Our first beachside this year

More than a year back we have been frequenting Kuantan quite a lot, and naturally Vic has been bugging us and reminding us to bring her there - only that, we never had much opportunity.

Although only 1D1N checked into Hyatt Regency Kuantan, I think we did quite well in terms of fun level, with the kids having a solid 2 hours in the pool after Daddy finished his work. I also had my leg massage by the pool with my book while Daddy and the kids splash around in the pool.

William went underwater

Only regret was when I was asking hubby if he brought money to pay the masseur, William was swimming in the shallow part excitedly screaming, "Daddy look look, I can swim, I can swim!" and the next moment he overswam the white line and dived into the deep section, full body under the water!

Daddy quickly pulled the boy up, he didn't cry, I didn't knew a thing as I didn't see and like I said, William didn't cry - but hubs said he was shivering and probably in shock. The 3 of them got out of the pool, and hubs brought them to the shop to get William a body float and Vic wanted another float too. She's an opportunist, even at this age!

Despite this incident, the kids were fine after that and William proudly wore his new float, played with water too, but obviously more careful and occassionally told us that he was scared of water. At night, he told Daddy that he just want to stay in the room to play, but the next day he was pestering us to go swimming again.

Clear blue skies welcomed us back to Kuantan.

The seaview from our balcony. Complimentary upgrade with Regency Club access. : )

The pool on a schooling weekday... quiet and close to private... kekekeke

When we go to the pool, the kids will bring along their bucket and watering can as well...

This is their lunch by the poolside - chicken teriyaki. To them, this is chicken rice and kept asking for chicken rice two days after. We adults had only McD takeaway lunch value meal (totally miss my Fillet O Fish)

Cannot swim without her trusty float. Hope she learn to swim one day, either from Daddy or lessons. Don't be like Mummy.

Wait! Is there a body floating in the pool? Heeelllpppp!!! Actually, hubs was showing off, kekekeke!!!

William in his new lifeguard float - minus no muscles yet.

Splashing good time in the kiddy pool albeit for awhile as it was not shaded

And what's the point of staying by the beachside, having seaview from our room but not playing on the beach? So off we headed to the beach after snack at the Regency Club. We ...

... collected sea shells ...

... attempted to look for crabs (Note: still the indons do this the best)...

... played "catch me" with the waves...

... bury mummy's leg...

... and then bury the kid's legs...

... and chased Daddy the big bad wolf.

Oh ya, I also taught Vic how to play chess at the Club and enjoyed two glasses of wine : P

Thinking what's her next move...


The next day

Sunrise

Vic woke up early so both she and I sneaked out of the room for breakfast at the Regency Club first.

Goodness! How did this toast get so black?!! I was the culprit. Thank God me and Vic were the first guests... I quickly told the staff there to dispose it, kekekeke

My 2nd attempt at the toast... also burnt. I thought I was hopeless, but turned out there's something wrong with the toaster (really!)

Watching the waves together

William's foot prints
Building sandcastle the next morning. Actually most of the credit should be given to Daddy. Before we left, William stomped on one of 'em towers
Saw a minipede
Victoria's foot prints in the sand

A simple Father's Day

It's always fun to have an occassion to celebrate, but planning for my honey isn't something I've mastered over the years. Simply because he's always the man behind the wheels, so driving to any eateries out of the ordinary or out of the way will prove tricky, bearing in mind he's also full of surprises himself eg some last minute errands / work, and quick to suspect something amiss.

Oh well, excuses aside, I tried within a certain radius of our home, and worked within the time most confirmed available... so this is what we did over the Father's Day weekend. Of course I had my little helper Victoria to fish any info from Daddy on what he'd like to do or eat.

Knowing that Daddy liked banana leaf rice, I suggested to Vic that we take Daddy for his favourite meal, but where? During one of Vic's Daddy-Victoria day out, Daddy brought her to this place near SSTwo Mall before and she told me she could lead the way. She gave me brief directions but I quickly googled the place up and voila... got the addie and even the name of the place, keyed into my trusty GPS and... turned out that Vic's directions are quite accurate - good direction skills like father like daughter. ; )





This year's father's day was quite unique in the sense none of us bought Daddy any gift but instead Daddy bought each of us a gift. For Victoria, she received a set of biblical stories DVD, and William chose a DVD for himself as well (turned out that we already have this). For myself, I got two audio CDs : ) Why this way? Well, because without us, hubby wouldn't be a Daddy, now would he?

Thank you Daddy for getting up early to send Vic to kindy,
Thank you Daddy for being the Daddy Buzzlightyear to William and doing silly things with the kids,
Thank you honey for your selfless sacrifices, and "hanging up your working hat" when you get home.

1st Semester Exam Result

Last Saturday I went to Vic's kindy for Parent Teachers Day to pick up her report card and have a short chat with her class teacher.



This year her kindy had a great system where they arranged chairs for waiting parents in the middle of the hall, and individual class teachers at their respective tables at the parameters of the hall. When I walked in, I was greeted by teachers at the entrance, and then took a number and Vic's file and proceeded to the waiting area. In the file was Vic's exam results and a couple of simple art work, plus her report book.

I took a peep at her results while chatting with another mother there. Vic scored the following:



I'm so proud of Vic, but more happy because of what her class teacher told me about her. She thought long and hard, and commented that Vic was (in summary):

1. Vic talks when need to, and keeps quiet at the right time. She befriends everybody - boys and girls - and doesn't choose her friends.

2. Vic is interested in Bible stories and ask questions like, "Why did Jesus have to die?" "Why did he have to feel pain?" "Why so sad?" Teacher said her thinking is very matured for her age.

3. Although Vic's academic result is commendable, teacher feels Vic is more of a creative child. Sadly, her school syllabus does not put priority on Arts & Craft although they have many nice craftworks displayed on the wall and we parents pay additional semester fees for A&C. Oh well!

Another good semester in school, well done Vic! Keep up the good work, yea?

Mini-party and JMC graduation

Finally folks, after 2 years of perseverence, practice and patience, Vic has finally graduated from her Junior Music Course from Yamaha Music School. Sure, there were lots of tears in the beginning, and some may not agree with my style of coaching, but well, WE MADE IT!

Wow, this is the first time my little girl wore a graduation robe, albeit only for 5 minutes because the kids were getting warm and wanted to head straight for the party food! I blogged about her exam which was held a week before the class party. The school-wide JMC concert will be held end of June.

Less said, here are the pics:

Oopps, who is this little graduand?

Getting a congratulatory kiss from daddy!
Very serious leh.
The whole class. Well done. This is like a little family, I cannot believe how time flies, that the mummys and kids and we have been sitting together for the past 96 weeks now.
Vic with a good friend, Shashveena.
Getting comfortable...


Vic thought this was IT, as in no more piano lessons, but great news, princess, we have another 2 years of JXC and after that...

Overheard...

... yesterday in the car, the maid initiated a conversation with William. For unknown reason this boy was grouchy and retorted, "Kakak, you are getting more naughty. You are not a good girl."

And to add salt to the wound, William said, "I will not give you my Buzz Lightyear sticker."

Both maid and I burst out laughing!

William @ 3 years, 1 month old

Mummy bliss

Last Friday, I decided to just bring the kids to Ikano for their long-overdue "jump jump" at this Kids Fun Zone (think that's what it's called, I never really bothered to look at the name) on the 2nd floor. Vic mentioned a couple of times back and I know I kinda promised her that when we have time, we will go.

So since there was no cell group and Daddy's likely to be home late and I have no inspiration to cook, so I decided it shall be our "routine stuff" when we are there - Sushi King for dinner and walk around, then the Fun Zone.

Traffic heading there was quite heavy - typical Friday peak hour jam, what can I expect, right - and I got agitated when I asked the kids to pray for traffic to clear, Vic joked about keeping the traffic there although little William said the right prayers. So I gave her a 5 minute lecture that mummy don't have to do this aka bring them to Ikano, and we could all stay home, blah blah blah... and how she should appreciate her mummy, etc etc. Silence. Alright. I guess the guilt has set in, so I better stop and not spoil our evening.

Sushi King food was ok, they had 50% discount promotion on their udon tempura which I ordered for myself, and the kids' pan fried beef came late. Before that, Vic has helped herself to an unagi sushi from the belt. The waiter forgotten to take down my yakitori order (skewered chicken) and we were almost famished! So I reordered that, but by the time we checked out, the dish hasn't arrived.

Paid, and headed sllloowwwwly upstairs, detoured into Popular bookshop so the kids can have time to digest their food. 5 minutes into the bookshop but just in time for me to chance upon and pay for my new chic lit Mini Shopaholic, Vic wanted to pee, so off we ran to the ladies which was next to the Fun Zone. After that, they wanted to play, and my my, it's a hefty RM12 PER KID, because it's school holidays!!! The usual weekday rate was RM8. What makes it less value-for-money was that 1/3 of the place was condoned off for an ice skating rink, so I was told.

So while the kids jumped and climbed with the maid, I relaxed at the waiting area with my new book. Tummy felt still hungry and I made a quick disappearance to and reappearance from Ikea with a hot bag of half dozen curry puffs! Yummylicious!

I slowly dug into one curry puff with my book, watching the kids occassionally from where I was sitted. Ahhh... bliss! Kids having fun, mummy having fun too.


After all the jumping and climbing and running, they took on a more relaxing activity - computer games!
Part of their offerings. I like it when the place is not crowded
Look at their forced smiles!
Three kids.

Victoria's JMC exam

Whenever Vic has an upcoming exam, be it from kindy or music class, it's me who gets paranoia and anxious. Vic has been practicing for her JMC music exam for the past few months. Each child will go through the 10 minutes one-to-one examination on:

1. Solfege singing
2. Play 2 pieces of their choice (from Book 3 & 4) and 1 compulsory song (The Dove)
3. Note reading
4. Chords identification
5. Sing a song of their choice (from all books)

And finally, we get immediate feedback from the examiner but not allowed to ask questions.

No phototaking or videotaping is allowed.

We were required to arrive 15 minutes before the scheduled exam time, and fill in a form. While waiting, this girl had part of the dinner (wanted to eat more but I stopped her in case too full) and even ran up and down the corridor, jogged one round minutes before she was called in. I almost went berzerk-ed when I realised that Vic was not beside me, and was jogging around! Haiyaa, she's definitely NOT anxious.

In the room, she greeted the examiner audibly, and was calm. Played well.

Examiner's feedback:

Vic sang well, but didn't smile eventhough it was a happy song that she chose. She played her 3 pieces very well, but note reading needed prompting from Teacher. (Note: Must test her more, think it's my fault I overlooked this) Solfege singing was alright, but chords identification needs improvement.

Overall, I think Vic did well for her FIRST music exam, although this exam is optional and not critical to pass. She will have a little small class party and in a few weeks' time, the school will hold a formal concert cum graduation ceremony for all JMC-ers.

Sleeping without his pants on

Last night was one of the rare few successful nights that William agreeably slept on his baby cot without sneaking over to our bed middle of the night.

My cheeky boy previously would walk up and down between his cot - which is put tightly next to the foot of our bed - and our bed. Last night he did not. He played with his new toy red mini cooper car from Mama Yeh Yeh and told me he wanted to sleep with it too, so I let him.

Half an hour into his cot and still awake, he said he wanted to "mmm mmm." Like a reflex reaction, I quickly carried him out, on the bathroom light, off the air cond, and then pulled down his pants. Just before snapping off his diapers, I asked him if he has ALREADY downloaded, cause otherwise I would have to be very cautious not to let any chocolate bits drop out. He said no. Phew.

So I quickly plonk him on the toilet seat and waited.

After his business, we resumed position again, with him in his cot and a 2nd bottle of milk whilst I read my new chic lit book, Mini Shopaholic. (I'm a hardcore fan of the Shopaholic series)

Next thing I knew, an empty flying bottle hit me, and a cheeky boy eyeing his bulls-eye started laughing. Haiyooo! How to get mad at that smile of his.

Gave him a 3rd bottle of milk with stern warning that he must sleep, and I forced myself to off the lights.

*****

Sometime middle of the night Vic woke and complained the room was very hot and she can't sleep. I switch the air cond back on.

When my morning alarm rang at 645am, I thought I make a visit to the bathroom, and walking pass William's cot, I was shocked to see William sleeping with his NAKED BUM EXPOSED!! What the???!!

How did he? Why? How come?? Did he catch a cold? I spotted his soiled diapers threwn on my bed, and somewhere on the floor next to his cot was his pj pants, and my leg brushed against his toy car on the floor. Touched his bum bum, and it felt cold. Hhmm... doesn't really look like a war zone, but he must have took off his pants and diapers by himself!

For how long he's been sleeping with his naked bum exposed, pantless... backside freezing, I don't know. I know I slept like a baby with the extra space on our bed, and hubs has somehow moved closer to my side, hehehe.

But William, please! No more pantless nights, ok!

My 24th Birthday

I thought I can just pass this year's birthday without much ado. Hubs didn't say much, not even a mention weeks before, then days before, still not a hint, so I guess for this year, he won't be planning anything "big"... phew! Getting older each year, so that explains why I wanna keep it hush hush, hopefully if I don't celebrate, I won't have to add one year to my age, right? Right?? I see you shake your head - getting older doesn't necessary mean getting wiser. Oh well, turning 24 isn't that bad anyway... Haha, who am I kidding?

So last Sunday the kids, maid and I made off to Seremban, stayed with Popo Gong Gong as Mama Yeh Yeh was still away overseas. Daddy couldn't follow us, as he had work and church commitments, so the plan was that we return to PJ on Tuesday afternoon, still in time to celebrate my birthday with him.

On Monday evening, my dad said we eat out for dinner, and I had no inkling where until the last minute. Venue was at Silver Dragon restaurant - I remember having ate there once during a charity dinner and food's not bad, ambience very good (even up to PJ standard) and price reasonable (still Seremban standard).

Walking in, my sis gestured us upstairs to the private rooms. I thought she did the booking. Hardly settled into the nice spacious, karaoke-d room, hubs walked in AS A SURPRISE, with a bouquet of red and peach roses!!! Oh my oh my! Made me so misty-eyed. The kids definitely didn't know too, otherwise they would have broken the secret much earlier.



I found out later that my parents and sis were "innocent" and hubs did the booking and the pre-ordering of food.

Black pepper lamb shank, very very tender and literally melts in your mouth.

Cod fish - yin yong style - one fried with thinly sliced ginger (remind me of confinement) and the other steamed and topped with coriander.
White chicken with soya sauce and again, my favourite coriander.
Vege "nai pak" with yam and sprinkled with crispy sotong. I attempted to replicate this dish at home and Vic said it tasted different - so not passed.
Prawns. I'm a sucker for big juicy, succulent prawns. They died for a cause... to be in my stomach, muahahaha!! These came in a claypot, but I honestly don't know what's it called. Just eat only.
And lastly, a simple beancurd dish with minced pork. An all-time kids' favourite.

The next day was my actual birthday. We left Seremban after lunch. At night, the four of us had a simple, ice cream (with centrepiece dry ice deco) in William's room. Just chit chat and us.

On another note, I bought myself a birthday present a few days before, most unplanned, if you could believe me. The facial package comprised of 14 treatments (wow, can last me till AFTER my next birthday), RM1000 worth of products (I got a little bargain here as I exchanged the cleanser for the serum worth more), 10 eye treatments (worth RM1150) and 10 neck treatments (worth RM900). Of course, the price I paid made it even more worth it! What better way to celebrate aging than to defy aging, hahahah!!

Btw, I'm not 24 this year... : P

Holiday grouses - read at own risk

Pretty much in an explosive mood the past few hours, I want to list down my grouses, some old, some new, some expected, some uncontrollable, some "it's like that one", some "just for the sake."

1. Not even half way through the holidays, the two kids, although have had shopping mall outings for the past two days and hardly confined to our four walls, are already on each other's nerves every 5 minutes or so.

They disagree more than they do, Vic being more vocal and intellectual at this age, would say nasty things about the brother, file in complaints about his every movement, and William retaliates by playfully jesting her, much to the sister's annoyance. No tears, no blood, no bruises so far.

Sit car, argue, stay in the house, argue, go to Eu Yan Sang just now not even 10 seconds in the shop, already got complains, etc

2. Weather is still too hot for my liking, no chances of escaping to any colder countries, not in my lifetime probably. So, just accept fate. Use airconditioning, ya right, and our bill is already close to RM200 every month, that means that with the new rates, we would be paying much more, thanks to our very caring government.

3. Vic's JMC exam next week, and although this exam is optional, meaning it's not crucial to pass, but all exams to me is important. Vic's playing is good, but still more room for improvement. Her note reading is average. I blame it on the Yamaha syllabus that emphasize more on hearing and practical, than on theory - which is what ABRSM does.

I grew up with ABRSM, and had to learn to read notes when practising. Kids in the JMC class, mine in particular, is pampered. We parents show them how to play, and they see fingering, not notes. After two more years, she's definitely switching to ABRSM.

Fingers still need to curve more.

4. Vic complain too much. I just gave her a lecture (again) this afternoon during lunch, as she complained that the food was too dry for her liking. The first time, I ignore and pretended not to hear, didn't want to react. The second time, I guess she's giving feedback, but I gave her feedback on her feedback. When got homecooked food, she prefer "tapau-ed" food. When I "tapau" food, she complained pulak that no soup. When I boil soup, she don't want to drink. When food not tasty or saltish enough, complain. When today's tapau-ed vege was saltish, don't want to eat.

This girl is too hard to please. Do I sound like I'm complaining about her? Well, I just think kids are too pampered these days. I told her that is some families, it's either "Take it or Leave it" and then I give her the same choice. Fortunately my kids are those that MUST EAT, cannot go hungry kind, unlike some other kids I know who rather not eat, or eat hardly 2 spoonsfuls.

I don't believe in begging them to eat their veges, I don't believe in taking in unnecessary comments which I deem as complains, as they should do as parents say. Not a choice. Mr R O Tan hardly comes out these days, but still hanging round in case someone "misses" it, like yesterday when William purposely banged my fridge door against the wall.

5. Our economy must be doing very well, and some business people, specifically those that I patron quite frequently, do not appreciate repeated business. I encountered this yesterday with the lady who sells coconut water, and she refused to take my order just because she says it's her husband's role. Oh, the way she said it, so grumpy, like getting revenue is such a difficult thing to accept.

6. The other day I signed a form from my priority banker. She wrote my occupation as a housewife. Urrrgghh! Some people are so uninitiated. I striked it off in front of her, and made it obvious that I've been offended. Oh yea, on bad days, it's pretty easy to offend me.

Ah well, live and let live, some say.

So if you have any objections to what I'm grousing here, put your opinions down gracefully. Oh, and don't forget your name. If I may add one more grousing, I can't seem to understand why some people opt to stay anonymous when they write some not-so-nice comments. Why ah?

Last day of school.... PARRTTTYYYY!!!

This is almost so deja-vu... the beginning of school holidays and Vic was down with cough and flue.

Vic had just two more days of school, one of which was her last exam paper ie Chinese, and the next was her kindy's term party. This year's theme was Indoor Beach Party and the kids were told to wear handmade costumes. Afterwhich, the two weeks of school holidays... aahhh, bliss! (Mummy can wake up later too!)

On Thursday 26th May, Vic woke up with slight nose bleeding, and was having a sniffy nose. When I picked her up, she was really quiet, obviously getting weaker as she was not her normal self and developed a cough.

The next day was Party Day, so wouldn't want her to miss it, but in the morning she felt warm and I gave her some paracetamol to control the fever.

She wore a simple blue sarong skirt that she had never wore before, and her full piece swim suit together with the headgear and goggles. Then she wore her jacket over it, and I told her that when it comes to the parade, she can take out her jacket, and wrap herself with the bathing towel to complete the effect. But she wasn't keen, anyway, I put the towel in her bag.

With some friends and her good friend Abigail on the left.

With her class teacher
One with the brother. Look at all the wonderful art work by the children at the background
All the other kids

After picking her up, I realised her headgear and goggles were not on her head, and found out that it slipped out on the way to school, so she merely kept it in the bag. When I picked her at school, the joy on all the children's faces were obviously excited that the school holidays arrived and the teachers did a great job with the decos. But my Vic, she was solemn, glum, serious, and maybe I could say... unhappy. Can't blame her, as she must have been feeling so unwell the whole morning.

With another good friend, Keon. Eversince Keon's birthday party in March, their friendship must have blossomed, maybe because of a common interest in Ben 10, and he's given her a hair ribbon for her birthday and on another occassion, a self-made card. How sweet. :)

On the walk back to our car, I did some probing, as usual, on how her day went. She told me that she didn't get "a point" for her costume, and she was clearly disappointed. So I told her nevermind, it's ok. But she added, "It's all your fault, Mummy, coz you didn't make me the shark costume."

Hurt inside, I told her that, and also told her quite matter of factly that this is her party, I am under no obligation to make costumes for her. (Note: Making costumes is an optional role that some mothers take on quite effortlessly, whereas yours truly is NOT into these things.)

She apologized, and apology accepted. Reassured her that winning or losing is no big deal, most important is to enjoy herself. But I think she wasn't listening as she was under the weather. Thinking back, she was probably expecting to win because she won last year's best costume award in her class.

Before reaching our house, Vic slept, and she slept until 230pm then only had her lunch. She was still running a fever.

William also started to have runny nose, so I have two sick kids at home, and it's the beginning of school holidays! Knowing them, and not trying to sound pessimistic, but my kids' sickness can be very cheong hei ie long-winded.

Oh well, kids are kids! Since Friday, they have been taking 3 days of coconut water, and 3x daily medication, seen the paed on Monday, Vic went on the nebuliser as there was mucuous detected in her lungs, William not so serious, both have been pretty easy kids to manage eventhough sick, and they are on the road to recovery no doubt.