theAsianparent app - your no 1 pregnancy and parenting app

When I was about to become a first time mom back in 2014, I remember myself looking for information everywhere on pregnancy, delivering a baby, breastfeeding and even how to care for my little ones. I bought books, I Googled and I even asked my family and friends. Information was everywhere, but I secretly wish for a community where I can ask and discuss about all of the things at one place.

Years passed by and I found out about theAsianparent apps! It was like a dream comes true. Even though I have already have 2 kids now, 5 years old elder Bee and 2 years old little Bee, there are still sometimes queries on how to care and raise my kids well. So I am so glad that I came across the apps!

Mini Karnival Al Haq in cooperation with Kindness Malaysia

We went to Mini Karnival al Haq on Malaysia Day, 16 September 2019 at Rumah Al Haq, Dato' Keramat Kuala Lumpur. The Mini Karnival Al Haq was held to get funding to cover the costs of their operations and other expenses in order to keep the residents safe and comfortable there.

There were many interesting activities that was organized besides selling of food and things, including Nerf Games, sand art, bayblades, face painting and many more.

The mini carnival was also attended by many other children from other shelter homes around Kuala Lumpur.

Birthday Party with KFC Chicky & Friends at AEON Big Ampang

We actually didn't plan big for Bilal's second birthday party. All we had in mind was to buy a cake and some food and hang out with family at home. But my mom got another idea and she wanted to throw her grandson a birthday party at any fast food restaurant instead. After giving some thoughts and had some discussions, we said okay to Nenek. So we had Bilal's 2nd birthday party at KFC Aeon Big Ampang the day after his actual birthday (because of the availability of the slot). 

We choose KFC as our party place as it is obviously everyone's favorite fast food restaurant. KFC Aeon Big Ampang is the nearest KFC store from our place which have the birthday party service. Plus point that the party area is spacious and is separated from the main KFC dining area.

The Kids First Merdeka Celebration - National Day at Dataran Kulim Kedah

We were all excited to go celebrate the National Day at Esplanade (Padang Kota), Penang on the Saturday, 31st August 2019 morning, as per stated in the government website and few other website.

But once we arrived there, we saw the road was way too clear and quite for a long weekend holiday in Penang, let alone to have a Merdeka celebration. Then we remembered that daddy said the notis penutupan jalan is for Butterworth. So we checked on Facebook and other social media updates - yes - the celebration was done in Butterworth, not Esplanade. 😭

I was so frustrated for the fact I stayed up to sew their t-shirts to go for the national day marching and celebration. So we ended up go to have our breakfast (again) at Roti Canai Jalan Argyll and brought the kids to the playground instead.

Little Caliph Pearl City & Jawi Sports Day and Anniversary Carnival

Little Caliph Pearl City and Little Caliph Jawi (which also known as Tadika As Saadah) sports day is more like a carnival, in conjunction with Tadika As Saadah 5th year anniversary.

Mummy woke up early morning, very excited to attend Balqis' very first sports day. Balqis was very excited and looking forward for her sports day too. She's been practising the Robocar Poli dance, which the kids supposed to dance during the opening ceremony.

She would ask Mummy everyday after school if tomorrow was the sports day.

When she woke up and got ready, she was still very excited. We had breakfast first before we go to the event place. We reached the sports day place, registered and went to wait under the tent.

Taiping Zoo, Ansari Famous Cendol and Mee Udang Mak Jah

We went to Taiping the last weekend before Ramadhan. Balqis had been asking us to bring her to hotel. She basically imagine to get to go to "hotel Terengganu" again because obviously she had so much fun when we were there. Primula Beach Resort, Kuala Terengganu has a fun slide and pool with views and a private beach for some sand play.

So anyway, since we obviously won't make a trip to Kuala Terengganu again in near future, we make a rather impromptu plan two days trip to Taiping as it is one of the nearest city and has some fun place for kids too.

We started our journey on Saturay morning to Taiping by car. The travel took around 40 minutes only from our home. We went straight to the Zoo Taiping as it was one of our main agenda for the trip.

Labour Day Outing, KTM Komuter Northern Sector and Penang Sentral

I was reminiscing the good old study days when I took the KTM train back to Kuala Lumpur with the bed coach and all. I really think that the new ETS should just be an additional option, not to fully replace the old train. I've always wanted to bring my kids to experience the life I had before. Sad. Anyway, can you believe I have never try the ETS? The young and adventurous me might have taken the ETS for hundreds of time by now. But taking the ETS back to Kuala Lumpur is not really a good option for us since we would need a car (with safety seats) to go around town when we were there. Hence it's always best that we just drive back home.

The night before Labor day public holiday, I asked husband if he wants to bring the kids to try the KTM Komuter Northern Sector (Komuter Utara) the next day since we did not have anything planned. I knew Balqis would really love a train ride, and I wanted to give it a try too. We've never tried the KTM Komuter Utara. (Like there's so many difference with KL train kan haha). So we decided to bring the kids outing, taking the train to Butterworth and might as well visit the (not so) newly opened Penang Sentral.

Penang Science Cluster @ Heritage, Georgetown, Penang

Penang Science Cluster (PSC) @ Heritage is located at at the Wisma Yeap Chor Ee, Georgetown, Penang. It was launched on 5 December 2015.

PSC is a non-profit organisation with a mission to build a pipeline of talent in by sparking interest in science and technology, creating a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship among the youngsters. PSC inspires students through hands-on, inquiry-based science and technology programs.

I'm a dōTERRA wellness advocate!

A few friends approached me, inviting me to try essential oils (EO) as they thought I'm not using any. Maybe because I've never shared publicly that I actually use EO. I've been using dōTERRA oils for more than 2 years now. Thanks to Eqin for introducing me to dōTERRA.

I'm not against medicine, I still go to clinic when needed. But with EO, it helps reducing minor pain like headache, stomach ache and minor cuts using natural oils. And diffusing makes the room smells good too!

I am not sure why I've never shared about me using essential oils, but since I'm joining the 30-day photo challenge on Instagram, and will be taking A LOT of photo, so yeah, might as well use it for the blog. Hahaha!

Fun and educational games by Happy Go KL

Everyday, we will try to find time to spend with the kids before they go to sleep, not matter how late Daddy comes back from work. Sometimes we play train and tracks, sometime we play with blocks.

And of course, one of Balqis' favorite is playing this Lizards and Ladders board game by Happy Go KL - All About Kuala Lumpur for Families. I like that the game comes with beautiful theme of Malaysian rainforest.

Really tall and long shelf at BookXcess in Gurney Paragon, Penang

So, have you heard about the newly opened book store with a really tall and long shelf?

It's the well know parent of the great Big Bad Wolf book sales, the BookXcess Bookstore now opened in Gurney Paragon mall, Penang!

Located at Level 7 and 8 of Gurney Paragon Mall, this is their 8th outlet and the first store out of the central region! The book store covers over 26 000 sq ft with countless numbers of shelves.

It is also an insta-worthy bookstore, trust me. Too bad I was too occupied with the kids that I did not get the chance to get myself captured for insta purpose lol.

Natural baby products by Chomel Baby

After I read about the negative sides of parabens, I have been switching more to natural products than I was before, especially when it comes to my babies' product. Unfortunately parabens are everywhere, in most commercial products. They can be found in all soaps, body washes, shampoos, and moisturizers.

I first heard of Chomel Baby products when Babydash.com agreed to sponsor for our International Babywearing Event last October and one of the items they gave was Chomel Baby Breast Pump and Bottle Cleanser.

And now I got the chance to try their baby Head to Toe Wash, Daily Lotion and Baby Wipes.

DIY Kids Art & Craft at Craftomon's, MyTown Kuala Lumpur

Craftomon's by Open Playschool is a children activity store in MyTown shopping mall, Kuala Lumpur. The Craftomon's store is located at Level 1, in front of the escalator near link bridge to IKEA.

We stumbled upon this store while we were there and Balqis requested to do some painting. There are a lot of art and craft activities to do there.  Some of the DIY arts and craft things that you may purchase to bring home, or do it there at the store are key-chain, fridge magnet, coin banks, photo frames and many more.

Of course we like this store. Even though both of us are from science background, we always encourage Balqis to do arts & crafts. And she herself likes to do all those painting, cutting, doodling.

Tips for Eating Out with Kids

Eating out is usually a great treat for the whole family. Mummy gets to rest from cooking while the whole family get to enjoy good food.

But since we have kids, we always have to think on how to get them occupy at the dining table. Of course we do not want them, especially Balqis, to run around the restaurant. And Bilal would be easily bored sitting at the table for too long since he's in the exploring phase. 

And we have no (or very little time) smart phone policy for the kids, hence we have to be creative and think of other ways to keep them busy and comfortable at the same time. So we can have our meals happily, too! LOL.

Balqis' first day of school orientation

Indeed, time do flies so fast.

I still can imagine when I first hold Balqis in my hand four years ago, and now she's going to school already. She's going to a five years-old class in 2019 but school orientation started last Monday, together with school holiday programme for her kindergarten.

We had been telling her that she would be going to school since months ago to get help her subconscious mind being prepared, or at least we hope so.

"Nanti Mummy belikan Balqis books, pencils, bag nak pergi sekolah."

"Kakak tak nak beg. Kakak dah ada beg dah yang Mummy beli tu."

Referring to a RM5 bag I got from Big Bad Wolf book sales. Ain't she just soooo sweet and tak membazir like Mummy? Hahaha!

Honestly, I was worried that she might be crying, or refuse to stay at school. Even though we've been telling her that we would leave her at school and we would be going to work, she kept on saying "Mummy lah jaga kakak kat school nanti."

She has never been without us since she was born. The only person we ever leave her with is her babysitter. She even cry one time when we were out having dinner with the whole family at a restaurant and taking turn to go to surau to perform solat. She was following her grandmother and aunties to the surau and halfway she suddenly realized husband and I weren't going (we waited at the restaurant) and she cried out loud. They had to send her back to us at the restaurant. *facepalm*

So, on Monday morning, we woke her up early and got her ready for school. Had our breakfast together and ready to send her to school. She looked happy and I was less nervous. We had a parent-kid session first in the morning where we make craft and singing together, just to warm things up I guess.

Learn & Fun Trip to Pusat Sains & Kreativiti Terengganu

From my recent post on our Jalan-Jalan Terengganu trip, many had asked me about the Pusat Sains dan Kreativiti Terengganu. It seems that many have never heard of the place, just like me if we were not going to Kuala Terengganu hehe.

Pusat Sains & Kreativiti Terengganu (PSKT) or Terengganu Science & Creativiti Centre is located at Kampung Laut, Chendering, Kuala Terengganu, which is about 15 to 20 minutes drive from Kuala Terengganu city centre. I'm not sure if there are any public transportation to go there as we went there by car.

Visit to Pusat Sains Negara, Bukit Kiara, Kuala Lumpur

Last Sunday, we went to Pusat Sains Negara or the National Science Centre, which is located at Bukit Kiara. The entrance fee for the centre is quite affordable, i.e RM 6 for adults, RM 3 for children (7 - 12 years old and senior citizen) and free for kids below 6 years old.

Going into the indoor galleries, you'll first walk under the Freshwater Fish Aquarium. The aquarium is the main entrance to the indoor galleries.

Benbat YummiGo Feed & Go Booster Seat

Tired of looking for clean baby high chair when going out to the diner? Not enough baby chair, all are occupied? Let your baby seat on your lap during meal time is not the best option isn't it?

Here's come the solution! Check out this Benbat YummiGo Feed & Go Booster Seat!

The YummiGo Booster Seat is lightweight, portable booster seat that can hold up to 20kg.

 It is as compact as a bag when folded, and have extra storage space where you can put all your baby's stuff inside.

Open House Event Space, Bukit Mertajam, Penang

Open House Event Space is a newly opened event space located in Bukit Mertajam, Seberang Perai, Penang. The Open House is a kid-friendly open space which cater a smaller crowd with smaller budget place for meet-up, party, event or easy-going talk and workshop.

Visit to KL Tower Mini Zoo

The KL Tower Mini Zoo is located just before the entrance to the KL Tower. The concept is similar to Farm in The City in Seri Kembangan. I think it is managed by the same company/group. Some of the animals in the zoo are birds, guinea pigs, hedgehogs, rabbits, monkeys, foxes, raccoons, tortoises and alpacas. 

Balqis loved the alpaca so much that she keeps on telling us about how she touched the alpaca till today.