What do you want to be.....

Hannah made a comment today which I just had to share as it's just so her. Paul went to the doctor's this morning as he had a funny ear. He was explaining to her what the doctor did and answered her questions about it. She was very interested in the whole thing.
Now, Hannah just ADORES the Disney Princesses. We managed to find in Phuket - Aladdin and Cinderella 2 DVD's which proved to be elusive until then. After watching the Aladdin movie I'm finding that towels are appearing on the floor, in all the rooms. When asked Hannah what they were doing there I got the look "you must be joking how could you not know it's fairly obvious what they are" and with a disgusted tone in her voice "Mum, they're my magic carpets". The funny thing is that Victoria knows all about these princesses and knows who they are - not bad for a 2 year old !!
So Paul and Hannah were having their chat about doctors and what they do. At the end he asked her what she would like to be when she gets older. Her response "A Princess" !!!
Oh dear, we are in trouble...

On another note, Hannah received her school report the other day. And I mean a REAL school report. It was 1 1/2 pages long. Both Paul and I were stunned. If she's getting something like this at preschool when she's 3 1/2 hate to think what they're going to be like the older she gets. There are a couple of comments that I thought I would share.
1. Hannah is so proud to come from New Zealand as she was so excited to discuss and share with the class the postcards she received. Thank you to those who sent them. She still has them in her room.
2. This comment refers to her learning Mandarin. Paul and I were abit stunned to read this as we weren't aware of this. According to Hannah she does nothing at school !!
Hannah can greet the class with confidence in Mandarin, she is able to count objects to 10, remember the names of colours and is gaining the confidence to use simple phrases. Hannah is making steady progress in Mandarin. WOW !! What an achievement for her. Just so proud of her !!!

No longer a baby....

Victoria is now 2 !!! She had her birthday the day after we came back from Phuket on the 25th. It's just so hard to believe that she's now 2 - where have the last 2 years gone ? They really have flown by. She is such a happy, cheeky (VERY), miss independent, gorgeous wee girl who loves, just loves, going on the mini buses !!

We had a great start to the day with her opening her birthday pressies. It took a while for her to warm up to it but she was soon asking for more !! I didn't have a party as such for her but instead we went to a great cupcake shop "Babycakes" with some really good friends. There is a playarea there so thought that could keep the girls entertained while the adults drink coffee and chat - after cupcakes of course. Hmm, that was the plan - I think I spent more time in the playarea than at the table but I did drink my coffee before it got cold !!!

Victoria just adores Winnie the Pooh - she has 2 of them !! Hannah chose and gave Victoria Eeyore - that went down a treat. As did the Pooh Bear sunglasses !!! Anything with Pooh is regarded as "Mine". She really has come a long way. She's coming out with new words everyday. The latest is "Mini bus" but you need to hear her as it's just SOO cute - as it is when she says turtle !

They grow up so fast. Let's hope the cuddles continue for a while yet....

Ahh Phuket....

I tell you it's been a busy time, what with my parents being here and then when they left, I had a few days to get organised before we flew to Phuket. It was a last minute decision - sort of - to go away. Paul had managed to get a week off work so thought should make the most of it, especially before Victoria turned 2. Our last "cheap" trip but the good news is that Victoria gets her own seat !! Yay - I'll have more room.

Phuket was fabulous. It was low season so there was hardly anyone around. Where we stayed in Kata Beach, we basically had the run of the place. It was hot, so was a great introduction to what lies ahead of us for our first HK summer....

We spent our time mainly at the pool but we did go to the beach. The girls just loved it - playing in the water and the sand. Was a great break from the concrete jungle - just what the doctor ordered. One of the highlights for me - and this is going to sound rather sad but.... - was being woken up by torrential rain and a thunderstorm and listening to it on the roof EVEN with the air con on. Don't get to hear the rain like that in HK. I think the rainy season has begun and half the time you can't tell it's raining until you get downstairs. Looking out the window doesn't really help but that could be due to the building being all wrapped up for rennovation !!!

It's been a while..

I didn't realise how long it's been since I'd last updated this. Alot has happened since then too. My parents have visited us. It was so great to see them and for the girls to spend some time with them. It was a flying visit and boy, did the time fly. They were taken here, there and everywhere on Hong Kong island and we ventured over to Kowloon. One of the places that I showed them and which fascinated them was the Wanchi Wet Market. I remember when I first saw this I just couldn't get over it - meat, poultry, fish, fruit and veg - all sold in little stalls along 2 main streets. Not a fridge or a health inspector in sight !! It was great going with them as you get used to this site and accept it as part of everyday life. I do have to say that the produce is alot fresher and cheaper than what you get in the supermarket. And the fish - you know it's fresh. These Wet Markets are becoming a thing of the past and there's not that many of them around any more.

Another place that was enjoyed by all was the Flower Market. This is in Kowloon so to get there you need to get to the other side. We went by bus and it goes under the harbour. It's a great ride to get there and not that long either. You get to see some sights and the best part of it all is that the bus leaves from Happy Valley !!! This photo is taken while we were waiting to go into the tunnel. We're heading back home and you can see the buildings on HK Island in the distance.

The flower market is incredible as there are 2 blocks just full of shops/stalls that sell nothing apart from flowers and plants. The flowers are flown in from all over the world and get sold that day. It really is mind boggling. It's a fun afternoon out.

Stanley is a great place to visit. It's by the water and is a different aspect of Hong Kong. This is where I go to get the girls clothes. You get all the labels eg Gap, Next, Guess, Zara and I've even seen Pumpkin Patch for really, really low prices - ridiculous really. I'm saving thousands !!! It's a fun place and when you go on a mini bus - it's the best way. The photo that shows one of my favourite clothes stalls - that's what they're all really like !!

These photos were all taken by my mum - so thanks, mum, you did a great job !!!