Our snow holiday

Wow! What a great time we had in Queenstown with the kids and Grandma and Grandad. We stayed at the same place as last time (check out the view from the house in a blog last September).





We all got some skiing in though I went for a run around Lake Hayes on the second day- cheaper than skiing and less painful in the feet. Riley is up on skis and Dad and Grandad were impressed with his balance and progress so we are thrilled that we may find something sporty for Riley to excel in as ball skills are not his thing at this stage. Jemma also got into ski boots and skis but only cos she was disturbing the peace of the mountain "my turn, my turn" sob sob..... next year will be her turn properly.






We also had a wonderful morning up the gondola and on the luge and chairlift. Jemma loved the luge and didn't want to take her helmet off. Riley has matured a lot in the last year and he also adored the luge and the chairlift and he talked about it incessantly for a day and how we will go on the gondola, chairlift and luge "another day". We took the kids to a restaurant with gluten and dairy free options and were proud of their manners. Though Riley was heard to ask "where's my food?" at the top of his voice... we are working on appropriate social skills LOL....




Jemma... Jemma.. Jemma... we love her dearly and I hate cliches like "terrible twos" but man, she has developed an attitude and although she is as gorgeous as ever and so cute and clever, she is developing her independence and it has got to be said.. sometimes autism is easier to bring up than neurotypical.... it is like having a first child again- we don't know what has hit us. So while we rejoice in all the things that are coming naturally to her that we had to teach Riley, we are missing the general compliance we had from Riley at that age. She is talking so much at the moment and her communication is fantastic - favourite phrases are 'my turn' 'no' 'no' and more 'no' plus her mother's favourite - 'chocolate' and she likes to identify everyones clothes and belongings... She also likes to sing songs and is great with all the words.

Riley's communication has also developed lots in the last week. He is so articulate and although a little aggressive with Jemma when he is frustrated and angry, he is also a very caring wee boy and he is keen to cuddle and 'make up' after the event.. sometimes forcibly but usually off his own initiative. He is trying to play more with Jemma- it is fantastic to watch. They learn so much off each other.