I'm a full-time mummy

We just got back from a weekend family outing at Genting Highlands, the City of Entertainment. Went there with hubby's 2nd brother & family and 2nd sister and her daughter, Bonnie (Ben's fave cousin)

The temperature was 20.6℃ when we arrived and we checked into our room and settled down. Had a simple and delicious lunch prepared by my sister-in law and then we all head out for the theme park rides.

Hubby, Ben and I went to the First World Indoor Theme Park and bought us some day pass for the unlimited rides and start looking for the suitable rides to try for Ben.

We tried the Carousel as the queue is short and the rides are not so long. And parents can hop in and play as well. Just as we were about to go in, Ben started showing signs of sleepiness... Bah!! Hubby and I pondered whether to go ahead or not, and then we decided to go ahead and let him try it first. You should have seen how sleepy Ben is - at one point, he actually plopped his head and leaned over to the pole for support (don't worry we're holding onto him tightly!).. hahahahaha...

Ben looking around when we first arrived...

Ben smiling at the camera at his 1st ride, the Carousel

He started feeling sleepy, leaning his head to the pole...

Once the Carousel ride ended, hubby and I decided to head back to the hotel and let Ben take his afternoon nap. No point dragging an 11kg boy all around the theme park. So we started making our way back to the hotel, we took the outside route, enjoying the cool air and hubby and I took turns carrying Ben.

Halfway there, Ben suddenly woke up. He looked around really alert by now, wondering why we were walking outside and started pointing to the rides and attractions outside and again hubby and I discussed and finally U-turned and head back to the indoor theme park... ARGHHHHHHH!! We lugged the 11kg boy all the way back to the Indoor Theme Park...

Ben asleep on daddy's shoulder...

Ben: "Why are we outside? What happened to the rides?!"

Ben on the Carousel ride again...

So off we go, and head back to the first ride we saw, the Carousel again! Ben enjoyed the ride this theme (of course, no more sleepiness!) and once the ride is over, we looked for other rides to try. We tried the Venice Gondola ride, the Rio Float, the Mini Train, and again the Carousel before finally heading back to our hotel.

Ben looking out during the Venice Gondola ride...

Ben looking through the rails of the Rio Float ride...

Ben on daddy's shoulder watching Doraemon show...

Yeap, Carousel ride again and Ben even patted his horse!

We wanted to take pictures with Doraemon as they were having some show to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Doraemon but there are too many people around. Back at the hotel, we hang around a while taking pictures of the Christmas decoration and I even bought a small book for Ben at the hotel's newstore.

On day 2, we had some instant noodles for breakfast (cornflakes and milk for Ben) then top up with some bread toast at the hotel's coffee shop and head to the Indoor Theme Park while the rest went to the Outdoor Park again.

The Christmas tree at the hotel lobby...

Ben posing for the camera on day 2

Carousel again for the umpteenth time...

This time, we didn't get the unlimited day pass as we only have about an hour or so to spend at the Indoor Theme Park before we have to check out. So, hubby bought 4 rides passes (can be used for adults and children but only for 4 rides). We used the first pass ride for Ben's umpteenth Carousel ride. We didn't have to get any as children below certain height must be accompanied by their parents and for this ride, it's free for us! Yeayy!

After the Carousel ride, we went to the Monorail station and waited about 10 minutes. It was quite foggy outside but still there are lots of people queueing and playing in the Outdoor Theme Park. The monorail moves slowly, giving us ample time to enjoy the view from above and all around.

The view right after our monorail left the Indoor Theme Park...

Ben checking out the rides outside..

Ben still checking the rides outside...

When we saw our monorail heading back into the Indoor Theme Park building, I took a last shot of the view from outside, with the heavy fog circling around the building.

Ben relaxing and enjoying the Monorail ride...

The Indoor Theme Park almost engulfed with fog...

Ben posing with a poster of Doraemon...

I like the Christmas decorations all around Genting Highlands as they have some sort of recycling theme for this year. After admiring the creative and beautiful Christmas decorations, we slowly make our way back to the hotel to prepare for check out at 1pm.

The beautiful Christmas deco hanging above...

The creative signage made of  hardboard...

Ben giving mummy his shy cheeky look...

I took some shots of the view as we make our descend. We reached the city in the afternoon. We had our lunch at the Bukit Kiara Equisterian club and even went to check out some horses in the stables nearby. If you are free, take a look at this video we captured of Ben laughing cheekily and winking at a horse...

The sky view on our way back...

My cheeky boy fell asleep the moment we left Genting...

Ben laughing cheekily while stealing glances at the horse...

All in all, it was a fun and totally tiring weekend. It was great to be able to spend some time and see Ben enjoyed the weekend playing with his cousin sister and brother. Thank you for reading this super long post!

p.s: The last time we went to Genting was over a year ago, you can read about the family trip and also about my breastfeeding episode at Genting during that time...

15 months ago, we were so excited with Ben's milestone on solids and Ben has been the perfect child for us, no fussing on the choice of food given.

From rice cereal mixed with breastmilk for the first few weeks, to pureed vegetables and fruits mixed with breastmilk to pureed veggie and fruits without my breastmilk to mashed vegetables and fruits, to oats and rice and even now, Ben is still taking oats for his breakfast and sometimes for his dinner as well (depending on my laziness hahaha..)

Back when I started Ben on solids when he turned 6 months old, we put him into this small pink walker. Yes, girly choice of a color you may say, but it's a hand-me down and have served us REALLY REALLY well!

This was Ben the first time we gave him a few teaspoons of rice cereal mixed with my breastmilk. Noticed how eager he was, leaning forward to taste it?

And this was Ben a couple of months back when we first started to bring him along when we eat outside. We gave him some food to try with and he was so fascinated with the chopsticks and bigger spoon, bowl and/or plate. Kinda like a big boy feeling I guess...

Few days ago, I made oats again for Ben's cereal and instead of having the meal at kitchen, I decided to feed Ben in our room. Without any instructions, Ben immediately walked over to the pink walker and started dragging it out and get ready for me to feed him in it.

We've earlier bid farewell to the pink walker in February this year and did not use it anymore but it's still in our bedroom (lazy to put in storeroom hahahah) so it was a nice sight to see my little boy dragging the walker from the corner of the room out and even tried climbing into it so he could sit in it.

I was surprised as I totally forgotten that we used to use the walker as a feeding chair for Ben and to think he still remembers it! I carried him up and put him into the walker, and proceeded to feed him his oatmeal, while snapping this shot as well...

Hmmm... what a nice sight which brings back lots of good memories on Ben's solids journey..

We've been having our 11 year old niece (her name is Bonnie) over at our place for about 2 weeks now. Her dad would pick her up from school, make sure she had her lunch and she will normally finished up her homework before coming over to our place (about 5 minutes by car) and spends the day playing with Ben or just relaxing. Normally, she'll be either playing computer games or watching toddler bible action videos or Disney shows we taped for Ben or playing with Ben when he had his water pool activities or coloring activities.

About a week ago, she brought along her homework, which is to write a short essay about the person she admires and after deciding between hubby and I, she decided to settle on me! Since I'm practically at home and easy for her to refer and ask questions to, we went ahead with her idea and I helped her along by giving her  more details about myself, such as my age, that I'm a SAHM now and am taking care of Ben full-time.

She wrote the rest of the essay and when she's done, I asked her whether I could read it and it's so nice reading something that other people wrote about you. And particularly written from a child (cos I know children don't lie and what comes out of their mouth is total innocence and has no ulterior motives or whatsoever)

I couldn't resist taking pictures of the essay cos it's the only proof I'm going to have that I am the person she admires! (for now that is...) I've intentionally shade off her details and my whereabouts due to privacy concerns.

THe most gentle person she knows? Me?!! Awwwwwww...

And I am happy to have a niece like you too, Bonnie!

Thank you for spending your after school time with Ben and you've been a great help to us!