family – Page 26 – trippingdifferently

May 21, 2014

Double Digits!…

Yep, my boy turned the grand age of 10! This mama is still trying to wrap her head around those double digits! Wasn’t it just yesterday that we celebrated his first birthday?

This year he picked to have a small birthday party – just his 2 best friends, Sebi and Lars. Last week, we went to a small water-park nearby and the boys had a blast! Unfortunately, i had no water-proof camera so there are no photos of them in the water but here’s a shot of them just before we went into the changing rooms:

They were so excited to be at the water-park!

Then we had ice-cream at McDonald’s before heading home for a quick birthday song and presents. It was in the middle of the school week so i wanted the boys to get home early; they still had homework to do.

They sang Happy Birthday in both Chinese (Lars goes to Chinese class with T) & German ;) — They sang Happy Birthday in both Chinese (Lars goes to Chinese class with T) & German 😉

He was so very happy to have gotten 2 sets of Lego Movie legos!

This was our thank-you gift to his friends.

Since it was his birthday party, i let him choose dinner and he chose…

On Monday night, we did a small family celebration with opening of more presents, this time all from family members.

He received a 3DS game, Percy Jackson books, Liverpool jersey, a Kindle and red packets from his grandparents. Not pictured - tickets to a David Garette concert! — He received a 3DS game, Percy Jackson books, Liverpool jersey, a Kindle and red packets from his grandparents. Not pictured – tickets to a David Garette concert!

Yesterday, on his actual birthday, he brought cake to school to share with all his classmates and teachers. This year he asked for a simple one, just red velvet cupcakes 🙂 (Have a look at previous years’ cake request).

Red Velvet Cupcakes - this is the second batch i baked - another batch due this weekend for the Sunday School class... — Red Velvet Cupcakes – this is the second batch i baked – another batch due this weekend for the Sunday School class…

And here’s the traditional family shot:

Sigh! 10… a pre-teen! i’m half-hearted about him reaching this milestone… but that’s just my heart… i’m so proud of him, he has grown and matured and even though he is still a kid, he is a big kid now.

syc

May 11, 2014

A Joyous Mother’s Day to All Mamas!

Today is Mother’s Day!

This is in honour of my Mummy - her name is Daisy! She is simple and pure like the flower :) — In honour of my Mummy – her name is Daisy! She is simple and pure like the flower 🙂

It’s a wonderful opportunity to tell that all important person in your life how much she means to you and to your children.

My Mummy is the best!

i am who i am because she was and still is always there for me. She taught me to always lend a helping hand whenever i can. She showed me that even when we disagree with someone we can still love them. She is such a strong woman, bearing the weight of being our everything with such grace, i’m in awe.

Thank You MUMMY! i love you!

Now i would like you all to hop over to Unlocking Love and help a wonderful teen in her project to help some orphans who are all in need of loving mamas – check out her #WheresMyMom? project…

Here’s my contribution to her project – the 3 boys i’m shouting out for are:

JASPER

JASON

ANDREW

Click on their names or pictures to find out more about them and please SHARE their stories today via social media – the more exposure they get, the more likely their forever families is to see them.

Thank you!

syc

February 1, 2014

Gong Xi Fa Cai…

… i think i have never actually devoted a post to Chinese New Year!

i have looked at the archives and have not found one post on this – which is strange considering how much i like the festivities of celebrating Chinese New Year. A celebration which traditionally lasts 15 days, but of course, in these modern fast-paced times, no one stops for that long to celebrate anymore.

When i was growing up, it was a huge thing. My mum started preparing 2 weeks ahead for Reunion Dinner (the eve of Chinese New Year), where all the extended family came to us for dinner. There is this special dish she makes only for Chinese New Year – Ayam Buah Keluak (Black Nut Chicken Curry) because you need to soak the nut for 2 weeks. Then crack a tiny slot in the hard shell, remove the flesh of the fruit, mix half of that with minced meat, stuff the mixture back into the nut and use the other half of the fruit-flesh to make the curry. So much work!

Then there is all the yummy Chinese New Year goodies – pineapple tarts (i LOVE these), Bak Kwa, Love Letters, Kueh Bangkit and so many other ones, along with all the mandarin oranges i could peel and eat as well as roasted peanuts, sunflower seeds and sweets. Also Yu Sheng – Fish Salad which we toss for good luck. Not to mention the kids all got red-packets (ang baos, filled with a small amount of cash).

We would spend 2 whole days visiting family and friends, exchanging greetings and blessings for the coming year. There are some people we only get to see during this festive season so it is indeed a special time.

Now that we have moved to a “western” country which doesn’t celebrate Chinese New Year and we no longer go back to Singapore for the celebrations (logistically not practical now with the school term), i miss them.

The dishes we had for Chinese New Year Dinner.

This year i decided maybe it’s time to highlight some traditions again, now that my boy is bigger and understands more. He really only remembers collecting the Ang Baos and not much beyond that cos he was so small when we did go back to celebrate with family.

So while i didn’t make Reunion Dinner, i did make a 1st Day of Chinese New Year dinner for the 3 of us. Cooking one of my favourite Nonya dishes – Chap Chye, and Cantonese Steam Fish as well as Stir-Fry Ginger Beef. It was a tiny affair but still…

And this year we also gave my boy an actual Ang Bao when normally it would just go to his bank account. He was glad about that cos now he gets to actually spend it, instead of mummy putting it into his bank.

So here i take the opportunity to wish one and all a very Blessed Happy Chinese New Year – it’s the Year of the Horse so may you gallop into peace and good fortune.

syc.