First Time Dad

Happy Father's Day

2008-06-14T18:43:00.010+08:00

I'd like to wish a very Happy Father's Day to Nick and especially fellow First Time Dad Sean, my two best buddies. Guys we're all finally in the same boat...times have changed so much since we first knew each other (see pic above...err we were a lot skinnier back then). Nick's boys are actually fast approaching the age we were when we first met. Time sure flies, so enough of our good old days, we've got new memories to make so lets get it on!!

I'd also like to take this opportunity to also hand out a little something to some of my best blogging friends who left comments on my little Humpty Dumpty Story! LJ, Nick, Marzie, Jean, Janice, and Jackie! It's an brand new "Grade AA" award I 'whipped up' today just for special eggheads like you!! I know there are many other friends around that I should pass it to...but you know what...you guys were the only ones thick 'shelled' enough to want something for commenting!! LOL Well you are deserving besides the squeaky wheel always gets the 'hot' oil!!! Feel free to 'scramble' it around to your friends too! As the old saying goes...if you can't 'beat' them...sunny side up will do!! LOL Okay enough of the egg 'cracks' Doh!! There I go again...don't 'fry' me okay! LOL

A Happy Father's Day to all Fathers and Father's to be!

Humpty Dumpty

2008-06-13T01:18:00.002+08:00

I was in the supermarket the other day when I stumbled upon this sight. I've never seen such an eggciting mess before so I whipped out my phone and snapped off a picture to the protests of the staff there. Some clown of a customer actually put the basket on a shelf and left it unattended...tsk tsk tsk

It reminded me of good old Humpty Dumpty...I wonder if all the King's Horses and all the King's men could have a nice omelette with this lot.

Cheers!

The Concert

2008-05-18T00:06:00.006+08:00

Today our little Ellie amazed us both. It wasa getting close to her bedtime when out of the blue she suddenly seemed inspired. She left whatever she was doing and sudenly said she wanted to have a show. A show...we thought? Odd...so we asked her what show she wanted...and she said she wanted to have a special show. We were a little confused becasue this was the first time she's done this. So we exchanged looks of bewilderment.

Ellie made me hold up a strip of plastic (for her clips) as if it was a spotlight Then she ran to the room and dragged out the maid...another of her audience. Next she grabbed one...mind you she said only one..of her xylaphone sticks and then came out. I wasn't allowed to put the strip down even for a moment...No Daddy...must hold it up...was her command! LOL Then she picked up all the cushions and laid then in a row to form a stage of sorts...we wondered where she got all the ideas from. We didn't teach her for sure.

These pictures were taken some time last month but those are the yellow sticks that she's holding!

Then she went under the "spotlight" and started singing on the stage...using the xylaphone stick as a microphone!! Well it was the favorite nursery rhymes...A, B, C, D...and twinkle twinkle little star then a combo....it was so cute...I wish I could have taken a picture but I was busy holding up the lights!! LOL Next she made her mummy sing too and then it was my turn while mummy held the "lights" LOL We really had a blast. My visiting Aunt was enjoying the show too!!

After a bout of songs and some dances too the show ended but not the nights festivities...

Next she ran into the room and got a blue cloth and laid it on the floor. Hmmm...what now? Okay mummy...come swim in the ocean with me. I am a small shark and am going to bite you okay!! So she pretended to swim the length of the ocean and then proceeded to shark attack poor mummy. LOL After that it was laps in the pool...first she and mummy...Daddy don't forget German...German???...has she been watching Telematch I wondered...then it dawned on me...Ladies and Gentlemen. Gentlemen became German!!! hahaha So daddy became the annnouncer...ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls...etc. LOL and I had to announce the swimming competition!! So she and mummy did "laps" while I gave a running commentary!! After that it was my turn to take a dip LOL

I really had fun tonight and learned a little more about my daughter! She is amazing to me and wifey!! Either that or it was the delicious orange and poppyseed cupcakes that wifey baked tonight...then again she didn't have any until after the show!! LOL

You know those proud moments fathers have of their children...Yup...I had one tonight! Cheers

RED MARBLES

2008-05-02T10:17:00.003+08:00

Someone sent this to me last week and with the global food crisis that is upon us PLEASE spare a moment to think of those who are less fortunate and do your part to help them ease their burden.

I was at the corner grocery store buying someearly potatoes. I noticed a small boy, delicate of bone and feature, ragged but clean,hungrily apprising a basket of freshly picked green peas.

I paid for my potatoes but was also drawn to the display of fresh green peas. I am a pushover for creamed peas and new potatoes. Pondering the peas, I couldn't help overhearing the conversation between Mr. Miller (the store owner) and the ragged boy next to me.

'Hello Barry, how are you today?'
'H'lo, Mr. Miller. Fine, thank ya. Jus' admirin'them peas. They sure look good.'
'They are good, Barry. How's your Ma?'
'Fine. Gittin' stronger alla' time.'
'Good. Anything I can help you with?'
'No, Sir. Jus' admirin' them peas.'
'Would you like to take some home?' asked Mr.Miller.
'No, Sir. Got nuthin' to pay for 'em with.'
'Well, what have you to trade me for some of thosepeas?'
'All I got's my prize marble here.'
'Is that right? Let me see it' said Miller.
'Here 'tis. She's a dandy.'
'I can see that. Hmmmmm, only thing is this one isblue and I sort of go for red. Do you have a red one like this at home?' the store owner asked.
'Not zackley but almost..'
'Tell you what. Take this sack of peas home with you and next trip this way let me look at that red marble'. Mr. Miller told the boy.
'Sure will. Thanks Mr. Miller.'

Mrs. Miller, who had been standing nearby, came over to help me. With a smile she said, 'There are two other boys like him in our community, all three are in very poor circumstances. Jim just loves to bargain with them for peas, apples, tomatoes, or whatever. When they come back with their red marbles, and they always do, he decides he doesn't like red after all and he sends them home with a bag of produce for a green marble or an orange one, when they come on their next trip to the store.'

I left the store smiling to myself, impressed with this man. A short time later I moved to Colorado , but I never forgot the story of this man, the boys, and their bartering for marbles.

Several years went by, each more rapid than the previous one. Just recently I had occasion to visit some old friends in thatIdaho community and while I was there learned that Mr. Miller had died.

They were having his visitation that evening and knowing my friends wanted to go, I agreed to accompany them. Upon arrival at the mortuary we fell into line to meet the relatives of the deceased and to offer whatever words of comfort we could.

Ahead of us in line were three young men. One was in an army uniform and the other two wore nice haircuts, dark suits and white shirts...all very professional looking. They approached Mrs. Miller, standing composed and smiling by her husband's casket. Each of the young men hugged her, kissed her on the cheek, spoke briefly with her and moved on to the casket.

Her misty light blue eyes followed them as, one by one, each young man stopped briefly and placed his own warm hand over the cold pale hand in the casket. Each left the mortuary awkwardly, wiping his eyes.

Our turn came to meet Mrs. Miller. I told her who I was and reminded her of the story from those many years ago and what she had told me about her husband's bartering for marbles. With her eyes glistening, she took my hand and led me to the casket.

'Those three young men who just left were the boys I told you about. They just told me how they appreciated the things Jim 'traded' them. Now, at last, when Jim could not change his mind about color or size....they came to pay their debt.'

'We've never had a great deal of the wealth of this world,' she confided, 'but right now, Jim would consider himself the richest man in Idaho '

With loving gentleness she lifted the lifeless fingers of her deceased husband. Resting underneath were three exquisitely shined red marbles.

The Moral : We will not be remembered by our words, but by our kind deeds. Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath..

A Post

2008-04-23T00:00:00.005+08:00

For the lack of a better title I'll settle for that!! Today wifey went to Singapore for a business trip and will be back tomorrow! No big deal right! We'll it is to me. It's been ages since she last went on a trip and the last time she went was whe I started my blog...can't remember when but I know it was close to a year ago. Okay that got me curious...it was in May and my second post was "Cathastophe Averted"...my first was just a welcome message because I wasn't sure what i was doing here!!

Anyway, it just brings back memories of me putting the little one to bed and then using my old dial up line struggling to publish a little post about my day! It was my frist time alone with the little one then and I was worried how she'd be missing her Mommy and my fears weere justified. I was kinda pround that I managed to survive that episode and be a better dad because of it. It's not easy trying to put a two year old to bed especially when she is so used to having her mummy around. Anyway that episode was in the past. Today was supposed to be the same except that the little one is now 3 and we hope she might be a little more understanding. We told her that Mummy will be away in singapore yesterday to prepare her. Wifey called and said good night to her today too and she seemed okay with that except that ever so often she would ask "Where is mummy...in the room" Which started my spidey senses tingling...okay I don't have spidey senses but daddy senses don't sound as nice.

Well like I said everything seemed to be fine until I took her to bed. Tried to get her to calm down but she was restless as usual and wanted to play. Lately we've been trying to be a little firm with her and so me being me raised my voice a little and then all hell broke loose. DOH!! She just started wailing and just wouldn't stop. I tried my best to calm her down but everything I did was absolutely fruitless!!! I walked her, talked to her...tried everything but she wouldn't stop. So I took her outside to try to let her watch some of her cartoons and the maid woke up because of the ruckus. Fortunately she was able to calm her down and before you know it she fell asleep!! Boy these little things sure put a mighty dent in your precieved fatherly capabalities. So here I am feeling rather guilty for making the little one cry before bed when her mother is away and I can't sleep! Darn... fatherhood is not easy is it? You think you have the answers but you are always learning new things.

Muffins Anyone?

2008-04-20T01:16:00.002+08:00

Okay okay!! I know I haven't been around much lately and I've also not been doing my usual rounds on the other blogs! Don't even talk about leaving comments and responding to comments or tags that I've failed to do!! Taking this course is really taking up most of my time and what ever time I have left I spend with my little one so I hope you understand. Work has been busy too so no chance of sneaking a post here or there. I guess when it rains it pours as the old saying goes.

Anyway, today was no different except we had to do some grocery buying and also needed to get a couple of new toys to distract the little one. More toys? Well the maid/helper we have will be leaving for home soon and the new one will coming. Our little girl is understandably very attached to the current one so a little smoke and mirrors will be needed to help with the transition. It's not going to be easy but at least it'll keep her mind off the old helper, well at least that is what we hope.

We got her a few books and some finger puppets and a few other things and then had a quick lunch at our favourite place and then headed home. We didn't want to take her along as she has a cough and cold. When we got back we decided to bake some chocolate muffins...well wifey did and I just set the oven. This time it was my favourite chocolate chip muffins.....mmmm... unfortunately I have a sore throat too so only sneaked one....can't wait till tomorrow...

Well I really wanted to share the muffins with you guys who have been visiting although I've hardly been posting! You're all wonderful frineds! Enjoy!!

Hot from the oven!!!

Monday Morning Madness

2008-04-14T08:46:00.001+08:00

LET ME TEST YOUR IQ....DID YOU GET THE ANSWERS?

A first-grade teacher, Ms Neelam was having
trouble with one of her
students. The teacher asked,"Boy, what is your
problem?"

Boy answered, "I'm too smart for the first-grade.
My sister is in the
third-grade and I'm smarter than she is! I think I
should be in the
third-grade too!"

Ms. Neelam had enough. She took Boy to the
principal's office.

While Boy waited in the outer office, the teacher
explained to the
principal what the situation was. The principal told
Ms Neelam he would
give the boy a test and if he failed to answer any of
his questions he was
to go back to the first-grade and behave. She
agreed.

Boy was brought in and the conditions were
explained to him and he agreed
to take the test.

Principal: "What is 3 x 3?"

Boy: "9".

Principal: "What is 6 x 6?"

Boy: "36".

And so it went with every question the principal
thought a third-grade
should know. The principal looks at Ms. Neelam
and tells her, "I think Boy
can go to the third-grade."

Ms. Neelam says to the principal, "I have some of
my own questions. Can I ask him ?"

The principal and Boy both agree.

Ms. Neelam asks, "What does a cow have four of
that I have only two of?"

Boy, after a moment said, "Legs."

Ms. Neelam: "What is in your pants that you have
but I do not have?"

Boy: "Pockets."

Ms. Neelam: "What starts with a C and ends with a
T, is hairy, oval, delicious and contains thin whitish liquid?"

Boy: "Coconut"

Ms. Neelam: "What goes in hard and pink then
comes out soft and sticky?"

The principal's eyes open really wide and before he
could stop the answer, Boy was taking charge.

Boy: "Bubblegum"

Ms. Neelam: "What does a man do standing up, a woman does sitting down and
a dog does on three legs?"

The principal's eyes open really wide and before he could stop the answer...

Boy: "Shake hands"

Ms. Neelam: Now I will ask some "Who am I" sort
of questions, okay?

Boy: Yep.

Ms. Neelam: "You stick your poles inside me. You tie me down to get me up.
I get wet before you do. Who am I?"

Boy: "Tent"

Ms. Neelam: "A finger goes in me. You fiddle with me when you're bored. The
best man always has me first. Who am I?"

The Principal was looking restless, a bit tense and took one large Patiala Vodka peg.

Boy: "Wedding Ring"

Ms. Neelam: "I come in many sizes. When I'm not well, I drip. When you blow
me, you feel good. Who am I?"

Boy: "Nose"

Ms. Neelam: "I have a stiff shaft. My tip penetrates.
I come with a quiver. Who am I?"

Boy: "Arrow"

Ms. Neelam: "What word starts with a 'F' and ends in 'K' that means lot of
heat and excitement?"

Boy: "Firetruck"

Ms. Neelam: "What word starts with a 'F' and ends in 'K' & if u dont get it
u have to use ur hand?"

Boy: "Fork"

Ms. Neelam: "What is it that all men have one of it's longer on some men
than on others, the pope doesn't use his and a man gives it to his wife
after they're married?"

Boy: "SURNAME"

Ms. Neelam: "What part of the man has no bone but has muscles, has lots of
veins, like pumping, & is responsible for making love?"

Boy: "HEART."

The principal breathed a sigh of relief and said to the teacher, "Send
this Boy to the University, I got the last ten questions wrong myself!"

Baking & Booking

2008-04-02T22:01:00.005+08:00

It' s been another hectic week what with classes and the usual stuff. However, we decided to do a little baking between the "booking". Anyway since I'm not a man of many words lately I'll do another pictorial...hey pictures are supposed to paint a thousand words right! LOL

Wifey made some delicious chocolate brownies...I baked sausage rolls...
close up of my little creations hehehe

Wifey tried her hand at cupcakes...

the blue berry kind,,,none survived!

as you can see! hehe

Then it was time for books...
and a little sunshine...

and more books...

and finally group study at my place!!
Yes...books strewn everywhere...sad ain't it!

But it was fun to tell you the truth...if it weren't for the assignments and exams I am really enjoying this!! Cheers!

And thanks Ellie for helping me with this! :)