Category Archives: numeracy

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!]

Ahh, good day today.

though a surprise, considering I only managed to go to bed at -2:30!

SB got up and brought me some singapore primary maths 1a this am whilst I was still in bed [9-ish] sat on BB’s head so she woke up too! Since I have started being worried that we are letting things slide, I managed to prise open eyelids and we romped through the numberline pages. When SB then brought a spelling ‘match and sort’ book, i realised she was raiding the future presources box and got up. i fished out the DK eyewitness books [that were a book people special a while back] and some phonics cards and went down in search of breakfast.

SB was the teacher [as always] for the phonics cards, but I hope that she actually takes some note of my answers. I think it is going in, but no reading coming out yet. We then had a toss up between the shark and the volcano eyewitness book, and the volcano won out.

About half way through Chris reminded us that if we were going swimmin…. So a frantic getting ready and the usual SB exasperation with going out hurries. We did get there though – nice pool and reasonably quiet for the sat morning session. And [drumroll please] SB swam half a width unaided!!! Several times infact, floated on back and generally enjoyed water confidence. She is swimming like a drowning dog, but its a start! BB as always loved the water, kicking and waggling about.

Home to some joe the dragon addition and then fraction fireworks, plus the stackers. she finds numeracy easiest when she thinks in sweets, even if in her head!

Lunch was another SB palavar, as she really is driving me nuts with the not being bothered to feed, wanting to be fed rigmarole. I might not be so fazed, but she did actually starve herself between 9 and 15 months [92nd to 5th centile]

weather so good we put up mudpud camp gazebo – to find there is a piece missing! [is it with you layla??] BB had some toys on a mat, SB and I did part of a mosaic style banner until boredom set in. we the read the usbourne pocket science why people are different and 3 red nose readers. though i was reading, she is at least guessing words now. lots of general play/tickling messing about interspersed between the 3 of us. [chris mending the pond fountain]. SB has got much better at balancing, and was even scootering well. I wore different trousers today!

SB then put on a horseriding show while chris persuaded BB to nap, we also peeled and chopped veg for tea [my pretend south american dish – sweey pots, butternut squash, carrots broad beans and sweetcorn in a gingery chilli sauce. should be with couscous , but had run out, so rice and tortillas that SB makes into ‘sushi’]. The broad beans were own grown and about 5% were maggoty. We never really had pests in leeds as too far from any other veg growers i guess, and new made plot. What got me [and stopped SB helping] were that they pinged themselves all over the place – lovely! Anyway, you could pretty much tell the pods infected from the outside. When I find my veg growing books i will look it up. We ate outside again as such lovely weather. This was followed by looking at varoius seedpods – water and land iris, hellebore, sweet pea [everlasting] and a general scout around the garden. SB solemnly warned me not to eat any. I also introduced her to drosophilla – as there were manky cherries in the pantry!

While Chris did bedtime stories tonight, I have been having a kissy/raspberry giggle and ticklefest with BB – she has a great chuckle. She is now asleeo on lap, and chris coming down the stairs. What a lovely day!

general updates: littke nanny happy in convalescant/rehab cottage hosp. we will be visiting wed. My sister 34 tomorrow. not guiness [AKA Murphys] seems to have departed.

time for a limoncino and coffee!!

OH AND WHY DOESN’T MY GRAVATAR WORK??????

lovely house…………..

i decided while outside eating dinner looking at it. when i’m panicking over money and wondering what we have done, i am going to go outside and look at it. the back view *is* my dream home, no wonder we overextended to buy it.

Anyway, BB is a happy girl. she has been plying with those press and ghastly woofy tunes play type toys today. mesmerising! Also while in bath did first roll from tummy back to back – a surprise for her! She lies on my lap like a little cherub form rubenesque school! we would make a very rubenesque mother and child!

SB had her stagecoach show today. it was all very lowkey – as anticipated for a group of mostly 4 year olds. i though SB concentrated remarkably well, and her overacting building sandcastle and pretend cry as sea washed it away drew laughs. I was proud!! [also low key].

At home we played shops – gradually i am using money with real values as i think we use switch too often! We also made our own pompoms to turn into a chick. attention span didnt quite last, so i finished. A bit of piano playing and object hide and seek.

the day brightened though, so we went out intio the garden and dug up more potatoes and picked more beans – yummy. SB raced around the garden, and even rode bike without stabilisers [i think the like a bike a like was instrumental there]. We played tag, and i was hampered by BB in my arms, particularly when my trousers fell down – luckilly no cameras! SB also had great fun climbing and swinging on the tp frame.

the weather was so nice we ate our curry sitting on the lawn. BB had peas and swede instead, as dont fancy her having tummy ache!

OH, earlier in the day SB wrote my sisters birthday card. She is getting quite into writing so nearly did sonlight order for getty and dubay but couldn’t find cc. Also hadn’t clicked from mudpud. on that note, cant find my link to sarah’s science experiments in a box??

chris and i have come up with an order of housedisasters to be sorted – roof leak being at number one spot!!

edit – omg 2.30. how did it get to that time??

sunny day

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.

Another home ed day captured

After the last day, I thought every so often I would capture a day in photos again, fairly randomly every once in a while to see what happens.

Today started with me making maggie and the ferocious beast stories up in our bed,, until my obvious sleepiness and halfheartedness persuaded SB to get up! She the started making her fairy garden with daddy – its an M and S kit, with marigolds and cornflowers, and some cut out fairies and a castle.

next was stage coach, where they are practising zippedeedoodah and summer holiday and sun has got its hat on for the end of term concert. SB has decided she definitely likes stagecoach, so thats good. Next sept she will go to ballet in the village as well.

On her return we finished the fairy garden, and put it in a heated propagator to get it off to a good start in the conservatory. While there we heard a live brass band, and remembered it was the float procession through the village today, so SB and I nipped out to the village centre to watch the floats and listen to the band.

Lunch was a pittapocket picnic on the lawn. very nice, and BB woke up, so had her puree on the lawn as well. Unfortunately, being nap free she also pooped on the lawn – sigh!

SB then played on her bike, my hammock and the climbing frame before settling down to pasticine and the monster stick in bits. however, when I brought a bowl of water and some plastic toys for BB to play with, this seemed much more fun, so she got her own bowl to do some more float/sink experiments. BB continued playing with the water all afternoon [with some snacking!]

When SB was starting to be a bit more adventurous with the water [over BB] I got out the paints and paper, and we cut out some stamps from sponges and did stamp picutres – very nice! even an alien world with two huge red suns. So I think we’ve caught up a bit on the craft front.

Before dinner she got out the cuisinaire rods and made patterns with them, and discussed with me the different steps you could make, and which ones to put together to make same lengths. She hasn’t assigned numbers to them. We then did some complicated game she made up, with looking at the phonics flashcard with her bouncing on the spacehopper, and me kicking a ball to her that she had to catch in a cup – a la mouse trap! She read out cat and knew it was cat. was really pleased when she red out fox and knew it was fox, until she admitted she had seen a flash of the back! She went off to teach daddy them with dinner.

After bath she got out her leappad and did the mother goose music one, and the richard scarry one. Both her and BB dancing to the music, with me and SB also singing. Bedtime stories, and the end of the day.

BB mostly investigated grass, a few toys, wriggling around and water today, with a bit of da teh and ra practice and lots of feeding. A bit of dancing, throwing about and general larking about~!

Weather was hot – luckilly a fair bit of shade in garden. We had a lovely day. I have got a box for chris for next week with some maths, some phonics and early readers, bit on the body, bit on people/religion, bit on garden wildlife and bugs so that should fit emergency ideas!

photos will be added to this a bit later.

Added by Chris

SB was having boiled egg for tea. ‘So what is egg yolk made from?’

‘Um, well…’ couldn’t think really of any sensible terms to use for 4 year old, so deflected the question by talking about what it is used for instead.

Gentle Day – Quick Blog

We have had a gentle day today as both of us at home. Another execrable nights sleep though! I think chris was going to blog about the mice – so I’ll leave that to him! Also the singing thing that he took both girls to while I sorted out various paperwork things and fiddled with photos.

Homedad and G came back to our house, and he looked suitabley ‘windtunnelled’ after listening to SB and reading her 3 books.

We did some more reading, and I used the letter dice from Boggle to write 3 letter words for her to guess – which went quite well. She wrote words for me, mostly in ‘alien’! We did some adding and subtracting with bricks, playing Bob the builder, and looking at her dressing up clothes.

In the afternoon, she had found a bag of wool, crochet hok and one of those cotton reels with pins in for tatting. Once I’d taken the 3 meters off it that i had done as a child, we had a go, but the crochet hook was too big really to be easy – even diff for me so we stopped. We also had a go at macrame with the wool, but she found the knots too fiddley, so we’ve put it aside for when she is older. in between showers we have pottered about outside. Otherwise we have been dancing, singing and make believing. We did however do the craft robot that she has been wanting to make, so that’s good. We’ve all in all had a very happy day, with no real fusses.

BB has been very noisy! [mostly shouting duhduhduh] she is getting good at pushing herself around on her tummy, and investigating things, Also eating more and more. hopefully this will lead to a reduction in night feeds?? At the moment, i think she is attempting to bf from a dolly’s head – so one track!

This eve a work colleague came roud, and we spent 5 hours sorting out how to best get the forms and appraisals to get a consultant ticket. Lets hope that it works. Oh, and I really miss not having a working shower!

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.

Reach for the stars, follow your hearts desire

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?

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!