Ryan's First Day of School 2016

Technically we're already in our 3rd week of January 2016 but I'm not gonna miss the chance of updating my blog on one of my babies biggest milestones - Ryan starting standard one :)

Alhamdullilah all went well... Ryan is making the transition quite smoothly and we're slowly getting use to the new schedule and activities. It is a bit hectic for me, having to do a bit more in terms of supervising homework and even having to start preparing daily bento boxes (that is another story for another post) but I'm going to preserver. Anyway, you want to know what I find weird? I did not see a single kid crying while sending to his sekolah agama and kebangsaan. I guess most of the kids are already used to the experience having joined preschool before. 

So much is happening at the moment, some good but most pretty testing. I'm just praying that Allah will give me patience to go through it all :) Have an awesome long weekend everyone...

Harry Potter Baby Shower D.I.Y Ideas

I was tasked with hosting a baby shower for Najwa last week. So the first thing I did was to choose a theme as it will be easier to coordinate decorations that way. A few theme choices come to mind but since the mummy-to-be and a few of the attendees are avid Harry Potter fans, I decided to go in that direction.

Before I started working on the gifts and deco, I went to several arts and craft shops to scout for potential ideas and to work out my budget. The pros of choosing a theme like Harry Potter is its novelty. I think it is a fresh and quirky theme to work with. The only problem is there are not many ready made items, which can easily be bought of the shelves, which means plenty of D.I.Y projects *yeay*.

Project 1: e-Invite

The invitation is the easiest project of all. After I've finalized the date and venue, I went straight to Microsoft Paint to work on the template for the invitation. With some inspiration taken from Pinterest and google *lo and behold* an Owlgram for the invitees.

Project 2: Diaper Cake

I think I've shared the method of constructing a diaper cake in my previous post "How to Make a Diaper Cake". This time around I've decided to create a 3 tier cake, with a baby blanket acting as a base for the top tier. I choose an owl to represent Hedwig (Harry's Owl) and made her wizard hat from black construction paper. To further complement the cake, I bought quill ribbons, owl toys, round glasses and printed the Hogwarts crest. Of all the diaper cakes that I've made so far, I would say this is one my favorite :)

Project 3: Personalized Rompers 

This was not a planned project, I first ordered the rompers from an online shop, but the seller backed out at the very last minute (horrible experience didn't even inform me until I send in messages to ask). I had to think of a back up plan real fast. Since there is no RTW Harry Potter rompers available in Malaysia, I bought some plains rompers in Mothercare and Sharpie "Stained" (for use on fabric) and started "staining" the fabric. 

My designs are usually freehand, but to be safe I drew the design with pencil first and trace it back with marker. It is a time consuming process as you're not working on a smooth surface, so make sure you're not in a rush while doing this. Once you're done, just leave the rompers for about an hour to dry before pressing on the design with hot iron for the colors to set in. After that, you wash the rompers in cold water and leave it to dry to ensure that the colors will not run. I made 3 different design, 2 of which with iron-on Owl embellishments. The rompers was roll over and is a part of the diaper cake "ingredients". 

Project 4: Potter Decos

Customized Decos

• Harry Potter inspired cupcakes from The Baking Fairies
• Owlgram personalized brown bags for each attendees to bring their goodies home.
• Magic Potions (Amortentia - Red, Felix Felixis- Yellow, Veritaserum-Blue and Dragon Blood- Green) as customized favors for everyone. I've you're wondering, the gourmet soda is from the Jelly Bean brand that I purchased from Candylicious OU.

Decorations D.I.Y which are not clearly captured in the photo above

• Bertie Botts Every Flavored Candy in a Martini Glass (I bought Jelly Bean in tropical flavors, to get the rainbow colors. FYI, they have one which offers similar flavors to the ones in the book (earwax, grass etc) but I don't think my friends and I are that adventurous)  
• Gringots Gold Chocolate Coin 
• Charm Chocolate in House Colors (Hershey Kisses in Red, Blue, Yellow and Green Foils)

I had so much fun planning for this shower. Alhamdulliah everyone had fun and the mummy to be loved the concept. OMG now I'm itching to throw another party, maybe I should start planning for the kiddies birthday in December :p

Press on the link for more ideas on Harry Potter Party DIY

Happy D.I.Y-ing everyone

Ryan's Talent Day 2014

It is that time of the year again where mummy will go teary eyed while watching her little boy perform so confidently on stage :)

Alhamdulliah we managed to attend Tadika Ceria Az-Zahra's Aqua Ceria Talent and Convocation day on the 26 October 2014 @ Crystal Crown Hotel, Klang, where Ryan performed twice. First singing "Nasyid Nabi Yusof and Ikan Nun" for his Tahfiz class and later dancing to "Sailor and the Sea". Ryan looked so happy performing and being in the limelight, so that's good. He's been trying to keep his performance a secret for months now, and looked so satisfied that he managed to keep Lan and I in the dark about his routines.

 The deco on the stage, too cute right :)

 Pics from my new compact camera, not bad, huh?

Boys will be boys, tengah-tengah perform pun sempat goof around with  his friends

Ok iklan tak berbayar kejap, I love my new Zawara Alicia Sequin Jubah, so comfy and the cut is so flattering. I'm so itching to buy another one in a different colour.

Anywayyyyyy, the kindergarten had encouraged parents and family to come with sea inspired headgear, there's even a special prize for the winners. Too bad we didn't win :p

Cool, huh? I made this out of felt. Lan grudgingly wore them for like 3 seconds and now it is an addition to the kids costume collection.

Oooooo....We were given the VVIP seats, WHY VVIP???

It is because......

Muhammad Ryan Daniel was awarded the Anugerah Mutiara Harapan. It is an overall award for 5 years old showing the most development for the year, looking at qualities like character development, communication skills, manners, academics etc. Alhamdullilah, for the recognition :) I think his teachers did take into account Ryan speech issues and his hard work in trying to overcome it. So awesome that despite all that, he has grown to be such a confident and delightful young man. Mummy is super proud of you abang. I hope that you'll continue to grow to be such a fine example to your little sisters... Alhamdullilah Alhamdullilah Alhamdullilah.....

Ryan with his class teacher, Teacher Ana. Thank you for helping him, teaching him new skills and knowledge this year :) Ryan is so lucky to have you. 

The pic on the right is of Ryan and Mama Ati one of his caretaker in Taska. Hehehe I was so worried last year when we wanted to enrol Ryan in early. I was telling Mama Ati that I can't imagine if he'll survived going the whole day without bottle, diapers PLUS his major pelatness.. Mama Ati assured me he'll be alright and alhamdullilah she's right. I owe it to his caretakers for assisting us with his potty training and weaning him off the bottle...

We're so lucky to have found such a good kindergarten for Ryan and inshaallah the twins next year. With all the news about horrible babysitter and kindy in the media, you can't help but feel worried having to leave your kids with strangers all day. Thank god we've found a school that is ikhlas in educating and taking care of my ahli syurga. 

The one on the super blessed Merdeka Day weekend

One of the biggest gripe of a working mum is the minimal time we get to spend with our children. We're gone the whole day working and is only able to spend a few hours a day with our precious babies. As much as I look forwards to the weekends, it is not that I'm able to spend 24/7 with my children as we still have to split the hours between errands, housework, visiting etc.

Long weekends is the best as you're able to work in extra activities that would not be possible otherwise. Anyway I had an awesome time *alhamdullilah* during the long Merdeka Day weekend :)

30 August 2014 (Merdeka Day Eve)

We wanted to drop by Setia City Mall to get some shopping done but parking was full due to some concert, so we decided to have our dinner elsewhere. So cool that they have independent Pizza Hut buildings (and other fast food joints) conveniently situated in Setia Alam

 

31 August 2014 : Merdeka Day!!!

 My babies having fun in Kidz Paradise. Press Me for review :)

Later in the evening we had a picnic in the backyard. I bought some yummy Elmo cupcakes for the munchkins to enjoy for tea.

Later we set up the sprinkler for some water fun. We accidentally burst the sprinkler tubes due to high water pressure. Hopefully the cobbler can patch the tube up with rubber patches :(

 1 September 2014: KL Bird Park

I've been wanting to visit the Bird Park since last year but haven't managed to find the appropriate time. Since we had no other planned activity for the day, I woke Lan up super early and coaxed him to make the trip. Alhamdullilah, one trip to crossed from my "travel/activity list". Zoo Melaka next *inshaAllah*

Anyway for review of the KL Bird Park : Press Me!!!

It was such a blessed and fulfilling weekend. Alhamdullilah...Alhamdullilah...Alhamdullilah.

Looking forward to more beautiful moments with my family *inshaAllah*

Salam Aidilfitri 2014

MasyaAllah I can't believe that we are already close to the end of Ramadan. Today is my last day at work before my Raya break starts tomorrow for 9 days *InshaAllah*

Anyway I would like to take this opportunity to wish my Muslim friends Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri. I would also like to seek forgiveness from everyone for my wrongdoings through my blog postings, social media entries, actions, perceived body language and words. At the same time I would also like to forgive anyone who have wronged me in any way (whether you want to admit it or not) haha... Kosong-kosong?? InshaAllah

I pray all of us will have a safe trip wherever it is we're going. Please don't text, IG, drink water, put on make up and drive. Haha this is more of a reminder to myself. Do have fun with your loved ones and cherish every moment possible because you really don't know if it will be your last.Please also take the time to pray for the well being of all the wounded and oppressed around the world as you're having fun in the comfort of your own home and in the arms of your family. Finally, jangan main mercun, please :)

Much Love,

Far,Lan, Ryan, Iman and Ranya

The one on being another year older...

Alhamdullilah, I'm another year older. Hopefully with the added year under my belt I will be bestowed with more wisdom and patience :) 

I had a simple celebration this year, starting with a short holiday in PD during the weekend, movies with Ryan and my sister during the public holiday and a day ALONE for me to unwind during the B-day itself. I told Lan the only thing I really really wanted for my birthday is for a super spic and span clean house for the whole week. That is a pretty much impossible request but currently it is about 80% there so I'm pretty happy. 

I saw this quote earlier this week and it is currently stuck in my head. For the past 31 years, I've celebrated many many things and experienced a lot (good and bad). When relieving past events, sometimes I can't help but want to feel those achievement/experience again, going places, doing things but current responsibilities/situation may not allow for that. At least not NOW. 

So I'm learning to slowly accept that though I may have plans, Allah is the better planner. I need to always have faith and be thankful with what I currently have : loving family, supportive husband, gorgeous, intelligent and healthy children. I have so much so I'm not going to sit and wallow about the few things that I don't. So Alhamdullilah again for another chance to wake up and be a better person. Thank you everyone for the birthday wishes and presents. I totally  appreciate the effort and love *muacks*

 With my buah hati pengarang jantung :)

Thanks for everything, love

 If you want to view more pictures and reviews from our holiday -> Click Me!!!

Good movie :) Movie reviews coming soon....

15052104: My Birthday Dinner

 Because birthday cakes is overrated ;p

 Hahaha

Look at Iman's pose behind me. GERAM!!!

The best birthday wish goes out to my dad. Awwww so sweet kan :) hehehe

2013 in Reflection

The last day of 2013....

2013 has been quite kind to me. Alhamdullilah...

We managed to get some traveling done in and out of Malaysia. Marveling in the different cultures and seeing the world :) Love that the children managed to learn new things from our trips and hopefully it will help shape the way they view the world, one day... 

In Sha Allah more trips to come....

Throughout 2013 I see Ryan, Iman and Ranya thrive mentally, emotionally, physically etc They are learning so fast and I hope Lan and I can provide them with good examples that they need. They each have new interest, acquired new skills and is fiercely interested in learning. So my new year resolution is to do my best to play more with them, indulge in loads of creative play and learn session and minimize their usage of smart phones/tablets.

Major accomplishment of 2013 : They only play with the tablets if we have to travel or in need of major distraction (during long majlis or something) I can safely say they play with my tablet about 5-8 times a month and  at the very most around 10 minutes)

We need to work harder on TV time though...Need to MAJORLY supervise the kind of shows Ryan watch on TV. Urrrgghhh the quality of cartoons nowadays is horrible. Too much fighting (Ultraman and the likes of it), stupid gags (Spongebobs) and horrible language ( benci shows like Boyboyboy and Bola Kampung, the aku and kau is one thing, but "bodoh" "tak guna" etc on a CHILDREN SHOW is unacceptable)

I can't control the things they watch in Kindy but we try our best to limit these shows at home. Ryan has been asking for some of these programs but I said NO because I truly don't see any benefits to the kiddies anyway. We try and stick with shows like Sesame Street, Upin & Ipin, Prophet Cartoons (Ryan managed to retell stories of Nabi Yusof and Nabi Nuh already, how awesome is that??) and SOME Disney cartoons like Doc McStuffins (No-no to major princess exposure - this is more Daddy than Mummy :p)

The twins are sleep trained successfully Alhamdullilah.They sleep in their own bed which is adjoined to our bed, two more years until they sleep in their own room.

2014 baby training plans (In Sha Allah) :

1. Ryan to start sleeping in his own room in February 2014 (in sha Allah) I'm kind of nervous.At the moment he's quite excited at the prospect of choosing his night light and bed sheets, but we shall see how this will go.
2. Potty Training & bottle weaning the twins : Hahaha this will be an adventure of its own... not one but TWO little girls, wish me luck. Ryan was off the bottle & diapers around 3.5 years, we're aiming for the same timeline with the twins but decided to start a bit earlier this time around. No harm right? :p

There are some "off moments" and bad decisions made in 2013. I rather not highlight them. Dwelling in negative stuff brings nothing but misery. With all the happenings all around the country and the world, it is best we prepare for the worst but pray and hope for the best. May Allah blessed all of us with an awesome 2014.

But for the time being : Alhamdullilah, Alhamdullilah, Alhamdullilah for the blessing that has been bestowed upon me and my family so far...

Signing off for 2013. See you next year In Sha Allah :)

Love,
Far