MAKING A KIDS' DAILY SCHEDULE

printable schedule found from this website

Though my son is really good kid, like any other boy in his class, doing his homework and any other daily activity where he has to practice something academic would never be done if I didn't have a hand in it.

Last year, I kind of let it flow, I didn't feel that at his age I should be nagging him about homework. Though I encouraged him to do what was asked, I also didn't want him to feel pressured. However, this year, I feel like it's time to kind of step it up, time for Amal to focus a bit more on his school work and learn to organize himself better.

So I decided to make a daily schedule with him where all of his extra-curricular activities are written down as well as what he has to do once he gets home from these activities. At the beginning I thought I was too harsh, that I might just turn into a "Tiger Mom" all of the sudden. Then I realized that when I don't remind him to do his daily chores or give him a task, he has this urge to just jump on the sofa and turn the tv on. Now, when I'm home, that's not the case but half of the time, I only get home by 6.30pm so someone else is taking care of Amal, and he usually gets what he wants (whole other issue to talk about).

So far, the daily schedule has worked miraculously well! He doesn't even need to be reminded which is amazing. I made one that looks a bit like the one above. I thought I'd post that one because it's a printable schedule I found on Pinterest, in case you were looking for one.

PASAR MODERN BSD

There's something about fresh colourful vegetables that just makes me happy. Maybe I was a farmer in one of my past lives :)

I do admit I was surprised when I arrived at the Pasar Modern BSD and saw how neat and clean everything looked. This was not what I would call a normal pasar.

 I should really go to the market more often :)

MAKING THINGS WORK FOR THE BEST

This year's Idul Fitri celebrations were, let's say, different. First of all, my ex-husband decided to say his Idul Fitri prayers at the mosque where my family was going to, and secondly, he celebrated the occasion with my whole extended family.....which has not happened for the past 4 years!

Amal and his cousins

Some people might think we have a funny relationship... 

I, for one, haven't stopped going over to his family and spending a day (or sometimes even sleeping over) during the Idul Fitri holidays. I do this because I sincerely feel at home there, I consider them my family and I'm adamant that my son feels included and part of his father's family. 

So 4 years later, I believe we've actually "succeeded" in our divorce. We've succeeded in a way where most divorced couples have had difficulties: putting our child's interest in front of ours.

How long will this last? Hopefully as long as possible. It's easy now that we both have not moved on and married other people, but that will be another challenge, which I look forward to and hope to find a happy compromise when the time comes. 

EVERYTHING RAINBOW

Browsing through my Pinterest, I realized I had a few pics of various items with the rainbow theme so I thought I'd share with you:

This is a DIY of a simple white side table transformed by coloured japanese washi masking tape into a colourful one, made by Lady Croissant.

These kitchen utensils were given a new life by using different colours of non-toxic craft paint, made by Little Bit Funky.

I so want to sleep in these sheets (via The Company Store)

This is actually something I've always wanted to do in my own house, but it'll have to wait. When I browsed the blog of the one who posted this, I found it really cute and fun... check it out!

And of course.... the ultimate rainbow cake... though I've never actually tasted one that I really like (I did hear though that Convivium makes an awesome one!), this pic is mouth-watering!

MARTHA STEWART'S FUDGY BROWNIES

I haven't made brownies in a really long time.  I think I was somehow traumatized (if one can be traumatized by making brownies) because I used to make the most excellent brownies when I was a teenager, and somehow I lost the recipe and I couldn't seem to make the same kind of brownies anymore. I remember trying several recipes, several weeks in a row, but none of them were good enough.

However, I was browsing the internet a couple of days ago and found a recipe on the Martha Stewart website and thought "hey why not?" so I made these brownies and they turned out really good!

No stress, no pressure.... I guess that's how cooking should be :)

Fudgy Brownies

225 grams dark chocolate, cut in small pieces

110 grams butter (Elle & Vire unsalted)

1 1/2 cups sugar

4 large eggs

1 tsp vanilla essence

3/4 cup flour, sifted

1/2 tsp salt

handful of hazelnuts (optional)

Preheat the oven to 180 degrees celsius.

Place the chocolate and the butter in a bowl and place over a pan of boiling water. Be careful that the bowl is not touching the water.Stir frequently until the chocolate and butter are melted. Remove bowl from heat and let cool for about 10-15 minutes.

Once cooled, stir the sugar in until well combined. With a whisk, add the 4 eggs one at a time, whisking until smooth (no need for mixer here). Add the vanilla essence, then gently fold (with a spatula) the flour and salt. Add the hazelnuts here if you want.

Take a square baking pan, smear a little bit of oil then cover with parchment paper.

Pour the brownie mixture in the baking pan and bake for around 60-65 minutes. The top part will be hard and crunchy but make sure that the inside is well cooked. Bake until a cake tester (toothpick or knife) comes out with only a few moist crumbs.

Enjoy!