The Zoo

We have always been lovers of animals. This reached its peak five years ago when we had nine dwarf hamsters as well as other animals. A lovely lady gave us two and we discovered that one was pregnant. Everyone said you could keep them together but hormones took over as they matured and teeth and fur flew so we ended up with nine cages as we could not bare to part with any. It was chaos when they were all in their balls . Rather like the old bumper cars at the fair.

one of our old rabbits Lucy

Venus the dwarf hamster

Well we have a variety now. We are down to one old incontinent lop rabbit called Suzie. we rescued her as her previous owners decided to feed her human chocolate . Her insides have never been the same. Arran adores her. She calms him down as he talks to her. Pets are so good for children with special needs however old they are. She lives in the house but runs around the garden on a nice day.




Arran is also the proud owner of a four year old tortoise called Tortilla. Lovely little thing but we have already had to fingertip  search the garden twice to find him. We hope to get another called Salsa. You have to wait until they are four to sex them.

Tortilla

Then there is the cat Tigger. She turned up as soon as we moved in and has been here ever since . She is Hollie's baby. Will try anything to sleep under the covers on a cold day.

One pampered puss

We also have two Syrian hamsters Coke and Dope. They are so tame and very entertaining. We are getting another on Wednesday thanks to Hollie. Her friend wants rid of one so soft hearted said we would have it. I have said as long as she looks after it. Apparently it is ginger. She wants to call it Psycho.  Now just have to tell Ian!!!

Ian has fish to keep. Easiest of the lot. tropical, very pretty.

I don't think I have left anything out. It is no wonder they call us the Nut house amongst our friends

Been so hot for them all. Tigger kept collapsing on the tiles in the hall. hamsters slept out of bed all day. Only the tortoise was happy being a reptile and basked all day in the sun.

WHY WE ARE EDUCATING OUR SON

I thought I would explain the reason behind taking Arran out of school. We have come a long way. This is an extract from a home education diary that we keep. This was of course three years ago now but I thought it might help anyone thinking of taking the same steps. Home education is a learning curve for everyone but well worth the effort

Arran and Hollie taken in May this year on his 13th Birthday. A happy home educated child.

2008

Arran’s progress in mainstream school has been woeful. His complex sensory integration problems were acknowledged as such by his teachers, occupational therapist, educational psychologist, school doctor and Local Education Authority (LEA). The LEA and school between them had provided programmes of support under his Statement of Special Educational Needs, mainly delivered by competent and experienced Learning Support Assistants in a corridor at school. His School has an excellent reputation and is a very vibrant establishment. Probably because of this it is fully subscribed and therefore space for Arran (and others) who are particularly distractible through no fault of their own does not exist.

At the start of Year 5, in September 2007, he brought his spellings home. They were exactly the same as those he brought home at the start of Year 4, and, since they were at Year 1 level it is likely that they were the same ones as those given to him at the start of Years 3 and 2 although we didn’t check. They had been set by his teacher who had also been his teacher in Year 4. There was therefore continuity of assessment here - she had noted no progress in this area over an entire year. We had been concerned at his lack of progress anyway and this was a stark demonstration of his progress in spelling. He was also totally miserable, being easily intelligent enough to appreciate the wide gulf between himself and his peers. We pointed this out at his routine termly meeting and requested that the annual statement review be brought forward. This was held on 14^th November 2007. Arran produced some excellent writing for this. Unfortunately we spoiled things by drily pointing out that it was a pity he couldn’t read any of it back. We requested (again) provision of teaching by a specialist in dyslexia for a short period each week. The LEA said they would consider this and get back to us.

We were unimpressed by the lack of subsequent contact by the LEA. Notwithstanding the fact that the country grinds to a halt from early December, we had hoped for some indication of urgency. By late January we had made our minds up. Arran would leave school. We advised his head teacher both verbally and in writing.  He was sympathetic and supportive especially as Arran was being bullied now as well. Arran was really depressed and often begged not to go.

On 29^th January 2008 Jacqui received a phone call from the LEA advising us that Arran was going to be put on “another programme.” Her joy was not exactly unconfined at the news. Without waiting to find out what this programme was, she told the caller that Arran would soon be out of school. We confirmed this in writing soon afterwards and a predictable exchange of letters ensued. February half term marked the end of Arran’s schooldays, although he remained on the register until the start of the following half term. And so here we are. Teachers!

Colds, Tantrums and Ninja's

Hollie has a cold. She has spent most of the day lounging on the sofa suffering, Aiming sodden tissues at the bin. It unfortunately set her Asthma off so now she is coughing.

She did manage a practise on the drums though. Her set of ear protectors arrived so wanted to try them out. She is starting to sound really impressive. unfortunately I think the new protectors have made her play louder.

Hollie on her beloved drums when they were downstairs.I have since managed to get them into her bedroom

Arran had a total melt down today as he could not get the TV to work for his daily dose of the Simpson's. Total panic set in, buttons were pressed, yelling then full scale melt down. Body twitching. He just can't cope with things like this. No good comes of yelling at him as he just gets more upset. Take a deep breath and calm down ( I think I mean all of us) Once the programme is on there is silence. Think of the Autistic character in the film Rain man portrayed by Dustin Hoffman when he could not get to watch his programme at a set time. That is Arran. Don't judge him on this. He is very bright and gentle. People call him the gentle giant as he is tall for his age and it fits his personality. As parents we know him inside out and know the warning signs when he is getting stressed.

Our cat Tigger asleep. It's a hard life!

We decided to enroll Arran into our local village karate group to help build up his body strength and improve his co-ordination. It is also good for socialisation. Even with his special needs he is a shy boy. Hollie had been going for a year and was enjoying it. At first they were a bit reluctant to take him  on but when we explained why we wanted him to do it and that he  had no behavioral problems they relented.I hate having to explain Arran's needs every time we want to do something new. Arran can be apprehensive going as he finds it very hard to remember the instructions and to keep up but he has managed to get his red belt. I also consider this his sport for home education. he also does archery.

Stuart has turned out to be a great teacher. Ian goes along as his partner so I get an hour to myself usually time spent clearing and washing up. When do woman have time to pamper themselves? Both came back sweaty and happy.

Happy Fathers Day

The trouble with having older kids now is missing the excitment of them running through to the bedroom at the crack of dawn with various homemade gifts still sticky with glue. Wanting to make Dad a cake (clearing the mess up after). Talking to the Grandparents for hours on the phone about nothing in particular.

Now Ian had to wait until late morning for them to surface and got a mumbled Happy Fathers Day. He did look disappointed when no present or card arrived but the kids pulled hidden gifts from hiding places and he soon perked up with a box of toffee and a Carry On movie on DVD. Classic!

I decided to cook Italian. Seafood pasta and homemade Tiramisu, Yummy!

This was outdone by Ian spotting a Red kite flying over our house. They have been spotted around here before but it was our first sighting.
Ian loves wildlife and walking in the countryside around the village armed with a camera

St Marys Church- Taken in February by Ian

supermarket sweep!

Battled supermarket for weekend shop. Had to go as the cupboards were bare! Decided to get some nice scrummy ingredients in for tommorow for Fathers day for Ian. Hollie came to help but ended up filling the basket with toiletries that will pamper her from head to toe and keep her hair straight what ever the weather conditions. Teenagers! She spent the whole time at the checkout queue tapping on the trolley with various vegetables. She is practising for her grade four drum exam and is pleased that she finally has the rudiments of her first piece. Glad tapping with my carrots helped!

Just finished this painting for my friends birthday. Her pet rabbit Sam!

Tigger the cat is keeping me company. Sitting washing on the desk. She has already ripped up some of my Genealogy notes into soggy pieces.

Child one upstairs. Child two jiggling in the kitchen. Husband watching TV so finally have ME time. Everyone fed and happy.

Up and Running.

Have finally found the time to finish setting up my shop on Etsy JACKPOTS. It took me ages to figure out how to do the banner with not being completely computer literate. Hope everything sells ok. The bobbins that I have sold have had good feedback. First time I have put bowls on the internet.

FEATHERS FROM THE WOODLAND

 AUTUMN BOWL

Busy at the moment. with teaching Arran. He is very animated at the moment and finds it difficult to concentrate. Lots of jiggling up and down the kitchen until I get his attention. Once he is settled he works well. We are doing all about Greek Gods at the moment.His memory is amazing for history facts.  This can be interupted by lots of chatter about Transformers figures. This is his passion. We are slowly being overtaken by them. We must have 300 by now. I supose this is typical of an Autistic child to have an obsession. There is no escape though as he follows me round getting more worked up about the facts of a particular figure. He has memorised several books on the subject. Even in the shower I am not safe from the Transformers as facts about them are shouted through the crack in the door. That is how Arran is..

Whilst I am writing this Arran is talking about what Transformer he would like for Christmas. Well, at least he is organised!

Can be very difficult to have ME time.