Mamee Jonker House

The Annual SS Outing is here!!!

This year we've decided to visit Mamee Jonker House.  Opened in November 2013, it is the brand’s first concept store after 40 years of being a leading household name for children’s snacks. The store has a predominantly modern design of white tiles and glass shelves that is complemented with dark wood furniture and traditional Chinese decor.

The children gathered at the church and we had a short worship before we proceeded to Jonker Street by bus.  We thanked God for a sunny morning.  The day before there was a heavy downpour and many places in Malacca was flooded!

Upon reaching the Mamee Jonker House, the children were ushered to the 1st floor for some hands-on activities - Noodle Dooble & Lil' Monster Kitchen.

Our first station: Lil' Monster Kitchen

Ever wondered how Mamee Monster snack are made?  So, this is the Lil’ Monster Kitchen, where we can learn how to make our own Mamee Noodles in packages! There are machines and tutorials on a big screen TV to help us with the process. Also, there are a lot of friendly staffs around to help us out :)

Time to get your little fingers dirty!  But first of all, let's wash our hands, put on the apron and wear a headgear.  Little chef-in-making!

This is how the noodles look like after cutting and steaming them. It’s not the end product yet, but is already looks exactly like the real thing, doesn’t it?

 Plus, everyone gets a goodie bag and you can decorate it :D  Now let's transform ourselves from little chef to little artist!

Lunch time before we proceed to the next station.

Next Station: Noodle Doodle

Basically you will learn how to make cup noodles here and can choose 4 out of 6 condiments (sweet corn kernel, cabbage, green peas, carrot flakes, dried chilli ring and chives) to personalize your own cup noodles.

Getting ready to customize our very own Mamee Chef noodle cup!

After that, we can mix and match our own favorite seasoning and condiments.

Going somewhere? 

While waiting for the other group to finish, the big kor kor 'carried up' the restless children.  I'm pretty sure this is not in his job scope.  Time for a raise, ya?

Not sure about you but Mamee products are like childhood memories for me. I grew up eating Mamee Monsters and I bet I ain't the only one. Guess what?  My children are eating them now.  Definitely a great place to relieve your childhood memories. And if you are a kid or you have a kid...go create more amazing childhood memories there!

Payback time

3rd August 2014


Can you imagine us watching 2 movies in a single day?

No, I would never thought of that either.  Andrew and I are not moviegoers.  In fact, we hardly watch TV at home.  The last time both of us stepped into a cinema was easily 4 years ago.  Many times we thought of watching a motion picture, but the idea was aborted.  These are the sacrifices we made as a parent to two lovely children.

Taking advantage of having kakak around for the past one week, we went out for a movie date.  Of course, Elyse was a bit saddened that she couldn't join in the fun.  Then, two days before kakak went back home, we went for another movie date.  This time, we watched 2 movies in a single day.  Yup, it's definitely payback time!  And it's certainly a record breaking to have watched 3 movies in a week.  One may wonder this would probably be recorded in Guinness World Record in Andrew & Shally's life.  And probably this record would only be broken when we are in our golden years and retired from everything.

Thank you God for such a break.  I take this as a reward for working tiredlessly for the church camp and completed my exam.  Way to go, Shal!

Best Western Prima Inland Resort

15th April 2014


Best Western Prima Inland Resort, used to be known as Tiara Beach Resort, has the largest man-made beach in Malaysia.  I visited this place many years ago.  It brought back a lot of sweet memories as I strolled around the resort.  However, I was also quite sentiment to find this place a bit run down.  Looks like the change of ownership couldn't bring back its former glory.

Nevertheless, the children were thrilled to see such a big swimming pool.  Children being children, do not pay attention to details as long as they have fun.

Building sand castle before Erwyn jumped into the pool

Having kakak around is a real bonus as Mommy could take some time off from the children

Loving daddy with his precious darling

A big smile is all you need to express

Hmm.... looking for someone?  Or perhaps thinking of whick ride to play next?

water & slide - a good combination for a fun-filled day

The long awaited holiday - a selfie to capture the moment

Once again, having kakak around free the adults some spare time to relax and rest.  While we enjoyed the fun and bonding as a family, Andrew and I craved for some personal time on our own at times - a typical characteristic of an introvert, ya?

Birthday boy

23rd May 2014


Since Erwyn has gone to the kindergarten this year, we've decided to throw a little party for him in his class.

We bought a birthday cake and brought it over during their break time.  The teachers gathered the children to sit down while Erwyn stood before the crowd.  He was a bit shy but excited.  We waited for the teacher to light the candle but it appeared that the lighter had gone for a holiday.  Erwyn was a bit disappointed and asking Mommy why the candle is not lighted up.  Mommy promised to do that at home later when he went back.  The children sang birthday song to Erwyn in English and Mandarin.  Elyse, who was supposed to be in her class, came over to Erwyn's class with her teacher's permission and celebrated Erwyn's birthday together with the little ones.  The teacher cut the cake and distributed to the rest.

It was just a simple celebration but it did not end there.  After the school was over, Mommy brought Erwyn and Elyse back home and as promised, Mommy took out the candle and lighted it up, then we sang birthday song to Erwyn again.  Erwyn was very happy.  Looks like the fire on the candle did some magic trick on him.  He blew it over and over again.  Finally, time to open the presents!

Few days before Erwyn's birthday, Ah Gong brought Erwyn out to a shop and asked him to choose his own presents.  Little boy was so kind and considerate, for every present he chose for himself he also took one more for his sister.

Thank you everyone for the presents, ang pows and birthday wishes.  There are simply too many of you to mention one by one.  We are so grateful to be surrounded by loving brothers and sisters, aunties and uncles in Christ.  And thank you God for all His blessings on Erwyn. 

A little guess on what's Erwyn's favourite present?  The Superman shirt!!!  Not to mention that it is also the most expensive present...

Goodbye Terrible Two Welcome Troublesome Three

23rd May 2014


Dear Erwyn,

How is it even possible that you are already three years old?

You’re totally fearless; a true thrill seeker. You like to climb and swing like a monkey.  You’re always doing things that make me nervous. Pushing the boundaries; being a boy.

You are one little friendly kid! Greeting everyone with a big smile whenever we go to church office. 

I am totally surprised of how independent you’ve become. You don’t need me for everything anymore. Seeing you grow into this well-mannered, kind-hearted person, loving preschool, making friends on your own, developing your own identity, your own jokes, your own laugh, a great imagination and ambition to try to do everything yourself… I love the person you’ve become.


No matter how hard the day was — you will always put a smile on my face. You love acting weird and doing funny things.  I’m grateful every day of my life for this amazing, perfect little creature God has given to us.

I pray that you will continue to grow into a kind-hearted, compassionate, confident, generous, selfless, intelligent, witty and thoughtful individual.  Above all, one who loves God and follows Him all the days of your life.

Happy birthday, my precious darling.

Mom
 

My brave little boy

22nd June 2014


It was one fine Saturday evening.  Daddy had gone to the office and Mommy was putting us to sleep.  After the usual routine - reading bible, worship, pray, wash up, change into our PJs, Mommy went to the kitchen to make milk for us.

Everything was normal.  Mommy could hear screaming and laughing coming out from the room.  It did not bother her at all.  She knew it too well that it is better to hear them laughing together than fighting with each other.

Out of the blue, Elyse ran out from the room to the kitchen and told Mommy, 'I think Erwyn is injured'.  It never came across her mind how serious the injury could be.  After all, both kids were playing on the mattress and she was only away for like... 5 minutes?!?

Mommy went back to the room and saw Erwyn lying still on the mattress.  'What happened?'  Mommy asked.  Erwyn, with a sad and pitiful tone of voice, trying to explain to Mommy what had happened.  Although in pain, Erwyn did not shed a single tear at all.  Elyse also explained to Mommy her side of the story - Elyse was lying face down on the mattress.  Erwyn climbed onto her back.  Refusing to get down, she threw Erwyn off her back.  And Erwyn landed motionless on the mattress.

Concerned, Mommy checked with Erwyn where exactly he felt the pain.  Finally, it narrowed down to his right arm, the elbow.  Getting more worried, Mommy called Daddy who immediately rushed back to check.  Seeing that Erwyn refused to move his arm because of pain, Daddy's prognosis is that he either sprained a muscle or fractured a bone.  If it was a sprained muscle, it should be well in a few hours.  So Daddy went back to finish his work.  Both children fell asleep shortly.

After finishing his work, Daddy came back to examine the boy.  At the slightest movement, Erwyn would cry in pain.  It's at that point that Daddy and Mommy decided to send Erwyn to the ER.  Mommy stayed with the girl while Daddy brought Erwyn over.

Three hours later Daddy and Erwyn came back home with a cast on Erwyn's arm.  It seemed Erwyn dislocated his arm.  The doctor managed to set the bone back in place.  Thank God the X-ray showed no fracture.  The cast was more for precaution and to insure Erwyn doesn't injure his arm again within the next few days.

What an eventful night!  We really thank God that the next day Daddy was not scheduled to preach. Well, did the children learn their lesson?  I really doubt so.  Onced back from the hospital, Erwyn was again running and climbing all over the place.  Sigh... boys will be boys.

Raya Holiday

After months of MIA, finally I'm back!  Thousand apologies to those who are/used to follow my blog.  No excuses - poor time management, lack of motivation, procastination...

There are simply too many backlog to clear, so I shall skip all of them and jump to... this Raya break.  Initially we thought of going back to Subang, the plan was abandoned coz our very dear Pastor is way too busy.  Besides preparing for his sermon, he has started a Bible study class at 11am after the Sunday Service.  He practically goes back to office every evening.  The luxury of having two days break from work is a dream.  So we stayed put in Malacca.

We children are having one week holiday.  While we revel in this holiday mood, Daddy and Mommy are struggling to keep them occupied.  Here's what we do...

Teacher Amy, my Sunday School teacher, visited us on Monday and together we built a castle!  

Isn't this beautiful?  

Thank you so much, Teacher Amy, for taking the trouble.

On top of the castle, Teacher Amy bought a few presents for us - a doll house, 2 stationery set and a toy hen that lays egg.  Thank you God for all the blessings!

Surprisingly the weather during this Raya holiday is quite nice - not as warm and humid.  There are showers of rain on and off.  We certainly enjoy the fresh air with our bikes.

Poor Shinny.  It has been awhile since we brought her out for a stroll.  I was trying to hold on to the leash but Shinny has grown stronger. Daddy is afraid that I might be pulled by Shinny instead of bringing her around.

Board Game used to be one of my favourite pastime activities.  I played Uno Spin since I was 4 years old.  This year, I picked up Saidina and Cluedo.  Erwyn joins in the fun but he doesn't really understand the concept yet.


We really thank God for having kakak around for this one week holiday.  From household chores to taking care of the children, kakak has been a great help.  Mommy and Daddy even went out for a movie date!  I couldn't even remember when was the last time Mommy and Daddy did that...  maybe it's because I was not born yet.  So, the million dollar question: What movie did they watch?  Hint: Action, Adventure, Sci-fi, Hasbro...