It has been a big week, with a few downs but mostly ups. On Friday we met the kids' friend Aska and his Mum at Narrawallee Inlet for a paddle. It was beautiful there, and for the most part, we had the place to ourselves. Carmie and Aska are getting along really well, but poor little Arley felt a little excluded. He has been very sad lately about not having many friends. Jemma has moved away, and he is really feeling her loss, and his other buddies all started school this year so he is feeling quite lonely. In an effort to remedy this, the kids tried out after school care on Friday afternoon. It is held at Ulladulla Public School, and run by three teachers. I didn't like it much, it was very authoritarian and very schooly. Sadly I didn't put the kids in closed-toe shoes, so they were unable to participate in the sports activity. When the school kids had to do their homework, Carmie and Arley sat and read. The teachers were astounded, literally open-mouthed when they saw what the kids were reading. One teacher sat and had a conversation with me about how I 'do it', as in, how do I get them to love reading. She told me that all of the kids in there thought reading was a chore and she had to force them to do it. Another teacher came up and told me that all of the homeschoolers she had met were a different breed, and told me that she would definitely be homeschooling hers when it came to it. Anyway, the kids in there were certainly different from my two. They have decided to go back and try it again, because they want to do the sports activity. I'm not sure how long this will last, but it means I'll get a few hours to myself on Friday afternoons. Also, one of the teachers told me about a lady who teaches Steiner here, who has a five year old boy whom she is homeschooling next year. So, I have tracked her down and we have arranged a playdate for our boys on Tuesday of next week. I'm really happy to have found a potential friend for Arley.
On Saturday we took a spontaneous trip up to Kiama on the train. It was a nice cool day and perfect for an outing. We took the kids to a couple of parks there, took them for the obligatory ice-cream, and then did the walk up to the lighthouse and the blowhole. After that we had dinner at the pub, and caught the train home, all with no dramas! We realised it's all about bringing the kids' kindles with them. Whenever they needed down-time, they read their books. I usually do this for short outings, but it worked so well for an all-day trip. It turned out to be a great day.
Sunday was hot and beautiful so we took the kids to Mollymook Beach, the north end. It wasn't very crowded and the water was beautiful, although once again, too cold for me. The kids had a great play in the ocean and made up a game together. They have been playing together a lot more lately; our play therapy seems to be working.
We also had the care worker Wes come over to play with the kids again. They love having him here, and I do too, as I get two hours to work. Arley is now playing alone a lot more. Our lounge room is permanently littered with toys, but he is really making big breakthroughs, playing like he should have been two years ago.
I took Carmie up to the paediatrician in Nowra on Tuesday, to start an assessment on her. We are just trying to rule things out, because she gets very overwhelmed easily and there are a few other things going on. It's going to be a long process, as I have to find her both a speech therapist and a psychologist, but at least I've got the ball rolling.
The kids are still doing brilliantly at horse riding. Carmie is cantering like a champ, and started learning to jump. Arley has a much better handle on the horse now, but is still getting the hang of trotting. They absolutely love it, and I have organised a family trail ride this weekend with their horse riding instructor. Hopefully it won't get rained out, the forecast isn't good. Today it felt like summer is officially over, it was freezing!
Narrawallee Inlet with Aska
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