40

Much of adventure and beauty.

With an equal amount of pain. 

The road to my 40.

Was not without rain.

Never to take for granted.

The life I continue to live.

To let go of a life I loved and wanted. 

God had reasons, I believe.

The rainbow on my 40.

The waves and the sea. 

My beautiful little family.

Is all the hope I need to see.

Still blessed.

Happy birthday to me! 

Letter No. 41 - 6th Birthday

Dear Lance,

Happy 06th Birthday! 

"Mommy, I want my cake to be 06. Because 06 is also 6!"

So I made it for you. 

Chocolate and some blue. 

Because your favorite color is blue.

Now Lance, let me tell you more about You.

My super love love Lancidoodle doo.

You like Roblox. We play Defense Depot.

You like Minecraft and building. Your favorite is Lego.

You like Chess, Penguin Trap, Snakes and Ladders, and Foosball.

But Pillow Fights make you the happiest, out of all.

"You are the best Jamie ever in the whole world.

I love you so much. I will never leave you."

"You are the best Sherick ever in the whole world.

I love you so much. I will never leave you."

"Daddy and Mommy, hug me and look at me."

"Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for my mommy and daddy. 

Lord Jesus, please give me 1 million dogs. Amen."

You are the sweetest.

And the sweetest things you say every night,

Make us ever willing to look at you and hug you tight.

And Father's Days.

 They are not just for Daddy.

You also want us to celebrate you,

Because you are the Daddy of Sunny!

Now Math. You like Math.

"It's my specialty."

Drums and Piano,

Soccer and Taekwondo.

Korean Tteokbokki. Lumpiang Shanghai. Potato Chips. 

And anything spicy. 

You are funny. You like to dance. And your dance is funny.

You are the best Lance Oliver in the whole world. I love you so much, more than you'll ever know. 

And I will never leave you.

Love,

Mommy

Letter No. 40 - El Nido, Palawan

 Dear Lance,

This is El Nido, Palawan. And you were 5. 

"I love water too much." You said.

"Our son is probably a fish." Dad said.

You always wanted to jump. 

From the boat. From the kayak. 

You always woke to see the sunrise.

Everyday. You and daddy.

You always woke me to say..

"Mom, we found a sea slug!" 

"Mom, we saw a lot of hornbills!"

"Come, I'll show you!"

It was beautiful there.

Especially watching you make friends with other kids to build sandcastles.

You were brave and adventurous. 

I hope you will stay that way.

Now here is a little video for your memories someday.

Loving you so much always,

Mommy

Letter No. 39 - 5th Birthday

Dear Lance,

I cannot believe it has been 5 years since..

"Mommy, I punched and punched and kicked until I got out of your tummy."

You have grown so sweet.. 

Waking me up with your tickles, snuggles, and kisses every morning..

And insisting..

"Mommy, I love you more than me."

But I love you even more than that!

Happy Birthday, My Love.

Here is a memory of how we celebrated YOU at 5. 

Love,

Mommy

Letter No. 38 - 4th Birthday

Dear Lance,

Though you believe and insist..

That you are already 5 years old..

Sweetheart, you are just 4!

"But I'm 5 na!! Diba, Daddy??"

I wish I could freeze time right now..

Because you are just the cutest, funniest, and sweetest.. for ever!

"Silly me, silly you!"

We love you so much.

Happy 4th birthday, baby Batman!

Love,

Daddy and Mommy

7 Years

Dearest Sherick,

Here's to the years of seven

That feels more than golden

When rainbows have melted

To ashes that bled.

Wishing it was easy to say

Those were our happiest days

But some years were beautiful

And the last ones just awful.

Yet here we are..

With our 3-year-old best friend.

Hoping the next years of seven

Would feel more like heaven.

Happy Anniversary, My Love!

Love,

Jamie

Letter No. 37 - Enough

Dear Lance,

"You know, Mommy, I will buy a toy for you when you're sleeping. 

When you wake up, there's a surprise for you. I love you."

Thank you. 

And I am sorry. 

I am sorry I could not bring back.. 

I could not give you the brother and sister you have been asking for.

Not anymore.

But you know, Lance..

Your words today made me feel that..

Your brother or sister in heaven..

And You.. are Enough.

I love you.

Love,

Mommy

Letter No. 36 - 3rd Birthday

Dear Lance,

"For your 3rd birthday..



Would you like to go to the beach or see Mickey Mouse?"



"Play Sand!"



So a lunch in Tagaytay..



To see a real volcano called Taal..



And eat your first ever ice cream..



Before heading to Calatagan, Batangas..



To stay at the Stilts..



Because on birthdays..



Your wish is our command!

"Happy birthday, Daddy.."

"Happy birthday, Mommy.."

You'd walk around singing..

Like it's ours.. But well..

That's how we feel, too..

Just having you!

And oh.. You also had your first barber's haircut!

We love you, Lance Oliver.

Happy birthday!

Love,

Daddy and Mommy

-----------------------------------

Restaurant - Balay Dako, Tagaytay

Accommodation - Stilts Calatagan Beach Resort

Letter No. 35 - Labrador Nature Reserve on National Day
Letter No. 34 - A Weekend in Mactan, Cebu

Letter No. 33 - Taiwan

Letter No. 32 - 2nd Birthday

Letter No. 31 - Despite Everything

Letter No. 30 - Our Strength 

Singapore - 100 Places With Lance

Because there's so much to do in Singapore..

And spending time with our 2-year-old son has become our utmost priority.

Photography by Marc Manalastas

Lance, how happy are you?

"So much, so much, so much!"

---------------------------------------------

1. Admiralty Park

Slides of all kinds!

"Many playgrounds. Go next time."

Address: 31 Riverside Road, Singapore 730000

2. Air Force Museum

See fighter jets up close.

"Me climb up fighter airplane too loud."

Address: 400 Airport Road, Singapore 534234

3. ArtScience Museum

Specifically the Future World exhibit.

Because it is interactive and meant for kids.

Address: 6 Bayfront Ave, Singapore 018974

4. Bedok Reservoir Park

Aside from the usuals of a nice reservoir park..

The Forest Adventure obstacle course is also there..

For children 5 years old and above.

Address: Along Bedok Reservoir Road, Singapore

5. Berlayer Creek and Bukit Chermin Boardwalk

A Mangrove trail good for spotting birds, lizards, and squirrels..

That continues to a boardwalk with fantastic views of the Keppel Harbour and Sentosa Island.

Just behind the Labrador Park MRT Station. 

Don't forget your insect repellant.

Address: 701 Telok Blangah Road, Singapore 109029

6. Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park

Big, well landscaped, and full of happenings..

With a bunch of children's play areas and nice restaurants.

Address: 1378 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 1, Singapore 569981

7. Bollywood Veggies

A lovely farm at the Kranji Countryside.

Their Poison Ivy Bistro is good for a homely lunch.

Address: 100 Neo Tiew Road, Singapore 719026

8. Brunches Cafe

Old barrels and vintage cars turned into seats..

Retro chic feel.

Address: 96 Rangoon Road, Singapore 218381

9. Buds By Shangri-La

A great playground both indoors and outdoors..

Though a bit pricey.

Address: 22 Orange Grove Rd, Singapore 258350

10. Bukit Batok Nature Park

Stunning views of the quarry.. especially on a sunny day.

Address: Corner Bukit Batok East Avenue 2 and Bukit Batok East Avenue 6, Singapore 659761

11. Bukit Batok Town Park

Different from the "nature" park above, this one is close to Bukit Gombak MRT Station.

Known as Little Guilin by the locals because it looks similar to that of Guilin in China.

"Bye bye Dragonflies!"

Address: Bukit Batok East Ave 5, Singapore 650242

12. Central Fire Station

Open House is only every Saturday from 9am to 11am.

"See fireman. Hose. Driving fire truck vroom vroom. Ride ambulance."

Address: 62 Hill St, Singapore 179367

13. Changi Airport

You can watch airplanes fly or butterflies..

Or do just anything.. because it is Changi Airport.

Address: Changi Airport Terminal 1, 80 Airport Boulevard, Singapore 819642

14. Chinese Garden and Japanese Garden

So pretty, peaceful and serene..

"Sit there, me, Mommy. Finding turtle, me."

Address: 1 Chinese Garden Road, Singapore 619795

15. Civil Defence Heritage Gallery

Turning valves. Listening to old telephones. Spraying water on fire.

He enjoyed riding the old fire truck so much, he wouldn't leave.

Address: 62 Hill St, Singapore 179367

16. Cool De Sac

Tree house, Hanging bridge, Building blocks..

Dress up corner, Performance stage, Arts station..

A good variety of creative play.

Address: 3 Temasek Boulevard, Suntec City Mall #02-379/80, Singapore 038983

17. Diggersite

He was too young to manoeuvre the machines properly but still enjoyed it.. 

As much as his dad!

Address: Suntec City, 3 Temasek Boulevard, #03-348/349 (East Wing), Singapore 038983

18. East Coast Park

Always our favourite for cycling, sand play, watching airplanes, and fresh air.

Address: East Coast Park Service Road, Singapore 449876

19. EatPlayLove Cafe

Expectation: Lance doing arts and crafts.

Reality: Lance playing with his transformers car.

Address: 28 Aliwal Street #01-07, Aliwal Arts Centre, Singapore 199918

20. Esplanade

Lots to do here..

"Watching boats, fireworks. Watching bands singing ABC."

Free performances.. but they don't really sing ABC.

Address: 1 Esplanade Dr, Singapore 038981

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