Our first week off this week and we have done pretty much nothing! Callum has flitted between the computer and the Wii on most days, but he’s also been enjoying discovering music on YouTube. He now wants to listen to some more and really likes Zero-Project; a band from Greece who do instrumental music and whose track 'Gothic' is on his Roblox game. He continues his love of Madness and Ska in general too. Bit opposite ends of the spectrum, but nice to know that he can appreciate all types, hopefully.
Tuesday we went off to hall day and as we had so much swapsy stuff we needed to get a lift. Got rid of most of it and off loaded some more to a friend of ours on the Wednesday. The rest went to a charity shop today. We are concentrating on Science next year along with maths and literacy with a bit of art, sport and possibly music thrown in. This meant we needed to reduce our ‘stuff’ to make room for more ‘stuff’ that we need.
Callum didn’t really socialize at the hall, he does prefer to sit with us adults and drink tea whilst playing on his DS. It isn’t that he doesn’t like the children that are there, but I think, being 12, he is at that in between age.
We also went along to trampolining group on the Thursday which was nice. Got to see everyone again and Sue made it a bit of a fun session. Sue will be our new coach until James returns. Lorraine, Amy and Connor came back afterwards and whilst the kids played on the Wii, we had a good natter. Its funny how, when on his own turf, he will interact better with other children.
I think he has enjoyed his first week off, but I don’t want us to be stuck indoors all the time. He’s moaning at the moment, but I know he will get bored really quickly and start climbing the walls, so am trying to plan between 2-3 days a week where we do something, 2-3 days where we are at home and then, of course, there will be weekends.
Hopefully off to London on Sunday for an archaeology dig at London Bridge. Hope weather holds.
Showing posts with label holidays. Show all posts
Showing posts with label holidays. Show all posts
Friday, 22 July 2011
Tuesday, 26 April 2011
THE WEEK BEFORE EASTER
Hello all, can't believe how fast this week has gone! But it's been a very enjoyable week.
Firstly we had a private trampolining lesson on the Monday (18th April) and Callum worked really hard. The Centre was practically empty due to it being school hols and the 'camp' they had running was at lunch. Even though Callum's knee was hurting and he was a bit worried about doing front drops, he still did them and he was attempting somersaults by himself - go Callum.
After trampolining, we went off to Gore Farm with Linda and her daughter Danielle. As it was just the two kids, we could relax a little more as we knew that they wouldn't do anything stupid. We took the Woodland Walk as we hadn't done it before and Callum and Danielle are convinced they saw a red squirrel. Their description did sound like it was, but I'm not really sure that we have red squirrels round here. As I didn't see it, I can't say it was or wasn't. Let's hope it was!
Gore Farm has loads of animals there now and Callum's favourites have to be the pigs and the donkeys (see piccys). He's always loved donkeys. He's tried to talk me into having one several times after we have been told that originally our house used to be owned by a fireman who used to keep his horses out the back. However, I know our garden isn't really big enough to house and exercise a donkey.
Tuesday Callum had his best mate round and I practically didn't see them all afternoon as usual.
Thursday we went off to Capstone Park for our very first fishing lesson. Callum was a bit unsure to start with, but the group was really small. He got a bit bored with the initial talk though about how to thread the line onto the rod and how to put on the hook. He was a bit freaked by being shown how to hook maggots, but he couldn't wait to start fishing when one of the rangers demonstrated a cast and caught a fish within a couple of seconds. So we were given a rod, shown to our designated pitch and set about fishing. I ended up by having to do the maggots as Callum just couldn't bring himself to do it and it was a bit fiddly, however, after doing a couple I got quite the dab hand at it - haha.
Callum cast well and was instantly catching fish! He must have caught about 12 altogether. I had a go when he decided he needed to sit down and have a drink and I caught the grand sum of 2!!! 1 perch and 1 roach! However, I was very good at carrying the fish to the keep net. Everyone else's fish were flapping about and having to be held in both hands; mine just laid quietly in one hand and then flapped off when I put them in the net - very weird!! )
Firstly we had a private trampolining lesson on the Monday (18th April) and Callum worked really hard. The Centre was practically empty due to it being school hols and the 'camp' they had running was at lunch. Even though Callum's knee was hurting and he was a bit worried about doing front drops, he still did them and he was attempting somersaults by himself - go Callum.
After trampolining, we went off to Gore Farm with Linda and her daughter Danielle. As it was just the two kids, we could relax a little more as we knew that they wouldn't do anything stupid. We took the Woodland Walk as we hadn't done it before and Callum and Danielle are convinced they saw a red squirrel. Their description did sound like it was, but I'm not really sure that we have red squirrels round here. As I didn't see it, I can't say it was or wasn't. Let's hope it was!
Gore Farm has loads of animals there now and Callum's favourites have to be the pigs and the donkeys (see piccys). He's always loved donkeys. He's tried to talk me into having one several times after we have been told that originally our house used to be owned by a fireman who used to keep his horses out the back. However, I know our garden isn't really big enough to house and exercise a donkey.
Tuesday Callum had his best mate round and I practically didn't see them all afternoon as usual.
Thursday we went off to Capstone Park for our very first fishing lesson. Callum was a bit unsure to start with, but the group was really small. He got a bit bored with the initial talk though about how to thread the line onto the rod and how to put on the hook. He was a bit freaked by being shown how to hook maggots, but he couldn't wait to start fishing when one of the rangers demonstrated a cast and caught a fish within a couple of seconds. So we were given a rod, shown to our designated pitch and set about fishing. I ended up by having to do the maggots as Callum just couldn't bring himself to do it and it was a bit fiddly, however, after doing a couple I got quite the dab hand at it - haha.
Callum cast well and was instantly catching fish! He must have caught about 12 altogether. I had a go when he decided he needed to sit down and have a drink and I caught the grand sum of 2!!! 1 perch and 1 roach! However, I was very good at carrying the fish to the keep net. Everyone else's fish were flapping about and having to be held in both hands; mine just laid quietly in one hand and then flapped off when I put them in the net - very weird!! )
The day was really enjoyable and now he wants to do it again. The only trouble we had was when the fish swallowed the hook. We just couldn't get the knack of using the degorger (like a largish crochet hook) and we kept having to get the rangers to do it for us! In the end the ranger pulled out the keep net and we could see how many fish we'd caught altogether (4 families). He then let all the fish back into the lake
Well, that gets us up to the Easter weekend and I'll try and write that up tomorrow,
So cya!
Friday, 20 August 2010
UMMMMM SORRY!
Hello (I say rather sheepishly), is there anyone still out there? It's been ages!! Sorry!
Anyway, what have we been up to since last month (can't believe it's been that long)!
Well, as it's now August, we have tried to take time out like the schooled kids, but when you home educate you realise that kids never really take time off! Everything they do and everywhere they go, they are learning. But we are not doing projects, we haven't done any structured lessons and the only stuff we have done has been 'as and when it happens' stuff. So that's time off for us!
The last week or so of July was taking up by finishing off work for the year and gathering everything together into understandable sections - not easy when you start things, go off on tangents and then come back to stuff, but we managed it and were quite surprised by how much we'd actually done! Lots of science stuff surfaced and at least 3 major projects with lots of little ones on the side!
Callum decided he would like to show off his work to some of his friends and family, so we had about a dozen people round (he chose who he wanted, designed invites and printed them off and got them sent) for an 'open day' with Phil doing a very basic BBQ of burgers and sausages! I was rather impressed with Callum actually as he not only took charge of the invites, but he decided what work he wanted out, displayed it and set up a 'science room' in the utility room with work and some experiments. He then proceeded, on the day, to organise a rota of demonstrations of said experiments in approx 15min intervals and went over them again so later arrivals could also join in. He did it all by himself and I was very proud of him!
We also had our yearly home education beach day in July. Weather held, although was very cloudy; only raining later on in the afternoon. Quite a few families turned up and we met some new families - belated thanks to Ann for organising!!! Callum had a wonderful day and spent most of the time down in the water. It was while he was down there that I realised how much he'd grown! I was looking for him from up on the sands where we were sitting and Phil said that he was with the big boys in the water. I said I couldn't see him and then realised that he was one of the big boys!!!! Oops!! There I was looking for a little 'un! Hey ho!
So far during August we have been on a Monk's day at Rochester with Lorraine and Amy; trampolining lessons (last one of the year for the group and a couple of private ones); Ann's house for play; out with a new friend who we met through MAGIC; Callum's been on 3 Activity Days with MAGIC on his own (well, without me, but with Callum D); Trosley Park with our ASD home ed group; Capstone with Linda and Danielle to do water survey (which we never got round to doing with big sis) and to play and we've seen his best mate Callum as much as possible. All in all, our relaxing August has been a very busy, very socialable and very pleasant month!
Still to come is beach day with our, now not so, baby group. It's become an annual event! 3 mums and 4 kids down to Broadstairs. The kids have grown up together and it's like getting together with family, so really nice! We also have a zoo trip planned; more trampolining and a visit to Natural History Museum for The Deep exhibition in London and hopefully more play dates. By then it'll be September and we will need to start thinking (note I said thinking - hehe) about getting back to a routine of 'school'! Well, we will see what happens won't we?
Anyway, you are now filled in! So cya soon.
Anyway, what have we been up to since last month (can't believe it's been that long)!
Well, as it's now August, we have tried to take time out like the schooled kids, but when you home educate you realise that kids never really take time off! Everything they do and everywhere they go, they are learning. But we are not doing projects, we haven't done any structured lessons and the only stuff we have done has been 'as and when it happens' stuff. So that's time off for us!
The last week or so of July was taking up by finishing off work for the year and gathering everything together into understandable sections - not easy when you start things, go off on tangents and then come back to stuff, but we managed it and were quite surprised by how much we'd actually done! Lots of science stuff surfaced and at least 3 major projects with lots of little ones on the side!
Callum decided he would like to show off his work to some of his friends and family, so we had about a dozen people round (he chose who he wanted, designed invites and printed them off and got them sent) for an 'open day' with Phil doing a very basic BBQ of burgers and sausages! I was rather impressed with Callum actually as he not only took charge of the invites, but he decided what work he wanted out, displayed it and set up a 'science room' in the utility room with work and some experiments. He then proceeded, on the day, to organise a rota of demonstrations of said experiments in approx 15min intervals and went over them again so later arrivals could also join in. He did it all by himself and I was very proud of him!
We also had our yearly home education beach day in July. Weather held, although was very cloudy; only raining later on in the afternoon. Quite a few families turned up and we met some new families - belated thanks to Ann for organising!!! Callum had a wonderful day and spent most of the time down in the water. It was while he was down there that I realised how much he'd grown! I was looking for him from up on the sands where we were sitting and Phil said that he was with the big boys in the water. I said I couldn't see him and then realised that he was one of the big boys!!!! Oops!! There I was looking for a little 'un! Hey ho!
So far during August we have been on a Monk's day at Rochester with Lorraine and Amy; trampolining lessons (last one of the year for the group and a couple of private ones); Ann's house for play; out with a new friend who we met through MAGIC; Callum's been on 3 Activity Days with MAGIC on his own (well, without me, but with Callum D); Trosley Park with our ASD home ed group; Capstone with Linda and Danielle to do water survey (which we never got round to doing with big sis) and to play and we've seen his best mate Callum as much as possible. All in all, our relaxing August has been a very busy, very socialable and very pleasant month!
Still to come is beach day with our, now not so, baby group. It's become an annual event! 3 mums and 4 kids down to Broadstairs. The kids have grown up together and it's like getting together with family, so really nice! We also have a zoo trip planned; more trampolining and a visit to Natural History Museum for The Deep exhibition in London and hopefully more play dates. By then it'll be September and we will need to start thinking (note I said thinking - hehe) about getting back to a routine of 'school'! Well, we will see what happens won't we?
Anyway, you are now filled in! So cya soon.
Wednesday, 23 June 2010
A YEAR OLDER AND HAVING FUN!
Hi all
I know it's been another couple of weeks since posting, sorry all, but it's been busy!
Firstly, Callum has had a birthday, he's now 11 - wow!! And instead of having a party to celebrate we took his best friend off to my Callum's favourite place, Great Yarmouth Haven Site. He loves it there for several reasons, but mainly because of the wind farm out at sea which is clearly seen from the beach!
This little weekend away was a big thing for Callum as he has never had/been to a sleepover before (he's never wanted one or to go to one), so I wasn't entirely sure how things would go and the fact that we only booked a two bedroomed caravan could have proved a bit difficult if the boys hadn't got on! I did a bit of investigating when got there and found the double bed in the sofa, so if the worst came to the worst myself and Phil would have to sleep there, but then there would have been an issue with bedding. We always take our own as Callum prefers his own things.
Anyway, the weekend went fine. Callum and Callum got on fabulously and didn't argue once! They spent the whole weekend either on the beach or in the arcades with a kart hire and crazy golf as extras. They did get up ridiculously early mind you! 5.30am on Saturday, 6.30am on Sunday and my C was up 7.30am Monday with CD up around 8am. I'm surprised that they didn't completely crash, but they didn't. Actually my C did on Saturday as we wanted to watch the England match and he wasn't particularly interested so curled up with the dog on the floor and fell asleep. The other Callum kept nodding off, but was determined to stay up 'til the end of the match, but as soon as his head hit the pillow afterwards he was gone, bless him. The Monday after we signed out we spend the morning and afternoon in The Model Village which Callum had remembered from last time and wanted to go again!
On our return we spent most of the week uploading photos and making a display folder for all our holiday stuff, photos, brochures, etc. We also finished off the display folder from our holiday in Cornwall earlier this year. Callum seemed very energised after the break and worked really well.
Thursday was trampolining as normal and his sister came along to watch. Callum was on top form and worked really well, smiling and being very affectionate to our coach James! I'd invited everyone back to the house afterwards for an impromptu tea and play, doing a emergency shop online the day before to get things delivered. I even managed to get a birthday cake, which he didn't have while we were away. Callum had a great time and didn't get stressed once!
Friday, Callum D came round as my Callum wanted to play his new Wii Mario game with him. This meant I could catch up on emails and finances.
Saturday was Fuse Festival in the High Street. Fuse is an arts festival with music, fun stuff, puppets, etc. I wanted to go last year as in my youth I worked for Arts in Medway and we helped to organise stuff like this, so it was a reminder of days gone by. However, Callum doesn't like the High Street on Saturdays or Mondays as it is also market day. But I managed to persuade him to go (for an hour said I) to see what was there. Ended up being up there the whole afternoon (12.30pm - 4pm) with us coming home for a quick cuppa (we are only 5mins away) before returning. Callum loved it all, although the music group Bang On was a bit noisy for him. They use household items to make drumming music and Callum really liked it, but couldn't stand and listen for too long as it hurt his ears. He loved, however, the moving Bollards from Bureau of Silly Ideas and the completely crazy nun called Musical Ruth who was a guy dressed up as a nun riding on a mobility scooter that had been converted into a church organ (see photo). He was hilarious and completely bonkers, but Callum adored him. Am hoping to go to Rochester this weekend as they are having their turn then.
Friday, 9 April 2010
HOLIDAYS
Hello all
Been back a week now since holiday, but first chance I've had to catch up!
Holidays - we all love them, but, as any of you who have ASD children know, they can be a very stressful time and have to be planned with almost military precision. I started planning ours last March, but due to breaking my leg had to wait until this year to actually be able to go, haha.
Anyway, we toddled off to Cornwall this year; partly for a family holiday and partly so I could catch up with my friend Kay who now lives there. I found a holiday village that was very close by to where she lives and had intended, last year, to go as just Callum and myself, but decided that we could all go and make a proper family holiday out of it instead. The accommodation was a bungalow/cottage type place with 2 bedrooms, bathroom, living space and kitchen, but the main reason I chose it was because at the bottom of the back garden was a running stream! Callum adores water and I mean he really adores water! He would happily stay on a beach all day in all weathers just looking at the waves and is fascinated by ponds, streams and even just a plain old water feature in a garden, so I thought this would be ideal.
We spent months looking up the website, looking at the photos online of the rooms and checked out the location on the map. I even let the people know about Cs Asperger's and they were fab about it. Callum looking forward to going! Then, a week before we were due to set off I get an email saying that they are building another cottage next to the one we had booked and would we like an upgrade! Eeek! Bless 'em, they were brilliant and gave us a couple of options which would still have water next to them (one the same side as our original booking and therefore had the same stream or an even larger property which had a lake nearby). Callum was a bit ooo errr for a while as he wasn't sure what to go for, but we (Phil and I) decided that we would go for the option that was on the same side as our original booking. That way the stream and outside would be pretty much what C was expecting and the insides were almost the same, but with an added bedroom.
The journey there was horrendous and seemed to take forever. Decided to go the picturesque route instead of the motorway (Callum not keen on motorways), but kept getting stuck behind old cars or tractors, so veeeeeerrrrry slow! Arrived early evening very tired out and needing a cuppa. Was met by one of the maintenance people who informed us that they hadn't got round to reading the meters so we could have free electric all week on top of our upgrade - woo hoo!!
Cottage was lovely and Callum couldn't wait to get into his room. He'd already decided on which room he was having as, in the online photo, there was a little portable telly and he'd decided to take his playstation with him to set up on it. That set up, we were free to unpack and check outside. The stream was 5-6metres from the back door! Callum was straight down there and spent every single spare moment in his wellies in the stream! Regardless of time of day or weather; we even had some hail and he was still out there!
Sunday, we did a bit of food shopping and went to Kay's for dinner. Monday, Callum just stayed in the stream all day! Tuesday I went out with Kay as it was her birthday and Callum and dad went out for a drive round, getting as far as Looe.
Wednesday we went out on our first day trip (well afternoon as it rained all morning - yes, Callum was in the stream). Went to Trebah Gardens near Falmouth which was lovely. Dog friendly so we could take Draco, our black lab, with us. Even the cafe was dog friendly AND it sold gluten free cakes, so I could indulge in choc pecan brownie and a cuppa - bliss! They did a dog trail quiz which we followed and, once handed in, the dogs got a goody bag of treats. There was even a beach so Callum had everything he could wish for! All in all a good day was had by all, although I ached like hell when got back as the gardens are set in a valley so it had lots of winding paths and steps. I even treated myself to a Gunnera as I love them, so prehistoric looking, can't wait to be able to plant it properly.
Thursday I stayed at home, but Callum and Phil went off to Bodmin steam railway. Handed the camera over with new batteries, but because they were cheap ones, they managed to get one photograph before it packed up - boo hoo! They had a great day, but I didn't have any photos to look at, oh well, them having a good time was all that mattered. I put my feet up (legs were really aching) and read Shutter Island.
Friday we spent the day with Kay, her husband Simon and their son Jake. We went down to Charlestown, which is a harbour with a maritime museum on the side. The boys enjoyed the beach and ran around in the museum looking at all the memorabilia including pirate stuff and things from the Titanic. Afterwards drove back up and went to Seaton, a beach with black sand. It also has the river going into the sea, the river being the same one that is our little stream outside our holiday home. That was interesting to Callum as he could see the difference in size (although even when entering the sea, it isn't that wide). There is also a cafe on the side where we had some lunch. Had our first upset of the holiday on the beach. Kay and Simon were taking Jake over to the play area across the road and we were going with them. However, we hadn't been long on the beach and suddenly Callum breaks down in tears because he doesn't want to go. Kay, Sim and Jake end up going to play area and Phil, C and myself stay on the beach with C standing on the edge of the sea watching the waves! We went back to Kay's afterwards and C stays on while Phil and I go back and start packing to leave the next day.
Saturday morning it's time to leave and we load up the car, C plays in the stream one last time and seems fine until everything is loaded and we are about to leave. Then we get a few tears as he doesn't want to go home, bless him. He's had such a good time and the place was just perfect for him and us. Have promised that we will go back again.
I would highly recommended the place as a perfect base. There is no nightclubs or kids clubs and it is in the middle of nowhere, but it was lovely and the people who run it are brilliant. We will definitely be going back!
http://www.rosecraddocholidays.co.uk/
Been back a week now since holiday, but first chance I've had to catch up!
Holidays - we all love them, but, as any of you who have ASD children know, they can be a very stressful time and have to be planned with almost military precision. I started planning ours last March, but due to breaking my leg had to wait until this year to actually be able to go, haha.
Anyway, we toddled off to Cornwall this year; partly for a family holiday and partly so I could catch up with my friend Kay who now lives there. I found a holiday village that was very close by to where she lives and had intended, last year, to go as just Callum and myself, but decided that we could all go and make a proper family holiday out of it instead. The accommodation was a bungalow/cottage type place with 2 bedrooms, bathroom, living space and kitchen, but the main reason I chose it was because at the bottom of the back garden was a running stream! Callum adores water and I mean he really adores water! He would happily stay on a beach all day in all weathers just looking at the waves and is fascinated by ponds, streams and even just a plain old water feature in a garden, so I thought this would be ideal.
We spent months looking up the website, looking at the photos online of the rooms and checked out the location on the map. I even let the people know about Cs Asperger's and they were fab about it. Callum looking forward to going! Then, a week before we were due to set off I get an email saying that they are building another cottage next to the one we had booked and would we like an upgrade! Eeek! Bless 'em, they were brilliant and gave us a couple of options which would still have water next to them (one the same side as our original booking and therefore had the same stream or an even larger property which had a lake nearby). Callum was a bit ooo errr for a while as he wasn't sure what to go for, but we (Phil and I) decided that we would go for the option that was on the same side as our original booking. That way the stream and outside would be pretty much what C was expecting and the insides were almost the same, but with an added bedroom.
The journey there was horrendous and seemed to take forever. Decided to go the picturesque route instead of the motorway (Callum not keen on motorways), but kept getting stuck behind old cars or tractors, so veeeeeerrrrry slow! Arrived early evening very tired out and needing a cuppa. Was met by one of the maintenance people who informed us that they hadn't got round to reading the meters so we could have free electric all week on top of our upgrade - woo hoo!!
Cottage was lovely and Callum couldn't wait to get into his room. He'd already decided on which room he was having as, in the online photo, there was a little portable telly and he'd decided to take his playstation with him to set up on it. That set up, we were free to unpack and check outside. The stream was 5-6metres from the back door! Callum was straight down there and spent every single spare moment in his wellies in the stream! Regardless of time of day or weather; we even had some hail and he was still out there!
Sunday, we did a bit of food shopping and went to Kay's for dinner. Monday, Callum just stayed in the stream all day! Tuesday I went out with Kay as it was her birthday and Callum and dad went out for a drive round, getting as far as Looe.
Wednesday we went out on our first day trip (well afternoon as it rained all morning - yes, Callum was in the stream). Went to Trebah Gardens near Falmouth which was lovely. Dog friendly so we could take Draco, our black lab, with us. Even the cafe was dog friendly AND it sold gluten free cakes, so I could indulge in choc pecan brownie and a cuppa - bliss! They did a dog trail quiz which we followed and, once handed in, the dogs got a goody bag of treats. There was even a beach so Callum had everything he could wish for! All in all a good day was had by all, although I ached like hell when got back as the gardens are set in a valley so it had lots of winding paths and steps. I even treated myself to a Gunnera as I love them, so prehistoric looking, can't wait to be able to plant it properly.
Thursday I stayed at home, but Callum and Phil went off to Bodmin steam railway. Handed the camera over with new batteries, but because they were cheap ones, they managed to get one photograph before it packed up - boo hoo! They had a great day, but I didn't have any photos to look at, oh well, them having a good time was all that mattered. I put my feet up (legs were really aching) and read Shutter Island.
Friday we spent the day with Kay, her husband Simon and their son Jake. We went down to Charlestown, which is a harbour with a maritime museum on the side. The boys enjoyed the beach and ran around in the museum looking at all the memorabilia including pirate stuff and things from the Titanic. Afterwards drove back up and went to Seaton, a beach with black sand. It also has the river going into the sea, the river being the same one that is our little stream outside our holiday home. That was interesting to Callum as he could see the difference in size (although even when entering the sea, it isn't that wide). There is also a cafe on the side where we had some lunch. Had our first upset of the holiday on the beach. Kay and Simon were taking Jake over to the play area across the road and we were going with them. However, we hadn't been long on the beach and suddenly Callum breaks down in tears because he doesn't want to go. Kay, Sim and Jake end up going to play area and Phil, C and myself stay on the beach with C standing on the edge of the sea watching the waves! We went back to Kay's afterwards and C stays on while Phil and I go back and start packing to leave the next day.
Saturday morning it's time to leave and we load up the car, C plays in the stream one last time and seems fine until everything is loaded and we are about to leave. Then we get a few tears as he doesn't want to go home, bless him. He's had such a good time and the place was just perfect for him and us. Have promised that we will go back again.
I would highly recommended the place as a perfect base. There is no nightclubs or kids clubs and it is in the middle of nowhere, but it was lovely and the people who run it are brilliant. We will definitely be going back!
http://www.rosecraddocholidays.co.uk/
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)