Toilet Train

The diaper days are almost gone. Ajib has succeeded the past few days. Day time and night time, Ajib told us and managed to run to the toilet. Liya did it before her 3rd year birthday, so will Ajib.

Animal Vast Kingdom

Hey birdie..

Ajib and Liya have met mammals, insects, fishes, birds, reptiles and many more. They both have fed rabbits, deers, elephants, baby turtles and cats. Liya had cared for a baby bird when I was in confinement after Ajib’s delivery. Ajib, on the other hand, had scooped out our koi fish from the small pond in front of the house. Luckily, I was there to rescue the fish-out-of-water!

Liya patted a dog when she was about 12 months. Ajib tickled a tabby whenever he had a chance. Both Ajib and Liya touched snakes. Liya was laughing loudly when she chased the Mama Goose. Ajib also had a good laugh when he chased the rooster and Mama Hen.

Gotta Wash Your Hands..

Family Feast

I had a quick grocery shopping this morning before bringing the kids for ‘roti canai.’ Both Liya and Ajib love the dhall gravy. Ajib likes eating with his hands while Liya prefers fork and spoon. Liya often uses chopsticks for noodles, laksa, lo mein and spaghetti.

Liya has not finished her ‘roti telur’ yet when Ajib washed his hands, lips and cheeks. Liya and Ajib are prone to get rashes on the face. Ajib slowly walked towards me and took my hand. “Wash hands, Mama,” Ajib said, waiting for my answer. As I was turning on the tap water, Ajib hurriedly left. He was only showing me the way. His next target for hygiene-campaign would be his sister, Liya. ‘Thanks, Ajib’ I said for Ajib’s assistance. Not that I didn’t know my way but his ability to take me to the sink. It was voluntary and logical but I was pleased beause Ajib is barely 3 years old.

“If your hands are dirty, you might have germs. Germs can go into the stomache and cause tummy ache..” Once I caught Liya explaining to her younger cousins. Being the oldest has its benefits and ‘followers.’

Fruity Story

Fruity Fiesta

Fruit carving is an art in Malaysia. Watermelon, pineapple and honeydew are people’s favourites at the bride and groom’s main table.

Durian and coffee can never be mixed because both are said to have ‘heaty’ properties. Honeydew and milky drinks may have contradictory benefits. Coconut drink (juice) reduces the healing power of modern medicine but possibly able to aid the fetal development to produce jaundice-free babies. Watermelon may aggravate a cough and langsat must be avoided if one has weak knees.

Liya loves sweet succulent watermelon whereas Ajib loves oranges…

Green Weekend

Tapioca plant

Liya and Ajib learned about many trees, some bearing fruits, some reaching the clouds, some maintaining the shady branches..

Bananas can be made into chips, sweet porridge, or banana fritters and banana balls. Ajib and Liya saw many other plants too: durian, dragonfruit, tapioca and heliconia.

Ants, bees and worms were found in abundance as well. Liya and Ajib tried to find caterpillars but in vain. Chirping birds and singing birds made our day fun.

There was a rake, a spade and a few planter’s hats. Liya and Ajib played with the dirt. They noticed the flower buds and dying brown wrinkly leaves. Also, There were bushes (tapioca), (pumpkin) crawling and climbing plants (local green bean) with purple and yellow and pink flowers.

We setup our blue canvas dome tent, spreading the sleeping bags over the thin mattress. The truth is, Ajib and Liya only had a drink inside the tent and glanced through several books but never slept inside the tent at nightfall.

Begging Bigger Bag

Ajib has been saying ‘okay’ a number of times but that could just be an expression he picked up quite recently. He knows that hitting his sister is bad and playing with scissors is dangerous. When I scolded him for punching Liya and not to repeat it, Ajib said ‘okay.’ So, let’s give him another 6 more months to compare Ajib’s language development. Otherwise, his sentences now comprise of 3 – 5 words and Ajib has started showing likes and dislikes.

Ajib on Mama's Lap

Today, Ajib cried the word ‘angry’ for the first time. I noticed he was angry at his sister, Liya. Liya must have teased him or snatched one of Ajib’s Ben 10 toys. ‘Ajib kiss’ and ‘Ajib hug’ have become routine before we part everytime.

‘Mama work’ and ‘Ajib school’ will be another morning chapter in the upcoming weeks. Ajib will be entering a new phase of his life, playschool at the verge of 3 years old. He looks forward for a new Ben 10 school bag. His Spiderman bag now houses Ben 10 characters, Madagascar’s cartoon toys, and many more. Unfortunately, Ajib’s Ben 10 bus has to park somewhere else 😦

Entrance fee?

Taking a stroll..

Liya has a good grasp of good behaviour and deeds. She understands heaven; which is a very special place, awaits somewhere after life.

To encourage Liya and Ajib to be good, I would say ‘all of us will go to heaven some day.’ Just yesterday, Liya asked me, “Mama, when can I can go to heaven?”

After sorting for some answers, I replied “Not yet, Liya. We ought to continue to behave well. Once we have enough deeds, all of us will go to the heaven,” Liya gave me a satisfied smile.

Chocolate Factory Tour

Beryl’s Chocolate Factory tour was held today. The factory which is situated in Seri Kembangan is proudly manufacturing and exporting ‘Malaysian flag’ premium quality chocolates.

We indulged the chocolate samples, learned the step-by-step chocolate-making, observed workers in action and enjoyed the sweet smelling chocolate trip.

Liya and Ajib posed for a few pictures in front of the cocoa trees. I told them me and cousins used to play “American football’ with the cocoa fruits when we were kids goofing around at my Grandpa’s orchard. We cut the fruit open and loved the succulent white flesh. It was hard to imagine the processes to make cocoa drinks and chocolate bars.

Beryl’s chocolate makers wear white uniforms. They handle metal automated machine. Thanks to Iman, our tour guide. Our group consists of 9 children spent about 45minutes for the tour. The best was yet to be discovered – shopping for nicely wrapped chocolates. We then took a group photo before saying our goodbyes.

Chasing Mama Goose

Mama Goose

Caught in action: A carefree life….serene and beautiful.

The Spirit of Creativity

Kiddie Area

Hotel provides lovely kiddie area. The picture was taken at the Empire Hotel Brunei. A few pools facing the kiddie area which in constructed in sort of Malay architecture. Liya loves coming here. We played with toys, we drew pictures, we painted drawings, we ‘made’ robots and such..

Last night, Liya and I colored mushrooms red and triangles blue. Ajib scribbled his 2009 calendar of Tom and Jerry, coincidently we were watching Tom and Jerry cartoon on TV.