Is Jessica The Hamster Pregnant?

Friends of ours left their hamster, Jessica, in our care for the summer. The kids had a delightful time caring for Jessica (although I think in reality, Tess did the heavy lifting such as cleaning the cage) and watching Jessica barrel around in her Little Pink Ball. The ball reminded me of Woody Allen's giant moon-ball in "Everything You Always Wanted To Know About Sex." Or was that Sleeper? Or maybe both, knowing Woody Allen's mind? Knowing that our friends had a prankster side to them, I said to Tess, "Wouldn't it be hilarious if Jessica suddenly had babies a week after being returned? Maybe we should get Jessica a boyfriend?"

Tess was horrified. "Do you have any idea the pranks that would set in motion?" Tess asked. "Chad would march right over here and dump eight pubescent young hamsters on our doorstep, with all the females impregnated. Never mind the fact that golden hamsters have to be separated after mating, otherwise the female may kill the male. The kids would wake-up one morning to find Jessica had pulled a Nancy Kissel."

"That's okay," I replied, "It would be a classic. And no one would ever ask us to look after their pet, again, either! No more, 'can we get a hamster? can we get a hamster? can we get a hamster? can we get a hamster? can we get a hamster? " from the kids! (Not that we mind, of course, Jessica has been a complete pleasure to have in our home.)

Tess disagreed. For Tess, this was right up there with throwing water balloons at the Van Dale boys on the playground from our fourth floor flat: the start of a much desired (by the boys of course) World War 3 water fight.

Tess described how she thought a water balloon drama would unfold: "Next thing you know they'll be spraying down our front door with a fire hose and their parents won't stop them, either! It will be the boys yelling, 'Are ya wet yet, Charles?' While Jennifer and Bryan, with a tone of you started it will correct the boys, 'That's Mr. Caldwell, Jack!' " 

Okay, the water balloons I held back a bit but you're never too young to pull off a clever prank like getting the hamster knocked up. So, while we are away in Thailand, does Gary have special match-making instructions to find Jessica a boyfriend? Is Jessica The Hamster Pregnant?

Sebastian’s Buzz Lightyear

We've seen Toy Story 3, which is an entire story/blog onto its own. Since seeing the move twice, the second time on Imax, the kids have been enraptured by playing "Toy Story 3" and especially Sebastian. Even though he has Buzz Lightyear figurines, he loves to transform other figures into Buzz. Below GI Joe transforms into Buzz, including the white markings on his sleeve that represent Buzz's recording/communication devices and laser. Very detailed!

The Last of the First Teeth

Both Carys and Jasper got wobbly teeth at the same time. For months each of them has been exclaiming, "Look, I have a wobbly tooth!" only to find the pearly whites firmly embedded upon inspection. Finally last weekend each of them had a lower tooth loosen. Last night, when Tess and I came home from dinner with some of Tess' friends visiting from Canada, we discovered both teeth had come out. Not that we're competitive at all, but I think after Carys pulled out her tooth in the afternoon, competitive and indignant Jasper yanked his tooth out in the evening!

The Tooth Fairy pays HK$20 per tooth in our home.

A birthday in Hong Kong

I have now lived in Hong Kong for fourteen years. The other day I figured out that six of those years I have been traveling and/or alone for my birthday since Tess would typically be back in Canada during the summer. I have still celebrated my birthday before or after the actual day, such as the amazing pirate party Tess and my family threw for me last summer. Or, in 2002 when Tess gave me a trip to Antigua Race Week as a 40th birthday present. But actually being around family on my birthday and in Hong Kong, too, kinda foreign to me. Therefore, I was at a loss to find myself in Hong Kong, on  my birthday, with my family here. Tess asked me what I wanted to do – I didn't really know. Tess asked me what I wanted for my birthday – I had no idea. I have everything I need. Seriously, I have too much stuff and should be throwing things out.

So, yesterday I woke-up and after promptly making a cup of coffee for myself, Tess and the kids booted me out of the kitchen. I sat at the computer reading CNN while lots of whispers and scurrying could be heard around the corner: footsteps stealthily dashing between the kitchen and dining room. I am pleased to report the kids were incredibly quiet and well behaved. Shortly I was invited into the dining room where the family greeted me with breakfast: fresh orange juice, cinnamon rolls, and a variety of homemade cards from Tess and the kids. Amongst the little pieces of paper included a coupon for Tess to have a pair of my shoes re-soled, Bolaven Coffee,  and a coupon to buy an Ipad. Wow, lucky me – an Ipad for my birthday and a 4G iPhone for Father’s Day. Neither of these devices have been purchased, though, and I am considering cashing them in for something else: a piano.

The idea of introducing the kids to formal musical training has been on my heart for several months. I think the upcoming school year could be labeled, “The Year of Musical Gifts.” Tess and I would offer the kids one of two instruments to learn, piano or guitar, to gain a foundation in one instrument. These days, technology provides very affordable but beautiful sounding electronic keyboards. Even with headsets. What's in it for me? The opportunity to play the piano again, something I haven’t done much of the last fifteen to twenty years. What do you think ~ good idea?

Back to my special day: atypical day at work. Tess and the kids joined me at the end of the day. We went out for dinner to a new place – Ruby Tuesday’s – an “ok” family restaurant but hugely overpriced. It was a bit late when we got home so off to bed everyone went, but today the kids surprised me with a terrific birthday cake. Thank you Terrific Tess and kids for a wonderful day. Thank you to everyone else who sent me birthday wishes by phone, e-mail or Facebook… and of course huge thank you to my dad who sent a traditional card in the mail!

Imperial Airways

Today amidst teaming rain a group of us took the kids to the Aviation Discovery Centre at the Hong Kong Airport. In addition to all sorts of flight paraphernalia, there is a history of the old Kai Tak Airport. Below, an aircraft of Imperial Airways, the first commercial airline in Hong Kong. Circa 1940s.

Afterwards we drove to the end of the airport runways to watch planes take-off and land. This included the new 777 but unfortunately my camera was not at the ready! Below the kids cheer as an airplane takes off.

Cathay Pacific is born…

After World War 2, a local airline, Cathay Pacific Airways, began operations.