Bank Negara children's gallery

I would like to recommend one place to visit in KL, especially if you are thinking of activities to do with children.

The Bank Negara children's gallery is situated near Bukit Tunku/Jalan Duta, KL. What I like about the gallery is that it is interactive, and it is the smallest museum I've been to. You can spend a good 30 minutes in there and cover all the main displays and stations. The parking fee in the building is RM5 and there is no entrance fee to the gallery. There are other galleries on second, third and fourth floor of the building but I have not checked it out yet. The two times I have been here are with friends with kids so we only focus on activities for the children. They also have art activities (related to education about money) on selected days especially during the school holiday. The museum shop is also worth checking out for if you happen to be exploring without kids, second to the cafe serving fresh coffee, pastries and light meals.

The Sasana Kijang cafe serves tasty and reasonably priced food. I like their Coffee Latte and Beef Lasagna, as well their chicken sandwich. The cafe has an excellent recycling system, where customers will put their rubbish in the correct place. All food and drinks are served in either paper, plastic or aluminum container, so after your meals simply dispose them in the correct bins provided. The kids love cleaning up time in this cafe!

 Bright and airy ambience throughout the building.

 The entrance to the gallery.

Tunnel decorated with real money.

 Clean and colourful inside. The place is small enough to let your kid roam free. It'd be hard to lose them here.

 The biggest money ever found/recorded. I'm not sure if its real or a replica. How on earth do they pay with this brick? (I should have read the info card)

 Interactice sections.

 Money stamping station before the exit.

 Most of the displays are interactive, keeping kids entertained.

All in all a pleasant place to visit. 


Here is the exact location:

Sasana Kijang, 2 Jalan Dato' Onn, 50480 Kuala Lumpur.

Enjoy!

Kids are mountain strong

 

 

Kids are mountain strong
Resilient, never give up
Forgiving, trusting

Them kids never tire
From tear to laughter
And doing them all over again

Kids are mountain strong
Let me just sit
And soak in your strength
Let me hug
Wipe that tear
Join in the laughter

Let me forget
All my troubles
Let me soak in
All that radiance
All that wonder

Small fingers
Trailing their way through everything
Small traces of love

                  

Artworks

by mijilee

by Anna emilia

Your mind is a garden

Remember that Allah loves you

Even small kids stress! There are so many things to learn about, (and so many instructions from mummy :D) and so many milestones to go- inshaAllah, let's take it one step of a time.

I created this simple "I am loved" poster to be laminated, and in the space below they may draw the people who love them. I typed in the word "Allah loves you" to remind my child, that Allah loves you the most (even when you mess up) 

Gathering ideas and supplies

I am looking at activities to do with my almost 3 year old.

I am loving the ideas over at http://www.themeasuredmom.com/letter-a-activities/

It looks like I will need to gather my supplies soon:

Here are some recommended stores for those around Damansara area:

1. Star Enterprise - TTDI 

Address: 112 & 114, Jalan Burhanuddin Helmi, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, 60000 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

I like to go to this shop for craft supplies - especially when I was teaching. The shop is packed with things- i always find it easier to just ask the shopkeeper where things are instead of finding it myself. They also have sewing supplies corner where you can get felt, sewing items, yarns, threads, and laces. The shop is also known to those searching for wedding items or hamper making materials.

2. Jasema -TTDI

159, 161, & 163, Jalan Aminuddin Baki, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, 60000 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

They have more options for papers, as well as home DIY supplies. 

3. Art Friend

Lot 245B, 2nd Floor, 6, The Curve Shopping Mall, Jalan PJU 7/3, Mutiara Damansara, 47800 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia

Art friend is on the same level as Daiso- another option for place to gather supplies. Art friend has an extensive range of paints and craft supplies- lots of good quality stuff but expensive. A friend of mine just brought her child who loves art to just check out various materials, and discuss what kind of markings might different materials produce. Its a great place for browsing and get inspiration.

4. Spotlight Malaysia

Ikano power centre 

Spotlight is next to Popular bookstore. I love Spotlight! So many things for home and avid crafter. From yarns, fabrics, weaving loom, papers, party materials- I also saw some reasonably priced acrylics there. 

5. Seapark sewing shop

There is a mini sewing shop in Seapark (near ss2 Pj) that sells canvas fabric at a good price. It is one row with KFC Seapark- and can be recognised by rattan baskets they hang at the front of the shop. They also have jahit tepi service there.

Will add more places as I come accross them inshaAllah.

When grief and despair takes over you

When you feel most helpless, and that there is no way out, remember that the help of Allah is near.

That your problems are not punishment, but God's way of cleansing your sins, and raising your status in His eyes. Like water poured over a wound, it hurts. It hurts, and it cleanse, and it heals.

When grief takes over you, like the dark clouds engulfing the sky, and your chest feels heavy, and your throat chocking back those tears, and you feel like you can't go on, pause and breathe. Cry if you want, but pause and breathe. Force yourself to be patient. Patient is not gifted, it is earned. Learn to be patient, and learn to put your trust in Allah.

Occupy yourself with worthy goals, and occupy your mind with the words of Allah. Do not dwell on your problems, get up and do something.

When grief and despair takes over you, smile and keep going. Do not give up. Get up in the middle of the night, when it is still and quiet, when your babe is sleeping, and the cats curling, and seek help with your Lord. Ask Him, and trust that your wish will be granted, in the best way possible.

Do not give up hope, and do not give up dreaming. Smile, and remind yourself of times when you were strong, and happy, and laughing with joy.