March Holiday Workshops for K1-P2. :)

What I Wanna Be........

Monday,12 March 2012

11am-12.30pm or 1.30pm-3pm

$18 per child (materials included)

Don't all kids love role playing? And what better way than to have them acting out their ambitions and discussing what they love (or hate :p) after that?
Kids will use props or create their own props with materials given. Once role-playing is over, kids will be encouraged to write a short poem on their ambition. :)

'Project Kitchen!'

Tuesday, 13 March 2012

11am-1pm

$25 per child

In this workshop, kids will not only bake their own decorated cookies, concoct their own drinks and even make pizza/pasta. They will write down their own recipes and design their own menu! :D

Progressive Story Telling!

Wednesday, 14 March 2012

11am-12.30pm, 1.30pm- 3pm

$18 per child (materials included)

With the props available, kids are to use them to create one story together,orally, making sure the story is progressive. This trains their listening and oral skills which is essential in school and increases their focus on any tasks. The emphasis on teamwork and adapting to others will also be two important lifeskills for them to take home. :)
---------------------------- ------------------------------ ------------------------------- -----------------
Venue for all classes will be at a residential address at Serangoon North. (Address will only be given upon confirmation of registration. If there is a change of venue, you will be informed 3 days prior to the class.)

All classes have limited slots to maintain safety and well-being.
Do call 96711836 from 2pm-5pm from Tuesday, 6 March 2012 to Sunday, 11 March 2012 to register your child.
Alternatively, you can email nurashikinrahmat@gmail.com. :)

Registration wil only be confirmed after securing the payment transfer to POSB Savings 045-12889-0.


Kids having fun as they learn, WIN-WIN.

:)

 Hope to see you soon!!

Love me or Hate me

Last night was one of the best nights. I searched deep within. I tracked back from 20 years ago.... I was not a good girl to begin with. I've done many things I am ashamed of to even mention them. But I know I was a nice girl. I was too outspoken for my own good, too honest for some people, too blinded by others' good to see how much I had been taken advantaged of, all because I didn't wanna hurt anyone's feelings.

Then, came the workforce. Teaching taught me to be more resilient. I adapted to a culture I hated but still emerged strength from it because of the people who surrounded me at that time. I was not so blind anymore. My eyes were opened, mind jolted but heart......scarred. (teaching is even worse now...my fellow teachers mates...SALUTE!!!!)

Marriage and having my firstborn brought new perspectives to my life. I realised whom I had hurt, whom had hurt me. Because I was emotional and wanted to prevent repercussions, I started to oblige to almost everything. And it went on and on until...I have four kids.

After four kids, I didn't like the way I was. Til today, I am trying to be a better Muslimah. I put on the hijab after I gave birth to my fourth, 20 mths ago. I found a different yet meaningful life. I understood life's purpose and I am still on that road to being calm and peace all the time.

While on this road, hubby and I had received many compliments and criticism.

And on this road too, I saw true friends. Those who are wiling to stick all the way and those who dumped me cos I can't club with them anymore. Some also stopped asking me to shop with them cos now I have a different style. Little do they know, I still shop at the same places before I donned the hijab- with an additional favourite place full of treasure - Geylang Serai Market. :p

My non-Muslim friends (waves to Peimin, Kaifen, Kristin, Aunty Chong, Cynthia, Sabina, Rujing and the rest!!! ) and I enjoyed one another's company and we never meet up at clubs. Maybe, they're just being considerate. But hey! That is what I love about them!!! That is why I love them!!

Those are true friends. Never mind if they're not of the same religion as me. Never mind if they eat pork or drink alcohol. At least they don't pressure me. Thank you darlings. :) Being in hijab hasn't changed my friendship status with these lovely people. Thank God. :)

And it's not that I have no true Malay/ Muslim friends, there's just too many to mention lah. Academy awards speech also sure lose one.

So my point is, some people hate my guts. Because that is how I am. My mom (mothers know best,right?) ever told me so too. She said I am exactly like my dad. "But remember, Abah is a man but you're a woman. It's not the same." 10 years ago, when mom said that to me, I said 'Baguslah. Let them know I am not one who takes crap.'
But after life's experiences, I am thankful mom gave me those timely reminders.

The person who would jump at any opportunity to make her stand will now be silent for a little while and listens more.

The person who usually slammed back at false remarks/judgments about her will now think. Thinks hard and cries for all her past doings. There is some or little truth in whatever someone says about you. It's just how you take it. And whether you wanna sit on it or act on it (your behaviour/attitude).

The person who would prove her point using vulgarities and lots of exclamation marks has now become a person who chants, 'Astarghfirullah' every time she's angry. And Alhamdulillah, it has made her heart turned from stone to almost ice within minutes. Such strong power from within when you know you have a lot of faith in Him.

So you see, it's not wrong for that particular person to hate me. I was someone to hate. But please don't be an enemy. Because it only means you want to do harm on me or my family.

And that's my greatest worry. :(

Love me, love my family.

Hate me.

Hate ONLY me.

Sincerely,

Kyn, Proud Mom of 4MusKynteers

"I saw the Sign"

There is no better way than to spend the holidays relaxing and spending your family time on a beach or on a trip to your most dream about destination, isn't it?

But I have the best way.

Less spending $$$ and more quality time with the children. Afterall, school holidays are about them.
What am I saying?!
EVERYDAY is about them.

So what is the best way, you say?

Disclaimer: This entry is purely blogged for the sanity of a mom who has not had a single me time since the holidays started. Any living thing or incidents mentioned in this entry is purely coincidental. The purpose of this entry is also  to suck ALL of the negativity and disappointment that we can't travel this holidays for the many things to pay for this month. While many families are at beautiful places out of the country, I still have to keep a smile for the very hardworking husband who is the sole breadwinner and pretend that we're ok with no vacation for more than a year. Sesungguhnya Syurga ditapak kaki suami kan? ;p

So, since it's the holidays, it's also the time when kids are more relaxed and are willing to participate in whatever activities you suggest and easy for us, parents, to follow up on them.

I am making it a point to get the kids to:

1. Help set the table for every meal.
    The eldest, Marsya, turned 6 recently and going on to Primary 1 in 2012. What better time to train her to
    be independent right? Since the eldest enjoys doing it, Ryan and Eli were curious and started helping out
    too. Keisya, often takes out ALL the bowls and sets them on the floor. Credits for trying hard and thank
    God for the reliable helper, Desi. :)
    Classic case of 'Monkey See, Monkey Do'. ;p

2. Help clean the table after every meal.
    They're more interested in doing this and very often bring in the dishes even when some of us are still
    eating. And with mouths full, sometimes, some of us will scream, "Eh!! I still want the chicken laa!!!"
    This one, I say, classic case of 'Never check blindspot'.
   
3. Make their own bed. (Sometimes make mine. Heheh)
    Still a feat actually. But thank goodness they're more automatic the past few days.
    And I sometimes forget to remind them to. Heh. My bad.  *********REMINDER***********
    But they make mine only when they have spent time playing 'nap' on my bed for a full hour but none of
    them actually takes a real nap. It happened today too. (dunno what sign to show. a senget smile and
    shakes head.)
    Classic case of 'Don't Play Play but play'.

4. Throw/put away toys they don't often play with.
    This has got to be the most difficult.
    EVERY toy seems to be useful.
    EVERY broken toy seems to still
    be 'playable'.
    And EVERY *toot* toy seems to be their favourite. And then there'll be cries and wails
    and 'batu ronsen'.
 
    "NO! That's my favourite toy!"
    "Mummy! She bluff! She never play with that doll one! She always play with the bogel doll!!"
   
     "No!! I still play with that!"
     "But it's broken!"
     "Yar, don't play with the legs lah. I play fight-fight with the hands only."
   
     Classic case of 'Karanguni'.
 
5. Take turns to be 'supervisor' everytime there's cleaning up to be done. 
    Every child loves being a leader.  Sense of pride overwhelms them when they're made 'supervisor of
    the day'.
    "Mummy, just now right, Kakak never cebok properly."
    "Huh?! How do you know?"
     "Because I never hear the water."
     Kakak interrupted- "I close the door what! How can you hear?! Mummy, I cebok already! Really!!
     Ryan yang always tak cebok!"
    "I gooooottt."
     "NO! He cebok like this only. (makes action of spraying water on imaginary penis)."
     "Kakak! You saw?!"
     "Yar. Because he never close the door."
     "Oh hor!!!!!! Kakak see me kencing!! Ayo!!"

     And...... you can guess who ended up crying la ah.
     Classic case of 'The Pot calling The Kettle Black' and 'Shoot in front but kena backside'.
  

6. Write menu for the day.
     Kids will write what they would like to eat for the day and I will try my best to cook it on the same day.
     Still on-going and I would say, this is the highest achieved so far.
     Phew. Even the youngest two are enjoying their doodling and imaginary food. :)
     But no, I still have not accede to their request of McDonalds and Maggi Mee almost every day! 0_0
     Classic case of 'Test water onlyyyy'.

      :p :p :p

With all of that, I hope, the next two weeks before the new school term begins, the kids have learnt basic
household duties. This is also an effort taken so that, if Desi decides not to continue next December, I will not have to pull my hair so much. Or worse, cry everytime a child wakes up from her/his nap.Yes, it happens. If you have never felt that way then you're not normal. :p

Ok, serious time.

Earlier, I was actually feeling terrible that I'm not able to provide luxuries for my kids. Not even a short plane ride. I have to think of more important matters and their school fees for next year. I do cry at times, which I think is normal because I am a normal mom. As much as I am thankful for having a roof over our head, enough food on the table, laughter in the house, occasional shopping and trips to restaurants, I do still wish money would fall from the sky so that I can lavish my children with all they want.

And I'm thankful I chanced upon this quote earlier today, which inspired me to blog after so long.

"A child, like your stomach, doesn't need all you can afford to give it."~ Frank A. Clark

With all praises to God, Allah SWT, thank you for that sign.

Thank you for bringing them to me.
:)

Classic case of 'I saw the sign'. Ace of Base? Hehehe.

Cry

Have you ever felt that you have done everything you could to make everyone happy but when you go to sleep at night,you feel like crying?

It's obvious that I have.

I cry for many reasons.

1. Tired. Too tired to even think that I am and so,the tears would
flow and I would fall asleep. I would wake feeling so much better though. 'Hibernate',I would say.

2. Hurt. Well,almost all the time,we cry because we are hurt. No matter how deeply hurt we are,crying seems to be the best way to 'help' ourselves. And no doubt,I am only human so I do get hurt sometimes. And although I might have been hurt way earlier in the day, crying it to sleep sort of helps me 'delete' and 'refresh'.

3. Anxious,worry,fear.
These three always come together. Whatever problems I might be facing,I can only think straight and get a deep realisation about it before I
go to sleep at night. Being too occupied in the day keeps me frm getting paranoid in the day,which is good too,so at least I'm more rational when dealing with the kids. And so,I would cry when these problems hit me hard,exactly when I have decided to 'shut down'. Must be the 'anti-virus' doing it's work.

4. Sad but happy. Happy but sad.
Don't understand? Try having kids and you will understand what I mean. Most nights when I can't sleep,I would look through my videos and photos in my phone. Looking at the four angels of my life make me wanna 'print screen' everything about them. From the first child's birth to the last child's latest development. I
would be smiling but my heart is actually tearing into pieces. My precious four are growing way too fast,I am sad but happy. :')

And that is the reason why I'm crying right now.














~sueetchic~

Exclusive breastfeeding during Ramadhan

Hi all,I would like to share my experience of breastfeeding Keisya last Ramadhan to all breastfeeding mommas out there.

Keisya was less than two months old last Ramadhan and her feeding was still every 2-3h. As I was breastfeeding exclusively,I took note of a few points I did while fasting (the whole month) to ensure that my milk supply did not drop. Alhamdulillah ,it didn't. ;)) And Alhamdulillah too,I did not miss a single day last Ramadhan. :D

I started taking Fenugreek (in capsule form-bought at GNC) after I had my half a bowl of rice for my pre dawn meal. Water was essential. I drank abt 250ml before I retired for the night and at least another 500ml during Sahur.

On days when I felt less hydrated,I would put a cold towel on my head. And the first thing I had for buka (break fast) was at least 2 dates and a cup of water or milk. (Usually the latter)

(I was never a fan of dates. Never liked dates. Mom and Hubby were surprised I took dates that Ramadhan. Well,I
was surprised too! I had read somewhere that consuming dates help to retain ur water in your body longer and the natural sugar in it gives one lots of energy. Pardon me if it's a wrong info but that's what I read and there really was no harm trying to me. ;p)

Sometimes I would still have rice for buka but on days when I wasn't, I made sure I drank a not so sweet Milo with at least 2 slices of bread before I went to bed.

There was one day when I only had bread and Milo for my pre dawn meal. Upon the third feeding that day,which was only around noon, I was already lethargic. I had to sleep off the lethargy,had a cold shower after that and prayed to last till buka. Alhamdulillah,I did. It was a miracle but I did. Keisya was still well fed and I was still alive. Hehe

So there,no one said a fully breastfeeding mommy can't fast. As long as it doesn't endanger u,u can do the obligatory fast. Insyaallah. He wills us to feed our baby with our own milk,He will will it for us to have the strength and energy to get through the day.

Ramadhan Mubarak everyone. ;))



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A lot like love

A very sounding (pun intended) reward for going through difficult times and Gestational Diabetes.







A healthy baby,Keisya Batrisyia arrived on 18 June 2010 weighing 3.57kg.

And life has never been the same eversince.
Breastfed her till eleven months (my target was 6 mths! :D),had her first tooth at 8mths (the earliest compared to her siblings) and truly the baby at home.

She has brought so much love,she is a lot like love herself.





























For all that had happened, I am now more thankful,understood clearly and certainly,happy that you have entered our lives. You were the perfect gift for my 30th b'day last year. And for many years to come insyaallah,you and I are gonna share lots more happy memories.

You are my love,baby. A whole new meaning to love.

Happy 1st Birthday,my little princess!! You are my everything!!!
Mmmmmmmmuahhh!!!!

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Sometimes the reasons come later

In September 2009,I was on a low protein diet,started exercising four times a week and was on Yasmin.

Barely a month later,I found out I was already 10 weeks pregnant with Keisya.

Overjoyed was not how I felt. And now I regret that. After having three kids,to have another one so soon really didn't leave me much to be excited and really happy. I have to admit,I was sad,stressed,disappointed and angry at myself,my body.

What could have gone wrong? I had taken all the necessary precautions for family planning. Why was I then,pregnant again,so soon?! I uttered Alhamdulillah so many times but I still couldn't understand. Why?

At that time,everything seemed to go wrong. The helper decided to quit and because of that I had to stop some tutoring jobs which resulted in less income for the family. It was hard. Add morning sickness,clingy Marsya and very active Ryan,it was really hard. We were without a helper for more than a mth and I had to handle all of that on my own while Bobo was at work. Thank goodness Elisya was a no fuss baby.

So again,I wondered,why? Why now,again???

Until Bobo,the man with very few words, spoke,one day.
It was right after Subuh prayers. He hugged me tight and he said he had made doas for baby and I. For himself too. He is prepared to take on the responsibility and challenges and he prayed that my heart would open for the baby,soon. "Sometimes,the reasons come later in life. Just think how much more laughter we'll get in the house. U'll love the baby like how u love Marsya,Ryan and Elisya."

I will?
Will I?

My heart sank la. :(

What Bobo had said only meant that I was not taking care of myself and the baby well. How could I be so selfish?! I had to remind myself constantly to enjoy the pregnancy. And truth be told,I only did when I felt the first kick.

Since then,I uttered Alhamdulillah with my whole heart. I truly thank Him. Truly grateful.

By December 2009,I was still pregnant with my fourth. Not ecstatic about it but I was humbled by the fact that He wanted to give me another chance to carry life.





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