Blogging on the go......

Thought I'd try and be flash in an effort to keep on top of everything, including this, and have a go blogging from my phone!

I feel a bit like I am swimming in mud trying to keep on top at the moment! Soooo much I want to do and so little time. I feel grumpy when thing interfere with my hastily arranged schedules. Why would I want to go to our lovely home ed group when I have washing to sort, dogs to walk, presents to wrap and buy, floors to clean, lights to untangle and most of gifts still to crochet and sew!!!

But we did, go that is, and the kids have had fun. They've played and made and rehearsed with friends. I've chatted and laughed and relaxed, and all is good. The washing'll wait, the dogs can walk with us to beavers and Thursday night is easy tea night and I've crocheted 10 cm more since we got home. As is the Phillips way, we'll wing it and it'll all come good in the end!

Snowy, Wintry, Christmasy - Yay!

It seems the snow the snow has crept into our home as well as our garden. paper snowflakes are beginning to adorn every available surface, with the cutouts falling to the floor like multi coloured snow.

Hands big and small are busy crafting and making and planning. And Christmas music wakes me most mornings.
It's really wonderful and has got us all into the festive spirit early this year. I think the planning has certainly helped me feel it. Knowing how many days I have left to crochet and sew, cook and craft has me really excited. I'm ready to put up the decorations, I have given up pushing any sort of "work" the kids way in favour of sitting and making and chatting while we create away.

And I love, love , love that we can do it!

Snow and friends.

What could be more fun?
When you're a home educated kid every snowy day is a "snow day" !!!!

Jinx

Hmmm, think I may haves jinxed myself by posting about all the lovely things and the weekly ideas.
The conversation went a little bit like this......

Me " So shall we look at coats of arms this week then Will?
William "what?"
Me "well we brought that book and you put it on the board as something you'd like to learn about"
William "yeah, but, I don't want to dooo anything about it, I just like the book"
Me "oh"

Ah, yes I forgot they they can completely turn their noses up at something they seemed so keen on just a few days earlier and no amount of cajoling can undo it. And then we're out of the swing of it. Days pass and nobody mentions a "topic". Yes stuff gets done, kind of, but the rhythm has gone and it's so bloomin' hard to find again. And you can't argue when you find a six year old doing work books at 6pm or brothers challenging each other to spelling tests for fun!!! Yes for fun.

Heaven forbid I suggest anything like that though!

A bit of "independent learning" photo montage!

independent learning

We call it independent learning, others letting them do "whatever they bloomin' want", and they don't mean that in a good way! But in our little home educating world it seems to be working! We've taken the pressure off of them and ourselves a bit recently and it hasn't seemed to have stopped anyone from actually learning stuff! Inspired by art group they have been drawing zen doodles all week taking the original idea further and further.

Music practice is happening all times of the day without nagging or cajoling. They are reading for pleasure and to research. And while they do still try and watch all sorts of things on the internet! They really are using it for good.

Gaudi!

On the learning list for last week was Antoni Gaudi. David is architecture mad at the moment, so this was his choice. His lovehas been enduring and continues to grow. He sketches and plans and researches, and Gaudi has always been a favourite. We went to Barcelona in May this year and visited the Sagrada Familia and then wandered the streets spotting as we went.

I think they all really enjoy visiting different places and buildings. We have always dragged them off round National Trust properties, Castles, Cathedral and cities, and although they often start with "why are we visiting another church?" they always manage to find something interesting!

And so last week sketches were made, duplo houses were built, they had a very interesting trip to nearby Peterborough Cathedral and all sorts of interesting facts found out!