When Life gives you Lemons, life feels complete!

Long one about health/terrible NHS system....

Today is another story and it's caused all the tears and a lot of very sad statements.

The change has obviously set him off, but I don't think the repeat biting has helped, he's mentioned a couple of things that utterly break my heart, but also don't align with what he actually says and how he is when we collect him, but I guess it's likely both are true, he can still enjoy being there while having some other fears and worries about being there.

Badger: "Did you hear the news about (insert celebrity name)"

Me: No, but is he a Pedo?

We took Lemon on the Bure Valley railway from Aylsham station to Wroxham. It was a lot of fun, I've never been on a steam train like that and had just as much fun as he did.

Ultimately I got a call that Lemon got bitten today, but unfortunately this isn't the only time, this is the 4th recent incident, two of the times were on the same day, one actually breaking his skin and the other being so hard that it happened early afternoon and teeth marks were still visible by bedtime. They obviously cannot tell me who the kid is and the woman who called today said she wasn't sure if it was the same child as the previous incidents, but obviously Lemon does tell us and it seems to be his bestie.

I told her that although I understand with the age range they have in there that these things happen, but I'm concerned it's happened so many times in such a short space of time. And those 4 times have been just as he's been doing better at going in. Thankfully the time the kid broke his skin Lemon actually was not phased by it, but if it keeps happening...

It's also not the only thing, there is a kid that pushes them all, apparently all the kids have Labelled him "big guy" despite the fact he is actually at least a year younger and much smaller than Lemon.

They've told me that "big guy" is being assessed for autism and that they are putting in a care plan and hoping to get extra funding for more 121 care with him, so good.

And apparently the kid that bit him today is having a behavioural improvement plan put in.

I think the thing that worries me is this kind of thing didn't happen in such a short space of time at his previous place and I put that down to the structure they had there.

His nursery now promotes child lead learning/play and honestly I think that often means a bit if a free for all and although they are obviously supervised, it's so haphazard that they just can't be as on the ball as the previous place.

Lemon: hmmm, my nipples are still here!

Me: yep, they will be there forever

Anyhow we skipped the house and Lemons at nursery so she didn't get to see him, but today was the only day she could do. We ended up having a look around the shops which was fine, but honestly I hate shopping with people. We stopped off at a couple places for coffees, I actually really wanted to get lunch cos I hadn't eaten anything all day and although that was the plan she didn't want a lunch, which slightly annoyed me cos that was the plan. Anthony other than that it was actually very nice chatting to her, I honestly don't really know her well, although my Dad and Stepmum have been together for 35ish years, I've only met her brother and SIL a handful of times over the years. She's quite an interesting woman and she actually told me about how she'd wanted children but it didn't happen for them, I'd always assumed they'd chosen not to have kids. Anyhow as it turns out I found it easier to chat with her than my Stepmum, nothing against my Stepmum, but I think she just overthinks doing or saying the wrong thing so all chats feel kinda unnatural.

Basically I had an initial plan to go back to Sussex and do a birthday party with his old friends, as it turns out I'm feeling like that might actually be a very bad idea because of all the issues he's had with nursery and I worry seeing those kids will confuse him and set him back.

The second plan was to go back to Sussex and just do a family party, it would feel like an actual party and he would get to see and play with his cousins.

And that's looking less likely as Dad and Stepmum said they have a really busy June so they basically wouldn't be able to do it. I guess I can still do it without them, but I know Stepmum especially would be upset by that.

The truth of the matter is I basically feel like and think without an event friends and most family will actually forget it's his birthday. I think my sister will remember, Stepmum I hope will, maybe one friend, I'd be surprised if anyone else remembers or even sends a card. And ultimately it's not about presents and likely he will be fine and won't know much difference, but I've spent years being upset over the fact my Dad and brothers never remember my birthday and I'll just be more upset that Lemon will get that same treatment.

In an effort to make this a less depressing post, Lemon has been asking for a dinosaur cake and I don't think I can make a cake with an air fryer. So I'm gonna look at finding somewhere that will just do some sponges and then I can decorate it how I want. I've found a cute Dino cake inspiration. Also think we are gonna get him a bike, although he's now also been asking for a scooter and he practically shat himself with excitement when he saw a girl in roller sakes today, so I'm betting he will ask for that now.

Any suggestions as extras, whats and ideal present for a 4 year old.