Hannah's Christmas Concert

Hannah had her school Christmas concert today. It was such fun and all the children did so well. They all sang really loudly - I'm sure the thought of getting some candy helped (wink) - and did a great job. Her class Barn Owls joined with another class Hedgehogs for the concert. Barn Owls are the children sitting on the ground in the front. I did snap a short video of the concert but it didn't turn out so well so the photos will just have to suffice. They had a colour theme of white, red and/or green. As you imagine most items of clothing for Hannah are NOT those colours but she does have a white dress (I realise not the most practical thing but it was so cute I couldn't resist) and paired up with red tights did the trick.

What was so sweet after the concert - they all got a lolly and Hannah came out with one for Victoria. That must have been her reward for sitting still and quiet all through it....

Arriving to begin the concert

Hannah with her friends - Isidora in front and Cirrus behind her


Getting ready for Jingle Bells

Couldn't get the group shot so there are two....

Show's over...

School Christmas Concert Rehearsal

Hannah has a school Christmas concert that she is preparing for. She has had to learn some Christmas songs. I have to say that she's pretty at knowing the words for them as she "practises" all the time....

NB : The concert was today - these videos were taken yesterday. I didn't get a chance to upload them last night

Disneyland

Since it is now the festive season and Christmas trees (Hannah points out every one she sees) and lights are going up everywhere thought we'd take in the magic of a Disney Christmas. So last Thursday (Paul had the day off) we took them. We didn't tell the girls where we were going and even when we were on the train nothing not mentioned - we made out we were going to the end. They accepted that. Then just before our train stopped the announcement was made for Sunny Bay and the Disneyland resort line. Both the girls said we get off here for Disneyland - we said that's right shall we go ? Excitement reigned supreme !!

We had such a fun day - there were Christmas decorations, 3D glasses that we were given to be used at night once the lights came on - you looked through them and saw hearts everywhere (they work just as great looking out our lounge window too) - just lots of excitement. One of the highlights for us was that Victoria got up close and personal with the characters. I had to hold her but she was so excited about seeing them and gave them a kiss on the nose !! Pluto was the last character we saw so I think she was comfortable with them. I told her she was heavy so had to put her down. I told her to hold Hannah's hand and then made a dash for it - so we have photos of just the girls and Pluto - breakthrough !!!

Getting the mandatory map!


Hannah with Santa's Helper. "Santa Claus is going to bring me presents now cos I got my photo taken with Santa's helper. But not Victoria as she has no photo"

Hannah and Mulan

Action shot on the space ship ride in Tomorrowland

Victoria about to give Belle a hug...

Victoria on the merry-go-round. She refused to go on the Pooh Bear ride with Paul and Hannah so I took her on this while we waiting...

Minnie Mouse and family..

A nose kiss for Minnie

A nose kiss for Winnie the Pooh

Goofy and family..I love Victoria's expression !

The girls and Mickey

Pluto with Hannah AND Victoria

The girls after the teacup ride - Hannah was there she'd fallen off the seat.

Becoming dusk..

Ngong Ping

I've been talking about taking the girls to Ngong Ping for ages - months in fact. But we had summer - was far too hot too go. So Sunday, made the decision and went. The girls and I went on an adventure. It wasn't a great clear day so couldn't see too much but figured it was more about the experience. Plus about a 300m walk from the entrance to the cable car is Citygate Outlet stores - so wanted to pay that a visit.

Ok, Ngong Ping is on the top of a big hill. Best way to describe it. It's a little village surrounding a huge statue of Buddha - it's commonly known as the Big Buddha. It's a very cute little place and the best way to get there is by cable car. This cable car ride takes about 25 mins as it's 5.7km long and it goes up, up and up.

To get the cable you need to head to the airport - it really isn't that far from there. You have to catch the MTR and it's the last stop - which just happens to be the stop after Disneyland. The girls know the name of the station and when they heard it thought they were going there. I said to them that Mickey wasn't expecting us today - he's abit like Santa Claus he know's what's going on. Hannah accepted that - luckily for me!!

I knew going on a Sunday would be busy - and it was. I think we queued for about 15 mins to get our tickets and then for another 45mins (maybe more maybe less) to get on the cable car. This photo of Hannah was taken while we were waiting to get on the cable car. We were just in a standard cable car but you can get ones that have a glass bottom - that line was moving alot quicker. I do have to say though that when we came back the queue for the tickets was even longer - it was down to street level so the morning was the better time to go.

Waiting for our turn to get on the cable car. We were the next lot to get on.


There are 7 towers in total and this view is looking back at 2A. As you can tell it ain't the best day for a view. Where we got on the cable car at the end of the first bridge that you can see on the right. The girls were interested in the boats that they could see and weren't impressed with the rubbish in the sea either. No-one else spoke English in our cabin - it was full !!



At Ngong Ping - our final destination. The first view of the buddha.


I am the first to admit that it's very sad - as it goes to show how often they frequent it - when your 2 year old recognises the Starbucks brand and tells you what they would like from there BEFORE you go in. Having a lunch break.

Ngong Ping Village

All through the village are these pictures with the face cut out. The girls just loved them. Getting them to look at the camera at the same time was fun. Made even more fun, when they got an audience of others taking their photo.

This is as close as we got to the Buddha. There are some stairs that you need to walk up but since I was planning on wandering around shops felt that we could do that another time - and maybe Paul could join us...... and Hannah hasn't let me forget that we didn't walk up the stairs to it !!!

Heading back to the cable car to go down. It wasn't busy so we got our own cable car back. The trip certainly went alot quicker going down than going up. To pass the time I suggested to the girls that they wave to the others going up and I only saw 3 people wave back !!

It was alot of fun. Shame about the weather but you get that on days in HK. Got home and watched the new Tinkerbelle movie - a great hit all round !!

Christmas at Times Square

Times Square is the name of one of the shopping malls that just happens to be done the hill from us. There are 9 floors of shops and 4 floors of restaurants plus 2 floors underground of more shops. As you can imagine I visit quite frequently - after all it is close to us.

After the Halloween decorations came down (slap hand as didn't get any photos of them) the Christmas decorations came up. I really like them this year - more of a christmas feel than last year. And the girls just love going there. They are not only hits with us but with everyone else too !!

This photo of the tram traffic jam made me laugh - as this is a sight that you don't normally see. Sure, you might see 2 or 3 but never this many. There had been an accident further back and traffic ahead was a nightmare. My plan of catching the tram to Happy Valley didn't work so we ended up walking as after showing Hannah the decorations I took her to Mandarin.

The decorations....

Check in....

....and here I thought I had only a few days to update on BUT it was a whole two weeks ago !! It's got CRAZY here with the lead-up to Christmas - lots happening !! Can't believe it's the 1st Dec tomorrow !!

Victoria's playgroup had a fund-raising fair a couple of Saturdays ago. So we went along to support ! There was lots of fun things to do and we had a great afternoon out. It all changed when we got back to discover a letter from Hannah's school that we applied for - let's just say wasn't what I was expecting -but we ain't the only ones so that's something. Below are some photos from the fair - Victoria refused to have her face painted but she was more than happy to decorate her cupcake - TWICE !!!

Hannah and her class had a school trip to Hong Kong Park - which was alot of fun. The highlight for them was the ride on the school bus there and back !!

Hannah and Isidora

Looking at the fish

Drawing a fish

Watching the turtles

Barn Owls class