The new term begins

Yes, the Easter holidays are over and its back to school tomorrow. I am looking forward to time spent together, learning all sorts of new things and cuddling up on the couch together as we read. I love that we can take a gentler approach to learning and do things at our own pace. I plan to introduce an outdoor hour each week where we will do nature study. I have also got plans to do more art together this term. As we lay chatting before bedtime, Z also expressed his happiness at starting school again tomorrow. I think the routine of school is comforting in some way as he knows what is expected each day.

There are big changes as J begins a new path for his high school too. Sadly, we were very disappointed with the programme he had been using last term. We tried to be patient with all the errors and problems but at the end of the day, it was an unfinished product which gave us many hours of unnecessary complications. We hope that the new journey will be successful and we are excited to see the progress. He will be doing IGCSE or Cambridge O levels (equivalent to grades 10 & 11) as some may know it. He has the added advantage of being able to make an early start as this is officially his grade 9 year. He will have time to become accustomed to this new way of learning and will write his exams in 2011 and 2012 and then go on to AS (Advanced Studies equivalent to Matric) in 2013.

Just had to end off with this photo of the resident artist having fun with colour!

Chaeli Campaign Pay-It-Forward Ambassadors Programme

Today we had the privilege of attending the first meeting of the Pay-It -Forward- Ambassadors Programme. J and K were both chosen as ambassadors a short while ago. All though they are going to serve the Chaeli Campaign, I believe this experience will enrich their lives enormously as they embark on this journey as individuals and become members of this awesome team of kids. They will be learning new skills that will make a difference in lives of others.

We met at the Chaeli Cottage which is a hive of activity and the office of the Chaeli Campaign. The walls are covered with colourful art and awards. Zelda Mycroft, Chaelis mom, is a dynamic woman who captivated the attention of the children and parents alike for two hours. This is one amazing momma!

The children were given a file full of important info on the exciting plans for the year ahead as well as a diary and doodle pad to jot down their thoughts. The first assignment the team have been given, is to promote the "Hope in Motion" Art and Poetry Competition. Zelda made special mention that they were very glad to have some home educated children on the team this year so they could promote the Chaeli campaign in their community.

A wheel or circle motif or theme must feature in the entries. Entries must depict disability in a positive way where the focus is on ability and forget the "dis"ing! Entries may be crafts, sculptures or visual art and the poetry may be in English, Afrikaans or Xhosa. All ages from grade 1 to adults may enter. (Come on Dad....give it a go!) The deadline for entries is 21 May 2010. K is very excited as there will be an exhibition where she will finally get to display her own art!

The children have also been asked to give their own story at the next meeting which is titled ," My Story- I have a lot to teach the world". I feel so blessed that my children have been given this incredible opportunity to serve others and grow as individuals doing things that are out of their comfort zones. They are blessed to be mentored by Zelda and the previous ambassadors. Keep watching this space as we travel on this amazing journey for the next year...

Garden happenings

OK, its 3 am and the family is sound asleep but I have such bad heartburn that I cant sleep.... so what better to do than to post on the garden! I have been wanting to post for a while but as it is still school holidays, and there have been so many things happening, there simply has not been a chance.

Our compost bin that we started some months back, is beginning to give us the most amazing compost! My brother advised us to wet the pile a short while ago and it has just taken off.

We took out a wheel barrow of the most amazing, clean smelling , rich black crumbly compost. I didn't think I could ever get excited about compost of all things! The children were amazed that all our kitchen scraps and garden clippings could make this beautiful stuff...

As the autumn sun hits the garden at a different angle, all the pots have needed moving into different positions as they were not getting enough sun. The tomato in this one just sprung up on its own.



I pulled out the marrows, gems and butternut in the veg beds as they were covered in mildew that I could not seem to control. After enriching the beds with our own compost (it feels so good to be able to that), I planted some cabbage seedlings and bright lites spinach.

The bed under Z's window was looking very sad so I added a splash of colour with some gazanias. I just love these bright flowers!

Speaking of bright flowers, another of my favourites is the sunflower, and we have two adding a splash of colour to the veg beds.

I harvested a hand full of chillies! Apparently one should harvest if you want the plant to produce more. I am still harvesting peas which never make it into the kitchen as they are best eaten fresh while surveying the veg garden! We are also enjoying the lettuce and the herbs and look forward to more beans as well as peppers, bringals and broccoli.

Easter has come and gone

I cant believe the Easter weekend has come and gone so fast. It was filled with wonderful family time and time with friends too.

On Good Friday we had a special breakfast at home with the children and read them a story about a little boy who wanted to play Jesus in the Easter pageant. He was very disappointed when he didn't get he part but on the day of the pageant, it was as if he was transported back to the day of the crucifixion and he WAS Jesus....until Jesus really came and took his place. I love that we can have these special times with our children.

Friday evening was spent at my dads home and we had a great time chatting and creating our own pizzas. K spent the night there so she could paint on Saturday morning. J had been at his friend doing more business studies and he enjoyed the day there on Saturday too.

Saturday was spent with friends from Dar who introduced us to the wonderful game of Mah Jong. We hadn't played in a while so it was great fun to play a few rounds.

On Sunday morning we just had to hide some Easter eggs for Zak who still enjoys the thrill of finding them! Afterwards we enjoyed a special time of Bible reading as a family and shared communion together. We went on to enjoy coffee and hot cross buns and Easter treats with hubby's parents. Later we shared in a great afternoon of fellowship, food and fun with some special friends. All in all it was a wonderful day and a wonderful weekend!

Monday was hubby's last day of the long weekend and he spent time working in the garden which was in need of a mow and neatening up. It looks so good again. The evening was spent with a group of friends.

Holidays in our house

The weather in this part of the world has certainly changed in the last couple of weeks. Mornings are crisp. Days are warm and there is little wind. Displays of Autumn colour are amazing. The evening skies are magnificent with stars shining brightly. I love this season.

We are on our Easter holiday and I can hardly believe it is going so fast. K is still practising drama and all 3 children are still keeping up with the karate training. The older two have also wanted to continue with their ballroom dancing and tonight we had the pleasure of going to watch the class.

J is still working diligently on his first terms work and doing a bit each day. He has written his English term papers and done exceedingly well. He and Eric are working through the accountancy and tomorrow afternoon he will be tutored in business studies. In between all the activity we have had some time to catch up with friends too.

The younger two and I have tried to keep up with some reading and K has been enjoying some drawing.

She copied this from from one of our drawing books (unfortunately the flash has over exposed the picture a bit).She so enjoys being creative.

We had the pleasure of going to a lecture given by my dad. It was held at a nearby coffee shop. The children and their friend so enjoyed hearing about the history of neurosurgery and its advances over the years. They were amazed by his interesting stories. K wants to go and watch him doing brain surgery....

Now we have hubby home for the next few days and we look forward to celebrating the Easter weekend together.

They got me good and proper!

Oh yes, the children had a great laugh this morning and were waiting with anticipation as I sipped my coffee....

They had put this plastic creepy crawly into my coffee while I wasn't looking! Thank goodness is wasn't real!

I had forgotten it was April fools day today. My tae bo instructor sent out an sms to all the ladies in the class, informing us that he could no longer teach tae bo classes and we would all need to convert to karate....that got some really worried!

Weekend Fun

The past weekend was a whirlwind of activity and fun. J went to karate training in Camps Bay, hubby was working, and K painting with Grandpa on Saturday morning.

She so enjoys going to paint and learn from him. This week she was in for a treat as there was a visiting professional artist who spent the morning with them. K has started working on a painting of a photo that was taken while we were on holiday in Ladybrand. When she is done, I will post it for you to see.

While everyone else was busy, Z and I had to prepare for a birthday party that he was going to. It was a Star Wars themed party and he was going as Darth Maul! Hubby had managed to make him a double sided light sabre and now it was up to me to do the face painting.

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He got the desired reactions from all the other boys at the party!

Sunday, while hubby was at his year end function for cricket, we went to a wonderful birthday party for one of my God daughters. It was her 4th birthday. She is really growing up and a delightful little lady at that!

The party was held at the little blue train in Sea Point. There is a lovely picnic area, climbing wall and playground. The highlight is of course the little train that runs all day, giving the littlest passengers hours of fun! Even my K (12) who vowed she would not be seen on the train had hours of fun!

T who was with us, decided to take the scenic route home. We ended up spending a couple of glorious hours on Hout Bay beach. The weather was perfect, the mountains and sea magnificent!

The boys could not resist a dip in the calm, but chilly ocean waters. Jeans and all! We enjoyed a treat of calamari and chips on the sand. The seagulls enjoyed the left over chips. Happy and tired, young and old, slept soundly after a good dose of fun under the big blue sky!