Commendable Service

I sent my car for service near my house area newly opened Toyota Showroom cum Service centre last Saturday. It was just less than 5 min away. I arrived second from another guy at about 5 min before 8 am. Appointment was made one week ago to avoid disappointment knowing this is the only service centre in my town area.

Sure enough it was very popular. This because the nearest other service centre is at Balakong or Cheras which both about 15-20km away. My previous visit all done at Balakong. So I am pretty happy when this new centre was opened.

What surprise me is that the centre even provide nasi lemak and hot drinks for breakfast. Earlier I thought of having my breakfast across the street after dropping my car at the centre. I said to myself , this is real good service as helps me safe breakfast hassle.

My nasi lemak and hot nescafe with view inside the workshop

It took close to two hours before I can take my car while I waited there. Possible because my car was service for the 20,000 km 'big' checking. Finally I drove alway happily with my car cleaned and shinning body.

Few days later, the officer that attended to me called to check whether everything is fine with my car after the service. I was quite surprise the extend of their good service went. It was indeed a commendable service I been through so far. Keep it up Toyota!

Enjoying school

I lost count how many times Ivan have attended Sunday school. May be 4th or 5th times already. We tried to bring him as often possible. He looks much better in adapting and mingling with his peers.

Two Sunday ago they were having craft works. Making paper fish, coloured, cut out and later hanged on stick as rod. All of them enjoyed it including Ivan. I think Ivan likes craft works a lot.

Candra, Andrea and Paul Eljiah busy doing their stuff

Ivan getting his hands on his craft

Once upon a time....

Reading is a fun activity for you and your toddler, and it helps your child build important language skills.

Here are suggestions for reading to your toddler, courtesy of the Nemours Foundation:

• Read at a scheduled time each day, such as before bedtime.
• If your child asks you to read a certain book, read it -- even if it's the same one you read every night.
• Read slowly, so it's easy to listen and understand.
• Use lots of expression in your voice when you read.
• Encourage interaction while you read, including clapping, singing, and using puppets to act out what you're reading.
• Substitute your child's name for the name of one of the book's characters.
• Look at the pictures, ask your child to name certain objects, and ask lots of questions.

I feel a bit guilty of not reading to Ivan for some time already. At home already got a lot of books, some we bought and most inherited from others. Lazy daddy....... shy to say own self also didn't read up much. Yeap, lets pick up the books and shows the way of good example. No, no, no excuse.

Outdoors good for kids' eyes

Parents now have another reason to shoo their kids outdoors to play, along with making sure they get enough fresh air and exercise. In a study, Australian researchers found evidence that children who spent the most time outdoors were the least likely to suffer from myopia, also called nearsightedness or shortsightedness.

"Our evidence suggests that the key factor is being outdoors, and that it does not matter if that time is spent in having a picnic or in playing sport," Dr. Kathryn A. Rose told Reuters Health. "Both will protect a child's eyes from growing excessively, which is the major cause of myopia."

Myopia has become increasingly common in recent decades, with more than 80 percent of people in some highly-educated groups being nearsighted, Rose of the University of Sydney and her colleagues point out in the journal Ophthalmology. Work that requires a person to focus on something close up -- for example reading -- has been proposed to cause nearsightedness, they add.

I definitely prefer not to have my kids to develop specky eyes like me and mummy. Well, more reason to leave my couch potato behind.

Tunneling

Ivan exploring our garden playground tunnel slide. I managed to capture few shots from this angle.

I am growing

As I came home just now after work, Reanne greeted me with burstling of joy and smiles. A sign she is recovering well from her running nose and cough. I am real glad to see her beaming face. Somehow I find her different today. She is just full of joy. Praise God for her quite recovery!

Fish tale

I forgot to announce a new family member that have recently incorporated in our lives. Few weeks ago Hannah gave a 'fighting' fish (I don't know its real name but commonly known as fighting fish) to Ivan as his pet. Ivan was pretty excited about it.

My dad found a 'home' for it as mini aquarium is a bit big for that tiny fella. My dad temporary act as the guardian for the fish wellbeing as Ivan is too young to take care of it. I am on the other hand not used to taking care of pets.

Welcome aboard to the Chong's family!

I can do it

You gotta be very proud when your children comes out to you and said I can do it. I am especially when he is still only two and half year old!!!

At first I find it rather not easy to let go but then after several round seeing Ivan doing it, I am starting to realize actually he can. He would say, "Ivan do it". Now he can managed putting on his shoes, dress up with T-shirt and pants, pull up his own socks, taking photos using my camera phone (with good angle), feed himself with fork and spoon (but still a bit messy) and more.

Yesterday, he washed a children size cup after finishing his drink at my parents in-laws place assist by my sister in-law. Last Saturday night after buying a children size chair at Ikea, while I was fixing up the chair Ivan handed me an Allen key from the tool box which fit exactly to the given screws. I am amazed. And Ivan said he want to do it. He is just full of confident!

This little kid is just too eager to grow up. Anyway I am glad he puts on the initiative to explore. And as parents we need to allow the space for our kids to explore giving them the opportunity to build up their confident, enthusiasm and creativity. You will be surprise what our children can do in return.