E is 1 year (& 27 days) old!!

E celebrated his 1st Birthday on 1 June 2011. Unlike his 2 older brothers, who had rather "extensive" 1 year old parties, we celebrated E's 1st birthday "more extensively" by having a week long "celebration" in Tasmania…..

We had a great time together in the outdoors, but more of that later.

On the night of the 1st of June 2011, we had chinese take-away to celebrate E's birthday. The meal was unmemorable, but the celebration was, and so was the reason for the celebration. E, dressed in his best PJs, smiled sweetly for the camera, and was all ready to eat his cake…. in fact, I somehow think he was rather exasperated after awhile, and wondered why the singing and photo taking was taking so long, and why we hadn't gotten to the best part yet…. the birthday muffin!

The last 1 year has really flown by, and it seems like just yesterday when you were born, and you looked so little and fragile when we brought you home. Papa was initially quite afraid to carry you, coz he was afraid he might drop you or crush you, but I guess you proved to be a real survivor, judging by what your 2 older brothers have done to you.

I'm not sure if it's because we were going through this for the 3rd time, but I will always remember you as a really easy and happy baby.

You did not fuss, and was always ready to share the attention and the limelight with your brothers. You understood the meaning of "WAIT", and were more than patient with all of us. You slept well, drank well, and always had a smile ready for us. You didn't even mind if you got your milk cold, and would even take a bottle from mummy….

You are your brothers' darling. They would be grumpy to everyone in the morning except you, and would smother you with hugs and kisses no end. They would talk for you, and could read your mind, knowing your likes and dislikes. They always shared what they were eating in the car with you (even if it was not baby appropriate food, and even if it was not good for you), and would gladly baby sit and play with you while Papa was cooking or clearing up. In fact, when you woke up and cried, or had a difficult time going to sleep, your 2 brothers would either try to "rescue" you, or soothe you, pat you and try to put you to bed. We can tell that you love them too, the way you hold their hand when they are crying in the car, or pat their back and try to give them a hug.

The last 4 months spent with Papa has been, I think, one of the best 4 months for Papa. You have been like an extension of him, going everywhere with him, and doing everything with him. You have been ever so patient, knowing that Papa only has 2 hands, and 2 feet, and I am really proud of you that you are able to sit down and play on your own, or watch patiently as we cook, clean and wash up. I think you will be a great cook when you grow up, judging from your love of food, and your early head start of hours of sitting in the kitchen ;-)

Your cheeky smile always perks up my day, and my only regret is that you are growing up way too fast. Sometimes I wish I could freeze the cheeky glances, and immortalize it forever (it doesn't help that I never seem to be able to grab my camera in time on most days). Your sweet gentle voice calling mama, papa and kor always bring a smile to my face…. and at least this time I can proudly say that your first few words were mama and papa (and not types of animals or food!).

We love you E, and pray that God will continue to bless you with a tender heart, and a love for Him and his people….. Happy 1st Birthday!

Text by Mummy and pics by Papa

It was too wasteful to let the 5-day long public holiday break pass with only 1 fishing trip. But we were told that it was virtually impossible to get any rooms at the vacation areas just 1 week before the holidays. So in keeping with new habits that started ever since we got here, I prayed and sent queries to 2 places. Amazingly, Bellevue Farmstay got back to us. They had a last minute cancellation and we were off.

Andrea and thougWe booked a 3 night stay at Bellevue Farmstay, Scotts Creek. It is just off the GRO - Great Ocean Road and we wante. We stopped along the way and I took some pics of the kids.

We were hesitant about taking the GRO initially as C had been feeling nauseous. But right before the

Fishing

With having to go to work, keep up with my medical reading (which I must say I am still very far behind in), cleaning, laundry, and watching the kids (the last 3 predominantly occupying most of ben's time), there hasn't been much time to keep up this blog and to post on our travel adventures since we arrived here in Melbourne. We have had quite a few, and we came with the intention of logging it all down on this blog, as a memory for us to look back on.... the places we visited, the food we ate, the people we met, and the places we vowed to return to.

So, to make up for lost time, and for simplicity, I've decided that maybe we should work our way forwards, and record the ongoings..... and along the way, work in the events of the past 3 months when we have the time. Yes..... it has been 3 months already since we first arrived.... somehow, time flies when you're busy ;-)

Last weekend was a super long weekend for us.... it included Good Friday, ANZAC day, and a public holiday in lieu of Easter, making it a total of a 5 day long weekend.

We started that off by going to Geelong with Uncle Tony and Auntie Lin on a fishing trip. We must really thank Uncle and Auntie for allowing us to tag along, because they had everything needed for the fishing trip (the rod, the line, the hook, the tackle, the bait, and very importantly, the licence and the "know-how"), and always ensured that we were well fed, and the kids were entertained.

Fishing for the kids started off with some excitement. Everyone wanted to hold the rod, cast the line, and reel in (even though there was no bite yet). However, patience was something that they are still developing, and it was not before long when they started to get bored.... so we ate sandwiches, drank milo/coffee, and played by the jetty while waiting for some bite.

We ended up having to go to 3 places before the real action began. After hauling up a variety of different kinds of seaweed, Ben finally caught a flathead ;-) Call it beginner's luck (or prayers by the kids to be able to catch and reel in some real fish!), Ben was the only person on that jetty who ended up catching any fish. Of course there were a few that were too small (and didn't make the length cut) and ended up having to be thrown back into the sea, but the kids managed to touch and feel a real moving fish, and they were happy with the thrills of hauling up a real fish that they caught.

Although we didn't have a chance to taste the first catch, I was told that the flathead tasted good ;-) Ben is now itching to get his own tackle box, rod and line, and go to Williamstown while the kids are in school, to try his hand at fishing again..... Maybe he will make a fisherman out of Elijah?

Disco Evening

Last friday, Caleb attended his first disco party, in school. He was very excited, and had been looking forward to it since he signed up 2 weeks before. I must admit I was also rather intrigued by this event, as I have never heard of a disco party for 5-8 year olds, let alone one organised and held in school. I mean... are we really expecting 5-8 year olds to jive to the music, break-dance etc? Would they actually recognise any of the music, and what would the DJ actually play?? I therefore did what most kay poh and overly protective mothers would do.... I rearranged my work schedule for that day to make sure I was not working, so that we could all check out the disco together.

After a bit of a rest after school, Caleb got ready for the party. He

wanted to go dressed like Justin Bieber, so Dad had to get into the picture.... this mum has no idea what Justin Bieber looks like, let alone what he would wear. Sigh....

We were on our way. Half way to school, we realised we forgot to bring the entry ticket (it got left in his schoolbag), but all's well that ends well, the nice lady at the counter took our word for it, gave him a glow in the dark wristband and a bottle of mineral water with his name labelled on it, and let him in. We were all set to party!

We made our way to the Italian room, where the disco was held. Every effort had been made to set this room up like a real disco. The windows had been blacked out to darken the room, and there were strobe lights and a few small disco balls hanging from the ceiling. The DJ (who was also the bouncer for the night) was playing Katy Perry, and some of the kids were swaying to the music, and doing funny moves.

Caleb walked around and looked for his friends, and they started in search for the stalls at the side which were selling lollies and sweets. I must say this event was really organised for the kids in mind.... it was reasonably priced (at $5, which included entrance fee, 1 glow in the dark wrist band, 1 bottle of mineral water, and 1 hotdog with bread), and there were stalls at the side selling sweets at 5 cents per piece, or 50 cents for a small bag full. Also lollipops....All very affordable ;-)

Dylan was totally fascinated by the party. With eyes fixed and glazed, he refused offers to go to the playground, but instead chose to stick around at the disco to check out what the big kids were doing.... what he could look forward to when he was "of age"..... I secretly saw him swaying slightly to the music, and taking in all the sights.....

Half an hour into the event, the children were hustled out into the courtyard for sausages and bread, and this was when it really hit me.... my little baby has grown up! He initially stood around with me and Elijah, and we were talking while he was eating. Subsequently, he noticed a few of his friends, and moved over to join them. Watching him from across the courtyard, I could see my baby trying to find himself, trying to fit in, hanging out with his friends, and growing up.... fast. Time has really flown by. Wasn't it not so long ago when he first said his first words, took his first steps, and ventured into unknown territory holding on to my hand for reassurance? I felt a sudden sadness, that time had just zoomed by so quickly, and I don't seem to have captured it all... but then a greater sense of pride filled me, coz I could see that my little baby had grown up, and was now a more confident individual, with a kind and big heart.....

A, B, D and E subsequently left the party for dinner at Macdonalds next door to school, so that C could have some privacy and some fun with his friends.

I asked Caleb later after the disco ended why he didn't dance.... and his answer? "I did dance.... but not when you guys were around..... don't you know the rule, no dancing when your parents are around!" LOL!!!!

Happy Birthday D!

Dearest D,

Happy Birthday!! Mummy, C, E and I love you so much. Thanks for bringing heaps of joy and sunshine to our lives.

How quickly you've grown!! It wasn't too long ago that you were still tottering about and your vocabulary was limited to signing "Food"! I still can't get over your wicked sense of humour.

Papa: (Lying down on the floor, totally exhausted at the end of the day) D, please go bathe!

D: No, I'm a dirty princess. (Walks over to Papa, and bends over my face) I'm giving you true love's kiss.

That totally cracked Papa up and also recharged my batteries.

I hope you enjoyed both the Birthday Parties that we threw for you at our new home. Given the limited utensils and cutlery, we tried our best to have a decent spread. I'm sure you loved the Dora cake that Mummy ordered and the cake from Brunetti that Godma got you.

Papa's very impressed at the way you have settled in here. You still have your very singlish speak but certainly enjoy hanging out with your "Ang Moh", Asian and African friends in school. I'm glad we'll be home in time to celebrate your 4th B'day so that you don't get to speaking Australian like Kor Kor.

A month after the big move

I was to have updated this blog once we got to Australia and regularly thereafter. I was to have more free time than when I was working. I was to have time to stop to smell the roses.

Alas, often things do not work out as planned. It has taken more than a month before I found time to blog. My typical day is longer than when I was at work. I usually get up by 7:30am and don't get into bed until after midnight. The upside is that I fall asleep every night without any difficulty. And the most common fragrance that wafts through the air is lemon zest from the various floor and dish washing detergents.

Yet, I seem to enjoy the change and can't help but believe that its better than I could have ever hoped it would be. I keep thinking - I should have done this earlier. I don't enjoy doing the household chores and changing soiled nappies. I think only masochistic people suffering from severe boredom can enjoy such things. But its great spending lots of time with the family. It is wonderful watching the boys grow up (although there is a strange sadness that they are growing up too quickly).

To help preserve the memories, I was inspired to start this blog again. Nothing more inspiring than to start with food!!

I do enjoy cooking so the boys are forced to enjoy my cooking. The preparation starts with marketing - which no longer means a lunch at a decent restaurant but actually going to the market to buy raw produce. The stuff at the markets (Vic Mart and Footscray) are really fresh and the selection is eye-poppingly wide.

If we want it any fresher, we send C to the farm.

And after working so hard squeezing the udders, C needs to replenish his strength -

(Those were pics of C eating Claypot Rice (cooked in steel pot), Grilled Ginger Teriyaki Chicken, and Roast Leg of Lamb.)

I've also tried my hand at Jiang Chong Veal, Steamed Chicken with Ham and those red little herbs, Carrots and cabbage soup and Hainanese Chicken Rice.