B e n s p a c e

Stupid Stupid Stupid

2007-07-23T16:52:00.001+08:00

The other day, Dad was roped in to play 'tag' with Chastan and Cheryl. While playing, something made Chastan angry. He just stopped in his tracks, stood there with an angry face and went "STUPID STUPID STUPID ".

Dad did not say anything then because, first he was stunned and second, most importantly, he did not want put any emphasis that this was not an appropriate word to be used in anger.

Again on another occcassion in the car, he used this word. Then last week at the bookstore at Jusco, someone accidently knocked into him. Annoyed, Chastan got up and said "Stupid" but luckily he was not loud and Dad was grateful, the chap who bumbed into Chastan could not have heard it.

Without reprimanding him, Dad said to Chastan "You should not use that word" and then continued "Where did you learn that word?"

"TV" shouted Cheryl who was nearby.

Then another time when Mummy scolded him, Chastan went "Stupid, Mummy stupid"

Boy Friend

2007-03-19T21:17:00.000+08:00

The other day while Mummy was going through the homework with Cheryl. Cheryl suddenly blurted out.

Cheryl: "Mummy, I got boy friend"
Mummy: "What?"
Dad: "Boy friend?"
Cheryl: "Yes"
Mummy: "Who is he?"
Dad: "What's his name?"
Cheryl: "Justine"
Mummy: "He is in your class, is he?"
Cheryl: "No, he is in Orange class"
Mummy: "Does he come in your school bus?"
Cheryl: "No"
Mummy: "How do you know he is your boy friend?"
Cheryl: "Sheryl Siah said"
Mummy: "Did you talk to him?"
Cheryl: "Why you ask so many questions?"

This is our daughter who isn't six yet.

Swimming - New Trick

2007-03-18T22:03:00.000+08:00

It has been months since the last time the children went to the pool. So this evening being a hot day, Mummy reminded Dad to take the children down to the pool. Cheryl had on her full body one piece swimsuit and a body float while Chastan wore his trunks, a t-shirt and the arm-floats. While Cheryl eagerly jumped in, Chastan was reluctant to get into the pool. He stood at the edge and was trying to pull down his shorts. Only after Dad took off his arm floats and t-shirt did he get into the wading pool.

When time to leave, Chastan, being the good boy he is, went back quietly with Mummy while Dad stayed back with Cheryl to take her into adult pool. In the adult pool, dad asked Cheryl to close her mouth, nose and go under water, which she did a few times, staying under water for only a split second each time.

When time to leave and changing into her new bathrobe that Aunty Rose bought for her.

Cheryl: "Dad, can I put on the bathrobe myself "
Dad: "Ok"
Cheryl: "I'm sure my friends will be jealous if they see this new bathrobe"
Dad: "Yes, certainly"
Cheryl: "Dad, thank you for showing the new trick"
Dad: "Uh?"
Cheryl: "You know, holding my nose and going under water"
Dad: " Oh, you are welcome"

Big Sister

2007-02-20T22:41:00.000+08:00

Earlier this evening while Dad was spending some quality time with the children.

Dad: "Chastan, I am your father"
Chastan: "Daddieee"
Dad: "Mummy is your mother"
Chastan: "Mummieee"
Dad: "And Cheryl is your sister"
Chastan: "Che Cheaaah"
Right at this moment, Cheryl who was listening in,
Cheryl: "Correction"
Dad: "Huh?"
Cheryl: "BIG Sister"

Children at Jusco (1)

2007-01-10T21:01:00.000+08:00

Watch how Cheryl and Chastan play together at a shopping centre.

Now watch how they 'play' together again.

Teen Titans

2006-12-28T21:28:00.000+08:00

This is Cheryl's favourite program - all because of the main character, Robin, the little guy in the green and red costume. She even dreamt about him. One morning when she woke up,

Cheryl: "Mum, I saw Robin"
Mum: "When?"
Chery: "At night when I was sleeping"
Dad: "Where?"
Cheryl: "Don't know, I was so happy and then I woke up"

Cousin Jason, knowing about Cheryl's new liking, gave her a printout of the Teen Titans that he obtained from the net. Even to bed, she held on to it and kept it under her pillow while she slept.

On 21/12/2006 we took the children to the 'Christmas with Teen Titans' that was being staged at Sunway Pyramid but did not tell Cheryl about the show. No disappointment for the children in case the show did not go on that day.

The posters of the Teen Titans around the stage watered downed the surprise we had intended. Anyway, Cheryl was indeed excited to see Robin live even though he did not look as 'cute' as the cartoon screen version and, this being a first time for Cheryl at a show like this, Dad had to go along to have her picture taken with Robin. Then just after the show,

Cheryl: "Mummy, we follow Robin wherever he goes"

Mum: "What, why do you want to follow Robin?"

Cheryl: "We follow to see where Robin goes"

Mum: "But they are going to rest for the next show"

Cheryl: "But I want see Robin again"
Dad: "Ok, we will wait for the next show"

Cheryl enjoyed the repeat performance also.

At Christmas Cheryl received an additional present from Aunty Sharon, a folder with printouts of Robin and the Teen Titans. She was so glad that she ignored her other presents and held on to the folder as her prized possession.

Cheryl with the Teen Titans

Hide & Seek

2006-12-27T21:07:00.000+08:00

Hide & Seek is one of the games Chastan and Cheryl love to play at home. While Cheryl is able to count, Chastan is not. But still he loves to be 'it' and facing the wall he will close his eyes and say "One two three seven nine eady not".

Not much choice hiding places in our small apartment, but for Chastan anywhere will do as long as his eyes are not seen. But then he is good. Once when we had house helper problems and when Dad stayed home to babysit, dad could find Chastan when it was time to go and bring Cheryl back from school.

Dad practically panicked, he kept calling for Chastan but not a sound was heard. Checking all the rooms, bathrooms and under the beds and even in the closets (yes, the clothes cupboard is a hiding place), no sign. After a frantic few minutes, he was found hiding behind a door which cannot be opened fully due to a floor shelf behind it. He was squatting there snugly facing the corner between the door and the shelf, face down and quiet, very very quiet. The gleeful smile on Chastan's face showed dad that he had been had.

Chastan hiding on the bed

With Chastan, Hide & Seek can be played anywhere, even in a shopping mall.

Chastan hiding in One Utama

Music School Concert - Cheryl

2006-11-25T01:27:00.000+08:00

Cheryl was enrolled for the Yahama Junior Music Course (JMC) run by Claris as this was available in our Taman. This is a two year course where a parent of the student sits in with the child for every lesson. Mummy had this pleasure, but Dad had to sit in for a few sessions when Mummy was indisposed.
The concert, 'An Evening With Claris 2006' organised by Claris at Flamingo Hotel in Ampang included all students enrolled in their schools. JMC students were roped in for the 'Percussion' contribution whereby Cheryl's class played the casternets. A practise session was held earlier in the afternoon.

It was a good and enjoyable evening of music and Cheryl thoroughly enjoyed the participation as these pics portray. Chastan too attended, but he, being a good boy he is, was not too difficult to control.

Pocoyo

2006-11-12T01:30:00.000+08:00

This is Chastan's favourite cartoon. To the uninitiated, Pocoyo is the one in blue, the pink elephant is Ellie and Patto is the duck. Two other regular characters not in this picture are Loola, the dog and Sleepy Bird.

Pocoyo, in this cartoon series, would normally express his anger by folding his arms across his chest. Chastan too does it when he is angry. Is this type of gesture by Chastan, in expressing his anger, an influence by TV or is it natural?

Parents-Teachers Day

2006-11-11T22:02:00.000+08:00

Today was Parents-Teachers Day at Cheryl's school, Midah Kindergarten. It was also the day to collect the report card.

In the 1st half year exams, Cheryl scored full marks in all papers and she was positioned joint 1st together with Lui Kok Leong and another of her classmates. However she lost a few marks in the year end exams which saw her drop to 2nd place in the overall results. Her classmate and same apartment friend, Kok Leong, maintained 1st position while her best friend in school, Sherryl Siah, retained her 3rd position.

Mummy with Cheryl meeting the English teacher
(Chastan standing behind Cheryl)

Midah Kindergarten Class Positions

Cheryl in 2nd place in exams for the 5 year olds

Cheryl joint 1st position in 1st half year exams

Cheryl's 2006 Report Card

Outing - Mines Wonderland - Cheryl

2006-11-04T22:23:00.000+08:00

Today, Cheryl went on her 1st outing organised by her school, to Mines Wonderland. On the way to send Cheryl to school, Mum reminded her to listen to teacher and don't wander off on her own. At 1.00pm, we picked her up from school after the outing. In the car on the way to Selayang,

Mum: "So how was your trip?"
Cheryl: "Great"
Mum: "Did you go on the boat ride, the water taxi?"
Cheryl: "Yes, we wore life jacket"
Dad: "Did you go to the snow house?"
Cheryl: "Yes, but don't have snow, only ice and it was so slippery"
Cheryl: "And we wore jacket, so big jacket. Teacher also wore jacket. It was so cold inside"
Mum: "What did you eat?"
Cheryl: "Rice"
Mum: "Did you eat the rice?"
Cheryl: "No"
Mum: "So what else did you eat?"
Cheryl: "We had ice cream"
She looked so tired and dozed off in the car.

N70

2006-10-27T13:46:00.000+08:00

Dad got himself a new toy on 19/10/2207 - a Nokia N70 with a 1GB memory card which reduced his savings by about RM1400. First, the battery did not charge very well. This new phone was supposed to be charged for at least 7 hours, so the guy at the shop said. But it stopped charging after about 2 hours.

Took the phone and charger back to the shop. "Oh this charger not so good" said the guy at the shop and gave me another charger. Ok the replacement was charging well.

Second, could not connect to PC with USB cable. Colleague, Maidin, helped to connect using his bluetooth. Third, viewed the pictures taken earlier, very poor quality. Expected much considering this phone has a 2 mega-pixel lens camera. Back to the shop again and left the USB cable for them to test. The following day, still no news. Then took the phone to the service outlet at Ampang Park. After much haggling, they replaced the phone but not the cover. That is the last VV Shop will have my patronage. Once bitten, twice shy as they say.

Cheque is Not Money

2006-10-25T21:32:00.000+08:00

When we signed up Cheryl for her school outing to Mines Wonderland scheduled for 4/11/2006, there was a fee of RM30 to be paid. So dad wrote out a cheque favouring her school, Midah Kindergarten, for this amount and gave it Cheryl.
Cheryl: "Dad, this is not money. We must pay real money"
Dad: "This is just like money. Remember your school fees, we pay like this"
Cheryl: "But Dad, teacher said must pay money"
Dad: "You give this to the teacher, if cannot, tomorrow we will pay"
In the evening, Cheryl mentioned something about the teacher showing green money which we knew to be the RM8 for the class group photo.
Dad: "So, Cheryl, what about the cheque, did your teacher accept it?"
Cheryl:"I told you it won't work"

The school did accept the cheque.

Exams - Cheryl

2006-10-08T22:17:00.000+08:00

It is exam time in most schools and it began with the Form Three PMR examinations last week. The newspapers had also highlighted the issue of whether our society is becoming more exam orientated.

It is no different for Cheryl, who at 5 years old is ending her 1st year in kindergarten. The time table below has been up on our wall two weeks ago. The pressure is on, not Cheryl but Mummy.

Cheryl's Exam Time Table

Church of the Holy Rosary

2006-10-08T22:07:00.000+08:00

This morning we attended services at Holy Rosary Church on the occasion of the feast of the Holy Rosary.
Once inside the Church, our house assisstant Sapuna said" Saya suka gereja ini, banyak cantek". Then Cheryl said "I like this Church".
A little while later, Chastan, 2yrs 4 months old, pointing to the sanctuary said "One, two. three, four five Jesus".

Joshua

2006-10-07T10:27:00.000+08:00

Last Sunday Joshua Fernandez followed his Aunty Irene to Church. After Mass, he played with Cheryl making her run and laugh. Later in the car,
Cheryl: "I like this Koko"
Mum: "Why do you like him"
Cheryl: "Because he is so funny"
Mum: "Don't you like to play with Jason Koko?"
Cheryl: "No, he small"
Mum: " What about Kevin Koko, he is big"
Cheryl: "I don't like his hair, like porcupine".

Pet Fish

2006-10-03T00:22:00.000+08:00

Cheryl has been asking us to get her a fish for a pet and each time she brought up the subject, we would give some excuses like the shop is not open now or we'll go on another day etc. There's a shop somewhere opposite the Cheras police station where the sign board indicates it to be a fish/aquarium shop and each time Cheryl sees it, she will ask to go there and our usual reply is that the fish shop has closed down and the shop is selling cars now and that we will look for another fish shop. Last Friday when Mum and dad returned home from office,
Cheryl: "Daddy Daddy, I know how to go the fish shop".
Dad: "So how do we go there?"
Cheryl: "You go like this way and near the doctor and then turn and go that way and we come to the fish shop"
Dad: "Ok we'll go on Sunday when we take Chastan for his hair cut. You can show us the way" So on Sunday 01/10/2006, on returning home from church and Jusco, she kept pestering us. In the evening when we told her to get ready she said "I am so excited, I am going to get a pet fish, I am so excited".After Chastan's hair cut, we went to the fish shop and picked two pairs of fish that did not require an oxygen pump, so the fishshop man said. In the car on the way home.
Cheryl: "Daddy don't drive so fast"
Dad: "Why?"

Cheryl: "If you drive too fast and when you turn the corner, the fish will get a tummy ache".

Dad: "Oh ok". On reaching home,
Cheryl: "Daddyy can I feed the fish?"
Dad: "Ok but not now"
Cheryl: "So what time daddy?"
Dad: "7.30"
Cheryl: "Is it 7.30 now?"
Dad: "No, I'll tell you when". At 7.30, Cheryl was shown how to feed the fishes.

Next morning, Mummy gave the bad news to Cheryl, "All four fishes died". Cheryl then went to have a look and came back and sat quietly on the bed. Wonder what was going on in her mind.

Hair Cut - Chastan

2006-10-02T23:53:00.000+08:00

Chastan had his third hair cut by this barber on Sunday 01/10/2006.
He was very quite all throughout the session but as soon as he was brought down from the chair,
Chastan put both his hands up in the air and yelled "Yeah!".

Sunday Outing

2006-09-10T18:24:00.000+08:00

This afternoon in the car after Church service at the Chapel of Our Lady of Good Health, Kg Pandan and breakfast,
Cheryl: "Is the way to Jusco?"
Dad: "This, the way to go home"
Cheryl: "No, I want to go to Jusco"
Dad: "Ok, I'll drop you off at Jusco and you go alone"
Cheryl: "No, we must go as family"
Dad: "What is family?"
Cheryl: "Family means, daddy, mummy, my brother and kakak. Cannot go alone" and right at this moment another voice was heard.
"I wan go Jusco NOW" yelled Chastan.

Dentist

2006-09-09T21:10:00.000+08:00

This afternoon Mummy had a dental visit and Chastan tagged along, his 1st visit to a dentist.
Dr Raj carried Chastan and made him lay on the chair and switched on the light.
Chastan: "Off light" so Dr Raj switched off the light and said: "Open mouth".
Chastan openning mouth: "Aaah".
Dr Raj: "Good, your teeth are clean" and took him down.

Cheryl could not go as she was having a nap in the car.

Game -Soldier

2006-09-09T20:03:00.000+08:00

This evening at Amma's house, Cheryl managed to persuade Aunty Rose to buy her an umbrella - a puple one at that.

At home, she was playing a marching game while holding and swinging the umbrella, so Dad said :"Cheryl, no need for the umbrella while marching".
Cheryl: "But Dad, a soldier must have a gun and this is umbrella is a pretend gun". So Dad had to join her in the marching game
.
Then, since Dad could not go for his Hash run, he was working at the pc and Cheryl kept pestering him to join her in the game.
Dad: "Just a minute Cheryl"
Cheryl: "A soldier does not have a minute, Dad". Dad could not argue with that.

While writting about this, Mummy's good friend, Aunty Mee Weng, paid a visit.
Aunty Mee Weng: "Oh, so this a new umbrella?"
Mummy: "Yes, Aunty Rose bought for her this afternoon"
Dad: " I'm just writting about this"
Aunty Mee Weng: "On Benspace?"
Cheryl: " No, on the computer".

Conversations - Cheryl (3)

2006-09-07T13:15:00.000+08:00

Last night at home.

Cheryl: "Dad, can I ask you a favour?"
Dad: "Why, yes you can"
Cheryl: "Dad, when I am better, when I take my medicine, when I do my homework, will you buy me ice cream?"
Dad: "Yes, of course, I will"
Cheryl: "Thanks dad"

Then in the car on the way to pick up Mummy.
Cheryl: "Dad, why are you in a hurry?" But dad could not hear what Cheryl was saying.
Dad: "What did you ask?"
Cheryl: "I said, Dad why are you in a hurry, that means, why are you going so fast?"
Dad: "Sorry, I did not hear you clearly. We need to go fast because Mummy is waiting."
Cheryl: "Oh, OK"

Cheryl - to the Doctor

2006-09-03T19:44:00.000+08:00

Chery had still not recovered from her flu, so we took her to the doctors again.

Dr Low asked if there was anything that was troubling Cheryl, about what she normally talks about or says. We told the doctor that quite often, whenever she and chastan have an argument (this is put mildly), Cheryl will go into the room and keep quite, seldom crying. While we were saying this to the doctor, Chastan who was seated was kicking Cheryl so Dad said "Chastan stop kicking Cheryl" and immediately Cheryl replied "it's ok dad, I don't mind Chastan kicking me because I want to be a sport". How not to love this girl more.

Proud to be Malaysian

2006-09-03T19:03:00.000+08:00

The Govt asks us to fly the flag. The other day an advert in a daily proclaimed 'Proud to be Malaysia'.

I've been flying the flag each Merdeka for a very long time, even when I was in Prang Besar (now Putrajaya) (I believe I was the only one then).

Cheryl came back from school on 30 August 2006 and showed us the flag she had coloured in school and told us that her teacher said "you must take care of the flag and place in a nice place. Don't throw it on the floor".

I am pround to be Malaysian. But are we really treated as Malaysians? Just Malaysians without any reference to citizens of any other country.

How will Cheryl and Chastan be classified? Cheryl's concern is showing in her eyes.

If only this Govt and the UmnoPutras allow us be just Malaysians, not Malaysian Chinese or Malaysian Indian or Malaysian Malay ( do they have such a thing as Malaysian Malay? If not why not?)

Beach Holiday - The Beach

2006-08-31T12:30:00.000+08:00

First Cheryl didn't want to leave the hotel room. On seeing the beach, "wow this is great" , she didn't want to leave the beach.

But with the horses and their droppings, you wouldn't want to spend much time on the sand, would you?

Merdeka

2006-08-30T00:01:00.000+08:00

Our country celebrates 49 years of independence this month.

I got some minature flags and gave one to Chastan who went running around waving it and shouting "(Ma)laysia (Mal)laysia". Anyone seeing this can be excused for thinking "How patriotic". But this thought came to mind, "if only the Powers that be (read UMNOPutras) allowed us to be so "

Nevertheless,

Happy Merdeka

Beach Holiday - The Hotel

2006-08-29T00:26:00.000+08:00

We managed to get a room at the Holiday Inn Resort though not at the beach wing. For Cheryl, it did not matter, as long as it was a hotel room, "this is great dad. I don't want to go to the beach. I want to stay here" she said as soon as we entered the room.

As we unpacked, I was overjoyed when I noticed the little note on a wire at the table saying 'Internet Access'. Taking out my laptop, I quickly plugged in to test the connection speed. After a few minutes, the Holiday Inn website came on. I had to register??? Read T&C, WHAT ?RM1.90 per minute ? Oh my gosh! With Chastan and Cheryl around, it may cost me RM19.00 just to view all of Holiday Inn Penang's facilities on their website and another RM19.00 just to google Penang attractions. No way I am going to allow myself be robbed.

The buffet breakfast spread was okay. For a change, we did not have to get up in wee hours of the morning and Q for toast, like whats usually happens in Genting.

Chastan (2)

2006-08-28T13:54:00.000+08:00

Chastan ran a slight temperature, 38.4, with a runny nose yesterday. When he is ill, he always wants to be carried and walk about, no sitting. He clung on to dad, refusing to go to Mummy or Kakak. But he was understanding and agreed to go to Mummy when I told him I had .to go and have a shower.

Beach Holiday - The Mistakes

2006-08-24T19:41:00.000+08:00

Its common to make mistakes planning a trip. Well, so did I make some big ones on this holiday trip.
First, the biggest, I forgot to get information on Sunday Church services and more importantly the whereabouts of Catholic Churches in Penang. Imagine just driving around Georgetown looking for a Church, finding one, you go in to discover its not Catholic. So drive around again till we found the Church of Our Lady of Sorrows. We were late, very late, Offertory that is, but what to do, it was about 10.30am, so better late than never.

Second big mistake, I forgot about getting road maps especially of Penang. But managed to obtain one of Georgetown which assisted in one above.

No maps, no problem there are sometings called road signs, my third mistake, relying on them. Not just relying, but trusting them to be available when needed. It took us 2 hours from Bukit Mertajam to the hotel at Batu Ferringhi. OK OK, must discount the jam at the world class bridge. What else to discount? Missing road signs? - could not find the sign leading to the Plus Highway in Rawang. Misleading road signs? - to touch your nose, you guide your hand around the back of your head and come in front and touch your nose - know what I mean and this is no joke. Wrong turnings? - whose fault?

Beach Holiday - On the Way

2006-08-22T18:47:00.000+08:00

We had promised Cheryl a beach trip during the school holidays. So Saturday 18/8/2006, the children were up early without prompting, how we wish it could be this easy on Sundays. All packed and we were on our way, 1st stop at Amma's place in Selayang.
Cheryl: "Why are we going here?"
Mum: "We haven't been to Amma's house for sometime so we stop for a while, OK."
Cheryl: "Short while ok." Then soon, no, sometime later (another post on this), we hit the Plus highway.
Along the way, as I overtook a trailler,
Cheryl: "Wow, dad you cut the truck."
Then we overtook some more slow moving vehicles.
Cheryl: "Cool Dad, this car the fastest. You are the fastest. Cut the red car. Now cut the big truck."
Dad: "These cars are going slow."
Cheryl: "Dad, you are the fastest in the whole world. Cut the car in front"
Dad; "No, we should not go so fast. There is also a speed limit."
Cheryl: "Why."
Dad: "We don't have to go so fast. Its better to be slow and safe." I didn't expect this five year old to understand this but then,
Cheryl: "Dad, slow, slow down don't go so fast."

Just before we reached the Ipoh toll, "Cheryl, look at those mountains."
Cheryl: "Hills, like in my book?"
Dad: "Yes, but mountains are bigger, hills are small."
Cheryl: "Cool, this is so gigantic." Then on reaching, Sg Perak R&R, dad said "We'll stop here."
Cheryl: "Why?"
Mum: "We will take a rest."
Cheryl: " But why, I'm not tired." Can anyone argue with that?
Mum: "Daddy wants to rest".

Sometime later on the way to Bukit Mertajam. Cheryl: "Is this the way to the hotel?"
Dad: "No, we are going to look for St Anne's Church."
Cheryl: "But why?"
Dad: "We'll go and pray. Remember Mummy's operation, we must give thanks."

Soon we were on the way to Penang Island with some more "Are we there yet?" and "Is this the way to the hotel?" from Cheryl.

Trampoline

2006-08-20T21:18:00.000+08:00

Cheryl received a trampoline as her birthday present from Aunty Sharon and Uncle Siew Too. Cheryl was so excited that she insisted Dad assembled the trampoline immediately.

Cheryl: "Wow!, Dad can I tell my friend I have a trampoline?"

Dad: "OK, you must also say it is a present"

Cheryl: "Ok dad"

Dad: "Cheryl, remember you must thank Aunty Sharon for this present when you see her the next time"

Cheryl: " OK daddy"

Dad: "So what must say when you see Aunty Sharon?"

Cheryl: "Hi"

Phone Talk - Cheryl

2006-08-17T20:17:00.000+08:00

This evening Mummy found Cheryl's homework assignment incomplete. So call up Sherryl Siah's home. After talking to Sherryl's mum, Mummy asked Cheryl "Do you want to talk to your friend?" "No" she replied. Anyway, the phone was passed to her and this was what we heard.

"Hello Sherryl Siah"
"Can't"
"I have a lot of stuff at home"
"You can come to my house and play"
" Sorry, I can't come to your house now. I have a lot of things to do. I have to do my homework"
"Ok, school holidays"
"Bye"

Today she did not want to speak on the phone. Guess three to four years from now, she will not want to STOP speaking on the phone

Booked

2006-08-17T13:56:00.000+08:00

Yesterday on the way to office was stopped by the Police, the so called Enforcers of Public Order and the Guardians of Peace, for an alleged traffic offence.
This is how it went.

PC: "IC." Taking my NRIC, he said "Lesen." After writing something, he gave me the book and said "Sain." Note license not checked.
On taking the Saman from the PC I said to him "Terima kasih" and the person sitting next to me said "and you want to thank him".

The PC spoke 3 words, I spoke 2 words and the person not involved spoke 6 words. Isn't it great, this world.

Cheryl's School Sportsday

2006-08-14T13:33:00.000+08:00

Cheryl doing the "A Go Go" dance routine with her classmates on Sunday 13/08/2006.

Cheryl with her best friend in school, Sheryl Siah.

Some her friends won two trophies. Doesn't matter, she is so happy winning her 1st trophy eventhough it was only 2nd place in the 'Dress Me Up' event.
Monday is school holiday for her. "So daddy, are you taking us to the beach?"
We had promised her a beach trip during the school holidays.

This morning before we left for office. "Daddy, will you stay home with us today?"

How I wish I could

Friday Scare

2006-08-14T13:01:00.000+08:00

On Friday Chastan would just sit on the floor holding his left knee and saying "Pain Pain" and wanting to be carried which was unusual of him.

There were no bruises or marks of any kind on his leg and so I pushed the panic button. The doctor too could not find anything and said it was probably a sprain.

Coming back from the doctor and stopping over at the playground, there was a remarkable change. A very quick recovery indeed. The moment I put him down, he immediately ran and climbed up the slide together with Cheryl.

Next morning (Sat), once again he sat down holding his left knee and saying Pain. So another visit. to Dr Low this time as Cheryl too needed the doctor's attention for her flu.

After that, nothing. I don't know what to make of it. If he was acting, he sure was very good at it. Guess will just have to monitor.

Happy Birthday

2006-08-08T13:13:00.000+08:00

May the Good Lord bless you

May the Good Lord bless dear Cheryl

May the Good Lord bless you.

A very Happy Birthday to Cheryl Marie Rethual who turns 5 today.

You bring us more joy each day you grow older
Despite your retaliations which are coming bolder
And your fights with Chastan, your little brother
Does not stop our love for you today and forever

Surprise Party

2006-08-07T12:58:00.000+08:00

Last week at Amma's (Grandmother) house, Cheryl playing with her toy tea set.

Cheryl: "Chastan, don't disturb. We are having a tea party."

Cheryl: "Aunty Rose, I'm having a surprise party for Chastan. Can someone keep him busy? I don't want him to ruin the surprise."

Last Saturday just before going to Amma's house.

Dad: "Cheryl, we will go to Amma's house and cut your birthday cake."
Cheryl: "Is it going to be a surprise party?"

Dad: "Well yes, we can have a surprise party."
Cheryl: Ok, Dad, you keep me busy and Mummy, you can decorate the house."

So dad had to keep Cheryl busy while the others got ready the lovely cake which Aunty Rose had baked for Cheryl. As the weather was fine, the cake was cut in the garden.

Cheryl about to blow out the 5 candles on the cake.

Cheryl - Hair Cut

2006-08-04T13:05:00.000+08:00

Before

After

Now we are wondering 'WHAT' will be the reaction from Selayang.

Chastan

2006-08-02T23:44:00.000+08:00

Searching for a recent picture of Chastan, I could not find any with a smiling face. In nearly all the pictures, he looked stern.

Only this one picture, where he is captured watching his favourite cartoon, which indeed says something of him.

.

Conversations - Cheryl (2)

2006-08-02T13:20:00.000+08:00

Last night on the way to music class.

Cheryl: "Why you need the car lights?"
Dad: "So we can see the road"
Cheryl: "But, dad, there are lights here"
Dad: "You mean the street lights?"
Cheryl: "Yes, its so bright"
Dad: "You have a point there. Also we need others to see our car"
Cheryl: "Why? I can see in the dark"
Dad: "You can?"
Cheryl: "Yes, just like daddy and mummy"
Dad: "What do you mean?"
Cheryl: "Just joking, hahahaha".

Lucas Meta 1st Birthday

2006-08-01T14:09:00.000+08:00

Attended this bash on 29/07/2006. Great party, though I doubt Lucas would have enjoyed the 'Clown' and the 'Magician'. The other children definitely did.

Dad: "So Cheryl, how was the party?"
Cheryl: "Cool".

Who is Who

2006-07-31T14:51:00.000+08:00

Are these pictures of the same child or are they of twins?

If not, who is who?

Vocab

2006-07-28T17:13:00.000+08:00

Last night watching TV, the disneychannel show "Madeline" came on with the title "Winter Vacation".
I asked Cheryl "Do you know what 'Vacation' means?"
And she answered "Going on a trip? School holidays?"

Do I need to teach this five year old more?

Conversations - Cheryl

2006-07-27T13:50:00.000+08:00

Last night while trying to spend some quality time,

Cheryl: Daddy, can I ask you a question?
Dad: Yes, you can ask me a question.

Cheryl: Daddy, when I am 7 years old, can I have a poggo stick?
Dad: No, you can have a poggo stick when you're 12 years old.

Cheryl: How about when I am 100 years old?
Dad: When you're 100 years old, you will need a walking stick not a poggo stick.

Cheryl: Why?
Dad: Because you would be so old, you can hardly walk.

Cheryl: Ok, how about when I'm 20 years?
Dad: When you're 20 years old, boys will be running after you. No need poggo stick.

Comments

2006-07-21T10:24:00.000+08:00

A quicker way to read comments is to click "LINKS TO THiS POST" whereby all comments for that post will be displayed.

Birthday Invitation

2006-07-19T14:23:00.000+08:00

Mark invited us for Lucas' 1st birthday celebrations to be held at the Subang Lakeview Club on Saturday 29 July 2006.

Clashing again. Undecided yet.

Child development - How Fast

2006-07-15T10:17:00.000+08:00

How fast do children develop these days?

The other day when Chastan had a fever, when we came home from office, I carried him and asked if he had his medicine. I was surprised he answered "Not yet".

Yesterday on returning home and as was the routine, I carried him. Going into the 2nd room I saw the soft toy which Cheryl insisted on buying saying "its so cute", on the bed. So I said to Chastan "Oh here is the cat". And immediately without batting an eye he replied " No, kitten".

Was I shocked! I could not believe what I just heard so I picked the toy up and asked him what it was and he replied "kitten".

Now, Chastan is 2 years 1 month. Though no longer in diapers, but still ... a baby. And Yes, he knows what a cat is and how it looks like.

Well, could be he just figured that 'Kitten' was the name of the toy. No matter, no one, I believe, will disagree that 'cat' was not a term to refer to the toy.

Well I just had the first dose of my son correcting me. What is to come next?

Rhymes

2006-07-13T12:34:00.000+08:00

Cheryl is now facinated with rhymes and she attempts quite well except that the second 'word' though it rhymes may not always be a meaningful word, so long as it rhymes. This is fine.

But last week she went "A E I O U, Bangali love you". Come on she isn't five yet and I'm sure she does not know what 'Bangali" means. Now whats she learning at kindergarten?

Fever

2006-07-05T12:52:00.000+08:00

Chastan was running a slight temperature last night. Still managed to catch the 2 goals scored by Italy. Fairer half caught the whole game though.

Princess

2006-07-05T12:11:00.000+08:00

Cheryl Marie

Prince

2006-07-03T13:48:00.000+08:00

Chastan