Barts, Butterflies and Bye Bye!

Well despite Kirsty’s dire predictions, all the children got on very well and so did Kirsty and i of course! They all seemed to enjoy each others company with no more than the odd spat really, fairly understandable for 5 children who all fairly small. Was nice to have a good chunk of time too. All our visits are over now (planned ones anyway) so after next week i am more than happy to start planning more if anyone who thinks they love me enough to put up with late pregnacy sloth, wants to come! Its pot luck to see who gets to be here the night i go into labour really!!!!

Yesterday was mainly taken up with a very pleasant trip to the Long Sutton Butterfly Park. Ive never been before but i thought it was excellent value, considering the educational rate was £3 a head for over 3’s. There were some beautiful birds of prey and a display, were we had an American Bald Eagle swooping low over our heads, among other things. He was the highlight of my day, that is for sure. The big two went for a talk in the tropical house with another HE mum from our group while Kirsty and i stayed outside with the smalls; and that was lovely because i got some quality time with Ammi, who loved the birds and loved my attention and was a doll all day. I really had a nice time with her.

Fran and Maddy were very full of all they had seen, both had touched the snake (impressive for Fran) Maddy had wanted to hold the tarantula but her hands were too small so settled for stroking it but was highly amused by it giving her some spider poo! We went in briefly too and Ammi had the misfortune, given her anti bug feelings, to have a butterfly/moth/something fly straight into her mouth. She was petrified and beside herself and although i did persuade her back in later, everytime she thought of it through the day, her eyes filled with tears. In fact, when Max arrived home, she ran straight to him and sobbed out the whole story. Poor girl. Still, she did still have a great time and i was really pleased with how much of the talk the big two had taken in, they told me lots of facts about things when we went back in.

There was also a small animal section where they saw wallabies, water buffalos, and llamas – i’ve got photos but since i have to reinstall tonight, i haven’t put that software on so it will have to do later. The highlight of the day was probably the adventure playground though, we were in there for AGES!!!!!!

I’ve had another Book People delivery this week (bad Merry) but its all good stuff; 10 books of the lives of famous artists, 10 Eyewitness books, The Story of London in cartoon form and The Usborne Dictionary of Maths which i can see being very handy! lol! Its all stuff that will fit in well with my autumn/winter plans too which is great. I had the letter from the LEA yesterday too so i have to make my decision about how to handle that. I also had a file of reports on Maddy, plus a letter with an official diagnosis of Aspergers Syndrome. Looks sort of weird to see “long term special educational needs” written in black and white. The whole thing, inevitably i suppose, has happened 18 months too late. It was 18 months ago that i caved and went in desperation to the Doctors, the process has taken that long and in that time the worst (for now anyway) seems to have passed and i have the measure of her – i know how to help and she is happier. Still, its not like i spend my days saying “I have an AS child and life is limited thus” or anything. It is, at times, useful, the rest of the time its not an issue.

I am planning on blogging next week but its mostly going to be plans and anything i manage to achieve through the week, just so i can look back and say “look what i can do when i am not tripping over children, no wonder i’m permanently shattered and behind!” so i will quite understand if you want to ignore me! I might even hibernate! ROFL!