Tuesday

New-found determination to do less computer stuff made a definite improvement to the day, but was seriously undermined by the unwrapping of Zoombinis (thanks Susan and K 🙂 ) and the boys discovering that we had upgraded TimezAttack to the bought version. In the end we decided they could do TA today and Z tomorrow, but would need to show they could stop when asked and not to random games on internet (my real bugbear). I also restricted myself fairly well and we got lots done, despite taking a break from workbooks and normals 😀 J got up to 4x tables reassuringly quickly, while K was chuffed just to get to a checkpoint – I need to make sure J lets him have sensible turns.

We began by opening cards and presents we hadn’t got to over the weekend, including aforementioned Zoombinis and also a Horrible Science Magnets Kit, which was immediately opened and thoroughly investigated; lots of fun and a fair bit of learning ensued 🙂 A meanwhile was busy with some very chunky first beads, which L and K also rather like. Then we did some singing from a teach yourself grade 1 book I had bought on a whim, which led on nicely to J doing a bit of music theory (he has a lot to do to catch up with J by the end of the holidays!) before taking everyone outside for a run around in the sun.

After snack (a bit late, but still with an impressive amount fitted in beforehand!) the boys worked out that between J, K and L they now have almost exactly the right amount of money to get their much-longed-for DS Lite, so in celebration they all made thank you cards for Bob to scan in and email (because realistically we won’t get round to posting them 😳 btdt before!). I’m celebrating too because they have just the right amount for a console, meaning Bob and I get to choose a game, so we can be sure it’s something a) that they can all play and b) that we’re happy for them all to play 😉 Perhaps also c) that we’ll enjoy playing as well

After lunch the postman came by with a parcel which included a paint-your-own clock kit for J, so he did that while A dozed and L and K coloured and assembled a little cardboard playhouse (another popular gift). Getting a bit chilly so retired to bed to read Our Island Story, then got onto random story reading and a bit of after school tv…

Bob had gym induction in the evening, so rather than try to get them all to bed single-handedly I wimped out and got them into pjs and teeth cleaned and then we curled up in bed together and watched Animal Rescue Squad and then Big, Bigger, Biggest, which turned out to be pretty good actually – all about airports and their development from little airfields to enormous passenger terminals.