Baby Born ~ September 2007 # 73

following on from here

https://www.bellybelly.com.au/forums...73#post3260673

wow thread #73

We were just told not to worry about stationery. There is a display book only to get, they will tell us the details when she starts school. Sounds nice and easy to me, I might have to investigate these slip on covers, although I must say I'm a bit of a dab hand with contact, but slip on's sound faster!

Have name tagged the hat and jumpers. And going to do socks, but need to order more labels. That should be enough shouldn't it? I don't see a need for labelling dress/Tshirt/shorts as they shouldn't be coming off!

MD - no super ideas with the drop off. Is there some sort of window they can be dropped off in? I know with us, school starts at 8:50, but they can be dropped off from 8:30. So could you drop H off first at high school, then get across to the primary school for E?

Sleeping hasn't improved? Are they still settled on the narcoplepsy (sp??) diagnosis? Did you go back for a second test?

Library bag - DD picked some fabric for it when we were in Canberra and Mum is making it for her. Very bright I seem to recall.

Arte - loving the sound of the helicopter ride!

MP - How is the cutting down on multitasking going? I thought of you the other night while I was watching a show on my laptop, the TV was on (mute) with cricket, I was catching up on reading a magazine while also playing a game on my phone. I did shake my head at myself when I realised....

Oh the dreaded double drop off LOL! It's a PITA. On preschool days it would be a mad dash in the afternoon to pick up A then pick up the other kids from school. I'm guessing with the stuff H has going on ATM that it would be unrealistic to drop E off and then let H walk from E's school to her own? or is there a bus service that H can take to school? I'm guessing that's how other families would do it - stick the older one on a bus.

Cally, we don't have to get much for the kids either by way of books - it's only really pencils etc and they don't need any of that until year 1. i did buy A a nice pencil case of his own so he can have a set for homework etc.

Cally LOL @ catching yourself mid-multying!

MP - have you read The Winter of our Disconnect? By whatshername Maushart. Food for thought right there.

Of course there is a way through the DDO but DaYam! it's gonna hurt. LOL

Trill walking between E's school and H's school is even further than walking from home. Public buses don't run between our place & school (not without a 20 min trip to the exchange and then a 30 min trip past the school). I'm sure we will work something out, I might just have to scream like a harpy every morning for about a year until they all acclimatize to getting themselves sorted half an hour earlier.

Trill thanks for the book cover tipoff on FB.

Trill - I've just bought a heap of pencil cases in an attempt to minimise the amount of pencils/textas/crayons around the place. She did have containers for them, but they don't get used so I'm hoping pencil cases do. Santa brought her a set of 12 triangle lead pencils which will be great for homework and she seems to really like writing with them.

A good bit of harpy screaming never hurt!!

MD, I've been screaming like a harpy on school mornings for the past 7 years :rofl that is a pain about the bus situation. Kinda defeats the purpose of going by bus doesn't it?

Cally, there is still a big tub of pencils that they use all the time, and it's handy because every stray pencil I find just gets put in there, but they have pencil cases for their special things. The girls have a lot of smiggle stuff that I don't let them take to school because it will get stolen, so they keep that separate and use it for homework etc. Make sure you go back to the shops and buy another 10 packs of those lead pencils - there is a nasty little critter similar to the sock monster that steals all the pencils in this house :lol:

Cally, that's awesome you don't have to do anything about stationery. We pay a resources fee but we still have to buy their pens and paper etc. Most important things to label are hats and jumpers - and label them in a couple of places - and not the tag because it can be cut off. Unbelievable but true. Definitely keep some spare labels because if they end up doing something like swimming you will need to label the dresses & tshirts.

Sleeping hasn't really improved here, thanks for asking. Am dragging my heels re 2nd test because I want to be sure the meds are worth it.

Trill LOL @ the harpy screaming. I did a good bit of that for a while but hoped those days were behind me.

We have to send our pencils and textas etc in for them to share, but we did buy a small pencil case with some coloured pens and wind-up pencils just because I know she's been wanting some for ages. Didn't think to get lead pencils but hilariously I bought a ten-pack of erasers (shaped like numbers) LOL. Can't imagine she will have any homework at this stage (other than readers).

I've done the iron on labelling and they look like they're stuck pretty darn tight to me. Yes, was conscious of the label being cut off so didnt want to label that.......They seem to only do swimming lessons for ones that have had no prior experience, so I don't think she'll be doing that, but if there is any chance I'll make sure she has labels on those clothes too. Will do socks as she takes her shoes and socks off pretty easily....

We were told readers in Term 2 and I think some homework in Term 3? Should probably read through the stuff again and refresh my memory.

yeah, my kids have all gotten homework - usually just where they have to draw or colour in pictures to help them learn their sight words etc but not until term 2 usually. Home readers start at the end of term 1

Hello everyone!

I haven't been told anything about books etc, I think the local bookstore has pre packed sets to buy. From memory they are around $30.

All going well here. Heading down to DHs hometown tomorrow. Hopefully BIL sticks with his non confrontational ways, secretly scared he will go Bain-style on us. We are staying at the ILs house. There is already pressure to leave the kids with them and do something just DH and I, but I totally wouldn't feel right leaving them three blocks away from crazy.

We went out for tea at a tavern tonight and W went off to the toilet and when he got back he was quiet for a bit and then said he couldn't find the men's toilets - only ladies and one that said 'cowboys only'. Apparently he didn't consider himself a cowboy and had to use the disabled lol

I don't know whether it was just DD1's distractibility but omg she lost so many jumpers and jackets. That hurts when they are $35 at the public school but even more when they are the $80 ones for the private school!! I checked lost property boxes religiously & approximately 25% of them came home months later - a couple of times they were filthy & smelly like someone had been wearing them without washing that whole time. In the end I started ironing a label inside the front seam (along the edge where the zip is) because it might flap open sometimes, making it harder to conceal that you're wearing a jumper that wasn't yours. Seemed to work as the disappearance rate dropped way down after that. Part of me is still shocked at the rate at which stuff gets stolen @ school. Kids really are very opportunistic and probably morally underdeveloped as well.

Arte, I presume if the school hasn't said anything about books, maybe they supply everything? Half your luck! Good call re not leaving the kids, I wouldn't either. Sounds like you've been having at least a little bit of enjoyable r&r.

So, trill, have you got your outfit all picked out for your hot date with Sam? :rofl:

MD, they don't supply them but it isn't a big deal to go to the bookstore. I have to sort out a uniform too.
Re the sleep thing, are your new meds not working?

The holiday is going better than I expected so far. The west coast is amazing. We went through Central Otago yesterday which is always nice. Only downside so far is that the caravan leaked and drowned the iPod.

Funny you should say that MD - I don't know if it's a dressy type of affair where I'd have to wear a dress, or just a nice top and capri's? I hate being indecisive about what to wear to something. How much longer are you going to give the meds?

Arte, poor kid, he would have been really confused by that considering how literal he is. Glad the holiday is going well. It could go either one of two ways :lol: bugger about the ipod.

Speaking of labelling school clothes. I *think* I have finally gotten all of DS's stuff labelled. It's like normal school clothes labelling except on crack LMAO. I even had to label his socks and jocks! I started hand sewing in the clothing labels and did two and went '**** that ****' ;) and got the machine out. There is no way known any of the labels are coming off now! We can't use the iron on ones as they come off in the dryers and all of their clothes go through a dryer to dry them unfortunately (I would HATE to know what the carbon footprint of the school is!) So there is a combination of written with a laundry marker and sewn on tags on his clothes and hopefully it will be enough to deter someone from taking them. I don't think there is a problem as such with their uniforms, but their casual clothes - we were told not to pack brand labels as they are the ones that 'walk'. Luckily with him coming home every weekend we'll be able to act quicker on things that go missing.

Last weekend I sorted all the stationery too. The girls are busting to pack their bags, but I know if I give them all their stuff now they will only start using it and then come time to go back they will be racing around trying to find it.

ah crap. i have NOTHING labelled. it's a bit hard when there arent uniforms involved. do i label all her clothes?? (except lovely stuff that is not to be trashed of course lol).

crap. that seems like a lot of work :lol:

our school supplies everything. feels weird not having to pack her schoolbag hahaha.

Trill: who is Sam? and why do you have a hot date with him...or her lol. i really should just go back and read the last old thread hahaha.

Arte went on a helicopter???? THATISSOFRIKKINCOOL.

MD: sounds like you will be fulfilling the role of Screaming Harpy with that lack of PT options...ahhh nothing like early morning bliss hahaha.

AFM: we're baaackkk! had an awesome holiday! sun, surf, friends and good times. loved the road trip as well. ahhh so needed the break from dreary grey melbourne!

Cass - no uniform! What I did for DD and day care was have two separate drawers (school and weekend/holiday). The school clothes were all named so if anything ended up on the wrong drawer, she would still know it wasn't a school top if there was no name. But these days they really shouldn't be taking Tshirts and skirts off anyway, so you shouldn't have to name them. Might just have to be really diligent at explaining what is suitable for school. Can you have a uniform of sorts (ie grab the same style of pants in a few different colours) would that be easier?

Cally, that's an excellent idea to have different drawers for daycare vs non-daycare clothes. I tried that too but the system fell down because DH cannot discriminate between a paint-besmeared $5 tshirt from Kmart and a nice coordinated outfit. LOL.

Trill, I suggest you go to that halfway place where you wear the capris with the nice top but then you dress it up a notch by wearing slightly dressier shoes/jewellery. Anyway, Sam is bound to swept into Sam-nesia once he catches the merest glimpse of your rainbow of awesomeness :lol: You will have to bring him to his senses again by whispering your slow-roasted shanks with garlic recipe lovingly into his ear. :rofl:

PS: for anyone who doesn't know what the heck I'm on about, check out this thread. It's kinda food porn for lamb lovers. (Not you, Arte, look away).

Cass, glad to hear your holiday was great. You're like the queen of the day trip. :)

Re the sleep - yep, meds are working, noticing an improvement in concentration & follow-through (and therefore probably some of the memory stuff is better), but there is no actual effect on the quality of your sleep. Esp after Xmas and the strain of having all the extra bodies here, my sleep delay has gotten worse, suspect it might also be seasonal (extra sunshine late in day?) because i remember struggling with it around this time last year too. Anyway I think some light therapy would help but I can't afford the device just yet and I'm too zombified most mornings to get myself outside and light exposed early enough to make a difference. I've got another couple of months on the script, I want to see how it pans out over that time. I've been having a fresh batch of hot flushes and palpitations and mood swings, which might either be side effects, or just a total coincidence (given that it's summer & my hormonal status is dodgy & I'm sleep deprived).

MD - DH doesn't 'do washing' so there was no problem with things going back in the wrong drawers!

Day something in DH's hometown. I can't keep track of the days anymore lol. We had DH's granny's birthday yesterday which was the inspiration for the trip. Followed by a suicide hoax by BIL on FB - threat, countdown etc so when we saw it half an hour after 'times up' they raced around there to find him sitting at the frigging computer acting like nothing had happened #****edinthehead

However, the kids are having an absolutely fantastic time with the IL's. W has been amazing for the whole trip. I barely know he is around because he is so well behaved! His confidence is soaring so hopefully that carries over for the start of school.

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MD - DH doesn't 'do washing' so there was no problem with things going back in the wrong drawers!

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Case in point - Miss K away, DH stayed up late watching tennis. I left a note as he was still asleep when I left 'Can you put the sheets in the machine and put it on - detergent already in there'. He's done that. Specifically that - sheets only. Pillowcases still on pillows. When queried 'But you don't always wash the pillowcase'. Yes I do, they are the things that get drooled on, have sweaty heads on etc - Far out!! I suppose I should be grateful they were hung out and brought in, I hadn't asked for that.....

Arte - glad you are having a good time so much that you've forgotten the days. And super good news about W. Not so much BIL.

Fingers crossed he does Arte! Your BIL is a total Douche. I have plenty of sympathy and patience for people with depression and mental illness, but crap like that is just not cool. That's just being downright manipulative! If I were his family and gone around there expecting the worst I would have kicked his damn ass for finding him sitting at a computer.

MD, I have trouble with sleep rhythms over summer too so I can only imagine how much worse it would be for you :hug:

So saturday night was brilliant! I didn't get a pic of the big man because he was only there for a short time - he drove up from melb that day and had to go back that night and by the time I got the camera after his speech he was gone. it was a fantastic speech though, I haven't laughed that hard in ages! A lot rude and a bit crude at times, but so brutally honest - the man calls a spade a goddamned shovel :lol: But I tell you what, you think I'm passionate about the cause, well I have nothing on him! He's such a perfect ambassador for the sheep industry.

Oh and I can't believe that I forgot to say this but someone had a visit from the tooth fairy on Tuesday night! Not sure if any of you would remember me telling you about his front tooth that went black after a fall at the pool last year? Well he got a gum boil just above it and it was starting to annoy him so I had a dentist appointment on tuesday anyway and took him along. Dentist confirmed that's what it was and had to pull the tooth out. So the poor kid is sitting there completely still while he jams a gigantic needle in his mouth to numb it and then didn't even flinch while it was pulled out. So the tooth fairy brought him $5 for his trouble. Funny thing was that out of all of them, he's the only one that has insisted that he leave his tooth under his pillow for the tooth fairy LOL. The others all left theirs on the kitchen sink in a glass of water. Then the tooth fairy has to come back again TONIGHT because the tooth directly below that one came out today! Little turd was opening a bottle with his teeth and it came out root and all. He won't be getting $5 from the tooth fairy again though. That was a one time only deal ;) So he will look like the Turtle Man for quite a while as I don't think his adult teeth are even close to coming through.

Wow at him losing two teeth trill!!

I'm sorry I've only skimmed posts. I just wanted to post so I didn't lose the thread lol.

The school lunchbox and cooler bag thingo are doing my head in lol. What have you all bought??

Hey Oz :) I brought a backpack that has two full depth pockets - one for lunch box/drink bottle etc and the other one for books. It has a small pocket on the front but they don't use them usually. It's just a bag I got from a surfy type shop - all the kids have this style although the brands vary. A's is a 'unit' one :lol: like this one here. He has a stephen joseph dino lunch box.

Thanks for that Trill. I think you posted the lunch box on FB didn't you? I've bought so many different lunch boxes and cooler bags lol

Hi Oz. We bought a cheap cooler bag at Kmart. I looked for one that was as simple as possible, it's basically an insulated bag with a velcro fastening. That way it can go and out of her schoolbag easily. I don't bother with an actual plastic lunch box, mostly because they have to be enormous or they don't fit any smaller containers or even a decent sized apple. The cooler bag holds it all together and is flexible enough for it not to matter if you put something in that is an odd shape. We have a few smaller containers for cut up fruit and yoghurt, etc. We got a stainless steel drink bottle with an easy-open straw from Target, because it's the same design as the one she had for kindy, so I know it doesn't leak. It's small enough to fit inside the cooler bag if desired. :)

Thanks MD, I was thinking of ditching the lunchbox and using the smaller, more simplistic cooler bag.
I love being able to come here and ask for advice!!

We have made it to Dunedin. Cadbury tour today which is fun. Raining now but hopefully not tomorrow. W has a camp friend in the camper next door which make life easier.

Trill, yip BIL is stuffed. It is the head injury, he has lost a lot of social constructs. I don't think he has said thank you to anyone in almost a decade. DH spent some time with him on a good day and he wasn't too bad. Good for DH who feels a bit helpless living so far away. Apparently BIL got smacked over at the pub some time last year and got another head injury which compounds when you already have one. Probably explains why he is so much worse now, living in squalor and just vile to everyone. The saddest thing is the ILs who still have hope that one day he will get some therapy and be better. Personally I think the best anyone can hope for is that he stays afloat. Can't say that though, it is such hard going for them and they need to have hope it won't always be this way. Excuse my little venty whinge, can't say what I really think out loud.

I just got A a Crocodile Creek bag, good size and well made.

Arte - Sounds like your trip is going well. I hope you enjoyed the magical mystical chocolate tour :D. Venty whinge re BIL is excused, sounds like such a tough situation, and even harder when the rest of the family is not really talking about it.

Trillian, I have just discovered that people who make safety glasses (ie Bolle for tradies) make them with amber lenses that block out large chunks of blue/green light - at a fraction of the price that "blue light blockers" are being sold for on the internet. I'm on a quest to get me some, figure that would have to help even a little.

Your sat night sounded awesome! Great to have someone talking the talk that makes your industry go round. I bet he was frikken hilarious too.

And OMG - tooth fairy?! H had a tooth pulled when she was 7 and didn't bat an eyelid LOL.

Cally - LOL at your DH changing the SHEETS.

Anyone doing anything for Oz Day tomorrow? We've just had the ILs pull back in to town - so I think I'll be making myself scarce during the day on my own projects (incl. hiding away to listen to the hottest 100 LOL). BBQ roast lamb tomorrow night, might have to slap a pav together too. :)

MD, check out ebay - they have heaps of them on there. Just google amber safety glasses. Totally figures though that if you buy the fancy-schmancy 'medical' ones that they would be a hell of a lot more expensive. Do you have blackout curtains on the windows too? Definitely hide away from the IL's - you've done your duty for this year I think :lol: We're just going out to a friend's place that has a pool and then out for tea. We were going to go water skiing but one set of friends don't like doing that - he can't swim and she just doesn't like water LOL. Not LOLing at the guy though, he has a congential arm thing happening which means he can't move his arms fully to swim so he just never learnt. I'm kinda disappointed though. We've not had the boat out at all this summer so I was looking forward to it.

So I think I'm all ready for school next week. Had a bit of a freak out the other day when I realised it WAS NEXT WEEK! :lol: Finally have all of L's stuff labelled and packed. Just have to cover his books and we're done.

Arte, how's the caravan of courage trip going? Even though BIL has the bad head injury, I bet he is still fully aware of how he is manipulating you all. But I'm glad that your DH had some quality time with him. Must be so hard for him to see that.

ETA - MD, posted a link on my FB wall for you - didn't want to post it on yours kwim?

Thanks very much for that, Trill. Will have a look. I don't have blockout curtains but I wear an eyemask in bed. It's a really glamorous look, especially once I've got my daffyduck mouthguard in as well. LOL. I hear you on the freakout!! It was E's last day at family day care today. :( Very sad. (Although I'm looking forward to the upturn in our finances as a result :p).

Big changes coming for you with L. When will you be taking him up there? Another whole level of momentousness.

Well done on getting everything labelled. Haven't done that yet. Still need to move a couple of buttons and cover books etc, shouldn't take too long though.

Turns out I need to get more labels for the mountain of socks. At least there is only one day of school this week so I can have her socks for that day labelled. Must order more labels this weekend.

Our plans for today is just to go for a picnic somewhere, hoping the rain holds off. We went to the Aus Day celebrations in town last year, it just seemed to be lots of people wandering around, but no real activities. Having lamb burgers for dinner.

MD - the upturn in finances will be pretty good. We have enjoyed these holidays, previously we have had half price for childcare them, but she hasn't been since 20 Dec. DH has been buying up big on Lego.

No plans for Australia day here! DH is actually referring a cool game today at AAMI stadium...the opening game for the A League match between sydney and melbourne.
I cant go as me wrangling 3 kids on my own for that many hours with a whole bunch of football fans just freaks me out :lol: but a bit bummed that miss such a cool game for him.
so, i vacuumed and mopped the floors, cleaned the kitchen and bathroom put on 2 loads of washing and did the gardening. BORING. i have no radio so cannot even listen to JJJ!!!! i am dying!!! it is my tradition and I am failing lol! oh wait, i can probably stream it on here....

I've got it streaming. We don't even get JJJ here, I have been listening for 30 songs and they are all brand new to me.

Had a nice picnic this morning. Now DH is at work, K and I hit the creek for a bit more of a play and now she is into the ever popular 'playing schools'.

hi girls

listening to jjj hottest 100 right now, my tip is thrift store :)

sorry i havent been keeping up with personals at all. have had a lot on our plate here. it turns out that we have received a diagnoses for J and it turns out that he has autism. at first we were devestated to get the diagnoses, but we are doing a lot better now that we have had some time to think it all through. he is still the same kid as he was before, he's still just J to us and we wouldnt change anything about him. we feel that he is in the right hands with us, as we will give him all the help and support that he needs. we are starting to get the ball rolling with some early intervention for him. he is the most beautiful amazing and quirky little rockstar.

Holy G. You knew there was something he was trying to tell you...must be some surety now on what you are dealing with, but still massive news to take in...no wonder you have been too busy to BB as intensely!

Recommend you chat with Meow on here. she is awesome and has some super insights etc.

BBL have a date with the neighbours across the road :)

G, I can imagine the shock of a diagnoses like that. You are right though, he is the same kid as before and you are the best mum he could hope for.

Cass, how did you end up going with the d and c?

Trill, certainly he must know that a suicide hoax isn't on. The look on his parent face as they dashed out the door...especially when a text inviting them over would have got everyone out the door just as quickly. Very frustrating.
Caravan of courage lol. Going really well actually. Starting to fall apart a bit the last couple of days (w) but there are only three days to go. I think the toll of travelling and sugary snacks and leaving the ILs is catching up with him.

Md, I will ask DH what amber glasses cost through work if you like.

Cally, so far I have been spared having to play schools. Have I ever mentioned that I both hate and suck at pretend play? However, W has been playing an ipad game called plants vs zombies and so the kids have been playing zombies a fair bit. DH taught E to say 'brains' so she walks around being a zombie too. Bit disturbing but cute.

We are in Christchurch tonight. Did a drive by of some of the earthquake rubble. The few blocks around the centre of the city are blocked off and empty, with weeds growing through the concrete like apocalypse movies. We went to the zoo today and I saw a baby gibbon that was only born last night.

wow, your caravanning trip is flying by!! I told DH about your first day of offal-ness and he couldnt stop laughing...i am assuming that all the gore was eventually washed off lol?

I can imagine that the kids are probably nearing their end and wanting to be home soon. although TBH they have done super well; the longest we went without home base in between was 18 days on the road (LA to Seattle and back). you reach a point lol.

cannot believe the BIL did a hoax like that :o stupid, so stupid. argh, how hard this must be for his family :(

Ginger :hug: Wow. Autism. When did you start to suspect that was a real possibility? It's such a huge label, but like you say he's your little rockstar and this doesn't change anything about his gorgeous self. On the positive side, having the diagnosis means you can get some supports in place. And you're right, you are an awesome mumma with an awesome family to support him so he can thrive.

Cally, I'm not sure if I'm going to bother labelling socks. I might just concentrate on teaching E to stuff socks inside her (labelled) shoes instead. LOL @ your DH splashing out on Lego. I saw a mind-boggling display in your FB photos the other week. We so totally need to get across our construction skills :lol:.

Cass, my Aus day was pretty boring too. But I did manage to take myself out to get art supplies :) and to wander in quiet soliture around Big W for a bit. Totally missed most of the Hottest 100 but it was worth it for that "aaaaah" factor.

Arte - whew - home is in sight! My supervisor showed me some of his recent Christchurch photos - mind boggling. Baby gibbon sounds cute. How are things going with your DH now?

We went to trash and treasure this morning, and when we got home, Miss E set up a trading table and flogged off some of her old unwanted items to family members. No pretend play involved. She was all about the profit! LOL

Just wanted to pop back in and wish GOOD LUCK and a HAPPY FIRST DAY to all our big September babies heading off to school over the next couple of days.

And mummas, here's a box of tissues (*hands around a box of extra large triple-ply tissues*). And along with the tears (inevitable), remind yourself what a celebration this day is and what an awesome bunch of mothers you are. Every one of you. I feel so blessed to have had your company on this long and winding journey, which has finally brought each of us to the school gate, holding the hand of a gorgeous, precious September child. *MWAH*

I'll take two of those extra large boxes MD. I'm feeling quite a lot of anxiety about L starting school and I'm not normally one to get overly anxious about anything! We take him tomorrow, but i have a few last things to do today and double check he has everything he needs. Luckily A doesn't start till friday. I can handle that a lot easier though!

G, as I said, you still have your Jimmy, except now he's going to be getting some extra help. The most important thing is that he's supported and has a Mum and Dad that will do anything to help him and he's got that for sure! The early intervention is going to make a huge difference to him. :hug: I really wish I could give you one of those in person though

Thanks for the tissues MD - have no idea how I will be feeling. DH is back at work today so K and I are having a fun day together. We were going to go out for brekkie, but she decided it's too wet. Heading out for a play date later with the one little girl she knows going to school with her, then heading into town this arvo. Then big day tomorrow. I've got the day off as well as she doesn't start until late (they stagger them) and I want to be there for the pick up. Planning a day of TV, pedicures and facials.

Trill - I can totally understand why you are so anxious about L starting. He's your first one, off on a big adventure and there will be ups and downs, but from everything you've said about L and the school it seems like you made the right decision and it is all a perfect fit.

G - Big hugs for you. I'm sure it was a shock, but it doesn't change the fact he is your special little man. Knowing now will hopefully help with all sorts of things to put in place for the future with regards intervention etc. Will it be easier with L at school this year, with getting to appts etc, special time just the two of you?

Arte - home day today? Sounds like you had some great experiences on the trip that the kids will remember for some time. I'm still a bit jealous about the helicopter trip. Luckily K playing schools mainly involves pillows on the floor with a baby on each of them and she pats them off to sleep. Sometimes she props them agains the coffee table and teaches them to read. We rarely have to get involved, sometimes I have to be one of the carers, but I'm usually on my lunch break! I'm really not a fan of pretend play either. Very minimal imagination in this brain of mine. She's got into hide and seek lately too, but if I set out from the beginning that it's 2 hides each, it goes quick enough for me, but satisfies her.