To The Beach We Go

Fairy Godma and her lovely family likes to spend a night at a Batu Ferringhi hotel annually and lucky Bubs always gets invited to spend a day at the seaside plus the use of their shower (much to Hub's relief) before heading home.

They had a beautiful view of the coastline from their hotel balcony and as always, Fairy Godma and I are enamoured by this charming bungalow complete with a stone bridge connecting it to a private widows walk on the sea. Based on how the waves splashed, we could glimpse massive boulders under the waters and speculated if it is possible to walk from the submerged rocks to an island on the right. Or wait ... was that a plot from Enid Blyton's Famous Five?

It was slightly downcast but it worked out perfectly, it's the sort of grey-ish weather right before a drizzle and the stormy clouds sheltered us from the sun. Bubs was in a rush to head down to the beach for some sand digging, seashell collecting and splashing in the surf. It took him 4 whole years to discard his fear of the waves! He ferried seawater to and fro to his sand castles.

Fairy Godma's dad found a tiny hermit crab nestled up in a seashell and Bubs was so curious about it. "What is it? Where does it live? What does it eat?"

The beach was sprinkled with seashells of all shapes and colours: from ebony black to tiger stripes.

We spent hours at the beach, talking, playing, entertaining Bubs and secretly relieving our own childhood :)

The simple pleasures of life. 

Merry Christmas!

2014 has been such a momentous year for us, from the not so pleasant bits (the death of my father-in-law) to happy occasions (Bub's learning about the world by leaps and bounds) and ones that take our breath away in sheer anticipation (job changes for Hubs and me both!)

In spite of all my mutterings about mass commercialism and bah humbug, it was nice to watch Bubs open presents under the Christmas tree. He's still at this stage of innocence where anything wrapped up in a box and wrapping paper receives happy cheers from him. I may or may not have wrapped a couple of new McDonald's Happy Meal toys up *shifty eyes* and he was soooo enthusiastic about them. "Wow, Happy Meal toys, Mummy!"

Just a couple of Christmas-y photos for this post before we continue our merrymaking.


The yummiest stollen from Yin's Sourdough Bakery. It's baked as how it would be back in the 15th century and just the right balance of sweet and tangy.

Miss Selfridge opened at Gurney Plaza and they have the nicest party clothes. I went crazy over their jacquard skirts but restrained myself. Couldn't resist these 2 tops (the silver one has a very sexy back) and the sales assistant threw in a gingerbread man for Bubs :)

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night, ho ho ho!

More Thai Boat Noodles

Thai boat noodles were something on our to-do list in Bangkok but we had to skip it because of time constraints. When we spotted Thai Boat Noodles at Summerton (just opposite Gold Coast apartments at Queensbay) opening, we were eager to give it a try. Be warned that the place fills up very quickly for both lunch and dinner so try to go early.

You're giving a choice of either chicken or pork, dry or soupy , koay teow or bee hoon noodles - the permutations are vast based on my limited maths knowledge. Mr. Oon, my high school maths teacher, would have been so proud of me :D

We ordered a bit of everything since we were repeatedly warned that portions are tiny. Still, Hubs was gobsmacked at the portions. Think of them as tiny, dim sum sized portions, not more than 3 mouthfuls served with a meat ball, a few slices of meat and drizzled with a bit of the yummy, comforting broth. If you're a spice lover, don't fret, each table has bottles of Thai fish sauce, chilli flakes and miscellaneous condiments. I loved how cute they looked in the glass blue and white bowls, the glass Chinese spoons and wooden chopsticks. Everything was so old school!

To give you an inkling of portion sizes, Bubs alone polished down 3 bowls. Given that each bowl costs RM1.90, these can work out to be a pricey meal, especially for big eaters.

The damage done for the day :)They were nice enough to give Bubs a free lollipop.

Thai Boat Noodles
Address: 100-01-15, Summerton, Pesiaran Bayan Indah, 11900, Bayan Lepas, Penang.
Telephone: 6012- 405 8488
Business Hours: 11 am to 3 pm, 6 pm to 10 pm. Opens Daily.

The Lego Star Wars Advent Calendar

I used to think that advents calenders, although cute to bits, are overpriced and gives Bubs the idea that you get a present a day plus presents on Christmas itself ... which is so against my cheapskate frugal notions.

Then we spotted this beauty in the Toys R Us Christmas toy book. I mean, how can you possibly say no to this?

Folks, I present to you, the Star Wars Lego Advent Calender!

We got started on it a bit late so I've been offering Bubs the chance to open double windows on some days in exchange for good behaviour. Pretty sure this is considered bribery in some circles ;)

Our December bedtime routine has now included opening a window - or rather, star window as we call it, after his bath and book and before lights off. We're eagerly anticipating the day we finally reach Santa Vader, even Hubs, though he tries to act nonchalant about it :P

It surprises me that Bubs is able to fit together the small pieces by himself - considering that the advent calender doesn't have detailed step by step instructions, just a small picture of how it's supposed to be put together.



Someone's having lots of fun ;) Happy Holidays!

Xmas Festival

In just the 2 months that Bubs has been at his new school, he loves it and we're surprised that he's been adapting so well to it. This time around, the school had its annual Xmas Festival and all parents were invited to watch the children sing and dance. To be honest, I love this concept ... mainly so I can skip paying concert tickets and costumes *cheapskate mum alert*

The doors were decorated with origami Santas and trees.

Hubs went bonkers for the very yummy butter cookies baked by the children earlier in the morning.

While I wandered around in the garden, examined the tiny veggie patch with its cheery ears of corn and sunflowers.

They sang so many songs this time around. I'm amazed that Bub's Chinese vocabulary has grown significantly in just a couple of months through song and play alone.

Peekaboo, Bubs, I see you! :)

All of the children were invited to hold flower candles and make a wish for the other underprivileged and ill children around the world. I thought this was a very sweet thing to do.

We were then treated to a puppet show performed by the teachers before we went back.

End of year comment cards, a beautiful origami ornament complete with the teeniest tiniest crane nestled in it and all of their artwork were distributed to parents.

Bubs delighted with his Xmas stocking stuffed with sheets of his artwork.