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

Let's round up 2012

 

Finally, a well deserved break in the month of Dec.  We did 2 trips, 1st on a 5-day Royal Caribbean cruise to Phuket, Thailand.  There was full of anticipation and excitement for this trip as there were several good reviews about the ship "Legends of the Sea".  We were looking forward to utilizing the services of the kids club and baby sitting facilities, but we were so wrong.  The kids club facilities and program was well run, so no issues for En Xi, who had such a great time.  The setback, which for some is no 'biggie', but extremely important for us, was that there were no baby sitting available throughout the 5 days.  This meant that En Jun was with us all day and night!  There goes our couple time, but on the flip side, it mean dedicated bonding time with En Jun.  Overall, the trip was satisfactory and not fantastic as many has raved about.  I lost some $$$ at the casino, nonetheless, it was still a fruitful trip with plenty of food and good entertainment on board.

Plus, we meet a great family from Hong Kong, who shared our dinner table for the 4 nights.  On the day of check out, we headed straight home and immediately rush off to En Xi's pre-school for her year end concert.  Excellent job from En Xi, despite not rehearsing for the past week.

Then, came the Malacca Trip.  It was a mega family trip with extended family members from Grandpa side, with a grand total of 29 pax.  A simple trip with good fun.  Any worries that En Jun will not survive the trip, proved to be unfound.  Judging by En Xi's pose in most photos we took, I reckon that En Xi found a new boyfriend.

 Right: Glenn Ong (I've the hots for him)

Left: Charlene Ong (BFF)

About En Xi

It seems that you are ready to be off diapers completely.  Next step, is to let both yourself and En Jun to sleep together in your own room without us.  Next year, will mark the start of K1 for you and that means the start of spelling, writing, reading and lots of homework.  For a start, we hope not to add more enrichment programs for you on the weekends and plan to keep it solely for fun-filled family activities, with the exception of swimming classes.

Having fun as "Pink Princess Witch" during Halloween.

Last year in Dec, we enrolled you for a week of Drama workshop with Act 3 International.  Unfortunately, if you can recall, you contracted HFMD.  After witnessing your disappointment, I enrolled you in the class again.  To my horror, you contracted HFMD again!  How can this be possible?  This place must be a jinx!

About En Jun

You were trying to get to terms without direct feed from Mummy and has been disturbing mummy's sleep.  Enough is enough.  You are now sleeping with me in your own room with the door locked up.  Cry as you may, but no one else can save you in the middle of night.  I'm a deep sleeper and is not affected in any way by your cries.  Initially, you cried a couple of times, but after realizing that you are in this alone, you pretty much get the drift and stay asleep.

You also had a bout of diarrhea that lasted for a week and duly lost a fair amount of weight and chubbiness in your body.  Fortunately, all that is over and you are feeding well again.  But again, you are not into solid food, preferring to have milk and cereal only.  You are turning cheeky as well, engaging eye contact with us, before turning to run or climb away.  You love been chased after.

Yes, let's not forget about our yearly X-mas party with Mummy's BFF(s) aka 7 princesses (errrmm, maybe 7 empresses)