Back to School....

Since the girls decided to go back to school I haven't blogged; it has been a whirlwind week with getting uniforms, filing in forms, organising book bags etc etc..  I have also had to come to terms with another big change so have been reflecting and thinking about things.... I am in quite a good place about it all now although really sad and upset last week.

The girls headed off on Monday and came back full of enthusiasm and stories of school.  They seem to have settled in really well, and when we have had a few challenges (i.e. home-work) Ben and I have just calmly pointed out that they have CHOSEN to return to school and therefore need to be accepting of all the comes with it.  They seem happy though and I am pleased for them; the time out of school has given them the chance to get to know each other and to experience different things, so there really are no regrets and I would  do it again!  Things of course may still change, and they have a full term to decide if they want to continue in main stream school before they can say "I don't want to go today."

Off to school.................

There are no spaces in either of the local schools for Noah, so for the time being we are continuing together.  This week hasn't been a true reflection of how it will be, as Noah was away with his uncle on Monday, went to work with Ben on Tuesday (I had a funeral to attend) and went to History club today and then back to his friends to play.  I will keep blogging what we are doing (although not daily it will be frequently) so you can keep up with developments in the Horler house hold!

One thing for sure - the house is much quieter without the girls and the house is tidier too.

Angela x

All change..... again!

If you have seen my FB status you will know by now that the girls are going back to school.

If the tears that are running down my cheeks are anything to go by, then you will appreciate that I am feeling pretty emotional at the moment.

The decision had to be made quickly as the school would like them to start next week in order to secure their funding; to be honest I am still trying to take it all in.  It's not that I don't want them to go (Christ, I am surprised they are still alive as I nearly killed them several times), it's just that I have spent every day with them for the past six months and I am going to miss them.  A lot.  And although I don't regret our little journey into the unknown, I feel some disappointment that it did not work out quite as anticipated.

The decision has been driven really by the girls.  Not really sure quite yet what is happening with Noah as there does not appear to be a place in his previous school, so we are not making any decisions at present.

Anyway, excuse the lack of photos and the lack of stories about today, but I need to go and have a glass a wine.  Or three.

Angela xx

Monday (2)

We have a lose plan for the week, and Monday mornings is PE.  The children had a small amount of time before we headed off to the local pool, so Sophie and Lily used the time to start some art projects and Noah created some Lego projects.

We left everything set up and then headed off to Walton - I didn't enter the pool today as I have a headache that I just can't shift.  They had a good swim and practised their diving skills.

After lunch, Lily had the dentist and Sophie and Noah decided to stay at home and watch some TV.  For the rest of the afternoon, the girls continued their art projects, Noah did some painting, we lit the fire and read some books, did a puzzle and just hung out.

Later on, Noah used the laptop to play interactive games on CBBC and Lily checked out her new face book account.

It occurred to me today, that whilst I am updating the blog on what we are doing, I haven't really explored how it feels to be at home.  On the whole, the days pass quite quickly and there is always something happening. The best part is the freedom and not having to rush around getting ready for school; we are eating well and talking lots and lots which is reconnecting us as a family; playing has come naturally again to the children.  However, Lily is finding it quite lonely and is keen to see what secondary school could offer (we are visiting Thamesmead tomorrow); Sophie has good days and bad days.  I would say that she seems more confident within herself, and although she says she is fine, I can't help feeling that their are huge elements of school life that she is missing.  Noah is the most easy going and really wouldn't mind going back to school and enjoys being at home too!

As for me..............  to be honest, I find it incredibly demanding and tiring. I feel huge pangs of envy when I see mums having coffee WITHOUT children hanging of them.  I hate my house being messy so find it hard to just let things go; the children tell me I have an OCD but I like my house neat and welcoming.  That's just the way I am.  I have moments of great clarity when I think 'yes I can do this', but they aren't as frequent as the moments when I want to send them to school.  Hmmmmm......

Angela x

It's the weekend......

Just like 'regular' school we tend to have the weekends 'off' (and NO homework either!)...

This weekend Sophie turned 13! For her birthday we hit Kingston for a girlie day shopping and lunch out which was very nice.

Ben took Noah to Mercedez Benz World which sounds like boy heaven.

Today was just a family day: chilling, TV, a trip to the park and the local garden centre (it has a huge craft centre); birthday cake with extended family plus the obligatory family disagreement.  Perfect!

Angela x

Friday

Fridays are our 'school trip' day, so after breakfast we headed off out:

First stop was a trip to the Recycling Centre to drop off Christmas cards and a broken food processor; this was followed by a chat about our recycling habits and what more we could do to reduce and reuse!

Our trip for the day was to Elmbridge Museum in Weybridge.  Of course, with all good school trips its essential to test the local coffee establishments, so firstly we needed to stop in a well known coffee house for hot chocolate and cake for the children and a skinny latte for me.  (I learnt that children do not appreciate the finer points of relaxing over coffee, so note to self that must go out soon with an adult to indulge in this experience!)

Elmbridge Museum is above the library in Weybridge, so we visited the children's book section and chose lots of new books to look at over the next few weeks, including lots of history books entitled 'Danger Zone: avoid....' (see here) which look really great!

We spent nearly two hours in the museum: there were loads of dressing up outfits from different eras which Noah and Lily loved:

Sophie followed the history trail and questionnaire and then created a mosaic on-line.

We spent so long there that we ran over our car-park ticket..... luckily we did not get a ticket!

After lunch, Lily and I made Sophie's birthday cake (13 tomorrow!!) and Sophie and Noah did..... you've guessed it: HAMMA BEADS!

Birthday Hedgehog with babies...

A late afternoon upset saw Noah sent to bed for some time-out and then drama in the house when Sophie spilt tea all down her legs.  Aunty Helen saved the day and we all finished on a happy note with TV in front of the fire.

Angela x

Thursday

Today was a 'work' day: the whole morning was taken up with a trip to Specsavers for both Noah and I.  Noah now needs to wear glasses permanently; he chose a pair of Simpsons glasses, then while I had my eyes checked he built himself a paper-clip chain.  The girls ventured off to the shops and picked me up a Starbucks.  A real perk of home-schooling!

After lunch, the children helped with the washing, vacuming and polishing, then as I had a ton of work I needed to do (including removing the old computer), the children were tasked with entertaining themselves:

Noah finished his volcano (but we have decided to create the eruption when Ben is home at the weekend), Lily rearranged and tidied her bedroom and there was a fair bit of TV indulgence too!  All three also spent more time with Hamma Beads: it's funny how children won't touch something for months and then have a total obsession for a few days!  I wonder how long this will last....

 A tidy room.....

 Fantastic Volcano......

 Hamma Bead Creations......

Angela x

Wednesday

Today was a slightly more chilled day:

I had a dentist appt first thing so the children were left to fend for themselves for a bit: Noah decided to use the time play 'Spy Hero's' and Lily helped him to create a costume!  

After they were washed and dressed we walked down to the local shops and brought our dinner:

• Beef from the butchers (were we had a discussion about imperial and metric measurements and Sophie asked for the quantity we wanted)
• Potatoes and onions from the Green grocer (along with a look at brussels sprouts on the stem and a discussion about olives!)
• Bread rolls from the bakers (were we learned about baps and soft flour rolls).

On the way home the girls were fighting so I made them carry the shopping between them. That soon shut them up!

After lunch I had to visit some clients so the children chose to watch 'High School Musical' whilst I was gone.  A few quick chores when I returned (all helping) then 'tea at three' (this is now a daily ritual in our home; tea made in a pot with Lily's home made cakes.  Guess that's why I way 10lb heavier than before home schooling).  Over tea, Noah started painting his Volcano; Sophie learnt to use the iron and ironed her Hamma Beads; Lily read another book (that's two in two days); and I put together my 'baby in a pelvis', a cool gift from a client.

To finish off the day, Sophie had horse-riding lessons; Lily very helpfully tidied up and Noah watched some TV and did some more Hamma Beads.

Learning and sharing all round I think...

Angela x

New term!

Over the Christmas holidays, we spent a long time agonising over whether we should continue with home-education or if everyone should go back to school.  We spoke to different people and listened; we spent time talking as a family; I did some reading of other parents blogs.  In the end, we have decided to continue for a bit longer; de-schooling takes time and is quite difficult for everyone.  Home-schooling takes time (and energy) but has many advantages.  It is still not the easy option though as I am learning!

This month, I have decided to blog EVERYDAY a summary of what we have been up to.  I thought this might help us make some decisions later on and also help to see that lots of learning takes place all of the time - even when we don't realise......

Tuesday 3rd January

After a shared breakfast, the children helped to clear the table and then we all went off to get washed and dressed.........

AM 
Sophie decided to create an art project and was inspired by the fact it was pouring down outside! She used different mediums and was very pleased with her finished piece.  This month she would like to visit the National Gallery. (Art & Geography)

Noah and I made his plaster of paris Volcano project (and he washed up the equipment) and then he researched some facts in a book on volcanoes, we watched eruptions on youtube, and then he took a quiz on the National Geographic Kids website on Volcanoes (great interactive site!) (Art, Science, Geography, Home Economics & IT)

Meanwhile Lily started her Cath Kidston scrapbook after 'googling' some ideas on Scrapbooking. (Art & IT)

After the food shopping arrived and we all put that away, a quick lunch followed by the afternoons activities:

PM

Lily and Noah completed a puzzle on Pirates (history)

Sophie took herself off to her room and completed some English from her KS3 workbooks and played DS. (English & IT)

Noah undertook a hammer bead project. (Art)

Lily baked a cake. (Home economics)

And I did some crafting (currently making Lily a new apron).

Everyone felt very proud sharing with Ben over dinner what they had done today....  lets hope this new enthusiasm continues!

Angela x