We've had a big week! It was Autism Awareness Day on Friday, and we wanted to do something special for the kids. We had cake for lunch (bad, I know!), and then we went out to north Park Beach to have a roam and get some photos. Arley did NOT want to be there, and was having a really hard time. He can't seem to smile for the camera anymore, and is aware that when he tries his face doesn't respond like he wants it to. So, it wasn't the best time for him. The trip ended in smiles, but it took a bit to get there! That night we went to the night food market for dinner. It was really good...until it started raining!
On Sunday it was Easter, and the kids were, of course, excited. It is definitely different now that they are older, but it is still lovely to see them running around collecting eggs. They got a LOT. After breakfast we decided to walk down to the oval that is just down the hill, to play a game of Finska and then some cricket. Arley kicked up quite a stink about going, and was a serious pouty grump about it, but once he started playing, he had a great time. Carmie loves playing outdoors with us, so we will definitely be making more use of that oval from now on. We tried to go down again the next day, and once again, Arley kicked up a huge fuss. The bummer is that five minutes after getting there, it started pouring down, and then we just had to pack up and walk home in the rain, so Arley felt very vindicated!! We haven't been back because the weather has been rotten since then.
ArleyBear had a monster meltdown on Monday. It was terrible, and set off by the smallest thing. He got very abusive and a little violent, so I took Carmie and left Arley in the house with Jeff. Carmie and I went out to lunch and then went to the mall for some shopping, and to try to chill out. We got home about two hours later, and Arley was lying in his calm-down tent, nice and calm, and remorseful. He hasn't been eating properly, not for ages. He eats his muesli for breakfast, and then I'm pretty much begging him to eat all day. Right now he will eat frozen blueberries for lunch, and one of five small dinners. He has lost weight again, and I'm sure that is why he had the meltdown - he was hungry. He doesn't feel the hunger though, and has no desire to eat, so it's really hard.
I had an appointment with our psychologist on Tuesday and we sorted through a lot of stuff, and established some more family rules and boundaries. The kids and Jeff and I have to sign off on these rules so we all know what is going on, and we are really hoping they work. We have been told that things will get a lot worse before they get better though, so it's a little stressful.
Carmie has had a hard time. Her sleep has been on and off all week. Then she was told that Aunty Georgia's dog Abby died, and OMG, she was broken. Carmie spent a lot of time with Abby over the years, and she has been talking lately how she gets to see Abby again soon when we go down there in a few weeks. Carmie literally cried for two hours straight when she was told, and then on and off all night. She is so emotional, Abby is not even her dog! I dread to think what it's going to be like when it's Bella's time.
This morning we had no horse riding (still haven't sorted that out), so I took the kids to the library instead, and then Arley and I made banana bread. Jeffrey took the kids to swimming lessons this afternoon, and Arley's old teacher was back, and he managed to get Arley into the pool despite his resistance, which is a big win!
It looks like we are going to have some great weather for the next week, so I'm really looking forward to getting out to the beach again!
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