Construction Update

A little inspiration can go a long way. It was a delight to watch our homeschooled children set about their history projects last week. Each one completed a quality written piece as well as a model/drawing.

Miss N's constructed a Leaning Tower of Pisa (Master T working on his model in the background).

I loved Miss V's coffin inside her opening pyramid.

Miss G wrote a more detailed project to accompany her sketch of the Tower of London.

The front balcony of Buckingham Palace by Master T

I wasn't surprised that Miss O baked a cake for her model. She took the opportunity to try a new recipe, one for white cake which used no egg yolks.

My "tower" grew in height by only one storey during the week.

Another star was also completed.....

...as well as a pile of "bricks" for further construction. Well, Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither is my hand sewn quilt. A quick trip to a local fabric shop allowed me to buy a little more of the fabric which was the starting point for last week's project work - it holds greater meaning for me now!


Sharing at WIP Wednesday, In Hand EPP.

Afternoon Out

A Saturday afternoon with no sport commitments is a rare occurrence in our family. Our late winter weather has been particularly glorious this year with today no exception at 25C / 77F. We decided to grab this opportunity and take a family trip to a nearby coastal village. We have visited this village before (also in winter) - in 2011 and just a few weeks ago as it is where my brother chooses to holiday with his family. 

Today we checked out our previous favourite spots as well as a new-to-us walking track. It was an added bonus to find many naive plants in flower as spring is almost upon us. I've only featured one of these plants (in three photos) which I've not seen before. Can anyone identify it for me?

It was a wonderful afternoon, beautiful weather for exploring without having to contend with the heat of summer. Perhaps we can squeeze in another trip shortly, maybe as a "compulsory school excursion".....     ;)



Sharing at Weekly Top Shot.

Unlikely Inspiration

Hoping and praying on Sunday for some fresh inspiration for this week's History/Geography lessons, my eyes landed on my nearby hand sewing project. Then the idea came - see all those buildings!!!!

Monday morning I set these two blocks in front of our (homeschooled) children - "These have something to do with this week's project," I told them. 
"Not quilting!" they replied.
"No, not quilting - keep looking."

Soon we were brainstorming a long list of manmade structures/buildings which are at least 200 years old. Each child has chosen one and have a written project as well as a model/drawing/painting to complete this week.

I'm working on building a "leaning tower" of my own too.

To be continued......



Sharing at WIP Wednesday.

Link for Buckingham Palace cut out as seen in photo #6.
Link for Leaning Tower of Pisa cut out as seen in photos #1, 4 & 5.

Sparky, Phyllis and Fire

Meet Miss V's little friend Sparky the caterpillar, straight from our broccoli patch (I won't tell them what I've been doing with all the "cousins" in recent weeks). Miss E loves Sparky so much so this morning I went in search of a friend just for Miss E.

Meet Phyllis - she is tiny!

And hungry!

Hiding on the same leaf we later discovered Fire, the tiniest of them all.....
Now everyone is happy - for now!

Is Winter Over?

So is this winter's end? I hear the suburban drone of lawn mowers for we haven't had a frost this winter (yet?) and all is green and growing. A head of broccoli coated in morning dew will soon be harvested. The sugar snap peas continually disappear before filled out (I'm at fault here too).

The bird experts in the house tell me this back fence visitor was either a Goshawk or a Sparrow-hawk and assure me it was only resting the second leg. I've not seen it since but enjoyed its short visit.

When I see scattered clouds late in the western sky I try to grab my trusty Lumix and head off for a brisk walk to the bridge. I love moving through the cool evening air and catching a good sunset, zooming in on the vibrant colours.

Another hockey win for Miss O's team early this morning. Miss G snapped this while I was on canteen duty. The twins are out playing their third game of hockey for the week as I write this. Master T also plays hockey.

Last year's potted winter bulbs have regrown, something they don't always do in our warm climate. This week I spied the first buds, including the tiny little grape hyacinths - maybe this delightfully mild winter really is coming to an end.



Sharing at Orange You Glad It's Friday.