Things thing things

It's been a while huh? We've had puter problems at the house. No internet service. ugghh.

I made 2 trips to school today. Sal had a rough day yesterday. Teacher was out with meetings and aide was out sick. She had an accident and then a little meltdown - but she came through and the thing is - sh*t happens. We ALL have days like that. I have meltdowns myself and it's not always because of outside stimulus. So I figure - hey, it's human experience and I probably should let her see me a little vulnerable sometimes. :-)

Had the most FABULOUS meeting last night. It was a Parent Resource meeting and they had a special needs lawyer come in to talk about being the Captain of your IEP team. It's funny - I remember being told by one of the first administration (from Pioneer) that I met that I "was a very important part of the team". And since things were NOT real good at Pioneer (admin wise - not teacher wise)I had a bit of an attitude with her and replied "I'm sorry - *I* am the CAPTAIN of this team - Team Sally." :-) I've mellowed since then. The lady last night took me back through that journey. Recalling that she too was at a point one time where you were looking for these people to *cure* the child. Not in reality but it's like subconsciously. You have a mind that if you get a certain aide, or a certain school program that your child will be healed - that it will make some HUGE difference. But alas this is not so and it takes a while to "see" that. I've found that everything happens for a reason. Cliche' I know - but true. Pioneer Admin SUCKED at the time - but if I hadn't put up with that I would have never met Ms Jan - the teacher that since all others would be judged to be like. :-) She was FANTASTIC! Prob the very best person for me and Sal to start our journey. Ms Jan comes with me along with the most fabulous aide Ms Ron. They are the team members that have made such an impact on me that I carry their teachings with me. Since then we've had some great people in our lives and they always fit what Sal was needing at the time.

And it seems so still. *I* was in need of the speaker last night. Since the time for transition is raising it's head (we go to middle school next year) this ladie's talk could not have been more timely. I feel more rejuvenated. More assured of how exactly to figure out what to ask for and how to institute more cooperation at home for school goals. I REALLY got a lot out of her talk and could really use it on CD. :-) Besides that - her sense of humor was RIGHT on target with mine and so often I feel very lonely in the special needs world because I find I'm alone in my humerus approach to it.

Another thing that happened last night - we sat next to ...... Ms Jan!!! Haven't seen her in years. Seems Valley View in it's ultimate wisdom split up the Bert and Ernie of Early Childhood and disposed of developmental kindergarten. :-/ Not sure that was very smart at all. But it was SO nice to see her. She's one of those key people that have made a huge difference.

Back to today - I had to take Sal's German food for Heritage day. We did Apple cake. Which - if you know Germans at all - it's not like how "we" do cake. It's very dense, full of oil and sugar and robust seasoning. Also took some "klenchka" in. (German sugar) I figure they'll get a kick out of that. :-)

Then of course, I forgot her extra clothes - so went home again and then back to school. Once again I get to work and sigh. At home Moms work TOO hard! Maybe I'd be thinner if I stayed home - it's run, run, run.

We go to the Nutcracker ballet this weekend. Gma was supposed to come up but her knee is too bad. I kind of talked her into staying home too - we have all stairs at our house and there's nothing worse than being somewhere else and feeling lousy. But the rest of us are going. Sal's looking forward to the popcorn. :-)

I picked up Sally's basketball uniform. Gonna try and get some pictures taken so we can email them with a schedule. Her eyes just lit up when she saw it.

Jack - Jack had some "issues" this week when I thought he had stolen a book. I had planned out exactly his punishment and was ready to dish it out - but it turns out that he had truthfully picked the book up and was going to return it the next day to the child. The only thing was - it had been sitting on a desk and the teacher had put it there so *she* could give it to the child the next day (the child had left it). So we had a talk about *how* to go about returning something you "find". :-) AND get this - it sunk in because last night at the meeting (Jack and Sal were in daycare) he found a bouncy ball and returned it to the teacher in charge!!!!! :-) We must celebrate these things - Jack is such a little monster that they're sometimes few and far between. :-)

Thanksgiving comes next week and the urchins are ready. Already planning on the sleeping arrangements at Aunt Jill's. Mabel is clueless to the wrath she will feel when she picks on Miss Kitty like she does our Rexy. Rexy is an indoor cat who has been de-clawed and Mabel has figured this out and is relentless about "playing" with her. Miss Kitty is a farm cat and has ALL her claws and is VERY "in charge". So I'm thinking Mabel is in for a "tune up". :-) Which, honestly, is long over due.
:-)

Little Mabe got off her chain last night and was out till 4:30 this morning! She was all about sleeping this morning - not her usual monster self. ;-) You just can't sore with the Eagles when you've been out with the Turkey's all night. :-)