Empire Deli

We took Ah-chan and Ji-chan to the Empire today.





They wanted to buy some chocolates to take back to Japan as souvenirs so I wandered around the atrium cafe where they normally have them. But I was told the chocolates were now in the Deli section!

This is the brand new Empire Deli:





Macaroons and chocolates:



There was freshly baked bread, sandwiches and yummy looking cakes!



I was pretty impressed by the design of the shop and the range of sweets and deli products they had, but a wee bit disappointed to have to wait almost 30 minutes to buy the chocolates...

A morning walk

While Matthew was at work we went to explore Tasek Lama. It rained from 5 am for 2 hours, so the air was nice and clean - perfect for a morning walk!

Oliver with Ah-chan



Oliver and Ji-chan





Very relaxing family morning : )

Luca and Ah-chan

Luca has getting lots of cuddles from Ah-chan, very lucky boy!!

One more game to go!

Ha ha! we won! The final will be on this weekend and we will be the best in the world!

Speedy boat ride

Oliver was very lucky to go on the monkey boat ride with Ah-chan and Ji-chan. We have done this ride with our visitors a number of times, but this was the first time for Oliver.



Great view of the Istana:



Deep into the jungle:



Oliver was pretty happy to put his life jacket on and get on the boat, until he found out the boat went with quite a speed...
He was very much in shock and didn't show much of his emotions, poor little man...





Unfortunately they could only see one proboscis monkey in the far distance, I am sure if the monkeys were closer Oliver might have cheered up a bit more - maybe next time!

Japan vs Sweden

Nadeshiko Japan is in the semi final of FIFA Women's World Cup!

The game is on early Thursday morning (Brunei time), I wish it was scheduled at a decent time

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...