Happy 2015!!

I am one of those people who do not believe in resolutions but this year, I am going to be more proactive. More diligent. More creative. Bwahahaha...I can imagine my own face when I read this on 31st December 2015.

Life is short. YOLO or whatever. So, here goes:

1. Blog twice a week, at least. Yeah, I am so lazy now. I blame Instagram.

2. Exercise 3 times a week. For my health, not my waist (repeat to myself 1000 times so that it sounds convincing to my brain.)

3. Stop procrastination. I am already such a pro at this, I do not need anymore practice.

4. Learn a new skill. Like spearing a fish. God knows when Selangor is going to be flooded.

5. Travel further than Penang when with kids. (I LOL but I am actually scared)

6. Be a better daughter. Tell my parents I love them everyday. If they think I am after their money, then I am allowed to reduce it to once a week.

7. Stop buying toys for the kids. Oh crap, I already bought some yesterday. Never mind, I'll start today. This is going to be harder than No.1 to No.6. If I can do this, then heck, I can climb a mountain!! Ooohh, maybe I should set my sight on Mount Kinabalu. In 2 years time.

8. Stop yelling at the kids. I need to learn to meditate. Oh, another new skills. At this rate, I will have fifty more resolutions. Damn.

Okay, so there. Cukup. I am going to do it. Let me google some pictures and create my dream board. I am going to be creepy and stick a picture of my face onto Jessica Alba's body. I read in The Secret that it's all in the mind. So, if it doesn't work, it probably isn't the nasi lemak or char kuey teow or fried chicken. It's the damn book.

Have you written any down this year? Well, good luck if you have one. I have eight, so good luck to me too.
 

Review: Wikki Stix

We have been given a sample of Wikki Stix mini play pack for review and we LOVE it.

Such a simple invention that provides hours of fun, creativity and learning. Okay, seriously, we didn't play for hours at a stretch but it was long enough for me to think. "Yeah, this one's a keeper"

Of course, nothing comes between Tiger and his ABCs, so that was the first thing he wanted to create. He could twist nicely but he wasn't able to shape them into the letters yet. He kept saying, "Mama, you make"
He was pretty happy just to arrange the letters.

When I asked, "What else can you make?"

He created a square and sang his Shape Song

The happy boy.

I asked for a happy, dashing smile and he gave me this.

The pack came with a small leaflet with ideas and a connect the dot picture.

We placed the Wikki Stix on the paper together to form a bell.

Then, he wanted colour.

I love open-ended products as it encourages imagination. Wikki Stix takes it a step further by being non-toxic, stickable and reusable. Most importantly, it is CLEAN so there is no need for massive clean up after play!

It is recommended for children above 3 years old but I read in a teacher's forum that it is being used even in high schools! How cool is using Wikki Stix to trace rivers and borders on the map for Geography lessons?

So, what exactly is Wikki Stix?

A piece of Wikki Stix is actually a yarn dipped into non-toxic wax. So, you can pretty much create anything that strikes your fancy. For more elaborate creations, we will probably need more than eight Wikki Stixs.
Now that they are available on our shores, we can always add more to our collection.

How to get some Wikki?

If you are a busy mama, you can purchase online at www.wikkistixasia.com. They offer free delivery worldwide with no minimum purchase. What's more, get a special 10% discount by entering this coupon code BLOG1012 upon check out.  

In Malaysia, they are available at the following locations:

Books Kinokuniya – Kuala Lumpur 
Lot 406-408 & 429-430 Level 4,
Suria KLCC, Kuala Lumpur City Centre,
50088 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 603 2164-8133
http://www.kinokuniya.com/my/

CzipLee Bangsar
1 & 3 Jalan Telawi 3,
Bangsar Baru,
59100 Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: 603 2287 7699
http://www.cziplee.com/

Kraf Kydz Enterprise

http://wikkistixmy.com

Mama Paradise / KidsnMum
No 2-29-2 Sinaran Satu, Persiaran Anggerik
40460 Shah Alam, Selangor
Tel: 603 5131 8917 / 6016 311 8917
www.kidsnmum.com
www.mamaparadise.com

If you like free stuff, Wikki Stix have a weekly promotion called Wikki Whacky Wednesday where they give away Wikki Stix products or offer good discounts.  You can check out their Facebook page for more information.

Little Tiger Growing Up Facebook Page

I can't believe I managed to add a Like Box From Facebook to my blog. Hah! The wonders of the internet never cease to amaze me.

I just created a new Facebook Page because not everyone has the time to comb through everyone else's blogs.  So, LIKE us if you actually do. Thanks!

Contest: Learning with Building Blocks

Mothercare Malaysia is celebrating 25 years of parenting and they are hosting a blogger's contest. Woohoo!

Of course, being the Mothercare fan that I am, this is a must-join contest. Anyone who knows me would know that I am totally in love with the brand's clothing and Early Learning Centre Toys ^.^ 
Here's my boy modelling some of his shopaholic mom's latest purchases:

Grand Prix Sales:

For Little Tiger

For Little Dragon (who is still in utero)

I am a pro early learning mama. Therefore child-directed play is a very important part of our daily rhythm. To me, a toy is more than an object of entertainment. Good quality toys, (in terms of quality, safety and design) encompass more than just fun, it is a learning process for strenghtening of neural connections. From birth, they stimulate visual pathway development, encourage gross motor development and refine fine motor skills. If you have a variety of good quality toys like those from Melissa and Doug or ELC, you don't need a truck load of other sub-quality ones. More value for money indeed.

One of our favourites is Melissa and Doug. Here's their sweet garage story. It is pretty difficult to get Melissa and Doug products locally, more so at a discounted price.  Fortunately for me, Mothercare carries this line and when they are having sales of 20% plus extra 10% for members, SAPU!!

Since there so many of their products that Tiger enjoys playing with, I've had a hard time deciding which one to blog about.

Finally, I decided on the Deluxe Jumbo Cardboard Blocks that we purchased from Mothercare.

He plays with this DAILY.

If you are wondering why buy cardboard? (My MIL asked the same question)

^.^

Well, my Lil Tiger isn't into his Mega Bloks, Duplo or any other plastic open ended toys.

However, he loves boxes, peekaboo, and destroying towers.

Which boy doesn't?

So, this was a logical choice and I was soooo right!



I absolutely love open-ended toys like building blocks as they promote:

Intellectual skills

• Promote logical thinking by focusing on size, colour, shape, weight, leverage and balance
• Enhance spatial awareness.

Physical abilities

• develop gross and fine motor skills
• hand-eye coordination

Social benefits

• Improve social capability by sharing and with friends and siblings.
• Enhance language as imagination takes over 

When I first folded each of the thick paper board into blocks, the edges were rather pointy.

With some play, they were rounded and safe in no time.

These light weight blocks are among his must-play daily items.

Stacking and working on those fine and gross motor coordination.

 Since my Lil Dragon is still in the oven, Lil Tiger learns to share with Mommy.

We also talk about the primary colours, shapes and different sizes of the blocks.

 Working on the blocks by himself, promoting independence.

Showing off his creativity by making a home for his best friend, Meow.

Despite being made from cardboards, these blocks are really sturdy.

I foresee them lasting for a long time.

Furthermore, they are made from paper, sooo environmental friendly :)

One for the archives!

 

Note:

Lil Tiger is 22.5 months

Lil Dragon is 31 weeks along

Shirt & shorts: Mothercare ^.^

Award: ***CuteTot Alert***

Woohoo! It's been confirmed...My tot is a cutie pie!! Check it out at Totally Tots by clicking the button at the side bar:

We Have A Blog Button

First one to grab my button gets a kiss. Just kidding :p

I just wanted to show off share my new blog button. Nothing spectacular but it is one heck of an achievement for a tech retard like me. You can't see me but I am doing a happy jiggly dance right now. Woohoo!

Initially, I wanted something more artsy but I finally decided that simple is best. The 'huggy huggy' hearts are Tiger and Mommy. Awwwww.......

If you want a button too, just go here.