Well, it's Christmas Eve, and the kids couldn't be more excited! They have been counting down the days for the last two weeks. Carmie found out about Santa this year, and so now she is really worried about not getting presents, because she doesn't know where I could have hidden them. Just last night she said, "I hope our presents arrive on time," and I said, "So do I. Fingers crossed!" and she burst into tears! Poor thing, I wasn't expecting that! A few weeks ago Jeffrey got down our Christmas decorations, and he left our Elf on the Shelf out, in his box, in plain view of the kids. Arley started yelling at me, "Mum!! I caught you!! It's you! You've been moving the Elf! It's not magic! I caught you!!". And I had nothing to say but to fess up! But, his belief in Santa is still going strong, even though he was telling us last night that magic isn't real, except for the reindeer. Hmmmm, I think he hasn't quite thought this through!
We've had a good week, pretty relaxing. It has still been raining on and off, and Jeff has been working a lot. Like, a lot. His days at the new tree-lopping job are 11-12 hours long, which is absolutely ludicrous. Doing physical labour out in the heat and humidity for that long is just not right. He came home exhausted every day, and with blisters. He's got about two weeks off now, and when he goes back, he is going to tell the guy that eight hours a day is his limit. It's just not worth it. Carmie was pretty much crying every day when he was working because she didn't get to see him. Other than the ridiculous hours, he likes the work though.
Arley had one massive meltdown this week. It was really bad, and at the end of an evening. But that was our only incident. Both kids have been trialling Dexamphetamine, and so far it's been good. They said they haven't felt any difference, except I have noticed a difference. Carmie is able to sit and write freely for the first time ever. We usually try to do a bit of copywork to satisfy the school authorities, but I have only been able to get Arley to copy a short sentence a day (about five words), and Carmie has been writing about two sentences a day. That is the amount of school work I have been able to get them to do, and we have only just started up again, and it's been happening about three times a week. But now Carmie is able to write out whole paragraphs of things in her head, like actually get her thoughts out on paper, which has been so difficult for her. This morning she was on a full dose of Dex for the first time, and I got out of the shower and she had cleaned her room, dressed, and written out a whole paragraph about her favourite computer game. This is literally unheard of; I'd even say it's a Christmas miracle. She says it's not the meds, she just wanted to make me happy. Eye roll!! Both kids are happy on the medication, although Carmie was quite nauseous this afternoon. It does keep them up at night so they have to take something to help them sleep. I think these side effects will go away though. Fingers crossed.
Yesterday we went to Urunga for a swim, but it was really low tide, and so quite mucky. We made a quick change of plans and drove up to the Bellingen swimming pool. Earlier in the week I had taken the kids there to have a swim with their friends Will and Charlie, and it is a really lovely outdoor pool. Jeffrey and Carmie were practising balancing stunts, and had so much fun. Arley swam and hung out with me and read his kindle. We have actually been to a pool four times this week, it is the kids' most fun thing to do at the moment.
My business has suddenly taken off this month. A few weeks ago we paid an autistic influencer to make a video and do an Instagram post for us, and it worked. We have had so many store visits, sales and followers this month, it is kind of making my head spin. It's definitely a good thing, but I have realised that I have to figure out some kind of schedule so that I am not working all day and all night. I have suddenly found myself to be a neurodiversity advocate, and I have many people coming to me for help, and many many people contacting me to give me thanks. It makes it very fulfilling and worthwhile. :)
Tonight we drove around to see the Christmas lights. They were beautiful, but the kids can only see them for so long before they get headaches. It's not like America here, but there are a few streets that really go to town, and it's fun to see. Our decorations got half wiped out in the rain, and we've been too busy to fix them, so our house is looking very bedraggled!
On that note, I'm signing off. Merry Christmas and happy holidays everyone :)
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