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Having had E since sat, we asked if anyone fancied an extra weds4ed so that we could blend that with nattyem coming to pick up E. no-one else was free, so we went with an arts theme, an extended pottery morning, and a musical afternoon. The pottery worked v v well, with the usual suspects taking time and care to get their creations to fit with their internal visions. Although R struggled with her vision initially, i really loved the outcome. in fact, as always, I am always impressed with what all the kids do when given time and encouragement to follow their vision of the brief. Brief – pinch plant pot to grow ‘hair’ in, or slab mug making. Don’t they look fab!

We had a roasted veg pasta bake for lunch, and cake and muffins and then went on to do some music. SB and FrB did some General Musicianship with me – starting on grade 1 which they could do easily, so Grade 2 next time. The with E and nattyem we did lots of recorder duets for descant and treble on a variety of recorders. Think we all did very well – though i realised it is so long since i last played a treble that i have ‘forgotten’ the instinctive placement of fingers – eek! Much more musical than Sunday’s karaoke!

the bigger girls finished the day with a board game, and the younger ones were minecrafting. All having fun whilst we grown ups chatted over a well earned cup of tea. My girls did some conquer maths, and the older ones some latin before judo for all. We finished the day watching the british sewing bee.

well, not exactly we had borrowed another child – E – from sat to weds, as the girls were desperate for a sleepover!

Sunday – they did lots of playing board games, and the wii, and an [interesting!] exceptional 2 hour karaoke performance. I don’t think the girls are very strong on tunes!! When I upload to flickr I might put here, unless am bribed in the interim! Was lovely to see them having such fun

Monday – a home ed worky type day. E got a ticksheet too – i think she is not going to demand them at home tho! Also ballet class. When i got back from work – rather later than anticipated! – the girls helped by baking for me for work the next day. They made a dairy free apple and cinnamon cake and a chocolate cake. We also made sausage rolls and a roast veg pasta salad. Then my 3 kids each had a piano lesson with me. FrB is moving steadily through the book. Our big step really is learning the names of notes as in France the use the sol-fa system. I am doing the Gina plan with BB – we have gone back a bit to regain her confidence! SB has quickly picked up her grade 3 pieces. They are out of date now, but will get her to learn scales, feel comfy and then we will start on Grade 4 music. We are also enjoying her jazz duets. We finished the day watching Epic.

Tuesday – Morning was a bit book worky, and the afternoon was chemistry with daddybean. This time they finished their separation experiment, and then made plastic sulphur – heating it and then cooling in water. This was, apparently, a bit smelly! BB played a boardgame instead with S. The evening was swimming, and then watching 2 episodes of bang goes the theory – one one electricity/power supply, and the other on cancer.

Bb had a fab judo training day with an Olympian visiting too. She worked hard and felt it had been a good day

A new Kentwell year is dawning. It is 1578 for those that care about such things. As always, I am sewing! This years jobs are here. I have made one shift apart from collar and frills, and have completed FrB’s petticoat . FrB sewed her apron – she is very proud of that! So this was the first open day and we met up with friends there and looked forwards to a new season. I have lft it  bit upto Patrick where i go next time, dyers is my preference as i have been reading up! But have also put felters down or alehouse. The cott is a really interesting station, and I could really enjoy doing it, but think should try a number of different places. DH has put down for builder, woodpile or sotler, SB is going to be a sottler, FrB in the woolhouse or cott and BB barnschool and pottery.

FrB enjoyed wearing her petticoat bodies for the first time

A good way to celebrate your monthiversary It is surprising how quick the month goes! I gave her the art academy ds game for her monthiversary present and we had takeaway pizza for tea [hers with ham ]

we set off friday and stopped in our travelodge on the way to Anglesey. We had a cottage falling of the top of wales! We were really lucky as the weather for all but one day was sunny, though there was a fair old breeze! We had some stunning views from walks

The crazy girls did some swimming – in wetsuits and the shrouded in towels with hot choc to warm up!

we visited the local bijou museum, which was excellent. the kids trail was fine, and helped the kids navigate nicely the museum, and we were the only ones in there. it also had a very good cafe and an art exhibition.

we went to some prehistoric sites – very important for our history of britain through the ages project! These included burial mounds and iron age round houses. Very evocative and fabulous views.

we did do some home ed whilst we were away. All girls finished the prehistory to end of iron age – now we just have to add visits we have done, and leave some pages empty before starting… the romans! FrB and BB also did some English work, and FrB brought her recorder – ermmm did we leave it there?? A fair bit of colouring and lots of animal crossing on ds!

There was a lot of picnics in the boot of the car and cafe stops. FrB had her first cream tea.

We visited 2 castles – Beaumaris and Penrhyn both beautiful in different ways and at polar ends of castle history!

On the way home we went to Great Orme ancient copper mines. These were fab! I thought I was very brave going in the caves as not my favourite things! However it is wonderful walking in such ancient places, and the cavern was awesome.

We geocached a bit and placed and picked up a travelbug. we hugged, laughed and had a wonderful time . Going to end this post on 2 fab holiday photos.

well, DH might blog! He is the one spending the time at home! FrB and SB are settling into their home ed regime, and there is a bit of competitiveness there! BB is a bit derailed in hers, as I have been spending my evenings with 1:1 time for her, and now it is shared about. However, they are all still enjoying the history journal idea, and SB and FrB also have a science experiment journal – calling it a journal seems to up the completion . FrB is struggling a bit with her daily diary. I think she is trying to write too much in it. I will get her to bring on hols with us, and will work out how we can make it work for her. we did say just do interesting things, but she has found a lot interesting – which is lovely.

Monday: a home ed work day, some shopping in town – ballet shop closing, and charity shopping nets the girls some clothes, bags, nail varnish – the essentials in a teenager life! Ballet class in the eve. pizzeria

Tuesday : home ed books in the morning, chemistry in the afternoon

weds : a bit of work in the morning, geocaching in the afternoon, judo in the evening

thursday: opticians, multisports in the afternoon, cubs and guides in the evening

unfortunately DH’d dad was in hospital the early part of the week, tho he is home now. It did mean we had Nannie staying with us though

on friday we left to visit my parents. a nice straightforward drive and we made good time. yummy tea awaited us too Dad shew BB and subsequently the other girls the qbitz game, which they all enjoyed.

The next day we went to windsor castle. the royal standard was flying, so the queen was there. FrB was very hopeful she might see her. although expensive, thereis a lot to see, and we were wandering round for over 4 hours. We loved the dolls house, the state rooms were magnificent, and it was a warm and sunny day – all perfect . the girls had their photos taken with the queens guard.

afterwards we went into a tourist shop to spend money, cafe rouge for an exceptionally late lunch! and the sweetie shop for some old fashioned sweets before returning home to play more games, eat more food and generally enjoy mum and dads company.

we spent another lovely evening playing games together, and the girls watched some tv. The next day we went to Burnham Beeches for a walk on our way home as the weather was so lovely. It is a remnant of ancient woodland, and has many native english trees, but predominantly beech, and also a stream to play in.

oh, and it had somewhere that sold icecream!

Not too bad for a first week back! And there was lots of out and about!