Alhamdulillah the kiddies are taking to Ramadhan well, or as well as can be expected out of cheeky bunnies

Emily has been fasting, but she’s managed that for the last couple of years. Alisha is still too young, but we’re trying to completely wean her off the milk bottle during this month (down to 2 bottles a day only). Haris, is another story…

This little cheeky boy wakes up with the rest of us for Sahur- doesn’t complain at all. He’s usually knocked out before Isyak to be able to follow us for terawih prayers. On the first day of puasa, he lasted till about late afternoon. On the 2nd day, we went to Emma’s house, and he bullied Bibik Atikah to give him some water around 4ish. Yesterday, Papa sent him with Alisha to Emma’s house to sleep over a couple of days. He broke fast before noon- throwing tantrum with Bibik Atikah, while Emma was at the mosque. Obviously, that won’t so, and Papa dragged him back home on the way back from work. Today, after sahur, he agreed to last the go the whole mile. Haha… Papa got a call from Mama saying Haris called at 9am to ask for permission to break fast. Then again at 10am. In fact that cheeky boy has already eaten a biscuit before calling Mama. But it’s okay, he’s only 7; and it’s good training. He fasted a full day before in Kindie, so Papa believes he can do it, but with supervision… haha.

Now, little Alisha decided not to follow Papa back yesterday. So, for the first time, she’s slept over without any other member of the Kiddie Crew (even her Bibik for that matter) around. She’s growing up so fast! But I’m proud of her. In this respect, her development is faster than with the other two. Mama was of course sad that her little angel did not come home.

This morning when Mama called her, she refused to come home. Saying she wants to stay 3 days over at Emma’s. “What about your milk?”  Mama asked. She replied she didn’t need any. Then the devious little girl laid her gambit-

“Sebab Mama tak kasi Lisha tidur bilik Mama.” Merajuk rupanya… hehe. “Lisha suka tidur kat bilik Emma- ada Declan, ada Aunty Mel…” she went on. “Bilik Mama best- sejuk, ada air-cond.” Like her room doesn’t! She was actually trying to ransom us to let her sleep more days in our room. Sneaky girl!

Well, Lisha- Mama told Papa she was very sad that her little angel didn’t want to come home. When Papa called after that, she was still trying to milk a deal out of the situation. In her most sobbing voice, she said “…sebab Papa tak peluk Lisha! Kalau Lisha peluk Mama, dia angkat nanti bila Lisha dah tidur!”

“Lisha tak suka bilik Lisha. Lisha nak katil baru- katil Mickey Mouse.” Wait a minute now! The stakes has suddenly gone up. Haha- told you she was sneaky. “Tapi, it’ll still be in your room, Lisha.” Papa countered.

“Taklah. Lisha boleh tidur kat bilik Papa. Katil tu keeeeciiik aje. I miss my Mickey Mouse bed!” she said with penuh manja. You haven’t gotten it, and already you’re missing it- yeah, lay the guilt thick darling

Anyway, Papa finally got her to agree to come home tonight. The price? A visit to Papa’s office. Oh! I can already hear her bragging about it to the other kiddies. Then Papa will hear the choruses of “Not fair! Alisha gets to go.” Haha… out the pot into the fire. Who says parenting isn’t fun!

Whatever the case, tonight some little bunny will sleep with her Papa holding her tight.

Wishing all our Muslim brothers and sisters a blessed and wonderful Ramadhan. May all our ibadah be fully accepted during this bountiful month.

Masjid Wilayah, Jalan Duta

My Gals Going For Terawih Prayers

August- the name itself speaks for itself. Indeed, every year, the month of August will be filled with so many events and activities that it’ll be hard to catch a weekend when you can just put your feet up and do nothing.

These days, August means presents and celebrations for the 2 elder Kiddies- Haris and Shahira. Haris turned 6 on the 11th and Shahira 8 on the 21st. My, how fast time does fly. How easy it is to lose track of the moments that make a life time; and how much more precious it becomes to capture and and be able to remember the experiences. I’m still wondering whether it was better in those days of film and prints- you chose your shots well… there may not be many; but it adds to the whole emotions of the moment. But that’s a whole other story (for a different blog).

We had a small party this year for the two at KJ. It was a bit of a rush as Mama these days is occupied by her MBA classes during the weekends. So when a Saturday suddenly cleared up- we moved the event a week earlier to the 9th. As such, many of the things we had planned to keep the kids occupied went missing, due to the shortness of time. I still can’t believe some people need 7 days notice just to prepare helium balloons. Well, let bygones be bygones.

It turned out to be a fun party anyway. and thank you all for coming and the presents (btw, some of the invites also went haywire and apparently not many people are as FB addicted as this old man). I had hoped to see some people there, but it’s a busy month for many others to. In fact, some friends were double or triple booked for the day! Well, thank you for coming all the more.

On the birthday side- it was also Tok Abah’s birthday, Aunty Chris, Aunty Zaila, Aunty Intan and I’m sure for many others I just can’t recall at the moment.

And what about weddings? Congrats to all the newlyweds- Dino, Hans, Wafa (to name a few)- we share in your excitement even though we can’t be there for some of you. We wish you happiness to last a lifetime. On that note, there’s a couple of weddings coming up that we look forward to as well

We did manage to go to Singapore on the 23rd-25th for a short trip (wedding), and it was a welcomed break for the kiddies; and a tiring one for Papa who’s the designated driver. We drove down on Saturday morning, and back on Monday noon- to avoid the rush.

So, with that we’ve come nearer to a closure for a packed August month (Only my pockets are not so august- must remember to budget extra for future recurrence).

Yesterday (30th) started early for Papa and Shahira- we went to Stadium Juara Bukit Kiara for a colouring competition. We arrived at 8 am and registered (her school SK Sri Hartamas entered her and a bunch of classmates). She was in Category B (7-9 year olds). We met up with Amelyn and her father, and the 2 stuck together. Papa had to go off about 9 for a meeting in KL, and Aunty Mel was to pick her up later.

Imagine my surprise when Shahira called later and told she won 5th place! My daughter? Winning (albeit 5th place) at colouring? Well, that definitely puts all the murals on the home walls worth it, now doesn’t it? Haha… apparently the teacher took the prize so she can be presented it during the School Assembly next week.

Opah, Aunty Rita and Uncle Manan also came back from Mecca from their Umrah. We went over to Aunty Rita’s place after Maghrib; and are thankful to God for their safe return.

That brings us to the penultimate event every 31st August since 51 years ago- Independence Day. This years motto is – “Perpaduan Teras Kejayaan” meaning “Unity is the Thrust of Success”. As Mama had her class Sunday mornings, Bibik on leave and Shahira at Emma’s- it was left to Papa to watch over Haris and Alisha. We watched the Parade on TV, and went over to the windows to see the jet fighter and helicopter fly-bys. Unfortunately, the heavens were cloudy and hazy. So whereas last year we had a fantastic view, this year we only had glimpses as visibility was bad (but they did fly close by the apartment).

And as we come to the close of the August month of August, we start an even more blessed month tomorrow- Ramadhan. Let’s see how the kiddies will do this time round. So “Selamat Berpuasa” to all Muslims everywhere, and May Allah accept our deeds and forgive us all our transgression this year before.

Haris is officially 6 today (well, by Gregorian calendar any way). Papa hopes that you’ll stay being dashing, sensitive and caring; the way you are now. Next year, will be a whole new chapter with starting Primary 1, and all.

For this year at least, you’ve picked up a new skills- roller blading (the latest), recitation of the simpler ayats and doas. Perhaps you can finally follow Mama and Papa to Terawih Prayers this coming Ramadhan. That’ll be a big step…

Anyway, we had a joint advance party last Saturday, and the pictures can be found following this link: – Gallery- Haris & Shahira’s Party.

The best bit of the party was when this cheeky boy was about to cut his cake- he announced to all gathered that he was going to cut Ben10′s “pet-pet”. How obscene!

Wishing all Muslims, especially family and friends, “Selamat Hari Raya!”

Minta maaf zahir dan batin, if we don’t get to see each other in person.

We will be in KJ on the first day, so maybe we’ll see you there.