In the bleak mid winter....

Grey clouds dominate the skyline but the weather has been mild so the sparrows have been out and about.

 This is a local forest park that we are lucky to have on our doorstep and it's an absolute treat to go in term time when the kids have the whole place to themselves....one of the perks of the job!

I always get asked about 'socialization'. Well I'm not all too sure what that really means but if you are wondering whether the sparrows have fun with friends.......

They have plenty! This is our fortnightly JAM Club meet, a christian homeschool Friday club. The children here mostly make memories whilst sharing in bible teaching and games (the crazier the better). We are blessed to have some great families coming along regularly.

  All ages, altogether and the teenagers get stuck right in.

 Today was a snow day, not many of those around here, the 4 sparrows were out in the snow by 8am.

 Busy looking at snow flakes with magnifying glasses.....

We did try to catch some flakes to look at under the microscope- no two ice crystals are the same, it's true! We froze the slides and collected flakes, even taking the microscope outside to keep them cool, but they melted too quickly. We only had fleeting glimpses of the fascinating patterns they make.  If it snows again we are going to try with nail varnish on the slide in the freezer- perhaps the flakes will leave an imprint?

The first thing a 7yr old wants to do when his mother walks out the door with a camera... 

Needless to say his aim needs improving, I let him take quite a few shots before one actually hit the mark. In closing may I introduce Wendy the snowgirl (J.M Barrie's Peter Pan, read aloud in the evening has captured their imagination..).  Unfortunately it warmed up a couple of degrees late this evening and she no longer has the use of her head.

Here's hoping for more snow, the sledges are beckoning!