The Beach

Off to the beach we went on New Year's Eve. After a few weeks of rainy weather where we couldn't use the tent given to us by Karen, we finally pitched it one a popular stretch of East Coast.
Oliver and Heidi wated little time to build their volcano and mountain range.
Surprisingly, Heidi was very adventuous on that day, not only climbng the breakwater, but going into the water with me as well.

The beach... we will be back!

Pink workbook

We bought these two workbooks for Oliver and Heidi. The education system is really stressful these days for Singapore children. Our thought is to start now by inculcating a habit of learning at home, than struggling down the road. It is to my relief that Oliver does enjoy doing some of these exercises. And not forgeting Heidi, we bought another workbook for her.

Last night, Heidi saw these workbooks on my table. The blue coloured book is for Heidi and the pink coloured book for Oliver. Heidi insisted on having the pink workbook. So I explained to her that the blue workbook is for her age.."See this book is for 3 years old" and pointed to the number 3. She was unhappy and reasoned with me. "No, this book is for 1 year old (pointing to the 1 (Workbook '1') and for 5 years old (meaning it is for Oliver)". I want the pink book".

Angels at Del-Care

Season of giving... not quite for our little girl with her Hersey chocolate in the basket.

Heidi refusing to take picture with her classmates.

She melts my heart ...

Gruffalo

We were at Forum Galleria for our weekly music lessons and caught this half-hour musical called Gruffalo at the atrium. The songs and story was pretty good, so much so that we bought a DVD of it. Heidi was pretty scared of the Gruffalo though. Apparently, it is quite an established franchise with related books, movie, fan site etc.

Heidi's first swimming lesson

Heidi clad in blue swimsuit

Not quite Heidi's cup of tea. At first, she joined the activity of walking around the pool. Then she started to think twice about joining and finally needed some personal consulting session by the coach before joining the group activity. Then, she decided that she really did not like the session and let out a loud cry. Oh dear, Heidi has definitely gotten the worst of our gene of being reserved.

Expect the Unexpected

Oliver and Heidi enjoying a moment together reading library books at home.

I had planned at the start of 2011 to take the week of 22 November off. Oliver's Birthday and the school graduation ceremony took place on the same week. I intend to spend 21 Nov preparing birthday goodies for Oliver's birthday party, 22 Nov to celebrate the big day, 23 Nov to relax and 24 Nov to attend the School Sports Day and Graduation Ceremony of my niece Vivian. Sometimes, we just have to expect the unexpected.

Just one month before the 'break', Boon Heng broke the news that he had to attend a working trip in KL on 24-25 Nov. This meant that he could not attend the Sports Day. Then, I had to work on 23 Nov to carry testing on my office feedback system. Not too bad, changes in plan but we could still celebrate Oliver's birthday on 22. Yet, on 20 Nov, our November boy's body temperature seemed higher than usual. In the afternoon during the birthday celebration, Oliver looked tired. His left eyelid making his presence felt. Oh mine, we just have to expect the unexpected.

Oliver was away from school on Mon and his birthday. Then Heidi caught the virus and fell sick as well. Boon Heng also seemed to be suffering a bad runny nose condition. And I too, fell sickly on Thu during the Sports Day. Look like, it is meant to be -a week break from work.

Outwitted by Heidi

"Why must you always ask me to carry you?"

"Be-coz you want to carry me."
I forget that I asked Heidi to let me carry her so that Boon Heng who was carrying Heidi can kept the receipt.

"You win."

Meat Heidi

Boon Heng thinks that we should perhaps rename Heidi's blogspot from meet heidi to meat Heidi.

Bonjour Andy

Its 3 birthday celebration again

44Birthday celebration at Grandparents' place.

از سرزمین های شمالی(from the northern country (Japanese TV Series)

Canada 2011 - The Animals

Throughout our journey to the Rockies, we came across creatures that we won't see at our shores. Here are some...
Swan lake at Stanley Park
Man, racoon, and bird
Cat at Artists House Heritage B&B overlooking Shuswap Lake
Elk in the woods at Banff
Some kind of fowl in the forest
Another excitable squirrel
Our biggest catch, a bear cub along the highway en route to Vancouver
and a Ginseng monster at Kamloops

Canada 2011 - Gastronomic Experience

Tojo Japanese Restaurant at Vancouver

Omakase...When you order Omakase, it means that you are entrusting the chef to arrange your meal. We took the 5-course Omakase at Tojo. It was really yummy.

A&W Restaurant (enroute Vancouver to Banff)

"D" Dutchmen Diary at Sicamous

Breakfast at The Artist's House Heritage B&B at Sicamous

The Old Spaghetti House at Banff




Overcooked seafood fettucine

Buffaloberry B&B - Breakfast on second day

Apple pancake and yummy sausages

Home made banana cake with cranberries

Lunch stop at Suwapta Fall


Suwapta Burger - Sirloin Beef

Decore Hotels' Tonquin Prime Rib Village at Jasper

Complimentary bread to fill our empty stomach
AAA pure Alberta beef, aged 21 days and then cooked for seven hours to tender, juicy perfection.
Black & Blue Tuna from Hawaii served with ginger wasabi beuvre blanc. Heavenly...