Giving Children A Chance To Give Christmas Gifts

Image via WikipediaSo far, my children have only been recipients of Christmas presents. This year, I'm giving them the chance to be "givers" instead of just being "receivers." They are older now and can help around the house. I told them that I"ll pay them to do certain chores. It's only for this Christmas season though and the money collected must be used to buy presents for others, NOT for themselves :)

K is stoked on the idea and she is a bargainer too. When I said I'll give her 50 cents to clear the dinner table, she asked for 70 cents. When I said I'll give her $1.50 to wash the dishes, she asked for $2. She's a sly one too. There are usually more dishes to wash during dinner time compared to lunch. So I offered $2 for washing dinner plates and $1 for washing lunch plates. Quickly she turns to her brother and says, you wash up after lunch and I'll wash up after dinner. Lucky the brother is not easily conned, he said "no". Hahaha.

Other chores are like hanging the clothes, bringing in the dry clothes, taking it upstairs and putting it away, washing the car, babysitting, and whatever other help I need from them. To date K has earned $5.80 and kokoD has $4. Hope I don't go broke at the end of this project.

I think they are quite excited about the prospect of buying Christmas presents for others. Heard them talking the other day about what to buy for me, their dad and their grandfather. K was saying to me "you cannot wrap it coz' then you'll know what it is. I know how to wrap so you buy the Christmas wrapper and I'll wrap it." I hope they use their money wisely.

I think I need to guide them further on how to choose Christmas presents. Maybe break it down into categories for them e.g. clothes, food, jewelry and accessories, books. Maybe even simpler: things you can wear, eat or use. Must make it clear we don't need TOYS! Hahahah.

Christmas morning will be interesting. Can't wait to see what sort of presents they will buy.

Get Your Children Thinking

Image via WikipediaThis is a conversation my children had while eating grapes:

K: The grapes amah bought is seedless. Hey kokoD, did you ever think why the grapes are seedless?
KokoD: Maybe they cut it and take it out.
K: How can? If they cut it, then they have to put it back together again. Do you see any masking tape? You can't eat masking tape. So, how come the grapes don't have seed? Mommy, how come the grapes are seedless?
Mommy: Maybe they are engineered that way. The scientist figured out how to grow them seedless. Also there are many kinds of grapes, like there are many kinds of bananas. (Yes ah, I also not sure but "tembak-lah", meaning shooting blindly).

Mamas Parenting Tip
I've always tried to instill a sense of curiosity in my children by saying things like "hey, did you ever think why..." or "why do you think...." When children question the things they see or experience around them, then they cultivate a spirit of learning. I was happy to hear my girl asked that question about the seedless grape. Helps me know that she is thinking.

Friso Brings My Family Out

Nuffnang along with Friso is organizing a Family Day for bloggy parents like me (and you). BUT to go for this exciting event, you need to get invited first. Here I am trying to earn my invitation by answering the "Get Me A Hong Kong Disneyland Holiday" question:

Why Family Day is important for your children?

I think it is only fair that I get my children's opinion on this. Let's see how K and kokoD answers the question.

• Because we get to play (that's always the #1 reason)
  
• Because we will have fun there and meet new friends
• Because I want to feel the nice cooling aircond (ya, mommy and daddy don't turn on aircond at home)
  
• I want to see how it looks like
• I want to play with the other children
• I want my family to be happy
• Because I don't want to be alone at home (stay at home everyday boring mah)
  
• Because I want to see how they do magic, and I want to learn how to do magic (probably want to make your parents disappear, kekeke)
  

HA, now you will see how adults and children differ in thinking. Here are my top 10 reasons why Family Day is important for our children:

1. So they don't think their parents are prison wardens who lock them up in the house the whole day.
   
   "HELP! Let me out!"
   
   
2. So they get a break from their parents screaming at home. They know we are more civilized in public and won't scold too loudly when other people are around. Even if we do scream, it will be drowned or muffled by the noise of the crowd.
3. Mommy also needs a break. I need to mingle with other "species of my own kind" (other parents lah) to keep my sanity. A happy mommy means children get better "service".
   
4. Children also need a break from their mundane routine. Now with the school holidays, they have to crack their heads thinking what to do everyday. Their "bright ideas" usually end up with mommy screaming e.g. "why you pluck all my flowers?", "why is there soap everywhere?", "no you cannot cut that!", "what are you dooooiiiiinnnnngggg???"
5. Family Day will get them away from the computer. That goes the same for mommy and daddy :)
6. It's good for children to see their mommy and daddy display hidden talents like balancing eggs on spoons or jumping around in sacks. The more silly the parents, the more cool. A mother that cooks gourmet meals everyday is nothing extraordinary. A mother that can jump through hoops with her hands and legs tied is cool. Well... you get the idea.
   
7. A family that plays together, stays together.
8. Children know their parents really do love them. Take them "kai-kai" and stuff. Not always badgering them to study and work.
   
9. So children can expend their vast amount of energy during Family Day, then come home tired and exhausted. There will be peace at home when everyone is sleeping (including parents).
   
10. Because it's a whole lot more fun than sitting at home!
    

I hope my reasons are good enough to get me an invitation. My children have never been to a Family Day before. It would be wonderful if our family can attend this. The best Family Day would be of course that all sponsored trip to Hong Kong Disneyland. Wah, if I get that prize, then I can answer back to my children the next time they say "Mommy, you never take us anywhere." Quickly I will say "Who say! I got you to Hong Kong Disneyland right?"
Sigh, wishful thinking. Can someone make my dream come true? (fingers and toes crossed).

What To Do To Relief Stress This Holiday Season

It's the first week of November already! Yikes! Where has this year gone to?

If you're like many women, you're beginning to feel a little panic as you look at the calendar and realize there are only a few weeks until Thanksgiving and then a few more until Christmas! Anxiety comes as your mind reviews the many tasks (and few hours) that lie ahead. More apprehension settles in if you're concerned about having enough money to do all the things you'd like, and still be able to keep up with the bills!

Well, don't panic! I'm a practical person who operates well with lists, so grab a pen and paper and let's make a plan.

• First, write the dates on your calendar of every event, program, party and family gathering you expect to attend. If you plan to bring food or gifts, write those down too.
• Write in when your bills are due, and promise to pay them on time.
• Determine your holiday budget and promise not to go one penny over it.
• Make a list of who you will give gifts to, and what you'd like to give them. (Check out my Children's Christmas Gifts and Inexpensive Gifts For Men)
  
• Plan your menus now. Would you like to discover top secret restaurant recipes? You can serve up meals like those in your favorite restaurants like Chilli's and Applebee's. Wow your family with your cooking this holiday season with America's Most Wanted Recipes.
  
• Do as much grocery shopping now as you can. Cook and bake ahead as much as you can. It's not too early to start!
• Buy or make as many gifts ahead as you can, get them wrapped, labeled and hidden.
  
• Buy, make, write or print out any Christmas cards you want to send.
• As soon as Thanksgiving is over, go through your Christmas decorations to purge, add or revive
• Get a copy of the new e-book Stress Free Holiday Entertaining to help you with all the details
• Remember to keep things simple
• Plan now to enjoy the holidays!

Be sure to pick up your copy of Stress Free Holiday Entertaining for some tips to help you breeze through the Holidays and enjoy your family and friends!

Children's Christmas Gifts: High School Musical Items

Are you wondering what gifts to get your children for Christmas? If they are High School Musical fans, Christmas gifts this year is easy. Just get them High School Musical merchandise. I'm sure they'll lurve you to bits. Here are some ideas coming your way:

High School Musical 3: Senior Year Premiere Edition [CD+DVD]
The LIMITED EDITION, PREMIERE EDITION is a 2 Disc Set that includes the original Soundtrack, plus a DVD of behind the scenes footage, the movie trailer, music video, 3 ringtones, a voicetone, mobile game and mobile wallpaper PLUS digital downloadables.



Disney High School Musical 3: Senior Year DANCE (Nintendo Wii)
With High School Musical wii, you can dance to your favorite "High School Musical" songs from all 3 films, play as familiar characters including Troy, Gabriella, Sharpay, Ryan, Chad, and Taylor, play with friends - compete in dance-offs or dance as a duo, includes bonus footage from High School Musical 3: Senior Year. Play it individually or add more fun by getting the family to join in. Yeah, adults can play too. Hehe.



High School Musical 3: Senior Year Original Single Sided 24x36 Movie Poster - Not A Reprint
Which Zac Efron fan wouldn't want to wake up and see his cutie pie face staring back at them? When I was younger, I too would collect posters of superstars I love. If you're not to keen on Zac Efron, there are other cool High School Musical posters to choose from.



High School Musical: The Essential Guide (Dk Essential Guides)
You want to encourage reading in your home right? Well, this hardcover gives the inside scoop on the characters as well as remarkable photos and layouts. It's not just about High School Musical 3 but includes stuff on all three movies. You know it'll be the most read book in the house if you get it.



High School Musical Bag
This is a lunch bag so it's not that big (7"W x 8"H). I love how there's a place to keep your water bottle.



High School Musical Watch
My daughter has been bugging me for a watch. I think she'll flip if I got her a High School Musical watch. You can get all three and save. I'm sure you know of other HSM fans who would love to receive this as a Christmas gift.

Happy Christmas shopping!

The Difference Between Kids and Parents

I decided to sleep in a little today but my son was up bright and early. He entertained himself for a while until he thought mommy needed a wake-up call.

KokoD: Mommy, wake up. WAKE UP!
Mommy: But I am tired.
KokoD: How can you be tired. You slept the WHOLE night.

Hehehe. He's got a point. Well, that's the difference between kids and parents: We are always tired and they are never tired.

Mamas Parenting Tip

• Don't wait too long before you have kids. The older you are, the less energy you have to keep up with them :)
• Sleep early. That way you won't feel tired even after sleeping the WHOLE night.
• Stop idle time on the computer. You can't sleep early if you don't turn off the computer. Right or not?
  

No Sew Fleece Blankets

Image via WikipediaMy mom called me a few days ago and told me she just fixed her very, very old sewing machine for RM200. This is the kind of sewing machine where you need to move the leg pedal up and down. Yup, not the fancy, schmancy electric ones these days. I remember learning to sew on that ancient machine of my moms. So many times it would start going backwards and mess everything up. There were many "urgh" moments. It takes practice to get it right.

Well, today I have an electric one. BUT my DH will attest to its underusage. Heck, he is still waiting for me to make some adjustments to his pants... and he passed it to me a year ago (shameful me).

Well, that is just typical me. I just hate the idea of dragging out the sewing machine. BUT I get all wide eyed when I see beautiful sewn crafts made by others.

Good news! Here is a fantastic craft idea and you don't have to make one stitch: No Sew Fleece Blankets.

Ah yes, fleece: warm, soft, comfy. This is a timely idea coz' it will make a "heart warming" Christmas gift. You could get fleece material with Christmassy or winter pictures. I think it's great for someone having a new born baby too. All you need is fabric and scissors. Just cut and tie the edges. Simple right? Even your children can help you. This is definitely a must try for lazy sewing bums like me.

Pandan Chicken Stew

I love to make stew. It is yummy, plenty of gravy to flood your plate (some kids like that), and you can hide plenty of vegetables in there (great for picky eaters). Here is one I love to make: Pandan Chicken Stew.

Ingredients:
1 chicken - cut into small pieces and season with a bit of salt
2-3 bulbs Garlic, 1 big onions and 1 stalk lemon grass -blend it all together
1 big onion - quartered
4-5 cloves garlic
3 inch ginger - slice
1 carrot - sliced
4-5 potatoes - quartered
3 stalks lemon grass - bruise it to get flavor out
3 pandan (screwpine) leaves
1/2 cube chicken stock (optional)

How to cook?
Fry the blended mix of garlic, onions and lemon grass until fragrant.
Put in the ginger as well.
Add in the chicken and cook for a few minutes.
Pour in water (however much gravy you desire). Usually I will transfer the chicken into a pot before I add water.
Throw in the carrots, potatoes, quartered onion and garlic cloves.
Don't forget to add the pandan leaves and lemon grass stalks.
Cover and let it stew over medium fire.
If you want, add about 1/2 cube chicken stock for better chicken flavor.
Towards the end, taste it and see if it needs more salt, sugar, soy sauce or whatever.

You could probably add celery to this stew too. Unfortunately, this cook don't like the taste of celery. Heheheh.

Enjoy, enjoy!

Mama Asks You To Check Out:

• TOP SECRET RESTAURANT RECIPES
  Discover how to cook meals from famous restaurants like Applebee. Chilli, Olive Garden, Hard Rock Cafe, KFC, Red Lobster, TGIF and many more. Save money eating out and impress your friends and family. This is America's Most Wanted Recipes.
  Click the link and get your hands on the top secret recipes today.

Christmas Inexpensive Gifts For Men

Christmas is coming! Christmas is coming! Yeah you still have 1 1/2 months to go but the shopping needs to start NOW. Online shopping makes life so convenient. No need to walk and walk and walk. No need to be stuck in traffic jams. No need to suffocate in crowded places. But you must remember to allocate shipping time for the items to reach you.

Shopping Christmas gifts for men is always a problem for women. I'm sure the guys will attest to that. Come on, admit it guys; women are not very good at buying gifts for men are we? I mean teddy bears, ties and boxer shorts don't really get you excited.

So my fellow "sistas" out there, let's give them something better this year. I know you're busy so I've done the research for you. Here is a list of:

5 Christmas Inexpensive Gifts For Men
(yeah, we don't want to burst our budget right?)

Perry Ellis 360 Red By Perry Ellis For Men. Eau De Toilette Spray 3.4 Ounces
Men like to smell good. I'm sure you like them smelling good too. This cologne smells similar to Acqua di Gio except much better. It's got a fresh smell and lasts the whole day.
USD30.48



Groom Mate Platinum XL Nose & Ear Hair Trimmer
One of a kind gadget that will impress him. It's pure stainless steel, durable and non-battery operated. It doesn't pull but cuts. So, using it is pain-free. Better than all the electric ones out there that fall apart quickly.
USD19.88


SanDisk Cruzer Micro 8 GB USB 2.0 Flash Drive (SDCZ6-8192-A11, Retail Package)
Most men like gadgets. This flash drive will give him plenty of memory to store videos, music, pictures and document files. He can easily bring this data around for work purposes or for fun. Hassle free. It's retractable so don't have to worry about losing the cap. Great bargain for 8GB.
USD17.60


SanDisk Sansa e250 2 GB MP3 Player with microSD Expansion Slot (Black)
Another cool gadget to make him look hip. He can enjoy music, video, and photo slideshows on-the-go. There's also voice recording and FM radio. If you can't afford an IPOD, this is a good alternative.
USD49.99



Wagan Ergo Comfort Rest Heated/Massage Magnetic Cushion
Everybody loves a good massage. This gift will help him to relax and relieve knotted back muscles, loosen tense upper shoulder muscles, relieve stress and stiffness of the neck muscles. It comes with Heat Wave Therapy that soothes and relaxes tense muscles. He can use it at home, in the car or at work. And if you're really nice to him, he may loan it to you sometimes too :)
USD44.48

As you can see, I've made sure the gifts are all below USD50. Happy Christmas shopping ladies.

I Told You So

How do you feel when your children don't listen to you? Are you like me and think "fine, do what you want" and anxiously wait for the time to say "I told you"?

Example 1: You try to stop your kid from jumping off the table because he might hurt himself. He doesn't listen and keeps on jumping and then he falls. You quickly blurt out "see, I told you isn't it?"

Example 2: You tell your children to stop playing rough coz' someone will end up crying. They tone down for a second and then continue their rowdiness . Few minutes later one of them runs to you all teary eyed complaining what the other person did. Don't you justify yourself by replying "I told you this will happen right? Why didn't you listen?"

I'm sure there are many other examples you can add.

HOWEVER, what happens when the "I told you so" part never arises? Are you suppose to feel happy or frustrated? This was my little dilemma a few days ago.

You see, my girl just refused to open her school books before her final exams. I would say "don't you have exam tomorrow?", and she would say "yes" and then continue to do whatever. I tried to be direct by saying "why don't you go through your school books and revise the work you have done?", she would say "okay" and then continue to do whatever. I tried to urge her by saying "don't forget only if you get 1st or 2nd place will I take you to Sunway Lagoon" and she would say "ya" and then continue to do whatever. I didn't want to be naggy so my only choice was to wait for my chance to say "I TOLD YOU" if she didn't get good results.

Well, guess what? I never got to say "I TOLD YOU!" She scored 90+ in all her subjects and came out 4th in class. So, do I be happy or do I be frustrated? Happy because she did well; Frustrated because she may think she doesn't need to study for future exams. But you know what, I think the biggest frustration came from not being able to PROOVE I WAS RIGHT!

I guess such is human nature. We always want to be right. But seriously thinking, to be a good parent we should refrain from saying "I told you so" too many times. It is unnecessary and really just a show of power. We have to remember that sometimes experience is the best teacher. But when they fail, the right thing to do is be a support and not a prick.

It's going to be tough to bury the "I told you so" attitude. I know it will take considerable effort on my part because it's like a habit already. Good luck to me.

Holiday Entertaining Tips: Coping With Holiday Stress

The holidays are fast approaching. There's Thanksgiving, then Christmas and New Year. This is a very busy time especially for the women folk who have to prepare the home for holiday entertaining. Are you freaking out yet? Need some help coping with holiday stress? Get help with holiday entertaining tips that can be found in this useful guide: "STRESS FREE HOLIDAY ENTERTAINING"




Family holidays should be a time for enjoyment. But instead, we get ourselves so busy and stressed out. If you follow the recommendations in this guide, you'll see some of that stress disappear this holiday season. You'll be able to plan and organize better. Wouldn't you like to have easy make ahead recipes? You also don't have to crack your head on Christmas gift ideas for teachers, friends and family. The secret is to prepare ahead of time and this guide will show you how.

You may think, "oh, I already know how to manage the holidays". That's what some people thought before they bought the book. And then they discovered there were many tips that hadn't crossed their mind before. Like them, you will appreciate all the time saving tips shared in this book. They are very practical. Not only that, it'll help you stretch your money too. Save time and save money, that's what you're looking for right?

Sandra Jensen, the author of the book, will help you bring meaning back to your holiday celebration. It'll bring your family back to the dinner table. That is so important. You don't want to miss this easy-to-follow, step-by-step guide.

Coping with holiday stress is just a click away. The holidays can be a breeze with these holiday entertaining tips. Get your copy today and start planning.

STRESS FREE HOLIDAY ENTERTAINING
USD 5.97

High School Musical 3

So, how is everyone surviving the High School Musical craze? I'm sure life is more peaceful when you don't have little swooning fans at home. My girl has been hinting really hard if I will be taking her to watch it. She asked if I would take her if she came out 1st or 2nd in class. Well, the final exam results are out and today she told me that she got 4th in class. Hmmm... shall I be kind or cruel? Oh, what the heck, I'll probably take her and my little Troy Bolton wannabe (KokoD). Yup, KokoD's interest in basketball spiked up after watching the last 2 HSM. I had to patiently tolerate bouncing basketballs in the house.

However, I got to admit I kinda like some of the songs. Goodness knows I got them drummed into my head as my children played them over and over and over again. So, I must be crazy to enter for AMBP's High School Musical 3 CD giveaway. If I do get it, I know that's what will be blasting from my house the next few months. Are my neighbours ready for it?

So AMBP, hope you consider my family as worthy recipients of the highly coveted CD. We parents are ready to sacrifice our sanity for the sake of our children's passion.

You asked "what's the name of the character played by Zac Efron in the High School Musical movie/TV series"?
TROY BOLTON - my daughter will knock me over the head if I don't know this one.

Easy Tomato Rice

During Hari Raya, I visited one of my neighbours who served us tomato rice. I thought what a good idea to cook it as a break from regular white rice (or fried rice). So I chanced upon an easy recipe and tried it out. My son loved it, so did my DH (he devoured it).

Ingredients:

• 2 onions- chopped up finely
• Garlic - also finely chopped
• 2cm ginger - minced
• 4cm cinnamon bark
• 3 cloves
• 3 petals star anise
• 3 cardamoms (crush it first to get the flavor out)
• 1/3 cup tomato ketchup
• 1 fresh tomato - quartered
  
• Fried shallots (optional)

How to cook?

• Wash your rice and put aside.
• Put some cooking oil in the wok and fry the garlic, onions, ginger cinnamon, star anise and cardamoms until the fragrance fills the air.
• Add in your washed but uncooked rice. Stir until evenly coated.
  
• Transfer to the rice cooker.
• Add in water (hope you know how to measure water to cook rice).
  
• Add tomato ketchup and salt and give it a little stir.
• Wait for rice to be cooked.
  
• Dish out and add fresh tomatoes. (Actually, you could add some fresh tomatoes into the rice to cook too).
  
• Sprinkle some fried shallots on top and start feasting.

I know some of you might say "aiyoh, use tomato ketchup kah?" By all means, you can do it the more original way. But if you want fast, easy and "sedap" (tasty), this is the solution.

Happy cooking.