Today started off with a very sleepy Callum and then a very long discussion on his game. Funny how when he's talking about something he's interested, he's suddenly very alert! However, my brain ended up exploding!
He's decided to build a new Roblox game and he's decided to log it as a project for home ed. Started with layout on paint yesterday with information on weapon prices, sizes, zombie waves, regeneration, points earned, main boss level, etc. He's then going to write the script to make the game, hopefully remembering to print it off; have screen shots of the game, instuctions on how to play and any tweaks/changes he's had to make. Now I'm fine with all that; in fact I think it's a great idea. He's even given himself a deadline to work to. However, whilst he was trying to explain it all to me he went a little bit too in depth and I totally lost track. It was a bit like the Brian Cox explanation on measuring light where I was "yes, understand", "yup, still get it", "yup, blimey I'm doing well" and then "No, my brain has just exploded!". All I can say is that I'm glad he gets it, because I can't help with any of it. Must admit, I'm quite impressed with the whole thing so far as he's even going on about how to advertise it on the site and get the game up the rankings.
After my brain had recovered and I'd laid in a hot bath for a while, he then attacked percentages, decimals and fractions in a workbook that he wants to finish. Now I'm ok with maths, but I have to admit that converting decimals to fractions and vice versa isn't my strong point. I can do percentages to fractions, but the other way round makes my head spin so I envisioned another brain explosion, but, nope, Callum, amazingly got it and even taught me how to do it. Love this home ed thing! Now I'm the pupil! Haha
After lunch we headed off to first trampoline lesson of the 'term'. Well, there was us thinking Kim might ease him in gently, but no! He started off running him through all the basic jumps right up to front somersaults, then ran through some combinations including: seat drop -> front drop -> back drop, front drop -> half twist -> back drop and then back drop -> half twist -> back drop; at which point Callum's head went dizzy! He finally finished with practicing both routines he's learnt including the somersault. For a half an hour lesson I don't think he stopped bouncing, twisting or spinning for more than 4 mins! Phew!
The rest of the day was errands; library, bank, haircuts and a bit of shopping then home. He's spent a bit more time on his Roblox game and is now upstairs on the XBox!
I don't think easing in this week is exactly what happened today, but hey ho!
Tuesday, 3 September 2013
Thursday, 13 June 2013
THE BIG FOURTEEN
Why fourteen seems so much older than thirteen, I do not know, but it does. Anyway, he had a fab birthday. No home ed or course, but....well, it was his birthday!!
He was up earlier than normal, no surprise there, 8.30am instead of 10.30am. Hmmm, perhaps birthdays should be every day.
Presents from us and his aunt/uncle opened and cards placed on mantlepiece. 2 Nerf guns, science book, T-shirt and Family Guy DVDs.
Big sis turned up with a few more presents in a bag, so 2 XBox games, some mosaic kits, 2 'make your own straw' kits and a penguin bag. Plus in the post, £15!
Lots of playing with new guns (one is interchangable, so all previously owned Nerfs were brought down!), then a play on the XBox with big sis.
Dad home with last present from us; small 6L fridge for his bedroom. Sausages and burgers for dinner; he wanted a barbeque, but weather wasn't good, so had to cook indoors instead, then birthday cake!
Being an Aspi, I may have a bit of trouble getting him to eat the 'controller' and the 'game' as he doesn't like eating shaped things. Why make him one then, I hear you ask? Well, he wanted a cake and, after having looked at cakes I'd made in the past for him, he wanted a shaped one and this just about sums him up perfectly. Favourite game with a red shiny controller just like his. He did let me cut the main cake at least, although he didn't have a piece yesterday as too full of sausages. But at least big sis, Terri, and her dad could have some and so could we. We did have candles but my camera died just as he was blowing them out and am relying on daughter to upload her photos later.
Anyway, he had a fab day. Cya
He was up earlier than normal, no surprise there, 8.30am instead of 10.30am. Hmmm, perhaps birthdays should be every day.
Presents from us and his aunt/uncle opened and cards placed on mantlepiece. 2 Nerf guns, science book, T-shirt and Family Guy DVDs.
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First present to open |
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Another NERF gun (he loves them) |
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Second NERF - he asked for them |
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Ooooo experiments |
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Slightly scary |
Lots of playing with new guns (one is interchangable, so all previously owned Nerfs were brought down!), then a play on the XBox with big sis.
Dad home with last present from us; small 6L fridge for his bedroom. Sausages and burgers for dinner; he wanted a barbeque, but weather wasn't good, so had to cook indoors instead, then birthday cake!
Being an Aspi, I may have a bit of trouble getting him to eat the 'controller' and the 'game' as he doesn't like eating shaped things. Why make him one then, I hear you ask? Well, he wanted a cake and, after having looked at cakes I'd made in the past for him, he wanted a shaped one and this just about sums him up perfectly. Favourite game with a red shiny controller just like his. He did let me cut the main cake at least, although he didn't have a piece yesterday as too full of sausages. But at least big sis, Terri, and her dad could have some and so could we. We did have candles but my camera died just as he was blowing them out and am relying on daughter to upload her photos later.
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XBox cake |
Thursday, 9 May 2013
BEEN A WHILE I KNOW
Hi folks!
Yes I know, its been a while. But I haven't been slacking off too much, just been concentrating on daily updates on the related Facebook page. It's often easier, as I'm normally on there in the evenings anyway, to do a quick little update there than log in and write something a bit more substantial.
So what's been happening in Callum's world? Well, Digipen course is going well apart from some pretty big techno problems, but I've already ranted about those on my Is It Me blog, so I'm not going to go into it again here. Callum is really enjoying the course and I have no problems getting him to do the homework. In fact he ends up by going further into the course than he should as he's finding it interesting and perfect for what he wants to do, so I think programming is the way to go.
On top of that, the Kestral Award is starting to take shape. We found some previous work that fits in with the criteria so we've put that in and we've done one more item on the Do It list.
We'd already made a bird box, so I found the work and took extra pics of finished object and put that in and we've bought some pond plants to go into our wildlife ponds that we have. Basically they are the old corner bath we had and a tin bath that we found in the garden. We've buried the corner bath and the tin bath will have stones and bricks around it so that anything can climb up should it wish to. They have both been full of water for about a year and the corner bath is looking really green and murky, however we discovered water skaters on it this year and an underwater beetle, so were pretty impressed. One of the tasks in the award is to help create a wildlife pond, so we went out and bought some oxygenating plants, a water lily and a couple of shallow water plants and Callum planted them up and positioned them in the pond; me taking photos. We now need to get some plants around the pond, create the bog garden and surround the tin bath with stones once in permanent position. As the Kestral Award doesn't have a time limit, we can take our time, but hopefully it will all be up and running and planted by the end of July.
The other award we want to do is from the British Science Association. They run a scheme similar to the Arts Award we did a few years ago. We are going to start at Bronze just to get some practice in with regard to what type of work they expect before moving up to the Silver and Gold awards which have UCAS points attached. At the moment we are awaiting a delivery from Amazon with regard to some rockets as Callum wants to do Transport!! One of the sections he's chosen has experiments on model rockets and trajectories, speed and energy. Looking forward to starting it, but might need to go somewhere a little more spacious to carry out the tests.
Yes I know, its been a while. But I haven't been slacking off too much, just been concentrating on daily updates on the related Facebook page. It's often easier, as I'm normally on there in the evenings anyway, to do a quick little update there than log in and write something a bit more substantial.
So what's been happening in Callum's world? Well, Digipen course is going well apart from some pretty big techno problems, but I've already ranted about those on my Is It Me blog, so I'm not going to go into it again here. Callum is really enjoying the course and I have no problems getting him to do the homework. In fact he ends up by going further into the course than he should as he's finding it interesting and perfect for what he wants to do, so I think programming is the way to go.
On top of that, the Kestral Award is starting to take shape. We found some previous work that fits in with the criteria so we've put that in and we've done one more item on the Do It list.
We'd already made a bird box, so I found the work and took extra pics of finished object and put that in and we've bought some pond plants to go into our wildlife ponds that we have. Basically they are the old corner bath we had and a tin bath that we found in the garden. We've buried the corner bath and the tin bath will have stones and bricks around it so that anything can climb up should it wish to. They have both been full of water for about a year and the corner bath is looking really green and murky, however we discovered water skaters on it this year and an underwater beetle, so were pretty impressed. One of the tasks in the award is to help create a wildlife pond, so we went out and bought some oxygenating plants, a water lily and a couple of shallow water plants and Callum planted them up and positioned them in the pond; me taking photos. We now need to get some plants around the pond, create the bog garden and surround the tin bath with stones once in permanent position. As the Kestral Award doesn't have a time limit, we can take our time, but hopefully it will all be up and running and planted by the end of July.
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The tin bath with rocks and now a Waterlily |
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One of our pond skaters in the very murky water |
One another note, I'm back to having to remind Callum to wash his face, clean his teeth and shower! He was doing extremely well, but its all gone out the window again. Not sure if that is just him being a typical teenage boy or whether it's his Asperger or both, but it is a bit annoying after having got him into a routine with it all. Oh well two steps forward, one step back I suppose.
Oh and he's still doing trampolining! Somersaults now achieved on a regular basis. Concentrating on technique and starting backward somersaults at the moment. Eeeeek!!!
Anyway, stuff to do this morning, so hopefully back another day.
Cya
Monday, 22 April 2013
DIGIPEN AND STUPID TRAIN TIMETABLES
Back up to Albany Park for Digipen today; lesson two. Teacher not really improved on being able to keep us all up and running at the same speed and, once again, Callum had to help out a fellow student! Actually I helped out a fellow student as well today, go me! Haha. Went over the homework we should have all done; surprise, surprise, Callum was the only one who'd managed to complete it all, so we went over what he had already done, but then added some music. Callum didn't mind as we learnt another way of doing something he'd done already and it also meant he could play a bit more and investigate further.
The journey this week was as straightforward as it should have been with no delays, but if does look like we'll have to catch the 5.45pm train home which stops at Strood (but at least is direct)!!! If we then wait at Strood for a connection back to Gillingham, we won't get home until 7pm!!! We leave home at 2.10pm to get there for 4pm. The lesson is only supposed to be an hour (although so far it's been more like 1 hour and 20mins), so that's 4 hours travelling for a one hour lesson. Blimey we're dedicated. haha. As of next week we're hoping to get a lift from dad from Strood which will save us about 20mins journey and a 15min wait on a cold Strood station.
Not everyone there this week either, so not sure if people have already dropped out. Some people are still having difficulty getting the programme to run so they are going to have to talk in the week to try and sort it as it will soon get to the stage where they are too far behind. Luckily the issues we had in the first week I managed to solve and, so far, everything is running fine.
We also got the manual this week and I can imagine Callum going beyond the required homework just to see what's next. Had a quick flip through myself and after feeling chuffed with myself for being able to help out, I can't see that lasting as it looks way beyond me in a few sessions. Think I might start taking my knitting, haha.
Anyway, cya
PS: Took a flask of tea with me today to drink on the way home and stupidly ended up kicking the thing and smashing it! Boo hoo, no tea for me again until I got home. Waaaaaah!
The journey this week was as straightforward as it should have been with no delays, but if does look like we'll have to catch the 5.45pm train home which stops at Strood (but at least is direct)!!! If we then wait at Strood for a connection back to Gillingham, we won't get home until 7pm!!! We leave home at 2.10pm to get there for 4pm. The lesson is only supposed to be an hour (although so far it's been more like 1 hour and 20mins), so that's 4 hours travelling for a one hour lesson. Blimey we're dedicated. haha. As of next week we're hoping to get a lift from dad from Strood which will save us about 20mins journey and a 15min wait on a cold Strood station.
Not everyone there this week either, so not sure if people have already dropped out. Some people are still having difficulty getting the programme to run so they are going to have to talk in the week to try and sort it as it will soon get to the stage where they are too far behind. Luckily the issues we had in the first week I managed to solve and, so far, everything is running fine.
We also got the manual this week and I can imagine Callum going beyond the required homework just to see what's next. Had a quick flip through myself and after feeling chuffed with myself for being able to help out, I can't see that lasting as it looks way beyond me in a few sessions. Think I might start taking my knitting, haha.
Anyway, cya
PS: Took a flask of tea with me today to drink on the way home and stupidly ended up kicking the thing and smashing it! Boo hoo, no tea for me again until I got home. Waaaaaah!
Tuesday, 16 April 2013
THE START OF SOMETHING BIGGER
Well, yesterday was the start of a new section of work. We're attempting 2 award schemes and a Digipen course which is a game programming course (see link below for some more info). We're doing this as I'd like a bit more structure and I'd also like Callum to begin having something to show for his work instead of just lots and lots of paper. Exams may prove difficult for Callum due to the Asperger, so am looking at alternative routes and ways of getting certificates.
https://projectfun.digipen.edu/online-courses/
Yesterday was the first of the Digipen 'lessons'. And after much hrumphing, moaning, worrying, "be glad when today is over"ing, Callum actually really enjoyed the lesson. It was a fairly basic one I admit (even I followed it and I'm useless at tech). He even helped out a fellow student who'd arrived late and got him up to speed really quickly. The boy's mum (I will learn names eventually) even said that Callum should be teaching as he'd explained it well; the teacher having confused her.
So good points: He enjoyed it. He wants to go again!!! He helped out someone else willingly and obviously engaged in conversation with someone new. Journey there and back was easy and cost was reasonable. And there is no online lessons planned unless we feel it necessary later which is brilliant as trying to pin us down to being online at a certain time/date could prove difficult. AND she reckons we'll be finished in 8 weeks instead of 12, but obviously that depends on how much we get done at home and whether people have problems. So Callum and me very happy!
Bad points: Teacher is a bit disjointed in her teaching (confused me and a couple of others and didn't cope very well when people ended up on different levels to where she was expecting us to be, but hopefully that will improve). Journey was very long due to long waits between connections and delays of trains due to signalling probs so we left the house at 2.10pm and got home at 7.15pm just to do a 1 hour lesson (admittedly we did stay a bit longer than 1 hour as we had a problem). That problem was that our programme which we'd downloaded pre lesson wouldn't run and so Callum couldn't check that his work had worked, if you see what I mean. Have hopefully sorted that out this morning, but can't check until he gets up!
It's trampolining and social time today, but he's planning on doing the homework tomorrow at his sister's. Here's hoping the thing will actually work this time.
Cya
https://projectfun.digipen.edu/online-courses/
Yesterday was the first of the Digipen 'lessons'. And after much hrumphing, moaning, worrying, "be glad when today is over"ing, Callum actually really enjoyed the lesson. It was a fairly basic one I admit (even I followed it and I'm useless at tech). He even helped out a fellow student who'd arrived late and got him up to speed really quickly. The boy's mum (I will learn names eventually) even said that Callum should be teaching as he'd explained it well; the teacher having confused her.
So good points: He enjoyed it. He wants to go again!!! He helped out someone else willingly and obviously engaged in conversation with someone new. Journey there and back was easy and cost was reasonable. And there is no online lessons planned unless we feel it necessary later which is brilliant as trying to pin us down to being online at a certain time/date could prove difficult. AND she reckons we'll be finished in 8 weeks instead of 12, but obviously that depends on how much we get done at home and whether people have problems. So Callum and me very happy!
Bad points: Teacher is a bit disjointed in her teaching (confused me and a couple of others and didn't cope very well when people ended up on different levels to where she was expecting us to be, but hopefully that will improve). Journey was very long due to long waits between connections and delays of trains due to signalling probs so we left the house at 2.10pm and got home at 7.15pm just to do a 1 hour lesson (admittedly we did stay a bit longer than 1 hour as we had a problem). That problem was that our programme which we'd downloaded pre lesson wouldn't run and so Callum couldn't check that his work had worked, if you see what I mean. Have hopefully sorted that out this morning, but can't check until he gets up!
It's trampolining and social time today, but he's planning on doing the homework tomorrow at his sister's. Here's hoping the thing will actually work this time.
Cya
Monday, 25 March 2013
YES TIME DOES!
Hiya
In respect of the blog title, the last one was entitled Doesn't Time Fly and this one is a follow on as it's obvious that it does as it's been an age!
What have we done? Well, for starters, we've been on holiday!!! And we went to the Science Fair in London. AND we've also done the usual trampolining, social visits, etc.
So, firstly, Science Fair at London, EXcel centre. Easy journey; high speed to Stratford International and then DLR to EXcel, brilliant!!
The fair was packed, but Callum coped really really well. We arrived about 11.30am and had a good general look round before hitting some individual 'stalls'. Callum joined in with the Science Museum stuff and although I had to help him 'get in amongst it' as the school kids were really pushy,he handled it pretty well and enjoyed the tasks set. I even had the kids lining up at one point as there were kids who just stood by and let the others push in. Hey ho, wasn't having that as it was unfair! There was loads to see and do and I got some great information with regard to science awards from the British Science Association. We toddled off for a coffee and some lunch about 12.30 and then dived back in afterwards to catch up on bits we'd missed. However, by about 1.30pm it was starting to get even more noisy and busy and Callum (and myself) had begun to feel a little claustrophobic and he wasn't coping with the noise very well, so we left and had a stroll along the waterfront in the wind and watched the planes flying overhead. Back on the DLR and high speed train and home by 3.30pm. Short day, but good fun, well worth it!
And so to holiday! Weymouth Bay Haven Holiday Park for 4 nights from Monday through to Friday. Nightmare journey through A roads because dad felt that the M25 would be too busy, but as we kept hitting towns, I don't think it would have made much difference. Took 5 hours!!! Check in easy peasy and they had allocated a lovely caravan away from the main entertainment site, so lovely and quiet. We'd also managed to get an upgrade; booked a Prestige and ended up with a Platinum!
Unpacked, made a cuppa and then headed off into town to stock up on supplies for the days away. Didn't do much in the evening apart from popping into the arcades to spend some 2ps.
Tuesday was sunny, but windy with some overcast clouds, but it didn't rain all day. So Tank Museum (main reason for going) followed by Corfe Castle Model Village. Callum loved the fact that they had a model village within the model village and even a really really tiny village inside that. Didn't go up to the castle itself as up a very large hill and my hip was already hurting from walking around the museum and Callum was beginning to get a headache. I'd like to point out that he was up at 7am! Normally it's 11am, so I think he was a little knackered.
In respect of the blog title, the last one was entitled Doesn't Time Fly and this one is a follow on as it's obvious that it does as it's been an age!
What have we done? Well, for starters, we've been on holiday!!! And we went to the Science Fair in London. AND we've also done the usual trampolining, social visits, etc.
So, firstly, Science Fair at London, EXcel centre. Easy journey; high speed to Stratford International and then DLR to EXcel, brilliant!!
The fair was packed, but Callum coped really really well. We arrived about 11.30am and had a good general look round before hitting some individual 'stalls'. Callum joined in with the Science Museum stuff and although I had to help him 'get in amongst it' as the school kids were really pushy,he handled it pretty well and enjoyed the tasks set. I even had the kids lining up at one point as there were kids who just stood by and let the others push in. Hey ho, wasn't having that as it was unfair! There was loads to see and do and I got some great information with regard to science awards from the British Science Association. We toddled off for a coffee and some lunch about 12.30 and then dived back in afterwards to catch up on bits we'd missed. However, by about 1.30pm it was starting to get even more noisy and busy and Callum (and myself) had begun to feel a little claustrophobic and he wasn't coping with the noise very well, so we left and had a stroll along the waterfront in the wind and watched the planes flying overhead. Back on the DLR and high speed train and home by 3.30pm. Short day, but good fun, well worth it!
And so to holiday! Weymouth Bay Haven Holiday Park for 4 nights from Monday through to Friday. Nightmare journey through A roads because dad felt that the M25 would be too busy, but as we kept hitting towns, I don't think it would have made much difference. Took 5 hours!!! Check in easy peasy and they had allocated a lovely caravan away from the main entertainment site, so lovely and quiet. We'd also managed to get an upgrade; booked a Prestige and ended up with a Platinum!
Unpacked, made a cuppa and then headed off into town to stock up on supplies for the days away. Didn't do much in the evening apart from popping into the arcades to spend some 2ps.
Tuesday was sunny, but windy with some overcast clouds, but it didn't rain all day. So Tank Museum (main reason for going) followed by Corfe Castle Model Village. Callum loved the fact that they had a model village within the model village and even a really really tiny village inside that. Didn't go up to the castle itself as up a very large hill and my hip was already hurting from walking around the museum and Callum was beginning to get a headache. I'd like to point out that he was up at 7am! Normally it's 11am, so I think he was a little knackered.
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My favourite - it's pink! |
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Hands up dad! |
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The entrance |
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The Triumph of Humanity |
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Outside again! |
Tank museum pictures above!
Honestly, I've loads of tank pictures as Callum loves tanks, but personally, once you've seen one, you've seen most of them. I'm such a heathen!
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Model village within a model village with a model village (just look closely to the left just below the trees - it's there) |
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Working mill |
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The model Corfe Castle |
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The real Corfe Castle |
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Having a wander |
Corfe Castle Model Village
Again got loads more, but hey, it's a small house. Fab workmanship though. Well impressed.
Anyway, that's the first day written up! Will do some more tomorrow.
Cya
Friday, 1 March 2013
DON'T TIME FLY?
Wow, well the hell did that week go? It's been a bit busy.
We've had friends over as well as family, we've done a little work and dad's been off for a couple of days.
Callum's highlight of the week was Wednesday as he was left with his big sis all day as I was off with my friend, Carol, for the day. They cooked dinner and played scrabble; Callum not doing too bad and almost winning.
Spaghetti Bolognese for dinner that night and I'll hopefully have some piccies once my daughter has sent them to me.
Apart from that we had friends over Monday so Callum had a great afternoon socialising with Azeem.
Tuesday we did a little work; maths on KhanAcademy and some more work on the Magnet project. Had some simple question and answer sheets to do and Callum also had to research some additional, slightly harder, questions.
Thursday was group trampolining lesson and then Lauren and Carol back for a bit of social and a cuppa. No cake made this week though, so we popped into Aldi on the way home and Carol bought some ice creams for us all. I ended up spending some money on some baby bits. Callum especially liked the little socks!
Today (and yesterday) dad was off and Callum had haircut appointment. So we had a drive there instead of a walk, then a quick look in the Cats Protection League before dad picked us up again and we all headed off to Sainsbury for our monthly stock up shop. Also picked up peanut butter in Holland and Barrett (buy one, get one half price) and Callum managed to find a Worms game in Game which was the exact price that his dad owed him (wasn't planned as he actually asked me if he could buy it with his money before dad then piped up with the fact he owed him some cash).
So, although it appears we haven't done a great deal, it's been really busy. And he has his best mate Callum D over tomorrow afternoon.
Cya
We've had friends over as well as family, we've done a little work and dad's been off for a couple of days.
Callum's highlight of the week was Wednesday as he was left with his big sis all day as I was off with my friend, Carol, for the day. They cooked dinner and played scrabble; Callum not doing too bad and almost winning.
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Terri - 199 pnts
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Apart from that we had friends over Monday so Callum had a great afternoon socialising with Azeem.
Tuesday we did a little work; maths on KhanAcademy and some more work on the Magnet project. Had some simple question and answer sheets to do and Callum also had to research some additional, slightly harder, questions.
Thursday was group trampolining lesson and then Lauren and Carol back for a bit of social and a cuppa. No cake made this week though, so we popped into Aldi on the way home and Carol bought some ice creams for us all. I ended up spending some money on some baby bits. Callum especially liked the little socks!
Today (and yesterday) dad was off and Callum had haircut appointment. So we had a drive there instead of a walk, then a quick look in the Cats Protection League before dad picked us up again and we all headed off to Sainsbury for our monthly stock up shop. Also picked up peanut butter in Holland and Barrett (buy one, get one half price) and Callum managed to find a Worms game in Game which was the exact price that his dad owed him (wasn't planned as he actually asked me if he could buy it with his money before dad then piped up with the fact he owed him some cash).
So, although it appears we haven't done a great deal, it's been really busy. And he has his best mate Callum D over tomorrow afternoon.
Cya
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