Little Star Homeschool

Robert's got back to his swimming lessons now his tonsils are out, he felt a little nauseous because the changing room is exceptionally hot but he got changed quickly and got through it. He hasn't forgotten what he learnt last year which is good.

Its such a relief to be able to sleep at night without the fear of him vomiting and to go out for the day knowing he can travel alright without being sick. Its been quite a journey now I look back, something like that can dominate one's life so much it takes a long time to adjust to normality. I have only just began to relax when he coughs and not react by fetching a bucket. We are all so much calmer now. He eats better too, free to eat apple skin, strawberry seeds and yoghurts with balls without choking.

His reading is his greatest strength, we are sailing through Roald Dahl books having just finished James and the Giant PeachAt the moment Robert's working through the I Love Maths! CDRom

Tuesday we went stick collecting, picking up fallen branches to paint. Some looked like animals - a giraffe, snake, horse - and some didn't. That was after we wrapped up Harry's birthday present and got that sent off. I don't think he will get it by today though 'cos of the postal strikes. Robert chose this Activity Tunnel for Harry. Tuesday night Robert fell to sleep listening to the CD that comes with Poetry Speaks to Children one of his favourite books nowadays. Yesterday, after getting the Tesco shop done, we visited Queen's Park. Robert busied himself making friends.

We took Robert for his first swimming lesson today. He was excited before we went, nervous when he first got into the learner pool and more relaxed as the hour progressed. He enjoyed getting used to the water and towards the end was confident enough to slide into the water from the edge without using the steps. John is an excellent swimmer so he is teaching Robert at the moment and we plan to go once a week. I am a non-swimmer unfortunately but I like to float near the side lol. Saying that, as little as I did my stomach muscles ached when I got out of the pool.

The lifeguard asked how old Robert was and then why he wasn't at school. So we explained about home education and had a moan about the state of our local schools, I guess they see lots of school kids at the baths. Indeed when we were in the cafe that overlooks the pool we had the chance to watch a class in action. Organised chaos was the word. Swimmers swam, non-swimmers floundered and those in-between messed about. Three adults supervised this group of a dozed or so kids. It took me back to when I had swimming lessons in the last year of junior school, I started out as a non-swimmer and as I said I still am. Another addition to my growing list of areas in which school failed me. I won't let this happen to Robert.

On the way home we chatted about swimming. John said to Robert, "Uncle Steve says he'll take you scuba diving when you've learned to swim." Robert replied, "I can't swim with SHARKS!"

Where did that one come from?