Category Archives: language

hey its the weekend!

Posted on November 25, 2007 by | Leave a comment

so i had a it of a lie in and chris brought be brekkie in bed – gotta love that man! whilst i did this, SB did some piano practice -good girl, and then playing. BB crept up and we played the hatching game. when SB was little – at about this age – she liked to pretend she was a chick in an egg, and i had to hatch her out. now BB plays it!

I did get up, and play with the bob duplo with BB and read to her – copious amounts of apple tree farm! SB and I did violin practice, and she did her maths. We then read a load of books together and did the usborne balloon puzzle one as well.

BB did drawing and stickering with birthday presents, and lots of playng with the bob duplo. we then went into the kitchen, SB to make a fimo tooth pot, and BB to make a plasticine monster – well that what she says it is! SB also made a totally fab fimo father christmas dec for the tree. i helped in telling her ovals and cylinders tough think she could have done without, but we like being a team! SHe and BB watched Spanish Muzzy.

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oh, chris and I put up a freecycle desk as SB keen. She also wanted a timetable. we compromised on a chart showing what she might do in a week. i was in the interesting position of haggling down her expectations! I still think we have an enormous amount on her home-ed chart, but sad we can change things later [i think she thinks we will add to it!]

Chip supper with ‘mary on the prairie‘ as BB calls it. SHe played with her lacing game before bed, and once she was gone, SB varnished her fimo and then did some felting. What an active day! In bed she has been reading a balloon race story, and a fact book about grasslands – as she is reading loads of books about ‘big cats’ – including DK tiger tales earlier today.

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I am a bit [lot] behind on various admin tasks work related, so had a headbanging evening. sigh!

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Posted in art and crafts, Books, Butterbean, daubing and making, General, geography, language, literacy, music, numeracy, pre reading, Stringbean's HE

monday just gets busier

Posted on November 19, 2007 by | 4 comments

during the day, SB did maths and piano practice, and the girls had their room re jigged. SB in particlar made lots of icosohedrons with the polyhedrons . I think I might have to print off the various platonic solids so that I can remember their names, and SB learn for the first time!! BB made houses and tunnels and tents – not bad![chris might expand on day, but doubt it!]

When I got back, we did some more polyhedrons. BB and i read apple tree farm, and she did lots of counting. Then – drum roll please – SB and I FINISHED SOTW!!! well, the first book anyway. The roman empire has declined and fallen! SHe wanted to do some more latin, have no idea where the minimus book is, so found the usborne first latin [or whatever its called too lazy to check!] and said hello, how are you. Chris liked being the domine – ahem!!!

SB went to ballet, returned briefly and then went on to swimming – how chaotically busy. its the new class, and there were only 4 in it today, right down at the deep end, so lots of attention each. Chris said she was excellent. BB and I played with the jigsaws and counting games, and then some more traintracking whilst I made a thai thing for tea – which i cooled down for the girls with some left over leek and potato soup from yesterday- worked well. oh, I must say at this point, SB says Marcus makes better leek and potato soup as Chris’s was to leeky!!!

BB off to bed after a numberjack hit, and SB and I then wrapped up her presents for BB, and finished her card. [OK, I have just finished it, as SB got ‘worn out with cross stitching‘ , but the design was all hers, and she did do it valiantly.] So she decided to make chocolate [dairy free] truffles to put in the party bags for wed. SO we had fun doing that, and agreed we made a very good team!

SB is reading to me the next magic tree house now at bedtime – lunchtime with lions, and I read another chapter of 21 balloons, which we both giggled over. [and yes, a maggie , hamilton and the ferocious beast]

SO now wondering whether to do a BB blogpost or read new book!!!

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Posted in Butterbean's HE, Cooking, Dance/drama, early maths skills, General, geography, history, language, literacy, music, numeracy, pre reading, SB-PE, Stringbean's HE

Visiting V

Posted on November 18, 2007 by | 3 comments

my sister visited this weekend with M and E – her 2 children. Mine were therefore ecstatic, and there was a lot of playing and merriment. Flickr is receiving a bonus of photos, 1 or 2 might get a p2 tag. [this is the tag for those that might want a minimal version - not sure why anyone would :¬P ]

the seeds for latinetc sprouting – well first the sunflower and now some lentils, and the butterbeans appear to be splitting. we had a chat about them. SB quite confident on seeds because of the number we sow and grow. BB v interested.

Yesterday we made mixed spice biscuits and first of the birthday cakes for BB [which wasn't a great success! passable]. lots of games and toys ended up stren everywhere, but they did then help tidy up nicely. We had a nice evening of mulled wine and chat with my sister. Trying for her to ‘get’ HE. She pointed out that originally we were going to stop at 7 – I think I might have said that as a delaying tactic! SO I said it was working just so fabulously [fibs! I can think of loads I wish we were doing better] that there didn’t seem to be a good reason to stop [well, that bit true]

Today we made banana, oatmeal choc muffins. more games and toys [particularly gears]- lots of co-operation which is nice. BB got her present – a dora scooter – and she has been much taken with it, scootering everywhere. A party lunch with jelly and icecream and cake. My sister then went home – dreadful drive in the snow! SB did a violin practice. we have started reading 21 balloons [a sonlight book] and did masses of train playing.

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i have had an amazon order – so off to read some books, but will keep an eye on rss!!

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Posted in Butterbean's HE, Cooking, early maths skills, General, language, literacy, music, pre reading, science, Stringbean's HE

grumpy guts

Posted on November 14, 2007 by | 3 comments

being me. I had to go into work today, which messed with mine and girls heads! i started getting fidgety early on so i apologise to the hostess. We were also late – more apologies!

Its a lovely group, and the children are nice with each other, and on the whole interested in all the bits [odd bits of wildness aside] A start with making some habitats in a bag, where various seeds were sown. Both girls did it – though BB in her own sweet time! Then Latin – which SB and i had quickly revised in the car as we had missed the last group! [we had also learnt how t say it is sunny today in french - which SB set to music]. This is followin the minimus books and various other things about roman life. [in fact at the moment SB is dancing around shrieking puella whilst dancing about] We ‘spare’ mums did a bit of gossiping, veg chopping and baby holding [and reading to BB and playing!]
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Then after a restorative toast, they did science. There was some red cabbage water looking beauifully purple, and the children guessed what would happen with vinegar [pink.acid] and bicarb [green.alkali - or alcohol as SB said to me this eve!], and then a variety of other things. Finished with the fab bicarb and vinegar volcano – which the children were rowdily impressed with. Must utube it!

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I then rushed off in stressed mode, and chris arrived moments later. SB has also had rainbows today – looking at compasses and directions – very nicely fitting with our maggie and ferocious beast theme!

We are slumped in front of downloads. We have watched beginners guide to the cosmos, about how to get to Mars, and now watching return of the raptors. Both girls interested in that. BB has a big interest in chicks, eggs and birds, and we are reading those lifecycle dk books over and over again! Both girls really enjoyed the raptor centre too.

Adding – Sb has playd a variety of patience games and read to me beautifully. i particulralry liked the different accents she gave different characters! My amazon not gone through – those textbooks too expensive, so the fraud squad at the bank need me to ring and confirm me! bother!

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Posted in Butterbean's HE, General, history, language, literacy, Out and About, pre reading, science, socialisation, Stringbean's HE

Madly Socialising

Posted on October 18, 2007 by | 5 comments

Somewhat late in blogging myself! pots and kettles from Chris!

Wed we went to the first Latinetc group meeting. A few local home ed families are getting together to look at minimus Latin, and SB was interested . Crafts and science extras also. We were late – surprise! Katy took the children though to say SB sum, listen to some myths and legends and play a roman based game , i think, cos I was mostly playing with BB and chatting with the other mums – one of whom was cooking yummy soup.

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Children then ran around for a bit to blow off some steam, and then I pretended to be Nina of the neurons, and we thought about how we found out about the world, about our 5 senses and then concentrated on taste. I had brought various things to taste, and incorporated some of Katy’s. Unfortunately, I missed taking a pic of K with a huge amount of coffee granules in his mouth priceless! We chatted about the different things we taste, and why they may have been important, and that sweet and salty were our favourites.

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Lunch – yummy soup, SB had 4 helpings!! then children careering around the garden, BB playing with plasticine and adults gently chatting. A phone call from Chris reminded me about rainbows, and we just made it. We also came back early to watch SB proudly walk the rainbow path – she loves it!

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Today I initially had to go into work. The we zoomed off to Merry’s. I didn’t spend quite as much as I thought! Though have only actually paid for part of the order, and am going to add to it – so should keep mouth shut. Oh, and Mondeo racked up a £700 service bill, and still has to have a slipping clutch done on top.

Anyway, off to Merry’s and girls had a great time playing and putting on a show. Merry and I got to talk – nearly peacefully on occasion, but BB threw a lovely sulk – to everyone’s amusement. Both girls much taken by the press hama kits

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home and both girls asleep. Chris has sorted out the electricity circuit prob we had – took most of the day unfortunately, as out big window is stripped and exposed to elements.

Have flickred and addede the odd photo

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Posted in art and crafts, Butterbean, Dance/drama, General, history, language, literacy, science, socialisation, Stringbean's HE

going swimmingly

Posted on October 7, 2007 by | 2 comments

i got up early, we got going early. Played games, did jigsaws. Home ed – S singapore aths and handwriting, B counting and pattern making [rofl! both did the europe jigsaw, we looked for diff countries and discussed that it is SO old there are 2 germanys. SB has quick;y cver t cover read a fairy book. BB did a lovely hama butterfly. we watched numberjacks and roar.

the afternoon was mostly going swimming  – finding costumes, dong wees, finding corocs  you get the picture! we all had a lovely swim.

Back, and some violin practise -well 2 actually  from SB, games with BB, a picnic/cafe reenactment. loads of jump ahead level one and poisson rouge [SB,BB]. SB coloured in french colours, and we had our french conversation.

tea and bed. There, all done. total week from H*** at work next wee – just hoping to keep head above water.

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Posted in art and crafts, General, geography, language, literacy, music, numeracy, SB-PE, writing

Rainbows, celts and more craft!

Posted on September 30, 2007 by | Leave a comment

SB watched cbeebies at unearthly hour this morning, as did BB, and I gradually came to! Breakfast was a protracted affair. We looked at our useless bio clock, and the zinc seems to have completely corroded away in the lime juice one. Since it ddin’t make much in the way of electricity, we all pondered our uselesness in successful experiments!

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SB wanted to do some wicker stuff, so I put some canes in to soak – which reminds me Merry, I have also a huge wodge of canes and bases for you from Jax from ages ago. If you weren’t going to use them for PB group any more, we could set up an alternative basket weaving day?? Whilst they were soaking, SB and I did lesson 14 of first language lessons for the well trained mind. I’m not sure on this book. It moves at a snails pace – perhaps because actually aimed at a much younger child? SB likes learning the poems anyway. I might do some ‘chapter jumping’. BB made patterns with cuisinaire rods – I remember SB in a similar phase. SB then carefully wrote out the poem, whilst BB and I did a jigsaw together.

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BB got a picnic ready for all of us, including a picnic blanket, and SB made a ‘declamation’ about the picnic, so we all enjoyed that, and had a bash at saying the food items in german and french. BB put on one of the french songs cd’s as well.

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SB chose the Usborne book about the celts to read, and having enjoyed that, she then followed the quick links. Excellent self directed learning! BB had more fun making stories with her numberjacks. Unfortunately she has broken the number 3, so at numberjack hospital being glued together!

SB and Chris now at the scouts centennial church service in the village. SHe wants some school uniform trousers though to wear underneath. I had better see if some still in Tescos. BB is watching magic school bus about bees and giving me hugs. I have found the felting equipment as well, so when she returns, felting and weaving on the cards.

Chris as broken some more of the window panes in the arched window, so has the glass, and is going to look for some matches to replace with. It has obviously been done before, as there are some not brill matches there!

SB and I woven 2 willow coasters. BB has stropped alot about weaving a fish! For her safety, she is now helping Chris cook dinner!

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ANd once BB safely in the bath, SB and I have done some felting as well. She is felting a rainbow. She is much better at both weaving and felting than when done in Kessingland – I guess that was a year ago, but even so! While she did it, I read several mother and daughter barefoot stories and had a nice snuggle when BB returned from bath.

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Busy day tomorrow, so rousting her up and to bed! We are going to have a short break from magic treehouse at bedtime, and read some of her DK pompeii book.

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Posted in art and crafts, Butterbean, DIY/ house renovation, General, history, language, literacy, online resources, science, socialisation, Stringbean's HE

Finding things

Posted on September 21, 2007 by | 14 comments

Had my hospital appt about knee =bursitis . good.

Had a chat with SB about what to do today, so the plan was to do maths and writing quickly , some piano, baking, and experiment and paint her dinosaur. Not much then! We found the 2A workbook, and SB rampaged through the weights bit of that – nearly finished. Then did ‘S’ in getty and dubay B, and some extra writing while I got stuff ready for making banana loaf. She decided to do the writing inside a box – picture below – and had a wail as Daddy took a picture, and I collected beans with BB.

BB meanwhile had done her match and sort but us playing a rocket game, we counted down from ten, and then she had to go off and find the right numberjack. She also did some very careful painting, and put on a french song CD about animals for them both to listen to. we did a lot of jigsaws.
So we made up over banana and white choc drop loaf – an extra banana and it is truly squidgy and gorgeous. must make for Melrose. yummy. SB and BB mostly were able to share the task – today they have not been receptive to the aternate sibling receiving any attention – makes for fun. SB found the magimixer we have had for ages from brightminds and was having fun sorting it out.

learning to multitask!!

Following that SB did piano practice, and BB did some afterwards – more randomly! both felt tired, so watched some Muzzy german cd 1 while I made cheese on toast for their lunch to refresh the parts…

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Following lunch I put out some options for SB – facepainting, science experiment, dinosaur to paint or ‘something else’. We did the bio clock – and no, we still haven’t made it work. I think SB thinks all experiments are doomed – its just like my Nuffield Physics course all over again.

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SB chose to do some quick violin practice – she wants to finish the book, get a certificate and then learn some Christmas songs.

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BB stayed asleep in my arms. SB also did a dancing show, the asked or face painting. I am not particularly skilled, but think this wasn’t bad.

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SB painted her dinosaur – but for some reason, although I was sitting next to her trimming green beans, I didn’t take any photos. We did test the yummy cake – very difficult to resist eating it all. BB woke up, and we all did some of SB’s mosaic picture.

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BB-isms. She does like to say ‘fantastic’ a lot. Also, when I want a kiss, she always says I ‘have to say something’ whether or not I have said please. Oh, and I love her ‘how about that then?’
We finished the day with bath, tea and a general chasing fun around the upstairs, ending in fits of giggles. our usual bed routine of taking it in turn to read, but with BB snuggled up to without being a scamp. A good end, because at several times, I was looking at BB and SB who had wound each other up into a shrieking and wailing frenzy thinking I could perhaps be at work. But only a couple of times. Mostly, I would rather be at home.

Oh, and we found BB’s lost croc. But we seem to have lost my camp socks!

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Posted in art and crafts, Butterbean, Cooking, cute, General, language, literacy, music, numeracy, photos, science, Stringbean, Stringbean's HE, writing

Protectiveness and loving

Posted on September 15, 2007 by | 6 comments

I think I am probably over protective wrt SB. I love her dearly,and she has such a gentle soul and personality. She is so caring and generous. It means that I struggle with the her being upset thing. I was always so totally useless at the making friends and social thing at school. I still am really, but try hard. I just don’t seem to have the cues that do social things well, and still stumble.So how do I help SB? I think she is prob better than me, I hope so anyway. I don’t have the same worry for BB. She is a rascal, and no doubt I will one day be worrying more about her forcefulness.

Anyway, SB came back from Nana and Grandad’s with a present of earings and a necklace that she bought for me [with grandad's money!] She wanted to give me it because she loves me so much and I work hard. aaah. i was very emotional! Getting an unexpected present from your daughter when you are at a low ebb is a massive mood booster.

Wearing my new jewellery from SB

OK, so moving on. today I got home at about 10, and although sorely tempted to throw myself into bed I managed until about 2 to read books, snuggle watching the magic school bus, aid playdough and singapore maths, and read some then and now style books on homes and food, and a bit about cavemen. We listened to a french music CD about days and months I did want to do violin and piano with SB, but couldn’t keep eyes open so had a nap while Chris cycled with the girls to the fruit farm, and then they ran about wildly for a bit.

When I groggily came too again,it was tea time and the girls were in the bath – how did that happen?? I sorted out our Melrose forms. We had tea and both girls made some cards, for the christening tomorrow and for Chloe. Read some Magic Tree House. Hopefully will feel more wakeful tomorrow.

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Posted in art and crafts, Butterbean, General, history, language, literacy, numeracy, science, Stringbean, Stringbean's HE, writing

I’ll get told off again…….

Posted on September 8, 2007 by | 6 comments

…if i don’t blog ;-) But I do have photos as well in mitigation.

So today, SB has read loads. Usborne Book of Ledgends before breakfast (Hercules I think), as  well as a bit of Little hippo DVD (in German) which is one BB’s favourites  -she can get it playing now, and select an episode sometimes. And if the folder of downloaded kiddy programs is open she can pick one of those and start that, though she hasn’t worked out how to make it full screen yet (“bigger! bigger!”). She is scarily competent at working the mouse for a not yet 3 yo. Thats’ what having an elder sister does I think.

We had a good sort out of the playroom, clearing up all sorts of detritus from the floor, under and behind sofas etc. SB did a great job at vacuuming it. I rather like the room when not carpeted with crap, just wish we could keep the table even sort of clearish for more than 3 seconds.

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Put away  more  clothes in the girls room.  I think that all their clothes that are washed and dried are now put away, a rare event indeed. SB tidied the floor again and made beds as she is on tidy room hit at the moment, then I vacuumed it for her. Did the bathroom as well while I was at it. 3 rooms, that’s plenty for one day .

More reading, she is very keen on  the My little Treasury of Stories and Rhymes  that she got from the library the other day. She spent an hour or so, before and over lunch reading it. By this point BB had decided to have  napped, so it was all rather peaceful.

After lunch is was bit of maths – measuring from Singapore 2A, so pretty simple stuff really. A bit of Getty and Dubay, then they both went off into the garden to play for a bit whilst I started on dinner. Playing seemed to involve most jumping in the paddling pool, getting wet, and then running around like loons shouting ‘I’m bare , I’m bare”  Had to make an impromptu run up to the potato farm for potatoes for dinner, where they managed to get a free apple each, by dint of being  cute really I think..

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Dinner made  and in oven, SB had a go at some secret/magic writing, as H had brought home some Tincture of iodine which we had needed. Basically, write/paint of the paper with lemon juice, dip it in water with a bit of TOI in. Paper goes a darkish blue colour due to the starch. THE bit where the juice was stays lighter so you can read it, as there is a different chemical reaction between the acid in the juice and the TOI solution.

BB had been playing and pottering, but noticed she’d put on more Little Hippo :-) This took us pretty much up to dinner time really.

After bath, (H was home by now) there was playing with the wooden train track, with the customary wailing from both children :roll: , a bit more Little Hippo. A bit of Education City (apparently i hadn’t let her earlier….???) and then bed. EVen BB who had napped for an hour was asleep by 9.

Started watching Regenesis last night, watched another tonight, quite enjoying them. Makes a change from the normal ‘policy’ type things. Though it is a  bit like a microbiological Numb3rs when they launch of into an explanation of some aspect. Been also flipping between Eureka, which is enjoyable and lighthearted – reminds me a bit of Northern Exposure with it’s collection of slightly kooky characters, and Space Above and Beyond, which is mildly diverting, but a bit rubbish overall really. It’s getting  bit repetitive now. It has an excellent collection of corny lines though, which is fun :-)

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Posted in Books, Butterbean, IT, language, literacy, numeracy, online resources, photos, science, Stringbean, writing