Can you believe that it is only eight weeks to go before Christmas? It sounds like an old cliché but I can't believe that it has come around so quickly. I know that I sound like an old scrooge, but I can't really say that I am looking forward to it. Leaving aside all the preparation, shopping, cooking etc etc. I am a bit nervous regarding how Michael and Elise are going to react to all the hullabaloo. Michael has seemed to have got a lot more ‘autisticy' this year and really does not seem to cope well with a change of routine. Elise will be fine but I know that she will start playing up when I have to spread my attention between her and the turkey! Oh well, still eight weeks to go.

Have just had a meeting with Elise' teacher to discuss her progress so far. Sounds as if she is making great progress academically, although of course this is slow compared to her peers, but there are more concerns regarding her social and emotional development as well as her play skills. Elise comes across as being incredibly bubbly and confident, but underneath it is becoming increasingly apparent that she is a fragile little girl who needs an huge amount of reassurance. Although everyone is hoping that she will continue in her current placement, we are having a review at Christmas time to decide for definite whether or not she is in the right place. Trouble is, where we live there are no schools which cater for behavioural issues whilst at the same time follow the standard curriculum so there is no real choice. Emotionally she needs supporting but she still needs to be pushed in other areas. Will have to wait and see what transpires at Christmas.

On a positive note, we went and saw Michaels kidney doctor this week and he was really pleased with his progress. Stone free for two years now, so fingers crossed!

Also, last week we went to see the Neurologist with both of the kids. When we walked in it was different doctor to usual and we thought "here we go again, going over the same old stuff". As it transpired she was really good and she‘d done her homework. All fine, but she did say that she felt that we would never get a diagnosis for Michael which was a bit disappointing. She was much more positive about Elise, the only drawback being that she needs to have the dreaded blood test done again. Even the promise of choccy buttons will not be enough to get us through this one I feel!

The only other thing of note was that I started my training to be a Face 2 Face befriender this week. So far the training seems really interesting and I am looking forward to doing the rest of the course. One of the best things, was spending the day with other parents of children with special needs. So much was said and unsaid and I can honestly say that I have never spent so much time with so many like minded individuals. Makes a nice change from being the only one all the time.