Tuesday, September 19, 2006

Busy, Busy

This morning was a trip to the library. The staff are getting to know us now. For some reason, we are quite unforgettable as a family... and Roarke always manages to have staff anywhere in stitches within minutes. As he said, leaving a room of people smiling is a good enough legacy!

Joshua chose some books on sealife in preparation for our trip to the London Aquarium next week. Our numbers for the Royal Mews visit now stands at 49! Should be a brilliant day.

After a quick lunch, the boys and I headed off to the indoor play area in the Medway where we meet. Four families were able to make it, and the children played with their usual exhuberance. One little chap hurt his arm without any of us seeing, but I've heard this evening from his mum that it has been checked out and is not serious, so that is a relief.

Next it was on to visit one of our HE family friends where we stayed for dinner. More exhuberant children (8 between us!). As Joshua said contentedly on the way home, "I don't think we've ever done so much in one day!" They had a brilliant time and were predictably reticent to leave. For myself, I have enjoyed spending so much time today with other HE mums and having intelligent conversation!

The crowning part of the day for Samuel was the fact that we spotted no less than 3 Eddie Stobart lorries, including one who noticed our Fan Club sticker and flashed his lights at us! (especially after I had to carry out several slightly dubious driving maneouvers in order to catch up with said truck before it went past our turn off on the A2!)

So, no "formal" learning today, but lots of stimulation, socialisation and - therefore - education. More than they would have received if they'd been in school for 6 hours today..

Talking of which, that will soon be more than 6 hours - have you been following the story? Makes me shudder.

6 comments:

dawniy. said...

well i haven't been following the story but i have heard rumours - 50 hour week or something isn't it? crazy !

Carlotta said...

Sounds like a great day!

Lady Liberty said...

"Relentless testing"
I know of a teen, that could not go with his father to Budapest for the weekend, because he had to study for a test. Mind you school has not been back in for a week.

Elaine, Ellies Treasures said...

Thanks for passing on the article in the Times as I hadn't seen it. I did see something about it on the early Sunday news but the kids are always to busy chatting for me to ever hear what's going on! Terrible isn't it, 50 hours! The poor kids need some down time. Elle at EFT

Anonymous said...

I *thought* we were memorable, but I suppose now there's an addition (and a furriner at that!) we'll be even moreso...

As for 50 hours a week in school - how come they pass laws to reduce the number of hours adults can be forced to work, but somehow it's okay to force kids to be at school for even longer?! And of course there will still be homework to be done after that 50 hours :-|

Anonymous said...

50 hours a week is appalling. That is more than most people's full time jobs. Poor kids. I am glad there seems to be some opposition to it.