Ramadan Preparation: Countdown Calendar

For a while now, I have been interested in making a countdown calendar for when Ramadan starts but really haven't known where to start. There have been a lot of ideas floating about but I just didn't know which one would work best. It would almost be like an advent calendar but I didn't want DS to just get a treat I wanted him to also have something to think about. After much research I decided that each day as well as a treat DS would have to complete a good deed! After visiting the local mosque recently I came across some fantastic child friendly good deed cards, so I went on a search to find them online and found them here http://ummabdulbasirscreativecorner.blogspot.com . 

I decided that I would put a good deed card and a treat in 30 mini envelopes and attach these to a string across the landing. Each evening DS can pick an envelope and we can discuss and think about the good deed he will have to do the next day. 

I sorted the good deed cards according to the difficulty level and put the mores difficult ones for the weekend and school holidays. Some of the treats put in we're sweets but I also put in little notes about things that he enjoys doing like: baking your favourite treat or spending time playing your favourite board game with mummy and daddy. 

The envelopes looked lovely across the landing and contain brilliant reminders of how more deeds can be earned during this Ramadan. I liked this idea as I can keep using the envelopes year after year and change up the cards as needed!

Ramadan Preparation: Kids Gift Baskets

DS has turned five this year, I really wanted him to try to understand and be interested in learning about Ramadan and for this he needed to be excited by the arrival of this holy month. So while surfing on Pinterest I came across Ramadan gift baskets by Aminah at http://littlelifeofmine.com/2013/07/first-day-of-ramadan-gift-basket.html. She had come up with a fantastic concept of creating little gift baskets filled with Ramadan related and other activities to excite the children and give them something to do. Like Aminah I'd love to carry this tradition on so my children can look back on happy and excited memories that will remind them of this beautiful month. Here is my recreated basket:

I put in some Ramadan related activity books for him to be able to learn more. Both the workbooks were given as gifts by my sister. I also purchased the Ramadan Moon book written by Nai'mah Bint Robert, as it had such good reviews, and it truly is a special book that I can't wait to read with my son.

There were also other craft/activity items to keep him busy during times when I will be busy with prayers/Iftar etc. These included superhero activity books and some arty projects he'll love.

I then added a few extras like a cup and some PJ bottoms and also laid out his prayer mat in his room.

I intend to value every moment of this beautiful month and ensure that I also spend time teaching DS the importance of Ramadan.

   

Pretty Cupcakes

My maternity leave is coming to an end soon, but in the meantime I have found myself a new hobby for when the little one takes her naps. And that is baking and decorating cupcakes. I've always loved baking ever since I was a little girl, for one birthday I even received a mini kids oven that had the ability to make one cupcake at a time, my sister and I had so much fun with it. 

I feel very satisfied after I've decorated a batch of cakes and sharing them with everyone. Needless to say I blame Amazon for managing to spend a small fortune on baking equipment..oops. Here are some of my creations:

I made these chocolaty lovelies for my family recently.

These vintage looking cupcakes were made as a gift for my sons teachers, who loved them. 

I intend to keep up this hobby and you'll possibly be seeing my eid cupcakes in the coming weeks.