My cute baby and Career Bear Contest

I saw this advertisement during my normal weekend groceries shopping at Carefour. So, I thought maybe should just try my luck. They were having a photo shot session in Carefour.

Apart from buying the Sofy or MamyPoko products of RM 50.00, you actually will need to pay extra for the photo shot by De One Digital Photo Studio. Their package is RM 48.00 comprises of 2 x 4R photo and 1 x 8R photo (for contest). As usual they will try to convince you into buying more and more. My mind was focus, I decided no matter how they persuade me or how lovely the children look, I will spend no more than the RM48.00. 

Here are some of the shots :- .

Finger cross, even winning a hamper also is good enough  !! 

Yeah,  the Huggies Million Dollar contest must be over and nobody contacted me, so no chance for a million dollar then. Will try harder the next time!!

Jack The Poser

Yeah! I have nearly forgotten about this until I took some photo shots of him posing in his 'Huggies' Diaper. I said to him "come, mummy take a photo of you, pose like you are the Huggies Baby!". These are the shots.

Jack used to be a baby model for 'Poney'; the baby and children brand of clothing. I was very proud of him when we went for the shooting. He was the only one who was most co-operative and did not cried at all throughout the session. 

There are people who asked me why am I not trying to pursue some modelling opportunity for him. I have also thought of it myself and has explore some possibility. Generally, I think :

• This will be time consuming and I am a working mother. You must be willing to take the kid for their shoot whenever there is a call.
• Some advertisement could take almost a day. I think this will be unfair and very tiring for the child
• I am a very safety alert person. I have once received a call for a shooting but the location is somewhere in a narrow/dark street area. I am worrying enough of my and the child safety even just going to a shopping. Location like this, it  is definitely a No! No! .
• Plus, I have 3 children. I can't be concentrate on one and spend lesser time with the rest. 

However, there are lots of successful child models around. I accepted 'Poney''s offer as the shooting only took about 2 hours and for that, it was not bad as Jack's 1st pay job. 

Jack's 1st pay

Alright, maybe entering some contests and win some hampers or money will be useful!!!!

The Kids Enjoy Swimming

It was the weekend and swimming time for the kids. Can't believe they love the water so much. We have finally managed to get Jack, the big brother into his arm bands and he has now understood what is call freedom instead rely on us to push or hold him all time. He is able to swim/move in the big pool all by himself.

jack swim by himself in 5ft pool

Dylan loves to get himself wet. He was like non-stop splashing and he wasn't worry at all about the water getting into his eyes.

Dylan splashing away happily

Kayley, as usual more interested in eating than anything else. Trying to eat the tube and drink the pool water!!

Kayley: Give me something to eat!!!!! I want my mum-mum!!

I have bought a neck ring type of floater. Jack was too scared to put it around when he was a baby. Some of my neighbours use them. OK,  it is sort of cute seeing the baby kicking around the pool by themselves but again it is also sad to see their neck being confined like that. The moral of the story is at the end, the ring does not make them able to swim, just get them to get use of the water. I would still prefer the normal ring where they can move their hands, kick their legs and see things and communicate with you.

Planning For The Twins' birthday

Yes, it is still about 1.5 months to go, my Twins will be 1!!!

I know it could be a bit too early to plan at the moment. But you can't imagine, with work and the twins, it is always not enough time in a day, and Saturday and Sunday just gone passed without you knowing it.

I was born in a kampung. My family were really poor people. We did not have toilet in the house and I have never have birthday cakes, new clothes and even 'Ribena' when I was a kid. 

Now, I am going to plan and spend money for the twins' 1st birthday which they may not remembered and I am pretty sure that they don't even know what is going on that day. Now days, parents are going extra mile just to try to make things perfect for their little one(s).

My plan:-

1. A Theme
2. A Cake

3. A party planner

4. A photographer

5. A caterer

6. A guest list

7. Door gift/party packs.

Ok just want to share with mummy out there what I have done about the plan.

1. Theme

My 3 children enjoy watching 'Dibo the gift Dragon' on Playhouse Disney. So, this just come to my mind.

2. Cake

I am not a supporter of cupcakes and novelty cake. I attended few parties, but most of the people just got rid of the frosting as they are too sweet and thick. However, to make the theme look perfect, I have no choice but resorting to novelty cake. And, I found Jessica, the creator, the sculptor of cupcakes and novelty. You must check out her blogspot in my list. She is good. I have sort of discussed my idea with her. She is so enthusiastic about what she is going to do and proposed lots of difficult and complicated design. In view of the budget, I have asked for much more simple 2D cake. The idea is something like this but with the 'Dibo' theme and colors that signify the different sex of the twins.

3. Party Planner

I have come to know this creative party planner - razzle dazzle party box. You can click on my blog lists and try to visit her site. She is creative. As she is not available on the date of my Twins' birthday.  I have opted for Package A where no site attendance is required. The packages comprises of :

• Balloon Bouquet
• Personalised Party Displays
• Personalised Birthday Pennant
• Personalised Chocolate Bars
• Personalised Mineral Bottles
• Personalised Cupcake Tags

This is some of her work of a similar package that I have ordered from her.

4. Photographers

Anna-rina has been our family photographer for 2 sessions. So she is automatically becomes our choice. Again, her website is also under my blog lists. These are some of the photo taken by her during our last session.

The Twins and their grand parents

Angie and the Twins

5. Caterer

I heard of some good comments of Banana Catering (belong to Zang Toi) but after considering those advertised in China Press, those caterers are offering like 20 dishes comprised of fish, squid, chicken and etc. I think most people would prefer lots to eat and lots of choices. I have not set my mind but I think that's way it is going to go.

6. Guest list

I have prepared the guest list but it seems like add -on more and more each day. Alamak!!! Ok, I think I need to take control. Limit, limit, 50 pax excluding children!!

7. Door gift / party packs

My eldest son always bring back party packs from the Vital Year from those children who celebrated their birthday there. My personal opinion, they are mainly junk and I don't like him to take sweets too much. So, most of them usually gone to waste.

I am very proud of this finding. I managed to find some wall stickers, they are big and meant to stick to the room for decoration purposes. They are beautiful and they only cost RM 10.00 for 4 pieces. The seller even chipped in a few free one for me. There are theme like Ben 10, Mickey mouse, floral, abstract art and etc. I believe children will like things like this. Can't believe some of them are selling like RM7.00-RM10.00 per piece. That is why I am proud of my 'hunt'.

Ok will promise to post the birthday photos after the party.

So, Chicken Me!!!

To Go or Not to Go. So It was so Chicken of me. I didn't go on this shopping spree trip with my friend. Instead, I spend time, which I do everyday, anyway, with my family. We have done some open house visits and unfortunately all 3 of them were also down with cold and cough at the same time. I felt better that I have not opted to go, so I was able to give them their mother's tender loving care. I hope they will really appreciate that!!!

TO GO OR NOT TO GO? IS THAT MEAN I AM A BAD MOTHER?

My husband has the air miles things accumulated and part of it will be expiring by end of this month. It is not easy for all of us to travel. It is like a major operation to pack 2 babies, 1 child and 4 adults' stuff and I termed it 'loading and unloading' all the kids into a car, out of a car and into a plane and out of a plan and it goes on onto all the transportation.

We went to Langkawi in May during my in-laws' visit. We went without the maids. The parent in-laws are already in their late seventies and early eighties, so we can't really count on them on babysitting. My sister in-laws helped a little bit but it is like a holiday to her, so we can't really push her to help much. Most of the time, my husband and I were stuck in the hotel room looking after the 3 kids. It was TOUGH! but we survived. Good thing was, by the end of the trip, my in laws sort of bonded with my children and my eldest son was able to play and let them carry. My in-laws stay in Ireland, we can only meet up in every couple of years and it is even difficult now with the 3 kids.

 So, I came out with the options of:-

1. all of us go (including the maids) to Langkawi or

2. 3 of us go (me, hubby and eldest son) go somewhere near e.g Cambodia, Bali or Thailand

Bear in mind that we have booked to go to Langkawi next February with Airasia's 0 fares. So, it is kind of silly to go there again. But we find going to Langkawi is easy, short flight and we know the place well. Penang is another option but travelling around there maybe a problem. Langkawi's car rental is cheap.

My hubby has really changed a lot for me and even became a better man after the children's arrival. His choice is either all of us go or I go with my friend shopping somewhere.

I like the idea of going shopping with my friend. I missed my Platinum Mall and Pratunam shopping in Thailand. 

I was delighted with the idea but has been struggling to decide to go or not to go. I have never left the children since they were born. I have so far, attended 2 wedding dinner and came home late. I missed the children and I cried during the dinners.

If I go, I am just going for 2 days trip, go in the morning and come back the next day afternoon. I have to apologise to my friend that I don't think I could go for 3 days and also to bear with me that I will cry too. Is that mean I am a bad mother? Leaving all my kids, husband and maids behind. 

So, the big question is should I go or should I stay? Please advise me.

If I were to go, I planned to go on 10th-11th of September. Appreciate experienced mummy out there for your advice.

First 'Together' Photo

It is very difficult to get the 3 children to take a photo together. Each time when we wanted to take a photo of them together, one of them will cry, kick-up a big fuss or the big brother will refuse and run away. I was surprise of them being so co-operative this time, maybe it was near their bedtime.

I definitely hope that we could get some nicer photos of them together or even the whole family.