Super Compact 2 Hours of Play

The neighbour's kids were home so we decided to ask them to join us at the park this morning.

In our bag, we packed some stuff:
Water colour and brushes
Crayons
Color pencils
Construction papers
Snacks - mini pretzels, chocolate cookies and crackers
Water bottle

It's really easy to prep stuff for several kids to do as they'll all join in the fun.

As the kids arrived and we laid out all the stuff on the table, they started to colour, draw and paint. 

They then proceeded to run around the park, picked up random things to bring to the table and started drawing.

Thereafter, they ran to the playground and just played on the swings, slide and monkey bar.

Eventually, they played a game of hide-and-seek but after realizing that there were limited places to hide, they started to play catch as one of the kids brought along a ball.

As the ball started rolling off a bit further from the circle they had formed, they then started to race with each other, running from one end of the park to the other.

All hands were on deck by the mothers to ensure that the kids are safe and not push/pull one another.

Throughout the entire time they were playing, of course, at times we had to become a referee and advise them not to quarrel or get them to share things etc.

We finally gave up because there were too many kids talking at the same time or showing their emotions that we decided "Oh well, we'll just let them figure things out themselves."

Which they eventually did! haha

So you'd see at one moment 2 kids would be playing while the other 2 would be throwing a sulky face and sit down on the floor, refusing to join in. 

Not long after, as they realize they're missing out on the fun, they'd join back in.

And the cycle repeats.

At the end of the 2 hours (I guess it's normal that kids could play for a maximum of 2 hours before they're super tired, depending on the type of activity), all kids were red in the face, sweat profusely with stained clothes.

We had to coax them to go home and take a shower as it was nearing lunch time. 

After saying their goodbyes, all kids went home with a tired but content face. :)

The Validation

Lil' Tot, The Baby and I were at our usual spot this morning, in the park.

We brought our drawing materials and some snacks. 

We laid everything out nicely on a table and sat down minding our own business.

A lady with her 9-month old son approached us and started to chat. 

She was on leave and works as a teacher in a nearby school. 

I noticed that she paid most of her attention to Lil' Tot, asked her questions and just listened to how Lil' Tot explained things. 

The lady kept telling me that she was impressed with how Lil' Tot communicated and expressed herself. 

In addition, she stood by and watched Lil' Tot draw on a construction paper and at the same time, communicated with me. 

Lil' Tot even started to chat with the 9-month old baby, kept saying "Awwww he's so cute!" 

When the lady got to know that Lil' Tot does not attend any play school or pre-school, she was more impressed. 

She even added, "If she's able to communicate like this, she does not need to go to a kindergarten anymore. She can immediately start school when the time comes."

I was like "Wow!"

On top of that, the lady said that she'd love to send her son to us so that her son could play with the kids.

I honestly told her that we mostly play and don't really focus on learning ABCs or numbers, it all depends on whether Lil' Tot wants to learn them. 

The lady said, "Play is better. No need to stress out on ABCs and numbers if they aren't willing to at such an early age."

Wow, to get such a validation from a teacher really IS something! :D

I strongly believe that we're moving in the right direction and to hear such acknowledgement from a teacher further validates that we're doing something right. ;)

Dinner with Baby at Majestic Hotel, KL

We planned a family dinner recently at Majestic Hotel, simply because someone else would be paying for our meal.

Honestly, the place is super posh and I truly felt out of place.

The range of food was really nice but of course, for me, the price was quite expensive. 

Hubby then told me that the price was considered the cheapest in KL considering that it was a 5-star hotel. 

I guess because I'm no longer earning an income that I've become more frugal.

Although we had a family stay-cation in Majestic a couple of years ago, I suddenly felt as if I don't belong and I was extremely uncomfortable walking around the place.

There were a few weddings going on so there were a lot of people dressed up nicely.

As we arrived at 7pm for dinner, I found my way to the surau on the 3rd floor to perform my Maghrib prayers.

When I exited the lift, I saw a crowd all donned in black for a wedding. 

I felt like running to the surau because I was under-dressed.

If you saw me, you'd be thinking that I was rushing to the loo and couldn't hold it in anymore. 

I love the surau as they offer freshly smelled telekung and they maintained it really well. 

No foul smell of a damp carpet, unlike some carpeted surau.

Anyway, this was our first time having a buffet dinner with Lil' Tot and The Baby. 

Honestly, it was quite challenging as the coffee house was fully booked so there were a lot of people. 

We brought her stroller so that she could sleep in her stroller while we enjoyed our meal, unfortunately, our table did not have any space at all to place a stroller nearby.

The stroller ended up being located elsewhere.

In addition, sitting down at the table was tough especially when I had to wear The Baby (since she was sleepy) and the chair was quite low, so eating at the table AND wearing a baby was out of the question.

Hubby and I took turns holding the baby in order for us to walk to the buffet station, grab some food and return to the table to eat, so we felt sorry for her when she was passed from one parent to another. 

The service was awesome as they cleared the tables really fast. 

The servers were friendly too. 

The food was extremely nice although I didn't really have the opportunity to walk around much. 

I guess, for now, this would be the last buffet I'd ever go to if I were to bring The Baby along. 

I personally prefer ordering a la carte which doesn't require me to walk around buffet stations as I don't have that luxury anymore ... for now. :D