we have done a fair bit of earth oriented thinking today! Unfortunately the beans conspired to make it a very very early start. Though SB did read me 2 books in bed, as I was refusing to be awake [chris just pretended to be asleep]. eventually I told him via SB that he needed to make me a cup of tea, so then had a catch up nap!
Urmmm, well I think we started with looking at the worm world thing that was picked up from the charity shop whilst looking for gists on thursday [rofl!] We duly all went out, filled with alternate sand and soil and liberated some juicy worms from the fruit bed to put in. BB was devastated that she didn’t get to play more with the snakes, but since at least 2 were put back on the garden as we were unsure whether they were really not working [her phrase] or playing dead, we felt the sooner out of her grasp the better. Later a ladybird also stopped working – she is a menace to our beneficials!!
We had a look at our previous sowings, and a few broad beans have germinated, and we have a very thick row of radish seedlings – hopefully marking some carrot ones to follow! We also harvested loads of early sprouting brocolli – yum.
it was a lovely day, so we did general playing in the garden, swings, playhouse etc etc until lunchtime, and I also pottered about with some weeding and feeding.
After lunch we did simultaneous crafts [always slightly hair-raising! SB did a mosaic kit that Merry gave her for her birthday, BB did painting and stamping, and I lacquered the only bit of made fimo I could find from Melrose – the pendants and dragon appear to be awol.
Hmm! then came a bit of awkwardness – SB and BB did colouring and then head over heelsing, and I asked that the felttips should be lidded and tidied – time to gloss! BB and SB did some violin practice [must get a shoulder rest!] , SB did some more area stuff with cuisinaire rods [from here to there] and BB and I read books and did pattern blocks and then had another gloss moment about being mean to SB!
Daddy returned, so I took 5, they helped him find seed trays, and we reconvened to sow peppers, tomatoes and sunflowers. Watered in very well!! More playing outside and the SB did some piano practice, and BB fell asleep mid wail on my lap. have wound down with dinner and robin hood since then.
Chris nearly managed to set fire to the house [sigh], luckilly I know if I think I smell something hot, I should immediately investigate [frying pan with oil]. Can’t get laptop keyboard to work either. Oh well. Early night tonight. Feeling much more whole – though frayed at the edges!
LOL at snakes and ladybirds “not working” There was an adjustable shoulder rest for small violins on EBay yesterday (and several 1/4 sized violins too) but the bloke who gave Aprilia a few lessons didn’t really aprove of them, he reconed a folded up cloth on the shoulder was much better. I just can’t get one to fit my (oddball sized) violin so have resorted to folded up terry nappy!
Sounds like a good day. Glossing is good.
Did anyone else mentally check their house insurance was still valid after last week’s Grand Designs when the house burned down and the insurance comapny pointed out the policy had been allowed to lapse?
absolutely! and i decided we should have a chimney sweep before we use the fireplace again!!
but SB not at all keen on the folded cloth – have tried that! so shoulder rest possibly good – could do sponge and ealstic – rofl! She is stil proving to me that she wants to learn so that I pay out for a new ciolin [and yes, I know I will, but not sure in which paycheck that is possible [certainly not the post birthday excess one!]
We started with a sponge and elastic band for a shoulder rest. It had been the sponge that was a pretend violin in the first few very early posture type lessons! Very exciting moment when you ditch the sponge for the real violin but cut it in half and use it as a shoulder rest instead!
But Joe has got a proper one which I got on ebay, and he prefers using that, although it is for an 1/8 size and he’s still playing a 1/10 size so it keeps falling off. I’m thinking we’ll be getting the next size violin soon though, more expense, aargh! What size is SB playing? I think the suzuki people seem to like children to learn on smaller than recommended for some reason … anyway, I digress …
Love BB and the worms
good digression though sarah! she is also on a 10th at the moment, but def too small, as posture wrong with it [must add piccies!] unfortunately she isn’t learning via any method at the moment! just learning to play one string at the time and go up 1,2,3 with comfort, then some free play where she sees if she can make a tune. Soon we will start real tunes. thought I’d get the 1/4-1/10 size ones.
BB enjoys holding and playing too [only v short time]
aargh the 1/4!! sb wants one with flowers on it [in a moment of weakness she saw the ebay violin page] so I’m not sure whether will get away with a wood one [which prefer!]
maybe she should hear him practice at hunstanton if you’re coming?
I liked the powder blue one with matching bow but I fear that would be setting a dangerous precident not to mention being rather more ??? than I want to spend on what’s pretty much a toy
You could stick a few little flowers on a wooden one, and appease both of you that way. Must say I’m not that keen on the coloured ones – they look pretty hung up in the shop but that’s about all, imo.
Or you could use tiny flower stickers on the fingerboard to show her where to put 1, 2, and 3. Joe has bumble bees.
Mary had a little lamb was the first tune Joe played, on A string with the open E. Then Twinkle. And we have a lot of Twinkle, even now, to practice different bowing/rhythms etc. with a tune that is already well known.
On a good day Joe and I do both really enjoy it, and I must say I love suzuki too – not that you need it, but I do!
We have an arts festival happening this week in Exeter which Anna is playing in and Joe & I will go to watch, a few of the older suzuki violinists that he knows are performing too so hopefully it will be a bit of an inspiration.
Not sure if we’re going to manage Hunstanton – probably not I’m afraid, it’s just a bit too far for a flying visit. Violin will come to Kessie though!
might give in though, as there as some cheap [and prob nasty!] but a 1/4 size is prob the right time to have a violin that you love to encourage you to get it out and play it!
we started twinkle twinkle today. might swap the utilitarian dots for flower stickers – good idea, thanks!
sorry about hunstanton. you could do longer than flying to make it worth while! otherwise really pleased you are coming to kessingland.
we prob only do 5-10 mins 4 times a week [at best!] so need to get better really – do do the same for piano too, and there is def improvement.
will work a bit more on the posture as she gets more confident.