Taiwan 2011 - Baby Boss (Part 1)

After the fun that was Flying Ranch, we headed off to Taipei.  Or to be a bit more specific, Baby Boss, as we didn't actually do anything in Taipei other than go to Baby Boss.  If you are keeping count, that means we spent 3 days in Baby Boss (but still weren't able to do everything there!).

Baby Boss, as far as I can tell, is fairly unique as a concept.  In brief, it allows your kids to roleplay as different jobs.  For each job that they undertake, they get some Babybucks (which can be used to buy things inside the Baby Boss store) as well as a little card certifying that they completed that job.

And if you think that sounds fun, then you are right!

Gas Attendant

Gerry and Gordon in the process of getting dressed as gas attendants

Welcoming the car to the petrol station

Each kid takes turns to add petrol before wiping the windscreen

After filling up the car, the kids line up to wave goodbye

 Traffic police

All dressed up and marching out

Gerry directing traffic and pedestrians

Astronaut

Getting their mission briefing (after landing on the moon)

Back on Earth

Security

Getting instructions on their destination

Picking up the cash at the bank

Taking the cash back to the security van

Fireman

One of the most popular jobs at Baby Boss was the fireman job.  Its hard to show why this job is so popular with just pictures so here are a couple of video links as well.

Bee Boo Bee Boo Bee Boo!!

Gerry - after successfully putting out the fire

Taiwan 2011 - Flying Cow Ranch

After Leofoo Resort, we headed off to Flying Cow Ranch.  This was the second, and cheaper, farm that we stayed at during our holiday in Taiwan.

Alas, despite the name, the cow does not actually fly...

Still, much fun was had!

One of the good things about Flying Cow is that there are a lot more activities for the kids.  I'm guessing this is partially due to Leofoo Resort having an actual theme park next door - this fact leading the organisers to believe that people would rather go to the theme park than stay at the resort.

One of the first activities we went to was a painting jam where we got to paint a small cow (which had no wings and did not fly).

Gordon showing his artistic side

before taking a break while Gerry keeps on going

The finished product - The Amazing Spider-Cow!

There were also lots of cooking classes where we could make different milk flavoured cakes and cookies.  Being a real farm, with live cows, allowed us to use fresh milk as part of the ingredients.

I'm whipping egg white while Gerry whips the egg yolk

Here we label the final batter into little paper bases

and then we wait (while enjoying fresh milk)

Freshly baked, milk flavoured soft cake - yum!

Cookies!

The ultimate treat - milk and cookies!

Gerry working hard to make...

... ice Cream - and from his face, you can tell it was yummy!

 Finally, lest you forget that Flying Cow Ranch is actually a farm - some pictures of animals

Gerry feeding some baby cows

 Gerry even had the chance to milk a cow.  Unfortunately, we didn't get any pictures but if we had, you would have seen him with a scowl on his face as he ended up squirting the milk onto himself!

Feeding the local wildlife

Taiwan 2011 - Leofoo Resort

Our first stop in Taiwan was the Leofoo Resort.

Leofoo resort is an African themed resort (in Taiwan) which, although being quite expensive, is quite unique in that it lets you get really close to the animals.  We booked a room with a balcony so that we could wander outside at any time to watch the animals.  The resort also has a theme park right next to it but we didn't actually spend any time there as we wanted to spend more time with the animals.

Room with a view

Having a room with a balcony was a great decision.  We naturally wandered out to view the animals as well, but having a balcony meant that the kids could watch the animals while the missus and I were getting ready.

Who is under the hat?

Peek-a-boo Gordon!

Lunchtime for the giraffes

The great thing about the resort is that it lets you get really close to the animals.

And I do mean really close

Extreme close-up!

 The resort has various activities which take place over the day.

including actors dressed up as various animals 

and some traditional African dancers

Taiwan 2011 - Heading out

Woo - just back from a long overdue holiday to Taiwan.

We haven't really been on vacation this year as we have been using our leave to take Gerry to various P1 interviews and events.  As such, its been a very long year and it was really good to just get away from everything for a week.

Its also been a while since I blogged so I'm gonna take it easy with this first post.  Just some pics of the kids in the airplane on the way to Taiwan.  Stay posted for more updates on what we did in Taiwan in the coming weeks!

Can you guess who it is?

Yup - its Gordon!

For Gordon, this is the first flight that he has been on.  As you can guess, he was pretty excited to be riding in an airplane.

Gerry with his kids meal - he couldn't wait to tuck in

In case you are wondering, Gerry is eating mashed potato made to look like a face.  There were peas for eyes (which Gerry promptly threw away - he hates peas), a slice of young corn for a nose and a carrot for a mouth.

Gordon - not looking quite so excited at the prospect of airline food

Despite the picture, I was told that Gordon really enjoyed his meal.

And just to close off - a picture of Gordon looking cute

Gordon and the fairy tale

One of the things which the school did recently was to have a themed open day.  The theme, as you can probably guess from the title, was fairy tales.

Getting ready to go through the rabbit hole

In one of the classrooms, they had big posters depicting different fairy tales which you could take a picture in front of.  To go with the theme, they also had various props to go with them.  Unfortunately, I couldn't get Gordon to play along...

oink! oink!

You shall go to the ball!

The open day was especially fun for Gordon as the PN children don't normally get to go to the playground to play.

Beep! beep!

The parents also took part in preparing for the open day as we had to prepare some of the decorations.  In Gerry's case, we had to turn him into a member of the Red Queen's card army (from Alice in Wonderland).

Gerry - King of hearts

Mucking around at home

Hola!  Time for some more pictures!

One of the books which Gerry read recently talked about the children building a Chinese Dragon so that they could do the dragon dance.  Naturally, Gerry immediately wanted to copy it.  Unfortunately, there were only two of us so he had to settle for a lion dance instead.

Also, I don't have any creative talent.

The towel is the lion.  Really.

It works if you add a dash of imagination.  Honest.

 Gordon's tastebuds continue to develop as he has now discovered the joys of jelly.  Actually, Gordon is a strange one.  He clearly enjoys eating and eats a lot (just like me).  However, at some point in the last couple of months, he has picked up a habit of not being willing to try anything new (just like the missus).

My jelly!  Stay away!

 We recently bought a Junior Engineer kit for the kids.  Its of box of different blocks and connectors with the tools to put them together.  The whole thing is made of plastic and you don't actually need the tools to put things together.  However, using the tools adds a whole new dimension of fun for the kids.

Look - a tank!!

My toys!  Stay away!

Back to school

After due consideration, I have decided to continue with this blog albeit in a reduced capacity.  Actually, the truth is that I'm posting again because my dad asked me a question which I wasn't able to satisfactorily answer.

He asked - if you don't update your blog, how can I get to see pictures of the kids?

Hmm.

You see, I don't want to upload all my photos onto picasa or an equivalent.  Which leaves me with the option of email.  Obviously, I can't email all photos to him so I will need to pick and choose the better photos to send him.  At which point, I might as well put them into this blog (as you can imagine, selecting photos to upload generally takes more time than the actual upload itself).

In other words, you can thank my dad that this blog is still alive (and let me just add - This was a triumph!).

Gordon's first day at school
Of course, the big thing that has happened recently is that Gordon has now started school!  Huzzah!

Granted, its just PN but still, huzzah!!

Photobombed by Gerry

First day in school and Gordon heads straight for the toy car

Go on Gordon, clap!

Gordon didn't actually seem that eager to be at school.  For the first several days, he didn't show much emotion in class and tended to spend his time scoping out the teachers and other kids before deciding to take part.

Still scoping

Food!!

 Naturally, he reticence to partake in school activities didn't stop him from stuffing his face.  :)