"Nuri"

Talk about undisciplined, I hadn't realised that my last post was in April! In my defence, it has been an extremely hectic few months. First there was our short visit to Singapore, then Shad was away on several work trips which usually means zero "my" time for me given my childminding duties without assistance, after that there were the bouts of what seemed like a never ending cycle of colds and coughs for poor Ryan, and of course finally our two-month long holiday back in Melbourne. So here we are four months later...

Ryan ran into our bedroom this morning to find, much to his delight, Daddy still in bed at 8.30am on a workday. We have been on the standby Storm Signal 1 then 3 for the past couple of days due to Typhoon Nuri which has been steadily making its way from the Philippines on a direct path to Hong Kong (the red star on the chart below is Hong Kong). Unlike the last typhoon that came and went without much event, this time it looked like we would actually see a Signal 9 or even 10 which would be a direct hit on Hong Kong. At eight o'clock this morning, the Weather Observatory finally issued the Signal 8 which meant an impromptu holiday for everyone. So we spent all of today hankered down at home, watching the Olympics on tv to the howling sound of strong winds and heavy rain. We're currently still on Signal 9 which will last probably past midnight.

The storm as it gathers strength (view from our livingroom)

Ryan entertaining himself with his toys

One of the highlights since coming back from Melbourne has been Ryan's graduation from riding a tricycle to a bicycle. Our little boy is really growing up. After the initial shaky start, he's become very good at riding his "big boy bike", even managing to do sharp U-turns in the lifts!

From trike...

to bike...

Cruisin' through the podium at Cyberport (it was just too hot to ride outdoors)

Time for a drink break!

Last Saturday we celebrated Shad's birthday. It was a fairly quiet affair this year since the birthday boy insisted that no fuss be made. So the three of us enjoyed some quality family time together over a lovely teppanyaki dinner at Nadaman. Throughout the entire meal, Ryan was fascinated by all the upclose "chef action". The following night we had Alex, Deanna and Peter over for dinner at our place. The star of the show was not the birthday boy but rather the whole roasted suckling pig we ordered from Percy's, a small restaurant near us run by an Australian chef who formally cooked at the famous M on the Fringe.

Mama and Ryan moment

When in Japan (or Japanese restaurant)... Ryan's getting very good with his training chopsticks

Professional hands...

Three very satisfied diners

Alex doing the honours while Deanna tends to the famished little diner!

While Ryan and I were away in Melbourne, Shad bought himself an X-Box 360 (because he was lonely so he tells me!). So now, a few nights a week you'll find him parked on the sofa busy exercing his fingers after Ryan has gone to bed. And he has started to influence our son too!

Starting young...

Driving lesson with Daddy

And after a busy day of fingers and hands workout, we headed out to Stanley for some fresh air and Spanish food.

Waiting patiently for our food to come

The chicken and seafood pealla was large enough to feed all three of us