Joel's marble run

This is by far the most popular project we have made. Sam loves it! Scott found a tin full of old marbles in the barn which had been left behind by the previous owner. Sam meticulously cleaned every one whilst I prepared the run. After a few adjustments it works really well. I wonder how long it will take him put his cars and figures down there aswell.  Found at http://madebyjoel.blogspot.com/2010/06/cereal-box-marble-run.html

Not long now

Spring is just around the corner. The cherry blossom is starting to bloom. Any day now it will be in flower. I can't wait to take cuttings and put them in vases around the house.

First drawings

Bella has taken on a new hobby - not that she has many hobbies of course apart from eating bread and throwing things! She has started drawing - yay! She loves it. Either sitting in her high chair at the table or on the floor. A particular favourite is drawing on the chalk wall. She does like to try and eat the chalk and crayons, so we have to keep a careful eye on her but if Sam is about, he is sure to come and tell us.

Rug making

I am attempting to make a rug. I don't like to throw anything away - feeling there is a use for everything. And we have so many old clothes which aren't fit for the charity shop, so I have begun to make a rug following Amanda - SouleMama's instructions from her book the Handmade Home. So far, I have made a mini rug which will hopefully grow into one fit for the lounge.

Just in time

It's Judo day again and someone sent the sunshine just in time! Bella has no conception of silence in the Judo hall. She squeals with excitement when the class starts and when Sylvie is 'trying' to teach the little tots discipline it really isn't appropriate for Bella to leg it full throttle across the Judo mats, squealing and screaming.

So, we went for a walk. Stopping first at the boulangerie for a baguette for Bella and croissants for me. I was a little ambitious and decided to do the walk which takes us to the lake and back through the campsite to the sports hall. I didn't even know if we could access it this way, but fingers crossed and maybe stupidly, we (Bella, dolly and baguette strapped in securely) set off. Luck was on our side as we walked about 1.5 miles - and we made it with 5 minutes to spare. Just in time to see Sam attempting backward rolls and then Bella (squealing) trying to do the same. She does like an audience.

Goings on...

It's wet and miserable outside and there is so much to organise outside in the garden and raised beds, that we're itching to be outside. Scott has planted the onions already and I cleared out the other beds. The raised beds are just outside the kitchen which makes it easily accessible. This part of the garden has been fenced off away from the cheeky chickens, so they don't have to be locked away in their pen.


Bella is teething. Badly. Every tooth is pushing through and her gums are swollen red. As you can imagine she is not happy! Sam has been good with her, trying to amuse her when she is at her worst. He is patient and understanding most of the time. His new game is playing hide and seek with a ball of string - following the string to find whoever is hiding! Kind of defeats the object, but hey ho. We need to find new sewing activities for him too. His latest is the boat sewn onto paper. We're hoping the rain doesn't last too long...please.

Simple fun

The best kind of fun - simple play. Sand, swings (jumping off swings), jumping on the bed, picking flowers. I love catching these moments.

In the garden

We've been busy in the garden when the weather has been nice catching up with pruning, bird house building, herb cutting and of course taking lots of photos. Sam had the very important task of helping to hold the drill and stain the bird table, whilst Bella happily packed as many stones into the empty paddling pool as she could.

More Judo

Judo was a little different this week. I knew something was going on. Sylvie had the children doing actual moves rather than running and roly polys. In pairs they had to hold onto each others arms and run and then flip onto their backs. They all thought this was extremely hilarious and the laughter noise was immense. They were really enjoying the change in routine. Sure enough, Sylvie handed out new belts at the end of the lesson and Sam refused to take off his judo suit for the following 2 hours.

Hearts and daisies

Sam doesn't really know yet what valentines is, but he loves heart shapes any time of the year. His favourite food is ham sandwiches and now heart shaped ham sandwiches. He's taken up sewing...napkins on paper! With help from me of course.

We've been told he is very "amoureuse" at school - always hugging and kissing. Maybe nexy year he'll be making his little copine, Marie a valentines gift.

Happy valentines day ♥

Making the most of the sunshine

We are having some glorious weather. Sitting on the bench in front of the house was almost too hot. Everything moves outside. The carpentry, the toys, the knitting..... I bought some pansies to celebrate the occasion.


Bella is just in the middle of changing her nap routine. She decides this herself. Not wanting to go for a nap at 10am and 2pm anymore, but having a long nap after lunch. It gives me a few hours to be out in the garden. We shall make the most of it before it ends, because it inevitably will. Now, if we could only remember where we stashed Sam's scooter. I have until 4pm to find it!

Judo

Sam says he wants to go to Judo every day with his friends. I've tried to explain that Sylvie doesn't teach Judo there everyday, but somehow I get the impression he doesn't believe me.

On peut refaire le monde!

"We can remake the world" is the moto of the homeless shelter I visit every week. These shelters are scattered around France alongside the second hand shops they run. In short they are "An international solidarity movement unlike any other! This is made up of the thousands of men and women whose work is motivated by the simple sentences: 'serve first those who suffer most' and 'fight against the causes of poverty'.."

Although there is much more to this organisation, the shops work simply with the public donating their unwanted items and Emmaus sell them again. Each shop is run by the people who live in the shelters plus volunteers. It is my favourite pastime going here. Whilst Scott or my mum and step-dad look after the children, I spend a blissfull 2 hours wandering and rooting. The atmosphere is so friendly. I think they recognise me now. Plus, I do feel so good knowing I am giving to charity, even though I am not really doing anything other than buying things I like.