GMT

Hurray! The clocks went back and the kids were so tired they were all in bed by 8, despite all the excitement. We didn't get any trick-or-treaters, but we never do here- they're too scared/lazy to go up a darkened bridleway next to a graveyard! We had pumpkins in the windows, though, just in case there are are any real spooks out there. (Not quite sure what effect all this is having on F's nightmares, hopefully it will blow them away.) Anyway, J read a whole reading book before bed. Her reading is improving at an amazing rate. She is so keen. I have never pushed reading. I'm sure she has more energy and enthusiasm for reading in the evening because she is not being tired out at school. And, there's so much more time to read when they don't watch TV, of course. http://www.tvturnoff.org/index.htm Sorry, that was so smug.

Just been having another look at the muddlepuddle links to seasonal crafts and surfing. Found some stuff about the day of the dead (Dia de los Muertos), Mexican festival celebrated Oct 31 to Nov 2. to remember dead loved ones. http://www.azcentral.com/ent/dead/ -It has craft videos! I love the idea of friendly, decorated, non-scary skeletons - recognising, but not fearing death. Trouble is, i can't think of any dead loved ones I want to build an ornate alter to. I'm not sure if think John Peel qualifies....Jimmy the cat? Bob the fish? Can't do Bob - dont have any photo's.

Halloween Walk

We went for a really nice walk just now. The sun actually came out while we were out and we took our coats off. Bearing mind that we are at 1000 feet here and, going upwards, it's nearly always too windy to be ba t'at (as in Ilkey Moor?). There were a few other people out as well. F was a bit disgruntled that there was somone leaning on our favouite gate, admiring the view, so we carried on up the lane, till A went to sleep. It was getting a bit bumpy up there for even the ATP. We saw a polytunnel and a Yurt, which both appeared to be occupied. These aroused great interest in both F and J. They saw smoke coming from the chimney of the yurt. We could look down on the mist.

We saw an old school friend of J, who has not been to school since J has, as she fell out of a tree on the last day of the holidays! (It seems like an eternity since J was at school). Anyway, it turns out that the friend doesn't want to go back to school and they are coming round tomorrow to discuss home ed! Am I in a position to advise? I ask myself. Well, being new to it and already known to them probably makes it all seem a bit more accessible? I know when I first considered it I gave up as it just didn't seem do-able somehow- all too scary. The mum is obviously distressed by the whole thing and the possibility of having to send her back. But I don't want to influence her too much. I fell like I've started a rebellion! (And I'm still on the school governors.) Although to me her mind seems to be already made up - she just needs the courage to carry out her convictions, which is not easy. I want to be able to support them and/or point them in the right direction for getting the support they need.

Anyway, better go carve some pumpkins- the kids are revolting....

Birthday Parties (our house)

Well, we've done it: the last birthday of the year, and the third in less than two months. J was seven and it had more than just a flavour halloween. And, yes, I did a cake in the shape of a 7, having recently done a 1 and a 4. This one was 2 jamaica ginger cakes covered in dark chocolate. There was also a spiderweb chocolate cake. It all came together quite well. Usually I find having birthday parties quite stressful, but I still do it anyway. It was important to J, having her new friends over. I just have to be so incredibly organised now to achieve anything.

So that's party season over (until christmas!) I can relax now. Last night was the first night in ages that I didn't go on the computer; I was too busy. It made me realise I have been spending far too much time on it. I suppose I'm usually too tired to do much else when it comes to evening.

It's been a really busy week. Apart from party preparations, I seem to have done just about all the childcare and housework myself. On Wednesday we went to see a puppet production of The Enormous Turnip, with other stories, whilst also getting the car exhaust fixed. Afterwards we scoured the pound shops of Halifax for Halloween stuff and came up with some good stuff for the party. Thursday we went to a storytelling at the library because J had (already) finished her books. Its good that they rotate the books and have seasonal ones. We found more books at the jumble and some dressing-up stuff. Friday we missed the music class at Skipton as we were too tire and over-excited. (That's the other thing about computers- I sometimes can't sleep properly afterwards.) I also missed the demonstration today about the trees/property developers.

I also organised a trip to go to the theatre to see Horse and Bamboo.

O yes. and John Peel died. I was quite upset about this. I understood how people could be upset by someone they don't know dying. I heard someone say a part of my youth died with him. Maybe it was that. Or he has just always been there, and it was kind of reassuring.

Talking to myself

Well, now feeing a bit jaded after having done all my emails. I finally got the kids in bed at 1/4 to 10, and the B came home, shortly after, in a bit of a mood.

Anyway, I'm still talking to myself, still not having managed to get onto the muddlepuddle webring, and only 3 people know the url. If, by any chance anyone is reading, please say hello, otherwise I may go off on some mad tangents, thinking no-one's looking, what the heck! Actually, I don't really mind talking to myself.

Today was full on and exhausting, but not a bad day, as it goes. Little F was in one of those unputdownable moods (hold on, isnt that supposed to be books?) and J and big F really wanted to make papier mache pumpkins, before breakfast, if necessary. So, i quite enjoyed the pasting strips of paper, one-handed. After, or during, lunch they had a teddy bears' picnic. Bless. Which turned into a full-scale game of restuarants, complete with a menu blackboard, counter, real food. I had to join in to make the game actually start. The trouble with a nearly- 7-year-old is that in games preparation is everything. Sometimes literally, as so much time and effort is put into the preparation that there is no time or interest left to do the game. I'm sure Big F, at 4 , would be a lot more spontaneous if left to his own devices.

I think I'm gradually getting the hang of this Home Ed stuff. They really do it themselves- you just have to let them, a lot of the time. Still ploughing my way through "School is not Compulsory". Not that I have much time for reading, the time i've been getting to bed lately.

Then at about 4 0'clock they decided they wanted to go out to see Josie's new baby, born on Saturday. So they made some lovely cards and we popped round. All was well there. We went to the library to exchange books. This is quite a new thing for us. And it seems to be escalating. Its upstairs, so a bit of a drag with the baby, who crawls round, turning off people's computers. It's funny- there seems to be less and less books there and more people sittng at computers. (Go home, losers, and stop scowling at me for taking my children to the library.) Anyway, Since we have been HEing I have begun to appreciate the library much more. I am even going to order some books myself. J is getting through loads of reading books- we seem to have found a comfortable level for her, that isnt too hard, with a few new words. And Big F (F#1?) (Boy1?) loves books, too. Cat in the Hat are amoung his fave books at the mo. "I can read with my eyes closed" (or words to that effect) is good, as its about reading too, but subtle. No, actually its not subtle at all!! but so funny that he didnt notice.

o no crying baby again.... hope he sleeps better tonight than last night.

Birthday Parties (other people's)

Had quite a good day today, really. Brendan took the kids off to a birthday party at Tod Sports Centre. He said it was a million times better than last weekend's "Rough and Tumbles", but I can only wonder, in my blissful ignorance, what can be better, or worse about these scary- sounding party venues. I think i must have some kind of a plasticophobia about these indoor play areas, although I'm sure they're not all bad. Bad are: Jimmy Gee's and Alphabet Zoo in Bradford, and a small place that may not be still there, near the station in Halifax. Well. at least my experiences were. I have definately been spoilt by the wholesomeness and wafty fabrics of Steiner kindergartens, where children are cocooned and nurtured with natural materials, natural light, natural food, natural sounds, gentle voices, sweetly singing. Anything else seems to be second-rate and and offends my sensibilities.

Anyway, F went as Peter Pan, so I got to excercise my costume-making skills, after examining the Woolworths version, yesterday. Yes, I can snip a jagged short sleeve into a green shirt, take in some pyjama bottoms, add a belt and a slightly adapted paper hat and save myself 15 quid. And before you start feeling sorry for 4 year old F, he was quite happy with it and I think it was fine and have photo's to prove it!

So, all this meant I had several hours (yes, several) alone, in which to get some house work done. (They had to go to the bike track as well, although it was waterlogged). Its always more rewarding when you have enough time to actually have a noticable effect. I thought I was doing really well until, after hoovering I realised it had been raining heavily for 20 minutes on 3 loads of washing. O well, this even happens to supermums/domestic goddesses, such as moi. Self-esteem not doing too badly then. better quit while ahead. anyway that crying baby doesnt sound like he'll stop without me.

Trees

Well I'm back again. I felt really grotty all day on Thursday so had an early night. Friday night I spent all evening, totally absorbed, finding out about what happened to some friends on Chainsaw Tuesday (this week)on
http://www.hebdenbridge.co.uk/steepfields/index.html
This has got me really angry. Basically its about an annonymous property developer using underhand and aggressive tactics to illegally fell a load of trees in a quiet area of Hebden Bridge, with the intention of building some "eco-homes". I don't think he knows the meaning of the word. If he thinks he can fool Hebden Bridge by jumping on the green bandwagon, whilst showing a total lack of understanding or sensitivity to the local community he has got another thing coming. He will NEVER get away with it. Until he apologises, stops bullying the locals and lying through his teeth, he should not be forgiven, or allowed to continue with his money-making scheme.
Anyway, rant over. Today we went to Halifax to buy birthday clothes for girl#2, who will be 7- just me and her. Nice. Shame I didn't manage to get myself anything.
Not feeling very chatty at the moment (not like me- must be ill) so that's it.

Here We Go...

1 2 3 go! This feels like jumping out of an aeroplane. I suddenly find myself starting a blog. I'm not sure why I have been strangely compelled. Maybe its that I have recently embarked on a new journey of Home Education, albeit part time, at the moment. It's the need to record it and to share it and to rant on about it, if needs be, as well as other things.
The name suddenly came to me last night, (in my sleep, so don't blame me). It's something someone said to me I would end up doing when I moved out to the sticks. It turns out to be quite an accurate description...