The Family Fun Fair was held in Al-Falah – an Islamic community centre in Islamabad. The good thing about the fair was that it was segregated. The stalls were mostly of woman’s clothes. There was one handmade Hijab pins and hairpins stall by homeschoolers. This stall was the most attractive and appealing one. Another homeschooling family had stall of books and handmade hair accessories and jewellery – and that was us. There was a food court as well as the games section which small children always find appealing – even I do! The men’s section consisted of a honey stall, books stall etc. The people who had stalls came an hour before the time to setup their stalls. My and my sisters’ first stop was the food court! There were people selling all types of food stuff ranging from Dhai Baray to Gulab Jaman, from sandwiches to noodles, and from cupcakes to ice-cream. The games section had a prize booth along with it. If someone won a game, they would go to the prize booth and show their points ticket and choose a gift according to the points! I was surprised to see how many prizes there were! At Zuhr time, the games and prize booth closed and people prayed in Jamaat. The Qari’s qiraat was very nice. Like this, every prayer was offered in Jamaat, Mashallah. After Zuhr, they had a story time for little kids which they really enjoyed. At about 5:30, everyone packed up. Overall, the fun fair was excellent, though some things could have been better. I hope it can be held regularly.

Spring and a stunning garden – how tempting! In April, the Islamabad homeschooling squad had a lovely time, learning and socializing in a private garden meticulously maintained by Mrs. Fatima Zafar, a lifelong gardener. The preceding week was spent in happy speculation for the upcoming tour, along with plant studies going on at different levels within the families. This was thanks to Sister Danielle's (a homeschooling mother of three in Rawalpindi and an agriculturist plus writer). botanical guide which spurred the children to research in order to prepare for the “botanical expedition”, as they named it.

The tour was guided by the hostess and Sister Danielle. Moms and kidsbenefittedequally from their rich experience and knowledge. The garden had three sections: a brilliant grass-carpeted flower garden, a large and thrilling vegetable patch and a fruit gardengrowingmainly on the slopes. Nearly every inch of land in and around the corner-plot house is efficiently cultivated under Mrs. Zafar’s careful supervision. She is growing almost every fruit and vegetable available in Pakistan. Presently she has onion, garlic, ladyfinger, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, coriander, mint, tomato, pumpkin, spinach, beetroot, turnip, fenugreek and more in the vegetable garden. The produce is utilized in her kitchen and shared with friends and neighbours as goodwill. The fruit garden has about 90 trees, including fig, date, olive, banana, guava, mango, apple, peach, plum, apricot, lychee and pomegranate beside allcitrusfruit (lemons, oranges of different species) and many dry fruit trees. Most are yet to bear fruit but were enough to enthuse us. There was also a neatly maintained chicken coop, charming the younger visitors.

During the tour, permaculture (an integrated method of farming that is sustainable, organic and modeled on nature.) and preparation of natural pesticide (with Neem and garlic) was discussed between the two experienced gardeners, which intrigued us to investigate these topics further. Mrs. Zafar explained how she carried her zeal wherever she lived during her husband’s military service, planting Allah’s oxygen machines and using her time productively. After an initial excursion, the kids had an interactive session with Sister Danielle in the stimulatingflower garden, where they chipped in their bits of information on plant classification, types of roots and leaves, photosynthesis and transpiration. Refreshments were shared later amid healthy discussion on various topics. The ever-hungry cameras clicked amazing shots, while the kids could not have enough of fun and frolic, which only stopped for snacks and Salah.

Alhamdulillah, we all had a superb time at this focused outdoor event, much thanks to our warmly hospitable hosts. We left inspired to pursue our own passions and in awe of our Perfect Creator.