Busy busy year end

I realised I've not been updating my blog. Here's a quick update on what we've been up to:

1. Managing renovations at 2 houses
Finally managed to nail down the contractors for the renovation of our 2 new houses - one for own stay and one for renting out. After weeks of going around hunting for supplies (tiles, paint, light fittings, etc.) we've finally settled everything (or at least I hope we have). Contractors have finally also started work this week, so fingers crossed, we'll be able to get our houses ready by mid-December.

2. Getting organised for our move
Still lots of packing to do. We're doing bit by bit every weekend. Last weekend I cleared up and given away all of L's old baby clothes so the doctor better be right that we're having a baby boy else we'll end up having to go shopping for new baby gal clothes!

Also realised that there may be a rat lurking around my packed boxes in the porch... yikes!!! We found rat droppings in the porch in the last 2 days, and scratch marks on the boxes. How to get rid of the darn rat the natural way? I mean I don't want to kill it, I just want it to leave. I read peppermint is a natural rat repellent but have yet to try it out. So now all new packed boxes are kept in the house, no more putting them outside.   

3. Keeping the kids busy
Feeling extremely guilty for not spending more time with the kids during the school hols. H is going camping with his grandparents and cousin this weekend. He's extremely excited. L wants to go too but I told her she can't since she's actually afraid of getting dirty. She wouldn't step on grass or mud, so how to go camping?!!! When I told her that while taking her for a walk by the poolside, she immediately walked on the grass and said "See, I'm stepping on the grass. Now can I go camping?". "No, you have to walk on the grass barefooted!". I think she's given up hope. Now she's excited that we're taking them to Legoland. She's been talking about it everyday since we told her we'll be going next weekend. So Hubs better make it happen otherwise she will be extremely disappointed!

They've also gone for a couple of field trips with my sis' school which I missed. I will also be missing the Jim West puppet show next week but at least the kids will have fun. The good news is I just got a call from Dumex to inform me that I won 2 tickets to the Hi-5 concert in December. Yippeee... I've never won any contest before so my luck must have changed. L will be thrilled since she loves Hi-5. And since she doesn't get to go camping, I'll be taking her to the concert :-)

Moving... where to?

We've finally gotten the keys to our new house a couple weeks back. The plan was to start engaging contractors, spruce up the place and move there by end of the year. So we thought, until the recent few days, when suddenly there is a change of heart. Should we move to our other house instead when the tenant moves out in December? Now to weigh the pros and cons...

1. House #1
Pros:  It's in the same familiar neighbourhood as our current house. Security is good, environment is good. Best of all, we'll be living directly opposite my mom's, which means easy help :-)

Cons: Insufficient rooms especially with new baby coming on board. Pretty extensive renovation needs to be done and it doesn't help that the contractor we've shortlisted isn't very responsive, which means we may not get the house ready by December. Location wise, it's further from work and the centre of activities.

2. House #2
Pros: Bigger house, sufficient rooms, move in condition so no renovation necessary (minor works can be done in stages after we move in). More central location - closer to work and kids' school and activities.

Cons: Area is still gated and guarded, but security may not be as tight (not sure!). The biggest con of all is that the kids will miss having po-po around all day since we will no longer be in the same neighbourhood.

It seems like we'll be settling for House #2, mainly due to not wanting to deal with the hassle of renovation and of course the timing issue. How the tide has changed from just a few weeks ago. We haven't told the kids yet. They were really excited about moving closer to Po-Po's house. Oh well...