Category Archives: history

Ranty day

At work, as just feeling hemmed in and overworked. the tues on call still having fallout moments!

Positives – well, friend came over for whine and wine! [Always enjoy a communal rant]

Got 2 ebay purchases – usbournes first people and elixabeth1 – we read the elixabeth straight away, and some of the first people. SB spontaneously pointed out the evolution – First people were monkeys and hairy, then a bit less hairy, then just had hairy trousers [!!] However, she then wanted to know what people might evolve into, and when it might happen [thank god for sci fi!!] I do think she actually understood the concept.

We were outside, and a huge black cloud came up, with a patch of sunlight behind – so we were discussing whether it would rain and heavens opened. SB rather fond of rain, and at least it was warm.

At nursery she has made biscuits, played and eaten. It concerns me that her best friend there she says pinches and kicks her. She says she has spoken to a grown up – so maybe we will chat about it there tomorrow.

BB is experimenting with different vocalisations, and is at present playing on the mat. She is particularly excited by the cats when they wander in. Might persuade her to investigate movement, but she is rather well supported in the bottom department.

Hopefully better day tomorrow at work, and the portico party – yay!

Worn out

think we are all worn out. candles lit both ends and in the middle – what with me working an average of 56 hours a week and wanting to see/play with the girls as much as poss, and Chris trying to do the househusband thing so that I don’t feel the need to, as well as play etc with the girls. SB tries to stay up late with me, and BB feeds all night long. Cream Crackered in deed. Somehow we are going to have to alter the pace without too many compromises.

This running to stay still thing seems to permeate every area of our living as well. I go round house and garden and there is just loads to do. if I earned more, we could pay for someone to do it, but earning more means less time at home, and just not up for that. Weeds and grubbiness will just have to stay. Unfortunately we have a housefull of family this Sat, and would like it to look at its best. they all just don’t seem to have the problem of keeping tidy/ship shape and living life that we have. What do we do wrong?

mind you, although I say unfortunately, I am really looking forward to it. It is BB’s welcome to the family event [no Christenings here] and lots of family coming for lazy day in the garden. cold spread – maybe some BBQ items, and alcohol [I will be practising for the portico party]. of course we haven’t shopped or organised yet.

oh, home ed. I have had a lovely laid back day with the girls. We did some exeter maths, read a bit of the usbourne travel then and now[ not much], the castle section in the time traveller, started growing a crystal.

Actually, on growing the crystal, it was a science in a box [would have been v over[riced except from ebay] and it said for over 8′s. why??? There was some distilled vinegar [maybe stronger than that I use for pickled shallots perhaps that SB has handled, but I didn't find out] and a piece of limestone. vinegar [acid] poured into plastic beaker and stone popped in it – so what needs an 8 year old? SB quite happy that the bubbles were carbon dioxide – she knows what that is from ‘dizzy’ water and breathing. Also happy that now have to wait and see. i guess she was supervised. Also caught a few more bugs to look at including a fly!

Oh, and on the exeter maths, found out that she knows her number bonds up to 5, and can add and subtract quite easily. she even remembered the ‘greedy bigger sign’ and which way to face it. I had printed off about 20 pages, she found them all and did the ones she liked the pictures on! She had a go at writing the numbers for a change as well.

We also sprinkled starts with… and ends with… throughout the day – again something she is progressively more confident with. Oh, and again a lot of singing. note to self – must bring her violin down and remember to suggest piano regularly.

It sounds alot, but we spent most of the day playing [though she considers it all play, it is just me categorising!], a fair bit with the traintrack in the morning, her alphabet finger puppets, dollies and ‘mummies and daddies’ her wooden fix together toys from ikea, and directly with BB. I read various books from the library to her. played interminable Simon says.

BB is a charmer. She mostly played with her noisy toys and SB’s musical instruments. She has recently started to find knocking down stacks rather good, so SB builds them up for her to take a swipe at [will be on flikr soon!]. She obviously loves SB and waves arms and legs wildly in happiness and excitement. She is also rather keen on her food.

Other things today, I did some weeding and SB and I nipped to garden centre to buy mulch. caused a chuckle when she asked what bark chickens were. Obviously my diction not clear!

Chris got us a working shower – woohoo!!!

Dum Dum de dum Dum da Dah

SB doing her stagecoach concert and all the blog titles have kept this in my mind today.
What have we done in the last 2 days? well quite a bit on the HE front
maths:my friends are here singapore maths with the cubes. number line stuff, addition and easy subtraction, measuring. Joe the dragon. dot the dots [thankyou sarah, this really is reinforcing the higher numbers as is] snakes and ladders.
literacy: studydog – back in favour again, but suddenly we lost sound, and it becomes impossible! Spelling out words [starts and finishes] phonics cards, red nose readers. Also lots of reading of whatever book came to hand [stories]
history: some on ancient egypt, does a paraphrased Homer [usbourne] count, as spun off discussions of ancient greece? history of school on webland [most dischuffed girls didn’t go.
music: rhythms, recorder and create your own on webland
science: mostly concentrating on bugs at the moment – DK book and the magnifying glass. Caught a lily beetle [grr] however we were sitting by pond when we knocked it out, it fell in the water and a goldfish rose up like jaws and ate it. Other bugs included ants, earwigs, woolly aphids [on bay tree - grr], woodlice, dead bees.
PE: well, i played numerous games of tag [thank god garden not overlooked as running a la charlie dimmock not really a good idea!]. Also some scootering/like a biking/gymnastics over the climbing frame. Chris took the family swimming yesterday while I was on call, so also armband free swimming practice.

Also miscellaneous discussions on death, castles, computering, birds, fish etc etc. i am quite worn out!

lots of lovely photos onFlikr

Mediaeval Fayre

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!]

Guess a quick update in order!

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.

in an english country garden

Good start to the day as SB stayed in own bed -wahey!! BB a bit of a muncher, but not bad. However SB found dead mouse near cot [ a present!] and wanted to investigate. I thought of offering to help her disect it, but couldn’t face the mess and glee! Anyway, scalpel only one.

After breakfast we played cafe with the free picnic set from la redoute, whizzed around the new webland and some joe the dragon – SB likes the stacking best. We need to get back into a HE routine really as we’ve not done any reading or maths properly for a while. We read books together a lot, but they aren’t ones she can necessarily follow, and its mostly ‘applied’ maths. She got out the hands on science experiments from the book people order, and we did the folded paper going bang thing, except neither she or I could get it to go bang. luckilly chris could. reminds me of my nuffield physics days! we did vibrating voice boxes and elastic bands, and were moving on to her violin when we got distracted by making purees for BB as realised she was getting short!

Nipped to veg patch and harvested last of asparagus. steamed and pureed with some sweet potato. By this time it was lunch.our cupboards somewhat bare, so SB had yesterday soup, bread, half a sweet potato and yoghurt. chris and i had veggieburger and egg sarnie. BB had pea puree [the new ones still cooking]. BB was such a mess that an emergency bath was called for. SB hopped in too to play with/help wash/nearly drown BB

We were now all in gardening mode, so SB and I planted out the sweetcorn, and grumped again over no courgettes germinating. a bit late to sow now really. on watering in, SB bent over most of the stalks. I have built mountains around the low bends to support, but we will just hope!! We then started weeding – have done the beans/peas and potatoes, and chris did half the onions. SB was remarkably interested for some time helping rake, hoe and trash the real veg! Actually not that bad. chris also weeded out an onion, and me a runner bean. The broad beans tall now so SB played hide and seek in them. Some mini broad bean pods, and first earlies should be ready early july.

Chris and I are mulling over where to put things in the garden. At the end of the garden at the moment is a large nettle patch in shade, and although plan a is a practical one for potting shed and compost bins, I think a good alternative might be swing and living willow den so that SB and later BB can potter with us/ do some of the veg stuff and then nip off to fantasy land / play with ease. I could invite Jax or Katy as dome experts! Though wouldn’t be a geodesic one as all bits need one end in soil.

As SB got bored, Chris took her and BB to drop off some wine to homedad to say thankyou for looking after cats – can i remember we only have one now??. particularly nice, they put some fresh milk in fridge for us. I finished weeding potatoes, and they nattered.

I cooked split pea dahl and rice for tea [v cheap], bath [yes 2 for SB, but she was v dirty!] and a game of walk the plank then stories and bed. Fed BB, long chat to chris’s mum – they have an offer accepted on house in large village or small town? on trainline 30 mins drive from us.

Feeling grumpy still as denied a number of blogs.

La dolce vita

we have had a great holiday. the campsite is in a super league. pitches gorgeous, shady and sheltered – such that the night of high wind barely affected tent. we like our vango nightstop dome [venture 500 i think??]. Beach huge, sandy, dunes and shells. gently sloping into sea [warm] with a sandbar. Ideal, i think so! As if not enough, also 2 pool complexes, the nearest to us with a ring pool – with current to get you around it in the rings – SB v keen!] 2 round pools with jets and jacuzzi effect, large gentle sloping tots to toddler pool with slides and waterfall, and a lap pool for the straight swimmers! The further away one had landscaped sandy [read small gravel!] beaches, a samller ring pool, a jaccuzy like bit, and a water volcano, different depth areas in a big water complex joined with small slides, and a climbing frame with lots of water slides off it. A wooded area with swing/playpark etc.|Very nice too! 5 restaurants, 2 beach bar/grills, 3 other bar/grills, 2 supermarkets, baker,grocer, pizza takeaway, creperie, gelateria, hairdresser, numerous buying things shops so no real reason to leave – except venice! If you wanted it, there is kids activites in the days 2 hours am and pm, so you candrop them off, sports such as golf etc in complex across road, and a spa thing with thermal thises and thats.

my parents and sister and family were already there [hired caravan each] and we ad an easy journey out with SB and BB being well behaved on flights and transit. Having dad meet us at marco polo airport did make whole thing more civilised! Unfortunately, heavy hints on others putting up tent were disregarded, but they did save good pitch! SB and cousin M have great times together, and were off playing in sand and dirt immediately. my niece E had decided she didn’t like heat, sand or water, so sister Vivien rather stressed! Weather good, apart fro 2 days

the days activities: we ate croissants and rolls at breakfast fresh from bakers at tent, wandered over to the caravans to go to beach/pool, back for lunch – roll, cheese, salad and wine usually prepared by mum. then pool in the afternoon. a takeaway or restaurant usual for tea – though I cooked 3 times in a fortnight as did my mum. baby disco in the evening, and a night train ride. Baby disco was a bit of a hoot, with the under 12′s – on the whole much younger – dancing eurobop routines with the childrens camp people showing them how at the front. Very good for counting to 8 in german, as this was often done over the words! SB had some favourite bits. The night train wandered around the campsite in the evening with little ones on board shouting something untranslatable in german, and slapping hands of passers by.

bits that stand out -

me not gauging depth of one pool and stepping off side with B in arms, and holding her over head as I go under – she didn’t get wet, dad prepared to dive in hasselhof style, but relieved I didn’t need it. Jarred ankle badly, and scraped other foot [still painful] but BB unruffled!

BB learning to ROLL OVER!! fanfare for that one

SB asking for icecreams in italian and saying please and thankyou nicely.

SB just generally being happy and having fun. Playing with german girls in tent nearbye, even though minimal crossover of language, with no problems.

lazydays and evenings. I went to this campsite every other year for about 10 years, so it was actually quite a sentimental return for me!

venice was gorgeous – I have been lots before, but first for chrsi and girls. SB particularly wanted to go in the church, so duly done, where she was very impressed by it all. chris took her up to top, where she noticed the horses were boys! Gondolas, canals, bridges and the rialto ummed and ahhed over. icecreams consumed! SB was knackered by end, so good old bushbaby backpack!

HE on the hoof: We read usborne pocket science books, painted, dot the dotted, counted, and spoke italian and german. discussed weather, stars, vision [spontaneously SB came out with the fact that our eyes 'see' upside down]. lots of dinosaur hunting for fossils in the dirt and sand. A bit of ‘gunning’ as playing with a boy – hmm!! lots of singing and SB dancing. she even managed to swim some strokes before sinking by end of hols.

will prob add more including piccies given time. would recommend though!