Happy 6th Birthday William

For William's birthday, he was as decisive this year as he was in the previous years. When we asked him where he would like to celebrate, he immediately told us that it has to be at the same place as his 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th birthdays because he liked the food there and the special hats that he get to wear.

So we made our bookings early, and I'm sure we were the first to make a reservation for April, as the manager was shocked when he took down the date from me.

Saturday, 26th April 2014

We arrived on time for dinner.  Had our car valet parked (how nice it is to have this complimentary service for all diners, not withstanding how much you eat or spend), and proceeded to our table upstairs.

This year, the management gave William a bigger surprise than last year's!

Courtesy of the management - they gave William what he wanted ie a fireman's hat and his very own poster!

How did they make this poster?  Well, neither hubby and I knew what to expect except to expect something with William's picture.  A few days before, the restaurant asked for a closed up high-resolution photo of William, so I got down to work... did what I did best (ie shooting... with the camera) and William did what he did best (ie posing).

William was obviously very ecstatic!  He held his poster, looked at it proudly while admiring the details and wordings, and had it placed near him during the meal.  The chairs were decorated with ribbons, also courtesy of the management, whom we are so thankful to!

The little fireman with Popo and Gong Gong

His long sleeve shirt and silver tie - from H&M bought especially for this birthday dinner, and chosen by his Jie Jie

And what did the birthday boy ordered?  His favourite food - lasagne!  No need to think twice, he is so decisive lidat.

The cake was ordered from Fat Boy Bakes but it was nothing great.  We ordered the chilled oreo cheese cake, which in my humble opinion, I could have done a better job.  The cake was not cheesy, and too sweet and texture was too "gelatino."  No offence, to the engineer turned part time baker cum real estate agent, but he did not even thanked us for ordering his cake, nor asked for feedback or if we liked it.

Saturday, 12th April 2014

We had a joint birthday celebration with Mama Yeh Yeh and Yee Sok, Yi Sam and cousin Theodore at Kitchen Creatures located at Centrepoint in Bandar Utama.  The kids always have fun time with Theodore, especially William and Theodore would run around, tease each other and make fun at things.

The boys are just 3.5 months difference in age.  

Tuesday, 29th April 2014

This is William's actual birthday and as he wished, he got to celebrate it in his kindy albeit a very simple, simple one with his friends.  A cake seemed to be a must with the kids, so we bought another cake just for the formality.  The smile from William's face was definitely one to be treasured, as he grinned from ear to ear and basked in the attention given.  We let him give out the coloring/story book which we bought for his classmates, which we thought were more educational and useful than junkfood and toys.  Of course, the kids would have preferred the later, and one child even exclaimed, "What??  A book?!"

At night, we had another of his favourite food for dinner - hokkien noodles.  As we don't often eat these, and kids don't get to eat much of noodles with dark sauce, this was considered a treat to them.  We ate at this place in Paramount Garden famous for hokkien noodles, no airconditioned, and just simple "dai chau" with Mama Yeh Yeh who made a surprise visit.

A drive after dinner to SS2 looking for Swenson proved futile as we then realized that Swenson has moved.  Thankfully we had an ice cream cake still in my freezer and we headed back home, to finish of the cake.

Dearest boy boy,

I wonder how many more years will you let me call you boy boy?  Well, you are growing up so well, and Daddy Mummy are very proud of your achievements.  You are more assertive now and have always been vocal and confident of yourself.

As you pray for yourself every night, I hope you pray for humility too, and God's wisdom and guidance be the light unto your path.  Do not be easily upset and disappointed. 

Draw to your heart's content.  Express yourself in your own artistic ways.  Build your strength in numbers and words, and may the books you read bring you knowledge and creativeness beyond your imagination.  Have I told you, how you amaze me with your reading and your curiosity to know?  You smile all the time and radiate so much happiness.  Even when you speak or when you look at me, your eyes are smiling.  How do you do that, I wonder to myself?

I hope you will never shy of hugging and kissing your Mummy Daddy.  I hope you will never let anyone make you feel little or shake your confidence.  I hope when you feeling low, you find refreshment and joy in Jesus.  

This will be your last year in pre-school, and next year onwards you will be in a bigger world, a bigger school, with friends that may or may not be very kind.  Stay the cute, innocent boy that you are, ok?  

Mummy loves you always and forever.  

Happy 9th Birthday Victoria

Victoria turned 9 on 10th April 2014!!  

5th April - The Saturday before her birthday, Daddy brought us to Pizza Hut for a treat because we don't really hang out at fast food joints, and this was something special to the kids.  But don't know why, this girl was happy one moment, and upset at something the next, and then the two siblings were supposed to share an ice cream dessert together but ended up I finished it for them... oh well, the few smiley pictures were not that great, so here's something more pleasing to look at ; P

Popo GongGong came up for the weekend.  Vic chose burgers for her dinner menu, so we brought her to The Grind Burger Bar at Section 17, PJ. It was also GongGong's birthday the next day (6th April) so it was a nice cozy celebration for the two birthday "kids."  

Happy birthday to Vic and Gong Gong

Family picture

Chocolate cheese birthday cake by Just Heavenly.  It was alright, not so heavenly though. 

Daddy's charcoal burger... may not look very appetizing due to the color of the bun but it's yummylicious! 

Gong Gong's burger... huge!  

No idea who ate this... maybe me

One with Popo Gong Gong

Enjoys his bite sized burger, sliced up nicely by Kakak

A few weeks before her birthday, we were still undecided on where and how to celebrate.  Yea, as always there would be a birthday dinner but I thought maybe she'd like a little difference this year - maybe a small playdate with her friends.  A picnic would need too much adult supervision and involvement so we ruled that out.  A trip to Skytrex, which was an outdoor eco-recreational adventure may send an adrenaline rush to some, but my girl - although she lovveeesss roller coaster rides and such, is still a timid mice like her mummy when it came to challenges like walking along shaky planks 5-70 feet across trees above ground level, or climbing up ropes or God forbid... doing the Flying Fox.  

Saturday, 12th April

After a decision to select three good friends to play with at Kids E World, in IPC Shopping Mall, we had to find a suitable date which was really tough because we had to skip an art class and rush to Children Church thereafter only to play for less than 2 hours and a quick meal at McDonald's.  

William and two other friends (one from cell and another a younger sibling of Vic's good friend) were part of the play outing too.  So there were 6 kids altogether, together with our helper Joanne and hubby.  I had an appointment so I couldn't make it.  I'm touched that her friends, although all were staggeredly late, made it and this must have made Victoria's day.  Because if they could easily have said no thank you, as they each had their respective weekly activities on a Saturday morning.  

Girls with their dracula french fries!

So there... you see Vic's birthday celebration runs like a festive season... from the weekend before to the weekend after!

To my precious princess Vic,

Sometimes I have so much to say to you - the good things of course, and sometimes I just have none.  Because girl, you can either be such a cheerful, clownish and sweet girl and then change to a solemn, moody child over a small displeasure.  I wish I understand you more.  I wish you open up your heart and thoughts more to your loved ones.  You ain't getting any younger, and very soon we'll be celebrating your 13th birthday.  Already this year, Gong Gong made an observation that this is your last single digit birthday.  

Mummy Daddy love you. I hope you know and believe that.  Remember a time you shared your feelings with Kakak behind our backs about we not loving you?  That really hurt.  I came into your room when you were asleep, and prayed and shed tears.  Despite the times when I nag and scold you, or reprimand you for giving me an attitude, I would NEVER, ever trade you for anyone else.  

But if there was one thing I could advice you on girl, please be more teachable.  You are at a stage where you talk back and question us.  You have your views and I encourage you to voice them in a gentle manner.  You may not get what you want at all times, but at least you tried.  You may not be right all the time, but that doesn't mean you are not bright.  You are our unpolished diamond.

I wish you good health, I wish you love, I wish you forgiveness, I wish you joy and happiness to radiate from within you, I wish you everlasting good friends, I wish you passion in your studies and music and art, I wish you maturity beyond your age and childhood pleasure, most of all, I wish you Jesus.  Stay close to Him in whom you are always VICTORIOUS.  

Love,
Mummy

Celebrating Daddy's Birthday

Saturday, March 29th 

The months of March and April are filled with birthday celebrations... within our immediate family, it's Daddy's first, followed by Gong Gong a week later, and then Vic's a few days after, and finally plus another 2 weeks, it's William's.  If we add in nephews, aunts, and nieces, we'd have also Joshua's a day after Victoria's, and an aunt's birthday before Gong Gong's birthday... I think I may have missed out a couple of birthdays too, but let's not get carried away.

Daddy's birthday - as with previous years, was celebrated in a quiet fashion.  His wish.  I think maybe one year I should not grant his wish, but to really make a BOOM-BA-BA-LU-KA BIG celebration!  Haha... whatever that means.

In the morning, we took out little muffins the size of 50cent coins and a candle for Daddy to blow, followed by a birthday song, kisses and the kids presented Daddy with their self-made cards (comes with vouchers to redeem for free kisses, meals, hugs, drinks, etc)

Later, we had a simple lunch at Kitchen Creatures in Centre Point, Bandar Utama.  Our kids have their art class in the vicinity and it was convenient for us to pop in, have a nice lunch before sending the kids to Children Church.  Reservation was made to ensure we had a quiet corner table.

At night, we drove to Kuala Selangor, to celebrate an Office Blessing for a cell member.  There were 20+ of us including children, as we prayed and bless this new business belonging to a Korean brother.  Towards the end, the cell surprised hubby with a birthday cake and a birthday song, before hubby left for his F1 event in KLCC.

Receiving a birthday prayer of blessing

Green Tea Hokkaido birthday cake

And that about wraps up for Daddy's birthday... sorry no home made cakes from the wife, no special 3 course home cooked menu, nor did I sewed him a sweatshirt, buy him a present, or prepared anything other than a phone call restaurant reservation (eventhough I paid with my supplementary credit card, you were the one who paid for the meal).  I'm sorry honey, if compared to other wives who do so much more, but I hope you will always be assured of my love for you - 365 days a year.  Thank you for being a wonderful hubby to me, a dedicated father and a filial son - an exemplary model for the children to follow.