What Home Education Looks Like - 25th October 2013

One of my favourite parts of home educating is being able to do things when it's nice and quiet and everyone else is at work or school. It's always nice to be at the cinema when there is no-one else around.

This trip was even better though as it was a free screening of The Princess Bride as part of the National Youth Film Festival.

The Princess Bride is one of my all time favourite films and originally came out in 1987 (when I was ten!) but I had never actually seen it on the big screen before. For anyone who doesn't know it, here's a trailer.

In the cinema there was just we two home educating families (two adults, 6 children) and one school group of around 20.... that was it! A shame that more didn't get to see it, but wonderful to hear all the children really laughing and really "getting" the movie. The boys in our party had been unsure about the film, I suspect because the title made it sound "girly", but they loved it and the eldest boy loved spotting all the comedians! We mums mostly enjoyed seeing this on a big screen.....

It was one of those days that I really love home educating. A day out, a cult movie and the chance to look into filmaking, fairytales, comedy etc. and all for free!

Afterwards the children were curious about where the actors were now. They had all recognised Billy Crystal's voice from the Monster's Inc movie. I found this photograph of a recent reunion of the stars to show them.

What Home Education Looks Like - 11th October 2013

It was the Primary Proms at the Royal Albert Hall this week. As home educators we were able to apply for tickets (for free!) and as we were a small group (unlike a school) this also meant we got seats in a box all to ourselves! Well actually two boxes! 6 of us in one and 8 in the other.

The children had a wonderful time, with the percussion group, Krupa Percussion Ensemble performing Mission Impossible being the favourite! Here's a video I found of them on YouTube.

They did also have a good old bop to the St Albans Big Band performing Soul Bossa Nova.....

An amazing experience we'll definitely sign up for again!

What Home Education Looks Like - 4th October 2013

Finding a real life Very Hungry Caterpillar!

Unfortunately his resemblance to the titular creature made him difficult to google! Luckily a friend with a nature book (sometimes books are best!) was on hand to identify him as the larvae of a Pine Hawkmoth. He was huge.... and a bit feisty, kept rearing up at us! We took him back to where we found him so he can grow up to be this....