#1296 Saturday 2 April

I can hear Kaylia in the shower .... singing her head off .... she's so happy there. Fortunately she likes the shower just trickling .... and cold!   That means we can indulge her without feeling too guilty about the water wastage.  I always figure that we have given up on a garden (we turned off the sprinklers years ago) so that Kaylia can have her greatest stim. She likes to flop her hair to the front ..... then the water falling on her head dribbles down in front of her in a fine stream ...... and she stims  off this for ages!

Our water consumption is still a little above the average .... but I can live with it in the circumstances.

Afternoon ..... and Kaylia is now in the bubble bath!  Naomi has been setting up up the new office in Midland and so Kaylia and I have been visiting several times to keep her company while she works.

#1295 Friday 1 April

Yesterday the teacher said that Kaylia had been "perfect " during the excursion that day.  We get used to her beautiful behavior and it sometimes takes a comment from someone else to remind us.   We're very fortunate.

Today Kaylia has been with me on a recycling recovery trip.   When the electricity authority replaces their power poles, they discard the base of the pole ..... which has very heavy steel reinforcing.   I have checked and it's ok to collect this for my use ..... and I have found the steel to be excellent for my projects.   So .... off we went.  The pole section is about 3 meters long and very heavy .... so it's hard work.  

#1294 Tuesday 29 march

It's an extra day of school holiday today .... I'm not sure why.  Kaylia has had therapy at home today instead of at school.   Much of the therapy is now working on social responses ..... the correct way to answer a question ..... or what people actually mean by the words used.   For instance we might say "I've hidden a good toy ...." and the literal response might be "That's nice." but the response we're seeking is for the listener to ask "Where is it?"

After lunch it was down to the new office .... then back home for a rest and some bath time before tea.

#1293 Monday 28 March

The two day break in Waikiki was very enjoyable ...... Kaylia loved seeing all her places again ..... and the bath ..... Teddy loved being with us ..... and the fish and chip shop at the end of the street is the best I've tasted in a long time!  I think we'll go there again.

During the drive home, Kaylia played her new favorite song over and over .... actually she only played the first verse and chorus over and over.  This is her autism in full force.

Teddy was happy to be home .... he soon escaped and went next door!

#1292 Sunday 27 March

Night one has been survived ...... with a lot of compromise.   Kaylia didn't really settle...... and after a while she invaded our bed.  The beds aren't large so one of us vacated to Kaylia's room instead.   The sleep was further disturbed by the noise from a party nearby.  ...... and then the party people stood in the road in front of our bedroom and had a loud argument at 2am!   I'm very surprised that Teddy didn't bark at them.

Teddy is being very funny ..... he's very excited to be allowed to travel with us.   He follows me everywhere I go around the house.   A sad thought has just struck me .... Teddy's social skills are probably better than Kaylia's.

Afternoon .... we've been for a drive round Safety Bay and Rockingham ..... stopped for a swim ..... had a Bunnings fix ...... then back to base for a relax.  

Kaylia is often content to spend time alone in the bedroom ..... with her iPhone .... rolling around ...... generally being happy.   But when asked whether we should "stay or go",  she will always want us to stay with her ..... and she then proceeds to give us big cuddles.   She is becoming very open and demonstrative about her feelings.   It's good.