Christmas Chess Challenge 2011

Its his 4th competition after learning for almost a year and I am very happy with his progress so far. He had been winning more games with each competition and this time, he scored a very good score of 4.5 over 6 games played. This put him in the 4th position for Boys under 6 category.

He was delighted to get a beautiful trophy and proudly show it off to his daddy and every one at home.

Trip To Penang

The last time I went to Penang was like 2 decades ago with my mum. I have totally no idea what we can do over there for 2 weeks but thanks to Astee who gave me lots of suggestion as to what to do and we enjoyed ourselves so much that the kids complained we did not spend enough time there....

I flew there with the 2 girls on the 5th Dec while hubby holds the fort here. Its the first time the 2 girls took part in a standard chess competition (approx 5 hours for each game). Shall not elaborate here. We stayed in the same hotel as where the competition was held, which is Tanjung Bungai Beach Hotel Penang. Its just next to the beach and if not for the weather, its almost like Gold Coast....

View from our room...

Since their competition starts only on the 6th, we went down to George Town for lunch with a couple of parents and did some groceries shopping. The "cha kway teow" and chendol is nice but I cannot accept the taste of their Penang laksa.

The girls were eager to jump into the pool and thus once we got back to our room, they hurriedly unpacked their stuffs and asked for permission to go to the pool. We were supposed to meet the other parents to go out for dinner but decided to just eat at the hotel restaurant as we were all too tired and lazy to walk out.

The next few days, we either walked or took a cab to the nearest shopping mall - TESCO which is about 10 minutes walk from our hotel for lunch and dinner was spend with other parents at the nearby food centre eating their local dishes.

The girls enjoying their treats at TESCO...

Late afternoons were spend either at the beach with their friends or at the pool...

DAY 1...
Family holiday starts on 10th Dec when hubby brought the 2 boys to meet us. The timing was perfect! They arrived just in time to see Charmaine winning her game. We did not stayed for the award presentation as the girls will not be getting any. Instead, we took a cab (which is super expensive to take cab in Penang) to Batu Ferringhi where the Adventure Zone is. We had a quick light lunch before the kids went wild in there playing with all the long slides. Nicholas, as usual, was not very comfortable with the slides but the other 3 were happily going up and down. The entrance fees for kids is RM30+taxes while adult enters free. The kids need to wear long sleeve shirt to play on the red slide which I called it the "free-fall" slide. Rachel was the bravest as she tried numerous time on the "free-fall" slide! Charmaine only went twice.

On the way out, we saw some sea sports there and hubby asked me to psycho Nicholas to try the para-sailing over the next few days.

DAY 2

We decided to rent a car instead of getting around via taxi. The girls played table tennis with their friends while we waited for the car to arrive.

Our first stop was to the Snake Temple which was super far! The entrance fees is only RM5 per person and the kids learned a fair bits about snakes. They were most interested with the King Cobra though.

Next, we visited the War Museum. Hubby decided to rest while I took the 4 to explore the place. Its an educational trip for all. We saw the torture cell; tree where they hanged the POWs; "chopping" board which was used to chop off the heads of POWs hanged on the wall with a headless dummy POW kneeling in front of it and many more. Nicholas was not comfortable with the sight and I told him to stay out while the girls and Ryan explore the cells. There were many things to see and we even crawled through a narrow tunnel and the 3 bigger ones climbed up the ladder to exit via the air well. I couldn't trust myself climbing up there with Ryan so we crawled back and exit via the way we entered.

We were supposed to go to Batu Maung Fishing Village but couldn't find our way there and so deiced to gave up and settled for the seafood restaurant opposite our hotel. On the way down, we discovered this beautiful scenic place ... Bukit Genting Hill. Our car almost overheated driving up the steep hill!

Nicholas vomited right after dinner...suspect it either due to the long car ride or he was frightened by what he saw at the war museum.

DAY 3

Today is a day for Nature...We took the tram ride up Penang Hill and hubby paid RM60 for a 25 minutes buggy ride tour. We spend about 2 hours there but most of the time was spend queuing for the tram ride up and down.

Next was to Tropical Fruit Farm. It took us near an hour to get there and poor Nicholas was suffering from the motion sickness and threw up twice! Poor boy. Anyway, maybe the season was over as there was nothing much to see. We paid RM28 per adult and RM20 per child for a guided tour which comes with fruit buffet (nothing fantastic) and a glass of fruit juice. The guided tour was brief though we did learn how pineapple reproduced (by cutting the crown into 4 and replant it) and that bananas tree withered once it he fruit were bore and a new one will grow again from the root.

DAY 4

Hubby decided to let the kids check out the Penang bridge before heading back to Butterfly Farm. And we spend nearly 4 hours there. We won't have left if not for hubby reminding us that its way past lunch time! There's so many butterflies and its a different experience from our Singapore Zoo's fragile forest. The price for adult is RM27 and child RM15.

After our late lunch, we drove down to the Batu Ferringhi for the sea sport. Hubby paid RM315 for the whole package 3 Para sailing + Banana boat + 30mins Jet ski. I managed to convinced Nicholas to try the Para sailing. He was a little nervous at first but he had to act brave for he said he is a big boy now.

After Para sailing, hubby accompanied the 3 on the Banana boat ride. Its a bad decision as Nicholas was frightened the moment the boat started going super fast. The 2 girls needless to say enjoyed themselves. To make things worst, the operator jerked the boat just as they were reaching the shore and Nicholas fell off into the water! Luckily, hubby jumped off and grab hold of him. He was crying from shocked and I had to pacify him. He calmed down soon but refused to go for the Jet ski. So the 2 girls took turns to go on the Jet Ski with hubby while Nicholas and Ryan stayed behind to play with sands.

Asked Nicholas his thought of the sport, his reply was "When I went up there, water (tears) was in my eyes but after a while, I'm not scared already. Its nice to fly up there. I'm 5 years old now, I am brave enough to try Para sailing. Next year, I will try to be brave to go for the Jet ski." So proud of you, Nicholas!

We went to Gurney hawker for early dinner. Its like our Newton Circle. And its a last minute shopping at Gurney Plaza. Charmaine kept asking for extended stay as she wants to visit the Toy Museum. Assured her we will come again soon.

Ryan @ 32 months

Didn't have a chance to take a good photo for him on the day he turns 32 months, so got to "borrow" the one we took on BIL's wedding day.

Speech development

Something to rejoice about is that he finally able to pronounce "mummy" clearly. no more "puppy; uppy" but MUMMY!!! Yeah!

And he started speaking in longer and more complete sentence like "take one book, not many"; "I don't want you! I want mummy!"; "I don't want this! I want angry bird!" and many more! His voice is so sweet and I love the way he sounded when he called me...he will goes "mummy, mummy, mummy!" follow by whatever he wants to say.

When posted with a question that he can't answer, he will tap his little finger on his head/chin as if like he is thinking very hard and should he really can't remember, he turned to me and said "I don't know" with a very cute innocent face. And if he remembers, he goes "I know, I know!" in his excited tone.

He loves flushing the toilet and if he is in one with me, he will wait eagerly for the chance to flush it. He will reminds me "mummy, mummy, mummy. You urine, I flush"

He loves his daddy's version of the 3 billy goat and he was so familiar with the story that he joined in the story telling part too taking the role of the ugly troll! Really cute...

He loves looking at our digital photo frame although it had been there for almost a year. He never grew tired of it. He enjoys looking at every photos and pointing out the who and who.. He goes shouting and pointing jiejie Rachel! Jiejie "harmaine"! "tor tor!" "Mummy!" "Daddy!" " That's me!" " That's you!"

BIL's Wedding

The BIG day everyone being preparing for is HERE! Because of this DAY, I was made to get a gown, go to MIL's friend's saloon to style my hair and learned to put on make up...hahaha...finally look more like a lady after so many years of being a "yellow-face" woman aka 黄脸婆.

This cutie insist on taking his Gordon train along...

He all set and ready to be the Page boy....

The wedding dinner was at Shangri-La's Rasa Sentosa Resort.

Its my second time sitting at the VIP table, first being my own wedding... hee...quite excited.

The kids were being briefed of what to do and where to go and they position. Ryan was most interested in his "bubble gun" though...

He got to keep the gun and that's enough to reimburse him for his page boy's job.

The 2 flower girls and the 2 page boys...

The trios love this new aunt of theirs and followed her everywhere she went, helping with her long train during the reception...

Video - Boys Year End Concert 2011

Nicholas's concert... I must admit that their dance steps were not synchornised but I don't mind.

I must say I was really surprised at this little chap dancing so spontaneously! I was half expecting him to freeze (just like Nicholas was he first went on stage) and half expecting him to cry. But was surprised he danced so well! Good Job Ryan!!

The Finale...dancing to "Positive" by Taio Cruz. They choose this song to remind the K2 graduates and everyone to stay positive when we were facing difficulties..especially dedicated to the graduates since they will be going to the BIG kid's school (Primary school) and more challenges stay ahead of them...

Year End Concert 2011

This is the first year Ryan participate in the School's concert and my worry was that he cries up stage. But surprisingly, he DIDN'T!! In fact, he danced so well and not at all worried about the big crowd of audience down there! Well Done Ryan!!

Nicholas did well too and look very handsome in the cowboy dress up. They were really enjoying their "dance". On top of their usual dance, the K1 had a showcase of what they learned in their music class - Handbell.

Chess Marathon

The 3 chess kids went for their chess school's "Fun Chess Marathon". It's a full day event with lots of different type of chess games....all done in a very fun way.

They get to play "blindfold"; "bullet"; "rotation"; "Random Chess"...Nicholas being in the last board for his team need not play those tough "games" like Rotation and Random. He played mainly the normal games.

Initially I was worried for Nicholas that he may tired out midway through (since there's no time to nap) but the coach said he did very very well and he certainly did not look a least bit tired when I return to pick them up.

His teammates also praises him as he won quite a fair bit of games for the team. So in the end, his team came in first! He was very happy to receive the "golden cup", his first trophy! A Golden Trophy!

His team came in FIRST!

Little one so happy with his golden cup!

All 3 kids each got something.. Rachel's team came in second while Charmaine's team came in third.

Their trophy...

Random Pictures

See how strong their bonds are! They even hugged each other in their sleep!

BIL's R.O.M.

Its the kids' FIRST going to a R.O.M. ceremony and they were super excited to see the whole solemnisation.

Me and my cutie pie...

The two handsome princes

The 3 musketeers...

Our Family photo...

One Big family with the newly wed (on the right)

Universal Studios Singapore...again!

Hubby brought the 3 kids to Universal Studio today...he been nagging at me for not giving him a chance to spend some time with the kids..hahahaha... and so his wish was finally granted today! He seized the opportunity to bring them to USS and freed me to do my shopping and some Me-Time.

He took these pictures of the girls doing rock climbing...

That's Rachel reaching the top and below was Charmaine trying to catch up with her sister.

and this outside Jurassic Park... They had a great day out with fantastic cooling weather and no crowd.

My Cheeky Little Mickey

Brought him along to do some last minute shopping for his uncle's wedding. He walked around with his cute little index finger tapping on his head (thinking) as he browsed around the area..so cute! Rachel spotted this Mickey ''glasses'' and put it on for him and we got this CUTE ''mouse''!

Ryan @ 31 months

With him speaking more and ability to express more of his thoughts, he got more and more cheeky.

He loves acting out the character from the stories we told him. He can be the billy goat; the ugly troll; Bubbles (the monkey); Baby Panda; Owl babies; Winnie the Pooh.... He loves best to be the youngest baby owl and Baby Panda.

He likes to mimic how animals behave too. When he sees snakes on NGO wild, he goes sliding on the ground with his tongue sticking in and out.

A video of him as a snake..watch his tongue...

He goes sliding in a "S" shape too when he wants to be a crocodile. The difference between a crocodile and snake is that when he is a crocodile, he will place his hands in front, opening and closing it, as if it is the jaws.

He is also super super clingy now!!! Especially at night, he goes crying if he doesn't sees me. He tells everybody "I don't want you!! I want pommy!" Pommy!" and goes screaming and running round the place looking for me. Even if I was in the toilet, he will insist on waiting outside and refuses everyone. Its a sweet feeling to be so WANTED but I do hope he get out of this soon.

SCF Children's Day Chess Challenge 2011

This will be his 3rd competition and mummy is still as kancheong and nervous as it was his first!

As usual, along with others his age, they played in the U-8 category. There were 100 kids playing in this category....tough one. And to make things worst (more kancheong), he was paired with previous year Under-6 4th placing boy for the first round! *faint*

Knowing the chance of winning is near 0%, I still gave out the instructions... ''be careful, think before you move ... ''

He lost the first round but won the 2nd, 4th & 7th(last round) and drawing the 5th round. His final score was 3.5 points. His starting rank was 85 and he ends the competition with the final ranking at 58. His chance of winning a medal was slimmed...a lot have to depends on the rest of the under 6 players played (although the under 6 were playing in the under 8 category, they have separate prizes for the Under 6 players.) Anyway, as usual, we stayed on to watch the prize presentation, a way to motivate the kids.

Little did we expect that his name will be the FIRST to be called when they were giving out the medal for Under 6 boys. Being first to be called up stage means he was the 10th placing! We were so excited but my blur boy have no idea his name was being called and still busy munching his packet of crisps. We shoo-ed him up the stage with him not having any idea what was going on! hahaha... He shook hands with the SCF President, Mr Ignatius Leong and took his medal with a stunned face!

After receiving the medal, he stayed on stage while waiting for the rest to receive theirs...

Together with all the top 10 players for the under-6 boys... Well done all of you!!

A group photo with their chess school's friends and coaches after the event...

The girls did very well too with Charmaine coming in 2nd and Rachel 4th for the Girls Under 10 category! A fruitful day for all 3 babies!!

A photo of him and his medal!

Well done, all of you!! Your hard work and intense training paid off!

My Little elephant

My little cutie pretending to be an elephant...he even include sound effect with it!

MGS Funfair 2011

At the MGS Funfair...

This year, the girls' school held a Mega funfair to raise funds. Usually, its only for the girls and during school hours but this year, its open to public and a near full day event. The girls invited friends and relatives over and they remarked that its a very beautiful school...big, spacious, clean and nice... I raised both hands and legs in complete agreement!

The event took us months to plan and organize. I was in-charge of the Tattoo station and only managed to sneak out to accompany the kids for a while. The girls didn't need me to be with them...they had their own coupons (bought with their own pocket money). Hubby took care of the 2 boys and they love the train and the F1 most.

Marina Bay Sands...Here we come!!

16th - 18th October 2011

Exams finally OVER!!! Hubby got a room at Marina Bay Sands for 2 nights and the kids were all so excited to go. The kids couldn't wait to check out the Sky Pool and when they did, they went "wow"!

For the next 2 days, we swam there and check out Marina Square (hadn't been there for a long long time). Even went for a bowling session...in summary, we all had a good break after the exam battle.

Nice view from up here...

Little one here just recovered from flu, so he only gets to play for a while...

The 3 babies with the sunset as a backdrop...

Playing with the camera mode... (Expressive mode)

A family photo...

Nicholas at the "baby" pool...behind was for the adults...

Ryan enjoying himself at the "baby" pool...

On the last day, Charmaine had to go back to school in the morning. Hubby brought the rest for a last dip in the pool before we check out.