Dish N Dash Ready Meals & A Giveaway!!!

This is the first time that I am organizing a giveaway here! Do take part!

Dish Deli is a cosy little deli in Solaris Mont Kiara serving delicious comfort food and ready-packed Dish N Dash meals & Gourmet Goo baby food.

We've all been there before for a meal once and also managed to grab some of their conveniently packed meals and baby food. I find it very easy to just pop one of their pies or baby food into the microwave or convection oven and it's ready to eat! Recently, Dish Deli commenced delivery services for their Dish N Dash meals & Gourmet Goo baby food. This was indeed good news!

My absolute favourite is the Fisherman's Pie which has poached Dory fillets, tuna and eggs all under creamy mashed potatoes.... needless to say, this is also my children's favourite dish! My son also likes the Cottage Pie (minced beef, carrots, sweet potatoes and mash potatoes) and burger patties - available in beef or chicken. Hubby especially loves the beef patties! Photographed below is the roast carrots and potatoes which comes in a set with the Roast Chicken and is also available a la carte. All meals are free from MSG, additives, preservatives and chemicals.

It's very simple to order. Just select the items from the menu, then call 03-6203 0326 or email your order to dd@dish.com.my. You can expect a fast reply! Payment options are by bank transfer i.e Maybank or CIMB. Delivery is within the Klang Valley and cost is RM8 - free if your order is above RM80! Delivery days are only on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

All Dish N Dash meals are blast frozen and sealed for freshness, clearly labelled and expiry date is on the bottom of the pack. Heating instructions are also included with every order.

So, if you are keen to score some very yummy nutritious meals for you and your family, do take part in this giveaway! A big thank you to Heidi and Annette of Dish Deli!

It's really easy - to be in the running to win a RM30 cash voucher fully redeemable for Dish N Dash Meals or Gourmet Goo plus free delivery within the Klang Valley only,  just let us know which item or items from the menu you would like to try. Leave your comment here in this post, along with your email address. If you are from outstation, you can also take part and win this for a friend whose address is in the Klang Valley!

To double your chances of winning, just follow this blog OR grab my blog's button, then leave a separate comment here.
This giveaway starts TODAY and will end on July 1st. Results will be announced on July 2nd. So stay tuned!!!

Marissa in Mychild mag

I received an envelope containing a Borders RM50 book voucher from Mychild yesterday. There wasn't any accompanying note so I guessed that Marissa's photo which I submitted a few months ago was published! Immediately after work, I went to 3 different magazine stalls located near my workplace to find the latest issue of Mychild. Managed to buy the last copy of the May-June issue. Phew!

This is the first time Marissa appeared in any magazine or publication. On the other hand, Evan appeared 8 times! I was quite diligent in sending his photos to various magazines and even the newspaper! Here are 3 of my favourites..... of Evan. I laminated all the pages - which explains the glare when I took the pic.

Malaysian Women's Weekly

Clove, The Star

Parenthood

Rings

Marissa and I were reading a book together - it was Tomie dePaola's Big Anthony and the Magic Ring.

After the story, she pointed to my finger and to my rings and said "Ring, Mommy's ring".

Me : Yes, it's Mommy's wedding ring. Mommy and Daddy got married and Daddy gave me the ring.

Marissa : Daddy gave Mommy ring

Me : Do you have a ring?

Marissa : No

Me : Do you want to get married?

Marissa : Yes

Me : Who do you want to get married to?

Marissa : To boys

Me : Which one?

Marissa : I want Joseph! I want Joseph!

Me : :))))

Things are getting complicated here.....

If I were to ask who Evan would like to get married to...... the complications will get even more complicated.... hahah.... too complicated to explain.

To TJC

We met up with Teacher Cindy at TJC to discuss Evan's exam results. Lots of parents were already there bright and early from 8:30am onwards. Very yummy breakfast served : cream puffs, curry puffs, cake and popiah.

In summary, Evan is now more well-behaved. Studies-wise, he's pretty OK. Mixes around easily with his friends. Doesn't like to try new foods and doesn't like Chinese class! Hopefully he will be more attentive in class and doesn't disturb his friends too much! 

Just a gentle reminder - the Dish Deli RM30 meal voucher giveaway ends on 1st July. This is the first giveaway that I am organizing in this blog. I hope to see more entries coming in! I've just tried the Beef Lasagna and it was really delicious! Even Evan the fussy eater ate a good portion of it!

To be in the running to win the meal voucher plus free delivery to your doorstep: just click here to leave your contact details - it's really so easy. Don't miss out!

Funky Head Gear

Evan assembled this 'hat' using Gymboree Gym Mags (magnetic bars/balls toy).

Not to be outwitted by her brother's creativity, Marissa utilised a single pull-up diaper to create an equally funky 'hat'!

Striking a pose

Sneak Peek of Park Residences 1

UOA's resort-style condominiums : The Park Residences 1, Bangsar South City. This first phase consists of 2 condo blocks : Acacia & Begonia.

Infinity edge pool

Children's Playground

 

Gymnasium

Children's Wading Pool

Birthday Girl

Marissa turned 2 years old on 16th June 2010. She's growing up very fast - no more a toddler!

Potty training is still in progress.... she will usually obliged with sitting on the potty briefly whenever we ask her to.... but nothing is deposited in it.  She speaks in sentences and is picking up phrases from her brother. She is also very bossy - even to the point of dictating which pair of shoes her brother should wear! 

We had a mini birthday celebration on 17th June. I ordered 16 cupcakes from Fit for 2 Cafe in Bangsar Village II at RM5 each. The cuppies were all undecorated - 8 chocolate flavoured ones and 8 vanilla. The icing came in 6 separate piping bags and for decoration.... there were 10 different options ranging from chocolate sprinkles, heart-shaped sprinkles and the likes.

 Marissa trying her hand at decorating one of the cupcakes.

 Evan ate the sprinkles while busy decorating the cupcakes

 We invited Joseph and Joy-Anne over to join in the fun too!

All creatively done by the kids! (with help from their parents!)

 

Sang the birthday song!

 

 Family pic!

The mini muffins I won in a giveaway by Kedai Mini Muffin arrived on Marissa's birthday. I would recommend it! Tasty and bite-sized. The cupcakes by Fit for 2 were also delicious although the icing was a bit too sweet for me. Anyway, it was a fun birthday activity! 

Toy Story 3

Meet & Greet Woody & Buzz at Mid Valley Megamall! Evan was there on 17th June - when Toy Story 3 opened. We watched the earliest show : 11:30am. It was a good 2 hour movie. We bought popcorn and 100plus. I purchased the tickets online at gsc.com.my 3 days earlier. Paid with credit card online and we also got to select the seats. Very convenient (not a free service though - fee is RM1.50). On the day of movie screening, just go to one of the ticket booths and insert the credit card. Then key in GSC member user ID. Lastly, print out the tickets.

I expected Marissa to nap during the movie but she thoroughly enjoyed it! After the movie, we went to MPH La Cucur for lunch together with my dad. While there, she fell asleep! After lunch, Larry brought Evan to queue up for the photo session. It was very orderly. Everyone only allowed one pic. The meet & greet session will end on June 20th. The sessions are at 12pm, 2pm, 4pm, 6pm and 7:30pm.

If you haven't watched Toy Story 3 yet..... I would highly recommend it! Made me teary at the end....

RMAF Museum

Hubby brought Evan to the RMAF Museum Sg Besi, KL to look at the helicopters and airplanes. Found out about this place from Buffafly whose son, Joseph visited the place not too long ago.

 

Entrance fee : Free of Charge. There were 2 bus loads of school kids there having a briefing.

Evan managed to look through everything for about 15 minutes before all the school kids swarmed the place

Pilot Evan

He was initially quite apprehensive when asked to go inside the helicopter and gingerly climbed the steps. He was thrilled with the experience!

Dental Check Ups

It's the school hols and we decided to bring Evan for his dental check up. We went to Damansara Height Dental Center on a Thursday morning (Hubby's off day). 

Evan had clean & polished teeth in less than 5 minutes. Eighteen teeth. Zero cavities. While Evan was on the dental chair, Marissa was busy playing with the suction.

When her turn came, she enthusiastically climbed onto the chair. This was her first time at the dentist! We did prepare her beforehand by reading a book about Maisy and Charley going to the dentist.

She was quite squirmy but it was still OK for Hubby to completely polish her teeth. She loved to gargle with the water in the cup and she did it many times! All perfect teeth too!

Lego Collectors Exhibition

The LEGO collectors exhibition was held from 1-7 June 2010 at 1 Utama New Wing. It was a joint event organized by Bricksmal (Malaysian Lego collectors club) and Toys R Us. There were lots of sets on exhibit and lots more on sale.

This was my favourite set : CHESS ! worth RM1199.90. A superb chess set featuring trolls and dwarfs battling each other.

Pic above shows my brother's Lego collections : knights and soldiers and castles. He even exhibited his very first Lego set which was a castle given to him by one of our cousins many years ago. My brother has since collected a number of castles!

Other sets on display include Star Wars, Lego City, Lego Technics and lots of MOC (My Own Creations) by members of the collectors club.

Evan & his Tai Khaufu - Lego enthusiast/collector and Brick Boss of Brickbastion.com.

Blog Design

Tadaaaa!

Just did a blog makeover! Nice or not?

The talented person behind the illustrations (my blog header & blog badge) is Acu from AcuRoseDay Lil Art.

It's quite fun to do a makeover on your blog once in a awhile and now I feel it's looking so refreshed and fun!

I've worked with 3 different designers.....

Little Red Reading Nook's header/menu bar/grab button designed by Louise of Adori Graphics based in the UK. She's also the designer for Sim & Hooi Dental Center's header & grab button.

The headers for both Cupcake Chic Children's Boutique and Dental Clinics Directory Malaysia were designed by  Jiji of Triple Colour Life. She designed the grab button for the boutique and I personally designed a simple one for the directory.

If you are wondering, yours truly did the header/menu bar/grab button for  Huiwearn Kids Store. I accept orders for blog design as well but only using digital scrapbooking elements which was what I did for my own kids store.

Other local designers who do blog design are:

Emila Yusof

Forever Tulip

Sasha Tan

So, which one is your favourite blog header?

I Love U Contest

We interrupt this blog to bring you the latest earth-shattering, ground-breaking news in the world of blogging mommies!

A tsunami of sorts had just rocked the peaceful blogosphere of Malaysian mothers. The impact of this tsunami had caused a flurry of online activities by blogging mommies. Investigators attribute the cause of this phenomenon to the launch of an online blogging contest at Little Mama's Diary. Fortunately, no casualties were reported during the rush to win the early bird prizes.

When contacted via email, Little Mama of Little Mama's Diary and Mombloggersplanet had confirmed the reports of the online contest that is continuing to generate such widespread interest. She explained that the contest aims to kickstart the launch  of her two latest stores : Little Mama's LOVE Baby Boutique and Little Kids Photography. Little did Little Mama realise that the launch of the online contest offering  photography packages, vouchers, discounts and a shot at fame for mommy bloggers had caused a euphoria which almost rivals the World Cup Football craze. This was certainly way beyond her expectations.

"At Little Mama's LOVE Baby Boutique, I offer unique girls clothes for both babies and children, arty crafty aprons, soft hankies and easy-fold travel changing mat, at affordable prices. Most items are handmade by me using high quality cotton fabrics, both imported designer and local fabrics." explained Little Mama.

PHD reporter Kaseh Sayyang was on location at Little Mama's LOVE Baby Boutique and noted that designer fabrics by Sandi Henderson in bright and summery colours are available - all ready to be custom designed according to orders. Designer fabrics by Sirpa Cowell and Eva Lundgreen are used in the design for the Little Kids Apron. Features of this 100% cotton apron include adjustable neck straps with antique metal slide, pockets on both sides and one size fits all! This hot item is currently on sale for the entire month of June.

"I bought 4 aprons for my children! I homeschool them and the aprons are just perfect for all their art & craft sessions plus baking sessions! Plus I received free tiny hankies with my order! I definitely recommend this to all mamas!" said Mdm Kittle Chan in an exclusive interview.

This is what Little Mama has to say about her other passion:

"I love capturing magic moments of young children using photojournalistic style. Magical moments are captured as and when it happens – in its natural environment. So, I will only be using available light and available props. No fixed studio setting, lighting or equipment – only me, my DSLR and the little models"

PHD reporter Kaseh Sayyang was also on location at Little Kids Photography and is pleased to report that this photography studio stands outs from all the  rest because of their innovative photography packages. One of the many photography packages that are offered is called Little Chef. This is a great package designed to capture and treasure the magical moments of a little chef, baking and decorating cookies or cupcakes. Little Kids Photography also offers a combined series of 4 photography packages designed to capture all your baby's important milestones within the very first year!

"I love her photography style! Little Mama is such a fun person to work with. We had a pre-photography session consultation to discuss clothing and props that I would be bringing on my own. She also provided extra props and light refreshments during the photography session outdoors!  I am so totally in love with all the cute photos of my darling babies!" said Mrs Annie Geddes, a very satisfied customer.

Stay tuned as we bring you more live updates on Little Mama's I Love U Contest in  awhile....

Private Primary School Education

I've compiled a shortlist of private schools which offer primary school education. Tuition fees about 10-15K per year.

1) Sekolah Sri Bestari

Bandar Sri Damansara

2) Sekolah Sri KDU

Kota Damansara

3) Sri Kuala Lumpur

Subang Jaya

4) Beaconhouse Sri Inai

Petaling Jaya

5) Cempaka School

Damansara Heights

A list of International schools below: All extremely pricey - about 30-50K for tuition fees per year.

1) Garden International School

Jln Bukit Kiara

2) Alice Smith School

Jln Bellamy, KL

3) British International School KL

Bandar Utama

4) Cempaka International School

Cheras

5) Nexus International School

Putrajaya

After scrutinising the websites, we are very likely to consider private schooling and at this initial stage, looks like Cempaka Damansara Heights is the preferred choice but I need to know the tuition fees. So, I emailed the registrar for more info on tuition fees and this was what I got.....

To apply for acceptance, a RM1000 non-refundable fee for entrance exam/interview is charged. Parents will also need to fork out RM5000 for registration fee and RM5000 as advance fee. Total amount RM11,000 to be paid before the application is even considered.

Once accepted, the other fees payable are :
1) RM1000 installation fee i.e. welcome pack, smartcard, orientation pack etc
2) RM5000 refundable deposit (refundable upon sufficient notice of withdrawal from school)

Then, there are the tuition fees payable every semester (2 semesters yearly).
For Std 1-3 - RM6300 per semester (does not include books/uniform/stationery/external exam fees. includes food)

There's also the annual fees payable every beginning of school year which amounts to RM1000.

So all that will work out to about RM28K for the first year!
The following year, i estimate it to be about RM15K.
Prices will increase from time to time of course and we have to also consider paying for a 2nd child in the same school in a few years time..... factor that all in and it looks like a huge sum of money!
Now can anyone tell me where can I find a money tree that dispenses RM1000 notes?

Portrait Me!

AcuRoseDay Lil Art is having its very first giveaway!

I managed to snap some pics of Marissa wearing her Mickey ears hat and I am submitting this cute photo of her for the giveaway! Hopefully I would be able to win the portrait painting - just in time for Marissa's 2nd birthday on 16th June.

Wild Wild West

I didn't attend the Wild Wild West party in the kindy but I assigned asked Joseph's mama: Buffafly to snap some pics of Evan.

Happily eating a cupcake!

I think his friends 'bullied' him..... Evan said he was shot by his friends who had 'plunger guns' and he quickly ran away from them. I told him that he should not be afraid as Jesus protects him. 

Anyway, he said that Zoe was a horse and he could ride her...... and Faythe was a Red Indian girl with an axe but she didn't injure anyone with it. Glad that all the kids had fun! 

Thank you Priscilla for the pics!