“That's a No-no for Daddy"

I took Ms. A into the bathroom and she saw Reed's dirty clothes on the back of the toilet. She wasn’t too happy to see them and said “That's a No-no for Daddy, no clothes on toilet. Mommy will you clean them up?” She wouldn’t go to the bathroom until the clothes were put in the basket. When I put them away she said, “That’s where daddy’s clothes go.” :) I was so proud that she knows where dirty clothes belong.

The other day, Reed did something she didn't like and Ms. A stated "That's unacceptable daddy!" It was so adorable. :) Guess what Ms. A hears when she does something wrong.

Bukit Merah Resort

A co-worker of Reed's recommended this great place to visit. It is called Bukit Merah Resort. Bukit is hill in Malay and Merah means red. We enjoyed visiting the Ecopark, Orang Utan Island and the Waterpark. It was wonderful to see the animals. The island was interesting. Instead of the Orang Utans being in cages, we were. We walked inside an enclosed path that introduced us to 7 Orang Utans (ages 2 to 24 years) and 3 infants (ages 1 month to 2 years). Orang Utan's name derives from the Malay orang (person) and Indonesian (forest).

Boat ride to Orang Utan Island

Ms A loved that these Orangutans were the same age as she was.

Bear cat

Kisses

Reed and Ms. A loved the Waterpark! They played in the wave pool, Activity Pool and the Kids Adventure River. Reed went to discover more parts of the park while Ms A played in the sand. I got a little tired of waiting (he was gone for around 40 minutes), so Ms A and I went looking for him. We found each other and he, very excitedly, took us to where he disappeared for such a long time - The Boomerang! It is an exhilarating ride and the first and only one of its kind in Malaysia and in South East Asia. Reed went on it four or five times. He said it was the first ride in a long time that he was actually scared to try out, but he instantly fell in love with it. He enjoyed the ride so much that when I asked him to go again so I could record it, he and Ms. A quickly exited the pool. Afterwards, he stated that I should post the video to my blog! :) Check out his last ride.



Here's a link to our other video. I had issues uploading it.

The Boomerang

We 'tached

Sweet Pea and her daddy were 'tached (attached). She kept on talking about being 'tached, but we couldn't figure it out until she wrapped the necklace around Reed. :)
She loves to wear her necklace and then put it around Reed or I.
Another favorite thing she and daddy like to do are chin nibbles. They had a great time playing together.

Sweet Pea Singing

I finally convinced Sweet Pea to sing the song. She was a bit distracted by the camera. We recorded her singing last night and this morning.

Little Einsteins

When Sweet Pea was a baby, she watched baby Einstein. It was the only way we could get her to eat.
One of the perks of our new place is the Playhouse Disney Channel on our cable tv, Intel pays for our cable tv. Ms. A loves to watch Little Einsteins. We will sit and watch the show while Sweet Pea repeatedly asks me "What's happening?" We talk about the story line and how June, Leo, Quincy, Annie and Rocket are helping someone/thing. We were watching Little Einsteins start this morning, when I heard Sweet Pea sing the opening song for the show. She did a pretty good job. At the end she raised her hands and said "Yeah!" I tried to grab the video camera, but I missed it. When I asked her to repeat the song, she shied away.

I just told Reed the story and he informed me that she knows DragonTales intro song. :)

Happy Easter

I found the cutest idea for mini Easter baskets for my Primary class: Easter idea. Here's a picture of my finish project.
It was very easy and I am terrible at making 3D paper projects. :) My only hint: stamp on both sides or use paper with designs on both sides.

For those interested in supplies, I used Stampin' Up's Groovy Guava paper, Wild Wasabi ink, Wild Wasabi Double Stitched Ribbon, Pixie Pink ink and their Polka Dots & Paisley stamp set.

Princess A

I went to check on Ms. A during her nap and found her awake with her carousel on her head. She was so cute, I quickly grabbed the camera while Reed went to see what I was laughing about. I told Reed to ask her to stay laying down, but she wanted to sit up. I quickly snapped the picture and then sat her up. The picture of her sitting up was after her crying. She sat up in the headboard and told me I could take her picture. :)

New Washer

We have been having issues with our washer since we moved. Finally on the 11th, the washer died or rather, it stained our clothes, got stuck during the rinse cycle and I gave up on washing the clothes. It took 4 hours (normally it takes 65 minutes) to do a batch of clothes and that was with me helping. We called our housing representative and asked for assistance. On Friday the technician showed up. I showed him the stained clothes, he looked at the washer and then said "It can't be fixed. Too old!" So we called our rep again and he said he would look into it and call us Monday.

I ended up borrowing a friend's washer (Thanks Sonja!!!!) to wash some items we needed. The email came, after several calls and emails from Reed and I. (I have a difficult time with the relaxed lifestyle here. It stretches my patience and I have a very low patience level.) The landlord purchased the washer and it would arrive Tuesday - then Wednesday - and finally the delivery date was set for Thursday (20th) in the afternoon. After a concerned call from Reed at 1:30pm, we got a call back an hour later. The washer finally arrived. It was installed and is now running! HURRAY!!!

I have to laugh over the whole thing, just because I am repeatedly taught the lesson of patience and I still haven't figured it out. Also, our washer at home broke in November, so Reed and I purchased a new one, used it for two months and then moved. It has all sorts of fun features and I can fit a lot of clothes in it, which I can't here. :) I hope Sara and the kids are enjoying our washer as much as I miss it. :)

My Picasso

Sweet Pea came up to me this morning and asked if she could paint. We put on her painting shirt and I let her express her creativity. She quickly got tired of her paper canvas and decided to try a different canvas, HER!
I caught her painting her hands, fingernails (black) and her arm. She would then use her hands to paint on the paper. When I cleaned up, I found paint on the floor, table and wall. Little splatters were everywhere. When I asked if she had fun, she looked at me with a huge grin and said "YES!"

Sweet Pea's New Friend

We decided to have an easy Saturday, so no sight seeing. Sweet Pea got a little bored, so I decided to do some paper crafting with her. We made a couple of things and then I gave her the glue, scissors, paper and crayon and let her create. In the middle of her creating, I remembered how she loved having me trace her out with sidewalk chalks last summer. I got the idea of making Sweet Pea a 'new friend' using the same technique except we were inside. She was so excited when I told her to lay down on the papers I had taped together. I traced and cut her out. Sweet Pea noticed that 'she' didn't have a birthmark or eyes, so she quickly remedied that problem. She had a wonderful time showing 'Ms. A' all around the apartment. Finally, she laid 'Sweet Pea' in bed for a nap. :)



Naptime :)

Bath Time Revisited

I have discovered the secret of getting Sweet Pea to take a shower.

Step 1: Fill her Magic Tinkerbell wand. (It changes colors when it gets wet. Thanks, Aunt Sara!)
Step 2: Wash her hair VERY FAST!
Step 3: Rinse her hair even faster! She doesn't like water in her eyes or ears and will tell me that "You're suppose to be careful!" if I get water in those places.
Step 4: Give Sweet Pea the shower wand.
Step 5: Wash her body.
Step 6: HaveSweet Pea rinse her body.
Step 7: Let Sweet Pea 'wash' the tub, wand and anything else in the vicinity. :)

Bath Time has become much more enjoyable for both of us. :)

Para-Sailing

Here we are para-sailing. We had a great time 'flying.'
The crying in the background is Ms. A. She wanted to go up as well. :) My adventurous little one.

Reed is in the first 14 seconds and I am in the remaining portion.

Ouch!!

So, here's what happens when I came down for a landing after Para-sailing. Reed made some comment about 'my extra ankle' which I didn't appreciate. :)

This is what occurred. The flight was fun. When it was time to land, I pulled the rope to my shoulder to get over the sand. As I was coming down for the landing, I tried to hit the sand running, but I just hit the sand and twisted my ankle. The para-sailing staff were so friendly and helpful. They massaged my ankle and helped me to a chair. When the sun changed, they moved my stuff and me. :) I spent the rest of the time relaxing on a chair watching Ms. A and Reed play. :)

Afterwards, Ms. A was insistent that Para-sailing is not a fun thing for mommy. I reassured her that flying was fun, it was the landing that I didn't enjoy. :)

Beach Fun in Batu Ferringhi

After 5 years of marriage we finally were able to go Para-Sailing! We tried in Mexico and Greece, but we couldn't find the right place.

As soon as we found a place to park and walked to the beach, a gentleman came up and asked us if we were interested. Reed excitedly went first. Ms. A wanted to go "flying with daddy," but she is too small. Reed had a wonderful time and tried to convince me to go. I was a bit apprehensive, so I said no. Reed and Ms. A took the jet ski out for a spin. She loved it after she got used to the noise and speed. When they came back, I decided to try out the para-sailing. The boat driver asked if I wanted to touch the water. When he saw my nervousness, he said he would let me touch the water. He tried twice and the second time worked. I panicked a bit, when the water came so close, so fast, but he quickly got me in the air again. It was a "Grand Adventure". I got me feet wet and now I can say I did it! The landing was a bit rough, but overall it was fun. :)

Reed Para-sailing

 I was able to take this perfect picture of Reed landing.

Heather's turn

Jet Ski fun. Reed and Ms A LOVE the water.

Reed built a 'pool' for Ms. A to play in since she was wary of the "big waves." She had a marvelous time and invited some other girls to play with her. She practiced her swimming on her belly and loved every minute. She was not excited to come in from playing, but we saw storm clouds and decided it was time to leave. :) We left just in time. When we sat down for lunch at a cafe, the rain came pouring in. We waited for about 15 minutes until Reed decided to get the car. He came back drenched. It was a perfect beach day. :)

Trying to make a new "friend"

Water baby

Building a sandcastle

Rain, rain go away

Sweet Pea and I were taking it easy this afternoon, when the skies started to get darker and the winds started to pick up. Suddenly we were in the middle of a fierce rain and wind storm. We have had storms the past few nights, but it was too dark to see how strong the winds were. It was amazing to see the mainland 'disappear' and then see the winds and rain pick up over us.

Then the storm blew over us and I went to watch it from the front view of the house. When it reached the front, our cable went out. Sweet Pea was very concerned about losing the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse show. She kept on telling the rain to 'Go away!' It was so cute.

She was so happy when her request was answered and the cable came back! :)

I love to watch rain and thunderstorms. There is such power in a good storm. I miss the lightening shows from my youth. I'm so happy Malaysia is fulfilling my love of a GOOD Lightening Show! :)

Penang Bird Park

We ventured across the bridge over to Butterworth today to see the Penang Bird Park. After getting lost for about 30 minutes, a norm for us, we found our destination. We enjoyed seeing the huge variety of birds they had. Ms. A wasn't too excited about the closeness of the birds, but I think she had a fun time. :)

The park had a few other animals besides birds. We saw a crocodile, turtles, tortoise, snakes and a deer!

Australian Masked Owl

Blue and Green Macaw

Crocodile

Double-wattled Cassowary

Flamingo

Golden owl

Golden-breasted Starling

Great Hornbill

Painted Stork

Reed feeding a bird

White Bellied Sea Eagle

Reed's 32nd (8th) Birthday

Reed's coworkers decided to surprise Reed for his birthday, February 29th. Wil Choon, his coworker, called me to see if I'd be available to help him choose a cake. We didn't tell Reed about this, so when he came to pick me up for lunch, Ms. A and I were gone. Finally after calling the apartment five times, he decided to go to the restaurant. He was relieved to see Ms. A and I safe and sound. We had a delicious Thai lunch. After the candles were blown out, we ate the fabulous Chocolate Banana Cheesecake with Chocolate Ganache icing. YUMMY! :)

Hope you had a great birthday sweetheart! I love you! :)

Penang Bridge

We decided to take a drive across the Penang Bridge. Actually we wanted to go to the bird park and needed to cross the bridge to get there. The movie starts at the beginning and ends halfway across the bridge. It took us about 7 minutes to drive across it!
The total length of the bridge is 13.5 km (8.4 miles), making it among the longest bridges in the world, the longest bridge in the country as well as a national landmark. It is also the longest bridge in Southeast Asia.