Our latest visitors from Cardiff

It is school half term in Wales. Ju left a message in my comment box asking if she could come to our house with her family during the school holiday. Of course the answer was a 'yes'! The first time she came to our house was last year, on the first day of the fasting month. What I didn't mention last time was that she was pregnant with her fourth child.

I was very excited to meet Nasya, the new addition to her family. I've only seen her photos on Ju's blog. MasyaAllah, Nasya is such a darling. She rarely cries and so friendly with everyone. I think she likes me (haha! perasan) because she kept on looking at me, and when our eyes met she automatically flashed me her gummy smile.

As I've described before, her other kids: Farah, Hazman and Hazim were very active but obedient children. They were very helpful and respect each other. Farah is only 9 years old, but she is so good when it comes to taking care of her little sister, Nasya. Whenever Nasya was sleeping or sitting on her rocking chair, Farah would come to me and asked if she could help with anything! (Imagine that coming from a 9 year old!)

Not only that, she played with Sarah and Amar too. Sarah was very attached to Kakak Farah and kept on asking her to play hide and seek. You have to watch them play together, they were funny! Obviously, Farah is a girlie type of girl. She doesn't shout, she talks softly and she is an expert at taking care of the younger ones! I like her to bits!!!

Throughout their stay, Babah was working and stayed at the hospital. On Sunday, the weather was very sunny that we just had to go out. We went to the city centre and visited Coventry Cathedral, Coventry University, a little bit of the town centre and finally we had lunch at Nando's.

When we first arrived at the town, Sarah wanted to sit in the push chair and insisted me to push her. She was really testing my patience infront of Ju the Supermom! I had to carry Amar and push the stroller at the same time. Half way towards the Cathedral, I let Amar walked with Farah.

On Monday, Ju took all her children to National Sealife Centre in Birmingham and also the Bullring. We would have gone along if Babah was at home. From the photos they have taken, I think they have had a fantastic time in Birmingham.

On Tuesday, I tried to lure Ju to go to Stratford upon Avon. She tried to make us to come along too! In the end, we decided to visit Shakespeare some other time. They went back to Cardiff just after noon time. A few minutes after they left, Sarah asked this, "Bila Kakak nak balik sini lagi?" (Balik = datang)

To Ju and her kids; Thank you very much for coming. We are terribly sorry for not taking you personally to Birmingham and Stratford upon Avon. Otherwise it was definitely a fun time having you all here. Sarah and Amar love your children very much. And I have definitely enjoyed your company too (Especially our late night conversations - after the kids were asleep. Hehe I will always remember the phrase "Ibu Tiriku Sayang" forever!) Oh, thank you for not complaining about my cooking. We wish you all well and hope to meet you all again next time.

p/s: Outdoor photos were taken by our old Sony Cybershot.

Tetamu from Cardiff

Sarah and Farah: girly, girly time

Last Friday, our friend from Cardiff came to visit and stayed at our house for 2 nights. We were so excited to have them here. Especially Sarah!

Ju arrived with her three children (Farah, Hazman and Hazim) around 8 pm. Although it was supposedly scheduled earlier, but there was traffic jam on the way to our place.

The children were just amazing. They played together or took equal turns with PS2. They helped their mommy and I with so many things too. They listen to their mommy, they are just obedient kids! The most impressive thing to me was when their mom woke them up for Sahur, they all woke up easily and didn't even cry or wimp. They came down for the extra early breakfast quietly and just ate whatever was prepared for them.

Often I heard them said; "Thank you mommy, I love you mommy for (this and that)" and made me wish that Sarah and Amar will be as good as them when they grow up.

Unfortunately, I didn't take them to visit the historic Coventry or the beautiful Stratford upon Avon for various reasons. Main reason being, it so happened that Saturday was the first day of fasting and we tried not to tire the children. They were all fasting, even the 5 year old Ajeem.

So activities were just within the compound of our house. Farah was such a darling. She is going to be 8 soon. Despite the age gap, Farah still happily played with Sarah all the time.

For berbuka puasa, Ju and I prepared soto, spring roll filled with minced lamb and vege, creme caramel and mango juice. The children just ate happily around our small dining table and they even had second helping.

And guess what, the children said "Thank you Auntie for making me this food" and "The food is yummy!" I thought I heard them wrongly. But they did compliment me! I was not used to young kids complimenting me, but hey - I was really 'kembang'!

The ever so vogue Farah, Hazman the PS2 extrovert and the high imagination Hazim

They went back on Sunday morning. Sarah suddenly went quiet looking at them loading their stuff into their car. She even refused to salam with any of them and just pulled a solemn face. Hopefully we will be able to take them to some interesting places in the future when they come to visit us again.

I'm sure Ju's husband and parents in Malaysia are dead proud of her. She is one brave and excellent mommy with wonderful children.

Ju sent me a text message later on to say that they have reached home safely. And among other things I quote her "The children said they love me because bawa pi rumah you!"

p/s: the last photo was pinched from Ju's blog.