...And down came the rain!!

Assalamu alaykum, another week has gone! I cannot believe I am saying it again! But yes it happened again...doesn't time just fly?

So let's see. Monday we had yet another pic-nic in the park. This time it was a family day out. Dh back from abroad and so we decided to lift up his spirit with a day out in the park.

We went in a beautiful location, far from the hustle and bustle of London. It was nice to spent time together with kids and specially dh. Mash'Allah wa al-hamdulillah.

These days have been hard for him and I wanted to give him some relief, even if only for few hours. Kids played football and showed their new found love for nature walks and science knowledge!

Tuesday. We went to the Lady Diana Memorial playground, please read Lady Diana Memorial Playground.

Wednesday, business as usual.Calvert in the morning and madrassa in the afternoon. Kids came back home so tired as after more than 10 days off madrassa, they lost their routine!

Thursday, another full day of homeschooling. Now we are revisiting Phonics, specially tricky sounds such as G in garage and G in Angel, also
Mb at the end of a word (silent b), e.g. comb, lamb, climb.
Sc at the beginning of a word followed by 'e' or 'i', (silent c), e.g. scene, scent, science, scissors (except for the word 'sceptic' and its derivations!).
Kn (silent k), e.g. knife, knock, know.
Mn at the end of a word (silent n), e.g. damn, autumn, column
Ps at the beginning of a word (silent p), e.g. psalm, psychiatry, psychology
Ght (silent gh), e.g. night, ought, taught
Gn at the beginning of a word (silent g), e.g. gnome, gnaw, gnu
Bt (silent b), e.g. debt, doubtful, subtle (but not in some words, e.g. 'obtain', 'unobtrusive'!)

Also we are repeating the CVCe.

In Maths we are learning, or I should say re-visited tens and ones, less than <> .

In Science we are now learning about the weather and how it changes. We made a calendar and A is recording how the weather changes daily. He has lots to put down, specially these day. It's rainy, cold, cloudy, sunny, hot, warm, back to rain...you get the picture! lol!

In Social Studies and Geography we are learning how to use a compass rose and maps.

Friday morning we went for our weekly science club and afterwards we headed for madrassa.

We finally were given the dates for the final year exams. They will start on 30 June with Qur'an and then carry on with the other subjects, Arabic, Islamic Studies, Ahadith, etc.

Saturday, we went swimming in the morning. The new teacher finally had to accept the fact that my kids won't wear shorter shorts (excuse me the riddle!). They always wore shorts up to their knees and below...hamdulillah never had problem with other teachers. They just changed teacher as they both went up a level; she is a new teacher and I had to explain again about our religious requirement!

In the afternoon we attended a charity event to raise money for the Burma catastrophe.

May Allah make it easy and bring relief to them. Amin.

Every day we are reading more and more about new disasters, Allah Akbar!

Please do donate for the Burma appeal. You can do so online. Islamic Relief is a leading in this kind of projects. You can visit their website

Insh'Allah tomorrow will be my sport day. I am going for swimming. All by my own...insh'Allah. Doesn't sound real...it has been long time since the last time I swam. Insh'Allah that should do me good, specially for my back probs.

Lady Diana Memorial Playground

Assalamu alaykum,

another great day out with the homeschooler group!

Mash'Allah. We went to the Diana Memorial Playground. The sun was out and a gentle breeze was keeping us cool.

The kids had a great time, they didn't want to stop playing.

I have not had time to take pics but here are some that I found on the net.

Here are some more information about the playground and how to get there.

Opening hours:The park is open from 6am to dusk all year round.

Getting there:Tube:Lancaster Gate & Queensway - Central LineBayswater - District Line High Street Kensington - Circle and District LinesBus:9 Aldwych - Hammersmith10 Hammersmith - Kings Cross27 Chalk Farm -Turnham Green28 Harrow Road (Prince of Wales) - Wandsworth31 Notting Hill Gate - Camden Town49 Shepherd's Bush - Wandsworth52 Victoria - Willesden70 South Kensington - Acton94 Piccadilly Circus- Acton Green148 Victoria - Shepherd's Bush274 Angel Islington - Lancaster Gate360 Elephant and Castle - Royal Albert Hall390 Notting Hill Gate - ArchwayParking is available for disabled drivers at Queen's Gate or along West Carriage Drive in the designated bays.Picnics in the Park:Many people enjoy picnics in the parks. We have put together a document to help you plan your picnic in the park.

Contact:Kensington Gardens Office, The Magazine Storeyard, Magazine Gate, Kensington Gardens, London W2 2UHTel +44 (0)20 7298 2000Fax +44 (0)20 7724 2826Email: kensington@royalparks.gsi.gov.uk

Disciplining your kids!

Assalamu alaykum,
I started writing this article few days before we went to the Lady Diana Memorial playground. I was totally unaware of what was going to happen on that day. My kids and their home edu friends were playing in the sand pit when some bigger children decided to throw sand on them! One of them, a 10 year old girl, a very bad tempered girl, was throwing a big tantrums and started to swear as I approached the mother to let her know what was going on. The mother was out of words and while the daughter had lots to say and swear, the mother could not say or do anything! Subhan'Allah! the daughter, a 10 years old child, could controlled the mother fully...

So here's the article I wanted to post just few days before...
Parents are often confused about how to discipline children once they reach their teens. It's about finding a balance - too little discipline and teenagers might get into risky behaviour, too much and they might rebel.

As your child grows and begins to understand the connection between actions and consequences, make sure you start communicating the rules of your family's home. Explain to kids what you expect of them before you punish them for a certain behavior. For instance, the first time your 3-year-old uses crayons to decorate the living room wall, discuss why that's not allowed and what will happen if your child does it again (for instance, your child will have to help clean the wall and will not be able to use the crayons for the rest of the day). If the wall gets decorated again a few days later, issue a reminder that crayons are for paper only and then enforce the consequences.

The earlier that parents establish this kind of "I set the rules and you're expected to listen or accept the consequences" standard, the better for everyone. Although it's sometimes easier for parents to ignore occasional bad behavior or not follow through on some threatened punishment, this sets a bad precedent. Consistency is the key to effective discipline, and it's important for parents to decide together what the rules are and then uphold them.

Kids have to believe that you mean what you say. This is not to say you can't give second chances or allow a certain margin of error, but for the most part, you should act on what you say.
Be careful not to make unrealistic threats of punishment ("Slam that door and you'll never watch TV again!") in anger, since not following through could weaken all your threats and consequences are also effective discipline strategies.

Just few thoughts to remember...
Dealing with the problem is the best move!
Don't ignore the behaviour- it will keep on getting worse and worse!
Talk to your teenager - try to get to the root of the problem.
Find someone your child trusts - he may be more willing to talk to a family friend, an older sibling or an aunt or uncle.
Be consistent!
And finally, never give up on your children!!!

Cafe' Muslimah is back!!!

ROKKS (Revival of Knowledge, Khuluq and Sisterhood) Halaqah presents ....

'Cafe Muslimah'
Bank Holiday - Monday 26 May 2008,
10am-1pm

Sports Hall, Froud Centre, 1, Toronto Avenue, Manor Park, E12 5JF
Free parking, Free entry.

Come relax, meet new sisters, catch up with old ones, kids activities 0-8 years plus bouncy castle.

All proceeds to go to Madinah Mother and Toddlers group

For more details, donations or to volunteer a dish or your time on day, please contact
Umm Ismail- 07984 137653/Umm Zaahra on ridwana14@hotmail.com

Busy week and hot days...

Assalamu alaykum all,

isn't it so beautiful when the weather gets warmer and days are longer? I love to spent entire days out with my boys.
The sun is out and the sky is blue...mash'Allah! London is full of energy during these days...
We had very few busy days around here. My dh is travelling as he went for his sister funeral which took place on Sunday. The kids and I were left behind as tickets are so expensive and short notice plus baby has got no passport as yet. I took the decision to keep my brain and my kids busy as we felt too sad for my dh and family all. Also my kids are off from madrassa for the whole week and will go back on Monday 12..

So here's our week!
Monday we had a pic-nic in the park with friends. Kids enjoyed playing football and learnt that staying too close to the ducks while eating a sandwich is never a good idea!
Tuesday we went to the Natural History Museum for a new exhibition 'The amazing Butterflies'. We went with other home edders and had such a lovely day! The boys and I visited the Natural History Museum for the second time and also the Science Museum just next door. We came back home late afternoon and were so tired!





Wednesday- another full day in the park. This time we took our bikes and enjoyed a good riding. In the afternoon we cleaned up our garden, mownedthe lawn and planted few new plants. Today, Thursday- again the park. As other children are school we took the opportunity to go in the morning. The park is so nice and quite in the morning. Kids are at school and no many dogs are around! Also we went for a quick visit to the local library to return few books and borrowed some new ones. In the afternoon a sister and her kids came for a visit and we all spent time in my cleaned garden!
Tomorrow Friday, insh'Allah, we have the science club and then afternoon free. I may take them to the local City Farm. insh'Allah.
This week my older one spent most of his free time reading. I bought him few more Dr Seuss books. He is currently reading 'One fish, Two fish, Red fish, Blue Fish' , 'Inside your outside- All about the Human body' , 'There is no place like space- All About the Solar System' .
It has been a busy week, it started with a sad news for us all...

Mourning...

Surah Ya-Sin :83
"So glory to Him in Whose hands is the dominion of all things: and to Him will ye be all brought back."
"Fasubhana allathee biyadihimalakootu kulli shay-in wa-ilayhi turjaAAoona"

Assalamu alaykum,

last Friday proved to be a very long one...for many reasons!

After writing this post , my dh received a call from abroad. Sad news :(

One of my sisters in-law passed away, Allah Akbar! Inna lillahi wa inna illahi rajeun!

We are so sad about it and the kids have been asking lots of questions about death as expected.

I have tried to answer most of the questions using the little knowledge I have on the subject.

We made a search engine and found few good Islamic website. We also talked about how a janaza prayer is performed and where the soul goes after it leaves the body.

We feel so sad but accept Allah's decree and that's what makes us Muslims. We hold onto Allah's plans as He is the Best Planner! Please remember my family in your dua'as and specially my sister in-law, may Allah have mercy on her soul.Amin

Fridays long Fridays!

Assalamu alaykum,


Fridays are always so busy around here! We have the science club in the morning and then madrassa in the afternoon. Between the twos, lots of driving for me!


So time for cooking or cleaning is really limited and if not well organized we risk to jump lunch altogether.


So easy recipes are my thing on Fridays. I remember the good old days when I used to treat the family to couscous with lamb and vegetables or roasted chicken and potatoes...yum, yum!


But hamdulillah, here one of my easy Friday recipe. Easy but delicious!








Asparagus Frittata
1/2 pound fresh asparagus


6 large eggs


4 oz (about 1 cup) grated parmigiano reggiano (look for suitable for vegetarians)


1/4 tsp sea salt


1/8 tsp freshly ground pepper


2 Tbsps extra virgin olive oil.


For a firmer frittata, a handful of dry bread crumbs can be added to the egg mixture, about 1/4 cup.



Directions
Step: 1
Rinse asparagus and remove white end. Cut in 1/2 inch pieces. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook asparagus pieces for 3 minutes. Drain and set aside.
Step: 2
In a separate bowl, beat the eggs, salt, pepper and parmiggiano.
Step: 3
In a 9 inch wide skillet, at least 2 inches deep, heat the oil over medium heat. Add asparagus and saute for 2 minutes.
Step: 4
Pour egg mixture over asparagus and cook, stirring gently for about 2 minutes. Shake pan to settle the egg mixture.
Step: 5
Cook the frittata until the bottom is golden brown, about 6 minutes. * Flip and cook on the other side until golden.


*To flip easily and without tearing the frittata, place a plate upside down over the pan, place your hand over the plate and turn the whole thing over.Slip the frittata back into the pan to finish cooking.
Enjoy!

Children learn what they live!

Children learn what they live :
If a child lives with criticism,
He learns to condemn.
If a child lives with hostility,
He learns to fight.
If a child lives with ridicule,
He learns to be shy.
If a child lives with shame,
He learns to have guilt.
If a child lives with tolerance,
He learns to be patient.
If a child lives with encouragement,
He learns to have confidence.
If a child lives with praise,
He learns to appreciate.
If a child lives with fairness,
He learns justice.
If a child lives with security,
He learns to have faith.
If a child lives with approval,
He learns to like himself.
If a child lives with acceptance and friendship,
He learns to find love in the world


We make choices ALL the time. Learning to make better ones in small little ways, immediate ways, makes life bigger and better. Choosing to be gentle with a child, and patient with ourselves, and generous in ways we think might not even show makes our children more gentle, patient and generous.—Sandra Dodd