post UPSR 2013

Kakak with close friends on last day of UPSR

It's been awhile huh? In between my last entry and now, there were moving office, Raya do office-version, UPSR and a short getaway to One World.

Let me bore you with UPSR.

I am a first time mom with child sitting for UPSR. I didn't know I was able to be ever so worried! While the calon slept peacefully in her room, I woke up at 3:00 am tossing and turning not being able to sleep! No wonder I got offended at a friend's remark 'ala, rileks la.. UPSR je pun'. Fine. Your eldest is attending kindy right? And your youngest is still in diaper if I am not mistaken. Yeah sure everyone is entitled to his/her opinion but to convey such remark the night before UPSR, it was so uncalled for. 

I told Kakak to do (and pray) her best. That was her first big exam (she reminded me that I told her the same thing when she sat for her UPKK last year :P) Nevertheless, I made it known to her, she still has a very long road ahead of her. A good start doesn't always guarantee a good ending. And a bad start doesn't always mean a bad ending too. Most importantly to always try to be better. Once we stop doing that, that's when failure comes in. Perhaps that was a tad too serious for a 12 year old but I told her exactly that anyway. And to always remember whatever result she gets, that would be the best that Allah Bestows upon her. Something I need to keep on reminding myself at the back of my mind as well :D

And apparently she has something to tell and remind us too. Her decision and point of view. Whatever result she gets, she's staying home and will be schooling at the nearest secondary school. She feels that would be the best for her.

Having been sent to a fully boarding school when I was 12, I totally agree with her. I feel that would be the best for us.

report card day SK BTHO 2

credit: www.onlygags.com

:D

Ours (Kakak and Iman that is) was last Tuesday. Sorang pagi sorang petang. Adam pun nak nyelit sama mintak hantar jemput dia to fro Genius Aulad. So we took a day leave.

Alhamdulillah both are coping, educationally. Kakak dapat no 2 dalam kelas and will be in second class (now she's in third). I have some reservations about shuffling classes just months before the big exam. Her class teacher ensured us this is for the students' benefits. I sincerely hope the focus will not be on just 5A-potentials. Anak-anak kelas belakang pun harap dilupa jangan. Kakak needs to buck up her Science and Math. Like me, she is struggling with Math but as she progresses we can see the improvement. While I, still struggling he he. No wonder I always overspent. Tapi, kebolehan bersosial si Kakak ni kurang sikit. She's very shy. Kawan dia pun jenis pendiam macam dia. If she needs to ask, she will ask tapi dia pegi depan tanya cikgu personally.

Tapi kat rumah kuat pulak suara Kakak ye?

As for Iman, days prior to Tuesday he kept on reminding us to be at the school on time. Reason being, lepas jumpa cikgu, dia boleh ikut balik :D He's coping as well, educationally. Cikgu cakap his score is between 80%-90%. It came as a surprise to us.. sebab kalau buat homework dia punyalah liat pastu main bubuh je sebab nak cepat siap. For a child like him, I won't compare him too much with his peers. Most importantly he has shown improvements from what and who he was months ago to him, now.

But I have one big concern. He hasn't got many friends in school. He has few friends he often spends break-time with. Some even share his food and sometimes went overboard pow-ing his pocket money. He still has few autistic traits we still have to deal with, among which the tendency not to socialize.

Oh ya, he proudly announced last few weeks he can now pronounce words with 'R' correctly. Sebelum ni dia tak boleh sebut 'R' betul-betul. 

Tuesday went by more tiring and hectic that our normal working days. Perhaps because on those days we are so cooped up in the office sitting on our comfy chair and hardly move around except to the loo and to the water dispenser! Kids were happy being sent and fetch to and fro. We brought Kakak to Jusco nearby and Tebby paid for 2 tees (which I picked) for Kakak. We sent and fetch Adam to and fro Genius Aulad.. much to his delight and insisted that we should do it more often :P We brought the boys to Carrefour to pass time before fetching Kakak from sekolah Agama.

Tiring but indeed a good day to us all :D

for the noble teachers out there - many thanks!

This happened last week :P
I am good at procrastinating.

credit to source

Did you know I almost take up teaching as career? Biasalah lepas SPM, sedang mencari identity :D I got an offer to do TESL, a joint venture between IB (Institute Bahasa) with an institution in New Zealand. A day before the date I was supposed to register, I changed my mind. My mother was annoyed. To her teaching is the most suitable career a woman can ever have :D But my father was more receptive. So I went to do matriculation at UUM. Ting tong ting tong... I ended up at T* instead of a school.

But that was way back in 1992.. some 21 years ago. Wow, has it been that long?

I bought chocolate for the kids to be given to teachers as token of appreciation. Spent the night helping them out doing simple card (more like the boys just pasted some stickers!)

Adam and his pick of stickers - teeth!

Later that day he happily announced he had given Cikgu Ain, Cikgu Nurul and 2 more teachers the chocolate.

Iman came back complaining he hadn't enough. He did not manage to locate one of his teachers so he just gave one of the packs to other teacher he'd came across at school. In the end, dah nak balik baru dia terserempak dengan cikgu yang dia cari tu :D

Kakak said they had a blast at school. Teachers did some performance on stage (sian Cikgu, Teacher's Day diorang yang kena tunjuk bakat :D .. Thanks Cikgu!)

Special Thanks to all teachers while I was in Sekolah Kebangsaan Lipat Kajang, Sekolah Tun Fatimah and Universiti Utara Malaysia doing my formal education. And for teachers of my children at Atfal Excel Kindy, Genius Aulad, SK BTHO 2, Sekolah Rendah Agama Al-Waani.
 

Many thanks to teachers at Persatuan Dyslexia Malaysia Ampang Hilir.

I know I might've missed so many but here's to all teachers - formal education or informal - a big THANK YOU!

Moga Allah memberikan ganjaran yang setimpal dengan jasa baik kalian mendidik kami semua.

back to school!

School has started! Likewise the traffic congestion huhu!

Like any other mothers, I had my fingers all kematu from sewing badge and name-tags! Burning the midnight oil sewing.. chewah! And 2 days before school term started, I realized I haven't shorten Iman's pants! That boy grew from size 26 last year to size 28 this year. And shirt, he went from 11 to 13! As for Kakak, she can still fit into her size 14 kurung tops. I only bought her sarongs of dark blue for primary and green for KAFA. And thank God, no need to shorten what-so-ever. They fit her just nicely.

How time flies, I flipped through our photo album, seeing them flashing toothless grin or going through videos of them tumbling their first steps. And suddenly, they're all grown up!

Athirah is 12 this year. Coming to the difficult teenage phase *gulp* I just hope we can still be the best of friends. She's sitting for UPSR this year *gulp* and PSRA! *gulp* Seen here after her KAFA session.

Iman, starting his Year 3 this year. All grown up. He'll be 9 this year! Feels like only yesterday that he started his Year 1. Seen here lining up to go to school. Nor, at the back in green tudung, takes care of Iman since he was 1, sends and fetches them to school. Only Allah will repay your kindness in fair ways Nor.

Cousin. Same age with Iman, only 2 weeks apart. Same school. Different class. Tho when they are together at home they'll stick playing together, in school they have different buddies.

The usual traffic congestion for session yang ada Year 1. Iman attends noon session along with Year 1 and 2 so we were stuck as well. Normally after 1 or 2 weeks, it would not be this bad anymore.

Adam! Difficult pregnancy but the most easy one to take care (well, relatively!) He adjusts well, he adapts well. He insisted on going to his kindy via van.. on his first day! Maryam naik van Ummi, saya pun boleh.

Told ya! All smiles.

Ummi balik dulu ye Dik
Ok, bai.

He didn't even look at me waving bye-bye :D Seen here with his cousin. Younger brother to the boy who's of the same age as Iman. They have striking resemblance. From what I heard, on the orientation day, they had so much fun that their Teacher Shuod had marked these two boys!

random-ness

Related entry on Genius Aulad here.

Sabtu 1 Dec 2012 - Genius Aulad BTHO buat open day. Sapa belum register, boleh register. Sapa dah register tapi belum bayar full, sila berbuat demikian. Also there were transportation operator aka pakcik and makcik van. Nak test size baju pun buleh.

Start-up cost lebih kurang kindy Adam before this jugak.Monthly fee - quite mahal. I can't imagine the cost for those who have more than one kindy-going at one time.

My mind was calculating how much money they make monthly ha ha. Lets say its RM250 per child, max 20 children per class. Hurmppp... But dealing with small children can be very tedious and it requires tremendous passion and patient (and worthwhile and emotionally rewarding too!)

You'd better preserve that excitement for the next two years! He was so excited. Mana buku Adam? Mana beg Adam Ummi? Mana cikgu?

Abang Mat the clown oso got peeps! They serve some food as well but we were heading for a wedding so we passed. Adam queued up for a ballon with me. While we were at that, Tebby was querying the tadika owner about dinding kelas separating one class from another, if it's glass or fibre :D Safety first peeps!

Look Abah, pedang!

Anyway, a bit on house reno. Semalam, albeit Sunday, mamat-mamat dan pakcik Indon datang kerja jugak. Biasa Sunday diorang off. When asked, sebab Malaysia menang bola the night before, maka diorang datang keje :D

They have started painting the interior, starting with masterbedroom, family area and the boys' room. Anyone who knows me personally would know how afraid I am with colors. My palette is very limited. Earth tones, subtle, dull, pastel. As for the boys' we decided on Jotun's Gustavian Blue. I was opting for brown, cream, light green. Tebby suggested to put some colors. Something different from my usual pick.

The room, in its original form. We got rid of that tingkap nako but keeping the parquet. I love its gleam! 

Gleam no more but fret not. Parquet ni will be re-grinded and re-polished.

This is how Jotun's Gustavian Blue looks like. Phew. Biru mendung-mendung nak hujan gitu.. Although blue is not in my original list but the mendung-ness is so me hihi. I loike! Gambar actual room tak sempat nak snap. They finished painting dah lewat petang, nak ambik gambar pun dah gelap bebenor. Tiga bilik will be painted under this code. The boys', Kakak's and 4th room kat bawah.

photos credit to www.houzz.com

I planned for this scheme for the boys' and Kakak's. Blue wall, white bed and table. Dark brown/black built-in wardrobe.I hope they will turn out as fresh and nice as this!

Ihtifal 2012 @Atfal Excel

The night before.
Ummi, cikgu pesan malam ni tidur awal.
Esok bangun awal pegi sekolah.
Pukul lapan tau Ummi.

Days before.
Cikgu suruh saya pakai baju orang besar Ummi.
Cikgu suruh saya nyanyi nanti.
Ummi, nanti saya baca doa tau.
Baca doa tengok tangan tau Ummi.

 The BIG day eventually came last Saturday. He woke up extra early. Extra chirpy. Extra happy :D Dropped him off (for prepping up I guess!) at 8.00am then the rest of us went for breakfast. 9.30am the event started. I was so excited to see him on stage the first time. I made sure my bateri camera was charged to 100% :D

That's the owner of Atfal himself, welcoming everyone. Pengetua is actually wife dia but she's not well for the past one or two years. After the speech was first performance by kindergarteners age 4-6.

Adam on stage! First time. Muka blur. Searching for fimiliar faces :D

He saw us!

Baca ikrar. Bibir merah tuuuuu!

Du'a. His favourite, as he can say 'aku' without me jeling-jeling him.

This is what he meant 'pakai baju orang besar'. Ber-nasyid pulak. Ni age 4 and 5.

Kisah gembala dan biri-biri.

Biri-biri kena tangkap dah! So comel these kids.

Adam! Dah men-spiderman. He got restless after a while and menyebok tepi stage.

6-yo. Bakal memulakan primary school 2013. Moga kalian berjaya. School smart and street smart. Jadilah anak kebanggaan keluarga dan agama.

It was a small scale event. But regardless the scale, whenever there's kids, rest assured it's gonna be fun (and havoc!) Good event, good food. It ended with a makan-makan do. (ada pulut kuah durian! Sedap!)

It warms my heart seeing wajah-wajah polos dan suci these children. And to see proud faces of parents there, regardless whether or not their child is the most outstanding student or not.

Post event.
Ummi, tadi saya pakai lipstik tau.
So that explains! :D

little boy & being mom

Our little boy went on a kindy trip yesterday. After considering all the 'what-ifs' and looking at the excitement in his eyes, I decided to let him join the trip.

Prior to this, there was a trip to Desa Water Park cum small-scale sports day. I had this uneasy feeling. Rasa tak sedap hati, bak kata orang kita nih. To make it worse, Tebby has the same feeling too. Decided not to let him go was easy but to actually tell him, was a different story altogether, especially when he's been telling us about the forthcoming trip for days! Kids these days do not take 'because I tell you so' or 'you can't go, no question is entertained'. I rehearsed my justifications silently. Then I finally blurted it out, expecting the worst.

Adik, Adik nak pegi ke Desa Water Park?

Tak nak. Saya nak pegi dengan Ummi dengan Abah dengan Kakak dengan Iman. Lagi best pegi dengan Ummi dengan Abah dengan Kakak dengan Iman.

Phew!

Back to yesterday, I called up his nursery at 3.00pm. Was so relieved to get to know they have all safely arrived. True, it was a small-scale school trip. They went to kilang coklat, went tourist-y around UKM, UPM and later Putrajaya. Regardless, a mom will always be a mom. We worry.

Backtrack to my uni days. I can't imagine the worry my parents had to endure during my bus-trip to-fro my hometown to Sintok. Or during my trips with friends to Pulau Kapas, Pulau Perhentian and the likes. I guess when we were young and free, we couldn't care much even for ourselves. When we are mom then only we know how exactly a mom feels.

changing lanes

Remember Adam's first day at kindy? (read here) And how he demanded for uniforms when they were not ready yet? And we bought white tees and dark blue pants so that his looked similar with Iman's? (read here)

After deliberating for some time, we decided that Adam will be attending another kindy next year for some reasons. Of course this is not an easy decision to make. Kakak and Iman went to the same kindy that Adam currently attends. To say I am not at all satisfied with their services, that would be a lie. My heart melts at hearing Adam correcting Iman reciting surah Al-Quraisy. Or how at times en-route to school Adam suddenly recites Al-Fatihah. Or how just before bed he recites doa tidur. Of course, all these and all those a-b-c, 1-2-3 and red green blue and whatnots. And yesterday he went all nagging like old grandmama over me naikkan suara to Iman while we did some school revision because I really shouldn't be doing that! All the things he learns and picks from school. May Allah Bless the teachers.

But anyway, I noticed they haven't done any outdoor activities this year as planned - field trip, sports day, and the likes. Which prompted us to make the change. They used to have those. I remember cheering during their sports day way back in 2005/2006 where Kakak won several prizes. Or how we beamed with pride seeing her danced during her Ihtifal way back in 2007. Iman didn't get to do all those. But that's probably because of the disorder he used to have. 

I always got sentimental over things :D, in case you hadn't notice.

We both agreed it's Genius Aulad for Adam next year. Mainly because his cousin will be going there as well next year! We sort of had one lesser things to deal with - transportation. My SIL is a graduated house-wife. (she once work for a famous O&G company), she'll be sending his son there and Adam can tag along. You see, Iman (my 2nd) and her first offspring are of same age. Adam is 4 (my 3rd), and so is her second child. (when she got pregnant earlier this year, I was like.. uhh uhh.. need to be extra careful :D) In addition to that, Adam has one confirmed friend already, his cousin! I should post a photo of them together later. How look-alike they are! Same height, same built, same hair cut, similar facial features.

Back to Genius Aulad - curricular-wise - okaylah I think. They have all the basics (reading in both languages, counting, simple math operations, field trips, outdoor activities and most importantly basics to solat, mengaji, hafazan and the likes. We went there last week to register (only 6 seats left!). While we are serious about the kids' formal education but it doesn't mean we want to force things down their throat so they can answer questions on rocket science or do some mental algebra by the age of 6. I used to read about mummies being overly worried when their child can't read. At 6 or 7, yes, I'd also be concerned. But at 3? My principle is - let them enjoy being  children while they are still children. Let classroom education be fun and enjoyable. Oh ya, no homework :P !

We will get monthly report on our child progress via their website. Education progression as well as discipline. Oh ya, the reading thingy - it is based on each child unique individual abilities. Sort of like Peter & Jane series. The child will only progress to the next book once he/she's done with his/her current book. Which is good. I have always believed in good foundations in all things. Reading included.

Anyway, they will also be observing each child in the first month, just in case. And it was a relief when I told the principle about ADHD, she didn't looked confused and in fact we discussed about therapies and all. Having had a son with that, of course I am concerned and we always observe Adam if he has the same traits like Iman did. While I am not not being thankful for what Allah Grants us, we just hope that one episode will remain as the only one. That episode which made us, us. In fact a better us than we used to be.

Back to Adam, when told, that boy was pretty excited of the new school. I showed him Genius Aulad's website and few photos in there. He got even more excited when I told him, he's going with Zahin (his cousin). In fact too excited that he refuses to go to his current kindy the week after!

Well, young man, you'd better be excited for the next 2 years!

Genius Aulad website -> www.geniusaulad.com.my

fever!

The heat is on!
Exam fever that is !

Ummi dah start kelas intensive home tuition :D So far we're doing good. Err..  Iman already requested Tebby to replace me as their coach :P Iman needs to sit for this exam to ascertain which class he will be in next year. The rest of the year, no exams. Just tests, course-works, homework-based assignments etc. Problem with Iman is, unlike Kakak, his attention distracts easily. He needs more breaks in between. And barely after 15 minutes he started goofing around. Much to my irritation. Especially when I checked, he has more wrongs than rights. 

Tu la, main-main lagi, kan dah banyak salah. Buat correction!

I saw him head-down, I thought he gigih mengira (it was Math that time). When I stood close to him to check the progress, I saw his book dripping wet. Ha.. kuasa air mata! He was calculating while sobbing :P Dah maknya berdiri dekat-dekat tu, terus melalak sambil peluk maknya dengan gaya penuh keinsafan (sempat blame Kakak dia, he said Kakak provoked him to goof around)

image - google images

As for my girl, boy how time really flies! Seems like yesterday that I gave birth to a baby girl with hair so thick and today (and for the next 3 more days), she sits for her first big exam, UPKK (Ujian Penilaian Kelas KAFA). Earlier today we picked her up from school, hantar to taska to change and then brought her for lunch before sending her off for the exam. I strike a deal with my boss to take an hour extra of lunch time just to ensure Kakak sempat pegi exam (her usual transportation fetches her at 2.15pm, exam starts at 2.00pm) Over lunch, I was lecturing her to start with bismillah, baca doa and whatnots, don't panic and eventually, just tembak kalau dah sampai last minute pun tak boleh jawab. She looked at me and asked 'Do you know what species of cats that don't have fur?' Adoilah...But I know, one is Spinx, right?

Anyway, she'll be sitting for exams 2 weeks straight (with few days between UPKK and final exam sekolah kebangsaan). Her sekolah kebangsaan's result is yoyo-ing. But I have warned her to be more serious and to put more effort next year. Err... I was not sure to whom the message was conveyed most. She or me hihi.

image - google images

Next year Kakak will sit for UPSR. I need to buy this book I guess ha ha. And when Kakak sits for her PMR in 2016 (if that exam still exists), Iman sits for his UPSR (if the exam still exists) in the same year. 2016 - more de-stress books for me hihi.. Yang, I'll buy the books myself, you pwetty please belanja me pegi spa okeh.

mini karnival PIBG SK BTHO 2

Kids were super excited last week. Although the event took place last Sunday, at their school the joy-fullness and merry-ness started earlier. They went into the rumah hantu during recess time, to be exact. Kakak reported to me tho, an eyewitness saw Iman kicking, punching and poking one of the ghosts out of fright!

It was a fund-raising event held by the school's PIBG. Before I go on rambling - my heartiest congratulations to all people involved especially the school and committee for making it happen. Truly, it was the very the happening. I was quite surprised at the turnouts. Ramai!

Kakak was pestering us on buying the food coupon for days! I think that was her strategy in making sure that we will all go. Food sold mostly via coupons except for few items only.

I don't know what these are called. Basikal lantai? :D Don't quote me. These kids, Ya Allah, so laju! None of my kids can cycle actually so we passed this one.

Shamsul Ghau Ghau oso got! He was MC-ing and cracking few jokes which I could not make out what and what. Later we had that abang from Geng Bas Sekolah. He sang and cracked joke. Err... I think he should stick to cracking jokes :D

While other people were busy playing, layan-ing kids, some extra-excited kids go and play with fire extinguisher!

Adam so wanting to go into this pool but we did not layan. Knowing him, he'll be there for a long long long time. Each person is allocated limited minuted splashing, rowing and getting wet.

Pony ride! RM6 per person per round. A round took about half of soccer field. My elder two were so excited when they first heard that pony ride would also be available. Whatmore when they saw those ponies real life! When we first arrived, the Q was super long. We assured the kids we'd go after we some meals and visits to stall.

Afterwards, nevertheless, the Q was still super long. What to do meh. Just Q up. It was scorching hot I tell you. Bertabah betul Q up for almost 1/2 hour!

Iman was first to go among the three. He was so excited and afraid. All at the same time. When he finally got on the pony, he was as stiff as a log! Ha ha.When budak jaga pony tu tried to adjust so that he'd sit comfortably, he gave a jelingan tajam and said jangan!

Kakak mula-mula tak mau naik but as we Q up she got excited and went on trying.

Adam pun! I had reservations at first. What if the pony decides to run? What if it decides to stand on its hind legs? Alhamdulillah everything went so well. In fact, Adam acted so au-natural, as if he's used to riding pony :D

We redeemed nasi ayam for kids. Had to buy another set of coupons. We needed 3 nasi ayam but 1 coupon set came with 2 nasi ayam only.

Iman & Adam had fun jumping and sliding while me, Tebby and Kakak bracing the hotness and squinting our eyes under the sun.. For 15 minutes I tell you. 

Quite surprise when Kakak wanted to do mendi. Selalunya dia tak suka benda-benda macam ni. Layannn. RM5 for one hand.

Iman pulak opted for sand-art. RM3 for small piece and RM5 for bigger one. Luckily he picked the smaller one. Good. More jimat and lesser time spent peeling and sanding hihi. Adam pun dok tolong tu ha.

To be frank I didn't expect we'd be so happy at the carnival. Most importantly the kids had fun.

Oh ya, apart from long Q for pony ride, this one also super loonggggg! Nak redeem keropok lekor! Tebby Q-ed up (you can never take Terengganu out of him :D - usually long Q puts him off immediately but not this one). Keropok was super good that we bought 2 extra packs.

Yang, next time if got karnival like this, we rent a stall la jual keropok lekor. My only fear is, tukang jual yang lagi banyak makan :P