Yes ! i’m late again – Father’s Day was like a month ago – but what can you do when you are so busy with work and eating out so often .. muahahhaah!!  Not being a slacker but really busy and too much entertainment of late.  Anyhow, we went to Jungle Jims – our favorite place to eat in town.  Not only is the food of huge portion – the service is friendly – that’s the reason why we tip good too.

And more importantly – Jungle Jims is kids friendly – they have drawing and crayons for Chloe to entertain herself with – she just lovessss during and do the puzzles.

2 can eat for $11.95 at Jungle Jims therefore – it will never break the your bank account.  As usual PB ordered his onion rings and we settled for fish and chips for father and daughter – while i had something else.

This is all that Chloe would eat – therefore we only order 2 meals and a side dish.

Look at all big the portion of fish and chips is – a portion of it had already been scooped out for Chloe.  I can’t finish all that – neither could PB.

I had an onion soup with a BLT sandwich – i haven’t had this for a long time and this time the soup was perfect.  The wholewheat bread was also fresh.

So the pleasant surprise like i said on the title – we were minding our own business and Chloe was drawing when a nice older couple came to my side and said this to me.  ” I have to tell you something”  I was very surprised lah – afterall – the older couple was a complete stranger right.  And this was what she said  :”  you have a very beautiful and well-behaved daughter” Awwww.. !! so sweet right.  You see – Chloe unlike other kids would never run around any restaurant or be rowdy in public.  The reason why? is because we’ve always told her.. that other stores ain’t her store – so she cannot behave that way.  So from very young – toddler – she knows it – and anything she fuss up – out she goes back home or the store.  So whenever we are in the restaurant – she sits put – till we are ready to go.

Yes..! i tell PB we have to count our blessings and I too need to count mine – because PB takes care of Chloe whenever needed – whether is going to pee – for many years ( he would be the one to bring her) because of my poor health – i can’t bend over and help chloe.  Like this picture – Chloe had something on her face – PB took care of it immediately – i didn’t have to do nothing.

Ice cream sundae for a treat for Chloe but she never finishes it and PB gotta eat half of it for her – but the twinkles she eats them all.

Chloe and Teddy getting ready to say good bye to the gold fishes.

As you all know, Chloe had been going to Grammie’s on her own since March break – it gives us a little time to do our things, look for MP3 players that i wanted for gifts for the kids in school.  Plus it gives her plenty of sunshine and undivided attention from her Grandparents and Aunt Helena.  But what’s most delightful for Chloe is the baking she does with her Grammie.

So recently, Chloe and her grammie baked a coconut based cake the other day and she was mighty proud of it and was determined to eat it the night she came back.  We had to hold off because it was already late that night, she didn’t fuss much but we did give her some the next night and she was delighted.

Yes! we control her sugar intake because firstly, i’m diabetic and secondly – I don’t want her to be only full of sugar inside and no properly nutrition.  What about you?  how much sweets do you allow your kids..?? i have seen some kids have like a whole bar of chocolates or a lot of pizzas or candy bars or lollies.

When you have a kid like I do – you want to give them the best – in terms of everything.  Food is what we cannot go without and as parents, we want to feed our kids well – not just any kind of food but healthy ones.  And every summer – we buy freezies and pops that are either premade with lots of sugar or ingredients that we are reluctant to let Chloe eat.

So I’ve decided to buy this Zoku Quick Pop Maker instead, it’s not only easy – it’s definitely something every parents would want.   It’s so easy to make your own pop- your kids can even help with it.  Use all the real and good ingredients and never have to worry about your kids having too much sugar in their body, plus it’s definitely good for diabetics like myself.   A good investment at $49.95 – shipping was free too.

I’m sure I told you – my mom never let us do anything in the kitchen – firstly, she was too busy and secondly, i secretly thinks, she was afraid we might break something in the kitchen.  But having said that – she wouldn’t let us touch anything – from the phone to the tv and even the treadmill in the recreation room when we were kids.  So I told myself – when i was very young, I would never do this to my kids.

But you see when you grow older and you have responsibilities you then know the real reason why your mothers didn’t want you to do anything in the kitchen.  Why? because at times, i catch myself telling Chloe – that she should just let me cook or wash up quickly – so that i can go and finish my other tasks.  I am very vigilant about this – and make sure I let Chloe cook and wash whenever she wants – so that we can bond – she doesn’t really clean or cook but she is always very happy when she thinks she is helping out and what better way to teach your kids responsibilities and to share your day with her then now.

As you can see – Chloe is darn serious about her “job” – she wants to be a real mama’s helper – and thanks to Auntie CY and Rachel Jeh Jeh from UK who made it possible by sending her a special kid’s apron and cook hat last Christmas.  As you can see here – she just loved her outfit and never fails to put them on – when she is being mama’s helper for the day.

So moms and dads – make time for your kids – they don’t stay this young forever – you don’t want to miss these special moments with them.  And you know what? when Chloe is older – she will learn how to build computers – man the store and do lots of other things with us.

I’ve always wanted to have the All Day Breakfast at Jungle Jim’s – so 2 weeks ago – even though it was lunch time – i decided to try their all day breakfast of the Ham and Cheese Omelet.  But i was torn in between the french toast and the omelet but chose the omelet instead for fear that the french toast may have too much sugar for my diabetic me. The omelet turned out pretty good – and i wasn’t expecting potatoes with it – so it was indeed very filling.

PB and Chloe had their fish and chips from their lunch special and a side order of Onion Rings  – as you can see lots of food as usual and only at $5.95 – cant beat that eh.

The coffee came free with the breakfast and this trip the coffee was pretty good – i finished my coffee – in fact I was tempted to have another half a cup but didn’t.  I had asked PB if he remembered how much the omelet was – he said he didn’t remember – but he rarely looked at the prices at Jungle Jim’s because the prices are very reasonable.

We like Jungle Jim’s too because it’s Chloe’s favorite as it is kid friendly. They  have special juice cups for them – and they have a treasure chest for them to pick a prize after they’ve finished eating their food.  As you all know – chloe loves drawing  and Jungle Jim’s has papers and crayons for her to color.

The staff are friendly – they have Tabasco sauce there !!  woohoo!!  and the owner of the establishment is really nice and friendly.

And they let us snap away happily – and this mandatory photo of father and daughter – for keepsake.

And i tried to take a good picture with the lil’ brat – but she just wanna cover up my face i guess – probably thinks mama is obese -  kekekekek!! so doing me a favor eh.

This wasn’t made by me – haha!  this was a project from Chloe and Grammie.  Yes! they do lots of things when Chloe visits on Saturdays and holidays.  Today while going to school in the morning, she told us that Grammie taught her to knit but not the fancy stuff she said – just a straight line.  She said she was going to knit a scarf for PB – because i already am wearing a scarf  and she can’t do her toque that Grammie knit for her every year – because Grammie only taught her how to knit one way.  It was very hard work she said – hahhaa!!  I didn’t managed to take a better picture of it because it was pretty late when we got home that nite and I didn’t want to tempt the lil’ brat else she would wanna eat it that nite.

Another eating milestone for Chloe – she finally decided to try a Granola Bar last week and loved it.  So now we have another alternative for snack food on the go and also for her snack break in school.  But my worry is – if the Granola Bar is healthy? because we all know that some of these granola bars are packed with sugar – in fact I can’t eat the granola bar because of the amount of sugar there is in them.

Plus next week, Chloe’s school requires that they bring only healthy snacks for the next few days – so only fruits, pretzels and popcorn (nuts and dried fruit are also healthy – but she don’t eat them).  But if anyone got any other suggestions – please feel free to share eh.

Happy belated Easter everyone..!  so did the Easter Bunny bring you lots of candies..???  We had plenty for this Easter but you have to know that we had 4 Easter hunts with Chloe.  This Easter loot was for our dear friend’s daughter – Sarah.  But of course, Sarah’s mom already came by before Easter and gave Chloe a even bigger loot with coloring books, stickers and toys – of course lots of chocolates.

We on the other hand didn’t have time for a luxury and could only shop for candies – so Chloe’s classmates had lots of chocolates, cakes and her friends had a bagful of chocolate like the one above.   This year we are a lot active since Chloe is a lot older and she is into the hunt big time.  We had a celebration at Chloe’s school and then at the local car dealer and a hunt at the church – followed by a hunt at our own home and of course her grandparents.  So how was your Easter..??

Chloe at the Easter Hunt with her friends in church – like Adele said – it was our yearly ritual now.  Chloe so enjoyed it but this year there were no lucky draw but treat bags for everyone on top of the eggs they collected.

Last week during March break – Chloe went to visit her grandparent’s on her own for the first time.  In fact, she went back again the next day and again on Saturday – because she had so much fun out there.  Grammie’s and Grampie’s has lots of garden to play with and they did all sorts of things  – from planting peas to digging worms and learned to shoo the cats away.   But the most important thing Chloe did was bake a cake with her grammie and then stick flags that Auntie Anna had sent from USA last year.  Of course – the frosting had to be pink!  so if you see any cakes in pink – it had to be Chloe’s cake.

My Chloe is a very blessed girl  – not only did she recieved another ang pow all the way from Malaysia from Auntie Barb and Ashley – she also received an Winter Olympic Toque and a Valentine Chocolate from Auntie Macy & William from Vancouver.  This Auntie Barb is so tech savvy and sent her ang pow by paypal some more!  super tokong right ..??  Thank You .. Barb and Macy .. for your thoughtfulness..!

We don’t really get to celebrate Chinese New Year here in Canada but this year – we were not only invited for a get together with some chinese kids and their families, Chloe also received a ang pow mailed all the way from Singapore.  Of course – we all know who it is from – it’s from her Kai Mah !   Chloe’s Kai Mah is really , really thoughtful and you will see why below.

Chloe was very excited and cannot wait to show off her ang pow to everyone – it was already night time by the time we brought it home because it was a registered mail.

Not only was there money in it – they were “new” money – something I haven’t seen nor practice for the longest time since arriving here in Canada.  As much as I would love to keep tradition going for Chloe – it is sometimes hard to do so – because I can’t even find an ang pow without getting it from the city.  But we do try and it is people like her Kai Mah from Singapore that helps with teaching Chloe the culture I grew up in – afterall, she is half Chinese eh.

We rarely eat at our local McDonald’s because they really, really sux!  big time!   but since we were getting some free insurance quotes – we decided to head there first.  But the food is not only mediocre – they get your order wrong – don’t give you the proper condiments to go with your food  – charge you wrong and on top of it – no indoor or outdoor playground for the kids.  While other McDonald’s in the city would have renovated at least a few times since I’ve been in Canada – this one refuses to upgrade to a better environment.  But i can’t blame them – why spend more money when the ppl still come and eat and have their kid’s party there.

But we went anyways – because it was PB’s attempt to try and make my Sunday a good one – coz’ i complain A LOT!  that my Sundays are not fruitful.  And of course – they did all the above – as mentioned – Chloe entertained herself with the very little they had there – we ended up half full after spending like almost $9 on a pancake (no butter given) – 2 hashbrowns (that were not ready) – a sausage Mcmuffin (but turned out to be with eggs when we specifically told them no eggs please) and a large coffee because that was the deal they said (but i ended up paying more by $0.50)

While we were there – an employee was mopping the floor and i can understand why she did it at that time – since that was in between breakfast and lunch.  But boy! i wouldn’t want any old folks to be walking in or out because the floor was so wet – you could probably kill yourself if you slip on it.

We brought Chloe’s own milk as you can see – she finished like half a pancake and a bite of the hashbrown and that was it.  So pretty much a big waste.  No i don’t like going to Mcdonald’s in this town.

So Mr R was up in the city and so generously offered to go pick up some Chinese food from the Asian Grocery store for us at Queen Street.  We ordered a box of food and miscellaneous and we had fish cake with Wanton noodles.  I haven’t had wanton noodles for a few months now – so it was really good.  Chloe loves it but she had hers with chicken – because she refuses to eat fish cake therefore I have to go to www.supplementreviews.org to read all about the stuff i have to give to chloe for an alternative.

Chloe is so fussy with her food – it really makes it hard for me to cook anything for her – so i try to slip in the good stuff for her – even though it’s little..  i feel it is better than none.  She loves her wanton noodles and luncheon meat though – you can offer it to her everyday .. and she will have no problems with it.

Chloe is a very fussy eater who would love to have pond kits like any other kids.  I’m sure you all know by now but she never refuses mashed potatoes with ham and corn.  So this is what we give her on Sundays when we don’t have to work and the “ang moh” can cook for her.  I only cook lunch for her and dinner – “ang moh” gotta do it for himself and Chloe.  I wished i could give her this for lunch every day when she is in school but if we did, she wouldn’t eat them all – either she wouldn’t finish her potatoes or her corn.  I think it is because we have to dump everything into a thermos, therefore it probably doesn’t look as nice – and plus she is in a hurry to go out and play with her friends – so usually end up not finished – sometimes really hard to please that kid.  Most kids at this age eats just about everything right?  but nope .. not mind * roll eyes *

As you all know Chloe had been sick for a few weeks now – from a cold to cough and then very bad sore throat – followed by suspected asthma and then this morning – diarrhea.  As all mothers would know – it is darn hard to feed a kid – and with a sick kid – it’s even harder.  Had we been in Asia – congee or porridge as we called it would be the ideal – but my kid doesn’t like to eat congee at all.   She wouldn’t eat anything – even the soup needs to be a certain kind of soup.  And I thought I was bad and choosy – when it comes to life insurance rates – the kid is much worst with food.

So they didn’t have any vegie soup at Tim Hortons – only chicken noodle soup – so what would you do..??  and nope.. she wouldn’t drink chicken noodle soup.. yes..! what a silly girl right..??  so what did i do to make her drink her soup..??  I LIED..!!!  YES ! I LIED!!  well, i make up a story – i told chloe that the gals at Tims heard that she was sick .. and scrambled around to get some “chinese noodles” into a soup for her.. but they don’t have the exact kinda noodles.. they had to make it in a special shape -butterfly – .. because Chloe is a princess you see.  And that the gals at Tim’s would be very sad .. if she didnt drink it up – so yes – she was trick.. and she drank the soup up and ate all the butterfly pastas.  And Chloe said.. the gals at Tim’s were so nice to her.. she would draw them a picture to thank them.. waahahhahahaha!!!  Mother’s are the GREATEST eh..??  they can cook up any kinda stories just to make their kid eat and drink .. muaahahhaha!!!  i’m evil ..!!  hahaha!!

So it was Grammie’s birthday last week or maybe a week and a half ago .. and since we will be at the store that day, I reminded the “ang moh” to go get a cake – not a huge one – since Grammie wasn’t going home after visiting Chloe at the store.   So we waited for Chloe to come home from school – so that she can sing her Grammie a Happy Birthday song .. and blow the candles – because she loves blowing candles.   Everyone ate the cake..and there was like a good half a piece left.  I didn’t eat it .. because i was trying to be good since i had to go for my blood test soon.

Chloe is indeed a very blessed gal – because you see – she not only have aunties from everywhere who sends her presents – she has a Kai Mah from Singapore – who travels a lot and buy things for her from all over the world.  We cannot ask for a better Kai Mah and am very grateful for the love shown to Chloe.

Kai Mah Lina who went to Japan for a vacation brought back Japan for Chloe – everything from Hello Kitty.  So thoughtful – go for vacation also think of the Kai Lui.  A Hello Kitty cup for her hot drinks.

And goody bag from Sanrio Land

A picture/postcard of Hello Kitty – which Chloe promptly pasted in her room.

Hello Kitty Chopstick and another red color chopstick – very pretty but i didn’t get a good picture of it.

A Hello Kitty towel with Chloe’s birthday on it – super thoughtful right.

A place mat from Hello Kitty.  Thank you so much .. Kai Mah – Chloe said.  She said.. she loved everything – and will treasure them.

This is long overdue – like most of the things I need to post up here – hahah! busy lah!  anyhow, this was taken 2 weeks ago, when Chloe visited her grammie and grampie on a Sunday for sledding.  Grammie decided to bake some cupcakes with Chloe.

Yes! i believe in letting Chloe do as much as she can or comfortable with – but Grammie does all the preparation lah.  She didn’t like using the mixer at first but daddy got her a stool to stand on .. and she is good for a bit and mixing the flour and eggs.

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So I finally gave in instead of buying  cigars online for Chloe’s grampie’s birthday, I bought this Disney thermos for Chloe just to encourage her to eat her lunch.  She does have another one .. but it’s a plain black and grey one (which was taller – she can’t reached the bottom of her food)  and it wasn’t cheap either – but this one was way expensive since it was Disney.  You see, we have to bring in lunch to her everyday – well almost everyday except for one of two days because she is fussy like that about what she eats.

So how did it go .. you are asking..?? well .. the brat still isn’t eating all her lunch but then she will have no excuse now eh.  And the other one a pink one but smaller one that she had for the longest time cracked – so there – I had to justify why i bought her such an expensive thermos.

Chloe loves her “chinese” noodles but in fact they are instant noodles what we normally called “gong jia mein”.  She would eat it everyday and for every meal if i allowed it.  She would beg and beg and beg for it – and as you all know – chloe had been sick for quite a bit.  She would be well for 1 day .. and then the cold would come back again.   I strongly suspect it was because she haven’t been eating well, since she wants her “Chinese” noodles so much.

As parents we want the best for our kids, like getting them  allergy bedding so she can sleep well if she have sensitive skin.  So we got “kai mah” to tell her that “chinese” noodles is not good for her .. and it might be the cause that she is sick so often.  In which – chloe replied that maybe, we could have a yard sale for the “chinese” noodles  .. muahahah!!  I guess she knows – mama is a yardsale junkie.   But she had been good.. and haven’t asked for “chinese” noodles for a few days now.  And yes, I encouraged her to help me in the kitchen all the time – even though they are small tasks  like getting ketchup and oyster sauce, I still wanna teach her.