I don't know where to start, because it has been such a tough day today, but such a good week overall. I am emotionally spent right now, so am feeling quite sad about things, when I shouldn't be, as Arley had one of his best weeks in a long while.
It was his turn to do a Daddy day this past weekend, so Jeffrey took him to the duck park at Burrill, and then for a milkshake, and then to the fig tree park at Milton. You can see by the photos below how happy he was, and how calm. He just loves the time spent with his dad. In fact, both kids do. Carmie adores her father, and she is very much looking forward to her day with him this weekend. When they were at the park, Carmie and I went in to town to get her ears pierced! She was all set, chose her earrings, was in the chair with little marker dots on her ears, earrings were in the guns, guns were at her ears...and she looked petrified. I asked her if she still wanted to do it, and she totally chickened out! So, we have to save the earrings for when she gets braver.
We had a park day with friends on Sunday. It was a really lovely day at Mollymook, with perfect weather and lots of kids to play with. The kids all got on well with no disasters, and Carmie and Arley really enjoyed themselves.
As part of my own health effort, I have started walking on Mollymook beach every morning, before breakfast. On my third morning, Arley was awake and insisted on joining me. I was kind of bummed because I wanted some much-needed alone time. However, it turned out great - he had so much fun and it was really pleasant spending the time with him. The next day, we brought Carmie with us, and we walked the whole length of the beach and back. Carmie was soaked and ended up in her underwear (so typical!). We got home hungry and tired, and then Arley had his best day ever. Literally. He was so calm, self-reliant, kind, happy, focused...and it lasted all day. I could not believe it. He has never not needed me, needed cuddles, complained, annoyed, hurt etc etc, at least once. But on Tuesday, after our long walk, he was just amazing. The problem is we haven't been able to do it again, because that night he had a sleepover at his grandparents', and this morning it was raining. The other bonus is that he has to wear shorts and sandals down there, and take his shoes off for the walk, and all three things are such big hurdles for him. It makes him wear sandals and shorts for the rest of the day, and that is such a feat!
Arley was put outside three times this week for hitting, and it was all in one day, so our new tactic is definitely working. He had such a lovely morning today too. And then we went to playgroup, and the weather was still dreary. Arley wanted to play hide and seek, but the other kids didn't want to, and he doesn't quite know how to play open-ended games or free-play, so he got a little disregulated. Finally they all started running around outside, and he was all smiles...until he was playing chase, right after Carmie who darted around this angled pole, and he ran right into it. Smashed his cheekbone. It sounded dreadful, and he went into a crazy rage. He was trying to hit Carmie with a chair, and they had to lock him outside with me until he calmed down and stopped calling everyone idiots. I felt so bad for him, and he wouldn't let me help him. He was in so much pain, and he was so very angry. It put him in a bad place for most of the afternoon - quite volatile, and he had an episode with his dad at dinner tonight. It was awful. Jeffrey doesn't go through all the therapy with me, so his reactions are different, and Arley just doesn't understand them. It is really tough.
Anyway, I have hardly any photos of Carmie this week. She has been an angel, of course. She even has started doing a little writing, and lots of drawing. I am actually impressed by some of her drawings this week, and of course that makes me totally happy. She is very helpful around the house too, and even made her dad scrambled eggs for lunch today, for when he popped in from work. She is very affected by her brother, I really feel for her sometimes. Thank goodness she is such a happy sweet little thing.
No comments:
Post a Comment