Me:”Let’s go home now”
Thaddeus:”Why must go home?”
Me:”Because its late”
Thaddeus:”Why is it late?”
Me:”Because the moon has come out”
Thaddeus:”Why the moon has come out?”
Me:”Because it’s night already”
Thaddeus:”Why is it night already?”
Me:”Because the sun has gone to bed”
Thaddeus:”Why the sun has gone to bed?”
Me:”Because its late already”
Thaddeus:”Why is it late already?”
Me:”…..”

You get the drift?

Sometimes he would try to answer the questions himself by starting the next sentence with BECAUSE but is unable to complete his sentences properly most of the time, with the BECAUSE hanging in the air…

It really takes a lot of patience to field his WHYS especially when you have to crack your head to answer a string of questions you know will lead to nowhere. Yet I know its important to be responsive and encouraging in this phase, so even I feel like pulling my hair out and run screaming in circles, I smile and try to think of coherent answers to the one million and one WHYS!

But there are instances when it’s really legitimate WHYS and I don’t really have answers for them. One case in point, Talia started ballet lessons and the little man simply does not understand why he has to press his nose against the glass every time to see his sister and a bunch of cute little GIRLS having fun inside a room with a huge mirror. SIGH!

He would wail:”Jiejie goes to ballet class. Why didi cannot go ballet class?” Glupz! call me conservative, but I am not looking forward to putting him in a tutu, at least not NOW! and i think his interest stems from the fact that he wants to join his sister in everything now! So we stopped bringing him along when Talia goes for ballet.

And lately, the WHERES and WHAT HAPPENEDS has reared their heads too! We would be laughing and he would demand to know what happened. How do you explain a joke or what’s happening on TV?

He would also fight to repeat his day to me just as his sister is accounting to me the activities of her day. And two kids speaking at the same time and trying to understand them both at the same time is not easy.

He also has quite a sense of humour, albeit kiddy style! He chuckles easily when he finds something funny and would announced either “funny mummy!” or “funny jiejie!” and most frequently calling himself funny by declaring “funny didi!”

Funny boy!

1. To start, we need to have good warm-ups so we don’t hurt ourselves unintentionally and ruin our chances of being a tennis star! NO NO!

Good job there for the little girl who is really serious about her training and warming up vis-a-vis the little guy who is just doing the bare minimum!

The little chap trying a little bit more but not quite there yet!

Finally pulling up his socks and trying harder!

2. To feel really comfortable holding a tennis racket! I mean you would need to pose for shots with your racket all the time, wouldn’t you! Enough said!

Balancing is important!

Learning to smile while holding the rackets!

3. Practise, practise, practise!

Practise with BIG balls erm balloons…

Practise with smaller balls!

Practise without balls!

4. Lastly, we don’t become tennis stars overnight so humility is obviously important. What could be a better lesson compared to picking up balls to cultivate that!

We decided to just let him celebrate his birthday with his classmates from his playgroup in the morning!

A cake bought off the shelves

The birthday boy!

With his classmates!

He sang the birthday song the loudest! muahaha!

Enjoying his cake!

At night, I had a small celebration at home with just my family and Kev’s family and I ordered a Mickey Mouse cake for him after he was so taken by it during the Disneyland trip.

The birthday boy again!

His sister was just as enthusiastic about singing the birthday song!

Out of all the toys, he immediately had a favourite one. This jumbo jet allows little cars to be put in and out of it and he couldn’t stop stuffing them in.

It was a small cosy celebration and even though I’ve said it too often but I couldn’t help but marvel again at where did all the time go? The little guy is growing very very attached to me. He has to sleep beside me at night because he will wake up at night looking for me and can only go back to sleep if I am sleeping beside him. During the day, he would constantly ask for me too, saying “where is mummy? I can’t see mummy” (cue: heart melts).

At 2 years old, he really enjoys pretend play very much and would either be feeding his baby doll (Yes! I just bought him one so that he could stop playing with his sister’s pink ones!), bathing him or cooking up a storm at the kitchen. He has tremendous interest in numbers and can count, not just reciting numbers and can recognise a few chinese characters, mainly picked up while his sister is learning her mandarin words.

He has just started to learn how to jump, just learnt a few new songs like 10 Little Indian Boys and London Bridge is falling down and most importantly when he cries, his daddy will ask him, “are you in pain, are you sad?” and if he says “No” then his daddy will order him to stop crying and he will say “Ok!” sobbingly and tries to stop. Aww! he’s really a good kid and I pray that he remains in good health and in God’s favour as he continues to grow in stature and in wisdom! Happy birthday again my dear son!

We chose to go free-and-easy and the SQ flight we took was in the afternoon. I only bought a seat for Talia and as we only decided to join my family last minute, the whole supposed-to-help-out ginggang was seated far away from my bassinet-available seats! I was given two seats on the left but two very nice gentlemen who were seated in the middle (4-seat row) with an empty seat between them and another lady asked me if I would like to swap seats? Before you could even say s-w-a-p, I was over the other seats happily buckling Talia up. Well, for take-off, the little guy would still need to be buckled to me using an infant seat belt. And what-do-ya-know, he fell asleep in my arms during take-off. When the seat belt sign was turned off, I also happily deposited him into the bassinet and had an enjoyable 2 hr watching movies, feeding Talia, feeding myself. When he woke, he had a seat to himself watching cartoons and playing games! The 5-hr flight was a breeze!

We touched down at Taipei at about 5.30pm and only reached our hotel at 西门町 at 7.30pm because of the peak hour traffic. We set off to look for food and when we saw 天外天 hotpot, we decided right away because I think we have had someone recommending that before and everyone was ravenous, buffet steamboat seemed just like the right thing!

Gorging ourselves silly with food!

The next morning, we set off for Taipei 101. We took the MRT and when we came out, we realised there was a shuttle bus that will bring us right to the doorsteps. There was like 3 bus stops along that stretch of road and a local taiwanese woman actually walked to all three bus-stops to make sure we get to the right one! She was so helpful! and boy! did we need that! The weather was like a blazing 38 degrees. Of course we didn’t know that then, it was only 2 days later in a cab that the cab driver told us that have been a heat wave and the past few days, the temperatures have been 38-40 degrees celsius!

We took the shuttle bus and were relieved to be back into air-con comfort.

The bunch!

We headed to the observatory deck first.

The kids were rejuvenated after the temperatures became more bearable and ran around.

Just a shot first at the not-so-real-thing before heading up.

It’s huge at the observatory deck and the children had a blast exploring.

The view is amazing!

We even braved the heat to go out into the open observatory deck!

We had Teppanyaki lunch at the basement of the building, topped with soft silken 豆花 before heading out. The heat was so unrelenting that we quickly went to hide in the nearby New York New York for some shopping before walking to the MRT station.

A not-so-nice mini Statue of Liberty outside the mall.

The real-thing behind us on our little trot to the station.

We took the MRT to Jian Tan station where the Shi Lin night market was. The MRT stations in Taipei were really stroller friendly as compared to the ones in HK. We could easily find the lifts and wider gantries are everywhere!

I was initially apprehensive about bringing two strollers to the night market but I was pleasantly surprised that even on a Saturday night, it wasn’t too difficult to maneuver around.

Night market!

We ate along the way and even had a foot massage before having some herbal bak ku teh at a supposedly 30-year old shop which wasn’t too bad. We headed home in a cab. Yes, all 5 adults and 2 kids squashed together! Go figure.

Thaddeus was spotting a cough before we went and the next morning, his nose started to run and he began to run a fever. I have come all prepared, the doctor even gave me anti-biotics to standby and I fed him the meds. The plan today was to go to the 故宫 musuem in the morning. We took a cab and reached in about 25 mins. By then the little guy was all raring to go, and fever has subsided.

We went straight to the third floor where the “special exhibits” were. Treasures which used to be placed at the forbidden City were displayed there, with a map of their location then. We spent about 2 hours roaming around before going to the kiddy area on the first floor so the children to have some fun!

And some fun they sure had!

Cliched but I couldn’t resist!

Look at the little man’s squirrel cheeks!

There were interactive exhibits where the children could try their hand at.

Sticking stuff up!

We headed back to the hotel and had dumplings noodles nearby while we waited for the day tour people to come get us for our half day trip to Yang Ming San.

On the way there, both kids fell asleep and I had a nice 2 hr respite! The weather was blazingly HOT! Even the breeze was scalding. We could only do a few obligatory touristy shots here and there before rushing back to the van!

Baby girl and her 小姨！

Quite breathtaking views of the mountains!

Baby girl and her grandpa!

After that we headed to a hot springs place and were given an hour to go soak! Of the lot, only Thaddeus would be suitable to be featured here! Anyway, the children didn’t like the hot springs at all because it was too hot for them, besides I wouldn’t have let them in as well, not knowing what the minerals in the water would do to their baby skin. This cold water pool was just tap water and the children was just so delighted to frolick in the cold water!

Skinny dipping!

Even before dropping us at the MRT station, which proper travel agent would not try to get us to buy some mechandise (read: commission for them). So we were ferried to a place selling Pineapple cakes and the likes. Not that we really minded actually because we were planning to buy some back as gifts and it actually tasted not so bad.

The children had their fill trying all the goodies as well!

After the shopping, we took the MRT to 谈水. Its rows and rows of little stalls selling food and knicknacks and we just gorged ourselves as we walked along!

The weather became a little bit more bearable in the evenings.

A forlorn boy lost in the crowds?

Stalls after stalls of food!

As the sun sets…

What came next was one of the most harrowing experience I have ever had in my life. We decided to take a boat to 渔人码头. That boat ride was the most terrifying boat ride in my entire life. it was worse than a roller coaster, even the locals on board were screaming! We were like literally being thrown into the air and then come crashing down. Talia was very very scared and kept asking me what was happening. Thaddie boy was like immobilised with fear. Those who were outside dashed in completely drenched. I was clutching both of them so hard that afterwards I got a cramp in both my arms and thinking furiously in my heart, are there enough life jackets, should I put the life jacket on me first or on them, how to stay afloat if i am grabbing both. That was how scared i was and i just kept praying and the 15 mins boat ride took forever.

Then there was the problem of needing to go back again. The whole family was green in the face and nobody could eat any dinner. We headed back after 30 mins and this time, I prayed and asked God to give us a smooth ride back. And miraculously the return journey was sooo smooth, its unbelievable! Even Talia said how come the boat was not shaking? I told her God answered the prayers of a very frightened mummy! Even now, as I think back, it amazes me to know how real God is!

And all that was for a shot of this silly little bridge!

Bridge at 渔人码头!

The next day, we went for some shopping at the underground mall below 台北车站 and had for ourselves some yummy 红烧牛肉面! After lunch we went back to the hotel for the day tour people to come get us for our day trip to 九份! This is actually a former mining town and we have been told its rather quaint and worth a visit.

Enroute, we passed by the sea and took some shots!

Amazingly blue sea!

The township which is now nearly abandoned!

and it sits high up on a mountain range.

We got back to our hotel around 6pm and decided we will spend the night exploring 西门町！

Shopping!

Between the three sisters, I think we carted back almost a luggage full of face masks! woohoo!

The last day of the trip, we spent the morning at 五分谱 doing some wholesale shopping! There were shops which didn’t even entertained us as you have to buy in bulk. Anyway, thank goodness there were others who did. Grabbed a bit of “Taiwanese-Korean-ish” fashion for the little girl and loads of singlets for the little boy.

Five days whizzed by so fast that even though I have to clean vomit for 2 nights out of the 4 nights, gobble down my meals as I spend the majority of my time feeding, take care of the daily morning and before-bed routine myself, I had so much fun! and it was so nice to just hang around my family!

To cope, here’s what I have done,

1. Take out the GPS (or street directory for that matter!)
With daddy not around, mummy now has to be the one in the driver seat instead of chilling out at the passenger seat beside. And it is a known fact that I have absolutely no sense of direction at all, so bad that on Saturday, on the way to a full month party, the little girl suddenly, without a cue from anyone, started praying - “God, pls don’t let mummy get lost. Amen!” I nearly expired from laughing and had to slow down just in case I go up the curb!

2. Load up on Pi Pa Gao
Two pairs of ears but just one mouth to read the books, guess whose throat needs lots of nourishing?

3. Take out Mr Cane
One loud booming NO from the daddy is enough to stop the children in their strides. Now that the booming loud voice is not around, Mr Cane is making a lot more guest appearances. He actually doesn’t need to do much, just showing his face now and then is enough to achieve the effect of getting naughty children to obey!

Hey! that’s not really a very long list isn’t it? so there! I would lurve to think the mummy-not-around survival kit would have a longer list! *AHEM*

Just like in the beautiful utopia world of Playmobil, the little guy would already be toilet-trained…

Slowly weaned off drinking from his milk bottle…

He would be able to self-feed…

and transition from sleeping in a cot to a toddler bed…

The little girl would become accomplished with using her camera…

and learn how to ride a bicycle…

and would be interested to pick up tennis, golf or horse-riding…

and most most importantly of all…

Both of them will play together without bickering or screaming or fighting…

I WISH!

The children’s aunt gave them Red Lorry, Yellow Lorry for Christmas and the children had such a blast playing it.

In this game, the children create traffic chaos as they match vehicles type and colours. Its for 2 to 4 players and the age guide is for 4 years up but Talia had no difficulty understanding, playing and enjoying the game even when she was only 3 years old. Didi needed a little bit more help to be a courteous player (its ALWAYS his turn and he likes to hoard cards!) The game encourages observation and matching and develops basic strategic play.

After that we were always on the lookout for more board games. During a trip to Isetan we noticed a whole range of pre-schooler board games by this publisher Clementoni and picked up another game Ahoy! Me Hearties!

By the name, you would probably guess its a game with a pirate theme.

Its a pirate counting game and pirates raced around the board collecting coins for their treasure chest. The one who gets 10 coins first wins.

Even the little guy has no difficulty playing at all. He spins the wheel, moves his character piece around the board, counts his coins and places them in his chest! (All while even chomping down papayas!)

Its really good family fun playing together!

The boy went to Playclub and I signed the girl up for “I love reading”. Since I can’t go in with Talia, I was not quite sure what she did during her class, but she came back with some art and crafts, some writing exercises and she told me there was storytelling as well.

The boy’s Playclub program started with some warming up and toys playing on the mat before there were welcome songs and good morning songs sung. The children were taught to keep the toys back while singing the Cleanup song. That really was great. Now whenever I want the children to keep their toys at home, I start singing the Cleanup song too and it works. I like the energy levels of the teachers as well. There are three teachers, one head teacher and two assistants. I think JG has the most number of teachers in a pre-schooler class of this sort. For some other alternatives that I’ve been like Zoophonics, its only one teacher. Some other competitors like Growing Up Gifted and Bibinogs, its only two teachers. Oh! another thing is the classroom size, JG’s simply has the largest one by far.

Building blocks!

After that the children were straightaway launched into their art and craft activities. I think it makes sense as the children are most alert now. The theme for the week was The Seaside so the children were taught to recreate a beach scene on the the paper plate.

This time round, just 6 months on, it was a vast difference from how he fared when he was just 17 mths old. He virtually needed no help from me and was able to do most of the crafts himself!

The little guy was very focussed on painting his sand.

After the craft, it was storytelling time. He was also able to just sit by himself right in front of the teacher to savour the story without fidgeting. One thing about this boy is that he has quite a long attention span and is able to do things on his own for a pretty long time.

Listening intently to the story.

After that it was snack time. JG provides the food and water as well (but I guess with that kind of fees, that little bit of biscuits and cheese or sausages and fruits is nothing! bleh!). The children were encouraged to eat on their own and to drink from cups independently as well. I was surprised little Thad was able to drink his water without spilling at all. And after eating, they were encouraged to bring their little plates and cups back to the serving table as well.

Munching!

And its playtime after that. This is the other perk of JG. They have a huge play area complete with slides, play house, play kitchen, little cars and scooters of all kinds. The JG at Evans Road is even better as the play area is outdoors, so the children could even indulge in water play and sand play!

toot toot!

We spent 4 mornings in the classroom and on Wednesday, the whole class went to Sentosa to truly experience the beach. That, I was a tad disappointed. The parents and children were simply left to their own devices. There were no group activities at all so I guess a little bit more planning on how the children could enjoy the beach better would have been better.

Even so, it was no doubt the little guy enjoyed the excursion. He made several trips to the water edge to collect water with his little pail and squealed when his feet was covered with water and half submerged in sand!

Thaddeus digging away at the sand!

The week just flew by. Class would end at 11am and I would drive everyone back home to have lunch and then I leave for work at 12.30pm. Oh! i forgot to mention, on Friday we went to this free interactive play CAT sponsored by JG at the Forum as well at 1pm. That simply was fantastic! Truly entertaining! If you have a child between 1 to 4 years old, you gotta bring them there to see this! Even this old kid here was enthralled!

So its adiós until the next December holiday program!

And after church on Sunday, and perhaps by design or perhaps by coincidence, after lunch at Aston in the East, and after shopping at Robinson’s sale at the Expo, it seems like a rather good idea to head to Changi Beach for the girl to have her fill digging at the sand.

And we found out that it was indeed a fabulous idea! The beach is completely shaded from the sun, is totally not crowded, the toilet is like a stone’s throw away (it even comes with an outdoor shower area)! It was a sandcastle-builder’s dream come true, except that we did not come equipped with spades and buckets and the likes!

We whipped out the groundsheet that we always carry with us in the boot of the car (you never know when you would suddenly want to have a picnic or have a suntan or to build sandcastles!) and found a nice spot on the sand close to the water!

The funny girl was reluctant to step out on the sand initially! Fancy that! and the whole family is sitting gingerly on the sand-splattered groundsheet for WHO?

Ok. Perhaps some warming up is needed. The husband went around the beach and gathered up a lot of shells. We also found a discarded plastic cup to scoop water. From the initial useless poking at the sand using twigs to finally using his hands to build the sandcastles, the children were eventually lured to the edge of the water to help their father build the sandcastles and to decorate it with the seashells!

We left at 7.15pm as the light was waning. I am not sure about the kids but I sure enjoyed myself!