Allah Owns Everything

Dear Diary,

Our children are only ever lent to us.

We never know just how long we will be able to keep them for.

So kiss them, cuddle them, praise them and hold them tightly.

But most of all... tell them you LOVE them EVERYDAY.

Quoted from Islam For Kids' Facebook

Cycle of Life

Dear Diary,

My dear girl, the day you see I'm getting old, I ask you to please be patient, but most of all, try to understand what I'm going through. If when we talk, I repeat the same thing a thousand times, don't interrupt to say: "You said the same thing a minute ago" ... Just listen, please. Try to remember the times when you were little and I would read the same story night after night until you would fall asleep.

When I don't want to take a bath, don't be mad and don't embarrass me. Remember when I had to run after you making excuses and trying to get you to take a shower when you were just a girl?

When you see how ignorant I am when it comes to new technology, give me the time to learn and don't look at me that way ... remember, honey, I patiently taught you how to do many things like eating appropriately, getting dressed, combing your hair and dealing with life's issue every day ... the day you see I'm getting old, I ask you to please be patient, but most of all, try to understand what I'm going through.

If I occasionally lose track of what we're talking about, give me the time to remember, and if I can't, don't be nervous, impatient or arrogant. Just know in your heart that the most important thing for me is to be with you.

And when my old, tired legs don't let me move as quickly as before, give me your hand the same way that I offered mine to you when you first walked. When those days come, don't feel sad ... just be with me, and understand me while I get to the end of my life with love. I'll cherish and thank you for the gift of time and joy we shared. With a big smile and the huge love I've always had for you, I just want to say, I love you ... my darling daughter.

Original text in Spanish and photo by Guillermo Pena.

Translation to English by Sergio Cadena.

Source: AARP's Facebook

It's Irfan's Birthday Today

Dear Diary,

Today is Irfan’s birthday. He’s 3 years old. Let me tell you a bit about my youngest son…

He’s one cheeky boy. Among my three children, he is the only one who likes to tease people. He likes to smile but don’t fall for his smiles because he’s also very garang. He’s very close to me. Wherever I am, he’s there like a shadow; maybe because I raised him from baby without helper unlike his brother and sister.

He started talking much later than Imran and Zarra at around 2+ years old. At first, he talks gibberish. I’m the only one who understands his “language” though there are times I myself had no idea what he’s trying to say. Alhamdulillah, in the last two months his speech has become more comprehensible. His sentence construction is also better. Lately, he seems to talk non stop. This is very different from his younger self who was quieter.

He always offers to help me with chores and always like to participate in what his elder siblings are doing. One more thing, he’s very neat and quite particular in arranging things.

MUHAMMAD SYAHIR IRFAN – My prayers are with you always. May you grow up to become a soleh son who brings happiness to people around you. May Allah bless you with good health and good life.

I love you always!

Kids Enjoying Themselves

Dear Diary,

My three darlings having a blast at Double Tree by Hilton, Avanos - Cappadocia

in our room...

at the pool...

at breakfast...

Tetidoq

Dear Diary,

Ni la akibatnya bila tak mau tidoq tengahari. Dah siap elok-elok nak keluaq, alih-alih tetidoq. Yang tak tahan tu tangan tetap maintain pegang iPad.

Kids at Sunway Pyramid

Dear Diary,

Some pictures of the kids during an outing to Sunway Pyramid last November...

Boria Kakak & Adik

Dear Diary,

As long as I can remember, I've never dressed my children with similar looking outfits. So, I found it interesting when I realized that both Zarra and Irfan were wearing white shirts with red pants. Though the clothes are not exactly the same but they looked similar.

Without wasting any minute, I grabbed my camera and began clicking away. Both of them were more than happy to pose for me.

Johnny's Restaurant, Summit USJ, Oct 2012

Dear Diary,

Johnny’s Restaurant in Summit USJ was chosen to be the venue for Irfan’s 2^nd birthday celebration last year. It was a simple family dinner with no cake or party paraphernalia.

Besides Irfan, Dan also celebrates his birthday in October

Location: Lot 53, Summit USJ Subang, Jalan Kewajipan USJ 1, 47600 UEP Subang Jaya, Selangor. Telephone number: 03 - 80247389. Fax number: 03 - 80247391. Website: www.johnnyrestaurant.com

Birthday Kisses

Dear Diary,

Abang and Kakak showered Irfan with birthday kisses before we went out for dinner to celebrate his 2nd birthday in October last year.

Alahai Irfan

Dear Diary,

Orang bergaya, dia pun nak bergaya jugak. Inilah jadinya....

Chatterbox In The Making

Dear Diary,

I’d like to pen down another Irfan’s development for our memory. Just a few days ago, I’ve blogged about his easy weaning off process. Another progress that he achieved recently is talking. Irfan can speak in complete sentences now. He started pronouncing words that are comprehensible to us when he was nearing 2 years of age but he officially talks in full sentences last month.

Oh boy, he surely tackles talking head on. He’s been talking incessantly. Around the clock! Dah dapat mulut ni, aduh cakap banyak sungguh!

Another chatterbox in the making

Nescafe to the Rescue

Dear Diary,

Yea, my little boy has officially stopped breast feeding. At the age of 2 years and 4 months, he is now only drinking formula milk.

My baby boy who is no longer a baby

Actually, I’ve been thinking to start his wean off process when he celebrated his 2 year old birthday last year. But it was me who kept on putting it off. I didn’t have the heart to turn him down every time he wanted to breast feed.

Only last month I finally gathered enough courage to turn deaf ears to his pleadings. Memang kena keraskan hati. Alhamdulillah, his weaning period is smooth sailing. I explained many times to him that breast milk has gone stale (basi). My trick is Nescafe. I used Nescafe powder and mixed it with very little water. Just one taste of the bitter coffee, he straightaway rejected it. Making faces while uttering, “Susu tetek basi.”

Singing Their Hearts Out

Dear Diary,

Apa saja si kakak buat, si adik pasti ikut buat sama.

Elok sangat la tu. Sorang menyanyi pegang sudu, sorang lagi menyanyi pegang botol sos.

Menyanyi bersungguh-sungguh pulak tu!

2 Siblings

Dear Diary,

This is an entry about these two wonderful kids. They're close. In fact, Irfan is closer to Zarra compared to Imran. Maybe this is due to 2 years age gap between them compared to 4 and 6 years age gap between them and their eldest brother.

The first thing Irfan asks every morning as soon as he wakes up is his sister. "Kakak mana?" In whatever situation, Irfan surely remembers his sister. They play together. Of course, they quarrel too. Zarra is more considerate towards Irfan and can tolerate him better than Imran. In short, sayang benar la Irfan kat kakak dia and it shows.

Taiping Night Safari, Sept 2012

Dear Diary,

After filling up our stomachs at Pusat Penjaja Taiping, we sped off to our next destination, Taiping Night Safari. My three darlings were overjoyed when they knew that we’re going to a zoo, on top of that we’re going at night. Even I myself was excited.

Taiping Night Safari is the first of its kind in Malaysia. It is opened every night at 8pm until 11pm. Visitors can experience observing nocturnal animals. Their habitats are duplicated as closely as possible to their natural surroundings. Visitors are required to minimize sounds and noises. Camera flash is not allowed as not to disturb the animals. Entrance fees are RM16 for adults and RM10 for children aged 3 till 12 years.

At first we wanted to walk but thinking it would be quite a long walk in darkness, we opted for train ride. This way we could focus more on the kids and animals and we could also be more relax. Imran and Zarra enjoyed themselves tremendously. Being the older ones, they're more familiar with all the animals compared to Irfan. Irfan on the other hand was a bit afraid because it was dark and he couldn't see some of the animals clearly. I think if we were to go during daytime, it would be more enjoyable for him.

Another plus point is that the train driver provides us with animals’ information. He’s our guide for that night. We saw many animals such as owl, zebra, giraffe, elephant, hippo, rhinoceros, panther, lion, camel, wild boar, deer, several types of crocodiles, etc. We’re very lucky too because we got to watch Malayan tiger (harimau belang) swimming.

When I look back at my Taiping trip’s folder pictures, I realize that I didn’t snap many pictures of the animals at the Night Safari. My camera is not sophisticated enough. Furthermore, whatever pictures that I have of the animals are all blur. This demands for a repeat visit eh?

Address: Jalan Taman Tasik Taiping, 34000 Taiping, Perak. Telephone number: 05 – 808 6577. Fax number: 05 – 806 6025. Website: www.zootaiping.gov.my

The Manhattan Fish Market, e@Curve, Sept 2012

Dear Diary,

Zura, my sister in law, asked us to join her and husband to watch The Possession, a horror film. Unfortunate for me because Irfan was very active and couldn’t stop talking during movie watching. How could he sleep as usual when he already took a 3 hour nap? Try as hard as I could, he didn’t want to sleep. No choice for me but to get out of the cinema hall. So, there we were just chilled at the cinema’s lobby area while everybody else watching the movie peacefully.

We had dinner at The Manhattan Fish Market after securing our movie tickets. It’s an obvious choice, knowing that the foods and service are good.

Manhattan Fish `n Chips - Dory

Spaghetti in the Sea

Garlic Herb Rice

Chicken Tenders (Kids' Meal)

Chicken of Liberty

Mango Juice, Cala Cala, Citrus Mint, Chocolate Milkshake

Location: Lot LG-17(1), Lower Ground Floor, 2A, Jalan PJU 7/3, Mutiara Damansara, 47800 Petaling Jaya, Selangor. Telephone number: 03 – 7728 7303. Fax number: 03 – 7728 8930. Website: www.manhattanfishmarket.com

Kita Minum Dulu

Dear Diary,

These pictures were taken during our first visit to Paradigm Mall. I uploaded them here just for Zarra.

Kenangan Zarra minum susu botol