Over the weekend we got the decorations down. The boys enjoyed looking through all the things they have made since they were small. It was going well but then the tension mounted and what I can only describe as 'trying to nail jelly to the wall' , that type of flitting that means reason is no longer listened to. I suggested little tasks to help get the decorations up but they simply couldn't focus. Next thing I know they are hitting each other round the heads with a wreath in each hand. This really sums up the whole of the morning, they were unable to make even the simplest decision.
Eventually we managed to sort most of the decorations from the boxes and have an impromptu sack race.
Dinner time was pretty fraught too, and I had to take all decisions away from them , to save their sanity and mine! They were incapable of making a choice of the food we had available, even with help. I had to turn everything off in the house due to the overstimulation that was clouding even the smallest decision. I can practically see them fizzing at this time of year.
I decided a walk may help, so we headed out to the fields with our pup. Sounds really simple doesn't it..yeah? NO....until you have children ( especially sensory ones) you couldn't imagine how hard it can be to just get out of the door. First there is the sock or no socks debate. If socks are agreeable , then there is the fear of going upstairs to over come. I head off with Sam as Owen has decided 'socks are not necessary' . We ( finally) decided on which socks and I try and get Sam back downstairs...he's running around bouncing off all the walls. We get downstairs and the Owen still hasn't got his coat on yet and looking perplexed. He's decided he needs socks after all...I go upstairs with him now..same dilemma over the choice of socks. I coax him out from under the bed, but he's lost the socks now. After finding the socks we head back downstairs. Sam in the meantime has lost his socks..' I was throwing them in the air and now I can't find them'. He hasn't got his coat on either ..a small sigh escapes me, they don't miss this admission of frustration and things take another difficult turn with shoving and the frowning of a lifetime going on.
Eventually I get them, with coats on, into the porch. I briefly close the door and reach for the pup and lead. As I open the door I walk in on Sam bending over to put his wellies on, whilst Owen lands a foot up his back side. They both collapse in fits of giggles, the pup goes hyper and I end up tied in his lead.
At this point I am very glad I had my migraine treatment last week, very glad indeed.
We get into the field and hunt out some wood, look for clues to what animals inhabit the hedgerows and talk about trees. Sam and Owen wrestle good naturedly and Owen ends up bum down in a rather large cow pat. I try, and fail not to laugh but he takes it in good part.
On heading back home they decided they would like to do 'deliveries' so we write cards and head back out to post them to our friends and neighbours. There are only 2 small streets but they manage to lose me at one point and I stand flapping wildly to attract their attention.
Back home we read about the Winter Solstice together and I explain how different people view this time of year and how feasting marks a turning point in the midst of Winter. It's nice that they find this interesting and Owen starts to talk about how lucky we are to have food and a warm house. We discuss our recent 'Rucksack Project' for the local homeless and how in some countries children their age can have a much harder way of life.
So time to light the fire now , sort out a snack for the boys and relax for a little while before our evening meal.
