Abang and Adik

Kids... they were so cute when they started to talk... the 'pelat'ness, the scrunching up the face in search of the right word, the creation of new words when they couldn't find the right one etc. Both of my children are late talkers. They could walk by the time they were 10 months old but the things that came out from their mouths were gibberish.... until when they are about 2 and a half. It is especially harder for my babies because they are December babies.

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Take Adik for instance. She had just turned 3 but next week she is legally 4 and at the age where parents are advised to send them to kindergarden. Abang just.. just turned 6 last week but next week he will be in Darjah Satu, a good 1 year younger from most of his classmates. I couldn't send Adik to school yet.. well because she can't really talk. She can express herself sure, but only family members could understand her and only people that love her found it cute !!

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Anyway, bila dah pandai cakap, both of them wants to catch up with all the years that they have spent frustrated due to incoherent-ness ( please forgive me for my choice of word ) !!

Yesterday she woke up and Babah was not at home.

Adik: Mum... mana Babah Adik ?

Mum : Babah pegi gunting rambut sayang...

Adik : Haa ? Babah pegi gunting lambut ( face all screwed up sebab tak paham )

Mum : Yes... pegi potong rambut...

Adik : Oh.... Mum...... Listen, listen....... ( came to me, forced me to get down to her level and went to my ear to whisper ) Suluh Babah ambik Adik okay.

Mum : Kenapa kena bisik ni ? Why suruh Babah ambik Adik?

Adik : Adiknak potong lambut Mum.. ( still whispering... ) Babah ambik Adik okay...

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So much drama......

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Some time ago, we went to the house of Abang's friend to send birthday present. We couldn't make it to the party at the 11th hour tapi hadiah dah beli. So we stopped by to extend the gift.. Sampai kat rumah orang tu we saw a few expensive cars in their compound. As we oohed and aahed, Abang mentioned that the father of his friend is a doctor.

Abang: Abah tak tahu ke bapak dia doctor...

Abah : Oh okay. Tu lah Abang if you want expensive cars you have to become a doctor...

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So we went to bagi salam and seperti biasa emak bercakap dengan emak and the bapaks had a separate session on their own.

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Dalam kereta....

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Babah : Eeii... Abang.... kenapa Abang kata bapak dia doctor !!

Mummy : Habis keje apa ?

Babah : Sama ngan I ... jual kereta !! Cuma bapak dia manager... !!

Abang : Tapi kan Bah.... only doctors boleh pakai kete mahal kan Bah ?

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Mummy and Babah terkebil kejap sebab caught in our own web of deceit and Babah finally said... bapak dia memang doctor tapi he got 2 jobs, malam - malam jual kete !! Hua hua hua hua !!

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At home when we finally had a private time on our own Babah told me, dia tanya that guy, practise kat mana ? Tergelak besar aku !!

As I mentioned before, I do have the right for that little white lie ( please humour me ) because he is my son and I want to steer him to the right career path ( he wanted to be a race car driver ). But... well.... okay let me say this. My dad used to tell me that if I do not study hard, my work will also be not hard, thus making it insignificant. I will go to work by public transportation and I will have a little umbrella with me to shelter me from rain and sunshine. As oppose to my successful friends that could afford cars and they will drive past me in their big vehicles and as I wait to cross the road to my insignificant position, their cars will pass me by, splashing water on me as they go ( kebetulan ada lopak berair kat situ ). Therefore, better pack some towels before you go to work, he advised....

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Tapi bapak.... I still had to take the public transportation to my quite significant job as an engineer. I actually purchased an umbrella ( Esprit brollies if you must know ) to shield me from rain and sunshine. And I did pack towels just in case I did get splashed by my friends who roared by !

I had only driven to work for a year !! And I have been working for 4 years !! So it doesn't really mean kan walaupun belajar tinggi2, terlepas dari naik public transport.

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Babah is right... I have to stop from making my children crazy..

Holiday Weekend

I hate coming to work today because I had a glorious 3 day weekend lazying around and enjoying my family.

We took the kids to watch Eragon at KLCC. The movie was good but it left me hanging as the story was unfinished ( for a sequel I am sure ). As usual in the car, I asked my children ( sejak-menjak Adik pandai bercakap ni my children le, dulu Abang aje ) what they understood from the movie. First question, what is the name of the rider ? " Eragon ! " answered Abang. What is the name of the dragon ? " Saphira ! " answered Abang again. What is the colour of the dragon ? " Blue ! " answered both of them ( Adik kuat sikit sebab she knew the answer to that one ) and I think I asked apa nama orang jahat tu and Elsa answered " Giraffe ! " Giraffe ? Mana mai Giraffe ? After that all my questions were either answered by Giraffe or Blue.....

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Yesterday, nak dijadikan cerita, my babies accompanied me pi sidai kain kat belakang. They were rolling and shouting about when Abang suddenly shouted " Mummy look !! Dragonfly !! " I turned around to look at where he pointed but I stopped my eyes at Adik. She was crouching while her eyes scanned the sky. "Abang mana dragon Abang ? Mana ? " Ha ha ha !! Was she really expecting the real Saphira flying about our garden ?

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Abang is a real yapper. He could talk for hours and hours about his games, his toys, his day ... anything at all that interest him. Anyway in the car on Sunday, he was talking about Tenken 5 and after like 45 minutes ( I think it was 45 minutes because it was very very long. It could be less as you know time flies when you are having fun and time stood still when you are not... he he ) I asked him to stop talking and rest his voice. My reasoning is that without rest, he might not be able to talk at all later on. I was too tired to say really, a-ha, emmm, that's nice over and over again.

When we got home, the kids were with me when I tackled the ironing. Abang started yapping again but this time on his prowess as a game player.

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Abang: Really Mummy, I am unstockable....

Mummy : What is unstockable Abang?

Abang : It means nobody can beat you. Harith kan biggest kan, Hakeem kan mediest kan ( mediest ? ) and Abang smallest kan ( ooo... paling medium... ) but they cannot beat me... Nobody could stop me..

Mummy : Abang if nobody can stop you the word is unstoppable.... not unstockable...

Abang : Oh okay... blah blah blah.... "

Mummy : Emm.... Really ? Okay...

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When suddenly I heard another little voice that went Emm.... Aaa...... Really ?

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Rupa - rupanya si Adik... Apparently, she too had to layan abangnya bercakap and she had dutifully just answered non-committally to her brother while drawing and colouring. When Abang finished his lengthy explaination, she said " That's nice Abang, " looked at her brother and smiled....

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He he..

A Lecture on a Sunday

I attended a lecture on Sunday. Well, not exactly attended on my free will but was forced to participate. The subject matter ? Why the Gorilla Track is Fun. I had a lengthy lecture from Abang on his new birthday present.

"Mummy, kids kan like birthdays kan because they get new toys. Kids like to play with toys. Kids kan Mummy they like to have fun !" Yes, so you have told me many times Abang.

"Come Mummy, I want to show what is fun with this track," So he showed the different ways the car could travel and all the fun features of the track. It was awesome for him.

He got another track that is yet to open. He pompously informed me “ I will do that on my own Mummy with my helpers."

Really ? You have helpers ? Yes, my cousins will come and pasang the track for me, said he. Right.

"Look Mummy, there are 6 ways to pasang this track and blah blah blah… " Macam lawatan kilang as I just stood there politely listening to his explaination. I looked at his Babah in the next room, willing him and signaling with my eyes for him to help me get out of this torture. He gave me a triumphant smile and continued on watching the telly. Well yeah, I probably deserved it as he asked for my help to pasang the track but I flat down refused. He he….

Umar and Elsa's Birthday Party

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Last Saturday Babah and I hosted Abang and Adik's birthday party at our club, Bukit Kiara Equestrian Club at the bowling alley. I was quite apprehensive at first as I was not sure the children will warm up to bowling and I was quite afraid that the kids will be bored. Past birthday hosting experience was easy because I opened up their playroom, switched on the Play Station and the party goers will be stuck upstairs for hours and only coming down occasionally for sustenance. It leaves us the parents time and freedom to catch up and mingle.

But this time, if the little ones do not feel like participating in the only event, do I have to start entertaining them ? I do not know any magic tricks and my nose are not big and red enough. But luckily, it went well. The children were eager to try and I had to go back and forth to get the right size of bowling shoes for everyone.

Preparation wise, it was so relaxing and rather scary too. Scary because it was too relaxing. We didn’t have to do anything at all even in the morning of the party, except pick up the cakes. Then we went there one and half hour early to ensure that everything is in order and they were !! I didn't have to fuss over anything on rush off to prepare another.

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The only thing to do was wait for the guests to arrive. We waited and waited not knowing what to do and so we played in the arcade. And when it was 2 pm where the 2 lanes were ours, we bowled. Ann and her husband being non-malay ( her husband is Chinese, Ann is not ) arrived first. So we bowled with him. Then around 2.45, when the Malays deemed it is fashionable to arrive ( being a Malay that is what I usually do ), the birthday boy and girl made an appearance with the rest of the family. Friends trickled in slowly afterwards.

Although, a lot of my close friends tak dapat datang like Shazmi ( hot date I presume ) and Anu who is on assignment in Medan.

The cakes were gorgeous by the way. In earnest, I ordered the cakes just because it was aesthetically ( don't mind my spelling if it is wrong ) pleasing. I didn't consider at all if they would be nice to the palate. Surprise, surprise, it was rather tasty although quite dry, I suppose a moist cake couldn't hold the weight of the decorations.

We bowled like mad. The kids were eager to bowl and the parents were frustrated because we had to bowl and help the kids to bowl, so no real game was going on. Some can't even bowl because ada sayap kiri and sayap kanan dok ikut... he he he....

We finally got a real game going. It was fun. I got a strike but when I turned around to gloat, nobody was there to watch my moment of glory except for my brother ( who was mightily unimpressed as he didn’t have an open game at all ) and my mom who was delighted that I was so clever… Oh mum… Sheeshh….

The party was fun. It was marvelous.

I told Babah, maybe we should do a pool party next year and Babah said that requires parental participation in the pool. I said why not ? It would be fun. Instead of a reminder to bring socks, I would remind them to bring their swimsuits.

Yeah, Babah.. what about your friends. I am sure none of them will attend. So there…. Hmmm betul jugak. Even I won’t attend the party !! Malu !!

Pokemon Master

Adik and Abang were arguing. And then I guess Adik dah bengang habis but she doesn't know what to do ( nak bantai abang dia, besar lak daripada dia berkali - kali ganda ), she suddenly yelled,

I choose you Pikachu !! Ewetric shock attack !!

Hua hua hua hua !!!!

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Mummy : Abang this year I will give your birthday presents on your respective birthdays and not during the party okay. Soo.. Adik will get her present this Friday and you will get your present next Thursday.

Abang : Mum are we going to have 2 birthday parties then ?

Mummy : No the party satu saja, this Saturday tapi this Friday is Adik's birthday and next Thursday is yours. So presents I will give on your actual birthdays.

Quiet for awhile.

Abang: Mum ( suara dah bergetar ) can we have the party just once like before sebab Abang punya last. Lambat lagi.

Mummy : Abang... the party satu sahaja but ada dua orang ada dua dates. Adik on the 15th and you on the 21st. Tapi on the 16th is the party for you and Adik....

Abang : So nanti Abang punya bowling party jugak ke ?

Mummy : Abang.... hai.... okaylah. I will organise one party for both you an Adik okay.

Abang : Thank you Mummy. I like that better......

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Eeeiiii..... susahnya nak paham !!

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Abang : Mummy why does that baby cow drink milk from mummy dia punya boobs ?

Mummy : Well that is how it is done. Even human pun macam tu. When you were a baby you drank from my boobs.

Abang : Why is the milk there ?

Mummy : Well when a lady gets pregnant, the boobs will produce milk for the baby and when the baby is born, the milk is all ready.

Abang : Yes, but why at the boobs ?

Mummy : Well that is one of the functions of the boobs. Abang I think we have to stop this conversation because we use the word boobs a lot and I think I have to find a better word for that.... maybe chest....

Abang : But mum, wouldn't it be easier if the baby drinks from a bottle like normal people ?

Mummy : Drinking from your mummy's boobs.. oopps chest is what normal people do Abang although I do agree it is easier using the bottle when nursing babies like you.

Abang : Why Mummy ?

Mummy : Well last time when you were like 5 months old you keep turning your head to look at the telly. I was on your left side but you keep turning your head right to watch the telly. SO at the end, after struggling with you for a month or so, I switched to bottle.

Abang : I am glad Mummy because drinking from your boobs is yucky...

Mummy : Yes, I figured you are going to say something like that. Thank you, son.

Princess Process and Tiger

Adik: Mummy this is my Tiger.

Mummy : Okay. Where did you get that ?

Adik: This is mine Mummy.

Mummy : Are you sure ? Rasanya macam Aida punya je.

Adik: Say hello Mummy ( She waved Tiger about in front of my face )

Mummy : Hello Tiger.

Adik: Tiger is so cute Mummy.

Mummy : Yes I can see that.

Adik: I like you Mummy.

Mummy : Really ? That is nice.

Adik: ( Looked at me in earnest ) I love you so much Little Mummy ( and when she said that, she shook her head slowly, to show sincerety I think ).

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Mummy : I love you to Princess Process...

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Princess Process came about because she didn't like me calling her Hunny Bunny. Abang graciously offerred himself for the title.

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Mummy : So what do you want then Adik ? Darling..... Baling ?

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Adik: Mummy !!

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Mummy : Okay, Sweety Tweety ? Baby Puppy ?

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Abang: I think she wants to be called a Princess Mum..

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Mummy : What rhymes with Princess ? Process ?

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Adik loved it. So... there you go, Princess Process....

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However Abah feels she could also be called Hantu Batu...

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I moved Tiger to her room and when she came out from the bathroom with Abah, she couldn't find Tiger where she last put it.

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Adik : Tiger, where are you ?

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She looked around and then turned to me.

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Adik : Mummy, what have you done ? ( She sported her Pontianak face that Abah and me are very concerned about, face almost down but eyes looked up at us... trust me the effect is scary... ).

Abang the Frenchie

Abang loves the Frogs... and when I mean Frogs, I mean the French. He absolutely loves everything that is French.

Abang : Mummy tahu kan... The people in Paris kan.... they say Wow kan.. Wallah !!

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Mummy : Really ? That is interesting... I have quite an unpleasent experience with the word Wallah in Paris...

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Abang: And kan Mummy, tahu kan... the French people kan... if they see something very nice or something kan... they will say Oo La La...

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Mummy : Really ? Are you sure that is not Spanish or something.... ( Mummy pun tak tahu sangat )

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Abang : No Mum. They say Oo La La...

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We have plans to go to Hong Kong this year but when we broke the news to him, he was unimpressed.

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Abang: Mummy I saw pictures of you and Abah dekat Disneyland Paris.

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Mummy : How many times have I told you it was way before you. I would have taken you there if you were in this world already at that time !!

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Abang: I think I want to go to Disneyland Paris Mummy. I am sure it is much nicer....

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Mummy : I don't know sebab I have never been to Hong Kong Disneyland... So I can't compare

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Abang: I think I want to go to the Paris one Mummy then I can see the Eiffel Tower... Or watch football. They are always playing football you know in Paris....

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Mummy : Banyaknya duit Abah Abang...

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Abang : Mintaklah Atuk...

Banyak cantik ko punya mintak Atuk....

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One day we were talking of dinner plans and DeliFrance was mentioned.

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Mummy : Abang would you like to eat sandwiches... ?

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Abang: Sure ! I want the ones with roti yang keras tu.

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Mummy : It is called a baguette Abang.

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Abang: Hey Mummy. People in Paris eat baguette. I heard Madeline said baguette..

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Mummy : Yup, it is French but I prefer the Italian's ciabatta better..(saja nak mengusik)

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Abang : I like the baguette Mummy because it tastes nice. The people in Paris eat baguettes Mum. Is France in Paris ?

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Mummy Nope the other way around. Paris is in France. That is why DeliFrance is called that. It is a place that sells French food...

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Abang: Paris is so nice kan Mummy...

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Yelah, one day we will go together, okay cherie ?

Weekend with my kids

He he... I had a wonderful weekend with my children ( sans hubby again as he had to work ). First of all, when I returned home last Friday, my children rushed to hug and kiss me, enough to cover the 3 days I was away. Adik, when she hugged me, the first thing I heard was her murmuring, " My little Mummy, " over and over again, her little hands patting me at the back. Then she looked me and asked, " Mummy dah beli kucing ? " Ha ha... it was so funny I am still laughing about it now.

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Then she hugged me again and said, " My little Mummy...., ". Abang heard that and it didn't go down well with him. " Adik, Mummy is not little...., " Adik looked at him and said " Ha ? " " Adik, Mummy is huge !! She is not little, "

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Cess.

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" Thank you, Abang, but I am definitely not huge. I am not fat okay..., " Abang looked at me and said, " Okay who is fat then ? " " You are Abang.. , " And he let out a hearty laugh. He likes it when I say he is fat, for some reason. " Mummy, if I am fat and I am smaller than you, but you are bigger than me but not huge.... so macamana ? "

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I looked at him and offered him chocolates....

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Saturday morning was the usual activity of breakfast, piano lessons, and visiting Tok Mi. I switched on to my all-time favourite song and Abang claimed that it is his favourite song too, that Torn by Natalie Imbruglia. So we played it over and over again, singing loudly and having a great time ( he knows the lyrics, so Abah must have played that song when it was just them and Abah too... ) when I decided to quiz him on his pemahaman ( My mother always remark that most of her children bila tang Pemahaman BM susah nak score sebab memang semulajadi tak paham. Tak paham orang cakap apa. Secara halusnya degillah tuh ) of the song.

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Mummy : Abang what does ' You're a little late..' mean ?

Abang : Oh, dia dah lambat sikit Mummy...

Mummy : What about ' I am already torn... ' ?

Abang : Saya dah besar. I am already big...

Mummy : What ? Where did you get that from ? Torn means koyak lah Abang. So her heart dah koyak lah...

Abang : What ? Torn ? Mummy, I heard tall Mum !! Not torn...

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Mummy burst out laughing again. Aiseh Abang, you are so funny... Then again, he made my life difficult.

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ABang : Why does her heart terkoyak Mummy ?

Mummy : Well it means that she is heartbroken, she is sad. That guy dissapoints her.

Abang : But Mum, dekat CEC kan, teacher Devi cakapkan, kalau our heart is rosak, the heart can stop and so kita mati Mummy. So is she a ghost Mummy ? Sebab her heart is torn, dia dah mati. Is this like lagu Pontianak tu ?

Mummy : No lah. It is just a figure of speech. Torn tu maksudnya.....

Abang : Mummy what is figure of speech ?

Mummy : Abang nak chocolates ?

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Easy peasy lemon squeezy.

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This morning, both of them were awake when I was about to leave home. Demands for hugs and kisses were gladly met when I bent down for a second set of love from my daughter. Do you know what she said to me ?

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"Mummy pegi beli kucing okay ? "

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Ha ha..... my babies.

Mummy pegi Kuching

Mummy : Abang, I am going away on a trip okay ?

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Abang : What does that mean ?

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Mummy : I am going on a plane to somewhere else..

( he was reading when I started this conversation but sat straight immediately when I mentioned aeroplane )

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Abang: Where are you going Mummy ?

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Mummy : Kuching.

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Abang : Kucing ? ( and let out this huge collossal laugh )

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Mummy : It is a real place you know ...

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Abang : Where is it ?

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Mummy : Malaysia jugak...

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Abang : Very far from Shah Alam ? Is it near Subang ?

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Mummy : Abang, Jakarta is nearer to Kuching...

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Abang : That is far Mummy ! Do you have to sleep there ?

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Mummy : Yes, I will go tomorrow and come back on Friday.

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Abang : ( Counting Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday ) You will be sleeping there 4 times Mummy !!

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Mummy : No... 3 times. Friday morning I will be back.

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Abang : Mummy sapa nak tidur dengan Abang.... ( okay malas nak tulis further because it turned into an argument )

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Babah called me every night and on Wednesday night when I asked for Abang, he was already asleep.

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Mummy : Hello my little hunny bunny ...

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Adik: Mummy.... ni Adiklah, not hunny bunny...

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Mummy : He he... okay. Mana abang sayang ?

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Adik : Abang tidur.... Mummy.... Abang kan..... blah, blah, blah.... ( complain time )

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Thursday night,

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Abang : Mummy, why didn't you call me ?

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Mummy : I did ! You were asleep...

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Abang : Mummy you have to call me every day Mummy....

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Mummy : I did but you dah tidur....

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Abang : I am sorry Mummy.... I miss you... ( and burst into tears... )

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Mummy : Waaa.......

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My job had always entailed me to travel a lot, domestic and international. But during my assignment in Geneva, I was plagued with huge yearnings for my family, especially Adik. I suppose I would prefer to take them along like I did when I went to Bangkok, but Babah has his own commitments and Adik did not behave well when we went to Jakarta. Takut nak bawak that little tigress masuk kapal terbang ( my mum laughingly told Babah I was like that when I was small... Mummy, you should really conceal stories like that from him because now it is all my fault. Babah fondly calls it gene jin. Uwekk..... ).

Adik does love Abang

We had always thought that Adik is made of much sterner stuffs. So stern that she doesn't mind if Abang kena tangkap polis... hehe...

We always like to threaten her that we will send Abang to live with somebody else when she instigated fights with him. She usually would say okay, liking the idea. Unlike Abang who would back off if we warn him that we we will send Adik to a different place if he doesn't stop.

Our relatives always say, Abang dia aje sayang dia. Dia tak sayang pun Abang.

Well, 3 days ago, we had dinner with my mom. It was still early but Abang fell asleep at the restaurant as soon as we ordered. He rested his head on his arms and tahu-tahu, dah lelap.

We just let him be sebab the kids always have their dinner around 6 and he only ordered drinks anyway. When it was time to go home, I said let's go to Adik. She looked at me and said, " Mummy Abang sleep, ".
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I said it is okay. Just let him sleep there. She repeated that Abang is asleep and I was quite shocked as she would usually say okay, lets go. For once Adik had this anxious look on her face. She then went to her brother and shook him. " Abang, mummy nak balik. Wake up Abang, ". Abang didn't even flinch. She shook him again and peered beneath the folded arms.

I told her why don't we go and pay for the food first ? She followed me to the register and when we returned to the table she again remarked that " Abang titul Mummy, ". Again I said biarlah dia titul, kita tinggal dia kat sini.

She shook him again, her voice this time quite desperate. I shook Abang too and he opened his eyes a bit. " Abang hurry up," she said and Abang closed his again. It took both Tok Mi and I to pimpin Abang to the car. When we were in the car, Adik said Yey !!

He he....

Weekend with my kids

I had a good weekend, eventhough hubby had to work Sunday. Took the kids swimming Saturday and Sunday I took the kids to 1Utama to catch Happy Feet.

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It was a fun movie. I seriously recommend it to everyone, even the singles. It was filled with music, lovely music, that my children couldn't keep all the grooves inside and had to stand up to dance. The first one to loose it was Adik. She suddenly sprang from her seat and got jiggy with it. Abang looked longingly at his sister but maintained his cool. Halfway, at the point where I felt I wanted to groove, Abang followed the music and danced. It was awesome. And sad too. The movie that is.

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Anyway, we arrived for the movies early and surprisingly the ticket collector/koyak-er allowed us in. I foolishly panicked when I saw the theather empty. Yelah lagi half an hour. Everybody else is waiting downstairs.

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Anyway, we took to studying the posters to fill our time. Then we came to the poster for Colic, a cerita hantu from Thailand. Earlier, below, near the refreshment stand, he he... this story is funny. Okay dekat refreshment stand tu they have a prop for this Colic movie. Memang masa tengah beratur beli tiket, we keep on hearing a baby cry. Then, when we wanted to queue up to buy popcorn, some people were gathered around something that seemed to be the source of the baby cries sound. We went to menyibuk and rupa - rupanya a prop for the movie. There was a baby basket and inside a very sickeningly dark baby with white eyes and the sound of baby's cries. Okay.

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Then, as I was queueing up to buy popcorn, I noticed Abang went to see the prop again. I saw him peered inside the basket and then the baby started to wail. OMG ! My son jumped and ran to me. His face registered real terror and fear and his hug was tight. Several people laughed ( including his momma ) but one lady exclaimed, " Oh kesiannya dia... ".

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Anyway, back to our poster scrutinisation as I mentioned earlier, we saw the poster for Colic. It featured a healthy coloured baby with normal coloured eyes but on his tummy was an imprint of an adult's hand. Then we saw a poster for an upcoming Malay movie. Abang read it out loud , " Zombie Kampung Pisang. Akan Datang. "He he...... he is going to start...

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As we were lounging around in front of the theater, he asked me the meaning of Akan Datang. I said It's Coming. Then he asked when is it coming ? I said I dunno. Soon I suppose. Mum, he said again, is he coming to get me ? What ? I looked at him and the returned look from him was filled with horror.

No he is not Abang I replied, the truth dawning on me. I don't like zombies, he declared. They eat people. I don't want to die. Then he said again, I don't want to see ghosts because they will try to eat me. Right.

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Before I can explain, he asked again, where is Kampung Pisang, mum ? Is it near ? Oh man..... I am glad we will be watching a feel good movie.

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Anyway, on the way home, Adik was asleep at the back seat, and he was next to me when he suddenly assked to me;

Abang : Mummy, how did the setan masuk dalam perut baby tuh ?

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Mummy : Cerita colic tuh ? Sebab tak baca Bismillah lah... That is why bila nak makan kena baca Bismillah. Kalau tak baca nanti setan will get inside your tummy with your food.

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Abang : Bismillah is strong sebab dia come from Allah ?

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Mummy : Yes. Allah will protect you if you read Bismillah. That is why I ask you to read Bismillah sebelum makan and sebelum tidur. So that Allah will give you extra protection.

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Abang : Tapi baby tu tak tahu baca Bismillah Mummy, macam Adik. Adik punya Bismillah is funny...

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Mummy : Kalau baby orang yang bagi dia makan and orang yang tidurkan dia kena tolong bacakan Bismillah. Like when you were a baby, Babah and I will read the Bismillah for you to protect you. So Adik pun Babah and Mummy read the Bismillah for her.

-

Abang : What about when you were a baby ? Who did that for you ?

-

Mummy : Tok Mi and Tok Yah lah.

-

Abang : Oh, because they are your father and mother ? That is before you ada Babah and me and Adik ?

-

Mummy : That is right honey.

-

He became quiet for awhile. Then he turned his head to look at his sleeping sister. He suddenly got up and went to to back seat. I heard him whisper the Bismillah. Then he came back in front.

-

Abang : Adik is safe now Mummy. I baca Bismillah for her. She will be okay.

-

I looked at my son, a proud mother and all misty eyed. Then he made things difficult for me;

-

Abang : Mummy if Allah is stronger than setan, why can't he kill setan terus ?

-

Aaa....... Camno nak jawab nih ? My son is a believer of you-better-kill-it-before-it-kills-you philosophy. Like this very morning, I showed him a picture of a tiger that has been cut into 4 pieces. I expressed regret and sadness for the big cat. He looked at me and said,

-

Abang : But mum, tigers makan orang. So now he cannot eat people anymore. People are safe.

-

Mummy : Sure, but wouldn't it be sad if you cannot see tigers anymore, say in the zoo ?

-

Abang : In the zoo I will go and see the nice animals Mummy, like cows and goats and giraffes....

-

Okaylah. I will explain to you better when you are older. This is something that I have to ponder about to give an impact on you.

-

Believe you me, my answer to him didn't make me proud of myself at all... Hmmm......

The Goldilocks

I came home to hear Abang's important news.

Abang : Teacher chose me to tell a story tomorrow, Mummy.

Mummy : Really ? That is nice. What story are you reciting ?

Abang : Goldilocks !!

Mummy : You are not going to tell them my version of Goldilocks, right honey ?

Abang : I am going to tell them about Goldilocks who went to the forest and found the 3 bears' house...... blah, blah, blah....

So he practised in front of us and I noticed that he kept saying The Goldilocks.

Mummy : Sayang, you don't have to put 'the' in front of her name...

Babah : Goldilocks is her name lah Abang. She is not a WWF wrestler....

He was okay, I suppose, with the right facial expression and all... Mrs Devi once commented how well Abang turned out to be. Ha ? I said... " Really ah, Teacher ? " Yes, yes, she said. He will always raise up his hand to answer questions. Other students will all be scared when I ask questions, but not Abang lah. He is never afraid to speak in public. Once he went in front of the class and told the whole class how a butterfly came to be... ( She also said that Abang left her mouth hanging open when she first encountered him, until another student told her it is okay teacher, Abang is like that - I dare not ask her why ).

Ye ke ? Sounds like he has no regard for authority aje. However he is very afraid of the police ( My mum said that is very wrong as if he is in trouble he will not seek police's help at all. Point taken mum. Will try to establish the right feeling for authority ). He he.... Once right, we went to have dinner at Secret Recepi at Sek 9. In the car I noticed that Adik has taken with her 1 sugar packet. I took that as an opportunity to teach my brood about stealing.

Mummy : Adik, adik ambik apa tu dari kedai ?

Adik : * Entah apa ntah dia cakap sebab cakap tak terang kan lagi masa tuh... tapi ada perkataan shugar in between... *

Abang : Adik ambik sugar Mummy.

Mummy : Oh my god Adik ! Did you steal that from the shop ?
( at this Babah start to menjeling kat Mummy. I just ignored it )

Abang jumped at that remark and scooted nearer to his sister.

Adik : Haaa... ( answered in the affirmative )

Mummy : Oh man. I am sure org kedai tu is calling the cops right now. What are we going to do ? The cops will be chasing us !!

Abang : Mana Mummy ? Mana ? ( while looking behind )

Mummy : Babah, please drive laju sikit. The police are coming to catch Adik and throw her into jail.

Babah : I am not driving fast sebab nanti accident. The police can come and get us if they must.
(eee.... langsung tak mo bagi co-operation)
-
Abang : Babah no ! Nanti they tangkap Adikand put her in jail. ( Getting more hysterical ) Babah hurry up. Adik is just a small kid..

Mummy : No, Babah cannot drive fast nanti Babah pulak masuk jail. ( More frantic ) What are we going to do ? Has the police come yet ? Are they near ?

Abang : Adik, where is it ? Where is the sugar ? Babah, we turn back Babah and bagi balik sugar ni kat kedai tuh. Hurry up Babah..
( Babah gave a more severe jeling to Mummy and sadly I have to end this.. )

Mummy : No, no it's okay. I will call the police and tell them it is a mistake and hopefully they will understand.

Abang : Mummy call them now Mummy. Adik, what have you done ? ( Sobbing and hugging his precious little sister. Sister by the way was wide eyed and maybe comprehended something has gone wrong but couldn't quite catch the reason why ).

Mummy : ( Called the police ). Okay, they said it's fine provided I return the sugar to them tomorrow.

Abang : Okay Mummy.... Titi you are safe now. Please don't do it again okay sebab nanti police put you in jail... Okay Adik ?

Adik : Haa.... Okay Abang.

Next morning, Abang woke up and went to the dresser straight away. He came to me and gave me the ( now forgotten ) sugar to me.

Abang : This is the sugar Mummy. Please send this back to the kedai okay ?

Mummy : ( Quite stunned actually ). Okay sayang.

Abang : You must remember this Mummy. ( 1 fat finger up ) Please remember okay Mummy ?

Babah : Why do you want to make the kids crazy like you ?

Mummy : You don't approve ?

Babah : It is quite entertaining actually....

I deliberately orchestrated us to have dinner at Secret Recepi quite soon after. Abang seemed forgotten of that episode but I was not dissapointed. As we were about to leave, he checked his sister's hands and pockets, making sure that she is free of jail-time-inducing sugar packets.

I have done my job..... I think.
-

Mummy has a bad back

Mummy : Mummy sakit belakang lah Abang.

Abang : Yeah, I know. Is it because you dah tua Mum ?

Mummy : You are very clever, my son. Very clever...

-

A few hours after that..

-

Adik : Mummy please kokong Adik.

-

Mummy : Adik, Mummy sakit belakang kan ? You know that, right ?

-

A few minutes after that

-

Adik : Abang help me Abang..... Adik sakit bakang... Please bawak Adik punya toy ni ( hand on back, body bent forward a bit... )

My children are comics.

My back hurts and it is limiting my activities. I miss carrying Adik actually, as she usually would rest her head on my shoulder and chatter. If I am lucky, she would murmur her affection for me and reward me with pats on my back or a squeeze or two.

-

I also can't believe that I am missing the act of cleaning up my children. From the very beginning it has been a team effort by Babah and me. Eventhough we have a maid, when we are around, the children are our responsibility. Abang had never been prepared for school by other people except us. I miss kissing him in the light of dawn, all cool from his bath, smelling of soap. I miss their chatter while they brush their teeth, and singing " OO... o-ok..., " when on the john, waiting for you - know - what to come out.

-

Who knew, after 4 days, I am itching to clean my children when Babah and I always fought to do the easiest chore, that is fetching the towels and choosing their clothes. I always get annoyed if my pants, or worse my top, got wet, especially if they were spraying water around.

-

Soon, Abang would be able to wash his bottom and bathe on his own. I want to savour every minute of my sons dependancy on me, as day by day, he is closer to not needing me anymore. Tonight sayang, Mummy mandikan Abang and Adik, okay ? Sayang Mummy.....

-

Abang's exam results

Since Wednesay Abang waited for me to come home. Pukul 7 dia dah terpacak kat pintu, anticipating my return. On Wednesday, as soon as he saw my car he opened the front door and jumped up and down.

-

Abang : Mummy! I am so clever Mummy. I know everything.

-

Mummy : Really ?

-

Abang : Ha.... ( he said proudly as he looked up at me, hand encircled my waist ). Abang got 100 for English...

-

Mummy : Ye ke sayang ?

-

On Thursday;

-

Abang : Mummy, I got 100 again Mum !

-

Mummy : Really ? What subject pulak ni ?

-

Abang : Maths Mum....

-

Mummy : Really ?

-

Abang : Yes, I am so clever....

-

Friday,

-

Mummy : So, did you get 100 for your Bahasa exam ?

-

Abang : Yes Mummy. Aren't I clever ?

-

Mummy : Good one, sweetheart....

-

Tapi, kat belakang with Abah..

-

Mummy : Ye ke Bah ?

-

Abah : Entah...

-

Other people whom were told of his success ( by himself le ) questioned us too...

-

Other people : Ye ke ?

-

Mummy & Abah : Entah....

-

Saturday, Charity event at CEC ( it was a huge collosal fun by the way ) I couldn't find Mrs Devi anywhere. Monday, Mrs Devi was right smack in front of me, opening the door to my car, to let Abang out.

-

Mummy : Mrs Devi ! The person I have been looking for...

( Abang at that moment was already out of the car and was near the gate. I saw him glanced worriedly at us ).

-

Mummy : How did Abang do in his exams ?

-

Mrs Devi : Very well lah, ma'am. He got 100 on all his subjects... But he did especially well this time because I did not have to guide him at all. He read all the instructions on his own. He will do very well in his Darjah Satu I think....

( this is the same teacher who told me that Abang could be the next prime minister because of his ability to talk in public... secara halusnya, Abang memang tak tau malu.... waaaaaa.... )

-

Okay, Abang.... you have to stop acting guilty all the time.... You are really giving the people around you the wrong message. Like when I asked you if you were playing game, why did you hesitate when you were actually revising your maths ? Why did you glanced back worriedly when you saw me talking to your teacher ?

-

I think I can probe and discuss deeper into this.... cuma I have to go out for lunch..... Lapaq !!

-

Hai Abang

Abang. My son. Hmmm.......

-

It turned out, my dear friends, Abang did actually studied Maths when I called him last week. I went home and demanded proof and there it was, 2 pages done. I asked him why did he do Maths, and he said he was bored. And because he wants to be a doctor.

-

He he Abang and his desire to be a doctor. Once I asked him why does he want to be a doctor ? " Because I can help people when they are sick Mummy. Help Abah and Tok Yah and Tok Mi and other people to make them better, " all were my words and then he added some of his own, " I can also help you Mummy to take out the baby from your tummy when you are pregnant, " Ha ?

-

Abah let out the loudest Ha ?

-

Later, abah told me that he will not acknowledge any baby that I carry as his when we are above 50 years old... !!! Dasar lelaki tak bertanggungjawab.

-

Why does Abang want to be a doctor ? Because he believes only doctors drive Ferraris and my baby Abang loves fast cars. I sort of encouraged him to be a doctor by dangling something that he truly loves ( the said very expensive cars ) in front of it. "You want a Maserati ? Only doctors could afford it..." ( I have a license for that sort of fib by being his Mummy ).

-

One day he came to my office and there was a Ferrari in the parking lot. His oohs and aahs were priceless. He touched it lovingly, demanded to be lifted up so that he could see the interior, checked the tyres and basically fell in love all over again. He was looking underneath the car ( for what I do not know ) when I heard his muffled " Is your boss a doctor Mummy ? " I looked at Babah and breathed a sigh of relief, " He actually is honey. Dr Shafiq Abdullah. " Just don't tell my baby that he is an Economics PHd holder.........

-

Some time ago, I was driving him and his sister somewhere when he thoughtfully told me," Mum, you really need to do something with your car. You already have a kepak (spoiler), but you need side skirting and front something, plus you need this whacammalit to make the car goes faster, blah, blah, blah... " Right. Babah you have to stop him from reading Top Gear. I don't want him to be ashamed of his mother for driving an ordinary Gen2 whose only attractive feature is its kepak.

-

Babah once berrated me for wishing and praying for Abang to talk ( he could only talk when he is about 2 and a half ) as my doa sebagai ibu made him a real yapper. But occasionally ( please note the occasionally ) I do enjoy my children's gabfest.

-

Yesterday he asked for some sweets but since he just had teh tarik, I didn't allow it. He begged and begged and I told him, " You want to see me jadi pontianak tak ? " "No," he said, a little too quickly ( ha ha ) but then he looked at me and said , " Mom, you cannot be a pontianak." " Why is that ? " I asked and he said, " Because you are a natural woman..., " Hmm ?

Umar buat Maths betul ke ?

-

Today I called up my son.

-

Mummy : What are you doing sayang ?

-

Abang : Stuffs.

-

Mummy : What stuffs ?

-

Abang : Entahlah.

-

Mummy : Are you playing game ?

-

Abang : (Hesitated) No..

-

Mummy : Are you lying to me ?

-

Abang : No Mummy I'm not.

-

Mummy : Abang......

-

Abang : I played Aida's gameboy for awhile only...

-

Mummy : Okay. But why did you lie to me at the first place ? You know I can always tell if you are lying. Allah knows Abang...

-

Abang : Mummy... I promise you I am not lying. I never lie to you Mum...

-

Mummy : Then just now you said you played Aida's gameboy...

-

Abang : That was yesterday. Not today...

-

Mummy : Then what were you doing just now ?

-

Abang : I was doing Maths Mum

-

Mummy : Maths ? MATHS ? (Silent for awhile) Who is teaching you ?

-

Abang : Nobody. I am using the book you bayar dekat IKEA...

-

Mummy : Ye ke Abang ?

-

Abang : Yes Mummy. I promise I never lie to you... I am doing big numbers addition with small numbers...

-

Okay.... I really have to see this.

-

Why am I being so anal about Abang's game playing ? Because Yaya's husband Hood is addicted to games. Playstation, computer games, you name it he likes it. He could play until 5 am in the morning, sleep awhile and then off to work. So you could imagine how good he is, considering the hours he clocked in front of the game sets. Even Babah susah nak kalah kan si Hood...

-

I just found out that my son, my 6 years old Abang, has beaten Hood, a succesful 32 year old banker - game addict, many times. Not just the fighting ones but football games too... How long has my son been practising if dia boleh kalah kan Hood ni ?

-

And I tell you Hood is not happy with Abang. Dia banyak merepek merapan about him losing to a 6 year old many times. Atuk when he heard that gave a piece of advise to Abang, " Lain kali bagilah Uncle Hood menang sekali...., " and what was Abang's answer ? " Dah bagi dah uncle Hood menang.., "

-

Hood jangan marah......

-

Hari Raya

My angels celebrated raya obliviously I think. Adik of course couldn't understand raya but the meaning of raya and the keseronokan raya is lost on my eldest son too. When I asked what is raya Abang said " It's a celebration Mummy, " and when I asked what is Deepavali he answered the same thing. Raya to my children are the many cousins ( my children are not fans of food ) and the prospects of endless playing.

-

What they understand is the little green packets. Abang will dutifully give me everything that he got. But not my little Adik. She has a nice little red bag bedecked with flowers and sequinnes. The bag houses a cute purple purse and purple sunglasses. Everytime she received one, she will inspect the contents. Those with red and dark blue notes she will let it be in their original package. But those smaller blue denomination and green ones she will extract them and put them in her purple purse. Oh how she guards the red bank. Until today I don't even know how much she has in there. She plays, eats and sleeps with it.

-

I have told her that Adik ni lagi teruk dari Nyang. My Nyang was like that. She guards her handbag like nobody's business. But, she will leave them hidden under her bed when she is at home !! Bukannya bawak merata - rata macam si Adik ni....

-

Si Abang pulak masa salam raya dengan Tok Mi dia diam aje. So Tok Mi said, " Abang diam aje ke ? Tak nak mintak maaf dengan Tok ke ? " Abang looked perplexed, looked up at Tok Mi and said, " What did I do now ? " Ha ha ha

-

Selamat Hari Raya.

-

Princess Adik's new shoes

One day, Princess Adik went out with her grandparents and female cousins to get new shoes for Hari Raya. They went for a good 2 hours when I heard the excited chatters of the shoppers. Soon enough, Adik came running to the room but my eyes did not see her at all. My eyes were drawn to the shoes she was wearing.

-

Bling - bling, was all that came to my head. It was a glittery creation. The shoes are black decorated with purple glitter. There was a huge glittery sequinned bow at the front to complete the look. It was beyond awful.

-

I gasped and gawped at the shoes as she pirouetted and bowed and danced in it, beaming with pride. Oh dear, with what will the shoes go ? Babah;s mom came to announce that the shoes were chosen by the HRH herself. Whaaat ?

-

That very night, we had a buka puasa engagement to fulfil and it was so hard to match the shoes with anything. It gave such a loud statement that everything else seemed insignificant. Furthermore, HRH doesn't have many purply, mauve-ish, magenta-ish, maroonish or lavenderish clothes. We settled for a white and purple checked dress from Osh Kosh B'gosh. She looked all right.

-

The next day, I was arranging my tudungs when I heard her calling out in a sing-songy voice " Shoes.... Shoes Adik.... " which was repeated over and over again. I went to her room and saw her looking underneath the bed, cute tooshie up. Then I supposed she figured out the shoes are actually Malaysian when she called out ," Kasut Adik..... where are you ? " When she saw me, she complained " Mummy, please help me. I cannot find my shoes anywhere..., " head tilted to the side, hand gestured both palms up to signal her failure to find the prized shoes, eyes wide.

-

Since I dislike them with a passion, I said, " I don't know Adik. They are not mine. They are yours. Sapa suruh letak rata - rata ?" And my little princess clasped her hands together and pleaded, " Mummy help me okay... Mummy good girl kan ? " How can I resist ?

-

She really have me wrapped around her match-stick length fingers. Babah agreed heartily with that statement but he soon proved that he is also a sucker when it comes to Princess Adik.

-

At midnight she was coughing and had a blocked nose. Babah said, " Why don't you makan ubat ? " Which she flatly refused ( I mean, why give her an option ? ). Then Babah start membebel and swiped some Vicks on her nose. That produced quite a tantrum from HRH and declarations of Babah's naughtiness and vows of tak nak kawan Babah. Afterwards she slowly drifted to sleep when a sniffle brought Babah's irritation to surface again. " Eii.. degil betul si kecik ni. "

-

And suddenly, a small head shot up and proclaimed " Adik tak degil lah. Adik good girl... " Babah's terkejut beruk face was priceless especially since she went right back to sleep after the very important announcement. However, Babah had a big grin on his face afterwards ( which he tried to hide from Mummy ) and Princess Adik slept the whole night with her beautiful head cradled on Babah's arm. Uwekkk Babah !! Before that Babah sempat lagi cakap kat Mummy ," Tulah. Anak awak...." Eh eh orang ni.....

-

She did the cutest thing yesterday. We were at Tok Mi's house dok buat kuih raya when she came down the stairs crying. " Mummy, Abang gigit adik..., " " Ha ? Adik mana ? " I asked. Cik Yin and Cik Ann pun berhenti buat kerja. We thought Abang gigit Yana which is very unlike Abang who is rather loving and tender towards babies. " Ni..., " she said, sebik - sebik pointing to her face.... Ha ha ha.... hai Adik....

The colouring competition

Remember my last entry on Abang requesting RM 15 to enter a colouring competition ? Well, last Saturday, as usual I took my baby to his piano class at Shah Alam mall. As soon as we left the class, we heard a booming voice on a microphone announcing the prize giving ceremony for a CEC competition. Umar picked that up and ran to the barriers to watch the going ons on the ground floor. Sure enough, he recognised his principal and a few teachers.

-

"Mummy, is that the colouring competition ? " " Yes, " I replied cautiously. "Hmm.. Abang tak nak enter kan ? "

-

" That's right, " I said while unsuccesfully tried to tug him away.

-

" Abang tak nak enter because.... because why Mummy ? "

-

He he.... tergelak jugak sekejap. " Because you have your piano lessons, that's why. " He nodded his head in agreement. Fuh... lega... but I was not spared after all because after a while he said, " But I thought you said because they use hot candles to colour ? " ( it was a batik colouring competition and knowing that my son could well be the future Health and Safety Engineer extrodinaire, I played that point agressively ). " Well, yes that too..., " I replied. " But mom, I do not see any hot candles anywhere ... !"

-

O-oh !

-

"Who wants ice-cream ?" was all I could think of and Titi went "Me ! Me !"

-

So it was all forgotten. My reputation was safe. Lesson learned ? Try not to fib to your children...

-

Ha ha

Mummy tak nanis ke ?

This morning had a debate with my little boy. It all started when he had forgotten to ask his Babah's permission to enter a Batik colouring contest. He needed RM 15 to enter and when he missed his Babah, he asked the money from his grandparents.

-

Mummy asked why did you get the money from Atuk and Abang said if he asks from Babah, Babah will surely say NO. I don't have to write my lecture on that subject and as usual my lectures caused tears.

-

In the car on the way to school, both them fought and Adik was about to cry when Mummy said ," Please don't cry. Mummy paling boring kalau korang nangis."

-

" Kenapa Mummy boring kalau kita orang nanis Mummy ? "

-

" Sebab bisinglah... ! "

-

" Then Mummy tak pernah nanis ? " He asked, face all screwed but he was not looking at me. However I saw his forefinger was almost erect. I know I am going to get lectured.

-

" When did you see me cry ? "

-

" Masa Mummy small kid, Mummy tak nanis ? Hari tu masa Mummy langgar almari pun Mummy nanis ( forefinger started to wag already ), lepas tu Mummy fight with Babah... "

-

"Cop ! Cop ! Eiii..... ( head whirling trying to cut his points )... erm, erm... Mummy nanis banyak macam Abang ke ? " Aiseh, very lame....

-

" No... but you still cry....,"

-

" Kan Mummy ? Adik pun cry......, Abang baling kat muka Adik , " said Adik. That sentence she had on record. She had that repeated every day.

-

Nasib baik ada Adik, Abang and I just ended up laughing. Kids always have the gift of gab. Only time will tell if they will retain it.

-

I remember last week, when we went to Subang Parade. Abang wanted something but he was not allowed to. So he went to merajuk mode and was all sulky. I made funny faces at him which always make him cry sebab sakit hati. Anyway I wouldn't stop making faces ( I just love to tease until they cry, I don't know why - it is partly his fault, he wshould've stopped looking at me..... ) when suddenly he said " Mummy ni macam mak tiri !! " That made me stop. Babah laughed, Abang smiled again and me ? I sulked........

Kesian anak - anak Mummy

On Monday we broke fast at Tok Mi's house. Mummy went there straight from the office to help Tok cook. Abang and Adik arrived at Tok's house around 7 pm as I glanced to look at the wall clock when I heard the calls for me from you two. Abang raced in first and gave Mummy a big hug when you saw me at the kitchen door. "Hai Mummy...," was all you said but the way you said it was priceless, all smiles and looking up at me while your hands circled my waist. You then let go of me to look for your Mamus and Ciks.

-

Then I saw my little girl running, her eyes searching and all the while asking, " Mana Mummy ? Mana Mummy ? " When you saw me Adik, you broke into the most beautiful smile I have ever seen and your hug when it came to me was tight. "Mummy !" you said and indicated that you want me to carry you. You rested your head on my shoulder darling girl, and told me about your day ( it usually involved a lot of violence and I couldn't understand 50% of what was being told ).

-

Then yesterday, Babah had a function and Mummy had a splitting headache. I went straight to Tok's house and asked her to give me a little massage. Tok's hands worked like magic and soon I drifted to sleep. I woke just before adzan and I broke bread with Tok, Mamu Jat and bibik Atik. After that I prayed with Tok and had a lovely time. It was about 9.45 when I got to you two.

-

Abang was already asleep but Adik was wide awake. Mummy left Abang with Atok ( since he is too heavy for me to carry ) and we walked back to our room. Adik, you kept saying, "Mummy dah balik ke ? Ini Mummy ke ? " over and over again that I felt so wretched for not getting to my babies earlier. We watched the telly while waiting for Babah and then we went out to have roti canai for soq at 12. At dawn, Abang knocked on the door and went straight to lie next to Mummy before falling asleep again.

-

Mummy is really sorry for not being home earlier, but duty calls. Please remember that I am not just your Mummy but I am also a daughter that needs her Mummy as well... But it feels so nice to be loved and needed.

A song from Abang

Abang sang this song yesterday. It was hilarious I asked him to sing for me again so that I can write down the lyrics. He was good, my little boy. He sang again and again to make sure I got it right lepas tu he proof read it....

-

Please sing this song to the tune of our Negaraku.

-

DEDARAKU ( I actually wrote The Darah Ku and he said that is wrong. When I asked him what does Dedaraku mean, he sais " Takkan you don't know Mummy ? " I said I really don't and he pondered for a quite a bit before he said, " Babah, can you tell Mummy what is Dedaraku ? "

-

Dedaraku

Dadah tumpahnya daraku

*Blaja tido

Mesatu dan maju

Raba batnya

Tuhan meniata

*Blaja kita

Selamat **bertata

Raba batnya

Tuhan meniata

*Blaja kita

Selamat **bertata

* Blaja is belajar but since you have to sing the song very fast, it becomes blaja ( lepas tu tulung Mummy spell perkataan tu takut salah spell. But why do we have to belajar tido ? He said because we must.....

* Bertata is waving/lambai. When I asked kenapa kena selamat when saying goodbye, he got rimas and said I asked too many questions.

-

Babah wanted to correct his singing, but I stopped him. I want him to sing like that for a little while longer for me to really savour his baby-ishness....

-

Abang's surprising request

Yesterday we had dinner at ITM cafe. We go there quite a lot as the food, although the choice is limited, is good. The nasi ayam is nice and I see it as our support for ITM, especially as they are training our muda - mudi the art of being a restauranteur. My only problem with them is on their choice of beverage. They only sell drinks from this brand that I have boycotted for ages due to their 'rumoured' support for the Israel state. Anyway,

Abang : Babah, I miss our old house.

-

Babah : Why ?

Abang : Because, at our old house we have a sofa. So bila Abang sakit perut, when I get home I can just go and baring at the sofa.

-

Mummy : Kat rumah Wan kan ada sofa ?

-

Abang : Yes, but we need to have our own house Mummy.....

-

Mummy : Abang you are mightily clever for a boy your age.

-

Abang : It is not about Abang clever Mummy, Abang nak rumah kita yang ada sofa for me to baring when Abang sakit perut....

-

Mummy : Ishh... budak ni.....

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Actually, this request is not new from Abang, therefore it is hardly surprising. When we first moved, he had already voiced his protest. But you know, children do not exactly have rights when big decisions are made. We just tried to make things better for him. I would say since we moved, he had mentioned a few times on the need for us to get our own place. But what is surprising is him mentioning the sofa. I suppose he is right. Dulu, when he got home, he would jump on the sofa first, switch on the telly and quietly do his own things.

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I really though he is already over it. Know what I mean ? Hmmm........ Maybe he needs some time to get used to the house. We'll see....

Abang lonely rupanya

I told my family about Abang's desire to have more siblings and my brother Mail shed a light to Abang's sudden request for a larger family.

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Abang : Mamu nak main game dengan Abang tak ?

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Mamu Il : Boleh jugak.

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Abang : Abang tak suka main game alone.

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Mamu Il : Why ?

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Abang : It is so boring playing alone. I am so lonely. Mamu main ngan Abang lah

( kesian anak ku. Patut lah dia dok selalu ajak Titi main game but she is too busy being a princess )

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Mamu : Tapi game tak de kat sini. Mamu Pek dah bawak balik rumah dia.

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Abang : Mamu nak main dekat rumah Wan ( Babah mum ) tak ? Do you know where is Wan's house ? Mamu jalan straight, lepas tu turn like this .......

( all the while showing directions with his hands and making car sounds. When Mail's eyes started to glaze dia jerit " Mamu tengok tanan Abang, nanti you will get lost !! " )

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Abang : Tak nak lah, Mamu malu

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Abang : Okay kalau Mamu malu, when you see people, you hide behind me

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Mamu : Mana boleh... Mamu is bigger than Abang

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Abang : Hmmm.... Okay... then Mamu have to find a good hiding spot. Okay Mamu ? Abang alone all the time...

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Kesiannya anak Mummy. Begging for people to play with him... Yang kesian sangat punya nak Mamu datang, tried to work out solutions for Mamu's shyness.

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Lepas tu, I was quizzed by my siblings on the level of interaction I have with my children !!

Excuse me ye... he is alone when he plays his playstation.... other than that, he is with his Mummy all the time ( except weekdays during working hours )

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Tapi kalau nak bagi adik pun my darling son, he will only come in 10 months time, lepas tu it will take about 4 years for him to belajar main game. Lepas tu, kalau adik perempuan macam Adik macam mana ? Alah, main je lah dengan Adik....

Abang's take of the world

In the car, while waiting for Abah to buy his pre-requisite kuaci for Man-U game.

Abang : Mummy, Abang nak baby.

Mummy : Really ?

Abang : Yes. A baby sister for Adik and a baby brother for me.

Mummy : Oh really ?

Abang : Yes. Adik's baby sister's name will be Aishah. No no... Sherina. No... I think Sherina Aishah. That is a nice name ..... ( he beamed and nodded his head a few times ).

Mummy : What about Lyla ? That is a nice name ..

Abang : Sure Mummy. My baby brother I want his name to be Muhammad Afiq.

Mummy : No lah. What about Ali ?

Abang : No Mum. All my friends ada Muhammad. Muhamad Ivarn, Muhamad .... ( he named a few more, but I couldn't remember them )

Mummy : And Muhammad Abang ?

Abang : No.... ( he giggled ) I don't have a Muhammad. I have a Rashdan.... ( hmm... suka hati kau lah )

Mummy : Do you want a Muhammad in your name ?

Abang : No... sebab Abang lahir kat London. Orang lain semua lahir kat Shah Alam. Orang yang lahir kat Shah Alam saja ada Muhammad Mummy....

Mummy : ( quiet due to cat got my tongue )

In the car on the way to Tok Mi's house after the concert

Abang : Abang nak main game Mummy.

Mummy : Yelah kita pi rumah Tok sat.

Abang : Tapi Abang today holiday. So Abang nak main game.

Mummy : Abang, bagi lah Mummy nak pi rumah Tok. Kat situ Mummy banyak kawan.

Abang : Then, Abah and Adik and Abang macamana ?

Mummy : Awat pulak nih ?

Abang : Nanti Mummy nak tidur rumah Tok. Abang and Adik nak tidur dengan sapa ?

Mummy : Apasal masuk bab sleeping arrangements ni ? Kita pi rumah tok sekejap je lah ( as it turned out from 1pm - 5pm )

Abang : Mummy nak tinggalkan Abang and Adik. You don't love your own children ..... ( *sob *sob )

Mummy : La... awat conversation ni turn this way ? Abang kan ikut Mummy gi rumah Tok.. bukannya Mummy tinggal Abang and pegi sorang - sorang.

Abang : Okay okay Mummy.

Later when Babah balik and I asked him to repeat what he said, tak nak pulak. Malu katanya .... Where did he get that ?

In bed while watching Clifford.

Abang : Mummy what is valentine ? Clifford wants to ask that puppy with ribbons to be his valentine.

Mummy : Well, Babah is mummy's valentine. Somebody that you really love.

Abang : Okay......

Mummy : Valentine is someone that you really like. Do you like Ellie ? ( His very cute classmate which is in my bakal menantu list )

Abang : Yes, Ellie is a nice girl ... ( smiling )

Mummy : Do you want to have Ellie as a girlfriend ?

Abang : Hahahahahha ! No no Mummy ( shaking his hand ) don't say that. Muka dia gumuk.... The thing is Mummy, I am not a grown up yet.....

Mummy : Phewww....... ( Lega as last time he said he likes boys only..... Takut )

Semalam punya cerita

This morning, I was at tinkering at the piano at my parents' house when I heard a commotion upstairs.

Abang : I said I am sorry.

Adik : No !! Adik nak cakap mummy. Mummy ! Mummy !

And the hurricane went down the stairs.

Abang : I said I am really sorry.

Adik : Adik nak cakap Mummy jugak.

Abang ran ahead of Adik and pulled her. She wrenched her hand free and ran to hug me.

Adik : Mummy Abang pok Adik sini. See ? See Mummy ?

Abang all the while slowly crept to me and hugged me too.

Mummy : Okay Adik. Sikit aje.

I looked at Abang and he gave me an angelic smile.

Adik : Mummy, blow my hand Mummy.

Mummy : Okay... (And I proceeded to 'blow' her hand)

Adik : Blow my kaki pulak Mummy..

Mummy : Wah Abang. You certainly have been busy ( And I blew her kaki )

Adik : Blow my bontot Mummy

Mummy : Bila Abang pukul ni ?

Abang : I did not pok her bontot

Adik : Semalam !! Abang pok semalam. Adik nanis heee heee heee ( screw up her face to demonstrate her cry yesterday )

How can I keep a straight face ? Abang pun gelak...

Conversation with my children

This took place while I was bathing Abang this morning.

Mummy : Can you please brush your teeth now ?

Abang : I can't brush my teeth while somebody is cleaning me !

Fair enough, I was soaping him, but somebody ?

Mummy : I am not somebody. I am your mother !

Abang : Mummy, somebody tu apa ?

Mummy : Oranglah.

Abang : So you are not oranglah ?

Was that an honest question or was he being cynical ?

This took place while Mummy and Adik were having breakfast with Tok Mi and Tok Yah this morning.

Mummy, Tok Yah & Tok Mi : Blah, blah, blah....

We were eating putu mayum , tengok gula merah Adik macam banyak je, so Mummy pun cubit le sikit.

Adik : Mummy, what you doing ?

Mummy : Haaa ?

Adik : Mummy ambik Adik punya sugar punya Adik.
(those words were accompanied by Adik's famous look that I call Pontianak face. It depicts extreme displeasure)

Mummy : Sikit le. Adik punya banyak.

Adik : No Mummy. Mummy put back Adik punya sugar punya Adik.

Mummy : Fine

Tok Mi & Tok Yah : Hahahahhahah

Mummy sakit hati sebab rasanya at that age I was not that vocal. Ye ke ? Sebab I saw my Dad wiping his forehead with his thumb up right. Menyampah !

Not Sushi Again

On Sunday, we had our lunch at Sushi King. Again. I think it is a weekly affair now and seriously Mummy and Babah dah tak lalu dah. Tengok muka orang Jepun pun boleh muntah agaknya. Dulu Adik and Abang will share 1 Tempura Udon and maybe 4 plates of kanikama ( sushi rice and crabstick ). Tapi sekarang 1 each of Tempura Udon and countless plates of Kanikama. Hmmm... I think maybe we should save up for a holiday in Japan.

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Friday, Tok Mi made steamboat. Yumm... Abang and Adik just attacked the crabsticks. Friday TV3 aired Abang's favourite show, Misteri. He he.. All of us were busy at the patio filling up our bellies with Tok Mi's scrumptious steamboat, but Abang was watching the show alone. Bibik kesian tengok Abang, decided to teman dia ( dia pun segan - segan nak makan steamboat, sebab tu lah ). Every so often, Abang would come running with the show updates, at one time shouting "Hantu tu dah keluar. Rambut dia tutup muka !!" He he... you are so cute baby.

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Titi was busy throwing food in the fish pond, squeling happily if the fish ate her offerings. Ahh.... bliss......

Please keep my children safe

Hari ni Adik staged another protest. Her cryings reminded me of our maid dulu. Lets just call her F. Abang and Adik dulu was okay with her. They didn't mind being left alone with her. Sometimes, Abang and Adik tak nak ikut pun Mummy and Babah pergi mana - mana.

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Tapi, tiba - tiba they refused to stay with her. Pernah sekali my mum came to fetch me and they were crying and screaming like there is no tomorrow. I was really upset. Bukannya sedih tapi geram. And I remember F was holding them back and keep on urging me to go. "Sekejap aje dia orang nangis ni," she said.

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I think 2-3 weeks after that I found out that she was abusing my kids. And I vividly remember what my mum said when I recounted the horror story to her. She said "Patutlah sekejap je dia orang nangis. Dia buat budak - budak tu takut...,"

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I couldn't imagine my two angels cowering in fear. Abang is confident I couldn't even picture him trembling before that witch. Adik is really sure of her Princess status, I couldn't envisage her shrinking while being yelled at.

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I fear for my children. I really really hope, Adik's problem is just because she is unused to this new help.

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Ya Allah! Please keep my babies safe.....