Haiqal and me

Day 3.  I thought Haiqal would not need me today.  A call from Mekah last night with things to buy and my brother sadden by his cries on the phone had proven otherwise.  So this morning, I did my aunty thing and drove dutifully to Mck Halimah's house.  Haiqal called 8 times, 4 answered and 4 went to mailbox. 

Today is outing day to Giant Mall and lunch with Huzaifi and Kina in tow.  I had a good time, putting Haiqal in the shopping trolley and shopping for Hajar's ingrediants. He was well behaved.  I bought sticker activity books for him, to introduce him to books and mental activities. 

We came back to the house, after sticking 5 stickers, he pushed the book away. And shouted 'BOSAN LAH!!'  Obviously he doesn't think much of books.  Then I coaxed, encouraged and cajoled him.  5 more stickers stuck, this time with more thought. Eureka!!! I repeat, with more thought.

Then I told him I have to go home.  He started a terrible, terrible tantrum that made Huzaifi cry.  I  hugged him from the back and Huzaifi hugged him from the front until he quietened. Goodness Gracious me,  I hope I am doing the right thing.  I thought of Anne Sullivan and prayed that I am doing it the right way.  I am sure, if there is love, it won't go wrong. Would it?

I made Huzaifi and Kina make other words from the word encyclopedia and would pay 1 sen for each word.  These two very cute children are cutting alot of classes, so the teacher in me has to give them some lessons. With good incentives.

Tonight I will do some homework on the net because I better equip myself with some knowledge, since being Aunty Cik does not seemed to be enough.

Haiqal and I

Haiqal is my nephew and is a special child.  I don't know what is the medical term for his state, being physically and mentally challenged and a few years delayed in his growth.  My brother Aziz and his wife had put alot of effort in helping him develop and now he can walk, talk and communicate, eventhough not like his peers.

I would meet Haiqal whenever I go to their house and he would always ask to ride in my car.  So I would take him one round and back. By doing this a sort of bond has been formed between him and my family.

Yesterday when Aziz and Kak Anne has to leave him for Haj, Haiqal was really upset, crying and protesting amongst many family members.  Until I took his hand, he let go of his parents.

As their Aunty Cik, I was given some chores by my brother during his absence. Easy stuff, see to the day maid. fetch Helmi and Haifa from their hostel, send back.  But yesterday, when Haiqal wanted to follow us and spent one whole day with us, I think my chores had just increased in manifolds.

Haiqal  at the moment stays with his grandparents. Taking care of him includes a table of procedures. His medication, his food, his likes and dislikes.

I am going again this morning with a few plans in my head for Haiqal and Huzaifi.(see if it works) Out comes the teacher. In MHI this morning, coincidently, one topic discussed was on 'how to leave your children to go for haj'. They say, give them a mini project to fill their time until the parents come back.

Ok, I am off to spend some time with the boys while waiting for the day maid to do her work. 

Being Haiqal's aunt, and loving the cherubic face and his friendly and innocent personality, lets see what he has to teach me today.

Tips on cleaning house part 1

1. Reward yourself when your work is completed.  Get a new brooch for your tudung,  something that you like to eat, a new book or magazine.

 

2. Plan your work

3.Start by evaluating each room and jot down everything that needs to be addressed. Example, if there is a messy table,  make a note to get a rack.

4.For motivation, bring out your favourite snack for breaks. Turn on whatever you like to hear such as Maher Zain,  Siti,  In-team or recitation by Mashari to keep you going and make the job go faster.

Little Ladies Part 11

I just came back from delivering cream puffs and pizzas.  Hmm...notice something? Last week, delivery work, this morning, delivery work...Ahah! Thats where my talent lies, in delivery!  After so long of soul searching....

Alhamdulilah, Allah has given Hajar a talent in the kitchen.  It started out she had nothing to do last Ramadhan and I asked her to make something from what she learnt at the cooking classes to give people for buka puasa. So cream puffs was her first attempt and it came out  fluffy, puffy and lemak berkrim that everyone who got them really likes them so much that they started ordering, especially during the month of hariraya.  Eversince, its every weekend of cream puff baking for her.

I told her it is not easy to sell our goods.  Not everything that we cook is marketable.  Most of us wish we can sell something but to get people asking for more takes a special touch.  And Alhamdulilah, having that,  she is able to do a small business from home.

Customer asked what else do we make (we is she) so we started making pizza.  Hajar makes the dough, I assemble it.  (ssshhh...hajar is good at making anything fluffy, because she is kind of fluffy herself hehehe) And will try out more. Next one is kek lapis strawberry.

When Kak Asmah gave her an oven for the birthday on the 9th that day, (an oven!!!) it was an encouragement to push herself.

I am her biggest supporter and believer, Mimi and Aishah her most ready testers, Fauzan and family her best customers, with Bahiah and Adi repeating orders.

Rezeki comes from Allah and if He wants to give, He gives in ways you do not expect, to whom He choses. 

Aishah is happy her dream of having a small foodie outlet (like Dellize) is showing signs of coming true.

Who knows, with doa and hardwork and making sure of its highest quality, it can be a source of income one day.

Move on, chop chop,

Ok, its gone....the sister thing.

Be grateful for what we have. Count your blessings.  3 daughters, 2 cats, a palmful of friends. auntie-turned-model,(suddenly) grandchildren to watch grow (ziyad, omar, mia, ja'a, danish, redho, Kaklong's 6 days old unnamed baby girl ).Hajar's small business. Tabung Al-Bir. Qoroh the cow.

Quote of the day

"A penny saved is a penny earned." 

Save but sedeqah always.  Jangan boros tapi jangan kedekut. Acquire the art .

Tips on savings

1. Buy  frozen foods and stock in freezer.

2. Make or bake foodies that can be frozen like cakes, muffins, pizzas, pies and keep  as long as its shelf life.

3. Spend one day cooking a few dishes for a few days ahead and freeze.  Thaw and reheat for lunch or dinner. Cook dishes that can keep long like rendang, ayam masak merah and fried chicken. 

4. Pack well. Cakes need to be wrapped twice, first with plastic, then with foil.

Ready food + less time cooking = more time to do important things