October Updates!

*Sigh* Time just flies and it's been almost 2 months since my last blog post *gasp*

Been really busy with cakes and parties and also the kids! 

So here's what happened in October:

First up on October 5th was the very first Nuffnang Food Fest. Am very proud to be part of this event as The Cherry on the Cake was invited by Astro's Lifetime Channel to be their baking partner. I personally baked a total of 1000 pcs of chocolate vanilla cupcakes! Total of RM1146 was raised on that day for breast cancer welfare charity.

 Astro's Lifetime channel's booth at the Nuffnang Food Fest 2013

Together with a few friends, Marissa and I watched The Gruffalo at PJ Live Arts, Jaya One. We bought premium tickets and had a good view of the stage! The show was so enjoyable - highly recommended for families. The next show coming up is Aesop's Fables by Jim West. We watched Jim West's production before last year and it was really good too. 

For the very first time, my kids participated in a Halloween costume contest held at Bangsar Village. Free for all Toys R'Us members. All participants received a goody bag and also a meal set from Nando's. Evan dressed up as a mad scientist and Marissa was a good witch. We had fun putting the costumes together! After that, the kids get to go trick or treating around the mall and they amassed a huge lot of candy. Obviously I didn't allow them to gobble the candy all up in one go….. The next day, the kids participated in another round of Halloween costume contest at Bangsar Shopping Center this time and went around trick or treating as well. 

 Both boys won honourable mention awards in the contest

Marissa refused to go on stage! 

So that pretty much wraps up what happened in October!

2nd Homeschooler's Sports Day & Fair

After the success of last year's event, the homeschooling community decided to go ahead with the Sports Day & Fair at the same venue - the field at Section 5, PJ. The weather was lovely throughout - no rain and minimal sun. All participants pay RM10 for registration. The funds collected were used to pay for the rental of the field and to purchase medals. Volunteers from homeschooling families helped in the organization of the entire event. 

This year we decided to take up a booth - only RM10 but no tables/chairs provided. We brought everything ourselves! Evan wanted to sell donuts and Marissa wanted to sell Hello Kitty. So we ended up with a confectionary stall called Sugar Rush selling jellybeans, candy, chocolates, marshmallows and Hello Kitty butter cookies which I baked & decorated.

There were lots of other booths as well selling crafts, cold drinks, home-cooked food and even games stalls a la fun fair style. Evan playing a target game at one of the stalls there.

The kids competed in various telematches in groups according to their age groups. After that they had individual sprint events. Compared to last year, the number of participants tripled! Lastly the medals were presented to all winners. Actually everyone had a medal to take home! 

Telematch

Evan's 8th birthday

Evan had a few simple and mini birthday celebrations this year that he turned 8. Supposed to blog about this last month but alas got so caught up with work that cobwebs are already forming on this blog. Anyway back to the subject of Evan and his birthday celebrations.....

The first one he celebrated with his friends from music group class - he calls it his 'favourite homeschool class'. I made some push pop cakes for him to bring to the class. Here's a pic taken by his teacher - ahem! so many girls in his class. There's another boy but he was absent that day.

Next up, we had another mini party with his Godma & family at Marco's Pizza. I made a minion cake and ordered macarons from fellow baker Jaclynn who's a macaronologist if there's such a word. Minions and Macarons and Pizza. What could go wrong with that combination? 

Last but not least, as with previous years, a simple birthday do at the ballet school. Minions again but in cupcake form...... and his wish is to do well in ballet (same wish as previous year). My wish: that he will continue to grow in the LORD and to walk in all His ways all the days of his life.

Homeschoolers' Art & Craft Day

We attended the 2nd Homeschoolers' Art & Craft Show & Tell Day earlier this month. Missed the first event last year so this time we were determined to make it. It was held in a small function hall in one of the apartments. Homeschooling family: Julia made all the necessary arrangements for the event.

At this event, the kids get to showcase their art masterpieces. Evan decided on drawing Lego superheroes for display. He even built Lego art pieces! 

Evan and his work

 Marissa's artwork

The children also get to try out various art & craft 'workshops' conducted by older kids. They can also visit the various 'booths' selling handmade items - all set up by homeschoolers. We didn't have time to prepare a booth so we just browsed around and spent $$$. Evan & Marissa tried a bead workshop.

Here, Evan tried his hand at stone painting.

Other stalls/booths include cookie decorating, finger crochet, DIY photo frame kits, design your own fabric bag, sale of homemade cookies, bookmarks, face-painting and more! It was like a carnival!

There was also an art competition based on the theme of : Biodiversity and trophies were given out to winners. Again, we didn't take part in the competition due to lack to time ;P but there were lots of entries submitted for the judging on the day of the event. 

Overall, it was a good learning experience and fun too to catch up with homeschool families. Next big event will be Sports Day and we will set up a booth!