Touching Moment

Sometimes the most precious things in life are the simplest.


Hubby's birthday was two days ago. We went out for a simple western dinner at TGIF. The children and I planned. They were wondering what present to get him... socks? underwear? chocolates?


They ended up paying for the dinner. Both of them shared the cost by using the monies which they have earned doing chores and giving massages to pay for the meal. Daddy was really touched knowing they are so very careful with their money....


Hubby relating it in his own words via email to my sister...


"We had a quiet celebration by having dinner @ TGIF just with Chris, J&E. Guess what? J&E paid for the dinner with their own packet money. I'm so touched. They are usually very careful with their money & are saving up for some toys which they are eyeing on. So, for them to part with their money to spend on me means that I'm more important than the toys. LL, words can't describe how I feel. I'm sure you know what I mean."


Like I said, the simplest things in life gives us the most joy.


P.S. Moments like these makes us forget how annoying the children can be, at times.

We Used to Climb REAL Trees

When I was growing up till the age of 8 years old, I had many opportunities to roam an orchard full of fruit trees e.g. Rambutans, Mangosteins, Guava and Mata Kuching (similar to Longan).


If you get the opportunity to meet my Mum, she will whip-out my embarrassing childhood stories of climbing trees and eating Rambutans and Mangosteins for breakfast. Even before I brushed my teeth, I can be sighted gathering some Rambutans left behind by crows and sitting at a corner to savour my healthy fruit breakfast. I was very young then. The age of innocence.


Before you jump into any conclusion of me being such an unhygienic little girl... eating stuffs left behind by crows. Eeewwww! Your Mother never teach you....??? Let me explain. The crows love to eat Rambutans and they will usually feast on a seed. But Rambutan always grow in bunches. So, usually the crows will accidentally drop some whilst feasting on another. Being a small little girl of about 3-4 years old, I obviously took the easy way out (still do) rather than plucking it myself.


Those were the days when parents were too busy to bother with us and we were not bothered with the hussle and bustle of life. All we did was hang out, literally, on a Rambutan tree. Lunch and afternoon tea was a buffet of Rambutan. Find your branch and have your heart-fill of those delicious fruit!


There was no Math tuition, Piano classes, Drum classes, art and craft or Lego to build. There was Tree Climbing. No, not Rock Climbing. Tree Climbing. From tree to tree. Those were the monkey days. Hmm... now it explains why my boys are like ....


In Bangkok you would have to pay almost THB2,500 per month (RM250 /USD80) of 4 sessions to go for Gymboree / Gymnastic. I had all this climbing for free!!


We used to climb REAL trees....

....Not a Papaya Tree!!!!


Is it even a tree? More like a stump. Poor boys.

Camp Out Time

The weather in Bangkok has been absolutely heavenly! This is my favorite time of the year. I love waking up to the cool weather. Whilst in Malaysia, we never get a chance to enjoy weather like this at our doorstep. If we wanted cool weather, we either switch on the air-cond or go to Genting Highlands which is about 1.5 hours drive from Kuala Lumpur city. Its the nearest hill from Kuala Lumpur.


So, its a real privilege and magical experience to be enjoying winter. I am always grateful to God for allowing me to enjoy moments like this.


Since we arrived in Bangkok, Thailand, the cool weather arrives during winter time without fail. Every year it seems to get cooler and cooler. There were previous years, before we arrived in Bangkok, Thailand, there were only 2-3 days of cool weather and the rest of the time was hot. That was what we were told, by our local friends. I cannot help but think that it's God blessing and gift to me.


Its funny, last winter, I woke every morning saying, "I wish, I wish, the whole year could be like this". Of course, it did not happen....


A few days ago, the boys and Daddy decided to camp outside the yard. I thought that was a great idea. So, they set-up the tent, brought out the mattresses, their pillows, bolsters and blankets.

The boys getting ready for their camp-out

Just before they retired for the night at about 10pm, they used their walkie-talkie to "talk" to each other. SWAT Team Member Joel was requested to "checked out" the neighborhood. They needed an empty house, a not-at-home-neighbor to carry out their mission of "exploration". I have no clue what this Rambos were going to do if the owners were out. But I saw BB guns, bullet proof vest, binoculars, goggles and mischievious looks on their faces. That itself was good enough to scare my wits off! You know boys, the things they are capable of *eyes-rolling-hands-up-in-surrender*

Roger! Roger! Are you there?

Fully equipped. To ???? What???

I told them I am not bailing them out from jail. I had a long day. So, they abandoned the mission.


Since there was not enough space in the tent, I didn't join them. They slept in a "bungalow" 6-man tent with heaps of space to roll around and even to hug their bolsters. Its fun, adventurous and comfort all rolled into one. Where in the world do you get it? Except in your own yard!!!

The huge tent just infront of the porch

Rise and shine?

In the last 2 nights I have taken Daddy's space and slept with the boys. During the night its freezing cold *shivering* I needed 2 thick blankets to keep me warm. But I must say that I am really enjoying myself.


I know these are memories which my boys will remember the rest of their lives. When we return to Malaysia, we will never get a chance to camp in the yard and yet have cool weather like this to give us comfort to lull us to sleep.


How about trying it? You might even save some electrity.

House Rules

The house rules is NO HITTING YOUR BROTHER. Anyone who hits, will be punished. Badly.

So, I have just recently discovered that to annoy each other, they kiss and hug. Huh???!!

• Kiss with WET LIPS and MANY TIMES.
  

• Hug VERY TIGHTLY till blood circulation is inhibited.

• Kiss at the back of the neck with WET LIPS and MANY TIMES.

It is also HOUSE RULES that no NAME CALLING allowed.

So to annoy his older brother, Ethaniel calls Joel, "Honey!"

Yes, that irritates Joel.

So, bottomline. How do you deal with children who kiss, hug AND call out to each other so lovingly?

Curry with Bread

Eating curry with bread brings back lots of childhood memories... Whenever my Mother cooked curry, she will make a whole pot full. We were all growing children and she understood that. So, she will cook with heaps of gravy. When the chicken and potato was long gone, we will still be dipping the bread in curry gravy. Yummy!

I cooked curry this evening for dinner

Joel & Ethaniel enjoying the curry with bread

When Joel saw me eating the curry with bread, he was so excited that he took a plate for himself. After Ethaniel saw what his brother was having, he asked for one as well!

Its all in the family!

Hampers

When I was young, we were not well-to-do. Many of things that my children enjoy today, I never had. Sweets, chocolates and candies were luxuries. So, I have always secretly adored hampers. In a hamper, there are many goodies of all varieties. It gives me a wonderful feeling. I no longer love all the candies in hampers because I have outgrown it. But I still love the idea of receiving hampers, like the one above.