HIS KUNG FU MOVES

Since watching Ip Man 1 & 2 (starring Donnie Yuen), my son has been rather obsessed with wushu (& such) for quite awhile now.

He has some wushu-kung fu moves that he exhibits at times.

Why!? Haha ... I don't really know why Ryan does the things he does .... but I try to humour my kid, ya?

NO ICE-CREAM FOR ME?

Ryan is one of those kids that doesn't fancy ice-cream. Yep, you read that right!

Which is pretty odd coz Hubby & me are ice-cream fiends, we just love it! Whenever the mini "Magnums" are on sale at NTUC, we will try to get at least a box to savour.

On this particular day, Ryan said he wanted to try ice-cream (really?). So that's what we did. Being on a budget, we dropped by (where else) McDonald's. After licking once or twice, my son gave me his "I-dowan-anymore" look.

I should have guessed .....

PRAYING MANTIS

It looks like insects seem to like our new place!!!

Not a good thing ... when Ryan and me are petrified of them! Luckily this particular one, was already half dead (concussed?) when Hubby found it in our kitchen, one day. It must be really lost ... as we live on the top floor!

Ryan was so amused to see a mantis so up-close, especially after watching Kung Fu Panda 2 on HBO recently.

We quickly put it in a clear container & of course proceeded to photograph it. Later when we left the house soon after, we released the praying mantis below our block (on the grass patch) - it was still alive but very weak. Dunno what happened to it, after that.



That's "Echo-Echo" from the Ben 10 cartoon. You can see the comparison. The praying mantis was quite big!



HIS SCHOOL BAG

One of Ryan's classmate's mum asked me where we got his bag from (her son is a Transformers fan too). It was actually purchased in Metrojaya, Kuala Lumpur last year when we took a short trip there (during the school holidays).

Ryan has kinda outgrown the water bottle. Maybe the straw hinders the flow of the water. Maybe he just prefers others. Oh well, he's been outgrowing quite a lot of stuff lately. Maybe its just part and parcel of growing up, I guess. 

By the way, Ryan took these photos (with my I-phone) ...

LIBRARY COOK BOOKS

Recently, I have frequented our public libraries, quite a bit. As we used to live in the North, the Woodlands branch was my usual stop. Now that we have moved, we visit the few regional libraries nearby.

Just wanted to pitch these books here. I guess its easier to retrieve the photos (under the tags-labels) for reference. It's also a reminder to myself that I've borrowed & read them. Trying out the recipes ... well, that's another story all together.

The problem I have is I just love reading cookbooks. Reading them ... not trying them out. Maybe I should change this ....

I mean what's the point of buying cookbooks if you ain't gonna try them out. Duh!!!



This is a very good book. Want to get it but its very expensive!



PEACE .... EVERYONE!

Ryan likes to wield his (ever-present) peace sign .... like .... always!

His cuz, Ayra does it too. Errm ... so does Hubby!

I don't know who Ryan emulates but it's there all the same. Maybe he'll outgrow it someday ... maybe he won't.

Oh well ... there are other worst things that can happen, ya?

 Peace, everyone!



SAT, 8-9-12 : LITTLE SPIDER

Ryan saw this little spider in our room. He wasn't petrified of it but neither was he comfortable having it near his bed. I managed to catch it rather easily.

I took some photos ... but they didn't turn out great. My digicam ain't made for real close-ups.

After some pictures, we released it outside our home.

Bye Spider!

FRI, 7-9-12 : WHERE'S MY UDON?

Ryan never liked noodles much ... in the past but I wanted to change that.

Its ironic that when I was expecting him, I was averse to rice. Can you believe that? Yep! Rice made me cringe ... even the smell! It was tough for us coz as Asians rice is a staple & I just hated it then. So ... I relied a lot on noodles (& meat of course) to survive.

But Ryan .... he loves having rice!

Lately, I have been trying out new (food) stuff on my boy. One of it is the humble Japanese udon. I like it fried or in soups. I decided to try the fried version on my kid.



Simple fried udon ... with fishballs, eggs & spring onions.



THU, 6-9-12 : WE WENT TO THE SCIENCE CENTRE

Last June holidays, we went to the local Science Centre. As it makes more sense to get the Family package (as it allows 2 Adults & 3 Kids, multiple entries for a year), that's what we did.

Since its now the week long holidays & we had to make use of your yearly pass, I decided to bring my two nephews and my niece along. As one of my nephew has never been there before, it was a real treat for him too.

I'm glad the kids enjoyed themselves.

The four musketeers ... before they made their way in.

Mirror, mirror (playing tricks) on the wall.



Happy & Grumpy joined us that day ... haha! (He wasn't grumpy ... just caught off guard when I took the photo!)

The extinct Dodo Bird.

There were massage chairs ... just pay a dollar for 16 minutes of hard knocks (I was aching the next day!). The picture on the right looks more rude than it is (don't get any funny ideas ok). Just an optical illusion!

Ryan ... showing his Happy Face! & looking much like the Doctor he's supposed to be!



Astro Boys & girl!

WED, 5-9-12 : WHAT A CAT!

Ryan just loves cats. He's been bugging me for a pet (cat) for the longest time. Ain't gonna happen kid!

I had my cat (Baby) for more than 17 long years. He passed on when Ryan was about a year old ... but now I clearly have my hands full with Ryan.

I always joke that Ryan ... is my new pet :)



One of the many cats we see on the way to school. Doesn't it look soooo cute?



TUE, 4-9-12 : FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

Talking about school, here are pictures of Ryan on his first day of school this year. He wasn't in uniform coz we were told to buy them when he started school. That explains the home attire.

  Peace everyone!

Hubby at the bus-stop (we decided early on,  that if we could help it ... we would always send Ryan to his first day of school).



MON, 3-9-12 : HIS SCHOOL UNIFORM

Ryan is studying in one of the govt-led pre-schools in Singapore. Given a choice ... I have no qualms in admitting ... that I would have preferred one of the (better) private pre-schools available. Unfortunately, our finances does not permit us to do so.

His school is affordable & that's what fits us right now.

I had the bright idea that we should get an extra-large (XL) sized uniform for him. It did not seem too big when I first saw it ... really! I also wanted to save money as I assume that Ryan will grow into it quickly. I got 2 sets each of the uniform & sports attire.

Big mistake! It turned out to be huge on him!

Sometimes it doesn't pay to be tooooo smart, ya!?

These uniforms were way too big for my tiny boy!

This is much better ... ya? Yes, I bought new uniforms ... can't you tell?

SUN, 2-9-12 : PHOTOGENIC?

Here are some photos of Ryan.

Someone mentioned recently ... that Ryan looks better is real-life (not my words!) than in photos (it was meant as a compliment I guess ... haha!).

I kinda agree. I mean I'm not here to boost anyone's ego but Ryan is not very photogenic ... but he definitely looks better in person.

You be the judge!

No, no ... he wasn't picking his nose!

SAT,1-9-12 : HE BUILT A HOTEL

Here's the hotel Ryan & his cuz, Ayra built recently. Haha ... he's got a really good imagination.

Maybe someday, he'll be able to build a real hotel ... who knows.

Ryan & Ayra took pictures of each other. 

My niece, Ayra.



His sometimes ... model-ling pose.

FRI, 31-8-12 : SODA & SUCH ...

During our spendthrift days, a lifetime ago ... I remembered shopping a looottt at Isetan. I stocked up (a long-standing habit, I can't help it!) &  bought more than a few PJs (pyjamas) for my boy to wear. I bought them in ... ahem, several sizes (too big) as they were on sale, costing only S$ 9.90 each (if memory serves me well).

Recently, Ryan had quite a growth spurt. He was wearing an "S" for the longest time and suddenly he didn't fit in them no more. So out came the "M". But whadaya know, even the M is a little snug & short now. It seems like the "L" will be aired very soon.

My boy's growing up ... really really fast!!!

... And if changing PJs is one of the many things we have (to change &) buy .... well, its a good "problem" to have ;)

Ryan took this photo with my I-Phone (its kinda blur)

THUR, 30-8-12 : ETCHINGS IN THE SKY

Life has been such a whirlwind these couple of years. Since we decided to sell our house (in January 2011), it seems like all a blur now.

Well, almost two years has since passed and its almost the end of August 2012, wow! ... how time really flies!

My son is turning 6 in a few months time. Six! Can you believe it??!! Its been that bloody long!

He's grown from a tiny 2.1kg newborn to a young child who is about to finish his pre-school education next year! I reliased that since we made the decision to move, I have been rather lax & (severely) under-motivated ... ok, ok I guess the right word is L-A-Z-Y!!!

I have been taking photos (although not as many) & recording some videos but it all pales in comparison with the early years before. I'm rather upset with myself for not being motivated enough! It seems like I totally forgot about documenting our lives, especially my son's early years.

Well, no more!!!

I will not let that happen anymore.

I will be more diligent if I have too.

Lose some sleep if I have too.

Eat less ... if I have too (ok, ok that's totally unrelated!)

But I'll be damned if I let my son's (only) childhood pass us by without much .... ahem, fanfare & celebration! Haha! he's the only kid I have ... so I ain't got any excuses, ya?!

I've already missed soooo much since ... so I will start getting my big a** off thee couch & start documenting & re-telling the many stories that make up our lives. It may be a simple life but its still OUR own unique journey on Earth.

Where life takes us, we will never know .....

But keeping the memories alive ... are equally important & significant.

It is my hope ... that Ryan will read these blog posts in the future & look back with a big, broad smile on his face :)

Etchings in the sky ... of all the days of our lives! (taken by Ryan)

WED, 29-8-12 : ME & SPIDEY

We went to Vivo City to get some (very specific) toys ... so only Toy R Us will do. Long story about the the toys ... a story for another blog post.

Anyway, they are always changing the front of the store & Ryan was so happy to see one of his current favourites up in the front.

Ryan ... with his pre-requisite PEACE sign!

TUE, 28-8-12 : UPDATES & BIRTHDAYS

Hey there!

No, no we are all still alive and well. Lots have happened while I was away from the blogging world. No excuses ... that's life for you.

Updates, updates :

- Ryan is now enrolled in a brand new school. He's in K1 now. What a big boy!

- Hubby is hard at work, clocking long hours. Which of course makes me & Munchkin homebound these days. Sigh ... what can you do.

- I had an operation recently which had me in crutches for a few weeks (which was a real torture!)

- We are settling well in our new place. Nice immediate neighbours (for a change!). Still having an issue with storage (yes, we have too much stuff) but what can you do. We'll live!

Last Sunday we had to go to 2 birthday parties (woo-hoo! busy busy!!!). One for Ryan's ex-schoolmate & one for my Dad.

Here are the younger grandkids ... helping my Dad with the requisite cake blowing.

Because it was also still Hari Raya, we did a two-in-one of visiting my brother's place. We had chicken rice, yummy! And what did we give my Dad for his birthday? A money gift and a big container of cashew nuts. Why cashew nuts? Haha ... they are my dad's favourite & for as long as I can remember (as a teenager) whenever it was my Dad's birthday, I used to save up my daily pocket money to buy him some nuts. How original rite?!

Happy Birthday Ayah!!! Wishing you good health & many good years with the family! We love you!!!