What a gorgeous sunny day today! We were out in the back garden with no coats on and it was really warm. It lifts the spirits immensely. Hurrah for spring!

This morning we started off by swimming at Wyndley. After a scary start – Holly marching off into the pool with no arm bands and going under several times before I could get to her – the children had a fantastic time. They are both so confident in the water now, with arm bands and rings. I have mentioned lessons to Alfie, as they can start them from 4, but he isn’t keen. Like everything, he’ll learn in his own time. It isn’t even a year since he was too scared to venture into the water at all unless I held him clamped to my hip, and now he swims off on his own. He may never want lessons, he may choose them later. It is his decision. For now, swimming is family time and fun that they both adore

Back home we have been very busy. We planted the potatoes, broccoli and onions outside, and potted some tomato seeds to start off in the conservatory. Rich and Alfie vacuumed and cleaned the inside of the car. I cleaned the conservatory doors, did several loads of washing, and hung them out, cleaned the toilet and utility worktop. I made Moroccan chick pea casserole with potatoes and vegetables and apricot-almond stuffing for lunch, and baked a black forest pudding for afters. H enjoyed beating the egg and sugar and weighing out the flour for it. I played picnics with H on the lawn, did some weeding, emptied the bins, unloaded the dishwasher, did some colouring with the kids and played Peppa Pig on the PC with Holly!

Oh, and I started reading a radical unschooling book last night. More on that later!