Chinese New Year...

...and the kids open their ang pow.

Happy New Wheels

Fresh from Sarah's newfound freedom on pedals, we took a good look at the equipment the kids had - it wasn't pretty.


Matt's right pedal had been broken to a stump following a few crashes, and Sarah's, while a good size for learning, was starting to prove too small for her growing frame. Besides, both had worn out bearings and dodgy brakes.


Time for 'proper' bikes then. A quick trip to Takashima later (involving some creative packaging in the boot), two new Diamondbacks have found their home with us. Pretty obvious which one belongs to whom...

Sarah's Turn

Must be a magic age - two months short of six years. That's when Matt and now Sarah went from four wheels to two.

The signs were there: we observed that she was riding steadily enough not to rely on the training wheels; and that her legs were strong enough to take the sustained pedalling required to maintain balance.

So off came the side wheels (once again), and with with one hand on the handlebar and the other gently supporting her shoulders, I gave the push off.

And Sarah quickly learnt, first just pedalling straight, then making gentle turns and finally starting on her own. That's it - cycling in three days.

Halfway There!

What with email and facebook, we've totally forgotten to say anything on this blog until now and I'm already 20 weeks gone!

After a precarious first trimester with full blown influenza, spotting, bed-rest and patent agent exams in London to cap it all with, things have settled down, thankfully. But wriggles, punches and kicks have picked up, especially when I'm trying to get to sleep.

The kids are real sweeties and never forget to give the bump goodnight pats and kisses, as well as random hugs. I hope they'll continue to be as loving after the birth in May, especially Sophie.

We'll be checking for major anomalies next Monday with a detailed ultrasound scan. Hope to know if it's a boy or a girl too. Matt wants a boy very much. I personally can't decide between wanting a boy to even things out or a girl for generally being less stressful to bring up. It's also been much easier to choose a girl's name while we can't seem to find a boy's one that we like that isn't already taken by somebody we know well.

Anyway, all we really pray for is a healthy normal child and a smooth and safe delivery. We'll be very grateful for your prayers too. Thanks!

Same form teacher, so...

We were told that Matt's P1 form teacher will be following them up to P2 for 2009. I asked Matt, "Do you think that will be good?"

He thought for a bit and replied, "Yes, because I'm already used to her scoldings."