Upgraded to ceiling fans

Super busy day!!!

Every year hubby sets aside some savings to upgrade our little home for the comfort of everyone. Last year we upgraded water heater for the second bathroom (which came in handy as both girls go school and need to shower at the same time).

This year, no difference. We upgraded ceiling fans for the master room and dining hall. We also changed almost all lights in the house. But this year’s upgrade is super duper exhausting. First need to set up/ arrange the things nicely. And then so much cleaning to do plus the runs to drop and pick up the girls, speeding up clean up for the master room – so that the girls can nap and Noelle can have her mandarin class, and cooking lunch plus dinner.

Norrah was a pretty good girl – helped me with lunch preparation, completing her own worksheets, playing herself and finishing up her lunch without fuss. With the mess around, I couldn’t leave Norrah alone with hubby but to bring her along during pick up. Actually she is happier to go than stay at home. 🤣🤣 When returned her, I told her to nap herself and she did!

Glad to say – all settled by dinner time! I can’t wait to drop dead in bed- cos Aunty didn’t nap and woke since 4am. 🥲

Photo: https://youtube.com/shorts/OM39a3zMHxE?feature=share

Hiking Bukit Sri Bintang

Our second and last hike for this Raya holiday. If not because of the moving hikers (in and out) plus cars parked along the road, we won’t know the entrance to trail. There isn’t a signboard. We followed a group of hikers to one of the entrances (there are many routes, it seems).

We started out with a steep hike down and followed by a steep hike up before we reached the first peak (a view overseeing KL Tower and sight of Merdeka 118). We made a pit stop before moving to the next peak. We constantly moved upwards on two steep trails. Not long after, we reached the other peak that oversees KLCC tower. Next, we chose the wrong trail that brought us downhill in 15 minutes (actually we didn’t know that we have arrived at the bottom of the hill until we suddenly remembered the renovating bungalow we saw upon arrival🤣). All done in an hour.

The girls especially the elder twos handled the slopes well without us holding them. The hiking that we went so far, has well trained them to be more versatile. They become more aware of each of their steps. Nikki did slipped twice because of the slippery downward slope. In fact, I slipped once too while moving up. It was rather muddy this morning as it rained in the wee hours.

There are many trails in this hill. We will most likely be back one day to reach the highest peak.

because of the steep hill (plus Norrah wanted me to hold her today), I kept my phone in the bag most of the time when hiking 🤣 so fewer photos while hiking this round. There are many mushrooms that we saw along the way.

We had shaved ice after our picnic in the car. 😛

Video: https://youtu.be/cxBnap_AVis

Our first visit to Ara Damansara Park

Last day of Raya school holiday!

(Nikki: Still got Saturday and Sunday right???🙄🙄)

I wanted to bring them outdoor. Somewhere not so near but not far. 🫢😛🤣 Actually I have known this park for some time – Ara Damansara Park. Not many reviews on it. So today I decided to explore it (as it satisfies my criteria – not very near but not far😂).

It is located JUST opposite of the Ara Damansara mosque (where we bought lemang). There are parking but limited spots (as in if you go on crowded day). So, today our parking is just easy and right in front the entrance. Only few families around at our time.

Impressive park, on our first visit. 😂 The water lilies pond is eye catching upon arrival. Nice walking paths, but some spots are muddy. Overall about 2km walk. The girls had fun running up and down the little hills/slopes. There is a little river stream. I did put my foot in and it sunk (my daughter ‘scolded’ me ‘what are you trying to do?’🙄🙄🤣🤣). 🫢🤣 So, ’no’ to playing in the river. They had fun playing both the exercise equipment segment and the playground. And they had a good sweat.

We ended with a picnic under their ready made canopy. It was really relaxing. The park is filled with Nikki’s Aunty voice. 🙄🙄🙄 Even Norrah said ‘she is so noisy!’

Later on, we dropped by at Citta Mall for toilet. And we got a quick run at Village Grocer. It didn’t end just like that. We went swimming right after we arrived home.

Now everyone can nap like a log! 🤣

Video: https://youtu.be/XXmH9HJN3yk

A visit to Eco Grandeur

Dragonfly park and Grandeur Lab @ Eco Grandeur, Puncak Alam

We thought this place is pretty near. 🤣🤣 It took us about 30- 40 minutes drive from our place (same distance as Cyberjaya). It is nearing Kuala Selangor, which is rather secluded. But the best part is there was almost nobody, especially at its Dragonfly park. (Just few families came and went off to take photos)

It is named Dragonfly park because of the shape of the park, though we do see some dragon flies around. It is about a 2km walk to complete the whole park. It is a new township and very European feel.

The kids enjoyed the place because we allowed them on the playground (since no one there). They were happier to able to go under the bridge (tunnel).

After completing the walk, we drove to Grandeur Lab (actually we somehow walked pass it when completing the Dragonfly park walk). Most shops were closed today except for a Chinese cafe, Jaya Grocer, Gong Cha, Caring Pharmacy and a coffee shop. We had our mini picnic at the bench (I brought wraps) and they had ice cream, bought from the supermarket.

Photos: https://youtu.be/o6NDmMUOsdg

Tamarind Square @ Cyberjaya

Today supposed to be an outdoor day but it was raining in the morning. So, we made an impromptu visit to Tamarind Square @ Cyberjaya with the main intention to browse/buy books from Book Xcess. We did that actually – spent close to 1.5-2 hours there.

But we actually found the setting of the building (though many abandoned and empty units) more impressive for photo taking! 🤣🤣 it is called ‘Instagramable’! 😛

Video: https://youtu.be/_Uq8mxyqfn4

Our first time at Bukit Serdang Hiking Trail

Bukit Serdang Hiking Trail

Unlike the other trails we went so far, Bukit Serdang hill has fewer visible signboards; and if there are, they are in Chinese. So, we got ourselves guessing on which trail to go. We overheard (from other hikers) – one to the sunrise and another to MEX highway view. We took those trails. The one to the sunrise hill is easier (there is a dog temple and nursery at the peak) while the one to MEX highway view is steeper. On our way back to Taman U (where our car was parked) from MEX highway view, we stopped by at the little river stream. The girls enjoyed that little area most. We would probably be back for the two other trails one day.

Overall, it took us 2 hours and 10 minutes. Parking is ample at our timing and maybe because not many in town already. Or else, one has to park at Kolam Pancing Ikan Taman U and walk over. No toilet available (as far as our concern). There are alot of stray dogs around especially at the entrance of the trail. Some dogs also went up the trails. There were few monkeys in the forest. We didn’t bother them, and so they didn’t bother us.

Today Nikki is the ‘leader’ by leading us the most and she showed full of enthusiasm especially when going downhill. Noelle enjoyed the hikes until she was running out of energy (because hungry). Luckily I packed some biscuits – so we had a short break at MEX highway view peak. Hubby was the same as Noelle – he said my biscuits saved his life, or else I need to carry him down. 🙄😒Norrah went without complain and insisted on not removing her mask despite on some steeper paths (I too gave up by removing at those paths).

Photo: https://youtu.be/MDcqjUiy_-8