Over a month since the last blog post! And it's basically cause there's been nothing to specially note... just life... routine... some laughs, some yelling, some sleepless nights... We've also been trying to spend a lot less money, as there may be an occasion in the near future where we need to get some cash together at short notice. More on that in a future post.
So, what's been happening...
Firstly, winter is well and truly here, with a -6 deg morning already. Still hasn't stopped Mum though who runs most mornings before Dad is even out of bed! The kids have already been a bit crook, with Carter getting a terrible case of tonsillitis. Currently, they're fine... for now...! We just got a heap of concreting done too, so it's a shame they can't use that more often as it gets dark/cold so early now!
Linc has started soccer again and I'm the coach. While I sort of regret the decision, it's a case of the better me than some hopeless parent who has never played a day in their life (I played for six years as a kid!)... the team isn't all that competent - which is fine, it's just for fun after all - but they are even worse at listening. They just Don't Listen At All. But Linc seems to be enjoying himself, so that's the main thing.
Linc's best friends at the moment is Mitchell D and G, Jayden, Harrison, Brock, Evan, Alfie, Tommy, Jack etc. etc. But there has been times where he hasn't wanted to go to school; he regularly comes home with a headache too. This combined with the perception that he wasn't progressing as well as last year triggered Mum to make an appointment to speak to the teacher. And that was interesting. Linc is in the top four most intelligent children in the class. Apparently this group of four just 'get it' well before the rest of the class and get bored when the teacher is repeating the instructions for tasks so the rest of the class can get started; Linc and the other three just want to go and do it. However, Linc doesn't follow multiple instructions very well, and doesn't cope when there is lots of background noise (chatter etc.). The teacher had a theory that maybe Linc had Auditory Processing Disorder and should be tested. Dad thought it was rubbish, but that there may be residual effects from going so long without being able to hear properly (and yes, the grommets are still in his ears!).
Auditory processing disorder (APD), also known as central auditory processing disorder (CAPD), is a hearing problem that affects about 5% of school-aged children.
Kids with this condition can't process what they hear in the same way other kids do because their ears and brain don't fully coordinate. Something interferes with the way the brain recognizes and interprets sounds, especially speech.
With the right therapy, kids with APD can be successful in school and life. Early diagnosis is important, because when the condition isn't caught and treated early, a child can have speech and language delays or problems learning in school.
Fast forward a week or two and she did the test and decided he doesn't have it. He just needs to concentrate more, which he has been really working on, much to the delight of Ms Jenkins (the teacher). She also noted that he is very sensitive (yep, like his Dad was when growing up!). He has very high levels of empathy towards his class mates, and is acutely aware of social interactions (and places great importance on these interactions).
Carter is growing so fast; he's loving school, and there hasn't been a single day where he hasn't wanted to go. His best friend is Ewan, but he has a number of friends - Jack, Noah, Zane and.... well it was Angus, but not any more(?).... so Carter says.
