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Archive for April, 2008

Yesterday, I sent Asha upstairs with a new toothbrush and a new tube of toothpaste.

She had asked me to open her toothbrush before she went up, and informed she needed to clean her teeth. I wasnt going to argue

Anyway, I was having my wash last night, when I noticed a very small piece of silver, wondering what it was. When… I realised that it was the seal off her toothpaste.

On asking Steve if he had removed it,, he replied no…

What can I say?

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Yes, Asha and I had Pancakes for breakfast. then we planned on going to Caernarfon after the post office van. But the van never arrived here

Anyway, we went to Caernarfon Morrisons, bought some fuel and came home.

We all seemed tired today, so we then sat and watched Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs on video. It was o.k. Its amazing when you consider when it was first made! (1937)

After that Asha played with next doors kids for a while and on her bike, had a late tea and went to bed tired!

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The Welsh Historical Monuments Organisation made an announcment to me last week, which in all my excitement I forgot to announce on my own web site.

The exciting announcement for those of us who are home educating is :

You’ll be pleased to know that your request has produced a review of Cadw’s provision for free entry is given to home educators. I am relatively new in post and yours is the first home educator request that has been made in the last few months. I have discovered that existing provision was limited to a separate application for each visit, with consequent needless paperwork on the part of both Cadw and home educators.

Home educators will now be given a letter of authority for all Cadw sites, valid for a year, renewable on request. Free entry will still be limited to term time, Monday to Friday. I’d be grateful if you could spread the word amongst other home educators you may come in contact with.

Just a pity there web site always throws an error page up at me when I try to find it. I did however find this humorous comment about the site on bbc wales’s web site :

http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/northwest/webguide/pages/tourism.shtml

CADW
http://www.cadw.wales.gov.uk/
Design has triumphed over function on the Welsh historic monuments organisation’s website. There is information there on historic buildings (including castles) and sites all over the North West, as well as the rest of Wales, but the almost impenetrable navigation makes it challenging to find. Perhaps best treated as a computer game!

Vicki xx

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and not had any in?

well whilst reading another blog – thanks Melanie – I was introduced to this site : http://www.printablepaper.net/

Fantastic!

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We have added a new gallery section to familytreehouse. Currently I am using it to catalogue my photoshops and to share them with the world. Soon we’ll have a load of of family and friends photos and probably loads of Asha.

The more I play about with wordpress, the more I like it.

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Yep, Granny and Grandad came up for the day. Well they arrived around 10.40 and left around 4.

Asha went belistic when the car drove up.. It was great to see her going hysterical with laughter again, she has been through a lot, but seems back to herself now.

They took her to the gypsy Wood, near Caernarfon, after having a coffee/tea break. but sadly it was a bit too wet, and Asha was cold. They cut the visit short, and came and got some dry clothes and went to that old favourite of Asha’s Glasfryn Soft Play area. she loves it.  One happy tired Asha, one exhausted grandad.. and Granny – smiling.

After Granny and Grandad left, Asha joined next doors children for a play on the trampoline, and had a sweet mountain for a while. Happy kids all around.

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The plan had been get, up take Asha to ballet and go to the post office, then shopping.
Reality.. hear the wind whilst in bed, realise I felt awfull turn over and go back to sleep for another two hours. Leaving Asha and Daddy to fend for themselves.

Oh well, it wasnt that bad.. was it? We did end up getting some things done, and Asha did end up doing pictures, and stuff, she hasnt had time or energy for all week, and we read the dictionary.. What else do you read a child who has read everything else.. The collins First dictionary was a very good read

Asha played with next doors children and has had a lovely day, and we didnt have to do much at all.

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I have recently been thinking about our approach to home education.

Often people seem to talk about structured or autonomous (child lead) and I am trying to work out what our approach is, as it seems very much a mixture of both.

There are certain outcomes I would like from this year, that is birth year, I don’t do academic years, not even the OU do them! <wry grin>

I would like Asha to be doing some reading. I am sure she already is, but sensibly wants to get it all together before she shows us any more. I am not pushing her with this, just reading a few easier books to her during the day as well as her normal books / older books.

She can already do some simple addition, such as if I have four fingers and i then add another four how many are there all together. Or at the zoo last week, How many rabbits are there in the pen – 2, how many guinea pigs? 3, how many animals all together then? 5

So she has some basic additional ideas sorted.

But what is our approach? Well i think its semi autonomous… that is its autonomous, but we will naturally encourage the simple other ideas as and when we can into her day, Especially as I cant ever see me sitting doing mathematical sheets with her. I will have to get someone else to do that!

So what is the “structure” then?

well erm.

She has activites she does every week. she eats every day, she has a story (or 10) every night. She has things like Ballet, and she does loads of painting.

Every so often – normally in the winter, when I am running out of ideas / if weather is cras.. then yes some “work sheet type activites” do come out. but the reality? They are just to keep her busy when all else fails!

Vicki xx

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I have become more and more positive in my thinking behind not wanting to send Asha to these brick and mortar buildings which are often derift of senses, or love / compassion but todays article on the bbc news web site really made me want to scream!

If the schools medical officers are going to encourage our kids to do things we have allready said NO to, then surely its gone too far!. Where have parental rights gone, and how dare some DR belive he knows what is right for anyone elses kids.. My god, I doubt they even truly know what is right for there own!

Regarding the new Cervical Cancer Jab.

They wrote: “Decisions need to be made about whether girls should have access to the vaccine through primary care if their parents have refused consent.”

Ms Brabin said this was a “difficult issue” for those providing the vaccine, as giving the jab within schools, and against the wishes of parents, would be problematic for school nurses.

“We should be looking for other ways to increase uptake without doing this if possible,” she said.

A spokesman for the Health Protection Agency, which will be responsible for monitoring the success of the vaccination campaign, said: “This level of coverage is broadly positive for a new vaccine, particularly one that protects against an infection very few people are actually aware of.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7365613.stm

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Asha and I both woke up this morning coughing, so I decided that ballet wouldn’t happen.

However we decided that a trip to the theater, and the CLAY PLAY was worth risking, and we were right. We had a lovely afternoon, it was fantastic, and I really felt the staff right from reception, to the guy on the door at Galeri Caernarfon were brilliant with the kids..

The play… Oh, dont ask, I want to do it tomorrow as well! The “presentors” were fantastic. The kids and adults alike were transfixed and laughing, The whole thing was fantastic.

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Mummy has been suffering this week. Last weekend she was shivering in a room which was recording a temperature of over 25degrees C and under a duvet.

Glad to say Mummy is now a lot better, and only complaining that the kitchen floor still needs mopping;)

So what have we done then?

Last Saturday, was the normal rush to ballet, and then home to collapse on the sofa..
Sunday, I didnt do anything, I can remember and I am sure Steve played with Asha loads, and played football outside with her.
Monday. I went to the drs and got yet another course of antibiotics. I think we also went somewhere else but I cant remeber where/ what?
Tuesday, We went to Aberdesach Beach, and had a lovely day – mummy sleeping on the beach wrapped in blankets, Steve and Asha playing in the stream and just enjoying the sun, and sea air.
Wednesday- Oh the joys of wednesdays;) Shopping, followed by a short visit to C.L.A.S followed by a trip to the Spinneys – Nature / Bird reserve thing, at Bangor.

We also fitted in a trip to Penrhyn Castle, ……and Asha and I did a detour to the cafe for some Asha friendly cake… to meet a friend, for a lift as the Van wont get into the car park at the spinneys!

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Home Educators in the Isle of Man are about to be faced with a new bill, which to be honest stinks, of middle class beauracrats with an agenda, which is nothing to do with the protection or education of children, but more a social desire to seem to be doing the right thing for there children.. but not actually doing any such thing.

EDUCATION (MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS) BILL
2008
Explanatory Memorandum
1. This Bill, which is promoted by the Department of Education, abolishes the
Isle of Man Board of Education and makes a number of amendments of the Education
Act 2001, principally relating to the state education system; school attendance and
school discipline.

Clause 5 requires the parent of a child of compulsory school age who is not a
registered pupil at a state school to notify the Department of the arrangements for the
child’s education. Clause 6 increases the maximum fine on a parent for a child’s nonattendance,
enables a fixed penalty to be imposed, and allows the police to remove a
truant child to school or designated premises.

Duty to notify Department of arrangements for child’s education
After section 24 of the Education Act 2001 insert —
“24A. Duty to notify Department of arrangements for child’s education
(1) Where a child of compulsory school age is not a registered
40 pupil at a provided school, maintained school or special school, the parent of
the child must notify the Department in writing of the arrangements made for
the child to receive education.
(2) A notification under subsection (1) must state —
(a) the full name, address and date of birth of the child;
45 (b) the full name and address of the parent;

……………………

at any time, within 21 days after being required by the
15 Department to do so by notice in writing.
(4) The Department may at any time by notice in writing to —
(a) a parent who has given a notification under subsection (1),
or
(b) a person specified in such a notification as the person by
20 whom education is being or is to be given,
require him or her within the period specified in the notice (not being less
than 15 days beginning with the day on which the notice is served) to give
such particulars of the child’s education as are specified in the notice and as
the Department may reasonably require to satisfy itself that the child is
25 receiving or will receive suitable education.
(5) A parent who, without reasonable excuse, fails to give a
notification under subsection (1) within the time allowed by subsection (3)(a)
is guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not
exceeding £1,000.
30 (6) A person who, without reasonable…..

link to pdf

This PDF will also be added to the site at a later date.

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Oh well, early up.

Made a card for mummy.

Then off to the soft play area as Glasfryn. We then came home, and played outside.

Asha enjoyed herself today. We had pork and cabbage for tea.. (sounds worse than it was. It was actually really nice)

Played on the trampoline, Played on bikes, played football, played with dolls, and read stories,.

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We’re going to the Zoo , zoo , zoo

You can come too, to , too.

Yep we went and met Granny and Grandad at Colwyn Bay, and Steve and I had a lazy afternoon in Colwyn Bay. We found a bistro, to have a proper coffee in, and enjoyed a wander around a second hand book shop!!,  < I know, I know!!  >amongst other things..

and Granny and Grandad braved “The Welsh Mountain Zoo”

Asha love it.

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Well we were out first thing this morning, enjoing the sun and rain, and sleet. Yes I know its April.. Its what happens in April!

Anyway, after our trip to see the MP, in Caernarfon.. isnt it funny how holiday towns never seem to have to deal with real life, untill you live in them. Anyway.. we called in to pick Asha’s tickets up for CLAYDAY tomorrow.

‘Claytime’ is a play with clay, where the audience are invited to participate. Presented by Indefinitearticles, you are invited to a place where the earth’s natural material meets with children’s imaginations: a world of fabulous forms, amazing animals and morphing monsters.

Each Claytime is totally unique – creating its own world, its own characters and its own stories drawn directly from its young audience. Truly, interactive theatre at its most engaging. This show is made with and for 3 to 6 year olds. Parent / guardian will need to stay throughout the performance.

http://www.galericaernarfon.com

I am so looking forwards to this, I think it will be great for Asha. She has ballet in the morning and then a small period of time out. Then a great afternoon doing make and do and theater, what else can a three year old want!!!

Anyway, after getting her tickets, and me collapsing in a heap, which I woke up from four hours later. We went for a drive down to Trefor Beach. Asha had a lovely walk and play, on the beach, Steve took some photos, and I enjoyed watching them both.

We piled some wood into the back of the van, and came home, prepared and ate tea, did some reading and sewing and then Asha went to bed, tired.

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Yes, we went to see our local Plaid MP today. Well I went in, Steve stayed in the van with Asha. It has probably started a security alert in Caernarfon as I parked just outside the Govement Buildings in my van.

He was very helpfull and positive about the whole process, but under no illusion about the lenght of time the DWP can take to deal with anything.

We now need to make a new application, so I am going to write to Caernarfon CAB tomorrow, asking for an appointment to see them, regarding a childs application form.

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After constantly having a cold since before Christmas, and being fairly exhausted, I got a lie in. Steve entertained Asha all morning down stairs, with help from CBeebies, and I remained in bed. and did i need it or what!

The afternoon remained quiet simple, but the kids kicked off at night a bit, so Asha came in early.. though she didnt go to sleep untill past 10,30!

I felt a bit brighter.. but not loads.

Asha and I did some reading today as well. We re-read some of the Shirley Hughes and Kipper books, we havent read them for a while, so it was quite refreshing.

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Now, no council would do this.. would they?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/dorset/7343445.stm

I kind of feel this shows exactly what local councils can do if they choose to.  You only need one empolyer with a resentment and your live will be ……

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Two ospreys who recently returned to their nest in Gwynedd have produced their first egg.

It is the fifth year running that the ospreys have flown in from Africa to raise chicks in the Glaslyn Valley near Porthmadog.

BBC LINK

So what is an Osprey?

Ospreys or in Latin – Pandion haliaetus

Female 60-66 cm

Male 50-55 cm 183 cm

(58-72 in) wingspan.

Colour: Body, dark brown above and white below.

Head, white except for a brown stripe from the eye to the back of the head.

The tail has medium-sized, alternating, dark brown and white bands.

The female Osprey had a larger band of mottling across chest. Other things to look for: Barring on underwings and tail, voice plaintive whistles. Eyes are Yellow in colour, feet appear oversized.

Unlike other raptors, the Osprey has four equal toes. The outer one is reversible, enabling the bird to seize its prey with two toes pointing forwards and two pointing backwards.

So where do they live, and why??

The Osprey are truly a global bird inhabiting all continents except Antarctica. Their diet consists solely of fish,

Osprey’s have a wide distribution because they are able to live anywhere where there are safe nest sites and shallow water with abundant fish.

Nests are generally found within 3 to 5 km of a water body.

The frequency with which each of these habitat types is used varies by geographic region.

Because the osprey’s habitat is always closely associated with bodies of water; nests are most commonly in dead or open-topped trees,

When an Osprey sees a fish from the air, it can hover at a height of between 10 to 30m When the fish is in a suitable positionin a dramatic performance, the bird, dives with its wings half closed and claws stretched forward, and disappears under the surface in a great spray of water, usually reappearing a few seconds later with a fish firmly clutched in its claws.

Because the Osprey’s plumage is fine and dense, especially on its feet, it bird does not get very wet.

The Osprey carries its catch headfirst in flight, using both feet to hold all but the smallest fishes. Ospreys can’t swim and have been known to drown, especially if they get their talons stuck in too large a fish and can’t take off.

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