Am I learning?

Nope don't think I am. I think I'm in a slump. And the weather is surely not helping. We should be perky and picnicking and heading to the park. I am not feeling perky at all. I am fretting. I am internalising. I am on the verge of an almighty "oh my goodness will someone just write something in a stupid workbook before I get arrested " rant.

I have a house full of kids completely happy to ignore all the lovely educational goodness strewn (though not purposefully!) about our home. Ready to inspire and inform them, maybe help with a project idea. Completely happy to ignore educational subscriptions to online worlds ready to help them with their maths and magazines designed to encourage their writing and the books piled everywhere.

But then, they have the tree.

Only recently realising it's climbing potential it now has them in its leafy grip. Walking the dogs? in the rain mummy? No thank you. A walk to the library? I'm good thanks. But a clamber in the hotel for twigs, yes please, especially if it's tipping it down and super slippery.

So are they learning?

Well, we can but hope! Surely negotiating wet branches and balancing over a brook is real P.E in a Ray Mears style. Whittling is woodwork and you need to understand forces and trajectory to make your arrows fly so well. Also the booking system, guest management and receptionist skills needed for the hotel would definitely see you on your way to a travel and tourism degree, though I've yet to work out who is staying there. Snails probably or as its name suggests just the twigs!

As with all these phases where I feel we're doing nothing, recording nothing, achieving nothing, they've happily built themselves a whole world of wonder in which they can push boundaries that feel good to them.

When I look the younger two are really filling their time outside and what's not to love about that. Aware of all the things growing and the birds, animals and insects emerging around them. Friends can come and play in a world the adults cannot enter. Mr 12 1/2 and not hitting puberty ever but showing all the signs, is able to dip in and out. Play when he feels like playing, sleep a little longer when needed and step away to read or work quietly. In the tree he can be whatever his imagination desires for 20 minutes or 2 hours and he's allowed. Of course, Mr big can come and inspect, admire and offer building advice in his biggest brotherly way. Taking the opportunity to come and chat with me while the others are out in the tree. Knowing that his choice of 20minutes math followed by a day of guitar playing or poetry writing or documentary watching with not be frowned upon.

So, maybe I am learning. Because I'm letting it happen. Without fuss or fretting to them. And well, I guess this just enforces those who believe me to be a crazy hippy mama. Now I'm a crazy tree hugger too. I'm embracing the tree!!!

Yes, we have "done" St George!

But what do I have to show for this? No pictures of a Saint or a Dragon, but discussion aplenty about what the dragon was a metaphor for. Because there wasn't really a dragon Mummy. Doh!

Much rummaging in the dressing up box and a realisation that were are pretty low on roman soldier gear! Concluding in a rant about how little the cub scout leaders actually knew about St George last year and how that led to Ollie's deciding it wasn't for him.

Okay that's maybe the simplified version but in essence that's what's happened over the last two hours. And now they're done and I know plenty more about St George. I did also mention that on this day Shakespeare was born and died but they weren't really bothered. In fact they've decided that for now they'd just like to have a snack and listen to some Harry potter in my bed.

I'm happy to oblige!

Feeling gratitude

Because sometimes its crappy.
Because everyday there are moments when you forget to hold your tongue.
Because you get tired and overwhelmed.
Because it is hard to find space and time for quiet and for you.

But I'm grateful for the choices. To be able to make this decision and have the time with my children. To have a family life so filled up with love and laughter and shouting and sharing.

It's good to write it down and remember that our table often looks like this and it's good!

But now we're going out because it's not really about "home" education and we need to go to the library.

Bothering to Blog.

It's true, I haven't been.

I have been thinking about it though. Wondering why I haven't, working out if I should. I try not to ramble for the sake of it! Though I know in the past I have. So perhaps now I feel the pressure less to record and recite our days.

It's been three years. Three whole years now of jumping off the normal train and hiking off into the wilderness of unknown home Ed territory. Only it's not really a wilderness at all, there are lots of people out there doing just the same as me. And we haven't got lost or been pulled back on the tracks by the hand of "proper" education. We've zigzagged on a path of individualism and child led learning. Climbed up and down mountains of worry and doubt. To reach a point of trust and calmness from which we will continue to explore.

If the giant head in the sky, who bothers me less now, came to call, we would chat happily about our choices. Secure in the knowledge our children are happy and articulate. Knowing we have good days and bad but that it is no different to any home, any child, being educated any way.

So today I am blogging with a reason. To celebrate our choices. This is who we are loving our life. Loving our children's choices to pursue exams or T.V marathons or crafting for days on end. Loving them waking in the morning with a barrage of questions and finishing the day in just the same way. We are supporting them every step of their way, it's a different way but it feels good. Definitely worth blogging about.

Spring u like

Well it's warmer.

We've spent a fortune on seeds.

Cleared hidden winter poop from the garden.

And started clearing and sorting veg beds.

We can hear lambs in the fields nearby.

But the biggest indicator of spring is made from blankets, tape, pegs and canes! While I sit outside and feel warm in my sunny sheltered spot busy feet are to-ing and fro-ing across still soft and squishy grass, weather warn deck and banging up and down stairs to fetch and carry all the rings needed to create a special space that will, for an hour or two, be a tent, a castle or a den filled with laughter.

It does feel like spring is here.

To the untrained eye.

Chaos.

Chaos, destruction, noise and mess.
All around us.

But the trained observer will note the amazing learning going on in our home today. All of it child led, unprompted and varied beyond hope!!!

Music, maths, reading, planning, researching, studying, practicing and crafts. But also sharing, helping, comforting, cooking, animal husbandry and cleaning.

And for the last two hours all four children have been working together on a Pokemon craft/origami/film/design combo that may sound bizarre but has been amazing to watch and are all now planning Easter hats for a music centre competition.

Just watching them work and laugh together has made my day (possibly my week it could all go downhill from here!) and I shall try and remember this the next time I'm about to nag someone!

Working maths

We have struggled a bit to find the right maths. The kids vary in their skill levels obviously but also in the way they embrace learning about it. What works for one does not for another. And I too carry a bit of a maths phobia stemming from my own education.!

For the younger two especially we have been trusting our autonomous style (hey it's worked with reading) and learning through play.

You have to be a bit sneaky sometime, popping in a question or a challenge when you spot an aero plane being constructed. Other times it just happens. Today we've talked fractions while making porridge and counted coins and it's only just past breakfast.

Throw in a fun and crazy daddy challenge and we're making maths useable and fun. And I'm less scared and learning too!!!