Category Archives: geography

Indian Summer/ September Camp

Posted on September 11, 2005 by | 1 comment

agh, my presentation frozen – am i in autosave mode? dare i find out?

Anyway, will take this oportunity to blog – initialy sketchilly and to fill in.

tuesday
miraculously left at 7.30 and a few traffic jams aside, made good progress. Stopped in a service station to find chris’s bumbag [with everything inside] precariously hanging to outside of car through SB’s imperfectly shut car door [Yep, gave him a hard time on a number of the issues raised]
tent up easily – poles are helpful here
SB helping was even helpful in places.
Lovely campsite
We then went for walk up onto quantocks – it was BB’s first bushbaby experience, and she seemed to like it. SB enjoyed the walk as well.

It was still reasonably warm at night – no need for fleece blankets etc. If mudpud does end up moving, this would be a good alternaive week? could have a rising 5′s not back to school barbie [katy's idea, though we couldn't make it]

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Wed
Visited Crealy, and met up with the Screamteam and 2 red Boots. We were late, but they appeared unfazed. It really is a great place, but not able to forcibly move it to closer to home.
Lovely day and lovely company. the children played happily, and after a slightly shakey start, SB got the flow of things too. Kessie dog certainly a softie, and even I’m not afraid of her! Relaxed chat for adults, and lots of water playing for children. yep, it is going on flickr as I type!

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thurs
met up with a uni friend, Shaula, who is the children’s godmother. We took the somerset steam railway to minehead, had a picnic on the prom and then a walk and play along the sands. Not such scorching weather – Sb disappointed not to swim. However, looked at what I confidently explained were lugworm holes [i hope] and drew and wrote in the sand.
chris for some reason put BB in bushbaby backwards – looked very odd, and turned her round again.
Shaula had come bearing gifts – both children delighted!
She had tea and gossip with us, as it is far too long since we have met ‘IRL’

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fri
this time a drive to exmoor and a couple of walks. around caractacus stone and tarr steps ancient clapper bridge. lovely day. tea shop lunch and chips at minhead prom for tea! SB a good walker now. didn’t moan too much that BB now has bushbaby! SB loves tree climbing too. Lots of roving HE – geography/maps contour lines, flooding, landscape reading, history, ancient technology, flora and fauna [caterpillars, pondskaters, sheep, ponies]

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sat
slow to pack up, and had been rain overnight. SB took almost the whole tent packing time to tidy a few books and toys. Had been goingto look at a local abbey and then moveout, but just got going earlier to meet up with pete ‘n kate in bristol. He was Chris’s friend at uni, she mine at school and uni, they met at our wedding…..
lovely to catch up again.

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so all in all a chilled and sociable holiday.

Home ed taking place – lots of colouring, a fair bit of singapore maths. SB ‘read’ to herself a variety of red nose readers, and we read a lot of others together. We looked at her egyptian book , why it rains and a space book as well. ed on the hoof as above, also star spotting in the evening – mostly making up our own constellations. I think shaula read SB the whole child’s bible.

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Posted in art and crafts, Butterbean, General, geography, history, literacy, numeracy, Out and About, photos, science, socialisation, Stringbean, Stringbean's HE

bank holiday weekend

Posted on August 29, 2005 by | 1 comment

My parents visited- which was nice. except that I was on duty for 48 hours of it!! [and manically busy]

When I got home yesterday we had a very lazy and relaxed garden day. read SB lots of books [ and I think mum read bookcases full the day before] fed and giggled with BB and generally just chilled.

SB did still do a fair number of maths workbooks pages, jigsaws, counting games [ludo, snakes and ladders etc], matching games [dominos and memory cards and snap] colouring and drawing and writing her name on all the muddlepuddle postcards. She’s getting the names of the continents from the globe, a lovely jigsaw or 2 and a new DK globe game which is like snakes and ladders, put a plane flying round the globe and getting sidetracked.

today we nipped to the garden centre and SB fell in love with a shed-house [ and me with a potting shed] we have done lots of gardening – pruning and weeding mainly. Much chilling and reading again. SB still having fun with patterns – this time connect 4, also reinforcing the 6 number bonds [which she clearly knows]. lots of just playing and imagination.

edit – forgot that we started another crystal experiment – time to buy in bulk!

Rather fun, we turned the garden sunshade into a den with prunings. we did weave some through, but SB was so enthusiastic that by the time photos taken, it was semi-rutus [?sp] but i like the word. We found lots of shield bugs on the branches to look in the bugfinder as well. tied in nicely with the new DK insects book I had ebayed….

SB sad as at new nursery, everyone left to start school, so she is starting again. She was very philosophical about it with Mum – which tugged my heartstrings a bit. I do think SB would prob love much of school, but I would hate it to crush her SB-ness!

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Posted in art and crafts, Butterbean, gardening, General, geography, history, literacy, numeracy, photos, science

Ah, lovely day.

Posted on August 20, 2005 by | 4 comments

We didn’t try and do a lot, but had a great time together – it is just so nice to relax with my girls.

Lots of ebay stuff came this morning, and I am trying to send some of it back – a trouser suit for work – with a skirt?? and a pair of trousers whose zipper is missing?? Not received a reply yet. Also some DK stuff for SB – pyramids, and an oxford children’s middle ages history book [preparing ahead]. The postie said she specially came to ours first this morning!

This must have got SB in the mood, as we started by letterland reading, and when she went downstairs and I tried on clothes, she got out various match and sort books – miquon maths, singapore earlibird 2A and my pals are here primary 1a, the jigsaw sticker books and some ladybird work books, and flitted betweent htem. HOWEVER, THE THING THAT ABSOLUTELY FIXATED HER TODAY WAS THE CUISINAIRE RODS. SHe made pattern after pattern with them, totally grasps there relationship with each other. In total hours must have been spent in absorbed fascination with square patterning. [have put some of them on flikr]. We also did some playing with the globe – and she is very taken with the word antipodean!

She was very good helping me to make dinner, including going outside and helping dig up some potatoes. The sweetcorn are really coming on – ? ripe enough to eat next week. She insisted that we pick some more elderberries to make some more juice for the jelly – so will set some more off whilst awaiting jamjars. The dinner is one of the simplest yet very yummy – 2 packets of lindamcartney sausages, 2 tins chilli beans and some onion, with layered potato on top with mustard. In oven for 1 hour roughly. SB likes the onion whizzled up, and I pop in some whizzled mushrooms as well. Spare for little nanny.

BB has been walking/shuffling sideways alot, doing that magic movement thing across rooms, and pulling herself up. She is really practising waving, and enjoys SB’s musical percussion set. She definiately is more keen on finger foods that the feeding her things. Today is her 9 month milestone!

Finally, after tea, a bit of magic. SB noticed a hot air balloon out of the window, so we looked and thought there may be 2, so we went into the garden – there were 14! Have taken some piccies of them over the church – sish I had a good camera with a good zoom though, as ours not good enough for this! We enjoyed scooting about garden and house to get the best view, and watching them going up and down.

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Posted in art and crafts, Butterbean, Cooking, General, geography, literacy, numeracy, photos, science, Stringbean's HE

Catch up – Home ed

Posted on August 19, 2005 by | Leave a comment

Well, its about time I wrote something a bit educational. Sb very good at reading and asking loads of quesitons – so no probs there. Also had an ebay frenzy and books and maps keeping us occupied [and bigly clothes for me]. The cheap globe from tesco a hit. I seem to be addicted to DK eyewitness books though. SB doing lots of drawing, and some maths workbooks regularly, reading lots of things together – with her spelling and saying the simple words. Lots of outdoors when the weather OK. I think we are mostly doing imaginative play though at the moment – dressing up and acting out. SB also very interested in family albums, and getting an idea of historical timeline through family. We didn’t get to finish the jelly, as some jamjars on order from Lakeland. MUST buy postcards this weekend!

BB is definitely into being bipedal. She can shuffle around – mostly backwards to her extreme annoyance. She has started waving her hands – which is v cute. SB adores her – also v cute. even if there is the odd greenish hue around.

My Dad visited on wed, which was very nice. Both he and Chris think I put too much up on flikr so can’t see wood for trees. I don’t care! it is my backup photos, and there is room. I will cut down for the albums. Antway, dad brought me lots of cousin Anne’s geneology things, as I am going to be the keeper. Haven’t looked, as i think I often try to pretend she is still alive, as we only saw each other a couple of times a year. Brief moment there. Anyway BB enjoyed eating Dad’s icecream. Sb shew him everything she can do!!

I am germinating a curriculum plan in freestyle mode for CHris and SB, so need laminator and time, and then they can do dip and dives, with things semi organised – SB not good if no instant gratification!

Anyway, think that is it. loads of piccies on flikr to back it up!

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Posted in art and crafts, Butterbean, Cooking, General, geography, history, literacy, numeracy, SB-PE, Stringbean's HE

Wedding Anniversary

Posted on August 15, 2005 by | 9 comments

another one!!

BB has her third tooth and has had fun scraping and chomping with it. She loves her food and finger food – very good at peeling skins of plums etc in her mouth and spitting out.

She is also nearly crawling. ‘cos she has been so fond of standing, i assumed that like SB she wouldn’t bother much with crawling, but no. She can get into all 4′s and stretch to reach, and then sits again, getting close though.

Also she puts her arms up for carries and hugs, loves SB, is enjoying the rocking horse and is very inquisitive about pretty much everything in her path. I love her.

Came home via tescos and in their sale was a globe and junior swingball, so got both. SB has played with both alot this eve, so good buy! She is now asleep, and so, apparently is Chris. This househusbanding wears him out. I am going to wake him, as can’t bear to look at lots of rooms in house. I will start with the disaster that is this room.

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Posted in Butterbean, General, geography, SB-PE

How late?

Posted on August 13, 2005 by | Leave a comment

The day just seems to have whizzed past, SB only went to bed at 9ish, and I’ve been messing about with the copenhagen flikr pics some more.

i rang Little Nanny and she is getting a bit better. her neighbour cooked her dinner and watched her eat it, and until end of next week, social services has a lady coming in daily for an hour to help a bit. My dad visits midweek, and my aunt the week after [and hopefully us for a day, so getting cooking!]

When we got up, SB decided we should make icecream, and was very put out we couldn’t, so settled on jam [well, jelly] so picked elderberries and added some frozen redcurrents. had assorted beasties to look at then in bugbox – mostly ladybirds and spiders. We played walk the plank, followed by a grizzle session. SB then read a book – no kidding! a starter one with simple repeats, and I did take over as she was worn out, but def sound and say. [cue trumpets]

Having worn ourselves out, she watched toy story 2 and german sesame street whilst I flikred. This segued nicely into german reminder phrases while Chris pruned the grapevine. We then set up the second drain for the jelly to go overnight and hama-ed. I read some of the usborne stories from around the world - we look at the map on the front, and chose india and denmark. Some leappad maths and phonics and thats the education!

BB still happiest when standing, and appears to be in paradise if standing and SB playing peeboo from behind the sofa. Got to eat some runner beans from garden [she likes]

My ears still playing up from flights though. Otherwise all well here [mostly, as SB has back-at-home-itis, but only mildly] Yes, as a confirmed photoholic I did take photos, and they are still on the camera!

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Posted in Butterbean, Cooking, gardening, General, geography, language, literacy, numeracy, science

Copenhagen part 2

Posted on August 12, 2005 by | Leave a comment

I was reasonably dilligent at conference, so feel OK about that [a few bits I couldn't face as so esoteric, and a few so marketing oriented, hackles raised on reading program!].

Chris will prob comment on the majority of the time! The other thing I had time for was a nip to the museum of history, with childrens museum attached. I got to do prehistory and the children’s bit, and they then carried on without me. Nicely set out museum, and SB good at them, as long as at her pace, and she chooses what to look at – but we are allowed to comment! In the children’s section there were also clothes of the period to dress in and a viking ship – which she liked, and a mediaeval wall building display – very much liked!

SB says favourite thing the little mermaid – and statues and fountains in the main. we have def done too much greek myths and legends, as she saw a nude and decided it was the mother and baby goddess as you could see the nipples. hmm. Whilst away we have done lot of book reading – both stories and history [viking and egyptian, though she had wanted indian] looked at maps – SB now very clear on what maps are, what they show and how to use them. She had her own map to use, and enjoyed showing people where she had been on it, and how to get to places. We also looked for landmarks as we went around – particularly the interesting towers or coloured houses so that we could always find our way.

edited – Forgot to say that on the walk around copenhagen on tues, after Netto, we were at great park with dragon based childrens activity area – which SB rather liked – can you tell where I am with photos?

before we caught the plane today we had a final walk up the watersedge, and SB had a great time playing with a small kindergarten group and their rather fun and jolly carers. Language no barrier.

safely home – at least we didn’t fly BA. Got an ear prob throwing me out from the flights that I can;t shift though. will rampage around blogring, but perhaps not have time to comment as photos to do as well!

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Posted in General, geography, history, literacy, socialisation

Manic Monday

Posted on July 25, 2005 by | 5 comments

Well, work was anyway, as a few colleagues short – again!
Got home and immediately relaxed. SB and I finally finished her Melrose clock. Played in the garden, watered toms, lots of simon says and ballet shows [again thank goodness not overlooked!] A bit of patterning with her cuisinaire rods and reading a book about the north and south poles.

BB cuddlable and adorable.

felt vaguely unsettled as had nigthmare after nightmare last night – all wierd and vaguely reminiscent of cube and hypercube scifi crap films. In fact parent 1 from the portico died with me in one of them swimming when the water became solid WTF?? Howeer, kept seeing the post thing in cartoon, with Chris looking after the beans, so wondered whether this was my subconscious grappling with the at work thing.

Oh well, chocolate tonight and an early bed

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Posted in art and crafts, gardening, General, geography, numeracy, Stringbean's HE

Guess a quick update in order!

Posted on June 22, 2005 by | 3 comments

so, to recap!…

well, a fair bit this week we have discussed the aboriginal art in our ‘home ed’ [!] room. So today SB and I made some dreamtime pictures. she was really enthusiastic, and as well as dots and footprints, we had lizards, barramundi and honey ants.
We looked up australia n the map, and some of my photos. ALso discussed different animals – AKA the ones in koala brothers! Her geography puzzle book has a dreamtime story about Uluru [ayers rock].

other ed type stuff was in discussing dinosaurs [a recurrent theme] and how the earth was formed. I am going to have to buy fantasia I think!

A lot of bouncing on the spacehopper, climbing, splashing in pool etc also carried out.

BB spent most of the time in the pool so as to keep cool – still blotch queen, but no longer worrying about it being rubella – phew. SHe also enjoyed playing with bead frame and some sponge balls. On lying on her tummy this evening, she managed to push herself backwards, so I think mobility phase commencing.

Mum and Dad staying as Little Nanny still n hospital, surgery seemed to go well, but she still can’t walk, and she and physio getting frustrated. And Little Nanny starting to loose hope a bit again. i am sure it is early days, but understandably there is some panic/consternation about what happens if she can’t walk.

I had a rough on call this week, but made it to the clinical governance meeting. I have to say I feel pulled in all directions in the moment, and it is difficult to retain focus and determination. Just keep breathing!!

i just want to be able to have more home-ed/family days and less stress days at the moment. I think my SB time is again suddering – though with the family around she seems OK with it.

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Posted in art and crafts, Butterbean, General, geography, history, Stringbean's HE

Reach for the stars, follow your hearts desire

Posted on June 11, 2005 by | 8 comments

thankyou S Club. but getting today backwards.

warning – there are 4 posts in total from today, so far! This one on today, a hols summary, a technical help and a bit of fun!

Stagecoach today, and usual pallaverings about going – well it is v expensive! Anyway SB decided she would go, as cheered by thought would oneday get to be in real show! When we got there she was uncertain of me leaving, but I stood with her in the registration queue, aand when she went through, she forgot to get me t come with her. As promised I sat with BB outside on a wall reading my mum’s hols book [link to follow when find it to get title!]. Anyway about a woman going back to work after 7 years childcare, reluctantly as husband fired and wants to write screenplay. kept a sneaky peak at SB doing her zip-a-dee-doo-dah song and summer holiday dance. She tried v hard this week – and the teacher told me on packing up it was the best of the term, so much fuss made of her.

On the way home we played spot the crop, and the uses – mosly wheat and oilseed rape, but did have a field of broad beans and a PYO strawbs. SB decided to PYO with Chris next week, and then make jam with me.

SB went with Chris to buy lunch [soup and bread] as this encouraging practical numeracy in action!!. We were all ravenous. BB eating well now – red pepper and french bean puree with EBM rice pud after.

A walk around the garden today shows a weed infested jungle – we need to have a major weeding fest. Anyone up for a pick buckets of weeds and get plied with alcohol holiday at ours?? I’m thinking of the jan’s field option for ourselves. Anyway, as well as rampant weeds, we do have rampant crops – particularly grapes and figs coming along nicely – yummy!!

When we had come home last night, we had found a booklet of the village festival – this week. today was a party for 4-9 year olds, so took SB, and she had a great time. Got to eye up girls of own age in village [as meet would be too strong a word!] The lady doing the party does this for a living – and also the singing session. she was very good and i was impressed. BB also enjoyed it. Anyway, the S-Club song was from there.

digression alert! When SB was 6 months we had this as her ‘theme tune’ and danced her to it – mainly i suspect so chris could nearly dislocate shoulders at the ‘reach’ bit.. Anyway, listening to the lyrics, and doing the dance to an appreciative BB, I realised that, athough a bit saccharine, it was a fairly good theme tune still. [rider - remember I'm a classic fm girl]

I also enjoyed seeing SB dancing to hey baby as per baby disco. She had a great time anyway, and we both did our best to look sociable fitter inners rather than the weirdos we are. well wht spoil the surprise! It was suggested we enter BB into bonny baby comp- hmm!!!

enjoyed reading usbournes around the world junior puzzle book together. SB liked the pictures and looking at what was different in the places. Think next time I should be more organised and have the atlas at the ready or a globe [as yet to buy] so can put a bit of where in the world – ah here to it! She likes it when I’ve been to places as well – so if i was one of the more organised people on this blogring, I could have had my holiday snaps of india, malaysia and australia to hand. hmm!! maybe som unobtrusive follow up. Mind you, if weather with us, tomorrow a bit more of village festival, some seed sowing, potting up peppers and planting out sweetcorn in order. none of french beans or courgettes germinated – really weird!

Tea of pittas with felafal, feta cheese, tomatos, lettuce and cucumber. we also had chilli jam, and SB olive paste and balsamic vinegar. I do like it that she eats adult food, and has an appreciation of it. She enjoys stuffing the pockets with her choice of ingredients, and it makes out lives easy. Washed down with ‘dizzy’ water for her, and limoncino for us – nice! Realised 8 o clock, so a hasty bedtime. BB now also sleeping after good feed. We of courswe have a thousand things to do, so I’m blogging, and chris is trying to sort out old desktop which keeps crashing – new one awaited!

Still denied access to a number of ring sites, so if you have any dramatic announcements, let me know!! oh, and who amongst you are gravatar enabled?

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Posted in Butterbean, General, geography, numeracy, SB-PE, science, socialisation, Stringbean's HE