Please Support the Palestinians!!

Assalamu alaykum, just an off topic.
Please do show your support and make dua'as for our brothers and sisters.
Islamic Relief
Friends of Al Aqsa
wa alaykum assalam
x

Fly me to the moon!

Assalamu alaykum,
just a quick update about our progress.
Let's see.
A has been working hard at Maths. This past week he carried on adding 3 digits numbers, reading graphs, charts and understanding what is a survey.

In English we have revisited some of the sounds like -ow and -own and used the Royalroad device. Also he started reading the second story book from Calvert called 'Delights'. He is learning about 'Amazing animals'. That gave us a chance to watch again the documentaries about blessing around us by Harun Yahya. Such a great collection of DVDs. Mash'Allah!


In Science we are now learning about 'Heat that travels' and made an experiment with a cup full of boiling water, a pan with a metal handle and a pan with a wooden handle. Also we talked about 'light that moves' e.g. reflection of light in a mirror, using a torch in a dark room, the moon that reflects the sunlight. Also the solar system, moon phases and constellation. I decided to take the kids to watch an IMAX movie at the Science Museum ' Fly me to the Moon'. It's a 3D experience and the kids really enjoyed it! It's the story of the Apollo 11. When the movie finished the kids had a chance to speak with an expert in this field and were amazed by what he was telling them about the moon and the outer space! We enjoyed the rest of the afternoon at the Launchpad and for the second time we watched the interactive shows: Flash Bang Wallop (all about explosion and combustion).


In History we carried on studying American History. This time we read about Jefferson and his expedition and the Indians and the war in 1812. We watched together one of the Horrible History cartoon related to the subject. Horrible History presents historical facts in a very easy way and with an hint of sarcasm!



In Art and Craft, we enjoyed using patterns to make a nice clown with colourful clothes. Also we work on the solar system project using colorful paper we made the planets in space accordingly to their position from the Sun.


In Qur'an and Arabic we have carried on with the Qur'an teacher everyday, 30 minutes a day on a 1-2-1 method. We have carried on using the Madinah Arabic Reader Book 1 with A and the Qaid'ah book with S.



S is now reading properly and started level 5. He is enjoying the reading process but gets a bit lazy when it comes to take his work books out. :(

He is learning to add and subtract to/from 10 and to/from 20.


Also he can write simple sentences. Carried on with the Phonics book. He is also taking part in all the project that A is doing e.g. the solar system, patterns, Prophet Ibrahim and the building of the Kabah.


In Qur'an and Arabic he carried on learning with his tutor same as A. He can now read 3 or more letters together in Arabic. Mash'Allah.


Altogether a very pleasant week!

A new timetable, another outing and 2 new lapbooks!

Assalamu alaykum,
what an excited week we had!
Let's see.
Two Saturdays ago my kids have had their swimming tests. They both did great! I was so pleased with them both. S is now in level 2 and A passed to level 6. Mash'Allah! Yesterday they had their last swimming lessons of this season. They will be re-starting on January. I have decided to change their day and timings. From January they will be swimming every Monday so that will leave me Saturday off to do anything that we fancy!

On Sunday they had wrestling and dh revised their Qur'an and Arabic writing.
On Monday, Eid ul-Adha, the males in my family went out for the prayer very early in the morning. Leaving behind little man and myself. It was really cold and taking little man with the pushchair in the masjid is not such a great idea!

Nevertheless we had a great day of 'Eid. Dh friends came over for lunch and we all shared the meat from the sacrifice. We provided a lunch for those men that don't have a wife or indeed a family in London. Kids received some pretty expensive gifts from one of their wealthy uncle! Another addition to the LEGO City they are building.

No presents from me and hubby to the boys, just a big hug and lots of dua'as. I want the boys to understand the importance of the day of 'Eid and not of the presents they receive.And anyway they already received something for 'Eid ul Fitr. Hamdulillah. On the other hand I received a lovely letter from the eldest telling me how much he loves me and dh and lots of words of appreciation! Mash'Allah it brought tears to my eyes! S drew a big city with a Mosque and wrote Eid Mubarak to hubby and ummi! May Allah protect our kids. Amin
On Tuesday, we re-started with normal homeschooling. So in with Calvert and Schofield and Simms.
Eldest started two new lapbooks called 'Healthy Meals' and 'Prophet Ibrahim (as)' He decided to work on them by himself. I didn't even know he was working on them until I discovered two new folders in his room! Mash'Allah! 'Healthy Meals' was an idea of A to incorporate a cooking book I got from the Heart Association about cooking Indian recipes in a healthier way (South Asians are more likely to suffer from diabetes 4 times more than the rest of the population in UK)

S does really enjoy reading and asks me to sit with him at any occasion. He is now reading level 3. He asked me if he could go on to level 4 but I have explained that he really need to know how to read well before going on to the next level. He was a bit upset but now wishing to learn even more. Hamdulillah he took the news well :)

On Wednesday, we enjoyed the company of a dear ukhti and her eldest daughter. She was so dear to pass by and say Eid Mubarak. She even brought us gifts, jazak'Allahu kheiri sis, you know who you are! May Allah reward you and family for your kindness.Amin

On Thursday back to homeschooling. Calvert and Schofield and Simms. Afternoon spent reading Qur'an and writing/reading Arabic. We are now using the Madinah Arabic Reader 1 with A and the Qaidah with S.

This past week the tutor was having his 'eid holidays. Boys are back to learn with tutor on Monday (tomorrow) insh'Allah.
Friday we went out on our weekly mission to learn more about the world around us. This time we paid a visit to Greenwich, National Maritime Museum and the Planetarium. The Maritime Museum gave me the opputunity to talk further about the explorers such as Columbus that we studied some time ago. Other subjects included the African slaves and missions to the Artic! In the Planetarium we were allowed only in the building outside. The actual observatory is off limit for pushchairs for safety reason. Kids learnt that Pluto is no more a planet! I didn't know! lol! They watched a documentary about starts and planets. Re-visited the solar system and enjoyed the panoramic view of London! It's really a great view up there!

Kids enjoyed the DLR trains and specially the big climb to the Planetarium. I was not too happy with the latter! Pics to follow. (cannot post all the pics as I was told they have a copyright on them)/ A wrote it all in his little diary. The diary is becoming more and more a very useful tool to A.

On Saturday was last day of swimming. They had fun playing with big floats, rings, balls and just enjoying their time in the water. Just a little reward for all their hard work. Saturday afternoon we all helped with chores. Kids washed the floors and dusted around. I had mountains to iron and cook! Saturday evening the boys spent time watching their old favourite: TOP GEAR! It's amazing how much they know about cars!!

Today, Sunday, they should have been to wrestling with dh, but dh is working and could not take them. I am too tired and cold to go. In the end we stayed at home. Homeschooled them up till 4pm. We are now revising Qur'an and carried on with the Arabic Reader 1. BTW doens't anyone know if they sell cartoons in Arabic with English subtitles? We watched some nice ones in islam Channel, Fine Media Cartoons.

Just a very rich week!

From tomorrow this is our new timetable, insh'Allah.
Monday: Qur'an-Arabic-Calvert and Schofield and Simms-Swimming (From January)
Tuesday: Qur'an-Arabic-Calvert and Schofield and Simms
Wednesday:Quran-Arabic-Calvert and Schofield and Simms
Thursday:Quran-Arabic-Calvert and Schofield and Simms
Friday:off. Jumuah prayer with dh. Educational visits or just art and craft!
Saturday: house chores and lots of cooking! Maybe some Art and craft! Reading, watching documentaries and generally anything that we like to do!

Sunday: all day wrestling in preparation for the new competitions.

This is just a draft of our timetable. I am thinking to add few more bits and reading everyday is one of them.


For now, enjoy the pics!!! Not in order. (included in the pics. some results from Calvert and a letter from the tutor)

When in the Masjid! I have been Tagged!!!

Assalamu alaykum,
so that's the second time I have been tagged. Sorry it took me so long to reply. Just to say jazak'Allahu kheir to sister Naimah as the tag will be a great way for me to share some ahadith that are in my heart, mash'Allah.
Here the rules:
The Rules:
Link back to the person who tagged you.
List 3 ahadith you’d like to pin up in your masjid and why.
Tag some of your fellow bloggers by linking to them in your post and don’t forget to post a comment on their blog to let them know they’ve been tagged.

Bukhari Volume 8, Book 76, Number 421:
Narrated Ibn 'Abbas:
The Prophet (sallahu alayhe wa sallam) said, "There are two blessings which many people lose: (They are) Health and free time for doing good."
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bukhari Volume 8, Book 73, Number 2:
Narrated Abu Huraira:
A man came to Allah's Apostle and said, "O Allah's Apostle! Who is more entitled to be treated with the best companionship by me?" The Prophet said, "Your mother." The man said. "Who is next?" The Prophet said, "Your mother." The man further said, "Who is next?" The Prophet said, "Your mother." The man asked for the fourth time, "Who is next?" The Prophet said, "Your father. "
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bukhari Volume 8, Book 73, Number 24:
Narrated 'Aisha:
(the wife of the Prophet) A lady along with her two daughters came to me asking me (for some alms), but she found nothing with me except one date which I gave to her and she divided it between her two daughters, and then she got up and went away. Then the Prophet came in and I informed him about this story. He said, "Whoever is in charge of (put to test by) these daughters and treats them generously, then they will act as a shield for him from the (Hell) Fire."
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The first hadith I chose is for obvious reason. we are living in an era when indeed time is so precious. We don't have much time left to do anything. Indeed we don't have time to do good. Also we only need to look around us to see how many people are facing with big financial situation and debts. may Allah protect us from debts (Ar-Riba') Amin. Those issues all makes ones mind preoccupied with dunya and not thinking about the Hereafter. The message to my brothers and sisters is: 'Lets use our time wisely and to stay away from riba' as it's a major sin'.
Also the health, as I forgot to mention earlier, I am editing my post now. Of course as years passed, our health deteriorates. To treat and cure our body we have the Prophet's (sallahu alayhe wa sallam) medicine as Islam is a complete way of life. Refering to the black seeds (nigella sativa) The Prophet (sallahu alayhe wa sallam) said: "A cure for every disease except death." (Sahih Bukhari). Hamdulillah.

The last two ahadith, are in my heart, they remind me of my mother and her struggles to bring me up in the best way. Hamdulillah. Also I am looking to my kids and praying they will too one day look at me and think about my trials and tribulations to do what's best for them. Amin
I pray that the following generations will follow the advice of our Prophet (sallahu alayhe wa sallam) and treat their mothers well and respect their parents. 'Without them you would not be here'.

I would like to tag the following sisters:
Um Nour
Home Ed Sweden
Always Learning
Ummi homeschools me!

I wanted to tag couple of more blogs, but they all seems to have taken a blog-rest! :)

Wa alaykum assalam
x

V&A Museum

Assalamu alaykum,
we set off early this morning for the Victoria and Albert Museum.

I didn't know what to expect as the last time I visited this particular Museum was back in 1998 and my memories faded.


The kids were so excited to be out of the house after such a long time. Since we stopped the evening madrassa we have been mainly indoors and it's not like us to be in!



When we arrived at the Museum I was a bit nervous and wanted to go back home. Inside the Museum there were mainly University students and professors and also the 'posh' people as my eldest called them.
I was feeling like a fish out of the tank and didn't know then if I wanted to carry on with the visit or go back home.

We decided to approach the only 'friendly' face around. An old lady at the desk maybe on her 60s. I smiled at her and with my Italian accent I kindly asked her if she could direct me where to get the free back packs for my kids to start our visit of the British Gallery.



She opened a big map, it was a massive 4 floors map. She started telling me about this and that, the family trails, the art and crafts, the free activities, the film room, Henry VIII and she pointed to the big map drawing a line on where I should go from the reception onwards.

She was very kind, polite with an aristocratic way of speaking English, the English I learnt at school back 15 years ago or more.lol ;)

I was relieved, I took the kids coats and hats and headed for their cloakroom. We left everything there. We stopped at the next reception on the 2nd floor and picked up our free back packs. Inside the boys had two maps, two mp3 player, lots of activities to make and colour and so much to read. The trails we choose was Henry VIII as we studied about it and my eldest was eager to know more about the Tudors.


Also in the back packs we had another trails to follow called the 18th century and the beautiful furnishing of that particular century.



We started our visit with Henry VIII. So many activities and so much to talk about. The trails contain all you need to speak about the Tudors and Henry VIII. Also the kids enjoyed making a coat of arms, building a real Tudor chair, and a Tudor tapestry.


We followed through as we went along, I explained them all that I know and anything I read on the resources I was given.


I could see how much they were enjoying. The visit is so great as it gives you the chance to stop and allow the kids to make and built stuff.


Lunch was fast approaching and with a baby on tow it's not a laughing matter!

We finished the Tudors and Henry VIII within the time limit I set.


We then spent the first hour of the afternoon in the 4th floor enjoying the back packs.


In the 4th floor we enjoyed making rubbings, a crystal palace with clear blocks, dressing up as a Tudor, building an 18th century chair, watching a black and white film about Venice, lol :) and colouring a house from the 18th century.


We left the V&A Museum very happy and I promised to the kids to take them back insh'Allah.



From there we decided it was time to pay a visit to the Science Museum just across the road.
The kids spent the afternoon in the Garden area playing with big LEGOs and water.
Back home in a fairly good time and I am also having time to post this before I warm up the dinner.

And now for the pics.


wa alaykum assalam

Baby at the Science Museum
Science Museum
Playing with water

Beautiful 18th century building

A modern chandelier made with glass

Rubbings

Instructions for the Crystal Palace

Black and White Film about Venice

Crystal Palace

Gold Cart

Precious Vases

Making a Crystal Palace

Back Pack

making a frame

each activity area has some

great resources in boxes

Petticoat- a large gown nicely worn by S, lol!

A massive gown! The real Deal!

Study in the Computer Room,

interactive resources

Learning with the aid of phones

A is making the Tudor chair

S helping making a Tudor chair

Instructions

Designing the coat of arms

Learning how to wave a tapestry.

A is making a Tudor Tapestry

Tudor's armour

Dressing up!

A designed his coat of arms. They sent it to us by email.

S made his own coat of arms