Fuddin's Current Favorite Spot

Fuddin is growing up fast and strong. He's also constantly hungry! I attribute this phenomenan to the fact that he doesn't eat rice. He's always on the lookout for whatever snacks he can get his hands on. Amongst his favorites are potato chips (which Grandma has banned), "roller coaster" potato snacks, mini M&Ms and his wheel crackers. He gets really upset when we refuse to get up and get his food for him. Poor boy.


Anyway, lately, he's taken a fancy to my bed and Ayra's bed. So whenever the room door is left ajar, he will sprint in and help himself to our beds.




He will first use my bed a a trampoline then proceed to Ayra's bed where he will use her blanket to hide himself. I should then tickle him while he's covered under the blanket and then take away the blanket, exclaiming "peek-a-boo" as his happy, smiling face is revealed.




It's always the same every time! Haha! Sometimes I get tired of the routine and let him run wild while I occupy myself. Me and Ayra will then proceed to take our own photographs. (Can you spot Fuddin doing his trampoline jumping stunt in the background? Miraculously, he's quite stable and has never slipped).






Lame but true. This is what we do at home when Daddy is working morning shift on a weekend. When I have had enough, I will haul him out of the room and boy, that's when he will howl his heart out. Scary but true. My little boy has power packed lungs!

MMI Concert 2007

The long awaited day finally arrived. It was finally time for her school concert. It was Ayra's first time on stage and she and her little friends had been practising like mad. So I dressed her in her little cheerleader's costume and put on some basic make up (as instructed) on her face. We were then off to the NTUC Auditorium.



It was a madhouse there. All the parents with their little ones dressed up in curious, brightly colored costumes. We dropped Ayra off where she was promptly "picked up" and brought backstage by the teachers. An and I then went to "Lau Pa Sat" for a little meal while we waited for 1.00 pm. We were seated by 1.15pm but the concert didn't start till 1.35pm.

The director of preschools gave out certificates to the graduands (K2 kids) and then the concert started!

It was really quite a grand affair. The kids were oh so cute in their costumes and they were all so earnestly trying their best to remember their dance steps. I had a really good time. I do applaud the teachers who coordinated the whole concert. I am having a hard time coordinating 14 to 16 year olds so I can imagine how difficult it is with 3 to 6 year olds!

My little Ayra danced her heart out! Haha! Poor girl, she complained afterwards that her partner was a bit slow but overall, she said she had a good time. An said he was quite surprised to see Ayra shake so much as she was quite shy in showing us her dance steps at home.




The finale was quite awesome, with the teachers joining in as well. There were so many children onstage!


Anyway, it was soon over and it was time to "collect" our respective children. Such a mad rush! We finally "collected" our girl. This is our little performer with her proud daddy.




We went to Marina Square after that as Ayra was starving. She only had a biscuit during the duration of the concert. Here's our hungry little girl with her well deserved plate of chicken rice.

She then promptly fell asleep in the car on the way home. It's tough to be a performer!

Anyway, I've already ordered a dvd of the performance. However, for your viewing pleasure, this is an amateurish video shot by the mummy aka m'ua.





To think, I have more of these concerts to attend (and that's not even counting Fuddin's). Shucks, being a parent nowadays can be tough (but worth it).

Ibu, let's "talk-talk"...

I love my nightly talks with Ayra. Sometimes, when I'm too tired, I tend to make less of an effort but most of the time, it is a relaxing and meaningful way to end the day.
We talk about anything we want. Sometimes I take the opportunity to teach her some good moral values like filial piety and loyalty. At other times, we talk about God.
There was even once when we talked about death and when Granny found out, she wasn't very pleased. She thought I was being morbid. Ayra had asked her about what will happen when Ibu dies (although I had already explained to her) and Grandma was so upset that I had actually broached the subject with a four year old. For me, I'd rather be realistic. You never know when you will die and leave your loved ones, right? If it's fated for me to leave any time soon, I don't want my daughter to think that I chose to leave her but rather that it is my time to be with God.
Anyway, it's not always serious stuff that we talk about. Sometimes, we just want to be silly and we talk about why some people snore and others don't; why she can't marry Spiderman, why Ibu is a girl and Abah is a boy... you get the idea.
The nightly talks are also a good way to "gossip" about her friends at school. She will tell me what happened in school and we will talk about how she feels about a particular person or incident. Our talks can actually be intelectually stimulating (haha) but most of the time, it's just entertaining. It's also a great way to bond.
I pray our nightly talks will continue as long as it can.

So Much Work...

What a week. It's supposed to be the school holidays already but I'm working harder than ever. The Dunearnite musical I'm in chare of is stressing me up! Still, the kids are working hard so I'll just remain positive and hope everything will work out well. By the way, if anyone out there wants tickets, do look for me!

I celebrated my birthday quietly. With my family.

The cast of Dunearnite gave me a surprise! Danyya baked this lovely cake and they brought it out while we were rehearsing. Thanks Guys! You people are great!

I must also thank Fiza and Nat for that accompanying me to the Singapore Eye Centre then treating me to a sumptuous high-tea at Carousel. The three of us have been going out and pigging out for the whole of last week.

And for the many others who sent me birthday wishes, thank you so much. It's great to be remembered. And to Carol, we MISS and LOVE you! Always remember that gal!

Anyway, here's a random pic of Fiza trying to drive a pick up van. It's a long story. The pic is for you Fiza dearie! Haha!

And here are some pics of my Ayra attending her best friend's (Megan) birthday party at Macs. Her annual school concert is this sunday and she's pretty excited about it. she's running a fever now though so I hope she gets better by then.

Ok that's it. Will post soon (I will try).

A Milestone in My Life...

It's my birthday. Am I in a celebratory mood? Hardly. Rather in a reflective mood. What have I acheived? What more can I do? So here goes. My top 5 to do list before my next birthday.

1. Lose 5 kg
2. Do better in my job
3. Be a better mom, wife, daughter, friend, Muslim
4. Spend less, Save more
5. Be positive

So that's it. It will be done.

Celebrating Aidilfitri

Ok, Hari Raya Aidilfitri came and went. While many other Muslims out there are still celebrating it (hard core), the tradition in our family is that it's pretty much over after 2 to 3 days.

Ayra's fever went away on the morning of Hari Raya (what a relief) but she had developed a bad cough and flu instead. She managed to pull through the day but she wasn't very well. Yet, she managed to pose quite nicely for all the photographs. Fuddin was in a slightly better mood than last year. He was actually quite sociable by his standards but when it came to posing for the camera, he just refused to keep still. Thus, that explains him squirming in most of the photographs. Still, it wasn't too bad on the whole. We met up, seeked forgiveness, ate good food and enjoyed each other's company.

Here's pics of the morning of Hari Raya. The house looks pretty good, doesn't it? I told you it'll be.

Then after An came back from his Hari Raya prayers, we went to his mom's place where the whole family gathered.

We went home at about noon. Then my sis and brother came over. They especially enjoyed the food mom prepared. Sometimes I worry about what will happen to our family once mom doesn't cook anymore. I CAN"T COOK! Anyway, let's not think about such unpleasant things. We decided to to take more photographs this year because last year, we didn't!

The we were off! We went to my Uncle's place and then to my Aunt's place at Woodlands. We came, we ate, we made a mess and we left. Haha. So typical. Fuddin was all right at first but he got sick of the hot and oversized "baju kurung" he was wearing so I decided to take off the shirt and "samping" and he was quite comfortable.

At night, An's family came over to eat but I was too dead tired to play photographer. They too, enjoyed the food and mom was pleased.

The next day, we went over to my sis and my brother's place. Ayra was eager to put on her pretty pink dress and I dressed my baby boy in his red, basketball get-up. Very un-Hari Raya like but my kids only have one suit of "baju kurung" each. Sad but true. We ate some more (can you believe it?) and basically just lazed around doing nothing.

On the 4th day of Hari Raya, I had to go back to work but Caroline and Hafizah came over to my place. We then brought my children to Fiza's place where dear Ayra and Fuddin were quite amazed to see a staircase in the house. Fuddin kept navigating himself up and down the stairs much to our horror but the boy was quite cool about it all, having total faith in his ability to balance himself.

Then at night, a neighbour "ambushed" our house which was understatedly, quite unexpected. Hmm, I won't say much but I've never been a friendly neighbour kind of person. While I welcome guests with open arms, I don't do the "I'll visit your place in return" kind of thing.

Oh, I almost forgot! We celebrated my darling husband's birthday on the 15th. It wasn't very grand or anything. We just had lunch at Secret Recipe at Vivo. We had the brownie as dessert to replace the customary cake. I've yet to get him a gift (I will soon). Anyway, Happy Birthday Honey! You know I loooove you!

Hari Raya Descents on Us...

Okay, let me give everyone a warning though. This is going to be an extra long entry. Firstly because I haven't blogged for so long and secondly, I've got a lot to get off my chest.

Lets talk about the negative things first. The bad new... Ayra is sick! Two days before Ayra's long awaited day and my precious baby girl is sick. Her fever is still at 39 degree celsius plus and she threw up 3 times already. She's also got a blocked nose, a bad cough and a poor appetite. Sigh... The worst case scenario is that she doesn't get better by Saturday and horrors of horrors, Fuddin falls ill as well. That will mean staying at home the whole Hari Raya weekend. Yucks! Still, my fingers are crossed and all of us are praying hard that she gets well by then and Fuddin stays healthy.

Next, work sucks. Or rather, the people (some, not all) sucks. It seems my favorite line these past few days has been "I can't be F***ed". Why? Because that's the truth. I really can't be bothered. It has come to the point that I have nothing else to say but "I can't be F***ed". Sad? Pathetic? So unteacher like? Who the F*** cares?

Okay, now that's out of the way, let's focus on the positive. I haven't forgotten to count my blessings. Great friends, adorable children, helpful parents...the list goes on.

Anyway, me and my friends got into the spirit of Hari raya by baking Hari Raya cookies in the Home Econs kitchen la. Those of you who know me will gasp and say "You?! Bake?!" Haha. It's true! I even have photos to prove to those non believers.

Haha. not bad, huh?

As for the home, there's still so much to be done but I'm really too tired to do much. Who knows, I might be spurred on the stroke of midnight on Hari Raya Eve. Here's the preview pictures though. It doesn't look too good now but believe me, knowing my parents (clean freaks) and my hubby (interior decorater wannabe), my gut feeling tells me the house will look pretty good on the morning of the big day.

Now, updates on my two favorite people in the whole world! My babies. Ok, let's talk about Ayra. We bought her the toy guitar she asked for and she's been busy strumming it (will upload the video later). I wonder where her interest for the guitar stems from. Also, she's been progressing on her reading, spelling and writing. She did break down the other day though when I got mad at her for not being able to spell "violin". I should ease up, shouldn't I? Other than that, she's been her normal, talkative self, always eager to engage the old uncle (aka our block cleaner) in an intellectual conversation.

Then there's my "Little Dumpling" (as I so fondly refer to him now). Fuddin is still as cute (much to the delight of his legion of fans) but he has really developed a temper now. He pulls and shoves us around when he doesn't get what he wants. It's usually his crackers (haha). If you scrutinize the photographs, you will see him munching his much beloved wheel crackers intently in many of them. He's also lost weight. Can you believe that? I am proud to say that my dumpling is 20kg and not 21kg anymore. Haha. He has also grown taller and Ayra is only a head taller than him now. He looked really cute when I tried on his traditional baju kurung (complete with the "samping"). As soon as he had the baju kurung on, he ran to the front door, looking expectantly at us to put on his sandals. Hmm, like father, like son.

Ok, that's it. The next update will be my Hari Raya update. Stay tuned.