just another morning here

Some artistic licence is required with today’s post, as despite an absolutely terrible morning with Joe we did actually manage some nice stuff too.

Started off with some pattern block play, and followed that with violin practice (surprisingly enough, this is where we skip a few details. How a 10 minute practice can sometimes last an hour and include so much stropping and rolling around the floor I never will know. And yet when he actually manages to play something he’s really good ). We talked about doing a bit more science; I produced some books for ideas and Josiah pronounced them ‘stupid’ without even looking at them. At which point I decided to call it a day and give up on him to do my own stuff instead.

Went to Sainsbury’s then into town for lunch with Steve at the garage. When we got home Josiah got his bike out again while I was hanging up washing (oops, forgot to bring it in) and fiddling around with old bikes that we’re giving away via freecycle. He did even better than yesterday – now confidently starting, stopping, and even turning corners! Then he came in and drew a bird from one of the Draw Write Now books, and managed to write one of the sentences from the page without too much trouble. The nice afternoon just about compensated for the awful morning!

The girls appeared home and we played Wii Sonic together for a bit before going to try and sort out the hamster – he’s made his nest under the wheel which is a bit daft really and I’m paranoid that he’s going to get too cold there. Still not sure he’s been persuaded to nest in the little house in the cage but there we go. The kids watched a dvd together and then we had a late tea.

Well today had nothing planned, but as it turned out we’ve had a lovely day spending time on a spontaneous project … this morning someone advertised a big hamster cage on freecycle. I’ve tried getting bigger cages from freecycle before and missed them, but this time we were the first to reply, and boy is Haffertee a lucky hamster.

This is a handmade hamster palace, with four floors, and a clear panel at the bottom so you can see the burrowing/nesting/hiding bit as well. We went and picked it up from a lovely man who had made it himself for a rescued hamster. Hadn’t quite realised just how big it was but when we saw how great it was we couldn’t change our minds – and Abbie thought of a perfect place to put it, so we’ve squeezed it in. Gonna have to sell it to Anna as a new bedside table, it’s as tall as the bunk beds!!

So we spent a happy afternoon gluing lolly sticks onto a couple of planks to make ladders – typically Haffertee has been climbing the sides of the cage instead of using the ladders, but there we go. Then once we’d cleaned and prepared the cage we put Haff into it and he seemed to love it – took him a while to really go exploring but when he did he was away. So a huge thank you to Dave from Freecycle, it is fantastic and we all love it

We’re wondering how long it will take Steve to spot it, I suspect he will see the photos/read the blog before he notices it

This came through on our local freecycle list today …

A remarkable harmonium – twin keyboards, plus pedal board, with
sixteen stops, and bellows with foot and hand pump. Made by Estey around 1900-1910 and originally from a chapel in Suffolk, this was the ‘Rolls-Royce’ harmonium of its day, and I suspect it may may be the ‘Studio’ model, of which only a few were made . Complete but in need of complete overhaul. Makes a wonderful, great, beautiful sound.

A bit larger than an upright piano, this could make a wonderful winter project. I’ve had to accept I simply don’t have the time right now. It would be a crying shame to see such workmanship thrown away. Complete with reference books on harmoniums of this vintage and how to restore them.

If only I was already living in my dream house … of course I don’t know anything about restoring harmoniums but I’m sure I could learn! Then again, Steve does stupid ridiculous things all the time, perhaps I should just clear out the garage and go for it anyway!

As Aunty Emma is no longer here to remind children first thing in the morning that they ought to be getting dressed and ready, we put some monetary motivation in place, and it worked – another peaceful morning where everyone was ready at the right time

It’s the first day of Emma’s new job so Robyn was with us today; Joe got his homeschoolwork out of the way first thing and then we headed off out for a nice long drive across Devon, just to deliver some stick insects to a family who live here. I’d put them on freecycle, and was going to ask for collection then when we got talking a bit I said I’d deliver them in return for a visit to the farm.

Josiah and Robyn loved it, as did I – one of these days I think we will move further out into the country – well maybe! We stopped for a coffee and piece of cake; Joe jumped on the huge trampoline which was in the huge garden (distinct from the huge trampoline that was in the huge field!). Saw the sheep and the alpacas and the dog and the cat and the ducks, and then the highlight, Josiah was invited to check the hens’ nest for eggs and when he found one he was offered it to bring home. So we’re having boiled eggs for tea, and I’m even making bread to go with them (well that saves me going to Sainsbury’s until tomorrow ).

Got home in time for a late lunch, and now we’re just playing with road track and cars; it’s not very long until the girls are home and we have swimming lessons … and that will be us done for the day.