BuBu and Binkys adventures

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

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

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

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!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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!