Stressed Moi??

In short yes!  We kind of made it through our plan of work but there was a lot of bickering, moaning and me hiding in my bedroom for an hour after lunch, with the caveat ' only disturb me if it is a real emergency :-)  I am so glad it is the end of the day and the house is almost quiet, save from Ben raiding the kitchen due to a hypo!  Julian of Norwich definitely knew a thing or to with her arrow prayer, 'all will be well' I think it will fast become an ear worm in my head.  Here are some happy moments from our day:

 We always remember to say 'Grace' but today I was really grateful for the food in our cupboards, freezer and fridge.  Dave spent best part of the morning trying to link in with the vulnerable shoppers list courtesy of Sainsburys but to no avail.  We have an ASDA delivery on Monday but after that there are no delivery slots available in any of the supermarkets.  Thankfully our local farm shop uploaded a produce list on their facebook page and we were able to email a list of requirements including much needed compost and seeds!

 To add to Pip's aboriginal map she made her own hama bead  aboriginal man.

If you follow The Organised Mum Method then today is bedrooms and clean sheet Tuesday.  Whilst I was remaking Pip's bed I noticed this box on her book case and then the penny dropped, SEEDS!!!!!  This was a Christmas gift from Mum and Dad Wesley and I was truly happy to find them.  Growing a garden not only provides food and colourful cheer but is always a sign of hope and right now that is much appreciated xx 

A Beach Breakfast

Or, how to get a jump start on the homeschool day!  My hope last night was to pull this off and by God's grace we did it :-)  I packed cereal, milk, mugs, spoons and bowls; Pip and I then walked to Costa to buy two large lattes to share, she also asked nicely for some cornflake cakes and to her surprise I agreed!

 Once breakfast was finished, the rubbish recycled and Pip had scootered around, we then made our way down to the beach:

 Can you guess where she was heading?!  It was strickly a no getting wet day since we were minus towels!  She couldn't resist putting her hands in the water though :-)

 I think her words speak volumes.

 Me taking a picture of...

 ... him taking a picture!

 Dave capturing a shot of Benedict and I playing the selfie game:

 Don't ask me why but this photo hit over 43 likes on my instagram feed!  Totally wierd :-)

 Time to say goodbye.

Once home Pip and I made our way to the pillar box to post a very important letter:

This was then followed by maths bingo and cave art painting:

 "Oh no this is dragging on!"

 "I've told you before no paparazzi!!"

 "This is far more interesting."

 Finished.

Both kids also wrote about their trip to the beach in addition to reading aloud to both mum and dad.

When I look back on the pictures of today they make me smile because in reality they represent only a fraction of the story :-)  I lost count how many times I had to tell Pip to quit fussing or repeating over and over again instructions to Benedict.  They were not alone in the mistake making department and I managed to turn up to Pip's swim lesson at the wrong time and so she only had the last fifteen minutes of a thirty minute lesson.  She handled the episode with good grace and thankfully does not bear grudges!

As I type the dining table is littered with home school stuff and I still have my bed to make!  Keeping it real folks, keeping it real :-)

A Gratitude List

I cannot lie.  The outcome of the EU Referendum has left me reeling.  I voted Remain even though there are parts of the EU that I do not agree with such as the unnecessary waste within the goverment departments and the pressure on faith schools to promote certain practises that are not in line with church teaching.  This is contrary to the original ethos of the EU which was to promote a moral and stabilising force in addition to supporting peace, solidarity, subsidiarity and to improve living and working conditions throughout the member states.  Over the years there has been too much emphasis on economics and so the original vision has been diluted over time.  These concerns however pale into insignificance when it comes to the reality of our current situation within the UK.  Our country is in a crisis, the political parties that are meant to govern are feuding amongst themselves, Scotland quite rightly is now calling upon another referendum to divorce itself from the UK as they voted overwhelmingly to remain and even London wants to remain part of the EU.  We have also witnessed the worst of society which culminated in the death of Jo Cox MP for Batley and Spen who was murdered at the end of her surgery and since Friday there have been physical and verbal assaults against anyone not deemed "British."  The far right "Britain First" neo nazi party have called for the repatriation of all foreigners and quite rightly so many folk are frightened indeed.  In short I am ashamed to say that I am British.

As a Christian I know that God calls me to reach out to those in need, to love my neighbour, help the oppressed and in short be that good samaritan.  When all was falling around me on Friday He graced me with a passage from scripture during my quiet time in adoration:

 God is good!

So without further ado here is my list of thanks this week:

Glastonbury is on i-player, it's the nearest I'll get to ever being there :-)

Pip finished another set of Singapore Maths books so we will be consolidating what we have learned and then moving up to level two at some point during the week.

I managed to get both kids to mass today, now THAT IS NOTHING SHORT OF A MIRACLE!  Pip and I attended St Joseph's this morning which included children's church.  Benedict and I went to the Cathedral this evening, I cannot remember the last time him and I were on our own!

I've got back into the swim of things quite literally which has included an extra swim and pool physio lesson before the usual Wednesday swim meeting.  That extra half hour session really made a difference to not only my swimming but also the pain in my back, right shoulder and knees.

Carrying on with the exercise theme I have even hopped back on the exercise bike, 12 km travelled each night after tea.  I use this time to catch up with you tube subscriptions and so I don't feel bad about screen viewing during this time.

Dave has been having reflexology sessions at Slynedales and we have noticed a small improvement in his walking ability as each session and week goes by.  He also finally had his first session with a neuro physio on Wednesday.  She is working on strengthening his leg muscles but as we suspected his upper body strength is really good, he uses his arms to really pull himself up the stairs.

Whilst Dave was in his physio session, Pip and I walked to the Royal Voluntary Service cafe for an ice cream:

 " Cheese, mummy!"

On our walk back we also spotted this interesting landing place:

The helicopter landing pad!  It was only after I had taken the picture that I had noticed the sign that said, " no unauthorised personnel" oops!

We were treated to really gorgeous weather on Thursday and spent the day with some home ed friends at Holker Hall.  The kids had the play area to themselves leaving the parents to chat and drink tea!

 Butternut soup and gluten free bread.

 A discussion about which ice creams to choose, it is a very serious business making the right choice!

 Gorgeous blooms!

Pip learning to play the harmonica.  We have been treated to its melodious tones at six in the morning!

Looking at these pictures has really lifted my spirits, so a timely reminder to keep looking for the joy ;-)

 

Looking for joy :: Comfort

The Challenges:

Dave still awaiting test results which will indicate the go ahead for steroid treatment.  The NHS wheels are running slowly and the relapse clock is ticking.

Pip crying and not wanting to go to school.

Benedict having a major grumble about pot washing and home school work.

My dealing with acute pain in my hip made worse on driving and general moving around.

The constant up and down stairs with drinks, meals, snacks and other needed items.

The Successes:

Benedict actually completed some school work, cue the hallelujah chorus!!  Design and Technology, English Literature and History were ticked off the list today :-)

I managed to take Pip to her swimming lesson and we even had time to have a drink and a snack in the tea rooms.

Benedict kept a watch on the tea and organised some extra frozen veggies as part of the meal.

I picked up the camera and recorded one good thing  during the day:

 Raw cacao hot chocolate, sweetened with coconut sugar and topped with mini marshmallows.

 

{Pretty Happy Funny Real}

Joining Aunty Leila over on here:

http://ourmothersdaughters.blogspot.com/ 



{Pretty}

Big Sister Kath/Youngest Twin (eldest twin in the background picture) and baby sister.

A very large Valentine bouquet for Kath from her beau Steve. Inter flora must have done a roaring trade that day!

{Happy}

Happily counting coins with Grandad H

Happily Digging.

 Happy Lego Spaceship  Building...

... complete with pull down staircase and star wars storm trooper in the background.

Happily baking with Mummy.

Yummy Banana Coconut Oat Cookies with Chocolate Chips.

{Funny}

 Arabian Knights perchance? or...

... a Jedi warrior... it's amazing what you can do with a couple of muslin squares!

{Real}

Lego, Lego everywhere but thanks to the green storage trays it is an easy job to tidy up! 

A big thanks also to my friend Eva.

  This gal has helped me in so many ways since we began our blogging friendship well over a year ago.  Through her faithful postings I've gained insight and helpful links, she has blessed me with her words of encouragement and loving prayers and when I've been at a loss she's given her time through email contact too. 

  So it is entirely due to her that we used lap books as a means of learning this past week.  Benedict and I were both worn out from sickness management but I was acutely aware that, we also ideally needed to be doing "something".  Working on the long forgotten space lap book totally fitted that bill and I'm pleased to report that we have made good progress.

Information hunting.

 Colouring the space man for the front cover.

We also worked on our Valentine gifts once again Eva's Valentine blog post gave me the link I needed:

Home made matchboxes.

A box in progress.

 Paper Dali very kindly provided the St Valentine picture and the front cover verse.

As a passing nod to our Age of Grace Curriculum Benedict worked on some independent crafting of his own:

Construction in progress... totally love it that he still opens his mouth when cutting with scissors!!

One free form paper castle designed and constructed by Benedict.

I've learnt a lot these past few weeks of continued sickness, the primary lesson being that, learning can and does assume many forms.  All things considered, I think we're doing just fine.

Seven Days

Crafting with foam.

Big brother having a go too.

Pink Candles at ...

... Make and Cake.

Winter Sun.

 Chasing a sunset.

A visit with grandparents and a trip to the beach.

Nature's Bounty.

"Teacher" is still on sick leave, so it's a case of everyman/boy for themselves.  The leave them alone and they'll come round to doing their own thing surprisingly does work, Benedict finished his Famous Five book from last week and in the past two days has read the first two books from the Secret Seven series. 

We watched a fascinating programme on Maps this morning, Maps:Power Plunder and Possession.  We learnt that in the Middle Ages the maps at the time were more likely to portray a spiritual than a literal space and place dimension.  As the centuries progressed maps have been used in epidemiology with particular reference to the cholera outbreaks in Victorian London and  the movement of peoples, touching on sinister aspects such as ethnic cleansing.

Nowadays they are used as a powerful visual tool in highlighting areas of concern throughout the world from AIDS/HIV infection, infant mortality, teenage pregnancy rates and poverty.  I found the programme very interesting and although I think most of it went over Benedict's head, it will be interesting in the days that follow to see what and how much he remembers from the programme.

We've had a very peculiar day the sort of day where occasionally I do wish he were at school and that the burden of education was lifted from my shoulders.  I've learnt that when these days occur I just have to accept them for what they are and roll with the punches and in the words of Postman Pat, "Tomorrow is another day!"