3 & 6

I notice how seldom I update on Nadeen here. I used to do that at least on monthly basis. Especially when she was a baby. Well I blame my easier access to FB instead ;-)

Today is her 3rd birthday. My baby is a big girl now... She used to address herself as "baby" but now & then prefers "princess". Occasionally, "Nadeen". It is Balqis who keeps babying her. She doesn't address Nadeen nothing other than baby. After all, she is her baby sister :-)

Nadeen is starting school next year. I'm sure she is ready for it. She gets bored being stuck at home whenever all her sisters are in school. So next year she will fly her wing away from mama's cocoon. Awww... I'm feeling melancholy already!

I don't worry much about her coping though. She has enough orientation at home. It seems that they frequently role play "teacher & students" nowadays. Even Wardah used to join in. No! Not Yasmin... If I happen to see her in a role, I am 100% sure it is by force ;-) And it never lasts for long. It is either she quits or is fired by her sisters. Hahaha! She rather browses the net or read her books.

Nadeen's words articulation is marvelous for her age. OK, I may be bias there... She has problem with the sound "k" meeting the sound "ch". Like "Catching" becomes "Checking". OK that doesn't really sound hilarious I know. How about "Kacau" becomes "Cakau? "Kucing" is "Cuking" (told her to stick with cat) & "Kencing is "Cengking" (good that now she prefers shishi). I found it weird when she could pronounce "Kicap" at ease. Later I noticed she said it as "Ticap" not "Kicap". So I corrected her to "Kicap" & guess what came out? Oh yes! "Cikap"... (Hahaha! Stay with "Ticap" Nadeen). I'm sure she will pass that stage pretty soon.

Since Balqis's birthday was just last Wednesday, both girls had a birthday do together. It was held at home this time. Let's the photos do the narrating... :-)

On Balqis's birthday. We lunched out & had this cake for dessert :-)

For the party, Balqis requested a Castle Cake & Nadeen simply agreed. Guess I passed the test because later I was called the Cake Boss! Bye Buddy... Hello Ja... ;-)

The simple deco

Muffins!

My parents with one of the birthday girls

I normally come out with one or two games when I host the girls' birthday party. This time around I decided to try with Pinata! It was fun! Though it was quite tough for the children to get their candies ;-)

Nadeen was the first to hit the nothing fancy Pinata...

Wardah's 1st attempt

Many others did but it was kind of too solid for them ;-)

HB had to make a tear & it helped a lot!

The final hit from Balqis and....

everyone rushed on the ground for their snack ;-)

These 2 brothers sure had a great time! :-)

Next came the cake... The princesses with their miniature castle.

All eyes on the cake...

Oooppss..! Wrong candle Nadeen!

Nadeen is 3, Balqis is 6, their mom is 36 & their grandma is 63!

Balqis asked, "Mama, nak potong dekat mana?" :-)

The almost ruined castle ;-)

Later in the evening, another Pinata came out...

Nadeen in action...

Unwrapping their presents...

Today Nadeen got her ears pierced! Check that pose... ;-) She cried a bit but it was merely out of shock. After checking her reflection in the mirror she switched to her princess mode :-)

Happy birthday Balqis! Happy birthday Nadeen! Muah! Muah! We love you loads!!

A Gift

Today marks my parents' wedding anniversary. Their 37th year together. 37! I still have a looong way to go... :-)

We had an earlier celebration last weekend. Had dinner together with my other siblings at Wadi Hadramawt in Ampang. Great place. Scrumptious food. Wonderful company. What else can you ask for?

As for the two of them, they did lunch together. For no particular reason, their lunch date on a special occasion together (which also include birthdays) will always be the Secret Recipe Restaurant at Alpha Angle. They will order the usual... In fact, they get to know this staff there who is very familiar with their orders. I'm not sure of the drinks but their main course will be a Japanese Soba & a Lamb Stew which they will share together :-) But something funny happened today. The usual staff was no longer working there & they had to go through the menu. Assisted by their reading glasses, they somehow had a problem with the Irish Lamb Stew they were familiar with. It has been so long the Lamb Stew is now Lamb Shank ma... ;-)

Before lunch they were somewhere at Jln TAR. Well... you see, my dad sometimes has to go do his errands in town & whenever it is at JTAR or even somewhere near JTAR, my mom can't be happier ;-) But today they did not go separate ways like always. My dad was with my mom searching for something in particular.

Remember my post on A Start? Well, my parents are aware of my schedule every Wednesday afternoon & they looked so please when they found out that I have now started attending the class privately. Yes, twice a week... just me & the ustazah. Alhamdulillah...

It was only a couple of weeks back that I mentioned to mom that I was getting a new Al-Quran. The one I am using does not highlight on the tajwid & my ustazah has recommended one for me to buy. Upon hearing that, my mom announced that she & my dad would get one for me. Apparently, they have already the intention to get one for all 3 of us.

They day at SR, Alpha Angle did not stop there. They called me up to inform that they were coming over to give me the gift. It touched me.... It is indeed a very meaningful gift.

This copy indicates the tajwid through specific colours with page by page translation.

Thank you abah. Thank you ma. Happy Anniversary!! You know... it is really me who should get you something :-)

Salam Aidilfitri

It's raya again...! Why do I feel that it was only recently we celebrated Aidilfitri? Where has my raya spirit gone too? Guess it went off as my wrinkles start to look more prominent!

Alhamdulillah... I had managed fulfilling my responsibilities as a Muslim in this month of Ramadhan. Wardah fasted for the whole month & Balqis did pretty well with 10 days. For a first timer, she really impressed us.

Today is the 4th of Syawal & HB has started working. As expected, he was on duty on Aidilfitri. Was away on raya eve but he returned home on the very next morning. Obviously, he was awake the whole night! HB anyhow, was on time for morning prayer. He drove straight to the mosque & was the only one without a baju melayu ;-) and later hit the sack after we seeked for forgiveness.

This year we left for Rembau a little bit later than usual. Originally the plan was to drive to Rembau on the 2nd day of Syawal but the elder girls rejected the idea with pouting mouths. HB changed his mind & agreed to satisfy his girls (his wife too of course!). Hence, we drove off to Rembau sometime after 3pm.

I'm playing hostess in a few hours time. Need to check on the food again. So let the photos do the talking of our Aidilfitri this year.

The girls with their cousin

The girls with their mom

The girls' mom & dad

The girls with their dad ( courtesy from jabishah's collection except for the sampin ;-))

Raya portrait this year ( I really don't know what made Nadeen annoyed ;-))

The girls with their paternal family

The girls with wan nyang in Rembau

The house has a new look. It goes green this year...

Wan Nyang at her favourite spot

To my readers, Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Fitri. Maaf Zahir Batin.

HB is 36

It's July the 16th, HB's birthday. He turns 36 today. The plan was to have an early morning date with the birthday boy. Made a booking for us to play badminton together instead he was called up for duty. Hah! Hated it when my plan needed a reschedule. But with him away, it would be easier to plan for a small party of our own.

I don't know about you but whenever there is an occasion to be celebrated, I always make a fuss over things merely to make the girls excited. I doubt at 36 HB wants a special occasion. He has had enough. (Errr... baby if you read this, I still want my gifts on my birthdays ;-))

There is this new bakery shop at my place. I thought of giving it a try. The truth, I kinda bored with SR cakes. At first my intention going to the bakery shop was to get cooking chocolate & decorate a cake myself (well... was checking my luck). Of course, it was not sold.

Today, I paid the shop a visit again. This time with Wardah & Balqis. Managed to sneak from Nadeen for definitely if she knew about the cake, she would want to have the feast right away ;-) Once I entered, I straight headed to the sponge cakes with butter icing. HB loves sponge cakes. To remind him of his childhood I opted for butter icing. If only they had the same deco with ground nuts decorated at the edge. Remember those days?

What I saw in front of me were the very same cakes I saw 2 days back.

I spontaneously said " Alaaa.. ini kek hari tu kan?"

The salesperson without guilt replied , "Kek yang baru, deco saja sama..."

I started to get annoyed. One thing which doesn't age in me is my memory!

I accused her of lying, "Jangan nak tipu saya!"

She still holding the same irritating look answered, "Dah 2, 3 hari tapi masih boleh makan..."

I began to be bitchy, "Soalan senang aja... Kek ni baru atau lama. Susah ke nak jawap?"

She wore a different look now which made me felt guilty. That's my weakness... Duh! But she gave me the answer I wanted.

"Lama"

I knew the cake was edible but I hated it when she lied. Still I purchased as agreed by Wardah & Balqis.

HB came home somewhere around 3pm. Only Nadeen was home. As he was about to retire Balqis came home from mengaji. As if like a ritual, she headed straight to search for us. I already told the girls to act that we have forgotten HB's birthday. So Balqis was playing her role. Now here's their conversation. How Balqis was trying her best to cover up & HB was taking advantage of her vulnerability.

HB : Balqis tak wish papa pun lagi.

Balqis : Wish? Wish apa?

HB : Oooo... tak ingat birthday papa ye?

Balqis : Hari ni birthday papa? (with a look which I wanted to burst out)

Now Balqis was already on the bed with HB.

HB : Balqiiisss.... Mana kek papa?

Balqis : Tak beli kek pun... ( right in front of her dad, she gave this cheeky wink at me)

HB : Cakaplah dekat mana Balqis hide the cake.

Balqis : Mmmmm... dekat fridge bawah (leaped to whisper at me that she tricked papa coz the cake was in the fridge upstairs)

HB : Betul lah ada kek. Balqis tipu ye... Kan papa ajar tak boleh tipu. Nanti masuk api neraka.

Balqis : OKlah. OKlah. Dekat fridge atas.

HB : What shape is the cake?

Balqis : Round

HB : What colour?

Balqis : Orange

HB : Bila Balqis keluar beli?

Balqis : Mmmm... Wednesday

HB : Tipu lagi ke?

Balqis : Yelah. Yelah. Today!

HB : Beli dekat JJ ke SR?

At this point she came to whisper at me. She didn't know the name of the new bakery show.

Balqis : Mama, apa nama kedai tu. Balqis tak bagitau papa...

Hahahaha. How cute... She tried her best to keep the secret though.

We had a small celebration after Wardah came home from school in the evening. There was another drama though. Nadeen claimed the cake was hers. While we were singing to HB at the verse "Happy birthday to papa...", she shouted "Nadeen! No papa!" So we had to sing the song & added "Nadeen" instead of "Papa".

Went out for dinner & on our way in the car, I asked the girls where they wanted to eat. Yasmin asked her dad to choose since it was his birthday. An instant answer we got was from Nadeen..

"Birthday Nadeen! Bukan birthday papa!"

12th year

Today marks the 12th year of my marriage to HB. Happy anniversary baby. 12 years? My.... That long? Thank you for tolerating with me all these years & I sure have learned a lot from you & about you ;-) Won't change it for anything...

I woke up today without him next to me. He's away again. A week this time. Will only be home on Sunday. When I sent him off to the airport the other day, I didn't even hint anything about today. He's got a lot in his mind.

Normally, he'd the first to wish me. I always remind him a day before. Hehehe... Not this time though. Just want to know whether he remembers... & if he does not, I take the excuse that he's busy with training :-)

When I came downstairs this morning, my girls were not aware... I told them. My maid had no idea... I informed her. My mom called but mentioned nothing... I hinted her. Yikes! I sounded like a distressed wife!

Went out with the girls. Took them shopping. At 25 past noon, the exact time I was married 12 years ago... I was at HJ buying a gift. Not for me nor HB but for my maid! Hahaha! She's going home for good in March & since it was on sales I got something for her as a remembrance & as our thank to her...

Had lunch at KR before the movie & while waiting for our orders I received a text from HB. He wished me!Yippeee... he remembered! I was all smiling after that. It didn't slip his mind after all. Love you baby!

Our Eid This Year

Now here's an update on our Aidilfitri this year. HB, Alhamdulillah was on leave for 4 days despite his decision not to apply for raya leaves. His reason was merely to make it fair to the other colleagues. You see ever since I'm married to him, he has always been around with us on the first day of raya. There was once though when he had to operate the 4am flight to Kota Kinabalu on the 1st of Syawal. His duty ended before 8am hence decided to fly back to KL to be with us on raya morning. Sent him off to the airport later that evening to continue his duty.

Aidilfitri this year was not tiring for him. He started his leave 2 days before Syawal. Unlike the years before which ends on the eve. He had his ample rest.

As usual we were in Klang. I managed to arrange the girls' Saturday schedule so that we were free a day before Syawal. The plan was to shoot early to Klang & help my MIL with things. Instead we reached Klang around 2pm.

I felt bad but my PILs were cool about it. In fact this year I hardly gave a helping hand. I was busy finishing up my last minute beadings. But Sri was around to help her.

Did I tell you that I slept at 2am to complete sewing those beads? I chose to retire & continue to sew in the morning.

The first thing HB asked when he woke up was about the beading. His concern over my unfinished attire surprised me. You see he is not a man with sweet words. Ever since I started sewing, his best comment was merely, "OKlah...". That goes the same to my cooking so I am kind ofused to his limited praising vocabs.

I was not sure whether he was aware of what he was saying. It was something like " I'd help if I can but I really don't know how to sew those beads. Kalau siap cantik ni...". Trust me those encouraging words made me going until
2am.

In my previous post I shared how the baju turned out. And here are some pictures of us on Aidilfitri this year.

Raya banner this year made by Yasmin, Wardah & their little uncle Ajib

The girls one by one on raya morning with HB in the spirit of Syawal.

Balqis

Wardah

Yasmin

Nadeen

Nadeen with her sisters seeking for forgiveness from atuk Klang, the beauty of Aidilfitri

She appreciates duit raya this year. But only the various colours of packets not the cash though ;-)

Nadeen with Kakak Balqis. Balqis is thrilled getting the chance to be on the chair & someone younger below.

Wardah & her way asking for forgiveness from sis Yasmin.

With their mom

The girls with bibik Sri

A family pic

In our boria attire ;-)

After visited HB's eldest aunt, we made a move to my grandmother's place in Rembau. Chengkau to be exact.

In front of my grandmother's house

A solo pose by Nadeen

The 5 of us again

This is my dad's kampung somewhere after Kota or Koto as how the Negeris address it.

Nadeen was really enjoying her kampung getaway :-)