Candy Christmas Tree

Every year during this time, we walk down the Orchard Road, Singapore admiring the lights and feel the Christmas air. Li Syuen and Li Ning always feeling so excited with all the lights and beautiful decoration. But, this year, due to the backlogs, we had no choice but to cancel our annual Singapore trip. The girls are disappointed including me.

Every time when Li Syuen saw Christmas decoration, she will start telling story about her experience to Singapore's Orchard Road. I guess that she really miss Singapore so much. In order to make her feel the happiness celebrating Christmas, my hubby and I decided to buy her a christmas tree.

Though we are not Christian, I think that no harm celebrating it! So, we bought a tiny little red-coloured christmas tree for both gals. They are overjoyed! As we had a very tight budget this month, we handmade the christmas ornaments. I still remember that the very first year that I brought Li Syuen to Singapore, she was barely 2 years old. And they used "candy" as their theme. So, I decided to use the candy theme too.

The tiny little christmas tree which we bought from S n M, Jusco costs RM8.90. Then, I bought 24 sweets and 4 lollipops cost RM1.60. So, our Candy Christmas Tree costs RM10.50!

They girls started to decorate it!

This is our very first CANDY CHRISTMAS TREE! We will decorate a different christmas tree next year!

Saliva dripping christmas tree...their big big mouth..hahahaha...

Long-awaited Kite Flying

The unpredicted weather made our promises to our two girls broke again and again. Finally the day has come with no RAIN, we are overjoyed. We quickly grabbed our kites and off we went. When reaching the field, we climbed up the cubes.

Oh great, no rain but no WIND too. Li Syuen shouted "big wind blow, big wind blow".

Li Syuen helped her daddy to fly the kite.

The happy girl ran here and there with her kite.

Again and again Li Syuen tried to fly her kite but failed. Li Syuen didn't give up, she tried again and again meanwhile, Li Ning was waiting for her turn to fly the kite. I personally admired Li Syuen's persistence.

Li Ning waited patiently.

Li Ning didn't complain but waited patiently until she laid down without much thought of the dirt around.

In order not to disappoint Li Syuen and Li Ning, hubby decided to make the kite fly by RUNNING. What a devoted father!

Finally, hubby succeed to fly the kite in the air.

To watch the kite soared in the sky made me feel "FREEDOM".

Two little insects happened to mating on Li Syuen's kite. This is a very good opportunity for us to show our two girls how insects mating. I guess that we were rewarded with such a time spent together happily. And of course, I'm sure both girls learned the required skill in kite flying and PERSISTENCE.

Rainy Season is Over

Since we bought the new bike for Li Syuen, we hardly had the opportunity to ride it as it is always rained in the evening. Every day, Li Syuen will pray that it won't rain in the evening. She was so glad that the sun is shining brightly in the afternoon. Then, she will tell me that "Mum, look! The sun is shining brightly. We can ride the bike this evening."

Words were spoken too soon. Out of the sudden the blue sky turned into stormy day, with thick dark clouds, with wind hollowing and Li Syuen became moody. Rain started to pour and Li Syuen knew that she couldn't ride her bike again!

So, whenever we had the opportunity to ride the bike, we will for sure go for it. Dinner was served late these days as we really grabbed the opportunity to ride the bike. Even though it was just a 5 to 15 minutes of ride, I can see that Li Syuen and Li Ning enjoyed the ride so much and so do we! We are happy to see that they are happy.

Li Ning is now riding the other tricycle. This tricycle used to cycled by Li Syuen, carrying Li Ning. Now, Li Ning cycled it, carrying her favourite doggie.

Making sure that her doggie doesn't fell off.

Pushing a lil' harder...

She still need some practising..so far, she is using her feet to push, not cycle..hehehehe...

Leaving Her Nanny Soon

After much consideration, we decided to put Li Syuen under our own care.

December will be a month of trying out. First and foremost, we are worried that Li Syuen might wear out due to long hours of staying up. Secondly, we are still feeling uncomfortable as she had to cut down her outdoor activity due to our working schedule. Thirdly, we are worried that she might not adapt to the new "locked or restricted" environment.

Under the care of her nanny and nanny's husband, Li Syuen spent most of her evening time playing at the playground or farming. Li Syuen had been to all the playground available in Kuala Kuang. She knew the location of every playground better than I! Other than playing at the playground, she will do some farming stuff with her uncle. She will do some digging, shoveling, planting, watering and harvesting. An evening spent with great outdoor activities. It is really a pity to give up that very precious evening activity. I managed to take a photo or two of the small little farm that ran by Li Syuen and her uncle. Pardon me as I took the photos from my car :P

Somerimes, she helped her uncle to feed the chicken and washed away the chicken's shit.

Couldn't imagine that Li Syuen was taken care by them for almost 5 years now. Li Syuen was taken care by her nanny on her 2nd month of birth now that she is leaving her nanny soon, she and I feel kinda pity and sad.

Li Ning was also under the care of the same nanny since her 2nd month of birth. Now, it is Li Ning's turn to replace Li Syuen, going to all the playground and do the farming stuff. Hope both of them enjoy every moment no matter wherever and whenever they are.

Choosing The Right Bike For Your Child

As Li Syuen had outgrown on the tricycle, we decided to buy her a bike. I found that it is kinda hard to choose the right bike so, I decided to browse a few website before paying the money. As we all knew, kids can experience or learn the laws of inertia, pedaling, steering, braking and sitting on a saddle so, it is a must item on our list.

The very first thing to consider is the right size of the bike. We wouldn't want it too small or too big for our daughter. Some people might consider to buy a bigger size for their children as they are afraid that their children might outgrow it too soon but we must bear this in mind that a over-sized bike is dangerous. Click here for the guideline of the right size http://bicycling.about.com/od/howtoride/a/bike_sizes.htm The bike should fit the child. He or she should be able to dismount and straddle the bike flat footedly. And then with a slight lean of the bike, get their bottom back onto the seat, put their foot on the pedal and ride away.

The next thing to consider is the brakes. There are two kind of brakes, coaster brakes and handbrakes. Coaster brakes serves better as children's hands are small and limited hand strength. Make sure the brakes are good quality as it is stiff and strong enough to handle the weight and speed. If the bike only has brakes that work by rubbing on the wheel rims, it is best to have rims made of alloy. Steel rims are dangerous because when they get wet, they have a low co-efficient of friction so it takes much longer to stop the bicycle. Ideally the hub, spokes and rim should be metal.

Li Syuen's tricycle was past down to Li Ning. Li Ning had fun with her tricycle.

Hubby joined in the fun too.

A Late Coming Prize

18 November 2011, I attended the Graduation Ceremony of SJK(C) Kuala Kuang,together with the Kuala Kuang Pre-school and Li Syuen's kindergarten. Some of the parents felt puzzled that why I attended the ceremony as Li Syuen is only 4 years old. I guess that I attended the ceremony because I had something in my mind that I needed to do. First, of course is for congratulating and farewelling my Primary 6 and K2 students. Secondly, is for accompany Li Syuen.

This year Li Syuen got number 4 in her class, we as her parents are so proud of her but we handled it with low profile. As her friends who managed to get top 3 in her class going up the stage to get their prizes, I noticed that Li Syuen looked sad. I kept quiet and see how will she response. Then, she asked me "Mummy, why I didn't get any prize?" I told her that because they worked harder than you. To my surprise, she told me "Mummy, I worked hard too!" At that time, I'm really at the lost of word. But, in my mind I knew that she had to OVERCOME this DISAPPOINTMENT all by herself. Too much word of comforting will make thing worse so, I gave her words of ENCOURAGEMENT! After a few minutes of inspiring her, she is fine and being happy again. I think that we should all work SMART but not work HARD but most important of all is ENJOYING the PROCESS and forget all about the OUTCOME. I hope that one day, Li Syuen and Li Ning understand this.

This is indeed a very good opportunity for Li Syuen to learn to stand back on her own feet and to overcome disappointment. I had always feeling uneasy with the school issue, especially when it comes to "awarding" someone. In my mind, we study to gain knowledge not to get award. And we deeply hope that Li Syuen understand this. That's why I always handle with great care when it comes to school issue.

On the last day of school, as I was busy on that day, my hubby picked her up from school. She is extremely happy and her father wandered why. When they reached office, she told her dad that "Daddy, I had something to show you..I get first prize in the computer contest!" Her dad was overjoyed. Of course, me too! All we said to her is "Well Done" and we spent the day together AS USUAL. We didn't make a fuss about it because we do not what her to feel proud. And of course, we do not want her to be so obsess with the award.

I can see that she is in love with her trophy. She was busy the whole day with the trophy. She cleaned it, she wiped it, she swung it, she hugged it, she carried it wherever she went!! Thank God for this LATE COMING PRIZE cause she is definitely learning something from there!

H.O.M.E.

I found this very meaningful and interesting. It is in Mandarin and I tried to translate it into English. Please pardon me if I didn't translate it well enough.

家，可以大，可以小；能够遮风避雨就好。
家，可以吵，可以闹；没有恩怨情仇就好。
家，可以哭，可以笑；一家和乐开心就好。
家，可以穷，可以富；家人陪伴温暖就好。
家，可以远，可以近；记得回家的路就好。
家，可以老，可以旧；常回家陪爸妈就好。

Home, can be large, can be small; as long as can provide shelter from rain and wind is good enough.
Home, can be noisy, can be trouble; as long as no resentment and revengence is good enough.
Home, can be cry, can be laugh; as long as there is fun and happiness is good enough.
Home, can be poor, can be rich;  as long as there is family to accompany is good enough.
Home, can be far, can be close; as long as you remember the way home is good enough.
Home, can be old, can be dusty; as long as you accompany parents often is good enough.