 |
| Cool Kids |
 |
| Digging |
 |
| Cheeky! |
 |
| Look what I found! |
 |
| Busy |
Monday, 1 September 2014
Summer Catch-Up. Childwickbury
Childwickbury Arts Festival
 |
| Creating treasure from scrap |
 |
| Art Lesson |
 |
| Beading |
 |
| Felting |
Summer Catch-Up. Peterborough Fair & Swim
Peterborough Fair
 |
| Add caption |
 |
| Lookalikes! |
 |
| Scarey!! |
 |
| something's really funny! |
Summer Catch-up.
So, I haven't blogged in a while.
What else have we been up to over the last few months, apart from adding to our family (cute baby Joey) and avoiding public places while school is out and everywhere is so busy!
Sleepovers with Tilly.
Katie has loved having her best friend come to stay. The girls get on so well and it's great for me as I know the girls will entertain each other. As long as they are fed and watered regularly, I never hear a peep out of them!
Jordan's Mill, Bedford
We had a very interesting and informative tour of the historic water-mill in Bedford with a group of Home-ed friends. We started with a tour of the beautiful gardens and the children had to identify the different crops and fruits and vegetables.
Then we got to see how the mill works and learned it's History. Next, the children tried different ways of grinding the wheat into flour...it was quite hard work!
Katie's favourite part was kneading some dough and shaping it in to a bun which was baked in the oven while we went on a bug-hunt. The finished bread smelled delicious and it was and hastily eaten in the back of my car by Katie and her friend Tilly while still warm. I tried not to stress too much about the crumby mess!
Afterwards we went for a picnic in the nearby Millenium Meadow. The weather was glorious and it was a lovely day spent with friends.
.
What else have we been up to over the last few months, apart from adding to our family (cute baby Joey) and avoiding public places while school is out and everywhere is so busy!
Sleepovers with Tilly.
Katie has loved having her best friend come to stay. The girls get on so well and it's great for me as I know the girls will entertain each other. As long as they are fed and watered regularly, I never hear a peep out of them!
 |
| Feeding the Birds |
 |
| Ladies Who Lunch |
 |
| Pillow fight! |
Jordan's Mill, Bedford
We had a very interesting and informative tour of the historic water-mill in Bedford with a group of Home-ed friends. We started with a tour of the beautiful gardens and the children had to identify the different crops and fruits and vegetables.
Then we got to see how the mill works and learned it's History. Next, the children tried different ways of grinding the wheat into flour...it was quite hard work!
Katie's favourite part was kneading some dough and shaping it in to a bun which was baked in the oven while we went on a bug-hunt. The finished bread smelled delicious and it was and hastily eaten in the back of my car by Katie and her friend Tilly while still warm. I tried not to stress too much about the crumby mess!
Afterwards we went for a picnic in the nearby Millenium Meadow. The weather was glorious and it was a lovely day spent with friends.
 |
| Tour of the Mill Gardens |
.
 |
| Inside the Mill |
 |
| Grinding! |
 |
| Kneading |
 |
| Chilling |
Joey Benjamin Davis
Our latest addition to the family, Joey Benjamin Davis is here!
He arrived 3 weeks early weighing 6lb 3oz and he is unbelievably cute.
Welcome to the World Little Man.x
 |
| Proud Aunty Katie |
 |
| Joey Benjamin Davis |
 |
| Family |
Sunday, 29 June 2014
Wildcats and All About Dogs
Katie performed in her first live concert on Saturday. Wildcats Live were at the Cresset Theatre in Peterborough. The show was fabulous! All the kids were amazing and sang and danced their hearts out. Katie was exhausted when we met her at the stage door, but she was buzzing with excitement!
I asked her if she fancied a career on the stage. She replied,
"Oh no, it's far too much hard work!"
We've had a day out planned at the All About Dogs Show for a while now. We had such an enjoyable time at our last visit to the AAD show at Newark in April that we booked tickets straight away for Lincoln Showground.
The show was today, so of course, we woke up to rain.. However we still managed to enjoy ourselves whilst dodging between the downpours into the tents selling all sorts of paraphernalia for dogs. Katie seemed to enjoy herself _ well, she is always going to have a good time around dogs as she just loves them!
As always there were lots of different breeds but of particular interest were the husky "sled- dogs"; very noisy with their almost human vocals but so beautiful to look at.
However, Katie and I both agreed, our personal "Best in Show" was a gorgeous cuddly German Shepherd puppy! So cute.
It's just a pity that our own dog had to stay home. Socialising is not her strong point. It's a shame because I'm sure she would take first prize in the prettiest bitch competition!
I asked her if she fancied a career on the stage. She replied,
"Oh no, it's far too much hard work!"
We've had a day out planned at the All About Dogs Show for a while now. We had such an enjoyable time at our last visit to the AAD show at Newark in April that we booked tickets straight away for Lincoln Showground.
The show was today, so of course, we woke up to rain.. However we still managed to enjoy ourselves whilst dodging between the downpours into the tents selling all sorts of paraphernalia for dogs. Katie seemed to enjoy herself _ well, she is always going to have a good time around dogs as she just loves them!
As always there were lots of different breeds but of particular interest were the husky "sled- dogs"; very noisy with their almost human vocals but so beautiful to look at.
However, Katie and I both agreed, our personal "Best in Show" was a gorgeous cuddly German Shepherd puppy! So cute.
It's just a pity that our own dog had to stay home. Socialising is not her strong point. It's a shame because I'm sure she would take first prize in the prettiest bitch competition!
 |
| Don't be fooled by that cute face! |
Monday, 23 June 2014
Heritage Festival
The Heritage Festival is held in Peterborough, in the main square fronting the very beautiful Cathedral.
The weather was beautiful, and we spent a lovely afternoon watching the re-enactments, browsing the stalls and chatting to the many volunteers who were only to happy to tell us all about their particular period in history. There were people from history spanning 3000 years icluding Romans, Gladiators, Vikings,Victorians, Soldiers from WW1 & 2, and my favourite......Henry VIII.
.jpg)
The Roundheads:
their muskets were surprisingly loud and there were only 6 of them!
I can't imagine how deafening 150 would be, in a real battle!
There was an impressive dinosaur model, and a neat science tent, with mammal skulls and fabulous fossils and microscopes for the kids (and adults)to use.
Katie particularly loved the Falconry Display, especially when one of the falcons flew high up into the branches of a tree and point blank refused to return to its handler! Three hours later and the bird was still in the tree, despite the lure of fresh meat being swung round feet below it. The bird was still up the tree as we left for home at the end of the show. Quite a crowd had gathered and the poor handlers looked rather desperate (and hot!) and at a loss what to do. I do hope the bird is safely home now.
The weather was beautiful, and we spent a lovely afternoon watching the re-enactments, browsing the stalls and chatting to the many volunteers who were only to happy to tell us all about their particular period in history. There were people from history spanning 3000 years icluding Romans, Gladiators, Vikings,Victorians, Soldiers from WW1 & 2, and my favourite......Henry VIII.
their muskets were surprisingly loud and there were only 6 of them!
I can't imagine how deafening 150 would be, in a real battle!
Katie joined in a battle with the Roundheads! She had great fun "defending the colour" and
charging with her "pike" towards the enemy!
 |
| Going in again with the pikes, putting the imaginary horse out of its misery! |
 |
Lastly, Dave and Katie had a go at the Archery. Katie did well but Dave was amazing! Three bullseyes in succession! Who knew!!?? The instructor was well impressed! Maybe Dave's found himself a hobby? Ah, but he'll have to wait until he retires (again!)
 |
| Robin Hood eat ya heart out... |
Friday, 23 May 2014
Meet Lincoln!
I am a little late with the introductions, because Lincoln, the latest addition to our family arrived a couple of weeks ago. He's settled in nicely, after a rocky start; he was just a little aggressive for a day or two (who knew hamsters could growl!!)
He is much calmer now, and such a funny character. Katie loves him and has taken full responsibility for his care. Apart from the noise (racket) he makes at night while he re-arranges his cage, he is no bother!
So here he is.
And hiding in his house...
He is much calmer now, and such a funny character. Katie loves him and has taken full responsibility for his care. Apart from the noise (racket) he makes at night while he re-arranges his cage, he is no bother!
So here he is.
 |
| Lincoln, named after the city! |
And hiding in his house...
 |
| He's a little shy! |
Kitchen Science (again!)
Katie and I have been keeping up with our kitchen chemistry course. it's getting a little more complicated now, but the experiments are fun!
Katie was meant to have moved up to the Girl Guides this term, but it doesn't seem to be happening!
 |
| Making Indicators for Acids and Alkalines |
 |
| Density |
Katie was meant to have moved up to the Girl Guides this term, but it doesn't seem to be happening!
So, she is continuing with Brownies in Bourne despite it being boring (her words). She very rarely does anything at the meetings except chat to the other Brownies and play Bingo...I guess we could call that "socialising" which is VERY important to a home schooled kid (ha ha). Anyway, Katie skipped out of the Brownie Hut last week clutching this, and she was soooo proud, so I thought it deserved a place on my Blog.
It's a Russian Doll in case you were wondering!
It's a Russian Doll in case you were wondering!
Friday, 9 May 2014
Belton House in the Rain!
Thought we better make use of our National Trust passes today.
The weather was pants...windy and cloudy with intermittent showers and sunny spells..a bit of everything really. It really was tempting to stay in the warm and have a snuggly PJ day but Katie and I forced ourselves to get dressed and out the door.
So we donned raincoats and boots and headed off to Belton House for the regular HE meet.
Despite being soaked through a couple of times we had a lovely day. There was lots and lots of walking (mainly because we got lost a couple of times and ended up walking in circles!) and even more chatting. I really love talking with other HE parents ;we support each other, allay each others doubts and fears, share our triumphs and generally put the world to rights. I think talking to others who HE re-affirms for me the reasons why we do it, and just how bloody amazing it is! Feeling so lucky right now, especially when I hear from other parents how their kids have suffered in school,often for years before the family chooses to Home-ed.
The kids entertained themselves indoors (there's a fab indoor play area and café) and out, and as always, played together beautifully without too many fall-outs.
The weather was pants...windy and cloudy with intermittent showers and sunny spells..a bit of everything really. It really was tempting to stay in the warm and have a snuggly PJ day but Katie and I forced ourselves to get dressed and out the door.
So we donned raincoats and boots and headed off to Belton House for the regular HE meet.
Despite being soaked through a couple of times we had a lovely day. There was lots and lots of walking (mainly because we got lost a couple of times and ended up walking in circles!) and even more chatting. I really love talking with other HE parents ;we support each other, allay each others doubts and fears, share our triumphs and generally put the world to rights. I think talking to others who HE re-affirms for me the reasons why we do it, and just how bloody amazing it is! Feeling so lucky right now, especially when I hear from other parents how their kids have suffered in school,often for years before the family chooses to Home-ed.
The kids entertained themselves indoors (there's a fab indoor play area and café) and out, and as always, played together beautifully without too many fall-outs.
 |
Thursday, 8 May 2014
Kitchen Chemistry and Wild Wolves!
Catch-up!
We all headed off to Newark last weekend for the "All About Dogs Show". Now it always, always rains when we visit these types of outdoor shows, but for once, it was dry and even sunny!
There were all kinds of breeds of dogs.They showed off in the ring, splashed in the pool, and leapt around in the agility set up. It would have been lovely to have taken Maisie along, but she still gets so stressed around other dogs, it really isn't worth it.
Of course there was a funfair too and Katie was delighted to see her favourite "Water Balls"
We made another visit to the Anglian Wolf Society in Bedford. The AWS is a well kept secret;it is not widely advertised and the venue is not sign-posted and is hidden away from the main road.
There are only 3 wolves (there were 4, but one of the males has recently died at the grand age of thirteen!) The wolves are special in that they are socialised, meaning they are not afraid of people.
The staff are so friendly, knowledgeable and passionate and they are very willing to teach us all about the wolves.
We had a great time getting close to the wolves. Katie has always been attracted and fascinated by wolves from being very young, so the visit was extra special. The highlight for me was when the wolves unexpectedly howled for us! A group of children and staff went to the other end of the enclosure and all "howled" in unison. At first it seemed like the wolves weren't that interested in the human howling, but then the two Omegas started to howl. Suddenly the Alpha female joined in and it was so beautiful, really moving. Her howl was so soulful....I feel so privileged to be a part of that.
After the wolf visit we headed in to Milton Keynes for dinner
Other news, Katie's new piano arrived and it sounds beautiful...She's practicing hard for her Grade 2 Piano and she will be starting Piano Theory lessons soon.
We (Katie and I) have been doing an online Kitchen Chemistry course run by East Anglia University. The course lasts 6 weeks and you get a certificate at the end. Its been fun, especially reading the comments from other participants. However, we were informed that the experiments could be done using general kitchen supplies found in most folk's cupboards. Errrr...no. We do not have iodine, milk of magnesia, or effervescent vitamin C tablets??
Here is Katie doing a couple of experiments.
We all headed off to Newark last weekend for the "All About Dogs Show". Now it always, always rains when we visit these types of outdoor shows, but for once, it was dry and even sunny!
There were all kinds of breeds of dogs.They showed off in the ring, splashed in the pool, and leapt around in the agility set up. It would have been lovely to have taken Maisie along, but she still gets so stressed around other dogs, it really isn't worth it.
Of course there was a funfair too and Katie was delighted to see her favourite "Water Balls"
There are only 3 wolves (there were 4, but one of the males has recently died at the grand age of thirteen!) The wolves are special in that they are socialised, meaning they are not afraid of people.
The staff are so friendly, knowledgeable and passionate and they are very willing to teach us all about the wolves.
We had a great time getting close to the wolves. Katie has always been attracted and fascinated by wolves from being very young, so the visit was extra special. The highlight for me was when the wolves unexpectedly howled for us! A group of children and staff went to the other end of the enclosure and all "howled" in unison. At first it seemed like the wolves weren't that interested in the human howling, but then the two Omegas started to howl. Suddenly the Alpha female joined in and it was so beautiful, really moving. Her howl was so soulful....I feel so privileged to be a part of that.
Other news, Katie's new piano arrived and it sounds beautiful...She's practicing hard for her Grade 2 Piano and she will be starting Piano Theory lessons soon.
We (Katie and I) have been doing an online Kitchen Chemistry course run by East Anglia University. The course lasts 6 weeks and you get a certificate at the end. Its been fun, especially reading the comments from other participants. However, we were informed that the experiments could be done using general kitchen supplies found in most folk's cupboards. Errrr...no. We do not have iodine, milk of magnesia, or effervescent vitamin C tablets??
Here is Katie doing a couple of experiments.
 |
| Changing States |
 |
| Carbon! |
 |
| Vinegar & BiCarb |
 |
| Making an Emulsion |
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)