Showing posts with label Homeschooling. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Homeschooling. Show all posts
17/5/12 I Stepped Back, I Reflect...
selina
I pulled the blanket over my cold body. Ashton pulled it off a little and whispered with loving eyes, "Mum, let's go eat breakfast." I couldn't resist his affectionate smile. "OK," I said. Before I got out of bed, he scrambled back onto the bed with two books in his hands. "Read to me, mum." As much as I wanted to start my morning routine (if there's any success everyday to have a routine), I couldn't bring myself to decline such a polite request. Here's how it went the moment I hit the morning...there's no stopping...one thing to another...

We read...
We prayed...
We ate breakfast...
We read some more...
We cooked. Chrisa stirred the soup and learned how much salt and seasoning to add while Ashton insisted to learn too...
We read again...this time all the children, all four surrounded mama for a long forgotten story, The Donkey Prince, a welcoming warm story of loving the person just they way they are...
We discussed on homosexuality...oh, what a big word for small people...
We ate again...
The children baked bread for dinner...three out of the four cramming over the kitchen counter to get the measurement right...some practical math in process...mama only hoped it turn out alright...
They all got busy with their work in their own corners...one learned Tagalog for the coming trip to Manila and collecting ideas for children's work there; one browsing through the Prayer Guidepost to learn how to pray more effectively and moaning in discomfort mostly of her unwellness; one was reading endlessly on the couch then played with the little one; and the little one...he was never done with exploring one thing after another...the entire living room was in (and still is) a creative mess...yes, it's messy because there is never lack of projects going on in the home, and creative, oh yes, certainly...one working on a board game of her own, one making his pictures, all travel logs reviewed and added...
They washed toys while I washed clothes...
We read, we wrote, we talked, we laughed...in between there were some bickering which mama hates, and the children know it...correcting behaviour is never easy and needs consistency...
Three stayed home to watch a show...
One went with mama to shop for utilities, our chance to talk...
We rode to the park, we played our hearts out...
We enjoyed the freshly baked bread...
We read the Bible, we talked, we prayed...we almost ended our day...they jumped on mama, kissed her goodnight, hugged her tight...I turned off the light...
Shh..."sleep, babies..."
Is mama's time with the Father now...I sat by the dim light and thanked God for the full day...a gift from heaven...
My day had been full...indeed my hands too, but it is all worth it because my heart is full too...as I reflect and realized that I've been kissed countless times, hugged very often, told "I love you, mama"...and I know this is my vocation...
What about "school"...hmm, do they need to be classify into subjects? We have no time to study. Everyday is so busy...we are busy learning, busy living, busy loving...and...
That's LIFE!

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. (John 10:10, ESV)

 



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1//3/11 The Voice of Dance
selina

Thought-provoking: (above) Dancer-choreographer Aida Redza (with blindfold) performing "Stop it Now"- a dance against sexual crimes, with the children at 1st Avenue Mall, Penang (featured in The Star, 28/2/11)

‘Stop Sexual Crimes Against Children’ now - the message was amplified with a creative move by the children. The campaign was championed by the Penang Chinese Chamber of Commerce's Young Entrepreneur Section.

Dance has always been a big part of our lives especially for Ash and Nat. This is part of our contribution to the society using the gift of dance - urging for a safer world to live in. Hear the voice of the children through arts!
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23/2/11 A Blessed Day
edlina & the lynns
I dragged myself out of bed after almost the entire night of lying awake. A promise is a promise. Our "school" in Youth Park this morning. A day out surrounded by nature is always welcoming. I love the simplicity of life - just observe nature, talk, play, learn, observe and think, explore and excite our senses. That's life. That's learning. That's loving - loving the people by connecting, loving nature, loving God by appreciating all these gifts.

Anytime, anywhere - just the park with lots of greens and running space and pool for water play...that's suffice to keep the children happy and contented.

While my mind was still full of thought-processing of being "strong and courageous" (from my previous post), the lure of nature and kids simply enjoying it was enough to call this day - blessed!

Leave a comment to let me know how has your day being blessed.


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25/1/11 When I Wonder
selina
When I wonder why...

  • other mums are paid for what they do while I slog my days out at home without a cent
  • other mums are sipping tea during break time while I gulped down my drink so I can continue another story after the umpteenth book...break? what is "break"?
  • other mums are doing the norms of life while I seem to fall into this "weird" category as one of my weird friend call ourselves
  • I could had been so and so in my profession but I am just a mum - a homeschool mum who have endless things in my mind, constantly shifting gear to meet the needs of little humans (from toddler to elementary to tween to teen) in my care, having a series of unaccounted actions of responsibilities which saps every ounce of my energy in every aspect...and at the end of the day left me totally spent!

But today, like some good days it makes me smile and I wonder why would any woman trade her place at home imparting into lives and impacting the land through these little humans who are so incredibly potential-packed...just awaiting for the pivotal moment to cause a positive explosion. The interruption and inconvenience of the day of my faulty car turned into a mind storming, joy bubbling cherished moment instead of fretting and whining while waiting for the mechanic to come to our rescue on the highway.

I wonder why not...since these little humans are living, learning and loving...read Ash's and Nat's posts.
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In the Midst of Palm Oil Plantation
selina


A day and night away....
All packed and geared up...kids were more than ready to hit the road. Never mind it was an almost 2 hours' journey. They knew it would be fun thinking of the adventure planned.

Gopeng sounds remote and it is. Our destination - a fairly new bungalow to house us for the next 24 hours. We walked into a very clean and neat centre greeted by a friendly and godly man who takes good care of the place. Ashton was impatient as he looked at the inviting pool.

For a reasonable sum to cover food and lodging, we found our rest in Harvest Haven, nestled in the midst of the palm oil plantation. Or at least I had some quiet moments while the children were all headed for a great time of adventure.

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Not Wanting to Be Left Out
selina
A glimpse of our homefront for the new year...

It takes some constant reminders and adjustment to ease into our daily routine. Lessons are never confined on the desk and books as usual, but this is one usual morning scene for 4 days in the week. A big chunk of our days are spent doing a lot of other stuff...and figuring out life (and our surroundings) and living :) That's education.



Ashton insists on joining "school time". Climbed on by himself to grab mum's seat. Enjoying lessons in the presence of his sisters.


All the sisters are too eager to teach him.
Chrisa's daily routine includes giving reading lessons to the enthusiastic toddler.

Nat wants her share too. Ashton is like a sponge absorbing the math concepts while learning some eye-hand co-ordination through beading.

Ashlynn surely is another great teacher although no nice pics to post up at this point. What a blessed boy to be surrounded by loving teachers! The best education begins with love - love for the person, love to impart knowledge and love itself. That would mean it bounds back to God being Love.

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edlina's nest
selina


The growing eaglets in edlina's nest - learning, loving and living.
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Caught Right in Action
selina
I was so tired yesterday and Ashton clung on to me. I made many promises to my girls but was simply impossible to get pass the bed with Ashton. The craft work and reading which I was supposed to do with them...oh well, they did all by themselves.

I pulled myself out of bed feeling lethargic and thought, "Oh dear, I've got to get dinner going." To my surprise, I caught my girls in action - in the kitchen! They shooed me off and commanded me to stay off. Dinner would be served soon. They busied themselves as I sat in the living room waiting with my tummy growling in hunger. But it was a sweet feeling coming all over me. Instead of serving them, I would be served :)

There was a bit of squabbling in the kitchen but everything was in control. Soon they proudly set the table and served pasta, mushroom soup and vegetable salad; and apples glazed with honey. And noodles for me since we were short of pasta! Ashlynn exclaimed as we sat down, "Mum, we can survive without you" with a positive note in her voice as this means I can go off for a break and leave them home alone. She was reinforcing to me AGAIN..."not to worry!"

I looked at them and thought, "Wow, they are really growing up!"
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Food Story
selina


Lunch was fun as the Lynns worked on their creation of mashed potatoes and greens.



Each of them had a story to tell.....
.....here's Chrisa's two ducklings swimming...surrounded by a slide and greenery.




Presenting the complete platters.

Was a hard time eating as they looked on their hard work :)


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