learning early

This was a BIG weekend for Genevieve. The school concert is a big deal- so Devin and I had to go to the Sutera Utama mall to exchange my new clothes drying rack- while we were there...we let Nevi get her hair washed and dried at a hair salon called E3. The final hair style- sweet braid.

Ok I have never had my hair dried by TWO stylists!

Yum- hair washing...head massage...relaxation!

That is my girl- apple does not fall far from the tree:)

Best Christmas ever

Christmas you say...it is November. Big hug to Jen who knows it could take 8 days or it could take 1 month for a package to arrive in Malaysia!

We got the most wonderful package in the mail today that anyone could ever dream of! Thank you JEN and the Bailly family- we more than LOVE our Christmas gift! Jen's note read for us to open anytime so we have time to enjoy it...and she said turn up the air con and snuggle in-THANK YOU JEN, JASON, AMELIA, and ZEKE!

This is one side...so crisp and festive.
Here is the other side- so vibrant and joyful!

Our sister in love, Jen is one of the most creative people I know...and quilting is her medium right now. We can't even begin to say thank you enough for sharing your creative fire with us...we will need a bit of Christmas help here this year (although I did ship our fake xmas tree with us).

Already because of this quilt- I can feel the joy that the Holiday season brings. Thank you Bailly family for thinking of us, sharing the love and making us feel not so far away.

Nevi decided that the quilt will go from our bed tonight to her bed tomorrow night, and we will rotate.

That way everyone gets to wrap up in the comfort!

Great idea, Nev.
THANK YOU for the JOY. We love you~ Merry Christmas already.

Punjabi for SG Auction

Ok I could not resist posting this...as some of you know last year I ran the SunGarden Montessori Auction. SunGarden is very dear to my heart- Nevi went there, our niece Ellery went there, our nephew Liam went there and our nephew Xander goes there now. Krista my sister in love has worked there and is currently on the board and I also spent a lot of time working there as well. So- this year we are sending this Punjabi outfit to be a part of the silent auction. Perhaps a little 2-4 year old will wear if it for a celebration or perhaps dress up. Non-the-less it will add color and culture to the silent auction tables.

With that said- do any of you have something- a service or item or anything YOU would like to donate to the SunGarden Auction in March 2010??? Just send me an email if you do and I will email you a donation form....anything goes and anything helps support this wonderful school. www.sungardenmontessori.org

Massage

So, one usually thinks oh a massage- that is self care, luxurious, fabulous, relaxing, a treat! Most of the time, that is what I think. Today I decided I had the car so I would go into town and have a 30 minute shoulder massage and some foot reflexology. I have had the foot reflexology a few times before. It hurts, but in the end, I can tell my circulation is better and the tension moves out of my tight feet. BUT I had not had a shoulder massage here. Devin goes on occasion and when we comes home he says, "She hurt me". I always giggle a bit and feel happy that he has given himself the treat of a massage. OK- she HURT me. Sometimes it is the good hurt- deep tissue good hurt- but holy sh__! Some moments today I just had to BREATHE through the ouch! That just isn't how it is supposed to be, but here Chinese Massage is of a different practice. It hurts and it is not uncommon to be bruised the next day. I have to say my shoulders feel like they have released some, but how could they not with the wrenching, the pulling, the getting right up on top of me and using knees!!!! Wow.
I have now had the Chinese massage experience and you could not pay me to have a 60 minute full body...but in a few months I might go back for another shoulder moving experience. The beauty of it all- I was there for 1 1/2 hours and it cost me less than $20 USD. Now that is a TREAT!

Stir Fry

Sorry the picture is sideways...ooops. Anyway, last night for dinner we had lots of veggies!Yellow and red peppers (called capsicum around here), onion, broccoli (for the first time), bok choy, garlic, zucchini, yellow squash, yum. I worship our rice cooker. Toss in a bit of Hoisin sauce (sos manis) and you have 'delicious' and healthy.

Adventure

Last weekend, Devin and nevi went on an adventure looking for horses...along the way this is what they found!

darling

more darling

They fed these guys almonds through the window of the car- cause guess what...monkey's can be very aggressive along with their cuteness!

Weekend

What a nice weekend we have had...we did not travel anywhere. That has become a rare idea for us...stay home?!?! We swam each day, we listened to music, we ate good food, we exercised, we played some games, did some art, read books, and spent time together as a family! Oh Devin and nevi did go on a little adventure this morning. They went over to the local Technology University right here near our apartment to find the horse stables. They found them and some really nice looking horses too. They watched them eat. Then they went to 7-11 for a Gatorade. Oh treat! The weather is so humid and hot here- you often sweat just standing still- so our family who would never think of consuming Gatorade at home....often has some here to replenish. Then you can continue to sweat! While the place was quiet, I did endless research for our up-coming trip to South Western Australia. We will fly to Perth on December 13th. On December 16th we pick up our amazing campervan and we drive around for 2 weeks! Xmas on the road in a camper- just can't wait.
We just had a nice long swim and now we are getting ready to venture to our favorite local restaurant for dinner and to pick up our laundry at the laundry place right next door! The end to a lovely weekend.
Also a big shout out to our Niece, Ellery who turned 11 on the 6th and our Nephew, Liam who turned 7 on the 7th!!!!! We love you both!