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...

Kindergarten Excursion

19th March 2013


The Portuguese colonised Melaka from 1511 to 1641. The first thing they did was build a fort overlooking the river, calling it A'Famosa.  A'Famosa suffered severe destruction during the Dutch invasion. Only the entrance walls is left standing.  Though it is small but the building was well preserved as well as the cannons. Considering the age of the building is over 500 years old, it certainly has stood the test of time. So many historic buildings are normally fenced off but they allow access to walk through and around the building. 

It was a priviledge for Elyse's kindergarten to organise an excursion to such a historical place.  However, I couldn't stop to wonder how many children actually understand the significant of this building.

A group photo before the climb - fresh and happy!

Getting ready?

What a view as you climb up the stairs

I am so surprised that the kids at such a young age could manage it all the way.  Bravo to all (including the teachers!).

Finally reached the destination - the Fort

Mission Accomplished!

Another group photo - sweating and smelly

After all the hard work and exercise, what better rewards for the kids than to have a Happy Meal from McDonald!!!

Elyse came back from the trip feeling excited.  She kept asking us to bring her back there again.  But Mommy and Daddy really doubt that she would climb up the stairs all by herself if we bring her on our own.

Nevertheless, I big 'THANK YOU' to all the teachers and helpers for organising such a trip. 

Melaka Planetarium

16th November 2013


This year, the Sunday School has organised a day trip to Melaka Planetarium.  This is one place that I thought of bringing my children but never got the chance to do so yet.  So of course, I was excited and signed up both Elyse and Erwyn for the trip.

Malacca Planetarium Adventure Science Centre, aka Melaka Planetarium, is a learning centre dedicated to the exciting world of astronomy and science.  Browsing through the web, I was surprised to find out that this is the biggest planetarium in Asia.  It is measured up with a world class planetarium, exhibition hall and furnished with animation equipment that allows 200 viewers to enjoy video film on astronomy.

We gathered in the church and embarked on our journey soon after that.  The children were excited as ever as we sat in the bus to travel to our destination.  Somehow, they love to sit in a bus, especially after watching the Disney Channel - Tayo, the little bus. 

When we reached the planetarium, we were ushered into the 3D theatre.

The show was awesome.  The graphic, the sound, the narration - everything was perfect EXCEPT the audience.  My two children were so scared throughout the entire show that I have to hug them tightly.  Looks like they are too young to enjoy it.

After that, the group was separated into two - the older children went on to explore on the volcano whereas the younger ones stayed back to have a hands on experience on how to create a rainbow and build their very own rocket (made by straw though).

Trying to create rainbow colour on the paper plate

Erwyn with his straw rocket

Volcano

Lunch was served, and what else to give to the chldren except the perfect McDonald Happy Meal?  We headed back to the church once again in the bus.  The trip was fun but perhaps I would wait for them to grow slightly older before visiting again.

Colouring Contests

Nov & Dec 2013


It has always been Elyse's dream to join a colouring contest.  I am quite surprised as she is not a child who spends much time in colouring.  When I found out that Tesco was organising colouring contest, I brought my darling over.

I was really amazed at how well equipped were the children who participated in the contest.  They brought their own table and chair, and of course crayon and colouring pencils, old newspaper and rag.

The first time I brought Elyse to participate the contest, we only brought a long a 12 piece colouring pencils.  I've learned my lessons then.  The second time, I too, joined the other 'kiasu' parents, brought a table and a floor map (to sit on) for Elyse.  But Elyse insisted using colouring pencils than crayon.

Children concentrated at their masterpiece

All the participants

Elyse won consolation price

Well done, Elyse!  Mommy and Daddy are so proud of you!