Thought I'd better do a quick blog before I get hibernated again. Nasty flu turned into something nastier which ended up with me in hospital in the early hours of Thursday morning. An ECG,chest x-ray, CT scan, blood tests and an unmentionaby painful lumbar puncture later and they let me out none the wiser whats happening. I was pretty bummed at getting ill as I was supposed to be going to the trade toy fair in London at the weekend!
Been back to the hospital twice and finally been given anti-biotics to see if that will get rid of the blinding head pain.
Lumbar puncture was hideous, and I'm ashamed to say I sobbed like a baby. The idiot registrar didn't wait for the local to work first, despite being told I'm hard to numb, he also then couldn't find the right space, after also being warned that I have a funny spine and my epidural was difficult too - moron. Apparently he panicked called for the consultant too, but I was too busy to notice through my tears. I never cry at medical stuff - pathetic!
So I'm spending all my time lying flat with occassional bouts of sitting up which make me feel sick and my head throb. On that note I'm off to bed!
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
Monday, January 23, 2006
Not much education been going on here the last four days as I came down with flu on Friday morning - nasty evil thing.
My brother is staying at my parents for a while and Charlie has loved having him around. They PSp'd, footballed and chatted away on Saturday and on Sunday Charlie took him exploring around the lakes - they were gone a long time! Charlie loved it - I think he believes my brother has special powers due to being so very tall!
Bev has an interview tomorrow so unbelievably I have to drag myself out of bed to take the puppy to obedience classes - we made him some liver training treats tonight - really vile stuff when it's raw but luckily the recipe calls for them to be cooked!
My brother is staying at my parents for a while and Charlie has loved having him around. They PSp'd, footballed and chatted away on Saturday and on Sunday Charlie took him exploring around the lakes - they were gone a long time! Charlie loved it - I think he believes my brother has special powers due to being so very tall!
Bev has an interview tomorrow so unbelievably I have to drag myself out of bed to take the puppy to obedience classes - we made him some liver training treats tonight - really vile stuff when it's raw but luckily the recipe calls for them to be cooked!
Thursday, January 19, 2006
288 days, 11 hours to go.....
...until our 3 week Florida vacation and yes I'm counting already because I need a holiday! Knackered and exhausted from work and other stuff.
Charlie did his maths and SOTW as usual today and also caught up on a load of his extra reading too. He only did one activity page today so lots of catching up to do at the weekend! He's still on Egypt and still loving it - but then he just loves history fullstop.
He's PSP'd a lot today too and read as usual. He started the Secret Garden and seems to be really enjoying the break from Enid Blyton!
Charlie did his maths and SOTW as usual today and also caught up on a load of his extra reading too. He only did one activity page today so lots of catching up to do at the weekend! He's still on Egypt and still loving it - but then he just loves history fullstop.
He's PSP'd a lot today too and read as usual. He started the Secret Garden and seems to be really enjoying the break from Enid Blyton!
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
I'm taking some time to revel in the peace and quiet as Charlie is in bed, Bev is watching football and I'm catching up on podcasts from when I was internet-less - very pleasing.
Charlie woke up early again today - 7.30 - this is so NOT on!! I had to go to my 'rents house and wait for the curtain people which was thrilling. Whilst I was there Charlie finished his pirate map which is fab - but I forgot to take a photo so will do that tomorrow.
When I got back we went into town, did the bank and bills thing and then got a box from mothercare as I've sold my 3 wheeler and needed to post it in something.
After lunch Charlie got started on his maths and then his SOTW. Today's lesson was about the pyramids and he really does take it all in - his recall answers are perfect, which is reassuring as he quite often can't tell me about novels he has read! Today's activities were a colouring page, map work and mummfying a chicken. We're going to do an apple instead and are planning to do it at the weekend. He did a page of spellings afterwards and did very well.
Charlie and Bev had a lovely time playing Mouse Trap after dinner - he was laughing hysterically which is always a lovely sound.
Oxford Natural History Museum
Birthday Boy
Cuneiform Tablet Making
Finished Product
Scribe
Osiris and Set
Great Pyramid and The Sphinx
Charlie woke up early again today - 7.30 - this is so NOT on!! I had to go to my 'rents house and wait for the curtain people which was thrilling. Whilst I was there Charlie finished his pirate map which is fab - but I forgot to take a photo so will do that tomorrow.
When I got back we went into town, did the bank and bills thing and then got a box from mothercare as I've sold my 3 wheeler and needed to post it in something.
After lunch Charlie got started on his maths and then his SOTW. Today's lesson was about the pyramids and he really does take it all in - his recall answers are perfect, which is reassuring as he quite often can't tell me about novels he has read! Today's activities were a colouring page, map work and mummfying a chicken. We're going to do an apple instead and are planning to do it at the weekend. He did a page of spellings afterwards and did very well.
Charlie and Bev had a lovely time playing Mouse Trap after dinner - he was laughing hysterically which is always a lovely sound.
Oxford Natural History Museum
Birthday Boy
Cuneiform Tablet Making
Finished Product
Scribe
Osiris and Set
Great Pyramid and The Sphinx
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
Yet another busy day - but then that's our Tuesday's now.
Charlie woke at 5.00am for some strange and bizarre reason and although he went back to his bed, didn't actually fall asleep again! The next thing I knew it was 7.00am and he was asking to go and watch tv to which I readily agreed!
After breakfast several hours later, Charlie did his maths and English whilst I worked and then I took the puppy to training classes - and the less said about that the better I think! (little rat!)
After I got back Charlie made a start on his SOTW, he read the next chapter, did the review questions and then started on the crafts. He chose to make a Cuneiform tablet and his message on it was "Come with me to the playing field at 10.30! He absolutely loved doing this and I'll put up a photo or two tomorrow.
He also started doing a craft activity from as pirate book that Bev bought for his birthday.
At 4.30 we went off to Gymnastics Club - didn't get to see anything at all today as the crafty buggers put the blind down! Charlie had a fab time but he looked incredibly pale when we came out.
Once home we had our dinner straight away - thank god for slow cookers and then I plonked Charlie in a warm bath and sent him up to read in bed at 7.00pm. At 8.30 I made him stop and he was asleep 10 minutes later, which regular readers will know is very unusual - as is waking up before 10am! I hope he's not coming down with something!
Charlie woke at 5.00am for some strange and bizarre reason and although he went back to his bed, didn't actually fall asleep again! The next thing I knew it was 7.00am and he was asking to go and watch tv to which I readily agreed!
After breakfast several hours later, Charlie did his maths and English whilst I worked and then I took the puppy to training classes - and the less said about that the better I think! (little rat!)
After I got back Charlie made a start on his SOTW, he read the next chapter, did the review questions and then started on the crafts. He chose to make a Cuneiform tablet and his message on it was "Come with me to the playing field at 10.30! He absolutely loved doing this and I'll put up a photo or two tomorrow.
He also started doing a craft activity from as pirate book that Bev bought for his birthday.
At 4.30 we went off to Gymnastics Club - didn't get to see anything at all today as the crafty buggers put the blind down! Charlie had a fab time but he looked incredibly pale when we came out.
Once home we had our dinner straight away - thank god for slow cookers and then I plonked Charlie in a warm bath and sent him up to read in bed at 7.00pm. At 8.30 I made him stop and he was asleep 10 minutes later, which regular readers will know is very unusual - as is waking up before 10am! I hope he's not coming down with something!
Monday, January 16, 2006
A busy day again today. After dragging the chimp kicking and screaming from his bed and having breakfasted, we went to the office to swap my work over. Then it was the supermarket dash before making it home just in time for lunch.
Charlie PSP'd a bit after lunch and then made a start on catching up on his SOTW as I aim to bring him back into line with the CHOW by the end of the week.
He did the last 3 pages of his maths workbook and then we did the first part of his Italian course together using the tape and the book. It was fun and he definitely has an aptitude for pronunciation!
He read Chapter 2 of SOTW and then we did the review and narration questions. Very easy for him as he loves History and even easier because it's about Egypt which he loves. He did the mapwork and then did the colouring sheet on Osiris and Set and the coffin. He did this beautifully using his Egyptology book as inspiration for the colours. He decided to use his metalic pencil crayons and he has done a wonderful job.
He then decided to start making a Pharoh's Shepherds crook. Bev assisted him in wrapping the masking tape around and he will paint it tomorrow.
We really love SOTW and its activity guide. It works so well for us as Charlie loves art/craft stuff but I don't have the imagaination to come up with stuff. He does heaps of free drawing anyway, but I think this way of learning about History is excellent and wholly appropriate for young children.
Charlie PSP'd a bit after lunch and then made a start on catching up on his SOTW as I aim to bring him back into line with the CHOW by the end of the week.
He did the last 3 pages of his maths workbook and then we did the first part of his Italian course together using the tape and the book. It was fun and he definitely has an aptitude for pronunciation!
He read Chapter 2 of SOTW and then we did the review and narration questions. Very easy for him as he loves History and even easier because it's about Egypt which he loves. He did the mapwork and then did the colouring sheet on Osiris and Set and the coffin. He did this beautifully using his Egyptology book as inspiration for the colours. He decided to use his metalic pencil crayons and he has done a wonderful job.
He then decided to start making a Pharoh's Shepherds crook. Bev assisted him in wrapping the masking tape around and he will paint it tomorrow.
We really love SOTW and its activity guide. It works so well for us as Charlie loves art/craft stuff but I don't have the imagaination to come up with stuff. He does heaps of free drawing anyway, but I think this way of learning about History is excellent and wholly appropriate for young children.
Sunday, January 15, 2006
Happy Birthday Chimp!
Saturday
We got up a little later than I had wanted to but in any event we left at 10.20 and arrived at the Park and Ride around 10.40pm. Luckily there was a bus waiting and we were soon on our way into Oxford.
As we got off the bus in the City Centre and walked forwars slightly towards Waterstones, we could see loads of police and people and learnt that the Animal Rights people were protesting against the lab in Oxford, where had finally recommenced.
We did a spot of shopping first and I managed to procur some fabulous bargains in the Disney Store sale for this years stocking fillers, so I was pleased. Also managed to get Charlie some Mickey Mouse pj's in their sale so he was pleased too!
We had lunch and then did a bit more shopping before letting Charlie lose in Waterstones. He loves the childrens department there and spent a happy half hour browsing. He chose a Usborne Italian package as he says that is the language he wishes to learn along with Greek and Latin and we also got him the next Premier Maths book, the 6-7 one as he still lacks confidence in Maths.
We made our way to the Natural History Museum, getting very close to the protestors at one point. The police were out in force and the mounted unit were there too.
We though the museums were pretty good, Charlie loved them both and it was nice to have less crowds to battle through and be able to really look at stuff compared with London museums.
We caught the bus back to the Car Park and were home by 5.00pm. Charlie had a lovely day and really did enjoy the museums although there was lots we couldn't see due to building work, so we'll return again when it's finished.
Sunday
The birthday boy woke early - 8.15 - that's incredible for him, the excitement was too much. He opened his presents from us and my grandmother and poured over the Titanic book manically.
My parents and brother arrived around 12.30. Mum and Dad bought him a PSP and my brother bought him a golf game for it. He also got a volcano making kit and a book on Ancient Egypt from my parents too.
We had a lovely little party lunch and Charlie played on the PSP with my brother.
After they went, we had a lovely afternoon watching Charlie and the Chocolate Factory DVD and played together, with lots more PSP'ing going on.
He's gone to bed rather tired and very happy.
I just can't seem to get my head around having an 8 year old - it just doesn't seem possible.
A photo of the birthday boy
We got up a little later than I had wanted to but in any event we left at 10.20 and arrived at the Park and Ride around 10.40pm. Luckily there was a bus waiting and we were soon on our way into Oxford.
As we got off the bus in the City Centre and walked forwars slightly towards Waterstones, we could see loads of police and people and learnt that the Animal Rights people were protesting against the lab in Oxford, where had finally recommenced.
We did a spot of shopping first and I managed to procur some fabulous bargains in the Disney Store sale for this years stocking fillers, so I was pleased. Also managed to get Charlie some Mickey Mouse pj's in their sale so he was pleased too!
We had lunch and then did a bit more shopping before letting Charlie lose in Waterstones. He loves the childrens department there and spent a happy half hour browsing. He chose a Usborne Italian package as he says that is the language he wishes to learn along with Greek and Latin and we also got him the next Premier Maths book, the 6-7 one as he still lacks confidence in Maths.
We made our way to the Natural History Museum, getting very close to the protestors at one point. The police were out in force and the mounted unit were there too.
We though the museums were pretty good, Charlie loved them both and it was nice to have less crowds to battle through and be able to really look at stuff compared with London museums.
We caught the bus back to the Car Park and were home by 5.00pm. Charlie had a lovely day and really did enjoy the museums although there was lots we couldn't see due to building work, so we'll return again when it's finished.
Sunday
The birthday boy woke early - 8.15 - that's incredible for him, the excitement was too much. He opened his presents from us and my grandmother and poured over the Titanic book manically.
My parents and brother arrived around 12.30. Mum and Dad bought him a PSP and my brother bought him a golf game for it. He also got a volcano making kit and a book on Ancient Egypt from my parents too.
We had a lovely little party lunch and Charlie played on the PSP with my brother.
After they went, we had a lovely afternoon watching Charlie and the Chocolate Factory DVD and played together, with lots more PSP'ing going on.
He's gone to bed rather tired and very happy.
I just can't seem to get my head around having an 8 year old - it just doesn't seem possible.
A photo of the birthday boy
Friday, January 13, 2006
A quieter less stressful day today thank goodness. Up at the crack of dawn (7.55) because we were expecting the plumber to do a couple of the snags jobs.
Bev took Monty for his walk which was a nice break for me and meant I could get straight on with my work after breakfast. Dragged Charlie from his bed at 8.30.
Worked my socks off and managed to finish by 12.00 exactly and then we had lunch....
Whizzed round Sainsburys after lunch to get the last bits of food for Charlie's party on Sunday, and all the usual party stuff.
I walked the nutty puppy after that - he really hates walking by the road - such a scaredy cat.
When I got back Charlie did his Maths and English workbooks whilst I cooked dinner.
Charlie has spent most the day looking at the pack we got from the RNLI which included a fab CD-Rom that he has loved doing all sorts of stuff on. So far he's found a grab bag list maker, some amazing mapping thingy of various harbours and oceans plus first aid videos to watch. The leaflets have been really good too. He chose the diving pack, personal watercraft and sailing ones. All highly educational if any of you have children into the sea/sailing/ocean etc.
Tomorrow we are off to Oxford (so hate the place) as Charlie chose it for his birthday treat. We're going to the Natural History Museum and the Pitt Rivers Museum and he is dying to go round all the huge book shops.
Bev took Monty for his walk which was a nice break for me and meant I could get straight on with my work after breakfast. Dragged Charlie from his bed at 8.30.
Worked my socks off and managed to finish by 12.00 exactly and then we had lunch....
Whizzed round Sainsburys after lunch to get the last bits of food for Charlie's party on Sunday, and all the usual party stuff.
I walked the nutty puppy after that - he really hates walking by the road - such a scaredy cat.
When I got back Charlie did his Maths and English workbooks whilst I cooked dinner.
Charlie has spent most the day looking at the pack we got from the RNLI which included a fab CD-Rom that he has loved doing all sorts of stuff on. So far he's found a grab bag list maker, some amazing mapping thingy of various harbours and oceans plus first aid videos to watch. The leaflets have been really good too. He chose the diving pack, personal watercraft and sailing ones. All highly educational if any of you have children into the sea/sailing/ocean etc.
Tomorrow we are off to Oxford (so hate the place) as Charlie chose it for his birthday treat. We're going to the Natural History Museum and the Pitt Rivers Museum and he is dying to go round all the huge book shops.
Thursday, January 12, 2006
A quieter day today. Up early again in case the electrician came early to fix the telephone points. Spent the morning working, telephone points working again so I've been able to relocate my wireless router out of the kitchen - much better!
Charlie did his usual two pages of Premier Maths and one task in his English workbook. He's listened to Little and Big Toe and we went into Banbury tonight to pick up Bev from the station. She was rather late as she got stuck at Heathrow and so we haven't been home long. Charlie was ecstatic to see her and bought her some flowers to show her how much he missed her - so sweet.
Charlie did his usual two pages of Premier Maths and one task in his English workbook. He's listened to Little and Big Toe and we went into Banbury tonight to pick up Bev from the station. She was rather late as she got stuck at Heathrow and so we haven't been home long. Charlie was ecstatic to see her and bought her some flowers to show her how much he missed her - so sweet.
Wednesday, January 11, 2006
Busy bee
Yet another busy stressy day for me today - did nothing but work this morning.
We've run out of Charlie's M-Folia scalp oil so I improvised last night with Olive Oil and once I'd washed it out this morning with two lots of shampoo, the results were pretty fantastic! No more spending £15 on scalp oil for him, Olive Oil seems to do the job just as well!
We had a lovely walk through the village to the hairdressers and mooched around the village shop before we went in.
Bought a cake each to eat on the walk back home after having Charlie's hair cut - very delicious!
We stopped off at my mum and dad's to pick up Charlie's birthday card and cash from my grandmother and then went home to let the poor suffering puppy out of his crate
Charlie popped Big Toe on and promptly did 2 pages of Premier Maths and half a page of his English workbook and by this time it was dinner time.
He spoke to Bev on the phone tonight before bed, he is so excited that she is coming home tomorrow, bless.
We've run out of Charlie's M-Folia scalp oil so I improvised last night with Olive Oil and once I'd washed it out this morning with two lots of shampoo, the results were pretty fantastic! No more spending £15 on scalp oil for him, Olive Oil seems to do the job just as well!
We had a lovely walk through the village to the hairdressers and mooched around the village shop before we went in.
Bought a cake each to eat on the walk back home after having Charlie's hair cut - very delicious!
We stopped off at my mum and dad's to pick up Charlie's birthday card and cash from my grandmother and then went home to let the poor suffering puppy out of his crate
Charlie popped Big Toe on and promptly did 2 pages of Premier Maths and half a page of his English workbook and by this time it was dinner time.
He spoke to Bev on the phone tonight before bed, he is so excited that she is coming home tomorrow, bless.
Tuesday, January 10, 2006
Stressy day
Not a very good day for me in the end, I've ended up with a massive stress headache that won't shift despite numerous painkillers thrown down my throat. Might have to resort to the narcotic painkillers next.
Had an interesting business meeting this morning about some new lines I am planning to stock when I re-open my business later this year. Got to play with some groovy educational toys which was fun.
Dashed off to the first dog training class this morning - not that we did any training, just went through the manual. The trainer, Tony, is very funny, although I'm not too convinced that he would be funny out on the windy field in the pouring rain. He says he may let us use the indoor school if we're good.....
Got home and then we had lunch again made by Charlie. He has really been a star whilst Bev has been gone, it's really made me realise how much I miss it just being him and me, and things are a lot calmer as he can't get mad at her for not playing with him!
Spent the next 3 hours trying to do some work inbetween the stupid phone ringing non-stop, before dashing out to Charlie's first session at Gymanstics Club.
Charlie had a wonderful time doing pikes, stars, v sits, bar work, cartwheels, handstands and various other things that neither he nor I understood the technical words for! He seemed to really enjoy and had one of the coaches in fits of laughter about something. Us parents are banished to the cloakroom with a tiny gap in the blind/window to look through, so I'm not sure what its about. I think he was being a bit of a drama queen about hurting his back doing a bridge!
The hour class passed quickly and the two other mothers that were waiting too were very pleasant. There was a terribly scary moment about 15 minutes before the class ended when this gaggle of very tiny, fragile looking 4-5 year old girls arrived for their 2 hour development class from 5.30-7.30. They were so small and the mothers seemed unhappy about leaving them that long after a long day at school, but they had been picked from last terms general class to be "developed" further. This means 4 hours a week of classes for them.
We dashed back home and Charlie jabbered the whole way home in the car which was lovely, he hasn't been this animated about anything for a *long* time.
Dinner done, Charlie ran his bath and bathed himself and he's in bed having read but nowhere near asleep as usual!
Hairdressers for him tomorrow - his hair is totally covering his eyes so he's agreed to have a trim which he will dictate to the hairdresser!
Had an interesting business meeting this morning about some new lines I am planning to stock when I re-open my business later this year. Got to play with some groovy educational toys which was fun.
Dashed off to the first dog training class this morning - not that we did any training, just went through the manual. The trainer, Tony, is very funny, although I'm not too convinced that he would be funny out on the windy field in the pouring rain. He says he may let us use the indoor school if we're good.....
Got home and then we had lunch again made by Charlie. He has really been a star whilst Bev has been gone, it's really made me realise how much I miss it just being him and me, and things are a lot calmer as he can't get mad at her for not playing with him!
Spent the next 3 hours trying to do some work inbetween the stupid phone ringing non-stop, before dashing out to Charlie's first session at Gymanstics Club.
Charlie had a wonderful time doing pikes, stars, v sits, bar work, cartwheels, handstands and various other things that neither he nor I understood the technical words for! He seemed to really enjoy and had one of the coaches in fits of laughter about something. Us parents are banished to the cloakroom with a tiny gap in the blind/window to look through, so I'm not sure what its about. I think he was being a bit of a drama queen about hurting his back doing a bridge!
The hour class passed quickly and the two other mothers that were waiting too were very pleasant. There was a terribly scary moment about 15 minutes before the class ended when this gaggle of very tiny, fragile looking 4-5 year old girls arrived for their 2 hour development class from 5.30-7.30. They were so small and the mothers seemed unhappy about leaving them that long after a long day at school, but they had been picked from last terms general class to be "developed" further. This means 4 hours a week of classes for them.
We dashed back home and Charlie jabbered the whole way home in the car which was lovely, he hasn't been this animated about anything for a *long* time.
Dinner done, Charlie ran his bath and bathed himself and he's in bed having read but nowhere near asleep as usual!
Hairdressers for him tomorrow - his hair is totally covering his eyes so he's agreed to have a trim which he will dictate to the hairdresser!
Monday, January 09, 2006
Busy day
Day started badly with a phone call waking me up at an ungodly - not impressed! Charlie wasn't too enthralled at being dragged out of bed before 11am either. Did the usual getting up, breakfast, feeding the dog thing, and then let Charlie out to do his "duty" It's kind of amusing after doing thousands of nappy changes to watch your nearly 8 year old moan and groan about popper scooping, a bit like revenge for all those really disgusting dirty nappies he gave me!
We whizzed off to the office to return my work, procur more and collect my mum as she had finished all she needed to do by 11am and didn't want to wait for my dad to finish. They usually take two cars if my mum wants to come home early, but I pointed out that was a disgrace to the environment and I'd pick her up. Took mum to the bank and then went to the tip to empty the boot of the various big boxes we had accumulated at christmas.
Dropped mum off at home where Charlie elected to stay with her rather than come to food shopping with me, so I had a pleasant 45 minutes to myself even if it was only to do the shopping. Managed to get Charlie some jogging bottoms ready for gymastics club tomorrow. Went home, unpacked shopping and walked the dog to mum's to collect Charlie.
And then we had lunch.
After lunch we walked the dog around the lake and tried to do some lead work - ha! It's a good thing he starts obedience classes tomorrow - I swear we'll get thrown out!
Charlie swept the kitchen floor for me when we got back and then mopped it too whilst I got on with some work.
Made another Jamie O recipe tonight - "Awesome Spinach and Ricotta Canelloni" - very nice it was too.
Charlie is busy looking at the RNLI site tonight. He spent a few hours on their last night too. I've ordered some free safety on the sea and sailing type guides from there for him, with a CD-Rom too as he was desperate to have them. He got the link from his much loved Shipwrecks book. He says he is going to design a lifeboat for them in a bit.
Tomorrow is another busy one, 1st dog training class(such an oxy-moron saying that for Monty) at lunch time and then Charlie's first session at the gymnastics club in the afternoon. It'll be the first time in over a year he's been anywhere where there is a large group of school children, so I'm not sure how he'll cope.
We whizzed off to the office to return my work, procur more and collect my mum as she had finished all she needed to do by 11am and didn't want to wait for my dad to finish. They usually take two cars if my mum wants to come home early, but I pointed out that was a disgrace to the environment and I'd pick her up. Took mum to the bank and then went to the tip to empty the boot of the various big boxes we had accumulated at christmas.
Dropped mum off at home where Charlie elected to stay with her rather than come to food shopping with me, so I had a pleasant 45 minutes to myself even if it was only to do the shopping. Managed to get Charlie some jogging bottoms ready for gymastics club tomorrow. Went home, unpacked shopping and walked the dog to mum's to collect Charlie.
And then we had lunch.
After lunch we walked the dog around the lake and tried to do some lead work - ha! It's a good thing he starts obedience classes tomorrow - I swear we'll get thrown out!
Charlie swept the kitchen floor for me when we got back and then mopped it too whilst I got on with some work.
Made another Jamie O recipe tonight - "Awesome Spinach and Ricotta Canelloni" - very nice it was too.
Charlie is busy looking at the RNLI site tonight. He spent a few hours on their last night too. I've ordered some free safety on the sea and sailing type guides from there for him, with a CD-Rom too as he was desperate to have them. He got the link from his much loved Shipwrecks book. He says he is going to design a lifeboat for them in a bit.
Tomorrow is another busy one, 1st dog training class(such an oxy-moron saying that for Monty) at lunch time and then Charlie's first session at the gymnastics club in the afternoon. It'll be the first time in over a year he's been anywhere where there is a large group of school children, so I'm not sure how he'll cope.
Sunday, January 08, 2006
Saturday, January 07, 2006
Very lazy day
It's been snowing really quite hard here all day long and so we ended up with a lazy day in. Charlie didn't wake up until 11am and the dog wasn't much before that. I am sick to death of dragging the dog outside to do his business - he is such a pansy for a dobermann! It's only snow/cold/rain fgs! He makes such a fuss - I swear he is going to damage his bladder at this rate.
Charlie has spent the day reading/drawing/making inventions in his head as usual. Todays invention was a mechanical and very complicated bread needer!
I'm hoping that there's no snow or rain tomorrow so we can go down to the park and fly Charlie's plane as we didn't get a chance to today.
Charlie made the lunch sandwiches again today - very nice and I made another Jamie O recipe for dinner - absolutely delicious. Thank you to my parents for 2 of his cook books for christmas, I hate cooking but am really enjoying his recipes so far, they've all been yummy.
Had too much fun being with Charlie today to finish my work so will have to try and get up really early tomorrow morning and do it all before he wakes.
Charlie has spent the day reading/drawing/making inventions in his head as usual. Todays invention was a mechanical and very complicated bread needer!
I'm hoping that there's no snow or rain tomorrow so we can go down to the park and fly Charlie's plane as we didn't get a chance to today.
Charlie made the lunch sandwiches again today - very nice and I made another Jamie O recipe for dinner - absolutely delicious. Thank you to my parents for 2 of his cook books for christmas, I hate cooking but am really enjoying his recipes so far, they've all been yummy.
Had too much fun being with Charlie today to finish my work so will have to try and get up really early tomorrow morning and do it all before he wakes.
Friday, January 06, 2006
The Eeerily Quiet House
Bev left for a week at her mum's yesterday morning, so today has been weird. I was thrilled to say the least that the puppy (Monty) didn't wake up at his usual 7.30 am slot and slept like a good dog until 9.30am - result! I wasn't exactly looking forward to dragging Charlie out of bed at 7.30 so I could feed Monty and then walk him! I swear that dog just *knows* when Bev's here and howls just for her! Charlie excelled at pooper scooping today for me as he appreciates with my knees and back it's not the best job for me - and he didn't even complain!
We enjoyed two walks today with the dog and then Charlie settled down to his new routine. My parents bought me a DAB radio as one of my christmas presents and this means I have been able to introduce Charlie to the delights of Little and Big Toe. So on goes the radio at 3pm and Charlie settles down with his Maths and English work books whilst listening. Bizarely it seems to have the incredible effect of his "work" getting finished far more quickly than I ever imagined and even Maths is easier! It's a delightful 3 hours of childrens programes and Charlie loves it.
Charlie has also been religiously studying the Shipwrecks book I got him from christmas over the last few days, he loves it. I've just ordered him Wizardology
and this book about the Titanic for his birthday as he has been coveting both in Ottakars for a while but the other day they were out of stock!
We enjoyed two walks today with the dog and then Charlie settled down to his new routine. My parents bought me a DAB radio as one of my christmas presents and this means I have been able to introduce Charlie to the delights of Little and Big Toe. So on goes the radio at 3pm and Charlie settles down with his Maths and English work books whilst listening. Bizarely it seems to have the incredible effect of his "work" getting finished far more quickly than I ever imagined and even Maths is easier! It's a delightful 3 hours of childrens programes and Charlie loves it.
Charlie has also been religiously studying the Shipwrecks book I got him from christmas over the last few days, he loves it. I've just ordered him Wizardology
and this book about the Titanic for his birthday as he has been coveting both in Ottakars for a while but the other day they were out of stock!
Thursday, January 05, 2006
Tap..tap..tap
Oh my god - it's actually true - afer 46 days I have internet access at last! I'm so excited and relieved that it's almost an anti-climax. We've both been feeling dreadfully cut off from the home ed "world" since moving as there is nothing going on in this part of the county, that it's so nice to be able to read the blogs again at least.
I did manage to eventually get to speak to the lady in charge of the home ed group in Oxford but in all honesty I was totally put off by the description of what happens which is basically 5 hours of school for home ed children! It's all tutors and lessons, and it's not at all what we're used to. To top it all off you have to book and pay for 5 sessions in advance at £8 per child per session and with my work situation I just can't commit to being out of the house from 9.45-4.30. I wouldn't mind paying that amount but I can never guarrantee when I'll have a quiet enough work day to attend and it's every fortnight too.
So Charlie decided it just isn't for him and I can totally understand why. He doesn't want to sit in "lessons" with tutors for 5 hours, he wants to play, chat and socialise with other home -ed friends, so it was all very disappointing and although we love the new house/area/being on the site of a nature reserve, we are feeling very lonely.
I did manage to eventually get to speak to the lady in charge of the home ed group in Oxford but in all honesty I was totally put off by the description of what happens which is basically 5 hours of school for home ed children! It's all tutors and lessons, and it's not at all what we're used to. To top it all off you have to book and pay for 5 sessions in advance at £8 per child per session and with my work situation I just can't commit to being out of the house from 9.45-4.30. I wouldn't mind paying that amount but I can never guarrantee when I'll have a quiet enough work day to attend and it's every fortnight too.
So Charlie decided it just isn't for him and I can totally understand why. He doesn't want to sit in "lessons" with tutors for 5 hours, he wants to play, chat and socialise with other home -ed friends, so it was all very disappointing and although we love the new house/area/being on the site of a nature reserve, we are feeling very lonely.
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