Family Camping Trip at Lata Felda Lawin Selatan, Perak.

 Okay, this is like super delayed post. 

I suddenly felt the mojo to update it here, because we just came back from our second camping trip with the Seahs and Koks not too long ago. 

This was our very first planned family camping trip together - 6 adults and 8 children. We adventurous or what? For me, this is like dream comes true. I have always wanted to go for legit camping trips with my little family, and we finally got to do it together. Whoohoo! 

The Boys Brigade team was having a camping trip so we thought it would be fun to join them and kick-start our first real camping trip! 

Location: Lata Felda Lawin Selatan, Perak. 

It takes about 2 hours from Penang Bridge to this location. It is not located on top of a hill, so expect same weather in Penang: VERY HOT. 

As usual, our holiday trip must always start with breakfast, and this time, we went out of Penang for Maxim Dim Sum House, which was not great. 

We reached Lata Felda at 1230pm, and took us 4 hours to set our tents and all. FOUR HOURS. I guess okay for first timers with many children ya. HAHA. 

By the time we were done setting up our tents, and dining area, we changed the kids to swimsuits and went for river-swimming. The water was icey-cold, which was just perfect for the weather. The kids had so much fun, except Adam. The water was too cold for him, and eventually he fell asleep on me. 

There isn't much to do here actually except soaking in the river nd using our imagination to 'entertain' ourselves. More for the kids le. But it was really nice to bond and all. 

It rained a while the next day (in the noon) which was great because it cooled everyone down, but our flysheets almost flew away! All of them stood outside and held on to each corner of our "rooftops" while I took care of all the kids in our tents. 

Fun times for sure. Heh. 

We were also very gung-ho and brought so many food items for our meals here. It was a bit too much to do since the children outnumbered us. So, our next camping trip, we became smarter d. Heh. 

We ended the short holiday at Kang Fresh Water Food, at Bagan Samak - cheap and good - big win! 

Enjoy the photos :) 

 

Can I apply leave as a mom?

I don't think I have ever been stretched like that as a mother. 

It has been such a week. That kind of week where I wanted it to end faster. I wanted Monday to come fast so we could reset. 

The kids were behaving poorly. They were impatient, rude (in our definition) and very demanding. I was not okay with all of it. I was a bit surprised to how they behaved this week, and wondered if it was a reflection of how Adrian and I talk to each other and to them. 

I don't think that was how we are with them, or like ever with anyone. 

They were taking turns in throwing tantrums, and demanding for certain things to be according to what they want, and they want it now. If not, they go crazy, and they did went crazy, and loud. 

Today was the day I lost it. 

I have tried gentle parenting - always asking and making sure I understand form their perspective, and explain to them calmly why certain behaviours are not acceptable in this household. I avoid using some trigger words and questions, and my mind is always trying to re-form words that supports gentle parenting. Maybe it's not the correct way of this parenting method. It did not work. I like how it helped me clam down and take really deep deep breaths, and talk about how they feel first and whatnots. 

But it didn't work this week. 

Today, I felt numb to their crying and shouting. I told myself, "I cannot take this anymore", and then I walked to the bathroom, and showered in cold water. I allowed myself to cry all frustration and hurt out. Yes, my children hurt me this week. I think I imploded a few times this week. 

It was a good short cry (not my first this week for sure). I didn't even got to finish my me-time, and Sofia stormed into the toilet (our lock is spoiled), and demanded for me to carry her. If not, she will not stop screaming and crying. 

At this point, I don't even know what to feel anymore. 

I carried her to her room, and hugged her, and I could not not stop my tears from coming out. She must have seen them before I wiped it away, because she said sorry twice (while she was still sobbing). My anxiety was rooftop high. 

Adrian took both the toddlers for a short swimming time, and I needed to do something to heal. So, I did some sewing. I took out my shorts, and sports bra and sewed a while. 

We had another meltdown during dinner time with Alex, and I did not handle it calmly. I could not. I tried hold it in, but I failed la okay. 

"If you don't want to eat the food that is on the table, you don't have to eat anything at all. You can stay in the room by yourself." 

Sofia cried, and insisted we don't close the door, so koko could come out and join us at the dinner table. At this point, Alex was still being stubborn and crying. 

Adrian stood up from the dinner table, and that was when Alex started to calm down. Nobody messes with dady ya. 

Anyways, he came and sat next to me, and we had a great dinner time. They all did anyways. I was suffocating inside. But I held it together of course. The kids were finally okay again. 

But today, I don't want to be a mom. I don't want to wear my mom's hat. I just want to wear Sarah Khoo's hat. Just be me, and for me. Just today. 

Before they fell asleep tonight, I whispered to the both of them, that I love them so much, and it was not okay to behave like how they did, but I still love them. 

It's been a week.

It is never easy. But we go through another day trying to be the best parents we can. And that, is a win in itself. 

Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookie.

You know how sometimes you wake up in the morning, and you feel like it's a chocolate chip cookie kind of day? 

Maybe for you, it's mee goreng or Ramly burger or KBBQ day. 

Well, I had that chocolate chip cookie day, and I didn't want to buy and eat them, because I know the sugar content in those are too high! And too sweet for my liking! 

So, while lying down, pretending to sleep so my kids would sleep, I googled here and there to find the right recipe that won't waste my ingredients. 

I also went to read their reviews, and found one that seems promising, and to my liking of a chocolate chip cookie. 

Soft and chewy in the middle, but not cakey, and not too crunchy. 

I only had one 250g of butter, so I need to be sure that this recipe works. I waited for the kids (except Adam) to wake up from their nap, and got them involved in the baking. I didn't let them "roll" the cookies onto the baking tray because our friends were coming over, and I didn't want the kitchen to be super messy. They were okay with it. So win. Hah. 

I was supposed to roll the cookie dough after scooping them one by one, but I didn't have the time so I just scoop them with a baking spoon and place them onto the tray. 

They came out fine. All looking different, because like us, we are all different right. Heh. 

Anyways, I made some smaller ones too and they turned out a bit more crunchy and crispier. I preferred the ones that are bigger. I think I used the 1 tablespoon's spoon. They came out chewy and not sweet, with a hint of some bitterness from the dark chocolate. 

Some important notes:
1) Do not overbake them. Because if you put the cookies longer in the oven, they will not be chewy anymore. The recipe says 7-9 minutes. I did mine at 8 minutes. They will not look brown, but they are amazeballs! 

2) Measure everything ingredients correctly, especially the flour. If you put more or less than the recipe, it may not turned out as how it is supposed to be, but you might still love it anyways. 

So, go give it a try, and let me know if this is a win or a no-go for you :) 

Ingredients: 

1 cup softened salted butter (or 227g)

1 cup granulated sugar (or 200g)

1 cup brown sugar (or 200g)

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

2 eggs

3 cups all purpose flour (or 427g)

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

2 cups chocolate chips (I mixed semi sweet and dark chocolate)

Steps: 

1 - Preheat oven at 190 Celsius. 

2 - In a medium bowl, mix flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Set aside. 

3 - (In a mixer) Cream together softened butter, white sugar and brown sugar.  

4 - Add eggs and vanilla extract into the mixer. Beat until it becomes light. 

5 - Add in the dry ingredients and mix well.

6 - Add chocolate chips and continue mixing until combined. I put in more than 2 cups of chocolate chips because why not. 

7 - Roll the cookie dough and place them on the baking tray (lined with baking paper). 

8 - Bake for 8-minutes, at 190 degrees Celsius.