We have had a very quiet and stress-free Christmas. It has been really lovely. Jeffrey had a few days off work, and we spent a lot of time together at home with the kids. We didn't go anywhere for Christmas, due to Arley's diet restrictions. I baked the kids yet another cake that they didn't like. On the Saturday before Christmas we had dinner in Mollymook park with my parents. Christmas Eve afternoon was spent at our good friend Mark's house. Before we left, Jeff told the kids they should get dressed up. So, Arley took him literally, and put on his Captain America mask and cape, and wore his outfit the whole time we were there, even through his dinner. We had a good time at Mark's, and we got home in time to get the kids to bed at a decent hour, which was completely pointless because Carmie couldn't sleep and finally passed out at 11pm!
The next morning the kids were up at 5:50, too excited to sleep any longer. To give them credit though, they checked out the tree, and then ran back to their bedrooms to check out their stockings. And then they actually let us sleep until 7! They loved their presents, and were so happy. After the big unwrapping, Lolo and Dida came over for morning tea. In the afternoon I took the kids to the neighbbourhood park for a play. It was a totally mellow day!
Since then we have kind of been laying low, as the town is so full of people. We did take the kids to the carnival that is at the civic centre. It is a pretty small carnival, and it is ridiculously expensive, but the kids loved it. It was Arley's first time at a carnival, and he was so excited. He went on those rides like a champ, which I wouldn't have thought possible before, with his SPD and vertigo/spinning issues. But he loved it, as did Carmie. Other than that, we have mostly been staying home. I think this is the busiest time of year, and after New Year's it will settle down a bit. The kids have been playing on their new climbing frame (thanks Pop!), and Arley has been playing a lot with little Jemma. Today I took the kids to the pool for a swim. Arley's behaviour has been up and down, and today has been a really good day, so I'm thankful for that. This morning we wrote down on a large sheet of paper all of our house rules, to be displayed on the wall. Essentially no hitting, no shouting, no running inside, be helpful etc. Every time someone breaks a rule, the victim gets to tell the offender a chore or task to do. If the offender doesn't do it, they lose iPad time. This morning Arley had to make Carmie's bed, and tidy up the couch (twice), but that was it. Fingers crossed it works! It could potentially cause more problems, but today was good, and I'm taking one day at a time!
Carmie got the first three Pippi Longstocking books for Christmas, and she read all three in two days. And Arley's reading is unbelievable too - he is catching on so fast it's crazy. He is on the same reading trajectory as Carmie, but he has done it in only two months. These kids boggle my mind sometimes!
Dinner at the park.
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