Happy Teacher's Day

In celebration of teacher's day this year, I helped you make a pencil holder and bought the stationery to put in as you had requested: 2 markers (in black and blue) and one red pen. This was Mrs. Shanti's present. On top of that, the card was to be yellow paper and I bought an orange envelope to go with it.

For Ms. Fong, you made a heart shape using pyssla beads and then we stuck it to cardboard. The card was green as you had requested and a matching green envelope.

 A simple gift to your teacher, but I'm sure they'll love these presents especially made by you for them.

Evan's Poem

Here's a video of you reciting your poem to us the night before:

What a Mess

Today was the day that you had to recite a poem which you had been working on for over 2 weeks. It was a "Story telling competition" in school.. and well somehow poem was also acceptable. Mrs Shanti had picked the poem for you as the story you wanted to recite was too long.

The day before Mrs Shanti had asked me to dress you in shirt and long pants for the competition. You seemed rather nervous but daddy and I had worked hard to go through it with you and let you overcome your fear, practising and practising and getting you to recite as clearly and confidently as possible. We didn't want you to be frightened and let this be a good practise for you to speak in public with no fear.

So after going through your clothes, we decided on a simple short sleeved shirt with jeans. Well, to us it was "formal" enough. Off we went to school at the usual time. Then on the way you went "cough cough..... uweeekkkk". Oh-kayyy.. you vomited all over nice clothes. Yikes. It was a good thing you had a change of clothes in the school bag, but it was certainly not suited for the poem recital. So we changed in the car, dropped you off in school and after explaining to Mrs Shanti that we'd get you a change of clothes from home, headed home to get something nice for you to wear.

Before we reached home, Mrs Shanti called to ask if you had a bow tie. Of course you do, you wore it for Yvonne Kor-kor's wedding. Wah.. need to wear so formal. So I brought all your clothes.. the works including the shoes. Mrs Choo brought me up to your classroom and Mrs Shanti gave me a room to help you change into the clothes. When we went back to class, your classmates went "Wahh.. Evan Ban wear so nice.." so sweet.

I'm sure the nice clothes also gave you more confidence to present your poem. When we saw you during lunch, you proudly showed me your trophy. Great job, little boy!

Goodbye Sue

How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard. ~Carol Sobieski and Thomas Meehan, Annie

Tuesday which was a public holiday for everyone turned out not to be as expected. At around 5pm, daddy received a call which left us all in shock. Sue Kor-kor had passed away.

How could that be? She's only so young. We were all in shock and we were all worried as to how 5th Chek Kong and Chim Poh would take the loss.

Sue Kor-kor aka Ah Nee Kor-kor was among the first Ben's I met after getting to know daddy. That was so long ago.. 16 years. Wow! We continued to meet up as we all lived not too far apart in Australia while were studying. She's sometimes cook, and wow she was a great cook. And of course we'd meet up in Ipoh or wherever there was a Ban function.

Even all the Chinese New Years she would always be in the kitchen helping out to cut, cook and most importantly to prepare the ingredients for the famous Ban's "longan lychee" drink which was the customary dessert.

It's hard to accept that she would leave us at such a young age. We tried to explain to you that she is no longer with us.. physically, but always in our heart.. but you did not seem to understand it. No matter what you do know that she loved you a lot. Like all your Kor-kors she would buy little things for you and you'd have so many things whenever we meet up. 

Goodbye dear Sue. You'll be missed.

The Italian Way

I love baking. And pizza is one of the easiest thing to make. So one of the Sundays, we decided to have an "Italian Night" which was complete with wine (none for you and me.. ).

Here's the pizza you made for yourself "4 cheese pizza" baking in the oven:

Here's our 4 Cheese pizza which had olives:

On top of that, we had pesto pasta. My first attempt at it. Of course, with it looking so green, you didn't want to try it, preferring your cheesy pizza only.

Ah Ma also made some garlic bread as there was leftover baguette:

I wasn't too sure if Ah Kong could take the pesto and obviously the pizza was out of the question for him, so we also had some ciabatta which we'd bought smoked salmon to go with it.

We also had baked potatoes. What a feast!

Dinner was fun to prepare and I'm glad that everyone enjoyed something from dinner.

Evan's 6th Birthday @ Ipoh

We went back to Ipoh for Cheng Beng a week after we celebrated your birthday at home. So to make it easier we decided to have a celebration in Ipoh too so that the Ban's need not make a trip to Penang then Ipoh 2 weeks in a row. As usual the dinner place was Tong Hoi in Menglembu.. they serve the yummiest food! Sue kor-kor was back early that weekend, so she helped to pick the dishes for dinner.

While waiting for dinner daddy took pictures of some of the guests:

 And of course when daddy tried to take a picture of you, you refused to smile nicely to the camera:

We had also announced the soon to be arrival of our baby to the family when we were back too. So Check Kong even brought a bottle of champagne which daddy tried to open:

After that, dinner was served and we were all too busy tucking in the food to think of taking pictures of dinner.

That night, you asked me why there was no more cake. Wah.. already had 2 cakes before this and still expected another cake. Oops.. I guess next time we could have another cake in Ipoh too??

Evan's 6th Birthday Party @ School

As usual on your birthday we planned to have a party in school for you. The night before I had your party packs all packed and ready to go. That morning after dropping you off to school, mummy and daddy went off for breakfast before going to pick up your cake. Mrs Shanti and asked me to arrive in school at 10.30 am which was break time for your class.

When went to the centre to see Mrs Choo who brought us up to your classroom. The children were not ready for break time yet as they were still doing some writing. So daddy and I waited outside and watched as the children from other classes walked in after music class with Mrs Giam, children going to the washroom before their break time and there were many curious children looking as us as they walked pass as they saw the box with the cake.

Soon Mrs Shanti sent the children by tables to go to the washroom and to have their hands washed. Finally we could go into your classroom. That was my first time entering your classroom this year. By the time we went in, most of the children were seated and had their water bottles all ready for break time.

Mummy got the cake out of the box while daddy was the photographer of the day:

The cake design you had picked this year is Tom and Jerry. Here you are inspecting the cake:

Before the children sang the birthday songs (in 3 languages), we had a class photo taken:

As the children were singing, the candle almost went off as the air-cond was blowing at your direction:

The children seemed excited. After the songs were sung, the children sat at their places and waited for mummy to cut the cake:

Last year when we celebrated your 5th birthday in school, there was so much leftover cake. So this year as there were only 18 children in the class we decided to order a smaller cake. But we underestimated the children. The whole cake was finished. Yup, not a crumb was left. Some children had 2nd and 3rd helpings.

Some children even interrogated me on where the party packs were. Haha.. anyhow, we left the party packs with your teacher as they were only distributed at the end of the day, to avoid the children not paying attention to the remainder of the class.

I hope you and your friends had a good time at this little party.

Apr12 Parent-Teacher Interaction

We originally arranged to meet Mrs Shanti Lee at 1.45 but she called me later on to ask if we were ok to have it at 1.30pm. I didn't give it much thought and agreed to the new time. Only later did I realise we wouldn't have enough time for lunch. So yesterday daddy and I went for lunch first, then we packed your favourite dumpling "zhang" before picking you up from school. Then as you had lunch in the car, we went to pump petrol, and pay some things and soon it was time to head back to school.

When we arrived in front of your classroom, Mrs. Shanti told you to wait outside while we spoke to her. Overall you seemed to be doing well and she think you are well behaved. We were given your progress report and also shown the exercise books you used in school. She even asked how you were reacting to the news about the baby.

Next we spoke to Miss Fong, your Mandarin teacher. She said that you try to speak to her in Mandarin and add in English words when you don't know them in Mandarin. After that we went off. Before we left for the day, we stopped by "Center" to have a look at the art and craft which you had made.

Daddy and I are really proud that you're doing well and Mrs. Shanti even said that you have good manners. Keep it up, little boy.

We're very proud that there has been good feedback from the teachers.

Hello Mr Dentist

We were supposed to see the dentist in January, but we were too busy so mummy called the dentist and only managed to get an appointment in April! So on Saturday, we all went to see the dentist. The last time I was too shy and didn't want the uncle to see my teeth.

Before today, mummy had reminded me many times that we're going to see the dentist and that as I brushed my teeth twice everyday, he should have nothing much to do with my teeth. I was still nervous. So I insisted that daddy and mummy go ahead and have their yucky teeth checked and cleaned by the uncle before I have my turn.

After mummy was done, it was my turn. I decided that I didn't want to let him take a look anymore, but mummy and daddy persuaded me and so I lie down on the chair and he lowered the chair. Then I opened my mouth really wide. He had a look and mummy kept asking him if my two lower incisor will be crooked as they look crooked at the moment. He said that they may straighten themselves later on.

Anyhow, after checking, the dentist uncle said I've got good clean teeth, with none of them spoilt. Yay!

Before I go, here's a picture daddy took of me before my second tooth fell off:

Evan's 6th Birthday Party at Home

What was originally planned to be a "burger party" ended up being your favourite.. barbecue birthday party. As usual the party was held on the Saturday before your actual birthday. Here's a nice picture of you with nanna, grampy, ee-ee and teo-teo:

And of course the important man of the day, Chef Daddy cooking the chicken so that they'd be ready by the time all our guests arrived:

The kiddies being entertained:

At last dinner was ready and you and your cousins had the chicken with mashed potatoes. The adults seemed shy to start eating, so everyone stood around to watch the kids eat instead:

Ah.. here's my little boh geh birthday boy:

Finally everyone decides to sit and enjoy dinner:

And since the children finished eating first (while the adults had a leisurely dinner) I had something small to do with you all:

It only took under 15 minutes to complete, but I think everyone had fun. Thanks to a friend for giving me her "kah chang" to make this cute little caterpillar:

At last, it's time for the cake:

This year's design is Flash and Dash as you had requested:

And before Annabelle went home (Tou-tou was getting tired), everyone helped to open the presents:

Later on the children (old and young) played with the presents:

Our guests left with a little souvenir:

It was a long day for us. I started the day cutting cutting and cutting tomatoes for the bruschetta, then mashed the avocado for the guacamole and then before the party started I put the finishing touches for the little souvenir I made. Phew.. tiring, but I'm sure everyone, especially the little birthday boy had a blast!

Happy Easter

We had a little time in our hands so we decided to make little rabbits for Easter:Got the idea from this amazing lady and but to draw the face, I let you decide on what you'd like to do. You did a great job with the rabbits' face. Then we also added little fluffy tails to the rabbits. It was fun. A simple craft, but I loved making them with you.
Happy Easter!!

Fatty Bom Bom

You were not well the night before and I didn't get to have a good sleep as I was worried about you having a fever as we slept as well worried that you'd kick my tummy. So yesterday night, I went to bed at 9pm, earlier that my little sick boy (who seems so active despite having a fever on and off throughout the day). What was the first thing you said when you came to the room and saw me asleep?

Evan : Aiyo.. sleeping already?

Mummy: mmmmm...

Evan: You are piggy.

Mummy: mmmmmm....

Then you gave me a kiss as well as another kiss (and a blow) on my tummy. Then you said this:

Evan: Mummy after baby is born, you won't be fatty bom bom anymore, right?

Mummy (more alert now after being called a fatty): I hope not.

Evan: Ok good!

Took me a while to get back to sleep after bring called a fatty bom bom! Worst of all I cannot imagine what you'll be calling me when my bump gets bigger!

Happy 6th Birthday Evan

Happy birthday to my darling. Had a wonderful day with you today. First we dropped you off at school, then picked up the cake and went back to school by 10.30am as requested by Mrs. Shanti. We waited a while as the children in your class finished up their work and got ready for the little party in school.

After the party we headed home and as I took the whole day off, I headed out again with Ah Ma later on to pick you up. After lunch, we headed out to Queensbay. We had a hot date, just you at me to watch the movie Seefood. You didn't seem to like the movie much, preferring to be interested in the uncle who sat "up behind" who was waving to you (the man who turned on the movie). Before we headed home, you had a few more rides (you already had some before starting the movie).

It was overall a fun day.

Muakksss to our darling little boy. Happy 6th Birthday!

Lost and Found

Another tooth is lost and the one which was lost earlier (taken by the tooth fairy) has been replaced. I could see those tiny whites peeking at me as we checked your gums after the right incisor fell off. And what timing it was for the tooth to fall off. You were halfway eating when it fell off. Thank goodness you didn't swallow the tooth *grin*

Looks like Mr Boh Geh will possible have only 1.5 teeth missing for his birthday.

Banana Cake

Don't know why but you have been bugging me for a while to make you a banana cake. I've tried offering you in the form of cupcake but you insisted that it had to be ONE big cake. So after reminding Ah Ma to buy bananas that was what we made early this morning. The bananas were bought quite a few days ago and the skin was turning brown already. I was too lazy to search for a new recipe so I decided to use old faithful.

Since you wanted to have the banana cake, you had to do most of the work. Cutting the banana:

Putting them into a bowl:
Mashing the bananas:

While you were mashing, mummy measured the dry ingredients and mixed them up. Then you helped me to add the mashed bananas, butter and mixed the eggs:

Then the eggs were added to the mixture:

Back it went to the mixer and then we both poured the batter into the lined cake tin and as mummy popped the tin into the pre-heated oven, you helped me to clean up:

Yup.. by licking clean my beater and mixing bowl!!
Off we went for a shower then waited a while until the cake was ready then it was time to eat your banana cake.

Missing

I was only half paying attention to Lau Shi and playing with my shaking tooth when suddenly my tooth landed on my tongue! Yay! It had finally dropped. I could not eat a lot of things because of this naughty shaky tooth. I suddenly left Lau Shi, running to the landing and calling "Ah Kong my tooth fell off!!!" then I ran down to show Ah Kong and daddy my tooth. Daddy said that I was a brave boy as I did not shed a tear when I saw all that blood as I rinsed my mouth as he instructed me.

Next, I had to look for mummy. She was in her room asleep. But she was also excited when I shouted at her that my tooth had fallen off. Then she took my tooth and chased me back to my room to continue with my lesson. Darn.. I was hoping to end class with all that excitement. Too bad!!

Later after classes I found daddy in the room with his camera busy taking pictures of my tooth. I've never seen anyone so excited over one baby tooth! Then daddy also got me to pose with my tooth:

The next day the first thing I told anyone whom I met (Ah Ma, Mrs Shanti Lee) was about my missing tooth and showed them the hole in my tooth too! That night, mummy gave me a pouch to put my tooth into and daddy told me to put it under my pillow for the tooth fairy. And guess what? When I woke up the next morning I found RM2 inside the pouch. My tooth is missing, but who cares.. I'M RICH!! Woohooo!!

The Value of Money

When we got back home after Chinese New Year, daddy offered to download 2 more games to the iPad for you. But on one condition, you had to pay him RM1 for each game. It was certainly a difficult decision which you had to make to pull out RRM2 from your wallet (which has quite a bit of money actually). I guess you were torn between saving money to buy your Ferarri/Porsche/Lamborghine (you keep changing your mind) versus having 2 new games to play on the iPad.

In the end, you pulled out 2 RM1 notes to give to daddy. Daddy took the money and downloaded the games for you (of course, he replaced the RM2 into your wallet when you weren't looking). Happiness for you. And we thought that we'd at least taught you the value of money and to show you that you do not get everything you want just by asking.

A few days later (daddy was off in KL) and you were struggling to finish your Mandarin homework then you came to my room and took out your wallet:

Evan: Mummy.. I give you money.

Mummy: Why?

Evan: I pay you, then I don't need to do my homework

Mummy: *too stunned to answer*

I guess our "value of money" lesson backfired!!

Valentine's Day

I called mummy yesterday when she was at work. Told her that I have a Valentine's Day surprise for her. She was so excited. I told her to come back at 5 or 6, but she only got back home at 6.30. But good enough, we still had time before dinner time to play treasure hunt.

I think mummy is not very good at treasure hunts. I gave her a clue but she didn't seem to remember the clue "it's in a box". She still wanted to search the drawers.. as if I can't tell the difference between a drawer and a box!

In the end, I had to give mummy another clue before she finally found it. She was so happy, she immediately asked daddy to take a picture of us with the present which I made in school for her.

As for daddy.. er.. he didn't get anything from me. But I did give him a hug. I'm sure he's happy with that. Daddy, maybe I'll give you a Valentine's Day present when I make it in school next year.

Chinese New Year Dinner

Preparation for dinner began very early. Lots of chopping, cutting, slicing, frying and so forth was done in the kitchen for us to feast on for dinner. Here are your kor-kor's busy cutting the ingredients for that night's lou sang:
So what was on the menu for the first day of Chinese New Year's dinner? Ah Ma's specialty Hainanese Chicken rice. Yummy... and of course it wasn't just plain old steamed chicken and rice (of course, there's nothing wrong with just that..), there was lobak, soup, veggies and another specialty dish from Ah Ma, char siew:

Look at the beautifully prepared Wu-Sou Kai:

And dinner began with another round of lou sang:

And for you the day ended with more sparklers and pop-pops:

So many pop-pops. You were throwing them by the handfuls!