MAKING PLACECARDS FOR GRANDMA'S BIRTHDAY

First, I cut up some nice coloured paper and folded them to make the cards.

Then I got a fern from the garden and cut it up into 'little ferns'.

Using a glue gun, I put a little glue on the back of each little fern.

I then stuck each little fern to a card that I had cut.

It was time to write our names on the cards.

I found some matching serviettes and folded them.

I then set the table.

My Grandma and The Chef.

We ended up eating outside instead!!

HARVESTING SWEET POTATOES

Mum and I started our vegetable and herb garden project about 6 months ago. Here I will show you how we harvested some sweet potatoes last weekend. In future we will develop a separate blog for our herbs and vegetables, but for now . . . . . .

Before beginning work, I say hello to my friend, the baby monitor lizard.
(Enlarge pic to see it sunning itself)

The plot that we are going to harvest today - Taiwanese sweet potatoes. We got the initial plant slips for these from Amah.

First pull up all the plant including the roots. The younger leaves can be set aside to eat although the leaves of this particular type of sweet potato leaves are more bitter than our local strain. Some potatoes will still be attached to the roots. After that dig up the potatoes in the ground. This has to be done firmly but gently so as not to cut or damage the potatoes. It is like finding nuggets of treasure hidden in the ground!

Collect them all in a basket.

Here are all our sweet potatoes!

Give the potatoes a quick wash. We found that this batch of potatoes were not so sweet as we had left them in the ground for too long, ie. more than four months instead of three. In vegetable gardens, mistakes are time costly but is part of the hands on learning process. We have combined information we have got from books, the internet, Amah, some friends who have vege gardens themselves and of course from our own mistakes.

In the foreground, the newly replanted sweet potato leaves.
The leaves will be ready to pluck in about 3 weeks but the actual sweet potatoes can only be harvested in about 3 months. In the next plot we have planted two types of other potatoes - Indonesian Potatoes and Russett Potatoes. Our first try at normal potatoes failed so we are keeping our fingers crossed.

In the foreground, the newly dug up sweet potato plot. Proper crop rotation practices mean we should try not to plant the same vege in the same plot for about 3 years. After 6 months of beginning our vegetable garden, we now have 31 plots which is about all that this area of the garden can handle.

OUR PICTURE FRAME PROJECT

Notice the pictures on the wall? They were the result of a previous project we did. We took flowers or leaves, put paint on them, and printed the motifs on to some paper. Then we had them framed.

This was the motif that I did, frangipanis. Leon did the second motif and Aunty Sook Pin who is very good at drawing and art did the remaining two pictures.

HOME MADE NOODLES

Papa teaching me how to make noodles. After kneading the dough

made from flour eggs and water, we put the dough

through the machine.

Aunty Sook Pin and I gobbling up the noodles I made.

MY ULAT BUKU

Our school has an "Ulat Buku" (book worm) reading programme whereby we note down in our Ulat Buku book each book that we read. Yesterday I was termed a "Nobel Cemerlang" as I had read and recorded 34 books so far this year. Here is a schedule of our Ulat Buku.

10-20 books = Nobel Bintang (Star Noble)
21-30 books = Nobel Bestari (Intelligent Noble)
31-40 books = Nobel Cemerlang (Excellent Noble)
more than 40 books = Biblioholist

For the next round, I intend to become a biblioholist. A biblioholist is a person with an addiction to books and/or reading. I do need to diligently record each book I read as in the last round I did not put on record each and every book I read. I want to aim for about 60 books this time which means more regular visits to the library or I will read my Dad out of house and home which will not be a good thing I think.

Above is a picture of me with my "Ulat Buku" record book and below here are some pictures of me over the years with some of my books.

Reading in the walk-in-wardrobe.

Leon says this is a good way of reading
where you just "sit in the book" and so you
do not need to make an actual effort to read.

Papa with a rotan (cane) to "help" us with our Chinese characters!!

With Grandma reading on the swing.

Opening the birthday gift Auntie Mae sent me from Amazon.com!

Now Grandma, this here is a rhinoceros and not a hippopotamus, ok.

Our Christmas presents from Auntie Sook Pin.

In Club Med, Cherating, before Ryan was born.

Reading to Amah.

Ok Ryan, now read this part to me.

All the menfolk sleeping while I read.

Another day, another book.

Reading a Thomas book within our train set!

Reading with Bruni on my lap.

Have book will read.

Note in Bahasa Malaysia : Biblioholist adalah jolokan bagi orang yang memang tidak dapat hidup tanpa buku.

MY MOSS PROJECT

Mummy and I are into a number of projects, including a vegetable and herb garden, making bookmarks and learning how to cross stitch. This moss project was our most recent one.

First, find some moss.

With a flat scraper, scrape out some moss,
taking as much compacted soil underneath as possible.

Put some porous rocks to line the decorative pot;

(ours used to hold a bonsai arrangement), and line the
moss on top of the stones.
Wallah! You have a nice pleasant moss arrangement!

This temple on a stone hill was part of an original bonsai

arrangement that died out about 10 years ago, before I was born!

MY ARTWORK

This Is A Picture For Papa.

Just For Mummy.

Kaleidescope.

Kaleidescope 2.

Colours.

Butterflies.

Pattern.

Glitter.

Glitter - The Sequel.

Lines.

CLAP

I gave Mummy these papers with instructions for her to clap to give me instructions. She was allowed to clap instead of speaking which would have made her voice tired!


drink a glass of water myself
clap once

shower fast
clap twice

ties hair neetly
clap three times

do homework fast
clap four times

concentrate on whatever I am doing
clap five times

MY LIL' TONI

We have a little girl named Toni
She is such sweet company
Well - that is almost all the time
'cept when she decised to be grumpy.

Her hair is usually well brushed and neat
She implores us to keep it long

She'll stay for hours looking at flowers
"My Favourite Things" is her favourite song.

Like a clock, truth is written on her face
Her Dad says she'll make a good lawyer
She'd remind you of things inconsistent
You'd know what I mean if you meet her.

Books - she ravenously reads them
At great speed goes through one by one
Her favourite authors Enid Blyton
But most books she finds really fun.

My girl is a chirpy little thing
Seeing some good in all weather
She loves different kinds of sweets
But doesn't like fruit that is sour.

Toni has a number of nicknames
"My Shadow", "Sunshine", "This n' That"
I sometimes call her "My Sidekick"
'Cause, on many an errand by my side she sat.

She is the most understanding child I've ever known
She has the most patient of virtues
Although she has got to that stage and age
That she constantly tries on my shoes.

Come dark when her little feet grow weary
And her eyes get droopy at night
We pray she'd have peace and God's rest
As she sleeps till morning's light.

Mummy
15 October 2006

MY DAD AND I

A nice snuggle.

A morning walk.

In Papa's office.

Sitting in Noddy's car.

Port Dickson.

At the bird park.

Phew. Lets have a stop here to rest my little legs.

Getting some support practising for my kindy concert.

Sofitel, Johor.

A great way to usher in Chinese New Year.

Chatting.

Sumo wrestling.

A morning walk.

Taking a dip.
Avillion, Port Dickson.

A sunny afternoon in the garden.

Hole in One.
TPCC Family Day.

Lets check out Bruni's paws.

This sure beats peddling myself.

MOMMY DEAREST

In a comfortable nook.







Mummy, Toni and Elmo.







Fun at the beach.
Port Dickson.






A cuddle.
Cyberview Lodge, Putrajaya.







At the site of our new home.








Beginnings of a sand castle.
Cherating.







At Toni's 3rd Birthday. She
spent half the party staring
at her beautiful cake!





In our garden.
Chinese New Year 2003.








To town by train for the day.








At Big Chiefs with Bo Bo the horse.








Jacarandas all around.








Enjoying the cool breeze.
Avillion, Port Dickson.









Visiting Jamie.










Shopping.









An evening in Bali.

I LOVE TO GO A WANDERING

I love to go a wondering along the mountain tram andasigoIlove to sing anapsek onMyback valdari waldara valderi Valderahahaha valderianepsak on my back.

THE EARLY YEARS

With Dumbo, the flying elephant.

My cheeky grin.

Bouncing on the Jolly Jumper.

Hello camera.

What's up there?

Cyberview Lodge, Putrajaya.

One of my favourite pass times.

Ms cool.

Gee, where is the golf ball?

My best hat.

First plane trip to Australia.

Can't recognise myself here.

Mummy's dainty little girl.

So the distance to the moon is . . . hhmmm . . .

I'm so shy, I'm gonna try to hide behind this pole.

Gi-dee-up elephant.

Fun in the sun.

The beginnings of my love affair with long hair.

My red overalls.

Putting dolly to sleep.

Gee, Mum needs to improve her cooking!

Barbi cake for my 3rd birthday.

Celebratory remnants from Leon and my birthday party.

THE MIDDLE YEARS.

Merry Christmas to you!

With one of our ducks.

Helping Amah harvest sweet potatoes.

Face painting.

At "Big Chiefs".

Giddy-Up!

With Roman.

Chinese New Year 2004.

Cherating, East Coast, Malaysia.

Cherating, East Coast, Malaysia.

At Steve Urwin's Australia Zoo.

Noosa Heads, Queensland.

Batu Dam, Kuala Lumpur.

Its a wonderful wonderful world!

Giggles at the Lake Gardens.

With the umbrella Grandma bought me.

Santa, hope you can see just how good I am.

THE GROWING YEARS

Whee!! Port Dickson.

With my cute dog, Snowy.

Homework.

Waiting while Papa and Leon fish.

First attempt at roller-blading.

Going up, up, up in the air!

My new puppy Bruni.

Choosing my cake for my 6th birthday.

At kindy with the cake I chose.

My 6th birthday.

Glass painting.

Bruni and I.

Sports day at kindy.

Christmas deco all around.

Hey scary lion!!

Chinese New Year 2006.

Looking out. Bali.

A quiet smile.

Drawing at Sri Hartamas.

My 7th Birthday.

TROPHY

On monday I won a trophy in my school . I came out forth in an English competition. I feel very happy. (S J K (C) KUEN CHENG (2).

MESSAGE FROM PAPA

Dear Toni and Leon,

Recently, Papa is rather happy that both of you together with Mummy have started learning Mandarin in the fun way.

I hope this fun process will continue until all three of you become proficient in the language.

Do remember reviewing your Science in English too. It will be very useful later in your lives.


Your very loving Papa

Dear papa

Dear papa,

How are you today?

As for me, I woke up early today.

And I got to school early too.
  
I hope you have had a wonderful day.

LAST DAY AT GREEN APPLE

TOH MAY FOOK
LOT20 JALAN 3/2
PERSIARAN BUKIT TAKUN
TEMPLER HEIGHTS, 48000 RAWANG
TEL & FAX: 603 60918982  H/P 012 3291063  E-MAIL tmf@pc.jaring.my

16th December 2005

The Principal and all the staff
Taska Apple Kindercare
Selayang Jaya
Selangor

Dear Madam and Ladies,

RE: Letter of Appreciation

As today is the last day for Toni and Leon to spend with their classmates and with all of you at Taska Apple Kindercare, we their parents would like to take this opportunity to express our deep appreciation for all your care and guidance extended to our children during the last few years.

We are aware of your challenges in discharging your responsibility to all those little angels who more often than not, were also capable of causing tremendous problems and stress to all of you. And yet, under the loving and able stewardship of Madam Lim and with the dedication from all the staff, today, they have completed their studies and growing up with you. We are sure they will remember the time spent with fondness.

We would also like to express our special thanks to Teacher Tang for her guidance extended to our children, especially in regards to character development. We were often impressed that Teacher Tang, like Madam Lim, truly pays personal attention to everyone of the children. They deserve our deep respect.

To all the other staff, we are also indebted to each and everyone of you in helping to care and guide our children during the last few years; we wish the best to all of you.

Do keep up with your good work, and do remember that we truly appreciate all that you have done. Yours is indeed a noble profession.

Yours Sincerely,



Robyn and May Fook Toh

MY FAVOURITE THINGS

This is something Toni wrote down in Oct 2005 when she was 6 - part lyrics of one of her favourite songs :

Rain drops on roseses and
Whiskerson kittens bright
cople catles and warm
wolen mittens brown paper
Pagages tyied up whit strings
these a few of
my favourite things