Catch up...
We have had lots of people asking and emailing to find out how things are now we are back to reality... school, work, the business of normal everyday life. It feels a long time since we last posted but equally time has passed in a flash.
August we spent travelling in Wales and catching up with family which was wonderful. Time in West Wales and up in North Wales is always cherished by us all. We arrived back in Mumbles in time for the start of the school term and it was as if we had never been away. We were all welcomed back with open arms, the kids caught up with excited friends and it took us hours to walk anywhere as we were stopping to chat to everyone we bumped into along the way.
September began, Dave had a phased return to work and enjoyed seeing colleagues again although it is tough being the only one returning to the old normal as it were. Polly and Meg were equally excited about their schools, Polly off to secondary school in Bishopston with her buddies and Meg off to enjoy playing with lots of other small people, dollies and pink things that we don't have at home, at Nursery. Her fingers are incredible, they don't stop her doing anything and she proudly shows her special finger to anyone who asks. They are nothing short of a miracle...
For me, Jinks and Tom this was the start of the next chunk of time trying to do what we have been doing while away and dipping our toes into the world of Home Ed at home.
The LBR (Langland Bay Road) Academy.
We would have never tried this before going away and, as we have said before, it seems the right thing to do but we are open to it not being a forever plan. It was hard for us all initially, explaining ourselves and realising that it wasn't something that everyone could really understand. We have had the odd wobble and have bad days, of course, but all in all it has been a hugely positive experience. Jinks has spent some unforgettable days with his cousin Charlie, before he went off to University, learning about the Samurai warriors and whittling weapons costing up, shopping for and making lunch in the forest on a handmade toaster.
Jinks has started rugby which means, along with football, he is seeing his buddies regularly and loves that. We have seen Tom's friends as well but he is less keen on ball sports so we need to make sure he still has regular contact with them. We have had out first LBR Academy Road Trip to Bristol and then North Wales staying with friends and family and visiting Bristol Zoo, Conwy Castle, the ancient Copper Mines on the Great Orme and an amazing North Wales Music Festival concert at St Asaph Cathedral where they saw Aunty Carrie in action as she organised the whole thing.
The boys are really motivated and keen at the moment (Jinks slightly more than Tom) so long may it continue. We have some very kind teacher friends who are happy to help out at any point we think we might need it. We are really sticking to what we did travelling, a bit of book stuff, maths or english in the morning and then getting outside seeing and doing things.
Their favourite days are their 'Emma Days'. Locally, Emma is a bit of a legend. A primary school teacher and iron woman who has left the system to start up on her own doing all sorts of things including Outdoor Ed sessions in the holiday time which are very popular. I contacted her 6 mths ago about the fact we might want to home school and asked if she would consider doing a forest school type session with the boys so that I could free up a day to work. She was able to juggle her commitments to do this and they have just loved it. They head off with her in her big yellow camper van to the forest to make fires, bows, identify insects and leaves, make maps and look at all sorts of maths based things without them realising what they are doing! They come back filthy, happy and full of enthusiasm. They just love it so we will continue to do that.
So, that is the last couple of months in a nutshell. All in all, we are doing well and enjoying new challenges. Day to day life is busy, as it is in all households, and it is rare to get a moment to yourself with the boys at home but I snatch every opportunity when it comes along...
