I was left shocked and disgusted, including with myself for not knowing what I know now regarding Palm Oil production after watching the Panorama's Dying For a Biscuit last Monday. This led to a two hour long research session the next morning, informing myself further into the devastating effects this oil has on the planet. I have also joined the Facebook group Save the Orangutan - Ban Palm Oil! - http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/group.php?gid=6274645846&ref=ts and went on to sign the online petition to ask the Prime Minister to make it compulsory for companies to clearly label palm oil as part of ingredients and to differentiate whether it is sustainable or non - sustainable. http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/Label-Palm-Oil/#detail With all this going on in my mind and now knowing what to look for when it comes to buying products that include non-sustainable palm oil, I had to also think how I could bring this to Lillie's attention without causing her too much distress. The only way I could do this was by explaining the difference between 'good' and 'bad' palm oil and what can happen when bad is used. She was saddened by this, yet engaged well in a discussion on how we, together can help by refusing to buy anything containing such 'bad' palm oil. In fact, she has since seen someone walking on the street eating a well known brand bar of chocolate and pointed out to me that it had 'bad' palm oil in it! She questions every advert on tv that advertises food, toiletries, cleaning agents etc and alongside me has gone through our own items where we think 'bad' palm oil has been used. I am so so proud of her for allowing me the opportunity to discuss such a detrimental issue with her and then to decide for herself to give up particular things she has enjoyed eating or using. She is very aware that there are better alternatives out there and that our lives will be far richer for not choosing to ignore such devastation for this planet. Afterall, we are only using it for a short time if we look at it even closely.
Moving on with Lillie's second lapbook - its taking longer than the first but that is ok. It is one she is making entirely from her own design style now we have a good idea since taking tips from a downloadable site. Her theme is on High School Musical. So we have been doing some map reading in one of my old school books - Atlas of the World and she was delighted to find the U.S.A. We then went on to locate New Mexico then scaled that down to Albuquerque for one of her mini books. Today she will be adding the American flag when she has completed colouring it.
For a while now, Lillie has seen me using Facebook and has put in a request to also join. She understood that her profile can only remain available to family members and understands for safety reasons that I shall always sit by her side when she logs on. She is enjoying using one of the virtual games available on there and is certain she will beat me at Scrabble! Although we have participated with this boardgame offline too.
Today we have taken advantage of the glorious sunshine by abandoning the grocery shopping and taking a trip to our local Nature Reserve http://www.greenwich.gov.uk/Greenwich/YourEnvironment/GreenSpace/ParksGardens/Eltham/SutcliffePark.htm
We spent almost an hour sitting by the lake absorbing the sun, watching and listening to our surroundings and discussing various topics of wildlife, while Lillie sketched some beautiful pics. (I shall upload these shortly, once they have been scanned). On our way home I took her all the way around the outside of one of the two primary schools that Louis attended. She said it looked nice but thought the playground could do with some swings and slides! She asked what it was like inside, so I had to call on my memory for that. She said it sounded nice but also added that its not a place for her! Moving on in the direction of home, we chatted about what we would do once in and settled. Lillie decided she was going to make an orange juice ice lolly, colour the American flag and then go online with me to find out more on red squirrels - They were mentioned earlier while we were sat by the lake. I mentioned that after I had to update our HE blog and would probably do some more studying at some point. Now for the strangest event awaiting us on our return. Take into consideration that we had just taken a tour around the perimeter of a primary school - behind the front door, laying on the floor was an official looking A4 envelope. Seeing as I still had my gloves on and was too lazy to remove them, I asked Lillie to open it for me instead. As she pulled out the letter I saw the words Education at Home - followed by Lillie's name/D.O.B: I knew this day where I would hear from our LA would come sooner or later. But I was in no way expecting it today - ironic dont you think? Looks like the studying will be cut short later while I sit with this LA letter/questionnaire and just ponder!
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