Because I’m sad
And because I haven’t organised anything for a while, I’ve spent a bit of time organising all my photos on flickr. That is as far back as we go in terms of digital images! Some of them are pretty rubbish really, due to being scans, naff cameras, or generally crummy photos, but what the heck, I’ve enjoyed doing it. The computer where all these were stored is headed for a strip down and revamp, so it was something of a backup exercise as well.
In other news:
Last week Steve grew his goatee back. It started off as a full beard experiment, and resulted in just the goatee. I’m rather pleased 
Work has picked up a bit so it looks like it could be a reasonable month after all – I was in the office yesterday and could not have blogged if I’d tried, we were so busy. In fact I cocked up big-time on some finance documents because we were so rushed, Steve is having to pick up the pieces after me today …
Someone told me today that they thought I’d lost weight. I haven’t, it’s an optical illusion
I have missed blogging and having time to keep up with other blogs – sorry folks 
Just don’t seem to find as much time with all this job-sharing business going on.
And in education:
Reading – Josiah particularly has been reading a lot. Mainly because it’s an easy way to accrue stars on his star chart! I really need some more books that are suitable for him …
Maths/Science – Anna has been leading the way with rather a lot of baking going on here. Cookies. Which can then be iced using copious amounts of icing sugar. Just ask Steve what the kitchen looked like after he’d wisely (or perhaps not so?) left them to do the baking and icing completely unaided! Also lots of mental maths – Steve is relatively good at firing mental maths stuff at the kids randomly, and they quite like it. Today I’ve promised to do some logic puzzles with Abbie, must get round to that!
Art & Craft – Lots of drawing, cutting, sticking etc has been happening, spontaneously, which is good. Anna & Joe’s last two contributions got put out on the patio to dry and are still there (and still wet) two days later, just like my washing on the line
PE – lots of playing outside, trips to the park, and swimming – not to mention all the laser camp activities, which obviously count despite the fact that they were laid on by someone else!
History/Geography – hmm, we are particularly rubbish at this! Watched “The Last Samurai” on film night, do you think that could count for cultural education?
Music – have done a fair bit of piano with Anna – she’s doing really well at the playing part, need some consolidation on the theory otherwise she will end up just like her father! Must sort some proper lessons for her. Abbie’s been playing her recorder a fair bit too – Becca, if you’re reading this, we must fix up a time to meet soon, for that and just generally!
General life stuff – it was a short shopping list this week so Steve gave it to Anna, dropped her off at the door of Sainsbury’s, then went off to the bottle bank while she shopped. He managed to meet up with her just as she was packing bags, which was perfect timing. She was hugely proud of herself for having done the week’s shopping all by herself.
Lots of gamecube – Animal Crossing in particular, plus a fair amount of Donkey Konga. Yes, I do think it’s educational Any visitors to our house over the summer (you know who you are!) please bring your Animal Crossing memory cards!!!
Social stuff and play – Mollie has been around, as it is the holidays, and so has another friend of Anna’s … so plenty of socialisation going on, and the usual imaginary play/dressing up. Joe and Abbie have been playing with the castle again today, it hasn’t been out for a while so that’s been nice.
And there’s also been a lot of mooching around doing not very much. Well, if you can’t do that when you’re a kid, when can you?
July 26th, 2005 at 16:04
Yes just read it…… How about Friday?? email me.
July 26th, 2005 at 16:06
Gosh, that was quick! Yes please – I will email you!
July 26th, 2005 at 16:26
Am bringing those two boxes of books back for you, though i think i’d love them back for a while when Joe has done with them if it can be done.
Was just thinkng the other day that i suddenly see Fran as being closer in age to Anna and Poppy, she seems to have moved up a grade. If i can send her shopping in a year, i’ll be delighted.
July 26th, 2005 at 17:24
My goodness, I would never send Violet shopping! Mrs Distractable would take about 3 hours
Will make sure she packs all her AC stuff!
Have got a bunch of those Usborne blue and yellow banana books, plus others of siimilar level – come and have a look at them and take what you want, Gwenny thinks she’s beyond such things (though won’t read anything else much!) and Ernest’ll be a while
Sounds like things are going really well – glad the garage is busy, and tell Steve we look forward to seeing the goatee again
July 26th, 2005 at 17:33
She did the shopping?!!!!!!!!!!!!
OMG, that is *the* best idea- there is light at the end of the tunnel for me then; I see myself sipping tea in the cafe while she shops for me….all in the name of recieving a broad education
July 26th, 2005 at 18:03
It was an unusually short shopping list – Steve gave her cash
. Although I would almost trust them (the girls) to do a normal length one between them, they’re pretty good, but managing the packing is a bit tricky. And I would never let Joe tag along, that would never work!
I can’t think what sort of level the blue/yellow banana books are, Alison – would love to have a look – although they’re probably more Abbie than Joe, tbh. Looking forward to having the Flying Boot set around for a while, they will suit nicely. I’m pondering a set of red nose readers, but can’t help feeling they’ll have limited appeal, although i guess I’d always be able to sell them on …
July 26th, 2005 at 21:10
If you can get the red nose readers cheap (bookpeople were doing them, don’t know it they are any more) they are excellent. Not sure the appeal *is* all that limited, Big is trying to wear them out I think.
July 26th, 2005 at 21:20
Jax! I was trying to stay away from the bookpeople for at least a month …
July 26th, 2005 at 21:36
my lot are using the red nose ones like anything – hugely worth the money.
i keep asking my usborne lady about those banana books and she swears they aren’t usborne!
July 26th, 2005 at 21:44
well, waaah, the book people don’t seem to be doing them any more!
July 27th, 2005 at 19:16
Have just checked Usborne as I am a lady with them
Nope they don’t do them. They are the ones that our library stock though- have you looked there?