It's Mhine4ever!

 In the eyes of many, Maribel is simply an early childhood educator — the one with warm hands, gentle eyes, and a quiet but commanding presence in the classroom. But behind her daily routines of teaching ABCs and tying shoelaces lies a story not everyone knows. A story of strength, survival, and silent resilience.

Maribel is not just a teacher. She is a creator.

She brings life to every classroom through arts and crafts, where popsicle sticks become castles and paper plates become animals. She encourages children to explore, express, and imagine. Her love for creativity flows naturally — not just in the classroom, but at home, where her hands are always busy with a brush, a pen, or a pot of soil.

You’ll often find her surrounded by plants — her sanctuary, her therapy. Cacti, succulents, flowering greens — each one lovingly nurtured, each one a symbol of growth after hardship. Her garden is a mirror of her soul: resilient, quiet, thriving.

But there's more to Maribel than meets the eye.

She sings to heal. Her karaoke machine becomes her stage, where she belts out her favorite ballads and old love songs, turning sorrow into melody. It’s her way of letting go, even if just for a few minutes.

To her friends, she’s the life of the party — giggling over jokes, loud and silly. But around strangers, Maribel retreats into quiet corners. She listens more than she speaks, observes more than she shares. She’s friendly but cautious, warm but guarded.

What most don’t see is the pain she’s carried.

Behind her bright smile is the heavy truth of a failed marriage — one that left her and her children emotionally bruised. Her ex-husband’s words were sharp, his presence toxic. Yet Maribel never allowed herself to be swallowed by bitterness. Instead, she became the anchor for her children. She stood firm — not because she wasn’t afraid — but because she had to be strong for them.

She rarely shows the pain. She hides it with her patience, her laughter, and her work.

But when the world sleeps, Maribel writes.

Her notebooks are filled with poems — deeply personal, raw, and moving. Through every stanza, she pours out the sadness, homesickness, love, and longing that she keeps buried during the day. Poetry is her secret language, her lifeline.

And yet, despite everything, Maribel lives positively.

She continues to nurture young minds, teach with passion, laugh with her friends, and grow her garden of hope. She is not defined by what broke her — she is defined by how she blooms again and again.

To the world, she may be just another teacher. But to those who know her — really know her — Maribel is a warrior, a poet, a mother, a friend, and a healer of little hearts.

She is living proof that no matter what life throws your way, you can choose to grow, give, and glow.

🌿✨

Looking for a fun and educational name recognition activity for your preschooler? This Colorful Name Puzzle Craft is perfect for children aged 3 to 5 and focuses on developing letter recognition, fine motor skills, color matching, and sequencing — all while making learning personal and exciting!

In this hands-on activity, kids will create a bright, interactive name puzzle using simple materials like construction paper, markers, and Velcro dots. They'll love matching each letter to spell out their name while engaging their minds and fingers. Plus, the printable version makes setup a breeze for teachers, parents, or early childhood educators.

Whether you're working in a daycare, preschool classroom, or from home, this craft is a beautiful way to celebrate each child’s identity — starting with their name!

🖍️ Get ready to sing, spell, and play with the Colorful Name Puzzle!

Colorful Name Puzzle Craft

Theme: All About Me / Name Recognition
Age Group: 3 to 5 years old
Skills Developed: Letter recognition, Fine motor skills, Sequencing, Color matching

Objective: Children will recognize and spell their names and learn the meaning or origin (if possible).

🎨 Materials Needed:

• Colored cardstock or construction paper (at least 4 different colors)

• Scissors (child-safe)

• Glue stick or Velcro dots

• Black marker or thick crayon

• Laminator (optional)

• Small envelope or Ziploc bag for storage

✂️ Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Prepare the Name Base Strip

• Choose one bright-colored cardstock as the base (approx. 3 x 10 inches).

• Using a black marker, write the name of the child in big uppercase letters across the strip, leaving space between each letter.

2. Create Letter Pieces

• Cut out 4 separate squares (2 x 2 inches) using different colored paper for each letter.

• Write one letter of the name of the child on each square using the marker.

3. Turn It Into a Puzzle

• Cut the name base strip so that each letter is separated (like puzzle slots).

• You can laminate both the base and the pieces for extra durability (optional).

• Attach Velcro dots to the base and the backs of each letter piece.

4. Let the Child Play and Learn

• Invite the child to match the colorful letter pieces to the correct spots.

• Encourage them to say each letter aloud as they place it:

• "N-A-M-E of the child! and spells !"

🌟 Creative Add-ons:

• Color Match: Use same-colored letters and backgrounds for color matching.

• Shape Puzzle: Cut letter pieces into fun shapes (stars, hearts, etc.).

• Photo Personalization: Add a small photo of the child on one side of the base.

• Decorate: Let the child decorate each letter with stickers or crayons.

🎶 Bonus: Sing the Name Song

(Tune: B-I-N-G-O) "There was a girl/boy who learned her/his name and replace Bingo with the name of the child 

📆 Storage Tip

Keep all the pieces in a labeled envelope or Ziploc bag. Let Maya decorate it with her name and stickers!

WEEKLY LESSON PLAN

🌟 All About Me: A 1-Week Lesson Plan for Curious Little Learners (Ages 3–4)

Every child is unique—and that’s something worth celebrating! The “All About Me” theme is a wonderful way to help young children explore who they are, recognize their emotions, and understand their place within their family and community. Whether you're a preschool teacher, an early childhood educator, or a parent looking for meaningful at-home activities, this 1-week lesson plan is designed to spark self-awareness, creativity, and connection in 3- to 4-year-olds.

Throughout the week, children will enjoy interactive circle times, sensory-rich crafts, engaging stories, and playful movement—all centered around learning about themselves. From name recognition games to expressive art and family-themed activities, each day invites children to discover and share more about what makes them special.

In this blog post, you’ll find a complete weekly plan with daily topics, learning goals, materials, and activity ideas. Let’s dive into a week of joyful learning—because every little learner deserves to feel seen, heard, and celebrated.

Age Group: 3–4 years old

Duration: 1 week
Domains Covered: Language, Cognitive, Fine & Gross Motor, Social-Emotional, Creative Arts

Weekly Goals:

• Help children recognize and appreciate their uniqueness.

• Encourage self-expression through art, movement, and play.

• Develop vocabulary related to self, body parts, family, and emotions.

🧾 Materials Needed:

• Name cards / foam letters

• Mirrors

• Paper plates, crayons, glue, magazines

• Playdough

• Family photos (optional from parents)

• Music player or speaker

• Emotion flashcards

• Books listed (or equivalents)

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✅ Assessment & Reflection:

• Observe children’s participation in discussions and play.

• Document drawings, crafts, and how children express their emotions or talk about family.

• Note growth in confidence, language use, and group interaction.

Variegated African Violets are beautiful houseplants that have been part of my life since 2020. For the past five years, they’ve brought me so much joy—not only by brightening my home but also by helping me cope with stress. They’re more than just plants; they’ve become part of my daily routine, and to my surprise, they’ve even opened up small earning opportunities along the way.

One of the varieties in my collection is Le Zhana. For a long time, I didn’t notice any suckers (baby plants that grow from the base of the main plant) forming on it. But recently, I spotted tiny leaves growing in all directions, and the plant temporarily stopped blooming. After observing it for three to five months, I realized those little leaves were actually suckers, slowly crowding the mother plant and affecting its shape and growth.

In the video I uploaded to YouTube, I showed how I carefully removed the suckers to help the mother plant recover and thrive again. This process not only gives the main plant room to grow and bloom, but it also gives us the chance to propagate new plants from those suckers.

Instead of throwing the suckers away, it’s best to pot them in their own containers. Keep in mind though, propagation doesn’t always guarantee success. Some suckers may not survive despite our efforts—but with proper care and a bit of patience, others will grow into beautiful, healthy plants.

This time, I managed to separate five suckers and three detached leaves from the mother plant. I’ve already planted them in new pots, and now I’m excited to wait and see which ones will thrive in the coming days and months.

Separated Suckers from the mother plants

Genetic Blush

Hello everyone!
Today, I’m excited to share another stunning variety from my collection of Variegated African Violets—her name is Genetic Blush. This beauty showcases semi-double, light pink blooms—sometimes resembling a soft rose blush—with striking dark green, serrated leaves. Like all African violets, both her flowers and foliage are delicate and captivating.

The Hidden History of Variegated African Violets

Have you ever wondered where variegated African violets came from and who first discovered them?

When I first saw African violets, I was immediately enchanted by their rosette-like flowers. But what truly amazed me later was discovering the variegated varieties. At first, I only admired them through online photos, never imagining I would one day grow them myself—let alone have them in my personal collection.

Curiosity led me to research their origins, and I found some fascinating details. According to www.avavs.com, variegated African violets originated as a mutation of the 'White Pride' variety. This particular mutation was carefully propagated and developed by American hybridizer Mrs. Tommie Louise Oden—a devoted enthusiast whose passion left a lasting mark on the African violet community.

Interestingly, African violets were first discovered in the tropical rainforests of Tanzania and Kenya during the late 19th century. However, it wasn’t until the early 20th century that variegated types were truly recognized and cultivated.

Mrs. Oden's work in developing and preserving these unique cultivars is deeply appreciated by collectors like me. Her contribution has opened the door for so many to experience the joy these plants bring.

with friends and colleagues, and even selling them on Facebook Marketplace. Each plant brings a little joy not just to me, but to others as well.

Here are the varieties I currently grow:

1. Genetic Blush

2. Cajun’s Dexie Pride

3. Le Zhana

4. Cajun’s Lil Oh Lah Lah

5. Cajun’s Blueberry Hill

6. Cajun’s Mystical Star

7. Scorching Sun

8. Buckeye Seductress

Every one of these varieties has its own personality, charm, and story. And for me, growing them isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about peace, discovery, and sharing beauty with others.

LE ZHANA

 KARAOKE: MASAKIT ITS FIRST TIME

Why singing is important for me and for everyone? Simply because of its many benefits to our health. The First and second reason I already mention in my previous post  Karaoke: Singing Goodness of God  and we have to continue here on this post.

Well the third benefits is singing promotes social health. You know why? it helps you connect social bond, when you sing there's a sense of belongingness and you feel secured and confident. 

Disclaimer: Photo credit belongs to the rightful owner no copyright infringement is intended

Like for example, Mehhh.... of course! my voice is not that good sometimes I'm out of tune, however, when I started to sing I feel so good for myself even if not being securely confident but confident enough to say "Hey, I can sing and I feel happy about it."

Here I am again singing Karaoke: Masakit sa first time by Tamtax, so please click the video below to watch and listen to my own version.