November 2007

Went to a local Home Ed group meet up at a local museum on the theme of toys and forces.

Just about got there in time. Even though we seemed to be doing ok (why did I waste time making them lunch? - BB ate a packet of crisps and 3 Clementines, SB 1/4 of sandwich and crsips) to start with, but then realised I had to get out some cash from the PO as we didn’t have enough to pay for session, then he car was low on petrol and the little light came on, pulled into a garage which had all pumps locked - could have put a sign up. So carried on up the A1 and had done 20 miles on the light by the time I bought petrol - (wonder how mcuh it will do once the low petrol light comes on, think I’ve done about 20 before).

Bought £10 of petrol as in a hurry - depressing how little petrol that is nowadays - the little light came back on again on the way home.

Then there was the stuck in a queue geting into town , and the going wrong etc. Did just make it in time though.

Girls enjoyed the session. A couple of little explanatory bits from one of the museums staff - first on Issac Newton the tale of the apple and gravity and his three laws of motion. She demonstrated the Newtons Cradle, SB got the wrong answer when asked about what would happen when one ball dropped, but got the principle once she saw it and got another harder question right (what happens if you release three balls to hit the two remaining balls), which I was impressed with.

There was also a good demo of the one with a small and large ball - how to make the small ball bounce higher than on it’s own. You hold a small ball and a large ball so the small ball is on top of the large one. Drop them together. The large ball hits the ground , bounces back and of course hits against the smaller balls. The small ball bounces back up much higher than when dropped by itself, the large ball doesn’t bounce back up so much. She also gave an excellent explanation (the energy from the large ball gets transferred to the small ball ) when we were talking about this at the dinner table later. Well I do tend to fall into scool teacher questioning/ explaining mode when in such situations
There was also a demo of spinning aback up water around so that the water doesn’t fall out - how to tip up the bucket and not have the water fall out was the question.

But mostly we played with the various exhibits about different aspects of forces - pushing , pulling, pressure, levers, magnetism, pulleys, friction etc. Not really anything new as such to SB - but she enjoyed it as she was hoping there would be some levers (she means hands on exhibit type things) And good reminders about things she already knows such as using pulleys to make lifting things easier
So we played with levers

Explored friction

Floating and upthrust

Pulled pulleys

Pulled and pushed and squeezed and stretched

Mass and Gravity

What metals are magnetic
And explored Newtons Cradle.

Didn’t manage to quite do everything before we went off for the second part of the session where we made a cardboard version of push pull toy. We me and SB did, BB cut up the card board into lots of bits (not all just random, she did cut out a chick, and cut nicely along some of the straight lines).

We had packed lunch there - chatted with a mum about a going to school conundrum (glad we don’t have those), a bit more of play then headed off. I got lost going through the shopping centre back to the car, came out the wrong exit and had to walk ages round it to the car park.

We popped into Merry’s on the way back for a short stop - I returned back of bits that had been left in France, checked up on a toy farm she is getting in for my Mum and Dad for BB’s birthday and I had much needed cup of tea (first one since breakfast, I was gasping), I had a nice little natter with Merry while she shooed children back to play. Though SB said later, when asked if she had a good play ‘No, because they were all arguing about what to do’ :-8

I haven’t seen the Puddles for a while so that was nice

Timed leaving just right, got home just in time to drop of BB with Helen, and pick up ballet stuff to take SB to ballet. Whilst SB at ballet, BB and Helen baked a nice cake and did a jigsaw I think. I drank more tea.

Once SB home there was some ‘TV’ watching (is watching downloaded TV programs on the computer watching TV or watching the computer? ) - the obligatory Numberjacks and then followed by Roar. A quick Pasta dinner, with BB being awkward (no - TINY one when the forkful too big) about eating it, but still eating it all in the end. Not sure what SB and Helen did while I put BB to bed. But I dozed off on the sofa while Helen did the SB bed time ooops…

So should really be in bed now I guess.

dates for next year are decided.Bit of a surprise as earlier this year with 19/20 july! we camped at wicksteed park this year, as v cheap and easy, and a great place for a bit of communal camping! we would plan to do again, so any other joiners, mark it i your diary.

My car being at work due to the shenanigans of last weeks travelling meant we all went into town today, but to the other side and had a lovely walk/cycle around the park. SB cycled, BB triked [sometimes pushed] and walked and we did all the usual looking at things that goes on. was chuffed that SB had remembered loads about clouds and weather, reminded her of the names. BB in particular had a real ball with leaf kicking. Ended at the cafe - where else? and they coloured and drew funghi and SB read the display.

Home, mostly playing. SB did do some violin practice though. Whilst we did this, BB was very carefully ascending and descending a note at a time on the toy keyboard, singing doe a deer at the same time. i was impressed. BB and I read books - she loves counting at the mo, and she and SB played a complicated game with the alphabet cards, and SB and I played a lot of card games, including rapid adding up. Rather HE-ly, we now have 2 and 3 times tables up in the toilet, which she chants loudly when she goes. 2’s are fine, and the early 3’s any way. When BB in bed, she then went through a DK gymnastics book, doing warm up and various positions. She has finished the magic tree house ghost town book already! so I have put various mapping, atlas and explorer and such like books in her choice box at her request.

I need to buy some textbooks. they come in at 150 - 200 each! added to our 2000 [well just under] mondeo bill and christmas, aaarrgh. So might just stick some of the Katie art books in anyway - or is SB too old now?

we planned a chilled day today - or rather hope to plan! S and I had a nice morning snuggle in her bed with me making up stories for her, and just chatting about this and that. When she went downstairs I fell asleep until BB came up with a card she had made for me - ahh.

SB did a long violin practice [we're getting to the end of the book and the musical antics of last week also enthused her] and a MUCH shorter piano, as we’ve hit a piece where she needs to move her hands, and at the present it is a bit of a brick wall, so gently manouvering around it. She won’t move on till she can do it btw.

A mood enhancing high carb lunch to gee us parents up! Worked to, with strong coffee!! Then SB did loads of maths - again a book end in sight, read cover to cover jan’s Richard scarry books and then did some circle based painting.

BB had been doing jigsaws and also painting - well demanding I make circles for her to turn into things! i read a variety of books, and she pretended to read some too. Lots of counting involved, as she likes counting. She then went on to play with the playdough - after having a sulk that it wasn’t fimo - rofl! rule is we do fimo with SB and mess with playdough otherwise - I am so harsh.

BB was the one with particular post camp behaviour [and parents - me flickring and chris just being out of avery one's way!] SB was fine.

Watched some numberjacks and roar pre tea, and little house on the prairie post tea. SB discussed the story as one where an 80 year old dies, and her friend pretends to die so she gets to see her family. SB just didn’t understand why they wouldn’t visit. I explained travelling being so much more of a deal than jumping in a car!
With BB reluctantly going to bed, SB and I did some sewing as she wants to make her a sewn card. we cannabalised some shorts embroidery, and she cross stitched one onto a card very nicely. She is now reading the next magic tree house - Ghost Town at Sundown, so as well as the little house on the prairie, I need to find a few other books that vaguely tie in for her ‘choice’ box.

Hmmm, time for a cup of coffee methinks. oh, SB can remember roman numerals - she knew a VII was 7!

I wasn’t there for very long, but DSing was a prominent feature of camp. It didn’t impede playing, cooperativeness or socialisation for those worrying about it - as it was prominently as social event! [other similar photos from others on flickr]

We very greatfully received our ds from the monkey house a while back - and SB has made champion efforts with nintendogs and less so with shamu. i have tried out the animal crossing to see if she would get much from it. hmm to whether she could reallly play it without me yet, but she might get it for her birthday. However, in the 3 week tryout, I have obviously become an expert - so gave E a tutorial - rofl! Mind you, teaching E suggested that although SB can read fine, she would find ‘the point’ a bit too obtuse too [mind you, not sure if she would care?].

What other games are out there that are a bit animal crossingy but perhaps a bit more obvious in what you are supposed to actually DO! Any advice greatfully received! Something that they can wifi at camp perhaps as well?? theres a zoo tycoon ds - and I know Monster apparently likes whatever game console thingy he plays it on - would that be a good option?

After [for me] and all to brief dose of Nic camps, we came back with an easy drive and at the lunch stop, chris read his texts, and the local friend had asked for a playdate today or tomorrow. Since SB and her get on like a house on fire, we are both keen to encourage this as often as possible! So since I knew I would be ’slow’ on Sat [and I am] we chose the Friday. She finishes school at 15:30, and we got back 5 mins later! So a quick into playing mode.

Actually SB did very well, as she could have been ‘camped out’ But her and R couldn’t quite make up the same story to do with the castle and knights, so I intervened, and we played continuo - which we all enjoyed. I did the adding up for R, and SB showed off! SO we then moved onto fimo. R has never done any before, so I helped her work out how to do a zebra - and she did that, and then a kitten in a basket. Baked it and then she could take it her [parents v interested in fimo, and gave them the webdetails of a reputable local supplier - rofl!]

SO we took her home 3hours later and then relaxed in their entirely fabtastic house with wine and crisps having a good natter, whilst the girls were altogether better at playing together with pollypockets! finally coming home nearing 10 - thus no flickr or blogging as once girls asleep, chris and i relaxed with QI and a drink of coffee - i neither managed to watch or drink!

Chris cooking a parental pick me up for lunch [high in carbs!]

I only made the last day - but it was lovely, and I saw the caberet, got to the beach and shared in C’s birthday party and lots of late night gossip. Sure Chris might blog more - errm, well not sure exactly! Both girls also had a great time, so thanks Nic for organising. Will wade through the 6 billion photos to flicker 10% [rofl!!]

Oh, and I will u-tube the okeycokey [spontaneously childled] and stick in here too!

PS I have been a bit lazy with the flickr tags - not entirely accurate - so feel free to add or subtract your tag if it annoys!!

You have now donated
570 grains of rice.

not feeling much like blogging as home alone. anyway, yesterday we went out for a fab meal with my parents at a local gourmet pub, and then did a fair bit of playing then got ready a bonfire and fireworks and roasted chestnuts - yummy. so a great last day of my parents stay. its been a great visit and we have all enjoyed it. more readng - celts, where the rivers go, some ill fated baking also!

   

girls now at niccamp, and i am on a course, work is approaching another crisis - oh what joy!!

mum has retired to bed early as exhausted - so are we all. I a even more in awe of the home educators who are trotting about gaily. We have had 2 days of trotting about and I am exhausted!

Yesterday I took mum and the girls to visit Little Nanny. We had a lovely day, the girls reading books [SB a DK one and a book house one about big cats and grasslands respectively, and BB on apple tree farm] and playing games with the Nanny’s [rummy, patience and whos who] whilst I tried to make sure my mum didn’t do any helping [as post op] and little nanny was sorted out for food etc. And the girls didn’t spread chocolate everywhere… SB also did a piano practice after tea - entirely unsolicited! BB did both piano and violin - very cute.

today, BB and SB made a card for Chris’s Uncle Robert who had a 70th birthday party today [one of the 2 birthday parties we didn't attend today] My parents were invited to both of them, and orignally i was going to Josies, but Mum was worn out after cambridge followed by little nanny and had a lie in [for her] and felt in need of TLC.

TLC duly given whilst SB did maths and writing, and BB also did some maths - counting and making numberjack buddy blocks. Mum’s raised eyebrows over the term was neatly shown when SB continued to call them bloody box. SB read mum a book about why we eat, and discussed healthy eating whilst eating more of the trick or treat spoils - rofl.

mum felt more chipper after lunch, and the girls needed a run. Dad also here, but has been doing our garden - it looks fantastic. He is so helpful. And no, he doesn’t have to do it, I tell him this repeatedly, but also that he is my hero for ignoring me - mixed messages! Anyway, he had had enough, so we all piled out to the Raptor centre [apart from Chris, who had had enough with windows, and puled off down to his uncle robert's birthday - his uncle robert is not v well]

We enjoyed looking at the rescued birds, alot of them were in Harry potter movies, so had their star portraits - SB wondered if Harry Potter was about owls then - bless. Nearly ready I think to start on Harry Potter. Then there was the flying display, which was fab. The main man doing it was very knowledgeable, obviously loved the birds, and talked both top them and us. I loved the owls best. The audience got to stroke the 2 owls - BB and SB very keen to do so. lots of discussion round them, and a trip to the shop, where they each got a flier for 40p - bargain!!

there is also a craft shop on site - a bit deadly, but SB noticed they had a small haberdashery [we had been discussing haberdasheries, and their decline, so yes, she does know the word!] so I bought her some headed pins, she also noticed Mum looking over some leather purses, and asked me if we could get one for her for Xmas - so a little pantomime, of me telling SB to ask mum what she would look for in a good purse, and a good colour - ie mum picked one out more or less - and then we bought it! SB very proud to have chosen it - my credit card slightly more surprised! [I also bought an Xmas tree dec for me, and one for SB and BB's tree]

Home, and I made enchilladas for tea - yummy. Girls flew their flyers - nearly confiscated them at one point mind you! SOme numberjacks, game playing and BB to bed, SB watched various fireworks going off and then played more card games before her bedtime.

I am knackered, Mum already in bed. I’m waiting for Chris though, so he doesn’t come in to a dark house - hurry up sweetheart!

Tues: chris’s parents here, maths, writing, lots of baking, read a bok about oceans and fishes, SB read another fish book, grek myths and legends.

Wed: my parents here. maths, writing, piano and violin practice, rainbows. fimo halloween decs. trick and treating, spooky picnic. games

Thurs: sightseeing. Sedgewick museum of earth sciences, fossil hunting, drawing a dinosaur, following a trail. Peeking in at various colleges and a nice lunch . violin practice, reading about the body. playing with grandparents