Stuck On You

Ethan loved the mega Dora sticker book that Gu Ma bought for him a couple of weeks ago! (We still keep it as a back up for rough days!)

Here he is generously sharing his stickers with his unsuspecting sister......

Birthday Bash!

Ethan & Talia turned 3 & 1 ! Their birthdays are just 2 weeks apart so we had a combined birthday party for them on Children's Day. The kids loved the cake that was lovingly baked by Ah Mah, and Ethan helpfully blew Talia's candle out for her!

We had a simple Ice Cream party and with help from Aunty Sharon & Aunty Cheryl, it was quite a bit of fun for the kids.

The Birthday Boy certainly had a great time at his own party. Aunty Sharon lent him her camera and he had a great time snapping away!

But the highlight of the party was probably when all their friends came along bringing their favourite bikes, cars and scooters and the ensuing excitement of running, driving, chasing and screaming that followed!

Even little Talia got her fair share of happy driving before retiring for her morning nap....

Daddy's party-blowers were quite a hit too! The kids loved them and discovered the new skill of multi-tasking -- cycling while blowing them and using them to flick passing kids!

It was quite hilarious to watch the kids having a crazy time with each other and thanks to Aunty Sharon who captured these moments on her camera. Although it was exhausting preparing for the party it was also very heartwarming seeing the kids having such a memorable time together. I'm really grateful for the warm support of our families and feel very blessed for the friendships that we and our kids have here.

Happy Birthday Ethan & Talia! May you always be surrounded in the warm knowledge that you are deeply loved!

Playtime Buddies

Mom: Ethan and Talia are enjoying their playtimes together much more with Talia becoming more mobile, expressive and capable of playing with her brother, whom she really looks up to with expressions of rapt admiration!

Dad: Really is nice to see them get along so well. Talia will allow Ethan to play with her toys and he will (usually) teach her how to use them rather than take them away to a corner. "Talia, this is blocks Talia!"

Mom: Her generous big brother has taught her how to appreciate blocks, balls......

Mom: ...and of course his treasured car!! I must say he has been very good in sharing with her (and others) and clearly enjoys taking her on rides and even trying to teach her how to drive!

Mom: His lessons on the joys of sharing have only just begun, but we are quite proud to see our two kids get along so well and even passers by have to break into smiles when they see these two cackling with delight!

Dad: See his protective arm around his sister. Look in the video and see how he grabs her hand and places it on the steering wheel to teach her.... then laughs in delight! We sure hope they continue to appreciate one another as they get older!

Chopsticks

Ethan's just got his first chopsticks from Por Por and has been eager to try them out! Here he is trying them out on his donut peach at lunch. Its a surprisingly simple and easy idea -- 3 simple rings for toddlers to slip their fingers through and learn how to use chopsticks in under 5 minutes! (2 mins if you are a gadgety guy like Ethan!)

Of course, after tiring of the donut peach (and after it has disappeared into his tummy), Ethan decides to try picking up his little sister with his newfound gadget....

Biking

Ethan's cycling! Daddy is so excited but I'm not there to see it! He's had a tricycle for a while but just got the hang of moving his feet is circles. Ohhhh... he likes the speed. Here he is maneuvering quite expertly through the obstacle course of our corridors, looking quite pleased with himself at his new found capabilities.

My Son, Ethan

I had to write a descriptive piece about something to think about improving our powers of imagery. So I decided to write "My Son, Ethan." Of course this pic shows two of my favourite cute animals but this particular piece is about the one on the left. Enjoy!

It is funny how a name sticks with you. Your parents leafed through pages of books and consulted wise family members to choose a good one for you (now we surf the Internet) and voila! Slapped on the back, you clear your airways and enter the world with a voracious yell. Your name is bestowed. It becomes distinctly you and you are that name. My son was given a name – Ethan. Now, despite the infinite choices that bombarded us and some which nearly stuck, it is clear that he could have never been any other thing – Ethan was the only possibility.

“Windows into the soul” is what they call them… eyes that is. He sports two magnificent specimens. They’re wonderfully formed into almonds – that’s what people constantly say. I’ve never thought much of almonds before, but now I think they’re beautiful. His eyes are topped with a double serving of eyelids and long lashes that would make any mascara masquerading teenager green with envy.

Before he could talk he would speak volumes with those eyes. They could wrench your heart from the cavity of your chest, and just as easily melt it while you crumbled to the floor. They were his voice, but they were also his weapons – wielded as skilfully as any stone that flew from sling to a giant’s head. Yes, whole armies of our frustration and anger were felled with those eyes. Yet weapons also reveal weakness, and his too opened wide marvellous gateways into the fortress of his soul. He didn’t mind you see, for this young boy instinctively trusted the two giants who named him. When he could talk he would scamper energetically around the living room loudly declaring which toys he would conquer next. “I’m not sleepy!” announced the trumpeted cry, but his eyes gave him away. Those windows into his soul were wide as ever, but they became ever so lightly cloudy and moved imperceptibly slower. They were his downfall, telegraphing state of affairs more true than even he knew. Bundling him up amidst frequent protests we would ship him off to be imprisoned in the wooden cage that frames his bed.

There he sits. Defeat rapidly turns to delight as he takes in familiar surroundings. Mr. Turtle and Twinkle Star beckon in a restful routine of bedtime congeniality. “Daddy, come inside?” This request combines the power of his inviting voice and those irresistible eyes pulling me to leave my realm and enter his world – his cot. I can rarely resist this cosmic pull, and why should I want to? No, I abandon myself to this futility, stepping over the rails and curling up beside my bundle of laughter and happy giggles. We lie down nose to nose and our eyes meet. This is love.

The next morning he greets me far too early with energy exceeding my sleepy state. Those eyes are bright and full of expectant glee for what the day will bring. “Ethan, I have a surprise for you!” The almonds grow wide and glassy. Like pools of ink they brim with words describing all that a young boy could ever want. It could be a car ride, a new toy, or a visit to grandma’s house – these are all wonderful things but most of all he’s happiest to have special times with Daddy. It’s funny how the ordinary things are most remembered and requested. A broad smile frames expectant eyes when he senses the possibility of washing Daddy’s car or having that picnic with Daddy’s fire cooking bacon for Ethan.

His eyes look a little sadder recently. I am on the opposite side of the world and we cannot share the special things that only Daddy does. Pixels substitute play-time and digitized voices just don’t replace those universe-shattering bed times. “Jesus, thank you for Daddy in America” he prays. “I miss Daddy because only Daddy comes inside.” His bed is there and I am here. I stare in the mirror and subtract three decades of puffy bags and surrounding lines. There they are. At least I have his eyes.

Daddy's Classmates

Daddy is away from home at Asbury Theological Seminary. Here is the new international family for these few weeks while Mummy, Ethan and Talia are far away.

From left to right is Sitali (Zambia), Isaac (Liberia), Daddy, John (kinda famous guy who started the whole of Methodism stuff!), Sorin (Romania), Rob (Canada), Meeli (Estonia), Juan (Colombia), and Rodney (Mauritius). They're a great bunch of pastors, district superintendents, and seminary presidents! Beeson International Leaders class of 2009.

Gong Gong's Birthday

Gong Gong had a special birthday celebration last month and Aunty Ruth and Josie came all the way from Australia to celebrate!

Talia was on her best behaviour and sat with Gong Gong for a looooong time devouring a yummy peach with all of her 2 new teeth!

After polishing off a great lunch by Por Por, all the kids got down to super fun and a grand time playing with all the cousins.

Daddy had fun cuddling the little uns too!

It was a really memorable time with all of the family taking time to be together. Ethan still misses Josie and still asks "Where is Josie?" when we gather as a family!

Daddy is in School

The time has come and Daddy is standing on the green Kentucky grass on Asbury Theological Seminary's campus. Behind me are the apartments where 8 of us in my cohort live. We come from 8 different countries representing 5 continents. In front me is the building housing the programs and classes that are the reason for our being here. The Beeson International Center for Biblical Preaching and Church Leadership

I'm here alone for the next 6 weeks, away from family for slightly longer than that as I meet other churches here in the US. Pray not only for me but also for Renata, Ethan and Talia back home!

Want to Wash the Car Daddy?

One of Ethan's favourite activities is to wash the car with his daddy. He's getting quite good at it though he still needs help pointing the powerful water hose and sometimes soaps up the car after I have already dried it!

After washing the car he always wants to taste the fruits of his labour with his favourite Dad. "We drive the car now Daddy!" After a day of washing the car it will usually score highly on his list of what to thank Jesus for that day.

Bath Buddies

Like most babies, Ethan and Talia love their bath times. It's not just about getting clean -- it's a whole other sensory experience that includes lots of happy splashing and feeling the freedom from clingy clothes and cumbersome diapers wearing only your skin! It's also a great time of bonding intimately with the important people in your life.

Talia enjoys regular bathtimes with her favourite Daddy but a few weeks ago, she had her first bath with Ethan! As you can see, Ethan seems to have been the happier of the two since it was like a reunion with his old bathtub (now Talia's) since he graduated from it more than a year ago!

Although Talia wasn't thrilled with having to share her bath with Ethan, she seems to have warmed up to having a new bath buddy once in a while and I'm sure this won't be the last you will see of them sharing baths on this blog!

A Grand Time

Talia has been such a sweetie and is so loving to her daddy recently. With the morning off we are now in Vivo City. Ethan is playing outside with mummy while Talia is napping on her favourite daddy who is enjoying iced frappucino on this warm day! There is nothing quite like having a calm and trusting baby fall asleep on you. Ladies passing by are glancing with "awwww...." looks too! :)

Fountains of Fun!

Cousin Josie and Aunty Ruth were in town recently and one of the first places we went to was the Vivocity Playground for all the kids! Ethan had a good time playing with Josie but was a very caring big brother when Talia joined in. Here he is helping her enjoy the water fun... ...

......and it didn't take long for her to warm up to the joys of splashing around! Its funny how different personalities come out through play -- she seems to be much more adventurous about getting wet than Ethan who is usually more interested in the mechanics of water-pouring in his various cups, cans and pails!

It was a little difficult getting all 3 cousins in the same photo as they were running aroung quite a bit! Managed to catch them on in action in this video tho!

40 Winks

We were having lunch in a small restaurant when Ethan fell asleep while eating! There was unchewed spaghetti in his mouth which he later swallowed after he woke up from his brief nap... Yummy!

Time with Grandparents

Ethan & Talia enjoy the time they spend with their grandparents. Here is Ethan learning how to bake with Ah Mah. Like his Daddy, he tends to take his culinary skills quite seriously......

Looking very pleased with himself with the end product of his hard work (with a lot of help from Ah Mah!)

Talia is still to young to bake but certainly old enough to enjoy a nice breakfast at the club.

Somehow the kids always manage to save their best behaviour for their grandparents!! (wish this could last all day....)

Water Fun

A great photo montage of Talia having fun with water from our friend Sharon! We all went to IMM for the morning with a total of 3 families and 4 kids in tow!

Walking the Dogs

Grandma and Grandpa have two minature pinschers - Buster and Pixie. Buster-the-boy is quite strong for his size, but Pixie-the-girl is just nice for Ethan to walk. They are sized just right for one another and Pixie doesn't pull so hard that Ethan can still control her. Here he is in the Botanic Gardens where his grandparents like to take him. Yes, he loves walking the dogs as you can see by his big and happy smile!

Flying Lesson

Talia is getting a nice flying lesson on the "Winnie the Pooh" Airplane that is still a favourite toy around the house. Ethan has been very good not only sharing with his sister but showing her how to play the toys that were once his and his alone. "Press here Talia..." "Wanna hold Talia!" and "I love you Talia" are things we hear frequently around the home!

My Sister the Model

Ethan was snapping pictures at random so I showed him how to use camera "properly" to take pictures of his cute sister. This is his best one! Not bad eh?

Dr Jones

We were both going to the doctor today to get our vaccinations, but Daddy got the wrong date - it's not for another month! So instead we detoured to Jones the Grocer for father-son time. This daddy knows where the good deals are and Jones is one of them. At this upmarket Australian cafe, a pot of tea is $4.50 which is very reasonable cos it can be shared by two, hot and ice water is complimentary, colouring pens and paper are provided for kids, service is excellent, there is no service charge or GST and parking is free! See what a good deal it is!? Ethan loves it here just like Daddy. We are now sharing "vanilla cream" tea (caffeine free) with honey!

Driving Ms Talia

Ethan not only likes driving Daddy's car, he also likes playing with his own. He does modification, washes it, and of course drives his sister too! What a sweet pair - and both in yellow too! He really treats Talia well, being gentle and protective of her, and we can already see that she in turn adores her big brother.

Tennis

Ethan loves going out to play tennis with his daddy. Actually, he only loves it for about 5 minutes then he loses interest in the game! So daddy has to remind himself that it is about having fun in the experience at this stage and not so much about getting Ethan "into" the game. We did buy a tennis racket together though - this cutest little Wilson which is well sized for him. But after the initial 5 minutes Ethan wises up and prefers to use Daddy's racket instead. Apparently bigger is better in his view.

Mad About Driving

Ethan's great new craze is driving. He either particularly likes Daddy's little Subaru R1 or he particularly likes driving with Daddy. Today Mummy is feeling under the weather so Daddy told Ethan that he was going to drive with Daddy. You cannot imagine the look of glee dripping from his face. I wish we all had that same expectant joy when we are about to spend time with our Abba Father!

So here we are at free parking outside Sembawang Shopping Centre, after a rainy drive during which Ethan kept telling me that HE wanted to drive. Daddy promised so Daddy is delivering - letting Ethan enjoy one of his favourite activities. Whether it is being with Daddy or getting to be like Daddy he just soaks it all up! He will probably remember this time "driving" more than any other activity we do at Sembawang!