We also decided to give Judo a try this week, as we are trying to find a sport the kids love (besides swimming), as well as a place for Arley to get his frustration out. When we got there, it took six or seven attempts just to get Arley in the front door. Carmie was also nervous. I sat down on the mat with them, but then as soon as the class started, Arley bailed. He wasn't sure how to bow, and got nervous and then he told me it was too loud, and asked for his headphones. He sat out the class. Carmie braved it, even though she can't somersault to save her life (which is what they were doing), and then she hurt her finger and bailed the class too! Dismal failure. And in watching the rest of the class, I have realised that it is too physical for Arley, so we are going to try karate next.
This week we got to Mollymook beach for a play and a bit of a rock climb. It is so lovely, as the weather is amazing and there is just no one on the beach during the week. We also went to a playgroup up at St. Mary's school, as little Jemma goes there, and she wanted Arley to come. They have a big bouncy pillow there, so Carmie was happy enough, and then she sat in the shade and read her book while Arley had a good play. Afterwards I took the kids to see Ulladulla lighthouse, because I realised they had only ever seen a lighthouse in their Roblox computer game, which is just silly as there is one right down the road! And then after that, we had little Jemma over for an afternoon play with Arley. Today we met up with our homeschool buddies to play ball games at the basketball court at Mollymook beach. The kids had so much fun running around and getting their energy out. Arley wandered off for a bit on his own, and got extremely frustrated when he couldn't hit the ball with a tennis racket, but we got through it. Carmie was smiling and laughing the whole morning. After playing, I took the kids to their dental appointment, and both were rock stars. Arley's front teeth are going grey and have cracks in them, from when Carmie hit him in the mouth with the car door. And he is going to need a palette expander in a few years, which I am sure he won't be thrilled about. But for now, their teeth are clean and cavity free.
This afternoon Carmie asked to do a lesson about volcanoes, so I sat down with the kids to draw a volcano with them, with the intention of labelling the different parts. Carmie just took off on her own and did an 'artistic version', while Arley sat with me and drew a volcano! I had to put the pencil in his hand, but then he very patiently copied what I was doing. I couldn't believe it! This is from the boy who can barely draw a circle. I literally went into the study on my own so he wouldn't see me trying not to cry. It sounds so silly, but it is such a big achievement. And he is also starting to learn to read. He has been able to read simple words like cat and dog for about a year, but suddenly he wants to do it, and keeps asking me what things say. And Carmie, well she just finished her 201st novel, and this doesn't include all the books she has read two, three and four times. Champion!
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