The mixer lost a wheel

Today,  Evan made a story using a collection of digger jigsaws

Troglodytes and cycling

Our wonderful mini holiday in Haddon Grove by Lathkill Dale was a really fantastic time.  Plenty of cycling and walking.  This first photo is us off on a walk down into Lathkill dale at the start of a very active day which included going in 3 different caves, we are toying with the idea of becoming Troglodytes.

Here it is, Lathkill Dale... A LONG way down.  So beautiful.  Gorgeous weather.

On the way down... It is pretty steep.

Our treasure at the bottom.

Cave number 1.  We couldn't see a name for it... but from what we saw the entrance was deceptive and beyond the darkness and a short bit the cave was huge and you could stand in it.  I was uneasy about Pat going in, so said no!

Looking up from the valley. WOW

Scrambling about.

We have become accustomed to taking a rope swing with us everywhere to take up every possible opportunity to have a good play in all the places we go.

Pat said that rock scree's are fantastic for finding fossils.  We stopped at a few places and were not disappointed.  Practically every stone had some sort of fossil.  Mainly shells as this was the bottom of the sea once upon a time.

Swoosh.

Grabbing a bit of shade on a very hot morning for our snack.

Plenty of lovely Limestone cliffs

Into the afternoon once we got a spot of lunch in a lovely pub we are on a cycle trail on our way to Thor's Cave.

Autumn soon woke up to fully enjoy the Cave.

The view from Thor's Cave

Autumn sliding down the very smoothed and polished stones.

Sneaky peak from another cave looking out at Thor's Cave - just to the right of middle, the hole in the rock.

We meandered our way for some fish and chips in a beautiful village, and came across this stunning view on the way.

Day 3 and we are cycling again, but here we are taking a pit stop for a climb.

Looking out at the view from the top of the climb.

Chilling out whilst Evan and I pick Blackberries.

Grandad came to visit

We have just had a great two days with the addition of my dad to our little home ed team.  We did usual things with our days,  so lots of fun was had,  if a little ramped up on the moan status.

On Thursday we went to mini works, on the kids request,  but having been there  three times already this week,  we're not in the most enthusiastic of spirits.  This was followed with a trip to get autumn some new shoes,  where she chose a pair of comfy closed toe shoes,  and a pair of hi-tops,  which are now her Zumba shoes!  I want a pair,  they look so good.  We popped into pets at home and discovered that tanks were on sale the following day,  and our plan to get fish would start then.

Then a magical visit to Honey pie tearooms for a spot of lunch. It was totally delicious,  and great feel.  Everyone loved it,  despite the arguments about a toy squirrel  (nutkin). Beth my dad and I wrote reviews for trip advisor to give thanks.

We went to Weston Park museum in the afternoon.  The highlight was the craft room,  where we made some additions to their rainforest scene,  and were given bags full of craft supplies.  Here they are exploring colour using a fab idea, frames on a white surface with melted bottle tops - We are soooo going to collect and melt our own for some fun craft activities.

The evening followed with bath,  and then chatting with my dad. It was so great to spend time together.  We battled with computer apps for the tail end of the evening,  password became a comical word.

The next day we had a slow get ready, whilst inventing lifting machines out of k'nex I made some biscuits and prepped our picnic lunch,  as we went to forest friday.  

Lucy and Lesley were there with their little broods.  I brought the stick book and chose a fun activity of weaving flora and fauna into a stick loom.  Then me and Lesley made and wove stick looms whilst the kids ran about or hung out in lucy's voluminous parachute hammock. Ha ha!  We took a statutory stroll to the stream to finish our time there.  There were no late comers and as we had young ones in need of naps we were done by about 1. Whilst at the stream much fun was had,  and autumn followed Annie's idea of washing clothes in the stream,  thankfully I had brought spare clothing.

We spent the afternoon in the Botanical gardens,  which was great.  Autumn climbed up ridiculously high in the yew tree,  but her second go led to a very skilful and speedy descent.  Evan enjoyed the clues and riddles,  which we have planned on fully documenting.

Thank you so much to my dad for taking advantage of his unexpected gap in his schedule and joining us.  We loved having him.

Sculptures, tree trunks, fairies and squirrels

On the timetable today,  was a drama / literacy session with stories of squirrels,  pirate ships,  grinders; all played out on the big rotten petrified tree trunk.  Next music,  with exploration of different thicknesses if wood and their drumming potential.  Another spot of literacy with books in the shop. Onwards to art appreciation by exploring the artwork currently in the large indoor gallery.  Juxtaposition of cultures,  and gender stereotypes,  using kente cloth in vivid and fun colours on typical English clothing,  and other items.

Then to the haha bridge and the fairy land for a bit of creative play.

Deer Sculpture Skyspace

Becky have a very rare moment alone

"The" tree - we spent hours here, theis tree was all sorts of things and much fun was had.

How many thigns can a tree trunk be... 2-6 years olds have so many answers - we would probably say something to take photos of and something to sit on like a bench.  I love the kids creativity.  It brings joy and renovated passion into our lives.

The totem poles

ahhh, cute little bunny rabbit nibbling on some grass.

The Ha Ha bridge going over the Ha Ha.

The entrance to fairyland.  The kids really got into the idea (we had to entice them away from some rather exciting looking bushes, so a few really excited secret sounding adventure chats about fairyland got them intrigued and in to the world)

The shiny octopus.

Hiding from the photos