Party for 2 or is it 1

May 22, 2011

Bryce and Layne were looking forward to their big birthday party with all their friends on Sunday.  However, when Bryce woke up that morning I knew something was not quite right with her.  She had no fever and no complaints but she seemed off and kept saying she had to go to her party.

You can tell in the picture below that Bryce does not feel well.  It is written all over her face.

We headed to the party hoping she would come around.  At all public play areas they take everyone's temperature before they let anyone in.  She still had no fever so they let her in.   Brian and I thought if we could just get a couple of pictures with the cake and blowing her candle out we would send her on home.

The cake was late and Bryce did not last.  She threw up all over the floor, so Brian took her home and she missed her party.  I was so sad for her.  She so looked forward to it.  But as they say...the show must go on.

Graham and the girls' friends all came to the party and Layne had a great time.  We missed Bryce but knew she still had her presents to open when we got home.

 So, Layne had her first solo party.  She enjoyed herself but definitely missed her sister.

 After we got home, Bryce rallied and seemed all better!  It must have been a quick stomache bug because as the afternoon came around she was back to her old self.  We headed out to dinner with our friends to continue the birthday celebrations as well as a farewell to friends that were leaving Singapore and heading back to the States.

Finally, 2 smiling faces!

Riley, Bryce, Katie and Layne

Meagan, Theresa, Ivy, Jen and Jodie

Playing in a field adjacent to airplanes.

Bryce's friend Riley moved back to the States at the end of May.

Asher, Meagan and Ivy

Liam, Austin and Graham

FivepointO

Dear Bryce and Layne,

I have been honored to be your mother for the past 5 years and even more honored to be able to watch you grow and mature into beautiful, intelligent and independant young girls. 

What a difference this year has made in your life. 
You have travelled across the world to a new home and country thousands of miles from the home and friends that you love.  All I have to say is WOW!  What troopers you girls have become and have adapted so well to your life in Singapore. 

Bryce~ my tiny and mighty 3 lb 7 oz fighter.  No one, not even your doctors, knew the kind of spirit and perseverance you had in your petite body when you were born.  You fought, worked hard and never stopped proving everyone wrong.
You.are.perfect.in everyway.
Here you are, 5 years old today, and I do not have one reservation about the decisions we have made for you. 
You have a powerful personality that draws people to you.
You don't back down.
You love to sing.
You love to dance.
Loyal to your friends.
You are the girliest of girls...pink, dresses, baby dolls, barbies...

I am proud to be your mom.

Layne~ You are my rock.  My go to girl.  You keep me grounded by your sense of right and wrong.  I can always count on you for everything.  Things come easy for you yet you work hard at everything you do.  You are a natural athlete, creative, artistic, caring, sympathetic and emphathetic.
You love music.
You love animals.
The outdoors.

I am proud to be your mom.

As you girls get older please remember how truly special it is that you are sisters.  You have been together forever and as you get older and personalities, friendships and interests flourish in different directions remember to count on each other, love each other, take care of each other always.  Forever twins,forever sisters,forever family.

This was an unplanned snapshot...look how they are exactly holdng their arms the same.

This coming year will bring lots of change...you girls are ready for it!  Run towards it and embrace it.

I love you beautiful girls. 
Happy Birthday.

Love,
Mommy

Borneo Baby

Kota Kinabalu, Borneo is an island in Malaysia.  It is about a 2 hour plane ride from Singapore.  We originally planned this holiday with just one other family but it quickly grew into 4 families as well as a farewell to the first set of friends that we know that will be leaving Singapore.

The island was gorgeous, relaxing and most importantly enjoyable with our new found friends that we made in Singapore.

Sunset in Sabah

Beach view

My 3 little blessings had such a great time with all the kids that were on holiday with us that I barely ever had the opportunity to take their picture as a group.

Toes in the ocean...way too many jellyfish in the ocean.

Getting ready to Jet Ski

Hanging in the hotel room

When we were not on the beach the resort had a lot of activities to keep the children entertained.  One of the girls favorite was the Batik painting.  Layne stayed there the longest and was very detailed and precise.  Graham, on the other hand, could not be bothered as he preferred to play volleyball in the pool.

What made this holiday unique was taking it with our friends.  The kids are old enough now that they entertained themselves with their friends and the adults could really enjoy their time as well with their friends.

Riley and Byce~  Riley and her family will be heading back to Seattle in 2 weeks.  The girls are already planning on visiting each other.

Layne and Ainsley ready to eat Malaysian food.

Liam, Graham and James ~ poolside

One of the unique things about Borneo and the resort we were at was that it had an orangutan rehabilitaion reserve on site.  It was very interesting to learn how the animals were rescued and cared for in order to be released back into the wild.  Layne, who is my animal lover, took great interest in the baby orangutan.

We also ate lots and lots of good food while in Borneo...from Indian to Western to Malaysian food.  Even the kids joined in on tasting the new foods.

Adult table.  The kids are off in the background somewhere.

I just love this pic of the girls.

Graham, Liam
Maddie, Ainsley, Layne and Bryce

Chris and Jodie, Brian and Ivy, Theresa and Lee

Borneo was a great holiday and so thankful to be able to explore this region while we are here in Singapore.  Next holiday for us in June.  Watch out Texas the Doffings are coming home in 2.5 weeks that is if we survive Bryce and Layne turning 5 this weekend and all the festivities that surround it!