Fimo Class

This is what DS2 brought home from Fimo Class on Thursday.  They are so cute and tiny.  Hopefully, once they are cooked, we will get some decent light to get a proper picture.

Basket Weaving Workshop

On Wednesday afternoon, I took DS2 to a basket weaving workshop at Weston Park Museum.  It was a most delightful two and a half hours with an excellent teacher.

She was very patient, showing each step of the process very clearly.  She even had time to show D how to make a couple of extras.

 He made this star

and here is his basket.  He has brought home some more willow, so he can continue to fill in the sides and base.

He also made a fish, which I need to take a photo off.  I forgot as I had to put it in a safe place, the kittens were trying to kill it.

As mum was sat with itchy fingers, I got given a basket to finish too.

The plastic ties come off once the willow has dried, and in theory, everything stays in place. I can't wait to have another go.

A late night

As we usually are up early in the morning, late nights are a rarity here.  Ten o'clock is a struggle, but Friday night, we were out until 11.00 pm!  What kept us awake and out so late?  Hamlet

It was a fantastic show with so many well known and respected actors.  John Simm (Master from Dr Who) was Hamlet and John Nettles (Midsomer Murders) was his uncle and the ghost of his father.

This was the first play we have seen in the theatre, and it was fantastic.  Wherever you sat, you were never far from the action.

What was even more gratifying, was that the children were so excited to go and thoroughly enjoyed the play,  We are now looking out for our next Shakespeare play to go and watch.

Art

Last week and the beginning of this, have had quite a strong arty influence,

Last Monday DS2 attended a workshop at BLOC art which was based on an exhibition by Frances Hegarty,  On Tuesday he was back again to spend some time with one of the resident artists, Jonathan Drury, and began a project using pattern.  Once he has finished his piece, I'll take a photo.

Yesterday, we went to the exhibition at The Millennium Galleries about Art in Britain:1914-1945.  Alongside the art, there was news footage highlighting some of the changes during that time.  It meant that it was an interesting visit for both the boys, especially as DS1 is interested in history,  Art is not his thing at all.

It is a bit quieter until the end of the week when we will be going to the theatre.

Still learning

Despite the evidence to the contrary, the boys and I are keeping busy and are still enjoying our learning adventure.  I just have to get back into the swing of letting you know what we are up to.

The normal everyday things are going on, DS 1 is still persevering with Polish and is just about to embark on a project about the apostle Paul.  This is going to incorporate his missionary tours and a bit about the history and background of the countries he visited.  DS 2 is still doing well with his Spanish.

At the moment, they are swimming fortnightly and are doing the basic subjects most days.

We are enjoying studying Hamlet at the moment with the boys doing an act by act study of the play using the resources at Shakespeare for kids.

Today we attended a session at the Crucible Theater, From Page to Stage.  This was a discussion with some of the cast and a chance to direct the first act of the play.  As you can imagine, the boys were the youngest there, but enjoyed every minute.  Now they can't wait for when we go to see the play later in the month.

I promise to try and keep this blog up to date with the fun things we do, I think the day to day learning can be taken for granted and don't make for interesting reading.