食古不化

饭菜端至面前, 她说: "我今天吃斋!" 奇怪的是, 她却把那肉汤喝个清光.

Leopard never changes its spots

MIL has not changed a bit at all. The first thing she did when hubby just stepped through the front door from airport, was to get him to send her to the temple the next day. Hey! Hello? Is the temple visit so very important, that you could not let your son take a rest from the travelling or at least check how was his schedule first? What about your the other son that was so very free?

And all of a sudden, the lunch that she has been eating for the past few days, isn't to her appetite anymore. Does not even touch though already cooked for her. I am utterly disappointed with her unappreciative and selfish behaviour.

Final write-up of North Island trip

The next stop was Taranaki, and we took the Forgotten World Highway to get there. The main reason of choosing this route was to see Damper Falls, the highest waterfalls in North Island, but we did not manage to find our way there. It was an adventurous drive though, 150km, with no petrol station along the way nor much people around, except for a crazy driver, driving at crazy speed on a single way gravel road which almost collide head on to our car.

Pics along the highway.The clock tower in Stratford. At the North Egmont Visitors Centre. Dawson Falls & the visitor centre.
New Plymouth stay, Tonari. Fitzroy coastal walkway.~~~~~~~~

We headed south to Palmerston North, taking the Surf Highway 45, and visited Cape Egmont Lighthouse along the way. We went for the miniature train rides in Victoria Esplanade. It was a real pity we did not have time to explore the huge, beautiful park.

The dinner we had. It was the other best eat-out meal we ate in the whole trip, this time, at a much cheaper price.De Molen Windmill in Foxton.TeApiti Wind Farm~~~~~~~~

We travelled back north to Hawke's Bay after the wind farm visit.

Orchard tour at Pernel Fruitworld. Lunch at Silky Oak Chocolate cafe.Arataki Honey Visitor CentreThe tide was not cooperating that day, and so we did not manage to complete our Gannet Beach Adventure.The Riverbend Family Lodge stay.~~~~~~~~

We moved upwards to Bay of Plenty and took the Thermal Explorer Highway. Along the way, daddy got attracted by a sign that read " Volcanic scenic sight" and off we went for an impromptu visit, which was really off the main road, and no idea how far it was away. A worthwhile trip, and the best part, we managed to reach the maize park (which was the planned itinerary) before it closed for the day.

Boat cruise in Waimangu Volcanic Valley.

Lots of fun, searching for the answers for the question sheet and at the same time finding our way out of the maze. We were very good for first timers.

Kiwi orchard tour at Kiwi 360.

Tauranga town city.

Papamoa Country Cottage, the last holiday house we stayed at.~~~~~~~~

The children were well behaved in both the to and fro flights. I got to eat my meals, watched movies, and my turn to see parents struggling with cranky babies and kids. It will be another two years, before we have another such vacation. Like I explained to the kids, need to save up first.

Full marks mean

Eu finally scored 100 for his spelling. I am so proud of him as he has been working hard and he was happy with the result too. "Mommy, 100 marks no need to do correction!" Oh, I see. Haha! Silly kid.

MIL is coming

To stay with us, temporary, as what my good old BIL puts it. This is really annoying and frustrating for me because (1) BIL had refused to let MIL moved out with us when we were having Eu, saying he needed her to take care of his children and household, and we should find our own solution on baby sitting, (2) MIL, who had given her promise to us that she will move in with us and take care of Eu, went back on her words and decided to stay with BIL. Okay, fair, we settled our own problem ourselves. So now, why is it that his problem become our problem when our problem was our own problem? Honestly, his so called problem is just an excuse to me, trying to test water on dumping MIL to us when she is now of no more help. Isn't it sad to see a son treating his mother this way? Well, probably he does not believe in what goes around, will come around.

What is your name

While driving, daddy decided to test his daughter intelligence.

The dad: "Mei mei, what is you name?"
Tien: "XXX"

The dad: "What is gor-gor's name?"
Tien: "XXX"

The dad: "What is mommy's name?"
Tien: "Mommy is just mommy lor."

Me time

Office will close from Friday afternoon to Monday, and with the kids in daycare, I am going to have one and a half day me time without having to take leave. Oh boy! That's really good news and I have already have it planned out: booked brow trimming and hair cut sessions, some shopping therapy, and if there is time left, probably a movie or to finish off the NZ trip update to the blog. This is exciting!

Mommy is a year older

And daddy got her an ice-cream birthday cake. Sweet!