Hi...

I'm sure you're wondering why I've been on hiatus for the longest time! Partly, because I was too preoccupied with "life" in general, haha, and we've had no helper ever since so I've been extra busy around the house.

But the main reason is because I am turning over a new leaf and moving to another domain.

I have mixed feelings as I write this... a bittersweet moment for Lique's Antics. Because I am here to say goodbye.

But wait! Not for good...

First, a few reasons why I am letting go of this blog:

One, I lost my writing mojo for quite some time. I have a number of posts pending in my drafts, and a couple of ideas waiting to be written. But I never got to publish them eventually. I just didn't feel like writing anymore. Don't get me wrong, I loved keeping posts about our antics. This blog started off as my online journal anyway, and it's nice to write stories and get to share them with your readers. But there came a point when I just wanted to stop.

Two, I don't feel as comfortable sharing about my family and my kids as much as before. My husband and I have had that talk about privacy and security, which is even more crucial in this technological  day and age.

Three, I decided to pursue my passion for design and, therefore, I've been working on my other website. Yes, I am moving and rebranding! I've moved past the mommy blogger phase and am now focused on my creative pursuit.

As I say goodbye to Lique's Antics, I hope you could still follow me on my new journey at www.liquedimayuga.com

>>> READ: Welcome to LiqueDimayuga.com <<<

Don't fret, when I said that I'm not saying goodbye for good, it means I'll still be sharing with you some of my motherhood and homeschool chronicles and other antics over at my Instagram Feed and at my Facebook page, @liquesantics.

I will also be sharing some party antics and DIY crafts in my new website - those topics which I'm very happy to keep sharing with you guys. You'll also find me over at the @ldcreativepursuits Instagram and Facebook page.

Finally, I want to say thank YOU (yes you!) for keeping up with my antics and dropping by this lil' ol' blog of mine.

Here's a little bonus: 

Subscribe here!

See you on on the other side (of cyberspace)!

Blessings,

City on a Hill Gallery. Those are tablets with photos and information about the city sights and infrastructure.

I have been hearing about the new QCX Museum from our Homeschool Facebook Group and I also read it in Rappler. So, we finally decided to visit it yesterday.

Being a Quezon City resident for quite a while now, including my college days in UPD, I honestly have little information about the City. Besides, visiting an interactive museum sounded like a fun afternoon activity for me and the kids.

QCX or Quezon City Experience is an interactive and socio-cultural green building-compliant city museum which was inaugurated in November 9, 2015 within the Quezon Memorial Circle in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines. QCX primarily displays the history and culture of Quezon City. It is touted as the first interactive museum of the city. (Wikipedia)

The museum was a little hard to find, since it's new, there were still no signages pointing to its location. It is just across Commonwealth Avenue, so it's best to enter through that gate.

A photo with Manuel Quezon's bust

Interactive Table of QC history

Malacanang Gallery

We arrived there just in time for the final tour, because they close at 5pm. QCX has has around 16 galleries, including a business center with a small theater and lecture room, and an event center, which can be rented out for occasions and special events.

Event Area

Business Center

A tour guide was with us and our designated group all throughout the museum experience. We got to visit various themed galleries, from the City's past, present, and future, and the tour guide explained each one. After each gallery introduction, we were then given about 10 minutes to roam around, take photos, explore interactive displays, and read information on the walls and tablets in each gallery. Unlike other museums, there are lots of photo opportunities in the museum and the tour guides are happy to take a group photo for you.

The complex is fully air-conditioned and well-lit, so the tour was comfortable for us, especially that I had 2 toddlers tagging along. 

My children especially loved the Housing, Jeepney, School, Street Scene galleries because they had child-sized, child-friendly exhibits.

My little boy thought this was a microwave, hehe.

Housing Gallery. These are kiddie-sized houses to replicate the city's housing projects. You can also see here the wall of all the City Mayors, from past to present.

Jeepney Gallery

School Gallery. That TV is interactive, it has a sensor so you can swipe to explore. 

My little ones absolutely loved this school bus. Who wouldn't? It's so cute!

You can even browse and listen to OPM music

Tada! I'm in UP! 

Street Scene Gallery

Local Business Gallery 

Entertainment Gallery. As QC is home to the well-known TV Stations

I was impressed with the War Gallery where the guide retold the story of the infamous legend of the White Lady along Balete Drive... this was a bit of a "horror moment" for the kids, because the effects were a little bit realistic for them, hehe. I won't spoil too much details, better experience it for yourself! :)

I also appreciated the Monuments Gallery, because the scaled models were so detailed (I asked the tour guide, and indeed they were built using a 3D printer). 

I am also happy that the QCX complex is a green-building compliant structure, meaning they did not cut any trees during its construction, and built around them instead. Maybe it's the Landscape Architect in me that appreciates those little details :)

War Gallery

UP Diliman Scaled model

Iglesia ni Cristo Church

Santo Domingo Church

Welcome Rotonda

The Big Dome

Green-building complaint structure 

They even found a way to preserve this big tree :)

Now I won't flood you with too much photos, because it's best to see the QCX Museum for yourself.

They will ask you for your feedback at their Expressions Gallery after the tour (the entire tour lasts about an hour).

Current Issues Art Gallery. This Sardine sculpture is meant to represent the current sad state of our "education" system.

Environment Issue

Barangay Gallery

Expression Gallery 

If you're planning to visit soon, take advantage of their FREE ADMISSION extended until the month of December 2015!

They QCX Museum is open Tuesdays to Sundays from 9AM to 5PM (Yes, they are closed on Mondays).

Rates after the promotion are as follows (Source: Rappler):

Students with ID – P80
Quezon City resident – P100 (must present valid ID with address)
Non-Quezon City resident – P150
Group of 50 – 20% discount
Group of 50 students – 30% discount
Senior citizens/Persons with disability/Solo parent – 20% discount
Family of 5 members – 20% discount
Free admission for children 6 years and below

Cheers,

It's Halloween Season, and you've probably attended some parties already. I'm sure you're excited to dress up your kids in scary or cute costumes... Yes, the parents sometimes are the more excited ones than the kids hehe *guilty!*

But here at home, we play dress up most of the time already, and it's like halloween on most days. I've set up a Dress-up Box for my toddlers, and they just love pretend play!

It's more than just wearing different clothes, but the idea that you get to be someone or something else! 

Here are some reasons why you shouldn't pack away those halloween costumes, and start up a dress up box or cabinet too:

1. Having a dress-up box allows them to recreate scenes from everyday life, which is important in a young child's development (Social Studies). My kids love to play with their DIY kitchen and copy me when I cook. They get to be doctors, builders, bakers etc.

2. Pretend play is one of the most magical things in a child's life, and it's wonderful to see what they come up with. It allows them to imagine and create stories, explore and go on adventures... Make Believe! My little boy would often pretend he's an inventor and build "machines" or sometimes he's a superhero with his cape and mask.

3. It fosters independence. They get to choose their clothes, and dress themselves... and most of the time they want to it all by themselves! Yay!

4. It's a great parent-child bonding activity. I love joining in on their pretend plays. It's FUN! And we get to bond over picnics or pillow forts. Besides, I get to be whatever... one minute I'm a queen, and the next minute I'm a big, scary monster, RAWR!

5. It develops their language skills and vocabulary. I am amazed how my 3yo makes up stories and conversations on his own. And he's very committed to his role. One time he pretended to be a detective to solve a "mystery" (yes, he was the one who said he was solving a mystery), with a necktie, hat, magnifying glass and all.

6. Pretend play helps with their emotional development. They get to explore their different personalities and act out expressions. They pretend to cry, act surprised, be scared etc.

Now, how to start setting up a dress-up box? 

Well, just get any big box where to put clothes and accessories in. Ours is just a simple pull-out rattan box than I placed in a low shelf so it's easily accessible for the kids. If you have a big space at home, go ahead and make a whole dress-up corner, set-up a cabinet and fill it with clothes and costumes.

So what do you put in your dress-up box? It's actually pretty easy to fill up a dress-up box. Once you get started, you'll find all sorts of stuff to put in there, trust me...

What to put in your dress up box or cabinet:

• Old costumes (yes, these aren't just for halloween anymore!)
• Hats (Caps, beanies, helmets etc.)
• Masks and play glasses (sun glasses/eye glasses)
• Headbands (ex. Kitty/bunny ears) 
• Scarves and ribbons (they can use this as capes, belts, pretend tails and ropes etc.)

• Accessories: Bow ties, neck ties, belts, gloves, beaded necklaces/bracelets, bags (hand bags, small backpacks etc.)
• Occupation kits (ex. Doctor/Builder kits)
• Props: swords, shield, wands, crowns, boots, buckets/baskets etc.
• Aprons
• Jackets
• Skirts or Tutus

You can add to your dress up box as time goes by. 

Do you have a dress-up box at home? I'd love to hear what's in yours. If you don't have one yet, try it setting one up at home and see how your kids imagination start to unfold!

I previously shared here how we plan to start our Preschool Homeschool. 

I realized a lot of things from TLB's Workshop. I say "realized" because we weren't taught step-by-step on how to Homeschool, instead, we were enlighted as to how and why we chose or were about to choose to Homeschool our Preschoolers.

If you're thinking of homeschooling too, The Learning Basket holds a number of workshops per year, so that's a good start. Or you can just do it independently, on your own.

I'm sure you have a lot of questions. I did too when we we're just starting...

What is Homeschooling anyway?
Why do I need to Homeschool my child?
How do I start Homeschooling?

I cannot guarantee you that I can answer all your questions in one post, but I'll try my best...

What is Homeschooling?

Homeschooling is basically teaching your child at home. 

You can start as early as you can. You may not be aware, but you are already homeschooling your child... when you read books together, when you point out body parts, or when you listen to music. I'm sure our parents taught us at home too, since parents are our first teachers after all. It's just recently that the concept has been labelled as "Homeschooling". 

Why do I need to Homeschool my child?

There is no easier way to explain it but through this quote:

"You are your child's first and best teacher" -Mariel, The Learning Basket

I'm sure you've heard the saying that "a child's brain is like a sponge." And it's true! They pick up things easily, especially when mommy or daddy teaches them. Fostering a learning environment at home is a great way for a child to love Learning.

You don't have to have a strict schedule or have a list of lessons... Most of the time, I just play with my kids and try to incorporate lessons as we do or read aloud to them.

Another answer as to why you need to teach your child is because not all lessons are learned in school. Like how to properly brush their teeth or how to put on a button and tie their shoe laces... Yes, lessons aren't entirely about the ABCs and 123s. Also, instilling Good Values and Proper Manners come mainly from parents and not the teachers.

And finally, childhood is fleeting. Your child won't stay little for long. Cherish every moment you have while he is small :)

How do I start Homeschooling?

You can teach your child even when he is still a baby. I'm sure reading books and listening to music has been part of every parents' routine. 

And you can even learn through play...

Here are some simple things you can try at home with your child - at least this is how we started out too:

1. Read aloud to your child at least 20 minutes a day.
2. Play with Puzzles or Blocks.
3. Count everything! His toys, the buttons on his shirt, candies, rocks etc!
4. Sing along and dance to nursery rhymes.
5. Pretend Play. One day you're kings and queens ruling a castle, the next day you'll be swashbuckling pirates at sea!
6. Play with clay or have Cutting and Pasting activities. Toddlers need to strengthen their hands as practice before they learn how to hold a pen firmly.
7. Color and Paint. Even get messy sometimes with finger paint.
8. Draw. Hand a pencil and paper to a child and you'll be amazed!
9. Go outside and play! Yes, play! And then tell him about the world around him, from the blue sky, up to the green grass.
10. Make him do things by himself. Independence is an important lesson, because you can't do it for him forever!

For my 3-year old, we are following the Letter of the Week Curriculum. But I use it as a guide and improvise with lessons. My toddler likes arts and crafts more so we do those more often. I'm proud to say he has a firm grip with a pencil now and can even draw already. He can work with scissors too.

We dedicate at least 2-4 hours a day of learning activities spread throughout the day. Because even though we try to stick to a routine, it still depends on my 3-year old when he is "in the mood" to do activities. Sometimes, it depends on me too, because I am a Work at Home Mom.

I'll be sharing some of our weekly activities with you in another post :)

As for my 1-year old, we mostly do reading books and playing with blocks and puzzles. She also loves to dance when we listen to music. I'm happy to say that she also knows some baby sign language, aside from "Water" which she learned early on, she now knows "Please", "More", "Thanks You", "Pig", "Horse", "Duck". And she started talking too! Just the basic "Mama", "Dada", and "Papa" among others.

Here are some great Homeschool Resources (updated as of 11.17.15):

Kids Activities Blog - How to Homeschool Preschool and other Activities for Babies and Kids
Letter of the Week - 38 Week Curriculum
The Learning Basket - Books and Parenting Workshops
Teach with Joy - For ages 0-3 and For ages 2-4
Fun at Home with Kids - Crafts and Activities for Children
Fun2write - Printables and Work Sheets
In My World - Preschool Letter of the Week Activities
Preschool Mom - Printables and Work Sheets
Everyday I Learn Through Play - Activities for Infants and Toddlers
The Measured Mom - Tools for Teaching
Babbledabbledo - Engineering and Art for Kids
The Relaxed Homeschool - Homeschool tips and activities
Pre-K Pages - Inspiration for Early Education
Happy Hooligans - Crafts and Activities for toddlers and preschoolers
Montessori on Mars - Montessori techniques and activities
DIY Corporate Mom - Leave-behind play, After-work play and more, for the Working Mom
Teaching Mama - Learning through play activities and free printables
Fun handprint art blog - Arts and Crafts Free Printables
This Reading Mama - Free printables for reading and phonics
Toddler Approved - Crafts, Toddler Activities, and Free Printables
3 Dinosaurs - Free Printables, Gross Motor, Simple Crafts, and more
Itsy Bitsy Fun - Games, Crafts, and Printables
Easy Peasy and Fun - Activities for kids and free printables

Videos:
ABC Mouse - Phonics, Alphabet, and Stories for children
StoryBots - Educational Videos
Mother Goose Club - Nursery Rhymes and Children's Songs
Super Simple Songs - Children's Songs, Alphabet and Phonics and Educational Videos
Little Baby Bum - Children's Songs and Nursery Rhymes (cute graphics too!)
Kiboomu Kids Songs - Cute graphics, Children's Songs and Educational Videos
Evan's Nanay - Tagalog Videos (like Abakada, Magbilang Tayo, and Folk Stories)

How about you? I'd love to hear your homeschooling experience!

Cheers,