more adventures with Kelvin & friends

After visiting Anette & Josh, Kelvin's remaining holiday was still packed with fun activities. I planned to really enjoy my two-week break with him to the max. One of our regular haunts in August was Kidspace in Romford. Together with his Pinoy friends, we spent days jumping, crawling, sweating and pigging out.

Kidspace is really perfect for kids with boundless energy. We celebrated Kelvin's second birthday there & even the parents enjoyed themselves. There is a special section for babies. There is a football area, a mini-racing track, a wall climbing section, and a sky trail. During busy times, the place is just buzzing with energy, it's hard not to get infected with the laughing and friendly shouting. The "Thunderball City" is the centre of activity where kids (and adults) can "hit" each other with soft balls. There is a huge cannon that blasts balls everywhere, there are "machine guns" from 3-levels where you can target people above & below. There is a timed-net that showers everyone with balls. The City is also connected to the entire place (huge), from top to bottom, via huge slides of different structures, and climbing frames.

If I were to spend every single day in that place I wouldn't need to diet! Unfortunately, the place serves yummy food, too! During Kelvin's 2nd birthday party we booked everyone for a "make your own pizza" theme party. It was really super. Then they provided the adults with finger foods which turned out to be organic breads and dips. It was truly unforgettable. I have to scour my files at home to search for some pictures & put them up here.

When Kelvin was younger he'd resist every attempt to leave the place. But in August because his ate and kuya's were there, he's happy to go anywhere. He was even happy to leave the play area & eat! Unbelievable.

It was unfortunate that Daddy had to work. He missed out on so many things (more posts to follow promise) during the school break. After a month, he's still muttering about booking leaves next year. I felt bad for him but I felt too good to really care. I'm not callous, I just felt it was my chance to really bond & give my son the time of his life after being a half-half mum to him. You know working full-time even if I say we have quality time during weekends, it's still guilt-inducing not to spend every minute of the day with my growing son.

I am also so happy and very fortunate that our new Filipino friends' kids are very accommodating with my toddler. Hubby & I just love seeing him enjoy his time with the bigger kids. He feels part of a clique now. It's a great bargaining chip, too. We can get Kelvin to do almost anything as long as we say we're going to see his Kuya or Ate.

I forget the number of times I have read the importance of external support & influence on children as they grow. The dread I used to feel about moving away from most of our initial Filipino community has been replaced with relief & gratitude. If none of these guys move away, I'm confident that making Kelvin more aware of his Filipino roots will be easier. Plus, he and I got friends for life.

Needless to say though, we have started teasing Sherry that either Kelvin or PJ can court her daughter Rana. But Ate Nimfa insists that Kelvin is too young, so that leaves PJ room. Yes, it was my fault the teasing started but Ate Nimfa's comeback sent all of us reeling.

I leave you with these pictures from our play time. Expect more posts about what Kelvin was up to during his 2-week school break!