is that most people don't realize how challenging it can be...
We've had a long period of being somewhat tic free but now find ourselves in the midst of another round. Whether it was just 'time' or he's feeling some kind of stress (most likely), it's hard to say but it's difficult for Mr. Monkey.
The tics, depending on their nature, impact the ability to get to sleep, they are relentless. Many times the repetitive nature of the tic hurts the part of the body it focuses on and exhausts the child due to its constant appearance. The tic he has now impacts his stomach and breathing as the diaphragm is pushed in and out with the motion of the tic.
His frustrations are high when he is quiet with himself as that is when he notices them the most. Most people miss them, when he's busy they disappear for a time, always to return.
I won't say I feel sad for him as there's nothing to be sad about. I would say I feel helpless... Not being able to calm the tics when he needs sleep or settle them down when he's feeling the normal stresses we all face from time to time.
We talk to him a lot about where he places his focus and the futility of negative feelings about it. I hope that for all our talk he still loves himself at the end of the day, tics and all.
As a kid we called these snap dragons, not sure if that's their name, the children had a great time popping these open :)
Trying to block the water, they spend a bunch of time here when we come
Climbing of course
She must do everything her big brother does :)
Leaf rubbing
Our little Spark :) I threw this in as it was cute, she started Sparks this year!
Yeah for candy!!
Princess Cake....yummy!
The Bounce House!
My Boy in his new uniform for the year! Dad is coaching Mr. Monkey again this year and they won their first game! They all played so well together :)
Our newest hockey member :) She's a part of the all girls hockey team for our city!
Daddy gets all the fun, he's here with Little Miss practising getting up from a fall :)
Worn out and ready to take her gear off :) She really got going well near the end and seemed quite pleased to be doing hockey like the boys in her family.
New dolly with a puppy pet...didn't realize the dog barked, DOH!
Present from her brother, a noisy Bunny LOL
Play with all the accessories. She has her birthday girl badge on for school, she told me before putting it on that I needed to put her birthday price tag on her LOL Her father taught her to say, "You can't afford me", when I asked her how much she was :)
My cuties
Building a fort after our lessons
Quiche, soups, salad, bread...yummy
Desserts!
The children did gargoyles for their craft
Trying out the stilts while he was waiting for friends to finish up
Little Miss' gargoyle
Mr. Monkey's gargoyle head