A Dumpling Story

It was voted that this weekend was to be "dumpling" night. So early in the afternoon, I started cutting the cabbage while Kakak helped with the rest of the veggies. Look at the cabbage! Filled up the whole pot:

Filled to the brim!

Started to wilt right after daddy added salt

Became so little after it was left with the salt for around 15 minutes

Here is the rest of the ingredients, all finely cut:

And these are the seasoning. Daddy usually "wings" it. We try out the flavor by cooking a tiny piece in the microwave to ensure it is tasty and flavorful enough. 

No time to take pictures of the process to wrap the dumplings up. Here is one of the many trays I wrapped. Made a total of 150 dumplings (excluding Mei-mei's cheesy ones.. she made those herself)

My job is done. Turn it over to the boys to fry them. They sure a fast. This time they fried a couple of batches then we ate and continued to fry again. That way, we got to eat warm dumplings throughout the meal. Good pla!

Don't the dumplings look just so delicious?

Kolam in School

As usual on the very last minute you called me to ask me if I had food coloring. Luckily I had some red and green ones which I had bought many years ago for decorating Christmas cookies. 

Then when I reached home, I get the next question "Do we have any vinegar at home?". Aiyo... Luckily Ah Ma had some antique vinegar in her larder.

The next day you came back the with dye (nope, you didn't bother to bring the vinegar to school that morning) and rice. Then "we" had to do the assigned task of coloring the rice red and green. 

The red looked abit orangey.. but oh well.. as long as it is colored!

You stayed back on Wednesday and I got this picture from your phone of the kolam you made with your team. 

Looks nice. I think "we" colored the rice quite well after all *grin*

Happy Halloween 2020

Mei-mei had been looking forward to Halloween for a while. As usual the TV programs were advertising Halloween throughout the month of October. Obviously we had nowhere to go with the Covid cases spiking in Penang again.

When daddy and I went to Mr. DIY in search for some things for your school's Children's Day party pack, I spotted the banner. So I picked one to decorate the house for this event. And I also picked some Halloween chocolates in Jaya Grocer when I saw them. 

While you were in the green room having virtual ballet lessons, I quickly set up the simple decoration: the banner and the pumpkin witch which we bought a couple of years back. 

After dinner, Mei-mei had planned a game involving everyone. Each one of us were given a "random" number. When it is our turn, we could get to go to the "loot" and pick some chocolates. 

Setting up the loot

Before we started, I tried to take a picture of Mei-mei. Tough.. kept getting photobombed.. I wonder by whom!!

Spiky head!

Bum photo bomb

Oops... where is Evelyn?

Aha! Finally. By the way, she picked dark clothes for this celebration (Black t-shirt belongs to Ko-ko)

So the "game" began with everyone getting a pumpkin/bowl to keep the loot:

Ko-ko holding on tight to his pumpkin

Being goofy with his number (obviously Mei-mei gives you priority.. got number 1)

Daddy also being silly with his number

Now it's time to pick your chocolates:

Ko-ko tried to rob the whole lot of chocolates!

Evelyn looking closely at Ah Kong Picking

Supervising her daddy

Ah Ma got special treatment. Mei-mei brought the loot to her

Next we had to wish "Trick or Treat" to everyone and see if we can get more chocolates.

Trying her luck with Ah Ma

And now Ah Kong

Ko-ko tried to rob her again!

Daddy also a tough negotiator!

Next was our usual "Treasure Hunt". You guys said that I usually make it too easy. So this time, I made it tough!!

My two cute Treasure Hunters

Can you spot the chocolate skull?

How about here?

Searching high..

... searching low...

.. and still searching...

... and searching....

When you both finally found the chocolates, Ko-ko and Mei-mei each had a round of hiding the chocolates too. 

Look at the loot!

Weekend Chores

Weekends means that the both of you have the task to wipe the dining table after we've had lunch. Saturday being Evelyn's turn and Sunday is Evan's turn. 

Today, Ko-ko (as usual) could not eat his lunch so early. So we finished lunch before he started on his. So Mei-mei quickly wiped the table and left this message for him:

Overdue Inoculation

This time, it's Ko-ko's turn to have his inoculation. Ah Kong and I picked you up from school as daddy had a last minute meeting which he needed to attend in the office.

Some of the inoculations you needed were overdue. For the flu jab, you had missed the booster so you'd have to take two again. As Dr. Mary stressed a lot on the importance of having the flu jab to avoid having lower immune system after a flue which could lead to getting the Covid virus, this was one of the 2 injections you had. The other was Hepatitis A and B (combined). 

And of course you had to be cheeky with her. 

Dr Mary: Wow! Such a big boy. I bet you have a moustache now.

Evan: Yes, that's why I need to wear a mask.

Before the injection:

Evan: Would it be painful? Such a big needle? Do I get an injection on my thigh?

And this resulted in the need for the nurse to hold you... just in case... 

It was obviously the tiniest needle and my big muscle man did not feel anything. We had a good laugh as you got to get two cute plasters as we had discussed the night before during dinner. 

One..

Two...

I wanted to take pictures of the plasters. I'm wondering if you are showing me your plasters or your muscles?
 

Evelyn's Corny Jokes Part 3

We were having some food which was a little spicy when Evelyn came up with this:

Michael Jackon's songs has "he he ha ha". He must have eaten chilies before singing the song.

Good point. And good joke! Hahaha!!

Children's Day 2020

Your class teacher, Miss Joanne had sent a Class Dojo message in advance to notify the parent about the school's Children's Day celebration.

You requested to provide party packs to your friends. So we scoured Lazada in search for items to put into the party pack for the 17 girls and 5 boys in your class (along with extras for friends who are not in your class). On top of those, daddy and I also had to visit a shop selling snacks to buy the Mr. Potato for you. But as it was not available, I bought Mamee (your second choice). 

Here you are hard at work packing and sticking the packs for your friends:

You even added a handwritten/decorated card to each pack:

And all the items were packed nicely by Wednesday night:

Here are the party packs; dino for boys and unicorn for girls:

You were also supposed to go to school in either a Disney or storybook character. While you already have an Elsa dress, we decided to go with something else as the dress was VERY long and you'd either dirty it, trip on it or tear it (or all 3!!). So we picked Rapunzel. I bought some tulle (after checking out Pinterest for some ideas) and some flowers from Mr. DIY to make the wig. Ta-da... :

You certainly got ready for school quickly today. While the initial plan was for you to put on the wig only at 11 am when the party started, we ended up putting in on at home and you managed to leave it on until after school. Such a cute Rapunzel!

We headed to school and I helped you carry the large Ikea bag full of party packs to the place where you lined up to have your temperature taken. Miss Joanne was supposed to meet you there, but maybe we were a little earlier. But she did help you bring the bag to class. 

The teacher had also asked for baby pictures in advance for the game and here is a picture she had taken of you posing like yourself in the picture:

Of course, by the time you got home, the wig was removed and it had partially come apart too. Oh well, I'm glad to hear you had a good time. 

Home Restaurant

As the Covid cases start to spike we have reverted to dining at home; either cooking or takeaway. These were our weekend "specialty dinners":

Grilled Halibut on Mashed Potatoes

Roast pork with apple sauce served with sauteed onions, baked potato and asparagus

Hhmm.. I wonder what we'll be having this weekend.

 

Random School Pictures

Your class teacher, Miss Joanne is very nice. We get to see what happens in class once in a while via Class Dojo. There are also videos especially during Chapel lessons. And we can usually spot our little girl singing and dancing to the songs.

Here is a picture of you posing with the items you need to convince your classmates to "buy" for English lessons:

And here you are, saying prayers for the day: