Penang - Wedding and yumseng!

One of the reasons for us to go up Penang was to attend my friend's wedding. I worked with the penang church for about 6 months in 1998 or 99? Anyway i had lots of fun (plus lots of good food) and made many good friends. One of them(Jason) is currently staying at my place in Singapore. Will scan a picture of the couple's wedding picture and post it here soon. Thank God for freddy and cheewan(this one is woman, not the tan chee wan in our church), they came to pick us up from the hotel to the restaurant in mainland Penang. we took the ferry, it was fun for everyone. You only need to pay for enterance into Penang Island, going out by ferry is free. You should try it if you have the chance. cheap cheap also. Anyway, wedding in Malaysia is awesome man. The food is great and atmosphere like a big family gathering. I heard kala ok is a must. Everyone had a good time. You dun see much of kieran cause he scared of yumseng(cheering for the wedding couple). I took him out for a walk most of the time. We recorded yumseng from kayzia, take a look.

Penang 2007

Hi everyone, sorry for the silent. I have being busy with a couple of things. OK, I am lazy, I slacked. Anyway, I shall start with my Penang trip with the Koppe family. Not laupei (father in hokkien), but Oma, Michelle and Marteen. We decided to drive up Penang. Ok, to be precise, Oma and Michelle drove us there. I useless, no license. Total there were 4 adults and 3 kids. The Foos family slept over at Koppe’s house and we set off at about 7plus in the morning from checkpoint. The journey was long but we were ready. Parents if you are thinking of traveling long distance with the kids. You need a few things. A big car is a must! We were in a MPV. Make sure there is some sort of entertainment. In this car, there is a built in screen and 2 extra DVD players for the 2 kids. There is even a DVD charge at the back seat so that the kids can take turn to charge and watch the cartoons at the same time. We also have 4-5 extra soft cushions for the kids to sleep on. Blanket also. Last but not least, lots of snack to keep the drivers awake (Actually I took the most!). The ride was smooth and we reached Holiday Inn (Great hotel!) at 5pm.We had many breaks and kids were not cranky (Very important, otherwise whole holiday gone). As you can see the kids were all ready to play!

Gathering of the foos' friends

Andrea and Kafoo

Andrea and Kafoo


Andrea and Kafoo


KiFoo


Edrik


Edrik and Kayzia

Last Sat my best friends in church (since campus days) got together for dinner at my place.
All of us have being really busy so have not being able to meet up. (EXCUSE!)
I have known them as long as I have been a Christian, 16 years to be exact.
Not their wives thou, only the husbands.
Chee Wan and Yoke Ling have 2 kids, Edrik (7) and Andrea (3).
Gin Kai and Karen, last but the least the only single, Joseph Tan, JT.
Chee Wan, Gin Kai, JT and I were in the Campus Ministry back in 1991.
It was one of the best days of our lives.
We were also part of Tone Zone (church informal accapella group).
Nope, I can’t sing, I am tone deaf, I am more of a cupbearer to them.
There are simply too much things for me to recount.

Agenda, makan, fellowship and play broadgame,(Settler of Catan)
I charged my battery (cam) but got too excited about the food that I forgot to take pictures!

Half way through, KaFoo and Andrea wanted to watch Stuart Little (the mouse show).
I told the 2 girls, unless all the kids agreed, they will not watch it.
Erick wasn’t too keen on the show.
So Kafoo tried talking to him the whole time.
I didn’t really hear what she was saying, but it reminded me of Delilah in Judges 16!
Then out of nowhere I heard Erick said: “you don’t bluff me.”
And KaFoo went: “no Erick, no, …..”
Then Gin Kai commented maybe Edrik should have said: “Your dad can con my dad, but you can’t con me.”
We really enjoyed the time together and look forward to the next get together.
I attached some other pictures (kids’s photos) we took in the past.

Painting

KaFoo has a new hobby. Water colour painting. It all started in Kin Ching and Yvonne's place. We were there for dinner and their daughter Alicia introduced this hobby to her. After a while they were painting their hands and legs! So yesterday, we got some brushes and colour paints for her (can get them at Popular). Seems like KiFoo also like it. Dont asked me what they drew. As KaFoo put it: It is painting, cannot ask one....sign of a good painter.We had a good time!

Children haircut day

We brought the kids for a haircut. Kieran's haircut reminded me of Michael Scofield from Prison Break. I recorded the process thru my Sony Ericsson S500i. As you can see, he cried from the beginning to the very end. I think the vibrations caused by the shaver must have scared him big time. So young parents, get ready, your time will come, unless you have a girl, then in that case it is not much of a problem. Kayzia had a good time.

Kayzia is blading

Simei rollerblade shop had a sale so we decided to buy Kayzia and myself a pair of blade. (Mafoo too scared - - “) If you are thinking to take up this hobby, please get a good pair of blade otherwise you will spend more time walking than blading.

Fila Blade: $130
Protective gears: $35
Helmet: $25
Bag: $20
See her fall: Priceless! Hahahahaha.



As you can hear, the commentary is really bad. Should be “We got a pair of blade for her” and not “ we got one blade for her”, that will be only one side! PieSay….

yum yum dynamo....

I got a called from my wife this morning.

“Dear, Ah Mei (Nanny) just called, guesswhat?”

Ok, we all know “guesswhat” is a universal word which means something bad happened. And this word also has a very strong bond with Kieran.

“Ah Mei found Kieran at the kitchen, he was playing with Dynamo (washing detergent) and ate/drank some of it.”

All that Kieran could say was “ hot hot hot hot” with his tongue sticking out. All that i could think of was a picture of Winnie the Poon and her pot of honey! Aiyoh, this boy really hunt for food, Dynamo also can eat. Haiz. Anyway the Nanny said it was only a small amount. My wife took half-day leave to bring him to see the doctor. I was back home at 6pm, there he was, dancing to Barney’s song and waiting for dinner to be served. No, I didn’t see bubbles coming out from his nose or ears. He was in his usual self. Anyway, parents, things to look out: 1~ Dynamo cannot be consumed. 2~ is the kid acting normal? 3~ any vomiting and fainting spell? 4~ is the kid sleeping more than usual? Please consult the doctor immediately.

No fear! Transfirmers and BBF are here!

transfirmers
Originally uploaded by thefoosfamily

Recently I have being looking for toys specially for KiFoo, cause he has being playing barbie doll with KaFoo, hm, not a good sign. On Sat, I was with Kin Ching at a certain market in the East. While waiting for our chilli crabs, we went window shooping at the neighbourhood stores near the market. We were looking for the coolest boys toy at the moment,the Transformers. We ended up finding the TRANSFIRMERS! Yes, Tranfirmers not Transformers. Dont play play ok, this one got multiply transformed stage one. See picture. The model chinese name, loosely translated ~ Hit Sky Pole! Some more come with CDs! We also saw another gem, KC pointed out to me... the BOMB BOMB FORCE! This one also got CDs and multiply transformed stage. If u can read chinese, it says: "Limited Edition!" wah, 10 years from now can resell this man! The auntie selling it for $25~$30. We had a good laugh.... no I didnt buy.....toys from ch@@@, funny.

2006 Year End Performance- Kafoo

I just watched this clip today. Got a bit emo. Kafoo is the green green one. She is supposed to be the hungry caterpillar. And the pink pink ones are the ants. For weeks (before the performance, we tired asking her to show us some of the moves but she refused. "teacher says cannot show daddy mummy at home". So we also got to see it first hand.

I will uploaded the shorter upclose version by tonight.(050707)

Teacher Kayzia

This video was taken in 4th Oct 2005.(sorry video not well taken)
KaFoo was trying to teach us 123 or ABC.
She was doing what the teacher normally does in the school.
MaFoo pretended not paying attention in "class"
I was asking for biscuits.
KaFoo was 2 years and 9months old.
KiFoo was only 2weeks old.
Those days were so funny.

some of Kayzia's words were
"look look"
"take picture, take picture"
"ten minutes can eat biscuit"
"A is to ? 1 is to? 2 is to?"

What would you do? (1)

Place: Market coffee shop.
Time: Morning.
Incident:
You got your coffee, just made payment and about to leave.
There were 7-8 fellas behind you.
Just then auntie (in her late 50s) came right in, cutted queue, made her order.
What would you do?

hightlight below.....
What I did:
I told her “ Auntie, please queue up”
She went “ Ah Di, none of your business”
I went “ You cut queue, go queue up like everyone else”
She went “you kapo, I order first cannot isit”
As she went on grumbling, I walked off (more interested in having my breakfast) I didn’t think anyone would have said no to her for jumping the queue, IF she had asked. Don’t get me wrong, I think the elderly do need more attention and help but I don’t think they should abuse it and take advantage of others. Will I do it again? What do you think?


Place: Crowded MRT.
Time: Rush hour.
Incident:
You could not board the train cause it was too packed.
You were now first in queue for the next one.
People started queuing behind yellow diagonal line, leaving the front empty.
Just then uncle (in his late 50s) came right in to that empty spot, cut queue, then look at you.
What would you do?


hightlight below.....

What I did:
Actually in this case, I didnt have a choice.
Why? Cause the uncle went, “ Why, what u looking at? not happy isit?”
I went: “ Uncle, there is a queue, you should go queue there”
He went “What, you bully oldman? Why not u talk to others who jumped queue?”
Er, he was the only one standing in that "keep clear" area.
I went “Cause you are the only one that cut queue here!”
This happened right infront of everyone. MaFoo told me to stop talking to him and let it go. Train came, we boarded, I kena bothered. Again, I couldn't stand this sort of attitude.

Enrolling KaFoo for a course.(Roller blading)

KaFoo is coming 5. For the record, we have not enrolled her to any course to “boost” her intellect or discover her hidden talents (in the form of music or dance). Basically we (especially me) wanted her to be around us more often (Nothing wrong if you are sending your kids for classes, just our preference). Anyway, I got this call from my friend, Oma,

“Ah Foo, any plans tomorrow (Sunday)? We (Michelle) bringing Marteen (their son) to East Coast for blading lesson, do you think Kayzia will be interested?”

Hm. Sunday afternoon, as always, is our family NAPPING time (the kids need it, if u read my last post or see the pics, you will know who really needs it!). Just in case you start thinking that the Foos are a batch of slackers, we are always busy in church from 9am till 2pm. PaFoo asked KaFoo if she wanted to give it a try. She replied, “YES!”.

We met at East Coast Hawker Centre area, carpark F1 at about 3pm. There are 2 groups of experts teaching blading, one by the carpark and the other is further in. As we were not sure if KaFoo would like to blade more in the future, we asked the person in-charge if it was all right to pay for 1 lesson instead of the full course. They were so kind that they let KaFoo use the equipment and even have a personal coach to teach her for free! (I would strongly recommend anyone to learn from them, they were very patient with the kids). After putting on the gears, KaFoo was all ready to hit the road. “Hold on” said the coach, "got to start from the grass/sand area first." She started off well but ended slightly discouraged after many falls. We kept encouraging her not to give up (since it is free). How about KiFoo? That boy was busy eating and eating and eating Michelle’s (or it is Oma?) homemade cookies, his favorite hobby. We had a great evening.

Last night I asked KaFoo if she wanted to go bladding again. She said no, (which I am fine), as she sniffed her baobao (bolster) before she meets Peter Pan in her dreamland, she went “I want to hold Marteen’s hand” Did she means hold Marteen’s hand for support during bladding or just hold his hand.... Hm... Good night darling….

Is that FOOD?

Stoping playing with me. Give me my cookies! This is not funny!

Is over there! there!

Finally

All ready to go! I want to hold Marteen's hand?

Before and after?

Intro to the foos (胡)family.

KiFoo is 20 month old as of this article.
Full name: Kieran Foo Xiang Yu.(翔 宇).
Meaning: To have a flying free spirit in this world.
He has 2 hobbies, eating and crying.
He eats non-stop and cries when you try to stop him from eating.
This little fat boy constantly drives MaFoo crazy with his endless request of “mummum” which means eating.

Height: 61cm
Top speed: 8 steps in 10 seconds




KaFoo is 4 years and 6 months old.
Kayzia Foo Xin Yu.( 心 宇)
Meaning: To have a heart as big as the universe.
She loves to dance and act as a TBDAM sensor. (Tension Between Daddy and Mummy)
When Mel and I have disagreements, (of course not in front of her) she can sense it from miles away.
She makes sure we both hold hands and will says “you must love one another, you know”.
Once she told Mel this: “Mummy, you have to forgive daddy, the bible wants us to forgive each other. Daddy was late because he was reaching out to his friends to bring them to church”
Hm… kind of humbling for adults to hear this.

Height: 1.1meter.
Top speed: 10 words in 5 sec.





MaFoo, never reveal a woman age.(at least not intentionally)
Melanie Tan Mei Ling. (陳 美 琳)
Meaning: Beautiful jade, gem.
Nurse at work and home.
Loves the husband and the 2 kids.
Often mistaken as teenage mum or maid due to her young looks and tan complexion.
In the clinic, doctor: “Er, sorry to inform you that you are pregnant(with Kayzia), you have to inform your mother, girl”
My wife went: “that’s wonderful, I will inform my husband now!”
At our home void deck, someone asked “this boy (KiFoo) so cute. Where is the mother? Out so early with the maid?” I replied, “We don’t have maid and she is the mother.”

Height: much taller than the 2 kids.
Top speed: like all mothers, can do 5 things at the same time.





PaFoo, 32, 2 years older than MaFoo.
Frank Foo Sze Ling. (石 林)
Meaning: Stone forest?????
Yes, I know it sounds very girly, Sze Ling.
What to do, it was given to me by my late grandfather.
Basically, he wanted me to be strong as the stone and to have a heart as big as the forest.
As the years passed, I think my heart is becoming like the stone and my house is like the forest, especially if you have 2 kids.

Height: 1.7m
Top speed: can fall asleep in 10 seconds. (Especially in car)

Knocks and not everyone is Peter Parker

Kayzia knocked her head yesterday in the childcare. Nope, not in the playground, but while she was sleeping! At the stroke of midnight, she complaints of pain near her left temple. As she did not vomit or faint the whole day, both Mel and I thought she just needed the doctor's assurance. Well, we were right, the doctor gave her some medicine and advises us to ice it down.

No, that’s not all.
Kieran also had a knocked on wed, in the library. He wanted to be like Peter Parker, guess he is not ready for the responsibility that comes with great powers. Anyway, that fall was nasty one, a 0.5cm cut, hm… Where can this cut be? That can really make it bad. Let try the eye lip then. Blood was everywhere. The poor boy was wailing big time. Took him to the new clinic at the Simei MRT. The doctor was calm, he gave him this gel to patch up the cut and observed him for about 30 mins. By then our boy was all fine. Especially when daddy and friends (CheeWan and Stephen happened to be nearby visiting their friend at Changi General Hospital) had DESSERT beside the clinic. "Mummum" with that big smile, he is back!
The funny thing is during the whole time while he was in pain, he was calling for Kayzia, "jia jia.....jia jia" ~ big sister in Chinese. I am glad these two "foos" are close to each other.

Weekend is here. All I need now is a knock-out sleep tonight.....