Category Archives: literacy

And then we had lunch….

so far today lots of baking, made a sponge for SB and Maddy’s birthday cake – dairy free as well – so that children and adults at party can have choice of carrot cake or sponge. will decorate later. We have also made a banana cake- again dairy free, and without the nuts – for Melrose. SB very excited by the cakes today as she got to use the kenwood mixer.

We had a discussion why she can’t have diet coke, and why shouldn’t – so have set up a coin in the coke experiment! might stick some in vinegar and some in bicarb of soda, some in fizzy water an some in milk as well, so we can look and see what happens. [in fact SB keen to do that, so will press publish and do!]

We have then done 4 pages of explode the code. Very easily as well. As BB so taken by dolls, i have bought a really cheap little one from Tescos [I love tescos!] and she has been trolling around with that today. Also she has danced for us on the dance mat, and had fun making me link the maths cubes and pulling them apart again.

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anyway, must be off to set up experiment and then make lunch!

Where is that seller of peace and quiet when you need him?

I am in desperate need of some, as is Chris.

both girls gave us an appalling evening, and the night was made perfect by Sb doing a very uncharacteristic wee in our bed – mostly over Chris! So we have started the day in sleep-debt mode. the girls, being also short of sleep have been particularly loud.

Another bad start to the day was that the library is shut, so no picking up library books – cue an inordinate amount of wailing!

So we begin, with a mad dash into town and then sight tests for 3 – just under 2 hours worth!! Actually both girls were very good. SB doesn’t need glasses, but was obviously under the inpression that the optometrist was deaf, as she bellowed out the letters. i shew particularly good coordination by bf BB through part of my test! Outcome is that my eyes minimally worsened, so can keep present specs, though they are showing quite a bit of scratching [that will be keeping them then!]. Chris is getting old – as starting to be borderline for reading glasses – eek! While i had my test, SB drew a lovely picture of a house with our 2 cats, and wrote miaow 2ce. once forwards, and once in true mirror writing. Again she can’t tell the difference??

Nipped round town to get some more paints, and a god-awful photo to go in passport application [only lost the thing in sept, and had no driving licence since may!] And shed loads of apricots and sultanas for the morrocan wotsit I have agreed to cook at Melrose. I’ll have to whizzle them up at home and stuff in the fridge.

Home for lunch. SB still doing the addition pages of Singapore maths 1a. We read a couple of red nose readers, and then planted an avocado stone and some lemon pips. The conservatory was gloriously hot, so that will help the aubergines. about 2/3 germinated at best. The broad beans have romped whilst i wasn’t looking and outgrown propagator, and some blackening of tips, so fingers crossed for survival!

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oh well! Chris and SB went to the bottle bank with all our glass – nicely following on from today’s webland extravaganza, where she was most interested in the recycle bit. She seems to think if we had zips we could turn our plastic into jumpers though – hmm!

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BB has a bit of a love affair with baby dolls at the moment, as is being quite gorgeous with the loving.

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She is also getting more and more interested in ‘making marks with purpose!’

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When they returned from the recycling bank, SB wanted a grape feast, so we harvested the last of the grapes, sat in the rather lovely conservatory and I read her 2 more just so stories. We both really love these, and the language just rolls off the tongue [mellifluous!].

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BB and Chris filled up the bird feeders, and had a bit of a troll around the garden. We haven’t got the pond netting up, so had a bit of a panic about that! MUST DO! I met someone just last week who lost her firstborn to a pond accident. So no excuses hey.

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It was jolly cold out, so we have all warmed up with prolonged dance mat excercises! They are great fun. Even BB thinks they are great – in fact it was her who insisted it was got out. BB and SB have played together a fair bit today as well – lots of chase and noisy games, lovely to see. I was a bit worried about there being a large age gap, but they both seem to love each other greatly anyway.

As the evening has gone on, the decibel level has ramped up, and the silliness quotient, so Chris and I both frazzled now. they are both down from their bath, and it sounds like we have a schoolfull. I need to make a sponge, and I might try a banana and walnut loaf for melrose [sorry Katy!

giving up on baking due to unruly – or at least unsleepy little ones.

Have however looked at romans and vision!

Vegan cakes and alum crystals

luckilly not in the same mixing bowls. oh, and by the way, I have popped the Tate Modern photos on the blog and on flickr

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SB and BB did the library crafts thing with Chris in the morning, and made hearts, the theme was valentines’s day. Unfortunately, they left the bookbag and new books there – cue much wailing, and only realised after library shut. So must go fetch tomorrow. luckilly the mudpud book bag is somewhat distinctive! Anyway, before lunch she whipped through 4 pages of explode the code without any difficulties [though I had to explain what a mutt was], and we went on a read a red nose reader, and the first of the letts active readers ‘ratman and the big cat’.

Whilst there, she ‘buyed’ a my little ponies video, we had a chat as she noticed I ‘bought’ so we might not hear buyed much longer. We then watched it. It was a little bit frightening TBH, and a very odd storyline [even if I was only half watching, with the guardian in the other hand!] about stolen shadows.

We were both relieved when it finished – though possibly different reasons! And decided to make carrot cake. No carrots – so chris sent out, and instead we started a crystal from tescos testtube crystals kit. Nice simple kit, and for just under ?3. Aluminium, so we had a good discussion about safety, washing hands etc etc before starting, and mixed it all well. the ‘stones’ appear to be plastic, and you have to sandpaper them to key them. The main problem though, si that they don’t sink!!! Not sure how this experiment is going to work with floating stones! Especially since we have one on string – which is also floating on the surface. If I bought the kit again, I think I would use garden stones instead. Interestingly, they suggest you put in food colouring to make the crytals cool colours. Obviously haven’t done that this time, but will def go for it another time. Anyway, thats 2 different tescos testtubes that are fun. Have 1 more to try.

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Carrot man returned [oh, BB is asleep during this btw!] and we made an adapted recipe vegan carrot cake - hopefully it will be fine. one for Melrose, and one for saturday. [ps, they are being frozen, so won't be stale] Do any of the children other than mine like carrot cake? Otherwise can make a sponge too for sat. Then cakes for children and adults.

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We also did lots of mental subtraction and addition. though the sums SB gives me are sometimes quite unusual – in the dame slap style! Started the origami kit she got at the tate modern, neede Chris’s assistance with the instructions though!

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SB then did some starfall while I played with BB. Mostly peekaboo and pop-up animals. BB most put out though when got left behind and SB and Chris went to her swimming lesson. i made a curry [incredible mild] for tea. BB and I did more messing about together. It is nice to be able to give her undiluted attention. SB is getting better at letting me do this without taking over, but I suffer from parent-not-at-home-enough-guilt when we do it. Silly really, as SB gets all that time when BB asleep to herself.

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This evening we have read a couple of just so stories, and about henry the 8th, Mary and edward in the tudors -history of britain. SB dissappointed that didn’t get to elizabeth, so will read that when she has finished her bath.

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Pottering

Today we’ve been mostly pottering about (except Helen who sadly is working this weekend).

SB started off preparing for our trip tommorrow, we are off to the Tate Modern with some localish HEers , though no one I’ve met before I think. So she was packing a bag with goodies for the journey – is the girl excited I wonder? Shame Helen isn’t coming with us though. We then pottered about upstairs, sorting out nappies while changing Butterbean, putting some of Stringbean’s clean clothes away. Butterbean ambled about, SB created a trail of cuddley toys around the upstairs which when then had to race round, she dressed herself in another seasonal outfit of shorts and sleevesless T shirt, and then complained when she got cold….. :roll:

Took about 1/2 hour it seemed to cross the road to go to the shop and the bakers, as BB walked, so of course was toddling along investigating all and sundry. Came back to have late breakfast. By the time we had finished BB was up for a sleep (after polishing off pretty much a whole croissant – good taste that girl).

So me and SB had some time together. Not entirely sure what we did, at some point there was a bit of CBeebies and then she spent a fair while on Starfall which seems to be enjoying at the moment. Had a discussion about accents and pronunciation as the voice (American) seems to have bit of a twang (Bob sounded more like Baarrrb). She came up with some complicated shopping/selling game where i was supposed to be knocking on the door and selling various things. Talked a bit about the trip tomorrow, looked at the maps to see where we would be going, then went off on tangents, to see other places we have lived. Did some reading, sorted out some washing, tidied up kithcen a bit, had lunch, all that sort of thing.

BB eventually woke up about 2.40 (getting on for about 4 hours sleep) had her lunch, then we got organised to go out on the bikes, not far just up the road really to the Orchard where we buy most of out apples and pears,, SB on her bike, me towing BB in the trailer , but by the time we got wrapped up, bikes out, pottered up there,, while chatted to the chap SB/BB explored and then got home it took about 1 1/2 hours., Snugggled up for a bit with warm drinks and crumpets and read some of the Stories of the World book,and then Helen got back home, and then we swung into dinner, bath, bed routine. Which is going quite smoothly at the moment, SB seems to have got over her not being able to get to sleep for a couple of hours thing, and BB goes down easily now as well, as long as she doesn’t sleep late in the afternoon/early evening. and she slept through again last night.
Things that made me smile section: BB likes doing little ‘dances’ to music, tonight she sat on the floor in front of this little musical keyboard we have , rocking side to side to the music :-)
Now time to sort out bag etc. for tomorrow, so I”m not rushing around getting stressed in the morning

01/02/06

HE: muffins, fingerprints, explode the code, sticker time book, fuzzy felt, dance mat, action songs, assorted library books, seeds grown and snowdrops, hama starfall first 3 books, cbeebies, bbc jam St David in britannia book and Thors hammer and the ivory Wand from Usborne Stories from around the world.

guess it was very educational, but was fun too. Hama flower and hama patterns started the day with breakfast [in the middle I went out to get antibiotics for raging sinusitis - and feel much better for them]

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IMG 2969?IMG 2976 edited-3??Did some sticker story books and time books – not much though, as I was playing with BB, and SB not feeling entirely autonomous! Read 3 library books and then played skittles and catch, and then when BB fell asleep made some muffins – choc chip of course. While lunch finishing, SB whipped through 4 pages explode the code – I think she rather enjoys this now.

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After lunch we did one of those tescos science test-tube kits on fingerprinting. Cheap and chearful, and yes, could be replicated for near as dammit free, but we enjoyed getting it out of its testtube!! So we made and lifted fingerprints and talked about them non-stop for quite a time, BB woke up and ate muffins.

IMG 2991?We made muffins

in the afternoon, we decided to try and play all together mostly – so with the dancemat, doing action songs and with the baby dolls – BB really getting into hugging and loving the baby now. We checked on our germinated aubergines and broad beans, and looked at the snowdrops and cyclamen in the garden.

yeah, they should have been in roottrainers!?

As the late afternoon arose, and the wail quotient increased, SB sat down and did the first 3 starfall books back to back without a hitch. The plugged away at cbeebies – with Chris in attendence. Noticing a link to BBC jam in UKHE early years [or whatever its proper title is] we had a scout around, but not played with it much yet.

After bath a bit of a book marathon! BB asleep, and Chris putting SB to bed. I plan to turn in early too.

Quick today

felt rough going to work still from migraine, but gradually settled. BB went off to docs as raging conjunctivitis – so eye ointment and antibiotics – fingers crossed no passing to little raindrops.

SB did lots of painting today, and then CP’s came on a drop by, so played games together.

When I got home, SB did some explode the code – very nicely, def getting quick at it! Whilst going to be we did pattern singing -i sang a short tune and she mirors it. She’s getting very good at this now. Her pitch is improving, and her rhythm is spot on.

BB permafed. I was supposed to be going out for a meal with work friends – which is at a great indian – but with a permafeeding poorly BB, i felt I was better staying at home and made my apologies.

oh, and I liked this photo from the weekend, of them listening to stories
listening

Ed over the weekend

i know, but it is a home ed blog, and I like to see what we have done!

B4 the randrops we did some explode the code, and also looked at the DK a street through time [fabulous book!]. SB read a red nose reader.

Whilst the raindrops were here, we read a book about the human body, and had a quiz on it, and used the steth to listen to heart and lungs. Did a bit on healthy eating as well.

Tears before bedtime

mine! I read SB the boudicca britannia story and cried over them dying. I obviously need a strong dose of sunshine. Or something.

before that she Joe the dragoned – tangrams and spellcatcher. We also had a look at Google Earth

SB now being all waily in the bath – perhaps my blues are catching.

She had a great day at nursery. BB is also shouting – such a rarry girl these days.

Back to Wednesday

We had rather a good day. We did some tidying, and my mother arrived to stay over night. SB and BB very excited!!

Sb even read to mum – good on her! And did 6 pages of singapore maths with her. So felt we had shown education. Mostly we were playing. We had a woolly mammoth wooden skeleton thing to build, so me and SB had fun doing that. She played lots of games with my mum – the tube joining game, build a beetle, shape snap, jigsaws. Also wrapped up a present and did a couple of pictures. In fact was altogether charming and gorgeous!

Mum had been disappointed in the dance mat she got SB for christmas, so bought one from ELC in the sale. they had a great time doing the free dance together! BB kept switching it off mind you.

When my mum started to look like being in the wind tunnel was a bit much, I settled SB down with cbeebies to navigate around, and BB got a lookin – she had been trying hard for a while! Finally all settling down to play with lego. finished with some just so stories and others at bedtime. The Britannia book is really good – thanks Merry.

Nice lazy day and chat. I think we got away with mum not going into the room with xmas tree – but hope chris tidies it away before barbara comes! After beanies went to bed, we chatted family tree, and managed to work away at the Hellowell/Rushworth side a bit. Shame they seem to be the most popular surnames in Halifax, and the census writers had no idea on spelling! One poor chap is variously linneus, lyneus, lennis and lewis!! And when you add to this that part of the families prediliction for being unwed, going into service and being brought up by siblings etc…[no wonder it is proving difficult].

I think I maybe using it to sublimate my present disatisfaction with my life.

Mum went to my Nan’s on thursday [little Nanny], but forgot to take the triwalker, so they popped in yesterday while I was at work. In the eve, SB had ballet and did some explode the code as we have been a bit slow in that this week.

Blogging has pointed out the serious lack of muzzy and piano too!! Also history of the world. hmmmm

Ooops, forgot the title

Definately one of those days when you feel rather more relaxed onc e the children are in bed. There’s been nothing greatly wrong with the day, it’s just long for both of us. Helen usually has a long day at work, so buy the end of it I’ve got that ‘time for some peace and quiet’ feeling. both were up this morning with me and Helen, though both went to sleep no problem either. BB was out like a light. Lets hope it stays that way.

BB has developed a rather load ‘shout’ for want of better term, which she uses increasingly when she wants something. She shouts when she sees something she wants to eat, open the frdige and she is there shouting and pointing :-) She shouts when you open the dishwasher, whatever it is she shouts. It’s a rather tiring noise when she ahs been doing it all day…..

BB has also turned into a real Speedy Gonzales with her shoes. At the library today during storytime she kept heading off in all directions, she got into a cupboard, and made it through two doors (that close slowly) to get to the outside – eeek! – just caught her in time. She used to just happily pottle around the area we were in, now she just heads off on a mission. She needs tethering I think.

So ok, early part of the morning passed with breakfast, some reading, CBeebies website, BB pootling etc. while I prepared a craft activity for Storytime which I was doing this week. SB decided to wear her Princess Belle dress to the library and she took her slippers as well so she could show them off as well. So that all raised a few smiles. Other than an escaping, wailing, crayon eating, crayon box emptying BB, storytime was fine, as ever SB was the last to finish her craft bit as she has to colour final bit, stick on a final sticker etc.

Home to meet Nanna and Grandad who had popped in for couple of hours, so reading, chatting, tea drinking, lunch, cakes etc. ensued. As theyleft BB woke up, so time for her lunch when she eventually stopped crying and fussing (about 30-45 mins, not like her). elinor slipped again into craft mode, she wanted to wrap somethign up for mummy, not sure what, so made some wrapping paper with various sparkles etc. on, made another picture, strung a load of pipecleaners together to make a chain – apparently it is a christmas decoration – according to SB we have got plenty of time to get more pipe cleaners and make lots more before christmas :-) We were supposed to be doing soem more maths but somehow that didn’t happen. I ahd to get dinner ready before going to swimming, so inbetween gluing and sticking BB pottled about shouting at things, they played abit etc. Then off to swimming lessons where BB again made a break for a door once she spotted it open.

Home to tea (nothing like coming home hungry to smell you tea that you left in the oven all nice and cooked ) bath, arrival of tired mummy, a bit of playing, much munching on BB part and sleeping children.

Other Nanny visiting tomorrow , on the way to Norfolk, oh dear, better get and do some more house sprucing:-)