Archive for the ‘Festivals’ Category
Argh.
December 24th, 2008 | 
Author: Its 11.30 at night. Asha actually went to bed at 8pm tonight, and fell straight asleep. after three Peggy Burton Christmas Stories. :
Christmas Adventures in Hazelnut Wood,
A Happy Christmas for Mr Mole
Christmas comes to Mrs Mouse
and a Rodger Hargraves Mr Christmas (Mr Men) however she is now sitting in bed, with 25 books of the bookcase in her bedroom, having needed the toilet, and will probably have another 50 there by the morning! – Argh she wants me. got to go!
Popularity: 21% [?]
Christmas Den
After the chaos of last year, we decided that this year we wern’t going to have a christmas tree.
I have always had a real one, but I just couldn’t face it this year, so we agreed Asha could decorate her “den” with some of the items we would normally put on the tree.
Asha, Next to her Christmas Den.
Popularity: 13% [?]
Home Edd Camp… 09!
Well were booked on our first big home edd camp. I am so excited, if not a little scared at the prospect!
Anyone fancy joining us? Were not THAT scarey… Honest!
wales environmental home education camp
I think its going to be FANTASTIC!
Popularity: 16% [?]
Christmas shopping.
Asha received an early christmas present today – Money in her christmas card from Granny. So
As we were going christmas shopping today anyway, we let her spend it in home and bargain, which was the first shop we went to.
The result? Asha went around, Tescos, Home and Bargain, Cash and Carry, and sat in the car happily whilst i went into morrisons!
She couldnt actually play with the two dolls she bought, as they were so fastened into the packaging, but she still sat, talked to them, nursed the packaging and enjoyed herself, inbetween shops! … Now considering yesterday she had a filthy cold.. I think this is pretty good going!
Vicki xx
Popularity: 15% [?]
So what is the history of gingerbread then?
Ginger is a spice from Indo-Malaysia. The ginger root was believed to sooth an upset stomach or to prevent a cold.
Each ginger species has a different culinary usage; for example, myoga is valued for the stem and flowers.
Myoga ginger
Garden ginger’s rhizome is the classic spice “ginger”, and may be used whole,
candied (known commonly as crystallized ginger), or dried and powdered. Other popular gingers used in cooking include cardamom and turmeric, though neither of these examples is a “true ginger” – they belong to different genera in the Zingiberaceae family.
Popularity: 26% [?]
Tescos Santa on a sleigh do it yourself kit.
Fantastic… But
Now I really didn’t have a lot of faith in this little project, can you spy the sticky tape??
The intructions said. “use normal craft glue” now for me this implies use, PVA glue.
Well Foam crafts, just dont work with PVA glue! The instructions were erm.. hazy.
Well we still like the result. Just a pity I had to use double sided sticky tape to get it to work!
Eventually we got his hat and hair stuck on his head… and then we stuck him to his red body.
Sitting Proud...
Popularity: 19% [?]
Gingerbread House
Concentration!
The back door.
It took time, but it was worth the effort mummy… Do you like it?
I love it, especially the concentration, and enjoyment..
And the finished product, complete and done… Wonderful!
Popularity: 17% [?]
Recovered… Well sort off.
Asha at least has been a bit brighter today. She didn’t ask once for the TV, or even her computer to be put on.
So what did she do today then? This morning she and I read a few dozen books in my bed. Whilst eating Stollen, and drinking coffee..
After lunch.. cold meats and cheese, I did a bit of nothing, whilst she played with her toys in the lounge, and generally used up her energy. If only I had 1/20th of her energy, I would feel human..
After a while, Steve and I finally agreed to help her make her gingerbread house, which Granny had bought for her. It is now sitting proudly in the corner of the “living” room – we must decide on a name for this room!
After she had completed this mammoth task, which I was really impressed with her concentration throught, off she then did a bit of jumping around untill eventually she asked me for something interesting to do again. I supplied her with christmas cards to decorate.
So far she has done 6, she has about another 5 to do I think!
This evening, Asha asked me if every week after Wednesday she could have two days at home, as she enjoys it. I would like to myself.. I wonder if we can do it?
I “should” get some pics up of her creation soon.
Popularity: 21% [?]
History of gingerbread continued
In 2000 B.C. wealthy Greek families sailed to the Isle of Rhodes to get spiced honey cakes. Later in the eleventh century, pilgrims and soldiers introduced ginger to the Europeans.
The English created ginger sweets. Typical english use hey!!!
Popularity: 28% [?]
Gutted.
Steve and I were invited to some friends tonight. It was a lovely evening, but a couple of things occured which we are both gutted about.
I don’t really know how we can resolve the issues, for ourselves, as much as for those involved.
But we both feel we have let our friends down badly. We are truly sorry.
Asha however had a great time, and it was great to see her running around with the other kids so happily. The food and company was fantastic, and we all had a great “oganised” bonfire party.
It probably is the best “organised” party we have been to for a long time – J yours on bonfire night, was the best “unorganised” one I have ever been too as well.. !
When we got home Asha went straight to bed, but I am struggling to resolve my own issues from tonight. I think its going to take me some time.
Vicki xx
Popularity: 21% [?]
Fireworks, Kids and mayhem.
After an exhausting after noon at CLAS for Steve and Asha. I enjoyed doing stuff at home. We went to the “fireworks” in caernarfon. Its location is beuatifull, because they hold it over the marina. I would love to just collect the locations of displays for a photo blog. But as we dont even have a photo of caernafon marina.. that isnt going to occur! Well we sort of went to them.. we got there as they ended 
As all professional firework watchers should 
Anyway all the kids had a great time, and us adults did I think as well. Its so much easier doing things like bonfire night with a group. I think its because Asha is off an age where she loves being with older kids, and they do tend to look after her for me.
Anyway, after the event we all went back to J’s for sparklers, which Asha thoroughly enjoyed. Last night Asha did a Big sleep, although she did wake up for a small period around 1.30 with cramp again. She was screaming out for me as well…I do think I should sleep outside on nights like that!
Plan for today? Pain killers + pain killers = some pain relief = coffee… good plan hey
Popularity: 19% [?]
Another halloween poem
Dancing ’round the flame of Summer’s end-
sparks of golden yellow celebrate Samhain.Twirling around tossing leaves in the air-
laughing and giggling while catching them in our hair.The last harvest is in as turns the new year
while the chill of Yule draws ever so near.The dead will join our festive feasts,
giving glimpses of our past, present and future feats.Come young maidens, mothers and crones-
Let the whispers of spirits rattle your bones.Embrace the silence of the coming dark
and join the Sabbat’s circle with open mind and open heart.“Samhain” by Robin Webster
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Well an interesting day!
What did we do today then?
Another section of painting by number, no 33 was painted in her picture.
She decorated a plate which was a present she got for her birthday, which she enjoyed doing. In doing it, she learnt how to draw a basic flower, which she was VERY pleased with. Her copying skills have really erupted this week.
She copied the word Mummy out beautifully, and Asha. I will try and get a photograph of her work up this week sometime.
She sat and played in the lounge at making food, and copying letters using peices of wood. As the bits of the letters.
We read a Elmer the elephant book this morning which she loved.
We watched the closing ceremony of the olympic games and talked about Greece, and why the Greek flag was flown on the last day of the games.
greek flaf
We looked at the other flags flying – Peoples republic of China,
olympic rings
olympic flag and
union jack and said the significance of them. -
Asha wanted to know why the welsh dragon wasnt there… Umm anyone care explain!
Asha danced to the music, loved the big wheels the dancers the riding on and said she prefares gymnastics to the trapeze artists.. I was rather pleased about this!
She danced like the rather beautiful chinese dancers, and enjoyed herself.
So for a day which I felt awfull in, Asha seems to have rather an educationally sound day. Just a pity mummy felt like a bag of wet potatoes all day!
Popularity: 24% [?]
So what is Olympism.. and Why do we have the olympic games?
Olympia, the site of the ancient Olympic Games, is in the western part of the Peloponnese which, according to Greek mythology, is the island of “Pelops”, the founder of the Olympic Games. Imposing temples, votive buildings, elaborate shrines and ancient sporting facilities were combined in a site of unique natural and mystical beauty.
Olympia functioned as a meeting place for worship and other religious and political practices as early as the 10th century B.C. The central part of Olympia was dominated by the majestic temple of Zeus, with the temple of Hera parallel to it. The ancient stadium in Olympia could accommodate more than 40,000 spectators, while in the surrounding area there were auxiliary buildings which developed gradually up until the 4th century B.C. and were used as training sites for the athletes or to house the judges of the Games.
The Olympic Games were closely linked to the religious festivals of the cult of Zeus, but were not an integral part of a rite. Indeed, they had a secular character and aimed to show the physical qualities and evolution of the performances accomplished by young people, as well as encouraging good relations between the cities of Greece. According to specialists, the Olympic Games owed their purity and importance to religion.
The Olympic victor received his first awards immediately after the competition. Following the announcement of the winner’s name by the herald, a Hellanodikis (Greek judge) would place a palm branch in his hands, while the spectators cheered and threw flowers to him. Red ribbons were tied on his head and hands as a mark of victory.
The official award ceremony would take place on the last day of the Games, at the elevated vestibule of the temple of Zeus. In a loud voice, the herald would announce the name of the Olympic winner, his father’s name, and his homeland. Then, the Hellanodikis placed the sacred olive tree wreath, or kotinos, on the winner’s head.
[Source : http://www.olympic.org/uk/games/ancient/history_uk.asp accessed August 08]
“Olympism is a philosophy of life, exalting and combining in a balanced whole the qualities of body, will and mind. Blending sport with culture and education, Olympism seeks to create a way of life based on the joy found in effort, the educational value of good example and respect for universal fundamental ethical principles.”
Olympic Charter, Fundamental principles, paragraph 2
Olympic games five rings
The Olympic Truce
The tradition of the “Truce” or “Ekecheiria” was established in ancient Greece in the 9th century BC by the signature of a treaty between three kings. During the Truce period, the athletes, artists and their families, as well as ordinary pilgrims, could travel in total safety to participate in or attend the Olympic Games and return afterwards to their respective countries. As the opening of the Games approached, the sacred truce was proclaimed and announced by citizens of Elis who travelled throughout Greece to pass on the message.
truce logo
The Olympic Truce is symbolised by the dove of peace with the traditional Olympic flame in the background. In a world that is plagued by wars and animosity, the peace-dove symbol represents one of the IOC’s ideals to build a peaceful and better world through sport and the Olympic ideal. The Olympic flame has brought warm friendship to all the people of the world through sharing and global togetherness. In the symbol, the flame is made up of colourful effervescent elements – reminiscent of festivities experienced in the celebration of the human spirit. These elements represent people of all races coming together for the observance of the Truce.
[ Source : http://www.olympic.org/uk/organisation/missions/truce/truce_uk.asp ]
Popularity: 7% [?]
Pitch that tent!
With a mug of coffee in one hand, and someone to enterain the little one.
Oh How I wish it would always be this easy.. It isnt even too windy, and rain, isnt happening.. yet.
After a late night and loads of playing, Asha even slept quite well, though her bed keeps going down, and she got cramp in the night..
The children just play play played today, and what a day they had.. Its great to watch
Imaginary Play or drinking the goodies
.
Popularity: 12% [?]
Barefootbooks.
After a few year of consideration I have finally decided to start acting as a “stall holder” as they are a great publisher and I love there illustrations and subjects.
I hope you enjoy them as much as Asha and I do!
Go on, have a look.
Vicki xx
Popularity: 30% [?]
Cheshire Show.
Cheshire Show.
I went to my first cheshire show today. I missed it the year I was born, and mummy and daddy were busy the following two years.
It was in tabley which is near knutsford, so we had to leave the house at 8am. So rarely these days, daddy had to wake me up!
After what seemed like minutes in the car, I fell asleep. We arrived there. Mummy then got me dressed, and we had a sandwich.
Mummy had parked in the disabled area, and we slowly trundled over the the kiosk. Where we bought our tickets. We then met granny
by the cheshire hounds. The dogs were noisy. Granny then paid for me to have a go on the bouncy slide, but a boy tripped me up and I fell
down the steps. Shaken we went for a walk around. After some time, we found some fun things to look at, sheep, goats and apache. They were cute
I also saw big horses, cows and baby calfs. Mummy took me into the poultry tent, and we looked at the flat bills of the ducks, the small hooks
of the pigeons, and there wonderfull chests which puffed out. Mummy also told me when she was little she held a baby chick at the cheshire show.
I was watching them with my mummy. We looked at an array of egg yolks, the range in colour yellow was fascinating.
I spent some time playing on the fair ground, I went on the carosel, and train. I also climed into an Airport fire engine, it was a lot bigger than
the one which toppled over in portmadog recently. After making mummy a bouquet with granny, we had pork butties whilst listening to the school band.
I am sure i have missed a lot out of this.
Asha
Popularity: 30% [?]
