Our Sunday today was occupied by our picnic in Sentosa, and yes Aaqil did have his wonderful time at Palawan Beach, just one of the few beaches in Sentosa. Accompanied by Omar's dad and his wife (auntie), the trip was made more fabulous with Auntie bringing her Chicken Curry delicacy, though without coconut milk to make it sound healthier, but it is still rich in mount-watering taste. Healthy to begin with not until I finished up 2 pieces of chicken together with the skins, well that was the unhealthy part? We were supposed to be expecting some guests from Manila to join our picnic but they later called it off due to their insufficient time as they were rushing for their last minute shoppings for they have to fly off the day after. But no food went to waste, all were taken care off biologically.

Aaqil did help...

We got Aaqil a new float for him to rest himself on the waters but it took us quite some time to convince him that this float is safe. After a few planned distractions and some sand plays, he finally agreed with our theory and belief. Soon, there he was, back to his water crazy mood, alternating with his version of sandcastle buildings.

then... he was convinced!

Did you see his sandcastle?

The crowd started building up after Aaqil's short afternoon nap, people of different walks of life lighting up Palawan Beach, bikinis, trunks, naked babies, I mean real babies. Took a walk with Aaqil to the claimed Southernmost Point of Asia Continent. A suspension bridge linked where we were to that small island where at one point Aaqil stood and watched an Indian romantic couple with the woman in her traditional saree in their utmost passionate mood lying and rolling on the sand. Aaqil must have wondered why didn't his parents allow him to roll on the sand too?

when the bridge swings side-to-side, he does too...

136.01km from equator

Well guys (if you have something to comment about babies and their effects on water/sea spirits, please save your breathe or fingers if you are typing), picnic with baby is fun but it could be not if you didn't equip yourselves with picnic essentials, imagine you were there without diapers? Sounds exaggerating? Well it does happen to people around me.

Here are some tips of mine, might not be fool proof if a tsunami heads your way though, God forbids! And one more thing I need to exaggerate before I begin... 'PICNIC' as in the dictionary means 'A meal eaten outdoors, as on an excursion'. But there are still those who always relate picnics to beaches? Wonder why... anyway, here it goes...

My tips :-

Plan your trip simple, so it's easy to make last minute adjustments, remember, you have a baby with you, too much new sights and sounds will over stimulate the baby, and make them sit too long instead of letting them running around at their own energetic place will understimulate them? So balance up...

- Diapers, all depends on the age of your baby, you'll know how much to bring including spares

- Blankets, they are multi-purpose, you may use it for comfort, shade, warmth, for baby to lie down bla bla bla

- Ziplocs, handy for soiled diapers, dirty clothing, shoes bla bla bla

- Baby wipes, handy for fast baby clean up and other clean ups too

- Tissues, if the mess to clean up is too expensive to use the baby wipes

- Extra clothing for the baby, definite!

- Sun hat, if your baby is ok with something on the head

- Food for the baby, babies might not like your picninc food though and they can't wait till you get home to eat...

- Slings or carriers if you use one, great to have both hands free!

- Plan where will your baby sleep on his picnic nap, if he needs a crib, bring one?

- Stroller can be handy too

- Camera, unless you want no pictures, OR so that your baby has something expensive to play with?

- Importantly, the way you pack your bag, separate babies stuff and other picnic stuff, or you'll confuse yourself, and please DON'T carry 6 big bags just for a 1 day picnic...

For more professional tips, pls visit babycentre.com

tired, bye