Life is a Highway - it’s the journey, not the destination

well, it seems to have been a while! I meant to update at the end of last week but things turned against me. Last week started with a trip to the theatre to see Hamlet in a Shakespeare for Kids production. Really enjoyed that, but Alex didn’t really enjoy the ghost of Hamlets father and it scared her for a while after.

The rest of the week was taken up with the Film Education week which I’d foolishly booked too many! I think I got carried away, by Friday I was filmed out But we did see The Simpsons, Bridge to Terabithia (kids loved this and we immediately ordered the book when we got home), Charlottes Web and The Little Polar Bear 2 (That was a complete load of rubbish!!!). In between all that we had another trip to the home ed group which I’m feeling much better about. The kids are really enjoying it and I’m being braver Kept up with our Ambleside Online readings but really did very little else education wise!

Saturday we had a birthday party at Barbara’s which was lovely. M was feeling rather ill by the evening, but I put it down to a long day and much excitement. Unfortunately by the time we got home he’d been sick and was up the rest of the night being ill. Sorry if anyone got it. Hope not.

Sunday, M just flaked out and Alex and I went to see some football with my dad. It was Doncaster Belles (ladies team). A was fine for about 20 minutes and then just wanted to go off an do something else, namely get in with the teenagers that were hanging about rofl! She has no attention span at all.

Monday and Tuesday, M was still bad, but by Tues he was pretty much better, but we didn’t risk going to the HE group which was a shame. James was ill Tue and Wed and so had a day off. Typical, just before our holiday he’s ill so we have less money. Argh! We’re doomed when it comes to holidays this year. We’re half thinking about a trip to Venice for our 10th anniversary of being together, but I’m not sure I dare plan anything.

So again this week education wise I don’t feel we’ve done too much, read our stories and done a small bit of copywork each and a little bit of maths. Trying to work on sums like 2 + _ = 5. Half of the time they are fine with them but sometimes, esp M, they just look at the numbers and add up what they see. So today we looked at them again but I concentrated on showing them what ‘=’ actually means and shwoing that it has to balance each side. I’m not sure they got that before.

Off out in a mo to take M to buy A a birthday present. My last day of having a 5 year old. Sniff.

well I suppose it’s not even over yet, but there we go! I’d been feeling ill all the 2nd half of last week with some kind of virus (thankfully no-one else has had it yet) and this week I’ve just felt wiped out. So tired. I normally get up really early with James nowadays but haven’t done all week, I’ve just needed to sleep. Feeling much better today though

So all week, we’ve been a bit lax with anything too heavy workwise. I’ve been keeping up with our reading from AmblesideOnline, we’re on week 4 now, which went well and made me feel like I’ve not wasted the time. M wanted to read the War Boy book I blogged about before so that’s been our history this week. Which reminds me, was supposed to put it in the timeline book - shall do that later this afternoon. Have hardly done any maths, although did a lesson from MUS this morning that went down well. I also got a book about infinity for them called The Cat In Numberland which although we haven’t read yet, looks really good. They’re both kind of obsessed with infinity atm! Also read Katie and the Mona Lisa to keep some art appreciation going But all fairly relaxed tbh.

Wednesday we went out to the nature reserve home ed meeting which was really nice. Managed to speak to some other people. I feel like I’ve been around for a bit and know a few people by their faces, but I don’t know them well enough to chat so sometimes I feel a little awkward at groups. But getting better. Went off to my mums afterwards for a change of scene listening to Bindi Babes (Alex’s choice) on the way. Yes we have more audio books on the go Not so many this time, 3 each. A is getting more into them too.

I’ve been quite enjoying watching M read a few more things lately. It’s been over a month since I decided to stop the reading of ORT books every day and take a step back to see how things would go. I never said anything to M about why, but when he turned round to me one day and said that he gets all confused in his head when he tried to read I took it as meaning I was probably doing the right thing. He doesn’t ever ask to practise reading, but he picks up comics often and will attempt reading lots there. I don’t think it feels as hard for him. The other day we were getting petrol and he read ‘Have you checked your oil?’ only pausing to check he had ‘checked’ right. Ok hardly earth shattering, but what I liked about it was he wasn’t doing it for anyone but himself and that’s how he generally is, doing it for himself. Oh I saw this Artemis Fowl Graphic Novel and think it looks fab. Might have to get it.

And now I’ve lost my train of thought as the kids were fighting over the playstation so have been sent upstairs. Humph.

and one in which I’ve felt completely detached from the whole world. I get days when all I want to do is sit and thrash out the things going on in my head and today was one, but I never had the chance. It also didn’t help that I had an awful nights sleep, with a really horrible dream. Set me up really badly.

But anyway, I managed to trim some bits in the garden and fill the green bin up, it is so overgrown and I dread anyone coming to check up on the house (we must get a check soon - been here nearly a year). So a little bit better, but really I wasn’t in the mood for it. Kids tidied their room after a lot of prodding and Alex did some of a maths workbook of her own accord. She did about doubling numbers and matching numbers to words.

Watched the GP qualifying and then headed round to FIL’s for the afternoon and for tea. Was a welcome break from having our 2 out in the street. It’s just getting worse, yesterday the boy who we have problems with was trhowing A’s scooter around and has managed to break it Why must one stupid obnoxious little 8 year old ruin everything? I mean I hate the house here anyway, I’m covered in bruises from knocking into things cos nothing fits right in the house and there is just no room, but it did feel nice that at least the kids had friends, could do the whole playing out thing and everything. But argh, I’m just hating it all atm. Kind of wishing winter and bad weather

Watched Stuart Little and Italian Job then home and baths before bed. Seemed ages ago that though. We’ve nearly finished the Stuart Little book and we had a little history and geogrpahy tonight in the form of Warm as Wool story (M recognised Pennsylvania from the Magic Tree House books - must check where it is on the map!) and more Maths in Tally O’Malley.

Supposed to be going out for a drive somewhere nice tomorrow but as car just been fixed and has cost a further £100 maybe we won’t. can’t face a day in the house though I don’t think

which is why I haven’t blogged. I have been keeping notes of all our educational stuff in a notebook as I feel like a fraud blogging what we’ve done if actually what we have done is only a tiny proportion in between a really fraught couple of days. But having the notebook helps me, I dunno why but writing it down physically is much better for me than typing. Only lists though, I’ve never actually written a diary - typing much better for that!

Today has been slightly better as we started with maths and some reading before I asked them to get dressed. If I wait till after they always get distracted by something and then I get stressed waiting for them. I’m not sure it’s a good habit to get into though, but it worked today. We did some place value from the Math U See (they really like this) and then I read some of M’s Bone comic to him. The idea was him to follow the words, but I was going too fast for him. But I think it will be helpful for him anyway as he’ll get the gist of the story and be able to work it out next time he looks at it.

We then got dressed and made our way to the library to get lots of audio books like I said below and I also picked up some comics for M. A Simpsons one and an Asterix. Watching him sit down and really enjoy a comic makes me feel a little better about the reading thing. I asked him the other day if he wanted to read something himself and he said his brain gets too confused if he tries to read. I need patience, but it’s hard, and I’m fighting feelings that I wish he was into ‘proper’ books. But then I see him picking up words here there and everywhere and I’m sure he’ll get there eventually and getting there with a love of books still intact would probably be preferable.

We went to Magna after the library which was the first time since before the holidays that we’d made it inside. There was a new exhibition all about sports and so we were on that for a bit riding the bikes and kicking goals. Good fun. Then off to the other parts which were pretty much empty, the way I like it! I was very good and packed a picnic so we went to the outdoor playground to eat that. Unfortunately it wasn’t long before it was full of school children, lots of them. A local school has discovered asbestos in its roof so the kids were having classes at Magna but that meant that their lunch break was time in the outdoor playground. It was soooo busy and my 2 didn’t know what to do!

It was getting warm so we got the kids changed into sunsuits and they went into the water bit which is just loads of water jets. No school kids there They had loads of fun, only the 2nd time we’ve made it in and I’ve realised there won’t be many more opportunities once it gets cold so will try and go again if the weather holds a bit longer. We won’t get membership next year as they’ve changed the rules now where once you get membership you still have to pay £1 each every time you visit, which kind of defeats the object for me I think.

Home and patch/computer time then play outside with gits on the street time.

We’re reading Stuart Little at night time which I’m not really sure about, but the kids are enjoying so I guess it must be ok. I’m trying to read some Charlotte Mason books I’ve got which I’m really enjoying again (even though they’ve been read before), they’re making me feel much more inspired which is just what I’ve needed the past few days.

Oh and I’m sure Marcus has just had a growth spurt after last weeks grumps and sore achy legs, he’s def looking much taller today!

Marcus has recently taken to listening to audio books at night time and has completely devoured loads from the library. We returned 5 this morning and he picked another 7 up. so here’s a list of what he’s been listening to (I feel like it would be agood idea to keep note!)

Giant Jim and the Hurricane
The Worst Witch
Witch In Training (though think it had a few books included with this one)
Just William
How to Be A Pirate
The Killer Underpants
Sophie’s Tom
Sophie Hit’s Six
The Indoor Pirates
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Whizziwig
And lots of StoryNory stuff

Phew! That wasn’t including what he picked up today!! I’m not sure he ever gets to the end of them mind you, but he does talk about them so must be getting something from them. Libraries are def good, esp as 4 of the above list I got in the 2nd hand bit of the library for a grand total of £1.60.

I’ll see if I can remember what we did. First of all I had a sleep in, I’m still feeling a little out of sorts. Not ill, but certainly very tired. I feel really weird tonight but am blaming it on the heat, is very warm in our house tonight.

So we had a late start and although I had written down stuff I wanted to do this week, I don’t think any of it was done today. I started well on Wednesday, but hey. So this morning Alex wanted to play Ooky Spooky so we did that for a while. Then she wanted to do some reading (actually I can’t remember who instigated the reading, but anyway) so we decided to print a nursery rhyme and learn it, so we looked through her nursery rhyme book and she decided on ‘Heads, shoulders, knees and toes’. Printed it out and cut out the words and then put them all back in order. She liked it anyway!

Then the post arrived and 2 graphic novels I ordered arrived with it. First one was for Marcus and is called Bone and I got Owly for Alex. They both absolutely loved them and M sat for ages looking at his (I had a little read too and it was really funny.). Result.

Spent rest of the morning with the lego set, built a pyramid and helped M make a car of his own design. he’s really good at doing that.

before lunch we did some looking at Google Earth and then while lunching we read some Story of The World about the Pyramids so that sparked lots of discussions and we then looked into another book we had to see what was in there. I tried to convince M that we should try mummifying a chicken as per the sotw activity book but he wasn’t having any of it. rofl!!

Rest of the day has been them playing outside really. Been gorgeous today. Weekend is busy - Monsters birthday party tomorrow and then we have to be leaving dead early on Sunday to get to the Renault World Series day at Donington Park.

before I put the kids to bed. And also because not that much to report really today. By the time I’d tidied up this morning all we had time to do was a couple of games of Monopoly Junior (first time we’d played that) before Sarah and her bonkers children (or is that bonkers Sarah and her children?) arrived. So the rest of the day was taken up with socialisation and bombing about. We headed off to the park after lunch and they all disappeared in and out of the bushes playing various things. Nice. Sarah and I had some good chats about learning styles (about the only thing I’m thinking about lately!) and other such stuff.

Once they dissappeared the kids on the street were back from school so the remainder of the day was spent outside too. Charlotte Mason would be proud They’ve been in about half an hour and we’ve been mucking about on this site doing the base ten stuff and also patterns. Fab site, I could play for ages!

a bit bleurgh lately hence the lack of posts. Seems to have been going round, James had it at the weekend and James’ dad had it too.

Monday seemed for some in blogland the day to get back to ‘work’ but I figured I’d wait till Wednesday as that was when the local primary schools round here went back. So Monday we spent in Conisbrough up at my mum and dads new paper shop. Kids did loads of jobs and earned money which was promptly spent in the shop again! Loads of sweeties in there. We were in Conisbrough to meet up with Michelle from the Manor Born as they were in the area doing something with bikes or somesuch So we decided to go to the castle which was really nice. It’s been a while since we’d been there and the kids had been asking to go back for ages. M never made it to the top of the castle, he has a real fear of heights. A had no such problems and made it up at least twice (maybe even three times?). Marcus made friends with ‘Big’ Marcus and was having arguments as to what certain parts of the castle were for. M thought everything must have a fighting aspect! Anyway, was lovely to have a day out especially after keeping away from such places in the summer hols.

Tuesday was fairly non eventful as the local kids were still about so most of the day was spent playing with them. I’m writing down what they do cos I like having notes and M did some drawing while A played with our electronics set. Both of them watched some MathUSee which I’ve managed to get second hand from BringandBuy. It only arrived so I was watching to see what we thought (I’d already seen the trial video) and they really liked it. I’m going to get some blocks next week from the UK rep as she lives nearish to me and we’ll make a tentative start with it. Not planning to do much with it, but to have it supplement the ‘livingmath’ we’ve been doing.

So today was the start of ‘not being back to school!’ Yay! Not that it’s that much different to what we’ve been doing lately, but anyhow. We read some African picture / math books and learned how to count to 10 in swahili. Kids loved this one, I didn’t think they’d be that interested!! Then we looked on the map to make sure they knew where africa was - they didn’t! So I showed them, talked a bit about continents and M started looking at some places in USA. He found New York and I told him that lots of places in America have English names and that there is Sheffield and London over in the US among others. Read some of Zero to Ten as well which is going back to what we’d been looking at last week (or whenever) about the history of numbers).

Showed them how to play Mancala which went well for about 10 minutes till M just went mad and assumed he’d lose so he had the most enormous tantrum I’ve ever seen him do. He spent at leat 15 minutes screaming around and throwing himself about saying he hated us all. I just didn’t know what to do or say to him This past week he’s been so angry and has been constantly bickering with A, it’s been a bit of a nightmare. It could be due to the cold thing that wiped me out on Monday and James at the weekend, or I suppose it could be hormones. Is this the time for hormones with boys? I dunno. Anyway, it’s all a bit bluerghy there.

We had to walk down to the bank before lunch so I braced myself for M behaving awfully, but he was fine and I think the fresh air helped him. Sent them round Sainsbury’s with their own little list to read and get stuff.

Home for lunch and patch time which tends to coincide with computer time. A helped me make some cookies, M wasn’t interested in helping today. Once it got near school finishing time that was it, they were out on the street waiting for their friends to get home. So they’ve even socialised a bit too

It’s been a long day

as I wasn’t feeling well. Time of the month (or 3 weeks in my case) and have had awful cramps today. So we did our work on the couch all snuggled up this morning which was nice.

Maths was a game from the Games for Math book. Just keeping going with addition atm. Also tried to concentrate a bit on the adding of something (1-9) to 10 as so far they haven’t noticed any pattern.

Then we did some reading practise. M read the first one of the ORT Stage 5 and then Alex read it too. Checked their knowledge of some tricky words from the Jolly Phonics manual. M doing well and knows quite a few, Alex hardly any! Which doesn’t surprise me really, she really can’t read words if they are on their own, she needs pictures and context so she can guess! Shall have to do some googling tonight and see if I can find any ideas on how to approach this reading. She reads the books after M and I don’t want to discourage her, but I feel I should be doing more. I sometimes think she’d be the kind of kid who could learn to read on her own eventually as she is always picking up words from when I am reading aloud. Hmm lots to ponder about. if anyone has any ideas do shout!

Then I had had enough of making them do stuff so read them the last few chapters of Alex’s Fairy Chronicles book. Am steering her away from the Rainbow Fairies They both really liked this book which is a surprise, I didn’t expect M to like it and actually he didn’t hear the beginning as I think I read it to A when she had pox.

I went for a lie down and the kids played for a bit. The french dvd went on again, A really likes it and I found her out the book that I had that matches (it’s the usborne french one). She reminded me I have a tots tv french video somewhere so I’ll look that out. Then all I need is to connect the video player and we’re sorted.

M at some point sat down with me and tried to read some more of Yuck’s Big Bogeys. He still finds this kind of thing really hard so I’m not pushing it too much, I think I’ll leave it for a while longer and concentrate on the ORT stuff as he’s doing great with that. I guess I’m a little impatient, I’ve made an extra effort to have some good boy books on his shelves in the hope he’d pick them up and read them, but so far he’s not biting.

Can’t remember the rest of the day. James fixed M’s bike as he’d worn out a tyre by skidding on it too much, so they both played a while on bikes. Then xbox was allowed and I found out some old cd’s I had bought ages ago for the kids. Alex decided to put them on and has been listening to them this evening. So we’ve had Peter and the Wolf, some Sleeping Beauty Ballet (complete with dance from A) and lots of Putumayo World Playground 2. Even M came down to dance to that one, he likes it too. I reckon I could tick off PE if I had a category for it, but I don’t!

I think we’ve covered a fair proportion of my categories boxes today I started with a plan of what I wanted to do so no pretending it was autonomous - anything but! First off they both did some copywork, I only wanted them to do one thing each (a proverb for M and some letter practise for A) but they wanted to do at least 3 times what I planned. Then they did a couple of pages of Explode the Code each. We then looked at a new book we got last week called The History of Counting and discussed about numbers being invented and how people did it when they had no language for numbers. Quite interesting. Also showed them about Lebombo and Ishango bones. We made our own out of salt dough later on too.

But before that I took them to the schools library again and they chose some books each. A got some dolphin books and M some car, ship and bridges books. I was looking to see if they had anything for teaching latin but they didn’t. I did however pick up 2 French videos so we watched one when we got home.

I tried to air the tent out a bit, but it’s tricky with a tiny garden. It was sopping wet though so I was thinking I ought to do something, anything! Almost dry, shall try again tomorrow to get any other damp bits.

Then we did shopping when James got home, I got myself into a foul mood so this evening he made himself scarce. I printed out some (v. easy) sudoku puzzles for the kids and stuck them into some work books for them (otherwise I lose them). Alex made a start right away and did about 7. M eventually did 2 although I never asked him to he just did eventually. Got some cheap sudoku and kakuro books at Sainsbury’s (£1 each) so am training them up

Anyway, time to get kids out of the bath and do stories.