Welcome Bac Papa!

Papa is back from Macau! I was trying to sleep when Papa came in and called me... 'Bren Bren'... Papa! Yay!!

Papa is back from Macau with gifts!! :) Papa bought me my favorite character from Thomas, Bertie the Bus!!! He got me the wooden version of it and more clothes!! Am I a lucky kid or what?

And we're off to the Webbs for playgroup tomorrow, ok... better get some sleep if not I won't have the energy for playgroup tomorrow!

Little Painters IV

Cooling off and snacking at McDonalds while waiting for the husbands(some) for diiner. The kids had their own idea of 'in and out the mulberry bush' instead they went in and out the 'mulberry vent'!! It was kinda hilarious to see them going and out... Cute and smart and pretty creative kids we have!! ;) They'll make fantastic biz partners in the future!!

We've decided to eat at Outback (again)... Rocio and Kate joined us for dinner too! Kids and Mamas were beat after dinner!

Little Painters III

Unbelievable!! We had the beach all to ourselves today... why? Cos they had the annual air raid drill at 2.30pm and we were there like 5 mins before the drill before the civil defence guys came to ask us to go indoors to Taipei City Hall Building and we came out right after the drill...

I love it that the 'beach' is located right in the smack of the city, facing 101 building!! But... where is the water??

Little Painters II

After art, we had lunch, Mama made some macaroni w chicken, shrimp and mushrooms and brownies for dessert (Thanks Auntie Kate). Then it was more playtime and dvd time. That is when I was hit on the head with a die cast train! *ouch*

Little Painters

How artistic are you?

Mama's not very artistic and yet we host Art once every fortnight!! It used to be every week but I think it was getting too much for her (the mess and all) and I secretly think that she was running out of ideas!! Heheee... :)

I see her surfing around reading bout arts and crafts and shopping around for art materials. Actually, I think she may NOT be artistic, but she has some pretty cool ideas! Like tomorrow, we'll all be lil painters, we'll be painting the walls of the spare room.

How fun is that?? Can't wait!!

Hello Elvis!

We went down to the shelter (Animals Taiwan) today to visit our new pet, Elvis! along with the Webbs. The taxi driver spent bout 20 mins driving in loops before the lady from the shelter came to direct us to them.

I was a little taken aback when we first arrived at the entrance of the shelter;
1) No signboard (think will get one of Larry's suppliers to donate one!)
2) All the barks!!
3) Really runned down...

When we got in, I was or we were overwhelmed by the barks and the number of dogs we saw there, needless to say, lil B was petrified!! There were about 60 dogs in different sections. All very friendly, just wanted a pet or two from us!!

Asked to see Elvis, brought him a lil treat, 3 doggy bones. Next time we go there, I'll prepare 60!! Felt sooo bad that we didn't have enough bones to give to all the dogs. (Sigh~~)

Elvis is such a sweet, smart and obedient dog! Think he's a cross between a German shepard and a Coolie. I absolutely fell in love with him when I saw him. We brough him for a walk in the park across from the shelter, we were told that he LOVES going for walks depite having only 3 legs. He could even tell us and directed us back to the shelter when he was too tired to continue.

Then we visited the 'cat room', heard there was a cat that was born without 2 senses: sight and smell. Wish we could take it home to provide it with adequate care, afterall we do already have 7 cats, what's another?? Hmmm... 8 cats?? :) I believe my cats will take good care of it?? Ok, will talk to Larry when he's back from Macau or when he takes us to the shelter one day.

The Webbs adopted a pet too!! Sausage, am adorable black dog who simply just followed Aidan around and even kiss him at the shelter. The 2 boys had chemistry!!

Brendan became less petrified after we got back from our walk at the park, he even called out to Elvis and waved goodbye to all the dogs when it was time to go.

Ok, managed to get 2 dogs sponsored now! Goal: 30 (have set it low)

Thank you Yvette & Carol!!

If any of you reading our blog would like to sponsor a pet too, please please have a look at this website or contact Animals Taiwan!! All it takes is just $15usd/$500ntd/$22sgd a month and you can bring a whole lot of wags to a dog!!

http://animalstaiwan.org/sponsor.htm

sponsor@animalstaiwan.org

Our New Pet: Elvis

I LOVE animals!! If I ever win the lottery, I'll set up an animal shelter and take in all the strays!! So, please let me win the lottery... :)

I want lil B to grow up loving animals too! And of cos, to be kind to animals as well. He's ok with cats and will not hesitate walking up to stray cats on the streets and pet them, afterall we do have 7 cats! But he's terrfied of dogs!! I dunno why at all... dogs seem to love him and always wanna 'be friends' with him by sniffing him up, but he'll just scream and yell for Mama to help! He won't even attempt to pet them. Sigh~~

They are supposed to be the same, no? Brendan was born in the year of the Dog too. So hopefully with the adoption of our 3 legged furry baby, he'll grow to love dogs too?

Everyone, meet Elvis!! Isn't he such a good looking dog? Looks really faithful too...I can't wait to meet Elvis, think I'll make a trip down to the shelter this week!!

Letter from Elvis:
"Woof woof Woof --- Hi Tang Jo!

Liza told me you want to sponsor one of us, so I decided to offer myself to be your pet! My name is Elvis. People say I am a lovely dog with only three legs but tons of personality and a warm heart. I love walking but sometimes, I must confess, I like to lie down. But when I do it, I just need to be firmly encouraged. After that, I can walk a long way with no problem. I personally think I am a handsome dog with a beautiful coat and lovely and tender looking eyes.

I am so happy you will sponsor me! Can you please send your mailing address, so our sponsorship coordinator can send you my sponsorship certificate and tell you more about me and how I happen to lose one of my leg. It brings me back very painful memory, but today, I am so happy that you are my special friend. I have also made a speical moon festival greeting card for you. I hope you like it. It got my photos in it! Don't you agree I am a very good looking guy?!

Please come visit me one day!

Your furry,

Elvis"

So, if anyone of you would like to sponsor a pet too, please obtain more information from this website: www.animalstaiwan.org

Thank you!

Macau without Us!!!

That's right! Big daddy is going to Macau and staying at the Venetian without us! :( Though we have promised to be good and all he still says 'No', we can't go as he's going there for work!

BUT Mama has demanded a trip somewhere with lil me! So it's either Hongkong Disneyland, Bangkok or maybe simply Kenting.

6 Piece Puzzle

Well, I did it infront of Papa one night when Mama was out and Daddy was absolutely shocked!! Mama has been waiting for me to do it eversince and finally I pieced it together infront of my Mama.

And what did I get for doing that?? A new Thomas the train set: Morgan's Mine Set!! :)

Ladies Nite Out

Have actually had quite a few of that! Larry has been sweet enough to babysit Bren so that I can have a couple of nites out with friends!

Almost the same routine, going to the same places minus Carnegies as I do NOT wish to be associated as a 'Taiwanese working girl'!! Brass Monkey it is!

Met and made a couple of new friends, both men and women...actually more men though. ;) Met the 2 American Baseball Umpires: Scott Higgins and Ramon Armendariz, very down to earth and nice people.


Managed to catch the Olympics Opening on big screen at the Brass, watch the basketball and of cos, the big game of rugby: South Africa vs New Zealand. Met Tania and Jamie that night too and boy did we party!! Till 4.30am... yes! was a torture waking up the day after!!

Was supposed to be at the othe big game again tonight but my body doesn't seem to be taking it well at all! First signs of 'being old' or 'getting old'??? Anyhow, it's sooooooo diiferent partying now when you're a mom, I think about lil B all the time!! Keep looking at his picture on my cell phone.

Oh well! So much for my nites out??

Losing Wisdom, Gaining Pounds

Going Green

"How Green Are You?"

Ever since I started selling my stuff on etsy, I'm kinda more supportive of handmade products as they are more environmentally friendly and I would like to support my fellow Etisans. And of cos, another website to shop at!! :)
www.etsy.com

So no more LVs, Chanels & Pradas! Only handmade fabric bags from now? Hmmm... well, have bought quite a few now and have yet to receive them. Think will use them for grocery bags, so say goodbye to "Paper or Plastic".









And I've purchased some 'anti-bacterial' hand towels, made from bamboo??
"Bamboo fabric is natural and Eco-friendly. Naturally anti-bacterial and odor-resistant, even after washing. Nearly three times more absorbent than cotton, the fibers of the bamboo plant are naturally porous, so they absorb and wick moisture away from the skin, keeping you cool and dry." They're cheap and pretty too!!
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=13925030

Ps & Qs

"Mommy, switch on please."

Brendan's first sentence in English, asking me to turn the TV on and play Barney for him! Yep, Ps & Qs, he's a polite lil boy who says 'xie xie' all the time!! :)

Art: Picture for Daddy

New friends coming for art! And we're making a Father's Day gift! Daddy's Day is August 8th in Taiwan, in Chinese 88 sounds like 'Papa', so it's 'papa jie'(Jie is festival in Chinese).

I was born on Daddy's Day in 2006, but neither my mommy or daddy knew it was Daddy's Day till after I popped! :) So I am a 'Daddy's Boy'!!

Today we're gonna make a picture frame for Daddy with cute lil wooden animal stickers. We even had a few extra frames to make for Gramps since Conrad, Florian and Angela couldn't make it for art.

Mama made some Oolong Noodles with teriyaki wagyu beef and mushrooms and broccoli for lunch. Yum!! After lunch, we had a smashing time playing with Thomas the train and racing around in my cars. But mama waas really tired after all that cleaning!!

Oh! I also said my first sentence today!! 'Wo yao wan' which means I wanna play!! The Webb twins taught me that.

Taipei Water Park

Art yesterday, Water park today and sand pit tomorrow!! Hooray!! 3 whole days of FUN!! Thanks Mama!!

We spent an hour on the train, would normally take bout 20 mins but mommy got so lost switching trains and yes, she has been in Taiwan for 7 years!! It would have been alot easier to hop into a taxi but Mama didn't wanna load and unload with all the baggage.

There was supposed to be a Friday playgroup at the water park but we couldn't find anyone as they were NOT specific about which part of the park they were gonna be at... So it was just the Webb twins and I!

We had alot of fun splashing around (especially trying to wet dear Auntie Carol!) and playing ball at the 'waddle pool', the Webb twins were not adventurous enough to try out the water slides and all the splishy and splashy!!

http://waterpark.twd.gov.tw/english/waterpark/waterpark.htm

Have to go back soon with a lil bit more adventure in the water!!

The Easel is Up!!

The easel has been lying around for the longest time!! More than 1 year till Daddy finally decided to put it up so I can doodle on it!! FINALLY!! After waiting for more than a year...

Thanks!

PG @ the Webb Twins

It's the second time we're meeting up with the weekend playgroup and the Webbs have generously offered their house for our playgroup session. It was gonna be a 'Potluck Tea/Dinner'. Mama made some Chicken Fajitas along with some Guacamole & Salsa dip.

Quite a few playdates turned up that day! We had Jennifer with Jade and Alyssa, Kim with Julia, Sherry with Brandon and Kaylee, Daisy with Laura and Vincent, Lil B and Mama and of cos the Webb twins; Aidan and Ian.

And there were alot of food too! We had fried rice, quiche, donuts, sweet potato chips and fajitas and lots of cookies and drinks.

I had a fun time playing with all the cars and Thomas the twins had, I enjoyed the parking garage most!

School Talk

So Larry comes home one day and ask,

"Hey, what school are we gonna send Brendan to? Fushing or xxx (can't remember the name)??
I looked at him and said, I think Brendan is only 2 and you know which school I wanna send him to!!
Won't you consider Fushing? We won't have to ballot, we can 'pull strings' and get Brendan in there... Since you want to send him to TES, why don't you consider TAS? TAS is better!!
TES kids are more well-behaved and well-mannered and I like the education there!
TAS is for foreign passport holders only! Those who can't get into TAS go to TES, so TAS is 'better' and it's more exclusive."

Ok, here're talking about sending Brendan to a private school, spending about $100,000-$200,000ntd a semester!! When all I really want is for B to have the basic foundation of Chinese and then we'll leave Taiwan when he's grade 3 to get away from the 'stressful' education system in Asia. Enough of private education, think I'll just send B to a public school to learn his Chinese.

Oh well, now... in selecting a kindergarten or a nursery first. Full day or half day? Is there one that starts in the afternoon??