J's 4th Year Old Birthday Present

 

 

 

I wouldn't know what to choose for a boy, and Daddy chose a car racing track for J's 4th year old birthday.

 

It is something that Daddy liked and played as a child. Daddy was back from his overseas trip and father and son had a great time together playing with the birthday present. So this is a classic toy that most, if not all boys, would love. There isn't much educational value to it, but it does train your agility.

 

You will need good control in terms of the speed so that the cars do not run off track and can go around the loop. So that would be good training :-) So at least this satisfy mommy's criteria that every toy has got to have some kind of "educational" value :-)

 

We bought it from Toy R Us, but it is also available from Amazon:

 

 

 

 

Quiet Time with God: I AM Standing up for you!

Today’s post is a guest post by my friend Angela.

God came to Laban the Aramean in a dream of the night and said to him, "Be careful that you do not speak to Jacob either good or bad." Genesis 31:24

At work, we are always looking around for some backup towards the ‘mountain’ [靠山] behind us. At home, our parents are our ‘mountain’ who protects us from any harm.

Some of us, our ‘mountain’ is self-help. As Christians, we’ve got to know our ‘mountain’ is GOD - The Creator of the Universe who is willing to stand up for us. I picked out what God did for Jacob and Job.

·         God, personally appeared to Laban telling him “Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad”. I see it as God’s warning to Laban. (Gen 31:24)

·          In Job’s case, the devil went for 2nd appeal, sought permission from God. God limits Satan, in this case HE did not allow Satan to destroy Job. (Job 2:6)

As always, God is in absolute control. HE is not limited by time. With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. (2 Peter 3:8)

He watches everything closely, examining everyone on earth (Psalm 11:4b). The Lord examines ­Everyone – The righteous and the wicked, Believers and Pre-believers.

I like today’s words in Living Life which says “What if God dealt with us the way we deal with those who hurt us? We would be in a pretty bad shape.”

Hmmm…I dare not think further.

Last week’s sermon entitled "Walking in Humility", Pastor Daniel Khong, Faith Community Baptist Church Singapore (FCBC) said, “If we walk in humility, anything we (God’s people) touch will become gold. If not, anything we touch will become charcoal.”

So if we are walking in ‘pain’, God has a purpose for it. An online article ‘Either He Planned It or He Permitted It’ states:

“Most of us would agree that life's trials can feel like a punishment. Major disruptions seem like they're meant to make us miserable. The truth is, God transforms us with each trial we experience. He is removing the "dross" or imperfections from us. Each time we survive a major ordeal, we grow stronger, wiser, more prepared for the next challenge. We are conquerors and overcomers with God's help.” – Van Walton

“Ordeals, hardships, distresses are permitted by God for our perfection. Either He permits them or He plans them. If God has intentionally laid out a troublesome path for us, He has a purpose.” – Van Walton

I pray that we will have a taste of God’s grace in your lives, so you can respond to others with a generous spirit. Walk humbly with God, for HE is with those who obey Him.

God bless you a great weekend ahead!

In His Love
AC

About Angela

Angela is a good friend of mine who lives in Singapore. Determined to walk closely with God, her life is an encouragement and inspiration to me and many others in our Christian life. She shares regularly her refreshing insights into God's Word and the lessons she learns, which I would like to share with you. In our Christian walk, we do not walk alone. God walks with us and He sends many encouragers into our lives. May your hearts be touched by Angela's sharing and be encouraged too.

J Summary (4Y0M1D) - Language Development

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J Summary (4Y) - Piano Class

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J Summary (4Y) - Still Sick... A Very Special Day... In Its Own Way...

J has looked sooooo much forward to today. He is looking forward to see all his small guests. He has packed individually all the goody bags.

The day has arrived.

Today is J's 4th year old birthday.

The table is set... the food is prepared... the cake is bought... but there are no guests...

1. Daddy is on overseas course

2. Many of the children in his kindergarten have fallen ill

3. Many of the teachers in his kindergarten have fallen ill - Both teachers in his class, and thus, they could not bring the children here

4. J himself is still not fully well

5. His neighbour A (also from his kindergarten) is sick too

6. My mother-in-law is also down with flu

7. Three of his cousins are also sick

J was a little sad that it was only Mommy and him... and I wanted to cry... J cried, but in the midst of his tears, he was very brave.

But in the midst of all these, there are still so many things we can thank God for, for His blessings...

1. God gave us a super sunshine day...

2. Thank God that we can wake up, can go out, can see, can walk, can breathe the fresh air...

3. Thank God for good health, although J is sick and I am struggling with tiredness and I think I am also falling sick (help!), we are still overall healthy...

4. Thank God for special time between J and Mommy, it is so precious, as I didn't go to work...

5. Thank God for the peaceful environment in this part of the world...

6. Thank God that we can learn to handle disappointments and that J can learn to handle disappointments too...

7. We have food on our table - in fact, lots of food...

8. We read many books, one of which is a book about the importance of brushing teeth using adult toothpaste. And J is now happily and willingly brushing his teeth :-)

9. And there is one last silver lining - I don't have to host a party :-)

What a day! Thanks to the special present called The Flu Bug from his kindergarten!!! I am sure God has His purpose...

"In everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." - 1 Thessalonians 5:18

How to Keep Selective Posts Private?

A reader has asked how I keep selective posts private and public posts public. I learned it from from Vincent Cheung's blog called Simple Blogger Tips.

Here is my own step-by-step summary notes based on his blog:

1. For each post you want to make private, go to the below link:

http://www.vincentcheung.ca/jsencryption/

2. And type the private message with the following steps:

a. Type your chosen password and click "Select"
b. Type the message and to leave a line at the end of each line or paragraph, type <br /><br /> and click "Encrypt"
c. Copy the HTML Code and paste it in the HTML of your blog post editor.

When reading your post, simply enter your password, and your post will appear.

If you get lost, follow the full instructions from Vincent Cheung here:

http://simple-blogger-tips.blogspot.dk/2010/08/tutorial-how-to-set-password-for.html

Happy Blogging :-)

Hurray! I Have Found A Way to Keep Private Posts Private!

Hurray!!! I have found a way to keep private posts private and public posts public.

I chose to name the blog my name, because there is no other way to write than to be real and authentic. My blog is meant for two extreme ends of audience - the whole wide world and those who are my closest, but not people in-between.

In the begining it was totally unknown and didn't come up in Google search, which was great. But as it grows, it no longer goes just to the whole wide world, but more and more to my immediate community.

My thoughts flow much better, faster, sharper, systematic and organized when I blog... And as I blog, it is a way for me to clarify my own thoughts.

Apart from the Montessori activities and recipes, many of the posts I write I bear my heart and soul, and these posts are more meant for myself, my family and close friends... not that I have much to hide though.

Some of these posts are my life's reflection and my open letters to God.

Many of these posts are for my own personal electronic archiving.

Some of these posts are about the milestones in J's developments which I blog for myself to hold onto the memories rather than to boast as these posts may come across that way. I would have preferred to keep these posts private, but I was not able to separate such private posts from the public posts that I write.

Now I have found a way to keep all these private posts private, and I am elated :-)

If you see that it requires a password to read a post, it is because it is meant to be a private post.

Some Excellent Leap Frog Videos

Soon J is turning 4, and I am slowing allowing him to see more videos, but mainly those with excellent educational content, rather than pure entertainments.

Some of the Leap Frog videos are very well-made, fun to watch and educational. They are also of the right duration of about 30 minutes each for a full movie.

For convenience, you can buy them in DVDs from Amazon. For those who has a tight budget, you can also watch some of them for free from Youtube:

Leap Frog Letter Factory

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QFDkTbpVN4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsBGWnWqQfk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9OmqbaRzVc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjWPgSOYCO0

Leap Frog Talking Words

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDa7QwR7DY0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJCmlB3Xk_U

Leapfrog Storybook Factory

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3fo2XN4Qk0

Leap Frog Word Caper

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJ_G9dEM5vw

Leap Frog Maths Circus

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arl0_Ow-b6A
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ybnh13zAb-0

Leapfrog A Tad Of Christmas Cheer

This video provides a good story.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RaQTwnIsxzo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oys-w8tood4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qzbj0dFgocU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSyh_OPZSk0

J Summary (3Y11M25D) - Sick Again...

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J Summary (3Y11M24D) - Preparing for His Own Birthday Party

 

 

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J Summary (3Y11M23D) - In Time of Sickness Is When True Love is Experienced

J vomitted a few times last night due to food poisoning. I gave him a shower, while Daddy changed the bed sheets - twice. In the midst of suffering - J from stomach upset, and us from the lack of sleep and lots of work, we realized that there is much love in the air.

J felt loved by us. And I am amazed at the love of Daddy, to do all these dirty work. He did it much better than me. Can't imagine if this happen while Daddy is away on business trip, I wouldn't know how to survive!!! I also felt loved, that Daddy did all these without demanding that Mommy does it :-)

Yesterday being with J brought back images of my childhood, how when I was sick, my mum would stay up all night to take care of me, and how loved I felt. Made me miss my mum so much, and sad that I am not there for her now that I am grown up.

J also learned from this natural consequences that he should wash his hands more thoroughly and make sure not to put anything into his mouth that is dirty. Despite our efforts to teach him, such an experience is the best teacher.

In the above example, I am brought to mind and an understanding, why our good Lord sometimes bring sickness, though I would not wish it on anyone. There is always a good purpose for everything, even sickness.

Our family never felt so loved and united like last night, thanks to J's vomitting. This morning, we kept J at home, but Daddy took day off to take care of him, while I work (those lucky Danes have more annual leaves than people like me, who is not working in a Danish company!). And J was a happy boy despite being a little unwell, as his love tank is completely full :-)

Montessori Activity: Home-made Spindle Boxes - Counting & Numeral Regconition

AGE: From 4 years old (after mastery of The Number Rods and Cards)

MATERIALS:

1.     A box containing 11 compartments clearly labeled from 0 – 10 for each compartment

2.     1 container with 55 popsicle sticks as “spindles”

3.     Number cards from 1 - 10 as labels for the compartments (or you can also just write the numbers on the compartments)

4.     1 container with 9 elastic bands or pipe cleaners (optional)

OBJECTIVE(S):

1.     To reinforce the child's understanding of number names, numerals and quantities.

2.     To teach the concept of zero as an empty set and its corresponding symbol.

3.     To demonstrate that separate items may make up a single quantity.

4.     To reinforce the natural sequence of the numerals.

5.     To provide a sensorial feel of the quantities with increasing number of spindles in the child's hand.

PRESENTATION:

1.     Name the Spindles, point out the slots and the numerals one at a time, and have the child say the number’s names.

2.     Explain that these numbers will show us how many spindles to put into the box.

3.     Point to the no. 1 (have the child read it if he is older), say: “One” and put 1 spindle in this box.”

4.     Repeat for the other numbers and ask the child to count the spindles before placing them into the box. (If the child so wishes, he may tie them with the elastic bands or the pipe cleaners before placing them into the compartments, but it is not compulsory.)

5.     Continue until all spindles are in the box.

6.     Look at slot 0 and notice that it is empty.

7.     Tell the child that "0" is the empty set or "0" receiving nothing. Say: “This is zero. Zero means nothing. That is why there is nothing in this spot.”

VIDEO DEMONSTRATION:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojb93sGFvMU

TIPS:

1.     Have the child take out the two spindles from slot 2, count them and tie them with a rubber band and put them back in the slot 2. Repeat for the other spindles and count each bundle through from 0 - 9.

 

2.     Play shopping by pretending that the number cards are money representing $1 - $10, and that you are going to buy spindle. Pretend that each spindle costs $1. Give the child $5, and ask him how many spindles you could buy. He should answer 5. Ask him to give you 5 spindles from the fifth compartment, count them and give it to you.

CLEAN UP:

1.     Then take out the Spindle 1 from the slot and place it gently back into the basket.

2.     Take out the other spindles group by group, and after taking off the rubber bands, place them one by one (counting as the child does this) back into the basket.

3.     Ask the child why there was no spindle in slot 0.

4.     Have the child put back the material on the shelf.

CONTROL OF ERROR:

The exact number of spindles is provided. If counting has been incorrect, there would not be sufficient number of spindles left.

NOTES:

1.     This activity is best done on a child’s size table.

2.     Give child the chance to answer, so you need to pause and waiting for him to reply.

ADDITIONAL NOTES:

I saved all the office canteen take-away dinner containers and use them for compartments for the "spindles", and I bought the popsicle sticks from the hobby shop as "spindles". It saved a lot of money buying the real thing. Even better still, the traditional Spindle Box stops at 9, but if you make your own, you can make it up to 10.

 
J (3Y11M21D) tried this today in Chinese, and he could do it very well. He later suggested turning this into a shopping game (see Tips section), and this game was stretched to 45 minutes. This game is not so challenging for him in Chinese, as he knows all his numbers now. I will try it in English someday instead.

REFERNCES:

http://www.infomontessori.com/mathematics/numbers-through-ten-number-rods.htm
http://faculty.fullerton.edu/syen/mts/math/2-2.htm
http://www.moteaco.com/albums/casa/casamath.html#anchor2979127
Basic Montessori Learning Activities for Under-Fives

http://amzn.to/1phXJRe

11 November 2019 (3Y5M24D): C tried this for the first time today. I said the number and she placed the spindles one-by-one into the box. I counted with her along the way.

Thereafter, she decided to work on the number jigsaw puzzle that we bought while in Australia: 

Reflection: Am I Chasing After Pretty Rainbows?

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Singaporean Hainanese Chicken Rice

Serves 5-7

Serves 4-6

Preparation & Cooking Time: 1 hour

Ingredients:
1. 2.5 litres water
2. 1 whole chicken (1.2-1.5kg)
3. 500g rice
4. 1/2 cucumber sliced
5. 3 slices of ginger
6. 1 stalk spring onion whole
7. 1 stalk spring onion chopped
8. 1 stalk of coriander leaves chopped (optional)
9. 2 TBS Chinese sesame oil
10. 2 TBS light soya sauce
11. 1 TBS dark soya sauce
12. Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

To cook chicken:
1. Fill pot with 2.5 litres water, ginger and 1 stalk spring onion and bring to boil on high heat.
2. Gently lower whole chicken with its back facing up into the pot fully submerged.
3. Lower heat and simmer for 15 minutes (no. 2 on my stove).
4. Remove chicken and chill in cold water.
5. Drain well and set chicken aside.

To cook rice:
1. Mix rice and 610ml chicken stock (from cooking chicken) and cook in the rice cooker, stiring once after 5 minutes.

To serve:
1. Chop whole chicken into parts and arrange on platter over a bed of sliced cucumber.
2. Pour sesame oil, light soya sauce and dark soya sauce over the chicken and garnish with spring onions and coriander leaves.
3. Serve rice in individual bowls.

Additional Information:
This is an iconic Singaporean dish found in all food courts in Singapore. It is introduced by the Chinese Hainanese immigrants from China's Hainan Island to Singapore during the British colonial days in the 19th century. You would not be able to find this dish in China. It is traditionally served with a medley of sauces - chilli sauce, ginger sauce and dark soya sauce.

References:
Prima Taste

Chinese Class Program - Theme: Shapes

 

日期: 周六3月16日2013年

时间: 9.30 - 11.30am

地点: J's 家

主题: 文具和形状 - 书，纸，笔，尺，橡皮，圆形，正方形，三角形，长方形， 椭圆形

 

9:30 - 9:35: 欢迎，课前祷告。

9:35 - 9:50: 问候, 复习旧知识

9:50 – 10:05: 学习新字文具和形状 - 书，纸，笔，尺，橡皮，圆形，正方形，三角形，长方形， 椭圆形

10:05 - 10:20: 玩一个关于形状的游戏 - Montessori: Geometric Solids

10:20 - 10:30: 读一本关于形状的书《第一次发现:形状》。

10:30 - 10:45: 休息，面包水果时间。

10:45 – 11:00: 关于形状的剪纸活动 – Montessori: Metal Inserts 或用水彩印出形状的美术。

11:00 - 11:10: 请小朋友表演朗诵一首关于形状的儿歌。

11:10 - 11:20: 玩一个关于形状的游戏 –找出房间里不同形状的东西， 再把它们归类起来或 Domino 形状的游戏。

11:20 - 11:30: 绝速祷告，收拾东西，谢谢下次再见。

11:30: 去参加Lyngby 图书管剪纸活动