Scratch the comment on yesterday's blog about Boy Wonder settling. He didn't! After a brief cat nap downstairs he went upstairs and spent the next three hours pacing, jumping about and eventually ended up on his futon matteress on our bedroom floor. At 3am all was finally quiet!
The last couple of days has made us question out judgement yet again. Boy Wonder made such a fuss about wanting his bedroom decorated in Barcelona FC colours that we made a start whilst Superman is still on holiday. He has remained very excited about it and we are confident that it will be a good idea once he is used to it. However, the change had disturbed his sleep more so, he seems unsettled by it and is complaining of tummy ache. It is a hard call to know whether to go with what he verbalises or to constantly remain cautious about change and therefore end up with more grey areas. Those of you with HFA kids will know what I am waffling on about!
I went to work fairly early this morning, Super Gran and Biker Gramps took a brighter Cat Girl shopping and Superman and Boy Wonder continued decorating. I rang at lunch time and the boys were 'getting there slowly' Super Gran sent a couple of photos of their shopping trip where Cat Girl purchased lots of wall stickers, pjs, the must have school shoes ( she is 5!) and a plastic box with kittens on. They said that they got very wet in the rain but this didn't seem to hinder their shopping any :-)!
I arrived home at around tea time. Superman was still painting stripes and Boy Wonder and Cat Girl were playing on their tablets in the lounge. Cat Girl and I put some is the stickers on her bedroom walls. The hearts, flowers, butterflies sets were spread around the room until every last one was used. Lots of stickers!!
This evening we settled down upstairs on our bedroom floor as his bedroom floor . He read his dolphin book from I ear to cover, appearing a little settled this morning. We spoke about the planning of tomorrow which will include a few children that he doesn't know very well. Boy Wonder stated this this was acceptable.
Monday, 30 December 2013
Sunday, 29 December 2013
Lets get to Work!
There is something about our family which means that ideas turn into plans which turn into action pretty much immediately. Is it because we have spent years avoiding grey areas? Grey areas cause anticipation, 'what if' worries and anxiety. We don't need that and Boy Wonder certainly doesn't so the best solution is crack on!
With this in mind, after a morning of further decluttering we headed off to the DIY store for paint to decorate Boy Wonder's bedroom and heart and flower stickers for Cat Girl's bedroom. We took Boy Wonder's Barcelona shirt to match the colours. Boy Wonder then asked when the decorating could start and what began as a job for next weekend quickly became negotiated to become an immediate start! The shop didn't have any stickers for Cat Girl's room which was surprising but we picked up a light for the lounge and Boy Wonder's paint which needed to be mixed by scanning his shirt, he found this fascinating.
We arrived home and whilst I took Cat Girl to a party, Superman made a start on Boy Wonder's bedroom, filling in the many little holes that Boy Wonder had picked at over the last couple of years and measuring out the stripes. When we got back, Boy Wonder was sat downstairs in the semi darkness, watching TV. I went up to Superman who had made great progress. He said that Boy Wonder had been really quiet and hadn't moved each time he had checked on him.
A little later Boy Wonder came upstairs and Superman gave him a paint brush so that he could help. He had the job of painting the stripes and used a steady hand, really concentrating on his work. You could see that he was using everything that he had to focus on the job in hand. After the initial stripe work was complete they tidied up and we had tea. Boy Wonder will carry on with Superman tomorrow whilst Cat Girl goes shopping with Super Gran and Biker Gramps to try again to find some stickers for her bedroom.
As Boy Wonder was settling down tonight, I asked him if he was feeling okay? Yes, he said. I asked him if anything hurt and he said that he had tummy ache which had been hurting him for the last two days. I asked him why he hadn't told me before and he said I didn't ask! I asked Boy Wonder if he was worried about anything and he said no.
Later on Boy Wonder came downstairs and said that he needed to tell me something. He explained that he couldn't sleep as he was worried about dying in his sleep. I asked him why and he said that his group guided reading book at school was a diary of a man who died in his sleep and that this had worried him for a long time. I reassured Boy Wonder that this wouldn't happen to him as he was young, fit and healthy. Boy Wonder said that he knew this but was still very worried. He settled down on my lap, I gave him a hug and he fell asleep after a short while.
With this in mind, after a morning of further decluttering we headed off to the DIY store for paint to decorate Boy Wonder's bedroom and heart and flower stickers for Cat Girl's bedroom. We took Boy Wonder's Barcelona shirt to match the colours. Boy Wonder then asked when the decorating could start and what began as a job for next weekend quickly became negotiated to become an immediate start! The shop didn't have any stickers for Cat Girl's room which was surprising but we picked up a light for the lounge and Boy Wonder's paint which needed to be mixed by scanning his shirt, he found this fascinating.
We arrived home and whilst I took Cat Girl to a party, Superman made a start on Boy Wonder's bedroom, filling in the many little holes that Boy Wonder had picked at over the last couple of years and measuring out the stripes. When we got back, Boy Wonder was sat downstairs in the semi darkness, watching TV. I went up to Superman who had made great progress. He said that Boy Wonder had been really quiet and hadn't moved each time he had checked on him.
A little later Boy Wonder came upstairs and Superman gave him a paint brush so that he could help. He had the job of painting the stripes and used a steady hand, really concentrating on his work. You could see that he was using everything that he had to focus on the job in hand. After the initial stripe work was complete they tidied up and we had tea. Boy Wonder will carry on with Superman tomorrow whilst Cat Girl goes shopping with Super Gran and Biker Gramps to try again to find some stickers for her bedroom.
As Boy Wonder was settling down tonight, I asked him if he was feeling okay? Yes, he said. I asked him if anything hurt and he said that he had tummy ache which had been hurting him for the last two days. I asked him why he hadn't told me before and he said I didn't ask! I asked Boy Wonder if he was worried about anything and he said no.
Later on Boy Wonder came downstairs and said that he needed to tell me something. He explained that he couldn't sleep as he was worried about dying in his sleep. I asked him why and he said that his group guided reading book at school was a diary of a man who died in his sleep and that this had worried him for a long time. I reassured Boy Wonder that this wouldn't happen to him as he was young, fit and healthy. Boy Wonder said that he knew this but was still very worried. He settled down on my lap, I gave him a hug and he fell asleep after a short while.
Saturday, 28 December 2013
Tidying Day
After Home Alone finished last night we went to bed. I must have fallen asleep quickly as when Superman returned home Boy Wonder was in our bed and had to be taken back to his own. I didnt remember him getting into the bed at all.
This morning we embarked on the mammoth task of the post Christmas tidy. This was sweetened by the promise of heart and flower stickers for Cat Girl's bedroom walls and the re painting of Boy Wonder's walls in the colour of Barcelona F.C strip. We started downstairs, sorting Christmas presents. However every cupboard / drawer we came to needed tidying so this took a lot longer than we thought!
Just into the mass tidy we were visited by Super Gran, Nan and Auntie and Uncle. Boy Wonder gave Nan her Christmas present of chocolate and sweets. We had a coffee and Brandy with Christmas cake and chatted. Cat Girl chatted along and Boy Wonder sat at the table with his earphones in. Well at least he was sat with us.
After lunch we continued with the tidy minus two children who were now running around the house with the neighbours children! Cat Girl played nicely with her friend, mainly in the garden. Boy Wonder did okay, however there were a fair few fallings out due mainly to Boy Wonder 's direct words, oh and shooting one of the boys in the eye with a nerf gun! Superman returned the children to their homes and we had tea.
Boy Wonder and Superman watched the Christmas Dr Who after tea whilst Cat Girl flitted about and I continued to tidy her bedroom. This was a task and a half and took hours. Messy little monkey!
The boys then watched Atlantis and I settled Cat Girl down with biscuits and a drink. Boy Wonder then went up to his bedroom to read.
This morning we embarked on the mammoth task of the post Christmas tidy. This was sweetened by the promise of heart and flower stickers for Cat Girl's bedroom walls and the re painting of Boy Wonder's walls in the colour of Barcelona F.C strip. We started downstairs, sorting Christmas presents. However every cupboard / drawer we came to needed tidying so this took a lot longer than we thought!
Just into the mass tidy we were visited by Super Gran, Nan and Auntie and Uncle. Boy Wonder gave Nan her Christmas present of chocolate and sweets. We had a coffee and Brandy with Christmas cake and chatted. Cat Girl chatted along and Boy Wonder sat at the table with his earphones in. Well at least he was sat with us.
After lunch we continued with the tidy minus two children who were now running around the house with the neighbours children! Cat Girl played nicely with her friend, mainly in the garden. Boy Wonder did okay, however there were a fair few fallings out due mainly to Boy Wonder 's direct words, oh and shooting one of the boys in the eye with a nerf gun! Superman returned the children to their homes and we had tea.
Boy Wonder and Superman watched the Christmas Dr Who after tea whilst Cat Girl flitted about and I continued to tidy her bedroom. This was a task and a half and took hours. Messy little monkey!
The boys then watched Atlantis and I settled Cat Girl down with biscuits and a drink. Boy Wonder then went up to his bedroom to read.
Friday, 27 December 2013
Winding Down.
Another late night meant a late morning. Superman and the children were left to their own devices as I went off to work.
They spent the morning around the house, Cat Girl playing with her Christmas toys and Boy Wonder played with his remote control car. After lunch they went out to the park with their scooters. They played for a while, Boy Wonder played football with a boy from school who was also at the park. Superman said that it was very cold and windy so after a while they left to come home.
When I arrived home we went out to the furniture shop as planned. Boy Wonder loves this shop as it smells of 'fresh wood' as he calls it. We ordered what we needed for our bedroom and got a courtesy bottle of leather cleaner for the dining room chairs that we had the previous year! How generous :-)
We went on to Matlock Bath and took the children to the arcade and then the chip shop. Boy Wonder played on the motor bike racing and then the air hockey. We attempted to teach him about the 2p machines and that you put money in and then all the rest that you won in so that you were left with nothing. He didn't get that! Cat Girl played on a pink ambulance racing game and then had a ride on Scoot from Bob The Builder.
After a chippy tea we headed home and settled down. Superman said that Boy Wonder had seemed subdued today. We thought this may be post Christmas blues after all the anxiety and build up. Superman engaged him for a short while in his Top Gear books before bed.
It wasn 't long before Boy Wonder was back downstairs saying that he was feeling unwell but didn't know why. We found something to watch, Home Alone and he settled down on my lap. An advert came on for American Football. Boy Wonder explained that the Americans play football like that as they are afraid of getting hurt, not like English footballers! Bless him!
We stoked the fire and ate Christmas cake whilst Superman went out for a belated Christmas drink with his brother and Cat Girl slept.
They spent the morning around the house, Cat Girl playing with her Christmas toys and Boy Wonder played with his remote control car. After lunch they went out to the park with their scooters. They played for a while, Boy Wonder played football with a boy from school who was also at the park. Superman said that it was very cold and windy so after a while they left to come home.
When I arrived home we went out to the furniture shop as planned. Boy Wonder loves this shop as it smells of 'fresh wood' as he calls it. We ordered what we needed for our bedroom and got a courtesy bottle of leather cleaner for the dining room chairs that we had the previous year! How generous :-)
We went on to Matlock Bath and took the children to the arcade and then the chip shop. Boy Wonder played on the motor bike racing and then the air hockey. We attempted to teach him about the 2p machines and that you put money in and then all the rest that you won in so that you were left with nothing. He didn't get that! Cat Girl played on a pink ambulance racing game and then had a ride on Scoot from Bob The Builder.
After a chippy tea we headed home and settled down. Superman said that Boy Wonder had seemed subdued today. We thought this may be post Christmas blues after all the anxiety and build up. Superman engaged him for a short while in his Top Gear books before bed.
It wasn 't long before Boy Wonder was back downstairs saying that he was feeling unwell but didn't know why. We found something to watch, Home Alone and he settled down on my lap. An advert came on for American Football. Boy Wonder explained that the Americans play football like that as they are afraid of getting hurt, not like English footballers! Bless him!
We stoked the fire and ate Christmas cake whilst Superman went out for a belated Christmas drink with his brother and Cat Girl slept.
Thursday, 26 December 2013
Boxing Day
I got up at 5am, picked up Super Gran and her accomplice and went to the Next sale. This is the only decent sale of the year and is usually highly entertaining into the bargain! We arrived half an hour before it opened and was met with a very, very long queue. Thank goodness Boy Wonder was still on bed! The staff were very organised and strict with the queuing system which prevented the scuffles witnessed in previous years. A lady with a stick walked the length of the queue and back to the doors twice before telling the staff she was disabled and couldn't stand in the queue. They let her in as per their protocol and I later saw her laden with bags in both hands, stick gone and sifting through the clothes. I know how it feels to be judged by others as far as disabilities are concerned but I think this lady was taking liberties somewhat! We picked up a few good deals and headed home.
On arrival home the house was quiet and all were still asleep. I tidied up, sorted the animals and then made breakfast. Boy Wonder was last to surface but appeared to be quite settled. They all looked through their clothes that I had bought and every item was 'liked.' I'm getting better!!
After breakfast Boy Wonder and I played Cluedo. Once I had explained the rules to him, he picked it up quickly and beat me. We set up a second game and I nipped out of the room. I came back and we started. On his first go Boy Wonder guessed correctly. I asked him if he had cheated and he denied it. I asked him again as his look gave away that he had. It took a while for him to admit to it. He then became very upset and ran out of the room. I brought him back in and explained that he has admitted to his cheating so it was okay rather than continuing to lie. He seemed to understand and said sorry. He then went on to win the next game which made him happy.
We watched Star Wars and had a light saber versus sword fight before going to Grandparents for tea with cousins . Boy Wonder and his cousins played on Minecraft for most of the visit. Cat Girl attempted to join in but with my 'help' blew up something she shouldn't and got banned!
Boy Wonder had a fairly settled day and went up to bed at 9pm to read his Minecraft book.
On arrival home the house was quiet and all were still asleep. I tidied up, sorted the animals and then made breakfast. Boy Wonder was last to surface but appeared to be quite settled. They all looked through their clothes that I had bought and every item was 'liked.' I'm getting better!!
After breakfast Boy Wonder and I played Cluedo. Once I had explained the rules to him, he picked it up quickly and beat me. We set up a second game and I nipped out of the room. I came back and we started. On his first go Boy Wonder guessed correctly. I asked him if he had cheated and he denied it. I asked him again as his look gave away that he had. It took a while for him to admit to it. He then became very upset and ran out of the room. I brought him back in and explained that he has admitted to his cheating so it was okay rather than continuing to lie. He seemed to understand and said sorry. He then went on to win the next game which made him happy.
We watched Star Wars and had a light saber versus sword fight before going to Grandparents for tea with cousins . Boy Wonder and his cousins played on Minecraft for most of the visit. Cat Girl attempted to join in but with my 'help' blew up something she shouldn't and got banned!
Boy Wonder had a fairly settled day and went up to bed at 9pm to read his Minecraft book.
Wednesday, 25 December 2013
Christmas Day.
Yay, Christmas morning!! Children up early and very excited ? No! We waited and waited as they slept on. Finally at 8.30am we decided to wake them up and start the day.
Boy Wonder became very excitable, Cat Girl a little more apprehensive . We made our way downstairs to see if Santa had been, checked to see if he had eaten his shortcake and the reindeers their carrot. Yes they had! They moved into the lounge and saw the presents under the tree along with their stockings. ( the stockings cannot go upstairs because Boy Wonder panics about having a strange man in the house.) Usually Boy Wonder is very matter of fact about Christmas but this morning he was very excited which was lovely to see. He was very impressed with his Barcelona football shirt and Raspberry Pi kit. Cat Girl was very happy about her dolls house and tablet too.
Grandparents came over for dinner. It was fairly quiet and lovely. Boy Wonder got out his joke book and did his usual telling of jokes, however he got half way through dinner and said he felt ill and needed to leave the table. He went to sit in the lounge where it was quieter. After dinner we had a look at more presents before getting ready to go to Super Gran's house for tea.
We walked down to the house whilst the children 'heelied' Boy Wonder did really well, Cat Girl needed holding up all the way! We met with family, played party games which were well designed by Super Gran to ensure that all children won. This suited Boy Wonder as he was teetering on the edge today, just a bit too much going on throughout the day, overwhelmed.
The evening went well and as we got up to leave, Boy Wonder did his typical spiel of adults drinking alcohol and being out of control! We managed to convince him that we were fine and started our journey home. We settled down as it was late. A fairly successful day all in all. Merry Christmas everyone xx
Boy Wonder became very excitable, Cat Girl a little more apprehensive . We made our way downstairs to see if Santa had been, checked to see if he had eaten his shortcake and the reindeers their carrot. Yes they had! They moved into the lounge and saw the presents under the tree along with their stockings. ( the stockings cannot go upstairs because Boy Wonder panics about having a strange man in the house.) Usually Boy Wonder is very matter of fact about Christmas but this morning he was very excited which was lovely to see. He was very impressed with his Barcelona football shirt and Raspberry Pi kit. Cat Girl was very happy about her dolls house and tablet too.
Grandparents came over for dinner. It was fairly quiet and lovely. Boy Wonder got out his joke book and did his usual telling of jokes, however he got half way through dinner and said he felt ill and needed to leave the table. He went to sit in the lounge where it was quieter. After dinner we had a look at more presents before getting ready to go to Super Gran's house for tea.
We walked down to the house whilst the children 'heelied' Boy Wonder did really well, Cat Girl needed holding up all the way! We met with family, played party games which were well designed by Super Gran to ensure that all children won. This suited Boy Wonder as he was teetering on the edge today, just a bit too much going on throughout the day, overwhelmed.
The evening went well and as we got up to leave, Boy Wonder did his typical spiel of adults drinking alcohol and being out of control! We managed to convince him that we were fine and started our journey home. We settled down as it was late. A fairly successful day all in all. Merry Christmas everyone xx
Tuesday, 24 December 2013
The Build Up to Christmas
Monday was the first of the Grandparent sitting and the plan was to get an early start so that I could finish a bit earlier. The early start was semi successful but hindered slightly by Cat Girl insisting that I stay until she is ready to leave the house too! Boy Wonder was high and excitable which I was hoping would settle down sooner rather than later.
Football training was canceled today due to strong winds and heavy rain so activities consisted of in house games and making things. Both seemed to enjoy their day.
Cat Girl settled down fairly easily at bedtime but BoyWonder was very awake and not going to be asleep anytime soon. He read his book for what seemed like hours whilst getting up several times fur various things. He finally went quiet about midnight. He will be tired in the morning!
Christmas Eve brought a hyperactive boy with an anxious streak of what ifs? We went through the morning routine in an adhoc and desperate manner, simply because all ability to process had gone out of the window and I was dealing with a child that needed full hands on care to get ready. The excitement of Christmas is reaching full throttle!
The children spent the day with Grandparents, baking and making. Boy Wonder identified his. 'Time out space' for when we visit on Christmas tea time. This was the old faithful shoe cupboard, now tided out and ready to use.
This evening we were visited by cousins which was a few hours of running around and excitement. They played well in most part except for a couple of strategically placed nerf gun bullets by Boy Wonder. He had a wobble early on in the night due to being told off for 'shooting' his sister in the head!
As cousins left for home we sprinkled the reindeer dust, put out the mince pie and brandy and attempted to settle both children down. Cat Girl settled quickly but Boy Wonder was a different story! It's going to be a late one ........Merry Christmas everyone xxxx
Football training was canceled today due to strong winds and heavy rain so activities consisted of in house games and making things. Both seemed to enjoy their day.
Cat Girl settled down fairly easily at bedtime but BoyWonder was very awake and not going to be asleep anytime soon. He read his book for what seemed like hours whilst getting up several times fur various things. He finally went quiet about midnight. He will be tired in the morning!
Christmas Eve brought a hyperactive boy with an anxious streak of what ifs? We went through the morning routine in an adhoc and desperate manner, simply because all ability to process had gone out of the window and I was dealing with a child that needed full hands on care to get ready. The excitement of Christmas is reaching full throttle!
The children spent the day with Grandparents, baking and making. Boy Wonder identified his. 'Time out space' for when we visit on Christmas tea time. This was the old faithful shoe cupboard, now tided out and ready to use.
This evening we were visited by cousins which was a few hours of running around and excitement. They played well in most part except for a couple of strategically placed nerf gun bullets by Boy Wonder. He had a wobble early on in the night due to being told off for 'shooting' his sister in the head!
As cousins left for home we sprinkled the reindeer dust, put out the mince pie and brandy and attempted to settle both children down. Cat Girl settled quickly but Boy Wonder was a different story! It's going to be a late one ........Merry Christmas everyone xxxx
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