Project 52: Week 6

Monday: First day of our Lunar New Year project. Brett was in the office all day and Barnaby had had a rough night so we spent most of the day snuggling and snoozing. Last minute remembered to set up an activity for Bertie so I used his Lanka Kade animals to make the Great Race. Once he got home I read out the story and he acted it out. He then made up his own version and asked me to write it down for him.

Tuesday: Barnaby is tantalisingly close to taking his first steps. Really hope he does them before he starts nursery so we don’t miss them! Had a chilled out day at home with Barnaby and printed some Lunar New Year activities for Bertie. After nursery he made a paper chain Chinese dragon and decorated a lantern. Not much to report!

Wednesday: Bertie’s last day at nursery before his brother joins him after half term! Had a call with the mortgage advisor who has got us an agreement in principle already! Now just the long wait for school allocations and we can start looking for a new house. Barnaby unlocked his inner mountain goat today and has been climbing everything! Set up some playdough and Chinese landmark photos for Bertie after nursery and he showed zero interest! He just wanted to act out The Great Race again and again.

Thursday: Bertie was up at 4.30 and by 5 had woken Barnaby too so I took them both downstairs. Barnaby played lovely with his instruments while Bertie played lovely with the playdough he’d refused to engage with yesterday! Put the nappy wash on at 6am and was feeling good about being so productive. Only to find that when Brett came down at 7.30 it was showing an error code which meant the drum was done. Guess we need a new washing machine now – great! We watched some videos about Lunar New Year then headed out to our local Chinese supermarket to pick up some authentic food for a banquet on Saturday. Bertie was very intrigued by everything and keeps asking to go back. Brett kept the boys busy downstairs while I had a nap!

Friday: A day at work for me. Spent lots of time looking at and talking about lessons and activities as well as the pupils ready for me to take over the class after half term. How is my maternity leave up already?! We had swimming after school and it was my turn in the pool. It was pyjama week so we did lots of survival practice and Bertie was very happy that it was paramount to keep your head out of the water this week! Barnaby did really well and enjoyed lots of splashing and jumping into the pool.

Saturday: Happy Lunar New Year! We were up and out this morning for the Mini-Malarkey – a book and reading festival held locally. It was the first time they’ve done a mini one (it’s usually a big festival in the summer) but we had a lovely time. Bertie danced, sang, and was chosen to play the part of “Mother Duck” when acting out the story of Baby Goz with the author and illustrator. Barnaby loved exploring the sensory area and dancing along to the music. Since it was round the corner from Brett’s mum, we spent the afternoon there and the boys enjoyed playing and getting up to mischief. We also picked up the washing we’d dropped off the other day. Back home Brett got to work cooking up our Chinese banquet. It was the first time Bertie and I had tried Chinese food and we both enjoyed it more than we expected!

Sunday: Bertie asked for his guitar to play with and it was finally time for us to admit that it had got stepped on and broken. Cue a trip to Smyths to let him choose a new one! Popped to Brett’s mums to drop off some more washing and pick up the last load. Back home, Bertie played with his Roman gladiators whilst I tried to keep Barnaby entertained and Brett did some sorting in the spare room ready for the new dryer to arrive, hopefully on Tuesday! I rage cleaned the kitchen during tea, and Bertie took that long that it ended up being a late night all round. Thank goodness it’s half term!

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Journey to a better me

This weeks focus was: family project for Lunar New Year.

We’ve loved doing this! Bertie has learned so much about a different culture, and to be honest so have we.

We’ve learned about the Great Race, found China on a map, looked at Chinese monuments, visited a Chinese supermarket, eaten a Chinese banquet, made lantern and a dragon… it’s been great!

I think this is the way forward in getting Bertie excited to learn. No pressure, just pure interest in a topic and running with it.

Next weeks focus is: go to sleep before 11 and wake up before 7 every day.