The Gallivanters

Sunday, 19 May 2013

Workin' Woman Blues

First complete home day since last Sunday. Since becoming a home educator June and September have firmly established themselves as my best months of the year, and, as we approach that time we've organised some cool gallivants.

We have a neat week lined up. Science Museum, London, swimming, The Vyne and the beach all on the itinerary.

Aside from a flying visit from my Mum and Dad this morning E and O have played Lego pretty much all day and S has been on her tablet watching iplayer and playing games. I experienced that 12 seconds of bliss when all the various laundry devices were empty and in the search for the missing 8x2 brick from the times tables puzzle we up ended a sofa and discovered many more lost treasures.

That's the shape of our Sunday.

Saturday, 18 May 2013

Close To You

We've had a day with the paternal Grandparents at their house today and the trio have enjoyed much Uncle based fun including: croquet on the lawn, Velcro tennis and Lego Hero Factory hide and seek in the garden. A day off cooking for me and a relaxing chance to catch up. Neat.

Instead of a movie last night we watched an hour long youtube Lego Lord of the Rings clip E has wanted to share with us for ages. He blew me away yesterday in the Brighton Lego shop talking about rare gold mini figs, Brick King, Brick Queen and Cuusoo. Early that day I'd felt so frustrated at his reluctance and unwillingness to read with me and sad he hadn't joined in the life size human body painting project S and O had undertaken then, when I saw him in his element, all at once I was reminded of his passion and enthusiasm and blown away by his knowledge.

TDO and I watched the rest of Sherlock Holmes with S then there was an old Sherlock on regular TV. Three day weekends are so civilised.

Playing in Grandma and Grandad's (TDO's Mummy and Daddy) garden

Friday, 17 May 2013

Wheel Within A Wheel

With TDO off on his regular forth Friday rhythm we've gallivanted to Brighton today to see the Jeff Koons exhibition at Brighton Museum and take in a little light shopping. Since stopping regular Friday drama 3 weeks ago now we've made great use of our Fridays visiting Portsmouth and Southsea as well as rock pooling at Clymping beach.

When own time management is a feature is it incredible how a regular commitment interferes with the natural ebb and flow of life. Something that would make absolutely no sense to me where I not a home educator.

Brighton was my home in the early 90s; I retain a strong affection for the city. Probably the coolest city outside London in my humble view.

It is mostly thanks to S's Children's Art Book that I knew about Jeff Koons. Took several photos before noticing the no photos sign. Sorry.

Brighton is endowed with an abundance of museums and our last few visits have focused on Hove Museum, Booth Museum and the Toy Museum.

We also enjoyed the classic lips sofa in child size mode - I love the way E is trying to give S a kiss on the lips and there is 1920s furniture that could have come straight from a Poirot set.

Today, with gift money burning the proverbial hole we also took in the Lego Store.

On the journey to Brighton TDO noticed that the car was making a clicking sound on the wheel and on arrival realised we'd driven over a bolt / screw in the road. On the way home, unsurprisingly, we had a flat tyre as a result of a puncture and S and E an improptu lesson in how to change a wheel.

Probably just as well it was a window shopping experience for TDO and I as he heads off to purchase new tyres.

E remarked

"I've always wondered what was under the tyre."

Last night's family movie was "102 Dalmatians", we saw several costumes at Hollywood Costume back in December. Connections.

S and I painted some more veins on the body she started with Weed in the afternoon