Ashleigh Whaley
September Adventures and Activities.
September Activities:
Homeschooling.
Paula Joy Turns 12.
September is Spring Time in Zimbabwe, where the temperature goes from cold to hot overnight. It is also Paula Joy’s birthday month.
Paula Joy tuned 12 and had a wonderful day playing competitive family golf, followed by a fun seafood dinner.
It’s such a joy being able to savour each and every day of Paula Joy’s life’s journey. We continue to pray to God to guide her and strengthen her gifts.
Mum Becomes Very Ill.
As a mother, one does not have the time to be ill! When I went down with a debilitating illness, at the beginning of the month, it turned out to be a full month of doctors visits and continual rest.
The children have been awesome and school continued, with added chores and responsibilities. It’s not the first time I have had to homeschool from my bed. The last time being after a frozen shoulder operation.
Thankfully, I have enabled my children to take responsibility for their day and have made sure that they are confident enough to get on with life, without having their mother around.
This past month has proved that, even whilst I was ill in bed, the children managed to keep going with their work, chores and activates. Cooking was added to the their work load, as our cook, Martha, was also on sick leave!
When stuck with their academics, the children came to my bedside and we would sit and do school together. Murray John usually requires assistance with his English, which he brings into my bedroom with a long face.
On one occasion he declared that burning his English books would solve all his problems!
Hiding from English. 
This month has been very difficult for me, as I have struggled to concentrate and achieve my work. After many trips to the doctors, total rest has now been prescribed, as I recover from post viral fatigue, and I just need to be patient.
Homeschooling Friends.
Furry and Feathered Friends.
The Guinea pigs, rabbits and chickens continue to brighten each and every day. Soon we shall have some baby chickens.
‘Fuzz” Loses His Front Teeth.
This month ‘Fuzz’ the guinea pig managed to escape from his night cage and somehow knocked both his front teeth out! The poor guy was unable to eat, so had to be fed soft foods every couple of hours.
Even at 2am the children would wake up and feed their little friend, such is their devotion! He has now recovered and his teeth have grown back, so all is now well…
Homeschooling Arts and Crafts.
Not much art and craft was achieved this month, due to the children’s added chores, the arrival of the combine harvester and the extra horses for them to ride.
However, the children managed to change their Opie sailing boat into a fun little fishing boat, complete with paddles, chairs, and a bass motor. During the weekends they can now set off fishing for the afternoon.
Horses.
Polo Practice in Harare.
Thankfully CV lockdown restrictions were lifted, so polo practice began again in Harare. We are now playing on a friend’s private field, which has the most spectacular view.
As I was unable to help at all, the children had to get themselves organised for the weekend. This consisted of packing the groom’s food, checking that the lorry was correctly packed and finally sorting out their own clothes and food.
The children accepted the added work load and put in the effort, before setting off with their father for weekend practices. They returned with exciting stories about their ponies and the various polo activities they had enjoyed.
Children Pick Up My Responsibilities.
For most of the month I was unable to even get myself to the stables!
The children took over riding both mine and their father’s horses and they are now becoming more confident to ride the bigger horses. Paula Joy being older and stronger takes on the more difficult horses.
One day I watched, as a young pony suddenly galloped off home with Paula Joy. Thankfully, the incident did not result in disaster!
Both children check the horses twice a day, helping with the feeding, whilst and keeping an eye out for injuries.
It has certainly turned out to be a busy eventful month for them! They have had to raise their game and take up the slack where I have been forced to let go… Well done to them both!
‘Ladies First’ our New Horse.
Horses have a way of finding us and this month we bought a lovely thoroughbred filly called ‘Ladies First’, who was a broodmare after she completed her racing career.
She has settled into farm life and soon Paula Joy will start the fundamental training program with her. We shall keep you updated on her improvement.
Homeschooling Sport.
Cricket practice began this month. Whenever we were in Harare, the children attended practice, thanks to lifts with friends.
September Adventures:
Farm Life.
Dalston Farm.
Fire Season.
September is bush fire time, so everyone is on high alert watching for bush fires, on or off the farm. They usually spread at a huge pace and with the dry wheat crop still in the ground this is a constant worry.
Banana Seedlings.
The banana seedlings continue to thrive in the nursery. With this heat they need watering every 30 mins! Additional seedlings have arrived, so now the nursery is full and all the plants are thriving.
Wheat Harvest.
An impressive combine arrived mid-month, to harvest the wheat crop. Murray John loves driving the combine and so his school work is done in record time, before he heads on out. Paula Joy managed to sneak in a combine drive, whilst Murray John wasn’t looking!
Environmental Awareness.
The giant eagle-owl ( Verreaux eagle-owl) nesting at the stables now has two chicks. The children check on them daily and have enjoyed watching them grow.
I hope you had a fun September. Remember to keep your focus on the Lord and not on this crazy world!
‘You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands; you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you.’ Psalm 128 vs 2.
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