BEING A MOM IS… Children and Mom BOOK REVIEW

What perfect timing it is to received a book about "Being a mom is..." right after I did a blog post about "how motherhood has changed me"!!! 

"Being a mom is...Always being in love" written by Anna Belle.

Do keep in mind that I'm NOT a BOOK reader AT ALL...

Give me lifestyle/gossips/health/recipe magazines, yes yes yes!!!

But when this opportunity came, I had to grab this book coz as soon as I saw a preview of it, I was hooked!!! 

Not only it has beautiful cartoon-ish pictures, most importantly it has very very few wordings but don't get me wrong, these short wordings has deep meaningful & beautiful words to it!
And bonus points: How many adult books out there that looks like a children book???

As soon as Sienna and Skyler saw the book, they immediately told mommy n daddy to read it for them and Sienna attempted to read a few lines.

At first I thought it was gonna be a small, few pages kinda book... but boy was I wrong, it's quite large and has lots of pages!!!

This momma would like to share a few of many quotes from the book that resonates with me.

"Being a mom is... stocking up on diapers!"

"Being a mom is... Loving little fingers and toes "

"Being a mom is...accepting your mommy tummy"

"Being a mom is... reserving time for your mom too"

"Being a mom is...going crazy with stickers"

"Being a mom is... acting silly with your little ones"

"Being a mom is...going to the zoo annually"

"Being a mom is...sometimes difficult"

"Being a mom is... being showered with kisses"

"Being a mom is...crying during their kindergarten graduation"

"Being a mom is...when you are a grapevine"

"Being a mom is... giving them time to take on new challenges"

"Being a mom is... helping them pursue their dreams"

"Being a mom is... bundling them up on winter mornings"

"Being a mom is...a joy ride"

"Being a mom is... Loving your family"

This book is definitely a keeper as it will bring back lots of memories down the road (even now reading it made me teary eyed). Yes, every mom is different and will experience different things. Even each baby is different. No two moms are the same but ultimately LOVE "trumps" a.k a conquers ALL as the title of the books reads, "Being a mom is... always being in love"

Sienna and Skyler gave me a big hug and said "You are the best mommy!!!" right after daddy read this book aloud to them while mommy was listening + doing the dishes! 

***awww, makes me wanna do more dishes...NOT***

This book will make such a lovely gift to moms-to-be, baby shower, mother's day for mom/grandma/aunt/etc...

Just for my readers who would like to purchase this one of a kind book, here's 10% off plus FREE shipping for those interested. Hurry this deal won't last long.

Code: JCFRIENDS

Link: https://www.etsy.com/shop/FirefliesPublishing?coupon=JCFRIENDS

Disclaimer: I have received this product in exchange for my honest (with love) review. All opinions are solely our own.

How has motherhood changed me

This post is part of a blog train started by Pooja Kawatra of Mums & Babies and she has networked to bring together 41 moms across the globe.

I wanna thank Menaka for introducing me. Here's her take on motherhood.
Unfortunately I'm the last mom on this wonderful blog train hosted by Pooja.
Pooja has also shared her own views on motherhood here. Meet ALL 41 moms here and read each and every one of their amazing stories!

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So here's my take on how motherhood has changed me... 

I've added a unique twist to it + sprinkled  some spice on it!

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Dear mommy to-be n to ALL mommies out there,

Don't forget to take time n smell the roses as the days are long but the years are short!

Don't forget to shower even though you might have a crying or laughing audience with you ALL the time!!!

Don't forget that COFFEE is your best friend or WILL be your best friend...

Don't forget to SLEEP!!! This momma has ALWAYS needed her beauty sleep even pre-kids... so I nap with my kids EVERYDAY. I have gone 5 years straight (breastfeeding 2 kids in total) not sleeping through the night. Count yourself blessed if you have a newborn that sleeps thru the night!

Don't forget to eat even though only leftovers are left. You will find yourselves a new "favourite" ~> eating ONLY bread crust, pizza crusts, licking n cleaning up yogurt containers n apple pits!

Don't forget to get out of your pajamas, put on make up n enjoy some "ME" time!!!Your sanity will thank you for this... even if it's just running to Starbucks/toastbox to get a cuppa of perk-me-up drink!

Don't be the "kiasu" aka tiger mom, rather just be a mom or better still a cool mom!!! Your kid might just wanna hang out with this cool mom...

Don't forget to learn how to close one eye n let the house be a mess... even the most O.C.D mommy will not win this battle after becoming a mom! One day your house will be all "spik and span" but it will be still with quietness!

Don't forget to put clocks in every single room.  I have always been an on time person even before having kids. On my wedding day, everything on my itinerary was on time. Even after having 2 kids, I have been on time for everything. As the Malaysian/Singaporean saying goes, "chop chop curry pop"

Don't forget to upgrade to an extra extra large washing machine as the laundry will be never ending after having kids. Once u upgrade your status to motherhood, upgrade your washing machine too! Oh, don't forget a robotic vacuum cleaner too... I'm still working on getting it...***hint hint Mr. Hubby***

Don't forget to pluck your eyebrows every now n then, to look decently okay!!!

Don't forget to close your door when you do your "business" aka #2 even though you have a screaming baby wailing on the other side of the door...

Don't forget to answer every single question in the world as your kids favourite questions are the "Why???" questions... Don't worry, you don't have to be Einstein, Mr. Google to the rescue!

Don't forget to throw or donate all your high heels after becoming a mom!!! You will NEVER EVER wear those... well, you might think to keep it n perhaps wear it in the future but by the time you loose all those mommy flabs (or if you ever do), your shoes would have R.I.P by then!

Don't forget to wash your hair! But if you don't, dry shampoo sprays do exists...

Don't forget to give hugs, kiss, hold hands and carry your kids as much as you can!!! Yes, carry!!! Even how heavy they are... coz they don't stay babies/toddlers that long! N they grow up way too fast...

Don't forget to have selective hearing!!! From the time they wake up till they fall asleep, the "radio" is constantly on the highest volume. There's no way to shut the radio off or even turn the volume down. So I've learnt to be selective in my hearing...

Don't be fooled by the saying, "when you are pregnant, you can eat for 2!!!" This is a LIE n don't be like me, learnt it too late until it was just TOO late... or maybe I was happily eating n enjoying in denial...

Don't forget to throw away ALL your granny panties that you've been wearing during all your pregnancies AFTER having your LAST kid (even though it feels "OH so COMFY"). You have lost your entitlement n your hubby (and YOU) will thank me for it...

Don't forget to travel... you will be carrying excess baggage from shopping anyways, what's a few more smelly, farty, burpy, wiggly excess baggage anyways... that's what the hubby is there for!!! Lols...I've been travelling more than any other average people that I know (having grown up with a pilot dad n then me as an air stewardess/hostess) n now my kids are well travelled too!!!

Don't forget to keep falling in love with ur hubby every single day (even though some days you might wanna strangle him). The day will come when ur kids will leave your nest, n all u have is your hubby!!! Lols...

Don't forget to have the babysitter number on speed dial. (We have yet to use one).

Don't forget to go on date nights every now and then... n sip a little wine if u fancy! Me n Mr. Hubby will need to do work on this point and utilize the previous point above!

Don't forget to find yourself in the midst of all this craziness.

Don't forget to be YOU. Yes, you are a mother, wife, daughter, sister, daughter in law, friend to others but don't forget to be YOU. Keep going on with your favourite hobby or learn a new thing or two!

Don't forget to DON'T FORGET all the above as ALL mommies have been promoted to having MOM brain once you become a mom!!!

Remember a happy momma = happy babies= happy hubby!!!

As Holly (pastor Steven Furtick's wife) from my church (Elevation church) says, "The wife sets the temperature in the family"!  you decide which setting you want your family to live in every single day.
So go be that "HOT" momma, just kidding!!! Lols...

It's okay for us momma to have a bad day every now n then, just take time out n sulk for a minute or two (behind closed toilet doors).

So how has motherhood changed me?
I would say it's just being me but a better version of ME!!!

Xoxo,
From another Mommy!!!
Mommy Jamie 

6 Reasons to NEVER take your kids to Disney On Ice “Frozen”

This is Mr. Hubby's aka daddy's 2nd time reviewing after attending our kids media invite. 
Read his 1st ever blog post written by him ~> click here.

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Written by Karthik Naga aka Mr. Hubby aka daddy #SiennaSkyler

On October 5^th, 2017, we took our kids, Sienna and Skyler, to the Disney On Ice show “Frozen” in Charlotte, NC.  It is the second time we were sponsored to watch Disney On Ice, the first one being in Singapore.  That was the “Magical Ice Festival”, which showcased short segments of many legendary Disney movies including “The Little Mermaid”, “Beauty and the Beast” and “Frozen”.  While that gave a taste of many different stories and songs, this “Frozen” production was all about Anna and Elsa’s epic story of love and rivalry in the wintery wonderland of Arendelle.

For as long as we can remember our daughter, Sienna, has been a huge fan of “Frozen” and the song “Let It Go”.  She was excited to see the whole show in Singapore, but this time she knew that 2 hours of purely “Frozen” fun and songs would be unforgettable.  There are many articles and blogs about the show and so we thought we would take a unique approach in ours.  Here we list the reasons to NEVER take your kids to a Disney On Ice performance.

6 Reasons to NEVER take your kids to Disney On Ice “Frozen” (written from a dad's perspective)

Reason 1: You would find it difficult to spot your daughter in a sea of Elsa and Anna look-alikes

Pretty much every girl you see at the show is dressed like Elsa or Anna.  We have a strict hand holding rule in public and especially in crowds, but this show takes it to a whole new level.  Not only are there a lot of adults and kids, but you might very well have never seen so many girls wearing the same outfit!

However, this is a good place to practice safety in crowds before heading to Disney World as that might be the biggest and most crowded fun kids’ place in the world!

Reason 2: You would have Disney songs stuck in your head for at least a few months after the show

One of my favorite parts of Disney movies is the music that they produce.  Their tunes are catchy and the lyrics are ones that kids can sing along to and memorize.  Our daughter Sienna has been singing “Let It Go” since the age of 3 and after this show even our son Skyler has been humming along to many more songs from the show.

The truth is, no matter how hard you will try to get the songs out of your head, it is very challenging to “Let It Go”!

Reason 3: You would have to start sending the kids for classes immediately

Don’t be surprised if your kids gain an interest in dancing, singing, acting and ice skating after watching this show.  When seeing a show that is so professionally planned and effortlessly executed, it raises the excitement level that kids have in growing talents and performing in front of family, friends and even the public.  Overcoming a fear of performing is important, and watching others do that at a young age makes other kids want to do the same.

Sienna and Skyler have loved dancing and Sienna loves to sing, so this show further grows that interest and they will take that with them when they learn in class on how to overcome stage fright when performing in front of a big crowd.

Reason 4: You would have to watch the movie “Frozen” before and many times after the show

The Disney “Frozen” movie is the perfect preparation prior to the Disney On Ice show.  It introduces the characters and the story to the kids and gets them in that Disney kind of spirit.  But after watching the 2-hour performance live, the kids will surely have a whole new perspective of the story.  It literally comes to life and having come so close to the characters, the kids will want to watch the movie again soon after.

This is very similar to watching one’s favorite sports team on the TV for many years before watching them live and in person with the excitement and euphoria of the crowd.  If a kid goes through that experience, it becomes more personal and the bond grows strong in a whole different way.

Reason 5: You would end up filling your home with Disney memorabilia

You might have thought that buying tickets to the Disney On Ice was within budget, but little do you realize that there are more tempting treats on the way to your seat, on the way to the restrooms and on the way back home.  Right when you get in line, you’ll be given the opportunity to buy a program for the show.  Right after you enter, there’s a picture opportunity with an Elsa and Anna backdrop that will surely get your kids’ attention. Who can say no to a souvenir of a once-in-a-lifetime show?

 

As you walk inside to your seating section, you’ll see little dolls of your favorite Disney characters.  Even while you are peacefully enjoying the show, vendors come right to your seat selling snow cones and cotton candy in an Olaf cup.  If you can resist buying things before and during the show, try saying no to your kids as they beg for one on the way back home!

Reason 6: You would be tempted to fly to Disney World right away

Disney On Ice is very much representative of the excellence and talent of the Walt Disney company.  It weaves together original storytelling, exceptional musicality, realistic acting, innovative characterization, and colorful stage props in a way that only Disney can.  Add to this the added excitement of doing the whole production on ice, and you have entertainment for all ages.  Sienna and Skyler were smiling and waving the entire time.  We, the parents sat back and took in the talents on display, while marveling at our kids’ excitement.

It’s hard to come out of this show not wanting to take it one giant leap further: by going to the place where you can literally live inside of this excitement: Disney World.  Instead of further tempting yourself to see your kids marvel at the world of Disney, stay away from this show, because once you see it, you really have little chance at saying "NO" to a trip to Orlando theme park.

Yes, Sienna and Skyler have yet to visit the most magical place on earth -> Disney World.

Yes, it is on our "to go" list... Soon, hopefully soon!

Disclaimer: This is a Media invite sponsored by Hornets Sports & Entertainment. All opinions are solely our own.