Its been a while...

Well I think my last post was around 3 weeks ago so there is going to be quite an update here! Firstly, what fine weather we have been having of late - lots of time has been spent outside, be it going on walks, taking the bus into town or in the garden tending to the plants, mowing the grass, playing football or blowing bubbles! Unfortunately the recent windy evenings has seen the garden parasol fall over and smash Lillie's china tea set into tiny pieces. She is ok now but was very disappointed initially. We have also visited our local Pleasaunce to feed the ducks as well as admire how much the wildlife, trees & plants have changed again. Lillie has also been spending alternative weekends with her Dad, his partner Clare & her little boy Mitchell who is also 5 years old. So lots of activity going on for Lillie while she has been away from home - trips to the park, bowling, cinema or visiting her Grandparents who live by the sea!

Though I did feel somewhat disappointed when Lillie returned home last weekend - I discovered that Lillie's Dad has appeared to have had a change of heart regarding Lillie being Home Educated & had mentioned to her that he thinks she should be in school because she doesnt mix with enough children! Gggrr! Lillie was upset and confused that 'another' member of her family thinks she is better off in school, but I have reassured Lillie that school is not an option for her right now & that she can continue on with being Home Educated & that there is plenty of time for her to make 'many' friends! Ive explained to Lillie that its far nicer to build spontaneous & solid friendships rather than have ones that are forced upon her if she were to attend school! In fact just yesterday as we were walking to our local shops we stopped to talk to a lady who was walking her dog and Lillie also approached another little girl who was out walking with her mum. Who is to say that we will never see these people again? I personally think Lillie has wonderful social skills and is willing & able to talk with anyone she 'chooses' to approach or who approach her...

... Anyway moving on after my letting off a little steam regarding Home Education & 'socialisation'!! There has been some time allocated to 'formal' work at Lillie's request- spellings, briefly looking at the Egyptians, some french and a little reading (Paddington Bear). But with this lovely weather I havent even suggested we sit down to anything formal. Its so much more fun being outside or watching a DVD when we have been tired. Talking of DVDs, I finally got to watch WALL.E with Lillie this week! I totally recommend it lol... Lots of edu-tainment with this film...

We have done some baking too - Lillie just loved sitting in the garden eating her home made choc-chip cakes & drinking fresh orange juice. See pics below...

Smelt & tasted delicious. Lillie kindly gave some to our neighbours as well as save some for her Dad, Clare & Mitchell...

Lately I have been giving some thought to having a pond in our garden, nothing that requires too much maintenance & one thats great for the environment as well as educational for both Lillie & I. So I asked a friend if he could lend a hand with building one as well as offer his advice on the options available to us, as I know he is very clued up with this type of project. Lucky for me he has agreed! So Ive decided on a pond that will contain some fish where no pump/filter is required, it will be a great environment for frogs to spawn next spring. There will be good plantation for butterflies, bees etc & I would also like some kind of water feature for that calming effect, especially on warm summer evenings where I can relax in the garden with an ice cold bottle of 'Bud' after a hard day!! Well last Friday Lillie & I took a trip to Polhill Garden Centre in Kent http://www.polhillcentre.co.uk/ with my friend to gather some ideas! Lillie & I was in heaven! Surrounded by beautiful & fragrant plants, fruit trees, water features and fish! While Lillie amused herself with tanks full of tropical and freshwater fish (Oh & she got talking with some other kids!) while I was introduced to Koi Carp! What beautiful & graceful creatures they are. I was smitten with two! If I had the money & set up for them I would have took them home... We did come home with something though - a cactus! Lillie wanted one so one was got for her!!

Moving onto a different theme now - Pirates! Lillie has been regulary looking through her treasure chest that she put together, so thought it quite amusing that Louis tried to dress up as a pirate!! "Ahoy there me heartie!!"

With Easter upon us this week Lillie has wanted to get all creative with Easter activities that Clare had got for her to do! See pics below...

There are still more to do so I can see the weekend being a good time for that! While out shopping today, I bought a few things for tomorrow that will bring a smile to Lillie's face as she has been suffering from yet another cold in just a few weeks apart! A bag of marshmellows, '100s & 1000s' & some cooking chocolate. So watch this space for what we create tomorrow with these ingredients!! Well thats it for now, Lillie wants to get ready for bed & I want to get settled also. I have planned to watch a DVD but I know I shall intermittently be checking the Champion's League footie results as my Beloved Chelsea are playing in the quarter finals against Liverpool tonight. So, "Come On You Blues!"