Author Archives: HHaricot

we started this weds4ed with making hexaflexagons as our maths manipulatives. we all made and decorated some in the end, tho following the instructions was more of a challenge for some! we even had a go at making double ones – much more tricky. The we moved on to trying to make texamexahexaflexagons – much much harder! TheB managed it, tho most of us made a mess v tasty tho

after lunch of a mixture of wraps and the more traditional pasta we went to our be engineous. This time we were making water purification systems. we made ours in 2 parts, the first with gravel and sand, and then the water was passed through cotton wool and coffee filter. Whilst doing this, we could see that the finer filters worked better but took longer, and we discussed the things we cant see – bacteria, poisons etc.

finally our last organised activity was art, still in the modern era this is a 2parter. today they made the collage material that will then next time be made into the artwork. this was in the style of eric carle

Without photographic evidence we also had a fab flying visit from Zoe . really miss zoe! we had some fab wednesdays together. her girls have moved to being schooled and are comfortable with that choice, but I still miss the ‘good old days ‘ . lovely to catch up.

This fab game we imported from Germany after bb enjoyed playing it in France. Loverly memory game with a bit of probability thrown in. Quite quick too

SB has had the final feedback for her half of the exchange.

here it is

I spoke to SB and mamanV this week to complete the evaluation of the first half of the exchange. This is what I noted…

Are you happy to be leaving ? ‘yes and no! I will miss my friends’

Relationship with FrB and the family – very good relationship with FrB. We play board games, mosaiques and laugh a lot.

School – good. SB liked school as she made friends. She was at ease in maths and science classes.

What was difficult ? at first, I found the rhythm of life a bit difficult like with the family meals and also when I started school – I really didn’t understand.

Will you return? Yes, I want to come back during the holidays!

Extra activities – I went skiing – it was so nice !SB learned to sky with her French ‘parents’. She was very happy with this experience

Linguistic evalution – SB has an excellent comprehension of the French language. I was very impressed! She made huge progress from the beginning of her exchange. I was able to speak to her naturally and she understood everything, even when speaking fast. She told me that she was used to listen to her French sisters who speak very fast! She also has a good vocabulary. Her pronounciation and intonation are also very good. She makes a few syntax errors but this does not hinder the meaning of her sentences.

MamanV’s feedback – At first, I spoke to FtB who is really looking forward to going to GB – she can’t wait. mamanV then told me that they were very happy to welcome SB into their home. At first, she needed time to get used to the rhythm of their family life, school, timings, learning…etc. Now, they see that SB feels better as she can express herself. At school, the teachers see that she made progress. SB liked school as she had friends there. Well done SB. Now, it’s her turn to play the welcoming role with FrB. We wish you a happy family reunion

honestly we had hoped that the bathroom would be done by now. However… still dh has fixed the wood around doors and windows and done the plastertaping. just needs one more skim and them it will be ready to paint.

oh, and i do really like our taps

or week -2. It is sooo hard, i feel like a bottle of champagne being picked up, that fizz reaction is starting! I have 2 more weeks to go though before I can let all that emotion out. Oh My Goodness! However, speaking to her, I try and remember to ask about france, advising her to make the most of the time she has left, live and love there and truly feel it speak through her. No, i don’t say that exactly, she would just roll her eyes at me! But that is what I hope she does. Pick up some gallic insoucience.

She went to a schoolfriends house for the whole day today and loved it she crimped her hair and thinks it looks fab. Whilst on the phone she was joking with her big sis C and FrB and sounds very self assured. I guess we will have the full lowdown when she returns and tells us all the ins and outs. I do wish she had done more with her blog, more of an online journal to look back on. we did ask her to blog a typical day but life is clearly too much fun and too busy. I am glad that she has had such a wonderful time. Next weekend she has 2 sequential sleepovers with schoolfriends. have suggested she takes her camera so she has memories of them and the time she shared with her friends.

Oh, and I am just so excited that she is coming back soon. I just haven’t really let myself see up to that date, but stopped my thoughts just before, and restarted them the week after when FrB joins us. However, that fizz reaction has started…

This was a game designed and made by bb based on settlers. We need to tweak it a bit but we enjoyed it and bb enjoyed designing it.

Good everything week really. Good bookishness, good social including new group to out and about

we have bought , as a temporary measure, a second hand sofa and chair for our front room. they fit beautifully and look better and are quite comfortable, as well as having a 0 less than the duresta ones I fancied!

with the sun shining, it was perfect