Saturday 27 September 2014

Print

Cozy Closet Night - Sleeping in the Closet




Doing something crazy and fun makes for fond memories with our children. This evening, we have our Cozy Closet Night, where J, mommy and daddy all sleep in the closet together.

How exciting and thrilled J was to get the chance to sleep in the closet! Years down the road, he is going to remember his childhood with fond memories about the crazy time together.

Throw in some fake candle lights (for fire safety) and you have made yourselves a cozy and snug den. I read J a Bible story, so that he associates fun with learning about God too. After all, God is the main creator of fun.

Thanks to Daddy for being such a good spot :-)

Most kids would like this. It is simple, does not cost a penny, but provides tons of fun! Try it :-)



Updates 29 December 2016: Here is how we prepared it:





Print

High-Rope Parks for Children


It was a very nice autumn weather Saturday with sunshine. We decided to go to the high-rope park at Frederiksberg after Chinese class. J tried the high-rope (klatring) for the first time today and he enjoyed it very much.

There are 6 tracks with different degree of difficulty:

Yellow track for small children from 3 years old
Green track for bigger children (min. height 110 cm)
Blue track (min. 120 cm)
Red track (min. 140 cm)
Black track for those who like to have an extra challenge.

You have 2 hours to try the tracks.

Address:
Klatreskoven på Carlsberg
Pasteurvej 8-10
1799 København V.

Tlf.: +45 2894 4648
Email: klatreskoven@gmail.com

Update 31 July 2017:
This park at Carlsberg is unfortunately closed as Carlsberg has chopped down all the trees to make room for building an international school. But the company has two other high-rope parks in other location. Check it from their website above.

Here is a listing of most high-rope parks in Denmark:

Klatreskoven in Glostrup:

Klatrepark Go Monkey in Søborg:
http://gomonkey.dk

Klatrepark Til-Tops Frederiksdals in Virum:

Klatrepark Sidesporet in Holbæk:

Klatreparken Camp Adventure in Haslev:


















Tuesday 23 September 2014

Print

Bento Box Ideas

 
 

I used to make a laugh at the Japanese women spending so much time to make cute bento, which is eaten within minutes and gone. Now I have to eat my words.

It is getting mundane again to have to make lunch boxes for J. I need to challenge myself to do it with passion. So I got inspired to try making some fun and cute bento lunchbox for J. It will be a wonderful way to make memories with J. 

The trick is to get some ideas to spice the lunch box up, and I tell myself not to don't get hang up about making the prettiest and most perfect bento. Otherwise, it will take away the joy. Here are some cute ideas I have gathered:

http://youtu.be/OqlllgigAbw

http://youtu.be/keHXihCvPQ0

http://youtu.be/I5nDhEV2BHs

http://youtu.be/9E3FmtETSL8

http://youtu.be/CRXbb9nwYYY

http://youtu.be/HMAhDCSzhD0

http://youtu.be/d4sQuMg42UU

https://www.google.dk/search?q=bento+lunch+box+ideas&biw=1600&bih=771&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=KVEfVNDLIsHhywOp24HQBg&ved=0CEUQsAQ

Here are some Japanese recipe for the small dishes to put into bento box:

http://youtu.be/1lcRB2shYVs

http://youtu.be/1luZbvu43Qg

http://youtu.be/MjDQOc-uvHU

http://youtu.be/tkJGDSw99bw

http://youtu.be/yth_Xbo2T3o

http://youtu.be/qodjGVDLsjE

http://youtu.be/-ZplyWcOCFk


This is a good book with bento ideas from amazon:


Monday 22 September 2014

Print

Reflection: Life



One man spent his life trying to find out if there is a God. His name is Anthoy Flew, a Oxford professor and one of the world's most renowned atheist in modern times. His achievements are astonishing. He wrote books faster than others who wrote essays.

Another man (a woman) knew God and spent her life serving God. Her name is Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu, commonly known as Mother Teresa. Her achievements are equally great. She is the CEO of approx. 140 charity organizations.

I have respect for both lives, but it made me ponder... there are largely three main groups of people in this world: some people do not search for God in their whole life at all, some people spent their whole life searching for God (like Anthony Flew) and some people (like Mother Teresa) having settled the question of God's existence by faith early in life, spent the large part of their life walking with God, and what they achieved and the insight they gained in God are amazing.

If I have a choice, by the grace of God, I would like to be in the third group. I would like to have settled on the existence of God early in life so that I can put my energy into living my faith purposefully and fruitfully.

Reading this two books made me realize more that some things are cannot be understood with our the mind alone, and it may delude even the best brains in the world. But to be able to understand with your heart and make your life count is a privilege for the few.

May I have the faith to find, know and understand God with both my mind and my heart, that I may use my energy to love and serve Him.

The Bible says:

‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’ Jeremiah 33:3
Print

J's Lunchbox


Sleeping teddy bears... I know, it doesn't look so pretty like those gorgeous Japanese ones, but it was fun for me to make them :-)
J's lunchbox consists of cucumber, fiskefrikaller, homemade millet pancake, carrot, sunflower seeds, goji berries, blueberries, watermelon, almond, pecan and walnuts.

Friday 19 September 2014

Print

Christian Songs


Here are a list of Christian adult songs, but we can still sing with our children during Family Night:

Alleluia
https://youtu.be/Qgu9xpu8se4
https://youtu.be/MZZxrvb_fAc
https://youtu.be/sIEmWiZJ0Ts
https://youtu.be/Q_Ew556uhr4

Alleluia Alleluia
https://youtu.be/ZP_8mjT9tOc

All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name
http://youtu.be/G-N9_SdxW4c
http://youtu.be/itUNSwS4q9E
http://youtu.be/8ZeOeNlCg9o

All to Jesus I Surrender
http://youtu.be/7x2IpLSfqp8

Amazing Grace
http://youtu.be/fzeqdnb5I4w
http://youtu.be/Jbe7OruLk8I
http://youtu.be/HsCp5LG_zNE

As The Deer
http://youtu.be/_bJGFX5O6Ns

Be Thou My Vision  
http://youtu.be/PfhsOQyZqtg

By His Grace
http://youtu.be/km8nu9TPqJU

Compassionate God - Jonah 4:2
http://youtu.be/sTJ8ikiyH1E

Crown Him with Many Crowns
http://youtu.be/JWCEFKsZqLY

Everlasting God  
http://youtu.be/G8jLpv-iKyA

Give Us Clean Hands
http://youtu.be/onGbkeWkA64

God of Wonders  
http://youtu.be/t7F-B2DLvAQ

Here I am to Worship
http://youtu.be/CoxopsRSfdU

Holy
https://youtu.be/xwgqH_yAYlo

Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty
https://youtu.be/YdbxSpJn1yQ

Holy Is The Lord
http://youtu.be/5jbSNwvMDz8

How Can I Keep From Singing
http://youtu.be/tQI5wxtH6OY

How Deep
http://youtu.be/xV3P541yRi0

How Great Is Our God
http://youtu.be/0ZFN8TBfgNU

In Christ Alone
http://youtu.be/ENtL_li4GbE

It is Well with my Soul
http://youtu.be/X6yDFn3OAFo

I Will Rise
http://youtu.be/CKRF8UihM5s

Jesus, Jesus, Holy and Anointed One
https://youtu.be/rqrEfurqq7E

Jesus We Love You
https://youtu.be/dOExT9JqB7s

Jesus Wept
http://youtu.be/6qRvlgoO1yw

Lead Me To The Cross
http://youtu.be/d_24IdbJ0Tw

Lord I Need You  
http://youtu.be/_rR_Rdb1CTE

Love Your Enemies (Luke 6)
http://youtu.be/wcnJWFLjgn4

Made to Worship
http://youtu.be/oAaPlxGAl_w

Mighty To Save
http://youtu.be/sR8rlTIU8_Y

Power of Your Love
http://youtu.be/Ga6Qtxzd6vk

Sing, Sing, Sing
http://youtu.be/tGPN2Z-bgS0

Strong In Us
https://youtu.be/FYM8-2Wlh4w
https://youtu.be/5MPNMqUbc7k
https://youtu.be/yW3K6h8tpPA
https://youtu.be/wUkXegJsMEo

The Great I Am
https://youtu.be/GC2ejETY5fY

There's A Way (1 Corinthians 13)
http://youtu.be/gnnezzvZcDs

Trust In The Lord (Proverbs 3:5-6)
http://youtu.be/19XcEyVEFZo

Unfailing Love
http://youtu.be/k_MyC6kJzPg

We Fall Down
http://youtu.be/34yPZiD8OMs

You are My All in All  
http://youtu.be/zC617kE1maU

Photo credit: http://thelightnc.com/8430861/top-25-gospel-praise-and-worship-songs-released/
Print

Chawanmushi Japanese Steam Egg Custard


Serves 4

Preparation & Cook Time: 45 minutes

Ingredients:

1. 3 eggs (approx. 250ml)
2. 500ml water
3. 12 pieces of bite size chicken breast
4. 4 shitake mushrooms cut into 4 slices each
5. 4 shrimps
6. 12 pieces of carrots diced (Optional)
7. A handful of green peas (Optional)
8. 12 goji berries (optional)
9. A handful chopped spring onions for garnish
10. 3 tsp soya sauce
11. 1 tsp mirin or rice wine (optional)
12. 1/2 stp corn starch
13. Salt & pepper

Directions:

1. Marinade chicken with 1 tsp soya sauce, corn starch and some pepper.
2. Bring to boil a pot of water with approx. 1 inch of water for steaming egg.
3. Beat eggs, add 2 tsp soya sauce, 1 tsp mirin, 1 tsp salt and water.
4. In 4 teacups, add 3 carrots, 3 pieces of chicken, 1 shrimp, 4 slices of shitake mushroom, a handful of green peas and 3 goji berries into each teacup.
5. Cover each teacup with aluminum foil.
6. Place on a stand in the pot of boiling water, cover and steam for 15 minutes on medium-low heat (no. 4.5 on my stove).
7. You can check done-ness by sticking a tooth-pick into it. If it does not stick to the tooth-pick, it is done.
8. Garnish with spring onion and serve.

Video Demonstration:


Additional Information:

You can add any filings you wish, or leave it out altogether. It will still taste good. To achieve the smooth texture, it is important that you do not add too little or too much water, and do not steam it over high steam. The lower the heat, the smoother the texture. You can use any kind of mushrooms. I like to use shimeji mushrooms, but I ran out of it today, so I used dried shitake mushrooms instead.

References:

http://www.japanesecooking101.com/chawanmushi/

Marinade chicken with 1 tsp soya sauce and some pepper.

 Prepare all the ingredients and bring to boil a pot of water for steaming

While waiting for the water to boil, beat eggs, add 2 tsp soya sauce, 1 tsp mirin, 1 tsp salt and water

  
Add 3 pieces of chicken into each teacup

Add 1 shrimp into each teacup

Add 4 slices of shitake mushrooms into each teacup

Add 3 pieces of carrots into each teacup

Add green peas into each teacup

Pour in egg mixture and add 3 goji berries into each teacup

Cover each teacup with aluminum foil

Place on a stand in a pot of boiling water

Cover, reduce to medium-low heat (no. 4.5 on my stove) and steam for 15 minutes

Garnish with spring onion and serve

Tuesday 16 September 2014

Print

Bible Memory Verse Songs for Children


In Deuteronomy 6:5-8, we are also called to hide God's Word in our child's heart:

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads."

I have been wanting to memorize Bible verses with J, but it hasn't been so successful. He didn't find it so fun. Of course, I have forgotten - one of the best ways for children (and adults) to hide the Word of God in our hearts is the sing it. I believed the LORD reminded me of this method last evening.

So now I am very excited to compile a list of Bible memory verse songs to sing with J and will come back to update this post, whenever I found a new song:

1 Corinthians 10:31 - Do It All for the Glory of God
http://youtu.be/E66VuJLRL78

1 Corinthians 16:13-14 - Be on Your Guard
http://youtu.be/hszUOMt1Om4

Deuteronomy 6:5 - Love the LORD Your God
http://youtu.be/XN0q4QmayOQ

Deuteronomy 6:4-7 - Love the LORD Your God
http://youtu.be/tWzjI5PYqpc

Exodus 20:3-17 - The Ten Commandments
http://youtu.be/iLo8DQKRctQ
http://youtu.be/rMgLH316HJ8

Galatians 5:22-23 - Love, Joy and Peace
http://youtu.be/YyymE0jn_90

James 4:10 - Humble Thyself in the Sight of the LORD
http://youtu.be/rXIizmMWlUo

Jeremiah 29:11 - For I Know the Plans I Have for You
http://youtu.be/dtw7tVJUANc

Jeremiah 33:3 - Call unto Me
http://youtu.be/spZAjPlPxKI

1 John 4:7-8 - Beloved Let Us Love One Another
http://youtu.be/-bbKRBTggo4

John 1:1-2 - In the Beginning was the Word
http://youtu.be/dbCnwIJ_138

John 3:16 - God So Loves the World
http://youtu.be/FPx56weNuUY
http://youtu.be/M4rJbonEoGs
http://youtu.be/E-4eJ9cxVe0

John 13:34 - A New Commandment
http://youtu.be/CB4gQQmWGmk

John 14:6 & Acts 4:12 - No Other Name
http://youtu.be/Aa-5Kk27Ebs

John 15:5 - I Am the Vine
http://youtu.be/Be2cWhEuuhk

John 15:7 - Abide in Me
http://youtu.be/dvIXHG9HEFU

John 15:12 - Love one Another
http://youtu.be/dyXRV3Dod8w

Matthew 6:9-13 - The LORD's Prayer
http://youtu.be/5B8Xos_zY8Y

Matthew 6:14-15 - Forgive
http://youtu.be/E2QURU4BB-U

Matthew 6:19-21 - Store Your Treasure in Heaven
http://youtu.be/lqmCoAImqpg 

Matthew 6:33 - Seek Ye First
http://youtu.be/WHoVR0_16S8
http://youtu.be/lOL47Z0xEr8
http://youtu.be/B8ifVNaN8pY

Matthew 7:3-5 - Speck in Your Own Eye
http://youtu.be/B4JBo9adBVM

Matthew 7:7-8 - Ask and It Will be Given to You
http://youtu.be/uuZCnvNFR_w

Micah 6:8 - He Has Shown Me
http://youtu.be/CIJIqwCIPcw

Philippians 4:6-7 - Do Not Be Anxious
http://youtu.be/Jd35-M-xLX4

Philippians 4:8 - Think about Such Things
http://youtu.be/i2xY37bL4Q4

Philippians 4:13 - He Gives Me Strength
http://youtu.be/2lEvggJEq2I

Philippians 4:13 - I Can Do All Things Through Christ
http://youtu.be/mCzdlG-j6RM

Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the Lord
http://youtu.be/ecUaEAOwiCE
http://youtu.be/sR7VVarFKTQ

Proverbs 19:20 - Accept Discipline
http://youtu.be/0f3_5Uy1-z0

Psalm 1 - Tree Planted by Streams of Water
http://youtu.be/JunBOCxigZ0

Psalm 23 - The Lord is my Shepherd
http://youtu.be/A-qLa_2GPcM

Psalm 27:1 - The LORD is my Light
http://youtu.be/ssG2SWRnU8U

Psalm 27:1 - The LORD is my Strength
http://youtu.be/rnIsBKMzV6o

Psalm 55:22 - Cast Your Cares
http://youtu.be/Vc9pEb-Ej7U

Psalm 56:3-4 - When I am Afraid, I Will Trust in You
http://youtu.be/TRfXd3fonoU

Psalm 107:1 - Gives Thanks to the LORD
http://youtu.be/58527WlwqHY

Psalm 119:11 - I Have Hidden Your Word in My Heart
http://youtu.be/eCtI5mj3cEo

Psalms 148:1-5 - Praise the Lord
http://youtu.be/fqVZjtVLQHA

Romans 5:1 - Justified by Faith
http://youtu.be/ueLTP8YUmKc

Romans 8:28 - All Things Work Together for Good
http://youtu.be/CF6fhyk7Cso

Romans 8:38-39 - Nothing Can Separate Us from the Love of God
http://youtu.be/5SzG0PJ-YXA

1 Thessalonians 515 - Count your Blessing
http://youtu.be/tUmHUfEk_qQ

1 Timothy 4:12 - Don't Let Anyone Look Down on You, Because You are Young
http://youtu.be/HI-P0uRIcPQ

Additional Information:

We started with learning the Deuteronomy 6:5 song on 17 September. I sang it together with J, after reading the verse from the children's Bible. I chose this as the first song, as "Love the LORD your God" is the first commandment from God to put God first. J really enjoyed it, and we sang it again and again for a few times. It was fun, and there was no pressure to memorize it. Hopefully as we sing it more, it will stick in our heads and we would have memorized it :-) I started playing these songs in the car on the journey to the kindergarten on 18 September 2014.

Update 21 September 2014

Today Sunday is our rest day. I told J that we will rest and worship God. We sang this song together, and J was able to sing the whole song on his own. He really like all these songs. I thank God for it. May God continue to work in J's heart.

Update 30 October 2014

J singing Deuteronomy 6:5 - Love the LORD your God
 
J singing John 1:1-2 - In the Beginning was the Word
 
J singing 1 Timothy 4:12 - Don't Let Anyone Look Down On You
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...

My Favourite Books

Montessori Materials