Christmas at Tiang and Chun Hoe's Place

Gift-exchange from Guilan.
Gerrard likes to spin the top part a lot...

Looks like a dustbin at first glance.
Now being used by the children to keep their toys.

Yes, Adrea, the price tag is still there.
I will use the gift to tag my students' work.
(See the whole row of page tags on the right?)

Scented candles.
The apples look so real.

Baby Gerry's gift from the 3 aunties.
Auntie Tiang gave an ang bao.

Baby Gerry wide awake and curious.
Source: Ms Joyce Wee

Gerlyn busy munching away.
Source: Ms Joyce Wee

Gerlyn in front of the X'mas tree.
Source: Ms Joyce Wee

This was the debut of Do-Re-Mi (as my old-time friends call them) in a social function.

Food was nice and the big spread of food was sufficient to feed an army! Especially the sausages!! Chun Hoe, now Liat and I know that you are indeed a sausage-lover!

X'mas exchange was fun. We agreed upon that everyone was to attend with a gift worth $10. I must admit here that some of my gifts belonged to the 'to-top-up' category. Which are the ones? I shouldn't say here. But there are some which are 'above-budget' category, e.g. the T-shirt from Hong Kong that Joyce gotten. Personally I liked it. But cannot keep as there are simply too many T-shirts in my wardrobe. Dun worrie, Joyce. I have not worn it yet! ;)

Unexpectedly, we had a 2nd round on Boxing Day. Food with wide spread (again!) and sausages were the main dish (again!). 2nd round was better than the 1st as Tiang made dessert this time. I am pretty sure that we cleared part of their fridge!

Thank you, Tiang and Chun Hoe, for hosting the occasion. Next time, listen to my advice - go potluck. We really wished you both had more time for us than preparing the food. Make full use of our X'mas gift for the two of you, ok? ;p

And to my 3 dear friends, yes, I will make sure the vouchers will be used on buying things for Gerry, rather than for the two other babies.

I hope Lynn can join us the next time... :[

New Beginning

Collectible moments in Kinderland (Bangkit)

Gerlyn's 1st X'mas Celebration in Childcare Centre
Source of photo:http://picasaweb.google.com/janicechoo2009/Christmas2009WCC#5417966980199055314

Gerrard and Gerlyn in Kinderland (Woodlands Civic Centre)
Source of photo:http://picasaweb.google.com/janicechoo2009/Christmas2009WCC#5418301785780463826

Both Gerrard and Gerlyn went through a new phase last week.

Gerrard's childcare centre at Bangkit closed down and he was being transferred to Woodlands Civic Centre. It is a challenging phase for him as the systems in place are totally different from Bangkit's centre. From dining routines, to timetable, to bathing procedures, he needs to unlearn what he had learnt at Bangkit and relearn these in Woodlands Civic Centre. "I want Daddy" is his favourite chant for these 2 weeks.

As for Gerlyn, she is being placed in a childcare centre for the first time and hence, adapting faster than Gerrard. In addition, she has a more out-going personality as compared to Gerrard. She had seen Gerrard going to Bangkit's centre and was in full anticipation of joining the 'school'. The only worry is that she cannot sit still as long a duration as Gerrard. That will take some time to train.

As what we wished in their names (spear-brave), we hope they will brave through this phase fast and easily.

Both Liat and I non-followers of Christ. But we will like to dedicate this blog entry to those who participated in the growth of our children's education.

We will like to thank:

• Liat's mum in taking care of Gerrard since infant and in shaping his value systems;
• My 2nd aunt in taking care of Gerlyn since infant and in shaping her value systems;
  
• Staff in Bangkit's centre, especially the cleaning auntie who guided Gerrard a lot (5 thumbs up!);
• Staff in Woodlands Civic Centre for their patience; and
  
• My cousin Elsie, who provided invaluable advice.

Merry Christmas!