Monthly Archives: September 2014

Don’t get me wrong!!!! I love spending time with my kids and being creative every chance that I get. But at the same time there’s a fine line between enjoyment and borderline going insane with activities.

Thinking a weekend will be a weekend is a joke for any mom with kids under the age of probably 10/11. At that age kids don’t want their mom or parent and just want to hang out with their friends and parent’s are glorified and unpaid chauffeurs.

Let’s take today for example. A day were you’d think I would have a chance to at least get a few extra Zzzzzzs. Nope not true!

Wake up early and start doing homework with Jennah knowing that wee need to squeeze as much in because we have a busy weekend and week. Mean while Zeenah’s doing a page of her workbook and insisting to do it her way.

I quickly jump in the shower and we head out for a breakfast & play date with a friend and her kids to discovery mall.

Thank fully while the kiddos are in the play area we do get a chance to have some grown up talk over coffee….with our eyes peeled at the kids direction. Yet every whine, cry or scream we hear we assume its our children.

After a full morning we come back home in the afternoon to more home work and active learning play. Because God forbid should I rest right?

Next we are all dressed up to head to a birthday at the Little Gym.

So I ask myself probably more often than not are my girls going to be able to keep up with me or is it the other way around.

At the end of the day I still seem to think I didn’t cover something. One thing is for sure, I’m positive I’m Making Life Memorable for our little family one day at a time.

Sep18

Paper Mache

Posted on September 18, 2014 by samoorstuff

Paper Mache

There is something fascinating about getting your hands dirty and being messy while doing some craft or arts project. I’m not talking about just for kids but also as an adult.

Maybe it’s the feeling like you’re a kid again and reliving your childhood but I never realized how thrilling it was until I actually got my hands dirty.

Part of planning my girls’ birthdays is making the piñata. An easy yet long process because of drying time, especially if you want to make it into a specific shape.

The key to making a good piñata isn’t just the design but also having a really good Paper Mache recipe.

I would love to use professional Modge podge but unfortunately it’s not sold in bulk and isn’t cost effective for big destroyable projects.

Many recipes use Elmer’s or white glue as an adhesive which also falls into the same category as my former statement.

I’m all for saving a Fils (or more) in everything I do and I would rather save the money for something that’s more lasting than a piñata that’s going to be beaten to death and thrown into the recycle bin.

Hence I present to you a fabulous Paper Mache recipe that’s easy to make and fantastic to handle.

Mix the following ingredients:
2 Cups Flour
4 Cups Water
2 Tablespoons Salt (optional, prevents rotting)

All you need now are newspaper strips, dip each strip into the Paper Mache paste and get dirty!!!

Have fun Making Life Memorable extra messy!!

See hoe you can use this recipe in my LadyBug Piñata Post!

Sep17

Date Cake & Caramel Sauce

Posted on September 17, 2014 by samoorstuff

Date Cake & Caramel Sauce

The amazing thing about living in Kuwait is that there’s always fresh dates. Tasty and sweet!!

We have a great Palm tree in our garden that blesses us every summer with dates.

Off course with that blessing comes a big responsibility of having more dates than one can handle…. To that I dedicate this fabulous Date Cake that my mother is very famous for and I’ve made it my own.

Enoy!!

DATE CAKE
Ingredients
1 cup Butter                      1 ½ Cup Flour
1 Cup Icing Sugar           1 Teaspoon Salt
1 Egg                                    1 Tablespoon Baking Powder
1 Cup boiled Water         ½ Tablespoon Baking Soda
1 Cup Pitted Dates

Instructions:
Step 1 Preheat oven to 300ºF. Spray baking pan with vegetable pan spray and coat with 1 tablespoon flour.
Step 2 In a bowl, Soak Pitted dates in the boiled water.
Step 3 Blend butter, icing sugar & egg
Step 4 Add remaining ingredients (except date & Water) to the butter mixture. Blend well. Add Date & Water mixture & mix until all combined.
Step 5 Bake 45 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool.
Step 6 Pour Caramel Sauce over cooled cake.

CARAMEL SAUCE
Ingredients
1 cup Sugar                             1 tablespoon Yogurt
½ Butter                                   ½ cup Milk
1 teaspoon Baking Soda     1 Tablespoon Honey
1 Teaspoon Vanilla

Instructions:
Combine all ingredients in a saucepan and cook over medium heat stirring constantly until it becomes thick & brown.
Pour over cooled Date cake.

This cake is so good that it’ll no doubt be Making life Memorable every bite you take.

Sep16

Flashcards

Posted on September 16, 2014 by samoorstuff

Flashcards

In an effort to help Jennah learn her vocabulary I resorted to an old and ancient technique despite all the “modern” methods I have read about online (eg. My previous post Spelling & Vocabulary).

The first thing I did was go to our area stationary store…. Fun Fun Fun!!! and I bought “special” Vocabulary requirements.

They include different colored index cards, markers and highlighters. It was hard to control myself and not buy anything else.

I just had to keep reminding myself to stay focused on why I was there!

I had written all the vocabulary words on one side of the index card, made it fun by using different colors.

We then spoke and demonstrated each word to each other using different actions and memory triggers. That way she had a visual of me every time she read one of her words. It was almost like a weird game of charades.
I had written all the vocabulary words on one side of the index card, made it fun by using different colors.

After practicing and talking about each of her vocabulary words for a little while I had Jennah write the corresponding meaning of each word on the reverse side of the Index.

The prepping of the index cards ended and we then went to traditional Flash card technique.

I would show her the word while the reverse side was facing me. She just had to tell me the answer and I could easily check it since it was facing me.

I’m proud to say that this technique is 100% effective because she did really well on her vocabulary test.

One test down and many more to go!!!

With a little more effort I managed to transform studying into Making Life Memorable by studying creatively.

Sep15

Quick Fix Dinner

Posted on September 15, 2014 by samoorstuff

Quick Fix Dinner

There are times in every mother’s life where all she needs is a quick fix dinner because some activity ran too late and bedtime is approaching and there isn’t much time to prepare a “proper” Dinner.

On days like these I often turn to a simple mix & Match of veggies.

Those days I open up my freezer and it’s vegetables feast!!

So the menu is:
Green Peas & Corn
Brussels Sprouts
“House” Salad with oil & vinegar dressing
Edemame
Cream of Mushroom Soup

Healthy, filling and quick dinner what more can a mom ask for after a hectic day?

So the next time you’re stuck and don’t have time remember Mix & Match what you have and concentrate on Making Life Memorable.

Sep14

One Pot Meal

Posted on September 14, 2014 by samoorstuff

One Pot Meal

I am easily inspired on a daily basis by little things I come across to make this blog interesting to different type of moms.

When I say different kinds I mean not every mom is a crafter, baker or “busy body” like me.

But one thing is for sure is that EVERY mom always has the “what’s the meal of the day?”

One of the many E-newsletters I receive is that of Martha Stewart. I am also proud that I have been nicknamed “SAMartha” and hope to someday build an empire like her. But for the time being I’m happy being a mommy that gets to post what I love to do.

Last Friday there was a challenge for a “one pot” meal so I decided to share one of my own creations of a “one pot” meal on the blog since I’d probably not qualify for Martha’s challenge…. I am millions of miles away after all!

Easy Child-Friendly Chili

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons olive oil
250g Minced Meat
1 large Onion, diced (that means chopped reeeeeally small)
2 cloves Garlic, Crushed
1 Carrot, Diced
1 Green Pepper, Diced
1 Red Pepper, Diced
1 can chopped tomato, undrained
1 can Red kidney beans, undrained
2 Tablespoons tomato paste
1 cup water
Salt & pepper to taste

Directions:
In a large pot heat olive oil, add onion & garlic and fry until golden.

Add minced meat and cook stirring constantly until all browned.

Add all other ingredients except the water and combine well, stirring constantly until the carrots are slightly tender.

Add water, mix & let simmer 20 minutes. Stirring occasionally.

All done!!

I hope that this has inspired you for your next meal!!

Enjoy Making Life Memorable your way!

Sep13

Fun @ Art Space

Posted on September 13, 2014 by samoorstuff

Fun @ Art Space

I hope that yesterdays post made you even more curious and intrigued to learn more about Art Space in Galleria 2000-Salmiya.

Between my busy schedule and the girls its been really difficult to make it out to Art Space and enjoy the full experience until last week everything changed!

The perfect date, time and artwork!! My husband, two girls and I head to Galleria 2000 and live it up.

The kids workshop we went to was 5pm-7pm with Mr. Salem, A man full of life and enthusiasm and the ability to captivate the children to follow his step-by-step tutorial of what seemed like a difficult painting at the time.

The girls sat eagerly with their cute Art Space aprons on watching Mr. Salem’s every movement as he began to set everything up for them from paints, canvases and brushes. It was hard for me to resist not going into the studio to join in the fun!!

Then the fun began as he started to explain to the children every step, his interaction with the children made it even more fun as they also stated their opinions and choices. With occasional one on one help, especially for Zeenah (she is after all only 4!) every child felt his special touch and assistance.

Every child had added their own version of what they wanted and cam out with an amazing canvas that’s going to go up on our wall. You can actually see the girls personality in each paining.

I am extremely impressed with their capabilities and with their capacity of following instructions. All this while my husband sat comfortably in the café enjoying the girls enthusiasm from behind the window and sipping our coffee.

Needless to say we ALL went home happy.

But this was not enough for me!!! I wanted in on the fun too, for days all I can think of is “They have adult classes!!”, “this is my kinda place”, “I need to go again”

While talking to my best friend and how much I love the place it suddenly dawns on me!! “WE HAVE TO GO!!” So we set it our next “Date night” is going to be at Art Space….

We found the perfect time to join the class and our Painting conveniently had my favorite quote of all time

Off course as soon as I walk in I’m greeted by the gorgeous Sarah and Salem, immediately feel like I’ve known them for years. My best friend walks in and she feels the same way!!

We make our way into the art studio Apron and all and meet our Instructor Lamia. A truly adorable lady that made painting seem like it was a piece of cake!! Oh which we were served by one of the other instructors, just because.

As I’m sitting there painting my background all I keep thinking too myself is “I can live here and how are they going to keep me away!”

Sure enough as we follow Lamia’s steps, instructions and techniques while choosing our own little changes and tweaks the painting starts to look more and more presentable than ever expected.

This all wouldn’t have been remotely possible without Lamia (our instructor) and the Art Space team’s continuous support, encouragement and cheering.

To that I have great honor in presenting my “first” work of art without complete embarrassment.

Here I am proud by Making Life Memorable one canvas at a time. Surely not the last of them!

Sep12

Art & Culture

Posted on September 12, 2014 by samoorstuff

Art & Culture

There are so many things we can do with our children when it comes to activities yet I favor those things that are most meaningful and everlasting.

Jumping up and down in a bouncy castle does have it’s benefits but still there’s no real culture.

In my quest for art and culture I stumbled upon an amazing instagram account called @artspaceQ8 and that’s when the stalking began!!

“Artspace Café” is a unique and amazing concept. The concept is simple yet so unique at the same time! It’s a Café fused into an art studio.

They host daily workshops in a casual and authentic atmosphere. Their vast range of times is perfect for everyone schedule with 4 different sessions a day for all levels: 11am-1pm, 3pm-5pm, 5pm-7pm and finally 7pm-9pm.

In addition they have kids sessions during the weekends Thursday, Friday and Saturday from either 4pm-6pm or 5pm-7pm.

With a café attached you can also enjoy a cup of coffee, relax on the couch, listen to music or even grab a book to read.

Look around and I’m sure you’re going to find lots of artwork that you’re going to fall in love with. Surprise Surprise all artwork around the café and studio are also for sale!

And even better if you’re feeling artistic and inspired you can pick up a canvas and have an artistic session of their own using all the tools, paints and facilities they have available.

An art studio that has a life of it’s own. Amazing set of people that are so friendly that you actually feel like you’ve known them for years and you’re just hanging out in their living room.

I’m equally impressed by the artistic level displayed by everyone at ArtSpace. The willingness to assist and help you is uncanny. They are actually so vocal in cheering you on that you feel like you’re Picasso! The positive energy and love in their humble space makes you want to jump for joy, a rare feeling these days. Maybe it’s the youthfulness of everyone but it sure made feel good and that’s all that matters.

Be sure to follow @artspaceQ8 on instagram and visit them in the basement of Galleria 2000 in Salmiya,

Here’s to you visiting an authentic space and Making Life Memorable!

Read more about our artistic debut at Artspace.

Sep11

Spelling and Vocabulary

Posted on September 11, 2014 by samoorstuff

Spelling and Vocabulary

Ok it’s official Jennah is in Grade 3 and I’m starting to have heart palpitations… We are no longer coloring and working on chapter books. This is some serious stuff here!!!

Our first week and we’ve got spelling and vocabulary test to study for, and when I say we I really mean WE!!

I’ve been doing a ton of research on how to teach vocabulary words….between spelling city, teaching websites and other spelling apps on the ipad I have come to a few realizations and conclusions that I would like to share.

Please bare in mind I am not an educator or a scholar. I am just a regular mom wanting to make the learning experience for my child as pleasant and painless as possible (For the both of us!).

What I am about to write is my opinion and my take on learning/teaching. It may help you find new methods, re-enforce what you already know or just be irrelevant to you.

In my little world I’ve found it helpful and hope that you do too!

A very interesting article I came across was about “Word Study”

This article talks about how to teach children to identify which letters are in a word using certain rules.

The technique is basically moving away from just memorizing how a word is spelled but rather developing the skill and knowledge of figuring out how its spelled.

I was actually intrigued by the whole concept and made a note on doing more research about “Word Study”

This website also has an online newsletter that you can subscribe too which I was oh so eager to sign up for!

Of course there is more to this website and definitely worth the browse.

The next website is K5 Learning This site covers learning from kindergarden to Grade 5, so it has everything you need for the elementary level.

It covers areas of both Math, language (reading/Spelling…etc) & study skills. A more comprehensive site that’s interactive with videos of what tools they provide.

I was even more impressed after watching their “Parent Video” explaining what K5 Learning and the tools they provide.

My favorite is that your child is actually assessed by the website to know what level they’re at and selects the best program for them.

This however is a paid website and if you’re like me I only like FREEEEEE stuff. It’s still worth the money though and has a 14 day trail with no obligation to subscribe.

These were the most prominent 2 research sites for the day. There is so much more out there that I had to stop myself before getting more overwhelmed than I already am.

So with everything you do for your child in Making Life Memorable put a little more effort in making studying memorable for them too!!