Hah! I took a self-declared Christmas break from blogging! This year's Christmas was especially meaningfully busy. We had two rounds of Christmas dinner with both sides of the family, met up with friends, went to the zoo and spent time with the teens. Not forgetting some quiet time to reflect on the true meaning and reason for Christmas - Jesus Himself. It was a wonderfully good season!
So here we are, having just 2 days more to a brand new year! I've been coming up with some plans for the new year with regards to Han's curriculum. Since the day when E and I decided to homeschool Han next year and only enrol her in nursery come 2012, I've been brewing ideas in my mind with regards to what should be in her learning curriculum.
Some sneak peeks of the curriculum features:
- Weekly learning themes to be based on Biblical stories
- Letter of the Week Curriculum from Connfessions of a Homeschooler will be incorporated into the weekly theme. Thus this will probably give us time to go through the entire Letter of the Week Curriculum more than once. This will cover the basic for alphabets.
- Weekly Montessori activities from Montessori sites all around. I particularly like Tot Trays from 1+1+1=1 Tot School amongst many others.
- Activities from Childcareland Teaching Ideas will supplement the weekly theme. Please visit this amazing website!
There are many more ideas brewing so I'll just blog them when they are more finalized! I'll probably have to drop by September 21 to get more teaching aids and bump off some ideas!
Have a meaningful 2 more days of 2010 and a great blessed new year!
Showing posts with label Mum's Musings. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mum's Musings. Show all posts
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Sunday, November 21, 2010
I'm A Student Again!
When I was young, I love languages and running. Reading books and running around everywhere (yes, they seem like contradictory interests right?) were my favorite things in the world. These are the two areas I had loads of interest in and I think I did pretty ok in them! It is then no surprise that I am very enthusiastic about reading to Han and running around with her, going for walks etc. Not much of a steep learning curve for me until...
During one of our art learning time, we were doodling happily with crayons and I was just randomly drawing some easy stuff for her like a flower, clouds, the sun, moon starts etc. Then in a very highly expecting sort of tone, Han insisted I draw this:
It cannot be just a tiger, it has to be TIGGER. I managed to do a decent one using a picture as a guide, and I just knew the days ahead will hold more challenges! I began to feel especially regretful about my fail in art as a student, but oh well :)
Some time later, a kind soul gave us this.
Han was very excited to use the chopsticks I gave her as drum sticks and she beat on the drums in a sort of attempting- to- play- it way.
I got to learn to play the drums! At least in a can-engage-a toddler-correct and interesting beat way!
Then it dawned on me that with this around,
my learning curve just did a vertical arising once more!. (the only instrument I know how to play is the guitar) I need crash courses!
Isn't it sweet and funny at the same time we parents are willing to learn what we do not know in order to let our children know the hows of what we don't?
During one of our art learning time, we were doodling happily with crayons and I was just randomly drawing some easy stuff for her like a flower, clouds, the sun, moon starts etc. Then in a very highly expecting sort of tone, Han insisted I draw this:
It cannot be just a tiger, it has to be TIGGER. I managed to do a decent one using a picture as a guide, and I just knew the days ahead will hold more challenges! I began to feel especially regretful about my fail in art as a student, but oh well :)
Some time later, a kind soul gave us this.
Han was very excited to use the chopsticks I gave her as drum sticks and she beat on the drums in a sort of attempting- to- play- it way.
I got to learn to play the drums! At least in a can-engage-a toddler-correct and interesting beat way!
Then it dawned on me that with this around,
Isn't it sweet and funny at the same time we parents are willing to learn what we do not know in order to let our children know the hows of what we don't?
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Do I Work and Will I Regret? - A Road Less Travelled
"You don't work??" she asked me with an incredulous look.
(you think being a stay home mum is not working?)
"But you are so young!" she went on.
(thanks for the sweet reminder!)
"You can easily earn a few thousand if you work!"
( It's a reminder I don't need.)
"Will you regret if you don't have much in your CPF next time because you don't work?"
I have gotten this kind of conversation quite a few times, but today it seemed to linger in me longer. I feel a need to realign my decision in my heart again.
Staying at home is not equal to not working. With a child-caring schedule that spans more than 12 hours a day, "not working" is the last thing on my mind. Of course, I am very thankful to God for the times when Han is engaged in self-play and when taking her nap. That will give me about 2 hours of free time a day.
Seriously, I have yet to come across a one-liner that can explain to others how stay home mums are so really fully working! What a misconception of the word "working"! Maybe we should call ourselves stay-at-home-working-with no monetary pay- mums...
Of course, not everyone is a stay home mum. I fully salute working mums who can manage a career and family. I humbly admit I can't do that juggling! So onto the road less travelled I walk.
I did not answer the lady's last question. In any case, it was pretty much a one-way conversation. No, I will not regret it when 20 years down the road, I see less money in my CPF account. For I know the God I serve is our Provider and He will not let us run dry. But I will certainly regret when I know I have missed the many firsts in Han's life and the time invested in her childhood if I choose another road.
**********
The lady seemed to sense I was not exactly leaping with joy at her comments. She changed her stance.
"Wow! Your girl is really well-behaved!"
(patting Han) "Your mummy has taught you well."
Thank you madam, for it is by His grace. :)
(you think being a stay home mum is not working?)
"But you are so young!" she went on.
(thanks for the sweet reminder!)
"You can easily earn a few thousand if you work!"
( It's a reminder I don't need.)
"Will you regret if you don't have much in your CPF next time because you don't work?"
I have gotten this kind of conversation quite a few times, but today it seemed to linger in me longer. I feel a need to realign my decision in my heart again.
Staying at home is not equal to not working. With a child-caring schedule that spans more than 12 hours a day, "not working" is the last thing on my mind. Of course, I am very thankful to God for the times when Han is engaged in self-play and when taking her nap. That will give me about 2 hours of free time a day.
Seriously, I have yet to come across a one-liner that can explain to others how stay home mums are so really fully working! What a misconception of the word "working"! Maybe we should call ourselves stay-at-home-working-with no monetary pay- mums...
Of course, not everyone is a stay home mum. I fully salute working mums who can manage a career and family. I humbly admit I can't do that juggling! So onto the road less travelled I walk.
I did not answer the lady's last question. In any case, it was pretty much a one-way conversation. No, I will not regret it when 20 years down the road, I see less money in my CPF account. For I know the God I serve is our Provider and He will not let us run dry. But I will certainly regret when I know I have missed the many firsts in Han's life and the time invested in her childhood if I choose another road.
**********
The lady seemed to sense I was not exactly leaping with joy at her comments. She changed her stance.
"Wow! Your girl is really well-behaved!"
(patting Han) "Your mummy has taught you well."
Thank you madam, for it is by His grace. :)
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Importance of Creating Memories
This afternoon, in her usual chatty mood, Han said,
" Hannah go to the beach with por por...
Hannah scoop sand...
Hannah pour water...
Hannah never walk on sand... (referring to her initial reluctance to walk on sand)
Hannah wash legs...
Hannah's legs dirty!!"
This is not the first time she has talked about a memorable first time-outing to the beach with us and with my mum. Today, as she narrated it again and added the last three sentences to make today's version a longer one, something struck me.
Han could remember something that took place more than half a year ago and she really enjoys narrating it quite often. The more she narrates, the more details she will add. It's a process of articulating a memory that is very precious to her. She does the same for her second birthday party that took place last month.
"Hannah happy birthday...
So many purple balloons! Same colour as Barney!
(proceeds to name all the immediate and extended family members present at the party)
Hannah blow cake. Barney, BJ, Baby Bop, Scooter all on cake!"
Someone, an experienced father of 4 daughters, once told E and me , " Create memories for your children to look back on. What I remember is not the things my parents buy for me, but the memories they created for me."
A large part of a child's memories are built by the parents and I pray, by His grace, we will seek to create great memories for Han.
" Hannah go to the beach with por por...
Hannah scoop sand...
Hannah pour water...
Hannah never walk on sand... (referring to her initial reluctance to walk on sand)
Hannah wash legs...
Hannah's legs dirty!!"
This is not the first time she has talked about a memorable first time-outing to the beach with us and with my mum. Today, as she narrated it again and added the last three sentences to make today's version a longer one, something struck me.
Han could remember something that took place more than half a year ago and she really enjoys narrating it quite often. The more she narrates, the more details she will add. It's a process of articulating a memory that is very precious to her. She does the same for her second birthday party that took place last month.
"Hannah happy birthday...
So many purple balloons! Same colour as Barney!
(proceeds to name all the immediate and extended family members present at the party)
Hannah blow cake. Barney, BJ, Baby Bop, Scooter all on cake!"
Someone, an experienced father of 4 daughters, once told E and me , " Create memories for your children to look back on. What I remember is not the things my parents buy for me, but the memories they created for me."
A large part of a child's memories are built by the parents and I pray, by His grace, we will seek to create great memories for Han.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
What To Munch for Lunch?
 | ||||
| Taken from babyblues.com |
1) Sliced bread with a spread / homemade sandwich
2) Leftover porridge from Han's lunch
3) Re-heated meal bought in the morning at the food court (many times not available if I'm down for an early breakfast with Han)
4) Cereal and milk
5) Fast food delivery (yucks, hate this option unless I'm seriously desperate!)
6) Leftover food from previous day's dinner
My favorite is option number...... 6. It may be leftover food, but it's home-cooked and hot and yummy! Having a daily freshly-cooked meal for lunch is one of the things I gave up when I stopped working outside!
In any case, I do not place much emphasis on my lunch as I would rather use the precious 2 hours to spend time with God, rest or do some net-surfing!
If only there's such a thing as dial-a-hot-freshly-cooked-non fast food-taste like homecooked lunch...
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
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