Unschooling Homeschool

Thursday, November 12, 2015

Homeschool Scout with Quek TL (Term 3) 4 November 2015

Using hand drill.

We started scout after a long break due to haze. Kids are excited to see their scout master Mr Quek again.

There is a long list of tests in order to get "Lencana Keris Gangsa." It looks difficult. Despite of that, kids are looking forward to tackle each and every one of it.

Outdoor again 29 October 2015

Hui and her water gun

En with Miffy, taking a cat nap under the sun

It is a huge relief that finally the sky is clear. The kids ran for a dip in the cool of the water. Hui said " It is sooooo nice that it is impossible to describe"

A Gift in Return 28 October 2015

tote bag, handkerchief and scrunchy

Someone whom we just met gave Hui a beautiful ballet costume. I advised Hui to show appreciation by making something for her in return. She sewn the tote bag, handkerchief and scrunchy. There is nothing better than a thoughtful handmade stuffs I think.

Tuesday, October 20, 2015

Prison Museum, Jalan Parameswara Melaka 11 October 2015

Stepping past this green prison gate sent shivers down my spine.

I was excited stumbling upon this prison museum while driving in Melaka. A visit to a prison has been on En's list for the longest time. And I can't wait (with wobbly legs) to bring her here when she is back from Europe.

A dummy at the watch tower of the prison.

We are allowed to take photos inside the prison except at the gallow and corporal punishment area. It was too creepy for me to take any except at the watch tower, in the broad daylight! The prison was quiet when we visited and we were alone most of the time. The ticketing staff said, "Tour guide is only available on the week day."

Straits Chinese Jewellery Museum, Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock, Melaka 4 October 2015

It is another informative Peranakan museum to help feed the curious mind of my child.

The colour of the mourning clothing for the Straits Chinese, our tour guide, Julie said.

A photo of a 12 years old nyonya with elaborate jewellery.

Hui's drawing 4 October 2015

Perhaps it is due to the frequent visits to Melaka, Hui began to draw nyonya inspired hairstyle.

Baba & Nyonya Heritage Museum and Cafe 1511 Guesthouse Melaka 3 October 2015

Baba & Nyonya Heritage Museum.

The two lanterns at the corner of the entrance symbolize the family origins and surnames in Chinese.

We visited this museum 5 years ago and we didn't have a guide back then. This time round, we had a tour guide and that helped us understand the display much better. There are a total of three terrace lots which belong to the Chan family since 1861. The museum occupies two lots whereas the third lot is turned into a cafe and guest house called Cafe 1511 guesthouse.

Cafe 1511 used to be the servant quarters of the Chan family.

We booked a room at the attic. The steep climb of the stairs from the cafe at the ground floor led us to the rooms above.

The windows that overlook the courtyard in the middle of the home below.

I like it here, being in a historical building.

Another stairs brought us to our room in the attic.

The lovely traditional ventilation holes.

One of the two rooms in the attic.

Spartan Race Malaysia 10 October 2015

Skinned knee from falling.

A few of the kids fell when the big group of children started to run. She tripped on someone who fell in front of her. I saw her got up and asked her friend whom has also fallen down if she was okay. Then she ran towards her first obstacles. It was a 1 km run with 16 obstacles for her age group (8 to 10)

Friday, October 2, 2015

Kids Training Parents!!! 1 October 2015

So my little one handed me this book and said, "Read it mom, it is so funny." She got the book from the recent book sale.

Note to self - Watch my words, expression and body language when I speak.

Holy Moly! I almost wanted to say something when I saw how my older one dressed up the other day !! Yeah, thank you for the great tip Dr Heinz Doozandohntz, I shall get rid of my old photographs immediately.

"DO persuade your parents to buy you a pet - you need one for company and to teach you a sense of responsibility"

Oh yeah, I bought the guppies! (gulped)

Friday, September 25, 2015

Home grown sweet potatoes 24 September 2015

Sweet potatoes harvested by dad and Hui from our mini garden. :)

Unschool Addition 24 September 2015

Conversation on a car ride,

Hui : Mom, if 10 + 10 = 20, what is 20 + 20 ?

Me: 40

Hui: If 40 + 40 = 80, what is 80 + 80 ?

Me : 160

Hui : if 160 + 160 = 320, what is 320 + 320 ?

Me : 640

Hui : if 640 + 640 = 1280, what is..

Me : "WOW how did you figure that out? "

(yeah, with no conventional teaching or drilling of math)

Hui strolling with grandpa.

You are a Malaysian if ... August 2015

While listening to a radio station on a car ride,

Radio : " You are a Malaysian if you can't live without "mamak"

Hui chipped in " YES YES, I can't live without mamak !!!"

Radio: " You are a Malaysian if you say LAH"

En added "" You are a Malaysian when you say " like that also cannot ah" ""

Mt Kinabalu 2013

En at Netherlands, Europe 14 September 2015

Some snippets of En in Netherlands.

At 2am (GMT+8), En typed "Mom, why are you not sleeping?"

I was sleeping. It is like a mother's instinct, a telepathic bonding between me and En, I awoke, got up from bed and checked the phone. True enough, En sent me a message. And I replied.

"Because I think of you"

"Because I know you are not sleeping yet and you may beep me and I want to reply to you"