Reading Eggs

(disclaimer -this is a sponsored blog post for  an extra long free trial of Reading Eggs. Though, I’d write the same without any incentive)

We home ed, and have a 7 yr old and 4 yr old who weren’t too interested in reading. Throw in a bit of parental angst, and I decided to have a little look at Reading Eggs. We’ve heard good things about it over the years from Real Life friends, and bits on forums, but I’ve been reticent about encouraging screen time for learning. Call me old fashioned, but I feel kids lives should involve more movement than clicking the mouse. When we are discussing things I’m usually quite distracted by the bouncing child I’m talking to- apart from screen time and sleeping, one especially doesn’t do ‘still’.

Anyway, I got onto it and it was easy to sign up for the free trial, then add extensions with a promo code- here’s one I can give to you UKB24MBT for an extra 3 weeks. You can use up to two promotional codes a year, so if you get googling for another you may be in luck.

I’ve been quite glad for the longer free trial, simply because the girls go in fits and starts. Sometimes they have a couple of days of wanting to do a lot, then a week of not touching the website. Overall though, its a hit.

I deliberately didn’t work too hard at finding my way around the site, so the girls have had to find things for themselves. For quite a while the lessons were the main interest,and the eggs were interesting just for themselves. It wasn’t too long before personalising their avatar,and finding the shop so they could spend eggs became really exciting, as has the music cafe where they can enjoy the songs again, and again, and again (ok, they thrive on the repetition but I don’t. We do resort to headphones at times).

They encourage each other- if one fancies some Reading Eggs time, the other often will want to do the same (we luckily have some old laptops from DH’s previous ‘life’ as an IT geek) so they can both be on Reading Eggs at the same time if they want. They also watch each other working on it, with helpful co-operation appearing at times. Flower (age 4) isn’t so hot with touchpad ‘mouse’ functions, so for the timed activities she likes either an adult or big sister to help with the clicking- but yesterday she actually did it all, all by herself with her grown up just sitting close.

Flower started right at the beginning, and Princess did the test to suggest a good place to start. They have both completed entire maps (about 10 lessons per map) and enjoy moving along the maps. The basic technique used is Phonics. I don’t pretend to know a lot about different reading schemes, just that there are some- but as this is working for the girls I haven’t needed to look further.

At the starting levels, some areas are locked so Flower can’t access some areas that Princess can. Though, to be quite honest Princess hasn’t wanted to explore those areas so it hasn’t been an issue (I understand as you work through the levels different parts become unlocked- Flower has big padlocks and greyed out icons in her screen).

We’re just running out of free trial time, and we are definitely going to have to pay for the girls to continue using it.

They are enjoying the progression and similar styles to the various lessons as they go along,so they can anticipate what is required, and of course many of the instructions are verbal as well as/or instead of written.

So, what to criticise? Well, I’m not keen on rewards (Eggs), but the girls obviously are. I suppose I have not forced them into using the program, so if they find it too much pressure they can walk away. This isn’t particular to Reading Eggs, just any reward based system (I’ve been reading about motivation, can you tell?).

The free trial really is too short. Kids have a lot of things in their lives- 2 weeks just isn’t long enough to explore and try out whats on offer with Reading Eggs. Honestly, if I hadn’t found the extra promo codes we wouldn’t have known the girls enjoy it enough to pay for. We haven’t got there yet, but I have heard mixed reviews about Reading Eggspress (for 7-13 yrs)  from friends with older kids. Princess only has a couple of maps left to do, so I’m hopeful she will enjoy Reading Eggspress as well. Flower (aged 4) as I mentioned, struggled with using the computer controls for activities against the clock- I guess it may be easier with a real mouse rather than a touchpad, but we don’t routinely have one accessible these days. It wasn’t a problem for us, but she also had a while of absolutely loving to hear the response when she gave an incorrect answer. She knew it was incorrect, but enjoyed the reply so much she deliberately went through giving wrong answers. The eggs weren’t important enough to her to make her spoil her fun!

There are books, flashcards and things you can buy to accompany the website, but we haven’t felt the need to get anything.

I signed up to this for the benefit of Princess, and expected Flower to be interested too. At 4, I feel she is a bit too young for any activity encouraging screen time, but we won’t be stopping her. Likewise, if she loses interest in it, I won’t be pushing her to keep at it. Flower actually has more interest in reading from books than Princess did at this age (this started before we got Reading Eggs, but has continued). Different temperaments shining through.

The girls enjoy it because its fun, and know they are picking up some useful information along the way. I’m happy that they are having fun, and I can see the difference in their reading. Princess isn’t just watching me type or read emails, she is reading bits of what I am doing (hmm, not always helpful!) and Flower is reading to Rainbow. No pressure, no hassle from an anxious parent- so I reckon Reading Eggs is worth it just for that!

The parent anxiety isn’t helpful at all really- that’s just the pressure I feel from having non-home edding family and friends who still expect National Curriculum to happen at home. Or, make comments how Princess isn’t reading well, and if she was at school... Well, if she was at school she might be part of the 17 % who leave school with inadequate readingand writing skills. This way, they are having fun, and will read (what they want) when they is ready. 
Overall I think Reading Eggs is working pretty well for us.

snow

purple crocuses just peeping out

snowy blue eyed boy (and wow, I love my babywearing MaM coat keeping us snug!)

snow

snow ball

snow angel

snow angel with very tidy getting out!

its useful as a seat, too

Flowers photos- a daffodil fairy

 Flower recieved a Daffodil Flower Fairy kit from Myriad at Christmas. Last week she asked me to make it for her (I had hoped she might like to help, but I got the fun of making it for her instead, and she enjoyed it being for her). Rather seasonal, especially as our daffs aren't out yet under the snow!

Flower's Flower Fairy

face paint to her own design

such fun!

we have some iridescent powder that was fun to photograph

sparkly and glitter

you nip to the loo in the night, and someone pinches the warm bit of  bed!

Princess liked the felt flower kit. One day (before I got up) she made a doll. I think its lovely, all designed, cut, sewn and stuffed all by herself. The kit I did had templates for me to copy, so hers was much more challenging.

Rainbow enjoying floor to wriggle on. Or blow raspberries,as he was doing  for this pic

Another Dress

Flower and Princess chose the fabric

Its quite lightweight so I learned to fit a lining in it.

I have never done buttonholes before, but they seem to have come out just right.
I haven't done a collar before ( I'm really not keen, now I have done on- fitting a curve to a straight line, eurggh). The cuffs were a little easier, but now she's wearing it putting buttons on seems a bad idea- they'll be ripped off first wearing knowing Flower.
Sooo, ta da!!!

Its the most complicated thing I've tried so far. Or, at least, I've learned a lot each step of the way.

Something completely different- I've been trying out different things with some stretchy fabric. Urrggh. I haven't got the hang of it yet, but I had an hour with a coverstitch machine yesterday, so I've done some hems I'm not too happy about. I think I'll try with a twin needle on my own machine next time, and hopefully it should go more smoothly.

Anyway, Princess got some sleeves for a short-sleeved top (I'm not feeling as 'ta da' about these)

Just because:

Expensive Fortnight

The van broke down. Quite an interesting day out really. We were heading to York when it happened, on the A1(M). Thankfully we weren't overtaking anything, and could just limp to the hard shoulder without getting hit (it just lost power). The motorway makes you a priority recovery for the AA, without having a baby and two smalls with you. The girls had spells of being anxious and scared, but it was fine in the end.

Mo picking up the van.

Picnic by the motorway, on the safe side of the crash barrier while we waited to be rescued.

Rescued. The AA van could sit 4 of us across the back comfortably. Wow!

The mechanic looked at the van when we got somewhere safe, but it wasn't fixable so Mo also got the job to take us to the garage of our choice. He needed a mandatory rest break, which was just perfect- Rainbow was just getting restless when he had to stop at Hartshead Moor. The girls needed a run around as well, so it just made more of an 'experience'.

Instead of our planned trip out, we had a consolation trip to Eureka instead. A nice walk home and (as we'd planned our day out properly) tea cooked by the oven on timer by the time we got home. Quite an adventure really!.

What was really lovely (no idea what is normal for these things) but the garage had our gearbox reconditioned, and we picked up the van before tea the next day- I expected it to take another day to have the gearbox done at least, let alone fitted and the van running again. The vans distinctive rattle has gone, and the gear changes are smooooooth with a new clutch too. Ah well, these things happen.

We've had the house roof looked at as well- we now know why the room is damp, and it'll be fixed when there's a long enough dry spell for Lee to mend it. It'll be good to get it fixed, but it'll cost.

We got the gas bill too, but least said about that the better.

These things come in threes, don't they? DH reckons living in a caravan was even cheaper than he thought at the time!

I'm learning to use stretchy fabrics. This is a first attempt. The sleeves are how Princess wanted at least!

All the children had fun in their den!

Princess cooked a fried egg and took a picture.

What are these big girls up to?!

Last weeks Victoria Sponge (Flower helped)

A weeks sourdough bread. FLower helped with a bit of stirring, but bread is a bit boring these days. It takes a few days to rise in the colder weather, so I started it Monday afternoon and it wasn't baked until Wednesday morning.

Big sister still likes to sling her brother. He's a bit wriggly and bouncy these days, so not for long.

Flower greasing the cake tins for todays sponge cake. She is modelling her new hat- her design, a bit like a Victorian mob cap I believe (only in crochet, bamboo yarn)

Licking the spatula is an important job.

We don't always use our own carved spoons- today I used one we bought from Sharif at Spoonfest last year. Its a lovely spoon, great for scraping lots of mix out of the bowl (after this pic of course!).

Todays cake?- I suppose I'd better get a picture!

A Poorly Week

Big Girl has had a bug this week,so we've been a lot more sofa based this week.

I was realising that learning doesn't stop with sickness though, no excuse with not being well enough to go to school! We have been reading a few social history books from the library, when she's been awake. DVDs of   different aspects of farming, how its changed since the second world war,  filled more sofa time for her.

Before she was poorly she decided housework was fun, and vacuuming was what she wanted to do.

Flower has wanted to do 'something' without Princess, but we've been at a loss of what- neither of them have wanted to go to the different activities we've been regulars at, and its a bit hard to find something for someone who doesn't want to do things.Anyway, we found an activity group for her to try that Princess is too old for, and went this week. She had a great time, so looks to be on the calendar for a few more weeks at least.

Pancake Day had Flower taking the lead, helping make the batter, pouring it in the pan and then letting Daddy do the hot bit.

We went to our usual home ed group, but planned to leave early. Though, with the snow coming down quick, so did everyone else. Too many germs for much playing out in it this time. A bit of guacamole making went down well, even with a birds eye chilli in it!

I managed to finish writing an article I've had in mind for a while, that may even get published if I'm lucky- fingers crossed.

 We've been putting together a few different historical eras, so we finally have the homemade timeline that's been in my head for a few weeks. Princess has been rather interested in World War Two and Victorian times, but doing 1 cm per decade means the Ancient Egyptians are half way across the kitchen, despite starting at the front wall of the house!


DH had a night out wild camping with friends ( they use hammocks rather than tents, that sort of thing), which was the first time he's gone since Rainbow has been with us. Sounds good fun, and Princess can't wait for warmer weather when she and Daddy can wild camp together. I'm happy we coped just fine without DH (that wasn't a given!).
Since he got back I got a little time with a rough idea and one of DHs old t-shirts, and a few hours later Rainbow has some new trousers. It almost worked as I hoped- I cut out the back pieces back to front so the old logo on the front just adds a little colour to the bum, instead of being legible across his backside. Ah well, its a good start, and there's another T-shirt in the ragbag to try another time.

So, this week has been pretty quiet really.
Half term approaches, so we'll be avoiding the crowds and just joining in a couple of the extra activities on.

Busy, Really

I was talking to a friend the other day, and didn't think much had happened this week. However, I think I was in a bit of an exhausted haze and unable to think clearly (in my defense, I had to head to bed when we got home, and later went back to bed for 12 hours!).

We've had some of the usual  free play. It seems to involve more and more writing these days, from both of them. Daren't mention it though, I don't think they've noticed!

The K'nex has been rediscovered. And Rainbow is very interested in anything he can grab- we're officially evolving our baby safety with a baby who can lunge an amazing distance.

 Princess designs I think.

The girls love being read to. 

We got a set of 'I Wonder Why....' books from the Book People. They've not wanted to read them for about 5 months, but they are suddenly utterly fascinating. I really enjoy how the girls find things in their own time, and their own pace.

For once I can't see anything wrong with my wrapping!

 Its lovely Rainbow will go to sleep on my back, and let me concentrate on the girls, or get on with something else. Reaching to turn on the sewing machine does usually disturb him though, sadly.

Great Grandma cuddles

Great Grandma is doing really well, and quite sprightly in her own home. Rainbow is getting a bit heavy for her, but they both seem to enjoy each other.

The girls had a fab day in a local play gym, with friends. I learned yet again, the noise of these places can really wear me out, especially after 3 or 4 hours. It was great chatting with friends though, and a lot warmer than the park.
We fit in a visit to Eureka this week. Our timing wasn't great- school groups 'take over' a lot during the morning, (especially when visiting with littlies) but next time we'll go about 2.30 pm- its lovely having the place almost to yourself, as the school kids all leave about then.

First sit in a high chair out, and first slurping of apple

 The dungarees I've been making are finally finished! I had a lot of pressure to get them completed yesterday, but despite the rush Princess is pretty happy with them. There are a few bits I wish I'd done differently, and I'm happy I've learned a lot about how to do various parts. I still get a bit confused with final construction of different aspects, but I'm getting there.I'm a bit frustrated at the poppers and fastenings I can get locally, I'm going to have to investigate online bits as these are letting down the finished item- the girls are struggling with the poppers I've used on both these and the trousers for Flower.

 I haven't another project ready to go, so its a trip to Fabworks tomorrow so the girls can choose fabrics for some dresses they want next. I'll be looking out for some fleece to do hoodies, as I have a pattern coming soon. Another bonus to sewing class is reduced price patterns from one of the main brands, so I'm looking forward to them.

On a different topic, I must have mentioned my 'new-to me' magimix...

Its fabulous. 

celeriac, red cabbage, leek and carrot coleslaw

Chocolate mousse (don't be silly, that didn't last long enough to photograph!)

bread crumbs for fish fingers, so I'm told

homemade mushroom pate on sourdough rye bread

I don't use the Magimix for bread, I'm fine mixing that by hand, but homemade mushroom pate (link goes to the recipe mine is roughly based on- I use cream instead of cottage cheese) is amazing- I've only had supermarket version before, and this is much better. Princess has also met blades of mace- she's not seen that spice before, and she did a great job grinding the little bit needed for this. I don't use it often, and forgot how aromatic it is.

The girls are enjoying  helping with the magimix, and it means they can do a little more- they aren't so keen on grating (I'm a rubbish person to learn to use a grater with, I usually cut myself so they are understandably rather wary).

We are expecting a death in the family- One of the fish isn't looking so well.

I'm a little surprised it survived the night, but it is still swimming a bit. No idea what is wrong with it, but we've had in depth conversations about death in preparation. It was a bit intense yesterday!

We also had a blast of 'home edding'- the interested questions.... It happens that way sometimes, a couple of days of playing and wham! Two hours of complex and detailed questions. So, we now know a lot more about Rosa Parks and Dr. Martin Luther King, that some people were (and are) treated differently just because of skin colour (Princess remembering Amelia King, who wasn't initially allowed to join the land army in WW2 in this country because of her skin colour- thats on the  Wartime Farm programmes), which continued for DH into swastikas (ancient and modern), Nazis, Germans being on the other side in both first and second World Wars, Prince Philip being Greek,and woolly mammoth hair (30 cm long on top, up to 90 cm long elsewhere).

Phew, I'm exhausted just trying to write it down. Looking at it, this isn't even a week, its only 5 days. I think we have actually been rather busy!