Khaira's swimming class

I have been very interested to have a swimming class for Khaira lately. Reasons are:
1. Because it's sunnah!
2. So she knows what to do in the water; safety purposes
3. Because I can't swim. And she needs to be better than me ;p
4. To exercise her lungs
5. Because she has been persistently insisting me to bring her to one.

The Groupon offer for Erika Peres swimming class (EPS) came in at a perfect timing. Not only I can try to see if the class is suitable for Khaira, but also I can gauge whether Khaira is really interested in swimming.

The class is held in Tropicana Golf and Country Resort, which we fell in love almost immediately when we entered the club. Nothing like KDE or Lake Club. It has this resort feeling when you walked in.

And there are houses in this club house, organic farm (can you imagine?), and the swimming pool.. oh wow!

First class went well, although she was a little bit hesitant in some parts. I let Love accompany her though K at first insisted me to be in the water with her, so they have a bonding time. I had my bonding time over roller blades with my dad when I was young, and now I always cherished that.

Aisha pon loves water, so not like Ibu!

While K went swimming, I had my breakfast by the swimming pool. So niceeeeee!!!

Second class, Love started off with submerging K in the water to play around with her and that backfired very badly. K said "No more swimming class" and went very moody for the whole hour. We learned that, *Rule number 1 in swimming (and perhaps in life)*: never let her do things that she doesn't want to do. Because the one who loses in the end is YOU!

We were discouraged. But Mr. Peres said that *Rule number 2 in swimming (and perhaps in life)*"Persistent is the key."

Third class, had so much fun again! When she refused to do things, we talked to her. Sometimes, she'd do it, other times she wouldn't. But she was one happy kid, and so were we. So, in the end everybody won!

We concluded that Khaira is ready for swimming class but still uncertain whether to proceed with EPS. I think the coach is good, the kids have fun, the price is decent, the facilities are superb, but the problem is on our side. I don't think we can commit to get all 10 lessons to be done in 12 weeks.

So, contemplating.. and looking.

If you guys have any idea where to have one, do let us know! Much love!

Happy 1st birthday, buah hati!

Aisha turned 1 on 2nd of August the other day.

How time flies.

I feel so blessed raising this so little human with characters so big never fail to make me laugh.

Aisha and Khaira are two entirely different little girls that make me confused all the time, what difference have I done in raising these two.

From birth for instance; Aisha hardly had colic, unlike Khaira. She is less clingy from birth, as soon as she's full, she would let go of the milk source (read b). And that less "clingy"ness persists until now, she would cry to be hold the moment I arrived home (I need to wash my hands first, the OCD still there) and happy to be placed down playing on her own 5 minutes after.

While Khaira talked first and developed her psychomotor skills later, Aisha was the other way around. At 1, she could walk steadily and mumbled basic words like "Ibu", "Aba", "bird", "habis", etc. Her hand-body coordination impressed me most of the time; when she played catch and throw, when she climbed steadily the whole stairs without any help. So. Not. Me.

Aisha is one observant lady and like to do things on her own. She wants to wear socks, rompers on her own. Want to hold bottle on her own. Want to wear slippers like Kakak. So funny sometimes, again total opposite from K who was very princessy and still would prefer us to do all of the above for her. Hahaha.

Aisha had 3 cakes up until today. More cakes awaiting, I guess.

1. One we brought all the way to Negeri Sembilan to celebrate it with my family as my cousin got engaged a day before her birthday.

2. A simple chocolate cake on her birthday

3. A homemade birthday cake by my SIL a week after her birthday.

Happy 1st birthday, lovely. Happy fully breastfeeding for a year to me too. May you always be healthy. May you grow up as anak solehah and a professional hafizah, contributing to Islam as much as you can.

I love you.

Endlessly.

Why are you not replying his email?

So, I've received quite a number of emails of strangers wanting to collaborate with me.

Those times when I was innocent and carefree, I accepted them all happily. I'm glad because I've learned a lot.

Nowadays, I chose those surrounding me very carefully. Because as you mature, you know what you can tolerate and cannot. And my standards of ok is quite high; hence I know who can tolerate me and cannot. Two ways there.

Previously, I love the challenges of moulding something raw. Nowadays, my schedule became hectic and I realized moulding something with no disciplines and proper attitude consume more energy than moulding something with less technical background. I prefer to channel my energy somewhere worthwhile.

"Why are you not replying his email?" Somebody I respected asked me that question when I was in a workshop just now. An institution wanted to collaborate with us, and I haven't replied them yet.

"I need time to think about it," I answered sheepishly.

"You don't look too keen!" He accused me. But I guess I'm pretty transparent.

"I just need time, Sir," I laughed.

Then he said something that I feel the need to share in my blog instantly.

"Are you reluctant to reply his email?" He asked and I nodded.

"Then it reflects your heart. Your heart already tells you the decision."

Relate back to blink.

What your heart tells you. Your instinct is more powerful than your brain.

As I publish this post, my mind already looking for words to reply the stranger's email.

And it shall begin with..

"Dear Sir, I'm honoured  to receive your email but I regret to inform you that.."

Not a penny more, not a penny less - A review

Read the second book of Jeffery Archer, I must say that his style of writing becomes kind of predictable.

Not that it's a bad thing because he really knows how to draw the readers attention. But it's like a formula to it already, you know.

Not a penny more, not a penny less is about 4 strangers who thought they were being conned by a muti millionaire, Metcalfe. So they made 4 different plans to get back their money from Metcalfe at exact amount, not a penny more, not a penny less.

The idea makes it look like my kinda book.

But with Archer, he prefers the unnecesary details more than the necessary ones. So, the execution of the plans were very brief making it to have less climax for me.

Oh well, I rate this 3 over 5. Sorry Archer!

Khaira qatams Al Barqy!

At 3y9m.. Khaira qatams Al Barqy and started her Quran already. Alhamdulillah. Yet to be fluent. In a mean while, needs 5 mins practice everyday still.

Enjoy her video peeps..

Crossing off wishlist: Homer's renovation

Alhamdulillah..

This year both Love and I received abundance of extra rezeki from the Almighty. Hence we decided to do a little something for Homer.

Before Raya, we managed to do the awning outside.

Cost us RM4k all in.

Next round afrer raya in shaa Allah, the gate and tiles outside. Whee!!

Selamat Hari Raya everyoneeee!!

Selamat Hari Raya to all my readers. Please forgive me for all the wrong doings.

Raya has been fun! Grandmother was back to her house after almost 3 weeks staying with us on Raya eve. So, first day is the usual. Except.. without Datuk around. Our first Raya without him. Al fatihah to Datuk.

Purple vs orange

Went back to Kuala Selangor on second day Raya. Couldn't make it last year because both dad and Love were worried of the fact that I was due anytime. I would say it is a wise decision that I listened to them both.

Third day raya well spent at Batai with the relatives.

Started working on the 4th day of Raya.. macam loser busy marking whole day. But back on leave 5th day Raya for a date with Love.

Wanted to play mini putt at citta mall but it is no longer operational, boo. Ended up watching ant man which was fun!

Loving my raya this year. Very grateful to the Almighty to have spend it with my loved ones. Hope yours went well too, peeps!