Sunday, October 26, 2014

Comparing children's book on skin color

Today we read "All the Colors of the Earth" by Sheila Hamanaka. A few weeks ago, we read "The Colors of Us" by Karen Katz. Both books are delightful with wonderful illustrations and meaning on the difference of our skin colors.

Here are some brief insight:

All the Colors of the Earth

  • written in a more poetic style and linked our skin colors to the beauty of planet earth
  • illustrations are soft and rich in color - a pastel feel to it
  • younger children (age 5 and under) will not fully understand the meaning behind it
The Colors of Us
  • written in short sentences - easier to understand
  • illustrations are more bright and colorful - simple strokes and appeal more to kids
  • compare our skin colors to food and daily items - easy for kids to relate
  • younger children might understand the meaning behind it better
  • link all the different colors via our nationality - a good way to teach children about race and shades of colors together (a good art concept)
Both books are nicely done, but I do prefer "The Colors of Us" a little more for I have two younger children. I also love the art concept added into the book. As I discuss with my three children, I can see how the oldest one was able to recognize more shades of colors and link it more with things around us while the younger ones were eager to ask questions and explore the difference in colors.

"All the Colors of the Earth" might be better for older children as they can appreciate the poetic and illustrations better. I like to do crafts after reading certain books. It has been my goal to point out the use of different techniques in children's book illustration for my children to copy and explore.

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

China Doll's fashion sense

I cannot beat my daughter's fashion sense... at all. This little two and a half year old girl has more fashion sense and creativity than I previously presumed.

Her brother had put on his exercise pants and sneakers. She decided to follow suit and put on her exercise pants (which she called it the running pants). As I was busy with Muffin and did not see the point to argue with her, I let her get dressed herself.

This was what I saw when we were getting into the car.

sandle, legging, exercise pants and topped it off with skirt!
Seriously! I gave her my surprised face and she smiled at me ever so sweetly! I would not have the courage to go out wearing what she wore, but she was very proud of her own creation! Got to love this girl of mine.

Friday, August 24, 2012

Goody Bags!

I decided to teach Monkey about the joy of sharing and giving. Thus with the approach of Eid al-Fitr 2012, I thought it a good idea to make some goody bags for his friends.

We wrote down his friends' list and did an age cut-off to limit the number of bags. I knew from the start that I wanted the bag to be something memorable, healthier and teaching something (rather than candies and toys). Thus after careful planning, these are the items we decided to put in the bag.


Okay, I know that this photo did not show a bag! I got these $1.00 trays from Target as I needed something to sort and store their toys. So it served a double purpose and only my kids got this. The rest of the kids got paper gift bags in four colors - yellow, red, blue and green.

Each family got a handmade painting. Each bag had a bottle of water, three dates, 1 pack of mini Orea cookies, 1 pack cheese crackers, small box of crayons, a cardboard airplane and a small booklet of hadiths that linked to each of the items. For example, the water bottle goes with the hadith about Zam Zam water (how the Messenger of Allah was seen drinking it standing up). There is a question at the back of the hadith asking the child whether they want to pretend they are drinking Zam Zam water standing up or follow the sunnah way of sitting down.

It was a joy to give out these bags and it was even more so to see the happy faces on Monkey and China Doll. InshaAllah / God willing, we will continue with the tradition each year.


Sunday, August 12, 2012

The wonderful world of Instagram!

Are you an Apple fan? Do you own an iPhone? Have you tried Instagram?

I recently discovered a new feature on my iPhone with the Instagram app! I saw tons of photos of bento! They are mainly made by Japanese ladies and they are just amazingly creative! They look way too good to eat and I found myself wishing I can do that.

So here are some of my attempts

This was my first try - something small and easy.


Moving on with more detail on the face!


Tested my skill on the art of cutting the seaweed paper!

 Under the Sea theme!

 Tried out using ketchup to do the face - faster than cutting seaweed that is for sure!

 This was my last one - loving home theme with cheese chimney, egg heart window, carrot sun and tomato clouds.

These are my beginner's attempt at bento style lunch! If this hobby last long enough, I might purchase a few of those cute rectangle lunch boxes... I will post more photos if I ever advance to higher levels!


Friday, August 10, 2012

Charity / Gift Bag - started on Aug 10th 2012

I first read about this on a blog and found it amazing! What a great idea to teach young children about giving and caring for others. So I took my kids to Michaels arts and crafts store and went crazy shopping for felt - they have so many wonderful colors and it was hard picking out just ten. Well, okay I got eleven!

You got to do budgeting when it comes to arts and crafts. I can get a bit carried away (and rather too easily especially when there is an idea in my mind that can so expand into multiple ideas). Naturally, my bill will increase my blood pressure and make my eyeballs pop! You have no idea how often I thank the Lord for the return policy in USA! I am the kind that after paying will sit in my car, double or triple check all items with sale prices and go right back in 5 minutes later to return that ones that are not cheap enough... Correction with better wording: did not have a bigger sale offer. As well as items that I know were just impulse buys!

Okay, moving on to the real subject matter! Here is what you do:

Cut out the design you want for the Charity / Gift Bag 

We liked the idea of using the moon and the masjid as we are starting this in the blessed month. However, feel free to be creative! I wanted to add in a palm tree by the sea and put my seashells on the sand. That is when I found out that I did not buy the brown and sandy colored felt (and I was not going to go back to Michaels for the 6 or 7th time).

Sew the cut outs onto the bag. We used a glue gun for the letters and seashells.

We attached two cards - one has references (from the Quran and Hadith) on giving charity and the other one has instructions

We wrote down the hadith on sharing half a date and we wrapped a date to put in the bag. 

Monkey's drawing was on the other side (It was covered with drawings of cookies for all his friends). He also drew more cookies cut outs and put them in the bag too. He gave it to his best friend S.

As you receive the bag, you are suppose to pass it on and comment here to let us know what city, state, and country you are in. InshaAllah / God willing this will turn out to be a success and we will be able to tract it as it goes!

Starting location: Canton, Michigan, USA

Friday, June 22, 2012

Modesty

Today I decided to dress up a little to cheer myself up. I have started dropping a few pounds and just recovered from an infection! Perfect way to give myself a happier push to a super busy tired schedule. Anything is better than in my PJs.

As I look through my closet, I saw this new white skirt that I bought on sale (good to wear around the house as it is knee high in length and humid with a temp above 90F). After putting it on, I asked my kids, "How do I look?"

China Doll: "Koo-Koo?" (Chinese for pants)
Me: "I don't need pants. This is a skirt."
China Doll shook her head and insisted, "Koo-Koo!"

Then she pointed to my outdoor pants. I frowned a little... "How about putting on my PJ pants?" I said. China Doll shook her head and said no. I gave her a surrendered smile as Monkey came in to add this line, "Hey, that is not a skirt. You don't look pretty, ma ma."

Great! Just what I need! Sigh!

Finally I told them, "Show me what skirt is pretty then." Both of them pointed to my long skirts. I even humored them by putting one on. However, my top was all wrong. I look in the mirror and had to confront the truth; I need to lose another 5 pounds! Make that 10! Actually 15 or more...

After 15 minutes of trying to dress up, I came out of my room in my PJs again. I went into the kitchen and started cooking dinner. The only one who did not voice out any option was Muffin, my youngest!

Alhamdulillah (praise be to Allah)! I never really wore anything that showed my legs even at home. When it comes to dressing Jia, I always put on some cute leggings with her skirts. No wonder they behaved the way they did today! It's good to know that little things like these do matter.

Now where did I put that receipt so I can return this skirt?

Friday, April 27, 2012

The Funny World of English

Try pronouncing the sound "mw" and tell me if it doesn't sound just like "moo!"

English is a funny language. There are two sounds for the letter c as in cat or center. There are silent letters such as k in knight and knee. Why does i sound differently even when it is followed by an e at the end as in live and life. Not to mentions the change in tenses and you will have to change the way you pronouns the word read. How do you answer all these questions when teaching your children how to read! "Practice, dear. Practice makes perfect."

Homeschooling is truly amazing as you watch your children learn and grow in front of your eyes. If I were to send them to school today, I know I would miss the chance to learn with them the most. It is amazing how I am still learning new words from some of the children's books. Not to mention the wonderful surprises and joy that happen in a simple ordinary day to change it to extraordinary!

My son wrote me an invitation letter yesterday. He told me it said "Please come to my house at 9" and I was glad he told me for the paper was covered in waves and zigzag lines. I happened to recognize three letters "MWW" on the top of the page and asked him what that meant. He said it is the word "moo" like the cows. Upon seeing my confused look, he explained, "Mama, it is mmmm-wwwww. W is a wuuuu sound." You know what, he is right! And I left it at that.


Each day I am reminded of the passing of time! It does not slow down or stop. On the contrary, it flies by way too fast. So to my dear fellow moms, enjoy it! Enjoy all you can no matter how tired, sleepy, or trying your day might be. If you put in your efforts today, then you can pray to taste the sweet reward in the future (if you are not already tasting some of that sweetness now). Kids are wonderful gifts from God.