Monday, December 04, 2006
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Finding Fimo
Thanks to Merry we have discovered fimo (pics to follow). Sam has had a ball the last two days making a variety of creations. Yesterday he made a stegi, a pleaisour, miko, r2d2 and cp30. Today he has made marquesa and a cobra. He has had lots of fun and has taken great care to make his creations. We bought the xmas kit so will be doing candy cane and xmas stocking decorations for the tree.
We had a flying visit to merry's yesterday. Sam really enjoyed playing with the girls and Merry and I had a chance to catch up. It was lovely to see them, can't believe it has been so long since our last visit.
Lots of normals this week and sam is really enjoying the next math book. He immediately grasped the concept of greater than and less than and spent yesterday morning snapping like a crocodile. I explained that the symbol faces toward the larger number with the open end, like a crocodile eating the big number. The talk of crocodiles then prompted lots of steve irwin discussion and play and he tried to wrangle his fluffy dragon like steve wrangled crocs. All I can say is thank goodness it wasn't Miko or I! Who knew that math could be so dangerous!
He is beside himself with excitement about tomorrow as he is going to the space center with M and my fil to hear 5 shuttle astronauts give a talk. I think all the boys are excited, sam has been trying all week to think of a good question to ask them. No luck so far so we will have to work on it tomorrow morning. He is going to wear his commemorative Columbia T-Shirt from Dad and ask them to sign it. Am going to send them with the camera so hopefully there will be a few pics to post tomorrow night.
We had a flying visit to merry's yesterday. Sam really enjoyed playing with the girls and Merry and I had a chance to catch up. It was lovely to see them, can't believe it has been so long since our last visit.
Lots of normals this week and sam is really enjoying the next math book. He immediately grasped the concept of greater than and less than and spent yesterday morning snapping like a crocodile. I explained that the symbol faces toward the larger number with the open end, like a crocodile eating the big number. The talk of crocodiles then prompted lots of steve irwin discussion and play and he tried to wrangle his fluffy dragon like steve wrangled crocs. All I can say is thank goodness it wasn't Miko or I! Who knew that math could be so dangerous!
He is beside himself with excitement about tomorrow as he is going to the space center with M and my fil to hear 5 shuttle astronauts give a talk. I think all the boys are excited, sam has been trying all week to think of a good question to ask them. No luck so far so we will have to work on it tomorrow morning. He is going to wear his commemorative Columbia T-Shirt from Dad and ask them to sign it. Am going to send them with the camera so hopefully there will be a few pics to post tomorrow night.
Saturday, November 25, 2006
Belated thanksgiving wishes..
I know it is a few days late but I wanted to wish everyone a happy thanksgiving. We had a lovely day and I hope that Matthew's colleague and his family enjoyed our company as much as we enjoyed theirs. Sam and their daughter got on very well and he is very keen to play with her again. It was nice to be able to share the holiday with friends. Roll on christmas!!
The last week and a half have passed by quickly thanks to seeing lots of family and friends. We had great fun at the space centre with M and her boys and then a few days later we met up with my in laws to take my mil ice skating for her birthday. We managed to get tickets for the rink at the natural history museum and we were impressed with how well it was organised. We all had a lot of fun with minimal bumps and bruises. Sam stayed on the ice for the whole hour, though a lot of that was on his bottom! I am not sure which was more fun for him-skating or falling. He was giggling the whole time. We made a flying trip to the natural history museum-long enough for sam to buy yet another fluffy dino! I am sure that he has more dinos than jurassaic park, how he manages to sleep with them all in his bed is a mystery. All in all it was a wonderful day out.
It has been a quiet week as far as schooling-a lot of the time we spent getting ready for thanksgiving. Sam was a fantastic help in the kitchen and with the cleaning. We talked a lot about thanksgiving, its history and what he is thankful for. He really enjoyed talking about the fact that the president pardens a turkey every year so we visited the white house website and voted on the names for the presidental turkey. that then led on to a discussion about where the president lives, what the does and why he has so many pets! His two dogs and cats are quite the filmakers and have several short movies on the site. Sam now thinks that Miko should make a movie for our blog...watch this space!! We have also had interesting discussions about alexander the great and have started watching the dvd of "In the footsteps of Alexander" with Michael Wood. We have all been glued to it and are going to get more of his series as they are very compelling. Shame we can't find them at the library-those are the sort of things they ought to have really.
Miko is still loosing teeth and is getting bolder as far as food goes. If I leave something on the counter top she will try to get it when my back is turned. She managed to lick a whole pile of tortillas on friday so I had to throw them out. With what she snacks on the amount of germs in her mouth don't bear thinking about. We took her for a long watlk in bradgate today. She and sam were covered in mud by the time we got back to the car but we managed to tucker them both out. It is so beautiful up there, would love on one of the higher peaks in the park.
The last week and a half have passed by quickly thanks to seeing lots of family and friends. We had great fun at the space centre with M and her boys and then a few days later we met up with my in laws to take my mil ice skating for her birthday. We managed to get tickets for the rink at the natural history museum and we were impressed with how well it was organised. We all had a lot of fun with minimal bumps and bruises. Sam stayed on the ice for the whole hour, though a lot of that was on his bottom! I am not sure which was more fun for him-skating or falling. He was giggling the whole time. We made a flying trip to the natural history museum-long enough for sam to buy yet another fluffy dino! I am sure that he has more dinos than jurassaic park, how he manages to sleep with them all in his bed is a mystery. All in all it was a wonderful day out.
It has been a quiet week as far as schooling-a lot of the time we spent getting ready for thanksgiving. Sam was a fantastic help in the kitchen and with the cleaning. We talked a lot about thanksgiving, its history and what he is thankful for. He really enjoyed talking about the fact that the president pardens a turkey every year so we visited the white house website and voted on the names for the presidental turkey. that then led on to a discussion about where the president lives, what the does and why he has so many pets! His two dogs and cats are quite the filmakers and have several short movies on the site. Sam now thinks that Miko should make a movie for our blog...watch this space!! We have also had interesting discussions about alexander the great and have started watching the dvd of "In the footsteps of Alexander" with Michael Wood. We have all been glued to it and are going to get more of his series as they are very compelling. Shame we can't find them at the library-those are the sort of things they ought to have really.
Miko is still loosing teeth and is getting bolder as far as food goes. If I leave something on the counter top she will try to get it when my back is turned. She managed to lick a whole pile of tortillas on friday so I had to throw them out. With what she snacks on the amount of germs in her mouth don't bear thinking about. We took her for a long watlk in bradgate today. She and sam were covered in mud by the time we got back to the car but we managed to tucker them both out. It is so beautiful up there, would love on one of the higher peaks in the park.
Friday, November 24, 2006
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
New Experiences
We have all had a few new experiences the past few days. Today sam and I went to a meeting of the leicester home ed group with our friends V & I. We went with open minds and were keen to meet people and make friends. Sadly we were disapointed as were V & I. It was so unstructed that nothing was laid on and there was a very loose theme of topps trump cards. We brought ours and sam and I had a good couple of games against V & I but he could not interest anyone else in playing. There were a few toys but they were all for much younger children and in the end sam and a few of the other boys played tag in the yard. We were so lucky with our old groups and really miss them and all our friends. Sadly, sam's french class clashes with it so not sure when we will be able to go back. V & I came away with the idea of starting our own group-a la muddlepuddle style and I think that we will have a go. There may well be other people out there in the area who would like something a bit more structured but also full of fun. We are seeing them later in the week so will have a go at a bit of planning.
Miko's new experience was Ikea. We pottered up there on sat and while they wouldn't let her in she had a good walk around the outside. She would have dearly loved a hot dog and an ice cream but we were afraid that it would be too rich for her tummy. It has been quite upset the last few days so she has been back in her crate at night. After getting up in the early hours of sunday morning to clean up lots of disgusting puddles we decided that was the best course of action. When everything has cleared up she can come back to our bedroom.
We are having guests for thanksgiving next thursday so prepartions are in full swing. Sam has decided that he wants to do table decorations so we are going crafty for the rest of the week. The lovely ocado man should be delivering all the food on monday so hopefully the cooking will be straight forward. Sam has promised to help with the pies-why am I not surprised!
We are both very excited as M and the boys are coming to visit and we are all going to the space centre. Sam is very put out that Miko can't come, after all he argued they have sent a dog into space so why can't she go and look at rockets. Can't fault his logic but I don't think they will see it that way.
Miko's new experience was Ikea. We pottered up there on sat and while they wouldn't let her in she had a good walk around the outside. She would have dearly loved a hot dog and an ice cream but we were afraid that it would be too rich for her tummy. It has been quite upset the last few days so she has been back in her crate at night. After getting up in the early hours of sunday morning to clean up lots of disgusting puddles we decided that was the best course of action. When everything has cleared up she can come back to our bedroom.
We are having guests for thanksgiving next thursday so prepartions are in full swing. Sam has decided that he wants to do table decorations so we are going crafty for the rest of the week. The lovely ocado man should be delivering all the food on monday so hopefully the cooking will be straight forward. Sam has promised to help with the pies-why am I not surprised!
We are both very excited as M and the boys are coming to visit and we are all going to the space centre. Sam is very put out that Miko can't come, after all he argued they have sent a dog into space so why can't she go and look at rockets. Can't fault his logic but I don't think they will see it that way.
Saturday, November 11, 2006
Quiet times
things have been fairly quiet here recently, hence the lack of blogging. There have been lots of normals, visits with friends and lots of family time. We have explored local parks with Miko and just generally enjoyed ourselves. Made an impromtu visit to ashby castle this week as M had not been and it was too nice a day to stay in.
Schoolwise things are going well. Sam is almost finished Singapore 1B math and explode the code 3. He has settled into work and is happy most days to sit down and learn. We are both really enjoying french lessons, they are once a week a now and it is a really nice group. The children are all about sam's age and I think we spend as long after the lesson in the park with them as we do in the lesson itself. Sam is doing well at tennis and swimming and seems to be working hard and paying attention in both.
Schoolwise things are going well. Sam is almost finished Singapore 1B math and explode the code 3. He has settled into work and is happy most days to sit down and learn. We are both really enjoying french lessons, they are once a week a now and it is a really nice group. The children are all about sam's age and I think we spend as long after the lesson in the park with them as we do in the lesson itself. Sam is doing well at tennis and swimming and seems to be working hard and paying attention in both.
Friday, November 10, 2006
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Happy Halloween!!
A spooky hello to you all. We have had a fun day learning about the origins of halloween and watching clips of haunted houses on www.historychannel.com. The halloween discussion led to lots of other discussions about new religions and cultures adopting the celebrations of older traditions and making them their own. This then led to a discussion about the roman empire and the catholic church. All in all an interesting dashing around history. Did you know that trick or treating is originally english? On all hallows eve people would bake cakes and give them to the poor who would go door to door and offer to pray for the dead of the family in return for food. They really shouldn't give us americans a hard time about it then, since it was their own invention-we just expanded on it.
A quiet day yesterday, lots of normals and me feeling sorry for myself due to the sniffles. Miko had two walks and sam next door came over after school and the boys played with sam's new dino attack lego. Why with boys does it always come down to fighting and war?? When I tried to get them to have the dinos be nice and create a nice habitat for them they both looked at me like I was mad. Oh for the peaceful days of barbies!
A quiet day yesterday, lots of normals and me feeling sorry for myself due to the sniffles. Miko had two walks and sam next door came over after school and the boys played with sam's new dino attack lego. Why with boys does it always come down to fighting and war?? When I tried to get them to have the dinos be nice and create a nice habitat for them they both looked at me like I was mad. Oh for the peaceful days of barbies!
Monday, October 30, 2006
usborne christmas order
I have decided to have a cyber usborne party in the run up to christmas. If you would like a books for giving leaflet or full catalogue please let me know. You can also see the full range of books at www.usbornebooks.co.uk. I am offering 10% off all orders and will deliver/post out the books when they arrive. I will be placing the order on November 27th so if you want anything please let me know by then. If you need any info please don't hesitate to ask.
Quick catch up
sorry about about the lack of blogging. last week ended up being busier than I thought it was going to be and fell into bed shattered each night with out giving blogging a second thought. We saw lots of friends last week, which was lovely and went on lots of long walks with Miko. She is into chewing everything at the moment, nothing is safe, including bannisters! She and sam are getting on better now-provided she doesn't touch his fluffy toys or his lego. M's parents came up on saturday and we spent a nice day with them. They had a good holiday and came bearing lego for sam and lovely pressies for M and I as well. He is still working on putting it all together. He has done very well with it, considering it is all aimed at 8+ and has put it all together on the whole by himself.
We are all suffering a bit with colds so will try and have a quiet week this week, not sure if we will achieve it or not.
We are all suffering a bit with colds so will try and have a quiet week this week, not sure if we will achieve it or not.
Monday, October 23, 2006
Tuckered Out..
just about describes all of us ( except the cats of course). We had so much fun on M's week off that we are all knackered. We did trips out just about everyday as well as taking Miko on long walks. I think M went back to work today for a rest! Yesterday the boys planted a butterfly garden and bless him sam spent most of the day checking the plants for insect visitors. I tried to explain we probably wouldn't get any residents until the spring but he is undeterred and intends to check the plants every day. Hope we get a few winter visitor, don't know how he is going to wait until spring!
Today was back to school for us so while the rest of the children in the neigborhood were celebrating half term, evil mommy made sam do normals. He didn't mind too much though and quickly settled into work. We are taking it easy this week as we have a few playdates with school friends. M came with us to puppy class tonight and we all had fun. Miko had so much fun that she didn't want to leave! She tried to run back into the hall as we were putting her in the car. She is now sacked out in the kitchen, too pooped to lift a paw. She is a lot calmer tonight-the diwali fireworks the last few nights have really spooked her. She refused to even go out in the garden last night once it got dark. I don't know how she did it but she managed to make it through the night without a single puddle. She and the cats have reached an understanding, they won't swat her if she doesn't try and play with them. They are all quite relaxed about each other and Gizmo is currently asleep only a few feet away from her.
Sam is very good with her and loves taking her out for walks. The only problem is I am not sure who is walking who!
Today was back to school for us so while the rest of the children in the neigborhood were celebrating half term, evil mommy made sam do normals. He didn't mind too much though and quickly settled into work. We are taking it easy this week as we have a few playdates with school friends. M came with us to puppy class tonight and we all had fun. Miko had so much fun that she didn't want to leave! She tried to run back into the hall as we were putting her in the car. She is now sacked out in the kitchen, too pooped to lift a paw. She is a lot calmer tonight-the diwali fireworks the last few nights have really spooked her. She refused to even go out in the garden last night once it got dark. I don't know how she did it but she managed to make it through the night without a single puddle. She and the cats have reached an understanding, they won't swat her if she doesn't try and play with them. They are all quite relaxed about each other and Gizmo is currently asleep only a few feet away from her.
Sam is very good with her and loves taking her out for walks. The only problem is I am not sure who is walking who!
Thursday, October 19, 2006
Brilliant Birmingham
Today we went to Birmingham to visit the sealife center. Birmingham is only about 50 miles away but with traffic and the wrong post-code in the tom-tom it took us almost 2 hours to get there. It was well worth the trip though as the aquarium was great. They made good use of the space they had and had lots of interesting creatures to look at. It didn't quite come up to the standard of the monterey bay aquarium but then I don't think that anywere can. We had a really enjoyable time there and had lunch in a great place next to the grand union canal. It was called the Handmade burger co. and the burgers were almost as good as homemade. It was a real find and we will definately be back on our next trip to birmingham. We didn't get to wander around too much as we had to get home to Miko. It looks like a great place to explore so we will be going back.
By the time we got back it was late afternoon, just time for a walk, then dinner, some Blue Planet and bed for the monster. He had quite a milestone today. On our walk we went down to the paper shop so that he could get this month's issue of the HotWheels magazine. They wouldn't allow Miko in the store though, and rather than leave him outsite with her I said that he could go in on his own. I could see him the whole time so I knew he would be safe. He had complete confidence in his mission and soon emerged triumphant with the magazine. I was so proud. He is such a fantastic child.
By the time we got back it was late afternoon, just time for a walk, then dinner, some Blue Planet and bed for the monster. He had quite a milestone today. On our walk we went down to the paper shop so that he could get this month's issue of the HotWheels magazine. They wouldn't allow Miko in the store though, and rather than leave him outsite with her I said that he could go in on his own. I could see him the whole time so I knew he would be safe. He had complete confidence in his mission and soon emerged triumphant with the magazine. I was so proud. He is such a fantastic child.
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
family fun...
is what we have been having the last few days. M has been off since saturday and still has the rest of the the week off so we have been taking advantage of the nice weather by having lots of family days out. We have hit all the major local parks and few that aren't local. Having Miko has really helped us to get out and enjoy the beautiful country around us. Miko has gone everywhere with us and when she wasn't allowed in somewhere she slept in the car. She is almost better in the car than she is in her crate.
Today we ended up at burghley house and had a lovely wander in the grounds. The deer roam free and we were treated to lots of close encounters with them. Miko went crazy and thought that they were potential playmates-or possibly dinner! We ran into J and her boys which was a nice surprise. We helped them to gather chestnuts before heading home.
Yesterday we went to the coventry air museum ( the one sam and I visited while M was away). The boys had a ball and I had fun trying to convince Miko that rabbit droppings are not a new snack food. She is very good in new situations and meeting new people and didn't bat an eyelid at all the big planes and strange people. The boys bought an airfix model of the new Typhoon fighter which should keep them busy all winter.
Tomorrow we are off to the sea life center in birminghamm san is very excited. It should be a fun day out. Thursday morning we are going to a free screening of cars so the next few days should be pretty action packed.
We haven't done any normals so far this week but with all our field trips I think that he is still getting and education. We start back to work on monday, with science though, so he shouldn't mind too much.
Today we ended up at burghley house and had a lovely wander in the grounds. The deer roam free and we were treated to lots of close encounters with them. Miko went crazy and thought that they were potential playmates-or possibly dinner! We ran into J and her boys which was a nice surprise. We helped them to gather chestnuts before heading home.
Yesterday we went to the coventry air museum ( the one sam and I visited while M was away). The boys had a ball and I had fun trying to convince Miko that rabbit droppings are not a new snack food. She is very good in new situations and meeting new people and didn't bat an eyelid at all the big planes and strange people. The boys bought an airfix model of the new Typhoon fighter which should keep them busy all winter.
Tomorrow we are off to the sea life center in birminghamm san is very excited. It should be a fun day out. Thursday morning we are going to a free screening of cars so the next few days should be pretty action packed.
We haven't done any normals so far this week but with all our field trips I think that he is still getting and education. We start back to work on monday, with science though, so he shouldn't mind too much.
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
Settling in
We are all settling in to life with a puppy and are getting fitter for it! Two walks a day are tiring out both puppy and sam. He actually slept until 8am today, a record in our house! Miko seems to be adjusting to us but can be a bit standoffish. I think she would prefer to lie the garden on her own than cuddle us. From what I could see of her life at the breeders, the puppies were left to their own devices and spent lots of time going in and out to the back yard. We are working really hard to make her into a member of the family and I think she is responding. She spent ages today playing up in sam's room with us. She started puppy classes last night and she and sam had a ball. She made lots of friends and can now pretty much sit on command. Not bad for one evening. Sam was over the moon because not only did he get to help with the training but he also got to pet all the puppies in the class. He has now decided that he wants a house full of puppies and is going to save all his money to his end....HELP!!!
We have had lots of fun so far this week with art and history. We painted our own fresco (pics to follow). It was fun mixing the plaster and then seeing which type of paint worked best. The water paints were easier to use, so we did most of the painting with them. Sam chose the theme-it is a greek trimarine ship, off to do battle at troy. Don't you just love home education.
Today we braved the Boden Clearance sale at the local football ground-talk about a yummy mummy bun fight. Never have I seen women go so loopy at a sale and that includes nct nearly new sales. Women were filling basket after basket-the prices were good but they weren't that good. There was nothing at all left in sam's size and I couldn't even get near the women's clothes to have a good look. If I go next year I go early and I go alone.
We had a lovely day on saturday with M's parents. They came up to spend the day and we went to bradgate park. What a fantastic place!! Can't believe that it has taken us 6 months to get there. Lots of romantic ruins, deer and fantastic scenery. We will definately be going back there.
We have had lots of fun so far this week with art and history. We painted our own fresco (pics to follow). It was fun mixing the plaster and then seeing which type of paint worked best. The water paints were easier to use, so we did most of the painting with them. Sam chose the theme-it is a greek trimarine ship, off to do battle at troy. Don't you just love home education.
Today we braved the Boden Clearance sale at the local football ground-talk about a yummy mummy bun fight. Never have I seen women go so loopy at a sale and that includes nct nearly new sales. Women were filling basket after basket-the prices were good but they weren't that good. There was nothing at all left in sam's size and I couldn't even get near the women's clothes to have a good look. If I go next year I go early and I go alone.
We had a lovely day on saturday with M's parents. They came up to spend the day and we went to bradgate park. What a fantastic place!! Can't believe that it has taken us 6 months to get there. Lots of romantic ruins, deer and fantastic scenery. We will definately be going back there.
Thursday, October 05, 2006
Puppy Love
It is official, despite the occasional accident and bad breath we all love Miko. She has now mastered both up and down on the stairs and can sort of walk on a leash. She went for 3 walks today to help her (and us practice). Sam is delighted with her and can't wait until they are both experienced enough for him to be able to walk her on the leash. I let him walk her within the courtyard but not out on the sidewalk. He thinks she is lots of fun and despite the rain has been happy to walk her and play with her outside. She and the cats are still wary of one another but she hasn't chased them and they in turn haven't swatted her so there must be some sort of understanding going on.
Sam thinks normals are much more fun with Miko around and insists that she snuggle up with us for read alouds. He is disapointed that she is not very good at math though! He made her watch Cats and Dogs with him the other night but I don't think that she was too impressed, she wasn't that fussed with Scooby Doo either which sam couldn't understand. I think that he is going to go through his entire DVD collection until he finds something she likes. As long as I don't have to sit through them all I don't mind.
Sam thinks normals are much more fun with Miko around and insists that she snuggle up with us for read alouds. He is disapointed that she is not very good at math though! He made her watch Cats and Dogs with him the other night but I don't think that she was too impressed, she wasn't that fussed with Scooby Doo either which sam couldn't understand. I think that he is going to go through his entire DVD collection until he finds something she likes. As long as I don't have to sit through them all I don't mind.
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
An addition to the family
As you can see from the photos below our family has expanded to include another girl, albeit a canine one. Her name is Miko and she is a 14 week old japanese Akita. We got her from the japanese akita welfare trust as her breeder could no longer care for her. She is absolutely adorable and everyone (except possibly the cats is in love with her. Sam is beside himself to have a dog and M beamed from ear to ear when he saw her. I think she is adorble and look forward to the challenge of training her. We have decided that she is not going to be exclusively home educated-dog trainig is so out of my realm of experience that we are going to puppy classes. Our first one is monday night-maybe by then she might have learnt her name! Her big accomplishment of the day today was to master going up stairs. Going down them is proving somewhat trickier.
The rest of last week passed in a blur. M got home safely and had a good trip. We had fairly quiet days at the end of the week and a low key weekend. For most of the weekend I had two sons called sam as sam from next door decided that our house was the place to be. My sam was of course delighted and they were busy hatching plans for extended sleepovers. thankfully they are all for an unspecified time in the future.
We did very little seat work last week as we were busy on lots of field trips. Yesterday, despite driving 200 miles round trip to pick up Miko we managed to do all our work. Today Miko helped us with school work which delighed sam. She has agreed to teach him japanese and he in turn is going to teach her how to write the word dog. sounds like a great arrangement to me.
The rest of last week passed in a blur. M got home safely and had a good trip. We had fairly quiet days at the end of the week and a low key weekend. For most of the weekend I had two sons called sam as sam from next door decided that our house was the place to be. My sam was of course delighted and they were busy hatching plans for extended sleepovers. thankfully they are all for an unspecified time in the future.
We did very little seat work last week as we were busy on lots of field trips. Yesterday, despite driving 200 miles round trip to pick up Miko we managed to do all our work. Today Miko helped us with school work which delighed sam. She has agreed to teach him japanese and he in turn is going to teach her how to write the word dog. sounds like a great arrangement to me.
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
A jolly good adventure..
Help! I have heard so much secret 7 and famous 5 over the last few days that I am in danger of starting to speak like them. We have spent a lot of time in the car the last few days and the story cds of choice (sam's not mine!) have been "three cheers for the secret 7" and "the 5 on billycock hill". The stories themselves are good but it is the language that drives me mad. They are so rude to people they don't like and don't hesitate to tell people to "shut up" and other such friendly phrases. I appreciate that this is a lot better than some of the things that children come out with these days but it is still not very nice. Sam loves the stories because the adventures are so exciting but even he agrees that the secret 7 are very mean to one of the character's little sister. Actually come to think of it there is a lot of rudeness in Enid Blyton's books, wonder why?
Anyway, despite missing M very much sam and I have had a nice couple of days-as evidenced by the photos. After droping M off at coventry airfield (don't think it is big enough to be called an airport) we visited Kenilworth Castle and then an air museum. I think sam enjoyed both equally but the castle was much more my thing. Sam took great delight in taking lots of photos-most of which turned out really well. He is getting to be quite a good photographer.
Monday was the big day...Legoland!! Both traffic and weather were kind to us (at least for most of the day) and we managed to spend nearly the whole day there. My friend Melanie and her youngest D (my goddaughter) met us and it was lovely to be able to spend time with them. Sam loved legoland and despite going on most of the rides, the thing he liked most was miniland. He loved following the trains, boats and cars as they moved round the various countries. I think that he could have easily spent most of the day in that part of the park. We did all the rides that he wanted to do, with minimum fuss. The lines were very short so we were able to get lots done. He had to visit each gift shop before deciding to part with his hard earned cash but in the end decided that three little things were better than one big thing-quite sensible if you ask me. The drive home seemed to take forever but was brigtened up by seeing a double rainbow.
Today we went to visit my friend Louisa and her family and sam had a glorious day playing with dogs and stomping around the countryside. It was a lovely visit and the weather was perfect for spending most of the day out of doors. We went sloe and blackberry picking so will be spending tomorrow making sloe gin and blackberry crumble. Sam had a ball playing with panda and magic the dogs and I am not sure who was more exhausted when we left him or them! We have spent this evening becomming totally addicted to the computer game Zoo Tycoon. We picked it up for 99p at sainsburys over the weekend and gave it a trial run tonight. What a fun game! Who knew that running a zoo could be so much fun and so educational! Not only did we have to learn about animals and there habitats but we also had to think about the finance of running our zoo-which we weren't too good at. When we ended the game we were in debt-but the zoo was fantastic.
A quiet day tomorrow I think and then off to coventry in the evening to pick up M.
Anyway, despite missing M very much sam and I have had a nice couple of days-as evidenced by the photos. After droping M off at coventry airfield (don't think it is big enough to be called an airport) we visited Kenilworth Castle and then an air museum. I think sam enjoyed both equally but the castle was much more my thing. Sam took great delight in taking lots of photos-most of which turned out really well. He is getting to be quite a good photographer.
Monday was the big day...Legoland!! Both traffic and weather were kind to us (at least for most of the day) and we managed to spend nearly the whole day there. My friend Melanie and her youngest D (my goddaughter) met us and it was lovely to be able to spend time with them. Sam loved legoland and despite going on most of the rides, the thing he liked most was miniland. He loved following the trains, boats and cars as they moved round the various countries. I think that he could have easily spent most of the day in that part of the park. We did all the rides that he wanted to do, with minimum fuss. The lines were very short so we were able to get lots done. He had to visit each gift shop before deciding to part with his hard earned cash but in the end decided that three little things were better than one big thing-quite sensible if you ask me. The drive home seemed to take forever but was brigtened up by seeing a double rainbow.
Today we went to visit my friend Louisa and her family and sam had a glorious day playing with dogs and stomping around the countryside. It was a lovely visit and the weather was perfect for spending most of the day out of doors. We went sloe and blackberry picking so will be spending tomorrow making sloe gin and blackberry crumble. Sam had a ball playing with panda and magic the dogs and I am not sure who was more exhausted when we left him or them! We have spent this evening becomming totally addicted to the computer game Zoo Tycoon. We picked it up for 99p at sainsburys over the weekend and gave it a trial run tonight. What a fun game! Who knew that running a zoo could be so much fun and so educational! Not only did we have to learn about animals and there habitats but we also had to think about the finance of running our zoo-which we weren't too good at. When we ended the game we were in debt-but the zoo was fantastic.
A quiet day tomorrow I think and then off to coventry in the evening to pick up M.
Monday, September 25, 2006
In a hurry to get to the gift shop
Our last stop of the day was the gift shop and here he is in a hurry to get there. He spend ages trying to decide what to spend his money on and in the end decided on three small things rather than one big thing.
captain sam
This is sam steering the boat on the boating school ride. Between the two of us we managed to end up going the wrong way on the one way system and had to be turned around by one of the legoland crew.
Saturday, September 23, 2006
Thursday, September 21, 2006
Just call me Steffi
My new racket arrived yesterday (thank you ebay! Only £1.30) and you will be amazed to learn that my game has not improved. Guess a swish new (to me anyway)racket does not automatically play better. Still, Sam and I had fun-and he is improving which is the whole point of the excercise. The courts are always completely empty when we go, it is like having our own private court. The benefits of home ed!! I am sure that if we were to go on a weekend they would be packed.
More normals and david attenborough the last two days. While watching yesterday's dvd Sam suddenly remarked that david attenborough looked very similar to the grandfather in jurassic park. Talk about powers of observation-even knowing that david and richard attenborough are brothers I struggle to find the resemblance-he made a connection between them and didn't even know that they were related. He was interested to learn that the brothers spent quite a bit of time here in leicester as their father was dean of the university.
The weather has been so glorious the last two days that we have spent our afternoons outdoors. Today we played some long complicated game involving invisible pteradons, the gang from scooby doo and two hot wheels cars. I love it that he is developing a good imagination-even if it does involve dangerous reptiles and goofy teenagers.
Today was the award ceremony at the library for all those children who completed the summer reading scheme. Sam was chuffed with his certificate but even more pleased with his spy pen. It is one of those ones where you write the message in one color ink -which appears to be invisible, then when you rub over it with the other side of the pen your message magically appears. He has spent all evening writing out messages to me.
A quiet morning tomorrow and then french in the afternoon. If it is nice again we may try and fit in a game of tennis on our way home.
More normals and david attenborough the last two days. While watching yesterday's dvd Sam suddenly remarked that david attenborough looked very similar to the grandfather in jurassic park. Talk about powers of observation-even knowing that david and richard attenborough are brothers I struggle to find the resemblance-he made a connection between them and didn't even know that they were related. He was interested to learn that the brothers spent quite a bit of time here in leicester as their father was dean of the university.
The weather has been so glorious the last two days that we have spent our afternoons outdoors. Today we played some long complicated game involving invisible pteradons, the gang from scooby doo and two hot wheels cars. I love it that he is developing a good imagination-even if it does involve dangerous reptiles and goofy teenagers.
Today was the award ceremony at the library for all those children who completed the summer reading scheme. Sam was chuffed with his certificate but even more pleased with his spy pen. It is one of those ones where you write the message in one color ink -which appears to be invisible, then when you rub over it with the other side of the pen your message magically appears. He has spent all evening writing out messages to me.
A quiet morning tomorrow and then french in the afternoon. If it is nice again we may try and fit in a game of tennis on our way home.
Monday, September 18, 2006
Too much of a good thing..
I should be grateful that sam is starting to embrace reading, that he feels confident to try his hand at reading most anything and when he does try he is usually right. I am not that happy however, because he has discovered that he can read-on his own-two children's joke books that we have recently acquired. I thought that I would read a couple of jokes a week to him and that would be that.. Oh no!! He spent all of yesterday following me reading out joke after joke, I wouldn't have minded so much but they jokes were truely unfunny. I am happy that it least it did not contain knock knock jokes as after reading a few real ones he goes on to make up his own and then insists on telling it over and over again! It wouldn't be so bad if he would vary the punch line but he doesn't. All joking aside I am a very proud mommy that he can read his own joke books, even if the jokes aren't that funny and some of them don't make sense. He is gaining in confidence everyday and I am sure that it won't be long until he is on to books with funnier jokes. He loves telling the jokes and M and I make sure that we laugh at every single one. I feel like we have crossed our first major hurdle. My next major one is to get him to love numbers and math. It is such an important part of everyday life and I don't want him to grow up numberphobic.
We had a fairly laid back weekend and didn't really do anything of note. We spent most of yesterday out in the backyard as the weather was so nice. We played lots of games and then went on to junk modeling to build a race course for sam's hotwheels. I even managed to sit and read for a while. I just finished Suite Francaise by Irene Nemirovsky and it was fantastic. I can not recommend it highly enough. It is about life in occupied france and what makes it more captivating is that it was written without the benefit of hindsight. The author lived through the first part of the occupation and had great plans for a novel on the scale of war and peace but unfortuantely was sent to the camps and died there. It is about people getting on with life despite what was going on around them and the author had the chance to finish the book I am sure that it would have been even more unputdownable.
We had a fairly laid back weekend and didn't really do anything of note. We spent most of yesterday out in the backyard as the weather was so nice. We played lots of games and then went on to junk modeling to build a race course for sam's hotwheels. I even managed to sit and read for a while. I just finished Suite Francaise by Irene Nemirovsky and it was fantastic. I can not recommend it highly enough. It is about life in occupied france and what makes it more captivating is that it was written without the benefit of hindsight. The author lived through the first part of the occupation and had great plans for a novel on the scale of war and peace but unfortuantely was sent to the camps and died there. It is about people getting on with life despite what was going on around them and the author had the chance to finish the book I am sure that it would have been even more unputdownable.
Friday, September 15, 2006
Into the groove
We have certainly gotten back into the habit of a more structured approach to our day-hence the lack of blogging. We are busy all morning and early afternoon with school type stuff and then playing or out for the rest of the day. Sam certainly seems happier to be doing stuff and there have been no tears over math lately. ( shouldn't have written that should I? now there are bound to be tears on monday!) His reading is coming on in leaps and bounds as his his general comprehension. He will now drop facts into conversation-things that we may have covered days before or not at all and he has picked them up on his own. He seems to have boundless energy at the moment so am trying to keep him active in the afternoons. We played tennis on monday-he is definately improving, though the same can't be said for me. We hope to fit in a trip to the pool tomorrow and he has tennis lessons on sunday morning so it should be a pretty active weekend.
We have had two playdates this week L and M who live in the next village and V and I who live right around the corner. I is a bit younger than Sam but the two got on really well and it is nice to know that we have friends within walking distance. Sam and M and tons of fun when we went round there to play and L and I got to catch up on what had been happening all summer. Haven't yet made it to the local home ed group, forces keep conspiring against us. We will make it there though this side of halloween.
We have been collecting the David Attenborough DVDs in the paper this week and sam has been mesmorized. We all have learned so much and been so entertained that we are considering getting the box set of all the series for xmas. By the way it is only 100 days until xmas so time to start panicing about the shopping. Have already bought sam two things but that is all I have done so far.
We have had two playdates this week L and M who live in the next village and V and I who live right around the corner. I is a bit younger than Sam but the two got on really well and it is nice to know that we have friends within walking distance. Sam and M and tons of fun when we went round there to play and L and I got to catch up on what had been happening all summer. Haven't yet made it to the local home ed group, forces keep conspiring against us. We will make it there though this side of halloween.
We have been collecting the David Attenborough DVDs in the paper this week and sam has been mesmorized. We all have learned so much and been so entertained that we are considering getting the box set of all the series for xmas. By the way it is only 100 days until xmas so time to start panicing about the shopping. Have already bought sam two things but that is all I have done so far.
Monday, September 11, 2006
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
Pretty good week so far..
All in all it has been a pretty good week so far. We are back on track with normals thanks to a new updated timetable-that offers lots of science and make and do for sam and written work to satisfy me. He had lots of fun with latin this morning-we had to make up sentences describing people we knew. thankfully they were all nice descriptive words-like clever and pretty. He really enjoys languages and math-he must have a very ordered mind.
There have been three highlights of the week for the young master-the first was receiving a treckker microscope from my aunt. It is a hand held field microscope and is very cool. He has spent the last few days collecting things to look at. The website is www.looksmall.co.uk. I can really recomend the microscope-just don't take it out on a walk if you are in a hurry to get somewhere-chances are your journey will take twice as long!!
The second exciting thing from sam's pov was the grand openning of starbucks in the shopping center that is 5 minutes walk from us. It openned on monday and he insisted that we be there at 8, just incase they were giving away free muffins. He didn't have to twist my arm too hard it has to be said. While they weren't giving away free muffins we did get our whole order free (including a bag of ground coffee and a newspaper) because the chip and pin machines weren't working yet!!! The manager was very apologetic and insisted on giving us the order. What a way to start a monday!
The day only got better too as the third highlight of the week was getting together with all the boys. As usual it was complete bedlam but a good time was had by all. We haven't seem much of them over the summer and now I don't expect we will get to see anyone until half term. A is the exception to this as he is now home educated much to sam's delight.
Yesterday was sam's first swimming lesson of the term. He has to wear a yellow swimming cap which pleases him not at all but I expect he will soon get used to it. He seemed to enjoy himself and I chatted to one of the other moms so it looks promising.
There have been three highlights of the week for the young master-the first was receiving a treckker microscope from my aunt. It is a hand held field microscope and is very cool. He has spent the last few days collecting things to look at. The website is www.looksmall.co.uk. I can really recomend the microscope-just don't take it out on a walk if you are in a hurry to get somewhere-chances are your journey will take twice as long!!
The second exciting thing from sam's pov was the grand openning of starbucks in the shopping center that is 5 minutes walk from us. It openned on monday and he insisted that we be there at 8, just incase they were giving away free muffins. He didn't have to twist my arm too hard it has to be said. While they weren't giving away free muffins we did get our whole order free (including a bag of ground coffee and a newspaper) because the chip and pin machines weren't working yet!!! The manager was very apologetic and insisted on giving us the order. What a way to start a monday!
The day only got better too as the third highlight of the week was getting together with all the boys. As usual it was complete bedlam but a good time was had by all. We haven't seem much of them over the summer and now I don't expect we will get to see anyone until half term. A is the exception to this as he is now home educated much to sam's delight.
Yesterday was sam's first swimming lesson of the term. He has to wear a yellow swimming cap which pleases him not at all but I expect he will soon get used to it. He seemed to enjoy himself and I chatted to one of the other moms so it looks promising.
Sunday, September 03, 2006
Low key..
that about sums up our weekend. M was on nights so sam and I pottered while he slept and then we had a family trip to the pool.
Saturday and and I ventured out in the wind and rain to sign him up for tennis lessons. We went to one of the local clubs who was having an open day. He starts on sunday and his coach is the same man he had earlier in the summer. The lessons will be indoors thank goodness but are at 9am on sundays! Oh well, at least starbucks will be open he finishes and we can do up there for a sunday morning treat. We also joined our local tennis club so that we can go along and practice while everyone else is at work and school. Even managed to find myself a racket on ebay for only £1.31!! he is very keen to get going and can't wait for his first lesson.
This morning we organised all our school books and now I feel almost ready to start the new school year. I also did lots of planning for craft activities and art projects so short of finding all the supplies we are pretty much there. It is so nice to have the books in some sort of order, they were just dumped on the shelves when we moved in and not organised. Just hope that I am able to make this year fun for him, it disheartens me when he says he doesn't like doing this or that because I feel that I have failed. He needs to learn but above all I want him to enjoy himself while he is doing it. I console myself with the thought that at least he is having more fun here than if he were at school.
All of his lessons, swimming, tennis and french start this week so it should be a good chance for us both to start making more local friends. I also have the schedule for the local home ed group so we will go along to an event very soon. the french class is run by the local home ed group so that will be a good start to getting to know the local scene.
Saturday and and I ventured out in the wind and rain to sign him up for tennis lessons. We went to one of the local clubs who was having an open day. He starts on sunday and his coach is the same man he had earlier in the summer. The lessons will be indoors thank goodness but are at 9am on sundays! Oh well, at least starbucks will be open he finishes and we can do up there for a sunday morning treat. We also joined our local tennis club so that we can go along and practice while everyone else is at work and school. Even managed to find myself a racket on ebay for only £1.31!! he is very keen to get going and can't wait for his first lesson.
This morning we organised all our school books and now I feel almost ready to start the new school year. I also did lots of planning for craft activities and art projects so short of finding all the supplies we are pretty much there. It is so nice to have the books in some sort of order, they were just dumped on the shelves when we moved in and not organised. Just hope that I am able to make this year fun for him, it disheartens me when he says he doesn't like doing this or that because I feel that I have failed. He needs to learn but above all I want him to enjoy himself while he is doing it. I console myself with the thought that at least he is having more fun here than if he were at school.
All of his lessons, swimming, tennis and french start this week so it should be a good chance for us both to start making more local friends. I also have the schedule for the local home ed group so we will go along to an event very soon. the french class is run by the local home ed group so that will be a good start to getting to know the local scene.
Friday, September 01, 2006
Books
Thank you Elle at Ellesfuntimes for tagging me-sorry it has taken me so long to post.
ONE BOOK THAT CHANGED YOUR LIFE: The FountainHead by Ayn Rand. I read it my senior year in high school and it helped me to make sense of the world around me.
ONE BOOK THAT YOU’VE READ MORE THAN ONCE: a Traveller in Time by Allison Uttely-one of my all time favorite books, I love the romance of it and I would love to be able to travel in time like the main character.
TWO BOOKS YOU’D WANT ON A DESERT ISLAND: Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand and an omibus edition of all the paddington books by michael bond. Bewteen the two of them I would have all the reading material I need.
ONE BOOK THAT MADE YOU LAUGH: The growing pains of Adrian Mole by Sue Townsend. I laughed all the way from Boston to Florida by train while reading this.
ONE BOOK THAT MADE YOU CRY: My Best Friend's Girl. Not many books make me cry but this one made me tear up in places.
ONE BOOK YOU WISH HAD BEEN WRITTEN: Harry Potter
ONE BOOK YOU WISH HAD NEVER BEEN WRITTEN: Can't think of any-every book has its merrit even it you don't believe in its message.
ONE BOOK THAT YOU ARE CURRENTLY READING: The Man of my dreams by Curtis Sittenfield. Really good so far-I can really relate to the main characters college experience.
ONE BOOK YOU HAVE BEEN MEANING TO READ: Suite Francais
FIVE PEOPLE YOU TAG:
MK
Merry
Helen
Fiona
ONE BOOK THAT CHANGED YOUR LIFE: The FountainHead by Ayn Rand. I read it my senior year in high school and it helped me to make sense of the world around me.
ONE BOOK THAT YOU’VE READ MORE THAN ONCE: a Traveller in Time by Allison Uttely-one of my all time favorite books, I love the romance of it and I would love to be able to travel in time like the main character.
TWO BOOKS YOU’D WANT ON A DESERT ISLAND: Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand and an omibus edition of all the paddington books by michael bond. Bewteen the two of them I would have all the reading material I need.
ONE BOOK THAT MADE YOU LAUGH: The growing pains of Adrian Mole by Sue Townsend. I laughed all the way from Boston to Florida by train while reading this.
ONE BOOK THAT MADE YOU CRY: My Best Friend's Girl. Not many books make me cry but this one made me tear up in places.
ONE BOOK YOU WISH HAD BEEN WRITTEN: Harry Potter
ONE BOOK YOU WISH HAD NEVER BEEN WRITTEN: Can't think of any-every book has its merrit even it you don't believe in its message.
ONE BOOK THAT YOU ARE CURRENTLY READING: The Man of my dreams by Curtis Sittenfield. Really good so far-I can really relate to the main characters college experience.
ONE BOOK YOU HAVE BEEN MEANING TO READ: Suite Francais
FIVE PEOPLE YOU TAG:
MK
Merry
Helen
Fiona
sam cubed
Not only do we have one new neighbor with a son called sam but now we have two!! That brings the total of boys named sam to 3 in oliver close. Not bad considering that there are only 7 children in to total here. One sam is 9 and lives in the house attached to ours, the other lives in the big house at the end and looks as if he is about 17/18. My sam is over the moon with sam next door and sam next door for his part seems very happy to play with my sam despite their age difference. They have been in and out of the two houses all week and sam falls into bed exhausted each night with all the bike riding and soccer they have been playing. It is such a novelty to have a playmate living next door-sam is so delighted. For my part I have had some time to me while they have been playing-managed to start a new knitting project and do paper work all in the middle of the day. My sam can't understand why sam next door wants to go to school and thinks he should stay home and be home educated so they can play together.
A bit of a non descript week-we did normals, we sorted things out for the new school year, we explored leicester and we spent time with M. Have been in a funk most of the week-it is the end of summer blues. The nice weather has just about gone and it is time to turn my attention to more serious matters other than having fun and exploring. We are pretty sorted for the new school year-just have to sort out all the crafty bits for the first month.
We expect to have a low key weekend as M is on nights but hope to get out to the local tennis club who are having an open day tomorrow. Sam is very keen to join and as they haven't answered any of my emails this seems the perfect chance to find out more about them.
A bit of a non descript week-we did normals, we sorted things out for the new school year, we explored leicester and we spent time with M. Have been in a funk most of the week-it is the end of summer blues. The nice weather has just about gone and it is time to turn my attention to more serious matters other than having fun and exploring. We are pretty sorted for the new school year-just have to sort out all the crafty bits for the first month.
We expect to have a low key weekend as M is on nights but hope to get out to the local tennis club who are having an open day tomorrow. Sam is very keen to join and as they haven't answered any of my emails this seems the perfect chance to find out more about them.
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Tennis anyone??
Today was sam's third day of tennis and while the novelty is wearing off slightly he is still enjoying it. He is so eager and keen to try but he still only managed to get it over the net once today. It hasn't discouraged him though, he still marches up when it is his turn full of confince. I am a bit disapointed that the instructors have not been more hands on. This is a beginners class, not once have they been shown how to hold a racket or swing properly. I have tried my best to show my but has many of you out there know my tennis abilities are severely lacking. We had a go when we got home with a tennis ball and the rackets from his swing ball set and I think he is starting to catch on. I am very proud that he hasn't given up (because I know that I would have) and that he is still keen to joing a tennis club and do it on a regular basis. I have emailed the local tennis club about classes and hopefully they will have a spot for him.
He has really enjoyed the activies we have done through the council so will be on the look out for them at half term and the xmas break. We haven't gotten to know anyone new but at least he has had the opportunity to play lots of sports and meet a few new faces.
He has really enjoyed the activies we have done through the council so will be on the look out for them at half term and the xmas break. We haven't gotten to know anyone new but at least he has had the opportunity to play lots of sports and meet a few new faces.
Sunday, August 20, 2006
Sportsman of the week..
goes to young sam who has now played cricket, rugby, badminton and golf with tennis to come next week. Not to mention is weekly swimming lesson. So far he has enjoyed badminton the best, which surprised me as I thought he would really like ruby. I think he was put off by the fact it was tag rugby and he couldn't just go around tackling people at will. Once he has finished tennis next week we have said that he can choose one other activity (other than swimming) to do on a weekly basis. We have managed to find swimming lessons, though not sadly at the pool he is currently at. There the waiting list is about a year long! He will have to wear a swimming cap at these new lessons which he is not that keen on but he has no choice.
The week disapeared in a haze of sporting activities and thunderstorms. Managed to get caught in the bad one on thursday as we went into the sports hall for cricket. When we left two hours later my jeans were still soaking wet! Friday we went back to pborough for the dentist and to get the car serviced-luckily both had reasonable out comes. Managed to meet up with two of the boys which was delightful. Sam played for all he was worth and was on such a high that he didn't stop nattering the whole way home. With any luck we should be seeing all the boys at the beginning of sept before they go back to school.
A quiet weekend-we popped into the city centre yesterday to look for fil's bday present. Spent some time wandering aroundthe lanes-could be a very dangerous place to go shopping! lots of lovely stores-so mustn't go there without a sam escort. He is my voice of reason and will say "mummy you are not supposed to buy anything remember" So young and so wise. The boys bought an airfix model of the stealth bomber and spent the evening putting it together. I think all they have to do now is paint it.
Just pottered today-had a very lazy start to the day with a magic school bus marathon on dvd while we all snuggled under the duvet.
Busy week next week with tennis 4 out of the 5 days. It is in the afternoon though so no rushing out the door at the crack of dawn thankfully. Plan to spend the morning doing normals and the afternoon wearing sam out. sounds like a good combination.
The week disapeared in a haze of sporting activities and thunderstorms. Managed to get caught in the bad one on thursday as we went into the sports hall for cricket. When we left two hours later my jeans were still soaking wet! Friday we went back to pborough for the dentist and to get the car serviced-luckily both had reasonable out comes. Managed to meet up with two of the boys which was delightful. Sam played for all he was worth and was on such a high that he didn't stop nattering the whole way home. With any luck we should be seeing all the boys at the beginning of sept before they go back to school.
A quiet weekend-we popped into the city centre yesterday to look for fil's bday present. Spent some time wandering aroundthe lanes-could be a very dangerous place to go shopping! lots of lovely stores-so mustn't go there without a sam escort. He is my voice of reason and will say "mummy you are not supposed to buy anything remember" So young and so wise. The boys bought an airfix model of the stealth bomber and spent the evening putting it together. I think all they have to do now is paint it.
Just pottered today-had a very lazy start to the day with a magic school bus marathon on dvd while we all snuggled under the duvet.
Busy week next week with tennis 4 out of the 5 days. It is in the afternoon though so no rushing out the door at the crack of dawn thankfully. Plan to spend the morning doing normals and the afternoon wearing sam out. sounds like a good combination.
Tagged by Merry
1. One home schooling book you have enjoyed. Any of john holt's books. They really made me stop and think about the way children learn and the education system.
2. One resource you wouldn't be without: The Internet without a doubt.
3. One resource you wish you hadn't bought: Easy-Muzzy. To expensive, too dull and not at all fun.
4. One reasource you enjoyed last year: Young Scientist Club. A firm favorite with us all.
5. One resource you will be using next year: sonlight core 1.
6. One resouce you would like to buy: The entire inventory of amazon! Would like to buy a proper microscope and the set of minimus story books.
7. One resouce you wish exsisted: Friend in a box. For those times when sam is desparate to play with someone and I am not good enough.
8. One catalogue you like reading: Sonlight and Rainbow Resouces
9. One website you use: Google! We goole whenever we have a question we can't answer-which is a lot!
I tag:
Chris/Helen
Elaine
Jax
2. One resource you wouldn't be without: The Internet without a doubt.
3. One resource you wish you hadn't bought: Easy-Muzzy. To expensive, too dull and not at all fun.
4. One reasource you enjoyed last year: Young Scientist Club. A firm favorite with us all.
5. One resource you will be using next year: sonlight core 1.
6. One resouce you would like to buy: The entire inventory of amazon! Would like to buy a proper microscope and the set of minimus story books.
7. One resouce you wish exsisted: Friend in a box. For those times when sam is desparate to play with someone and I am not good enough.
8. One catalogue you like reading: Sonlight and Rainbow Resouces
9. One website you use: Google! We goole whenever we have a question we can't answer-which is a lot!
I tag:
Chris/Helen
Elaine
Jax
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
All round sportsman
that's my boy-or maybe not. Today he went to a tag rugby session and from where I sat it looked like he was having fun but when I asked him afterword if he had enjoyed himself he wasn't sure. I think he enjoyed the running around and the throwing and catching the ball, what I think he can't get his head around is being part of a team. He played well with the other boys and wasn't shy or subduded, he just hasn't grasped the concept of working together for a common goal-at least not in this context. We do team work at home all the time-but not in a sports context. Maybe the whole competitive thing is throwing him-he wants the ball and to do the running and doesn't quite get that he is there to help the other members of his team not work against them. I know it will come in time. Tomorrow is cricket so it will be interesting to see if he is starting to develop a bit more of a team spirit. Next week is tennis so it will be interesting to see which he prefers-team sports or solitary ones.
The last few days have been nice-way back on saturday my friend M and her family came to spend the day with us. The children spent their time alternating between lego and playmobil while the grown ups got to have a good gossip and I got lots of cuddles with my goddaughter. We had a wonderful time with them, we just wished that they were closer so we could see more of them. Despite only being in touch sporadically over the last 15 years we seem to have been able to pick up right where we left off which is so nice. I hope that sam is able to keep up with all his friends in the years to come as good friends are so important in life.
Tuesday we met my sil and nephews in pborough for some quality play time at activity world-everyone including the grown ups were well pooped by the time we left! After leaving them we met up with Fiona and her children at the maize maze near oundle. it was so tricky!! Even with a map I was afraid that we were going to have to set up camp there for the night! thanks to fiona's good map reading we managed to make it out. It was really good fun and there is one by the same designer near to leicester so i think we will have to have a family trip there soon. I will send the boys in while I settle down with a good book. should be worth at least an hour of mommy time!
Can't remember if I posted that our new books from sonlight have arrived. Sam was so excited you would have thought it was xmas. The read alouds and science books look great as does everything really. He will be working at a first grade level for most things, except for sciecne where we are already up to second grade. Can't believe how fast our first official year has flown by. We have accomplished just about everything that we set out to do and hopefully have had fun along the way. Today we finished 1st grade science, so it is just as well that the books arrived when they did.
The last few days have been nice-way back on saturday my friend M and her family came to spend the day with us. The children spent their time alternating between lego and playmobil while the grown ups got to have a good gossip and I got lots of cuddles with my goddaughter. We had a wonderful time with them, we just wished that they were closer so we could see more of them. Despite only being in touch sporadically over the last 15 years we seem to have been able to pick up right where we left off which is so nice. I hope that sam is able to keep up with all his friends in the years to come as good friends are so important in life.
Tuesday we met my sil and nephews in pborough for some quality play time at activity world-everyone including the grown ups were well pooped by the time we left! After leaving them we met up with Fiona and her children at the maize maze near oundle. it was so tricky!! Even with a map I was afraid that we were going to have to set up camp there for the night! thanks to fiona's good map reading we managed to make it out. It was really good fun and there is one by the same designer near to leicester so i think we will have to have a family trip there soon. I will send the boys in while I settle down with a good book. should be worth at least an hour of mommy time!
Can't remember if I posted that our new books from sonlight have arrived. Sam was so excited you would have thought it was xmas. The read alouds and science books look great as does everything really. He will be working at a first grade level for most things, except for sciecne where we are already up to second grade. Can't believe how fast our first official year has flown by. We have accomplished just about everything that we set out to do and hopefully have had fun along the way. Today we finished 1st grade science, so it is just as well that the books arrived when they did.
Friday, August 11, 2006
Out of the mouth of babes..
We went to pborough this afternoon for a mudpud picnic. It was great to see everyone and to meet a new family-they have a 6 yo son so sam was delighted. While in the park we ran into three other people we knew and in the end several of the mudpud children ended up playing cricket with sam's friend peter and his familly. What made it so nice was that we were in a place that we know and love with friends we know and care about-everything and everyone was familiar. It felt comfortable and relaxed. On the way home sam said exactly what i was thinking "It was like old times mommy" and it was. We love our new home and our new life here but we are sorely missing our friends and all our old familiar places. It isn't as if we saw our friends everyday or even every week but the idea that they were only a few minutes away was a comfort. We could ring someone up for an impromptu play where as now it involves lots of planning and a full day out. I know that in time things will be as familiar and comfortable here I don't think I realised though just how hard a process it was going to be. I should have, we lived in pborough for 13 years, these friends and familiarity did not happen over night.
All in all it has been a good week. Sam has enjoyed the two badminton classes and doesn't appear to have inherited by lack of coordination! He is all excited about cricket and rugby next week-though I imagine that he will be disapointed when he learns that it is tag rugby rather than full body tackling.
I think that his reading confidence is growing. He has always loved books but now he is actually starting to read them to himself rather than just looking at the pictures. He called down night before last to let me know that he had read a book all by himself. It was a ladybird-peter and jane book and I was amazed. Although he can read harder things and he does during our daily reading sessions he doesn't usually read to himself. Tonight he volunteered to read me some Dick and Jane stories (the american version of peter and jane)-he even went and got the book! As his confidence grows hopefully he will start to pick up more challenging things-things I know that he is capable of but wouldn't try on his own.
Tomorrow is the big day-H &F are comming and we are both excited. Playmobil world is awaiting their arrival, though it may need a few last minute adjustments as a tornado swept through there is morning. You will all be relieved to here though that the cats, rabbits and mice are okay as they drove off on the bus to go and shelter in the recycle truck! Hope the weather is better tomorrow.
All in all it has been a good week. Sam has enjoyed the two badminton classes and doesn't appear to have inherited by lack of coordination! He is all excited about cricket and rugby next week-though I imagine that he will be disapointed when he learns that it is tag rugby rather than full body tackling.
I think that his reading confidence is growing. He has always loved books but now he is actually starting to read them to himself rather than just looking at the pictures. He called down night before last to let me know that he had read a book all by himself. It was a ladybird-peter and jane book and I was amazed. Although he can read harder things and he does during our daily reading sessions he doesn't usually read to himself. Tonight he volunteered to read me some Dick and Jane stories (the american version of peter and jane)-he even went and got the book! As his confidence grows hopefully he will start to pick up more challenging things-things I know that he is capable of but wouldn't try on his own.
Tomorrow is the big day-H &F are comming and we are both excited. Playmobil world is awaiting their arrival, though it may need a few last minute adjustments as a tornado swept through there is morning. You will all be relieved to here though that the cats, rabbits and mice are okay as they drove off on the bus to go and shelter in the recycle truck! Hope the weather is better tomorrow.
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
Fore!
The golf session went well today-there were probably about 15 children between 5-7 and sam fit right in. He was a little shy at first but once he had been there a little while he blossomed. I sat in the car and read so that I was there if he needed me but not involved so that he could enjoy the experience on his own. He came back buzzing with excitement saying how much fun he had had even though his team had not won. They split the children into two teams and had them play various hitting and relay games with child size clubs and balls. Hopefully this means he will be just as ease tomorrow at badminton. I may be evil mommy and once he is settled in sneak off for a run.
After golf we came home for lunch then headed out for Ashby de la Zouch castle. It is only about half an hour away and it was our first trip. Sam had a ball exploring the ruins and running back and forth down the secret passage way. He asked lots of interesting questions, and is taken with my sad past time of spot the ancient graffitti. he was scouring the walls for the writings of the tourists of yore. We were excited to find one dated as early as 1703, only about 60 years after the castle was destroyed in the civil war. I know it is a sad hobby but I got hooked on it when visiting ancient monuments in the med and egypt.
English Heritage ( who run the site) are currently undertaking a small archaeological excavation to understand the gardens better. Sam was excited to see real archaeologist at work (what am I, chopped liver-he has seen me dig in the garden) and I had to explain everything they were doing. He was very disapointed that they wouldn't let him help-he was keen to get out there with his trowel or better yet pickaxe. The finds weren't very spectacular but then you wouldn't expect much in the garden area. In anycase they weren't looking for finds but rather to understand the layout of the now vanished gardens better. I must look to see if there is a local fieldwork group that allows children to participate. I don't think that he can join the young archaeologist club until he is a bit older.
Another game of monopoly after dinner tonight-he is becoming quite a monopoly fiend. He won tonight and took way too much pleasure in beating me. Tomorrow night victory will be mine!
After golf we came home for lunch then headed out for Ashby de la Zouch castle. It is only about half an hour away and it was our first trip. Sam had a ball exploring the ruins and running back and forth down the secret passage way. He asked lots of interesting questions, and is taken with my sad past time of spot the ancient graffitti. he was scouring the walls for the writings of the tourists of yore. We were excited to find one dated as early as 1703, only about 60 years after the castle was destroyed in the civil war. I know it is a sad hobby but I got hooked on it when visiting ancient monuments in the med and egypt.
English Heritage ( who run the site) are currently undertaking a small archaeological excavation to understand the gardens better. Sam was excited to see real archaeologist at work (what am I, chopped liver-he has seen me dig in the garden) and I had to explain everything they were doing. He was very disapointed that they wouldn't let him help-he was keen to get out there with his trowel or better yet pickaxe. The finds weren't very spectacular but then you wouldn't expect much in the garden area. In anycase they weren't looking for finds but rather to understand the layout of the now vanished gardens better. I must look to see if there is a local fieldwork group that allows children to participate. I don't think that he can join the young archaeologist club until he is a bit older.
Another game of monopoly after dinner tonight-he is becoming quite a monopoly fiend. He won tonight and took way too much pleasure in beating me. Tomorrow night victory will be mine!
Monday, August 07, 2006
Sportsman Sam
Sam is all geared up for this week of sporting activity-tomorrow golf, followed by badminton and then his weekly swimming lesson. I don't know who is going to be more pooped at the end of the week-him or me! We have had endless discussions today about golf-had to look up lots because my knowledge is very limited. Hope he enjoys it tomorrow and hope that it is well run. Our experience of things run by the local council (except the swimming lessons) hasn't been good.
The weekend seemed to fly by-saturday was chores and then M went off to an ITU bbq. Sunday M's parents and grandmother came up for a visit. It was Nan's first trip to the house and I think she liked it-apart from all the stairs! It was lovely to see them all and sam was in his element. He was given a hot wheels set and a piece of star wars lego, both of which kept him occupied for the rest of the day (and today even!). M headed out later in the day for a two day course somewhere up north. It was a long drive by all accounts but he arrived safely. Sam and I are now on our own until tuesday night, so you can guess whose bed he is sleeping in! Between all the fluffers and books I don't think he has left me any room.
A peaceful start to the day-he is insistent that we reconstruct all his playmobil sets so that when his friends H & F come at the weekend they are all ready to play with. Last week we resurected the airport, today it was the turn of the barn. Thank goodness that I saved the instructions. By the time we are done his room is going to out playmobil the playmobil section of John Lewis. He insisted on putting up the barn in front of Orlando's tank so that he could see all the animals. Just hope that he doesn't decided to make a break for freedom so that he can eat them. Don't think a playmobil mouse is as tasty as a real one.
Following our visit to planet playmobil we did normals. Added a few sticker books and pictoral crosswords to liven things up a bit. I think sam enjoyed the crossword once he got the hang of it. Have printed off another one for him tomorrow.
Was very proud of myself today as I managed to drive into the city centre and park at the huge multistory car park without either getting lost, having a panic attack or yelling. Did two mystery jobs and explored the sale at ELC. Got a few pressies for the pressie drawer and even managed to buy Sam a couple of xmas presents without him noticing. Sam spent most of the evening studying the new ELC catalogue and revising his xmas list and making new plans on what to save up for after he has finished saving up for his lego dino attack helicopter. He is finally learning that he needs to save up for things he wants. I think that we are going to have to expand his chore list so that he can earn a little more than he currently does. Not sure what the going rate for allowance is for 5 year olds-anyone have any suggestions?
The weekend seemed to fly by-saturday was chores and then M went off to an ITU bbq. Sunday M's parents and grandmother came up for a visit. It was Nan's first trip to the house and I think she liked it-apart from all the stairs! It was lovely to see them all and sam was in his element. He was given a hot wheels set and a piece of star wars lego, both of which kept him occupied for the rest of the day (and today even!). M headed out later in the day for a two day course somewhere up north. It was a long drive by all accounts but he arrived safely. Sam and I are now on our own until tuesday night, so you can guess whose bed he is sleeping in! Between all the fluffers and books I don't think he has left me any room.
A peaceful start to the day-he is insistent that we reconstruct all his playmobil sets so that when his friends H & F come at the weekend they are all ready to play with. Last week we resurected the airport, today it was the turn of the barn. Thank goodness that I saved the instructions. By the time we are done his room is going to out playmobil the playmobil section of John Lewis. He insisted on putting up the barn in front of Orlando's tank so that he could see all the animals. Just hope that he doesn't decided to make a break for freedom so that he can eat them. Don't think a playmobil mouse is as tasty as a real one.
Following our visit to planet playmobil we did normals. Added a few sticker books and pictoral crosswords to liven things up a bit. I think sam enjoyed the crossword once he got the hang of it. Have printed off another one for him tomorrow.
Was very proud of myself today as I managed to drive into the city centre and park at the huge multistory car park without either getting lost, having a panic attack or yelling. Did two mystery jobs and explored the sale at ELC. Got a few pressies for the pressie drawer and even managed to buy Sam a couple of xmas presents without him noticing. Sam spent most of the evening studying the new ELC catalogue and revising his xmas list and making new plans on what to save up for after he has finished saving up for his lego dino attack helicopter. He is finally learning that he needs to save up for things he wants. I think that we are going to have to expand his chore list so that he can earn a little more than he currently does. Not sure what the going rate for allowance is for 5 year olds-anyone have any suggestions?
Sunday, August 06, 2006
three generations
M's mum and dad and grandmother came up today. It was lovely to see them, I hope that they enjoyed the day as much as we did. This is sam with M's dad and his mother.
Friday, August 04, 2006
Nice way to end the week..
The week started off very slowly, with normals and errands to run. It finished on a high note, however, with a visit to Snibston Discovery Park yesterday and a play date with the puddles today.
My friend Louisa spent the day with us yesterday so we took ourselves off to Snibston Discovery Park which we have been meaning to visit ever since we moved over here. It was an old coal works which the council has turned into a hands on science museum. Sam had lots of fun doing all the experiments but the best thing from his point of view was the huge playground with lots of waterplay. He spent most of the afternoon with a group of children making floods and watching plastic boats get washed away. He was so wet that by the time we left he was stripped down to just his shorts. After the park we headed to Donnington Le Heath with is a restored medieval manor house which is also owned by the council. It is isn't big but it has been very well restored and we enjoyed our visit. Sam spend ages questioning one of the rangers about the garden and the types of butterflies and moths that were to be found there. Am beginning to think that that boy is going to give david attenborough a run for his money.
Today we spent with the merry and the girls and it was so nice to see them. Sam was overjoyed to have someone to play with-especially 4 someones! they all played together really well and merry and I got to have a good natter. We are both looking forward to seeing them again next week at the mudpud picnic.
A quiet saturday but busy sunday as M's parents and grandmother are coming up. We are really looking forward to seeing them, sam especially can't wait to show off orlando. hopefully he will come out from under his water dish so everyone can see how cute he is.
Have finally got the Leicester EO schedule so hope to go along to something of theirs very soon. Next week is quite busy as sam has golf, badminton and swimming. Good thing Merry just lent me a good book because it looks as if I will get a chance to get lots of reading done. I suspect that parents will be enouraged not to stay and watch but I very much doubt that sam will look favorably on being left somewhere where he doesn't know a soul. Hopefully we will both make a new friend or two.
My friend Louisa spent the day with us yesterday so we took ourselves off to Snibston Discovery Park which we have been meaning to visit ever since we moved over here. It was an old coal works which the council has turned into a hands on science museum. Sam had lots of fun doing all the experiments but the best thing from his point of view was the huge playground with lots of waterplay. He spent most of the afternoon with a group of children making floods and watching plastic boats get washed away. He was so wet that by the time we left he was stripped down to just his shorts. After the park we headed to Donnington Le Heath with is a restored medieval manor house which is also owned by the council. It is isn't big but it has been very well restored and we enjoyed our visit. Sam spend ages questioning one of the rangers about the garden and the types of butterflies and moths that were to be found there. Am beginning to think that that boy is going to give david attenborough a run for his money.
Today we spent with the merry and the girls and it was so nice to see them. Sam was overjoyed to have someone to play with-especially 4 someones! they all played together really well and merry and I got to have a good natter. We are both looking forward to seeing them again next week at the mudpud picnic.
A quiet saturday but busy sunday as M's parents and grandmother are coming up. We are really looking forward to seeing them, sam especially can't wait to show off orlando. hopefully he will come out from under his water dish so everyone can see how cute he is.
Have finally got the Leicester EO schedule so hope to go along to something of theirs very soon. Next week is quite busy as sam has golf, badminton and swimming. Good thing Merry just lent me a good book because it looks as if I will get a chance to get lots of reading done. I suspect that parents will be enouraged not to stay and watch but I very much doubt that sam will look favorably on being left somewhere where he doesn't know a soul. Hopefully we will both make a new friend or two.
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