Home School Days

 Harry Potter Book Night

Just over a week ago the girls attended the Harry Potter night at our local library.  They had a brilliant time and the librarians had worked really hard to make the evening fun and informative.  Upon arriving they had an encounter with the 'sorting hat', Pip was in Ravenclaw and AJ in Gryffindor, which is in fact Pip's favourite house!  Next their first task was to make a 'Marauders Map' and then using this as the backdrop they had to answer the challenges on the Welcome to Hogwarts sheet.  The two hours flew by!

 

In the Plant World Cafe the following day wating for Ben to finish college.  Pip has now finished 'Philosopher's Stone' and currently working her way through, 'The Chamber of Secrets.'  I have recently discovered a whole slew of lesson plans pertaining to the first book and so we are using these as part of our English curriculum for the next few weeks.

Chinese New Year

The Harris Museum

We had a trip into the local city south of us so that Dave could undertake some bus training; not for him to drive the bus, but to prove to the inspector that he could manoeuvre his mobility scooter safely onto the vehicle.  Needless to say he passed.  Whilst we were in the vicinity we popped into the local museum and enjoyed a visit to one of the new exhibits.  There was so much to see and do and since we were running short of time, we promised ourselves a return visit soon:

Valentine's Crafts

I have had another organised week and enjoyed putting together these craft activities for the kids.  The faith based crafts were from " Look To Him And Be Radiant" and can be found on my side bar.  I used a simple shortbread recipe to make the gluten free hearts and we used the last of the Christmas Coins melted down for the topping!  The girls had a whole heap of fun and the results are lovely:

 Pip's bag and associated goodies are on the left and AJ's on the right.

   

We are officially on mid-term break for this next week but I'm hoping we can squeeze in a return trip to the Harris Museum and we will still be keeping up with reading, spellings and time tables.  I might even manage to be ahead of the game and plan our lessons for the next few weeks, which is infinitely preferable to 'whinging it!' 

Beetham

 Whilst Benedict was helping at Heron Corn Mill, Pip, Dave and Myself spent the day at the nearby wildlife oasis.  We have been studying vertebrates and invertebrates as part of our science unit and seeing the animals close up was a worthy addition:

 An engineer after Dave's heart :-)

 Crazy Pip playing peek-a-boo with the meerkats!

After our visit to the centre we made our way into the village.  Whilst Dave and Pip were ensconced in the nearby pub, I enjoyed some quiet time in the beautiful church:

 A trio of Anglo Saxon Saints; Ethelberga was the second wife of King Edwin of Northumbria.  As a Christian she played a pivotal role in the Christianisation of that part of the UK.  We are hoping to make a field trip to a nearby working Anglo Saxon farm and museum.

 

All The Things

I have been taking photos and meaning to pop by but life seems to get in the way and I'm often too tired at the end of the day :-)  But I am making a concerted effort to keep this space up to date, so here is a round up of the past week or so:

Home-school Days

We have been making good  progress in the home school classroom and a workable rhythm has slowly evolved.  Depending on medical appointments or college pick up we have been known to home school on the road or in cafes!

 Friday afternoon "Plant World" catechesis work whilst waiting for Ben to finish at college.

Outings This Week

Pip and AJ enjoyed our Thursday afternoon park and library trip.  The Build A Bear crew also came along for the ride and it was freezing cold!  We were very glad of the warmth of the library!

 Pip's Sam Bear is dressed as Kylo Ren from Star Wars and AJ's rabbit Build A Bear is wearing an outfit from Beauty and The Beast.

 Swinging in the left over snow.

 On a Thursday afternoon the library hosts an 'unwind' afternoon where folk can colour in a mindfulness book, work on a jigsaw or play dominoes.

 Playing Dominoes.

Volunteering

 

 

Ben completed his third session of volunteering at Wesley's Coffee Lounge this morning.  He made an epic frothy coffee just for me :-)  I was also volunteering in The Mustard Seed Fairtrade Shop, so Saturday mornings are mum and Ben time.

Books

I have joined a book club which is hosted by the same lady that runs the Friday night youth group.  Last months book of the month was this one:

  

 There is only one word I could use to describe this book and that is, Harrowing!  I don't do well with graphic subject matter and this book contained not only the death of a child but domestic violence.  There were some parts just too awful to read so I glossed over the nasty bits!  It's funny how I give the kids permission to abandon a book but I am a bit dogged when it comes to seeing a project through :-)  

 I read this book whilst the girls were playing dominoes in the library.  I read her book, 'French Children Don't Throw Food' a good few years ago.  Pamela Druckerman is an American mother writing about her observations of French family culture.

 This is a book after my own heart, inspiring and uplifting and a worthy bedtime read.