April - What else?

April swung past almost as quickly as March - and Feb - and Jan! Cannot believe we're a third of the way through this year. It really is true, the older you get, the quicker the years go.
So:
Josh had his operation
Trip to Heathrow to say goodbye to boys :(
We had a new boiler put in, about time too, the old one was here when we moved into the house, 21 years ago! Wasn't even replaced when we had the huge extension (and did not want a repeat of last November when the immersion tank burst!)
Ella has had 2 sleeps at respite
1 visit from our SSW
I visit from N's HV
Took an old fosterling to the cinema - watched Boss Baby - too bloody funny!
Didn't take part in the A-Z, first time in 5 years. Did A but I wasn't organised - will save the topic, and the A post for next year :)
1 allegation - false of course!
2 foster carer meetings
1 Mencap meeting
5 doctors/hospital appointments
1 visit to A&E
13 lots of taking and collecting from contact
Jeff went to 2 car meets
Meeting with an organisation to try and sort extra respite for Ella
Still have 3 fosterlings and Ella (of course!)

Treatz in Reading

So we had to go back to Reading. Last week we went for the fosterling, and how easy was that. This time we had to get some new clothes for Ella, and that's not so easy. With her autism she has so many specific sensory needs. But we got there in the end, although there's a good chance, even though she has said she likes them, and they meet her needs, she will refuse to wear half of them!

A trip to Treatz afterwards was in order. We've been to Creams a couple of times (sounds grand, but once last year and once this year LOL!) and thought we should give Treatz a go, I can't say I prefer one over the other, they're both designed to fill you with as much sugar as they can, and in that respect they both win!

I just love these 2 photographs. Ella actually managed to eat most of hers, after she had given me her wafers and strawberries which I didn't mind in the least! I wasn't convinced she would, I mean look at the size of it :) The photo of the baby - oh how I wish you could see her face, such a picture. And while I was setting the camera up she managed to grab some of the chocolate sauce, and put it all over her hand and face. Note to self, she can stretch further than I think! LOL! By the way - the mint freakshake was for me, not the baby ;)

Haircuts and Special Needs!

We have had many trials and tribulations over the years with getting Ella's hair cut. When she was younger it was interesting. Sometimes I managed to cut it quickly and easily. Other times we had to do it over 2 days chasing her round the garden because she just wouldn't sit still! And as for the time when Jeff and Ella decided highlights were a good idea ....... say no more!

Once she became a teenager though we decided to give the stressful job to someone that gets paid for it! And again it's hit and miss. But today she went to a local hairdressers and they were great. Worked at Ella's pace, but I noticed the hairdresser was cutting twice as fast as she would for another adult. I didn't have a problem with that, as long as Ella walked out with an acceptable haircut. But this time was far more than acceptable - it was great! Well cut, level (not an easy thing to do with a fidget), and makes her look more grown up :) Let's hope the same hairdresser is still there when it next needs attention.

Jamie's Italian in Reading

We had to go to Reading today, needed to get the fosterling some clothes - being a baby she is outgrowing her clothes every few months! So off to Primark we went. And I still don't know how I spent so much, everything is so cheap LOL! Photograph another day, then you can see where I spent so much - but hey, she'll look lovely all summer so who cares ...... (well, Jeff might when he sees the receipt).

After shopping we went to Jamie's Italian. It's the first time we've tried it. Couldn't knock the service. Our starters were nice, but the main courses, well I wasn't wowed by mine, it was okay. But Ella's picnic did have the wow factor. I flinched at over six quid for a kids picnic, but when it arrived you can see why. And big tick for me was that all the grapes and cherry tomatoes were cut length ways, so important to prevent children choking.

Lake Tahoe here they come

Joshua and Benjamin went back to Lake Tahoe, USA, on the 4th April. It doesn't get any easier, but this time, knowing that Ben isn't coming back till Christmas, was the hardest. I am beginning to know how Nonna (my Dad's Mum) must have felt once all 3 of her children had moved to England. I think at that time it must have been much harder, all there was was snail mail, Nonno and Nonna didn't even have their own phone. For the person emigrating it was probably easier, you had to integrate. Nowadays it must be so difficult seeing what all your old friends are up to and knowing your not part of it. Sometimes not knowing is a good thing.

I mentioned to someone I am having empty-nest syndrome. She laughed and reminded me of the 3 fosterlings. And much as I love fostering and helping nurture all the children and young people we have had come into our care, I miss just hugging my boys. But can't have it both ways I am so proud that all 3 felt confident enough to move to another country.

Love these photos - although had to censor the boys! And this photo of Ella with the baby fosterling - the baby adores Ella, and after the last 2 lads that caused Ella stress, it's lovely to see Ella developing such a positive relationship with a fosterling :)

Poor Josh - another adductor longus repair :(

Last summer Joshua had an operation to repair an injury, on his right adductor longus (somewhere in the groin). Sadly he still didn't get match fit, and a subsequent MRI confirmed that the injury appeared no better than the previous MRI carried out before the first operation. That's obviously an abridged version of the last year, bless him.

So on April 3rd he had the same operation performed but it was much more intensive. Took twice as long and there is now 3 anchors holding the tear in place. It cannot fail this time or Joshua will have to come home and, in his words, will have wasted 2 years in the USA. And football is all he has ever wanted to do. We are all hoping, praying, crossing anything that can be crossed ..... well, you get the picture!

I love this photo - getting ready for surgery and it was like, "Take a photo Mum, I can make anything look good!"

Of course I sat there with him again. I know, all 3 operations I had last year Jeff just dumped me at the hospital door! But he's my baby, doesn't matter that he's 24, he's still my baby. While he was having his surgery I went to the restaurant and got a few bits - didn't feel right eating in front of him when he was nil-by-mouth. For the money we have paid for these operations, you'd expect the food to be top drawer. Hmmm, what I thought of them is on my IG - only one got the thumbs up!