Conkers visit, friends, dog training, maths and preparing for Christmas.

Despite it being cold and damp, we decided to head out to Derbyshire and visit Conkers in the National Forest. We aren't in our car because ours is in the garage for its MOT.

We spend quite a long time in the Discovery centre . Sam is generating energy by running here.

Then Owen had a go.

We looked at all the information regarding electricity.

Some more running...

Looking at what pollutes most here.

How acorns grow into oaks.

How birds see...

Owen answering the quiz about animals in the woodland.

Sam experiencing bat ears.

Exploring fungi.

Climbing tubes and sliding down tunnels.

Then we headed outside.

We explored the fairy labyrinth.

 

Sam shouted instructions to Blokey and Sam from the viewing area in the centre. They, true to form, ignored all his attempts to help them to the finish.

Then we headed indoors for a huge lunch.

Then once refuelled, we went back out to explore more of the forest. The sensory trail was first.

Sam was initially unsure about putting his hands in the boxes.

But he soon found his confidence and was racing ahead to the next box to try.

They had fun banging the drum. Whilst warily eyeing each other in case of attack.

Then we found the activity trail.

This was very high so just Owen and Blokey were brave enough to climb up.

The bridge of peril! Sam was nervous but managed it by charging across as fast as he could.

...once Blokey stopped wobbling the darn thing...

More climbing.....although it doesn't matter how much , running, climbing and swinging he does, we can't tire him out!

The view from the highest viewing tower.

Enjoying being the only people on the train.

Owen looking thoughtful but he did enjoy the train, especially the Christmas lights in the tunnel. His anxiety it through the roof this last few weeks. We are just trying to get him through to Christmas Day by doing things to take his mind off it..not easy though.

Cheeky, happy Sam.

After a long day , we ventured home in the mist and rain, then the children played happily together and we watched some of the DaVinci Code before bedtime.

Today Sam and I went for a run before Blokey left for work. Sam loves doing this but it's getting harder the more we follow the training plan and ramp up the running intervals. He is very quiet on the cool down ...well quiet for Sammy .

The boys played whilst I did chores and then our friends came over to play. Owen and Sam alternately play with their friend on the PC and dash upstairs to showed our younger friend round their rooms. Owen sorted some books out for them to take home and read too.

In the afternoon there is more free play before jujitsu class. Neither boy really feels like going tonight but both seem fine once they have their kit on. I think it's just the transition from a cosy home to the dark outside that's putting them off. 

On returning I can hear Owen refusing to get out of the car. He's very upset when he gets in and refuses to get ready for bed. I can see he's not receptive to talking, so we leave him to cool off. Blokey explains that he had to speak to Owen about repeatedly hitting Sam in the car. We concentrate on getting Sam settled into bed, then I take Owen upstairs..or rather I try but he just shouts and lashes out. In the end Blokey carries him onto his bed.

Owen then proceeds to start blaming everyone else for him being upset. I talk to him calmly and gently and go through the series of events that led to him getting upset. He is clearly stressed but blaming others for his behaviour isn't really a way forward. Eventually, he realises these aren't valid reasons and apologises to his dad , who took the brunt of the blame initially. I am relieved when both boys are finally settled in bed.

Sam was up first , so he played chess on his iPad until I had dealt with Owen and got Owen through his work. 

Owen is really needing extra support at the moment. I wonder if he needs a long list to help him remember every step of his morning routine. I quickly write up his list and he settles better, so my feelings were right. Blokey is the same, in times of high stress, lists help the brain stay calmer and anxiety is reduced. I find I am similar but the difference is I have the ability to recognise and write my own lists, this is a not something the menfolk seem able to do for themselves.

Owen working out his maths problems.

I make bread whilst they work but Owen needs me to sit with him for encouragement.

Sam played word games with me and Owen had a relaxing bath after seeing to his pet snail.

Sam then worked on his maths. 

The boys then worked on completing their Lego game whilst I baked and packed up our microscope kit to go back. The microscopic society are collecting it tomorrow and I also needed to do a feedback survey about how we had found and used the kit.

Sam and I went running at 6 am , he tells me I am walking too fast inbetween the running intervals..I tell him he needs to talk less so he can keep up. I come home and do yoga whilst he eats his breakfast.

Whilst I am showering and getting my breakfast he plays chess and mahjong on his iPad. Next we work on his maths together. He's moved on to a different section and needs help getting to grips with the new questions. Just the sentences being phrased differently can really throw him. When I explain what was being asked and he looks exasperated ..

'Why didn't they just say that then!?' 

Owen reads a couple of his library books whilst he eats his breakfast, then does some maths.

Sam decides he wants to do extra maths sessions today because 'I have a happy maths head on me!'.So he works hard for well over an hour.

Sam's progress so far.

Owens progress.

We also made Speculaas Spiced biscuits from our dear friends recipe:

https://veryberryhandmade.co.uk/2016/12/04/recipe-speculaas-dutch-spiced-cookies/

I slightly over baked them but they were still yummy. As we didn't have a piping bag , I just cut the end off a freezer bag to do the vanilla icing. Hence its a bit think..but the boys didn't mind...and pronounced them 'delicious!' . So thanks Ali, I can see these becoming a tradition here.

Sam found this app and practiced some coding on his iPad.

Sam trying to beat Blokey at chess. Blokey is not allowed to help him or 'let' Sam win. Despite this Sam is still struggling with the concept of losing.

Owen played the logic puzzle game Monumnet valley. He played it a lot a while ago and suddenly decided to take it up again, it's good for forward planning and strategy skills.

We went out to catch the new Film Rogue One. The most challenging bit was trying to get both boys in the car calmly and to make sure Owen looked where he was going. I had to intervene twice with escalators because he was about to go up the down one or was walking backwards towards it . 

😱

Sam and I also played word games...slightly hairy moment as he messed around trying his letters around...

We went to my parents to deliver presents, an added bonus was that my Brother and his wife were be there too. Owen was looking forward to seeing everybody.

Mum got out some crackers that included a game.

We told the jokes first.

Then followed some very loud and funny games of Robin races. You had to decorate your Robin first too with the stickers included in the box.

Uncle Ian and Aunty Ruth in their Christmas Jumpers..Ruth's socks were epic too.

There were many races played, my Dads Robin insisted on wandering off the track countless times. Being a competitive type, he wasn't happy lol.

There was cake! Despite my mum saying there wouldn't be food , the table was groaning with snacks and nibbles..she baked the cake too, which was delicious.

We all had a great time before heading back home ..it was very foggy and cold. We had a surprise visit from Santa, when the rotary club came by for the first time. To our surprise both children were keen to go out and meet Santa on his sleigh.

The next morning we went swimming. Owen is not happy about going since he lost his favourite pair of trunks. He spent most of the time sinking himself and resurfacing. I coaxed him into a couple of lengths  but he's very resistant to any suggestions at the moment.

Both boys then we're very helpful at the pet store and supermarket, so we managed to get dog food and some food for the coming week. 

On returning home we had lunch. Blokey and Sam played chess, Owen kept himself amused with his iPad and DS.

Later Sam played outside whilst Blokey and I did overdue chores. Owen looked after his pet snail and updated some of his apps.