Orange Cheese and Brown Paint

Cutting and sticking pictures yesterday afternoon Lunch with friends at the table today Cosy new slippers to replace my broken ones. A lovely suprise from the postman today. Thanks Mum :) Making 3d marshmellow structures

For a family that consume large quantities of orange cheese (Red Leicester) and brown paint (nutella) this is shaping up to be the perfect kitchen colour scheme.

Been having some good chats with Mothers I know about Quality versus Quantity in the friendship area, part of the problem of living in an area with lots of home edders is finding time to be at home as a family. Since my blog about over scheduling I have actually been actively clearing out us time.

When people ask the social question, you know the one, if you have been home educating for more than about 5 seconds you will have been asked it. I have this standard flippant reply of "Oh the kids are fine but I miss adult social banter." I find deflecting the issue onto me makes them more careful about their choice of words but also it is true. the sibling dynamic in my family is a fragile thing and needs little in the way of unbalance to tip it over. The honest reality is we could go out everyday, all day for visits and have visitors here and so on. It is hard to say no. Especially when you read the blogs of other home ed families who have real trouble making connections due to geographical contraints it is tempting to give into the " make the best whilst it lasts." feeling.

And that the children my children gravitate towards may not be the ones whose mums I fancy a gossip and coffee with (they generally are :)) Fortunately we have the monthly adults home ed social here in West Sussex for me to fill my cup of adult time.

So, we have the BFFs from Against the Grain over today and when you see it go with the flow the flow is a wonderful thing. All sorts have been going on Barbie picnics, Playmobil battles, lego ninjago, origami folding, marshmellow structures, drawing.................

Our decorator Reg also breeds Golden Retrievers, one of his dogs is called Midas, from Midas touch he witnessed the twists and turns of curious and inquisitive home ed children in conversation. We wound up talking about how many puppies and how many buttons the mother has. (I had to explain that by buttons he meant nipples) and we asked if they are like piglets who always return to the same nipple. Oh the places you'll go.

Before our friends arrived E did a page of Peter and Jane and S read a whole Roman Mysteries book. Number 8. They are a great series the way they mix historical fiction and fact is perfect for S. We also did some of O's ABC book. It is great the way his older siblings help out. Managed to bag 10 hours sleep last night. Our regular Friday helper made a special guest Tuesday appearance so that I could whizz and collect the car and do a few quick errands and landed up making Barbie clothes with S.