The Stuarts, Wasp Stings and a Midsummer Night's Dream

James I of England and James VI of Scotland is how we began our Stuart work today: a quick discussion of why he was given the crown and then we dive-bombed straight into reading about the discontent of the Catholics - or was it a protestant conspiracy? - and Guido (Guy) Fawkes and the almost-explosion of the House of Parliament.

The Boy loved our printed picture version and beyond anything he loved role-playing the whole thing with the masks.  I've left it all out for him to play with and he helped himself today, resting his wasp-stung foot which has now become infected :(  We visited the doctor this morning and he's on antibiotics, meaning no trampolining class allowed today, but hopefully it will result in a less swollen foot over the next few days.

Play-do fireworks

My Boy's wonderful contribution.

 Nature Study 

'Make your own Puck'.  The kiddies had fun designing Puck from A Midsummer Night's Dream 

Tramplolining lessons, home for dinner, an evening trip to the park and then playing in the dark with friends - is how we finished our day :)

A Few Extras This Week

  Sometimes it's time for a morning stroll and school work has to wait.  We spotted some deer - who also spotted us, and found some big, beautiful fallen leaves as Autumn begins to arrive.

Spiderman

The kiddies have spent all their free time this week making these.

 Catching up with friends

The Boy got stung by a wasp on his foot on Friday.  Two days down the line and his foot is still red and swollen, and he remains ever so tearful.  We've had an interesting two nights with him waking up with the pain but have discovered that hot compresses are amazing for the swelling (as well as vinegar, Piriton, Cal-Pol, aloe vera, ice and Savlon!).  Hoping for a better day tomorrow. 

My two eldest helped out for eight hours at a local carnival, for their Sea Cadet unit and earned themselves a whole day sailing today, where they went solo in their own sailing boats for the first time. I am so proud of them!

I am also incredibly proud of my crazy Panda Girl who thinks holding tarantulas is cool.

And this little man who cooks yummy French ham and mustard pies

Collecting sweet pea seeds

The Rainforest

The Rainforest

Cool project!  I wanted to start the year with a theme that all four kiddies could immerse themselves in and one that would be suitable for each of their ages/abilities.  

Monkey Girl excels at nature-based projects as she has a huge fascination and always has done, with our beautiful outside world.

Here's a conversation I had with her last week when Panda Girl was completing a snake worksheet:

Panda Girl: "Mummy, where are the 'pits' on a rattlesnake?"

Mummy: "Umm, I'm not completely sure.  Let's ask Monkey Girl... Monkey Girl, what are the pits on a rattlesnake?"

Monkey Girl: "Well, the rattlesnake is a member of the pit viper family, which means it has pits on its face to help it sense its prey. "

I love her :)

Here is our Rainforest display

Ballet Girl's completed work

Monkey Girl's work

Panda Girl's...

...and The Boy's completed work

My beloved rain-stick and Spanish flash cards which related somewhat to the rainforest. 

This is the most beautiful book with amazing sound effects. Amazon this one!

Face Painting Larks

First things first:  rainforest face painting by Ballet Girl:

Sorting rainforest animals

 Panda Girl coloured a map of the world to show all major rainforests and then used the map to locate and colour in the rainforest areas on the globe (whiteboard pens I love you).

We have rain!

Making a picture using only three types of shape.

Panda Girl and Mummy taking it in turns to read Dr. Suess.

Fun

Swimming, gymnastics, tap dancing and modern dancing.  That's how we finish our Wednesdays!

Puppies!

Rainforest fruit kebabs.  Yumma.

The two littlies made a rainforest-in-a-bottle.  Having discussed the water-cycle yesterday, they waited enthusiastically for the bottle to 'rain'.  It duly did by lunchtime and they were thrilled.  

Ballet Girl's home-made bread, ready for lunch.

Our picture-study book...

 ...today's study of paintings of faces inspired us to make bright, unusual portraits using shapes and oil pastels

The kiddies also worked on Science and Spanish and then we took the afternoon off to visit homeschooling friends and their adorable puppies :)

Tuesday nights are also for Sea Cadets.  Expecting two tired girls home soon :)