Crayon making continued in earnest today. Bean, 9, tries out different shapes and moulds, some that he made himself and others he found in the baking cupboard. We now have hearts and puzzle pieces and semi spheres and sticks
We all went out to Fisher's Far, for the afternoon. ot was wet so we spent most of our time indoors (about two hours) but it was also really busy. It must still be half term somewhere. There were a lot more children than usual to contend with and the noise was deafening but all the smalls did really well to last so long. We eventuallu braved the wet weather and moved across to the outdoor cafe and had the place to ourselves so we teamed up and shot cannon balls at each other until we saw the carousel was open. Pippin, 2, took her first ride on it today. We had the whole ride to ourselves. This was folowed by seeing the animals in the barn. The goats are a favourite now with Pumpkin, 7. We were just in time for the animals handling so we spent 15 minutes strocking rabbits, huinea pigs and a tortoise. The smals all spent their pocket money in the shop and then we came home to get warm and dry. A change of clothes for everyone and a film (Madagascar 2)
The smalls ended the day with a sleepover in the living room.
Our Tribe
Saturday, 5 November 2016
Friday, 4 November 2016
True Colours
Mostly we have been melting things in the oven today but we also tried out the loca HE Youth club and watched msny more Pokemon episodes as well as painting and making various things with the recycling.
Bean, 9, began the day by melting Sapce Stickies in the oven. i mentioned that i had read that you can melt crayons and he immediatly went and found some to try. It works really well and is really quick. Bean managed to set the oven and put the tray in and out of it. By the afternoon when he was on his second round of crayons he was all set up and doing it on his own. Bean has decided that he would like to sell them and is going to make more tomorrow into different shapes.
Pumpkin, 7, had a great day. He was inspired by Bean's money making ideas and has painted a plastic bottle from the recycling ready to make into an areoplane. We then went to the Youth Club for the first time. i was hoping that it would be a place for the boys to be with friends as well as providing something for the girls. And it hit the mark perfectly. Pumpkin played on the wii all afternoon but there was also two playstations and an xbox too. Pumpkin has asked at least ten times if we can go everytime that it's on.
Whilst Pumpkin was rummaging through the recycling box, Bean and Plum, 4, also raided it and painted and made their own models. At the Youth Club Plum painted a fireworks picture using washing up brushes and straws. She also had a turn on the concoles, played at the pool table and got out the happyland shoe. There were several children there that she knew as well so she had a very sociable time.
Pippin, 2, painted some pictures onto paper at home and happily pottled about at the Youth Club.
There were hairwashes tonight and a lot of stories for the girls and Bean. I finished knitting a Christmas present.
Bean, 9, began the day by melting Sapce Stickies in the oven. i mentioned that i had read that you can melt crayons and he immediatly went and found some to try. It works really well and is really quick. Bean managed to set the oven and put the tray in and out of it. By the afternoon when he was on his second round of crayons he was all set up and doing it on his own. Bean has decided that he would like to sell them and is going to make more tomorrow into different shapes.
Pumpkin, 7, had a great day. He was inspired by Bean's money making ideas and has painted a plastic bottle from the recycling ready to make into an areoplane. We then went to the Youth Club for the first time. i was hoping that it would be a place for the boys to be with friends as well as providing something for the girls. And it hit the mark perfectly. Pumpkin played on the wii all afternoon but there was also two playstations and an xbox too. Pumpkin has asked at least ten times if we can go everytime that it's on.
Whilst Pumpkin was rummaging through the recycling box, Bean and Plum, 4, also raided it and painted and made their own models. At the Youth Club Plum painted a fireworks picture using washing up brushes and straws. She also had a turn on the concoles, played at the pool table and got out the happyland shoe. There were several children there that she knew as well so she had a very sociable time.
Pippin, 2, painted some pictures onto paper at home and happily pottled about at the Youth Club.
There were hairwashes tonight and a lot of stories for the girls and Bean. I finished knitting a Christmas present.
Thursday, 3 November 2016
Reconnected
After several days of being apart we nustled together at home today. We played Terreria together and minecraft and hullabaloo. We watched Bing and Pokemon and played 'Halloween' with the bath toys.
Bean, 9, initiated a Harry Potter game that involved us casting spells on each other. He also made up a ball game where we got points for throwing the ball into different baskets. He also played the dirty end of a telescope trick on Plum and drew chicken pox all over Pippin.
Pumpkin, 7, declared hullabaloo the best game ever. It' s been a great way to get physical in the house without fear of them causing damage to themselves. He has also been working on his Pokemon Camp app and explaining to me how each Pokemon evolves and what into.
We tried on a lot of new clothes today for Plum, 4, but they were mostly all too big. We did find a few Hello Kitty items though so they were keepers although they are slightly big. We have planned a shopping trip to buy some long sleeved tops for her.
We ended the day with baths for three of them. Bean read Pippin some stories whilst i played with Plum in the bath. The smalls were all in bed by 9.45pm. The clock change means that daddy and i have a little time together!
Bean, 9, initiated a Harry Potter game that involved us casting spells on each other. He also made up a ball game where we got points for throwing the ball into different baskets. He also played the dirty end of a telescope trick on Plum and drew chicken pox all over Pippin.
Pumpkin, 7, declared hullabaloo the best game ever. It' s been a great way to get physical in the house without fear of them causing damage to themselves. He has also been working on his Pokemon Camp app and explaining to me how each Pokemon evolves and what into.
We tried on a lot of new clothes today for Plum, 4, but they were mostly all too big. We did find a few Hello Kitty items though so they were keepers although they are slightly big. We have planned a shopping trip to buy some long sleeved tops for her.
We ended the day with baths for three of them. Bean read Pippin some stories whilst i played with Plum in the bath. The smalls were all in bed by 9.45pm. The clock change means that daddy and i have a little time together!
Friday, 28 October 2016
Spontaneous rhythms
We had a trip to sheffield Park planned today. We had only been there for the first time recently but wanted to explore more. We arranged to meet Mr T. Pippin jad had a disturbed night so we slept in until 8.30. This put us a little behind schedule. The smalls all watched tv and played dens for the morning whilst i prepared a picnic and got everyone dressed. We were almost an hour late leaving.
On the way we played i-spy with the spotter sheets i made two years ago for a long holiday journey. We talked about American road signs and vehicles and the similarities and differences bewteen ours nd theirs. It was busier than last time when we arrived and we had to park in the overflow car park. We walked to the entrance where there were toilets and picnic benches. We meet our friends and climbed trees and ate lunch. Sheffield Park tie orange ribbons around the best trees to climb. Bean especially seems happiet up a tree at the moment.
When food seemed to come to a natural end, we went to move on and find the Nature Trial but Bean had put his head on the bench and said he was tired. We looked at where we were planning on heading on the map and reassured Pippin that we were not going near the ponds (he has a recent fear of people drowning) and suggested we walked back to the car and then see how we feel. The reality was that going home was not an option but Bean did not know this and i couldn't really explain that to him either. When we got to the car he lay down on the back seat. My friend rescued us by offering for us to come to their house to play. So, dispite us being an hour late, and travelling 45minutes to our destination just to have lunch, we then accepted the invitation back to play. Everyone was happy. And i am glad to have friends who understand us.
Plum spent our time at home making dens today under the coffee table. She took her cuddly toys in and her tablet to watch on. We watched Bolt in the evening and the boys both opted for a bath.
On the way we played i-spy with the spotter sheets i made two years ago for a long holiday journey. We talked about American road signs and vehicles and the similarities and differences bewteen ours nd theirs. It was busier than last time when we arrived and we had to park in the overflow car park. We walked to the entrance where there were toilets and picnic benches. We meet our friends and climbed trees and ate lunch. Sheffield Park tie orange ribbons around the best trees to climb. Bean especially seems happiet up a tree at the moment.
When food seemed to come to a natural end, we went to move on and find the Nature Trial but Bean had put his head on the bench and said he was tired. We looked at where we were planning on heading on the map and reassured Pippin that we were not going near the ponds (he has a recent fear of people drowning) and suggested we walked back to the car and then see how we feel. The reality was that going home was not an option but Bean did not know this and i couldn't really explain that to him either. When we got to the car he lay down on the back seat. My friend rescued us by offering for us to come to their house to play. So, dispite us being an hour late, and travelling 45minutes to our destination just to have lunch, we then accepted the invitation back to play. Everyone was happy. And i am glad to have friends who understand us.
Plum spent our time at home making dens today under the coffee table. She took her cuddly toys in and her tablet to watch on. We watched Bolt in the evening and the boys both opted for a bath.
Wednesday, 26 October 2016
Where are you?
We have got ourselves into a lovely rhythm lately. On the whole we stay at home in the morning and, if we are going out, we go out in the afternoon. Today Bean and I tried installing a coding course for him with the intention that he would have some time on it, however it took over an hour so there wasn't enough time to start on it. It is now all set ready to go when he's next ready. I also found an HE friend who is in the process of setting up a coding course/club.
This afternoon we went to our Christian Home Educating Friends (CHEF) meet. We had two new families and it was quietly busy. Hamma beads was very popular. Pumpkin made a ladder from lolly sticks and Bean bagan making a house from lolly sticks, a proto type of his tree house. Plum missed making her ladder so we have plans to find the lolly sticks at home and make one there. Plum spent her time playing with the dolls and soft toys.
Bean and Pumpkin played on the wii when we got home and Plum played cbeebies games whilst Pippin pottered around and watched some more Bing and played hide and seek with me, calling "where are you?"
This afternoon we went to our Christian Home Educating Friends (CHEF) meet. We had two new families and it was quietly busy. Hamma beads was very popular. Pumpkin made a ladder from lolly sticks and Bean bagan making a house from lolly sticks, a proto type of his tree house. Plum missed making her ladder so we have plans to find the lolly sticks at home and make one there. Plum spent her time playing with the dolls and soft toys.
Bean and Pumpkin played on the wii when we got home and Plum played cbeebies games whilst Pippin pottered around and watched some more Bing and played hide and seek with me, calling "where are you?"
Tuesday, 25 October 2016
Changing Rhythms: school holidays
School holidays change our rhthym too, as does the changing seasons. We don't celebrate halloween, for lots of reasons, the dressing up part scares the children. For this reason we avoid anywhere that has decorations up during the half term holiday which mostly means we stay at home or have play dates. Today we met church friends and used the church hall as a space to play together. The big ones began with an extended lego session, Plum and me built a railway track with the brio. Games soon turned to dressing up and chasing the one dressed as the tiger. Bean was Superman and then a clown. Pumpkin was a pirate. Plum a policewoman. We also played four rounds of uno.
Bean had a problem with his phone today and tried several ways to fix it. He patiently waited for daddy to come home who spent some time with google and fixed it in 30 seconds. We spent a large portion of the day watching cats being funny in compelation clips on YouTube and moved on to You've Been framed in the evening.
It all began with Pumpkin and DanTDM and the Don't Laugh challenge, which is very hard and very funny.
Plum slept in late this morning, i was glad it wasn't Little Verse day due to half term, she would have hated being woken up but hated missing it too. She pottered around with the happy land people most of the morning. She is mostly into nesting them and her dollies at the moment.
And Pippin is watching Bing on a loop.
We ended the day watching Wreck it Ralph and all four smalls having a bath. Neither of the boys felt they had had long enough to finish the games they were playing so we will probably repeat it all again tomorrow.
Bean had a problem with his phone today and tried several ways to fix it. He patiently waited for daddy to come home who spent some time with google and fixed it in 30 seconds. We spent a large portion of the day watching cats being funny in compelation clips on YouTube and moved on to You've Been framed in the evening.
It all began with Pumpkin and DanTDM and the Don't Laugh challenge, which is very hard and very funny.
Plum slept in late this morning, i was glad it wasn't Little Verse day due to half term, she would have hated being woken up but hated missing it too. She pottered around with the happy land people most of the morning. She is mostly into nesting them and her dollies at the moment.
And Pippin is watching Bing on a loop.
We ended the day watching Wreck it Ralph and all four smalls having a bath. Neither of the boys felt they had had long enough to finish the games they were playing so we will probably repeat it all again tomorrow.
Monday, 24 October 2016
Changing rhythms
In terms of learning our weekends are no different to any other day, in terms of the rhythm of our days the weekend does not change things but having daddy home opens up possibilities that i can't orchestrate on my own. Today it was mummy going to the optician for an eye test and new glasses (as my current ones are broken) Daddy was left home with the smalls getting the dressed and a picnic ready to go to Box Hill and meet friends. We spent five hours in the cold mist/warm sun/ autumnal shade on the nature trail. We didn't make it all the way around and, although the smalls and their friends had a great time playing forts on/in various wooden structures on the way around, Bean was upset that we didn't make it as far as the rope swings, so we have agreed to return soon. home to a roast dinner and a film. tonight was Disney's Robin Hood.
Sunday is church day in our house. This week i packed pens and colouring/activity books in everyone's bags. It worked out well except Plum didn't have her own pens. It definitely shows on a Sunday morning that we rarely have to be up and ready to do things in a morning. Pumpkin was very tired. We came home earlier than normal because he was ready to leave. Pumpkin picked up a large leaf from church and we looked up what it was when we got home, an american red oak.
In the afternoon i took Bean shoe shopping. He is currently wearing two mismatched crocks of different sizes. He has his feet measured (size 1 1/2) and we found a pair of trainers that he likes. Plum came with us and we played on the cedar tree before buying kinder eggs and coming home. Plum is keen to play lots of sweety games this week, carve pumpkins and a melon.
Daddy went out with Pumpkin on a bike ride and then took Pumpkin, Bean and Plum to the green with their bikes. Plum rode her bike, with stabilisers, for the first time.
Plum has slept three nights in her own room on her own. she creeps back to our bed in the early morning. Last night she fell asleep cuddling mummy and daddy as we put lydia to bed in our bed.
Sunday is church day in our house. This week i packed pens and colouring/activity books in everyone's bags. It worked out well except Plum didn't have her own pens. It definitely shows on a Sunday morning that we rarely have to be up and ready to do things in a morning. Pumpkin was very tired. We came home earlier than normal because he was ready to leave. Pumpkin picked up a large leaf from church and we looked up what it was when we got home, an american red oak.
In the afternoon i took Bean shoe shopping. He is currently wearing two mismatched crocks of different sizes. He has his feet measured (size 1 1/2) and we found a pair of trainers that he likes. Plum came with us and we played on the cedar tree before buying kinder eggs and coming home. Plum is keen to play lots of sweety games this week, carve pumpkins and a melon.
Daddy went out with Pumpkin on a bike ride and then took Pumpkin, Bean and Plum to the green with their bikes. Plum rode her bike, with stabilisers, for the first time.
Plum has slept three nights in her own room on her own. she creeps back to our bed in the early morning. Last night she fell asleep cuddling mummy and daddy as we put lydia to bed in our bed.
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