2 sleeps till Christmas and the ground is covered in snow...wonder if it will last and how much money the bookies are going to lose if it does lol.
The downside to the snow is how high I am having my heating turned up. I have now brought fleece blankets downstairs for when it all gets too chilly. The kids have spent lots of time playing in the snow which is great, particularly J who IMO needs to get outside and burn energy off, is doing so well now we have snow. Our road is inches thick in compacted snow and ice so the kids have taken to running up and down it with a sledge. I tried driving in the snow on the first day, down the main road before it was gritted. You couldn't even see the road markings and there was points where the car was sliding so it was not enjoyable.
Last Friday the girls performed their arts award challenge pieces in front of a small crowd. D did her dance and A did her radio play. A is particularly happy as she submitted her play to the Royal Exchange and it has been accepted by the young people's theatre group and will be performed there in May. She gets to oversee it and is looking to forward to it. If she sets her mind to it, I can see her doing really well in performing arts, she just is natural with it.
D has not been dancing for a few weeks as she seems to have a run of bad health. Not long ago she had a terrible eye infection that nearly resulted in IV antibiotics. Last Friday I took her to the doctor as she couldn't breathe and needed antibiotics again for a chest infection. She doesn't do well at this time of the year so I am off today to buy more vitamin C and echinacea.
J has had his share of ill health as he developed terrible exczema. I used some cream from the doctor to clear it up and he has since had a visit to the homeopath where he was issued tablets from a remedy that has only just been created - exciting stuff.
I also caught D's cough and cold but although it has affected my asthma slightly I am on the mend. I have recently taken up jogging 4 times a week and am happy that if I go slow enough I can do a circuit that is approximately 3/4 of a mile but could be more. I am glad the snow has co-incided with my cough so at least I have 2 excuses as to why I can't run.
Anyway, back to arts award. It will be finished and moderated by the end of Jan so the final push is on now to get all the info in the files. The girls have done the practical stuff but need paperwork in files to prove it, this they find hard yet I do not understand why. It has created stress as they sit on Facebook while I moan about putting effort in and getting results out. They are not result motivated and yet they need to be in some way or I am unsure as to what the future will hold. It is those days I find my choice to home-educated hard, but I won't go into it too much here, there isn't any point.
On Monday I had my annual Christmas party. There was about 10 adults, 20 children that all had an enjoyable time. Everyone brought food to share so we had lost of nice goodies.
Yesterday I took M,J and a friend to see Spaceship 87 at the Royal exchange. It was an enjoyable kids play but has yet to beat the Man Who Planted Trees which we just adored.
Off out shopping for milk and last minute stuff shortly. I am at the Lowry again tonight so it will be a late one as I am on sales for White Christmas so won't be in bed by 11 which Is what I need, then it will be CHRISTMAS EVE..
HAPPY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Saturday, December 12, 2009
So many blogs, so little time!
I went to an amazing event on Tuesday evening. It was a Copenhagen rally run by the DECC. Ed Miliband, the leader of Manchester council, Friends of the Earth Manchester and a chap from the co-op as well as a journalist from the Guardian were on the panel. They received questions for 2 hours about climate change and Copenhagen and it was really very interesting. I must admit, to not knowing it all as well as I feel I ought, but when statistics produced the other day saying more than half of the population don't believe in climate change I suppose I am one step ahead. I was amazed at how posh the event was, yes there were some eccentrics and a few woolly jumper types but on the whole it was quite an event. I didn't stay around afterwards for wine etc. as I wanted to get home, despite enjoying myself.
Further joy was to be then had because at about 10.45pm. Myself and my 2 daughters watched the parliament channel and the presentation of petitions against the Badman review. It beat any previous record in parliament for the highest number received on a single issue.... I still don't think it will make much difference though. Our numbers are comparatively few and the majority of the UK population will never get home-education or believe we aren't damaging our children. Because of this I do think the government will be able to bring in new legislation. I remember doing my sociology A level that when a sub-culture like ours got too noticeable and large it had to be reined back in and this is what I think they are doing, well that and making it too hard to actually do, which is another story!!
End of term shows:
J did his Junior Strings production on Wednesday. His Dad has been taking him each week, so it was lovely that I got to go this time as I watched him do his show. He performed a couple of songs and 2 basic violin pieces with his group. He is always nervous beforehand but is fine once they are doing it. I love the fact he has this opportunity that is subsidised enough that I can afford it. He now has a few week break.
Yesterday I watched M in her end of term drama production, a Santa play. The group has increased in numbers and worked really well together. The last Friday performance this year will be the girls who have their silver Arts Award showcase challenges to perform next week, then I am finished on a Friday till the 8th Jan. In fact I have from 24th December till the 8th Jan with nothing on and no-where to go which will be great. Lots of reading, sorting and planning going on.
I am however always reluctant to allow all day screen usage during term breaks, as the kids find it hard to turn them off during screen time. In fact our Freeview box seems to have lost a lot of channels but I really don't mind. I would say the computer is more popular but with 5 people sharing one machine, it can be a juggling act!
I am going to get evryone up now as the girls still ahve dancing and I potentially have firemen in UNIFORM calling round. Exciting for a Saturday!!
I went to an amazing event on Tuesday evening. It was a Copenhagen rally run by the DECC. Ed Miliband, the leader of Manchester council, Friends of the Earth Manchester and a chap from the co-op as well as a journalist from the Guardian were on the panel. They received questions for 2 hours about climate change and Copenhagen and it was really very interesting. I must admit, to not knowing it all as well as I feel I ought, but when statistics produced the other day saying more than half of the population don't believe in climate change I suppose I am one step ahead. I was amazed at how posh the event was, yes there were some eccentrics and a few woolly jumper types but on the whole it was quite an event. I didn't stay around afterwards for wine etc. as I wanted to get home, despite enjoying myself.
Further joy was to be then had because at about 10.45pm. Myself and my 2 daughters watched the parliament channel and the presentation of petitions against the Badman review. It beat any previous record in parliament for the highest number received on a single issue.... I still don't think it will make much difference though. Our numbers are comparatively few and the majority of the UK population will never get home-education or believe we aren't damaging our children. Because of this I do think the government will be able to bring in new legislation. I remember doing my sociology A level that when a sub-culture like ours got too noticeable and large it had to be reined back in and this is what I think they are doing, well that and making it too hard to actually do, which is another story!!
End of term shows:
J did his Junior Strings production on Wednesday. His Dad has been taking him each week, so it was lovely that I got to go this time as I watched him do his show. He performed a couple of songs and 2 basic violin pieces with his group. He is always nervous beforehand but is fine once they are doing it. I love the fact he has this opportunity that is subsidised enough that I can afford it. He now has a few week break.
Yesterday I watched M in her end of term drama production, a Santa play. The group has increased in numbers and worked really well together. The last Friday performance this year will be the girls who have their silver Arts Award showcase challenges to perform next week, then I am finished on a Friday till the 8th Jan. In fact I have from 24th December till the 8th Jan with nothing on and no-where to go which will be great. Lots of reading, sorting and planning going on.
I am however always reluctant to allow all day screen usage during term breaks, as the kids find it hard to turn them off during screen time. In fact our Freeview box seems to have lost a lot of channels but I really don't mind. I would say the computer is more popular but with 5 people sharing one machine, it can be a juggling act!
I am going to get evryone up now as the girls still ahve dancing and I potentially have firemen in UNIFORM calling round. Exciting for a Saturday!!
Saturday, December 5, 2009
I haven't got round to putting up a Christmas ticker and it probably isn't worth it. I am feeling very unfestive, probably due to lack of funds which means Christmas will again be a frugal one. I did sit through a showing of White Christmas the musical last week though as I was working the shift. I got a nice quiet door right at the top and only a couple of very late late-comers. I do like musicals but found myself getting a bit bored with this one. 2 hours long with obviously lots of dancing ad music. Aled Jones who is in it was very good though. I wondered how hard it was for him to learn all the dance moves as I am not sure he trained as a dancer.. but I could be wrong!
The girls activities here are plodding along. A is up to date with her Biology. She is also doing Sociology at college. I have discovered though that she is probably dyslexic which until she knew she had this she was fine but now seems angry about it. She is angry about lots of things at the moment and that is another to add to the list. I cope by removing myself from the house occasionally otherwise it drags me into it and I need to be able to keep a certain distance or I am no use to anybody!
The arts award that the older girls are doing is coming to an end yet we still have lots of stuff to get organised. This weekend I shall be writing them large TO DO lists as I want it completed. They have finished their part one challenges. A wrote a radio play and D choreographed a dance. For part two they are running workshops. A is running a writing one and D a choreograph your own dance one. They are scheduled for the 9th Jan - which is dragging me into 2010 before we are even there yet.
In fact I have to purchase next years calendar because I have dates that need to go on there now. In theory it would be easy to choose a calendar but I need one that has a column each for us. In previous years I have used this one
However I am now bored with this one so have been looking at others. Don't think I quite qualify for the Yummy Mummy one rofl, so I may be going to get the Organised Mum's calendar. At least I may feel organised of the calendar says I am :-)
Last week we travelled to Blackpool to visit my friend Libby who has just had her 8th bundle of wonder. Baby Tegan is now about 4 weeks old and was flying out to Bulgaria with her Mum and older sisters to join the rest of the family for the first time. They left last Thursday so on Monday we all headed to their Blackpool home to stay over and do lots of baby holding. She is sooo cute and laid back. I miss holding babies so it was nice to have a cuddle with her. J got to hold his first baby and was smitten. The girls had a great time as they stayed up with their friends watching movies and playing charades at 4 in the morning!! It was worth it though as they are such good friends and now won't see each other till summer next year. Some pics below :
The girls activities here are plodding along. A is up to date with her Biology. She is also doing Sociology at college. I have discovered though that she is probably dyslexic which until she knew she had this she was fine but now seems angry about it. She is angry about lots of things at the moment and that is another to add to the list. I cope by removing myself from the house occasionally otherwise it drags me into it and I need to be able to keep a certain distance or I am no use to anybody!
The arts award that the older girls are doing is coming to an end yet we still have lots of stuff to get organised. This weekend I shall be writing them large TO DO lists as I want it completed. They have finished their part one challenges. A wrote a radio play and D choreographed a dance. For part two they are running workshops. A is running a writing one and D a choreograph your own dance one. They are scheduled for the 9th Jan - which is dragging me into 2010 before we are even there yet.
In fact I have to purchase next years calendar because I have dates that need to go on there now. In theory it would be easy to choose a calendar but I need one that has a column each for us. In previous years I have used this one
However I am now bored with this one so have been looking at others. Don't think I quite qualify for the Yummy Mummy one rofl, so I may be going to get the Organised Mum's calendar. At least I may feel organised of the calendar says I am :-)Last week we travelled to Blackpool to visit my friend Libby who has just had her 8th bundle of wonder. Baby Tegan is now about 4 weeks old and was flying out to Bulgaria with her Mum and older sisters to join the rest of the family for the first time. They left last Thursday so on Monday we all headed to their Blackpool home to stay over and do lots of baby holding. She is sooo cute and laid back. I miss holding babies so it was nice to have a cuddle with her. J got to hold his first baby and was smitten. The girls had a great time as they stayed up with their friends watching movies and playing charades at 4 in the morning!! It was worth it though as they are such good friends and now won't see each other till summer next year. Some pics below :
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