Another weekend is over...

Saturday was just spent ambling around Torquay town centre.  We were bits and bobs shopping.  Husband needed a new coat, Tiegan got a new hat (and bracelet, which she has been wearing with pride!), Callum got the Wii game he has wanted for ages (he found it himself hidden in the preloved section of the Game store - saving us almost £10 on the price we had reserved it for in Argos!) , he also got two pairs of much needed new trousers - that lad is growing so fast!  We got three of the children some cheap rucksacks so I don't have to keep carrying all the food in one bag when we go out now, they can each have their own bag of goodies themselves now - much easier on me!  Child number four already has a rucksack if you were wondering - we weren't purposely being mean to one :)

The afternoon was spent at home, tootling around doing our own thing.  Off the top of my head I can remember Wii playing, reading (lots of that by lots of people), role play games, tv watching, playing with the cat, trampolining, scrabble playing, and bedroom tidying.  The evening was spent watching the X-factor auditions, as sad as it may be, it never fails to give us a giggle.

On to Sunday, and it started off so dull, dreary and above all wet.  Goodness it was really enjoying sending us downpour after downpour.  Despite this though we decided to don our wellies and raincoats once more and head for the hills - well, not quite the hills - choosing Haldon Forest instead.

Kira (our 4 year old Springer Spaniel) came along with us for the ride and walk.  She has been brilliant with the new kitten.  I had expected a mad dog chasing cat scenario going on for a while, but actually the opposite has been the case.  Harry kitten, yes that small, innocent looking little fella - is wreaking havoc in the household by stalking and striking out at the dog!  I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't have seen it myself - he literally wanders around the house following the dog and hissing and swiping at her at every opportunity.  Poor Kira doesn't know what to do, so she just keep walking off...

Today she was able to run through bracken, nosy down rabbit holes, follow scent trails of foxes and badges (I presume) and look longingly at the flying birds wishing she could grow wings and give chase (again, I am making a presumption!) :o)

I took a few piccies as per usual, I just picked my time in between the showers.

The views...

The paths...

The smiles....

The cheeky play...

The sticks! ...

The surroundings...

The puddles...

Yes, that's me!!!

and the tree inspections...

After 2 and a half hours of walking, we were ready to head for home - exhausted, aching, but happy :)  We cooked a roast dinner together as a family, and I made a trifle (or my version of one!) for pudding (which was yummy scrummy).  I (stupidly) tortured myself watched Supernanny on TV, and spent the whole time cringing, whinging, shouting, and screaming at the TV and any poor soul within earshot.  Not sure why I keep wanting to watch it, I disagree with the methods used on so many levels *sigh*. Moving swiftly along...we then snuggled down to watch a documentary on Great White Sharks, much more educational, and made all the more enjoyable by the arrival of hot-chocolates with marshmallows.

I wonder what our Monday will have in store for us....

Ooooh, before I go, can I just share this link with you:  http://unschooledmusings.blogspot.com/2010/08/proof-that-i-socialise.html
It's my eldest daughter's blog post about her socialising efforts.  Chelsea is 14 and she would love you to sneak on over there and take a peek :)

Julia x

{Family Walk at Cockington Park}

As the weather was dry today, we went along to Cockington Country Park, with the dog. As a family we really enjoy walking, and it's always nice to stroll through beautiful countryside and watch the children and the dog running free. I actually remembered to take the camera so I'll share a few too many pictures.

Cockington is a real "Chocolate Box" village, full of thatched cottages and winding streams, it's so pretty. Even on a dull day it looks so quaint.

We walked around the Manor House grounds, and went passed the old Gamekeepers cottage. The earliest record of this cottage dates back to 1517, when the gamekeeper was employed to tend to the rabbits in the surrounding fields.



Our beautiful dog Kira does love her long off lead walks. I love this picture of her - she looks so happy.


In the Manor House grounds there is a lake which contains large carp and is home to many ducks - a couple of which were kind enough to pose very nicely for the camera...




All in all it was a lovely family walk.

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.

Yes it's only November...

but we have got some of our Christmas decorations up already, including the tree. The children, especially Callum, are totally buzzing about Christmas this year, so we thought we would make the most of it and ensure we fully get into the Christmas spirit. Christmas is often lost in the hustle and bustle of things here, with all the birthday celebrations that go on at the same time. My mums birthday is the 21st, Josephs birthday is on the 24th, and Tiegans is the 26th. Somehow Christmas gets "fitted in", so this year we wanted to plan and organise things a bit better.

A couple of pictures...

Our tree looks like this, and Callum is still beaming :o)

Here's Tiegan putting the finishing touch to the tree...



In other news, we have 2 new additions to the household. Chelsea chose a budgie for her birthday present, so this is it...





And today whilst at Endsleigh Garden Centre, I came across this little chap and he begged to come home with us ;o)





They are settling in nicely, and have been nice additions to our "school room" whilst we have been reading and doing our maths and science work.

This afternoon we went for a lovely walk in nearby woods and we got lost! All of us, dh included. Still, the dog got a good walk...

Working hard in Spotty Slippers...

I liked this picture. Not sure why. I think it was the coming together of two worlds, our "school" world doing the work, and our "home" world where the children can work in comfort. Made me smile anyway *shrug*.

We have started looking at the Continents, and Africa in particular. The kids have found it interesting to compare our lives to some of those living in Africa, and it has led to some thought-provoking discussions. Lots more to cover for the project and I'll try and get some pictures up when I can.

Goodness, hasn't the weather been atrocious? I thought we had it bad on Saturday, when the whole of the lounge and bedroom windowsills were covered in bowls and buckets catching leaking rainwater. In the end dh and I caused great amusement to passers-by, by cleaning out our guttering in torrential rain. You couldn't see our drive, it was replaced by a river. The road was flooded too, and everytime a car went passed a wave came over the wall and thus over me (standing at the bottom of the ladder). Lots of beeping horns and laughter *rolls eyes* We did end up laughing about it though. My wellies had puddles of water in them, my waterproof coat didn't remain waterproof, and we were enjoying (ahem) it so much we did our elderly neighbours guttering too.

Still, looking at recent news reports, it seems we got off very lightly. Thoughts and prayers are with all affected by the awful weather.

Yesterday we had a lovely day. Starting of with the children doing numeracy and handwriting practice, and then heading out to pick up new waterproofs for the children and new wellies for me. We came home and took Kira for a lovely long walk in the woods. It was raining, but spirits weren't dampened. We found and identified various insects and birds, and looked at things with "new eyes" in the rain. It was a thoroughly enjoyable and interesting couple of hours, which we followed up by researching our "finds" on the internet and in books on our return. It was lovely watching the older children helping the younger ones to climb up and down the tricky pathways, I felt a real sense of a united family, their bond is so strong.

Chelsea helped me cook dinner, and we settled down for our usual family reading time. We read a couple of Mrs Pepperpot stories (still a great favourite with the children, no matter how many times they hear them), and a chapter of The Rats of Nimh. Chelsea read a chapter from Little Women, and Joseph read from his Horrid Henry library book. Tiegan read the Sly Fox and Red Hen Ladybird book.

Once the children were in bed, I set about the usual card making and order packing. I finished off two cards:

Picture Heavy...

We have just returned from a lovely "bug hunting" walk in the woods. I took *ahem* a few piccies and thought I would share...