Jaden and his most expensive pair of shoes

23 Sep 11

This is a long, long overdue post. It is an important one and I must not omit this from my "treasure memories".

During the period that we had been in and out of Family Podiatry Centre, there are several information that have been shared by other parents visiting the same centre.

1. Do not let kids sleep face down or up as feet will become very flexible, but to sleep on their side
2. No walker recommended for toddler
3. Toddler shouldn't sit on floor with bend legs as their bones are still very soft. Recommended to sit on little chair.
4. Pay attention if kids complained tired easily after walk for a short time ie during shopping, jogging, etc
5. Also pay attention to kids slipper ie one side worn out

We finally had custom molded orthotics made for Jaden with his name on it. We went to Family Podiatry Centre in TTDI to have this done for Jaden.

  

On the podiatrist recommendation, Hubby and I had been hunting for suitable shoes for Jaden. We need to look for shoes that have :

1. good arch
2. firm heel
3. shoes sole that are wider than heel
4. shoes string or at least 3 velcro straps 

We bought this pair of Adidas shoes from Parkson at RM120 for Jaden to wear it with the custom made mold insert inside our house ie indoor.

This pair of shoes is for Jaden's outdoor wear and it has 3 velcro straps. We also bought it at Parkson at RM150.

The black shoes is not suitable for running in the park and jogging. We bought his pair of running shoes from Adidas outlet at clearance price of only RM79.60

We have looked around at my different brands of shoes. Adidas has good shoes with good feet support and we like that their shoes insert can be removed and replace it with Jaden's custom made mold insert.

These are Jaden's most expensive pairs of shoes. We have spent to date RM1,545 on Jaden's feet and shoes. 

1. Podiatrist consultations fee  - RM190
2. Biomechanical examination  - RM305
3. Feet x-ray                           - RM55 
4. Casting fee                          - RM95
5. Custom molded orthotics     - RM550
6. 3 pair of shoes                    - RM350

There will be follow up biomechanical examination on Jaden's feet. Unfortunately, medical insurance has exclusion on this type of alternative therapy and our medical insurance does not cover these costs.

We feel good that we have this solution for Jaden. We hope he can run like other kids and will not fall so easily.



Angry Birds Cupcakes ... I made it!

23 Oct 11

I made it! I wasn’t confident that I’m able to make it. Glad that I took the risk to try and I made it.

After my market visit to Kuantan to visit dealers, I took a day off from work. After running my errands, I rushed to Pastry Pro to buy those ingredients that I needed to make Angry Birds cupcake for Jared. I wanted to try the 3D figurines for cupcakes.

I was so lucky to meet a helpful staff at Pastry Pro. I told her its my first attempt to make Angry Birds figurines. She recommended me to use white regalice which only cost RM13.95. I called home and ask my maid to check what other Angry Bird colours (by referring to Angry Bird sticker book, pencil box, etc) that I did not have and bought Christmas Red and Jet Black colour paste at RM4.10 each.

I surfed on the Internet for Angry Bird cupcake. I was looking at the pictures on the Ipad and these Angry Bird soft toy while moulding it.

I started with the Black Angry Bird, my first attempt of Angry Bird figurine for cup cake. Not perfect but I'm happy with the result.

After dinner at my parent's house, while Hubby and Jared played with the new Star Wars Lego set, I tried making the red Angry Bird. 

The not so “red” Angry Birds. I didn't use enough of the red colouring and the bird is not red enough.  Hubby said there will be new "pink" colour Angry Bird to be introduced soon.

Jared was impressed that I could make these figurines. He said "Mommy you are so smart. I'm so glad that you are my Mother". So sweet of him.

The next morning, after dropping Jaden to his kindergarten for his concert preparation, I made these yellow bird. The colour is very nice.

Honestly, it was so fun. Just like school art project. Breaking up the project into few, small sessions does help. I took it a step at a time and able to focus on the details with no rush. I felt so relax and happy doing it.

After Jaden's concert and lunch, I made these green pigs. Aren't they cute?

I smiled looking at them. The colours are so bright and cheerful.



I also made Golden eggs on nest. I do not have brown colour gel. Hubby helped to surf on Internet for ideas and also colour mixing to get brown colour for the nest.

I made these 16 cupcakes with Angry Bird figurines. Never I thought that I could do it but I did it. It was a great feeling. As Hubby said, it is realising a new skill set that nobody can take it away.

Jo said "wow...you are so pro! the colors are so beautiful ..."

I was very happy with the results. Save RM200 for self learning. Initially wanted to go for Angry Birds class but the timing was not right.

It has been a tiring few days but a very fulfilling one. I received very good feedback on these Angry Birds cupcakes.

My friend Jo said “This is so cute” and My SIL said “Just WOW! They're amazing! You're amazing!” My colleague, Wendy said “Omg it’s so pretty and cute. Well done!” Auntie Jenny said “Wow! I won’t be able to bring myself to eat them! Yr boys must feel the same”. Others said “Nice”, “Beautiful” “These r awesome. So r u”.

These words are so great and motivating.

The following day, we made these cocktail sticks and pizza for Jared's friends.

We also fried chicken and made mango pudding.

Kids enjoying the food.

Watching Wimpy Kid DVD



They danced to the Wimpy Kid.



Playing Lego Star War set.



Jared and his classmates

The kids love the Angry Birds cupcakes. They were choosing and said "I want this".

Each kid took home an Angry Bird cupcake with matching key chain. I bought 6 of this solid plastic container at RM1.10 each.



School exam is over. Its fun time now.

Jared's 8th Birthday ... the way he liked it!

16 Oct 11

It's Jared's 8th birthday and it's also Jared's school final term exam. Jared has been complaining that his exam always crash with his school final term exam. He can't enjoy his birthday to the fullest.

During kindergartens time, his birthday crashed with the kindergartens annual concert and the teacher advised us to celebrate his birthday after the concert.

We told him that on his actual birthday, we would just celebrate it among our family. After the school exam, he could invite his friends over to our house so that they can play and have fun without having to worry about exam.

Jared wanted to invite his Great Auntie YC for family dinner. I asked him why and he replied "So that Auntie can buy me birthday present".  

The Friday before Jared's birthday, my sister baked this black forest cake for Jared's birthday celebration at my parent's house.

The cake was very moist and fresh as it was baked on the day itself.

We asked Jared what he wanted to eat for his birthday and he replied "A&W root beer and fried chicken". Hubby suggested that we take the children for jogging and play at the park so that they can have some exercise and good appetite thereafter.

Jared had his pedometer too and he wanted to have a race with us on the steps.



Can you find Jared?



Father and Son





They found it!



For Jared's birthday treat, his wishes are A&W root beer float and fried chicken. We also bought A&W mug for him too.



Sponge Bob birthday banner greeted Jared on his birthday on Sunday. 

We got him this Uno games, bought during Mattel warehouse sales.

As it's Jared's exam period, I did not bake any cake for him as I was stressed up by his exam. Stress is no good to baking, so decided to stay away during exam period. Instead, I ordered Angry Bird cake for him. In the evening, I asked Jared to accompany me to collect his birthday cake. Initially, he didn't want to but as I was getting into the car, he called me and ask me to wait for him.

At the bakery shop, there were green and pink Angry Bird cakes on display. Honestly, they weren't very nice as the bakery did not want to add too much colouring into the icing. The bakery recommended black Angry Bird to me as they used dark chocolate for the black colour effect and I had to add RM4 extra for it.

Jared was very happy to see his birthday cake, which is so much different from those two Angry Bird cakes on display.

This mini sponge cake costs me RM29. I am glad that I bought this. As we got into our car, Jared gave me a hug. I asked "What's the hug for?" He smiled and say "For the Angry Bird cake".

We had simple dinner at home. We made mushroom soup, salad, chicken chop with french fries and moussaka.



Birthday gift from Auntie YC ... Lego Star Wars limited edition set.

Overall, I guess Jared had a good birthday. Over the years as a Mother, I've learnt that the way we like it may not be the way our kids like it. I thought birthday treat must be something nice. I wanted to take Jared for his favourite Italian food but instead, he wanted A&W.

We need to stop the fun for Jared to do his revision for the next day's paper ... BM and Science. The birthday celebration will be continued with his school friends, after the final exam.

Adding more steps ... Omron Pedometer

26 Sep 2011

We all know walking is good for health but do we know how many steps we make in a day? 2,000 steps, 6,000 steps or 10,000 steps?

2,000 steps represents the average walking steps of desk bound worker. 6,000 steps is the recommended steps for healthier leaving and 10,000 steps are for weight management.

Aunty YC shared with Hubby and I of the walking challenge that her company was participating in. They were given pedometers by her company and she showed us her pedometer. We were surprised by the big gap and different steps a person can clock in ... from as low as 2,000 steps to more than 10,000 steps a day.

A few months later, Fei Yin bought 2 stepometer from Guardians for RM28.98 each under its PWP promotion and that reminded me to get one too. I wanted a gadget that can store memory and a more accurate measurement of walking steps. I goggled in the internet and most of the review recommended Omron as the most accurate pedometer. It has 7 day memory which is great to monitor steps over a period of one week.

Last Saturday, I bought these 2 Omron Pedometer HJ203 from Caring Pharmacy at Tesco Kepong for RM100 each. The green is for Hubby and the pink is for me.

The following day, I put on this pedometer and went to TTDI for my groceries shopping. In the evening, we went for jogging and I jogged 3 rounds around the park and clocked 3,000 steps from the jogging. After the jogging, we went to Tesco Kepong and walked around the mall.

Guess what? For the very first day, I walked about 11,000 steps and Hubby walked 8,844 steps. It was a great achievement for the first day record.

Today at work, I was busy with budget review. In between, I consciously made more steps to the pantry, toilet, out for lunch, etc but I only managed to walk 4,648 steps. I'm wondering how little steps it would be if I wasn't consciously making these extra steps.

Hubby put on the pedometer today too. On day 2, Hubby walked 5,732 steps, a drop of 3,112 steps from day 1 but higher than me.

It was a nice feeling that Hubby and I are consciously making more steps and doing this together. Wearing the pedometer all day long encouraged me to add more steps throughout the day. It is amazing how such a seemingly insignificant gadget may be of practical importance and motivating in achieving a healthier lifestyle.

I shared and show my pedometer to my boss today and he wanted to get one too.

Syahidah Ishak - Acoustic Neuroma: I beg you to spread the words

"Syahidah Ishak - Acoustic Neuroma: I beg you to spread the words: Hello guys! How are you today? Hope you guys can help me, spreading the words, or buy some merchandise(s) to raise funds. Thank you very much guys!!!!"

Please help to spread the words ...

During this Syawal month, all Muslims are celebrating the festive month. But Syahidah is worry if she can make it to remove a brain tumor at Los Angeles' House Clinic. If you can, do donate to Syahidah, how ever little you wish. It means a lot to Syahidah.

Bangkok - NaRaYa

6-7 Jun 11

My colleague brought me to NaRaYa during one of my business trip to Bangkok. It's Heaven! The things were so lovely and the prices were reasonable too. He brought me to the Sukhumvit outlet and the outlet occupied 2 floors. According to him, they always shop at NaRaYa as Christmas gifts for family and friends in Kuala Lumpur.

Before our recent trip to Bangkok, I wrote to NaRaYa on my intention to visit their outlets. They replied to me and recommended me to visit the Central World and Sukhumvit 24 outlets, which were nearest to the hotel that we stayed in Bangkok.

Christina and I went to the Central World outlet and it was full of people. Crazy! Everyone was carrying baskets and baskets of NaRaYa stuff as though they were free and both the cashier queues were so long.

After spending few hours in NaRaYa and bought THB1,730 worth of stuff, I still felt incomplete and kept on mentioning that Sukhumvit outlet is bigger and had more varieties. 

The following day, Christina suggested that both of us go to the Sukhumvit outlet while the two guys shop at Central World and Siam Paragon ... and so we went. She is such a lovely friend.

We spent another few hours at NaRaYa Sukhumvit and bought THB1,425 worth of stuff. I bought some souvenirs for family members and colleagues in the office and also for myself.

This set only cost THB285 (~RM29)

 

This set only cost THB245 (~RM25).

 Kitchen ware

More kitchen ware

NaRaYa is a good place to buy souvenirs from Bangkok ... reasonably price and very presentable.

At the Bangkok airport, they were so many tourists that carried NaRaYa bags and plastic bags full of NaRaYa products.