Overwhelmed

This is a post for today. Today I am just feeling very overwhelmed. I think I am at the point of doing too much and this afternoon I have just been tipped over the edge.

What am I doing? In the past 2 months I have:

-Started leading Mainly Music

-Started Scripture teaching

-Started coaching AFL

On top of what I am already doing

-Overseeing and at times leading Kids church 3-5s

-Praying at church

-Being a mum and organising the kids (dance Monday, band and bass Tuesday, swimming Wednesday, AFL training Thursday, Alexander swimming and play date afternoon Friday, AFL and Church Sunday).

Then this week I have added 

-Daniel needed to get an OT assessment.

-Organising Alexander's birthday party

Then today has just pushed me over the edge. This morning with Alexander's swimming we were on our way and turned around to home to get his goggles and swimming cap. We got to swimming and I realised that his towel was still at home (someone else kindly lent me their spare). Then I dropped Alexander off at Anne's place (she kindly offered which was lovely) and then came home. I looked at the OT assessment and called up building blocks to try and put Daniel on the waiting list. Unfortunately I then realised that I told the Doctor the wrong place for OT and said Numberworks. No clue why my mind changed it. But it did. So I then had to call to make a phone consult to change the name of the OT place for the referral. Far out! Then this afternoon after a play, Eliza fell from the trampoline (AGAIN!) and has hurt her elbow. We are pretty sure that it is ok, but will have to wait and see. She has gone to sleep, we have iced it and put it in a sling to help her. She has said that it is hurting when she tries to straighten it. But it also might be sprained. Not sure. We will see how it is in the morning. It's another thing.

I'm finding that I'm just overwhelmed of everything that is going on. I'm feeling that many things are just another thing at the moment. I'm finding that I'm forgetting things that I think I'd normally remember. My brain is just thinking about so many things that I'm quite overwhelmed buy it all. I'm praying that Eliza's arm is ok and in the morning she uses it a bit more. I'm praying that this is the last thing. I don't feel like having anything else come my way, I just don't have the head space or energy to have another thing.

I'm even missing this time last year a bit when things slowed down and we were at home. 

OT referral

Since Daniel was little, I have suspected that he might need OT. At preschool he very rarely brought home paintings, and he really didn't show much interest in writing his name, let alone writing in general. His cutting wasn't always on the lines and being a left handed boy he often wrote letters backwards. But in Kindy they had an OT come in and observe all the kids and we got a letter that said that he was fine for his age. I was honestly surprised. I expected that we would be suggested to go and see an OT then. But I left it, assuming it was just because he was a lefty. 

Year 1 came and his teacher suggested that he do some fine motor activities to help strengthen his pencil grip and that would mean that he could write more. To be honest I tried a few things but I found that those activities kinda took a back seat to doing other things. 

Year 2 came and his teachers said that he is just a distracted boy and wants to help others so he wasn't writing very much. His effort on the report for English had dropped which surprised me. I don't care if my kids are top or bottom of the class but I do care that they are trying their best effort all the time. I asked Daniel about the lower effort mark and he said that he gets distracted from others and finds it hard to focus so he doesn't do much writing. He also said that he hates writing. I understand to an extent. I didn't enjoy writing much in school but I don't think that I hated it. Maybe I did. 

At the start of this year I met with his Year 3 teacher to touch base with where he was, particularly with his writing. She said that she would be encouraging him and will help him where she could. Then yesterday she called me to say that she hasn't really seen improvement in Daniel's handwriting. She has recommended that he sees an OT to help him. She said that the amount of writing is lacking she thinks because he finds it hard to write and she is encouraging him to focus on writing neatly. 

So where am I at now? I'm annoyed at myself for not following my gut in Kindy when I felt he should have some OT support to help him and strengthen his fine motor skills. I'm annoyed at the school because when I asked for recommendations they said they can't recommend anywhere. What is with that? I don't get it. You say you are caring for the student and the family, yet you aren't going to suggest any places that are helpful. Yes I can just look up places on the internet but it is another thing to do and how do I know if they are good places or not?? I'm grateful for Daniel's teacher for finally bringing it to my attention and wanting him to get help. I'm annoyed at the health system because I did call up one place and they said it is a 2 month wait to get an initial assessment and then another waiting list before actually starting any therapy. The system is wrong! So for Daniel, he won't be having any support until Year 4 really. 

I'm just overwhelmed at the moment. In Kindy I had the time in the afternoons for him to go and do therapy or anything he needed. Now we don't have afternoons free to do this. It is going to be a juggle. The fact that he will have to wait even longer means that it is going to take him longer to get out of bad habits. I wish that the school seemed more supportive. I get that their job is 9-3 but honestly, when I taught I was thinking about the kids before and after school too. I would have asked and worked out places in the area that the family could try and call.

Anyway, the next steps are to process my frustration and move on. Then to chat with Daniel about starting to see an OT down the track to help him have the strength to write more. Putting it in a positive light, not frustrated like I feel at the moment. Then to see the Doctor on Thursday with him to get a referral and hopefully they can suggest a place for OT. And then to go on a waiting list until we can get assessed. 

Anyway, it is another thing but I do know that it will benefit Daniel big time, that it will help his confidence and his writing ability. It will help him in life which is important. I want to do it for him, I just wish that I was doing it earlier, but we can't live with the 'what ifs' of life.

A Real Art Gallery

Ever since we did the Walking Art Gallery, the kids had asked if they could go and see a real Art Gallery. When Alexander headed to preschool and the big kids had staff day at school, I decided that we would go for an adventure to the Art Gallery of NSW. 

We hopped onto a train (first time in a long time thanks to Covid!!) and enjoyed reading books (so much easier on a train with older kids), enjoyed looking out the window and waving at the train guards on the platform.

Masked up - Eliza wasn't keen

Reading

Sydney Harbour Bridge!!

Waving to the guard on the platform

Daniel wanted to go to Museum to be able to see the old photos at the station. I do love looking at them too.

We then walked through Hyde Park, stopping at Alexander's Outing fountain.

We headed under the road to cross over near the Art Gallery and the kids saw a passageway that had cool artworks on the wall. They asked if we could go along that so we did. I had no idea where it went to (I found out after that it goes to the Domain Carpart). The artworks were cool to look at though.

We found a praying mantis on the pole on our way to the Art Gallery too and enjoyed looking at it.

There was a booklet for the Aboriginal Artworks section which the kids were keen to do. It was cool to see them interpret the artworks and draw their own interpretations based upon the descriptions and artworks.

Eliza asked why the First Nations slaves had smiles on their faces. Wouldn't they be sad to be chained up?

This headpiece was really cool!

I sent this photo to Mum and Dad who were down in Tasmania at the time. A different way of looking at what could be seen as a nice artwork.

We then walked around to look at the different artworks in the Gallery. Some caught the kids' eyes. A lot they just wanted to walk past.

Spot the kids

It was cool to see a Picasso painting in real life after the kids doing their own versions in our walking art gallery.

We enjoyed lunch outside under the trees

This artwork was really cool too! We popped back in for a quick look before heading home.

We couldn't help but go down to the giant matchsticks in the gardens which we see as we drive to the AFL. The kids were great in helping me do the pretend photo of holding the matchsticks.

As we headed back to the station the kids were curious about St Mary's Cathedral. They wanted to have a look inside so in we went. They were amazed that it was a church because it is so different to our church! There was a service on so we couldn't fully walk around the church to see it all but we did pause to look at the beautiful stain glassed windows. Eliza was sad when we had to leave because 'it was just so beautiful!'

At Daniel's request we headed to find a Boost Juice place to enjoy a refreshing drink on the train home.

It was a fun adventure. The kids aren't that keen to go back soon (but Alexander was sad that he missed out on going so I will head back with him another time) but it was still cool to show them a real Art Gallery.

Hervey Bay in the Easter Holidays

After missing out on our 2 week holiday to Hervey Bay at Christmas time, we decided that we would try again at Easter time. There was a moment of uncertainty (as seems to be the case each holiday period) after some cases popped up in Tweed Heads and also in Brisbane, but they were quickly contained and well handled. We just needed to wear masks in Tweed Heads when we went out, otherwise it was all good.

This trip was my first time having the kids choose what they wear. They did a pretty good job at deciding what to put into their bags. I just made them a little packing list.

We did our regular drive up to Tweed Heads for the night, stopping at Maclean for lunch. Alexander was pretty keen to keep the Easter celebrations going by having his special cookie made by Lorraine.

We sent a message to Tim and Rach with this being the closest we will get to Scotland for a while

We made it to Tweed Heads just before dinner and checked into our regular Hotel. Eliza and I filled in the time by playing with her Dogman card game.

We headed out to dinner at the local RSL. The kids enjoyed their meals and were excited that it came with an activity bag. 

After a pretty good nights sleep we headed up to Hervey Bay and the kids were pretty excited to see Nana J. They made themselves right at home, playing with the green Cotton Sand (I think it feels gross and it goes everywhere. It has definitely made me decide that I won't get kinetic sand for at home or anything because it makes such a mess, even when it isn't supposed to).

Eliza and Aly were so very excited to see each other and were dressed in their matchy matchy outfits from their birthdays.

They enjoyed skipping together.

And across the road was having a tree cut down and stump removed so that also provided a lot of the morning entertainment!

Maddie and Daniel swapped between playing AFL (Daniel teaching Maddie) and playing Austag (Maddie teaching Daniel). To play Austag they used leaves in their shorts for the tags to grab. Very creative!

We planned a trip out to Burrum Heads with Nan and Jenny and Ryan and the girls which was lovely. The weather was perfect! We played backyard cricket, soccer, enjoyed lunch of fish and chips, the kids went for a swim, we found crabs (many, many many crabs), the kids played on the sand and we just had a lovely time together. It was so nice to see Nan too.

The kids were keen to feel the water before lunch

I walked over to see this from the other side of the boat ramp. It was so many crabs! So cool to see.

I went and got the kids to show them. They showed no fear in walking near them (Maddie in particular). Alexander enjoyed walking like the crabs in Bluey, pinchy pinchy.

Crabs burying themselves in the sand

So many crabs!

No fear Maddie!

Pinchy, pinchy

We headed back over the others for lunch - tasty fish and chips.

Before Nan headed home we got some lovely photos with this amazing lady. Can't believe that she will be 100 in a couple of months!

After lunch the kids were desperate to go down to the water.

Maddie and Daniel were keen to go back over to find the crabs. The little crabs had all gone, but Maddie managed to find a large crab in the rocks. She then used a stick to catch it and put it into her bucket to take over and show everyone else. I was very impressed with how she did it all. I sure wouldn't have.

Catching the crab

The stick that she used with the crab on it

Daniel being brave and holding it

The girls playing in the water

Charlie boy has been very friendly this trip, more than before. He has loved the pats and has loved sleeping on the kids' beds at night as they go to bed. I have been very impressed with the kids and how they have been with Charlie.

I did a double take with Daniel sitting with Charlie in this place. It is where Malcolm would often sit in the morning to give Charlie a pat and sit with him.

So much love for Charlie... Until he ate Aly's food. Then she was a bit grumpy with him.

This trip, because of having our new bike rack, we decided to bring our bikes up which meant that we could go for some adventures. I borrowed Julie's bike which was a great help. The kids were very excited to go for a ride. It was a pretty hot day so we rode to Aquaview and got some cold drinks to enjoy before heading back home. The kids did really well with their riding!

Photo at the pier

So nice riding along the Esplanade

Filling in our time using the exercise machines

Nice cool drinks as a reward

Heading back

Sitting on the back deck we did a bit of drawing. I drew a picture of Daniel, Eliza and Alexander drew a picture of me.

We organised to have a morning at the beach, my happy place. That of course included climbing up the tree too. The kids had a blast in the water. It was a bit too cool for me to fully enjoy it but I did like cooling my legs off in the water.

We found Malcolm's instructions to play a game that we called 'Debbie' but really it's called Speed. 

Julie introduced the kids to Mary Poppins which was awesome because it brings back my childhood memories. I love the movie. We watched it because the next day we were all going to the Mary Poppins Museum in Maryborough. The kids did well with watching it, they enjoyed it, giggled at times, got confused about why things happened at other times. But they did enjoy it and it gave them context for the next day. I will write a seperate post about the museum.

After the museum we headed to the big park for lunch. It is such a lovely area. It doesn't have play equipment but it doesn't need any when it has this gorgeous tree for the kids to climb and explore. They spent well over an hour here using their imagination, climbing, pretending they had houses, etc.

Alexander's hideout

Alexander wanted me to take a selfie of us in his hideout

We recreated a photo that James took of Eliza in the same place a few years ago (I can't find the photo on my computer. Will need to look for it on James' phone)

We couldn't have a trip to Hervey Bay without an ice cream trip. It was a nighttime one. The kids loved it though! And the bonus was that it didn't melt as quickly because it wasn't as hot as at Summertime. 

Alexander's choice was hokey pokey. Much more flavour than vanilla :-)

Eliza used her creativity and made a dress out of paper.

We had a nice morning tea with Nan, Pat and Norma and Auntie Wendy.

We enjoyed a breakfast together at Enzo's place (tradition!) followed by a play at the park.

Swinging with my boy makes him happy

Julie with her kids

Alexander was excited to have Mummy sit next to him in the car

Alexander and Eliza decided they wanted to send a letter to Tim and Each. We made them, then went to the post office to send it in the letter box. The kids have hardly even done this so it was quite the novelty!

Alexander's picture and writing for Tim and Each. I love it!!

 Eliza made a list of things that she does at Nana J's place, Aly's place and our place.

We also went and saw Uncle Geoff and Aunty Wendy. Always lovely to visit them and catch up. They love us so much and are so encouraging and patient with the kids. 

The car trip home went smoothly, stopping at Tweed Heads looking at the ANZAC memorial with the kiddies, playing at the park at the Big Axe and lunch just before the rain started (which Alexander wasn't too happy about).

So glad that we were able to go to Hervey Bay for Easter holidays and spend time with family.