I debated whether to post tonight as I’m feeling so grim that it might put a negative shadow over things that is not really there. Well, it’s there at this precise moment due to a bad afternoon and feeling so grim, but it’s only temporary and superficial IYSWIM? Anyway, before I go off to bed I’ll put a few words up on here and see *shrug*

Yesterday we had a lovely day despite the freezing temperatures. We collected Nanny and headed off to Forge Mill Farm. The new play area there went down a storm, with the children having “balance” competitions on the assault course It was lovely to see Nanny and after a naughty McDonalds we headed back to her house for a play

This morning we went to the Arboretum to meet Sal and Evie. It was lovely to see them but Evie was clearly not well, wanting to be constantly carried and really low. They had to leave after an hour and apparently Evie has been asleep on the sofa and really not herself Get well soon hon. We braved the arctic temperatures for more play on the treasure island play area, hot donuts by the ducks (prompting a later Google search about ducks ears by Alfie) and a wander round the flowers and trees We even managed a somewhat chilly picnic lol! Back home, we unpacked the organic fruit and veg box, then the children set to doing some colouring and magazines.

After always having no interest, and making me do any of the “join the dots” type writing in his magazines, today he completed pages of them. I would never “do” letter writing practice like this with them, am not really keen on the magazines they occasionally ask for with their “reward” stickers and schooly focus, but as an unschooler I see that if Alfie chooses to do this with no coercion from me whatsoever then it IS autonomous learning and does have a place. He has never been – and will never be- made to do letter writing practice so to him it is fun, and he’s in control. He does as much or as little as HE chooses – in this case the whole magazine! They constantly surprise me, and are really leading me to believe that actually radical unschooling may be a way forward, trusting them in ALL areas of life. Holly asked for some mini eggs and wanted to pour them from the tube herself. I (reluctantly inside) agreed and she poured 3 into a cup then handed me the tube back. Alfie tells Rich off for eating too many sweets. They constantly show their amazing ability to self regulate. I am working on trusting them more

So, all good so far The bad part came at my midwife appointment where I was an hour late going in, then in there for half an hour whilst two of them had unsuccessful attempts at getting my blood and Rich missed over 2 hours of work. So now I have to get Mom to have the kids tomorrow and take my pin cushion arms to the hospital to wait around for goodness knows how long to let more people try and get my blood *sigh* Nobody’s fault, I’m not blaming anyone. I’m just feeling sick as usual, exhausted as usual, have had to cancel seeing Bex tonight and Maxine tomorrow and am a bit blee. This will pass. I am so so happy in my blessed life and normal service will soon be resumed