We have had such changeable weather this week, I was sure that spring has arrived early, but now it is freezing and windy. The end of last week was so lovely, the kids and I spent a morning picnicking at Dolphin Point. We had the place to ourselves, barring a few people walking their dogs. Days like that really make us appreciate home schooling. We took the book we are reading aloud, had a climb on the rocks, wrote and drew in the sand, and school work was done for the day. The very next day we did our weekly family exploration of Collers Beach. We feel guilty going to any other beach, because Bella can smell the beach on us, and very obviously wishes she had been there. She loves to play with the other dogs, and she is literally exhausted for the next 24 hours. We love it because Collers has a good many things to discover. Arley likes to find crab and lobster shells and smash them to pieces, and we all like to go fossicking. And for the most part, the kids come home a lot calmer than when they left.
Horse riding was postponed on Monday because the winds were so bad. We had it this morning though, and will again tomorrow. At tennis, the kids are on fire, learning backhand, forehand and smashes. They are really enjoying it. They also went to social skills group, and they left saying how much fun it was, as opposed to three weeks ago when they said they are never going back!
One downer from this week was Arley's anxiety when we went over to their friends Willow and Finn's house. It broke my heart. Arley has a thing about not wanting to take his shoes off, but usually he is fine if he can keep his socks on. This time he wasn't, and we wanted him to take his shoes off before entering the house. It caused so much distress in him, he was angry and defiant, rude and really stressed. I couldn't snap him out of it, and then towards the end I went outside to him and he was just sobbing and sobbing. I was so sad for him. Because of his anxiety, we are looking to get him on some meds to help out. We had OT today, and his therapist thinks it's a good idea too. After three years of therapy, we are at the point where we need some different kind of help, to move him forward learning different skills. Good paediatricians who are knowledgeable about autism and ADHD etc are really hard to come by in this area. I have found a new doctor who has moved down from Sydney last year, and is working out of Nowra. He is a GP who specialises is paediatrics and autism, and has an autistic son himself. I am actually taking Arley up to meet him tomorrow. I am so happy that there is now a doctor here who has knowledge, experience and understanding. I have high hopes for this one!
My studio reorganisation has worked out amazingly well. I have probably got 25% more room in there, as well as a desk each for the kids. They absolutely love having access to all my art supplies, and beg to go there all the time. Arley even took himself up there on his own last night after dinner. I think it will work out well. Even if I don't get to work more than before (which hopefully won't be the case!), I am so happy that they have this experience with a working studio. Lucky kids!
At Dolphin Point
At horse riding this morning.
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