Kizsports Gym @ Great Eastern Mall

Off we went to GE Mall on a Thursday morning at 10.30am after much coaxing of Lil' Rainbow to shower AND finish her breakfast. 

First, she didn't want to take her shower and I had to literally chase her around the house as she keeps running off (a game which she clearly enjoys). 

Once inside, she didn't want to come out!

Morning traffic was OK though once we reached GE, security guards were at the entrance, telling people that the parking was full. 

Oh no! So I drove around the block and decided to wait it out. 

By this time, Lil' Rainbow was already asleep in her car seat, oh well. 

I waited for a good 15 minutes whilst browsing the Internet on my mobile to search for alternative places.

My female intuition told me to go back to GE and try again, maybe ... just maybe ... parking is available. 

Driving up to GE, I noticed that the guards were gone and cars entered without being stopped so I knew there were ample parking available. 

However, I had to drive all the way down to P4. 

As if on cue, Lil' Rainbow woke up and we headed to the gym:

Fee - RM12 per entry (socks required)

Not many kids were around, which is good. 

Only thing was, my daughter was more keen to play with the boys. (sigh) 

She was chasing one boy wearing a pirate hat. 

He was kind enough to share his hat, though when he handed the hat over to her, she ran off. 

She joined two boys who were playing with their toy cars. 

Initially, one of them didn't want her to join so I pulled her away before she was squashed by him. 

The next minute, this same boy approached her and sat next to her whereas the other boy joined them not long after. 

Another 2 boys were playing with colorful balls from the ball pit and were setting up a fort or some kind of their own. 

She happily helped them to build the fort and they kept thanking her each time she handed them the ball. 

Did I also mention that I had to climb the play area with her as she seemed quite bored with the entire setup? 

I was on my knees, the entire time, going through the obstacles and leading the way. 

Yes, my back ached that night ... 

A totally different reaction when she was at the play gym in Ikano Power Centre! 

The games / rides were more interactive eg: floating balloons, moving rides, cannon balls, so for her to go to Kizsports was kinda like a downgrade ... 

A glimpse of the play area in Ikano Power Centre

Too bad it was quite a distance for me to travel to IPC if I were on my own, taking into consideration the travel time and praying times. 

GE is closer to home in comparison. 

Different story if we stayed somewhere near Damansara.

By 1pm, Lil' Rainbow said "Ummi, mamam" so we headed to the food counter:

Most of the items were priced at RM5.50 eg: nuggets (6 pieces), fries. 

Bolognese pasta was priced around RM10 and they do offer value meals at RM10 as well. 

One thing which I LOVE about GE is the cheap parking rate!

Parking - RM3

At 3pm, we headed home as I needed to rush for my prayers. 

A car was blocking mine in the basement so I had to call the number placed on the windshield. 

Luckily, the lady didn't take quite long to come down and she even apologized. 

I said "No worries" as she had the courtesy to do so. 

Lil' Rainbow slept off in the car within 5 minutes ...

Lil' Rainbow at 21-months-old

Highlights ... 

Ensures items taken out / unpacked are re-organized eg: push back chairs under the dining table and does a check to ensure all chairs are aligned, cash / cards are placed back into the wallet after she had them taken out, if she sees a mess on the table / floor she will walk into the kitchen to fetch a cloth and wipe off the smear.

Helps Daddy with baking where she grabs the kitchen towel on her own, brings it to the bowl to cover the dough.

Gives Ummi a kiss when ... I'm reading / fiddling with my mobile / performing my prayers while seated.

Is fond of noodles, bagels, chocolate cake, chicken soup and rice.

Proud to say that she still breastfeeds. Is smart enough to ask for milk bottles during the day as she will only be able to enjoy breastmilk if she finishes her formula. She drinks 180ml formula per day on top of breastmilk. One of our ways to wean her when she turns 2yo.

A Day in the life of a SAHM

I was recently compared to a dear friend who has four kids and is a SAHM who also runs a business. 

She has managed to run the house brilliantly and set a schedule for her children; aged between 6 months to 4 years old. 

It is to the tee including their seating arrangement during meal times and incorporated play and study times. 

Not to mention that she cooks as well! 

Her children are obedient and listens to her instructions, well, maybe throws their tantrums once in awhile. 

One of the ideas given to me was to also run a business and manage my lil' rainbow ... and the following was highlighted: 

"Well, you can run a business as you have only one child which you can obviously manage". 

They don't know my lil' rainbow like how hubby and I do ... her curiosity level is extremely high and she couldn't care less if she would be endangering herself. 

To her, the world is safe and she can do anything and everything she wants.

I feel like a failure for not being able to have a schedule like my friend and grasping for tips online ... yes, try to Google "Schedule of a SAHM" and you'll know what I mean :)

Ultimately, through trial and error, you will soon find out that you will need to work the schedule around the child and not vice versa. 

Every child is unique ... each household is different and runs according to the different personalities inhabiting it.

So, for any schedule you have drawn up, give it a little flexibility and don't stress yourself out ... they may change depending on your child ...

DAILY 

(Mon - Fri)

6am "ME" time for prayers, etc

8am  Lil' Rainbow wakes up. Breakfast together.

9am  Lil' Rainbow bathes and plays whilst I prepare meals in the kitchen.

11am Snack time and prepare for morning nap.

1pm  Lil' Rainbow wakes up for lunch.

3pm  Prepare for afternoon nap, I bf her and usually fall asleep together as she tends to cling for hours.

5pm Lil' Rainbow wakes up and plays. If the weather permits, we either go for a swim or go to the playground.

7pm Lil' Rainbow has her dinner and bathes with Daddy. Spends quality time with Daddy.

8pm Prepare for bedtime. 

9pm "ME" time ie watch movies, etc. 

You could incorporate laundry and other chores as well ... leave the vacuuming / bathroom cleaning for the weekend as hubby will help look after baby / toddler.

Sat / Sun

Flexible day ... ie host lunch / dinner with friends / family over, attend invites / events, shopping, etc. 

WEEKLY (Specifically for managing house chores and once you have identified the time / hours you won't be disturbed)

* Again, this is just an outline and as a reminder so you don't forget. 

Mon

Laundry

Tue

Clean floors and kitchen

Wed

Grocery shopping

Thu

Laundry

Fri

Clean bathrooms

If you don't have a schedule, that's okay as long as you can manage the important ones ie feeding the child and not forgetting, yourself!

Good luck! :D