Year-end Book Shopping

It's December!!! My mood is always getting more cheerful in this month. I guess anyone feel same too. More holidays... more sales... and more shopping (good reason to spend $$ for festive preparation).

Ever since we have our 1st child, I think 50% of our shopping budget is spent on the kid's food (milk), apparels, toys and books. So I always question whether RM1k "tax relief" on each child is fairly sufficient to ease our pockets. Also because of this, I'm much glad to spend more in buying books for my boy which I can get "tax deduction" accumulated up to RM1k. Therefore, it's good to check if you still have some "amounts" to fill up by the year-end for this category.

"Wow wow..." that's my boy 1st response when I showed him the new books. He was so excited and couldn't wait to flip them (yeap, he can't read yet, haha..). Still I find Kinokuniya bookstore@ Suria KLCC is the best place to look for children story books.

Last Day @ Toddler Class

My boy likes to attend his once-a-week Toddler Class. Unfortunately, last month we were informed by his teacher that their centre can't conduct any classes for children aged below 4 from next year. It's pretty upset us especially our boy and we doubt if he can understand about it.

Finally...the last day arrives. All parents have been well informed by the teacher in advance to bring some party food for the kids after class. Yes, a farewell party to all!!! Once the party table is set up with the food and surrounded by the kids, song is playing on the disc and kids are enjoying the snacks... whilst the parents are busy in snapping photos of their lovely kids for keepsake.

Well.. we did explain to our boy that he'd have a long holiday break after the day. Haha.. for him, i think everyday makes no difference, staying home or going out.

LEGO Fun

My boy has been playing megablock set for more than 2 years. Recently I can notice that he starts to get bored on it. So I tell my hubby that maybe we can let him play some "Lego" bricks. We finally bought one set home. The ideal age is 4+but we trust our boy understands the safety rule to handle such tiny bits. We have educated him from early. He never puts coins or any hard (not edible) particles into his mouth.

On the first "Lego"

lesson, my boy was happily (as usual) to open up the packs filled with "Lego" bricks and asked his daddy to play together. Wow.. the big man and the small boy looked so serious in assembling their "Lego" bits. I quickly took my camera to catch some shots. In the end, only daddy managed to build his first "Lego ship"... haha... in his lifetime.

Why? Because...

Recently... my boy likes to ask everything in details. His current fave words are "Why" and "Because" followed with the big '?' question mark. One answer simply can not make him satisfied. He wants to know more and more. For example, he asked me one night when he found daddy's not back home yet.

My boy: "Why daddy hasn't come home? so late already..."

I replied him that daddy was out to meet a friend.

Continuously my boy asked: "Because???"

Oh no, again he wanted to know why. I explained: "Well, because daddy has something to discuss with his friend and that's why daddy will come home late."

Still my boy was curious about it and said: "Because daddy's friend don't know something, is it?"

Errrrhhh....... how should I give him a satisfying answer??? On the other hand, I don't want to discourage his power of questioning. So I tried to distract him away from this topic with a final answer plus throw a new question: "Yes dear, you're right. Daddy needs to help his friend on something and so he goes to meet him. Hey, where's your car (toy)? Let's find it now."

Finding another "topic/target" is one of the best strategies to put an end to the previous topic while I really can't think of anymore good points or reasons for his 'Why & Because'. Hope you enjoyed the world of "Why??? Because..." like me soon.

African Safari @ Home

Other than toy vehicles, my boy enjoys the miniature toys of animal too. Sometimes, he sets a battle between a tiger and a lion or a leopard and an elephant. Sometimes, he takes few of them to nap together or even take shower with him. Although my boy hasn't met any of these animals in real (in the Zoo), he learns most of them from picture books.

Still remembered that he would see a tiger's picture and say it's a lion. Haha.. but now he's playing the toy animal everyday, it's impossible he could name them wrongly again.

Like Father Like Son

.... Almost 3 weeks, I've not been blogging. I'm not lazy, but I'm tired. Excuse? Excuse! Ha ha ...Today, I can't think of any ideas to write about. Still I have some funny photos of my boy to share here. A week ago, I was taking picture of some products while my boy played his toys. Suddenly he walked to me and asked me to take picture for him. Alright, I took few. Flash 1, flash 2, flash 3... then he offered to make different expressions.

"Mommy, look... I'm angry".... "I laugh" .... "I cry".... "I'm scared".... "I smile"... In minutes, my boy amazed me with all kinds of funny emotions which he could think of. Oh no, my hubby or his daddy, used to like to do so in front of camera too. Now, it proves that our son has inherited his cheeky "gene".

A Full Moon In Lunar August

This year, we celebrated the "Mid-Autumn Festival" (or "Lantern Festival") quietly at my parents house. My boy was alone to play the lanterns. Unlike the past, we always hosted an in-house party for 'moon-gazing' with friends.

I took a picture of my boy with his gold fish lantern (from my mum last year) and a car lantern (from us this year). However, he just left the lanterns on the floor and blew off the candles whenever we lighted. And the funniest was he would sing 'birthday song' before he blew. What??? He thought it was a birthday!

Froggie a la Bath Poncho

Look,who's covered under this cute Froggie's Bath Poncho. For this island trip, I prepare many things for my boy. Still I miss out few things (like sunglasses, goggles, mini fan), but they are not so important. Amongst the necessaries for swimming, I find

a bath poncho is so useful to cover up my boy from head to toe. It won't slip down like bath towel.

Once my boy gets out from the water, I quickly put this poncho over him. See right pic. Drying and changing can be easily done on the spot. It's good to get one if your little kid always goes for a swim.

Only Sand n Water

We live near Port at the west coast. But in this week, our boy just got his 1st beach walk at Redang Island. It was so funny to watch him walking barefoot

at the beach (to the sea). At half way,

he screamed for help.. begged us to carry him because he felt his feet were getting dirty. My hubby convinced him to walk to the sea for "cleaning". Without choice, he walked slowly to the sea with us. Followed by the day, he could ran to the beach and the sea fearlessly.

The main purpose of this trip was to make our boy enjoy the beauty of nature. The sand, the sea, the sky, the mountain and even the fishes under the seawater. He is so happy and can't wait to jump into the water. He is less fear now. Therefore we must keep our eyes closely on him.

I Can Fly...

A week before our trip, I told my boy that we're going to take aeroplane and to the Redang beach. He was so excited then replied "I take aeroplane. I can fly up... up... up... to the Moon!". Haha.. to the Moon? He thought the plane could fetch him there.

This time will be my boy's 2nd flying journey. But I am more worried about how to keep him seated during the flight. Luckily it just takes one hour. So I pack his small bag with a toy train (Tips: Get the most recent one he plays with) and his small pillow and a book for company. Besides, he's responsible to look after his ladybug's trolley.

All packed and let's fly!!!

Splash!!! Gear Up For More

Weeks ago, we went to One Utama Shopping Mall. My hubby wanted to look for a pair of denim pant at Gap (which member can get RM50 birthday voucher with purchase in his/her birthday month + a normal 10% discount). I was more interested in finding any swimsuits for my boy during Mega sales. In fact, my boy has a set of swimsuit at home. He still fits in it. Just I hoped to get extra set for our coming Island trip. More splash n splosh!!!

Thanks God. When we visited Zara store, I found this one. Wow, a little sexy!!! Will my boy feel shy to wear it? Heee.. Wait.. the price was so good, RM19.90. How could I let it go? Sorry.. it's sold (size 2-3).

Omelette Cheese Toast

I've some leftover ham & button mushroom in the fridge. So I think of making omelette sandwich for breakfast. Haha.. quick & easy too!

Serve 2:

For Omelette

1 slice French Ham (cut into small slices)

5-6 Button Mushroom (sliced)

2 Eggs (beaten + 2 pinch salt)

1 tablespoon Cooking Oil (or butter)

6 slices Wholemeal Bread

2 or 4 sheets 'Kraft' Cheese (extra, richer)

Step 1: Heat the pan with oil/butter. Add ham & button mushroom, stir fry until fragrant. Mix them evenly to the bowl of beaten egg for omelette mixture.

Step 2: Make four omelette (size equal to a slice of bread). Done and set aside.

Step 3: Put 2 slices of breads (side by side) in the non-stick pan. Add omelette (1 piece each) onto each bread, then cheese slice and sandwich bread. Press down (flat).

Step 4: Add omelette again and followed by cheese slice (optional - extra) and sandwich bread. Press the whole double-decked sandwich and turn it over to toast another side.

Step 5: Serve while the breads are still warm.

Buds.. Still My 1st Choice

'First Aid Lotion' (seen as right in the picture) is the 1st product I used amongst "Buds" range. My colleague strongly recommended it after she learnt that my boy was suffered with mosquitoes' bites. Unbelievable.. just within minutes after I applied it onto my boy's affected area, I could see the big difference between "before" and "after". It's no longer swollen and red... totally gone without a mark (after few applies). Like its product name, it's so useful like antiseptic cream which can be applied for any small wounds. Some may resist the smell of "Eucalyptus". In fact, it's safe for baby because only natural ingredients are used in the production. Even later my boy's babysitter also asked me where she could buy this for her grandchildren. Now I always keep one in the rack. *Mozzier cream is good too.

'Baby Utensil/Fruit & Veggie Cleanser' (seen as left in the picture) is another my fave. Natural & safe is my main concern when making purchase for baby stuff. There're many good brands for cleanser but I personally like "Buds" for the "orange" fragrant... very natural & light. Normally I just use it to cleanse the feeding equipment, not fruit/veggie (as they're organic).

"Top to Toe shower gel" is great for baby who has allergic skin problem.

P/S: "Buds" has launched new packaging (since last year, I think) under Organic range.

Ham, Bacon & Mushroom Farfalle

I like to cook pasta for meals. It's quick and easy. Hence, I always ensure my kitchen has stored (at least) a bottle of pasta sauce (preferably "Prego" brand tomato sauce) and a packet of pasta (spaghetti or farfalle) from time to time. Here's my favourite recipe of Ham, Bacon & Mushroom in Tomato Sauce. Note: Sometimes, I may use either ham or bacon, even without mushroom. For healthy choice, I may garnish the pasta with some greens like broccoli or asparagus (boiled with salted water). It's really up to your creation.

*Serves 2:

1 slice French Ham (cut into small rectangular)

3 strips Streaky Bacon strip (cut into string)

1/2 box White Button Mushroom (peeled and cut into slices)

3 cloves Garlic (peeled and chopped)

2 tablespoons Cooking Oil (any types of your choice)

3 pinches Sea Salt (or season to taste)

1 pinch Dried Parsley (from bottled herb)

1/2 bottle "Prego" Traditional flavour Tomato Sauce

1/3 cup Water *optional-forget it if you prefer a thick base

1 tablespoon Parmesan Cheese Powder

1/2 pack Farfalle

1 tablespoon Olive Oil

3 teaspoons Sea Salt (or any salts of your choice)

Step 1: Bring a pot of water to boil. Remove the lid, add olive oil, sea salt and pasta. Cook for 12 minutes or until al dente (according to the packing instruction). Drain pasta.

Step 2: Meanwhile, heat oil in a pan over medium fire. Add bacon strips and fry until browned and crispy. Set aside (still in the pan), add garlic and cook until fragrant, add sliced mushroom until beginning to soften. Add ham and stir fry all together, about 3 minutes.

Step 3: Add tomato pasta sauce (diluted with or without water) and cook until warm. Season with sea salt and dried parsley.

Step 4: Toss pasta until sauce evenly coating. Serve and add Parmesan cheese powder for topping.

Memoir of 1st Independence

From August, my boy has been attending his toddler class by his own for 3 consecutive weeks. His teacher always tells me "he's very good" when I pick my boy up at the classroom. I'm happy for his independence and courage. But I feel little upset too because I can't participate in the class activities with him anymore. However, we always get excited when he shares about his "art work". See left, it's a paper bear (stuffed with cotton) painted by him. Also my boy likes to sing us few songs that he learns from the class. Note: I also notice that my boy can play by his own at home for short time (slowly from 15 minutes to 1/2 hour). Great! It helps to instill his concentration whilst I gain a little time of my own to do anything.

No matter what. We are happy to take part in our boy's life journey. We are still always be his side.. although he's learned to be 'independent'. Lastly, I wish a happy 53rd 'Merdeka Day' to all my Malaysian fellows.

Wanna Go Fishing With Me?

Again, it's a mini magnetic fishing bath toy set from ELC. I think a floating duckie was bit outgrown for him (about > 10 months). Therefore I bought this bath toy set for my boy when he's about 1 year old.

I let my boy play bath toys during bath hours (inside a baby bath) when he can sit very well. To certain extent, I find my boy is not so afraid of water but loves to take bath. Note: Beware, supervision is always required when baby is in the bathroom or anywhere. Get all items you need like towel, shampoo and toys before placing your baby into the bath.

Well, this bath toy set was soon forgotten after I've trained my boy stand to take shower. The set is kept in the playroom now. Anyway, it's worth to buy as the toy set can be played with or without water.

Dining @ Din Tai Fung

Din Tai Fung (鼎泰丰）, the famous chained Chinese restaurant from Taiwan has opened two branches in KL. But It was more than a year, we first tasted their signature "Xiao Long Bao" and other dishes at Taipei branch. Last Sunday, we finally walked in The Gardens branch for lunch. Note: Another branch is at Pavilion KL. Surprise!! Their hospitality service almost made us feel like going back their Taipei branch. Fast but good.

My hubby ordered "La Mian". Haha, he complained that the portion was too small. Yes, for him, it's not enough. I ordered "Fried Rice with Pork Chop" because our boy likes fried rice. Of course, we never missed out their signature Dim Sum, "Xiao Long Bao". Yummy...

Happy Birthday To Daddy

Last night, I persuaded my boy to sing "birthday song" to his daddy. To my surprise, he's very co-operative to do it for video recording too. Only one take and we both were so thrilled about the result.

Dear daddy, happy birthday!!! And here's your present. Plus a cake, only smart people can see it.. hehehe..

I was a little jealous too. I told my hubby that he's luckier than me to receive "better" birthday present from our boy. Ha ha ...

Adorable Elmo Bento Box

In my mind, a cutely designed bento box may help me to win my boy's heart. Yeap, before I could make him any "nice to see" plus "nice to eat" bento food, I'm seriously looking for a special bento box for him. Finally I found this Elmo bento box @ bentocraft.

Like said, I have not come up with

any "nice" bento recipe yet. But to cheer my boy, I made a very simple one for his 1st bento meal(as breakfast). I put some cookies in the inner-container and 2 mini sandwich breadrolls (with peanut butter jam) in the main. There you can see the animal mini picks which tucked onto the breadrolls. I purchase these mini picks (1 pack for 10) from bentocraft too.

Book Review: The Gruffalo & Gruffalo's Child

Book Review # 9:

The Gruffalo & The Gruffalo's Child

by Ju

lia Donaldson

By learning more, my boy can express the feeling of "Fear" in conjunction with dark room/corner or being left alone. He understands the "creatures" like Monster, Dragon and even Gruffalo are all scary and make people frightened. Sometimes, he will pretend to make "ghost-face" and scare us as if he was one of the scary creatures.

Well, I think my boy learn about the concept from the books like The Gruffalo (1st) and The Gruffalo's Child (2nd). The stories are humour. Just read them to find out how a small creature like the mouse can scare away the big terrified creature like the gruffalo as well as to fool the other animals like snake, owl and fox.

Besides, they are great to learn about the characteristics and habitats of these animals.

Mom, I Want A Bento

I am wondering if one day my boy will ask me for a bento. Before he asks this question, I have been inspired to look for those cute containers and mini bento accessories. As we all know, Japanese mums are famous for their excellent bento-making skills. Their bentos look so beautiful like artwork. Today I find many local mums (I mean the bloggers) are also good at making bento and even contribute their bento recipes with pictures at the blogs. Note: If you are interested into Bento-ing, you may follow Rachelhei's blog for many great ideas.

Weeks ago, I went to the nearby "100 Yen" shop to check for the bento stuff. At first glance, I felt like buying all because the accessories look so adorable like mini toys. As I never do any kid's bento before, I buy few simple accessories such as mini food cutters (in 4 shapes), a mini sushi-roll mould and two egg moulds (1 set). Note: As recommended, "100 Yen" shop sells some bento containers and bento accessories at bargain price (from RM 5).

2-in-1 Luggage For A Kid (3-5yrs)

I've been planning to buy a Trunki luggage for my boy since I spot

it from the website. Haha.. we are not frequent flyers but I find Trunki is very cute and functional (for a kid, of course!). Luckily I saw one from the local seller so that I don't need to get a friend to buy it from UK.

Now there are more than 5 designs from the Trunki series. It's called an innovative travel product which is a luggage for carrying kid's stuff but it's also a mobile seat for a kid to play or rest on it while waiting. I got a Harley version (the ladybird) for my boy. It comes just right for our short trip in September.

However, my boy has played the Trunki as a toy car in the house now.

It's a simple and light case designed for a kid to handle with. I guess only put toys, few books and few clothings inside as to ensure it is not too "heavy" for my boy to push/carry it. The lock system looks bit fragile to me. Thus, for the sake of this Trunki (life usage), I think I need to supervise my boy while he locks/unlocks it.

Dining @ Restaurant Vietnam Kitchen

"Vietnam Kitchen" is one of our frequently visited family restaurants. Why? It serves pork

dishes. Oink... oink... Pork is a main ingredient in making yummy Vietnamese food like fried spring rolls (Cha Gio), meatballs and Lemongrass pork chop.

Recently we just find out that the restaurant has launched more set meals (one as the left pic) via new menu. We are glad about their new set meals which the appertisers include our favourite - Vietnamese Spring rolls. Don't need to order it ala-carte.

The presentation of set meal is kinda Japanese bento and the side dishes include Kimchi, radish soup and the spring rolls. Very filling!

Wall Decal For Children Room

The art of wall decal is getting more popular now. Last year, I also bought few designs of wall decal for decorating my house.

Here's one of the design pasted on the wall of my boy's playroom along with some of his art projects hung below the motif of a tree branch.

There are many brands in the market. Of course the prices are varied by the quality of material. So far, I am very satisfied with the current I purchased from Somethin' Urby. The decals are still firmly adhered to the wall and look new. Note: Check also Blank-Canvas-Design.

It's a good idea to decorate your baby room with some wall decals which just consume little time and money to do (compared with painting and wall paper).

1,2,3.... Action!

After watching the "Cars" animated movie, my boy starts playing with toy vehicles now. Sometimes, he puts all the toy vehicles (include thomas train, police cars, mini wooden truck, bus) in a row and pushes them vigorously one by one on the floor. To me, it looks more like a crash than a race (with some overturned and some stacked on each), but my boy enjoys the car-racing game which created in his own version.

Besides, he likes to mimic the main character "Lightning McQueen" too. On his tricycle, he pretends to ride as fast as and makes a sudden "turn" or "jump" then adds the fancy slogan like how McQueen says it in the movie - "Ka-chow!".

A Handy Organic Marketing Guide

Today, I am lucky to come upon a blog (by a mom too) and her label of "green living tips" has caught my attention. By reading through it, I am intrigued by the title of "The Dirty Dozen" as well as "Clean 15" and the small piece of printed sheet which displays images of some veggies and fruits. What are they?

Thanks to a crafter cum a mom, Heidi Kenney (her site The Paper Crane) who creates the cheat sheet in such a colourful and pocket-size format. It provides a simple guide to help shoppers to choose which kinds of veggie/fruit to buy organic and which kinds are safer (of low pesticide level) to buy if non-organic.

Ashamed. I seldom buys organic veggie and fruit nowadays (since this year). But I feel much better when I find out that my boy's favourite kinds of veggie/fruit mostly belong to the "Clean 15". Even for apple and pear, we peel the skin off before he consumes.

Book Review: Maisy, Charley and the Wobbly Tooth

Book Review # 8:

Maisy, Charley and the Wobbly Tooth

by Lucy Cousins

I buy this book because I want to teach my boy to brush his teeth. He knows Maisy and Cyril from other Lucy's books so I think this one can comfort him to take up the challenge (with the characters).

In this book, many friends (include Maisy and Cyril) accompany Charley to see a dentist. All of them are given a demonstration of how to brush teeth by the nurse. Up... Down... Back... Front... then rinse and spit. Now I practise these steps with my boy every time he brushes teeth.

Overall, it's a lovely and simple picture book about a visit to dentist plus it depicts the simple steps of teeth-brushing.