Well, I definitely think Arley's meds are starting to work. On Saturday we made a spontaneous trip to Huskisson because Jeffrey had found a secondhand camera for the kids to learn to shoot with. It's the perfect camera for them - lightweight, mirrorless, great lens. Carmie is totally psyched and now has a new hobby. Anyway, we sprung the trip on Arley, went to two parks, had lunch at the Husky pub, then Arley decided he wanted to go on a boat (because he has never been on one before), so we booked tickets on the Husky Ferry. Carmie got to drive the ferry, and we saw a couple of sting rays. After the boat we had another play in the park where the kids happened to run into some old friends, and it wasn't until after that when Arley asked to go home. Usually we would have to plan everything ahead, and then not be able to stay out very long. And not a single meltdown :)
And then on Sunday, it was the most beautiful day, so we decided to find a new dog beach to go to. We found Cormorant Beach at Bawley, 25 minutes from us. Before we left, Arley took his shoes and socks off and put sandals on. Then when we got to the beach, he was the first to take his shoes off. The kids swam until they were ice cubes, and Bella got a good run. Arley was barefoot the whole time, and then when we left, I packed his shoes up, and he walked up the beach barefoot, across the grass, and into the car. When he asked where his shoes were, I told him they were in the bag, and he seemed satisfied. Then when we got home, he walked from the car to the house, and then off into the shower, all barefoot, and not even talking about it. I can't tell you how momentous this is. We haven't been able to get him to go barefoot like this ever. Not even going from his bedroom to the bathroom. Last summer it took half the summer to transition him into going barefoot on the sand at the beach. He has been fine barefoot at the swimming pool, as long as it is just me who takes him swimming. Until Sunday! It sounds so silly to be happy about this, but he has had such dreadful anxiety about taking his shoes and socks off, for his entire life, and you wouldn't know how much trouble it actually causes; swimming pools with friends, jumping castles, trampoline places, taking shoes off at friend's houses...it has always been a massive issue. So the fact that he just did it all on his own, unasked and without fuss, is huge. It's the medication, it has to be.
That's not to say he's been totally easy. There has still been a lot of bickering between the kids. Arley still is lashing out. But we are supposed to see the full effect of the meds at four weeks, and tomorrow we'll be at three weeks, so I'm very hopeful.
It has been horrible weather for the rest of this week. Freezing cold, rain, wind, we've had it all. On Tuesday the kids were driving me insane, as tennis was cancelled, and we didn't get outside at all. By 3pm I had to get them out the door to social skills class, and then for a sleep over at Lolo's, and it couldn't come soon enough!
Carmie started her speech therapy this week. At first it was like pulling teeth getting her to talk. I was super frustrated, and ended up leaving her alone during the session, which is when she fully opened up and embraced the therapy. I have to do homework with her every day. We are tackling her speech rhythm first, getting her to practice phrases while tapping her fingers, and then she has to tell me what she sees in picture books while speaking in a good rhythm. She doesn't love doing it, so I have to reward her afterwards, but I think it is worth it.
The kids had a brilliant horse riding lesson this morning. They are little cantering champions. And then Wes their carer took them bowling and out to lunch. Tonight we are going to Lolo and Dida's for Dida's birthday dinner. It's a busy day, but busy is good, because then at least Arley won't get bored, which is when the problems start!
Our day in Huskisson
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