Date with my darlings

 

I had several days of carried forward leave to clear. So I took today off and planned to bring the two of you to Project Rock, since Ko-ko has gone several times with his friends, while Mei-mei never had the opportunity to do so. 

Then, Ko-ko had afternoon plans with his friends at Jeanni's house. And so when Audrey wanted to come over in the afternoon for a play date, I agreed to that plan too. So we had an earlier start to the day. We planned to arrive at 10am, which is when Project Rock opens, unfortunately we were a little late to arrive as there was traffic jam on the way to Gurney Plaza.

Anyhow, just as we arrived, someone from Citibank called and I was on the phone, so Ko-ko did the registration for Mei-mei and I just needed to wave my card for payment.

As this was Mei-mei's first time, she needed to have a briefing before being allowed to climb:

Ko-ko just started climbing:

This was where you got stuck.. not sure of how to go up or down and Ko-ko insisted that you figured it out yourself. You dared not let go and jump off the wall:

Monkey Ban:

Two monkeys:

Mei-mei took this photo of her painful hands to show daddy:

Taking wefies while waiting for Ko-ko:

Ko-ko said we'll leave at 12.30pm, but in the end we left shortly after 12 as you both had painful hands and were quite tired too.

Went to quickly look at champagne flutes in Parkson before heading to Nando's for lunch. You were both so hungry, I had to order the free flow froyo so that you could eat that while waiting for the chicken.

Hungry Mei-mei

Grumpy Ko-ko

Showed daddy the photos above and he commented that Ko-ko never smiles. So we had to re-take another photo:

The chicken we ordered was half and half. Ko-ko kept teasing Evelyn that she was "Not so brave". After some thought she replied "Yes, Not so brave.. but VERY brave" 

It was a nice outing with the kids. After you both continued with your own activities, I went off with daddy to do some shopping on our own.

Santa's Elf at Work

This week seems to be a week of Christmas celebration.

On Tuesday, you had a round of celebration during Chapel. We have submitted the gift and you got the present (gift was from a child in the primary school, based on the lucky number you picked). You weren't too happy with the gift which was a box of pencils... but oh well it is a useful present.

All dressed up in "Mrs Claus" colours

On Thursday, you were assistant team leader for Girl's Brigade and you and Summer decided that you'd bring party packs. So here you are on Saturday packing the gifts before running off and asking me to stick on the stickers you had designed for the party pack. 

As for Ko-ko, you woke up this morning as I walked into your room. Gave me a shock thinking that you weren't feeling well. Turns out you just wanted to inform me that you woke up at 2am and realised you didn't wrap your gift for today's gift exchange!

I had to rush through the school breakfast and lunch packing as well as my own breakfast to go upstairs to wrap up your gift!

Hey.. while I'm typing this, it looks like I am the elf, not either of you!!

Christmas Gift Bag

We planned to get Yuen Ting a "slime starter bag" as a Christmas gift. Since the activator I ordered online arrived yesterday, you could give it to her in school before the break starts.

As I did not have a nice bag, I passed you this plain white bag (very useful) to decorate. As you wrote "Merry", I told you to be careful on the spacing of the words. And this is what I saw happened to the "Christmas":

There is the tiniest "a", but I don't see the "s", which you insisted is there

And then Ko-ko also pointed out that you missed out on the "T" too! Ahaha... 

Anyhow, I hope Ting Ting enjoys her present. 

Swimming Progress

Your swimming lessons are never consistent. Something or other usually occurs and you'd need to miss a week here and there. 

Well from being afraid to go underwater, you have overcome that fear. Now Uncle Adrian is teaching you freestyle but you seem to be afraid and stop everytime he lets go and tells you to swim on your own. Today's lesson was peppered with threats of bringing you to the deeper end where you wouldn't be able to stop and step on the floor of the pool *laugh*.

And halfway from my book, I looked up to find you all the way to the deepest end of the pool!!

Happy Birthday Daddy

We had an earlier celebration in Tong Hoi on Saturday. Ashley Ko-kor had secretly bought the cake all the way from KL. As for the 2 kiddies, Yvonne Kor-kor bought non-boozy cake from STG for Mei-mei and Martin. Ko-ko as usual, did not want any cakes. 

Love this photo taken of our family:

Happy Birthday to the greatest daddy and hubby anyone could ask for. 

We love you loads.

Celebrating 50 Years

Well, the main reason we headed back to Ipoh this weekend was to celebrate the 50th wedding anniversary of Chim Poh and Chek Kong. 

So here we are in Tong Hoi having a feast. The photos were taken by Mei-mei:

Chek Kong stole the drumstick before Mei-mei could take a picture of the dish, so she needed to add another picture of the drumstick!

By the time the last 3 dishes arrived, we were all bursting at the seams! But we still had to have the cake and birthday song for daddy.. (nope we could not take a bite out of the cake!)

Quick Bake (and Regretting it!!)

When daddy and I were in Village Grocer a while back, I saw a box of cupcake pre-mix marked down. So I grabbed it thinking we could have a quick baking session together. 

Today, daddy while still in quarantine encouraged me to bake with you. So I went down and we very quickly whipped up the few ingredients together (even adding extra choc chips) to the batter.

Here's my assistant doing her (messy job):

As you were making and mixing, you even asked me "why so lazy to use pre-mix?"

And you were right.. wrong decision to take a short cut. It wasn't anywhere as good as the ones we make from scratch. 

Ok, ok. Lesson learnt. Next time we make chocolate cupcake, we will make it from scratch. 

Daddy later asked why he didn't get one.. I told him it was yucky! Ahhaha.. not worth putting into his tummy!!

2022/23 Sports Day

After the virtual sports day, you all managed to have an actual one this year. It was held in USM's Stadium. The location is so near, but it sure was jam when we tried to enter the grounds. Finally got into "Padang Kawat" which was the carpark and drop-off point. Then I headed home. It was heavy traffic just for me to get out of the carpark too. 

Unfortunately, daddy could not drop you or else he'd know his way around the university and would be able to get out from the Minden entrance. So I followed the queue and went back home.

I ate my breakfast as daddy had not yet woken up. Just has he messaged me to ask for his breakfast, Ko-ko called me. You asked me to send over your running/spike shoes. The boy who was supposed to run had injured himself and so you were the last minute recruit to run as third runner in the 4x100m relay. So again, I had to hop into the car and rush over to the stadium. Luckily the entrance into the road in front of the stadium was open, so I drove in and parked along the road and went in to pass you your shoes.

And to my surprise.. your team came in second. Wow! Maybe if you had trained, your team may have even won gold (so greedy *grin*).

As for Mei-mei, the results of the shot put was not announced on the day. But you did have fun with the events (some parents joined in the fun and shared photos and videos of the sports day and we spotted you)

Dancing happily during the warm-up session

Cheering on your friends in Pykett team

The plan was for you both to come back with Jeanni, the event overrun (by over 2 hours) and Ko-ko called to say that you both didn't want to wait for Jeanni who had to hang around to collect her medals. So Ah Kong and I rushed over to pick up two very exhausted and hungry children.

So happy with your green face paint

Hungry girl eating her CKT (finished the whole packet!!)

Mei-mei was proud to tell me that Fairfield was the winner for this year's Sports Day. 

Cleared??

 .. not yet apparently.

Daddy tried to test on the 4th day (Tuesday) as he was feeling much, much better. Unfortunately, his results were two very clear lines indicating he is still positive.

He tried testing again yesterday. There was still a faint line. 

Today, he tried again.. hoping that since it was a faint line yesterday, it should be gone by now. Sadly, the faint line is still there... so.. he'll try again tonight. Hope it clears off soon.

He is complaining that he has yet to enjoy looking at the Christmas tree up close. 

Let's keep our fingers crossed for tonight. 

Daddy is back...

 .. but he caught the Covid bug! 

Luckily he decided to self-quarantine despite testing negative on Friday evening upon arrival. He continued to mask up when we needed to be in the same car (when we picked him, and to go to his and my voting center) on Saturday. He opted to have lunch in his room (luckily). While we were having lunch, he told me that it looks like he had struck the Covid lottery... sigh. So looks like it is a minimum of 7 days of quarantine. 

I had gone out to buy some medicine and other stuff  after dropping Mei-mei at ballet. Ah Ma then went to spend time with Tou-tou, but I called her and told her to come back. Daddy had retested with another kit and confirmed on it. 

I tested and there was a faint positive line. Immediately got Ko-ko, Ah Kong and Ah Ma to test. Then we went to pick up Mei-mei who also tested when we got home. I did another 2 tests and it came back negative. Now what? 

That night, we all quarantine in separate rooms. I took the room downstairs, since my results were 1 vs 2. Mei-mei and Ko-ko both kept to their room to be on the safe side too since we were all in the car with daddy. We had a family chat while we ate the Nando's which I had ordered (3 whole chicken for our family of 7!! That is a story for another day!). 

One complaint about my waiter: I asked for wing and got this!

My test results came out negative on Sunday again, so I prepared food for daddy, but I kept to the room just for another day. Ko-ko was a big help, in distributing our chicken orders, Sunday lunch and also making sure than Mei-mei went to bed when it was time on Saturday and Sunday. 

On Monday morning, I tested again and it was negative. So I was "released" from the self-quarantine. 

Daddy has been having fever with it getting very bad on Sunday evening up till Monday (nearly the whole day). He seemed better from yesterday evening, but he'd sometimes take longer to respond to my messages, which I assume he'd fallen asleep again. He complains of a body ache and today mentioned that his kidneys felt funny.. 

But his appetite is ok most days, except for Sunday. Sadly today his test still returned 2 VERY clear lines. So he'll need to hang in the room longer. 

Had to have a fever patch for his fever which wouldn't come down

I'm just glad that I am fine and able to take care of you kids as well as daddy's needs while he's quarantined. *touch wood*

Christmas Tree Part 3: All done!

Daddy came down after showering (masked up) to shift the tree, put on the angel and also adjust the wiring for the lights along with the skirting for the tree.

Et voila:

Christmas Tree Part 2: It is Up!!

Well after we set up the tree on Saturday, we planned to decorate the tree on Friday, since we all have it off. But tonight after dinner, Mei-mei was so gung ho to have the decorations all up. We agreed on red and gold this year. The two of you had loads of fun putting them up. 

As usual, Evelyn even turned on some Christmas music to get us in the mood:

My Hardworking elves

So this was the surprise we had for daddy when he comes back... for the tree to be all ready (sans the angel and to shift to the correct location).

While daddy is away

On Monday night, daddy was saying his goodbye to Mei-mei as he'd be leaving very early in the morning. Immediately you got ready to give daddy the guilt trip. 

I could see you making a sad face, turning your lips downwards and about to start on how much you'd miss him. Luckily (for daddy) you glanced my direction just before your started, and I gave you a warning look. Immediately you stopped and happily hugged daddy goodbye and goodnight before hopping into your bed to sleep.

Poor daddy. He works so hard and when he gets to go off on a holiday by himself, he carries guilt with him. Bad enough that he himself feels guilty, he doesn't need you making it harder for him!

As for the both of you, the morning preparation is not too bad. Mei-mei gets a 1 minute snooze. I'll wake you up and then set the timer for 1 minute (plus) and Ko-ko has been good to set his own alarm at 6am and to get up when it rings. 

The only time he didn't wake up was on Tuesday when I had set the timer, and someone hit the snooze button. I had to run up to check on my sleepy boy. I guess you were tired from accompanying me to the airport. When I went into the room and 5.50am, you told me "I didn't fall asleep yet". 

Obviously, he won't be coming back empty handed. Look out for it when he comes back tomorrow.

He will also be surprised when he comes back too. You have a surprise planned for him too. 

Funny Things I Find

I had emptied out your purse at the beginning of the week and today, I had some time to clear the little pieces of paper which were in your pocket and I discovered these cute little drawings:

Had to take a picture of all of them. I later found out from you that you and Yuen Ting drew them to play "Charades". Very creative. I love that you have a good time in school with your best friend/sticky glue. 

Such a Good Boy

Daddy was going off on his golf trip today and the flight out was 6.30am. His friends had agreed to meet at the airport at 5am! The initial plan was for him to go with Grab, but in the end I agreed to send him to the airport (he hinted heavily that the rest had their spouses dropping them off...).

And yet daddy was worried about me driving back home in the dark all alone. When he asked you if you'd mind tagging along, to our surprise, you agreed. 

Of course, you only woke up like 5-8 minutes before we left the house and then just sat/slept in the car with your eyes opened...

Not the best person to have a conversation with in the morning, but it was still comforting to have you with me in the car. Driving back in the rain was a tad bit scary, despite knowing that daddy's car had amazing handling. 

Hugs to my good boy. 

Happy Birthday Tou-Tou

It's an early celebration since daddy would be travelling and next week (right after he got back from Vietnam) would not be ideal to meet everyone.. just in case.

Then Uncle Sin Chuan and Aunty Amy would be leaving for 2 weeks and by the time they come back, Tou-tou's birthday would have passed. It is a Chinese superstition not to celebrate after the actual date. 

So Ah Ma had to scramble in search for a restaurant to have dinner, which she could not find any available. And Monday was a no-go since Audrey is having school, which means they would not be able to arrive on time for dinner.

In the end, the location was buffet dinner in E&O. The hotel gave her a little cake and Ah Ma also ordered a cake for the dinner. When we all sang the birthday song, even the other guests clapped and cheered after we sang the song. 

It is a happy occasion to celebrate Tou-tou's birthday. 

Christmas Tree - Part 1

The tree is partially set up today. We had planned to do it on Saturday, but there was too much work and homework to complete over the weekend. In fact today was almost a "no-go" as you still had a lot of homework and CA1 team work to discuss. We also had to go out for Tou-tou's birthday celebration dinner so we had very limited time.

In the end, daddy brought up the tree and we had the tree and lights set up first. Needed out muscle man to lift up the heavy box from downstairs before he headed off for his holiday. We plan to put up the ornaments on Friday, which is a public holiday. 

Daddy setting up the base

Ko-ko could not help us this round, but he was reminded that he would not be excused when we put up the ornaments this Friday.

Mei-mei helped to put on the branches up till the ones which were too high for her

Can't wait to finish decorating the tree. 

Sleeping in the car

As a child you both had different behaviours while in the car. 

For Evan, you'd fall asleep easily the moment we got into the car. For Evelyn, you'd not fall asleep easily, so it was always a struggle in the car as you were a wriggle worm.

Then Mei-mei seems to be falling asleep easily while in the car. You'd even fall asleep on the way to school. Ko-ko on the other hand rarely sleeps in the car, even on long rides. Maybe it's the fear of another round of "vomit shampoo" from Mei-mei!!

Here's how we found you sleeping on the way back from seeing Dr. Mary on Sunday:

Swollen Mouth

It started off as a pimple in your nose. We didn't make much of it since it has occurred before. Daddy tried to squeeze it before dinner on Saturday (and you were crying and screaming about it). Then we had dinner and all seemed well.

The next thing we knew, you were down with a fever just before going to sleep. Gave you Paracetamol (after much persuasion), put on a fever patch and off you went to bed. By then, your upper lip seemed to have swollen and the fold on your (upper) lip seemed to have gone all crooked. Oh dear.

The next morning, you still had a slight fever and your lip seemed even more swollen. I could not decide whether to bring you in to see Dr. Mary. Having a fever meant you could not go to the Paediatric Clinic, instead you'd need to go to the Unwell Child Clinic. We did a Covid test to rule that out. In the end, I got Ah Ma to drop us at Adventist Hospital.

It was a long, long wait for Dr. Mary to come down. My heart sank to the ground when I heard her tell me what could have happened had we not brought you in. The puss could go to your brain. Then, it would be a harder thing to cure.

Thank goodness we had gone in. You were given a course of 5 days' antibiotics and ibuprofen, and also MC for 2 days. She had also reminded me that if your swelling did not subside the next day, we'd need to bring you in; otherwise, she'd see us on Tuesday.

Picture of my teary eyed baby which I took to send to daddy

On Monday, you were not very happy to have to skip school, but ended up watching TV non-stop as I worked from home. In the end, I tried to encourage you to do something other than watching TV. So you took out the present you got from Audrey and spent the time in your room building the Sakura Tree Music Box. 

So many little parts to build

Brought up this Eevee rug which I had made before to cheer you up

You'd come to my room occasionally asking for help, but you built most of it yourself, including putting on the flowers and lights.

That night, you happily showed everyone. But when you went to Ah Ma's room, you dropped it. Daddy had to come to your rescue and fit back the part that had fallen off.

On Tuesday, your swelling had almost fully subsided. So you could go to school to attend your Festival of Lights celebration. 

The follow up check-up was good, but since there was still some swelling, you were given extra antibiotics to last up till Sunday.. yay (not!). 

Letchumi Ban

Today is the Festival of Lights celebration in school. You had signed up to perform for the celebration (I assume during chapel). 

So we took out your dress which I had bought online from before (still very big sized) and you went to school all decked up. Had to remind you to hold up the skirt when you climb the staircase or else you'd certainly trip on the long skirt. 

And because you were dressed in the lehenga, daddy called you Letchumi Ban. You didn't understand why, so we had to explain to you that this is an Indian girl's name.

Got this picture from the video your teacher shared with the parents: