First week back 2016, mirror, static, dinosaurs, magic tricks, art and tubing madness.

It was always going to be difficult getting the children back into some sort of rhythm. Owen coped really well and we had a busy morning.

First we made up his T-Rex model 

We made a T-Rex head mould with some plaster ...he enjoyed mixing and stirring it up.

We built a Kaleioscope and tested looking through it using different lenses, beads, jewels and pictures. Owen was really pleased with his work.

Sam wasn't really feeling the love initially and read in bed for quite a while before joining us. He decided he wanted to do some Khan academy maths. Then he saw the kits I had left out and decided to make a Smilodon head mould.

Afterwards we built, his model , but had some issues getting the teeth to stay put. Sam showed me his wobbly tooth in sympathy. In the end we decided to use a bit of strategic Blu Tac to hold them in place.

Sam was unsettled last night and took some time to get to sleep, so he was tired this morning. Once the children had eaten some breakfast we looked at various ideas for things to do.

Our Plaster of Paris Dinosaur moulds were set , so we turned them out. The boys were very pleased with the results. I put them safe because they still need to cure a little longer. The children enjoyed the smooth texture and wondered if they could fool anyone into believing they were real dinosaur casts.

Owen was watching me colouring, so decided he wanted a try. He finds holding a pen difficult and tiring but worked hard and enjoyed chatting and listening to the radio. 

He particularly liked this design because he loves his new cordless headphones.

We talked about how he finds writing hard and he expressed wishes to improve this, so we discussed how he prefers to tackle this. After colouring he asked me to write two sentences out for him to practice with.

It's a huge leap for him to want to attempt this, so I felt proud he was trying. Next he looked at our science magazine and did the animal quiz. I am pleased I subscribe to Whizz Pop Bang because the boys are enjoying the activities and I think it's good value for money:

http://www.whizzpopbang.com

Sam decided to do some Khan academy

Then watched a video about 17th century London

Here..http://www.openculture.com/2013/11/fly-through-17th-century-london.html

Then we talked about centrifugal force because we read an article in Whizz Pop Bang that explained it. So we decided to get a bucket and give it a go.

Sam wasn't too sure , so I demonstrated for him by swinging the bucket of water Pete Townsend, windmill style.

When Sam tried it, he lost his nerve half way and ended up wet through...we both laughed like drains. He was brave enough to have another go and this time succeeded in keeping the water in the bucket. After covering himself in cold water, he decided to have a hot bath. 

Sam was up early and burst into the day with rapid gunfire questioning. I think Blokey was relieved he needed to go to work. I blinked and tried to focus on the multitude of questions over my muesli. They were mainly animal related and quite obscure...Sam never believes me when I say I don't know answers. I love his faith in my abilities but at 6:30 am, I am not really ready to Google.

He decided to do some work on Khan academy whilst I did a bit of training with Shadow. He then decided to do Brain Games using the Wii but got very frustrated because non of the remotes worked. After a while I managed to convince him I couldn't fix it and he very reluctantly came to look through the activity basket. We did a little bit of geography with his new atlas sticker book, but because it's new he needs time to warm up to it.

Next we decided to build a magic money box. 

He got very interested in the blue film that we peeled of the mirror. He wandered round testing its ability to hold a static charge and what it could cling to for quite some time. We then finished his box and tested out making coins and our fingers 'disappear'.

We experiments with different inserts and effects, created an under water world etc but decided to go with the sparkly insert. Sam asked me to film him doing the trick.

After that we built a periscope, which involved peeling more blue film off mirrors and static testing.

He tested the finished periscope by looking behind him, looking round corners and over things. Finally he took the pieces apart and pretended he was a Chameleon...using the periscope as eyes on the side of his head. We talked about why some creatures have eyes in different places to us.

Sam asked if I could write a sentence with 'G's' and 'q's' because he struggles to remember how to shape the letters. 

Owen isn't up yet, I suspect late night reading by torch light is the reason..he's read the whole set of Diary of a Wimpy Kid over Christmas and is now engrossed in the latest David Walliams book. Since Sam is occupied I stick the kettle on for a cuppa...it's only 9:15am and I feel like I have done a full day already!

On rising Owen decided to do more colouring , whilst eating his boiled egg. I complimented him on his colour choices and we listened to his favourite radio station 'Planet Rock' and I talked about the various songs and artists to him. We listened out for the bass line in some of the songs..'Dad used to play bass in a band didn't he? ' and we sang along to Peter Gabriel and Twister Sister whilst we worked.

After colouring he practiced his writing and I showed him how starting the letters in certain places, help form them more easily. His poor bendy fingers make gripping uncomfortable and we haven't found the perfect aid to help him yet. We laughed as he made up phrases to copy.

We learnt about reindeers and he completed the maze problem, mentally adding up the numbers to find the correct path...he can do this quicker than my tired old brain now.

'I am not very good at word searches' he tells me, whilst finding all the answers faster than I can blink or register them.

Finally we looked at our sticker atlas and he decided to find famous landmarks and some animals to place on the right locations. ' look Mum!' He giggles ' I put the Trifle Tower in Paris' ...he whispers 'I know it's not trifle really' and giggles again.

Next he finds the correct location for the Love Birds to live and we talk about them.

We also watched this (Blokey really enjoyed it too) :

http://www.channel5.com/shows/how-star-wars-changed-the-world/episodes/how-star-wars-changed-the-world

Owen started the day with a spot of colouring again.

It's chucking it down with rain yet again today and there's no hope of getting the boys out in this. So whilst Owen and I worked together, Sam played tennis on the Wii.

I showed Owen an Armish recipe for cinnamon 'flop bread' and he was eager to do it. Sam decided to stay on the Wii playing baseball whilst we did this.

The recipe was pretty easy and we talked about how USA recipes differ from ours and converted the oven temperature

It's a thick batter and we loved the cinnamon aroma.

Whilst I tidied the kitchen , Owen went to play with Sam.

Once the cinnamon bread was done , we took a break and tried it out. We liked it but decided it tasted a bit to soda like for us and may adapt the recipe a bit if we try again. 

We then had fun doing Wii fit and our excercises before eating a late lunch.

Blokey is on his rota day off and as the rain had paused we decided to visit the ski centre for a tubing session.

Sam isn't sleeping well because his asthma is still playing up..but he did cheer up doing this..even if he needed to rest ( unheard of!) .

He will be making a visit to the Docs next week if he doesn't pick up over the weekend.

After our exercise and fun, we admired a rainbow and the heavens opened again just as we were heading for the car..*phew*. We stopped off for some lunch before heading over to visit Blokeys parents.

The next day we headed off to visit some artwork at the local gallery. My friend is exhibiting there and we admired her work and had a good look round at the still life exhibition.

We all had our favourite pieces but the Peacock was mine.

We took a look at the old court room and the cells too.

They are pulling serious 'court faces'

We looked at some of the sentences children were given. Two poor youngsters were listed as having stolen 6 nails and were whipped. 

'Harsh!' Sam and Owen chimed in unison.

He's still not great bless him and needed a little rest.

Peering into the cells....it was grim in there...

Today the boys chilled out, Sam is coughing so much with his asthma that it's making him feel sick. He's not eaten much all week, so we will pop him to the doctors tomorrow if I can get him in. Blokey and I did lots of jobs around the house and played some games with them later. Sadly we had to miss swimming because we all agreed Sam would be heart broken if Owen and Dad went without him. He loves his swimming so much.

I have also been liaising with Sam's Consultant regarding his ADHD because the CCG have agreed to fund his treatment plan. That's a huge weight off our minds and with a few tweaks here and there we can get everything set up now.