iCreate 1.0

Must be those inspiration day for the kids.

With some assistant from mommy, Ivan and Reanne turn their imagination into craft toys with some recycling boxes. 

Ivan create an airplane and Reanne made her very first girl robot. Reanne named her creation Bi Bi. 

I can see that both are very satisfied with want they have made. And they happily post with it!

Ivan's super airplane

Reanne's Bi Bi robot

On 2

The following wall backdrop have caught my attention for quite some times already. I was unable to resist myself to take out the camera to capture some photos with it. Walla!

We are brother and sister.....2 years gap

Already attended 2 years kindergarten

See we are 2gether

We are 2 pretty sisters

Big high 5

Our boy is now officially 5 years already. I guess he is very proud of it too(as the shown in the photo above).

The boy is growing fast. Bear in mind I didn't mean not just his physical being. One clear significant is his appetite for knowledge and new skills. Curiosity is his driving force. He will asked to know more, and asked many many times.

This year we made it extra meaningful for Ivan by giving him a fun time celebrating his birthday with his classmates at the kindergarten school. Bonus to that we let him choose what type of cake he wants. He wanted his cake with rocket on it. Many thanks to Lyra Patisserie for making it possible.

We even had a 2nd cake to celebrate at home. Another creation by Lyra Patisserie. Yummy!

Ivan back to school

As 2011 starts, so was the new school term. And Ivan when back to kindergarten for his 2nd year class. This round he is a "senior".

Both of us brought Ivan to school together with Reanne on the 1st day of re-opening. It wasn't as smooth as we wanted it to be. Not wanting to wake up was one of it. Another was Ivan being uneasy while in the school to a point shedding some tears when parents were asked to leave. Thankfully Ivan was back to his norm again on the 2nd day itself.

The kindergarten school had relocated itself to a new premise for this new term. They constructed a totally new building designed specifically for kindergarten purposes complete with a mini pool. It was finished just in time for the new term to start. So much bigger. And most of all so much nearer to our house. Less then 100m away! Now mommy just need to walk Ivan to school instead of driving him there.

Meet Ivan's teacher on Parent's Day

So fast Ivan is finishing the first term of his very first year at kindergarten.

And there we were attending his kindy Parent's Day where we meet his class teacher to get to know Ivan's progress during the entire five months. Overall his is doing fine. Class teacher commented that Ivan actively participate in the daily activities. We were very encouraged to hear the feedback because that was what we most concerned about.

The kindy produced a report book recording Ivan's progress in several aspects not only in academic area but also intrapersonal and also interpersonal skill and more.

The report book also provided us an overall idea on where Ivan's need improvement. This coming months we need to plan ways and methods to help Ivan to improve further. Knowing and not doing anything about it will not help our son overall development. Not that we want to push him for performance but rather for self improvement.

Well both of us did enjoy this new experience as part and parcel of being a parents. Hmm....next will be Reanne (didn't you see her face how she enjoyed every moment while at the kindy?)

4 and 2

Last Jan and Feb mark two important milestone.

Ivan turned 4 years old and Reanne turned 2 years old. All by God's grace.

Ivan's birthday

Reanne's birthday (coincide with grand aunt's)

Thank you Lord for Your unfailing provision, love, protection, mercy and grace in helping us to raise up Ivan and Reanne thus far. And we continue surrender unto You two of them into Your hand.

Ivan goes to kindergarten

This new year 2010 begins with a new adventure and journey for Ivan.

It is Ivan first time ever going the school attending kindergarten. Going to be 4 years old soon, he attended the kindy just few blocks away from our house. So it was a great convenient to mommy to fetch Ivan to and fro minus the town traffic jam and longer distance.

First day was a great struggle for Ivan. He cried not wanting to go to school when we prepare him in the morning. Then he cried after we left him at the school. Parents were asked to leave the school compound for the school session to start to avoid prolong longing by the children for the parents.

Well after 5 days, things have improve quite a lot. Most of all he begins to like going to school especially the foods and friends of course. Ivan would shared to me each time I came home from work what he ate that day during snack time. And he would said, "I didn't cry".

A great start of the new year for Ivan.

Ivan accompanied by his class teacher

Ivan at outside kindy compound when mommy fetch him after class

Splashing at home

The kids had a splashing time last weekend holiday at home with a inflatable pool. This was our first time using the inflatable pool. It was a gift from Uncle Philip and Aunt Hannah to the kids.

The weather was superb and ideal for a wet activities that day. Both Ivan and Reanne didn't take long or I should said within seconds they got themselves totally wet. For Reanne this is the first time seeing her totally brushing aside her fear of dipping into water. She was so immerse in the pool. Few occassion we had tried to get Reanne into the beach and waterfall stream, but she just don't want to try it out. Ivan without saying was having a total splash. Nice to see them enjoying themselves so freely.

The pool water was later being used to wash my car. Not a total waste.

Home made superheros

Ivan and Reanne were made to be instant superheros by mommy's home made costume. A mask and a cape.

Both are happy to be clothed as one. Aren't all of us like too.

Eating right guideline for Ivan

This is what it looks like for Ivan eating right guidelines as recommended by USDA (United States Department Agriculture) MyPyramid Food Guidance Systemn for preschool children. This guideline was based on Ivan's profile i.e. age, height and weight.

Here it said limit Ivan food intake up to 1200 calorie per day that include grains, vegetables, fruits, milk and meat & beans.

A lot more info is being offer to help and promote healthy dietary and eating habits.

Check it out here: MyPyramid.gov

Another successful take off

Today we managed to successfully make the newly bought kite take off after failing to make it through yesterday. It was a great feeling. The kids needed to say they were ecstatic.

I bought 2 handmade kites from a Chinese uncle at our Kajang town area. I believe he is the only person in Kajang is making it or maybe the only person left doing it. The materials used are still very traditional - bamboo stick and paper. Even the Ben Ten cartoon was hand drawn and painted. Very rare indeed.

Personally, I don't know when was the last time I fly a kite. The last I remember when I was Standard One back at Perak small town just before I moved out to KL city. Boy it must have been very very very long time ago. Well, glad able to recollect some good old childhood fond memories.

Watch this

On behalf of Ivan and Reanne, many thanks to Siow Yee (Alana) for the watch gifts. The kids love it so much.

Ivan always ask around to know what is the time. Good time to teach about time.

Ivan ridding on the wave

Ivan was enjoying his best time on the water during our family short trip to Port Dickson beach.

At first was reluctant to try out riding on the dino float but at the end liking it so much. Reanne on the other hand wasn't so adventurous even tough we tried to pursuade her. She have not been exposed to the beach that often yet (this might her 3rd time).

Here in the video, Yie Yie and Ivan enjoying each other accompaniment on the water.

Doing the gig

Here they are ladies and gentlement, presenting Ivan and Reanne - Little People Band!

Drummer No. 1: Ivan Chong - 3 years and 8 months old
Drummer No. 2: Reanne Chong - 1 year and 7 months old
Music catogeries: Free style

Looks like Reanne is picking up drum just as big little brother Ivan. I was hoping she would fell for the piano first. Well we just have to observe from now. Maybe just maybe she would change her mind. My family is just getting full with drummers.

First flight

This is one of the moment that I missed out from my family.

To be exact, it was Ivan and Reanne first ever kite flying experience. On the other hand, I am glad they enjoyed the experience together with mummy and their Ah Kong, Ah Mah (grandpa and grandma).

The first flight happened just a few minutes away from my in-laws house, near a vacant plot of land. Flat and covered with turf is just ideal for the event.

Soo Pei was there to capture the precious moment with her handphone camera. All of them have a fantastic time that day. I know that because Ivan keep sharing it with me :)

Looking forward for a second flight.

I want mian mian

Surprisingly enough this is what we heard Ivan said when we want to order our food for dinner in a restaurant. He pointed straight to the printed photo menu of a dried noddle.

Our boy is growing fast. Now wanting to make his own choice. So both of us oblige his requised after he decline our recommendation of a rice dish. And we ordered 3 set for each of us except for Reanne. Ivan did almost finished the food of his choice. Pretty amazing compared to his regular eating habit at home where he would eat in a longer period.

I have to admit this 3 and half year old boy is beginning to form his character and personality slowly but surely. Got to give more room for him to make his own choice and decision now. Next is how to convince him the otherwise. Tough job.

Hand, Foot and Mouth disease attack

All the three little ones; Reanne, Ivan and Sarah has been confirmed infected with Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HRMD). It happened so fast.

It all started on Thursday evening when Reanne started to have fever after developing cough and sore throat. The next day her fever when very high to the region of 39C making us very very concern even though medication was taken. Her temperature keeps fluctuating between 39C the whole Friday. We brought her to have a second visit to another clinic by Dr. Lee. This time around the medication works well and brought her temperature down below 39C. She was getting better the next day as her fever subsided further below 38C.

Unfortunately another surprise caught us when my aunt discover Reanne palm and feet developing rashes. She quickly warned us of possible HFMD. Another round of doctor visit we go but since it was late night, we went to a medical centre. The medical officer (no doctor around) said it was a mild HFMD and asked us to monitor further. It was only yesterday, we brought Reanne back to Dr. Lee and he confirmed it. Thank God it was not the hazardous time. Poor Sarah got it on Sunday and so is Ivan.

I assume all three of them have to be guarantine at home for next 2 weeks to a month just in case. Not wanting to spread it to any kids further.

For details reading of HFMD, please read here

Be strong and courages

All the family members - Yeh Yeh, Nai Nai, Su Su and Shen Shen turned out last Sunday to give a full support to little big brother Ivan for his 1st ever music class group performance. Ivan music school was one of the exhibitor for Kids Exhibition at Metro Point Kajang. His group being the youngest was the first to present their dance performance.

As parents we were also very excited about the presentation. We were there early to avoid stress of rushing. Furthermore being there early will provide sufficient time for Ivan to settle down and amble around. Prior to that, mummy already made a cape as required for the dance performance. There were many colourful and style cape seen that day when other parents dressed up their children. Mummy also busy dressing up Ivan as their are getting ready to start the show.

Ivan, being 'shy' somehow reluctant to join in as the children march up the stage. Both us of try to encourage him but he still refuses to. We also notice another little girl also refuse to go up. We were not really disappointed as we know his character. We were hoping for a sudden miracle of courage for him to join in the performance. Well, it was quite an experience for both of us. We believe our little boy will overcome it soon and out grown this 'shyness'.

Handmade drum set

As part of the preparation for Ivan's music class graduation presentation set to be held on this coming 20th June, one of the required accessories costume is a drum set.

Last week I managed to complete it after spending few days in the project. It take several stages to transform an ordinary used cookies container to become a drum. By the way, it was my first ever drum set made entirely from scratch given that I has no experience even from my school days. Except that I used to be a drummer long long time ago. It was fun.

How to make a drum set

1. Spray paint unto the used cookies container with a paint canister. Easily obtained from hardware shop or stationary shop. Recommend 2 coats, each after drying.
2. Glue various coloured ribbon unto dried surface to create the desire patterns with glue gun. The glue gun was fantastic and very useful but must be quick to apply as it stick and dry very fast.
3. Fix and glue unto the top and bottom of canister with a layer of foam. I was fortunate to be able to find it at a stationary shop. It produce a good snare drum sound. Again the glue gun came very handy to fix the foam firmly.
4. Apply and glue another layer of ribbon around the top and bottom of the canister ring as skirting to neatly cover the foam joins.
5. Finaly beautify the drum with ready made stickers of the desire patterns. And you got yourselves a drum!

Of course, all is not vain as Ivan was very satisfied with the end product. Nevertherless it made a happy father as well. Next is to see him used it during his presentation.

When they are quiet

This is how it looks like when the house is somewhat quieter.

The power of TV is undeniable. So much so it needs to be used wisely and supervise. But then again, when all things fail........ on the TV (ouch!)