Storm + UnderPants visit the Woodstock Peace Garden

Posted on April 19, 2015 by Michelle

Storm has a favourite Teddy Bear called UnderPants [yes, that’s right – UnderPants; we’ll share the story of his name another time 🙂 ].

Together Storm + UnderPants plan to change the world, one unschooling activity at a time.

Their first activity has been to create a children’s activity book based on time they’ve spent at the Woodstock Peace Garden [see http://co-creators.co.za/peace-garden/ for more information about this delightful eco garden.] A limited number of books have been made and retail for R20 each. Please contact us at storm@macey.co.za should you wish to buy your very own limited-edition copy. You can follow the Unschooling Adventures of Storm + UnderPants on FACEBOOK and INSTAGRAM. Click here for the facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/stormandunderpants?ref=hl

our home-schooling/un-schooling experiences

Posted on April 16, 2015 by Michelle

The Longmans have been through a variety of education streams from Mainstream to Home-Schooling to Un-Schooling.

Michelle’s thoughts on these experiences have been summarised in an article written last month but just recently published on her blog.

Wanna read it .. then click on the link below or on the menu item “An Apple A Day”

http://longman5.wordpress.com/

Andy in the Gardens – then + now

Posted on September 20, 2012 by Michelle

Makita Cordless Screwdriver to be won!

Posted on May 20, 2012 by Michelle

As a result of public demand, we have a second raffle to support our Chilly-fund-raising-efforts.

Chilly has been moved to her new home in Joostenbergvlakte. It’s our intention to move her to Oude Molen, Pinelands, later this year when space becomes available but in the meantime she’s enjoying grassy paddocks that she shares with just one or two other horses.

With Emily wanting/needing to be with Chilly up to 4 or 5 times a week, our petrol costs have increased somewhat and this, along with the purchase of a saddle, has meant that a second raffle will certainly help us.

Prizes on offer are:

Makita Cordless Screwdriver

Two Oceans Aquarium Tickets
For Two Adults – valid till 20th October 2012

Tickets are R25 each and payments can be made directly into the bank account below … your name on the deposit will secure raffle ticket/s for you! The draw for this particular raffle will take place on Sunday, 17th June at 18h00.

Bank Account Details
Nedbank Savings Account
E.R.J. Longman
Pinelands Branch
2047061350

Thanks again for your continued support! It’s difficult to express just how grateful we are!

Warm regards
The Longman Family

My “Today I’m Grateful For” List

Posted on April 8, 2012 by Michelle

Started 35 days ago … and ended today [Easter Sunday … 8/4/12]

Listed in order of most recent comment …

Today I’m so grateful for my family … my best-friend + soul-mate and three amazing, amazing children! I’m so blessed!
Today I am grateful for great support from friends and family as we fund-raise for Chilly …
Today I’m grateful for today … great visit to Kirstenbosch Gardens + Bonsai show, playing trains with Storm, cooking delicious dinner.
Today I’m grateful for Hot Cross Buns … especially the deliciously sticky ones from Pick and Pay!
Today I am grateful for Storm’s artwork … twitpic.com/95juy5
Today I’m really grateful for time spent with Ashley this morning … what guy! Makes me realise just how priviledged my family is!
Today I’m grateful that I noticed that I had my top on inside-out … even if it was lunch-time when I noticed!
Today I’m grateful for the great clean-out that Carla, Emily and I did today! Out-with-the-old … and-in-with-the-new!
Today I am grateful for our incredible visit to SPCA’s Horse Care Unit.
Today I am grateful for our gas braai – especially as our oven has packed up AGAIN!!
Today I am grateful for the rain!!
Today I am grateful for personal-admin-leave-days. Two-and-a-half big ticks off my to-do list.
Today I’m grateful for old photos and trips down memory lane!
Today I am grateful that I have a grown-up daughter who visited me at work + could pay for lunch because I left my bank card at the office!
Today I am also grateful for the quiet cup of delicious coffee at Oude Molen (while Em helps with Stormie’s pony ride).
Today I am grateful that I cooked loads of food last night so no need to cook today!!!
Based on my previous comment, I have to admit that today I’m grateful that it’s payday!
Payday … the only day in the month that I feel completely in control …
Today I am grateful for the enlightening session with Emily Innes.
Today I am grateful for the lovely drive to Bettys Bay with Andy and Storm (and the Death by Chocolate ice-cream was a win too!)
Today I’m grateful for the incredible macaroons we had with our catered lunch at the office!
Today I am grateful for DSTV – especially BBC lifestyle and the Discovery Channel.
Today I’m grateful for Emily peeling the veggies for our dinner last night and Andy cooking delicious steak on our gas braai today!
Today I’m grateful that it’s not yesterday.
Ok, so today I am grateful that the bump I had with Andy’s car didn’t cause worse damage …
Mmm, challenging day … might be bit more tricky to find things to be grateful for … peanut brittle here I come!
Today I’m grateful for white wine and peanut brittle!
Today I am grateful that I’m going to the theatre tonight! facebook.com/TheMoulinRouge…
Today I am grateful for running-hug I got from colleague’s daughter when I gave her a present … followed by a gentle hug from her sister.
Today I’m grateful for Mondays … it’s the day that Carla makes supper!
Today I am grateful for Jamie Oliver, Gordon Ramsay and my Braun blender!
Today I am grateful for Saturday mornings, egg rolls for breakfast and hair colour!
Today I’m grateful for The Walk of Life [Dire Straits]. Very lekker track to listen to en-route to the office. Thanks@RyanOConnorSA !
Today I’m grateful that the work tasks, that I should have completed on Monday, are at last done! 🙂
Today I’m grateful for a successful meeting with my broker, Braam Coetzee.
Today I’m grateful for the cutest compliment I received; one of Storm’s peers asked if I was Storm’s sister! Gentle reminder … Storm is 6!
Today I am grateful that we have good medical aid!
Today, I’m very grateful for Andy. He’s made amazing food this weekend and just made Storm a kite!
To make up for my unsuccessful lent efforts, I’m going to post daily messages of things I’m grateful for … at least till Easter …
Giving up crisps for lent not going so well. No will-power over the weekend!

Chilly : our soon-to-be-horse …

Posted on April 3, 2012 by Michelle

Anyone who knows our family, knows that horses are an integral part of our lives, especially Emily’s. As such, we are embarking on a very exciting journey – we are adopting a horse from the SPCA.

Child’s Bride is a lovely young mare who has been off the track for about five months and is looking for a new home. And she’s found it … the Longmans! We’ve nicknamed her Chilly.

However, acquiring a horse, even from the SPCA, is expensive so we have put together a fund-raising exercise … and would ask you kindly for your help should you be in the position to assist. We are raffling off some wonderful prizes viz. a Makita Impact Driver and a number of Avon Product Hampers. Prizes range between R200 and R800!

Tickets are R50 each and payments can be made directly into the bank account below … your name on the deposit will secure raffle tickets for you! The draw for this particular raffle will take place on Sunday, 29 April at 16h00. All contributors are welcome to join us at our home, 12 Glen Avon – Pinelands, for a glass of bubbly [we’ll make sure it’s “Chilly” … ha, ha] at 16h00 for the draw and handing over of prizes.

Bank Account Details
Nedbank Savings Account
E.R.J. Longman
Pinelands Branch
2047061350

We thank you for your help, support and love as we embark on this new phase of our lives. It’s exciting, to say the least, if not rather daunting!

With the warmest of regards
Andy, Michelle and Emily Longman
and Carla and Storm, of course!