It has been two weeks since I posted because I have been really busy. My mum flew up last Monday to surprise the kids for their birthday. It was the best surprise yet. I told the kids that I had been having trouble getting up early for the gym, so I was going to go a little later the next day. I told them if they were able to get themselves up and dressed while I was gone, then I'd take them out for a treat when I got back. Instead of going to the gym, I picked Mum up from the airport and then dropped her off at a neighbourhood cafe. Luckily when I got home the kids were up and dressed and therefore had earned their treat, so I took them up to the cafe. Mum was sitting at a table with her back to us, so we ordered at the counter and then went to find a seat. I said to the kids, "Why don't we sit with this little old lady over here?" Carmie looked so confused, it was so funny. So we went over to the table, and it was their Lolo. They couldn't believe it! We got them soooo good!
So, we spent the week hanging out with Mum, and doing our regular therapy activities. We had pretty rotten weather most of the time for the week Mum was here. One day Mum and I took the kids to Australia Zoo (Mum went on to buy them annual passes to the zoo for their birthday, so we can go whenever we want now, which will be awesome.) The zoo was great - it is owned by Steve Irwin's family, so there were a lot of crocodiles. There was a reptile house, and kangaroos, koalas and wombats, among other animals. The zoo is huge, so it's going to be great to pop in for regular visits.
It was the kids' 11th and 9th birthdays on Saturday. I can't quite believe they are this old now! On Saturday the kids opened their presents right after breakfast, then they hung out and did exactly what they wanted. They were very happy with their presents, which is great because they were very hard to buy for this year! We had nachos for lunch, and then we had the birthday cake (which Lolo and I had baked the day before, and it was a huge success! Who knew gluten-free baking could be so delicious?!). After the cake, Jeffrey and I took the kids down to Caloundra for a magic show that we had purchased tickets for before we knew Mum was coming. The magic show was great. Arley was a little anxious beforehand so got just a tiny bit grumpy (he didn't like his seat and was worried he wouldn't be able to see), but as soon as the show started, he was invested and loved it. They were getting people onto the stage, and he was desperate to get up there. No fear! But he was passed by every time, much to his disappointment. Meanwhile Carmie was shrinking into her seat every time they were looking for an assistant. The show was great. For the kids' birthday dinner we ordered pizzas and had them at home, as the weather was appalling.
Mum left on Monday before the kids were awake. Both kids were upset, but Arley was beside himself saying goodbye to her the night before. It's not as bad this time because while Mum was up here, they received an offer on their condo in Las Vegas that they have been trying to sell. As soon as the money comes in, Mum and Geoff are coming up here to look to buy a place of their own nearby. Very exciting.
Arley had a couple of rough days this week after Mum left. He was very dysregulated and hard to get back into a routine. He couldn't do his session with his support worker on Monday. He was very difficult to be around. He must have been feeling really rough. I had an appointment with his dietitian yesterday. She is concerned about his diet because he has lost a little weight in the last month instead of gaining on her plan, so under her advice, I made up a visual board of all the foods he likes to eat, and he has to choose 2 to 3 foods to eat six times a day. I'm hoping this works, because it's pretty worrying.
Carmie is doing well. She has been doing a creative writing class for gifted students on Sunday afternoons, and her teacher emailed me to say how impressed she is with Carmie's writing. This is so nice to hear, because I have nothing to compare it with, and Carmie has never written before. She has dreams of being an author, so this is a good start!
Today we went to a 'neurospicy' homeschool group. The kids have been avoiding going for ages, and our schedule never really allowed for it, but we managed to get there today, and will try to go every week. It was a success in that the kids agreed to come with me, and there were no meltdowns (a little bribery helped!). We didn't really mix with anyone, but hopefully we'll get there. The kids and I played baseball and frisbee golf, so at least we did that!
I am slowly getting back into work. It's going to be a long time before I get my business back to where it was before I got hacked, but I'm ok with taking it slow for now. I've got the kids to focus on :)
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