Good Lord, Charlie Brown - it's Halloween

Dang - it was a busy one this a.m. At 5:30 I was awakened by S saying "it's all over - October is all over" Then about 20 minutes later I hear "we trick o treat tonight". Then I see J going to the bathroom and when he's done I see him pick up his black bag (present) and head back to bed. So we start the day early today - and do you think that made for less rush??? Heck NO! So we get S off to school (after discovering that no, we haven't found the lost library book AND we've ripped another one). Then I head in, do up some dishes and head out to the store to buy candy, cookies (which have to go to kindergarten today), and all the fixings for Halloween dinner.

We go to swimming lessons after that - to find out that Ms Diane is no longer J's teacher - there were some tense moments - but he agreed to stick it out. So after the lesson I asked him if he wanted to remain at 10:30 class or go back and of course he wants to stay (probably because I had already switched him back) so we tell them yes, we're staying in the 10:30 class and I leave, praying that all those switches do not get screwed up.

By the time we get home - we're really pushing it. We rip open the cookies - shove them into the oven, run around and get dressed for work and school and shove the cookies (still warm) into a shoe box. (which J found VERY funny). Wrote Ms Conway an apologetic note and head for school and work.

When I got here I literally sighed. So now I hang out till 4:30 when I will then fetch the children and carve pumpkins, get them dressed, clean up the kitchen (I'm not kidding when I say I took the cookies from the oven to the shoe box) and then answer the door (and corral Sade) all night long.

S has decided that just like last year, Mr Chad should come over and eat and hang out with us. She's also decided that Sunday is Thanksgiving. ;-)

A long Dang Week!!!

Goodness, it's just flying right by again. Wed was S's monthly team meeting. A great meeting. She is really knocking it out of the park, still. She's reading words more and more, she can locate water and land on the map (and north), she's handing back graded papers with no help, takes the lunch money to the office, and less outbursts. It's the aides opinion that she doesn't need meds. Her therapist at group agrees. They feel the outbursts are controllable and they feel that they happen when S needs attention, is frustrated, or bored. So now, how do I combat them. Ahh, grasshopper never thought of that - huh. :-)

Thurs was swimming lessons - no crying from J and he has swam over 25 yards by himself!!!! (with noodle of course - he's only 5). He's doing VERY well. He's also decided that "Sarah is a very nice name, don't' you think?" I find out that Sarah is in his swimming class. :-) Ahhh haaa.

I rec'd my Dr's birthday present yesterday. My first mamogram. Isn't he thoughtful? It wasn't as bad as I expected. But they aren't kidding when they use the word "squish". Yow! But doesn't last but a second.

And to round up the festivities - Halloween Party at school last night. It was GREAT!!! The kids had so much fun. I just can't say enough good things about my school. It is so much like a family there. It was the Principal's 50th birthday yesterday and where did she spend it ?? At school - putting on tattoos. :-) (she'll have something to fall back on if this teacher stuff doesn't work out) :-) That says a lot. They really do make the kids the priority. And all the volunteers. It really is a nice evening for the kids. J wore his Superman costume - which I have to say is kind of hysterical when he wears his mask but S didn't want to wear hers. She wore her shirt that says "I don't do tricks, just give me the candy". She was heck-bent to win a cake in the cake walk. No such luck - but she had a ball trying.

So today they're at daycare - I have the BEST daycare person. She takes the kids whenever I need AND the other day she let J just stay and play. A whole morning to myself after my team meeting!!! Gotta LOVE that!!!

Here's the kicker - I still don't have payroll here. :-( So I've just spent 2 hours here at work for nothing. :-( Ugghh.

It really IS a Happy Birthday!!!!

For something I was really wishing would come and go unnoticed - I've had a very nice birthday. I was SO down yesterday - just really dreading it. Feeling like a real jerk. Where had my "youth" gone??? I have never felt this way before - with 3 MUCH (God, I hope they're reading this) ;-) older siblings - age has never gotten to me - I was always looking FORWARD to growing "up". But this birthday has kind of punched me in the gut. I feel like I've been marking time the last 10 years - like I've not accomplished anything. But as I look back I see I HAVE accomplished a LOT. I am the wife of B - for now almost 16 years - THAT's something - esp if you *know* B. :-) I have given birth to 2 VERY rambunctious children. I have become an advocate, expert in the world of Special Needs, a speech therapist, O.T., and psychologist. No, I don't have the degrees - I have the war stripes. I have made a home that is compliant to help a daughter with special needs succeed in her role of child right now. I have pushed my son when he needed it and laid back when he needed that. I have listened to him and had to explain that forever he would never be "normal". I have returned to the work force. I HAVE done a LOT. Just nothing that really makes the news. And you know, that's a GOOD thing. I had to think today - as I read about Tim Schuster. He made the papers - because he was murdered. I guess it's not so bad being "unknown". :-) And there's still time to win a Nobel Prize. Most of those people are in their 50s aren't they?? :-)

Where DOES time go??

We're having good things from the "group" on Thursdays. S is learning yoga and different ways to "help" her stay calm or to stop moving.

J went on a field trip on Friday - which meant he went at 9 am and I went to work for 2.5 hours. Tell me how ANYTHING gets done with 24 kids and 2.5 hours. I was hard pressed to get one payroll and 5 sales tax forms done - and I was in a nice, quiet office - no boss so no phone calls. My hat is off to kindergarten teachers!!

J had a GREAT time! Came home with a pumpkin. After picking him up - we went to get Daddy and then to the golf course for lunch. HUGE rush for J - they have "games". :-) Then back to my office (where he played tic-tac-toe and drank enough water (from the water cooler) to drown a camel) so I could check the mail - then home where we watched movies in my room all afternoon.

They had the Fall Fest for Church this weekend. S had a wonderful time. Got her hands painted and made crafts. Then on Sunday J had choir so S got to go fishing with Daddy all by herself. It worked out really nice.

Saturday I stayed home from the fest and cleaned - moved the couch - then had to WAIT while Sadie ate her weight in crap that was behind and underneath. ugghh . There was stuff back there I don't even remember having!! So *we* had a talk about eating in the living room.

J loved choir and they said he did very well. I was a little concerned because he has some "buddies" in there and I know how they are when they get together. So I read him the riot act before he went in and crossed my fingers. :-)

We ordered the DVD of the "Superbowl Shuffle" and it's *supposed* to be there today. Game tonight - GO BEARS!!!!!

Somewhat of a productive weekend.

Uggh - thank God it's Monday. I have the worst headaches lately. It's nice to be somewhere where you can control the noise. :-)

J spent the weekend playing "talkie walkie" and in general being a pain in the butt. S was presented with a bible at church yesterday. She did VERY well standing up there and said thank you when Pastor gave it to her.

As I was reading the paper yesterday, J curled up with me and when I got to the sports page - there was the 1995 Bears - he was enthralled. SO, I went downstairs and found the "Superbowl Shuffle" for him. He is more interested in the music than the actual sport. Between that and "Bear Down, Chicago Bears" it was a *musical* Sunday. :-)

They want to keep me

Like usual I volunteered in J's room yesterday and was told that they are phasing the Mom helpers out - BUT would it be ok if I still came - because she could really use me. I took this as a great compliment - but also was a little sad that I will never get an afternoon to myself. Oh well. I really do love helping - I like working with all the kids. It's really the best of both the daycare and the work world. So Thursdays remain crazy. After getting S on the bus I take J to swimming lessons then to lunch then to school and after school I take S to group.

Swimming - well, there's more tears. Basically because they swim the length of the pool 4 times. I had to really push to get him in there yesterday. He's ok once he's done with the lap. ugghh - that's one of the hardest parts of being a mom - knowing when to push and when to back off.

Group - going very well. She's doing yoga. She really likes it and has asked if we can do it at home. I"m thinking the morning would be a great time - before breakfast. They're teaching her to squeeze when she needs to be quiet and can't quite get her body to cooperate. I'm still looking for a neurologist, neuro-psychiatrist AND now a eye Dr that specializes in spec needs. Does it ever end????

BBQ has been moved to J's room and so far so good. They deserve each other - the little heathens. S was VERY concerned yesterday when she discovered BBQ's bowl missing. J is even feeding the dreaded pahrana and doing quite a nice job.

Cough, spit , cry

First day in level 3 and J cried after swimming the entire length of the pool - BUT - he stayed AND he continued with the lesson!!! He went on to swim the length 3 more times!!!!! I told him I was SO proud of him. He's so funny. I thought for sure we were done with the first tears.

Personally, I think that's a LONG way to swim for someone that young - but hey , they all did it and he's getting it. I promised him it would get easier. I'm wondering if we should make a trip to the pool this weekend and him and I can swim laps together.

HUGE meltdown this morning with S. The shoes I got for her are too small - I don't know what I was looking at them when I bought them so it's gym day and she doesn't have her gym shoes on. J and I went to Wal-mart and returned them after swimming.

Ran into M. She looks so good. She is so funny. I can't get over how big N is. Him and J exchanged 5s. It was cute. She can't wait to go back to work . She's going to school next year since N will be part time. Never got to ask what she'll be studying. You know how it is with kids in tow and racing the clock.

My CS Lewis class is so fantastic! The book is really good and I'm so glad there's people to talk about it and discuss the meaning of things. I can't wait for the next course. I also want to read some more Lewis stuff. :-)

Gotta work on a reg bedtime and waking time. I was zoned this morning. Didn't even hear B leave which is very unusual for me. S and I are the light sleepers in the family. :-) She was up bright and early - always with the door - until she wakes J up and then they both come in and want to watch cartoons in my room. I think that's my most favorite time. Having them both there - all snuggled up and not fighting. But all too soon it ends and we have to get up because they're *starving*!!!! :-)

Love, Love LOVE Mondays

I get to work early - read through my email without anyone annoying me. I get to read through all the news - check up on the Oct list. All while enjoying a REAL cup of coffee. Ahhhh.

So we got through clothes shopping with Miss "I know what I want". We got several pair of boy's jeans - fit her the best and cost the least.

EXCELLENT Bears Game last night!!! We're now the only NFL team that is undefeated. Love it!!! And yes, I did get through MOST of the laundry. I quit at kick off - there's no need in making yourself suffer. :-)

We played with the "talkie walkies" all weekend. J actually had conversations with other children on the channels. At one point he asked someone named JR if he was a real friend or a imaginary friend. :-) He is HYSTERICAL to listen to.

It really is a zoo

We (Daddy) brought home 10 new fish to share residence with Bar-b-que. One of them is a HUGE goldfish/rock sucker. BBQ - thought they were food (the little ones) and began to puff out his gills and fins and chase everyone - including the goldfish who is much bigger than him. SO he was sent to solitary. So instead of having this one nice aquarium for BBQ we now have to find separate quarters for him and leave the aquarium for the sedate population.

Seems we have little 'exhibits' all over the 'grounds'. Sadie has taken a less attentive approach to the back yard and the squirrels have decided that they can come out and play more often, there someone living under the front deck - I would say ground squirrel - because Sadie is always trying to dig through the decking by the stairs, and we've recently been visited by a cat in the garage - which we are not deterring in the hopes of he/she will keep the mice at bay.

And then we have the Monkey Exhibit. Oh, THEY were a handful yesterday. We went garage sailing and then to the store and got all kinds of clothes. We picked out jeans and unDEwear and socks and shoes and of course, fruit snacks.

In one of conversations yesterday S told me "If I call you Ms S and Ms G that would be SO funny". I was floored. She's starting to "get" humor?? She never stops amazing me.

It was so interesting to both of them this morning that BBQ was in a "time out" for life. :-) In a weak moment I've actually thought about getting a bowl and putting him in J's room. We'll see.

The Oct list has been reminiscing lately about our meeting and the fact that we've been together for 10 years! It's amazing the things I've learned from people I don't even know and the closeness I feel to them. We are an EXTREMELY diverse group and because of that - pretty liberal. (some more than others) I would LOVE to meet some of them.

I'm attempting to do ALL laundry today AND put the house in order. I know, you ask - where will the Monkeys be when you clean the cage? We'll send them to play with the neighbor's monkeys. :-)

Mark Spitz - watch out!

He's moved from level 2 to level 3!! You should have seen the boy swim with a life jacket! He can really do it! He's so funny. Just getting more and more independent - till it comes to getting dressed, putting on shoes, picking up toys - you know the stuff you WANT him to do!!!

I helped in k-garten again yesterday - gave tests about shapes and letters. I was SHOCKED at how many don't know they're shapes - square, circle, rectangle, triangle!!! I just figured that was a gimme. And it's not the "low income" (of which our school is 35%) it's kids with very NICE clothes and expensive toys and such. Makes me sad. But Mrs C was excited to see that so many of them had improved on their letter sounds.

The *gifted* boy was complemented as to knowing everything - the very thing that drives me crazy. Mrs C said she's very glad to have him because he helps the others so much. (I tried to impress upon her that I would volunteer even if she thought my kid to be a monster) :-) He is a totally different kid in class. And he's so wanting to read tries to "read" by pictures all the time.

S has been having a tough time as of 2:30 ev afternoon. At group yesterday (I have group too - with the Mom's) I asked about medication that the kids were on. They all seemed to think that some meds would help her outbursts. They've all had amazing luck with their kids' ticks and meds. We had a new lady there with her little boy and she took it upon herself to give her opinion of medication - and without anyone even asking. Thought people were medicating their children too much. N gave her an earful - not sure she'll want to come back. :-) Of course her child "isn't bad enough" for spec needs class. I took that as a personal insult and I think it ruffled some other feathers.

Group is funny - we're the "Old Girls" <- What Sharon - the owner calls us. And even though I'm kind of the newbie (they were all together last winter) we still all kind of click. I'm also the only one from the "south" - they're all from up north more. What I find kind of interesting is that none of us get up to look in the therapy room at all. The smaller kids' Mom's are constanly coming back and checking the window - to the point that they're annoying. They even seem to have this air about them that they're the only ones going through this. In our group it seems SO much more laid back - so much more - "welcome, pull up a chair, we've all been there" :-) Even the kids have no problem expressing to each other what bugs them about the other. :-) But yet they care about each other and HAVE to know where the others are if they're absent. It was the kids that told us that D wouldn't be returning. Anyway - Thursdays are really shaping up to be a huge support and educational group to me. Not to mention getting to play with C who is almost 1 year old. I miss that, sometimes.

Back to k-garten. I have the very best of both worlds - I really do - I get to help out with the kids AND work in the real world. I couldn't have picked it better. I really love working with the kids. They are so funny. They're a lot like a box full of puppies. They all need to be told several times what they're supposed to do and honestly, it wouldn't hurt to have an aide in the classroom all the time, to keep those "drifters" on task.

I wonder about that - why some kids seem to be "drifters" (always looking around the room - never really on task) and some kids are always at full attention and watching the teacher like a hawk. J, it seems, is a hawk. He can tell me exactly what happened in class and how to do everything that they talk about. And even when I'm in the room - he's still got his eyes glued to Mrs C. I have to remember when school gets to be real work for him and we start to have problems to look back at this entry and laugh at what a sap I was. :-)

Can this REALLY be true?? SCARY and Maddening!!!

Leukemia Affects 1 in 25,000 Funding: $310 million ; Muscular Dystrophy Affects 1 in 20,000 Funding: $175 million ; Pediatric AIDS Affects 1 in 8,000 Funding: $394 million; Juvenile Diabetes Affects 1 in 500 Funding: $130 million ; Autism Affects 1 in 166 Funding: $15 million

This is OUTRAGEOUS!!!! Something has to be done!!! Everyday I meet more and more kids and more and more parents affected. And a lot of times they refuse to identify them. Autism is NOT a punishment - nor is it a blessing - it is a disorder that in some cases CAN be cured and in ALL cases CAN be helped. The problem is that even though so many are affected - SO many do NOTHING about it. Congress is so busy doing whatever (don't get me started) that there is NO legislation being passed - no Federal money being alloted.

This HAS to be fixed! This HAS to be seen to. This HAS to stop. There are enough of us out there - we HAVE to do something!!!!!

TEAM Meeting

Is it possible that this year will be as good or even better than last?? S is making some real progress again and really participating in class. They're using 1st grade things with her!!! Her teacher is out of this world and of course her aides are as always outstanding. They all laugh at her antics and get a big charge out of her. She's really pushing her independence lately. Hitting the big 9 seems to be doing a number on her behavior. Which, in a way is good - but frustrating also. Her speech therapist is fantastic this year. Thank God we got a new one. I think with all the team members AND her group this year we're really making some big strides.

J got to stay at Karen's while I was at the meeting. He has such a nice time there and when I picked him up I was told that S's teacher's kid was there. :-) We're all one big happy family!
:-) I got to school just in time to hear the daily announcements *and* do the Pledge. You can just feel the energy as you approach the school. The office is always interesting. There's always so much going on - and they always seem so happy there. They really are like a big family - a team that is determined to succeed. I just love school.

Fun, Fast Days

Boy, the time is flying. We're having such a good time. S and I went to swimming lessons last night. She can make it across the pool with her "noogle". She LOVES to play in the water. Miss B let her play last night because she had done such a good job.

I had book study last night. It's really quite good. We had over 15 people there. It's a lot of fun and they serve coffee and cookies!!!! *Love* it!

P. Jim is always talking to me about Luther and asking if I would lead a class about him. Mostly in jest. He does a GREAT job at teaching. I really like his style - even though he's from MO.

J is still doing fantastic in swimming. He's doing the crawl now and trying to keep his head out. If he'd put it in he'd glide across the water. I love to watch him.

Baby steps, baby steps

Fun weekend. Got my haircut. I have SUCH a good time every month doing that. L and I have the best time together. The kids and B got haircuts too. I'm not real thrilled with S's but it will grow and hopefully we can do something "girlish" by her school pictures later in the month.

Hard to believe that October is right around the corner. I'm still having a hard time convincing S that we need to put the sandal's away. I know how she feels. It's hard to say goodbye to summer.

We're STILL revising the 'schedule' and the way the house operates. I got a rubbermaid organizer for homework and such - it's just hard to make things accessible to them but not too accessible.

S has decided she wants to be an animal cop. This was due to the fact that when she said she wanted to be a policeman her Daddy informed her that they carry guns. And she didn't want to carry a gun. (for you MASH fans: I'll carry over, carry under - even harry carry if you show me how - but I will not carry a gun). J, on the other hand still wants to be a policeman and shoot Tommy. Go figure.

Splish Splash

I am more and more impressed with every swimming lesson. J has completed just 4 lessons and already he's back floating alone and dog paddling. He's really having a good time.

Another country heard from - S has been very unruly at daycare. But ---- I'm not sure I totally believe everything. And you know me, always thinking my kids are NOT angels . Anyway - we got CALLS from daycare yesterday - like what am I supposed to do??? We were told that she was "spitting" and saying "you suck". Ok, hitting and being obstinate - I agree - this is S. But as far as *I've* ever seen (and I asked her to do it this morning for teeth brushing) she CAN'T spit. And the "you suck" - she HAD to hear it said just like that. She is NOT good at re-phrasing things. ie: This kind of reading sucks. - she would NEVER get from this *how* to use the word sucks. She would just repeat "reading sucks".

Now, IF this really IS true - and I really don't believe so because the jump in improvement and independence would be unheard of - we REALLY HAVE to celebrate!!!! Because IF it IS true - that means Sally has turned a MAJOR corner as far as expressive language goes - AND in oral motor movement. But like I said - I *highly* doubt that all things happened as I was told.

Either way - I'm a bit disturbed that calling a parent home from work is what a daycare teacher's first response is. My thing is that she needs to be put in time-out till I get home from work. She also needs to be separated from this child who has his mommy's ear (Drew) and who himself, is a problem (I've heard this from Mrs B) and also separated from J. I just don't buy that she has changed SO much in one year - heck, one month. I think it has to do with J and Drew doing things they aren't supposed to do and she's taking them to task. But alas - I will talks to my team about it and while I volunteer today - I'm going to bend Mrs B's ear about Drew. :-)

Yes, it can be fall now.

I have all the winter clothes out - just have to do laundry and put summer stuff away. Poor J has had to try on every pair of pants I had. It's so hard to tell what's going to fit him and what won't. He has his Aunt J's problem with legs (and no butt). :-) He's become enthralled with what I called the "maybe" pile. When I put pants on him I'd say - well, that's a maybe. So now he has sorted all his toys into "maybe" piles.

He was looking through a Fisher Price catalog today and telling me what all he wanted. I told him "well, since you can write now - you can make a list for Santa." Without missing a beat he says "yeah, a big LONG list".

How bout that - just got a call from MR - he broke his nose!!! OMG! And he might have to have surgery!!! He said he was playing 3rd base and the ball took a bad hop right into his nose. ER and everything! Dang - it makes my face hurt to think about it!

CS - My Brother

Well, I'm finding CS Lewis to be quite entertaining and thought provoking. I'm seeing maybe me being out of the "loop" in church is a very good thing - maybe it's time for me. My faith needs a boost, a fill up. I'm beginning to find church and church people very hypocritical and not the "family" I once thought it was. So maybe the problem is me more than them.

Swimming lessons last night for S and today for J. They're BOTH doing very well. J especially is starting to take to water like his Momma. :-) I think I may see Mother/Son lap swimming in the future. :-) S did well - just cannot get the hang of blowing bubbles.

We decided as parents to take one little people away for every poopy diaper. I haven't had a poop yet (since yesterday) - so I think we're going to have to give her some of Dr K's meds to make sure she doesn't constipate herself.

Very cool out today - but I managed to get S into pants and no sandals - *and* a sweat jacket! She actually wore the clothes that Aunt J gave her from the rodeo. She looked SO cute. She's starting to come around on the clothes thing - I can kind of push some issues. Just have to know when to back off. :-)

What a WILD weekend!

My, what a birthday she had!!! S was ECSTATIC about Chuckie Cheese! I've never seen her like that. She had the BEST time! Cried when it was time to leave! She got rodeo clothes from Aunt J - and she WORE them today! She LOVED Aunt L's people airplane! So it was the best kind of birthday. It was just right, imo. When we got home from the party - Mr C was having a party and S and J went over and played in the camper and with his niece and nephew. They were out till around 10 - B had rigged up a spot light on the swing set and Mr C had rigged up Christmas lights all around the camper. It was so cute and such a nice time.

So then we proceeded to make Aunt J sick. We are so generous in this house. She got what I had on Thurs night - she was up most of the night and then took a long nap in the morning and by noon she said she felt better. She got home ok - stopped at McClean to get gas and something to eat and then felt even better.

We did the garage sale thing on Sat morning. That's always fun with her. The kids love it too. S was excited to tell everyone at school about her weekend.

B's digging a hole this morning so I'm waiting to go to work till he gets back. I wasn't prepared to be at home this morning - I'm hoping there wasn't any loose ends at work that I needed to do before mail went out.

Switching over

I'm starting a new blog here and discontinuing my other one. I'd like to print the other one out - but I'm not sure how to do that. Since it talks mostly about the kids I thought they might like to have proof for their therpists.

The word today is not to eat the bag spinach. Alright! Looks like junk food tonight. You know, you never have a disease scare on junk food, hmmmm.

Finishing up the job early today - Aunt J comes in this evening. S is overjoyed.

Also on the news front - had to bite the bullet and invest in a new washer. :-( What a pain in the butt. I found out all too well that you cannot be without a washer when you have children. Uggh. So now, I'll play catch up all next week.