The lil’ dude and his family…

Many many thanks to Mrika for believing in me and hiring me for her daughter’s first bird-day party! :) She did such an amazing job with the decorations, party packs and food, that everyone who left the party, left with a big smile on their faces. Congrats Mrika!

So, it was Zayaan Atiya’s party that day, but when I arrived at the house, birthday girl was still asleep. I took upon that chance to snap photos of the decor and also with the boys, Zayaan’s brother - Zarif and cousin - Bil. They both swear by The Transformers so I was having fun listening to Zarif explaining about Autobots and Decepticons. Heh. Kids. Boys. Normallah tu. Soon it’ll be Irfan’s turn. :P

I will upload the rest of the pictures later on. Stay tuned!

Edited to add: Here are the rest of the photos. :)

Irwan has been an avid cyclist eversince his school days. He used to cycle like I don’t know, 100km a day or something crazy like that back in the dayslah. Before he joined the new (crazy hours!) company, he’d cycle once a week with his buddies (Bangsar-Subang-Putrajaya and back) or (Subang-Hulu Langat and back) or (Sunway-Kesas-Sunway) or tak ingat what other routes they hadlah. So, it’s only natural that his junior wants to cycle with him too. Andddd, after asking for the longest time, Irfan has finally gotten his (new) bike. :) The smile on his face was priceless! He’s so happy with the bike that he cycles around the lanai too when we’re back in the evening. (Because I’m too malas to bring him up to cycle around the garden or pool. :P) So anyway, we brought him to Lake Garden last weekend and he was cycling up and down the hill (like very terrer-merrer like that) and that justifies the (minor) dent in Irwan’s pockets. Towards the endof his session, the lil’ dude tergolek and got himself a few scratches on his arm. :(

Went back to the same shop (Irwan’s favourite bike shop) where we got the bike and the dude was out of helmets and guards. We decided to check out the bike shop near my inlaws’ place (as we were on the way there) and I almost had a heart attack when I asked for the price of the helmet - a whopping RM150! The frock? Ish! Apparently, it’s an imported one he said. Yelah labu. Anyhow, the Sg. Way shop was much better - RM50 for helmet and RM35 for knee guards and elbow guards.

Now he’s into cars AND bikes. Apa lagi lepas ni? Hacking? As in computer hacking? :P (The father did say he wants to train the junior for it. *slaps forehead*)

Dear budak-yang-tak-begitu-kenit-dah,

You are now 34 months old. Wheeeee.. 2 more months and we’ll see if we’ll throw a birthday bash for you. Heh.

You are enjoying every minute of your time in school - which is good news - but please play with your friends too, rather than just conversing with the adults. I know that you’ve not had any kid(s) around while growing up, but it’s really fun to play with kids your age. You should try it! :)

On another note, I’d like to thank you for agreeing to sleep on your own bed now, although you do make a fuss sometimes because you want to sleep with us, but you’ve been really good and have been sleeping on your own for the past 2 weeks or so. So yaaayyy! We’ll work on moving the bed to your own room next, ok? ;)

Anyhow, do enjoy your early birthday gift from your papa, yeah? Hopefully we can have more fun this coming (long) weekend!

x, Mama

We’d like to wish all our Chinese friends Selamat Tahun Baru Cina! :) Hope you guys drive safe and eat safe too, yeah? Haha!

I bought Irfan this samfu last week as today is wear-samfu-or-cheongsam day at his school. He chose the colour and the pattern. There was another pair that I liked, but for something that he’s only going to wear once or twice, not worth itlah. Heh. He wouldn’t stand still for me to take (nicer) pictures this morning, so this is what I have for now. Hopefully he’ll behave better on Monday so that I can take better pictures.

Til then.. see you guys soon!! Gong Xi Fa Chai! :)

p/s: He’s behaving better in school. Phew. Thanks for all your advices. Appreciate them!

It was a rather simple affair - dinner with two of my favourite boys. Traffic was madness yesterday, so I was quite tired by the time I got us into town. And then Irfan was restless halfway towards dinner and wasn’t really himself - probably because of the flu and slight cough but whatever it is, I’m thankful for having them around me. :) Thanks for the dinner, babe! I’ll claim my present in a while, ok? Too many to choose from. Haha! :P

Aaaaanyway, the little one is enjoying himself in school. BUT I’m a little concern on some things. See, as all of you are aware, he’s the ONLY child we have (for now) and the ONLY grandson on my side and has been the ONLY grandson on Irwan’s side too ’til about 6 months ago. He’s not had that many playdates (blame it on me!) and so, he’s not sure how he should be around kids as he’s only had adults as his companions/friends/whatever.

He hugged two girls from his class a bit too hard and now the girls are afraid to come to school. I know he’s only a kid - not even 3 yet - but I can’t help but to be all stressed out about it. And thennnnn, he pushed this boy from his class yesterday. And the poor boy has a bump on his forehead. What gives? Yes, Irfan sometimes push us too. But I guess us being adults, getting pushed by a little kid isn’t that badlah. So, I guess, in his defense, he thought that it’d be the same too with the other boy? Dahlah budak tu duduk senyap-senyap and mind his own business je. Ish.

Had quite a long chat with his principal yesterday and she said that this is a normal thing for kids like him, i.e. never had that many interactions with other kids. He’s sort of trying to adjust to the new environment and happy to have friends around him but doesn’t know how to handle his strength and emotions. I’ve read some sites (thanks Hetz!) and what the principal say and what they (the sites) say are almost the same - that it’s normal and as long as we keep an eye on things, he’ll understand sooner or later. But if it’s normal, why do I feel as though I’ve failed being a good mother and teaching my son good values? Argh!

Well, both Irwan and I (and my parents) have spoken to Irfan about it. And I’ve threatened to give the other boy all of his cars if he still pushes him. He does not like that idea, so we’ll see. It’s good that he can defend himself, but it’s not good if he’s a bully in the making. Sigh.

Have you gone through something similar?

07.01.09 - First Day

Sent him to the school around 10 a.m as it was the first day of school for everyone else and his principal advised me on bringing him a bit later. He was very happy to be there, but wasn’t too happy when my mom and I disappeared into the Principal’s office. He knew that I had to go to work, so he wasn’t particularly edgy about that, but he wasn’t very keen on the idea of seeing my mom go too. What did he do? Crylah! Ish.

His principal then told my mom to give her a ring in an hour’s time to see how things are. She also advised my mom to take Irfan back home after an hour so that he wouldn’t be too traumatized on the second day. When my mom picked Irfan up at about 11.15 a.m, Irfan has stopped crying but his eyes were red and puffy. Poor boy. He immediately ran into my mom’s arms and refused to say goodbye to his teachers. Hrmph.

08.01.09 - Second Day

I sent him at 8.45 a.m and went into the kindy with him. He cried non-stop and refused to let go off me. Aiseh. He wanted to play downstairslah, wanted to go on the slide outsidelah, but I can’t leave his sight. After about 10 minutes or so, I was told to just leave him with his teacher. And so I did.

Half an hour later, his principal text-ed me and said that he’s calmed down already and is very attached to his teacher. Good news! After a few texts between the two of us, his principal said that he has become chattier and she can hear him reciting 123 and ABC as well as singing some nursery rhymes from her office! Haha. Funny ah he.

Since Irfan is not 100% toilet trained, I was told to let them continue training him in school. What we didn’t expect is that he’s not too comfortable with the toilet there and kept saying “scared” whenever his teacher brings him to the toilet. In the end, he wet himself while playing outside and after his teacher cleaned him, he said that he wants to wear his Mamy Poko diaper. Adeh. Well, I am proud that he’s quite independent and knows what he wants and doesn’t want, but malulah wey mintak pakai diapers! :P But she wore him his diaperlah.

09.01.09 - Third Day

Sent him around 8.45 a.m. again and this time he started his “nak Mama, nak Mama” even before I could turn the engine off. Ish. We were greeted by his principal and teacher at the gate and his teacher dukung-ed him and I wasn’t allowed to bring him inside. Well, I didn’t quite mind that because I know the longer I am there, the more ruckus he’ll create. So I left.

His principal called to inform me that maybe we should take one step at a time and let him adjust to be in school and start his toilet training there once he’s more settled in school - which is fine by me - because she doesn’t want him to feel all pressured. Kecik-kecik pun dah kena pressure. Kesian. Heh.

I didn’t instruct my mom to pick him up early and since his principal didn’t call me either, Irfan stayed on until 1230 p.m and when she picked him up, my mom was told that he did lots of singing, reading and eating! He finished the cheese sandwich I packed him and ate one and a half bowl of fried rice! His appetite is still there, no doubt. Haha. And oh, his teacher now knows that his favourite number is 8. That has been his favourite number ever since we introduced to him the numbers. Ong? ;)

he’ll be starting his first day of kindy tomorrow! I am both excited and nervous for the both of us. Haha. I just hope that things will be okay and that he’ll enjoy his days kat situ. We were there last Saturday for the kindy’s open day and Irfan had such fun playing with all the assorted toys, cutting the (toy) vegetables and fruits and mingling around. I heard that some of the parents were moving their kids there from another famous kindy in Bangsar because of the fees hike, but hey, even this one dah naik by a hundred bucks, ok? Gila madness! I think I’m going to have to agree with Irwan on this one - the fees we are paying definitely can pay off somebody’s Diploma course locally!

So yeah, the kid’s happy, the parents are a nervous wreck, but hey, that’s what this is about, right? Right! And poor Irwan wouldn’t be able to see his firstborn off to kindy as it’s only his 7th day tomorrow kat the new office and speaking of the new workplace, sigh, since he’s holding quite an important position, I (or rather we) hardly see him on weeknights. :( And the guys there even work on weekends and Irwan feels bad that he isn’t. W.h.a.t??!!!!! :P I dontch like the blackberry that the company has given him. Maybe I should turn it off on weekends. Haha!

By the way, do kids tend to get sick more often when they are in kindies? That really is my main concern because Irfan just got better from flu, fever, cough - the whole works! - and I really don’t want him to get sick againlah. Dahlah his wheezing got so bad that day that he had to be on the puffs (inhalers) after the nebulizer. Ish! Ikut mak bapak dia jugaklaaaaa…

A week before her wedding, Zehan, Az, Farrah, Kim and I “kidnapped” Alia for her bridal shower in Langkawi. It was my first time leaving the two boys alone and I was very nervous and anxious about the whole trip, but it was a good one. I’m glad I went. :)

Saturday

We left for Langkawi on Saturday morning, and as always, the AA flight was slightly delayed. When we arrived, the driver/chef/caretaker - Pakcik Nazri - from the villa was waiting for us and we headed to Bon Ton for lunch. After lunch, we went for a sightseeing around the area since they were doing a soft launch for their new villas and I thought that it’d be nice to get some pictures of Alia at the historical villas.

When we were done, we headed to the duty free place to get some snacks and champagne. After that, we stopped at the nearby stalls to get some pisang goreng and kuih-muihs. Maaaan, I knew it then that we’d be pigging out like nobody’s business for our entire trip. And I was right! Heh.

The Owners Villa (courtesy of Uncle OTT and Aunty RZ) is a blardy gorgeous place! But since it’s in a middle of the jungle, it got a bit eerie at night, but nevertheless, a lovely place. :) It was blazing hot and we all decided that we should go for a swim after we’ve settled our luggages. The twins made an entrance at the pool and after a few laps here and there, we went for our makan session (again!) and by 6pm, I was this ular sawa that cannot move anymore. :P

Dinner was by the beach at Datai Hotel itself. We were fortunate that it didn’t rain that night and if it had, we would have had the dinner at the Gulai House instead. Whatever it is, the view was magnificent and the ambiance was oh-so-great! Thanks to Regina who arranged everything to perfection. :) And of course to Zehan too who was bossing everyone all the way from Sydney. Haha! I’m kidding, babe! :P

We got back to the Villa after dinner and changed into our PJs. First, we had the panty poem and it was just so hilarious! Zehan and I only found out about the game via the internet 3 days before the trip and I rushed to Topshop and La Senza to get ‘em panties for Alia. So to anyone who wants to throw a bridal shower to their friends, this poem rocks! When that was done, we did the newlywed game. Zehan got a friend to film Johan (the groom to-be) answering some questions and we asked the same questions to Alia and then compared notes. It was soooooo funny and everyone just had a good laugh! Again, good game to have at any bridal showers. :)

We then watched SATC and I was just so tired from everything that I knocked out 15 minutes after the movie started. Besides, I’ve watched it like 3 times already. Ish! Haha. Then around 1-ish, I got up and decided to go to the loo. And to do that, I’ve got to go to our own individual villas as they weren’t any toilets in the TV room. It was quite eerie outside but I had to golah and there was no two way about it. Haha. I’m just glad that Pakcik Nazri didn’t mention any stories earlier on, but he did when he sent us to the airport the next night and I ain’t gonna talk about it here. Pft.

Sunday

Zehan had to drag all of us out of bed for our morning walk with Irshad Mobarak but I’m so glad that we did it. We were suppose to have our nasi lemak at 7am before the morning walk, but since we all got up so late, we went for the walk sans our breakfast. By the time we got back to the villa, it was 10am and we gobbled down our nasi lemaks like there was no tomorrow. And then, we had to get ready for our Thai culinary class that was specially arranged by Regina at The Datai at 11am. Kim and I quickly mandi-ed kerbau because cannot tahanlah the body so sticky and all and we made it a few minutes late for the class. But since it was specially catered for the 6 of us, it wasn’t really a problemlah.

Menu for the day was Thai Basil Chicken and Tom Yam Gung. We were done cooking our individual meals in less than an hour and sat down for lunch (makan lagi!!!) with our end products. I never knew making Tom Yam Gung is so simple? Shall cook those two dishes once my hectic schedule this month is over. ;)

Went back to our villa after that for some quiet time at the pool. Most of us zonked out by the poolside and when we got up later on, we all went into the pool and had more food for tea. I swear, I just can’t bear to look at anymore pisang gorengs for now.

Kim, Farrah and I were to fly out of Langkawi on the last flight out on Sunday night. After tea, we just chit-chatted until it was time for us to pack and get ready. Around 8pm, we had dinner (more lovely food from Pakcik Nazri) and although I was so full from eating the past 2 days, I just couldn’t resist his sambal prawns and oyster sauce vege. I think I must have tambah-ed three full plates of rice. Urgh. Damn ular sawa alright.

Pakcik Nazri drove us to the airport at 9pm and waddaya know? We were told that our initial flight at 1040pm has now been delayed to 11pm. And then, as we got into the boarding hall, we were told that our flight was postponed yet again to 1120pm. I’m like whateverlah wey. Just get us out of here! :P

Got home around 1am and that is how I spent my weekend - with the girls. Thanks Yan - for everything and thanks Alie - for the lovely gifts. Thanks Uncle OTT and Aunty RZ for the food and the lodging. See you girls tonight at The House and so can’t wait for the big day this weekend! Wheeeeeee…. ;)

The whole load of pictures (courtesy of Zehan snapping my Pentax too) can be seen here:

Part Un
Part Deux
Part Trois