Out in the Park

Caitlin had a fun time in the neighbourhood park - running freely and enjoying her ice cream. Life is indeed simple, joyful and full of adventure for them.  

Running Shoes

To the Park

We recently went t o visit my sister and we took the opportunity to go the the park nearby. Parks are nice and it is good to see kids running around, having a ball with their friends and family.

I do make it a point to go to the park with the children whenever the weather permits. Not only the kids need it, the adults need it too.

We will be off for a short vacation soon. Looking forward to the short break to rejuvenate and before going back to the rat race. Have a good weekend everyone.

Angry Birds

Angry Birds everywhere - toys, shirts, key chains, bags .....

According to Caitlin

According to my girl, this is a picture of a pond, with a fish inside and the fish is swimming (that is represented by the jagged line). Hmmmmmm..........make sense.

We just got back from the "3rd Putrajaya International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta 2011". The balloons were colourful and there were a few special shapes - Darth Vader, Doraemon and even a "downside up". Ryan had a go at the recumbent bicycle which he enjoyed. There was also a big "pasar malam" in one of the open field for visitors.

We started the journey at 7.00am and arrived there an hour and a half later and by 10.45am, we were on our way to brunch. We ended up eating "hot soup" at Seri Kembangan. It was a good outing.

Caitlin the Artist

She loves to doodle.

Here's one of the many, many "pieces". She refer to them as her colourings.

She's also into singing. Will try to capture her in action and post them here.

6 March 2011 ..... A typical Sunday

9.00 am - Woke up from a blissful slumber...oh, what joy!
10.00 am - Back from the wet market with loads of vegetables, dried foods stuff, meat, fish + breakfast!
11.00 am - Finished breakfast, cleaned and stored all food stuff + making sure Ryan is doing his homework.
12.00 noon - Me and Ryan hiding in my room - he doing his homework (still) and me doing my office work. Caitlin is just too boisterous and nosy. She distract us!
1.00 pm - Still coop up in my room. Ryan find it hard to focus - his own choice I believe while I have tonnes of work to finish. Am trying hard to focus on my work and not surfing the net.
2.00 pm - In the midst of frying "yam + nien ko + sweet potatoes" for tea time. (see photos)
Ryan is still in the room. Caitlin slept.
3.00 pm - Ryan's teatime and homework still incomplete.
4.00 pm - Ryan with his homework in front of the TV - still not finish. Brother and wifey a.k.a weekend babysitters are on their way here. Caitlin is still sleeping.
5.00 pm - Baby sitters arrived. Caitlin woke up. Ryan still doing homework (he's such a slowpoke). Did a 30-min jog around the neighbourhood.
6.00 pm - Setting table for dinner. Aunt Jo cooked. Brother bought some bread from one fancy shop for us to try. Caitlin playing with her babysitter. Ryan finished homework and watching Green Hornet on DVD.
7.00 pm - Had dinner (see photo). Nothing beats home cooked food in the company of loved ones. Kids had their baths.
8.00 pm - Everyone is resting. Aunt Jo playing PC games. Aunt Cleo watching online movies. Ryan digging $$ from his piggy bank for his forthcoming 1-day trip. Caitlin, disturbing Ryan.
9.00 pm - Had supper. Milo all around with cakes and pastries!!
10.00 pm - Preparing to call it a day. Nite nite everyone!

Chinese Calligraphy

I googled for a definition on Chinese calligraphy and found that the best definition from Asiawind Art Gallery.

"Chinese calligraphy (Brush calligraphy) is an art unique to Asian cultures. Shu (calligraphy), Hua (painting), Qin (a string musical instrument), and Qi (a strategic boardgame) are the four basic skills and disciplines of the Chinese literati. Regarded as the most abstract and sublime form of art in Chinese culture, "Shu Fa" (calligraphy) is often thought to be most revealing of one's personality.

During the imperial era, calligraphy was used as an important criterion for selection of executives to the Imperial court. Unlike other visual art techniques, all calligraphy strokes are permanent and incorrigible, demanding careful planning and confident execution. Such are the skills required for an administrator / executive. While one has to conform to the defined structure of words, the expression can be extremely creative. To exercise humanistic imagination and touch under the faceless laws and regulations is also a virtue well appreciated".

Why Calligraphy?

Because Ryan who is in Standard 3 this year is currently exposed to calligraphy and did his first piece last week. It's his first try and I know we should not be horrified but we did. Can't help it. Instead of using the tip of the brush, he used the side (I have no idea why??).

As you can see, he has a long, long, long, long way to go and for me, calligraphy is an art. He may ended up loving it or totally loathes it. Too early to tell but lots of practice is needed. :)

Message from Ryan

I was going through my old photos when I chanced upon this. I remember being amused by it and decided to snap a photo as a rememberance. This was back in 2008 and today is 2011. No much changes. Ryan was crazy about Pokemon then and he is still crazy about Pokemon now.

Photo of me and the kids

I seldom take photos with my kids. Most of their pictures are individual shots and there are also very few pictures of them together. Will remember and make it a point to take more group photos. As you can see, Caitlin is growing up fast. She's no longer baby faced and Ryan....he's still 21 kg and slightly taller.

Ryan's 8th Birthday

He's still a huge Pokemon fan and wanted the cake with the picture of "Arceus".

Mummy: Why Arceus?

Ryan: Because it's the most powerful pokemon at all times (with his eyes rolling with disbelief that his wise mother does not know this!)

Mummy: Er.....ok. Arceus then.

Ryan: Yeah......

We had a little gathering for a small clebration at my place for the b'day boy, delivered a cake to his daycare for him to share with his friends and had another little gathering at his grandparents place. My boy is already 8.....what happen in between?

Caitlin's First Hair Cut

Caitlin had her first haircut and she just loved being the centre of attention (the hairstylist).

I guess I will not have any problem taking her for her haircuts !!!

Simple Delight

For Caitlin, she looks forward to having her bath @ the back of our garden, in her small pink bath tub. She will squeal with delight everytime she's allow to do just that. Such joy to see her so happy.

I'm studying

Ryan: I may look sleepy to you but I'm studying.....for real
Mummy: ok, if you say so

Me and Caitlin

While waiting for Ryan "koko" (brother in chinese) to finish his swimming lesson, me and Caitlin decided to take a dip in the kiddy pool nearby.

For the first 5 minutes, my girl was unsure and frightened. She was holding on to me for her dear life. That was all but 5 minutes. As her confidence grew, she was ok and we had a splashing time. In the end, Caitlin was so tired that she was "knocked-out" by 8.00pm that night. Doesn't she look adorable in that pink swimming suit?

Caitlin: 8 months

Caitlin has been a good girl. Although I'm busy as a bee, I'll make sure that I spend time with her. Afterall, she's still a baby and I don't think there will be another after her. :) ....so more the reason why I need to make that extra effort and enjoy her baby years.

She's being photographed in one of her bad moods. Ain't she adorable, even when she's pouting.

Toy #2: Nintendo DS Lite - Pokemon Limited Edition

It's more for Ryan but we are still keeping mums about it and will only "reveal" it to him when the time is right.

Everyone been asked me the same question: What did he achieve to deserve this? Well...he did quite well in school but that's not it. I am actually going to use this to motivate him, make him complete his tasks faster and make him stives harder.......if he does what he suppose to do and do it well...then he can play. Sort of like a carrot and stick approach. Dunno whether it will work or backfired. But at least, I try to make the boy to be more focus.

Wish us luck.

Caitlin: 7 months

I forgot to post this earlier....Caitlin at 7 months. We wish her hair will grow faster.

Caitlin and her red spots

It started with a few spots and by the next day, her face was covered with over 30 red dots. Of course we panic and immediately sent her to the doctor. Dr Kwan think that she's having a skin reaction but at that point in time could not determine the root cause. The good new is that she did not have a temperature.

I was on a 4-day course (from 19 to 21 January 2009) and could not take leave to take care of her. Creche is definitely out of the question. Hubby is only on the worst case scenario as his company is implementing cost cutting measure which includes having shut downs every quarter and he will be forced to take leave and if one's leave is exhausted, then they will have to be on unpaid leave.

Fortunately Aunt Jo came to the rescue. She offered to take leave and took good her of her for the next 2 days. By the third day, her spots have subside considerably and the creche is able to accept her.

Thank God for Aunt Jo and we hope that Caitlin will recover in time for her first Chinese New Year.