Post #0228 - Youngster #1 Birthday - soon.

Dear Earthlings, 

A little while ago, I asked Youngster #1 where would she wants to have her birthday at.

Me : Kakak nak buat birthday kat school ke.. kat rumah?
Youngster #1 : Kat rumah boleh.. kat hotel pon ok. 

Did she not hear my option?
Kot ye pon.. agak-agak laa kan. Birthday budak 6 tahun nak buat kat hotel.. Apakahhh?

Fast forward, I asked her again.
This time she CONFIRMED that she want it to be at our new place. 
But she requested -

1) Frozen theme birthday.
2) Clown with balloon sculpture.
3) Face painting.
4) Ice Cream. 
5) Games.
6) Lots and lots of balloon and bubbles.


* Pengsan mak *

Now playing : -

Post #0262 - In training

Dear Earthlings, 

Saw couple of mugs Orla Kiely inspired in Parkson. Bought a pair as they are too cheap to pass. One selling for RM6.90 I think. 

Strolled through their Home Department and saw these jewelleries boxes selling half price (RM29.90 & RM24.90). (They have many kind).  Also angkut jugak. Great to store Youngster #1 accesories yang tak seberapa tu.

After check out, she didn't waste any time. Quickly she asked wet tissue from me. Wanted to wipe off the dust (if any) which I can't see any of 'em.

It doesn't stop there. 

At home, she continued wiping. This time wet tissue + (her)  Johnson cologne.

Day by day, I can see that Youngster #1 is becoming more like my BigSis. VERY picky with her attire, knows how to take care of her things and most importantly she's becoming one heck of OCD. 

If this goes on, well.. I'm in BIG trouble.. because mak dia suka sepah!

Sure dapat lecture from her. Kompem!

Now playing : Nikki Minaj - Starship

Post #0255 - Islamic Education in Children. Is it crucial?

Dear Earthlings, 

I am not sure whether it's a trend to send kids to Islamic School nowadays.

Anyhow, I have been sending the Youngsters to this one Islamic School in KL for almost 3 years. That time my baby girl was about 2.5 years old and the other, 2 months old. I think we were quite lucky because it didn't take us long under the waiting list.

Being a possessive mother (ehemm, I'm not the only one), I noticed there were hiccups here and there. But as soon as  I  dealt with the trust issues (or was it pasrah?), I realised that they are doing the best that they can. This is the place where they teach my children how to be independent, potty trained (Youngster #2 currently under potty train), pray  and also take care of them. 

Previously I was so stressed up with the demam/batuk/hfmd/pneumonia secara berjemaah  at the School, because at the end of the day we definitely spending at least 5 days 4 nights at the Hospital (circa 2011. It was one tough year for us). For instance, Youngster #2 was diagnosed with pneumonia twice in 2011. Last year with hfmd. But alhamdulillah, his health now is improving.

Since Youngster #1 is good in Hafazan, her previous class teacher suggested for Q.uranic  De.velopment Program which is a special class concentrating more on Hafazan, Quran reading. 
 

Yes, I am proud that she is in that class. 

When you see the kids reciting Quran, masya Allah. My jaw dropped. Literally. 

Surah-surah panjang, it's like kacang goreng je. Piece of pie, orang putih kata.  

However, I am a bit worried about her English/BM reading. I believe Math is not a problem. Please don't get me wrong. I have nothing against reciting and everything. Just that I'm afraid that she couldn't cope with other subjects when she is in standard 1.

That's why I try my very best to do revision with her every weekend. Sometimes, tak buat sebab lupa!  

Bought the revision books from the School bookshop, where other classes of her batch also use it.  Other subjects are not a worry to me, except for reading! Simply because I do not know how to teach a kid to read! 

Haih. Macam mana nak buat ni.

Iklan : 

Back to school gifts from GadgetGeek office. Simple token of appreciation yang buat orang happy masih belum digunapakai.

GadgetGeek says that I should not be worried as Quran is the light of heart. Everything will fall into places when you have Quran to guide you. 

Nak harapkan diri sendiri untuk ajar anak baca Quran pon... ehemmm.. paham-paham je lah.   

Now playing : Olly Murs - Trouble maker

Post #0231 - Tooth and teeth

Dear Earthlings, 

We took both youngsters (age 4 and 2) for scalling a couple of weeks ago. Thought they have gone screaming, but actually none cried, which a relief for GadgetGeek because I was at the office at that particular day. 

In case you don't know. 

This is scalling - to remove plaque.

Since Youngster #2 is still young to brush his teeth correctly, the dentist advised us to get a battery operated toothbrush so it helps the kid to brush in circular motion.

Bought these for RM20+- each in Tesco. 

So far they lovin' it!

Now playing : Maroon 5 - Sunday morning

Post #0211 - Youngster #1 's School

Dear Earthlings, 

Youngster #1 has moved to Prep School since February this year. She was supposed to register in January, but I was not aware of that and thought she'll be in the PlaySchool until mid of the year.

Alhamdulillah, though she has missed a month of teaching, I'm glad that she managed to buck up. 

So last month was her Report Day.

Overall she is good and secured (almost) full attendance. Has memorised few surahs (which the teacher has listed) and also some surahs that I don't even know. (Boo!)

Everyday prayers and prayer recital, Alhamdulillah. Because every Friday morning, the students will practise their prayers for half an hour to an hour.

Class work

This week, she will be presenting her class for English Week. It's more like show and tell - about myself and cat. 

We are still considering whether to continue with this school for her preliminary or to attend a government school. I think private/international school is out of the picture because when we went my niece & nephew concert recently.. I'd say, GadgetGeek is a bit culture shocked on that :D

Wanted her to enroll a Chinese school. But by not having a basic module (ie - Chinese based kindy) I think we have to strike that out too.

Now playing : Tony Orlando - Tie Yellow Ribbon

Post #0183 - Blackmailing is so yesterday!

Dear Earthlings,

One thing that I never think about having kids - You gotta have a LOT of patience! Which is so unlikely of me!

Anyways, the Youngsters love making mess (who doesnt?). No matter how constant we ask them to clean up, they will continue to dig toys out of chest. Few nights ago I had this conversation with Youngster #1 which I realised, blackmailing doesn't work anymore.

Me : Clean up your toys, or mommy will throw in the bin. (It always works!)
Youngster #1 : (First she negotiated - "Please mommy, I'm tired. Mommy help please" )
(NO was the answer and continued asking her to clean up else latter).
Then her next line was - "Please mommy... Throw in the bin.. Please..."

Surprised with her answer, I saw my 3.5 year old child was reverse phychologing me. Just like her daddy. Pfft.
I went to the kitchen and passed her the garbage bag (still asking her whether she is sure about this, ironically she said "yes - I don't want to play anymore")

She managed to clean up the toys - instead in toy chest, she kept it in the garbage bag. When I sorted the bags, I realised.. she threw (all) Youngster #2 toys (not hers!). hampeh!

Now playing : -

Post #0159 - 5 days to Twenty12

Dear Earthlings, 

 

Earlier today after I picked up the Youngsters from school, I rang GadgetGeek and put the speaker on so Youngster #1 can say a word or two before GadgetGeek's departure.

Youngster #1 : Where daddy going?

GadgetGeek : To Dubai (I think she heard -"to buy")

Youngster #1 : Buy what?

GadgetGeek : Go to work by aeroplane. What do  you want daddy buy?

Youngster #1 : Fish biscuit. 

Alahai, takat fish biscuit.. kat JayaGrocer blambak!

Now playing : -

Post #0142 - Yellow and Wheels

Dear Earthlings, 

We send both of our kids to the same school, but they are in different class. Youngster #1 in PlaySchool and Youngster #2 in Nursery. So far we are satisfied with the School programme though they are always take time off like Teacher Training Day, Teacher Meeting, School Dinner etc.

I always communicate with the teachers. The most would be Youngster #2 teacher. 

Morning chat would be with Youngster #2's teacher during drop off and later in the afternoon Youngster #1 teacher when pick up.

Anyways, for Nursery.. their ratio is ONE TEACHER = THREE CHILDREN (newborn - 1.5 years old), which I totally happy with it. Previously Youngster #2 was under Teacher L, until last August she went for maternity leave and a new teacher replacing her - Teacher N, a fresh grad from UIA majoring in child physchology.

Seeing that Youngster #2 is close and very de manja with Teacher N, she continues to take care of him instead returning him to Teacher L. The best part is, she always update, text me and even record on a video of Youngster #2 milestone. (Maybe I should get something for her). hehe

Speaking of milestone, 

Right now Youngster #2 is developing interest over music. When the music is on, he will be the first person shaking his head/body and try to sing along. Told her that I'd like to enrol Youngster #2 for drum class. Apparent, the Teacher is also a drummer. How cool is that??

This morning, she told me that Youngster #2 likes to spin wheel and yellow color. 

Upon hearing this, I was ermm.. confused. 

So I googled on the connection kids loves spinning wheel and yellow. The keyword was something like - wheel.yellow. As I googled, I stumbled on the signs of autism. (knock on wood) Alhamdulillah, he does not have the signs, but I'm just curious why he loves car/wheel and yellow color (of all the colors lah). 

Read some stories here.

I told my boss about my concern. According to her, I'm too pshycho and being freak out for nothing. 

Damn, must be because of my medication.

On the other side, for the past few weeks, I've been following Institutes for the Achievement of Human Potential and  Institut Nury. 

They are the organisations that support the development of family and kids.

No words can describe how I feel, because I know I don't have much courage to face it unlike other parents. It teared me when I read the success stories. How Almighty laid out His test in different ways. The parents have my utmost respect in raising the special kids.

Now playing : -

Post #0111 - Admitted again : Day 8

Dear Earthlings,

Alhamdulillah syukur. 

The doctor mentioned that Youngster #2 can be discharged by tomorrow.

But the thing is, Youngster #1 has started to develop fever last night. 

Sigh. 

Now playing : -

Post #0093 - Caught in action

Dear Earthlings, 

Now playing : Katy Perry (feat Kanye West) - ET

Post #0073 - Off Diaper

Dear Earthlings, 

I think Youngster #2 is officially off diaper. 

For the past weeks, (let say we missed to take her to toilet before she sleeps we put the diaper on).. However, the diaper remains dry on the next morning. 

And if she goes to the toilet before she sleeps, we let her off diaper. So far it looks promising.

If we go for outing, it's gonna be me who is going to take her to the toilet. At first, it was a bit hassle because it is not easy to find a clean toilet. 

So I thought her few rules regarding the public toilet. 

First, to hold her 'business' and walk quickly to the nearest toilet.

Second, not to step on the toilet floor barefoot.

Third, to place tissue/cover/wipe on the toilet seat (this one, I'd to do it for her)

then only she can sit on it.

Sometimes, she rather put her 'business' on hold if the toilet is dirty/squatting toilet. About a month ago, she poo-ed in her pants when we were having dinner in a restaurant (we didn't know that she needs to go to the toilet). 

Whenever this thing happens, I will definitely throw away the pants. So far it happened 3 times. So, it has been 3 pants I threw away. 

Yeah, I don't even bother to wash it.. (which also explains why I don't support cloth diaper). geli!!

I remember her first time to poo in the toilet. First, she wanted to poo in the diaper, but I insisted and immediately put her on the toilet. Ignored any plea and scream from her. 

And it works.

Then, came constipation. 

I don't know how far this is true, but each time she constipate, I ask her to sing to relief the pain and helps to smooth the flow :) Any song will do.

GadgetGeek laughed at me when I suggested this. But I believe it works. You should try it yourself.

Last night, she slept early and missed the toilet. As usual, we put on the diaper (just in case). However, she woke up in the middle of the night; took her diaper off and was angry at us because we put on the diaper.

Yeay, finally. No more diaper for Youngster #1 (though I planned for her to diaper off since she was 1.5 years old). oh well, my laziness prevails. Then again, I have to thank the School for getting the ball rolling :)

These (L) stocks are now belongs to Youngster #2 which I think it would be enough until end of the year.

Now playing : Usher (& J.Bieber) - Somebody to love

Post #0072 - Youngster #1 is now 3

Dear Earthlings, 

As said, Youngster #1's third birthday was a simple one. 

Since her birthday is on Labour Day, we arranged it on the last day of the week so she can celebrate it at school. I packed 30 goodies, a birthday cake and sent them to school a day before. Easy pizzy!

I think I'm going to do the same for next year. Less headache! 

The teacher asked me to come over during tea time so we can celebrate it together. Here are the pictures. 

Afternoon Class

A homemade red velvet cake with less sugar made by a friend

Happy birthday!

Love

Now playing : Bruno Mars - Grenade

Post #0050 - 3 is the way you look at me

Dear Earthlings, 

It has been a while since I last mentioned about Youngster #1. Todate, she is 35 months old, and going to be 3 in a month time. 

So far she has been in school (together with Youngster #2) for 4 months (and 2 months prior admission to her current school). Though there are hiccups here and there (which we can still tolerate), her attitude towards others are now improving. Previously, I did mentioned that we had to face her drama sometime in January and later discovered that she was missing her friend. With the help from the teachers, now we have no problem in dropping her to school every morning. 

 

Last time I was in the opinion that, there is no need to send the kids to School in their early years as I believe there is nothing much the School can teach. 

But boy, I was wrong! Apart from having minor -ve attitude which they absorb from other students, the kids surely learned a lot of new things which I myself couldn't afford to teach them!

During my first visit to the School, I didn't believe when the Principal told me that my baby will know how to recite prayers, alFatihah etc in less than 3 months after the enrollment. Today, I take back my word. Not only that, we can see her improvement especially in discipline, creativity as well as independent.

Like a couple of weeks ago, when Youngster #1 hung out with GadgetGeek's mom, she sang "Insha Allah" song from Maher Zain. (must be learned from School). Of course, GadgetGeek was surprised.

When I was with her, she asked me to sing along. And I was like, tak tau laaaaa.. tak pernah dengar.

Anyways, when Youngster #1 reached one year old, I was determine to potty train her. Hahaha.. But it didn't succeed due to my laziness and not seriously. (Almost) two years later, (it started last month) Youngster #1 has began her potty train.  

During her first week of potty train, she always held her pee (for one whole day, until we put on her diaper). The teachers were a little bit concern on this issue, afraid that it might bring bad effect on her. However, I gave them my permission to continue. 

On week two, she started to learn how to pee in the toilet. She diaper off at school, and we continue it at home. 

Yes, I always feel nervous each time she diaper off. I'm not the type who like to do the cleaning. Few incidents happened in a car (lucky she was in her car seat!) (twice - happened when I picked her from School and the teacher let her diaper off), in front of the toilet door (one time - Couldn't make it in time) and once in the bedroom. I think, that's about it. 

Nonetheless, she will always ask for diaper each time she wants to poo. Last night, for the first time she requested to poo in the toilet. Yeay!!

But before I could take her to the toilet, she left me one small gift just in front of the toilet door. Haiyaaaaaaaaa!

What is left now is to diaper off during she sleeps. Currently, the number of diaper we use everyday is ONE! So many diapers we save now. Please bear with us, we are taking one baby step at a time :)

Oh, speaking of weaning. Youngster #1 is no more on bottle feeding. We wean her off long time ago due to our laziness washing (so many) bottles. Though we weaned her off, we still give her milk. Be it formula/fresh milk.

As usual, it was unplanned. When I went shopping, I picked up a really nice tumbler (BPA free) for Youngster #1 so she can bring it to school. I chose the one without straw, because I hate cleaning tumbler with straw - Just flip the lid. But when I reached home, I decided to show and impress her with the new tumbler. Then I asked her (Tips : Always ask for the permission or let them choose! They love when we treat them like an adult)can I put milk inside? and she said YES! So that is when it all started.

When it comes to fresh milk/formula. We will ask her, "Do you want cold or warm?" If she answers warm, it means she wants formula. Cold is for fresh milk, because we keep it in the fridge.

Ever since we weaned her off, she loves to eat. It gives us a lot of relieve.

ps - Each time she pee/poo, we will compliment her and remind her - If she continues pee/pooing in the toilet, then only we will take her to Mickey Mouse house (ie - disneyland) :D So far it works.

Now playing : Lady Antebellum - Need you now

Post #0015 - We do our bit, you do your bit

Dear Earthlings, 

We received a booklet of Youngster#1 & #2 - 2011 Rules and Regulation. It's kinda surprised me because I didn't expect that the School has such strict rules. For instance, no birthday celebration is allowed as blowing candles are not Islamic. (Ehemm...) However, the School welcomes parents who wish to give the children a treat and/or organise a doa selamat. Not only that, the parents are reminded to show the meaning of proper adab, like offering salam and encourage the child to thank the teachers.

Each child will have a communication book in which parents are able to record needs of the child for that day. It also allows the teachers to inform the parents the child's progress, needs and medication schedules etc. We pretty agree on the existence of Communication Book as it provides a direct and/or indirect contact between the Parents and the Teachers.

We should be getting the timetable by next week as few more things needed to be finalised. 

Briefly, the kids will have their gym class at 8.15am every day and once a week, they will have their outings at the School compounds. Every Wednesday, gymnastic class, Monday - Mandarin class as well as practise their solat in jemaah every Friday and "Show and Tell".

When it comes to evaluation, the child will be evaluated at least once to twice a year and BOTH parents are encourage to attend the evaluations sessions. Other than yearly evaluations, parents may request for additional evaluations and advise on the child's program.

Anyways, yesterday the School organised an induction course for the parents. I couldn't make it due to work, but GadgetGeek attended the session together with Youngster#1. It was a two hours session participated by the School Director and the Principal. 

According to GadgetGeek, the School Director is very passionate about the child early learning, hence implemented an American/British learning method in line with Islamic approach. The Principal also mentioned that the School plan to have swimming class, horse riding, archery and few more outdoor activities for 2011. We hope that they don't increase the fee due to these :D

The good news is, Youngster#1 found a new friend. The girl, named Lil N is a mix of Malay-Arab. GadgetGeek told me that Youngster#1 looked very happy and enjoyed herself playing with Lil N. We'll see how it goes this Monday.

Now playing : Micheal Buble - Wonderful Tonight.

Post #0014 - Previous, Terrible Two. Now, Tantrum Three

Dear Earthlings, 

Lately Youngster#1 is not being herself. Not being herself in the sense that she’s picking up bad habits and drives us nuts!

For the past few days, she started to scream, cry for no reason, didn't talk much, throw her tantrum just about anywhere and/or anything. GadgetGeek was wondering whether I picked up wrong kid from the school, because Youngster#1 never acted this way before. And we were like not even know her at all. 

Tired of this, we started to identify the root cause.

Few issues has been listed, such as –

• Whether the arrival of Youngster#2 has caused her acting that way? 
• What happened at school that we don’t know 
• Whether we not spend enough time with her

and the list goes on. We also did some reading and ask people around us. We also has addressed this matter to the school, and the school promise to closely monitor her.

Ironically, it is not about the arrival Youngster#2 nor our fault. 

It's because something has happened at her school.

Well, we enrolled her at this one integrated Islamic school in Klang Valley. Previously she was all excited to go to school and never give us any drama. Easy to wake up early in the morning (because I'm the chauffeur) and very helpful etc.

Then when the new semester starts (January, 2011) she began to change. For all we know, we still spend quality time with her and didn't change our treatment towards her since Youngster#2 was born. 

When I discussed the matter with the Principal, she told me that Youngster#1 is also not responding to the activities, idling, cries a lot and so on. Then, we believe that the reason she acted that way because she has lost her bestfriend. Apparently, her bestfriend (Lil H) who is a year older has registered the pre-school. Though the pre-school is located next to the playschool building, they don't see each other because it is a confine area. Unfortunately, there are some other kids who are in the same boat with Youngster#1. 

No wonder Youngster#1 keeps on crying and told me that she wants to return to her previous nursery. Pity her. She must be lonely at school. 

The school said that it will take time and they have continuously keep on organising activities that involves mingling. We hope she can get through this soonest possible.

Now playing : Micheal Buble - LOVE