The World Within One Map

It's been in my plans to show my children "the world", and I was excited that in FIAR Volume 1, many of the activities that's suggested in the guide revolve around different countries of the world. Since then, I've been wanting to put up a world map in our house so that the kids could identify the different parts of the world on the map.

I finally did, after more than 8 months of procrastinating. I got one all laminated and ready to be used from the Popular Bookstore, it costed approximately S$11.

I like it that the size is just ideal to be pasted on the door of the children's bedroom. That way I can point and show them the location of the country that we are reading about on the story. It's really convenient. Tim's able to identify several countries in the world map now and he knows Singapore is but a teeny weeny little red dot on the map!

We are also reading these books that involve many different countries (I am also going to include some of the titles that are recommended in FIAR Vol 1)

1) My Granny Went to Market

2) Off We Go To Mexico

3) How To Make An Apple Pie and See the World

4) Madeline

5) Ferdinand

6) The Story About Ping

7) A Pair of Red Clogs

Working on follow-up activities after reading a book makes learning really fun for us thus far. More activities on FIAR books can be found in Homeschool Share, do take time to check it out.

3 Weeks Later...

I can't believe that January is almost coming to an end! The kids have been in school for three weeks now and we've also been living without a domestic helper for three weeks (almost) now.

So much changes since the beginning of the year and I am thankful that the kids have settled into the school and I've gotten used to life without a domestic helper, more-or-less.

I guess, Tim has been in school for 2 terms last year and he's able to handle better being in school now...while I can't say the same for Little Missy (just yet). She's teary and insecure on most days while on better days, she could just enter the school with no tears and screams...I guess, she still needs a little more time to get adjusted, she's after all 2.5yr old...

I do miss the days I could bring the kids out on field trips and working on more homeschool activities without having to worry about the house chores. Now 90% of my time and energy are used up on grocery shopping, preparing dinner, cleaning the house, doing the laundry that I find myself completely exhausted and in no mood for any reading nor doing activities with the kids.

Am still learning to go easy on those endless amount of house chores and channel more of my energy to do more things with my kids... they are going to be in preschool for just a couple of years and I need to learn to treasure these moments with them before they enter formal school and have less time at home with me...

I am grateful that all's well thus far... :)

His Love, Our Gain

Amazing is the love God has for us. We're cruising through life right now... and I'm guilty of taking things for granted, especially so, taking my Heavenly Father, for granted.

Two incidents within a week were sufficient proof of His love & mercies towards us.

Earlier this week, hubby dropped his car key (in the carpark)... we didn't realize till the very next morning when we were about to leave home. The first thought that came to my mind was, the car would have been driven away by whoever that picked up the key.

Just this morning, in our haste of settling the kids into the car before sending them off to school, we left behind 2 computer bags with 2 notebooks in them at the void deck. We only realized 2 hours later that the computers weren't with us (sending chills down my spine when hubby broke the news to me).

However, God was merciful - in these two incidents, we met two wonderful angels.

Angel #1 - Pasted a post-it note on our car's window informing us to pick up the key from him.

Angel #2 - Saw me anxiously searching for the computer bags and pasting a notice at the lift landing seeking for help; she approached me and asked me to pick up the bags at her place.

I was completely speechless as to how much God has been working in our lives even when we don't realize. In spite of my neglect towards Him, He has never failed to show me compassion, mercy and love. Timely as it seemed, my devotion from the ODB was exactly about His unending and unfailing faithfulness. We are just so blessed!

I know I'd never walk alone because He has promised that He'll never leave me nor forsake me.

Simply Homecooked - Tom Yam Soup

When it comes to Thai food, the first thought that comes to my mind is Tom Yam soup. Love the intense taste that the soup sets on my taste buds - extremely spicy and sour! Ooooh I simply love it!

Had always wanted to make a pot of Tom Yam soup from scratch on my own - ie. not using any premix paste. I was glad I had the courage to try. This pot of soup just gave me more reason to try new recipes without the use of premix stuff :)
The verdict that I get from the people I've prepared this soup for was - DELICIOUS; AUTHENTIC... *beaming* it's no rocket science but it does take a bit of time to prepare this soup.

Here's the recipe for you to try it out -

Ingredients (C)

200gms medium size prawns - keep shell, make a slit at the back & deveined (you may use more if you wish)

150gms squid - cleaned, cut into slices

1 can straw mushroom - drained, halved

1 can young corn - sliced

2 tomatoes - cut into wedges

Ingredients (B)

2 litres water

2 Knorr Tom Yam cubes

4 stalks lemon grass - sliced into 3 thirds

5 red chilli padi

5 green chilli padi (optional if you don't wish the soup to be too spicy)

2 red chillies - seeded, sliced into 3 thirds

2 green chillies - seeded, sliced into 3 thirds

1 galangal (lengkuas) - cut into half

4 kaffir lime leaves

4 tbsp fish sauce

5 tbsp lime juice (you may add more if you like it more sour)

Ingredients (A)

Blend/pound together:

6 dried chillies - seeded soaked

5 shallots

4 cloves garlic

1" pc shrimp paste (belachan)

Oil for frying

Methods of preparation:

1) Heat 4 tbsp oil in sauce pan, fry (A) till fragrant, add in (B), bring to boil, lower heat and simmer for 15mins.

2) Add in (C), boil for 3 mins, check seasoning, add more lime juice if necessary.

Tim's Turned 4!

On the night of new year's day in year 2006, I had a baby boy. On this day, year 2010, that boy is now a preschooler. My son, Timothy, is now four.

(Brownie baked by me)

I am totally grateful that my Heavenly Father, has entrusted this boy to me. Through the past 3 years, life was never the same again, as I shoulder the responsibilities of being a mother. Tim, has taught me lots of things in being a mother. We've walked past the times of tears, fears, frustrations, laughters and joy... this ride of motherhood was never dull but filled with excitement and thrills.

And on this day that Tim turns four, I just want to wish him a really Happy and blessed birthday... may the all days of his life be filled with sunshine and smiles... :)