tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79572320851260774552024-03-13T02:25:39.392+00:00What Francesca DidHome education - a diary of our homeschooling experience.Mrs Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744432053755759201noreply@blogger.comBlogger150125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7957232085126077455.post-66530048540745798662013-07-27T20:19:00.000+01:002013-07-27T20:19:07.132+01:00Construction Industry and Babywearing<div class="mobile-photo">
We mostly have Auntie Becca to thank for today's activities.</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
The much-loved marble run:</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bJTR09ieaGw/UfQYCz1V2-I/AAAAAAAAFG4/HN-2CrF-0D8/s1600/photo%2B1-734103.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5905371447942306786" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bJTR09ieaGw/UfQYCz1V2-I/AAAAAAAAFG4/HN-2CrF-0D8/s320/photo%2B1-734103.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
Some awesome Gears! action:</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6lIaelAVpZ8/UfQYDwpzBsI/AAAAAAAAFHE/LORH6kLo8rw/s1600/photo%2B2-737364.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5905371464268449474" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6lIaelAVpZ8/UfQYDwpzBsI/AAAAAAAAFHE/LORH6kLo8rw/s320/photo%2B2-737364.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
The incredible Moving Monkeys construction:</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FpdkuymwNF8/UfQYEzSW5XI/AAAAAAAAFHQ/g8LQCq0ZB0Y/s1600/photo%2B3-741529.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5905371482155312498" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FpdkuymwNF8/UfQYEzSW5XI/AAAAAAAAFHQ/g8LQCq0ZB0Y/s320/photo%2B3-741529.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vqBO8lz8W9A/UfQYF2RPrQI/AAAAAAAAFHc/Uj7XqLUi5-M/s1600/photo%2B4-745602.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5905371500135820546" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vqBO8lz8W9A/UfQYF2RPrQI/AAAAAAAAFHc/Uj7XqLUi5-M/s320/photo%2B4-745602.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
And, as a nice change from construction, a nice demonstration of babywearing.</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nrVFAg9jeXY/UfQYG818uQI/AAAAAAAAFHo/xprZUEkX5F8/s1600/photo%2B5-749194.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5905371519080249602" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nrVFAg9jeXY/UfQYG818uQI/AAAAAAAAFHo/xprZUEkX5F8/s320/photo%2B5-749194.JPG" /></a></div>
Mrs Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744432053755759201noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7957232085126077455.post-67944077773151370892013-07-27T13:39:00.002+01:002013-07-27T13:39:36.623+01:00No, We're Not Having a Summer Break<div class="mobile-photo">
The holidays are here. But not for us. More on that in a moment.<br />
<br />
Firstly, I would like to point out that I am in favour of the six weeks' holiday for schools. For those staff and children who have packed more than a year's worth of work into 39 weeks, they not only deserve a break, they <i>need </i>one. Very much so. For them, the summer is a time of recovery, reflection and preparation. To shorten it would be a mistake.<br />
<br />
Why then, are my children and I not 'breaking for the summer'?<br />
<br />
Haven't we worked hard enough?<br />
<br />
Am I just plain mean?<br />
<br />
Many people have asked me, "Have you broken up for summer?" and "Have you finished work now?" and so on.<br />
<br />
No. We haven't.<br />
<br />
Here's why:<br />
<br />
We are home educating, which is quite different from recreating 'school' at home.<br />
<br />
We do not sit down at our desks between the hours of 9 and 3.15, thence to leap joyfully into the sushine. Far from it.<br />
<br />
You're more likely to find us playing games, indoors or out, than filling in a worksheet.<br />
<br />
You'll catch us Doing more than Listening.<br />
<br />
Our days consist of following our interests and curiosity, far more than we follow any arbitrary agenda.<br />
<br />
Isn't that the point?<br />
<br />
Because I only have three children in my 'class', their learning can be very self-directed and individually tailored.<br />
<br />
Because I live with them, 'school' can take place over breakfast, in the bath and at bedtime.<br />
<br />
My children get out their Maths books when they feel like it. There is no Maths lesson and therefore there is no End Of Lesson.<br />
<br />
Learning is part of life. It happens all the time.<br />
<br />
Isn't that true for you, too, as an adult? When you want to know about something, you find out. You don't say, "Oh, it's after 4pm, I'm not going to learn anything else today."<br />
<br />
We don't do 'school' - we live life. We explore, we question, we investigate, we experiment, we play.<br />
<br />
For my part, I try to follow some advice I read early on in my home ed journey and <b><i>leave an interesting trail.</i></b><br />
<br />
If I start baking, measuring, drawing, building or whatever, I soon have several curious little people wanting to have a go too. It works.<br />
<br />
At other times, my children go off and occupy themselves, increasingly with role-play games and still lots of Lego, Gears, Marble Run etc.<br />
<br />
When they start to get frustrated with each other, I direct them to something else.<br />
<br />
I never sit them down and tell them what they have to learn.<br />
<br />
So, if by 'break' people mean letting my children go off and do their own thing, entirely, I'd ask them, what's fun about that? Un-directed youngsters soon become fractious and start fighting. I certainly don't want to spend 6 weeks listening to my children being silly or, worse, parking them in front of the tv to keep them quiet.<br />
<br />
I love doing interesting things with the children. That's why I home educate. I love art, baking, board-games, word games, making music, singing French songs. I love going for walks, exploring, collecting leaves, playing outside. I love play-dates and picnics. I love National Trust gardens and farm shop tea rooms.<br />
<br />
I hate noisy, silly behaviour from unattended children who have long-since finished their cooperative play and have overdosed on CBeebies.<br />
<br />
Why, when our life of learning is so fun, would I want a break?<br />
<br />
So no, we haven't finished work. We never even started :o)<br />
<br />
Latest pics:<br />
<br />
Making 6's from different combinations of Duplo:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aW8cAAKu2X0/UfLBEr6uhCI/AAAAAAAAFFo/o1uuMtdPcUY/s1600/photo%2B1-732275.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5904994347688821794" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aW8cAAKu2X0/UfLBEr6uhCI/AAAAAAAAFFo/o1uuMtdPcUY/s320/photo%2B1-732275.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
Beating eggs for bread and butter pudding (Elizabeth and Sebastian had already buttered the bread):<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MfhYJia74Uk/UfLBF5qTnBI/AAAAAAAAFF0/2hbw6bbv0Ng/s1600/photo%2B2-736846.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5904994368557915154" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MfhYJia74Uk/UfLBF5qTnBI/AAAAAAAAFF0/2hbw6bbv0Ng/s320/photo%2B2-736846.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
Mixing in the cinnamon:<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wvcKK5YHjTQ/UfLBG4XWqUI/AAAAAAAAFGA/8T87AXm7-6w/s1600/photo%2B3-741463.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5904994385389857090" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wvcKK5YHjTQ/UfLBG4XWqUI/AAAAAAAAFGA/8T87AXm7-6w/s320/photo%2B3-741463.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
Playing cards:<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tHPeQ6H9Zgo/UfLBH_oyBXI/AAAAAAAAFGM/yClKc8OatBM/s1600/photo%2B4-745603.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5904994404521870706" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tHPeQ6H9Zgo/UfLBH_oyBXI/AAAAAAAAFGM/yClKc8OatBM/s320/photo%2B4-745603.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
Elizabeth helping Sebastian with his sticker book:<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XQyoYLCSIdo/UfLBIygcZlI/AAAAAAAAFGY/zNJuoSIToEA/s1600/photo%2B5-749288.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5904994418177107538" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XQyoYLCSIdo/UfLBIygcZlI/AAAAAAAAFGY/zNJuoSIToEA/s320/photo%2B5-749288.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
Francesca arranging stickers on her 'dressing up fairies' book:<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fA0ayxDUOaQ/UfLBK9pHqnI/AAAAAAAAFGk/PupbA1q03lk/s1600/photo-756235.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5904994455526025842" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fA0ayxDUOaQ/UfLBK9pHqnI/AAAAAAAAFGk/PupbA1q03lk/s320/photo-756235.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Mrs Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744432053755759201noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7957232085126077455.post-39222478802664781912013-07-25T21:16:00.001+01:002013-07-25T21:16:31.335+01:00Better Maths<div class="mobile-photo">
Sebastian still loves his playdough:</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kK55vo7FKLQ/UfGAW72v0-I/AAAAAAAAFE0/Ybd5NS79SLk/s1600/photo%2B1-730678.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5904641717972227042" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kK55vo7FKLQ/UfGAW72v0-I/AAAAAAAAFE0/Ybd5NS79SLk/s320/photo%2B1-730678.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
Had a lovely time today all sat round the table doing tangrams. Abuelita joined in and Sebastian did his maths app on my phone.</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0PNsJHN6VFE/UfGAXTRr5QI/AAAAAAAAFFA/Kd4ouBR6eA8/s1600/photo%2B2-732936.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5904641724259230978" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0PNsJHN6VFE/UfGAXTRr5QI/AAAAAAAAFFA/Kd4ouBR6eA8/s320/photo%2B2-732936.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
And what of the problem I was alluding to in a previous post?</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
I set the girls a Maths challenge, which was to draw this shape without taking their pencil off the paper and without going over any line twice.</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
Both have worked diligently over the last few days, making several attempts to solve the problem. Today, I added an incentive. The first person to solve the mystery gets a Kinder egg.</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
Elizabeth struggled to draw the triangles making up the shape so I drew out lots of copies of the shape in yellow felt-pen for her to trace over.</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
She had spent ages on the task.</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ikGGX5gXbUs/UfGAYyJnwfI/AAAAAAAAFFY/pHNsIAkH1Vc/s1600/photo%2B4-738570.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5904641749726773746" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ikGGX5gXbUs/UfGAYyJnwfI/AAAAAAAAFFY/pHNsIAkH1Vc/s320/photo%2B4-738570.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
When she was struggling, I suggested she try making it in playdough.</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
I'm not sure why the hat...</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vhwZibwstDc/UfGAGpjO-OI/AAAAAAAAFEo/pLXQa-kldx4/s1600/photo%2B5-765599.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5904641438180636898" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vhwZibwstDc/UfGAGpjO-OI/AAAAAAAAFEo/pLXQa-kldx4/s320/photo%2B5-765599.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
The playdough didn't help but she made some lovely 'biscuits'.</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
Then Grandpa took the children out for a walk.</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
Later that day...</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ffE6cl9XIzI/UfGAYN_iDkI/AAAAAAAAFFI/c0m-1XICqxg/s1600/photo%2B3-736172.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5904641740020780610" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ffE6cl9XIzI/UfGAYN_iDkI/AAAAAAAAFFI/c0m-1XICqxg/s320/photo%2B3-736172.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
Ta da! Elizabeth solved the problem and won the egg. She is SO pleased with herself and had no hints at all. I am being sure to praise her tenacity and effort.</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
Francesca, meanwhile, hasn't spent so long on the task and will get the runner up chocolate prize when she solves it - so don't tell her, ok?!</div>
Mrs Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744432053755759201noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7957232085126077455.post-28124716822700617002013-07-25T21:09:00.005+01:002013-07-25T21:09:54.641+01:00Princesses and Playdough<div class="mobile-photo">
This was yesterday. Elizabeth made a beautiful (well, she thought so!) crown and wand to transform herself into a fairy princess.</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
Here she is sticking the word 'princess' (made of foam in elegant but illegible script) on backwards. I actually prefer it that way.</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KeJuTPqwMos/UfGADyY_36I/AAAAAAAAFD4/a6Cw09BNzi0/s1600/photo%2B1-754191.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5904641389014015906" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KeJuTPqwMos/UfGADyY_36I/AAAAAAAAFD4/a6Cw09BNzi0/s320/photo%2B1-754191.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
Sebastian loves Francesca's new geometry set and has been carefully drawing round it.</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5AgqYdH3Ea4/UfGAEZqjpKI/AAAAAAAAFEE/QU43RBPpGzA/s1600/photo%2B2-757126.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5904641399556646050" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5AgqYdH3Ea4/UfGAEZqjpKI/AAAAAAAAFEE/QU43RBPpGzA/s320/photo%2B2-757126.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
Francesca has some cardboard girl-shapes to decorate in collage.</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wye2s8HQTEU/UfGAFPzjTuI/AAAAAAAAFEQ/eMLoswd9v_M/s1600/photo%2B3-759960.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5904641414089887458" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wye2s8HQTEU/UfGAFPzjTuI/AAAAAAAAFEQ/eMLoswd9v_M/s320/photo%2B3-759960.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
More lines ruled:</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EmY6zbfhvNM/UfGAFweTXAI/AAAAAAAAFEc/TC7kedtiyrc/s1600/photo%2B4-762522.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5904641422859131906" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EmY6zbfhvNM/UfGAFweTXAI/AAAAAAAAFEc/TC7kedtiyrc/s320/photo%2B4-762522.JPG" /></a></div>
Mrs Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744432053755759201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7957232085126077455.post-26905906792457377152013-07-25T21:06:00.001+01:002013-07-25T21:06:59.897+01:00Dough and Go and a New Approach To Maths<div class="mobile-photo">
Yey! No playgroup! </div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
That's not to say that Elizabeth didn't LOVE playgroup and all the people there, but my life is so much easier.</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
How lovely, this morning (well, it was 'that' morning, since I'm posting this belatedly but you get the gist) to get straight into action with Elizabeth.</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
She was up early, finished breakfast and helping me shape bread rolls before Francesca was even dressed.</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
Here are her buns:</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JGGIpro0NPI/Ue7k47c0inI/AAAAAAAAFDc/T1bVoYt1xoA/s1600/photo%2B1-758609.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5903907828211681906" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JGGIpro0NPI/Ue7k47c0inI/AAAAAAAAFDc/T1bVoYt1xoA/s320/photo%2B1-758609.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
Then we made and played our own game of Go. You might have to Google it because I don't have time to explain it all now. Suffice to say that it is part of our New Approach to Maths.</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J2o0hsePqto/Ue7k5t_MzQI/AAAAAAAAFDk/Wlsudhg8hvY/s1600/photo%2B2-761613.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5903907841777650946" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J2o0hsePqto/Ue7k5t_MzQI/AAAAAAAAFDk/Wlsudhg8hvY/s320/photo%2B2-761613.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<b><u>Our New Approach To Maths</u></b></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
Among my home-educating friends, a discussion has cropped up.</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
It is about Maths.</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
This discussion rumbled tentatively into action a few months ago when we watched a wonderful TED talk by a school Maths teacher, saying that the Maths curriculum is mostly boring and irrelevant. He said that Maths could best be learnt through playing games and exploring and discovering. I forget the rest but it was a stirring talk that prompted me to rush off and acquire more games.</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
The question of Maths has re-asserted itself again, this week, via A Mathematician's Lament by Paul Lockhart. In his lengthly (and amusingly well written) lament, Lockhart is addressing the same issues of a tedious, irrelevant Maths curriculum and what should be done about it.</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
To paraphrase and massively over-simplify: children do not gain much from being taught formulaic methods and 'rules'. They are missing out on the simple joy of discovering for oneself the patterns and beauty of maths. They are also missing out on the elegant history of maths and mathematicians: how these so-called rules were arrived at in the first place.</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
The answer is to create more opportunities for playing with logic, reason, patterns, shape, volume etc.</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
Et voila. We've made and played with our Go board. I've drawn out a Nine Man's Morris board and I've set the girls a challenge to think about. More on that later.</div>
Mrs Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744432053755759201noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7957232085126077455.post-45397304441332365162013-07-20T06:45:00.000+01:002013-07-20T06:45:04.958+01:00Last Day Of Term<div class="mobile-photo">
Yesterday Elizabeth finished playgroup. It was the last session and I am sad and glad about that at the same time.</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
She has loved playgroup and will miss it. On the other hand, I am really looking forward to the increased productivity that I hope will result from not having our day tied to the playgroup schedule.</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QwhGq7toj-I/UeoTqYXVGVI/AAAAAAAAFCw/mFrVJHCoylo/s1600/photo%2B2-752693.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5902551880438192466" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QwhGq7toj-I/UeoTqYXVGVI/AAAAAAAAFCw/mFrVJHCoylo/s320/photo%2B2-752693.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
Even though I've had loads of help from kind friends, taking and bringing Elizabeth to and from playgroup, the fact that she comes and goes not only divides our day into two small halves, it also disrupts Francesca while the two of them 'greet' each other (by which I generally mean fight to re-establish dominance)</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
Now that Elizabeth will be officially not starting school in September, I'm planning to take this opportunity to add more structure to the girls' day and encourage more formal learning: a set number of maths sessions per week, perhaps; more joint English work; shared French lessons and so on.</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
More on those vague thoughts later, I expect. But for now, I leave you with....</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
Cake.</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
Our parting gifts for the playgroup staff. Elizabeth wanted to make them some little chocolate cakes. So we did!</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KmschryM9dw/UeoTp5ZWvfI/AAAAAAAAFCo/0lGZBDZfZWs/s1600/photo%2B1-750232.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5902551872125189618" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KmschryM9dw/UeoTp5ZWvfI/AAAAAAAAFCo/0lGZBDZfZWs/s320/photo%2B1-750232.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9KvbbwFB1hM/UeoTq2YIo-I/AAAAAAAAFDA/RfRBP-giDAI/s1600/photo%2B3-754942.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5902551888494633954" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9KvbbwFB1hM/UeoTq2YIo-I/AAAAAAAAFDA/RfRBP-giDAI/s320/photo%2B3-754942.JPG" /></a></div>
Mrs Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744432053755759201noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7957232085126077455.post-63952625600090640492013-07-20T06:38:00.003+01:002013-07-20T06:38:58.499+01:00Maths and craft<div class="mobile-photo">
Images from this week - actually, we did a lot of things but it was mostly playing out in the sunshine and splodging in the paddling pool. These are the more educational-sounding activities that we engaged in.</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
Extra Duplo borrowed from a neighbour to use for maths:</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Dh12LQyTpss/Uehr-nSNnEI/AAAAAAAAFBo/Xkw7SQ6F4Yw/s1600/photo%2B1-790098.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5902086035110468674" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Dh12LQyTpss/Uehr-nSNnEI/AAAAAAAAFBo/Xkw7SQ6F4Yw/s320/photo%2B1-790098.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
Speaking of maths - some early sorting and counting with draughts:</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gA9u7nbd-kQ/Uehr_DoRt1I/AAAAAAAAFB0/U-f5b1-ud5Y/s1600/photo%2B2-792081.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5902086042719205202" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gA9u7nbd-kQ/Uehr_DoRt1I/AAAAAAAAFB0/U-f5b1-ud5Y/s320/photo%2B2-792081.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
Francesca enthusiastically making a pop-up card from Grandma and Grandad's present:</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o-ulZkONzww/Uehr_5TXsRI/AAAAAAAAFCA/Olf_4aZcBmY/s1600/photo%2B3-795389.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5902086057127031058" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o-ulZkONzww/Uehr_5TXsRI/AAAAAAAAFCA/Olf_4aZcBmY/s320/photo%2B3-795389.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
Said pop-up card written to thank her friend for her present:</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AdyD99gzMc4/UehsAp2ErFI/AAAAAAAAFCI/3bR0lf5lXWg/s1600/photo%2B4-797732.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5902086070157487186" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AdyD99gzMc4/UehsAp2ErFI/AAAAAAAAFCI/3bR0lf5lXWg/s320/photo%2B4-797732.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
The card looks great!</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tnqRhJWdSmQ/UehsBMru2XI/AAAAAAAAFCU/Jn_2KgLCAsA/s1600/photo%2B5-799525.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5902086079509354866" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tnqRhJWdSmQ/UehsBMru2XI/AAAAAAAAFCU/Jn_2KgLCAsA/s320/photo%2B5-799525.JPG" /></a></div>
Mrs Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744432053755759201noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7957232085126077455.post-2796088769194035382013-07-20T06:35:00.004+01:002013-07-20T06:35:46.832+01:00Marble Run, Crumble and Art Again<div class="mobile-photo">
These from the past week or so...<br />
<br />
Sebastian loves the marble run:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5D7VlA3N_1o/UehrHVZT-KI/AAAAAAAAE_s/CtSzQZmd1Xg/s1600/photo%2B1-768821.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5902085085415602338" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5D7VlA3N_1o/UehrHVZT-KI/AAAAAAAAE_s/CtSzQZmd1Xg/s320/photo%2B1-768821.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
Francesca enjoys Timez Attack on the computer (it's a maths game that's having her learn her times tables):<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CZLHJNyuiYU/UehrIGTHimI/AAAAAAAAE_0/M4radqx8emM/s1600/photo%2B2-771685.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5902085098542959202" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CZLHJNyuiYU/UehrIGTHimI/AAAAAAAAE_0/M4radqx8emM/s320/photo%2B2-771685.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
Francesca makes rhubarb crumble, almost entirely unaided:<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A3f1W2c7f_A/UehrIsB4euI/AAAAAAAAFAA/313CDyktVHQ/s1600/photo%2B3-773584.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5902085108671216354" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A3f1W2c7f_A/UehrIsB4euI/AAAAAAAAFAA/313CDyktVHQ/s320/photo%2B3-773584.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
Francesca is keen to start her new "Wizard Things To Make And Do" book and makes a fantastic wizard card as her first Thank You letter:<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cFsQHxnKK4M/UehrJEoZvvI/AAAAAAAAFAQ/Ui6QW7xiCRw/s1600/photo%2B4-776191.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5902085115275230962" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cFsQHxnKK4M/UehrJEoZvvI/AAAAAAAAFAQ/Ui6QW7xiCRw/s320/photo%2B4-776191.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
Sebastian finds a renewed interest in painting and comments on the colours as he mixes them, noticing that he ends up with brown:<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T6Pn-54etl8/UehrJ6REX6I/AAAAAAAAFAc/4keC4Xsdmb4/s1600/photo%2B5-779288.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5902085129672875938" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-T6Pn-54etl8/UehrJ6REX6I/AAAAAAAAFAc/4keC4Xsdmb4/s320/photo%2B5-779288.JPG" /></a><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WV5stFd-MsI/UehrmyEM74I/AAAAAAAAFAs/g5_gYkokMnY/s1600/photo%2B1-795260.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5902085625687633794" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WV5stFd-MsI/UehrmyEM74I/AAAAAAAAFAs/g5_gYkokMnY/s320/photo%2B1-795260.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
Finger painting is still fun:<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UY9wFosa_fI/UehrnldennI/AAAAAAAAFA0/MBUt44e9GR4/s1600/photo%2B2-797598.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5902085639483858546" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UY9wFosa_fI/UehrnldennI/AAAAAAAAFA0/MBUt44e9GR4/s320/photo%2B2-797598.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
Francesca thoroughly enjoys decorating her big number six, that she got for her birthday:<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TCwDx79pt90/UehroOAIFAI/AAAAAAAAFBA/oCoZKruPot0/s1600/photo%2B3-799620.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5902085650366600194" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TCwDx79pt90/UehroOAIFAI/AAAAAAAAFBA/oCoZKruPot0/s320/photo%2B3-799620.JPG" /></a><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KpgjF6e4POg/UehrovD0eFI/AAAAAAAAFBQ/V9C4LSrFCLo/s1600/photo%2B4-701732.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5902085659240462418" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KpgjF6e4POg/UehrovD0eFI/AAAAAAAAFBQ/V9C4LSrFCLo/s320/photo%2B4-701732.JPG" /></a><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LXX6-V2nJbw/Uehrpb1C7ZI/AAAAAAAAFBY/50YcMt3pGuc/s1600/photo%2B5-705198.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5902085671258090898" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LXX6-V2nJbw/Uehrpb1C7ZI/AAAAAAAAFBY/50YcMt3pGuc/s320/photo%2B5-705198.JPG" /></a></div>
Mrs Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744432053755759201noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7957232085126077455.post-61873946802449211122013-07-05T20:16:00.005+01:002013-07-05T20:16:42.102+01:00Taking Tea<div class="mobile-photo">
This was lovely! Sebastian and his friend here, taking tea together in the playhouse, complete with full role-play 'house'. They played for ages, encompassing pretend bedtime, then the cockeral crowing (as it never does here! but it does at this little girl's grandma's, apparently) and breakfast time (Sebastian felt it a priority to point out, several times). I loved hearing Sebastian fully engrossed in proper imaginative play with a real friend.</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DoC7jKn6VnY/UdcYSjPd7vI/AAAAAAAAE-4/vqTCHXE9sR0/s1600/photo%2B1-754270.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5897208944041783026" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DoC7jKn6VnY/UdcYSjPd7vI/AAAAAAAAE-4/vqTCHXE9sR0/s320/photo%2B1-754270.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
And drumming.</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
Can't say I enjoyed hearing <i>that </i>quite so much, but it was clearly very satisfying for the drummer himself.</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wgVrFWGVgDc/UdcYTSwrJsI/AAAAAAAAE_E/ronFpyaUG2Y/s1600/photo%2B2-756602.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5897208956797527746" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wgVrFWGVgDc/UdcYTSwrJsI/AAAAAAAAE_E/ronFpyaUG2Y/s320/photo%2B2-756602.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fq02934TAzs/UdcYT2tHeqI/AAAAAAAAE_Q/pbinOnuZ0xY/s1600/photo%2B3-759202.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5897208966446283426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fq02934TAzs/UdcYT2tHeqI/AAAAAAAAE_Q/pbinOnuZ0xY/s320/photo%2B3-759202.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IYNXmCYPqtY/UdcYUsjaPYI/AAAAAAAAE_c/f6zoGdbtwyo/s1600/photo%2B4-761783.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5897208980901084546" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IYNXmCYPqtY/UdcYUsjaPYI/AAAAAAAAE_c/f6zoGdbtwyo/s320/photo%2B4-761783.JPG" /></a></div>
Mrs Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744432053755759201noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7957232085126077455.post-59387208740193760942013-07-05T20:04:00.003+01:002013-07-05T20:04:44.494+01:00Picnics and PE<div class="mobile-photo">
Some images from the last few days...</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
The first two from a morning when Elizabeth was at playgroup, Sebastian was playing with playdough and Francesca was doing maths. I had my computer on! Not for long, but never the less, it felt like An Important Moment.</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xcKQoR16n88/UdcXz4SgyYI/AAAAAAAAE9I/eiC1PXctv4o/s1600/photo%2B1-730756.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5897208417115752834" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xcKQoR16n88/UdcXz4SgyYI/AAAAAAAAE9I/eiC1PXctv4o/s320/photo%2B1-730756.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kGj1v6wd0GQ/UdcX0U-L3JI/AAAAAAAAE9U/x3UNCE9lOb4/s1600/photo%2B2-733231.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5897208424815123602" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kGj1v6wd0GQ/UdcX0U-L3JI/AAAAAAAAE9U/x3UNCE9lOb4/s320/photo%2B2-733231.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
We've had lots of picnics this week - the girls get out the rug and arrange the toys, then I produce a big tray full of bread, salad and cheese. Easy!</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v2R9sNToLe0/UdcX1DAK8JI/AAAAAAAAE9g/dC3Kihh8B_Q/s1600/photo%2B3-735778.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5897208437171482770" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v2R9sNToLe0/UdcX1DAK8JI/AAAAAAAAE9g/dC3Kihh8B_Q/s320/photo%2B3-735778.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
While Francesca was having her violin lesson, Elizabeth and Sebastian did PE (we could call it that, couldn't we?!) with the ladybird-patterned ball. Sebastian calls it his "ladyball" but perhaps we shouldn't mention that.</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JxUO8gfK43Q/UdcX165QITI/AAAAAAAAE9s/QET0QdsdBA0/s1600/photo%2B4-738679.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5897208452174848306" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JxUO8gfK43Q/UdcX165QITI/AAAAAAAAE9s/QET0QdsdBA0/s320/photo%2B4-738679.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
Nice bouncing, Elizabeth.</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iBUDl_nHeek/UdcX2Uf7rtI/AAAAAAAAE94/Mt0HedAwDRI/s1600/photo%2B5-741144.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5897208459047972562" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iBUDl_nHeek/UdcX2Uf7rtI/AAAAAAAAE94/Mt0HedAwDRI/s320/photo%2B5-741144.JPG" /></a></div>
Mrs Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744432053755759201noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7957232085126077455.post-50923239274226977102013-07-01T20:34:00.002+01:002013-07-01T20:34:49.446+01:00Clay Ladybirds, Some Maths and a Play<div class="mobile-photo">
Ok so THIS was today (having posted up many updates from the last week or so, all at once! The cinema was Saturday, Fallodon was Sunday) Now we're up to date.</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
We did quite a bit of playing out, despite the weather being patchy rainy and not so hot.</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
When it did actually rain, we aborted our picnic in the park plan and had a picnic in the sitting room instead. I randomly decided to speak French during this, so we revised a few things and learnt some words and phrases to do with food and eating.</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
We played this video of the <a href="http://lolclassic.com/?w=x_GqzWecDZg&title=un-e%CC%81le%CC%81phant-qui-se-balanc%CC%A7ait">elephant song in French</a> and had fun learning a bit about the vocabulary therein and learning to sing the song together. It's a really fun song and we all enjoyed it.</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
Later, we started to paint the clay ladybirds that Elizabeth and Sebastian had made last week from air-drying clay and pipe-cleaners. 'Ladybirds' is an increasingly loose term, given that our pipe-cleaner legs are purple (Elizabeth's) and white (Sebastian's) and the body-paint is yellow (Elizabeth's) and purple (Sebastian's). Let's hope I can find some black acrylic to do faces and spots, otherwise these are going to be unreconisable as ladybirds. They'll have to become 'beetles'.</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MEjdmxzj-ks/UdHVUXrmwDI/AAAAAAAAE7I/mEfO5A0defI/s1600/photo%2B1-729048.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5895727933135700018" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MEjdmxzj-ks/UdHVUXrmwDI/AAAAAAAAE7I/mEfO5A0defI/s320/photo%2B1-729048.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
Francesca painted Sebastian's for him. It was probably neater that way.</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m4p9y0ROIXk/UdHVU4sTWLI/AAAAAAAAE7U/rNJl8-QnUwo/s1600/photo%2B2-731173.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5895727941996992690" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m4p9y0ROIXk/UdHVU4sTWLI/AAAAAAAAE7U/rNJl8-QnUwo/s320/photo%2B2-731173.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
He didn't mind a bit. He had great fun with the acrylic paint anyway, on some paper.</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W8vbOHIsfF0/UdHVVZ9uLBI/AAAAAAAAE7g/08zQR_72rho/s1600/photo%2B3-733373.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5895727950928423954" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W8vbOHIsfF0/UdHVVZ9uLBI/AAAAAAAAE7g/08zQR_72rho/s320/photo%2B3-733373.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
And we did some Maths, with Lego. Francesca really "gets it" if she can work with something concrete and visual. Otherwise, sometimes, (like today!) she is just lost/unable to focus.</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
Elizabeth practised writing some numbers, then she read some of her old/easy reading books to me, which is great for her confidence.</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LsB11LGcQH0/UdHVWCej4HI/AAAAAAAAE7s/YRMB4yko2zM/s1600/photo%2B4-735982.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5895727961803579506" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LsB11LGcQH0/UdHVWCej4HI/AAAAAAAAE7s/YRMB4yko2zM/s320/photo%2B4-735982.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
Finally, after tea, the weather held long enough for us to make it all the way to the park.</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HD4h-UW3_No/UdHVWqYATwI/AAAAAAAAE74/3G2_n8KMc1M/s1600/photo%2B5-738258.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5895727972513500930" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HD4h-UW3_No/UdHVWqYATwI/AAAAAAAAE74/3G2_n8KMc1M/s320/photo%2B5-738258.JPG" /></a></div>
Mrs Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744432053755759201noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7957232085126077455.post-88078911548721440332013-07-01T20:24:00.003+01:002013-07-01T20:40:58.208+01:00Fallodon Hall<div class="mobile-photo">
Red Cross garden scheme open day at Fallodon Hall. Excellent weather, superb grounds and lots of fun.</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CfJI1bdlIK4/UdHU6pbYw3I/AAAAAAAAE6M/DlTah9RvfVE/s1600/photo%2B1-726303.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5895727491222913906" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CfJI1bdlIK4/UdHU6pbYw3I/AAAAAAAAE6M/DlTah9RvfVE/s320/photo%2B1-726303.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ix8ufWaC5TQ/UdHU7GtHt-I/AAAAAAAAE6Y/Rr_qg_DmjnI/s1600/photo%2B2-728100.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5895727499081922530" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ix8ufWaC5TQ/UdHU7GtHt-I/AAAAAAAAE6Y/Rr_qg_DmjnI/s320/photo%2B2-728100.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F5q1YBka224/UdHU7-TSiPI/AAAAAAAAE6k/6JrrBAziX2M/s1600/photo%2B3-730420.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5895727514005965042" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F5q1YBka224/UdHU7-TSiPI/AAAAAAAAE6k/6JrrBAziX2M/s320/photo%2B3-730420.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CQ3LDcJ3WM8/UdHU8SQs-WI/AAAAAAAAE6w/tfjoE_jf7Io/s1600/photo%2B4-733523.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5895727519363823970" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CQ3LDcJ3WM8/UdHU8SQs-WI/AAAAAAAAE6w/tfjoE_jf7Io/s320/photo%2B4-733523.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ckVYupFJU-Y/UdHU9L7b7nI/AAAAAAAAE68/PnMpGy7sZIo/s1600/photo%2B5-735567.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5895727534843883122" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ckVYupFJU-Y/UdHU9L7b7nI/AAAAAAAAE68/PnMpGy7sZIo/s320/photo%2B5-735567.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Iu3pcnwqlw0/UdHVY7I3cTI/AAAAAAAAE8E/lJkpOYicNx4/s1600/photo-746451.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5895728011373146418" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Iu3pcnwqlw0/UdHVY7I3cTI/AAAAAAAAE8E/lJkpOYicNx4/s320/photo-746451.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AmltokLvRa4/UdHbEJXFFJI/AAAAAAAAE8U/NnHhnLn-BAo/s1600/photo%2B1-799955.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5895734251483370642" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AmltokLvRa4/UdHbEJXFFJI/AAAAAAAAE8U/NnHhnLn-BAo/s320/photo%2B1-799955.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pwNOXfXEj-g/UdHbEtIXMgI/AAAAAAAAE8g/V6xUM1kEYqI/s1600/photo%2B2-702196.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5895734261085319682" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pwNOXfXEj-g/UdHbEtIXMgI/AAAAAAAAE8g/V6xUM1kEYqI/s320/photo%2B2-702196.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8JnGfd8wuHo/UdHbFec3KRI/AAAAAAAAE8s/GYf4LLixlVQ/s1600/photo%2B3-704493.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5895734274324637970" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8JnGfd8wuHo/UdHbFec3KRI/AAAAAAAAE8s/GYf4LLixlVQ/s320/photo%2B3-704493.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3ItnqecRsD0/UdHbF64yEXI/AAAAAAAAE84/kZQh15ppZnc/s1600/photo%2B4-706586.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5895734281957937522" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3ItnqecRsD0/UdHbF64yEXI/AAAAAAAAE84/kZQh15ppZnc/s320/photo%2B4-706586.JPG" /></a></div>
</div>
Mrs Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744432053755759201noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7957232085126077455.post-71533283602222112722013-07-01T20:22:00.004+01:002013-07-01T20:22:53.652+01:00Ernest et Celestine<div class="mobile-photo">
Went to see a French cartoon at the Tyneside Cinema. Ernest et Celestine: about a mouse who befriends a bear. It was really really good. A super cartoon with enough to keep the girls interested despite not understanding the French or being able to keep up with the subtitles.</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
It was the children's first trip to the cinema, so very exciting for all.</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
The film was a little long for Sebastian but he did very well to last nearly all the way through.</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JDhMfGnlLzE/UdHUpEHqtII/AAAAAAAAE50/UQCbogiUEcg/s1600/photo%2B1-756292.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5895727189150315650" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JDhMfGnlLzE/UdHUpEHqtII/AAAAAAAAE50/UQCbogiUEcg/s320/photo%2B1-756292.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
Tired faces as we wait for the Metro to take us home.</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AWZ26acGvvQ/UdHUpxQ0U6I/AAAAAAAAE6A/sQ_fbAMiNgA/s1600/photo%2B2-759100.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5895727201268290466" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AWZ26acGvvQ/UdHUpxQ0U6I/AAAAAAAAE6A/sQ_fbAMiNgA/s320/photo%2B2-759100.JPG" /></a></div>
Mrs Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744432053755759201noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7957232085126077455.post-48040305018815565452013-07-01T20:20:00.001+01:002013-07-01T20:20:24.377+01:00Puppets, trumpeting, bees and gingerbread<div class="mobile-photo">
These are some images from our day. Not today, actually, last week but I'm only just getting round to posting them up.</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
Elizabeth giving an impromptu puppet show:</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RPjIfZiNg5o/UdHUYNslqbI/AAAAAAAAE44/fCPuLKfXbm0/s1600/photo%2B1-787942.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5895726899663317426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RPjIfZiNg5o/UdHUYNslqbI/AAAAAAAAE44/fCPuLKfXbm0/s320/photo%2B1-787942.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
Complete with puppetty singing and dancing:</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0xnv44BJq_U/UdHUYn5j47I/AAAAAAAAE5E/hbkdQOz0iSM/s1600/photo%2B2-790239.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5895726906697049010" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0xnv44BJq_U/UdHUYn5j47I/AAAAAAAAE5E/hbkdQOz0iSM/s320/photo%2B2-790239.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
Sebastian loves his marble run, not only for the excellently fun constructions but also for the amusing trumpet function. He laughed so hard when I did a little pretend tootle with the trumpet and he pulled the end off, causing my tune to cease abruptly. It was really funny, apparently.</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QNlZg-LVuQM/UdHUZdUfvWI/AAAAAAAAE5Q/lJg7HjxhNMM/s1600/photo%2B3-792770.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5895726921037102434" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QNlZg-LVuQM/UdHUZdUfvWI/AAAAAAAAE5Q/lJg7HjxhNMM/s320/photo%2B3-792770.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
Elizabeth asked me to draw her a bee to colour in. It was to replace one she'd enjoyed colouring at playgroup, where someone had accidently cut it up when she'd half finished. Oops.</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BEAkHGU-UEM/UdHUZ2ipOFI/AAAAAAAAE5c/vISvvxfQUgo/s1600/photo%2B4-795088.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5895726927807330386" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BEAkHGU-UEM/UdHUZ2ipOFI/AAAAAAAAE5c/vISvvxfQUgo/s320/photo%2B4-795088.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
Our first attempt at a gingerbread house, with moulds a friend has leant to us. Alas, the mixture hasn't been pressed into the moulds enough, so the shapes aren't clear. We've decided to eat Mark 1 and make a second attempt. Such hardship(!)</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4bVO-9MNv0I/UdHUaSdRSBI/AAAAAAAAE5o/iHuxJY7m84c/s1600/photo%2B5-797435.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5895726935300982802" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4bVO-9MNv0I/UdHUaSdRSBI/AAAAAAAAE5o/iHuxJY7m84c/s320/photo%2B5-797435.JPG" /></a></div>
Mrs Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744432053755759201noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7957232085126077455.post-5344573352078267752013-07-01T20:08:00.002+01:002013-07-01T20:08:23.845+01:00Colouring In and Moving Monkeys<div class="mobile-photo">
Sebastian's colouring in skills are improving. He colours in specific items in specific colours, although not within the lines: just a bit patch of colour right over the general area.</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iIQFzy9k_Yo/Ucy7FP2jhiI/AAAAAAAAE2I/YpjN9Zpmurk/s1600/photo%2B1-732127.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5894291711150229026" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iIQFzy9k_Yo/Ucy7FP2jhiI/AAAAAAAAE2I/YpjN9Zpmurk/s320/photo%2B1-732127.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
Having a go with the Cogs! Moving Monkeys set:</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-De25F8XOso8/Ucy7FmzPvcI/AAAAAAAAE2U/wh93jTFGI-A/s1600/photo%2B2-734455.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5894291717310365122" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-De25F8XOso8/Ucy7FmzPvcI/AAAAAAAAE2U/wh93jTFGI-A/s320/photo%2B2-734455.JPG" /></a></div>
Mrs Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744432053755759201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7957232085126077455.post-90731458180832002322013-06-27T20:18:00.000+01:002013-06-27T20:18:25.592+01:00Observational Drawing<div class="mobile-photo">
Lovely to get together with lots of other HE families today for an Art session led by a lady from the Hatton Art Gallery.</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
We all went over to the Great North Museum to do some observational drawings of the animals in display cases.</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
Elizabeth carefully drew a hare.</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ELj3heg7U08/UcxgCgimjVI/AAAAAAAAEzs/P9-eJEpspOI/s1600/photo%2B1-725469.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5894191608532208978" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ELj3heg7U08/UcxgCgimjVI/AAAAAAAAEzs/P9-eJEpspOI/s320/photo%2B1-725469.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
Sebastian was far too tired and could have done with a nap but didn't have a pushchair so, instead, ran around like a Crazy.</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZHWDAOUsTVs/UcxgDUFsrtI/AAAAAAAAEz4/2rxlbThOMgw/s1600/photo%2B2-728749.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5894191622369619666" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZHWDAOUsTVs/UcxgDUFsrtI/AAAAAAAAEz4/2rxlbThOMgw/s320/photo%2B2-728749.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
Francesca sat next to a rabbit and drew a rabbit, although, evidently, a different one.</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-STkyXbsdp0I/UcxgEqclxjI/AAAAAAAAE0E/3lNMKq5s9lI/s1600/photo%2B3-733747.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5894191645551085106" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-STkyXbsdp0I/UcxgEqclxjI/AAAAAAAAE0E/3lNMKq5s9lI/s320/photo%2B3-733747.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
Lovely concentration.</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FjCIPz9GRwk/UcxgFZuQifI/AAAAAAAAE0Q/FxuqUAbiAdc/s1600/photo%2B4-736921.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5894191658241657330" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FjCIPz9GRwk/UcxgFZuQifI/AAAAAAAAE0Q/FxuqUAbiAdc/s320/photo%2B4-736921.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
After the hare was completed, Elizabeth drew Little Dog.</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CP1-32Hw1X8/UcxgGKI8InI/AAAAAAAAE0c/hZAG44jOGLk/s1600/photo%2B5-739876.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5894191671238468210" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CP1-32Hw1X8/UcxgGKI8InI/AAAAAAAAE0c/hZAG44jOGLk/s320/photo%2B5-739876.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
Francesca went on to draw a hasty hedgehog and then an excellent shrew, for which she did really make a proper effort to observe the one on display.</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
Sorry the photo has skewed round on its way from my phone to Blogger. It really is a very fine shrew.</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aT0PYH3YVkc/UcxgQE2YegI/AAAAAAAAE0o/QZrL0jU6pt4/s1600/photo%2B1-780022.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5894191841617148418" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aT0PYH3YVkc/UcxgQE2YegI/AAAAAAAAE0o/QZrL0jU6pt4/s320/photo%2B1-780022.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
The rabbit that Francesca drew:</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Mz81PLxeKgg/UcxgQo0KI6I/AAAAAAAAE00/2A3NaGjcOFs/s1600/photo%2B2-782443.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5894191851271496610" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Mz81PLxeKgg/UcxgQo0KI6I/AAAAAAAAE00/2A3NaGjcOFs/s320/photo%2B2-782443.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
Elizabeth's carefully observed hare. IMO the felt pen when we got home has ruined the subtle details and obliterated the shading but hey ho. You can still see his spectacular ears and his gangly legs.</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E5X-Ct25b1A/UcxgRln9PJI/AAAAAAAAE1A/ka6dXkveKrg/s1600/photo%2B3-786002.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5894191867594882194" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E5X-Ct25b1A/UcxgRln9PJI/AAAAAAAAE1A/ka6dXkveKrg/s320/photo%2B3-786002.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
And here's Little Dog's portrait. Again, alas, the felt pens got to it before I realised, but you can see his rounded ears and round eyes and shiny nose (I think she forgot that she'd cunningly left a white spot in the middle of the nose, to show the light. It has now become a black spot.) You can still make out the four legs, two of which are smaller, because they are behind. And the tail.</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EjdWF_ySNf0/UcxgSpAXAWI/AAAAAAAAE1M/TlW0LXRzXaA/s1600/photo%2B4-789674.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5894191885682409826" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EjdWF_ySNf0/UcxgSpAXAWI/AAAAAAAAE1M/TlW0LXRzXaA/s320/photo%2B4-789674.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
I couldn't let the subject of Elizabeth's art pass by without including a picture that came home from playgroup yesterday. Elizabeth's drawing of a duck. I love the webbed feet, the green tail, the blue wing and the smile. A duck always needs a smile.</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4QMzC-mUgM8/UcxgTT8oBfI/AAAAAAAAE1Y/yrWtES1QQCo/s1600/photo%2B5-792688.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5894191897209472498" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4QMzC-mUgM8/UcxgTT8oBfI/AAAAAAAAE1Y/yrWtES1QQCo/s320/photo%2B5-792688.JPG" /></a></div>
Mrs Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744432053755759201noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7957232085126077455.post-86731529838189433012013-06-26T23:26:00.002+01:002013-06-26T23:26:13.824+01:00Full of Busy<div class="mobile-photo">
Well I've been a tad worried, lately, about Francesca. She was getting a bit out of hand. I mean, you'd hope I could control a 5 year old. But then again, would you hope that?! I'm trying to raise people who can think for themselves and act independently. Oh it's a minefield.</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
Anyway, that extremely headstrong and willful daughter of mine can really try the patience of anyone trying to - say - encourage the regular practising of the violin, for example.</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
Suddenly, she was super-engrossed in such laudable pursuits as reading in her room, racing through her Maths book and producing great feats of colouring in.</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
Anything, in fact, to avoid violin practise.</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
To the point where I just had to step back. I could not mention the b***** thing one more time. I did not want to hear any more defiant refusals. I was tired of having my daughter holed up in her room 'reading' in order to avoid me and my violin request.</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
And then suddenly, proving, as ever, that motivation for different tasks comes in waves and it all evens out in the end, today, we've had model-student Francesca and her ultra-productive regime.</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
It started with History, straight after breakfast. Indeed, before I had finished eating my breakfast, Francesca was working on her 'Big Numbers' work (all to do with beginning to appreciate large timescales) and then calculating how old I was in the various photos we have of my childhood.</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nrDe9JihWEg/Ucsd3qPmpII/AAAAAAAAEx4/RZU-8LEiHg8/s1600/photo%2B1-749275.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5893837379414172802" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nrDe9JihWEg/Ucsd3qPmpII/AAAAAAAAEx4/RZU-8LEiHg8/s320/photo%2B1-749275.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
Later, we had An Actual Self-Directed Fully-Comprehensive Violin Practice!!! Yes, really!!!</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
Then some lovely art with Abuelita.</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f-zXp4nBEi4/Ucsd4MQTExI/AAAAAAAAEyE/uuFRUMLAv2g/s1600/photo%2B2-751673.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5893837388543890194" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f-zXp4nBEi4/Ucsd4MQTExI/AAAAAAAAEyE/uuFRUMLAv2g/s320/photo%2B2-751673.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
During which Sebastian and Elizabeth made clay ladybirds with pipe-cleaner legs.</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mh3RSrXGWXk/Ucsd4h-ynKI/AAAAAAAAEyQ/k0b5c99QeBY/s1600/photo%2B3-753809.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5893837394376039586" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mh3RSrXGWXk/Ucsd4h-ynKI/AAAAAAAAEyQ/k0b5c99QeBY/s320/photo%2B3-753809.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
Then Francesca got onto her Timez Attack game on the computer, which she is loving, by the way, for learning her tables.</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ewlHJxzACKU/Ucsd5HipCjI/AAAAAAAAEyc/M7UHKIBet6k/s1600/photo%2B4-755800.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5893837404458519090" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ewlHJxzACKU/Ucsd5HipCjI/AAAAAAAAEyc/M7UHKIBet6k/s320/photo%2B4-755800.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
Here's the art:</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9q28N6xeQxc/Ucsd5hpyM_I/AAAAAAAAEyo/t6M0jpdqnCA/s1600/photo%2B5-757943.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5893837411467801586" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9q28N6xeQxc/Ucsd5hpyM_I/AAAAAAAAEyo/t6M0jpdqnCA/s320/photo%2B5-757943.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
And here are the ladybirds so far:</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nrTvGvfMpG4/UcseCpZTLxI/AAAAAAAAEy0/xcOjlKIr6h8/s1600/photo%2B1-793871.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5893837568164966162" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nrTvGvfMpG4/UcseCpZTLxI/AAAAAAAAEy0/xcOjlKIr6h8/s320/photo%2B1-793871.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
And here's a testimony to the age-old appeal of the large cardboard box.</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
Now, who could be hiding in here?!</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zbTJaO8dtrA/UcseDJZGPaI/AAAAAAAAEzA/ldexyawWcp8/s1600/photo%2B2-795609.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5893837576754052514" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zbTJaO8dtrA/UcseDJZGPaI/AAAAAAAAEzA/ldexyawWcp8/s320/photo%2B2-795609.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BzI47RI-Gz0/UcseDjZmg4I/AAAAAAAAEzM/OdOzZTZr_IY/s1600/photo%2B3-797474.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5893837583735489410" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BzI47RI-Gz0/UcseDjZmg4I/AAAAAAAAEzM/OdOzZTZr_IY/s320/photo%2B3-797474.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IuZfFJCZS3E/UcseEMB6S5I/AAAAAAAAEzY/EZyW5trbrqI/s1600/photo%2B4-799500.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5893837594641976210" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IuZfFJCZS3E/UcseEMB6S5I/AAAAAAAAEzY/EZyW5trbrqI/s320/photo%2B4-799500.JPG" /></a></div>
Mrs Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744432053755759201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7957232085126077455.post-69186668678970650102013-06-26T10:12:00.002+01:002013-06-26T10:15:50.572+01:00Making Fire At Gibside<div class="mobile-photo">
We had a great time at Gibside today, doing one of their education workshops - fire making.<br />
<br />
This was not only fun and informative, but a much-cherished opportunity to hang out with lots of other similar-aged home-ed children. I loved catching up with lots of mums I hadn't seen for a while and even meeting some dads for the first time. Francesca and Elizabeth loved reaquainting themselves with friends and Sebastian found Sam (his big-boy role model friend) again.<br />
<br />
The teacher, Melanie, showed us how to make friction and warmth by rubbing wood together.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Uk0qWZslZcM/UcoBwwcb0mI/AAAAAAAAEsQ/NDNDg0Zb4UQ/s1600/photo%2B1-718590.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5893524999517229666" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Uk0qWZslZcM/UcoBwwcb0mI/AAAAAAAAEsQ/NDNDg0Zb4UQ/s320/photo%2B1-718590.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
The children listened carefully to safety instructions - how to keep the fire contained by using a cleared space and surrounding the fire-place with stones.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OK7nvKPEybM/UcoBxSn_ggI/AAAAAAAAEsc/l_f4kcCn6ck/s1600/photo%2B2-721181.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5893525008692511234" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OK7nvKPEybM/UcoBxSn_ggI/AAAAAAAAEsc/l_f4kcCn6ck/s320/photo%2B2-721181.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
Everyone had a go at creating friction with wood, both by hand and with a bow to make the stick twirl faster.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E4AoWDJKlSg/UcoByIivwzI/AAAAAAAAEso/HbEAtHkWbSo/s1600/photo%2B3-723581.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5893525023166022450" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E4AoWDJKlSg/UcoByIivwzI/AAAAAAAAEso/HbEAtHkWbSo/s320/photo%2B3-723581.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
Then we made sparks by rubbing metal together.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CTuorbFSIag/UcoByrWGd1I/AAAAAAAAEs0/GSbyKaG0JIA/s1600/photo%2B4-725898.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5893525032508225362" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CTuorbFSIag/UcoByrWGd1I/AAAAAAAAEs0/GSbyKaG0JIA/s320/photo%2B4-725898.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
Using this method, we set fire to some cotton-wool.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qffZ_p-zWzI/UcoBzNSYF2I/AAAAAAAAEtA/3SmKpNk2Xwc/s1600/photo%2B5-727935.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5893525041619408738" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qffZ_p-zWzI/UcoBzNSYF2I/AAAAAAAAEtA/3SmKpNk2Xwc/s320/photo%2B5-727935.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
Happy boy trying very hard to make a spark to light his cotton wool.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zkGBx4ZoUoE/UcoCIM0sQvI/AAAAAAAAEtM/U0w_M7j-VQQ/s1600/photo%2B1-711658.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5893525402272154354" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zkGBx4ZoUoE/UcoCIM0sQvI/AAAAAAAAEtM/U0w_M7j-VQQ/s320/photo%2B1-711658.JPG" /></a><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7CGZccHcnsY/UcoCIoRY1II/AAAAAAAAEtY/K1HmYmVOWIo/s1600/photo%2B2-713389.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5893525409640273026" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7CGZccHcnsY/UcoCIoRY1II/AAAAAAAAEtY/K1HmYmVOWIo/s320/photo%2B2-713389.JPG" /></a><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7N2rQqLp7Lg/UcoCI7sB2QI/AAAAAAAAEtk/ZfG57QdwHQc/s1600/photo%2B3-715110.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5893525414852286722" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7N2rQqLp7Lg/UcoCI7sB2QI/AAAAAAAAEtk/ZfG57QdwHQc/s320/photo%2B3-715110.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
Everyone helped to build the fire, starting with tinder, then kindling, then increasingly large sticks. Melanie lit the tinder with her spark-making device and then showed us how to build the fire up carefully, letting the air get to the flame.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i_g19BM9hyY/UcoCJWHUAjI/AAAAAAAAEtw/5bDjEtm1DwQ/s1600/photo%2B4-717122.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5893525421946044978" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i_g19BM9hyY/UcoCJWHUAjI/AAAAAAAAEtw/5bDjEtm1DwQ/s320/photo%2B4-717122.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
Fun!<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iNcOoYIapX0/UcoCJ1-PTtI/AAAAAAAAEt8/YkQoqn94Kik/s1600/photo%2B5-719219.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5893525430497922770" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iNcOoYIapX0/UcoCJ1-PTtI/AAAAAAAAEt8/YkQoqn94Kik/s320/photo%2B5-719219.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
Sebastian found his own little log to sit on.<br />
<br />
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xzk7ciIJJnM/UcoCXAbRn8I/AAAAAAAAEuI/nV704jRMFtQ/s1600/photo%2B1-772132.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5893525656642363330" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xzk7ciIJJnM/UcoCXAbRn8I/AAAAAAAAEuI/nV704jRMFtQ/s320/photo%2B1-772132.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
All the children sat round, toasting marshmallows. Which they then ate, of course.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-afYUfpt0h_A/UcoCXiHCI5I/AAAAAAAAEuU/ADMhD6uowOA/s1600/photo%2B2-774055.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5893525665684267922" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-afYUfpt0h_A/UcoCXiHCI5I/AAAAAAAAEuU/ADMhD6uowOA/s320/photo%2B2-774055.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
Sebastian needed some help with his sticky marshmallow.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wWE_U_qNguI/UcoCYDy5hlI/AAAAAAAAEug/GtjGYKxf8LI/s1600/photo%2B3-775851.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5893525674726622802" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wWE_U_qNguI/UcoCYDy5hlI/AAAAAAAAEug/GtjGYKxf8LI/s320/photo%2B3-775851.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
Francesca acquired a puppy to play with.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4iL_olI8jGw/UcoCYmMSdmI/AAAAAAAAEus/stYsRmLBDEo/s1600/photo%2B4-777880.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5893525683959920226" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4iL_olI8jGw/UcoCYmMSdmI/AAAAAAAAEus/stYsRmLBDEo/s320/photo%2B4-777880.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
We all went to picnic and play in the Strawberry Castle play area (no pics) before heading home.<br />
<br />
Here's Francesca:<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DzYc-4h1j1g/UcoCZCeLghI/AAAAAAAAEu4/uwjgS1_iR9g/s1600/photo%2B5-779940.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5893525691551154706" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DzYc-4h1j1g/UcoCZCeLghI/AAAAAAAAEu4/uwjgS1_iR9g/s320/photo%2B5-779940.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
Teddy got a close look at the chapel too.<br />
<br />
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3DJvLi3b_wM/UcoCcvus2rI/AAAAAAAAEvE/wmCYbeSlDRU/s1600/photo%2B1-794206.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5893525755239652018" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3DJvLi3b_wM/UcoCcvus2rI/AAAAAAAAEvE/wmCYbeSlDRU/s320/photo%2B1-794206.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
"Let's have a last photo together before we go back to the car!"</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ddOj4mfUkak/UcoCdHQOI7I/AAAAAAAAEvQ/ACq-2pWhRyc/s1600/photo%2B2-796044.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5893525761554260914" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ddOj4mfUkak/UcoCdHQOI7I/AAAAAAAAEvQ/ACq-2pWhRyc/s320/photo%2B2-796044.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
"And me!"</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7TYs1P7BN-s/UcoCdq4gOMI/AAAAAAAAEvc/DCV08TdGNlw/s1600/photo%2B3-797961.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5893525771118459074" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7TYs1P7BN-s/UcoCdq4gOMI/AAAAAAAAEvc/DCV08TdGNlw/s320/photo%2B3-797961.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://dancinginthemud.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/fire-making-workshop.html">More pics on Hayley's blog, here</a>.</div>
</div>
</div>
Mrs Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744432053755759201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7957232085126077455.post-72951024116594320092013-06-20T21:01:00.002+01:002013-06-20T21:01:55.265+01:00Play dough and Paint<div class="mobile-photo">
Sebastian played with playdough by himself for ages - really focussed on his 'pasties' that he was making and occassionally turning up to give me a 'taste'. Lovely to see him playing independently with real imagination (if that's not an oxymoron!)</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aXzbHOWPrVc/UcNXLPBYNxI/AAAAAAAAEl4/5hQTxyiNsNk/s1600/photo%2B1-731272.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5891648588053231378" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aXzbHOWPrVc/UcNXLPBYNxI/AAAAAAAAEl4/5hQTxyiNsNk/s320/photo%2B1-731272.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
Abuelita came to give Francesca her watercolour painting tuition.</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gP_mJMBXBCo/UcNXLjXZo6I/AAAAAAAAEmE/F51u-5419wE/s1600/photo%2B2-733634.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5891648593514308514" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gP_mJMBXBCo/UcNXLjXZo6I/AAAAAAAAEmE/F51u-5419wE/s320/photo%2B2-733634.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
They painted a geranium and a columbine flower. Sorry the picture's ended up sideways. You get the idea!</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MrX9zmBSnYU/UcNXMPL7EyI/AAAAAAAAEmQ/dmnkFD7CAvw/s1600/photo%2B3-736100.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5891648605277328162" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MrX9zmBSnYU/UcNXMPL7EyI/AAAAAAAAEmQ/dmnkFD7CAvw/s320/photo%2B3-736100.JPG" /></a></div>
Mrs Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744432053755759201noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7957232085126077455.post-38199614566837520352013-06-18T20:52:00.001+01:002013-06-18T20:52:37.221+01:00Cragside<div class="mobile-photo">
It was unexpectedly hot! Almost too hot in the full sun of the adventure playground. Elizabeth enjoyed doing the 'challenge' as she called it:</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O461XJMRGoo/UcB6ECYEkOI/AAAAAAAAEkk/GNJ0cq9eAOI/s1600/photo%2B1-755891.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5890842522376507618" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O461XJMRGoo/UcB6ECYEkOI/AAAAAAAAEkk/GNJ0cq9eAOI/s320/photo%2B1-755891.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
Sebastian enjoyed having a go on everything.</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yDUmRUsIrLg/UcB6Eps8-sI/AAAAAAAAEkw/J7_Vtc9ORD8/s1600/photo%2B2-758241.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5890842532933073602" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yDUmRUsIrLg/UcB6Eps8-sI/AAAAAAAAEkw/J7_Vtc9ORD8/s320/photo%2B2-758241.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
Francesca's arm features in the picture above - she was there, honest!</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
Getting too hot, we moved on to the labyrinth, which I thought might afford us some shade.</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rHTNbwXnLj8/UcB6Fc5kZyI/AAAAAAAAEk4/DAexhMbhSa8/s1600/photo%2B3-761460.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5890842546676197154" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rHTNbwXnLj8/UcB6Fc5kZyI/AAAAAAAAEk4/DAexhMbhSa8/s320/photo%2B3-761460.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
Here are the girls approaching the carved wooden statue of a wizard called George, at the start of the labyrinth:</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wjsjJxQ9yzg/UcB6F_tdV4I/AAAAAAAAElA/OF0EJN7wTnw/s1600/photo%2B4-763341.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5890842556020643714" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wjsjJxQ9yzg/UcB6F_tdV4I/AAAAAAAAElA/OF0EJN7wTnw/s320/photo%2B4-763341.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
Here they are discovering an elaborately carved throne:</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A6VYeAbEKpw/UcB6GZUl-kI/AAAAAAAAElM/RIlYfIBxF9c/s1600/photo%2B5-764996.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5890842562895673922" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A6VYeAbEKpw/UcB6GZUl-kI/AAAAAAAAElM/RIlYfIBxF9c/s320/photo%2B5-764996.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
And sitting on it:</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2enG746vth4/UcB6kjWejcI/AAAAAAAAElc/emf7VZYRZw4/s1600/photo%2B1-785990.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5890843080984006082" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2enG746vth4/UcB6kjWejcI/AAAAAAAAElc/emf7VZYRZw4/s320/photo%2B1-785990.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
We had our picnic in the middle of the labyrinth.</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
We saw damsel flies, which the children were interested in. Incidentally, we did some map work, looking at the road route round Cragside that we followed to get to the various carparks for our destinations.</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
This is supposed to be the quintessential Cragside image, with the iron bridge in the background but I'm not sure you can make it out all that clearly.</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mXPbDXOGk-U/UcB6lcGzlqI/AAAAAAAAElo/n22Edf6sHSI/s1600/photo%2B2-788486.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5890843096219096738" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mXPbDXOGk-U/UcB6lcGzlqI/AAAAAAAAElo/n22Edf6sHSI/s320/photo%2B2-788486.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
We had a pleasant stream-side stroll and finished off with ice creams and coffee at the visitors' centre.</div>
Mrs Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744432053755759201noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7957232085126077455.post-44062721193348591492013-06-18T20:45:00.002+01:002013-06-18T20:45:47.340+01:00Alnwick Garden<div class="mobile-photo">
Not the greatest picture, perhaps, but shows the sunshine and the playing in the water.</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8hGczx60Zgs/Ub9hOH9WLzI/AAAAAAAAEj8/6pFWAArurO8/s1600/photo%2B1-759225.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5890533732906315570" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8hGczx60Zgs/Ub9hOH9WLzI/AAAAAAAAEj8/6pFWAArurO8/s320/photo%2B1-759225.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
This is the sunlight filtering through the trees in my friend's garden as we ate our meal:</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RLZPL2xHKCo/Ub9hOqCjDvI/AAAAAAAAEkE/0AWjQWXTOpY/s1600/photo%2B2-761706.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5890533742054936306" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RLZPL2xHKCo/Ub9hOqCjDvI/AAAAAAAAEkE/0AWjQWXTOpY/s320/photo%2B2-761706.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
And the gorgeous girlies in the beautiful flowers. They called it the fairy garden.</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UQFiDlHR8BE/Ub9hOw2A40I/AAAAAAAAEkQ/sU1sbRh9tPM/s1600/photo%2B3-763363.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5890533743881413442" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UQFiDlHR8BE/Ub9hOw2A40I/AAAAAAAAEkQ/sU1sbRh9tPM/s320/photo%2B3-763363.JPG" /></a></div>
Mrs Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744432053755759201noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7957232085126077455.post-72101098013377088822013-06-16T21:27:00.000+01:002013-06-16T21:29:40.469+01:00Harbottle Crags<div class="mobile-photo">
Seymour was off rowing all day so we went hiking in the countryside. Harbottle Crags, for an amazing 4 mile walk, scrambling over boulders, squadging by a lake, pottering through woodland and, finally, a route march along the road back to the carpark.<br />
<br />
The girls walked amazingly well and I gave myself a crazy workout, carrying Sebastian in the backpack with lunch and water on board as well. I really felt those hills!<br />
<br />
The children totally loved climbing on the crags and we picnicked by the Drake Stone.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HKQIWkEEKVQ/Ub4WyGuBRGI/AAAAAAAAEhQ/rjdGMOtxoyw/s1600/photo%2B1-767755.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5890170412700091490" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HKQIWkEEKVQ/Ub4WyGuBRGI/AAAAAAAAEhQ/rjdGMOtxoyw/s320/photo%2B1-767755.JPG" /></a><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZFa78i4cNdY/Ub4Wy73Hn-I/AAAAAAAAEhY/6jbfp_dF_w4/s1600/photo%2B2-770340.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5890170426965336034" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZFa78i4cNdY/Ub4Wy73Hn-I/AAAAAAAAEhY/6jbfp_dF_w4/s320/photo%2B2-770340.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CSk7bCnSWuM/Ub4WzIKOdxI/AAAAAAAAEhg/r7Zfem0hgFo/s1600/photo%2B3-772091.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5890170430266701586" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CSk7bCnSWuM/Ub4WzIKOdxI/AAAAAAAAEhg/r7Zfem0hgFo/s320/photo%2B3-772091.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9-FdogVxoDw/Ub4WzqQfdcI/AAAAAAAAEhw/yIFuCeq4or0/s1600/photo%2B4-774103.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5890170439419786690" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9-FdogVxoDw/Ub4WzqQfdcI/AAAAAAAAEhw/yIFuCeq4or0/s320/photo%2B4-774103.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vRWTmUBaaJI/Ub4W0Juz1KI/AAAAAAAAEh8/1BAmJpgr5oA/s1600/photo%2B5-776191.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5890170447868449954" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vRWTmUBaaJI/Ub4W0Juz1KI/AAAAAAAAEh8/1BAmJpgr5oA/s320/photo%2B5-776191.JPG" /></a><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tZnD6SeI1ro/Ub4W-gOsfRI/AAAAAAAAEiI/YdGETOkNjrk/s1600/photo%2B1-717701.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5890170625706458386" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tZnD6SeI1ro/Ub4W-gOsfRI/AAAAAAAAEiI/YdGETOkNjrk/s320/photo%2B1-717701.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br />
(That's a lake, not snow)<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OmpRaI2G94w/Ub4W_O-c60I/AAAAAAAAEiU/rGQq2Jh8xI0/s1600/photo%2B2-720182.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5890170638254795586" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OmpRaI2G94w/Ub4W_O-c60I/AAAAAAAAEiU/rGQq2Jh8xI0/s320/photo%2B2-720182.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_1V9icAHuFc/Ub4W_hrISkI/AAAAAAAAEig/pZG-MFpPIvM/s1600/photo%2B3-722186.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5890170643274025538" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_1V9icAHuFc/Ub4W_hrISkI/AAAAAAAAEig/pZG-MFpPIvM/s320/photo%2B3-722186.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m3z09BTp1V4/Ub4XASeDUxI/AAAAAAAAEio/8xtVb6jJbh4/s1600/photo%2B4-724685.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5890170656372511506" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m3z09BTp1V4/Ub4XASeDUxI/AAAAAAAAEio/8xtVb6jJbh4/s320/photo%2B4-724685.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aKnVtGGoCeQ/Ub4XAuyCKkI/AAAAAAAAEi0/xaazLjA3_AQ/s1600/photo%2B5-726239.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5890170663972514370" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aKnVtGGoCeQ/Ub4XAuyCKkI/AAAAAAAAEi0/xaazLjA3_AQ/s320/photo%2B5-726239.JPG" /></a><br />
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VfgZuJPEx_Y/Ub4XNLenOfI/AAAAAAAAEjA/NxLdR8fvF0k/s1600/photo%2B1-775904.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5890170877834115570" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VfgZuJPEx_Y/Ub4XNLenOfI/AAAAAAAAEjA/NxLdR8fvF0k/s320/photo%2B1-775904.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wOG0Ck_T1uQ/Ub4XNsWUvyI/AAAAAAAAEjI/X7zp918SWVc/s1600/photo%2B2-778253.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5890170886657720098" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wOG0Ck_T1uQ/Ub4XNsWUvyI/AAAAAAAAEjI/X7zp918SWVc/s320/photo%2B2-778253.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QmCoyf4Z4g4/Ub4XOGO2asI/AAAAAAAAEjY/NixD04KDuI8/s1600/photo%2B3-780134.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5890170893605694146" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QmCoyf4Z4g4/Ub4XOGO2asI/AAAAAAAAEjY/NixD04KDuI8/s320/photo%2B3-780134.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0lR1f-S7x20/Ub4XOqA3mDI/AAAAAAAAEjk/Cg_sW2-oYFc/s1600/photo%2B4-781784.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5890170903210727474" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0lR1f-S7x20/Ub4XOqA3mDI/AAAAAAAAEjk/Cg_sW2-oYFc/s320/photo%2B4-781784.JPG" /></a></div>
</div>
Mrs Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744432053755759201noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7957232085126077455.post-4990831364822686352013-06-16T21:20:00.002+01:002013-06-16T21:20:52.717+01:00Beamish<div class="mobile-photo">
The drift mine, an open-top tram, the carousel and the coconut Seymour won.</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VhSsnDHDwf4/UbzHDEaeCjI/AAAAAAAAEgQ/FDwO1uY5c1Y/s1600/photo%2B1-719740.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5889801268232063538" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VhSsnDHDwf4/UbzHDEaeCjI/AAAAAAAAEgQ/FDwO1uY5c1Y/s320/photo%2B1-719740.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nUmfCvbYHNk/UbzHDyEaFUI/AAAAAAAAEgY/BqblRaLVuq8/s1600/photo%2B2-722189.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5889801280487560514" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nUmfCvbYHNk/UbzHDyEaFUI/AAAAAAAAEgY/BqblRaLVuq8/s320/photo%2B2-722189.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B25AmTYBZyU/UbzHEIjymvI/AAAAAAAAEgg/J9iwbou5XEA/s1600/photo%2B3-724395.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5889801286524771058" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B25AmTYBZyU/UbzHEIjymvI/AAAAAAAAEgg/J9iwbou5XEA/s320/photo%2B3-724395.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ruWCIY2S5Gg/UbzHE9UJb6I/AAAAAAAAEgo/ZS76fbpF78w/s1600/photo%2B4-726792.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5889801300686237602" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ruWCIY2S5Gg/UbzHE9UJb6I/AAAAAAAAEgo/ZS76fbpF78w/s320/photo%2B4-726792.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RO2jARaUcTU/UbzHFXknIQI/AAAAAAAAEg0/ZNgMsn0mJKU/s1600/photo%2B5-728814.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5889801307734614274" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RO2jARaUcTU/UbzHFXknIQI/AAAAAAAAEg0/ZNgMsn0mJKU/s320/photo%2B5-728814.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />Mrs Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744432053755759201noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7957232085126077455.post-33506037379268707232013-06-14T21:00:00.001+01:002013-06-14T21:00:31.129+01:00We are still here(!)<div class="mobile-photo">
You may be forgiven for thinking that we'd packed up and left home, or that we have gone back to real school, or that blogging is dead.</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
None of that is true.</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
I'm not sure why I haven't posted anything in ages. A few excuses spring to mind and they include:</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
</div>
<ul>
<li>I've been working hard on my bread website and that really is all I have time for in the evenings</li>
<li>We've had a lot of holidays - family over from the States, trips away to Yorkshire and Holy Island, a Christening, a wedding... It's all shaken up our routine and cut the amount of academic stuff (in the nicest possible way!)</li>
<li>The sun has been shining. We've been out a lot. Day trips to National Trust places, walks in the countryside, playing out in the street. It's been months!!! Months of winter during which we felt like hibernating and hardly socialised. Now, we're OUT! I've been saying to myself, "Maths in the winter and playing out in the summer." Might be a good idea.</li>
<li>I got bored of blogging the same old stuff: picture of the children at the table, reports of Maths, English and violin. These things continue but I didn't feel like telling you about them, again, every day.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="mobile-photo">
So now, I feel like sharing some pictures again but I'm not going to require myself to report every last detail of our days. Please assume that the English, Maths and violin continue apace, along with assorted other activities (lately we've done a lot of History, for example). I'm still going to devote the bulk of my time to my bread website but I'll pop back here and post whatever pictures I have, with brief explanations if I have time.</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
Thus, skimming breezily past several months of fantastic education, (undocumented, alas, so you'll have to take my word for it) I give you today:</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
A smiley boy trying to get in shot with his jigsaws that he was proudly doing.</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lDIC7F4QKyI/UbtQ7P7LrZI/AAAAAAAAEfY/6m8eJ-uUBrg/s1600/photo%2B1-743917.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5889389916534320530" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lDIC7F4QKyI/UbtQ7P7LrZI/AAAAAAAAEfY/6m8eJ-uUBrg/s320/photo%2B1-743917.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
Unfortunately, despite all that leaning and that expression, the jigsaws had to be pictured seperately but aren't they great?!</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5sXgDyeSZrU/UbtQ7kYLJgI/AAAAAAAAEfg/qhTZI9twhPs/s1600/photo%2B2-746109.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5889389922024629762" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5sXgDyeSZrU/UbtQ7kYLJgI/AAAAAAAAEfg/qhTZI9twhPs/s320/photo%2B2-746109.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
A girl writing a story about a brainy bear, all illustrated and complete with the dodgiest spellings I've seen in a while.</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NsCsItm21wY/UbtQ82W4peI/AAAAAAAAEfo/f09xxGZpsFY/s1600/photo%2B3-747677.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5889389944030930402" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NsCsItm21wY/UbtQ82W4peI/AAAAAAAAEfo/f09xxGZpsFY/s320/photo%2B3-747677.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
Another girl threading beads to make a shiny happy necklace.</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-796-4b1dTM8/UbtQ9Z8u2MI/AAAAAAAAEfw/jmoAMhLbhwM/s1600/photo%2B4-752942.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5889389953584912578" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-796-4b1dTM8/UbtQ9Z8u2MI/AAAAAAAAEfw/jmoAMhLbhwM/s320/photo%2B4-752942.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
There.</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
I'm off, but I'll try not to be gone so long this time :)</div>
Mrs Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744432053755759201noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7957232085126077455.post-49648469389264652312013-04-18T21:14:00.002+01:002013-04-18T21:14:32.737+01:00Art At The Hatton<div class="mobile-photo">
Today's Hatton art session was about making a poster for your favourite film.</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
We had been asked to bring along images from our favourite films but my children have never really watched any films, just a lot of CBeebies. So, instead of film images, we bought a couple of CBeebies magazines to take along.</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
Sebastian did some cutting and sticking, nothing to do with the brief but hey!</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vWGpnvMMdfY/UXBPMFCEthI/AAAAAAAAEb4/uJuMKxUsptQ/s1600/photo%2B1-700185.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5868277383391655442" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vWGpnvMMdfY/UXBPMFCEthI/AAAAAAAAEb4/uJuMKxUsptQ/s320/photo%2B1-700185.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
Elizabeth did some lettering with a stencil for "Everything's Rosie" and I helped her to colour in the letters as per the programme logo.</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
Francesca did an Octonauts poster.</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BwOgbdHf0X8/UXBPMoSCAMI/AAAAAAAAEcE/hkABw4keEh0/s1600/photo%2B2-702080.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5868277392853827778" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BwOgbdHf0X8/UXBPMoSCAMI/AAAAAAAAEcE/hkABw4keEh0/s320/photo%2B2-702080.JPG" /></a></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
Afterwards we went to Caffe Nero for a quick top-up since lunch had been a hasty sandwich on the Metro between the airport (to meet their long-awaited cousins off the plane) and town (for the art class).</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<br /></div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HQROJ3MRMos/UXBPM_pfkQI/AAAAAAAAEcQ/O0J2cK5jhuw/s1600/photo%2B3-703568.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5868277399126249730" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HQROJ3MRMos/UXBPM_pfkQI/AAAAAAAAEcQ/O0J2cK5jhuw/s320/photo%2B3-703568.JPG" /></a></div>
Mrs Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04744432053755759201noreply@blogger.com1