End of school year review

Hello

I thought that as it is coming up to the end of the school year and I haven't managed to post much this year I would do an end of the year review :-) and talk about our dream for a new life in the country! 

So beginning last June/July time here are some pics and highlights 

Gardening and our potato harvest - we love to do the grow your own potatoes challenge :-) 

We needed somewhere to store the childrens bikes etc so hubby bought wood and got a shed built!! 

Hubby and his friend completed a sponsored bike challenge - not bad for someone who didn't have a bike until about a month before the event! One of the things I love about my hubby is when his mind is set on something he will find a way and persevere until it's done!

We enjoyed a family visit to Sherwood Forest to see History through the ages and my wonderful husband turned 40! We hosted a bbq at home - was fab to see the house packed of family and friends who wanted to wish him a happy birthday

We discovered the Faff Rooms and Bethany started having sewing lessons, it's amazing to see how far she has come, her ambition is to be a fashion designer so we do what we can to support and encourage her - this was the first thing she made - the latest thing is a top for herself!!

We celebrated Christmas dinner at home this year - was really good fun, if a little hectic and a bit of a squash :-) 

One of my favourite things about being in a large family is seeing how the children (usually) care for each other and look out for one another 

Of course the sewing doesn't stop at just the eldest, the little ones have got in on the act too and they enjoy sewing - here are the first two cuddly toys they made at home with me :-) 

Then I finally finished 2 patchwork cushions I had been working on and my eldest made a selection of elephants - I think it's safe to say we are very much a creative family! 

Joy enjoying playing with a tea set - another of my favourite things about home education is allowing the children to have as much free play as they need and seeing their imaginations grow

We have a clever Grandad who made these two dresses for the girls, while I made one for Abigail and Rebekah - we are working on our dressmaking skills, it is so much fun to see a piece of material transform into something useful

While we are on the theme of dressmaking - look at the bargain, Damian found while out and about working - a dressmaking mannequin for just £20!! and it's adjustable - Bethany was very happy with Daddy :-) 

We enjoyed a fun holiday in Ingoldmells, the children loved being able to play outside, we had a swing ball set that was well used and a cricket set, then we found these bubble guns with a torch on that the children thought were great!!

I managed a day out with my sisters and mum - here are three of us - me and my 2 younger sisters - the best thing is we are all having a baby this year!!! So 3 new grandchildren for my parents!!

We had a weekend camping in Cumbria so that Matthew and Daddy could attend a Minecraft weekend - it was great fun and they learned a lot, we were also inspired and are thinking of ideas of things we can do in the future!

Finally, my 8 yo wants to own a shop when she is older and she is full of entrepreneur ideas - this is her selling milkshakes to the school children on their way past the house and the girls preparing gift bags which we filled full of sweets to sell! I am sure she will go far. 

Well, thats it for now, there is so much more - it's always hard to find highlights when so much is happening, but we are hoping for big changes as we dream of life in a more rural place where the children can enjoy the freedom of the countryside and we can have a slower (?) pace of life!! 

We don't have lots of money but we do have lots of talents and ideas and ambitions :-) so if you know anyone that would love to give us a chance to live out our dream of living in the country then please do get in touch, we are willing to work hard and learn  what we need too, we just need the opportunity :-)