New Year, new habits?

Ah, resolutions!

It's that time of year, do you make them? Sometimes. Do you break them? Inevitably!

As a try-er and an encourager of trying, that is hoping and trying to be the best at what I/we do, I always thought that was positive enough. But with all the big plans we have as a family for work and life this year (should that just be "life" actually) I am thinking I should be a do-er too! Not that I think I am not, a do-er I mean! But that I should put an even more positive spin on the things I and we wish to achieve.

Less "I will try" and more "I will do". Goals after all are a positive thing when they are realistic, sustainable and achievable. They are not just for the gung-ho, corporate executive character I visualise, repeating their mantra full on in the mirror (odd image, I know).

I can make the all positive changes I would like actually happen, and still be me!!!

So resolution number one I can share!!!

I am going to use this blog space and continue to watch it grow in to something that we can all be proud of and publish it at the end of this year as a wonderful keepsake of this year in our lives.

And January the second is as good a place to start! January the first was too filled up with wonderful time shared with old/new friends. Check out www.trionium.com/knackercracker to see what some people get up to on News years day morning, we were just supporting but had an early start to make it to the beautiful Box Hill in Surrey to watch the weird and wonderfully dressed runners raising money for charity. Very inspiring and brilliant fun.

Happy New year!

After what seems an extra, extra busy Christmas, we are rushing headlong into a New Year!

We are not as a family good at staying up late, partying the year in, but we are already excited about what it will bring us all.

After big changes this year work and family life combine with our choice to home-educate so that we are able to plan our whole life to suit us and for that we feel very lucky. We hope we can continue to mix all aspects of our life in our own crazy way! Supporting, encouraging, working, playing, learning and laughing together.

Pics of the preparations and Art work

Make, make, make!

Artwork inspired by Giacometti, Andy Goldsworthy, jewellery designer Kleshna and loads more!

Crazy busy days!

We have had and are about to have some busy, busy days. All in the name of friends, family and fun leading up to Christmas. We are of course looking forward to it all. But the preparations continue, and each time I strike a name off the list another one seems to add itself, no idea how its happening!

Note to self, start earlier next year!!!

In addition to all this the kids have had end of term concerts and art club exhibitions which we have enjoyed very much and so have they. They have grown in confidence over this last year performing happily in front of an audience. David had his first ever guitar performance this saturday and was rocking the stage with his band!

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" !!!!