GROCERY SHOPPING UP NORTH

Moving right along, here's a post of one of our trips to Johor Bahru (its a back dated post).

About once a month (if we can), we try to stock up on some cheap groceries in JB. And although the jams at the Causeways (on both sides of the countries) can be vomit-inducing (Ryan can vouch for that!) & sore on me (big) butt ... we "endure" it as best we can. Shopping in Malaysia does saves a lot of money & sometimes the variety is different too. Not forgetting the halal stuff they sell there, far exceeds what we have here in Singapore. Fine dining (if you can call eating in cafes, that) is definitely so much cheaper, especially if they have similar branches back home - like Secret Recipe, Oldtown (which coincidentally, isn't halal in Singapore), etc.

We always end up spending a lot of the time in the bigger supermarkets. Whilst there, Ryan always can't miss out on the kiddie rides, outside.

Looking very confident indeed. See how he "siam" the many supermarket trolleys around him. He's actually pretty good at not knocking people down nor being hit by the other kiddy riders.

Can you see the serious-looking Ryan, peering at the corner of his eyes? He's actually looking out for some errant drivers (kids) around him. Haha ... he hates being hit by them.

We dropped by a kid's playground. Its pretty huge! You would never see an indoor playground, this huge in a Singapore mall.

Finally, its time to eat. We had our makan at a small restaurant called Vivo (I think they're from the U.S - they serve mainly Western food & have other branches across Malaysia). The food is pretty tasty & very reasonably priced. A lot of the restaurants in Malaysia are Halal certified (reflected at the entrance of the shop or on their menus). If in doubt, don't be afraid to ask!

Ryan scribbling on the promotion pamphlet.

Waiting for the food to arrive (which was so bl**dy slow) ... reason being? They forgot one of our orders, arrgh! (I forgot to take photos of the food - no mood by then).

Ryan showing his Daddy the food he wants to eat, next time.

Yes, its (yet) another kiddy ride ... at another mall! The things we do to make our children, happy!

Hubby, the ever-present bodyguard ... not that Ryan needs any protecting, hehe!

Looking to check if Daddy is still behind him.

IN SO MANY WORDS

Lately, Ryan has been muttering lots of new words & phrases. Well, God knows where he picked up some of these words but some ... are definitely recognisable to me. Why you might ask are they familiar to muah? Errm ... because Ryan ... seem to enjoy "parrot-ing" after his "visibly-stressed-high pitched" Mummy. Yep, he seemed to have picked up some pretty "neat" lingo & figure of speech, courtesy of his Mama. And let me tell you, not everything that comes out of my mouth can be repeated in public or blogland.

Yes, I can have a real potty mouth at times (ok ok, most times) but I refrain from being too "colourful" in public. I'm afraid that Ryan will grow up to be equally as "colourful" as me when it comes to swearing, cursing, etc. I am however, keen for him to be like me (in some ways) - not afraid to voice out my opinions or feelings, being good with words, etc. but I am also afraid that he will turn out like me - usually a lot to say, but not willing to speak out, sometimes.

As a kid, I was rather timid (especially in primary school). That, coupled with being anti-social & a loner, I did not have many close friends then. Ryan displays some of that now ... he can be playful & sociable with people he knows - his extended family, his cousins, friends of the family, but with others, he's seems shy & afraid, distant even ... always hiding behind me (or Hubby) or covering his already small face. He would not even look at strangers (or neighbours) much less talk to them or even bid a cursory hello. Sigh! how can I blame him for being him ... when I was much the same when I was a kid.

Ok ... I'm digressing again. Well, all I wanted to say was ... Ryan's vocab is expanding exponentially & fast. It scares me ... and yet at the same time, it fascinates me. I sometimes wonder what new word will come out of his mouth. Its like a never-ending guessing game for me ... a game that's not about to end anytime soon.

P.S : Will try to update Ryan's Vocab List when I next get the chance.

Can you see his huge Transformers watch? (which he insists on wearing constantly)

BOWLING IN THE ARCADE

Which 2 year old doesn't love arcades? Ryan is no different. We were at the arcade & since most of the games are not within his reach (due to his small size) or his dexterity, his choices of games are (sorely) limited. Ahh! but there's a mini bowling game ... for the kiddies. Most times we don't indulge in the games because Ryan does not enjoy them but this bowling game is different. At least he gets to roll the mini ball across the tiny lane & see (if) it hit the many pins, at the other end. Most times we let him have a go at this, if he's been a good bunny the whole day ...

Raring to go!

Waiting ... waiting ... for the mini bowling ball to arrive.

Whilst Hubby tries to give Ryan a helping hand, my dear son ... valiantly refuses his Daddy's help, as he wants to do it on his own. Shucks ... the boy wants to be independent!

So delighted that he hit his mark!

Reaching for the ball.

More waiting around ... tick tock, tick tock!

Aww! ... I managed to catch a priceless photo of my two boys. Its of Hubby giving his precious boy a (stolen) kiss on the head. Isn't that sooo precious! I guess that's why I love Hubby ... he shows his love in the most unpredictable & unexpected way. Some guys are extremely shy about kissing their kids in public (not manly to them?). I'm happy to note that Hubby isn't one of those men. Ryan is so lucky to have him (Hubby) as his Daddy.

There's a lot of waiting in this game (like most bowling outings).

Hubby giving Ryan a hand ... yet again!

RANDOM PICS - JOLLY RIDES

Haven't had a random pics entry, full of kiddy rides ... for a while now. Haha! not that its THAT interesting. I guess Ryan is not as obsessed (as then) with these rides. Don't get me wrong, he still l-o-v-e-s them & insists on at least sitting on the rides (we don't indulge in paid rides often, these days). So I hope ... slowly but surely, Ryan will tire of these playthings ... soon!

These were taken at Vivo City (I think).

Hello Noddy! Long time no see!

Having a good time with Noddy!

Sitting on the carousel.

Looking very happy indeed!

A STOPOVER AT BOTTLE NECK PARK

We have been to this park a couple of times, the most recent with my niece Ayra. The two kids had a fun time there. Pictures are here. This time round its just the three of us. It was a late Sunday morning, so it was kinda scorching then.

Ryan, on the bulldozer "ride" (which was coincidentally rather filthy)

He was squinting his eyes (due to the sun's rays).

On the swing!

I just loved seeing these two on the swings. I remembered the first time Ryan was on a swing ... he was petrified. My son has come a long way since then, as he loves to go on the the swings these days. In fact, he protests when its time to leave. Can you see the big smiles on their faces? Its times like these, when I see the joy and the bond these two boys have, that I know I did the right thing. To be here, to be present to witness this ... is worth a million bucks! I'm just glad that I was there, to capture it in print. I hope these two guys will get to spend more precious time together & I hope they will always be as loving and as close as now ... or even closer.

Look at the joy on his face! Doesn't it make ... everything worth it ?!

Taking a breather, under the shades.

There are fishes to be seen ... if you can find them, that is.

Can you see the scorching heat, in the background?

BACK ON TRACK

Well, here I am starting off my backlog of photos and stories. I (will surely) try my best to get them all up to date. So the next (of many) entries are older pics ... opps! I just checked the dates ... as far back as August 2009! Yes, I know .... I'm a hor-rible blogger but I hope I'm (soon) on the way to becoming a better Mummy .. hehe! (no connection, rite? whatever!)

For a start, here are some pics I took, during one of our usual simple weekend jaunts. This time we headed to far faraway Marine Parade. Whilst walking to the ever popular (& crowded) Parkway Parade, Ryan saw this small playground & wanted to stop awhile. So we did ...

These next couple of photos were taken in the basement of Parkway (outside Cold Storage, I think). For everyone's knowledge, my Ryan just loves crabs. No, not eating them ... nope, but watching and finding them. To nearly every supermarket or hypermart that we step into, he will bug us (to bring him) to see the crabs at the frozen or wet section. Usually its poor hubby who has to lug his little boy to see them crabs. Funny how, after Ryan sees them, he usually gets rather scared of them (especially the ones that are moving). So folks, whenever there are crabs ... Ryan would surely make a beeline for them. (Errm, unlike me ... I'll rather eat them, haha!)

In front of Mr Crab!

Does it look like he was holding up the 2 crabs? (I told him to lift up his hands for the pic).

A short stop at the Thomas the Train ride.

Last stop, the Spiderman ride.

JUST A SHORT UPDATE

Ok, just wanted to get an entry in. I noticed my backlog of photos staring at me ... and I can't believe the amount of stuff I gotta write. Haha, yes I know ... no one's forcing me to write on my blog, no one's giving me a hard time to get my family's life in print. I guess I'm giving myself the "pressure" to get the photos (& stories that go with them) up here in blogland. I just don't wanna miss all the special moments that we shared as a family. Besides ... the mind is getting old & the memory's not as good as when I was much younger, so I guess it helps a lot ... to put words to the thousands of photos that I constantly take.

Here's 2 pics for the record. We went to a fish farm last weekend. We have been here before, as you can see here. (The kids were so much younger then.) My sweet niece was with us & as usual Ryan enjoys any trip out with his favourite Kakak. I have a bunch of cute pics for this outing but will get them up as soon as I can. Enjoy!

Errm ... why does Ryan look nonchalant & bored? At least, Miss Ayra sweetly poses for the camera (with her ever popular peace sign).

Is Ryan channelling his inner Beng here? (Look at his horrible posture!) He better NOT!