Yasmin with braces!

Braces... It's the teenage thing. A trend now! Yasmin was counting days for her appointment. Who looks forward to seeing a dentist? Enjoy the pics ;-)

Before...

She was annoyed with this shot obviously ;-)

A close up

Well, someone looked happy with her new look....

After...

She chose pink & purple. Sweet eh? I don't know... but I think with braces Yasmin no longer looks like a child. She looks like a teenage now! Prettier... Now I should consider braces too. ;-P

Missing Wardah...

It has been more than a week since my last post. OK... I almost let the urge of updating this blog drift away. But I will not let that happen... Not this time.

Amongst the things I love about blogging is the friends you make. It feels so good to have Oldstock & Kak Sherry to drop by. It has been way too long. Dikny, I know in person & FB helps us to reconnect often.

I havent told you that Wardah is away. She's in Kelantan now, Bachok to be exact. Came home last week with the news & I well, was not so keen of the idea. Her school & another secondary school were selected from Selangor to participate in a Robotic Workshop, National Level. My concern was not merely because it was too far away but more to the traveling.. Kelantan is obviously hundred kms away & the transportation provided was definitely a coach or a bus. The long hours of travel without even one of her parents worried me.

The following day, she brought along the letter & it was clearly written, Bachok, Kelantan. The first thing that came out from her mouth after handing me the letter was... "Can't I take a flight...?". It crossed my mind earlier you see but since HB is in the airline, I didn't feel comfortable prompting the idea. Hence, the dilemma..

Later in the afternoon however, I received a phone call from one of the mothers whose son was also offered for the same workshop. She suggested for the kids to travel by plane & was asking for my opinion. Of course I agreed. Since she knows all of the kids' parents, she volunteered to make the phone calls. In the meantime, I was surfing for air fares. Both MH & AK. Obviously I was hoping that they get MH which is an advantage for us ;-) but of course I won't veto the situation. The price difference was like half 1k. Well, it was still a lot hence, the choice of anyone can fly...

The next day, the mother called that she had purchased those tickets but the differ between 2 airlines was very little instead after all the you know.. hidden charges. Oh well! I took it positively instead... At least Wardah can experience the other airline ;-) (even I have not..)

Here's Wardah with her friends, teacher & the other parents at LCCT.

Parting from my baby was kind of tough but it was not for her though!

They reached KBR 10 minutes before schedule. Way to go AK! Her teacher is a Kelantanese. Since it was a Friday ( a public holiday there), a relative fetched all of them at the airport & brought the kids to the family house. They had lunch there. In the car while we were on the way to LCCT, I told Wardah about Kelantan cuisine. Wardah is adventurous with food so I told her to try the many local foods Kelantan has to offer.

After lunch, they headed to Bachok. She was in the car when I gave her a call. Asked whether she had taken her lunch & all. At that point she kind of whispered. "Sedap mama....". I went, "Ye ke... What did you eat?" & she replied "Budu!". Hahaha! Well I expected her to try, Nasi Kukus, Ayam Percik but seriously budu was the last I had in mind!

She's still there in Bachok. Having a good time I assume based from the calls she made. At first her concern was the lodging. This girl of mine is very particular about cleanliness. She even wanted to bring her own pillow which HB objected. Settled only with a pillow case though...

The first thing she mentioned once she reached the school in Bachok was about her room. Sounded happy & satisfied ;-) 6 persons sharing a room with 6 single beds (no double decker..) & an attached bathroom is a bonus!

Can't wait for Tuesday... Most of all am looking forward to hearing Wardah's experience of Kelantan. Tomorrow in the itinerary is sightseeing. On Tuesday night she will fly back home... They are free from morning until departure time & her teacher has made plans to take the kids to visit his kampung. That is a golden opportunity... HB & I planned to fly off to KBR tomorrow since it is his off day & fly back with Wardah. We changed our mind knowing that a visit to a kampung side will bring her good.

I can see that Yasmin misses her sister. She denies it but a mother knows.. It was the same when Yasmin was away for a 3 days camp last few weeks. Wardah looked lost but refused to admit missing her sister ;-) Take care Wardah. We love you!

Im here somewhere...

Oh dear! I have totally abandoned this blog. Really... I think the passion in writing is no longer in me. I won't blame FB for this. It's not it. It's just me who finds it more convenient to reach my friends via FB. But again this homepage was created not because I wanted to socialise... It was here because I wanted to cherish the memories I have with my family, my girls especially.

The last I updated was on Yasmin's birthday. That was in March! Wow... to think of the many things that she has achieved this year... I wrote none! Sorry

Yasmin. I've been very busy with my little business. Well you may want to have a peep here .

She has just finished her UPSR & is having a jolly time of post-exam... She's most of the time in front of the computer, FB specifically & that girl now has a new blog - Fearless Girl. She had What a Life! before but decided to change that I think because the blog sounds like mine.. ;-) The blog - My Whole Wide World has long been forgotten which she said it was her kiddie blog. Wow...! It sure is tough being a teenage nowadays!

Yasmin's latest pic

Wardah is as tall as Yasmin now. Well, we still do share shoes just that recently Wardah has outgrown most of hers. She wears a size 6 now unlike Yasmin & I who are still at 5. Yasmin as a senior in her school now is quite popular amongst friends & teachers. Wardah on the other hand, doesn't mind a bit of her sister getting all the attention because as she put it ..." Kakak siapa.. kalau bukan kakak Wardah..." ;-)

Wardah has always been entertaining us with her ambitious intellection & ideas. The only girl of mine who wants to be an Agung (a royalty) so that she will be invited to Prince Harry's wedding... The other day she was helping stirring the bolognaise I prepared. She was enjoying it at first but later I heard it loud & clear that she would invent a machine to make cooking process easier.. A stirring machine!!

Here's Wardah

Balqis is coping well in year 1. She has slowly built up her self-confidence & no longer the timid girl on the block. Thanks to her 2 elder sisters for the encouragement. She has always wanted to be like her 2 sisters :-)

Our Balqis

Nadeen enjoys school a lot. She is at ease making friends & even has her eyes on a boy in her class! Mention the word "Adam' & she will respond with a shy smile ;-) She is also very witty... The little boss in the family whom everyone adores.

Cunning little Nadeen

I shall make an appoint to update more. I happened to read the older posts. How vivid had I made our life journal... & I wouldn't want it to stop. So check it out people!! Jabishah is back in track ;-)

12

9th of March. The date that made me a mom. Yes! How time flies.... You know, it does give me a lump in my throat when I see her standing as tall as me now. Where had the little bubbly girl in curls gone? She's 12 today!

Alhamdulillah, she turns out to be an amazing young lady. Doing good in school & as Wardah once put it... "Who doesn't know Kak Yasmin? I love to walk next to her just to get in the limelight". Hahaha! Wardah loves the attention not Yasmin. But it is Yasmin who is the popular one in school. Does she ever bother about it? Never!

Early this year, I wanted to get her a new school bag but she hesitated. She insisted to use her old bag which she claimed was still in a good condition. Bought her a new purse from Girls, she thanked me alright but was worried of the price. It was not even a designer's purse! Seriously... when we go shopping I admire something than only look at the price but Yasmin checks the price first than only admire... Oh yes! I have gotten the gentle scolding from her about a few things I bought. The only things she doesn't bother to check on the price are books... She has 0way too many of them & if only Wardah reads like her! (I haven't stopped hoping Wardah... ;-))

For her birthday, we wanted to take her out for dinner. But she has her tuition class tomorrow until 9pm. Told her that we will fetch her & go out to get something for supper. Guess what her response was "Can't we just have a take away..?". That's my Yasmin. Love you darling... Happy 12th Birthday!!

Nadeen - A Big Girl!

My blog readers wouldn't need introduction to Nadeen. I used to update her milestone religiously every single month as early as the day she was born (you may want to read here). She is our youngest girl of 4. Very cheeky & never fails to look irresistible to us.... what more to others. Geraaaammm.....!

Remember the first time I introduced her to solid food? (I posted it here ). How about her first steps? (I published the video here). It feels just like yesterday... Really ! How time flies.... and guess what? Nadeen is now in kindergarten!!

She is in a 4-year-old class. Turned 3 last December & by year she should be 4 years old this year. Normally I send all my girls to a playschool (3 years old class). Not Nadeen though. Her being a year end baby is one thing & my busy schedule ferrying the elder girls is another.

All this while, she merely tags along sending her sisters to school. Now she has one of her own... Of course she was very excited about school. Yes 'was'.. Hehehe! Don't worry. She's OK. It's just that she is not extremely excited about it anymore... Why?

You see, I have visited the kindie thrice during the school holidays. First was to check on the kindie, second was to make the booking & third was to collect her school uniform. In all 3 visits Nadeen was with me. Why exactly she is less excited about going to school? Well, check out her response after her first day of school last Wednesday... "Mama! Ramainya orang...!". I can't believe it that she wanted the kindie all to herself!! Hahaha!

A pose at home... All excited about school ;-)

Upon reaching her kindie, she reminded me not to stay around. None of us was allowed in... She listed them down like "Papa tak boleh, Mama tak boleh, Kakak Min tak boleh, Kakak Wardah tak boleh, Kakak Balqis tak boleh...". So I did as instructed & passed her to her teacher the moment we reached the kindie.

Still I managed to make her pose for me. Notice the look? Konon malu-malu ;-)

Off she went with her teacher.... Not even a glance at mama! :-(

Check that out... Her own space! I like... ;-)

Temperature check. I'm glad they opt for a forehead infrared thermometer.

With her new friends. No, I didn't snap this photo. Her principal was kind enough to steal a shot ;-)

If it were not for HB, I would have stayed around longer & observe her from outside. But, HB being HB dragged me (not literally of course!) to the car & we had breakfast together instead! Our friends happened to join us & a short breakfast took a longer time. We reached the kindie just before it ended.

Nadeen was no where to be seen. I saw the children started to queue up & there I was trying my best to search for my little girl. It was then when I heard loud & clear from inside, "Amirah Nadeen... Come over here & line up!". Woohhooo! A scolding on her first day of school? :-)

She appeared with the lower half of her body exposed! What exactly did you do in class Nadeen?? ;-)

Kakak Balqis insisted to fetch her too right after mengaji...

Once she saw me, requested to be carried ;-)

The following day was quite a challenge for me to get her into her uniform. She just refused to put it on. HB tried but failed as well. Out of ideas, I ignored her & continued getting ready. Guess what in the end made her change her mind? Well, it was not exactly how it worked... More like a bribe that is...

My compact powder!

She saw me with it & begged to try it on. I made a deal with her to put on her uniform first. She agreed. After she was done , I told her she looked very pretty & her friends at school would love to have a look at her. And that was how I managed to make her go to her kindie on the second day.

I was worried of the other days... Not a drama, a day! Pleeeeaaseee...! The truth, I knew how it should work. Was just denying it. From experience, if I were to get them ready for kindie, that's when the drama begins. They go so manja & making excuses not to go. It won't happen if my maid wake them up & get them ready. No choice. I had to give in. So everyday when I send off the elder girls to school, my maid will wake up Balqis & Nadeen. By the time I reach home, both have showered & already at the dining room having their breakfast.

It has been almost a week for Nadeen. So far so good... I still address her baby though obviously she is now a big girl!

How was your 1st day of school?

Happy New Year to all my readers. As always, every new year begins with a celebration. Not merely the fireworks & all but a birthday. My Wardah is a new year child & every strike of midnight on new years follows with a birthday wish. In fact, yearly she will remind us that the whole world celebrates her birthday! Yeah right ... Wardah! ;-D

Wardah with her new look, at a friend's BBQ do on new year eve

I have 3 school going children this year. Last year I was so looking forward to do the chauffering for 2011. No more double sessions for me... Yes! As far as I knew, Year 6, Year5 & Year 1 have always been in the morning session. Less worry about Balqis is Year 1 too. She has 2 elder sisters around to sort of babysit her at school. What more when they are both school prefects! ;-) (Yes, Yasmin was renominated again as a prefect this year after declining the offer last year)

My happiness didn't last for long. I got to know during Balqis's Year 1 orientation, the Year ones will be in the afternoon session together with Year twos & Year threes. Duh!! It was a dejavu really...! It happened once in 2009 I think when both of my girls were supposed to be in the afternoon session but one was to be in the morning... You know what I had in mind? I wished to migrate so that I wld be done with this double sessions thing!

Oh well... I just have to get used to it. Pretty tiring I can't lie. I will update on my daily chauffering schedule one of these days.

In the morning the elder girls were ready in record time. Looked forward to meeting their friends. I sort of pulled their legs when I sent them off that morning. Wanted to pull over & check on their new classrooms.. The response I got from both were ,"Noooo! Go home mama!". Hah! ;-D Anyway, I had to go back & get Balqis for her mengaji class.

After mengaji which was at 10am, Balqis was already so anxious to change to her school uniform. She was very energetic & there was no sign of nervousness at all. Being in a new school is one thing... To be dressed head to toe in new attires is another ;-)

At last it was time to go to school. We were kind of late. There was a traffic on the way to school. Balqis in the car didn't look herself. She was rather nervous but the feeling of excitement showed as well ;-)

Balqis, even though late didn't mind at all to pose in front of her new school

First day was rather disorganised. But I wouldn't blame the school. Worried or rather excited parents sort of put a halt to the smoothness of the programme. To me that was normal. I have nothing to complain...

The wait to get to her class..

Balqis is in 1 Omega. She found her class at ease. I could have just left her but the number of the other parents around disturbed me. I knew Balqis is independent enough but it might hit her if she saw other parents stayed around for their children but hers did not.

Another thing that could have affected me was perhaps that I am a 'nostalgia phobic' ;-) You see, I was there for Yasmin & Wardah when they were in Year 1 & not being there for Balqis seemed like a sin. Really!

Good that the school allows us parents to be around for only 3 days. My routine will be sending her off & staying around for a while. Take the elder girls back home & after sending Wardah for mengaji, I will drop off to see Balqis during her recess time. That I think is sufficient. Only the last day or perhaps today, I try to vanish for a while. See how it goes ;-)

The elder girls with their friend

I was on time to greet her for recess :-)

Recess!

She got home quite late yesterday. I was there inside the school. The plan was only to be around by the gate but upon seeing other parents entering the school compound, I did as well. When I saw Balqis as she was dismissed, the expression she wore was kind of worried. When I approached, her dimple welcomed me. She said she was worried that I forgot to fetch her... :-)

In the car when we asked about her day in school, her answer was... "Lamanya sekolah!". Hahahaha! I guess afternoon session doesn't agree to her just yet ;-)