Archive for the Category »Family Moments «

Papa’s Back!

30 Jan 2010 by

Hubby came back on Thursday evening, and Isabelle’s been gluing to the daddy like a koala bear. All the while, she needs me to tug her in, but since hubby is back, she wants to sleep with daddy. If hubby leaves the room and she can’t see him, she will cry and look for daddy. This is the first time for our little girl!

Best of all, she has hubby to wash her hair for her again, and I can forget about this “torture” which carried for a week. :P Don’t get me wrong, I am very gentle with her, but she doesn’t like me to wash her hair!

The only disadvantage that hubby is back is….the kids can’t watch TV on weekdays again. Our Samsung TV can only be switched on weekends, so the kids will need some time to get used to the old routine again.

Anyway, we are all glad that hubby is back! Yippie!

Category: Family, Family Moments  One Comment

On New Year’s Eve

09 Jan 2010 by

This is another backdated post. :P

After our tour to Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, we headed home for a good rest as the kids were pretty tired. Hubby was quite anxious about the mini new year’s eve party at BIL’s new house, he urged the kids to take a nap, and checking through the food we had to prepare. When it’s about time, he got the kids ready, and RUSHED to me get in the car with the food. LOL! I was thinking, hey, what’s the big rush? It’s just a barbecue.

We were the first to arrive and the hosts were out to the wet market. So, hubby set up the grill, and Justin helped out too.


The little helper


Hubby’s grilling…

As soon as SIL got back from the market, both of us got busy with preparing the food. I marinated the pork, chicken and got the sausages ready before hand, so it’s just washing and preparing the seafood and veggie bought by SIL. Things were done pretty fast, and by then, some guests had already arrived. BIL only invited some close friends though, so there were not a lot of us.


Barbecue kakis


Hubby and me.

While the adults got busy eating and chatting, the kids kept themselves entertained too.


My little poser. :P


The boy who refused to join us but rather watched TV all night. :P

All the kids and babies knocked out before 11pm, and we continued to wait for the new year. It’s kind of fun celebrating the eve in a quiet and discreet way. Unlike my single days, I would prefer to party through the night. LOL! But for the last few hours of 2009, all of us were stuffing ourselves crazy with food and drinks. Frankly, I gained 2 kg after a week of holiday. I probably need skechers shape ups if I keep on eating like this. LOL!


Welcome year 2010!


New Year toast!

In short, happy new to all of u again, and I hope that this year will be a better one for all of us. :)

Category: Family Moments, Special Day  3 Comments

Damnoen Saduak Floating Market

04 Jan 2010 by

We have heard so much about floating market in Thailand, but we have only gone to the one in Pattaya, and it’s not exactly a traditional floating market. Thus, hubby suggested that we checked out Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, which is about 2 hours drive from the city, on the last day of 2009.

The moment we arrived at the market, the kids complained about the smell. LOL! I guess they have all grown to be city kids, so they are not as adventurous as before. We were persuaded to take a boat ride about the market, and it took about an hour ride, including a visit to a coconut sugar farm.

The kids were not interested in the making process, but they love the coconut sweets. I regretted that we didn’t buy more too.

Snapped this at the coconut sugar farm.

After that, we went on a bumpy and faster boat ride to a nearby temple. Justin was so  worried that he didn’t have a life jacket, and he swore that he won’t come to this floating market again. LOL!

Hanging on tight to daddy.

Nonetheless, he was back to himself again when we stepped on the shore at the temple and was told that he could feed the fishes here. The kids love fish feeding, and that’s something we do often in Bangkok.

After that, we headed back to the market for lunch, and the food was prepared on the boats by the canal. I was worried about the cleanliness of the food since none of us have any medical travel insurance. :P But luckily, the boats are packed by the side of the market, and they use tap water for washing and cleaning the utensils. Frankly, hubby and I haven’t had any food poisoning in Bangkok, but the kids had one pretty bad one, but it’s not due to any tourist spots.

Overall, I think a floating market is a major attraction in Thailand, if you are interested to understand the culture of the local Thais.  But my kids said they won’t go back there again. :P

Category: Family Moments, Vacation  2 Comments

Happy New Year!

29 Dec 2009 by

We have been pretty busy since Christmas day. SIL#1 were here with her kids, so the kids spent a great time together, and totally worn out by the end of each day. They are on the way to the airport now, and the next meet up will be 2 months from now.

Besides spending time with their cousins, we went to BIL’s house warming party too, but it’s slightly different from those we have attended back home. Over here, it’s like a praying ritual, and then a mini buffet. Anyway, all the photos are uploaded in FB, so family members back home, go take a peep. :)

Since we don’t have plan for this week holiday, we shall just stay at home, or think of something else to do. BIL suggested camping, but shoppingmum prefers the shopping mall. :P Let’s see how. If it’s a ski vacation, I will jump on the plane right away. But spending time in the “jungle” counting down to the new year doesn’t seem appealing to a shopaholic like me. Sigh…

Again, let’s see how. Majority wins. :P

Happy New Year to everyone ya!

Category: Family Moments, Special Day  One Comment

Another Sunday Spent at Funarium

22 Dec 2009 by

Sunday is gai gai day, don’t you agree? :)

We went to Funarium yesterday because the kids NEED to play and mommy had a dSLR class with Aaron. It’s just a short briefing, but since both of us have kids, Funarium is a great rendezvous. Hey, adults can play too, and by climbing through all the tunnel chasing after your kids, you might get as much work out as running on elliptical.


Papa brought us to Funarium again! Yippie!

We arrived early, so the kids started playing as soon as we got here.


Bye mommy, I’m going in the tunnel slide.

As soon as Aaron got here, we went to the parents room for the class. So, hubby played with the kids, while Aaron’s kids accompanied by their mommy Emily. Occasionally, my kids came to kacau looking for mommy, and when I said that I can’t join them, Isabelle would give me this look…


Moody… :P


Actually, our kids are very familiar with this place already, so they can basically run and play around wherever they please. The more we visit Funarium, the more FREEDOM hubb and I have. :P Frankly, we can just sit there and relax because the kids can easily make friends with others. They even know how to order their food, by showing their bar code straps, it’s easy peasy for them la….

My class ended by 1pm, and after a quick lunch, I went to join the kids.


My gal’s begging for sweets. She’s very tired of playing, and needed some sweet booster. LOL!

No sweets are sold at Funarium, so they had to settle with jelly and cupcake.

Hubby said they had already taken a heavy lunch!!! But kids, they get hungry easily when they play a lot. Of course, I got busy trying out different setting with my camera after the briefing. Frankly, I got very blur after the class. LOL! I guess I’m not good at photography, as long as I can shoot whatever I need, it’s good enough for me. :P Really low standard…:P

So, what happened next after a food attack? Play again loh….


You’ve just got to try the slide!



Isabelle is soooo into sand play.



Mommy’s snapping through the glass so that she could still enjoy the air-conditioning. :P



While the kids were playing…hubby ZZzz….LOL!

Besides all the regular play, the kids tried something new on Sunday. It’s the first time they tried the roller blades and I’m surprised that Justin picked up rather fast.


Trying to balance himself while holding on to the net.

He refused to let me hold him and wanted to do this on his own.


After 15 minutes or so, he’s confident enough to let go and balance and “walk” in small steps.



Occasionally, he fell…



And got up…



And fell and got up again…

I’d lost count of the number of times he fell, and he rejected my help. He wanted to do this on his own…And about 45 minutes later, our little boy was confidently “gliding” slowly around the track.


Bravo Justin!

He even agreed on mommy leaving the track, but asked me to order him some food. LOL! He said he had no more energy, and he needed to eat. Then, he would come back to practice again.


I love to see my kids eat. :P


But too bad, the roller blades are only allowed for one and a half hour, before the track is open for bicycles again. So, maybe we should come here soon so that Justin can practice more before we get him his roller blades.

As for Isabelle, hubby helped her a lot, but she only tried for 10 minutes or so.


Isabelle didn’t manage to balance herself, so she gave up. :P


So, what did we get after a fun day at Funarium? It’s 2 kids who slept all the way back home…

Category: Family Moments, Fun Time  6 Comments

Rest in Peace, Ah Gong…

11 Dec 2009 by

My grandpa passed away on Wednesday night, and he’s in a better place now. When we were back for the holiday in October, my family already discussed about this that if ah gong passed away, I don’t have to go back again as they are worried of me flying back with the kids. Hubby is pretty busy, as usual, but he was back for 2 days and visited ah gong too.

Over the phone, my parents already told me not to fly back. However, hubby was trying his best to check out the airlines, but too bad, only Thai Airways has ONE ticket this evening, and I haven’t got my re-entry permit. Yesterday was a public holiday, so the immigration office only opens today. Time is pretty tight, and the funeral is in the weekend. FYI, I don’t have multiple entry permit to Thailand. Each time I go out, I got to apply again for re-entering. Besides that, I hardly fly out mah…so hubby thought it’s not necessary for the kids and me.

My family back home understands our situation. Even if we are not back “physically”, we will still be praying for ah gong here. When I told Justin that “ah zhor” passed away already, he actually said, “Died already? Where? I want to go (back) and see (him).” He has a vivid memory of his great-grandfather after spending a month back home, turning ah gong’s place upside down. As for Isabelle, she’s still blur about this. I guess she’s too young to understand about death, unless she sees ah zhor now.

Rest In Peace, Ah Gong. No more suffering and pain from your cancer anymore….

P/S: Thanks for the comments and SMS. I just dun feel like talking much. Thanks again.

Category: Family Moments  3 Comments

Phuket and Similan Island Trip

30 Nov 2009 by

Hi there! We are back!!! It’s only 3 days away to Phuket and Similan Islands and it’s toooooo short for us. But then, this is a budget trip so we can’t afford to spend sooooo many days on the pearl of Andaman. Nonetheless, we had a great time, and photos are uploaded in FB already, so go take a peep. :P

Here’s a summary of our trip:

Day 1:

We reached Phuket at about 1pm and rushed to Ramada Resort. Everyone got changed and rushed for a quick bite at Mcd, before going to Marriott for family photo shooting. Yeap, we had some photos taken by Aaron, and I can’t wait to see them.

Of course, we had some hiccups here, like hubby lost his ring, and then his Crocs (but later found by Aaron). After dinner, everyone called it a day as we were all so tired…

Day 2:

Got up very early to Similan Islands. It’s a national park, so I LOVE IT!!! It’s not as commercial as Phi Phi, and if you really like nature and well preserved islands, go to Similan or Surin. Worth the diamonds $$$ and time spent on boat, I tell you!

Don’t ask me where she learned to pose like this….

 

Justin’s first snorkeling trip. He’s so happy to see jellyfish, clown fish, coral reefs and other sea creatures.

 

Day 3:

Spent the day at Karon beach and Ramada Resort only. We didn’t have plan to go for a tour in the town, so the kids spent some time at the Kidz Club.


Justin’s at Karon beach.

 

Isabelle had a great time at Ramada’s Kidz Club.

In short, it’s a nice trip but 3 days is indeed too short. I would love to go there again and my kids can’t agree more.

Category: Family Moments, Vacation  7 Comments

Mommy’s Birthday

23 Nov 2009 by

Hubby planned to celebrate my birthday at Millennium Hilton last weekend, and all of us had a great time there. Isabelle loves the suite so much, she insisted that we should stay in the room most of the time. LOL!

We basically spent the whole time here, and the kids love the pool and the sand. It’s nice to have SAND in the city!

If you are wondering if I get any pressie from hubby, the answer is NO. I got nothing but a great weekend with my family, and it’s more worthy than a nice handbag. LOL! But of course, a nice gift will complete everything, but judging from my many years with hubby, he can’t get the right gift. He might just buy anything that comes in his eyes, or persuaded by the salesperson. Luckily, so far he didn’t get me truck accessories or any funny thing, if not I really have to piak his head jor…

More photos are shared in FB, and I’m getting very lazy in posting photos here. Really no paid post money no mood to blog that much jor. LOL!

Category: Family Moments, Myself, Special Day  4 Comments

Great Weekend

16 Nov 2009 by

Our weekends are all packed this month, and we have just got a nice one last week. We were invited to a food fair by a expat friend here, and the kids had a jolly good time eating and playing with some friends. Photos are up in my Facebook, so if you allowed to view the photos, you can see them there. :P

Here’s a clip on how happy our little girl was, dancing with her friend.

She maybe too young for clubbing, but she’s a dancing queen in making. LOL! The same goes to my Indonesian friend’s daughter. She can really shake!

Then, last night, we had dinner at another expat’s apartment. Her place is so nice, I wish I have a unit in Sukhumvit. LOL! But these hi-so (high society :P ) units are very expensive, so I can only dream long long…in my sleep, if I am not awaken up by the alarm clock!

In short, one nice weekend is gone and 2 more to come!!!

Category: Family Moments, Isabelle  2 Comments

Loy Krathong

03 Nov 2009 by

 It’s Loy Krathong yesterday, and if you are interested to know more about it, read here.

There were fireworks everywhere and the kids were so thrilled to see the pretty sky and the full moon. They were given krathongs at school, but by the time we reached home in the evening, their krathongs were slightly damaged. :P The flowers fell out and Justin broke his candle.

The kids fixed their krathong at the krathong stall, which offered them some nails. SIL knows how to make the krathong, so she showed the kids how to pin their flowers nicely in place on the banana tree trunk and bread.


They just sat on the mat by the street and busy fixing their krathongs. So concentrating…

 


See their happy faces! Kids are always proud of their work. LOL!

 


A family portrait is a must on this special day.

 

It’s our first loy khathong so it’s a memorable experience to us. I shall treasure this photo, which is nicely taken and hide my flabby body part well. LOL! Ya la ya la, I need to get lose weight already, no need to remind me. :P Let me check out the diet pill reviews first. That’s what you’ll get after a month of holiday….:P

Anyway, after everyone got their krathong, we walked over to the riverbank.


Our krathong, which we hope will bring us good luck! That’s what loy krathong is all about mah…

 

Just make your prayers by holding your krathong. Make sure that you lid the joss sticks and candle too. But it was so windy last night, I couldn’t light on the candle and had to release my krathong without the light.


Isabelle’s releasing her krathong.

 

I know that it’s a bit too late, but happy Loy Krathong!

And oh ya, I think winter is here….It’s so windy and cool today. :)

Category: Family Moments, Special Day  Comments off
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