of local delights -- that's comfort food to Vern and me. Ooh, everything smells so good, so right! I forget how hot and humid it is, that's Jon's only complaint.

Ben, seeing how domestic helpers care for their young charges, was quick to make the association and quipped that this mom is "My mommy, my maid!". Aiyoh! was what I said to that. This same exclamation Kait has picked up from Gong Gong, my dad who uses it a lot when the children are up to their antics... a lot!

Otherwise, like her brothers, the gal is quite the trooper. And I get to eat with her sitting on me if she will sit still for a bit and eat some, too, instead of try and help herself to her private beverage bar -- in plain sight... aiyoh!

Being out and about in the day helps us with the jet lag. There's so much to see and do, never mind lah Vern has his work with him during this vacation. But more than the places of interest to try and visit, it's our loved ones and friends here I miss most, and what makes homecoming oh so sweet! Only one other time Vern has been back in the six years we've been away, not the children and me until now. There's lots to catch up, more later!

Monkey see, monkey do

We managed to go on a cruise altogether just before Nana has ended her visit with us and moved on with her travels.

On the ship, Jon shared a room with grandma. Ben and Kait were with Vern and me, and Kait's was the usual co-sleeping because of her nursing-on-demand still and our interrupted sleep. But see that monkey?

Not the one hanging from that top bunk, trying to bunk in with us also! But the towel version that Pirate Ben was holding onto. Our copycat of the bigger monkey, put together by the cabin staff, that added a nice, whimsical touch to our stay! :)

It wasn't always smoothsailing though. The ebb and flow and highs and lows of family life travelled with us onto the high seas. There were the usual chaos and challenges of restraining the children, especially when their monkeying around got out of hand. I'm also not the cruise person that my MIL is. And the choppy waters and our different wavelengths knew how to get to an exhausted me :(. Was up till late nights in a row to pack our luggage, clean house and tie up loose ends. But it was hard to relax when the busy husband brought along his work to do (read: this wife had better get the children out of his hair)!

No wonder then it's the saner moments I always crave for. But I'll have to wait till later to share our other favourite things from this adventure. What I got to be thankful for, that it wasn't all work and no play.

Hoo hoo, ha ha...
Right now trying not to let the three jumping monkeys turn the house or me upside down. I'm into the third laundry load with a fourth one to do next, and need to get organized again. Plus some decisions to make about our summer plans when Vern gets back from his out-of-town work trip.

Hang on for my update!