Ramadan for Intelligent People

Noor Janan's  Ramadan 2012 post begins with Preparation for Ramadan

I don't really like the title of those "for Dummies" books, yes I may be lacking in the sense of humor department. But I don't think being inquisitive is being dumb. So I have decided to name this post, Ramadan for Intelligent People because if you are here, reading my blog, you have to be intelligent :-)

Preparation for Ramadhan

A very dear Brother called Humble Dad, a few days before we were to leave for our Summer Road trip to tell us that Shaykh Salek Bin Siddina was to do a talk on Time Management, especially during Ramadhan in Pittsburgh. I have a hundred and one things going on (maybe exaggerating, maybe underestimating) and the Road Trip is on my mind, but my mind was resolute on being in Pittsburgh on July 13th. My husband told me about an Aqiqah, celebration of the birth of a Muslim child, that would be the same weekend and our local Masjid was having their annual Summer Fest with rides, food, and more fun. But still I was determined, Pittsburgh July 13th. 

Patapsco Valley & Rocks State Parks

We are working through our Park Quest. We are learning so much, especially at Patapsco where we learned how to tie knots and pitch a shelter. The hikes are breathtaking especially at Rocks above the 190 foot rock outcrop.

PATAPSCO VALLEY STATE PARK
At Patapsco they supplied a backpack full of items we would need on our hike.

Color Wheel

This activity is really alot of fun. Although, it was for the younger children, my older ones enjoyed it too! You can download the color wheel at Mama Jenn.

The Setup

Park Quest

We love to be outdoors: swimming, hiking, fishing, exploring nature, you get my point. Being cooped up inside is to chaos, as being outside in nature is to peace. . . and I love PEACE.

Azara building in the sand.

Our new awesome homeschool friends told us about a wonderful perk of living in Maryland: Park Quest. Maryland Department of Natural Resources sponsors an outdoor adventure "where a family becomes a team" as the motto goes. 23 Maryland State Parks will offers free entrance to 1000 families to complete a an adventure quest. Quest can be anything from canoeing to an Island, riding your bike along a mountain trail, or going on a mock archaeological dig.

ABC of the Quran

ABC of the Quran was a labor of love that I started, lost, restarted and have finally completed the first phase.

Organizing Our New Home "School"

I really loved seeing this picture circulate Facebook because it was how our new bookshelf looked. I very often feel like the only one: the only homeschooler, the only African-American, the only Muslim, the only one who likes Butter Pecan  Häagen-Dazs . I am sure that I am not the only one in any of those categories, although, it always seems that way whatever group I am in. So when I see something or find someone that lets me know that I AM NOT ALONE, I get super excited, and this was one of those times.