Meeting up with Santa

Went to meet up with Santa (2011)

We went to Cougar Mountain Zoo in Issaquah (WA), about half-hour drive from Seattle.

The main attraction of this zoo is the reindeer. Being Christmas seasion, is popular with children. They will tell Santa what they wish for this Christmas and the parents, with listening ears, will try their best to make their children's wishes come true. These will be beautifully packed, together with other christmas presents, and place under the christmas tree next to the fire-place. Stockings were also hung by the chimney, one for each child and parents.

For make-believe, they even has a room for children to communicate with Santa and mail a letter to the North Pole. A post-box is in the room for the children to post their letters. How fun.

In this high tech world, you can even go into the official NORAD Santa Tracker via

http://www.noradsanta.org to see where Santa is, in the month of December, before Christmas.

May All The Joys of this Holiday Season be yours throughout the New Year.

Maxine in Winter Gear

Maxine in Winter Gear

(Christmas - 2011)

Zach Gave Me a Note

dear Grandpa, Thank you for the Cake

Love ...Zachary

Weekly, I bring Zach to a Language Class. One day, just before class, he said he was hungry. So I told the teacher I will bring him downstairs to get something to eat. After the lesson, maybe with the encouragement of the teacher, he wrote me a note. In life, there is more to just learning a language. We must also know how to apply the communication skills we have acquired from the teacher.

Arrival of Fredrick

Fredrick with brother Curtis

Fredrick, born April 2011, is being carried by brother Curtis.

A Gift on our 25th Wedding Anniversary

A Gift from our Children
(Click picture to view video - best view on original size)

Arrival of Maxine

Maxine with sister Ruby

Maxine, born Jan 2011, is being carried by grandma.

Home Coming

When you have one sibling coming home (for a short visit) with a newborn, one good way to introduce this newborn is by inviting all to gather at a common place. This not only meet the main objective of coming home but also allow the other children (and adults) to further reinforced their relationship among each other.

How A Child Learns

If a child lives with criticism, he learns to condemn.

If a child lives with hostility, she learns to fight.

If a child lives with ridicule, he learns to be shy.

If a child lives with shame, she learns to feel guilty.

If a child lives with tolerance, he learns to be patient.

If a child lives with encouragement, she learns confidence.

If a child lives with praise, he learns to apprecaite.

If a child lives with fairness, she learns justice.

If a child lives with security, he learns to have faith.

If a child lives with approval, she learns to like herself.

If a child lives with acceptance and friendship, he learns to find love in the world.

(Dorothy Law Nolte)

A Family Outing

Children requires a lot of inputs in their childhood years. Positive inputs I mean. A family outing in whatever form is one of the best choice. It is especially valueable if this is their first experience. This is the first time Thaddeus is going to Universal Studio. Maybe he is still too young to remember anything now. But not for Ethan and Zach, the older brothers.

No Time - Find Time

Zach & Ethan at the Zoo with Ruby

There is no such thing as No Time. We, adults, use our time differently - at work, with friends/relatives, with the family (children), in religious institutions, sleep/relax, etc. 24/7. Occasionally, organising an outing with the children is value family time. Memories are made of these.

Thaddeus Turned One

Thaddeus celebrated his one year's birthday with brothers, sister, mom's friends & colleagues and grandpa & grandma.

3 Generations

When you have the opportunity to have all your children coming home at the same time, why not take the opportunity to have a family shot taken by Professional. This is exactly what we did. Son/daughter-in laws, grandchildren all in one picture - not in the conventional 2-row syndrome.

Memories are made of this

We are Cousins

It is a rare opportunity where Ruby & Curtis can sit in the same sofa in grandpa & grandma house in Singapore (bottom picture) together with their other Cousins Thaddeus, Sophie, Zachary & Ethan. The youngest (Thaddeus) is six months old and the oldest, (Ethan) is seven years old. Date: 19th Feb 2009.

Ethan K2 Graduation Concert

Click picture to see movie in RealPlayer

The movie is not taken properly, quite jerky. To minimise the effect, you can reduce the screen size to, say 45%. Click and hold the mouse on the bottom right hand corner of the screen and diagonally push up to reduce the screen size. Ethan acted in the "Rocket" and "Good Neighbourliness". Sophie also acted. Look out for her in the red star fish costume. Enjoy.

Thaddeus Chia has arrived

Thaddeus with brothers & sister

Thaddeus, born Aug 2008, is being carried by brother Zachary. Looking on is sister Sophie. Ethan is happy with joy.

Curtis turns One

Curtis turns one in June 2008. A belated birthday wish to Curtis.

Ruby & Mom in Singapore

Ruby in Singapore

In early June 2008, Ruby and mom came to Singapore for about two weeks. Together with her cousines, Ruby went to a chinese restaurant for dinner. Picture shows grandparents, Ethan, Zachary, Sophie and Ruby.

Sophie turns 2 today

Sophie turns 2 today

Sophie celebrated her 2nd birthday in school. After mom & Sophie has blown the candles, the cake was shared among her classmates and teachers.

Ruby Coming to Town

Ruby will be in Singapore in June

Ruby will be coming over to Singapore, with mom, in June 2008. Hope she will enjoy her first flight.

Home Activities

Zachary & Sophie - painting

Besides sleeping and eating, children at this age can never sit still. You either read them a story or provide some toys to engage them. After all this is done, you may want to provide some paint brushes for them to "create" their master pieces. What happens, if the TV is nearby and is turned on to their favourite Disneyland Channel? Oh, nothing happened, they still can enjoy two things at the same time.