Ayden's big day, the big 3!

Our little guy celebrated his third birthday yesterday. We started the day most appropriately for a Sunday at 7am with Ayden waking up and after I wished him a Happy Birthday whispered in my ear "Where's my cake?". He then proceeded to wake up Iman and came across his presents saying "Look, my presents!". He opened his presents and soon after the pool slide arrived. And from then on chaos reigned!

We had a little birthday party in the afternoon and Kitchen of Jasmine made this fabulous three tiered cake for their biggest fan. And he was most impressed with the fondant tennis racket. And the cake tasted superb too!

Of course the centerpiece for the afternoon was the pool slide. We went for a medium height slide so that Ayden would be able to enjoy it. It took him a while to actually go down and only when Fatin or Amin would take him. Love parties when kids are in their togs all afternoon (except when they don't think twice about coming indoors dripping wet!).

Probably no need to mention this but yes best buddies Hariz and Jack dominated the slide for most of the day!

Iman, Zahra, Hariz and Jack performed a short dance to Ayden's favorite "I like to move it...move it...." chereographed by none other than Fatin F. It was most entertaining and I will put it up as a video sometime. They were also joined by Nina.

The boys after too much cake, 7up, running around and still more excitement to come with opening of presents. Thanks to all our friends and family who made Ayden's birthday so special!

Farewell to Basil

We had some very sad news this week when we heard that Basil had passed away - he has been the constant companion of my parents for the past 15 years. As you can imagine, it's almost like loosing a family member but we were very happy to have seen him during our recent visit and he became a great friend to the kids - he has been poorly for some time so in the end it was time for him to pass onto 'Doggy Heaven'.

We will all miss him

Boys fun in Miri

I just realized that I still need to post some pictures of Iman in Paris - it would probably help if I actually acquired the pictures - noted and I will work on it! In the meantime thought I would post these photographs of Jack and Ayden at the pool in Miri two weeks ago. We all love the Marriott pools and only missing that weekend was Iman. Especially exciting for Jack was the "sea monster" inflatable which is less challenging than the old one and there was no stopping him!

Muddy scary kids

With halloween just round the corner, it was the kids hash halloween last sunday. Ayden's not big into dressing up yet and was happy in his usual hash clothes. We took the medium run which took about 30 minutes. It was a wet afternoon and was very slippery in the jungle and the kids loved it. The run was duly followed by usual round of hot dogs and refreshments while the kids got muddier!

All the kids with costumes were treated to sweets. The with with full back to the camera is Iman.

And here is our batman...

With a huge handful of sweets in his little hand

The next kids hash is going to be a big one for us. Not only is it the Christmas run but we are also laying the run and Iman will be getting her little pot to mark her 18th run. On...on...!

Pulau Berambang revisited

It's JIS half term all week and this morning we had our children join us for our Monday morning walk. Our excursion was to Pulau Berambang which I first went to and wrote about here. Now re-reading that post, it was actually my first Monday morning walk - little did I know then that the walks would make the permanent start to my week!

We have been back to the island once since then but today's group is the most we have had there - we would not have fitted another person onto the bus if we tried.

I'm very proud of the photos from today - probably because I didn't take any of them. Many thanks to Conor who took the camera off me ~ great photos Conor ~

And here are Iman's photographs

The 'summit' where we enjoyed our snacks and the view especially as it was an overcast day.

Miss Paris is back!!!!

Iman arrived back home this afternoon after being away for 10 days. Despite the long journey she was on good form and Jack and Ayden were so excited when the car came up the driveway. So many stories of Disneyland, Paris sights, museums, the hotel... it seems she had so much fun. Staying at the Meurice and travelling around Paris in a chauffer driven limousine it would be hard not to. At her age my first experience of Paris was going up and down a tour bus - still it was Paris and I still remember that first trip and the excitement of going up the Eiffel Tower.

Iman came back with a full suitcase and an additional box (?). Jack and Ayden got very cool shirts, pants and a toy car each. Iman came back with a new wardrobe (very chic). Donncha got a shirt and myself a tshirt together with this Eiffel tower - I love holiday souvenirs and I have always wanted one of these. Mind you wish the slippers came in my size!

We will try post some pictures from Iman's Paris adventures soon.

Our Favourite Miri Restaurant

With Iman away we felt the boys deserved a little break so we headed to Miri for the weekend. Our first evening there we headed out to our favorite seafood restaurant and Jack's choice for the night - LOBSTER! Apologies to all the vegetarians and animal campaigners out there but these two guys Donncha chose did go straight to the cooking pot - but they were good!!!

Though Jack chose to have lobsters, the dish we really tucked into were these fresh scallops lightly stirfried with ginger and spring onions. Think these were alive too.

The unlucky but very nice lobsters

One of many scallops

One very happy boy that evening!

A much loved Grandfather

I have briefly mentioned my paternal grandfather Dato Haji Mohamed Taib on this post. I was only a baby when he passed away and have no memories of him so it was a nice surprise to see these pictures of him at an Aunt's place in KB.

Curry for Breakfast?

Most people would balk at the thought of having curry for breakfast but for the McCarthy family this is the perfect saturday morning breakfast. In fact, we've kind of taken things to a new art form - Donncha and Iman normally head off to buy the Indian fried bread (roti) and curry (and sneak in a quick Indian 'pulled' tea while waiting). On this particular morning, Jack when told to stop dripping curry on his pyjamas, decided to copy his uncle Jagabar and eat his roti shirtless !!!!

Nothing beats a family breakfast !

Jack realising that he may be the subject of a blog post

Autumn in Paris !

Iman has always been an independent little girl so it comes as no surprise that she left yesterday for Paris (with her Grand Parents, aunt and cousin Zahra). She was really excited to be heading there on the A380 (her second time on board, one more than her Mum as she kept telling us). While away, she hopes to be able to see the Eiffel Tower, do some shopping and head to Disneyland Paris.

It was a challenge for all of us to see her heading off (without looking back) - Maria missed her immediately but was really proud of her little girl. I miss the noise and believe it or not, it can be quite quiet around the house with just the two boys.

Iman and Zahra ready to take off !

We are happy to report that they've made it to Paris safely - the food on the plane wasn't too nice (Singapore Airlines have a harsh critic - she should try other airlines!), she can see the Eiffel Tower from her hotel room (never seems to happen when I stay in IBIS chain of hotels) and traffic is at a stand still outside the hotel.