Ezra's 1st Cinema Experience

Yes yes Ezra finally had his 1st cinema experience on Wednesday!! It all started with him seeing the Madagascar trailers on TV. He would sing & dance along & asked to watch this movie.

After much prep talk like the lights will be turned off, the room will be dark, everyone has to sit down until the end of show, cant cry or make too much noise etc. we finally brought him to Madagascar @ Vivo City. He was very excited & kwai kwai took his afternoon nap aft lunch in order to wake up & catch the 4.50pm show.

Jac bought a pop corn set & we went into the cinema early so as to 'climatize' him!! He happily chew on the pop corn!! He was sitting betweem us watching other movie trailers. As he observed us putting our hands into the box & he also followed suit...he looked such an adult!!

Ezra sat thru the movie w/o fuss except for a toilet break & towards the end when he started fidgetting!! A very good movie experience!!

Chuang Childcare!!

The 2 Chuang boys have been staying here with us since Friday & the Chuang girls also had sleepover on Sunday & my place aas turned into a childcare centre!!

Pancake, pau & muffin for bkf!!

Although the noise made by them drives me crazy at times but it's heart warming to see how they play, eat & sleep with each other....

Cooking - Therapeutic!!

While I was blogging, I realised that many of my recent posts are on food!! I must be stressed cos cooking is a form of stress releaser & its therapeutic for me!! Moreover, the boys were at my place & to go out for a meal is like $50 min!! I tried cooking soya chicken to go with the wanton mee for dinner. take a look @ the chicken!! but it looks better than it taste... i need to improve on the taste!!I was too busy cooking the noodles& Jac dishing it for the kids (cant wait too long if not soggy) that I did not take pic of it.... sob sob

Japan Food 'Feast'

Yesterday I prepared the jelly for Nana's party today. This morning, we're all set to prepare sushi. Again my 1st time but Aunty Siya is an expert, all thanks to the training of Nancy.

Instead of buying the sweet egg tamago, I gave it a try on my own. Added sugar & bit a vinegar & beat it, using non stick mini pan, pour, cook, fold, pour, cook, fold many times. Tasted not too bad.

Here's the spread of food stick, all ready for the roll. We rolled different styles & very satisfied with the results!!

We made extra for our lunch, I prepared also terayaki chicken & pan fried salmon to go with japan seasoned rice. The 2 Chuang boys stayed over last nite & initally did not want lunch but once everything was served, they attacked the food b4 I can take pictures of it!!
Busy morning but very satisfying!

Disney 3 Classic Fairy Tales

Yeah, finally the day for this Mickey mouse show is here. Ezra had a quick nap & we head off to Indoor Stadium. We reached there a little late & the show had started. The 1st story was Snow White. Ezra was a little scared as the lights were dimmed & we had to moved to the last row so as not to disturb the rest. When the magic mirror appeared with special lights & sounds.. Ezra's siren went off!! Jac has to bring him out altogether. After the 1st story, Mickey & gang came out & I quickly went looking for Ezra & true enough, he was thrilled to see Mickey & gang. He mgt to sit thru the 2nd story of Cinderalla.

During the interval, we make the kids pose in front of sme poster to snap pic for memory.

Aft the interval, Ezra was more settled & he was willing to sit on his own!! At the end of the show, he waved & slapped for the crew!!

Here is our crowd for the day.

I need to share an observation I made, We were running late & the outside was quiet empty. I saw a mummy running towards a toddler (maybe abt 3 yrs old) with her helper. Mum took over the girl's hand & said something like "hang ard here, dont go too far away" to the helper & ran off into the stadium. I was a little surprised!! Further down, I saw a couple more helpers sitting ard by themsleves.. must be waiting for their Mdm watching the show inside!! I really dont appreciate this cos I cant understand why do you need to bring your helper out but not bring her into the show. If the ticket is too expensive, dont want to bring her in, than why bring her out at all!! Cant handle the child in the car ride or for that couple of hours!! I am still puzzled!

All Morning Works

Sat is Nana jie jie's birthday party & I agreed to prepare jelly for her. Since we will be out in the aftn, I decided to prepare the jelly in the morning. While I was peeling all the fruits, Ezra wants to help as well. He picked up the longans which I asked him to remove the seed. He was having some difficulties at first but finally mgt to remove the seed. While he was working, he is also popping the flesh into his mouth (just like mummy, hahaha!!)

The almost finished jelly, we just need to put it in the fridge to chill!

Here's the finished jelly all ready to be popped into the mouth!!

Last evening, Ezra saw an adv on pizza & he looked at me with those loving eyes and askd "Mummy can you make pizza for me to eat?"
My son, how can I turned down your request. So pizza shld be our lunch for today!!

I followed the recipe given by my sister for the dough (never done before) & while knitting it, the metal stick actually broke!! Lesson learnt, dont buy cheaparo mixer!! The dough is supposed to raise but it did not & it was very hard. I had no choice but to throw the dough away. But all is not lost yet, I used sandwich bread & put all the ingedients on & baked it in toaster oven

Viola!! Tasty yummy Pizza

Disney Show

Haha I am so looking forward to tml Disney show with Jac & Ezra.... my elder sis mgt to get complimentary tickets to this holiday Disney Show "3 Fairy Tales" @ Indoor Stadium. We are catching the 3.30pm show tml.... I have been telling & preparing Ezra abt it... praying that he will not chicken out & want to go home when the lights dim!!

Jac's In-camp Training

Every year as usual Jac has to report to camp for his regular reservist... last year he had 3 weeks but surprisingly this time is only 3 days... from Mon - Wed. He was packing his bag & stuff yesterday & Ezra was very keen to see all the army things. He tried on his cap, but refused to wear his halmet saying its too big for him. It was too bad I dont have my mini camera to snap pic.

Dear God, I pray for protection over Jac as he's in camp. May he find favour with man & have good fellowship with friends. Whenever he can get rest, may he sleep well. Thank you Lord, in Jesus' name Amen!!

3 days will pass very fast & in a wink he will be back... We are planning to bring Ezra for the Disney show on Fri aftn, Sat dropping Ezra off at a party & we go for a movie!! yeah yeah.

Cheeky Conversations!!

Ezra was lying on the bed & playing with the pillows & laughing so loudly. I came over & asked
"Where is mummy's cheeky boy""

He laughed out loud & replied "Where is my cheeky mummy!!" faintz**

Later that evening, I recieved an sms from my sis saying that ezra has a very wide vocab stating that he called her girl "fatty bom bom!!" **eyes rolled
I was so shocked cos I have never heard him used such words/ expressions!! I questioned him & asked what did he called Mei jie jie & he repeated the same word!! I asked where did he learnt that from & his reply "Wang lao shi teach me!!" faintz**

Immediately corrected him saying that those words hurts & made jie jie sad so he shld not use which words on others!!

Finally the Holidays!!

I am really up to my neck with sch work.... for the last 2 weeks, everyday when I get into office, it has been like constant flow of parents coming into office to make payment for next yr. If its not parents, it would be my staff coming in with quesitons for next year plans. I am just constantly working, talking, working talking!!

We had a short day yesterday, it being the last day of sch & party for the children. Almost the all team went for lunch at Sizzler, even Jac joined us! It was a good time of chatting. After that we went to KBox to sing our hearts out!! I am not one who sings & I cant read chinese words for nuts but I enjoyed listening!! My staff had a rolling time, some of them really sang their hearts out!! Jenna's hubby joined us after work & he is a joker!! It was an excellent time of bonding with my staff!!

Finally the last day of sch has come & I am so so so looking forward to some rest but plans of going back to sch for meetings are filling up almost every week...

Updates

I have been so busy with work & so not much time or energy to blog... although many things are still happening in our lives!!

Ezra had a new towel wrap for his swim.... look Ezra the "Cape Crusader" with his super soaker!!

Since Ezra started school he has been quite a favourite with his teacher.... being younger & such a sweet talker... he even 'con' his teacher to buy him a drum set!! He can't wait for us to set it up that very evening, he started drumming on it!! He does not need much instructions on how to play!!

Later that evening, both Jac & me were in the room doing our stuff when I heard him playing his drums & singing!! I quickly took out the camera & mgt to video this!! Ezra worshipping God on his drums!!

I was feeling kind of tired & dont feel like going out for lunch on Sat so checked out the fridge & cook baked rice for Ezra. Added chicken chunks, prawn, veg, carrot & onions, mixed it with milk & placed a slice of cheese on top & off it went into the bread toaster. The cheese was a little burnt but the baked rice turned out YUMMY!!. Also pan fried a beef patty as addition protein.

Love Egg & Yummy Cheesecake

It has been a while since I made this very yummy but super fattening non-bake pineapple cheesecake.... It's really simple to do just mix marie biscuit or digestive biscuit with butter as base crust. Blend cream cheese, Nestle cream, pineapple juice, gelatin, sugar and pineapple. When I was doing it last evening, Ezra stood by watching it, he kept asking to taste it!! He licked clean the spoon aft use!! Here's the end product!!

I have seen Angie & MK blog abt making different shaped hard boiled egg which was so amazing to me & many times when I was at Diaso, I just cant find the egg shaper!! We were at IMM & went to Diaso, again tried looking for it but failed.. just when I was abt to give up, I spotted a pack (1 heart & 1 star) which was hanging on the rack among all wrong things!! Someone left it there by mistake & I found it!! God You are so good!! I quickly pay for it...

Once I got home, cant wait to try it.... while boiling the egg, I added some food colouring to the water, hoping to have coloured egg... but that failed (coloured only @ the crack line)!! Anyway, peeled the shell, put it into the mold & soak it in iced water. The result.... not to bad! I am keeping this for Ezra's bkf tml!!

Hot Pot

Remember some time i blog abt a horible mini hotpot? Last evening, my MIL had cravings for hotpot so off we went to the famous Hainanese Steamboat with chicken rice at Golden Mill. Its really good with meat slices, sea cucumber, fish maw, veg etc... unlike many that has processed food items.

Ezra finished an almost full soup bowl of chicken rice, meat, soup & veg!! Well done son!

Its was a good & satisfying meal... after dinner, Ezra con nai nai to give him money for his car ride!!

Goodbye Nan, Kwai, Neville & Kerryn

Its a sad day for my family... today my sis family is going away to Shanghai for at least 2-3 yrs...

We were at the airport T3 abt 8.15am, many came to send them off, Kwai family, Nan's family, their CG, Sandy, Kerryn's good pals from sch, Neville teacher, Lai Kuan & Brian.... shld have abt 50 odd persons. People were just moving ard & sending their well wishes. Pic were taken & its time to go in.... Hugs were exchanged and tears flowing.... I really dislike these kind of sending off...

Even as I write on my blog, my tears are rolling down... Goodbye Kwai, Nan, Neville & Kerryn... all the best & may God's peace and grace rest upon you as your journey to a new land and adventure. We will be missing you BIG time.

Finally! A Home of our own! Details...

Yes yes very excited that we finally going to have a home of our own.....

We have been looking ard for HDB near church cos I am working there & Ezra has started going to school there. Right now, Ezra goes to my sis place near church after school but she is moving away next year which explains why we are desperate to buy one soon, although we know the current mkt may not be the best time to buy!!

We make a list of what are some must have's for our new home....
1. near church
2. within 1km from St Andrews (since we are moving might as well plan ahead)
3. corner unit
4. 4 room
5. lift landing

Started searching thru classified but eventually engaged an agent.... went to view quite a few units, everyone we see is a potential!! We saw a unit at Potong Pasir, high level, offered 25k, owner still not keen to sell, looking for 40k. I was very disappointed when agent told us to give up on that unit. Viewed another unit at St George's 2nd flr, nice unit but realised outside 1km from St Andrews. I was disappointed again & almost wanted to buy out of desperation... but Jac insisted to the agent that we want to see another unit before deciding. A good friend, Brian shared with us abt his experience buying his home, he remembered knowing that house was his once he stepped into it & that God will keep that house for you.

On Sunday, agent mgt to fix a viewing for another unit at Potong Pasir immediately aft service. Its a 2nd flr unit. Once we stepped in, walked to the kitchen, it was almost like our dream kitchen, a semi island concept, a wet area for laundry, a built in oven & even a small table for eating!! As we walked to other rooms the more we liked it! The whole place is so well renovated and well kept!!

After we left the house, agent told us that the owners are asking for 50k above valuation!! Considering the amt of work done & really no need for renovation, 50k is quite reasonable but we dont have that kind of $$!! Told agen to offer what we can afford so he went back to house while we waited at the playground. During that time, sms close friends & family to pray & claimed that house for us. Agent came back, told us that they have another 2nd viewing by interested family at 2pm and will see after that!!

We went back to church for a meeting & they prayed that God would grant us favour & the desires of our heart. After the meeting, together with Lai Kuan & Brian decided to go in faith to Josephine place in Potong Pasir & wait for agent call. 2nd viewing was fixed at 4.30pm. When we got there, took a critically look ard & made final offer & it was ACCEPTED!! We were a little surprised & aft the signing of some option to purchase, the lady owner was telling us that although price a bit low, but she prefered us compared to other family and decide to sell!!

Truely God's favour was with us and we witness God working throughout this!! I was so glad Jac refused to compromise & God certainly did not short change us, all our list were met except lift landing but on 2nd flr, who needs a lift!!

God, You are so good... Thank you Jesus!!

Finally! A Home of our own!

Just want to share that by the grace of God, on the 12th Oct 2008 Sunday, we have finally manage to get a place we can call our home.

Viv is especially excited, and I'm just waiting for the day to come when we can move in. hehehe.

Ezra love the place too, so that kind of makes it easier for us.

Well, for the details, I will leave it to Viv to share with you all. =D

Family Time

We dont feel like going out for dinner this evening so I cooked seafood horfun. Aft dinner, we sat together & watched Veggie tales. It was the story of Daniel who refused to bow to the king & was thrown into the lion dens. Ezra sat on my lap, with him close to me, I told him some of the 'truth' and explain the story to him. Jac also contributed and told him abt staying true to God & He will protect us. It was such a warmth moment & I really treasured such times. It is both our prayers and Ezra would grow up knowing God and fllowing His ways and staying in God's plans for his life. What we can do now is to plant and water these seeds in his life.

1st Speaking Assignment

Haha I had my 1st speaking assignment with a gp called "Mothers of Pre-schoolers". They wanted me to share on this topic "Preparing Your Child for Pre-school". It was a nice cosy group of mummies at 1 of the members home in SengKang.... Her place is tastefully done with a very English country concept.... nice!!

The sharing went ok, 2 mummies asked more questions than others as they have kids going to pre-school..

It was a good experience for me...

Too Young for F1 race??

Well with all the craze abt F1 race, the children in kdgn also had they share bit of F1.... everyone had their very own racing cars with painted wheels!!

Getting ready....

Flag off... Brrm Brrm

Hey, be careful dont get into my lane...

Quick Update

Last 2 weeks has been so crazy... very busy with the preparation of Canaan Funfair on Oct 1 to celebrate church & kindergarten anniversay as well as Childrens' Day. A lot of work was put into organizing this. The event was a big success. We were kind of worried when it poured so heavily the night before but come Oct 1... it was cloudy with much breeze!! It was perfect weather. Everyone from church & kindergarten came to help out. It was such a thrilling feeling to see many working together. An estimated over 200 adults + 200 children + 80 teens came for the event!!

For me, it was a good opportunity to mingle with parents and the community!!

After this event, I finally relax and settle back to normal routines & suddenly realised that my trusty administrator last day will be coming Tues!! My pinic button is now on. So much things to do & think!!

Ezra's cough is on & off for almost 1 month liao... we tried chinese medi most times for this round but my patience is getting thin so finally decided to bring him to Dr Tan. Thank God his lungs & ears are cleared but he does have a fairly congested nose which is the trigger for the cough especially in the night!! Praying and claiming complete healing for Ezra, Amen!!

Ezra has been exposed to much Bible songs and he is singing so much these days. He is constantly huming and singing praises to God!! I had to lead worship for Kids Church on Sunday, while I was preparing & listening to songs, Ezra joined me and even followed me witht he actions!! I treasured such times with him.

We have been house hunting, gone some viewing of flats in church area and even at Potong Pasir. Really like a unit in Potong Pasir offered them 25k COV but agent informed us that ower rejected the offer.... kind of feeling sad...