Apparently he's sensitive...

Of thunder and lightning

It had been raining rather heavily in my area and whenever there's thunder, Ryan would be scared and will run to me quickly.

Me : Ryan, why are you so scared of thunder?
Ryan : Because I've got 'sensitive' ears

Of Mandarin

Ryan was reciting 1 to 10 in Mandarin....

Me : What about 11 to 20?
Ryan : shi yi, shi er, shi san, shi se.....oops.... I've got 'sensitive' tongue

Choosing books

Jaden's school book club gave a brochure for parents to choose a variety of books at a very good price. I thought it'll be good to engage Ryan to choose his own books (of course, I'll scrutinise his selection :p). I showed him a selection for kids 6 and below, and obviously the boy has too many to choose from and hence, cannot decide:

Ryan : eeny-meeny-miney-mo......ok, this one!

Then, he turned over to the section for boys aged 7- 9 and he saw lego knight books.

Ryan : Ok, mummy, I don't want all the other books, I only want these 2 books.
Me : But it's for kids aged 7 and above and you're only 5
Ryan : Never mind lah, mummy is 7 yrs old, can read to me
Me : No, mummy is 33, not 7!
Ryan : Aiyo, so old...never mind, mummy can read all the books to me

*slap forehead*

His favourite food

Ryan has a few favourite food, such as Hokkien mee, wanton noodle, fried rice, spaghetti, etc... and when he's on it, he can normally eat an adult portion. While eating his favourite Hokkien noodle one day,

Ryan : Hmm...this is so good, I cannot stop!

Ryan oh ryan...I wonder where's all your fats. You're bones and only weigh 19kg!

My baby Jaden is 3!

The little bundle of joy came into our life on 2nd May 2006, a day after Labour's Day.

With the blink of an eye, my baby is already 3 years old!

Just want to share a beautiful poem, My Child by Elizabeth Pillari:

Come back into the fold of my protective wings.
Let not your spirit be restless,
For you are here with me.
I will always be your one on which to lean,
your rock, your number one fan.
Fear not child to speak your mind.
Undo the wrongs of the day,
And together we'll make them right.
Speak of heartaches, so that they may be subdued.
Share your joys, so that they may be my joys too.
Always know that I am with you,
For you are my precious gift from God.
I will always love you,
And keep you safe from life's hardships.
I will cushion your bumps,
And tend to your scrapes.
I will guide you tenderly;
Your brilliant eyes will always be my sun;
Share with me your heart,
And I with you.
I love you.

Mom

Pantai Hospital @ 2 days old


Bath time @ 3 months


Inquisitive fellow @ 6 months


Pangkor @ 14 months


Korea @ 30 months

3rd Birthday Party at Kidszone

3rd Birthday Party at TGIF

3rd Birthday Part - Ultraman Cake

Family photo plus nephew and niece

Busy Saturday

We brought the kids to a lawatan sambil belajar to Monsters & Dinosaurs exhibition at Mid Valley last Saturday. We remembered to bring the Astro bill to enjoy a RM4 discount on the adult tickets, thanks to information on chumsyashley blog :) The boys were thrilled to see the dinos although we thought it was a bit 'pathetic' - only a few dinos exhibit and bugs; and they also have a huge giant shoe there, which we thought have nothing to do with the exhibition.

Praying Mantis

Dino in the background - Apotosaurus? Forgot the name....


Unicorn Beetle

After the exhibition, we went to Pet Wonderland. The boys adore dogs and were asking where the puppies were. Luckily, it was 'Exercise time' for the puppies. The puppies were out of their cages in stages and the kids just love observing them.

We were so tired after that but we still have not completed our 'task' for the day. It'll be Jaden's birthday this Saturday and we still have not bought him a present. After McD, off we went to ToysRus to get some stuff.

Slide at ToysRus

We had a short rest at home and had to rush out for grand-mama's birthday dinner.

What a busy busy day! :)

Anne Musikschule

Recently, I've enrolled Jaden into Anne musikschule. The class was highly recommended by a mother who sends her daughter to the Yamaha JMC class, which Ryan attends. Since Jaden is too young to start the JMC course (and also I prefer not to sit through the same JMC course for Jaden for 2 years!), I thought it would be good to try another program.

Anne musikschule uses the German word, which reflects the use of Orff Schulwork, a music-teaching approach developed by German composer Carl Orff (1895-1982), the man who created Carmina Burana. Orff’s approach was based on the belief that the easiest method of teaching music to children is to draw out the student’s inherent attraction for rhythm and melody and allow these to develop in natural ways.

One of the more popular courses is Music and Movement using the Orff Schulwork approach.

Apart from learning music at the centre, all students are expected to be involved in the many performances and activities that are held throughout the year. These performances range from ensembles to charity concerts. Most of these concerts aim to raise funds for the less fortunate. The centre wants the students to feel that by being part of charity concerts and fund raising activities, they can contribute at a young age to the less fortunate. Besides the Music and Movement course, the centre offers courses on stringed instruments (violin, viola and cello), harp, xylophone, piano, guitar (classical, electric or acoustic), drums, keyboards, as well as vocal training, and a rock music school.

US Kids Golf Learning Program

We brought Ryan to the Introductory Golf Course for kids at Tropicana Golf driving range yesterday. He seemed to enjoy the lesson and even able to hit some good shots. The experience was different from Kindergolf since the lesson was held in a driving range and not in an enclosed shop lot. And most importantly, the coach is a male (for Ryan, he likes instructors who are strong, big and all qualities of masculinity). Previously, the coach at Kindergolf was a female and he detest going after the trial class.

Ryan, listening to instructions. Co-coach Iqbal in the background.

Standing behind the safety line, waiting for his turn.

Listening to coach James instructions. James is a Class A member British PGA.

The US Kids golf learning program provides structured learning:

• specifically designed for US Kids Golf by PGA Master Professional John Godwin (USA)
• junior friendly terminology
• standardised format to benefit kids and instructors
• 3 skill levels (Level 1, 2 & 3)
• 5 topics at each level (Putting, Around the Green, Full Swing, Knowledge and Scoring)
• forms and skills 'mastery' required at each level
• practical skills and oral tests before moving to the next level
• internationally recognised certification

There is also a US Kids instructional booklet for every student, achievement pins awarded for successful completion of each topic and certificate awarded before progressing to the next level.

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And what is little Jaden up to nowadays?

He loves painting. For the past 2 nights, before bedtime, he'll request for his paint brush and he'll 'unleash' his creative skills before going to bed...haha....

Photo Printing Made Easy....

....by EOE Online. This is a cool website, which I got to know from a fellow friend, Juliana. Thanks Julie for sharing! (well, I guess you got to if you participate in the Blogger's Review Program...haha)

Ok, this is how e-Print works....it's as easy as abc....
1. Create a login (if you're a first-time user)
2. Select photos
3. Upload the whole bunch using Easy Upload (believe me, it's faster than facebook and much more convenient. I went for a short meeting, and when I came out, upload was completed)
4. Select print size
5. Pay via bank transfer and viola!....kau tim :)

To top it, for people like me who dislikes paying delivery charges, EOE offers free delivery for orders above RM35! Definitely a plus point! :)

70th Birthday Celebration

We celebrated gong-gong's 70th birthday on Saturday, 11th April 2009 at Noble House, off Jalan Imbi. Dad invited 5 tables of guests and we had a lavish dinner, with bird nest, shark fin soup, abalone, white pomfret, etc. etc.

9sum brought a very nice and unusual cake - mahjong table, complete with dice and 'money' for my dad, who's heavily into mahjong now.

Gong-gong and popo, laughing with the 5 grandchildren

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Found this cute Jaden in Ultraman mask, who had just returned from outer space :p (notice the luggage bag in the background). Ryan and Jaden like to play-pretend, that they have just returned from overseas (just like their dad, who had been travelling to Singapore very often nowadays) and taking the taxi home :) 'Ok bye.....'

Change in WV Child

I've been sponsoring this girl, Batoul Ali from Lebanon since 2 years back, and recently, her family moved out of the Marjeyoun ADP (Area Development Programme) area and as such, the project office will not be able to continue to provide help and monitor on the child's progress. World Vision then, assigned another sponsor child to me.



Shamoun Heya Ahmad is a cute 2+ year old girl and WV provided me with the following particulars:

Sex : Female
Birthday : 29/01/07
Grade : Not in School
Favourite Subject : None
Health : Satisfactory
Handicap : None
Chores : Doesn't help - too young
Live with : Parents
Status of Mother : Married
Status of Father : Married
Job Status - Mother : Employed - Office helper
Job Status - Father : Unemployed
Brother : 0
Sister : 0

Hmm....I wonder why the father is not working.....house-husband or economic crunch? How I wish I have a lil girl like her.....*drool* :p

Homework time

We enrolled Ryan for mandarin classes early this year and touch wood, he has been coping well thus far, considering we're all 'bananas' at home. For a start, the classes are twice a week, 1 hour each session. I did not want to over-stress him, so just enrol for the 1 hour class for now.

Yesterday, he surprised me by doing his mandarin homework without prompting. Normally, I'll have to sit next to him twice a week to ensure that all homework is done.

Ryan concentrating hard


Nearly finishing - peace sign :)


Done!

Jaden's New Bicycle

Last Saturday, popo decided to bring Jaden to the bicycle shop at Centerpoint to buy an early birthday present for the grandson. Don't know why, it never cross my mind to buy a bicycle for Jaden, maybe because he's my youngest and I never thought that he would be ready to cycle so soon.

So the night before, during bedtime, I told the lil boy that popo will be bringing him to the bicycle shop tomorrow after lunch to buy a new bicycle. He was really eager to get his own bike, also because koko has one, and it's slightly 'too' big for him. I told him that he would also need to hug and kiss popo for the kind gesture. Note: he's rather afraid of gong-gong and popo as he's a timid boy and not used to their house and environment during our normal visit.

Come Saturday afternoon, we went to popo's house as planned. The lil' boy went up to popo to hug and kiss her without much persuasion. Popo was caught by surprise too! Haha...thanks to mama's ground work the night before :p

At Centerpoint, Jaden tried a bright blue shiny bicycle and that was the bicycle we brought home. He did not want any other bicycles even though a 'size' bigger would be more suitable for him as he's a tall boy. Anyhow, he couldn't pedal by himself at the shop since it was his first attempt.

He fell asleep in the car during the journey home and when he awoke from his afternoon nap, he was looking for his bicycle again. After a few attempts, he could pedal by himself! Well done boy!

Mamma Mia

Like many kids, my boys love Mamma Mia songs too, and they can go dancing and singing for the longest time. Below is a short clip of Ryan and Jaden dancing to 'Lay All Your Life on Me'. In the clip, you can see:
1. Ryan doing his funny dance, occassionally break-dancing as well....haha
2. Jaden singing '.....your e-mo-tions....'
3. Jaden, the monkey, climbing all over the couch
4. Jaden playing an imaginary guitar
5. Ryan 'Yes!' at the end of the song

Not-so-Bento Creation

I'm really not a bento person but absolutely love to buy bento tools - because they're cute! hehe... Until today, many of the tools are still wrapped nicely in their wrappers. So during the weekend, I took the alphabet cutters to make Ryan and Jaden's name. The naughty Ryan ate all of J-A-D-E-N 's alphabets but didn't want to eat any of his R-Y-A-N....really naughtly fella :p

And thanks to Annie's nice Mickey Mouse love shape bento box gift to Ryan, it made a beautiful snack creation for Ryan's breakfast.

Stanley the Clown

We went to two 'parties' on Saturday, 28 February 2009 and coincidentally, the organisers engaged the services of the same clown - Stanley. I guess there aren't many good clowns around and words do get around.

We were at Eddy's daughter, Kai Xin 4th birthday party at Sheraton Subang hotel in the morning. Ryan and Jaden didn't want to participate in the games organised and it somewhat surprised me a little as I always think that Ryan is an extrovert. Ryan preferred to play with his gun, which he insisted to bring along.

Eddy and family


Jaden with the name decor


Ryan, with his gun, which actually belongs to papa some 20 years ago.

Kai Xin with Ashley

Jaden playing bouncing

Ryan, Jaden and Kai Xin

Later, we proceeded to Praise Emmanuel Children's Home (PECH) to visit the underprivileged children. Rosalyn, who's from our cell group, has engaged Stanley to entertain the kids for 2 hours, additionally, we and our oikos also mingled together with the children.

Since we were apprehensive that the kids would be afraid of the clown initially, we instructed him to dress and make-up in front of them. The 'trick' worked as the kids eased and relaxed themselves in the presence of the clown.

Group photo

Clown with the magic colouring book

Ryan and Jaden amused by the clown acts

All in all, it was an enjoyable outing and we managed to collect a reasonable amount for the house as well :)