There is a massive wasp

in my kitchen: the worst thing about summer, and it's not even that warm. Maybe it's one of last year's, come out of hibernation? do they do this? maybe it's a queen? (shudder). It seems to have knocked itself out on the window. Good.
I don't do anything to wasps nests as they don't come back to the same nest next year. I just try to keep the children away from them. And stop them from blocking up their nest holes, etc.

I 'caught' it on the end of my sweeping brush and put it outside- I just waved it around, trying to gently waft towards the door, and it actually chose to land on it!

O the things we have to do! if I had a job description, what would that come under?

Resurgence: Contents Issue 229

Resurgence: Contents Issue 229:
Shame this bit isn't online- I'll have to give you some snippets:
"DOES YOUR HOME MAKE YOU SICK? - Erica M. Elliott
Illnesses do not come out of the blue."

The woodpecker appeared this morning, making its usual racket on the top of the telegraph pole. Nice to see it again. I just looked out of the window and a fresh web was glinting in the sunshine... Do we have giant spiders? no, its Fugs out there with a ball of string again...

Capes and crowns

urm ...do kings run around like this?

King Alfred (he ran straight to the mirror!) 

I made some dressing-up clothes today, supposedly to sell at the May fair, but they all immediately put them on and started posing.  

On Monday we did the library-park dash- before schools are out, except that we didn't quite make it to the park and they weren't very keen on the busy park, which was quite worrying, but I'm sure they would have been ok if we had been there first. We watched some geese from a safe vantage point! ("duck! duck!")  

Vote moomins

I saw this- now the children watch out for it every time we go past.

Waldorf capers

Jem and Immi performed their own puppet play at the Saturday Steiner School. They got the giggles (as usual!) but did really well telling the story between them: urm, it was something about fairies and little girls wanting to be able to fly.

Playing in the garden

boys running round the garden. (teepee-tunnel-tent in the background)

Learning to slide 

Natural Awakenings

Natural Awakenings: "Few people relish the shrill and abrupt sound of the [.....] each morning or the shocking jolt out of our dreams into waking consciousness"

..in your dreams...

A couple of quiet days

Pegbag- I just had to put this up here, too. This is what I have been doing on my day off from computers ;) More info here.
Yesterday I took Allie to the Steiner playgroup. He quite enjoys it now, but usually wears himself out by 11.30. We made some bread, which was very tasty, with abit of honey on, and the small plaited bun I left on the table was devoured as soon as the others got home. Someone told me about a new book called The Handmade Loaf, which sounds interesting, about levened, sourdough type bread, as made in various countries. My idea about starting up an HE group in the room was not met with much enthusiasm by the person who runs the playgroup, as I'm sure will be the case with the rest of the Steiner Group. I think they don't like the idea that people can do it themselves and put them out of a job!! So I'll have to call it a craft group, to which children will be welcome, although it will be during school hours and see who comes! I won't be able to go to playgroup when Fugs starts HE full time in September. I can't believe I'm saying "when", not "if" now; it seems to be decided then!
Resurgence Magazine came today, so if you don't hear from me I shall be reading this : ) It always lifts my spirits and gives me hope and inspiration. (Guess what I shall be voting? sorry, all you tactical voting fans, but, sometimes I have this unstoppable urge to "do the right thing" even if it doesn't always seem to make sense to other people!).
O yes, there was an utter rubbish article on Women's hour about the life of rural women, a la "AGA Saga". Why do I listen to that program? I think I used to think it had some sort of feminist agenda, but now it seems to be the worst sort of dumbed-down patronising bullshit. If they ever have any interesting issue on it they always seem to triviallise it or just reinforce biggoted views and stereotypes.
Jem did some writing about France yesterday, which involved copying out of an encyclopaedia onto the computer. Hmm... Not sure how much that is learning about France, but she did "draw" a French flag on it.

Colouring Book of Flags

Colouring Book of Flags: Northern Europe
I had a bit of a no-brain, headache day, so no exciting trips to wholefood shops. Never mind, at least I found these flags to print and colour in. And there was much romping around in the tents in the soggy garden in pyjamas.

we've had some election brochures...

"Mummy, what happens if your vote wins? do you get money?"
"No"
"So what's the point then?"
"The point is the people you want get to be the government"
(To brother) "Who do you want to win, Labour? or Liberal?"
"Liberal"
"You win £100!"

Cree prophecy

Only after the last tree has been cut down
Only after the last river has been poisoned
Only after the last fish has been caught
Only then will you find you cannot eat money

Flags

This morning I got up to a very civillised drawing session on the kitchen table. Fugs is still interested in Flags. He was already drawing large crosses, he asked to see the mother's day card he had made with a blue and red cross across it (good job I knew where it was!) but now they are called flags and are in different colours. He has started giving them flagpoles and looking in the encyclopaedia for different examples. I suppose this is a good way in to recognising and reproducing symbols. But it's not necessarily about learning to write, as he is still fascinated with webs, and the intersections created by two lines crossing, which are sometimes given a special blob. I'm not sure how which way this is going to go- I don't want to hyjack this discovery and turn it into something else, but I want to give him access to to enough information to allow further development. I'm sure it will unfold in its own time. Maybe we will come across a book or something with more flags in it. Maybe I should not worry about it! I don't really- it's just interesting.

Meeting

I decided to go to the group meeting today, and when I heard mention of the possiblility of some new parachutes arriving the children were suddenly very keen to go. So it was a bit of a rush to get everybody ready and sandwiches made, and snack eaten. It was quite busy and the parachutes had arrived- hurray! one big one and two little ones that the children can do by themselves. They soon got into it- making webs- I had let them take a ball of wool each- and playing with the enhanced array of toys and people. I developed my usual dizzy daze, which seems to be inevitable with this sort of busy, noisy, echoey place, but managed not to get stressed and had a good time chatting to people, when I could hear enough to hold a conversation.

Much fun was to be had with the new geomags. Lots of people had a go, but then it was time to go home.

Zara's twirling geomag thingy

Parachuting-I think we will get better at this, with practice. There were enough people to do it this time. We did a mushroom, and the usual running underneath, and tossing balls up. They did enjoy it. In fact I think we may be able to go again!

On the way home we decided to call in at LIDL to get juice, but ended up with more than I bargained for: a tent/tunnel/teepee, another toolset (now we have all 3), some shoes for Brendan! (lol- I hope they fit, but I have measured them against his old ones, which are discarded outside the door, all worn out!), a lovely bubblegum pink towel for Maeve, plus loads of 1/2 price veg, eg avocados and baking potatoes, which we had for tea. This (having baked potatoes in the oven for an hour or so) freed me up to assemble the said tent/tunnel/teepee and try to anchor it down so it didn't blow away. It has been a miserable, rainy, windy day, but it wasn't too bad when we got back, which is a good job, as it didn't all fit in the living room.

I was given the option of Brendan coming home at about 1/2 past 8 or not at all, so I told him not to bother, so he could be earlier tomorrow. But it did take me rather a long time to get them all to bed, although I'm not sure if it would have made much difference if he had come back, as it tends to delay proceedings somewhat, as they get all excited just as they were settling down to bed. Well, it has been a busy day, but we don't have to get up for anything particular tomorrow, except, perhaps, to beat the half-day closing of the library, and possibly the wholefood shop in Tod, to which I have promised them a visit. What kind of children get excited about a wholefood shop? Maybe they don't know what it is?

Guitar lessons

We seem to have been listening to Strange Folk lately. I'm not sure what I make of it now (or even what it is exactly; one of Brendan's X-collegues came round and told me in all seriousness that 'acid folk' was 'where he is at' the other day) but I did get my guitar out, which has migrated downstairs in the last week. Not to play any strange folk, you understand, but it must have got me going on some level. So I had hardly started when I had two would-be bad members strumming away and asking for a guitar lessons. It's a good job I have two other, smaller guitars. I managed to get Fugs' one strung up properly and Jem actually learned a chord-she was quite keen to learn something tangeable like that, although it is quite difficult to get a nice sound out of it at first like that. I'm tempted to tune them into a chord and let them strum away, Joni Mitchell stylie- its more fun. The best bit was probably when I was just playing a made-up chord sequence and humming along to myself and Fugs joined in (without his guitar) and started making up a little song to the music. I'm sure this is just as important or more important than any learned technique or tune, in fact it has to come first, IMO, but small children do his naturally anyway, making up their own music.
I just had to make a note of this as sometimes I think we haven't 'done' anything, and I read other people's home ed blogs and weep (not literally) and feel a bit inadequate. But I am gaining more confidence all the time in children's natural ability and motivation to learn, both by reading about it and seeing it in practice. I have just finished How Children Learn, by John Holt and was quite moved by it. So it's back to the library for me tomorrow, I think. Now what shall I read next?

I'm not sure whether he's enjoying this- well he was a minute ago. (watchful gnomes keeping an eye on things). It was so windy today that I got three loads of washing on the line, with my hat on, before it rained, and then decided we have to move somewhere warmer. The children were well up for it and started packing cushions into boxes and got annoyed with me when I said it would take a bit of time to plan it. When I said: what about school? their immediate answer was: we'll be home educated. They spent quite a bit of time outside, undeterred by the weather. Some helpful village tidiers tidied up one of the plastic cups that had fallen off the garden wall and I had to go and retrive it from their black bin bag. I'm now waiting for the signs saying 'no playing allowed here.'  

face painting fun 

bagel fish 

bagel fish

Fugs was facsinated with the babel fish he found on Gill's blog ,(which seems to be open here all the time, in fact I think I should make it into my homepage!- yes- that peaceful visitor who is always resting there is me). He can't read, but is interested in looking at what words look like, and in different languages. He said I should put it on here, so I did. I find it quite interesting looking at it in different languages (shame my title doesn't translate).
Funny, I never thought of blog-as-educational-resource before, but then everything is, so why not?
ROFLMHO- Jem just asked me what a babel fish is and beforeI had time to show her she drew one- a BAGEL fish! complete with hole.

sleep deprivation

It snowed last night! I chose to ignore the fact when I woke up at around one this morning, having fallen asleep fully clothed, after a totally exhausting week. (Don't you hate it when that happens?). But it was still on my car when we left for ballet, not long after I had got up. I have been feeling under the weather recently, and the spell of *fresh* air at the 1000 ft high riding school kept me awake, but didn't do much for my general wellbeing. Allie got bored and cold after the first 20 minutes of pointing at horses ('horsey'), and a duck ('doot, doot') and wriggled and moaned the rest of the time, as he did for much of the night. He only seems happy whilst feeding, which I cant do for a marathon 8 hours, I'm sorry.
So I was in a bit of a sleep-deprived haze all day, but fortunately had arranged to go to Josie's after ballet, which is about the only place I can be when I'm in that state. So we did have a bit of a time for a chat and the children played, boy, did they play. I didn't take Allie and he had just fallen asleep when we got back around six- great timing for a nap! so I managed to get him to wake up for some tea, which he hadn't had yet and he went off about 8.30, and has slept for the last 3 hours. I hope that's a good sign. I have been tearing my hair out this week. Finding it so hard just to remain conscious during the day, or anything resembling human. Managing to do the bare essentials, but feel bad sometimes that I'm not *doing* anything with the children. Actually get a bit worried sometimes about my ability to cope as I've had a lot of health problems in the last few years and get very little support with the children. I'm not sure whether it's stress that brings it on a lot of the time. I know sleep deprivation is a big factor. Must do something about that...

...it was freezing up there 

First riding lesson 

Yesterday afternoon we went for a walk up to the local riding stables as I couldn't get through on the phone and we were thinking about Jem doing some riding lessons. She didn't like the idea of woodcraft folk, for some reason, and I had said she could possibly do horse riding when the weather got better, but I hadn't realised how expensive it was. Now we have been there she is really keen on the idea and we have booked a lesson this week. Fugs was too little to do it so he'll have to watch.
It was a nice walk, anyway. Allie walked part of the way back, very slowly, pointing at things, like dandelions and throwing stones into puddles. Fugs found a dead bird on the park and carried it all the way home. We tried to identify it, and I thought it must be a green finch, as there are plenty of those around here, but it must have been a young one, as the markings weren't very clear. Allie was also very interested in holding it. I suggested burying it, but Fugs wanted to put it up in a tree.
I was ispired by the making of domes I have seen, and think perhaps that Fugs may like to progress onto that from his constructions out of string and bamboo. I've wanted to built a dome in the garden for some time, or a willow structure, but it is the wrong time of year for planting willow now, it always seems to be here- its either frozen or too near to summer.
At playgroup this morning I was again inspired to make something- woolly knitted gnomes. I don't know if I'll ever get round to it though. I managed to reclaim one of my dish-drainers from there, now we haven't got a dishwasher. I think I need a bigger one with layers as we only have a single drainer and this kitchen wasn't designed for hand-washing-up for 7 people.
Well, that's about as interesting as it gets today, I'm afraid, it's a bit of a dull day today. I cant work out whether that's a wood pidgeon I can hear or Allie waking up! No it's definately a wood pidgeon, or a dove.

Tadpoles

Well, I just ate nearly a whole chocolate bunny,that was given to Allie, but , since we're both somewhat lactose intolerant it was merely a sacrifice for his own good (he he he). Anyway, I have been left on my own with the kids tonight, all 5 of them, if you include Pete, who is flat out with a temperature of 102 at the last measurement. I must go to bed soon, as I have school run in the morning, o, the joys... Fugs wants to be Home educated FULL TIME in September. Not now, but in September, when he will be 5. but Jem still wants to carry on with the Montessori, days TBA, but I think it is a maximum of 3. I'm not sure how it will all work out with a 2 year old, but hey. The only thing I'm worried about is that he might change his mind before then and I won't be able to do anything about it.
We went to visit some friends yesterday. She has been struggling with HE for 2 days a week and I suggested she read some books, having just read FREd and a John Holt book.
I think I'll cut it short there as someone has woken up

Can you just see the tadpoles starting to grow? The frogs are guarding them.

one of the frogs in the pond 

Maybe this was what all those webs were about... 

Today I looked out to find this 

Fugs keeps making these webs everywhere- inside and out. He is using entire balls of wool/reels of cotton, well that's one way of solving my wool storage problems. I really don't know why he's doing it and he doesn't either. I have decided to let him do it as long as it is not in anybody's way, which could be dangerous. I am sure he is learning something very important and valuable, and who knows what it is? is it artistic/expressive creation or scientific experimentation? or both? One covered about 50X50 square feet. He also draws webs, with blobs or knots on the intersections, but has not actually spoken of these in relation to the webs. Any insights gratefully received! Although, I am not worried, as it seems to be evolving into something else now. 

I spent most of Sunday in the kitchen, trying to stay out of it, in my new blog corner. Not very comfortable for blogging, actually, but handy for reading recipes and catching up on things while I have the odd moment...I seemed to do lots of cooking and baking which got immediately consumed. 

Sunday was a completely mad day, with people bombing around on motorbikes, and the kids getting all hyper. Well, he's sold this one now, which seemed to dominate the entire weekend. 

Vegetable printing; butterflies

Jem wanted to make some wrapping paper for her friend's birthday present. (She has now gone to her first sleepover party.) So I made a couple of printers from vegetables. Potato prints are not just for tinies! it is *serious* textiles design/surface pattern. And it's fun. We used plain wrapping paper and ready-mix poster paint. I'd quite like to do some on fabric, using acrylic, or house-paint.

printing with vegetables is fun! I must do it more often. 

printing blocks: carrot, potato, pen lids. (Note the fancy potato cut with integral handle- this makes it so much easier) 

goings on in the kitchen...(the other children are moving so fast you cant see them) 

...well somebody appreciates my efforts! 

Tissue paper butterflies

• Cut out butterfly shapes in different colours of tissue paper
• Use 2 different coloured shapes together
• At this stage you can add spots of scrunched up tissue paper with glue (a fun bit)
  
• Cut pipe-cleaners in half (to about 6")
• Fold pipe-cleaner over ther middle of the butterfly shapes, scrunching the tissue paper in the middle.
• give a twist to each end if the pipe-cleaner to hold it in place
• The end that has 2 ends is the feelers
• Hang on some sewing thread: this can be sewn onto the centre of the body with a needle, or you can catch it in before you twist the ends.
• If it won't hang straight try bending the pipe-cleaner into a gentle curve.

Yesterday I thought I would be all organised and have something prepared for the children to do. I was inspired by making butterflies at playgroup and decided we needed some to brighten up the place. I found these ace pipe cleaners in the pound shop. ("why are they called pipe-cleaners?"...other child demonstrates cleaning a pipe, or a recorder). Erm...one child made one butterfly (at playgroup they were decorated with spots of screwed up tissue paper); one child ran round wealding a packet of pipe cleaners as a weapon....O well.