This Moment

A moment from our week, as inspired by www.soulemama.com

A boy and his book, well actually, lots and lots of books. His idea of heaven!

In our kitchen......

Apple cinnamon and spelt muffins

master egg cracker

Nearly bowl licking time

Mmmmn spicnach IS good

Even the washing up gets done

Nigella would be pleased 

Yummiest spinach pie yet!

Always a busy place! But more and more the children are helping out, gaining confidence and really enjoying themselves. I love having them choose and then help cook our meals. And while I cant completely subscribe to the only learning maths or science through tasks like these, I know they are gaining very useful life skills and it does help them learn and apply the knowledge gained in a practical way.

Best of all the results are wonderfully yummy!

The planning headache continued.............

Okay, so we can't fit our life into tons of tiny, tidy boxes. But in lieu of a full time housekeeper and gardener we have to try and have some order in our home. If only to make sure we have clean socks now and again!

After my massive headache and minor breakdown trying to work it all out the other week I have been variously musing ideas in my head. Today I have battled those ideas down into some sort of "planner" and here I have to stop myself shudder. We are a large-ish family, we all do lots of stuff, make LOTS of mess and go to various clubs, lesson and activities during the week, it has to all get DONE! So the mini planner is born. One for meals, recipe and lists  - very sensible when budgeting and catering to a large audience of differing tastes (often by the hour I might add). Another to help us plan the week, remember who goes where and when and also what just HAS to be done each day.

I am hoping to get over my phobia of the planner and remember this is not just for me. I actually have a little calendar on  my phone etc. I know what we are doing as a general rule!! But the children don't and hopefully this will not put them off, as the idea did for me at first, but encourage them to plan their time and help us do the things we need to do every day.

I realised I could plan for some bits without feeling like I was compartmentalising  our life and restricting the freedom we so enjoy by home-educating. Hopefully it will act as a reminder that all sorts of things get done every day and that we really do need to leave to get to guitar when I say so!!!!

Paper Aeroplanes - Educational!

Of course they are. Aerodynamics, construction and materials (sticky notes- not so good).

And measuring and flight testing. All this kept Ollie busy, enquiring and researching. He even did some writing, a flying note, asking to play monopoly!

Mini Me!

Hmmmn, makes me think!
Nature V nurture.
Learning through observation.

Hopefully she will copy all the other things I do too!
Mind you she seems to be missing a nice cup of tea to go with that magazine. Do you think she is saying "just 10 minutes quiet Mimi time, pleeeeease!"

A "me" moment....

As inspired by www.soulemama.com, a moment from the week past.
A finished hat, MY finished hat. After, count them, 20 hats crocheted as gifts for people running up to christmas I now have my very own. (just as the weather warms up, sigh!!!)

iflow......

Every Thursday we attend a home-ed group. The children love going and the idea of this particular group is to provide stimulating activities, share skills and provide a community for the parents and children that is more than just a drop in or meet up in the park. You get to know each other well and we really value the friendships we have made.  It requires the commitment and dedication from all the parents involved, but we feel its definitely worth the occasional blip or blank mind when it comes to resolving problems or planning an activity.  Today the kids started a french course part funded by the group. It has been met with both open arms and some trepidation! How will the french teacher feel about home-edders? Will the kids be completely bonkers and rebel or hate it? Mine thought it was good. And there has been much singing and chatting in french this afternoon, which I can only take as a good sign.

Photo Boy

In the afternoon, as a post Christmas clear out and as an open event to invite home-educating families who don't currently attend iflow,  we had a table top sale with refreshments. The bargain of the day was a box with an old SLR and lots of lenses and a brilliant flash that David bought for a pound!! He is very much enjoying his photography at the moment and loves using film. This might be because at the moment his only access to digital is with his phone. But I think he just loves it all. His next project is to start looking into us setting up our own dark room and learning how to develop and print.  His favourite website and longed for gadgets can be found at www.lomography.com. Take a look, you may see some of his snaps!