Another Great Online Bookstore

Most of you know that I buy a lot of books from the USA. Buying from a local bookstore is usually more expensive. So I  hunt down books from book fairs. I save a lot of money but I will never get the latest titles especially non fiction. Not to mention a lot of time wasted  and constant backache from digging piles and piles of dusty books. So my only option to get cheaper books is through  Bookdepository and sometimes Amazon. There are disadvantages thou. Books take 3 to 4 weeks to arrive and sometimes get lost in the mail.

Recently a friend introduce me to http://www.noqstore.asia and I was delighted. They carry a wide range of books and the best thing is.... it is cheaper than local bookstores! Definitely worth checking out. They guarantee that their prices are the lowest around. I did a check and it is true. :)

For those who use Singapore textbooks or assessment books for primary and secondary.... GOOD NEWS! You can buy them at at NoQ Store online store. It is free delivery in Malaysia.

By pure luck, 2 weeks ago, I received an email telling me that my readers are entitled to an exclusive 15% discount on all purchases at NoQ Store when you use code REESE at checkout.

Discount code is valid from 11 August - 31 December 2014.

Science Fair 2014

Dear all, make a date with us on 18th August 2014. Reese and his homeschooling friends are working very hard to make our 1st science fair a success! We need your support! Reese is doing microbiology where he is growing bacteria! He is also doing a science showcase on fungi. His favourite subject right now. :)

Researching his projects

Carried 5 mounting boards and walked 10 minutes from stationery shop to my car.... when one is motivated, nothing can stop him :)

Science Co-Op at Janda Baik

Recently our science co-op decided to have a science review close to nature. We went out of town about 45 minutes drive from KL to Janda Baik. Found a nice river with Gazebos for rent.

The kids did their science review and then we had BBQ and water play in the river. It was so refreshing! Simple food and fun. Couldn't ask for more. The beauty of homeschooling. We bring learning everywhere!  :)

A beautiful location

One of the daddy that came with us! 

Reese presenting his work. Totally a unique experience for the kids :)

Kids favourite!

A very talented mother bought stingray and marinated it on the spot and wrapped it in banana leaf

Our 'kitchen'

Kids playing by the river

Food is everywhere

More food

Roasting marshmallows 

Smores!

Kids were so tired that they slept through the car ride home

Dark Caves

A recent visit to the Dark Caves at Batu Caves. Reese and his science co-op friends were studying about bats. It was certainly very educational. Learn a little more about bats and other cave dwellers.  You can find more information at http://darkcavemalaysia.com

 Reese and his friends all ready for the climb. We bought cheap headlights too.

Reese loves chasing after the pigeons

There were many interesting creatures in the cave

A huge opening and see how tiny we are

 This area is closed for conservation studies

Lots of monkeys around

Reese is on the roll........

Reese drew these today. :)

Learning about the Perak Man (Museum Negara)

Sometime in February, Reese and his homeschooling friends went for a field trip to Museum Negara. The children learned about the Perak Man. The museum staff were very friendly with the kids and the activities were fun and informative.

The kids were first grouped into a few groups and each group were ushered to different activities. Reese had a chance to be a mini archeologist and did some excavation looking for shells, bones, stone tools and minerals. He was enjoying himself using all kinds of excavation tools.

Then he and his friends went on to draw. They learned to draw like the cavemen.

Next the kids used shells to make necklaces. Reese was totally engrossed in stringing the shells. My sister patiently guided him.

Our last activity was to learn how to remove whole pieces of bark from a tree trunk for clothing and also introduction to ancient stone tools.

We love the activities and they are all free of charge. 

Books and More Books for Reese

Books I bought for my boy for this year. So glad that we have the Big Bad Wolf book sale yearly and because of the incredibly low prices, other big bookstores have to have warehouse sale and book fairs  to compete. I have been saving a lot of money!!

December 2013 - Big Bad Wolf Sale

Price of books range from RM5 (USD1.50) -RM15 (USD4.60)

Big Bad Wolf Sale 1st round

2nd round

3rd round

March 2014 - Big Bad Wolf Box Sale
The best sale ever. You have an option to purchase a box for either RM99.90 or RM79.90 and stuff in as many books as you like.

Bought a RM99.90 box and I managed to stuff in 54 books. 

Each book cost less than RM2 (USD0.60)

2nd round bought a RM79.90 box and managed to stuff in 24 books. Got a few hardcover cookbooks (not in the picture). Each book cost less than RM4 (USD1.20)

Others

Books for myself and later will pass it on to Reese. :)

More books from a different book fair. 

A Walk in the Jungle with Professor Dr. Ille Gebeshuber

Dr. Ille and the kids

Recently we went for a really lovely walk at FRIM with Dr. Ille Gebeshuber a physicist and a teaching professor from Austria. She is currently based in UKM. Check out her talk on TEDxTalks . This is our second time meeting her. 

The crown of shyness unique to this biggest man made jungle in the world

One of the best hike we had so far. We hired a guide and he was very knowledgable, he took us to see various species of useful trees and plants including trees that are used to extract the precious 'oil' to make perfumes. 

We were blessed with rain just a few minutes into the jungle. The children were more than happy to walk under the rain.... Reese was not amused thou. He hated being wet and whined a little but decided to continue. Before long, he was having fun. He was proudly declaring that he over came walking in the rain....bla...bla..bla.... 

The kids had so much fun trekking under the pouring rain, jumping in the puddles, making umbrellas out of big dried leaves, Reese even dug out a 'footprint' and claimed that it was from a giant Amoeba. Dr. Ille was happily answering the kids questions, encouraging them to explore, play in the rain and feel/smell the plants and trees. While in the jungle, it felt so magical. We mummies also had a good time learning a little bit more about the jungle while beaming with pride watching our kids enjoying themselves. 

The very reluctant Reese when the rain started pouring but later... he was enjoying it

This place is so magical.

A poisonous mushroom

This is a black lily

 Enjoying the rain

 8 homeschoolers, mummies, our guide Yan and Dr. Ille