We, as in our family of 5 and my ILs, went to Hong Kong for vacation from 11 Dec-16 Dec. The children had been looking forward to the trip ever since they knew about it. Why? Disneyland loh! Weeks before the trip the Grandpa already encouraged him to check out the HKDisney themepark map on the website to see where he would like to go first. -_- As for me, I also look forward to the trip because I had not gone on vacation abroad for more than 5 years already! Worktrips don’t count ok!

We flew CX as we manage to get quite decent rate, and I figured we need not have to worry about check-in luggage weight and getting seats especially travelling with young children. I know I can always pay extra to get these but I’m just anal about having to even pay extra, you know? I’d taken no-frills flight from the States, they have seat number allocation also… so I don’t understand why these low cost airlines want to make us pay extra just to get seating. And since the rates (after add up all the extra fees for luggage + seats) is not a lot cheaper than CX’s promotion rate, we chose the latter.

Liam and I almost didn’t make this trip because the week leading to the departure date, L was running a fever which wouldn’t subside; so on the 3rd day of fever onset (that’s 2 days before departure mind you), I brought him to a 24-hour clinic. The doctor checked his temp (39 degC) and recommended me to bring him to hospital for further tests by writing referral letter. So, off we went to the hospital that night and got him admitted. Paed was called in and he ordered blood test right away. The report was ready around midnight; was relieved it’s nothing serious. He was only given one dose of PCM that night and the fever came down. Then next morning his temp got up to 38+degC again he was fed another dose of medcine. But after that the fever never came back pheewwww! So we managed to get discharged that evening. Afterthoughts of this episode is, this is what old wives called 相欠债. The illness won’t go away until you spent $ on it. See, in the hospital he was only given PCM, nothing more. Which was also what I did from the onset of fever. Sigh! $ for my peace of mind… still worth it lah. Guess how much the bill came up to?

I digressed.

Anyway everybody was relieved. I had to spend most part of the night packing for the children and myself -_-”, and did online check-in and printed confirmation. Then have to get up early because we were on 8am flight.

Checking in luggage was a breeze as the ground crew led us to special lane after found out we had checked-in online. Had breakfast at McD before boarding. Forgot about taking pictures (for this blog ahem) because I was holding Liam. He was a little cranky after take off and didn’t want to eat his inflight infant meal; presumably sleepy as he fell asleep soon after and slept through most part of the journey. Ian, on the other hand kept asking me about the inflight games that I had told him about (I forbade them lugging along their DSlite on this vacation and told them there is inflight games they can play ). Apparently no games on regional flights, only available on long-haul flights. In the end he settled for watching cartoon.

We arrived slightly before noon. Liam woke up as we alighted, cried wanting to be carried by me -_-. It doesn’t help that queue at immigration checkpoint was very long, getting stuffy due to the crowd. At one point Liam started getting cranky and wail, luckilly he did for one of the officer let us out of the queue and led us to a shorter line .

From this point onwards let the pictures do the storytelling.
Pictures to be uploaded soon. Had to do a bit of resizing

I didn’t want to rob you of off your childhood by sending you to tuition after tuition and your days filled with never-ending homework. But it’s a mistake as you didn’t do too well in some subjects, most likely because you didn’t pay enough attention in class. So, although you vehemently protested, I have to send you to tuitions this year so that you build up good foundation. I just hope it’s not too late.

Baby, I know you are a fast learner if you just put your heart and mind to it and pay attention; even your teachers say so. Though I’d wish you would mature faster and be more motivated to excel in your studies, it can’t be rushed. Hence the only thing I can do now is the carrot stick tactic. But you are nonchalant about it. -_-“ .

I’m glad you showed interest in continuing with your music class even though lazy at practicing. Apart from enjoying music and performance, you are too engrossed in DS games and computer. We will have to make a pact so that work and play is balanced. .

There are times when you threw your tantrum, and there are times I was impatient & lost my temper. Believe me, I do feel bad and guilty for raising my voice although it’s for your own good. Forgive mama okay? I will try to do better next time. .

I want you to know that, despite me raising my voice at you, I still love you to bits and you are irreplaceable in my heart. .

Picture with sister while little brother was napping.

Blowing candles

Birthday boy with grandparents

I forgot to put egg glaze on top, hence it didn’t look shiny. Nonetheless, hubby loves the crust cause it’s good and buttery!

Father said the filling tasted just like the apple pies grandpa baked, and would’ve been better if the crust is thinner.

Can you see the apple sauce?      

Served warm with a dollop of vanilla ice cream.

You all know there this book called “7 Habits of Highly Effective People” right? Now there is a version for children; it’s called “The 7 Habits of Happy Kids”.

The book actuallly teaches the same 7 habits as the adult version, but illustrated through interesting and easy-to-understand story. Ian enjoyed it. Even I enjoyed this book more than the adult version. It has got guides for parents too at the end of each story.

Now that we are done with the book, getting them and myself to practice the habits is another thing. I guess we just have to learn and do it together.

Last night in the car on our way back, big boy urged me to drive faster as he was going to have bowel movement. Below was the conversation (translated from Hokkien) that took place in the car.

Big boy: Ma, when can we arrive home? I want to pang sai liao!

Me: Soon… soon.

At this point, girl decided to offer her thoughts.

Girl: Koko, just like me, this afternoon I lao sai after coming back from school! And so much too!

Big boy: Lao sai is different.  Lao sai the sai is soft and loose (hokkien: nua nua); pang sai the sai is firm and hard (hokkien: teng teng). *spoken in a matter-of-fact-ly tone* 

Girl: First time the stool is firm, then second time it’s soft… *also in a matter-of-fact-ly tone*

Big boy: bla..bla..bla..

Girl: bla..bla..bla..

Couldn’t recall the conversation after that because I was tyring hard to stifle my laugh! Hahahahaha

I don’t know about you but I find it very funny.

You must be thinkning what a weird person I am… -_-”