Saturday, 14 September 2013

A Trip To Northamptonshire

On Thursday Hannah and I went to Northamptonshire with my dad and my sister to see where my dad was born and spent his early childhood.

We stopped first in the village of  Syresham to visit the Kings Head public house where dad was born. The current owners were really nice and let us go in to have a look around even though they weren't open yet!






Then we moved on to the village of Yardly Gobian where my dad grew up. He showed us all around the village and told us stories from his childhood - it was so nice to hear them while being in the village. It was the first time Hannah and I had ever been there. 

Dad walking through the village of Yardley Gobion

Outside his childhood home.


This was where dad's friend lived and as children they would climb the huge walnut tree in the background.



We visited the church that dad went to  in the village and he told us that my uncle used to pump the organ during the services. The organ is still there!




His old village school is now a row of houses, but the old school bell was still on the wall and the playground was still there.


Hannah collecting leaves in the old school playground 
We had a lovely lunch in Yardley Gobion and then drove to Blisworth village where my grandmother was born and my dad's family lived. Dad showed us some places he remembered before going to the crematorium to leave flowers for my grandmother. She died when i was 13 months old, but i have a clear memory of visiting her before she died. 


Uncle Dennis, my dad's older brother and his wife have a memory plaque next to my grandmother.

Three generations of my family  


Our final stop was at the cemetery in Northampton where my grandad is buried. 




It was  a lovely day, and i am so glad that I was able to share it with Hannah. I really want her to know her family history and feel connected to my ancestry and what could be better than visiting these places with her grandad. She really enjoyed it and has made some really special memories.

This Week

Little bit of catching up to do this week!

Hannah had her friend Tess over for the day and the girls played with their American Girl dolls, My Little Pony and hung out chatting and catching up!


At this week's Adventure Group, the session was Book Club, and the children had all read the Enid Blyton book Naughty Amelia Jane to discuss.



Hannah and her friend Melissa spent a long time collecting early autumn treasures in the park for the season table.



On Thursday we had a trip to Northamptonshire (which i will blog about separately ), and yesterday we met up with another family to start a History lap book on Pilgrims.


We also had our LEA visit this week - a lovely lady from the education office came out and chatted to Hannah. Hannah showed her all the things she had been doing recently and it went fantastically well.  She told us that we wouldn't be having anymore visits or check ups (we have previously had them annually) but that we could contact her if we needed anything. I'm very happy with that!

Monday, 9 September 2013

My Birthday Pictures

Yesterday was my forty sixth birthday!! Forty six!!

We had a lovely family lunch cooked by my mum, and my sister took some pictures of the occasion!


Cheers !



My mum and me

My dad and me

Three generations of girls!

Sunday, 1 September 2013

History Group - Joseph Lister

This week at History Group we looked at Joseph Lister who was a British surgeon and pioneer of antiseptic surgery. 

The children learned about his life and work, and completed a 'germ' workbook to find out why antiseptic surgery was so important.








They finished off by making treasure soap and taking a hand washing star chart home with them!








Thursday, 29 August 2013

Weald And Downland Open Air Museum - Wonderful Wednesday

Yesterday we visited Weald And Downland Open Air Museum for one of their children's activity Wednesdays with our homeschooling group.

Hannah had a lovely time with her friends making candles and bath bombs, learning to willow weave, meeting the animals and exploring the houses and gardens.

Making Bath Bombs

Feeding the fish in the mill pond


Working Donkey


Candle making


Friends

Funny Friends!

Willow weaving

Exploring a Victorian cottage


Laundry day in the Victorian era


The Cottage



Horse and cart ride




More Working Donkeys


The work they do

Tudor farmhouse

Upstairs checking out the straw mattress beds


'Mr Tudor Times'

Downstairs trying out the furniture!

Milking time?

chickens

funky chickens!

Shepherds hut

Mama pig and piglets in the back yard of one of the cottages.


Saying hello!

We had the best day yesterday, we spent it with good friends, in a lovely location and Hannah learnt a lot more about the past and how people used to live - perfect (except for the wasps - there were A LOT of wasps !!).