Moon Festival: This year’s reading list!

October 4, 2017Leave a comment

It seems like just yesterday we were rummaging through the boxes in the garage looking for lanterns and preparing moon cakes. Here we are again, the morning of the Moon Festival; a very special tradition in many Asian cultures. In both Chinese and Vietnamese it is a celebration of reunion. In Chinese that reunion is between Yin and Yang; a reunion between lovers. In my husband’s Vietnamese culture it is one of family; where parents return after a long harvest to be reunited with their children. The celebration is all about focusing on the children; a day to restrengthen the bond between parent and child that was missed for the duration of harvest. (For more info, see our 2015 celebration post )

Later today we’ll be stringing up lanterns and polishing up our favourite tea set to be served with our moon cakes. However, there are things that I like to do leading up to this special day such as finding literature or other stories to better share with them their Vietnamese heritage. It’s also a great time of reflection of the great sacrifice their grandparents (Ong and Ba) gave to ensure a safe and bright future for the family. My husband was eight years old when he and his Dad escaped Vietnam, journeying down a river on a small boat, followed by yet another one that would take them all the way out to sea with another thirty frightened and brave people. His mum and siblings would escape another year or so later. Just last weekend my father-in-law was re-accounting the journey for me. I have heard it many times, but with each telling there is always a little bit of something new that he reveals. I can see the images of him and my husband like a motion picture playing running through my mind. I imagine the boat as it fills with water and my father-in-law desperately trying to through it out with a bucket. I see my husband, a child, the same age as our eldest weak, fading in and out of consciousness from starvation and dehydration. All I keep thinking about as he tells me the incredible store is how thankful I am for him. If it wasn’t for his hopes and dreams for his family and his bravery, I would not have the live that I am living today with my wonderful husband and our three beautiful children.

I think this is a big part why I embrace my husband’s culture so much. I don’t want it to be all left behind before they boarded that boat. I want to make sure it continues on in my children’s lives and for generations to come. Much was sacrificed for this life we are able to live today and it’s important we keep the culture alive. Being American, I certainly had and still do have, a lot to learn about Vietnamese culture and history. It has been really rewarding researching customs and folklore. My husband says that I know more than him now! I have to say I rather enjoy and opportunity to teach him a thing or two. 🙂

So here I share with your our 2017 Moon festival booklist for education and fun reading with your children. I highly recommend Anh Do’s biography for light-hearted reading. His family’s journey has so many similarities to my husband’s (and many other ‘boat people’). It is full of inspiration and hope. Here also so great reads for your children:

I wish you all a wonderful evening under the harvest moon sipping tea and indulging on moon cakes. We’ll post pictures of our celebrations via or social media.

With gratitude,

Megan xx

Au revoir, Beau- Coping with Death

April 9, 2016April 11, 2016Leave a comment

The last month has been tough around here. Lachlan has been processing the death of one of his school teachers and then yesterday our pet rabbit, Beau passed away. Our sweet rabbit took his last breath in my arms while Lachlan stood over me. I cried while I stroked his soft fur and thanked him for being such a loving companion to us over the last year.

Beau was a rescue bunny. We adopted him from the RSPCA just a year ago. He was an older rabbit and not trainable like our previous one. He peed and pooed everywhere and never earned the privilege of being a house bunny. He was so sweet though and like all animals he loved us unconditionally and we adored him. We were happy to give him his forever home with us, though we wish it would have been for longer.

A teary eyed Lachlan asked if we were going to bury him. I agreed but we would have to wait for the rain let up. We sat outside next to Beau as the gentle rain fell from the sky and tears slowly streamed down our cheeks. I asked him how he was feeling. He shrugged his shoulders and said, “okay” and wished that the rain would ease up soon. It did and we went into the garage to locate the shovel. He said that he wanted to dig the hole and found one of his own. We walked up to the spot in the garden next to our other rabbit’s resting place and after looking for the perfect spot broke into the soft earth with his spade.

Lachlan wanted to own every step of the process. I could tell that doing so was very therapeutic for him. I also gathered that it wasn’t all about Beau either, but also about his teacher that he lost last month as well. We have lost pets over the years but I have never seen him so adamant to be involved. There was never any news of a funeral for his teacher as I think the family kept it private and I think he has had this lingering sense of needing closure. Going through the burial ritual for Beau seemed to be bringing a completion to both deaths–at least I hope this is the case.

After he dug the grave, I gently lowered our beloved Beau into it and Lachlan very gently filled up dirt all around him, over his body and lastly his head. He collected some of Beau’s favourite treats from the garden: a lovely bouquet of flowers, herbs, dandelion and clover. He and Noelle used a heart shaped rock we found at the beach over the summer to make a headstone for him.

We said a prayer and gently laid them in place on his grave. And then…

The world went on again. All three of my children ran around the garden, collecting beetles with smiles and giggles. There was no trace of what had just happened.

Parents often ask if this is normal and yes, it is. Children are really good at living in the present. They master it so much better than us as their life experiences are incredibly small compared to an adults. When something tough occurs, it is generally a new encounter for them. Unlike with us adults, it can often trigger a memory–and often unpleasant.

We of course can’t assume that the smiles and giggles means that they are done processing the event. This takes time and we need to allow children exactly that: time. We also need to provide a healthy space to grieve, which includes an adult who will listen and answer questions.

Listening is key. Also be careful not to assume your child feels a certain way. In death we often approach children with; “you must be sad.” However, sometimes that feeling is not there for the child. A better approach is: “How are you feeling about this?” The child might be sad, angry, confused, numb, guilty and so on. Death brings complex emotions some all felt at once and others on different days of the week. The harm in assuming a child feels sad when he doesn’t is that it may create guilt as the child asks, “What is wrong with me. Why am I not sad? Mom is sad, so I should be too.” This can create a space where the child is afraid to open up because he feels like his feelings are not the norm and will not be accepted. He might even feel ashamed.

A helpful tip when talking about life and death with children is by answering their questions with a question. We need to be careful not to answer with more than what they are truly asking and this technique helps with this. I often give the example of when our 4 year old niece was staying with us and asked me out of the blue if I thought that she would ever die. I was caught of guard while trying to enjoy a Vegemite sandwich with her. This was the last thing on my mind! I wasn’t quite sure where this all came from and what she was really asking or thinking about so I simply asked: “Well, what do you think?” She immediately replied with a smile, ” I think I am going to live a very, very long time!” and then asked if we could go outside for a walk to the park.

That was it! I was off the hook. She answered her own question and was pleased. She didn’t even yearn for my response or flinch. Off she skipped. Can you imagine if I would have answered with details about life and death, perhaps saying that we all die or our time is on Earth is uncertain? I could have opened up a discussion that she was not developmentally ready for or even inquiring about at all!

Another important thing to keep in mind is that it is okay to not have all the answers. If your child asks you a question and you are caught off guard (and almost choke on your Vegemite) or just quite frankly do not know the answer, tell your child that you need some time to think about it. That is totally okay! Telling your child you aren’t quite sure, want to look into it more to give him the best answer is an admirable quality. Just make sure that you set a time to get back to your child with the answer, otherwise he will be afraid to ask again or fear he did something wrong by asking in the first place.

Remember that children are resilient. They are capable of getting through a lot! Think of all that your have survived in your life. Yes, life is a roller coaster but having supportive and loving parents that a child can count on is key. This really builds up that resilience factor; having a sounding board and a safe place to ask questions is so important.

Always follow your child’s lead. Death is hard stuff. The feelings are complex and we all grieve differently. Some children will want to be involved in some sort of planning and carrying out the rituals of the process. Others, will just not care or need space to be alone. There is no right or wrong way to grieve. I am reminded during times like these of a verse that talks about how God gave us one mouth and two ears and that we should learn to use them proportionately. It is so true. These are the times to do more listening than speaking. Often open arms are ears are the best comfort.

So we take it day by day. The sun rose today and there was no mention of Beau. As soon as we are out in the garden I know someone will be mentioned. It might be wondering if Beau is in Heaven (My children envision all our small animals in Heaven being cared for by my Grandpa Bill who passed a few years ago) or it might be asking if we will get another rabbit.

I think at the moment we will not be adding any more furry companions to our brood. As much as the children would love to welcome another rabbit. I think this momma needs a little respite for awhile (especially since we have broods of other animals/creatures in our care. At the end of the day I am the one that has to make sure they are all fed and well; whether I care for them myself or have to constantly remind the children to. It is just more on my plate and I have had a very full one this year! I think we will be enjoying what we have at the moment.

All the best.

With gratitude,

Megan xx

Aunt Laurel’s Cut Out Cookies Recipe (A Special Tradition)

December 16, 2015December 16, 20152 Comments

Baking cookies is always one of our favourite advent activities.

It is Christmas time (in case you didn’t notice!) and our house is buzzing with festive cheer and sharing our holiday traditions. We all have something special that if missed or forgotten, it would make the season feel incomplete. For me, this is my Aunt Laurel’s Christmas cut out cookies.

My Aunt Laurel, is the most fun-loving and attentive person that you could meet. She could make a complete stranger feel like her best friend as she has a way of making you feel like you are the only one in the room when you have a chat. You walk away feeling special and loved. She just has this way about her, a unique gift from God. She touches everyone she meets with kindness.

With my Aunt and Uncle on our recent visit back home.

My sister and I got to spend a fair bit of time at my Aunt and Uncle’s house as children. We were very close to our cousins, so many weekends we were inseparable. A short visit would usually turn into a sleepover with someone secretly packing an overnight bag, just waiting for the nod of approval.

During the holidays, my Aunt always had a few trays of Christmas cookies freshly baked and decorated ready for our little hands to snatch at any given moment. We would sneak extras, in which I am sure she always knew but turned a blind eye. I don’t think that my Aunt has ever lost sight of the joys of childhood, which is probably why the children in the family always feel so valued in her presence.

Fifteen years ago our family had a large reunion in which members submitted recipes for a cookbook. It has been something that I have cherished over the years, especially as I live far from home and have not had a holiday with my side of the family in over eight years. I was delighted that Aunt Laurel shared her Cut Out Cookie recipe so that I could keep the tradition alive for my children. In fact, the recipe has become the go-to for all cookies that I make for any special occasion. A birthday party would not be complete for my guests or children without her famous cookies, which I generally decorate with fondant.

Cookies made for Noelle’s Second Birthday!

This year, the children made Aunt Laurel’s cookies to give away as Christmas gifts for their classmates. I always allow them to do all the work independently, from gathering the ingredients to measuring them out. Noelle is so much stronger now; she can now pour from heavey jugs without even a spill. Time flies, as do these cookies!

My Aunt has been very gracious to allow me to share this recipe with you all. I hope that it brings a smile to your children’s faces as well, and who knows, perhaps a new tradition! As I am gluten-intolerant, I have also substituted the flour with a good gluten-free mix and they have come out just as beautifully. I tend to use the Aldi brand which has always worked the best for me. Enjoy!

Aunt Laurel’s Cut Out Cookies

3 cups sifted flour

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup sugar

2 teaspoons vanilla

1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1 cup (225 grams) butter

1 unbeaten egg

Directions: Sift together all dry ingredients, except sugar. In a large bowl cream together butter, sugar, egg and vanilla.

Gradually add dry ingredients to creamed mixture.

Blend well. Chill well in refrigerator. Roll onto floured surface…

…and cut into desired shapes.

Place on a tray with baking paper.

Bake at 350 F/175 C for 10-12 minutes or until slightly brown on edges.

These are delicious plain or you may choose to jazz them up with some icing or fondant. We do all the above!

Happy holidays to all and Merry Christmas!

With gratitude,

Megan

Deck the Halls! Wreath Making with Children

December 12, 2015December 12, 2015Leave a comment

It was a cool summer’s day today. Perfect for picking up all the fallen branches from yesterday’s windy gusts. There were many fresh branches in our pile so I thought it would be a great time to teach the children how to make some DIY wreaths. We also have an abundance of ivy gracing our landscape for a helpful addition to this project.

We gathered our bounty of branches, cut runners of ivy and also some snippets of red berry.

Next Lachlan secured the ivy into a circle with jute. (He used this opportunity to practice tying a reef knot, which he has been learning in Scouts!)

Noelle took over and began weaving around all the various leaf we collected. I tied them with just here and there to keep them in formation.

Lastly, we added a little bird and hung it on our door. Ready for Christmas!

What types of homemade holiday crafts are you up to in your neck of the woods?

With gratitude,

Megan xx

An ‘Aussie’ Thanksgiving

November 28, 2015November 28, 2015Leave a comment

As an American in Australia, I tr y to keep my cultural heritage alive by celebrating yearly traditions with our children. We do not observe all the American holidays but I have made it a point to plan something special for Independence Day and Thanksgiving each year. I have many fond memories of these two holidays which always included a lot of shared fun with family and/or friends.

I wasn’t really sure how Thanksgiving was going to pan out this year. Normally we celebrate with another American family, but they unexpectedly had to fly back to the U.S this week. I have been recovering from a respiratory infection as well and it seemed a bit daunting to make my usual spread just for us. However, I have learned over the years (mostly since I have had my third child) that you can still have a wonderful, memorable time with less the fuss. I think I had always gotten so caught up in trying to replicate my childhood memories that I was missing out on actually enjoying it! Don’t get me wrong, I always enjoy the company that I am in but by the time I would sit down to the table I would be so worn out and frazzled after three days of preparation and cooking that it always took a bit away from it. I always felt so drained.

Last year, my friends and I decided to do a more low key Thanksgiving with just traditional desserts and it was really lovely. However, I was feeling inspired to make a feast again, but just on a smaller scale. Our neighbour would be joining us as well so I felt even more motivated. I simply scaled everything down to just the bird, a couple of easy sides; beetroot salad and mash, and homemade rolls–all made in my Thermomix so it was so easy and done in a flash. Of course we had to have pumpkin pie, which the crust and filling were all made in my good ol’ Thermie. I would not have put everything together on a school day without that trusty machine!

Pumpkin pie is also nice for breakfast in the morning!

Noelle, like her mum, loves to plan a party. Any reason to get out some paper and glue stick is a good one. As soon as I announced Thanksgiving was this week, she rushed to our craft room exclaiming that we would need paper hand turkeys. She made one for everyone and before I knew it we had a flock of them around the dining table.

I did the rest of the food preparation while everyone was at school and fortunately Oliver took a nice nap that day! When Noelle came home from school she got straight to work writing names on everyone’s place cards.

Everyone had a part in helping to set the table and we were all eager to eat! It would have been nice to get some shots of us all at the table, but I have learned that to be fully present, I need to put my camera away. Living these moments means more than having a file full of photographs. A few great shots is enough.

Lachlan and hubby had the honour of breaking the wishbone:

Closing your eyes and making a wish…

and Lachlan got the lucky half. Who knows what he wished for, but I hope it comes true.

May all your wishes come trues this festive season and I hope you are surrounded by loved ones, too.

With gratitude,

Megan xx

Run, Run as Fast as You Can… {Baking Gingerbread}

November 23, 2015December 10, 2017Leave a comment

Last Friday night Lachlan had his first school production. It was a play that the children in his 6-9 class wrote. It was a fractured fairy-tale in which Lachlan played a dwarf and also a piggie which involved all dancing with some narration. It was really adorable, if I may say so! A tremendous effort put on by all the children and staff from script writing, costume-making, choreography and props. The children learned so much about what it takes to put on a production. I couldn’t believe all the hard work that went into it. I had heard about it for weeks since we returned from our trip. Lachlan was a bit nervous as he was late learning his part due to his leave but he did so well.

The older 9-12 class wrote their own version of Shrek. It was delightful and the Gingerbread Man character left us inspired (and hungry!) to make one of our own. So the next day, Oliver and Noelle got to work as baking seems to be their forte!

We try our best to make real, wholesome foods. As many of you know, I have a thermomix so I love to grind and make my own ingredients from flour right down to the baking powder. It is a beautiful thing to know exactly what is in your food. I am also gluten intolerant so if I can make a cake so I can eat it, I will! So I found this gluten-free gingerbread RECIPE from Gluten-free on a Shoestring and dug out our Gingerbread Man tin from the cupboard.

If this is your first time baking in the kitchen with your children, you will need a few essentials: a two step stool for them to use at the counter (or just 1-step if they are older), an apron, and a sense of humor! There seems to always be a small dust storm of flour or a splat of batter in the face. It often comes with the territory of having kids in the kitchen, but it is so worth it!

Allow your children to help find everything that you need in the cupboard. The first time cooking together you will probably need to show them yourself, but after a few times they will know where to get what. They love to have this responsibility and sense of control in the task. Lachlan, my 6 year old may not want to cook as much as my younger two, but he does love to read the recipe and track down everything, then he quietly disappears. I used to think he wasn’t into helping in the kitchen as much; but I have realised that it has more to do with the fact that both siblings are occupied with me and he can play or work in peace. It is important he gets that down time in a house of five so I do not pressure him to get involved. However, he happily reappears at feeding time!

Children love to help measure and pour ingredients. These jobs are great for mathematical concepts, fine motor, coordination and also language skills. We use every opportunity for learning, so allow your child to do as much as he can and engage in descriptive communication. Pointing out observations such as, ” The flour is soft and white” or “The measuring cup is now full” will really enrich his vocabulary and understanding of both expressive (what we speak) and receptive (what we hear) language.

Cooking is also great for turn-taking! When we have a house full of people who enjoy a part in the process it is important to learn to share and take turns. Normally we allocate main jobs before hand: Oliver will measure the dry ingredients today and Noelle will measure the wet. This helps so there are no arguments as we go. It can also be helpful to set timers for stirring. If something needs to be mixed for 4 minutes then a two minute timer set for one child and then again for another. Of course, mom or dad often have to follow up behind to get out any left over lumps!

Children also are very capable of greasing the baking pans, pouring in the batter (with assistance if the bowl is too heavy) and evening it out. See what they can do! Often children are much more capable than what adults give them credit for. Even my own children prove me wrong from time to time when I should know better!

Decorating is also the favourite bit. For this cake we left it for the next day. Noelle took charge while the boys were upstairs reading the Adventures of Tin Tin with their dad. Again, I love wholesome food so we wanted to use healthy ingredients. Noelle and I searched the cupboard to see what we could use and came up with some organic dried cranberries, macadamia nuts and coconut chips. All which I get from our organic co-op Organic Pantry. If you are in Sydney, you should check them out. It makes organic living much more affordable. We even source our maple syrup and local honey used in the recipe from them too.

Noelle’s end result is a delectable Gingerbread WOMAN! She has a crown and all! 🙂

She even did the honours and chopped her arm off!

She was YUMMO!

With {sweet} gratitude,

Megan xx

Pizza Night {Toddlers in the Kitchen}

November 7, 2015November 7, 2015Leave a comment

We are getting back into our normal schedule now. STILL jet-lagged (Lachlan and I are up at 4am typing this together. Slowly sleeping in later and later.) Every weekend we have our traditional pizza night. It was actually quite ironic that while we were overseas we still had pizza every single Friday night! Lachlan got a kick out of that each time he made the connection.

While a rather big part of me was resistant to having to return to the busy city life of Sydney, it is always nice to return to your normal routine. Routine is important for children as it provides not only consistency but also security in knowing what to expect. I suppose as an adult, I must like that as well. It is what eases my mind a bit, knowing what is to come each day. I believe this sense helps we overcome any anxieties that I might be prone to. Routine does wonders!

But back to the pizzas…We make ours homemade. We have a Thermomix so we do allow it to warm and knead up our dough very quickly. Yes, it would be better to do this all by hand with your child, but quite frankly we just would not have the time to do this so we allow this step of technology! Otherwise, we would not have homemade pizza that regularly and we love it so much. People ask me how I have time to make all the homemade snacks, nut milks, doughs, etc and this is how. With three children it is a life saver as it allows us to eat the whole foods we love so easily. The nice thing with our Thermie is that it allows the children to do things very independently. They learn how to weigh all the ingredients in it, clear the scale and choose the right temperature and speed setting. Once done they knead the dough into a ball, cover and leave to rise.

They still have plenty of work to do with their hands as you can see by the pictures! They will give it a final knead, have a little fun with it as well (Oliver often sneaking some in his mouth) and then roll it before putting on the toppings. We have a garden full of herbs and veggies oo so we also like to collect and wash those as well.

My kitchen help is different most days. Sometimes it is all three children, but normally for pizza it is usually Noelle and/or Oliver. Lachlan somehow has managed to get his sister to make all his pizzas so he will not be torn away from his other more “important work.” She more than happily obliges. Last night, however Oliver was the only one who turned up to a step stool and as you can see, he is very competent. Remember hes is toileting at the moment so I present to you…The Naked Chef! Would you hire him? 😉

It is all about having that prepared environment set up. In this case: 2 -step stool, tongs, spoons,veggie slicer, and other ingredients ready in bowls. Tip: shredded cheese for example should never have a hand reaching into the bag as it is very prone to mold growth when contaminated. Placing it in a separate bowl for your child is much better and easier for them to work with as well. Don’t you hate when you reach for it in the fridge and she it is green? Chances are someone had a hand in it, so try this and it will change your life- or at least your budget 😉

The nice thing about rituals is that even our toddler knows who likes what on their pizza! He so nicely made half and half for Noelle and Lachlan. As for him, he loves putting the toppings on before cooking and taking them all off before eating! Goes to show that it is indeed all about the process.

What kind of rituals do you have in the kitchen that your children like to participate in with you? Please share!

With gratitude,

Megan xx

Celebrating Mid-Autumn Moon Festival

September 27, 2015Leave a comment

Today is Mid-Autumn Moon Festival. I love everything about this day; the meaning, the the legend, the sweet moon cakes and the soft glow of the lanterns. I feel warmth in my heart and a spirit of heightened connectedness to my family.

In Chinese culture, this festival has more romantic meaning to it with the story of Chang-o, the Goddess of the moon. However, in my husband’s Vietnamese culture the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival represents something very different; it is about re-connecting with your children. The story behind the history is that this special holiday was created so that parents could make up the time they had lost with their children while they were out at harvest. Moon Festival became a day where eager parents, missing their children were able to share a special day with their children and celebrate their love and happiness.

On this special day parents tell the story of the moon lady, who urinated on a sacred tree which began to grow so high that it carried her up to the moon. Children light their lanterns and parade the streets aglow to light the way for her to come back home.

We carry on these traditions in our home every year. I sit with my three lovelies and tell them about the lady on the moon and we look through a special Chinese book we have as well that tells a story about another family’s traditions.

We prepare our lanterns and our mooncakes and put water in the kettle so tea will be ready when we return from our night walk. We take the children out to our street and do our own private parade. Lachlan and Noelle normally walk and Oliver likes to ride in the wagon. Sometimes neighours will even come out to see what we are doing in the dark. It is always nice to have a little chat and share this special tradition.

When we return home everyone goes inside and helps set up our picnic under the moon. Noelle will grab the tea, Lachlan the moon cakes and Ollie the tablecloth. When everything is arranged we enjoy our sweet moon cakes under the glow of the moon, sipping warm jasmine tea and talking about what we are grateful for. At some point we close our eyes and send up a secret wish to the moon. My children laugh while they run around the grass in the dark while I sit back and soak in their beautiful sounds of pure joy into the depths of my soul; forever imprinted so that I can recall it when ever I need to.