First, I would like to say Thank You for allow me to be the latest Featured Member.  I still don't know why, but well...here I am... and for other Minti's members...I can't wait to see you be the next featured member too. It will be great to know you more.

• Starting with name, location, how many children: My birth name is Scorviana (pronounce Score-Fi-Anna, as is pronouncing Anna in Russian) and my short name is Phio (which I most well known. Because it's shorter and I always had trouble with people pronouncing my other name). I live in Perth since 2002...the life before that was in Jakarta. I have 2 beautiful children, Prince CJ who will turn 5 in boxing day and Princess SA who is 17 months and starting toilet training.

• How did you find Minti: A friend of mine from playgroup and also member of Minti introduced this parenting site. So, I checked it out and got attached to it ever since. I shall Thanks her for that.

• What's your favorite thing or feature at Minti: It's pretty much a lot. I like Latest Activity. It shows me what's happening in Minti, I could read about new inputs from member's blogs or articles. I also like the way each members can communicate freely, it's like we enter a friendly and safe community.

• What's your favorite thing about being a parent: It's hard question. I can say, since first time I knew that I was positively pregnant I had this amazing feeling that you can't describe in words. It felt like you're on top of the world. Continued with first ultrasound where I looked this tiny dot (fetus), first kicking in the tummy, gave birth with first baby cry, first breastfeeding, first smile, first walk, first word, etc, etc. Every single moment is a treasure. I always wanted to be a mother, so by having those experiences 'twice' was increadible. Watching my children growing up in safe, happy and healthy environment, it makes everything complete.

• What has been your biggest parenting challenge: I've devoted myself to be a mother, I've put away most of my individual egos.....But at the end I'm only human who could loose control. My biggest challenge is compressing my anger (mind you I'm not an angry person, but we do get angry sometime) in front of your children. I don't want my childrend to be affraid of me because they see me when I get really upset. Luckily, so far I'm pretty good with it. When I lost control, I would sat down and talk to them and said sorry. Most of the time...I would just take a deep breath and talk about it later with an adult...who is my loving husband.
  

• What's the best parenting advice you've ever gotten from someone: My mom, a mother of 9, gave me lots of tip. Most important is 'Accept and Enjoy'. Meaning, Accepting that you are a parent now and Enjoy what you have. Things will not go smooth if you're not enjoying them. Luckily, I'm enjoying my parenting ride....every single second.
  

I always love this photo I took when we were having holiday in Sydney 2 years ago. It just look classic.

What a nice day..... After lunch I made playdough for the kids to play with. Now it's 3pm...they are still at the backyard away from the sun playing playdough. I had my time doing some houseworks. Check on them every now and then (mind you, that we only have small house where I could hear and watch them easily) and give them some drinks and snack. Since they still busy...I'm just chilling out....listening to Cafe del Mar Cd....of course after Peter Combe:Toffee Apple's CD. Hhmmm....I love my life....I love my kids....I love my house....

Today is the last day of School Term 3 at my son's kindy. They finished the term by having the kindy concert....we this time is more like a  play about a trader and caps/hats and monkeys who stole her caps. Anyway, today is 27C. First heat. Such a nice day, but I'm not a type of person who like to toast my skin at mid day (I'm very concern about going out between 10am - 3pm). So, I might just have a quite time in the house, maybe later on take the kids to backyard and do some painting....otherwise library would be a good place.
Holiday.....school holiday....I should get more creative in keeping the kids busy.....It's time to make some playdough.....crafty things...... Oh....I bought first underpants for my princess....I should give it a go when they dry from the line. It's a good weather to start.

The weather is changing now....the sun is coming...the summer heat will come very soon...the flies are coming too....YUCKS!
I bought some sunscreen plus insect repellent supply for this summer. Last year we had Aerogard 2 in 1, sunscreen spf 30+ plus insect protection. Worked really well. Now I could find different products, such as LeTan spf 30+ insect repellent sunscreen and Cancer Council spf 30+ insect repellent. If you never use or heard these products, give it a try.  Not just protect your skin from the sun also from those bloody flies and mozzies.

It's Wednesday already.....WOW! Time flies so quickly. I went to my son's friend birthday party. It was amazing how the mother organized the party. She didn't have any entrepreneur to do it. She did it all, from playing pass the parcel, reading the story, treasure hunt, lunch, water ballon, parachute, etc. All the mother who were there at the party were really amazed. I thought she'l really brave and brilliant. I couldn't do it, even thought I had the thought months ago. Anyway, all the kids had such a good fun....and really tired. I'd find out what happen at school, since all the kids had to go to afternoon kindy class. My princess is still sleeping...she was really really tired. I'd give her another 15 minutes before I pick up the prince from school.

YAY!!! My Princess (who is 17 months old) just did her first potty run. She came to me tonight said 'poo..poo'. I checked her nappy but nothing there, so I told her 'Well, no poo poo you just did a wee wee'. But then she insisted me to take her to bathroom where her potty was. So, I followed her and took her potty out from under the sink cupboard as she asked, took off her nappy then she sat on the potty then...wualla..she did her first number on in her potty. Amazing. I can't wait to give her underwear for this summer...my goal by the end of summer she'd be toilet trained.

AAArrgh...finally could have a little sit...(while pot bubbling in the kitchen). Monday always be my busy day....Since morning been juggling between, do the laundry, tidy the house, wash the car (I like washing my own car, instead taking to car wash), do the groceries, buying present for b'day, to library....rush rush rush....so little time...so little energy...But hey..I'm still here...ready to make a dinner with love....Hope hubby comes home in time, so I could cook in peace....and I'd let him put the kids to bed tonight....while I'd give them the bath. Tomorrow...YAY! Tuesday! Prince CJ will be full time at school...so I'd have a little bit more time for myself...specially when Princess S having morning or afternoon sleep. Alright..better go now...should make the tuna patties.

I've read and heard many women opinions to be a mother. Some seem genuinely wanted and devoted their life to be a mother. Some might just  because of biological need or even just because of parenting trend. I've seen some women would chose to left their past or their individual ego to raise their child(ren). I've seen some still chasing their individual career goal and left their child(ren) under someone/a place to care. It could be their choice, or they didn't have choice. Luckily when I met my husband, we both had the same view about parenting and luckily that financial wise we could do as what we wanted to. Meaning, one of the parent to be should be full time looking after the child. I love to be a full time mother. I had my past and glorious time when I was single. I might not reach all my individual goals/ego. I left or put those thought behind and I believe if I could still want it, I could have it one day. But not at this moment. This time I am a mother, I have other more importants goals to look after, my children. I want to see my children grow up to be a loving, strong, smart and wise persons.

This is my princess the artist...would be great photo to show at her 30th birthday.

I've put my name down to stay at my son Kindy for today. So, instead of just doing some puzzles and walk out the door, today I stayed with him. I made him the special person who bring special persons who were myself and my daughter. I helped him and his friends doing some activities, I even read some books for some kids (I never thought I would have a gut to read for a group of children). My daughter just happy walked around the class and played with some toys or looked some pictures from the books......and played at the sand pit when they had outdoor play time also played with kindy friends. It's nice to spend times with little children. You'd see so much funny things and behaviours. It's good to have an informal chat with the teachers as well, you'd get some inputs about your child behaviour at school. The great thing is my son was feeling so happy about me and his sister staying with him.

Oh yes...finally the sun is raising a little bit early this morning (not that I really want to get up earlier). The weather has been so beautiful since past couple days. Today we have 27C. This morning I let my kids having their morning tea at the back yard. I set up the little table and chairs and some fruits. They enjoy the weather so much. We had a walk to the shop afterward. We bought some groceries to make dinner tonite.  Hmmm, I suppose we're not in summer time yet, since I saw the weather forecast showing it would be raining for the whole week from tomorrow. Oh well, I suppose the dam still need more water, so is the lawn the the trees. As soon as the good weather comes again.....woohooo cannot wait to go to the beach.

Yesterday we went for bowling in the city. It's been almost 10 years for me not to go  bowling. Well I don't really bowl but last time I did was in 1997. Anyway, it was a try out for CJ, cause we're thinking to have his next birthday party at the bowling place. So we went, we played 2 games. CJ was excited and enjoyed his time in new activity (but I think hubby and myself enjoyed the games more), while SA was enjoying the snacks I brought to keep her busy. We end our time there by having giant sandwich ice cream......and me testing my old skill on Time Crisis 2.