Miscellaneous Picture #52 : weekend musing

 It has been a while. Did some arts & crafts with the kids over the weekend. All about fun and mess.

Butterflies. Who doesn't like butterflies? Need to make some more as the kids want to stick more on their walls.

Received a little surprise in the mailbox on Saturday.  Thank you Hayley for the postcard.  Nice knowing you, and may our friendship last forever.

Hubby had exam on Saturday so I did not cooked lunch. Actually I did not cooked at all on Saturday ans Sunday as we got caught up with other stuff.

So we had takeaway lunches and ate dinners outside.

One of my simple lunches consisting of stir-fried spinach and assam sting ray that cost RM4.

Jay got his 2nd pair of glasses within a 4 months time span as the rubber nose pad of the old glasses came off. Well, I think he looks better in this new pair. Got his new glasses on Saturday evening.

Spotted this nice plant in the neighbourhood. Small white flowers with black seeds in middle of the plant. Couldn't help but took photo of it.

On Saturday morning, we went to the kids' favourite place for breakfast cum exercise time.

My 2 older kids had their first repertoire in church on Sunday.  Have been practising hard for the past 2 weeks.

Last rehearsal before the start of the 1st mass service. 

We are so proud of them!

Go bananas

One day we went to Kubah Ria to buy some bananas. Not for own consumption, but part of hubby's charity work.

He joined the church in charity work for few months now and one of the works requires the volunteers to visit the Sarawak General Hospital, praying for the sickly and giving out food.

For few weeks, hubby has been buying some bananas to be distributed to the patients there.

So we went to Kubah Ria to buy some of the fruits. It was Saturday so as expected, the weekly market was packed. 

However we did not need to park and walk into the market. We drove around the market as there was an open market at the back of the market building that sells fruits.

Hubby just rolled down his window and shouted to the vendors. He actually bought the bananas from few of the roadside stalls. Some sells RM2 per comb, others RM1 or RM3 per comb depend on type and size. Those in the market building sells based on weight!

Mostly sell bananas!  It is bananas everywhere. 

Of course there is other stuff to be seen and bought but it was too hot and hard to find decent parking so we did not walk around. Just drove one round and be gone.

 We got what we want. Bananas!!

He follows the church van every Saturday afternoon to hospital distribute the bananas he bought and prays for those in need.

Eating bananas is good for you but again, like everything, it must be in moderation.  Here is a site link on why you should consume bananas.

Philippians 2:4 "Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others"

The breakfast

It has been a while since we have breakfast here. I am kind of missing the fried kway tiaw so one Saturday morning I suggested we came here for breakfast.

Jan did not want fried noodle or kolo mee so she went to order herself a roti telur.

Her RM2.00 roti telur looked good. And big square shaped too.

Soon our 3 plates of fried kway tiaw came. Why we love the fried kway tiaw here? The aunt cooks her noodle in a hot flat pan. The heat will distributed thoroughly and noodle will be well cooked all over.

Hubby had his kway tiaw in clam with a fried egg on top for RM6. The fried egg was overly fried. I personally prefer the yolk to be slightly running. Hubby on the other hand would want his egg to be thoroughly beaten before add into hot pan.

Jay and I had the plate of fried kway tiaw with prawns each (RM6 each).

A very satisfying and addictive dish I have to admit. *wink*

Weekdays as a solo mom

I love it!  Seriously, I do.  Or maybe you could say that I am used to it by now.

I have been a solo parent for slightly over a month now. It is both tiring and mind-blowing yet satisfying experience for me as a mom of three. 

Of course, I do miss the big man around the house and it tends to be quieter and lonelier without another adult to talk to, but somehow I feel that we have grown closer.  Like they said, absence makes the heart grows fonder.

We spend more quality family times and talk more when we are together on weekends. It is more satisfying and happier, I personally think of it.

Other reasons why I enjoy my weekdays as a solo mom:

1. The super king-sized bed feels more spacey and comfy without the big man snuzzling in. Jamie is still sleeping with us on the big bed.
2. I cook simpler food for me and my kids.  Less stress and headache thinking of the menu every day.
3. I have pc all to myself on weekday.  I prefer writing posts on pc than tapping on my smart phone.
4. Less argument over tv. Even among the kids, each has their own favourite channels. 2 tvs at home is not enough! 
5. Less hassle over another human being. Hubby could be more demanding than the 3 little human beings; need to iron, clean and arrange stuff for him. 

Hubby would be having few weeks of travelling so we would be seeing less of him this month. Meantime I will try to take care of the house and kids as best as I could.

Moms & kids' holiday lunch out

Monday was a school holiday as it was the Easter Monday. The school declared a one day special holiday.

Initially I planned to stay at home with my kids as the weather was gloomy and Jay needed to revise on spelling but that early morning while having our breakfast in McD's, I got a call from a girlfriend. After few minutes on the phone, we decided to go out together as her kids also have no school that day.

So in less than an hour, she came to pick us. Together the 7 of us went to Vivacity Megamall in Jalan Wan Alwi. On our way there, it rained cats and dogs. Fortunately we were going to a shopping mall, regardless of rain or shine. By the time we reached the mall, it was almost 1130am.

We brought the kids to Kidzoona on the upper floor for the indoor game and playground. After spending more than an hour there, the kids were hungry and we went to try this new Japanese outlet. Sushi Zanmai.

The outlet looked nice and beautifully set-up. I love the ambience. It was clean, spacious and elegant; and the service was fast as well.

We were seated at the window seat so we could see people walking passed by. It was not so packed although it was lunch time that time.

Ramen? Udon? Donburi? Sushi? Well, hard to decide what to eat as it has been quite sometime we dine in Japanese outlet. Felt like having a bit of everything!

We were served first with this salmon maki. The kids walloped them in few seconds before the next plate arrived.

Salmon mk (RM7.80)

Tobikko. We ordered 2 plates of this irresistible salmon tobikko. I love the crunchy, salty fish roe taste in my mouth!

SS tobikko (RM5.80)

Jay had this delicious shoyu ramen and he finished the whole bowl including the soup.

Shoyu ramen  RM11.80

Jan never failed to order her favourite, unagi with rice.

Unagi RM24.80

For me, I went for tendon donburi which I find it so tempting with the fried tempura.

Tendon (RM11.80)

To finish up our delicious meal, I ordered a choco parfait for everyone to share.

Oh well, the kids could not stop digging (and fighting) over the parfait. Who could? I could not resist the sweet tooth sometime and this parfait was luxuriously complemented by crunchy waffle, choco bits, nuts, oreo crumbs and cornflakes in one glass.

Just look at their faces. It tells all.

Beautiful Sunday

It was the Easter Sunday. Woke up to a cloudy morning. A beautiful Sunday morning, I were grateful for that.

I fixed breakfast for Jan and Jay as both needed to be an hour earlier for rehearsal in their Sunday school. Oh no, not rehearsal for Easter Sunday, but for another event, which is happening next Sunday.

After dropped both off, we had an hour to spare before attending the mass so hubby suggested we went to Chong Choon Cafe for laksa.

Sarawak laksa

The place was very packed that morning, so we had to table sharing with others. After filling up our tummies with the good old Sarawak laksa, we went back to the church.

Afternoon was spent at home after our hearty banana leaf lunch. Relaxing, playing, fooling around. The normal thing we do on Sunday.

Well, the not-so-normal thing I did was fixed a simple bowl of salad for snacking. I had some leftover potatoes so I used them up together with tomato cherries and mint leaves for my salad. Just sprinkle some parmesan cheese and vinaigrette, it was good to eat.

Salad

That was last Sunday. I guess everyone had a wonderful Easter Sunday. A long weekend over here. The kids has no school the next day, so they were pretty much enjoying the deserving break.

And yes, I love this song by Daniel Boone. Reminded me that every Sunday is special; spending with the loved ones.

Miscellaneous Picture #51: Few things

There goes the incredibly stressful March. 

Both kids had their semester exams. But good thing out from it was the one week break. Hubby is adjusting to the relaxing and laid-back life of Sri Aman; blessed that we get to see him on weekends.

Anyhow, we got through March. Few things that keep me going and happy.

What's better than a good and warm breakfast to start off the day. 

I picked up colours; thanks to my daughter. *wink* Now we both compete to see how many pages we could go.

A little bloom would not kill anyone. These little lovelies can brighten up any day of the week.

Going slow on my reading lately. I only can finish up a good book in a week. Used to be 3 or 4 days in the past, but now finding time to read is a bliss. Lol. My latest read that I managed to finish last month.

Some nights we brought in pizza and had a pizza night! My kids super love it when we had pizza night. When they are happy, I am happy too. *wink*