Taichi homeschooling

It is coming to the 4th month since I started homeschooling my children. I am still finding our pace and dynamics. I started it with over scheduling of outings and visits. I find myself feeling drained n tired to drive far away to new places. tried some regular playgroups n classes, some too far, or doesn't fit all the kids ' age groups.

Even tried to fit into a waldorf school with me teaching shanyang in grade 1. But shanyang seems to be in a stage of "detoxing". He refused to be taught somehow. He rejected the school after 2 days. And the little schooling adventure was very short span.

And phew, we are back to plenty of freedom again!

Now I am experimenting w a 3 day stay home rhythm. Then comesthe outings. That means will have to skip events organized by other homeschooling friends. I find it important to establish my family rhythm. Then it can at least take some anxiety away from the younger kids.

Next thing I try to engage more on the soul level at home. I learnt some pentatonic songs and sing more at home. Try to radiate some positive atmosphere. I just enjoyed myself singing those tune. Not trying to teach in particular. But the kids started to pick up the tune and imitate. Ah... they absorb!

I want to try to paint more... also trying to find out more about a Chinese calligraphy n painting class.

With swimming, they are rather afraid. I just wonder how the kampong kids learn to swim. I guess u just have to play in water more often until the fear of water is gone. I am rather reluctant to send them to class. I managed to convince them to "sleep" in the pool w the face facing up. I support with two hands under their body. Then one hand. To date, they are very happy that I only support them with 1 finger.

The lesson I have learnt so far in the beginning of homeschooling it is all about finding out about ourselves as the chief of this clan, as the magical tour guide. Find out about your touring children, who they really are. Especially if they have gone to school, you would probably have a missing gap some where. They might not be the same as u thought they were last time. So it is so important for both parents n child to take time to chill, to have fun, to understand each other and to love. Before you really decide to commit any classes.

In my first phase of homeschooling - I discovered " tai chi homeschooling". It is not about how much you do but how deep you feel. Go slow.

Class 1 maths block : counting

We went to pd and collected some beautiful stones. I thought this would be great to start our first counting exercise. The sense of touch is great, the stones are cooling, rounded feel very nice to touch. We first group them in five then to 10 and finally to hundred. We have collected 250 stones in total. My initial wild guess was 100 over stones. So I was wrong!

We will continue to count concrete and useful things relating to the world of shanyang. Slowly would increase to one thousand. ideas for counting: rice grain, no of fingers in the family, some of his fav things perhaps. No of steps to the play ground....

Simple home gourmet n washing shoes

Sometimes I forget some v delicious quick home gourmet. Today also make a very delicious chess toast. All u need is a v good block of cheese.

I tried to get the kids to wash their own shoes. At first no one was interested. I had to show some good example myself. I use some soap nut for washing so that it is gentle for the hands. Though not fantastic in removing dirt. When I was done. Xuan came round w his fav pair of Ben sleepers. He was determined to wash his own. My action driven Xuan, u r always the first one to get things done. Bravo!

Cooking is therapeutic

I have been lazy. Shying away from the kitchen. A word from Adeline made me feel encouraged. I asked if I should go out for a quick bite or should I cook myself. To my surprise she asked me to do the latter. She said that I am creative in the kitchen and have the most interesting ingredients.

With that I am arm w strong spirit marching to the kitchen. Open the fridge and dig out some veges. and wao la. Lunch is ready. I should do this more. Let the kids to see me do magic in the kitchen. Have a rhythm going, that I cook on a certain day, perhaps Friday. Sometimes maid cooked till no ideas. N the kids didn't enjoy eating too. Ok i shall cookupfridaystormy night!

Renew work permit for helper

Today went damansara to renew yorn phath's work permit for another year. Arrived at about 1 30pm. She has been with us going into the 3 1/2 year now. No fomema required for the 3rd year going to the 4 th. Paid rm 500. Maid's presence was not required. All I need was to bring her passport with expiry date no less than 1 yr. It was quite a breeze. Left immigration at about 2.30pm with a valid permit. Bought her a shirt to commemorate her domestic effort for another year.

I might need to do this annually. Just to blog this to remind myself.

Lunch out in papa

W a lawyer n a doctor

Making dolls

I never really had a doll So dear that I remember. Mom has sort of trained us not to be too emotionally attached to anything, including pillows. I used to be rather proud of it. That I could go anywhere to sleep without bring anything familiar. But now I am having a second thought, that I might have missed out something, some feelings might have been suppressed. Recently I have picked up a doll making lesson. The doll looks nothing spectacular but the process of making a doll was valuable to me.

After many months part of the doll was complete. It was therapeutic for me to hug it n hold it in my hand. The I handed the doll to my girl. There was an unspeakable truth I felt. Mommy has made my first doll. And mommy will give my first doll to u. She observe every stitches on the doll.

Ok 2 more dolls to go for the boys.

Some online tutorials for making waldorf dolls for your child.
starrysheep.com/crafty/?page_id=645

Birth Mat

Xuan is trying to meditate on the mat.

This post is created with the gentle birth mothers in mind. I had a homebirth 2 years ago, I have one thing to cherish is the sturdy coconut husk mat I sat on. It kept me warm and comfortable, the dark colour mat disguised all the blood stain. The coconut husk inserts can be soaked and washed, not a stain was found after the event.

I often hear mothers wish to do active birthing at home or in the hospital but unable to find a portable yet comfortable solutions on the floor. I really want to share with them this unique product I have come across.

My family still use it a lot now. to have naps, babies crawl, or just bring it along for vacations when you need an extra bed space. Or tuck it beside the bed, in case the little ones fall off accidentally. I have brought in 10 units for sale with RM150 each.

can be carried easily

fold & unfold conveniently

Coco Cool Booster Cushion

It started with me didn't want another piece of baby furniture in my house.  1 1/2 yrs old XinYuan didn't want to sit on her baby high chair anymore. So I ordered some "Booster" Cushions made of coconut husk for this purpose. I also customized a few more to share this idea with other like minded parents. These Coco Cool Booster can be washed n dry easily and it is very cooling and firm to sit on. I got some experienced meditation mats producer from the temple to make this. They have quite a few of other products too like single bed mats, the light weight multipurpose mat (which i used to lie on during my homebirth, not a stain is noticed now. )

So this is how the cushions look like, my 2 yrs old daughter sitting on the Full 4" booster cushion.

She just woke up. This is a Full 4" Coco Cool Booster Cushion.

So I have just a few more to sell to vacant my cupboard for more organic cotton bed sheets perhaps. There are 3 different specs:

 1.)  Full 3": [ 3'' x 14'' x14'' ]  2.) Full 4" [ 3'' x 15'' x15'' ]  3.) Half 4" [4''x15''x10'']
These cushions are suitable for children age 1 1/2 to perhaps 8 yrs, as long as they outgrow from their high chair. If your child is of the smaller build and is very young you can start them with the 4''.

1.)  Full 3" (Height) RM85
[ 4 pieces left only.]

2.) Full 4''   RM90
[SOLD OUT]

3.) Half 4''   RM 65
with space for leg rest
[SOLD OUT]

Other uses of this cushions are many. Both parents and child can use them on the floor for meditation, take them with you when you travel, family reunion dinner etc. (to sit in the car, just to pop them up a bit, absolutely not to replace a car seat)

Xuan is sitting on a Full 3" and Daddy is meditating on a Half 4"

I also sell a meditation cushion set.

Coco Medi Mat   RM 90    [8pcs left]

This is a family shot of all the products. This shot was taken at 7am, both daddy n Xuan were very eager to help me out.

Convenient handle. Xuan is still sleepy...

mid year holidays

It's beautiful to sleep under the stars. My boys did it. Me & 2 yr old girl stayed in the hut.

This time we started the holidays with a kampong stay in Janda baik.When we arrived, there were 10 over cars parked outside. A malay family set up 10 camps in the compound. At 12 noon, the kids were playing in the stream while some women cook up a storm. They had a feast under the trees on a huge tikar . What a nice family bonding trip. They were obviously seasoned campers and brought everything they could including a rice cooker.

They boys had their first camping under the stars. I am so proud. Then we spent the rest of the 2 weeks recouping from this trip, as the kids caught some cough and flu from having too much fun in the river. We stayed in zainiguesthouse.com. A nice kampung set up by a local musician. It could have been better if his french wife wasn't in confinement after her first born. Some of the soft touches like linen, mosqito netting etc of the guesthouse could have been perhaps better. There were lots of mosqitoes at night and red ants on the bed. However the camping facilities provided were adequate. no mosqitoes if you camp. Pillows, blankets and tikars were provided.

I enjoyed staying home with the kids during the holidays. Partly rehearsing what will happen to next year when i homeschool them. I was trying to feel the rhythm of the day. At first they were a bit resistant to activities i planned. All the boys wanted was ipad and tvs. But by the 3rd day after i persisted. waola... they could tune in to the rhythm and went with little complaint.

We usually start the day with a  outdoor play in the park. Then come home for a shower before they do some quiet work. Then it is time for lunch. They would quickly finish their lunch as it is ipad or tv time after that. After 1 round of trashing on the ipad they could nap easily. We do the similar thing even when we have a playdate over. That helped to ground the habit in deeper as they see their peers doing it too.

Tomorrow is my off day with hubby on a day trip to ipoh wo kids. Life is good.

Nice experience climbing up a kampong house. This is the bamboo hut. Bring your own table cloth for better ambiance.

Pregnant with no due date.

It has been almost close to 14 months now since the homeschooling seed was growing in me. I think and live homeschooling everyday. But some how my 2 boys still go to school . I spent most of my energy fetching them to school. Getting them on time. Also bringing them for extra free play "tuition" in the playground after school everyday. Something I find it v important for the development of a child but yet no getting enough emphasis in the pre school.

However I still feel blessed, to be in touched w so many homeschooling parents, to share the common free spirit goal for our children. Thinking I could join them one day. Planning a true Malaysian learning experience, mingling with multi racial children. As long as I keep this spark in me, my kids will benefit. Regardless If I get to homeschool them or not. To all homeschooling parents, thanks for bloging n sharing. This post is dedicated to norlin.my u inspired me today.

Homemade Vegetarian Rainbow Yee Sang

This is a temp pic for yee sang. The real pic will come after Chinese new year.

Chinese new year is only 2 weeks away from now. There is one CNY dish i always try to DIY. It's  healthier, cheaper and merrier! I want to share this yee sang recipe. You too can make your own scrumptious rabbit year dish!

Ingredients:

A: the vege
Sengkuang, green apple, cucumber,  lettuce, carrot, beet root, pomelo, coriander ( mango, purple cabbage,  alfafa - optional - or include any of your favourite colourful fruits or vege )

B: the garnishing
Sesame seed (both white & black)
Roasted Peanuts ( cashew nuts also can)
Corn Flakes (anything crispy )
Pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, raisins (optional)

C: the dressing
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Plum Sauce ( * )
Lemon Juice ( plum juice, kalamasi juice also can)

Instructions:
1. Grate or slice ingredient A thinly. Then get a very big plate, as big as you can find and arrange the vege around it in groups.
2. Sprinkle ingredient B on the plate
3. Pour the dressing over the dish before serving.
4. To enjoy, simply invite your guests to toss and mix the dish together.


* If you want a bit more challenge without the using ready made plum sauce, try making your own  sweet and sour sauce by blending - roasted peanuts, olive oil, lemon juice, moleses sugar - together. [ warning: this dressing recipe is in experimental stage! I haven't tried it yet! ]

Buddhist Education

I attended a Buddhist education forum organized by Kota Kemuning Buddhist Center http://kkbc-info.blogspot.com sometime ago. http://nalandabs.blogspot.com/2010/08/29-august-2010-buddhist-education-forum.html

Director Nalanda Institute, Bro. Tan Ho Soon, shared great insights. I jogged down some notes to share.

"We have to nurture education - not to teach, not learn. Like a mother would nurture her child." This speaks closely to my heart. That is why homeschooling comes very naturally to mothers especially, because that is what they have been doing since the child is born. Nurture includes a wider aspect, it means to love, to care, to observe. More than just to fill in information.

Bro. Tan also said "Worldly education - aims to bring you success in life. - core 3 aspects - knowledge, skills, and values. Buddhist education - aims to bring ultimate happiness in life. Promotes right understanding, compassion, generosity, letting go. One practise meditation, and metta."

During the Q n A session, the audience raised a question about " fear" in general. I guess after attended school for some years, "fear" is a very common emotion that you will come across. Fear of exams, fear of being laughed at, fear of being asked questions... So there was a nun in the forum ( i didn't manage to trace her name) She explained - the bigger the "I" the bigger the "fear" you'll have. there are also some other issues like ignorance, wrong perception of self could result the feeling of "fear".

I was relating this to homeschooling, how could this impact of "fear" vs "self" be reduced. In a large group of same age peers, it is rather important to establish "self". one feels the need to stand out from the crowd, to be identified. However when it is at home, once the child's ability and strength is acknowledged by the parents, the child can learn freely without fear.

Also followed up with this million dollar question from the floor "how to be fearless?" One has to let go of self attachment. Let go of your ego. Reduce ignorance of self. Have a right understanding of yourself.

Brother Tan also drew inspiration from buddha of being a great teacher.
1. One has to have the desire to teach.
2. Be earnest and diligent
3. Be creative and skillful to to all levels of students
5. finally constant advancement and improvement.

A bouquet of broccoli

My head is as stuffed as a broccoli. I feel so inspired reading about other homeschooler's blog, watching Ken Robinson's. Yet I have agreed to send my 2 boys to the strictest chinese kindergarden in the region. 8am-5pm everyday. I feel like I have lost 2 sons.

I was very close to winning them to homeschool. Yet the institutional force is stronger. Or would this help to strengthen the homeschooling foundation even more in future?

Sons hold on tight, fight hard, be strong. May the broccoli bloom one day.

A visit to a bulltique buffalo milk farm

Amazed by their size and rich colours.

We were greeted by the familiar smell you get when you visit the zoo. We have arrived the milk farm that our milk man promised to bring us to, and it is a premium buffalo one!

Expression by a handsome punjabi man

Restful black beauty.

These buffaloes are huge, pitch dark skin reflect some rich blue off the rainny day. All milking process is handled by hand lovingly. There is a river at the back of the farm for them to go swimming every morning. 

Well behaved calves.

It was a rainny day.

Homeschooling myself

Honestly I wished I was homeschooled.

I had a lovely primary schooling experience. When it comes to secondary school, I thought a lot of time was wasted learning un useful thing. especially in geography in other countries (that i have not been), sejarah just limited to one country... etc

I remembered my mom trusted me. I value that a lot. There are days i told her that i didn't want to go to school. coz it was very noisy i could not concentrate. she let me. I remember it dearly until today.

So when i stumbled upon homeschooling at the begining of this year, my found sparkles in my eyes. Yes! this is it! this is what I want. However, to homeschool my children is more than merely my decision. So meanwhile, waiting for my better half to really come on board. I am homeschooling myself!!

Before this, i used to think, to learn something, you need to go to "school". you need teachers. Recently learn up things myself having motivated by the homeschooling spirit championed by Learning beyond schooling.

I cut my own hair. Researched into non toxic tick solution for my first pet. I picked up cycling. I learn guitar. Bake scones etc. now creating an tick life cycle observation box. Some of these might not interest my kids. But it matters to me. I am revisiting events that i missed out due to rushing for exams in the schooling years.

Artfully naked

Xuan and his art.

Kids draw differently at different stage of development. Sometimes they have something very interesting going on. Then after afew months they dissapear. The more adult instructions, the faster the naive originality dissapear. I witness it in eldest 5 years old Shanyang. He had something intricate going on at his 4 yrs, but recently it is disappearing.

So adsorbed.

Xuan recently just started to form some conscious creation. very consistently he drew faces. steady continuous strokes. I find it very unique. Wondering how i can immortalised it b4 it changes. Recently saw a friend even allow her kids to draw on her white car. I started to have ideas over my blank cupboard.

Firm support.

Xuan @ Scribbling stage from 2-3 yrs

I was thinking of disposing this cupboard. Now i think i will cherish it for life.  Check out Drawing Development in Children

Atta pumpkin twist

Thai style pumpkin pan mee made of atta flour.

Pumpkin capati with the left over pan mee dough.

It was quite a productive day. I had a kunyit facial, washed the toilet during bath, created the above 2 dishes. ( previously made dough) It is quite convenient to have some capati dough ready in the fridge. heat it up with some cheese makes a healthy finger snack.

棕的感动 Dumplings that touch you.

A work of art. A beautifully crafted dumpling from Sarawak.

This year I have the priviledge to receive many different homemade dumplings from friends and neighbour.

First was a vegetarian dumpling - this one bought from Da ai educare. no meat, still managed to keep some good flavour. a humble celebration.

Then chang from Muar - made by Janice's mom. Everything comes in double - double mushroom, chestnuts, pork... you can feel the warmly double happiness there.

- chang from my sinsei neighbour - she made it with her fellow staff in the fully equipped clinic kitchen. tasted very yummy too, i suspect she flavored it with some salted fish.

- chang from my good old friend Jade - Her mom makes lovely chang without fail every year. She uses red bean in her chang wrapped by lovely white glutinous rice. The fatty meat used was soft and melts in your mouth.

- also chang from my good friend Myra - She made it with her mil. Delivered to me in a mickey mouse bag. It is also made with the white glutinous rice without the dark soya sauce. This time has some garlic accent in it.

and lastly a chang from sarawak made my Joshua's aunt- wrapped in local bamboo leave pluck from the local tropical forrest. thick and deep texture neatly wrapped the content with bamboo string. It has lovely white glutinous rice as well, and the ingredient taste slightly sweet with a dash of nyonya influence. it is simply heavenly and touched every bit of my heart. Also a big thanks to Esther for serving it to me first thing in the morning.

so 6 different types of chang I have tasted this year. It is a warm festival celeberated with great art and friendship. I can only be thankful.

Crafty Indulgence

want to avoid buying the commercial cartoon backpack. 

Wonderful craft book to inspire the boys,
they don't know what to do when the tv is off.

Found this lovely craft book from the big book shop in atria for RM14.90 - Summer Crafts by Marjorie Galen. Feeling warm and fuzzy after browsing it. can't wait to share this with shanyang. he loves making things. I' ve been wanting to make a backpack for each of my boys. found a pattern inside.

Also found an extremely beautiful craft blog by an artist in Portland made for his twins, there are lots of simple and artistic ideas. Here's a free DIY paper city template - city & people , vehicles , helicopter. A Malaysian homeschool mom also does something similar paper template for sale in Etsy. She has a free facebox template for download as well. Such wonderful work from home ideas.

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