Last weekend was a washout. Literally. It's been raining. We did not go anywhere or did anything especially exciting. We went out for lunch, went swimming everyday. That's about it. This week is a half term break as school. So, I have both Munchkins at home. On Tuesday we went for both gymnastics classes. Afterwards Big Munchkin persuaded me to take her and her new bike for a walk in a park. It was a nightmare. She can only ride straight and on a straight surface. So, every uphill (even at an inch angle) I had to push or pull her and her bike. She also can't use breaks. So, at every downhill stretch or the road I had to hold on to the bike so it would not run into other people or a fence. She still managed to drive into a fence a couple of times. As if that was not enough, Little Munchkin decided that he wants to ride the bike. Unfortunately, we don't have the second helmet, so I can't even take him out on his own bike. He had a major tantrum. He screamed so hard that he vomited. He did not want the swing, the slide or the seesaw. It was horrible. I don't think I am taking the bike out anytime soon.

Today we went to see a dentist. He thinks that Little Munchkin's lower jaw is positioned correctly, and it is his teeth that a sticking forward not the jaw itself. That is easier to correct even if ot does not correct itself. After that we went to our usual trip to the Aquarium. Kids really enjoy it. In the afternoon, one of Big Munchkin's classmates dropped in for an impromptu playdate (with her mother). It was nice to have a chat. The girls played well together.

Tomorrow, we have another playdate. I bought them a playhouse for a backyard. Unfortunately, it came in a big pack and required my DH to put it together. I hope he can do it tonight. If not I have to find a place for a box. We still have a french class planned in the afternoon. On Friday I am planning to take the kids to the Natural History Museum. It is a long way by public transport. But I think it is worth to try. I am meeting a friend there as well.

Just to let everyone know - I am fine. I simply do not have time and energy to write. Last month has been very hard for me. I am very tired physically and emotionally. My DH has been working very long hours. It's been up to me to put the kids to bed. Big Munchkin is taking ages to go to sleep these days. After they are asleep I still have to do all the housework. My DH's participation in any household related activities is null. By the time I am done with cleaning, ironing, washing, etc ... I am either too tired to write anything or my DH comes back and starts working on a computer. Then I don't have a chance to write anything either. Like about now. He is back and I have to get off the computer. Ta-Ta

Dear friends and relatives, I apologise for not writing. It's been a very difficult few weeks. As you might remember, last September I asked for a referral to a speech therapist for Little Munchkin as I was concerned that his speech is not progressing as it should. After numerous calls we finally got an appointment at the language development centre and went to see a therapist there. I was expecting some form of speech delay issue. She gave us a diagnosis of Social Communications Difficulties. It is an Autism Spectrum Disorder. I did not see it coming. Later I took Little Munchkin to see a private pediatrician who specialises in developmental issues. In his opinion Little Munchkin is somewhere on the autistic spectrum.

This development has been a major point of stress for me. Another major point of stress for me is that my DH is reluctant to admit that Little Munchkin might have a problem. I would have really liked some support. Overall, I am very tired, very stressed and very depressed. After careful consideration, we decided to wait for a full assessment with the National Health Service, instead of doing it privately. Little Munchkin is developing, he is growing. I don't want him to be classified as autistic at this age. The assessment has to be done before he starts school, but right now we are going ahead with private speech therapy without an official assessment.

In the meanwhile, we went to Hastings. We were actually planning to go to an amusement park, but my DH took a wrong turn on a highway and did not realise it till it was too late. Still, we went to the aquarium there, had lunch and played on the beach. Kids have never seen a pebble beach before, and they loved it. Last weekend we went to Centre Parcs. My DH called it a glorified camping. The cottage was lovely, the park itself was nice. But it really did not feel like value for money. The cost of a cottage was exorbitant, and then you had to pay for everything. Nothing was free. Even to dry your swimsuit after the pool was 20 pence. There were lots of playgrounds, but that is was I do everyday - go to playground, go swimming, go for a walk in a park, go to another playground. My DH had a good time. For me it was like my usual life, just not home. We saw lots of animals. In the night even the deer came to our windows. Still, I don't think we will be going there again any time soon. For that much money I'd rather fly to Barcelona for weekend.