Jottings: Family Love

We were working out our extended family tree with the kids the other day — it was pretty extensive that we ran out of space on the paper. Along the way, we talked abt China's 1-child policy and how different their family trees would look.

A day or 2 later, Girl observed, "A child in China would not have any cousins." Nor uncles and aunties.

Having grown up with an amazing extended family, that was a pretty sobering (lonely) thot. So this CNY, am thankful for all the crazy uncles, aunties and cousins whom we get to celebrate with each year! Love u all!

Visit: Fire Station

Following Boy #2's obsession with fire engines, we organised 2 trips to the local fire stations at Taman Tun Dr Ismail and Sri Hartamas, Kuala Lumpur. We wrote in to the stations, requesting permission to visit, and they were more than happy to oblige.

The visit usually begins with a fire safety briefing, from the use of fire extinguishers and how to crawl through smoky conditions.

Kids get to dress up in actual fireman garb, including the hefty fire-resistant jackets, gas masks and fire boots.

The Sri Hartamas is larger and has a fireman's pole the kids can slide down! Kids could ride rounds in the fire engine and climb up its ladder.

The highlight of the visits are usually the water hose time — kids get to play with the hoses and run in the cool spray. Definitely a free and fun-filled educational trip everyone should go for!

Parks: Lake Gardens

We were invited to a cycling playdate at the Lake Gardens. While we were not strangers to the vicinity, we were pleasantly surprised by the refurbished and relatively well maintained grounds.

First off was this sprawling Fantasy Wonderland playground! Several different nursery rhyme and fairytale-themed slides and climbing gyms and tunnel! It was really a kid's dream play land.

After the kids had a round at the playground, they took off onto the bike trails. Along the way, we enjoyed the scenery and landscaping.

Party: Mexican Fiesta

We had a couple of family celebrations in September so we decided to have a fiesta, with a Mexican theme.

Girl has been learning cooking, so this was a chance for her to practice her fajita-making skills.

To set the ambiance, wee decorated the venue with themed cut-outs, paper lanterns, cactus and various props.

 For instructions on how to make Mexican tissue paper flowers, click here.

Yummy dinner! Hijole!

Science: BASF Kids' Lab 2013

Chemical company BASF runs its annual Kids' Lab programme to introduce kids aged 6-12 to the world of chemistry through safe and fun experiments.

This year, Boy and Girl got to join in the fun, decked in their aprons and safety glasses. They learned about acid and pH with the red cabbage indicator, discovered the secret of diapers with super absorbers, and mixed their own sun screen lotion. 

Definitely an educational experience ... especially since Mummy didn't even know what chemistry was about until she was in Form 4 :-p Thank you BASF!

 

Garden: Edible Gardens

About 20 years ago, when my grandparents moved up into a link house in PJ, my Ah Ma set about planting vegetables in her little garden. I used to laugh at her — she was acting as if she were still in her kampung.

But now, thanks to Facebook groups advocating healthy eating, raw food, herbs and such, I realise how practical and useful it is to have an edible garden.

Today, Ah Ma gave the kids a little tour of her patch, showing them her custard apples, sweet potatoes and various leaves suitable for soup etc.

I asked her, "Do you still need to go to the market to buy vege?"

"Yes," my 87-year-old Chinese-speaking Ah Ma replied. "But these," she swept her hand across her garden, "are or-ga-nic!"

Nature: Adventure in Fraser's

Fraser's Hill used to be a favourite childhood haunt, but it's been many years since we made a trip there. So when the opportunity arose, up the hill we went!

First stop: Visit to the Jeriau waterfall. Water was freezing cold! A real refreshing treat.

The next day, we took a short hike down the Pine Tree Trail.

 

The diverse flora ~ God's beautiful creations

 The kids were real troopers!

Under and over

Scrapbook memento of our trip!

At the Paddocks.

Pine cone art: Happy Malaysia Day!