Weekly round-up

Hmmm... well, I think I may not carry on with weekly round-ups, since our weeks are awfully quiet at the moment during the school term. I may just post up as and when we actually do something that I can take a picture of!

At the moment, our days look like this... Spike goes off to school each day for 8.45am and Bubs and I pick him up again at 3pm. During the time he's away, Bubs and I have settled on a (rather mundane, but necessary) routine, consisting of varying degrees of: Adventures in Odyssey, Postal Bible School or personal Bible Study, Galore Park Math, Mathletics (online Math program), Spelling Bee (online spelling program), Galore Park English and Grammarland (old-fashioned book about English Grammar), Classics for Kids (online music program), Sketch Tuesday and other art and craft stuff (eg, Bubs is in the process of making herself a dolly, and teaching herself to knit); and during lunchtime we've been making our way through the Tales from the Green Valley and Victorian Farm (just for fun!). After lunch we enjoy each other's company, play outside, play games etc. It's really a Math top-heavy schedule, trying to get Bubs off and running with a subject she struggles with so much. Hopefully come September, we will resume a more 'normal' schedule and add back in the more formal history and geography and science etc.

It's not a full 5-day a week schedule though, as on a Wednesday we are trying to go swimming in order to encourage Bubs in the water, and if the weather is nice to go and picnic outside somewhere in the afternoon before the school run. We also take Thursday mornings off to go visit with Grama and Grampa.

And so, to our past week...

... a trip to Webbs of Wychbold... with Grama and Grampa... lovely Wisteria arch; a scarecrow who was called Spike (so his name tag said... but our Spike wouldn't believe me!); and a beautiful girl having a rest! We had a lovely meal and a good look around Hobbycraft - fab afternoon!

... the Fair came to Brinton Park... under pressure from the kids (!) I said we could go and have a look... fortunately, none of the rides particularly appealed, so we settled for ice cream instead! 'Smile!' I said to the kids... ''I AM smiling' said Spike... does it look like he's smiling to you? 'cos it looks more like a grimace to me!!

... and, just because I haven't had a photo till now... here's our wonderful wee blessing of a car...

Weekly round-up

... a few shots of the week, not much to show! It's been a hot week and we're all tired... Spike was so tired this week that he fell asleep in school!!!

... tea outside in the tent one evening!...

... Bubs and I visited Arley Arboretum this week... we were looking for the Labernums, but they weren't out!... nevermind, we saw some lovely sights... like this with the azelias and bluebells...

... intriguing trees...

... goslings...

 ... and fields of yellow... I LOVE the fields of yellow oilseed...

... and guinea fowl popping out of Bubs head!!!...

... gave the meadow grass a much needed cut... and Bubs tidied up after me...

... tried to figure out how to put a fan together that has been sitting in the shed... it's come in very handy at night time when it's been hot upstair...

... the kids had a paddle in the rather-too-small paddling pool...

... and just look at that temperature! It's really rather too hot for me... I much prefer it in the early 20 degrees!

Weekly round-up

The weeks are so very quiet now we are running to school day times! I miss much... and yet, I do know this is in the Lord's plan for us at the moment... and so to this past week...

...at the beginning of the week, Bubs and I hopped on the train with Grama & Grampa and headed to Birmingham... we wanted to visit the Bible Bookshop there, and then had a wee wander around, before arriving at the museum for a bite to eat... we were absolutely delighted to find that some items from the Staffordshire Hoard were still on view there, and we were able to have a good look at them. There was a very interesting documentary on Channel 4 (I think) about the Hoard not long ago, so it was great to see some items up close... what intricate craftsmanship! Absolutely amazing!

... a couple of projects Bubs had on the go this week... firstly she decided she wanted to make herself a dolly (she's never been a particularly dolly person, but tastes change I suppose!) and found a pattern in a book of hers. It is a work in progress. She also decided that she wanted to try crochet again... well, she did really well at making a chain this time, but once again she gave up after the first row! O well, maybe it isn't her thing... or maybe one day she'll try again...

... this was the highlight of our week! On Saturday we went on the Severn Valley Steam Train... well, actually we went on the Diesel train to start with, but you know what I mean! It was a late birthday treat for Spike, from Grama & Grampa... we thought we might not actually get to do the journey, as there was a fire on the track-side between Kidderminster and Bewdley, but after an hour and 20 minutes of patient waiting we were off!

... we went the whole journey up to Bridgenorth, then came back as far as Highley... We had a snack in the Engine House, a look round the museum and a play in the park... then back on the train (steam this time) to return to Kiddy... a lovely lovely day! Spike loves the trains... he just doesn't love the noise they make!... so, that's the explanation behind the builders muffs - it makes it a much more enjoyable experience for him!

... a bit of fun in the garden... needless to say, all who participated were drenched by close of play!

Weekly round-up

Quiet week again... with Spike now in the Language Unit full days, it leaves little room for doing 'exciting' things in the week days!

... can you see the 'face'? Spike was fascinated with this tree...

... Bubs has fallen in love with Watermelon! This one was hers, and all hers, and no one elses!...

 ... our new 'eating out plan' means that we are attempting to only eat out once a month, and where we go is a choice to be agreed on... so this month, we headed to The Watermill pub/restaurant, just local to us. We have never been here before. It's situated right next to our Canal, and we were fortunate enough to see a canal boat passing (though it was rather cold to go out and watch it!). The food was nice and we all had a lovely time together!...

... I've learnt a lot about washing machines this week! Our wonderful maid decided to stop working, after 7 years of faithful service... so we had to embark on interviewing for a new maid, and there she is above! Apparantly, what you pay is what you get these days... so pay peanuts, and you'll get monkeys! They just ain't made like they used to be. This beautiful machine is by ISE (thanks Dad!) and it's made me realise how noisy my last machine was!

... a bag of bits we brought back from History club, where the kids had their second workshop in Animation and how to do it! Fun and fascinating...

... a party for Spike to go to - one of the kids from school... it was cold and wet, but they all had a blast playing footie outside and generally running around! They had chippy meals and Bubs was blessed because one person didn't come, so she got to share the food too! Spike doesn't look happy in the photo! He really did have a good time... it's just that they decided to pull party-poppers at the table and he gets upset at the noise!

... Bubs experimenting with her hair!...

... the heady scent of bluebells... our garden is really blooming with them now - it was inevitable that one would end up inside!

... a Tin Man costume for Spike to take to school, where they are doing a Wizard of Oz play (I am led to believe... I can't actually get much out of Spike about it!). Costumes are definitely NOT my forte! But, he seems happy!