Snowed in family and crafty days

Can't believe we still have snow! And the biggest icicle I've ever witnessed hanging from the conservatory!

So glad I braved the snow and cold and went to mums today, got to see her lovely new home and spend some precious time being homely and maximising time with 'my mummy' as well as being a mummy.

Sounds weird but I love it when I have a chance to make the most of all her special mummy skills and knowledge am today was one of those days when I had a good catch up and learnt so much from her- I only wish I lived nearer so I could do it everyday!

Today, she cooked us lovely healthy comfort food. Then my sweet mum instructed me how to sew a little bag from an upcycled skirt, to go with my newly shortened version of said skirt (that's another post altogether with amazing inspiration and skill from my mother in law- a later post will reveal).
She baked ginger bread men with William and he really got into it- more concentration and application than I've ever seen when I've tried, the gentle nannie touch.
All these activities overlooked by the house animals Lucy and fudge- got a great pic of wills between the two of them. mum cried a tear today when she was talking about fudges 'need' to lick William- 'it's his way of showing affection- it's the most gentle way he knows- tender!!' Me: "mum, are you crying?" 'yes' ha ha ha!!! Silly thing!
My brother Dave and his lovely lady made paper aeroplanes with will and we watched the snowman (it was more festive than Xmas day in the house today- smell of gingerbread, the snowman and snow on the ground outside).
We had a wintery walk trying to spot the blossom buds. And threw stones from the tow path into the canal- William loved the big spolshes and fudge the dog resisted jumping in to catch them- thank goodness!
We had staffs oatcakes for tea and the gingerbread men went down a storm.
Before we left mum built up my confidence with crochet as I'm trying to make a flower to adorn my new bag and jacket x fingers crossed it continues to go as well as she started me off!
Happy days, safely home now.
Gingerbread men and tea tomorrow- can't wait!

Ostara Greetings

Welcome to the spring! Today is the spring equinox, when the sun seems to cross the equator and the hours of day and night are equal.
It is a time to reflect on the aspects of spring time that are abundant around us- even when the weather suggests otherwise :(
I love his festival a turning point with a true sense that the sun is now gaining strength over the cold winter days and ushering in the warm and balmy summer days that are so long overdue.
I'm making some wishes this year, I'm wishing for health more than anything else for a special person i love to pieces and for my best friends dad. They've both had some challenges to deal with to put it mildly and are due some healing and respite and a happy healthy year ahead.
So I'll be thinking of them today, as I have been each day- but also seeing the warmth and light of the sun shining on them and bringing them all they need to thrive!
The festival is about rebirth/ new starts so a good time for fresh beginnings and to reaffirm any languishing new years resolutions.
As well as health I'm dreaming of stretching my legs and spending time outdoors, I'll be drawing up plans for the garden and setting seeds (inside for now).
Maybe I'll commit to booking a camping trip or festival for the summer!
Excited now!
Bright blessings to all and wishing a warm and happy summer ahead!

Sunny Bridgnorth

On Sunday the sun decided to make a surprise appearance after the weatherman predicted cold and rain. We bundled into the car and headed for a day holiday to Bridgnorth.
Such a lovely day- William slept on the way- a longer journey than normal due to the tractor convoy just out of town then we had a carvery lunch (well veggies) and then on to the town!
William fed the geese with a generous little girl who shared her bread with him- we managed to tempt him away in the end with the promise of ice cream at the little parlour by the riverside.
Yum- honeycomb!!! James got stuck into an enormous knickerbockerglory (sp?)
Then we alighted the cliff railway- William held the ticket stub in his little chubby hands and sat on daddy's knee. I'm always enthusiastic when I get on, then desperate to get off at the top when the realisation of the gaping hole beneath me kicks in- cue mummy smiling nervously and clinging to the door to get out! Ha ha

William ran around the old castle grounds, threw himself on his back (which is standard behaviour) made friends with an old dusty cat and attempted his first tree climb- well, one foot off the ground is a start!!!

Then we counted the steps; 1-12 about 6 times as we headed for the bridge to the Severn valley railway. We saw diesel and Thomas (a diesel and a steamy) and lots of men enjoying themselves with a life size train set and real ale!

On the way back to low town i had a 100% bonafide sister jenny moment!!! ( she has been fraught her whole life by episodes of animals in need of her help, They seek her out I swear it! She has promised to write a book called ' tails of my life' - i hope she does- some of them are hilarious, others tragic!!!) anyway-we spotted a chicken running around like a headless-well you get it! I honestly thought- this is my chance- i finally get to keep a chicken- James freaked! I tried to chase it to the amusement of passing cars, but chuck had other ideas.
I actually found myself trying to google 'how do you catch a chicken?' although the pressure was on and I hadn't got time for the damn thing to load- wonder what it would have suggested?
James, has a serious bird phobia- stemming from a childhood trauma with a budgie and then a later episode with his mum and a feather duster- he thought a second budgie was flying at his head!
I assume that it was the fear of me catching a chicken in the baby bag and trying to get it home- flapping and clucking that drove James to drag William around every house knocking on doors to find the rightful owners while I engaged in chicken run! In the end he told me that a lady in the wine shop reliably informed him that the chicken likes running around - the main road- he lives above the little caves and regularly frequents the park!
Maybe he was trying to cross the road? Cue crap jokes?
I have to say, I didn't believe my darling husband- not that he usually lies but I know he was desperate to put an end to the chicken fiasco!
So I casually read wine labels and asked, off the cuff- to which she explained I was the second person to ask- and yea the chicken is a regular! At this point James walked in and shook his head at me- ha ha!
I didnt buy wine, i just clung to the door like i was on a cliff railway and made a swift eggsit!
I bid the chick farewell- I could hardly steal someone's pet. I will get my chickens one day!

All in all an eggs-cellent day! Agghhh your killing me!

Einstein on education

'Education is what's left over when you've forgotten everything you learnt in school'

Today our little family visited a local primary to find out more about state education, it's goals, curriculum, ethos and specifically for this school- how it feels to be inside.

I was really impressed, it was airy and spacious- full of projects and art work on every wall. It was national book day so all the kids and most of the teachers were dressed in fancy dress of characters from books- lots of Disney princesses!!!
The head showed us round, he was obviously very enthusiastic and keen to showcase the academic achievements and facilities to had to offer.
Thing is, it's just not Elmfield- that's the Steiner school wills and me have been attending for family sessions.
Steiner education takes things slowly in the early years, not starting formal education until age 7 an concentrating more on creative subjects and sense of self instead. I like this philosophy- but I'm learning in life that just to listen to one opinion, even if it resonates with you, is not the way to draw conclusions and make big decisions!
That's why we visited Roberts primary today. I wanted to understand what the alternative was to Steiner and to wrap my head around the differences before I take for granted my gut feeling- I love Elmfield!
So- what's the conclusion- I was impressed by the school, it's plus points for me were the forest school that the head was keen to talk about, the environment zone ( solar and wind power- recycling and Eco projects). The children seemed happy and it seemed fairly relaxed even though it is a HUGE school.
Negatives though-it's a HUGE school, it can't possibly hope to compete with the smaller child centred approach of Elmfield- it's just basic numbers- 3 reception classes! Think that equates to 3 classes for each year! That's immense! At my primary there was a class for each year- thats it.
I was surprised (shocked) when I saw what children under 7 achieve in terms of literacy an numeracy- should have been impressed, but the Steiner influence over me left me wondering at what expense do the children achieve. Elmfield kids don't have to think about SATS and concentrate on other aspects instead- I definitely don't feel comfortable with testing kids so tiny- surely that has an effect on self esteem too early to be useful?
Conclusion? Well- James and I have been talking- gut feeling is Elmfield but it's not the easy option here, it means budgeting to afford it- fingers crossed for them getting academy status!
If we have more kids- how can we afford it? Then is it a question of siblings or Elmfield? That's not a decision I want to make.
Also- it doesn't make me feel great to think that my kid gets a special private education just because we can scrape the funds (or part thereof) I want to support state school, but: I just can't help thinking- we have a choice! We live close enough to this very special place- if we didn't I couldn't even consider it, but we do and we can!!
Elmfield seems to be very special, we love the community associated with it- the other families I know at family group have similar priorities in terms of lifestyle. When we are there lots of exciting things happen, opportunities arise and there is always something coming up that is of interest- can another school give us that? The community element?
You have to pay fees but you get a community along with the education that sustains the whole family.
Secretly I just want to go there myself- I want william to have the opportunity to do all the exciting things it offers. I want him to take his childhood slowly and at his pace and be a confident little boy as he is now.
Hum, more thought is needed x

Photos taken last year of Elmfield nursery an grounds.

Why I love mondays

Mondays are totally ace since I haven't had to work them!
Wills and me go to Elmfield in the morning for our family session. It's busy, manic at times- about 12 kids there today and their parent in charge. It's nice that a couple of dads are regulars and not just a mums club.
Elmfield is a Rudolf Steiner school, the family sessions we attend are for kids up to nursery age, although the ages vary an some of the kids who come are nursery age and in transition but like to come along to build up their confidence in the setting.
It's very relaxed, today william played with wooden aeroplanes and tractors and the farm set, made cups of tea (not actual ones of course) in the little kitchen and moved the furniture round as I chatted to friends about the kids, developmental stages and more randomly- about one dads hopes for his child that he has a socially acceptable resting face!
Ha ha - think he was joking- hope so- I laughed in his face and repeated his words for others to laugh at too  he said he had an unfortunate resting face (the face you pull when your not engaged in any activity- resting!) I actually can't wait to see his unfortunate face but he explained he couldn't possibly recreate it on demand!
Got me pondering what my hopes are for William- apart from the obvious happiness and health, maybe another blog post is in need for that question.
The kids spent some time in the little garden climbing the slide, playing in the house and digging in the sand. Sunny- freezing though!!
Then we had our 'little meal' lit by candlelight and started and ended with a little song and holding hands- I love it!! They cook brown rice and serve it with tamari and rose hip tea- lush

After Elmfield we met the Monday club, my sweet and hilarious friend Kelly and her three boys, little rose and her grandma Mary from Elmfield join us too. I love this friendship group- the kids all get on well- so lovely to watch them growing together.

It was noah's 2nd birthday so the kids dressed up in fancy dress and we had a birthday cake- yum!

My fave costume was Jo-Jo's he came as a pirate with a drawn on beard and tash- made me smile every-time I caught sight of him.
The photos don't do any of the costumes justice as they'd mostly lost the accessories by cake time.
We talked about holidays booked and dreams of those to come- I'm quite excited about booking a camping holiday soon- just need to decide when and where.
William was tired today after our busy weekend of fun- fell asleep in my arms (for 10 mins) In the noise and brightness of softplay.
He was asleep before the end of the 'wild Child' story tonight- bless him- beautiful boy. I love him more everyday- not sure how it's possible, but tomorrow he'll do something that makes me love him even more. 

Moseley old hall

Another lovely day out, another old building and fun gardens.
Today we met our lovely friends Kate and co, for a jaunt around Moseley old hall courtesy of Kate's national trust membership- thanks Kate!
We never actually made it inside the hall- who cares when there's mud and woods to explore! We fed chickens and ducks and saw a peacock- they are noisy creatures. Really wanted to take Kate up on the offer of a free chicken coop but darling James would have gone nuts- bird phobia!!! I think me and wills will
Convince him in time- maybe when we are not trying to sell the house though  chicken poo isn't on the wish list of every buyer 
The kids dressed up in 17th century clothes. Chloe looked beautiful as a serving wench and Jordan and L and baby D D all looked swish in theirs too.

I had some brilliant senior moments today- one when I tried to enter the hall through a cupboard- narnia style ahem- slightly embarrassing. And Kate, me and the kids were unable to figure out if an unidentified object was a puff ball fungi or an old sponge ball with lots of dust in it- this remained a mystery unsolved- I wonder! The bookshop man thought we'd gone crazy I think- insisted he was only a book expert- in a kind of 'please stop asking me strange questions and go away' kind of way!
Best bits were the woodland mud kitchen and tree climbing/ den making areas. Did william join in? Do Williams sh*t in the woods? Yes apparently they do! He was otherwise engaged in his business and surveyed the woods alone instead! 

Kate and I did a seed swap in the orchard and we lost the nana in the old house while we chased the kids off into the woods. Sorry kates mum!! 

Great day, even coped with the tired babes at the end- kinda.

The sun tried, but not quite hard enough today- although Kate and I were definitely in the spirit of spring.