Final Teen Year…

So this was a month ago, but still relevant… in some ways, it’s good to blog about it today, which is the summer solstice and the last day of Tobias’ final exams.

Yep, a month ago he turned 19 and today he finished the last of his exams for his pre-university education.

It seems like such a long time ago that we were sending him to his first day at kindergarten and yet at the same time, the years have just flashed by. Such a clichè thing to say but nevertheless it’s true.

Are there things I wish I could go back and redo or unsay? Of course. Has it been filled with heartache and tears? Some of it. But it was also filled with joy, laughter and adventures.

In a few months, he is off to serve NS (National Service) in Singapore. A whole new chapter of his life and our journey as his parents, as a family.

I wanted to link to all the previous birthday posts but decided it was too much. So I am going to link to just this one – for his 9th birthday, 10 years ago, where I also mentioned clichè and comtemplated if I would be ready for him to venture out on his own.

I don’t know if I am 100% ready but I know it’s a great next step for him to take out into the big wide world. Are you a parent whose children have flown the nest? How was it? How did you manage the complete change in lifestyle and focus? Care to share?

Here’s a few photos from Tobias’ 19th birthday:

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Legally an Adult…

Well, at least in Switzerland, my boy is now considered an adult at 18 years old!

Oh my, where did the time go? 18 years ago, we welcomed this little chubby baby into our lives and what an adventure it has been. From the uncertainty of first-time parenthood to his first steps, from his first day at kindergarten to two broken arms, through the frustrations and the joys of being a family (every family has its moments), from growing pains to pride, he is now on the brim of adulthood! Wow!

He decided that for his 18th birthday party to have just a couple of friends over for some food and games. So we bought his favourite sushi and added on some KFC to make sure that hungry teenagers are well fed. Of course, the must-have red velvet cupcakes was made and consumed. Very low key but that was what he wanted.

We did break with tradition and instead of me cooking a nice dinner at home, we went out to a lovely restaurant by the river and had some lovely fish.

Sigh! My baby is now an adult. This will take time to sink in. And while I mull over that, here are a few photos…

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17… Where Has The Time Gone?…

Time has just flown by. My little ‘Sayang’ (beloved in Malay) is now all of 17 years old!

Last year, he had a lockdown birthday, as did most of us. This year while we are not in a full lockdown, not everything is open, so he opted to have some friends over for makan (food in Malay) and gaming.

Here are some photos from party day:

We are missing our traditional birthday photo of us in front of a cupcake. Maybe it’s time for another tradition? We’ll have to give that one a think.

Looking ahead, i will be savouring the moments while he is still living at home, for the next 2 years at least.

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