Learning here, there and everywhere

Tuesday 9th: It's always so sweet to see Little Miss go and cuddle up with Shadow.
Ruth had some fun with trying to take some selfies with Asher this morning.

I don't think Asher quite understood to smile. :-)

Tuesday morning is always very busy for Rachel and I as we prepare food for lunch on Tuesday as well as Wednesday's packed lunch. On Wednesday Hezekiah is at pre-school and Ruth, Asher and I are travelling back from Champion Centre at lunch time. So it's great to have all the meals ready to go. I always feel a little overwhelmed but have finally gotten a list of who needs what and I'm getting better every week. Hannah especially enjoys her Wednesday school lunch.

Wed 10th: Asher's OT always has so many new and exciting games for Asher to try.
Getting some time outside too. I think this was her first time in one of these little cars and she loved it.

Asher has a "play room specialist" too who gets specific toys and activities out in the play room to work on any weaker areas. Emma gets to know each child and thinks very carefully about what activities would be good for them.
Thursday 11th: Ruth had the camera out again. She just loved Asher with this cap on, so tried to capture some of the fun she had with her.
This week saw St John and dancing start up again. This year Rachel has ballet practice for a full hour (previously it was just 45min) twice a week (Tue and Thu). Ruth will be doing Ballet and Jazz on a Thursday now (rather than Tuesday). As we are travelling for Rachel anyway - it works out well. She is able to be in older, more fitting groups this year. So I am really pleased about this change. Even though it's an extra day out for us.

Friday 12th: I finally got to unpack some on-line shopping this morning and gave Hezekiah these extra cards and books that were put in my box. They are old stock, so were just given away. He was very excited and it's great math practice for him. He knows most of his numbers now and so carefully looks at the order of the 3 numbers (they start at 110) and then finds the matching number in the book to put the card in.

Ruth enjoyed it too.

This evening Hannah enjoyed building with the blocks that recently came out of the garage. Asher saying "cheese" to be in the photo too.
I wanted a close up of the tower, and Ruth decided to photo bomb. :-)

Saturday 13th: After lunch today Brendon and the older 3 girls had an extra Karate practice as they have their first assessment next weekend. Hezekiah always wants to get his gi on when they get ready, and it was no different today. Except for the fact that he got very hot with the long sleeved top on. So that soon came off. It was rather sweet having Little Miss enjoying a nap with him.
In the evening Ruth did another part of her final Brownie badge - making music with water in glasses. She really enjoyed this and Hannah was pleased to have a go too.
It was only after the glasses were washed and packed away that I realized that one of the glasses was a different shape (confirmed when I looked at this photo). I couldn't figure out why it wasn't in tune with the others. ;-)

New bed, new blanket and new hobby

Monday 12th: Asher has been enjoying playing in her cot lately. She throws all of her toys and blankets out and then asks that they be put back in (she says "more" but we know what she wants). They go in and out, in and out.
And Shadow patiently lies there, even when she is covered in blankets.

Tuesday 13th: Asher has this little band with a clip that she thinks looks very similar to the halti I put on Shadow when we go for our (almost) daily walks.
It was so cute watching Asher trying to put it on Shadow today. Shadow sitting so patiently with her. Just enjoying the attention. So sweet.
And for anyone wondering, we always watch Asher really carefully when she sits close to Shadow's face. We make sure she is not frustrating Shadow at all and that Shadow is always comfortable.
Children are always taught to not go close to a dog's face, and I do understand that. This is very special bonding time for these two though.

Wednesday 14th. Today I decided it was time to take the one side off Asher's cot. She is just too heavy for me to lift her in and out. Especially lifting her out when she is lying down. She is thrilled with her "new" bed.
Ruth helped me with it (we had to turn the cot around as we had the removable side against the wall before). She also decided that now that it was more like a real bed, she needed a pillow. So we found a thin one and put a cat pillow case on it. Asher was very pleased with that too.
Ruth needed a camp fire blanket for Jamboree and we got that sorted this week. We got a lovely "mostly" wool one (not 100% wool so that it isn't too scratchy). We designed the neck so that it could easily get over her head (and all her hair) but still sit nicely on her shoulders. It was fun working on it together. The badges are tacked on, and we will get them sewn on over the next couple of weeks.
Ruth then called Hannah over to pose with her. What a great photo of them. So special.
Hannah has decided to stop Brownies. She enjoyed playing with the girls, but was never really interested in badges and doing anything else.
On Thursday morning (15th) Asher had a 2 minute vacant episode. She was on the tramp ladder and just froze.
Friday 16th: Bubble fun at Champion Centre. Asher is still not able to sit through the whole group singing time. Thankfully the bubbles draws her back to the group. :-)
Unfortunately at 11:45, while still at Champion Centre, Asher had a 2 minute vacant seizure. The physiotherapist was playing with her in the sandpit when it started. I was standing nearby chatting to a social worker. The physio noticed the seizure as soon as it started - even though it was just a vacant one. So it was really good for me to know that others can also see when these "quieter" ones start. Asher did eventually go quite blue as her breathing was not great. Thankfully she pinked up quickly once it stopped.
This afternoon Ruth and I quickly popped out to look for our first Geocache. She needed to find one for a Brownie badge (about treasure), and the idea of it really appeals to Ruth.
I think finding Geocaches may be her chosen "parent child outing" in the months ahead. :-) I think she has found a new hobby.

Saturday 17th: Such a cutie. I didn't pack my shoes away after our walk. Any time shoes are left around she will enjoy trying them on. :-)
Ruth and Hezekiah designed a race track on the deck this morning.

Hannah joined in too. So much fun.

Ruth's arrangement of her food today - Master Chef inspired. :-)
Asher does love helping me with the washing, but as soon as the basket was empty today, she decided it would be fun to climb in. The dear girl always tries to fix that gap though. The basket was a wedding present, so not bad for over 18 years old.
Hezekiah and I had fun at the Waipara park today. Rachel went to the doc yesterday for the cold / cough that she has been struggling with this week. He explained that there is swelling in her nose, and so all the mucus is going down onto her chest. Unfortunatley only 1 of the 2 medications arrived in the post this morning, so Hezekiah and I went to fetch the 2nd one this afternoon (and the reason for the park visit a bit further away from home).
On that note - the combination of the two medications worked really well and Rachel felt so much better already on Sunday.
I do love this photo of Hezekiah. I'm not thrilled with my "double chin" though - I really need to work on not looking down like that at the camera for our selfies. ;-) My hair makes me look old enough, I don't need a fake double chin too.

So we got this photo too. Such a sweet boy.
I took this photo of my hand of cards this evening. I could not believe I could have so many change colour cards in one hand.

The only problem was I had been made to pick up, so I lost with all these in my hand.

2 seizure, 2 pets and 2 camps

Friday 9 October: It was lovely to have Kerry come and visit today with her youngest 3. Katie and Hannah had a great time together.

The 3 boys had a great time too.
I had been sharing with Kerry how I am needing to accept the fact that life is just more difficult with Asher's need to be constantly (and vigilantly) supervised. And while these 4 were on the tramp, Asher had a vacant seizure. I was really impressed with the boys as they all stopped and kept quiet as soon as I said "wait" and checked on her. She had gotten suspiciously quiet, and on talking to her I saw that she was having a vacant one. I quickly got her inside so I could monitor her breathing well. Thankfully it only lasted about 2 1/2 minutes.

She didn't sleep after this one and headed outside to the tramp again. At one point Rachel needed me in the kitchen, so Kerry offered to watch Asher and I headed in to help. It all happened really quickly, but the message quickly got to me that Asher was having another seizure. This time it was a 1 1/2 minute Tonic Clonic and she needed a good long sleep after it. I had thought a bigger one might still be coming, so I wasn't too surprised (specifically because she didn't sleep after the earlier one). And thankfully I had just finished with the kitchen job, so I could just sit with Asher while she slept.
It was lovely having Kerry with through the morning and just being able to share a bit of our "normal life" with someone else. And it's always great to have a catch up with her too.

Ruth took this photo of Shadow and Puss. It's been great to see how Puss has relaxed with Shadow around. Shadow was relaxed with her from the moment she arrived, but it took Puss a while to realize how gentle she is.
Around lunch time Ruth headed off for her Pre-Jamboree camp. She had to pack as if she was going to Jamboree (with the only change being clothes for 3 days rather than 7).
She used the same box that Rachel used for her Jamboree 4 years ago. Ruth was pleased to be wearing a Guide top too. She is still in Brownies and will move up to Guides by the end of this term.
I was so very thankful that the Guide leader was going to camp too, and so could give Ruth a lift.
And then later in the afternoon, Rachel headed off to the St John National Squad Selection weekend camp. Again thankfully she had a lift for most of the trip, and we only needed to get her to Amberley.

Saturday 10th saw us out in the garden again through the morning.

Enjoying some sun on the tramp.

Isn't he such a cutie.

He loves using the "poop scoop". He had been dragging them on the ground though, so I told him he should lift them a bit. So he lifted them way up.

Getting some more gardening done with Dad.

Our "neighbours to be" (who are building next door) were around today working on their drive. Their son was with today and although his autism makes him rather nervous around people, he was eventually won over by Hannah and Hezekiah's friendliness and even came into our property to plan on the tramp. It was great seeing them having so much fun.

I had to smile this evening when the kids where playing with Brendon. Hannah and Hezekiah had been doing some "play fighting" with Brendon, and Asher wanted in on it too. So they stood in a line and took turns trying to hit Dad's hands without getting their own hands caught.
He is such a great Dad and I am so thankful for him.

Shadow settling in

Tuesday 15th: I headed down for a private session with a dog trainer. Rachel and Ruth came with and I was glad they did. The trainer gave us a lot of ideas and it was nice to talk through it all on our way home. I am sure I would have forgotten things if I was on my own.
One main change was getting a halter for Shadow for walking. Although Shadow is pulling on the normal lead - the main reason for trying this is because I want to go for walks with Shadow and Asher in a pram. And be able to go on my own, pushing the pram and leading Shadow. The trainer said she would even use a halter in that situation - even with a dog that never pulls. It just makes it so much safer. And Shadow adjusted to it really quickly. It fits really comfortably and does not restrict the dog's mouth at all. It just means that if they try and pull, their head goes down (as the lead is attached under their chin). So they just can't pull at all.
It's ended up working really well, as I have been able to get out for walks and not need to constantly be training Shadow to not pull. She just naturally walks along side the pram. The exact spot I want her walking.
Then it was off to dance and St John for the girls. So a rather busy Tuesday this week.
Wednesday 16th: Hannah found this dress and looked very "old fashioned" today. The hair style adding to the picture quite nicely.

And good to get a photo of Rachel with Shadow. Shadow enjoying a bit of a cuddle and closeness while Rachel does some work on her novel.
Shadow playing with Asher today. I couldn't get a nice clear photo as the two of them were moving around so much.

An update on the knee. The big bandage is now off. I put two extra plasters on to make sure that the stitches (that were sticking out a bit) didn't hook on anything. You can see how swollen it is. And it's very stiff. He can hardly bend it. He will see the physiotherapist after his follow up appointment with the surgeon on the 23rd.
I finally remembered to take a photo of this very special letter that we go. Ruth even made the envelope herself - creating the "window" with the address.
This letter had me in tears and then laughing.
I learnt afterwards that she just loves putting a PS on the bottom of the letter. So she wanted to add something. We just had such a laugh. At least when asked to write a thank you letter as a school assignment, she chose this to write. It is beautiful.
Asher having some cuddle time with Shadow.

Asher and Hezekiah feeding Shadow. This is another change the trainer has suggested. We take Shadow's dry food for the day and then use feeding as opportunities to teach. So when she is fed, we use her "food name" which is "Sha-dow" (2 nice clear separate syllables). So even if the children are holding her food, she can only take the food when she hears "Sha-dow". She was already very good at waiting till told she could have her food, so it's not too much of a change. It's a great thing to learn though because there are little people around who sometimes have food in their hands. Shadow is just like any other Labrador and she LOVES food. So we don't want her steeling food from little hands. And the kids do love feeding her.
Thursday 17th. Shadow keeping Asher company while she works on her puzzles.

Hezekiah actually said he wanted to go and "pick up the poo" this afternoon. What a helpful boy. We need to try get a good poop scoop for him to use. He is learning from Ruth's great example as she has already headed out to do it without being asked.

Enjoying some more play time with Shadow coming to lie close to her.
And some extra excitement for Shadow today as she visited the Brownies. Ruth did this as part of her animal badge and enjoyed showing the girls all the tricks that Shadow can do. I should have brought her halter with though, as the girls would have liked to see it and be able to each take her for a little walk.