The Little One: Ilham Qayyum (Ilham Abadi)

Didn't know Spiderman could fly?

Kuantan, May 2006

This Spiderman, Superman, Power Rangers, Cicakman-wanna-be is the baby of the family. Born after a 5 year gap from the middle one his entry into this world was much awaited (and planned). He tugs at mama & abah's hearts so that we tend to spoil him...a little too much. He often gets what he wants ....courtesy of either mama or abah....which often ingrates his brothers especially the eldest. A good thing they don't mind the stuff that he gets away with but gets overtly upset when he is upset and throws a tantrum. Even THAT is adorable! But we are trying to backtrack and not indulge him too much these days......

This little boy is mama's constant companion (now that mama is on study leave) either while doing assignment on the computer, grocery shopping, walking..or anything so long as he can come with. It's a joy to be able to spend time with him, listen to his stories and just enjoy his effervescent company. Some of the best memories of mama and him are during shopping trips. He'll hint at the things that he wants by saying..."Rasanya Ayyum belum ada cho-cho-train"....most of the times I ignore because if he is promised anything he'll pester until he gets it. Youngest child syndrome....I guess...or is it over-indulgence

Waiting for the car to be cleanned...B-O-R-I-N-G

Kuantan, June 2006

The rascal started school this year...although he's four ....and seems to be enjoying himself. On days when he doesn't feel like doing anything he'll tell his teachers that he's too young for school..."mana pandai kita kecik lagi"...he..he...His teachers like him because he loves telling stories about his day, what he did and where he went. Yesterday he went to school bringing two hard-boiled eggs and said it was sandwich making day. He came home with two lopsided sandwiches meshed together. He offered me one but changed his mind: "I think I should eat the sandwiches that I made, mama can make your own" and proceeded to tell me how. Sometimes we wish he'll stay as he is but that's just impossible....

We hope that he'll grow up to be strong, healthy and good...insyallah.

The Middle One: Ikhmal Arif (Sempurna & Bijaksana)

This one is a maze in itself - complex and unpredicatable. Sometimes we just can't figure out what he'll do, (or say) next. Many times we are caught off-guard by his cheeky retorts. An anecdote from the past - we were at a playground and one of mummy's pals commented to him, something like this -

Mummy's Pal: Put on your shoes...nanti kaki masuk cacing...

The Middle one: That's good then abah, abang and me can go fishing....

What can I say? I can either be embarassed for having a "smart-mouth" kid or just let it go because it was actually a brilliant respond. Luckily the pal caught on and laughed at the joke. Phew!!!!

My deceased friend & I
Natural History Museum, London, Dec 2007

This is the ambitious one - he wants to do and be everything and has entered from track to choral speaking. This year he was elected Prefect ( following dad's footsteps) but had some problems with completing homework earlier this year. But when warned that he might be "sacked" from being a prefect, he quickly changed for the better. His messy habits and "out-of-this-world" imagination can not be helped. So we let him be there with his imagination and imaginary friends. How do you think Steven Spielberg, George Lucas and Bill Gates became so successful?


This one is a Western food-lover: Italian to be precise. Can eat spaghetti & pasta from sunrise to sundown..but hold the broccoli.


We hope he'll achieve all that he dreams of...insyaallah

The Eldest: Irfan Fikri (Bijaksana Fikiran)

Waiting for mama shopping (again!)

Stockholm, Nov 2007

The eldest...what can we say? The Robotman enjoys entering Robotics competition although winning is a different matter. Likes music....English please, mama! I don't like PeterPan, Samson or Dewa....I prefer Akon & Justine T. Wow!!! No wonder he's better at English than his native BM.

Sweet and Sour character. When he's sweet he's the sweetest but once he blows his top you better watch out. The dad would say .... a spitting image of his mother. Where does the fruit fall - as they always say.

One that loves "hugs-and-kisses" and insists on us tucking him in during bed-time. Unfortunately, he has OCD like his mother (again as what dad would say)...especially when it comes to his stuff...everything must be arranged according to how he likes it...or else...But it's good because his possessions lasts longer than his brothers.

Aspires to follow in his dad's footsteps but one MAJOR problem : squirmish at the sight of blood. Afraid he might faint on the first day of practical work...he..he...


We hope that he'll do his best at UPSR this year...insyallah.

We begin with an intro

Gamla Stan, Stockholm, Sweden (Nov '06)

A family of five that will travel any chance that we get. If the money is available and God willing we prefer to see different places, different cultures and different people than anything else. Now that the boys are grown and can appreciate places, cultures and people, travelling is always a wonderful experience...except if one of us becomes ill.

Other favourite family time do's: watching latest (PG) movies, and eating breakfast in our garden.


Family philosophy: Always be true to yourself!

A blog lost at sea

Don't be confused..this blog still belongs to me but the earlier edition of Moments by Murad-Elin have been lost in between transfer from the old blogger to the new Google account. I hope the system owners will be able to find it or all will be lost at sea....

That's my fault ---for not remembering my password :-)