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.

Squeaking

...on a cool breezy day

Milk scare

Don't worry, I am not talking about Ryo here. He drinks Abbott or Friso brand formula that we lugged in our luggage all the way from Singapore.

I am talking about myself.

I need cold fresh milk in my coffee every morning. Now I dare not buy a single packet, not even those considered "safe".

Then my alternative is the CONDENSED milk. Still the only available Nestle brand is also MADE IN CHINA.

Last alternative: coffee creamer. Also Nestle. Also m.i.c.

What am I going to do? I can only drink kopi-O then... sob sob.

Garland

We made a garland for Ryo from his arts and craft book

While I still can

... suck my toes

We need a swing

Once upon a time, there were two swings at the playground. One day, some naughty kids cut the ropes and the swings vanished, never to be seen again.

One year later, Katarina's father decide to make a temporary swing, using Kat's little stool, some ropes, her brother's belt for safety, and Viola!

Don't look down, don't look down

These shoes are better than mine

Healthy snacks

Grapes in greens and purples. Boiled hotdog and prawns

Grapes and boiled legumes

Ryo has healthy snacks everyday. I'll prepare fruits or boiled meats in containers and we'll share with the kids downstairs. When there are other kids to fight for food, Ryo will eat what he normally won't eat at home. If your kid is not eating something, do what I do.

Popular man

He is the most popular man around.

This is fun, check out photofunia.com

Having fun

Ryo with another little girl

Ah...beautiful morning

Katarina is trying out Ryo's new boots. They wear the same size croc shoes too.

Why in the world were they sitting on the stools? It started when both were fighting over another stool, so Katarina's mum had to bring down another few to let them share. Now that they are older, they will snatch things away from one another, and there will be a lot of crying. The mothers have a lot of referee's job to do.

Boots are for marching

Best friends still at the end of the day... or rather... in front of the camera

Ryo and his girl

Meet Little Red Riding Hood and Little Red Riding Shorts. They really are together everyday. If you know Ryo, he is not the kind who would get this close to another person. Guess he likes Katarina quite a bit.

You see what I mean

There's no too much of it

You fall, I fall.

First art class

I signed Ryo up for Gymboree classes again. This time he took up arts as well, ain't he a potential abstract artist?