Where are we going...?

Busy year...?

2011-07-31T22:44:00.000-07:00

I hadn't realised it had been so long since my last post. This was why I could never keep a diary!
Well we haven't changed much. Still trying to get divorced (but closer to completing it!) I still work as a carer. I still run a Brownie Unit, but an stepping down to Assistant with Rangers.

I'm now working on an NVQ in Learning and Development which needs to be finished in the next few weeks.
Next year I plan to retrain in holistic massage as mum's health is getting worse so I need to be able to work from home if necessary.

Alanna is now four and a half (mustn't forget the half!) and is acting very grown up somedays. We haven't registered for school so have started on our home educated life. We currently have a massive time line on the dining room wall which I keep looking at and think we should add to. Our seasons/topic table needs something doing with it as it is currently stuck in May with a maypole in the middle. By Alanna's request we have just ordered sticker charts for when she does some reading and writing. She also wants a job chart which I have said after 5 stickers she will get 50p. My daughter thinks it should be either £10 or £100, the next Alan Sugar...?

I've just had a look for pictures from the last year. We have Halloween at the nursery, needed no bribary to wear her outfit. Alanna finally left nursery at Easter this year which was a big step, more for mummy than her I think. we gave each room she had been in a small present and she received a card from each one. Some came in the post a month later which she thought was wonderful!

The snow last year was more fun for her, not sure if it was for Grandad!

In October (just after the Girlguiding centenary celebrations, my friend had her first son who I'm now Godmother to. He winds his parents up no end with what seems like endless illnesses, but hopefully he will get them all out the way now and be healthier for it - hey Sue?!

I discovered Alanna loves trampolining. Particularly with a friend!

This year we seemed to have done loads of trips with photos, plus recently visiting Peppa Pig world, although no photos from it!

We've been to Basing House a couple of times and now have an annual pass. I'm making the most of annual passes this year as next year I'll have to pay for Alanna most places! It is a lovely walk to the grounds as well as around the site.

In April we went to lambing day at the local farm shop and Alanna went on some rides at a local funfair. She now loves the dodgems, but I don't think Grandad is so keen!

She has joined a gardening club called little seedlings at Dobbies garden centre. This is a free club for 4 - 10 year olds and she loves it.

In May we joined in the annual home ed safety day. Alanna loved finding out about the police (although now regularly tells people she's been in a police van without telling them why!) and the fire brigade. She wasn't too sure about first aid, but seemed ok with the RNLI and will happily tell you what colour flags you can swim between.

We went to scarecrow festival at the Vyne. Actually these seem to be everywhere now a days as Overton also had one recently.

In May we went to the Battle of Newbury by the Sealed Knot. Alanna loved this and was actively looking for dead people and also watching the first aid tent! She now has her own sword and shield which most people try to hide from! When she is old enough she wants to join them.

We've also been to Mottisfont Abbey with friends and Wellington Country Park. I think I'll save other visits for another post!

Other updates for the last year include Alanna starting with a childminder who unfortunately has had to take a several months break (hopefully back in the next couple of weeks!), but she has been looked after by a good friend of mine who she has got on well with. Her swimming keeps improving and she can now swim a short distance on her own front and back!

Also I have started a new relationship. It's still early (ish) days, but we have both been through separation so know how we both feel about somethings. He also has children and the youngest is close in age to Alanna so she is getting on well with the whole family. Although we do need to work on the spoil only child scenario! This week we are looking forward to going on holiday for a few days with them.

A wet week!

2010-08-28T14:04:00.000-07:00

Although last Sunday we did visit Milestones with Grandad (as proved by the photo!) we have been enjoying the rain the rest of the week!

We started on Monday with a trip to Winchester to join in a Wildlife trust event. We were at Winnell Moors which is just off the one way system. However you wouldn't know it. You are suddenly catapulted into the middle of nowhere!

As we arrived Alanna was given a piece of card with double side sticky tape on. She needed to find as many different colours as possible with help from one of the volunteers. As he took the children and the parents round we were told the names of different plants and trees. He picked the blackberries for the children so the poor man ended up covered in scratches!

Then she had a chance to make a potion to help the trees grow. A different volunteer this time who told the children all about different herbs and got them smelling them as well as what they could be used for. THey all went into a cup with each child the adding water it needed squishing! The potion was then poured under a tree of choice to help it grow.

Next we joined in the minibeast hunt. Unfortunately this was when the heavens opened! We did shelter a while under a tree, but it showed no signs of stopping. We did see lots of ladybird puper however! We went on the 'board walk' through the marshland before turning back as our time was up on th ecarparking ticket. By the time Alanna was back in the car she was lovely and dry as she had been wearing wellies, waterproof trousers and a waterproof coat. Mummy on the other hand...... Well I did have a waterproof coat on, it just happened to drip all over the non-waterproof trousers!

When we got home we did some colouring and drew pictures of the potion.

Tuesday was normal as Alanna was in nursery.

Wednesday we went to Tadley library and Alanna finished the space hopper challenge! She has a certificate and a medal. (photo to follow)

Thursday was good fun. We visited a childminder in the morning to see if we all got on. We have a month's trial in September, so fingers crossed as hopefully this will be where she moves to over the next few months from nursery. After lunch was an afternoon/evening at our friend, Nickys house. The children had a brilliant time as they went from playing in the large outdoor, rainy day play tunnel to playing in the paddling pool splashing water. Here I would like to point out that it was drizzling all afternoon and the children had on jeans, tshirts, but did have their wellies on! After about half an hour they decided they were a bit cold so came in to get changed! Nicky's kitchen floor looked like it had been flooded, but the children had really enjoyed it!

Then a communal bath followed, so more getting each other wet!

Friday was spent between nursery and grandmas house before daddy came and picked Alanna up last night. She should be home around 4pm tomorrow.

The house seems very quiet without her.

2010-08-20T14:12:00.000-07:00

I know, I know... its been a while since I added anything.
We've been up to lots recently.
Last week we went Sir Harold Hillier Gardens with friends. We joined a lovely story session and Alanna made a 'tall story' which has finally made it to the seasons table which is looking a little bear at the mo. Alanna and her Friend, Will, recognised silver birch trees and Will spotted a eucalyptus. they have some lovely artwork in the garden at the moment which was tried out by the children!

We've been in the Ranger holiday this week at Foxlease, in the New Forest. The girls had a brilliant time with a Peter Pan theme. Activties included archery and raft building, a couple of wide games which meant climbing in through windows and dressing as burglars, and a lovely campfire - completly done by the girls. Alanna loved having all the attention, particularly on the last morning as she seemed to be the only one who could get them moving! Oh, and she also mad efriends with a duck!
yesterday was spent mainly unpacking and tidying.
Today has been brilliant and I think Alanna has tired her brain out!
After nursery this morning she came home to help open the post. We had received our RSPB pack which included Alanna's bits as a wildlife explorer. She has a personal organiser, which includes paes on what you can spot each month, a diary, an address book and stickers! In her magazine there was something to make which showed which birds come out ant night and which during the day. Cut and stick pictures on the same theme, and a story. Very impressed. We received the Wildlife trust stuff yesterday and there is so much going on over the next few months I don't think I'll get much sleep between shifts!

We have also made banana bread - successfully! First time I have ever made bread without the breadmaker and it worked!! Very tasty as well.
Oh and we finished our hot air balloon. This was made after our outing to Balloons over Basingstoke. Alanna loved the day, particularly when Thomas the tank engine was inflated! Apparently they don't use it much due to its size.

Don't know what we are doing this weekend, will wait and see!

first trip to the theatre

2010-05-15T12:47:00.000-07:00

Last Sunday was the first time Alanna had been to theatre. How the Koala learnt to hug by Steven Lee was her introduction. A bit nervous in the beginning due to the flashing lights and load voice, but soon relaxed into it, even joining in (all but quietly) the shouting out.

She laughed loads when the girl and her dad went on stage and the dad had to dress up as a leaf and have things thrown at him by his daughter.

After the interval there was a bubble blowing competition and the little girl on stage chose Alanna as the winner! Steven told her to remind him that he owed her a special prize before the end of the show.

Then we heard all about how koalas used to all be grumpy. The grumpiest of them all was Natasha. Everything made her grumpy - even the trees who stood around doing nothing all day. One day, 2 beavers started gnawing away at her house so to get rid of them and the trees in one go she convinced the beavers to eat their way through the forest. This they did until only one eucalyptus tree was left. then Natasha heard a horrible crying noise. She looked, and looked for where the noise was coming from. then she realised it was the tree so she stomped, and shouted and hit and stomped some more to try and get it to stop, but the noise went on. then when she was worn out, she gave up and put her head against the tree. the noise stopped. So thinking all the shouting and stomping had worked Natasha went to go home. the noise started again, Natasha started shouting again. Then she stopped and got a strange feeling and realised that like her the tree was lonely. So she climbed up into the branches and hung on tight. The noise stopped and Natasha felt better for hugging. Ever since all koalas now hug the trees so the noise won't start again and so they feel better too!

A lovely story in a book by Steven Lee by the same name as the show. It also has various other Australian folktales in it.

The children were then given the chance to hug a (toy) koala. Hands went up all around the theatre. If only someone had won a special prize... Alanna was called up on stage and told she could cuddle the koala until the end of the show when she needed to give it back.

When he took his bow and said it was the end of the show and he would be outside to sign books Alanna was off my lap so quickly and up the steps, but he had already gone. She looked so lost! So we queued up for a book and for him it sign it. Then she also gave back the koala and had her photo taken.

it has been a lovely way to introduce her to the theatre!

Spring has started!

2010-03-06T11:28:00.000-08:00

Another busy week - I think I'm going to stop saying this as every week seems to be the same!

Monday we met 2 lovely home educated families who were really helpful answering my many questions. Alanna loved playing in the garden with the toys, play house and chickens! Wish we had room for some!

We then went swimming with friends and have never known a pool so empty. For the last half hour we had a 20 metre pool all to ourselves with the floor in the middle raised so Alanna and her friend could stand on it!

Tuesday we went back to Milestones museum for the morning. I can't believe how cheap the annual membership is (£15) so we can now go back as often as we like. Again we met up with some home educated families who gave us more information. Alanna had great fun running around the cobbled streets finding things on her activity sheet.

Wednesday we met up with some friends at a garden centre for lunch. The children enjoyed giving us heart attacks by running around the pot section of the centre! We then made daffodils and painted them (thank you Nicky!). Alanna's lovely purple one is on our newly made seasons table which is taking shape quite nicely.

Thursday we went to the local National Trust place, The vyne for a woodland walk with Grandad. We got some more things for our season table. Alanna practiced her letter recognition, learning about wasps, counting skills, worked out smaller and larger numbers and determined that 1.1 miles was shorter than 1.6 and 2.3! Not bad for a 3 year old. As well as listening to bird sound learning about the world around her and getting exercise (including practicing balancing across a branch - no pictures as she was holding my hand!)

Friday was another work/nursery day but she came home early and helped teach all her toys to jump and swim in a pond (her bed) by demonstrating and helping them!

She's off for a weekend with daddy at the moment so I've been in the garden all day. New Troughs bought for Alanna's beetroot and carrots! Will see what she thinks when she returns.

Have started reading some home education books recently (thanks to Kelly for lending them to me). I have come across the term Wider world educating which I think really sums up the difference between school and Home ed. I really need to look at some schools, but still want to home ed - it just makes so much sense. Hopefully it will happen, only time will tell.

puddles and more...

2010-02-27T15:03:00.000-08:00

Another busy week

Monday saw me at work and Alanna with a friend for the first time on her own. She seemed to thoroughly enjoy it and is still talking about it now.

Tuesday we got to the home Ed group meet up at JJs (local soft play place). Alanna was so excited she couldn't wait to get her shoes off - we haven't been for over 6 months and then have only been a total of 3 times previously! We have arranged to meet up with a couple of people and I am trying to arrange a few more meet ups on a one to one basis.

Wednesday came I drove 33 miles for a training with staff I work alongside, run by a trainer from the next door building to work, then 33 miles back again! Hopefully part 2 will be at work

Thursday we met a lovely local family for the first time having only spoken over the GP forum until then. We also discovered our children were born on the same day, same year just different towns!

Friday was a work/nursery day and Brownies.

On the way into nursery we heard a woodpecker so Alanna walked in doing woodpecker impressions much to the confusion of the staff! Alanna joined the Brownies going up the bell tower from the church next to the hall with the help of a Young Leader.

Today! - Saturday

Even busier!! and yet so much more rewarding!

We have made bread (again with bread maker)

hung out bird feeders

Alanna has done some maths (from an activity book)

The we went on a puddle walk and remembered the camera

All by 11am!

We then went shopping and came back to an indoor picnic - my Little girl was getting a bit tired by then so we had to have our luxury on our indoor picnic!

one of our guests!

This afternoon with the help of Grandad we have condemned our tv! The sound has gone for the last 2 weeks and when we tried the DvD freeview with the small portable it works fine. So the freeview box is now upstairs with the portable in my room. On the landing shelves are all our videos and DvDs.

Now where the Tv was is our new seasons table!! Which is currently quite big due to using the tv stand. So far it has a rainbow silk on it and a small bowl of blue glass nuggets to symbolise the puddles. When it looks a bit better photos will follow. Until then I just hope the cat has no interest in the table!

Thinking Day

2010-02-21T16:16:00.000-08:00

Happy Thinking Day to everyone.
For those of you who don't know this day is celebrated by Girl Guides and Girl Scouts all round the world in memory of our Founders who shared the 22 February as their birthday. We remember we have sisters in many countries (more than the Commonwealth). This year is special as GirlGuiding UK celebrates it's 100 birthday!
There are lots of things on this year ending with a massive renewal of Promises at 20:10hrs, on 20/10/2010 across the Country. Here in Basingstoke we are taking over the local museum, Milestones for the evening.
If anyone is interested in finding out more then take a look at www.girlguiding.org.uk

from the mouths of children...

2010-02-20T14:13:00.000-08:00

I had to pass this on -
Yesterday when we were packing for Alanna's big weekend away with daddy Alanna was choosing 3 bed toys to take with her. She chose bunny and a tombilbo(?) and was stuck on what to pick for her third toy. She then looked at me gave me a big hug and said
" I take you with me?"
So I said no, mummy was too big for her suitcase.

She thought about this for a while then said:
" Yes, you break my suitcase - YOU break my TOYS!!!"

Thanks darling - build me up on one side and knock me down with laughter on the other!!

I haven't heard anything from Manchester, so assuming everything is OK - wonder what time she will get back tomorrow - it took them four hours yesterday.

This week - 15 Feb

2010-02-19T02:01:00.000-08:00

Been sorting out some recent photos this morning and realised how much we have done in the last week and how much I haven't got photos of!

We've made bread which we hadn't done for a long time as I keep forgetting we can do it now!

Alanna (and Keira the cat) have played at being fairies.

We made bird feeders

Alanna has taught herself to draw around both her hands while visiting a local museum who had half term activities around the Hollywood walk of fame. I forgot my camera that day so ended up taking a photo when we got back to Grandma's house!

Alanna has painted a bird for the first time that looks like a bird!

We have also been to our other local museum for a make and take session about trains as they have recent had a new steam train added to the exhibits. That was great fun, but got no photos apart from playing in the post office! Alanna went running around like the older children with a sheet of drawings of things around the museum for her to find. She also 'wrote' a letter to her friend which we must get round to posting! We talked about trams and looked at the tracks they used. If mummy had been more organised and had taken a packed lunch we could have stayed there all day! Maybe next time!

We are hoping to go swimming this afternoon as long as I get the housework done first. Then she is off to Manchester with her daddy tonight for her cousin's birthday party this weekend. Home ed group next week - looking forward to it as we haven't made it for such a long time!

Our first story

2010-02-14T14:16:00.000-08:00

Today Alanna and I wrote our first story! Drawings are to follow. Tomorrow we are both having swine flu jabs so I thought it would be a good idea to write a story about a little girl going to have an injection together. Will update tomorrow whether this was a good idea or not!
The story goes as follows:
Hannah was playing with her toys when her mummy told her that they were going to see Nurse Henry the next day.

"Why?" asked Hannah
"Because you need an injection to stop you getting ill" said mummy.

Later that day Hannah's friend, Josh, came around to play. Hannah told Josh she was going to hae an injection and was a little bit scared. Josh said he had had his injection last week. Hannah asked him what happened.

Josh said "Nurse Henry showed me a needle and told me that he was going to put the end of it in my arm. I would feel a little scratch then it would all be over. Nurse Henry gave me my injection and it only hurt a little bit then it was all over.

Hannah felt happier now.

The next day Hannah and her mummy went to see Nurse Henry. Hannah was a little bit shy. Nurse Henry smiled at her and showed her what he was going to do. Hannah sat very still on her Mummy's lap while Nurse Henry gave her the injection. Hannah felt a little scratch on her arm and then Nurse Henry had finished.

"Is that it?" asked Hannah.

"Yes" said Nurse Henry "and you can have a sticker if you like".

"Thank you" said Hannah. Then Hannah and her Mummy went home.

Ok, not quite booker prize, but not bad for our level of concentration!!