apart from dentistry, we went to a party in ipswich, and very enjoyable it was too. SB loved the slide, though it was a bit scary! She very carefully took BB round a couple of times too – what a sweetheart. lovely company and lovely day, thanks Em. will flickr.
girls screamed all the way home – sigh. neither asleep yet either
Posted in art and crafts, General, Out and About, socialisation, writing
well, we have had a fun day, though it seems unusual not to have been outside much! When I got up [i know, I know, really late!] SB was copying out the caterpillar poem from first language lessons for the well trained mind [lesson 2!!]. She really wants to improve her writing, but it doesn’t come easily to her. SO we are doing writing and getty and dubay to help.
Hmm, trying to remember! SB certainly has done a fair bit of reading today. Ah, that’s right, she then got out an M and S body book and the DK pop out body book. SHe was particularly enjoying the fun facts. She has always had an interest in how the body works. I was reading to BB, who has been my little limpet today. SB also finished the polar bears magic tree house book – which she was very impressed with.
We had pancakes for lunch [rofl!] and then the girls did lots of playing with bricks. SB did a bit more writing, and BB and I sowed some melon and more runner and french beans. BB got a bit sleepy, so I read to her, and then she snuggled and fell asleep. SB did her gym practice – handstands, shoulder stands and trying backwards head over heels. SHe also did her violin practice.
I read the page of underground rivers from our lovely active geography of rivers book. We discussed the piccies, caves, what an acid was – remembered the coin in acid experiment! When BB had woken up, the girls played whilst i found the ingredients for the next experiment – making stalactites and stalagmites. Luckilly ours should be done within the week, rather than in years! SB did a line of writing on and off through the day. BB was keen to get out the gears, so we all ended up doing gears gears gears!
Posted in Books, Butterbean, General, geography, literacy, music, SB-PE, science, Stringbean's HE, writing
I was working yesterday [and I am today ? typing this at work in a lull!! ? though the system is logging me doing it as the site is unauthorised]. I came home at lunchtime and had a lovely afternoon with the girls.
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We had lunch and then piled outside to play. After games and swinging about etc, we decided to get the Happy maize out. Now I think it?s a really good idea to have something that damping can stick together so you can build something 3 d without glue and other messiness. BUT? did they have to use dyes that would stain?? Seems barmy to me. Especially as SB was wearing her new skirt and all 3 t shirts simultaneously from la redoute [they sent me a 10 voucher and then I bought some more things!]
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That brings me onto a whole new rant. I bought a denim coloured floppy hat with wired brim. Looked perfect for me for Kessingland on the site, and indeed in the packet. Except?. It only just fits SB!!!!! It is adult. Would link, but its no longer on their site. SB thought the colour too boring for her ? and they now have plenty of sunhats anyway ? but I offered it as one we could add things to in her design and she thought this fab. So while they were maizing, I sowed some lace on the crown ? as instructed ? and it looks v nice. It is planned to be beribboned and belled!!!! [an over the top girl just like her mum!]
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SB did some maths ? as it involved writing, we just did a page as it was v slow ? and she hopped around the garden for about 30 mins to find the best maths place ? by the pond ? no BB was pond dipping and making a mess! The perhaps on the swing, but it kept swinging about making writing harder! So finally back under the MODHEU where it was shady, and the task done.
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BB and I pond dipped ? trying v hard to miss the enormous goldfish that BB particularly wanted to catch ? rofl! Then played in the sandpit ? I was supposed to be eating the dishes she brought me ? she warned me it wasn?t tasty though and just pretend. I filled up the pool with water, and BB had more fun bellyflopping in and out of it. Then she gave me a big cuddle and fell asleep. SB was racing around on her bike having invisible races.
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Chris, who had been planting the final potatoes, raced up and swooped her up into the bath, where she tried to fall asleep. SB read to me some more magic tree house, and then went outside to bellyflop and slide into the water ? which had warmed up a bit.
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I had been supposed to make her up some elaborate story to play, but instead she had beans on toast, got some pj?s on, and then it was game time [BB fell asleep straight after bath anyway]. SB chose our scrabble word game which takes ages.
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Unfortunately on going upstairs, BB woke up, feeling it must now be morning ? sigh! SO SB had Angelina stories and made up ones, and BB then came down with me, and shared my takeout curry [an unusual treat!]. An early night for me.
In the garden we have loads of strawberry flowers – feeling hopeful!
Posted in art and crafts, Butterbean, General, literacy, numeracy, Stringbean's HE, writing
wouldn’t want Jax to hibernate us!
So today I know SB did maths as she proudly told me she was doing book 2 – it is primary maths not MPH this time. But I got home to find her rewiring the toaster – well think Chris was – not sure which is more frightening! Anyway we shouldn’t have burnt toast now. She also has done loads of reading – pretty much whatever, whenever.
BB has been ‘a pickle’. But also done some lovely colouring. I try not to take heed of milestones to compare, but BB is def way ahead of SB’s neatness of colouring in at that age. SB would just do 2 scribbles through a whole page. BB very carefully tries to stay within the lines.
Gratifyingly, both could still remember I was a parent of theirs.
We went out in the garden to play and plant. Chris did potatoes [still!!] and I did hoeing and brocolli. Both girls bobbed about helping. The ground is too hard really for them to make good holes though, so got a bit bored.
I found them the papier mache pots they had, so they then enjoyed painting them – pearlescent pink and pearlescent lilac paint from tesco, very girly! SB wants to the put glitter and jewels on when they are dried. Following that they made things with playdough together for a bit whilst i put in the last of the brocolli.
They both finished with cycling races – SB against her Leeds friends, and BB against sundry similar aged children – rofl! SB didn’t always win, but BB did.
SB has decided she does want to learn joined up writing, so we must do more getty and Dubay, and also the piano lessons! Tonights game was rummy, and then Britannia is the Dick whittington story. SB read more than I wanted of Dr Seuss sleep book!
I have planted out a few more mangetout. We will have 2 short rows of peas – yummy!
Posted in art and crafts, Butterbean, gardening, General, literacy, numeracy, science, Stringbean's HE, writing
The world is on hold as it were! totally lost without it. sigh.
I have a man-cold [feel miserable!] Work was work. The beans went off to Nana’s to help sort out the patio, and BB has returned with big egg on back of head having fallen backwards out of patio doors. SB did colouring there and reading, and some MPH 1B maths on return, and some SOTW. [Confucius]. Mostly running about ike a loon though with Kleine Hippo on in the background
my yellow-moon order arrived though, just a few bits and pieves – and a few of them presents as well – so very restrained. I did get some bug poppers for BB [a ladybird and a beed [her word!] She doesn’t like them popping – typical! But has enjoyed making them talk to each other.
We had frog-in-a-bog for tea [otherwise toad in the hole, but with veggie sausages] which was a yummy change from our usual teas. The girls are in the bath, and soon more britannia and the last bit of the pirates book.
Maybe Chris will blog this week though!
Posted in art and crafts, Butterbean, Cooking, General, history, literacy, numeracy, Stringbean's HE, writing
On Thursday, for my birthday, Stringbean spent ages doing a picture (of a church) and then writing on the back, then putting it in an envelope with 60p she got out of her piggy bank. Except for asking me who you spell ‘er’ (of all the things) she did it all herself
It really is Wuendvul, and I was very touched.
Posted in art and crafts, Stringbean, writing
so feeling much better. The middle of the fruit bed was weeded and covered in cardboard which we have sowed broad beans through – aquadulce claudia. i say we, because SB and BB worked as a team to plant them. SB reiterated that BB was an excellent helper frequently, for us all to exclaim just what a really useful engine she was these days [rofl] we also did some ivy removal – but carefully, as didn’t want to disturb any early birds nests.
the girls also did lots of playing in the new playhouse with BB also now confident at getting up to the upper level and down again – though did like me and chris to pop in and out. what with having to bend over double to get through the door! but def a good buy – though very muddy on the floor now!
In no particular order! We did the rest of the India bit in story of the world, SB liked the activity of nail varnish and make up!! She was in princess clothes anyway. we read some more of the buddhist tales and discussed the buddhist lifestyle vis a vis our own. SB finished the foam bag with great ease. Has obviously got the hang of sewing [sowing and sewing in one day!] and so will attempt to find the little cross stitch sewing kits from yellowmoon [via FC] to continue on with. [merry was right, I do have a lot of crafts, but you have to say that is a bit pot caling the kettle!]
edited to add – gah,silly browser lost post as I was putting up, and I had only presaved half [silly me]
Anyway, that lead to lots of being at a ball, with me singing and SB and BB dancing in dressing up clothes – very jolly. When worn out, we relaxed wathcing bonjour mes amis. [now I have forgotten the blog post!] oh yes, we had a piano lesson – got to adding in D now, so 6 notes. BB came in half way and grumbled on the bass notes. SB not phased until she made a grab for the lego as well!
BB and I have read lots of books together, done more marble running and jigsaws, and also general rousting about. SB has been investigating the enchanted learning printouts in depth, and done 2 more china booklets, and cloluring in and naming maps. She has thought the printout folder rather fab. I had better keep up and have some always in it. we discussed new year some more [and were a wintsy bit jealous of various flikr photos - she needs more organised and outgoing parents!]
We looked at seed catalogues – BB most interested in the fruit, and very good at naming them! Sb a veg girl, but we need a few more companion flowers to jolly things up. Must raid Merry’s cardboard box heap, and find a cheap supplier for smeipermeable membrane for keeping down the weeds [any advice?] Actually, can I ping Ady – does he know whether this type is any good for planting through, or don’t they do any planting through? [no, i don't think we need quite that much!]
there was a bit more ramble, but totally forgotten it. sorry!
well, we are NEARLY at a china chapter in SOTW, and it Chinese new year tomorrow, but not quite managed to co-ordinate them, having been a bit slow with SOTW recently. Chris had done some India in the week, and SB wanted me to read the Buddha enlightenment story again today, so I did, and then we read some stories from the Barefoot book of Buddhist tales. however, it being chinese new year [it lasts 15 days], i went ahaead and downloaded some of the little books from enchanted learning to do – and SB enjoyed that, and both girls made firework pictures. BB’s rather liberal use of glitter pens [as if a firework store had blown up tbh] has meant she pretty much used up a whole pack!
In the middle of all this, we had an outside play – in and out of the playhouse! And also football. Chris and I did a bit of garden tidying up to do, but it seems a bit like the forth bridge at the moment. Need to get an industrial quantity of the permeable garden weed mesh stuff.
SB has read to me and BB – apple tree farm books and books from the library. We have done a lot of building with the marble run, some internetting – nick jr and cbeeies.
BB has been absolutely in love with a galt alphabet thing, where it makes a long line, but the pictures are in little blocks cut in half. She was so excited doing it, clapping as she matched things up – very cute. Also she was having fun counting things – she is very keen to count, but just using 1,2 and 6 makes it tricky. Back in nappies though today as a weeing spree – sigh!
we finished with a rousing second half of the sing along sound of music [watched the first half last night]. and SB chose a book about seasons and time etc for her bedtime book, so we did that too.
Posted in art and crafts, Books, Butterbean, gardening, General, geography, history, literacy, music, online resources, science, Stringbean's HE, writing
Busy day here today. Sb decided she would have a hair braid for everything she did today, and ended up with 6. She finished yesterdays MPH 1B so got the first. We then did bean and pasta collages. BB did 2 in dramtic style, and SB did 1 of a ghost BB [?] and 1 of a tree in a garden. we did liberally sprinkle glue and beans around the kitchen as well. (second)
So a change of venue whilst I tidied up. SB read a charlie and lola book, BB and I did some gears [oogly googly] whilst listening to Yo Yo Ma play Bach. then Sb did some explode the code 4 – we haven’t done any for a while, so she had got out of practice, but I think her reading skills have consolidated a bit, so time to carry on. (third)
We had lunch [home grown sprouting brocolli - it also makes pH water], and BB keen to watch telly, so I put on an usbourne first french video. [feeling mean] but BB loved the singing, and Sb remembered some of the colours from education city. (fourth).
Back into the playroom for some fun altogether, and BB chose the language baby einstein and kleine hippo’s for background noise [not so relaxing] she has worked out that if you press the space bar it stops and starts – hmmm. We then painted a plate for Grandad’s birthday, but BB wan’t so keen, so we did kid k’nex whilst SB did the painting. (fifth)
We were going to do some violin, but BB didn’t give us a chance, and chris was working in the garden, so not available for distraction. We did all go out into the garden, and looked at the ice in the pond and waterbuts, and where the wendy house is going to be. The girls rampaged around outside for a bit longer, so I started making the curry for dinner and uploading photos [half of which didn't so will restart them!]
They were freezing when they came in, so wrapped up in duvets in front of bob the builder – BB fell asleep – aaargh, which is why she is still up. SB did some education city (sixth)- a bit of english, a fair bit of science and a bit of french. its quite clear from the activity tracker that she does the maths and science the most. it has been a good buy so far. Then mooched around nick jr and poisson rouge. We tried to wake up BB to no avail, so she had a 4 hour sleep.
We had a fuss about ballet clothes. Her dance teacher says the character skirt is too long [it is, but mainly because chris measured her incorrectly before it was bought!] so I have had to elasticate it [it was velcro, but her teacher doesn't like velcro] and top hem it [otherwise ruins the ribbons] and also tighten the belt thing of her leotard. there was a debate about whether you sewed it on to the leotard – hope not. Ballet sewing annoys me. why can’t the belt be integral to the leotard? why isn’t the elastic on the shoes? why doen’t they age size clothes rather than ths 0 and 2 business? Anyway, she put on a happy dance show afterwards.
SB read half the ORT Viking adventure tonight as part of our bedtime routine. She loves reading, and is getting steadilly more fluent. I do like the ORT books.
BB has been singing to me. she can do the abcd part of the alphabet song, bob the builder and twinkle twinkle on loop for over half an hour!
Posted in art and crafts, Butterbean, Dance/drama, General, language, literacy, numeracy, science, writing
not enough to cover a hobbit’s toes though.
bad nights sleep. BB woke early. must get this sleeping lark sorted.
today we did do HE – some singapore maths, addition and subtraction across the 10 in tens and units. SOme getty and dubay – trying to adjust SB’s pen position so it is more comfortable, and getting her to start at top not bottom of letter. Some education city.
We also baked some brownies – ostensibly for melrose, but the top fell off as we got out of tray, so not sure re burnt offerings? The jelly didn’t set either btw.
We went outside and measured up the place for the playhouse. we are getting one of these in the blue and white with heart design shutters mode. Sb played with the snow until her fingers froze.
We did a bit of looking at lions, read our various books, looked at their habitat etc, and downloaded some stuff from enchanted learning. well, the enchanted learning was a pain, cos we haven’t used it for ages, could remember our login details, or email address used – so much palavering. Did it in the end. SB did a bit of reading to me. She did some fiddling about on nick jr and playing
BB and i played marble runs, education city and kneebouncers website. also had some animals pairs cards, so spotted the animals and made them families. SB joined in too.
Anyway, BB has been a pain this eve at sleeping, Chris just taken her up to try again. I haven’t been able to sew as fingers still numb and tingley [not too bad now though] and SB wants a bunny tail on the fantastic fleecy sleepsuit that Katy made.
Posted in Butterbean, Cooking, General, geography, literacy, numeracy, online resources, writing
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