A different rhythm

It's been an interesting week of changes this week. We started our new flexi school arrangement.

It's funny because today a friend I don't know very well tagged me in a face book post today about amazing people and how she considered me one of those people, for, amongst other things (and I am trying to be humble, honest lol) home educating. Well, after my epic fail at getting Elijah to school for his two days on time this week, I consider that actually parents that send their children to school every day, on time, to the rhythm of someone else's agenda are better parents than me! I. Just. Couldn't. Do. It. All. The. Time.

It's not like I haven't tried really hard, it just seems like something is against me. Like traffic, sleeping babies, stropping teenagers etc etc. so I must confess, I for one have not found this transition easy.

How about the boy then? Well, we arrived, we were greeted and introduced to the routine that is expected and I stayed for around half an hour to make sure he was happy before I left. He looked quite anxious and pale but he was joining in with circle time on the carpet and so I left. When I collected him at 3pm he looked even more anxious and even paler if that's possible for my already fairly translucent, golden haired boy, but he claimed to have had a lovely time. He did PE and some work on the computer and played outside and threw his carrots on the floor at lunch time.

Mid week we went to our lovely Playbox Theatre session for home educated children and whilst the children were being educated in all things of a dramatic persuasion we parents chatted. There are a number of us who flexi school and I was keen to learn how it worked for others. Issues such as "homework" and the associated "homework diary" have already cropped up and I was relieved to discover that other flexi school parents think these are redundant notions also.

Roll on to today and it's our second day of flexi schooling (did I mention we were late, again?) and this time my over tired, pale, golden haired boy did not want to go. I must admit that I half don't want it to work. There, I've said it! I selfishly want to keep my boy all to myself without anyone else ruining him. But of course, I have 5 boys, including an even smaller youngling. I have to remind myself that flexi schooling was about giving everybody a chance to do separate things and being able to let the littlest one finish his time at toddler groups and the like where school aged children are not welcome. The idea was "its the best of both worlds".

So, as a compromise (read, bribe) I suggested I would collect him at lunch time today as he was very tired. Bless him, he was so deeply asleep when I woke him at 7.20am that it was no wonder the school run was doomed to fail. On collection at lunch time however, he did seem to have perked up somewhat and I was glad that he was happier about the experience. Today in the homework bag was a new shiny pot containing 44 laminated phonemes and a note from Miss explaining that it wasn't necessary for us to record every single book we read together in the "reading record", just the "school books", despite her previous note that we should record every time we read together ;)

So tomorrow is a home ed day. We've switched off the alarm. And we shall learn to the beat of our natural rhythm. Where we can play pirates in our pyjamas, read a hundred books because no one is counting, go to the art gallery whenever we get there and go home again when we've finished. Its been a tough week, but I'm hoping we'll catch hold of this new rhythm soon.

3rd January

Gentle day back into some vague semblance of routine. Actually, that's not true. It's nearly midnight and Elijah is still up. I read some research today which suggested that children who lack fixed time routines for meal times and bed times don't do as well at school. I figured we have fixed meal times pretty much and don't go to school so two out if three ain't bad!

We went to a birthday party today and had a lovely time. The parents were "music together" teachers so the activity at the party was great. Lots of singing, dancing and playing musical instruments as part of a group of around 15 kids and as many adults again. Elijah didn't really participate, he had found a car building kit of a certain little shiny red sports car affectionately known as lightning and the queen in my house, so he took himself off to do that in typical "construction mad" style. Barnaby, however, was enthralled with the whole thing. Perhaps I should consider signing up for a music course with him.

The boys made cards themselves to give to their birthday friend and Elijah's writing is really coming on. He is keen to copy as much as he can when he doesn't know the spelling himself. I noticed too that Barnaby's pencil grip is looking very sophisticated these days too for a 21 month old. :)

Christmas 2011

We had a peaceful Christmas at home with everybody in relatively good health compared to previous years. Connor was home from uni and I've got used to him being around again. It is surprising how the family dynamic shifts when there's one less boy in the house. ;)

New Year, New Blog!

As the new year rolls in and change is abreast in our household, my new year resolution is to blog better. I really want this to be a great record of the things we do whilst my youngest boys are still young!

From next week Elijah is going to be flexi schooling two days a week at a small village school where there are currently only 40 children in total. He will be part of a class of 18. As ususal I still constantly question whether I am doing the best thing for them, but as my wise hubby says, if it doesnt work out then we will go back to home educating full time.

I think my motivation for this change hasm been largely to do with Barnaby. As Elijah is getting older Im finding that we are less welcome at the normal pre school toddler groups and activities, plus the little two boys are beginning to fight a bit more (all normal as I recall from the bigger boys childhood!) so I figured a bit of "Barnaby and me" time would be good for him - either at home or at toddler groups. So there is the rationale behind my thinking.

We have already got into "back to school" mode this week - Elijah has been keen to work through a new work book he got for christmas (cruel parent, I know!) and he is loving his leap pad writer. We have also set up a desk and a "writing" area for all of his "school work" so that he can dip in whenever he chooses. So far............he's loving it!

Not back to school

Its September!

Where did August go?

Most of my friends little ones have started school this week. Face book is full of people's little treasures all togged up in their new uniforms, clean, shiny and raring to go (or not in some cases). I think it is so sad that so many parents cant wait to "get rid" of the kids when they go off to school, and I guess I take comfort in my smugness for all the wonderful, special moments that Im going to share with my younglings that other parents wont.

But not us. Its Not Back To School Week for us. And although I like to live life in the slow lane, September heralds a time when I feel I need to step up a gear in our home education life style. We havent stopped learning over the summer (in fact since the day they were born!) but I feel a fresh start whilst we're all enthusiastic for September is the way forward! It is so easy to waste days away and I dont want to miss a thing.


Im feeling very organised and efficient this week. I have some planning in place for the term (some topic ideas and plenty of trips out) plus I have invested in some Jolly Phonics resources and a shiny new box file for all of Elijah's busy work! He is clearly picking up on my effervescent enthusiasm, as he is very keen on doing his busy work (phonics) and loves his new box file. I have also subscribed to Education City and Reading Eggs which Elijah LOVES - learning via the computer really appeals to his style of learning ;)

I have also invested in a lovely new camera to document our adventures in photographs - its very complicated with lots of buttons and gadgets and I havent got a clue how to use it, but I will learn ;)

Introducing Marley

Our family grew last month! By one adorable canine, known as Marley.

It happened by accident really - a friend bred a litter, I said I always wanted a black dog and out of the whole litter there was only one black dog! So he practically had our name on!Here he is:

Do you have staff?

A lot has changed since I last blogged! We have increased in number!

We now are the proud tenants of a large allotment and the pround new keepers of a beautiful black labrador puppy.

Pictures speak a thousand words, so here first is a quick round up of all things allotment:

So this was what we started with followed by some serious digging by Lox!


First few things going in - mostly early potatoes and carrots.


We are just beginning to harvest stuff now and its delicious!


Its been a dry season so we have had to water. A. LOT. Folowed by a period of sunshine and showers (I think spring and summer got confused about the order this year) and so currently we are battling weeds. I constantly feel like Im on the back leg with the allotment, but other, more experienced alottmenters tell me that they still feel like this after 40 years!

I recently posted some of these photos on facebook and a friend left this comment:

"Is there no limit to your energy and talents!? Sarah is a mix of admiration and resentment! She wonders if u have staff?"

Now that got me thinking...................