The first week in January was spent mainly rearranging the family room after taking down the Christmas tree and decorations - As well as sorting through the many resources we were rearranging and then rearranging again, the furniture into a more workable layout.
We all agreed the family room has too many functions to ever be a serene area - its a:
- Play area for the little ones
- Games Area (Wii & Xbox 360)
- Exercise Area (Wii fit and Personal Trainer)
- TV area - we watch television and DVDs/VHS occasionally
- PC area. - educational and recreational use daily
During the second week we had Jack's 14th birthday and on the very same day we had a visit from Roy Brewer from Derbyshire Elective Home Education Department. I must admit I quite like Roy, ever since we hit it off over organic gardening and keeping chickens, but we hadn't seen him in two years firstly because we were at "madhippyhomestead" and then in September or October 2011 we were harvesting vegetables in the back garden when he came and we didn't hear him. He caught up with the kids and had a look at some of their projects and work - I admitted to him last year was not our best ever due to lots happening in and around the family - and whatever structure we used to have had gone out of the window really. He seemed quite happy with their progress and added "whatever you are doing keep it up - however spontaneous they are learning and developing fine" woohoo ! I always dread these things - for many reasons but that was good to hear after the awful year 2011 was.
The third week heralded a few nice surprises - and definitely for me the most important development so far - our rebellious and headstrong 12 year old daughter has finally seen the light and turned over a new leaf (phew!!!) we also received the written report back from Roy Brewer from Derby Home Education Department and its a glowing endorsement of how we do things around here lol - yep a lovely surprise.
The last week of January involved a hospital appointment for Joseph about his eyes - which are getting so tired throughout the day now that he's getting very clumsy bless him - as I suspected he needs glasses - quite strong ones too - he is very long sighted - so a couple of months with new glasses and then we may explore the patching avenue (he will love that - NOT) Also it was Elaine's birthday - my friend and sister in spirit and the children's God mum - after a weekend filled with the kids making cards for her - a visit to see her, Dave and our Godchildren (Daniel, Crystal and baby Jathan) after the hospital was just what I needed to take my mind off Joseph. It was also Chinese New Year (a great excuse to have some fun and order take aways :) as well as take part in some cool activities locally . Also on the 25th we celebrated "Burns Night" being half Scottish it would be unthinkable to NOT celebrate it really - we had traditional meal of Haggis Neaps and Tatties and read the Poetry of Robert Burns - the kids often also colour in or paint various bits to do with Burns Night.
January to sum up was a brisk - productive month - setting the scene for a good 2012 -
Goals for February
Create seperate learning areas:
- Independent research and assignements area
- Group activity area
- 1-1 teaching area
Birthday's etc
7th - Dad
7th - Josh (our nephew)
20th - Adam (our son)
28th - Melanie (my sister)
28th - Daniel (friend/IT and 1st Aid teacher and excellent tea maker ;)
Other Stuff
2nd - Candlemas
14th - Valentines Day
22nd - Pancake Day
29th - Leap Day 2012