Farms and all things F

Continuing from last week, we visited a goat and frog farm. The goat farm was by the way as we were in the area but was very disappointed as we couldn't even get near the goats. We had to look from really AFAR! That's cos the AVA is afraid of transmission of diseases with the close contact - what a shame.

Kimi had more fun at the frog farm although he was a little frightened by the croaking of the mature frogs!

In the end, instead of visiting a vegetable farm or flower nursery as planned, I detoured to Sungei Buloh instead and we had such a wonderful time sniffing out the flora and fauna!

As it was nearing Kimi's nap time, we had to leave rather soon. But most importantly, Kimi didn't have his bug repellant on and I tell you, the mozzies there are like monsters! So, pls if you are going there, pls pls douse yourself and the kids with repellant!

Can't wait to visit again as Kimi really enjoyed the birds, insects and 'animals' we see there! I love bringing Kimi on such outings cos he gets to learn so much in such a short time and in a fun way too! :)

That weekend, I brought Kimi to a flute mini concert at the Esplanade. It was a free musical display of the ancient Japanese flute - Shakuhachi. What beautiful sounds! I was totally mesmerised! Kimi rather enjoyed it too. He sat through 15mins which I feel is an awesome time for such a young tot!

The goats from afar and the milking machine!

Frog Farm - Kimi could visualise the entire life cycle of a frog here. He also made a new friend. :)

Kimi on the boardwalk at Sungei Buloh - running away from mozzies!Unwilling to take a pix here...Kimi taking in the sights of the exhibits of the creatures found in Sungei BulohLearning about the different kinds of bird nestsThen we spotted a sunbathing monitor lizard. It was 'strolling' just at our feet!And some happy, hopping squirrelsKimi bird-watching. It's so serene I can just sleep there!

Waiting patiently for it to start - before it does, Kimi looks through his favourite PlayMobil catalogue

Looking on intently

Fire Station Visit

This little outing is part of our Letter F learning week where we learnt about Fire station, firemen, farms and all things F. Next week we will be visiting some farms like frog farms and hopefully a vegetable or flower nursery.

We both had a really enjoyable time and learning so many things we didn't know and took for granted for too! These guys really give their ALL for the job. Without passion, I don't think anyone can be a fireman, really. It's all so much hard work! We learnt so much too.

I'm sure we will visit again. By the way, Kimi loves his fireman hat. :)

Sitting in the HUGE truck!
Look how huge it is??? Kimi don't even reach the top of its tyres!

Trying on the bike

Smart little fireboy in the Red Rhino

Kimi's favourite part of the trip - using the hose!

Bento #37 - Porcupine

Cake with butter sticks, 'hamburger' chocolate biscuit (can get from Japanese section at supermarket, yummy!), flower cut-out apples

I was teaching Kimi about his 5 senses and used porcupine to describe the 'pokey' touch sensation. I know, I know, this don't really look like a porcupine. But Kimi likes this cake and butter sticks so I put both together.

This will look much better if u shape the porcupine from rice and use fried/toasted white bait to mimic the spikes. But, Kimi recognises it and that is good enough for me. :)

Recently, I've been finding it harder and harder to get good fruits. Perhaps, this is really a sign of economy downturn cos suppliers are not bringing in quality stuff. I hate eating fruits that either taste like cardboard and is a lemon in disguise!

Last week I bought 5 apples and they tasted like lemons!! How can an apple be so sour??? And it was the most expensive of the lot - that's what made me so upset. Those I bought above are a tad more tasty than cardboard (lucky Kimi ate them!). That's why these days you see my bentos rather limited. But, then Kimi is not having a good appetite these days too. So, guess it works out well. :)

Grace

Last night after our short walk about at the pasar malam (night market), I offered Kimi a small banana when we reached home.

Then I went in to the kitchen to throw the skin. As I was making my way out, I heard Kimi (he had climbed on the dining chair, hands clasped round the banana with elbows resting on the dining table) say, "Thank you God ... (mumbles something inaudible in between) ... Amen".

I was so surprised and happy that Kimi remembered to say his Grace even if it was a small snack (in fact, I, myself am guilty of forgetting at times to give Thanks!)! I quickly applauded and praised him and of course Kimi beamed from ear to ear. Praise The Lord! Isn't it wonderful that the Holy Spirit is always guiding and teaching our children so well? Amen.

In the midst of all these celebrations of Easter (whether spiritually or commercially), let us take a short time to give Glory to our God for His Graciousness and Love for us. For dying the painful death on the cross for us so that we may live, live a life that our sins are forgiven and free from all bondage and burden.

Aren't we truly blessed to have Him as our Protector and Saviour? Our Heavenly Father is always there to lend us a shoulder to cry on, a ear to hear our complaints and arms to comfort us no matter how small or big our troubles are! Thanks to God! As Pastor Prince has said, "Without God, we cannot. But without us, God will not".

Happy Resurrection Day! :)

Bento #36 - 3 Little Pigs

Yogurt, 3 slices of vanilla wafer, mini custard buns decorated with pigs cut out from ham & decorated with nori and a drop of ketchup (for their rosy cheeks)

Last week, Kimi's school shared the story of The 3 Little Pigs and my little man has been huffing & puffing the whole week - so cute!

So here's the inspiration for today's breakfast.

Bento #35 - Mini Cakes

Mini cheese cake, mini chiffon cake, yogurt and banana

As I packed today's bento, I can't help stopping my fingers from adding cute details ... my fingers were so itchy and I found the box so naked.

Like hb and some readers have suggested, alternate the contents - pack some cute and some basic ones to keep Kimi's anticipating. Well, with this boring box, he still said, "Wow!". I think it's the banana that made him so excited.

So, to make this post's pix more 'colourful' and cute, I've included the bento box cover, wuhaha!

Bento Tools from Taipei

Animal egg containers & rice moulds/cutter

I was anticipating much more but hb couldn't find those I wanted in my list for him. These were the only ones he could find.

Kimi Speaks ...

1) Situation 1 - Sunday morning on way to church
Me & hb : Kimi, come let's wear your watch. Wear on your left hand alright? See, papa and mama also wear on the left hand. Left hand is the correct side and it's nice, ok?

Kimi : NO, I wear right hand.

Me & hb : :O (speechless)

2) Situation 2 - Sunday night, bedtime
Me : Mama carry Kimi to sleep ok?

Kimi : No, Kimi sleep bed.

Me : Ok, good boy.

(After 10 mins, still playing, rolling in his cot and even laying half body in his cot and head on my bed, wanting to watch MY tv prog)

Me : Kimi, if you don sleep, mama will carry you.

Kimi : NO, no carry.

(Kimi still refuses to budge and has his head on my bed)

Me : Kimi, mama want you to put your head on your pillow and close your eyes and sleep. (Kimi ignores). Kimi, mama going to count 1 to 3 and if you don lie on your pillow, mama is going to carry you. (I start to count) 1-2 ...

Kimi : 1-2-3-4-5-6-7 ....

Me : :O (don know to laugh, cry or get angry)

3) Situation 3 - Today before bedtime shower
Kimi : I want watch Wu Bai

Me : Ok, but only for 15mins cos Kimi had gym today so you are tired. We have to shower early and rest. Ok? Understand mama? Ok?

Kimi : Ok

(I put on Wu Bai's concert dvd and of cos I, too, enjoyed WB's music and started to sing and get all excited and egged Kimi to dance too. I continued singing to WB's song. Suddenly, Kimi turned and said matter-of-factly ...)

Kimi : Mama, keep quiet (Kimi then continues to watch WB intently, swaying to the beat).

Me : :O

I must have sang badly! Wuhaha!

Enzo Boy

Our pix with Enzo before we sent him to Brother Charlie's place - oh dear, look at my swollen eyes!

Remember, some time back I said I was very troubled about a decision? But was not ready to share cos my emotions were all over the place?

Well, I feel more at peace now although frankly, I don't think I can be FULLY at peace. Of course, I've learnt to let go more now.

Due to some circumstances, we had to let our Golden Retriever go. Enzo has been with us since he was 12 weeks old and he will turn 6 years old in May. So, can you imagine the heartache that I have to go through? The decision is not mine but I know it's been made for the best.

Kimi and myself are always suffering during the end and early quarter of the year where Enzo sheds the most. It's also not helping with the fluctuations of temperature/weather during this period.

This year, my sinus had been the worst. I hadn't been able to taste food for more than 2 months. Hb was concerned that it will worsen my asthma. Kimi was also constantly allergic to the home envirnonment and hb didn't want it to develop into asthma.

Sigh.

Of cos, hb feels I've been overworked taking care of such a large dog and a rambunctious kid. And Enzo is also not getting the best of attention, naturally.

To cut a long story short, my heart still bleeds for Enzo who has brought us tremendous joy before we had Kimi. To me, I felt I have let him down ENTIRELY! I did not fulfil my promise to him to take care of him till the end. Even, Kimi was asking for Enzo the first few mornings when he woke. Saying sadly, "Enzo go!"

Heartache beyond words.

The week after Enzo left, I was like a zombie... just no mood to do anything around the house. Everytime I prepared dinner, I thought of him cos he's always waiting there patiently for some food to drop. Everywhere I went, reminded me of him. I even automatically, tie up a plastic bag and threw on the dining table, ready to be brought outside for Enzo's poo. But the moment I flicked the bag, my heart dropped and I told myself, I don't need to do that anymore ...

But I know the Lord is GREAT! HE has Godly plans. HE helped us find a very, very nice couple to adopt Enzo. Brother Charlie and his wife, Sister Christy are church friends and they love Enzo as much as us. What surprises me more is that Sister Christy has the SAME practice/beliefs re feeding/cooking for the dogs (they have 2 shihtzus).

We are so blessed that Enzo is in GREAT hands and we can visit him anytime. This is my comfort. I cannot thank GOD enough for finding such good people to adopt Enzo. GOD is good all the time, He knows our needs, He plans for us, comforts us and loves us.

I was so surprised at my calmness when I brought Enzo to Brother Charlie's place on 8 Feb 2009 while explaining all the feeding and intricacies of Enzo. I thought I would be a nervous wreck. I'm sure I would have been if GOD had not held my hand that day.

My heart still aches but seeing him soooo loved by his new family and Enzo being so adjusted and happy, that's what really matters ultimately! And although I once told my hb this,

1 broken promise, 2 heartaches, 3 changed lives

After these few weeks, I can now look at this more positively,

1 happy dog, 2 new friends, 3 changed lives

Bento #34 - Elephants

Elephant cut out from steamed cake and decorated with nori, rose apples & yogurt

We have been going to the zoo the past week and seeing elephants, elephants cos that's what Kimi wanted to see only.

So, there, that's my inspiration for today's breakfast. Kimi has not been eating well the past few weeks and hb has said maybe I should stop bento-ing and maybe Kimi just liked his food 'un-cutesy'. I don't know. I'm in a dilemma now. Should I continue or stop or resume when he is older?

Frankly, I really enjoy making bentos for him and he always exclaims happily when he sees them but .... that doesn't mean he will FINISH them.

Well, let me think and pray about it. :)

Grapes

These days Kimi is getting more and more demanding. Not sure cos I 'pamper' him too much or...?

Recently, I bought some really sweet & crunchy grapes that need no peeling of the skin cos eating with the skin on is not bitter nor leaves an awful aftertaste. So, I told hb let's not peel the grapes and offer it wholesale to Kimi. This was how the conversation went :-

Me to hb : Papa, no need to peel the grapes, just give it to him like that. (think Kimi heard our conversation)

Me & hb : Kimi, come have some grapes. Very nice, sweet sweet. Come, come try.

Kimi walked over, looked at the grapes and screamed : NOOOO! (pause a few sec) P-E-E-E-E-E-E-L !!!

Me & hb : *faint!* (burst out laughing cos never expected he could be so deamnding and even knew what PEEL was!)

Bento #33 - Totoro

Totoro peanut butter sandwich using wholemeal bread and cheese & nori for cute details, 1 small banana, rose-apples & mangosteen

I used to like Totoro and his cute little buddies when I first saw them on an ex-colleagues table, so cute right? Saw this at Anna the red's bento factory and decided to give it a try. Hope Kimi likes it!

Bento #32 - Simply Brekkie

Chicken cocktail wierners, apples and yogurt

Actually don't know what to call this bento since there isn't any theme or speciality to it but rather simple. So, I just called it simply brekkie. I used elephants to brighten it up as Kimi was going on and on about elephants after yesterday's trip to the zoo.

Kimi's teacher asked me to make a light breakfast for him as they are having cookery lesson today and are making Oats Porridge. She said they will get to eat them. Knowing my son only too well (he has refused oats for a while now), I decided to make something simple but filling.

Post update - True enough, Kimi only had 1 spoon of his masterpiece!

Day Out With Papa @ Zoo!

Yesterday, Kimi refused to go to school (yes, again!) and we had to 'barter' with him. That is, if he went to school, the next day, we would let him stay home (of cos can't tell him we plan to bring him to the zoo cos he will remember & if we didn't, he would kick up a big fuss! Yes, even at 2, he remembers and knows!).

To the zoo we went to make good of our promise to our little Emperor. He had loads of fun and so did we. We came home all sun-burnt. :( Luckily Kimi wore the long sleeves wet suit and had sunblock.

A shot with papa at entrance of Rainforest Kidz World
Walking happily on his own

A cute pair that greeted us at the water-play area

Priceless expression!

A tender moment of father & son

Trying out the water-slide

Weeeee!

Kimi is so fascintated by this rope where the bucket of water will pour on you when you tug at it

My brave boy, running thru the water-jets!

Going down the spiral slide with papa

Kimi loves it - hmm, seems papa enjoying it more? haha!

The large bucket that pours a 'ton' of water. ALL the kids love it. Kimi is scared yet wants to experience it - see papa holding his precious so tightly?

Kimi's New Big Boy Bike

We bought a new bike for Kimi today cos he enjoys riding on Wayne's bike. So, we thought it was time to 'upgrade' since he could cycle. But, even the smallest seems a tad too high and he can't really reach the paddles. Think, he should be able to in a couple of months.

In the mean time, it's hb who is pushing him around. :)

Bento #31 - Anpanman

Butter roll with shaved honey baked ham filling, banana, plum, strawberries and grapes

I bought an Anpanman pants for Kimi when he was smaller but only started wearing them recently. He likes this cute character with its puffy cheeks!

As this bun is a little big, most of my tools for cutting the nori can't achieve the oval shaped eyes and long, crescent shaped eyebrows & smile. This is what I made do with. Also, too lazy to steam some carrots for an orangey cheeks so I used the darker cheese for ease and speed.

Post update - Kimi really not well cos he only ate the banana...ignoring all his favourite fruits ... :(