A Beautiful Green Butterfly Chrysalis Or Pupa From Our Garden

Beautiful Green Butterfly Chrysalis Or Pupa

We've got ourselves a beautiful green chrysalis or pupa from our garden. My girl had been asking me to catch caterpillars again. She wanted to bring one to school to watch the transformation from caterpillar to butterfly with her classmates.

So when we saw the caterpillar droppings, we quickly took out our plastic container and kept them. We got quite a few. They had been attracted to our lime trees from Chinese New Year because they love the tangy smelling leaves.

We fed it everyday with fresh leaves. Oh my, they can really eat and poop! We managed to watch a few nibbling away happily. They turned from their original black brown to bright green and they grew and grew and grew big and fat. 

Then one morning we looked and we saw this beautiful green butterfly chrysalis or pupa. It is really beautiful. It looks like some kind of green gem. We've got another about to turn into a pupa. Can't wait for them to turn into a butterfly. Then we will let it go and watch it fly away freely. 

I didn't take step by step pictures this time because we've done it before. The pupa looks different from the one we had before. I wonder what species of butterfly we got this time. If you are interested to do this at home, you can go here to read our Life Cycle Of Butterfly Experiment. Recommended to be done with kids. It is the best way to learn science.

According to this site Obession With Butterflies, ours may be a Monarch Butterfly. What a lovely name and how exciting!

Free Animal Fact Sheets And Animal Facts Printables

Some time ago, my son had to do a school project on animals. He needed some animal facts printables.
We spent some time online doing research for his school animals projects. While we were doing that, we found some really excellent sites offering free animal printables in pdf format. I will share some of them with you here.

Orphan Bears Cubs

Image Credit: The above image plus all others on this post are from IFAW

Where To Find Articles About Animals? Here Are 5 Excellent Resources For Animal Fact Sheets

1. International Fund For Animal Welfare (IFAW)

International Fund For Animal Welfare is committed towards saving and rescuing animals all over the world, not only animal populations but including individual animals too. I especially love their free e-magazine called World of Animals. Issues of World of Animals can be read online like any e-book and can also be downloaded for free. You can find the World of Animals magazine from IFAW at the Resource Center. Copies of these magazine about how animals are saved can also be downloaded in pdf format. This is an excellent resource for teaching kids to love animals. At the same time, you can also search the resource center for "Animal Fact Sheets". This will give you some printable fact sheets on mostly endangered animals.

Zebra Colt

2. Perth Zoo Animal Fact Sheets

Perth Zoo offers free animal facts printables on their website. The animal fact sheets in pdf format includes a fast facts section, a picture of the animal, a map, the description, diet, "in the wild", threats and a "Do You Know" section. Everything is in one page. Excellent for learners. The page is  beautiful and perfect for kids learning about animals.

Penguin Release

3. World Animal Foundation Animal Fact Sheets

The World Animal Foundation or WAF organizes its printable Animal Fact Sheets on two pages in long paragraph format. These would be great for older students or kids as you get a lot of facts. Younger kids may prefer the one page printable type rather than one with long paragraphs to read. However, if you are reading with your child, then that is not a problem. All of the animal facts printables here are in pdf format.

Asian Elephant

4. Canadian Geographic Animal Facts

The Canadian Geographic offers free printable animal fact sheets in pdf format as well. The fact sheets are organized in one page and classified under the following headings; Fast Facts, Physiology, Habitat/Behaviour and Range. It also includes a picture of the animal.

You also have an option to download the full collection of animal facts in print quality pdf files. The file size is 4.6 MB.

Giraffe Grazing

5. National Geographic Kids 

National Geographic Kids have lots of animal facts but not all of them are in printable pdf format. That is not an issue though. You can always do a printscreen. Kids from 8-12 can go to the section on Creature Features to find facts about animals which includes photos, videos and even audio of the sound the animal makes. 

Older children from ages 10 and above can go straight on to this page on Animal Facts to find the numerous animals being featured. When it comes to selection of animals to read up on, you just can't beat National Geographic Kids.

If you are looking for facts about animals or articles about animals, I am sure you will find them on one of these sites. Together they provide a very comprehensive and excellent resource for anyone who wants to read up more about animals.

Leaving you now with this cute little picture of a dog from the IFAW Creative Commons Library.

Northern Dog

School Uniform Brands In Malaysia

From the previous post on Where To Buy School Bags In Malaysia, it makes sense to progress on to this post on school uniform brands in Malaysia for Public Primary and Secondary school. SK, SJKC and SJKT all wear the same school uniforms in Malaysia. At least that is one thing that is the same unlike the English and BM papers for these schools.

Here are a few uniform brands that I know off. Some have websites, some do not but I shall try to mention them all. 

1. Professor School Uniform 

Professor School Uniform was established in 1982. Though a bit on the pricey side, if you have one near your house,  it is convenient to just pop by there for your school uniform needs. Apart from primary and secondary school uniforms, they also have extra curricular school uniforms for scouts uniforms, badges, and scarves, bulan sabit merah uniforms etc which is useful once your child starts extra curricular activities in school usually in Std 3. To find out if one is located near your house, check the Professor store locator here.

2. Canggih School Uniform

Canggih has  been around since 1996. They are sold in over 300 departmental stores and hypermarkets nationwide. They also sell school uniforms online. 

For their online site, they have included a Measurement Guideline For School Uniform to help you select the right school uniform size.

I personally prefer to shop physically for school uniforms. However, online shops can be useful once you are familiar with the brand and the size that you need in which case you can order what you need without having the child tagging along and trying out uniforms in stuffy fitting rooms with a long queue waiting. 

3. KPrimary By Kiko

The KPrimary School Uniforms are available from clothing maker Kiko. According to their FB page, KPrimary is available online via Facebook. You will find pictures and measuring charts like the one you see on the right on their FB online shop.

You can usually find KPrimary at major department stores like Aeon, The Store, Pacific and others.

4. Swan School Uniforms

Swan is known for selling school bags but did you know that they also sell school uniforms? Yes, they sell school uniforms and school socks and shoes and even umbrellas and digital watches for kids making it a one stop shop for school needs.

You can get your school uniforms there if you are shopping for Swan school bags for your child. To find out if there is one near you, check this Swan Store Locator.

What other school uniform brands are available?

• From Tesco, you will find the Signature and Signature Premier School Uniforms. Here is the Tesco Store Locator to help you find the nearest Tesco Store near you.
• From Aeon, you will find Alpha Kids. Here is the Store Locator For Aeon
• Unione Brand School Uniforms. Unione is available online here. It is a Penang based company. Currently it has two physical shops, one at Jalan Dato Kramat, Penang and another at Dataran Sunway, Kota Damansara. Here are the Unione Store Locations.

When Is The Best Time To Shop For School Uniforms?

The best time to buy school uniforms is the "Back To School" promotion periods. You can easily find school uniforms then at almost all the malls which are doing these promotions. However, if you hate crowds, then you can shop a little earlier. Shopping online can be done once you know your sizes well. Buy Malaysian School Uniforms online.

Take The Poll. How Many School Uniforms Do You Have Or Plan To Have?

How Many School Uniforms Do You Have Per Child?

2-3 is enough. I wash and iron them daily

4-5. I need one for each day of the week. I wash them once a week

polls

Where To Buy School Bags In Malaysia

I can't believe it's coming to the end of another year. It is the month of October. Lots of parents are shopping for school bags for their children for the new year This post is for parents with kids just starting school in the following year. Other parents would be pros by now, with lots of school bags stories, strap broken in a week, bag fell off the stairs, too big, too small etc. Plenty of stories, the most common of them all would be too heavy. Not the bags per se but rather the books in the bags but then that's another story for another day.

Here are some places you can shop for school bags. I have tried a couple myself but the rest are taken off their websites and compiled here for your quick reference. So, here they are in no particular order.

Swan School Bag

1. Swan Bag

Swan Bags have been around for a long time since 1951 to be exact. They have bags ranging for all sorts of budgets, from below RM100 to the premium back care type which is above RM350.

Two wheels, three wheels even six wheels bags are available. Backpacks, roller backs, tuition bags, they've got them all. My kids are currently using these. No complains so far accept for that hole in my pocket.

Image Credit: The 6 wheeler from Swan Bags


2. Unme School Bags

Unme School Bag

Unme is an established school bag brand from Taiwan. In 2008 a local franchisee Unme Sdn Bhd was set up. Unme's main branch is in Ipoh, Perak. Bags are imported directly from Taiwan.

Currenly you will find the pull-handle backpack, the backbone protecting school bag, the backpack on shoulders, trendy schoolbag and more among the ranges of schoolbag being offered by Unme.

Image Credit: Unme's School Bag from Unme's website.

Impact School Bag

3. Impact School Bags By Ergoland

Ergoland offers seating and desk solutions as well as backpack solutions to support young backs. The backpack solutions is in the form of its Impact Series of school bags.

The Impact Ergo-Comfort Spinal Support Backpacks are designed to promote spine care. Bags are classified according to heights for heights below 145cm for younger children and for heights below 145cm for the older ones.

They also have supplementary sling carriers which kids may need. It is not uncommon to see children lugging two or three bags to school these days.

Image Credit: Impact Range School Bag From Ergoland.

POP Kids School Bag

4. POP Kids School Bag From Popular

Popular Bookstore has a range of school bags called the POP Kids Ergonomic Lightweight School Bag available at the Stationery section of the Popular Bookstores.

You will have to check to see whether it is available at the Popular Bookstore nearest to you. Here is the Popular Bookstore Locator. It would be a good idea to call up beforehand to see if it is available to safe you an unnecessary trip.

Image Credit: Pop Kids Ergonomic Lightweight School Bag From Popular Book Store.




Here are some other places you can get school bags for kids in Malaysia.

• Astrokid
• Dr Kong
• SPI Bags
• ZigZag Bags
• Lazada School Bags gives you a choice to buy online from different suppliers

Hopefully this puts it all in one place and easier for parents looking for school bags for kids. Make sure you do a thorough study first before you buy that first school bag. You also need to think carefully of whether you want to invest in a trolley bag or a backpack. Which floor is your child's classroom? Do you think it is worthwhile to spend more for a premium bag to protect the spine? All these need to be carefully thought out. Then when you have decided, remember to take your child along to try the bag out for size so you get the right size for him or her.

Don't forget to take the poll below to see whether other parents would spend on a premium school bag.

If you haven't read it, do check out my Quick Tips For Parents With Kids Just Entering Standard One. It includes school bag and school uniform buying tips in a graphic chart for quick reference. You may also like to read my review on School Uniform Brands In Malaysia.

Will You Pay For A Premium School Bag Poll

Do You Think It Is Worthwhile To Spend On A Premium Ergonomic School Bag?

Yes, I think it is important to protect my child's spine

No, I think the school bag makers just found a way to charge more for the same thing

online polls

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Halloween Barbie Doll And Other Halloween Inspired Barbie Dolls Compared

Halloween Barbie Doll 2014

Halloween Barbie 2014 Doll 

If you are a collector, you will definitely have heard of the Barbie Halloween Dolls Collection. This year, the Halloween Barbie Doll 2014 spots a pointy witch hat with knee high boots.

I like the flared pink skirt with bat, cat and crescent moon details on it and white and black zebra touch at the bottom of the skirt. Very cool. The black necklace is a nice touch too. It goes very well with the shimmery V-necked black blouse.

I also love the pink hairstyle, yes the glorious pink locks that Barbie is spotting for the Halloween Barbie 2014 doll. Nice.

Halloween Barbie 2013

Halloween Barbie 2013 Doll
 
Let's move back a year and see what Barbie was wearing for Halloween Barbie 2013. Yup pink hair too but I prefer the pink hair in the 2014 version.

Black pointy hat. Check. Knee High Boots. Check.

The main difference is the outfit. In 2013, Halloween Barbie was wearing a shiny purple tank or bodice. She had a low high soft orange and purple skirt. I like that. I also like the web necklace.

However, I think Halloween Barbie 2013 should lose the ruffles she has around the neck. I don't know what that is. It kind of spoils the whole effect making the whole outfit noisy.

Halloween Barbie 2012

Halloween Barbie 2012

Let's see what Halloween Barbie 2012 has got on. Hmm.. she has the staple Pointy Witch Hat and Knee High Boots. I wish they would change this a little, maybe booties instead of knee high boots instead? It can get a little boring for a collector. If you are buying Halloween Barbie for a child, that's fine but a collector wants variety.

Let's look at her outfit. This time her skirt has web detailing. The hair has pink highlights. That's nice. I like the pink highlights on Barbie's hair.

The skirt is scalloped at the bottom and she's got a little tiny cape over her dress. Not bad.

Which Halloween Barbie Do You Like Best?

Halloween Barbie 2012 Halloween Barbie 2013 Halloween Barbie 2014  

pollcode.com free polls

Halloween Treat Barbie Doll

Below are some other Halloween Inspired Barbie Dolls. They have all been given all sorts of names like Halloween Charm, Halloween Star, Halloween Treat, Bootiful Halloween, Enchanted Halloween and more. The one that catches my attention the most is the Halloween Treat Barbie Doll. Compared to the Halloween Barbies from above, this one looks much more glamorous in her long orange and purple gown.

The carousel below includes 9 Halloween Inspired Barbie Dolls plus 1 Barbie Doll Holiday Collection 2014 because I couldn't resist adding that. It is so pretty and the holidays are right after Halloween. To view the dolls on the carousel, simply press the right or left buttons to rewind or forward or press any of the dolls for more information.