WED, 21-12-11 : CAPSICUM, CAPSICUM

I was not a gardening lover when I was younger but as I grew older I gained an interest. About six years ago I started to grow potted plants outside our home. When we moved here, we had to give up most of our old plants because it was not convenient to haul everything.

So we purchased new plants, one of them being the capsicum plant.

 Lest you think that the plant was some else's (hehe!), here's (Ryan) proof.

The T-shirt that Ryan's wearing was purchased in KL this year. A little oversized for him but it was pretty cheap for an original Batman merchandise (it was greatly discounted, I think its less than RM20). He insisted on wearing it eventhough its obvious ... that its too large for him ... hehe!

TUE, 20-12-11 : ITS DECEMBER!

When we reach the month of December, we have 2 birthdays in the family. My elder brother's & mine. Our birthdays are actually a few days apart so we kinda always tend to celebrate our birthdays together. Its been that way for the longest time. Our extended family do try to celebrate everyone's special day by having some cake, good food & opening some presents. This year is no different. We will have a simple makan session at my bro's place this weekend (on Christmas Day!). It may be belated but better late than never, rite?!

Just a simple shout-out to my brother on his birthday. He works so hard to support his family, always travelling overseas (so tiring!) but he doesn't complain coz that's what a loving husband & father does, for his family. Life has been tough for them too but he trudges on. Blessings to him, wishing him a better year ahead!

Haha ... Lest you think that I only upload photos of my munchkin, Ryan .... here's a photo of the birthday boy.

One of the latest photo of my brother, my sister-in-law & my parents, taken at this year's Hari Raya celebration. Yep, we were all in black!

MON, 19-12-11 : CATCH UP TIME ....

Just wanted to put up some photos taken these past couple of months. Yes, its been that long, folks!

Here's Ryan doing his school homework (at night! that explains the Transformers Bumblebee PJs) ... on his parent's bed, nonetheless.

And ... here's my little hero again, posing at our front door.

Last but not least, pictures of my two favourite boys ... doing what they do best ... being bosom buddies!

Don't they look alike? When Ryan saw this photo, I asked him - U look like Daddy right? Wanna know his reply was? He replied - No! Daddy look more yellow, I look more light! .... Haha! That's a 4 year old logic for you! Go figure!!!

Even when they look tired .... they look alike! Carbon-copies?!



FRI, 28-10-11 : A NEW LIFE ...

First & foremost, a shout-out to my loving sis, Rina on her birthday today!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SIS!!!

I've never said this ... but I find my sis to be one of the most selfless people I know. She's generous, helpful, loving and "not calculative". She makes every decision with her family in mind and she never tires of taking care of them. Her selfless nature makes her an easy target (for some) ... but she always helps others whenever she can.

I am a bit sad that I can't get her anything grand for her birthday (coz she deserves it!) but I just wanted her to know that I love her & that I really appreciate her love, kindness, generosity & understanding. Maybe when our finances are in better shape, I will try harder ...

Hugs & Kisses, Sis !!!

Well, talking about finances ... things are pretty bad!

Its been so bad that we decided to give up our car recently. We had our car for more than 6 years & Sylvia (yep! we name all our rides) was a faithful & reliable "friend", an extension of our small family. My son Ryan has been riding the car since the day he was born, so he knows no other.

I'm actually not that sad or "broken-hearted" about giving up the car but I am a bit sad for Ryan (boo-hoo!). Eventhough he's actually coping quite well (beyond my expectations actually), I know he (really) misses the car. There are times he will mention the car or otherwise ... but I have to constantly remind him that the car is really GONE!

I think the one that misses the car the most is (actually) Hubby. Yup, he's finding it hard ... giving up the ride. I think its harder for men because a lot of times the car (or the job) is an extension of themselves. I guess for me, the car is just a means of transport, getting us from point A to point B. I'll be lying if I said that I didn't miss our car (especially the convenience) but at the end of the day, its just not practical for us to own a vehicle at this point in our lives. The circumstance is hard to accept but the end result ... is the reality that we have come to accept.

We might not have a car no more but we still go out on our usual jaunts. Just last weekend we took the long train ride to Bugis Junction (arrgh! the weekend crowds are really horrible!!!) & recently we even went to IKEA, IMM, Jurong Point & Lot 1.

You see, like I told Hubby ... I refuse to stay at home and rot & bemoan the fact that we lost our ride. Life goes on ... and I'll be damn if I'm gonna be miserable & depressed! We will still go about our lives as per normal ... we just take the bus or train. Duh!

I refuse to feel sorry for myself
I refuse to surrender to fate
I refuse to be defeated
I refuse to cry (which is pretty hard at times)
I choose to go on .....

We will get through it
Its not the end of the world
Just a new beginning
Just a new adventure
Just a new path God has chosen for us ...

Though its gonna be hard
Though its gonna be tough
We will make it
We will persevere
We will live through this ...

... What doesn't kill you, only makes you stronger !!!

Keep the faith & carry on!

MON, 3-10-11 : GOING TO (THE FAR-AWAY) SCHOOL

Hubby (& me, occasionally) have been sending Ryan to pre-school via public transport. We realised now that his school is way too far, now that we've moved. So we have made plans for him to attend another school next year. Its still a bus & train ride away but the travelling time will be halved, so we get to save on time & travel costs.

Every little bit helps, rite?

Ryan, being extra loving ... haha! actually, he's like that all the time (I kid you not)!

 How about a quick pose with Daddy, before the bus gets here.

 Walking to school (the school's insignia were erased for privacy purposes).

SUN, 2-10-11 : WHAT A DINO!

We were outside of the Science Centre the other day & took some pictures at the main entrance. Nope, we did not venture in this time ... as we thought it would be more fun for Ryan if he had a playmate.

Don't you think fun things should be shared with fun friends?

Ah ... maybe next time my boy!

 Where did the dinosaur's head go?

 Here's Ryan with one of his super-cool poses ... (not!)!

 Aww ... father & son posed in the hot sun.

 The baby elephant is gonna get you ... errm, doesn't it look so life-like?

 Mummy, I'm getting soooo sleepy .....

One last pose before we go!

SAT, 1-10-11 : HERE WE GO AGAIN!

Yes, folks its M-E !!!

Its time, yet again ... to revive this "sleeping" blog of mine. Lots have happened in our lives but the major change has been moving into our new home. We are doing well & now we are examining a new phase in our lives. A lot of changes will be taking place in the next few months but we will take one small step at a time.

I'm gonna try to update more ... as I believe I have been busy for far too long. Uprooting yourself, does that to you, huh?!

We bought this for Ryan today. The small capsules supposed to be soaked in warm water & will change into other things (like animals). Parents out there know what I mean, rite?

 Ryan wasn't too excited about posing for me ... yup, he was too eager to soak the thing.

Ryan kept saying it was gonna be a crab, I said it was a lobster ... duh! we were both wrong! Errm ... the packaging did say "Sea Creatures" but I didn't know they had sheeps that lived in the sea, haha!

FRI, 22-7-11 : UPDATE!

We have finally moved into our new place ... yep! The house is still in a big mess. There are still tons to do ... but it will get done eventually (I hope!).

Its been such a long time since I've updated. But as life is slowly returning to normal, I will try to start the ball rolling very soon. I haven't been taking a lot of photos but I will try to upload them as soon as I find the wires.

Yes, finding stuff when you've just moved, is ... just .... damn frustrating!!!

Ok, that's all for now folks.

SUN, 30-4-11 : WE HAVE MOVED ...

We have finally moved out of our old place!

Meanwhile, we are putting up at my brother's. Its been quite a big change but we are all coping well. Haha ... yes, everyone's still alive!

Updating will definitely be sporadic but I will try to keep up as much as possible. Meanwhile ... take care & keep in touch everyone!

SAT, 2-4-11 : PLAYTIME WITH GRANDPA

Ryan has been spending more time with his Grandpa (my Dad) recently. Ryan always enjoys his time with Atok, especially when we go grocery shopping in JB (my Dad loves to join us).

I'm glad to see that they are becoming closer, as I want Ryan to be close to my parents ... whilst they are still around.

Here's the two of them playing the football game (Ayra's) at my sis place.

Ryan was too busy playing that he won't look up & smile for the camera.

FRI, 1-4-11 : ITS APRIL?

Eventhough we're counting down the days till we move house, I still can't believe its already April (really?).

Lots & lots of things happening this month!

1. Hubby & my Mum are celebrating their birthdays - yep! they're born on the same day!

2. We are moving out of our current house - still lots to do!

3. We are moving to my brother's place for a couple of months - lots of family time!

Yep, all these will definitely keep us very very busy!

So to slow my mind a little, let's look at the leaf that Ryan caught on film.

A lonesome leaf ... reminds us to take a breather .....

THU, 31-3-11 : BDP - FRENCH TOAST

Saturday mornings are more leisurely for me ... as I'm not rushing Ryan to school.

So I tend to do French Toast for him & myself. Either that ... or our usual Grilled Cheese Toast/Sandwich. Either way, its a different kind of breakfast coz I'm not pre-occupied with getting him to school on time.

Haha! a harried women doesn't make nice meals ...

The bowl makes the French Toast sooo yellow! The black bits are the added dried parsley (not burnt parts!).

WED, 30-3-11 : ANOTHER LUNCH

Another day ... another lunch, folks!

As usual, we were at Banquet Causeway Point. This time I had Fried White Carrot Cake, Hubby had the noodles & my boy had his Egg Prata.

With his latest buy, "The Big Chill" (From Ben 10 Alien Force).

Hubby's second choice of food here, the Dry Noodles with Fried Chicken Cutlet (must remember to add more ketchup).

My choice of delicious Fried White Carrot Cake, accompanied by the tasty chillie (I had to use the soup spoon as they ran out of small receptacles). I also had the large Grilled Otah (delicious but it wasn't heated up before serving (?) & it wasn't cheap lah!)

TUE, 29-3-11 : AN ICE CREAM PLATE

If you must know, my boy does't eat ice cream. I mean ... really? who doesn't looove ice cream, especially a kid?

He doesn't just not love it, he refuses to eat it. Yes ... he's "weird" ... and fussy! Its ironic though ... coz both Hubby & me are ice cream lovers.

Ryan doesn't know what he's missing, ya?!

He did this ice cream thingy at school. I took a pic & promptly threw it away ... as the colourful sugar sprinkles were the real deal (it would attract those pesky ants in my home, in a heart beat).

MON, 28-3-11 : BDP - RYAN'S MANY FACES

Ok, folks  ... its more pics of my little one. Haha! I never tire of looking at his adorable face.

Here he is displaying his many varied looks. See if you agree with me.

Cool ...

  Menacing ...

 Blank ...

Ecstatic ...

 "Nope! I wasn't me" look ...

"Hurry-up & take my photo" look ...

 Looking decent ...

 Shy ...

Tired look ... 

Ultra-tired look ...

SUN, 27-3-11 : BDP - RIDING AT HOME

I did not manage to take a lot of pics this week. So I thought it would be a good time to do some BDPs (back-dated posts) that were taken this year.

We'll start off with my cheeky little adorable monkey .....

Riding his red bike around the house. This bike was bought in JB for less than S$40 (cheap rite?). It did not come with the black basket (which was bought back home for 8 bucks) nor the yellow ringer (which was a castoff from his cousin, Ayra's old bike).

  ... being cheeky as usual!

 I sometimes forget ... that its he's got such looong eyelashes ....

A pouty lip is never far ...

SAT, 26-3-11 : WHAT A KITTY NAP

I saw this cat below a block of flats. It was too cute!

I just knew ... I had to snap a pic.

Sweet dreams!

FRI, 25-3-11 : A TRIP TO THE DENTIST

So ... I have this thing about teeth. Nope, my teeth ain't perfect (ooh, far from it) but I wanna make sure that my boy goes to the dentist regularly (& keeps his teeth clean).

We started bringing him to the NDC (National Dental Centre) since he was 2 years old. It really wasn't a pretty sight! Eventhough the dentist was a pediatric specialist & very, very patient with children, my boy would scream & cry murder! We had to pin him down ... that's how bad it was!

Now at the grand old age of four, Ryan's doing much much better!

You can see me holding on to my boy's hand (Hubby took the photo). They make all kids wear sunnies ... to keep the glare of the light, out of their eyes.

He didn't look that happy, right? He was being very quiet (hehe .. infact he did not talk at all). Ok, he did seem a bit stressed but at least he wasn't causing a huge commotion. I'll take that any day! 

I dunno, was the change of the dentist (to a female) that made the difference (?) ... or just that Ryan's older now. Maybe that's why he was quite "cool" in the chair. Haha ...no more dramas!

  

The dentist even managed to use the dreaded "drill"on him & he didn't even flinch! Way to go, Ryan! 

I have to say that I'm very very proud of my boy. I know, I know ... its just a trip to the dentist but its a big milestone for my four year old. If you had seen him during the first few visits, you'll be amazed at the transformation too. He was calm, cool & collected. And of course, Mummy & Daddy rewarded him with a el-cheapo toy afterwards.

Dentist visits will be a piece of cake, the next time. Thank God!