The recent school holidays

The one-week school holiday was over too quickly! A and C spent the entire week at home, while E went to work as usual except for Friday when he took the day off for Good Friday. We got into a routine of work and play, mostly led by C herself as she drew up daily checklists of work items she  needed to look into, such as household chores I said she had to do, homework given by her teachers, music practice, and ideas/projects of her own.

Day 1: C's handwriting is very untidy! Since we told her she needs to earn her own money to buy things she wants, as well as for savings, she's been thinking of ideas, but so far, her ideas have yet to be put into action. Obviously, 'optional' in item no. 5 indicates some reluctance!

 

Day 2: She did quite a good job washing her shower stall but concluded that she would "never, never, ever want to do it again". It was hard work scrubbing the tiles, and floor and washing the glass door.  Her illustration on the whiteboard echoed my dream of being on a paradise island, instead of being stuck at home!

 

Later in the week, 'help do chore' got bumped to the bottom of the list, and indeed she did only one chore, insisting that she had written 'chore', a singular noun according to her, and not 'chores'.

 

Helping to mop the floor was one of the 'help do chores' activities.

We made meatballs for a soupy noodle one afternoon.

 

Caitlin's home-made lunch

 



We took a day off our work-and-play routine and went out to a mall for some fun and shopping in the middle of the week. Coincidentally, there was a free workshop with an eco-friendly theme at the concourse. You could participate if you had a certain credit card, or spent at least RM50 at the mall. She made an accessories hanger using recycled wood from tree stems or branches.

 

 

 

 

 And we did more cooking. One evening, C cooked a dish of basil chicken all by herself, with me providing the verbal instructions. We had it for dinner and it was a rare instance where she actually ate leafy greens (the basil leaves). This is one example that proves (although not all the time) that kids are more willing to try new food or food they dislike when you involve them in the cooking.

 

Caitlin's basil chicken stir fry.

 

On Saturday afternoon, C's five-year-old cousin came over to play and they made some cookies.

Apart from these, C managed to complete all her homework, and practised her piano and drums adequately. Her BM tuition and music lessons went on as usual. We went to church on Good Friday and Easter Sunday. She played the drums at church for the praise and worship session.

Phew, we survived the school holidays quite well this time, and now we're back to the grind. Earlier this week, we had some difficulty waking early and getting back into our daily routine.

This month of April, we will have a few events to take note of -- C's school sports day, a field trip for a theatrical play of Roald Dahl's 'George's Marvellous Medicine', and of course, the long-awaited 13th General Elections. The PM had announced the dissolution of Parliament yesterday and now we're waiting for the announcement of the polling date. Also, E will be another year older this month.

The Green School

I've read various articles about this before but was not as inspired as after I watched this.

Garbage enzyme

The garbage enzyme Caitlin made at her holiday camp is now ready to use after its three-month fermentation period.

What is garbage enzyme? You can get all the info you need from this site.

According to the site, "Garbage enzyme is a complex solution produced by fermentation of fresh kitchen waste (fruits and vegetables dregs), sugar (brown sugar, jaggery or molasses sugar) and water. It is dark brown and has a strong sweet sour fermented scent. Garbage enzyme is a multipurpose liquid and its applications covers household, agriculture, animal husbandry etc. Garbage enzyme is the solution to recover our ozone layer and lower the global temperature.

From day one you start making garbage enzyme, its catalyses process will release ozone gas (O3). O3 can reduce carbon dioxide (C02) in the atmosphere and heavy metal that traps heat in the cloud. Hence heat can be released from the Earth,reducing greenhouse and global warming effects. Enzyme convert ammonia to nitrate (NO3), a natural hormone and nutrient for plants. Meanwhile it converts carbon dioxide to carbonate (C03) which is beneficial to sea plants and marine life."

This is a good way to save the earth and also save money. Your kitchen waste will not be wasted, you do your part in preventing global warming, and you are not at risk from exposing yourself to the harmful chemicals in the daily cleaning products you usually use.

Garbage enzyme can be used as natural household cleaner; air purifier; deodoriser; insecticide; detergent; body care; car care: organic fertiliser, etc

It removes odour, dissolves toxic air released from smoking, car exhaust, chemical residues from household products, etc.

It aslo purifies underground water: enzyme that flows underground will eventually purify the river and the sea.

Natural pesticides: Reduce mosquitoes, flies, rats or cockroaches etc.

Anti-bacterial and virus: Natural antiseptic for your home.

Prevent drainpipe blockage: Release residues accumulated in the pipe of basins or toilet bowls.

I've just used it to mop my sticky floor. I think it's a good substitute for floor cleaning detergents. Helps me save money, save the environment, prevent my skin from getting rashes and long-term bad effects of using and inhaling chemical-based cleaning agents.

Next,I will use the enzyme to wash toilets, dishes, clean vegetables, and bathe Rusty with it.

You should give it a try. Chemical and soap-based solutions should be out of our homes if possible.

Other links for info are here, here and here.