Our hometown Kalk Bay, South Africa

Where?  It's in South Africa.  It's in the Western Cape.  It's just about the most southerly part of South Africa.  It's where the wind is our doctor, the sea is our artist and the mountains our home.  I love this part of the world - it's wild and quaint, cold and hot, we live in an amazing environment where you can find nature reserves, whales, fishing villages, history and colour ..... lots and lots of colour!

Kalk Bay is in the Southern Peninsula which also includes the following places:  Hout Bay, Chapman's Peak Drive, Noordhoek, Kommetjie, Scarborough, Cape Point, Simon's Town, Fish Hoek, St James and Muizenberg.

We have lived in this area for the last 2 years and I still haven't had enough of exploring this wonderful piece of South Africa.  Every weekend there is an opportunity to visit another part of the Cape, which we haven't yet discovered or seen. Our children love the fact that on any given day, we can climb in our car, drive 20 minutes and find something new to experience.

I found a lovely clip (though slightly outdated:) to show you where we live.

Our little ol' homeschooling room in South Africa

So I posted yesterday about Homeschool Dream rooms - but today I am posting about a regular ol' homeschooling room in Kalk Bay, South Africa.  A room with no decorating budget beyond the stationary and books (which by the way makes excellent decor - I love the way a room feels with LOTS of books and clean, crisp stationary.)

 This is Ruthie's desk and my chair, I keep her things separate from the boys and near me because when she does "school" (colouring in, cutting, gluing or making) she can be fairly disruptive.  I like to keep her busy with me and then she hops off her chair and comes to sit on my lap so I can read her stories. 

Ruthie spends most of the time she running around outside, playing on the floor or chasing the cat (poor cat).  It just gives her a sense of belonging without disturbing the older boys.  I am busy painting flowers on her desk, so that its a special place for her.  You can see I've done one (experimental), and hopefully I will finish the rest today.

 This is where the boys work.  I took an old toolbox and painted it pink (much to their disgust - probably should paint it blue!) and we put all their stationary in there for everyone to use.  We tried having different boxes, and different desks but then they waste time asking each other for things and walking around - and I don't want to buy 4 of everything every year, lots of it just gets recycled.

The two older boys keep their books on the shelf in the left (yes on top of the fireplace - I might need to revisit that idea in winter as they might decide to 'accidentally drop a book in there!).  Seriously though we don't use the fireplace as it makes the room far too smokey.  I also have a little white board on top of the fireplace which I use to write some things down for the children.  This is normally a date, a heading, maybe some keywords or maybe just a thought for the day.

 

The other two children store their books here and all my books are here too.  My read alouds, portfolios, files - anything I may need for the day.

 

This half of the room is the place where the kids can just enjoy some time if they finish part of their work quickly(this really helps them and keeps them motivated).  On the left we have our old computer which we mostly use for some of our history, maths and geography CD learning games.  Pillows to sit and read or lie on.  We normally have a laptop on the other table (as one computer between 4 children is very challenging) and this is often for further subject research, projects, Mandarin lessons with Rosetta Stone or those lovely Usborne Internet Linked books.

The table in the front has a selection of puzzles or activities which I rotate every day.  Also the table has been painted with chalk board paint so the children can scribble and art all over the table.  Every day the children leave me a different picture, word or message.  This is also a great place for Ruthie to be in the same room and enjoy playing her own games.  I have a CD player which generally plays either worship or classical music in the background.

So now you've seen mine! It may not be picture perfect like those mentioned yesterday but we love it, its comfortable and it works for our family.

Again just to say again - this is just our base.  I think its vital not to spend all day here but it does help with focused core subjects.  The rest of our learning takes place everywhere else - even on the beach on hot summer days:)

So I would still love too see where you learning space! Why not send me a photo. Whether its your dining room table, your garage, the garden or any place that you do "school" or  learning, submit your photo.

Ode to My Best Friend

Yesterday morning my best friend turned 37, and we were all there to celebrate! Of course the children couldn't resist hiding and jumping out and shouting "surprise".

 It's only taken us about a year to finally make it to a rather famous hangout down the road, but this special occasion ensured we made the most of it.

 

We were all so excited about sitting right by the window looking out on the street, which we had seen many people doing.

And of course birthdays are not just for the birthday boy but everyone gets to benefit from the excursion, clearly they were enjoying the moment too!

And knowing that this special day was all about my best friend, there was time for lots of cuddles.

 I always feel so privileged to be married to this soul mate of mine.  He was chosen by God to be my husband.  We have walked a long road with many challenges and delights and the more I get to know him the more I love him.  He has allowed me to follow my dreams, supported me in every way, often sacrificing all he has for the sake of the kingdom, loves his children dearly and grown in stature and confidence over the years I have known him.  He is known amongst his friends as a patient, faithful, loving man, a father, a mentor and a friend.  I love you so much it hurts my darling husband.

And because I am a bit of a romantic and because it just seemed like a good idea, I found this lovely poem that probably says it far more eloquently than I ever could.



Another Birthday Together Your birthday marks another year together;
Such happy times, I couldn’t ask for more,
Spending precious minutes, hours and days
With you, my love, whom I cherish and adore. We’ve shared so much, we two, in love and friendship;
Each year our bond just seems to grow and grow.
I always want to be right next to you;
To be with you means more than you can know. You’re always there for me with a loving smile;
I’m never happier than when I know you’re near.
I thought my love for you could not grow stronger;
And yet I love you even more this year. By Karl and Joanna Fuchs