We're in full swing. Got one week of Summer School under our belt. Sal LOVES it! *I* love the notes home because it's a worksheet with pictures and she circles what she's done and then circles if she likes it or not. ;-) (can you guess what Sal circles every time?) :-)
Met with my nephew (and family) and brother and sister-in-law last night. One of them commented that Sal never seems to be in a bad mood. That's true - very rarely. Sometimes just a couple of minutes when she first gets up but then we slide into "life is good" mode. ;-)
Jack's had 2 weeks of basketball camp and really likes it. He goes to Camp-A-Lotta fun for 2 weeks and then back to basketball camp. He comes home in such a good mood. Gives me and him a little time to read before Sal comes home and then it's time for lunch.
We've been doing the library every week and this week we're starting Jack cooking lunch on Friday. We'll see how that goes. :-) Our first meal (planned by him) is Fish Sticks, Mac-n-cheese, and fruit. Sal gets to do dishes afterwards. :-) Woo hoo. :-)
Just finished reading "The Help". Yeah - I know, I'm behind the rest of the world. :-) but........ OH.......MY....... GOD! I BAWLED - I mean like shaking shoulders and ugly bawled! I'm really down today because there's no more to read. I want to check in on Minny and Abilene and see how they're doing. I want to follow their lives more. I get misty just thinking about it. I'm going to make a mental note and read it with Jack in maybe a year. It's a little long for us right now. He gets in a kick and doesn't want to read everyday and I sometimes let it slide so it would take us YEARS to get through it right now.
I have to say, I'm really having a nice time with my kids this summer. (hopefully that statement will not come back to bite me in the arse) :-)
Friday, June 22, 2012
Saturday, June 16, 2012
Politics Politics
Is that what you call it? When it's drama in the family? I don't know - it's in suffering though. One of the *lovely* family members has "un" friended both Bill and I on facebook - I know, gasp, how will we survive right? I have to admit it was kind of weird - because we haven't seen hide nor hair for a LONG time - but I figure maybe they're cleaning out their "friends". Whatever. But the games go on - now we are getting more mail from them then we have in a lifetime. It's like "look at me, look at me, I un-friended you - you're suppose to be upset". It is to laugh.
But......
In life that matters:
Attended a meeting about why Jack is receiving "enrichment" (tutoring) in reading. I met Riley's Mom (Riley is one of Jack's best friends- and come to find out - they are cut from the same cloth- surprise, surprise, surprise) ;-) So here's the deal about why so many kids are in this "enrichment" class. (leave it to school to put a positive spin on a title of a class) :-) Seems 2/3 of the entire Valley View School Dist will be in one of these classes for either Math or Lang Arts, because we are now adhering to NATIONAL standards instead of IL Standards. :-/ Which I think is great - just stinks that we were so far behind AND it stinks that it will take away from another class - namely Careers or Band. But I do see how their hands are tied because if I remember correctly IL is a state where PE is REQUIRED so the only thing left is Band. :-/ It really is a shame. So now the Band Director (as most Band directors ) has to pull more weight and get kids ready for the same productions with less and less time.
I'm not sure what to do about our school systems problems - nationally. but I KNOW it's NOT cut teachers. We've GOT to wake up!!! We've got to see that our CHILDREN are where our money should be spent and it's GOT to be PUBLIC. I won't get into all of my "opinions" about private school or Millionaire's getting tax breaks or Oil companies getting subsidies - everyone has their own opinion about that. But one thing I DO know for a FACT that we don't do right by our children - society wise. That's one thing - if I could fix stuff - I'd ask God - or whoever - how the heck do we solve THAT one.
But back to MY problem. ;-) He'll be in this class 2 days a week and it will focus on his comprehension of reading. I'm all for it - except that it will take from Band. So we sat him down last night and talked to him about how being in Band he'll have to do his work and then some because he will be a little behind because of his enrichment class. We also explained why he was in this class and why this class was even in existence. In typical Jack from he gave us the huffy breath and the "can I go, now" look. THAT one will drive me to the asylum - this I'm sure of.
We did the library again this week. Sal's really getting good at finding books that she likes. We started reading this week too - Sal's doing VERY well at that - as long as I remind her not to sing-song it. She LOVES to do 'school-work' everyday and badgers me till I sit with her and read. Jack and I are reading "Holes" now. He seems to get it. He just HATES taking time out to do stuff like that. This week he's in for Math work on the computer. Lucky lucky boy. :-)
So, so far - we're doing well this summer. I tell ya, it's scaring the heck out of me. They're still fighting and bickering but for some reason I think I've learned how to ignore it. Never having siblings close to my age - I never had to deal with all that fighting and bickering and it's a little un-nerving for a control freak like me. ;-) I've even managed to cook dinner every night AND have something that Jack likes at each meal. Now THAT'S an accomplishment. :-)
He is getting a little better about eating and he's really showing some interest in cooking. We're thinking maybe every Friday our cooking day. We'll see how it turns out. ;-)
But......
In life that matters:
Attended a meeting about why Jack is receiving "enrichment" (tutoring) in reading. I met Riley's Mom (Riley is one of Jack's best friends- and come to find out - they are cut from the same cloth- surprise, surprise, surprise) ;-) So here's the deal about why so many kids are in this "enrichment" class. (leave it to school to put a positive spin on a title of a class) :-) Seems 2/3 of the entire Valley View School Dist will be in one of these classes for either Math or Lang Arts, because we are now adhering to NATIONAL standards instead of IL Standards. :-/ Which I think is great - just stinks that we were so far behind AND it stinks that it will take away from another class - namely Careers or Band. But I do see how their hands are tied because if I remember correctly IL is a state where PE is REQUIRED so the only thing left is Band. :-/ It really is a shame. So now the Band Director (as most Band directors ) has to pull more weight and get kids ready for the same productions with less and less time.
I'm not sure what to do about our school systems problems - nationally. but I KNOW it's NOT cut teachers. We've GOT to wake up!!! We've got to see that our CHILDREN are where our money should be spent and it's GOT to be PUBLIC. I won't get into all of my "opinions" about private school or Millionaire's getting tax breaks or Oil companies getting subsidies - everyone has their own opinion about that. But one thing I DO know for a FACT that we don't do right by our children - society wise. That's one thing - if I could fix stuff - I'd ask God - or whoever - how the heck do we solve THAT one.
But back to MY problem. ;-) He'll be in this class 2 days a week and it will focus on his comprehension of reading. I'm all for it - except that it will take from Band. So we sat him down last night and talked to him about how being in Band he'll have to do his work and then some because he will be a little behind because of his enrichment class. We also explained why he was in this class and why this class was even in existence. In typical Jack from he gave us the huffy breath and the "can I go, now" look. THAT one will drive me to the asylum - this I'm sure of.
We did the library again this week. Sal's really getting good at finding books that she likes. We started reading this week too - Sal's doing VERY well at that - as long as I remind her not to sing-song it. She LOVES to do 'school-work' everyday and badgers me till I sit with her and read. Jack and I are reading "Holes" now. He seems to get it. He just HATES taking time out to do stuff like that. This week he's in for Math work on the computer. Lucky lucky boy. :-)
So, so far - we're doing well this summer. I tell ya, it's scaring the heck out of me. They're still fighting and bickering but for some reason I think I've learned how to ignore it. Never having siblings close to my age - I never had to deal with all that fighting and bickering and it's a little un-nerving for a control freak like me. ;-) I've even managed to cook dinner every night AND have something that Jack likes at each meal. Now THAT'S an accomplishment. :-)
He is getting a little better about eating and he's really showing some interest in cooking. We're thinking maybe every Friday our cooking day. We'll see how it turns out. ;-)
Friday, June 08, 2012
Anger!
I ran into a lady I've known from the Special Needs world today. I hate to say it but I always dread talking to her because she is ALWAYS so very critical of the school, JBSRA, most everything. And today was no exception. She started in about the High School and her bad experiences. Then proceeded to tell me that I was in fact, the person who knows Sally best. You hear this SOOO much in the Special Needs world.
Now, I may be the only one who feels this way -(or the only one who will tell the truth) but I do NOT know Sally best. I know the Sally I live with - but even then - how well do you ever know someone? I remember fighting with my Mom about who I was - what I felt. You live with a spouse for years and when he/she cheats - did you know them best? When you see a parent in the news commenting on their child that just slaughtered a family - didn't they think they "knew" their child? We fool ourselves as parents and we puff ourselves up WAY too much.
Again I say - we take our children to Dr's because we don't know what's best for our child when it comes to health. We take Jack to an Orthodontist that our Dentist recommended because the Orthodontist knows better than the Dentist what's best for Jack. Both Bill and myself can swim but Sal and Jack both went to swimming lessons. So I ask - why are teachers not looked at like this? Why is it we think we all know so much better than these professionals. And lets face it - most of them have as much schooling as some doctors.
There's that puzzle piece that stands for Autism and it's about the fact that we never get it all put together yet we pretend that we've seen the picture on the box. That's siddy (as Sal would say). So then I started to think about why. This lady and I use her only as example because believe me, I've talked to SOOOO many people like this (typical children's parents too).
I think it's the anger. It's the hopelessness you feel. The Special Needs world can be a very very dark and lonely place. Even for the most well-adjusted and optimistic parent - there are still days and weeks and months of very dark days and too many worries and frustrations to count. I hate to admit it but there's a lot of jealousy too. Why me, why my kid? Just the way the world is set up can make you very angry. There's a lot of places where parents hands are tied and God love them the parents that made the laws to benefit my kid - they had to fight. And in some areas I still have to "fight" or be on guard. But school has come SO far and is making strides more and more and more so to "fight" and complain all the time is senseless to me - although I so very much understand the feelings behind it.
I wonder if we could build a gym for Special Needs Parents - and have a staff there that can help us all to put that anger where it belongs. Make use of all that anger and hurt and pain. The bad thing about that - Special Needs parents do less for themselves than "typical" parents so this gym would soon turn into meetings on "how to better_________" :-)
Now, I may be the only one who feels this way -(or the only one who will tell the truth) but I do NOT know Sally best. I know the Sally I live with - but even then - how well do you ever know someone? I remember fighting with my Mom about who I was - what I felt. You live with a spouse for years and when he/she cheats - did you know them best? When you see a parent in the news commenting on their child that just slaughtered a family - didn't they think they "knew" their child? We fool ourselves as parents and we puff ourselves up WAY too much.
Again I say - we take our children to Dr's because we don't know what's best for our child when it comes to health. We take Jack to an Orthodontist that our Dentist recommended because the Orthodontist knows better than the Dentist what's best for Jack. Both Bill and myself can swim but Sal and Jack both went to swimming lessons. So I ask - why are teachers not looked at like this? Why is it we think we all know so much better than these professionals. And lets face it - most of them have as much schooling as some doctors.
There's that puzzle piece that stands for Autism and it's about the fact that we never get it all put together yet we pretend that we've seen the picture on the box. That's siddy (as Sal would say). So then I started to think about why. This lady and I use her only as example because believe me, I've talked to SOOOO many people like this (typical children's parents too).
I think it's the anger. It's the hopelessness you feel. The Special Needs world can be a very very dark and lonely place. Even for the most well-adjusted and optimistic parent - there are still days and weeks and months of very dark days and too many worries and frustrations to count. I hate to admit it but there's a lot of jealousy too. Why me, why my kid? Just the way the world is set up can make you very angry. There's a lot of places where parents hands are tied and God love them the parents that made the laws to benefit my kid - they had to fight. And in some areas I still have to "fight" or be on guard. But school has come SO far and is making strides more and more and more so to "fight" and complain all the time is senseless to me - although I so very much understand the feelings behind it.
I wonder if we could build a gym for Special Needs Parents - and have a staff there that can help us all to put that anger where it belongs. Make use of all that anger and hurt and pain. The bad thing about that - Special Needs parents do less for themselves than "typical" parents so this gym would soon turn into meetings on "how to better_________" :-)
Thursday, June 07, 2012
I'm Very Very Scared!
So we're on day #3 of just me and "them" this summer. And (I hate to say it - for fear of jinxing it) they have been VERY good. We did the Orthodontist on Tuesday - Jack needs oral surgery because he has two teeth that are attached to the bone. Ughhh. We did nothing on Wednesday and had a few tense moments but we survived and today we went to the library. We took a vote and decided that we will go to the library every Thursday afternoon and then on our way home drop off Sal at the PD so she can go bowling. (I LOVE it when you can do two things at once).
At the library we found what they call "Play Away". It's books on a tiny little device - about as big as a pack of cards - that you just hook your headphones to and it reads the book to you. You probably know all about these things - I'm pretty far behind - but DANG - what a find. Sal LOVES them. She has sat and listened to Curious George for over an hour! :-)
Jack, of course, is more interested in video games than the books - but that's ok. I've told them that they get this week free and next week we're gonna do some Math and Reading every day. As we left the library I suggested a "TV Free day each week" - THAT didn't go over so well. Maybe I'll start with a TV Free afternoon and work our way up. They don't seem to get that it will be as hard on me as it will on them. :-/
Sal's graduation went VERY well. I was doing pretty good until I realized that HS means only 4 more years! When I look back at how FAST the last 4 went - Oh Good Lord! Sal's ready - me, not so much. She is so funny. When we start the summer I always call "Family Meeting" and go over new changes and things I want them to learn over the summer. (ok, so I usually bite off WAY too much and we don't get most of the list done - but I have hope) ;-) This year our bedtime will only get pushed back a half hour on the weekdays - Jack's got basketball, Sal's got Summer School, so 9:00 it is. They were pretty cool with that. Plus, the fact that we're usually up by 7 everyday. So then I went on to talk about doing away with kool-aid all day long. We'll get a glass with each meal and in between it's water. That was ok with them if I could make ice - done deal. :-) I told Sal I'd really like to see her be able to take a shower and wash her hair by herself. I got the "eyes" on this one. Some questions - but when I told her I'd make a chart to help her remember and I'd show her how the first couple of times she was ok.
So far Sal has dressed herself every morning, we have yet to do the shower thing. :-) Things seem to go well when I put our "schedule" on our white board in the morning. What time lunch will be (and what we'll have) and then what we'll be doing etc. After 3 years of being home - I just may have this whole stay at home thing down. Did I just say that? Oh, oh..... tomorrow should be a doozie. :-)
At the library we found what they call "Play Away". It's books on a tiny little device - about as big as a pack of cards - that you just hook your headphones to and it reads the book to you. You probably know all about these things - I'm pretty far behind - but DANG - what a find. Sal LOVES them. She has sat and listened to Curious George for over an hour! :-)
Jack, of course, is more interested in video games than the books - but that's ok. I've told them that they get this week free and next week we're gonna do some Math and Reading every day. As we left the library I suggested a "TV Free day each week" - THAT didn't go over so well. Maybe I'll start with a TV Free afternoon and work our way up. They don't seem to get that it will be as hard on me as it will on them. :-/
Sal's graduation went VERY well. I was doing pretty good until I realized that HS means only 4 more years! When I look back at how FAST the last 4 went - Oh Good Lord! Sal's ready - me, not so much. She is so funny. When we start the summer I always call "Family Meeting" and go over new changes and things I want them to learn over the summer. (ok, so I usually bite off WAY too much and we don't get most of the list done - but I have hope) ;-) This year our bedtime will only get pushed back a half hour on the weekdays - Jack's got basketball, Sal's got Summer School, so 9:00 it is. They were pretty cool with that. Plus, the fact that we're usually up by 7 everyday. So then I went on to talk about doing away with kool-aid all day long. We'll get a glass with each meal and in between it's water. That was ok with them if I could make ice - done deal. :-) I told Sal I'd really like to see her be able to take a shower and wash her hair by herself. I got the "eyes" on this one. Some questions - but when I told her I'd make a chart to help her remember and I'd show her how the first couple of times she was ok.
So far Sal has dressed herself every morning, we have yet to do the shower thing. :-) Things seem to go well when I put our "schedule" on our white board in the morning. What time lunch will be (and what we'll have) and then what we'll be doing etc. After 3 years of being home - I just may have this whole stay at home thing down. Did I just say that? Oh, oh..... tomorrow should be a doozie. :-)
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