Summer pickings

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My son LOVES strawberries. Or in his words, woberries. Late morning one day, the skies cleared up and it was warm and sunny. So we made a very impromptu trip to a strawberry farm!

Kayden has never known strawberries to come in any other form other than the plastic boxes they come in at the supermarkets. So on the way there, we said to him "We are going to pick some strawberries!". And I don't have a doubt that in his little head, he thought we were driving to the supermarket to get some. Usually, when its time to do a grocery shop at the supermarket, he will say Woberry?

So we collected a punnet at the door and lead him to the rows and rows of sweet smelling strawberry plants. "Loooook Kayden! What's that?" I said. He come closer to where I was pointing at near the ground, and then his eyes grew bigger and bigger in wonder. And he exclaimed, "WO-BERRY!!!!!".

A good little fruit picker he was. I told him not to pull on the white ones. And to turn them around to check if they were red all around. I was surprised he actually managed to pick some good ones! (Just only a little squished by the time he brought them to me). `


By the end of the afternoon, our bellies were full of strawberries and other sweets. YUM YUM!

Rainy day in the city

When I took a shot of my beautiful afternoon tea set in front of me one afternoon at the Hyatt, I thought yes, this is a photo definitely worthy for the blog. But then, a week later, Kayden hijacked my camera, scrolled through my photos and deleted just ONLY that one photo. So here you have my view from where I sat in front of the fireplace where me and our friends spent a glorious 2 hours relaxing in their soft, deep velour chairs.  All that time Kayden was fast asleep in his pram next to me. Pure bliss!

We set out early that morning for a trip into the city. We were going to head to the open range zoo in Weribee, but 5 minutes after we left home it the skies opened up. So we rounded everyone up and headed to the Melbourne Aquarium instead. Perfect rainy day activity right? Wrong. Little man was NOT interested this time. Not even the penguins. A giant crab enclosure freaked him out. So off we all went for a Korean meal.  Ahh....... a much more enjoyable activity Mom!

Back home

I know he looks all scrunched up in a corner, but he was so comfy in there!

Trust me, he was snug as a bug in there!

 
We flew home last Sunday evening. And we are finally back home in Antarctica Melbourne. We had an eventful week before we left Singapore! Daddy coming back to Singapore to pick us all up, birthday celebrations (mine!) and food poisoning! Huge week for us. We're tired, still acclimatising but glad to finally be home!

Kayden dozed off as our flight taxied across the runway just before taking off. And except for stirring during turbulence (which meant we had to pick him up from the basinnett twice when that happened), he only really fully awoke when the seat belt signs went off after touch down! Thank you Kayden!

Lots of updating to do, but I am taking it easy! The cold is enough to deal with for now! Have a great week everyone!

More Thailand

Would you have believed me if I said I had never been to Bangkok?

It seems like the whole world around me had, and I didn't. But now, I can say I've been. And I LOVE BANGKOK! I think I've fallen in love with Thailand! But this city is my new love for sure.

The bestie and I jetted off for a girly trip away.

Indeed, it is THE land of smiles. People are friendly, despite the busy nature of their lifestyles. Their skytrain is superb! Clean, timely and efficient. Even when it is crowded, people give way and are considerate. Once during the peak lunch time hour, we approached a office lady for directions. She did it gladly with a smile and a slight bow. That very same minute, somebody else came up and tried to offer help too! Of course, it also helps that both the young and the old are largely able to converse in English.

It was a girly trip where we intended to shop until we dropped. And that we did! There were trinkets of all sorts and sizes. The only hard bit was to try not to buy everything we saw.

A friend has purchased an apartment to retire there in his future years. When I first heart of that, I was thoroughly surprised. Retire in Bangkok? He described the place that is chaotic, peaceful, ancient, modern, magical and realistic all at the time. I have never had anyone paint me a picture of Bangkok that way. Not even my Thai friends. I was naturally intrigued.

But after the trip. I get it.

Traffic snarls, temples and swanky hotels all along the same stretch of road. Monks in their orange robes and women dressed in the latest designer gear all living together at the same place. Street side stalls line the streets. People who had just moments ago, just swiped their magical cards (quoting my Thai friend N) at the posh Prada store across the road sit on make shift tables and chairs, enjoying their grilled delights. Stray cats sitting at their manicured feet, quietly hoping somebody throws a bone or two on the ground.

Amazing!

A gelati like icy treat encased in a ball! i-maru

 

My 40baht lunch (AUD1.20) Can't beat that!



It is a place to be explored. I find myself wishing I am back sooner than later!

Venus Bay

Over the Christmas break, we went away on a day trip to the beautiful beach at Venus Bay. It was a glorious 32 degree day. Our quick thinking cousin remembered to grab a beach tent. Yay!  We got there, set up the tent and sat down in it for a picnic before we went out to dip our toes in the cool clear waters.

Well, I thought that was how I was going to spend my afternoon at the beach. Kayden, however thought otherwise. Somebody turned into a real sook! I held that certain somebody in my arms and slowly inched my way towards the splashing waves. The closer I got to the edge of the water, the higher he climbed up my body. By the time my feet were actually in the water, that certain somebody was clinging onto me for dear life, with a hilariously fearful look in his eyes. Yes I did say hilarious and fearful in the same sentence. That somebody didn't think it was funny at all though.

So I bent down and held him out to dip his toes in the water. And what do you know? That somebody clamoured right up onto my shoulder, tears and all. Despite his pretty boy looks, that baby is LOUD. Even out in the open.

So, with a sigh, we went back onto our tent where hugs and kisses were offered.  Kayden thinks the best vantage view point of the beach was from inside our tent. So with a nectarine in hand, he stood under the shade and waved goodbye at me. I was STILL in the tent. I broke out in hysterics because I found it so funny he was implying for me to go ahead without him!

Oh my, Kayden, that is a beach day not to be forgotten. When you get to your 21st birthday, maybe one of your friends will find this blog post about that certain somebody's day at the beach.

I heart Sydney

 

Last weekend, our little family went on a little trip to Sydney. It was Kayden's first time on board a plane! He was a dream to be with. When he was not sleeping, he would be winning over the hearts of other passengers with his winning gummy smiles and baby laughter. He was happy and hardly fussed throughout the entire trip.

We had a blast during the short trip. The forecast was for possible showers for the weekend. But what are the chances that it was overcast when the plane touched down to only open up to big sunny clear blue skies when we stepped out of the airport? And started drizzling only when we were seated in the plane ready for take off, on our way home! We indulged in going on hunts for fresh food, lots of happy laughter, long brisk warm walks along the harbour, the breeze on a water taxi ride and at the end of the day, long warm relaxing baths to soothe the body and soul.

We all left our hearts in Sydney! Can't wait to head up there again soon one day!