Boylet and his Robot / Book Sale loot

Boylet followed me to the Pearson and Pigeon Books Warehouse Sale, and he grabbed a few books for himself. One of them is Harry and the Robots. This is his first book on Robots and he only chosed it because he's a fan of Harry and the dinosaur books. After reading the book, he was inspired to make his own Robot too. With a toilet roll, some cardboard, chopsticks, cellotape and stickers, he set to work, and here's the result. And the book was only RM4.


Here are the books that we bought.
Ladybird readers & classics at RM4 each (60% off), Magic Puppy and Secret Unicorn books for Girlet at RM10 each (50% off), and Charlie and Lola books for RM12, among others.

I snared some paperbacks for myself at RM10 each, including Twilight and New Moon. *sheepish* I've actually read the whole Twilight series, but those were borrowed books. I like to own books so I can reread them. In my defence, I did pass them up at the MPH sale a few days earlier, when they were going for 30% off, which made them about RM30 each. So this was a real steal!! Hear that, hubby! BTW, the strangest part was the same books were going for RM10 at the teenage section and RM15 at the adult section. So be aware, if there're any RM10 ones left that is.

The sale is up to Oct 11. It's worth a visit.

Baby Amelia is 5 months old

Remember my niece who was borned prematurely at 24 weeks and 3 days, as posted here? Well, she's now 5 months old (though if she was born full term, she'd only be about 5 weeks old) and really thriving. I couldn't resist copying her photo off SIL's blog. Isn't she adorable? Thanks to all for your good thoughts and prayers.

Shelving woes

Since young, I have dreamt of a huge study room with wall-to-wall, ceilling-to-floor shelves all full of books. Yah, yah..... I was a very nerdy kid..... still am, with the exception that I've got rid of the huge glasses. *_*

Fast forward to present, I haven't have the priviledge of owning such a room, even if I'd been investing in books as though I have. Mind you, most of the books I'd bought in the last few years were kids' books. For my reading pleasure, I had to rent the books or else lend my books to my dearest sis, in which case I would get free storage indeterminately (I still reread them when I go over during the hols). Oops.... did I just alert her to that fact? *_*

Anyway, this resulted in overflowing bookshelves, as I'd resorted to double stacking (stacking another bunch of books in front of the books already in the shelves). Like this....... in Girlet's room. And this ....... And this ....... upstairs living room ......... kids' workbooks, activity, colouring, dot-to-dot, mazes, sticker books ....... there are more shelves and more books on the left, but grownup stuff, so didn't take pix.

And this ....... boylet's books in the master bedroom.

But still I find books now occupying space on the floor, on top the piano, two of the dining chairs, not to mention overtaking hubby's study table.

Like this .........

Enough photos already.... or you all will think I'm living in a pigsty.

So any ideas how to solve my shelving woes? Buying shelves is easy. Problem is there's no space for more shelves! As my upstairs has high ceilings, I was contemplating a loft library like the following (link here).... what d'ya think? Suggestions welcomed, besides donating the books away!

But you can't keep a Bookworm down. Tomorrow I'm going to the Pearson and Penguin Books WAREHOUSE SALE. Yes, my hubby. I know the books I bought last month from the MPH warehouse sale are still in the store room. But, with publishers like Pearson Longman, Penguin, Puffin, Ladybird, DK etc., how can I not go? I'm buying for your kids ok? (can't argue with that, can you?)

For those interested, the details of the warehouse sale is:

Date : Oct 2 - 11

Time : 10 am - 7 pm

Venue : Pearson Msia S/B, Lot 2, Jln 215, Off Jln Templer, PJ

Happy book hunting!

Go watch "The 1 Kind Show"

This is my record in lowest blog productivity - 6 weeks with no posts. Been busy with this and that (another post), plus the maid was back home to Indonesia for 1 month, not mentioning the 3 weeks of anxiety when she called to say she's not coming back!! After I bent backwards to help her out too! Well, after much persuasion, she did come back to settle her things and wait for her replacement. At least 'ada hati perut'.

Anyway, as I haven't uploaded any pix from the camera, I'll just make a quick post of this live comedy show I just saw on Sat. Named The 1 Kind Show (after 1Malaysia) by Comedy Court, there were lots of racist and political jokes, but simply hilarious. Their impersonations of the various races were spot on.

The show's on until 9 October. Venue : Wisma Tun Sambanthan, Kampung Attap (next to Bangunan Public Bank). Tickets : RM55 / 75 / 105 - available through Axcess. For more info, check their website here.

You can watch one of their skits 'Who wants to be a Billionaire' on Youtube - only the live show is so much better, so go see already!

The kids are sad that since the Bangsar Shopping Complex closed down their auditorium, there haven't been any puppet shows in KL. Hopefully when Actor's Studio open shop in Lot 10, Gardner & Wife, and Act 3 Intl will bring back kids' shows. Keeping our fingers and toes crossed!

Happy Birthday, Babylet!

Babylet turned 3 on Aug 11.

She had her heart set on a party in Jungle Gym, just like korkor. But with the A(H1N1) flu pandemic, we thought better not risk it.

So, we just had a family celebration in Ming Room, Bangsar Shopping Centre. Babylet was dressed in her Cinderella dress that SIL got for her. And she was hilarious in it. As her dress was almost reaching the floor, Babylet was very concious and walked very slowly like a real princess. She even condescended to give a Princess wave to some passerbys.

Babylet tried hard, but only managed to blow out one candle. Jiejie blew the rest before Boylet had a chance.

Another present from SIL, a baby Cinderella doll. Babylet was thrilled that her doll was wearing the same dress as hers. Happy Birthday Darling!

Girlet's Concert # 2 - Ballet

Finally posting about Girlet's ballet concert after more than 1 month posting about her tap-dancing concert. (Both on the same day, one afternoon, another evening). My bad - a combination of procrastination, exams, and addiction to virtual farming (Farmtown on Facebook). Having achieved the highest level and getting my virtual mansion *gloating face*, and last day exams today, I'm back. For a short while anyway before the maid goes home to Indonesia for puasa and hari raya.

Rehearsal for "The Swan". Girlet leaping into air.
Putting on makeup. Thanks to Aunt Anna for the sparkly silver dust for the eyes.
Backstage before the performance. Looking nervous and very serious.

The dance itself here:

On Pushy Parents

"Having pushy parents is four times more important than financial background in terms of their success in later life, a major report has found."

"Children whose parents take an active interest in their education are more likely to go on to higher education and a good job, regardless of whether they come from a rich home."

The quotes were found here at dailymail . The original report, called Unleashing Aspiration, was published by The Panel on Fair Access to the Professions in UK and commissioned by Gordon Brown. You can go read the original report, or like lazy me, read the summaries / reviews. There are lots, just google it. I'll just quote those that supports my view (haha) : here, here and here.

Quoting from here : "the report identifies six pivotal points in an individual’s life which can have a significant impact on their ability to access a professional career." Go read what the six pivotal points are, but as parents, we can influence three of the six points, namely their aspirations – based on their initial exposure to and impressions of the professions, their education – in particular, their school years and the support that young people get to make decisions about their career, and their opportunities to get into university. The other three depends on social standing/networking and luck- being in the right place at the right time.

The report dealt a lot with thwarted or suppressed aspirations in UK, read here. Glad to say that there are many more pushy parents over this part of the world. Isn't that why there's lots of hoohaa every year when top students didn't get scholarships to universities?

I actually first read about this in Domestic Goddess's blog. She sums it up nicely, so go read it here.

Also explains why I've been MIA from this blog......... in the midst of Girlet's exams. Gotta go be a pushy mom now.

Edit: Oh dear! I'm a bad writer. Now everyone thinks I'm a pushy ogre. haha. To clarify, the report originates from UK, where the culture and level of 'pushiness' is pretty different from here (Msia & Sg). What was dubbed as 'pushiness' there was actually parents taking active interest in kids' education. I don't think they have a culture of forcing kids to non-stop academic tuitions and homework there.

Anyway, my philosophy is simple. Let us all participate actively in our kids' education. Expose them to a wide range of disciplines. Pay close attention to their interests, and fan their passions. Teach them good values and good learning attitude. Let them have a sense of accomplishment in what they do, so that they'll strive to do their best. Most of all, just love them and enjoy their process of growing up.