Sunday was a very bad start when I got up to find I was bleeding. Rich dropped me off at Weston general A&E then took the kids onto Weston beach. A horrible morning of pokings, proddings and blood taking ensued before I was able to escape and meet everyone for chips in Weston. Monday I was back at the hospital in the early pregnancy assessment unit for a scan. Mercifully the baby was fine and wriggling away The sonographer couldn’t see any reason for the bleed so I just had my anti-d injection and was allowed to go after a couple of hours. Whilst I was in the hospital the kids went to seaquarium with Rich, then they picked me up and we all went swimming.

I’m too tired to do much of an update right now so I’ll just tell you where we went and share some pictures. The words will come soon

On Tuesday we went to Wookey Hole. The kids were fascinated by the caves. Alfie loves stalactites and stalagmites, and there were plenty to see there. H was mainly amused by the “stinky cave cheese” maturing in there There was loads more to do – the soft plays and the Pirates of the River Axe (shooting each other with foam balls in guns!!) were particular favourites.

On Wednesday we went to Puxton Park. There was a massive soft play and loads of outside activities.Gorgeous weather too.

On Thursday the rain came, so we went to North Somerset Museum, which was brilliant. They had under 5s areas in each gallery, loads for kids to do and 8 number stampers to find around the museum, which always keeps Alfie interested! Afterwards we had a Chinese buffet lunch then back for another swim

Friday it also rained on and off but we went to Court Farm which had loads undercover. Alfie loved seeing the cow being milked and has talked about it loads since.

On Saturday we had trouble getting Alfie to leave the chalet. He was really upset and didn’t want to go home! It had been a brilliant holiday, despite the rocky start. We softened the blow by stopping off at the fantastic Slimbridge Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust on the way back

Today I’ve unpacked and made a start on the mounds of washing whilst Nanny and Grandad kept the children amused We had a roast in the pub, then Alfie helped me re-pot the tomato seedlings

Just to note – H is now sleeping through about 70% of the time!!! It has only started in the last couple of weeks but long may it continue!!!!!

Back home, a quiet day playing in the garden, watering the gloriously sprouting vegetables and flowers and completing sticker books. Maybe it’s because it’s their own free choice, but both children love completing “workbooks” with counting practice, puzzles and stickers. Alfie is getting really proficient at counting and number recognition. Holly completed a nature sticker scene, with all the stickers where you’d expect them to be (owl and pine cones in tree, frog in pond etc). Lots of book reading too, with Alfie back into his Rocks and Minerals book at the moment, and trying to learn all the different types of gemstones.

Today, more garden play, a veggie fry-up breakfast picnic, then a lovely afternoon at Sarehole Mill. We had to do the “tour” around the mill twice, with both children fascinated by it all, and Alfie asking loads of questions about every bit of machinery. He has a really good concept of how it all works, which is probably due to previous mill visits and his personal interest in water wheels. And, yes, Holly is wearing Alfie’s shoes. She loves wearing them and managed to sneak into the car wearing them without us noticing

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

Back home we did a few chores and picked a few more strawberries. Unfortunately, whilst Rich was repairing the conservatory roof a hammer became dislodged from the guttering where he’s left it for a minute – and sod’s law it bounced off the stepladder and hit Alfie on the head. He had a little lump and bruise, but due to the potential for serious injury froma  falling hammer we thought it best to take him to A&E. Nanny and Grandad looked after Holly whilst we both took him. We were there for 3 hours. The first half hour was dire as there were no toys and he was tired and fed-up. Once he’d had his obs done by the nurse (not an easy job I can assure you but we got there in the end lol!), we had a long wait for the doctor but at least there were toys. He was pronounced fine, but it was 10pm by the time we got home. Alfie does not suit late nights and woke again at 11.30pm having the worst tantrum imagineable. You would honestly think he was being murdered the screeching was so horrendous. Then Holly got up at her usual 5am despite going to bed 3 hours later than usual so was grumpy – and she’s usually my cheerful child!

So, with everyone feeling rather grim this morning, we just headed to Aldridge to pay in a cheque and post a letter. The children had a good play on the Croft play area – until I discovered a serious Holly nappy leak! Not only did she require new nappy and wrap, but also new vest and trousers! We did a full change in Morrisons baby change, then had lunch in their cafe before popping to Home Bargains then home to await the Asda lorry! We cleared out and tidied Alfie’s craft drawer. Holly spent ages crumbling some old, dried up play dough, and putting it into different pots. Good old Alfie vacuumed the resultant terrible mess (see pix) We also spent lots of time in the garden – the children sat out there in their reading beds eating most of the food I had ordered from Asda! I am so tired I can barely think, and am slurring my words. The letters on the keys keep swimming round so I press the wrong ones! So much for my hopes of writing an intelligent, lucid record of our incredible parenting journey, I can barely string 2 words together! Holly is teething too, and breastfeeding lots, so coupled with yesterday’s escapades I’m a bit wrecked! Onwards and upwards though