Still here...

... just a little busy.
We had a lovely time at Twin Lakes with friends last week, they have free pumpkin carving available in the run up to Halloween so we came home smelling of pumpkins.
Then we went to the best party EVER! A halloween party organised by some Home Ed friends. Wow, what a party - a magician, dancing, McDonalds, Pizza, Icecream, Fireworks, and Lanterns! We came home very happy but very knackered. Eoin and Emma - you definately get the award for best party of the year!
On Saturday we went to see the Firework display at Abbey Park. A beautiful evening and as always a brilliant fireworks display.

LA has continued to exceed all my expectations (child number 3 - why do I have expectations???) in her reading ability. She is now on the (dreadful) Rainbow Fairy books and has read the first 4 books in the last 3 weeks. She really enjoys them, so we're going along with it, but the stories are awful! Any recommendations for a 5 year old would be very welcome!

Its still not so easy to get her to write, but we're not pushing this, I'm sure the time will come.

She now has her own website - its a blog on which I have listed lots of sites that I feel are relevant for the week ahead - she loves the independence of being able to go to the computer and get on with it, so its working well.

Holiday Number 4: SPAIN!!!

We have just returned from our final holiday of the year, we borrowed my brothers apartment in Fuengirola on the south coast of Spain for a week.

The weather was for the most part beautiful, and we spent 5 days on the beach and in the sea.

LA has learnt some Spanish and was able to see differences between the Spanish Culture and our own. I could, I suppose if I was pushed, list all the wonderful educational opportunities that presented themselves - but bugger it - we had a lovely time, we spent much needed time together as a family and we all learnt loads!

Holiday Number 3: Butlins, Skegness

LA and I have just returned from a very hectic 5 days at Butlins. We went last year, but had to come home early as LA was unwell, so I promised we'd return this year.

We did have a lovely time, very busy but good fun. I find that I really enjoy being able to give her all my time without other commitments getting in the way.

I also find, that having a break at this time of year, puts us in a good mental place to begin working, LA is fired up and ready to get on with it. Whilst we have been away we have also agreed on several ground rules that will help us throughout the year.

We watched Sooty in Space and we got to meet Richard!

We had lovely weather, so we spent time on the beach and in the sea.

On the way home we called in to Natureland, the seal sanctuary in Skegness. This knowledgable chap, told us all about the seals and the penguins (who were busy building a nest, and looked really funny with huge stones in their beaks).