Advent

The mood is still low at Whitzend. The boys are picking up but I am still finding some things very difficult. Owen has been having many outbursts and poor old Sam has been the target in the main. I find myself constantly running between them to sort arguments out. Owen is also being incredibly more demand avoidant because his anxiety is high. So Blokey and I decide to implement our strategies to smooth things over. 

We work on some maths first thing first Owen. We have got him up earlier than Sam, thus ensuring he has done his structured activities/self care/pet care, without disruptions. This means that by the time I get Sam up, Owen is working on his own self led interests and calm. 

Sam was up for a couple of hours in the night, but seems a little brighter and *fingers crossed*, his cough isn't  sounding as bad. I am more hopeful we can keep off the antibiotics and steroids as long as he doesn't relapse again.

He manages to shower and complete his structured tasks reasonably well, with minimum fussing.

I explain about Advent and give the children a few choices of activities. They decide to visit the Grotto and pick an ornament each  for our tree. I give them a budget to work from.

There were so many interesting items we liked.

Sam really loved these snow globe type lights but we didn't have enough money in our budget for one.

We looked at ALL THE THINGS at least three times before choices were made. The boys were so taken with some of the ornaments they bough extra with their pocket money too.

Owen and I looked at old photos of our dear old girl. We are really missing her today.

Sam had a bad night with his asthma and getting him engaged was very difficult. He decided to do some writing but really struggled. In the end we had a little play conversation on paper, which he enjoyed.

Owen worked hard on his maths.

And we gave our floofy dog extra cuddles because he is missing his best friend too.

The following morning Owen got up early and we made some cinnamon salt dough. Owen really enjoys these types of activity and the whole house smelt of cinnamon.

He made a face with the left over bit at the end.

A tray full of tree ornements to bake. We liked the Dr Who, love and dog theme.

Sam slept late, which is very unusual and shows how exhausting this virus is. He just can't seem to shake it off.

When he got up, he looked a little better than he has for weeks. We made some choc au pain.

Then the boys both decorated the tree, it's the first time they have managed to do it together and without my input..I had to sit on my hands..and accept the fact that the tree is only decorated from the middle upwards.

They saved their new ornements till last, so they had prime position. We always enjoy looking at the old things the boys or family have made over the years. 

Later the children attended their ju jitsu class and Sam managed well, I hope he's finally shaking this bug off.

Wednesday saw Sam out of bed super early..no one knows how early and Sam's not telling. Both children shower, get their own breakfast and get dressed whilst I work out. Once I have my breakfast we watch the latest episode of Masterchef the Professionals episode 13. We are pleased that our favourite chefs make it through to the the next round.

There follows a long debate about what to do next. Neither boy is in the mood for maths or English today. Finally we settle on a documentary about wildlife cameramen. It's a good choice and we all find it facinating. We are pleased to learn that it's a series and will no doubt watch the rest later.

We had a marathon of Mythbusters in the afternoon.

Owen worked on order of operations and extended notation.

Sam wrote a story about a potato ...

We caught up with Masterchef...it's very exciting, so I had to keep rewinding it because of the excited chatter from Sam's corner. I think he's starting to feel better but is still in that annoying post viral stage where he's crabby too.

One of our favs is Craig.

We are winding things up here and just doing what we fancy leading up to Christmas. Blokey is using up the last of his holidays, so it's a mixed bag.

We do some Christmas shopping, visit the paternal Grandparents and go to the cinema...the new Star Wars film. I stayed home and caught up with some jobs.

Maths was completed some mornings and not others.

We had a meal out.

Tired the dog out.

And stayed warm  keeping up with Masterchef and seeing who reached the semifinals and finals week.

Watched some history..

Attended a family do in Blackpool and saw the 'loominations'..

We played in the snow and as the schools were closed the children got a couple of extra days with their local friends.

Thawed out and went into town....there were much comings and goings. My blogging, no doubt, will get hit and miss till after the festive period.