Happy Mother's Day

I had a lovely Mother's Day. After church, my children went over to Jun's house. Apparently they had made plans for a mother's day surprise. So sweet of them.  :)

While they were there, hubby and I headed to the mall where he bought me a new pair of sandals. I'm the sort of person who prefers comfort first, and thus you'll often find me in shorts, t-shirt and sandals. My pair of sandals gave way last week, and I'm happy to receive a new one.

After shopping, we picked my girls up from Junee's and they surprised me with these items...



home baked brownies-absolutely delicous!



chocolate covered strawberries which were sweet and juicy!



pop out card by my dear Jo



the other side of Jo's card



a butterfly card from Nel




Jo's painting on a wooden frame



nel's done during art class.



I  certainly had a Beautiful Day! Happy Mother's Day to all.

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A post I wrote on FB..

It’s Mother’s Day again, the 9th I’ve celebrated now. Every year the church I go to requests all mothers to stand up on Mother’s Day to be prayed for, and to receive a gift of appreciation. I remember feeling so happy and overjoyed the first time I stood up with the other mothers, proudly acknowledging that I was then officially a mum. Even my hubby smiled with pride. Haha….Such joy :)
Before I got married, I used to look at full time mothers and think, “there’s NO WaY I’m ever gonna live that way, full time mum! Never. Career will be first!”
So when I had my first baby, I continued working full time. Then came time when she took her first few steps and became a toddler. During those days, I remember getting into my car every morn with a heavy heart, as I watched my toddler standing on her wobbly feet, clinging on to the grill, crying “mama, mama… I want mummy….”

Within a few months, I decided motherhood will come first above my career. I quit full time and trusted God to provide sufficient income through part time teaching. He did. So I ended up doing what I said I’d never do. I became a full time mum with  few working hours, just enough to pay for nitty gritty things. I’ve never regretted since, and believe I’ve made the best choice.
Now I’m a mum of two, and spend lots of time with them. I still work everyday, but the morning’s always theirs.

Motherhood has brought out the worst and best in me
.~~ It has brought out all the creativity in me as I find interesting ways to teach and mentor my children.
   ~~ It has also made me realize that I’m NOT as patient as I thought I was and that I can be very grumpy and impatient! Haha..
        ~~   It has given me sleepless nights from nursing babies at night to staying up with them when they’re sick.
               ~~  It’s made my voice louder from shouting ;P.. and sweeter from singing lullabys :).
~~ It’s made my mornings beautiful with lovely warm hugs from my precious ones.
                 ~~  It’s taught me to say “I’m sorry” even to little ones, and it’s taught me the meaning of true forgiveness as little children forgive so easily.        

There's a thousand and more things that motherhood has taught me, but this is just a short note.
 Through motherhood, I’ve come to know my strengths and weaknesses! But mostly it's the wonderful feeling of loving and being loved just as I am, happy mum, or grouchy mum. :)
 I’m indeed blessed to be a mother as I'm sure all you mums are.
Happy mother’s Day to all you are all blessed!

Spelunking (Caving), Rafflesia and Raja Brooke all at Kampar

Last month we spent some time studying facts about  caves  . To conclude the series of studies, we decided on a Caving adventure! Initially I was a little worried, not knowing if  my girls, especially Jo (5+) will do ok or freak out under tunnels. I'm thankful to say, we all enjoyed it! :)


We spent an awesome weekend caving in Gua Tempurung. We also went hunting for Rafflesia on a leech infested trail at Ulu Geroh, and then quietly viewing the very beautiful Raja Brooke Butterflies. To read more, do visit these posts on my other blog (Link below).

Raja Brooke Butterflies and Rafflesia at Ulu Geroh
Caving, Rafflesias and Raja brooke butterfly

A Rafflesia Bud we saw at Ulu Geroh (Do also check out my post on Rafflesias in G Gading, Sarawak)  Gunung Gading Rafflesia

A Raja Brooke butterfly we saw. this is alive and well. We let it go after holding it just for a few seconds.

Level 3 Caving will take you through large underground tunnels such as the above, and also through narrow ones where you'll have to crawl flat on your belly through water. Exciting for me and my girls!

Children Packing for Travel - Nel's List

My children have been packing their own luggage for a year now, and that’s made travel preparations for me a LOT easier.

Initially it was a hassle getting them to pack their own travel bag, and many times I was  tempted to just “shoo” them away and do it myself. But I tarried, bore with the mess and numerous re-packings, and now they’re almost independent! Hooray!

I remember the first time I assigned them the task of packing their own stuff for a 3 day trip. They brought out almost everything from the closet, from party dresses to torn comfy home rags. It was a mess! In the end I had to set aside what was really needed and then refold a whole mountain of clothes, to be re stacked back in their closet! So much work!

But after a few times, they’ve become smarter at picking the right clothes. Usually I get them to select stuff they want to bring, then I look through it, we discuss, throw out some, add some and then they put it all in their own luggage.

There were a few times when I got lazy and we ended up with odd garments. Such as the time when Jo packed her swimming bag. She got the swimsuit right. But the clothing that she put in there for after swim was a grand ballroom dress a friend had given! I asked “What for? WHY???!!” She replied, “ So my friends can see how beautiful I am.” ;) And there was also the 7 volumes of Peter and Jane and heavy books she brought to Tasik Kenyir! And also the time we went camping, and I was horrified to find ONLY dresses in Jo’s bag! ;)

Nel has made less mess at this, except for a time she totally forgot undies for an 11 day trip. Otherwise, she’s my careful packer. J

Well.. I’m glad I  bit my tongue (instead of nagging) as they packed for all those trips. This weekend we travel, and Nel has especially planned items to bring for the entire family! I’m embarrassed to say she even asked me “mum, you have to wear a bra. How many shall I put on your list for you?” haha… She even remembered Daddy’s face cream, plastic bags for wet swimsuits, kneepads, sunblock for the swimpool…stuff I would have overlooked!

Ok, off now to check Jo’s luggage or she’ll be caving and hiking in gowns! ;)



Nel's List (excuse the scribble), some in words, some in pictures. (see the bra on the top? that was for me! haha..)



Science- Skeletons

We had a rather interesting class today. MNee came with this cool chart that’s entitled “One Human Body Being Cooked Up.” She taught us about the compounds and minerals that go towards the make up of our body, what these compounds look like and how they're found in other objects around us. Well, it was mostly new information to me!

Then we continued with the study of bones and our skeleton. For this,  we  used Belair Science Programme Year 4 by Sue Harris (which meets the National Curriculum in England and Wales.) First we looked at some pictures of bone structures and discussed several things such as the function of bones, bones and growth etc. We also looked at  the definition of Vertebrate and Invertebrate, Exoskeleton and Endoskeleton.

We then went on to do the bit of assignment given, which was to measure each other’s arm length, then using the information for further discussion.  The children really enjoyed this portion of exercise.

Each child had to take 3 measurements of a friend's hand, then get the average.

Finally, the mums and older children helped draw the outline of children’s body on black paper, which drew lotsa giggles! (ummm..best for boys to partner boys, and girls with girls. Or even better, mums to draw their own children's frame.) As they drew, I pointed out the parts of the body that the crayon was passing by.  Eg. "This is your skull, going near your collar bone...Passing by your humerus now, and now very near your rib cage etc etc." 

Guess, who's frame?

We also looked at the hastily made skeleton (which I put together last night), the older children helped put the missing parts together and then we called it a day.

holding the half made skeleton. Children had to complete it by adding and naming the missing parts

Later during free time Nel took her frame and added  own drawings of ribs and bones and labeled them.

Conversation with Jo my little gal

This evening after Nel left for her swimming class, Jo (aged 5+)and I sat down for dinner together. As we ate, her little inquisitive mind started wondering as usual. She asked "Mum, what year were you born in? I mean, are you a horse, mouse, pig, whatever?"

"You're talking about the Chinese Calendar right Jo? Those are just to remind us what year we're born in." I replied.

"I know mum, but what are you??" she asked impatiently.
"Well, I'm actually a mouse."
"Oh that's not fair mum." replied Jo. "I wish I was the mouse, coz I like Repicheep from Narnia. So what am I mum?"

"well Jo, you were born in the year of the Rooster."

"But mum, I came from your womb right? right??" she asked, with lots of hand gestures as usual. "Well, if I came from your womb, then, I'm supposed to be a mouse right? But...but insteadddd...." she said while dragging that last word, "instead, I'm a CHICKEN!"

She said that last word with a high squawking voice, eyes wide open, hands up in the air in horror.

I had a really good laugh!!!
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Yesterday for devotion I talked to my children about the meaning of contentment, about being happy with what we have. Just a few minutes into discussion, I asked "So who can tell me the meaning of the word "content"?

Jo's hands went up and she said "Me! me! ME! I know! I know! I know! Well, FIRST, you take a book alright? You take the book, turn the cover, turn a few pages, and there you see "CONTENT!"

haha...her response took me by total susprise!

down with a cold

Days like these when I'm sick with a cold,
a pounding headache and a very sore throat,
I'm thankful for my children, who without being told
have made their own breakfast of biscuits and oats.

I'd like to continue the above.. but my head's telling me to get back to bed. It's been a long time since I've been sick, and being sick is no fun. I've canceled classes, but it  means replacements when I get well.

My girls were wonderful, Nel  made Jo her morning milk. They had breakfast together, and they got me some too! Then there's the mountain of clothes which has been sitting in my kitchen. Well, believe it or not, Nel folded that whole mountain up, neatly too! Jo once again cooked the rice, and all I had to do was to cook 2  simple dishes of vege and canned sardines. Thank God for canned foods at times like this!

well..i must go lie down again. with plenty of rest I hope to get well really soon.
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Aside from helping round the house, my Nel wrote scripts for Jo to read, like a teacher would. Then they both read their own books.  Once finished, Jo as usual went about with some mischief again, this time drawing mermaids and princesses on a piece of cloth which her daddy uses to wipe the car windows. Oh my...don't know what her dad's reaction is gonna be!

Thread the Needle

  Making these bunnies require stitching. I hardly sew. The only one sewing project I've ever completed is a large Precious Moments cross stitch work which I gave to my sis in law as a wedding present. I took one year to complete that after multiple procrastination and stops. After that, I vowed never to start another cross stitch! haha...  

However, my mum loves sewing. She sewed most of my childhood dresses, curtains for the house, dresses for my babies and host of other projects. She still sews! When she hit her late 30's or early 40's, I remember mum asking me to help her thread the needle. I used to think "man, I'm better at this then my mum." :)  or "Oh no, not again, why can't mum thread her own needles!"

But as I did my bunny project yesterday, I, now in my late 30's, found myself squinting hard as I tried to get that darn thread through the needle. And since my children are still young, I was tempted to get help from Ju (age 16, who's like daughter to me) by asking her to help me thread the needle.

Then pride held me back...and I told myself, "nah...not now", perhaps in a year or 2, I'll humbly ask my children to help me... thread the needle. 

(Do hop over to the other blog, if you're keen on trying this project for yourself.) Making Socks Bunny.

Milo or Coffee?

Fancy giving your child Coffee for breakfast? Well...that's what I did this morning, or almost did!!

We woke up late and rushed to meet an early appointment with some mums at the National Science Center this morn. Before leaving, hurriedly I asked my kids, "Want some milo?"

Milo or
Coffee?

"Yes!" they replied. So I opened my cupboard, took out some green sachets which I thought was Milo 3 in 1. I made the drinks quickly, some for them and some for me. It was brown, like the colour of Milo too. Anyway, It's a good thing I made some for me, coz usually I don't drink Milo, makes me feel nauseous.

Before heading out, I took a quick gulp of the drink and was surprised by the taste that hit my tongue. I shouted to the kids "STOP! DON'T DRINK THAT, it's COFFEE! !" (I don't give coffee to my kids, simply coz I myself can't take too much of it. It gives me palpitations (SVT) and thrice I've landed in the hospital's emergency ward because of it.)

"Well...no wonder it smelt so different mum!" replied Nel. I looked for the sachets I used, turned them over to discover this.

Can't believe Old Town White Coffee has now created green sachets!! Coffee's supposed to come in brown packets, not green!

Ok, now off to find out when did hubby get these.

Leave it!

You know those days when you feel like you've no energy?.. Yes??   I'm glad it's not just me who knows such days. Well today was such a day. Just lethargic with no energy.


I had to take extra cups of coffee to help me get through the day. Yeah, I remember, my cardiologist's advice was "no coffee," but how do I get the much needed energy boost then?


Woke up with a heavy head from a lack of sleep (again). Blame it on the thunderstorm last night. It was thundering half the night with several house alarms going off nearby. In the middle of the night both my girls woke and ran to our room.


Still we got up on time, went through the usual day's routine, with me being extra grouchy and fierce! haha...(ok, no laughing matter as far as my children are concerned, they dislike fierce mum!) Noon came, and extra coffee helped me stay awake during the piano classes I had to teach.


Then suddenly, Boom! Bang! RAIN! Who would've thought it'd rain again after the storm last night! Well it did. When I got done teaching, I found half my laundry hanging on the fence drenched! *heavy sigh*


Wanted to put it back in the washer  to rewash and then realised that there was an extra load in the machine, which I'd washed in the morn and forgot to dry. *double sigh*


With this kinda day.... I thought.."Leave it!" Let the wet clothes remain OUTSIDE, and let the washed clothes remain IN the washer. I'll do double load tomorrow again. So I slammed shut my washing machine, closed the door on my wet laundry hanging outside and walked IN.
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As I was typing this, Jo came and stood quietly next to me and said in a serious voice "Mum, I'm pregnant, you need to help me get the baby out."
I nearly fell out of my chair from real shock, coz of the seriousness of her voice. I had a good laugh when I looked at her, dressed in a long gown with an overcoat, handbag under her arms and high heels. In her gown there was an actual baby doll. haha. As for Nel, she spent most of her free time today reading. We read bout environmental pollution, and she seems interested in that topic. 

hiking n old jeans

We will be heading for a caving adventure soon. Am really looking forward to that. I just read that there are 4 levels of caving, level 4 being the most difficult. Have yet to decide if we'll do 3 or 4.

I also read that I will have to walk some 700 steps to get to the top before the steps descend into lower levels, streams and tunnels. My heart is already palpitating thinking of all those steps. So in preparation, I'm planning on hiking a lot these few weeks!

Yesterday we did 2 hours of hiking up and down hill, and am proud to say that my children did it without any whining (coz there was the ice cream reward promised at the end of it all! ) :)

As I do this, I also hope to shed the 7kg's that I DESPERATELY need to shed in order to get back into the jeans I used to wear some 14 years ago when I was merely a size 4/5. Oh yes, I still have my old jeans...hoping, dreaming and longing for the day I'll get back into them.

Perhaps it will always remain a dream? *sob* *sob*.....

cooking rice

Some evenings, I teach late. As I was teaching yesterday, Jo little one, came up and said "I'm hungry mum." I whispered for her to go cook the rice. Usually she'll ask me to help a little bit, but this time she didn't at all.

 After work, I walked to the kitchen,  looked in my rice pot n found the rice perfectly cooked. She'd even mixed brown n white rice 4 health. :) I'm proud of her.

 As for Nel, she'd help me peel all carrots and sliced them up. But she didn't end there, she helped me take in all the laundry and hung up the newly washed load. I'm truly blessed by my little ones.

Literature - Behind the Bedroom Wall

Someone gave us some old books to read. Amongst the books was Behind the Bedroom Wall by Laura E Williams. The book given was rather tattered and torn, and I was just about to throw it away when Nel begged me to read it to her. I guess, the picture on the front attracted her attention.

Sure Nel loves to read her own books, but there is always a book of the week which I read to them, almost daily, when I have the energy. So this is the book of the week, Behind the Bedroom Wall.

Let me just be lazy and copy an excerpt found on Amazon.com. The review goes -

Grade 5-8?Korinna, 13, loves her country and is active in the Jungmadel, Hitler's youth group for girls. When she learns that her parents are hiding Jews, she is shocked and angry. A series of events, including her reluctant, but growing attachment to the little girl hidden behind the wardrobe in her room, leads her to conclude that the price of being loyal to the Fatherland is too high. It is Korinna's quick thinking that saves the family during a night raid. The atmosphere and mood of the times are palpable, with Korinna and her family forced to flee Germany. If the characters are "types," such as the brave father, the nasty so-called "best" friend, and the vicious Gestapo agent, they are clearly drawn and appropriately employed in a fast-moving, believable plot with an inevitable ending.?Amy Kellman, The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Well Jo  has also become captivated by the book and listens attentively when I read. Both my children have grown to love the story of how Korina, who at first hated Jews and called her parents "traitors", eventually transforms, and rescues her family during a raid.

Since we're on this book, I've decided to add on Anne Frank, as well as a brief history of Hitler and the war.
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Our favourite short story of the week : "Phewtus the Squirrel" by V.H. Drummond.
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