Retreating Home

We're still trying to get used to the new pace of things, there are so many classes, not too many for each child but maybe for me.

Although Thursday was fun and included Pony Club for the small, 8 different locations is just crazy, so on Friday we shut the doors and refused to go anywhere, and we're doing the same today.

We had lots of fun mail from the various penpals to catch up with... 

For the French ones, the replies involved a couple of hours of translation work for Orion and then writing it all out in both languages (not my idea by the way)! 

They also finally got round to some pastel drawings of the Harvest Moon from last week in their nature journals. 

Days at home feel like such a precious thing at the moment, I think winter will have to see things slow down.

Pony Club

I have a feeling that Monday afternoons might quickly move very high on the list of Orion's favourite things, because every other week it's Pony Club. He goes when the smalls are at forest school, and it's their turn on the Thursday while he's at forest school, plus side for him is that he doesn't have to share the time. That does however mean he has to do all the work, which is fine now but might be a bit harder in the cold of January. 

For now though he loves the responsibility of going to her field to collect her and bring her into the yard. 

He loves grooming her and cleaning out her hooves, though her mane does get a lot of his attention. 

As a special treat for them both Emma took him out into the forest for over an hour, and he felt confident enough after a lot of practice to come off lead rein, go round obstacles and even canter a bit! We had thought that might take a while but he was so quiet, calm and confident with Lola, they seem to make a great team. 

He has plenty of worksheets and research to do between now and his next lesson, so he can complete Grade 1 and start getting his mini achievement badges. I love the fact that its work he is excited to do because he can't wait for Pony Club day!

A Belated Weekending

This weekend Tom was away at a festival and after a busy week I decided to close the door on the outside world and take a moment. They decided they wanted their own festival and needed to start a band... and that was the end of any illusions I had about a quiet peaceful few days. 

Orion opted for a lego crown/headpiece, while Thea and Gabe decided it was all about the hair and spent ages 'hairdressing'... 

Looking quite rock n roll by the end of it... and liking what he saw.

And when it all got too much, off to the woods for a run around. 

Sunday morning was spent with a friend who owns a pony, learning about grooming and caring for Lola before getting to have a short lesson each.

This boy was sooooo happy!

Thea came home and got out all her pony and horse books determined to see Lola as much as possible from now on.

And this big boy just couldn't get off before he'd had a proper cuddle. 

Lord knows how I'm going to fit pony time in to their already crazy schedule, but I'm pretty sure they won't let me forget.