all about KIDS

Ian's Christmas Bunting

2011-12-16T01:55:00.000-08:00

Ian had to create his classroom for Christmas last week.
Her teacher asked the children to bring Christmas decorations from home.
They might purchased it or made for their class something special.

Ian chose the second option.

He made his first simple Christmas bunting.
He cut triangle shapes from my fabric stash and I help him to use the sewing machine to sew the straight simple line onto the ribbon to connecting all the triangles.

I'm so happy to see he was excited with his project.
Today he cebrating Christmas at school before starting his -3 weeks- Christmas holiday, starting next week.

Ian told me that one of his best friend said, " Oh Ian...you're too creative!"
haha....

A surprised from 7 yo kid!

2011-06-18T16:46:00.001-07:00

Last week my old classmates from college had appointment to do a photography hunting day on old city Semarang, my city. It's a coastal city on north Java island in Indonesia. That area - the old city- was a former Dutch colony.
My friends did the photo hunting a whole day there, walking around the old city area, found many interesting objects.
My 7 yo kid, Ian accompanied us and I gave him a simple Canon digital piocket camera.
But oh my....when my friends and I saw his pictures for the first time...we all surprised!!
These are very good work from an 7 yo kid, my friends told me :)
Actually that moment was the first time he really into in taking pictures.
And I surprised he enjoyed very very much!!
I could only accompany my friends for half day because I had to take my cello class and just let him joined my friends until afternoon.
Also surprised he didn't look for me for the rest of that day until I picked him up, hehe...
Enjoy his pictures...

These 2 pictures of my husband and I were taking by Ian when we're at -the Peek- a Contemporary Art Gallery also located in the old city.

This was my husband's idea ...being 'similar' with the statue :)

I miss my blog!!

2010-11-30T16:40:00.000-08:00

This morning...after I read Ellen's blog, my darling blogfriend, it touched me to take a look at my first blog, here. Yes, I miss my blog! I found that I miss writing here :)

So for warming up after soooo...long I left this blog, I'll put some pics of my kids.
I just realized how fast they're growing. Wow...

Always miss every moments where they're still babies, toddlers, preschoolers...
With them my life always be an adventure, a pretty nice one :)
Thanks, kids !

Enjoying Indonesian traditional batik painting at the Mall.

2010-04-02T21:57:00.001-07:00

My kids had great experience this week. Three of them really get fun this week.
Actually I had written this moment in my other blog, just can't help my self to write over again here, a blog that I dedicated for them.

On a rainy evening after we spent times on a mall, my little boy saw an interesting spot on the corner. He saw a lady did batik painting on fabric. Anyone could try doing Indonesian traditional batik painting there. We should only pay about 4 U$ for one person.
First, the little one tried to do the project with the help of the lady.

Then not too long, his big brother and sis also participated in joining him painting.
For coloring for Indonesian batik we use natural dyed colors made from flower's petal, leaves, root of a tree, or even soil. Specifically these natural colors used only on batik handmade painting, not the ones that produced from a printing batik factory. That's why batik handmade painting is a lot higher in price than batik printing from factory.

These are their finished batik handmade painting.

Have a sweet dream "little Tiger"

2010-03-17T21:21:00.000-07:00

My hubby took this pic while the little "tiger" was having his nap yesterday.
We both know that just for a blink of our eyes he's gonna be a big boy.
Maybe couldn't cuddle him anymore.

She's on the way become a "young woman"!

2010-03-09T18:27:00.000-08:00

She's my daughter, the eldest.
I'm so happy and proud for her because she had passed the test for continuing her study at the best Jesuit high school here, in our city, Kolese Loyola. It will started on June.

Hmm...time fast so quickly for me! Still captured in my mind how cute she was as a little girl. But now....she's taller than me! To my eyes she's getting on the way becoming a 'young woman' already.
She heart drawing sketches and love playing Looklet online lately (fashion creating game).

Getting to know what she heart in from time to time always interesting to me.

This pic is created by her. Sometimes she plays editing her pics with Picassa, trying every effect.
I'm so lucky to have her :)

He's 13 now!

2010-01-25T19:05:00.000-08:00

Here's a new pic of my sons. One of them is 13 a week ago.
Wonderful blessing to have them.

Christmas and Holiday

2009-12-25T22:01:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas to all my blogger friends.
Hope you have a beautiful Christmas :)
Btw, have you received "gift" this year ?

I did.
My hubby is at home with us again! Togetherness... that's my precious gift for this year.
We're going out of town tonight, celebrating Christmas season with the kids for a week.
Hope I can continue my blogging activity after the holiday.

Also hope we can all keep the Christmas spirit in our heart all year long :)

wonderful weekend

2009-12-04T19:53:00.001-08:00

Finally we're on December!
First advent almost gone, entering the second one soon.
All of us excited on this month. My hubby and their dad will come home on Dec.17 from Holland.
Christmas is waiting after that...then next: Family travelling!!
Ah, hope time really flies! Faster, faster...:)

The busy week of kids final tests for this semester has over.
To celebrate it 4 of us are going to attend a classical concert this Saturday afternoon.
Hope the weather still good. Not hot, not rain but a little bit cloudy ..
What a perfect day for this wonderful weekend!

Thankful

2009-11-25T19:05:00.000-08:00

This is not gonna be a long post, just a little THANKFUL note of
everything I have in life'
Family, Friends and Love

every happenings that happened and touched my life

every moments when HE walks along beside me or carry me ...

for all my LIFE

Cozy Sunday

2009-11-22T20:38:00.000-08:00

We didn't do serious activities yesterday.
Just all together at home while the weather was really cloudy outside.
The boys were playing around at the backyard, doing jump rope, acting like super heroes, while their sis taking pictures of them.

I enjoyed the day, reading .... playing games at computer and ended the cozy afternoon baking a sponge chocolate cakes for kids. I always love to see the dough when the mixer spinning like this.

but so sorry....no pic of the cake itself...
You know kids....as soon as I carry it outside from the oven...then DONE!
They said.."We're very hungry when the weather like this Mom", haha....

Our Rooms

2009-11-08T19:52:00.000-08:00

Being one of the member in Moments made me want to capture our own rooms at home in very real condition..
Here is a part of our living room where my kids usually watch TV, do their home works (although they have their own desk at their rooms, I don't know why they just love being here together), having their meal on that table too, even browsing from his netbook on this table! Oh, how we love this table so much :)

Look, where do I put my sewing machine? There at my , actually...that's my dressing table, but I've never used it unless for seeing my hair when combing.

And these all my fabrics....my treasures that I keep in a simple plastic container. Just being there in my bedroom on the corner... My laptop always on the bed.

I don't know about your bedroom...but mine...hmmm...never been in neat and tidy condition when the kids at home. They just love being here, lying there while chatting with their siblings or me. Sometimes when I take a look at those interior magazine or a pic at somebody's blog, then see those perfect bedroom....I just said "wow.. how could ....etc"
But....never regret to have all the messy in our rooms. We love our home.
My daughter had ever said, "Is it weird or not, Ma? Every time we stay at a modern and cute hotel for a holiday trip still we miss to be back here after a while. Look, we don't have rooms like the hotel has..." haha...
Yes, Absolutely...I do like her, always miss our home :)

Pet Day

2009-11-02T19:12:00.000-08:00

I can't believe to see his enthusiasm in taking away his 2 little fish to school.
Today is Pet Day at his elementary school. It's his first.
He take the small jar carefully when we get inside the car.
Hmm...good thing for responsibility lesson.
He also excited to meet his friends that want to take their dogs to school.

Soon after he's home again, he told me that he showed and told about his fish in front of the class. He gave them name 'Fishie' for the small one and 'Fushie' for the big one.

Where's Waldo?

2009-10-17T14:16:00.001-07:00

Know this unusual great book?
I've just found it at a church bazaar yesterday. The kids and I get hooked on this unusual game book. It kept us busy for quite a while. Exciting to look for Waldo everywhere at every page. Somewhere in the milling crowd...

Look, where's Waldo? :D

My kids love this game book and said "We have to find another books of him, Ma"

Feeling Blue??

2009-10-15T19:59:00.000-07:00

Aah...I love the lyrics of this beautiful song.

Just remind me of my daughter and I feel a little bit blue..
She gonna be a "butterfly" soon, well 4 - 6 years from now is not long enough, right?

Having Dream

2009-10-11T00:41:00.000-07:00

As far as I remember I always have such a dream, one follow after another since I was a little.
I can't remember if my parents told me to do so or I've got the idea from books or it was original, my very own idea. It doesn't matter anymore to me .

The most important thing I've got for having a dream is... it had helped me to move on from time to time. As a shy-quiet little girl who comes from a not-so-warm family that love doesn't show easily between us (I mean we haven't say 'I love you' easily to each other), having a DREAM just like having a TRUE LOVING FRIEND.
When I looked back I found (and surprised) that many good events happening at every stage in my life because of my dreams.

So I often say to my own kids for always having a dream as long as they live and never be afraid to catch it. Start always from small steps..
I do still have dreams at this moment and I share with my kids. I hope it would help them grow into their own dreams. I believe DREAM will lead us to many wonderful unpredictable places...do you?

Solving Problem in Spelling

2009-10-07T19:46:00.000-07:00

I sometimes found difficulties in teaching Ian how to spell words for his language art lesson although I know I shouldn't since he's only on 1st grade. He said to me once, "It's ok with my teacher Ma. She said I did a good job, only have to study a little bit harder in spelling. Just a little bit! "
haha...that's the point!

Yesterday he has to memorize the words 'pretzel' and 'teasing'. Just on our way to school this morning I found a silly way to memorize it. I don't know if it's good or not for a kid to learn, but I found he could laugh a lot and could spell it right, not forget again. I also love this quickie way of memorizing.

This is what I've done..
For 'pretzel' I compared the begining sound of 'pretzel' to sound of his farted 'prettt..'
This made him laugh out loud at the car. He said "I know how to write it, easy peasy Ma.."

For the other word 'teasing' I remind him how he loves our teatime together at the afternoon.
While we having our tea we can also hear our heart 'sing' happily. Just mix the 2 of them, 'tea' and 'sing'.
you know what..it works!
I don't care if it's a 'silly method' or not for learning as long as he feel happy to learn words and memorize easily :)

He lost his first milk teeth today!

2009-10-01T08:45:00.000-07:00

Ian was very excited this morning. He lost his milk teeth, at the front, for the first time. He's very happy because he said to me, " Now, I'm almost a big boy soon!"
haha....

"I miss my School"

2009-09-09T19:39:00.000-07:00

"I miss my school", he said that last night just before went to sleep.
Oh, so sweet...made me smile!
I think that's the word every mom in the world want to hear from their kids about school.
Yesterday, my lil boy stayed at home because of his fever.
The word didn't just bring smile to me, but also convinced me more that I had chose the 'right' place for him to learn. At first, some of my friends had ever asked me,
"Do you really want to send your boy to that school?"
Because they're thinking that school is giving too much freedom for little kids in many ways, very different from others government public schools, has been running only for 4 years (not long enough to prove the quality, they said) and top of all, it's quite expensive.
Even my hubby was a little bit worried at first about my choice and these issues of the school, but not now.
I don't know why, I just believe and trust my heart that my boy would be at the best place for learning there. Simply just went together with my boy to one of my friend's house that her kid was studying there on 4th grade. We were seeing all his books and folders, chatting about the school. After that take a pleasure trip with the boy to the school, just like that.
I remember he loved the class at first sight.
then now... miss his school.

Hope I didn't make a wrong choice for him.
He was getting better last night and this morning I've sent him to school.

From 'AUNT' to 'ANUT' then ended to 'ALIEN'

2009-09-04T22:30:00.000-07:00

I found often that every time I almost lost my patience when accompany Ian to learn how to spell or write, there's something funny happened and made me laugh. His innocent made this happened. Our main purpose would substitute with something else.
This was our conversation this Saturday morning when we were learning how to make a family tree picture and write down the words under every picture. He always write 'aunt' with mistake spelling 'anut'.

Me: "Ian...gosh, how come you write this 'anut' over and over again? The right spelling is A-U-N-T, Ian...."
Ian: (silent)
Me: "You know what, if you write like that it will sound like an alien's name..."

I tried to make a joke, so he won't be sad or at least want to write again.

Ian: "Hah? Alien? Really, is there an alien who have name like that?"
He became curious with his 'funny' facial expression.
Well, you can guess.. after that we won't talk again about the "AUNT" thing, but "ALIEN".
Wrong strategy from me, haha...maybe that's why he can't spelling other words either.
Often our 'talking' spread everywhere, but it's fun and we enjoy it. Ah, forget about "AUNT".

My All 'Special' Birthday Gifts

2009-08-27T19:28:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was my 40th birthday. Without my hubby here seem something missing, no dine out as we usually did. But I've got plenty of happiness by receiving b'day wishes at Facebook and Flickr from my dear old and new friends. Aah...having friends is really wonderful blessing!
Three of my kids also gave me 'special' gifts. My daughter made me an omellete for dinner, the middle boy gave me an afternoon late kiss since he was hurry to school and forgot it was my b'day that morning and the little one finally gave me an unusual gift I've ever had, after he was thingking hard at school (he said like that).
He said, "Ma,since you really love my puffy butt, so my butt is forever for you."
haha.... since I really love to kiss my kids' bottoms when they're still little kids especially after they're having bath (I just like its smell and damp cold feeling)
"One more, Ma. I'll sleep with you tonight for an extra gift".
Oh...what a touching wonderful gift!
Not but least my hubby also sent me a lovely poem via email. It almost made me cry although (I know) it was a'copy paste' poem. :)

Really a perfect birthday celebration..
Like my brother in law texted me as a birthday wish:
"Birthday are the perfect time to think of all you've done. That's made your life so meaningful.".

Be Focus One at a Time, Still Learning..

2009-08-25T08:23:00.000-07:00

This afternoon I accompanied my little boy to learn his 1st grade Science subject. It's about Insect and Fish and tomorrow he's going to have a written test.
It was really fun when I first started to read for him. Lots of colorful pictures on the book. And then come to the moment he should read.....still enjoy it, but not as much as before. And then come to the moment to write...
Oh my...he wrote so slowly with some mistake spellings. Sometimes I have to be patience a LOT!
Meanwhile in my mind there was still a wait-to-do list for tonight.

well, I know it's not fair for him to have his mom beside him, but not totally focus on him! I said to him "come on, boy..you can do it", but inside "hurry up, boy!!I want to make your chicken steam rice for tomorrow's breakfast, I want to read my email, I want to update my Facebook, I want to play Farm Town,I just want to be relaxed.."
hahaha...I'm a bad mom sometimes. Still need to learn how to be focus one at a time. How about you?

Saturday Morning

2009-08-21T20:00:00.000-07:00

I always love Saturday morning and the calming aura in itself. No need to hurry, just enjoying the morning. Today is still just like that, the perfect one I think. The air this morning is wonderful.
All the kids are at home, enjoying their 3 days of public holidays since yesterday.

We wake up late, well..not really, just the kids. I mean I was be the first, but still soo... late. Made my self a cup of warm tea then started to try my friend's recipe of an old fashioned cheesy bread, still in a slow motion of Saturday rhythm. Very sweet of her to create it for me. That used to be my favorite bread from my childhood years when we're still neighbors. We used to buy from the same seller. And finally this is the bread.....

I surprised she still remember its chessy taste, really similar! I just changed the butter into margarine and add 4 teaspoon of flour to the filling in trying to thicken the filling and meet the salty taste I want.

My lil' boy accompanied me in the kitchen, I let him played with the dough, after he giggled many times in trying many weird shapes finally he made a little turtle bread for his own.

As soon as the baking completely done, we all have our late breakfast. Watched a good warmhearted movie together, then took a late morning bath and now check my email, writing this post...while the kids busy with their own activities without disturbing me.
Ah, I don't think I can accurately put into words what a wonderful Saturday morning we have...

"Why don't you kick him back?"

2009-08-12T19:10:00.000-07:00

Yesterday when my lil' boy came out of the school and on the way to the car parking area he told me that one of his friend who often hit other friends without any reason, this time kicked him on his eyes without any reason as usual. Luckily there wasn't any hurt or red mark left on his eyes.
I said, "Why don't you kick him back? So next time he doesn't dare to hit you again."
Know what my lil' dear boy said?
"Mom, I can't hit anybody without any reason. I'll feel not good at heart. Ms.Lani saw when he hit me and has already talked to him with her eyes like this...(he made a round shape with his thumb and middle finger and smiled). I don't want Ms.Lani scold me too, like the way he did to Josh."

Oh my... I never imagine he would say like that. Seems he wiser than me!
Last week I noticed that he also hit him on his stomach and my son only said,
"Josh, don't hit my stomach. It's a pity of my stomach, it will cry ." hahaha...

I had ever heard other moms told this boy's bulliying behaviour on his young aged. At first I just thought they're only kids, let the teacher handle it, mommys don't need to interfere, but not this time I think. haha...Like others mom, I just can't allow other kids hit my son without any reason. Kind of accepting bulliying when I don't make nothing.
As soon as we're at home, I texted his teacher about the problem and believe she would have a good solving problem.

Aah...my lil' son told me about another precious lesson of life :)
If we do the same bad thing, we just as bad as him.
But what about if it's the name of self defence? What would you gonna tell your kids?

About a Lesson in Gender

2009-08-10T19:16:00.000-07:00

Ian showed me his drawing after he arrived home from school.
While he was showing it he told me that it was a picture of himself playing football and on the corner of the page he also draw someone was cooking in a small kitchen. "It's also me", he said.
"I want to play football and learn how to cook".

I figured out from his story that his teacher told the kids to draw a picture that could describe what they want to do and learn at this moment. Anything... is possible said the teacher.

Ah, I'm glad to see his drawing. It has showed me (I hope) that he understand there's no girl or boy's job in this world. Man and woman is equal and can do everything they want to do. You know, I always tell this to the kids since they're young and showed them simply that their daddy and mommy do household works together side by side at home.

But, it's a pity now I've lost his drawing...I forget where I keep it. Sigh!

Mistake Spelling

2009-08-05T07:54:00.000-07:00

click pic for a better view

At first when I saw his writing in this way couple of times, I started to worry because there are so many mistake spelling. I've tried to teach him to write in right spelling, but fail.
Finally I came to his teacher and asked one of my friend -Rachel- in blogland (she's a montessori teacher)and these are their answer..

I shouldn't have worried too much about spelling in first grade as long as I can tell that my son is trying to "sound out" the words and as long as he is working on his reading.
It's very normal when 1st grade kids are guessing the spelling by using the sounds in the spoken word to figure it out on their own. This is a great way to start writing and will improve as children practice. I have found that as a child practices and improves their reading skills, the spelling will also improve because they are seeing words over and over again and figuring out tricky spelling rules on their own. At this age children really do absorb all the knowledge around them!

Well, just enjoy your first grade Ian. I don't need to worry at all from now on.

14 !!

2009-07-31T23:53:00.000-07:00

Today I collect some of her pics and create a new album of hers in my flickr.
Amazing to see how she's growing up so fast from baby till now!

Happy birthday, Natalie.
I'm so thankful to have a daughter like you.
There's no other who could fill your shoes.
I love you very much!

When everybody get sick

2009-07-23T20:16:00.001-07:00

I've never been through such an 'experience' like this before, along my journey as a mom for 3 kids. Three of them were sick together at the same time! Actually it was not a 'bad' disease, just common flu, but this time all of them get fever, bad cough and nauseous. Really terrible.. especially when I haven't had hubby around with us.

The long of their absences from school were variate, the oldest had 3 days, the middle just 1 day and the little one 2 days.
There was one day when they're together at home. All I heard from them:
"Ma, I get terrible dizzy" (while crying),
"Ma, I had thrown up at the bed"(this is the most I hate it, clean up the mess after),
"Ma, I can't breath"(this is not a real "can't breath", just because he got asthma too so he couldn't breath comfortably).
I almost just couldn't stand to hear all that together in the same minutes.

Well, after all .. when this would be happen again, I know what I have to do, in a better way...
I remember one nice quote about health, " We only really know and understand about health if we ever get sick". That's true!

She's a young "woman" now!

2009-07-23T20:10:00.000-07:00

My girl (almost 14 in couple of days) is now a young "woman"!
Not a real woman like we adult think, I mean today she's having her first period..
I have prepared my self and especially her in facing this 'day'. From books, discusion, etc.
So far I see our "preparation" going well ...this morning she just told me in a 'cool' way like this : "Ma, I think I've got my first period last night".
There's no panic (even a little bit) in her voice, life seems usual for her.

Different with me, her mom...
"Are you ok?...Let's find new special panties or you could use mine first. It's ok...You should wear a little bit tight panties so the pantyliner would stay perfect, oh yes...don't forget to peel off the wings, attached to your outside panty....etc, etc..."

hahaha...
Btw, I'm thinking about giving her kind of little sweet present, just for remembering this special day.
What a perfect gift do you think?

You're Special !

2009-07-16T19:29:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was Ian's first day on elementary. We both excited about thinking of his new school, new friends, new teachers. Because it was his first day then I accompanied him to his new class. Nice classroom filled with 21 kids with 2 teachers.
Lucky of me that Ian is a quite independent boy, also has good self confidence. He always brave and excited about new things. I think this good basic behavior comes most from his Montessori education at preschool.

At noon when I picked him up, I saw a little red button pin on his white shirt.
"The teacher gave this button to all of us" , he said.
I just love the word on it....

This is really a good start for every kid for encouragement and knowing they're special. Love it!
Good luck Ian with your new journey into this whole new experiences. I do hope you'll always love to learn along the way and love LiFE!

He's 6 now!

2009-07-03T15:20:00.000-07:00

Today is Ian's birthday.
Gosh, finally he turns 6 now...
As my experiences in parenting with the 2 of my other kids, we're going to go through the new chapter of our journey with Ian. For me 6 is a year of transition, from a world full of tickle, kissing and cuddle to a new world of young boy!
This mid of July he also start his elementary school. Really, this year would be something really special for him and ME :)

You know what he said to me yesterday?
"Ma, I don't want a birthday cake today. Just simply buy me a candle then I blow up.
After wait for so many days, I feel this day is just like usual day. I don't want my birthday today, I want it next year."

Oo...I know he's a little bit sad because his dad is not home. He also didn't want to answer his dad's birthday wishes by phone this morning. I thought he miss him a lot.
But lately he asked this :
"Ma, I want a birthday cake then, but not so big, just a tiny one, ok?
I want to blow the candle and celebrate at grandpa's home tomorrow. So, my birthday not today, but tomorrow>"

hahaha.....
Love you Ian...
Let's celebrate your birthday tomorrow, honey :)

This time is much better!

2009-07-01T15:00:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was my husband's second departure to Holland after having a 1 month vacation here with us. This time is much better! I accompanied him to the airport with the little one, having great and fun conversation while driving because we both focus on talking about our next Christmas or New Year vacation after he finish his study and going back home for good on December.

Look at myself and the kids...no crying at all! Well, a little bit sad... it's ok and normal I think, but now we're more 'confident' with ourselves about walk on our daily life without him.
I remember 6 months ago at his first departure, I was crying in silent and didn't dare enough to accompany him to the airport for saying goodbye. He just took a taxi from home.

I do learn a lot along the way without him at home and so the kids.
Now finally I could be grateful for this chance.

Come on.., you'd better sleep with me...

2009-06-26T15:09:00.000-07:00

"Come on .., you'd better sleep with me. ", that always said every night from 2 of my big kids to their little brother, Ian. After 2 minutes away then it became such like a "battle" between them in trying to have Ian, completed with both sides words influenced to him. This "battle" problem has started after I've arranged Ian's bed in his big brother's room 2 years ago so my preteen girl would has her own privacy.

But, I found my idea that boys should have separated room from girl is fail!
This night Ian could sleep with Natalie, the other night then with Adit. The way it go doesn't as simple as I write this. It should through (again and again) in long debates with many arguments from the 2 of them and often ended up with one side cry and the 2 other sleep together. Sometimes I feel I was a bad "jury" in this case.

Any suggestion from me?
To have 3 of them together in one bedroom is impossible since we don't have any big room left and believe me, they will stay up late because of non stop chatting when together.

Last day of School

2009-06-19T16:23:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was the last day of school for my kids. I'm going to take my kids school report today.
This such like an exciting "guessing" moment for me. What will I read at their report books? Will they going to receive Good rating for most of the subjects or ALL of it?
What should I do if I see bad rating there? Should I angry or just let them feel their disappointment ? Although I have went through this moment many times, still such questions like that pop in my mind.
Hmm...sometimes it's difficult to be a wise mom. Learn, learn and learn all the times ....

No matter what, this afternoon we're going to start our family vacation. Visiting 3 cities and driving along for 4 days together ...Exciting!

Happy Weeks

2009-06-16T14:47:00.000-07:00

Since my hubby has been home again since 2 weeks ago, we all grateful and very happy. Trying to fill each day with fun and simple activities we used to do and enjoy every single minute of this togetherness.
Ah...what a lovely life!

I wish he was 5 forever

2009-05-29T14:23:00.001-07:00

Have you ever had this kind of feeling, just wanna have your little ones stay little so you could cuddle him forever? I have it for this little cute boy. He's going to be 6 on July and soon enter the Elementary school on the same month. Oh, he's going to be a big boy soon...

Not only me that's going to "miss" him, but also his big sis (grade 8 at school). Lately, she asked me on and on for another little baby girl to be her 'new' friend since she thinks his little brother would soon join his big brother (grade 7) and become her new "enemies" together.
OMG..doesn't she think 3 had just enough! haha...
This is his latest picture with his kindergarten friends when they went for an outbound field trip.

Blessing

2009-05-23T15:06:00.000-07:00

Wake up in Sunday morning alone while kids still sleep, no hurry to do list, playing in front of my PC - browsing around (I had just read a beautiful post about 'saturday morning' here) always kind of peaceful moment for me.
It such a blessing to still have this quiet time to start a day. Another blessing to have 3 healthy kids, wonderful husband and family....
Blessings, blessings..

Ah.., remind me to start wake up my kids from beds and maybe we'll go to earliest Sunday mass to say BIG thank you for many blessings we have.
Sometimes it's a difficult "job' to do on Sunday while we want to stay laziness at our peaceful home...although we know we have so many blessing.

So come on, wake up kids!!

Daughter (Dochters)

2009-05-05T15:14:00.000-07:00

My hubby sent this song of Marco Borsato via email to me last night.
I like the song and the words is beautiful. If you have a daughter you should hear this and read the English lyrics I've translated. Just beautiful...
I think that's not only about how fathers feel to see his daughter has grown up, but moms too.

This is the English translation:

Quarter past seven on Sunday morning
I hear a voice very softly to me asking
Are you awake, Daddy?
Get cozy with down?
Do you just work or are you free today?
And then you go with me on stage?
Ohhh, what time is fast
Yesterday I saw her for the first time she was here in m `n arms
What she is beautiful and what is the time her
I `m n blink eyes and see how they are always a bit changed
But how big they may be
In my eyes it always remains small

Quarter past seven on Sunday morning
I hear the front door very gently opening
And I hesitate to fall asleep, she is at home
I `r much prefer to go, but she had asked me if I do not want to stand
They now find its way home

And ohh, what the time is fast
Yesterday I saw her for the first time she was here in m `n arms
What is she pretty
What's the time her
I `m n blink eyes and see how they are always a bit changed
But how big they may be
In my eyes it always remains small

And sometimes, when I `m n blind
We walk together "beach,
Her hand in mine
And then she pauses time
Is the weather just like when
And she'll need me
I love her
As she was
I love her

Quarter past seven on Sunday morning
Is it my voice that makes her gently awake
Today is your big day

What she is beautiful and what is the time her
I `m n blink eyes and see how her heart is good for another is
But wherever they may be
In mind she is here with me
In my eyes it always remains small

Behind That Perfect Shot

2009-04-21T16:11:00.000-07:00

For the last 2 years I've tried to take 3 of them to a photo studio. It always begin with different reponses, the big girl said 'ah...no, Ma', the youngest said 'yipee...', the middle said ' what should I wear?'. It always become an unforgettable moment seeing their poses captured on film in a studio and heard the photographer's comments in trying to make a unique and natural posture of them.

The moment after the picture has already printed ... always become an experience of looking them in picture with a big 'Wow' from the mom. They looked so beautiful to my eyes. Almost can't believe they're now bigger and different from last year pictures.

I smiled to myself when I remember the truth behind that perfect shot....
In the photo, these lovely children looks really cute...as though they never fight, yell or call each other bad words, as though they never kick or hide their sibling toys or stuff.
Ah, I wish they're as lovely as the photo described for each single day :)

but it's only my wish. I do enjoy and love every moment, good or bad with them. It's a treasure!!

This is their last year photo

And these are the new ones... see how different they are now!

My Little Reminder

2009-04-11T15:21:00.000-07:00

I was laughing and felt a little bit ashamed yesterday when I said "Oh my God!!"
then my little boy aged 5 told me like this...

"Ma, it's not a polite way to say like that.
Mr.Steven (his Montessori teacher) said better we should say Omigosh than OmyGod."

Yup, he's definitely right. Thank you Ian for remind me...

I also hope you enjoy your Easter day with your family....

a TRicK for my GiRL

2009-04-09T15:47:00.000-07:00

2 week ago I went to a parents' meeting at my girl's school to receive students mid semester report. She got 5,8 for math and 6 for computer science (here we have scale of 1 - 10 for school grade). Both of us were not happy with those grade.
I tried to punish her this time but in a 'good and fair way' (really not easy at all to find one!). I ever had to promise her something she really want if she have good grades in math, but didn't work. She's really an easy going person and doesn't like if we made a target like that. Not single of gift could move her motivation to get better in math although I knew if she tried a little bit hard then she could. It really spins my head...

So last week I try different strategy. I cut off all her free time in front of our PC at home for 3 months until next July, her last semester. She could only use the PC (for an hour) only if she has at least 9 for every subject at school. 2 hours if she got 10. You know what...my goodness it works!!! I'm happy for her.

Last week she showed me her grade of 10 for Geometry and she got 2 hours playing games online. Another day she came home with 9 for another subject.

Now I know the secret trick for her :)
Wow, kids are really unique..
Prizes for them could be vary so much!

Kissing My Teenage Girl

2009-04-05T02:07:00.000-07:00

This week I have wonderful moments again with my daughter. I mean since my hubby was away, I feel we have better relationship to each other. She seldom to talk sarcasm words to me (you know, with a teenager we often find difficulties to talk to..) and maybe so do I. Haha....
In couple of nights she asked to sleep with me. Aah...I'm really glad. She's back to my little girl again for a while, but still I couldn't kiss and cuddle her anytime I want :)
Really, I want to ask you who have teenagers at home, do they really difficult to kissed by their own mom now? Sometimes when I finally could kiss her, I feel just like I have win a big lottery!!
So..for you who still have little girl/boy, kiss them a lot while they don't avoided.

Btw, I have an award from my childhood friend, Fitri. Our parents had a closed neighborhood relationship at that moment. I met her again in blogspot, isn't that amazing we could keep in touch again? Her blog is always full of yummy and easy recipe and also always full of awesome photos.
Thanks, Fitri :)

Playing with 'Coloring Paper'

2009-03-25T23:11:00.000-07:00

Yesterday Ian was playing with lots of coloring paper while I was writing on my PC and here are what he made . He asked that I should upload them here... :)

my drawing book

I made a sharp kitchen knife for Mama (because he knew my knife was not sharp at all yesterday)

my handphone

spongebob need a pipe for breathing in the sea

hahaha...this one is I love the best!

Writing on Tissue

2009-03-18T14:18:00.000-07:00

When we're sitting at a doughnut & coffee shop, Ian was writing these on the tissue. At first he asked me to read the sentences that printed on it and starting to write his ideas....

It reads..."papa.mama.running from home.JCo.Jcool yogurt (he was eating this at that time)

this one reads... "papa.running to JCo. buying doughnut.yogurt.then mama is angry"

hahaha...funny little things and honest to say. I sometimes get angry to kids...
I'm glad he finally love to learn write.

"3 months, but I feel like 6 months!"

2009-03-10T20:25:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I said to my daughter that I was surprised it’s already March and we’re going to have another Good Friday Mass again. Then I think about my husband-her Dad….
“ It has been 3 months since Papa gone to Holland”
And she said..
“Yeah, it’s already 3 months but I feel like 6 or 7 months!”, she said.

I smiled to her, yes we all feel the same about missing the same person we truly loved.
Time is really relative, isn’t it?

I won’t say that become a temporary “single mom” or ‘life without papa’ for my kids is easy, hmm … not at all especially on the first month.
But we all learned so much together through everything we’re going through. And on these days I think we used to adapt quite good. That’s one of the best lessons in living for our kids….

The Second One about Our Talking....

2009-03-05T12:44:00.000-08:00

Thanks to you friends for commenting on my last post about my conversation with Ian.
You know, after thinking a whole evening I finally found the simplest version about corruption.
This morning, I told him my other new example.

“As an example when I gave you Rp 500,- for buying chewing gum (I know he’s really crazy to this thing right now) then you bought it at Indomart (a small groceries store neaby) by yourself. When you returned home and I asked about the change, you said you didn’t have any left money, because the chewing gum cost Rp 500,-. Actually the chewing gum doesn’t cost Rp 500,- but Rp 300,-. You just keep the change for yourself without telling me. You had corrupted Rp 200,- from me. And also you told a lie. ”

I saw his face, then he told me like this
“ So.. there are 2 meanings of corruption now? The one like yesterday and the other is just like today?”

Hahaha….

“Well, they’re have the same meaning, dear Ian. Today I told you the simplest one. Ok, you can choose which one you like for the story of corruption…”, I don’t know what to say anymore…

“I’ll choose the chewing gum story”, he said with a big smile.

Aah…chewing gum is still on his top list!

A little bit 'Serious Conversation'

2009-03-03T19:19:00.000-08:00

I usually have conversation with Ian in the car on our way to his preschool every morning. The topics could be various, from a silly one to a rather serious matter for kid. Since only two of us in the car (the other 2 go by their school van). I really enjoyed our special “quiet time” with no quarrel between the boys (sometimes I sick in hearing their quarrels in the car!).

This morning I was a bit surprised when finally we got a little bit serious conversation after heard news from a local radio about a member of Indonesian Legislative Assembly had been caught last night in doing corruption transaction with an industrialist. Here in Indonesia, the government seems seriously this time to overcome this ‘sickness’ of our nation. I really hope we could see the good result in the next generation.

Ian asked me, “What’s the meaning of corruption, Ma?”
Didn’t prepare in answering, I said, “ehmm..let me think for a few minutes to find a simple example for you”.
Really, it was difficult for me to find one and explaining clearly to a 5 years old boy.
Then I told him like this..

“For example there are 3 people who want to build a main public street at our city. They are you, your friend Andrew and some one else named Evan. The government should only choose one of you to build it, the best one in making street construction. But at the end, the people from government choose Evan although he’s not good at all. Evan had given some money to the people from the government so that they choose him. Giving and receiving some money like that is not right and you can call that corruption. Do you get it?”

Oh my goodness….I don’t know what the better and simpler story at that time to tell.
Ian was smiling and nodded his head. I don’t know if he’s really understand or not.
I think I should find another simple example.
Any suggestion?

He told a lie...

2009-02-25T19:57:00.001-08:00

Yesterday my boy had a school's field trip with all his classmates. They went to 2 places, first to a groceries store and then to a small post office. From his story after that, I knew that they had to learn in buying and counting their money at the groceries store. At the post office each of them sent a letter to one of their friend,also had to learn how to make a line, buy and attached stamps(parents should give them Rp 30.000 -about U$2,5- for that purposes.

I had reminded him not to buy bubble gum or candy when he was shopping. When I picked him up at school and saw what things he had bought... I was amazed. He bought 2 oranges, a bottle of chocolate milk, a cup of fruit yoghurt and oreo. Smart boy, I said to him. Instantly he said, "I didn't buy bubble gum, Ma". "Good then", I said.

After we arrived at home and I unpacked his plastic grocery's bag, I found a small receipt paper. When I read the things he bought, you know what...aha, there was an item of bubble gum. Was he starting to lie? Well, I didn't angry at him, just say "if you really want it, you just ask me, no need to lie, ok?"

About the bubble gum, yes there's a rule between me and him, he could only chew it under my supervision. Maybe that's the reason why he was lying. He want to do by his own. I was just surprised...this is his first time to tell a lie.

Had you ever have this "first lie" experience with your little one? How could you handle it? I forgot how I managed with his 2 big brother and sister. It was a long time ago..

Children's Letters to God

2009-02-08T04:27:00.000-08:00

I found this link to see all the content of "Children's Letters to God". If you have times please take a look at. So funny, insightful....

The Enrollment Test and My Boy's Elementary School

2009-02-07T16:03:00.000-08:00

Last week was a busy week for me. Many things happened. The happiest one is when my boy past his enrollment test to the elementary school for the next semester. The sadness one when he got cough and flu again because of the weather, too much rain and windy. Thanks God, he'll get better this morning.

About the enrollment test, yes we have it here even when your kids want to go to the elementary for the first time. I don't think it's a best way for kids doing this test, but we-parents can't do much. All schools here have their own systems and seems the government is agree or at least doing nothing and don't have fix regulation about enrollment test for young child.

After waiting outside for about 1 1/2 hours when my boy took the test, I was curious about what the teacher asked or gave him for the test. As an almost 6 years old kid anywhere, he seemed not taking seriously about what just had happened to him (I was a little worried waiting him outside). He just told me he can do the test and he can write and answer teacher's questions in interview session. "What else?", I asked. "I forgot, mom.". Oh my....
Since I choose an English speaking school for him, so there's an interview in English.

Why I didn't choose a regular school for him?
Because for the mainly reason, at regular school teacher is a centered in class not the kids. Kids don't have enough space for explaining what their feelings or what his/her opinion. Young kids' different opinion is not too respected by the teacher. If teacher say this or that, kids should follow...I don't like that kind of environment for studying, because I ever had once when I was kid. For almost 3 months I have been doing some research about this school from other parents that already had their kids there and I've got plenty of positive results, from the working sheets, books and teachers and many more. I trust parents more than the administrative officer of the school.
The other reasons are I want my boy speaks in 2 languages and the school gives more spaces for kids in exploring their writing skill without too much interfering in grammar or shape of the letter in their early years of school. Very different with the regular public school, kids who want to enter the elementary school should have had writing and reading skill very well.

Yesterday afternoon I visit a book store with the kids and found a small interesting books "Children's letters to God" by Stuart Hample. Many beautiful letters there with kid's versions of thinking about God with their own styles handwriting. No editing from the publisher at all because they said "we don't need to edit their writing or grammar because it's already beautifully that way...represent kids own way of thinking". Beautiful....

Chinese New Year

2009-01-25T23:40:00.000-08:00

Today is Chinese New Year and we all have holiday here. I don’t celebrate it, but many of my friends do. Gong Xi FatChoi…for those who celebrate it. Hope all the best luck for this ‘buffalo’ year.

Last Friday before the school got a long weekend, the kids at preschool celebrate it. Every kids received a little red ‘Angpao’ envelope. I and the teachers put 4 chocolates coins in each envelope to replaced the money. It’s a custom for Chinese kids here to have money inside the envelope on Chinese New Year day from their relatives.

They also made a little Chinese doll made from old 'badminton' shuttle cocks and flannel with the helps from teachers.

POLLY

2009-01-25T23:27:00.000-08:00

I know that many kids have their own “precious property” on their early years of life. It could be blanket, toys, so many things. It also happened to my little boy. I’ve just recently aware that whenever he wants to sleep, ‘Polly’ the polar bear should be around him, not always to be hugged. He usually take a look at around the room and asks “Where’s Polly?”. Too see Polly also in the same room with him, make him comfortable to start listening to my story and then sleep. I know he loves his Polly very much.

So I wrote this for him. ..If he get older and become a big boy, he could remember and see again his dearly ‘Polly’ the polar bear.

His 12th Birthday

2009-01-22T14:05:00.000-08:00

Do you remember my post about giving a perfect present ? This time I've learned :)
My son's birthday was on Jan 21, a day after the big Inauguration day of Obama. I gave him this

and he loves....very much!! I just amazed how he grows so fast and couldn't use his old bike with comfort. Sometimes I often amazed too with myself, "how could I have 3 kids and just be fine being their mom? It's such an amazing journey..."

The present wasn't just actually for his birthday, but also for his best school grade this semester. His dad has already promised him a bicycle if he could be the best in his class. he did it and he get the present. Happy birthday to you, son!

Introducing My Girl's First Blog

2009-01-18T04:54:00.000-08:00

She finally make up her mind to have a blog of her own....this afternoon. I'm glad for her :)
She loves drawing manga very much. If you have time, I hope you could visit her blog here and say hi for her first launching in blogland...
Thank you .....

His Special Prayer

2009-01-12T08:03:00.000-08:00

I usually read bedtime story for Ian. I often asked him to pray before sleeping. Here’s his ‘usual’ prayer at most of the nights :
“God I want to go home soon. Please guide and protect me in my way home. Thank you God, in the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.”

I had ever said this to him couple of times,
“I think that’s a pray for going home, Ian.”
“I know, but I love that prayer. At my school I pray like that.”
“Ok”, I finally gave up.

Tonight.. to my surprised he said like this after his bedtime story :
“Ma, I won’t say my ‘after school pray’ tonight.”
“Oh, really?”
“Yes, listen. I want to pray.
“God I want to sleep soon. Please guide and protect me in my way to sleep. Thank you God, in the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.”

Hahaha…
I almost laugh at that time. He only changed the word ‘home’ with ‘sleep’. Oh kid, kid…

The White Linen Bedsheet

2009-01-07T01:00:00.000-08:00

This month my son is going to be 12 and I’m trying hard to find a perfect gift for him.
Talking about gift ….
Have you ever told by your kids something like this?

“Oh, mom … sometimes you’re weird. Why you gave me present a bed sheet? Well, actually I need a new one, but I don’t want it as a gift. I know for sure you chose it because you LOVE that bed sheet.”

Hahaha… Yes, it’s absolutely true, but I just knew she doesn’t like one of the gift. She only loved the chocolates and cute flannel reindeer hanging puppet. About the bed sheet, I chose it because I think its color and pattern would perfectly match with her new quilt blanket I had made for her before Christmas. I remember that I really excited to find it when I was window shopping. I forgot to think over again if my daughter really like it like the way I feel or not.

Many times in many ways I found we as moms always feel “really knowing” what our kids need, but actually we don’t. It’s rather silly, isn’t it? We sometimes forgot to see from their point of views.
So far… have you ever been like this?

Welcoming New Year

2008-12-31T21:10:00.000-08:00

Christmas and New Year’s Eve celebrations are over now. My first day on 2009 is starting to give me my daily routine again, but like in a ‘slow motion pictures’. I need to turn my “energy” back from the holiday season to ‘real life’. All my in laws, nieces and nephews had gone back to their home town this morning. It weird feeling the emptiness and quietness of my home again.

Oh, come on… Henny, don’t let those feeling stay longer; let the spirit of New Year replace it! I still have 3 days more holiday with the kids until next Monday for really ‘starting’ my days.
Yay….new year, new hope, new opportunities… please welcome to my life :)

Happy New Year to you all.

Wanna Meet Your Dad?

2008-12-30T00:52:00.000-08:00

Oh..how I thankful to technology!!
I have been just feeling about that for 2 weeks now. You know what? My kids (and I) still can chat and see their Dad via YM and webcam. In this holiday season we‘re on line with him at least twice a day. Isn’t that great?

At last one day…my little boy had ever push aside his opportunity to chat with his Dad because of how very often we meet each other online. It was interesting to know his reaction…maybe he feels his Daddy still near him so he can talk to him whenever he wants…not when Daddy wants him :)

Christmas Morning's Accident

2008-12-24T16:03:00.000-08:00

I always love to see my kids’ excited and happy faces when they open up their Christmas gift from their Santa's socks. It used to be that kind of morning until something happened to my little boy just a moment ago. He was so glad to find a Winnie the Pooh glass snow globe water ball in his sock. He was walking around the living room and hold the present…suddenly I heard something broke to the floor and his crying. His new snow globe water ball had already broken, fall to the floor…
Oh..what should I do? Ask him to write a letter again for Santa or just take him to the store and buy one…what do you think?

Merry Christmas

2008-12-24T09:18:00.000-08:00

A warm Holiday wish from me ...
hope you have a wonderful Christmas

Something Fun for Christmas

2008-12-23T02:23:00.000-08:00

For 2 days I have been out from my quilting activity. Without my hubby around us this Christmas, I think I should cheer up the kids (and also myself) with doing something fun for their Christmas time.
We did a lots of cookies baking, a little bit cheese here…

And scattered of sugar powder like snow there…

We made Santa’s socks together for the upcoming Christmas Eve… The little one want to fill his sock with some fresh grass for Rudolph the reindeer...

Another Conversation after Praying in the Car

2008-12-18T20:54:00.000-08:00

“Why the sky is so blue after I open my eyes, Ma, not just like ‘the same blue’ I saw before I pray?”, he asked from the back chair after finished his pray for Dad. I took a look at the sky.. no, I think it still the same sky…(adult’s thinking)

Thinking for a sec then I told him maybe because his eyes had just recently closed and rested for a while, so when he open his eyes then he would feel a little bit different, more relaxed so he saw a more blue sky then before. (Oh oh…did I give him right explanation?)

Not satisfied to what I said then he told me, “Yesterday you didn’t say like that..”.
“Oh, what did I say then?”, really I forgot.
“Already forgot? When I asked you after praying, remember…? You said because I pray to the people I loved with a happy heart so when I open my eyes after praying then I’ll see the sky more blue then before.”

Oh yes, I remember, I remember….Yesterday I said like that to him after he pray at the car. I don’t know why he like to pray at the car these 2 days in a row. So.. gosh, I gave him 2 answers.
“Well, honey. I think both of them could be right. I’ll check the book or we’re googling together after school, ok?”
End conversation. Better get googling now after post this and before I'll pick him up :)

I learn something simple but sweet from him.

2008-12-18T20:03:00.000-08:00

“Mom, It’s noisy here.. turn off the radio!”, my little boy told me. We’re in the car on the way to his school this morning and I was listening to a local radio broadcast.
“Why?”, I asked. He usually likes to hear “Sketsa Indonesia” a program about Indonesia Today, but spread in a comedy situation.
“I want to pray right now, for Papa”.
Oh…so sweet of him, really touched me.
Then I saw him through the frontview mirror that he closed his eyes and pray after I turn off the radio. My tears almost down. He surely misses his Dad a lot, but expressed it in a very good way.
My hubby has already gone to Jakarta yesterday and today he will continue travel to Amsterdam. This Christmas would be different without him around us, not only for the Christmas I think but for the whole year.

I Love You, Natalie...

2008-12-12T13:56:00.000-08:00

I’ve just recently watched a VCD of “A Land of Women” this night while waiting for my hubby’s arrival from Jakarta. It was really a good movie, and touching. It’s about 5 different women from different generations, 2 moms, a little girl, a teenager, a young woman and a grandma completed with all their complex relationship. The movie has a beautiful ending that everyone finally got better relationships and knew better about them selves and people they loved so much after a fine writer young man came into their lives unexpectedly.

This movie had just reminded me to my relationship with my dear teenage daughter. I want to share with you that we don’t always have good relationship, up and down along this year. Sometimes I feel surprised to what she had done or said (I’m pretty sure she feel the same about me). I know that it has never been easy to have 2 teenagers all at once at home, my boy is a little bit easier then my girl. Sometimes I couldn’t control myself when I get mad–snapping and yelling- then felt regret after that, make a little note of “I’m sorry” or even a short letter to tell I love them so much that I put in her/his wardrobe.

Remembering to my own adolescent age, I think I had that kind of relationship too with my mom, up and down along the way. As an adolescent I may come to look down on my mom and think that other woman are much better. Of course, I wasn’t a fully grown up woman so I couldn’t understand the challenges and choices that my mom faced. It is only when I become a woman (with kids) then I can fully appreciate my mother.
Really, I know that I can be wrong or can not be “the best of moms” for my daughter. (So dear Natalie..for the mistakes I have made I’m sorry).
All I know that I always love her forever and hope we have better relationship next year. That is one of my new year's resolution :)

What about you in your relationship with your teenager, I mean how did you cope difficult times in facing them? I really appreciate if you want to share..

"Santa Gift"

2008-11-30T18:47:00.000-08:00

Today is the last day for me to collect the “Santa’s” gift for my little boy at school.
I want to buy him a backpack with wheels beneath so he can also pull his back pack when he feel heavy to carry ii (actually I heard him saying his wishes in his prayer couple of nights ago). For 2 days I’ve been looking for it but can’t find yet the best for him. Hope today I can make it before pick him up from school….
Oh, gift, gift for kids …sometimes make me a little headache to choose.

Birthday Gift

2008-11-25T18:16:00.000-08:00

I had just remembered to post this story after one of my blogging friend, MG - posted about a piano she has as a present from her hubby. I should have to post this 3 months ago actually, but I think this is a blog for kids :)

On August this year I was very surprised to get a special and funniest birthday present I ever had from hubby. Guess what?? A mini electric tire inflator! I was giggling and also the kids….
There was a grand opening of a new hardware store in town at that moment, he was browsing there and found it for me. He said, at first he want to give me a blouse (we saw a beautiful one at a shopping mall before) but he thought I would more need that tire inflator while he was away. Kids’ tires bikes flat, my car’s tire flat…. I could pump by myself, no need somebody else’s help.

While the time goes by (hubby is still with us now, his visa affair hasn’t clear yet) I found that my 2 boys really interested in that tire inflator. Its mini sized and no need hand pumping really made them easier to pump their own tires’ bikes. I, myself, hasn’t get a chance to try it because whenever there’s a tire flat three of them (including my hubby!) would be the first to do it happily (for me ) haha….

So far, that was the funniest memorable birthday gift I ever had from my beloved hubby. Thank you so much, honey…

Soo...early !

2008-11-23T17:02:00.000-08:00

Yesterday on Sunday was great. We all went to church at 6.40 while the mass started on 7 am. I think this is the first time we went to the church sooo… early without any rush! A little bit surprised…Usually no matter hard we try to attend the morning mass we’re always late. Finally we ended up in the afternoon mass or didn’t make it at all. Terrible eh?!

Always the kids who wake up late, or have breakfast late, or take a bath late too….. I wonder why always me who always busy wake everyone up and prepare everything when we want to go early in the morning. This often happened , when all of the kids were neat and ready to go, then I was the one who sweaty and feel in a mess, really want to take a morning bath again to refresh myself … :)
Is this happened to you too, hey..moms ?

Telling About SANTA

2008-11-18T18:17:00.000-08:00

Yesterday Ian’s teacher send me an announcement letter about the coming of “Santa” at his preschool on Dec.5.
Parents have to contribute Rp 30.000,- (about U$ 3) for taking kids pictures with Santa, snacks and souvenir. We should buy a Christmas present too for our kids and collect to the school administrative office at the late of Nov.29 with a special footnote “between 9 – 11 am”, it means when the kids are in the classroom so they won’t know :).

I remember my 2 older kids believe that Santa is real and give presents to all good kids until they’re 9, aged 10 they started to tell me that, “Ma, my friend said Santa is not real. He doesn’t give me present but you”, still they ½ believe of Santa. I just said, “No matter what your friend had told you, if you believe Santa is real, so listen to your heart. Be a good kid this year.” Then my hubby add this statement: ”If you’re not believe it anymore maybe he wouldn’t give you present.” haha….

Between aged 11-12 they started suspicious. This year .. oh no, I don’t think they still believe Santa’s present anymore. They’re now 12 and 13 and knowing the truth story. But both of them are good, had never told their young brother about “the real Santa’s present” even though I don’t tell them to do so. I just like to keep the spirit of Santa stay in my kids’ heart forever.

What about you and the kids? On what aged do you tell them that Santa is not real or they know by themselves(like the way I did)?

Cheating or What?

2008-11-13T18:57:00.000-08:00

One afternoon there was a call phone for my boy from his classmate. After a short conversation then my boy told me something that had made me surprised, amazed, worried and felt sorry –mix together- for his friend.

My boy (B): Can you guess what my friend asked me, Ma?
Me (M) : What? Did he ask about homework?
B: Yes, and he also asked me if I want to do the math homework assignment for him…he want to pay me Rp 5000,-
M: Hah ??? Oh, my goodness…then what did your answer?
B: Of course, I won’t.
M: (mommy felt a great relief, thanks goodness)
B: By the way, one of my friends was suspended last week when my math teacher knew he had given his answer sheet to my other friend who sits behind him.
M: (then mommy said blah, blah, blah…. to her son about honesty, cheating and helping friends.)

Long after that conversation I still think about this matter. It’s really scary for me as a mom. The boy is only 11 or 12 years old and still in 7th grade, but how could he think like that? Is it cheating or more seriously than that... I wonder what would he be in the future if he keep going like that…maybe my boy’s friend really need a help in math and his parents busy working and don’t have time to teach him or..maybe he’s a kind of kid that usually spoiled by money and fancy stuff so he think ‘money could buy everything’ or maybe …..adult people around him used to show a "short cut way" to make easier in getting something. I don’t know…
At first I want to make a call to his mom and told about this, but then I realized was it a right way to do… I don’t know anything about his parents and family. I worried his mom could have different perspective.
Sometimes I feel worried and scary to see what kids could do in this era …

Worried, Worried....

2008-11-08T15:45:00.000-08:00

Nowadays the kids and I are a little worried that in the middle of this month we’re going to live in this country without his presence among us. My hubby got scholarship from the government to continue his study to the Netherlands for approximately 1 year. Actually he had planned his departure tomorrow but since he hasn’t get his visa yet so there isn’t fixed date for it. For us maybe it’s just like blessing in disguise.. we’re having more left days together with him.

Deep in my heart I think I’m the one –not my kids- who’s the worries people at home to faced the days without him. We never had separated family life before. I couldn’t imagine I should fix every small troubled thing at home by myself and about the kids… also I should taking care all 3 of them without too much negative emotion such like snap at them, get angry…. OMG, I tell you they always know for sure how to get on each others nerves.

I’m not sure what I’ll have for those days….So many things crowded on my mind.
Would I get more stressed or would I become a competent mom..
Would all of us just be fine …
Would my hubby be fine to cope with his life there ....
Oh… so many ..

I’m really glad and appreciate if some of you have ever had such an experience like this in the family, and could share with me.

New Wallpaper

2008-11-07T17:31:00.000-08:00

I had just made a small renovation, to the classroom’s wall. Next month I’ve planned to open a new class for toddler. Not finished yet.. but at least with the new wallpaper the room has a new color.

Getting Better

2008-11-07T14:05:00.000-08:00

This weekend is going to be better than last weekend. All of us is getting better. Only Ian and I do little cough once a while. For the last two days the rhythm of our schedules seems to get normal again.
Oh, even I really miss to write here, but after a week without writing anything I don’t really know what to write..Lol!
Let me think first just a few minutes….

Miserable Weekend

2008-11-01T22:55:00.000-07:00

This weekend we all stay at home. Everybody is sick. First was my daughter who gets cough and fever and then my hubby the next day. After that the boys and finally end up with me. It seems the virus only moving to each of us everyday.

Not much I could do for them this time. Only make chicken porridge or warm lemon tea with honey.

Oh… this is not good at all, but like as always… when our beloved people is getting sick, I feel that I love them more than before :)

Hope your weekend is great, better than me.

The Last 2 Days

2008-10-25T05:57:00.000-07:00

For the last 2 days the electricity at my place was on and off couple of times so I decided not to do anything in front of my PC like I used to do every morning.

On the first day I spent the whole day with the kids from the kindergarten doing some “projects” at a small-scale organic farming on Salatiga – a small city near to Semarang-. We’re learning how to plant, composting, seeing process of making simple bio fuel energy from cows’ feces and also learning many kinds of vegetables. The kids really love to do all.

On the second day I planned to drop-off Ian to his kindergarten, but finally accompanied him for a moment playing on the playground that has already set for celebrating the UN day. Yesterday all the kids and teachers were wearing traditional costumes from different countries around the world. Ian was wearing Japanese costume. It was so fun and interesting to see all of them.

I really want to take a picture of Ian and his friends before the celebration started, but gosh…it was difficult to asked them for not moving even just for a sec so… this is the best I had done of taking pictures of Ian in his Japanese costume.

Never Affraid to Learn New Things

2008-10-19T20:29:00.000-07:00

My little boy had just recently could bike for about 2 weeks. I see and follow his progress in learning to bike since the first moment. I amazed he was only need 2 days to finally bike his 2 wheels bicycle. After that day he always enthusiasm for asking his dad to accompany him biking every morning before go to school and afternoon. I see that no more than a week he could bike very well.

Yesterday on Sunday morning I when I accompanied him biking, I surprised and almost stop my breath to see him biking in a path slopes downward (our house is surrounding by many upward and downward roads). I think he didn’t really use his arm brakes. I almost closed my eyes, not dare to see him finnish that road, while he laughing excitedly along the way down….

I think I had learned something from him. Little kids never afraid or hesitate to learn new things with a great enthusiasm. That’s why in someway they could learn something faster than us.

What Types of Mom Are You?

2008-10-15T18:13:00.000-07:00

There are 6 types of modern mother based on her pattern/style on nurturing kids. I read this article in Oct edition of Indonesia Readers’ Digest.
1. Natural Mom
Full of loving and can be a good friend for her kids. She wants her kids happy, independent and open minded.
2. Playful Mom
Spontaneous, warmhearted, love experiments and a playful friend to her kids. She wants her kids to be active, love to explore and have a great curiosity.
3. Ambitious Mom
Successful goals oriented and like to demand best grade to her kids. She always disciplines and never hesitate to try hard and find her kids talents becomes successful in the future.
4. Protective Mom
Often to be careful in every way, conservative and doesn’t like to take risk. She loves to protect her kids.
5. Competent Mom
A very responsible, rational and careful mom. She always up to date on the latest information. Her nurturing system is systematically planned.
6. Independent Mom
Active, like adventure so much and brave. She believes in her ability and enjoy being a mother for her kids.

So far… what the types of mom are you?
It would be interesting if you asked your older kids to choose what type of mom does he/she have. Maybe…you would be surprised that the types could be different, from your kid’point of view or yours )

Hugs For Teachers

2008-10-13T00:03:00.000-07:00

I bought this inspiring book couple of days ago. At first, I planned to give it as a Christmas present for my boy’s Montessori teacher but I couldn’t stand to open the plastic cover and read it myself. Really it’s a good book for teacher or someone who’s working involved with kids. I speed up my reading and had finished it in an hour last night. I found many encouraging quotes and heartwarming stories in it.
I also post this article to my other blog too.

I’ll share some of inspirational quotes here:
Every good teacher is a student of students. After all, if he is to venture to cross over to student’s side of experience, he should have some idea of where he is going and how to get there. –Wayne.R.Rood-

Abruptly, circumstances arrange themselves so that the commonplace becomes the significant and the routine memorable….Afterward you know that you have learned something valuable, something that can’t always describe exactly, or measured, or fully explained. But something. –Arthur Gordon-

In teching you can’t see the fruit of a day’s work. It’s invisible and remains so, maybe for twenty years. –Jaques Barquin-

Oh yes, one more thing.. I found funny notes from a kid on this book that loves his ‘very strict’ teacher. I thought before kids don’t like a strict teacher :)

Yay..!! Finally They Had Gone to School

2008-10-09T19:42:00.000-07:00

Yay…finally the kids had gone to school!!
We had a long vacation here, 10 days, because of the Holy Day of Moslems. We didn’t celebrate it but still can feel the happiness of them who celebrate it. Here, Idul Fitri day seems like Christmas time at your place at US, Canada or Europe. Everyone try hard to go back to their home village and celebrate it with their parents and relatives. Hustle bustle on the road and freeway.

Back to my kids….Really I couldn’t do much for my own pleasure (like visit your blogs, make a new post, sew my patchwork even for reading) when the three of them were around me, all the time, everyday, every minute. Here Ma, there Ma, come here Ma…seems a mother can solve all the problem. Sigh !
It doesn’t mean I hate school holiday, but whenever it comes I used to cook and feed them all the time. You know how teenagers eat :) I’ve 2 and one 5 years old.

Getting more often at the kitchen preparing their meals don’t mean I gained weight, but lost it at least one kg. Haha…Maybe that was one of the luck!

Melamine on Formula Milk and Food Products

2008-09-29T00:07:00.000-07:00

On these days we’re all here shocked by the news from BPOM (Indonesian Food & Drugs Administration) about possibility of melamine in some baby’s formula milk and food products from China. Yesterday they announced many brands of milk and food products that were contaminated by melamine. You know, some of them are famous brands and kids’ favorite foods.
Maybe some of you had already known by the news that last week 13.000 babies in China were seriously ill, having suffered acute kidney failure, with several fatalities, among those given formula milk contaminated with the industrial chemical melamine.

What’s melamine then? Is it the same with the plastic equipments we had at our kitchen? After reading at papers and browsing at the internet, I’ll try to inform you about it.

Melamine I meant here is an organic compound (C3H6N6) which contained 60% nitrogen and usually used for making plastic, glue and fertilizer. The plastic from melamine –because of its heating persistence- used widely in many kitchen equipments. So… melamine we complained here is different from melamine plastic equipments we had at our kitchen.

Based on the WHO’s site, the mixing of melamine in milk started from shuffle pure milk with water at the milk supplier place to get more and more milk. The effect of this dilution would lower the protein content in milk. Because of the milk based factory usually check the protein levels by determining its nitrogen content, so before the supplier send the ‘dilution milk’ to those factories, they add melamine to make its nitrogen content get higher, artificially inflate the reading of protein levels.

The very dangerous thing here is… since melamine is not an element that needs to add on food and drug then the BPOM or FDA never has a standard for checking melamine content on foods/drugs. Isn’t that scary ?? On animals melamine has a carcinogen characteristic then can you imagine what the effect with babies and kids?

So, be careful when you buy snacks or formula milks for your kids, especially those brands from China.. I think now it’s better and healthier to make homemade snack or food for our kids. It’s time to back to basic, back to our traditional homemade recipes....

Ian Got Bell’s Palsy Disease

2008-09-25T22:42:00.000-07:00

In the beginning of this week my daughter Natalie told me that she saw something wrong on Ian’s face, especially when he was smiling.
She was right, we saw his smiling was not proportional, I mean not in a straight line but get aslant to the left. My hubby instantly told Ian to do some movement with his face muscles, like blinking both of his eyes, pretend to blow hard, etc….then yes he found something wrong with Ian’s face muscles. My hubby worried if Ian got Bell’s Palsy.

Then we took him to the hospital to see a Pediatrician. After he took several test then positively Ian diagnosed get Bell’s palsy diseases. We both very sad at that moment. I worried if that condition would stay forever like that.

Here I’ve got from Wikipedia if you want to know more about this disease.
Bell's Palsy is a paralysis of the facial nerve resulting in inability to control facial muscles on the affected side. However, if no specific cause can be identified, the condition is known as Bell's Palsy. Named after Scottish anatomist Charles Bell, who first described it, Bell's palsy is the most common acute mononeuropathy (disease involving only one nerve), and is the most common cause of acute facial nerve paralysis.
Some viruses are thought to establish a persistent (or latent) infection without symptoms, e.g. the Zoster virus of the face and Epstein-Barr viruses, both of the herpes family. Reactivation of an existing (dormant) viral infection has been suggested as cause behind the acute Bell's palsy. Studies suggest that this new activation could be preceded by trauma, environmental factors, and metabolic or emotional disorders, thus suggesting that stress - emotional stress, environmental stress (e.g. cold), physical stress (e.g. trauma) - in short, a host of different conditions, may trigger reactivation.

In Ian case the doctor said he propably got this desease because of the environmental stress (cold from the wind). Everyday Ian go to school with my hubby by motorcycle (we had covered him with thick jacket, a mask for his nose and mouth, safety helmet, always wear trousers, but maybe our fault.. doesn't covered his neck with shawl!) and I pick him up at noon by car. We just think the practicality in this case. So I think there would be no motorcycle again for him :(

Ian should take some medicine and go through a physiotherapy treatment everyday for 6days in a row. Today is the third day. The paramedics would give his left face an infra red light for couple of minutes and followed by gentle massage on his face muscle. So far we see the progress on his condition. We really hope he would be healthy again and give us his lovely smile. We love you Ian….

Something He Had Learned...

2008-09-21T19:00:00.000-07:00

Last weekend our house was a little bit different because one boy was ‘missing’. No quarreling between the big boy and the little one for 2 days :) With his big sis, Ian played and behaved more ‘calmly’.

My 2nd kid, Adit went to Jakarta with his friend and teacher to take a National Robotic Competition. He didn’t win this time, but I think he did learn something important there, the spirit and passion to make something new from his own imagination. He was happy to see others big kids create many robotic daily useful tools, like can opener, water pump, tool for cleaning the window, etc.

After all.. I was happy for him, although he didn’t win.

Preparing Her First Period

2008-09-18T20:56:00.000-07:00

My 13th years old daughter is now as big as me, even much taller. I had started to introduce simple skin care cosmetic for her skin since couple of months ago (when I saw her first acne); such like face scrub and body lotion. So far she only interested to use face scrub wash. I also introduced her about how to wear sanitary napkins in preparing her first period and had told her better to have one at her school bag. I had already given her a pack of regular panty liners every month to used everyday, since I found slightly ‘brown stained’ at her panties nowadays. But it appears very difficult… to make her accustomed in wearing panty liners. Sometimes I get a little angry too at her when I found her panty liners still had not used.

For those wonderful moms out there who had teenage daughters, how would you overcome this kind of situation with your girls? I even put her panty liners in front of the mirror at the bathroom so whenever she took at a look at the mirror she would remember to wear it, but most of the times that idea still not work. The latest idea : she has to wash her own panties by herself so I hope she would knew it’s a little difficult to make her panties clean and free of “brown stained’. Well, I think it’s better than the first idea for couple of days and for the rest still the same. Forgot, forgot, forgot….

I know from her that most of her friends had already have periods (she hasn’t had yet). It took my memory to the years when I was at the same aged as her. I remembered my mom didn’t take seriously to tell me about first period, maybe at that time it was still “difficult” for most moms to discuss sex education with their own daughter. Even at school I didn’t get sex education session.
That’s why I was shocked when I got my first period at school. I didn’t have a sanitary napkin at that moment and very ashamed to see the ‘red stained’ at my skirt. Thanks God, it happened just before the bell rang so I could get out of the class quickly and busy covered up my skirt with the school bag.

It’s very different now. Almost every junior high school had already got that lesson including talk shows for all of their first year students. My husband had helped me a lot to tell and introduce sex education for our kids. I think in fact he take a big part in it since he has pictures to show from his Med’s school books.
Our rule…no laughing when we’re in the middle of discussing about sex.

"I Really Want You"

2008-09-13T08:13:00.000-07:00

Last weekend –on Saturday night- was really fun.
The merriment was taking place at my bedroom. It begins when I played a CD of James Blunt “All the Lost Soul” while I was lying in my bed and reading my never-ending-novel (I have been reading it for 3 weeks). Then after a while my daughter came, sit next to me started to sing one of James’s song she heard, “I Really Want You”. The beat of the song’s swinging at first then become fast and cheerful at the refrain. I tempted to join her sing the refrain, too. It was fun for both of us in trying to imitate the speed of how James’ sing the lyrics. After a couple of minutes came my little boy joining us. He was listening at first then starting to sing together. I saw he tried to act as a vocalist on the stage, actually on my bed :) with his ‘stick’ made of Lego to be his mike. Then came my first boy merrier the ambience with not only singing, he bring 2 little maracas I had just bought the day before and once a while shouting here and there. After all it was fun and we all enjoy it.

I often amazed that sometimes the joy and merriment in family just pop up (usually from simple things) without we’re planning before and vice versa when we really hard plan on it, the joy wouldn’t come.

Had it ever happened to your family?

Ian's First Word Puzzle

2008-09-09T19:42:00.000-07:00

This is Ian’s first crossword puzzle. He got it as a homework assignment from his teacher. Since his teacher didn’t tell him to color it with color pencils, so when I suggest him to do that Ian insisted to use crayons. Then..crayons made the letters blurred. The little boy got upset and cried. Then I should make a note for his teacher, ask for another crossword puzzle.
I guessed he upset not only because he couldn’t see the letters, but he also found difficulty to find the words.

This morning before going to school he made his new crossword puzzle, this time with color pencils. I suggested him a trick for ‘scanning’ the beginning letter of a word he’d already chose from the list, I mean scan from row to row start from the top to the bottom. When he had finally found the beginning letter then he should check to read to the right or down to get the right word.

His works seems better this time, but still I do help him a lot. He still forgot to check for example to the down after his first checking to the right. I don’t know the easier trick to do this. Do you have any suggestion for me?

“I Really Want You”

2008-09-09T19:17:00.000-07:00

Violin Practicing Trick

2008-09-05T21:28:00.000-07:00

My daughter wants to take her grade 2 exam in violin class next month. Her teacher, -a Balinese lady- had told me that my daughter should practice her lessons more often at home. Since the examiner would come from the head office of ABRSM (Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music) London so she should be serious this time.

We both know that Natalie is typically a so-relaxed-girl. She usually ‘runs’ (if she thinks she need to) at the last minutes. She do love violin but for practicing she doesn’t have a routine schedule. It’s a little bit dangerous I think, because I believe the routines in practicing and discipline are more important than talented in improving somebody’s skill.

So last month her teacher and I got a trick for her. I should sign in a practicing card every time she had got her practice at home. Her teacher said to her (like other kids, she would listen to her teacher MORE than to me) she should practice everyday for 30 minutes and she has to bring the card every time she take the violin class. The trick has already set for 3 weeks now and so far it works well. Natalie does her practice voluntary and she did good progress. It means our trick is succeeded.

Last night to add spirit for her in doing this practice, I told her if she could play one of her song good without too much mistaken then I would give her some money as a present. She could buy anything she wants. Actually it’s not much, about 1,2 U$ but she was happy. Finally she did it and got her present. You know what she’s doing with her money?? She went this afternoon with her brother to a nearby public internet booth to play Gaia Online for an hour. Well, I had promised before…

Have you ever made such kind of trick for your kids? I would be glad if you want to share…

Having a Helper Around

2008-09-02T01:47:00.000-07:00

Since I had a kid there always a helper/maid at home to help me to do house works. Some of you (especially that not come from Asian countries) maybe would wrinkle your forehead or maybe it sounds ‘weird’ having a helper at home.

Here at most of big cities at Asian countries, almost every married couple with kids usually have a stay-at-home helper or a stay-at-home babysitter. Yes, we’re Asian people were spoiled by this kind of situation.
I’ve never used a babysitter’s service but I really need a helper to help me do our laundry, cleaning the house and especially cleaning the rooms at the preschool next to my house. Living without a helper for working moms with kids -in this tropical weather- is almost impossible at this time. Unless there is a daycare facility for kids, but we don’t have it here.

I had ever visited my mom’s friends in the Netherlands and California for almost a month and staying at their home. I was amazed to know all the daily house works were handled by the mother. And they all have a routines schedule for doing something like do laundry every Monday (because we don’t need to changed the clothes everyday) , cleaning and vacuum the carpet every Thursday , ironing clothes every Friday, etc.

I think the weather where we lived take a big role in our daily behavior.
Here we have very humid and hot weather. We have to changed our clothes twice a day –we used to be very sweaty-, take a bath also twice a day –sometimes more if the weather really hot-, wipes all the furniture with damp cloth everyday, sweeps the floor at least twice a day unless everything full of dust.
So I have to do my entire mom’s friend -a week- routines schedule everyday!

Well, I think I had babbled too much.
I really want to know about your routine schedules in cleaning and take a good care of the housewife’s works because I always admire on how those moms in US or Europe manage their daily routines house works without a stay-at-home helper and still have time for blogging. Lol!

I’ve been living without a helper for 4 days now and so far everything turns good. The kids learn more than before (when we have a helper) about helping each other at home, take care ’more’ about their own rooms, helping me in the kitchen, even learning how to cut the broccoli with the right way, such little things like that. I’m starting to think we don’t really need a helper if everybody at home helped each other. But my husband said “Better to have a helper so if one of the kid sick when I’m not here (he got scholarship to study for 1 year at the Netherlands-start this Oct) there’s someone helps you. This situation is going well when everybody in healthy condition, what about if you’re also sick? ”. Well, he’s right too.
Now, get confused, confused…..

Camping

2008-08-31T20:00:00.000-07:00

Yesterday my boy was out for a weekend camping with all his friends from 7th grade. It’s his school’s tradition for the new students (Here the kids finished their elementary school at 6th grade then continue to a new junior high school from 7th grade). From the letter I received from his school, the main reason to do this activity is trying to build kids’ behavior for being independent, feeling togetherness with his new friends and helping each other. For kids that lived in the big city doing such camping activity like this is a very rare opportunity. That’s why I saw my boy was really enthusiast in preparing his stuff.

I accompanied him to his school’s camping area early in the morning on Saturday. I saw all the parents were busy to help their kids carrying bags. Something funny I saw that morning, one of a girl brought her suitcase for camping, wow….typically big city girl I think. I remembered the night before when my boy had already packed 3 bags, my hubby suggested him straightaway to minimize his carrying into 1 backpack and a medium sized of plastic bag for the kitchen stuff. In his group, he has a responsibility to carry a skillet and 2 bottles of water for his group and plate-glass-spoons for himself. My hubby said camping should be fun for him, no need engaged for packing as many as stuff like he want to go away for a week…Yes, I’m agree, but both of us felt a little bit sorry for never had a chance to take the kids for a family camping so this would be his first camping :(

On Sunday afternoon my hubby and I pick him up at the school. In the car he was busy telling us that last night was raining and his group got a leak tent in many places. Finally their teacher told them to sleep at a classroom after they’re waiting for a long time that the rain didn’t stop, but he was happy after all because he and his friends could make a campfire before the rain and did some games. I think at first since they’re camping at their own school just for a night there wouldn’t be any parents come to visit, but I was wrong. My boy told us that 5 of his friends (there were 8 kids in a group at 1 tent) had visited by their moms. Some of them visit their kids at night and some did in the morning. Not only visiting, but they also send their kids some fast food, snacks even an open-toe slipper!! Only he and his 2 other friends had not visited by parents and I heard from his voice that he’s proud because he could make it by his own. My boy told me the teachers had already warned the parents for not visiting unless if there’s an ‘emergency’ case, but still they could sneak and meet their kids maybe because the tents were at the open space behind the school and there were not enough teachers to supervise.

I think it was a pity that those moms don't let their kids learning to be on their own. I know sometimes it’s hard for moms to do that. For some reason -in another case- maybe I also did the same way without any conscious. I realized we should try to let our kids doing their"small-simple own business" by themselves, starting from home like clean up their own bedroom, washing their own shoes or backpacks, etc. Once in a while I don't satisfied with the result of their works and redo it without their knowing, but after that I feel guilty. It's not the right way to teach them, isn't it?
How about you in letting your kid learn to be on their own?

Announcement: New Blog of Mine !!

2008-08-28T19:51:00.000-07:00

Hi everybody, my dear friends...
I want to announce my other new blog "SEASHELL" http://art-craft-henny.blogspot.com/
It's a little space of mine about doing artcraft works when I've still spare time to do it or when I have something to share with you that doesn't "fit" enough with "all about kids" stuff. My daughter and I love art and craft very much and maybe through this new blog I could be also help her to be more confidence of her art works.
This blog has not finished yet but if you have time, please visit...
I'd love to have all your comments. Thank you :)

More Phone Calls

2008-08-27T18:52:00.000-07:00

I have been in a ‘domestic research’ of phone callings at our home for almost a month now. I do without any serious purpose, just fulfilling my curiosity. I found there’s a big difference in the sum of phone calling before the 2 big kids still at Elementary School and now, when they’re in Junior High School (7th and 8th grade). Maybe I should tell you about the education system here. We have 6 years for Elementary, 3 years at Junior High and another 3 years for Senior High before someone enter the university/college. Back to my ‘research’, the phone usually busy rings between 4 – 7 pm when the kids at home. Definitely those calls come from their friends. Nothing seems really important from my point of view, but maybe truly important for them.

Almost all the conversations talking about school stuffs like “what about your assignment, do you know what page of our homework, don’t forget to bring blah,blah..for our group project tomorrow, how to make the front cover of our blah, blah…, etc”. (I put the TV, telephone and PC at the living room so I would know what my kids doing with all those things).

Interesting for me to know they have a bigger group of friends now in Junior High and a little bit different stuff as topics for talking. So when the phone rings between those hours, I nor my husband, rare to get an opportunity to pick up the phones. Usually my boy or my daughter would walk fast (or almost run?) to reach the phone.
Until this time the conversation still take place about school stuff, never heard about ask for a date or getting closer to that stuff, not yet I mean.
Maybe I would do a ‘serious research’ if they finally ‘reach’ that moment or maybe I confused what should I do :(
What about your 7th or 8th grade kids phoning activities nowadays?

Thinking of Another Blog

2008-08-25T19:20:00.000-07:00

If I'm not mistaken this is my 102th posts and I was thinking to have another blog as a present that I could write as many as that (I never imagined that before that I could write) and maybe a birthday present to myself. In my thought it would be my other creative blog about anything I made or do in my spare time on my ‘positive’ moods and minds.
Sometimes when I browse and visit someone’s blog that full of her creative projects pictures I just can’t stand to write comments, learn something from them or want to share the experience in making it. I think the contain of this blog (All About Kids) would be blurred if I also write or upload pictures of my handy craft works. Basically I love art and craft works :)
What do you think? Make another one (and try to find another extra time to write and post, it’s difficult sometimes :b ) or just changed the name of this blog?

Playing with Bed Sheet

2008-08-25T19:06:00.000-07:00

I never had my bed sheet neat and tidy, most of the time…
Here’s the little kid who always mess up and love to play with the bedsheet. I don’t know exactly why, but he never did it at his own bed.. :)

Our Doors At Home

2008-08-22T22:53:00.000-07:00

These are our doors at home look like. Every kid sticks their own favorite pictures/stickers at their door’s bedroom.

I used to feel uncomfortable at first, but now I try to figure out in a positive way of thinking…
Well, at least it had showed their creativitiesSee the door with the “do not disturb” sign? That’s my daughter’s bedroom :) Typically teen’s girl …

More than once my hubby and I have been surprised to see our not-so-little-anymore-girl says a big “NO” when we asked her to join us to some place together or even to the mall (it seems she like to have her own private time more this year)

Hannah Montana & Musical High School

2008-08-21T19:02:00.000-07:00

Almost every night my daughter would watch her favorite movie series of Hannah Montana or High School Musical.
From Disney channel. Sometimes when I don’t have anything to do then I join her, mainly just want to know the theme of the story or what’s her movie star likes. So far, I found those movies are fine for her. I ever had once seen Hannah’s interview session together with her dad on one of Oprah’s Show. I think she has good personality and loving parents behind her. Their relationship seems good, too. That’s why I allowed my daughter to see her movies as long as her homework from school had been done.

We have 2 TVs at home, one placed at the living room and the other is in my bedroom so every time they turn on the TV, I would know what they’re watching (what a watcher mom…). For their balance in watching TV, I often recommend The National Geographic channel for them, but sometimes it didn’t work when they don’t like the theme.

How about you in taking part to choose something suitable to watch for your kids or teens on TV programs?

Kids' Nicknames

2008-08-20T19:21:00.000-07:00

I sometimes find at the preschool that some kids for some reasons have different nicknames at school and their homes. It always interesting to chat with them about the difference of nicknames they had. Sometimes from their parents I knew that their kids’ names just pop up from what the kids called/spelled their own names in baby tongue. Like this, for example: Caca comes from Sasha, since the girl can’t spell her name in a ‘right’ way so Caca become her nickname until she grown up. Just like that…

My daughter also has different name calling. Since her full name is Natalie Amadea (Her name has a meaning : God’s beloved ones. Amadea derived from the word Amadeus. I found it on one of babies name book). We usually call her Dea at home and between closed families. But between her friends and teachers at school her calling name is Natalie. We choose Dea to be her nickname at home because it easier for us to call her – in short or long tones – than Natalie :)
But I like both of them. There was a funny story had ever once happened when I was the one received her friend’s calling and I said “Dea is still in the bathroom” then her friend was confused, “Oh sorry, I think I dialed the wrong number.” Haha….

But my other 2 boys have the same nickname at home and school, Adit (from Nathaniel Aditya - has the same meaning with my daughter’s name, but this is from Sanskrit term) and Ian ( from Ignatius Adrian – with the third kid we just love the sound of his name calling and do not really care of the meaning, as far as we know it’s also good because Ignatius was used to be one of Saint's name :)

What about your kid’s nickname? Do you have something ‘funny and interesting’ story behind it?

Yesterday, I Had A Great Time With My Daughter

2008-08-18T18:43:00.000-07:00

Yesterday afternoon I had a great time with my daughter. We’re both watching HBO channel and see a movie of “How to make the American Quilt”. One of the actresses was Winona Ryder and the other were quite famous middle aged actresses I think, but I don’t know their names. The story was about 6 different middle aged women who gather at a sewing club and they all made beautiful quilting with different styles, but their entire quilt patterns had their own private memories from the past. Winona as one of their grand daughter and a want-to-be married-soon young woman finally had gotten so much life lessons from all those women.

Well, I don’t just want to share about the movie, but the nicest time I had with my daughter. As you know, having a teenage daughter and become her mom could be a hardest “job” ever in this world for me. Sometimes I don’t get in for the way her thinking or doing something. Too much read and too many theories from the books about raising teenagers could give me more terrible headaches in some way. I found the easiest experiences with my boy who turned to be 13th next January (becoming another teens in my life) than with her.

Back to our nicest time yesterday…
We both enjoyed the movie and discussed it while watching, a really nice conversation. As a young girl she has a good “taste” in watching movies. Sometimes I surprised how could she enjoy themes of the movie that I think a little bit “heavy and serious” to her. She does like kids’ movies, but she also loves the ones with full of life lesson or something we can learn from it. If the movies turned to those themes then only she and I were sitting in front of the TV.
From what we had experienced yesterday, I just had realized maybe if I start the ‘other’ conversations right from something what she likes (not what I like) then we would have a nice one in comfortable ambience. Maybe I should try to start reading her magazine, also speak something “silly” like the way she used to talk with her brothers, closed my eyes and mouth when entering her room, stop for a while for always said "Get down your feet from that table", such thing like that.

To those wonderful moms out there, maybe you have something special to share with me (so I can learn again) about your teens? I really appreciate it and thank you so much for your sharing. I believe in you more than those theories I had ever read :)

Celebrating Independence Day

2008-08-16T09:31:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow, August 17 is our independence day. We usually celebrating this national day by setting up many fun traditional games, The most popular are sack racing, eating rice crackers (kerupuk) racing, climbing ‘areca nut’ pole racing. It has been taking place since I was kid and years before and it always fun.

The Rotterdam Port and Something about giving Trust

2008-08-15T15:29:00.000-07:00

It’s really an old port in Makassar left by the Dutch colonialism. That’s why the name of the port is exactly the same with one of the city at the Netherlands. Makassar was used to be an important city because all the tropical spices from East Indonesian like pepper, clove, nutmeg, coriander, also coffee, tobacco, etc were all gathered there before shipped to Europe. Now the Rotterdam Port is not longer a port, but a museum. The architecture of the building is typically like Dutch buildings in common. When we’re standing in the middle of the area it just like we’re at one of the old city in the Netherlands, so interesting place.

I let my second boy to take all the pictures here.
Actually I want to know how was his own angle in taking pictures, because several times when I did it, he always asked his turn and take the same picture. At first I was a little worried if he did wrong, because we only came there once and I want to capture that moment as good as I can. Seems like an egoist mom, huh? Finally I realized to give him a chance and let him ‘dominate’ the camera. I think it was all about how big I trust on him. After all I was a little bit surprised to see all the pictures he had taken. They're good for a beginner, aren’t they?

We found ....

2008-08-15T08:56:00.000-07:00

We found a pole of a bridge and this little cute, but sharply animal...
on this clear and not so deep sea water.
The kids also collect shells...

'Till Getting Dark

2008-08-15T08:06:00.000-07:00

Two days in a row we went to Kayangan and Samalona island. Look at the distance..it was not far from the city port,
nor the old port (only 15 minutes by boat)

Only my family and another one there, so serene.

and we never left the beach until it was getting dark....