An evening stroll at Batu Ferringhi, Penang

Oh well, I didn't expect Batu Ferringhi beach at Penang has so much to offer. From parasailing to horse riding to jet ski to swimming and building sandcastles. Obviously, we had dressed the kids in the wrong attire. We didn't expect the beach is sandy and clean and most importantly, no sand flies. We thought of making a trip to the beach just for some cool sea breeze and enjoy the sea view at Starbucks, but the kids were both so excited when they saw the sandy beach. The big sister couldn't resist the temptation and asked if she can sit on the sand and make some sandcastles. How can I say No to that little face.....

While the people in KL were still combating with the hazy air, we were in Penang enjoying a clear blue sky and freshly brewed air from the sea. The sea breeze was just so awesome, refreshing, relaxing and amazing!

 Horse riding on the beach... 

 

Daddy-children moment...  

 

The Starbucks here is so relaxing, with a beautiful seaview!

Then, it was time for dinner, we decided to just quickly grab some food nearby and then make a trip home. The hubby chose Tarbush as dinner for the day! It was my first experience at Tarbush. At first I wasn't that keen, but after tasted their briyani and grilled chicken, I will be back for the second time! Their food is delish!!

So guys! Make a trip to Batu Ferringhi beach if you long for a short and relaxing holiday. I just love the beach .... Hopefully the next trip here, our resort for the day is Hard Rock Hotel. =D

NextDirect.com is awesome!

Shopping online is so addictive! I wish I'm staying in the States now. The baby clothes are so so pretty and cheap! How I wish they offer free shipping like Nextdirect.com. Shipping alone from the States to Msia already cost about RM80-RM150 depends on how heavy is your parcel. Not worth at all. But thank God, I have my bestie who helps me to shop every year from the States and brings back in her luggage! Thank you so much Grace! 

Anyway, I love Nextdirect.com. They offer free shipping all the way from UK to Malaysia if you purchase RM110 and above. This amount is easily achievable and imagine, they send your parcel through DHL that comes with tracking! Furthermore, their hotline number is always active and their customer service is so good and efficient. I called few times to their customer service and when they said they will call you back the next day to check on your payment status, they really did! Shopping at nextdirect.com is really awesome and easy! 

NEXT has been my all time favorite baby clothes. Thank you NEXT for offering free shipping! I hope this free shipping lasts forever .......... And I will be your loyal customer. =D

 Here's my second purchase from nextdirect.com. I ordered this item online on last Friday and received the coming Monday. How awesome is this.

 Couldn't wait for our coming trip in December!! Say hello to snow and winter!! Yippie!!!

 Such a nice jacket! This piece indeed is a love at first sight. The sizes ran out fast and thank God, they restocked again after few days. I have to order a unisex winter jacket so that little brother can wear in future if we ever go to winter wonderland again. Cost saving in mind.

 The inner jacket with some fleece on the neck and bottom to keep your child warm and cosy. 

Look at my little Eskimo! Isn't she cute... I bet she will be cuter if this jacket is in pinky rabbit. :p Again, we have to make a wise selection so that unisex color can be worn by the brother in future and we don't have to spend additional money unnecessary. 

I guess there will be a third purchase from nextdirect.com again since I haven't found any nice jacket for the little boy. Hopefully they have new designs coming out in November. Again, thank you NEXT for the free shipping...

Coffee Chiffon Cake

I wanted to bake orange chiffon cake but I was a little lazy to squeeze out the orange juice, hence.. I looked for an easier version of chiffon cake, Coffee chiffon cake that uses instant coffee mix, 3in1.

All I can say that this recipe is great! The chiffon cake turn out to be so spongy and fluffy and yummm!

 

Baking in the oven!

 

After removed from the oven, I turned it upside down and once cooled, I removed the container and here you go!! 

 

The taste was so good, and baby boy loves it!

Here's the recipe from Table for 2

Ingredients:

A)
5 egg yolks
85 gm corn oil
115 ml hot milk
1 1/2 Tbsp instant Nescafe Gold
120gm sugar
150gm flour
1 tsp baking powder

B)
5 egg whites
1/8 tsp cream of tartar
90gm sugar

Method:

1. Dissolve coffee powder in hot milk. Leave to cool down.
2. Preheat oven to 180C.
3. Combine milk with the rest of ingredients (A) until it becomes a smooth paste.
4. Beat egg whites until frothy. Add in cream of tartar and beat until soft peaks.
5. Add in sugar bit by bit and beat egg whites until stiff.
6. Put in 1/4 of egg whites into (3) and fold to combine.
7. Repeat step 6.
8. Pour (7) into remaining egg whites and fold to combine well.
9. Pour batter into clean ungreased tube pan. Lightly shake pan left and right to level the cake.
10. Bake at 170C for 40 minutes.
11. Immediately remove from oven and turn cake upside down on table. (cake will sink if not done fast)
12. Leave cake to cool completely before dislodging from pan using a flat knife. Cut with a sharp knife.

Happy 4th Birthday Sweetie!

To mommy's little chatterbox.. Have a blessed fourth Birthday!! We pray that God will bless you abundantly and fills your heart with more love and wisdom.

How time flies ... today you are Four! I wish if we can just stop the clock from ticking and keep you as a baby forever. Forever our baby girl. I remember how tiny you were when you were born, you led out the first cry and then the doctor placed you on my chest. As a first time mom, I just couldn't stop checking on you every seconds and made sure you were alright. Time passed too fast... you have grown up to be such a big girl now. You are independent, you do things on your own, you take care of your little brother when mommy is busy .. you have so many strength inside of you and I just couldn't thank God enough for blessing us with you, our most wonderful gift on earth!

We treasure every moments with you ..you have indeed brought us so much tears, joys and laughter in this family.

We pray that you will grow up knowing and loving your father in Heaven, be filled with all the wisdom, understanding and knowledge that He has and with this, I can just rest assured that you will grow up well in your life.. because God will do the rest. =)

Happy Birthday my dearest daughter! We love you always and forever.. and you will forever be our dearest baby girl!

Yeay to Potty Training!

Few months ago, we tried to potty train him but it wasn't successful. The very first time, I brought him to the potty and he just refused to sit on the potty. His legs will cling to my legs like a koala whenever I tried to put him down. Ok then, I decided to wait few more weeks. And it was the same. No signs of him loving to sit on the potty. But, he can pee on the toilet floor when I asked him to. This pretty means he's ready to be trained, the only fear in him is to sit on the potty. Which I don't know why. The big hole I guess? Haha. 

The following month, I tried to potty train him again. By faith, we went diaper-less and pant-less! Only the t-shirt for the entire day (except for sleeping time). It was a huge disaster! There was no problem with pee-pee because every 30mins, I brought him to the toilet to pee pee on the floor and not the potty. He just refused to sit on the potty! Sigh. After dinner, I noticed some signs of him wanting to poo. I quickly brought him to the potty and again, failed! He ended up poo poo on the toilet floor. T__T

I told myself, he wasn't ready and we shall just go back to diaper. 

Many more months later, I tried to put him on the potty and initially, he refused but I forced a little while trying to distract him with his favorite milo nuggets and voila, he sat on the potty for a good 5 mins!! I knew in my heart it was time to train him. 

This week, we went diaper-less and pant-less and even though he still really can't control his pee, there were few accidents in the day when I forgot to bring him to pee. Yesterday night was a huge success when he knew the urged to poo, he went to the toilet himself, trying to climb up the potty placed on the toilet bowl. Thank God I saw it and quickly placed him on the potty. Within seconds, he poo-ed a bomb in the toilet bowl! I was so so so happy that I cheered him on as he poo-ed. And there was a huge smile on his face, he felt the sense of achievement when I clapped as he poo-ed. 

2 years 4 months, little brother is potty trained! Well done baby!!

Believe.. My help comes from the Lord!

Three more months to 1 year that I tendered my resignation. I wonder if I've ever made the right decision. Looking at my kids today..  I knew I've made the right decision ever..

But at low times... My brain just couldn't think positive and I think, how nice if life is still the same. Staying in the 3 bedrooms condo. Having a job in hand. A paycheck every month that I can spend and not feeling guilty. And yes, I will still have my ever ready life-saver.. My babysitter. 

I used to have the luxury of having a nice and ever ready babysitter. We get to go for a date after work. Sometimes we can even catch a nice movie together. Or when I wasn't well, my babysitter was there to help. Or if I need a one day off just to catch up with my sleep. And when I gave birth to Daniel, my babysitter helped all out with Ashlynn without asking for extra fees. Blessings! All I need is just a phone call and her simple answer of 'yes, sure can' gave me such peace that I have someone that I can rely on in times of needs. 

Today, who can I turn to? Sometimes I felt so lost and everyone seems to be so far away. Guess it's a no turning back now. 

Today, I have to learn and trust from the Bible that my help comes from the Lord. Thinking of the future really makes me feel so weak. Sometimes I just couldn't find the strength to go on. I need support. A simple 'yes, i can help you' definitely will make me cry in joy. All I can do now is not to forget that God exists. Even though men are not available all the time, but God's helpline is always ready. 

My help comes from the Lord!

Something that I've always wished for...

Dream is always free. Wishlist is also free.

I've always wished for ...

1) Helper
Some of my friends stay with their parents/in laws or few houses away from them and I think this is a great blessing. Looking at how my grandma takes care of her youngest grandson makes me tear. I told her the other day to stay over my place for a few days during the holidays but she told me that  her grandson is still small, and Aunty needs her help. I silently wished that I have someone staying with me that can help me with my kids. Or at least help me with the cooking. Or at least help to look after the kids while I quickly go and get some groceries done. Or going to my mom's place over the weekend and have a nice home-cooked meal. I wished we are staying few stones away.

2) Dating for free
Those days, dating was free. Today, with two kids.. if we want to go for a date, babysitter alone for two kids already cost us RM120, for a full day care. Thinking about that amount of money, we decided not to go dating but use that money and dine in as a family of four. I wished I have someone that can keep an eye on our kids for few hours and we can have a nice date out together. Hands in hands. I actually lost count the last movie that we watched together, I guessed it was Transformers 2 in year 2009. Not to mention of catching movies together, we never get to go for dinner dates ever since I stopped working.

3) Travel
I like the concept of ta-pao the whole family and go! Packing the kids clothes and necessities is so much fun. More fun if we get to fly together. Even though it can be exhausting with two toddlers in the cargo, but spending time together as a family is worth all the sweat. I actually don't mind, as long as we can all be together. I just like it if we can afford to pay flight tickets for all and go for a nice relaxing holiday. I don't mind flying to Langkawi. But Langkawi alone already cost us almost RM2k. With that fees to pay, I think we can fly to Krabi/Phuket/Pattaya which I think is more fun.

4) Migrating
With the so many hoo-haas that is happening now, it's just so hard to sit down and relax. I felt a little stressed out thinking about my kids future. Quite a number of my friends are now migrating. Some to Aus, some to HK, some to Europe, some to NZ.. oh well, I wish I'm one of them too. But migrating is never easy. Unless you are single, I think it's much easier to plan. With a family, you need to weigh out the pros and cons, whether you can survive at the other side of the world. Many of my friends did it, I believe we can too if we try? Oh well, this dream is a little too big to think off. And it will always remain as my dream/wishlist.

Nevertheless, I'm thankful for what I have today. A healthy growing family. A strong leader (husband) at home. Two healthy kids. Those things above are just what I wished for..... and how nice if it can ever happen. =)