Getting Down and Messy........

Stirring the hot water and jelly crystals with a chopstick each

Now that Bryan's appetite's slowly returning after a day of debilitating gastroenteritis, he's requested for his "wobbly jelly". So I made it into a little project for the kids... 2 recipes... so each could prepare their own. The kids love Aeroplane's Toffee Apple.... to me, it tastes like cough syrup... but hey, if they love it... so be it. It's very easy to make actually, first add the jelly crystals into hot water, give it a good stir, then add cold water and then...

TA-DAH!!!! (Bryan insisted he did his "Ta-dah" pose by sticking out his tummy...)

Going... going......GONE!

Smithereens

Derrick and Bryan were startled by a loud BANG! last Monday while they were doing their daily reading. The sound seemed to come from the MBR en suite. Both father and son went to check but didn't see anything amiss.... and went back to task.....

After choir practice, I came back and went in for a shower and I thought the glass looked kinda unusual, upon closer inspection, I realised there was a straight crack from top to bottom and I could hear a symphony of snaps, crackles and pops continually....... within minutes, I could actually see the glass spider-webbing into smithereens. Luckily it's a type of safety glass, so it didn't shatter onto the ground but small bits did fall off on either side of the screen, so I had to evacuate.. and call the glass people....... who could only come to fix it ...... a week later!

Well, glass guy came at 8am and got the job done within the hour and VOILA! good as new.......

THERE, ALL DONE!

Look What Those Idiots Did.....

I wrote about marks left on my spanking new foundation, here it is. Those idiots ah.. the future of Australia.... scary thought eh? I haven't got good shots of it.. Wait till my brother-in-law email me the photos. His camera very tokong... I swear to you, I can see the ants on the floor in the picture if I zoom in. I know, I know, when the house is ready, I won't be able to see it.. but still..........

Let's Go To The Zoo.. There's Lots of Things To Do.... and to Throw up.....

The kids with a Parentie lizard

Today, I set my own personal record.. I drove to the Zoo without looking at my UBD... nope, not a peek.... relied on my Sat Nav. Boy was it good! The kids were excited, all slipped, slopped and slapped up and all eager to explore Perth Zoo. After we arrived, Bryan was of course, looking for crocs which we found.... One giant saltie (saltwater croc) and one small Freshwater croc... He was fortunate to see the giant being fed.

After that, we went to the cafe for lunch. Bryan hardly touched his food when he started to throw up continually. After that, we called it quits and went back. Poor boy was so lethargic that he literally slept. I kept a watchful eye on him in case he went into dehydration mode. Luckily after a few hours of on-off sleep, his vomiting subsided, tolerated gastrolytes.... then the runs started... my goodness.... After a couple of runs, he just gave up and luckily I still had a pack of XL diapers which I didn't give away. He was rather puzzled with it but resigned to wearing it for the time being. This damn bug really did him in for the past 10 hours. I hope he gets well tomorrow. I'm going SHOPPING at Carousel at sparrow fart tomorrow. CHIONG AH!

Mumosore

Bryan will be happy to know that mummy's now a newly discovered species... Mom-oh-so-sore...
My right groin still hurts from the op, my right elbow's got a huge bruise on it cos I hit it against the door yesterday, my back hurts cos I think I have been doing a lot of lifting recently, my chest hurts a little still post op and lastly, my eyes hurt because of the story in red below...

Have been MIA for the past few days cos my BIL paid us a visit over the weekend. I felt so bad cos I couldn't take him out to the city, or Freo to shop cos I wasn't feeling 100% yet. But good thing was we really spent a lot of time catching up. He'd show me movie clips of my nephews and sister, and I'd well up in tears cos they've grown up so much and I do miss them heaps! I hope to see them next year.

I drove out to Heron Park and showed my BIL our plot of land. The slab's still there of course, and what else did we see? Some CCBLC ran all over it with what seems like an ATV, leaving burning rubber marks all over my floor! My BIL took some pics of them. Will post them after he emails them to me. Then you'll see what those PKM did. I hope no one steals the window frames or the bags of cement. Today, hubby saw the workers laying some bricks already. The window frames are still there... Phew... I tell you ah, some of these bloody youths here ah, have nothing else better to do than to damage property. Wait till it happens to themselves or their family then they'll know that they brought it to themselves and then hopefully, their Jiminy Cricket will whisper in their ear, "It's called KARMA, YOU A**H****!"

Ayam Back! But...........................

I am very disappointed... mostly with myself. Let me rewind............

I arrived Hollywood Hosp at 11am, and was ushered by a very friendly consierge through what seemed like tunnels in a pre-war building. Honestly, the hospital is undergoing some renovations and there were wooden boards everywhere and every floor looked the same from the elevator view. Soon we reached what felt like eternity, a few floors towards Lucifer's playground. The door opened and there was a HUGE "FERTILITY" sign pointing to the left and a "DOSA" sign pointing to the right... I chuckled and explained to the consierge what DOSA actually meant in Malay. There, I reached the "reception room" where I was the youngest there... there, the receptionist came over with my file, going through my personal details e.g. what's your name, address, what's your favourite boy band, do I think she looked fat in those pants..... Then the question I was dreading to hear "what will you pay by"... I wanted to answer "with my spleen and appendix" but I thought I'd better not offer those bits just in case I need collateral for a personal loan in the future. You could almost hear Derrick groaning in pain when the receptionist fired up the MasterCard to the tune of AUD$13000.00. "Don't you have Private health Insurance" you ask? Well that's part 2 of the story. After picking Derrick off the floor, we was ushered to a nearby treatment room where a gum-chewing nurse took my vital statistics... temp, BP, pulse oxymeter, pulses from different parts of my body, bust size etc.....Then we were told to wait for 30mins for an RN to cannulise me. 30mins became 40mins, 40 became more than an hour. Finally, a very friendly young porter came in with a wheelchair to wheel me to the theater. That, my friends, was the beginning of my disappointment.

Upon arrival at the theater, I was parked in front of the fridge.... Staff passed me with food and hot beverages on their way to the lounge.. I am hungry... I don't do hunger well. I could hear the food calling out to me. An RN finally put a canulla on my left arm Cos I needed my right hand to hang on to dear Racheal's plastic rosary. I went through 4 decades of rosary while waiting for my turn. At last, my turn came. The Theater RN was nice, she microwaved the gel pad before sticking in on to my back. 10 years ago, in Singapore, the gel pad was freezing cold and I was shivering like a turkey on Thanksgiving eve. Anyway, the theater staff were excellent. To take my mind off the pain and from the fact that my heart were stimulated to do cartwheels, we played "80's music trivia". My surgeon played too..... he's one cool dude who is also a trained classical pianist. Honestly, there is so much difference comparing nursing staff here with those in Singapore hospitals. Over here, I finally meet people who can match my wit.....

MOving on.... Local Anaesthetic numbed my right groin and believe me, when you have numerous probes going into your body, you CAN still feel it.... it's not THAT painful, it just feels like something crawling up your insides and you just can't scratch it. Anyway, I felt some referred pain on my top left shoulder.. I guess that's the price to pay for being so bony. Anyway, tests showed the ablation done 10 years ago was indeed successful and this time, I have problems arising from my atrium. With a very apologetic look on his face, my surgeon said the words I dread to hear the most, "I have bad news". Apparently after successfully getting rid of my SVT due to AV nodal reentry 10 years ago, I have now Atrial ectopy with tachycardia. So surgeon started me on Tambocor 2x daily and to see him after a 2D echo in January 09. Will go for more major surgery next year, for Pulmonary Vein ablation No peace for the wicked i guess.....

So now you know why I'm so disappointed? Spent $13K, heart still not fixed and now my groin and my chest still hurts...... and it's all my bloody fault.

This Is The Day.. This Is The Day

Woke up countless times during the night.. 3am, 4+am, 5+ am.. twice and finally, at 6.45am, I just couldn't fall asleep anymore, woke up and now having a cup of milo... then again will try to cram in more food till 8am. I don't do hunger well, so I gotta try to munch as much as possible.

For those who are still wondering where I'll be going to today, I'll be booked in to a $10K-potentially $17K spa at 11am for 24 hours, if the beauty nip/tuck treatment for the heart goes well. 6 hours post op, I'll be confined to my golden bed, hooked up to a heart monitor, resting on my down feather pillow. Not having to leave my bed to go pee, I get to use their.... wait for it.... their gold plated bedpan.. Of course after that 6 hours if I don't con't to potentially bleed and if I'm not dizzy, I get to walk to the loo to have a shower.. but then it'll will be in the middle of the night, so I guess I'll just probably freshen up with their sparkling tap water and hopefully, be able to sit comfortably on their diamond crested toilet and wipe my bottom with rolls of money toilet paper...... $17K... if the surgery doesn't kill me, the bill would probably do me in.... Let this be a lesson to all who either do not have private health insurance here in Oz or have insurances which has this clause that says... "excluding cardiac procedures........." which was our case. Lesson learnt?............DON'T SEND A MAN TO DO A WOMAN'S JOB, HECK, Don't send a man to do even a MAN'S JOB.......... all he had to do is that one thing.. get insurance... and THIS he gets..... probably landed the cheapest for him....
See? $17K lesson learnt... and yes, I have taken over the insurance matter now, absolving him from all legal matters at home.

With this ranting, I shall leave you all for 2 days, and will be back after my op. Stay tuned and help me pray for my safe return. I thank all my family, friends, particularly my Parish Priest who have prayed so much for me.

7hrs to surgery.......................

One Day To Surgery!

Before I forget, please don't tell my mom. I don't intend to tell her until after the op is over. Don't want her to worry.

Anyway, will be arriving the hospital on Tuesday morning. Honestly I don't do hunger well. I don't know how I can steal some nibbles every now and then. Too bad I can't take my camera into the theatre........

Glad MIL has arrived. She has done some cooking past 2 days and oh are they are scrumptious. Will check in tomorrow, if not, then after my op.

See you then.........

Running Around like a Headless Chicken

I just realised that Derrick's mom will be arriving tomorrow noon and I haven't prepared the room, packed the house, clear the garage etc.... So you can only imagine the mad dash. Tomorrow's out cos after morning swimming, we have to rush back to Aimee's birthday bash at Scitech ... and that one ends 5pm.

Can't really blog much today.. thought of putting up some pics.. but knowing Blogger... might as well insert link.. www.adelbrycaitderr.shutterfly.com/action

4 sleeps to surgery day!

Foundation

Picked up Father Robert this morning with Bryan in tow and we drove down to the building site. The builders were there, getting the cement ready while 1 of them were busy rolling up a ciggie. They were rather facinated when they saw Father starting the "Groundbreaking" blessing, they all kept quite quiet. One of them even invited Father get up into the concreted area to bless the entire "living area". It was special.

Finally, after dropping Father Robert back home, I drove over again to snap some pics of the place.

5 days to surgery!

******************A LIttle Bit O' This and a Little Bit O' That

Got wind that our new house's slab's down.
I'll be picking Father Robert up tomorrow after dropping Caitlyn off to school and taking him to the construction site so that he can Bless it. Hope to get a few pics tomorrow too. Soooooooooo exciting!

Bryan's been kicking up lots of fuss when getting him to do his daily readings for the past few days... Note to self.... Get him to read earlier instead of bedtime.. Duh! Adelene. SChool ends in a week and a half. Have to plan lots of activities for the kids to keep active. Caitlyn's got tonnes of revision books to go through. Now she's expressing interest in learning the flute. Getting quotes for private lessons and we'll make a decision for Term 1 09.

22 more sleeps to Xmas! That would be 44 more sleeps for me, since I take naps in the afternoon.... yup, such is life! Pretty much finished shopping for presents already. Derrick's mom coming over on the 6th, so I'll wait for her to come by first and then shop more then. SHOPPING again! YAY!

6 more sleeps to my surgery!

Who's that smiling at me?

I don't know how many of you out there caught that "smiley face" last night. THat was Venus on the left and Jupiter on the right and the moon was the smile. It was awesome... My camera phone didn't do it justtice though. See them again in 5 years!

Daddy Cooooool

THE FUTURE'S SO BRIGHT, I GOTTA WEAR SHADES.......................

I'm usually very careful when keeping my Fendi sunnies, but Bryan managed to climb onto the kitchen counter and curi it. Then wearing it, albeit upside down, our friend came to me and said "mummy, say cheese!"... which means he wants his mug pictured. Coool eh?

What's up man...

I've been trying to upload photos into my blog and everytime towards the end, tak jadi. Don't know what the heck is going on. Fed up. So everybody, check out the link here instead. www.adelbrycaitderr.shutterfly.com/action

Caitlyn's BIG SPLASH 8th BIRTHDAY

BIIIIIIG SPLASH FOR A BIG GIRL!

Caitlyn invited a few of her close friends to celebrate her 8th birthday on the 25th Oct 2008 at The Superslide at Riverton Leisureplex.

Caitlyn all soaked after the wild ride

They had so much fun riding the Loop-the-loop slide. Bryan's too young, so wasn't allowed to go onto the slide. Wow.. the happy faces, the ear-to-ear smiles, the bill.... (GASP!).. PRICELESS.....

I hired another party leader to get the party goin'.It was loads of fun. I didn't have to worry about the catering... although I did order some kuih muihs for the guests of the party.

Going to church soon. Will con't later. Having some difficulty uploading pics to blog too. Fed up, may just put a link to my shutterfly.....

Check the photos out at www.adelbrycaitderr.shutterfly.com/action

Bones-O-Plenty

MORE BONES THAN ME

As usual, the kids would request for Mc Donald's for lunch after swimming lessons. Caitlyn's usual order would be Fillet O'Fish with apple juice and Bryan's would be hamburger happy meal with orange juice. Halfway through her fish burger, CAitlyn started to pull out bones.. first one, then two, then... LOOK! Alamak, terbalik ... but you can imagine la ha.

My Turn to Biyatch

Time check: 0851hrs, why so early you ask? Well, I can't wait to biyatch... what about, you ask? Well, mostly about "How A Father Can Biyatch about His Wife In Front Of His Daughter". My sweet Caitlyn asked me this morning...........

Caitlyn: Mummy, papa said why you always have new things but he only has old things?

Me: What do you mean "new things"? (asking sweetly, gathering ammo)

Caitlyn: Like your car, your laptop, your keyboard...

Me: My car? Mummy bought that a year ago and remember how often it would breakdown every few weeks and mommy had to spend money on fixing it and worse, one day, my car had smoke in it and we were stranded by the roadside with Bryan in it? Well, it was dangerous and we had to buy one.

Caitlyn: Oh, then what about the laptop?

Me: Well, I bought that 2 years ago and the old one, is yours now, isn't it? And papa also bought one for himself before that?

Caitlyn: Then the keyboard?

Me: Mummy bought that to play in the Church, so that the people in Canning Vale Church will enjoy it, isn't that good? Not selfish, right?

Caitlyn: No....

Me: See? I can't help it if Papa can't understand that but I am glad that you do. OK, go put on your shoes and get into the car.....

Then off she went to get ready... then, armed to my teeth with ammo liao, I tembak my hubby man..................

Niamah... I BOUGHT those with MY money man! THe only thing I ask of him now ah, is to pool his money,.... no need to buy me Xmas, Valentine, Birthday presents anymore, I just want a Baby grand piano...... too much to ask for is it? I don't mean buy NOW, but at least SAY it ma... at least if I don't make it during surgery, I die happy ma, haimai?

Nia lou mou ah... got the rambutans to biyatch to Caitlyn some more..... For those who follow my blog, the SOP (standard operating procedure) for usual treatment is 2 days of total ignoring and mogok of wifely duties... including cooking and the hootchie kootchie (for at least 1 month).

Tired beyond recognition

Hormones.... you can't see them.. yet they wreck havoc in my body. I am sooooooooo tired today. I fell asleep on the sofa, at 6.30pm, while watching CSI:Las Vegas recording. I NEVER fall asleep during any of the CSIs... nor NCIS... but today... oh today, HORMONES 1: ADELENE 0.

To top it all off, Bryan wanted me to read with him. He didn't want Daddy to read with him, so there went 30mins of crying and pleading but then it was a no-go with me because I was just in screen-saver mode.

Damned hormones......the planter of pimples on my face, the brewer of rage in my gut, the need for toothpicks for my eyelids... i shall get you one day and then victory shall be minnnnnnnnnnnneeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!

And now, if you'll excuse me, I shall soon say hello to the sandman.

Say It WIth Flowers

Just like clockwork, everytime after we have an argument, and when I am always right (abo then?) you can bet on Derrick coming home with a bunch of flowers of sorts to apologise. This is one of them.. quite recently too, mind you. See? Never learn.. want to argue with me some more... when will he ever learn that he'll NEVER win? Ha? HA?... mei sei kor.....

Anyway, flower after flower, bunches after bunches, nothing lasts. So this time, he bought my favourites.. Australian natives. They last very long.. The ones I have in the kitchen are more than a year old! and they look just like new. I'll snap some pics later.

Will probably plant them in the new house next year. Such camels they are....

14 days to surgery!

2 Peas in a Pod

My fridge finally died on us. After many months of squeaking and grumbling it finally gave up. I don't blame it cos it did do a lot of moving in it's 10 dog years... first its 6foot plus tall fridge climbed 10 flights of stairs to my flat in Singapore, then 10 more flights of stairs down to the cargo container, then it was shipped via salty seas and docked here and moved into a flea-infested rental and then less than 3 months, moved to our old place and then now into this rental... It just had enough, I guess. Anyway, I've chosen an Iridium finish to complement the dish washer I will be getting when I move in to my new place in the new future. Anyway, the fridge came in 2 big boxes and my kids made them their rocketship. I could get into that box too and there's still room to move about.

Caitlyn Flying a Kite... literally!

This was Caitlyn's first time launching and flying a kite at a nearby school oval, during a friend's birthday. Look at her, all dressed up to the nines and running about like siau but she did it!

And now, the weather...............

I'm Jake the Pirate..............

This was the assembly I missed last Tuesday as I had to meet the surgeon. The photos were taken by my friend. Caitlyn had to "show off" her Jake the Pirate picture and read out Jake's story to the whole school. So far she's ok reading, singing and dancing in front of an audience. No sweat. Just like mummy hor? Ahhhhh...... thinking back... in Form 5.. doing Janet Jackson's "Control" with Mee Kuen, Ting Pei and Khasturi... Does anyone actually remember it?

It the time of the year again, the schools are appealing for donations for St. Vinnies to make Xmas hampers for the needy. So you can imagine... 2 schools to donate to.. aiyo.. pokkai lor ngor. With less than 5 weeks to Christmas, I better get cracking. I told hubby already. DON'T buy me any presents for Xmas and birthday.. just save and get me the Baby Grand piano.... Sigh.. Hope I get to SEE it materialise................... 17 days to surgery...

THE "TALK"

Fearing that the end might be near for me, soon after I received news that I needed to undergo cardiac surgery, I felt I needed to "prepare" Caitlyn for the worse... well...just in case..... you know la.. malang tidak berbau ma.


I was drying her hair and I started the "TALK" by apologising to her that I would not be attending her school's morning assembly on the 18th Nov because I had to see a "heart doctor". (Caitlyn had a speaking part in her "Pirate" performance). She asked me then why I had to see the doctor, I replied "remember the machine mummy was wearing last week? Well, the doctor has seen the report and he says mummy needs to have an operation soon. I could see the wheels in her brain were turning.

Caitlyn: When will you go for your operation?

Me: I don't know when, but it could be soon.

Caitlyn: What's wrong with your heart mummy?

Me: God gave me a special and giving heart, which means I was born with a special heart but a bit faulty.

Caitlyn: Did Poh Poh eat the wrong medicine when she was pregnant with you? (I was blown away with this question!)

Me: No, Poh Poh didn't. Anyway, I just want to tell you that just in case Mummy doesn't want to wake up after the operation, I want you to remember to always love your brother and Papa. You have to promise me to take care of Bryan even after he grows up and always listen to Papa. Do the best you can in everything....

Caitlyn: (Starting to tear) But Mummy, I can't run the fastest!

Me: Well, you don't have to run the fastest or swim the fastest but you have to do your best in school so that you can be the teacher you always wanted to be.

Caitlyn: But I don't want you to die!

Me: I will promise to wake up but JUST IN CASE, OK?

Caitlyn: OK................ If you die, who will play the organ for the Church?

Me: Don't worry, I will find a good replacement. Just remember to pray that Jesus bless the Surgeon with steady hands, ok?

Then she just sat there, nodding, on my lap, just holding on to me, and quietly sobbing for a good half hour. Then I told her to go watch some TV...

I was sitting in my room, and I heard her tell the Papa.. "you know, Papa, although Mummy won't be here, she will still be here... like an angel."

Sigh... my darling girl, all grown up.

Caitlyn's 8th birthday

HAPPY 8th BIRTHDAY MY SWEETHEART!!!!!

Caitlyn's ice cream birthday cake

Caitlyn turned 8 on the 24th October and since my laptop was off sick then, now I have to do some catching up with the postings. This was a family little celebration on the evening of her birthday... simple, just the few of us. This was after the singing and Bryan was very eager to blow out the candle on her ice cream cake and well.....just look at Daddy.... The next photo was taken early that morning, she received her presents from Dad, Me and Bryan and an ang pow from Ma Ma. Poh Poh and Yee Mah's present couldn't arrive in time all the way from Manchester.... Look at her.. all smiles.. what a great way to start a school day...I'm trying to load the other pics but seem to be unable to do so. Will keep trying. Anyway, next blog..... THE "TALK" which reduced Caitlyn to tears.

Look Who's Back!!!!

FINALLY! Got my laptop back from Melbourne. Even this thing gets to have a vacation. Must be the bad vibes here recently.. First, my 11 year old Ariston fridge died after months of squeaking and grumbling.. then my illiterate Phillips portable DVD finally admitted that it couldn't READ DVDs... and then my laptop's DVD burner decided to throw a hissy fit... and now, worse news of all, I need to check myself into a hospital for a 10 year major tuning. I got to say.. bad things happens in 4's.

So for you, my friends who have good health, enjoy life, complain less and spend time with your kids while you can. I know it's archaic with the saying "what is money when you have no health to enjoy it".... Cardiac surgery scheduled for 9th Dec. Please pray I come out alive. More details soon!

What's Happenin'

My laptop's been out of commission for the last week. Had to send it to Melbourne for servicing cos the DVD burner started to play punk a few months after I bought it. Now hitching a ride from Caitlyn's laptop. Will be back with full force after I get mine back. BRB!

Astronaut Bryan

The last time Bryan had that toy basket on his head, it got stuck on his face and removing it proved very painful for his ears... AFter that incident, he said he wouldn't do that anymore and now look... he has it ON his head now. It's supposed to be his astronaut's helmet.

This is him trying to crawl into his spaceship but he was too big to get into it...

Kiddy Yoga

Yesterday were the kids' first yoga lesson. Their teacher, "Miss Roberts" was able to handle Bryan, who was the only boy in the class. Caitlyn's the oldest in that class of 5. Bryan was able to stay on his mat and follow some instruction which was fun for him. I would peek into the room to see what he was doing. Sometimes, I see him practising his flexibility by biting his toenail....
Tomorrow will be his Gym class.. Will try and get some pics if management allows.

Lucky Lucky Me!

See what I won? A $50 BP petrol voucher. My first. So proud of it that I had to take a picture of it and show it off. Hee Hee.

Yoga Broke Me

Lesson No. 1: Do NOT eat a full meal an hour before Yoga.

Made a Big Mac-stake..... halfway during yoga, I threw up. Made it to the ladies in time, of course. Huge mistake. Felt like crap after that. Drove the kids home and I just collapsed in bed. Caitlyn was very responsible... She kept Bryan out of trouble while I rested in bed.. with a huge plastic bag by my side. After an hour, the crappy feeling went away and I could at least get up and walk. Honestly, I do suspect I have a tummy bug cos there's a constant feeling of queasiness. No, I am so NOT pregnant, in the that's the next question you're going to ask. 2 panadols took the headache and neck stiffness away... and YES, my body is so sore!!! I worked muscles I never knew I had!

Weekend Celebration Before School Begins

Caitlyn had fun attending her classmate's Craft-y birthday, with one of her BFFs, Cassy. Here they are, Cass, Cait and Nat. The girls had their faces painted too.So it's fun, fun, fun till next Tues, when Term 4 begins.

Feeding Frenzy at Swamp

It's been quite a while since Bryan fed his crocs. Today he built a swamp with his crocs, a pig and a poor zebra. Guess who was chow? Poor zebra and piggy. He knows the shark didn't belong, so he chucked it belly up under the sofa. I couldn't resists taking a "nice" pic and started to put the toys upright. Of course that didn't bode well with Bryan... His feed, his rules...

You Can Run.. But You Can't Hiiiiiiiiiiiiiide!

This is where Bryan will "hide" if he is running away from me. He'll push his toy box around him, against the sofa and arm chair, hoping I won't be able to get to him. Riiiiiiiiiiiiiight. While he is in his Circle of Safety, all I have to do is to wave my Magic Wand aka rotan and he'll be out in a flash.... See? Action DOES speaks louder than words....

See? This is How It Starts...

First, it's the innocent "Cat In The Hat"..... after that.. CD ROM games and after that.. heaven only knows... This is him in his "Batman" cape at the dining table ...

Dr. Seuss Would Be So Proud!

Caught him in the act! He loves to play with the computer now and so far, he only likes to play The Cat In The Hat CD ROM. Thus starting his whole new echolalic script repertoire. Will let him start Green Eggs and Ham and Maggie's Farmyard soon.

4 and a Half and still a baby!

30kg.... 4 feet tall.. and already 4 and a half... still like to play peek-a-boo.

Tai mm thau.. sometimes I see him like this, I wonder.. did the Dr get his diagnosis wrong? Then when he starts his echolalia, reality smacks me upside the head ala Jethro Gibbs.

Bathroom or Playroom.. or both?

See how our bathroom has transformed into Animal-topia? All kinds of creatures living harmoniously behind a door.... the bathroom door. Bryan will take a toy .. usually his favourite animal of the day, to teman his shower. I hurts like an SOB when you suddenly step on them cos there are really hard poking bits jutting out.

Occasionally, you'll see one or two escapees.........

Everybody? ...... Anybody?.. (I found it funny at that time)

Bryan knows too well that he cannot leave the breakfast table without finishing his breakfast.
So it was a typical holi-day morning and he was just being difficult and slooooooooooooooow.
Caitlyn was done and was sitting on the throne, Daddy was also on another throne and mummy was kemas-ing the bedroom.

He was, I am sure, trying to get someone to "save" him... after all, it was getting a tad bit too quiet for him out at the dining area.........

Bryan: PAPA!
Derrick (shouting from inside the loo): PAPA IN THE TOILET!
(PAUSE)

Bryan: CHEH CHEH!
Caitlyn (shouting from inside another loo): CHEH CHEH POO POO!!!!!!
(PAUSE)

Bryan (boh pian... enemy also have to friend already): MOMMY!
Me: Mummy is BUSY! (Still have to sound angry to maintain effect ma)
(looooooooooooong pause)


Bryan (very close to tears): BRYAN?


Poor thing.. psychological trauma from being banished to the dining table...... I smell therapy dollars......

That actually, reminded me of a Calvin & Hobbes cartoon strip.. the only person CAlvin called for at the end after not getting a response from mom and dad was ... OPRAH!

1 Week of Holidays Left

I gripe first ok? Why do kids wake up at sparrow fart during the holidays? During school days leh, I would have to literally drag them from their beds to wake them up. And I thought I could sleep in during the hols.... NOT! I gotta think of something FAST! I'm one step short of administering pre-historic anaesthesia.... which involves a huge club.................. One more week for me to get more sleep....

Queen Of The Castle

The FRONT

The SIDE

The BACKSIDE

I went out for my weekly grocery shopping and Caitlyn kept herself busy building her Castle... Yes, my almost 8 year old still plays with blocks. Not a bad thing actually. As you can see, she is a bit like mummy.... very symmetrical one. She waited for me to come home, then pleaded me to take photos before she put it away. So I humour her lor...

Bryan the Builder

Bryan has been asking for his blocks a lot recently. Here is a random shot of him playing with his blocks. This one, he calls it his "city".. and no, he doesn't have the habit of lining stuff up as you can see.

My 2 Artists

Ah.......... the terms holidays are upon us. Woke up extra early.... at 6am to be precise. Why so early you might ask... I slept at 8 bloody 45 yesterday night! The earliest in a long time. I just KO-ed. Knackered. For the next 2 weeks, the kids will be home, no school = no need to wake up at 6.30am anymore for the next 2 weeks at least. Blissssssssssssssss................

This is them doing their colouring. I found a lot of colouring pages online, Caitlyn loves to colour for Bryan, his faves are Ratatouille. Spongebob and oh yes, DINOSAURS!

Bryan coloured this on his own, or rather he cakar ayamed the sun, the green scribblings are grass, he explained. Well, he IS Bryan Liew, not Michelangelo Liew.....

G2G... New fad

Here's Bryan "floating on a purple cloud" ala Rainbow from G2G. Caitlyn and Bryan love to act out TV shows. It's kinda fun observing how Bryan uses stuff around the house to achieve maximum 3D effect.

This is him with his "guitar" tucked behind him while he has a drink. Caitlyn refused to allow him to play with her guitar, so Bryan took the fly swatter instead. Don't worry, it's clean, never been used before.

And here he is, serenading to me................... awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww...... Picture's a bit blurry because I didn't turn the phone flash on.