Can they keep a secret?

Last 28th May was Ayah's 35th birthday. So, Ibu got him a present and decided to buy something for Esya and Yana for Ayah (hhmmm...confused???). Ibu bought a nice card and framed it in an orange photo frame and Esya chose a Dad's mug and Yana a card, of course Ibu had to pay for it. Should Ibu deduct it from your savings? Duuhhh --- we'll see if I could do that. Anyway, we had a pact right before stepping out of the gift shop (Memory Lane), that everybody had to be discreet about it. I was actually excited to see the result, if they could be just that. Upon arrival, Ayah was outside the house, gardening. Esya ran up to him and whispered something but loud enough for me to hear (saved me from the sin of eavesdropping...hehe). "Ayah, got birthday for u!" said she. OMG, that was just 20 mins later after the pact we made. What's more to come? Ayah was just smiling away..."Hah? A birthday cake?". Then, came Yana. "Ayah, surprise..." Haiya....girls oh girls!!!!

At nite, we went for ice-cream at A&W, savouring every scoop of it and drove home at 10pm. Presents were still in the house and Ayah was playing along for his 'surprised' birthday cake. Once home, some neighbours were chatting outside and guess what, Ayah just had to join them. So, we all waited in the house with presents in our hands...waiting...and waiting....and waiting some more...waiting still....That's it! It had been 30 mins.

Esya got bored of the endless torture and jumped off the sofa and screamed for Ayah. "Ayah, hurry. Balik cepat. Got presents in the house!!!". Secret was disclosed, again. Ayah 'gracefully' walked past the gate and we all were all ready waiting at the doorstep. So,Yana handed the card first followed by Esya with the mug (still wrapped) and Esya to her excitement couldn't keep her big mouth shut - "Ayah, be careful. Nanti cawan pecah." hahahaha....

So, if u need to know some thruths about things, ask a 5-year-old kid. The whole truth will be revealed whether u like it or not.

Happy birthday Ayah.

Yana vs Esya

I'm still recovering from the cleaning up from the earlier birthday celebration. With the mess which is very impossible to clear itself, I have to bear the monstrous sisterly fights over the new toys (Esya's presents) for the whole two days (so far). And today, I have realised, unlike Kakak, Yana can be extremely persistent, possessive and ignorant. Being a lil' girl of 2 years old, true enough that she has the upper hand of claiming the toys hers. But how about Kakak? I can't simply ignore her existence, can I? This is where I fall apart. I try not to push it hard on Kakak to give in to her younger sis all the time, yet at the same time I need to instill the values of sharing and respect in Yana. It seems so out of reach when it comes to reasoning with Yana as she just refuses to listen to what I have to say! I remember Kakak behaving the same exact way when she was two. So, I take it as it's just another stage of growing up which will past soon, I hope.

So, as far as the fights are concerned, Yana always gets her way out of it. However there are times when I observe Kakak being a big sis, never by any chance let herself be defeated by Yana. This is the time when I just have to raise my hands and leave it to them to settle the unsettled business between them as both can be extremely persistent in their own intolerable ways. To my amazement, the fights would normally end up with hugs, laughters and kisses in a matter of seconds!!! How sweet...

As a mom, I personally feel that there's no special formula to raising your children. Or is there? It all falls back to the individual child as a person. And raising children is indeed a learning and trial and error process for parents. That's the whole beauty of parenting.

As for my Esya and Yana, being 3 years apart, I'm sure that Yana will learn to compromise since she is in fact a very jovial girl and surely doesn't want to miss the fun with her kakak. Likewise Kakak. One thing that certainly touches my heart is how these two sisters would stick together for the worst and offer comfort when any one gets the scolding from Ibu or Ayah , or both in fact!!! This is when scolding would turn into a very emotional moment and Ibu would have teary eyes...Sob Sob Sob.... Not Ayah, though. One tough man!

So, the moral of the story....raise your children your own way as nobody knows them best but YOU!!!

Hats off to all parents....

Esya's birthday bash

On 24th May 2008, Saturday @ 8pm - 11.30pm.



Finally, Esya's birthday was not forgotten after all, albeit too belated. Attended by only family members, I would say the birthday celebration was indeed a happening event, as we hoped it would be with fingers crossed. So, thanks to all. The children had fabulous and marvelous time together, oh boy, they sure knew how to occupy and entertain themselves with their own little games, much to the parents' joy. Food served was appetizing (to me, to say the least) - BBQ chicken, fried rice, fried mee, coleslow, mashed potato, nuggets, chicken balls, sausages, mini-pizzas, bread pudding, assorted chocs and sweets and snacks & chips, also two yummy cakes of different kind - choc cake and peanut butter choc cake (celebrating Esya's and our bithdays - my bro's, my hubby's and mine). But to my great disappointment, we couldn't get her Ben-10 cake due to some unforseen circumstances (our fault, really, Hish). Luckily Mummy Ala saved the day with her Ben-10 watch specially for Esya. Wow, u'd never guessed how much the cartoons on TV now can be unbelievingly costly on parents! The watch alone cost RM70!!! Much to her joy, jumping up and down, Esya was not affected at all by the Pikachu cake, thus totally forgot about her earlier demand of a Ben-10 one. Thank God, Alhamdulillah! Well, that easy to please a kid, huh?


So, Esya got her most to die for Ben-10 watch from Mummy Ala (finally after a lot of failed persuasion on Ayah and Ibu) , a Flashing Flora Showtime Microphone from Pakcik, a Kids' Phone from Nenek, Atok & Cik Ann, a Barney art/colouring set from CikTa, an all-u-can-get art set from Uncle Man and an animal Alley Ponny from Aunty Anna & Aunty Shida and a Mickey Mouse watch from Aunty Maya. Yana also received a Barney knapsack from her beloved CikTa.


We would like to thank everybody for the extra hands lent, sponsorships (hahaha...appreciate it, really) and a marvelous family-get-together. It wouldn't be successful without any of u chipping in. We love u all so much. So, here they are, from the both sides - mine and Syafiq's. And this is only like 70% of us all. Some couldn't make it simply because the air-fare is way too expensive just to fly back for a birthday party!!!

So, it was a fun yet tiring nite, felt only after everybody had left when the cleaning up is all mine and mine alone (i'm not complaining, hehehe...), Syafiq and Mak were a great help indeed . Well, spring cleaning only took place the next day as I just had to surrender to my comfy bed that nite. So, Thank u all again....Love, Muahhhhsssss.........

Esya darling, u are our eternal love, may u stay healthy and charming, be a good girl and we pray that all the best in the world will be yours (of course, with our consent, hahaha...), InsyaAllah. Happy birthday, kakak!

For more photo viewing, visit this link :
http://sheraghani.fotopages.com/?entry=1555806

Esya and her superheros

We are planning a birthday party for Esya this coming Saturday nite. Sorry dear friends, it is a small scale, family only (next year I'll send u an invitation). Well, it is rather a belated one as hers actually falls on the 5th May. Since May is awfully packed (birthdays-Esya, my bro, my hubby and myself), we feel that it is brilliantly economical (hehehe...nak jimat) to have it all at one go! So, Saturday it is...

Of course, a birthday cake of her dream is a must-have for the birthday girl. So, I asked what she wants for a cake. Without any hesitation (being a girl, I mind u), she said, "I want Ben-10!". OMG!!! Trying to steer her away from this boy thingy, I suggested Barbie or Enchanted. "No, Ibu. I want Ben-10 cake", very determined. I refused to entertain, "Ben-10 cake dah habis, kakak". Yes!!! She bought it and replied "Ok, kalau macam tu Esya nak Batman cake". Laa....pulak. "Batman pun finish dah. Power Puff Girls ok, PPG pun hero kan?" I negotiated, hoping she would agree to the idea. "Hmmm...don't want PPG, I want Superman now!".....

Warrgghhh...I surrender.

Later, while packing her school bag, I found 3 race cars hidden in the pocket, which I believe she takes with her to school everyday (they are hers actually). Only then I remembered, once her teacher told me that she doesn't mingle with girls that much, boys are always her better preference. And there was a time when I asked about her school friends, the names mentioned were Adam, Luqman, Danish, Ashraf and Iskandar. No girls???

Esya sayang, Ibu will be waiting patiently for the day when handbags, dresses and lipsticks take control of your life! For now, Ben-10 rules! Batman and Superman too...

Yana and her falls

Yana is one tough and strong lil' girl. She has experienced serious falls, for the record, once a year. Believe it or not....

This particular one - she just turned one. She stumbled over and hit the edge of a table when taking her steps (just started walking for a week, so macam dah terror sgt). No one was around when my mom suddenly heard a fearful cry from her living hall. Here's a stitch...



This one is the most recent one (at 2 years old), about two weeks ago (early May). She fell off the bed at 4am and God knows when exactly did she actually climb onto our bed!!! The fall was very silent as she fell onto a pillow but yes, she cried and that woke us up. Ayah lifted her up and his hands got wet from the blood oozing from Yana's head. No stitches this time...



Now people, don't try to be judgmental here. We realise how bad this may reflect on us as parents, but shit happens!!! If you are a parent yourself, I'm pretty sure, you'd understand. If you are not, wait till you become one.

My legacy for my angels

Hi Angels....

Today, Ibu has decided to leave u both with this piece in case if u needed any insights (wow!!) in the future, to look back at how u have brought lights and colours into Ayah's life and mine. Despite all the screams, shouts, cries and fights, nothing beats the adorable smiling eyes of yours, the melting "I love u, Ibu Ayah' and the clown acts u do which never fail to make us laugh. We are so grateful to Allah swt for granting us with these two innocent, beautiful souls who we would without question die for.

Esya and Yana, we pray that u will become devoted Muslims and be blessed with great health, colourful personality, wonderful lives and brilliant minds....these somehow ensure a very sound life in which Ibu and Ayah may need when we are old, weak and forgetful one day!!!

We love u beyond anything in this universe......