This is going to be a very full week!
On Friday we are going here:
Jealous?
I think that it is one of the most beautiful beaches on the Australian East Coast.
The kids are SO excited.
Here’s another: 
But as al you ASD mum’s will know, it’s not just a matter of jumping in the car and driving….OH NO!
I spent the better half of today googling images of everything that I could think of to make up a “What’s happening each day” chart.
It is complete with images of the unit we are staying in, where we are stopping for lunch on the way, the length of the trip (shown on clock faces), what the pool at our unit looks like, the shopping centre we will have to go to buy food etc etc etc,
I also whiled away another couple of hours also on google images getting pictures of everything from tractors to a red car, to cows, to trains , to a blue car to a service station to make each child a “bingo” card that they can stick stars on as they spot them. Hopefully, that combined with the Nintendo DSs and the DVD player will make the 5 hour drive bearable!
I was chatting to Mr Patient and we were reminiscing about the first trip we took together not long after we were married.
We took a small overnight bag each, a shared swimming bag and the clothes on our backs and even he was also pretty spontaneous back then, we just up and went!
Now: we need to spend a week preparing the children, a day making up visual charts and reminders so that they will cope and I will spend hours the morning we leave making sure that every.last.possible.hurdle is predicted and a solution is put in place.
THEN
NOW!
I admit that I seriously wondered whether we should just save all the hassle and stay home…..?
Here’s the kicker though…..
Ready……
We are only going for THREE DAYS!!!
Hmmm!
You’re BRILLIANT! It never occurred to me to get pictures of everything to help keep the kids calm. So, So, SO glad I met you my friend!
Fantastic Fi! This is the sort of thing that demonstrates to everyone – especially your lovely children – how much you really care about their well-being, and how much you love them. Parents who love their children WILL go to extraordinary lengths to “lessen the pain” as much as possible, and to save them (the children) from being hurt and confused by people and situations. You really ARE “Super Mum” Fi. Have a great holiday!!! Love, Pippa
Hello my friend I don’t know what happened but your last 2 posts have not come to my email.
You really are such a GREAT MOM thinking to collect all that stuff for the journey. I would never of thought of that, but I have never travelled for longer than 3 hrs, in any direction….lmho
Yes I am very jealous that beach is beautiful, much nicer than what I’m used to…..lol
Love you loads. Lees. xxxx
I am absolutely sopping with jealousy!. I sure wish I could pop into your suitcase and come along for the trip!. I neeeeed to take my kids there. Some trivia for you about the area you are visiting: My Dad was the first baby ever delivered at the local hospital
. The catholic primary school/highschool that is on your left as your driving out to the BIG shopping centre…that is where me and my siblings went to school. It was a fantastic place to live, I wish my parents had never moved us back here, all of us kids were thriving there. I hope the sea air does you all a world of good. See you when you get back!!!!.
I would LOVE you take you with me Miss J but your kids would miss you!
Yep, you know your beaches!
I’ll look out for that high school – the history lesson was really interesting! Thanks!!