Emmanuel's 3rd Birthday Celebration with My Bake Studio

When it comes to birthday celebration, a hundred and one things always come to our mind, should we hold a private one or should we invite friends and families? Where's the venue? Should we do catering? And the highlight of the celebration - well other than the birthday person - is none other than the cake. Our children always request something new. Every. Single. Year.

For Olivia, we already had Frozen theme. Rapunzel theme. Mermaid theme. Girl stuff. For Emmanuel, we already did Pooh, and then dinosaurs last year. As a marvel fan myself, I have been sharing so much that he can name all marvel characters as his first words. This year, and very non-surprisingly, he chose HULK. So we had posters designed with his baby head and a hulk body. For to be honest, a Hulk-themed cake isn't easy to find.

That's when we found My Bake Studio, which does super solid customised cake. If you want an unique cake, different from your best friend's son's cake. I mean, children like the same things nowadays, don't they? So if you want something special, My Bake Studio can do it. Whatever you can think of, they can do it. From cupcakes to whole cakes of different tiers and sizes. From corporate cakes to cakes for almost every occasions, and it's surprisingly affordable too!

After some communicating, we opted for his favourite chocolate flavour (less sweet) and some matching cupcakes. Here's what Emmanuel had for his birthday. He didn't know how the cake looks like before his birthday, so it was a pleasant surprise when he saw the cake, he was jumping up and down!

Brasserie Astoria @ Victoria Theater & Concert Hall

When it comes to celebratory dinner, as with birthdays and anniversaries, we usually spend some thoughts on where to go. We want something unique, higher end with great ambience, but won't break the bank. Fantastic cocktails are definite plus as Lady M and I are suckers for this. This year, she brought me to Brasserie Astoria, located at Victoria Theater and Concert Hall. Just six years ago, in the spring of 2018 (ok, summer in Singapore), we were lining up in front of this place taking our actual-day wedding photoshoot. As we walked past, we savoured a sweet memory.

Brasserie Astoria had huge doors. Thank God they are automatic. And as they opened, an inviting space with high ceilings lined with chandeliers, albeit dimly lighted, welcomed us. The friendly service staff guided us to our seats and introduced their menu to us. The menu was concise, but we took awhile to choose our orders, mainly because we wanted to try everything.

For starters, we had their Oyster au Naturelle (SGD$8/each), and trust me on this, it was one of the best. Hands-down. The size wasn't overwhelming but it was plump and juicy. Paired with the shallot vinaigrette and a nice squeeze of the lemon, we joked we could just had the oysters as mains next time.

Not long after, the Snails (SGD$18) came. It was a crude but apt name. Drenched in roasted garlic butter, lavender and a hint of thyme and parsley, this was again finger-licking good. I never thought lavender in such a buttery dish would work, but it was SUPERB. We found ourselves dipping the bread in it and literally spooning the sauce into our mouths. If you're here, please do yourselves a huge favour and order this. 

Happy 3rd Birthday Olivia!

Time flies, when you're having fun, filled with parental stress and all the anxieties that comes together with having a child. During the end of November, our not-so-little Olivia turned three. And it's amazing how fast and how big she has grown.

I remembered the cries inside the operating theatre three years ago, and the two drops of tears that rolled down my cheek. I remembered the difficult transition when we had to learn so much in so little time. I remembered the first time she called "papa", her first step, her silly laughter and giggles. I remembered the countless times we had our evening walks in her little carrier, which eventually become walking side by side her, as she rode her little scooter.

And... of course, we need to dress like sharks. Doo doo dooooo.

We had plans to get her a pinata cake online, but was quickly put off by the ridiculous price (about $200 for one). If you have no idea what's that, it's basically a spherical chocolate structure, filled with candies, chocolates and even toys. To get what's inside, they have to slowly knock the chocolate walls till it crumbles and reveals all the goodies inside.

So, I tried making it. For the first four times, I tried, but failed. Mixing white chocolate coverture and compound and what not, trying several ways to take out the structure without cracking its delicate walls. I tried and tried. Like Thomas Edison, this Thomas tried 1000 times until I succeed. All those nights trying, was all worth it with this smile.

And... of course, I need to put her favourite Kinder Bueno eggs inside.

Birthday Staycation at Shangri-la Rasa Sentosa (Haagen-Daz Package)

After impressing us with their super child-friendly amenities at their Orchard branch, Shangri-la has been on the top of the list when it comes to bringing our little one(s). So it was almost a no-brainer where to book for Olivia's birthday staycation to celebrate her 3 years on earth.

Olivia was so excited whenever we showed her the hotel's video on YouTube. Now fast forward to the day...

Our Deluxe Sea View Room

We checked in at around 4pm. There wasn't any queue (thank God), so the whole process was pretty fast. Their deluxe sea view room is of comfortable size with most in-room amenities you would expect, such as bar counter with complimentary tea/coffee. The bed was slightly high for Olivia, so we had to place a stool beside the bed for her to come up and down freely. Cot is available upon request too.

Now this is the money shot, straight right out of our room's balcony - a unobstructed view of the sea. Paired that up with the swimming pool, private beach, and beautiful clouds hovering on top of Sentosa, I'd say this is the view I don't mind waking up to, every. single. day.

And so it happens, when we were looking for Shangri-la deals, we chanced upon this limited promotion -  a Haagen Daz-theme staycation, featuring a whole freezer worth of ice cream, and a set of take-home merchandise which includes bath bombs, cushion, face masks, and even a really cute high-quality teddy bear (you can tell by its fur that it's not cheap ass). 

Olivia's First Birthday

Dear Olivia,

One year ago, you came into our lives like a wrecking ball. Parenting was a steep learning curve, perhaps the biggest lesson to be learnt in life. When you just arrived, Mama and Papa have to learnt how to breastfeed, how to swaddle, how to handle poopie, comfort you and how to wake up over ten times throughout the night.

And as you grow older, we learnt how to concoct recipes, how to plan your activities, how to chase after you, how to soothe your mini-dictator's tantrums and decode your googoo's and gaga's.

It wasn't easy. Mama and Papa fight, we quarrel over little things that we never known before, but thank you to our Heavenly Papa who watch over us, we have already made it pass one year! 

Through this time, you taught us...

How to sacrifice - the personal things in life, the alone-time we had, money, all these we sacrifice just to spend a little more time with you.

How to be patient - through communicating with you, and with Mama. 

How to trust - that each and every day will be better than the day before.

How to become better people - so that we can impart right values to you.

How to be a child again - through seeing and exploring the world we thought we knew so well. All through your little eyes.

And above all, how to love - like how God loves us unconditionally, we aim to love you more and more each day, even in your not-so-cute moments.

May God help Mama and Papa to become better parents for you and for Him. Happy ONE year old to my dear princess Olivia. With the authority Heavenly Papa has given Papa, I pray that,

The Lord bless you and keep you.

The Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you.

The Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.

And that's what your name is. Olivia. That whatever you do, you find peace. That whoever you meet, you grant life and blessings. That wherever you go, you bring with you a spirit of reconciliation and victory.

Papa love you deep deep.

~

With lots of love,

Papa Thomas

26.11.2019

Birthday Flowers with Floral Garage Singapore

Like any other pretty things, a woman can never have too many flowers. Like most men, I always think that gifts should be practical, that’s why I gave her things that she could eat or use in her everyday life. Heads up, it doesn’t work. Most women love flowers, and if that’s what she likes, I will get her one. Occasionally.

Recently, I collaborated with Floral Garage Singapore to get some flowers for her birthday. Don’t ask how young, she’s #forever21. Here’s what I like about Floral Garage, who prides themselves on integrity, service, quality and price: