Great time with A-chan and Ji-chan

To our surprise Oliver is very comfortable (after having a 3 month break from seeing them) around my parents. He had a great time playing with Ji-chan (grandpa) in the garden while I had a nice sleep-in this morning.

We had a few things on the list this morning. As mum and dad brought the official document Luca needs to get his Japanese passport, we first got Luca's passport photo done. Unfortunately he was asleep when we took him in to the photo shop so the photo didn't turned out that cute : ( We didn't waste any time, took it into Japanese embassy in town straight away - it is so handy to have an embassy here, his passport will be ready in 2-3 days!

Since it is located right across from the New Mosque we went and had a look around both inside and outside. They told us the Mosque will be closed for the rest of the week (I think it is due to the Sultan's birthday coming up on Friday) - lucky we went there today.

We had lovely Italian lunch together and the boys dropped mum and I off so we can get some special treatment - we got head, shoulder, back and foot massage done at Zen Spa. I haven't been there for a long long time but after being back there again today I must visit there more often. It was heavenly good - I fell asleep so deeply... zzz...

Today Oliver made "fish shape pizza!"





In the evening we went to Muara beach for a little walk. Oliver just loved being back on the beach and of course had a ball running around in the playground there.







Mummy, mummy beeeeeaaaach!!





Luca was there too:



To finish up our busy day we had a nice Japanese dinner at home.



Tomorrow I will be staying with Luca in the morning while others do the monkey boat and Kampung Ayer trip. I am glad my parents are enjoying being on holiday!

Yes they are here!

Despite our concern my parents arrived safely last night. They will be here for only one week so we have a busy schedule!

Shimakaze reception

Just like in March, we were invited by the embassy of Japan to join the on-board reception of the Shimakaze.

Very warm welcome by the officers:



Just the two of us:



We didn't see this last time - lowering the flag - it was quite a serious affair.



Some Karate demonstrations:





The officers on-board told us this crew won the best on board food award - it was certainly very very tasty! And amazing presentation!
There was sushi, tempura, yakitori and more, I ate way too much.



Very typical for an event - Japanese Sake taru



Some of our friends were there too - It turned out to be a very fun night!





It was so enjoyable we brought the party back home and spend a few more hours chatting and drinking : ) Very nice relaxing evening.

Sandwich?

The Empire had a unique high tea theme this month - Sandwich!
Boel and I had a plan to go there last month, but as you know I suddenly got a bit busy and we didn't make it.

We managed to get there this afternoon and enjoyed the selection of great food.
Strange but fab display :)





As usual I ate too much... they were very tasty! Of course I had seconds!



Boel and Luca



Oliver and Lucas



Linnea and Luca



A great family photo



Lucas and Linnea are going on a holiday. I am certain that Oliver will be very confused not to be able to play with them... I hope I can get through the next few weeks without our lovely neighbours.

Little Crusader

In spite of the big support from little Luca, we lost our game today. Never mind... soon he will be a little All Black and cheering for NZ! Bring it on!!

Last day of Geckos

It was only one and a half years ago when Oliver first went to Geckos, since then he really enjoyed going there and we made so many great friends. Last Wednesday was the last time for Oliver to attend Geckos regularly as he will be starting nursery from September. It was the last day of the 2010-2011 school year and we had a special end of the year party at Jungle Gym - our local indoor playground.

It was extra special as the place was open only for us Geckos kids - ie private hire. All the kids had fun running around, going down the slides, throwing balls etc etc. Unfortunately I couldn't take many photos to show how much fun Oliver had (Thank you Helen for letting me use your photos)





The children enjoyed a pizza party!



Here is Oliver sitting nicely with his friends.



It won't be too long until Luca will be attending Geckos, we certainly enjoyed being there with Oliver! Thank you Geckos : )

Just the two of us

Can you believe it? These are the first photos of Luca and I alone (I know I look very tired... the lack of sleep is kicking in) Well... it only took one whole month to get these taken, thank you Sam : )





I love our matching outfits!

One month already!?

Wooooow time really flies when you are occupied with two little ones! It has already been one month since Luca arrived in the world. Just like that!

Luca had a special one month treat, a morning bath! Gosh he looks so much like Oliver when he was his age.



He is very alert and his features are establishing more and more everyday.

Nope didn't forget our Gollywog photos - here they are:
Luca Matthew Gordon Rose - One month old



Both boys with Golly





Oliver looked huge next to Luca, I cannot believe in just 2 years Luca will be as big as Oliver...

Sushi this time

Oliver is loving putting his Gruffalo apron on and cooking in the kitchen. This time his friend Lucia and her mum Isabel joined him to make sushi! Yes - our speciality : )

Here is Lucia and Oliver putting rice on nori very carefully.



Tasting to see if we put enough vinegar into the rice...



Well done Lucia you did it!





Straight away Oliver started to demolish the sushi he made himself.





And time for Isabel to roll!





I might do more mum and kids sushi sessions during the holidays (School break until the end of August) Anyone interested?

No... I don't think so

Here in Brunei if you have a baby or toddler, the shop assistants, waitresses, cleaners or whoever you meet are keen to touch your child - patting their head, touching their chin etc etc.

When we were out having lunch the other day one of the waitress came and asked me looking very serious - "Can I borrow your baby (Luca)?

No! you cannot borrow Luca!

Big Jake Dumper coming through

Oliver had a playdate with Aaron this afternoon. They look very serious but they had a good time together : ) You are wondering Oliver's legs are not quite long enough? yeah we had to push them around...

zzz...

Odd find

I was told by friend of mine at a birthday party over the weekend about this cafe by the beach in Jerudong. I have heard of it before but never really made an effort to go there.

We were at Geckos this morning and were hungry on the way home - so why not? we decided to check it out.

It was a shame the weather wasn't so nice today but the soft rain helped us dine outside without sweating. While waiting for our lunch Oliver and Matthew walked down to the beach, unfortunately you cannot swim there - there were signs for no swimming in this area :( But it is a very nice quiet beach so next time I will bring Oliver's bucket and spades so he can play in the sand.



Oliver was very happy watching the waves coming in and picking up some shells.



You find some odd things here in Brunei occasionally, but walking along the beach, O&M suddenly encountered this mini ranch! How strange!







And to our surprise the fish and chips we ordered for Oliver was sooooooo good! We have to say the best in Brunei! Matthew and I had a burger each but we will order fish and chips instead next time! The cafe was quite full with locals and lots of them were having fish and chips so it must be their signature dish? What makes it better? It was only $5 - bargain!

Another lovely weekend

Matthew had a busy weekend with work while I was busy socialising and getting used to being a mother of two. I had two birthday parties and Rugby & BBQ night this weekend - busy busy busy!

To wrap up the busy weekend we had simpang pizza night (unfortunately Matthew was working again ...) Oliver is very lucky to have all these simpang siblings to play with! He had a fantastic time with them.



Meanwhile I enjoyed yummy pizza with my lovely friends in peace - both boys taken care of... (Luca was so good, sleeping more than 3 hours!). Somehow I didn't get bitten by any mosquitos tonight and there was such a nice breeze in the air which made the evening extra pleasant : )

Baking with Linnea

Oliver and Linnea made some banana muffins together the other day.

Little chefs : )



Linnea was in charge of cutting the chocolate - "Misuzu I think we have more than we can put into the muffins"



Hmmmm where have some of the bits gone??



For Oliver baking is a very serious task - concentrating very hard.



They tasted heavenly - fresh out of the oven - so nice that I was busy eating and forgot to take photos of final outcome!