Day: December 24, 2024

Christmas Eve 2024

This year’s Christmas Eve was spent indulging in good food and family time. My MIL, Sherilyn, Cass, and I headed to Wagyu More at The Gardens Mall for a delightful hotpot lunch. It was our second visit to this restaurant in December, and it seems to have become a favorite for my MIL. We were there on 5th December to celebrate Alycia’s 21st birthday.

Although the buffet hotpot meal is priced at over RM60 per person, I must admit that it feels like a splurge for small eaters like my MIL and me. With our petite appetites, we can barely make the cost worthwhile. Thankfully, Sherilyn and Cass balance the scales! Both of them, especially Cass, have an impressive capacity for food. Out of the staggering 36 plates of meat we ordered, Cass devoured the lion’s share. Her petite frame makes her appetite all the more astonishing! It’s a good thing she’s so active—her intensive daily exercise regime ensures she burns off all those extra calories.

After our indulgent lunch, we went grocery shopping. Sherilyn and I headed home early as she needed to complete yet another assignment. Cass and her grandmother stayed on, enjoying some shopping time together. Cass was thrilled to get a new swimsuit, a generous gift from her aunt from Hong Kong.

This brought up a lingering worry of mine—Cass’s desire to go swimming. In the past, her swimming sessions often resulted in UTIs (urinary tract infections) due to her abnormal urinary tract. It has made me reluctant to let her swim again, despite her enthusiasm. However, I know I can’t shelter her forever. I’ve laid down some strict rules: if she wants to swim, she can only do so for a maximum of 20 minutes, must get out of the pool immediately afterward, and take a thorough shower.

As a parent, it’s hard to let go of these fears, but I trust that she’ll be mindful of her health. All I can do is pray for her well-being and hope she enjoys her newfound freedom in the pool without any complications.

Our Christmas Eve was a day of good food, love, and a little compromise—an apt reminder of what the holiday season is all about.

🎄 Wishing all my readers a Merry Christmas filled with love, joy, and cherished moments with your loved ones! 🎅✨

MIL and I took lots of veggies, which made Cass comment that we shouldn’t be eating so much veggies as we’re paying so much – we should be eating more meat instead. I told her that I’ll take whatever I like to eat and am not that ‘kiasu’. Are you with me or Cass? 😐

Cass and Sherilyn ordered many rounds of pork, beef, and fish.

Cass had 2 cups of soft serve ice cream with lots of toppings of crushed peanuts, crushed chocolate biscuits, and color sprinklers (this ingredient is forbidden in our house).

Complimentary chocolate chip cookies made by special needs kids for every receipt of 4 pax and above.

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How to Keep Children Safe Around Wood Burning Stoves

Wood burning stoves can be a cosy and nostalgic way to heat your home. However, they also pose some safety risks, especially for curious little ones. With some simple precautions and vigilance, you can help keep your children safe around your wood stove.

Choose the Right Stove

Opt for eco-friendly wood burning stoves from Island Pellet Stoves or a similar modern, efficient model. Newer stoves burn fuel more completely, reducing the amount of smoke and airborne particulates. Make sure any wood stove you use is certified to current safety standards. Consider a stove with safety features like a towel rail to reduce hot surfaces.

Proper Placement

Position your wood stove away from high-traffic areas and well out of reach of children. Place it at least 3 feet from drapes, furniture, and other combustibles. Turn the stove so that the controls and doors don’t face the room. A sturdy screen or safety gate can help block access. Avoid placing the stove near entrances or exits.

Safe Operation

Always keep the stove doors shut and locked when in use. Make sure the flue is open before lighting a fire to allow smoke to vent properly. Never overstuff the firebox with wood. Only add more fuel when the fire has died down. Always use a fireplace glove or tool to avoid burns. Teach older children proper loading and lighting if they will tend the fire.

Let It Cool

Warn children that the stove will remain dangerously hot for some time after the fire goes out. Install a safety gate to keep little ones away while the stove is cooling. Post warning signs on hot surfaces. Consider adding a fan to help dissipate heat faster.

Be Careful with Ashes

Empty the ashes only once they are completely cooled, at least 48 hours later. Place them in a metal container with a tight lid, well away from the house or other combustibles. Children should not handle or play with ashes which can hold hot embers.

Supervise Older Kids

If you do allow responsible older children to tend the stove, supervise closely at first. Review safety rules and practices regularly even after they gain experience. Have them wear fire retardant gloves, goggles, and long sleeves for protection. Show them how to use tools safely.

Protect Infants and Toddlers

Never leave babies or toddlers near the wood stove, even briefly. Place cribs, playpens, and highchairs far from the stove. Put up a sturdy safety gate or two to keep mobile toddlers away from the stove area. Tether gates to the wall for stability.

Practice Your Fire Escape

Rehearse a family fire escape plan with two ways out of every room. Check that locks and windows open easily. Install smoke detectors near the wood stove and test them monthly. Teach children what to do in case of a fire and practice the drill. 

Focus on Prevention

Take time to teach young children about fire safety in an age-appropriate way. Set clear rules such as “don’t touch the stove.” Reward safe behaviour. Be vigilant about matches, lighters, and other fire starters. Consider storing them locked away or up high.

With some basic safety practices, you can harness the comfort of a wood stove while protecting your precious little ones. Supervise closely, rehearse your escape plan often, and focus on fire prevention to help keep your children safe around your wood burning stove.

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HEALTH FREAK MOMMY