Burbage valley

We had the most awesome few days exploring the wonders of Burbage Valley.  Stunning sky, creatures, company and adventures.  Thanks to our wonderful friends for joining us and making the experience so special.

Play

Play is such an important part of kids lives.  I am so glad we have the opportunity to let our kids to spend so much of their time doing so.  It occurred to me, that even though it is the thing Evan and Autumn spend most of their time doing, I don't document or really mention it on this blog. I think the reason is simple, I'm not involved.  I am purposefully not involved in their play.  They don't want me involved, and don't need me.  My role is that of facilitator.  I provide them with opportunities, mainly, rather than specific ideas or stimuli.

Our outdoor space grows by the day as the children spread into the woods behind our house, beyond the badger set. Our garden could easily be described as a complete mess, or unkempt or even a tip.  I beg to differ.  It is an open ended environment in which children can learn, explore, play, cooperate, create, destroy, test, imagine and just be.  I find it easier to let this space be and give it over to them as I don't have to be in it the whole time, and there is much more space.

Guinea Pigs Online

For anyone who encounters us in the forthcoming weeks and possibly months, it will become quickly evident that we have a few new play constructs under our belts.  A move on from Octonauts and Peter Rabbit; the world inhabited by Coco and Fuzzy, near Strawberry park, has become our world too.

"GUINEA PIGS ONLINE is the squeak-out-loud funny new series starring Coco and Fuzzy: two guinea pigs who love surfing the internet when their owners aren’t looking!" 

We have all thoroughly enjoyed this series of 5 books.  Although the perilous adventures they get into has been a true test for, 'in the moment' Autumn, who gets completely absorbed in their world during the story, and runs off screaming.  During the first book we had to read almost the whole thing in one sitting as the perilous antics would desist.

Sadly a couple of nights ago, the adventures came to an end when we closed the book on the final book in the series.  Evan in eager to get engaged in the sister series - Puppies online, but Autumn is mourning the loss of Coco and Fuzzy.  Fuzzy, who, by the way, she inhabits most of every day presently, and we get corrected if she is wearing her crest and we refer to her as Autumn.  She talks about her nails as claws exclusively and feet and hands as paws.  When we went to Yorkshire sculpture park the other day, she was told she couldn't have bare paws and needed paw covers, so, true to her word she found two pairs of shoes and covered her hands and feet with them.  Autumn's capacity for make believe play is unending, and she goes in deeper every day, and is often found fully "storying" their play with additions of things like "..said Pepper" in her play.  She really enjoys playing with language and has such a strong imagination.  She really likes to embody the characters she plays in their mannerisms, the way they would speak, the words they would use and the types of play and things they would do.  I really admire and enjoy Autumn and Evan's games together, which, whilst not free of disagreements, are largely peaceable and productive.  Lots of collaboration, negotiation and a willingness to keep the story going.  All of these elements I remember as themes in the drama groups I've attended over the years, as well as themes in our lives that help us to function as humans in today's society.

Back to stories again, I stumbled upon a Moomin book in a charity shop the other day which I simply had to have, at 25p how could I not.  Well, they fell in love the moment I started to tell them the characters.  And then when Pat read the book to them last night they were snuggly and entranced.  I came home from work when they were part way through, and came into our room to get changed, and they didn't notice I was there.  They loved it, and I'm really looking forward to seeing where this new love may lead in the adventures of our lives.

Brighton - Day 2. The playground

Money from Momo paid for these lovely things, but the nice shop keeper gave Autumn her bunny ears which she loves.

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

Barmoor

We were lucky enough to be invited along to a Home Educators weekend at a Quaker Residence in North York Moors for May Bank Holiday this year.  It was completely bargainiferous, and as it was to be with other families from Sheffield who also Home Educate, I thought it would be a really nice relaxed bit of family time.  I was right.  We had a wonderful time.  There are loads of bedrooms and fun things to do.  We had gorgeous views and adventures.  One blissful morning was spent in the garden doing a spot of felting and face painting whilst the children played together and enjoyed every moment.  Despite none of the children really being firm friends, they got on brilliantly.  The number of children, and adults, seemed to be just right to support a productive and happy time.  It was neither overwhelming, or isolating, but allowed for solitude and social time.  A nice mix of young children, up to about 8 years meant that not one age group dominated.  There was play between some of the oldest and youngest children, in true home education fashion.  Artificial segregation by age was did not make an appearance (apart from after 9pm when we hoped most of the children were in bed!!!)

On Bank holiday monday we visited the local village and played in the cooling river on the extremely hot day.

Autumn warming up after a cooling dip.

Autumn and Oona deep in play.