Happy Birthday

26 April is my birthday.....

It was uneventful on birthday but something made me warm and touched...

Last month Daren return from Singapore with an early birthday gift from Si Hui - a pair of earring. Thank you Si Hui for remembering my birthday and the gift. The earring is pretty and go well with one of my dress!!

19 April I received another early birthday gift, from aunty Woon Yeow and family - a NIKON D50!! I couldn't believe when I opened the pink-wrapped during the breakfast at their apartment, my heart melt. It was a used DSLR from Jizeng who intend to put the camera on sale BUT they gave me as gift. Aunty WY spotted my interest in photography and believe the camera will bring blessing in my photography skill and decided to share, what a generous gift!! Daren has always wanted to buy me a DSLR but I do not want it early for fear of not able to do well with the camera. With the gift now I have fresh inspiration!! XIE-XIE to AWY and family!!! (I have brush up my technical knowledge, now left the practical part...)

26 April Daren and uncle Lawrence had meeting in Thistle Hotel. Gabriel and me followed and waited for almost 3 hours. I took Gabriel for cycling and we did others things to kill the waiting time. We had birthday lunch at Marriott's Hotel near Heathrow, courtesy of uncle Lawrence who then flew to Dubai after the meal. It was a nice meal together - a honourable meal from PICO chairman eh....

On way to Thistle Hotel....

...riding round the hotel

.....cheeky little chap

....resting - snack time!!

.....CHEERS to 34th!!!!

.....grand uncle training Gabriel with wine

27 April, we had dinner with aunty WY and family at Strada in Richmond, courtesy of uncle James, also a farewell dinner to Jiming who is flying back to Michigan next day. They bought me a cake, a bottle of champagne, cheese from Amsterdam, tulip bubs and pack of cookies for Gabriel (they just return from Amsterdam) Honestly, I am very very touched by their effort, kindness and generosity - not only for my birthday but for all they have given to us. THANK YOU!!! Again, it was a very good meal together - a honorable meal from PICO president....eh..eh......

Gabriel doesn't say happy birthday yet and I don't think he know what is a birthday. Hubby Daren - unfortunately was too busy to prepare anything for me and was still in long meeting on my birthday BUT I know he always love me and have me in heart. He told me what he will buy for my 'late' birthday gift.....guess what he gonna buy for me?!

My birthday wish - I want my family continued to be blessed with HAPPINESS and GOOD HEALTHY and I want to work on my new prespectivesss!!!

Gabriel 1st attempt with CHOPSTICK

Today we have dinner with uncle James, aunty Woon Yeow, Jiming, Jizeng and the Poon family at Royal China. Gabriel did something new that impressed all of us....

HE IS EATING WITH CHOPSTICK!!!

...yes Gabriel is learning to use the chopstick for 1st time, and he can use it quite well!! Too cute, it was wonderful and amazing to see him managing well with the chopstick!! I never teach him, he wanted to follow what we do at the table.

I left my camera at home and missed such wonderful experience...sigh. Waiting for Jizeng to upload the picture, will post it later.

Friend Visit

Ying Ying visited us on Friday. We had great time catching up, and Gabriel warm up to her very quickly and got attached to her very much.

Ying Ying is now Gabriel favourite aunty...


Play-play in Cambridge Park....


Dinner at Thai Square, we were so stuffed that no one is keen on the dessert - mango sticky rice. SO Gabriel offered to eat!! Hmmm.....



Looking forward to another meeting like this. I appreciate Ying Ying's effort to drive from Bristol to see us!! Gabriel and me will miss her when she move to Zurich and Athens after her wedding in May.....

New Things

I blow my budget this month...

I almost complete my to-buy list, and I also bought thingssss outside the list - mainly for Gabriel BUT the highlight goes to my piano!!! I bought exceptionally lots of toy this months, good mix of educational, fun and sport - am glad to have found some good sources and materials.

New piano....

New kid on the key....

New bookcase....

Gabriel read most the books on the case, except few on the top shelves. I like to buy book, this bookcase is already not enough to store but the whole purpose of the bookcase is to encourage him to read and choose his book.

New scooter....

keen rider....

I bought the scooter today. Absolutely love it!! And it is very portable, good to bring along when travel!!!

Daren and me always think that he is a very lucky boy - we never have so many toys and books and holiday, and maybe even love and bonding that he is receiving. Our parents at our time where got so much time for us and take us holiday?! And we certainly dun have so many toys and we dun read many books when young (sad fact).

...Gabriel - daddy mummy are jealous!!!...but you are our precious boy we will love for life!! There goes again, I am waiting for the sort n shape to come in stock. ;-)

I took this bike to the bicycle shop to adjust the height - Gabriel has grown!!! OK, is time for another developmental progress report.

You see, the seat is adjusted two-notch higher....

Gabriel is napping and I probably have another half hour quiet time.....

Back Track....

This post is another back-track...

On 15 Feb, Gabriel fell from bed and hit the edge of drawer. He has a big deep cut on forehead, I rushed him to A&E. He received an instant treatment - the wound was glued back but the scar is clearly visible.

Gabriel has strong tolerance to 'pain'. My heart stopped for moment when I saw blood gushing down on his face. I paniced and started crying. He didn't cried long but was curious to see why mummy looking so panic!

When we return from hospital, he started playing and seem to forget the whole incident. Look at the picture below and you know what I mean....

The next day, Saturday, we went for our usual weekend family outing. At Kingston, Gabriel enjoyed himself at the toy shop, but nope, we didn't buy any toy that trip. The following week was miserable, he was a complete moody brat!!

Daren and me know accident like this will happen at some point of the growing up - especially for boy! It can be a scary experience but when we add all these mishaps, it will be a fun memories to look back and talk about. Of course for now, daddy mummy will keep him safe!!

Snowing in April

Today - 6 April ; Weather - 2 degree celsius, SNOWING!!!!

London is in the non-snow zone but I see snow every year since I came in 2002. Today I catch the last bit of the wintry snow - so exciting, albeit the snow stop and melt fast before I can take Gabriel out to play.

Snow in April is weird and temperature drop from height of 14 degree of yesterday to 2 degree today. I really enjoy this kind of fickle climate - interesting.

For today - the most reason to snuggle down warm at home indulging silly again in food!! ;-)

Snow scene in April....

When I am writing this, my dearly hubby and son are napping soundly, I am enjoying the peaceful 'me' time....