Hamsters!!!

We started keeping pets recently - 2 hamsters to be specific.  Just a couple of days back, my neighbour (who also has 2 hamsters) decided to go for a holiday and hence asked us to take care of their pet hamsters while they are gone. 

Before I know it, Rachel shared that her classmate was giving her yet another hamster for her birthday!  I didnt think it was real, but boy! when I returned home last night, I was 'welcomed' by a sight of 5 hamsters!!! Sheesh... I felt that we have a mini-zoo here or something.

After getting over the initial shock of being invaded by hamsters, I felt that it is pretty therapeutic just watching them run around and nibbling on their food and even sleeping.  If only life for us is simpler.

I also reckon having hamsters help the kids to learn some responsibility as they have to change the bedding every now and then, maintain contact with the hamsters, and feed them.

Kuantan - the Sea, Sand and Skies

During the recent school holidays, we decided to drive to Kuantan for a short family vacation. Ambitious plans were made whereby we decided we would meet at Woodlands at 8:30am!!! The kids packed their bags and hit the sack real early in anticipation of their early rise. Lo and behold! The kids were really up early... and were roaring to go :)

The drive took about 8 hours and were interspersed with multiple stops. With 3 MPVs and 22 persons (adults and kids) in tow, regular stops were a given :). Finally being guided by GPS for the final leg of our journey, we passed through a very unfamiliar stretch of residential estates before arriving at Swiss Garden Hotel where we would be spending the next 2 nights at. En route to Swiss Garden, we stopped by a pottery shop where I managed to snap this photo (along with an unnamed mozzie). I thought the colours were pretty!

The day after the kids (and the fathers) were ready to hit the sand and sea. In all they spent more than 2 hours catching hermit crabs and playing by the seaside and going out to sea. Nathan and Theodore did lots of stunts including 'flying fish' stunts... wonderful to have caught him in action.

After 2 hours, we had to drag ourselves away from the sea else we risk being totally sun-burnt. All of us were definitely a tone or two darker, but all had great memories of the times spent together.

New York Hotel

Just before school was out, we decided to take a 2-day trip to Johor Bahru. Managed to secure a good rate for New York Hotel.

While the hotel is not swanky, it was a very comfortable 4-star hotel. The rooms were large enough and had a great view - we could see the path that leads to the New Immigration.

 

What is a trip without food - we took the kids to a hot stone lunch. Each of them ordered their set lunches and watch the raw food transform to cooked food. It was great watching them share their food and discussed how to slice the dory fish from the hot stone.

After breakfast the next morning, we decided to be the first guests to enjoy the hotel facilities. The kids had a fantastic time switching between the jacuzzi and the mini-lap pool.

All too soon, it was time to head back home... we'll be back to Johor Bahru again... that much we are certain of.

Kite Flying Sunday

It's one of those rare Sundays when the family decided to eat out... by that I don't mean eating at some fanciful restaurants. It was more bringing finger food, canned sardines, bread, fruits to the park. The occasion this time was simply to fly kites at the nearby empty field in Sengkang. The early evening sky was peppered with kites of all patterns and sizes.

Very quickly the children pulled out their kites in the shapes of mermaid, zebra and spiderman and with the aid of the wind, could set the kites off very quickly.




The colours of the evening skies provided fantastic lighting to amateur photographers such as us. In fact I must say Lydia took some pretty great shots, considering that she is even more unfamiliar with the camera than I. What amazes me is how little it takes to satisfy the children - an empty field, simple kites, ground sheets, simple meal --and all these spelt FUN for them!

As adults, we were more concerned about whether the children have put on their mosquito patches, whether they are wearing proper footwear (didn't want mud on ground sheets!); whether there's water to wash their hands prior to them touching foot... geez... with more knowledge and awareness, we become great worriers!


I am glad that we were able to pull the entire extended family (22 of us) out to the field and have about 3 great hours of fun. Will have to do this more often...