Another Step

I hate labelling kids especially when they already have special needs like Arran. It was with a heavy heart that we finally decided that we should make an appointment to see the Doctor and get a referral for him. So many people recently have commented that we should see if he has Aspergers.We have put it off for two years. His sister does not want him to be poked and prodded again but we have explained that unfortunately the system works with labelling and lists as much as we hate it.

Arran on the other hand does not seemed bothered.

One man at archery last week even referred to Arran as Autistic. His son apparently has Down syndrome and is living with a child with Aspergers. He recognised the signs in Arran. Does he stand out that much! He does have his funny little ways.

It will be the waiting game now for the referral and then on to the list for the assessment. The GP says it can be very hard to diagnose as the symptoms vary in each person.

At least if he wants to go to college they will be aware of his needs and he can receive the help. At the moment all he is interested in are rabbits and Transformers.

A picture of his beloved rabbit Suzie. She has taken to living around the coffee table and snuggling down on the fluffy brown rug.

Crafts- My Hand Painted Bobbins

Now the Summer holidays are here I now have more time to do some crafts to sell online.
I hand paint lace bobbins and they seem to be selling well so now thinking of more designs. All of them can been seen in my ETSY shop "Jackpots" Updating it all the time. I am also busy painting wooden earrings as well. These are new items so hope it goes down well on the site. I did it with a hand painted gift tag of a Russian bear.

Here are some of my collections

Feathers of the woodland edge. Green Woodpecker, Magpie, Jay and Tawny owl

Elevenses-Cupcakes and Chocolates

Herbs

Soft Fruits- Blackcurrant, Strawberry, Gooseberry and Raspberry

Autumn- Hawthorn, Chestnut, Sycamore and Oak

These seem to be one of the favourites. Hedgerow-Blackberry, Sloe, Hawthorn and Elderberry

Cornfield- Poppy, Daisy, Corn Cockle and Cornflower

Feathers-Pheasant and Jay

THE GARDEN VISITORS

Could not resist showing these photos to you. Last year we were lucky enough to have a family of hedgehogs living in our garden. This year I could not believe that they have chosen to stay and have had another family.This time two babies. I did not manage to get one of the babies but I took one of mum as she came out for the cat food that I feed them every night.

The mum goes off leaving the babies to explore the garden. They have such attitude if you get too close. Puffing themselves up and squeaking. They still have the odd white spine.

I have never known my garden to be so free from slugs and snails. I think that is why the vegetables are doing so well.

Ian also managed to get a picture of some spotted woodpeckers that visits us. Both the male and female were around and brought their baby. It was fed on peanuts which it loved and spent quite a while pecking at our plum tree bark for grubs

I don't think the woodpecker could believe the cheek of the Bluetits to eat in his presence

The Run Down

We are now on the run down to the Summer holidays. We are trying to finish several topics with Arran as well as meet up with other home education friends. During holidays we tend to scatter and avoid places that are packed with school kids. What an anti-social lot we are!

Met up today at our local play centre where the kids can let off a bit of steam and the parents can rant about everything that comes to mind and drink lots of coffee. They did question Arran's height this time as there are restrictions but I argued and said he needed to meet up with these kids for socialisation.Were they going to tell him that he could not go in? I guess next year might be different . He is already 5ft 10inches at thirteen.

I talked about getting Arran assessed for Aspergers professionally. All the mums present seemed to agree that he probably has it to add to his long list. I have noticed that it has "come out" more as he is getting older. The movement, awkward in social situations, melt downs. I watched him today and even though he joined in he stayed on the outside.Very blank expressions. He does take it all in though. Never really talks to anyone. They all seem to like him though.

We are getting ready for our annual revue for Arran's statement. He is the only home educated kid in this area to have one. We wanted him to keep it up so if he decides on college he will get extra help. They always send out forms for us to fill in but they are geared up for school so we try our best and fill in what we can. We take along our diary so they are usually happy with this. Trying to update everything. This was going really well until the stupid computer decided not to save all my work grrr!

Arran is really enjoying the topic round Britain. He can get distracted so we choose some famous or interesting place and learn about it. We have covered Stone Henge which he visited earlier this year. The Loch Ness monster fact or fiction, Hadrian's wall, Canals and their history It is great that Geography can be slipped in as well. So he knows where they all are in Britain.

He is really obsessing about his Transformer Blog as well. Still many hundreds of transformers to put on. He has started collecting the new ones that are  out as well now so I think it is a never ending topic.

We are trying to get out and about more. We don't run a car and enjoy the countryside around our village which lies on the Essex way.  The picture was taken earlier this year. It is a great way to educate as you never know what you will come across. We usually bump into the local wildlife including hundreds of rabbits and hares. We see the resident Roe deer and the odd fox. We also like to take a bag if we are in the local Hill house woods so interesting objects can be collected. The wood is a must in Springtime when the woods are full of Bluebells. 

 Arran on one of our bike rides

Arran and me on one of our outings, looking windswept on a hill over looking the River Colne

Some Pictures of the Hill House Bluebells that Ian photographed

The lower pond



View over valley from the woods