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Baha'u'llah and the Fishes
Today's class of Tender Seedlings in brought to you in video.
The story today was "Baha'u'llah and the Fishes".
It was mainly the childhood of Baha'u'llah and the dream His father had of Him swimming in the big blue sea with lots of fishes, each holding a strand of His hair in their mouth.
The tots loved the story and enjoyed even more when it was time to make their own 'Sparkly Fishes'.
They were also given a picture of the Shrine of Baha'u'llah with the short obligatory prayer on it.
Enjoy the video!!
The story today was "Baha'u'llah and the Fishes".
It was mainly the childhood of Baha'u'llah and the dream His father had of Him swimming in the big blue sea with lots of fishes, each holding a strand of His hair in their mouth.
The tots loved the story and enjoyed even more when it was time to make their own 'Sparkly Fishes'.
They were also given a picture of the Shrine of Baha'u'llah with the short obligatory prayer on it.
Enjoy the video!!
Artsy Mardi (Tuesday)
Today as craft project, we made stuffed fishes!!
Mona really really really enjoyed this one...
First we cut out the shapes of the fish from colored papers (4 shapes for front and back of two fishes).
Then we let our creativity run wild.... Mona loved drawing (scribbling) on the fish while I colored the other side. I love watching Mona CREATE!!! The way her face is concentrating and her little brain thinking about how to and what to draw next. Her little hands and her unique way of holding her crayons and pens as they move to make lines, circles, zig zags and now sun!!
It's all just fascinating to me...
Anyway.. back to the fish making...
We then glued the fish together and add some stuffing with old pieces of teared newspaper and closed the fish, then we added ribbon and hung them on the door frame!!
We did one multi-colored fish and one sparkly fish!!
And since Mona really enjoyed this craft activity, i think i will use it for Baha'i Class (Tender Seedlings), on the Story of Baha'u'llah, you know the dream His father had with the fishes in the sea...
I cant wait till Saturday to make more little fishies with the tots... lol
Here are some pics of our fishes and of Mona being goofy!!
Mona really really really enjoyed this one...
First we cut out the shapes of the fish from colored papers (4 shapes for front and back of two fishes).
Then we let our creativity run wild.... Mona loved drawing (scribbling) on the fish while I colored the other side. I love watching Mona CREATE!!! The way her face is concentrating and her little brain thinking about how to and what to draw next. Her little hands and her unique way of holding her crayons and pens as they move to make lines, circles, zig zags and now sun!!
It's all just fascinating to me...
Anyway.. back to the fish making...
We then glued the fish together and add some stuffing with old pieces of teared newspaper and closed the fish, then we added ribbon and hung them on the door frame!!
We did one multi-colored fish and one sparkly fish!!
And since Mona really enjoyed this craft activity, i think i will use it for Baha'i Class (Tender Seedlings), on the Story of Baha'u'llah, you know the dream His father had with the fishes in the sea...
I cant wait till Saturday to make more little fishies with the tots... lol
Here are some pics of our fishes and of Mona being goofy!!
Mona playing at Baha'i Classes with her dolls
Last night, after baking some baby cup cakes with the help of mummy, Mona decided to play 'Baha'i Class'.
She gathered all of her dolls and made them sit on the floor in a circle.
She then started to tell them stories. She was actually telling them stories that we have done at 'Tender Seedlings'. Of course it was not exactly the same as she mixed up all the stories into one.
She also sang the Baha'i Prayer 'Blessed is the Spot' and was teaching them how to say 'Allah'u'Abha!
It was just really cute to see her imitating me... and I was really proud of her as it was her very first time role playing me!!.... a little mummy moment right there...
Of course as soon as I got the camera and started recording the class quickly came to an end and she was more interested in putting on a show for the camera!! lol
Then it was time to feed baby, and guess what baby had for dinner... "RICE AND KEBAB"!!
Ha!... Isn't she a true Persian girl or what? lol...
Here are some pics of the baking time and a quick video montage of Mona from yesterday.
She gathered all of her dolls and made them sit on the floor in a circle.
She then started to tell them stories. She was actually telling them stories that we have done at 'Tender Seedlings'. Of course it was not exactly the same as she mixed up all the stories into one.
She also sang the Baha'i Prayer 'Blessed is the Spot' and was teaching them how to say 'Allah'u'Abha!
It was just really cute to see her imitating me... and I was really proud of her as it was her very first time role playing me!!.... a little mummy moment right there...
Of course as soon as I got the camera and started recording the class quickly came to an end and she was more interested in putting on a show for the camera!! lol
Then it was time to feed baby, and guess what baby had for dinner... "RICE AND KEBAB"!!
Ha!... Isn't she a true Persian girl or what? lol...
Here are some pics of the baking time and a quick video montage of Mona from yesterday.
Video of Tender Seedlings Classes
As some of you might already know, I am holding 'Tender Seedlings' (Baha'i Class for Toddlers aged 1 to 5) on a weekly basis at home, with the loving support and help from the Local Spiritual Assembly of my community.
So far the classes have been wonderful and a great success.
The little tots have showed so much interest and progress.
These little gems now can sing the Baha'i prayer by Baha'u'llah "Blessed is the Spot" and if you show them a picture of the Shrine of the Bab and ask them what it is, they will they you: "It's the Bab!", and if you show them a picture of the greatest Name, they will happily tell you: "It's Allah'u'Abha!"
They now understand that each day when we wake up in the morning and just before we go to sleep, we have to say our prayers to thank God for the beautiful day we had today!
They have been learning all of this and a lot about virtues through the medium of animated stories (with the help of puppets and toys), songs, and beautiful creative arts and crafts activities.
The little angels have also been bonding together and really show signs of true love and fellowship...
It is truly an amazing and blessed experience to share with them, and I am so happy each week after doing the class. That happiness keeps me going all week long till the next class.
I wanted to share this little video of 'Tender Seedlings' with you all.
Enjoy and please feel free to share with friends and invite them to join us at our 'Tender Seedlings'.
Much love,
Pillow Talks....
Parts of tonight's conversation with Mona went a bit like this:
Mona: "Mummy, yook, it's dark outside! I am really really tired!!"... sigh... we had a good day today.... sigh again..."
Me trying not to laugh: "Yes it's dark outside, it's time for dodo (sleep)."
After about 15 minutes of more small talk with Mona, I was desperate to get her to sleep:
Me: Let's say a prayer to make 'Abdu'l-Baha happy!"
Mona: "NO! Don't sing a prayer!!"
After insisting for a bit, I said a prayer anyway.
Mona: "Bahalallah (Baha'u'llah) happy now!" (For some reason, she sometimes call 'Abdu'l-Baha by the name of 'Bahalallah').
Mona: "Bahalallah is in the living room"
Me: "Baha'u'llah is everywhere, He is in my heart and in Mona's heart too!"
Mona: "No mummy, Bahalallah is in the living room, in Mona's room, in mummy's room and other room!!" (We have pictures of 'Abdu'l-Baha in the living room, dining room, in Mona's bedroom and in our bedroom).
Mona: "Mummy, yook, it's dark outside! I am really really tired!!"... sigh... we had a good day today.... sigh again..."
Me trying not to laugh: "Yes it's dark outside, it's time for dodo (sleep)."
After about 15 minutes of more small talk with Mona, I was desperate to get her to sleep:
Me: Let's say a prayer to make 'Abdu'l-Baha happy!"
Mona: "NO! Don't sing a prayer!!"
After insisting for a bit, I said a prayer anyway.
Mona: "Bahalallah (Baha'u'llah) happy now!" (For some reason, she sometimes call 'Abdu'l-Baha by the name of 'Bahalallah').
Mona: "Bahalallah is in the living room"
Me: "Baha'u'llah is everywhere, He is in my heart and in Mona's heart too!"
Mona: "No mummy, Bahalallah is in the living room, in Mona's room, in mummy's room and other room!!" (We have pictures of 'Abdu'l-Baha in the living room, dining room, in Mona's bedroom and in our bedroom).
Late night conversations...
Recently with Mona, we've started what we call our "late night conversations"....
Basically, what we do each night, after doing our night-time routine and saying our night prayers, we both are in bed in the dark and we chat.
I ask her about her day and what she did today. I asked her how she felt about doing such and such things/activities etc.. and then i tell her about my day and how i felt etc.. and what i need to do better. Then i ask her how she thinks she should do this or that thing tomorrow, etc...
I started theses conversations to teach her how to bring herself to account each day, because along with daily obligatory prayers, bringing oneself to account is very important for us as Baha'is. And now that she has mastered morning and night prayers, i want her to learn how to do this too from now on.
Also I want to start conversing with her to keep this bond between us, so that in the future she gets in the habit of talking to me and knows she can turn to me when she needs to.
On top of that, two weeks ago, when Mona was sick, and was having fever and woke up during the night, I was awake with her in arms and since the 3 of us were not sleeping anymore, i decided to take my prayer beads and say 'Allah'u'Abha 95x. Mona asked me what that was and I explained to her and gave her another set of prayer beads (I had made those prayers beads when i was pregnant with Mona). So now she had her own set of prayer beads and we say our 95 'Allah'u'Abha together before going to sleep. Of course she doesn't count all of the beads, but she does move them across one by one and say 'Allah'u'Abha. And if i open my eyes to look at what she is doing, she will order me to "Close your eyes mummy!!"
So yeah back to the night conversations...,
Mona has really been enjoying out mother-daughter talks! And so have I and really look forward to it each night...
She is so cute and talk non-stop and so quickly... I didn't know she had so much to say...
Tonight for instance, after about a 25 minutes chat, she didn't want to stop... I kept telling her that it's really late not and that we need to sleep now, so we can rest and be able to do all the things we have plan for tomorrow. But Mona kept replying "I want to talk mummy!"
So we do, for about another 20mins... non-stop!!! She kept on and on, talking about what she did today, and even what she did yesterday!! And she even told me what to do tomorrow!! lol... She just wouldn't stop... And the funny thing is, that she talks and whisper so fast, and from time to time would stop to take a breathe and say "mummy" just to make sure that i am still listening to her.... it's so funny to hear her... she sounds very adult like....
During our chat tonight, i was telling her that she really made mummy very happy today when she helped mummy wash the dishes, then all of a sudden, she started cheering "Power, Power". I asked her what she was doing, and Mona replied: "I want to make daddy happy too"!! Lol.. (Power is the football team of daddy)!! I was just stunned and really had to contained myself to not laugh out loud... Mona amazes me each day!!
And she finally felt asleep, the words became fewer and fewer, and the tone became lower and lower, till i couldn't hear anything, but her deep breathing... I quickly gave her a kiss and escaped so quietly out of the room...
My two year old daughter is growing up oh so quickly... soooo quickly...
Basically, what we do each night, after doing our night-time routine and saying our night prayers, we both are in bed in the dark and we chat.
I ask her about her day and what she did today. I asked her how she felt about doing such and such things/activities etc.. and then i tell her about my day and how i felt etc.. and what i need to do better. Then i ask her how she thinks she should do this or that thing tomorrow, etc...
I started theses conversations to teach her how to bring herself to account each day, because along with daily obligatory prayers, bringing oneself to account is very important for us as Baha'is. And now that she has mastered morning and night prayers, i want her to learn how to do this too from now on.
Also I want to start conversing with her to keep this bond between us, so that in the future she gets in the habit of talking to me and knows she can turn to me when she needs to.
On top of that, two weeks ago, when Mona was sick, and was having fever and woke up during the night, I was awake with her in arms and since the 3 of us were not sleeping anymore, i decided to take my prayer beads and say 'Allah'u'Abha 95x. Mona asked me what that was and I explained to her and gave her another set of prayer beads (I had made those prayers beads when i was pregnant with Mona). So now she had her own set of prayer beads and we say our 95 'Allah'u'Abha together before going to sleep. Of course she doesn't count all of the beads, but she does move them across one by one and say 'Allah'u'Abha. And if i open my eyes to look at what she is doing, she will order me to "Close your eyes mummy!!"
So yeah back to the night conversations...,
Mona has really been enjoying out mother-daughter talks! And so have I and really look forward to it each night...
She is so cute and talk non-stop and so quickly... I didn't know she had so much to say...
Tonight for instance, after about a 25 minutes chat, she didn't want to stop... I kept telling her that it's really late not and that we need to sleep now, so we can rest and be able to do all the things we have plan for tomorrow. But Mona kept replying "I want to talk mummy!"
So we do, for about another 20mins... non-stop!!! She kept on and on, talking about what she did today, and even what she did yesterday!! And she even told me what to do tomorrow!! lol... She just wouldn't stop... And the funny thing is, that she talks and whisper so fast, and from time to time would stop to take a breathe and say "mummy" just to make sure that i am still listening to her.... it's so funny to hear her... she sounds very adult like....
During our chat tonight, i was telling her that she really made mummy very happy today when she helped mummy wash the dishes, then all of a sudden, she started cheering "Power, Power". I asked her what she was doing, and Mona replied: "I want to make daddy happy too"!! Lol.. (Power is the football team of daddy)!! I was just stunned and really had to contained myself to not laugh out loud... Mona amazes me each day!!
And she finally felt asleep, the words became fewer and fewer, and the tone became lower and lower, till i couldn't hear anything, but her deep breathing... I quickly gave her a kiss and escaped so quietly out of the room...
My two year old daughter is growing up oh so quickly... soooo quickly...
Tender Seedlings - Pics and crafts
At yesterday's 'Tender Seedlings' (Baha'i Class and Playgroup for Toddlers), the theme was about God and what 'Allah'u'Abha means.
The children really enjoyed it, specially the singing and dancing to the song "Allah'u'Abha" from Marie-Helene Girard (taken from the album "Demain les enfants de la terre", which are mostly Baha'i songs for children sung by children in French).
So, after Story Time and the dancing, we made some glitter drawings of the Greatest Name. The kids really loved that too, as they had glitter everywhere!!
Then they had lots of fun playing and running around the house after each other...
It was a blast and even though i am sick, the hour went by so quickly... actually they were here for more than 2hrs... because they were really having fun and so were we!!
Here are some pics...
The children really enjoyed it, specially the singing and dancing to the song "Allah'u'Abha" from Marie-Helene Girard (taken from the album "Demain les enfants de la terre", which are mostly Baha'i songs for children sung by children in French).
So, after Story Time and the dancing, we made some glitter drawings of the Greatest Name. The kids really loved that too, as they had glitter everywhere!!
Then they had lots of fun playing and running around the house after each other...
It was a blast and even though i am sick, the hour went by so quickly... actually they were here for more than 2hrs... because they were really having fun and so were we!!
Here are some pics...
Snow in Adelaide?!? and Funny Video of Mona
Well, not really now, but Hail yes..
This morning it started to rain very heavily and within seconds it started to Hail...
Ice and ice everywhere...
Accompanied with lightning and thunder...
Here are some pictures of the ice in our backyard and also of Mona in the rain with her umbrella.
And this video is hilarious...
Mona was outside and didnt want to get back inside, and then all of a sudden there was lighting and thunder and she got scared and quickly ran inside.. but the way she screamed was hilarious...
This morning it started to rain very heavily and within seconds it started to Hail...
Ice and ice everywhere...
Accompanied with lightning and thunder...
Here are some pictures of the ice in our backyard and also of Mona in the rain with her umbrella.
And this video is hilarious...
Mona was outside and didnt want to get back inside, and then all of a sudden there was lighting and thunder and she got scared and quickly ran inside.. but the way she screamed was hilarious...
Build me a house mummy!!
This Wednesday was family craft day at home....
I have been wanting to make more crafts activity with Mona, and got the brilliant idea of making a doll house out of cardboard for Mona (ok, it's nothing new but for someone who is not so arty or crafty like me... it was very exciting...)
So, the 3 of us made a doll house for Mona and her dolls, out of an old nappy box and other cardboard boxes and other scraps materials we had around the house.
It was really fun, first we because we spent family time together, and secondly because it was cool to see Mona engaged in such an activity and also for us get creative and build something together.
Mona really helped out to choose what colors to use for the house and the furniture and curtains and what we needed in the house, she had her kiddie scissors in her hands all the time, ready to 'snip, snip' (cut) on demand!! lol
I really got into it as well, i made most of the house and the furniture, and i actually loved it. Hubby made the roof and chimney, and put the colored papers around the house.
And Mona even made a drawing (she said it is a flower) to frame on the wall of the house!!
I also made a Greatest Name drawing in a frame to put on the wall of the house... A house wouldn't be complete without the Greatest Name in it!! It's a Baha'i Doll House with Baha'i little people in it.. lol...Mona even wanted me to draw a picture of 'Abdu'l-Baha to put on the wall, but i couldn't do that...
Here are some pictures of when we were building the house...
I haven't had time to take pics of the house now that it is completed, because Mona had taken it to play with and will not let anyone come close to it... it's her house!! lol.. She even tries to go inside of the house while she is playing with it.. so funny...
I have been wanting to make more crafts activity with Mona, and got the brilliant idea of making a doll house out of cardboard for Mona (ok, it's nothing new but for someone who is not so arty or crafty like me... it was very exciting...)
So, the 3 of us made a doll house for Mona and her dolls, out of an old nappy box and other cardboard boxes and other scraps materials we had around the house.
It was really fun, first we because we spent family time together, and secondly because it was cool to see Mona engaged in such an activity and also for us get creative and build something together.
Mona really helped out to choose what colors to use for the house and the furniture and curtains and what we needed in the house, she had her kiddie scissors in her hands all the time, ready to 'snip, snip' (cut) on demand!! lol
I really got into it as well, i made most of the house and the furniture, and i actually loved it. Hubby made the roof and chimney, and put the colored papers around the house.
And Mona even made a drawing (she said it is a flower) to frame on the wall of the house!!
I also made a Greatest Name drawing in a frame to put on the wall of the house... A house wouldn't be complete without the Greatest Name in it!! It's a Baha'i Doll House with Baha'i little people in it.. lol...Mona even wanted me to draw a picture of 'Abdu'l-Baha to put on the wall, but i couldn't do that...
Here are some pictures of when we were building the house...
I haven't had time to take pics of the house now that it is completed, because Mona had taken it to play with and will not let anyone come close to it... it's her house!! lol.. She even tries to go inside of the house while she is playing with it.. so funny...
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