never too big..

Ash's minnie handbag, Xmas tree tinsels, Ash's princess slippers and Mini's legs..

Financial planning for children

Funny how at this point in time, we still do not have any form of education/investment linked insurance plan for the girls. I say funny because we don't have nothing prepared at the moment for them in case they need of money or funds for education.

People have said "don't bother, save on your own - these schemes are scam". But some are saying the opposite - in that having such savings will benefit the family in the long term as they are specially designed financial plans.

I don't know. If you ask me, I am most confused. Let us stick to what we know first, which is a straight forward and simple Medicare plan. Anything else will just have to wait for now.

At random

I know - you must be waiting for some hot juicy xxx rated photos of my BKK trip right? Some naked ones perhaps. Or possibly, someone snoring with their mouth wide open..heheh. Sorry to disappoint you folks but my DSLR took a time-out during the 2 nights we were there (and so did I!) so no hot juicy photos from my end. Perhaps if you go lurk around my bosom buddies' blogs, you may just find some that'll tickle your fancy..hehe..

Alright. Lets see. What's been happening around these part of the world lately?

Ash celebrated her 4th birthday a couple of weeks back. So happy birthday my who-is-getting-bigger-by-the-day little one. We had a simple do at school and then during the weekend, we had just the 5 of us (with my PIL). A very simple celebration to mark a poignant age. What am I saying? Every year I get this way. I'm happy seeing her grow up, but it also means that time is running away way too fast and I can't catch up. You know...just one of those days...I just hope that she won't turn out sporting a punk hairstyle who smokes opus x cigars (could be a very relevant combo in the future - who knows??)

And then, I've been busy. What's new? Oh, I went for my yearly ObGy check-up yesterday. I seem to be functioning well according to the doctor. We'll just have to wait for the pap smear results next week. So, hope that one will be A-ok as well.

The girls are doing just fine. Except that Ash couldn't sleep well at night the past weekend because her Daddy went away for the weekend. Yeah, it was his turn disappearing. But, all's well now. She's back to sleeping with us. She's been alternating between her room and ours lately. If it suited her, she'll be a good girl and sleep on her bed. And if it suited her, she'll climb onto ours. So much for sleeping on her own, eh?

OK..I am behind with blog posts...got more do to. Hang in there; there might be a sneak peek of BKK pics..

pain ah?

Me : *brushing Mini's teeth and after that (just for fun) made the dumbest mistake of putting my thumb into her mouth, daring her to bite*

Mini : *chomps thumb*

Me : Ouch!!! (but in actual fact, felt like screaming).

Mini : *looks up at me, puzzled and wondering what has gotten into me* (what's) wrong? pain ah?

Me : **trying hard not to laugh, because wanted to pretend cry even though really felt like crying** yes, pain ah..

Mini : Oooohhh...**turned, as if to say "served you right. who asked you to stick your thumb into my mouth?"**

Me : O_O.

school holidays

This is my first "school holidays" since Ash only started school proper this year.

Everyone love school holidays isn't it?

OK, this is how I feel about it : Loving it - I get to sleep in. No rush in the mornings because for some reason, I don't like (or bother) preparing her snacks the night before. I know I should since it will save me loads of time but I just don't. Habitual habit of a procrastinator perhaps? Perhaps so. And most of all, the day isn't so hectic with rushing back and forth preparing lunch and all. I can take it easy, and I can blog too. The girls sleep late at nights, take long naps in the afternoon...who wants such luxuries to end?

On the other hand, I'm not so loving it because they get bored being at home. It is a shame because that's the one thing I like to do; which is to be home. I honestly hate braving traffic, jostling with the crowd searching for the perfect cell phone case for example - it's just not my thing. Plus, the housework needs to be attended to. So, I'd rather be home.

So..I'm in a fix almost. Do I love school holidays or do I not love school holidays?

Ask me again after the next school holidays; this one is too short for me to conclude.

Book Review : My Name is Not Alexander

Jennifer Fosberry is a genius!

Why do you say that?

When I first heard of this book, I actually thought nothing of it. I thought Alexander is probably another Denis The Menace out to make everyone's lives a living nightmare.

But, when I received a copy of it (and thanks to Sourcebooks!), I was pleasantly surprised at the fact that Alexander is a pretty smart kid. No..in fact, he's a mighty smart kid who paid attention in school, and remembered his lessons well.

What did he learn? You'll have to get a copy of the book yourself to find out. I'll just have to say that Jennifer has come up with a fun way of educating the reader as you go along, chapter by chapter. This book further encourages your child to asks questions. That is how a child learns, and communicate. It's certainly great for child and parental bonding while at the same time, help cultivate a child's learning ability. Now, didn't I say she's a genius? :-).

You'll be pleased to also know that Ms Fosberry is currently touring and promoting her new book. If you're in town, and would like to meet her, she will be at the following locations :

Thursday, March 17th

Time – TBD

Changing Hands Bookstore

6428 S McClintock Dr
Tempe, AZ 85283

Phone: 480-730-0205

http://www.changinghands.com/event/2011/03/14/month/all/all/1

Saturday, March 19th

11:00 AM

The King’s English Bookshop

1511 South 1500 East

Salt Lake City, UT 84105

Phone: 801-484-9100

http://www.kingsenglish.com/event/jennifer-fosberry-and-my-name-not-alexander

Saturday, March 19th

1:00 PM

Barnes & Noble

1780 North Woodland Park Drive

Layton, UT 84041

Phone: 801-773-9973

http://store-locator.barnesandnoble.com/event/3053383-32

Sunday, March 20th

3:30 PM

Books and Books

265 Aragon Avenue
Coral Gables, FL 33134
Phone: 305-444-9044

http://booksandbooks.com/jennifer-fosberry

Wednesday, March 23rd

4:00 PM

The Book Mark

299 Atlantic Blvd
Atlantic Beach, FL 32233
Phone: 904-241-9026

Saturday, March 26th

10:00 AM

Doylestown Bookshop

16 S Main Street

Doylestown, PA

Phone: 215-230-7610

http://www.doylestownbookshop.com/event/fosberry/032511

my wonderful wonderful weekend

When PL and Patsy talked about making a trip way back when...I immediately signed on up. Why? Firstly, I haven't been to Bangkok. Noo?? you kidding me?? It's true - I haven't even been to Phuket. The only further-st north I've been from KL, is Alor Setar. Not even out of Malaysia.

And because, every time we have a mommys' meet (WIP, movie outings), it's always been fun, for me at least. So, you know, with them two - there's no way in hell this is gonna be a boring trip ( secretly I prayed..heheh).

I'll tell you this - we have absolutely nothing in common apart from the fact that we are moms and that our youngest children were born in the same year. That's it.

But, the strangest thing happened in BKK. Must've been the air. Must've been the food. Must've been the men (I'm still laughing). Must've been the girls (I'm still...petrified)...We just had the most fantabulous time ever. I cannot have asked for better traveling partners. Seriously. It was a great trip. I felt like I was 18 with half the head. It was that liberating and I won't hesitate to hop on the next trip. You just have to throw caution to the wind and just go with the flow; where ever it takes you. You might be surprised.

I'll definitely go back. This time perhaps on a more touristy level because now that I've done the girly stuff, it might be a good idea to sight-see.

ps : there will be some pics. I just haven't had time to upload them. When I do, you'll be the first to know. :-).

Holiday!!

S̄wạs̄dī kh̀a wạn h̄yud mī khwām s̄uk̄h C̄hạn h̄wạng ẁā khuṇ kảlạng xyū̀ nı ch̀wng welā thī̀ dī Talk rĕw «nī̂.

need new shoes

My RM10 "flip-flops" gave way yesterday. Thank goodness I'd reach home and wasn't still waiting for Ash. I knew it was gonna break sooner or later because..well, because, what do you expect from a RM10 pair of slippers. Evidently, it isn't built to last. I now only have my trusty ol' womens sandals - Mr Birkies with me. If that one goes, I will have none. Ekk!! Or I could go get a new pair of RM10 slippers. And this time, I better get like..maybe..5 pairs or something. I'll tell you why I love them because they are actually pretty comfy and for everyday use, it's convenient. Perhaps, I should be shopping for shoes then this school holidays, whaddaya think? :-).

oppsiee!!

The girls went to bed early because I made them miss their nap. I was contemplating whether to let them nap in the afternoon after lunch and shower or just distract them until dinner-time? I chose the latter because I have this habit of letting them nap too long in the afternoon ever since Ash started school and come night fall, they'd be eyes wide open. This is exceptionally torturing for the hubby dearest because (thankfully for me) they stick to him like...rum...bees to honey. So, I do actually get to have some ME time when he gets home every evening. If they are in bed, then the both of us will have our free time.

This evening, hubby was expected home later than usual. So, I did what any mom would under my circumstance - kick the girls up to bed early. I achieved that by not letting them nap. Now, usually, they'd be ok in that they can pretty much sleep well. I can only remember a few instances where Ash cried in the middle of the night due to over--tiredness but on most occasion, she's fine.

Anyway, today threatened to begin in the lousiest way possible. Today was playgroup day for lil Em (see..I am back to calling her Em..hehe), and today was the day I declared that I wanted to be early...for once. I was so so proud of myself for having accomplished that task and was ready to get out on time. I was gleaming. I was excited at the prospect of being first at the center. I even thought of getting nasi lemaks for the gang. Oh..how they'd worship the ground I walk on..heheh..(total exaggeration!) but yes, they will be very happy.

But..

As soon as I turn to grab my keys -- to my horror -- there were no keys!!! EKKKKK!! The car key was there but my set of the house-keys were gone! Bummer!! I searched high and low and even silently screaming profanities at my own absent mindedness.

Then it hit me..for some reason I called hubby to asked if he had taken both set of keys? At first he was like "huh?". I told him I couldn't find my set and asked him to search his car. He did and sure enough, he'd taken both. I knew then why I had the instinct to call him - before he left for work, he was taking his own sweet time until a prompt on his phone reminded him he had a 9am meeting with the bosses. He flew out the door after that (and with him, my keys went).

So thanks to my quick thinking, he came to the center to deliver my keys after his meeting. attended the playgroup late; wished I could've been there earlier. And, I didn't get the nasi lemaks the ladies would've loved. I promised myself that I'll just have to get it next week; even if not for them, but for myself..:-).

cyber thieves

I have heard of pick pockets. Personally, it happened to my aunt and my mom some years ago. These days, you have people e pickpocketing.

Say what?

Yup, you didn't hear wrong - e pickpocketing is a new technology allows thieves to secretly scan your pocket or purse with the aim of reading your credit card information.

Scary isn't it? You are not even safe even with just your credit card in your purse. It looks like you're not safe where ever you go and cannot be carrying anything with you when you go out. Annoying isn't here? What has the world come to? What I don't get is - if you're so smart, why invent something that causes harm to others? There are plenty of autistic children who needs help, there are plenty of animals verging on extinction no one cares about, there are diseases that we need to find cures for...plenty of humane action to be taken. Looks to me like no one's interested and all we seem to care about is snooping into other people's purses or pockets.

Mini in her element

Not the best of shots. The light was low, she moved and my camera settings went awol. It was my fault really - I didn't bother tweaking my setting and didn't bother with my flash.

But...she's lookin' fine people -- FINED-ED !! hheheh..

trading places

Sometimes, when I am dying to have that 2 minutes to poo, 2 minutes to eat, 2 minutes of peace, I wish to trade places with the kids. If I could, I'd pick me to be in the shoes of my almost-2 year old. I don't want to be 4 because 4 is...full of 4 year-old responsibilities. I won't be able to get my mom to wear my shoes for me because she knows that I know how to. Or, I won't be able to get my mom to carry me because she knows that I can run if I wanted to.

But it's entirely different with a tiny toddler -- I can pretend not to know or even walk s..oo...slowly that my mom will have to pick me up if she was rushing. Or I can make a mess when I am eating because my fine motor-skills aren't that well developed yet. You see -- I can make my mom do ALL of the things I don't want to simply because...I am a tiny tod. Oh and I can whine all I want and she won't have a reason to yell at me because...say it with me now - I am a tiny tod.

See..isn't it just the right age to be? I would want to be a tiny tod forever. And you know who I won't want to trade places with? Manufacturing workers. Yep, manufacturing jobs just isn't my cup of tea. Laborious and tiresome - how do these people cope? OK, so being a "mom" isn't any better but since I am at it, I might as well just stick to it, right? Besides, I have come this far - there ain't no turning back. Uh-huh, no sir-ree..

why we moms go deaf..

Ash : Mine! **snatches away toy**

Mini : m-i-n-e **said thru her pacifier**

Ash : NO! Listen to che-che...L-I-S-T-E-N....is mine..gimme!!! **snatches toy again**

Mini : MMMM..III..NN..EEEE!!!! **shrieking louder through her pacifier**

Ash : I said listen to che-che...G-I-V-E B-A-C-K!!

Mini : MMM...III..NN..EEE!!! **shrieking real loud now**

In the midst of all the commotion, ladies and gentlemen, it is now wise to put on your ear plugs (or if you have an Ipod or whatever to down the noise) and meditate. Until and unless someone's head falls off, it's usually a good idea to leave them alone. Because, sibling rivalry - they happen ALL THE TIME.

deja vu

Whenever I look at mini, she's the spitting image of her sister. OK, maybe only at certain angles and under certain lighting. But, let me tell you -- it's crazy how she's behaving like her, she wants to be her...all except for the chili padi part because Ash was a lot more..urm..refined.

Anyway, these days, I find myself doing some things I used to do when Ash was about 20++ months. For instance, I don't make Mini porridge anymore because for one thing, I am lazy and the other is because she will want to eat whatever we are eating. And since she has most of her teeth intact, I figured what harm would I be doing to her if she ate what her sis was eating.

Plus, she wants to self-feed. Remember in one of my posting, I said that I preferred feeding Mini out of my laziness again? Well, I kinda don't do that anymore if she takes the more solid solids. Other than porridge, I am ok with her eating by herself.

So, these days, during lunch, I make both of them eat at the dining table so I can have my slightly-slower-than-slow lunch. As expected, mini's side of the table, floor and her high-chair will be filled with rice, crumbs or whatever. And I find myself getting down again, on all fours wiping the droppings. Every time I do that, I'll silently whisper "here we go again...". I thought I was through with all these mess but looks like, I'll have another year (or 2) to go...sigh.

p.s : Usually, after lunch, they'd go play in the tub, so I can clean up the messy floor, table etc...otherwise, with ms curiosity around, I won't get to do anything.