Category Archives: Out and About

charter celebrations

Posted on August 7, 2005 by | 5 comments

Huntingdon celebrated 800 years of charter this weekend with the full reenactment thing. So we popped along today.

we expected thre to be a lot of traffic, and not sure about the carparking availability either, so were very early. chris nipped to buy a picnic whilst me ‘n the beans played at the swings [indeed SB's favourite swings!]

We went in and were really impressed by the breadth and depth of the re-enactment [loads of photos on flikr, even when heavily pruned!]. Sb was really caught up in it, asking questions of some of the re-enactors – she particularly liked the felting, musical instruments and bone beads makers. There were also 3 arenas with back to back displays, fights and re-enactments to watch – we watched longbow vs early guns, [so now I know why gunpowder took over, even though useless in comparison for 200 years!], falconry [SB and chris participated] A play set in mediaeval times, and the best of all- jousting! SB not so keen on the loud bangs, but BB slept through.

If anyone can tell me the name of the pegged, stringed bowed triangular saracen instrument ? beginning with s, I would be greatful!

We finished off with icecream. I asked SB what were the best things – icecream [naturally] and the jousting.

We were all exhausted at the end, it was a long hot day, with lots of interest. No chairs, so must remember to take camping chair to next weekend, as hips kill me with too much cross leggedness. i am also sunburnt again – the girls aren’t. SB fell asleep in the car, and hasn’t yet woken up. BB still funny about breastfeedng today – lots of minute snack attacks driving me up the wall. Also not really eaten much solids, and a bit fractious.

SB talking in her sleep, and has just clearly said there is smoke going in my eye. My yes are also stinking, as unaccustomed to all pervasive smoke! SB now awake, and watching me make our diary. hmm, unlikely to sleep again before midnight. oops.

www.flickr.com


Edited – Hmm, 2 red nose readers, usborne who were the first people, we are now at the 1001 things to spot [usborne history]. We are really doing well on history today!

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Posted in General, history, literacy, Out and About, photos, SB-PE, science, Stringbean's HE

Thankyou to Portico’s

Posted on July 31, 2005 by | 12 comments

for a lovely party, and to Mum.
It was a bit damp, but fun anyway. The children loved the bouncy castle, all the games/toys and each other. The adults loved Parent 1′s killer cocktail, and all the food, oh and the company!
SB loved meeting her friends again, and they had fun over 2 days. she fell asleep at 01:30, but not so late tonight! BB loved the mango.
Thankyou also for the hospitality – the bed was v comfy for the short time we were in it. coffee great!

We have put far too many photos on flikr as couldn’t face editing. Any wanting removing, do tell us! [yep, the link is great! - can't remember if can name and shame??]

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Posted in General, Out and About, photos

Ah, autonomous ed!

Posted on July 30, 2005 by | 2 comments

SB found the miquon orange book on her shelf and has been happily sat doing it. She is bringing her yellow book bag stuffed to the gunnels with workbooks and readers!!! [i suggested a book for bedtime and if she needed a quiet time – might as well have a mudpud rucksack. She’s just caounted 11 reading books and 3 match and sort – I am suggesting a reduction as she can hardly lift the bag.

Nearly ready [about 90 mins of organising to go, so should leave around 10:30 [so it will be about 11;30!]

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Posted in General, numeracy, Out and About

Two Wheels on My Wagon.

Posted on July 27, 2005 by | 3 comments

I did start a blog last night, then closed the window and lost the post :-( Couldn’t be bothered to do it again.

Anyway, recovered from the weekends festivities and the house is mostly back to it’s normal (dis)order. We did get the curtain put up in the front room though by Helen’s parents. They were supposed to go and play golf, but her mum didn’t want to go as it was raining, so cancelled it, and then of course it stopped raining a little while longer…..

Pleased, as fitting the bit along the pelmet thing required sewing Velcro to the back of the ‘dangly bit’, dunno how long that would have taken us to get round to doing (never is probably a good first approximation) all looks good now. They match with the covers on some chairs and cushions, which is all a bit grown up for us.

It was good to catch up with various bits of the family I don’t see so often, though as we now live a lot nearer to many of them I guess we will see them more often. shame a few members weren’t able to make it. Shame also that it rained on Sunday, but we did get to use the inside of the house and the conservatory. It certainly is good gathering/party house :-) It was even the incentive for me to clear the boxes out of the dinning room so we can actually get in and use the room now.

So, yesterday Stringbean started off the day with bit of crafts with Nanny French, making a cut and stick fish. And errrr…. after that I’m not sure. There was breakfast, Butterbean didn’t get up until turned nine, so then that stretched breakfast out a bit longer. Oh yes, making marble runs and some reading mostly I think, plus some computer advice for Grandad. And eating cakes from the rather nice bakery for elevenses ;-)

Afternoon, H was home so she did stuff with the girls, including finishing the clock kit that SB won at Melrose and started ages ago.while I mostly did boring domestic stuff.

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Today we started off with ‘Tool Girl’ as SB perused a power tool catalogue (that’s my girl) that came in the post this morning, discussed why there are lots of different ones and why an SDS drill is the dogs danglies for drilling holes in walls. Did expect her to comment on the lack of pink ones though.

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She got a treat? of a Cheesestring from the shop this morning and had it for breakfast. I do have a prejudice against this sort of thing, but TBH, not sure why. It’s seems to be just fairly mild cheese, with smattering of Annatto for colouring, just been processed a bit to be able to pull into strings. Anyway she enjoyed it.

I do love the way SB thinks/cares so much about BB, this morning she got out some clothes for BB, not just not set but a ‘summery’ outfit, one for if it’s colder, and one for tomorrow as well :-) So we pottered through the orning, bit of reading of books, hanging up of washing, SB picked a load of flower petals and then tipped them all over herself.

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We fed the fish and then spent some time watching/talking about them when SB wondered how they can swim backwards.

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After the inevitable lunch of beaked beans on toast I boxed up the car roofbox to send it back for repairs. They sent me a very big empty box to put it in, the courier man was amused by having to deliver just a big box.. SB did assist for a bit , she tried a bit of baby bondage by strapping BB into a spare car seat with the luggage net from the roof box and spent ages in the hayloft reading all her old baby books. She also found a folder of her at work going back ages so she reminisced over that while covering the playroom floor in them.

We then tried out Butterbean in the bike trailer again. She sits much better now and has much better neck control, so we took it for a spin around the village and stopped off at the playground.. BB seemed happy, and SB enjoyed having her in there with here. Will be good to be out using that again. Went on the swings and the seesaw – her first time I think – at the playground and enjoyed them both.

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H is on call and had to go back in unfortunately tonight at about 9.30 :-(, I cuddled BB and fell asleep on the sofa, which was nice, but not really conducive to doing me chores, nor is then writing a blog entry. Of course she got back about 1 am, so we of course went off to bed like sensible people, but it’s past 2 am now, so we can go to bed happly now…..

H seems to have just uploaded piccies from our Italy holiday as well.

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Posted in art and crafts, Butterbean, Out and About, photos, science, Stringbean, Stringbean's HE

After the battle

Posted on July 16, 2005 by | Leave a comment



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Originally uploaded by Scrumbledelicious.

Here we are at the end of the battle. SB a bit disappointed more weren’t dying, or being treated by the doctor, as they were vocal. She realised it was only acting.

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Posted in General, Out and About, photos

Mediaeval Fayre

Posted on July 16, 2005 by | Leave a comment

not called in overnight – always a result!

so stagecoach in the morning for SB – last in the term. I think these have been a success, so we will carry on. i do think they are expensive for what they are, but at this stage of the game, its more important to provide SB with pattern. She loved the fact that they sang doe a deer to the video with actions, and that she already knew the words.

We then took a picnic to the animal shelter in godmanchester that was hosting a mediaeval fayre. I was surprised at how empty the place was, and I think it would have been much better if bustling, so that SB could have watched people using the archery/crossbow and jousting stuff. She was just that little bit too young, but next year….

Anyway, she enjoyed the axe throwing competition – but really wanted a go! And found a playmate to play knights and princesses with [i made up a story whilst feeding BB. He was such a nice lad that he immediately gave her his new sword and shield to use while he played with a bigger one! The re-enactment of one of the roses skirmishes was good. no gunpowder due to animals close by. SB very hot, so I amused others by dribbling water down her back and into her hat. [many photos on flikr]

At home we read the ancient egypt dorling kindersley eyewitness and looked at joe the dragon again – SB good at adding [not carrying over] and also like the chinese numbers – I think that might be new. We also did a it more castles at bedtime. I am getting her to spell out headings and have a guess at blending and making words, think this may be successful, as if thinking about it, she can do it. of course postman [as in pat] does not come out quite right, but she did realise what it was meant to be.

Nearly organised the books, but Chris has vetoed stickering for now. Sonlight order will prob go in tomorrow. Thinking about those plug and play electronics things – brainbox whatever. Sarah, are you still being a facilitator for edu toys or should I buy direct?? Looking forward to my lovely books!!! [and no, have not got harry potter, but if anyone does buy 2, i would consider coming to a deal, else tescos next week!]

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Posted in Butterbean, General, history, literacy, music, numeracy, Out and About, SB-PE, socialisation, Stringbean's HE

Little Nanny Update

Posted on July 13, 2005 by | 5 comments

From the pictures on flikr, the beans all had a lovely day yesterday. when i got home SB excitedly told me all about it. bath is still a funny colour!

today we had a hurried breakfast as were going to be late for the last clap and sing of term. HomeDad dejected, as he is back to work after the summer hols. know how that one feels. SB as very proud, as she got to carry biscuits around offering to everyone. Half of her chatter I think we should blog, as she is constantly enquiring or pronouncing. TBH if we ever had LEA input, I think they would run away if left with her having been instructed to tell them about home ed. Both she and I do talk non stop, and a lot of it is inconsequential – but means I am here, i love you, we are together, but a fair chunk is educational – what we see, what she has been thinking about. Jumping of ideas. Can i remember – no.

Anyway, lunch and we were off to Norfolk, where little nanny having rehab. She is feeling much more positive, and has a nice physio who keeps her motivated. She is shuffling with zimmer, but shoulders now better, which has given her a confidence boost. [flikr photos]

both children charmed the other inpatients, and BB was handed around for cuddles [improves little nanny's street cred!]. oh, that reminds me, SB circling around the concept of death, who will die in what order, and very perturbed that it isn’y soley age related. she has offered to share nanny;s with me when my nanny dies – not a conversation i’m keen on! it appears that SB believes in heaven, which is in the stars. she likes the stardust thing too though.

it was a real scorcher of a day for the drive, and hard on my eyes and general tolerance levels. was behind numerous caravans and thought of joyce!

on the home ed front we are dipping in an out of the usbourne pocket science, dk eyewitness, singappore maths and crafty bits and pieces. did watch spanish muzzy for a change. rosetta stone looks like a good concept doesn’t it. am planning a cheaper sonlight order!

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Posted in General, Out and About, Stringbean's HE

A Chris Catch up – Edited.

Posted on July 7, 2005 by | 4 comments

Hmm, this time last week I was holed up in Merry’s tent waiting for the rain to stop at Kessingland so I could finsih packing up. Where did that week go then? Plenty of other blogging about Kessie on the ring and Helen did some as well, A and now seems a bit late, but I’ll chuck in a few snippets.

Some of the best bits for me:

Watching the kids playing, SB catching up with old, and making new friends, the endless, gradually morphing games they play, and not to many tiffs. SB loved it.

The three babies ‘communing’ they really seemed to enjoy each others company, much arm waving, leg waggling and toy tussling.

Sitting , relaxing, chatting, watching the kids, eating outside the tents. Making a few new friends and catching up with current ones. Missed you though Sarah from the mix

Being the center of attention – well feeling like it :-) as the area around the front of our and Layla’s/Simon’s tent seemed to become the area where people hung out for some reason. So we didn’t have to go anywhere to socialise :-)

Sitting outside the tent at 6 in the morning (when Helen had gone back to work early), sun up, tea in hand, quiet, watching the ducks patrolling through the campsite.

Merry flaggin down the ‘train’ in the wildlife park, as it was the last one and had already left the ‘station’ He let them on anyway :-) I took BB and Josie off in the buggies and enjoyed ’5 minutes peace’ sitting under a tree. :-)

The rain on Thursday which got SB into a tent and doing some other things such as making necklaces which she said afterwards she enjoyed,and gave some great puddles for them to splash in which I love watching. And of course hearing Kirsty shout ‘Marcus’ disparingly as the last pair of trousers gets wet….

This photo, which really should be a bit of video:

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The girls were taking it in turns on ther ‘pogo-er’ thing. To time their turns they were singing ‘Zip-a-dee-do-dah’ – which SB has learnt at Stagecoach :-)

Worst bits:

The sinking feeling when I realised the tent poles weren’t in the roofbox……

Eventually giving up waiting for the rain to stop on Thursday afternoon, going out and getting wet packing the car, only for the rain to stop as soon as the only thing left was the tent outer Grrrrr :-( Thank’s for getting wet helping though Simon.)

A bit of BBQ related disgruntlement.

Oddest thing.

We never got to go and look at the sea.Which seeing as I love the sea is very strange

We had a great time, loved it, want to do it again :-) I think one or two areas will need a modicum more organising though.

Sorry to all those in statics we didn’t come up and see (though it sounds like if we had we might not of actually identified many of you), but I think we were just feeling too much at home and too lazy on the camping field.

Other snippets of things from this week

Stringbean drawing dots all over her body in felt tip, then joining them up as a dot-to-dot – ‘it’s a dot-to-dot of a my body’ :-)

Nanny finding SB asleep on the landing when she had got out of bed:

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Possibly more, but I have to go and take then to Hospital to see ‘Little Nanny’, may update later, but will publsih incase I don’t

And here we are later….

Another SB snippet. A couple of days ago she was suddenly sick over the playroom floor. I don’t think she has been sick for ages, and didn’t realise what was happening, so it just sort of came out :-( She recovered quickly though. About 20 seconds later she was saying she was hungry, and excitedly peering at it identifying her dinner - ‘Oooo look, noodles!’

Little Nanny is ok, but it’s going to be while before she is walking about well enough to go home, though I doubt she will be back entirley to her pre-fall self. She should be moving tomorrow back to her local hospital to get rehabilitated. Probably better that she is back there, but she seems to have quite liked this hospital (as they go…) so is probably loathe to move. And it will be less convienent for visits etc., for her daughters as they both live a fair way away, whereas we have been a handy coaching stop :-) And of course Helen works in the hospital.

And nice though it has been to have people staying it will be nice to have the house back to ourselves and for us to attempt to have nice quiet family weekend. Though given our current record, you ca’t help wondering what will happen this time….

Stringbean’s Stagecoach group is doing a little ‘show’ for the parents this weekend which should be fun. And try to get a swim in on Sunday as well, do miss the lovely kiddie/baby pools they had at the gym we went to in Leeds though – but not the paying for the privilidge….

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Posted in Butterbean, Out and About, photos, Stringbean, Stringbean's HE

sunny day

Posted on July 3, 2005 by | 3 comments

And so it needed to be, as first opportunity to play with SB for me since I left Kessie. only got home from work at half 10 and ravenous, but after that went for quality SB time, as get more interaction with BB in the evenings.

Started with playing all together, with me n SB stacking up cups for BB to knock down, and putting toys in them for her to find. BB is such a sweetheart, and her face is all aglow with excitement in these combined games with SB, who it is quite clear she hero worships. [what a long sentence]

BB carried on while SB and I started doing some hama aboriginal dreamtime style piccies. Actually SB not bad, though attention span compromised, so moved on to playing copy each others patterns and sorting out the colours. Particularly including counting, adding and spatial relationship skills. Kept us both happy!

we spent alot of the afternoon playing in the sandpit, burying our dinosaur fossil and then hiding it around the garden.
Sb also put on shows for us to watch. We then dug up potatoes and picked broad beans for tea, but actually had pasta – LOL. Oh well, there for tomorrow. Unfortunately the potato tops have blight, and the whole veg patch weed city. Not done a good job.

Actually whilst on house update, roof leaking, bath taps dodgy, showers not working, 100 year old grapevine dying etc etc. sigh massively!

After tea we read the 10p book from the hospital friends stall on rivers and water. very nice. It also had a picture off newt eggs on oxygenator plants. we of course know that now from last years experiment of what are these eggs, and what will they become [well 2 goldfish and 2 newts].

BB hasn’t been ignored, and has been doing lots of standing practice and manipulating objects. also some tummy shuffling. She is such a bundle of happiness. 3rd tooth nearly through.

little nanny walking with special zimmer, and the girls visited her for a long time yesterday – did nanny the power of good I think. the other ladies also cooed over my girls. SB took in the usbourne pocket science book of why we are ill for little nanny, so she would understand 0 bless. other ed moment sith chris [in case he doesn't blog] were stagecoach yesterday final rehearsal, and my fav, SB asking if the world slowed down spinning in summer so the days were longer. we need a globe I think!

I really would like to organise and arrange our home ed better again [still autonomous, but with the ideas etc ready] however, with the house in chaos and me always at work, I am worried that we are never going to do it as we would like. Early days yet I guess.

oh, and Chris P, 2 ways to my heart, food and calling my child gorgeous! Thankyou.

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Posted in art and crafts, Butterbean, DIY/ house renovation, gardening, General, music, numeracy, Out and About, SB-PE, science, socialisation, Stringbean's HE

Kessie Brain Dump Post – We Loved It!

Posted on July 1, 2005 by | 11 comments

Guess I should say something about the week then! Here it is in brain dump mode.

Since I was working, I was only there sat, sun, mon and wed, so chris will have to fill in the rest!

Lowlights ? chris forgetting the tentpoles!!!!; going back to work; BB having a feeding frenzy all one night

Highlights ? meeting lots of people both met before at Melrose, and new; watching how well all the children got on [SB in her element]; basket weaving.

Anyway Alison saved the day with her khyam, so we had somewhere to sleep the first night ? also meant that Chris put up communal tent. Next day he went home at crack of dawn ? lucky not to be thought an intruder by my golfclub wielding dad ? and returned with our little tent. As I was still sulking, he made a good attempt to put it up on his own, though I think Jax and Tim may have taken pity on him and helped a bit!

Sunday was also sunburn day ? Nic had a particularly fetching fingerprint pattern up her arm. Caused by finding the sun tipping the yard arm fairly early and a drinks session in the afternoon. Not just Nic ? I hasten to add! Layla and I decided we had pitched the tents well, as the area in front of our tents turned out to be the communal gathering, pull up a chair kind of area, so without even trying we were very sociable.

On the communal front, ?the other chris? was far more sociable than I had been led to believe. I really enjoyed meeting people [so far more confident ? yes, ok noisy, strident and opinionated ? than at Melrose], chatting away about this and that.

The children played well together, with minimal tantrums. Though SB did bite someone [again sorry]. She really isn?t a biter [or even hitter/fighter] and spent the next 30 mins sobbing in my arms about it. The like a bike type thing from Lidl that we took was enjoyed by most of the children was purchased by other parents after seeing how much fun it was ? so def a Jax started craze!

Also purchased from lidl were 2 sun gazebos to stop further burning by simon. Unfortunately they were child sized~!! [he coped admirably with the teasing] Chris went to homebase for the real thing ? though the kiddies was cuter.

We did no sparky clubbing until the last day, and SB was blissfully unaware of existence. We did go swimming, join in the communal activities, but really left her and the socialisation to its own devices.

BB and the other babies played together in sun cabanas. Mexican waving at each other and eating each other?s toys. They are all of a similar size, so looked v cute.

For me the weather was no prob [though had hideous drive home], a duvet made the bed warm [and BB as the hot water bottle]. I find storms quite relaxing really.

So all in all, really wonderful. Thankyou Merry for organising.
Pictures to follow at some point!

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Posted in Butterbean, General, Out and About, socialisation, Stringbean's HE