I got wise this time. First I'm going to write this entry as a Word document. THEN I'll post it at TLOL. Once bitten, twice shy, babe!

OK, where was I ...... I started out thanking those ladies who have left me messages in the past few months. It's nice to know that people notice when you're not around. Things have been good, for the most part.

The most positive thing I have to report is the whopping change in Andre since we returned to Australia to live. Part of it is due to increased maturity, although I still feel he's about 18 months to 2 years behind in his emotional development. That's not a bad thing though, from a mother's point of view. I still have this lovely son who doesn't mind going shopping with me, who still wears what I pick out for him, who still holds my hand in public! I know time is a ticking and pretty soon this will all be very uncool, so I am really enjoying it whilst it lasts. He's still really cuddly at home too and will always make a beeline for my lap, or DH's lap, when the TV in on in the evening. No sitting on the sofa on his own.

On the flip side, he is getting one helluva mouth on him – I'm so glad my son knows everything better than his father or I. It is so gratifying to know that when life throws a curveball at us, Andre will be there in his all encompassing wisdom and will have an answer for everything. Yes, part of him is a 10 year old ‘teenager' already. The other part is still catching up. I guess when he starts communicating in grunts, I'll know he's all caught up.

I give his new school huge credit for the change in Andre. They have done wonders for his self-esteem, which regular readers will know took a severe beating during the time we lived in China. He has gained a great deal of confidence because he has received so much recognition for his achievements. Academically we are very pleased with his progress – even his literacy no longer causes us concern, as I see him really applying himself to his homework and striving to achieve a higher level.

We always knew he would arrive back in Australia with a significant deficit in English as his first 3 ½ years of schooling were completed in German. When we first arrived in Australia, his level in English literacy was rated at about 18 months behind the class level. Since then, and with specific coaching at school, he has overtaken several students who have been schooled in English since day one. I doubt he'll ever be top of the class, but that has never been our goal. We chose this particular school because they turn out such well adjusted, well rounded, community minded young adults. There is so much mutual respect amongst the student community that it is truly balsam for the soul, particularly after the bullying and mobbing that Andre was subjected to in China. I thank the Lord 1000 times a day that we were able to leave when we did and that the downward spiral that Andre was caught in was able to be halted.

Things got so good, that we were able to take Andre off Ritalin after 3 months at the new school. His teacher, who is so patient and quietly spoken (yet takes no nonsense from his students and is loved and respected by all) supported our decision. What a change from the teacher in China, who demanded we drug our child, or she would not teach him. Andre has now been off ALL medication for more than a year.

Another thing which is bound to have had such a profound effect on Andre's behaviour and demeanour is his sporting success. Whilst he always showed great aptitude and ability, we were never able to foster this in China. It seems kids don't do sport for recreation over there. When a child shows talent there, it's all or nothing. So after full day's learning at school, the kids are bussed off to the training camps and train for hours, daily. There was no room for a more casual interest. Back in Australia, Andre was able to be enrolled in Tennis classes, which he took a shine to a few years ago when he had a few lessons during our sporadic visits to Australia. Finally, he was able to think seriously about his tennis. His love of the game has developed so much in the last 16 months, that he is now attending lessons several times a week. Mondays he has a group lesson after school, Tuesdays a short group lesson before school, Wednesdays a private lesson before school and a group training session after school. Saturdays he plays competition for his club and was recently selected to play regional junior pennant. That's quite a steep career for a boy who only started regular lessons a good year ago! Added to his tennis pursuits, Andre attends Cross Country training twice a week in winter and Little Athletics in summer where he has shown real promise in the triple jump and hurdles. In addition, he has one golf lesson a week too. With so much activity to fit into a week, Andre gets to burn off his excess energy and frustrations outside the home and the classroom. At one stage I seriously worried that all this organized activity might be too much, but Andre is the driving force behind it and any suggestion that we cut back on the hours devoted to sports is quickly met with loud protestations from him. So, as long as he is a willing participant, we will support whatever activities he wishes to do.

That, in a nutshell, is the goss on Andre. The scoop on me will have to wait until my next post.  Until then, I leave you with a recent photo of my 'sonshine'   

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