Surprise Birthday

We celebrated our daughter's birthday a week ago.  It's pretty amazing how surprised she was with our simple party when in fact, she was there all throughout the planning and executing her birthday celebration. Everything was DIY. she picked all of them, from the cake design, decors and gifts. She was very appreciative too of everything she got and how her birthday turned out. If all kids are like this,  I would have another one in a heartbeat.  Just kidding.  She will forever be our baby, our one and only.  She is just simply everything we wanted and more.

Homeschooling Resources

We came here early this year with a handful of books my little one and I can use to start our "homeschooling". They were really great to keep the little learner busy and to make lesson plans easier for mommy. However, we finished them all before our "school year" ended so I have to squeeze out my creative juices to keep this preschool homeschool going. Luckily,  I found TeachersPayTeachers , a site were teachers and passionate educators share for free and /or for a minimal price their original teaching resources. The website is a haven /heaven of awesome worksheets and teaching paraphernalia.  

I started downloading some free worksheets just to try it out. My little kid loves them. And I love them too because I don't need to make (or go out  buy) teaching supplies and activities for our homeschool. 

Free printable worksheets I found online 

Among my favorite sellers/ authors are:

Moffatt Girls

Science Doodles

Mrs. Leeby

Another website that has awesome printable worksheets we really like is from Wild About Teaching. We use her worksheets for practicing handwriting of my little kid.

I think I have a new place to "hang out" other than "Pinterest".

Not so Little Anymore

I found one of our little one's favorite dresses which I had sewn before because it was still too big back then. I removed the stitches thinking it will fit perfectly now that she has grown a little bit. But I think it was too late 'coz she has grown a little bigger than I expected. It was too short for her to wear outside. But it is still too pretty to throw away and too sentimental to give away. My solution?
Make a pretty skirt out of it.

from baby dress to toddler skirt

She loves it. Now she can twirl around like a pretty princess.

This outgrowing her dresses made me realized that our little one is really not so little anymore. She is growing so fast that new mommy fears are creeping into me. She'll go to school soon, away from me. She'll have friends and teachers who she'll listen and probably look up to and I'll be... here, just here. Maybe she'll still want me or not. She'll be smarter and wouldn't need me for answers. She'll probably won't believe in fairytales, dragons and father Christmas anymore. Oooohhhh. Why am I doing this to myself -- torturing myself with things that probably won't be as bad as I am imagining them. 

I just feel that everything happened so fast and I haven't spent enough time with my little one. 

Maybe I should just twirl around with a pretty skirt with my little one to make time go more slowly.

Homeschooling Notes: Starting to Read

I used to set up a Sight Words Wall, more of a fridge actually. I put up short words (consonant-vowel-consonant) where the little one can see and "read" often. She can't really read them yet, though she can make the letter sounds already. The wall looks something like this:

 But it always ends up like this:

She would say the sounds of each letter correctly then reads the entire set of letters as "dinosaur".  Ppppfff. I stopped making the wall because it is more difficult to unlearn reading those letters (and other set of letters) as "dinosaur". We can learn reading some other time anyway.

So I gave it a try again a few days ago at this sight reading and CVCs but using a different approach.

DIY CVCs flashcards

We even tried "making" the words and when the little one is in the mood, even write the words down on paper.

stamping on clay

I must say, this has been quite effective. The little one has read her first word last night. Initially just saying the letter sounds then eventually combined all the sounds to make the word. And her Dad was there to see and hear it. We are one proud parents.

I have to be really more creative, innovative and flexible at this homeschooling thing. Some things work and some things will work eventually. :)

Homeschooling Notes: Prewriting and Writing

I've been hard on my little one with her writing. I got really frustrated that she can copy a short note (the one she made for her dad for Valentines)

 but can't write number "2" properly.

writing number "2"

There were a lot of bargaining, negotiations, whining, tears, whining, tears, whining and tears just trying  to finish the task on the photo.

So we spent the past few weeks forgetting writing "2"  and spent them just doing tasks the little one likes. Like painting,

drawing on smartphone app,

her Rainbow Cow

lacing,

beading, 

and other activities (clay, puzzles, etc.) trying to develop more her fine motor skills that, hopefully, will translate to writing better, specially number "2".

Homeschooling Notes: Story of St. Patrick

I've only heard of St. Patrick's Day and never celebrated it. I guess it's not that popular in my part of the world. I only know there's a lot of greens, leprechauns, 3 leaf clover, Liam Neeson and a lot of Irish beers. Silly me.

I tried to research about it now (just now) 'cause it will be helpful in learning religion and other cultures in our homeschooling. And I found this youtube video about St. Patrick a little helpful and a bit funny too.

In our mini celebration of St. Patrick's life, we made some Green Crinkle Cookies. I tried shaping them like shamrocks but this is all I can do. I'd better update my cookie cutting tools for more baking crafts. 

Doll Cake for My Little Princess

Happy 3rd parenting birthday to us! I feel so old now.

Our little girl turned 3 years old yesterday and her only request was a Doll cake (and a Snow White Barbie). And I willingly obliged to do this laborious task of baking her one.

Not bad for a first time er!?

My Doll Cake looks so easy and simple. It was, actually. But I have a really small oven and a small icing syringe so I have to do everything in small batches and make again to complete the entire cake. So this is pretty much the hardest and most exhausting thing I have ever baked (so far). I had to prepare ingredients, mix, wash mixer, beat eggs and bake and wash all then repeat 4 times. I had to do my buttercream 4 times also too. (I don't think I'll beat egg whites and butter again any time soon.) But it was all worth it.  I was really happy with it. I think the birthday girl was too. 

To my Everdearest Natnat,

May god bless and keep you always

May your wishes all come true

May you always do for others

And let others do for you

May you build a ladder to the stars

And climb on every rung

May you stay, forever young

May you grow up to be righteous

May you grow up to be true

May you always know the truth

And see the lights surrounding you

May you always be courageous

Stand upright and be strong

And may you stay forever young

May your hands always be busy

May your feet always be swift

May you have a strong foundation

When the winds of changes shift

May your heart always be joyful

May your song always be sung

And may you stay forever young

Happiest Birthday to my Sweetheart! Mommy and Daddy loves you so much!

Recipes here : Vanilla Cake and Buttercream Frosting

Message / Song From here: Forever Young - Bob Dylan

 

Easy Icing for Sugar Cookies

I've been baking for quite a while now and this is only the first time I iced cookies. I really thought making icing is difficult. The words royal icing, cream of tartar, meringue powder, double boiler, etc. sounds too intimidating to make and sometimes difficult to find. However, there are other icing recipes for sugar cookies that are easy as 1-2-3.

Like the one I made with my little one earlier.
1) Just mix powdered sugar (about 4 Tbsp) and milk (around 1/2-1 Tbsp). Add more milk if the mixture is too stiff or more powdered sugar if the mixture is too runny. Note: Make a thick consistency for making borders/outlines/details and thinner consistency for flooding.
2) Add food color if desired.
3) Put mixture inside piping bag (or just a sandwich bag and cut a tiny hole on one corner) or small liquid seasoning dispenser and decorate your cookies.

*Let the decorated cookies dry overnight at room temp so that the icing won't break when you stack the cookies.

Tada!!!

Since this is very very easy, I can make this again and again til I master mixing the milk-sugar ratio, adding colors and flavors, and decorating sweets.

This is a fun (and educational) activity too to keep the little one busy and entertained. 

Sweeter New Year

Somebody is loving my baked goodies and investing "gadgets" so I'll bake more and better treats! It is indeed going to be a sweet year for us.( I'm claiming it!)

Happy new year!

DIY: Christmas Decors

They don't sell ornaments and decors here that are specifically for Christmas. We have to make them ourselves just to get that holiday vibe. So these are what we have come up with so far:

Christmas tree from folded pages of magazine

hand sewn Christmas Stockings 

Snowflakes/ Star from shiny pipe cleaners

Nativity  Scene and Advent Wreath from recycled materials from our Homeschooling Crafts

They are not as fabulous and glamorous as I have imagined but it's a good way to start for creating that Christmas feeling even when we are far away from home.

Our Nativity Scene

We finally made our Nativity Scene out of shapes from cereal boxes. I'm currently teaching our little one shapes and writing straight lines. And this project is perfect for the occasion and homeschooling goals. I'm glad (and amazed and proud) that our little one was able to name the characters in this simple nativity scene. She said Baby Jesus, Mama Mary and Papa (. She even made the sign of the cross after seeing the final product. 

May I just add how happy I am that somehow, in our small, simple ways, our little one is learning so much from us. I hope she learns all the good stuff and look beyond (and forget) our flaws.

Happy 27th month, sweetheart. I love you so much!

Christmas 2.0 : Keeping Christ in Christmas

"I’m participating in the KEEP CHRIST in CHRISTMAS Blog Link-Up 2013

sponsored by the Catholic Bloggers Network.

Be sure to visit as many links as possible,

listed at the bottom of this post.

  

It's the time again of the year where we can make season specific themed crafts while teaching our little one (one of the joyful parts of ) the customs and traditions of our faith. It's our second Christmas living in a non-catholic country. And it is difficult to show our child a more tangible experience of our faith -- we can't make the sign of the cross before meals when dining out, we can't celebrate Sunday mass, we can't display religious figurines and ornaments, etc. So we try to make extra effort of showing (displays) and doing something (rituals) more Catholic like practices especially during Christmas season. Christ, our Savior, being born is the reason for it all anyway.

We started this season with our advent wreath. I have seen too many craft ideas on pinterest. And this is the most appropriate and easiest to do with my 2 year old. We used the little one's feet for the wreath and my fingers for candles. The hubby and our child put on stickers to "light" the candle each week of advent.

We also have prepared hand and other shapes cut outs to make our nativity scene. As of the moment, our little one can identify Jesus and Mama Mary (in different pictures she sees in different forms). It'll be easier for her to understand the story of Christmas when we finally make our Nativity craft. I'll post in a week or 2 when it's all done. Shapes in our trial homeschooling set-up is not in our lesson plan yet. 

We'll also be doing the same holiday traditions as we have done during our first Christmas together -- Simbang Gabi, good deeds, Jesus' "birthday menu", etc.

I hope these traditions will help us make our child realize and believe in Christ and our faith, not just during these festive season but always.

Have a blessed Christmas!

Equipping Catholic Families: Keep Christ in Christmas

Simply Homeschool  Living Advent Series 12/1 - 12/25

Fifth of Five    Keeping Christ in Christmas - Blog Link-up 2013

Coffee Moments with Sam     The Light of Hope

Hand-Maid With Love: CHRISTmas Presence: Keep Christ in Christmas 2013 Edition

Open Window            Making hay while the Advent wreath shines

Faith Filled Freebies: Keep Christ in Christmas

Written by the Finger of God: Not Christmas as Usual

On the Way Home:  Keep Christ in Christmas

Sue Elvis Writes: Bring Christ to Others

Mommy Bares All       Why Celebrate Christmas Even After #YolandaPH

 Canadian Catholic Mom         Keeping The Little Ones Focused: An Advent Link-Up

Mountain of Grace Homeschooling    Keep Christ in Christmas

Em’s Estuary: Keeping Christ in Christmas

Happy Little Homemaker: December Devotion: Immaculate Conception 

Adoro Ergo Sum:  How We Keep Christ in Christmas

JoyAlive.net: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

Home to 4 Kiddos      Keep Christ in Christmas

Embedded Faith         Boldly Be the Christ in Christmas

City Girl, Country Home        Emmanuel Is With Us. Are we WITH HIM?

Journey to Wisdom: Trusting in your Awkward Fiats

Joy of Nine9   Waiting in Joyful Expectation Like a Child

 Splendor in the Home Ideas For Keeping Advent and Christmas Holy

Training Happy Hearts            10 Ways to Celebrate the New Liturgical Year

A Catholic Life           Advent: The Beginning of the Liturgical Year & Source of Rich Meditations

Designs by Birgit: Elf on a Shelf and Santa Claus

Catholic Inspired: Faith-Centered Family Christmas

A Slice of Smith Life: How we keep Christ in Christmas

Catholic All Year: Three Reasons I love Advent

Mary the Defender: Christmas The Battle Begins

Truly Rich Mom: Keep Christ in Christmas

Day By Day in Our World: 40 Days Seeking Him and Keeping Christ in Christmas

Diapers and Drivel: Keeping Christ in Christmas

 Raising Soldiers 4 Christ: Keeping Christ in Christmas

Rosary Mom   Keep Christ In Christmas With A Teenager

Tercets:            Keeping Christ in Christmas: Join Church Ministries

Campfires and Cleats  How We Keep Christ in Christmas

Life Unabridged: Celebrating the Fullness of the Advent and Christmas Season

Homeschooling With Joy        Keeping Christ in Christmas

Mrs Domestic Bliss     Gingerbread Nativity

The Chic Traveller       Keeping Christ in Christmas

California to Korea     Keeping Christ in Christmas

Dominique's Desk       Keeping Christ in Christmas

Our ABC Life: An Advent Update

Journey Living: Anno Domini

The Road to Rome: Advent Prayer and Reflection Resources

Life of Fortunate Chances: Keeping Christ in Christmas

Quidquid Est, Est!: Reblog: Advent Posts

Everyday Cooking: Almost Quesadilla

My quesadilla. I don't have any photo better than this.

 I whipped this up for breakfast because I wanted to try something different from what I usually serve... and I'm missing Taco Bell's and Mexicalli's quesadilla.

Just sandwich shredded cooked chicken, sliced bell peppers, onions and cheese in spring roll wrapper (it's the closest thing to tortilla that I have). Bake for 10mins in 200C.

Almost the same as regular quesadilla... only better. :)

DIY: Molding Clay

When the safest way to get out of the house is when you have a husband to drive you, you have to learn to make things that you need with what you have inside the house at the moment so you don't have to wait til your husband gets home to get things done.

Our need for the moment was something to play with that the little one can cut with her plastic knife.  I know this need can technically wait. But a toddler with a PMSing mom, waiting is not an option. She's been playing "cut, cut, cut" with her oatmeal cookies. It's such a shame to play with and throw the perfectly baked cookies I made the night before. And it's tiring to sweep the floor with her mess. So I decided to make clay. Good thing I browsed through DIY boards on Pinterest. They have tons of nice DIY stuff I would like to try making -- and clay/ play dough was one of them.

Just mix the following ingredients and you're done.
1/2 cup flour
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 tsp salt
1-2 Tbsp water

Just add a little more flour if the clay mixture is too sticky or water if it's too tough. This will look better if I have some food coloring. I like this recipe since it's easy to make, play with and does not stick to our furniture.

Adjustments

I have to accept the fact that I will never get my size 1 (or at least size 2) body back ever in this lifetime. It's been more than 2 years that I've been wearing sizes 8-10 dresses. Unless I can do something (invasive, perhaps) with this motherhood acquired bone structure, I can wear those old outfits back.
I just can't seem to let go of my old clothes. So I tried to alter and make them a little bigger. I ripped the stitches of the pleats to make the garment wider and stitched them again. And it worked perfectly. I can now wear (and breathe easily while wearing) them again.