Heat Wave, Wild Birds, Football,Olympic Games,Wales, Dannys Birthday and Chickenpox (amongst other things)

The Heatwave

Which seems so long ago now - bucketing down out there now.

Spent the week in the garden - couldn't quite face the beaches as we knew how packed they would be, and we were all quite happy staying cool (ish) in our own back yard.

In the Pool

Surfing

Gardening

Dancing

Playing Cards

Also found some cool stuff on the net for James to do,  First one bubble snakes found at Roo Mag

James also made, with my help of course, well I made it as he got bored after 5 minutes - a marble maze box - just from a shoe box and straws.

Lots of lazing around in the garden, with laundry being the only housework type thing going on.

Eventually though it had to change, good for James as he had his Football session and it was a lot cooler.  He enjoyed himself, his team won 3-0 but he was peeved at not scoring a goal, despite setting them up.  He did however give away a penalty, which was saved- think he was bit over zealous lol.

The evening saw us trying to keep an injured bird alive - young thrush.  Bought it inside, fed and watered it then made a nest in a box out of toilet roll.  It survived the night, but sadly died the next day, very peacefully though.

Bloody cats.

This Week

Mikes week off, having not  booked anywhere due to us supposed to have been moving, we decided at the last minute to take a trip to Wales.

Caerphilly Castle -  It is the largest castle in Wales and the second largest in Britain

 The East Leaning Tower - It's actually a steeper angle than the more famous leaning tower in Pisa, Italy. If I recall correctly, the tower was fractured by some exploding gunpowder during the English civil wars

CwmCarn Forest Drive -

Giants Court - Various of 

sculptures from the Welsh legends book The  Mabinogion.

Land of the Tylwyth Teg - Play area with a Fairy Tale Woodland Walk

Windy Ridge - Views of

  The Brecon Beacons - no photos here, basically I was too scared to get out - it was very windy, the car was blowing a bit and we were on the edge of what felt like a very high Mountain Ridge.  So while Mike was driving slowly along telling us to look out at the lovely views, I just screamed at him to drive on - and yes, I may have swore.

Madoc’s Place - with Welsh inspired Sculptures

 

Golyfga Y Mor wit - views of Newport and the Bristol Channel

Cardiff

First of all brekky at Eds Diner - really cool American Diner in St Davids Shopping Centre.

James had great fun in the Lego Shop and spent all of his holiday money in there

We then jumped on a bus (as it was pouring with rain) and went to Cardiff Bay - to the Dr Who Experience

It was brilliant, and James got to "fly" the Tardis - and he told my Dad that we were "literally in space" bless him.

Afterwards we went and had a quick look at The Millennium Stadium, where there was an Olympic Football Game - Japan v S Africa women's.

We had a great time in Wales, but it was good get home

Land of Hope and Glory and all that.

Danny's Birthday was on the 1st, and he did exactly what he wanted - played on his XBox for most of the day.

12 years Old - taller than me already with size 10 feet

Since then James has been a bit under the weather, and all of us, but mainly Mike, having been helping with DIY and decorating around the house, and of course watching the Olympics.

James loves Usain Bolt

Yesterday Mike had an interview, and he dropped us off first to Cafe Reed at Exeter University - where my Mum is the Manager

James had great fun helping her out with little jobs

Discovered why James has been feeling unwell, he has Chicken Pox, well two types actually - the lower mild form, beginning with M which I cant remember the name of - he has very very tiny blistery spots, which he has had for a few days which is what we booked the Docs appointment for - this is the lower form.  Prior to our appointment we noticed bigger blistery spots, two on his back and one on his head, which we recognised as Chickenpox.  

He isn't feeling too bad, and he slept well last night.  Unlike the rest of us - Danny woke us up at 3am.  He got up to go to the lav when he saw a Blue Tit perched on James's Darth Moor Cardboard Cutout life size figure. It then flew into Becky's room.  Mike had to go up and try and get the bird out - you can imagine the hoo-hah it caused.  Eventually the bird flew out.

So we are housebound for a while, which isn't too bad at the moment, raining again, and also lot of Olympic events on.  Also the weather looks like it is about to change and we could have some nice garden weather to look forward to.

Three Week Round Up

Long time no post, so working backwards.

Today

Mike off today, so we were up early trying to do a bit of gardening before the heat wave hit us, but by 10am it was already 25 degrees.   We decided to go to Bernaville nurseries, its a nice gardening centre with ponds and ducks etc.
Rest of the day out in the garden, with all of us having a dip in the paddling pool at some point.
Monday - James had his "pre-school" eye check up at 9.15am - glad it was early as it was so hot.  It went very well and he has good eyesight, thankfully.
Got home and sat in the garden, Becky was quite badly burnt from Sunday so we didn't end up going to the HE Beach trip, which was a shame.
Spent the rest of the morning in the garden.  Went to the Superstore just after lunch to get the weekly shop - bit different from last week, we have gone from warming casseroles, roast dinners and bakes, to salad and jackets, new pots with more salad - basically trying not to cook anything in the oven as it so bloody hot.
Not that I am moaning about the weather of course.

Sunday - Glorious sunshine.  Outside at 8.30am having breakfast, making the most of the beautiful weather.
We decided against going to the beach, and opting for staying in our lovely garden. 

With this being the second day of the school holidays for my older two children, they are enjoying getting up and milling around at their own leisure, so we thought it best to stay at home and take it easy. This of course is a novelty for them as they are usually on their little hamster wheel of getting up, going to school,come home, do their homework, get their bags ready for the next day, go to  bed, then back on the wheel again the next day.

So by 10am it was baking, but great to be outdoors without a rain coat and umbrella. It was so lovely to see James playing with all of his summer stuff - sand pit, paddling pool, football goals, rugby posts, play tent, skateboard, basket ball, gardening and pottering about in his little shed.

Becky and Danny enjoyed the paddling pool too.

Mike went in to, I had no need as I was drenched from being shot at by a water gun.

Later we took James to the park pool

Saturday - James went to his first football session and he loved it.  The instructors were really good, and James got on really well.  They played a little match and James played in goal, saving 6 goals.  He was really chuffed.

Quick trip into Exeter in the afternoon then back to sit out in  the garden.

Later on Mike and I took James to our local park for a swim in the little pool

Friday - saw Becky and Danny finish there first year of school, Becky finishing Year 8 and Danny Year 7. 

It was Enrichment Week -  Danny spent a week with Exeter City Football Club, playing football of course.  He enjoyed it, but did get an injury on the second day (being in goal and flinging himself about of course) which did spoil it a bit for him, but he did get a Goody back with a ticket to see a pre-season match, and he won an Exeter City beach mat!!!

Becky spent a week cooking - she really enjoyed it.  They covered five countries, France, America, England, China and Italy.  She did bring home various dishes, Tiramasu without the alcholol, Sausage Lasagna, French Tart, Victoria Sponge, Cinnamon Rolls, Spring Rolls and a Chinese Dessert that I forget the name of, amongst other lovely dishes.

Also got their reports through - very very good.  Both have met all their targets and in a few subjects they have exceeded their target level.  Mentor reports were very good as well, and it appears they are both outstanding students. Well, of course they are :-)


Thursday - did plan on going into Exeter Musuem, but James was very tired after staying up late the night before, so we stayed at home and sorted out his toys and did some Art and Craft.  We made a Veggie House (from the programme Mr Blooms Nursery on CBeebies). I bought James a CBeebies Special Magazine and it had free figures of the veggies themselves, and inside was a craft idea to make them a home from a cardboard box. 
Thankfully we still have a shoe shop in Crediton (closing down soon to be replaced with a Subway) so I was able to get a Shoe box, and we had all the other items in our craft box.

Also earlier on in the day I decided to make a start on swapping the kids rooms around.  James and Danny to share, with James still sleeping in with us though lol.  Becky will have the smaller room.  All are happy with this it seems.

So I made a start with James's help, then realised I couldn't lift some of the furniture so I had to wait for big strong Husband to come home.  Nice surprise for him lol.

As my Dad had popped in, he sat with James and watched Dr Who and when Mike got home we both finished off swapping the rooms over.  All it needs now is for the wallpaper to be changed.

Wednesday - Mike had to attend a course at his Head Office in Okehampton, so James and I decided to tag along.  The weather was OK and they have a nice library, lovely park and if need be a Museum.

Well I forgot that in Okehampton it mostly rains, and that is what it did all morning.  We managed to keep occupied though with a trip to the Museum, which was very good and only £2.50.

Tuesday Weather not to bad, went to Trago.

Monday - Weather was really bad, but we still went to Decoy Park to meet up with the Teignbridge Home Ed Group.  Lovely time, lovely families.

Weekend - James was a bit poorly, Mike was working and it rained rained rained.


I cannot be bothered to change my title now, but this isn't a three week catch up after all, because I cant blimin well remember past the last week, which is why I get annoyed with myself when I don't blog on a regular basis. 

Happy Sunbathing
Lou x

James attended his second session of Rugby Tots this morning - he really enjoyed it.

Mike was working so my Mum took us in, James insisted that his big bro came along to watch too.

Becky and Danny are off for three days now as it is Parents Day on Monday, so we get to go and talk to their teachers.  Only a few weeks now left of this term, and then they would have both completed a year (give or take a couple of weeks) in school.

So far so good.

Now its time to start planning activities for the school summer holidays - never had to do that before, where on earth do I start?
  
I think the first week will be a novelty of not having to get up and get ready for school each day, so that means no plans and just chilling.

Both children have done extremely well in adjusting to this sudden structure in the mornings, and I have not had any problems in them getting up early every weekday morning to get ready for school.   At a toddler group once, back in the early days of deciding to home educate, and foolishly telling othe rmothers in the group, one lady told me that it was a silly idea and how on earth are my children going to hold down a job in the future.  She said that going to school prepared them for getting up early in the morning and getting ready for work, and that if they were taught at home, they would not be able to get up in time for work as there would be no dicipline at home.

Well, both Becky and Danny get up at 6am, shower, eat, pack there stuff for school and are ready to go out the door at 8.15am.  Sometimes Danny will even make their lunch the evening before.

So in your face Mrs whatsername, who nagged me every Tuesday at the group about home educating.  I actually ended up telling her that we inherited some money and where actually going to send them to Private School - this annoyed her even more and she thought that I thought I was "better" than the rest of them and she didnt speak to me anymore.  Thank goodness for that.

Anyway - back to the here and now.

Becky is making cakes at the moment for the Rugby Car Boot Refreshment Stall tomorrow, grateful that she has made a few extra as they look really scrummy.

Danny is chilling out in his room with his Guitar

Becky has finally got her Keyboard, special deal meant that she got a set of headphones and a stand free.

So lots of practising going on there.   There was a nice moment when Becky was on her keyboard and Danny was accompanying her on the guitar.  This lasted only a few minutes as Danny only knows how to play a few chords, and this irratated Becky slightly.

Started this blog post with the sun streaming through the window, finished his blog post with it chucking down with rain.

Hoping for some dry weather soon, my tan from the April Sun is starting to fade.