My Angel's Treasury

The Midnight

2012-02-15T01:07:00.000+08:00

@ 12.50am

It has been quite some time I never stay up late night. I enjoy the peace and quiet night now :)

Days have been slowly set into a routine now. I hope it can be maintain.

SW has settled down at school. She remains want mummy to bring her into classroom but no fuss for my leave after she is on her seat. However, she a bit unwell now with some coughs and flu 2 days ago and started mild fever today.

In the other end, SY has more homework compare to last year. I can spend more time for her during morning when baby SW away to school. Home is much peaceful with only 1 of them at home at a time. SY can be more concentrate too without the disturbance from her little sister.

Knowing I’m tired running around and cooking for dinner, daddy helps to pick up SY whenever he can. I’m so much appreciated.

It was a great start of the week for me.

Their Conversation

2012-02-14T13:29:00.000+08:00

Every day I’ll pick up baby SW first then only send SY to school. So both of them have a little of time to chit chat in car.

I like to listen to their conversation.

@Conversation about rewards:
SW: “姐，我今天厉害叻，我都没有哭，我有good hor?“
SY: “hmm, 有good”
SW: “给我sticker“
SY: “没有的，要assembly 没有讲要mummy陪我才给你ok!

@Conversation about things to do at school
SY: “妹，你今天在学校唱什么歌？“
SW: “不要跟你讲”
SY: “跟我讲啦“
SW: “ok 啦， ok 啦，唱。。。(start singing) 春风吹上你的脸。。。。“
** Then they will sing the entire song (the famous CNY song) until we reach school….

@Conversation about food
SY：“妹，你今天吃什么？”
SW: “吃面包”
SY: “什么面包？”
SW: “里面有搽jam的面包咯！“

@Conversation about activities
SW: “我今天在学校抓鱼叻”
SY: “哇，酱好的，抓什么鱼“
SW: “不懂。。“
SY: “嗨哟，问你什么都不懂“
SW: “抓鱼啦！”

Yeah! ........

2012-02-11T23:39:00.003+08:00

It is a happy dinner time for both girls today because..... “Yeah! No need eat rice today!”..... This statement was shouted by both SY and SW when they know their dinner menu today is one of their favorite, salad and tuna.

Well, our girls just dun like to eat proper dinner @ rice.

Our Dinner @ Saturday Night

After dinner, they are excited again because mummy starts to bake for their breakfast the next day. Yeah, my both little girls are cake lover :)

Lemon Raisin Cake

When She is Alone

2012-02-08T23:20:00.000+08:00

When Jie Jie off to school, baby SW doesn’t have any one to play/chat/fight with her, hence sometimes she will do some make over on her toy pet ;)

The Updates

2012-02-06T16:57:00.000+08:00

@SY
She has been off school the one whole week before CNY due to fever. The fever is at very high temperature on the first 2-3 days and after the second visits of doctor, it has finally slow down. But she became very weak after that due to her sick as well as the medication.

We stop her from cookies and drinks during CNY, allowed to a very minimum of CNY food. Pity her for that but we have no choice. She is well the entire CNY holiday, but the fever returned again a day before school reopen but recovered after a day of rest at home.

We realized the hair drop after this fever. That put us very worried on her health condition. We are worried about any underlined health problem. Therefore, mummy arranged an appointment with her pediatrician to check it out. The result of the meet up has ease our worries, doctor commented some fever virus may caused the hair drop, and it shall not be any other health issue since she doesn’t have any other symptom apart from that.

We pity her hair getting lesser now. She born with little and tiny hair and grow very little with it too. With the hair drop, it is even lesser now. We hopes she is now changing her bb hair and will grow with thicken hair soon.

Apart from her sick, she has been absent from school for a long time. She only attends 6 days of school throughout the entire January. She also skips few lessons from her ballet and piano too. We had to temporary stop her art lesson too because she need time for her ballet and piano replacement as well as plenty of rest!

@SW
She had a wonderful CNY because she is allowed to take her favorite CNY food every day, with limits of course. We not afford to have another sick kid at home.

Schooling, it is terrible after the CNY holiday. She has back to school but the situation is worse than the first week of school. She gets so attached to me, refused to let go, refused to listen and refuse of any bribe. She only wants mummy. I stay a bit longer than usual but it seems couldn’t settle her down too after some days. So on last Friday, I have no choice but to let go with her crying behind because I have appointment with Pediatrician on that day. Anyhow, I have been told she stops crying in a minutes after I left. This girl sound bullying her mummy right?

Anyhow, we realized she getting very attach to mummy ever since she starts school. It could be a sign of insecure about her schooling and the new environment that she has to go on her own. We hope she can pass this phase confidently.

With 4 days off schooling now, I have another round of tough time when the school reopen; pray hard she can be steady very soon.

@Mummy
Tired.

With a sick kid to worry, a sticky girl to handle, loads of house chores, piles of office work and the plenty of times spend in sending kids, I’m run out of energy. I had to let go my baking and blogging. I foresee this year will remain a busy year for me because both girls study timing is different, that means most of my times will be running on sending and fetching them, and the remaining of time will be rushing on preparing the kids and completing the house chores.

It is a very challenging year for me. I hope I can handle it well. 加油！

The Dragon Year

2012-02-05T15:26:00.000+08:00

Time flies, CNY is getting to over in a day time. With 4 days off towards the end of CNY, it is indeed a very good time for every of us to have a good rest.

Mummy wish the start of dragon year brings health & prosperity to our family and lot of happiness to our girls :)

Baby SW Schooling

2012-01-16T14:51:00.002+08:00

I’m lucky to have my mum here for the whole weeks to accompany SY at home so that I can have a peace mind to handle SW schooling for the first week.

School dismissed 1 hour earlier on the first week and parent are encouraged to stay with child for the beginning too. It is my preference of school because they care about children feeling of fear. There are many schools and many people told me I shall leave my child and go because child will get used to the environment faster and they told me don’t bother their cry because they will eventually settle down later. I kind of disagreed the method because I preferred to talk to my child more about how schooling like instead of letting her to face the fear alone and cry until adapting the place. So it is one of my concerns about how the school will handle the child at start up when I choose a school for SW last time.

Under our expectation, this girl is not easy to adapt into new school environment.

Day 1:
She goes school on casual wear. She is alright to wake up early and get change. However, upon reached school, she started to get nervous when many teachers greet her and approached her. Upon enter school compound, teacher will check her forehead temperature. Then she will need to take off her shoes and put in the shoes shelf with pre-printed name on the allocated place. After that, teachers will squeeze some hand sanitizer on their hand before enter her classroom.

I stay with her the entire class on day 1. She wanted me to be with her and stay near to her at all time. She doesn’t cry but she refuses to talk to teacher and response to teacher. She refuses to follow the group for activities as well.

School gives her a badge to welcome them to school.

Day 2:
Again she is on casual wear today. I have some talks with her after day 1 about Mummy cannot accompany her for all times, to get her prepared herself of going on alone soon in days.

That morning, she refuses to change, giving reason sleepy, tired and don’t want go school. I have about 20 minutes talk to her, with some offering, with some rewards and the reason of going school. At last she changed and get into car and of course we are late for the day.

Knowing she’ll be on her own soon, she is crankier on second day. She’ll cry when I told her I wanted to settle payment with principal for a while. She doesn’t want me to leave her, and must have to stay near her in class. She remains doesn’t want to response to teacher.

It is alright for me and teachers because we can understand her fears.

Day 3:
Mummy continues the talk to her after day 2 of school. I keep tells her I’ll leave after I settled down her in class on day 3. She goes school with uniform today. Same as previous day, she refuses to change again with the same reason given. I have a good talk with her again, with the same explanation too.

I accompanied her until she gets into classroom. I stay there for 30 minutes and keep telling her I’ll be leave soon. There are 3 teachers in her class, I chooses the one I trusted the most and handed SW to her. I believe she can handle her well when I’m not around. At the time I leave, she cried for me to stay but I told myself it is time to let go. Although her cry is expected but I still leave with a very heavy heart knowing my little girl is crying for mummy behind there. I returned 5 minutes later to peek on her, but of course I didn’t let her to see me. Principal told her she stops crying and sitting on her desk. I felt a bit relief, at least she din cry. I went home after that.

To keep my promise to her, I reached her school earlier. I promised to her she’ll see me in gathering hall before dismissed. She is good after I leave, although she still not response much to teacher but she is not crying. I reward her set of mechanic pencil for doing so well on first day without mummy.

Day 4:
Without escape, she refuses to go school again!!!

And with no doubt, she has to go school. It just that mummy needs to be more patient to comfort her again and again.

She is doing so well today. When I leave, she gives me a kiss and wave goodbye to me without cry! I’m so happy with that. At the end of class, I saw her happily singing and playing in the group with the smile on face. It is the first smile I saw her smile at school after many days of schooling.

I get her a bar of sweets as promised.

Day 5:
She off to school with sport wears today. She still refuses to go school at early morning but the talks time has been shorten down.

They have assembly at hall this morning, she looks nervous again because something is different from the past 4 days. I rest assured to her I’ll stay with her until the assembly over and I’ll only leave after she settled down in her classroom. She more ok after that but keep peep at me during her assembly. I do keep my promise to bring her to classroom so she is ok when I leave, with a kiss and goodbye to mummy without cry.

At the end of class, schools rewards them an Angry Bird ruler for being at school for 5 days. She was so happy and show off to her jie jie after that.

With some rewards from mummy for the past few days, she asks me this upon enter into car:

SW: 今天你买什么给我？ (What are you buying for me today?)
Me: Roti Canai :D
SW: 还有叻？ (Somemore?)
Me: No more. Cannot keep buying thing because mummy money will finish if keep buying

Luckily she can accept my explanation. I wish to make her understand there is no reward for going school every day. I do not wish she creates a habit on it.

Phiew, 5 days of schooling is finally over. I’m a little exhausted but happily seeing her get into the school well. I’m happy she starts school with minimum cry and willing to get near to teachers now.

The Start of 2012

2012-01-16T10:03:00.000+08:00

I’m so tie off with kids schooling ever since the start of 2012.

First Week of Jan:
Schools reopen on the 4th day of January. I accompanied SY to school on the first day. I’m staying there with her until recess time to make sure everything is in place for her. Daddy has to be on leave due to baby SW down with high fever on the night before school opening. So she has to be home with daddy while I settled SY down at school.

However, after a day of schooling, SY started to fever and therefore off school for the next 2 days.

Second Week of Jan:
It was a challenging week for me because baby SW will enters kindergarten for her first time. It is a big challenge for me because she is more attached to me at all time. She starts school few days later than SY; it is a good timing for me so that I can settle down on them one after another.

Although it is not easy to get her adapt into new environment, but by end of the week, I am relief because she has slowly gets into her first school.

I’ll post about her schooling separately.

Third Week of Jan:
Today was the first day in third week. SY fever again! We don’t know what’s wrong with her. She seems unwell since school started. Sigh!

I’m so busy in running for my 2 girls and with CNY around the corner, there more things on hand. I hope everything can be on track after the CNY holiday.

@ Christmas Dinner Dessert Time, de Ice Cream

2011-12-30T23:07:00.002+08:00

@ 冬至 2011

2011-12-30T22:53:00.000+08:00

@ Grandma in Town

2011-12-29T16:09:00.000+08:00

@ The Curve

SY still remember the Marche, place where she went for baking last time

Chicky SW wants Mummy carry

They love Duckie

SY with 2 yellow ducks and a black duck

@ Penang Trip

2011-12-29T14:53:00.001+08:00

Stop By Ipoh for Dim Sum

Bayview Beach Resort

Near Hotel Buffet Entrance

Pool Side. Both girls afraid to get down to pool

Girls at Kek Lok Si @ Hot Hot Day

Family at Kek Lok Si

The Sisters

Her Angry Bird follows her to trip too

Butterfly Farm, nice & relax!

Everywhere is beautiful butterfly

Closeup of a butterfly

At g-plaza next to Gurney, have to opt to g-plaze for dinner due to rain

忙碌的假期

2011-12-28T21:31:00.000+08:00

学校假期即将结束，我有一种是该时候沉淀的感觉。毕竟这整个假期我总是忙忙碌碌的，没有好好的，宁静的空闲下来。

下个星期，大女儿即将回归学校，而小女儿也即将踏入她人生的第一所学校。2011年也快告别了。不过我没有任何的年终记录，因为我的记忆有限，过去的东西很快的会在我的脑海消失，所以我没有任何的总结可以写的。

趁我还记得这个假期的一些点点滴滴，我得赶快写下。假期的开始，我们去了一趟槟城之旅。我们选在公共假期的时候去，太拥挤了，所以有一些的遗憾，并没有很愉快的感觉。希望下一次去时会有好的感觉。

接下来，我们去了妈妈家度假。我们在那住了几天，小孩有表姐一起玩，很开心。我有家人谈天说地，也很开心咯！那是一个很愉快的假日。

再接下来，小孩的婆婆和姑姑来了我们家住了三天，那三天两个小宝贝开心的不得了，从早玩到晚的。难得她们来，所以让她们玩个够。我也乐得安静，因为她们有人陪，不会来吵我的，哇咔咔！

然后就是冬至，我带了两个小孩回妈妈家过冬。一起的还有姐姐和她的女儿。晚上我们就在自己家吃我煮的汤圆。

过冬之后既是圣诞节。圣诞夜，我们带了孩子出去用餐，也让她们点她们最喜爱的雪糕。很久都没敢让她们吃雪糕了，没办法，因为她们咳嗽很久了，真的怕了她们。

隔天，吃了早餐，我们就出发去了。去了哪里呢？就是去购买小孩的新衣新鞋。农历新年即将来临，小孩总是最期待的。终于也搞定了她们的新衣新鞋。

再接下来呢？就是年终假期了。要去哪里呢？还不懂！或许鸟园吧！

照片呢？下次再上载！

Baby SW @ 3 Years Old

2011-11-20T22:55:00.001+08:00

Baby SW has celebrated her 3 years old birthday 2 weeks ago. With grandma in town during her birthday, we have organized a small party for her among in law family and few close friends. It is a simple party but both girls enjoy the most throughout the day.

The Birthday Girl

The Sweeties

Unwrap the Gift

From Daddy & Mummy

From Her Beloved Jie Jie

The Gifts

And The Gifts too.....

一起上学去咯！

2011-11-06T00:29:00.000+08:00

Before I post about SW birthday celebration, I would get this up first. The angry bird school bag is one of her birthday present and I saw it put side by side with Jie Jie school bag the next day after her birthday. So cute!

Piano Keyboard

2011-11-04T23:56:00.000+08:00

It is precious, it is inherited and it is meaningful.

This portable piano keyboard was given to daddy from his cousin sister 20 years ago. With SY started learning piano, we think she should have a keyboard at home for practice. However we are reluctant to spend few hundred to get a new keyboard because firstly we do not know how long her interest will be and secondly, we will go for upright piano if she really interest after a year or two.

Then we recalled daddy has a unit at hometown, we get in law to bring it down to KL 2 weeks ago. They have it tested work well before bring it down. However, when we first plug it in to our home socket, the unit sound a ‘pak’ and it is burn off with the burning smell. We suspected the adapter has burn off. I called Yamaha for support after that, and I’m lucky enough to meet a helpful technician who willing to find through their very old manual. Since the unit is now obsolete and there is no longer adapter replacement, he suggested me to get an external adapter from any electrical shop and he has given me a very clear instruction of it. A very helpful guy!

I found the adapter at Tesco. The keyboard is working well now and SY can practice at anytime she wants.

The Gifts @ The Love

2011-11-02T23:07:00.000+08:00

Both girls are always blessed and shower by love. They have lovely aunt and uncle who will buy them some gifts from time to time. We hope they will know to appreciate it.

From 大姨

Angry Bird Sticker & Glitter from 阿姨

From 三舅

From 二姑

From Aunty Yap

From 婆婆，大姑 & 二姑

小小天地 @ Their Cozy Room

2011-11-01T23:07:00.000+08:00

It has been one and the half month both girls sleeping together in their own bedroom. We hope it is a successful transition this time. Every night mummy will accompany them in room until they fall asleep. SY has no problem so far, but SW will sneak to our room at most of the midnight. It is always happened after she woke up for pee. She needs more time to adjust for it.

There is a bed with frame in the room before that but we removed it so that both can sleep on floor and we don’t have to worry they’ll fall from bed, while the sofa corner is for mummy reading and surfing when accompany them.

We also get them a Hello Kitty night lamp to keep some light for the room in case they woke up at midnight. Both them love their Kitty lamp so much.

And they like to play a while before sleep too.

Children Day

2011-10-31T15:53:00.000+08:00

I never know the children day was celebrated so grand at school nowadays. It was the first time for me to experience it :)

SY celebrated her first children day last 2 week. The whole day was for celebration hence they do not need to bring their school bag. They allowed bringing toys on the day. They have clown going for magic show, free ice cream from school and a souvenir from headmaster. They have games and lucky draw too. And of course, they have a big party at their own classroom.

It was a big relief to me when the celebration is over because SY just can’t wait to go for children day and therefore she keeps talk and asked about it every day. On the day itself, she woke up very early, telling me she going to be late and want to prepare herself to school but the clock was actually ticking at 9am only. I send to school 20 minutes earlier than usual and was truly peace mind after drop her. No more ‘children day’ lingerie around my ear, hahhaha!

She brings 2 small bags to school, one filled with 38 packs of sultana biscuit, and another bag filled with container, cup and her own cutlery set.

And she brings home lots of Junk Food!!! Besides that, she also brings home an RM50 Crocs Voucher that she gets from lucky draw. We are trying to sell it out now and use the money to buy her a pair of her preference ballerina shoes instead of top up for Crocs. Hope can get buyer soon.

Besides that, her best friend bought her a set of Angry Bird stationary as her Children Day Gift.

Reciting Poems （朗诵古诗）

2011-10-29T01:30:00.001+08:00

SY likes to read poems and there are about 10 poems inside her text book. She recites everyday and the good thing is she has a daddy who familiar with those poems who can guide her through at anytime when she stuck in the middle of reciting. Mummy is totally out in poems, so whenever she asked me what the next, my answer to her always is ‘I DON’T KNOW!!!!’…….

Before she returns her books to school, I copy down all the poems inside. At least when she needs refer, there is a place for her.

游子吟（孟郊）
。。。。。。。。。。。。
慈母手中线，
游子身上衣。
临行密密缝，
意恐迟迟归。
谁言寸草心，
报得三春晖。
（是首描写母爱的古诗）

咏鹅（骆宾王）
。。。。。。。。。。。。。。
鹅，鹅，鹅，
曲项向天歌。
白毛浮绿水，
红掌拨清波。
（《咏鹅》的第一句 “鹅，鹅，鹅” 既是指鹅，也是鹅的声音。诗里头也描写鹅的样子及它游水时的姿态和动作）

春晓（孟浩然）
。。。。。。。。。。。。。。
春眠不觉晓，
处处闻啼鸟。
夜来风雨声，
花落知多少？
（描写春天早晨的景象）

山村（邵雍）
。。。。。。。。。。。。。。
一去二三里，
烟村四五家。
亭台六七座，
八九十枝花。
（描写山村的景色）

清明（杜牧）
。。。。。。。。。。。。。。
清明时节雨纷纷，
路上行人欲断魂。
借问酒家何处有，
牧童遥指杏花村。
（“断魂”表示伤心；“杏花村”是指买酒的地方。提醒学生亲人在世时要孝顺，亲人过世了，可以怀念，但不要太忧伤）

静夜思（李白）
。。。。。。。。。。。。。。
床前明月光，
疑是地上霜。
举头望明月，
低头思故乡。
（描述诗人思念故乡的心情）

登鹳雀楼　（王之涣）
。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。
白日依山尽，
黄河入海流。
欲穷千里目，
更上一层楼。
（这首诗描写登高所看到的景色，反映了积极进取的精神）

悯农
。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。
锄禾日当午，
汗滴禾下土。
谁知盘中餐，
粒粒皆辛苦。
（《悯农》中的“锄禾” 是指用锄头松禾苗周围的土； “盘中餐”指的是米饭。这首诗描述了劳动者的艰辛，粮食得来不易，提醒学生对劳动者要感恩及珍惜食物）

回乡偶书（贺知章）
。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。
少小离家老大回，
乡音无改鬓毛催。
儿童相见不相识，
笑问客从何处来。
（诗中的 “少小“ 和 ”老大“ 的对比写出了诗人离开家乡的时间久远； ”乡音无改“ 则流露了诗人对家乡的思念）

相思（王维）
。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。。
红豆生南国，
春来发几枝？
愿君多采撷，
此物最相思。
（此诗描写离别的不舍之情，最后一句似乎是说 “看见红豆，请想起我。”, 暗示远方的友人珍重友谊，语言诚挚动人）

Only Do What It Ask?

2011-10-26T23:46:00.003+08:00

Some time ago, I read an article about the interview of a successful Entrepreneur. In his interview, he commented the younger generations these days are very different from his generation. One of the examples he mentioned is the new generation only do what you asked or assigned, and they will not give you any EXTRA! It means if you asked to give 3 opinions, they will only give you 2 or 3 but not more than that. He said in his time, when people/teachers ask them to give 3 opinions, they usually will find out more answer for it. He compares and he thinks it could be due to the different study environment among the old & new generation.

When I read the article, I actually don’t have much thinking or comment on what he said. But recently his word has come into my mind again after I seen SY’s exam paper. In one of her paper, the question asked to draw a smiley mouth if the attitude is right. There is one which is bad in attitude, SY draws the sad mouth on that and she being marked as wrong. Reason because the question never asked you to draw anything on bad attitude.

Without any preconception, I somehow have to admit what the entrepreneur commented has its reasons. Children being trained to answer exactly what being asked, but never do more than that, regardless the extra work is right or wrong.

For this moment, what I can tell my child is does not do any extra work when it is not being asked during EXAM ONLY. In their daily life, I still hope they can have the creativity and think for more options and present it in different ways.

Another Decision Making

2011-10-25T23:32:00.000+08:00

SY requested to learn piano since months ago but we do not keep it serious. However she keeps mentioning about it and shows her eagerness on learning piano. Seeing her great interest on it, we have finally looks into it seriously. I asked her the reason she wants learn piano, she said she likes the song and the music tones play out from piano. It is a good reason to me because at least I know she has her own view and it is not due to her friends/cousin who also learning it.

Since she able to tell us her interest clearly, we have decided to let her try it out. Mummy has found a music center for her and brought her for the trial class last few days. I had been told by many people that teacher plays the most important role in teaching piano and not the music center. Hence, the hunting of SY piano lesson I’m more focus on teacher rather than center. The trial session turn out great, the teacher looks patient and caring enough to teach a child. Both SY & I likes the teacher and we have come back home with the below book after the trial. She will officially start her piano lesson on November.

Her Piano Book

Her First Song

It's Time for Her

2011-10-23T00:21:00.000+08:00

It’s time for our precious baby SW off to school. Started from August, mummy keeps talks to her about the school. She was very reluctant about school at beginning; she only wants to stay home with mummy at all times. But now she has been mind prepared for school and she has agreed to leave mummy for a morning time.

We only proceeded to look for a suitable place for her after she felt comfortable about going school. Actually there are not many choices for us because the academic oriented of kindergarten is out of our choice. We prefer a place she can have fun learning. We also look for English medium kindergarten because she has enough mandarin speaking at home with her sister. Thus, the choices have narrowed down and it also means easier for hunting and decision making.

We had finally registered her to our desired place. Good news for mummy because it is very time consuming to do research and hunting for a kindergarten ;)

We hope our little girl will be as steady as her sister during school opening and can get adapt into school environment soon. We also hope she’ll learn happily and enjoys her school life.

The Fresh Look

2011-10-19T23:28:00.001+08:00

After Cut: The Fresh Look

Mummy wanted to keep long hair for her but this girl has problem in keeping her hair in tied condition for more than 30 minutes. Every time when mummy tied her hair nicely and neatly, she’ll remove the hair-band within half an hour time. She looks messy and untidy, so mummy decided to cut her hair short.

She looks fresh after the hair-cut, remains cute and sweet but mummy actually likes to see her with the hair tied up more ;)

Before cut: The Messy Long Hair

Mummy likes to see her 'Bun' Hair

81 – [ ? ] = 23

2011-10-16T21:31:00.000+08:00

When teaching SY on Math on working out the missing number in plus & minus, I encountered problem in getting her to understand when it should use minus and when it should use add in order to get the missing number.

Lately I heard she was mumbling something about the method, it is very useful and I will keep it here as a reference:-

前面不见加变减，减变加。
中间不见加变减，减还是减。

September 2011 Art Gallery

2011-10-15T20:59:00.000+08:00

In the month of September, art teacher let SY decided the theme of her drawing on her own. She has chosen Mid-Autumn Festival, 1-Malaysia in conjunction with the public holiday of it and also the hot bird, Angry Bird.

Art Craft 01 @ Lantern

Art 02 @ Mid-Autumn Festival

Art 03 @ 1-Malaysia

Art 04 @ The Hot Bird

Baby SW Language

2011-10-13T23:38:00.000+08:00

Baby SW can talk very well in mandarin now due to Jie Jie always speak mandarin to her. But sometimes she doesn’t understand the meaning of what she said actually, she just copying whatever her sister said.

Lately she always talk to me in this way, mixing English and Chinese together when answering me, but she makes me very confused because I don’t know which is her correct answer:-

When I ask her what color she wants for something, she told me: “White color 红色“ or “Blue color 黄色“
When I ask her where her water tumbler is, she told me: “Upstair 楼下“
When I ask her what she wants from toys room, she said “Puzzle 玩具“
When I ask her which soft hugging toys she wants, she said “Bear Bear 兔子“
And some others, which I can’t recall now!

At first I’m quite worry about that because the word she said is totally in different meaning. Then I try to ask her separately for the meaning, but she could answer me correctly. So for the time being, I think I can only just let it be lor.

Besides that, the favorite word she likes to say now is “Terima Kasih, 小青蛙“. Whenever she wants to say thank you to us, she’ll said that in Bahasa + calling us as the little frog.

*speechless*

The Beach @ Hometown

2011-10-12T00:12:00.000+08:00

We went back to hometown early September. Beach is always the place our girls looking forward, with sand building and bubbles blowing. Besides, Daddy enjoys flying kites too. I think next time I shall get a bamboo mat for myself and relax there too while they playing at beach.

The Nice Beach

Daddy flying up the kite

The Spiderman on Sky

The Girls, not happy Mummy disturb them for photos huh? So sour the face!

Mid-Autumn Festival @ 2011

2011-10-11T23:35:00.000+08:00

It is another post about September’s activities :)

This year, we have spends 2 nights to light up lantern at our garden. First night with our guest and second night with SY’s best friends came over together with her mum and little sister.

The garden became so nice after lighting up lots of lantern.

Battery Lantern given by 二婶: Red for SY, Purple for SW
(This type of lantern will light up and off. To get both lantern light up, I have shooting many on it and finally got both light up at the same time)

Lantern light up at Place 1, near Dining Hall

Lantern light up at Place 2, at Car Porch

Lantern light up at Place 3, at Garden

The Funny SW, with lot of poses during photo shooting

The Birthday Party during Sept School Holiday

2011-10-11T22:55:00.000+08:00

SY has been invited to her classmate’s birthday party held at KFC during the past school holiday. The birthday girl WS is one of her best girl friend at school.

There are total 10 classmates being invited. KFC has an organizer who plans the game and activities for them. He handled all the children by himself. Parents can just stay free and chit chatting. I bring along SW too but she prefers to stay aside rather than joining.

Chicky join in the group during cake blowing session. The kids are real funny with the chicky where they tried to pull his tail, knock-knock his glass eye, bumping his stomach and all sort of funny actions.

SY has a real great 2-hours fun there. She also catches the chance to snap with Chicky too.

Love This!

2011-10-11T00:01:00.001+08:00

Love to see the above photo when they were so sweet hugging each other. It was a very precious moment because they tend to quarrel at most of the times :) Mummy hopes both sisters will love each other more & more in future.

Oh ya, why they are so happy in the photos? That is because of the angry bird jean pant and the panty holding by SY which presents by an aunty on that afternoon. They are the little angry bird fans now.

SY Birthday @ 2011

2011-10-10T23:37:00.000+08:00

2 weeks ago, we celebrate her 7th birthday. Witheveryone unwell at home, we have a very simple birthday celebration for SY thisyear. It is just a cake blowing session.

Candles Time

Angry Bird Birthday Cake

Her Birthday Gift from Mummy Daddy. Guess What?

A Necklace

(Last Year, we bought her a necklace too, but it is made by sterling steel, that make her skin irritate. So we banned her from wearing after that. Since she loves necklace much, this year, we get another for her. It is a jade HuLu-pendant, which in Chinese it knowns as a charm symbol to ward off evil spirit and disease.)

The Siblings, with Jie-Jie on Tinker Bell party hat and Mei-Mei on Hello Kitty

雨过天晴了吗？

2011-10-10T22:48:00.000+08:00

仿佛很久没更新部落格了。整个九月一家人都在病中度过。从爸爸伤风咳嗽开始，病毒就一直绕来绕去，像粒球似的围绕着家里的每个成员。更严重至爸爸肺感染的进住了医院两天。在出院当天，我把家里打扫干净，希望孩子们不会再被病毒袭击，可是最终她们还是生病了，而且姐姐还因为生病而缺课了两天。

踏入十月，原以为雨过天晴了，妹妹无预警的发烧了两天，而妈妈也严重的咳嗽。现在是十月的第二个星期了，看似每个成员都开始慢慢的康复，我诚心祈祷我们一家人都可以健康平安。

Little Cutie Pie

2011-09-04T02:37:00.000+08:00

Baby SW is a little cutie pie in family. She always talks funny and act funny face. She likes to take photo and once she is on camera, she has lot pose at one shot, like a model. Below is a series of photo shooting she asked for it when we are in car waiting for daddy & SY in front of a bakery shop.

Shot 1

Shot 2

Shot 3

Shot 4

Shot 5

Shot 6

Shot 7

Book Fair

2011-09-03T14:58:00.000+08:00

This is my first time going to a big scale of book fair. Since it is falls on public holiday, I have daddy home to look after the 2 girls, there gives me a chance to spend a day on it. While I’m away, daddy brings 2 gals to KFC for lunch, they do enjoy themselves too.

I went on first day of Raya, there are huge crowd of people. It was still ok during my arrival, but at afternoon, the hall was so packed and stuffy. It was even taking sometimes to move a step.

Anyhow, I back home with some books, a school bag and a box of 36pcs color pencil. Everyone is happy!

Clifford for SW, Magic Bread for Mummy, 2 books for Daddy, and the rest for SY & SW

School Backpack

The Above Bag claimed with Spinal Support

Color Pencil for both girls

Bread Loaf

2011-09-02T14:19:00.001+08:00

There are things to post about but the long holidays make me too relax that I just want to sit down doing nothing.

Long holiday is over and we are back to normal too.

Some days before school holiday, I make my first attempt on bread loaf. It is a simple raisin loaf but to me, it doesn’t success as I’m not very satisfied with the texture of the bread although who seen it all said the bread ‘look’ very nice. Therefore, when my 2 dear friends visit me the day, I never offer them my bread :D

During school holiday, I tried again. This time, we are happy enough with the outcome, so my dear friends, its time I’m pleased to offer you the bread ;)

Raisin & Choc Chip Loaf

The Slice

This time the bread loaf has risen nice enough and the texture is soft enough too.

Singing Collection

2011-09-01T14:00:00.002+08:00

SY loves singing but she has problem in catching up the correct lyric and rhythm especially when the song was learned in a group. She has learned some songs in her Di Zi Gui session where there are all very nice songs and I like the meaning of the song too.

Since she was so eager to sing, I take up the job by learning first and teaching her after that. We have now into 6th song already. The first song we learned at last year for her solo during kindi concert and the rest of songs is learned recently:

感谢
隐形的翅膀
快乐天堂
妈妈的眼睛
幸福的脸
老人与小孩

Among all, we like 幸福的脸 the most:-

幸福有沒有在我身边? 怎么一直看不见
幸福有沒有在你那边? 让我看看它的脸
家里已经找了好多遍，只有溫暖的房间
爸爸說幸福就在镜子裡，那就是我快樂的臉
老師說如果慾望能夠少一點，快樂就會多一些
愛惜地球給我們的資源隨時記在心裡面
我用善良禮貌的雙眼發現大家幸福的臉

A very meaningful song!

June – August 2011 Art Gallery

2011-08-20T15:33:00.000+08:00

Lately SY art lesson has been moving slightly faster than before. Previously it took 2 lessons to complete a drawing, usually with a day on drawing and a day on coloring. Recently, teacher commented her coloring skill is ok already so she can complete her remaining coloring on her own at home. That mean she’ll focus on drawing at each new lesson and if there is enough time, she’ll complete the entire drawing within the lesson too.

It has been 2 yrs since she started her art lesson and she remains her interest on it. We hope she is able to keep it up till higher level.

Art 01

Art 02

Art 03

Art 04
(I edit the drawing to cover off her school name here)

Art 05

Craft 01

Craft 02

Daddy’s Birthday @ 2011

2011-08-19T23:32:00.002+08:00

Unlike the past year, this year we celebrate daddy’s birthday dinner at home. It was a busy day for me. After sending SY to school, I’m going off for shopping for food tonight. Back home about 3pm; putting baby SW to nap and I started to prepare the ingredient. Good enough I’m still manageable to catch some little time to online before going out to fetch SY ;)

Back home at 6pm and I started to busy in kitchen. Manage to get all done around 7pm. So I get myself a good shower before dinner. Snapping some photos before we start our dinner, that is the good memory for daddy’s birthday :)

For daddy and me, we had Roasted Honey & Mustard chicken, salad, sweet corn and potato wedges and a bottle of sparkling juice. As for 2 girls, they had fish fillet, wedges, sweet corn and salad but without thousand island. And of course, their favorite Vitagen also.

Our Dinner

Daddy & Mummy Food

Both Girls Food

After dinner, SY hand over her gift to daddy. This morning she keeps say she want to give daddy a birthday gift, so we get a deal about what to buy and she also agreed to get her own money from her piggy bank with baby SW sharing the half. Baby SW has no way for objection since she doesn’t understand anything yet hahhhahaa!

Gift to Daddy

Gift @ Tumbler
(why tumbler? mummy decided for them the gift, because this is something they can afford to pay and also useful to daddy)

Right before they go to bed, we have the cake cutting. Today, kids are the happiest although it is daddy birthday. It is such a great pleasure to see my happy girls and I know daddy was happy deep down in his heart too.

Chocolate Cake with Almond inside

Our Happy Girls

Again, our happy girls

Happy Birthday to You, My Dear!

Finally, the bread from Mummy’s Kitchen

2011-08-18T23:47:00.000+08:00

Am trying few times to make bread before this, by bread-maker as well as hand knead, but we always not satisfy with the outcome. Few days ago, a friend sharing to us about this blog and I’m so tempted to give it try. Since it is a public holiday and with daddy home look after 2 girls, I go ahead with my exploration. After 3 hours (1 hrs preparation/baking, 2 hrs for proofing), the bread is out from oven. This time we finally satisfy the texture of bread. It is soft and taste great although it looks very ugly ;)

1st Attempt

Next day, I make again because SY complaints daddy eats all her hotdog bread. She is very unhappy with that hahhaa… so I promise to make more for her. This time got some improvement in shaping but still looks not good; the hotdog bun all turns out in imbalance shape, very poor shaping skill. During 2nd attempt, I tried to make mexico bun topping, it turns out very great, the topping is crispy and taste good.

2nd Attempt

Mummy!

2011-08-16T22:38:00.000+08:00

Whenever someone commented SY is very quiet, I always told them she does not quiet at all because imagine if she can call Mummy for 50 times a day, she is definitely not a quiet girl. In fact, I never count on it but I think I should have count it once before I sentence it to anyone. Therefore, a few days ago, I started my counting bar for a day. At a time she called Mummy once, I add the counter once.

So how’s the result? From the moment we wake up at 9.30am until she touched down at school at 1pm, my counter stop at 63. Unbelievable!!! It is 63 times she calls mummy within 3.5 hrs. Basically, she calls mummy to do something for her, she calls mummy to complaints about her sister, she calls mummy to tell something about school, and about everything.

On the same day, after fetching her back from school, I continue the counter, but stop counting at dinner time. Because as of before dinner, the counter has gone up to 75. I’m too tired to count further, so the conclusion is, it is more than 50 times a day.

This has become a little joke between daddy and mummy now. We had no idea how to stop her despite many reminder and warning, so the only way is to get it immune. However, thinking back that in 20 years down the road, I will miss her call as I might not able to hear a single call of Mummy within few days, few weeks or even few months when she growth up and have her own life. So my dear girl, one day when you grow up and if you have read this, remember to call Mummy more often by that time ya :)

Angry Bird

2011-08-10T15:20:00.001+08:00

Angry bird, the hottest icon at this moment, it is not surprised to see all things about angry bird at shopping mall, mini-stall, pasar malam, shops and in fact is everywhere the crowd is.

When we were wandering at pasar-malam months ago, we saw lot of cute angry bird tee, but it is selling not cheap, so we decided to find from KL wholesaler first, we’ll only buy at pasar malam later if we really can’t get it from wholesaler.

It takes bit of time to find, but we get it at last. It is of course cheaper than outside. We get each of them one piece. Baby SW more into it, she wanted to wear again & again every time after washed.

SW with green bird

SY with red bird

At a day when I bought a pencil case for SY, baby SW wanted to get one too. I allowed her to choose one, and again she chooses the bird. So there are more collections now, I think that’s more than enough ;)

SW's pencil case

SW's yellow ruler, jie jie got the same one but in pink

SY draws a picture on it too, it looks very cute.

SY's masterpiece

I always wonder how many birds are they and which is the most and least powerful. A dear friend shares this valuable info to me because her son is a great fan of the bird too.

Angry Bird Likable (Image Credit: The Oatmeal)

There are some picture describes the power on each of them. It is quite informative.

Description 1 (Image Credit: www.squidoo.com)

Description 2 (Image Credit: www.squidoo.com)

Breakfast Time

2011-08-04T22:53:00.000+08:00

It is a drawing about the breakfast time of both sisters.

A Mum’s EQ

2011-07-26T20:15:00.004+08:00

Mummy diary @ 26-07-2011

Being a new generation parent, I learned, I failed, I changed and I opted for more resources to raise my child. It is very often we can hear people commented children these days are very different from our time. It is indeed very true since kid exposure is way much different than us also.

From the day being a mummy, I wish to raise my child with ‘爱的教育’ (the education with love) and I told myself do not over-pressure my child especially in education. I wish they can have a happy childhood just like what we have last time. Anyhow, I do agree a certain level of pressure is still needed for them to growth as a responsible individual in future.

I must admit, it is not easy at all. Very often my girls can challenge my patient to utmost. I ever wonder is my raising method correct? Shall I insist my initial though? Throughout the journey of motherhood, I learned through mistake and I changed. There is always try and error because each child handling method is different. Sometimes it works for my eldest, but not necessary the same for my youngest. So I have to continue find the right way for handling the youngest and vice versa.

It is obviously not easy to handle comparison between our children with others as well. I wish she can learn in a stress-free learning environment, but sometimes the environment put the pressure on it. So I’ll start to worry if she is lacking far behind than her friends? And I’ll hope she can move in fast pace as much as her friends too, and without realize, I actually does put the pressure on my child due to comparison. Luckily my rational will always pull me back and reminds me that it is not right in raising my child.

I wish I can remain committed and persisted to my initial though in the path of my motherhood.

隐形的翅膀

2011-07-25T16:28:00.001+08:00

After I downloaded 我是一只小小鸟 video from YouTube, SY immediately request the next song, which is 隐形的翅膀 from Angela. She is learning this song at school now and keeps practicing every day. Mummy has no idea about this song before this, so I told her I'll need sometimes to find out what is the song about first before I downloading. After choosing from several video, I downloaded the one more mean for small girl instead of Angela MV. She is very happy seeing the video while practicing the song now.

Mummy found the lyric is very meaningful and would like to keep a copy here too.

每一次都在徘徊孤单中坚强
每一次就算很受伤也不闪泪光
我知道我一直有双隐形的翅膀
带我飞飞过绝望

不去想他们拥有美丽的太阳
我看见每天的夕阳也会有变化
我知道我一直有双隐形的翅膀
带我飞给我希望

我终於看到所有梦想都开花
追逐的年轻歌声多嘹亮

我终於翱翔用心凝望不害怕
哪里会有风就飞多远吧

隐形的翅膀让梦恒久比天长
留一个愿望让自己想像

我是一只小小鸟

2011-07-24T15:44:00.000+08:00

With the recent Astro Singing Competition that a group of children singing this song, it has become one of the famous song for my both girls now. They only knew the chorus part, so whenever they stuck at the lyric, they’ll ask me, “and then??” So it is mummy homework to learn the song now before answering their ‘and then’ question. Mummy google the lyric and will keep a copy here.

有时后我觉得自己像一只小小鸟
想要飞却怎么样也飞不高
也许有一天我栖上枝头却成为猎人的目标
我飞上了青天才发现自己从此无依无靠

每次到了夜深人静的时候我总是睡不着
我怀疑是不是只有我的明天没有变得更好
未来会怎样究竟有谁会知道
幸福是否只是一种传说我永远都找不到

Chorus x 2
[我是一只小小小小鸟
想要飞呀飞却飞也飞不高
我寻寻觅觅寻寻觅觅一个温暖的怀抱
这样的要求算不算太高]

所有知道我的名字的人啊你们好不好
世界是如此的小我们注定无处可逃
当我尝尽人情冷暖当你决定为你了的理想燃烧
生活的压力与生命的尊严哪一个重要

Chorus x 3
这样的要求算不算太….高

Barbie 3: Barbie in a Mermaid Tale

2011-07-20T16:12:00.001+08:00

Barbie series of movie has become one of our collections now. With many HD versions available in YouTube, we are slowly covering up the Barbie one by one. On weekday night, daddy will watch with the girls after SY completed her homework. So it will take few days to complete a movie because limited time at night. Daddy & Mummy like Barbie movie too but mummy sometimes busy with house work, so not completely finished the entire movie.

Our recent movie:

* The below source is from Wikipedia.org
Barbie in A Mermaid Tale is about a sixteen-year-old girl called Merliah Summers (Liah for short). She is a top surfer at Malibu and is nicknamed, "Queen of the waves". On the day of a surfing competition, Merliah is surfing mavericks when one part of her hair suddenly turns pink on contact with seawater. Nervous of showing everyone her hair, she dives underwater and meets a dolphin named Zuma. Merliah finds out that she can breathe underwater. Zuma takes Merliah to her friends then disappears. Merliah tells her friends Fallon and Hadley what happened, then she goes home. After telling what happened to her grandfather, Break, Merliah finds out that she is half-mermaid. Thinking that her parents died when she was a small baby, Merliah's grandfather tells her the truth. Break tells her that Merliah's father was a human named Rip and that her mother was a mermaid named Calissa (who in fact, is the Queen of Oceana).Break tells her that when Merliah's father died, Calissa was worried about the fact that Calissa's evil mermaid sister Eris would try to rule over. At the same time, Calissa gave birth to Merliah. Merliah had no mermaid fins which made it dangerous for her in Oceana. Calissa didn't want Merliah to get hurt, so she took Merliah to her husband's father, Break (Merliah's grandfather). Calissa asked if Break could raise Merliah so that she would be safer on land from Eris's rule. It worked. Then Eris took over and Break told her that Calissa had died or was in Eris's rule. At first, Merliah didn't believe Break and left to tell her friends the news.

After telling her friends the news, Hadley was excited and believed that Merliah is of mermaid royalty. Just then, Zuma appears and says that it is true about what Break said, but Merliah at first didn't believe anything and in anger she throws her necklace she'd been wearing ever since she was an infant, it reveals Calissa still alive, spinning Merillia, the life force of the sea. She also tells Merliah that the reason her hair is pink, that she can breathe underwater, is because she is part mermaid. Merliah decides to try to rescue her mother and save the kingdom.

With Zuma as her guide, Merliah arrives in Oceana just when the "Eris Festival" starts. Zuma explains that ever since Eris ruled Oceana, her Merillia was not as strong as Caliisa's, which made the ocean weak. Most of the coral has turned brown, much like the autumn leaves. During the Eris Festival*, Merliah and Zuma hide in a nearby shop. Merliah watches how Eris controls Oceana, by spinning whirlpools that are impossible to get out of, and they take merpeople straight to her dungeons. Merliah is terrified and doubts she can save Oceana. After the festival ends, Zuma takes Merliah to a boutique whose owners are Kayla and Xylie. After a mermaid makeover, the team seeks out the Destinies, three small stylish mermaids who have prophetic powers. Just before they arrive, they hear Eris storming that she will destroy Calissa's daughter. Merliah hides, while Kayla and Xylie point Eris in the fake direction of Calissa's daughter. While Eris was distracted, Merliah and Zuma meet the Destinies. They reveal in order for the team to succeed in overthrowing Eris, they need "three tools that are spread far and wide": The Celestial Comb, a Dreamfish and Eris' protective necklace.

They set out to look for the items. First, with Fallon and Hadley's help, they find the Celestial Comb in a cave guarded by three giant jellyfish. Kayla, Xylie and Zuma lure the jellyfish away while Merliah and Snouts look for the comb. Merliah managed to get it and escape from the cave just before a cave-in. Next, they find the Dreamfish, yet again with Fallon's and Hadley's internet help, in the Adenato currents. Lastly, they get Eris' protective necklace by distracting her with some music and a song. Furious, Eris spins a whirlpool in order to get rid of Merliah. Merliah gets sucked into the whirlpool. Desperate, Merliah calls on the Dreamfish which offers to send her back to Malibu, her mermaid half to go away and it as if none of this has ever happened. Merliah hesitates, but rejects the wish. She is given a real strong mermaid tail, and successfully comes out the whirlpool. Merliah throws Eris' necklace to the ground, revealing Calissa spinning Merillia. Merliah finds out that though Eris is from a royal family, she can't spin Merillia, which is why Eris did not destroy Calissa. Eris is fed up with Merliah and goes after her. Merliah leads Eris into her own whirlpool and she is sent to the bottom of deepest trench in the ocean. Merliah sets Calissa free and Calissa makes Oceana healthy once more. Calissa gives Merliah a necklace that will let her wish to be human or mermaid at anytime. Merliah then goes back to the human world and wins the surfing trophy.

Ribena

2011-07-19T23:05:00.005+08:00

* I think I should have made some notes before continue to avoid giving misleading message :) It is actually a fruits that can make the juice which taste like Ribena but was not the actual ingredient for Ribena. However, we called it ribena among ourselves.

洛神花果/Roselle

This is my first time saw this fruit. As I always heard from Serene, it can made ribena drink, but I never get to know how exactly it is before today. Serene gave me a bunch of 60+ pieces which planted by herself. My kids are lucky to have self planted ribena drink. Thank you very much my dear friend, for your sharing.

I have google some info about this fruit and get some summary of it.

In Chinese, it named 洛神花果，锦葵科草本植物，分布于热带及亚热带，台湾盛产，其制品为台湾著名的土特产品，花果中富含花青素、果胶、果酸等。其味天然芳香、微酸，色泽鲜艳、红润细嫩且回味无穷。可以促进新陈代谢、缓解身体疲倦、清热解毒、开胃消滞、振奋精神。对治疗心脏病、高血压、调节血脂，降低血液浓度等有一定效果。同时具有防感冒、治喉炎热咳、促进胆汁分泌、消斑平皱、滋润肌体等作用，经常食用，能够改善体质、健康益寿。 (Source from baidu.com)

In English, it name Roselle, is a species of Hibiscus native to the Old World tropics, used for the production of bast fibre and as an infusion. Traditionally, it was used in teas or mixed with other herbs to be served as a healthy hot drink or tonic. The main functional ingredients of Roselle are very powerful antioxidants called anthocyanins and vitamin C. These anthocyanins are active free radical scavengers and act as anti-oxidants in our bodies. This is nature’s way to keep us healthy. Besides being a great tasting thirst quencher in the hot climates, health benefits include reduction of cholesterol resulting in lowering of blood pressure, relief of urinary tract infection and constipation. (Source from rosellefarms.com)

With first time boiling, I totally no idea and get so dump of it, because I boil the seed instead of the flower, hahahaa :D No wonder after boiling sometimes, I never see the water turn into Ribena color, so I faster SOS Serene, then only get to know I boil wrongly. Luckily I never throw the flower into dirty bin, otherwise I’ll spoilt Serene’s effort for harvesting it for me.

Our cup of Ribena

Baby SW is very looking forward the drink. It is still sour even I add lot of rock sugar. Baby SW and mummy love it but SY and daddy less prefer because they dislike sour thing :)

Mummy's Kitchen @ Sushi

2011-07-18T23:47:00.000+08:00

Recently, a friend request to show her how my sushi making, so I’ll keep the recipe here as part of Mummy’s kitchen.

Step 1: Cook the Rice

Japanese Rice

Pour 4 cup of SUMO CALROSE RICE and 8 cups of water into rice cooker. (1 rice : 2 water)
Then turn on rice cooker.
When the rice cooker turn off, leave for 10 minutes before take out.

Step 2: Add Vinegar to Rice

Vinegar

After leave for 10 minutes, scoop the rice out.
Add in vinegar. (Roughly add only, never measure exactly, can taste after mix well)
Mix the vinegar well and stir evenly.
Set aside

Step 3: Prepare the Ingredient

Cucumber, carrot, hotdog & egg

Chili Tuna for us, Deli Spread Tuna for 2 girls

Raw cucumber, Raw carrot, Fried chicken hotdog, Fried egg, Can tuna
Slice the cucumber, carrot, hotdog and egg.
Set aside.

Step 4: Wrapping up the Sushi

Put the rice & ingredients

Press down the mould

Use the sushi mould.
Put some rice at the bottom.
Add ingredient on top of the rice.
After done, scoop more rice to cover the ingredient.
Then use the mould to press down.
Prepare the nori-sheet, pour out the moulded-rice on the sheet and rolled up.
Sliced.

Done!

上台领奖！

2011-07-15T22:31:00.001+08:00

To whatever SY learns at school, she’ll come back and play together with her little sister. Since ever she starts standard 1, she has more experience about schools such as assembly, hall gathering, events and prize ceremony. So she’ll play pretending game about it.

Their Stage

One of the pretending games they like to play is prize ceremony. They always take 3 chairs, from the smallest to biggest, to make it as their stair, then the table will be their stage and with a trophy ready on table. At this time, bb SW will stand on table aka their stage, calling her sister name to receive the trophy and she always speaks in mandarin, ‘xxx, 上台领奖！‘. Jie Jie will then walks up the stage to get her trophy.

Both are just too cute in their games.

Picnic, Morib @ 10 July

2011-07-14T22:10:00.000+08:00

Our Picnic Day

It was a gathering event with mummy’s dear friend. Everyone go with family member since it is a family day. We started at 9.30am and leave at around 1pm because everyone has other activities in the afternoon :)

The gathering is great; we have a fun time chit chatting and picnic-ing and the weather is very nice too. It is windy in the entire morning. However, there are lot of fierce monkey who try to steal our food, there are also lot flies flying around our food. We able to get rid the flies by moving to other places, but still have to watch out the monkey. Both girls also bit boring because no sand for playing and they afraid of monkey as well. So they stick with us all time.

Happy Bubbling

Later, daddy bought them a bottle of bubbles, that’s make the girls very excited for the day. This papa just knew his girls very well :)

Updates

2011-07-13T14:20:00.002+08:00

Nowadays I’m getting very lazy to do anything including the blogs. I do realize I getting forgetful also, always forget to bring something during an outing. There are continuously 2 weeks of Wednesday, I’m sending SY late to school also because I though it is still Tuesday which the class will start at later time. It looks like I’m getting a sign of older :(

Before I forget, it is better to update before it completely erased from my memory :p

On 24th June, it is the first report card day for SY. I went to school earlier than appointment time. Being a first time collecting report, I did not know their procedures, so it took a bit time for me to find out I shall take number for my queue where the number was stick at classroom entrance. So although I reached earlier, my number is a bit behind due to I take the number late.

Her result wasn’t too bad; however in the overall she stands kind of behind. Her bahasa paper is the culprits that pull her entire average down. Anyway, she is already doing well in her first exam, so keep it up gal.

SY started her swimming class this July. We are happy to know she is ready for it when she requests to go for the lesson. It is a skill for her safety when she in water next time. She needs a kickboard to float on water and she is still afraid to float on her own, she needs instructor to hold on her now. With the swimming lesson, mummy is getting much busier in sending her now.

Baby SW speech ability is improving a lot especially in mandarin. It is always funny to hear something from her. At the same time, she started to throw tantrum more, we need more times to get her accept our explanation.

A Packet of Glutinous Rice

2011-06-23T23:13:00.002+08:00

When my sis in law told me it is very easy to make Loh Mai Kai, I’m so tempted to make it because my both girls love it very much. Therefore, I bought a packet of 1kg glutinous rice last week. This packet of glutinous rice has made up 2 recipes, the Loh Mai Kai and the Dumpling, both are my first attempt. Although I have wrap the dumpling at my mum house during dumpling season, but most of the thing mum do it before hand. This time, it is my very first attempt from beginning till end.

I’ll jot down the making for future reference and at the same time, sharing with my dear friend who loves cooking.

1. The Sticky Rice, Loh Mai Kai @ 糯米鸡

First Loh Mai Kai from Mummy Kitchen

For papa & 2 girls

At a night before:

Soak the glutinous rice overnight (I take 2 bowls).
Marinate the chicken with Sesame Oil, Soy Sauce, Black Soy Sauce, Salt, and Oyster Sauce.

At next morning:

Drain the glutinous rice, bring to steam for 45 minutes. Set aside.
Prepare the sauce. Oyster sauce 2 tbsp, soy sauce 2 tbsp, shao xin wine 1 tbsp, sugar 2 tbsp, salt ½ tsp, water 2 tbsp.
Pour the sauce into glutinous rice and mix well.
Stir fried garlic and shallot, add in mushroom and chicken to cook a while, set aside.
Place the chicken and mushroom at bottom of bowl.
Covered the bowl with glutinous rice and pressed.
Sprinkle 1 tbsp of water on each bowl.
Bring to steam for 45 minutes.
Ready to eat!

2. The Dumpling

First Dumpling from Mummy Kitchen

Prepared 3 cup of glutinous rice + 1 cup of fragrant rice. Wash & soak the rice for 3 hours.
Marinate the meat with sesame oil, soy sauce, black sauce.
Drained the rice.
Stir fry shallot & garlic. Add in rice. Add soy sauce 2 tbsp, black soy sauce 3 tbsp and salt 2 tsp (estimated). Set aside.
At another pan, stir fry shallot & garlic. Add in mushroom and meat, mix with some soy sauce & black soy sauce. Set aside.
Boil the bamboo leaf and bamboo string. Set aside.
Ready for wrapping.
After done wrapping, boil for 1 hour 45 mins.

All ingredients is ready

16 Dumplings

Boiling

It has total of 16 dumplings I made, one dumpling has been unwrap after boiled, so 1 failed and 15 succeed.

I’m run out of bamboo leaf at half way, but I’m lucky to have a dear friend who stay nearby and help me out. When I ring her up for asking where I can get the bamboo leaf nearby, she offers me her own bamboo leaf. I felt so good to have a sincere dear friend.

Daddy gives the comment of Average to Good for both. There are definitely rooms for improvement, hope I can make it better next time.

Call from Teacher

2011-06-21T15:32:00.001+08:00

Within a week, I have received 2 calls from SY’s class teacher during school hour. It is always worried and scared when saw the incoming call is from teacher.

Last Wednesday, teacher called up said SY complaints stomach ache at school and told I might want to bring her back home. She also asked which oil she can apply on her, either 风油 or 如意油. I went to pick her up at 3pm+, she has back home to rest and felt ok after the night.

Yesterday, I received the call again at 6pm. Teacher inform she felt during the PE class and get some minor scratch on her knee. She does emphasized it is only minor upon I answer the phone, that ease my worried. The purpose she call is to check whether SY have any allergy on Dettol and Antiseptic because she going to apply to SY.

I’m glad SY has such a caring and responsible teacher. She is a lucky girl to have a good teacher.

Kid’s Day at Daddy Work Place

2011-06-20T14:39:00.001+08:00

This is a back-dated post.

Daddy’s working company has organized a ‘Bring Your Kids to Work Day’ event during the past school holiday. It is a one-full-day program from 8.30am – 6pm. They only accept 40 kids for the event and SY was lucky to be able to join the group.

SY was excited and looking forward the day. She is indeed a very independent girl and she is quite ok to go into new environment. Thus we don’t have to worry much on her.

The day started at 8.30am:

Upon arrival, daddy brings her to the hall. She had donut + milo for her breakfast. She has met her first new friend there, Sebastian, a boy who is same age as her and his mummy was one of the reader in our blog too :)
After breakfast, they started the Recycled Art and Craft workshop. She is doing a recycled paper bag and enjoyed painting the bag. She said so good she can use water color, hahha! (poor girl not allowed to use water color at home :p)
At 10.45am, it is morning tea-break. Daddy went to visit her and accompany her for tea-break. She had chocolate cake + a packet drink.
After tea-break, they have 2-hours session for Musical Theatre I. There are people playing keyboard. I supposed it is all about music, theatre, story kind of activities.
Lunch at 1pm. SY claimed she is very full still and not able to take her lunch. They have Savoury, Rice Chicken with Mushroom Gravy, Fruit and Cold Ribena for lunch. With so many rounds of food within short period of time, she just eat a little of her chicken rice. And of course she doesn’t fancy anything with rice also, so it is not surprised she can’t take her rice by then.
After lunch, they continue their program. It is named Creative Minds: Detective Workshop for 1.5 hrs. Had no idea about the details since I’m not there also ;)
3.15pm, tea-break again… I would said she has enough food for the day because it seems the major round of the day is eating :) The tea-break is Sandwich, it is her most favorite food. Daddy did not visit her at this round because he is engaged in meeting, but daddy does ask Sebastian’s mummy help in look after her.
After tea-break, they continue the musical theatre part 2 for the next 2 hours.
They had the closing ceremony where kids will have special musical performance for parents. That’s end her kid day!

Recycled Art & Craft

Place for Cutting Paper

Coloring with Water Color

Daddy Visiting

Morning Tea-Break

Lunch Time

Afternoon Tea-Break

At Auditorium, place for Performance

She commented she had a great-fun for the day and felt so happy she can visit daddy’s work office. It is always nice for child to experience and have a view on parent’s workforce. I’m thankful the company putting effort in organizing this event so that my gal can know her daddy’s work place better and is not just by imagination.

Happy Father's Day

2011-06-19T22:43:00.000+08:00

It was a day for dearest daddy, thankful for his hard work to give the best to the family. We had a simple celebration, with a cake and a coffee afternoon at Sri Hartamas. The cake taste good, refreshing and not too sweet.

Green Tea Cake

Besides the cake, we also had a pleasant afternoon yesterday with our favorite coffee at a comfy and cozy cafe. Daddy have a cup of Cappuccino while Mummy always with Mocha. SY & SW sharing a slice of Chocolate Mousse, and we had ordered a Ham & Pepperoni Sandwich for ourselves. It is a very nice place for a break!

Cappuccino for Daddy, Mocha for Mummy

Lovely Sis

Mummy likes their deco

Ballet Award

2011-06-18T23:16:00.000+08:00

SY has taken her first ballet exam sometimes in April. The result is out and she is doing pretty well. The award is given in class award basis because they attend the exam in a group for pre-primary level, unlike those from Grade 1 onward who will attend the exam on individual.

She received a badge and a certificate from Royal Academy of Dance, UK. The result has explained into 4 levels，from lowest to highest:

- Not Shown (考生未能达到评审所要求的条件)
- Occasionally (偶尔)
- Generally (平均的，大致上)
- Frequently (频繁，经常)

Award Badge

Award Result

Soup Lover

2011-06-08T00:11:00.000+08:00

She likes anything with soup and always eats until like this:

January – June 2011 Art Gallery

2011-06-07T23:41:00.000+08:00

The last I update SY’s art was about 6 months ago. Her art completion has been slow down after she starts the free-hand drawing. We are glad she remains her interest after 2 years.

The below 2 drawings is the last 2 page for Basic Level Book 1:

Book 1 Second Last Page

Book 1 Last Page

She has completed Basic Level Book 1 and stop in taking any new book at this moment. Art teacher would like to build her free-hand drawing skill first before proceed because the higher the level, the complicated the drawing. So she always draws on plain white paper and builds the entire drawing from scratch now. The below are all the drawings she builds from scratch:

Foods

Celebration

Rabbit Life

Birds

Underwater World

Sunshine

Water Fall

They’ll have 1 lesson for craft work each month, teacher said SY will be very happy especially when it is craft lesson. She is a very easily satisfied girl.

Craft 1

Craft 2

Dumpling Festival

2011-06-06T14:18:00.001+08:00

It is dumpling festival today. Every year we have our mum makes for us, or sometimes we will buy at outside. This year I decided to pick up the skill so that I can make myself next time. So I request my mum to teach me. I have got it ‘little success’ this time as I managed to wrap it in place, though it doesn’t look nice. Anyway, I’m happy I make it. Will try to make again some month later, hope I still able to recall the skill of wrapping by that time ;)

This is the first batch of dumpling I wrap, must have snap down for recording.

Happy dumpling festival to everyone!

Kid Baking Class Day 2 @ Pizza

2011-06-03T20:30:00.000+08:00

It is another great fun day for kids. Liz’s mum taking a day off from work, and she drives us to the baking class today.

Liz grandma & her little sister tag along today, so we have 4 kids on the go. Very merrier and kids enjoy the utmost happiness today. We had our lunch at Marche and at the same time, claim the free picky meal voucher for kids.

The happiest kids

The preparation for pizza topping

Each given a big dough, pat & pat the dough

The best part, rolling

Keep adding flour, so nice playing with the flour

Putting oil surrounding

Adding cheese

Decorating

Before bake

Hot from oven

Bring home for daddy

A very crispy and taste excellent pizza

Kid Baking Class Day 1 @ Bun

2011-06-02T19:29:00.001+08:00

This school holiday we do not go anywhere, neither vacation nor going back hometown. So Mummy hopes the girls can have some fun rather than stuck at home the entire holiday, hence found out this interesting activity for her.

It is a kid’s baking class organized by Marche Restaurant at The Curve during school holiday. They are organizing the baking class for Bun & Pizza during this school holiday. It is a 2 hours activity and at the end of class, kids can bring home their baking food, a Picky Meal Free Voucher, Master Chef Certificate and the Recipe.

I’m very sure SY will enjoy it very much, hence I registered she & her best friend Liz for 2 days class. I fetch 3 of them to The Curve and meet Liz mum, who joins us for lunch before their class starts. We had our great lunch time, and both girls have their best baking time there as well. It is really worth to see their happiness.

The Little Chef

2 Master Chef

Each given 3 buns

Rolling the bun

Decorating the bun

Opps, help needed ;)

Coloring time while waiting bun to bake

Before bake

Dang.. dang.. dang.. dang... The hot bun from oven

Certification

Not to forget, the bun taste good!

School Holiday

2011-06-01T18:04:00.001+08:00

Holiday started a week ago but mummy being attacked by Lazy Bug for so long, that’s make the blog pending for long without update. Is time for some update ;)

SY mid-year exam started a week before school holiday, so she only gets some of the paper return. Only 4 papers are returned, she doesn’t do well in her BM paper and she definitely needs to have more practice on the subject.

School holiday started with a movie at Tropicana City Mall’s Cinema, it is their first time entered cinema and their first movie is Kungfu Panda 2. However, they do not understand the movie much. SY enjoys her popcorn more and she is quite blur about the entire storyline, but was able to watch till the end. As for baby SW, she gets frighten by the big screen so in less than 5 minutes time, she said she wanted to go out. Anyhow, we told her the movie is started and we can only go out after movie end. She was very good and accepted our explanation. She lends on the handle of the chairs and peeking the movie on & off. She was quietly sitting still until the end of movie without making any fuss. I must say a thumb up to this girl.

It is almost everyday outing for the girls since school holiday starts. On Tuesday, mummy brings them to have lunch with daddy near daddy’s working place. On Wednesday, they follow mummy to KL to run some errands.

There are more school holiday activities in next post.

Braised Spare Ribs with Sauce

2011-05-19T17:07:00.002+08:00

Daddy loves spare ribs in all sort of cooking method but I seldom cook because girls & I not fancy about it. It also takes longer time to prepare and cook. So once in a blue moon when I’m in happy mood, I’ll only cook for it ;)

Last time, I used to fry the spare ribs first before cooking with sauce, that’s the part I don’t like because it is oily, hot and follow by a dirty and oily kitchen. Until I read the tips from a blogger, to bake the spare rib instead of fry, I’m cooking more often now.

Apart from daddy, SY likes this dish too because it is sweet and the ribs is tender.

Here is the preparation:

Put the ribs into boiling water for 2 minutes, dish up, clean & drain well
Marinate – Marinate the rib with sesame oil, sugar, soy sauce, oyster sauce and corn flour. Keep for 5 hrs
Bake – Wrap the ribs in aluminums foil, bake at 200c for 40mins
Braised – Heat up work, sauté garlic, add spare ribs. add 6tbsp tomato sauce, 1tbsp honey, 1tsp black vinegar, 5tbsp water. Stir well, simmer for 20mins. Serve hot.

Wei-Wei-Self

2011-05-17T13:12:00.000+08:00

Baby SW language capability increases a lot at the age of 2.5 years old. She speaks Mandarin and English by mixing both languages into her speech.

She hardly said ‘myself’ when she wants to talk something about her, instead she said ‘wei-wei-self’. She always said something like this:

‘wei-wei eat wei-wei-self’
‘wei-wei 穿鞋 wei-wei-self’
‘wei-wei wear shirt wei-wei-self’

Sometimes, she’ll busy-body and scolds her sister also. Like the other day when sister out from toilet, I heard she shouted at her sister: ‘姐姐，水没有关紧叻！‘…. When her sister does not answer her, she shouted loud again, very chili padi little fellow.

She is getting naughtier also, always disturbing her sister by purposely doing something to make her sister jump up. When sister doing homework, she was aside pulling off her sister hair clip, taking off her ruler and pencil, flipping her book, etc and etc.. That always ended up with shouting and complaining sound at home. I’m getting stress-out when both at home with all the noises.

Inhaler

2011-05-04T17:55:00.000+08:00

Baby SW has started her cough since before CNY. She has seen doctor for few rounds but her cough was not totally settled down. To our worried, we bring her to doctor again last 2 weeks. In view of her prolong cough that lasted for the past 3 months, doctor suggested to give her the inhaler. She needs to puff Ventolin & Seretide at every morning & night. Besides, she needs to take 1-time of cough medicine at night.

Yesterday, she went back for follow up. Glad to know her cough has slowly settled down, but she needs to continue the Seretide for 1 more months, that is to strengthen her lung and prevention from asthma.

She can now stop taking the Ventolin (for wheezing) and cough syrup. Hope she can fully recover soon!

Aglio Olio

2011-04-23T22:47:00.002+08:00

We have a guest today who came over our house for dinner and hence daddy suggested Aglio Olio Spaghetti again because he loves aglio olio so much! Ok, I get his wish granted today ;) It is specially cooks for him and our guest, as for both girls and myself I cook tomato garlic marinara instead. So there are 2 flavor of pasta on our dining table tonight.

It is better for me to jot down the recipe here before my recipe paper had gone missing.

Ingredients:

Spaghetti for 2 persons
8 gloves garlic, minced
Extra virgin olive oil (justify for 2 persons portion)
5-8 dried chilies (soak in hot water a while, cut into small pieces)
Seafood, mushroom

Method:

Cook pasta until it is tender, Drain.
In a large fry pan over medium heat, add olive oil.
Add garlic and dried chilies.
Add seafood (prawn, fresh scallop) and mushroom.
Toss drained pasta into the pan.
Coat the pasta evenly with the garlic, oil and seafood.
Add salt to taste.
Served.

She is so cute!

2011-04-18T12:50:00.002+08:00

She is a mummy girl who always cheers up my day. By only looking at her cutie face, I’m delighted and smile truly from heart. She makes me laugh, she makes me hug & kiss her, she makes me dotted her so much.

Lately she is so crazy about tie up her hair. She always asked me to tie her hair early in the morning. My cute girl!

My Cute Girl

Brushing Teeth

Her First Coloring Contest

2011-04-17T17:46:00.003+08:00

The Event Place

I came across this coloring contest some months ago but due to time arrangement, I’m not able to make it that time. Lately they have organized again at Pyramid. I would like to let SY join the contest for some exposure and thus asking her intention whether she interested and she wanted to join. So I registered for her and there we go on last Sunday.

Color on floor

The contest is divided into 2 group, age 5-8 and age 9-12. There are many contestants on the day and mostly is young contestant. Many of them brought their own table along. We knew table is not provided but we never thought of bring our own one :) So, SY lie on floor to color and we were happy to realized she actually doesn’t mind with it even though most of them has their own table.

Her drawing

There are 8 prizes given for each group. She didn’t get any prize, because there are many of them can color so well. It is indeed a very good experience to her and us.

My Ballet Girl

2011-04-16T17:27:00.001+08:00

SY has just taken her first ballet exam recently and the result will only be known after 3 months.

She has started her ballet course since last year August, started at pre-primary stage. Although the result will only be announced 3 months later, she has actually moved into next level by now. There are supposed 2 classes per week needed, but we only let her attend 1 class per week. She loves her ballet, and she enjoyed attending every single class but we are the one who not able to send her because we had many chores running on weekend.

Mummy's Birthday

2011-04-13T16:56:00.001+08:00

It has been a week past but I never jot down any about my birthday yet. It is normal as usual, dinner & the cake. I told daddy it is more on our gal’s birthday than mine because SY is the one who decide the dinner venue as well as the cake of her favor.

Dinner, we had it a Windmill; It is SY’s favorite place, we also don’t know why she likes so much ;)

Cake, it is a mousse chocolate cake, but not nice lor! Even our cake lover (SY) also doesn’t fancy much. Anyway, it looks very nice ;)

My wish? Yeah, it is remains the same every year.

Home Saloon

2011-04-12T15:23:00.001+08:00

I always get very angry when I see both girls quarreling and fighting for something, especially when they do not share with each other. I keep telling them they are the closest sibling and they shall loving and caring among themselves.

But I felt very sweet when they can stay together closely just like when they play saloon game. SY will first be the barber and later on SW will have her turn to be barber for Jie Jie too.

Hair Cutting Time

the 'barber' with her saloon tool box on her right

Love their peace staying time together among each other.

Journey @ Day 10: Heading Home

2011-04-11T00:15:00.001+08:00

20.3.2011, Sunday

Our flight returned home is 9.10am and hence we had to be there 3hrs before departure time for international flight. We woke up at 5.30am, prepared ourselves and get everything ready by 6am. Since the owner doesn’t have car seat, they’re worried to fetch SW in early morning because they afraid to be caught by Police, so daddy & SW walk to airport, while SY & I going with owner’s car together with our luggage. It is a 5-minute walk to airport.

Daddy walks to airport with SW

While waiting for the owner to send us, I have little time walking around the motel and snapping some photo for memory.

Motel Entrance

Inside View

Their Pool

We have about 2hrs free time after checked-in. So we went for breakfast and walk around airport after that.

Breakfast Set for Daddy & Mummy

Both girls prefer their muffin better

Daddy told the girls, that end our holiday ya!

We are leaving Gold Coast, Goodbye and Hope to see you again

From GC back to KL, we does pre-booked the meal. Both girls are very much happy with their kid meal. Let see what make them so happy about!

Kid Meal

They are so happy about the Kit Kat & Oreo ;)

We landed KL on time. That’s end our 10 days holiday. It is surely a memorable one for us. As for the girls, we do not know how much SY & SW can remember the trip next time, but they enjoyed the most at these 10 days, that’s enough for everything.

Hey, We are Home!

I had finally finished the 10-days post about our journey. To friend (you know who you are :D) who can’t wait to read for next post last time, here I’m speeding up the last 3 post, hope you enjoy reading.

Journey @ Day 9: Apple Farm, Sydney to Gold Coast

2011-04-10T23:07:00.000+08:00

19.3.2011, Saturday

Apple farm was one of our plans that SY was so looking forward for but we nearly unable to make up the trip. Reason because we plan to visit the farm on weekday but we did not know it is only open on Fri-Sun, therefore we had to reschedule our entire plan in Sydney. Due to it involves car rental, it has more issue to be taken care off.

Again we are lucky to have Winnie there. She keeps encourage and help us to sort out many things so that we able to visit the farm at last. She knows kids well and she knows my girl will surely love the farm, that’s why she very much encouraged us for the farm visiting.

We had made it, at last! We made it on the last day of our stay in Sydney before we fly back to Gold Coast. It is a worth visit because both girls enjoyed so much. We felt so happy too because they are happy. It was a rainy day and is getting hazy when we closed to destination. The farm is located above hill and therefore is much colder than in city. It took 1.5 hrs to drive there and we went with Winnie’s GPS. That could make sure we able to go & back without any delay since we need to catch the flight after that.

Pick your own, Pine Crest Orchard Farm, is our destination. Due to it is a rainy day, the farm is hazy and wet. Luckily it is not heavy rain, so we still able to pick the apple with girls wearing raincoat ;) Somehow it is another special memory to them also since they pick apple with raincoat.

We stay at farm for about an hour plus and daddy also try out their apple peeler. They pick about 10+ apples and it was about 1.5kg. It is picks for free but you need to pay for the picked apple that you bring home. For the apple you eat over there, it is free then.

Cold Farm

SY with her basket

Both enjoy so much

Daddy carry her to pick the higher apple

She can pick the lower one by herself

Jonathan Apple Tree, heard 60 yrs old already

Crispy Apple, it is sweet and crunchy!

Daddy peels the apple using peeler

Mummy bought this reusable bag as souvenir for myself, it is only Aussie 50 cents

Before we leave, family shoot

On our way back, we stopped by Fruit Bowl for their apple pie and cappuccino.

At Bilpin Fruit Bowl with our rental car, Mitsubishi Lancer

They said this is Brietta, the flying horse in Barbie Magic Pegasus

SY with her beloved Brietta

Apple Pie, Meat Pie, Capuccino, Hot Chocolate

Fruit Bowl Trademark

We managed to return to Winnie’s house on time, she prepared the sushi for our lunch. After lunch, I quickly pack the luggage and we are leaving after a short while. I’m feeling hard when about to leave. It is such a great time staying under one roof with my dear friend and her cutie girl. The day we left Sydney in a rainy day and I’m left my dear friend in a heavy heart too. We hope one day we can go back again!

Homemade Sushi

We are much cautious when driving to airport because we headed airport without GPS and we have no extra time for taking wrong route. Luckily their signboard to airport is very clear. After returned the car at airport and checked-in, we still have 2 hours before depart, so we went for shopping & eating. There was an area that can view the airplane; it was a great place for our girls.

Big glass panel for airplane viewing

So enjoy

We had our tea-break at Pie Face. Each of their pie is unique and has their own face expression. The face on pie will determine its flavor.

Pie Face was founded in 2003 in Sydney

What Pie Face about

The available pie

Left:Bacon, Egg & Cheesy Pie for SY & SW, Right:Special Thai Chicken Curry for Daddy

Mini sweet chocolate pie & Mocha for Mummy

From Sydney to Gold Coast, we fly with Jestar again. This time no more changes on the departure time, so we fly on time. However, we reached almost 30mins later than estimated landing time. We were not able to land due to bad weather and being rounding above the sky for almost 30mins. Pilot is trying to land but only success at 3rd attempt. Upon touch down the lane, everyone is clapping hand. We thanks very much to pilot for bring us down safely.

We left Sydney in rainy day

This night, we stayed at motel just across the airport. Since we need to fly back to home early the next morning, there is no point we stay in Surfers Paradise anymore because by the time we landed, it is 8pm+ already. The motel owner picked us up from airport. Since it is a rainy day, he took the risk to fetch SW without car seat. The room we booked has 1 queen bed and 1 single bed with private bathroom. It is not a decent and cozy motel but is enough for a night stay.

Our Room in Gold Coast Airport Motel

The Bathroom

After settled at motel, we walked to nearby Subway to buy our dinner. After dinner, both girls enjoy rolling on bed ;) Since it is the last night of our holiday, we let them play until 11pm+

Seafood Tuna

Plain Tuna

SY watching TV with her sandwich

After dinner, both lie on bed happily

Both stay up late that night

Journey @ Day 8: Taronga Zoo, Burwood, Harry De Wheel

2011-04-09T17:49:00.000+08:00

18.3.2011, Friday

Taronga zoo, our main destination today! We were lucky to have Winnie’s husband to get us a zoo pass for family package, meaning we manage to enter the zoo for FREE. Isn’t it great to have a dear friend there? ;)

Taronga zoo is the city zoo of Sydney which located on the shores of Sydney Harbour. The word of Taronga is said to be an Aborigina word meaning beautiful view. Getting to the zoo can be via bus, car or ferry. We choose ferry because kids can enjoys the ferry ride and it is also the easiest way of getting there. We then took the sky safari cable car to goes up the zoo and the view along the ride is really great! SY was very afraid of cable car before that, she refuses to take a ride in SeaWorld before. Knowing her behavior of not able to accept thing easily, we keep telling her how the cable car likes before the zoo tour. To our surprise, this time she is much easy going with the cable car, phew!

Apart from zoo visit, getting there itself is another great journey for kids too. We first taking train to Circular Quay, then walk to Wharf 2 and catch the ferry and later took the sky safari cable car to enter the zoo.

Mummy & Girls in Ferry

SY in Ferry

View along Ferry Ride

Wharf View from Sky Safari Station

We are in Zoo Sky Safari Cable Car

Sydney View along the Sky Safari Ride

We are here, zoo entrance

Sydney View from Zoo

Parent Room in Zoo

Daddy & His Sweetie

In Souvenir Shop

SW with the cute table

The Jie Jie & Mei Mei

Upon entered to zoo, the first animal that catches both girls eye was the giant giraffe. They are really big and tall. At where the giraffe located, we were able to see a nice scene of Opera house. Next, we rushing to the sea lion show, again both them love the show as much as the one in Seaworld. After the show, we follow the zoo map and wandering inside the zoo. It is a drizzling rain day. We stay for about 2hrs+, we need to left earlier because we need to meet up Winnie family at Burwood as her husband will send Daddy to pick up the rental car at city and Winnie will bring me to Target to get a kettle.

The Giraffe

The Gorrila

The Sleeping Koala Bear

The Swimming Penguin

Seal Show

SY likes her, the Little Lamb

The Sleeping Tiger

The Zebra Butts ;)

Kids Zoo
SY doesn't like here because of the moving chicken and turkey around her. She afraids of the moving animal that get near to her ;)

The Energetic Elephant

We are leaving, Goodbye Zoo

We reached Burwood earlier than our meet up time, so we wandered around the Westfield Shopping Mall while waiting for them. Girls get to enjoy the ice-cream again! After met up, Daddy went to pick up the car while Winnie and I headed to Target for my stainless steel cordless kettle. It was on great sales with over 50% discount. I’m lucky because Target only closed at 7pm. If it closes at 5pm like many other shops & mall, then I’m not able to get it anymore. We were supposed to pick up Winnie girl from school later on but due to heavy rain, we all met up at The Coles for grocery shopping after their papa go ferry them from school.

Yum Yum the Gelato Ice Cream!

My Kettle

We rushed home for our dinner. Winnie has prepared the dinner before she went out; we had bake bean with potato for kids, and the yummy delicious curry chicken for us. That’s not the end of night yet, because we headed out for supper after that.

Harry De Wheels, located in Woolloomooloo, is a famous place for pies, pasties and hotdog. The best known of their dish is the ‘Tiger pie’, a type of Australian meat pie. The location is actually nearby St.Mary church but it is inconvenient to go with public transport. Since we got our rented car, it is the best night for us to go this place. It took about 45 minutes drive from Winnie house. By the time we reached home, it is almost 12am and all 5 kids have dozed off in car!

Harry De Wheels

Side View

Harry's Tiger - Mummy Loves it (SW prefers this)
Chunky lean beef pie served with mushy peas, mash & gravy

Hotdog De Wheels - Daddy Choice (SY prefers this)
Continential Viennese smoked frankfurt served with mushy peas, chilli con carne and garlic onions with cheese sauce and chilli sauce

With Winnie's Family. Their papa taking photo for us, so he is not in

Opps, 4 Girls only, where is Amelia?
Behind the fence is river. Heard from Winnie there is no fence last time which is very dangerous. We felt safe sitting there with fence now :)

Journey @ Day 7: Sydney City Tour II

2011-04-08T23:32:00.002+08:00

17.3.2011, Thursday

It is another walking day for all of us, just like the day before. Before we went out from house, the weather is very windy and cold and the weather forecast saying it could be a rainy day, so we were well prepared our child with long sleeve cloth and raincoat. Then we headed out. It is a very pleasant day for me because I don’t like to walk under hot sun, and that day weather is extremely perfect for me.

We took our train to St.James station today. It is an underground railway station and is located under the northern end of Hyde Park. Yeah, the park is our first destination for today.

St. James Station
The Church is just right behind the station

1st stop, Hyde Park

This large park is located right in the heart of Sydney city. It is an open green space which offers to someone who wants some fresh air. The central pathway through the park is an impressive, tiled, fig lined road linking two of the parks other features, the Archibald Fountain and the War Memorial. There is a huge playable chess set allows people stop by and have fun with it. From here, we can see the St.Mary church. It said to be the largest church in Australia, though not the highest.

Hyde Park Entrance with St. Mary Church at the back

Giant Chess Board

Archibald Fountain

Hyde Park Avenue of Figs

Cutie Pie with Mamee Yum Yum

Nice Background

Playing Bubble in the Park

2nd stop, Art Gallery of NSW

I personally love this place very much. Nope, it is not about the Art Gallery itself, but it is refers to the road that leads into Art Gallery. There is nothing to shout about, but it is the environment itself that gives us the feel. The path was shaded by lot of big trees, greenish view, along with some cold wind, what an awesome place! Daddy & I walk very slowly in the path, because we love the feeling of walking through it. It was a sweet moment for us to walk hand in hand under the nice scene. However, the photo outcome of this place seems very poor. It is a huge different feeling when we were there and when we seeing the photo now. Too bad we not able to capture the best view. Besides, there is no picture taken inside gallery which I believe photography is not allowed too. Anyway, we also try not to take any photograph when we were in any gallery or museum.

The Walk Path that leads to Art Gallery

Most of the trees are these Big

In Front Art Gallery

3rd stop, Queen Victoria Building

After Art Gallery, we walk towards Queen Victoria Building, the grand Victoria building shopping centre that located in the central business district of Sydney. We just pass through the building, without shopping. Indeed no time for shopping at all ;) We were walking further down the street after came out from Queen Victoria. We were actually looking for Hungry Jacks for our lunch and that leads us to some nice building for photo shooting along the way.

The View of Queen Victoria Building

The Great Australian Clock

Outside Queen Victoria Building

Statue of Queen Victoria

The Street to Hungry Jack 1

The Street to Hungry Jack 2

The Street to Hungry Jack 3

Our Lunch, Hungry Jack
The Tender Crisp Chicken Burger is excellent! But the sundae ice-cream have a very strong milky taste, not my cup of ice cream ;)

4th stop, Darling Harbour

Our next stop after lunch, Darling Harbour, one of major attraction spot in Sydney with its large pedestrian precinct located right in the city centre. The place has many attractions including museums, aquarium, the wildlife world and etc. We spend quite a little of time wandering around Darling Harbour, starting from at the bridge, to Aquarium and Wildlife World and Lego Model ON THE LOOSE display. We did not enter both spot because we are run out of time for that. After that we took the train ride to round the place. There is a huge kid playground and park but it was closed for upgrading during our visit, SY was so disappointed with that. Luckily there is a small playground beside McD, so all girls got the chance to slide and swing for a little while.

Darling Harbour, here we come!

Prymont Bridge with Monorail

Family at Prymont Bridge, the Swingspan Bridge
Pyrmont Bridge stands at the entrance to Darling Harbour, regularly opening its central steel swingspan to allow leisure and commercial craft to pass into Cockle Bay.

In front Aquarium & Wildlife World

Sydney Aquarium

Lego Model ON THE LOOSE

Lego Model

Train Tour in Darling Harbour

Amelia, the smallest girl

SW, the 2nd smallest in the group

SY, the bigger baby

5th stop, China Town

It is within walking distance from Darling Harbour. Upon enter into Chinatown; we were walking into the street which is for pedestrian only where it was bounded by two Paifangs. In the end of the street, the Market City-the Sydney’s largest Asian supermarket was right in front across the street. On the ground floor of the building is Sydney famous Paddy Markets. At Chinatown, Winnie recommend us the popular emperor puff at this place, it is very delicious and creamy. After our light snack, we proceeded to Market City and Paddy Market. We just had a quick shopping, not enough time to stay longer also. After that, it is our coffee time again; we had our coffee at Paddy Market. After coffee break, we headed to central station for home because Winnie’s husband & her 2 girls were waiting for us for dinner at the train station near their home. Central station is the biggest railway station where it services almost all the lines on CityRail network for transit. Winnie family treat us a Vietnamese dinner the night. It is kind of like Chinese style and the food is very attracting. We finished everything and were so full after that ;)

Walk from Darling Harbour to Chinatown

On the way to Chinatown

Chinatown Street

Winnie bought us the Emperor Puff

Their Signboard

The Creamy Puff

Everyone Resting & Eating Puff

Paddy Market & Market City

Coffee Time - Cappucino

Coffee Time - Mocha Chocolate

At Central Railway Station

Central Railway Station - The busiest station

Our Vietnamese Dinner

The Vietnam Raw Popiah

Journey @ Day 6: Sydney City Tour I

2011-04-04T22:34:00.006+08:00

16.3.2011, Wednesday

We had our city tour today. We went to many places in city and I might have forgotten and missed out some of the place by now, hopefully I still able to recalled as much as I can ;)

Our train destination today is Circular Quay City Rail station. It is the nearest railway station to Sydney Opera House and The Rock. One new thing to SW today is we have a stroller for her today. When we were in our homeland here, she refuses to be on stroller at all for all outing but she gets addicted over there when she saw Amelia sitting on it the day before. Aunty Winnie loan us her light weight stroller and since SW likes it, we were so much easy to walk in city because it really needed lot of walking.

Just Exit from Circular Quay Railway Station

1st stop, Sydney Opera House

It is a multi-venue performing arts centre in the Australian city of Sydney and is situated at Bennelong Point in Sydney Harbour which closes to the Sydney Harbour Bridge. When we walk towards the Opera House, we get a nice view over the Harbour Bridge. There are many coffee house surrounded given us a very leisure feel.

My Dear Friend

My Little Darling

Family in Opera

Relaxing

3 Cutie Pie in Opera

Eating Lamington Cake, the popular cake in Australia

2nd stop, Royal Botanic Garden beside Opera House

It is a green garden that located roughly southeast of Opera House. It is open to public throughout the year except Christmas & Good Friday. There is a long walk path and a big pond. Trackless train is available here with small charge, but we did not take it. At here, we were able to see eagle flying; it is another daddy’s favorite. He just loves seagull and eagle because of their flying pattern.

Very Hot Day

The Bird at Garden

Resting Folk

3rd stop, The Rock

We only stay a while at Botanic Garden due to its hot weather. Since we have more places to discover, we left after a while. We walk towards The Rock, our next destination. It is the place where Sydney began and it is also the birthplace of modern-day Australia. The Rock is just across Sydney Cove from the Opera House. At here, the buildings exuding the country’s historic past combine with today’s amenities to provide a unique precinct that caters almost completely to the visitors’ needs. There are restaurants, bistros, pubs, souvenir shops, weekend markets, music and entertainment along its main streets and squares. We had our lunch at one of the famous restaurant, Pancakes on The Rock. We ordered 2 pizzas (can’t remember the pizza flavor), 1 seafood with added wedges, 1 iced mocha for myself and also 1 pancake named the Funny Face. 3 little girls finished the entire funny face; we just got a chance to taste a little only ;) Since it is Wednesday today, we missed out the chance to visit The Rock Market. The market is only open from Fri to Sun which selling many art and crafts, photography, jewelry, books and much other.

The Rock Street

The Rock Monument Photo

Never Closed. Pancake on The Rock, open 24 hours Mon-Sun

Seafood with Fillets of fish, prawns, scallops, mushrooms and spring onion in a creamy white wine sauce. Served with lemon wedge, hollandaise sauce and seafood sauce

Funny Face Pancake with marshmallows, fresh strawberry, chocolate sauce, vanilla ice cream and strawberry jam

4th stop, Pitt Street

After lunch, we proceed to Pitt Street. It is the second biggest street in Australia located in the central business district of Sydney NSW. Pitt Street Mall, one of the busiest shopping mall is located here. We walked along the street and enjoy seeing the heritage building surround. We stopped by Opal Museum for visiting as well.

Pitt Street

Pitt Street Building

The Busy Pitt Street

Opal Museum

5th stop, George Street & Martin Pl

George Street is one of Sydney’s most notable streets where else Martin Place is one of the most iconic public spaces in Australia. They are next to each other. Martin Place is the Sydney’s largest pedestrian precinct which forms the hub of central business district surrounded by banks and offices. It is a gathering place for Sydney event. Martin Place houses some of the grandest buildings of Sydney including the re-furbished Commonwealth Bank, and the Venetian style designed Post Office building with its 230 food clock-tower. We really love to walk along this place because we like to see all the heritage building surrounds.

George Street vs Martin Place

Martin Place Pedestrian Walk

Martin Place Cenotaph

Martin Place Clock Tower

Commonwealth Bank
Do you know why Emu and Kangaroo form the logo of bank in Australia? It is because the kangaroo and emu are 2 of the very few animals that are said unable to walk backwards. So putting them on the emblem brings the meaning of advance Australia which progressing forwards at all time.

Sydney Tower

Times to Recharge

Resting Time for Everyone

6th stop, Strand Arcade, our last stop for the day

The Strand Arcade is a Victorian-style shopping arcade in Sydney NSW. It is located in the heart of the Sydney central business district, between Pitt Street Mall and George Street. We had our tea-break at Arcade Café. I had a mug of lovely cappuccino there and daddy ordered his favorite mocha ;) Our camera run out of battery at this time, so we decided to end our journey for the day after the tea break.

Strand Arcade

The Entrance

We are here at 4.30pm

The Overview

Our Coffee

Playing Time

SW Busy with Tissue

Love this shoot

We again do some grocery after our tea-break because Winnie wanted to get some ingredient for dinner; she cooked spaghetti for us for the night.

Journey @ Day 5: Sydney

2011-04-02T11:35:00.000+08:00

15.3.2011, Tuesday.

We woke up at 5.30am this morning; we had called the cab to pick us at 6.30am at hotel. The hotel check-out is fast, so we still have some remaining time after settled everything.

At Hotel Lobby

Leaving Gold Coast

Reached airport at 7am, we were supposed to fly at 9.10am, but upon check-in at counter, we have been told there are some changes on flight. So we have been rescheduled to fly at 7.58am. Good, it means we doesn’t need to wait, we can fly straight away.

Sleepy SW

It is 1.5hrs flight from GC to Sydney. We fly off via Jetstar. Both girls dozed off immediately upon take off until landed, peace mind for us. We were arrived Sydney 1hr+ earlier than the estimated time, so we take our own sweet time to have breakfast at Aromas Tea & Coffee Cafe at arrival hall. We forgot to snap the food picture again. Eventually, the habits of shooting the food has not formerly built up yet, hahhaha! So u just got chance to see the café, but not the food we ordered. Anyway, we ordered one meat pie, one chicken pie and a mug of mocha. I personally love meat pie than the chicken one, it taste very nice.

Arriving Sydney

Flying with Jetstar

Breakfast at Aroma Cafe

After breakfast, we went to collect our checked-in luggage, BUT… there is nothing on the luggage lane. We proceed to counter and being told our luggage might be LOST because we need to collect within 45 minutes upon arrival, but it is over by then! The time was 50mins passed our landing time. We started to panic and SY started to cry too, because her Bugs Bunny pillow is inside the luggage. Luckily…. Very luckily daddy peek something at the luggage lane, and yeah, we are lucky, we found our luggage!

Phew, kind of relief and feeling good upon getting back our luggage. We then get a cab and headed to our destination, Aunty Winnie house. We did not tell her about our earlier arrival, because we wanted to give her a big surprise. And true enough, she was so surprised when we pressed her door bell :D

On the way to our destination

We have finally touchdown her house, the warmest place for us in Sydney. The feeling of well taken care in an unfamiliar country is so warm. It is a very comfortable and cozy home and it is very kid friendly too. I have a very peace mind there because SY & SW will play on themselves without my attention and they play in a safe compound too because the home is child proof.

The Cozy Home

Aunty Winnie cooked fried rice for us as lunch. After lunch, we headed out to Burwood, to fetch her 2 little princesses from school. Since we are still early to fetch the girls, we shop around Burwood, the Westfield Shopping Mall. It is also our first time we entered such a big parent room in Westfield. The room has toilet, feeding and changing area, resting place for parent and also a little playground. It is very spacious; and of course kids enjoyed so much inside and reluctant to leave.

Taking Train to Burwood

3-Layer Train

Parent Room in Westfield

We walked to pick up the girls later on. Winnie’s both girl, especially Olivia, was very excited when seeing SY but SY a bit shy. She was much quiet when surrounds by the kids in Olivia school. Olivia brings SY to her school and introduced her place. They are walking together hand-in-hand; it was a very wonderful friendship although they don’t meet each other often.

Caring Olivia, always holding SY Hand

We had our tea-break near their school after picked up them. It was a very merrier trip as we had 5 girls on the go. They had their colorful donut while we had our coffee at Gloria Jean. After tea-break, daddy brings the 3 elder girls for riding, while mummy & aunty Winnie bring our little one went for some grocery shopping.

Girls Enjoy their Sweet Donut

Riding Fun

Waiting Train & Eating Easter Chocolate

Sweet Moment

We had home-cooked bah-kut-teh for the night with some fried yao-char-kuih and a dish of vege. Of course we had some chit chat session after the dinner, and girls enjoyed stay together for some drawing, playing & reading.

That’s our first day in Sydney, a very relaxing day.

Journey @ Day 4: Movie World, Surfers Paradise

2011-03-31T15:52:00.004+08:00

14.3.2011, Monday, Our last day in Gold Coast.

Due to we are almost unable to catch the shuttle to Paradise Country the day before, we make an early move this morning. Since there is public transport to Movie World, we decided to take bus line instead of tourist shuttle. It is for sure much cheaper and we also would like to have some adventure on our own ;)

After checking with hotel where to catch the bus to Movie World, we start our journey. We reached Movie World around 9.20am and found it was only open at 10am. So we just have to wait for a while. Although it is Monday, there are number of crowd waiting at entrance before opening already.

In Bus to Movie World

The Crowd at Entrance

At here, kids enjoyed the ride and photo shooting with Looney Tunes character. We managed to catch some shows too. Oh yes, the popcorn, SY asked daddy buy for her upon entrance. So both them enjoyed the popcorn very much when visiting the world too.

Their Popcorn

SY manages to catch some photo shooting with those Looney Tunes character. Among all, Bugs Bunny is her most favorite.

Her Favorite Bugs Bunny

Lovely Tweety

Since we do not want a heavy lunch, we decided to try the Chili Hotdogs, a stall on the street. It is the only stall selling food on the street, while there are 2-3 restaurant selling burger and chips. Girls wanted a colorful donut, so they got their ‘sweet’ lunch with the sweet donut.

Mummy Buying the Chili Hotdog

Girls Enjoying their Donut

One thing we realized there are quite many stores closed. We do not know is it due to Monday or not, but it makes the street kind of quiet. Both girls like to run, so the street is the best place for them to make all sort of funny reaction.

Running Towards WB Kids

Run, run, run...
(p/s: we lost this cute hat at Movie World. it was supposed hold by SY but she has somehow drop at somewhere without our notice)

Mei Mei Riding Jie Jie

The Happy Girls

Movie World Kids is their most favorite places. They keep wanted to take the ride and refuse to leave the place. So ended up, we have taken 3 rounds of Merry Go-Around, 2 rounds of Taxi Cab, and 1 round of Totter. SY likes the taxi cab very much but it needs to queue long where each time queue about 20-30mins, so we just have to give up for more. Where in another side, baby SW refuses to get down from Merry Go-Around, she wanted to take more ride, but since we have taken 3 rounds already, we decided not going for more too.

Merry Go-Around

Mummy with SW

SY in Warner's Bro

The Tooter

Driving Taxi

It is a very hot burning day, so Mummy less mood in walking the street actually ;) We manage to catch up 3 shows. The first one is, Looney Tunes: What’s Up Rock where Bugs Bunny and his friends join forces for a fun filled all musical, all Looney live show for the entire family. This for sure catches SY attention at upmost. Second, Batman – Shadows of Gotham and Third Scooby-Doo Disco Detectives. Baby SW fall asleep during Scooby Doo shows. We missed the last show All Star Parade by Streets Ice Cream where all characters will have a parade along the street. Reason because we need to go back to Surfers earlier as SY wanted to have more time in beach again.

Looney Tunes: What's Up Rock

Batman - Shadows of Gotham

Scooby-Doo Disco Detectives

Baby in her Dreamland

We leave Movie World at around 3pm. Mummy wanted to get both them a gift and at last, both girls leaving with a big plastic, so what is inside there?

Goodbye Movie World

Waiting Bus at Bus Stop

Their Gift: Tweety Pillow for SW, Bugs Bunny Pillow for SY

Next, Surfers Beach again!

We go back hotel to drop our thing after Movie World, then headed to Surfers beach again. SY complaints she has not enough beach play the day before, and requested to go again before we leave Surfers. Since it is our last day in Gold Coast, her wish gets granted for sure. Before the beach, they had their ice-cream again. This time is Baskin Robin, but no photos taken :)

Here We Are, Surfers Again!

This time she no more scare, enjoying the beach (with their leftover baskin container)

Yaks, Sand goes into my mouth!

My Lovely Girls

So nice the beach

Daddy Shooting a Close Up SW

Daddy Shooting a Close Up SY

We stay at beach for almost 2 hours this evening. Both girls have enough fun over this beach this time. So they did not complaints anymore when we call for leave ;) We had our Japanese dinner the night. It is noodle + some sushi. Not a great one, but editable.

SW drinking the noodle soup

This gal like noodle so much

After dinner, we walk around to buy some souvenir for family. But due to both girls are tired, we make a very quick one. Then we went back to hotel and get both girls shower and get them sleep earlier because we need to wake up at 5am+ the next morning to catch our flight to Sydney. That’s end our last night in Gold Coast.

The Last Night in Gold Coast

Little Interruption on the Journey’s Blog for Some Updates

2011-03-29T16:18:00.004+08:00

@Earth Hour 26.03.2011.
This year we turn off the light, but went out instead of staying at home. We went for some grocery shopping nearby during the hour.

@SY Fall Sick
She started feeling unwell on Sunday morning. She cannot take her breakfast, not even her favorite muffin, it shows she really sick. She takes a long nap in the entire morning. Later she wanted to attend her ballet class at noon but I suggest she rest at home. She refuses and wanted to go, so we headed out. However, she vomits before we enter the centre. This time I insist she must have to go back and rest no matter how much she wanted to attend the class.

@Skype Call
It is the first time SY & Olivia chat over the phone. Both girls missing each other after some days live together in Sydney, so papa and mama agreed they can chat over the phone. Olivia is the one who talk a lot to SY but SY less response because she very seldom talks on phone and not get used to it.

@Off School
It is her first time off school due to unwell since she started Primary 1. She has mild fever at mid night and she looks tired and mild fever in morning too, so I have decided to let her rest at home today.

@My Kitchen
These days, I love to stay in kitchen much longer than usual. I love to make nice food for my family. In a week time, I do 3 times of muffin for family, especially SY who likes cake so much. I’m also cooking daddy favorite curry chicken as well as doing the sushi over the weekend. Someday, I’ll prepare the breakfast for daddy the night before so he could bring to office the next morning.

@Of Explanation & thus a Little Joke
One day, we were talking about Qing Ming season in car when I fetched her from school:

Me: We will be going back to ‘pai pai’ yeh yeh next week
SY: Why have to go back ‘pai pai’
Me: Because it is a qing ming season (* I’m sure she’ll asked me what is Qing Ming)
SY: What is qing ming?
Me: Qing Ming is a day for us to ‘pai pai’ the people who already passed away
SY: What is passed away?
Me: Passed away mean people who already die. It could be due to they are old, they are sick or they have accident
SY: Then how?
Me: To people who already die, they’ll go into another world, they’ll have their own world to live, no more in the same earth with us.
SY: What world? (* then suddenly this baby SW pop out some word)
SW: SEA WORLD

I laughed non-stop when she shouted Sea World so loud. It must be the holiday that just over still clearly in her mind ;)

Journey @ Day 3/2: Surfers Paradise

2011-03-28T01:16:00.001+08:00

13.3.2011, Sunday (2nd half day)

We finally touchdown to Surfers Paradise’s city & beach after our farm tour, it is one of our memorable place. The state of Queensland is the memory place for daddy & mummy. We knew each other there, we have lots of bitter and sweeter moment there and we ever have our holidays together at some part of Australia too. Surfers is the first place we went together, it was on Mummy’s birthday 12 years ago. Today, we went back to the same place again and this time, we are back with our 2 little princesses. Again, it will be the memorable one.

We headed to Surfers beach right after the farm tour. We get the shuttle drops us at Surfers instead of hotel, so that we no need to walk far. It is actually needed 5 minutes walk to Surfers beach from our hotel.

SY is so much looking forward the beach, and she is like a free bird upon touchdown Surfers. No doubt she enjoys the best moment at that evening. At the other side, baby SW is much fussy about the sand. She reluctant to walk on sand and complaints her leg is dirty. She keep wanted to wash her hand & leg ;)

Best! the Beach..

Flying like a free bird

The fussy girl who keeps ask to wash her leg :))

The Seagull that we love so much

Again the Seagull

We stay at beach for about half an hour and we left for some city sightseeing. We miss this place very much and we are trying to find some memory back of 12 yrs ago :) It was a very relaxing walk to 4 of us along the beachside.

The new thing that we have not seen last time, Wheels of Surfers Paradise

Cute girls in Surfers

Mummy & the girls in front of Fresh Food Market

Little gift to them, SY@Lamb, SW@Koala

Both girls get to enjoy the great ice-cream at Surfers this evening. Daddy gets both them a big cone with 2 scoops of different flavor ice-cream, but of course with our ‘big’ help in finishing the ice-cream although they are very reluctant of it, hahaha…. It is a very delicious one!

Yum yum sharing

Daddy the best, buy us Ice Cream

The Ice Cream Store

We had our dinner at Empire’s Seafood that evening. It has discounted rate if you dine before 7pm, therefore we were there 15mins to 7pm ;) We ordered 3 sets, but did not expect the big portion so in the end we were not able to finish the food, leaving quite a number of fries. We ordered the beer XXXX too, it is the beer that daddy used to drink with his housemate last time.

Grilled Steak Sandwich, Chicken Parma, Seafood Marinara

My Little Koala

My Little Lamb

After dinner, we visited some shops while we on our way back to hotel. We always back to hotel before 9pm. Kids are tired after a whole day walking, so we’ll make sure we go back not later than 9pm. Every night both girls will enjoy a little moment in bath tub, they play and they’ll ‘swim’ inside the bath tub. Meanwhile Mummy has a phone chat with Aunty Winnie every night too while we in Gold Coast. She called Mummy every night and we always have a long chat over the phone ;)

Journey @ Day 3/1: Paradise Country Farm

2011-03-25T23:48:00.000+08:00

13.3.2011, Sunday (1st half day)

We decided to go Paradise Country Farm first instead of Movie World, because we expect the crowd at Movie World during weekend. So we put the Movie World to the next day.

However, we nearly not able to make up this trip because we do not know there is no public transport going to Paradise Country. We only can go to this place via Tourist Shuttle and by the time we ready to go, most of the tourist shuttle has been departed. Luckily our hotel manages to catch one of the tourist shuttles for us which are on their way picking up tourist in town.

It is about 30mins driving distance to Paradise Country. It is actually beside Movie World and the Wet Wild World, but due to it is slightly deeper into the farm, public bus doesn’t take the route.

Paradise Country Aussie Farm is an authentic Aussie farm that giving the opportunities to experience the traditional Australian bush centre. At there, you can feed the friendly kangaroos, have your photo taken with a cuddly koala, seeing the skills of the master shearers, watch the stockmen and women and their dogs round up a flock of sheep, throw a boomerang and crack a stockman’s whip.

SY doesn’t enjoy much at this farm; reason because she afraid of any moving animal surrounded her. At this farm, most animal is very close to us and that make SY very fussy and grumpy. She refuses to walk and get near to the spot that has animals. Anyhow, we manage to have our tour completed.

SW in Shuttle, on the way to farm

SY in Shuttle, on the way to farm

Taking the train into farm

Daddy & the Little

Koalas, Kangaroo and Emu, the most native animal in this farm, we managed to get up close and personal with it.

Few Koalas On Tree

Koala Close Up

Family Photo with Cuddly Koala

Daddy Feeds Kanga, Baby Feeds Daddy :D

Mummy Feeds Kanga

The Lonely Emu

Sheep Shearing, see Australia’s farming icon, the Merino sheep, displayed in their Sheep Shearing Show & Ram Parade. The master shearers show the skills that have been passed down through generations of Australian farming families.

Thirsty Girl

Resting Sheep

Sheep Shearing by Master Shearer

After sheep shearing, we proceed to our lunch, a barbeque lunch with a choice of steak, chicken or fish served with a buffet of fresh salads & hot accompaniments with fruit platters.

Our Lunch Place & The baby is recharging too!

We had a long break at restaurant, enjoying the peace moment. Weather is too hot upon arrival but when about to finish our lunch, it started drizzling. SY & SW were very happy of that, they ran out to the field running & jumping freely. It is a very greenish and spacious field. Very relaxing!

Spacious Green Field

Chasing Each Other

Happy SY

Next, Billy Tea & Stock Horse Show, experiencing the traditional Australian Billy Tea making & sample authentic homemade damper and witness the amazing horse skills of stockwomen in their spectacular Stock Horse demonstration.

Billy Tea Making

Enjoy Billy Tea & Cake

Stock Horse Demonstration

Photo Session

Whip Cracking, Boomerang Throwing & Sheep Dog Roundup, the hard working farm dog showcase the skills used every day on Australia farms to muster sheep. Stockmen display their expertise with the whip & their flair & accuracy throwing a boomerang.

Farm Dog Muster the Sheep

Expressing Cow Milk

It is time to leave the farm after the Sheep Dog show. It is a very hot day upon arrivals, which put Mummy off until after lunch. I prefer to visit farm in a colder weather ;) But well, that’s the beauty of nature.

Leaving the Farm

Next post, the next half day of Day 3!

Journey @ Day 2: Gold Coast, SeaWorld

2011-03-24T23:25:00.001+08:00

12.3.2011, Saturday

We arrived GC airport at 8.10am, which Malaysia time is 6.10am. They are 2hrs differ in time. It takes quite sometimes to pass the custom because they are very strict on food bringing into Australia.

We Arrived

We Landed

We then catch the cab to our hotel, Watermark Spa & Resort. Checked-in, rest a while, having a cup of instant noodle, and then heading to SeaWorld by city bus.

Our Hotel, Watermark Spa & Resort

Room with 2 Queen Bed

The Leisure Corner

We spend about 4-5hrs in SeaWorld. With 2 young girls, we have limited time in covering all spots, so it can only be selective to kids favorite. We do stopped and rest too when they are tired.

Daddy & The Girls at Main Entrance

Lots of Seagull around, Daddy & Mummy's favorite

Family Shoot

Sweet Sharing

Mummy & The Little Girl

The best part for both girls in SeaWorld is the Penguin encounter, Sea Lion Show and the Dolphin show. There are actually more things Mummy & Daddy interested about such as Happy Feet in 3-D and Pirates Unleashed but we have to give up since it is not suitable for the girls.

Imagine Dolphin Show at Dolphin Cove

Sesame Street Beach Stage Show - Bert & Ernie's Island Holiday!

Penguin Encounter @Pingu On Ice

Penguin Encounter @Swimming Pingu

Poala Bear Shores

Fish Detective Sea Lion Show

We must have to say baby SW is really a good girl on this entire trip. She slept when she tired. She won’t grumpy even she not enough rest. She doesn’t throw tantrum nor given us any problem. Seeing her cheerful and happy face is really such an enjoyable moment, she always laugh and show us her cheeky face, she is indeed a very cutie pie!

Recharging Battery

About to Full Charge

After SeaWorld, we have our pancake ice-cream nearby our hotel. 'Ice-cream', it is one of the things that SY & SW enjoys the most throughout the entire journey. Daddy pampered the girls with different kind of ice-cream from day 1 till end of holiday. It is ice-cream for them EVERYDAY!

This time, we forgot to take the photo for our pancake ice-cream, too bad. It is a very nice one, with lots of colorful sugar on top.

The night, we have our Chinese style dinner nearby hotel, no photos taken too. Everyone is tired after a long flight, so we all dozed off very earlier the night.