On August 26-28, the company that my husband works for held a family gathering. A month ago, when he said that it’s gonna be in Karawaci, I was a bit dissappointed. What? Karawaci?! What kind of excitement can we get from that place? My husband also had no idea. So, with a lot of hesitation I prepared things to go there. Prepared things meant to bring a lot of snacks. Why? Because my husband had planned to take my two nieces with us.
Friday morning. Ameera had a runny nose. So my husband took her to a doctor. He had already planned not to go to his office that day. I did the same. I’d changed my working day into a day before, so I could do the shopping thing. Then we waited for Azka coming home from school. I made sure that she prepared her books for Monday, so she didn’t have to be hurry to do it on Sunday.
At exactly 2 pm, we started our way to Karawaci. I was so sleepy; so were Azka and Ameera. The three of us slept during the journey, left my husband awoke alone. He had to! He was the one who drove. Who else?!
Arrived at 3 pm, my nieces started to explore the place. No sooner I realized that I had to change my opinion about the place called Imperial Aryaduta. It’s a heaven for my two nieces. After changing their clothes into swimsuits, they jumped into the swimming pool right away. Ameera even made friend with a girl named Nisa.
Friday night wasn’t so exciting. We had our dinner together with some people, I mean, my husband’s friends and their families. I was a bit uncomfortable, ‘cause my husband wasn’t with me at that time. He’s seeing ‘his old friend’. 
He arrived at around 8, but the kids were tired. So we went into our rooms. Talking about our rooms, we got 2 rooms with connecting doors. The kids had twin beds. There’s also a tv set in each room with Disney Channel, so the kids’re amused. They could watch kids program till they shut their eyes.
Saturday, the second day. After having breakfast, the program started. The first was a competition for 3-5 y.o. kids. Guess who the winner was! Ameera! Yup! MY Ameera. She got a prize and she even sang! I was so proud of her. What a promising kid! Azka joined a competition for 6-12 y.o kids. She didn’t win though. Well, the day was still long. There’re some more games and competitions. The day was so hot, I got so tired of the sun. So we went to our rooms as soon as the free time’d begun.
I’d thought we needed more water and milk supply, so we went to Hypermart in Lippo Supermal. We didn’t spend a long time there. Ameera fell asleep in the trolley! We hurried to our rooms, and she continued her dream there!
Dinner time! Ameera had her favorite meal: shrimp! Azka also got what she wanted: squid! For me, I should be satisfied enough with salad. Again, there’re several games. We won a second prize for ‘make-over the daddy’. Subhan, my husband, won a second prize for ’same-sex-couple’ dance. And finally, we won a door prize: a Canon Powershoot A520! Ha…ha…ha… My smile was wider than ever!
My husband was a bit naughty, as he mentioned my name to sing while he’s receiving the prize. I did it anyway, considering that the prize was a camera! Ha…ha…ha…
Monday morning, after having breakfast, the kids and their Papa O jumped into the swimming pool for the last time. I also decided to join them. We played ‘crocodile teasing’ as usual. The hotel provided brunch, so the kids still could have something to eat. Not to mention myself.
At 1 pm, we checked out from the hotel. As usual, Ameera, Azka, and I slept along the way home…
Three days being a real mom was a splendid experience for me. Feeding them, giving their medicine (Azka also had to take some medicine for her teeth), making milk for Ameera, tucking them into bed…. I silently said my grace in my heart. Seeing their faces when they slept, I cherished every single second I’d spent with them…