Annual Family Trip 2016: Jeju Island & Seoul

We`ve just came back from our annual family holiday, this time we went to Jeju Island and Seoul. For 12 days!! Now, it`s back to unpacking and reality.

We had never been to Korea, but the rest of the family had, so everything was very new to us, and I love Korea. Though quite frankly I think I`m having kimchi overload. And rice cake overload. However, I think the 1 person who truly had the hardest time was Gabe. As you all know, His Royal Highness is a picky picky food eater, and is very loyal to certain foods only. So imagine Korea, where most food were 85% spicy. Gabe cannot take spicy food, Lucas on the other hand, can chow down mild spicy, he`ll just drink heaps of water.

So, Jeju was I think the hardest. The main specialty food was hairtail fish in spicy soup, or some noodles in spicy soup. Then there`s grilled fish, but Gabe isn`t a fan of fish. So the best option was grilled meat or yakiniku with rice. But again, he missed his udon n ramen I guess. Totally non cooperative bugger. Meals obviously was a nightmare with us trying to see what was suitable for him. Imagine his relief when after 6 days we were headed to Seoul where I hope the food choice was wider, else we have major SOS on our hands.

Thankfully, our hotel, Metro Hotel right smack in Myeondong was very convenient and guess what??? right below it was the popular Japanese bento take out, Hotto Motto!!!!!! Yay for Gabe. So yes, almost everyday, we had take out for him, and boy was he glad to have his udon soup. Phewwwww.

We stayed in Seoul for 7 nights and had the best time there. I think Lucas enjoyed himself very much with his cousins. And yes, I mostly did my shopping with a leech on my hips as he didn`t want to stay in the hotel room with Daddy n kor kor. The rest had a great time shopping.

It was a great great holiday, but it`s nice to be back in Tokyo with the kids in school. It`s been great spending 24/7 with them, but enough is enough.

Some pictures to enjoy!!

Gabe`s 5th Birthday 2016

This year, Gabe`s birthday fell on our annual family trip, so the family was with him on his actual birth day. However, before we left I made a request to his teacher to allow him to have a class celebration. So, I bought a lovely heart shaped chocolate cake which was so so yummy and arrived at his school at 1.50pm, snack time. All the kids were already seated at the table and patiently waiting.

Gabe was so happy to see me and what more with a yummy cake. All the kids were so happy and happily singing away. The students & teachers made a laminated green birthday card for him. It was so sweet. And, there was a photo card for us to remember this day. Such a lovely photo.

Then, during our Korea trip, he got to celebrate again, this time with all the family. And yes, it was another lovely chocolate cake. He was so so happy with all the Happy Birthday singing. We couldn`t have asked for any better birthday celebration.

Here is the lovely big birthday card from his English preschool and the photo to remember by

And this one, from his special school teachers

And the Jeju Island celebration with the family

Gabe dearie, you`re doing really well and have become really naughty. Everything to our requests and questions are now met with `NOs` from you. But we love you so much and wish for nothing but happiness and joy for you. Continue to be healthy and curious and funny. Didi loves you too, though his actions often don@t reflect so. But trust me, he does in his own funny way.

Till another celebration next year sweetie...

A rare picture of us together

Happy World Down Syndrome Day 2016

Happy World Down Syndrome Day Gabriel!

So, we`re doing well, and Gabe is doing really well too! Come April, he will be moving uo to the bigger kids school at Hello Kids. The teachers have nothing but praise for him and how well he`s been doing. He has no problems with his basic living skills and can follow instructions really well. And, after discussing with his teachers, they feel Lucas would benefit not being in the same class as Gabe too. Because at the moment, it seems that Lucas has no interest in playing with other kids when Gabe is there and even tends to be whinier.

I`m hoping that by mixing with the bigger kids who can talk well, Gabe will be able to catch up with his speaking skills and learn to communicate more. Pretty excited to see how he fares in this new environment.

The only thing that is worrying us right now is potty training which Gabe is still not ready for yet at this moment. Let`s hope he`ll be fully trained by year end.

But other than that I`m really happy Gabe is doing so well, and we`re in a great place right now. He`s so funny and loving and has so so many funny dance moves, it`s hilarious to watch him copy. Sure, he`s not up to scratch with his speaking skills, but you should listen to the list of words coming out from his mouth now, it`s amazing how fast he`s picking up random words and just speaking it. His fine motor skills are getting so good, he loves doing the teddy bear threading game and has gotten so well doing it, compared to just 3 months back when he couldn`t thread it. It`s amazing how fast he`s learning.

All around the world, many families like mine are celebrating Down Syndrome today and many are creating awareness for Down Syndrome. Of course, we don`t just celebrate today, but everyday of our child`s life. But more so today so that all of us can come as one and voice out our joys & pride of having a special needs child and tell the world that it`s not the end of the world nor is it a bleak future and life. Instead, it`s about our journey filled with challenges, tears, laughter and pride.

For some, they will pray & ask that their child will be healed miraculously of Down Syndrome, that somehow God will take it all away and cure their child. for me, i believe there are miracles that our God can do like healing the injured, or healing the crippled, but this, this extra chromosome is the core existence of a human, embeded deep in their DNA. And praying for this to disappear is impossible, even for someone so powerful. I`m sorry if this offends anyone, but it`s what I think.

So, on this day especially, I`d like to ask for all of you who will and want to pray for Gabe, please ask that he will grow up healthy and strong, that his heart will stay healthy, that he wil be able to learn to fully speak soon and more importantly, that he will someday find a place in this world fit for him. That people will learn to fully accept special needs children. Pray that Gabe will grow up to be a creative, useful, independant individual who will be loved by many.

Gabriel, Mummy believes in you that you will be capable of many things and that you will be able to lead a fulfilling life. Continue to grow and be happy darling. Have fun and dance your funny moves, i love it.