The twins turn 4, Nov 13.

We have a very simple celebration of the twins birthday this year. They will have their big birthday party when they turn 5 this year.

J, a very lucky boy!

I have slipped greatly on my postings now. I have a very busy last year and can't believe 3/4 of 2014 has passed too. I have a numbers of backlog postings , thought of taking this oppurtunity to clear out some, at least 2013's.

Hubby was being invited to an opening of a supercar showroom. Not that we can afford one, is just that he knew the salesman and bully him into inviting him. See, this is a very boy stuff and of course, he will need his partner in crime to go with him. So, lucky J got to go to this type of 'classy' event filled with VVIP and the super rich! 

Frank Stephson, award wining designer of Mini Hatch, Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Ferrari and McLaren.

Datuk Mokhzani

Joe G, radio DJ

At the age of just 5, he knows his car stuff very well, the horse power, no. of exhaust, the speed and the price. I didn't even seen or heard of any of the super car at the age of 5. 

He reads Top gear magazine and watches an episode of Top Gear before going to bed.

Good shopping deal!

I have recently found this great place with most of the clothes selling at RM5-RM15. I bet you must have heard of this place, Kenanga Wholesale City.

The F.O.S there sells clothes cheaper than those at other shopping malls. They usually have buy 1 get 1 free deal and is located at the North Wing-Ground Floor. Just above F.O.S, on the 2nd floor at the corner, there is this amazing shop that sells clothes from RM5-RM15.

Here are some of the examples:-

RM5 top.

 RM10 top

RM15 skinny jeans

RM10 (for a pair of pyjamas)

RM15 pants

There are lots more, even adults 'branded' T-shirt (e.g Nike/Puma/Adidas etc), reasonably good quality is only RM 5 each and jean shorts for adult/kids are only RM10 per pair.

I usually will spend about RM200 in that shop but come back with lots of clothes. If we go to normal shopping centre, I think RM200 may get you 2-3 pieces of clothes.

With those sort of prices, we do not need to worry shopping for clothes for our kids and concern that they will out grown their clothes shortly.

The mall also has shops selling all sort of clothing ranging from women, men, Muslims, children and other including bags, toys, jewellery, hair accessories, house hold stuff, stationery and etc. If you are planning for a party with theme (princess, Minion, Angry bird, Ben 10 etc etc), you can easily find party pack goodies like bags, stationery, key chain, soft toys and etc over there.

They also have a non halal food court at 7th floor and other halal food outlets scattering at different level.

Be prepare with comfortable shoes and clothing including trolley bag as there are 7th floors and you will take hours just to browse around.

So, spend your money wisely and enjoy your shopping. 

Good Online Shopping Website.

I came across this website via the side bar advertisement at Facebook. This website sells off season good quality stuff. I am a big fan of it and has since bough clothings, watches, bags, household items, towels, baby equipment/accessories from them. The delivery take longer time but the quality is good.

Here are some of the items that I brought from the website Mysale with great value and quality:

Mambo is a established brand of surf wear in Australia. The above bottom and top only cost RM29 each. They are the most practical swimwear that comes with UV protection. It could prevent sunburn even better than apply sun cream.

The halloween costumes that I bought maybe 9-12months ahead of Halloween and only cost around RM30-50 each.

RM30-RM40 canvas shoes

Little D, You Can Do it!

School concert was held in October last year. This year, will be the twins' 3rd year at the school. Little D, being himself, so shy and so lack of self confident, did not want to do anything for the last Sport's Day and Concert.

This year, with the great encouragement from the class teacher and school principle, he made it for the Concert. He was so excited about it and has been practising at home constantly. However on the actula day, he just cried. We believed he got cold feet and claim he wasn't feeling well and his legs hurt. This boy, once he set his mindset, even bribery (buying him toys) would not worked on him. 

We kept encouraging him and kept saying he can do it and it will be a waste for his weeks of practising, and finally he did it! With this successfully done, I think it boost up a bit of his self-confident.

and on the other hand, J and K did it without any problem.

Best Mattress for Toddler

This is a follow up from my diaper free post. I think maybe after the twins were 1 year old, we have re-decorated the bedroom with new beds and guardrail.  We have chosen the mattress from Ikea for the kids' bed http://www.ikea.com/my/en/catalog/products/50213259/. 

The key features for the mattress as listed is as follows:-

Key features

- Two different comfort surfaces. The eggbox-shaped surface relieves pressure and has better air circulation than the flat side.

- The cover can be machine washed which helps keep a hygienic sleeping environment for your child.

- Both sides can be slept on - it lasts longer, and keeps fresh for longer.

- Breathable jersey cover that is soft and nice to your child's skin.

The mattress is definitely the best find with the washable feature as it has a zipped along cover. Imagine the sick nights with the children pukes and their pee pee 'accident'. 

Just thought I should share this. I have seen some household with children and has occasionally bringing the kids mattress for a 'sun bathing' but that do not really get rid of the bacteria and maybe part of the smell away but with the above mattress, you can always wash and hygiene will not be a major concern.

Procedure for Filipino Maid returning to Philippines for Vacation

This is a repeated question being asked in forums and I have even received some enquiries on the procedure. So, I thought it will be good if I write something about it so that Employer will have some idea what to get done when their maid wants to return back to Philippines for a vacation.

Below is the information as published in their website:-

Filipino workers abroad who are leaving for Philippines for a vacation and are returning to the same employer can be issued an Overseas Employment Certificate or OEC. The OEC holder shall be exempted from the payment of the Philippine travel tax amounting to P1,600.00 and the Airport Terminal Fee of P550.00.

OEC applicants must accomplish an OFW Information Sheet, and present the following:

• Passport with a valid Work Permit
• Valid Employment Contract verified by the POLO-KL / Stamp Registered by POEA
• Proof of OWWA membership and Philhealth coverage,
• Payment of RM10.00 for OEC and RM100.00 for OWWA

*The OEC is valid for sixty (60) days from the date of issue or until the expiration of the work permit, whichever comes first.

Valid Employement Contract

If your maid's 2 years contract has expired. You can download the form from the embassy's website http://www.philembassykl.org.my/main/index.php/labor-services/forms (the one for the household service worker) and fill in the form yourself. You do not need an agent to do this and leave the agents' names/companies blank in the contract form. Then you will need to find a company with the notary public service as listed in http://www.agc.gov.my/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=59&Itemid=94&lang=en. Call in the office which is convenient to you to make appointment for the service instead of walk-in as most of the time, the lawyer in charge is not in or in court. The Employer and the maid will have to present in front of the lawyer to sign the contract and then the lawyer will place his notary public stamp on it. This could cost from RM100-200 depends on the fee scale of that particular firm.

OWWA

This is the insurance for the maid which includes (a) livelihood loan assistance; (b) insurance coverage; (c) burial assistance; (d) skills training and refresher courses; (e) scholarship program; and, (f) other benefits for the OFW and members of his family from the Philippines embassy. The insurance is valid for 2 years and can be purchased on the spot from the embassy.This costs RM90.

OEC

You can download the form from the above link and fill in prior to your visit to the embassy. If you just need the OEC, it will only cost you RM10. However, if your maid is returning home for more than 60 days, she will have to  apply for the OEC back in the Philippines as the OEC is only valid for 60 days. Then, you will have to verify the contract with the embassy and it costs RM RM38.50.

Employer doesn not need to accompany the maid to apply for the OEC. Do bear in mind that if your maid is going back during the xmas season, you need to go early in the morning to the embassy, the queue could be quite long and sometimes, you have to wait till after lunch. In normal day, it could be done maybe within half an hour time.

Good luck with your maid-less weeks or months!