Unschooling Homeschool

First homegrown papaya 12 September 2016

2016-09-12T19:55:00.001+08:00

Kids are so happy! The first papaya harvested from the papaya tree that they planted from seed. Such wondrous moment.

Pumpkin flower 7 September 2016

2016-09-07T08:36:00.001+08:00

We found the pumpkin flower this early morning! Hope it grows well. Our previous pumpkin plant 's long crawly vines was broken into two by strong wind.

Portuguese Settlement Heritage Museum Melaka 9 January 2016

2016-09-03T15:21:00.001+08:00

A friend recommended me to this museum. It is located at the end of the row of shops and restaurants at Portuguese Village.

The area was quiet and the museum was closed when we arrived. I called the contact number displayed at the entrance and Jerry picked up the phone and opened the door for us. He gave us a tour at the collection contributed by the residents of the settlement. It was informative and I was told to return on the festivals day to experience real home cooked Portuguese food. There are rhe San Juan, Intrudu and San Pedro festivals

Antique Market Jalan Hang Lekir, Melaka 9 January 2016

2016-09-02T15:59:00.001+08:00

This street antique market is where we learn about the past as we go through the little knick knack on display Very often, I will stumble upon the things I have used during my childhood. Kids like to listen to my childhood life.

It is open on Sunday early morning till noon.

Clay with Mr Leong, The Clay House Melaka 9 January 2016

2016-08-31T16:04:00.001+08:00

Clay session with Mr Leong is quiet and really slow pace. Coming from a fast pace city, I feel uncomfortable. It is like "am I wasting time? " kinda feeling. I have trouble trying to adjust to a slower rhythm which isnt good. Kids don't seem to find it a problem. They enjoy the slow beat and pinching the clay creating their work.

Mr Leong doesn't own a mobile phone, and doesn't use whataspp !!

The Clay House is located at Jalan Tukang Besi. Tel : 06 292 6916

Sew Scout Scarf 8 January 2016

2016-08-31T15:42:00.001+08:00

After a happy year with scout, kids said they need a scarf to go with their scout T-shirt.
We went to the shop to have a look at the price and have a close look at the material. With the info gathered, we gave it a good thought if should we make or buy one.

At the end, we asked around for old primary school pinafore and sewn it into a scarf.

Some random food kids prepared January 2016

2016-08-30T15:14:00.001+08:00

Kids tried to make ice cream. It didn't turn out like one!

En made this. The younger one said "the bestest ice cream potong ever! "

Hui cooks the best oatmeal at home. Each time we need oatmeal for breakfast, she will be the one who cook it for us.

Swan Lake Finale, Xmas Performance on Ice 19 December 2015

2016-08-30T12:28:00.001+08:00

Ballet on ice, perfect for En who happened to enjoy both ice skating and ballet. She had the best of time! I am thankful.

Lilo s Traveller Home Cherating Kemaman Pahang 24 December 2015

2016-08-29T14:33:00.001+08:00

It has been a great pleasure to meet Boon, Sachi and little Lilo and stayed with them. Lilo is very adorable and fun to be with. Boon shared generously on how to grow food and showed us his plants. He also cooks well and accomodate our vegetarian requests. His cafe located on the beach.

Accommodation is simple and very basic which is what we prefer. The beach is about 5 to 10 minutes walk from Lilo s home, across the road.

Dogs looked fierce and barking as we approached but became friendly almost instantly after Sachi signalled to them that we are guests.

The entrance of Lilo 's home and also where we parked our car.

Meditating and doing nothing at the beach.

Watching the locals catch fishes and sea grapes.

Lilo played with us most of the time.

At Mazlan 's batik and tie - dye shop, just a short walk from Lilo s home. Over here, at Kg Cherating Lama, the local people is close-knit. Mazlan prefer the kids to sketch their own and experience the whole process of batik printing, canting with hot wax and also dye bath.

Revisited Pantai Teluk Manik where we first observed how a majestic turtle lay eggs.

Following a monitor lizard till we lost track of it.

Growing Food At Home December 2015

2016-08-29T11:32:00.001+08:00

2 mango trees planted from the seeds of mangoes we have cosumed. Kids watching it grow and tending to it with care.

Homegrown bananas. Our third bunch are growing. The joy of watching it turned from flower to fruit is priceless.

I don't need to buy ulam raja anymore. It has grown wild and healthy.

Kids are learning to grow food with their dad Aloe Vera, tomato, pumpkin, papaya, jack fruit carrot, peanut etc are part of our curriculum.

Aman Dusun Hulu Langat 13 December 2016

2016-08-27T17:22:00.001+08:00

We love this home. It is our second family gathering here. Ris, the owner provided us with great hospitality which made us feel very much at home. The stay came with free delicious breakfast. We also observed the goat milking process early in the morning

Older dd loves to arrange shoes in orderly.

The living room and a kitchen behind the brown wall, where we baked and prepared soup for steamboat. Barbeque pit and charcoal are being provided too.

The pool that we spent most of our time. It is conveniently located within the house and facing the serene garden.

The corn puff that dd taught the younger ones to make.

Homeschool Scout with Quek TL - Visiting Siddharthan Care Centre PJ 9 Dec 16

2016-08-27T16:28:00.001+08:00

The scouts made a visit to Siddharthan Care Centre.

I gave each of them a shopping list and budget. They did the comparison and calculation.

We also baked cupcakes with the help of a talented young baker JY, to bring over to the children.

Ice breaking session where children introduced themselves and told their ambition. Mostly wanted to be a doctor, teacher and scientist. My children said they want to be a beautician and a manicurist. Hmmm. .

At the Care Centre, scouts assisted Mr Quek in teaching "origami".

Book Club - My Side of The Mountain (2) 27 Nov 2016

2016-08-27T15:40:00.001+08:00

We whittled some sticks into fishing hook. The children tried to catch fishes with it and they couldn't get any :)

Paper dolls clothes design 30 July 2016

2016-07-30T17:37:00.001+08:00

The clothes Hui designed for her paper dolls.

A housekeeper at Cafe1511 Guesthouse, Melaka 3 December 2015

2016-07-27T23:04:00.001+08:00

Being regular guests at Cafe 1511 guesthouse, we got to know Mia, (a staff) closer. She is helpful and often goes the extra mile for her guests.

During this stay, Hui spent some wonderful time helping her and experienced being a housekeeper !

Unfinished food October 2015

2016-07-23T12:59:00.001+08:00

Hui left a sorry note at the side of her unfinished papaya. After reading it, I just couldn't make myself to call her, to finish it. :)

Homeschool Scout with Quek TL 18 November 2015

2015-11-19T20:35:00.000+08:00

A DIY plane

Hui playing with the plane she proudly made.

Mr Quek 's creative DIY flag pole.

How to fold, raise and lower the flag.

Reminiscing Christmas on Ice 2014 - November 2015

2015-11-19T20:02:00.000+08:00

As the rehearsal for Christmas on Ice 2015 kicked start, I reminisced the 2014 Christmas on Ice.

Here is the 2014 video snippet.

From a lead of the small kids group, Hui has moved up to perform a short solo this year. En will also be doing a short solo as well.
It is something that they worked for and looked forward to in 2015.

Deepavali On Ice 14 & 15 November 2015

2015-11-19T14:26:00.001+08:00

It is their first time being able to perform solo on a performance on ice. Needless to say, they are very happy and loving every second of it.

The performance was finally over. They are happy and satisfied but also sad that it is over. I crashed in bed and took two full days to recuperate and get back up on my feet. I felt so exhausted. A sign of desperate need to increase stamina.

Homeschool Scout with Quek TL 11 November 2015

2015-11-19T13:59:00.000+08:00

Jack up Mr Quek's vehicle !!!

Rope climbing and swinging - my children's favourite. :)

Kidzania Congrezz Kids's testimonials November 2015

2015-11-19T13:28:00.003+08:00

Hui's Kidzania Congress Kids term will come to an end pretty soon. The best thing for her is the monthly free entry she gets. She simply love to play at the park. It is a huge play land.

As it is coming to an end, the kids were asked to write a testimonial of what they have learned and what advice they would give to the next batch of Congress Kids. I showed Hui the email from Kidzania.

This is what she wrote,

" I learned that teamwork makes good progress. I also learned that everyone is important and hard work pays off"

When I read the line, I was surprised ! I asked, did Kidzania meetings teach that ? !!
She replied "Huh no, I don't know what to write"
Hahaha I laughed out loud. I said , "" That line is brilliant. I like "everyone is important." ""

And her advice was " Be prepared to work under noises as the children are noisy".

I asked "hmmm, is there a way to rephrase the advice to be more pleasantly sound? "

Here is the edited version,
"Be prepared to work under noises because all Congrezz Kids are full of ideas"

Hahaha.

The Theory of Everything 2015

2015-11-19T12:37:00.000+08:00

Someone recommended us this movie. My kids and I huddled and watched together. It was one of the many great moments spent.
I found it an easy way to briefly introduce them to Stephen Hawking. The two young reader books of him have been displayed on the book shelf untouched for some time now. I saw Hui stared at them after the movie, contemplating of reading it. I hope they find pleasure in reading those books.

For me, I am not a fan of cosmology. What moved me is the quote mentioned in the movie

"It is clear that we are just an advanced breed of primates on a minor planet orbiting around a very average star in the outer suburb of one among 100 billion galaxies. But ever since the dawn of civilization people have craved the understanding of the underlying order of the world. There ought to be something very special about the boundary condition of the universe. And what can be more special than that there is no boundary? And there should be no boundary to human endeavor. We are all different. However bad life may seem there is always something you can do and succeed at. While there is life, there is hope."

However bad life may seem there is always something you can do and succeed at.

Homeschool Scout with Quek TL (Term 3) 4 November 2015

2015-11-12T20:54:00.002+08:00

Using hand drill.

We started scout after a long break due to haze. Kids are excited to see their scout master Mr Quek again.

There is a long list of tests in order to get "Lencana Keris Gangsa." It looks difficult. Despite of that, kids are looking forward to tackle each and every one of it.

Outdoor again 29 October 2015

2015-11-12T20:35:00.000+08:00

Hui and her water gun

En with Miffy, taking a cat nap under the sun

It is a huge relief that finally the sky is clear. The kids ran for a dip in the cool of the water. Hui said " It is sooooo nice that it is impossible to describe"

A Gift in Return 28 October 2015

2015-11-12T19:44:00.000+08:00

tote bag, handkerchief and scrunchy

Someone whom we just met gave Hui a beautiful ballet costume. I advised Hui to show appreciation by making something for her in return. She sewn the tote bag, handkerchief and scrunchy. There is nothing better than a thoughtful handmade stuffs I think.