Dinos 2017 Bangkok trip - Kidzoona @ Ekkamai

I did a research and wanted to bring The Dinos to an indoor playground while we are in Bangkok and to my surprise, there are plenty of choices.

Then I found one that is accessible by BTS and located inside a mall where we can go in and play while my Piggy brother and mummy can go shop.

Decided on Kidzoona located at Ekkamai Mall Level 4 and it is right beside Ekkamai BTS station.

The funny thing is the whole mall opens at 10am and because we reached at 9am plus, we were forced to wait outside the mall under the unforgiving hot Bangkok weather.

The Dinos had fun running around while we took turns to stay guard near them.

For a while I wondered if they will be tired out even before we go in.

Went in at 10am sharp once the mall opens and we are one of the first customers at the playground.

Since it is a weekday, it is really empty except for 1 or 2 expat mothers bringing their children there but both did not stay as long as us,

So basically had the playground to us most of the time. Shiok.

Rates

There's an arcade outside the playground or rather should I say the playground is located inside an arcade. Either way, we did not explore here as all the games need to pay per play.

Super empty arcade

Distracting SD while I pay for the fees

There are also quite a number of lockers located inside the playground, right beside the shoe rack. Need to pay THB 20 as refundable deposit and you will be given a key to lock your belongings up.

We managed to get 2 lockers. Not sure whether it is 1 to each child or there's no limit of how many to how many you can rent.

Lockers

Entrance

Sand Playing area

The first area we saw is a wooden toy play table where The Dinos especially SD rushed to explore the toys. I think they have never seen so much toys in a table before. Haha

SD was madly in love with the toy train set and kept standing there while BD got bored after a while and started to explore the place.

Wooden toys/train play table

Still struck here after 10min

Bored BD

Trying to create a collision

There are quite a lot of things to explore there.

Some were for bigger kids but mostly can allow the younger ones like Dinos to enjoy.

Finally go off

Dinos the builders

The only dangerous play I deemed there are the slides which look pretty high for their age. Luckily for us, Dinos did not know the concept of slides and did not went explore it.

Big slides 

Leaving their hand prints there

Too short to play

So excited to see a ball pit

There are basically 2 ball pits here. First one we came across is in a bouncy castle.

The Dinos were basically swimming in it. Its actually pretty tiring to play here as you need a lot of balancing to walk in the bouncy castle. They ended up crawling through the balls.

Then we came to a supermarket mock up area where tons of veggies and fruits are line up in shelves. Dinos actually thought they are real stuff and want bite into a banana. When they realized they are not edible, they lost interest and moved on to other area.

Choosing his veggies

The pretend play area had quite a few stalls where kids can either done on the uniform provided to be the stall holders or to be the customers.

My 2 boys like being the customers and mess up every single stall they have been to.

Ice cream for you Mdm?

Cake shop

Sushi shop

There was 1 staff who standby there to clear/clean up the mess after the Dinos moved away from the stalls. Another staff can be seen sweeping the floor regularly while we walked about.

Overall they kept the playground clean and tidy.

Papa became the stall owner entertaining them

Back to ice cream stall again

Moving on, we came to an area of mock up emergency vehicles where the it would sound the siren when you pushed the buttons. Dinos were pretty freaked out by the loud sounds and figured out no to push the buttons after all. They were pretty contented to climb in and out of the vehicles.

Fire Engine

Police car

At some point, Papa had to climb in with them as they were still no very calm after hearing the loud sirens.

Then BD saw some cars and got into it while asking Papa to push him around There were like 4 cars available there and because it was empty, my 2 Dinos got on every single 1 to play.

Papa pushing BD along

SD came and wanted BD to give him the car

They got into some pointless fight over the cars at some point and we distracted BD by asking him to climb over the bouncy platform and go over to the big ball pit.

Works like magic and managed to avoid a meltdown there.

There were after all so many things to play with here and my boys wanted to fight over the same car? I would not hear of it.

Picking up the stranded balls

Having fun

1 with Mummy

The ball pit here is much bigger with a slide in the middle of it and 2 trampoline. The balls were pretty full and at some areas, Dinos are having difficulty to walk in it as they were too small sized. Even I have difficulty pushing the balls away with my feet as I waddle around.

Bird's eye view of partial of the ball pit

Wanting to go on the slide on his own

Papa is their best play mate

BD got bored again and requested to get out and he ventured to this big all rolling ball and climbed in on his own. Gave us panic attacks since the ball will roll on its own. He's the more daring 1 and more often then not will try to pull stunts that stun us.

Climbing in on his own

Then out again cause he cannot move it

Here comes Papa and Didi

Then they decided that this is too exciting for them when Papa start rolling the thing along with them inside. SD was super freaked out and nearly jumped off on his own.

They decided to go play the pretend play area again, messing up a 2nd time for the staff. We tried to pack after them leaving the station but with no avail since gotta keep an eye on them when they moved around.

I'm the sushi chef

 

Messing up only

No photos please, says the sushi staff owner

Finally they decided they ran out of ingredients and make a trip back to the groceries area and mess up the place again.

I felt so bad for the staff. My kids went around the same play area twice and mess up big time twice.

Loading to his trolley

We pulled them out of the playground for lunch and was met with cries and screams cause they cannot bear to leave. But the parents were dead hungry.

There was a food court right beside the playground and we sat there to feed the Dinos. Mr Love had wanted KFC and we decided to go down after Dinos' lunch.

Piggy bro and mummy brought Dinos back to the arcade while I changed them 1 by 1 in the rest room. There isn't any baby changing station here and I'm glad I brought pull ups and the Dinos did not take a dump while we were here.

Overall, we had a great time here since the playground was literally empty while we were here. And as it is located inside a mall, Mummy and Piggy Bro could do some shopping while waiting for us. There's also quite a selection of Japanese food in level 1.

3am

3am and I'm sitting here drying my hair after a vomit episode from Small Dino. 

He's been coughing on and off ever since attending child care and I gave him the medication to expel phlegm. Also oiled him with Lemon EO hoping to get the phlegm out and in turn curb the coughing.

He was coughing very badly at 2am and cried out for me to hug. Went hug him and he vomitted out a mouthful of undigested food and phlegm and I washed him up. 

He would not go back to sleep and instead lay in my arms asking me to rock him and I comply hoping to make him feel better. 10min later, he had another vomit episode and I quickly brought him to the toilet where he puked out more food and phlegm. 

It was actually a good thing that he managed to get the phlegm out but seeing him vomit and crying shattered my heart. Mr Love then brought him out to drink some water, hoping to clear the bitter after vomit taste in his mouth and he vomitted a 3rd time all over his dad. 

So we cleaned him up again and changed the bed sheets and then he was tired already and requested to go sleep. Patted him a bit while his dad cleaned up the mess and then went took a shower. 

Hopefully he will get a good night sleep after expelling the phlegm but nevertheless we are going to the doc tmr to get proper med and dosage ( the current dosage was based on last Sept visit).

It certainly pains me to see him sick but I hoped he will get stronger after this episode and enjoy 

school again.

Dinos' 1st Overseas trip

I contemplated in bringing The Dinos for a short overseas trip for the longest time as they are not use sleeping without the cradle. But I did promise myself that once the transition to bed is successful, I would plan 1 trip.

Noticing that they can sleep successfully without the cradle in Mid Oct and I immediately got to work. Initially wanted to travel to TPE aka our favourite city but the tixs were overpriced with 1 month left to departure and I'm not sure whether we can handle a 4hr 30min flight witht the first time flyers.

End up I decided on BKK. Short flight time and with discounted ticket prices on TG. Mummy was not convinced that we could handle on our own and decided to come along. My Piggy Bro who had never been to BKK also tagged along. So we had quite a huge group of 4 adults and 2 infants.

Dun like to sit on stroller

Following Popo to walk around

Decent hotel in BKK will set us back by quite a bit so I went in search for an apartment in Airbnb. In the end I found a gem. Close to shopping district, BTS, airport link and half the price of what 2 hotel rooms would have cost.

What's up there?

Touch down in BKK

BD With mummy

SD with Papa

It was an unconventional choice to take airbnb in BKK as friends and colleagues around me all took hotel stay. But hey, I love the home away from home feel. And with all of us staying in an apartment instead of 2 hotel rooms meant that the Dinos can be separated efficiently during sleeping time since they are still at the stage of wanting to play with each other during bedtime.

2nd bedroom

 We booked a 2 bedroom apartment. It also had 2 more single beds in the living room, 1 of which is separated by a panel. Piggy bro decided not to share the room which has 2 single bed with mummy and instead opt to sleep in the living room.

Welcome snacks for the Dinos

Dining area

 We got lucky with a super good host who welcome us at the Airport link station near his apartment to help with the luggage which is a god sent since we did not have to navigate our way to his apartment in the unforgiving weather with the luggage and children.

Along the way, he gave simple orientation of the surrounding neigbourhood and also tips to get around.

Our host explaining how to use the TV

 We were pleasantly surprise to find 1 big box of snack for the Dinos which they got it after I enquired about where to buy near their house. The apartment is also well stocked with snacks, drinks, fruits and cooking whats not.

Master bedroom with cot

 I like it how meticulous they are to make sure the Dinos have a comfortable stay here. From cot to high chair to stroller to sterilizer to welcome snack and not forgetting a big basket of bath supplies, we wouldn't have to bring much of their things here if not for me used to using certain brands for them. Still we appreciate their kindness where they could have just not go out of their way to do these.

Bathroom

The Dinos immediately felt at home and went around exploring and playing in the apartment. Had to move the dangerous stuff out of their way since they pretty much have no concept of danger yet. 

I had brought along a thermal cooker, rice, dried scallops, sweet potato and potato to cook porridge for Dinos. My plan was that the porridge will serve as the staple food and will and whatever meat we are having that day to the porridge during meal times. 

The plan backfired on 3rd day when Dinos got bored with the porridge and I got lazy lugging the heavy stuff around. In the end they ate whatever we had though I still try to order the mildest taste on the menu for them since Thai food seems to be a little heavy on the tastes. 

Bath supplies for the Dinos

They were good eaters. In fact so good that I'm kinda impressed. Whatever we had or gave, they took it without hesitation and enjoyed the eating sessions. But we did make it a point to try have Chinese or Jap food for the benefit of them and my mummy.

But I still like it most when they fell asleep during my meal times which meant I could enjoy my food in peace though need to eat in an awkward postion with them sleeping on us in carrier. 

Piggy bro's corner

I'm also secretly please that they are good flyers. Unlike me, they don't suffer from in ear pain during take off or landing ( touch wood) and can entertained themselves with the in flight entertainment and take steal our in flight meals to eat.

Did not even used any of the entertainment I prepared beforehand in case they got bored or cranky. During departure, we managed to make them sleep before boarding and they woke up half way from into the flight. 

When coming back, SD knocked out for most of the flight while BD played awhile and then subsequently slept thru the flight before flight meal is served. 

The only down side from this trip is during their bed time when they wouldn't sleep on unfamiliar bed and I had a hard time coaxing them during the first night when they cried murder from tiredness but not able to fall sleep.

Man I felt like flying home the very night. 

Luckily my mummy came with us and she took SD to her room and coax him while I deal with the more problematic BD. 

They were also pretty cooperative when it comes to pooping time where would take a dump after morning milk and then once again at night before sleep. In this way, we need not have to change them lying down when outside. 

I managed to let them changed while standing since we brought diaper pants along. There isnt much changing stations in BKK toilets to start with. So it was kinda a relief to us that they did not poo outside.

They are able to nap on us while baby wearing them as we move around. Only downside is when it gets too hot, they will wake up screaming. 

We resort to staying indoors in shopping centers and at the same time kept the hand held fan on. BKK was really warm and stuffy when we were there. 

Even missed out the night markets cause even at night it's still stuffy.

All in all it was a fruitful trip since the Dinos enjoyed themselves and I noticed that their language skills improved tremendously during and after the trip.

SD was so happy to be walking along the Bangkok busy streets everyday during our stay there that he waved and kiss goodbye to random motorcyclists waiting for the green light to come on or those taking the old school public buses. 

Transitions

We let the Dinos sleep in cradle when they were about 2 months at the request of my mummy who says babies sleep better in cradles.

Previously, we will either carry them or put them in rocker to sleep and then transfer to cot after they fell asleep. Of course it would involve patting here and there during their sleep and my mum found it to be a hassle.

Since she will be the main caregiver after I returned to work, I try to give in to whatever request she makes.

Fast forward to when they are 18mths and we are about to send them to CC where all kids sleep on mattress and have 1 nap per day.

During registration, the principal suggested to let them transit to bed and 1 nap at home first since they will only start in next Jan.

So the big transition project began.

I requested both grannies to give them nap at 12pm which is the official nap time for CC but so far both have failed to do so. Both still need give 2 naps per day.

But during weekends, even if they wake up at 6.30am to play, we are able to drag their nap to 12pm. Of course we shifted their lunch time to an hour earlier. So far we've been doing for the past month and both can accustomed to this new timing on weekends. Not sure whether its due to having each other to play with but they seems to have boundless energy and don't even need a nap.

I'm also able to get them to sleep on bed/ mattress by making them lie beside me while nursery rhymes are put on repeat mode and I'll pat them.

Small Dino will want run around the room before sleep. When he's tired, he would come beside me to lie down and asked me to start patting him.

Big Dino on the other hand loves to "chat" while lying on the bed side by side. He would then slowly drift to sleep. This is quite my style except that he is still talking his baby language while I answer in whatever topic I can think of. Nevertheless, he's pretty happy during the sessions.

Come to think of it, I must be mad to introduce 2 changes at the same time for them. Luckily they adapted quite well and I can now say the transitions are successful but only when I'm in charge. Hopefully they will get use to it when attending CC next year.

Dinos' 1st Outing to Changi Airport

Since The Dinos have been taking 1 nap on weekends, it's easier for us to bring them out for outings.

This holiday, we had an impromptu playdate with Bestie and her family at Airport. Was initially scheduled to go Bestie house and plans got shelved and we decided to go airport and Bestie decided to join us there. Haha.

The Dinos woke up at 3pm and we fed them milk and left house at 4pm, armed with a truckload of things for them.

I've cooked their porridge with the thermal pot and packed their things while Papa napped with them. Mothers - we get to rest the least. Gonna shoot those who kept telling me that I can rest when the kids nap. Bullshit. Haha I'm in fact busiest when they sleep cause need rush to finish the tasks.

Enough of complaints. 

Enroute to Airport

So we reached the Airport at 4.30pm. Exactly the time I planned. Parked at T2 and made our way to the viewing gallery. But it was a disappointment. It's a pretty small area with quite a crowd and also only able to have view of 1 parking area. I.e. 6 parking spaces for airplanes. There's no other places to watch already. 

Papa preparing them 

Ready to explore

Them pointing to the Big Birds

I remembered there used to a long stretch of viewing gallery where we can see alot of airplanes taking off and landing and then parking to the gates.

We then decide to go to T1 as there's advertisement that T1 vieiwng gallery is kids friendly.

Big Dino, afraid of the see though glass

Then the copy cat Small Dino also expressed fear

Run baby, run

Turns out, it's only a tad better than T2 only. There's a mini playground which is over crowded and also some kiddy rides and a colouring station.

We let the Dinos roam freely at an open area. Though there's some crowd but there's still enough space for the kiddos to run about. Just have to be careful on the other kids running around too. 

So happy to be running freely

Tried to steer them look at the Big Birds (which is our main objective to come here) but they weren't interested. Further more, the passage way near viewing window were see through to ground level and it freaks the Dinos out. 

I did not expect them to understand the design but Big Dino totally wouldn't stand on it and kept telling us he's scared. Small Dino tried to go for a while before running away. 

Decided to let them just do what they want. 

They then got interested in some lighting structure inside the departure lounge and spent quite some time looking at it through the glass.

Bestie reached at 5pm and her boys immediately ran off to play after exchanging greetings. We didn't have time to chat as were all busy looking after the kids.

Big Dino then steered me to the play ground as he wanna explore it seeing so many kids there. So much for me keeping him away.

Cheers!

Meantime, Papa brought Small Dino to the colouring station and spent quite sometime there.

We have never brought the Dinos to playground except for the indoor 1 which they both literally had the whole play ground to themselves when we visited at super off peak hours.


Hence my Dinos did know the concept of queuing up for their turn.

Big Dino actually hog the whole slide to himself, wanting to climb up the reverse way after sliding down. The problem is there are other kids waiting to slide down behind him. I had to carried him away and then up the stairs again to let him have another go.

But this stubborn mule wanted to do things his way and ended up having a meltdown for not getting his way.

Took him to a corner to let him finish crying before explaining / reprimanding him. Nothing will go in when he's crying.

Not sure whether he understands or he is just being angry, he didn't go to the slide anymore after that.

Bestie on the other hand was impressed with his loud voice. Haha. Now then you know.

Colouring station

We then let them play with the kiddy rides but did not put monies in for it to move. Firstly, I did not want to expose them to the moving rides and secondly they will be afraid.

Let them be contented with sitting on the immobile rides and pretend play will do.

My handsome Godson

On their favourite - Bus

Getting down to go another ride

Left for T2 again at 6pm to go for dinner and the boys had another meltdown as they did not want to leave. We forcefully removed them and baby wear them and move on quickly.

Luckily had some snacks with me and they calm down after that.

Swensens (where we are having dinner) had a long queue and luckily I had brought home cooked porridge. I actually contemplated not to initially and wanted to let them have kids meal there. But somehow managed to convince myself to go through the hassle of cooking, packing and then carrying.

Turns out to be a wise move as the Dinos were hungry and the queue is long. Fed them while they run about outside waiting.

Lusting after Chio Bin's biscuits while he is actually having dinner

Small Dino was super funny. He was interested to eat Chio bin's Biscuit while I fed him porridge and kept hovering around the stroller. But thank god he did  not snatch, just stood there looking intently.

Had it been his brother who is eating, he would have snatched and run. So I guess he is still not so bad after all.

Kor, issit yummy?

We were ushered to our place after 20min of queuing and the Dinos are already finishing their dinner. But these 2 bottomless pit can still eat our fries and then ice cream later on. Big Dino even insist that he wants the mint flavour would not take others.


Managed to chat a bit amidst the feeding / eating session and we ended the night by changing all young kids' diaper before calling it a day.

Group photo

It's been a short but fulfilling outing and I looked forward to more of such play dates. The Dinos were so tired that they K.O on the way home.

But during bed time, both were excitedly making aeroplane sound complete with the flying action and then a string of their baby words as if to tell me what they saw/ experienced. Took a longer time than usual to let them sleep. 

Cooking again

So we brought a electric pressure cooker to kick start my cooking career again.

Reason being, we are sending the Dinos to childcare come Jan and I would want them to still have homecook dinner whenever possible.

With the short amount of time I have after work, need help of every imaginable cook appliances you can think of.

After getting my cooker, the 1st dish I tried with it is my personal favourite - Sesame Oil Chicken - 麻油鸡.

So before I forget how to cook again, gotta record it down here for future reference.

Ingredients :

Chicken breast - 300g
Boneless chicken thighs -200g
Ginger cut into strips
1 small can of button mushrooms

Seasoning: 

 
1tbsp of light soy sauce
1 1/2 tbsp of dark soy sauce
1 1/2 tbsp of sesame oil
1 tbsp of hua diao jiu
200ml water
1tbsp of corn starch

Steps.

1). In bake mode, heat up 2 tbsp of sesame oil and fry the ginger till fragrant.

2). Put in chicken pieces and continue frying

3). Add in seasoning and button mushrooms and make sure the chicken pieces are well coated with the seasoning

4). Switch to chicken mode and kpt for 10min.

5). Release vent slowly and ready to serve.

Because of personal preference, I actually used much more sesame oil. I.e for frying can use normal cooking oil. And cause I want some gravy for the Dinos, add in more water.

These can be adjusted accordingly to individual's preference.

Cooking Mama

The Dinos are due to start playground come 2018 and help from both mothers will cease when we withdraw the kids from their care.

I'm pretty confident my mummy will continue to extend her help at least for the first few months till she deem me fit enough to handle them both on my own. That being said, I cannot be banking on her help since she's not obliged to do so (and since the other mother would not give a damn after we withdraw the Dinos).

So I came up with some plans which still needs a bit of testing and trails.

For instance, we need have home cooked dinner for the Dinos. And to cook a full meal after work with them at home is basically mission impossible. To overcome this issue, I've decided to engage help of the modern electronics.

We've a multi purpose rice cooker, slow cooker, oven and air fryer presently.

Am thinking to add in electric pressure cooker and also to get a bigger capacity thermal cooker to use.

So, the plan is to cook rice and soup in the thermal cooker (I cannot live without soup for meals). Then for meats / fishes will alternate between air fryer, pressure cooker and oven.

Only veggies need to stir fry on conventional hob.

Hopefully my ideas work and can whipped up meals fast enough to feed the Dinos.

Then again, I must also disciplined myself to prepare the ingredients every night and wake up maybe say an hour earlier to cook for the thermal cooker. Am not sure whether I am up to it or not.

I think I will need plan a weekly meal sheet too and do groceries shopping on weekends since weekdays would be a mad rush to go fetch the Dinos.

As for now, I will concentrate in practicing the recipes first to at least master the taste.

This is so going to be a big project.

Wish me luck.

Of attention and love and sleepless nights

I often get questions on how is Twins motherhood for me since I'm like a zombie most of my waking hours recently. You try not to get much sleep for 2 and half months and have to pacify crying babies in the middle of the nights and you will know why I look and act like a zombie.

Then again, it's part and parcel of Motherhood and I know I just have to rough it out.

Some senseless people will comment like why The Dinos are 18mths already and yet they still don't sleep through the night while their own (kid, nephews, niece, or whoever kid they knew) is already doing so at 6months.

Really, how the heck I know? I take it that my kids are more textbooks babies i.e Go through ALL the problems listed in those help books like Sleep Regression @ 4th, 10th and 18th months, milk strike, Terrible 2 stages (Yes, it had began) etc etc.

It doesn't make things easier that they both go through these together and I do not have a 50%  discount with 1 giving me a hard time only.

My question is SO WHAT?

So what my kids are making me suffer?

I became their mother by choice. In fact I fought hard to bring them to this world knowing what I am in for though not knowing the magnitude.

I knew it's not going to be easy dealing with twins and we decided not engaging a helper.

I wanted to experience motherhood even though it is tough when I am a full time working mother.

I wanted to look back knowing that I tried my very best as a mother to my kids, bringing in the dough with their Papa and yet look after them wholeheartedly. I wanted to give them all my love and attention in whatever limited amount I have left after work.

After all you cannot be giving them life and leaving them to other's care be it Grandparents or helper.

I might not be the best mother who planned everything perfectly for them but I do plan in their best interest.

Of course there are days when I feel so tired that I just wanna fall back and sleep my butt off. But I will always be on my feet again when reminded on how not easy I got the Dinos.

I know that these shall all pass soon and a day will come that they would not need my full attention or reciprocate my loving actions to them.

But before that day comes, I wanna enjoy basking in their attention and love.

My boys including the old 1.

Dear Ah Ma 2017

Dear Ah Ma,

How are you getting on with Ah Gong, Da Jiu & XB? I hoped all of you are well.

Its been a real busy year as your great grand sons grow and with a new addition of Ah Liang's son to our family in Apr.

Er Jiu's grand son is born last Oct while Xiao Jiu got another grandson in Mar this year to. The total great grandsons you have currently stands at 6 though is not a grand number considering you have 18 of us grand children. But slowly and steadily the other cousins will add up the numbers. 

Mummy got more busy than ever with her looking after my sons during weekdays and trying to go see Ah Liang's son during weekend. But I know she is happily busy. 

We will be sending my sons to childcare next year and hope to ease her burden though I suspect she will go stand outside the school and observe them.

Please continue to watch over us Ah Ma, and blessed Mummy and Papa with good health to watch our kids grow. 

Our 2017 family photo sans Ah Liang who is away for work

I hope you all are well where ever you are and I look forward to give you an update next year. 

Missing you always,

Your eldest grand daugther, Ah Le