15 days in Melbourne - Week 1

We spent 15 lovely days in Melbourne during the Raya holidays.

Dinner at the Plaza Premium Lounge KLIA - free entry with Citibank Platinum Credit Card

As we were boarding the plane, we were told that Joy's seat had a faulty AV screen. The MAS staff at the gate apologized profusely and on board, the chief steward again apologized. We were alright with it since it was a night flight and the kids would be sleeping. But the chief steward offered a RM100 voucher for in-flight shopping and so we bought some toys for the kids as souvenir. 

The flight was delayed for 1.5 hours and we waited in the plane as it sat on the tarmac. Apparently one passenger did not board the plane and his bags had to be retrieved. There was also some damage to some cargo panel and engineers replaced it while we waited. Oh well, better late and safe. It worked out well for us because I managed to put Isabel to sleep before take off.

We also landed later the next morning in Melbourne which was good for us because we couldn't check in till 2pm.

Once in the city, we dropped off our bags and then went looking for food and groceries. We stayed at City Edge Apartments on Elizabeth St. Located on the corner of A'Beckett St and Elizabeth St, this was a very convenient location. 

We booked early and paid only AUD$85 per night. It had a queen-sized bed in the bedroom and a sofa bed out in the living room and comfortably slept all 5 of us. This tiny apartment was also very well equipped with a kitchenette (2 gas hobs, microwave, dishwasher, fridge, pots and pans, eating/cooking utensils, bread toaster, electric kettle) and a washing machine/dryer in the spacious bathroom. That was really important as I had to do laundry every day! Useful items like hair dryer, iron & ironing board (not that I used it) were also available. 

kids enjoyed the yoghurt - RM20 in Malaysia. AUD$4 in Melbourne.

Since this was a working visit for Daaling, he spent all the weekdays at the university while I took all 3 kids to parks and playgrounds. I googled for playgrounds around the city and dare say I'm quite an expert now at getting around. It was rather challenging getting up and down trams with a 28-week belly, Isabel in one arm and stroller in another hand but people were helpful and kind. 

I got around using the City Circle Tram to save cost. It's a free service that runs the perimeter of the CBD.

We spent most days eating packed lunch at playgrounds. The older 2 skipped their naps and slept early at night. Isabel slept in her stroller whenever she wanted to.

Monday 5Aug2013 - Birrarung Marr

After exploring Federation Square and the Birrarung Marr playground on our first day, we stopped by the Victoria State Library on Swanston St.

Yes, it's a library - but not a lending library. That means you can't borrow books. But you can play Wii for free!!!

Tuesday 6Aug2013 - We visited the Melbourne Museum. On the way there, the kids got distracted by some ducks in Carlton Gardens.

A nice lady gave them a bag of bread and they happily fed the ducks.

The Melbourne Museum is so unlike our Muzium Negara back home.

It really is a very fun place where you can spend the entire day.

Kids enter for free while it's AUD$10 for adults. I would say it's money very well-spent.

The kids really enjoyed the Children's Gallery...

I was surprised to learn that I currently weigh more than an emperor penguin!!!

Wednesday 7Aug 2013 - We explored Docklands and Harbourtown.

Joseph remembered this Cow in the Tree structure where we took a photo 4 years ago.

We had lunch at a playground known as Docklands Park. This is on the corner of Spencer St and Collins St and not as shown on google maps (slightly further north).

After lunch and some playing, we took the City Circle Tram to the City Library. Located on Flinders Lane, this is a lending library. I registered on the spot (with photo ID i.e. passport) and was issued a membership card enabling me to borrow items.

what I don't like about the cold - having to bundle up so many babies!

what I like about Melbourne - my favourite ice cream is cheap! RM34.90 in Malaysia, only AUD$5 in Melbourne!

Thursday 8Aug2013 - Joseph woke up early and threw up! He also had a fever. I think getting caught in the rain the day before + jet lag + getting really tired finally got to him. Thank God I brought paracetamol which came in very handy. We spent Thursday and Friday resting and recovering for a busy weekend ahead. 

Saturday 10 Aug 2013 - Joseph is all better and the weather forecast a sunny weekend. We visit Collingwood Children's Farm in Abbotsford. It's a short bus ride there. Normal entrance fee is AUD$16 per family but today being the second Saturday of the month, it's Farmer's Market day and kids enter free while it's only AUD$2 per adult before 1pm. 

We get there in time for the cow milking at 10am.

Joy did not chicken out and kept her word with putting her hand to the cow's udder.

They also had a good time brushing the cow.

How now brown cow....?

We checked out the other animals at the farm - the kids had a fun and very educational morning.

pigs are not pink and cute!

After the farm, we made our way by tram (AUD$3.50 per day gets you unlimited travel on all trains, trams and buses on weekends) to Albert Park for a picnic lunch.

After lunch the kids spent their energy at the huge wooden fort-like playground.

Isabel finally overcame her fear of slides and now goes "wheeee!!!" all by herself.

Sunday 11Aug2013 - We visit Melbourne Zoo.

On weekends, kids enter for free (AUD$13.20 on weekdays). You would have noticed by now that I did a lot of homework to ensure maximum savings of RM!

It was a very lovely day to explore the zoo - Thank God for great weather.

Joe and Joy were very tickled by the white gibbon....it imitated everything the lady did.

Joy overcame her fear of flying butterflies...

We also caught the penguin feeding at 3.30pm. This is so much more kid-friendly than travelling all the way to Philip Island and waiting in the freezing cold.

Lunch at the Carousel Park was followed by a run in the playground...but of course!

Four years ago we came with 2 kids. Hopefully....we can return in 2 years with 4 kids.

Monday 12Aug2013 - We visit Lake Mountain for a day in the snow.

This was our CafeBus. It's a cozy 18-seater bus with unlimited servings of coffee/tea/hot chocolate.

After a leisurely 1.5hour drive through the Yarra Valley and Marysville, we arrived at Lake Mountain Alpine Resort at about 10am.

...and boy, was it cold!!!!

am I supposed to look cute like this???

I had sewn some waterproof pants for the girls using leftover PUL material (the kind used for cloth diapers) so we only had to rent 2 sets of boots+PVC pants+toboggan. Joe had a blast!

It rained hail for a while. Joy was not too adventurous for long but Joseph really enjoyed himself.

For the record, I also sewed their beanies (those things on their heads) using old teviron (special keep warm material) knee guards.

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At some point, it snowed. We got lucky I guess since it doesn't snow all the time.

This was my first experience with snow and I think I'll be quite happy in tropical Malaysia. Isabel didn't quite like it either.

On the way home, we stopped at the Yarra Valley Chocolate Factory where the kids had a good time helping themselves to lots of free samples. I think Joy ate enough on behalf of the entire Tan Family.

Thus ended our very enjoyable first week in Melbourne.

Travelling together - how many passports do you carry?

Way back when it used to be just me and hubby, this sufficed...

Now that I carry 5 passports (and 6 next year), the Samsonite passport holder will not zip up!

Some months ago, I bought myself a second hand sewing machine from the Singer warehouse sale. At RM430, it's cheaper than a brand new straight-stitch-only machine. This baby sews 18 patterns! I've been getting acquainted with it, sewing dresses and other stuff for my girls, with help from internet tutorials.

And since my treadmill brokedown 2 weeks ago, this baby has been my best friend! In preparation for our upcoming trip... I made this....

It's a passport holder that will comfortably hold up to 6 passports. There's also a slot for a pen and 2 clear card slots inside.

On the outside I sewed a zipper compartment for coins and another compartment for slotting papers.
I also added a wrist strap for easy carrying.

Time taken : about an hour
Cost : 60sen
Satisfaction : priceless

And I learnt it all on the internet!

Father's Day & Fabulous June Parties

Father's Day this year was a very super busy day for us. We were in fact busy all weekend.

The children sang in the children's choir to appreciate fathers, on both Saturday and Sunday.

We found some superheros in church but not as super as Papa!

Because of the busy weekend, we had dinner one week earlier with my parents, at one of our favourite pasta places - Vary Pasta. This was followed by tong sui in SS2. Tan Father's Day celebration will be belated, with a combined birthday celebration for Ah Kong.

On Father's Day evening, we attended a Happily Ever After birthday party.

Very elaborate, pretty pink princessey party with lots of details.

This morning, we attended another party - a superhero one for Timothy's 7th Birthday.

Just like the princess party, the dessert table was by The Cherry on The Cake.

Timothy has a super mummy who made personalized capes for all the kids besides packing very wonderful party packs.

Held at Camp5, the kids had a very good workout rock climbing.

This is Joy's first try at rock climbing and she made it almost to the top.

There'll be 2 more parties next month....kids these days are a busy lot!

Pants + Skirts = ???

I have several pairs of very nice and comfy Gymboree leggings which Joy outgrew sometime back. These were hand-me-downs from their 2nd cousin in USA.

While the pants are still in good condition (and oh-so-comfy because they are well washed and worn), the elastic has worn out and they are a real pain to unpick. On the other hand, I had a few hand-me-down short skirts which I find too unpractical for wearing with just panties underneath. So I combined the pants and skirts.

Simply snipped off the old pants elastic and sewed it to the skirts. Now Isabel can wear pants that have cute skirts attached to them!

Salmon & Pumpkin dinner

This is my usual dinner - a mountain of vege, some protein, minimal or no carbs. This is not a weight-loss strategy. It's a constipation remedy.

Daaling and the children love salmon which is usually supplied by AhKongAhMah. When I do buy it, I get it from Jaya Grocer where it's fresher than Giant/Jusco/Tesco. I buy the belly/bone parts which are only RM30 /kg instead of the boneless parts which are RM80/kg!! 

I've come to love cooking salmon and pumpkin together. After I pan fry the salmon, I use the residual oil to fry some dried prawns and then throw in the pumpkin and simmer till it softens. 

Joseph doesn't like pumpkin so I debone the cooked salmon and put it into pasta for him. He prefers cucumber for his vege. 

Joseph's salmon pasta (with white cream sauce)

I've learned that you shouldn't force kids to eat stuff they don't like. Always give them a choice. Instead of saying, "Eat your veggies because I say so!!!", I ask, "Would you like pumpkin or cucumber?"

can't wait to dig in

Daaling on the other hand doesn't fancy too much sauce. So it's just a drizzle of olive oil over the pasta for him plus the other stuff.

Daaling's dinner

The girls on the other hand are still on oats porridge. So when I cut up the pumpkin, I have to put aside a small portion which I steam with some potato then blend with some salmon and add to oats. Joy will eat salmon topped on her porridge.

See how many 'variety' I have to prepare for just one meal.

Joy's first kindy assessment

Tomorrow is Joy's first parent-teacher day and I won't be there. So I had a chat with her class teacher today.

Teacher Mary had only lots of good things to say about Joy...

1. She expressed surprise that Joy can read and asked if I teach her at home. Of course I didn't.

2. Joy is very mature and helps her friends who are not as fast as her. As such, teacher made her the class monitor.

3. Teacher asked if I did revision with Joy because only she and another girl got it all correct for their assessment. I had to admit that I did not and in fact did not know they had the assessment until it was over!

I take no credit for her model student behavior and I have to say that no.2 in school is so different from no.1 going to school.

No.1 can sit at the same table with another kid for a whole year and not know his name.

No.2 knows the names of all her classmates. Not only that, she knows there are 17 kids in her class, and she recognizes their parents and vehicles. She also knows the names of teachers who don't teach her and even the helper/cleaner aunty.

 

No.1 hates homework. Until now I have to nag him daily to check his homework and pack his bag. No.2 will do homework on her own initiative and pack her own bag. She even does no.1's homework when it involves coloring.

 

I must however commend no.1's managerial skills. He works smart. Like when homework calls for him to colour sections of a shape to show a given fraction, he will mark the portions and then get no.2 to do the coloring because coloring is too boring and a waste of time.

 

With no.1 and no.2 so different I wonder what no.3 and no.4 will be like.

 

From birth, they wear the same clothes, suck the same breast, sleep in the same cot, drink the same milk. We rock them the same way, sing the same songs, say the same prayer, teach the same stuff.

 

Yet they are so different. Thank God they are. Makes parenting so much more fun!

 

I realize that there's only so much we as parents can do. How they turn out is quite beyond our control. Which is why it is so important to build a strong spiritual foundation during their formative years. For this reason we choose children's church over a myriad of other possible activities on Saturdays. Skills like playing a musical instrument, ballet, art, etc can be learnt any time, even at 40. But once these formative years are lost, they are lost forever.

Joy recently went on stage for the first time with the worship team

We hope and pray that with the right foundation, they will grow to love the Lord all the days of their lives