It doesn't rain, it pours!!!!

Thants been my saying for this past week and I now feel drenched!!

Started our chinese new year holiday on the Wednesday evening. Hubby had a whole 4 days off work which is really rare for them! Well he came home with a sore throat, high fever and all together pissed off that he was sick on his days off and therefore our days together.

Olivia started coughing last week Wednesday. Thought it was post nasal drip so gave her some meds and off to school.
Thursday, coughing more so I thought I'd keep her off school but they're doing their poem recitals and she begged me to let her go and ofcourse mama gave in.
So Thursday afternoon, she's still coughing but she didn't get her turn to recite her poem and it will be her turn tomorrow so I just decide to take her on Saturday.

Off to the Dr on Saturday morning. Inside the dr's rooms, it was complete chaos - I'd never seen it like that before and god knows I've spent more than a good few hours in that place! Kids coughing, crying, passed out on their parents knees.
Olivia  was  lying against me so she didn't look very healthy!! Once you get in they have little kiddy masks , which I appreciate in times like this. Mathilde is told not to touch any of the toys but she sneakily  grabs the shopping trolly , her favorite ( I know, its sad they have a favorite toy at the drs, just shows how often I'm there!!)
Just hope that little Mathilde doesn't catch any of the nasties that are flying around in this confined space!!
So verdict is, a little fluid on lungs but nothing too serious. She's gives me the antibiotics incase temp spikes (as it often does on week-ends).  This is where she worried me, she knows how i feel about antibiotics and I know she won't give just to have peace of mind!

Arrive home take temp, 38.5, ok give her paracetemol and 30 min later take it again...39.4 what the hell!! I know she rarely has high fevers and when she does, its something bad. By now its 4.30pm, dr closed of course! She told me to contact her if she got worse, and I don't need much convincing to take her up on that! Sent her an sms, 5 min later she phoned me back. Thats why I love this doctor, she's amazing and always takes the time to take care of my little girls and put my mind to rest. So start antibiotic sounds like she has flu!
By Monday, coughing still not better but no fever. So back to doc on Tuesday. One x-ray later....PNEUMONIA!! Not exactly what you want to hear after a week-end of hell!
So my poor little girl has to have antibiotic jabs for 2 days and then carry on with them orally.

So now she's better and this week I feel I can face the world again. I have decided that next week , I'm going to go to the hairdresser, have a pedi and get myself a whole new wardrobe - yes a whole one!! Its about time I took time out for me and not end up in the kids part of the store with bags of clothes for them.

It is so much easier shopping for them and everything is so damn cute. Just recently went to buy a little boys outfit for a friend and boy was it hard. After all the choice little girls have, I was sent over to the corner of the shop, with jeans, navy, kaki, white, shirts and jumpers and some cool jackets but that was that. Not very inspiring shopping for little lads. So next week is my week, but for me, its easier said than done.Shopping for my girls is so easy. I don't have to worry about muffin tops, flabby arms, bulging thighs, I could go on. But, next week I'm going to make an effort . Yikes, what has happened to me.... I now have to make an effort to shop for me !!

Ice princess

On Wednesday, Olivia started her ice scating lessons. She's taking semi private lessons with her best friend so they were both really excited.
After school they were both dropped off at our house. Everyone quickly had a nutella filled pancake ( got to keep those energy levels high ) and a drink. Then the fun began.

Luckily my mom was there to help because taking the bus with two 6 year olds ( who think they're 16 ) and a little girl of 2 who wants to do exactly the same as the other 2. Lets just say we had our hands full.
Just outside our residence there's a bus that goes directly to the shopping centre where they'll be having their lessons. So after hearding everyone and the pushchair on to the bus, we could relax.

Mathilde finally fell asleep and it was time for us to get off, so all out, M in her pushcair and off we went. Walked through the MTR ( underground here in HK) and arrived at Cityplaza.

In HK there are 2 shopping centres with ice scating rinks (Cityplaza and Elements which is in Kwoloon )
They have group lesson at 550hkd for 5 lessons @30mins each.
Private @ 925 HKD for 5 lessons for 30min each.
Semi-private @ 725 for 5 lessons for 30 min each.

They had their photos taken for their student cards ( giggles all around ) then it was time to fit the scates. They both managed to walk and stay up, I was quite amazed.
Marco, their coach came and took them onto the ice and they did their thing. Olivia was very cautious and done really well. They both had lots of fun and didn't want to leave. When they get a little better, after their class, we'll stay for them to play and practice.

Then it was off to catch the bus, and back home. All in all they enjoyed it and can't wait til next wednesday.

10 things I love about Hong Kong.

1) Shop for 500HKD or more ( in more or less any big super market) and have your groceries delivered to your door. And, if you're not in, they'll leave them next to your door and get this, no one will pinch them!!

2) Safety. You can walk around day or night and feel safe! After coming from South Africa, this is a big plus!

3) Efficiency of public and private services.

    Once again, coming from South Africa where most of the public service leaves much to be desired- to say the least - queing for anything is no longer a nightmare. So organised, but then again I guess they have to be with a population of  about 7 000 000 people.

4) Plaform to access amazing places.

From HK international Airport ( which is the best airport I've seen ) you hop on a plane and within a few hours.... Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore  just to name a few.
I have to get planning. With all these exciting places on our doorstep, we'd be fools not to take advantage!
 
5) Octopus Cards

An Octopus card is an electronic debit card the size of a credit card which can be used on public transport, parking meters and many retail outlets in and around HK. Vey handy, as you just swipe as you get onto your bus, MTR or ferry and the exact fare is deducted.
There's the adult card, child card and children under 3 ride free on public transport.


6) Parks, greenery and beaches.

Even though  its a big ciy filled with skyscrapers, its so green with parks.

Most of the parks and beaches can be reached by bus. A pleasant change from the hustle and bustle of central. The girls love building sand castles.

7) Helpful and friendly locals.

    I find the locals to be very helpful and friendly, or mabe they just see me with Mathilde and pushchair and feel sorry for me! Quite often get help on and off buses and up and down stairs.

8) The Lights

Hong Kong is a city that never gets dark, mabe thats why its a city that never sleeps ( except on public transport) . The city's lights are spectacular! Buildings are 'decorated' with different coloured ligths that light up as the sun sets. Entertains many tourists and locals alike. 

9) Shopping

    Shops stay open til late, really late. Unfortunately we can't take advantage of the late night shopping bonaza as we have 2 small kids. But I can quench my thirst for shopping during the day. M normally sleeps while being pushed past shops ranging from Louis Vuitton to shoe shiners!
Malls have everything  cinemas, designer shops, normal every day shops, ice scating rinks, activities like art lessons, learn english / madarin for kids, muscians playing music. Lets just say they love to shop!!


10) Taxis

Taxis are a cheap and easy way to get around Hong Kong if you're not travelling great distances. Compared to other major world cities, HK taxis are a bargain.You can catch a taxi any where at any time. This becomes a little more difficult when its pouring with rain during the rainy season so remember to always have your umbrella. 

Truffles

Just a few of the edible treats brought back from France.

Olivia eating every last morsel. Its the first time I've ever seen her plate so clean. Expensive taste this little girl. Brie with truffle shavings, fois gras with truffles and to top it off, pasta with  fresh black truffle  shavings!!!