My Mum the First Aider!

Superman had the pleasure of taking the children to school this morning as he had a Govenor meeting. He went to the gym early and arrived home at 7.45am. I started to get Boy Wonder and Cat Girl up. I thought I would just make a start, do the medication, Cat Girl's bandage and then Superman could take over but by the time he returned they were practically up and sorted. Why can't it be like that every day?! I left at 8am to go to work, leaving them to get on with it.

Superman was also on pick up from school duty so I didn't see them until I returned from work. Boy Wonder had got a splinter in his hand at school and had been very worried about it. The teacher had volunteered to get it out for him but he stated that 'My mum is a qualified first aides,  she will know what to do?!' Such faith !

This evening I took Boy Wonder to his last show and he was very excitable. Once on stage he managed to contain it in most part and did really well. They will be singing the songs again at the Carol concert next month. Boy Wonder was the Toy Maker and sang elements of the song as a solo.  The older girl singing other parts of the song got her lines right tonight which was a relief ! Not because anyone noticed the prsvious night but because Boy Wonder pointed out her what mistakes she had made and what she should have said!

We stayed behind after the show for the disco and to see Super Gran and co who had been to watch.  They said that they enjoyed it and that he did well . Boy Wonder spent the next half an hour racing around before we left for home.

Boy Wonder settled down with his DS when we got home. Cat Girl was already asleep.

Sozzled on Sherry!

A morning much like every other school morning except a very tired Cat Girl made double the work. Shouldn't complain though as she is usually fairly easy! Boy Wonder required a firm tone to try and get him to settle down but as always this is in vain except for he fact that it makes me feel a bit better!!

The school day started off in 'wild child' mode but they managed to rein him in eventually. When I picked them up however, Boy Wonder was angry. He told me that he is missing the school football match because of silly dance and silly show! I explained that we had spoken about this and I thought he understood? He said that he did but wasn't happy because the boys would laugh at him for dancing.

I spoke to Boy Wonder about dance not being a girl thing and that you have to be very fit to dance. I went on to explain to him that on Strictly Come Dancing that he watches, footballers and rugby players dance and that they wouldn't be picked on! I finally said that if he makes it to the West End he would be the one laughing then! Yes okay so I went into a rant but it would be heartbreaking for him to give up because of  what he thinks other boys might think. Anyway by the time I had done he was smiling and raring to go.

He did well at dance today and is ready for his tap and theatre craft exams on Sunday. We then went over to the cousins for an hour before going to his performance. They played Mine Craft whilst Cat Girl and little cousin played 'holidays!'

We left just before 7pm and drove over to the theatre. He practised his lines and then stopped and looked confused. I asked him what was the matter and he said that he didnt know what 'sozzled' meant. this was one of his words that he has to say. I explained that it meant drunk. ' Oh that makes sense then!' he said 'What is Sherry?' It took a while but we got there!  Boy Wonder got ready and we went to sit down. I know that I am biased but he was fabulous. He sang loud and clear and put everything into it. They were all fabulous and most of the audience were teary eyed! Afterwards everyone stayed for coffee/ wine and mince pies whilst the kids danced to a mini disco.

We left just after 8.30 and got the kids home to settle down. Boy Wonder did his usual 'who forgot what line'  list but told me not to worry as he had told them! With his usual 'tact' I hope!

Boy Wonder and Cat Girl had half an hour with their Ds's before going to sleep.

A funny old night!!

Both seemed tired and reluctant to get up this morning, even the kittens were failing to rouse them! Eventually we got there and after showering and dressing Boy Wonder as he was unable to focus for long enough to do it himself; we went down for breakfast. After a lot more 'all over the placeness' we left for school.

At school we handed Cat Girl's party invites to her teacher to check that we hadn't missed anyone ( she told me later that we had missed 3!) and then went to see Boy Wonder's teacher to check in.

I picked them up after school and Boy Wonder seemed on edge. He put his leg out in front of Cat Girl as she was running towards the steps. I stopped him just in time, that could have been nasty. I asked Boy Wonder why he did it and he said that he needed to stop her as she shouldn't be running. I explained to him what could have happened and that he could have really hurt her. He said that he didn't mean to hurt her, just stop her.

We drove straight to Ju Jitsu via MacDonalds and ate Happy Meals in the car before dropping Cat Girl off. It was a slight change in routine today as I was going to stay with Boy Wonder to support during the dress rehearsal for the Christmas show.  Whilst in the car I asked Boy Winder about his day and if any of his friends had been upset ( a tip off I received!) He told me that two of his friends had fell out and were not nice to each other. He was clear that he wasn't involved but didn't know how to deal with it. This  would explain the tetchy mood. I reassured him that tomorrow is a different day and that I am sure it will be forgotten ( maybe.)

Boy Wonder got ready for the show once we got there and all in all it went very well. They are certainly a talented bunch of children and teachers. After the dress rehearsal we came home and settled down.

Boy Wonder sat down with his DS and Cat Girl went to get her pjs on. She then started to throw a massive paddy about onsies being too hot and pjs being too cold! This went on forever and she screamed, banged on the floor, shouted ...... Boy Wonder was shocked by such behaviour! 'Whatever is the matter with her?' He said. I explained the hot, cold problem to him and he said ' What else is there to put on?' Exactly my point!! I explained to Boy Wonder that she is probably just tired and he thought this was odd ' Why doesn't she just go to bed then ?' Such a simple solution !

After about half an hour Cat Girl calmed down, she chose the original pjs and settled into bed and I read her the same book I read her every night. She was soon asleep.

Boy Wonder took longer to settle but at about 10pm all went quiet and Super Man found him on the landing wrapped in a blanket. He moved him off to bed and eventually he fell to sleep.

Tummy ache and sore thumb!

A morning of the usual madness with the added extra of bandaging Cat Girl's hand and reassuring Boy Wonder that she is okay really!! We arrived at school and got them sorted , explaining to Cat Girl and her teacher that when washing her hands there really was no need to wash her bandage!

Boy Wonder stayed after school for science club and Cat Girl for after school club. His teacher reported that he had been complaining of tummy ache most of the afternoon but it appeared to be more anxiety lead than actual illness. There had been a change to the class schedule to Include carol practice. It may have contributed to him feeling anxious.

We went straight to piano after the clubs which went well. Boy Wonder then got ready for his Ju Jitsu grading which was being held in class time due to Sensi not being available at the weekend. Boy Wonder did really well and put a lot of effort in to his demonstrations. He is now a green belt with black stripe. We made our apologies for Boy Wonder not being able to attend for the rest of the week due to his Christmas performance at his drama club. We also asked if Cat Girl can attend with a bruised thumb, which they agreed would be okay but they would restrict some activities if necessary.

We arrived home about 8pm and settled Boy Wonder and Cat Girl down for bed. Both looked really tired tonight so hopefully they will sleep! Boy Wonder didn't complain further about tummy ache although did acknowledge that he had it earlier in the afternoon.

A meeting of some progress

Superman joined me in the school morning routine today as we had a school meeting first thing. He prepared Boy Wonder yesterday with how it will ' work' in the morning but oh how it didn't!! Superman isn't at all nieve about how difficult it can be to keep Boy Wonder on task but he was quite surprised how difficult he can be under a time constraint.

We arrived at school and I spoke with Cat Girl's teacher about her thumb and how unsettled Boy Wonder is about it and to keep an eye on them. Superman had the same conversation with Boy Wonder's teacher.

We met with the head, senco( and teacher ) and inclusion officer today to discuss the note in lieu. We didn't hold out too much hope regarding this meeting but were pleasantly surprised in most part. For the first time the Inclusion Officer used the word 'Autism' and Boy Wonder in the same sentence! She did attempt to quote text book delivery of anxiety management to us which didn't go down to well as I tried to explain to her that anxiety management for individuals with autism is totally different than anxiety management in isolation. She responded by asking how I knew that to which I replied ' because I live with him!' Maybe not the best response but it certainly made my point.  The actions agreed were that they would support the O.T assessment / report ( now that we had made it clear that the O.T is a specialist in autism and sensory integration within schools , not just someone we dragged off the street !) and work with its recommendations along with the Autism advisor and ed psych. Additionally they agreed to additional 1:1 time in the afternoon to discuss emotional and social anxieties and to put in a quiet time at the end of the day to remove him from the end of school  'madness.'  The autism advisor will also be contacted to support with transference of skills within school and to input into the O .T assessment.  In return we agreed to have the next review in January and hold back on taking the note in lieu to appeal until the school had the opportunity to address everything discussed. We will make a final decision here a couple of weeks before the deadline based on the progress made.

The rest of the day was fairly non eventful. Boy Wonder enjoyed his art therapy and double football. The local team training seems to be a lot more structured and suitable for his needs than it once was.

Cat Girl is now sporting a very bruised, fat thumb which is bothering her quite a bit.  Boy Wonder had been over the top with his concern and ' looking after her.'

Both went to bed quite early tonight, however Boy Wonder became quite panicky over noises that he could hear, thinking they were burglars. He finally got to sleep at 10.15pm.

Treasure Trail Fun

We decided on a treasure hunt today to give Superman an opportunity to take out his car and to get some fresh air. The treasure hunt was an online Company where you find the one you want to do and then pay a nominal fee. They then send you it in a download or through the post if you prefer.

We aimed to get up and out for 10am but it was more like 10.30am by time we got in the car. Boy Wonder struggled with the concept of the treasure hunt and asked countless questions like ' what if someone else takes the clues before us?' ' how many people will be there?'how do you know it will only be us?' We tried to explain to him that it wasn't quite like other treasure hunts that we had done.

Cat Girl was only bothered about whether or not there would be chocolate at the end! We got there and didn't really know what to expect or even if the kids would get it. However, the whole thing was fabulous. Boy Wonder really got into it once he visualised it and Cat Girl got quite a few of the clues. We walked around the fabulous village of Ashton in The Water and found the answers to the clues etched on old stone buildings and bridges. This was combined with a few snippets of local history which even made skulking around a grave yard interesting! Part way through we stopped off at the village shop for cake and sausage rolls and then went there again at the end for a sweetie reward! We submitted our answer to where the treasure was buried on line and got it right! We have now been entered into a prize draw to win £1000.00 but won't be holding our breath!

We arrived home about 1.30pm and started to prepare dinner for sister and family visiting. We had a lovely afternoon that consisted  of the children playing nicely, Boy Wonder and big cousin mainly playing on Minecraft  and listening to music and Cat Girl and little cousin playing teddy bears picnic and dolls house. We had dinner and chatted, lit the log burner to cosy up from the wintry weather outside and had a drink. The evening resulted in little cousin banging her head a couple of times and Cat Girl jarring her thumb.

We started to settle the children down for bed after our visitors left and noticed that Cat Girl's thumb was becoming quite swollen and she had limited movement. We put an ice pack on it but after 20 minutes it still looked like it was swelling further. Superman, to be on the safe side took her down to the hospital to be checked out. I settled Boy Wonder into bed but he became distressed about Cat Girl , saying that he was very worried. He had picked his mouse mat up that has a picture of himself and Cat Girl on it and took it to bed with him. I reassured him that she is fine and would be home soon.

Cat Girl returned from hospital at 10pm with a badly bruised/ swollen thumb. No fracture luckily so that's a relief. I told Boy Wonder the news who was clearly relieved but then became preoccupied with the detail of bandages and what it would look like! We spoke about it at length and he then went back to reading his book.  Tired grumpy children in the morning I think!

A quiet day....

A struggle to get up this morning as Boy Wonder was tired. He had a steady morning resting whilst Cat Girl and I went to her Ju Jitsu grading and then shopping.

Cat Girl did really well at her grading, receiving an anti bullying badge and then demonstrated a kata and a side break fall sliding kick. Her confidence has really come on which is great.

Boy Wonder went out this afternoon to the fire engine museum with his worker and seemed to enjoy it. He also went to Pizza Hut which he liked. In the meantime,Cat Girl and I went shopping for dolls house dolls and Super Man went to fetch his new car. A busy afternoon!

Cat Girl and I arrived home first and then Superman with the car ( that has gears!) and we took it a little drive. I am not used to cars that don't drive themselves anymore, needless to say, Superman was very on edge as I kept forgetting to change gear!

Boy Wonder returned from his trip and we were told that he had fun and he agreed to this statement, however spoke no more about it ! The rest of the evening he was quiet, a little argumentative if things weren't quite right but generally settled.

Grandparents visited, Dr Who was watched and he went off to bed to read. When we came up to bed at 10.30 he was asleep , result!! Don't want to speak too soon but maybe things are starting to settle for him.