An impromptu outing

There is nothing that can beat an impromptu outing, especially one that is after school. The children and a friend went with their father to the JISA Primary School Championship this past Thursday. Naturally they had a blast because they all got a horn each and happily contributed to the noise pollution.

If I was there however they would not have gotten any do you know how loud those things are in a house or close to your ears LOL. They really do enjoy them so I am looking for ear plugs so that they can blow to their hearts content.

Walking through the airport (Norman Manley) last week I walked past some of the photography of the Jamaica National (JN ) Resolution Project. I was blown away, such beautiful images all done by high school students in rural Jamaica.

Click here to see some of the stunning images.

This one was one of the cards they were handing out to explain the project.

This weekend

Jamaica Youth Ambassador for Culture & Vulnerable Youth, Randy McLaren, reads at Bookophilia’s Children’s Story-Time this Saturday from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. in acknowledgement of National Child Month.

Sunday is Mother’s day! I am not sure what is being done in celebration in my house but I am sure the big daughter would ensure that breakfast in bed happens. I am happy to say she loves the whole idea of bringing me breakfast in bed and no I had nothing to do with it.

Have a great weekend and Happy Mother’s Day.

An update of sorts!

Easter holiday has come and gone! Can you believe it!!

We were really busy doing what I am not really sure.

This year we didn’t do Easter egg dyeing or hunts but we did make it to church

& Well we did have family in town and that did keep us occupied for sure.

We went to the Carifta games and watched a waterpolo match or two. (T&T versus JA- Jamaica won the last and most important match)

Visited Strawberry Hill which is as beautiful as ever, but not necessarily a place that is ‘kid-friendly’ so many cliffs. Oh, Oh  please if you are planning a visit to the Hill you must make a reservation other wise there is a JA$1000 entrance fee just to go onto the compound, which you don’t have to pay with a reservation.

To get this view we standing right at the edge of a very steep drop off that two of the children happily trotted over to. This cause a few loud shouts. So it is good idea keep the kiddies close by.

and of course we took our family for ice cream at Devon House.

School has started back! In the midst of settling back into the routine we decided one day after to school to go see the zebras. Oh what an adventure that was because we couldn’t find them LOL they were still well hidden. Even though wle only got a peep it was just wonderful to see three zebra with our own two eyes. All were pleased.

Can you see them?

Just as  school started there was sports day!

Ah Sports Day, the big daughter flatly refused to participate even though she qualified to run a race or two. We are heavily into the tweens age with that one and running and perspiring is just not cool. I did insist that we all go to support her house and school spirit. And she had to admit that she had fun.

 

What have you been up to?

Have a great weekend!

Good Luck all you taking GSAT

Oh the joy of  a yellow poui tree.

Not only do you have the beauty of the flower in bloom to behold for days, but then they fall so delicately to turn your lawn into a wonderfully fairy wonderland.

Oh the simplicity of the day when you have not a care in the world and your day starts off picking flowers in pyjamas with hair standing tall held back by butterflies.

I am selfishly holding on to these days as GSAT seems so far away from my kiddies.

Though just another year and half for big daughter but not thinking about that now.

Wishing all those children who have been preparing for the last two years for this GSAT exam good luck tomorrow and Friday.

see what I said about GSAT last year click here.

Interests…

Through a wonderful series of coincidences the children have been able to have piano lessons at home every Saturday.

It is such a wonderful thrill to me to hear them practicing because it has always been a dream of mine to learn to play the piano.

I feel as if I am living vicariously through them, which I have to admit does cause a slight pang of guilt in me. I wonder sometimes if I am pushing them to learn this skill because it good for them or because of my old childhood dream. Hmmmm…..

Listening to a radio interview about parenting recently, I found it interesting that the speaker said that we should allow and encourage our children to explore many different things and interests such as karate, dancing, thrombone playing, kite building, painting splashing or whatever, but don’t expect any of these interests to be their lifelong calling because it is only after the age of 10 are they mature enough to give the discipline necessary to keep up with those interests. (Of course there are exceptions to all rules)  So not be upset if your daughter who was all gungho about dancing is now not in the least interested in it all or your son who made you buy that karate outfit and well just rather watch the Mutant Turtles do it

With the piano though I think it a win/win situation for all. I get to be a proud Mummy and they get to have some fun because their teacher is pretty cool.

Exam time…

We just finished up exam week in our house. And yes I do mean we, because I felt as if I was doing the exams as well the amount of studying I had to partake in. And lets talk lack of interest…. The big daughter, sigh- if ever there was a child not interested in studying.

Here are some sites that helped stimulate some interest:.

www.spellingcity.com- it allows you to put up a list of words and then it test your child. Both of the older children love it.

www.khanacademy.org- don’t laugh but this site helps me with those pesky Math problems that I have forgotten. It works for the children as well. LOL

For free worksheet printouts www.superteacherworksheets.com

A friend has also recommended-

gogsat.com- because hey we are looking G-Sat in a year and a half. YIKES

and Edufocal.com

Have a Happy weekend and to those of you getting ready for the G-Sat exam next week happy revising and remember to take time to relax and not panic.

It’s a new ZOO!!

We went to the Zoo last weekend! We went to the zoo!!

Hope Zoo as most of you know has been going through a much needed metamorphosis and boy is it coming along wonderfully!!

We haven’t been since last summer and even then it was looking good.

BUT now it is really  Fabulous!  The concession stands were up and running. There were so many cool, sheltered areas just to unwind and have a picnic if you wish.

Oh yes the animals….. there were so many new ones.

Swans! Black and white

 

Peacocks strutting around freely and putting on a show. And there was even a white one!! make that two white Peacocks oh what a delight!

Honestly, I  don’t know who was more excited by all the new animals me or the children.

So along with the peacocks there were the usual subjects the mongoose, the alligators and turtles. The flamingos and the parrots, budgies and the fish AND there are ostriches and the emu and of course the sheep.

Oh ((giggle)) we even got to see Woody Woodpecker’s cousins well at least where they have been hanging out.

My attempt at capturing Woody wasn’t so effective but there he is in the dark.

Yes we were giddy by the end of the visit which was kinda long and leisurely compared to the last few times we were there.  The way it was then see here 

When you get a chance you have to take the kiddies down to the zoo. Try for it this weekend.

Admission: Adults $500,  Children $300

Have a great weekend… whatever you do end up doing.

Happy Jamaica Day!!

Picture just a tad bit burnt out but too cute to discard!

Today is Jamaica day! Did you wear the Jamaican colours?  Well we did and so did lots of many school-going children and a few adults.

I am not Jamaican but I have lived here long enough to feel a sense of great pride  seeing everyone dressed in their Jamaican colours.

Why Jamaica day you may wonder- Jamaica Day is a component of the Culture in Education Programme at the Ministry of Education, and is celebrated annually on the last Friday in February. All the schools are required to celebrate Jamaica Day, and are being asked to include community groups in the day’s activities. (excerpt from the Gleaner.)

The children’s school did a great job and we spent the morning singing, dancing and learning about ‘ole time’ Jamaican articles boy have we come a long way. The highlight of the morning for us at Kidfriendly was the genuine Maroons from Portland who engaged them in a few dance steps. Most delightful.

some of the Jamaican artifacts that were on display!

 

Hope you had a great day!

Have a great Kid Friendly weeekend!

Oh and if you are wondering what there is to do this Saturday

Bookophilia Saturday Storytime  is featuring Author Sheril Hall. She will be  reading her books “David and his Famous Right Hand” and “The Grumpy Little Ant”! It’s good clean fun with books! Bring the kids by for an extra special storytime. 1pm- 2pm and remember it is free!

and for the little little ones, like my girls, El Centro is having their messy Open Ends art session called Heart to Art Fun. The kiddies will lace, trace, paint, stuff, colour, mix and whatever else possible with hearts as they use them to create art. I think we are going to do this. Fee is $1000 from 10:00 am- 12:00 noon.

 

Happy Weekend!

 

 

A little bit of this, a little bit of that….

I am always amazed at the ease with which children make friends with complete strangers. The girls playing a laugh-worthy game of Ring around the Rosies with a new ‘friend’.

Source: etsy.com via April on Pinterest

Is that saying just totally appropriate. My children teach me new things daily they have such a curiousity and zest for life. I am indeed blessed.

What is there to do this weekend?

 The children  have been on midterm yay so this weekend my plan is to stay close to home and finish a project that the big daughter has been dragging her heels on. We are planning a trip to the zoo, we are looking forward to see if there have been anychanges or additions since our last visit in the summer.

Bookophilia has there Saturday Story time which sound like a lot of fun.

THIS SATURDAY Scarlett Beharie of the Jamaica Association of the Dramatic Arts brings her own delightful flavour to Saturday Storytime. Bring the kids by for fun and learning as Scarlett reads Irie Morning and Pumpkin Belly!

SATURDAY STORYTIME-With Scarlett Beharie

What ever you this weekend whether it be planned or impromptu, with old friends or witth new friends we do hope that you make it KidFriendly