Our First House

Gingerbread house, that is. I've lived 13,361 days and have never ever made or decorated a gingerbread house. This year, I thought I'd give myself a chance and let my kids have some fun in decorating one.

Thank you Ikea for making life easier.

It took me almost an hour to get the icing ready

and finish assembling this baby.

I did feel like a contractor doing up this house.

The kids were only allowed near me and my house

once it was ready to be candied.

But they were more interested in the candy

than the house.

I had to make them stick the candy on the house

instead of popping them into their mouths.

And the finished product!

Up for devouring tomorrow :)

I'm only praying it doesn't collapse by then.

If you want to know how a pro does it,

READ THIS.


Have a favourite holliday recipe or tradition to share?
Link it up with Leslie for

I've Been Thinking....

You know, besides having profound thoughts of when the world is going to end, where do we go when we die, the theory of evolution and our existence; when will people stop fighting wars and stop being so sick as to abuse a child; and why are there so many starving people in the world, I have other less profound but equally riveting Random Thoughts too...

Why do people like picking their noses in the car? They must think they can go unnoticed when they do it in the confines of the car? I can easily spot 3 or more nose-picking drivers and passengers (excluding my hubby) in a day if I'm on the road long enough.

Why does something that has less sugar have to cost more?

Why do I only laugh at my son when he accidentally trips over (unhurt) and not when he's actually trying to make me laugh with his silly antics?

When will money ever be enough?

Why do people do this?

Can your mind ever NOT think of anything?

Can you ever NOT worry about something?

Why do I think I can blog and cook at the same time? I've burnt my food twice again this week, trying to boil porridge and pasta while blogging.

Why do I always have to remind him to take out the trash?

Why do men ask stupid questions? Of course the clothes are dry. Why would I keep them if they're not?

How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?

Where would I be without my mom? Oh yeah, I wouldn't exist.

My Mom turns 64 today!

Happy Birthday Mi!
I love you to the moon and back and back to infinite space!

Linking up with Leslie for this week's prompt: Random Thoughts

A Halloween List

If you don't already know, I am a Malaysian staying in Malaysia. If you don't know where Malaysia is, look for Singapore on the map and shift your eyes up just a wee bit. That's Malaysia. In my country, Halloween is celebrated in a BIG way - only in the malls. We, as a family, do not celebrate Halloween. But, since the Listmaster Stasha suggested we do a list of Halloween things this week and being one who usually follows the prompt *cough*, I thought I should do one too. Coincidentally, CoffeeChatMaster Leslie over at Time Out For Mom also gave us a Halloween prompt this week. So, I thought what perfect timing for me to come up with a list of How NOT to celebrate Halloween.

1. Don't scour the internet for costume ideas.

2. Don't get a costume or try to make one. Thinking of one is fine. My son told me that he wants to be a skeleton for his imaginary Halloween this year.

3. Don't get a pumpkin to carve. A watermelon is acceptable, but try not to carve anything scary on it. Sweet Leslie, after reading how deprived I was of Fall and the whole pumpkin thing, sent me a link for watermelon carving ideas. I thought I might give this one a go...

Source

4. Don't scour the internet for pumpkin carving ideas.

5. Don't make anything with pumpkin in it.

6. Don't eat anything pumpkin. Pumpkin seeds sold in packets are okay.

7. Don't decorate your house with spooky things. Since we're on the topic of spooky houses, I just wanted to share a scary scene I encountered when I woke up this morning...

This is usually how it looks like...

I thought a Halloween Housekeeping Goblin dropped by.

Then I remembered my Mom is down for a visit.
The Occasional Housekeeping Angel.

8. Don't stock up on candy. Candy that is already lying in the house is okay.

9. Don't play tricks on anyone.

10. Consider this a warning: Do not, I repeat in bold and capital letters, DO NOT go trick-or-treating in a costume around here. The neighbours will call the police.

And a Happy Halloween to those who DO celebrate Halloween!

 :

Mommy, How Did I Celebrate My 2nd Birthday?

Well, sweetie, we had a low-key celebration on the day of your actual birthday. Let me tell you in a list of 10 things that happened on that day; because you see, Aunty Stasha over at The Good Life has a linky called Monday Listicles and Mommy would like to link up. You can only link up if you have a list of 10 things to show. I hope you understand. What's a linky you ask? Here, read my earlier post. 


We did have an earlier celebration for you back in Ipoh on 31st August 2011. It was a small party with family and close friends over at Mama and Yeh Yeh's house. Here, let me show you some of the pictures.

So, the 10 Things You Did On Your 2nd Birthday

1. You got up crying. (as usual)

2. We went out for breakfast after dropping Kor Kor at his kindy. We ate at a place called Village Park over at Damansara Utama and we ordered toasted bread with kaya for you.

3. We went home after that and we allowed you to watch TV since it was your Birthday. You picked Barney. Again.

4. We picked Kor Kor up from school and went for lunch at One Utama, your favourite shopping mall. You shared a bowl of teriyaki katsudon with Kor Kor over at a Japanese restaurant called Sakae Sushi.

5. After lunch, we headed over to the play gym for some indoor fun. (entrance was free for the month of September. Daddy would not have taken you there if it wasn't)

6. We went home after that. Just when we thought the day would go by tantrum-free, you decided that turning two just wouldn't be turning two without a tantrum. You were obviously very tired at this point but refused to nap. You asked to watch TV again and when we said 'no', you thought "this is the perfect time for a tantrum". So, you threw one and fell asleep on the couch watching High 5. 

7. At 5pm, Mommy accompanied Kor Kor for his music class while you spent some time with Daddy. I don't know what you did in that one hour with Daddy, but I do know he bought you Happy Meal #293.

8. We had KFC for dinner and you stuffed yourself with lots of fries - your all time favourite food.

9. Daddy got you an annoying toy from a Chicky Meal set.

10. We went home after that and watched a movie - Wall-E.

And THAT was your 2nd Birthday!

Disclosure: A day full of junkfood and TV only happens on special occasions like birthdays.

Glossary: kaya (coconut jam), Kor Kor (big brother), Mama & Yeh Yeh (grandparents)

I'm also linking up with Aunty Leslie over at Time Out For Mom

because we're chatting about Birthdays this week!

No.2 Turns Two

My little girl turns two tomorrow!

To all new parents out there, the Terrible Twos is not a myth, it is REAL. It is a phase the kids go through to show their growing independence and their need to assert their own opinion and decisions. Hence, the defiance in most things you ask them to do. It's also a phase the parents go through where they have thoughts of drowning themselves and disowning their kid. But, there is hope that it is just a phase; and it is something that the kids cannot control themselves.  We've all been made this way (I'm trying to console myself here).

Back to my little girl.

Here she is 5 days old

Looking lobster red and knocked out.

At 4 months old

Cute, bald and stunned.

at 9 months

Loving the sand.

(now she hates it)

at 11 months

Walking.

One year old

Cheeky.

And a year later..

Little Miss Terribly Terrific Two

What can she do now at age 2?

1. She can put on her own shoes and get them on the correct foot. She can also put on my heels and walk in them.

2. She can say 'sorry' after hitting her brother. And sometimes use that 'sorry' as a license to hit her brother.

3. She can say 6-word sentences without grammatical errors. Just on Tuesday, she said, "I can't find it Kor Kor" (Kor Kor means big brother in Chinese); when her brother made her look for a ball he lost. She can also say a 1-word sentence when she needs to, like the time she said "Wait!" when I asked her to come over to get dressed.

4. She's 80% potty trained.  She can tell me when she needs to go, usually when we're at home. She still wears her diaper to sleep at night, for naps and when we're out for long hours.

5. She can hold her poop for 4 days and on the 5th day, poop without the help of A.S.S.- BIG milestone.

Assisted Sh*tting Services (A.S.S.) is a non-profit organization in aid of constipated toddlers. Services include manual extraction of faecal matter, insertion of lubricating agents, emotional support for Post Traumatic Pooping Stress, sound effects to encourage bowel movements and everything else that works.

6. She can be pacified by touching my eyebrows (yes, strangely enough) when I refuse to give her the milk dispensing device that she has become addicted to.

7. She can feed herself without making too much of a mess. Something her mama can handle.

8. She knows her numbers from 1 to 10 and can count till two. She knows her colours but is colour-confused at the moment.

9. She can say "eh-Q me" when I'm blocking the T.V.; especially when Barney is on. She can also say it when she lets out a loud fart.

10. Best of all, she still has short-term memory and doesn't hold grudges against her mom for all the screaming she does. She still gives her mom plenty of cuddles, kisses and endearing moments to cherish.

Happy 2nd Birthday Girl Girl!

We Love You

To Infinity And Beyond!


Wait a second, isn't there a list here?


Wait another second, didn't I just brag about my daughter?

10 School Memories

I'm doing a Monday Listicles cum Tuesday Coffee Chat post today. Mannahatta Mamma gave the prompt of Change for Monday Listicles but I'm changing that to Leslie's prompt on Going Back To School.

******

I have a 4-year-old son who is currently attending preschool and a 2-year-old daughter who is being homeschooled (well sorta). I am, pretty much, still spared the whole shebang of a back-to-school fever. So, here, I'll look back at my own memories of going back to school, recalling the emotions I felt. I am after all, still young enough to remember what it was like *ahem*.

1. I hated it.

I did not like school. Especially not after a lengthy holiday. I didn't like having to get up early and get on the school bus. I didn't like the shopping. Shopping for school supplies like text books, uniforms, shoes and stationery only reminded me that my holiday is coming to an end. I remember the feeling of dread a few days before school started. 

2. I loved it.

See, I'm confused again. There are things to hate and there are things to love about school. I loved meeting my friends again.....um.....yeah.....I think that's about all that I loved about school.

3. I was scared.

This memory was of my first day in school. 7 years old. An anti-social child. I was so introverted that my mom thought I was autistic*. I was shy and didn't make friends easily. I didn't like to talk and would be the last person anyone would want to make friends with. So, you could imagine what it's like for a child like me to be in school for the first time - only one word to describe it - terrifying. I remember crying when my mom could no longer accompany me in school. Another word to describe the feeling - horrible.

4. I felt small.
When you're 7 years old, everything seemed so much bigger. I remember my first school had a flight of steps (maybe 10 steps) leading up to the school hall. It looked like this.....

The 272 steps leading up to

Batu Caves, Malaysia

5. I felt lost.

Going back to a new school term meant being in a new class, having new teachers and learning new subjects. I'd feel so lost especially in the first week of starting school.

7. I was homesick.

I felt homesick when I was studying for my degree in a university that was 5 hours away from my hometown. I felt the same feeling of dread having to go back there. Only, it was worse because I was away from my family and my husband (then boyfriend).

8. I felt independent.

Although homesick, there was a sense of freedom and independence the moment I settled into my room in university. Having to do everything on my own felt liberating to a certain extent.

9. I was excited.

This was when I first started Form Six (highschool) in a boy's school. Since starting school at age 7, I have studied in two all-girls school. So, you can imagine the excitement I felt, being 18 with raging hormones, starting school in a boy's school. To be honest, it was exciting and a little scary at the same time. 

10. I was happy to go back to school.

There was only one year in my entire schooling life, that I remember going back to school happy. That year was my second year of Form Six. That was the year I went back as a couple with my future husband. Yup, a boy made me love school.

*I am not being insensitive to those with Autism or to those who have autistic children as this is a true statement. My mom can attest to that.

Did you like school?


Linking up for Monday Listicles, Tuesday Coffee Chat
and Lovelinks.

Click here for the chance to win a slot in The Bloggess sidebar for a month sponsored by freefringes.com

Linky Love

It's a public holiday today and for the next few days in Malaysia as our Muslim friends celebrate Hari Raya. So, to all my Muslim friends, "Selamat Hari Raya" and Happy Holidays!

I'm doing Tuesday Coffee Chat with Leslie of Time Out For Mom today and we were given the prompt to Rant or Rave about anything we like this week. I'm so happy to be back in my hometown this week that it's rather impossible for me to rant about anything. So, I've decided to rave about something I do almost every week in Bloggyland - linkies!

For those of you who aren't familiar with a linky or the more technical term for it, meme, it's basically a great idea that a blogger comes up with and decides to open it up to other bloggers to join in by way of a link-up with the host (usually the genius behind the idea). The host will use a link-up tool (usually Inlinz or Linky Tools) where other bloggers can add their blog post URL when the link-up is open. All you do is add your URL and visit other linkers to see what they have to share.

Linkies are a great way to get to know new bloggy friends. I have to thank Alison for introducing me to the world of linkies with my first link-up through Erica's Lovelinks. I met many wonderful friends through that first link-up alone - Jen, Natalie, Rach and Julie to name a few. And I've never looked back since.

Besides getting to meet new friends, you get prompts to help you figure out what to write for your blog. It's great when blogger's block decides to knock on your door.

Linkies have also helped me blog in a more organized way. Make a list on Monday, chat or share a favorite post on Tuesday, do Picnesday (that's my very own linky) on Wednesday, brush up on my phonics on Thursday, wrap up my week on Friday and resist the temptation to blog on weekends.

Need more traffic to your blog, well join a linky. When I participate in a linky, I will try to visit other linkers as well. My rule is 5 or more. Some hosts would specify a minimum number of visits to other linkers like Jenny's Alphabe Thursday where linkers are encouraged to visit at least 10 other linkers. I think that's great because then you don't get people who just link and leave. Besides, the whole point of a link-up is to get together and share, so it's nice to visit other linkers. I will also make sure I visit linkers who've paid me a visit. Visits = Traffic.

Here, I'd like to share some of the linkies that I like. Some I've not participated in before but I think they are great.

Monday

So much FUN to make a list
and check out other linkers' lists

Have not done this but it encourages you to share a story of
how you were able to focus on your strengths and just be happy being you.

Tuesday

To chat and share about a topic picked by Leslie

If you're a poet, this one's for you

Lovelinks
Link up a favourite post of the week, visit,
comment, vote and possibly win.

Time Travel Tuesday





Link up an old post that didn't get the attention it deserved.

Wednesday

Pick a picture(s) and have it be the main focus of your post.
Wordless or not, old or new.

For other Wordless Wednesday linkies

Well, if you need to Pour Your Heart Out

Wednesday Words of Wisdom
Have any wise word to share?

Thursday

Write a post beginning with the alphabet of the week.
This week's alphabet is 'T'

Get inspiration to write from Mama Kat's
writing prompts

Friday

Great way to wrap up your week

If you'd like to interview yourself

Read a book with your kids and
link up an activity related to that book 

There are a lot more great linkies out there and if you find the right ones that tickle your fancy, link up and have fun. Sure makes blogging a whole lot more interesting.

Do you dig linkies?

I Don't Like To Read!

No, that didn't come out of my son. That was from me. I don't like to read! There! I said it! I'm not one who loves to read novels and am up to date with the latest books in the market. I'm not one who longs to read at least 5 books in a week or 365 books in a year. Because, I don't like to read. The last book I read was The Da Vinci Code. That was like, what, 5 years ago? I've been trying to fool myself into thinking I'm such a book lover, but I'm NOT! I don't like to read! There, I said it again and it feels liberating!

Here's what I'm currently reading:

All By Myself by Mercer Mayer

There's A Wocket in My Pocket by Dr Seuss

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

Elmer by David Mckee

I love reading to my kids though. And I've been telling them this LIE....

"Come kids, let's read a book before bed. Mmm.....I LOVE to read. Reading is SO MUCH FUN!" 

And this lie is going to continue until they learn how to read their mama's blog and discover this post.

I love reading children's books more than anything now, so it's not a complete lie. There are many reasons why I love children's books......

there are more pictures.
the pages are more colourful.
there are less pages.
the characters are cuter.
there are less words.
the words are easier to understand.

Don't the books up there look so attractive? I admit it, I'm an elementary reader and I'm proud of it.

As for books that normal adults read, I do have a few in mind that I'd love to read someday:

Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother by Amy Chua

Nurtureshock

The Naked Mom by Brooke Burke

even if it takes me a lifetime to read them.

We're chatting about books today with Leslie of Time Out For Mom. 

Come join us - you're more than welcome, whether you like books or not.

Family Traditions

Leslie over at Time Out For Mom has a great new linky called Tuesday Coffee Chat. And today, we're chatting about family traditions/legacy. So, sit back, relax; I'll grab my tea and what can I get you? Coffee? Tea? or Me? How about Milo?

Since it's a topic on family matters, I thought it'd be good to get an opinion from my hubby. So, yesterday over some roti canai, I had a coffee/tea chat with the hubs...

Me: What family tradition do you think you'd like to pass down to the kids?

Hubby: Family prayer time.

Me: But, we are not even doing that.

Hubby: Then, we have to start doing it.

Me: Okaaayy... How about existing family traditions that's in your family now? Any worth passing on to the kids?

Hubby: *thinking very hard*  Erm.....hmm....I mean Chinese New Year dinners, Christmas dinners are nothing unique....umm....Ideally something that is unique to the family.....nothing-la.

Me: Nothing right?! Actually I can't think of any either. How about an annual family holiday together?

Hubby: What? Is that in your family tradition?

Me: Well it was when we were little. We used to go for holidays together with my cousins at least once...

Hubby: *cut in*  You see, a family tradition has to stay as a family tradition. It's not a family tradition if you don't practice it anymore.

Me: *annoyed*  Okay then let's follow through and make it happen.

Hubby: A family tradition also must not become a chore. When others in the family start complaining how hard it is to meet up or cook up a family dinner then it shouldn't be a family tradition anymore.

Me: *he is actually making sense*

Hubby: That's why we should have something like a Movie Night or a Maggi Mee (instant noodles) night.

Me: *Oh my Lord, is he serious??!*  Maggi Mee night?!!  *now he's just making no sense*

Hubby: Yeah, I used to have that with my dad...

Me: Like your dad sat down and had a meaningful chat with you over Maggi Mee?!

Hubby: Well no. We just ate Maggi Mee together.

Me: *still in shock* PH-lease, I don't want that kind of tradition in this family. You don't need to teach our kids how to eat Maggi Mee. And, even if you want to have a good chat with them, it doesn't have to be over Maggi Mee! *MEN!*

So the chat went on into religion, junkfood and how sad it is that we don't actually have a family tradition that is worth passing down to the kids. Besides, of course the usual family reunion dinners and get together during Chinese New Year and Christmas (which has become more like obligatory commitments) that will continue on as long as we're still Chinese and Christians.

I gave it some thought and feel that the little things I do with my kids now do count as something precious that I hope my kids will continue doing with their kids next time. And one of it is showing affection - the hugs, the kisses and saying "I love you". With my own parents, there have always been a barrier in showing our love through words, hugs and kisses. They were usually reserved for special occasions like birthdays or Christmas. It's worse on my hubby's side - I have never seen him give his parents a hug or a kiss, ever. I don't know, maybe it's an Asian thing. I know Westerners do it so often that it's become a way of life. My son, however, is a Lotsahuggin' little boy who loves to smother me with kisses and "I love yous". I am hoping he will carry on that all important way of showing affection and have it live on as a family legacy.

Of course, family prayer time is on our family tradition to-do list as well.

How about you? Any family traditions worth passing on through generations?

This post is also linked up with Erica's free fringes for Lovelinks.

Childhood Memories

My son doesn't seem to have any memories of his life as a 2-year-old or even a 3-year-old. He has only started to remember things he did from the time he was 3 and half till now. That's so sad! We did so many things together, went to so many places and had so much fun, and he doesn't remember a single thing. I wonder how far back can a child remember things. Trying to recall my own childhood memories as far back as I can remember...

I remember my bath sessions with my nanny. It's difficult to forget because she'd bathe us (my brother and I) with freezing cold water. She'd wet her hand and give us pats on the chest first (in an effort to bring down our body temperature, apparently!) before she'd pour buckets of cold water all over us. I was probably 3-4 years old then. Being in the electric chair probably feels the same way.

I remember wetting the bed in a bungalow up in Fraser's Hill. I was, maybe 4-5 years old. I felt shame.

I remember falling down from the piano chair because my cousin and brother had promised to catch me. Happened in my aunt's place in Taiping. That's why I now live with a left arm shaped like a boomerang. (4-5 years old)

I remember being patted on my bum to sleep. Can't remember who patted my bum though but it felt good. (2-3 years old)

I remember my mom pouring oil into my ears to flush out 2 little red ants that went in and started biting the bejesus out of my ears. (2-3 years old)

I remember family holidays together. Who wouldn't with all the fun we had.

I remember looking at old photos of myself doing so many things I now have no memory of. Thank God for photographs!

Linking with Nicole of By Word of Mouth Musings for Time Travel Tuesday and with Leslie's