Merry Christmas

Christmas weekend is coming to and end....how did we spend our holidays??
Nothing much except to laze around and eat. On Eve, we had our brunch. We had honey glazed ham and croissant. The ham was highly recommended by the butcher but it was a disappointment. Our usual French ham would have been a better choice. But nevertheless, the strawberries and juices were good. Then for dinner we head to our in-laws' place for sumptuous lobster and beef.

Christmas day was really lazy day. We had the same brunch as the eve, as I bought 1.5kg of ham (and we still have half untouched). Then we pretty much sat in front of the TV or take a nap until dinner time. Dinner was wedding dinner. Food was good and it was good that we actually get out of the house.

Boxing Day is better. We went for a swim and I will be cooking proper dinner tonight - roast pork, potatoes, grilled capcisum and pumpkin.

Enjoying time with my kids and dear husband. Merry Christmas, my dear friends.

Chloe started her meal with chocolate.

Lucas started his meal with strawberries.

7 Days to Christmas

Yes, only 7 days to Christmas and we have yet to buy the most important presents i.e. presents to my in-laws. We have no clue what to buy!
I survived my first week of work....yah! I had to go office everyday but luckily the traffic was good as most people are on holidays. I won't dare to say the same in January. The job, the boss and the colleagues are not bad at all, but I can't work from home all the time....bummer. I'll see how I balance my time and office as I go along. The first day where both of us have to go office, Lucas was telling his father 'It is not fun when both of you are not at home'. Chloe got rather confused and asked 'Why are you going to Daddy's car?' Sigh.....When school starts in January, it is going to be a challenge sending and picking up the kids from schools. Sigh again....need to find alternative transportation.

The kids have been watching this cartoon called Peppa Pig. So, one day Lucas came to me and said, 'Mom, we have to put a glass of milk and mince pie near the Christmas tree so that Santa Claus can drink and eat them when he comes to deliver the present. And we will also know that Santa has come'. Guess who has to drink and eat on behalf of the Santa?? Daddy of course.

Putting up the tree.

Proud of their work.

Deep in concentration. What were they watching?

Watching carolling.

Back to Work

After almost 6 months of being unemployed or lady of leisure, depending on how you look at it, I'm going back to work full time next Wednesday. I managed to find a job which is supposedly virtual aka work from home. I grabbed the opportunity fast and I hope it does turn out to be so. However, I need to be in the office at the beginning to show my face, to know who's who and how things work. Then I hope I can do most part of the work from home. Keeping my finger crossed.

Ah....I have so much errands to do and also much errands had been accomplished. Last list to do is to clean up my store room so that I can store more junk into the store room - make any sense?? I need to sort out all the kids' outgrown clothes, car seats, baby cot, playpen, toys to be given away.

Oh....looking forward to new challenges or not? I'm not sure. I will be able to tell in a month's time.

I Know, It's Only An Accident

Lucas's favourite phrases now are 'You know what?' or 'I know' or 'It's only an accident?'. When he wants to tell us something, he will begin his sentence with 'You know what? ..... '. If he is doing something he is not supposed to do and being reprimand, he will answer 'I know'. If he did something wrong and he fully aware of it, he will say 'It is only an accident.' Chloe has been picking up those sentences and use all of them today. She has been protecting her brother most time today too.

When I asked the kids to eat their dinner,
Lucas: Mom, it's rice again!
Chloe, Mom, ko-ko wants sandwich. (she knows her brother has been asking for sandwich last few days).
Me: No, ko-ko had sandwich for lunch.
A few minutes later,
Chloe: Mom, ko-ko wants sandwich for dinner.
How sweet of her to ask on behalf of his brother.

During dinner time, Lucas suddenly shaked Chloe's chair so hard while she was eating. I gave Lucas a nice lecture for doing that - telling him he can choke Chloe. Chloe sweetly defended her brother, saying, 'Mom, it is only an accident.'

When both kids are being tucked,
Chloe: Ko-ko, what's with the 'I know, I know?'
A few minutes later,
Chloe: Why are you always saying I know, I know.
Haha...asking her brother!

Oh...they are surely getting along well, teasing each other and partnering well to bully the parents!

Drama

Yesterday, while we were trying to put the kids to sleep, there were so much drama. They both were drinking milk from the bottle. Lucas wanted Chloe's pillow. Chloe refused to give. Lucas smacked her. We pulled Lucas away as he was getting physical. Then Lucas cried. After coaxing, they both apology to each other and Chloe is willing to share the pillow with her brother. Lucas had this habit of wanting everyone elses pillow except his. Most of the time, he has 4 pillows on his bed - 2 his own, one borrowed from Daddy and one borrowed from Chloe.

Then there was a mosquito flying around. Dominic then said:
Dom: Chloe, ask ko-ko to smack the mosquito.
Chloe: Kok-ko, smack the mosquito.
Lucas: NO.
Chloe: If you don't smack the mosquito, then who? ME?

Doesn't Chloe sounds like an adult? I was wondering if I speak in this manner and that's how she picks it up!

Then the next drama unfolds, they were fighting for the same blanket.
Lucas: Give me the purple blanket.
Chloe: NO. You want the yellow blanket?
Lucas: NO. I want the purple blanket.
Chloe: No, but I give you the yellow blanket ok.
Lucas: NO, I want the purple blanket.
Chloe: You had the purple blanket yesterday.
Lucas: (whining and complained to me) Mom, she is not sharing.
Me: Chloe, can ko-ko have the blanket for another night?
Chloe: No, but ko-ko can have the yellow blanket ok.

See the difference in their character. Lucas tends to whine and complain to me when at home and complain to his teacher when at school. He gets frustrated easily. Meanwhile, Chloe is very calm and will try to negotiate her way around. We always think Lucas will excel in his academic and Chloe is the street smart one.

Holiday Plans

Next week is Lucas's last week of school. Holidays again....
We have decided not to force him to go swimming. So we are scraping the 2 hrs a day 5 days a week swimming plan. Instead, he started taking Mandarin class. A teacher comes to the house twice a week, one hour each time. The teacher will read him story and they will have their discussion on that topic. On his first lesson, he learnt about bouncing big and small ball. After the class, the told his father that learnt about big and small but he has forgotten about how they are said in Mandarin! I'm trying to get my kids to be bi-lingual and trying so hard to switch the mother tongue from English to Mandarin. Each time I speak to them in Mandarin, they will both jokingly asked 'how put how?' (how are you or literal translation is fine or not?) and burst into laughter.

Other than Mandarin class, there is not much plan. Not travelling this holiday as Dominic has no more leave and we are getting a bit lazy. Staying in a hotel in city center on 31 Dec to party - eat and watch fireworks. Trying to arrange some play-dates for the kids and do some cookies baking for Christmas. I'm sure time will fly.

Aging...Part 2

Just when I thought needing reading glasses and wrinkles are bad, I have just made a new discovery, a far scary new discovery. I have been feeling some pain on my breasts. First, I brushed it off as maybe I have put on weigh and my bras are just too small. Then I told myself maybe I should go for mammogram since I'm in the 40s club. And there I go for mammogram and ultra sound scan. The mammogram was clear and I was relieved BUT the ultra sound detected 2 lumps on m left breast. According to the radiologist, one lump is definitely benign and another is suspicious. My heart dropped a few inches when I heard the word suspicious. Then I went to see a breast surgeon who again said the bigger lump is 50-50% benign. My heart dropped another few inches. I had to get the lump removed and get a biopsy. So, I scheduled a surgery to get the lump removed. The best procedure I have learnt is remove the lump, send the lump for a frozen biopsy where you can get the result within 45 mins. If it is cancerous, the surgeon can remove the limp node immediately (in the same operation while I still had the anaesthetic on). If it is not, then that's it. Thank goodness, the bigger lump is also benign!! For once in my life, I thought I'm going to die young....cannot be right, my kids are still young.

Anyway, it is a huge relief that this nightmare is all over but it was scary that I experience such a close encounter with cancer. Enjoy life, my friends.

My Snobbish Son

How do you tell kids that they are very lucky to have parents and have more things than they need??

Last December, we were at a bookshop. At the cashier, they were some postcards with names and the age of the underprivileged kids. Anyone can buy them book as a gift. So, we asked Lucas to pick a postcard. He chose a boy who was the same age as him and he chose one of the book from Mr Men collection as a gift. He was then given a card to write a message to the kid. And guess what my smart aleck son wrote - poo and pee !!! When we found out, it was too late. Asked him why he wrote such unpleasant message, he said it is funny.

Today, we took him to buy stationery for some underpriviledge kids again. His school is collecting stationery to be donated to underpriviledge kids. I told me beforehand as to why and where we are going. When we get into the shop, he chose his own stationery first. I reminded him we are buying for poor kids and he is not poor. He just ignored me. He did not even bother helping to choose what type of stationery to buy. Fine. When we get home, I was busy taking off the price tag form the items. He saw that there are a few angry bird stationery and he asked, 'Why are you buying these? They don't have iPad and they don't know angry bird.' Dah....what should I say? Snobbish or just plain innocent?

When I told Dominic about this, Dominic told Lucas, 'Maybe we should give your iPad to the poor kids. They will be really happy.' And you know what Lucas answer is.

One day a few weeks ago, we stopped at the traffic light. There was a van full with students beside us. Then I said:
Me: Lucas, look at the van. All the children are from your school.
Lucas: Why are they in the van?
Me: Because their Mommies and Daddies have to work and cannot send them to school. When Mommy and Daddy have to work, you will have to take the van too.
Lucas: Of course NOT.
Me: Then how are you going to school?
Lucas: I will go with Auntie S (my neighbour whom I car pool with)

Is he having it too good? BTW, he weighs 16.5kg and 108cm.

He just discovered he can move faster and easier in the pool if he stays in this pose.

He is more confident when he has cousin swimming with him. Jumping off the ledge ..

Little helper or trouble maker ?

He came back from the neighbour's house with the mask and hand robot saying the neighbour gave them to him.

Chloe's Ready for Nursery

Well, Chloe completed her playschool and will be starting Nursery in January. She will then be in school Monday to Friday, from 8.30am to noon. And, I will have some peace and quiet in the morning when both kids are in school.......yah!

On her last day, her Playschool had a Christmas party. The teachers turned the classroom into a playroom and lots of music, dancing, Santa Claus, presents and food. She had a great time, and now I will have difficulty telling her she is not going to school for the next 6 weeks.

She is 11.5kg and 88cm tall. Grown 2 kgs heavier and 4 cm taller since June. Not bad. She has been eating well lately - she eats meat more than her brother.

Getting her hand painted.

Her favourite toy, the balls.

Another favourite of hers, musical insturment, maracas.

Little gardener at home.

Sri Lanka

Lucas has been talking about Sri Lanka a lot lately. Don't know how it get started. Last night, he had this conversation with his father.

Lucas: Are we going to Germany only?
Dom: Where else do you want to go?
Lucas: Sri Lanka.
Dom; What do you want to do there?
Lucas: (quiet for awhile). How far is Sri Lanka?
Dom: Sri Lanka is 6 hours and Germany is 16 hours by plane.
Lucas: Then why don't we go Sri Lanka?
Dom: When you are older, you can go on your own. Then maybe you can buy Mummy and Daddy the air tickets to go too.
Lucas: You will be dead by then. You will be over 100 years old.
Dom: Are you going when you are in your 60 s?
Lucas: ( quiet)

Dilemmas

Yesterday was quite an unbelievable day. We did so much yet so little. We went swimming and Lucas forgotten all his swimming technics. Worse is he refused to practice it. During our one and a half hour in the pool, he only practiced three times.
He will sit on the ladder, giving excuses or reasons why he doesn't want to swim or not ready to swim. Only his father has the patience to listen to him.

After 30 mins of talking, he will take one plunge. He did not make it to the second line. Here. Dominic was standing on the first line. Then he will talked again for another 30 mins. So, in 1 1/2 hour, he made the plunge three times.

I'm on wits end. I'm thinking of sending him for intensive swimming during his December school holidays. 2 hours a day, 5 days a week until he gets it (hopefully before the school starts in January). That will also costs us a bomb, about RM4000 (US$1300)! What should I do - push him and spend the money or just let him take his time and save us some money??

Chloe is starting her nursery next year. She will be attending school 5 days a week from 8.30am to 12 noon. She is given a seat by her current playschool. I was thinking of sending her to Lucas's former nursery. Her current school has very good facilities and teachers, teaches in English and Mandarin but very expensive. Lucas's former nursery has a very good teacher, who can teaches the kids to be independent very effectively, at half the current school's fee. After some deliberation, Dominic said 'Let's for once give the girl something better than the brother. The boy has always been getting the good things'. So, I suppose decision is made.

We are going to Germany this coming April! Will be flying Airbus 380. Lots of planning to do for the trip.

Easier

Lucas is having his one week school holiday. His school has the equal number of holidays and school days in a year. Just when I thought he settled nicely when the new academic year started, he is in a week holiday! However, Chloe still has her playschool. So, I took Lucas with me to Chloe's school. He went to the playground, had snack and went to the picnic with Chloe's play-dates.

As usual, he fills his time playing iPad, TV and kick balls. I had to control his iPad time or else it can be his activity for all his waking hours. He had 30 words he needs to read and spell (work from school) and I gave him some Math to do. So, one day I asked:

Me: Lucas, what is 4*7 ?
Lucas: (thinking hard)
Me: You plus 7 four times. 7+7+7+7
Lucas: (still thinking)
Me: what is 7+7 ?
Lucas: 14
Me: what is 14+7 ?
Lucas: (after thinking for a few seconds) It is easier if it is 14 + 14. That's 28.
Me: Hmmm...that's true. It is easier.

To practice his spelling, Lucas has a handwriting book with lines to guide him. One day, Chloe open Lucas's handwriting book and saw all the empty pages and said 'Ko-ko is such lazy boy'. I cannot helped but burst into laughter. This girl is fierce.

Last weekend, we went swimming. Lucas has forgotten about all his swimming technics! He forgot how to hold his breath underwater, forgot his hands and legs movement. Usually he can swim 2 lines across the pool, but last weekend, he couldn't do it and not very comfortable again. Yesterday, Dominic asked if he wants to go swimming. Initially he said yes. Then Dominic said he had to swim across 2 lines before he can play his water gun in the kiddy pool. Lucas then chose not to go swimming at all. Sigh...I need to get him continue with proper swimming lesson. Guess just have to push him until he can swims.

Grandpa teaching him Geography

Chloe at her school picnic.

The gate-crasher at his sister's picnic

Having fun

In front of the Halloween shop

Chloe in Punjabi suit for her school Diwali celebration.

The gate-crasher is there again...

Play-dates nowadays involves iPad. Lucas and his classmate are showing each other the latest and coolest games.

Meeting with Teacher

Yesterday was our session with Lucas's teacher to talk about his progress in school. He has been with this teacher for 2 months. Well, there were no surprises. The teacher pretty much said the same thing as last year's teacher. Consistent behaviour. He is above his peers in numeracy and literacy but he doesn't like drawing, coloring, singing and dancing. The teacher showed us his drawing and coloring work, and I must said it is pretty much as how he drew since 2 years ago. The human is still in 'stick' form. One color for the whole face. The teacher said he will do the drawing and coloring with hesitation but he will just do it to get it over with. During music class, he is the only person who does not participate. When we get home, we asked him why he behaves in such manner. His reply, 'It is so boring!'. What can I say?? Should I just let it be and let him get over it since drawing, coloring, singing and dancing are not essential survival skills? No?

And I'm meeting Chloe's teacher this Thursday to talk about her progress. Wonder what will the teacher says.

Calm After the Storm

The dead rats are finally disposed off and there is no smell in the house, after 3-4 days of high drama. Life is back to normal.....

Lucas had his last swimming lesson last Thursday and he made very good progress. I'm very happy and think the swimming fee is money well spent. He is very comfortable in putting his head underwater and that is battle half won. He can do short distant of breast stroke and free style. But of course, he still doesn't know how to put his head off the water to breathe and thread water. Well...slowly. The sad news is he is not continuing with the swimming. He said he wanted to continue next year and the instructor also has no free slot for weekdays afternoon. Meanwhile, Dominic will have to be his instructor and continue practicing his strokes.

Chloe, the dancing and singing queen, is growing fast. She picks up pretty much everything from her brother. If her brother doesn't want any food, she will say no as well without even trying. Sometimes, she even bosses her brother around, commanding the brother to sit down and eat his food, don't do this, don't do that.

Later today, we have an appointment to meet Lucas's teacher to talk about his progress in school.
Me: Lucas, I'm meeting Ms M (his teacher) on Monday. What do you want me to tell her?
Lucas: Don't tell Ms M that I am very naughty, ok.

What A Week!!

So far, this is the most 'interesting' and headache week. I talked about rats paying us a visit last week. Well, I called the pest control people and they came. They helped to cover the hole in the attic and put some baits for the rats. It sure worked!! A few days ago, I found dead rats in my attic!! Being in the attic, I am not able to see the dead rats until it smelled and it sure stink the house!! One rat died on the trap and was easy to find. Another died underneath the water tank. Thank goodness the water tank cover is secured. The rat that died underneath the water tank was hard to be removed cause there is little space to put the hand and hood in to get it. Now, I am waiting for the contractor to cut the ceiling where the dead rat is. My goodness...what a headache and not to mention we had to endure the stinking smell. Luckily the bedroom was spared from the smell or else it will be hard to sleep. It is much simpler to live in a condo!

A new headache just emerged. The water pipe to the washing machine burst and the water is leaking underground!! I have to call a contractor to hack the cement and look for the leak. Another mess! And water bill is going to be high this month. And to add salt to the wound, the contractor had more pressing problem to attend - my neighbour had a burst pipe and the ceiling is all wet. I now have to wait for the contractor to fix the neighbour's problem before he can attends to me. Why can't the developer get the plumbing right when they first built it, and of course the problem only occurs after the warranty has lapsed! Oh......the saying 'we are slaves to our possessions' is sooooo true.

Ms Bossy Bear and Mr Smart Aleck

We always think our kids are not normal. But then again, there is not much comparison as we don't know our friends' kids that well.

Chloe: Mom, I want to watch Thomas, the Train.
Me: Where did you put the CD?
Chloe: I don't know, you look for it.
Me: (looking at the CDs pile) I don't see Thomas, the Train.
Chloe: Where, where is it??
Me: I don't know. Maybe it is still inside the DVD player. (look for the portable CD player and found the CD)
Me: It's here!
Chloe: Why didn't you look there (point at the portable CD player. What she meant was why didn't I know it is there!)

Chloe: Mom, switch on the air-con.
Me: No, ko-ko is coughing. No air-con.
Chloe: Just switch it on!

Chloe: Mom, I want to hold my balloon.
Me: The balloon in the car boot. When the car stops, I will give you the balloon.
Car stopped at the traffic light...
Chloe: Mom, I want the balloon.
Me: Wait...
Chloe: But the car stopped already..
Me: When we get home and the car stop.. (I have to be very specific from now on)
Dom: Her logic is very good also..

Lucas and Dominic playing the name the country game...
Dom: What country starts with N?
Lucas: I know....North Pole
Dom: North Pole is not a country, it is a point in the Arctic. North Pole has no flag.
Lucas: North Pole has no flag because it is too cold. The flag will be destroyed outside.

Coming Apart

This week is a real 'adventure' week as Lucas might called it. Almost all gadgets in the house decided that they need to see their 'doctor' and so are my 2 kids. The kids are down with cough and flu and had to visit paediatrician twice. Then, the water filter decided to take a rest and stopped filtering. The water to the washing machine is brown. The garden and the hedge need to be trimmed. The hose to the toilet decided to take a leak. The lights in the garden decided to fuse each time they are switched on. The cooking hood decided to send the smell to the whole house. The air-cons haven't been service since they are installed. What else.....the rat decided to come pay us a visit. So, here I am calling all the 'doctors' for servicing and waiting for them to come and save me.

An interesting week indeed.

Lucas is 5!

Happy Birthday, darling.

Admiring all the presents.

Even Chloe has lots of presents.

On Oct 5, 2006, I was not working. Dominic took some days off. I was rescheduled to be admitted to hospital at 9pm. So, we took our time, drove around looking for food. We saw durian, and Dominic asked if I wanted some. I was tempted but had to resist. The doctor would cursed me if I do eat the durian. I was scheduled for caesarian at 9am the next day. For dinner, Dominic cooked spaghetti cabonara. After dinner, I had my shower and washed my hair and checked myself in the hoospital. At 9+am the next day, Lucas was born. Fast forward 5 years, we celebrated Lucas' 5th birthday.

He is 5 and for presents, he asked for 2 paid games for the iPad. He chose Fruit Ninja and was so engrossed that he forgot about this second paid games. We did not have to give him other presents. He got lots from grandparents and relatives from Germany. Even Chloe received just as many presents. It is more like Christmas than birthday. I am keeping the presents I intended to give them for Christmas instead.

He asked for a Angry Bird cake to bring to school to share with his classmates. The angry bird with long beak that can turns into boomerang. I brought that particular bird sticker to the cake shop and asked them to make it. The beak in the cake turns our to be sooo short. But Lucas is pleased with it nevertheless. So, it is ok. I bought a raspberry torte cake for home and it was delicious. We had roast chicken for dinner. If it is weekend, we probably would have gone out for dinner.

So, now that the boy is 5, he asked his father, 'Dad, now that I am 5 year old, can I go to bed at 9.30pm instead of 9pm?'. And his father said, 'Ask your Mommy'.

Aging

I don't feel the impact of aging, until recently. Thinking about it is a very daunting task. A few days ago, I was trying to get the right nose decongestion for Chloe. We had 3 types, one for infant, one for toddler and one for adults. I was trying to read the label to make sure I had the right one and also to make sure the nose drop has not expired. I CAN'T READ A WORD!!! Everything is just so blur even the biggest font. First, I thought the room was too dark so I moved to a brighter room. I still can't read a darn thing. Then I removed my short-sighted glasses and the words magically appeared sooo clearly. Oh bummer....I need a reading glass! If that is not a sign of aging, I don't know what is.

There are plenty of eye-cream on the market and I have been using them diligently. Then I saw something not so normal around my lips and I thought I did not 'shave' properly. Then it dawn to me that the wrinkles around my lips are becoming very visible - even to my short-sighted eyes. Oh....another bummer.

I wonder what's next??

iPad and TV

Lucas is on his third week of school. He hardly tells me anything on what he does at school. I was wondering if he is coping well with his new teacher and new class-mates, until today, when he comes back with Star of the Week award for 'excellent behaviour and setting example to others' and a merit. Think he is doing alright in school. He is sooooo obsessed with his iPad that he thinks and talks about it all the time. He will tell everyone about his games, how he was doing and what is he trying to achieve. I have to limit his iPad time to one hour in the afternoon, a few mins after his dinner and while waiting for his shower. We are supposed to get 2 paid games for him on his birthday but I told him I changed my mind. Until he knows how to control his addiction, he is not getting any new games. This morning, he walked to my room at 6.30am asking if he can play his iPad. I said NO. Then he very creatively re-phrased his question, 'If I brush my teeth, drink and my milk and change to my uniform, can I play for a while?'. I can't say no to this, right.

As for Chloe, she walks to my room everyday without fail between midnight and 2am. Then she asked for her blanket or handkerchief (comfort toy) and drinking water. After that she will say, 'Pat me.' I slept better when they were younger. Then when she wakes up in the morning, she will push me and said 'I want milk!' and she can't wait. Then she will say, 'I want to watch TV'. My new boss. She is also enjoying her playschool. Asking to go to school everyday when Lucas is leaving for school. She just can't wait to grow up.

Holiday is Over

It's back to school!!
After we returned from Gold Coast, Lucas spent a week in my parents' place playing with his cousins. He enjoyed it so much that he refused to come back. My sisters made sure they are entertained. Meanwhile, Chloe enjoyed staying at home with us. She enjoyed the one week where she is the only child and get our undivided attention. I just realised that she never had that privilege while Lucas had it for almost three years! Well, new experience for all of us.

Lucas started his new academic year yesterday. He is excited about going back to school. However, when I asked him what he did in school, he will said 'I have forgotten' or 'We did so much activities'. Nothing specific that was worth mentioning. Oh well....I'm just glad he is happy to go to school. He finished his drum trial course and the teacher asked him to come back when he is 6-7 years old. We think he did quite well in drum and he did not protest about going to the class nor he showed enthusiasm. Will get him to continue when he is 7. This Saturday will be his last piano lesson. Again, he said he will continue when he is older. So, no music class in the next 2-3 years. He still has his swimming class. We will see if he should continue thereafter or we stop it as well.

Chloe started her playschool. Twice a week. She loved it. Refused to come back after the class finishes. On the way home, she kept saying, 'I don't want to go home'.

Glorious Gold Coast

We survived our first trip!!
The flight there was good. The plane was rather empty and we get extra seats for the kids to sleep. The kids were excited for the first two hours and then felt asleep for the rest of the journey. It was a midnight flight and that helped.

First time on air plane. Chloe was fascinated with the window.
Cosy on the same seat...for awhile.

On the first day, we took it easy. Arrived at 7am, picked up the rental car and went to a park while waiting to check into the apartment. The weather was pleasant for outdoor. We went to a gourmet market for food and bought some food for dinner. The food was delicious.

Beautiful beach but we were not geared for it....it is winter and too cold for tropical people like us.
Keeping themselves busy while we had lunch.

On the second day, we went to the SeaWorld. Chloe shown more interest than Lucas but unfortunately Chloe was sleeping for most of the time. On third day, we went to Movie World. Lucas loved this place. Initially, we thought Lucas was to afraid to try the rides but he proved us wrong. It is like Universal Studio but much smaller scale. On the fourth day, we took it easy by driving to the vineyard, mountain. It was a very pleasant stay, and if it rained less, that would be perfect.

Carousel was pretty much the only thing Chloe can do. She does not fulfill the height requirement for most of the rides.

Movie World was where the kids really had a great time, especially Lucas. We spent 2 days in this theme park.


Lucas liked this roller coaster so much that he rode for 7 times. Dominic was commented that he felt dizzy after all the roller coaster rides with him.

He went to watch stunt driving show (I had to stayed outside with Chloe as she was asleep and the noise level for that show is high) and got so excited that he told me what had I missed.

He loved this free drop ride so much that he went for the ride 4 times.

Admiring the rainforest as we walked on the skywalk.

Then we spent 2 nights in Brisbane, about an hour drive from Gold Coast. The was nothing much to do in Brisbane for kids. We took the ferry for sightseeing and hop on hop off at certain interesting places.


We took the water public transport for sight-seeing. It was different than the usual walking.


While waiting for me to inquire on the tickets for kids' play in a theather.

On Brisbane ferris wheel....

We took refuge in a restaurant while waiting for the rain to stop. The kids posed when the rain stopped.

Enjoyed playing with their cousin in Gold Coast.

Overall, we all had a great time. We also agreed that one week holiday is the longest we can take with the kids. Anything longer will stress the parents out. Lucas liked is to much that when we get home he said to me, 'Mommy, I still like Australia very much. Can we go again next year? Next December?'

Australia, Here We Come

Yes....we are leaving for Gold Coast, Australia for a week starting tomorrow. I'm done packing the check-in luggage. 2 hand carry luggages to go. We got this super duper discounted ticket (RM2500 for 4 of us) and will be flying budget airline. The downside is there is no entertainment system and no much food (and not free) available. Let's see after this experience, if we will still be using budget airline.


Chloe admiring the older children in her ballet trial class.


Their favourite dessert, gummy bears.

Common Enemy

My kids have already gang-up to bully me. Their common enemy is me, and it gives them so much joy and laughter to run me down.

Lucas: Chloe, you are a stubborn stubborn girl!
Chloe: NO! You are stubborn!
Lucas: No, you are the stubborn one!
Chloe: Mummy is the stubborn one.
Lucas: (giggling and whispering) Yes, Mummy is the stubborn one.
Chloe: (giggling and satisfied)

Chloe: You are very naughty, ko-ko.
Lucas: NO!
Chloe: YES!
Lucas: Mommy has gone crazy (giggling)
Chloe: (giggling) Mommy has gone crazy.

Half-Way

Lucas is half-way through his school holidays. He has lots of programmes that make me more exhausted than him. I sent him to proper swimming lesson where a qualified instructor teaches him on one-to-one basis. On the first lesson, he started making a fuss about not wanting to go even before the lesson starts. We persisted and he survived the first lesson. The teacher said he was a bit nervous about going underwater. On the second lesson, again he started making fuss before the lesson. Some miracle happened in the pool - the instructor managed to 'break' him and now he is looking forward to his next lesson. In fact, he wanted to go swimming today but I'm just too tired to take 2 kids to the pool again.

He asked for piano lesson and of course I found a class for him. Now, he had drum and piano class on Saturday. He liked the piano lesson better because there is theory and the teacher gives out stickers!! Dominic is not impressed with his piano teacher and kept wondering if the teacher knows how to play piano, but Dominic was very impressed with the drum teacher. He is considering of learning drum himself.

Lucas is such an expert in playing his iPad games than even adults cannot beat his high score. His Ninja Jump score is the highest and Dominic is trying very hard every night to beat Lucas's high score. Even my sister is trying to beat his high score. Can one earn a living by playing computer games?

I sent Chloe for her baby ballet but it was not very successful. She is still abit young and the teacher is not very baby friendly too. Will have to wait for another few months and try again. In fact, I need to introduce her to classroom environment first. Will be sending her to playschool twice a week starting September.

Meanwhile, I have some time to catch-up with my reading. Have been buying more novels for myself. Next week, we are going to Gold Coast for a week with the kids.

What Do We Do?

Trying to get the kids busy during their waking hours in school holiday is a real challenge. They are either too hooked up to the TV or iPad and that is not good at all. Since, I am not working, I have no excuse not to get them off the TV or iPad. So, what do we do??

- We go swimming more often, like twice a week.
- We have playdates where we meet with Lucas's other friends in indoor playground and let them play for hours.
- We try to cook/bake more together like making jello. Will start on making cupcakes soon (once I'm confident it is going to be turned out well).
- We go to the outdoor playground more, whenever the weather permits.
- I took them to grocery shopping with me.
- They go to the grandparents' place more often.
- I sit down and get them to do some activity (like homework).
- I send Lucas for whatever trial class I can find. So far, he has attended drum class and Wing Chun Kung Fu class. He is asking for piano class and I will sure find him a trial class to attend. Chloe has also been asking for music class but nobody wants to take her at such tender age. I am trying to find a ballet school for toddler for her.

Honestly, I am more exhausted now than when I was working.


Learning to hold the drum stick correctly in his first lesson. The teacher initially was reluctant to teach him as he was saying Lucas is too young. After the first trial, the teacher was impressed enough to take him on for the full trial program i.e. 4 lessons. I was impressed too. He remembered all the drums names and can follow instructions from the teacher. Now, I am trying to brain-wash him by saying playing drums is cool. His grandmother kept asking if I really want him to learn drums - all the noise during practice. Let's see how long his interest goes.

I wasn't there when he had his Wing Chun Kung Fu but according to Dominic, the first thing Lucas said after the class was, 'This is so tiring!'. What a worm! But according to Dominic the class is not suitable for him. The kids are from 5 to 17 and he is too young there. It is very frustrating for his sparing partner whom is older. So, no more Kung Fu. Next, I will try him for football.

I'm not neglecting Chloe either. Had been calling so many music centres if they teach any instrument to a 2 year old and the answer is always NO. I will just have to accept it. Now, I'm looking for baby/toddler ballet. She loves dancing, unlike her brother. She can just hyme some tunes and starts dancing. Also, looking for a playschool for her. Found one but the fees are rather pricy. Let's see if I can find a cheaper alternative. Planning to start her with playschool when Lucas is back to school in September. Then, I get some peace and quiet in the morning. :))

A Teenager in the House

Lucas had just completed his first week of school holidays and there are 7 weeks to go!! The first week was at times peaceful and at times full of drama. One incident I must note because it is the first....

Me: Lucas, go take your shower.
Lucas: Wait, after this game (he is addicted to these games called Ninja Jump and Run Run Chicken on the iPad).
Me: (after a few minutes) You better go now before I punish you with no iPad for the rest of the day.
Lucas: FINE!! (not pleased at all with the threat).

A few seconds later.....BANGGGG - Lucas slammed the bedroom door to show his displeasure!
Dom : He is not even 5 but he is behaving like a teenager.
Me: What is he going to do when he is a teenager, threaten to commit suicide or run-away?
Dom: No, we will not get that far. He will just out-talk us using logic.
Me: (not so sure and is worried)


The next day, he was playing too much iPad again. I get him to do a few pages of activity book to break his iPad time. When he was done,

Me: Lucas, put the book and the colour pencils back to the playroom.
Lucas: I am not a maid, OK!
Me: (stunned) Daddy, you know what Lucas just said?
Dom: What?
Me: He said he is not cleaning up his pencils and book because he is not a maid!
Dom: Lucas, you cannot be a maid! You don't know how to do anything to be a maid. A maid knows much better than you.
Me: OK, no more iPad for today.

Luckily, no door slamming this time.

Of Course

The latest favourite word for Chloe is of course, 'Of Course.'.

Me: Finish your dinner or else no dessert for you.
Chloe: Of course I am getting my dessert.

Chloe: I want milk.
Me: No, it is still dark (wee hour in the morning).
Chloe: Switch on the light.
Me: The sun is not shining yet.
Chloe: Of course the sun is shining.

Chloe: I want to go to ko-ko's (Lucas's) room.
Me: No, ko-ko is sleeping.
Chloe: Of course he is not sleeping.

Me: You have another 5 spoons of noodles then you can have the ice-cream. It's a deal, ok.
Chloe: Of course it is not a deal.

Happy 2nd Birthday, Chloe

I returned from London just in time to celebrate Chloe's 2nd birthday. There wasn't much fuss. Grandparents bought her a birthday cake (chosen by Lucas), presents and dinner. I arrived home at around 7.30pm. Did not have any time to prepare dinner and buy Chloe her favourite junk food. We had dinner, sang her the birthday songs and ate ice cream.

For 2, she is progressing very well. She uses the potty in the daytime and she knows how to tell us if she needs to go to the toilet! She is talking very well for 2, eating better than Lucas. All of them say girls mature faster than boys.