Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Year End Mad Rush

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I like this photo a lot. Perfectly illustrates the bond you guys have.
Dec 14 was indeed quite a mad rush for us.  A mental note not to go on a holiday, just before Christmas.  For the trip, we had to prepare for the itinerary, travel directions, pack, so on and so forth.  This is further exacerbated with the even earlier Christmas shopping and let’s not forget that we had to prepare En Xi for Primary 1.  Again, we had to purchase all the necessary books, stationary, uniform, study table and essentials before the trip.  Fortunately, I could take time off until the start of year 2015 and so, your grandparents helped me with the room painting.  It was a great team effort!  Everyone helped in one way or another.
En Xi made this for us, as she was pleasantly surprised with the new room
While grandparents and me painted the room, Ye Ye was the one to put in the finishing touches.  His attention to detail is like no other and through his meticulous endeavor; the quality of paintwork is really top notch.  In fact, I reckon its better than the usual contractor work.
But as always, sneaky you, you had the last laugh again.
Ah Ma as always, so caring and looks after our needs before self.  We couldn’t find time to bring En Xi to school for uniform fitting and was contemplating of doing it after the trip.  Wise old ah ma actually went to purchase 1 set of uniform for you and negotiated for exchange if it doesn’t fit you.  Thereafter, size you up with the uniform before making more purchases.  So nice right?  Isn’t it?

What does Mummy and Daddy do?  We just love you exuberantly.  Period.

Adelaide Central Market buying Candies

Rare shot of Ah Peh with En Jun

Pelican Feeding @ Penguin Centre, Kangaroo Island

Walkway to Seal Bay Conservation Park, Kangaroo Island

Its a long walk

On the Sealink Ferry to Kangaroo Island

Wonder where's En Jun?  Oh ya, he's afraid of birds that are bigger than him

Seal Bay was a really waste of time and money, photos plenty, nothing much to do

Rare shot of Ong Brothers

Ladies with the Man

Another long walk.  Why so many long walks?  Remarkable Rocks @ Flinders Chase National Park, Kangaroo Island

My favourite photo for the trip.  @ small jetty near accommodations, Kangaroo Island.

Penfolds Winery at Barossa Valley

Beerenberg Strawberry Farm @ Adelaide Hills


Hanhndorf Farm Barn @ Adelaide Hills



MindChamps Year End Concert and Pre-School Graduation

2014 was a good year for us.  It was the year that both of you get to go pre-school together and spend loads of time sharing common experiences.  The year end concert took a different approach as compared to previous years.  For the 1st time, it was a school centered concert with all students from every level.  This meant that both of you got to perform on stage together.  In the past, traditionally, K2 students from all centers would perform together in a separate concert.  It was fun watching both of you perform.  The rehearsals and actual day performance revealed a lot about your distinctly different characters.

In the build-up rehearsals, En Xi's classmate, Lucas, stands beside you and was very mean towards you.  He dug in his finger nails into your forearm when the segments calls for holding hands to form a heart shape.  It happened on 2 occasions and we had to intervene and asked the teachers to separate both of you.  The funny thing is that you did not complain on getting hurt because you wanted the performance to be as perfect as it can be and not disrupt the rehearsals.  After teachers found out about this, they stressed that you must sound out if the bad boy does it again.  Together with us reinforcing this message at home, you suddenly felt upset, not knowing if you are the cause to all this unhappiness.  I guess you are just sensitive and didn't know how to handle the situation.  You kept asking if you had done something wrong.  We assured you did not, but it was to no avail, as in your eyes, the concert was more important than anything else.  You simply wanted the performance to be perfect.  On the other hand, En Jun was rather timid in the rehearsals.  While, you display an extremely loud and vocal character during class, it seems that you do this to hide your fears.  Still, your teacher did not give up on you and pressed on to make sure you are ready to be one of the leads in your segment.

During the concert, En Xi was totally into the performance and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.  En Jun, well, seems a little overwhelmed at times, but still managed to pull through his segment as one of the lead.  Enough said, some pictures from the very day.


Another indicator that you will grow up to be a stewardess





Don't understand why you always have a funny look




Keagan on your left is 'bio-ing' you


See that contrasting 'stunned' look

You are a painter and hate this outfit because it made you felt like a boy


Fat boy on the right (Lucas) is a bad boy

This 2 persons has milked a lot of money form your parents

I'm about to cry, but I'm holding it look


One of your best pal in pre-school, Paige and your Chinese Teacher Zhang

En Jun's teachers in N1, Ms Eloisa and Ms Zhou

Your English Teacher, Ms Ijah


Friday, December 26, 2014

My Day, Your Day, Everyone’s Day


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Came up with a fun idea recently.  Broke the usual Sunday routine and opted for a “My Day” concept, where individual can decide what to do with the whole family.  Somehow, it didn’t quite work out.  Started with Mummy Day, but she couldn’t figure out what she wants to do as a family.  Finally, she decided on a trip to IKEA for some sinful food (meatballs and chicken wings!), children’s play in the play area and window-shopping for En Xi’s writing table and chair.  It was also En Jun’s first foray into the play area without our supervision.  It was a whack and we had En Xi to thank for taking good care of you.
The 2nd Sunday was En Jun’s Day.  You wanted to play basketball and I took you to the Community Centre Basketball Court to do just that.  Mummy and En Xi were as always…  All snug up tight in their beds.  But its ok, we did our boys stuff and bonded great!
Then came Daddy Day and we went for the Duck Tour, which turned out more to be kid’s day then my day.
Last, but not least, came En Xi’s Day and unfortunately again, En Jun was sick yet again.  We didn’t want to disappoint En Xi and it was just you and I to the Wild Wild Wet at Pasir Ris.  Water Play!
Anyway, today is Boxing Day and we just spend Christmas Day at home as it was En Xi’s turn to get sick.  I guess it must be the over exhaustion from all the fun we had from our Adelaide family trip (Grandparents, our family and Ah Peh’s family – Charlene and Julian included) and your binge eating. (Neighbour Sham made us some Longan Jellies, you gulped down at least 5-7 pieces and puked after that)
Out in the Malls.  So Posey!