CNY 2012

Unlike the past CNY, this year we are pretty occupied.

Eve of CNY
With the priviledge of having mom around, she cooked a simple meals for our reunion dinner.  Simple?  I thought CNY reunion dinner has to be a sumptuous meal?  Yup.  Problem is:  Shally's kitchen is not well equipped with the necessary utensils to prepare for a lavish dinner.  But we all enjoyed the meal, especially Shally.  The sad thing is, no Loh Bak, Jiu Hoo Char, Otak-otak and Bi Hoo Char - Penang cuisine that has always been the main dishes cooked during CNY by my MIL. 

1st Day of CNY
We went to Mdm Kwan in KLCC for lunch.  The food is delicious.  After the meal, we lingered around for awhile before proceeding to 2 church members' houses.  They have invited Andrew to visit them during this festive season.

A couple visited us and we have a wonderful time catching up.  My MIL enjoyed the pineapple tart that she baked it herself.  But we still preferred my MIL's pineapple tart.  Missed it so much!

2nd Day of CNY
Another shopping day at Mid Valley.  Mom and I bought a pair of jeans in Jusco as there was a sale up to 70% discount.  A pair of jeans with the original price RM100+ and now is selling only at RM30+.  Grab it before it is too late!  However, Je Ee couldn't find one that fits her well.  Instead, she got herself a pair of shoes!

Later in the evening, we went to Sushi King at Subang Parade for dinner.  Erwyn enjoyed the Japanese egg custard.  He finished half of it!  As for Elyse, she finally got to watch Lion Dance!  There was a lion dance performance at the concourse.  Elyse even received an orange from one of the lions!  How excited she was!

3rd Day of CNY
Tired and exhausted after a 2-day shopping.  Resting at home.  2 friends dropped by to visit my MIL.

4th Day of CNY
Australian Day.  But most importantly, it is Andrew's birthday!  Happy birthday, dear!
Poor Daddy, he has to go back to work today.  But Mummy was planning to surprise Daddy.  I brought Elyse to Swensen to buy an ice-cream cake for Andrew.  He enjoyed it so much the last time when we bought it for Elyse.  To our disppointment, no stock left due to CNY.  Sob.  Sob.

5th Day of CNY
My mom leaves for JB today.  Words can never describe how much she has helped us at this crucial time.  Even Elyse does not want grandma to leave.  Thank you, mom!


Well, that's about it.  We are not going to celebrate 15 days, aren't we?

Pre CNY Reunion

For the past 7 years, I have been celebrating CNY in PJ.  This year is still the same.  But an exciting news is: My mom is here with me in PJ!  To add to our joy, Je Ee is here with us, too!

As my sister is travelling back to her husband's hometown during this CNY, she has decided to drop by KL and paid us a visit.  She checked into Ascott Serviced Apartment for a one-night-stay.  The room is rather spacious.  The swimming pool is Elyse's favourite.  And this was the first time for Erwyn to swim!  He did not take it very well then.  The water was too cold and he does not like water splashed on his face.

We headed to KLCC for dinner right after that.  To our disappointment, the food court does not provide a variety of food.  Neither are the food delicious.  The mall was packed with people.  The huge gold dragon sculture at the concourse is very attractive.

It was wonderful to meet up with my sis and her family in KL.  It has been half a year since we last met.  My niece and nephew have grown up so much.  We have such a beautiful moment catching up with one another.  After all, CNY is a time where family reunited and spend time with each other.

Happy CNY 2012!

Moving House, Again!

Is there anyone like to move house?  Certainly not for Andrew and I.  Ooh... I have almost forgotten.  Our little princess enjoys moving house.  She is only 3 years and 4 months, yet she has the experience of moving house for 3 times!!! 

A total mess in the living hall.  Poor Erwyn, while all of us were busy cleaning and tidying, he was left alone.

Kitchen

The view from our apartment.

Notice the KL Tower?  Elyse asked Mummy, "Is Rapunzel staying there?"

Beautiful night scenery.



Another night scenery with the LRT passing by.

With Puduraya and 2 schools right next to our apartment, we are bombarded by school bands and constant announcements made by loud speaker, car and bus honk and LRT  noise.

However, the advantage is Elyse's kindergarten and Andrew's office are just a few floors down.  Very convenient.

Mummy is totally lost in this new place.  Thank God that now we have GPS, Mummy is learning her way around the town.

Hmm, when will be the next move again?  Oh dear, we really have no idea.  One step at a time, shall we?

Farewell Dinner

The Farewell Dinner on 12th January @ 7:30pm marked a closure of our journey with Wesley MC Teluk Intan.

We (Andrew, Shally & Elyse)  left KL at 4:30pm and reached TI around 6:30pm.  Erwyn did not join us though, he stayed with his grandma back in KL.

We dropped by at The Store, Daddy wanted to give Elyse a treat - children rides!  After all, where else can you find RM0.50 per ride?  Mummy took the opportunity to buy a school bag for Elyse.  Her current one is a bit too small.  Elyse chose Kung Fu Panda bag for herself at the price of RM20.

Old vs New

Then, we rushed to the Restaurant.  Most of the TI folks were there.  Elyse was a bit moody at first, soon she mingled around like a superstar, enjoying the limelight.  She was particularly looking out for Uncle & Aunty Loh and Mr & Mrs Kerk.

The dinner began after the LCEC Chairman, Mr Kerk, gave thanks for the food.  Everyone indulged in the persumptuous meal in delight.  Then, the MC, Mr Chong Ho, invited Uncle Loh, the oldest member of the church, to present the farewell gift to Andrew.  Jokingly, he told the crowd it was during the Annual Conference that he realised Andrew needed a GPS.  "It is for his safety", Chong Ho said.  He recalled Andrew flipping thru the pages of the map as he drove around KL.

The dinner ended with Shally presenting a song 'So You Would Come' under Mrs Kerk's request. We left around 9:45pm.  Elyse felt asleep half way through the journey.  However, when we reached KL Wesley, we found ourselves locked out!  The gate was closed but thankfully the guard was alert.  He assisted us gladly.

The one year stay in TI has enriched our lives so much. 

Thank you Lord, for using us as your channel of blessing to TI folks.  At the same time, we have been so blessed because of every single one of them.

Punishment!!!

On 31st December 2011, Daddy brought me to the bookstore.  I was having so much fun browsing through the books when suddenly, I tore a page accidentally!  Oh no....

Daddy brought me to see the manager of the bookstore.  Daddy said, "We need to buy this book now because you have torn it."  Daddy explained to the manager what has happened, and requested to give some discount since the front page of the book was originally torn.  Initially the manager only offered 10% discount.  After much persuasion, he gave us a 20% discount.

I was very happy to have that book but Daddy reminded me it was my mistake although I did not do it on purpose.  Therefore, I was punished to abstain from bookstore for the next 10 days.  Sigh.... poor me.  If I am to read the book, I have to abstain from all children rides for 30 times.  "That's how much it cost," Daddy said.

On 1st Jan 2012, Mummy brought me to the mall.  We went into a bookstore when out of the sudden I told Mummy, "Eh, I am not allowed to come to the bookstore lar, Mummy."  Oops!  Mummy has forgotten.  With a big broad smile, Mummy took me out.  As a reward for my honesty, Daddy cancelled 8 times children rides from the list.

Finally, my punishment is over.  Hurray!  I am so happy that I can go to bookstore now.  And I also get to read that book which I have torn because I did not play any children rides for 30 times.  Daddy and Mummy are so proud of me.  Although the book is quite costly, Daddy and Mummy feel that this is the right thing to do and an opportunity to teach me to be responsible.

Presents X4

Last year, I have received so many presents!  In fact, I have lost count how many have I received already...

First of all, I received many many presents from Si Yi Po and Go Yi Po and Aunty Audrey.  Of course, Ah Gong and Ah Ma also bought me a present.  Mummy and Daddy, too.

Then, we went back to TI for Christmas since Daddy needed to preach his last sermon there.  Many uncles and aunties gave me presents, too.

After that, we came back to Subang and Ah Ma's friends gave me more presents!

Even few days ago, though Christmas is over, I still received another round of presents from Ah Ma's friends.

Oooh... I simply love presents!  Do you?

The Photoshoot

End of last year I came across this deal from Dealmates.com, and instantly I purchased this as I have always wanted to have a photograph session for both of my children.

Each child has different stages of facial expressions and movements, each stage has a different lovely expression, but it all happens in a glimpse. There will be no chance to relive it once the moment passed.

Moments recorded in the mind will gradually blurred, especially I am not getting younger.  The best way is to immediately capture each stage of the cute little baby's lovely moments and turn it into something tangible - photographs.  But too bad, both Andrew and I are not good with taking good pictures.

The Ad:
Capture your Child's Precious Moments Professionally! Kids Studio Photgraphy Package for RM47 Instead of RM470 at Kiddie Fotolab, The Strand, Kota Damansara (For Ages 12 and Below).

Although the ad is meant for one child, the personnel from Kids Studio has graciously allowed both of my children to be the supermodels of the day.  What a bonus!

The photographer started out by shooting some photos on Baby Erwyn.  As we placed Erwyn on the cot, he began his shooting while we tried to talk and played with him. 

Then it was Elyse's turn.  As she was having fun in the indoor playground, the photographer took down those treasured moments.

After that, Erwyn and I proceeded to the studio to take more pictures while Elyse and Andrew stayed outside.  The staff played a Disney movie "Beauty & The Beast" for them as they waited for their turn next.

Back in the studio, I was told to remove Erwyn's clothes leaving only his diaper.  Placing him on a comfortable pillow, they began their task of capturing his natural yet sweet smile.  Next, diaper was also out of the way!  Follow after that was a cutie bee in a flower pot.  Then, that's all for the baby.

Just then, we heard the cry of my darling.  I headed out to comfort my little princess and brought her into the studio while Andrew took care for Erwyn.

We began with Elyse playing with a children racket followed by a hula hoop.  It took us quite awhile to get her on track.  Nevertheless, the clicking of the cameras continued.

Next, costume potraits.  Elyse likes fairies.  So, when she saw one of the constumes that has a pair of wing, she picked that instantly.  The second outfit she chose was a nurse outfit.  Of late, Andrew has been playing role play with Elyse - Doctor (Daddy), Nurse (Elyse) and Patient (Mummy).  But during the shooting, the doctor was absent and the nurse has to care for the patient - a big teddy bear.

All in all, the photoshoot took nearly 2 hours to complete.  Altogether there are 100 edited photos made available for us.  WOW! 

It was not easy to make both of them smile with the camera.  I was exhausted after the photoshoot.  However, we have such a wonderful time with the kids.  Elyse was having so much fun that she wanted to come back again.

My only regret is Andrew and I were not in the shooting with our children except for one family shot. 

Kindergarten

Hurray!  Elyse is finally going to kindergarten....

Since months ago, we have been educating Elyse on her needs to go to kindergarten.  Our aim is to prepare her mentally so that she would not caught off guard when the time comes.

Initally she was very resistant, knowing that Daddy and Mummy will not be there with her.  Recently she has shown much interest to go for kindergarten, so much so until she claimed that she would love to stay in kindergarten then to be back home with Daddy & Mummy.

Today is the first day of kindergarten.  After washing up, we sent her over.  The teacher brought her into the class and all the parents stayed outside of the class.  A few kids were crying but Elyse remained calm.

Since today is the Orientation Week, the kindy ends at 11am.  Mummy was so worried for Elyse.  In fact, the night before Mummy had a nightmare that Elyse was crying in the kindy.

To our amazement, Elyse likes the kindy so much.  The teacher told us that she was very good in the class, talking a lot to the teacher.  It was such a relief when Mummy found out that she was doing so well.

Thank God for answered prayer - that Elyse is able to fit in so well in the kindy.  Praise God!