Showing posts with label artsy craftsy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label artsy craftsy. Show all posts

Thursday, September 17, 2015

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.




Sunday, June 14, 2015

30ish Birthday

Hubby celebrated his 30ish birthday a few days ago. Our little sweetheart made this banner/card for him.

Then I made this simple chocolate cake for him. 


Hehehe. Me and our daughter should work on our "penmanship".

Happy birthday again Sweetie. We appreciate everything you do to give us a safe and happy home. We love you. 

**********
Buttercream Frosting Recipe 

Chocolate cake Recipe
2 cups flour
3/4 cup cocoa
2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp vanilla powder
1/4 tsp salt
-- mix and set aside.
1 1/2 cup sugar
3 eggs
-- beat then add 1/2 cup oil and cream together
add dry 1/3 of dry mixture ( to egg mixture and beat at slow speed ) alternately with
1/4 cup milk ending with dry mixture.
Beat until well incorporated.
Bake at 200degrees C for 25-30 mins

Chocolate filling
Boil 1 cup sugar, 1/4 cup butter, 1/4 cup cocoa and 1/4 cup milk. Let it cool. Beat for 3mins.


Thursday, April 23, 2015

Homeschooling Notes: Math

I've always liked math when I was younger. My uncle would teach me numbers and simple math problems every chance he gets. I would rather sit with him and do math equations than play with my cousins during weekends. So I thought, this must be an easy subject to teach. Oh boy I was wrong.

I've tried several approaches in teaching addition to my toddler including her fingers, my fingers, sticks, clips, beads, and all the other teeny tiny things you can count and add.


Nothing seems to get her full attention. Let's just try this again another day. 


Tuesday, April 14, 2015

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. :)

Thursday, April 9, 2015

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".



Friday, February 27, 2015

Homeschooling Notes: February Crafts and Activities

Our first month of our scheduled homeschooling is over and we are looking forward to our next homeschooling journey next month (in 2 days). Here are some of our activities for February.

left - right 1st row: picture of our school; counting, matching numbers
left-right 2nd row: Valentines day card, Ash Wednesday craft (salt dough ornament), Chinese New Year craft (dragon)
left- right 3rd row: lesson on senses -- touch, taste and smell


Tuesday, December 17, 2013

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.


Tuesday, December 10, 2013

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!

Monday, December 2, 2013

Christmas 2.0 : Keeping Christ in Christmas


cid:image005.jpg@01CEEDFB.03FF72D0
"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
Coffee Moments with Sam     The Light of Hope
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
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
Training Happy Hearts            10 Ways to Celebrate the New Liturgical Year
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
Diapers and Drivel: Keeping Christ in Christmas
 Raising Soldiers 4 Christ: Keeping Christ in Christmas
Campfires and Cleats  How We Keep Christ in Christmas
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
Life of Fortunate Chances: Keeping Christ in Christmas
Quidquid Est, Est!: Reblog: Advent Posts

Monday, November 18, 2013

Trying Out Home Schooling

I have a couple of friends who are into homeschooling their kids -- not just one but 2 -3 kids. They have been successful at it even when they are Work-at-Home-Moms. I see the value of homeschooling as you can structure and re-structure your own "classroom" as you go along with it or as you see fit with your child. I still intend to put my little one in traditional academic setting. But since I am a Stay-at-home-mom for now, I would give this a try.

I found this sites very helpful in trying to create my lesson plan for my very playful 2 year old.
All In One Homeschool
JumpStart
I don't expect her to learn all or even finish any activity suggested here as my toddler's mind is pre-occupied with Unboxing Egg Surprise Videos on Youtube

So far we have done these:
Day 1: Filling Letter A

Day 3: B for Breakfast

Day 6: Pin the Letter/Shapes

And she's doing well... and too smart to let me teach her things that "she already knows". I used to spend 2 days on 1 letter so I adjust it to just 1 letter a day.

I'll end this entry with a movie scene from 2009 that I just watched recently...


Zebulon (The Answer Man): I'm gonna tell you a couple of things. All kids develop in different ways at different times and in different directions. Now I am confident that Alex at some point will be able to tell time and make change, which, let's face it, just about covers it.... What I am hearing is that Alex is not a good candidate to be a robot in your clone army.


Sunday, July 28, 2013

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.


Saturday, July 6, 2013

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.

Monday, June 24, 2013

Arts and Crafts: Numbers and Shapes

I finally found a place for those lying around buttons and cloths from my other crafts. I made this out of too much lurking around Pinterest.
Anyway, this will be helpful in teaching my little one about concept of numbers, counting and shapes. This can also exercise her fine motor skills. It's handy and light weight too, so I can bring wherever we go to kill those travelling boredom.



*update to this entry: We played with this "Mat" and my 21month old seemed to understand on how to play with this. She got all shapes right the first try. I'm a one proud momma.

Sunday, July 22, 2012

Recycling Project

Can you guess what I'm making for you, my everdearest Natnat?

I hope I finish them on time. :)

Disclosure Policy

This policy is valid from 17 September 2009
This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me. This blog accepts forms of cash advertising, sponsorship, paid insertions or other forms of compensation.
This blog abides by word of mouth marketing standards. We believe in honesty of relationship, opinion and identity.
The compensation received may influence the advertising content, topics or posts made in this blog. That content, advertising space or post will be clearly identified as paid or sponsored content.
The owner(s) of this blog is compensated to provide opinion on products, services, websites and various other topics. Even though the owner(s) of this blog receives compensation for our posts or advertisements, we always give our honest opinions, findings, beliefs, or experiences on those topics or products.
The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely the bloggers' own. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer, provider or party in question.
This blog does contain content which might present a conflict of interest. This content will always be identified.