The heat

It's a really hot summer in the UK this year with temperatures soaring up to 30C and beyond. Come to think of it, we had an extremely cold winter hence it's only fair to get a summer that lives up to its name. In the mornings, it tickles me to discover that the children are sprawled apart from each other, often shirtless. Windows open and fans whirling, it seems just almost like back home.

The heat has probably dried up all my blogging desires - ergo the long silence. The twins went for their school trip to Marseille and had returned really tanned! While they were having fun, Little D was down with some sinusitis that caused him to have high fever for a few days. At the same time, Princess was feeling a tinge of jealousy over her brothers' trip, thus demanded a little bit of attention and fun. So when Little D was a little better, we spent some quality time together - indoors and outdoors; resulting in me getting my dose of the pollen attack.

All back on track now.

How time really flies.

Summer time...

Please note that all clocks in Great Britain should be FORWARDED an hour today. It's the summer time and this is how people cheat with the day and night time. When we changed to the winter time end of last year, we utterly forgot about it. To top it all up, we then turned up at a friend's place an hour earlier! They were still busy in the kitchen that we had to go back - which was pretty embarassing!

Ergo, it's 7 hours difference between Malaysia and Great Britain.

Spending time wisely

I am obsessed with time. I always make sure there's a watch on my wrist and a clock in each room. I cringe when the batteries die on me, especially when there aren't any replacements in the house!!!

Now, running a household with with four children and a man, it's difficult to be on time. No matter how early you start getting ready, how much you try, you can never be as punctual as you used to! And to make things worst, in the end, it's you who's not yet ready!!! Ironic!

If you were to peep in my organiser (I am a conventional one who prefers pen and paper - not the electronic organiser!), you'd discover that I'm such a planner. Things go wrong when I don't organise myself properly. Well, they go wrong anyway, but with a clear layout, I can at least make myself believe that my life is in order.

Last week I was busy keeping the children occupied during the half-term school break. Every night, I think of what to do with my children so that they can make full use of the time they have. If I don't do this, then there would be screams and shouts, moans and groans. They get easily bored with the computer, television, PSP, gameboy, toys and books. So much for technology.

Perhaps I have always been around fixing activities and games for them that they always come to me for ideas of fun. My second twin loves art. He has been rather creative, in fact. Let me share with you among the things he has done (some have met with accidents and been destroyed....).

This he made when he was sick and missed school. Don't ask me what it is. Perhaps a digital sleeve destroyer or some sort.

Then, when he was bored one evening, he made this. A headgear that was then presented to the little D on his birthday.

Last week, I got this card from him (there was no specific occasion).

*******

So, anyway, these were the things we did during the whole week:
Monday: lazed around to enjoy the holiday - computer, gameboy, storybooks, TV, TV and more TV.

Tuesday: we went a-baking at mamasarah's. Well, they did more TV watching - errrr, maybe it was 2 dvds they watched!

Wednesday: we made a trip to the City Farm. It's a wonderful place to go to because there are animals and ... it's free! A few months ago the farm was running out of funds and was at the verge of closing down. Today, it has got all sorts of support from various businesses and organisations. Well, we loved the animals so much that we didn't forget to drop some pennies into the donation box. It's for support. There were goats and sheep. We had brought some carrots to feed them but the hungry (and manja!) goats scared us!!

Guinea pigs and rabbits. This guinea pig was called Sypup and he's sponsored. Cute, eh?There were ducks, chicken, and a couple of ponies. But my batteries failed me. So sorry guys, no little ponies here!!! Oh, and don't forget, a farm must have oink! oink! Oh dear, were they ugly!

Thursday: some story-telling and games, and more TV and computer for the kids!! Mommy had to do some work!

Friday: Coventry Transport Museum. This is also free. Yay! It was very educational. First, we parked a little bit further (for free parking!) and dropped by Swanswell Park to say hello to the swans and ducks, as well as to feed them.

After saying goodbye to the swans, ducks and pigeons, we skipped away to our destination. First, we had to pass this

and go through this:

In the museum, we saw penny-farthings (this, my 6+ princess helped me spell - the bicycle with one small wheel infront and big one behind),

bicycles, tricycles, motorcycles, cars, carriages, etc. Many were made in Coventry itself, so kids were amazed at that!

A model of how cars were originally made. Black and white for effect!

Designing their own car!

And, don't forget to sign in the Guest book! Ahaksss.....

Saturday: Cheshire Oaks, where the slogan is: Guilty-Free shopping. As if!! How could they put that slogan up??? I feel soooooo guilty because we spent more than 50 pounds at Denby(again!!). Apparently, the playground was great! Prior to the shopping, we went through old English countryside. In a place called Pree, the small and cute houses ALL had names. Among all, there was a typical cottage.

We stopped by fields and the children climbed over one fence to pat a horse having his tea (or was it lunch?). Oh, it was also to get a close-up of the horsie...

Sunday: back to de popular Sunday hangout: carboot sale!

Now that the weather's much better, InsyaAllah we'll be making more educational trips (especially involving animals because they love them!).