Busy Baby Mama blogs

Being a class mom can be fun, but being a creative class mom can sometimes be challenging!

My first challenge – a twist on the regular bake sale……a Lunch Sale! Every Friday, each class gets an opportunity to do a Bake Sale during lunch hours, and my turn came last Friday! After hounding money from my class parents who didn’t want to cook, finding moms with baking skills, making my grocery list and going shopping, printing flyers on a whim…. then, standing all day selling or haggling with students who wanted a $3.00 sandwich for $1.50…hang in there, FINALLY, counting the money that amounted up to $800 at the end of the day, did make all the headache and the sweat turn in to sweet success.

Let me tell you about our top selling item on the menu that made all the difference. Our very own, Home-Made Happy Meals! They were a huge hit!  I had 22 Kindergaten kids decorate white lunch bags with their colorful artistic  doodles. I had them write “Minhaal Happy Meals”, you can replace the school name with your own. Oh and they had no problem making 150 bags for me in two days! Some kids even remembered how to write the word “Happy” and “Meal” because they wrote it so many times!

What went into our meals? Easy peasy, we baked chicken nuggets and made fun shaped pasta. Added 100 % juice boxes, and for snack, filled zip lock bags with cut apples & grapes. Did I mention the most important part of this meal? Ok, this is key …throw in a PARTY TOY!  We advertised our happy meals on our flyers, and it was a winner for parents and kids both! Healthy food choice for mom, and toy prizes for kids. The teachers were telling me to sell Air Heads and Ringpops, because they made a lot of money from them in the past, but I did not want to give into the the junk-food-get-rich-scheme. I insisted that parents truly don’t want to give them junk but are caving into kids passion for sweets. I stuck with fruit salad packs, and I was pleasantly surprised that kids ate them happily.

Remember to advertise your event in advacne and work up a buzz in the corridors. I had the kids make an ad headband and sing a jingle (in the process, allowed them to experience the power of advertising).  We also went into every class including the teachers lounge and had them promote our bake/lunch sale!

Here are the details if you wish to do one in your school or masjid. Please let me know how it went…what new ideas do you have that worked in your sale?

Materials:

White Lunch Bags

Markers

Chicken Nuggets (home made or purchase the Zabiha ones from a local store)

Colored pasta (wheels, bow ties, shells, etc)

Olive Oil

Seasoning

Grapes

Apples

Pineapples Chunks

100% Juice Boxes or Milk Boxes

Cheap Lunch Containers (from your local wholesale place)

Cute little toys (from your local wholesale place)

1. Decorate the bags with markers and write “HAPPY MEAL” on them

2. Have class parents bake the chicken nuggets and cook the pasta (no tomato sauce-just add olive oil and seasoning)

3.  Pack the same amount of food in each container

4. Make fruit baggies. Wash & cut the apples. Drizzle some lemon juice on them  so they do not brown. Pick the grapes from their stems. Cut the pineapple into small chunks. If you add pineapple chunks from a can then you will not need any lemon juice. Place a few apple slices, some grapes and pineapples in each ziploc.

5. Pack your lunch bag- place a food container, a juice pack, fruit bag,  and a toy. Have the children help assemble the Happy Meals, and deliver them to each class on a wagon!

My first challenge accomplished, Alhumdulillah….I can’t wait for my next one!

 Globe Girl blogs

I chanced upon a beautifully illustrated children’s book: Kids of the Ummah by Peter Gould and Inshirah. Peter Gould as many of you may know, is a very popular upcoming Muslim artist who Mashallah does amazing things with his God given talent. You can take a look at his website here. 

Perhaps I cannot call it a “book” as Kids of the Ummah is a quality children’s publication or digital download. Which means, you can directly purchase it on this link. Then you will receive an email with the PDF file. This file can be opened on your PC/Mac, iPad or similar  device with PDF capabilities. Oh and did I mention, it can be purchased for JUST $1?!! Yes, one dollar!

I think it is a must have for any Islamic Preschool and Kindergarten….a great way to incorporate some kind of technology in class. It’s perfect to have on the iPad for your own kids to run their fingers through the gorgeous pages when they are waiting in line at the doctor’s office. I personally found this to be a decent first time exposure to Muslim names as well as getting acquainted to Islamic cities around the world. I found that my 7 year old loved observing the architectural differences and similarities. She asked questions about the newly heard of cities too. Where as I am sure a toddler will be just as happy to listen to you read and point at pictures and stare at the cute little peek-a-boo faces.

I hope they come up with some more titles to make a whole series, Inshallah!

Artsy Ummi  blogs

These are wonderful links to keep you and your kids busy all Eid Week! Click on these pictures to take you to the respective weblink and instructions. 

 Decorate Your Home with These Crafts:

 Ramadan Mobile: 

Eid Banner:

Eid Stained Glass Craft:

Decorate Your Home With These Ideas: 

Eid Card Ideas

Transform Your Old Cards Into Awesome Eid Greetings:

Make an Eid Card with this Eid Poem, or print it smaller (about half the size of a regular letter sheet) and  get the kids to color it. Fold it in half and call it an Eid card! 

Peter Gould’s Eid Art Download to “use and share as you wish” From His Facebook Wall:

Eid Craft Ideas

Practice Your Artsy Skills and Gift This to a Loved One:  

Great Project for Those Little Hands: 

Henna Skills Need Some Practice:

Or You can Settle With This Idea- Practice “Henna” on Paper Hands instead! Less Messy Anyway!:  

Eid Cakes  and Cookies

Bake an Eid Cake or Decorate a Store Bought One:

Or Perhaps Bake Them in Mini Sizes!:

Make These Henna Hand Cookies- They Are a Guaranteed Crowd Pleaser!:

Gift some of your cookie creations in this Eig Box, don’t forget to make the kids write messages on them along with their coloring: 

Busy baby Mama blogs

You know this year is super mad busy. Kids going back to school, and many to do list that just can’t seem to get down. The last thing I’m thinking about is an Eid Party. But how can I not? One thing I realized about our Muslim children is that they are exposed to birthday parties that are so attractive that it’s important to celebrate our holiday just as special if not more to make it a memorable and an extra special event.

I came up with a to do list.

1. Make invitation cards and give them out at your next Iftar in the masjid. DOWNLOAD HERE: eid invite-1. You can also request each child to bring a gift for another child (no more than $5- $10). So each child will go home with a gift. Also let them know that the gift should be non gender related. This will make gift exchange hassle free.

2. To make decorations you can print this download (DOWNLOAD THIS: eid mubarak party bag labels ) on color paper and paste them on centerpieces. Add balloons around the rooms, and tissue chains. You can choose a color theme like green and white. Make a big poster sign that says Eid Muabrak. Kids can easily make this for you in a jiify.

3. To make a goody bag, print downloads and paste them on goody bags. The content can be healthy treats. I found Annie’s gummy rabbits packs and chocolate chip granola, a nicer alternative to candies. Also Dollar Tree has some nice party favors and school supplies that you can walk away with a lot for $10.00. Party City’s might have some sale items that you can get for 10 cents -25 cents per party favor.

4. Decorate a home made or ready made cake with “Eid Mubarak”. Add moon and stars if you like. you can draw a mosque, palm trees, little muslims…your imagination is the limit! This image is from brilliantcakes.com

5. Nasheed that you can have on while the kids enjoy playing.

6.  Game Ideas:

Arabic Alphabet Hunt -children will have to find all 28 Alphabet letters which are hidden around the house. You can put write the letters on an index card . Have them placed randomely around the house or room. When they find them, they  bring them back to get a small treat. As they find them they put them in order and they all get a prize.

Eid Clothes Game- This is for 2 players or two teams. Each team will get a small bookbag or suit case placed across the room. They must race to the bag, gab a bag, and put on the clothes and race back to their starting point. The team that finishes first wins. 

Tubs of Ilm Water game : Look at this link.

Islamic Pictionary: Make 2 teams. Play this game like the regular Pictionary. Each team member in both groups  must draw a picture of something from the Quran or Quran-related until their team members figure it out and shout the answer.

Musical Chairs with Nasheed: Play the same game except use Islamic songs.

7. End of the Party finale!

Gift Exchange-Have them decorate a brown shopping bag, and attach ribbons as handle. Place all the gifts they brought in one garbage bag that can not be seen. Each child can dip their hands inside without looking. They immediately put this in the gift bag. Instruct them not to open it until they get home if you like.

Make a Palm Tree Pinata out of  brown shopping bag and green paper palm tree leaves. It’s takes 10 minutes to make, and anyway it takes less than that to break…

End it with Surprise balloon toss! One teacher at Hamza Academy, Zahra Biler, had secretly blown up 20-25 balloons, put them on a bed sheet,  and thrown them in the room at the end of the party.  Yell “EID  MUBRAAK!”  before tossing them, which will naturally signal the kids to go chasing after the loose balloons. Soon as they grab one, you might want to write their names on them.

After such a fun and exciting event, send them home with their goody bags, gift bags, and their balloons. Insh-Allah, they will be begging for next year Eid Party.

Sr Alif blogs

We are so excited to interview Rania Shalaby, a mother of 3 who loves to be a part of her children’s education. She is a teacher for LA Public School for over 12 years. She has amazing ideas on educating her children’s non Muslim friends and teachers about her deen especially during the Eid season. Here she gives us ideas on how to involve your child’s teachers and classmates in the celebration of Eid.

“When my oldest child started Kindergarten, I started looking for ways to bring in our Islamic heritage into her school. For my daughter’s birthday, I donated the book My First Ramadan by Karen Katz to her class.

During the winter holiday season, I donated Eid decorations and crafts for the classroom. My daughter’s teacher was totally on board. Typically, schools celebrate the winter holidays (ie Christmas, Hannukah, Kwanzaa) with a holiday performance of some kind. That year, the school’s performance was the Nutcracker, so I couldn’t exactly request an Eid song to be included. They were however decorating the school auditorium with wrapped gifts. So I went on www.silverenvelope.com and ordered Eid wrapping paper and wrapped as many empty boxes that I could find. I don’t know if anyone in the audience noticed but my daughter and I were sure proud of ourselves.”

When my daughter was in 1st grade. I wrote up something describing Eid Al-Adha to the teacher and donated pencils inscribed with “HAPPY EID! EID MUBARAK” that I ordered from www.orientaltrading.com to be passed out to the students. This is the letter I wrote to the teacher….

Dear Teacher,
This weekend our family celebrated Eid Ul-Adha. It is not a very well known holiday but it is one of two holidays Muslims celebrate each year around the world. We follow a lunar calendar so our holidays fall on different dates each year. Our family usually goes to prayers early in the morning then gets together with family and friends where children usually receive gifts or money.
During this holiday season, there are usually discussions in the classroom about different family traditions and students usually learn different holiday songs and/or do holiday crafts. There are 4 Muslim families that I know of in 1st grade this year, 3 of whom are in our class. I would greatly appreciate it if some effort is made to include our traditions in your holiday discussions.
I put an Eid song on a CD and have included the lyrics. I also have a picture book that discusses this Eid. Please use them if you’d like.
Thank You.

This is the link for the Eid song I gave her. The picture book I gave her was 4-3-2-1 Eid ul-adha is so much fun! by Amira Gadd and Mariam Saada.

I realized later that I should have requested to go in myself to the class to discuss the holiday because I found out from my daughter that she didn’t do much other than read the book and pass out the pencils. But again, my daughter felt proud and that was enough for me. During the school holiday performance that year, I listened to Christmas songs in English and Spanish, Hanukkah songs, Kwanzaa songs, and even a Hawaiian Christmas song. I must tell you that I can count the school’s African American and Hawaiian population all on one hand. So, I felt very underrepresented and vowed to take a bigger stand the next year.

When my daughter got to 2nd grade, I had enough courage to plainly request that an Eid song be a part of their holiday performance. This time I got smart, and got 3 other families to sign the letter with me. Here is what we wrote:

Dear 2nd Grade Teachers;

We would like to let you know of an important holiday coming up in Mid-November: Eid Ul-Adha. It is not a very well known holiday but it is one of two holidays Muslims celebrate each year around the world. We follow a lunar calendar so our holidays fall on different dates each year.
During this holiday season, there are usually discussions in the classroom about different family traditions and students usually learn different holiday songs and/or do holiday crafts. We are 4 Muslim families currently in your classes this year. We would greatly appreciate it if some effort is made to include our traditions in your holiday discussions. We would be delighted if you choose an Eid song to include in your holiday program. Here is a link where you can listen to a very easy Eid song and we have attached the music sheet for it. We also have a picture book that discusses this Eid if you wish to borrow it. http://www.nancymusic.com/Eidplay.htm
Thank You.

One of the 2nd grade teachers, the best teacher in the world in my eyes, responded to our letter and said that 2nd grade will sing this song as part of their winter performance. Here is a youtube of their performance…

This same wonderful teacher also told us that they will be doing a holiday rotation, where the 2nd grade students visit 4 different classrooms and learn about 4 different holidays: Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and Eid. We were so delighted. Here is what was planned for the 30 glorious minutes:
The room was decorated with some Eid decorations I found online.The teacher did her own research and created a short powerpoint.She read aloud the book My First Ramadan. Ahead of time, we had baked and decorated star and crescent shaped cookies for the students to enjoy. Students were given a hand cutout and brown markers and they colored in designs similar to henna. And as a goodie bag, students received a couple of dates and a pencil inscribed with “HAPPY EID! EID MUBARAK!”
It was such a great day. The best part is that my daughter now feels that Eid is on the same footing as Christmas and Hanukkah. Alhamdulilah!
I can’t wait to see what I’ll get the courage to ask for in 3rd grade!”

Sr Alif blogs

“Verily we have sent it down as an Arabic Qur’ân in order that you may understand” Surah Yusuf: 2

I am getting a lot of requests to share Arabic activities for our littlest readers, so here is one we play in Ramadan….

Arabic Sahoor/Fasting Game: DOWNLOAD GAME HERE: Arabic Game

• Shuffle cards and place them in any container that the cards can sit in.
• The first player takes a card, saying the Arabic letter card they pull out. Also, they can pretend to eat it.
• This player keeps taking cards until a ‘fasting time’ card appears (which really means, you miss your turn!) then the play moves to the next person. When all cards have been played, count your cards. The player with the most cards is the winner!

Sr Alif blogs

From ‘Aa’ishah, RA who said: “The Prophet SAW used to tighten his waist-wrapper (izaar) – (meaning detached himself from his wives in order to worship, and exerted himself in seeking Lailatul-Qadr), spend the night in worship, and wake the family in the last ten nights.”

(Bukhari, Muslim)

A night such as Lailatul Qadr is a special night, let’s not over look the idea of teaching our children about it! 

Points to remind the children about this special Night of Power: 

1. This was not granted to any other religious community (Ummah) before Muslims.

2. Allah gave us this one night to do as much worship as we can do because one night of worship is like worshipping for 1000 months!  And 1000 months equal more than 83 years of your life! Imagine if we can get all our Ibadah done in this one night? How lucky we would be when we have to face our scales on the Day of Judgement? 

3. It is the night in which the Qur’an’s first words were revealed to Muhammad (SAW).

4. It is the night when every matter of ordainment is decreed. 

5. Qadr means Power

Signs of Lailatul Qadr

Allah has kept this night a secret, but we know that it falls in the last 10 days of Ramadan. There are also some signs that reveal which night is Lailatul Qadr:

• The night will be peaceful, neither hot nor cold, with a clear moon shinning but with no rays.
• There will be no shooting stars in the night
• At sunrise the sun will rise as just a disc without and radiant beams of light.
• One companion of the Prophet reported that on Lailatul Qadr he tasted sea water and it was sweet.

Ayahs that talk about Lailatul Qadr in the Quran 

I love this site! It explains about the Tafseer of Suratul Alaq for children. 

You can also teach them the Surah Qadr. The Night of Power. Below is a powerful recitation by a child.

Here is a Quran recitation that can be repeated

Learning Hadith

Narrated ‘Aisha: “Allah’s Apostle said, ‘Search for the Night of Qadr in the odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadan.’” (Sahih Bukhari, Volume 3, Book 32, Number 234)

Rasool SAW said: “Whoever stands in (Prayer) in Lailatul-Qadr out of Eemaan and seeking reward then his previous sins are forgiven.” (Bukhari)

‘Aa’ishah, RA said: “O Messenger of Allaah! What if I knew which night Lailatul-Qadr was, then what should I say in it?” He said: “Say: Allaahumma innaka ‘affuwwun tuhibbul ‘afwa fa’fu ‘annee.” (O Allaah you are the one who pardons greatly, and loves to pardon, so pardon me.) (at-Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah)

Islamic Story

The knowledge of Lailatul Qadr was removed from Prophet’s memory when he saw two Muslims arguing.

‘Ubaadah ibn as-Saamit, RA said: The Prophet SAW came out intending to tell us about Lailatul-Qadr, however two men were arguing and he said: “I came out to inform you about Lailatul-Qadr but so and so, and, so and so were arguing, so it was raised up, and perhaps that is better for you, so seek it on the (twenty) ninth and (twenty) seventh and the (twenty) fifth.” (Bukhari)

This story teaches the children that Muslims should not fight or even argue among themselves or we lose Barakah. Also, that we can never be sure when is Lailtul Qadr so it’s better to observe all of these nights in the hope of catching the real night. More Ibadah, more Thawab! 

Crafts and Activities

Set up a kids tent for Itikaaf. Equipped with sleeping bags, quran, dua book,  and snacks,  have them set up a little tent in the living room to observe Itikaaf.

Make A family Mobile  from TJ Ramadan - http://tj-ramadan.tripod.com/LastTenDaysMobile.pdf

Make a Cave Hira Painting: Have your child mix sand and brown paint, and paint Cave-Hira. Paint the sky navy blue or black. Add the first Ayat of Suratul Alaq in English. Here is a sample. Write The Night of Power! Lailatul-Qadr in Arabic with glitter. You can also add glitter inside the cave.

Sister Reminder blogs

Just got this email written by Asma bint Shameem, and I thought I should share! 

What if I tell you that I know a way that will ensure that all your prayers are answered, that none of your Du’aas will be rejected and anything that you ask for will be granted? Wouldn’t you like to know what that way is? Wouldn’t you jump at the chance to avail that? But…..what is that way? How can we achieve all this and more?

The answer to that, brothers and sisters, isn’t anything secret or hidden. The answer has been there for ages. Actually, it’s been there for the last 1400 years… We just didn’t look hard enough. We just didn’t pay much attention to it. It is what Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’ala has promised His slaves every single day….every time he sits down to break his fast.

 The answer lies in the hadeeth of the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam) when he said:

“Indeed the fasting person has at the time of breaking the fast a supplication, which is not rejected.” (lbn Majah, Saheeh)

And he (Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam) also said:

“Three prayers are not rejected: the prayer of a father (parent), the prayer of a fasting person, and the prayer of a traveler.” (al-Baihaqi, Saheeh)

In another hadeeth, he (Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

“There are in the month of Ramadhaan in every day and night those to whom Allah grants freedom from the Fire, and there is for every Muslim a supplication which he can make and will be granted.” [Ahmad, Saheeh]

So Allah answers the Du`aa of the fasting person at iftaar time.

But, alas, most of us are either unaware of this great blessing of Allaah or are too busy thinking about food at this time. Some of us are frying ‘samosas’ till the last minute, setting the table and preparing ‘hot’ food. Some are too busy talking, arguing about the exact time to break the fast, or watching television (may Allah protect us), reading the newspaper and some are even sleeping until after the Maghrib adhaan has been called! And some are busy filling up their plates even before the time to break the fast has entered!

Subhaan Allaah! Allaah is promising us that He will answer our prayers and we are too busy to respond?!!

What a waste of a golden opportunity….a chance of a lifetime to have your supplications accepted!

What is the matter with us? Is food really the most important thing….the ultimate goal of our lives?!! Is it food that Ramadhaan is all about?!!

Why do we not take full advantage of this great gift of Allah? Don’t you see?! Here is your chance to earn Jannah!

Now is the time to ask for forgiveness…for EVERYTHING you have EVER done….And He will forgive you.

Ask Him for guidance for you and your family and He will guide you. 
Ask Him to solve all your problems, and He will find a solution for you.
Ask Him for this Dunyaa and He will grant it to you. And the Aakhirah….He will suffice you.

Shaykh ibn ‘Uthaymeen said:

“Du’aa’ should be made before iftaar (breaking the fast), at Maghrib, because this combines weakness and humility, and because he is still fasting. All of these are means of having one’s du’aa’ answered.”

It is said that the intelligent is the one who takes advantage of the situation. So don’t let this great opportunity pass you by. Know that Allah listens to the fasting person’s supplication and answers it. So finish all your work and preparations 5 minutes before Iftaar time. Teach this to your kids and your families and encourage them to do the same. Don’t let the Dunyaa distract you. Sit down peacefully, clear your mind of all thoughts, bow your head and raise those hands. Go ahead and make use of this precious…. precious time when you are breaking your fast to ask Allah for all those things that would make your life easy in this world and in the Hereafter. 
And do it with full faith and confidence that Allaah will surely respond.

Why wouldn’t He?? He said so and so He will.

May Allaah accept all of our Ibaadah and all our supplications and grant us Jannah.

Ameen.

Busy Baby Mama blogs

So the masjid is packed. You don’t want your child to be dangling his feet on the balcony of the sister’s section. You know your baby is going to wail every time the Imam recites Takbir. When you  are forced to stay home with your kids because you have no choice. Ramadan just doesn’t seem all too exciting anymore. Wrong! This is the best opportunity to have a wonderful bonding family time that you could ever imagine! Here are some simple tips to make the last ten days with your toddler a spiritual experience for everyone.

And if your toddler is a late night sleeper, and you just can’t get them to bed…well, why fight them?  Join them! 

1. Convert one of your rooms into a masjid. Fill your masjid room with prayer rugs, Quran stand, Copies of the Quran, Dhikr beads, some Islamic story books for kids. Add Islamic artwork on the wall. Try to have as little furniture as possible in the room.

2. Make a Chart of Good Deeds for praying this special Tarawih prayers. DOWNLOAD HERE: Toddler Tarawih Chart. Have a decorative box full of prizes and treats.

3. Have your child eat a full meal, and shower before the last Isha prayer.

4. Keep a special basket filled with hijabs and kufis. Only keep the hijabs that will not fall off while you pray. They tend to try putting it back on and get frustrated while you pray.

5. Boys can call the Adhan. So can little girls if they want too! Or have all the kids take turns each day! What a great opportunity to learn and practice the Adhan!

6. Hand out Special Ramadan Tarawih Tasks. Give them special tasks to make them feel important. Let them fix the rugs, check to see if they all are in a straight row. Place cups and bottles of water near each row for thirsty family members who have fasted all day while they pray! 

7. Pretend “Pray” with Dolls and Toys. Line up their dolls for prayer as well. They can be in the back. Begin by  imaginary play of the dolls wanting to go for Tarawih prayer. Dora can have hijab, and curious George can be an Imam.

8. For little babies and toddlers- Give them lots of distraction like snacks on nearby tables, and their favorite toys (not the noisy ones!)

9. After Isha prayer- Sit down and have them sing a Ramadan song, make a special dua, listen to Quran stories, recite the Quran. Let them listen to you read the Quran aloud, they tend to imitate, you might want to have some dua books so they can use that to imitate you.

10. Keep it short. “Read very short surahs, so if they join you in prayer, it’s easy for them to follow. Don’t get irritated if they jump on you and ride you like a horse. They may even run around while you are praying. It’s not really important that they pray, but they see YOU praying. Sometimes we are tempted to put them in another room and watch TV while we can peacefully make salah, but we allow the children to be slipped away by the dunya of entertainment.

11. After completing the Tarawih- Give them a sticker on their chart, and a treat from the treaure chest. Within a week, you will see that running around and horseplay will gradually slow down, and they may insist in leading the salaah, or calling the Adhan. They will automatically ask for hijab, and will even help you put out the prayer rugs. I never forget once when I finished my fard and started folding my rug, my child said,  ” What about sunnah?”

12. Before going to bed, let them listen to the Quran. Ending the day with Quran is the best thing you can do with your child. Tuck them in with an Islamic story, and recite their duas, dhikr, Surahs and go to bed!