My baby is 18

I can't believe that Hollie is eighteen. She is so lucky that her birthday falls in the summer holidays in August. I wanted to do something special for her and at first she wanted just to go out with her friends , low key and definitely no cake but as the time came nearer she decided that she would like a BBQ. I also persuaded her to have a cake. There were about twenty friends over and as usual I made too much food. at least the sun shone but it was so hot that I was worried that the cake would melt.

 

Hollie's cake.

 

I wanted to reflect all Hollies interests in this so spent a few weeks making all the off pieces from icing and setting them to one side. It was three tiers. Each a different flavour of sponge. The tarot cards and band patches were all hand painted. She also wanted the Guns and Roses guitarist Slash's Hat on the top. I tried to do a Steam punk touch to it as well. It seemed to go down well. We have just started eating the hat.

 

 

The party

 

 

Hollie middle with some good friends of hers.

 

NEW ADDITIONS

 

We also have a new rabbit. Our little girl died early in the summer of a heart attack. Arran was so upset and for a while did not want another rabbit but one day he said that he was ready. We now have Pluto a wild coloured mini lop. He is a little monkey and into everything. In fact I call him this so often that he now answers to it.

 

 

 

Six weeks old

 

Hollie got some bearded dragons for her birthday. They are lovely creatures and enjoy charging round the lounge.

 

 

Leo and Star our Beardies

 

Hollie's Additions.

 

She is now the proud owner of twenty piercings and has been saving hard for a tattoo. She finally got it done yesterday. In fact she ended up with two. They are pretty cool actually but I hope she does not get too addicted. The heart is for her music with the drum sticks and music score. The safety pin is one she has just always liked.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New Picture

I was feeling creative. I have the sudden urge to paint on canvas again after quite a long break. I decided to do a picture for our daughter on the theme of drums. I wanted to keep it neutral so i did a Rastafarian  playing. As Hollie quite often has dreadlocks I thought this would fit in with her style. It is now hanging in our lounge. Once I got going I could not stop and I felt really happy with it.

The style and colours suit our house.

A Diagnosis- At last

Hi

Sorry for not posting for a while. It has been manic here. Hollie is busy finishing up her first year of her music performance, doing very well in her last gig of the year. She is at the moment nursing a sore throat so was unable to go to college today.
We finally got the assessment date for Arran. We went along last Friday to our local clinic. There were two doctors there so not too intimidating for him. The assessment was mostly based on games and a book. He had to fathom expressions, feelings and the mannerisms that the characters showed as the story progressed. Thank goodness he did not have to read or we would have been stuck. It lasted about an hour so not too bad. Arran really struggles with empathy and the little human traits that we all have. He is fine with obvious feelings like anger and happiness.

I dropped Arran back at home then after a bite to eat went back for the verdict. The paediatrician went through how it was marked and how he did in each section. She wants him to see a speech therapist but at his age it might be difficult to change the way he forms his words now. I think that this is the least of his problems and most of the time he is clear in his speech but tends to talk a little fast at times. I am also guilty of this.
So the big conclusion. He does not have Aspergers as first thought by the experts but Autism. On a scale of one to ten he is about a five or six. in the middle. I suppose it could have been worse. At least we now know the full range of his special needs. Asergers is a high functioning Autism so it looks like we have skipped this and gone the full whack.

I am slowly telling the relatives. It is especially hard for the grandparents to get their heads round his disabilities.

Arran is still Arran though and we will adapt to his needs. At least we have to whole picture now.

Up to date

We have just had the annual review for Arrans educational  statement. Most of it is form filling and ticking boxes. This time the wheels have started turning in respect to his future plans. Scary, as he is only thirteen. He has just managed to grasp the first hundred words that are given when they start school so how can he contemplate further education! I suppose it is in few years time so must relax.

They are very happy with his progress as he has improved with his reading. We have to give the occasional prod to keep him going but he is more willing to give it a go. They think he is working at a level of a eight year old which is an improvement.

One of the questions on one of the forms was . What do you see yourself doing as a job? He is in two minds animals or buying and selling Old toys especially Transformers. I can't see his obsession waning as he gets older. He also loves animals especially rabbits.

Our daughter is busy finishing up her first year on her Music Performance course. She is doing so well including grades. She is practising for the final gig of the year and her three solo pieces. This has been a bit stressful but she sounds great. I just have to convince her of that.

I have just finished this painting that I did for my Mother in law for her 70th Birthday. She has not had it yet and we don't see her until later in the month.We brought this slate back form Wales a few years ago and have just got around to painting on it. She loves her bird life and regularly gets Green Woodpeckers so I thought it was the ideal subject.

Easter Edible Crafts

I did these to sell at a local craft fair. I took along my usual paintings and bobbins etc but wanted to show off my chocolate skills as a baker. I don't often get a chance. The children seemed to like them. They are all hand made and the figure is made from marzipan and fondant icing.

The car is filled with mini eggs as a surprise.

Red version but with bubble chocolate.

Bath Time Bunny.

Marzipan Chickens and Sheep.

I also did loads of chocolate brownie which did not seem as popular. I think I maybe should have done cup cakes which seem to be the in thing. So difficult to decide as you don't know how much you are going to sell.

Reporting in

I am so happy that Arran has followers on his blog. This is thanks to a lovely friend of mine who spread the word what he was doing and what it would mean to him. We still have hundreds to put on though as well as buying more so I think we are chasing our tail a bit.

Now back to the books after a lovely break for Easter. I feel quite upbeat as one of my old home education ladies has now taken her children out of school again so Arran will be able to socialize more again with children he feels comfortable with. A real problem around this area for parents of children that are of teenage years.

We are still doing our topic on Phenolgy and have stated exploring the garden and the bugs that lurk there. It is amazing what a bit of digging can uncover.
We also have a blackbirds nest at the bottom of the garden so they are busy feeding their young. they are at the punk stage. Just the case of keeping the cat under control. We have placed a wheel barrow under the nest site so she can't sunbath there. It was her favourite spot.

Male blackbird on a break from the nest

Arran also built a bird box to put on the fence. We have had a lot of interest from the Blue and Great Tits so fingers crossed we have have a nest this year.

Drawing it out

Clamping the wood

Having a go at sawing- Easier said than done.

Taking the easy option with the jig saw.

The finished box

Up and ready for use

The Chelmsford Lace Fair

Really excited about my first lace fair. I have worked so hard on my bobbins. I think I have permanent eye strain. Not the best table there compared to some of them but it filled a corner. Lots of people took my leaflets which is encouraging and I got lots of compliments about my style.

I also took along my hand painted bowls and a mirror.

New Lace Bobbin Specials

I thought it would be nice to paint some special bobbins for the lace fair that I am attending in a few weeks. It has been a production line of bobbins so far so it is nice to have a break and paint something special

I came up with Russian Doll wedding.

and then as I am so fond of wildlife I thought it would be fun to paint some bees on the bobbins. I think they have a rustic country feel.

Wish me luck that I can finish everything in time. Every bobbin is unique.

I am helping, You just don't know it!

As much as we love our cat Tigger there are times when she makes life complicated. I think she just wanted to be part of the lesson but it must have been boring as she doped off.

What was that word again?

Awake and ready to take notes. What more do you want!

We wouldn't change her for the world.

One Day!

Half term is here so we intended to catch up on a few things and even have a family day out. This was put on hold when hubby announced that he would have to work all week so it is up to me to entertain although at nearly fourteen and eighteen they can pretty much do this themselves. So drums are banging, Music playing, the usual transformers figures are laying around and the computer has been taken over.


I managed to get hubbie to the local DIY place the other day so I have been  building a new tortoise table. It is huge so should last him a good few years. He is currently hibernating in our fridge which he does every year in amongst the veg! Poor little thing and in  a cat food box of all things!

 He is quite happy and at a constant temperature which is important

We actually have a car for a while which is real luxury for us. Hubbie's parents have gone on holiday so we have it for a month while they cruise round Australia and peer at Kamodo dragons in Indonesia.

They had quite an eventful trip out there. My Father in law took his lap top so filled us in.

Heathrow to Singapore they were seated behind a family with four young children who cried for twelve hours so no sleep. The joys of travelling with young children

In Singapore the hotel was nice but they had road works outside their room from 6pm until 3am so second night with out sleep. Drills, Reversing alarms!

Singapore to Sydney flight. There was a medical emergency and the plane had to turn back thirty minutes into the flight making a hard landing. This delayed the plane for two hours whilst it was checked over. This meant they were five hours late in arriving.

In Sydney the hotel lost their luggage but they did get a nights sleep after my father in law had a rant at reception.

The luggage was found thanks to another passenger.

Arrived on the ship safe and sound with luggage

In the morning they were told that in the night there was a man overboard and as far as they knew he was still swimming. Helicopters were out now. This meant that they were delayed by five hours into Brisbane.

He asks " Why do we get away from it all?" Hope they have a good one. Look forward to seeing them when they get back with their tales of woe.


 Up the lane this morning sploshing through the rapidly thawing snow. I was so disappointed that it did not stay longer. At least the bus was on time.
We intended to see the film "The Lady in Black but after lining for a while ( A good old British past time) we were told it was full and we would have to come back in the evening. I should have booked online!

 

Colchester castle in the snow

Never mind. Hollie got another piercing. I have told her that if her ears drop off with the weight of the metal in them I will pickle them!

I even managed to buy my self a new phone as my old one won't charge and is rather embarrassing. I just have to work out what is what as I am not technically minded.

A rant and a bit of art

I am wondering weather to continue with the blog. I was really looking forward to writing one and reach people across the globe with our home education and daily rants. I was really hoping to connect with like minded people.

Home education is not an exact science so it is difficult to write a report daily on what we do. It really depends on how Arran is feeling whether we manage to get a full day out of him or have to go at a slower pace so he can spend most of the time jiggling up and down the kitchen. He finds it so difficult to sit still because of his needs. His body constantly tells him to move. whether it be rocking or swinging his arms and running up and down making noises.It can be a struggle at times. We do really enjoy the challenge and researching the numerous topics that we have now covered. I appreciate the comments but even they have dried up.

It is such a shame that the home education group has now given up. It was a social thing for me too. A chance to talk to like minded people. If your child is below five and under ten there are lots of event and things to do but once they reach the teens it is very difficult to find anything especially in our town.


Still painting hundreds of bobbins for the lace fair. I have an eye infection at the moment so hope that the quality has not slipped. I have an eye appointment on Monday so hope they can sort it. I think that I need glasses for TV etc as some of the time it is blurred. I think that the years of doing Art have made all the difference to my eye sight. Either that or I am getting old.

A painting that I did a few years back. I have it hanging in my bedroom. I would like to get back to painting on canvas.

 Morning Glow!

Up before the crows!

We decided that we we get up ridiculously early today and go for a walk in the local countryside before breakfast. This is all part of Arrran's schooling and our Phenology topic . We wanted to see what went on when nature is just starting to wake up. Get Arran to look around and see what is going on. He can be in his own world at times.

It was bitterly cold with a thick frost when we set off. We could just see a chink of light through the trees as we made our way down the dark lane to the old church. A few lights were on for early risers but it was really quiet just the odd rustling coming from the hedges as we passed.

We did not enter the woods behind the church but skirted round it heading for a well grazed cow field. Usually it has a lovely herd of cows  but today it was as the rest of the area quiet but for the local wild life waking up. We stopped at the top of the hill so Arran could listen. We could hear two song thrushes singing to mark their territories. A pheasant made a strange strangled noise in the near by wood and a Roe deer was startled and ambled out across the frost covered field ahead of us. Its white tail upright in the moonlight.

When we reached the other side of the fields and climbed up the other side of the hill  from the Colne Valley.we looked back and watched as the sun rose over Hill house woods. The colours were beautiful. All shades of red, orange and yellow. My husband captured it with his camera.

Dawn over Hill House Woods, Essex.

It certainly got colder as we walked towards the River Colne. Our fingers especially were frozen. There were lots of birds about now. Mostly from the tit family. They are the most argumentative species. Arran spotted another deer. This time a muntjac sprinting along a hedge line. I think it was startled by a local early morning dog walker. He must have had  a least six various breeds of dog with him.

Lots of trees have been planted down by the river as the land has been donated to the national trust for use as a nature reserve. They are still saplings but appear healthy. It was nice to be down by the river again but we were quite shocked at the work that has taken place there as the bank had been re constructed after a new gas pipe had been laid. It also spread to the adjoining farmers field like a long brown earthen drive through the virgin. countryside. I hope it recovers soon.

Field near the River Colne

Passed through a small wooded area. Not much going on but we think we spotted a tree creeper. They are so small and quick that the time we got the binoculars out it was gone. They are funny little brown birds that fly in a spiral up the tree trunks searching for bugs to eat.
We also passed through a field where we have collected frogs spawn from a small pond. We put back some tiny frogletts. Hope that some survived to breed this year. Explained to Arran that the frogs don't actually hibernate but go into a state between sleep and hibernation. There where just a few sheep in the area today.




Arran seems very relaxed. The sun is up fully now so we can appreciate the new day. The silence is spoilt now by a distant drone of a busy road as travellers wind their way through the traffic to their various destinations. I think you have to close your eyes and really listen to the true sounds of nature or the modern world does intrude with all its noise and brashness.

We did a full circuit, passing the ancient tree that we measured the other day. A day older but still standing.

The River Colne

Disaster. I broke husbands binoculars. I dropped them when he was taking a picture. So sorry! Super glue at the ready, I hope!

The Colne valley - a new day

Frost still hanging on our clothes when we arrived back for breakfast and a hot drink. Arran wrote up some notes on what he had seen. He did well with the spelling of some of the words and seemed quite animated by the experiance.

We really must do that again some time and not just part of a school lesson.

Trying to get back to the old routine

It is always difficult to get back to the old school books after any holiday. Arran's mind is on other things, mainly the new Transformers figures that he got for Christmas. He is all chat chat chat about them which is great but not when you are trying to get him to focus on other more boring facts ( according to him)

He is now the proud owner of some new storage for his bedroom so he can finally display his figures in date order and organise them as he wants to. I was sure that we had plenty but he already has two boxes that he isn't displaying.

I am trying to get him into buying and selling them online so he can make money. We try to think of the future and what he could end up doing. He is fourteen soon. Time is ticking on but I know he will find his niche.

The local authority home education guy did not visit us personally this year so we frantically spent the last few days of the holiday typing up our diary or should I say I did as Husband is very good and does it as he goes along. Anyway. We sent it off so don't have to see anyone till the summer now for the meeting on Arran's special educational  statment etc. They always seem pleased that we make the effort to keep a detailed diary but it is a record of Arran growing and learning as well so nice to keep.

We have decided to start on a new combined topic between myself and my husband. Last time he did a massive one on  WW2 but as we both love the countryside and indeed all nature we decided on Phonology. This can be split into what we are both interested in. I want to do fungi, butterflies, hibernation and types of trees. He will do migration, seasons. and more of the science. Some will of course overlap and I will incorporate some of my art into the topic. I love the changing seasons so will enjoy seeing the wonderful changes that take place around us.

Arran went off for a walk with husband to look at some of the old trees that are around us and measure them to determine their age. One such one is on the Essex way and they have worked out that it is approx 270 years old . What it has seen in its life time so far! Nice to see that the local wildlife use it as well as it has a nice hollow in the bottom.

Hollie is back at college and we had another glowing report from her tutors.Gigs coming up so lots of drumming practise to do. She decided on a change of image as well. She has been on and on about real dreadlocks but a friend suggested she try wool ones first and so after five hours work this is the result. I think they look great. The great thing is that if she wants a change she can take them out and even wash them and re use them. I don't think it has put her off real ones though.

I am madly painting six hundred bobbins for a big lace fair . I have completed quite a few so just hope that I have enough. I spend most evenings hunched over the table.

I am still selling on Etsy and have also put some on E bay. I must admit I feel more comfortable on Etsy though. I can't wait to get a web site up and running.

Well. Back to the painting.