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.

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.

Poxy portraits

Poxy Pox

Well, now I know why Bea was so miserable yesterday and we know why Mark's been feeling very unwell, oh yes, they've both got the pox!

I saw Mark's back this morning and couldn't believe it - loads and loads of spots. He turned over and I saw his face then reality struck - THE POX.
Bea was up really early. She pottered around downstairs then came up to find me so I could make her a marmite sandwich. She was fine at this point. Half an hour later when I looked at her, low and behold, THE POX!!!!

Sylvie and Annabelle came down with chicken pox a couple of weeks ago. I thought they'd be ill, moping around the house, crying, unhappy, itchy, however, there was none of that! They were spotty, miserable before the spots came out but then just totally fine, though perhaps a bit more tired than usual. I have a feeling that Bea will be a different kettle of fish because she's going to scratch. Her poor little face is covered in spots... she's even got them on her eyelids. ~Her backside is like an ode to chicken pox, totally covered.

Mark feels dreadful. He's had/has a fever and he's couging all the time. His ribs hurt, his lymph glands are working major overtime and causing him pain and he just looks awful. His face is like a teenagers nightmare, covered in red, sore spots... literally, covered. Of course, I'll be taking photos when I can!

Anna's asleep on my shoulder, Sylvie's staying at dad's house and Bea and Mark are upstairs in bed. The end of a long, rainy, spotty day....

Gibside with the Fairies

Roller Disco a Go Go

How foolish was I to think that the girls wouldn't like the roller disco. How foolish!!! Sylvie and Annabelle had a FANTASTIC time... I think that Bea was a little overwhelmed so maybe I was half right.

It wasn't what I thought it would be. The room was huge and there were disco lights flashing and everyone was just having a jolly time. Sylvie went in with her bike and rode round and round for literally two hours. She didn't stop once and was loathed to leave. Anna mounted the scooter and took herself 'round and 'round a few times and loved it. Bea, however, was wearing 'imaginary roller skates' - very funny and very bizarre at the same time. My quirky Bea.

We left the disco and went off to Witworth Park. We were accosted on the way in by a strange little s/he in horrible checky trousers saying that we weren't allowed to eat our picnic in the grounds. Claire's mum had received a flyer saying it was a great place for picnics so, we ate our picnic in the grounds. ~The children were almost eaten by the Deer, but luckily, only 'almost'.

We left there and went onto Coxhoe Park which was fab. By this time Bea was ready to drop so we only stayed for an hour then came home. Hurah, Mark was already home when we landed.

All in all, a bally good day what what!

Oh, and more random pics.