I ended up keeping Sherlock home from school today. He was tired and cranky and on edge and completely prepared to wind himself back up into a tiny maelstrom of fury, and I didn't want to put Mrs T through that again.
Seems to have the been the right choice. He was so shocked when I said he didn't have to go that it reset his whole attitude. We went for a walk instead. A very long walk that included croissants for breakfast, several parks, a shop for more drawing paper, a kite, lunch, and a paper boat launch.
Kira suggested yesterday he draw out his feelings and then set them adrift/alight, and he was so taken with the idea of setting something on fire... Well. We found a small pond surrounded by damp, non-flammable foliage, folded the paper up into a boat, and lit it up. I'd meant to fish out the soggy remains, but it drifted out of reach, and actually burned pretty thoroughly as well.
So, a lot of walking, minor literring, and we've only just got home.
Some people asked what worked in the end yesterday and I'll try to write more about that later. Just too tired right now.
Seems to have the been the right choice. He was so shocked when I said he didn't have to go that it reset his whole attitude. We went for a walk instead. A very long walk that included croissants for breakfast, several parks, a shop for more drawing paper, a kite, lunch, and a paper boat launch.
Kira suggested yesterday he draw out his feelings and then set them adrift/alight, and he was so taken with the idea of setting something on fire... Well. We found a small pond surrounded by damp, non-flammable foliage, folded the paper up into a boat, and lit it up. I'd meant to fish out the soggy remains, but it drifted out of reach, and actually burned pretty thoroughly as well.
So, a lot of walking, minor literring, and we've only just got home.
Some people asked what worked in the end yesterday and I'll try to write more about that later. Just too tired right now.
31 comments:
Hey love. Glad Sherlock was a bit better. Sounds like you did everyone a good turn by keeping him home.
I should warn you that the biscuits I promised to bring him have flammable wrapping.
I'll ring when I can.
John, I'm so glad that he's feeling a bit better today. Maybe he just need a little bit of time to accept everything. You really are an awesome nanny.
Hugs to you all!
A really long walk - that ends with a cuddle on the couch which dissolves into a nap? - sounds like a great idea. I sort of tried it myself this morning except I got 10 minutes into my walk and the skies opened up. So I'm glad you had better luck than I did.
The Viking funeral for your unpleasant emotions sounds intriguing as well. Did it work?
John: You are a fantastic parental figure and I think Sherlock is remembering that. After all, he's one of the most important people in your life, and he just needed to be reminded of that. Did it help you too? Enjoy your nap! <3
Sherlock: I'm glad you went and gave a Viking funeral for your feelings. Do you think you'll study another culture this year like you studied Egypt last year? Maybe you could convince Mrs. T that studying the Viking peoples would be awesome!
Greg: I think big stickers should be printed out with 'Do Not Burn' on them so you can stick them on stuff... ;D Also lots of mental hugs to you my friend.
John - Hang in there; you're doing a wonderful job with Sherlock, even if it does feel like you're in constant crisis mode. Hopefully, the Viking funeral will calm him down for the rest of the day/night.
Sherlock - I hope you feel better; just remember, never play with fire without an adult supervising you. I know you're upset about everything, but no one wants you to get hurt.
Greg - Um...don't let Sherlock know they're flammable? Or take away the wrappings before you give him the cookies? I hope the case is headed quickly for a happy ending.
Mycroft - I hope that school is keeping you busy and distracted from all of this. Or if it's not, that you're surrounded by supportive adults and peers.
*hugs for all of you*
-A from NW
My commiserations. Sometimes life hands you lemons. (Cue perfectly predictable conclusion.) This one came at a particularly bad moment.
A Viking funeral for angry feelings sounds absolutely perfect. I'm glad it helped.
I hope Lestrade will be able to come home soon.
L - we called, but it went to voicemail, think you're out of range. Call us when you get a chance? How's it going?
Pip - thanks. A little bit of time, yeah. I hope a very little, because he really does have to go back to school tomorrow.
kholly - we both had an inadvertent nap when we got back. Hope it doesn't keep him up tonight, but I don't think it will. I don't know if the viking funeral worked or not, but he was certainly enthusiastic about it.
Tink - thanks. Maybe once they have a pond at school more controlled viking funerals would be possible.
A - hope so.
Lawless - thanks. And I hope he will too.
Hi you. Both of you. Sherlock, sounds like you had a good day with John. But it is really important you go to school tomorrow. You wouldn't want to miss out on the new things everyone's doing, would you? Otherwise all of the new kids will have a say in what you'll be doing this term and you won't. That wouldn't be any good, right?
A - he wants them for the wrappers, I think.
Danger - you are indeed awesome. Sherlock is incredibly lucky to have you. As we are to have the boys. I've got no signal, but am on some WiFi on a little campsite in the mountains. We thought he might be here, but seems not.
Mycroft - hope you're quiet just because you're busy.
I'm sorry. I hope you get a better lead soon.
Pretty sure he does want them for the wrappers, yeah. Are you living on coffee and gelato? We went out for pizza and the girl there asked about you. She's very impressed you're off catching criminals in a foreign country.
Not catching them would be more accurate. And no gelato yet, no. Though it would be nice. 33 degrees today.
Glad you're eating. Been worrying about you.
Heh. So just coffee then? I've been worrying about you too.
We're doing all right, more or less. At least I've now established what it actually takes to wear him out. I think we walked for about five hours. No, actually longer, counting stops for food and to poke at things in the park.
You okay, walking all that way? How's the leg?
And yeah, lot of coffee.
Water. And food. You're not allowed to OD on caffeine when I'm not there to look after you.
It's not too bad. I'm still cane-free at least.
We're heading back to town now we've got all the cctv. I have been eating and drinking too. Mainly drinking. Think I'll be moving tomorrow. Seems he's heading south.
Glad you're not too bad. Wish I was there to give you a rub down
Me too. Are you sleeping in tents? In the car?
There is leftover pizza. Can you imagine?
Car last night. Could've got a hotel but couldn't be bothered. Will get one tonight.
I can't imagine, no. Maybe give it to Sherlock to take to school for lunch, remind him of home?
Not sure how much signal I'll have now. Want me to rung when I'm in a hotel? Could be a few hours yet.
Good idea. Maybe it'll ease the transition back into real life a little.
Yeah, please. I'll be up. Federer's on at midnight.
Right. Sherlock still in your bed?
Midnight...that's one my time. Should be fine. Not sure how I feel about you staying up to see other men. Heh.
John, are you watching Djokovic's match? The first set's been interesting.
L - yeah, I just checked on him. Out like a light.
Heh. It's all right, he's married, with twins. And in another country. ;)
Becca - yeah, did Tipsarevic really just ask Djokovic for a dampener? I've been sort of surprised how well Tipsarevic is holding up considering how Djokovic has been rolling over everyone, but the tiebreak went a bit quicker.
John - That's what it looked like! They do go way back and play together on the Davies Cup, even doing doubles, I think.
I've been a bit surprised too, but Tipsarevic has been having his best slam result, and there are clearly no surprises in Djokovic's game for him. Maybe the familiarity is working for him. I'm interested to see if he stays competitive in set 2 or if he fades away.
I'll try to make sure I'm only ever sent away during big tennis games.
Ha. Well, it is helpful to have a distraction! I'd probably be up anyway, might as well be up watching tennis.
Which reminds me, John, did you see this point from Djokovic's match against Berlocq?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NN0ziR6SjY&NR=1
Impressive point! Especially considering how the rest of the match went for poor Berlocq.
Wow, five hours walking! :O You're awesome, John, I don't think I've done that in my life, ever! XD Well, maybe when I'm tourist-ing. :P I'm glad Sherlock's a bit better now. I hope he behaves tomorrow at school. And has Mycroft called? :) I hope he's doing all right. :D
He hasn't called - I think all the younger boys are probably trying to be stoic and pretend they don't miss home at all - but he's texted and emailed, and I did call him to let him know L was going away. I think he's doing all right, though I still worry of course. It's hard to tell with him sometimes.
Hi
So glad that the drawing and burning went well. A Viking burial is only appropriate for lots of feelings... only the most important leaders had them and very important emotions need just as much respect!
Sorry this is very short but I'm teaching tomorrow so I'd better get to sleep!!
Kira
xoxo
Danger, just ,so you know, I'm moving today. Can't really say where, just in case. I'll call later.
Really miss you.
Sherlock - I hope you find school today bearable. Maybe later on you could draw a picture of you at school for Lestrade?
Mycroft - I hope you're settling in OK.
John - Glad you found a way to cope yesterday and the night before. Hope you're OK.
Lestrade - *fingers crossed* you can find the girl safe, catch the guy, and come home soon. And that you get to eat proper food and sleep in a proper bed the rest of the time that you're there. It must be exhausting constantly speaking your second language the whole time, on top of everything else.
Sending hugs and good thoughts to all of you.
Nameless - it is. I speak Italian like a teenager stuck in the 80s, so trying to work out the technical language of modern policing is more of a struggle than it ought to be. But I'm getting there, and they're laughing at me less now. Still probably good for me. After two days of only speaking English occasionally on the phone I'm finding that hard, too!
Hopefully we'll get him in the next few days. Fingers crossed.
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