Spring Break

Getting packed and will drive across Canadian Border with 2 1/2 years old has taken time and planning, even though for 4 days and 3 nights. I tried to be more 'well organized' person since I became a 'mom', so I need to write down even what I need and my daughter needs to wear for 1st day, 2nd day and so on. Things much easier compared when she was just turned to one year old, that was our 1st trip to British Columbia (name a province in Canada close to Washington, United States).
I truly feel blessed to be able to get out there for our road trip, it's busy..prepp, especially when the 'trip' isn't in our 'schedule' ahead. I said that because I'm not a person who like to pack and unpack, but as time goes by, I try to enjoy this 'activity'..try to be 'smart' and efficient in which we have to bring which not. Not to mention the 'challenge' to keep our active daughter be in her car seat for hours. Bringing kids CD music is essential to amuse her along the way and so her little computer, a gift from her grandma which is so handy dandy, and her 'activity box' that we can use in hotel room when we're not outing. And this time I guess we'll not out alot, because we plan to soak ourselves in the Mineral Hot Spring Water that I hope will relax us. Happy Spring everyone!..

St. Patrick Day and Tsunami



Grace's St Patrick Day
Collage


I guess we're all still shock with what happend in Japan on Friday, March 9th, 2011. The big Pacific Ocean Earthquake followed by Tsunami. We have had the news on a lot and we have watched many moments, especially the Tsunami ravaged coast, but the most hurtful news for me was when I saw a man, a dad with two kids, he's been trying to find his wife in the death list and the survive list and still no luck, and the kids told him, 'If we can't find mommy today, we try again tomorrow..!'..I was alone when I watched that and I burst into tears. Kids with their innocent eyes, always bring hope!...I didn't follow that story again, or maybe there's no following story. My everyday chores keep me busy, but I try to tell my daughter about the disaster, I don't want to make her fear in curiosity, beside she still have no clue what's going on. But I showed her the calendar which I put mark on it. Later when she understands enough I will tell her about this 'history'.
And the St. Patrick Day, eventhough we didn't celebrate it, I also told my little girl about that,as far as I know...the simple thing was everything should be 'green'...so we made collage from green construction paper, a little shamrock, star, shark, sea turtle, a little house, dinosaurus and a mushroom, I cut them and help her glued in small carboard. We planned to give it to her grandma, but if she change her mind, it's okay!. I smiled and proud of her when I pointed out to 'shamrock' and she could say it clearly. I thought that's a difficult word to say.
A little bit of sad news and a little bit of St Patrick Day which a big celebration for Irish People for my little girl. I would like to edit all of the paintful world events that my girl can see through tivi. But, I can't, that's not life, she will grow up to be a big girl and at some point she will see that nothing is perfect except God.

..Going To Three

My baby turned to two and half years on March 1st. Time is flying, and now she's on the way half to three years old. There are so many things happend in her growth since she was born. And it's amazing that right now, I can she her 'personality' little by little...of course everything still gonna change. I'm grateful everyday that she's healthy and happy kid. She's independent, and seems know what she want.
And am currently experiencing her major milestone - potty training- she's been pretty good during day time, of course some pee accidents happend, it's normal, but it's amazing that she's now understand the need to go to the potty chair or 'Dora Potty' which is a simple and light chair that I put on adult toilet.
Everyday offers me a new opportunity to discover something about my kid. You're accept that you're going to make mistakes and keep learning.

..Being a mom is a 'Job'

Lagi menghirup kopi pagi, pagi ini aku pilih aroma 'creme brulee'...sok Perancis dikit lhah,...rasa dessert yang satu ini bisa dibilang udah mendunia...eeh..sambil agak merenung,...apa minggu ini aku sudah jadi 'ibu yang baik'....atau setidaknya berusaha jadi ibu yang baik. Sudah sebulan ini sejak tanggal 31 January, aku punya 'rule' baru untuk anakku, Grace, yaitu, tidak nonton tivi di 'day time' (siang hari), sore hari dia boleh ngikut nonton kalo daddy-nya pulang kerja, paling juga dia get bored easily, soalnya sore sudah ga ada/jarang kids program lagi. Dia lebih tertarik bermain dengan daddy.
I'm sipping my morning coffee, this morning I select 'creme brulee' flavored... sometimes I need a little bit "French" to start the day, beside...you can't beat this famous dessert in every nice restaurant.. and with a little reflection, what happend this week ?... am I a 'good mother'..?.... or at least trying to be a good mother. It's been a month since January 31st, I have a new 'rule' for my daughter, Grace, she can't watch television in the 'day time' from Monday to Friday. In the evening arround four o'clock she can watch DVD about learning numbers, words or letters, but not everyday because I don't want she gets bored. When her daddy got home from work, she is more interested in playing with daddy than watch tivi.
Aku nggak menganggap bahwa tivi itu 'buruk', atau membawa dampak yang jelek buat anakku, bahkan Grace belajar some words juga dari menonton tivi, dan caraku ini belum tentu bisa diterapkan di keluarga laen, apapun alasan-nya. Dia boleh nonton tivi atau DVD setiap weekend, bagaimanapun juga aku ingin dia tumbuh normal dan cukup pengetahuan tentang apa yang lagi 'in' sekarang. Apa jadinya kalo dia ketemu temannya nanti dan mereka ngobrol dan Grace tidak tau siapa itu Mickey Mouse, atau Sponge Bob, atau Dora dan teman teman-nya, aku ingin dia tumbuh percaya diri dan seimbang antara belajar dan nonton hiburan.