A KISS OF AN ANGEL

Another Art Center

2011-06-04T20:00:00.000+08:00

Her 1st lesson

We saw another Art Centre 'D' in town with a lot of kids going in and out everyday and we decided to take look. Angel says she wants to join the ballet lessons but they were only accepting kids 5 years old for ballet lessons.

*For that Angel has been eating 'more' veggies lately because she said she wants to be 5 year old fast! :P*

They were required to decorate their own kites and when she knows what's she's gonna do for the day, she was super excited!

Only 1 other boy (also new member) is joining her kite making class that day. Although we were given the chances to see Angel doing her art work in her class but she keeps turning around to look at me not paying attention to her teacher so I decided to wait outside the classroom , 'listening' to how her class was being conducted.

She can't wait to show me her first kite and say, "妈妈，你看！我‘发’（画）的 kite！" (Mommy, see the kite I have drawn) Her mandarin has improved tremendously over the months and she will call me "妈妈" in front of her 'Chinese' friends and teachers, instead of calling me Mommy *laugh* Sometimes I will be like "Who is mama ... oh, it's me!!" So not use to being call Mama in mandarin :P

She decorated her kites full of BALLS! Colourful balls (so irregularly shaped balls?? hehehehe) in the park with some flowers on the ground. Of course, not missing all the smiley faces again ^_^ First time I saw her do her colouring so neatly and colourfully.

Her 2nd lesson

They put her into the normal drawing classes together with the other kids who are 5 years old and she was very excited to see so many friends in her class. I waited for her outside the classroom and I can hear her loud voice saying, "我！我！我！我！”（me!me!me!）whenever teacher asking the kids to do/ perform something ^_^

I managed to capture some precious pictures of my little girl when one of her classmates went to the toilet who forgot to close the classroom door :P :P All of the kids were soooooo cute wearing their little apron doing the art work :)

After the class ended, she opened the door, walked pass me without even say hi to her own mom *Sigh! Shake head* and chasing behind her little friends saying, "我要洗手！我要洗手！'洗手'在那里？"（ I want to wash my hand and where is the wash area?）I am glad that she could communicate with the little kids more and more now ^_^

When daddy wants to help her, she asked daddy to stay away and tell daddy, "No ... I want to wash my hand ALL BY MYSELF!" Angel always has been a very independent girl since very young. But daddy must be feeling a little disappointed while watching the rest of the kids next to our girl who let their parents 'having the honour' to wash their little one's hand but him. *smile* Poor daddy~~~.

Presenting her art work! According to her teacher, she did almost all of her drawings and cutting all by herself because she refused the teacher to help her out *hhmmm ... that's her* but that was indeed a very pretty piece of work :) I am so proud of her :)

Some drawings by her classmates and the drawings all look so cute and naive! I just love each and every one of the drawings so much :) It put smiles on my face :) Some young kids were doing the pottery work in the other classroom too.

The next day, I asked Angel to draw Mommy and that's what she drew. No more 'stick man/woman' and she starts drawing fingers and eyes with eyes lashes and flowers with leaves. A good improvement isn't it?

Most importantly is, Angel loves her lesson so much. But after a month of trial classes, somehow I find the lesson is a bit ...... too 'formal', as formal as those we used to attend during our primary school years? But the drawings from the kids were so cute!!!!

I did talk to the teachers about my concern and the teacher ensured me that they won't teaches the kids how to draw but will 'guide' them instead. However, I am still in a dilemma whether I should put such lesson on hold until she is a few years older as I read somewhere from the book that such lesson would kill a young kid's natural creativity and being mould into one of the same kind?

Searching For Lightings

2011-06-03T18:12:00.001+08:00

Some of the lightings in our house started playing tricks on us. That day when I am doing my readings in the living room, suddenly the lights went off and it really gave me a shock staying in the total darkness. The problems seem to be persistent even after a light bulb changed. I guess it's a good reason for me to change some of the lighting fixtures around the house as they looks kind of worn out especially the wall lighting in the living hall. Should I get a single or double wall sconces this round? They all looks so beautiful.

We have plans to buy a few more standing lamps for the reading room and the dinning area too. I find that by adding a few more lightings around the house does makes a great difference in the total ambience without having to actually doing interior or renovating work in order to get the total new look and feel. I truly believe that a few good lightings placed in the appropriate places really make such great difference for the house. It not only highlights some dull corners of the rooms which we never pay attention to before, but also make good use of some 'abandon' place which previously looks so unattractive.

Too bad that we don't have a garden outside the house. If we do, I few of the landscape lightings will absolutely looks perfect. However, we do have plans to replace our current outdoor ceiling lights to a more contemporary type of lamps. No matter what choices we made, energy saving is the main concern as these lightings would be switched on for long hours during the nights. I am glad that most of such outdoor lighting fixtures do come with an energy savings options. Hence I gets to enjoy the brightness and beautiful mood created by these lightings and yet, do not need to worry about paying high electrical bills ^_^

Happy Children's Day

2011-05-31T19:25:00.000+08:00

We will be celebrating Children's Day (1st June) here in Shanghai and I think schools around here will be closing for 1 day to celebrate Children's Days too.

Sales were going on in most toys shops and parents were rushing to get some gifts to cheer up their kids while bakeries were catering for all sorts of cute cakes celebrating the day :)

I also did some baking for the day to cheer up my little girl and the little cupcakes were finally done with hubby and little Angel's "help" :) She even make 2 of her own cupcakes *smile* Can you spot them? (Answers at the bottom page)

This is my first fondant cupcakes and I just love the vibrant colours which goes well with the Children's Day theme ^_^

Happy Children's Day to all the Children in this world ^_^

Daddy and mommy love you all so so much! *muaks*

P/s: Top left (apple tree) and lower right (rainbow?) was Angel's creation ^_^

Her Painting Class - DaShuXia 2

2011-05-27T08:00:00.000+08:00

She has been asking to go to her drawing class so many times and I have to call up the teacher for another extra painting session. This is the little alley that we have to crossed to get to her classe everytime and the little girl is so happy posing for me ^_^

There she enters this little wooden door where the enchanted garden was. I wonder why she has to pose with her fingers pointing up like that :)

This place is filled with a great sense of artistically feel. Beautiful paintings and colours are all over the place and waited for me to explore and wherever I looked. I can't fail to get great pictures from any corner I pointed my camera at ^_^

She has a very nice little garden surrounded by beautiful flowers and trees. Butterflies flying around, birds chipping and it's truly an oasis in the middle of this gigantic city of concrete!

I can see little details worth capturing in and out this place and I do hope that the teacher doesn't mind me posting up 'her house' as I find it very hard to resist showing how beautifully that she has done to make her 'home' so serene and beautiful.

Her little garden was decorated with small details which never fails to bring surprises and smile onto my face. What a heaven on earth hiding in that small little space that she owns. Looking out of the windows everyday seeing trees swaying and flowers smiling at you every morning .... owww, I wanna live there ^_^

There ..... my little girl, attending her art class in that comfy living room sitting on that cute little chairs and tables doing what she likes to do.

The huge painting there was the teacher's art of work. Oh my .... so talented and it looks so real (and expensive :P) ..... and to be able to cultivate my little girl's creativity in such a heavenly space is truly a blessing.

There Angel was, sitting quietly and doing her art work without making a move .... again! Fully concentrating in her work.

While waited for her, I can help myself with the massive collection of books and novels from the shelves. It's the teacher's own collection and mostly were about arts around the world, travelling and children's award winning publications around the world. I can sit there the entire day digging for 'treasure' in the bookland while sipping into the coffee ready by the teacher everyday :) :) :)

Angel is asked to 'design' an outfit today. The teacher asked her to named her favourite animals and she think for awhile and said, "I love Giraffe ~~"

But when the teacher suggested that they design an outfit for her beloved giraffe and suddenly, she dissented strongly saying that giraffe doesn't need to wear clothes! @_@ When asked why can't we, she just pretested and said, "Giraffe is not a people (human) ~~." @_@

So finally, they agreed on a self portrait and designing a nice dress for herself instead. She wants the teacher to draw a 'pretty Angel' and she picked her own colour and asked to have that self portrait wearing a nice pink skirt holding 2 giraffe soft toys.

The teacher was impressed that she could and 'insisted' to paint the border neatly (teacher asked me was she a virgo @_@) and also giving her little blouse a nice purple touch to match with her pink skirt. Initially, she wanted a light green pants with a dark green shoes .....

...... but the light green pants and the dark green shoes end up with the same green all over :P :P :P

Finally, she get to choose some decorations for her hair. She picked a green ribbon and then further requested for another a red piece of cloth. She then made a 'scarf' for herself! *smile* She likes balloons which I always declined to get her one hence she wanted the teacher helping her to do an orange balloon in her drawing.

As when the teacher thought that she was done, suddenly she reached for a blue and painted herself (at the right lower corner) a dog and a rocket flying on top of the dog!!!! *laugh* Errmm ..... I think she was longing for a pet dog too?

She was very pleased with her own creation and requested to have her picture taken like that ..... cheeky little girl ^_^

I absolutely love this piece of art done by her. And the more I looked at it, the more I love it ^_^

I was informed that in the formal class, the kids will be grouping into small groups and requested to do some handcrafts and some act / play / story telling time using the handcrafts that they have made. Once in awhile, the class will be wrapped up with a small tea party in the garden or something which will cheer the kids up too :)

Initially I thought that she will find such art classes too plain (no running, playing and singing, etc) but surprisingly, she told me she likes the class very much (and also constantly asking for a ballet lesson too @_@).

This place is such a beautiful and enchanting little secret garden hiding in the middle of the CBD. I think this is the 'one and only' place where she could really sit still and fully concentrating in whatever she is doing for hours without being told to for once, just like a little ...... princess :)

I am so happy that we have found such a "too good to be true" place for her art session to be conducted looking. No more boring classes and concrete wall :P

We went there pretty often now ...... and this is her 3rd craft + drawing from her lesson. She has done a fish origami paper craft + a house and there she goes, a fish family with her flying house travelling under the sea :)

If everything is according to plan, this will be another place where Angel would hang around often from now on venturing into her world of colours and play ^_^

Painting With An Artist - DaShuXia 1

2011-05-26T08:01:00.001+08:00

Brought Angel for another drawing session with one of the very beautiful and talented teacher in town. Actually, she is not any ordinary teacher ..... or should I say she is an artist who do arts as a living ^_^ What an artist!

When we reached her place, it's already 3pm while Angel starts to get a little grumpy from escaping her afternoon nap. Once she saw her painting board being put up on the drawing rack that way, she quickly sit down on her little chair saying, "我要paint~~! 我要paint~~!"

^ ^ She seriously need a nap coz she looks so tired!

But once the little paint brush is in her hand, the engine inside her is moving again ^_^ I am really glad that the painting session is conducted outdoor overlooking a beautiful garden. Not as boring as sitting in a confined area breathing air con all day long :)

The theme for the day was "Plant" and the beautiful teacher asked Angel to paint her very own garden but she replied, "but ... I don't know how to paint wor!" @_@ She need some warming up usually. So the teacher encouraging her by painting a little blue flower for her and how to use the colour mixing pallet, slowly the little girl moves her brush across the drawing paper and making her first stroke.

The teacher watched her silently while helping her along the way and I saw my little girl extremely x1000 concentrated in her work without even saying a word! *surprised* On and off I heard her telling the teaching "我要洗～～"(I want to wash my brush) or "不不不～～"(no no no) or "我要这个red ～～" (I want red) or "你用big，我用small～～"(you used the big brush, I use the small one) but, her eyes were glued to her work all the time.

And there she was, 'Angel The Little Artist' putting in her 100% concentration expressing her thoughts in her drawings :P No jumping and monkeying around, no talking and screaming unnecessary, no moving her feet up and down, no constantly moving left and right from her chair like she has insects in her pants, no "mommy how? mommy how? mommy how oh" calling me thousand times non stop like what she normally does when she did her drawings with me at home.

She just sit there quietly, doing what she has to do and everything seems so calm and serene for once (I can actually hear birds chipping, no kidding :P) and that lasted for the entire 1 an hour! Simply magical!!

The teacher come over and told me she has quite a good concentration for kids her age. I just smiled unbelievably ^_^

Even I walked passed her and took pictures of her but she doesn't seems to be disturbed by my existence at all, unlike she used to call me and look at me with some other classes we had attended. I am like thin air to her that day :P

What a great artistic pose of drawing my little artist ^_^

The end results is simply so cute! She drew a few flowers with stars (blue and yellow) all over the skies with a "Person" (as she said) holding a Teddy Bear (drew by teacher). A big red sun in the middle with a heart-shape friend. Dark blue snails are crawling under the flowers too.

The teacher told us that from her drawings, she can see that Angel is a very happy and a jolly little 'blue' girl holding her teddy bear (teddy bear by teacher.) ^_^. She loves bright colour and she would painted everything + everyone in her work with a big bright smiling face. Teacher told me that's a very encouraging sign from a young children because it shows how HAPPY they were at her present stage.

Oh my ..... at that moment, silly me almost broke down in happy tears. Hey, how many chances that a mom gets to be told that her girl is really feeling HAPPY deep down inside? I am smiling ear to ear even in my dreams to know that my girl is HAPPY :)

This teacher is indeed very talented and has a few of her own publications / books all of her own drawings and art works (refer picture below) and she also draws for the World Expo Shanghai 2011 too. What's more, her beutiful garden and her living room is entirely designed, decorated and hand painted all by herself! I am a total handicapped when it comes to arts and drawings! Urrggh!! And now, wow ..... I think we met a real life artist for once!

Must get her to autograph my book next time ^_^

Creativity and Imaginary Builder - Baby Art

2011-05-24T15:00:00.004+08:00

Finally brought Angel for her first Art class in Baby Art. I called it an art class because they don't teach drawings. Instead, they teaches everything and anything around us and let the children express their own imagination through art (drawings, handcrafts, act, etc).

This art center is located at a new shopping mall so we have time to enjoy a good bowl of WanTon Mee and roasted goose + pork at one of the restaurant there before heading to her class. She is all excited when the teacher helped her to put on her little blue apron :) Luckily she didn't asked for a pink one :P

When I first stepping into her class ...... "OMG" was the only word coming out from my mind! The wall .... the wall in the classroom was full of the kids' "work of art"!!!! *I am praying that she doesn't do that at home :P* But comes to think of it, it's indeed a great opportunity for the kids to express themselves as and how they liked it. Why do they only given the freedom to draw on that proper boring art paper placing neatly on tables? Why not on the walls (or bathroom walls) if they were meant for that purposes and allowed such a little space of thier own to express themselves? *relief a little*

So I hold Angel's hands told her that this is a "wall of art" where she can drew as per teacher's instruction ...... and ..... and .... and ...... of course, I also can't stop myself from reminding her that she can never-ever do that at home! *sorry, can't help it :P*

She doesn't seems to miss us at all and were mingling happily with the little boy in her class. I was told that the kids were going to do "Things up in the sky" for that day and the teacher will do some story telling and act before they can draw their own "Things up in the sky" just the way they liked it.

After waving the loooooooong goodbye *from daddy and mommy actually, sob sob*, we waited / watched our little girl participated in her class from the CCTV screen at the waiting hall anxiously. We saw the teacher switched off the lights and took out a flashlight, while the kids taking turn do some treasure hunting in the sky up up above (ceilings actually :P) and following the teacher doing some moves and happily going round and round the classroom ^_^

Before the class ended, we were invited to take a look at Angel's first painting. According to the teacher:

1) She loves pink and only wants pink!
2) She is a 天生小管家 / "The Little Teacher" in class who likes to take care and look after for other kids while sometimes totally forgetting about her own work :P
3) She wants to do most of the things herself without help! *that sound so much like her*
4) She refused to paint the sky black (night) and insisted to have her night sky painted in blue! :P
5) She printed a few Stars, Shooting Stars, a Pink Moon and also a Car in her sky! When asked was there a car in the sky, she said YES! *laugh* Too much Little Einstein and Mickey Mouse Club House?
6) She takes instruction very well dispite the language barrier (but must remined her over and over gain) and is very helpful towards other kids. Very helpful until she help the other kid to draw a moon (and insisted must have a moon in the sky) on his piece of art work! :P

After the class, kids were to washed their little hands in this cute little wash area designed especially for the kids! I love the vibrant colours of the wash area, so cute!

She also got 3 stickers for her job well done which she refused to take it off her face. She was walking around the mall with those stickers on until her sweats melted the stickers away finally. When she found her stickers was missing, she insisted the teacher has took them away and would return it to her when she meets her next week :P Sure ..... Sure my baby :)

When we left, there was a kids birthday party going on and the kids were to decorate their own birthday cakes with the help from their mommy! That's so pretty!

Angel keep asking to join the group but I told her it's mei mei's birthday party and she has to be invited. She was very sad despite I told her that I will bring her to another baking session with me soon. Luckily after a few shirt pulling and floor stamping, finally she settle for a mommy and Angel's cake celebration in a nearby cafe. My Angel just love baking so much!

The 2 pieces of art work from her 2 lessons in Baby Art. On the left is the "Things Up In The Sky" and the one of the right is the "Things in the sea". She didn't drew the sea creatures on the drawing but she helped to paint the colour of the sea and telling teacher what she wants on her painting. Nice try though since it's her first few classes :)

I really liked the concept of the art class which cultivating kids imagination and thoughts through arts. I was told it was a concept brought into the country from the US and sure enough, Angel loves her class so much.

Fee: RMB 9,600 (RM4,800) for 48 sessions (50 minutes) class, paying upfront. *hair pulling*

I Found The Little Angel In Her

2011-05-23T13:03:00.007+08:00

I was having a terrible tummy ache and our little girl has been asking me out for a pizza for days. Hubby was attending his usual 'business' dinner with his clients and will be heading home late. I was lying in bed when she woke up from her long nap and without being helped, she got herself all dressed up in her outdoor outfit, walked into my room ready to get going while she saw me still not getting ready yet lying lifelessly on bed.

"Angel, mommy is having a tummy ache so we might not be going for a pizza today ok?" I said

She looked at me and frown then suddenly putting both her hands on my tummy and pressed hard while I was groaning in pain and asked what was she doing.

"Mommy, I massage your tummy ah ...."

"If mommy's tummy pain-pain nevermind la, we go next time la." Then still with her outdoor outfit on, she went back to her room and watched the TV without protesting for the sudden changed of plans.

Ater few hours tossing and turning on the bed, I drag myself up and get changed as I have a promise to keep. It's heart breaking to see disappointment in my girls' eyes especially when she is being such an angel. When she saw me get ready to go, her eyes all brighten up and jumping around in joy while repeating "Mommy, I love you so-very much mommy!" *kids are so easy to please*

So we walked down the streets, a very windy night at 10pm where most shops have closed and our girl who normally refused me to hold her hands who always jumping and doing her dangerous hip hop moves on the streets, grasp my hand tightly *surprise* while constantly checking on me

"Mommy, is your tummy still (in) pain? I hold your hand ok? We walk slowly ok? Is that slow-slow enough mommy?" She really doesn't sound like the normal loud and noisy little girl that she was.

Luckily, the pizza shop is opened 24 hours *yeah*. As I climbed up the stairs, she hold on tight to my hands tightly and said

"Mommy, you walk slowly ok?"

"Mommy, don't worry, I will listen to you and not make you angry ok?"

I look at my girl unbelievably and with a feeling of contentedness which I never felt before. ^_^

^ ^ Looking at the menu to see what's she wants to eat

So she ordered her own food *I didn't know she could do that* for the very first time, eating herself without being constantly reminded to and even helped me to 'take care' of my mobile phone when I was walking to get our drinks from the counter.

^ ^ Little pussy cat ^_^

On the way back, we were making stops all the way home because this little constantly hugging both my legs repeatedly and the only words she said to me was

"Mommy, I love you so-very much!" ^_^ That's the sweetest magic potion on earth and I feels so warm holding her little hands in mine walking down the windy lane.

When we headed back home, she didn't protest like she normally does. She gets herself changed back to her pajamas, hang all her clothes back to where they should be and even helped me to do the dishes in the kitchen, sweep the floor, gets the mop ready for me and then watched her cartoon without ..... without creating any 'trouble' at all.

She even helped me to fetch my pajamas when I was about to take my bath and even helped me to blow dry my hair ^_^ I am being served like a queen ^_^

Tonight was so incredibly ..... Warm and PEACEFUL, for once since many many ~~months~~ years ago. There was once crossed my mind that how nice that it would be if ~~I can be sick more often~~ I am healthy and well while she will behave so angelically for the rest of her growing years.

Tonight, I am smiling in my dream because .......

~~~~ I finally get a little glimpse of that little ANGEL in my girl ^_^ ~~~~

My Mother's Day 2011

2011-05-21T12:39:00.004+08:00

Another belated post again :P

We 'kind of' celebrated Mother's Day but not as excited as before since it's just a normal day here and it has been 4 years since I first become mom. As usual, I asked for my mother's day gift from hubby and he reminded that he gave me 'something' a week earlier and that's my gift so no more gift for that day *sob sob*

^ ^ Men are always not into the details. A gift to his wife and wrapped it in Angel's Toy'R Us wrapper?? *cik cik cik*

Angel saw mommy has a gift and she wanted a gift too. Lately she can be very long-winded and will be asking for something for the entire day until she gets it. So in order to have a peace and quite day just for once, I gave in and get her a little gift from my secret 'gift-box' and she actually saw where I pull the toys out from *careless me* saying she wanted to unwrapped all of them! Of course a big no-no as I have saved them for specials occasions so I asked her to pick just one and it's a cake set play dough with some new tools ^_^

I have forgotten what we had for breakfast and lunch but we did have a great tea break in Citta Cafe, @Hui Hai Road because I have finally found the greatest sandwich in town that I really x10000 liked. The coffee is ok and the salad is good but the sandwich is superb with the super chewy + crunchy bread, ham, tomatoes, dressing and my favourite super-strong flavoured imported cheese! Angel couldn't take the strong taste from the cheese so all end up in mommy's tummy (belly) :P

While sitting in the cafe, I asked hubby it's ok that no gift for the day but he has to make me something special and worth remembering while I headed to my once in a blue moon indulgence - a Thai massage. When I am done and rush back home, hubby said he has done his surprise and handed me a plate of ..... I don't know what to call it which consist of strawberries and sausages and chinese bak-kua (grilled pork)? What a weird combination that only he can ever think of, hahahaha. But I am happy with the 'heart shape' bak-kua that he has done for me.

Talking about the heart shaped bak-kua .... has he been ransacking into my bento tools again?

Ta daa .... as I have mention to him earlier that the salad we had in the cafe was quite good, this fellow is so capable to copy other's idea and make me another round of homemade salad. I can't stop laughing when I saw how nicely he has decorated his creation and even sprinkles some cheese on top of it. *clap clap* I am impressed ^_^

As I told him, this year I would make it simpler for him and I will get myself my own mother's day cake! I have an unused voucher from a bakery nearby and I am so happy to finally get rid of it before it expired. Well ..... the cake doesn't look the same as it was shown in the catalogue at all!!! And hubby commented that it's the most 'anciently' decorated cake that nobody does that in town anymore (yes, I can see that!! Urrggghhh ..... ) but luckily once we dig in, hubby love the taste and so does Angel. But due to the unattractive decoration of the cake, maybe we would never go back to that bakery again unless they are offering a very attractive deal.

Angel thought it's my birthday and she sang me Happy Birthday Song, asking me to make a wish while she hopped onto her high chair waiting for her share :)

To be able to hear Angel's sweet voice wishing me "Mami, Happy Mother's Day" can really brings tears of joy into my eyes :)

Althought it's just another ordinary day with all the food and cake, somehow I think I had a great Mother's Day just how I liked it ^_^

I have dimples

2011-05-19T14:00:00.007+08:00

^ ^ Hello everyone! It's me The Little Annabelle again ^_^Today I am going to show you what little tricks I am able to do now :P

^ ^ See?? I can create a little dimple on my right cheek :P

^ ^ I can do it on my left cheek too ^_^

^ ^ Huh?? You missed that?? Ok ok .... here it goes again. Clear or not clear this time?

^ ^ Aikss .... so tiring after all the mouth exercises but you must be thinking is that all I can do?

^ ^ Eh eh eh .... don't go yet, I haven't show you my ultimate trick which I can makes the adults running towards me! You don't believe ah?

^ ^ hehehehehe .... Open you eyes big and wide lo.

^ ^ I can bite that steering wheel off !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Don't play play with my 2 little super sharp teeth oh! Or else hor, the adults won't be so kan-cheong and stopping me from grinding my teeth on that steering wheel.

But hor ... I wonder why the steering wheel sometimes taste a bit like my yesterday's milk? Do you know ah?

Fun For Kids - School Hunting?

2011-05-18T15:38:00.011+08:00

The school semester officially started in September over here and we are busy school hunting for our little Angel who is ready to enter kindergarten. So I told her we would visit one of her school tomorrow which makes her very excited.

In the morning, she woke up in a jolly good mood and dressed herself up automatically ready to get going (I just wished that she could keep that up forever!) and before we left, she asked me for her toddler backpacks that everyone is carrying to their classes. I told her that this is just an unofficial visit so she doesn't need one and luckily, she didn't pressed for it further.

I am happy that she didn't zip her lips tightly just like before and happily talking and responding to the teacher's questions :)

The very nice classrooms with a very big interaction board as shown above which is a very huge interactive touch screen.

The small library with some reading materials and toys for the kids. The school also have a computer room and a movements and musical room for kids to have their classes conducted accordingly.

This is the area where the kids taking their naps. I think it look tidy and clean. If Angel were to take her naps there, I will certainly brought along her cute pink turtle nap mats which will makes her feeling as cosy as home. We both loves her nap mats!

The school actually looks great and the teacher was very friendly too. Angel enjoyed herself so much that she took off her shoes and jackets while running around wanted the teacher to chase after her @_@

And of course, she did it again. She was so happily running around and locking all doors preventing the teachers to come in and finally locked herself up in the main entrance of the school building. The 2 teachers who have the keys tried to unlock the door but the electronic door just won't open up. And the other person who has the master key to the door was on leave! So all of the teachers on duty starts panicking calling on the phone asking for help while I was standing at the door telling Angel we are playing a rescue game so don't go anywhere while I saw her nodded her head and peeping out from the little space in between the door smiling happily (yes, she is still smiling) waited to be rescue.

So after 15 minutes and with Angel starting to feel hunger and asking for her Stephen Joseph water bottle and lunch box, the teachers were still calling around asking for keys! I asked one of the teacher is there an alternative way instead of using the key only then they told me there was actually a switch beside the door but too high for Angel to reach. Sigh .... should have told me earlier!! So I told Angel about the switch and true enough, she can't even reached it and then suddenly, she put her index finger near her head just like how we used to play our thinking game and said, "Err, let me think ..... AHHHH HAAAAAA!!!!"

She quickly moved herself into one of the teacher office and pushed out a big and heavy chair (I am glad that I feed her well :P) and then climbed on top of the chair while my heart bounced so fast ...

CLICK~~~!!! the door suddenly open up and everyone was shouting with joy and Angel stepped out of the room saying, "Yes, We did it!!!!" and give me 5 @_@ She must have thought that she is Dora in one of Dora's great advanture!

So finally we left the school with this little ~~naughty girl~~ Hero wearing a big great smile on her face! She is so happy that she has rescue herself from the locked door telling me, "Mommy, the school is so much fun!!!!" *gulp* with me still wiping my sweat away from her 1st mischievous in her 1st day in school.

I am sure that our 'fun time' is just a beginning .... *double gulp*

Bento #10: Little Piggie Bento

2011-05-17T20:00:00.000+08:00

This is my 1st attempt using the Hello Kitty egg mould which I have bought more then 2 years ago ...... and guess what, only to found out that the egg is too small for the mould *alamak* That's the largest egg which I could get from the market here, aikkkss! And I couldn't even get a clear fiture of Hello Kitty with missing ears too. When I added an extra pair of external ears using some bread corner, Hello Kitty looks more like a piglet or a cute little cat rather then the cute Hello Kitty itself *laugh* So I asked Angel can I make a Piggie Bento for her instead, luckily she said yes *phew*

This is super duper quick bento almost nothing to be done apart from punching a few eyes and mouth for the 'sausages cat and dog brothers' :) This is also Angel's first trials of having sausages in her bento and she loves it so much! But I told her that eating too much sausages is not good as it was too salty for kids and she told me she would eat them once very other day wor. But I am glad that she haven't been asking for them yet.

While I am fixing her bento, she refused to leave me alone and wanted to see how things was done and 'learn' how to make one as she puts it :P :P But once I leave to get something from the kitchen and return, I would normally found the seaweed or some of the deco has been moved around or missing from where it should be.

Angel doesn't likes seaweed but she just cannot stop herself from licking them off the faces :) If she sees fruits in her bento, normally the fruits would vanished in no time before the bento is done if I were to leave it for a second with her around :P

And was she happy with her little Piggie Bento instead of the Hello Kitty bento? Kids would never hide thier delights from thier little faces ^_^

Mission accomplished ^_^

What She Draws [3Y10M]

2011-05-16T17:28:00.002+08:00

Found some of Angel's previous drawings and artwork in my phone album and thought of posting it up here for easy viewing. Below are using finger-paint from Crayola and she refused me to do any modification to her drawings hence the gorilla on the top left and the butterfly on the lower right are without any eyes :P [2Y10M]

We also did some 3D puzzle but she doesn't really like it hence mommy was the one who did most of the work. We also did a figurine out of the toilet roll and she called her dolly - Princess Jane.

Below are some of her sketches before she turns 4. She drew mommy and doesn't looks like me at all :) She also drew a monsters and after she has done, she doesn't dare to get near her own drawing *laugh*

Some art work which she has done with grandma during her stay with grandma. She could sit down on her high chair and did all the cut and paste for a good few hours then but I can see that she has loosen some of her interest in it as she gets older. Now she would cut most of her work and asked me to paste them for her :(

She likes to draw tress and people especially people with a smiley face :)

^ ^ Top left: Trees with huge trunks which looks like carrots!
^ ^ Top right: An apple tree ... do you noticed a bird flying on top of the tree?
^ ^ Lower left: A tree again ..... with Mommy and Angel holding hands walking in the garden
^ ^ Lower right: She drew Some animals and people in the zoo and I can only noticed a tiger (or a cat?) at the bottom :P

On my birthday, I asked her where is my birthday cake she promised and she drew me a birthday cake with 4 candles on top! She thought mommy is only 4 years old just like her ...... ^_^ I love it so much!

We also made some lanterns together and she is a pretty handy girl and made her own lantern after our first trials.

Our first potato printing! She said she wanted to print fishes in the ocean and was very happy with her own work ^_^ [3Y10M]

She loves water colour very much and likes to print her own palm on her drawings just like how it was done in the TV show :) It's quite hard to get her to do the entire painting without living a big blank space but grandma did a very good job guiding her :)

a few more of her recent drawings and paintings to sort out from my camera since she has started a few of her drawing classes lately. I am glad that she loves her classes to bits and was literally bagging me to sent her to her drawing classes everyday :) More updates coming soon :) :)

Searching For The Perfect Lamp

2011-05-09T19:08:00.027+08:00

What’s up with the long silences? Yes, we are moving (just around the neighbourhood) again unfortunately, but I am glad that we survived the move and now settling down pretty well in our new home sweet home after the long packing and unpacking marathon *jumping with joy*.

Our new house has a very contemporary design and very bright with more windows as compare to our previous home. Most of the furnishing on the walls and floors were in white including our sofa set! I just hope that out little Angel and Annabelle would never ever thinking of adding any unwanted 'decorations' to their natural beauty any time soon. *finger crossed* I am also very please that the bedroom floors are wooden floorings which is great during winters. The suspended ceiling in the living room is nicely decorated with a pretty overhead chandelier and down-lights. However, I find the normal bright ceiling lightings are lack of some personality and softness especially in the living room. Therefore, the thoughts of getting a decent modern table lamp which complementing the current ambience around the house would be a perfect move.

Hence, we are busy searching for our perfect lamp over the weekend. And my oh my, I was presently surprised with the massive choices of beautifully designed modern table lamps available to us in the market nowadays. From the look of it, they not only served for our normal lighting purposes anymore but also, they resembles a high end decorative piece of artwork around the house which also reflected the personality of people living inside the house. These modern tables lamps not only brighten up or highlighted the used-to-be dull little spaces around the house but it also diffused lights throughout the area where it sits, adding a little more softness, elegance and cosiness to the existing bold and rigid space in a room.

As we have 2 young kids at home, a slightly heavier and stable type of table lamp at the base would be perfect for us avoiding easy tip over. I would be placing my beloved table lamp on the side table at the other corner of the living room in between the 2 sofas just in case Angel or Annabelle would wanted to drag it from its table. We would love to turn the table lamp into a leisure reading lamp too hence attention was brought into making sure that we have chosen the right height of the lamp with the lampshade fallen somewhere around the height of the ear level in order to eliminates shadow and avoid glare. we have also chosen a brighter energy saving light bulbs for our reading purposes and picked a lamp with a dimmer which I can module the brightness as I wanted. I loved the elegant yet modern look of my lamp which compliments with the contemporary designs of the house and I am glad that I have found my perfect lamp which is beautifully shinning over our living room now.

I am happy with my pick and now I am actually thinking, should I get myself the modern floor lamps which will look perfectly in our dinning room and the study room too?

Angel Is 4 Years Old

2011-04-01T20:01:00.009+08:00

So fast that Angel is turning 4!! I have always wanted to bake her a personal birthday cake and since I don't have an oven at my present house, I booked myself for a DIY baking session in a baking school for my big project but end up, our ~~busy-body~~ handy little birthday girl wants to play Angel-The-Baker instead and gets her own birthday cake done. ^_^

I was so amazed that she could almost do all the little measuring and mixing job perfectly! What a handy little girl she was and what was I doing then? Well ..... I became her assistant instead and proudly standing there smiling and 'entertaining' everyone who came over praising how well my little girl can handle the job! Something which is a bit out of planned actually *smiling embarrassingly*

Looking at her pouring and asking for help along the way telling me that my little girl is not a baby anymore which almost brings happy tears to my eyes :P :P. She was fully concentrated at ‘her project’ (not mine anymore, urrgghhh!) and even asked me to move my hands away from the utensils and telling me, "Mommy, I can do it all by myself!!" @_@

While waiting for the cake to settle, we pay for another cookie baking session. Now I can see that by playing her play dough at home really does polish up her motor skills perfectly :D

However, the cookie dough which we made seems to be a bit dry but the shop assistant assuring that it's alright. Urrggghhh ...... but Angel did have a great time moulding the cookies and even ran to others table and asked to help them moulding their dough! *embarrassing* However, those cookies turn out so well that Angel almost finished it off before we gets home!

When asked what birthday decorations she wants for the cake, she still asked for the same hello kitty cake! Ghee ..... she already had a Hello Kitty Cake (from Secret Recipe) which makes her on top of the world on her 3rd birthday and another Hello Kitty cake again this year?? After much persuasion for picking another cake, then she unwillingly asked for Tom and Jerry cake (pointing to Tom!!). Huh, Tom ?? Let's try again and this round she asked for a 'Wolf' cake! Huh?? A wolf cake?? Gosh ..... (slap forehead) Among the 3 choices, she will be having either a very cute hello kitty cake which she loves vs 2nd choice a Tom and Jerry cake vs a 3rd choice a wolf cake (huh?!!!) So you can easily guess which cake a mommy will choose for her little girl, right? :P *wipe sweat*

A Tiramisu Hello Kitty Cake as per our Princess wish! :) However, mommy was so eager to cream up the cake (1st time ma and the fun is unstoppable :P) and then ends up, she is having a Tiramisu cake loaded with fresh cream! *:P*

Of course, our little girl was so happy with her cake and told daddy that she is the one who baked the cake ‘all by herself’ and also helping with the decorations ^_^

When the clock strikes 12am, we brought the birthday girl into the room with her eyes covered and with her birthday girl party hat on! ^_^ She couldn't believe her eyes when she saw that we got her all those gifts and keep asking is it real that it's her birthday and she gets to open up all her gifts? That put a smile on my face to know that she is so happy ^_^

As the Hello Kitty Cake doesn't consider a surprise for her anymore, we decided to brighten up her days further with another Haagen Dazs Princess Cake on her birthday morning. She is a big fan of ice cream which she doesn't get many chances to indulge in. So her big day is an exceptional day for all she has wished for. The ice cream cake taste so great!! Yummy!

The smile on our little girl's face is definitely priceless!

To me, to see her living each day happily is my greatest pride and satisfaction being a mom! She doesn't need all those candles to brighten up her cute little face but I do need all those candles to remind me of how fast that our little girl has actually grown up, that I wanted to treasure each and every moment that she is still attaching to me like a leech and shouting for me, "mommy! mommy!" hundreds and hundreds time each and everyday for even the tiniest matters.

I will forgive all her mischievous and crankiness while trying my best to discipline her without spanking as I know one day, when all the wrong, bad behaviour or her mischievous stopped, it's time for me to let go while she, will be venturing her own life and having her own little family ahead, with or without mommy and daddy.

She would then pursue her dreams and chasing for her wishes while both mommy and daddy would watch her with our pride telling everyone that this is our girl that we brought up, hard and sweat! ^_^

I just hope that she could feels deep down inside that how much we loved her and how much we will loved her forever. And trying beyond all we might just to give her the most happy childhood life that we could provide not in terms of material wise but something inside her heart!

“My little Angel, mommy and daddy's wishes for so x 10 many greatest things for you just to tell you how much we love you. But all and all, it only came down to 4 little words that we hope that you could remember, that is "WE LOVE YOU" ... more then you could have ever known.”

Blow out those little candles my little Angel! Mommy and Daddy wishes you a very Happy and full of love 4th Birthday!

To Go or Not To Go

2011-03-16T20:54:00.006+08:00

Really heart breaking to see what Japan and the Japanese are going through at this moment. I felt extremely sad for what had happened over these few days. My heart felt so heavy but still, following the latest news from CCTV everyday watching for the latest developments of the nuclear plant issue which worries me the most and the nation of future destruction to the country and globally.

On the early morning before the massive earthquake, I was having a bad dream. I dreamt that I am preparing for a bad Tsunami situation and I can see the pre-earthquake clouds starts forming above me. While the sky keeps getting darker, rains starts to pour, earth starts trembling, buildings and trees were swaying in a distorted form. We were running fast trying to avoid the collapsing buildings around us. People was shouting and crying. I was rushing towards the streets jammed pack with cars running towards home where Angel and Annabelle was. Rain pouring down my face and skies turned into a frightening dark purple, water starts rushing in under my feet from nowhere. What I was in mind was Angel! Annabelle! and I must find them fast ....... and suddenly, I was woken by my ringing mobile from my travel agent! *wipe sweat* I was breathing real fast when I could finally take my first breath. The dream was so vivid that I thought I was really in that horrifying catastrophe! I am so glad that I am not! I saw sunlight, I breathe fresh air, and I am just so glad that I am still alive ........ until I watched what happened few hours later to Japan.

I can do nothing and no one can do anything but watched the disasters and power of nature take it cause. I take the news with a heavy heart thinking that will 2012 become a reality? I am not worry about 'that day' if the day will eventually come. No point to worry too :P :P Just that I am curious, will that day come sooner then I thought? Are we so intelligent to correctly predicted that day? Just pure curious ...

I will be pray for the people suffering in Japan, I hope that those who did escape from the massive quake and those who were still stranded near the Fukushima nuclear plant can evacuate from the contaminated area until it's declare safe again. I am following the development of the radiation issue closely because, China is not that far from Japan actually (>.<)?. The effects of such radiation is just too scary for me. But I am hoping and I am sure, everything will be alright soon, I know it will!

However, another dilemma posted ..... we have booked our holidays to Seoul, Korea in the beginning of April and now, I am thinking whether I should scraped my trip as Seoul is quite near to Japan? I will not worry so much if I am alone but you can call me 'the most timid mom' on earth when Angel is tagging along. I am sure that the government will not alert the people too much (to avoid create too much chaos) if the situation is still under their control, until they have had not much power to do anything anymore which will be too late then. I called up my travel agent and they told me it's safe in Korea and asked me to wait for further notice if there will be any. (O.O)? So should I cancel or not cancel now? Such a dilemma ....

For me, I am still taking every factor into consideration. I am just hoping that I'm not being over paranoid. What about you? Will you go or not to go if your next holiday destination is near to Japan (e.g. Korea)?

P/s: I starts to think now, how about Hong Kong? (>.<)?
P/s 2: After watching the news, suddenly I have a strong urge wanting to joining the rescue team in Japan! Praying for world peace!

My Coffee Break

2011-03-14T23:00:00.001+08:00

Busy busy busy,
Everyday, I wake up morning rushing for the afternoon,
While in the afternoon, I am rushing for nights.

To be able to sit down in the afternoon and have a cup of coffee in total serenity,
While she have finally fallen asleep in her cozy slumber land,
That would be my biggest privilege which I could get out of my busy day.

Now and Then

2011-03-07T09:00:00.001+08:00

I have not posting up Annabelle's newborn pictures that much but I found this picture of her and her expression looks so amusing! Those wordings up there was the messages to hubby (who has flew back to work) while I was so boring and have nothing better to do during my lengthy confinement month back at my hometown then. *wink*

She was just a few days old then and from the picture, she still have the 'old man' kind of look which all newborn was born with. Those newborn rashes was still all over her face. She is so tiny as compare to her sister Angel at birth but look at her now, I couldn't even associate the picture then with this chubby little girl now ^_^

I am so blessed to have her, my lovely sweet Annabelle! To me, she was always so beautiful now and then, and forever it will be ^_^

Shopping Can Be Fun For Kids Too

2011-03-06T14:17:00.021+08:00

Although I am just back from our HK trip few weeks ago but I think I left my heart there (ops!) There were so many nice places to visit which time is never enough and oh my, the malls were loaded with so many cutest stuffs for kids as if I thought I was walking into one of stephen joseph's stores. And for adults, we were spoil with choices too making me felt that I have left with so little money to spare with so many things to buy.

Don't think I am the only one who loves shopping but shopping can be fun for kids too. I think my Angel is having such great fun during our trip and shopped more then I do while I was watching her every move closely and babysitting her in the mall for it was so packed with tourists! She would touched whatever comes into her sight at this age, try on new shoes for herself and even flip through adults clothing as well! There was once she found a torn-designed pair of jeans on the display and shouted at me saying, "Mommy look!!! It's torn! Why they don't fixed it and put it here huh?!" and shook her head! My baby Angel, somehow you would love such torn jeans when you gets older :P

^ ^ Why it was torn mommy?

Of course she would constantly be watching out for toys stores, car racing arcades (which I tried to avoid at all times) and of course the play area for kids! Once she saw the huge bouncy air castle or the slides, she would be hooked there for a good 1/2 an hour before we manage to ~~drag~~ coax her away.

^ ^ Happily in the kids playing area

Upon arriving the children store, normally I would be looking for new items added and also browsing at one of those cute kids laundry bag which would be perfect even for a normal outings. Oh, so hard to resist on cute little stuffs. Angel would be working her hands on the legos in the kids area. But the most interesting spot for her would be the indoor slides as well as the TV games station. I hardly saw her showing any interest in the cute cuddly toys or the board games nowadays.

^ ^ Hooked!

I am glad so far, Angel is more then happy to shop for the entire day with us but would show a little grumpiness at times when it's way past her napping time. In fact, I am delighted to see the sign because once she falls asleep in her stroller finally, it's time for me and hubby to have some break from babysitting her and it's time for us to do some real shopping. Sometimes we suggested to head home for her nap but she told us she prefers to nap in her stroller instead and would wake up a happily kid continue with her shopping day out till shops closes around late evening. A shopping queen she was.

I must admit that it's kind of hard to shop for anything with kids tagging along but somehow, I think she enjoys herself to the fullest! Fortunately I love shopping for kids stuffs and doesn't mind staying in a children store for hours rather then doing the boring lawn mowing on my weekends, which I would be gratefully leaving the job to Dallas landscaping for a job well done.

Our Last Day of CNY 2011

2011-03-02T21:40:00.005+08:00

I have to quickly post up the last post of our CNY before I start loosing all the momentum of writing. Lazy worms are all over me now ...... is it post-CNY blues?? :P

I love this very girlie piece of CNY outfit which makes her looks absolutely like a ..... princess! At first I am still a bit skeptical about her wearing this CNY cheong sum (is it cheong sum??) because of the Chinese knot on the collar which looks a bit uncomfortable. But I was so wrong! She told me she looks like 'Princess Angel' and do not want me to take it off even after returning from kai-kai.

Angel looks a bit sleepy in the picture coz she hasn't been napping for the entire day and still manage to stay alert during our night shopping.

The first ray of moonlight from the first full moon on the first 15th of the lunar new year. So lucky to get a shot of Mr. Moon far far away before it hides behind the thick cloud on the cloudy night ^_^

The weather is still very cold but it didn't stop my little Angel from getting out and about in the neighbourhood. Somehow, I think she looks a little alike the mini "小燕子" in the movie 还珠格格?

Sparkles time again! She meant to show "I Luv U" in the pictures below (right column) but turned out "I O U" instead :P

So that marks the end of all my CNY posts (errmmm, I hope .....) and we had the best CNY ever this year which will last a long long time in our memories :)

Investments

2011-03-02T17:27:00.022+08:00

By looking at the constant price hike in the commodity products nowadays always makes me have a feeling that our hard earned salary will never ever catch up with the rises in price! The cost of living especially in the city is getting higher and higher day by day which sadly but in reality is normally resisted by lowering our standards of living. Recently, there was a price increase in petrol again in the city where I am staying now. It has already become a norm that everyone would talked and complain about but nothing can be done.

With a family with 2 kids, I am thankful that I do not need to worry about food, clothing, diapers, formula and other stuffs which involved money. But I must admit that from the day that I conceived my Angel, I have this constant worries about her/their educational fees (university especially) in 10 or 20 years' down the lane as I have seen how much my parents has paid for my graduate and post graduate degree years back. And I am so thankful that I managed to get hold of a scholarship in the end which has lessen their burden tremendously, which I am not sure whether both my girls will be that lucky in the future. That is indeed a big chunk of money involved there and tell me that I need not worry too much?

Savings in the bank will depreciate against time where their value will not fluctuate against the pace of price hike. I am not hoping much from the teeny weeny interest rates given by the bank will do any good counteracting the inflation either. So lately, me and hubby was thinking about investments, something which never ever come across our mind until recently.

One of the various investments that we were looking at was the mutual fund. I think it would be great for my girls educational fund. We were planning to allocate a fixed amount of money every month for that purposes over the long haul hoping that it will generate a fair amount of returns in the long run. I am yet to find out what are the impact and how much that we have to invest in order to achieve what we are planning for but I am sure I will be able to find useful advices and services from some of the best online trading company in the market.

As for our retirements, I think property is a good choice but I doubt that we could afford a house in such a short term. Another option would be investing in shares but I am not so sure whether I could take the ups and downs of the share markets personally as yet before having a heart attack. And if that's the case, I think it's better off for me to start scrutinizing my list of best online trading brokerage and leave the job to the hands of the professional while sipping my cup of coffee on my cozy chair and keep track of my account freely from my own cozy home.

Or course, some other option would be investing in gold and commodities, etc but I am still evaluating the pros and cons of all the investment options available.

I am just hoping that we could get a decent return in our investments for the future that we could afford our girls educational cost while still being able to maintain our living standards during the time of our retirement.

Annabelle In Cheong Sum

2011-02-28T18:14:00.004+08:00

This is Annabelle's first CNY hence Grandma and Kau-Fu is so 'sayang' to bought Annabelle her first few very pretty Cheong Sum and went out to snap some pictures. See .... little Annabelle is so 'attached' to grandma and probably thought grandma is her mommy already :P :P :P

Unlike Angel, Annabelle is a more controllable baby when she is out shopping and hence, grandma is more willing to bring her out kai-kai. What a lucky girl she is :)

She is not that afraid of strangers anymore as compare to previously. She is also more willing to let anybody carries her. But she has to make sure she can see grandma around or else ...... she would start crying. But I think grandma won't mind a bit as it shows how important grandma is to her ^_^

a>

Hey, Who Off the lights???!!! (as what Angel normally says.) I think my little Annabelle looks so cute in grandma's sunglasses but I am not sure how she feels coz she doesn't looks so ..... happy in it. Playing cool???

After a long day out posing for grandma and Yi Yi, little Annabelle is so tired dozing off in the car. Oh .... I just love watching her sleeping so soundly in grandma's arms (enjoy while she still fits into our arms). Must be extremely cozy :) She looks so big girl already ya.

Annabelle is 8 months 3 weeks old now. She is a very tall little girl reaching 72.5 cm in height and 10.2 kg in weight. And she has got her first 2 teeth popping out which I am still waiting for the pictures.

"Hello Grandma! Where are those pictures please!!" ^_^

Bento #10: Frosty The Snowman

2011-02-22T17:38:00.004+08:00

Winter will be over soon. Although the weather is still very cold and temperature were still near to zero at most of the nights, but I think it will be unlikely to snow again. Oh .... I start to miss those pretty winter snow now.

Soon, this fountain will melt and the fishes inside the pond will be happily swimming around again. I couldn't believe the gold fishes survived the cold winter days under that thick icy fountain!

Of course, Angel always loved snowy days. I love to Look at her little face all brighten up kicking and catching the snow with her mouth. She have slipped 'hard' several time in the slippery pathway but I am glad that I wrapped her all up in that thick clothing which protected her well.

We can stay in the snow for hours until I realised I haven't got our dinner ready yet! Gosh ..... to much fun for both of us enjoying every bits of the cold winter days. Just the 2 of us :)

She got herself a new small umbrella too just because she saw my umbrella was full of snow, and then she 'taught' me the way of remove them by hitting the umbrella hard on the floor until it was crooked! Not a good idea after all, my dear! Couldn't believe my eyes that she was that ~~rough~~ strong.

Well, that day it snowed so heavily until someone manage to built a huge snowman which is taller then her!

Not only huge snowman. We found some kids around the neighbourhood built a few of very cute little snowman along the sidewalk too! That was really cute!

Angel tried to build her own snowman too which turn out to look like ..... anything but a snowman *smile* But she is having great fun until both of us forgot about the time and rush back home at night after a good 4 hours playing in the snow!

I prepared a snowman bento (in-a-plate coz I'm in a rush preparing other dishes) for little Angel that night which she was totally overwhelmed. I am glad that she likes her Mr. Frosty The Snowman for dinner :)

As you can see, fish balls were hidden underneath those rice balls which she loves so much :)

I guess it's time to say goodbye to Mr. Frosty for the moment being as well as our cold winter days. Hope to see you again soon, Mr. Frosty. But not so soon ya! ^_^

CNY Is Over Already?!!

2011-02-19T15:56:00.014+08:00

^ ^ WHAT~~~~!!!!??
Chinese New Year is over already?? But Mommy, I haven't wish all Aunties and Uncles Gong Xi Fa Cai wor .....

^ ^ Ok Ok, quickly help me to snap a picture in front of the cherry blossoms before they take it away! Ghee ..... should tell me earlier mah.
Gong Xi Fa Cai to all Aunty and Uncle ah! I am Annabelle and don't mistaken me for my Angel Jie Jie ah! ^_^

^ ^ And oh yes, I had the most wonderful CNY this year at Ah Mah house meeting a lots of Uncles and Aunties.

I am not even afraid of the lion dance nor the 'oh-so-loud' firecrackers.
See .... I smiled at ALL OF THEM ^_^

^ ^ Tell you a secret oh .......
I got something very 'unusual and magical' from the adults this year during CNY oh.

^ ^ The adults told me only well behaved kids will get IT.
So whenever the adults come to my house, I will greet them gong-xi gong-xi with my hands moving up and down as taught by Ah Mah. *so tired*
And I will also sit properly .... like this, smile and babbles to them in my best manners.

^ ^ And then, taa daa ...
The adults will give me this 'unusual and magical' big red packet and wishing me ‘快高长大’.
Tell me isn't that magical or what?

^ ^ But I wonder what's inside leh?
Toys? But it looks .... so flat!

^ ^ Why not I'll just have a peek inside although I have been warned not to open it in front of the adults!
Errrmm ..... here comes the truly unusual and magical part. I think I saw papers with the sign of $ on it which the adults told me it's a blessing to me. And if I like to, I could even 'exchanged' it for my favourite toys in the shopping mall?
A red packet can do so much?? Wow ^_^

^ ^ And guess what, I am not getting only 1 but lots of them too! See .... I even got my favourite Hello Kitty Red Packet!
There .... I have shown you mine and tell me, tell me, do you get your 'magical' red packet too?

Happy Yuan Xiao Festival - 上海豫园 (Yu Yuan)

2011-02-17T17:23:00.005+08:00

Gong Xi Fa Cai and Happy 元宵节 (Yuan Xiao Festival) to all!!!

I have learned from the locals here that Yuan Xiao Festival falls on the 15th of the first lunar month, signifying the end of our Chinese New Year and also the first full moon of a lunar calender. Hence, the Chinese would normally celebrating with eating 元宵(yuan-xiao) which is 汤圆 (glutinous rice balls) symbolising togetherness. Kids will be carrying yuan-xiao lantern celebrating the first full moon while the adults, will be participating in the most awaiting event - 猜灯谜 (solving riddles on the lanterns).

^ ^ A huge paper lantern decoration in Shanghai Yu Yuan（豫园）

If you happens to come to Shanghai or planning to celebrate Yuan Xiao Festivals in Shanghai next year, one of the most happening and crowded places where you could find all of the above was at the Shanghai Yu Yuan（豫园）.

* We need to pay a fee to enter Yu Yuan (which normally is free) if we were to visit Yu Yuan during this 3 days to attend the festive event.

Ok .... so Shanghai Yu Yuan, here we come!

^ ^ Gong Xi Fa Cai and Happy 元宵节 (Yuan Xiao Festival)

Yu Yuan （豫园）was so crowded throughout the 15 days of Chinese New Year (we went last weekend) and we are walking shoulder to shoulder, ~~being pushes and knocked at boorishly~~ squeezing our way out from the crowd and heads held up high competing for a good view! I am glad that I brought along Angel's stroller so she was fully protected inside her own comfy zone with her stroller cover pulling all the way down (she loves doing that.) enjoying her raisin and biscuits inside while having a good time watching at ........ people's legs and pants? :P :P

The weather is still very cold and we take a good picture before entering the 'battle field'! :P

We first went to the 城隍庙 (Cheng Huang Temple) as hubby wants to do his prayers for the new year. The ticketing counter was floaded with people but I am glad that we finally enter without any chaotic matters.

A lot of people went to the temple praying for a smooth sailing and prosperous year ahead. A lot of them were holding their red hot burning colourful joss stick roaming around searching for a good spot to pray. Angel refused to stand still at the corner and wanted to join in the fun of lighting up the joss stick with the crowd too. *so dangerous* She suddenly stretched out and snatched hubby's joss sticks from his hands and eventually the tug of war breaks the joss sticks into half *oh-oww!! >:(* Hubby was fuming mad!

So I asked her weather she wants to get her new CNY clothing all smoked up and she answer me with a big NO! Finally, she told me she wanted to do her prayer with bare hands and that makes our little missy happy again. Phew!

^ ^ Happily posing for the camera again ^_^

We went to the 2nd floor of Yu Yuan's food court to have lunch and we had the most disgusting dim sum and drinks ever!! We don't really fancy the food in Yu Yuan's food court (more for tourist) but this one is really bad until we barely can force it down our throat! *yucks!*

So whoever came here, please avoid the food court unless you wants to torture your taste buds or was dying for food that you could basically swallow ANYTHING! The various snack stalls inside Yu Yuan selling various of Shanghai snacks taste much better then the food court!

At first we was planning to cross the 九曲桥（meaning nine-bend-bridge）as a tradition to get rid of the bad luck but look at the crowd on the bridge!! I don't think I wanted to squeeze into that crowd of people (the part with colours were the crowd 'sardin-ed' on the bridge) and add further load onto that poor bridge! So we decided to leave it instead and move on to jalan-jalan else where.

Although the entire place was sooooo crowded but the decorations and Chinese New Year displays were awesome! It would be even beautiful if those lights were lit up :) I love CNY!!! ^_^

Wow .... The lanterns with riddles!!!! You could see such lanterns everywhere, hundreds and thousands of them where ever you lay your eyes on.

If you look closely, each and every lantern will have their own unique riddles written on them! Can you solved them all?? I wonder how they manage to see what was written up there. So far above ...... I think I need a binoculars! :P

^ ^ 猜灯谜咯 (solving riddles on the lanterns)

I think Shanghai Yu Yuan（豫园）looks so beautiful during this season of the year with all the lighting turned on beautifully every night! No wonder the place was flooded with tourists!

But mind you, a lot of pick pockets were out there looking for victims too and please be extra careful. That day I have seen guys (age 20+) following some ladies with hand bags, with eyes glued on their hand bag ready to attach and they are working in a 3 person gang! Hubby thought they were some 'samseng' at first but I saw them trying to lay thier hands on one lady handbag but failed! So scary! If I am not with young kids, I will surely alert the police!

^ ^ My happy girl who refused to nap after seeing all those pretty lanterns and decorations :)

When the night falls, the lanterns were all lit up and they look so elegant swaying along with the wind ^_^ Feels so happy just by looking at those bright red lanterns. I am not sure whether prizes will be given out for whoever solved all those riddles up there in tonight's event?

That's the look of Yu Yuan (豫园) when the night falls. It sure looks extra beautiful tonight. I can spend my entire day here eating, walking, shopping ... basically everything that you could ever imagine! I love Yu Yuan! ^_^

I am sure I'll be visiting the place again soon when it's not that crowded anymore and cross that 九曲桥 BRIDGE!!! ^_^

Have a very HAPPY and PLEASANT YUAN XIAO Festival spending time with your family and friends to everyone! ^_^

p/s: Oh dear, my VPN is still not working and I can't leave comments here and in any other blogspot too! So I can only be your silent reader for the time being ya until I find a way out!! Till then, Take care my friend ^_^

Our CNY 2011 - Firecrackers

2011-02-16T21:20:00.005+08:00

I think I have finally regain back my joy in Chinese New Year here in Shanghai after all these years.

CNY back home is really great but it's just too ......... 'quiet' without the traditional firecrackers anymore. in addition, I hardly see a good lion dance with strong and uplifting drum beats too. Afterall, my childhood memories of cny was all about loud firecrackers and fireworks, noisy lion dance, ample of good food, loads of ang-pow and happily squeezing myself along the busy cny market flooded with people until I can only see people's head instead of what's selling. That's what my once a year CNY memories is all about and guess what, I finally found all of them here, especially those loud and annoying firecrackers which I love the most ^_^

^ ^ Mommy! Mommy! Look!! There's fireworks out there!!

Angel spotted fireworks the 1st night we were back from our HK trip (will try getting myself motivated to post it up soon .... I hope) and she was all excited as well as myself too. Only to find out that according to the tradition here, after midnight will be the 5th of the lunar Chinese calendar and everyone will light up fireworks and firecrackers to welcome the 财神爷 (God of Fortune). Since Angel is so excited and the mommy is even excited to see fireworks and hearing all those big bang EVERYWHERE, we managed to drag hubby out from the house in the cold winter night to ~~get us some firecrackers or don't come back~~ see whether he could find some firecrackers for his darling princess-es :D :D

^ ^ Finally, we found a man who is selling firecrackers at the roadside at 11pm! ^_^

Yahooooo!!! Finally we get to light up firecrackers and fireworks LEGALLY!!!!! The sound of those fireworks hasn't been stopping since 11pm! We felt like our ears are not functioning anymore while the night was so bright from fireworks everywhere and car alarms were joining the orchestra of noise-making too! What a night!!

^ ^ Hello my old friend! I missed you SOOOOO much! ^_^

I can see that hubby is a bit chicken out from lighting up the firecrackers after such a long time absent from practicing :P :P He would run away before the firecrackers were actually lit up and he even trying to extend the tip of the fireworks with newspapers to steal some time from escaping but his trick was not working at all *laugh* Luckily there were some brave security guards around to save his day and he is happily leaving the honour of the job to those brave guys :P

^ ^ It's such a funny scene to see a few big guys gathered around discussing how to light up those firecrackers ^_^

Before approaching midnight, we drag Angel back to the house to get her some ear plugs as she wants me to cover her ears while I myself was so busy with the camera.

The heap of explosives which were waiting to be lit that night and that's not it. There were few more cars of firecrackers being wheeled out after that and you could imagine how noisy and smoky it was! But hey, it's CNY!!!

^ ^ Men busy preparing for the big explosion! Those big box in the middle of the road were actually fireworks! So big box!

Finally the show begins! It was so noisy until I could barely hear when hubby is trying to talk to me. And the whole sky were so smoky and as bright as sun rises and I could actually felt 'small grains' dropping from the sky all the time which was from the fireworks. It was crazy!!

^ ^ Let the show begins! My LX5 was giving up on me due to the bright lights and smokes and do not want to focus anymore! No luck in capturing nice fireworks picture!

And hubby is so nice for getting our little Angel her own sparkles too :) She was super duper happy and I am so happy too watching her smiling so contentedly dancing around with her sparkles.

^ ^

The next permitted time for lighting up fireworks here in Shanghai will be on the last day of CNY which is ... tomorrow!!!! So fast!! On this day, kids would carry 元宵节灯笼（lantern), eat 汤圆 (glutinous rice balls) and celebrate with more firecrackers. We have got ourselves ready for the next round of 'explosion' and at the mean time, I am just praying that it won't not rain!! ^_^

I Can Smell Love In The Air

2011-02-14T13:47:00.002+08:00

^ ^ Lovely Valentine's Day packaging :)

Today it the V Day and I can smell Love in the air!!! ^_^ Wishing all the old and new love birds out there a very Happy Valentine's Day, for it's the time to celebrate and treasure the love we have with the person who we care most :)

^ ^ Me and my little Valentine :)

So in order to avoid the 'no-surprise' surprise from hubby which he is very good at, I reminded him about the V Day and he mumbled softly with his same old phrase again, "Huh?! Valentine's Day AGAIN? I must thank whoever invented this day ......"

^ ^ A lot of Valentine's deco around here and I don't think anyone would missed it :P

AGAIN?? What does he mean again?? Well, not everyone loves Valentine's day I guess especially mine here coz he is just too lazy to think of what gift to get and being 'robbed' alive during that day :P So normally I would not asked for any gift especially roses but this year, I really 'feel' like getting something from him for some reason. ^_^

Anyone thinks that 情人节 = 情人劫？？ :P

^ ^ My very first Valentine's Chocolate from my not-so-romantic Valentine + a family trip to Korea next month too! Hip Hip Hurray!!!!!

Lastly but not the least, my Valentine got his valentine's gift too this year :) Nothing special but just a token of my appreciation towards his care and love which he shower our family with.

^ ^ A gift for my Valentine + a 3 person steamboat valentine's dinner and a movie date.

We will be watching 'The Tourist' tonight follow by hubby's favourite steamboat valentine's dinner for 3! Hubby will be very happy this year coz he gets to spend the night with TWO pretty ladies! *smile* And I think it's snowing a little too outside on this Valentine's Day ^_^

Anyway, to be able to spend quality time as a family and truly care for each other profoundly is already the biggest ever valentine's gift to me.

Happy Valentine's Day to My One and Only XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO :)

Bento#9: Rabbits For The Year of Rabbit

2011-02-13T01:26:00.004+08:00

Oh no! At first, they are blocking blogspot, multiply and facebook etc and now, my VPN starts to fail me and I can't even do comments and not even in my own blog! Urrrggghhhh ...... that's great!!! I can only view others blog but can't leave any comments at all and I wonder how long I can deal with blogspot in China if thing like this continues. Time to move on to some other country I guess??? Hehehehehe :P :P

Anyway, since my VPN seems to do horribly now, I'll just quickly post up one of the bento which I did for Angel during the Chinese New Year since I have uploaded the photos. Phew!

According to the Chinese calender, this year will be the year of "Rabbit" so here are those rabbits coming by wishing all of us Gong Xi Fa Cai ^_^

^ ^ Rabbits!! A lot of Rabbits squeezed into 1 bento box :P :P

The big rabbits were made of dumplings (小笼包) and biscuits as ears, while those small ones were quail eggs and carrot as ears. 2 cherries were buries somewhere down under and as Angel requested for some 'heart-shape' in her bento because she says she wants to love me wor ..... how could I resist? So I fixed her 2 heart shape strawberries to make her day :)

Didn't actually complete the bento as what I initially planned coz while half way done, I heard a bang from the living room and guess what, Angel has climbing up to the coffee table pulling down our CNY deco from the lighting! So I have to finish it off as it is and keep an eye on her.

^ ^ Poor CNY deco now with a clear tape on it! Luckily she didn't drag the entire decoration off with the lighting along.

I am glad that she loves her meal and obediently climbed up to her high chair without being asked waiting for her meal to be served :)

^ ^ She is happy to see a lot of rabbits in her bento. She would dig out and eat all the seaweed from the 'faces' first before she have the heart to eat them.

Need Some Supplements

2011-02-05T23:59:00.005+08:00

Hello guys! We just came back from our holidays and hope that you guys are having a great time too.

Angel is acting extra cranky on our first day arriving Hong Kong and I was totally worn out and moody. It might be something to do with my PMS too making the entire day so unbearable especially after traveling for such long hours. How I wish that there was some kind of PMS aid that I have brought along or I shouldn't have been so forgetful to bring along her toys and books just to keep her occupied during the trip! However, I am glad that she is behaving ok from the 2nd days onwards.

Although it was tiring but it was a great trip! We were doing so much shopping until both hubby and myself are having knee and joint pain due to excessive walking and carrying the shopping bag while pushing little Angel in the stroller or carrying her when she refused to sit down. I must admit that age is catching up and looks like it's time for myself and hubby to start doing some decent daily exercise training plus getting ourselves some good supplements such as the krill oil supplements. Krill oil is proven to help lessen PMS mood swing, increase brain function, promote joint health and many more other great benefits which I absolutely needed at this moment.

I prefer krill oil over fish oil as it is 54 times more potent in DHA and EPA found in the fish oil. The most wonderful thing was, it has all the goodness in fish oil minus the many flaws and smells from the fish oil which hubby absolutely hates! It also helps reduces damages from free radicals thus slower sign of aging. Isn't that too good to be true?

Greetings for CNY 2011

2011-01-30T16:03:00.009+08:00

Busy busy busy! Few days of our Chinese New Year will be the busiest for I will do ALL my CNY preparations, cleaning and shopping last minute :P So excited ^_^

^ ^ Have you done with all your CNY shopping yet?

I have got most of our shopping ready and thanks to hubby who 'share' the workload :) Besides those cheong sum (here), here are a part of the addition clothing which I bought last month for her coming CNY and no time to take picture for the rest so I'll just leave it! :P

^ ^ Part of Angel's CNY outfit which I manage to take picture for remembrance

And this year's cny will be extra special and magical for our little Angel coz ....... we'll be celebrating our CNY in the magical land of DISNEYLAND!!!!!!! Hip Hip Hurray!!! ^_^

^ ^ Disneyland Hong Kong, Here I come! ^_^

I would like to take this opportunity to wish all my lovely family and friends

A very Happy and Prosperous Chinese New Year in advance.

恭喜发财及万事如意！！

Enjoy your new year and eat as much as you can ya!

See you guys again after CNY ^_^

Thank You,Grandma!

2011-01-26T17:12:00.003+08:00

Grandma loves both Angel and Baby Annabelle very much. Not only that she helps taking care of my little girl but she also brought Baby Annabelle to a place where all sweet smiles were freeze into beautiful memories ......

r>

I still remember the first day when I suggested to bring Baby Annabelle for some photo sessions, grandma suggested that maybe the money can be put into a better use …… and looks like, this is indeed a better use after all :P

Looks how angelic and innocent a baby’s smile can be ...... From a teeny tiny peanut in mommy’s tummy turned into this bundle of joy whom mommy brought home 7 months ago. And look at her now, a gem that shines and capturing our hearts so effortlessly.

This little missy surely melts our hearts in many ways. Oh, I still can’t believe that this sweet little girl is indeed mine ^_^ I am counting my blessings each and everyday.

Annabelle would like to say a big 'THANK YOU' to her beloved Ah Mah plus giving her a full-of-saliva-Kiss for such a nice and priceless baby portrait of her ^_^

Bento#8: Start Bento-ing Again

2011-01-24T13:55:00.014+08:00

My bento tools have been putting away for way too long, until lately when I am doing my Spring cleaning ……

So they were finally out from their hibernation seeing sunlight again :) Time to continue with my practice to fix my girl some decent bento :)

I fixed her a simple ‘bento-in-a-bowl’ as a start coz I can't find where all my bento boxes were (@_@) I really have to polish up my bento skills more because this very simple looking ‘bento’ has took me over 20 minutes to prepare! *gosh*

^ ^ ABC pasta with broccoli and carrots. 2 happy face fish balls, carrots flower and broccoli trees as decorations

Nevertheless, Angel is more then delights to see her first ‘bento’ being put in front of her after such a long time. She must be missing her ‘decorated’ meals so much :P She even thinking to call hubby telling him all about her ‘happy face meal’ and ~~force~~ drag our ‘Ayi’ who does not speak English over to her lunch and say, “See! Ayi, you see~~!!! It’s my happy face! 我的！我的 (it’s mine)!”

^ ^ She was all over the moon to see her special decorated lunch ^_^

She finished her meal with a lightning speed until I have to stop her from eating too fast and swallowing too quickly without munching! *first time*

Boy …… she must have been either extremely hungry or extremely in love with her meal!

^ ^ Her extra large portion of pasta was being gallop down within less then 10 minutes time! She eats finely chopped broccoli but still, no luck with broccoli in stalk.

She gave me a big hug and a sweet thank you after she is done ^_^ Oh, it always put a smile on my face to see this little girl’s smile brighten up while wallop up her meal with just a simple touch ^_^

A wonderful day to me and I hope so does yours ^_^

What Do You Normally Do Before CNY?

2011-01-19T21:13:00.000+08:00

What do you normally do before Chinese New Year? Yes, definitely a new hair cut!

After Angel's disastrous hair cut by hubby here, I finally decided to handle this important task to the hands of the professionals. And finally, it is Angel's maiden hair cut in a Salon after all these years! :D

She was extremely afraid of her hair being trimmed by a total stranger. But I told her daddy was having his hair cut too and she finally gave in under the condition that 1) I hold her hand throughout the process and 2) She do not want her hair being washed!

^ ^ Mommy! Don't let them wash my hair ok, Mommy?? *holding my hand tightly*

But .... once it's washed, no turning back :P :P And she quite enjoy her hair wash actually telling me that the 'Ayi' massage her hair :P while I was a bit apprehensive telling the lady, "Don't scratch so hard! Don't scratch so hard!".

Time to rinse off those shampoo. And look! She still clasping to my hand don't wanna let go :)

There, she is done and she looks so cute with her hair wrapped up that way :)

While waiting for her hair stylist who is busy with another customer, she was having a wonderful time ~~jumping and running~~ wondering around the entire salon, touching everything, then walk towards daddy who is busy with his hair being cut asking the same old question,"Papa, you cut your hair? Yes Papa? Huh? Huh?" over and over and over again. (she likes to repeat her questions over and over again lately.)

Finally, the moment of hair trimming! She was extremely nervous holding my hands firmly until I told her I have to check whether her hair was straight from afar and then quickly snap a picture of her precious moment ^_^

I requested her hair stylist to do a cute 'mushroom' cut for her, only realising that the hair stylist also having the same hair style and looks ~~awfully~~ strange *OMG* Then I hesitatingly told him I do not want 'his version' of mushroom style though (which half of his head was shaved bold at the back!) but he proudly told me his version is the newest trend and smile *gulp*

It's really hard to make Angel sit still throughout the entire process and I was so worried that this apparently very ~~clumsy~~ 'novice' leng-chai si-fu will poke her eyes. *wipe sweat*

When the work is finally done, Angel looks so urgency to check on her new look! She even grab the small mirror and wanted to check the back of her hair! @_@

So how does she look as compare to her very ~~messy~~ 'rockers' hair style the day before the cut?

So after Angel and daddy was done, it's mommy's turn ...... finally, phew! I thought I wasn't gonna get one this year! And guess how much is the Shampoo + Cut + Blow Dry cost?

Initially, it's RMB 20 + 60 + 110 = RMB 190 and since daddy is paying upfront joining their membership, we got a good 50% discount which makes it a finally total of RMB95 (around RM45++) for ALL 3 of us! Yes, that's before CNY and in SHANGHAI!! Can you believe it?? :P :P

So have you done with your new hair cut this year?

Kids Sit The Darndest Way

2011-01-18T02:28:00.000+08:00

How does your kid normally sits at home?

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^ ^ Mine like it this way ^_^

Have A Wonderful Day Everyone!!

Diamond, Diamond, I Love You

2011-01-17T13:20:00.015+08:00

And nope, I didn’t get any diamond ring from hubby for my birthday if that is what you were thinking :P But I remembered clearly that when hubby (boyfriend then) bought me my first diamond ring surrounded by a few tiny shiny diamonds during our school days. I was so delighted and couldn’t believe my eyes! I show it to my mom and she jeered, “Be careful with that ring. Just remembered to cover it up when it’s windy!” and before I could asked why, “Those tiny winy diamonds of yours might get blown away if you don't.” She said and grinned LoL

Yes, those diamonds were pretty tiny but that was the simplest yet most beautiful ring I have ever seen. It was surrounded by a few tiny loose stones which were skillfully embedded into a 18k white gold band. Although the diamonds were a bit small, it was quite a lavish piece of stone article to have for a normal university student like myself then. After all, a diamond ring is unlike any other jewelry articles carrying the same price tag as it symbolized eternity and purity. I am contented for what I am getting and as a note, nope! I did not cover my ring up during windy days but flaunt it instead :P and those diamonds were doing just fine and still shine as brightly as it used to be over the years! *wink*

Just happens that few days back when I made an inquiry about a small 0.50 carat diamond price from our local jewelry store, I was quite startled how much the price has increased over the years. I could not imagine how much a 1.5 carat diamond ring, platinum, price would cost now if I own one of those.

By changes, I stumbled upon an online store - become.com and found out they were actually selling a wide selection of diamond rings and articles at quite a reasonable and affordable prices. They even cater the rare 1.5 carat black diamond ring and earrings in beautiful black diamonds which I would love to have. Even some of their 1.5 carat diamond cost was slash to almost half of its original prices. How I wish I would have found such great bargains few years back which would really save me a lot over the years.

Well, Valentines' Day is just around the corner, do you think hubby will be extra nice to get me another diamond ring this year? :P

After all, diamonds are a girl’s (and women’s) best friend *wink*

[A sponsors post brought to you by www.become.com]

My Birthday

2011-01-13T20:16:00.003+08:00

I celebrated my birthday last week and I am officially 1 year older again.*snif sniff* Oh ya, Thanks a lot for all your lovely birthday wishes in my facebook and through SMS. I appreciate those wishes so much ^_^

I noticed that when one (I mean myself :P) gets older, celebration always mean food, food, food and more food ..... then pile up on weight! Sigh!! :( Yes … I gained 1kg due to that *wipe tears*

Thinking back to those early days, we used to celebrate with …. a nice movie in the cinema with friends? Torturing each other’s auditory sense in a karaoke? Throw a great party Inviting family and friends over and get lots of great gifts in our wish list and so much ~~money~~ 'ang pow' from the elderly in return? Or dancing the night away in a great disco? And having a great time chatting and fooling around till midnight enjoying our birthday ~~doing nothing except spending money and have great fun~~ celebrating?? Oh … those were the days …. *looking out of the window and wipe tears again*

Hehehehe, ah well ….. I’ll let the pictures do the talking :)

I have a pre-birthday dinner at the 海底捞火锅 (steam boat) inside this 金玉兰广场 and the restaurant is truly very ‘special’!! Not to be missed!! I’ll write all about it next time.

So we are having steam boat again. I am addicted to steamboat lately because they taste so good~~ during the cold winter days! I am totally hooked!!

The dishes we ordered we mainly meat! The mushroom taste great and so does the beef slices. The green colour paste on the bamboo stick was actually squid paste and the grey one was prawn paste. I ate till I can't walk that night spending almost 3 ½ hours in the restaurant having a great time while Angel was having great fun playing in their kids room too!! ^_^ I gaining a few pounds after this meal :(

I even got myself a manicure! This is my first manicure in like almost ..... 2 years time?? Gosh, that was a very long time!

And on my actual BIRTHDAY morning, I got a birthday cake from Hubby! Initially I told him I wanted a cute and special decorated cake but he said this one is special too …… O.o I think he bought me the same old cake every year.

Suddenly we heard someone is wailing out loud from her high chair! *terkejut aku!* Thought that she fell down from her chair or something .....

Obviously she is not very happy it’s mommy’s birthday and got a cake!! She insisted it’s her birthday so it’s her birthday cake that's on the table!! Of course, I am not tolerating her behaviour and finally, she settle with ‘It is mommy’s birthday alright but we’ll get to blow the candles together!” LOL

^ ^ WUAAAH ~~~ It's 'MY' Birthday!! and it's 'MY' Birthday Cake!!!!

My birthday presents from hubby :P I can’t think of anything particular that I wanted this year so he bought me few skin care, a blue jacket and handed me a ‘big’ ang pow (as he put it). Aiiiksss! But those skin care has cost him a bomb already coz the sales girl told him if buy 2 got free samples and he bought double just because of those 'samples', aiyooo .....

^ ^ Angel saw hubby drew 2 hearts on my birthday card envelope and very 'kan-cheong' asking me,”Mommy, is this 2 hearts mommy and Angel? Ya, ya, mommy? Ya?” LOL

Of course, Angel gave me 2 birthday cakes and birthday gifts too :) The one the left, she drew 2 birthday cakes for me one with strawberries on top. And on the right, that’s her birthday presents with ribbons :P So ... I guess the breadmaker that she promised to for my birthday gifts is in one of that?

So after breakfast and walking around the mall, we are having Thai Food at 广州蕉叶 for lunch. Another very famous restaurant here and normally, we have to line up for hours just to get in but we decided to went there around 4pm so no queue at all :P

Yippee!! I got another birthday cake from the restaurant!! Just flash your ID showing your birth date and they'll give you a cake and a bowl of 'longevity noddle'(长寿面). The icing on the cake was so thickly spread but we still manage to gobble most of it down. Adding a few more pounds here ..... again :(

After that, I got myself a nice warm milky “foot bath” too (足浴 as what they called it here). It’s almost the same as a normal foot massage but before that, they’ll soak and bath your foot inside a super hot bath water of your choice. I am having the ‘milk bath’ while hubby is having a ‘ginger bath’. We asked Angel to have 1 too but she refused to let anybody touch her feet so she just lie down on the sofa watching TV and running around!

So hard to relax when a kid is tagging along. The male 'sifu' there is actually the nail cutter sifu and instead of nail cutter, he is using a long blade to 'shave' (i.e. trim) my long nails ..... walau eh!! So 'geli' la! Afraid that I'll lost a toe during the process but thank God, he did a pretty good job. Phew!!

Since I got an ang pow for my birthday, so we went shopping and mommy bought a few outfits for everyone for this coming CNY ^_^

There goes my very happy birthday being a queen for the day ^_^.... ~~and so does my birthday ang pow too (sob sob).~~

Is That Really Ah Mah? [3Y9M]

2011-01-12T13:52:00.026+08:00

Is that really Ah Mah (Grandma)?

On my birthday, my sophisticated mom (Angel’s grandma) sent me an e-card:

M: Angel, come and see what Ah Mah (grandma) sent to me! Ah Mah sent me a card!
*She watched the animated card silently ….*

M: Nah ….. see? Ah Mah wishes Mommy Happy Birthday!
*as I pointed to the e-card’s dancing bear*

A: Mommy ………… is that really Ah Mah ??????
*pointing to the bear looking puzzled*

*Laugh* I always told her that there is an “Uncle” inside those human-sized Moscot. Now she thought Ah Mah has dressed up as a BEAR *slap forehead*

^ ^ A: Is that really Ah Mah?? LOL

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Where is the “haa-aam” (filling)?

On my Birthday, Hubby gave me a “red packet” for good luck. Angel was crying for hers too so daddy handed her one and she was so happy waving her red packet until she looked inside ….

A: PAPA!!!!!! WHY NO MONEY INSIDE??? Huh huh huh ~~~ Why no money inside!?!! *started to wail*

Oh dear, I hope she doesn’t do that in this coming CNY if she happens to get an empty abg-pow for good luck :P

^ ^ Let me see ….. Whoo Hoo .... it's 5-zero! (cent :P :P)

note: Yes, there is a 50 cent bank note here in Shanghai which is around RM 0.25 :P

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Seriously need a diet

I was standing in front of the mirror, checking on myself ready for a our day out and I saw Angel was grinning while looking at me at the doorstep

M: What are you smiling at?

She walk towards me then raise her hand rubbing my tummy

A: Mommy, your tummy is still so big and round la …….
*then she walk away with that sneer still on her face*

(@_@) Time for a serious diet plan for me liao … sob sob sob *cry*

^ ^ My belly while I was still pregnant with Annabelle and it’s still very BIG even till now :(

******************

Kay-Ep-Cee

A: Mommy! Can I eat “Kay-Ep-Cee” please ~~~ !!!!

Note: Kay-Ep-Cee = KFC

^ ^ The KFC Promo Bucket in Shanghai consist of 3 pc OR Chicken, 4 hot wings, 4 Orlando wings, 5 pc nuggets and 3 medium drinks (Fries excluded). It cost RMB 69 (Approx. RM 35).
Expensive or Cheap??

******************

Elvis Presley

I am watching “China Talent Show” on TV and a young man impersonate Elvis Presley singing one of his hit song and Angel suddenly said:

A: Mommy, ROCK ‘N ROLL!!!
M: Huh?? *clear my ears*

*a 3 year old knows what Rock ‘n Roll is?? Pui-fook!! Pui-fook!!*

^ ^ Her hip-hop moves??? :P :P

******************

Money Buy or Buy Money

We were doing some groceries shopping in the supermarket

A: Mommy, I want to buy biscuits
M: Ok.

A: I want to buy some Bananas
M: Ok.

A: I want to buy Chocolate
M: I think we do not have enough money to buy chocolate *trying to brush her off*

A: Mommy, let's go and “buy” some money first then we can buy the Chocolate!
M: ………….

^ ^ Mommy, I want to buy this and this and this … and can we please go to “BUY” some money first and then we can buy all these???

******************

You love someone else!

I forbidden Angel to do something and apparently she was angry and sad while snivelling:

Angel: Huuuk ~~~ Mommy!!! You (do) not listen to me at all!!! *I remain silent*

Angel: You (do) not love me at all, M-O-M-M-Y!!! *I still remain silent*

Angel: Huuuk~~ Huuuuk~~! You (do) not love me EVERYTIME Mommy! YOU ONLY LOVE PAPA EVERYDAY !!! *she suddenly bawled*

LOL

Poor girl ....... just because her mommy doesn't forbidden or get angry with papa as often as towards her so she thinks mommy is bias :P

^ ^ Huu ~~~ *crying* You only LOVE PAPA EVERYDAY !!!!! :’(:’(:’(
Note: It’s getting harder to snap the picture of her crying nowadays coz she would turn away from my camera.

******************

Ultraman = ???

I bought this Ultraman toy for her in the market because I saw the TV was showing the Ultraman series lately and she seems to love the show very much. And guess what, it cost only RMB 2 (approx. RM 1) !! LOL

^ ^ This is the cheapest toy I have ever bought!
It even comes with a laser light on its chest.

Angel was so delighted:

M: Angel, do you know who is this?
A: YA~~~!! It’s a ROBOT!!

M: What do you call this robot?? *expecting ‘Ultraman’ of course*
A: This is "UNCLE"~~~ *@_@III*

p/s: She doesn’t know it’s call Ultraman coz the movie here was in Mandarin :P Now she calls him ‘ROBOT LIGHT” … well, it’s better then calling him UNCLE right? @_@

^ ^ When she saw Ultraman was on TV, she quickly dig out her new toy from her toy box and imitate his move kicking and ‘laser’ the monster in the TV ^_^

******************

Between Chicken n Kitchen

Angel always mixed up certain words unintentionally especially when she speak quickly and it’s so funny!

M: Angel, put your bowl in the “Chicken” (Kitchen)!

She knows my intention and be extra careful:

A: I already put my bowl in the ……… "Chicken" ah!
*I laugh out loud and she was laughing embarrassingly too :P*

And there she tries very very hard again:

A: "Chicken"!!
*laugh*

A: ………. Emmmm …….. CHIC-KEN!!
*I nearly laugh my heads off and there she continues*

A: Aiyaaa …….. it’s “Shicken” la!!

A: No!!!! “KITCHEN” la, mommy!!!!

*LOL. She never fails to add colours into my boring daily life! ^_^ *

^ ^ My Dearest Sweetie Pie, your enchanting smile will always be mommy's brightest sunshine ^_^

English Trial Class/ Pee and Poo

2011-01-10T17:30:00.006+08:00

English Trial Class

Angel attended the Disney Magical English trial class here in Shanghai and it’s the first time that she actually attended any classes. Not that we do not wanted to bring her but whenever we attended any of them (music classes), she would cry out loud whenever she saw the other kids were dancing and singing. So at the end, we have to leave before the class actually started.

But this round, she did pretty well. No crying, no fussing around at least. But throughout the ½ an hour class, she refused to participate at all. Not singing, clapping or dancing along as instructed, clasping her lips tight when questions was asked. The one and only thing interested her that day was the gigantic computer interactive screen on the wall and she walked up to touch and touch it repeatedly when class was conducted. @_@ Apart from that, she just sat there quietly turning back to check on mommy and daddy and it’s nothing like her old self!

When the trial classes ended, we found that they refused to let her join the 4 year old class due to her age constrain. I don’t think I want her to learn 1,2,3 (in English), colours, shapes, etc all over again for another year while spending RMB 1,600 /month (around RM 800 /month) for a 1 ½ hour class once/week learning things that she already knew.

Yes, enrichment classes here in Shanghai are really expensive so I rather teach her myself at home for the mean time :P

^ ^ When asked where is school, she would answer : “In the Shopping Mall!!” and sure it is!

******************

Potty Training – Pee and Poo

Training this little Angel to poo in the potty is really a tough job! For some reason, she just loves to poo in her diaper and enjoy the "hot-mud-mask" on her bump! When she has the urge to ‘do her big business’ and was transferred to the potty, somehow her urge to poo just when dead! No matter how hard we tried to get her do it in her potty, she just won't do it!

So after months of tying and at my wit’s end, I told her that I will have to sent her back to grandma house for good! Surprisingly by next morning, she actually walk herself to her potty, take off her night diaper and do her ‘big business’ there, all by herself!!

^ ^ Hurray! I am so proud of her!!

Guess what’s the first sentence she says to me when she was done?

“Bye Bye Ah Mah (Grandma)! Angel not going back to Ah Mah house loh! Angel Ng-Ng (poo poo)in the potty already!”

@_@ I can see that she loves Shanghai a lot :)

However, thing doesn’t always turn out to be as expected ……

Although she doesn’t poo poo in her diaper anymore but she has gone back to her afternoon napping diapers again since she constantly wetting her bed during her afternoon nap for the past 2 weeks :( She even starts peeing on her pants during our day out despite constant visits to the toilet. She would tell us she doesn’t have pee while in the WC and then wet her pants 15 minutes later. These few days, she would wet her pants too while watching TV and then telling me that she has pee on the sofa! Uurrgghhh ...... I really don’t know what’s wrong with her lately.

Maybe too much distraction and too many things to see in the outside world or TV so she would hold her bladder until she couldn't hold any longer? Or is it because of the cold winter here in Shanghai? :(

Talking About Birthday Presents

2011-01-07T18:10:00.000+08:00

Me and Angel was talking about my coming birthday and the birthday present this morning. From her conversation, she surely knows what we liked :P

M: What will you get for Mommy’s birthday, Angel?
A: I will buy mommy a BREADMAKER
* Ya ..... I have been eye-ing on this breadmaker from the shopping TV channel here :P :P*

M: What if it is Papa’s birthday?
A: I will buy Papa GLASSES!

M: What about Annabelle’s birthday?
A: A PACIFIER!
*smile*

M: What about Gong Gong’s (grandpa) birthday?
A: I will buy Gong Gong a BOOK!

M: What about Ah Mah (grandma)?
A: Ah Mah likes to 'see' computer EVERYDAY! I will buy Ah Mah a COMPUTER!
*hahahaha ..... Ah Mah, I think you are 'FARMING' too much already :P Wink*

M: What about Yee Yee (my sister)
A: I will buy Yee Yee Hello Kitty Mouse!
*hahahaha .... she is very observant :P*

M: What about Ah-Gu (my brother)
A: Cartoon (comic) Book
*I think he’ll love it if she really buys him one :P*

M: What about Ah-Kim (my SIL)
A: I will buy her ... Errrmmm ... Errrmmm ....(think hard) I will buy her AH GU!
*I burst out laughing! Even she noticed how much she loves my brother right??? Wink wink*

Then when asked what she would like for her birthday present:

A: I want Apples and Bananas!! 1 book and 10 toys!!!
*Sigh .... Bananas again??*

M: Ok ok ...... I know you likes Apples and Bananas, books and toys! What else??
A: Errrmm ..... I want 1 Oven, 1 Hello Kitty handphone and 1 Hello Kitty Camera!

@@_@@

A 3 and 1/2 year old kiddo start asking for Oven, Handphone and Camera already? No wonder one of the blogger mommy mentioned her 5 year-old start asking for credit card!

Sophisticated kids we have nowadays? ^_^

^ ^ Bergaya betul ~~!!

****************************

Work Harder, Papa

I was browsing at some cooking blog and Angel saw few nice cupcakes and cookies

A: Ohhhhh Mommy, I want these .....!!
M: But we don’t have an oven here :(

A: Oh, then ask Papa go working (to work) and make more money la!

(Oh .... I do hope that Hubby won’t mind to hear this, poor Papa :P)

HAPPY WEEKEND EVERYONE ^_^

CNY Shoes and Cheong Sum

2011-01-06T00:42:00.004+08:00

Yes! Chinese New Year is just less then a month’s time (oh my! Whoo Hooo :D) and of course, we start doing our first round of CNY shopping last weekend :P

The locals were out “grabbing” for ~~clothing, shoes, scafts~~ "everything" in the malls too and we almost have to ‘fight’ to pay for our stuffs as if they were ‘FREE’ :P No kidding! On 1/1/2011, one of the malls here in shanghai (太平洋百货) actually reached a target sales of 100 million in just 1 day!! Which is equivalent to 54k sales every single minute *crazy*. A lot of goods were sold out including gold articles as few of the huge display counters was totally swept empty (jaw dropped) before even reaching midnight!! *double crazy*! That's how rich the Chinese people can be!!

Back to our shopping :) I just bought a pair of grey boots before Christmas and adding in another collection of black flurry ones for new year :) I would love to have another pair of “winter” Crocs (with cotton layers inside, “canggih” huh?) replacing my current one but I can’t seems to find it anywhere this year :( I must look harder .....

^ ^ My current boots which is still very new and a pair of new Skechers UGG.
I can’t wear these back home so I am quite delighted actually ^_^

As for Angel, we finally bought her 2 very thick and ‘winter-feel’ CNY cheong sum :) Actually the outfit can be easily found everywhere but most of Angel’s size was sold out :( Angel was acting cranky throughout the entire shopping trip too :( Even hubby couldn’t stand her tantrum and behaviour and gave her a good smack on her thigh. And guess what? That gesture actually turned into a fight between them two hitting and pulling each other inside the shop and eventually ended with a red faced daddy and a crying kiddo!! *shake head* This Angel really is one tough girl to handle!

^ ^ 2 of Angel’s very thick and ‘traditional’ CNY cheong sum. So RED!!!!

So after getting the CNY Cheong Sum, we quickly grab some matching colour boots. As too many people was pushing here and there while “fighting” for shoes, we only manage to pay for whatever we could lay our hands on. Oh well …… it’s CNY soon so we don’t want to put on a fight just for a pair of shoe :P

^ ^ I like the pink one better but the red one is such a good buy :P
I think she will outgrow her shoes very soon!

As for Annabelle, Grandma is happily in charged for her CNY apparels :) And oh ya! This Grandma even learn how to "online shopping" for Annabelle which really shocked mommy!! *canggih la this grandma!* But I have also start browsing for some nice pre-walker shoes online for little Annabelle too although I am not sure when she will take her first step. I am really looking forward to the day that she will wear her first shoes and watching her making her cute wobbly baby steps :)

And how to get the right fit for the shoes? Here’s a very informative video from Youtube to share :)

Oh! I love CNY so much and I love doing all the CNY shopping too!! :) I still have few more weeks to do my last minute shopping. What about you? Have you done yours?

Little Annabelle Standing Up [6M1W]

2011-01-04T13:38:00.002+08:00

Happy New Year 2011 everyone! This shall be my 1st post of the new year ^_^

Look at what my little Missy is up to during her 6m1w development? ...... She is able to stand up with support!! Oh my, she sure is growing up so fast!

^ ^ Look Mama, I am standing up high and tall now ^_^

^ ^ p/s: pardon me for the blurry pictures. I think Grandma is just too busy 'entertaining' me till she has no time to clean up her camera lens :P :P

^ ^ Ah ha .... that looks better!

Little Annabelle is also responding to our call now and will look at us when her name was called ^_^ Holding her own bottle during feeding time is not a problem since her 4th month old. She loves her milk so much that holding her own bottle will give her some sense of 'security' I guess :)

^ ^ Errmm .... I am busy 're-fueling' guys so can you come back later? *_<

She is also able to communicate her needs to us now. For example she was crying for something and when grandma asked what she wants, she would say:

"Maam Maam ~~! Maam Maam ~~!" (she wants to eat!)

When grandma told her it's not her 'Maam Maam' time yet, she starts crying and said "Maam Maam! Maam Maam!" pitifully again ^_^

So considering her first word would be "Maam Maam" then? (Angel's first word is "Maam Maam" too.)

^ ^ Hello! Do I look good in this 肚兜?

(肚兜 = "tou-dao" in Cantonese - an ancient Chinese undergarments wore by ladies/kids.) ^_^

******************

Updates on Annabelle's [6M2W] check up

On 27/12/10 she got her first flu vaccination and the 2nd dose will be 1 month - 3 months later.

This little Missy is growing up fast:

[6M2W]

Weight: 9.2kg
Height: 71cm

I do hope that she is not considering too tall. For Angel, she only reached 67.3cm tall on her 6th month and 69.5cm on her 10th month while Annabelle already hitting 71cm during her 6m :P

Grandma said The Doctor did comment that Annabelle looks like a 'mixed blood' baby but I think she looks very 'Chinese' wor. Angel also been having the same comment everywhere we went even here in Shanghai. Sometimes, people would ask hubby "她是混血儿吗？" (is she a mixed blood?) until she saw Angel calling me mommy. I think Cantonese + Hokkien also consider a "mix" ? :P Or some Sabahan-native gene in me start to show in my kids already? :P

^ ^ My Little Saliva-Diva :P

Our Little Landlady's Chrismas Day

2010-12-31T08:38:00.005+08:00

On our early Christmas morning, our little "包租婆" woke up in a very jolly mood. It's the day that she has been asking and waiting for so long!!! Gosh, where she learn to pose like that?!

Does she look alike the character of the infamous 包租婆（Landlady） in the movie "Shoulin Football"??

Our little "包租婆" was so happy when I told her that she could open up her Christmas presents finally! She has been waiting for this moment for so many days since she got her first Christmas present from Aunty GX a week before Christmas ^_^

Yeah!! X'mas present from Daddy!! Actually this is not her first fishing set. I think it’s her 2nd or 3rd but she either lost all her fishes eventually or breaking the rod so she hasn't been seeing this toy for quite some time. She was extremely happy about her new fishing set and start squealing with delight :) But she was a bit upset for daddy wrapped mommy’s present in pink while hers in brown :P

Next is from Mommy! I don’t know what to get for her and then I came across a couple of nice children books and think that she might like them. And she surely does especially the 《鳄鱼怕怕，牙医怕怕》. She has been asking me to repeat and repeat that book for almost 5 days in a roll now ^_^ Chinese books are so complete and relatively cheap here in Shanghai and it’s such a waste if I do not add to her book collection while I am still here.

Aunty GX is so thoughtful to sent Our little "包租婆" a very nice Christmas gift all the way from Beijing too. She is so happy when she first received the parcel and thank you so much Aunty GX for your thoughtfulness! Our little "包租婆" love the set so much ^_^

Mommy got a gift from Daddy too ^_^ And of course Our little "包租婆" insisted it’s her gift instead and refuse to let go (as you can see from the picture!) She wants everything and everything belongs to her! @_@

This little bunny was a gift by Aunty A few days before Christmas. She loves bunny and will rock 'Pink Bunny' to sleep everyday.

Our Christmas lunch + dinner was a steamboat in Dolar Shop (豆捞坊) in 龙之梦 Shopping mall. The food served was so good!!!! Have you ever tried a “sea urchins” (海胆) meat ball before? It’s the picture on the lower right below (yellow + white colour) and oh my!! That’s the most delicious meat balls I have ever tried!!!! NO KIDDING!!!

One of the best steamboat I have ever had so far and I am still drooling over it when I saw the picture. I said it is our Christmas lunch + dinner coz the queue for this restaurant is incredibly insane hence we decided to go there at 4pm just to avoid the normal crowd and finally got a really nice window seat!! A steamboat restaurant not to be missed!

There, that’s how we spend our Christmas day in Shanghai. Tomorrow will be another new year for all of us hence a very Happy New Year 2011 to all of you, my friend!

May the new year brings you Healthy, Joy, Love and Peace throughout the whole year!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2011 and LET'S CELEBRATE!!!!!!

Our X'mas Eve

2010-12-30T14:56:00.007+08:00

X'mas is our most favourite season of the year! Even the day has gone by, Angel is still wishing me "Merry Christmas" every morning @_@ She told me she loves Christmas so much and even asked me whether Santa will give her any gifts this year :P X'mas to us also means celebrating with food food food!!

^ ^ Yummy Curry Pork Wrap at 蛋蛋屋 restaurant

So on our X'mas eve, we decided to dine out and do our last minute X'mas shopping as well. Since everywhere was so packed, we settle for a restaurant 蛋蛋屋 near Popular Book Store at 美罗城 mall. The queue was quite long that night.

^ ^ The weather is so cool and windy so we wrapped ourselves up like a dumpling especially 'yours truly' :P I think I wore 3 layers of thick clothes and 2 pants!! :P :P

This 蛋蛋屋 restaurant was famous in all egg specialty dishes. So we ordered their famous Curry Egg Rice, Tuna stuffed eggs, Fried Bomb (egg), Stuffed Fish Balls, etc. I personally think that they taste really good! Pay a visit there if you happens to be in Shanghai but be prepared for long queues especially during lunch and dinner hour :)

^ ^ Dishes we ordered! All were so yummy and Angel loves the stuffed fish balls!

^ ^ So many X'mas trees in each and every shop in the mall!!! Only manage to capture a couple here due to too crowded! People was everywhere!!!

We manage to do our last minute Christmas shopping that night. Angel cried out loud for our camera out of a sudden and we have to give in to her request for we don't want to deal with a crying kid in such a crowded place on our X'mas eve. Passers-by continuously stopping to see how our little girl insisted to give us 'instruction' as to how we suppose to pose (@_@) and snapping our couple portraits! Although most of the pictures came out blurry but at least, she is satisfied :)

^ ^ Angel was happily snapping away in the mall and lastly but not the least, she even manage to snap few of her own self portraits :P :P
You are looking great, My Sweetie ^_^

Telling The Time [3Y8M]

2010-12-29T16:18:00.005+08:00

I have started some simple activities with Angel on our leisure time such as simple word recognition, arts and crafts, logical thinking, simple math, etc but the one she was most interested in was “telling the time”. *Ya, I know, better be late then never :P :P* As our table clock has the little short hand for alarm hence she is always confused between the short hand and the alarm indicator. So finally I have to resort for this little cardboard clock which can be easily found in any book store and oh boy, she was so happy with her new toy!

She is progressing well and would correctly indicate where the “X” O-Clock and Half-Past “X” and still practicing her ‘a quarter past’ and ‘a quarter to’. For example, when it’s 3:45 PM, she would confused whether it is a quarter to 2 or a quarter to 3 coz her eyes will always telling her that it's not yet reaching the number 3 so it shouldn’t be a quarter to 3 :P

On every napping time, She would now asked me the same old question which is, "Mommy, what time do I sleep" and "Mommy, what time do I wake up?" without fail. Lately she also starts digging out all her previous Mickey watches which she got as a gift from us and wear it to bed all the time and even thinking to wear them to bath. When she found out all the batteries have run flat, she would tell me that her watches are all 'broken'!! *smile*

I am not planning to replaced the batteries as yet for all her watches were showing 'digital time' (xx : xx pm)and I don't want to confused her further with what she has learn at this moment. Maybe one of these days, I would get her a decent mechanical hands indicating watch to have more ‘practice’. Too bad that I don't have my own garden here or else, I would even considering getting my own Sundials on one of those nice Pedestal bases which will surely looks great in a beautiful garden :P

Disclosure Policy

2010-12-29T00:18:00.001+08:00

This policy is valid from 29 December 2010

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Peeling Eggshells/ IQ Beads Puzzle

2010-12-28T15:24:00.004+08:00

Peeling Eggshells

I love hard boiled eggs but dislikes peeling the eggshells (especially quail eggs). Most of the time, hubby is the one who does all the work *embarrass*

^ ^ Peeling eggshells are so much fun!
Seems like someone can finally take over the job willingly and enjoying doing it so much!! She told me it’s so much ‘fun’ and even ‘thank’ me for that! :D

^ ^ Happily showing off her half done work ^_^
This is a very good exercise for small hands practicing their fine motor skills. As long as she is happy doing it, no complain from me here :)

^ ^ There you go! Perfectly Done! ^_^
******************

IQ Beads Puzzle [3Y6M]

A sales girl was demonstrating these IQ beads Puzzle in the mall and Angel was hooked on the spots and when I saw the price, my eyes nearly dropped!! It cost nearly RMB 400 as tagged (around RM 200) while hubby is considering buying. Luckily we didn’t!! As we were book hunting in Popular bookstore in Xuhui, we found that it only cost RMB 45++ (around RM 20++), incorporating 2 different version (2D and 3D pyramid which the previous mall sold them separately) with the original laser marks proving that it's original set too *confused*. We grabbed it happily and I think it’s a very good buy indeed.

^ ^ Working and thinking real hard!
This is like a piece of puzzle which you need to solved the last few pieces depending on which level you are playing. At first she can’t even arrange the position of the beads but as she practiced, I can see tremendous improvements in terms of her arrangements and positioning. She loves it very much and will take it out from her toy box once every few days and show me her end results :)

^ ^ Mommy, Mommy, Look! I have solved the puzzle!

Minor Changes In Blog Headers

2010-12-27T20:16:00.004+08:00

Nothing much was done coz ……. I ‘JUST’ found out I have forgotten how to photoshop!!!! Urrrggghhhh!!!!!! How could that be?? HOW COULD THAT BE???!!!! *screaming*

Anyway, after struggling hard, finally Annabelle was added into the big picture and therefore:

"A KISS OF AN ANGEL" now officially welcoming another new member ^_^

^ ^ Old header ......

^ ^ Ta daaa ~~ Two is definitely more merrier ^_^

That goes the same with my multiply header. Still, nothing much has been done but Annabelle is now happily being added into the header too ^_^

^ ^ Still using Angel’s old picture there coz hubby was against me changing it. That photo of Angel is actually his favourite of all.

******************
Angel noticed my new blog header and said to me:

"Mommy, why did you put Annabelle's picture up there? Can you please take her down? I like (to be) one person there wor ~~"

@_@

Dropping Hair

2010-12-27T19:09:00.004+08:00

Postpartum hair loss is hitting me bad this time. I started shedding hair since Annabelle was 3 months old. And another 3 months has passed and Annabelle is 6 months + now, but the amount of hair loss is still unbelievable! Sigh! I wonder how long this horrible stage will continue .......

^ ^ The amount of my hair loss EVERYDAY! Cry .....

How nice if I have a nice head shape that I could shave my head totally bold! Trying to avoid the mirror at all times now, huk huk huk *sad sad sad :'(*

At the mean time, what would ease my sadness a little would be to take look at this ......
-
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-
-
-
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-
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-
-
V

^ ^ Oh, my sweet sweet Annabelle! Mommy loves you so much ^_^

Angel says at 3Y8M

2010-12-26T12:45:00.000+08:00

M: Angel, Mommy have to go out to do something and you stay home with Papa ok? Don’t be naughty ya!
A: Ok Mommy! Be careful Mommy, I love you very much Mommy!”

“I love you very much mommy!” *she says that quite often everyday* and continue with
“You love me very much or not mommy?” and
“Now say you love me too Mommy! Say eh ….”

“I am Princess Angelina! I am a beautiful Princess! Mommy, you are a beautiful Queen!”

She loves to play doctor and always tells us that, “I am Doctor Angel and mommy, you are my patient! Now ….. lets see where mommy feels pain pain!”

**************

M: Angel, you look like Papa!
A: Nooooo!!!! NOOOOO!!!! I don’t look like Papa!!! I look like Mommy wor!! Ya? Ya? Mommy?

M: But everyone else says that you look like Papa!
A: Nooo!!! Wahhhh ….. (crying) I don’t want to look like Papa wor!! I DON’T HAVE ‘DOT DOT’ ON MY FACE!!!!

M: Dot-dot? What dot-dot?
A: Dot-dot is like Papa’s face!

**Note: dot dot = pimples scar, hahahahaha!

**************

When she saw mommy is busy in the kitchen, she would asked, “Mommy, are you cooking for Angel? Mommy love Angel ah?”

And once the food is served, she would sometimes says, ”Oh … thank you mommy! That’s Angel’s Best Porridge Ever, Mommy! Thank you so much Mommy for cooking this porridge for Angel ~~~!” (Ya! That’s the exactly how she said it!) Oh …… don’t know where she learn to talk like that and of course mommy’s hearts melted straight away la! *mommy in cloud nine*

She get hold of a RMB1 coin from daddy and when I asked her how she’s gonna spend it, she have a thought and answered, “I can buy mommy some water!” *Yes, I always bought drinking water when we were out shopping and it’s so nice of her to think of mommy before herself* ^_^

A: Mommy, I will buy you a breadmaker ok?
M: Oh, OK!
A: No Mommy,you must say “Thank You My dear!” lah ....
*sound so much like mommy leh :P :P*

Start using exclamation such as “OH ~~MAN!” or “OH ~~ PICKLES” (what does that mean?) with hands hitting her chest whenever she was disappointed! *_* (I think she learn it from the Dora cartoon?).

She would mimic me saying, “Mommy, don’t speak when you are eating! It’s a safety violation mommy!” So whenever I forbidden her to do something, I would tell her that it’s a safety violation explaining to her the reason why and she would normally obey :P

When she’s angry:
A: Mommy, you are not LISTENING TO ME AT ALL!!!

When she’s sad:
A: Papa ~~~ Mommy is angry at me!! Mommy DON'T love me ANYMORE!! WAHHHHHHHH *crying*

When she is happy:
A: OH BOY!!! I can’t wait!! Now give me some FOOD!!!!

M: Angel, how are you?
A: I am 3 years old *@_@*
M: Angel, how OLD are you?
A: I am fine, thank you *@@_@@*

She starts popping us the question “WHY …. WHY …. WHY …..” in everything now.

She could express herself better now telling us whether she is happy, sad, hot or cold. Lately she keeps telling us numerous time that she Is ‘So Happy’ because she back here in Shanghai with mommy and daddy! *laugh* I even heard her talking to herself that day saying
A: Oh, bye-bye Ah Mah (grandma)! Angel go to shanghai already~~~! Angel not going back to Ah Mah house already …. Angel is soooooo HAPPY!!! *@_@*

M: Angel …. What are you doing there?
A: Emm …. NOTHING! *hiding something behind her back*

M: Angel, opened up the door! What are you doing in there?
A: EMMM …. NOTHING! *found that she was climbing on the ledge of the window*

M: Angel, what are you eating? *saw traces of food at the corner of her mouth*
A: Emm ….. NOTHING mommy! *found that she secretly hide the jar of peanut butter behind the curtain*

M: Angel, what are you doing locking yourself inside the toilet?
A: NOTHING ~~ mommy! *saw pieces of Kisses Chocolate wraps beside her potty*
p/s: if she says NOTHING, my heart pounded faster actually! NOTHING always means SOMETHING!!!

A:Mommy, I Love CHOCOLATE ICE-CREAM!! It’s so delicious!

Asking mommy numerous times a day,
“Mommy, Angel good girl or not today?” or
“Mommy, are you happy today?“

“Mommy, are you happy with ‘me’ or not today mommy? Huh?? Huh?”

She still ‘overused’ the word Sorry. “I am soooooo sorry Mommy!! I promised!!! ” and forget all about it as soon as she turns around.

“Mommy, I am so sorry AGAIN, mommy!”

“I promise that I will be good girl next time AGAIN! Can you don’t be sad at me AGAIN mommy?”

“Don't worry mommy, I'll be OK, I promise! (means she'll behave! :P)”

“I don’t want to sleep Mommy! I want to lie down and REST!” *we can't use the word SLEEP coz she hates to sleep*

“I am Angel Jie Jie!”

She would reply all our instruction with the word ‘but’ at the front.

M: Angel, go to sleep!
A: But Mommy, I am not tired!

M: Angel, please pick up your toys!
A: But Mommy, I still want to play the toys!

M: Angel, please don’t say ‘but’ anymore! Just do as mommy says ok?
A: But …. But …. But ….. But Mommy, I want to say ‘but’ wor!

Merry X’mas 2010

2010-12-24T10:43:00.001+08:00

A very Merry Christmas and
A very Happy and Prosperous New Year 2011 ahead!

May God bless our family and friends with
Good Health, Love, Peace and Happiness
In the new year
and many more years to come.

MERRY X'MAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR MY FRIEND ^_^

She Does Not Speak Mandarin

2010-12-23T15:20:00.008+08:00

At the playground, Angel met new friends A & B:

Kid A: 来。。。小妹妹，我们一起玩！(Come play with us.)
Angel: Come! Sit there! You sit there! *pointing at the seesaw*

Kid B: *referring to kid A* 她说什么？？她说英语？？(What she says? She is speaking English?)
Angel: Jie Jie come here! Sit THERE! You sit THERE!!! *says it LOUDER*

Kid A: 我不会说英语啦! (I don’t speak English!)
Kid B: 你说中文！！(Can you speak Mandarin!!)

Angel: 。。。。。*in mandarin* 一，二，三，四，五，六，七，八，九，十！！
(she recites her 1,2,3,4 in mandarin :P :P :P)

That’s the best she can do ^_^

^ ^ Finally, they manage to communicate ...

****************

Strangers: Come here 宝贝! (bao-bei)
Angel: I AM NOT 宝贝! (bao-bei)!! I - AM - ANGEL!!!!
*and she makes a very angry face too :P*

****************

But she is improving ....

Mommy: Angel, speak Chinese please!
Angel: Ni-hao! (你好！)

Mommy: What’s next?
Angel: Wo-Shi-Angel 。(我是Angel。)

Mommy: And …..??
Angel: *thinking hard* ……. Xie-Xie! (谢谢！)

Mommy: Somemore?
Angel: Zai-Jian! (再见！)

Mommy: That’s it?
Angel: But I already said Zai-Jian (再见) ah!
@_@

Happy Winter Solstice 2010

2010-12-22T23:59:00.005+08:00

Happy 'Dong Zhi' to everyone. Today is indeed a very special day for eating 'tang yuan' ^_^

The same festival last year and Angel said ......

^ ^ ‘Dong Zhi’ last year

What about this year? Will she finally knows how to appreciate the yummy 'tang yuan' finally?? Let’s see ......

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^ ^ This year ... She still doesn't likes them :(

Of course, what makes the different in our little family was, we have another Little Missy who is also celebrating her 1st ‘Dong Zhi’ (winter solstice) this year ^_^ Oh, she is as ‘round’ as the glutinous rice balls in her bowl! *cute* ^_^

^ ^ Hello there!! I am the Little Missy who is just being FORCED to pose in front of the Tang-Yuan :)

Lazy me, this year I am still buying those glutinous rice balls from the supermarket! Hopefully I will learn how to make my own colourful and delicious glutinous rice ball someday :)

^ ^ Ehhhh .... What are those?? Balls?? Let's me poke and see .....

Our Very Red X'mas Tree 2010

2010-12-21T20:07:00.011+08:00

Daddy went groceries shopping. Instead of the normal stuffs, our 'Santa' came home with these .....

^ ^ Oh, how come our 'Santa' knows that I silently wished for :P :P

Angel woke up from her afternoon nap, saw the packaging and start jumping up and down shouting, “Christmas Tree!! Yeah!! Christmas Tree!! Is it Angel 的？？Is it Angel 的？？Oh ~~~ I love Christmas!!!”

She just can’t get her hands off all the Christmas decorations and even start tearing off the packaging saying, “Oh boy ~~, I can’t wait!!”

That’s not hubby’s style who will buy this sort of stuffs back home normally but I am glad he did. ^_^

M: Angel, what do you want for your Christmas present?
A: Emmm ... I want ... I want Apples and Bananas! *kids are so easy to please isn’t it? Kekekeke*

^ ^ Work in progress ...... 'kacau' here and there :)

But today
M: Angel, what do you want for your Christmas present?
A: Ahhh ….. I want Toys!

M: But what about your Apples and Bananas? You don’t want them anymore?
A: Oppss, sorry! I want Toys, Apples and Bananas!!

^ ^ Our first Christmas Tree here in Shanghai.

Tah Dah!! Presenting our X'mas Tree, finally!! Doesn’t it look great?? I am all in the Christmas mood now ^_^

Ho, ho, ho! Merry X'mas to All of You out there ^_^

Shanghai World Expo 2010 (3 of 3)

2010-12-21T11:50:00.008+08:00

........... Continue (end)

4th Visit to Shanghai World Expo:

^ ^ The top right picture was Denmark’s national treasure - ‘The Little Mermaid’ and it’s her first time getting out of her country. That’s very generous of them to exhibit that in Shanghai.

We continue our journey at the Europe Pavilion on Tuesday, 26 October 2010. Unfortunately it’s raining that day and Angel is extra cranky too. Temperature is very cold at around 12 degree Celsius but we still continue with our journey. This round we visited the bigger pavilion.

1. Finland
2. Denmark (the little mermaid)
3. Sweden (the home of Ikea)
4. Norway

^ ^ She looks boyish today and a lot of strangers come asking me whether she is a boy or girl :P

*********************

5th Visit:

We went to the expo again on Thursday, 28 October 2010. As the queuing was extremely long, we only manage to visit 2 pavilions but it’s awesome!

1. Spain (gigantic baby doll)
2. France

^ ^ The Spain Pavilion which was the facade was build using rattan (藤)

There is this humongous 小米宝宝 (if I remembered the name correctly) who has facial expression inside the Spain Pavilion. Angel is extremely horrified when she first saw this gigantic baby and starts crying! Really incredible to be able to stay so close to such gigantic BABY!

^ ^ The Gigantic 6.5 meter electronic animated baby - the Miguelin (小米宝宝) inside Spain Pavilion and it’s so huge! Do you noticed the actual size of the visitors down there?

Then we visited the France Pavilion. It actually has a nice restaurant up there which required advance booking! That’s a very good place for taking nice pictures, especially with a DSLR but not for a normal cameras coz the light is way too dimmed.

^ ^ The France Pavilion. There is also some LV display at the lower left picture.

France Pavilion has a very nice open air garden but then again, my digital camera failed to take a nice and decent picture there due to very dimmed condition again :(

^ ^ Top: That’s not real snow/drawings on wall, that’s just some lights and images projected from the projector. Looks nice isn’t it?
^ ^ Bottom right: She is horrified by those high tech mini size robots at her back :P

************************

6th Visit:

^ ^ Pavilions!

We went to the expo again on Saturday, 30 October 2010. We managed to visit quite of number of Pavilions that day :)

1. African Republic
2. Netherlands (Holland)
3. Polska
4. Belgium EU (Land of Chocolates and ate a RMB20 tinny size waffles :P)
5. Ireland (the builder of Titanic)
6. Italy
7. Canada
8. Mexico
9. USA

^ ^ Views inside some of the pavilions. Those tulips are all real tulips from Holland in Netherlands Pavilion!

^ ^ Angel in African Pavilion.

Now only I knew that there really was a place call MADAGASCAR in Africa from one of my favourite cartoon Madagascar!! *embarrassing* It’s really an eye opening opportunity for me :)

^ ^ Oh ... she looks so tiny standing beside the wall sculpture there and on the right, those were Madagascar trees from Madagascar :)

^ ^ The Mexico Pavilion is full of beautiful kites! Enchanting views and great for pictures!!!! Oh ..... My camera ran out of batteries here! Urrgghhh ...... :(

**********************

7th Visit:

We went to the expo again on Sunday, 31 October 2010 (The Closing Day of Shanghai Expo 2010). The last day of our visit so we bought a special day ticket and the pavilions we managed to cover were:

1. Sultanate of Oman
2. Pakistan
3. Sri Lanka
4. United Arab Emirates (2 hours) – and oh boy, this place is even developed then Shanghai!
5. Turkmenistan
6. Nepal
7. India
8. Japan
9. Vietnam

^ ^ Nepal Pavilion

And that marks the end of our Shanghai World Expo 2010 Marathon! Angel enjoys the entire journey a lot and even asked to go to the expo again after it ended. That’s truly a journey which will last in our memories for a very long time as I have never visited a place for 7 times in a row within weeks! A place where I least expected to learn something but got a whole lot more from it for all of us :)

^ ^ My stack of used Expo Tickets!

The next coming World Expo would be held in Korea and I wonder would I be able to visit Korea and continue my World Expo journey there? Most unlikely I think :)

Shanghai World Expo 2010 (2 of 3)

2010-12-20T12:00:00.012+08:00

Oh … another such belated post which I forgot to post up :P Must clear up those posts before new year 2011 :P

^ ^ China Pavilion at night view

I am totally falling in love and mesmerized by the Shanghai Expo 2010 which has already came to an end months ago! *Thank God!* (apart from China Pavilions which is still on and going till sometimes next year). Not just I missed this place so much but so does Angel and hubby too!! It’s has so much to offered to every visitors in terms of visual and senses, sending messages to each and everyone on how we could work together in achieving “better city, better life” in terms of energy saving options and also giving us a totally new aspect on how our future technology (future world) can be achieve from utilising natural resources and eliminating wasted energy. It also reminds us on the importance of protecting our mother earth from further damages and how we could correctly ‘utilised’ all the wasted energy in our world in a very interesting ways using high technology. It’s so incredible and yet so interesting!!! And most important is, this place is just a perfect world for photography enthusiasts too especially the night views!!!!! No kidding!!!!

Can’t believe that we actually went back there 7 days in a roll!!

*********************

2nd Visit:

^ ^ Colourful Pavilions!

We managed to cover 9 pavilion on our 2nd nights on Thursday, 21st October 2010, adding to the number of 732,700 visitors that day. We visited most of the African pavilions at the African square and 1 or 2 pavilions from American and the UK. Oh boy, it really feels like I am actually stepping onto the land of Africa walking down African streets and experiencing the African culture! Awesome!!!!!!

^ ^ More Pavilions

So many Africans items were on sale too and the crafts were absolutely magnificent! The pavilions that we managed to cover were:

1. South Africa
2. Egypt
3. Argentina
4. Tunisia
5. Nigeria
6. Hungary
7. Turkey
8. Caribbean (American Zone)
9. UK (Europe Zone)

The most magnificent pavilion of all (for me) would be the UK Pavilion!! I couldn’t imagine how on earth they could build such a ‘hairy’ and yet elegant looking building just like that! Extremely innovative designs! And believe it or not, the building’s lighting were actually ‘self powered’ using the solar energy that collected during the days without 1 single light bulb / tube! It just ‘glow’ naturally by itself in the dark!! I am totally amazed!!!!

^ ^ I am still speechless when looking at this incredible piece of ‘art’!! Day and night view of UK Pavilion.

More then 6000 type of precious seeds were embedded into every single tube that used to construct the entire building! That’s not light tube, the tubes just glow naturally at night providing natural lighting for visitors and we were the last batch to visit hence the natural light inside the pavilion is quite dimmed! Blame my lao-ya camera again, can't take good pictures inside UK pavilions in low lights without a tripod :(.

And after the expo, they will took down the building and get all the seeds out and reused.

^ ^ Incredible is the only word I can say! Worth for queuing up for hours coz that's one of the pavilions that I wanted to visit so badly!!

*********************

3rd Visit:

^ ^ Angel is enjoying herself so much there!

We continue our journey at the Europe Pavilion on Friday, 22 October 2010. Total visitors that day were 860,500.

1. Slovakia
2. Czech Republic
3. Belarus
4. Bosnia & Herzegovina
5. Portugal

Until now I still can’t figured out what that round shape ‘thing’ was (2nd row right hand picuture) because it looks like some sort of ‘planet’ built up on the ceiling! And the size is quite huge and makes some ‘alien’ clicking sound all the time too! An Alien planet maybe??

^ ^ Some of the pavilions we visited that night.

(to be continue .....)

A Very Hungry n Naughty Little Girl

2010-12-19T14:34:00.002+08:00

Maybe due to the cold weather in Shanghai, this little naughty girl is constantly asking for FOOD!!

Every 1 – 2 hours she would tell me “MOMMY, I am SOOOOOOOO hungry!! Please give me some food!!” but she could not finished off the rice / porridge if I do not feed her for the last few spoons.

Once hubby’s 2nd Aunty who came for a short stay with us here jokingly said to me
A: Luckily you are not her (Angel) step mom!
M: Huh? What do you mean?

A: If you are, then people must have thought that you have starved your child till she is constantly asking for food!
@@_@@

So these few weeks, she would sneak out from her room very early in the morning, just to ‘hunt’ for foods from the table!

She would ransack the dinning room and find anything that can be eaten despite we warned her numerous time that she shouldn’t do that but instead, she finds that food that she ‘gets’ without our permission taste better! *angry* She would nibble off whatever hubby prepared on the table for our early morning breakfast!

If she couldn’t find anything else, she would grab whatever fruits that she could find in the house and ate it with the peanut butter jam or the peanut butter alone!!!

It has gone worst to the extend that she would picked up any food or non food traces from the floor/ on the sofa and quickly pop it into her mouth while running away from me stopping her. *fainted* I have explained to her numerous time why she should not ate stuffs from the floor and seems like she understand what I told but the next day, she would repeat the same action again.

Guess what she ‘ate’ this afternoon?? This little girl who is so terrified of taking medicine actually dig out my medicine box and popped 1 of my flu pill!!! *wipe sweat*

Asked her why she did that and her answer would always be, “….Because, I am so hungry!!!!” The fact is, she has just eaten a bread minutes ago!

Oh my … while other is constantly saying that when our kids gets older, it’s easier to take care and hence, it’s time to have more children but I found that it’s not for my case! Now that Angel gets older, she would starts doing things that I do not have to worried about when she is still a baby / toddler. Or should I say she would starts do things which she would have done months before while she was much younger like popping food from the floor or peeing on her pants, etc? Furthermore, she now starts to make contribution to the economics growth too i.e. breaking stuffs and appliances in the house. :(

Especially these few months, I have been watch her every action like a hawk! Can’t even take my eyes off her even for a split second! I cannot imagine when the time comes that I have to take care of baby Annabelle at the same time.

I think I need to grow another pair of eyes and hand fast!! Just hope that my heart doesn’t popped out too soon!

Annabelle 5th & 6th Months Old

2010-12-18T17:00:00.000+08:00

^ ^ My lovely little Princess ^_^

Another belated post again :P

At 5th months old, baby Annabelle weights at 7.6kg and 68cm in length. I can see that Annabelle is a ‘longer’ baby as compare to Angel at this age and she is wearing most of Angel’s 9th months clothing at the moment.

She is very talkative and will babble and babble non stop. She loves to smiles and will smiles at grandpa and grandma whenever they talk to her without fail. They loved her to bits for that. Oh, she such a sweet jolly baby and never fails to melts anyone’s heart with her sweet smiles^_^

She’s afraid of strangers and even the Auntie next door talks to her, she would cried out loud!

^ ^ Not much hair still :) But her smile really brighten up our days ^_^

At 6th month old, she is having 6 oz of milk every 3 hours and hopefully that’s not too much for baby at such age? I can see that she is having a big appetite as her Angel Jie Jie too.

She is currently on her size M MP diapers but seems like she will be outgrowing the diapers size soon.

She sleeps around 10.30pm at night and wakes up around 8pm with 1 feeding at around 4 - 5am. She needs her pacifier whenever she goes to sleep too.

According to grandma, she is getting harder and harder to bath as she would want to stand up and sit down splashing water inside her bath tub. She loves bathing since young and would cry out loud whenever we took her out of her nice warm bath :P

She starts to understand whenever we talk to her. I can’t believe that baby at such age is so alert to adults’ speech.

^ ^ It’s Annabelle first Christmas strolling down the mall ^_^

She hates air conditioning :( That’s just opposite from her Angel Jie Jie! She would sneeze even in a 25 degree Celsius air conditioning room and that’s why, we were so worried that she would not get used to the cold winter here in Shanghai as heating is not provided during winter time :(

Her grips has become stronger now and would pull away any handkerchief put onto her face and smile at us. Is that mean more toys to come? *smile*

She starts biting her fingers and we’ll see whether it’s sign of teething. I can’t wait to see her first teeth popping out :)

A White Winter 2010

2010-12-16T16:13:00.002+08:00

^ ^ It’s a white winter which comes early this year.

It is winter time here in Shanghai and we expected our first white winter yesterday. It was snowing quite heavily with strong winds and since Angel is having mild flu while I am not in my pink of health, we only managed to enjoy the beautiful scene from inside our little warm and cozy home. Luckily the windows was cleaned few days before hand ^_^

^ ^ Brrrr ..... it’s freezing cold!

The snowing stopped in the late afternoon. Hubby heard from the locals that it’s good for kids to have some ‘chilling’ time outside the house once in awhile as to get use to the cold weather and prepare for the real cold winter. According to them, it will make them have stronger immunity and fight the flu too. So there they went, enjoying some great time in the snow while I just have to give it a pass :)

^ ^ She was so happy ^_^ After they came back only I realized that hubby drag her out of the house to the chilly weather only with her indoor clothing on!!!! Oh, MAN!!! @_@

Should I say that I am relief that Annabelle is not with me during this cold winter time as I think she might not get use to the cold. Angel love air conditioning while Annabelle will keep sneezing in a 25 degree celsius air-con room. Oh .... I miss my little girl so much!! Well ..... we’ll see how it goes :)

^ ^ Oh ....... Someone build a SNOWMAN too!!!

6th Wedding Anniversary

2010-12-15T17:08:00.003+08:00

Such a belated post …… due to lazy worms crawling all over me in such cold weather :)

It’s our 6th Wedding Anniversary last month and we had a simple celebration. Oh ... I can’t even remembered how we celebrate our last anniversary already so I better jot it down this time just in case I forgot all about it and blame hubby for not remembering our day :P :P

^ ^ Daddy and Mommy’s Anniversary but this little girl insisted that it’s HER BIRTHDAY and refused to move away from ‘HER’ cake and even blow away the candles :P

Hubby bought us a nice fruit cake and then ..... yeah! I got a card and a nice little gift too :) Have been longing for a decent camera for long and before I made up my mind which one to go for, seems like hubby has made a choice without telling me. He came back with a ‘black baby at first and I am so delighted but I was so in love with the white one so finally we exchanged it for my colour :)

^ ^ My new baby LX5 :) No need to worry about short battery life anymore :)

I remembered that when Angel is born, we bought a new camera purposely just for her and now when Annabelle is here, this camera did come just in time. Can’t wait to get some nice shots of little Annabelle with my new baby soon :)

Sorrow

2010-12-10T10:30:00.012+08:00

A day which filled with total emptiness
A day which I hope it will never comes by
I am so sorry my dear ......

Longing for a better tomorrow
Hoping that time will heal the wounds
Tomorrow the sun will still shines bright
and
I must be thankful that I am still breathing ......

There will be a better tomorrow ... I am sure!

Angel at [3Y7M]

2010-11-09T14:11:00.003+08:00

Lengthy post warning!!! A little bit of everything about Angel ....... For mommy's records :)

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Behaviour

My little girl weights around 16kg and 97cm tall at 3Y7M. A bit short for her age actually :)

She helps a lot in term of doing house chores such as making our (mommy and daddy's) beds in the morning (job perfectly done), wiping the floor or table that she’d messed up with, mopping the kitchen floor when mommy is busy preparing dinner, helping with the laundry and clothes folding (she can do it pretty good), clean up her dishes and arranged her chair after meal, getting mommy’s bottle, mobile phone and all necessary into the bedroom before bed time, tidying up all her toys before she plays with another one. She considers all these were ‘her duty’ and would throw a fuss if she saw us ‘doing’ any of ‘HER WORK’!!! :)

^ ^ My great little helper ^_^

Whenever she saw groceries falling from the supermarket shelves, she would insisted to arrange them all up before she is willing to make a move. And worst of all, sometimes it was such a huge piles of ‘stocks’ which was put on the floor by the sales person and she thinks that it’s a mess and insisted (crying and refused to move away) to put them back onto the shelves *_* Sometimes she even ‘thinking’ of picking ups tissues or sanitary pads lying on the public toilet floor too! *_*

Attached to Mommy more then Daddy now ^_^ !!! She would asked me, “Are you Happy Mommy? Are you happy (with) Angel??” almost everyday (especially if she is naughty) and saw me putting on a sad face.

^ ^ My Sweet little Angel ^_^

Her bed time regime would be 1) having her milk 2) request mommy to sing her Twinkle Twinkle Little Stars 3) Saying “Good night Mommy” 4) Follow by a sweet lovely “I LOVE YOU” 5) Fly kiss good night to mommy (coz mommy has fallen asleep on the bed).

She would respond to mommy’s instruction with “Ok, mommy!”. But when mommy asked her to do it repeatedly, she would reply back with a loud voice, ”O-K MOMMY!!! O~~~K~~~~!!!! Oh Man!!!!” @_@

Once it was so windy and Angel suddenly turned around and tell me with a concerned voice, “Put on your scarf eh, Mommy! It’s so windy!!” Oh ..... Mommy feels so warm while daddy is so envious! *hehehe*

Once saw mommy is coughing, this little girl will straight away grabbing for mommy’s water bottle and pass it to mommy ^_^

Love kissing and hugging mommy all the time (in the living room, kitchen, toilet ..... Everywhere!!) while saying, ”Mommy! Mommy! Oh ~~~ I love you”. I love the fact that she would told me numerous times a day, “I ~~~ Love you, mommy!” and give me a big hug and a peck on my cheeks which is really so sweet! And she would also asked me numerous times a day "Mommy, you love me or not??". I wonder is this a “girl” thing? ^_^

This sentimental girl is so afraid of 'sad' moments. She would laugh loudly and cheekily whenever she sees a sad movie or heard a sad song until one day, I saw tears actually rolling down from her eyes which she quickly hide her face away from me and wiped it off silently :P :P *do kids normally do that??*

She likes Daddy to carry her still at the age of 3+! The excused she would normally used was, “Oh ..... Angel is so tired, Papa! Angel cannot walk anymore!! Can you carry me?”

^ ^ Only Daddy have the strength to carry our big missy now :)

She likes to bully daddy everyday such as jump onto daddy from no where, climbing all over him like a little monkey and demand daddy to carry her on her shoulder, or block daddy’s view from the TV screen when daddy is watching his favourite TV program! She feels happy doing all that from what I can see :P

Still a cry baby most of the time. Especially when it’s time to take her afternoon nap or night time when it’s time to go to bed, or when we need to make a move from the children’s play ground. She would also whine whenever her mood is bad or to seek for attention (which happens a lot lately.)

^ ^ my big crying baby! She was crying inside of the restaurant because she doesn't wants to eat and doesn't want us adults to eat too!

Extremely overused the word "I AM SORRY MOMMY!" and I would hear this n-times per day.

Once we put her into her stroller, she will goes, “Now ...... Give me some food! I am so hungry!!”

She would address herself as ‘Angel Jie-Jie’ or ‘Angel Princess’! She is a princess wanna be now and loves everything associated with princess. If you call her "Princess", she would suddenly turned into this sweet soft talking little girl with an extremely sweet voice and will do whatever we asked her to do! That's certainly a magic word and I am glad that the magic word still works so far :)

^ ^ My Princess wanna be!

She wants to be ‘like’ mommy and don’t want to be ‘like’ daddy! She says she looks like mommy and if anyone says that she looks like daddy, she would quickly turn her face black and tells you "I AM LIKE MOMMY!!!!"

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Skills

She knows how to call mommy on the mobile phone now. She could almost remembers mommy’s 10 digit phone number too :P

^ ^ Ring Ring Ring .... Mommy, are you there???

She knows how to wearing her own trousers, jackets, shoes and shocks but doesn’t know how to take off / wear her own shirt(without buttons ones)!

She will put back her own shoes and jacket among returning from our shopping trip.

She would collect all her dirty clothes and placed them into the laundry basket. She also partially bathing herself if instruction was given and would wipe herself dry and wear her own trousers after bath then apply her moisturisers and lip balm too. (Yes, you read me right!! So vain isn't it??)

No more day time diapers but still wears her night time diapers to sleep. And ...... she refused to poo poo in her potty and insisted to do her 'big business' on her diapers instead! *Headache of the century for mommy*

Helps setting up our dinning table and take out the dishes too. I am glad that she didn't request us to let me make her own milk yet!

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Learning

She has picked up the ‘computer skills’ (facebook games) from her Ah-Mah (grandmother) pretty fast! Luckily, Shanghai have no access of facebooks games :P :P

^ ^ I want to play PET!!! It's my PET!!!!!

Angel finally starts to read!!! She starts getting the idea of ‘words’ rather then only ‘letters’ and start reading short sentences! Yippie!!! *mummy is wiping sweat*

She starts telling the time (in hours) and still working on the long hands (in minutes) of the clock. She sometimes would lie on her bed 'awake' and then wait till it's 5pm and told me, "Mommy!! It's 5 O'clock already!! Now Angel can wake up!! so mommy can't fool her that it's still 4pm and have to stay on the bed longer!

She can differentiate position and directions such as left, right and in front, behind, etc.

Can open up a video files from my laptop and minimized / maximized the screen using the computer mouse to view my pictures. @_@

Know the meaning of “money’ and would say,” Papa, you go to work and make more money for Angel ya!” But when asked her what she wants to do with the money she has, she would happily hold the RMB 1 coin in her hand and told me that she wants to buy 'water' for mommy!! Kekekekeke ....

She can pronounced her full name correctly (last time she would only wanted to be addressed as Angel and nothing else!!) and starts writing her own name!!!!!

***************************************

Eating Habit

Starts eating Vegetables but hates cabbage and silk squash or vegetables in the soup! She hates cream corn soup or western soup and she would only drink clear soup (i.e. nothing that can be seen 'floating' on top of her soup such as meat or veggie, etc)! So we have to take everything out from her bowl of soup or she would refused to touch them at all.

Loves nuggets, bread, cookies, pan cakes, doughnuts, egg tarts (Oh boy, she favourites!!) and anything that’s made from flour.

^ ^ She absolutely love this doggy cookies that we have made together!!!

She loves to chew on bones and everything with big bones such as drumsticks or chicken wings. Maybe that’s why she loves to eat the Hong Kong style roasted pigeon (香港乳鸽) so much until she would have 1 entire bird all to herself.

^ ^ I love to eat BIRDS!!!! @_@ (she would called the pigeon a bird!)

She starts taking gripe water (肥仔水) which she used to hate so much due to gassiness lately. Still loves her Original flavoured Scoot Emulsion as usual!

She could finished 2/3 plates of kon-lou-mee + 1 big glass of milo when we went out for breakfast! Boy ... she sure have a big appetite and I am so happy to see her enjoying her food!

^ ^ Yummy!! I love Milo the most!!!

Annabelle First Turn Over [4M1W]

2010-11-03T16:35:00.001+08:00

Yeah! At 4 month +, my cute little Annabelle finally managed to flipped herself over! First she curled herself up into a 'ball', moved her legs to one side and then turned her face all down to the bed (the same style used by Angel too and I reckon that's why Angel has flat nose???) then slowly twisted her other legs over and after few attempts, walaaaaa ..... she is on her tummy!! Whenever she successfully flipped herself over, she would raised her head up high, kicking her legs happily, making a cheerful chuckling sound while putting on a big bright and proud smile on her face and babbles non stop showing us how happy this little person was ^_^ She also manages to hold her head up right for a longer time now and sitting upright with support too. Just a blink of an eye that she has entered into a total new stage watching us from a totally different angle now ..... and I am so proud of her :)

P/s: Angel saw Annabelle is sitting on her dinning chair that day and not so happy with it and asked me, “Why baby is sitting on my chair oh? Why she is not lying down oh?” Oh, I think I will have more explanation and preparation work to do with her about sharing things with her younger sister soon.

Overcame her fear of ...... [3Y6M]

2010-10-29T13:05:00.009+08:00

...... Kiddy rides! ^_^ For some reason Angel is EXTREMELY afraid of all the kiddy rides! She hasn’t really been on a kiddy rides since young let alone standing anywhere near them at all and if she does, she would asked me,” Not to put money, ok?” so that the kiddy rides doesn’t move or she would tell us, “Angel touch only, Angel don’t want to sit on, ok? Ok mommy?!” So only 2 'moving' rides she has ever got up onto till now was the Merry-Go-Round and the choo-choo train rides back in Bangkok.

^ ^ These pictures seems like ages ...... Angel is still so chubby and ‘Little’ then ^_^

So one fine day when I was shopping for some autumn outfit for her in a shop near Carrefour 大埔桥road, suddenly hubby show me Angel is sitting on a ‘moving’ 喜羊羊 (Pleasant Goat – that’s what they call it in Astro! :D) ^_^ Although she still show some reserved in her face but when the rides is finally over, she quickly hopped down from it and asked hubby for another RMB1 coin :) She took 4 rides that night until we have to drag her out of the shop and of course, she is crying profusely refused to leave!

^ ^ Angel: I still look a bit puzzled, don’t I? :D

So we promised to bring her to a place called 卡通尼乐园 at 金桥广场 which is a kids wonderland. I can see all kids and even some parents (ahem!) are having a great fun indulging themselves with the massive rides and games with their kids in the fun land. This is the very first time that she is willing to get on to those kiddy rides voluntarily and we are so happy to watched her having so much fun at last!

^ ^ Angel: Yeah ...... I can enjoy all the rides now ^_^

^ ^ This particular car rides moves pretty fast too and looks like a mini roller coaster but she is doing just fine with it :)

Besides all the kiddy rides, she is so busy trying her hands on all the different machines and games which she could found there. Not only Angel is having a great time but me and hubby were also having great fun that day. But due to time constrains, Angel doesn’t have the chance to get into their toddler gym yet. Maybe next round then.

The next day, we woke up with sore muscles on our arms from excessive balls throwing and playing games while Angel have an extra long night sleep till the late afternoon. She must be exhausted from the outing :)

^ ^ Angel loves fish catching and this young lady managed to scoop a full basin of gold fishes unbelievably!! She is really good in it!!

Angel the 姐姐 (2)

2010-10-27T13:43:00.004+08:00

I would let Angel have her share in ‘taking care’ of Annabelle as much as possible and Annabelle seems to ‘connect’ with Angel very well. Annabelle’s eyes would follow Angel wherever she goes and she would turn her head left and right searching for Angel’s whereabouts all the time ^_^ If Annabelle is crying, Angel would mimic what we normally do by patting Annabelle to soothe her while saying "Ok ok ok kkkkkkkk .... I said OK! OK?" which really sound like us :D It makes us laugh watching her babysit Annabelle. (How I wish she will do that more often) She would also ask me to let her bottle feed baby Annabelle too and manage to do the job pretty well as you can see ^_^

^ ^ The little ‘mommy’

********************

It’s so funny when I accidentally found this picture storing away in my camera. This is what Angel does when she first heard baby Annabelle crying out loud during Annabelle first day home from the labouring hospital. After few months spending time with Annabelle, Angel has got use to Annabelle’s crying and Annabelle has somehow managed to 'survived' the noises that her big sister was constantly created at home especially when Annabells is having her sweet nap. Incredible but that's the essential surviving skill which a younger siblings must possessed I must say :)

^ ^ Mommy, why is the baby so noisy?

********************

When Angel saw mommy breastfeeding baby Annabelle

A: Mommy, what are you doing? *frown*
M: Mommy is feeding baby. You want some? *teasing her*

A: But Mommy ...... that’s not a good idea!! *Frown and covering her mouth*
M: But mommy milk is yummy!!!

A: Oh ~~ NO THANKS!!!! Angel have goat milk o-re-di! *pointing at her formula milk*
M: Oh, nevermind then. Later after mommy finished, it’s Angel’s turn (breast)feeding Annabelle ok?

*looks shock and quickly with both hands crossed in front of her chest covering them tight, frown more with tears in her eyes*

A: but ...... ANGEL DOESN’T HAVE (breast) MILK!!!! *Tears in her eyes*

Oh, Poor little Angel! Is breastfeeding really looks so terrifying for you??

^ ^ Angel says: Don't worry baby, although I don't have (breast) milk but I can help to bottle feed you ...."

An Early Preparation for Winter

2010-10-25T20:51:00.002+08:00

It’s still Spring time here in Shanghai but due to the global climate changes and the tropical storms ‘Megi’ which hits Guangzhou and Taiwan few days ago , Shanghai is currently experiencing a sudden drop of temperature by 9 to 10 degree Celsius and it will hit the minimum temperature of only 9 degree C by Wednesday. *shivering* Oh ... I hate the cold weather and missed summer sooooo much!! The chilly, windy and soggy weather everyday really drive my mood low because all of us are so looking forward to visit the World Expo again but due to the soggy weather, we have to put our plans on hold.

Digging into the pile of Angel’s winter clothing only to realized that Angel has outgrown almost all her winter clothing from last year (What a waste!). That means daddy’s ‘pocket’ will be shrinking a lot more again this month :( Choosing winter clothing for all of us will be a headache for me in Shanghai coz it’s either Price is acceptable but the quality / style is Out or ... the quality and style is acceptable but the price is making our eyes popped out, TWICE!! A good quality of ‘kids’ jacket or a pair of walking shoe in the shopping mall can easily cost a ‘minimum’ of RM400 / pc or pair! Absolutely ridiculous (coz it’s only used for a few months during winter time and kids mostly will outgrown their winter clothing by next winter!) and yet most of the time, the desire size will be sold out too. Sigh ...... no wonder it’s called SHANGHAI and everything is priced sky-HIGH :P

^ ^ First round of winter shopping for Angel. Doesn’t really liked the colour of Angel’s winter boots but hubby likes them a lot and it looks comfy on her :)

Bought some winter clothing for Annabelle 1 month back too and only found out those clothing might be too small size for her already when the winter time is here, sigh!! Annabelle is absolutely growing up in a lighting speed I must say (happy ^_^) ...... so I have stopped piling up winter clothing for this little girl for the moment being and probably will continue to shop for her when ‘the time is here’ :). So hard to estimate her growing speed now :)

^ ^ Some winter clothing for little Annabelle. Absolutely love the 'super duper mini sized' silver colour winter jacket from Mothercare and everything there in the shop!!! How I wish they cater adult size for the jacket too ......

So I can foresee that we will start dressing up like a 'dumpling' again soon and it's so troublesome 'coating' ourselves into those layers of clothings everytime we stepped out of the house. I have started to miss Malaysia already .....

^ ^Left: Angel with my scarf :)
^ ^Right: What’s so special about this jacket?? Coz ...... mommy also have the same piece of jacket at home!!! :D :D

My Happy Chatty Baby

2010-10-24T08:40:00.000+08:00

Baby Annabelle is truly a happy and chatty baby! Whenever we talk to her, she will respond back with some “ee~~ah~~woo~~” sound then flash us with her sweetest smile ever which never fail to melts our hearts all the time ^_^ Not only that she would smile at us when she is awake, she would even giggle in her dreams too and makes some cute chuckling sound. Whenever she saw Angel, she would starts ‘talking’ and smiling at her with her eyes glued on her big sister running around in the house (that’s her favourite past time) ^_^

At times when she was sucking on her pacifier and we start talking to her, she would spit out her pacifier then starts her baby talk while give us her brightest smiles too. There was once I laugh at her cute act of being so ‘talkative’ and when she saw that I am laughing at her, suddenly she give me a big laugh which really makes me laugh so hard and then she laugh even louder at me, hahahaha …….

She’s sure my little happy sunshine and those pictures above will always brighten up my days ^_*

Shanghai World Expo 2010 (1 of 3)

2010-10-19T14:33:00.013+08:00

Unbelievable!! Truly unbelievable, unforgettable and crazy experience! Yeah …. We finally went to the Shanghai Expo 2010 and it’s nothing like any of the expo in Malaysia at all! The size of the expo is absolutely beyond words (5.28 KM/2 and it’s the ‘largest world fair’ ever!) and also, it makes a world record of a total of 66.4 Million visitors to date (Malaysia population = 28 million only) and the number is still growing. Just the day before our trip, it hit a new record of receiving 1.03 million of visitors on the day itself which is absolutely insane. We nearly cancelled our trip to avoid being squeezed like sardines but I am glad that we make it in the end!

^ ^ It’s just a small part of the crowd at one of the entrance at China Pavilion! The visitors are really insane ….. just like ANTS!

Last Sunday (17/10/10) 5 of us make it to the expo at around 10am and adding to the number of 744,900 visitors to the expo that day. Entrance ticket cost CNY160/ pax (RM80/pax) and visiting the China Pavilion need a special pass (FOC) by appointment but we did not plan to line up stay overnight at the entrance just to “rebut” (I am not kidding!!) for a China Pavilion Pass which a limited number was distributed at 9am everyday (absolutely crazy!). Hubby’s aunty who flew all the way from Malaysia is so keen to enter the China Pavilion hence with no choice but we finally have to ‘flock out’ RM800 just to get the FOC tickets from the illegal ‘source’ (bad bad!!!).

^ ^ The absolutely infamous China Pavilion, here Angel comes!! We are actually up high at the exhibition hall where the arrow was pointing ^_^

The experience inside China Pavilion is absolutely speechless. After a few hours queuing and being ‘pushed around’ by huge crowd , we were finally transported to the top of the pavilion and saw the 123 meter long of gigantic infamous painting ‘清明上河图’ (‘Along the River During the QingMing Festival’). The painting is absolutely breath taking because it’s just sooooo huge and all the characters inside the ancient Chinese drawings are actually moving!! It’s just like an ancient city brought into life in front of our eyes! The 3D theater, the expedition train, the future cars exhibition, the huge lotus pond and all the displays inside China Pavilion is just so high tech and innovative! Beyond words can describe our feelings, even Angel were dancing and exclaiming about everything she saw. However, not much pictures were taken as the place were extremely crowded! We were so lucky that we even have a chance to have a peek on whatever it was display there :) :) The display halls are as big as few footballs fields, division and distributed among a few levels. It’s just an eye opener for all of us.

^ ^ Some of the view inside China Paviion. The top picture is the infamous China ancient city painting, the 123 meter long imitated national treasure ‘清明上河图’ (‘Along the River During the QingMing Festival’) and the character in the drawings is actually brought to life!!!! Incredible!!!!!!!!!!! You can imagine the size and length of it by the look at the people down there.

^ ^ Angel enjoy herself in the Shanghai Expo. She actually told me that “Angel is so happy today!” which I am so glad ^_^

We have to line up for 2 – 3 hours normally just to enter the so-called not so famous pavilions in the expo. Even Malaysian Pavilion takes minimum 1 hour that day but luckily, we brought along our Malaysian passport which we get to enter through the ‘green lane’ :) We are quite lucky enough to cover a total of 10 pavilions in the Asia Zone (including China Pavilion) namely China, Malaysia, Thailand, Brunei, Cambodia, Philippines, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand and Indonesia.

^ ^ Not much picture was taken coz there were so many ppl that day and our eyes were so busy! OK ok ..... Mommy and daddy took most pictures la coz Angel was so busy running around ^_^ She was so happy and 'high' for pictures most of the time ^_^

I would say that Thailand Pavilion is magnificent with so much surprises in it (love it so much). Philippines Pavilions is just so kind enough to provide a marvelous complimentary 10 minutes massage to the visitors (must go) with great entertainments – singing and dancing (truly cultural) and handcrafts for sell too. Australia Pavilion’s 3D 360 degree gigantic revolving stage and animation was absolutely thrilling + inspiring (must watch ). Singapore pavilions takes more then 3 hours to enter but we manage to enter it for less then an hour that night and the sky garden is a nice touch. Cambodia Pavilion is small but with a nice touch as if entering into an ancient city. As for Malaysia pavilion, I am absolutely proud that Malaysia Pavilion’s outlook looks absolutely breath taking during the nights (well done Malaysia!). However, the inner content of the pavilion itself, I would say needs a lot improvement as it’s a bit lack of identity and afford, not well maintained, too commercialized (as if doing an industrial trade) and it’s just a typical expo just like the one we have in Malaysia :(

^ ^ Zone B with some of the Asia Pavilions. Malaysia Pavilion’s building (Purple Roof, 2nd picture on the right) is absolutely different from the inner content (sorry to say that) but I must say that it does make a great impression to the visitors and well done to Malaysia architectural team!

We went home around 10.30pm that night coz my camera runs out of battery :( However, I am sure I will make another visit to the expo again hopefully next week (Europe Pavilion this round) before the expo officially ends on the 31 October 2010. It was absolutely a tiring day (must have good stamina to walk walk walk and squeeze squeeze squeeze) but I am glad that we make it to the expo with Angel which is absolutely incredible and that’s absolutely once in a life time experience. We enjoyed it so much and I am so happy Angel does too ^_^

Angel the 姐姐 (1)

2010-08-27T14:09:00.014+08:00

She has become a big sister now. Annabelle's existence doesn’t border her much although sometimes she does show some jealousy for knowing that she has to share daddy, mommy and grandma (who wanna be left out and share when it comes to love but I will share this in a separate post), but as long as we demonstrated that we still love her as much, she seems to be settling well and welcoming her little baby sister with open arms and always looking at her baby sister and exclaim, “Oh ...... Look!!! Baby so CUTE ~~~!!” :). She would even peep at us and steal the moment to ‘kiss’ her little sister on the mouth when she knew that we weren’t watching :) *sweet sweet*

***********

Before the arrival of Annabelle

Whenever she saw me out of the house, she would asked,

Angel: Mommy now go (to) see doctor and take the baby out???
Mommy: No No ...... not yet. *laugh* Do you know how the doctor take the baby out?

Angel: Like this ~~ *showing me some hands movement* Doctor cut open mommy’s tummy, take the baby out ...... and then close the tummy, like that!
Mommy: Oh ...... I see, how clever! So you like Mei-Mei or not?

Angel: Yes ...... Baby Mei Mei so cute! I am Angel Jie-Jie!
Mommy: Yes, you will be Jie-Jie, a big Jie-Jie soon so you must take care of baby ya ^_^

Angel: OK Mommy *smile*

^ ^ Preparing Angel for her baby sister before baby was born. She would tag along whenever I am visiting the labouring ward and she would look at other mommy’s baby in the nursery room refusing to leave :)

***********

After the arrival of Annabelle - hospital

During my hospital stay, Angel came for a visit and boy, I missed her so much! When she saw me lying on the bed, she come over to hold my hand, looking at me with a very gentle and caring look on her face and asked,

Angel: Mommy ...... 你痛痛 (are you in pain)？
Mommy: Yes ...... Mommy 痛痛.

Angel: Ohhh ...... Poor Mommy ...... *stroking my hand* Don’t worry Mommy, I’ll help. (*she always says that she’ll help whenever she feels sorry for someone :P*)
Mommy: How will you help mommy?

Angel: Angel will give mommy a Surprise Party. Surprise party will make (mommy) happy. *smile*
Mommy: A surprise party??? *wondering*

And she gave me a gentle hug and kisses on my hand. She can be a very gentle and caring little girl at times ...... ^_^ but 10 minutes later, she is up and running in the entire laboring ward already.

^ ^ My little Angel pays me a visit in the hospital ward :)

And when she first saw Annabelle being wheeled into the room, she kept looking at her and say nothing until we told her that Annabelle is the baby inside mommy’s tummy all these while.

She dare not hold her and touched her at first until we encouraged her showing that it’s ok, then she gently touched Annabelle’s cheek for the very first time and say “Oh ...... Baby so cute!!!” ^_^

***********

After the arrival of Annabelle – at home

At home, she is a great helper too (sometime :P :P) ...... She would help me to grab baby’s hanky and entertain baby whenever I am busy with other stuffs. And whenever she heard the baby’s crying upstairs, she would used her all mighty voice and call for my confinement lady who is always in the kitchen downstairs and say,

Angel: AUNTIE ~~~~ BABY IS CRYING ah!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Or when the baby is crying inside her cradle, she will shout out loud to grandma

Angel: AH MAHHHHH ~~~~ BABY IS CRYING! 摇 BABY ah!!!!!! (rock the baby)

Kekekekeke …… I do not need an expensive baby monitor to alert all of us of baby’s crying, do I??? *smile*

7 Weeks Old

2010-08-01T17:08:00.009+08:00

Annabelle is 7 weeks old now and time passes by so quickly! At 1 month old, she weights 4kg and 53.5cm in length. Currently, she is taking around 3 oz of milk every 3 hours per day and waking up 2 - 3 times per night for night feedings. She likes to look around and loves hearing us talking / singing to her and to be carried all the time too :( However, she doesn’t seem to taking long naps during the days. She would normally waking up every 10-20 minutes checking up on us / crying for us to carry or rocking her back to sleep again. I can see that she is more of a side sleeper and hates to be put on her tummy.

She will also poo poo in the potty every morning and so far, she is doing it great (and amazing)! No more soiled diapers during the days, yippie~!! :) She loves milk but hates water just like Angel where she would spit our all the water and got choked sometimes. However, She is so much different from Angel in many ways too.

During her 1 month old, there was once (yeah ….. only once and just once) she gave me a sudden big bright smile looking straight into my eyes that really give me a great shock till I rubbed my eyes (I really did!) and take a 2nd look at her just to make sure :P Angel doesn’t smile until her 4th month old or so which makes her smiles really feels so special to me.

I can feel that Annabelle is also consider as a ‘high need’ baby just like Angel. My confinement lady left early partly because of that reason too (she keeps complaining about baby's constant crying until we have to ask her to leave!) but I won’t be surprise as Angel is also the same if not worst then Annabelle when she’s still a baby. Oh ….. wish me luck again!

p/s: and just today, Annabelle starts playing bubbles with her own saliva O.o

Someone Is So Sweet ....

2010-07-30T13:20:00.001+08:00

That’s the person who has been helping a lot during the time when I am having those rough days during my pregnancy with Annabelle. He would rush to the wet market to get all the groceries, vegetables and meat before day breaks, If time permitted, he would also prepared Angel and my breakfast + lunch before he rush to work, and then once back from work in the evening, he would rush to cook dinner for us (if not eating out) and continue do all the dishes, cleaning up and then take over the job of entertaining little Angel while I rush to take my bath. When I was finally done, often that I find this man dozing off on the sofa after a hard day of work and house chores :). When I am able to get back in the kitchen doing all the cooking again in my 2nd trimester, he would still do much of the house chores such as cleaning, mopping, ironing & laundry at home (basically everything) which sometimes I am just thankful for having him at home when I needed him most :)

This is nothing like ‘him’ 3 years back, during the time I was pregnant with Angel where I would need to asked and asked, nag and nag, and found him did nothing / helping nothing at the end of the day apart from gluing his eyes to the TV set. During that period, it is such a hard time for me to really enjoy my pregnancy and with me juggling between my busy working schedule, my terrible morning sickness + solving my everyeday meals (cooking will be a no-no since the slightest smell would make me threw up badly). Hence, everyday working late and with a tired body and mind, I have to feed myself with either Maggie Mee or biscuits, and whatever junk food that I could find in the house. I guess after having Angel, after the horrible c-section (for me, it is horrible …..) and the period where we really did some adjustments in terms of ‘supporting and helping’ each other during the time in need and taking care of Angel who is a so call 'high needs baby', hubby somehow has changed for better …… which I hope this will be a permanent thing and on going :) Yes, I have finally saw a good father and good husband in him after all these years ^_^

Maybe someone would say that “Ain’t all hubby should do all these and act in such caring and thoughtful manner since the very beginning?” For me sure it’s not the case unfortunately. I do not mind to start off rough and hopefully, this man who I cared so much would keep up his good work and keeping his promises that he would “improved” himself taken up the role as to be a good father and a good husband day by day :)

I am not asking too much, just a 50% passing grades from him will be good enough for me ^_^

Introducing Baby Annabelle

2010-06-13T21:19:00.002+08:00

Introducing Baby Annabelle for the very first time here in Mommy's blog :)

After such a long wait, She is finally meeting us on 090610 afternoon via C-section :)

She weights 3.12kg and 49cm in length.

Mommy's 2 Sweetest Darlings greeting each other for the very first time in the hospital ^_^

I am so blessed to have 2 sweetest little angels in my life now ^_^

转载：处罚孩子又不伤宝宝心的10个招数

2010-06-12T12:50:00.003+08:00

I came across an interesting article (in mandarin) about various way of punishment in young children from the internet. I think it will be useful for a mommy like me as long as it doesn't involved canning and smacking which I think it doesn't worked on my little one at all. Call me soft-hearted :P

~~ 转载：~~

老话说的好：没有规矩不成方圆。当宝宝渐渐长大，有了个性和脾气，让大人觉得越来越难管束。除了夸奖和鼓励，适度的惩罚也不可或缺。但怎样罚得有效，又不伤宝宝的心和自尊自信，那就是门大学问。这里有10种宝宝犯错时的惩罚办法，有针对性，又切实可行。

有哪些方法可以让孩子得到反省和警惕，下次不再犯同样的错呢？

1、规劝

案例：与同伴吵架、抢夺玩具……

方式：先放下手边的工作，并走到孩子身旁，让孩子知道你正在注意和关注；然后询问孩子争执、吵架的原因，并耐心听完孩子的想法；灌输孩子打人、抢夺是不正确的行为和观念，并要求孩子学习说“请、谢谢、对不起”。

建议：勿以很大声音去压住或威胁孩子；勿直接将孩子拉开，然后大声训斥孩子不是；言语间避免伤孩子的自尊
心。

2、打手心

案例：打架、乱丢东西……

方式：用报纸制作一纸棒，外观可包上一层装纸；赋予它一个名称，如警惕棒、陈家棒……；放在固定的地方作为警惕。

建议：在心情好的时候制作，可与孩子一起讨论制作警惕棒的原因；处罚孩子时，先让他说出自己错在什么地方；提醒处罚的原因；注意安全问题，打的部位以手心、屁股为主，其他部位则应避免。

3、罚坐

案例：吵闹不休、吵架……

方式：在处罚区上摆上软垫或一张椅子，可取个名字；准备闹钟或时钟，计时处罚时间。

建议：处罚地点不正对大门、不在太明显地方；限制处罚时间，或让孩子讲处罚多久的时间；处罚完后，让孩子说出今天被处罚的原因。

4、帮忙做家务

案例：乱画，乱丢东西、玩具……

方式：准备一条抹布、扫把、盆子等清洁用具，让孩子学习清理和养成整洁的习惯。

建议：父母应随时注意孩子的安全；较小的幼儿可由父母一起带领做家事；训练孩子养成物归原处的习惯；询问孩子在帮忙家事时学习到什么。

5、画画

案例：喜欢骂人、抓人、踢人、咬人等小动作。

方式：依家庭的情况，在固定处摆放一张小桌子（此处罚桌最好不要是平常使用到的书桌、餐桌、客桌等，以免孩子日后使用到这些桌子时，会产生害怕、恐惧的心理）；准备一本画册及颜色不同的画笔，让孩子画出、写出心中的想法。

建议：当孩子有受伤时，先处理受伤部位再处罚；让孩子将发生的时间和做错的事情画下来；大人先控制自己的情绪，可从孩子的画中了解到，孩子犯错的心理想法；此为艺术治疗法，较不会伤害到孩子自尊心。

6、罚站

案例：故意从高处往下跳，车上跑跑跳跳。

方式：在家中规划一个处罚区，可取个名字，地点以靠墙壁、不正对大门为主；地上铺上软垫；准备一个时钟或闹钟，计时孩子处罚的时间。

建议：处罚地点不宜太明显或正对大门，以免伤及孩子自尊；与孩子讲处罚时间不宜太久，否则会造成孩子更顽皮的反效果；视孩子的高度来决定垫子高度；处罚完后，询问孩子被处罚原因，让孩子自己知道做错的原因。

7、看书、写字

案例：暴力倾向、说谎、顺手牵羊……

方式：选择固定处罚区铺上软垫或摆放小桌子；在处罚区里面放铅笔、画纸、彩色笔、故事书、色纸……；让孩子自己先写字或看书，化解孩子愤怒的情绪。

建议：当不能马上放下的工作时，可先叫孩子到处罚区去反省；别怒斥孩子的不是，与孩子先隔离，缓和彼此的情绪；等情绪平复后，询问孩子犯错的动机。

8、没收心爱的东西

案例：吵闹不休、乱丢东西、不收玩具……

方式：将孩子乱丢的物品予以没收，作为惩罚。

建议：先放下手边的工作，并走到孩子身旁，让孩子知道妈妈正在注意和关注；告诉孩子将乱丢的物品收好、停止吵闹，否则将有所处罚；让孩子说出为什么犯错，和妈妈生气的原因。

9、排豆子

案例：针对耐心不足，乱丢东西等情况。

方式：准备一个盒子、盘子，里面有红色、绿色等彩色的珠，几个塑料罐子；让孩子在处罚桌上，将各种颜色的珠，摆放在正确位置。

建议：如果孩子本身很叛逆，视情况针对孩子修改来处理，可先罚站、罚坐再做处罚；此目的在训练孩子养成物归原处的习惯；可训练手眼协调、分辨能力；完成后，让孩子知道被处罚的原因。

10、禁止某些权利、要求

案例：不爱刷牙、挑食、乱丢东西……

方式：将孩子爱吃、爱玩的东西暂时禁止碰触，作为惩罚。

建议：不以威胁、愤怒的态度大声对孩子说；让孩子知道禁止这些权利的原因，当孩子日后表现佳时，恢复其权利。

实施惩罚时的注意事项：

关键：把握原则控制情绪

此外，专家也表示，孩子成长过程当中，难免都会犯错，无论是无心的或是故意的，当父母在处罚孩子时，还需注意一些事情，以免造成不良的后遗症。

1、安全问题，处罚物品的材质避免过于坚硬；

2、控制自己的情绪反应；

3、处罚的地点应选择不明显、不正对大门地方，以免伤到孩子自尊心；

4、注意措词、语气，勿以威胁、恐吓的话语对孩子说；

5、处罚内容需彻底执行，不宽容、妥协；

6、处罚后，安抚孩子，让他知道父母对他的关心和关爱。

A KISS OF AN ANGEL

Another Art Center

Searching For Lightings

Happy Children's Day

Her Painting Class - DaShuXia 2

Painting With An Artist - DaShuXia 1

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My Mother's Day 2011

I have dimples

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Bento #10: Little Piggie Bento

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Angel Is 4 Years Old

To Go or Not To Go

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Now and Then

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Our Last Day of CNY 2011

Investments

Annabelle In Cheong Sum

Bento #10: Frosty The Snowman

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Happy Yuan Xiao Festival - 上海 豫园 (Yu Yuan)

Our CNY 2011 - Firecrackers

I Can Smell Love In The Air

Bento#9: Rabbits For The Year of Rabbit

Need Some Supplements

Greetings for CNY 2011

Thank You,Grandma!

Bento#8: Start Bento-ing Again

What Do You Normally Do Before CNY?

Kids Sit The Darndest Way

Diamond, Diamond, I Love You

My Birthday

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Our X'mas Eve

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Disclosure Policy

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Minor Changes In Blog Headers

Dropping Hair

Angel says at 3Y8M

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Our Very Red X'mas Tree 2010

Shanghai World Expo 2010 (3 of 3)

Shanghai World Expo 2010 (2 of 3)

A Very Hungry n Naughty Little Girl

Annabelle 5th & 6th Months Old

A White Winter 2010

6th Wedding Anniversary

Sorrow

Angel at [3Y7M]

Annabelle First Turn Over [4M1W]

Overcame her fear of ...... [3Y6M]

Angel the 姐姐 (2)

An Early Preparation for Winter

My Happy Chatty Baby

Shanghai World Expo 2010 (1 of 3)

Angel the 姐姐 (1)

7 Weeks Old

Someone Is So Sweet ....

Introducing Baby Annabelle

转载：处罚孩子又不伤宝宝心的10个招数

Happy Yuan Xiao Festival - 上海豫园 (Yu Yuan)