Three million

I owe J M$3 million.

Last night while playing Monopoly, I didn't have enough money to pay rent as I was short of M$3 million. Instead of declaring me bankrupt, J immediately loan me the money. Well, even though the game rules doesn't allow that, it was heart-warming to see how he reacted to this situation. When I said I will pay him back asap, he said "It is OK, pay me when you have enough." It goes to show how big hearted he is.

But before I could accumulate enough to repay J's "loan", I had to pay another M$280k and this time, M chipped in.

At that moment, I was overwhelmed with emotions. Even though it was a game but they displayed generosity and unity.

我没有白养他们。

Brotherhood rocks

They play, they fight, they share, they love. They can't stand each other but the first thing they ask when they get home is "Where is my brother?"

X'mas tree is up

The boys can't wait. And this year, I got to put up the star for being a good girl.

All I want for Chinese New Year is ......

Due to a slight decay and a probable fall, M had to have his front tooth removed. After confirming that he really want to do so, off to the dentist we went.

After settling down on the dentist chair and explaining the procedure to him, the dentist begins to numb his tooth and pulled it out with a plier.

My brave little M did not flinch to the surprise of the dentist.

Smurf flavour

One of the flavour available at Yogurt Plus is "Smurf" so we decide to try it. This is what it does to you.

J's 1st love note

Will there be more to come?

Colorful little nails

Guess whose little feet are these?

Experts

This conversation started out with me asking M to throw some stuff into the waste paper basket for me. While carrying out the task, he grumbled "why am I the expert in throwing things?".

Then J said that he is the expert in Lego Hero Factory. M said he is the expert in plaster (coz all ailments can be solved with a plaster and he can paste it on himself).

Then I asked what expert am I then?

According to M, I am the expert in loving.

Transformer

J is the Transformer while M is the missile.

Oops

M's recently started using the word "stupid" whenever he needs to express anger or frustration. This is an unacceptable word in our household. When I was disciplining M, J asked me what does “stupid” means and why we can’t use it. I explained to him that it is not an encouraging word as it means that a person is not very smart. J nodded his head in understanding.

A few days later, I had a conversation with K and he simply could not understand what I was trying to say and in frustration, I said “Dear, you are not very smart hor.”

J turned around and looked at me with a cheeky face and said “Mum, Daddy is something like stupid, right?”.

Ladybug Veggie Printing.....and eating

This is another craft project which I did with the boys - Ladybug Veggie Printing.

As with any craft that uses paint, it can get quite messy thus I told the boys to remove their top so as not to stain their shirt. But lo and behold, J took everything off and M was so amused that he did the same. As they sat down on the cold floor, I can't help but shudder for them.

With simple props like potato, carrots and red and black paint, I demostrated to them how to print the ladybug. For about 10 minutes, they followed what I taught them to do but curiosity got the better of them. J started to paint the potato instead and M dip the carrot into the paint and tasted it. The craft session came to a screeching halt...sigh.



M: Do you feel cold, kor kor? J: Ya but that is the way I like it!

Blast off

J loves art and craft but I don't. However, as the dutiful mum, I would research and come up with art and crafts projects that we can do without having to go out and buy all too many craft supplies.

This is a project that just require toilet roll, colored papers and markers.

Mummy and her 2 bears

Another craft project with the boys. J took the task very seriously while M just, well, goof around. As for me, that face on the bear; that is how I look like at the end of every day. 

Confused Baby Bear, Ditzy Mummy Bear, Happy Big Bro Bear

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The Making of Pirates of Carribbean

The joy of simplicity

Recently, J has learnt to appreciate "you tiao". He likes the crispy and chewy texture of the dough.

Whenever I eat "you tiao", I am reminded of Cantonese congee. The thick creamy texture of porridge can be paired with any ingredients that you like. It reminds me of the many winter seasons spent in Hong Kong which is almost like my 2nd home for the past years. Eating it during the cold season brings comfort to the tummy and heart.

Tks to J, I have a sudden craving for congee and attempt to cook it. A quick call to my colleague in Hk to check on the receipe. I decide to upgrade it by adding dried scallop to it. Using my wonderous thermal cooker, I left it to cook overnight and woke up in the morning with a bowl of yummy congee. Since we don't have "you tiao", I improvised with fried wanton skin which also has the crisy texture. I made my congee with marinated sliced beef and sat down to enjoy it.

幸福是如此简单

Can you see the difference?

J loves to draw and every day, he can be drawing up to 10 pictures; writing letters and making invitation card for his imaginary party. And when I saw on Em's FB that her son, K is attending home-based art lesson and was impressed with K's drawing, I decided to let J tried it out.

J patiently waited for his teacher to arrive at 7pm and when it was 5 mins past 7, he kept asking why the teacher has not arrive. And when the doorbell ring, he pushed me to open the door and happily greeted the teacher.

To aid in his concentration, it was a "closed-door" session conducted in his room. Thus I have no idea what was going on.

At the end of the lesson, when I saw the drawing, I almost did a double-flip.

Do you see the difference in the drawing? But of course, right? The 2 drawings on the left and right was done by J before he attended art lesson. The one in the middle is what he drew during the lesson. It is indeed money well spent.

You cannot see me...

Tried to take a pix of M after he came out from the shower with side-parting hairstyle and old-fashioned gingham pjs. But these are the poses he made while chanting "You cannot see me".

Neh neh neh neh neh....you cannot see me.

You still cannot see me.

You can look at my stencil instead but you cannot see me!

1st day of school 2011

After 6 tormeting-for-me weeks of national school holidays, it is finally time (hurray!!) for J to return to school. It will also be M's 1st day in Pre-Nursery. And as usual, I am all jittery.

As they are in the 2nd session, the boys woke up as per their usual schedule and took their time to have their breakfast and bath. When M was done with his bath and walked out to the living room in his school uniform, J exclaimed "Didi, how come you look like me?!".

Before leaving the house to wait for the school bus, I repeatedly reminded J that he has to take care of M and have to comfort him if he is afraid. J was more than ready to take on the brotherly role.

While at the waiting area, I was reminded that just 7 months ago, J started in the new school and we were sitting in the exact same position while waiting for the bus. But today, he seems so much more mature with his added responsibility as a big brother.

When the school bus came, the boys waved good bye and went off. They didnt know that K and I actually trail them from behind.

As we had speed ahead, we arrived earlier than the school bus and saw J holding onto M tightly and whispering instructions into his ears after alighting from the bus. He also helped M to deposit the school bag on the bench before attending assembly in the hall.

K and I watched all these activities from afar and J caught sight of us and gave us a big smile and a nod. I was bursting with pride.

After assembly, they adjourn to their respective classes and we saw a bored M fidgetting in class. So far, so good as there was no separation anxiety displayed by him. (I think I was more anxious than him :))

It is a normal schedule for J but a 1-hr class for M so that it is a smoother integration. We waited outside M's class and watched anxiously for the teacher to round up the lesson for the day.

After the "Goodbye" song, the teacher let the children out of the class and M walked steadily towards us and we went home together. As for J, I have no doubt he will enjoy the rest of his day in school.

Postscribe on 10 Jan: Told M that he has to attend school and he said with a frown "I go to school that day already what. Why I have to go again?"

The making of Pirates of the Carribbean

While searching for a new career path, I am at the mean-time a full time mum. And to make full use of my available time, I had to think and plan of many activities to occupy the time of the 2 boys.

After 6 weeks of school holidays, J has started to feedback that he is bored and don't know what to do. And thus I went on the net in search of activities to do and found an easy art and craft that I now the boys will enjoy. It is a simple task of making a pirate hat out of craft paper.

The boys putting together the various pieces of paper to make the hat.

Oh my! What a pair of ferocious of pirates!

Japanese Nite

I put together a simple meal of fish tempura, japanese curry, miso soup and rice for the family.

It is very rewarding to see the 2 boys finish their dinner without any coaxing or having to feed them.

After dinner, J said "Mum, you sure can cook well.".....awwww.

Superheros in the house

My 2 super-heros!