Learn in Grace

Drawings on Words - Teaching the Dyslexic Child Sight Words

2016-02-21T12:32:00.000+08:00

4 year ago, my Apple Macbook Pro just died on me. It was a really great laptop I've had, sadly, he has to go. It had that NVidia problem and was supposed to be covered by an Apple recall but when I brought it in one of the distributor's of Apple, they said that it was a logic board problem. Bummer! If I brought it earlier before it had the same symptoms of the NVidia issue it showed prior to completely dying out, it would have been replaced. Fast forward to 2016, I got my old Macbook Pro's files and the 2GB memory to run my son's Macbook 1! Yeah!

As I checked with all my files, I saw several videos of the twins, our old house, our beloved dog and just way too many memories that I didn't know existed. Then, I came upon this video of my then, 5 year old son. I recorded it using my Nokia E63 (which is btw, still alive and kicking today - I use it as my wireless landline). So, it's one of those videos on how I taught my Dyslexic son how to read sight words.

The twins can easily process using a whole word approach (meaning, no extra visual aids needed to know a word). The difference with a normal reader is that they can recall a word even by just looking at it in a glance - but not my Dyslexic son. So, I've tried making up simple drawings (I am not even good with drawing) on the word, give it a sentence with the actual word on it and have my son read it. Here is the video and I hope you get ideas on how to make for yourself.

I'll be posting a blog on my DIY sight word cards which you can also do for personal use. I made it thick enough so you can also make some drawings on it if you need to. This also works for spelling, btw.

I am happy to say that my son was extremely Dyslexic when he was assessed at age 6. He is now 11 and is 2 grade levels up in reading. Woohoo! Indeed, early intervention is best. So, don't be in denial and delay assessment or intervention when you see that your child shows some signs of being different than his peers. I have embraced the fact that these uniqueness are what makes my child - my own. There is nothing wrong with being unique, they just think differently. Some family members may or may not be supportive, but then, who cares? Only you can. Look beyond the child and remind yourself that you are the only person who can help him propel his uniqueness for his future.

Untangling That Crazy Doll Hair

2015-11-08T23:36:00.001+08:00

My twins have Barbie dolls since they were 1. But, they weren't that interested yet until now that they are almost turning 6 next month.

Since, these dolls haven't been played with properly for 5 years, their hair has been impossibly tangled and unruly. I don't know why, but these Barbie dolls now, have thinner hair and it gets easily tangled unlike the ones I had as a kid.

Anyway, here are what these dolls' hair looked like before they had their "reconditioning treatment"

I wasn't able to take a photo of 3 other dolls, Belle, a Barbie and Rapunzel which had a major case of tangled bedhead of 5 years! Felt like, a gum just got stuck on its scalp.

I did some Pinteresting, but all I found was using Downy. I don't know, but, since my kids will be the one doing this to their own dolls. I wouldn't want their hands play around with fabric softener. So, I did My real life naturally curly hair remedy for tangles and what I normally do to clean/wash my makeup brushes. So, here's the stuff I used.

Excuse the (doll) hair on the brush and comb, I wasn't able to remove it yet. 😄

I've tried using other conditioner, but this brand works perfectly fine. I've actually a Type C curly hair and these tools work perfect for my hair tangles. I was actually amazed at how easily the tangles glide off as I brush them than any other brand. You just need a pea sized amount of this per Barbie doll.

So, here's how it went...

1) Comb the doll's hair with the wide toothed comb. Focus on the tips and the back of the hair.

2) Wet the hair of the doll (do it, while the doll is upside down).

3)Add a pea sized amount of conditioner on the hair, making sure there's more on the ends of the strands.

4) Start combing with the wide toothed, then change it to the narrower comb. Making sure that tangles are combed thru. Try not to pull out too much. Do it by section if the dolls's hair is quite long (Likr a Rapunzel doll).

5) Once all the tangles are gone and the comb glides thru, rinse the hair well. Do not take too long as you don't want to leave too much residue inside the head of the doll.

6) Dry with a towel.

7) comb the hair again and dry with a blower (no heat). As you dry, you can give the doll a couple of "headbang" to remove water.

8) Once dry, comb thru with a thin toothed comb and add a tiny bit of oil on the tips of the hair.

***Just remember, the secret is to comb with a wide toothed comb before and during washing. Follow with a thin toothed comb while the hair still has conditioner then, again, after drying the hair up.***

Now, be amazed and watch the difference. My kids went crazy when they saw their dolls. :)

See the difference:

Tada! Share if you were able to do it too. :)

Our Kitchen Makeover Reveal! - Home Foodie / San Miguel Pure Foods Company, Inc.

2015-11-02T18:55:00.000+08:00

It's been a great year for us! Finally! The kitchen makeover is now done! You can see the transformation below and you will see that this is such a huge blessing by Home Foodie / San Miguel Pure Foods Company, Inc.

Weeks after I've submitted my Moist Ube Quezo Muffin video entry to Home Foodie's My Great Food Kitchen Makeover Contest, I thought it was nearly impossible for me to win as there are a lot of other great entries that were submitted. I've nearly forgotten about it - just crossed my finger and hoped that perhaps, they would choose my entry. Then one day, someone from Instagram commented on my entry and congratulated me. I didn't understand why she was congratulating me, until I saw my name on Facebook! I still couldn't believe that I've won. I thought, I was just dreaming.

The following day, I got a confirmation email from Nuffnang, and that was the beginning of one of the best days I've had for winning a kitchen makeover contest.

Seeing this posted was really exciting!

My heart was already set to give it as a gift to my Mother-in-law when I joined the contest and should I ever win it. I know she needed it more than I do. Even if I would want to have my kitchen made over too. But, I just want to bless my in-laws with a beautiful kitchen makeover. It is just a small token of telling her (from both me and my husband) that we appreciate her. I have submitted her kitchen photos to other make over contest/magazines in recent years but none has responded. But, this time, HER KITCHEN IS GOING TO MAKE A MAKEOVER by Home Foodie. This was indeed, a timely answered prayer!

My Mom-in-Law is a wonderful home cook. I usually see her in the kitchen, cooking something up for the family. My husband would tell me, that they rarely go out to eat because his mom could replicate dishes from some restaurants and cook that for the family. I've witnessed it myself, ever since we were dating back in college, we would just eat in their home than eat somewhere else. But, as years go by, my mom-in-laws very hardworking kitchen has become overly used and cluttered. She makes great stuff here (she was even the one who made "by hand", the major ingredient I used for my Moist Ube Muffin - the UBE halaya itself!)

My friends and family were raving when I shared the news about it. When it was already set and final, I asked my husband to tell her mom and surprise her that we want to give the makeover prize to her. She was so excited that she immediately cleared her kitchen the next day we told her. She waited for 2 more weeks before the actual work started.

Here is the progress from the drawing board to the actual finished kitchen makeover by Home Foodie / San Miguel Pure Foods Company, Inc.

The kitchen - BEFORE

The kitchen is cluttered and disorganized. The cabinets are way too high, my MIL cannot even reach for the other high shelves. There are mismatched chairs, handwritten labels were posted using tapes.

A few days after the announcement, the team from Home Foodie, designers and contractors went to check on the kitchen that will have a make over. They inspected and measured the area. The only contribution I made during this process was to collaborate with what my in-laws needs are in their kitchen (which were all applied on the design and layout), and of course, to send inspiration with the design I'd like for the kitchen. :) My in-laws don't really mind me deciding that for them.

After a week, and after carefully choosing the design, feel, and style (which is French Modern Country) and collaboratively working for the kitchen makeover by designers, Miah Gomez and Arch. Chino Carlos, they sent me their proposed design of the kitchen.

Design proposal stage:

Who wouldn't love this! It was all that was needed for the kitchen, bright, timeless, elegant yet modern.

Construction progress:

Construction started with the dirty kitchen. Ceiling and cabinets were all revamped.

Yes! We are seeing some white (not dark) paint!

A few weeks after, the kitchen is starting to take shape.

A new cabinet was installed in the dirty kitchen. New shelves were installed also.

Then, after 4 weeks, the showcase kitchen construction continues.

Ceiling were changed and updated. New light fixtures and black granite kitchen top were installed.

After the dirty kitchen, everything was now on remodeling the showcase kitchen. Subway tiles were installed and this made the kitchen - hip and modern. Better lighting was also installed which made this kitchen look a lot roomy and fresh.

A total of almost 2 months, finally... the kitchen is finally done! My Mom-in-Law loooooove her new kitchen! We also love it and it was the best area of the house, too!

Here is the final kitchen reveal and look at the difference of the old and drab one to the new one now!

My daughter proudly showing the new kitchen!

We love this nook!

This is the area going to the dirty kitchen which was also made over!

Clean and white!

Here are before and after transformation of the kitchen:

Whenever we show this picture to anyone who come by the kitchen, they find it unbelievable that this kitchen was once like that.

Isn't that amazing? That was one great transformation!

My kids' having their snacks in the breakfast nook. The chairs were also custom-made and done by Carlos + Gomez Interior Design. I am entirely blessed for them as well and making it less stressful for my in-laws during the design and construction phase. :)

Thank you so much, Home Foodie / San Miguel Pure Foods Company, Inc. You have made our year one of the best years we've had!

DIY Math Manipulatives

2015-07-13T23:22:00.001+08:00

My kids easily grasp and learn a concept by using manipulatives. I could just grab a box of pencils and that would instantly becomes a way to teach Math concepts.

I like Singapore Math because it teaches concepts but I also like Kumon for mastery and rote teaching. Mixing both ideas worked well for my kids.

Sharing some of my math manipulatives to you which you can easily do as well.

We learned addition with this. This has greatly helped my 5 year old math-challenged kid to understand the basic concepts of addition.

We call this our Addition Machine. Pompom balls are placed on each cup and it will sum up as it falls in the basket.

I also introduced number bonds thru our number links. I have a 5, 10 and 20 links for my kids level.

The pipe cleaners and beads are placed on each link. They will come up with different addends to come up with that number.

This gave my Kindergarteners a quick idea of the concept. Now, they are much faster and I can soon introduce worksheets once they can fully grasp the idea.

Manipulatives can be just everyday household materials. But, if you want to buy your own, you can buy them at Hobbes & Landes, Toys R Us, Toy Kingdom, National Bookstore or Office Warehouse.

Pipe cleaners, pompom balls can be bought at Office Warehouse, Little Town Bookstore, or at Daiso.

Happy Math day!

Expect excellence with your children

2015-07-13T23:04:00.001+08:00

I posted this on a Homeschooler's group and was surprised on the number of likes it got. My purpose, was just to share an incident and yet I felt that the message was relevant and was particularly striking for most parents, homeschoolers or not. I do not see it as my own, but I feel that it is what the Lord is trying to convey to families that we should value excellence with our children.

Sharing this on my blog and I hope that this becomes a goal for our children. To take excellence as a way of life.

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I was a terror teacher today. I had my 10 year old narrate a chapter of his reading, Doctor Dolittle, by making a drawing of a scene. He made a drawing straight to a notebook and started drawing to no more than a minute and said "I'm done!!". Quite alarmed by the manner that he has finished it, I knew there was a lesson that I had to teach right that very instant - Excellence.

I told him excellence is not perfection. Excellence is putting your heart into something and making sure that it is the best that you could do on the task given to you. I asked him, "Is this your most excellent work?" He said, "no".

He was very upset when I told him that his work is not acceptable and I cannot ask him to use it for his narration. I had to literally tell him to drop all his other tasks for the day and make an EXCELLENT (not perfect) narration of the topic. Quite emotional but still focused on his work, he proudly showed me the other picture after an hour. Nothing too fancy really, but I was impressed as to how he added elements such as aluminum foil, construction paper and how excited he was when he showed me what he did. He was very proud of his own work as well.

I guess as homeschoolers, we can sometimes feel that we just have to go thru the day and tick off the things we need to finish for that day disregarding this precious value. But, if we value excellence and not mediocrity, we can see this reflected in our child as they grow. They will reflect the heart of our Father in heaven, for He is excellent in all His creation. So, yes - being a loving "terror" teacher could sometimes be necessary. #sorrylongpost #justsharing

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By the way, this conversation with my 10 year old also made an impression with his 5 year old younger sisters who heard about it. My preschoolers were doing a copywork material which they despise. But, after they heard the lesson I spoke about with their big brother, their copywork were surprisingly excellent too!

Seeing this, I would rather prioritise and focus on good values over advancing leaps of academic advancement.

Teaching addition to 5 year olds and below

2015-06-17T14:27:00.001+08:00

It was a sleepy start today. Callista was just way too sleepy to start school. We started by 930am and happily finished by exactly 12:30pm. For days like these, I know manipulatives will be the best way to liven up this day.

I started with Bible, my 4th grader joined in when we discussed Abraham and Lot story using Legos.

After that, I read a short story from Lion Storyteller book (about 3 pages). Then, we played a bean toss game. Where I got an old sock, filled it with beans and tied it with a string. I was thinking of sewing it but, I didn't have the time so I just tied it really tightly with a string. The twins loved the game where they would shoot the bean sock into the hamper basket for several times.

We had a short break, did our calendar review, a few pages of Handwriting Without Tears and some cut/pasting of LA activity sheet from our K Readers Schedule.

Now, here's my main topic about our math practice today. I was surprised that one of my little 5 year old daughter who used to dislike math (because, her concept of math is just counting by rote and nothing more when she was in school) now understands the concept of addition.

Today, I prepared a worksheet for them for Math, but I don't think they will want to do too much worksheets for the day. So, I made them do this acitivity.

Addition Plates Game

Concept introduced: To understand Number Bonds. Ex. 5+5 is the same as 6+4 and 7+3. Here are our materials:

Small whiteboard

Whiteboard pens/eraser

3 or 4 cups/play doh lids

Beans/blocks/buttons etc

Directions:

Place 3 cups/lids on top of the whiteboard. Write square for the addends and sum on the the whiteboard.

Now, add some beans on the 1st cup/lid then add some on the 2nd lid (introduce zeroes first, then move on to 1-5 or how much a child can understand the concept.

Ask them to count the beans on the 1st and 2nd cup/lid and write that nunber on the box with a marker. Then combine the beans from the 1st and 2nd cup/lid to the 3rd lid and count.

Then, write the actual number of the sum on the line.

You can use a "counting plate" so it will be easier for them to count the pieces.

Do this exercise for 5+5, 6+4, 2+8, 0+10, 1+9 and so on, so they will grasp the concept. For younger tots, you can just make use of the cups/lids without asking them to write (or you can print numbers on a board and let them put the numbers on the boxes).

For more advance learners, you can do higher numbers.

This activity is a good fine motor activity and math/logic. Just make sure you remind them the steps one by one.

1) "Can you Count the beans on the 1st lid?"

2) "Write/choose the number on the box"

3) "Now, Count the beans on the 2nd lid"

4) "write/choose the number on the box"

5) "Pour the beans from the 1st lid/lid color to the 3rd lid then the 2nd lid/lid color to the 3rd lid/color and count them"

6) Ask "Now, how many beans make up ___+___?"

7)"Now, what is the sum? How many beans are there? Can you write it on the line?"

I hope this activity would help your child understand basic addition as it did mine. You can use jelly beans or M&Ms so they can eat them as a reward. :)

Our 1st Grade Curriculum

2015-06-06T11:59:00.001+08:00

I will be listing my chosen curriculum for my 1st graders:

36-week curriculum Charlotte Mason - thru Ambleside Online
Audio literature books thru Lit2Go
Supplementing with the following:

Reading Lessons
Some chosen books from our Sonlight's P 4/5

Handwriting - Handwriting without Tears - 1st Grade Book

Math - Singapore Math 1A and 1B

Supplementing with Kumon books

Science - Sonlight Science P4/5

Art - Meet the Masters

Click here for my bookmarks bar on Charlotte Mason Links from Ambleside Online's Curriculum Guide

Teaching Adjectives!

2015-06-04T23:11:00.001+08:00

A simple and fun activity from a book we follow that even 10 year old can join in.

"The Doctor's Cat"

My kids had a lot of fun thinking of some creative adjectives about the Doctor's Cat! I gently introduced Nouns and Adjectives to my 5 year old and I am quite sure that my 10 year old will never forget that Adjectives describe a Noun.

How do you start?

Materials:

Whiteboard and Markers (A notebook and a pen is okay) - to list the adjectives the kids could think of.

For creatively sketching the Doctor's Cat:
Drawing paper
Coloring tools (crayons, colored pens, etc)

Directions:

Just do the sample activity from the book, Language and Thinking for Young Children - The Doctor's Cat. Or, you can try out a sample of the activity on the photo above.
Start listing the adjectives on the board (for my 10 year old, I asked a more challenging task for him by memorizing all the adjectives that we have listed, or just let them read each list as written). You can begin with some funny words, my kids laughed at "cranky, silly, chubby, fatty, banana-eating" (my 5 year old invented that word). Just keep the ball rolling and guide them by asking your reluctant child what she thinks of the hair, color of the fur, etc. Encourage creative thinking and be silly as well.
After coming up with a list, dictate it to them and ask them to imagine what this cat looks like. Then, give them some paper and color to draw the cat.
Share your drawings to each other and let them explain their drawing.
Laugh to your hear't content.

Encourage them to draw the Cat based on the list of adjectives

Let them share their work!

There are so many ideas here and it is by itself a complete curriculum for pre-schoolers and you can even tailor fit it to older kids which I just did so on this activity.

Some of our school room rules: Clean as you go.

Always make a rule on your school room - Clean as you go. Teach your child to clean up their own tables, by themselves. For my kids, I assign one child to be a checker of the week/month That child is responsible to check that all items are on the proper places, chairs neatly in place, all trash in the trash bin, lights and fans are off.

A new name to our adventures!

2015-06-04T22:26:00.001+08:00

My blog started when I was pregnant with my twins. All I wanted was to make a journal of my twin pregnancy.

But, the Lord inspired me to share his blessings to me by sharing stories of my life from a once full time working mom to a now, homeschooling and work at home mom.

My kids are now 10 and an incoming 4th grader and my twins girls are now 5.5. I have been home educating my kids when my twins were born. We started with Tot School and now they are going to 1st grade.

I changed my blog's name to Learn In Grace because it has always been my prayer and every parent's prayer for their children, whether they are homeschooled or not, is that they will forever learn in Grace.

Allow me to share my heart (and occasionally some downloadable freebies)!

Our Homeschool Room

2015-06-02T00:13:00.001+08:00

I have started Tot School when my twins were 10 months old. Our unstructured school were mostly a mix of literature-based (chosen books from Sonlight and Before Five in A Row) and Montessori-based teaching.

All 3 of my kids love school. School for them is as exciting as going to the beach. My 5 year old begged to do her Math worksheets on a Sunday! I am very pleased with their love in learning and I would do everything to instill that.

I am quite sure, that, aside from the daily read alouds, an interest-based learning, and a good curriculum, the way their playroom and learning centers were organized played a big factor for their love of learning.

Our homeschool room used to be in our living room. Our coffee table was just the perfect size for 2-year old kids.

Tot school + Preschooler combined.

I remembered our 1st box day, 5 years ago. My son eagerly waited as the Fedex van dropped off his box of school items from Sonlight.

The learning center is setup in such a way where they can easily get any book, scissors, own sticky tapes, glue, paper, coloring materials, even punchers or stamps and stickers all they want!

They have a separate play area where I would occasionally add toys based on their age level.

This was our Tot School Shelf when my twins were a year old. All the materials were readily available for them. Sharp items are kept above. They are just free to grab and get items from this shelf. They also know how to put them back after.

When they were 2.5, we moved to a new house where we had a family hall on the 2nd floor . There, we moved our school area and we found it to be more conducive for learning. This is a picture of my twins, lining up sticks on the floor.

My 3 year old Callista fell in love with art and painting. She knows where all the materials are kept, she gets her brushes and paint, and cleans up after she's done with them. I need not tell them to clean up, as they all know that it is our rule to clean up after school.

These is the setup of our Nursery-Pre K level. Age appropriate materials are readily available for my preschoolers. Even my then, 1st grader loved this place.

When my twins turned 4 and they are now in Pre-K, we focused on reading areas. It is good to move into a room that is far from the dining area or kitchen as it keeps the kids from being distracted from the noise in the kitchen when my helper is preparing for our lunch.

Now, my twins are getting into K and 1st grade. My son gearing up for 4th grade. We have outgrown this place and moving onto a new school room.

Now, we are onto the bigger and brighter space!

My 4th grader's own office. My twins' learning center still on the center.

This used to be my twins' playroom which we converted to their school room. They didn't mind much about this, they said that they love that they can do many things in their room than just toys. *We just moved their playroom in a separate area of the house.

I do not want to box them here inside. I am sure, when school starts, we would be all over the house reading our read alouds, or seeing my 5 year old twins tumbling on the sofa in the living room during our discussions.

We started in a living room area of the house and just saved off, collected educational items and repainted some shelves and even upcycling chairs. A schoolroom doesn't need to be too elaborate, whatever works for you is good - whether it is the dining table or a small table on a side of a room!

It is indeed a pleasure to see your child learn. That look in their eyes when they learn something from you is priceless - and this is what is most important.

Words such as "Mommy! I can read now!" Or when your 2-year old begs for a book for you to read to her is precious. Those moments are days you will forever keep in your heart.

Prayers and blessings to each families, homeschoolers or not. As long as your love for your child is felt and you give them the best you could for their education - then, you are doing your best for them best and soon, you will reap the benefits when they are grown. ☺️

My Great Food's Kitchen Makeover Recipe: Ube Queso Muffin

2015-04-06T13:22:00.001+08:00

A video posted by Mira Grace (@mirarempillo) on Feb 13, 2015 at 9:28am PST

My kids and I love to bake and cook. I gave them their own play kitchen when they were just a year old so they can pretend to be like a chef. They are 5 now, and they are budding little chefs who love to ~~make a mess~~ help out in the kitchen with me or their Auntie's. So, the mess is REAL every time we cook with the kids and I am totally ~~not~~ OK with it. You can always clean up a mess, but you can never bring back their childhood.

I do not have a full kitchen, I usually cook or bake at my parent's or in-law's kitchen as they have most of the tools I need. But, for the love of cooking, me and my kitchen have made a lot of dishes even without measuring cups/spoons, hand mixers, an oven, etc.

My dream kitchen is something smart and kid-friendly and the equipment and tools to be durable and would last for a very long time. The tools and equipment, the lighting of the kitchen area (Because I love to take food shots) are main things that matter to me when cooking with my kids.

That is why, I aimed to join My Great Food's Kitchen Makeover contest with my Moist Ube Queso Muffin. While doing the 15 second video, I had no one to ask help to but my 5 year old twins to do the mixing, the pouring, while I take shots. My sister would be the hand model and the one who used the hand mixer and the referee when the twins are bickering as to who pours who.

In between, my twins would spill flour, milk or sugar. They literally cracked the eggs with the shell mixed on the batter so we had to pause for 15 minutes to remove all the tiny shell and retake. It was both funny ~~stressful, killer-kind~~ and memorable. Even our pet, Taylor would watch by the oven and lick the pieces of falling batter or sugar on the floor. The prep time of 20 minutes became 2 hours! Then, after all that, finally... the muffin is done! It was sooooo good! I can still remember it as I write this blog. It was not too overpoweringly sweet, but the cheese balanced it out and gave a thrill on your taste buds like drinking wine after a steak. We we're laughing and indulging (while, I was almost out of my wits thinking on how to remove the stain on my little girl's new dress - because they did not bring the apron I made for them!).

I am no pro in the kitchen, I cook or bake for my family and friends. So, that dream kitchen is not just TO cook or TO bake on but as a family affair to remember with my kids till they're grown. Perhaps, with less mess next time. :)

This recipe is also on this blog post entry I posted or this below, and I have added pictures for the directions to help you check the process.

Ube Queso Muffin

1 3/4 cups sifted Magnolia all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1 cup granulated white sugar
1/2 cup unsalted Magnolia Gold Butter
2 large eggs
1/4 tsp salt
2/3 cup Magnolia PureFresh Natural Cow's Milk
3/4 cup Ube Halaya
2 tsp. Ube Flavoring
Magnolia Queso de Bola and Magnolia Quick Melt Cheese for sprinkling on top of the muffin.

Procedure:

1. Mix all dry ingredients except sugar. Set aside.
2. On a separate mixing bowl, cream butter, sugar and ube halaya.
3. Add eggs one at a time.
4. Mix the dry ingredients alternately with the milk until fully incorporated.
5. Add the ube flavoring and mix well.
6. Preheat oven to 350F for 15minutes.
7. Fill each muffin liners at least 2/3 full with the batter.
8. Bake for 15 minutes or until done.
9. Remove from oven and add grated Magnolia Queso de Bola and Magnolia Quick Melt cheese on top.
10. Serve warm.

Makes 12 muffins #MerryMyGreatFoodin15seconds

Photos and details of procedure here...

Yummy goodness! Share your thoughts below if you have something like this recipe to share.

Red Velvet Pancakes in Cookies and Cream

2015-02-24T12:35:00.000+08:00

A video posted by Mira Grace (@mirarempillo) on Feb 23, 2015 at 7:41pm PST

Red Velvet with cookies and cream? So delicious.

I have always been thinking of great ways to make my picky little eaters at home eat food! We would bake and cook together and there are times that they would just end up eating the batter than actually eating the food we made!

You know, how messy it is when kids as young as 5 would "help" in the kitchen! It usually ends up as a disaster. Well, for this recipe - I can guarantee that this is almost mess free, kid-friendly recipe. So, you can make this with the little ones, just make sure you do the cooking and guide their hands from the pan when they pour the batter in.

But, the best part of this - they will love the final result!

Let's get cookin' and yes, this time call in your 4 or 5 or even 12 year olds to do this simple, pretty and delicious all-day, cheer-me-up recipe!

Red Velvet Pancakes with Cookies and Cream

For the red velvet pancakes:

1 pack Magnolia Pancake and Waffle Mix

2 eggs

4 Tbsp Oil

1 cup water

3 tbsp Unsweetened Cocoa

Few drops of Red Food Coloring

1/2 tsp Magnolia Gold Butter

For the Cookies and Cream:

6 pcs crushed Oreos

1/2 pack of 250ml Magnolia All-Purpose Cream

1 tbsp White Sugar

For the toppings:

2 pcs coarsely crushed Oreos

Maple or chocolate syrup

Procedure:

Crush Oreos in a blender. Set aside. In a small bowl, mix Magnolia All Purpose Cream with the crushed Oreos and the sugar. Place in a pastry bag or a zip lock bag and chill for 30 minutes.

Prepare and mix Magnolia Pancake and Waffle Mix as directed. Add unsweetened cocoa. Add a few drops of red coloring and mix well.

Heat a non-stick pan on med-low. heat. Lightly grease a non stick pan with Magnolia Gold Butter. Cook pancakes.

Prepare pancakes, top with the chilled cookies and cream, sprinkle with Oreos and drizzle some sauce! Enjoy!

Makes. 12-15 regular sized pancakes.

#MerryMyGreatFoodIn15Seconds

Fudge Brownies with Salted Caramel

2015-02-20T22:21:00.001+08:00

Ahh! Salted Caramel is my sweetest temptation. This recipe will make you fall head over heels. If you haven't really fallen in love yet, this could be your first sweet love. *_-

For some, making caramel is tricky. Yes, it is. I thank God for the years I've spent during my college days making Leche Flan almost everyday, and being able to practice the perfect way to cook caramel. Practice makes perfect, so for this recipe - it is no different except that you'll add salt. When you are done salivating when you are cooking this patience-test-Caramel, you can start licking off the spoon that you mixed it with. Pause awhile before making the brownies and just indulge in that sweet and salty goodness! Just be sure that it is cool enough or you'll scald your taste buds. :)

For this recipe, I used Magnolia Fudge Brownies. It tasted good and was perfect for a quick dessert for my chocolate craving. When I make brownies, I add coffee to enhance the flavor of the chocolate. To make this recipe even tasty - I added Guittard Semi Sweet Chocolate chips.

Now, let's get working rather and stop drooling.

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Fudge brownies with Salted Caramel

Salted Caramel:
1 cup caster sugar
8 Tbsp. Magnolia Gold butter
120ml Magnolia Cream (or 1/2 cup Magnolia Fresh Milk)
1 tbsp Salt (or Pink salt)
5 tbsp water
2 tbsp corn syrup

Brownies:
1 box Magnolia Brownies (make as directed)
1 tbsp San Mig Coffee Original
1/2 cup Semi sweet chocolate chips

Procedure:
Salted Caramel:
Mix sugar, water and corn syrup in a pan.
Cook in medium heat. Do not mix but just keep turning the pan side by side to keep the sugar from burning.
Wait till sugar melts and turn into a golden amber color (approx. 10-15 minutes).
Remove from heat and let settle a few minutes before adding the butter. Mix well until fully melted. Once butter is melted, add cream/milk. The mixture will sizzle, handle carefully. Add salt. Cook in low heat for a few minutes. Let cool.

Brownies:
Make Magnolia Brownies as directed from the box and add the San Mig Coffee and fold in the semi sweet chocolate chips.

Bake as directed and let cool for 1 hour. Then, pour the salted caramel on top of the brownies. Serve and enjoy.
#MerryMyGreatFoodIn15Seconds

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A video posted by Mira Grace (@mirarempillo) on Feb 18, 2015 at 6:25pm PST

See the oozing Salted Caramel seeping into the Fudge Brownies? The mixture of sweet and salty is just addicting.

So, tell me... have you made some? How was it, do share your thoughts below!

Cheesy Pork in Creamy Tomato Sauce

2015-02-20T22:21:00.000+08:00

I am a home cook and not exactly a pro in the kitchen. But, when it comes to cooking for my family and close friends - I cook with all my heart. I.just.love.to.cook.

This recipe I concocted is a twist from the Pinoy Menudo. We love Menudo so much but for this recipe, I created it with some more Pinoy Spaghetti with creamy, cheesy sauce that my kids love!

You can use tomato sauce for this (or even a can of stewed tomatoes - yummy!), but I am very cautious on the sodium content of food eversince my husband had hypertension.

So, I opted to the less sodium but a bit more sour tomato paste. If you find it a bit more sour for your taste, you can balance it out with a tbsp. of brown sugar or choose tomato sauce or a can of stewed tomatoes.

I hope you'll enjoy this recipe as much as I and my kiddos did. Btw, please don't forget to view my Instagram video about this here: https://instagram.com/p/zQ-lo7TJvF/ and, please like it, if you did. :)

Cheesy Pork in Creamy Tomato Sauce 1/2 kilo Pork menudo cut 3 pcs Purefoods hotdog, sliced 120 ml tomato paste 1 whole Onion, minced 5 cloves of Garlic, chopped 1 big potato, cubed 1 carrot, cubed 1 whole bell pepper, cut into squares 3 tbsp. Magnolia Gold Butter 120 ml Magnolia Cream 2 tbsp Soy Sauce 1/2 cup water Salt and pepper to taste Magnolia Quick Melt Cheese, grated Saute onions and garlic in butter. Add pork. Cook well. Add water. Add bell pepper, Potatoes and Carrots, season with salt and pepper. Cook till veggies are soft and tender. Add hotdogs. Add tomato paste, add cream, add soy sauce. Cook till done. Simmer. Serve hot on brown rice with grated cheese on top. Yum! #merrymygreatfoodin15seconds

A video posted by Mira Grace (@mirarempillo) on Feb 18, 2015 at 6:02pm PST

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Cheesy Pork in Creamy Tomato Sauce

1/2 kilo Pork menudo cut
3 pcs Purefoods hotdog, sliced
120 ml tomato paste
1 whole Onion, minced
5 cloves of Garlic, chopped
1 big potato, cubed
1 carrot, cubed
1 whole bell pepper, cut into squares
3 tbsp. Magnolia Gold Butter
120 ml Magnolia Cream
2 tbsp Soy Sauce
1/2 cup water
Salt and pepper to taste
Magnolia Quick Melt Cheese, grated

Saute onions and garlic in butter.
Add pork. Cook well. Add water. Add bell pepper, Potatoes and Carrots, season with salt and pepper. Cook till veggies are soft and tender. Add hotdogs. Add tomato paste, add cream, add soy sauce. Cook till done. Simmer. Serve hot on brown rice with grated cheese on top. Yum!

#MerryMyGreatFoodin15Seconds

An Ube Quezo Muffin Recipe

2015-02-14T01:51:00.001+08:00

A few weeks back, me and my youngest sister were just feasting on my mom-in-law's homemade ube halaya! We were both in heaven while having this sweet dessert.

While still being in this blissful moment, we've thought about sorbetes ice cream (me and my sisters would just go on about random strange memories so, this were just one of those days) and how she loved her ube ice cream with quezo. We were laughing about it since we find it strange that we were kids who love old-fashioned food. Yet, we were still enjoying our ube halaya mixed with milk.

Now just out of that blissful ube moment that we were having. I told her "(smiley while chewing on the ube) hmmm... what if we make something like a Filipino version of Salted Caramel? You know, like the sweet and salty kind. Something like... Ube and Queso! Lightly sweet and salty" Which we both agreed to make that same day. From then on, this recipe was birthed.

We wanted it simple and tasty. Moist and light. Something you won't get so choked up on sweetness. But, something even your Lola or Lolo, 80s childhood friends would find appealing.

So, here goes and I hope you enjoy it!

Ube Quezo Muffin

1 3/4 cups sifted Magnolia all-purpose flour

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp baking soda

1 cup granulated white sugar

1/2 cup unsalted Magnolia Gold Butter

2 large eggs

1/4 tsp salt

2/3 cup Magnolia PureFresh Natural Cow's Milk

3/4 cup Ube Halaya

2 tsp. Ube Flavoring

Magnolia Queso de Bola and Magnolia Quick Melt Cheese for sprinkling on top of the muffin.

Procedure:

1. Mix all dry ingredients except sugar. Set aside.

2. On a separate mixing bowl, cream butter, sugar and ube halaya.

3. Add eggs one at a time.

4. Mix the dry ingredients alternately with the milk until fully incorporated.

5. Add the ube flavoring and mix well.

6. Preheat oven to 350F for 15minutes.

7. Fill each muffin liners at least 2/3 full with the batter.

8. Bake for 15 minutes or until done.

9. Remove from oven and add grated Magnolia Quezo de Bola and Magnolia Quick Melt cheese on top.

10. Serve warm.

Makes 12 muffins.

This is also my entry for #MerryMyGreatFoodin15seconds

Ube Quezo Muffin 1 3/4 cups sifted Magnolia all-purpose flour 1 1/2 tsp baking powder 1/4 tsp baking soda 1 cup granulated white sugar 1/2 cup unsalted Magnolia Gold Butter 2 large eggs 1/4 tsp salt 2/3 cup Magnolia PureFresh Natural Cow's Milk 3/4 cup Ube Halaya 2 tsp. Ube Flavoring Magnolia Quezo de Bola and Magnolia Quick Melt Cheese for sprinkling on top of the muffin. Procedure: 1. Mix all dry ingredients except sugar. Set aside. 2. On a separate mixing bowl, cream butter, sugar and ube halaya. 3. Add eggs one at a time. 4. Mix the dry ingredients alternately with the milk until fully incorporated. 5. Add the ube flavoring and mix well. 6. Preheat oven to 350F for 15minutes. 7. Fill each muffin liners at least 2/3 full with the batter. 8. Bake for 15 minutes or until done. 9. Remove from oven and add grated Magnolia Quezo de Bola and Magnolia Quick Melt cheese on top. 10. Serve warm. Makes 12 muffins. #merrymygreatfoodin15seconds

A video posted by Mira Grace (@mirarempillo) on Feb 13, 2015 at 9:28am PST

Activities for 3 year old kids

2014-01-12T18:15:00.002+08:00

My twins are now 4, I often find myself taking pictures to document the things we do. I am amazed at the activities we have done ever since they have started to discover what their hands are able to do.

Pouring activities which teaches concentration. Place items on a tray so you won't mind the spills.

Rainbow painting activities with milk, dishwashing detergent, some food coloring, and chopsticks

Handpainting, cutting and taping, puzzles, painting, tracing and beading activities which are relevantly common in our little homeschool. The materials are readily available for them to grab from our shelf.

We do letter matching (using letter puzzles), clay, coloring and pattern blocks just so often!

This is one important random activity we do even after dinner. It is just making use of any toy with the alphabets and a letter flash card.

One of their favorite and which improved their motor-skills is beading.

This was taken at 9PM where my girls just grabbed this lacing activity from our shelf which was just collecting dust since they were 1.5.

A letter punching activity using a paper with a letter to punch (I traced the letter of the week on it) then clipped on a mouse pad which they will punch either with a small screwdriver (precision screwdriver), or a pen would also work.

For art, we did these pipecleaners and googly eyes puppets.

Cutting - my twins have mastered this at age 2.5. I allow them to use scissors at 1.5 but with my supervision. At 3.5, they can handle even sharper school scissors without my help.

We learn letters through Handwriting without Tears and Starfall.com on the iPad.

Some of our other activities:

Letter tracing with clay!

Letter tracing with sticks!

Doing Kumon tracing.

She can do 3 pages a day of Kumon tracing.

Kumon is one of our weekly thing.

Actual writing activity by my 3.5 year old.

Hooked on Phonics flash cards!

Boggle Jr.!

Trinkets to make a letter!

There are times that they don't feel like doing anything. So, we would take a snack break or completely stop school if they are not into it for the day or days or even weeks! I am not in a hurry anyway.

Wet-Dry-Try on the iPad and the real thing using Handwriting Without Tears.

During our letter B day!

These are some of our math, art and other sensorial activities.

We do a lot of read-alouds. But, for younger kids, I usually allow them to do building activities as I read to them.

Lego will always be part of their lives.

Telephone!

Manila paper indoor play. Simple drawings of star, sad face and happy faces and some coins to throw. Even my 8 year old had fun with this activity.

Thee did clay especially during the Bible story "The Creation". The one on the right is Eve! :D

We made snakes out of construction paper during our Bible story.

Lining up sticks is a favorite activity.

Color matching activity

They love Mighty Mind. This is one of their favorite things to do when they wake up. Callie here went to her room and played with it.

Still on Mighty Mind

They leave me with this after a painting session.

Melissa and Doug painting is less messy!

Sometimes, I see them doing this with the Mighty Mind can! They keep on saying "I am a robot, mom!"

To teach proper table manners, we do a tea party!

A giant craft paper makes a good tool to learn parts of the body!

Many times, my girls play dress-up. They would pretend to be going into a snowy place or even travelling to the moon!

Most importantly, I let them experience being a kid who ca appreciate nature! They are able to catch fireflies, touch a butterfly, play with snails, be messy and just enjoy being a kid.

These may be a lot, but we don't really have a structure. I just follow their cue and see what they like to do. We sing songs a lot and read books a WHOLE lot! We memorize our memory verse each day and read the Bible too.

Manners and values are more important for them now. It is what they will need a whole lot besides knowing how to read, count and write. Part of their life is knowing that they are loved and that they are safe with us.

We are on Instagram and most of our activities are there too!

A girly racing Sugar Rush party for the twins' 4th birthday

2014-01-11T20:33:00.001+08:00

Best sisters forever! I made their headpiece to match their themed name (Cotton Candy for Dashielle and Lollipop for Callista).

When we saw the movie - Wreck it Ralph, I was instantly in loved with Sugar Rush! The twins' loved it so much too and I thought, this is the next theme for my girls' party. It is not the usual too girly thing, but it has everything my girls love - speed and racing, pink and green and all the sweetness it has!

My desire is to make the day different and memorable the very least. I don't give huge and expensive parties to my kids. I just want them and their guests to remember that day they did something different!

I didn't bother much on the venue and food by hiring a caterer and paying for venue rental - a Mcdonald's party will be just as awesome for this kind of party. So, we had the venue at Mcdonald's and we were really surprised that the party area of the branch we have chosen is the most spacious venue I have seen from other Mcdonald's play area.

Here are some pictures of my twins' Sugar Rush racing party!

Colorful and oh so sweet! These were designed by my sister!

A sweet friend and godmother of the twins, decorated the dessert table which became the centerpiece of the stage.

I bought tiny cupcakes, melted some white chocolate and sprinkled candy sprinkles then topped them with these cupcake toppers (also designed by my sister).

This is the other dessert table. :)

Candies here were ordered online together with the giant lollipops!

Callista's cake

Dashie's cake

I bought the green petit skirt and the tutu was from Erin et Vivien!

My favorite cake baker just never fail to surprise me - Nikko of Baked Twinkles did these and the birthday cakes!

The night before, which took me roughly 6 hours to make, these were parked on our kitchen.

My husband had a different layout for the Racing Kart station for the kids. It was placed in the center of the venue so that kids together with their parents can build them.

We included a Build your own Candy Racing Kart for each of the kids.
This was such a big hit!

I built different karts without designs and the kids freely designed it with candies and sprinkles! I packed them individually with their extra candies.

The cute labels, invites and all themed printed materials were designed by my sister and I just printed them on our home printer. I just repacked the candies and cookies on small individual plastic wrapper.

It was a hit!

I did not spend anything on lootbags which usually becomes clutter anyway after the party. But, the Make a Racing Kart the kids made, the much nicer prizes from Mcdonald's, the giant lollipops and the grab-all-you-can candies from the dessert table.

Everybody had fun including my kiddos. I will be posting more details on the kart racing icing recipe soon!

Handwriting problems using Handwriting Without Tears

2013-09-13T15:01:00.000+08:00

When my son came home from his summer school when he was 5.6 years old, he gave this card to me.

Ice at 5.6

With 2 years of pre-school before that 2-week summer play school, his teachers were telling me about the huge problem on his handwriting, pencil grip, reversals of letters, and left/right handwriting confusion. I thought, this was not a big deal.

A few days after summer school, I went to the school and saw a bulletin board with works of some 3-4 year olds, I saw my son's work and that alarmed me - my almost 6 year old's handwriting is awful.

I asked the teachers on how we could brush up his skills. They advised us to do lots of copywork, after-school tutorials, use pencil grippers or check if he was left-handed (he uses his right hand to write) - importantly, just make him WRITE. But, my son just hated to write! Just asking him to write his first name makes him so stressed and doesn't know how to copy anything. My son was frustrated and so was I.

The Lord told me that I need to stop comparing and being frustrated with my son. Education is not who finishes first or being the best on one or two things, but what one learns through the process. God showed me, that he made me a mother and am the only physical being to really help and teach my son more effectively. So, he opened my heart for the very first time to homeschool.

When I began homeschooling, that meant, giving up my beloved 9-12 hour work and be a work-at-home mom. It was hard to give up something you love, but my son and kids were all worth it.

At 5, this is the way he colors the trees and monkeys.
The strokes on his letters are like of a 3 year old.

I've met with veteran homeschoolers when I shared my heart to them about homeschooling. One mom, shared to me about Sonlight. I bought an entire curriculum P4/5 with K readers, Singapore Math and most importantly, Handwriting Without Tears set.

They have other handwriting sets but I chose this because it was meant to correct reversals and does not follow the "dot to dot" letter practice. If you will get the Teacher's guide, you will get more tips on how to use their 2-lined paper, priper letter strokes, Mat Man activities and many others.

I learned that dot to dot letter formation won't make the child focus on the stroke of the letter because it will just make them focus on the dots that they follow.

HWOT (Handwriting Without Tears) focuses on each letters stroke, even if your child has no issues on handwriting, using this as a handwriting curriculum will help them control their letter reversals which is very common to preschoolers to 1st grade. I am also using this to my 5 year old twin girls and though, the other twin shows very strong tripod grip (as I have already started them with lots of fine motor by 12 months), HWOT still helped her with her letter reversals, letter formations and spacing of words and letters. This is also very helpful with my left handed child who had severe letter reversals and was writing in complete mirror image of words. This was all corrected with HWOT.

Before going into Handwriting without Tears, my son had lots of trouble with the way he traces the letters. Handwriting is a skill that has to follow a certain kind of stroke per each letter to prevent reversals. Which my son so struggled with. This style above was a copywork activity without any strokes taught to a child. This style won't work all the time esp. for kids struggling with handwriting.

We began homeschooling using Sonlight - P4/5. I have researched about handwriting problems with children and Handwriting Without Tears (http://www.hwtears.com) was my choice. I included the 4 volume books of Developing the Early Learner (http://www.sonlight.com/PR01.html) on our curriculum as well, which made a big significance on my son's interest in puzzles yet having to master Motor-skills, Visual, Problem-solving and Auditory skills.

For a year, I focused on my 5 year old's reading and handwriting. I saw big improvements just doing 1 year of Handwriting without tears. From a non-writer to an avid story writer (I was still his scribe, during that time).

This was one of our 1st activities. He was already in K, yet I needed to do "letter of the week" for him. I let him practice strokes and lines and we only did 1 letter per week for this. We did not exceed for more than 15 minutes otherwise he just gets tired.

Our first few activities was to focus on pencil grip and mastering the tripod grip. We sang a song from HWOT CD "Where do you start your letter? On the top!" (from the Handwriting Without Tears book) and a lot of gripping and holding activities. We did that for 2 weeks then moved on to worksheets.

After an activity, I would let him check his work by putting a circle on the best-looking letter/s he made.

He knows how to write but only up to his nickname (ICE), beyond that, he would scribble and doodle. I did not allow him to do copy work yet, even though we had to, if we follow the curriculum. I never rush on things, just letting him flow through it and we only moved when he is ready for the next.

Below are some activities we did during the year and you can see how he has improved a lot in that year alone.

This is the beauty of homeschooling. If I let him go to Prep (K) that time, we will just be as frustrated as a mother in waiting for labor. Even if we had to write 1 letter a week (he actually, got the hang of it, and in just 3 months- we were already writing an entire paragraph).

would put markings and honestly tell him parts that fell over the lines that he needed to correct next time. The orange dots were his only guide on where to begin his letter stroke.

After some time, I slowly introduced how to write his name. You can see that though, some lines were still a bit crooked as he was still mastering a stronger grip, his name looks a lot better in just a month and a half.

When I introduce a new lesson to him. I would use a highlighter and would show him how to do the strokes. After which, he would write over the highlighted letters and finished it. Then, I would give him a space to do without the highlighted letter by just giving him a highlighted point on the starting stroke of the 1st letter of the word.

We did sentence case for his name. I had a hard time asking him to finish just this page, but with encouragement and lots of praises, he was able to finish it. It took him like 3 minutes per name and he got really tired doing so but, bravely, he did.

Since then, I have always asked him to write his first name (and not just writing his 3 letter nickname) on all his worksheets. I was so proud of him seeing his improvement on this. This was just after 3 months.

Since, he loves math and we do Singapore Math, t was easier to introduce him to number writing. This was the time, he had more patience finishing an entire page. He finished this in about 30 minutes, after that. We took a break right away after an entire page of activity.

Getting there...

Now, without any number templates. This was introduced after 5 months and he has quickly picked it up in 3 weeks.

Introduced, sentences and simple copy work which he found terribly boring. But, lots of praises were his drive to finish this task. So, from 30 minutes a page. We were now cut to 15 minutes doing this.

6 months prior to this, my son had no interest whatsoever in drawing or writing. He would never go get a pen or even draw. I never experienced seeing any drawings on any wall of our house (that was clear, he had no interest in writing). But, just after those 6 months he has learned to be more confident in writing. He made drawings everyday, every hour of the day. He grabs a paper and gave me cards. In a span of just 3 months, he finished a ream of recycled paper I bought for him. It was just like a light bulb just switched "on" him.

One of our story elaboration activity. I asked him to draw while I become his scribe.

Just 6 months doing Handwriting without Tears and Developing the Early Learner - I suddenly have a very artistic son.

We finished his curriculum and I was confident of his writing skills more than ever in just a year of focusing on my son. When he turned 6, we enrolled him in a Montessori-based school.

I had to work again full-time and so after praying for a school that will best suit his learning style, God showed us the school for him.

We enrolled him to K (or Prep), and he was 6 that time. We went school hopping and the school where he is now was the one we peacefully have chosen. But, when I got in the classroom during a school tour I saw a Calligraphy board and asked if they will teach that to kids in pre-school. The teacher said, yes. They start at K (Prep) and it is called the Monstessori Style of Calligraphy (not cursive). They said, they follow Maria Montessori's belief that Calligraphy is the most natural way of writing. I was so worried! I pulled-out my child to teach a year on his writing and then... calligraphy for a 6 year old? Even then, we let it a try.

My son wrote that?!

After 1-2 quarters of the school year, I saw more improvement with my son's handwriting. At first, he got too overwhelmed but since he loves his school - he was able to do more than expected.

Just 4 months, he was writing really well. More comfortably and a better grip. But, it was evident that the style we learned in a year of homeschool was still evident in his strokes.

His drawing was not so bad as well for someone who used to struggle in handwriting.
He was 6.5 at this time.

Then, another setback came on him. His Calligraphy was pulling him down because it was a totally different stroke that he has never mastered. But, because I told him the history of Calligraphy, he got excited. Since, I used to write Calligraphy during my college days and love typography art as well. I showed him great works of people who write really good. That nailed it and gave him a reason to write beautifully.

For his entire Grade 1, his handwriting uing calligraphy was just as horrible as when we started handwriting! But, rather than feeling so depressed on this again, I praised him and practiced using HWOT 2-lined paper and showed him proper strokes based on it.

His grades were still wonderful inspite the trouble with his writing.

Now, my son is 8 and in Grade 2. He once showed me his notes and told me "Mom, teacher placed a note on my notebook and said 'Very nice calligraphy'." I said, "can I see it?". When I saw his handwriting, I almost cried. My son is now free.

Defeating his dragon!

Each child is unique and have a different set of timing in his way to learn things. Some are early learners while some needs more time. There are some who are good in 10 things and weak in 1 or the other way around. If we are there in that 1 or 10 things, we will give them everything they will ever need.

By the way, my son has LD (Learning Disability) in Reading, Writing and Spelling. It was a tough one for my little man, but slowly and little by little we are defeating these dragons in his life together.

Your thoughts? Do share! I would love to help.

Full-time Job or Full-time Mom?

2013-09-11T12:53:00.002+08:00

I love my time with my son

I was just speaking to a very good mom friend of mine, who used to be in an 8+-hour job for 20 years. She said that when she traded off her career to become a full-time mom for her 2 kids she felt more accomplished than ever before.

Coming from someone who held a very good career in a well-known company in the world, a salary that is more than enough to support the family, and several other good career offers she was given even if she decided to resign from work - that is a breath of fresh air to someone who wants to be assured that there is life after letting go of job "security".

My twins proved that I can be blessed to love more!

Nowadays, there are more mothers needing to work because having a single income won't be enough to fill in all the expenses of the family. History shows that divorce rate went up when women started working during the war and plunged down when the men went back home. But, steadily moved up when women started working again and have to leave the children. Divorce affects families and the kids are the victims.

When moms are not with the children during their growing years, kids are not protected by the world. They are like little birds without a mother in their nest. They learn to lead lives based on situations or what other people, peers, and the media would show them. They are independently away from the family. They tend to become busy themselves which they see from their parents. Parents fight or get into conflict out of fatigue and burnout of work and the kids see that it is okay to be mad and hurtful when someone is tired.

Mom's are guardians of her children's values. The father may be out for work, but mother's are there for the children.

I am not pertaining to single mom's who cannot leave her job for her children. Some are wonderful and hardworking. Becoming both a father and a mother at the same time is not a simple job to do.

But, mom's who have more time for their 8+-hour job, have more coffee break, lunch and after-work conversations with her colleagues than her children or a mother of a toddler left in the care of a nanny who hurts her child without even knowing it or her 10 year old who secretly hides that he is being bullied because he feels that he has to stand up for himself is something I feel so sad about.

We cannot leave our children in the wild if we are not there to show them how. I was watching a show how a family of Dingo (a wild dog that is native to Australia) and saw how the parents protect their young from an eagle who preys on little Dingos. When the pups were little, they let them out during the day, hunts for them, feeds them. When night falls, they carry each one back inside their den. When the Dingos grew and were weaned out from the mom's milk, they were still there together with the parents but the parents are less weary now of the eagle knowing naturally that the Dingos can defend their own. The eagle eventually, stopped stalking on them. But, even this time, the dad was teaching them dominance and hunting instincts. As they grow to a little bit of an adult dingo, they moved out and started their own adventure without their parents. Sounds unfamiliar now, right? Now, bullied kids are told by their parents to learn how to fend themselves without even showing them how. They don't have anyone to look up to, so they find it on their own alone.

She can trust that mommy will be there to catch her

It was a big decision for me to decide to become a full-time mom. I worked in a 8+-hour job while my eldest was growing but I feel just blessed because my husband maintains a business that he can work at home and look after our son. Leaving our children to a family member is a lot better than leaving them with a stranger. But, we have to be aware also that we have to leave the disciplining to the family member when we, parent's are away. We must also be aware, that the position of the husband (and even the mother) in disciplining tend to become less when the sharing of the disciplining is extended to other family members. This starts conflict between marriages because the spouse would not always agree with the in-laws way in dealing with his own children and yet having to balance respect and conflict between them. So, the child disrespects his own parents and yet listens very well to grandma. Parents are tired and just ignore their child's attitude as they don't have the energy to deal with it. When weekend comes, the family goes out without the grandparents, the child gets excited and throws a tanrtum. Finally, they come home feeling more tired than when they went home from work. So the mom concludes, I cannot be a full time mom. I love my career and having to stay with my child 24/7 is definitely, not my thing.

It may not be financially fulfilling but money can never buy time - your child's time.

I cannot blame you, I felt that way. The more time you give to anything to whom you love the more it gives back to you. If you give more time to your work, the more you are rewarded - the more time you need to be in the office, the less time you will know your child. But, the more you give to your child, the more you know his wants and dislikes, what works and what doesn't. It is so funny, but I laugh now at the thought that my mom gets more tired of seeing me juggle 3 kids when I was just breezing through it. I cannot blame her, she worked in an office till I was 13 and works-at-home till now. That is why, she has more fun enjoying her grandchildren.

Juggling 2 on both hands

I stand in a position that mothers are supposed to be the pillars of her children's values. She should see her child grow not through pictures on her social media accounts or a baby picture on her office desk then suddenly realizes how big her little son has grown to be. It would be nice that mothers know how to handle when her child is about to start a fit and can manage it right away. Mothers should teach manners and independence in a loving way. She can withstand her children's annoying mess, spills to clean, cries and screams. After everything has been said and done of childhood, she finally lets him go. Being secured that she has brought up a person after God's own heart.

There is no wasted time to a full-time mom. She never feels like her kids are "just suddenly" growing so fast. She is their witness of her children's life. Opportunities open up to her like crazy doing a business she loves and the children gets to see meet people because of it and are more confident and well-mannered. She starts life at 4:30am and ends on time.

We are all tired, but the difference is how accomplished do you feel with your family and your time.

When I was once in my 8+ hours full time job I got this thought that made me decide to jump: I feel accomplished having to launch a really big project at work, we get a reward for the overtime work done. Rewarded with bonuses and promotions (sometimes, none). Although, during those times, my child got sick and I couldn't be there. The guilt and the worry was more than doubled than when I can be with my child. That project was all gone and replaced, but what I still have now and forever will be my child and the rewards are tremendous. That wasn't a hard choice for me since then.

Live simply and you will never have to want anything more than what you need.

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If you are in a situation where it is in your heart to be a full-time mom but having to let go of your job will cause your family a big financial distress, then pray and let God direct your days to freedom.

On the other hand, if you are a full-time mom and the need to go back to full-time job is a necessity and not an escape from the chaos of home, then by all means - go! You will be wiser in dealing with your time and you know that family is priority.

On a different note, a full-time mom doesn't have to look sloppy and ugly. Just because no one is going to see you, doesn't give you a license to turn into a hag-looking mother that smells like onions. Dress great, put on make-up, wear good shoes. Be beautiful inside and out.

Share your thoughts, can you relate with being a full-time mom or being a mom in a full-time job?

Language-based Disability, Dyslexia and Learning Disability

2013-04-22T20:41:00.001+08:00

When my son was 4 years old, his teacher in school said that he wasn't reading well at all for his age level. He couldn't hear the differences of rhymes, writes letters b and d in reverse, or even hear syllables. But, what bothered me most was that he never learned to talk in his mother tongue but talked in English (and even UK English) more. Also, we have noticed that his memory is way toooo short (he stumbles to what date his birthday is until now, that he is 8).

We all waited it up thinking that he would just get it someday. So I decided to homeschool him for a year using Sonlight (a Literature-based rich curriculum), Handwriting without Tears for handwriting, copy work (which he hated doing back then), and Singapore Math.

Homeschooling was the best choice I've made for him because I get to focus on the root cause of what is affecting his reading. We would do all sorts of Phonemic Awareness exercises, and let him read short stories like Bob Books which all helped us.

I was so eager to help him that I bought and tried all sorts of reading intervention when he was 5 years old with the following: ClickN'Kids (which bore him but I felt made good results for phonemic awareness), Hooked on Phonics (Didn't used so much but he did looove the music and helped him remember some letter sounds), Reading Eggs (which he loved!), Leap Frog Letter Factory DVD (didn't work well much on him but worked wonders with my 3 year old), RockN'Learn (didn't like it - bore him).

Years went by and he went back to a Montessori based school which actually was perfect fit for his learning style - he is a kinesthetic learner. His grades in school weren't so bad (ranging from 85% - 95%).

But the problem came up more vividly during the course of his 1st grade. They are reading 2nd to 3rd grade reading and spelling. They also started writing Montessori style Calligraphy which made his handwriting horrifying to say the least. What is worse is having Botany and Geography subjects which involves a whole lot of memorization which he was greatly struggling with. As well as a Filipino language class which he would fail almost every quiz he took.

It was a tough year for him and he would cry and tell me why he couldn't read well and he hated being placed with the students who was obviously he knew was the-not-so-smart-kids table when he was once was with the "smart" kids.

2 days ago, we had a Developmental Pedia assess him. It took us 3 months to get a slot and finally she had an assessment of my son. I didn't want to do this at first, because I didn't want to brand him or make him feel that there is something wrong with him. His self-esteem is more important to me than anything else but I also knew we just needed to know so we can on from there.

The Dev. Ped did some series of tests which my son aced when it comes to patterns, blocks, and everything else except for Reading, Writing and Spelling. His listening comprehension was excellent as well as per his doctor. The Pedia even commended how articulate he is when he answers some of her questions. As he answers them more descriptively and intelligently.

The Dev. Pedia said that he has a Language-Based Learning Disability specifically in Reading (phonemic awareness, some reversals of letters), Spelling and Writing. He had no ADHD symptoms so it would just be a lot easier to give intervention for him in just the areas that he is struggling with. What was great is that we did it early because he is still at level unlike other kids as to whom it would take so much years for the child to cope just because they delayed early intervention. I just couldn't imagine how hard it will be for kids to struggle in school for the years that they should have been worked up early on.

So, my son has Dyslexia or LD. Now, our quest has just begun and there are just so much to look at. They don't come at a cheap price so I am hoping to find the best fit for my son. The DEV Pedia also recommended to assess him for IQ which we will be doing by June 2013 at KidPsych. I would like something we could do at home or over the internet so, I am looking at different products. Some recommendations given were:

Orton-Gillingham (Ed-Link offers them but only for Math)
Slingerland (Ed-Link Center in Muntinlupa provides this instruction)
Lindamood (LIPs) (Ed-Link Center in Muntinlupa provides this instruction)
Fast Forwords (Provided by i-thinkers in Wack Wack, Mandaluyong, Philippines)
Reading Specialist (Uses Barton Reading)

I am also looking for reading remediation like All About Reading and All About Spelling or even Davis Dyslexia Correction or even Barton Reading and the most expensive but sounds equally great Easy Read System.

We plan to take on Fast Forwords and still continue on Reading Eggs (as he really loves this system). Let me update you to his progress once they assess him this week.

I just want to encourage parents who have children that are struggling in learning or are called Dyslexics. Here is a quote that I found and has given me a great motivation in helping out my learning-challenged kiddo.

"Dyslexia is not a result of brain damage or nerve damage. Nor is it caused by a malformation of the brain, inner ear or eyeballs. Dyslexia is a product of thought and a special way of reacting to the feeling of confusion" - Ronald Davis (Founded Davis Dyslexia Correction, also a Dyslexic)

There are also a lot of genius dyslexic! So, it is both a challenge and a cause to feel good about.

If you have a Dyslexic child, have you tried any program that worked best for you? Do share!

How do you dress up your kids?

2013-02-08T14:04:00.003+08:00

Been such a long hiatus from blogging. That was the time, I have been hanging out more into Instagram and Twitter and a whole lot of Facebook.

Let me start right out with something that I am deeply into now - dressing up the kids (well, because I do that for 3 almost 7 days a week!). For now, I am my children's fashion police. So, whatever mom says - it goes. Except for my twins who at 2 can already tell me what they want and won't (yes - they won't wear anything that looks itchy) to them.

Add some colors and a bit of layering. They don't have to look like midget adults.

My thoughts on dressing up kids is quite simple - relaxed, classy and simple. Anything that they would decide later on taking it out because it is bothering the way they play and move is deliberately eliminated (except during photoshoots).

I love quality branded clothes but I am not brand-conscious. I love and buy branded clothes as they have great fit and workmanship is truly quality. Most of the time, what they wear is based on their personality and the style which I feel best suit them and not just to "fit" in.

This was during my sister's Art Deco Themed wedding.

Now, I have added this portion on my blog on dressing up kids and simply enjoying them.

How about you, what is your fashion style for your kids?

Baby Ballet for the twins at Infinity Tutorial Services

2012-07-13T11:56:00.001+08:00

Seeing my little girls in their ballet class for the 1st time makes me feel so giddy. I wasn't expecting anything and I thought they'll just distract the class (which they partially did). But, they enjoyed and loved it all at the same time.

One day while I was on the internet, I saw kids who were ballerinas. They posed with perfect posture and grace. It was really beautiful - it is very artistic to look at. I also love classical music and that made it even more better.

While I was scouting for some activities for my twin girls like looking for a weekly playgroup or having them join a music class, I saw a free trial class for ballet at Infinity Tutorial Services at the Fort! I asked my friend who teaches ballet if 2.5 years old is too young to try ballet. She just asked me to bring them and to let them try it out.

It was their 1st Ballet Class! They had so much fun and at the end of the day they were telling me that they now have a "school"! (Yes, they call it their school because they are very envious seeing their big brother go to school each day). Their eyes lit every time I would ask them about it. Days after the trial, they have been asking me when will they go back to their ballet "school" again. So, we are definitely coming back.

Look at them intently enjoying the class. They were running around the studio until Teacher Chuckie needed to sit them apart from each other. Teacher Chuckie gently but firmly got their attention to join and just have fun

Have your little princess try out ballet. Inquire and do let them know that you got a refferal code: MamaMia. Use my referral code and get additional 5 hours free ballet lessons!

They also offer the following:

After School Tutorials (Grade 1-10)
Math Clinic
Science & Technology
Languages (for kids and adults)
Violin Classes

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Infinity Tutorial Services
Units 1003-1006 Trade and Finance Tower, 7th Avenue cor. 32nd St., The Fort, Taguig
(02) 4785957 or text 09064306264

Teaching kids about money and my business-minded kid

2012-07-05T16:23:00.002+08:00

Somehow, deep inside each one of us has a passion for something. I believe, it is something unique God placed in every person. Each one, including a child is given one specific passion and a vision and it is us, parents who will help them seek for it, lead them to it and eventually encourage them to reach for that dream.

If you we're following my blog, I have seen my son's passion for planting since he was 3 years old (http://www.mamamiakiddos.blogspot.com/2011/09/growing-plants-is-good-for-teaching.html). He loves planting - he loves seeing things grow. His nanny planted 4 Malunggay (Moringa Oleifera) stems in front of our house and it started growing, my son waters his plants every morning when he wakes up and occasionally I see him talk to his plants. Aside from the thriving Malunngay, he already harvested melons, okras, tomatoes and bell peppers. The other day, I surprised him with 2 packs of Cilantro and Sweet Pepper seeds I bought at the Supermarket. He was so happy, he kept hugging and kissing me for those seeds.

I might have found my son's passion which was clear to me as a mom when he turned 6. He loves to plant and "collect" money out of things he make. My entrepreneurial son, started his business at the age of 5. He would make paper wallets and sell them to family and friends. At age 5, he knows how to count money faster than when he learned how to read. He was able to count his money (including coins) up to P1000+ (not just big bills). When I asked him what toy he would like to buy, he would say "nothing. I just want a box where I can save all my money in".

He is contented with whatever he has and doesn't ask for toys or stuff except to let him watch TV or play on the computer - but that is mostly it. He would even tell me not to buy so much things when we already have so much. Most of the time, he is the one who would help remind me not to buy things anymore. I taught him to be comfortable with money that at 2, I would let him play with a can full of coins. He was just fascinated with the sound it makes when he drops it in his coin bank. Of course, I made sure they are soaked in alcohol before I let him play with it and have a keen eye on him so he doesn't try to eat it.

Some parents see money as literally and figuratively dirty - I don't think so. I think that kids should be taught the value of money. Parents should not encourage kids that just because they have money - they can buy anything they want to buy with it. It would be a good thing to proportionate things on the money they have. Ex. if they have P1,000 - P500 for savings, P300 for something they want, P100 for giving to someone, P100 as tithes.

He showed me that his Malunggay are so healthy, they are growing some giant leaves!

The Malunggay started growing to a 3 ft leafy plant. Then, it grew and grew until it was as high as our roof. It went so high and thought it was becoming really ugly. I told my son that it doesn't look nice anymore especially having those Malunggay in front of our house and that we should chop it off soon so we can plant some nicer plants. He would always argue with me, begging that I shouldn't, because he loves them and all his other plant friends.

Then came a time that I needed to breastfeed twins and definitely needed all the Malunggay I could have! So, I postponed the day I would chop it off. Then, came neighbors who would one by one give P10.00 to buy some Malunggay leaves which excites my son even more. Along came a regular buyer who pays P50.00 per week who gets the leaves to sell in the market and I get to somehow tell him to chop it off shorter so it doesn't grow as tall as our house. I am sure, my son was praying so I won't chop his malunggay trees.

The idea of having Malunggay in front of the house is such an eyesore to me. This lowly plant is called a "poor man's plant". This poor man's plant only grew in 3rd world countries and so they don't look very pleasing as an ornamental plant in a garden.

Months ago, my husband was rushed to the ER for hypertension of 150/110. He was regularly at 120/90 but that time it was way too high. It really worried me that I wanted a change or diet and lifestyle for my family. My kids' weren't eating veggies or even if they do, I know it isn't enough to say they are getting enough. I heard about Wheatgrass but it was so expensive so I researched for something that is of the same nutritional value of that of Wheatgrass (or Barley) - then came this miracle vegetable - the Malunggay!

He insists on putting his own product to his food. He really loves it - he kept telling me that it is his magic potion. There are even days he would tell me to make sure there is his "magic potion" to his snack food in school.

I told Ice that what was planted in our garden is something that could help other people. I also told him if he wants to make it as his full-blown business, although it isn't going to be simple and if he wants it to grow... he needs a lot of patience (which he does). I also encouraged him that he should also try it so when he shares it to people he knows all about it.

We started to harvest some leaves, removed the wilted/yellowish leaves, washed them thoroughly with mineral water and dried them. I then, made it into a powder and placed it in a salt shaker. We put a dash of malunggay powder into every meal and my husband brings his own malunggay shaker to work. My husband's BP lowered, me and my kids are getting a good dose of veggies and most importantly... it doesn't hurt our pocket and yet my son gets to have his passion for planting and reaping all it's monetarily reward by just simply enjoying it.

He opened his 1st bank account solely from his own profit from the sales of his Malunggay business (not money from mom or dad!).

So, today... we went to the bank and he started to open his own bank account from the income he got from his little, growing business!

My son is selling his Power Malunggay (he was the one who named it) per pack of Malunggay Powder for P100 (fits 1 regular pepper shaker).

My little entrepreneur - working!
There is only 1 condition so he can do this - study (and finish his homework 1st) then business. That is his main goal for now.

I am only his worker, marketer and his packaging designer. He grows the Malunggay and harvests them. So, every Malunggay Powder you get is filled with love and devotion from a little child named - Ice!

Some info about this Power Malunggay:

7x the Vitamin C in Orange
10x more Antioxidant than any other vegetable.
4x the Vitamin E in Corn Oil
17x the Calcium in Milk
4x the Vitamin A in Carrots
6x the Amino Acids in Garlic
2x more Polyphenol in Red Wine
2x more Protein in Meat
5x more Fiberous than any common vegetable
2x more the iron in pork liver and ampalaya
3x more the potassium in Banana
50x more the Vitamin B in peanuts and in fish

Who could have missed this powerful blessing from God. I also feel blessed having a son who has the heart to be an investor.

You can shoot us a message if you would like to try Power Malunggay for your family. I am sure, you'll be delighted seeing your kids eat veggies everyday without even realizing they are actually eating one.

Timeout: Disciplining in a loving way

2012-06-28T11:46:00.003+08:00

One morning when I left my 2 year old twins in the play room as they watch their favorite show "Annie", I heard a sudden burst of scream from D. Being their mom, I knew already what that cry meant... C either bit or hit D.

I came in the room, all relaxed and saw C hugging D and telling her "I love you, I love you...D" while D was screaming at C and pushing her away. I asked C what she did. All she could do is to look at me in the eye and waiting for me to tell her to sit her in her time out chair. I know that C bit D because C wanted to change the show. D came to stop C from changing the DVD (Yes, she knows how to operate the player). Since C wants her way, and D's arm was on her way... she launched for a snap!

I discipline my kids differently but in the same manner. They have different personalities and different ways to catch their heart. I don't discipline when I am mad or just to prove a point. I discipline to understand them.

It's funny, how different my discipline style is with my 3 kids. When they were 2.5 and I would tell them not to touch the lamp. It goes this way...

To big brother - emotional and factual/scientific way, "I! Don't touch the lamp. That will hurt you because there's electricity (yes, he knows what electricity it at 2.5). Electricity can give you a big boo boo and blood will come out. Mommy will cry if that happens. I will be so, so sad!" Then, that's it! He never did touch any lamp or even electric socket, ever!"

With my twins:

C, the clever, learn-by-actual-experience girl - "C, I saw that! I know that looks nice. But, oh my! If you touch that and you touch this part... see this hot, hot lamp (letting her touch it a bit just so she feels)? If no one's here and you suddenly touch it - boom! My, it is hotter than mommy's coffee cup, remember?" C would look at me and say "hot? lamp?" Then, she gets it.

D, my assertive, no-is-yes girl - "D! uh uh uh.. please don't touch it. (she still touches it). D?! What did mommy... (then slaps the lamp even more). I said don't touch it (slaps it again even harder). No other way or explanation but just to pull her away from the lamp - she gets it anyway.

I heard of many stories wherein moms publicly spanking them right in front of everybody or even giving them a time out in a restaurant. Would you like your boss doing the same way to you in a professional way? :)

If you ask me if I do spanking, yes and no. Like what I said, each kid is unique and different. I've spanked my eldest 3x eversince and now he's older, we have resolved things through time out. Discipline is not only spanking and time out. I don't do that just when I feel like it but, if needed - it's done right away in a hidden place where no one would even know it ever happened.

Between me and my husband, we have decided that I do the more invasive discipline. We have levels of ways to discipline. But, I never discipline something that was not yet clear and set from the beginning. Ex. if we go out and I always tell them the agenda, if anything out of that agenda happened that wasn't yet cleared out with them (ex. accidentally shopping for myself and we all know how boring that is for them) then, suddenly a child turn in a tantrum. I have no right to discipline them but I have to stop and reassure her that we're going to a place we've planned. So, everything should be clear with them. Otherwise, the levels of discipline goes:

Calm verbal reminder. Ex. "I hope you remember our rule, you cannot eat candies at night."
Creative, Firm Verbal Reminder Ex. "C, I know you want to eat candies tonight. But, candies will make you jump and jump the entire night. It's not fun! How about if you help me make milk, it's like helping mom make my coffee."
Firm Reminder Ex. "C, I told you the rule and you know it. No Candies at night! If you don't like that-it's still a no."

Normally, at that level... we don't go into the 4th level anymore. They would either cry just a bit, look for someone who could allow them (which generally, everybody knows my rule), or they would just say "Alright." Then go do something else.

We do time-out or meet Mr. Spanky, only at intentional rule breakers ex. Biting, pushing, disobedience, lying/making up stories, impatiently wanting to do something that I have already 100x said No.

These are things that I will never spank them with:

Insisting to eat candies/food that are not allowed to be eaten
Accidents (like, accidentally spilling milk)
Not keeping still while you dress/undress them or change their nappies.
Spilling food/ milk/ spit ups on your nice dress
Accidentally hitting another child because of physical self-defense

We are their parents and not because they are small we can dictate what we want. Discipline is not just spanking or shouting. That is the last and final resort and must never use your own hand or any part of your body to get your message across. Kids are smart and they can understand very well.

This works for my family and my rule is, if I said it then it is. I don't change or sway my decision. The only problem is, when there are people like family, grandparents, siblings, friends who try to act like a saviour when you are trying to discipline your child. You have to tell them to leave you because, if you cannot grab the heart of a child now you or nobody in your family will ever win his/her heart when he grows up. Eventually, his friends will become his family and you will become his/her enemy. Although, deliberately spanking them unnecessarily also constitutes to being rebellious.

Pray to be a more creative parent to discipline your children so you are only set to stop on the 1st level.

How about you? How do you handle when your child has tantrums in public?

Tot School: F is the letter of the week!

2012-05-09T16:18:00.006+08:00

The twins are 28 months old and they are begging to do school. From the spontaneous tot school activities we've had, it is now time to a more structured tot school (because they are literally begging for it!). Since, we already have Sonlight's P4/5, I figured we can still follow the same pattern - only... in a faster pace because they are still tots and when tots are bored... they just don't want to do school anymore.

How did we start tot school today? C woke up at 7:30am singing her usual la-la-la song while on her bed. She woke me up with her song and suddenly climbed onto my tummy and said "Mom, I want school! want school, mom!" So, that was it. We ate breakfast, but since she was insisting that we do school right away, I asked her to play puzzles with her yaya (nanny) which she shove away and told her "No, mommy only! Mommy, teach school only". :)

So, our letter F for the week goes this way.

Our 1st activity was memory verse: (2 minutes)
"Pay attention my child (index finger on head) to what I say (finger on lips), listen (hands on ear) carefully" - Proverbs 4:20

2nd activity: (2 minutes)
We were supposed to read a bible story, but today, we reserved our nightime reading to bible stories so we read a Mother Goose story Jack and Jill instead.

3rd activity: Introducing the Letter F! (3 minutes)
I have 2 fabric flowers and a magnetic letter F. So, I told them "The sound of F is... /F/ for flower! Here's 1 flower for C and another for D! Hurray!" "This is letter F... /F/ /F/ - flower!" Then we traced a letter F using their finger on the table.

4th activity (3 minutes): Wooden sticks - I bought from Handwriting w/o Tears at Sonlight.com. You can use Pocky sticks or wafer sticks if you don't have the wooden sticks from HWOT.
I gave them 2 short sticks and 1 long stick, then we played "tap the sticks" then, I asked them to "Raise the long stick! Now, tap.. tap.. tap... tap your.... shoulder! tap.. tap..tap your... head! hands, nose." After this, we started building the letter F with the sticks.

Wooden sticks are from Handwriting without tears. We use this a lot to teach body awareness and correct handwriting strokes.

5th Activity (10 minutes): Color and add stickers INSIDE the letter F.
Download the activity sheet here.

I instructed them to color within the lines (inside the petals) as this is a good exercise for fine motor skills. On the left is C's work, which shows that she is more interested in these types of activities.

D is more interested in making funny faces rather than coloring activities. So, I said... "Wow! That's right, D! F starts with Funny Face!!!"

6th Activity (10 minutes): Sensory Bin aka Magic Letter Box with all F things like Fish, Fork, Feather, Four, and the letter F itself! I just filled it with Beans so they feel different textures in the box.

Buried treasure!

They were crazy over this sensory bin. As they pick up and find a treasure, I would ask them what it is and to tell me if it starts with /f/ - F!

7th activity: Line tracing. Butterfly and flowers (5 minutes).
Download the activity sheet here.

You can download the free worksheet which I have done specially for my readers.

Busy.. busy...

8th activity: Art with flower petals. (8 minutes)

You need to cut out 5 petals from a flower gift wrap (just my choice), trace those petals as a flower on a paper. Have the kids stick those petals using a glue to follow the puzzle-like pattern and color or decorate them.

Ready for art!

Building art with the letter F!

9th activity: Clay making with the letter F. Since I really do hate cleaning up clay which all ends up on the carpet, I just allow them to play 1 color of their choice per day per child.

Making a letter F, I joins in to teach them how to do it.

Just a tip: Try sticking the paper/worksheet with a tiny piece of tape on top of the paper attached on the table. This prevents the paper from moving around the table and this frustrates tots.

We did not finish all of this in one sitting! We do 1 letter per week or sometimes, we even do longer or go back to a letter for review. It doesn't matter, just as long as there's mastery before we move on to the next. Since they have mastered the letter A, the sound of A and what starts with A (As, I have introduced that letter for 3 months already) so it's just time to introduce a new one - the letter F!

I follow mostly the lead of my tots (which is way different in handling my 7 year old). With tots, If they don't feel like doing a certain activity, I just carry on, do something else, stop it and do it again next time. No pressure needed for this age. Try engaging them to 1 activity for a day, do 1 letter a week (or 2) and follow your heart to teach what will best suit your little one!

Till, next time! Do share if you have done any of these activities! :)