September days spent outside at the Botanic Gardens in Durham. See the sock on Bea's hand? She hurt herself and refused to remove the sock for an entire day.
Friday, 9 December 2011
A photo catch up
A great time had by all at Bamburgh Castle and the beach.
September days spent outside at the Botanic Gardens in Durham. See the sock on Bea's hand? She hurt herself and refused to remove the sock for an entire day.
September days spent outside at the Botanic Gardens in Durham. See the sock on Bea's hand? She hurt herself and refused to remove the sock for an entire day.
Wednesday, 7 December 2011
Windy
Fabulous day in the sunshine and wind today.
We met up with our home ed buddies at the Botanic Gardens and felt the force of the winter winds as we wandered down through the gardens to the woods.
We got home at 2pm and the girls have been in the bath ever since. They're going to look like a couple of prunes by the time they've finished!!!
I've made a garlands for the mantlepiece and one for the dining table using cuttings from spruce and holly so all in all, a good, productive day!
We met up with our home ed buddies at the Botanic Gardens and felt the force of the winter winds as we wandered down through the gardens to the woods.
We got home at 2pm and the girls have been in the bath ever since. They're going to look like a couple of prunes by the time they've finished!!!
I've made a garlands for the mantlepiece and one for the dining table using cuttings from spruce and holly so all in all, a good, productive day!
Tuesday, 6 December 2011
Back, yet again!
I really must write here more often. I've felt like I shouldn't as I don't have many photos to match my posts but I'm sure that doesn't matter too much!
I've been having a right pang about parenting of late so I'm hoping that this blog will make me see all of the positives and fill me with gratitude for the life we have instead of thinking that perhaps the kids would be better off NOT being at home with me. I know, how mad is that? How ridiculous that a mother should think her children would be better off being looked after by the state for six hours every day...
Here's why...
I'm working really hard, all weekend and most evenings. This means that while I'm out of action Mark has to have sole responsibility for the children. It frustrates me that he's not very organised in his approach towards the kids and that he winds them up then they can't wind down then they end up cross with each other; you know the scenario, it's played out in most households across the country, or that I have no doubt. I think I've taken on too much work wise so next year I'm going to slow things down a bit.
I've done five wrap conversions in the last week and a half. The quality is top notch, I have no worries about that but I still think it's too much. There's no room for any movement! Now if I'd planned, prior to home educating that I would be working lots of hours a week that would be fine but my mission was always to put the children first, not work yet at the minute 'work' is in the forefront of my mind day and night because there's so much to do and so many deadlines to meet.
I'm not complaining... this is my own fault. I take the orders, I manage my time, I agree to deadlines so there's no one to blame but me. I adore sewing, I love making carriers for mamas who are going to really enjoy using them I just need to slow down a bit!!!!
Our FIAR co-op is coming together at my place this morning and I'm really looking forward to it. We didn't meet up last Tuesday. We were going to go to a mamas house to do an Advent Spiral but the weather was dire so it didn't work out. I wonde if we could do a quick improvised one in our back garden this arvo!!! You never know, do you!
We're going to the Botanic Gardens in the morning then it's the children's Christmas party on Thursday afternoon. Thursday evening I'm going to Emma's house to wrap Christmas pressies and have a jolly time with lots of stinky cheese! Woooo hooooo, can't wait. It's such an exciting time of year. I love having children!
I've been having a right pang about parenting of late so I'm hoping that this blog will make me see all of the positives and fill me with gratitude for the life we have instead of thinking that perhaps the kids would be better off NOT being at home with me. I know, how mad is that? How ridiculous that a mother should think her children would be better off being looked after by the state for six hours every day...
Here's why...
I'm working really hard, all weekend and most evenings. This means that while I'm out of action Mark has to have sole responsibility for the children. It frustrates me that he's not very organised in his approach towards the kids and that he winds them up then they can't wind down then they end up cross with each other; you know the scenario, it's played out in most households across the country, or that I have no doubt. I think I've taken on too much work wise so next year I'm going to slow things down a bit.
I've done five wrap conversions in the last week and a half. The quality is top notch, I have no worries about that but I still think it's too much. There's no room for any movement! Now if I'd planned, prior to home educating that I would be working lots of hours a week that would be fine but my mission was always to put the children first, not work yet at the minute 'work' is in the forefront of my mind day and night because there's so much to do and so many deadlines to meet.
I'm not complaining... this is my own fault. I take the orders, I manage my time, I agree to deadlines so there's no one to blame but me. I adore sewing, I love making carriers for mamas who are going to really enjoy using them I just need to slow down a bit!!!!
Our FIAR co-op is coming together at my place this morning and I'm really looking forward to it. We didn't meet up last Tuesday. We were going to go to a mamas house to do an Advent Spiral but the weather was dire so it didn't work out. I wonde if we could do a quick improvised one in our back garden this arvo!!! You never know, do you!
We're going to the Botanic Gardens in the morning then it's the children's Christmas party on Thursday afternoon. Thursday evening I'm going to Emma's house to wrap Christmas pressies and have a jolly time with lots of stinky cheese! Woooo hooooo, can't wait. It's such an exciting time of year. I love having children!
Tuesday, 13 September 2011
Our second week
It feels a bit silly saying 'our second week of home educating' however, that's what it feels like. Last week would have been Sylvie's first week at school, if she'd been going. I see the girls and boys going out each morning in their uniforms and feel so blessed that my girls are still here, with me, with their friends and with their freedom.
So, how have things changed since 'before the second week'?! Well, they haven't really. I suppose I feel a bit more focussed. Sylvie's asking a lot about letters and wants to read so we've been checking out 'reading eggs' on line. There's a 14 day free trial so, so long as it's free I don't mind giving it a go. I never thought I'd use any on line learning tools but she seems to really engage with it so why complain?
We've got a bit of structure worked out for the day which focusses around keeping calm, keeping busy and me feeling organised. We wake, have breakfast and then we get washed and ready before doing daily chores like washing up and making the beds. We do a bit of drawing/craft before our morning nature walk then we come home for a snack, a story and circle time. The girls help me prepare lunch then we have our lunch and then do crafts/daily activities in the afternoon. Of course, this only works on the days we're actually at home. For example, we went to a Lingotot session yesterday which was BRILL so that was our afternoon. Wednesday we're meeting friends at the Botanic Gardens and Thursday we're meeting Ang and Emma.
I feel like I've not seen my buddies for ages. Since the whole chicken pox thing nothing's been right health wise! Bea and Annabelle have both had impetigo which was so easy to clear up but still, meant we had to keep away from babies and little uns. Thankfully, Mark had the week off work so it wasn't like being bound in alone!
I've got so much work to do too, which is another reason I need to keep the days organised. I've got slots booked until the end of OCtober and have also offered quite a few floating slots which means, to be honest, I'm in a bit over my head. However, I'm sure all will come good.
Sylvie's birthday party is on Sunday so there'll be lots of pink things!
I've got loads more to write but it'll have to wait until tonight as the girls are in the bath and I need to be with them.
So, how have things changed since 'before the second week'?! Well, they haven't really. I suppose I feel a bit more focussed. Sylvie's asking a lot about letters and wants to read so we've been checking out 'reading eggs' on line. There's a 14 day free trial so, so long as it's free I don't mind giving it a go. I never thought I'd use any on line learning tools but she seems to really engage with it so why complain?
We've got a bit of structure worked out for the day which focusses around keeping calm, keeping busy and me feeling organised. We wake, have breakfast and then we get washed and ready before doing daily chores like washing up and making the beds. We do a bit of drawing/craft before our morning nature walk then we come home for a snack, a story and circle time. The girls help me prepare lunch then we have our lunch and then do crafts/daily activities in the afternoon. Of course, this only works on the days we're actually at home. For example, we went to a Lingotot session yesterday which was BRILL so that was our afternoon. Wednesday we're meeting friends at the Botanic Gardens and Thursday we're meeting Ang and Emma.
I feel like I've not seen my buddies for ages. Since the whole chicken pox thing nothing's been right health wise! Bea and Annabelle have both had impetigo which was so easy to clear up but still, meant we had to keep away from babies and little uns. Thankfully, Mark had the week off work so it wasn't like being bound in alone!
I've got so much work to do too, which is another reason I need to keep the days organised. I've got slots booked until the end of OCtober and have also offered quite a few floating slots which means, to be honest, I'm in a bit over my head. However, I'm sure all will come good.
Sylvie's birthday party is on Sunday so there'll be lots of pink things!
I've got loads more to write but it'll have to wait until tonight as the girls are in the bath and I need to be with them.
Tuesday, 23 August 2011
Tuesday already?
Well, what a whirlwind the last few weeks have been.
Everyone, apart from me, has had chicken pox. Yes, this includes Mark! He was in a right state - covered, literally, head to foot with spots. Ouch, and yack!
He had two weeks off work and I have to say, although he was ill and had no energey at all, it was still nice to have him home! He went back to the grind yesterday - booo hoooooo.
I was REALLY ill on Thursday night. I went out for a curry with some friends then when I got home I felt all cold and awful then started being sick and couldn't stop! What a horrible shock. Friday was a total wash out. I'd planned to work so that I could catch up with orders, (I'm a week behind due to Mark being ill) but not a chance of it, I couldn't MOVE let alone work. I spent the entire day asleep in Sylvie's bed. I tried going downstairs twice but as soon as i go near the sofa Anna dives at me wanting milk and honestly, breast feeding was just one step too close to the brink of implosion for me on Friday! Thank goodness she was nice and settled with Mark.
We're all ship shape now though - kind of!
We've organised our diaries and I'm really looking forward to the next few months.
So are our week's looking a little like this...
Monday 'Lingotots'... (a fun French group for the family)
Tuesday.... who knows!
Wednesday.... who knows!
Thursday... an entire day with friends doing Five in a Row stuff and then a Steiner gathering. I know, I know, a bit of a contradiction - FIAR + Steiner, but we aren't playing by any paticular rules here, we're just doing what feels good and what feels right.
Friday .... Group on a morning then before Christmas Sylvie will be going to football on a Friday evening, after Christmas, it will be sylvie and Bea, (if Bea's up for it by then, though I have my doubts - I'm not sure it will be right for her. Time will tell)
The days when we don't have set activities will be devoted to each other, to arts and crafts and play and to our friends. We're hoping to see folks at least once a week but I don't think any of us mind spending time bedding down, preparing for the winter, making things to decorate our home and help us feel warm and cosy while the seasons change!
We'll also be spending time with my dad, of course, and doing our own learning so, I'm happy with the plans that we have.
We went to a birthday party on Sunday which was just brilliant! Everyone had such a good time. I still didn't feel very well and was totally washed out but that didn't matter as it wasn't exactly hard work!
L was 5! There was a bouncy castle, lots of cakes and lots of poeple having fun. Pass the parcel was a big hit. L's mum is a musician so, instead of having a CD on for pass the parcel she played her violin which was just great! Sylvie couldn't stop looking at her and really wanted to have a go. Before we left, Sylvie vanished. I walked into the 'music room' and there she was, sat on a stool, violin in hand, trying to play along to the music on the stand in front of her. Ahhh, so lovely - made my heart sing a little. Of course, she was squeaking like a trapped rat but all the same, it was lovely.
Well, I'd better have a shower and make some kind of effort as I'm going out with dad to buy some mount spray! Sylvie stopped at his last night so I've no doubt he'll be down here soon.
Friday, 12 August 2011
Saturday, 6 August 2011
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