Classroom Free

Whilst other poor kids were chained to their desks and SATS, we were blessed to make good use of the weather and a  hands on learning programme.  Sometimes it is good to enrich our lives and enhance our well being by engaging with nature and working with our hands.  Rudolph Steiner set great store in handwork skills as part of his educational philosophy and even I a product of a seventies state education remembers Wednesday afternoons as a craft afternoon.  These sessions served a dual purpose, the kids learned a new skill and the teacher in between helping with dropped stitches had time to mark work or plan for the next lesson.  I have nothing but admiration and sympathy for those teaching in the current education system, their lives are dominated by a tick box culture and petty bureaucracy. No matter how difficult our home school days might be and there are definitely days where we annoy one another, I am glad that both kids have been spared unnecessary testing in their primary years.  #letkidsbekids

 We finally made it to the footprints meeting place on Thursday.  The last time we attended was late on in the autumn before the MS relapse and all other associated problems.  It was good to be back, not only to sit and chat to the other parents but for the kids to roam free :-)  The kids played, Dave read a railway magazine and I knitted, yay!

 Such beauty in God's creation.

 Sunlight on wood.

 Instead of heading home once the meeting had finished, we made an impromptu decision to meet up with Sara and Tom. We decided on this place The food was exceptional and their gluten free menu was extensive.  We arrived at 5:45pm and left at 8:00pm and by 7:00pm the inn was very busy with no spare tables!

 There are moments where these two just gel and life is pretty sublime and that was the case on Friday morning.  They had a great time whittling and painting in the workshop and yes they are still in their pyjamas! They were eventually dressed by lunchtime :-)

He just keeps on growing and looking older.

 

 Happily painting her brother's hand made diamond sword courtesy of minecraft!

Wednesday Wanderings and Wonderings

I think I have succumbed to the same virus that floored Pip during the latter part of our holiday, whether you are homeschooling or not there are no sick days for mothers!  Pip also was in a peculiar mood so we bailed on desk work once she had completed her maths for the day and instead we attended a newly formed Home Ed Art Group that will be meeting on a monthly basis.  It was good to reconnect with some familiar faces and to also meet knew folk.  Pip really enjoyed the afternoon, she painted some stones for decoration which will need varnishing and was creative with some paper cups, making a fairy house and a light house.

Benedict had a great day with Shein, they took Bella the dog for a walk followed by lunch and then an afternoon swimming.  He was in good spirits when he arrived home which was greatly appreciated since at that point, I was once more feeling unwell.  Benedict stepped into the breach and made dinner with the occasional input from Pip, they worked together as a team and there was no fighting!  Nothing short of a miracle :-)

 A family stand by, cajun spiced potato wedges, tuna mayonnaise and salad.

After we had eaten the kids made a pot of tea and camped out in my room, it was then that I read the very sad news about Dorina's dad passing away and so I picked up the phone and rang her :-)  It was just after noon their time in New York and it was good to chat and share across the miles.  Sometimes I have wondered about the internet and social media and I know that both can be a black hole of time wasting!  Yet if I hadn't been writing this blog I would not have "met" some very dear friends, who have supported me through some difficult moments.  I have even been fortunate enough to chat with Dorina, Eva and Sue via Skype too!

Our small city hit the news yesterday as children and parents up and down the country fought back against the ridiculousness of the current testing regimes within schools.  Those on strike attended an alternative ed-venture for the day and it was enjoyed by all , #letchildrenbechildren  the video can be watched here