Let’s Get Ready..Go Go GO!
Posted on June 23, 2008
Every morning, I’d find my 2nd kid, staring at the TV (my fault), watching all the pre-school programs, learning from the dumb tube, instead of the dumb mom. Sigh…
Like I mentioned earlier, my 1st kid was privileged, he had me, all to himself. My 2nd kid? Poor lil guy..he has to share amongst his 2 other brothers now. That means, I’m really time poor and I find I don’t have the time to sit with him, teaching every thing I taught the 1st one.
A couple of days ago, these two books arrived, and both my boys were happy to see that there were one book for each. The timing couldn’t have been better.
As a whole, I found these books, published by Cedar Valley Publishing, very colourful, engaging and applicable not only to kids, but to teachers and parents. The pages are made of good quality material, which allows the child to write on it, with a non-permanent marker pen. This allows the book to be re-used over and over again. Quite handy, when you have more than one kid or when your kid likes a particular page and wants you to go over it, again and again!
There are Cedar Valley Kids™ of appropriate ages in each book, and this helped my kids in remembering their names (in a social aspect) and learning in a fun way what each Cedar Valley Kid™ was doing. Both books start off by highlighting the skill sets the child is supposed to achieve, according to their ages/levels. Furthermore, each book introduces a teacher as a focal point for the parent on what the child should be understanding from each page.
I’ll be reviewing through each book individually, as it is for different age groups.
Review : Let’s get ready for Kindergarten (Ages : 2-6)
My soon-to-be 3 year old has indicated on many occasions, his interests in learning. From his constant requests to read and his attempts in copying everyday activities like cooking, folding the laundry, counting money, doing his work (typing into a keyboard), etc. However, this lazy mama hasn’t been doing much, as I find myself glazing over story books that I have read countless of times to the first kid.
With “Let’s get ready for Kindergarten”, Mrs.Good (the Kinder teacher) and the Cedar Valley Kids™, had valuable tips in helping the parent learn/teach with the child. I like the fact that it covered a very broad range from alphabets to numbers, seasons to writing. But in each page, a parent can expand further with everyday examples…and even for a lazy mum like me, it’s not that hard!
Not only does this book engages a child to use his mental abilities, it encourages the child to refine his fine motor skills like having a proper pencil grip when practicing writing the alphabets, or using a pair of scissors.
As you can see, he was really interested in the ‘money’ section. He kept asking how much is this/that? 
I found that I didn’t have to complete the book in one session, it was easier to break each page up into 15 minute sessions, concentrating and expanding on each topic. Of course, that being said, I couldn’t move further on to the next page, as my very determined 3 year old wanted me to repeat the same page until he was satisfied with it. Plus, we didn’t exactly go page by page. We jumped from different pages, depending on his mood. Which was fine with me, as long as he was having fun.
Review : Let’s get ready for First Grade (Ages: 5-8)
Over here, in Australia, this level would be equivalent to Primary One. My eldest kid who is in Prep Year (a year just before Primary One), found the book rather interesting. While he seemed to glean through a number of familiar topics, there were some that intrigued him. Particularly, the pages about the solar system, the internal organs and about the government. Interestingly, I hadn’t realize that kids that young could already learn about such big things already. He likes to read the book on his own and only would come to me if he needed help in understanding some of the instructions.
I hope this means he’ll like maths…hee hee hee…
I found that he really enjoys the book very much, because of its illustrations and interesting learning facts. With Ms.Best’s help (the First Grade teacher), I managed to stay in focus with the subject. Till today, he’s still looking through the book as there is always something he misses.
In a nutshell, both books are valuable learning materials that every parent should have. Why not? These books have won numerous awards such as the “2008 Best You Can Be Award for Book” and the “Adding Wisdom Award” from Parent-to-Parent. Over 366 school districts in America, are using these books as well as many Start Head Programs. In fact, 10% of their profits will be donated to charitable organizations. These “Let’s Get Ready” books was created by Über-mom, Stacy Kannenberg. She is also a blogger and has posted several invaluable tips for parents and teachers on other “Let’s Get Ready” topics. I’d urge all moms to check it out..as it just might make your life easier.
Like how it did for me, in preparing No.1 and No.2 for Year 1 and Kinder, respectively.
I’d like to thank Cedar Valley Publishing and Parent Reviewers for giving me this invaluable opportunity in reviewing these books.
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» Filed Under Mixed Nuts | 4 Comments
Facebook - identity fraud
Posted on June 22, 2008
Even with sites like authorize.net, identity fraud can easily happen. Why? Because of Facebook. I didn’t realise this but my uncle, who was exploring Facebook (more like, trying not to embrace Facebook), highlighted that Australian companies (like Banks, Utility companies, etc) love to use the birthdate as part of their security question.
It’s so easy to look into people’s profile in Facebook and obtain information. I mean, who would think a friend would try to use your details to gain access to your bank account? But…in this imperfect world, not all friends have good intentions. As you know, not all bad men look ugly. The best con-men are quite good looking and well-built. How else will they be able to charm and con you? Look at Ocean 11.. hahah.. I know, it’s just a movie but you get the drift!
So..guys, if you’re on Facebook..pls be careful with your contact details, anyone can be you!
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Big Brother Smackdown!
Posted on June 20, 2008
If you were looking for some info or juicy gossip on the Big Brother series…I’m really sorry to disappoint. This Big Brother Smackdown! is more about a brother who is stuck in the middle!
Heh..obviously, I’m talking about No.2. Having three kids, the middle kid is gonna feel somewhat left out. So, when I had this fantastic opportunity to review this kids’ t-shirt site, I ordered something specially just for No.2.
He is, after all, a big brother! When the package arrived, there was a major argument between him and his elder brother. No.1 obviously thought every new item was for him, but not this time. 
You could see No.2 beaming away when he held on to the package. When it was opened up, and he saw a long-sleeved tee…he was elated. I explained to him that it read, “Big Brother”. I told him, that’s you. You’re a big brother now!
He wanted to wear it immediately! I told him I had to give it a rinse first. Just as I suspected, it was Colour fast. So that’s a plus point. I loved the soft cottonny stretchy material, he felt so comfortable in it. Another plus point there! He really didn’t want to take it off. Look at him!
Anyway, I actually ordered a couple of times, and I must say, that the response time is fantastic. Because I ordered it for a girl, the Huddy Buddy Sales Rep actually emailed me to ask about the sizing. Apparently, for girls, the sizing is a little slimmer. So, you’ll have to order 1 size bigger. For example, if your lil gal is 2, instead of size 4, it would be wiser to order a size 6. Or, you could easily check with Huddy Buddy’s Sales Rep on the sizing.
If you’ve fallen in love with them, you can get a discount or coupon code here! They’ve got really great stuff for twins and siblings! They have a sibling 2packs, which is too cute!!! Or you could buy them individually. I had not realise that they had a “Middle Child” tee! That would have been really cute on No.2!!!!
If you have yourself purchased any of these great tees, Huddy Buddy would really like it if you posted pictures of your cuties to them. They just might add it to their website!
Look at them! Don’t they just look so cute! Ok..it looks like No.3 is saying, “Big Brother rules!!!!”. HA HA HA!
I would like to thank Huddy Buddy and Parent Reviewers for this great opportunity in reviewing this. No.2 and I had a lot of fun!
P/S: I had a pleasant surprise a few days after I made my online purchase. Huddy Buddy actually refunded me some of the postage cost back! What fantastic service! Honest and dependent!
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» Filed Under Parenting, reviews | 6 Comments
Sand in his Lunchbox
Posted on June 19, 2008
I swear…No.1 somehow survives without his lunch. Everyday, my mother in law would pack him really scrumptious lunch; fried noodles (can be MiHoon, maggi mee or wan tan mein), egg sandwiches or something filling. Everyday, he’ll come back with his lunch intact. Sometimes, with added ingredients like sand.
Everytime I ask him..he’ll say, it fell into the the sandpit. The kids here..they don’t eat their lunch at a canteen. When it’s a sunny day, they have it at the playground. If it rains, they have it at their classroom (and that’s when his lunch WILL be eaten).
I’ve been looking at different recipes, just to entice him to eat. Homemade finger foods like chicken nuggets or potato cutlets should be good, eh? Fortunately (or unfortunately for me), he doesn’t like sausages or any processed meat like ham..so, it’s gotta be au natural. But that means more work for me! Sigh…
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Waiting to return..
Posted on June 19, 2008
I know my MIL is just waiting for the days to fly by so that she can return to her dear hubby. Poor FIL has been wearing the same clothes over and over again, and eating bread for dinner. Everytime, she hears that (when she calls him up), I can see her face changing. I think she misses him terribly. Who wouldn’t? They’ve been together for ages…and it’s sweet, the way they take care of each other.
Five years ago, I had a major disagreement with my MIL, to the point where she could have called the Chicago personal injury lawyers (haha..just kidding!)…and let’s just say, the first couple of years..we treaded on thin ice. Then, after my second child, I kinda surrendered…and closed my eyes n ears.
Now, with my third child…let’s just say, her presence here is a blessing. I can’t be bothered if she called my kids, naughty or “yai-yai” anymore! I can’t be bothered..if she had some old-fashioned way of taking care of them. I just can’t be bothered. It’s all very acceptable now.
Funny how 5 years ago, I would’ve gotten majorly stressed if she told me how to bring up my children. Now… now.. now..I just listen. She cares alot for them. It’s so evident. She tries very hard to punish them when they are very very NAUGHTY..but she rewards them with kisses, hugs and lots of good food (and praises too!)
I think as new parents, it’s hard to listen to the elders telling you their ways of child-rearing. Now, as a almost 6 year old parent… I just listen.
She is, after all, their beloved granma. Who am I to take that away from them?
When she goes…they won’t be the only ones missing her. 5 years ago, I never thought I would say that!
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ABCs
Posted on June 19, 2008
I’m shamefully hopeless. As a caregiver to my 3 year old.
When my first child was born, I had all the time in the world. I taught him the ABCs, the shapes, colours…everything and anything under the sun, I wanted him to know about.
When my second child was born, I got pre-occupied with blogging and trying to earn more money. Now, mind you, I wasn’t actually spending the money…I was just trying my best to earn more money..just for fun. Had a taste of blood…and just liked it, I guess.
Now..the poor kid doesn’t know his ABCs to his KVM. I mean, sure he knows how to sing it and all….but, it gets all jumbled up..and when I ask him what alphabet is what…he goes….”Ermm..this is ‘O’ “, when it’s actually J or K.
Sigh…. I been trying my best to buck up, and teaching him. Finally got an aid to help me…it’s been quite useful. But, like I said, in my other blog…kids aren’t exactly the most “sit-down” people ever. He loves to run off, after 10 seconds.
Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!
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Belting up - is that all to it?
Posted on June 16, 2008
I read Giddy Tiger’s post on baby car seats and how Malaysia has finally made it mandatory, as at 1 June 2008 for all rear seat passengers to belt up. This came as a pleasant surprise to me, as for years I have often wondered if Malaysia would even think of enforcing such a ruling. But, if you are in Malaysia and you don’t own a new car, chances are your car won’t have a rear seatbelt.
Can one install more seatbelts just in case?
Well…yes! They have three years from June 1st, 2008 to installing new seatbelts. Now…isn’t that just a way for car manufacturers, insurers and banks to make more money? Imagine, if you don’t have a rear seatbelt, your insurance premiums would definitely be increased. And ONLY locally made cars that didn’t come with any rear seat belts would be installed for free.
To me, all this comes to a waste, especially for, installing baby car seats or booster seats. Why? Simply because these seats are not bolted to the car.
Each and every baby car seat comes with an additional belt and anchor point, for bolting purposes. When I was in the hospital waiting to be discharged, I had to produce a receipt to say that my baby carseat was properly fitted by an approved restraint fitter. When I was in KL, I tried very hard to get a mechanic to drill a hole and help me bolt it down. Unfortunately, nobody had done it before and as such, the car seat was merely belted.
Here are some pictures of what I meant by car seats being bolted down :
Anchor point for Baby Car Seat
Baby Car Seat
How the Baby Car Seat is anchored.
Anchor point for Toddler Car Seat
Toddler Car Seat
So, no matter how cheap or how expensive the baby car seat, as long as it’s not bolted down by an experienced restraint fitter…. it’s no use. The baby car seat would not be able to withstand any impact during a crash. So, it’s just a placebo effect for the parent…to think that the baby is safe in a baby carseat, but in actual fact, they are not.
I urge all parents (for those with babies and toddlers) in Malaysia to highlight this in the press or somewhere….to create an awareness about this. It’s only because there is nobody certified or qualified in the market that will be able to do this.
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» Filed Under Mixed Nuts, Parenting | 9 Comments
The Winter Sun
Posted on June 16, 2008
Even though it’s winter here, in Australia, I have to say, the sun is still pretty bright and strong. But, many people aren’t aware that despite the cold weather, the penetrating rays still can cause some damage to the skin.
Did you know that Australia has the highest rate of skin cancers in the world and each year, Aussies are four times more likely to develop common type skin cancer than any other form of cancer! (Source : SunSmart)
My aunty who lives in Perth, developed skin cancer 5 years ago and I’m glad to say that she managed to treat it through surgery. She’s definitely more cautious about maintaining a good sunscreen regime and continues to remind us to do the same. However, dabbing on the sunscreen normally leaves me feeling awfully greasy and icky. But I do it, as I don’t seem to have a choice. Most sunscreen lotions here are all the same - thick, greasy and smeary! Putting on sunscreen, takes forever, because the white lotion just doesn’t seem to absorb into the skin!
Until I got this sun screen lotion from Screen, Inc. It claims to be non-irritating and non-greasy. I was kinda skeptical, but gave it go anyway.
My verdict : It IS non-greasy and it really didn’t feel like I had any lotion on! There was a slight sunscreen smell, but after application, it dissipated. Overall, it was very light and very easy to apply. I am glad that it has a SPF level of 16+. However, I hope that Screen, Inc. would developed an Aussie version with higher SPF levels. The sun rays can be extremely strong over in Australia.
I love the individual packaging for TweenyScreen, TeenScreen, ChicScreen and ManScreen. They have rather hilariously written instructions for use. I have to say tho’ I hope the print on the actual bottle is bigger, as it was quite hard to see it at first on the sample packs. Had I not studied it in detail, I would have missed it and tossed it to the bin (after usage). Here are a couple of them (ChicScreen and TweenyScreen) for your viewing and reading pleasure.
My kids’ verdicts : THEY LOVED IT! Well…they had the TweenyScreen version (although they are not quite there yet)..but they loved it. It’s a pity I only had 2 samples (of each)..as they kept asking for it, everyday!
Some info on Screen Routine:
ScreenRoutine was developed by 2 moms who were basically fed up of the sunscreens available in the market. They decided to create one that not only protects but is non-greasy. This product is so effective that it was bestowed the coveted “Seal of Recommendation” by the Skin Cancer Foundation!
I would like to thank Screen, Inc and Parent Reviewers for this wonderful opportunity in reviewing this product. A big thumbs up and I’m hoping to see it reach the Aussie shores!
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» Filed Under reviews | 2 Comments
Daylight Attempted Robbery
Posted on June 14, 2008
My eyeballs grew as big as golf balls, when I read an email from my mom. This is my mom’s account of what happened to her today.
When I first read about Shireen’s mom getting robbed….I felt so sorry for her. I knew that for that to happen, would be very traumatising. In fact, this is not the first time, my mom got robbed before. Plus, it’s not like my parents were wearing gucci or prada. They are very simple, cincai people. No jewellery, no bling blings, no big trendy stuff. My dad’s slippers look like they’re about to break apart. My mom (after her harrowing experience) carries one of those small square pasar malam bags.
I feel so hopeless, reading this..and hearing so many stories of ppl getting robbed on a daily basis. It’s getting too rampant already. I feel so unsafe, even though I’m thousands of miles away. Now, with everything going up, except for salaries….. this is a very sad sign of times. Sigh…Read on…
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» Filed Under Mixed Nuts | 3 Comments
Brrrrrrrrrrrrrr..it’s freezing!
Posted on June 13, 2008
Today, whilst having our dinner, I felt the temperature in our house dipping. I wondered why I was freezing my butt off, when our central heating should have kept the house warm. Feeling sorry for myself, I tried to tell myself that there were other people worse off than me. Imagine, trying to save money to pay for their mortgages from mortgage lenders, some people would sacrifice heat for a roof over their heads.
Half an hour later, it was getting worse! So I had to increase the thermometer up, as even the poor baby was freezing! Although he was snugly wrapped up, he started sneezing like mad!
As I checked the heater panel control, it was turned off!!!!! No wonder it was freezing cold! Man…I sure can’t live without my heater now! I hope that it won’t malfunction on me again!
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» Filed Under Mixed Nuts | 1 Comment
