yay, weekend’s here

Posted on November 11, 2005 by | Leave a comment

but sb not asleep.

Beans had fun at muddlepuddle and then afterwards round at Merry’s. Chris will no doubt blog or edit.

When we all got in, we actually did a lot. I told some stories and then SB and I played a geography game followed by hungry hippos and number 1o number bonds. BB was potterng around playing with musical toys. We then had a lot of fun all together, taking it in turns which child to throw/jiggle and swing.

SB then wanted to write a letter to her friend R in Leeds, and aso drew her a picture. Oh, and she also drew the beans we have growing and their roots – which are the first things to appear. 1 has a long root, one a tiny blip and the other nothing.

No wonder bedtime was so late and she is still awake! I am shatterd as a long and hard week at work. B edtime soon methinks!

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

flowers

Posted on November 10, 2005 by | 3 comments

what I forgot to blog, is on tues SB inisted that they buy some flowers for me!! Lovely. Isn’t it great to have someone who will buy you flowers.

full on day at work [so drinking last of limoncino] however, have come home, ate Chris’s yummy tea [must try Sarahs aubergine and chickpea recipe], read 2 chapters of story of the world, played ta with BB and tickle games, SB has read a red nose reader to me. SB has been to nursery and ballet today and has proudly shown off some of her nursery artwork. they are now in bath. I should be helping, but have used up the last of my energy with that short burst on getting home.

We are going with SB to bolshoi ballet next Wed to see sleeping beauty – so thats great. Have had to turn down an invitation to meet the Princess royal – tough call [??].

feel sad over the denmise of Muddlepuddle lists, however the early years should arise like a phoenix. Also, as Merry says, the camps and friendships go on. Thanks Muddlepuddle for setting us on the path of home edding.

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Posted in art and crafts, Dance/drama, General, history, literacy, socialisation

The pressure is on

Posted on November 9, 2005 by | 9 comments

i’ve got to try and blog in the time it takes SB and BB to have their bath – 5 or 10 mins probably!! i’m going out to night, so dressed up, and having a nice meal.

BB a disaster last night, and thought I’d managed a lie in when I got up – 8:30!! Oh well.

Spontaneous learning pre breakfast when SB brought out some getty and dubay to do. practised the V mainly. I would help if she didn’t go off in the wrong direction to start with. We drew as many v things as we could think of. Moved on to drawing and then colouring in the Pudsey bear for nursery. She did a really good drawing – so will flickr it [surprise]. She also wrote her name nicely on the bottom, and then had a dicky fit that her middle name didn’t fit, so turned over the paper and wrote her first 2 names – mirror writing! Even with taking a picture of them both, she just couldn’t see that they were any different. hmm.

After breakfast she watched a Hoobs video, and we did a lot of playing with BB. BB is enjoying trying out the shape sorter – unfortunately the technique of ramming with as much force as possible in nearest hole is not particularly successful, but she was happy with the ‘if you don’t succeed, stuff it through the door at the side’!

While BB was supposed sleeping, Chris and SB made the Xmas cake [and its still cooking!] BB woke up fairly instantly, and squiggled about in the pantry. [SB is down from the bath, naked and soaking- 8 minutes]

I went outside to take some sunny pictures – mainly of pond reflections and fish, and was soon joined by both SB and BB. SB dancing around being a pond fairy, and BB catching up with Josie in the ‘I can now throw myself in’ stakes [she didn't]. SB and I discussed pond reflections, mirrors etc, and what happened when the fish popped up – which the fish did a fair bit as SB threw in about 2 weeks worth of food. So we went back in and had lunch.

More playing with both SB and BB – side by side, as SB didn’t want BB to actually play with her as she was in a convoluted imagination game with elephant finger puppet cat and eagle. BB and I played hammering and beads mostly, and a fair bit of Ta. BB fell asleep, and I read a number of story books to SB, and she read outloud 2 spot books – with assistance on the longer words. We also read the first people by Usborne. Otherwise for maths we have talked about shapes and patterning, and done some counting and finger adding and taking away.

Whilst I cooked tea – nothing exciting, just pasta – SB wrote a letter to Nanny and drew a boat – a normal one on one side, and then turned over to draw an egyption one. It did look a bit like a felucca too. We played memory cards and my bastardised happy families rummy. BB was generally jolly and babbled and fiddled about.

SB now making patterns with the connect 4. Time to feed BB and then go!

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

A wooing we shall go.

Posted on November 9, 2005 by | 9 comments

Well Stringbean anyway, though of course Butterbean does her ‘Smiley chuckle-y baby’ thing to anyone who looks at her for more than a few microseconds :-) On Monday it was the lady in the farm shop, yesterday it was various people – the ‘library ladies’, the lady in the dance shop, in Woolies, in the cafe, in Waitrose…… I think its’ the confident way that she starts up chatting to people, and telling them something in that ‘well it’s important to me so you must be interested’ kind of 4 year old way, and she si always really polite whenever she asks for anything when we are out and about.

So the lady in the dance shop was regaled with tales as soon as we walked in about how Daddy (? !) lost her ballet sock, bemoaning how she had got cold legs in the wind to the assistant in Mackays when we went in to buy some emergency tights, the checkout girl in Superdrug got run down on BB’s teeth as we got toothbrush for her in there. The woman in Wololies got all sorts of things, mostly about her new wellies and how they matched her umbrella, how she wanted a ‘Princess dress’ she saw the various dressing up dresses and has always coveted the Patch of Puddles gilrs for theirs :-). In the cafe she really politly asked for a cake and glass of milk, as well as regaling them with tales of new wellies, toothbrushes, SB being asleep ( ‘ she likes to wake up at night’…)

Ah well it makes out and abouting entertaining.

So what else happened in the last couple of days. Mornings at the moment seem to start for SB with a bit of Cindy/Barbie and dolls house playing, really is into hat at the moment. Need to relocate the Cindy box somewhere else in the room as it is near the door and the entrance just gets littered with Cindy bits. Looked at couple of her science books and made a ‘tin can telephone’, talkeda bit about how the sound travels from one to the other. She had the idea that the sound would travel down the middle of the sting like pipe, but said that wouldn’t work as there was no hole. So we played about a bit and talked about sounds being made / transmitted by vibrations. Sat a read a few of the Usborne Farmyard Tales books, where she made a good stab at quite a few of the words. She doesn’t seem that bothered heself about reading stuff, but if you ask her to do bit she normally likes to have a go. She seems to be in that ‘on the cusp’ of it point at the moment. Did some easy stuff and some writing in one of her workbooky things

After lunch we made a trip out to a local ‘Farm shop’. It’s not really a farm shop – it’s located at local plant nursery. The greenbrocers in the village shut earlier in the summer and then this place opened -possibly in response – they seem to have aqquired the old till from the GG. So far seem ok, I did get some dodgy chestnuts from there last week so she knocked a bit of the bill yesterday.

So we hit the road in the ‘Bean mobile’ – the tandem with trailer attached for BB out the village one way for the Fruit stall at the orchard, where they have good variety of apples, quite a few old ones, that you don’t see often and if you do tend to be expensive, then back through the village to the aforsaid farm shop. Where SB chatted to the lady about BB, insisted we buy things like parsnips and green apples (made a change from today when she kept on about sweets at every turn) and generally did the charming thing. Cycled back home, a tad cold by then, but just enough pedalling to blow out the cobwebs, and SB absolutley loves going out on the tandem.

Home for tea, warming up, a few books and then SB hit the CBeebies website until Helen came back from work (and a rather horrible ‘quick’ visit to Tescos on the way home)

Helen made a nice Beetroot Rissoto for tea (she had it in a restaurant once), SB turned nose up at first, but then ate it all once she was fed it :rolls:

Tuesday

‘Library day’, which somehow, after we have breakfasted, dressed, located all the books, faffed about etc. always seems to take up the morning until it’s time to go out. SB did the aforesaid wooing, listened to story time (much the biggest there now as all the others her age are now in school). BB sat and watched/listened for quite a bit as well, had to be prised, along with couple of other girls from the sticking and colouring afterwards :-)

Home, BB to nap, reading library books with SB, lunch out for the above shopping and wooing which took up the rest of the day. Noticed that SB can spend ages looking at books etc. by herself, I do wonder if she is trying to read some of the words to herself? but probably not :-) Had mean to make the Christmas cake but didn’t get round to it. It takes about 4 hours to cook so one for the morning I think.

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Posted in art and crafts, Books, Butterbean, literacy, Out and About, science, socialisation, Stringbean, writing

The Church Bells Ring

Posted on November 6, 2005 by | 1 comment

and its time to get up. i think I am going to stop being vaguely hopeful about BB’s sleep, as whenever I do, she turns back to snack monster!! Anyway, with the 10am peals calling to the faithful, I rejoined the world. SB had been playing nicely with her barbies and my sindys.

We did manage to go swimming, and had a good splash around. SB very confident at swimming a width, and now keeps her legs up more, so just looks like she has a doggy paddle stroke rather than always on the cusp of drowning! We practised various ways of swming together – so now if we have to plunge off a boat, we can swim to shore together [rofl! - as a trained lifeguard, I don't think I would have planned the stroke we have both decided on - her holding my shoulders and kicking to the side while I do breast stroke] We applied for swimming lessons. BB doesn’t float any more – a reduction in her natural buoyancy since she has become more active. She loves the water though, and enjoys kicking and is fearless and unfazed on going under.

After lunch we did some DK science explorer – taking further the discussions we had had on electricity while getting changed at the swimming pool, and any other bit that took her fancy. She wants to make electricity. Hmmm, may start with a brainbox thing and do circuits.

We read some books – usbourne time traveller castles, and the first quarter of the London through the ages – but this degenerated somewhat into a game with me being her cat – no, i don’t know quite how, but we played cat and owner for a while! With BB waking up, SB did some Hama while me and BB played, and then came and joined us. BB rolling a ball to and from, and doing some hammering. Also a game she finds hysterical of standing on her own and then leaning forward until she falls over into my arms!

SB read 2 letterland books to me, and I read her a barefoot book on dun and ice in return. We planned what sweets we should make for Christmas, did a lot more role playing with her being the cat, and finally both to bed – a bit earlier than normal at 7.30, as Chris and I both tired, and SB whinging about trivia, so we decided she must be tired too.

Ooh, and Dad has offered to help paint SB’s room, and Chris’s dad the bathroom. SO thats good!

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Posted in art and crafts, Butterbean, General, geography, history, literacy, photos, SB-PE, science, Stringbean's HE

caramelised onions to do!

Posted on November 6, 2005 by | Leave a comment

Caramelized Red Onion Relish

2 large red onions — peeled and very thinly sliced
1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 cup dry red wine
3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
Combine onions and brown sugar in heavy nonstick pan. Cook, uncovered over med.-high heat about 25 minutes or until onions turn golden and start to caramelize. Stir frequently.
Stir in wine and vinegar. Bring to a boil over high heat, reduce heat to low and cook for about 15 minutes until most of the liquid had evaporated. Stir frequently.
Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Pack in clean hot jars, leaving 1/2″ head space. Process half pints in boiling water bath for 10 minutes. Makes 2 cups.
Source: “Small Batch preserving by Ellie Topp and Margaret Howard”
Copyright:
“2001″

sounds like a book for me to buy!

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Posted in General

Did some of the things!

Posted on November 5, 2005 by | 2 comments

We actually had a nearly decent night sleep – wonders will never cease! BB not so fidgetty, though I can’t actually do a feed count, as all nights merge into one!

SB went to Stagecoach this am, for lets go and fly a kite and chim chimeny. She now agrees it is about sweeps not sweets as they had a sweep prop!! [And we had been discussing sweeping chimneys with our fire - including the fact that children used to have to do it, but not that the boys got testicular cancer and died].

Whilst she was engaged, BB and I had fun. we played peekaboo, chair climbing and stair climbing practice. Standing practice and Ta games. Cuddling, tickling and lots of giggling. I do like this age! BB good at standing unaided, and several times took one tentative step as well.

I did then start the grape and lemon jam [which i have done on and off all day]. The recipe calls for seedless grapes, but our victorian vine is obviously seeded, so I spent ages deseeding 2kg of grapes. SB did not help, as said it was too messy [??!!??], but she did measure out the sugar in cups and do the stirring.

In the afternoon, we planted about 1/4 of the bulbs together, and played a very prolonged game of mummies and babies – I was the little girl of 13, and she was my 15 yr mother! She very sweetly called me darling all afternoon, which I rather liked. Looking at the veg beds [in desperate need of attention!] some of the Runner bean pods were big and dried enough to pick and shell. The plan is to save seed for next year. We imagined we were jack and the beanstalk though, so buried a few! After having a discussion about how they grow, we have repeated the beans and damp kitchen roll experiment.

While I finished off the jam – which actually is a sweet/sour type eastern marmalade really – SB and BB played beautifully together in the pantry – well SB I think might have been keeping her prisoner, but there was no wailing, and SB was being very attentive, so I was encouraging! I realised I had miossed a few seeds, and they came to the top in the initial boil, so next time wont seed at all!

Various neighbours have had fireworks. I really do miss living on the top of a hill in Leeds and seeing the city’s fireworks all around! SB and I were counting the time to the next firework – and she is reliable to 59, so not bad. we did a bit of playing with numbers – adding and subtracting while waiting too. Tea, bath and bed!

Now I am hungry – shall I forage or ask Chris???? Hmmm.

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Posted in Butterbean, Cooking, Dance/drama, gardening, General, history, numeracy, photos, science, Stringbean's HE

Lots to do

Posted on November 4, 2005 by | 4 comments

We have done a fair amount of life and discussion home ed, but not a lot of bloggable! SB been interested in the history behind fireworks night – particularly as it follows on from Elizabethan stuff. She has been writing lots of things – with me or chris spelling the words for her, and is very excited that she has some ringbinder files – for the photocopy for writing, latin and ‘things’ as she put it. She’s also making up lots of stories and songs – both for herself and for me and BB. She has been to ballet – and continues to enjoy it.

We have been lighting our fire in the evening – SB very much enjoys our ‘ancient fire’ and is now keen to tell everyone how to make it and keep it going. i’m sitting here with candlelight and the fire in a very warm room. have just watched the gunpowder plot [whilst blogging] – very enjoyable. The light is on in the conservatory – so it looks quite magical. the vine leaves are loosing the chlorophyll, but back to the veins – so very pretty. must photo.

BB can now stand up unaided, and today did her first step – woohoo!!! crash landed against Chris’s leg. I am so happy to have seen it rather than be told about it. She is an armful of delight. I think her and SB are enjoying playing together – which is nice.

Tonight, seeing both my daughters laugh, giggle, cuddle and tickle [ok and strop!] i just wanted to blog again how lucky we are, and the joy they bring to Chris and I, who just over 5 years ago thought we may never have children. I think its something in those trusting, happy eyes that does it.

We have lots to do this weekend – not sure how we will get through. The dafodil bulbs, garlic and shallots need planting, and ideally the broad beans need to be sown. We should make the xmas cake and the grape jam, and possibly the onion chutney. i’d like to go swimming as well.

At some point, I would like to repaint SB’s bedroom [since we've got the paint] and put up new bunk. Also Mum bought paint to cover the lurid bathroom – so would like to do that too. the rest of the Ivy and the wisteria need trimming. We need to write wills, put BB’s baby bond somewhere [can't believe we haven't done either of those]. And at some point to some Home Ed!! Where shall I find the time?

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Posted in art and crafts, Butterbean, Cooking, Dance/drama, DIY/ house renovation, General, history, language, literacy, Stringbean, Stringbean's HE

Yesterday was a play day.

Posted on November 3, 2005 by | Leave a comment

Great fun playing with girls. They went first thing to have their photos taken at nursery – so much sorting out clothes to wear.

We then all played together for a bit doing stacking cups with SB and BB, SB dancing round the room to make BB giggle. I read a few story books.

SB wanted to do some baking – she couldn’t decide between making lemon curd or scones, but eventuallly settled on scones. Yummy scrummy. She is getting really good at baking – mixed the flour and margarine to beautiful breadcrumby texture. I am gradually translating recipies into cups on the whole, as she can then do them without so much assistance, and feels very proud.

After lunch – and a short veg infront of a german 3 little piggies video, we finished by painting and decorating the papier mache halloween monster head – somewhat late, and its no longer a monster, though I’m not quite sure what it is instead.

A bit more general carousing, tickling etc etc and BB joining in too with lots of giggling. Read some greek legends again – SB really into these – and then it was time to go out. my friend Katrien is going back to belgium, so we went round for a meal. SB enjoyed playing with her 3 boys – well the older 2 anyway. they had some convoluted imagination game going by the end involving her being a baby princess whose parents had died, and they were her warriors protecting her!

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Miserable Me

Posted on November 3, 2005 by | Leave a comment

I got quite upset actually at the hallowen party. Something that was said to me as an almost aside about me not being the main parent – and certainly not intentionally meant to upset me. I find it really hurtful. I am at home with the girls only 3 days out of 7, but there are the evenings as well, and I really try to make them count.

Maybe I wouldn’t mind so much if I didn’t miss the girls so much, and find the work life balance off as it is. I know I am devoting time and attention, and am sure I am a really here for them parent. Why am I burbling? I guess it is cos I worry that my children will grow up and agree that I wasn’t there for them, or loved them less than I could have done because I work.

I guess it is also because SB has in the last week started running to Chris first again, after us being equals, and that hurts, even though anticipated and expected. I love them both so much.

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Posted in General, Ponderings