Christmas Party 2014 - Christmas-themed mini concert

The children attended Christmas party organized by their music school. This is the closest they got to experience Christmas as we do not celebrate it at home. They have a mini concert during Christmas party, with food too. It costs RM45 per child and RM70 per adult (汗!).

Our excited children waiting for concert to start

Their concert attire is determined in advance. Cherry's group have to wear white dress, white shoes and a Christmas-style headband (she got the headband later so that's why she is not wearing it yet). Didi's group (for boys) are to wear white shirt, black pants and black shoes. We bought everything new for Didi as he doesn't have this type of more formal looking clothes, and he could use them later. Imagine the difficulty to buy dark pants which is not jeans at that time, just because the children's fashion is pushing out different style/colour :( And looks like this little party created havoc depleting white dresses for girls as so many of them rushing to buy at the same time frame.

The children in their concert attire. Cherry hated the eye makeup I did for her.
Kalau pandai nanti sendiri buat la ya :P

Even though it's a mini concert, they have to rehearse meticulously for it, even it's just singing in group (not even like choir yet). Too bad Didi couldn't attend any of the sessions, so he just practise the lyrics at home. His music teacher also try to help, make some time in class to teach him the percussion part. Then went straight for the final rehearsal :P

Final rehearsal at the actual stage

They were in different group so different rehearsal times even for final rehearsal. We waited with Baby Orange here for Didi while having a snack.

Cherry and her beloved Baby Orange, they love each other.

Baby Orange at Gurney Drive beach - even though not really a beach :P

Us and Baby Orange. OK, I admit Papa takes much better photos.

The Christmas Party starts in the evening. Papa accompanies them so Baby Orange and I stay at home.

Children at Christmas Party venue

So here's the songs they performed, nothing spectacular, just for fun.
Cherry's group performance is "Tropical Wonderland" (instead of Winter Wonderland you know).

 Didi's group performed Jingle Bells and Joy To The World.

Then it was "We Wish You A Merry Christmas"

They were excited spotting some desserts loved by all kids, other than the standard buffet spread. Managed to snuck food between performances.

Food at the party

They got lucky draw prize - ukulele. Didn't have time to arrange to learn or anything :P

Oriental Santa - Is this one of the staff as Santa? Or teacher's boss? :) 

Ceramic Art Workshop at Muzium dan Galeri Tuanku Fauziah, USM

Started the day early during school holidays with a ceramic art workshop (RM10 per child) at Muzium dan Galeri Tuanku Fauziah USM. It's the type of activity both children like very much.

In front of Muzium & Galeri Tuanku Fauziah USM

Waiting for ceramic art workshop to start

Listening intently to the expert

Getting their hands-on work for ceramic art workshop

Getting advise from the expert

Their finished ceramic art piece before it is sent for firing.
Them in their RM5 children's apron from Daiso :)

The children would be very interested to be back for a batik and tie-dye workshop but didn't get a chance this holidays. So note to self, arrange one this year for them :)

How I wish their school could arrange for such session! Ceramic art is part of their KSSR Dunia Seni syllabus so it is so much better if they can come in school group. I know that USM has traditional music group too, just not sure how to get the children to attend a session of traditional music as it is should be interesting to them. After all, they learn about traditional music from their BM textbooks too.

Of course, since they are in the museum, they took the opportunity to look around. Pretty interesting exhibits there.

Muzium dan Galeri Tuanku Fauziah, USM

Astronomy display at Muzium dan Galeri Tuanku Fauziah, USM

Mock flight cockpit at Muzium dan Galeri Tuanku Fauziah, USM

I think science corner? at Muzium dan Galeri Tuanku Fauziah, USM

Marine and nature display at Muzium dan Galeri Tuanku Fauziah, USM

Mini dinosaur display at Muzium dan Galeri Tuanku Fauziah, USM

Mini dinosaur display at Muzium dan Galeri Tuanku Fauziah, USM

Gua Gunung Runtuh at Muzium dan Galeri Tuanku Fauziah, USM

About rubber and farming industry

More mock units

Wayang kulit display at Muzium dan Galeri Tuanku Fauziah, USM

Penang International Science Fair 2014 and Magic of Science Roadshows

Cherry got selected to attend Penang International Science Fair 2014 (PISF 2014) with her schoolmates. She was part of the school group that went in a bus :) She was so happy as this is the kind of activity she likes.

Her photo from Penang International Science Fair 2014

Another souvenir she got by completing a science challenge

Solar Car workshop - Penang International Science Fair 2014

She told us her teacher chose Year 4 students to attend Solar Car workshop. She enjoyed the Solar Car workshop as she manage to assemble and get it working at the workshop, and she get to bring home her success story. Before the workshop starts they were treated to breakfast of beehoon with nuggets and sausage.

After the workshop, the students were allowed free time to visit exhibition booths. She played games and got some freebies and balloons. Before they leave, they got a lunch box too. I wonder who sponsored their food there as parents didn't pay :p She told me all the school groups got the food packs.

She was back just in time to go for her English class. She was very happy showing off to 哥哥:p He didn't get to go as we are anti-crowd. I still don't really understand the part about it being an "international fair" after her visit.

Magic of Science Roadshows at Queensbay Mall

The same organizer for PISF also did the Magic of Science Roadshows. Somehow we manage to attend two, all at the same mall, QBM :) These Science stuff are all the rage in Penang as we will have a Tech-Dome Penang coming up soon in 2015. The roadshows are a 'pre-heat' to the opening of Tech-Dome.

During the first time Magic of Science Roadshow is at QBM, they had the digital planetarium show which we missed. There was such long queue and we didn't have time to wait for the show 1 hour later. Wished we had the chance to visit, as they didn't have the digital planetarium show after this, too bad. The children didn't have time to complete the full booths to get their cotton candy too, and were sad about it.

Magic of Science Roadshow at QBM in August - mixing up slime :P

Magic of Science Roadshow at QBM in August - see-saw balance beam

Magic of Science Roadshow at QBM in August - wobble detector

Magic of Science Roadshow at QBM in August - sign says wobble detector, but it looks like some circuit?

When Magic of Science Roadshow came back again in December, they manage to complete the activities needed to get their cotton candy reward. They keep showing Baby Orange the box that projects rainbow when torch is shone. Just so happens that 哥哥 was wearing the same t-shirt for both times at the roadshow :P

Magic of Science Roadshow at QBM - first stop making box that projects rainbow!

Magic of Science Roadshow at QBM - floating activity?

Magic of Science Roadshow at QBM

Magic of Science Roadshow at QBM - molding their craft

Magic of Science Roadshow at QBM - making santa

Magic of Science Roadshow at QBM - completed mission!

We are lucky to be in Penang as there are so many activities for children that are fun and educational!

Baby Orange Month 6 Update

In fact, Baby Orange's paediatrician gave us the go-ahead to start solids such as apples, bananas and rice cereal for his 5 month visit. We only let him start to have a taste of apples and baby rice cereal from about 5 months 2 weeks.

His first taste of apple! Doesn't look like he likes apple :)

Another angle feeding him mashed apple

This time feeding him formula milk using spoon

Cherry feeding Baby Orange formula milk using spoon

I don't think this is cereal yet :)

Papa went around looking for plain rice cereal at nearby Tesco but couldn't find (much later only found it there). Hm... they had assorted rice with something example, rice with fruits, rice with veggies, rice with honey etc but not plain rice cereal. We went all the way to Sunshine Square to look for it. Luckily they have it in various sizes. We got the smallest pack there of 225g. There are two variants, one is just add water and one needs to add milk. Since we have our own formula milk, we decided to get the plainest one which is to add milk. We saw they have small tin formula milk of the brand we bought. The one we had is 900g from Tesco! This small tin size is much more appropriate size for trial especially for infant formula. Now you know preparation is very important prior to baby arriving. Don't end up like us, leave things to last minute and now we ended up with big tin of unfinished infant formula.

In his brother and sister's room

His little beginnings of crawling

We start to see signs of him flip over and making some crawling moves :P

All smiles one fine morning :)

Looked like taking selfie here, just coincidence

Then looking pitiful and small in Papa's arms

He loves his older brother and sister. Loves to play with them.

On shopping trip

Lounging at home

Cherry and Pineapple eat and eat while Baby Orange is sleeping in his stroller :P

Cherry with Oppa! Baby Orange's stroller beside her

When he's awake, and at 6 months still willing to be in the stroller

Thunder thighs at 6 months

Wow look at his thighs here :P

The morning before going to paediatric clinic for jab jab. He weighs 7.2 kg at this visit.

Looking happy

Playing on Cherry's bed

Waiting with Pineapple

After the jab, wasn't so happy, but still smile after coaxing

Here's a video of Baby Orange learning to crawl about a week later after the jab.