A Letter to Pa - Lavender Fields

Dear Pa

Our visit to Provence in France coincided with the lavender’s bloom at its most glorious stage. We saw, smelled and touched lavender from lavender fields for the first time in our lives. It was an amazingly unforgettable sensory experience. To see such beauty, the fingerprint of God’s creation, I am awed by God and filled with thankfulness that we were given the chance to see it here on earth. We didn’t planned for it, nor was it possible to plan with just such a perfect timing.

I thought of you, Pa, how I wished I could have planned and showed it to you these lavender fields, while you were here on earth…

I thought of all the people in this world who do not have a chance to see it, the income and living condition inequalities here on earth…

My heart ached and I am filled with sadness... A sense of regret and guilt came over me…

God sent me a thought, “My dear child, look at the lavender fields, see the glory of the beauty of my creation here on earth. This is only a glimpse. Heaven is an infinite number of times indescribably more beautiful. Your dad is not missing anything. He is living and enjoying the beauty of heaven forever in the magnificent glory of My presence… Your dad is safe in heaven. Your dad has accepted me with this whole heart. This is the most important, more important than seeing the lavender fields. Do what you can and pray with all your heart for the salvation of people here on earth, and don’t forget them. Don’t be sad for your dad. I am taking well of him in heaven.”

And I am comforted. In the wee hours of the morning, I looked at the pictures from your baptism in Singapore. I know you have accepted God with your whole heart and you are now in heaven. Not all people can open their heart and are able to accept God in their lives. It is a privilege and the most important. I am filled with gratefulness that God has drawn you to Himself, before your life ended here on earth.

Dear Pa, my heart still aches for you, that I could no longer hold your hands and hug you... but I do not have to live my life with regrets. I hope to show the lavender fields to ma, Ah ma and Aunt Misah, while we are here on earth. I am thankful for given the chance to see such beauty during my time on earth. It is an undeserved privilege.

Why me? Maybe God wants me to find ways to help many others to have a chance to see it. I will start with my family. It is a wild wild dream, but maybe I will also be able to show this to more people...

In heaven, there will be equality. No longer will men be divided by such income inequality and divide here on earth. God will wipe away all tears from everyone’s eyes once and for all.

Revelations 21-22.

Montessori Activity: Short Chains - Skip Counting

AGE: 5.5 and up (after the child who has experience with the Hundred Chain and multiplication)

OBJECTIVE(S):

1. To teach other means of counting other than one-by-one or in bases other than ten.
2. To prepare for multiplication.
3. To understand the relation of a square of a number to the squares of other numbers.

MATERIALS:

1. 1 short chain e.g. yellow 4 chain
2. 1 yellow 4-square
3. 4 yellow 4-bars
4. Corresponding arrow number tags for 4 chains
5. 1 pointer (optional)
6. 1 worksheet (optional)
7. 1 pencil and eraser (optional)
8. 1 mat (optional)

PRESENTATION:

1. Tell the child that this is called 4-chain.
2. Line the 4 bars next to it and show that they are the same.
3. Fold the chain into a square, compare to the square to show that they are the same.
4. Straighten the chain into a line, count and label it: 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 12, 16
5. Practice counting backwards: 16, 12, 8, 4, 3, 2, 1.
6. Fold it back into a square and label it: 4, 8, 12, 16.

VIDEO DEMONSTRATION:

http://youtu.be/8fd8BPCfpLA

http://youtu.be/WfLzrGVIG74

NOTE:

The child does not need to be shown each of the chains.

REFERENCES:

http://www.montessorialbum.com/montessori/index.php?title=Short_Chains
http://www.infomontessori.com/mathematics/skip-and-counting-skip-counting.htm

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

The Montessori Short Chains is available from Amazon:

1. Tell the child this is called the 4 chain.

2.  Line 4-bars next to it and show that they are the same.

3. Fold it into a square and show that they are the same as 4 bars arranged in a square.

4. Compare it to a square and show that they are the same.

5. Straighten the chain, count and label them 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 12 and 16

6. Do a skip count 4, 8, 12, 16 and count it backwards 16, 12, 8, 4

7. Fold back into a square, skip count 4, 8, 12, 16 and label them.

8. Count backwards 16, 12, 8, 4.

REVISION:

1. Show your child that short chain is represented by the diagram on the worksheet.

2. Count the number of beads in a section and ask your child to write 4 in the first space of _ x _ = _

3. Show your child that the 4 chain is made of 4 sections and ask him to count the sections of the chain and write 4 in the second space of _ x _ = _

4. Ask the child to read the question and write the answer 16.

5. Count each bead from the bottom of the chain i.e. 1, 2, 3, 4, label 4 next to it and write 4 in the worksheet.

6. Continue from the next section and count 5, 6, 7, 8, label 8 next to it and write 8 on the worksheet.

7. Continue in the same manner until all the sections of beads have been counted and the answer written on the worksheet.

12. Explain that when a number chain is folded into a square, the number is "squared", i.e. 4^{2 -} meaning four is squared.  Therefore, explain 4² = 16

Explain the relation between multiplication, addition and squares:

4² = 4 x 4 =16 = 4 + 4 + 4 + 4 

OR 

Present it as follows, showing hat they are all equal to 16, and they mean the same thing, expressed in different ways. 

4² = 16 

4 x 4 = 16

4 + 4 + 4 + 4 = 16

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

J (6Y3M11D) tried this for the first time today. He explained to me that 4 x 4 = 16 and it means 4 + 4 + 4, before I explained to it to him. I asked him how he knew. He said that he learned it from his kindergarten. I then expanded further and explained 4² but it was a little difficult for him at the moment.

J Summary (6Y3M10D): Some Wise Words...

After play date today at the dinner table...

Daddy FECS: J, so who do you like to play with best?

J: Altså det kan man ikke sige, ellers bliver en af dem ked af det. One cannot say so, otherwise one of the kids will be sad.

Daddy FECS (red face): True, true, true, our wise son, you are right :-) putting us to shame... Joshie parenting us... spurring us to be better persons.

Healthy Monkey Food/Sund abemad

Makes 2 glasses

Ingredients:
1. 1 apple
2. 1 banana
3. 1 orange
4. 100ml Greek yogurt 0% fat
5. 1 vanilla bean (optional)
6. A handful of chopped chocolate (20g)
7. A handful of chopped nuts (pecans, almonds or walnuts)
8. A few raisins
9. 1 tsp maple syrup

Directions:
1. Cut fruit into bite-size
2. Mix Greek yogurt with vanilla and maple syrup.
3. put the fruit into individual glass.
4. Top with 2 TBS Greek yogurt.
5. Sprinkle chocolate, nuts and raisins on top.

Additional Information:
J came home from school, and told me that he had monkey food. "What, what monkey food are you talking about???" I asked. I realized that it is actually a type of fruit salad. The Danes call it "abemad" meaning "monkey food." J's school sometimes serves this as snack for the children. He loves it and requested that I made it. Today, he made it for me, and he was so proud that he taught mommy how to make it. But actually I googled for the recipe, and helped him :-) This is a healthier version, with Greek yogurt instead of heavy cream. We made it for his play date with M today :-)

References:

https://www.madplanuge.dk/opskrifter/34/sund-abemad
http://www.maduniverset.dk/opskrift.php/8481/Desserter-opskrifter/Abemad--frugtsalat-med-raacreme
http://www.madabc.dk/6/abemad-med-r%C3%A5creme

Do Not Underestimate the Value of Housework...

Dear fellow Moms

Do not underestimate the value of so-called "mundane" housework at home. It gives you time to recharge and reflect. And do not allow the world to under value your work.

Stephen Covey teaches that the 7th habit of Highly Effective Families is:

"Sharpening the saw"

And being a part-time working mom allows me time to practise just that :-) Instead of running like a mouse on a treadmill day-in-and-day-out, it allows me more work-life balance, time to think, learn and reflect.

As I am doing the laundry and hanging the clothes for drying at home, I am listening to audio and "sharpening my saw".

And here is what I learned about leadership from the ancient Chinese sage, Lao Tze through Dr. Tan Lai Yong:

Go to the people
Live among them
Love them
Start with what they know
Build on what they have
But for the best leaders, when their task is accomplished, their work is done, the people will remark,

"We have done it ourselves."

Listen to this talk and may your life be enriched :-) :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjiMCG3DGKM

J Summary (6Y3M9D) - Family Meeting Night in Tent...

Today, we had our WFMN in the tent. It was a very short meeting today. We were busy with appointments in the day. We played board game in the tent, read 2 books and sang a song. We ended our family meeting with our family cheers. It was really special doing it in the tent. We set it up in J's play room. Thereafter, J went to bed, in the tent. So we literally camped at home this weekend :-)

J Summary (6Y3M7D) - Kindness to Snails...

Went jogging with our Little FECS along the lakes today, while he cycled. Along the path, seeing snails in danger's way, he carefully took a stick and guide them to the side. He did it again for many snails along the way. His kind heart for the snails touched my heart.

J Summary (6Y3M5D) - Trying Out Woodcraft for the First Time...

Our Little FECS couldn't wait to try out woodcraft. A couple of weeks ago, during our One-on-One date from my day off work, we went to the Scout shop, and I bought him a Scout knife. Today was the first woodcraft meeting at Scouts. Daddy FECS brought him there and took this picture. A memory of his first attempt... pretty good job :-)

http://youtu.be/mL39wOuAXWs

Childhood (童年) is...

Time flies... 

with the blink of an eye... 

6 years have passed... 

our Little FECS' early childhood has now gone by - just like that :-(

I want to remember them... 

years down the road...

should memories fade... 

should I ever come to resent and regret

that at the prime of my life, I have chosen to work part-time... 

I will remember that it is for memories such as these that I have chosen to pay the price...

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Childhood is... running around... 

welcoming spring admiring the Easter daffodils (påskelinjer)...

23 April 2011 (2Y1M18D)

feeding ducks

watching anemone in bloom...

planting and...

watering during springtime...

growing sunflowers...

visiting a farm...

playing with hay...

patting a cow...

patting goats at Knuthenborg Safari...

patting sheeps at Sommerland Sjælland...

patting rabbits...

coming up-close with farm animals at Sommerland Sjælland...

admiring cherry-blossom...

blowing dandelion...

cutting through the tall grass...

walking in the wilderness...

to the pond...

looking for frogs...

picking frog eggs...

spotting tadpoles...

catching tadpoles...

transferring them into a jar...

to take a closer look...

delightful seeing tadpoles wiggling...

and the fun releasing them back to the pond...

catching frogs...

touching them...

catching toads...

catching fish... from the longkang...

observing them in a tank...

from the pond... and setting them back...

catching insects

observing insects...

holding an insect...

picking up cocoons...

catching snakes in the forest...

observing the way it crawls from a distance...

holding it and feeling its smooth and slippery skin in your hands...

doing silly things with ropes...

exploring the nature...

walking in the forest...

cutting branches...

and making wooden hut...

and hiding inside...

navigating through hut...

and exploring with friends...

picking up stones...

flying kites...

picking up sticks...

seeing tulips in bloom...

smelling lavenders in bloom...

chewing licorice root stick...

horse-riding...

and pony-riding...

and more pony-riding...

more horse-riding...

playing in the rain...

Paddling puddle of water with a stick...

smelling the flowers...

jumping around... 

playing catching...

hiking...

up the mountains...

and soaking in the hot-spring thereafter...

crossing creeks...

getting dirty in mud...

exploring...

caves...

going for a picnic by the beach...

feeling the sea-water...

hearing the sounds of gentle waves hitting the shores...

playing with sand...

making a river...

feeling the sandy beach under one's feet...

scoping and pouring...

digging and filling...

making sand-castles...

catching starfish from the seaside...

holding jellyfish in your hand... and getting the jelly-like feeling :-)

catching crabs...

in different ways...

also tiny crabs...

and making crab soup outdoor...

learning to make fire...

grilling...

 banana with chocolates over bonfire...

and getting the delight of tasting them yourself...

making the Danish "snobrød" over bonfire...

Making popcorn over bonfire...

cooking soup...

over fire...

5 July 2015 (6Y4M) 

carving wood...

picking woods...

making an enclave in the tent...

with friends...

and making an enclave with blankets...

camping...

rowing a float...

rowing boat...

sailing...

canoeing on the river...

and cleaning the canoe before storage...

and doing silly things together...

digging with excavator...

exploring a real big truck...

mowing the lawn with a real truck...

picking strawberries...

plucking raspberries...

harvesting peas...

picking apples...

and eating it...

plucking elderflowers...

and making elderflower cordial...

harvesting potatoes...

harvesting leeks in October...

getting wet from the water fountain...

playing with water in the garden...

soaking in an inflatable pool...

playing in the pool...

floating on float in the pool...

swimming...

sprinkled with water...

trying out water rides...

playing with water in a bathtub...

playing with water-gun...

having fun with balloons...

playing with water-balloons during bath...

bathing in a pool full of balls...

having fun with soap bubbles...

and foam...

spinning with daddy...

learning to kick a ball...

learning to cycle with daddy...

and falling...

and finally succeeding...

riding the scooter...

learning to skate...

learning to play badminton...

stretching...

exercising...

jump, jump...

jumping...

and more jumping...

and more jumping...

more jumping...

navigating obstacle course...

crossing a river through a raft...

climbing spider web....

climbing trees...

everywhere...

in all seasons...

and more climbing...

going to the playground...

having fun on the swing in twos...

and in one big group...

walking on the rope...

riding on the see-saw...

doing somersault on monkey bar...

simply playing...

and also during winter time...

having breakfast on the balcony....

sharing a big ice-cream with the family...

watching sunset together...

The sun started to set around 9.30pm and was fully set around 9.45pm
at Tisvilde north of Copenhagen during the summer on 21 July 2013

going on a car-ride with daddy and mommy...

going on a train-ride...

having a cozy time with daddy...

seeing Thomas-the-Train in action...

laughing together...

going to amusement parks...

trying out different rides...

some easy ones...

and some more challenging ones...

riding on the merry-go-round...

eating cotton-candy...

and lollipop care-freely... aaah... that's childhood...

being a Mr. Postman...

being a Captain pilot...

being a fireman...

putting out fire with real water...

pretending to cook like a viking...

going to the Science museum... 

doing magic show...

saying hello to the fishes and sea creatures at the aquarium...

playing with Lego...

story-telling at the library...

reading together with friends...

hygge with cousins...

going for a movie with Daddy...

trying out the Chinese candy "bing tang hu lu"... :-)

carrying lanterns during...

the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival...

admiring the full moon together...

doing the lion dance during Chinese new year...

collecting red packets during Chinese New Year...

playing with flour...

driving a battery-operated car...

having tea-time with mommy

baking...

and mixing...

baking cookies...

making sushi...

chilling out on a bean bag....

painting....

going to art museum...

painting...

sketching...

painting...

hiding in a suitcase...

playing with Lego robotic...

making jigsaw-puzzles...

1 May 2014 (5Y1M26D)

hammering and wood works...

mining for dinosaur...

board game with friends...

and with mommy and daddy...

play dates with friends...

playing 4-in-a-line...

playing chess...

playing Chinese chess with grandpa

washing toys...

washing car with Daddy...

picking edible mushrooms... (but only with mommy and daddy around)

picking inedible chestnuts from the forest...

picking edible chestnuts...

and baking them...

carving pumpkin with Daddy

grocery shopping with mommy and daddy...

preparing food...

with Mommy...

cooking with Mommy...

playing the piano...

visiting museum...

volunteering at old folks' home...

making Christmas decorations... 

taking part in dramas and plays...

laying down feeling the snow and...

making an angel's form...

having fun sledging...

making snowman...

doing cross-country on snow...

tossing candies...

camping at home...

the thrill of sleeping in the washroom...

having a cozy time with daddy...

the thrill of sleeping in the closet...

sleeping in a tent in the play room...

and waking up snuggling with daddy...

in the kitchen...

Sailing a boat...

26 August 2017 (8Y5M21D)

Catching water animals...

1 August 2020 (11Y4M26D) at Blå Base

Canoeing at Lyngby Lake...

8 August 2020 (11Y5M3D) at Lyngby Lake

11 August 2020 (11Y5M6D and 4Y2M25D) at Lyngby Lake

That's our Little FECS' childhood :-)

For Mommy FECS... looking back at our Little FECS' childhood brings the following thoughts and feelings:

Childhood is... helping me...

to see the joy of play...

and the carefreeness...

realising how short it is...

Childhood is... urging me...

not to be overly worried about exams and grades...

not to be worried about unfinished homework... (oh yes... the school wanted our child to be familiar with the Danish alphabet before he starts school)

not to be upset and angry all the time...

Childhood is... teaching me...

to be grateful for our health...

to be thankful for the privilege of being able to give our children a childhood...

Childhood is... touching me...

to cry out and think of those in war-torn countries, whose such peace, carefreeness and beholding the beauty of nature is still beyond their need...

to pray for them...

to share with them...

Childhood is... showing me...

that many simple joys in life do not need an insane amount of money to get

yet many things in life money cannot truly buy...

the joy of seeing the beauty of nature...

breathing fresh air...

bathing in the sunshine...

playing with water at the seaside...

All these cost less than going to a Disneyland...

so long as we human learns to respect and conserve nature...

Childhood is... humbling me...

to realize that we will all grow old one day...

that we should appreciate the elderly amongst us...

the heritage that they are providing to our children... and ourselves...

Childhood is... encouraging me...

to learn to take things a little slower... 

to be in pace with the children... and the elderly...

to have the wisdom to have the balance in work and life...

remembering that childhood does not wait for me, while I am working overtime in the office...

Childhood is... giving me the courage...

to put in my best during office hours and ...
grab my bag and run for the door...
whenever I am tempted to stay in the office after office-hours...
and if I fail...
the courage to try again the next day...

Childhood is... reminding me the meaning of life...

to enjoy my family and child...

to seize the day...

and allow our child more unstructured free play...

to consider and revere God...

Songs about childhood (sorry it is in Mandarin):

https://youtu.be/bF2qh1glIjU

https://youtu.be/hxAXrikHJWk

https://youtu.be/1FJU5Ubex2A

References:

http://www.metuchenmatters.com/2009/01/the_importance_of_play.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Childhood