Ridgeway Cottage anyhow

The summer holidays can be a riot of chaos, with breaks in routine, habits disrupted and a whole host of excitement throwing any schedules into disarray. Sometimes I like it, the "anything could happen" feeling but it does seem that the children need that security of knowing what we are doing. In previous school holidays, the question "what are we doing today?" has wrangled my nerves almost as much as "what's for lunch / tea?" I've been back at work for over a week, although the students have only been in for tge last couple of days. In some ways I am looking forward to there being a little more structure to our lives but I do so wish the summer could really be endless.   At the start of the holidays I introduced the "half an hour reading after lunch" rule. It took a bit of work for the children to accept it as a habit but it has worked well. It's the enforcement of a rule that's tougher than the rule itself. The childr...

If you'd asked me 20 years ago when I graduated from University with my Creative Arts Honours Degree, " Where do you see yourself in 20 years ?" I would not have had a clue. If you'd asked me "Wh ere do see yourself next week?" the answer would have been the same. The summer of 1993 was a very chaotic time for me, my Dad died of cancer and I certainly didn't feel like applying to do a PGCE or even considering my future. I did know that I had made some good friends and that art / creativity would always be the main focus of my life. As with all arty types and quite a number of my fellow graduates making a living off your artistic talents is rather a challenge so at some point teaching comes to each of us or depression and poverty! I am lucky enough to still see some of my dear friends from University and without question, our children have inherited our arty ways or didn't really have a choice. Actually all children are naturally creative with...

I often consider my bike to be a work of art, I've pimped my ride, added crochet and fabric but it is nothing compared to the Art Bike Trail which is part of the Marcel Duchamp Festival in Herne Bay this August. We only managed to see a selection of the bikes today but we will be heading back to Herne Bay in the morning for more art and culture. Kent really does have a riot of seaside experiences: other fascinating events on our to do list for the summer holidays include Broadstairs Folk Week ,  What a Vintage Carry On in Margate  , and Ramsgate Summer Squall . Why would you want to spend hours and hours travelling when everything really is on our door step and we can be home in time for tea or have chips on the beach. Anyhow here are the fab art bikes we saw today. Hats off and moustaches on to all the brilliant creators. And once you have had enough of bikes (or your children have) there is still ... an enormous urinal sculpt...

I have a feeling that as the summer holidays continue, our bucket list will get longer and longer. We did complete a number of fun things today and as we ticked them off, more and more exciting things were added. Today we... Picked and ate veg from our garden Hunted for caterpillar eggs for our butterfly farm We found a few different types  Whoever laid these, did so very neatly Made a nature museum And caught butterflies in nets My favourite moments from today were of Charlie standing in a small box full of water howling with laughter as he stuck the hose pipe down his shorts and Josie making her own Top Trumps. Josie's cards were based on characteristics of her friends and were really so funny. I loved seeing how she rated her friends in terms of smartness, cuteness, entertainment, mischief and strength, including Nibbles and Henry (two Guinea pigs who will be staying with us for a while in the holidays.) I would love it if ...

First thing this morning, we were all up early writing our summer holiday lists. We sat discussing things we want to do, places we want to go and the people we want to see. There was a flurry of scribbling and much excitement about what the next 6 weeks might hold. I love the start of the summer holidays, even as an adult, it feels like the summer might last forever. We haven't finished our lists yet but we have already completed number 1. on Charlie's list: buy new clothes. We spent the morning together in town and it was lovely. Isn't it amazing how well behaved and beautifully mannered children can be when you are buying them stuff? We even entered a draw to win a car that we signed. Charlie's plan is that if he wins, he will give it to daddy who can sell his car and give the money to Charlie. He can then spend the money on whatever he chooses.     Posted with Blogsy