Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Last weekend, dear hubby & I decided to get a 'breather' and went on a 'date'. As A1(1st child-Amirul) was away for madrasah & A2(2nd child Amira) was whisked away by Aunties who took her out, we have a few hours to burn and spend precious time, just the 2 of us. We went to Borders(husband's favourite place in town) and got me a load of chick-flick novels( I luurve!!). The collection should last me say about a month before I make myself yet another weekly trip to the library. To make up for the 'non-kids-accompaniment' (and also to appease our guilt too), we bought A1 a book of questions & answers, more so a reference for us than him. At least next time we will be more prepared when he pose us questions like "If everything is growing like our hair, why doesnt our eye brows hair grow longer too?" or 'If the world is spinning, why don't we get headaches & roll around too?".(how to answer in simple english you tell me?) For A2, we got her yet another princess storybook to add to her collection with an attached doodle-pad. After a few months of dire hunger for Japanese food, I dragged dear hubby to Ramen-ten who patiently sat and had only his chocolate sundae while I devour my spicy miso because he is the 'rice&prata-only-as-i'm-not-too-adventurous) kind.(if that is not love, don't know what is :)) All in all it was a really nice 'date' as I also got tops from the BYSI sale(not bad) and get to browse around shops at Far East for cheap accesories like necklaces & earrings courtesy of who else - Big Daddy himself.
Monday, March 26, 2007
Every weekend, without fail(unless there are other pre-arranged events) we would be at Eunos for the kids weekly dose of 'Nani & Appa Time'. Being the first grandchildren they are blessed and showered with love and attention only a grandparent would know how. Before Amirul started his weekend Madrasah this year, we would be there by noon,(now it would be after 4pm) where my dad-in-law would prepare a sumptuous lunch and my mum-in-law would be ready for us eagerly waiting to show what she bought for her grandkids, be it toys or clothes or sequined shoes for the little ones. So its no surprise that the kids would always look forward to their weekend stint at their nani & appa's house. Moreover its is only there that they get to watch their non-stop Disney Channel on Cable(as we resisted having one at home). I suppose for them is like a vacation home away from home kind of thing. It is there that Amirul inculcate his interest in baking, thanks to his endearing 'Mami Shah'. It is also over this weekend stay that the kids grew interest in gardening and the love of old traditional games like 'Ram-ram Pisang' , 'Bang Selebu' and 'Chongkak'. Through my father-on-law we saw the kids love for 'Kafilah' and traditional musical instruments developed. And for me and hubby, it would be our much anticipated R&R time as the kids would slowly 'forget' that we are even around. Amirul & Amira knows that whatever they wished for like wanting to paint, draw or hear stories like 'Ali Baba & the Forty Thieves' repeatedly, it would be lovingly fulfilled. Or that whenever Amira need any food order from a 'customer', there will always be someone 'ordering her 'Nasi Lemak' or 'Mee Rebus' from her makeshift 'warung'. These are the things that no amount of money in the world could ever buy - pure innocent happiness and boundless love and adoration between grandparents & their grandchildren.
Sunday, March 18, 2007
After 6 hours, 7 matches played and a swollen middle-finger(I kid you not!), we emerged 2nd runner-up for the netball tournament. Not bad considering most of us are housewives with the team's average age at 30+ against other much younger teams who look like they were practically flying on air. We did pretty well. Although after the 5th game, our achy bodies who have seen better days were 'begging for mercy' we persevered and triumph (although 3rd placing) never tasted sweeter.
Also a hearty congratulations to our good friend Zul & Siti on their wedding.May your happiness last a lifetime & more.
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
It was about 1 year since we last came to this island. For this trip we decided to pay the Pink dolphins & the underwater animals a visit apart from the wonderful beach.The weather was sunny & bright, the beach was not too crowded even though it was the school holidays, but the same can't be said about the other attractions - but we had a blast just the same...
Saturday, March 10, 2007
Last Wednesday the cousins, sisters & an auntie trooped upon Arab Street headed for what we anticipated to be 'kain lace galore'. As we are now already greeting March, we know the time has come yet again to start pouring rolls of lace, linen, lining & appropriate colour schemes to prepare for another yet again Baju Raya Fest. We started at 12.30, browsed through rolls & rolls of fabric, had a break for lunch at Hjh Maimunah & prayer session at Sultan Mosque, all the way to 6.30 covering all 4 Royal Fabric stores (some we went more than twice!). And after 6hrs and about $1000+ spent between us, the feeling was HAPPY BUNNY...
Amirul just had his 'real' test in a 'real' school over the week. It was a testing time for him, stressful time for the dad & emotional time for the mum. As a woman, I know I can always blame on my hormones when I get a wee bit emotional seeing him looking worried, afraid that he would disappoint us. We reassured him time & time again that at the end of the day, what really counts is that he has given his best. Yesterday, we think it paid off. With English & Maths paper missing about 1-2 marks shy of a perfect score, and for the second time this week, I am a HAPPY BUNNY...
Sunday, March 04, 2007
Amira turned 3 last Wednesday. Unlike the past 2 years, we decided to just have a little get-together with close family members & cousins to celebrate her special day. We had special dishes like beef steak, chicken rice and noodles prepared lovingly by my aunties, whom I know I cant really repay back all that they have done in monetary terms. Amira not only have her special Swenson's Princess cake but another special home-made strawberry ice-cream cake made by her favourite grand-aunt. It was fun for the kids & Amira get to be a Princess for the day complete with tiara & all. Even though it was a small get-together, by the end of the day it felt like we had hosted a party for hundreds - dead tired. I would like to thank all my family members, cousins, aunties, uncles who have made a little princess & her mummy a happy duo on Saturday.