Salmon Run? And Fluffies!

Apparently this time of year is good to see the salmon swim upstream so Baba suggested we go check it out.
Unfortunately we didn't see any fish.  But alhamdulillah we had a nice day out nonetheless.
And we also discovered some super cool plant. I have no idea what its called. But imagine a dandelion when it turns all white n fluffy and you can blow it out and watch the seeds peacefully fly away....[this is an essential part of childhood!]... Anyways this new found plant was a similar idea, except the fluffies were in a pocket thing, the seeds were bigger and probably hundreds of them, and the fluffy part felt like silk!  We had so much fun checking them out and blowing them away.  I would love to know more about these :) 

Subhanallah how Allah has created such diverse and beautiful things!

Paper Route!

Yusuf has started a paper route in our neighbourhood. It's only been two weeks and its picking up slowly (ie the excitement was really high til it crashed when he realized how much work it was).  But I have hope that it will be  a good thing for Yusuf. Inshallah it instills a sense of responsibility. And he's been trying to recruit help from other kids in the house, which means he will have to brush up on his math skills to determine how much to pay them.
I will remain hopeful and keep you posted :)

Soccer Baseball

Yeah for amazing weather alhamdulillah!

Hajj Banner

The kids each made their own kabahs and we made a banner for Eid ul Adha. 

Eid Mubarak

From our family to yours....

Baking Class

Alhamdulillah were blessed to have a friend who is a very talented baker. She came over yesterday to give the kids a baking lesson.  They made high heel cupcakes, or boots for the boys :p

Oh Yusuf....

How you drive me crazy and melt my heart both at the same time.

To minecraft or not to minecraft...that is the question.

Well.... the title is kinda a lie because I already decided to go ahead and minecraft.  Well, I let Yusuf minecraft.

I have mentioned it before on my blog how anti-technology I tend to be at times with my kids.  The thought of them becoming zombies constantly staring at a screen and lacking basic human interaction skills terrifies me.  But then there's my hubby who reminds me that this is the way of the future.  Just like out generation is so much more into technology, our kids will by far surpass us as well. *screams inside*

Yusuf never asked me for Minecraft.  It was actually my idea.  Yes, Ms Anti-Techology went ahead and initiated getting her son into this highly addictive trendy game.   I kept hearing other Mom's talk about it... so I started asking more about it, watched some videos and even read some articles.

I held my breath and accepted that I cannot shelter my babies from the realm of video games  forever and perhaps if it was a mutual thing, we could make it work.

Our family has a weekend-only policy for TV and computers (unless its strictly educational, or ...if Momma isn't feeling well and needs a break...) so Minecraft falls into that category.  So my fears of it being overly consuming and addictive were calmed through that.  And the fact that so many other kids are into it , kids whose mother's I respect and share values with, also made me feel better.

So it's been about two months since Yusuf got Minecraft.  It was his gift for Eidul Fitr.  He's not as into it as I thought he would be, however there were a few basic things he didn't understand but is now understanding so that's helping.   Also, Baba is back, and able to play with him and discover things to help him along the way.... things that Momma couldn't really figure out.

But hey, I better still get all the credit for being the one who initiated this!

Any thoughts or experiences with Minecraft in your family???

The Tongue

When they stick their tongue out while concentrating. <3

I like.

That Time of Year Again!

Its that time of year again when I kinda become jakyll hyde-ish.  One moment Im super pumped and ready to take on another year of homeschooling, the next Im seriously freaking out thinking Im ruining my kids and considering which would be the best school to put them in.

My emotions are greatly triggered by senses.  When I feel and smell the cooler September air, the flashbacks begin of all the great things we've done along our homeschooling journey.  But then I see cutely dressed kids with their new back packs and lunch boxes and think maybe my kids would be better off going to school too.

*sigh*  ......motherhood

Im beginning to learn, understand, and truly accept that no matter what we do in life, well always be making mistakes, but learning and improving too.

Im also realizing that because I chose to homeschool, I (mistakenly) thought that things would be sooo much smoother and in my control compared to if the kids went to school.  I was in for a rude awakening and I believe that is what was / is to blame for so much of my crankiness.   When I learn to let go of my expectations of perfections and embrace that my kids and I are going to make mistakes together and inshallah learn through them and become stronger and closer, then... Im ok.

So heres to making tons of mistakes, but accepting that its okay.
Because mistakes are proof that were trying.

Here's to waking up on the wrong side of the bed, but also waking up to snuggles n cuddles.

Here's to having kids that excel in some areas, but struggle in others.

Here's to regrets, but also to accomplishments.

Here's to feeling like were drowning, to feeling like were on top of the world.

Here's to good days and bad.

But most importantly, here's to embarking on this journey together as a family.
Alhamdulillah. <3