Tianjin Zoo

We went to Tianjin 水上公园 today, as the two boys wanted to go for skiing. Since the zoo is also there, the rest of us decided to go there too. I didn't expect too much from the zoo initially, but it turn out to be better than I imagined.

The snow was still on the ground, it was difficult to push the pram around. So my dad resorted to this: the ricksaw method

We saw the blue fox

The polar bear

the "horse" bear

the ducks on the frozen lake

the so cute rabbit

while the two boys are having their time at this ski place

and Ryo is trying to make his footprints on the snow. But he can't cos he is too light.

The zoo visit during winter is quite an experience. The place seemed so big as we had trouble trudging our way around.

White winter solstice

It snowed the whole night, yippee!

Top view of playground last night. You can still see the grass patches.

And it is all covered with snow this morning

It's this thick

And freezing cold

Ryo made snowballs in his bathtub

They are here

It is beary beary cold in Tianjin now

You see what I mean? I am dressed like I'm gonna rob a bank whenever I go out

But the good thing is, my maternal grandparents are here, with 舅舅 and 哥哥

I get to play Xbox with them

Those lashes

I love to look at him from this angle. His lashes are so lovely long, and his cheeks have a little speck of pink. Ah, I cannot resist a peck on his head.

Children has this important place in every parent's heart, that you see their pictures on our Facebook, MSN, blogs, handphones, wall hangings, computer wallpaper, etc. So much to an extent that, sometimes we could not find schoolmates on Facebook. Do you agree?

Crack

The following is not meant for the faint-hearted.

You are looking at my thumb here. I get these cracks on my fingers every winter, as the air gets very dry and my hands aren't producing enough moisture. In fact if I apply ointment on this crack, another new one will appear tomorrow.

I remember last winter, I was carrying my groceries back home, and then saw some blood stains on the plastic bags. Ya this was this bad. Blood oozed out from my knuckles when I balled my hands into a fist.

Diaper up Dino

Do you know what happened when I casually mention that dinosaur does not wear diapers?

Ryo went to get a piece of diaper and tried to put it on his robot dinosaur, and he is very serious about it.

Choo choo

Although the sun is shining brightly outside, we dare not venture out of the house, since we are still having runny noses. So I set up his Thomas the Train set for him to play, or rather for ME to play.

This is a clever game invented I must admit, but on the box it was written for 3 years old and above. And so if it was given to someone under 3, we are having lots of trouble:

• I have to sit close by as a techician to fix rail, put train back on track


• kids cannot (really CANNOT) touch anything on this set, they can only watch

So is it possible for an active boy to just watch the train. No! That's why I am the grumpy technician nearby saying," don't touch, don't touch" for the 100th time.

And all the while I am typing this entry, Ryo has removed the moving train from its rail, threw it on the floor so that the battery would fall out. And like a Tasmania devil, dismantle the railway in 3 seconds so that i can keep. Ya he was trying to help me.

No action

Not much of an action lately cos:

1. we were all sick
2. it's too cold outside
3. indoor photography doesn't turn out too good

But we have exciting things coming along

1. 外公， 外婆 and 舅舅 are coming middle December for 2 weeks
2. Ah Gong, Ah Ma, 叔叔， 婶婶， Lankston and Brexton are coming in January and staying till Chinese New Year.

Yes, January is the coldest period. But we can watch lots of fireworks here and maybe catch a bit of snow.

Mr Sick, Mrs Sick and Little Sick

Since late autumn, our family had taken turns to fall sick. And it's not just one round of it. We take turns having a few rounds of cold, it's like playing volleyball, we just don't let the virus ball drop to the ground.

Here's the timeline: Ryo. Papa. Papa. Papa. Mama. Ryo. Mama.

And we are still at it, one month liao.

Seems like our bodies cannot get used to seasonal weather.

Art work

I'll put up Ryo's artwork (from his Gymboree's class) on the wall.

By the way, these 2 photos were taken by Ryo himself. Kids can take some very interesting photos using the digital camera, I now have a small collection of photos he took, and they are quite pleasing to the eyes.

Ryo insisted that I hold his toy car this way before he took this photo.

Sun tan

Being cold outside does not deter Ryo from getting his vitamin D supplement

Who's in boots?

Ryo prefers my pink flowery boots to his Crocs slippers. Ahhh... these boots are the best during winter for people who have cold feet, like me.

Halloween pumpkin

It's not as easy as it seems, I want to do a jagged top instead of a straight line one, and had a hard time, but at least it paid off. My first time making a Halloween pumpkin.

Finished product, it looks better than this photo. But later in the night, Ryo bounced the pumpkin like a ball, and it broke into half. There goes my effort.

Papa's birthday

It's a day without the laptop for papa, so rare and precious. We walked by the river, saw some old guys swimming in it (it's winter!), and bought a windmill for Ryo. He has this thing for windmil.

He learnt this Michael Jordan tongue act from the CARS movie

At 天津文化节

Papa's 2 birthday cakes.

Apple crumble

I made an Apple Crumble, and it is so so nice, fresh out from oven. It's so easy, although my maid helped me cut the apples and boiled them... hehe. Initially I thought of saving half for Isaac, but now, sorry darling, I will make you one tomorrow.

Recipe (1 person)

1. Cut 2 apples into dice
2. Throw into a pot of water, add a stick of cinnamon, and a spoon of sugar
3. Cook apples till soft, but not soggy, remove from water
4. In another bowl, mix with hand about 2 tablespoons of butter, 1.5 tablespoon of sugar, 4 tablespoon of flour till they look like breadcrumbs
5. Pour apples into foil bowl, add the above (buttery flour) on top, don't press down
6. Bake in oven at 170 deg. till top looks crisp golden brown

Caution:Filling is hot. I almost eat immediately cos I let it cool near the window. I'm in winter here... hehe

Kongming Lantern 孔明灯

It's a bird, it's a plane, issit Superman? No it's a 孔明灯. I thought they only have this in Taiwan, but we spotted one so close to home.

No cameras please!

Splash

I caught this picture when Ryo was throwing stones

He was standing in the fish pond. The fishes were removed from the water as winter is coming, and the water was drained, so children were able to jump into the pond to play.

The day they staged...

Phantom of the Opera

First they donned their masks

and sang

and bowed thank you

isn't he adorable?

He is potty trained

At 26 months, Ryo can go diaperless during the daytime. Both for pee pee and poo poo.

Our thoughts are, when he is ready, he is ready. He waited till he can:

• say 便


• hold his pee or poo


• run to potty

Another milestone. I am still waiting for him to sleep a whole night through. Yes, I have not slept a peaceful night throughout for 26 months.

Two

I like to show you my age but my fingers are not listening to my commands

Nevertheless, 2 is a good time to be cheeky

Rainy day

We stayed indoors cos it was raining. Outside temperature is 11 degrees. Yes, the temperature is dipping.

Little photographer

Ryo having fun with Katarina yet again.

Next, enjoy a series of pictures Ryo took all by himself. I think these are quite nice.