The Boys' Current Favorite Books

Daniel's current favorite. This book is a combination of several puzzle stories which also comes individually. What he likes most about this book is that it is fun! As you read along, he gets to play different puzzles in each stories, like find a clue, find something in a picture, go through a maze, solve simple mysteries etc. It is engaging for boys!

If your child is learning to read, the Peter & Jane Keywords series is highly recommended. It uses a system of key phrases and words devised by teacher William Murray back in the 1950s. Starting with book 1a, a budding reader of primary school age, from 3 to 5 year old, is introduced to brother and sister Peter and Jane, their dog Pat, their Mummy and Daddy, and their home, toys, playground, the beach, shops, buses and trains, and so on. The first book uses the 12 key words which are used repeatedly ("Here is Peter", "Peter is here", "Here is Jane", "Jane is here", "I like Peter", "I like Jane"). Additional words are introduced gradually, page by page, to expand the reader's reading vocabulary, with the new words on each page set out in a footnote. You can find out more about it here.

These are a couple of Darren's current favorite. Because he is 2 plus, active and can't keep his hands still when doing anything, these books are great because he gets to slide and flip individual covers and flaps on each page.

Eric Carle's books are awesome! I just love the artwork and colours of every book.

Dear Zoo

Lift the flap!

I have not seen these in local JB bookstores or even the library (except for Peter and Jane series). But these books (and so much more good ones) can be ordered online. By the way, I feel that there is a lack of well-written English story books for children in Malaysia. I have a few at home, but I couldn't bring myself to read them to Daniel. You will see why in my next post or so. In the meantime, we shall be content with a few good ones (over and over again). Happy reading!

DIY Stencil Pillowcase

I never knew the obiang blue alphabet stencil could make a statement pillowcase like this. All you need are a piece of plain fabric large enough to make your pillow case (you can use the plain white case from IKEA),permanent markers/fabric markers, a large stencil, ruler and fabric chalk/vanishing pen to mark the layout.
Tip: Using the stencil, draw the outline of the alphabet first before filling in the colour.

Idea from here.

Some little DIY home projects

*necklace hanger*
Art Friend has an amazing supply of DIY materials. And the imagination is limitless.
I bought a small piece of raw wood board and a packet of these 'miniature wooden pots'.

Glue the 'pots' onto the board. To cover the unsightly holes, I glued punched out papers. Paint everything white with acrylic paint. Easy peasy.

My new necklace knob hooks adhered with 3M double-sided tape.

*fabric scrap flags*

*wooden pegs*
Paint is my new friend. I'm starting to paint everything.

3M double-sided tape, if you hate hammering nails into wall, and if you don't mind peeling it off in future. Some wall paint may peel off together.

I used painted wooden pegs to hang these.

And guess what this is for...

Am I a genius or what. Tudor windows are a pain when it comes to fixing curtain rails on them. For the longest time, I had the curtains tied onto the grill with strings. Now it looks neat!

Love love love the handmade home :)

Letters To My Boys: Keeping Your Marriage In Love

Dear sons,
Some day you will find someone whom you want to share your everything with. Your dreams, your fears, your joy, your frustrations, your hope and many little mundane details in your daily life. If you have not found that someone, then it is not time yet or it's not meant to be. Accept that and live well anyway. If you have, cherish her as long as you both shall live. Even after many years of marriage, it cannot survive on love alone. It needs regular effort and thoughtfulness to keep it warm. You may be able to find many resources on 'How To Maintain A Happy Marriage', those are good, and these are personal ones from me.

1. Continue sharing your everything. This is actually a powerful way to keep yourselves emotionally engaged with each other. And this is one of the top reasons for a happy marriage. Set aside time for a hearty chat. Don't forget to ask her about her day regardless of how mundane it might be. She may have many friends whom she confides in, but at the end of the day, you are probably her bestest friend to share her everything with.

2. Once in a while, be a romantic fool. Anniversaries are good days to be that fool. Remind her how it felt to be courted. This, my sons, will bring a sparkle to her heart. Arrange for babysitting (I'll be glad to help), surprise her at work with a call and tell her to meet you at a fancy restaurant for a candlelight dinner. Never underrate the value of a candlelight dinner. It's common, it's old fashioned, but it works.

3. Have regular date nights. Go for a movie, or a supper. Or sneak out for ice cream.

4. Hugs. And kisses. Both will be nice.

5. Never let go of a chance to hold her hand. Even when it's getting wrinkled. Physical affections are the easiest way to show her that you still care. And it's free. Play with her fingers, caress her back, stroke her hair. These are instant intimacy gestures that will, again, bring sparkle to her heart. You may not know it, but it does.

It every mother's dream to be able to raise a fine husband and to see him enjoy a blissful happy marriage.

XOXO
Mummy

I Hate The World Day

(wanted to post this last week but I was out of orbit in a hormonal sort of way)

I'm having one of those days where it feels as though some bad planetary alignment is causing me to become a cosmic bitch or something.

I am riding the worst ever emo roller coaster ride since last week. Worst part is that I can't control it. PMS is lethal. It's true because I was thinking of wanting to attempt to try to end my life last night. I can't even cheer myself up, let alone my pretty collection of fabric stash. For those who go through this every month or those who have been through this before, you know how it feels. For those who don't, I can't really describe it. I guess it's like drugs. Like a bitch drug.

But why is it so toxic lately? I told my hormones to f*** off for 5 minutes while I sit with a sane brain to rationalize my ups and downs. They say the top reason why women get angry, is usually because of their husbands/boyfriends/wives/girlfriends. Yes?

Yes. He's been very stressed about work. In fact, I can't remember when was the last time he WASN'T stressed about work. Poor guy. I tried my utmost best to be understanding and gracious though I didn't like those regular night out for drinks and not-coming-home-for-dinners. I know sometimes he has to, and sometimes he just wants to chill outside. I'm empathetic when he talks about his ugly encounters with ugly contractors. It makes me want to kill them. And then lately there were more stressed up days where he'd be so exhausted that he'll just doze off on the couch after dinner while I am hanging out with the kids. Poor guy.

Suddenly, I wasn't just going to 'let it pass'. This bitch ain't going to LET IT PASS. His work stress have been affecting me! And fueling my hormonal fire! We. Are. Both. On. Fire. These two weeks alone, I have been MAD at him FIVE times. FIVE! It's so tiring.

Oh please, my period, come already.

A Beautiful Ad for Moms

Prepare tissues yo.