Please think happy thoughts and get well vibes for our cat marquesa. She is in the pet hospital with a blocked gall bladder and not doing very well. We are keeping our fingers crossed that she makes a full recovery and that the blockage isn't cancerous.
The other two patients in the house are doing better. My conjunctiviitus has cleared up and sam's cold is getting better. We had a lovely snuggly day on the sofa yesterday reading and looking at books. We are reading Dr. Doolittle at the moment and he is hanging on every word. Will have to see if I can find the movie at the library and then we can see how the two compare. Despite his cold he is getting to grips with telling time. He has two watches-one of which has a normal face and the other shows the minutes past and two rather than a usual clock face. I am not sure that that is helpful really, it only seems to confuse him and I know it does me too!
We did a really great thanksgiving lap book last week which I must post photos of. He worked really hard on it and seemed to enjoy finding out all the info to go in the book. Not sure what we should do as our next one, maybe something about christmas around the world or winter holidays. We could do hannaka (sp), and kwaza (sp) as well as christmas.
He is very into drawing at the moment-he spent ages the other day doing stuff out of the Usborne how to draw trucks and tractors book. it is good but not as good as the drawn write now books. Must get one of the series to try and help him. My artistic skills are nill, despite the fact that my mother was a fantastic artist. would also like to try and find someone to help us with our origami as he loves doing it but again my skills are very limited.
We went to visit family friends today. When my father was stationed here we rented the cottage on their farm and we have been friends ever since. it was lovely to see them and we took sam over to see the cottage that we used to live in. It has changed a great deal but apart from the color of the walls, my room is just the same. Sam was very excited at seeing my old room and kept asking where my bed was and where were my old toys! Being in the house brought back so many memories. Some of the roses that my mother planted 26 years ago are still there. I like that, it makes me feel that a tangible part of her is still here. They were her pride and joy those roses. Perhaps next time I go I will ask for a cutting to see if i grow a plant from one of hers.
Tuesday, November 29, 2005
Thursday, November 17, 2005
mad scientists at work
The kitchen was taken over today by a young group of mad scientists. They did all sorts of strange experiments-most of them involving sugar! They even made their own sherbert dips and a funky kind of lava lamp. Okay it wasn't really a lamp, just raisins going up and down in carbonated water but it was just as much fun to watch as a lava lamp. At the end they were all exhausted and covered in red food coloring from their sugar cube experiment. And who were these mad scientists-sam and the puddles. We used lots of experiements from our Usborne experiments book and they all worked. I think the raisins in the water was the coolest. They just kept going up and down, I could have watched them all afternoon. Sam was wildly enthusiastic and seemed to loose all sense of volume control. He just doesn't have a clue that his voice is too loud-I just wish that there was someway I could help him to see this without saying 'indoor voice please" 500 times. I am afraid he gets it from me-that and the chatting too much. Thank goodness he is not in school or I am sure that he would be sent in the corner most of the time. It was as usual lovely having the girls over and I hope they enjoyed the experiments.
Our stick insects arrived safely and I think they are all okay. They are very small still so small that is difficult to see them. Their new cage is arriving tomorrow so that should help matters. Sam has named them-sam, mommy and pencil box! M wasn't very pleased to be passed over in favor of pencil box.
Have started thinking about thanksgiving and have decided that we should do a lapbook to help sam learn about the holiday. we have been reading a magic tree house book about it and he seems to be taking it all in. While the historical facts are important what I think is more important is that it is a holiday that unifies our country in a way that even the 4th of july doesn't. To the best of my knowledge everyone regardless of religion or background celebrates it and brings something special to the celebration. No two families celebrate in quite the same way. My father does not eat turkey or chicken so growing up mom never served it. Instead we always had family dish called guadaroni (a bit like a giant calzone) so that to me is thanksgiving-that and pumpkin pie. I could eat both for every meal. pumpkin pie for breakfast is very yummy. I think it is a nice idea in this busy world to have one day set a side to give thanks for the people and things that are important to us. I have so much to be thankful, especially all of my wonderful friends on both sides of the atlantic. THANK YOU.
Our stick insects arrived safely and I think they are all okay. They are very small still so small that is difficult to see them. Their new cage is arriving tomorrow so that should help matters. Sam has named them-sam, mommy and pencil box! M wasn't very pleased to be passed over in favor of pencil box.
Have started thinking about thanksgiving and have decided that we should do a lapbook to help sam learn about the holiday. we have been reading a magic tree house book about it and he seems to be taking it all in. While the historical facts are important what I think is more important is that it is a holiday that unifies our country in a way that even the 4th of july doesn't. To the best of my knowledge everyone regardless of religion or background celebrates it and brings something special to the celebration. No two families celebrate in quite the same way. My father does not eat turkey or chicken so growing up mom never served it. Instead we always had family dish called guadaroni (a bit like a giant calzone) so that to me is thanksgiving-that and pumpkin pie. I could eat both for every meal. pumpkin pie for breakfast is very yummy. I think it is a nice idea in this busy world to have one day set a side to give thanks for the people and things that are important to us. I have so much to be thankful, especially all of my wonderful friends on both sides of the atlantic. THANK YOU.
Monday, November 14, 2005
New arrivals
With any luck (touches wood very quickly and crosses fingers) we should have 4 new arrivals this week. No I am not having quadruplet-one car and three stick insects will be joining the family. The stick insects were posted today so should be here on wednesday and all being well we pick up the car on saturday. I am not sure which sam is more excited about. He is very pleased that he will be able to pick up and handle the stick insects but says that he can't name them until he seems them-which is fair enough. The cage we ordered for them should also be here this week. Until it arrives they will have to live in a large sweet tub. We have to go in search of privet for them as well. Time to get the tree/shrub book out to see what it looks like. I wouldn't know it if it bit me.
A busy few days. We have started doing the kitchen again so spent all of sunday sanding, cleaning and getting the walls ready and ripping out the old laminate floor. We have hung 2/3 of the lining paper and will try and finish it off in the week. Sam wan't that keen on helping when he realised we weren't painting quite yet. He spent most of sunday making wonderful mechano creations and crashing them into lincoln log houses. I think he should get a job in demolition, he would be a natural.
Some interesting questions this weekend about heaven and angels. First he asked if heaven exsisted and I explained that lots of people believed it did but that no one could prove its exsistence. He pondered that for a while and then asked if I did. I explained that I did because it makes me feel not so sad about my mom's death. I said that if there is no heaven then when she died she was gone for ever but if there is a heaven then she is probably looking down on us and watching over us. He thought a bit more and said that he liked grandma looking down on him, which made me go all misty eyed-not a good thing when you are going round a round about. A little while later he asked about the order of angels and who was in charge and who was at the bottom. I don't know where this came from, I don't remember discussing angels with him. I did the best I couild and suggested that we had best look it up because I couldn't remember much except seraphim, cherubs and archangels.
Lots of math today-he seems to be warming to the subject. He is getting good at adding and subtracting and has even started doing it in his head. With any luck he will be able to balance my check book for me by the time he is 5!
We are more or less carless this week as the jeep shouldn't be driven any more than absolutely necessary. That should give us a chance to get lots done and start thinking about all the xmas things we need to do. He is keen to make gingerbread cookies for the xmas tree. I suspect this is because he wants to eat them.
A busy few days. We have started doing the kitchen again so spent all of sunday sanding, cleaning and getting the walls ready and ripping out the old laminate floor. We have hung 2/3 of the lining paper and will try and finish it off in the week. Sam wan't that keen on helping when he realised we weren't painting quite yet. He spent most of sunday making wonderful mechano creations and crashing them into lincoln log houses. I think he should get a job in demolition, he would be a natural.
Some interesting questions this weekend about heaven and angels. First he asked if heaven exsisted and I explained that lots of people believed it did but that no one could prove its exsistence. He pondered that for a while and then asked if I did. I explained that I did because it makes me feel not so sad about my mom's death. I said that if there is no heaven then when she died she was gone for ever but if there is a heaven then she is probably looking down on us and watching over us. He thought a bit more and said that he liked grandma looking down on him, which made me go all misty eyed-not a good thing when you are going round a round about. A little while later he asked about the order of angels and who was in charge and who was at the bottom. I don't know where this came from, I don't remember discussing angels with him. I did the best I couild and suggested that we had best look it up because I couldn't remember much except seraphim, cherubs and archangels.
Lots of math today-he seems to be warming to the subject. He is getting good at adding and subtracting and has even started doing it in his head. With any luck he will be able to balance my check book for me by the time he is 5!
We are more or less carless this week as the jeep shouldn't be driven any more than absolutely necessary. That should give us a chance to get lots done and start thinking about all the xmas things we need to do. He is keen to make gingerbread cookies for the xmas tree. I suspect this is because he wants to eat them.
Tuesday, November 08, 2005
Where does the time go?
I can't believe that it has been almost a week since a I blogged. We have been busy but not overly busy. I guess I have spent my evenings doing my course or exciting things like the ironing.
The highlight of the last few days was the bonfire party on saturday night. F & her husband have a party every year and this year they were kind enough to invite us. Her husband went fire work mad-the displaly was amazing. sam was awestruck. there were about 7 children there and he was the youngest by a good couple of years. He fit right in though and was running around playing sardines and giggling his head off. finally about 11pm he announced he was ready to leave. Up to that point he refused to leave-amazingly even at that late hour we were the first to go. I wish I could say that he slept in the next morning but he was up, bright eyed and bushy tailed by 6.
this week we are having has a science flavor to it as we are going to spend wednesday doing lots of experiments. He is very excited needless to say and will expect to start them as soon as he gets up. Call me a killjoy but doing science experiments at 6am in my jammies and before my morning does of caffine is not my idea of fun. we are also going to start wrapping the mummy, weather permitting. we work on the mummy outside as I refuse to have it in the house. it doesn't smell that bad but there is a distinct odor.
we are also going to be car shopping as the jeep is not very well. our very trust mechanic advised that it was time to put it out to pasture as lots of things are going into failure mode. we are all going to miss the jeep, it has been a good car and taken us on lots of fun adventures. must stop naming cars, then perhaps I won't get so maudlin when the time comes to get rid of them.
The highlight of the last few days was the bonfire party on saturday night. F & her husband have a party every year and this year they were kind enough to invite us. Her husband went fire work mad-the displaly was amazing. sam was awestruck. there were about 7 children there and he was the youngest by a good couple of years. He fit right in though and was running around playing sardines and giggling his head off. finally about 11pm he announced he was ready to leave. Up to that point he refused to leave-amazingly even at that late hour we were the first to go. I wish I could say that he slept in the next morning but he was up, bright eyed and bushy tailed by 6.
this week we are having has a science flavor to it as we are going to spend wednesday doing lots of experiments. He is very excited needless to say and will expect to start them as soon as he gets up. Call me a killjoy but doing science experiments at 6am in my jammies and before my morning does of caffine is not my idea of fun. we are also going to start wrapping the mummy, weather permitting. we work on the mummy outside as I refuse to have it in the house. it doesn't smell that bad but there is a distinct odor.
we are also going to be car shopping as the jeep is not very well. our very trust mechanic advised that it was time to put it out to pasture as lots of things are going into failure mode. we are all going to miss the jeep, it has been a good car and taken us on lots of fun adventures. must stop naming cars, then perhaps I won't get so maudlin when the time comes to get rid of them.
Wednesday, November 02, 2005
It's here !!!!
I am so excited, my course material has finally arrived. Opening the box was like christmas, even sam was excited. He was thrilled with the fossil samples and started naming them at once. Being the eager student that I am I have already read the first chapter and worked out the answers to the first two questions on the end of course assesment. Hermione and I are soul sisters!!
A fairly quiet day other than that. We did our normals in the morning and then met up with Merry & K and their children at activity world. Sam did so much running around that he was dripping in sweat by the time they stopped for their snack. It was nice getting to chat to Merry & K.
Yesterday was a bit of a non starter as far as schooling goes. We had to go to the smart dealer in cambridge to get the spare key sorted out. we had friends coming in the afternoon so we didn't go into the city itself. F&P came by in the afternoon and the boys spent the entire time crashing hot wheels cars. why do boys always have to crash and destroy things? I am sure that girls play much more gently. I don't remember my barbies having crashes or threatening to destroy each other.
Monday was wonderful. We met up with my old school friend Melanie and her children at Verulumum (saint albans). The museum is fantastic and there are a fair few ruins to roam around. Despite all the cool exhibits I think sam probably enjoyed the play ground best! Melanie and I had a good chance to catch up. It is amazing how much we still have in common even after all these years. We are going to try and meet up again before xmas, hopefully we will be able to.
Not much on the cards tomorrow-must check our chicken mummy. I think it should be ready to bandage up next week. Will post photos of its progress provided it is not too gruesome.
A fairly quiet day other than that. We did our normals in the morning and then met up with Merry & K and their children at activity world. Sam did so much running around that he was dripping in sweat by the time they stopped for their snack. It was nice getting to chat to Merry & K.
Yesterday was a bit of a non starter as far as schooling goes. We had to go to the smart dealer in cambridge to get the spare key sorted out. we had friends coming in the afternoon so we didn't go into the city itself. F&P came by in the afternoon and the boys spent the entire time crashing hot wheels cars. why do boys always have to crash and destroy things? I am sure that girls play much more gently. I don't remember my barbies having crashes or threatening to destroy each other.
Monday was wonderful. We met up with my old school friend Melanie and her children at Verulumum (saint albans). The museum is fantastic and there are a fair few ruins to roam around. Despite all the cool exhibits I think sam probably enjoyed the play ground best! Melanie and I had a good chance to catch up. It is amazing how much we still have in common even after all these years. We are going to try and meet up again before xmas, hopefully we will be able to.
Not much on the cards tomorrow-must check our chicken mummy. I think it should be ready to bandage up next week. Will post photos of its progress provided it is not too gruesome.
Sunday, October 30, 2005
Weekend round up
Saturday was a bright and early start-we were off on a family trip to london. First stop was the mac expo. M was very excited, he had been looking forward to it for ages. We let him have a good wander round while sam and I played on the computer games. The show wasn't quite as big as last time we went and sam was very disapointed that there were no good games to buy. there seems to be a real paucity of games for his age group for macs. We have tried everywhere, even the apple store had a miserable selection.
Next stop on the grand tour was the Natural History Museum. It was absolutely packed, especially the dino section. Sam refused to see the roaring t-rex, he said it was too scary. We settled on taking a good look at the mammals as we have just
done a section on them in science. He enjoyed having a wander around but it was too crowded to really look properly.
We then moved on to a whole different planet. We had decided on Wagamama's for lunch and the closest one was in Harvey Nicholas. Talk about feeling out of place! Everyone was very glam with cut glass accents! It was an experience to say the least.
Last stop on the tour was covent garden as M was looking for things for his ski trip. One of the shops we went into had an ice climbing wall and sam and I had great fun watching the climbers. He was keen to have a go but thankfully he is too young.
We were all shattered by the time we reached Kings Cross and it was straight to bed for the young master when we got home.
Today M had to work so sam and I spent the day doing errands. We have had some interesting discussions prompted mainly by our visit to the natural history museum yesterday. He has been asking about evolution and our place in the timescale. He said very quizicallly 'what comes after us?" I was stunned. I explained that I had no idea. He then suggested that maybe dinos would come back. I said that I hoped not for any future descendants of ours. He agreed that carnovoires would not be good neighbors but that it would be nice having parasolophlus (not spelled right I know) as one.
Next stop on the grand tour was the Natural History Museum. It was absolutely packed, especially the dino section. Sam refused to see the roaring t-rex, he said it was too scary. We settled on taking a good look at the mammals as we have just
done a section on them in science. He enjoyed having a wander around but it was too crowded to really look properly.
We then moved on to a whole different planet. We had decided on Wagamama's for lunch and the closest one was in Harvey Nicholas. Talk about feeling out of place! Everyone was very glam with cut glass accents! It was an experience to say the least.
Last stop on the tour was covent garden as M was looking for things for his ski trip. One of the shops we went into had an ice climbing wall and sam and I had great fun watching the climbers. He was keen to have a go but thankfully he is too young.
We were all shattered by the time we reached Kings Cross and it was straight to bed for the young master when we got home.
Today M had to work so sam and I spent the day doing errands. We have had some interesting discussions prompted mainly by our visit to the natural history museum yesterday. He has been asking about evolution and our place in the timescale. He said very quizicallly 'what comes after us?" I was stunned. I explained that I had no idea. He then suggested that maybe dinos would come back. I said that I hoped not for any future descendants of ours. He agreed that carnovoires would not be good neighbors but that it would be nice having parasolophlus (not spelled right I know) as one.
couldn't they have thought of something else?
I am sitting here watching the BBC's new docudrama on Egpyt. When they first announced it a little whle ago I was quite excited, thinking that it would be something new and original. Instead what do they start the series with?? Howard Carter and the finding of Tukenkamun's tomb. I agree that is is very interesting but it has been done to death. There are so many interesting areas to cover and stories to tell-why did they start with this one? Everyone with even a modicum of interest in egypt knows the story of the finding of the tomb-tell us a story we don't know. I hope they do something more original with the next episode.
Wednesday, October 26, 2005
Fresh air & friends
We certainly had plenty of both today. We met 'the boys' at belton house and everyone ran themselves ragged in the playground and the gardens. They were so covered in mud that we decided not to risk the house. We did make it to the activity centre where everyone had lots of fun doing nature related halloween crafts. It was so good to see everyone and to be together again. It has been so long since we had the gang all together. The boys fell into their old roles and everyone got on really well. There was lots of rough and tumble but no one seemed to mind. Didn't get a chance to catch up with everyone properly but we managed a good natter nonetheless. Sam was so knackered that he fell asleep almost as soon as he got into the car. I just hope he sleeps tonight.
We now have another boy in the family, matthew's cousin's wife has just had a little boy. Mother and baby are doing well and she hopes to be home by friday. He is called Noah and I can't wait to see him.
We went to see Wallace & Gromit yesterday and while it was good I don't think it was as funny as the short penguin film that they showed before. The makers of Madagascar have done a 5 minute short film featuring the penguins from the original movie and it was very funny. Sam laughed so much he nearly fell off his chair! Saw trailers for harry potter, lion the witch & the wardrobe and the march of the penuins. They all looked fantastic, I guess we will be spending quite a bit of time at the cinema in the run up to xmas. Sam want to see the next harry potter but I think it is too grown up for him. He will just have to wait for it to come out on dvd so that we can fast forward through the scary bits.
We now have another boy in the family, matthew's cousin's wife has just had a little boy. Mother and baby are doing well and she hopes to be home by friday. He is called Noah and I can't wait to see him.
We went to see Wallace & Gromit yesterday and while it was good I don't think it was as funny as the short penguin film that they showed before. The makers of Madagascar have done a 5 minute short film featuring the penguins from the original movie and it was very funny. Sam laughed so much he nearly fell off his chair! Saw trailers for harry potter, lion the witch & the wardrobe and the march of the penuins. They all looked fantastic, I guess we will be spending quite a bit of time at the cinema in the run up to xmas. Sam want to see the next harry potter but I think it is too grown up for him. He will just have to wait for it to come out on dvd so that we can fast forward through the scary bits.
Monday, October 24, 2005
Happy Monday
Despite the grey and gloomy start we have had a lovely day. It started with a visit from Merry and the girls. We had lots of fun and they spent ages making houses out of the lincoln logs. It is a shame they don't sell them over here-maybe I should set up and import business! We also make kool-aid play dough and lego and play mobil. Everyone got on really well and Fran was brilliant with josie. Josie is so cute and smiley, it is enough to make you broody. Sam shared really well, right up until the end when he started getting a bit precious.
After lunch we ran a few errands with M and then came home to settle into normals. We got through most of them quite quickly. As usual sam enjoyed science the most. He annouced to Merry today that he is either going to be a geologist or an archaeologist. That makes a change from his usual answer which is he is never going to have a job!
We have moved sam's swimming lesson to monday and he did brilliantly with his new teacher. She spent lots of time with him and he has improved already. When he got out of the pool I asked him if he liked his new teacher and he replied that yes, he liked her better, that she was much nicer than his old one. He actually paid attention in class and listened to what she had to say which is a first. The time slot is much better too so maybe it will be a success all round.
The boys are in the other room watching lord of the rings. Sam seems to be enjoying it. Have my book group meeting here to night to discuss Vernon God Little by DBC Pierre. It is the first group I have been to in months, in fact I can't remember the last time I was able to go. M always seems to be on call on group nights. Should be an interesting discussion, the book was odd to say the least.
Tomorrow we are off to see Wallace & Gromit. Sam is so excited. which reminds me, must go book the tickets....
After lunch we ran a few errands with M and then came home to settle into normals. We got through most of them quite quickly. As usual sam enjoyed science the most. He annouced to Merry today that he is either going to be a geologist or an archaeologist. That makes a change from his usual answer which is he is never going to have a job!
We have moved sam's swimming lesson to monday and he did brilliantly with his new teacher. She spent lots of time with him and he has improved already. When he got out of the pool I asked him if he liked his new teacher and he replied that yes, he liked her better, that she was much nicer than his old one. He actually paid attention in class and listened to what she had to say which is a first. The time slot is much better too so maybe it will be a success all round.
The boys are in the other room watching lord of the rings. Sam seems to be enjoying it. Have my book group meeting here to night to discuss Vernon God Little by DBC Pierre. It is the first group I have been to in months, in fact I can't remember the last time I was able to go. M always seems to be on call on group nights. Should be an interesting discussion, the book was odd to say the least.
Tomorrow we are off to see Wallace & Gromit. Sam is so excited. which reminds me, must go book the tickets....
Sunday, October 23, 2005
A well rounded weekend
Sam and I managed to fit in lots of fun stuff as well as getting some work done and giving the house a good clean.
Saturday we did a couple of mystery jobs before heading to Happy Faces for bday party. Almost all of 'the boys' were there and it was lovely to catch up with everyone. Sam was so pleased because for the first time ever he won pass the parcel! It was a pack of 100 magic markers and he spent the entire ride home counting them. We then headed up to the USAF base at Molesworth for their annual holiday bazaar. It was like being home in the states again-it made me feel homesick and wistful. I also reverted to my military upbringing and called everyone we enountered in uniform sir! Dad would be proud of me. We didn't buy too much but it was fun looking around. We did buy a pumpkin from the girl scout troop, they were raising funds to go to the same camp in switzerland that I had attended 23 years ago. Boy did that make me feel old. It couldn't have been that long ago, I remember it like it was yesterday.
Once sam was in bed I spent all saturday night putting things on ebay. I listed 28 things and not one bid yet! Somebody out there must want M's old text books. Stayed up way too late finishing the book for book group. We read Vernon God Little and I am not sure what to make of it. I think it is supposed to be humorus in a dark way but I didn't really see the funny side. The second half was definately better than the first.
Today we spent all morning cleaning, or should I say I spent all morning cleaning while sam created a city out of his lincoln logs. I was amazed how well he occupied himself. I asked him several time if he wanted to help me and each time he said he was happy as he was. that suited me fine because it is quicker to clean on my own. This afternoon we went down to the trains. It was the last session of the season. The train rides were free and sam took advantage of that. Several friends were there and the children ran amok as ususal. I think we were the last to leave. Sam is already counting down the days until the open again (he has a long wait, they don't open again until easter!)
A fairly busy week ahead, we aren't going to have a formal half term break because we had most of last week off due to illness. we are taking it so slowly anyway that I don't think either of us really need a break.
Saturday we did a couple of mystery jobs before heading to Happy Faces for bday party. Almost all of 'the boys' were there and it was lovely to catch up with everyone. Sam was so pleased because for the first time ever he won pass the parcel! It was a pack of 100 magic markers and he spent the entire ride home counting them. We then headed up to the USAF base at Molesworth for their annual holiday bazaar. It was like being home in the states again-it made me feel homesick and wistful. I also reverted to my military upbringing and called everyone we enountered in uniform sir! Dad would be proud of me. We didn't buy too much but it was fun looking around. We did buy a pumpkin from the girl scout troop, they were raising funds to go to the same camp in switzerland that I had attended 23 years ago. Boy did that make me feel old. It couldn't have been that long ago, I remember it like it was yesterday.
Once sam was in bed I spent all saturday night putting things on ebay. I listed 28 things and not one bid yet! Somebody out there must want M's old text books. Stayed up way too late finishing the book for book group. We read Vernon God Little and I am not sure what to make of it. I think it is supposed to be humorus in a dark way but I didn't really see the funny side. The second half was definately better than the first.
Today we spent all morning cleaning, or should I say I spent all morning cleaning while sam created a city out of his lincoln logs. I was amazed how well he occupied himself. I asked him several time if he wanted to help me and each time he said he was happy as he was. that suited me fine because it is quicker to clean on my own. This afternoon we went down to the trains. It was the last session of the season. The train rides were free and sam took advantage of that. Several friends were there and the children ran amok as ususal. I think we were the last to leave. Sam is already counting down the days until the open again (he has a long wait, they don't open again until easter!)
A fairly busy week ahead, we aren't going to have a formal half term break because we had most of last week off due to illness. we are taking it so slowly anyway that I don't think either of us really need a break.
Friday, October 21, 2005
The week that was
After a good start on monday the week went into a sharp decline before taking a turn for the better on thursday and finishing well today. Spent most of tuesday & wednesday feeling really grotty and lying in bed. Sam very kindly passed his bug on to me. Sometimes sharing is not a good thing! Not a lot of normals got done on those two days, though we did watch lots of movies so we can cross media studies off for the month.
Was feeling a lot more human on thursday so we went along to the beans for an archaeology day. Merry & the girls were there as well and everyone had a ball. Thank you so much to them for hosting the day, sam has been talking about it non stop. All of the children got on really well and the girls even managed to persuade sam to join in with their princess games. He is nothing if not adaptable because today he was doing karate kicks with the bigger boys at home ed group. Thursday was lots of fun and it helped to give them a taste of what archaeology is all about. Despite all my snide comments it is a worthwhile profession and one that any parent would be proud to have their child take up. In studying archaeology and working in the field I fulfilled my childhood dream and sometimes I do regret having left it. Oh well, there is still plenty of time to take it up again.
Today was home ed group where we did crafts around celtic autumn. Sam's favorite was the sugar skulls from mexico, indeed most of the children seemed to spend a majority of time on that table. Sam's skull did not make the trip home, it was consumed enroute! Sam was desparate to play with the older boys at group and they were very tolerant of him. They did seem impressed that he did karate and they asked him to show them some moves. Pottered about this afternoon with M before he went to work and then spent the evening watching part of walking with beasts.
Not sure what the weekend holds, two mystery jobs and a bday party tomorrow but nothing else planned. will probably head off to the trains at thorpe hall on sunday if the weather stays nice.
Was feeling a lot more human on thursday so we went along to the beans for an archaeology day. Merry & the girls were there as well and everyone had a ball. Thank you so much to them for hosting the day, sam has been talking about it non stop. All of the children got on really well and the girls even managed to persuade sam to join in with their princess games. He is nothing if not adaptable because today he was doing karate kicks with the bigger boys at home ed group. Thursday was lots of fun and it helped to give them a taste of what archaeology is all about. Despite all my snide comments it is a worthwhile profession and one that any parent would be proud to have their child take up. In studying archaeology and working in the field I fulfilled my childhood dream and sometimes I do regret having left it. Oh well, there is still plenty of time to take it up again.
Today was home ed group where we did crafts around celtic autumn. Sam's favorite was the sugar skulls from mexico, indeed most of the children seemed to spend a majority of time on that table. Sam's skull did not make the trip home, it was consumed enroute! Sam was desparate to play with the older boys at group and they were very tolerant of him. They did seem impressed that he did karate and they asked him to show them some moves. Pottered about this afternoon with M before he went to work and then spent the evening watching part of walking with beasts.
Not sure what the weekend holds, two mystery jobs and a bday party tomorrow but nothing else planned. will probably head off to the trains at thorpe hall on sunday if the weather stays nice.
Monday, October 17, 2005
A good start to the week..
you know it is going to be a good week when your 4.5 yr old hands you a box of mechano at 7am and requests that you help him build something! what is it about children and mornings. my son wakes up so bright and bubbly it is almost painful. I don't mind mornings, even early mornings I just need time to compose myself before embarking on major building works. Apart from the mechano at dawn we had a good day. We had fun with our normals and even got a chance to snuggle up on the sofa and watch more of the life of mammals. ( I must try and find the rest of the series on dvd.) We have now completed singapore early bird kindergarten 2A and he has enjoyed it. It is an easy book to work from and he is excited about starting the next one tomorrow. he has also grown to love dot to dot books and luckiy there are a fair few usborne ones lying around. they have really helped him to get to grips with numerical order.
We had friends to play in the afternoon and then did lots of arty activities. We made more deepas to replace the one that broke and then sam finished his weaving. All in all a good day.
We also had a great weekend. Being in london again was great and it was fun just being able to wander. I really enjoyed 'We will rock you' and would go see it again. Sam had a lovely time with the in laws until the early hours of saturday morning. poor love came down with a tummy bug so was up most of the night. I was racked with guilt when my mil told me about it the next morning. He seemed in good spirits when we picked him up but he was very tired. He slept all afternoon and was in bed by 7 and then slept all night. He seems to be better today but hasn't had much of an appetite so he can't be 100%.
We have a fun busy week ahead and are looking forward to archaeology day with the beans and the puddlers. must dry and find my fingerless gloves and my steel toe boots!
We had friends to play in the afternoon and then did lots of arty activities. We made more deepas to replace the one that broke and then sam finished his weaving. All in all a good day.
We also had a great weekend. Being in london again was great and it was fun just being able to wander. I really enjoyed 'We will rock you' and would go see it again. Sam had a lovely time with the in laws until the early hours of saturday morning. poor love came down with a tummy bug so was up most of the night. I was racked with guilt when my mil told me about it the next morning. He seemed in good spirits when we picked him up but he was very tired. He slept all afternoon and was in bed by 7 and then slept all night. He seems to be better today but hasn't had much of an appetite so he can't be 100%.
We have a fun busy week ahead and are looking forward to archaeology day with the beans and the puddlers. must dry and find my fingerless gloves and my steel toe boots!
Friday, October 14, 2005
A scientific sort of week.. well, sort of.
Following our science day yesterday, we did dinosaurs at mudpud. Everyone brought really cool activities, sam's favorite was the origami pteradon. What a brilliant idea, combining two of his favorite things. For some reason he decided that his did not need eyes so it was flying blind, making it even more dangerous!!! He and most of the other children spent the last 30 minutes of the group flying their pteradons down the stairs and then running around like loons. He was so worked up that his head was damp from sweat! We really enjoyed the group today, all tlhe children got on well as did the parents.
Yesterday was our science day, we had hoped to have the company of the puddles but circumstances dictated otherwise. I had about 6/7 experiments lined up and we managed to do them all. I have posted photos of a few of them. Sam had a blast, science really seems to be his thing. We have also started our chicken mummy-the whole process takes about 6 weeks and it will be interesting to see if it actually makes it that far. We had a good discussion about the mummification process and why people would choose to do so. Sam's main concern was whether we were going to put gold & jewels in between the layers of the bandages. Unsurprisingly I am not going to be donating any of my jewelery to this chicken.
Had a hard time getting sam to sleep tonight. He seems to be very excited about the prospect of staying the night with nana and grandad tomorrow night. When last I left him he was busy reading to his fluffy dinos and telling them that they needed to go to sleep so they had engery to play with nana. He doesn't normally sleep with his fluffy toys, he must have been inspired by our dino session today.
Yesterday was our science day, we had hoped to have the company of the puddles but circumstances dictated otherwise. I had about 6/7 experiments lined up and we managed to do them all. I have posted photos of a few of them. Sam had a blast, science really seems to be his thing. We have also started our chicken mummy-the whole process takes about 6 weeks and it will be interesting to see if it actually makes it that far. We had a good discussion about the mummification process and why people would choose to do so. Sam's main concern was whether we were going to put gold & jewels in between the layers of the bandages. Unsurprisingly I am not going to be donating any of my jewelery to this chicken.
Had a hard time getting sam to sleep tonight. He seems to be very excited about the prospect of staying the night with nana and grandad tomorrow night. When last I left him he was busy reading to his fluffy dinos and telling them that they needed to go to sleep so they had engery to play with nana. He doesn't normally sleep with his fluffy toys, he must have been inspired by our dino session today.
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