New Rhodes

New Year, New Baby, New Look

2010-02-27T15:59:00.000Z

Hello and Happy New Year.
We have changed the look of the blog and intend to update it more often so you can see all the fun and exciting things we get up to, create, grow and play.

It's already and only March and we've had a jam packed couple of months! So keep an eye on what's happening in the World of Rhodes.
xx

Gnarly Knives

2009-12-30T08:47:00.000Z

Can you spot Oscar's knife?

We are doing lots of odd jobs around the house and the knife racks have finally been put up! - Yay.

Home Ed under threat

2009-12-30T08:39:00.000Z

Please sign our urgent petition to keep Home Education free from Government Control. The Government in the UK (& EU) wants to take away the right for parents to be responsibile for their childrens education. They have proposed that Home Educators apply for a license to Home Educate - every year! That government officials will be able to come into our home and interview the children without a parent being there. That a inspection will be done annually and we would be then given permission to Home Educate - it's crazy and we must not let this become law!!

http://petitions.%20number10.%20gov.uk/Home-%20ed-families/

------------ --------- --------- ------
*Don't let them win like this!* It takes a couple of minutes to sign the
petition.

This isn't just about whether no 10 takes notice or not, it's a tool to
raise awareness, get media attention and give confidence to those MPs
prepared to make a stand on this. If we don't take it seriously and make a
little effort, then why would they?

You stand to lose far more than a couple of minutes of your time if the
legislation gets through - the most likely outcome is that it is going to be
agreed in the "wash up", as a quick deal between the parties once the
general election is called. If we don't send a really clear signal not to do
this, we've got no chance! There isn't much time left to influence the MPs,
and this is such a quick and simple way to "say no". The wording of the
petition is just about basic civil liberties, so even friends and family who
don't know anything about HE should feel able to sign.

*If the PM ignores it*, then that's just the action of one person - what
matters more is the action of the rest of us. Others *will* listen, and this
petition is a useful tool in getting our voices heard. There are 645 other
MPs, only about 350 of which are labour. Many MPs will be reluctant to rush
through a Bill that is controversial on the grounds of civil rights and the
role of the state in the family. We're fast gaining ground with the
Conservatives, Lib Dems, and even some of the Labour ones.

The Petition to Parliament has put this firmly on the agenda for MPs, and we
need to follow through with a hugely successful on-line petition. We know
that 20,000 is the point at which petitions are taken seriously - that's
less than the number being home educated! Please sign, including your
children, and help spread the word.

Thanks for taking time to read this!

Christy's Christmas

2009-12-27T06:30:00.001Z

"Ooh, a present for me? - Smells nice..."

"Feels good too - lucky me!"

What a happy boy

The quiet Christmas of 2009

2009-12-27T06:10:00.000Z

Yay!

Oscar helped assemble it.

A baby sling

Pretty happy to finally have some new threads

He wanted nothing but a 'big' present...

Oscar slept in! Till around 8.30. So it was a very civilized gift opening. Oscar and Samuel got a trampoline! Jeff got lots of clothes and I got some things for baby. Followed by our favourite breakfast of Salmon Benedict. Then a big walk in Richmond Park - where Oscar fell through the ice on a pond and had to walk a long way home, very cold! Then we had a friend over for a meal of Guinea Fowl and Roasted ham - yum! Then I fell asleep on the coach to all the boys jammin' on their guitars. Bliss.

Jeffs 40th

2009-12-21T20:23:00.000Z

Zorro breaking out the moves in the ballroom.

Jeffrey turned the big Four Zero on the 4th December (he shares this birthdate with Oscar). We rented a Manor House in Dorset - a beautiful county on the South Coast, approx 3hrs from home. 20 people all together - it was fab! Oscar had tonnes of fun too.

Right of Passage - to the other side of the world!

2009-12-21T20:07:00.001Z

In October Samuel chose to head to Australia for 3 months to stay with his Grandparents in Sydney. What a brave little man! He's had a great time and we look forward to his return. For his farewell he chose to have a Sushi feast at a local restaurant - the pictures say it all! Wasabi dares - fun fun!

Sammy the Sailor

2009-12-21T19:58:00.000Z

Sam did a 6 weeks sailing course over the late summer - he is now grade 4 with the Royal Yacht Association. He loves it! and I love that it's only 20 minutes away from home!

Protesting for Home Education

2009-12-21T19:46:00.000Z

Here the boys are at The Not Back To School Picnic in September.

The government in the UK wants to regulate Home Education and have proposed plans for a new compulsory register for home-educating families and for local authorities to have the right to enter the families' homes to ensure they are providing a quality education. Pretty heavy handed...so there has been plenty of protesting this year and it looks like it's working.

Froggy Frolics

2009-12-21T19:21:00.001Z

Every other day we walk Christy in the forest nearby and Richmond Park. It's been so nice watching the change of seasons. Here we are enjoying the last of Autumn.

Here we found a frog near the den we have been building. We LOVE frogs!

Pretty cool den hey?

Snowy Solstice

2009-12-21T17:06:00.000Z

Today we went and collected our Holly and Ivy to deck our halls...we managed to find a few Holly trees laden with berries! The pond where Christy usually swims was frozen over and Oscar was having fun being an ice breaker - until his little toes started to go numb, after which we decided today is a '3 sock day'.

We finished off our wreath and decorated the Fire place, we fed a little robin that was hopping around amongst the ice looking for worms.

This afternoon we picked up our friends, Poppy, Ellie and Maya and drove through delightful floppy flakes in Richmond Park. We met some other families and walked through the forest - Oscar was leaving little piles of seeds and dried grubs for the birds on all the stumps. We ate delicious cranberry and white chocolate cookies, drank hot tea/ chocolate and lit our lamps. Sadly it was a bit wet for ours, so we only tested out the yellow one.

Clover

2009-11-11T20:12:00.000Z

Oscar has a new friend!!

As some of you will know Oscar's main interest in life thus far has been teddies. Any time we have been to a toy shop all he has ever wanted was a soft toy. He recently realized (or was told) that big boys don't play with teddies all the time...every since, he has been asking for the real thing...a cute and teeny tiny teacup puppy, a teensy soft kitten and all sorts of rodents...I figured that if this is what he is passionate about, if this is what he loves then who am I to put a lid on that? So we set about it like it was a project - he learnt lots along the way and now...guess what!? - he has a teeny weeny cutsie wootsie white bunny with bright blue eyes. She is called Clover and she loves being cuddled...alot!

Oscar made the hutch!

Bonfire night

2009-11-11T20:03:00.000Z

We had a spectacular fireworks display in our back garden for Halloween. So on the 5th Nov Oscar got to light a few smaller fireworks and play with his Dad and the sparklers. It was fun.

Halloween 2009

2009-11-11T19:27:00.000Z

Fancy face paint My evillll pumpkin

We had a pumpkin carving party a few days before.
Pullin' out the dance moves

Oscars little guy - cute hey?

This year we went Trick or Treating with 11 kiddies all in fab fancy dress. Oscar had a ball with all his friends - charging around the neighbourhood hyped on sugar - what fun!It was a warm Autumn evening. On returning we ate delicious pumpkin soup and tiger bread. Then we hung out 'round the fire and the kiddies left and our adult friends arrived. It was a lovely chilled out Halloween - compared to the past few years anyway!

CATCHING UP 2 - HALLOWEEN FAREWELL

2009-10-08T09:27:00.000+01:00

dance party

don fire

spin the botel

groop photo

CATCHING UP NO.1 - GOING APE IN OCTOBER

2009-09-12T08:20:00.000+01:00

Hi this is Samuel!

We r going to up date u on the past year - hold on to your seats it's going to be a ride!

for my birthday i went to go ape with my friends.

at the end of the flying fox.

Elliot on the zipwire

Sam on the ropebridge

BuBu and Binkys adventures

2008-10-29T18:33:00.000Z

Yesterday was a crunchy blue sky Autumn Day - Stunningly colourful and crisp. We dropped Samuel off for a day of sailing and Os and I decided we couldn't resist a walk in Richmond Park.

We took our pet 'wolf' and it wasn't long before we were on a major adventure. Os (BuBu) was a noctural monkey who was taking Binky on a tour of his forest. We weren't allowed near paths, because thats where humans were, so with a short stick as a machette and long stick to help Bubu stand upright he lead the way. We were waist deep in Bracken and were tracking all sorts of wild animals (including humans - we had to avoid all human eyes, since they would try to kill us). When a bird flew past we had to lay flat on our tummies so they wouldn't come and get us. Planes were the big parents of birds and were Really bad. A Heli-monster with big teeth was hovering not far away and we had to stay under cover of trees so it wouldn't get us. We had to avoid the deer with sharp horns and big wings. On the ground we had to look out for grenades (many little deer poo in clumps) and bombs (logs of a certain size lying on the ground). We went past his house, a pile of logs, that humans had destroyed into a large pile. We found a badger Set and saw a white nose peek out before our wolf frightened it away. We dodged the zillions of spiderweb traps in the grass. I'm telling you it was hardcore and I got a headache from the stress of it - really! I was seriously getting into the fear of the helicopter, the humans we could hear, hiding from people walking past, looking out for killer birds, bombs, and traps. It was really really fun to let Oscars imagination go WILD! To follow him wherever he wanted to go, do whatever he wanted to do I just asked question after question and he just made up crazy crazy things. FUN!

Observing for learning

2008-10-29T18:20:00.000Z

The Master in the art of living makes little distinction between his work and his play,
his labor and his leisure, his mind and his body,
his education and his recreation, his love and his religion.
He hardly knows which is which.
He simply pursues heis vision of excellence in whatever he does,
leaving others to decide whether he is working or playing.
To him he is always doing both.
--Zen Buddhist Text

I have started observing the kids more and more. It is so exciting to really notice what they are interested in, what they excel at, what catches their attention. For example, today Oscar was burning through some spellings, he was burning through them because he was listening to AC-DC's "TNT"!! I could believe how focussed he was, how much he was enjoying doing what he was doing. Bring on Acca Dacca! He is such a musical boy, it makes sense that he'd play music while he's doing stuff he may not really want to do! What would normally take at least half an hour with distractions, not being able to sit still and not focussing was done in 5 minutes! We were all happy at the end of it!

Observing for learning is what I will be doing in reporting weekly to our Learning Consultant. It is exciting to be listening for and looking for what the children are learning - all the time! Its true that we are all natural learners & curious beings.

Yay!

Home Educating - the beginnig of new things

2008-10-14T17:53:00.000+01:00

23 July 2008 was the last day of government education for Samuel and Oscar.
We decided to take them out of school for a few reasons: (in no particular order) Freedom - to travel and live where we want. Freedom - to learn about what we are interested in rather than what some government official thinks we should learn in a certain way, at a certain time in our lives in a room of 30 other kids. We've been told Oscar is severely dyslexic, so he's never going to do very well in a 1:30 ratio. We want a more holistic approach to education and learning - that includes lots of things that the schools don't cover. We want the boys to be curious and interested in the world around them so that they follow their aptitude and interests and therefore their career/life path is started earlier. I for one came out of school and had no idea what I wanted to do the rest of my life (what to study at Uni) once I wasn't being told what to do every 5 minutes of the day at school and I've forgotten a lot of what I learnt because I just wasn't interested. Home educated kids are renowned for doing really well at Uni because they know what they want to do and have been self motivated in their studies the whole way through, not just beginning at 17yrs. The top Uni's love home educated students.

So, we are getting involved in the rather large and rapidly growing West London Home Ed community, where there are organised things we can do every day if we want. We have hooked up with an online community of Home Educators who will be available wherever in the world we are and we'll hook up with the Home Edders in Sydney too - so many communities of kids that they are part of, such a broad range of friends around the globe.
The education they are getting is hands on. For history we investigate the Jurassic Coast, Stone Henge, Maiden Castle for a weekend, not just looking at them in a text book. They have private tutors for maths because Samuel wants to complete year 7 level maths this year (he's in year 6)- he can go at as fast as he wants.
Where once it was teachers who had the information to teach the children, that information (and more) is now readily available to all of us via the internet. My University studies are all online, so I can fit my life in around them; the same concept is for the kids the same online program is used by the kids 'school' community www.selfdesign.org . It very exciting to be using the resources and technology in educating in this way. The flexibility and freedom feels great! Come and join us in revolutionizing education!

Holly's highlights

2008-10-14T17:03:00.000+01:00

I'll share some of my favourite things we've done this year:

A week in the Lake District is breaktaking. We stayed in a youth hostel that been there for a hundred years, a gorgeous old building in brilliant setting. Sam and I climbed Englands highest mountain. We visited the Derwent Cumberland pencil museum. We walked around lakes, through forests, it was the most stunning scenery I've seen in a long time:

I'm currently studying a Bachelor of Art in English Literature and Art History, my first degree. So this year, for Art History we did a trip to Florence, the home of the Renaissance. Mum and Dad came and looked after the boys. After the 5 days in Flo, we went and stayed in a villa in the hills of Tuscany. A visual feast of a holiday.

Then we were in Paris, with Mum, Dad, Paul and Sharon. We had tonnes of fun exploring my favourite city. Visiting the Louvre after studying art makes it a whole lot more interesting. It was the boys first time, so we did fun stuff with them. And of course we drank a lot of wine and coffee.

The past 7 years I've been going to Wales for an adventure weekend with a load of local women. Its the only chance I get all year to do the fun outdoor stuff I'd like to do more of: rock climbing, gorge scrambling, kyaking and a big beach bonfire, a few bottles of vino and a bunch of crazy women is always good for a few laughs. This year I had a go at kite surfing too! (can't seem to upload pics - will try another time)

Then the Crazy English Summer - this year we only went to one camping festival "The Big Chill" - we all had a brilliant time. The Kids are getting good at festivals now. We had a big bunch of shiny balloons attached to the top of a telescopic fishing rod, so we could be seen pretty anywhere we went.

Doing a 10km fun run was a bid deal for me, and I'm glad I did it. Oscar was proud of his Mum too - He cheered me on, from Big Ben, Whitehall. The run took us from Hyde Park Corner, along Embankment, around St Pauls Cathedral, over Westminster Bridge full of landmarks, so it didn't get boring! Over 10,000 competed.

This year we raced in the Great River Race again. +200 boats racing from Richmond - Greenwich along the might Thames. Last year our womens crew came first, this year second - but we did it in better time, chasing those Olympic paddlers in the other outrigger meant it was a full on race!

So, we hope to continue the fun and frolics, but this time in more sunshine. Its been a wet old summer and a very grey year. There were a few times when I'd start twitching and then there would be a sunny day that would lift the spirits. The thought of not going to Australia for some sunshine strikes fear in my heart - we are so lucky - we can hardly wait!

Back in Business!

2008-10-14T16:39:00.000+01:00

We're back back back! and happy about it too.
There is no way I'm going to attempt to fill in for the past year, but just want to say it has been FUN and busy. Sick of busy, we are heading for less busyness, but first...we pack up our house, rent out some rooms and head for the sunny climes of Sydney for 4 months!

We (minus JR) leave London on the 3rd Nov and arrive at Kingsford Smith Airport on Wednesday 5th Nov. We work on adjusting to the time for a couple days and then we celebrate Noona's 90th birthday! We are really excited that we will be there for that - we already got her a present in Florence at Easter. We feel like we've missed out on so many important events: births, deaths, anniversaries, momentous birthdays, marriages - so we are happy happy happy to be returning to the loving arms of our extended family. March 1994 we moved away - thats a good big chunk of my mere 34 years that I haven't lived in my homeland - 14 years to be precise. It will be a different place and I must remember to not have any expectations - expectations only lead to disappointment.

So this is the plan:
This time we go for 4 months. Jeff will join us for 6 weeks from Christmas - early Feb. In that 4 months we will be doing a trip to visit friends in Brisbane and then cruising down the NSW coast. We'll be having a holiday at SW Rocks for a couple weeks on the beach with family. We'll be doing a trip down the south Coast to check out Tilba Tilba - where we intend to eventually settle. We'll be sailing, fishing, camping, surfing, enjoying Sydneys cultcha, lots of swimming, seeing family, visiting friends, exploring and learning.

When we return we'll make the most of living in Europe. Easter we intend to do a trip to Morocco for 3 weeks. September sailing in Turkey. Exploring Spain and Portugal is on the cards too. Then we'll again return to Australia, this time for 6-8 months, and we hope to go via Canada for a few months. Who knows, we have FREEDOM! The kids are no longer being schooled by the government, but by us! Us with the help of www.selfdesign.org and our very own consultant who will be keeping us on track for our yearly goals in learning.

It is all so exciting! So, this blog will be written by 'us' this time, not just me. We'll be posting about our adventures as we move around the globe and learn as much as we can about the world we live in.

Watch this space, its gonna be a fun ride!

PEANUT MUDDER AND BUG JAM

2007-07-26T20:10:00.000+01:00

Last weekend we packed up the bombi and travelled to BugJam 2007 - A Veedub festival. Poor Samuel had an awful fever and a sore throat, so he stayed home with Grandma, who we had picked up from a flooded airport that morning. With the fuel leak fixed and the van all packed we trundled up the M1, all excited, with Kylie and the little man she nannies - Louis.

We arrived, set up camp and it started raining. It rained alot that weekend - we are getting good at muddy festivals, our wellies are getting a LOT of use this summer. But we also had lots of fun, saw cars, heard loud music, went on fair ground rides, saw monster trucks, burnout cars & trick motorbikes, ate warm sugary donuts, danced and drank etc. On Sunday it was SUNNY! So we lay in the sun and watched the drag races, the jet cars, the stunt planes before heading home. Lots of noise, cars, boys and mud.

RUMBLE IN THE JUNGLE

2007-07-17T15:59:00.000+01:00

Sunday I took the boys and our friend Ali to Box Hill. A National Trust site south of London - renowned for its beauty. So, we chose a 5.5hr walk and off we trekked. After about 2hours we came across a lovely feild for our picnic. We were sat overlooking the valley and the clouds above started rumbling, and rumbling - it was magic, pure silence but for the thunder. The calm before the storm, no birds, no voices - electric silence. Then a few big fat drops of rain and we quickly packed up. Seconds later we thought we were in Indian monsoon. We were drenched to the skin in seconds and were in hysterics - such joyous warm heavy heavy drops of rain. At about the same time there was a pissed off wasp that decided it would sting poor Oscar through his sock. So there was a few moments of screams amongst the thunder and lightening. But he is a super brave boy and we trapsed along the path which was now a river.

Pretty soon the sun was shining again and we finished the walk in only 3 hours! what little troopers. It was beautiful scenery, summer flowers on the hills, lush forest. Christy had a hugemongous smile on her face the whole time too.

Then to come home we all had to strip to our underwear. Luckily there was a coat in Jeffs car, so I drove home in that - like some sort of flasher. Hehe. What a fun afternoon!

TOO FAST

2007-07-17T15:52:00.000+01:00

Last week at school, S was learning alllll about the birds and the bees and puberty. He was duly fascinated. Today in the supermarket he told me he needs to buy some deoderant. After a quick, discreet sniff to confirm a genuine need - I can say that my eldest boy is officially starting to use BO Basher. arrrgh. How did that happen so fast? The minefield ensued, right scent, no aluminium etc. In the end he's a bit chuffed, I just think he's growing up too fast. He'll be 10 in a few months!!

NATIVE ANIMAL SOCK PUPPETS

2007-07-12T21:02:00.000+01:00

O's little Mole - so soft and cute

Tonight was my night to run the Woodies, since the current theme is native British animals and I had a basket full of odd socks...we made sock puppets. Cornelia bought her big tin of buttons and with some bright yellow wool we sewed on eyes, tongues, ears tails etc. They all had such fun! At the end there was 15 kids running around with cute little puppets biting each other.

Slitherin' Adder

THE END IS NIGH

2007-07-12T20:51:00.000+01:00

Buffalo Bill is a real star

Only 1 week of school left, so everything is winding up. Last night was Samuels end of term Viola concert - he played Bach's Minuet 2 with real panache. Tonight was Oscar's end of term Perform performance - he was Buffalo Bill. So we researched Ol Buff on the internet, checked out his tache and beard, made the same from cotton wool and Os looked the part. He had a lot of lines to remember and did Brill!

WIBBLY WOBBLY EGGS

2007-07-10T09:07:00.001+01:00

We have only 5 days until our eggs start hatching. I never knew that eggs start moving! We can feel the heart beat of the little chicks inside!! Last night when Samuel discovered this we all got SOOO excited. I had been thinking that nothing would happen, its hard to believe that it would - The eggs sat around for a few weeks, we stuck them in the fridge, then we've struggled with keeping the temperature consistant. So, we were dancing around about our moving eggs last night! I need to think about getting rid of the boa constrictor so that we can use its vivarium as a brooder!

GAPPY

2007-07-10T09:02:00.000+01:00

Os has had a sqewwy front tooth for a while now and it FINALLY came out! He is pretty pleased and comments on the softness of his gum where the hole is. Do you remember that feeling? He also loves squishing food through the gap.

Wet day at the Wetlands

2007-07-02T18:10:00.001+01:00

Today, Os and I met friends; Michael and the gorgeous little Lainie for a day at the WWF - no we weren't watching wrestling. We were bird watching and mostly frog watching. Oscar suddenly became extremely stubborn about catching a frog. They were everywhere, lovely green ones, brown ones, big ones and little ones. We love frogs.
Initially I was fighting his stubborness, I thought we should do it this way (like actually visit the whole place), then I argued that we are with other people and should consider them (wanting to see the place), then I saw that he was enjoying himself immensly...and learning. So I took up a seat under a tree, ate my lunch and relaxed in the light rain. After about an hour, I realized that we could use the plastic bucket the nectarines were in to scoop up a frog. Which I promptly did, he got to name it and hold it before it jumped away. SUCH a fun day!
The Wetlands Centre Report

It was very fun today at the Wetland Centre. We saw a little track into very long grass and we found a pond full of frogs. There was one green frog and lots of brown frogs. I was trying to catch one. It was very fun there because we saw lots of frogs. I saw a frog croaking and its cheeks were getting very big when it croaked. I learnt about ducks, frogs, pond snails and bugs. It was very very fun.

pond dipping, studying bugs (note bullrush underarm...)

Glastonbury 2007

2007-06-25T19:55:00.000+01:00

WOW
I have been lost for words when describing Glastonbury - awesome, amazing, fantastic, crazy, inspiring, exhausting, overwhelming, fun, crazy... This was our first time to the worlds largest festival. We left home 3am Thursday morning, slowing driving past Stone Henge at sun rise Solstice morning. Many people where there, but the horizon was cloud. We arrived at Glastonbury about 6am and trudged to set up camp in Lost Vagueness. Then we rested, slept and chilled before going exploring.

There are the Greenfields, full of hippies - a healing field with massage, yoga and reiki available; a crafts field where one can try out stone masonry, iron mongery, knitting, candle making etc. There are loads of cafes in yurts and tents that have big steaming pots of chai and homemade cakes, all vegetarain foods. Then there is Lost Vagueness, which is an area of creative crazyness, you can buy your fancy dress outfit and dancy to ska, or punk or funk - while rollerskating, or just hang out in dodgem cars. (this is where we camped). There are the tipi fields, where you can take dance therapy or sit around a fire for story telling. There are the circus fields, where you can wonder amongst the strange sculptures or sit in a circus tent for while and see men swalling swords, riding 3m high unicycles while juggling fire blind folded. Then there is the childrens area, with workshops for drumming and diablo or clown acts, swings, castle to climb in and a million other fun things to do. There are the Greenpeace feilds with an ark made out of sustainable timber, a ship shaped climbing frame, poo poetry, a place to buy weetabix all day...(yep, we did). There are educational informational places, food galore, and the most AMAZING things to buy (wish I had more spare cash). THEN there is the music, everywhere, all the time, 24 hours. There are the big stages for the big acts, then there are a million little stages for everyone else. After the big stages close, then the periferal parties start and THEY are the good ones. Saturday night I had Sienna Miller push past me three times. I gave the organizer Michael Eavis a big thumbs up in his vehicle window as he drove right past - very friendly man, very inspirational. We saw some great acts: Bjork - thrilling. Paolo Nutini (my fav album of last year). The Marley Brothers (Bob's sons), for some reggae feel good, love music - yay! The Egg - for true festival dance music - we are friends with the sound engineer. And my favourite, can't wait to buy their album Think! - 5am dancing like crazy to the BEST funk I've ever heard - LOVE LOVE LOVE it!!

Did I mentioned it rained and was the muddiest in the past 10 years? I am now a professional on the subject of MUD. There is chocolate milkshake, which is easy to walk in, ankle deep water is - just hope the person behind isn't someone who walks kicking it up (most are). Then there is chocolate sauce - looks great. Then there is chocolate mouse - this is slippery. Then there is chocolate bread dough - arrrgh - this is where your boots get S-T-U-C-K, EVERY time you take a step and it make funny sounding suck-tion noises - hehe. All are very tiring and there is ALOT of walking to be done over a 2000 acre festival.

So last night we arrived home exxxuasted. Did I mention that we camped near a big tent, that turned into a pumping old school disco from 5pm - 5am? Its really hard trying to sleep while your feet can't keep still and your ears are ringing...so we got tired. And Sunday we decided we'd seen and heard and done enough, so we packed up and headed home. What an EXTRAordinary 4 days.

Oh my I could go on about how much of the waste is recycled, how much there is an atmosphere of love and peace and good times, how much I love the quirky creativity, the scale of it (180,000) on and on. Thoroughly enjoyed it and would go again if someone could promise no rain....

GETTING HORSEY IN SCOTLAND

2007-06-20T09:45:00.000+01:00

We spent 3 days in Ayr, the Riviera on the west coast of Scotland. We went to stay with Reg and his family. He lives in a fabulous house that looks like a Castle, overlooking a golf course with the sea and the Isle of Aran in the background. His daughter is horse mad, so one day we went to the stables and got to see a horse being shod. Before going for a pony ride! Oh my! First time on a pony for Oscar - he is so confident, it astounds me. Samuel was on a teeny walk around when he was about 3, so he was equally excited this time. Brilliant.

OUTDOOR CLASSROOM

2007-06-20T09:38:00.000+01:00

On our first day of home educating, we went for a walk in Richmond Park and found a great spot that we decided we would come back to for story reading. We collected some green helicopters, which we later decided looked like fly wings. So we made some lovely squishy green playdough (I never knew you were meant to cook playdough before!) Such FUN!

BOBBIE IN THE GARDEN!

2007-06-20T09:30:00.001+01:00

A couple of weeks ago, there was a knock at the door and 2 police occifers were there! We haven't had police at our place since that time me and a couple girls scared the poo out of Jeff, when we returned to haunt the house after missing a flight to Barcelona.

The neighbours MOST annoying alarm was going off and they wanted to peep over our fence. Os and his best mate Will were VERY chuffed to chat to them and get to try on the famous Bobbies hat.

JUST US AND THE GARDENS

2007-06-20T09:15:00.001+01:00

Brett Hall at left, thinking he is not in the photo.

Twice a year Kew Gardens stays open late so that revellers can enjoy the long sunny evenings. A few of our friends with a zillion of our kids organized a dinner picnic. It was BRILLIANT! The kids all had soo soo much fun. We played at the Climbers and Creepers area and it felt like we had all of Kew Gardens just to ourselves. To the extent that the kids were riding around pretending to sell us ice creams...until we realized we weren't alone in the park and a security occifer came along. hehe.

Home Educating

2007-06-20T09:03:00.000+01:00

what a beeeeaaauutiful pencil hold and wrist!

I took Oscar out of school 3 weeks ago, straight after half term holidays. This is so that I can build his confidence in his writing and spelling and reading - literacy. It is working wonders! He is SO SO happy - no more waking me up at 7am with tears and upset about having to go to school. No where near as much anger as before. He is HAPPY to pick up a pencil and do writing now. We are doing a program called: Handwriting without Tears, which is going brilliantly, certainly no tears about writing anymore.

So, I bit the bullet and realized that noone was going to tell me what I should do with my child. The school was amazingly supportive. And while I feel like I should be more organized, we are happy. yay!

making a card for Olivers Christening

GREEN DAY

2007-06-19T22:19:00.000+01:00

speedy boy

he had a "parp parp" horn in his pocket, which he bounced on to honk...

the greeness

tickle tickle - he he

We spent a day in the Wye Valley, in one of the most beautiful spots ever. We had a picnic together right by a pond, under delicious green oaks. After a few hours of lazing around, we jumped on our bikes for a 7mile ride around beautiful foresty commission forest. We had SO MUCH FUN!! It was the most amazing blue sky day and we were one happy little family.

WOODIES AT WYE VALLEY

2007-06-19T20:43:00.000+01:00

Over half term hols, the boys went camping with the woodies. 1 week away from Mum and Dad!! With a bunch of the lovliest people in the world. They had SUCH a brilliant time: rock climbing, caving, kyaking etc. They camped in the Wye Valley, right next to the river. FUN FUN!

Alphabet Gingers

2007-06-19T20:35:00.000+01:00

Last week, we made a big batch of yummy molasses and ginger cookie dough. Then every day we would make the 2 letters we had learnt to write that day. F & E etc. One day we had our friend "Nickelarse" over for dinner, so he got a cookie in the shape of you know what, with a big "N" on it - quite yummy with yoghurt and strawberries.

RAIN DANCING

2007-06-19T20:24:00.000+01:00

This evening O was reading me story when it started BUCKETING down. S reminded us that he was dancing in the rain neked when he was little. This inspired O, to get his gear off for summer rain dancing. Such giggles! hehe.

Studying a snail...hope the neighbours weren't looking out the window!

PRETTY PARROTS

2007-06-12T16:23:00.001+01:00

Richmond Park Report 2

Forest School by OJR

Today was very fun. We saw lots of parrots and we’ve got lots of green feathers from parrots. We made some green clay and made it into birds. And we sticked the feathers into the birds. We made 3 birds. The parrots are not native and every year there are so many more! Check out this BBC article.

We stopped by a tree and we started to listen to a “time” book. Then Oscar started to not listen and we learnt the Perform words instead.

Then we saw a spider and then we saw a weird bug. The weird bug bit our pet snail and the snail was kind of bleeding. So, we let the stupid bug free. We pulled off bark and we saw a woodpecker house - a hole in a fallen down tree. We also saw a woodpecker.

We saw 13 dog poos on the path. I was riding my bike and I accidentally rode through a poo. We started to count them all. And then it started to smell in the car. YUK!

Wedding Bells

2007-06-07T17:32:00.000+01:00

After Canada we were inundated with family. Uncle Paul got married on 14th May 2007. We got to know another Great Grandma age 88, who flew all the way over from Australia. We got to meet cousin Scout! The cutest little girl in the whole world! And we got to spend lots of time with aunts, uncles and great aunts, and aunts and uncles. It was WONDERFUL having so much of our Australian family visiting us in London.

Catching up on Canada

2007-06-07T17:15:00.000+01:00

Phew, we have been away from here for a LONG time. So So much has happened. Most exciting was our trip to Canada. Where we celebrated Great Grandma's 90th birthday. Samuel performed on his Viola and the kids did a little skit.

We had lots of fun in Canada. Our first morning at Annika and Pedars we saw a Coyote, a teeny black squirrel and a woodpecker. We loved their chickens. One early morning we accidentally let them out and them spent AGES in the rain trying to get them back home - so the coyotes wouldn't get them...hehe.

We also had a FUN weeeeener roast and went on a Bear Hunt, walk up a lovely valley. We had great fun at Annika and Pedars.

Then we stayed at Jack and Leonas and there was family overload! People coming and going, meeting lots of cousins and kids. It was great because everyone was really excited to be together.

After the birthday we went and stayed at cousin Jills. Jasper and Jada live there, in a really trendy house. Their Dad took the boys rock climbing one afternoon, it was the first time rock climbing outdoors on real cliffs! We had to shoo away the deer before we got to the cliff too!

We had SUCH a great time in Canada, we all want to live there sometime.

photos later

WOWS ABOUND

2007-03-25T20:49:00.000+01:00

Camper heaven

This weekend was such FUN! Saturday morning Samuel had footy training, I took Christy for a run/ride from Chiswick Bridge to Twickenham Bridge along the river. She is SO good at running next to the bike on the lead! wow.
Then we went to an art gallery in South Kensington - just behind Harrods to see Banksy selling his graffiti artworks for £50,000-60,000!!! wow.

Love Rat by Banksy

Then we prepared our house and food for the first bbq of the year. We had over 5 families for dinner - 14 kids!! Unfortunately Jeff was away for the weekend and he is an absolute master at bbqing on the Webber and none of these aussie men could cook on real fire - whats THAT about?? wow. Anyway, everyone had a great time, it was so relaxed - last guests leaving at 10:30, it was 12 by the time I had mopped the floors...

Honey with her 4 sweet kittens

This morning we went to Rebeccas, her cat had kittens on Tuesday and we got to pet them today - wow! It was very sweet watching the kittens and petting them - with one finger only. The kids loved it.

On the way home we stopped in at Volksworld for the afternoon. The annual VW show - oh my, we had a really good time there, drooling. The kids spent their savings to add to their Vdub collection.

how is that side kombi side car??

Then when we got home we planted our first seeds, chillis, basil and cucumbers - to germinate indoors. This week we will also divide up the 4ftsq vege garden into 16 1ft squares and start some seeds directly into the soil. I think the last of the frost/snow is over...(hope).

On the equinox I bought us all a new pair of gloves for gardening and a bird feeder with a load of seed for the little blue tits and robins who are busy nesting now.

This evening we watched "My Little Sunshine", not exactly suitable for young kiddies, but its real life and we LAUGHED. Mainly because we could relate to the Kombi issues! hehe.

BOOK WEEK

2007-03-21T13:13:00.000Z

Gandolf and Merlin

Today was dress up like a Dragon day, which was expanded to include princesses, knights, wizards etc. So, the boys pilfered our dress up basket and came out as magicians. Book week is such fun. They have several famous authors come and give talks and sign books, they have comedians, performers, ALL sorts of FUN FUN stuff going on this week. Event after event ...

Merlin and his knight in shining armour

MOTHERS DAY

2007-03-21T13:02:00.000Z

Sunday we went for a bike ride along the river to Teddington. I hadn't been this way for years. We were supposed to get all the way to Hampton Court Palace, but it was just too cold. So, we stopped at one of our favourite river side pubs and ate instead. It wasn't a remarkable day, but it was good to get outside and active and fang around this bike track. A toasty fire and a 'warm ya to the bones' bath was required afterwards.

Project

2007-03-14T10:03:00.000Z

On Saturday after footy training Samuel came to me and said, I want to do an art project - YAY I thought, get out the paintbrushes, palette etc. No, he said I want spray paint...At the side of our house, left over from xrta large xmas dinner table as been a peice of mdf. So, They went for it. Here is the work in progress.

RIVER RIDING

2007-03-03T17:22:00.000Z

Today, we went to a baby shower and since Jeff was working, the boys and I decided we'd like a ride - in line with our using the car a whole lot less. So, we cycled - as soon as we left there was a down pour, followed by a beautiful rainbow! Unbeknownst to me there is a tow path along the river all the way. We cycled to Putney along the roads, a bit hairy scary with little Os to say the least, but we arrived with no major incidents and had a nice time talking babies and watching toddlers.

Then we cycled home along the river all the way, between 4-5pm - a lovely light time of day by the water. We had to duck our heads to cycle under the lovely looking hammersmith bridge. I think it must have been just after a super high tide as the path was super muddy, which was super fun for the boys - weeee, no concern for getting covered in mud whatsoever.

We stopped at a pub for a drink and arrived happily home -What a fun adventure! Its funny, when the boys are enjoying their cycling - they sing!

handsome boy is growing up

DONKEY KONG AND SWEET

2007-03-03T13:04:00.000Z

3 weeks ago we got one of those notices through door saying we need to go to the post office to pick up a parcel that is too big for the letter slot. So, yesterday I found the mislaid notice and went to collect this mysterious parcel - oooh, we love surprises! Inside was a christmas gift for Oscar from Switzerland, these 2 characters: Donkey Kong and Sweet.

Donkey Kong (the character on the left) has a little bag inside him full of cherry seeds. This bag can be removed, heated and apparently cherry seeds hold their heat for a looong time, so the soft, cuddly, little guy is also warm!! SO much more cuddly. I don't think he has been put down since he was picked up!

Oh, I've just been informe that "sweet" needs a mention, he is super duper soft and being a tiger, he is also extra special.

Thank you Swiss Family Robertson!

WELCOME TO SPRING

2007-03-03T11:17:00.000Z

Today mother bird woke up earlier than the chicks. You know how the chicks always just get up early and the mother bird lays in bed, feeling like she needs SO much more sleep? Well, today was REALLY weird. I woke up at 7am, bright and chirpy and there were no chicks around for another hour! It felt like this was the first time in 9 years! - I can see that looking after my body, taking vitamins, excercising and going to bed earlier is having me wake feeling alert and fully refreshed - yay! Maybe I'm just coming out of hibernation, as the days get longer and warmer. But it felt weird to be up earlier than the boys and I can imagine it becoming a trend as the chicks turn into teenagers and I have to d-r-a-g them out of bed.

Speaking of Chicks, we can feeeel spring is not far away. We've had 2 blue sky days in a row, sure there was rain all night and early this morning, but the joy of a cccrisp blue sky day is sooo worth it. We enjoy special days with blue skies so much more because they are so rare. With spring in mind and daffodils, crocuses, snowbells and bluebells all out at once!? Normally they take it in turns between February and April but this year, they are all fighting for attention and it feels too early and still too cold for them, especially the daffs. So, we are thinking we'd like one of these.

An Eglu, perrrfect for the city, we could have organic chickens keeping out garden free of too many bugs AND we could get eggs! I also secretly think a beautiful white duck, just like my childhood Pheonix, because ducks eat slugs and snails which ABOUND in our garden, though I think ducks are more messy and don't just stop at slugs, they eat flowers and veges too.

Also we are thinking about one of these fabulous playhouses! Oh my, its times like this, we wish for more money, Can you imagine having a fort like this in our back garden? Me thinks Grandpa needs a project when he is over this summer...

WINTER WALKING

2007-02-27T09:32:00.000Z

Yesterday we had Will over to play - he and Oscar are the most energy filled craziest boys in the class. So, we went for a "wear 'em out walk" in Richmond Park. It was sunny, yay!, and a very cold wind kept us moving.

We walked to our favourite tree, through boggy ground and past prancing deer.

For some reason my boys think that whenever they go for a walk, they think they have to carry a stick, sometimes the stick turns into a log...

STAND FOR PEACE

2007-02-24T22:21:00.000Z

As mentioned recently we have started going to the Woodcraft Folk meetings - the left of centre alternative to cub scouts. So, today was a protest march wanting the troops out of Iraq and No Trident.

It was amazing seeing so many thousands of people feeling strongly enough to give up their Saturday to show the world that they are passionate about Peace. There were all sorts of views, but I got that it is really about love for humanity.

The Trident is four nuclear submarines - a possible 192 warheads each one around 8 times as destructuve as Hiroshima. The Trident will become unuseable in the next 10 or so years and the government wants to spend £65 billion to replace it - the question is WHY? Nuclear bombs aren't used against today enemy - the terrorist. How can a government that goes to war to remove nuclear developement in one country then go and develop their own - this is no example and is hypocritical. Check out the above link for Q & A's.

It was brilliant to be around so many ALIVE and passionate people. It was great for the kids to be involved and to understand what is happening in the world. And it was very, very exciting marching the streets of London to drums beating, dancing, whistles blowing, shouting etc.

Afterwards we went to the Imperial War Museum, where we got present to war, the impact on the children, the destruction, the magnitude. Admittedly the museum is biased, but never the less, we had good conversation about it.

We are a stand for peace and love in the world.

SHIP RATS

2007-02-24T22:00:00.000Z

This week was half term, so the kids decided they wanted to go to Rock Climbing camp again - They love it. Samuel also had some morning swimming sessions booked in, so he can now do super long dives and then do that dolphin kicking a long way down the pool like a pro.

Friday I had no uni classes so I met up with some friends and we went with 11 kids in tow to visit the HMS Belfast. A Navy ship permanently moored on the southbank of the Thames. There was a 90 yr old veteran in a fancy red uniform getting his photo taken on the ship - so we joined in.

The ship had a rat hunt for kiddies going on, which was pretty fun. We got to make some plaster of paris rats and may I just say - do NOT let 11 kids run a muck in a ship engine room if you want to be able to keep an eye on them all. It was crazy! so many levels, suspended walkways - it was kind like a lifesize hamster maze. Super fun for the kids! Then after much searching throughout the ship we gathered everyone together before slowly and chaotically making our way home. A crazy fun day.

BEACH COMBING

2007-02-24T21:26:00.000Z

Half term holidays started and the boys, Samuels friend and I zoomed to the coast. I gave the boys our budget of £80 for the weekend and it was up to them to spend it wisely so that we could eat, sleep and play - they had the responsibility of holding the purse strings. First stop - Basti's grandparents in their quaint seaside village. He never throws anything away, with 8 cars in the front garden, she embarassed and rarely has people to their house. Did we care? Sam & Basti walked alone to the local shop with purse clutched in hand to buy Grandpa's favourite biscuits. We then had a cup of tea in the special china and a lovely chat. My boys never get to be around that generation and it was REALLY nice!

Then it was on to Margate, the most south western point of Britain. We took our shoes off and combed the beach, collecting a wine bucket full of interesting things including a shark egg, interesting patterened china, pretty sea glass and loads of shells and interesting shaped chalk rocks. We had intended to stay here but the hostel was full, so we continued along the coast to Broadstairs. Checking out all the charity shops, picking up some cheap food - bread rolls, bananas, 2 for 1 bottles of water etc (tight budget). This town is where Charles Dickens lived over looking a lovely little harbour from a high cliff.

Then we followed our noses and ended up at a Dutch windmill, then on to a Roman ruins a Fortress site with walls etc, which turned out to be the first place that the Romans landed in Britain. Very interesting for the older boys since they studied the Romans recently. All along this coast there are old castles and we stopped to look at a big viking ship.

We ended up in Dover, where all the ferries arrive from the continent. We admired the big castle on the top of the white cliffs, ate chips for dinner (£1 per person) and watched the twinkling lights. Then into our hotel room, including hotel smell - so exciting! Crazy crazy boys bounce off walls for about an hour before we settle down for the night.

Basti was sick the next morning, so instead of looking through the castle that has lots of wartime tunnels under it, we had to come home. The kids are now expert on knowing all the European abbreviations for the trucks, including the tricky ones: D = Germany, HR = croatia, CH = Switzerland, E = Spain. It is amazing how much traffic comes from other countries along that road! We had fun times - Poor Basti spent his entire holiday week very sick in bed.

I LOVE SNOW

2007-02-08T16:02:00.000Z

One of the few days of the year we have donned gloves and scarf

I really love snow. It looks nice. It means that God is spitting at us. When I walk on snow it sounds like K K Krunch. Its adorable. It makes everything white, like sugar is sprinkled all over the world. You always need some warm clothes. When you lick it is tastes like spit. Its sooo lovely and everybody loves snow.

-- Oscar --

These little ladybirds were cute drying off and

warming up on the heater at school this morning.

THE WOODIES

2007-02-04T20:55:00.000Z

A couple of weeks ago we watched a series on TV about our planet and global warming, climate change etc. I had tried to explain to the children about this, but without being able to physically see carbon emissions etc it was hard for them to grasp. So, this programe made by the BBC with David Attenborough was such a brilliant visual aid in showing them what has already happened to the earth and what they predict will happen in the next 50 years. This is the 50 years of S & O's generation, it is them who will be affected and I was stunned at how much they were impacted by watching this. While I was constantly reminding them to turn off the lights when we weren't in the room and turn the TV off, not just leaving it on standby etc. Now, they are reminding me! They are wanting to recycle everything. It is so amazing to see my little 6 year old, so passionate and so keen to make a difference!

So, last weekend someone mentioned Woodcraft Folk, I'd never heard of it and thought it sounded nice. Then on Tuesday one of the Mums at school was saying she is running one of the evenings and then she told me how another friend from school actually organizes the whole group in Hounslow. So, on Thursday evening we went and the boys loved it, singing, games, crafts etc. Some things happen for a reason. This weekend was there weekend camp for the term! Staying at Pheasant Lodge, a big old medieval house with big gardens - There were 13 parents and 12 children. Oscar and I joined them, enrolling another family from school with similar interests, fresh from the land down under and wanting to mix in the community. It was such a lovely weekend, such a mix of people. Some vegan / home schoolers / university lecturers / capitalists and almost all social workers. The emphasis of course being on the children, the organization is designed to develop self-confidence and activity in society, with the aim of building a world based on equality, peace, social justice and co-operation. It was so nice to meet new people and see how they operate with their children and what they are up to in life. O had a brilliant time, making new friends etc. We went for a nice walk and the whole weekend was at the pace of the children, very relaxed and not structured (unlike what I normally do). So, it was really nice to experience this this week. I also had an experience at the complete other end of the spectrum with the mums from viola, preparing their kids for Eton and Oxbridge etc. It has really made me think about what I want for my kids, what opportunities I want to give them etc. More later. In the meantime, we are excited to have found a group of children who equally care for our earth and want to learn about what is going on outside our small local community, to learn how we can make a difference and to have a really lovely time while doing it. Joy!

This is a quote from the BBC from much respected David Attenborough:
"Now... when we look at the graphs of rising ocean temperatures, rising carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and so on, we know that they are climbing far more steeply than can be accounted for by the natural oscillation of the weather."
Sir David, whose distinguished broadcasting career spans more than half a century, says everyone has a responsibility to act: "What people (must) do is to change their behaviour and their attitudes.
"If we do care about our grandchildren then we have to do something, and we have to demand that our governments do something.

TOWEL TOWERS

2007-02-01T21:51:00.001Z

At the moment we are in the pool alot. Monday is O for a lesson, Wednesday is S for a lesson, Thursday I take them both for some fun and more practise. Then THIS weekend, S is represting his swimming club in a Gala on Saturday and then training on Sunday night! I have just folded a mountain of towels! They are loving it. We LOVE swimming, I keep checking them for gills...

NOW THAT IS TALENT...

2007-01-28T22:30:00.000Z

Don't you just love those parents who think their kids are the most talented, special wonderful people in the world?

OSCAR IRWIN

2007-01-28T22:20:00.000Z

These boys love animals, this of course was not forced upon them by thier animal loving mother who keeps buying them pets to look after... Anyway, today in Kew Gardens Oscar decided that since Steve Irwin has died there is a bit of a gap in the market for crazy animal loving TV presenters. So he was getting close to the peacocks in the garden today, calling himself Oscar Irwin...

THE GROUCH

2007-01-23T21:37:00.000Z

This graffiti is at Old Street round about. Oscar was thrilled to see his namesake...!

SLIPPING & SLIDING

2007-01-22T14:21:00.000Z

One day in Switzerland we all took the train up to a ski resort and walked 4 hours back to the lovely village. It was the highlight for the kids, slip sliding down the mountain, dramatic views, lots of laughs...until the end where it was all occuring like just a bit too far to drag these kiddies...

Celebrating the coming of Light

2007-01-19T16:01:00.000Z

Christmas...time to celebrate the winter solstice, getting together with family, feasting, bringing a tree into the home, decorating with Holly and Ivy, lots of candles, getting cozy, slowing down, watching movies, going for long walks, sleeping, talking, making plans and of course exchanging gifts. This year we had a family feast at our home on the 22nd where we exchanged gifts. Then on the Sunday 24th we flew to Switzerland to see my cousin and his family in a teeny village in the hills over looking Lake Geneva and Mont Blanc. We had a wonderful time, very very chilled. The boys had a great time playing with their cousins. It was such a brilliant way to celebrate Christmas - we were forced to slow right down and really enjoy the holiday and being together.

PARTY 2

2006-12-12T22:33:00.000Z

Oscars birthday celebrations were all his choice - he wanted to take some friends to Snakes and Ladders - he chose who. He wanted McDonalds for lunch and he chose his cake. It was all very last minute and spontaneous and the easiest party we've ever had. He had a fantastic time with his friends!

MINI MAESTRO

2006-12-06T21:59:00.000Z

Samuel is getting REALLY good at playing the viola. This evening was the end of term concert and he plays so sweetly, with real tone. He thoroughly enjoys it too. Here he is playing with the other boys in the group.

6 YEARS AGO...

2006-12-06T21:40:00.000Z

the theme of Jeffs party was "crazy hair"

I gave birth to my second child - A most beautiful, charming, loveable, affectionate, funny & strong boy - hmm a chip off the old block really. Its amazing that they share birthdates, they are so similar in so many ways. On Saturday we had a crazy party at our house for the adults (there were a few kids) then on Monday Os was just confused about when his birthday and everyday this week he thinks his birthday party is tomorrow, when in fact we are having it on Saturday. We thought we'd celebrate Jeffs first and I couldn't bear the effort in having both parties on the one weekend - too many essays due right now. So, we decided to have O's the following weekend - well, all we've done is leave him totally confused and everyday he wakes up thinking its his birthday...at least he's having a long one!

9 YEARS AGO...

2006-11-26T22:06:00.000Z

I gave birth to my first child - I am truly blessed. He is one of the most beautiful souls I know.
We celebrated his birthday in a very low key fashion this year. We took 2 of his friends to a waterpark, where we zoomed down scary slides, played in the massive pirate ship and had a really fun time together. Then that evening we had over Auntie Sally and her friends and we sang happy birthday. The backwards 5 is a candle we got that won't get used and its a half 8 shape...sort of! hehe.

KEW PARK RANGERS

2006-11-13T09:56:00.000Z

Yep, its that time of year again. Every saturday morning 9:15 we are at the local rec for footy training. O has started playing too. So Friday after school we went and bought new boots and kit for them. Boy, were they pleased as punch to be running onto the field on saturday! Sunday morning Samuel plays a match in the 'Flyers' team. They are such little sportsmen! On match day Oscar was the photographer (loving his perspective).

half time encouragement

PIZZA CHEXPRESS

2006-11-07T19:05:00.000Z

This week is Science week at school. Today S went on a school trip to Pizza Express & he got to be a chef & make a pizza - he made an olive pizza which he kindly brought home 2 peices for me - it was yum! Who would've thought - my son, a pizza chef.

They also had a skipping workshop & S had to give a demo of some fancy moves in front of the school assembly. He was really embarassed when the rope got tangled and he tripped over, he got back up and did it all over again. Doing much better - better than Chloe, both of them getting faster and faster and faster...sounds like A FUN DAY WAS HAD A SCHOOL TODAY!

POI BOYS

2006-11-06T10:28:00.000Z

This weekend we were celebrating bonfire night - Guy Fawkes - our freedom, parliment, democracy. Friday night at 8pm we were in a field watching big fancy fireworks. Loads of the boys friends were there and they had more fun raging around in the dark with mates than actually going gooey over the twinkling sky. They bought themselves some glo sticks - which they spin around to make pretty light patterns in the dark.
Then last night we burned a bonfire in our back garden and watched our own fireworks. It is always funner lighting your own & the rockets get the most laughs. It was such a clear, crisp, full moon night. We cranked the music & danced - the boys were dancing with their glo sticks & doing Poi moves - looking very cool.

Oscar was our little pyromaniac, lighting & blowing our candles, dipping fingers in wax, lighting more candles, dripping wax, lighting more candles...

TIGER TIGER

2006-10-31T23:47:00.000Z

WISHING FOR A NEW TIGER SUIT

Oscar Tiger was allowed to open an early birthday gift today. The only thing he EVER wants to dress up as is a tiger. So I thought I'd get him a new suit (his other is up to his knees & squishes his pee-nuts) . Mum kindly stepped in, as I was planning on giving it to him for his birthday, she figured he needed it NOW. Afterall, Halloween IS a prime dress up opportunity & as he was going to try & squish into his too too small one I let him have it. Oh My Goodnessss, did he love it!??! He is enraptured, in fact, he flat refused to take it off for bed tonight...

OOOOH! WOWWW!

I'M SOO CUTE

HALLOWEEN

2006-10-31T23:03:00.000Z

Started for us 2 weeks ago when we had our pumpkin carving party with the twins and decorated the front door with corn. Last Saturday was Sally & Lachies Goulish Gothic party. Then today was finally the day! Yay, we had 8 children being Snap Dragons. Then we played pass the bowl of spaghetti - when the music stops, close your eyes and feel deep into the bowl for sweets or creepy crawlies & mind the squishy brain! aulch! We put the final touches on our costumes and off we ventured in the crisp Autumn evening...returning with heavy bags of sweets.

Dancing around the flame of summers end-
Sparks of golden yellow celebrate Samhain.
Twirling around tossing leaves in the air-
Laughing and giggling while catching them in our hair.

The last harvest is in as turns the New Year
While the chill of Yule draws ever so near.
The dead will join our festive feasts,
Giving glimpses of our past, present and future feats.

Come young maidens, mothers and crones-
Let the whispers of spirits rattle your bones.
Embrace the silence of the coming dark
And join the sabbats circle with open mind and open heart.

WISHING YOU ALL A MERRY AND MAGICKAL SAMHAIN (sow- een)

you can see our more pictures here

FIRST LAST LAWN MOWING

2006-10-29T20:27:00.000Z

Today S mowed the lawn for the first time in his life, it is also the last time we will mow the lawn for the winter. He loved it, started it himself, sang very loudly the whole time and was very proud of the end result.

We also put our 4foot square vege garden to bed, all composted and covered in a carpet for the winter.

Then we carved the pumpkins for Halloween. Oscar did his a couple weeks ago & the fruit flies enjoyed it, today I scooped what was left of it into the worm farm.

We kept the pumpkin seeds and roasted them - yum.

This evening we had our creative time. The boys painting their interpretation of Autumn, Halloween & Harvest.

OJR SJR

PERRANPORTH, CORNWALL

2006-10-29T11:26:00.000Z

We drove through pissing rain with window wipers that didn't wipe, in the dark & fog for 5 hours to get to this little southernmost corner of England. All the while I was wondering why on earth I was punishing myself in this way and the boys were eager with the anticipation of playing at the beach with 3 of their friends. Next morning - crystal clear blue sky day, a bracing morning walk along the beach and over the headland to another beach with Christy. Later, back to the beach with 5 boys in tow, it was suprisingly warm and I thought I'd go for a swim...until I felt how cold the water was. Samuel didn't give me much choice when he GLEEFULLY pushed me into the pool!!! I didn't know whether to laugh or cry once I had finally caught my breath. Clothed, wet, freezing...such a perfect reaction for him too - we giggled about it all day. After much playing in the warm sunshine we went home for lunch, filled up on Elenas delish homemade chicken soup. (Lucky us, having Italian cooking fiend friends!) Tummies warm & full we set off on a 7km walk along the dramatic and beautiful cliff tops.

You can see pictures here The sun was getting low and there was a sense of urgency - I was not keen on the idea of walking along these cliffs with 5 energetic boys in the dark. Right at the end, the tide was coming in and we had to scamper around the rocks - it was a dramatic race as every wave came closer to cutting us off, in the end we had to rock climb up over a little cliff as the water had cut us off. It was physically challenging, emotianally charged (for me! with 5 sprites to push along and keep safe) and all VERY exciting and dramatic. We rested in a warm local pub, downed a cider while the boys played pool and returned home.

Next day, beautiful soft shades of grey sky day, gentle showers of rain. We played at home and then went to the beach for more fun, games, and frolics. Hot creamy chocolates, scones with jam and clotted cornish cream abounded - Y.U.M.

Saturday, midday, we walked the beach to the caves, deep, dark & scary. We collected some of the glimmering quartz stones to bring home as memory door stoppers. Before we drove 6 hours home discussing what we were going to wear to the Halloween party at Sallys that night. Walked in the door 7pm salty and sandy, showered and walked out the door and hour later as Death (S) & Zombie (O) with Goth couple...these boys love to party and had everyone entertained before crashing in Alis bed until we took them home.

KANGA

2006-10-25T00:18:00.000+01:00

Introducing Kanga, fresh off the boat from the land down unda. O's G'ma made 'im. Isn't O a lucky boy!? Isn't G'ma a talented lady!? So Kanga hasn't seen much daylight since he arrived, he is usually tucked up under O's shirt, making him look quite deformed, but I'm informed it feels good...it would wouldn't it? a warm furry friend on your belly. Kanga is made from real Kanga skin and is the so much more beautiful than some synthetic material, he smells awight too. Welcome m-a-y-t-e.

BEING A TOURIST IN BUDAPEST IS BRILLIANT

2006-10-24T23:39:00.000+01:00

everything IS ok, they will not hurt us

the dancing water fountain was a cool reprive

the quintessential tourist...and loving it

has anyone seen a boy on a cow in the middle of the palace gardens?

this was F-U-N
we went with Gramma to Budapest to see Rachel & had a lot of good times while we were there. Most of them involved getting out of the scorching heat and when we did, everything was OK. Good thing this place is built on natural springs and around every corner was beautiful pools of varying degrees and always with fountains.

DOES BEIGE LOOK LIKE YELLOW?

2006-10-24T23:34:00.000+01:00

O is in the yellow team - what a little sportsman!

this is his first every school sportsday

CUB SCOUT'S FAMILY CAMP

2006-10-24T23:24:00.000+01:00

This year, we only went for 1 night & 1 day. Long enough to have some fun, walk into the local town, play some games, make some models, sing some songs around the fire and sleep on an air mattress that had a hole in it. It was fun and most importantly they had a fabulous time being wild and free boys - running a muck!

THE CHALICE WELL GARDENS

2006-10-24T23:12:00.000+01:00

We spent a day at these gardens in Glastonbury, this spring that O is drinking out of has been there for at least x number of years. We spent the day reading how these apprentice wizards are going to become fully fledged. We found a wand from one of the trees that was alledgedy bought over from the holy land by the saint. We admired the lovely spring flowers, we revelled in the tranquility, we played in the spring water, we disturbed the peace of others, we absorbed all the good energy that was there - we loved it.

There are many associations with Chalice Well covering countless centuries; it is a timeless and sacred place, full of legend, symbolism and atmosphere, a place whose history has no beginning.......
Since ancient times, the waters that flow from deep below our planet have been revered as the essence of life, the gift of mother earth to sustain all her living forms. A spring such as the Chalice Well which has never been known to fail is especially revered as a symbol of the continuous and unbounded nature of the life force.
The people of old saw the wells as gateways to the spirit world where the veils between human existence and the greater spirit became thinner, and communications could take place with the gods and goddesses of the nature religions.
The Chalice Well is one of the oldest continuously used holy wells in Britain. Archaeology has shown that the Spring was used by prehistoric tribes who inhabited this land, and for the last 2000 years we can be fairly sure that the site has been in constant use. To be at the well head, and drink the water and absorb the atmosphere of the place is truly an inspirational experience.

THE ANNUAL CUTTING OF THE HAIR

2006-10-24T22:57:00.000+01:00

Religiously, the hair is cut once a year. This year their grandmother, who is such a bad influence, cut the hair very soon after this annual shearing....into none other than a hardcore mowhawk...which of course then had to be cut again to be able to go to school. We are pleased to note that currently the style is fluffy chicken, as it grows longer again and is able to warm the scalp in prep for the winter. I must say, in looking back at these pics from June - it did get quite long, good if you live near the beach and can flick it around in some boho surfer fashion...not so good in hot & humid London over summer.

THE SPANISH COAST OF ENGLAND

2006-10-24T22:39:00.000+01:00

OK, so we have never been to the Spanish Coast, but when we drove our kombi van up the coast of Cornwall & Devon in the beginning of June this year, we thought we were in Spain - minus the Sangria, Paella & Tapas. It was all turquoise waters, dramatic rocky cliffs, luscious subtropical greenery. We cruised from one beautiful beach to another, along windy, narrow, flowering, hedge lined roads. We watched spectacular sunsets over the sea, we swam, we laughed, we loved - it was one of our best holidays together. Me & my angels.

AUTUMN PREPERATION

2006-10-23T22:18:00.000+01:00

removing a chestnut tree that a squirrel planted a couple years ago proved very difficult!

today is the first day of autumn half term. our project for today was to build a raised bed in our garden for our square foot vegetable garden. It was a bit of effort, but we did it properly and it looks great. Such beautiful soil that is going to produce great things for us to eat. We are excited about it. Then we went into Charing Cross & met up with some friends who used to live in London & now live in Switzerland, it was the first time I had seen their sweet little girl - Sienna. A productive day, preparing for the future and nurturing the now.

RUN TO THE SUN

2006-09-20T22:47:00.000+01:00

We went on our Annual holiday to Cornwall. A long weekend at Newquay, filled with VW's & crazy boys. Followed by a couple of recovery days with Nancy & her lively twins at Perranporth on the beach. We will be leaving to relive this in less tomorrow. I suspect it will not be so nice weather wise, but we are looking forward to being at the beach, flying the kite and bracing walks along the cliffs.

WAKING UP THE EARTH

2006-09-20T22:23:00.000+01:00

May Day - every May Day we spend the day in Kew Gardens, celebrating the coming of summer. We dance around the MayPole, inducing fertility of the land and then do a weaving dance to wake the earth after the long winter. We watch Morris dancers doing their jigs and dances. There is storytelling, basket weaving, felt making etc etc. A lovely start to the summer.

Interesting that I finally post this blog as the summer comes to a close and we prepare for winter. Today I booked our tickets to go to Switzerland for Christmas! We are very excited about this. Right now though, there is concern for the Horse Chestnut trees which are such a big part of London and the disease that is in them, resulting in the conkers dropping earlier and being much smaller. We hope the naughty bug that is affecting the trees will go away before it causes too much damage - I wonder if these bugs like the warmer climate...I wonder if I should walk/cycle more...

EASTER 2006

2006-09-19T23:14:00.000+01:00

We rented a Medieval Barn and had fun exploring Wiltshire. We went to Wooky Hole, through some caves used since neandethal times, saw King Kong... Samuel tried his hand at papermaking, we hiked through gorges, walked in forests. Enjoyed Cheddar Gorge (the home of Cheddar cheese) with great apple cider and more cider and more cheese - yum! Went to a zoo and saw lots of lions, wolves, tigers etc. Followed by an afternoon at Glastonbury. A FUN holiday!

VW HEAVEN

2006-04-02T21:35:00.000+01:00

The VW season officially started this weekend. We went to the Volksworld Show on Saturday - we love kombis!!

OUR FISH

2006-04-02T21:01:00.000+01:00

Recently S was chosen to represent his school in the local swimmng gala. He raced in a couple relays and then won in the 8year old boys front crawl race! He went through to the finals in the next gala against the big schools and the private schools (who focus much more on swimming in school time) - he didn't do so well. But he decided (with encouragement from his Dad) that he'd like to swim in the next Olympics...and that he'd like to join the local swimming club. Well, today he had his assessment and passed with flying colours!! He is now a member of the Club & he will train for an hour every Sunday evening - we are very proud of him.

O also gained his first grade in swimming and he is also looking forward to following in the footsteps of his big bro

SAMMYS SNAKE

2006-03-31T23:30:00.000+01:00

Today Oscar took the Boa Constrictor to school for show n tell. I almost forgot it, thinking I would leave it for the weekend, remembering that its over 2 weeks till we go to school again. Tonight we took out the python for some handling, it is getting really big and is so shiny and healthy and really beautiful (never thought I would say that!). Samuel had it on its bed and it was getting really good excercise. This snake is really curious and so lovely! Then we had the rats out for a run around also. Ohh its such fun having pets!

PLEASING TREES

2006-03-31T22:02:00.000+01:00

Today is the last day of the Winter Term - its holidays for 2 weeks! We celebrated with a picnic at Richmond Park and enjoyed the big old Oak trees. They have been here for hundreds of years and obviously loved by many climbing clambering children. Such fun! I especially loved the last tree its like it is hugging, protecting the children as the play inside it.

LUVIN MUM

2006-03-31T21:50:00.000+01:00

Last Sunday was Mothering Sunday. The boys took me to my new favourite place - a lovely nursery near us that I recently discovered. Its full of Old English, French Garden and Exotic Indian style of furniture and garden wares and then delish coffee and tasty food. They also got me some spring flowers and we had a nice time potting them. And best of all a PERMANENT little robin for my garden - hehe.

BOOK WEEK

2006-03-28T16:07:00.000+01:00

Remember Book Week as a kid? I do, its vague...the boys dressed up as a book character. S was Willy Wonka and O was Woody. They had a fun day. In the morning they were in the parade and O was in the horse suit ALLL day!

WEYMOUTH WEEKEND 3

2006-03-26T22:50:00.000+01:00

You need to scroll down to Weymouth Weekend 1 and read these 3 entries backwards - I can only upload 5 photos at a time and had way more pictures to tell the story of this wonderful weekend!

A cold wintery afternoon in the car is best broken up with a cream tea in a quaint & quirky little cafe that is filled with bubbling witches cauldrons, crystals, druids, fairies and lovely organic food!

And lastly it was an invigorating run along the beach in the stinging rain...

before heading home via a menagerie of possible places of interest including: Old Sarum (ancient celtic cathedral at Salisbury), Rare Species Farm, Tank Museum & Ape Sanctuary - all closed for some reason or other. But good reasons to return to this part of the country.

WEYMOUTH WEEKEND 2

2006-03-26T21:53:00.000+01:00

The next day we went for a big walk through an old Stone Quarry:

Then we went and played on the realllly long stone beach and collected lots of beautiful big pebbles to bring home and make into painted animals.

It was SUCH a steep stoney beach that one step up would slide right back down, so it was hard work getting back up the hill!

WEYMOUTH WEEKEND 1

2006-03-26T21:27:00.000+01:00

I was craving seeing the sea, the waves crashing on rocks, the sound, the smell and the wind in the hair. So, not long ago we had a family weekend away to the Dorset coast. It was the most wonderful weekend all winter! We drove down to the beach on Saturday and found a great little cafe for lunch:

dreaming about a big engine for the kombi...

then we walked along the beach of Weymouth:

Then we explored the penisula of Portland:

Then we found a fabulous B&B that would allow us to have Christie with us! and it was so beautifully traditionally decorated and the Full English in the morning went down a treat.

I will need to create another post so that I can show you more pictures....

SCOUTS HONOUR

2006-03-26T21:16:00.000+01:00

Recently S was infected, I mean infested, oh no, I mean INVESTED as a Cub of the Comanches. Very proud moment.

MAGIC TREE

2006-03-26T20:44:00.000+01:00

I LOVE it how every weekend we go for a walk in Richmond Park and recently we discovered a path, forest and a magical tree that we had never ever seen before!!

COUSIN KATIE

2006-03-26T19:33:00.000+01:00

Katie was looking after the boys over half term holidays and they went

the British Museum,

Hampton Court Palace - this is them finding the middle of the maze.

the Aquarium - they got to touch the rays

.......................................................and make lovely fishes

and enjoy the seeing in the Chinese New Year.

Then generally had loads of fun with her here - She is a crazy fun big kid - so lots of laughs were had.

This is them with sticky tape on their noses!

BUBBLE BLOWING BOY

2006-01-29T22:25:00.000Z

SUNNY SUNDAY

2006-01-29T17:20:00.000Z

Run Forest Run

Play Dead

I'm a Leopard - Mwraow

"Trip Trap Trip Trap - Whos that walking over my bridge?" Said the Scary Troll

Today cousin Katie arrived from Australia and we went for a big walk in Sheen Common - its one of those gorgeous sunny crisp cold London winter days. We also walked through the cemetary, enjoyed looking at some really beautiful tomb stones -

and humping the jelly tree..

VWULLA VIOLA

2006-01-11T20:47:00.000Z

This past weekend, S went with his Dad to a Viola Bonanza. He had a great time, listening to the chinese violinS there are 2 - one has millions of strings the other has 3 strings. There were 5 instruments on display and one really weird bow. He learnt to play D string then D3 then A then D - a new little ditty. Mister Lord of the Rings was there, he created all the music for the movies! So they got to hear 'hobbit' music and 'ork coming' music - when they are in the swamp an Orc comes on a dragon. The lady who was helping Mister Lord of the Rings was working with had a really big harp, it sounded really lovely and peaceful - it sounded like fairies coming down trying to put us to sleep. He played in a concert, they played Twinkle Little Star and May Song - there were also Cellos and Violins. Since then his playing and confidence has really improved and he is making a much more rich and beautiful sound!

CRAFTY BOY

2006-01-11T20:41:00.000Z

Here are some things that S has made a school. The sword and collar are Kenyan, they have been studying Africa. And the mosiac makes a great hot plate for the middle of our table!

WISHING FOR...

2006-01-06T18:23:00.000Z

A BRIGHT BLUE SKY AND A BRIGHT ORANGE SUN!!