Professional pics

We took some more professional pictures a few weeks ago for Christmas cards.  Sneak peek of a few below that won't be on our cards.  There is seriously not enough space on my walls, I would cover every inch in photos from Azlida.  She is the best photographer!  Love her.

Thanksgiving, Hong Kong Style

On Wednesday we flew to Hong Kong.  We stayed with our friends Chris and Susie and were also able to spend lots of time with Justin's cousin Stuart, his kids and wife Gail.  Thursday was spent running around the horse race track near Chris's apartment.  You can walk out into the field and Charlie was able to run around. The view from the track was unbelievable, Hong Kong is really an incredible city.  The apartments are built so high and so skinny!

After Charlie's afternoon nap we headed to the American Club to visit Gail and the kids.  OMG, the view there was incredible.  I have been to the American Club in Singapore, and the Hong Kong one puts it to shame.  I could have stayed there for the rest of the weekend.  The kids swam, they are so sweet with Charlie helping him down the water slide and carrying him to the side of the pool.  It was like three built in babysitters, score. They then played around in the kids gym and they finished off with an early buffet Thanksgiving dinner together. 

That night everyone was so sweet to help me celebrate Thanksgiving even though they are all British or Australian.  It was just an adult dinner at their apartment.  The food was all delivered in a box from the Mandarin Oriental Hotel.  Literally, Thanksgiving in a box.  Turkey, potatoes, sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, gravy, pumpkin pie etc etc.  What a service!  And it was seriously good.  We finished the dinner with everyone saying what they are thankful for, it was a really intimate and special moment.  It felt like a real family dinner even though I was miles away from California.

During the weekend we also went to Ocean Park.  Which was not the best of times since we got absolutely soaked in a down pour. But we did see some Pandas and sharks and went on lots of fun kiddy rides.  We also went out for a few fun dinners.  We are seriously exhausted today after non stop activities!

More Hong Kong pics here.

Wellies

Charlie got his first pair of wellies for our upcoming trip to the UK.  They are a bit heavy so he needs to practice before we leave for Christmas.  We are all so excited about having a cold and hopefully white Christmas this year with Justins parents. 

Swim Awards

Charlie has been doing swim lessons for many months now.  Last weekend they handed out awards after class for being able to accomplish certain activities in the water such as kicking, blowing bubbles, holding your breath under water, unassisted jumps into the pool etc.  Charlie really could have cared less but this was his first award which meant a photo op opportunity!! His friend Ryder is also in the class so we posed together.

Picnic in the park

We recently had a picnic in the botanics.  We brought a beach ball that we all kicked around after eating. It was a nice day and not too hot.  After eating and playing we headed over to Jacobs Ballas Garden, which is a great kids area in the botanical gardens.  We went there to let Charlie play in the water fountain and cool off, but that day it was out of order so we ended up walking around.  We looked at the waterfall, walked over a stream and went down a big slide that was built into the trees.

Sick days and recovery

Charlie had another asthma attack last week that ended up in the emergency room.  Since that day we have seen several doctors and a specialist and feel much more informed and know what to do next time.  His asthma is triggered by viral infections, like a cold.  His cold started a week before we went to the emergency room.  Colds can not be prevented in the future, but we know how to start treating the asthma before it turns into a full blown attack next time.  

 He is very good in doctors offices and in the ER and we are just thankful he is feeling better.  He ended up missing his Halloween party with his friends this week, but we still dressed him up momentarily at home.  By Thursday he was feeling better, and on Friday Justin decided to take the day off work and treat Charlie.  We had a lovely lunch on the beach at Tanjong Beach club then we took him to the aquarium in Sentosa.  Charlie loved the big sea turtles.  He even sat through the dolphin show, which was pretty uneventful for anyone over Charlie's age.  Now that he is back to breathing better and not coughing, he is also back to his hyper active non stop behavior.  He is such a hand full, and can really test our patience on any given day, but his smiles and sweet gestures make me forget all that.