{"But the Whale wanted to be free - and it needed a pen in case it wanted to write to us...."}

Hmm, odd title isn't it? But it is a quote from our darling Callum. He decided to "free" his whale bath toy. How? By flushing it down the toilet of course, along with a flannel to wash with, and a pen in case he wants to write to us. Oh dear. Yes, the toilet got blocked and needed to be removed from the wall to un-block it - hence us finding the culprit. Goodness only knows what else has managed to make a break for freedom. I'm mysteriously missing two of my rings - although Callum has denied anything to do with them. Kids are just great aren't they? :oD

So that was a good start to the day. What else did we get up to...erm, oh yes, we did our family read-aloud. Currently we are reading The Mouse and His Child by Russell Hoban. Thoroughly enjoying it too, although it has been a little sad in parts. After that we all sat and looked through the Usborne Children's Book of Art together. It was very interesting, and I think we all learnt something. The children were full of enthusiasm and ideas afterwards and they went off to draw, armed with oil pastels, chalk pastels, crayons, and pencils. Chelsea did a fabulous self-portrait which I must take a picture of. Tiegan did a very sweet self-portrait too, drawing herself with a princess crown. Interesting to see how she pictures herself ;o) Joseph decided to draw some still life items, and ended up with a picture of a can of coke and a few fruits. Callum drew a picture of his daddy :o)

Whilst they were busily drawing (and later on reading and discussing the World Wars again), I made some changes.

Yep, I'm at it again. Re-organising, changing rooms, or making more of a mess. I'm not sure which category it falls into ;o) I spent the afternoon changing things around. We now have most of the "school" type stuff in the large dining room - a much better use of that space me thinks. By "school" stuff, I mean microscopes, electronic kits, etc etc. I moved the bookshelves from out of the hall (wow, the hall looks huge now!) into the dining room. This was a job in itself, but it did give me the chance to thoroughly clean and dust the shelves and books. Yuk - just how does so much stuff manage to accumulate behind the shelves? The books are now cleaned and placed in some sort of order back on the shelves. I must make labels to make it easy for the children to find what they are looking for. I talked to the children about wall displays, and they want to allocate a wall space per subject. Initially their idea was to have a wall for each child, but after discussing things they decided that too many projects are family ones and it would mean splitting up the work. I think we may have difficulty with the subject walls in that respect too, as most of our projects are also cross-curricular, but we shall have to see how things work. At least we can have posters in the correct wall area anyway. I'm really happy with how it looks. We've got the large dining table in the middle of the room, but have turned it lengthways to suit the room now and give more space near the bookshelves. We have got a desk at the bottom window, which can be used for whatever it's needed for. I've seen it used for reading and computer work so far. The changes have meant that I've lost the desk from out of my craft room, but I'm sure I can work around that somehow. We've still got another table in the craft room which we can use for painting or model making etc - it's great for things that need to be left out to dry.

I'll add pictures soon when it's all done. I do love making changes, and going through the bookshelves so thoroughly has meant we have found lots of books that had been forgotten, so they will keep us busy for a while :o)

{Another Zoo Trip}

We spent a few hours of our Valentines Day having a family trip to Paignton Zoo. It was lovely. We had a chuckle in the entrance when one of the staff members came over to admire my bright pink DM's that I was wearing. The weather was dull, but quite warm and it stayed dry, so we have to be thankful. I of course took far too many photos, some of which I will share here.

I love this picture of the babboons nit picking - isn't the baby so cute!

A peeking Marmot.



One of the giraffes.



Me with Tiegan and Callum.



Joe in a bubble...



Callum with his beloved "Mr Purple" - a cuddly dog that goes literally everywhere with him.



One of the elephants.



The Lion.



We are lucky to have annual membership to the zoo until the end of July. We bought it last year when Lee was working or else we wouldn't have been able to afford to have gone today. It was another lovely family day - I'm really enjoying spending time as a family at the moment.

{Callums Athletics}

My little man made me smile today when he decided to join in with the Athletics on the TV. We had javelin throwing, the long jump, the pole vault, and then running.

On your marks, get set...

Go!

{?}

I just don't understand where our days are going. July already, and we don't seem to have done much.

We have celebrated a birthday in my blog absence. Callum is now the grand old age of 3. I can't believe that my youngest is 3, it's just not right not to have a "baby" in the house. I think he enjoyed his birthday. The weather was very kind to us and we were able to have a BBQ in the garden (which was his request). My parents came over and so did my brothers' girlfriend and her little girl. We played various games and laughed alot. The presents he received were a big hit, he continues to play with each one in turn, making good use of all of them.

Other than that, there isn't a great deal to say really. "Schoolwork" is going well each day, the children are each working on individual lapbooks, which they will probably allow me to share here when completed. We have been doing lots of reading as usual, and the children have had lots of time to follow their own interests. For the girls this means lots of crafting and arty type stuff, whilst for Joe this means lots of sports orientated stuff - reading, playing, watching. He is very much looking forward to the Olympics this year (as am I).

So there's a quick update with what's going on in our world.

Oh, and did I mention my purple hair? ;o)

Fascination...

Are the days getting shorter? Sure seems like it in this household. We don't seem to getting as much done as I would like to. We have been a little lapsed with the "sit down" schoolwork, and have been enjoying time outside in the warm weather instead. I knew it wouldn't last though, and seemingly just to prove my point, today has been a wet and indoor kinda day.

It started off well, with each child doing various workbooks. Chelsea was working on Maths, Joseph and Tiegan both on English. Callum sat with us and drew pictures, played with his cars, and talked about colours.

Tiegan then went on the laptop, making use of various websites. Her favourite site at the moment is the Rainbows one. Joseph went on the laptop and used a few Maths sites, whilst Chelsea sat with me and corrected a very poorly written letter I had been sent a few days ago. She was horrified at the poor spelling and punctuation, and corrected both. It made me smile as she was tutting over her "just what are they teaching in schools?" remark.

After lunch I set about continuing with my organising. Having decided that the current schoolroom was too small for our needs, I have moved some of the school resources into the dining room. The old schoolroom will be my craft room/kids arts & craft space. I will get around to taking photos of the new areas one day :o)

This afternoon has been filled with various goings on. Chelsea and Joseph have been doing "website reviews" together:

whilst Tiegan and Callum had a colouring session:

Callum found some "new" games, that had been long lost in a cupboard, only resurfacing due to my change around. In one of the boxes he found a timer, the type filled with sand. Here he is looking at it with utter fascination...

Don't you just love those moments?

The kids are currently playing Twister Moves...

A lot of noise and a lot of laughter!

{Thing of the Past?}

I am really hoping that this scene:

that has been greeting me each day for far too long, is now a thing of the past. After a quick test drive this evening, it seems as if my wonderful daddy and fabulous husband have sorted our car out once and for all! I am sooooo pleased. We have mobility again, although a very poorly bank account :o( Just a shame all of the local garages have run out of petrol!

In other news, the children and I have had a pretty good day. After my bargain book arriving this morning, we promptly went outside for a reading session on the trampoline. We read the first two chapters of Our Island Story. I bought mine from Browns-Books (have I said it was just a penny?!?!) and was very happy with the condition it arrived in (quick delivery too!)

We then went inside and the children illustrated what they had heard.


The children then went their seperate ways for a little while. Tiegan went off to read and play in her room, Joseph went outside to help the men with the car, and Chelsea started writing a Narnia-style story. Callum played with his cars, had a play-picnic, a bit of trampoline jumping, drawing, and lots of chatting with mummy.


Tiegan went to Rainbows this evening. She is still enjoying her time there very much, and seems to have fitted in very well. Today's session was filled with group games and the making of a swirly hanger.


After dinner the children gathered together at the table and started discussing the story that Chelsea had been writing. They brainstormed ideas, and came up with some interesting concepts. Suddenly the idea of it being made into a film was mentioned, and they set about thinking of what the characters would look like, who would play what role, what special effects they would use, etc etc. Fascinating stuff in all honesty, it all sounded very exciting. They are now going to work on the story together. I'm quite looking forward to reading the final edit :o)

{Fathers Day}

Unfortunately, Fathers Day hasn't been very successfully celebrated this year. The children couldn't do their usual breakfast in bed for daddy routine, as my own dad came over at something ridiculous o'clock and got us all out of bed. Why? Because the men are working on our car today. Bless 'em.

I had invited my parents over for dinner, so the morning was spent preparing the roast and vegetables. I then got on and did the 4 baskets of ironing that I had successfully managed to ignore all week. I keep promising myself that I will keep on top of the ever growing piles by doing a little ironing each day, but I never do. Then I am full of regret when I have to spend 2 hours doing it all in one sitting. Ho hum. One day I will learn.

Other than that excitement, we have had a fairly pleasant day. Whilst the men have been out working oh so hard under the car, Tiegan and Callum had reading time with big bro. No, not the channel 4 version I'm afraid, just dear Joe.

I uploaded a door hanger on my craft blog that I had made as part of a blog challenge team I'm a member of. Whilst working on the laptop, I couldn't resist taking these pictures of my little handsome chap - looking rather battered at the moment with an impressive looking battle scar.




and one of Tiegan looking deep in thought...


Of course Fathers Day hasn't been completely forgotten in the household. Yesterday the girls and I (with Callums assistance of course!) baked Chocolate Chip Oat Cookies and Coconut Slices. Both turned out to be rather yummy and we only just managed to save some for the Daddys. I should have taken photos of them, but I forgot, so you will have to make do with the wrapping:

My dad went to pick up my mum just after lunch time, and the afternoon was spent playing games and chatting.

There was lots of giggles and laughter.




and Kira loved the extra attention.




I have started to implement a no TV during the day rule, as I was finding that the children were watching more and more each day. I'm not against TV as such, but got a little frustrated when I noticed that the children weren't bothering to think of what else they could do, but just went and switched on the TV instead. I really think today has benefitted hugely from this new rule, and noticed that Joseph in particular was much more sociable. He will often take himself off to watch the small set in the Dining Room whilst the rest of us are in the living room. I wouldn't mind if he was going to watch something special, but he just sits aimlessly flicking through the channels before checking out what is available to watch on the replay service. Today though was very different, and we all sat together chatting. One of the children suggested we play a game of hangman, which we did and I hugely enjoyed playing along. We had quite a laugh together, it has done me the world of good :o) My mum and dad looked as if they were enjoying it too, and as simple as it was, it was such a special family time.

I captured these pictures of Tiegan today and I just love them.

Phew it's hard work

all this planning stuff. I have spent what seems like the entire day at the laptop finding new websites, printing out various worksheets, posters, and snippets of information and ideas, all in preparation of the new "term". I think I was hindered somewhat by having an extremely enthusiastic 6 year old "helping" me. Tiegan was completing the worksheets almost as fast as the printer was printing them! Still, it's so nice to see her happy and working :o)

I have had to put some thought into how to best entertain Callum, as he very much wants to be involved in our schooling now. He is currently fascinated by shapes, so I have printed out some colouring and activity sheets just for him to do (with a little help of course!) I have also printed and laminated some shape flash cards, and some posters for the walls. I'm going to put together a little art and craft box for him as well. Now we are working in the craft room, there is lots of desk space for each of us to work at, so Callum will be able to spread his creativity far and wide ;-) He is also going through a real story obsession at the moment, and is liking nothing better than snuggling up with me (and often one of older siblings) whilst I churn out book after book. Once each one has been read, we talk about the story and what we thought of it, and then he will say "another book pwease" in that adorable way that only little people can. He is also going through the "But why....???" phase, and always has us laughing no matter how many times he says it, he is just too cute to find annoying.

Joseph has spent most of his day out in the garden with his dad today. They have been building a couple of planters (in the shape of a wheelbarrow and wishing well), and then they gave the garage a thoroughly good clean and tidy up. I do like it when they have "boys time" together, as Joe seems to get such a lot from it. I leave them to it as much as possible, just interrupting to provide tea and biscuits which they don't seem to mind.

I'm heading off in a minute to collate all the sheets I've printed off into the various folders. I think I'll do it in front of the TV with a cuppa :o)

Time is Racing

There's not long to go before the big day, and I feel as if time is just racing by. I'm enjoying it though, and I am trying to ensure that we take time out to soak up the festive spirit so our Christmas isn't lost in a wealth of birthday celebrations.

So what has been going on in our little corner of the world?

Well for starters, there has been great excitement in Tiegan's corner, with the news that she can finally begin Rainbows in January.

We put her name down on the waiting list for the local group when Chelsea first started Guides, and we have had regular "When am I going to Rainbows?" pleads ever since. A couple of days ago, the long awaited letter dropped through our door, and the pleading ended but the daily countdown began :o) Tiegan is a little sweetheart, with a gorgeous smile and an infectious giggle. Her latest thing to amuse is a wonderful Catherine Tate impression, "Does this face look bovered?" Along with Joseph, she does a brilliant little sketch that has me in stitches :o)

Joseph is a very happy bunny at the moment, as he finished the term at Cub-Scouts with the highest number of inspection points.




This meant he came home this week with a medal around his neck, a much looked at and admired medal at that. He was also bursting with the news that he is going to be a Seconder when he returns in January. I am proud of his efforts, and he has overcome much to get to where he is now. I have noticed a real change in him this year, he has grown up immensely and now settles happily and confidently into whatever is asked of him.

Chelsea is working hard with her schoolwork, working alone through a Biology textbook, and still enjoying writing her poems. She has gained my real love of animals, and that makes our relationship all the more precious.





I feel as though we are firm friends, not just mother and daughter, and I love our cuddles and chats on the sofa when the others are in bed. She is a wonderful helper, always willing to help out with dinner, or check and feed the animals, and I fully appreciate all that she does for our family.

Callum is still the little darling as ever.





He brightens up the darkest day, and never ceases to make me smile with his antics. He adores all things Thomas the Tank, and has an obsession with In the Night Garden. His speech is coming along wonderfully, and I never tire of listening to him chattering away to all who will listen, with eager expectation of gaining a response. He has a definite sense of what he wants and doesn't want, and makes sure that everyone is aware of such. He is caring, affectionate, generous (to a point that I have never seen in a child before. The dog often gets the largest portion of his sweets...), and extremely loveable.

Kira hasn't been herself over the past week or so, and as such has been resting. Aha, anyone that has ever tried to rest a Springer Spaniel will know what amusement it can bring. Now she is back to full health again, we have been building up her exercise level gradually, and today we felt she was ready to start our usual long-walk routine.

We went to the local woods and had the most wonderful time. It was great having all the family together, and the dog looking so happy again. Here are a few pictures (too many, but I was playing with my camera).

I have been thinking about where we are at, schoolwork wise, and what I want to be doing next year. I've decided to relax a little and not be so hard on myself making the usual plans and lists that I rarely manage to stick to, and then inevitably get angry at my own failure.

I've decided that Monday, Saturday, and Sundays (dh's at home days) will be our Family Days. I have planned out some things I want to do on such days, some for fun, some with a more educational aspect, and I think the relaxed approach will be more do able.

On Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, we will be more "work" orientated, with a definite aim to do Maths, Reading, and Project work. Our projects tend to be cross-curricular, so there is no need for me to be anymore specific than that. We will see how things progress, and if I feel we are lacking in any area, we can adjust as necessary.