We had a wonderful afternoon with the Bradshaws today, and after supper the kids went off to the garden with their ice creams. I went to see what they were up to (and see why Eli was moaning), and there they were enjoying their ice cream on the trampoline.

“Say ice cream!”

Grace always loved being in a bucket full of water, and Eli loves it too….I’m guessing that most kids probably do. When Eli was in the bucket Hannah and Grace both wanted to get into the bucket, and Donné was telling them that there wasn’t enough space. When Eli got out, Grace climbed in and started to sit down. She bent her knees a bit and quickly found out that there was nowhere to go for a four and half year old sized person. “Oh, I’ll just stand here then.”

In a Montessori classroom their is a section called “Practical life.” In the 3-6 year group there are a variety of activities like transferring beads using tongs, sucking up water from one bowl with a sponge and squeezing it out into another bowl, and throwing beans on the floor and then sweeping them up. Each activity works on some part of development, like hand strength, or tactile development.

One of the activities is a bowl of water, some dish washing liquid and a beater. Make bubbles….awesome. We went to visit Newberry Montessori today (we’re looking for a primary school for Grace), and while we were chatting to the principal Grace was cruising around the class and exploring their equipment (which is pretty much the same across all Montessori classes). Just before we left she really wanted to do the water/beater activity, so we set her up when we got home. It turns out that provided a whole bunch of entertainment for the afternoon, for both her and Eli.

Making bubbles, having fun, and working arm muscles

Eli was naked and about to climb into the bath when someone arrived at the door to collect something. He then refused to go anywhere near the bath and ran to the front door. I took him back to Donné who quickly made a plan…and he came back looking super cute in his sister’s old gown.

Grace has been swimming beautifully. She is now diving down on her own, swimming around in the pool on her own, and just looking quite relaxed in the water.

Here are some clips from her last lesson…she just needs a little bit more focus

Eli had some fun stomping around in one of Grace’s wellingtons

We spent some time at the aquarium today and happened to go through the penguin area when they were busy feeding them. This was drawing a crowd and Grace really wanted to see, so up she went on my shoulders. Eli didn’t want to be left out either, so up he went too.

A slightly blurry family, but mine, and I love them all dearly

Having some fun in the tree while Grace rides her bike up and down the street

Stéfan came around to help with a project and at prayer time Grace rushed off with her paper and pen to ask him to help her write down her prayers