Feb

Swimmer!

I’ve had a wonderfully exciting and busy week! My Mommy says I’m in ‘ultra-cute mode’ at the moment, and at the same time pretty philosophical about the discussions we’ve been having as a family. Monday and Tuesday Daddy took me to school. After school on Monday, Mom took me to Fastrack Kids to visit my friends there. It was so nice to see my old friends; Nathi wanted to come home with us and climbed into our car!

I had tennis after school on Tuesday. Mommy hid in the sports house so as not to distract me (although I knew she was there watching)! In the afternoon Mom and I tidied some cupboards; it’s always fun rediscovering things that we’d forgotten were there in the first place! In the afternoon I had a nice refreshing swim with Dad.

Waking up Wednesday I announced “I had a really rough night, I didn’t sleep well”. Mom and Dad stifled their giggles but were very proud of me knowing why I was tired and that I could articulate it. The rest of the day was a pretty quiet – we all chilled around the house in the afternoon and took it easy.

On Thursday I wore a yellow t-shirt as it was our swimming gala; my house is the Athlone House. Our class didn’t go to the gala, as it would’ve been a really long and sensory day with all the noise and heat, but we did cheer the older classes onto the bus and welcomed them back. I was thrilled to see all the creative things the learners were wearing in their house colours. My favourite was someone (in my house) that had dressed up as Spongebob Squarepants! Mom also bought me a whole bunch of books at school for a very special event….

Keeping with the spirit of swimming, in the afternoon when we got home I decided to do some of my own swimming. And guess what?! I didn’t use arm bands nor a Polly Otter! I’m practically swimming now, with a little occasional help from a pool noodle, the pool’s edge or an unsuspecting adult nearby! I was so thrilled with my new talent that when Dad came home from work we swam again!

Friday there was lots of excitement around the house. Then I remembered! Readathon! Mom, Dad and Granny were coming to school with me. We had lots of books and a picnic blanket. Since it was St Valentine’s Day we were allowed to wear civvies; in keeping with the theme I wore my Thomas The Tank Engine red t-shirt!

As we walked onto the school grounds we spotted a huge blanket on the lawn and everywhere in little groups parents were reading to their children. Mom, Dad, Granny and I found a spot for our blanket and Granny got to reading while Mom and Dad chatted to the other parents and teachers. It was really a nice morning. Also, some of my fellow learners dressed up for St Valentine’s wearing angel wings and hearts. Thrown into the mix it was also cultural day so a massive day for celebrations.

In class Teacher Janine gave us all heart shaped biscuits and we made Valentine’s Cards for our parents. Afterwards we went to my new ‘Haahoo Park’ at the Zoo Lake – it was our Friday activity treat. After a busy day I was a little sensory so my Mommy had to collect me from my classroom steps instead of under in the lapa where we’re supposed to wait for our parents. I told Mom it was too loud for me.

Driving home in the car I told Mommy that Zoo Lake was my newest favouritest park!

Saturday morning we all went to the movies to see Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs 2. I really enjoyed it and giggled often. Afterward we did a little shopping and I spent some of my pocket money on a Ninja Turtle toy. Granny spoiled me with a couple of Infinity Characters complete with a new World to unlock. Afterwards we had lunch at Walnut Grove. I spent the afternoon playing Infinity mixed with a swim or two.

Mom and Gran woke up with the meanest tummy bug on Sunday morning. All our plans for the day had to be cancelled – we’d invited Shelli and family for a braai, but Mom couldn’t move. Dad and I went to the pharmacy at 9:00, as the doors opened, to get them meds. Next we bought them a couple of bottles of the other best tummy bug remedy ever – Coca Cola! Back home we gave Mom and Gran meds and got them back into bed.

To allow them to rest, Dad and I went to McDonalds for the morning to play. Back at home Dad and I chilled around the house, checking on Mom and Gran every so often. Dad decided he still wanted to braai, so he braai’ed a piece of boerwors for him and I. The braai looked very sad with this one single sausage lying on it, but we did enjoy it afterward. While Dad braai’ed I had a swim.

By mid-afternoon Mom eventually surfaced after a nice long rest. A short while later Granny also surfaced. They were both still feeling under the weather, but they looked a lot better.

Some of my gems this week that I shared with my parents; Daddy always likes to let me listen to my requests in the car. So sometimes he plays internet radio for me and other times YouTube, but the drill is always the same “Jarrod, you know there’s no signal in the basement parking, as soon as we’re on the road I’ll stream something for you.” Then this week we were driving into the basement but this time we were listening to the radio (FM) and not streaming from the internet. I immediately noticed we didn’t lose the signal. I said “Dad, why aren’t we losing the signal in the basement when we listen to the radio, but we do when we use the internet”. Dad was most impressed with my rationale.

Then during the day on Sunday I announced to my Mom “I don’t want an AVM anymore!” It was very heart-breaking for Mom and Dad to hear me say that.

My third gem was Mom calling my name at school and another little boy answered “My name is Jarrod!” When I arrived Mom told me that the little boy with her was also called Jarrod. I said “Hi Jarrod! Sharp sharp!” and fisty bumped him! Mom thought it was super cute!

Lastly, during the Readathon, Mr Rees, our principal came to chat to Dad. I spotted him and stood up, shook his hand and said “Good morning Mr Rees”. Mom and Dad melted with pride.

Til next week!

Love

Jarrod