Hern Hern ate his porridge for lunch while admiring the flow of the water.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Outing Day @ Mid Valley Part II
Hern Hern ate his porridge for lunch while admiring the flow of the water.
Mother & Son Outing @ Mid Valley
Daddy got meeting at Bangsar's headquarter at 2pm. Will mommy and Hern Hern be good and stay at home? Definitely not! Since daddy will be passing by Mid Valley on the way to his meeting... Why don't we go for another outing together again? Daddy dropped Mommy and Hern Hern at the Starbucks's entrance at 1.30pm. Hern Hern was immediately put on his stroller by Mommy. The journey to Mid Valley starts here. Its lunch time, definetely need to feed Hern Hern. We proceed to the water fountain in between of Mid Valley and The Gardens. Its seem a nice spot to picnic over there. Hern Hern was able to enjoyed the view while Mommy fed him with the pork porridge prepared earlier at home. Once done, we went for a stroll at The Gardens from Isetan to The Borders to Robbinson and finally a visit to Ah Yee's office! Hern Hern was a very cooperative boy today, he didn't make any fuss and showed his charming smile at Ah Yee's office. After the visit, its time for Mommy to hunt for food. We left at 3.05pm, just nice for the Sushi King (3pm-5pm, 20% discount). Hern Hern was still in his stroller when they proceed back to Mid Valley. After a while, Hern Hern fall asleep in his stroller! Mommy immediately went to Sushi King for her sushi moment.
Hern Hern woke up at 4.20pm, just nice we was around Toy R Us. He played at the playground outside and later inside the shop itself. He loves to play with balls. He will request a ball, and then put the ball back into the basket. To We left at 5pm, then went to Carrefour.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Monday, May 24, 2010
Me & Mommy Outing Together
Time: 12 noon
Weather: Not too hot, not too cold. Just nice for mother and son outing.
Location: Jusco, Taman Equine Park.
We started our journey at 12 noon with Mommy's little Kelisa. Daddy was being left alone to do the most important TOP SECRET MISSION by himself. Its a "Do Household Chores Day"!
To do lists:
1) Vacuum and mop the floor.
2) Clean all the ceiling fans.
3) Clean and wash the balcony.
4) Do maintenance on the piping system.
5) Wiping the divider.
Since we will be expecting dusts from flying here and there in the house, it was not advisable for Hern Hern to be around. We were worried he will be inhaling the dust or maybe playing with them. Besides that, Hern Hern LOVES to help us with any household chores or to be precise.... he may be lengthening the time of cleaning with all his cheekiness and playfulness in him. Therefore, mommy decided to bring him out for an outing, just Mommy and Son together.
We reached Jusco at 12.22pm. Mommy parked her car near to a shady area just beside the escalator. She prepared the stroller and Hern Hern's stuff. And then carry Hern Hern and push the stroller down the escalator. Mommy was hungry.... What should she eat? Fast and yummy healthy food? She and Hern Hern went to the ground floor of Jusco searching for food. They stopped and looked at Sushi King. Hmm... This restaurant fits the descriptions...
Since it was very difficult to clean the house with our Hern Hern around, mommy decided to go for an outing alone with him.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Birthday Theme 2: Race Car
Start your engines and race to this fun car themed birthday party!
Party ideas for car lovers, Hot Wheels, Match Box and NASCAR.
We offer three party plans with a car theme. This party guide is best for kids who love cars no matter what kind. Use these links for specific party guides with supplies for a NASCAR party, Hot Wheels, or the Cars movie.
For stress-free party planning, order your car themed party supplies on line and then add the games, activities and decorating suggestions below.
Don't forget to have fun on your child's special day!
PARTY DECORATIONS
Hang car cut-outs, posters, or calendar pictures from the ceiling
and on the walls. Add checkered flags, black and white streamers etc.
Use clean tires stuffed with pillows for chairs.
Kids will race to this track covered table...Cover a table with white
butcher paper. Tape black construction paper down the middle to
represent a road. Add yellow lines using paint or paper.
Add a car pinata center piece.
Candy Cars
Candy cars make a super place setting and double as a fun party favor!
You'll Need:
large packs of gum 3"x1" -- car body
snack size candy bars --spoiler and headlights
round hard candy or peanut butter cups -- tires
low temperature glue gun and glue sticks
Use the glue gun to attach the candy to the pack of gum;
tires onto the sides, spoilers off the back and and headlights on the front to the pack of gum. Position the back tire candies lower on the pack of gum, to simulate a "dragster".
Tips: the new mini candy bars no longer have silver wrappers. So we covered ours with aluminum foil to make headlights. If you don't have
a low-temperature glue gun, a standard glue gun can be used, but it
will melt the chocolate so be cautious.
Entrance Activity:
Before the party, cut a car shape from a large piece of poster board. Provide glue, scissors, magazines car pictures, crayons or markers on
the floor or table. When children arrive, direct them to help make the birthday child a card. Your child can save it for a poster and you can
save it for a memory.
CAR THEMED BIRTHDAY PARTY GAMES:
We've provided party games for a variety of age groups.
Select a few activities that will best suit your needs.
Cars and Mat
Provide a Giant Road Playmat and a bucket of cars to entertain the kids
for awhile. The new play mat would double as a birthday present!
Car Painting
You'll need old matchbox cars
Black paper
White and yellow paint (or any light color)
Pour paint in meat trays, or cookie sheets. Place a few cars in each paint tray. Children "drive" the cars through the paint and then drive them onto the paper. Use a white crayon to label each picture. Very little paint is actually used so that these dry quickly.
Road Rally
Have your own Race with wind-up cars.
Before the party, write each child's name on a car and place masking tape to signify the starting point and a few other pieces for finish markings.
Give each player the car, marked with their name.
Use a flag or cloth to start your race...
Winners get a piece of candy or blue ribbons.
Obstacle Course
If you have the space...
Use old tires, cones, chairs and boxes as obstacles.
Prepare the obstacle course buy creating challenges.
The children are the cars. They must get through the challenge course;
around tires, under tunnels (cut boxes), jump over rivers
(streamers on the ground) etc. You can have your birthday child
help with the set up of this activity. Don't forget to make car sounds!
They'll run the course as many times as they want,
receiving a candy or small treat every time.
Variation: Before the party fashion some cars, using cardboard
boxes, poster board and paint. Cut the tops and bottoms from
the boxes, so the children can step inside and hold the sides of
the car while they run the course. Adding handles with pieces of clothesline, will make it easier for the players to hold their cars.
Tire Race and Roll Relay
Mark a start and finish line with rope or cones.
Divide the players into teams if you have a large group.
Supply each player or team with one car tire.
Players will roll the tire and race to the finish line and back.
If you are playing with teams play as you would a relay race;
one teammate at a time and then pass the tire to the next teammate.
What Am I?
You'll Need:
One 3x5 card for each child, Pictures of cars or Car Parts
(Tires, seats, steering wheel etc.). Attach one picture to each card. Prepare these cards before the party. Have the children form a circle.
Tape a card to each of their backs.
When you say go…players look at each others cards and give clues until every player has guessed what's on their card.
Example:
You are black. You are Round. You Roll.
"Am I a Tire?"...Yeah, you guessed!
Add a challenge for older children by using Nascar drivers,
more advanced auto parts and well know races.
Tire Bean Bag Toss
Place an old tire on the flat on the ground.
Mark and "X" a reasonable distance from the tire.
Provide a few bean bags for the children to take turns
tossing the bean bags into the center of the tire.
Paint Your Own Hot Rod Car
Make your own car to take home!
Purchase wooden cars, kid-safe paint and paint brushes, or use with spray painted shoeboxes. Be sure to provide large shirt smocks and a protected
space for painting. A large tarp on the ground will do just fine. Also provide wet-wipes for messy hands. Encourage the children to decorate their cars with racing stripes, numbers etc.
PARTY TREATS
Tire Treats
Place a round candy in the center of a chocolate sandwich cookie using frosting. Place these tires on top of a frosted cupcake.
Re-fuel hungry party goers with car sandwiches. Use a car cookie cutter,
to cut simple sandwiches like PB&J or ham and cheese. You may also choose to simply cut slices of lunch meat and cheese and served w/ crackers. Add carrot sticks, orange wedges and grapes.
Birthday Theme 1: Hot Wheels
Kids will race to this fun, Hot Wheels birthday party with party games, crafts, and decorations.
HOT WHEELS PARTY DECORATIONS
Hang car cut-outs, posters, or calendar pictures from the ceiling and on the walls. Use clean tires stuffed with pillows for chairs.
Cover your table with white butcher paper. Tape black construction paper down the middle to represent a road. Add Yellow lines using paint or paper. Use a car pinata or remote control car as a center piece.
Candy Race Cars
These edible cars make a super place setting and double as a fun party favor!
You'll Need:
- Large packs of gum 3"x1" -- car body
- Snack size candy bars --spoiler and headlights
- Round hard candy or peanut butter cups -- tires
- Low temperature glue gun and glue sticks
Directions: Use the glue gun to attach the tires onto the sides, spoilers off the back and and headlights on the front of the pack of gum. Positioned the back tire candies lower on the pack of gum, to simulate a "dragster".
Tips: the new mini candy bars no longer have silver wrappers. We covered ours with aluminum foil to make headlights. If you don't have a lo-temp
glue gun, a standard glue gun can be used, but it will melt the chocolate, so be cautious.
A Special Welcome
Place a large piece of poster board, glue, scissors, magazines, crayons or markers on the floor or table. When children arrive direct them to help make the birthday child a card to save. Cut and glue magazine car photos, add stickers, write notes or color pictures. Your child can save it for a poster and you can save it for a memory.
HOT WHEELS PARTY GAMES
Keep your Hot Wheels fans entertained, with a few of these party games. Activities designed especially for younger children, can be found
a bit further down the page.
Road Rally
Have your own race with balloon race cars. Before the party, write each child's name on a car and place masking tape to signify the starting point and a few other pieces for finish markings. Hand each player the car, with their name. Use a flag or cloth to start your race...Winners get a piece of candy or blue ribbons.
Obstacle Course
If you have the space... Use old tires, cones, chairs and boxes. Prepare the obstacle course buy creating challenges. The children are cars. They must get through the challenge course. Around Tires, under tunnels (cut boxes), jump rivers (streamers on the ground) Etc. You can have your Birthday Child help with the set up of this activity. Don't forget to make car sounds! They run the course as many times as they want, receiving a candy or small treat every time.
Hot Wheels Pinata Activity
Fill a race car pinata with Hot Wheels stickers, candy and fruit snacks!
Bucket Drop
A fun activity that can be adapted depending on your child's age.
You'll need:
- Clothes pins
- Pictures of cars (magazine cut outs etc.)
- Bucket or box
Directions: Place bucket or box lower than the child. You can use stairs, a chair, a stool or the back of a sofa.
Attach car cut outs in 5 clothes pins. Take turns trying to drop the clothes pins/cars in the container. Adapt this game for age by increasing or decreasing the size of the opening in the container. No need for winners or losers everybody has fun and gets a candy or sticker to add to their goodie bag.
VARIATION: Use a wide mouth plastic container and plastic cars for dropping.
What Am I?
A great party guessing game.
You'll Need:
- One 3x5 card for each child
- Pictures of cars or car parts (tires, seats, steering wheel etc.)
Directions: Attach one picture to each card. Prepare these cards before the party. Have the children form a circle. Tape a card to each of their backs. When you say go…players look at each others cards and give clues until every player has guessed what's on their card.
Example: You are black. You are round. You roll.
"Am I a Tire?"...Yeah, you guessed!
Add a challenge for older children by using NASCAR Drivers, more advanced auto parts and well known races.
Paint Your Own Hot Rod or Your Favorite Car
Make your own car to take home!
Directions: Purchase wooden cars, kid-safe paint and paint brushes, or use with spray painted shoeboxes. Be sure to provide large shirt smocks and a protected space for painting. A large tarp on the ground will do just fine. Also provide wet-wipes for messy hands. Encourage the children to decorate their cars with racing stripes, numbers etc.
ACTIVITIES FOR YOUNGER CHILDREN
Set these party activities in "stations", much like a preschool. Enlist an adult helper at each station. Allow the children to play freely at the individual activities.
Hot Wheels Free Play
You can find plastic or carpeted mats at most stores these days for under $10.00. Set the mat out with a basket of cars.
Make your own Goodie Bags
Provide plain favor boxes, or bags and car stickers, with which the children can decorate their own bags. You can then add the favors afterwards.
Car Painting
A great way for kids to have their own craft to take home.
You'll need:
- Old matchbox cars
- Black paper
- White and yellow paint (or any light color)
Directions: Pour paint in meat trays, or cookie sheets. Place a few cars in each paint tray. Children "drive" the cars through the paint and then drive them onto the paper. Use a white crayon to label each picture. Very little paint is actually used so that these dry quickly.
PARTY TREATS
- Make Cookie Tires with Oreo cookies. Use a dollop of frosting to attach a life saver in the center. Then, top a frosted cupcakes with a tire cookie.
- Re-fuel with car shaped sandwiches. Cut kid's favorite sandwiches like P,B& J or ham and cheese, using a car shaped cookie cutter. Serve with carrot sticks,orange slices and grapes.
Hot Wheels Birthday Cake
Directions: Frost a sheet cake with blue or yellow frosting. Use black licorice ropes or Fruit by the Foot for a road way. Place miniature cars on the road. You can also find street signs and other accessories at local craft or party store. Cake topped with Matchbox cars.Rev It Up Punch
Every party needs a special fuel!
You'll Need:
- "Hot Wheels Fruit snacks"
- Fruit punch frozen concentrate
- 7-up
- Large punch or mixing bowl
Directions: Place a hot wheel Fruit snack in each cube section of an ice cube tray. Fill with water and freeze. Mix the punch using less water than required. Add ice and 7-up just before serving. Be careful to let the children know about the fruit snack car so they won't swallow it.
HOT WHEELS PARTY FAVORS
Use colored paper bags found in the gift wrap department of most stores. Provide the children with stickers of cars, markers crayons etc. for decorating a favor bag. Then fill the bag with Hot Wheels favors. Hot Wheels are as popular as ever, so you can easily find, candies, cards, stickers or mini-puzzles.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Mommy's Little Helper
Happy 2nd Birthday
Understanding your two year old
At this stage, your child will probably be clingy and dependent one minute but mobile and freedom-seeking the next. While he will happily play alongside other children, your two year old won't be truly social. This is mainly because he can't put himself in another child's shoes yet, so he may hit, bite, snatch toys and make other children cry without realising why. Although embarrassing and upsetting, this is normal two-year-old behaviour. The key to keeping the peace at his party is to have good adult supervision and not too many guests.
Who to invite
Making home-made invitations will while away an afternoon and be a quality structured play activity for your toddler, as well as something you can do together. Different paint effects, such as sponge painting, may work well. No one will expect them to be too sophisticated!
Toddlers, especially shy ones, can quickly become overwhelmed by having a lot of people around at once. About three to eight friends is ample, depending on your social circle. Parents will need to stay, so you should have plenty of help and support. Remember, your child will only just be learning to relate to other children, so don't expect great levels of cooperation.
Getting the timing right
Some children of this age still take afternoon naps, so take that into account. Mornings or lunch time can be a good time for the party, especially if your toddler’s birthday falls at the weekend. Keep the party short and sweet. An hour is usually plenty for frazzled parents.
Games and activities
Most children of this age love dressing up, so keep a box of dressing-up clothes handy. Balloons are great fun, but the noise of them bursting may scare more timid toddlers. If any are popped, remove them quickly for safety's sake because they can be a choking hazard.
Simple but structured games with clear instructions, like Musical statues and Simon says, are entertaining. Action rhymes go down well, too, or consider a short story after they’ve eaten to calm everything down for home time. If you include prize games, like Pass the parcel, then you need to make sure every child receives something to avoid tears.
They'll love to make lots of noise, so blowers and horns will create great excitement. Outside, a bouncy castle may work well, but will need a large garden space and plenty of supervision. In warm weather, a paddling pool and garden toys create all the fun that's needed, but, again, strict supervision is needed and plenty of shade.
Choosing a venue
Home is still the best place, but you may be lucky enough to have a toddler indoor play area nearby which you can hire if you expect a lot of guests. Alternatively, a small, cheerful church hall can be an excellent venue because it keeps your home clean and tidy and provides plenty of space for food, games and running around. Make sure you check it out before you book though because some halls can be musty and bleak rather than welcoming! You may want to take some large toys, such as cars, pop-up tents or see-saws, and put up some colourful decorations.
What food to serve
Food will need to look colourful and inviting in small portions. Animal-shaped sandwiches, bite-size pieces of cucumber and tomato, mini party pizzas, jellies in little pots and iced party biscuits are always popular. If you don’t have enough small, child-sized tables and chairs, you could opt for a teddy bear’s picnic on the floor. Food is bound to be spilled, so spill-proof cups and party food boxes are an excellent idea.
Choose a bold, instantly recognisable cake, possibly of your child's favourite television character or shaped like one of his favourite toys, such as a train.
Choosing a theme
Opting for a theme depends on your child's likes or dislikes. A jungle theme is always a winner at this age. Aim for animal musical rhymes, animal-shaped foods and animal costumes. You may find that party supply companies have helpful suggestions for themed party packs, decorations and more.
The party bags
By the age of two, guests will appreciate a little goody bag. Don't spend a fortune, but beware of too many cheap sweets which are usually high in colourings and may contain gelatine that is not suitable for vegetarians. Cheap plastic toys, such as replica animals, purses, glittery bangles, plastic sunglasses, whirly windmills and magic painting books are all along the right lines.
Choosing presents
Presents which stimulate and fire the imagination are perfect at this age. Play dough, dressing-up clothes and role play toys, such as cash registers and toy cookers, are all favourites. However two year olds also have boundless energy, so may enjoy a paddling pool, mini ball pool or some other garden play equipment.
Top tips for a successful party
- At two, some of your child's guests may have started potty-training, so expect some accidents. Keep cloths and kitchen towel handy.
- Toys will be fought over, so keep anything precious locked away and, where possible, try to have at least two of everything.
- Have a sit-down party meal rather than a buffet because children of this age just won't understand the
principle. - Ask parents to stay so that any tantrums thrown by their toddler can be their problem, not yours.
- Keep games short, simple, structured and fun so that little ones don't get bored or confused.
- Put the food out at the last minute and clear away quickly when it's finished.
- Don't create a second party for parents, just provide drinks and nibbles.
- Make sure you have plenty of spill-proof cups available.
- Serve the savoury foods before the sweet.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Experiment: Sleep Day VII
I am so proud of him...
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Experiment: Sleep Day VI
Sleep at: 12.45am
Many morning calls later... Due to noisy neighbors from Block A and a hot weather during that time. He was sweating during his sleeping time.
Wake up at: 9.20am
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Experiment: Sleep Day V
Sleep at: 1.30am
Wake up at: 9.10am
Duration of sleep: Almost 8 hours straight AGAIN!
Why? We need to test these hypotheses:
Hypothesis I: Sleep without air conditioner & window open.
Hypothesis II: Sleep with Mommy.
Friday, May 14, 2010
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Child Labour
Experiment: Sleep Day III
Sleep at: 11.40pm
1st morning call at: 1.35pm but sleep back again
Wake up at: 11am
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Experiement: Sleep Day II
Yesterday or maybe to be precise, this morning, Hern Hern slept at 12.25am. Wow! Another miracle from him. He AGAIN slept through the night and morning call Mommy at 7.40am. Followed by the next one at 8.45am and 9.35am. But he managed to continue to sleep back after that. Officially, he woke up at 11am with the super fresh look on him.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
First Time Slept Through The Night
Its almost 11.30 pm. Our Hern Hern seem a bit blurred now and it is a sign for him to go to sleep already. As usual, he will conquered our bed to be his every night. Usually, he will sleep together with daddy and wake up many times to morning call his daddy. But today, its mommy's turn to sleep with him. Before that, we gave him 2.5ml of fever medicine for prevention as we found that his body was a bit warm.
The bedtime routine started. We will put him on the bed and he will roll here and there. After a while, he will automatically sleep on his own. Mommy's journey with Hern Hern begins at 11.40pm. She is ready to be awaken by Hern Hern in the middle of night. Hours and hours passes by. No sound from Hern Hern. But he do tend to roll around, and Mommy "pak pak" his back and there he fall asleep again. Finally, in the morning, Hern Hern wake up. And miracle does happen, the clock is showing the time is now 8.40am. WOW! First time in history, Hern Hern never wake up in the middle of night. As a conclusion, Daddy said Mommy must continue to sleep with Hern Hern to maintain the record. Cis...
But Mommy defended with a few reasons WHY he can sleep through the night:
1) Maybe due to the fever medicine effect.
2) Instead of using the air conditioner, we sleep using the fan and opened the windows.
3) Mommy slept beside him.
And the mostly importantly, a record was being set
Sleeping Record
Record holder: Hern Hern
Duration: 11.40pm (10 May 2010) to 8.40am (11 May 2010)
(Total: 9 hours)