The older siblings have been having exams, but Bilal really hasn't had much instruction t school this week, except some review. Monday was camping day, and the kids brought books to read, a flashlight and all the ingredients for S'mores. Tuesday was the end of school party, and character dress-up day. Bilal's costume was a simple one, but very cute, I think, made with just a few pieces of felt stitched together, plus some eyeliner for a nose and puppy freckles. And here is the end result: It would have ...
It's a great event every year; awards are distributed, scholarships are announced and gifts are presented to the seniors. This is Safa's third year doing choir, and her first, but last performing with Valley Singers, Shades Valley's advanced choir. She has forged a lot of friendships over these couple of years, a lot of them with fellow singers in the choir.Last year their beloved choir teacher, Mrs. G went on maternity leave, and made the decision to be a full time stay at home mom. It was hard on the s...
Another round of sickies in our house! This time it's Hamza, the one who hardly ever gets sick. Thursday evening he complained about a sore throat and went to take a nap. He was supposed to study for a quiz the following day, but he looked so pitiful curled up in our bed that I sent him upstairs to his room with some medicine and promised to wake him up around 5:30 so that he could squeeze an hour of studying in before school. So Friday morning I got him up to take a shower and told him to come down to s...
Bilal went on his first grade field trip, one of the few that did not accommodate chaperones, otherwise this is one that I really would have volunteered to go on, hah! He went to the cookie factory, Bud's Bes Cookies. And after that, the local park for lunch and play time. First grade really rocks! Mrs. G emailed us some photos of the day. Looks like a lot of fun! The school year is winding down and in first grade there's more fun going on than learning. But the kids have learned a lot this year, so t...
It's been a lovely Mother's Day today. I awoke to Zakir making me a nice breakfast (very rare occurrence in our house!) and when the kids came down I was presented with some delightful gifts. A bag of milk chocolate truffles, which the kids assured me I didn't have to share with anyone, and a board game I had never played before. But after one game with the kids this morning, I know it's sure to become a favorite in our house! Bilal even caught on to the game surprisingly fast. You can see, everyone wa...
After a week or so of feeling crummy with a flu-like virus I am finally starting to feel like myself. No more fatigue, although it's been a tiring week and I still feel a little washed out.This afternoon we went to Oak Mountain State Park for the Muslim community's annual Mother's Day picnic. It was a little humid and it kept feeling like it was about to rain, but the rain held out for the couple of hours that we spent there. Atlas got to come along too. It started drizzling when we were leaving the par...
Bilal participated in his first mini karate tournament yesterday. It was basically just the kids who train at the elementary school, but for Bilal it was a big deal because he's never participated in a tournament. The students were divided into small groups of three or four, and they did their kata and sparred against them. The event was in the lunchroom, where the class is usually held, twice a week.Getting ready to spar: Everyone got a medal (or two). Bilal got second place and kata and third in kum...
Safa performed in her choir concert last night, one of several events planned for the end of the year. Pardon the blurry pics, it is the best I could do from my phone at such a distance!This is the last year she will be taking choir as an elective. Next year she plans to take a more 'literary' route, and work on the school's magazine, Counterpane.
Thankfully, they really do exist! Safa, my (usually) responsible teenager drove off from a gas station this afternoon with her wallet sitting on top of her car. Obviously, it flew out into the road, and someone (who happens to work nearby) saw it and picked it up. He contacted an associate, who tracked down our telephone number from her driver's license, and that person called me at home. Thankfully I was able to meet him later in the afternoon, and retrieve her wallet, with all its contents intact. Not ...
The JIKA Dojo held a car wash/ bake sale Saturday morning, for the students who are heading to the national tournament. The boys aren't competing, but they went along to help out.Sensei was also selling some delicious homemade jellies. There was rain in the forecast, but fortunately it held out until much later in the day. Flagging down cars Do you think they attracted enough attention?
