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26 October 2012

Unschooling Week

This postcard is stuck at eye level on my kitchen wall, bringing a brief hot tear to my eye every time I pass it (many many times each day).
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While my big girl is running up and down the beach, learning to ride, and swimming every day on holiday with my mum...
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The baby has started walking daily and is growing more and more confident.  She was toddling a few nervous steps from time to time, and now she runs across the room in a funny little waddle.  She has also begun deliberate mark-making with crayons and pens.
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When we went to Attenborough, Morgie and Roo mostly wanted to look at seeds under the microscope.  Talia wanted to play with the crayons - and feed the ducks.  Up until this week she has always tried to eat the seed herself, and looked at me askance for throwing it away.
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I have discovered that Roo can count to thirty - and do addition on her fingers. (We asked Morgan "what would six more be?" and Rowan responded, showing us how she worked it out!)

Morgan has chosen new books and read them herself with help on long words. She has also been playing with alphabet cards "writing" the names of everyone she knows. I can't believe how much phonics she understands without any teaching. She's only five. I was so sure she would be much later to read and write.  She has also finally got the hang of cycling on a bike with pedals.

We made story dice together yesterday.  Mostly the usual routines and groups have been abandoned in favour of avoiding half-term busy-ness (and in favour of getting more sleep, since the middle two darlings have been sleeping in a little this week).
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There has been more time for crafts, somehow, and I cannot *believe* how I *ever* thought it difficult to take three children to town without a meltdown (mine or theirs).  I have enough hands, this week, and yet...  I really miss the wonderful company and ready smile of my eldest.

13 comments:

  1. I hate to tell you this. But half term is this week coming, starting today. Does your mum work in Nottingham? There half term was the week just gone. H x

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    1. Yes it's two weeks of hiding when you do groups in Derby *and* Nottingham! ;)

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  2. I love to read about what others are doing in their home ed journeys, what a lovely week you have had, so many amazing achievements. What a wonderful environment for learning you have created.

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    1. Thank you! I love hearing about other people's journeys too, it's fascinating to see the paths these little people take. :)

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  3. half term starts here this week too so we are also planning on avoiding as many places as possible. Unfortunately we will have to brave some of the crowds as the museum and leeds castle have events on which the children are looking forward too. Hope your little pixie is back soon for oodles of cuddles x

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    1. We might manage to make it to something next week... Maybe... It's so easy, with Morgan being quite self-contained and Roo and Tilly being so little, to stay in. Not so much with Jenna!

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  4. Isn't it funny how after adding another kid into the mix, when one leaves you can't believe how EASY it seems?? When I only have one I feel so free!

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    1. I found having one child SO difficult. Now I find four tricky, and can't even imagine finding one a handful haha. How things change!

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  5. I have been reading your blog for a little while and find it a beautiful inspiring read. Thank you!

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    1. Thank you for reading, and for such a sweet comment. :)

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  6. So nice to hear the joy of someone else's early walker. Jude, who I think is about two weeks later than T, is at the wobbly steps stage, and all I get is groans and comments about how hard it will be to have two walkers. Why can't people celebrate these new stages with you? :(

    Angie

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    1. I love the toddling! :) It's hard when everyone around seems to feel that children are a burden, and the more they do the more of a burden they are. I find this stage hard because of the lack of words, the increased mobility is no trouble at all! :)

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  7. So nice to hear the joy of someone else's early walker. Jude, who I think is about two weeks later than T, is at the wobbly steps stage, and all I get is groans and comments about how hard it will be to have two walkers. Why can't people celebrate these new stages with you? :(

    Angie

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Penny for your thoughts? :)