HALF TERM? MAYBE

Hi all

Here's this week's blog.  Finding it hard to write blogs daily, not because of time, but because it's difficult to write without going into the whole "we did this, then we did this, then we did that" kind of writing which is not only boring to write, it's boring to read.  So, I've started doing quick, easy, daily status updates on Callum's World page on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/CallumsWorld?ref=hl

And then a proper blog at end of week (or whenever I get time over the weekend).

So, what has Callum been doing this week?  Well, for starters he's been very lethargic and typically teenager floppy lazy hrumph boy.  He isn't rude or grumpy, but I am getting the occasional 'grunt' reply when he's asked a question.  Hey ho, to be expected with a 13, nearly 14 year old, even with a neuro typical kid, let alone an Aspi one.

Our days still always start with a cuppa and a sit-curled-up-on-sofa-in-pjs chat.  I've normally been up a couple of hours before he surfaces, so it's actually nice to take a bit of time out and talk.  We go over how we slept, whether he had good or bad dreams, what time he finally got to sleep and what book he's currently reading.  We then discuss the day and I talk over what I expect from him.  He can then ask any questions, raise any queries and, quite often, try and compromise with me if he's really not feeling up to anything huge.  He can drive a hard bargain sometimes, but then so can I.  It always works out suitable for us both in the end though and I think it's a good lesson in negotiating.

It was our week for two trampolining lessons this week, private with Kim and group with James.  Kim always works him really hard and Callum certainly knows he's done half an hour of workout.  He was a bit worried this week as it's half term and he was concerned that there might be a holiday club going on.  He hates the idea that they might be staring at him and judging what he does, even though I am constantly telling him that they spend most of their time with their heads in their lunch boxes and talking amongst themselves.  Luckily there wasn't a club and he had the whole centre to himself (kids wise).  Somersaults went well although he did graze his chin after a particularly clumsy landing and he's practising the routine that he has to tack the somersault onto.  Kim always stops the lesson about 10 mins before the end to do conditioning exercises with Callum, which I might add, he hates.  This week he was getting a bit bolshy and telling Kim he wouldn't do it, but Kim, like James, is very good at convincing him otherwise.  Came out absolutely knackered and had definitely earned his Subway.  Group session today was more of a fun lesson which suited Callum.

As to 'lessons', as it's half term in school world, we haven't done anything too in depth, but I have asked him to do some more self monitored work like Khan Academy maths and today's science was reading matter with questions to answer.  He's getting a lot better at working on his own, but still needs me to dish out work rather than being self motivated.

Socially he's had a pretty good week too.  Monday was spent around his friend's house playing on the Xbox and Playstation.  He loves going there as he has known his friend and his family since nursery school, so he's completely comfortable there and I have no worries about leaving him.  Wednesday was the usual big sis visit with Merlin the dog and a now ever growing bump.  No cooking this week though as not in the mood and was tired (more later).  So lots of chat and play on Roblox.  Today, after trampo, it was the now regular visit back from Lauren for tea and cake and even more Roblox.

Tomorrow is his dad's birthday and we still have a couple of bits to get ready for his return from work, so a shopping visit in the morning and possibly a cake bake in the afternoon, but that may not get done until Saturday.  We like to spread out birthdays in this house, usually over a week, and as we are dog sitting his uncle's dog overnight on Saturday, we may have tea and birthday cake on Sunday afternoon when they return to pick up the hound.

He's had a good week even though he had a visit to the osteopath on Tuesday evening.  He only goes about once every six months, normally when he starts complaining his shoulder or neck feels stiff.  He likes going and Emma is brilliant with him, although he had to take off his Tshirt this time and he doesn't like stripping off in front of strangers.  A bit of cracking later and all he wanted to do was go to sleep, hence the sleepy eyed, excessively lazy Wednesday.  He's additionally happy as he received two more books in the Phoenix Files saga in the post along with dad's presents, so he's now rereading the previous three books in preparation of next two.  One more to go apparently, but that's not been released yet.

Sorry no pics this week, not really done anything worth photographing, but hopefully be back on track with that next time.

Cya