We enjoyed a nice peaceful end of week here and I'm delighted to say I think the tide is finally turning. It's been a really rough transition in to Spring this year. I'd like to say it improves year on year, as my understanding increases, but in reality I don't think it does. I react less, I shout less, I take it personally less but it doesn't overwhelm me any less, it doesn't bring me to my knees any less, it doesn't make me want to walk away any less..... There have been some particular lows this spring, by far not the worst we've ever seen, but hopefully enough this year to persuade the powers that be to finally do a formal assessment on DD. I'll keep you posted about that.
On the plus side, we've had less sibling fights that usual, less door slamming and outbursts of rage/ meltdowns/ no lip chewing/ hair pulling/ nail biting, no refusing to eat, occasional night terrors but not all night every night, not itching her skin until it is utterly raw but best of all no nosebleeds! (Either through distress or through hayfever she violently rubs her nose until it bleeds - alot - so we historically have lots of nosebleeds at this time of year. She was often sent home from school with them as they were so severe). But this year, without school to content with, it has still been a turbulent ride and heartbreaking to watch her suffer with, but immeasurably improved upon in that regard.
And this week we've had a huge improved attitude toward learning, and toward instruction in general.
On Wednesday we had the dentists. Just a regular check up. Luckily our dentist is way supportive of Home Ed and the fact the children both have special needs and it is amazing how much more settled they are going there now. DS likes to go first as he is anxious about it. DD accepts that now, doesn't make a fuss and nicely waits her turn. The dental nurse had pre-selected stickers for them, so as not to cause stress and anxiety by offering them a rushed choice. And then the dentist was happy for DS to stand unnaturally close while she did me - she was much more relaxed about it which meant he didn't act unpredictably. Hurrah! Oh, and the dentist was so pleased with how clean their teeth were she assumed I was still doing it! (I'm not, so that was really nice to hear :-) )
We went in to tow afterwards and treated ourselves to a naughty but nice chippy lunch! We then had a look round the charity shops (fab for HE resources & bargains in general) and I found some unused Usbourne spotters guides which I snapped up - including Weather and Shells, so we'll enjoy using those when we go on holiday in just over a week's time.
It was Beavers in the evening with DS is finding it harder and harder to manage, although my DH does accompany him every week, he stays for less and less time. He is holding on at the moment because he wants to go up to Cubs, he thinks that may be better. We'll see.... :-/
Thursday was rock climbing this week and I was told by another child in the group, completely independently (and rather randomly!) that DD & DS had a good climbing session today! That did make me laugh! A very tactful way of saying - DD didn't fidget/ annoy/ distract too much and DS didn't have a meltdown! Good to know :-)
Friday we just had a nice 'at home' day - the kids were both in great moods, self motivated and happy. DD painted - including a lovely Roman soldier for her Matchbox Swap this month (we belong to a group of Home Educators who swap a matchbox full of resources/info on a chosen subject each month - this month it's Romans).
She also made a mosaic picture, which she has drawn and coloured herself, of a Roman soldiers helmet and sword, and is going to scan on the computer to make a mosaic jigsaw :-)
And DS has even joined in, and (voluntarily!) made and labelled a picture of a Roman soldier too.
DS painted some of his Warhammer figures, and then packed them all away beautifully and decided he was in a making mood :-)
He made some homes out of boxes and old plant pots, decorated and lined with soil, shelter and leaves and set about for an afternoon of bug hunting :-) He stumble across some ants under a patio slab and watched fascinated as they scrambled to move their eggs - some of them must have been virtually ready to hatch as you could see the larvae moving inside. He found lots of woodlice, millipedes and various grubs. But the Star Find (if you can call it that!) was a ginormous leech! Heaven only knows what he was doing in our garden but he had found his way into a large puddle. He was about 15 centimeters long and fascinating to watch (if a bit 'eeeek'-y!). We got our nature books at and looked him up, and learnt all about leeches :-)
Not wanting to leave him there, we captured him in a jar and called the wildlife service who said it was fine to take him to our local public pond and release him there. It was a fascinating find, but one that I hope isn't soon repeated!!
Inspired by DS's earlier creating, DD decided to make a steam boat with funnels for her toys to have rides in :-) Initially this cause a massive meltdown (by DD) as I made a suggestion to use a different box (the one pictured, interestingly enough). This of course caused an epic outburst and barage of abuse from She Who Shalt Not Be Questioned :-) :-)
After a nice calm talk, and (yet another explanation) that I was simply offering her a bigger box she decamped to her room for 10 minutes stropping and hating me. After another talk, a bit of a tickle and her "getting the common sense" (as she called it! Brilliant!) it was back to action stations and she made her fabulous Steam Liner :-) Then outside she cleverly (and safely! Yay!) attached it to DS's skateboard, put her skates on and took them on a tour around the world (aka garden!) :-)
Such lovely, simple, positive ways to end the week.
And a lovely chilled weekend for me as Daddy took them swimming yesterday morning, and cinema club today :-) I can't remember the last time I had the house to myself for anything more than 5 minutes and it is such a treat! I've given the bedroom a bit of a spring clean and done the kids washing but other than that I am ignoring the house work, reading my book and watching TV with swear words! Bliss :-)
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