How am I tired? Let me count the ways...

Exhausted. Bushed. Whacked. Pooped. Knackered. Drained. Fatigued. Worn out. Done in. Dog-tired.

That's how I've been feeling since Monday. By the time I get home from school, it's 3 pm. Previously I'd be back by 2 pm and get an afternoon nap. But now, the possibility of getting one is closer to nil. I'm not sure whether once my sis-in-law and her children go back, everything will be back to normal, but I think not. By the time I get back it's probably too late to take a nap by the time I get back because Adelle would be up from her afternoon nap soon, and she usually wants some time with daddy.

But, maybe it has to do with me playing with the children as well. The children and I attempted to take an afternoon nap yesterday, but we ended up playing instead. Fen and Jin Jin (my sis-in law) were out shopping and it was just me and the kids. All three of them.

Each were distracting each other (Caleb-Tara, Tara-Caleb, Caleb-Adelle, Adelle-Tara, Adelle-Caleb) and so, none of us got any sleep (this daddy-uncle included). So, I became the Tickle Monster instead and closely guarded my territory (which was the bed) from any invaders (Caleb and Tara. Adelle was very happy just laughing watching throughout the game...of course, she was in the thick of the action as well). Anytime, any of them would get close, I'd bring out the big guns: my two fingers and launch a ferocious tickling attack on them. It was great fun...tiring, erm, very tiring, but great fun. Of course, the Tickle Monster was defeated in the end because he ran out of breath!

That was upstairs in the bedroom. We continued downstairs after that. Caleb and I played a simplified version of badminton outside (we score points by just hitting the shuttle, not nets, no rules except that one) while Tara and Adelle watered the plants. After three games together (I won 2, Caleb 1), we stopped and went inside the house and continued with other activities. I played the piano with Adelle first, then Caleb got interested with my guitar, so he played with it for a bit, then I played it and we all sang "Ol McDonald had a farm". Caleb and Tara were good in coming up with animals and their sounds!

Then it was time to feed Adelle her dinner while the other children busied themselves with their toys. Then the mommies came back (hallelujah!).

We went out for dinner at a seafood restaurant. Welcome - that's the name. Heard of it? If you know where Super Tanker is, and Man Tai is, then it's the row just behind theirs. It's a corner lot with a roof-extension to the side. The food's pretty good, and it was packed when we arrived. That was slightly past 8.

After a wonderful dinner (Jin's treat!), we headed home. Everyone was tired. So we all washed up and went straight to bed.

Today, I had time with the kids again. Fen took Jin to the dentist for a 4 o' clock appointment, so I manned the station when they were gone. It was less tiring this time, because I was eating a late lunch, so Caleb (who wanted to play badminton again) had to wait for me to finish. Tara was busy playing with Adelle's doll and pushchair. By the time I finished, it was almost 5 and I said I needed to rest for the food to settle a bit before playing. During that time the mommies came back (hallelujah, again!). But, I did play badminton with Caleb. This time, I won 3 to his 1. But, he seems to be hitting the shuttle more this time round.

Now, as I'm typing this, I'm alone with the kids again! But, it's all peace and quiet. They've all zonked out. Both mommies are out, probably checking out 1Borneo at this moment. So, before I myself fall asleep, thought I'd blog for a bit and go blog hopping first.

2 more days till the weekend! Phew...