The Third Musketeer

The baby in Ku Jie's tummy finally made an appearance on a Tuesday morning, shortly after they came over to my house over the weekend. Baby Benjamin's so very tiny compared to Kyan and me! We went to visit mummy and baby soon after at the hospital, and while Kyan seemed more interested in climbing up and down the sofa in the room, I showed a bit more interest. Check out our reactions to Benjamin below.

Afterward, I got quite upset when I realised that Ku Jie and baby had to stay in the hospital for another day because I didn't like the idea of them being around the doctors and nurses and not

being able to go home.

Look at him sleep! Just thinking of all the mischief we'll be up to in the future brought on the giggles... Heh Heh.

Hmmm, do I smell poo?

Goodbye 2008, Hello 2009

This year being my 4th time celebrating Christmas and Chinese New Year and Kyan's 2nd time for both, the novelty of our first experience of both festive occasions has worn off a little. Plus, we're both becoming quite a handful for our parents who are now constantly being kept on their toes dealing with our never-ending antics and boundless energy. Hence, this time, there're just a few photos of us to preserve the memories.

The annual photo-taking on Boxing Day after all the presents have been collected. We get to open them after this picture was taken. Can't wait to find out which of Kyan's toys can be shared with me too! Heh heh.

Photos taken on the first day of Chinese New Year in our new clothes just before we leave for our first visit of the day. Kyan looks impatient though.. I'm better at smiling for the camera anytime!

Sun, Sea and Sand holiday

We went for a short trip across the sea to Bintan in December. Just Daddy, Mummy, Ku Jie and Uncle Colin. Kyan didn't come along coz my parents decided that they needed a short holiday too, something difficult to do coz Kyan sticks to Mummy like glue and I'll also want my share of attention when that happens. I had quite a lot of fun - that is, when I wasn't throwing tantrums, refusing unfamiliar food (and familiar food in unfamiliar surroundings) or being sea sick from my maiden sea voyage. Who wouldn't have fun when you're the only kiddo amongst four adults? Heh heh.

Ready for take off! Or rather, all aboard and ready to set sail! I'm all smiles now, but I got a bit sea-sick toward the end of the 50 minute journey because I insisted on eating something after seeing the food tray in front of my seat, and, remembering what fun I had ordering food during my first plane ride 6 months ago, asked Mummy for a hot-dog. Fortunately, I didn't throw up at the end unlike the poor boy seated next to Mummy, but I did feel rather cold and feverish because of the rocking motion.

Enjoying a quiet moment on the bed with my bottle. I'll be sharing the bed with my parents for the next 2 nights. Hope I don't get squashed by Daddy!

Picture is a bit small here so whoever is reading this can't quite see the sandcastles that I attempted to make with some cups. The sand here is so much finer and cleaner than those in S'pore and we had this part of the beach all to ourselves.

I look like I'm having the time of my life, but I was also half protesting at being dunked into the sea. The waves are a lot higher here than what I see along the coast back home and while I've dipped my toes in sea water before, this is the first time I've been immersed in it.

Back on dry land again.

Now this is what I call a beach vacation! Lounging around with my shades and looking cool. It isn't as easy as it looks though - note my experiment with different facial expressions before I get the perfect "beach dude look"!

Ok, a confession to make. Despite the title of this post, my beach holiday is really about this wonderful invention... the jacuzzi that came with the room. I'm rather afraid of the vast open sea and basking in the sun is alright for a while but I'd rather have air-conditioning anytime. As for sand, there's only so much you can do with it... The jacuzzi though is different! I get to splash around in water without fear of it going over my head and the ways of scooping out water and dispersing it are limitless. True to my being born in the Year of the Chicken, too much water scares me, but I feel totally safe and secure in here!

Orrr... is it time to get out already...?

Think the focal point is supposed to be Ku Jie but I somehow got in the way..

Seafood dinner on the 2nd night was a very windy affair as we dined al fresco right beside the beach.

Checking out the day's programmes on our last day in Bintan. The resort has a schedule of daily activities that parents can sign their children up for, for a fee of course. Mummy was thinking of enrolling me for one of the activities so that I get some time away from the adults ( and the adults get some time off from me)



Ta - dahh..! I'm a proud graduand of the T-shirt design course. My completed art work, done mostly with the help of the resort staff at the Kid's Club of course. I chose the colours and the staff did the rest while I watched TV and played with toys in the activity room.

One last shot for the album before we go home today. Anything with wheels and a steering wheel, I'm happy sitting in it even if it doesn't move.

That concluded our short holiday trip. The journey home on the ferry wasn't as enjoyable as the sea was so choppy it felt like being on a roller coaster ride which lasted for a never-ending 20 minutes. I fell asleep clutching tightly to Mummy who in turn was clinging on even more tightly to Daddy. On hindsight, I think I still prefer flying to sailing. Maybe I'll decide when I get to experience more modes of transportation in the near future.

Birthday celebration in school

I had another birthday celebration in school when term started and Daddy bought me a cake decorated with my all time favourite Volkswagon Beetle car. Mummy and Daddy came to school during snack time to celebrate it with me.





Getting ready... Am I seated near enough to blow the candles later?



"May the good Lord bless you..." This is the 3rd version of the song after the standard "Happy Birthday" and "Zhu Ni Sheng Re Kwai Le"



Ok! Finally I get to blow the candles...



and cut the cake. Hmmm, how many pieces does this separate into?

Kyan turns One

2 weeks fly by when you're having fun! We're going home tomorrow, but there's still one more celebration to go before we say goodbye to Gong Gong John and Mama. A week after my birthday, it's my brother's turn to cut his birthday cake.

But first, a morning walk along the jetty after breakfast and a chance to take more photos..

Finally, Mummy gets to take a photo of us!

I know you're feeling cold Mummy, but there's no need to squeeze me so tightly..

We're back at Grandaunt Philippa's house for the celebration.

Birthday boy looking his one-year old best!

Lovely blue skies and bluer sea.. I'll never get tired of the view from the balcony.

Kyan trying to gesture his age... and getting it wrong...

Deja Vu... It's the birthday song again, but this time, we sing it for Kyan.

Yum... now that I've licked off the cream, can I get a bite of that cherry too?

Birthday boy throwing tantrums because the cake is gone! And with that, we said goodbye to my first holiday in Australia. It has been a lovely holiday!

McLaren Vale

We visited a vineyard today and I saw for myself the birthplace of Kyan's favourite fruit on this trip - raisins. Actually, they were supposed to be grapes, but it being winter, the round purple fruit that I imagined in a vineyard (as seen in the vineyards on the Discovery Travel & Living Channel) was nowhere in sight. Nevertheless, it is still an amazing place and I've never seen such wide open spaces of green before. It's also the windiest outing of this whole trip so far and I kept thinking that I would be blown away, literally speaking.

Mama and me posing in front of the grapevines.

My aunt and uncle (who's attempting to blend in with the surroundings!)

Kyan looking like he's going to be blown away by the fierce winds!


Family photo (with Daddy missing from the shot as usual..)

Lunch @ The Barn

Shopping in the City

Today, Daddy and Mummy decided to explore the main shopping district in Adelaide, so we took a train to Rundle Mall - Australia's first pedestrian street mall. Although I think we spent more time walking around than actually shopping, I did have fun observing the action from my 4-wheel drive. Mummy got me a frisbee to play with at the park, but I ended up using it as a steering wheel. The colour even matches my suitcase i.e. my pretend car!

Posing for pictures in front of a sculpture commonly known as "The Mall's Balls"(its official name is Bert Flugelman's Spheres)

The best part about the trip however was the toy store. I think my parents were rather sneaky coz they pretended not to hear me when I pointed out the huge giraffe picture, but I'm too smart for them! I told them that it meant my favourite place, the toy shop was straight ahead, so off we went to visit it as our last stop.

Although I've been to various Toys'R Us stores back home, this one beats them all! Its Huge and even my parents couldn't hide their excitement over the rows and rows of toys, some of which we've not seen before in the Singapore stores. Best of all, the place was very empty and I had entire aisles of toys to gaze at all to myself and not have anyone block my view! In the end, we got Kyan a set of little cars as an early birthday present, and I became the proud owner of a toy microwave oven that has a turntable, lights up, and beeps exactly like the real thing when the 'food' has been cooked. (The Singapore stores don't have this range and I could have owned more household appliances if Daddy hadn't stopped Mummy from buying the dishwasher, the vacuum cleaner, washing machine...I think she secretly wants to play with them herself!!)

I fell asleep in the stroller during the train journey back, and, like most other shopping trips, it ended with us boys acquiring more stuff than our parents!

Home and Garden

Week 2

I'm beginning to enjoy the space and natural surroundings here. Told my mummy this morning when I came out the front door that I like this place because it's so quiet here! Mummy was surprised coz I'm usually so noisy and she didn't think I'd appreciate a quiet environment..Anyway, it's definitely a change from my home where the outdoors is further away.

Oh look! What lovely flowers : )

This is Mama's backyard where I discovered a talent for watering the plants! My favourite morning routine is to fill up the pail and give all the plants and weeds a nice cold drink. I could probably do it for hours if it weren't so cold sometimes. I've also learnt about a new weed called a dandelion which bursts into little parachutes when I blow on it. Hmmm, how could anything so beautiful be called a weed?? Pity we didn't get to take any photos of me blowing on it.

Another morning routine I look forward to - helping Mama make fresh juice for breakfast. Look at all the yummy fibre squishing out!