Another PD day for S today. He is going to come to the office with me. Boss has left for his conference in Cancun this morning, so it will be fine to have S there. Not that it wouldn't have been fine with Boss there, it's just easier to not have to worry about it.
S will bring his History project to work on, but I'm sure he will just watch TV and play on the computer for most of the time. Have a meeting at the school to review report card - which is why I want him with me. He needs to hear what the teachers say. Will spend a fair bit of time with the French teacher, I'm sure. There is no way he should be getting a 55% if she is making the accommodations that are listed in the IEP. If he is, then the IEP needs to be modified.
Have to call Cuz tonight - her hubby has been admitted to the hospital. Heart issues. This bites.
Friday, November 30, 2007
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Today, I am empowered
We had our AGM for the ADHD group last night. First part was the meeting. Typical boring stuff - vote on this, vote on that. Just something that must be done.
The second half, however, was a dynamic speaker! She just made me feel so GOOD about all that I have been successful in doing, and also offered a few new tips and tricks I will have to give a go.
After the meeting, I had a couple of people tell me how much they enjoyed the article I had written for last month's newsletter. They said it was informative, interesting, and very well written. (In your face boss' ex...) Anyway, I just left that meeting feeling great.
When I got home, the A-man was very excited to tell me all about the play he had been to see. His drama teacher had secured VIP passes for her entire class, and he loved it. This is the second professional performance he has been to, and the reaction has been the same each time. Now, the performance I took him to over a year ago in Toronto (Lord of the Rings) was far more advanced in many respects, but still, the glow and excitement was just as real this time around. The boy loves the theatre!
S got his report card back. Pretty much what I was expecting, truth be told. Actually, some marks were quite a bit higher than I was expecting, so that is a nice surprise. Mostly low to mid 70's - a couple of 80's (!!) and not a very good mark in French, but that is to be expected at this point, I think. We will address that tomorrow at the meeting, I'm sure.
S had a good day yesterday. A blip in the radar, perhaps? We shall see... Specialist has indicated something in his last email - I have asked for clarification. Will post more when I know more.
And, we finally have a date for the fMRI - the last Thursday in January. Not really the best time for me, as that Friday is the move-in for one of the shows, but I will NOT request a date change - I've been waiting since July for this appointment, so we will just have to do a lot of driving in a very short period of time, I guess. City one (3 hours away) to back home, then from home to city two (2 1/2 hours the other way...)
Who has more fun that us??
The second half, however, was a dynamic speaker! She just made me feel so GOOD about all that I have been successful in doing, and also offered a few new tips and tricks I will have to give a go.
After the meeting, I had a couple of people tell me how much they enjoyed the article I had written for last month's newsletter. They said it was informative, interesting, and very well written. (In your face boss' ex...) Anyway, I just left that meeting feeling great.
When I got home, the A-man was very excited to tell me all about the play he had been to see. His drama teacher had secured VIP passes for her entire class, and he loved it. This is the second professional performance he has been to, and the reaction has been the same each time. Now, the performance I took him to over a year ago in Toronto (Lord of the Rings) was far more advanced in many respects, but still, the glow and excitement was just as real this time around. The boy loves the theatre!
S got his report card back. Pretty much what I was expecting, truth be told. Actually, some marks were quite a bit higher than I was expecting, so that is a nice surprise. Mostly low to mid 70's - a couple of 80's (!!) and not a very good mark in French, but that is to be expected at this point, I think. We will address that tomorrow at the meeting, I'm sure.
S had a good day yesterday. A blip in the radar, perhaps? We shall see... Specialist has indicated something in his last email - I have asked for clarification. Will post more when I know more.
And, we finally have a date for the fMRI - the last Thursday in January. Not really the best time for me, as that Friday is the move-in for one of the shows, but I will NOT request a date change - I've been waiting since July for this appointment, so we will just have to do a lot of driving in a very short period of time, I guess. City one (3 hours away) to back home, then from home to city two (2 1/2 hours the other way...)
Who has more fun that us??
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Feeling Better
S is in a great mood today. Got ready for school with no problems, and is now just waiting for me to have my shower and drive him in to school. I will have to review the events of yesterday with him as we make the 15 minute drive to school, but the comment Cuz made after reading my post has me wondering about the EA... I will have to get some big time clarification.
Last night, the A-man did some further work on his electricity project. It looks pretty good, to tell the truth. He is really starting to utilize the various features available through Word, and he even seems to realize that I do know my stuff when it comes to computers! ha ha. He asked me for help with inserting one picture in to his document, then he was able to manipulate the remainder of the information himself. I think he is planning on doing the final layout on the bristol board this evening. Wow - imagine that...it's much less stressful to do a project over a number of days, and then you don't feel pressure to complete it all at once! Finally we are getting there. I'm very proud of him.
S has a History project due next Friday. The majority of it will be an 'in school' project, but the teacher has broken down the parts she feels S can/should complete at home. (I had to ask her to do that...) He was very good yesterday afternoon to sit down and review the parts she said to do at home, and he got to work right away on the first part. He did it all (well, all of that one question) with no prompting from me. Let's just see if he will keep it up.
I have the Annual General Meeting tonight for the ADHD association. I will be doing a presentation on the past year, and I will also be presenting the new "Excellence" award. The recipient is on the board, and this is all brand new. The other board members and I had to arrange this on the sidelines so that she wouldn't be aware. After she is no longer the president of the association, the award will be named after her. She is one remarkable lady.
And, we are off to the races...
Last night, the A-man did some further work on his electricity project. It looks pretty good, to tell the truth. He is really starting to utilize the various features available through Word, and he even seems to realize that I do know my stuff when it comes to computers! ha ha. He asked me for help with inserting one picture in to his document, then he was able to manipulate the remainder of the information himself. I think he is planning on doing the final layout on the bristol board this evening. Wow - imagine that...it's much less stressful to do a project over a number of days, and then you don't feel pressure to complete it all at once! Finally we are getting there. I'm very proud of him.
S has a History project due next Friday. The majority of it will be an 'in school' project, but the teacher has broken down the parts she feels S can/should complete at home. (I had to ask her to do that...) He was very good yesterday afternoon to sit down and review the parts she said to do at home, and he got to work right away on the first part. He did it all (well, all of that one question) with no prompting from me. Let's just see if he will keep it up.
I have the Annual General Meeting tonight for the ADHD association. I will be doing a presentation on the past year, and I will also be presenting the new "Excellence" award. The recipient is on the board, and this is all brand new. The other board members and I had to arrange this on the sidelines so that she wouldn't be aware. After she is no longer the president of the association, the award will be named after her. She is one remarkable lady.
And, we are off to the races...
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
NOT a happy camper
Shortly after 1pm today, I recieved a telephone call from the new acting principal. S had an incident at the school, and my presence was required. Great.
Off I go to the school. He had some sort of argument with some other kids in school yard during recess. Some of the kids were breaking the 'fort' he and two friends had created yesterday, and he started to become very angry and aggitated. When the principal went outside to talk to S, he thought he had been able to calm S down. He invited S to come in to the school and discuss the incident in the special ed. room. As the principal turned to walk in to the school, S scaled the fence, and ran off.
I take it he had also sworn at a couple of kids, and even used the words "I'll kill you" to at least one girl. Apparently this upset her greatly. gee, wonder why... Since he left the school yard, the principal felt he had to choice but to send S home for the rest of the day. Yeah - I didn't get the opportunity to return to work. Not a good thing.
S refused to talk to me when I was at the school. Well, he did a wee bit, but none of what he was saying really made much sense, and he continued to get worse, and more silly as the conversation progressed.
We left the school. I made a couple of stops on my way home, and by the time I was through the first errand, he seemed much calmer. We were able to better discuss the situation, and even come up with some alternative actions. The problem isn't him knowing the information - he knows it all - it's getting him to incorporate it in to his everyday thinking.
His specialist had actually sent me an email this morning indicating that he was concerned S may be feeling some stressors - he felt some of the more recent behaviours have been indicative of this. Guess he was right. I am going to take S in to school in the morning, and have a little follow up conversation with the principal about all of this.
On the up side - at least he didn't hurt himself or anyone else - but as he gets older, these sorts of threats will not be taken lightly. I know he doesn't mean them - he is far too kind a child for that - but he just uses that word (kill) to express that he is feeling very angry. I am waiting to hear back from the doctor on this.
My tummy hurts.
Off I go to the school. He had some sort of argument with some other kids in school yard during recess. Some of the kids were breaking the 'fort' he and two friends had created yesterday, and he started to become very angry and aggitated. When the principal went outside to talk to S, he thought he had been able to calm S down. He invited S to come in to the school and discuss the incident in the special ed. room. As the principal turned to walk in to the school, S scaled the fence, and ran off.
I take it he had also sworn at a couple of kids, and even used the words "I'll kill you" to at least one girl. Apparently this upset her greatly. gee, wonder why... Since he left the school yard, the principal felt he had to choice but to send S home for the rest of the day. Yeah - I didn't get the opportunity to return to work. Not a good thing.
S refused to talk to me when I was at the school. Well, he did a wee bit, but none of what he was saying really made much sense, and he continued to get worse, and more silly as the conversation progressed.
We left the school. I made a couple of stops on my way home, and by the time I was through the first errand, he seemed much calmer. We were able to better discuss the situation, and even come up with some alternative actions. The problem isn't him knowing the information - he knows it all - it's getting him to incorporate it in to his everyday thinking.
His specialist had actually sent me an email this morning indicating that he was concerned S may be feeling some stressors - he felt some of the more recent behaviours have been indicative of this. Guess he was right. I am going to take S in to school in the morning, and have a little follow up conversation with the principal about all of this.
On the up side - at least he didn't hurt himself or anyone else - but as he gets older, these sorts of threats will not be taken lightly. I know he doesn't mean them - he is far too kind a child for that - but he just uses that word (kill) to express that he is feeling very angry. I am waiting to hear back from the doctor on this.
My tummy hurts.
No internet
One disadvantage to country living - limited availability of highspeed. We either use dial up (never again, thank you very much) or we have it through satellite. The satellite usually isn't a problem, but last night we had that big, thick heavy snow falling, and the dish must have been covered in a thick coating. No satellite last night - no internet, no TV.
Been having some email conversations back and forth with S's SERT - I think she must be getting so sick of me. Anyway - news yesterday...principal has taken a three week leave of absence - AGAIN. She was away most of last week, and now she won't be back for three weeks. Report cards were supposed to come home yesterday, but guess what? They weren't done, so they are hoping we will get them by Wednesday. Worse thing our board ever did was hire that woman. I think they realize that too, but it's probably really difficult to clear out the dead wood. (Not like us lowly parents would ever be told anything, anyway.)
I have a meeting at the school on Friday - to go over his newest report card, to meet with the French teacher (he's been having problems in that class) and to have his IPRC formally changed to recognize all of his 'exceptionalities.' His doctor wants me to have a good talk with the teachers, as he feels S's is exhibiting signs of a major stressor, and he wants me to get to the heart of things before he explodes again. I think one of the stressors has already been removed - karate - but there is something happening at school, too, the doctor insists. We will see.
The A-man is working on a Science project. I have been given a list of things I have to pick up for the project - like bristol board, that sort of thing. I will have to do that tonight on my way home from work, I guess.
Got a "venting" email from Cuz last night. Her hubby (my actual cousin...Cuz is not related by blood) has been experiencing some health issues. This is not good - he had lymphoma a few years back, so this added stress for them is not good at all. Everyone reading this - cross your fingers that he gets well SOON. The other big news - their doctor is retiring in the next few weeks, hasn't told any of his patients, and now they have to try and find a new one. (Anyone from Ontario knows that trying to find a new doctor is next to impossible, so keep your fingers crossed, please.)
And that is all for now! Gotta dash to work!
Been having some email conversations back and forth with S's SERT - I think she must be getting so sick of me. Anyway - news yesterday...principal has taken a three week leave of absence - AGAIN. She was away most of last week, and now she won't be back for three weeks. Report cards were supposed to come home yesterday, but guess what? They weren't done, so they are hoping we will get them by Wednesday. Worse thing our board ever did was hire that woman. I think they realize that too, but it's probably really difficult to clear out the dead wood. (Not like us lowly parents would ever be told anything, anyway.)
I have a meeting at the school on Friday - to go over his newest report card, to meet with the French teacher (he's been having problems in that class) and to have his IPRC formally changed to recognize all of his 'exceptionalities.' His doctor wants me to have a good talk with the teachers, as he feels S's is exhibiting signs of a major stressor, and he wants me to get to the heart of things before he explodes again. I think one of the stressors has already been removed - karate - but there is something happening at school, too, the doctor insists. We will see.
The A-man is working on a Science project. I have been given a list of things I have to pick up for the project - like bristol board, that sort of thing. I will have to do that tonight on my way home from work, I guess.
Got a "venting" email from Cuz last night. Her hubby (my actual cousin...Cuz is not related by blood) has been experiencing some health issues. This is not good - he had lymphoma a few years back, so this added stress for them is not good at all. Everyone reading this - cross your fingers that he gets well SOON. The other big news - their doctor is retiring in the next few weeks, hasn't told any of his patients, and now they have to try and find a new one. (Anyone from Ontario knows that trying to find a new doctor is next to impossible, so keep your fingers crossed, please.)
And that is all for now! Gotta dash to work!
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Updates
The busses ran on Friday. It snowed a fair bit again that day, too, but it wasn't as bad. The temperatures really dropped a lot as the day went on. It was minus 9 around 6pm, and it got quite a bit colder that evening. It's nice a sunny today (Sunday) though, and the snow is really melting quickly.
We had a surprise 40th birthday party last night. I helped another friend get all of the food ready for the gathering - but we really didn't need to make that much as were going to have a dinner prior to going over to the home. There was about 20 of us, and we went to a new steakhouse. It was very good. I had a sirloin crusted with pecans and topped with goat cheese. Hubby had the peppercorn steak. I was very full when we left there.
Today has been dedicated to getting things done around the house. We finished getting the foyer all steamed off and I will begin the priming this week, I guess. We started getting the paper off in the boy's bathroom, but there was a glitch with the steamer. Hubby has to replace the plug and then we will be able to continue. I'm rethinking the colour selection for the bathroom. The boys picked a deep, almost eggplant colour for their bathroom, but since it doesn't have windows, and isn't that big of a room, I think it may be too dark. I'm going to get them to look at the shower curtain again and maybe pick a lighter colour from it. Maybe like a yellow/green, or the bright blue! (lol....)
I'm taking the boys to see "Fred Claus" tonight. I told them that if they got certain chores done, I would reward them with that. The movie begins at 6:45, so that means we will be having a somewhat (for us) early diner. Chili is simmering...
On the day of the A-man's appointment, we did a bit of Christmas shopping. I bought something for my Dad and tried it out this morning - just to make sure it worked. It's a long story, but this is a bit of a joke gift for my Dad. Anyway, here is Abby with the 'gift'....
We had a surprise 40th birthday party last night. I helped another friend get all of the food ready for the gathering - but we really didn't need to make that much as were going to have a dinner prior to going over to the home. There was about 20 of us, and we went to a new steakhouse. It was very good. I had a sirloin crusted with pecans and topped with goat cheese. Hubby had the peppercorn steak. I was very full when we left there.
Today has been dedicated to getting things done around the house. We finished getting the foyer all steamed off and I will begin the priming this week, I guess. We started getting the paper off in the boy's bathroom, but there was a glitch with the steamer. Hubby has to replace the plug and then we will be able to continue. I'm rethinking the colour selection for the bathroom. The boys picked a deep, almost eggplant colour for their bathroom, but since it doesn't have windows, and isn't that big of a room, I think it may be too dark. I'm going to get them to look at the shower curtain again and maybe pick a lighter colour from it. Maybe like a yellow/green, or the bright blue! (lol....)
I'm taking the boys to see "Fred Claus" tonight. I told them that if they got certain chores done, I would reward them with that. The movie begins at 6:45, so that means we will be having a somewhat (for us) early diner. Chili is simmering...
On the day of the A-man's appointment, we did a bit of Christmas shopping. I bought something for my Dad and tried it out this morning - just to make sure it worked. It's a long story, but this is a bit of a joke gift for my Dad. Anyway, here is Abby with the 'gift'....
Had trouble with the upload...not sure if it's here or not, but going to post anyway...
Friday, November 23, 2007
Glad it's Friday
Didn't go for dinner last night - ended up working a bit late, actually. Took me quite a while to clean off my car when I was finally coming home, too. SO glad Hubby arranged it so that I can put my car in the garage...just my car though - he didn't clear the spot for his car, lol.
Nothing else to report - no school yesterday...
Nothing else to report - no school yesterday...
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Looking out my dining room window...
Truly, just smattering of snow, but today is still a snow day for the kids...no buses today. However, from all of the traffic reports on the radio, the roads are not good. (sigh) Should be a fun drive in to work today.
Okay, let's see... I tried to call the SERT yesterday to find out when the final 'kink' will be worked out of S's laptop, but I was not able to actually speak with her. I will try again today, and if I'm not successful, I will send her an email. He can still use the computer as it is, but the system won't recognize his voice, therefore he has to type everything in, rather than just talk and have the computer type the words. (This is a very good feature for either creative thinking or for very long answers.)
Received a call from the A-man's resource teacher yesterday. I made arrangements to come in and sign the paperwork she needed signed, and then talked to her about his lack of organization. (The other night, when he was looking for his script for Geography, he had tons of notes in the bottom of his backpack, and pages everywhere. It took him about 15 minutes, and 4 different areas, to find what he needed. Gee, would that be considered organized?) Anyway, she said she would do a 'binder spot check' for him during class that day, but I don't know how that will get the pages out of the bottom of his backpack... But, at least she is aware, and will continue to monitor him.
Just as we were finishing dinner last night, I got a telephone call from S's French teacher. Apparently he hasn't been behaving in the most appropriate of manners in class. Great. Hubby and I sat him down for a big discussion about what has been happening with him the last little while. It was quite insightful, truth be told. It's a long explanation, and quite windy, so I won't go in to details. Suffice it to say, we peeled the layers back and back, and back, got to the heart of the problem, and hopefully she won't have any further problems with him in class. Total conversation took almost an hour. Whew.
I'm supposed to be going out for dinner tonight with my three high-school friends, but the weather is supposed to be quite nasty further south - closer to the big city -which is where one is coming from. If the roads are really bad, I won't be doing that half-hour drive in to the city we are meeting in...nope. Guess we will have to play it by ear.
Happy Snow Day.
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Feeling a bit better
Yesterday was a very grey day for me. The weather wasn't so bad, but my mood was just in the dumps. It lasted all day long, and in to the dinner hour. Actually didn't start to lift until hubby and I shared a pre-dinner glass of wine and had a long talk about these boys of ours. It's always nice to share the burden, I suppose.
Anyway - the A-man got new wires on his braces yesterday, and now the world as we know it is coming to an end. He can't eat anything, it hurts to bite down. He can't brush his teeth - the pressure is too much, and on and on it goes. I've never had braces, so I really don't know what it feels like, but I can imagine the pain and discomfort he must have to endure, and yesterday they put on his 'final wires' plus they installed some spring-thing that will start to rotate a certain tooth, and a spacer thing between two teeth to do a slight shift of the entire area over a bit. So, yes, that poor guy has a lot happening in a very small, specific area of his body. I've been making special meals for him, making accomodations for his food - he seems to appreciate it. Good thing is that is only lasts for about 3 days, but today will be the worst one if history repeats itself.
He did not go to cadets last night. So, with the eraser of cadets and karate, three of my nights have now been freed up from all running. No more 15 minutes between arriving from work and having to leave again. No more making sure I leave work right on time. I am very disappointed in both my boys right now, however. But, as hubby and I explained to them last night over dinner - since they don't have evening activities, they will be expected to help out even more around the house. (Hubby was sure to point out that none to these 'jobs' are difficult or long.)
I don't know. I'm just FRUSTRATED.
On the upside, S got his laptop back, finally. It appears that there are still some problems with it, but hubby (the great computer geek that he is) was able to help with the majority of them. S was quite happy to get to work on his Science homework last night. I didn't even have to stay in the kitchen with him while he did it. Every now and then I would stop what I was doing and make sure he was still doing okay, but at least HE DID IT!
Anyway - the A-man got new wires on his braces yesterday, and now the world as we know it is coming to an end. He can't eat anything, it hurts to bite down. He can't brush his teeth - the pressure is too much, and on and on it goes. I've never had braces, so I really don't know what it feels like, but I can imagine the pain and discomfort he must have to endure, and yesterday they put on his 'final wires' plus they installed some spring-thing that will start to rotate a certain tooth, and a spacer thing between two teeth to do a slight shift of the entire area over a bit. So, yes, that poor guy has a lot happening in a very small, specific area of his body. I've been making special meals for him, making accomodations for his food - he seems to appreciate it. Good thing is that is only lasts for about 3 days, but today will be the worst one if history repeats itself.
He did not go to cadets last night. So, with the eraser of cadets and karate, three of my nights have now been freed up from all running. No more 15 minutes between arriving from work and having to leave again. No more making sure I leave work right on time. I am very disappointed in both my boys right now, however. But, as hubby and I explained to them last night over dinner - since they don't have evening activities, they will be expected to help out even more around the house. (Hubby was sure to point out that none to these 'jobs' are difficult or long.)
I don't know. I'm just FRUSTRATED.
On the upside, S got his laptop back, finally. It appears that there are still some problems with it, but hubby (the great computer geek that he is) was able to help with the majority of them. S was quite happy to get to work on his Science homework last night. I didn't even have to stay in the kitchen with him while he did it. Every now and then I would stop what I was doing and make sure he was still doing okay, but at least HE DID IT!
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
NOT good
Warning - this one may be a bit of a rant.
I took S to karate last night, then went to do my thing for the couple of hours he was there. When I went to pick him up, he came out and told me that his sensi wanted to talk to me. Apparently S has not been behaving while at karate. A couple of weeks ago, he waved his middle finger at her, and last night he refused to do the push ups they told him to do when he was being disrepectful. He basically sat out for the duration of the class. Oh yeah, I am ticked. He finally finds something that he is GOOD at, something that is good for him, and now he has just decided to blow it off. Not for any good reason - just because.
He didn't want to get in the with me after my talk with the sensi - he thought I was going to yell at him. Truth be told, I am so angry at him, it's just best I don't talk to him at all. Was a very quiet drive home, and he knew to just avoid me for the remainder of the evening. Hubby knew something was wrong with me, but I couldn't say too much because the A-man was watching a show with us. I guess we will be having a discussion this evening.
THEN, when I am home, I ask to see the A-man's commercial he had to make. I thought it was for Drama class, but it turns out it's for Geography. It's supposed to be a commercial about Canada. What a piece of crap that is. You can completely and totally tell he put as minimal effort in to this as he possibly could. Hubby warned me before watching it that he and A-man had a discussion about lack of effort - I guess that was to warn me not to go off. I watched it, then just went back to folding laundry. My bet is he will get about 50 or maybe 60%. That would be a stretch, however.
This momma is not impressed.
I took S to karate last night, then went to do my thing for the couple of hours he was there. When I went to pick him up, he came out and told me that his sensi wanted to talk to me. Apparently S has not been behaving while at karate. A couple of weeks ago, he waved his middle finger at her, and last night he refused to do the push ups they told him to do when he was being disrepectful. He basically sat out for the duration of the class. Oh yeah, I am ticked. He finally finds something that he is GOOD at, something that is good for him, and now he has just decided to blow it off. Not for any good reason - just because.
He didn't want to get in the with me after my talk with the sensi - he thought I was going to yell at him. Truth be told, I am so angry at him, it's just best I don't talk to him at all. Was a very quiet drive home, and he knew to just avoid me for the remainder of the evening. Hubby knew something was wrong with me, but I couldn't say too much because the A-man was watching a show with us. I guess we will be having a discussion this evening.
THEN, when I am home, I ask to see the A-man's commercial he had to make. I thought it was for Drama class, but it turns out it's for Geography. It's supposed to be a commercial about Canada. What a piece of crap that is. You can completely and totally tell he put as minimal effort in to this as he possibly could. Hubby warned me before watching it that he and A-man had a discussion about lack of effort - I guess that was to warn me not to go off. I watched it, then just went back to folding laundry. My bet is he will get about 50 or maybe 60%. That would be a stretch, however.
This momma is not impressed.
Monday, November 19, 2007
Back home
Got down to the city for the A-man's appointment with very little difficulty. Had one little snag where the road I'm sured to was under construction but we still made it on time for the appointment. Know why? I had put the appointment in my palm pilot as a 10am appointment, but it was really scheduled for 10:30! Lots of time for getting lost. I HATE the city. So glad we only have to endure it every six months or so.
In the past 6 months, he has grown almost another 2 full inches. He is now half an inch from being 6 feet tall. He's 14. The doctor told me that he has grown over 4 inches since the same time last year. (Hmm... I don't think the medication is causing any lasting effects on his growth pattern.)
After our appointment, we decided to take some time to do some Christmas shopping. Didn't get a whole lot, but I was able to pick up a few things. I had pulled out my Christmas cards yesterday and thought that it would soon be time to start writing them out, too. I'm so glad I saved all of my addresses in a label format - that is always the part of Christmas cards that I don't care for.
The A-man has to work on a drama thing, so when we got home, I suggested he do some of this homework. He spent about 15 minutes on it, then went down to watch TV. S has karate tonight, and I won't be home from 6 until 8. I guess he's going to rely on his Dad helping him record and prepare his commercial. I am NOT going to mention it to him again. Can't. It's killing me, but I will not... (arghghgghgh)
S just told me that the rest of his class has a French project, but his teacher doesn't want him to do it - because it requires a lot of reading and writing. ummm..... WHAT??! I will be making a phone call tomorrow. I don't get it...
In the past 6 months, he has grown almost another 2 full inches. He is now half an inch from being 6 feet tall. He's 14. The doctor told me that he has grown over 4 inches since the same time last year. (Hmm... I don't think the medication is causing any lasting effects on his growth pattern.)
After our appointment, we decided to take some time to do some Christmas shopping. Didn't get a whole lot, but I was able to pick up a few things. I had pulled out my Christmas cards yesterday and thought that it would soon be time to start writing them out, too. I'm so glad I saved all of my addresses in a label format - that is always the part of Christmas cards that I don't care for.
The A-man has to work on a drama thing, so when we got home, I suggested he do some of this homework. He spent about 15 minutes on it, then went down to watch TV. S has karate tonight, and I won't be home from 6 until 8. I guess he's going to rely on his Dad helping him record and prepare his commercial. I am NOT going to mention it to him again. Can't. It's killing me, but I will not... (arghghgghgh)
S just told me that the rest of his class has a French project, but his teacher doesn't want him to do it - because it requires a lot of reading and writing. ummm..... WHAT??! I will be making a phone call tomorrow. I don't get it...
Weekend
Another rather uneventful weekend. I went through the house - well, main floor - and CLEANED it. Cobwebs - gone. Corners that you can never reach - clean. Yeah, it looks pretty good. The basesment is a whole other story, however. I wasn't feeling that brave. Maybe next weekend. :o)
The A-man took his hunting coureses this weekend. Two days - two courses. Long days, too. He was there for 8am, and hubby didn't pick him up until 6pm both nights. Good news is - he passed both courses. The one yesterday is apparently very hard, and few 'kids' pass on the first attempt, we were warned. He got 4 wrong.
Taking the A-man to see his Tourette Doctors today.
The A-man took his hunting coureses this weekend. Two days - two courses. Long days, too. He was there for 8am, and hubby didn't pick him up until 6pm both nights. Good news is - he passed both courses. The one yesterday is apparently very hard, and few 'kids' pass on the first attempt, we were warned. He got 4 wrong.
Taking the A-man to see his Tourette Doctors today.
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Mid term reports are in
Hard to believe that much of the school year has passed, but it's true. The A-man brought his report card home yesterday, and he is doing very well. I am very proud of him, but most importantly - HE is very proud of himself.
Mid-term marks:
Another thing that I equate to his new-found successes, and higher self-esteem, is the fact that we have been treating the ADHD. I have always been a little leery about the whole medication end of things, but sometimes we just have to let medication do what it's made to do. There was one morning the A-man was getting ready to leave for school, and I asked him if he'd taken his medication. He said, "Oh, no, I forgot. I have to make sure I do that - my friends have told me I am really annoying when I don't take it." We have noticed a huge difference in the way he acts, and reacts, and the good thing is he is no way in a 'zombie-over-medicated' state. (I have seen kids that way, and I would never allow either of my boys to get that way.)
The other morning - Thursday - I couldn't get the A-man moving, and guess what? He missed his bus. Yup. Monday the new rules are set, Tuesday he makes the bus, Wednesday the bus has to wait, and Thursday - misses it. As I was driving him in to school, we started to discuss what the 'payment' should be for his frequent morning-lateness. I started to explain to him the cost of a taxi from our house to school, the cost of gas for my car, the extra time for me to drive to his school and then back track to work...and then I just remembered something, and stopped talking. I asked him what he thought his payment system should be.
(See, I have to consciously remind myself to follow the "collaborative-method of problem solving" the doctors have recommended, so before I expressed what I thought the punishment should be, suddenly realized that I was starting to control the conversation - which is why I just stopped talking.) I had a bit of payment format in mind, and I was about to start dictating it to him - without his input - and I am glad I didn't go forward with it. His self-punishment was far greater than what I would have come up with! And, since he set the rates, he can't deem it 'unfair.'
Final outcome - for making the bus wait, half of his weekly allowance. For missing the bus - two full weeks allowance. He's up to the better part of $20 now... and when I told him the full amount for the current week, I could see his eyes just bug out of his head. Friday, he was up and ready for school before I was even out of bed!! We will see how this coming week fares...
Mid-term marks:
- Drama - 83%
- Geography - 75%
- Learning Strategies - 93%
- Science - 77%
- Overall average: 82%
Another thing that I equate to his new-found successes, and higher self-esteem, is the fact that we have been treating the ADHD. I have always been a little leery about the whole medication end of things, but sometimes we just have to let medication do what it's made to do. There was one morning the A-man was getting ready to leave for school, and I asked him if he'd taken his medication. He said, "Oh, no, I forgot. I have to make sure I do that - my friends have told me I am really annoying when I don't take it." We have noticed a huge difference in the way he acts, and reacts, and the good thing is he is no way in a 'zombie-over-medicated' state. (I have seen kids that way, and I would never allow either of my boys to get that way.)
The other morning - Thursday - I couldn't get the A-man moving, and guess what? He missed his bus. Yup. Monday the new rules are set, Tuesday he makes the bus, Wednesday the bus has to wait, and Thursday - misses it. As I was driving him in to school, we started to discuss what the 'payment' should be for his frequent morning-lateness. I started to explain to him the cost of a taxi from our house to school, the cost of gas for my car, the extra time for me to drive to his school and then back track to work...and then I just remembered something, and stopped talking. I asked him what he thought his payment system should be.
(See, I have to consciously remind myself to follow the "collaborative-method of problem solving" the doctors have recommended, so before I expressed what I thought the punishment should be, suddenly realized that I was starting to control the conversation - which is why I just stopped talking.) I had a bit of payment format in mind, and I was about to start dictating it to him - without his input - and I am glad I didn't go forward with it. His self-punishment was far greater than what I would have come up with! And, since he set the rates, he can't deem it 'unfair.'
Final outcome - for making the bus wait, half of his weekly allowance. For missing the bus - two full weeks allowance. He's up to the better part of $20 now... and when I told him the full amount for the current week, I could see his eyes just bug out of his head. Friday, he was up and ready for school before I was even out of bed!! We will see how this coming week fares...
Thursday, November 15, 2007
A running incident
Got a phone call today at work today - around 3:45 - from the school principal. We have call display at work, and it was a number I didn't recognize, and it was a local call. It is very rare that a local call is not one I know.
Anyway, it was the principal calling me from her cell phone. S had exchanged words with another student from his van - there are only two others in the van - and had 'run' from the school. She told me that Mrs. M went to try and talk to him, and she had called from her cell phone so that she could take the phone outside and allow me to talk to him, and maybe calm him. (SERT had left school early today due to an appointment.)
While, by the time she had called me, and brought me up to speed with the situation, Mrs. M had returned to the office and said all was fine - he was back on the bus and on his way home. I was assured by the principal that she would address what the other student "must have said to upset S" in the morning. She was so concerned and caring. (yes, that is major sarcasm there.)
At first I thought it odd that she had sent another teacher to deal with the situation, rather than attend to it herself, but after a bit of thinking on it, I think she has come to realize that neither S nor I beleive she is a caring and concerned person, and has realized it is best to send someone that we actually have a bit of respect for. The A-man had Mrs. M in Grade 3, and she is a lovely woman.
When I got home from work, I didn't indicate to S that I knew anything about the after-school incident - I wanted to see if he would share with me without any prompting. Well, share he did! Right from the moment I arrived home. Apparently he thinks he should be taking the regular bus again, because this other boy (B) is a big "pain in the butt, and always getting in his face." B is known to be a behaviourally-challenged child - which is why he has a full time EA and specialized bussing. Somewhat like S.
Since all three children that ride in the mini-van have EA's, there actually was one AT the van when everything occurred. (It just so happens that this fine young lady is the daughter of S's Godparents - I have known this EA since she was a baby.) So, S's story went that B was getting 'in his face' and bugging him, so he decided that he couldn't take it anymore, and he would simply walk to his Gramma's rather than deal with B's nonsense for the ride. He thought this would be a better option than the action he wanted to take, which would have involved a bit of bodily harm to B's genitalia... (sigh)
Truly, getting out of the van was a better option...it's just that, the thing is, when you are a flight risk, and you suddenly start walking away, all of the policies and procedures that have been established to ensure your safety have to be followed. And, when you lack the social skills to simply explain that you need to take a break from someone, you tend to act a smidge irrationally. I understand where S is coming from, but I also know why the staff members had to react the way they did, too. Rock....hard place....hmmmm.....
The EA that was on hand, dealt with the situation by simply following S and talking to him. When angry there are very few people that could do this successfully - she is one of them, simply because he has known her since he was born. She was able to nip it off quite quickly - at least from what I gather from S. By the time Mrs. M had arrived on the scene, S was calmed and ready to get back in the van. This was probably an incident that I did not need to be made aware of until after the fact, and had the SERT been at school, I am sure I wouldn't have been made aware of it. It seems to me that this principal always wants to either phone the police or call in the parents whenever something happens that she isn't comfortable dealing with. "Let someone else deal..."
I'm just shaking my head....
Anyway, it was the principal calling me from her cell phone. S had exchanged words with another student from his van - there are only two others in the van - and had 'run' from the school. She told me that Mrs. M went to try and talk to him, and she had called from her cell phone so that she could take the phone outside and allow me to talk to him, and maybe calm him. (SERT had left school early today due to an appointment.)
While, by the time she had called me, and brought me up to speed with the situation, Mrs. M had returned to the office and said all was fine - he was back on the bus and on his way home. I was assured by the principal that she would address what the other student "must have said to upset S" in the morning. She was so concerned and caring. (yes, that is major sarcasm there.)
At first I thought it odd that she had sent another teacher to deal with the situation, rather than attend to it herself, but after a bit of thinking on it, I think she has come to realize that neither S nor I beleive she is a caring and concerned person, and has realized it is best to send someone that we actually have a bit of respect for. The A-man had Mrs. M in Grade 3, and she is a lovely woman.
When I got home from work, I didn't indicate to S that I knew anything about the after-school incident - I wanted to see if he would share with me without any prompting. Well, share he did! Right from the moment I arrived home. Apparently he thinks he should be taking the regular bus again, because this other boy (B) is a big "pain in the butt, and always getting in his face." B is known to be a behaviourally-challenged child - which is why he has a full time EA and specialized bussing. Somewhat like S.
Since all three children that ride in the mini-van have EA's, there actually was one AT the van when everything occurred. (It just so happens that this fine young lady is the daughter of S's Godparents - I have known this EA since she was a baby.) So, S's story went that B was getting 'in his face' and bugging him, so he decided that he couldn't take it anymore, and he would simply walk to his Gramma's rather than deal with B's nonsense for the ride. He thought this would be a better option than the action he wanted to take, which would have involved a bit of bodily harm to B's genitalia... (sigh)
Truly, getting out of the van was a better option...it's just that, the thing is, when you are a flight risk, and you suddenly start walking away, all of the policies and procedures that have been established to ensure your safety have to be followed. And, when you lack the social skills to simply explain that you need to take a break from someone, you tend to act a smidge irrationally. I understand where S is coming from, but I also know why the staff members had to react the way they did, too. Rock....hard place....hmmmm.....
The EA that was on hand, dealt with the situation by simply following S and talking to him. When angry there are very few people that could do this successfully - she is one of them, simply because he has known her since he was born. She was able to nip it off quite quickly - at least from what I gather from S. By the time Mrs. M had arrived on the scene, S was calmed and ready to get back in the van. This was probably an incident that I did not need to be made aware of until after the fact, and had the SERT been at school, I am sure I wouldn't have been made aware of it. It seems to me that this principal always wants to either phone the police or call in the parents whenever something happens that she isn't comfortable dealing with. "Let someone else deal..."
I'm just shaking my head....
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Now I realize...
why tigers eat their young... (lol)
This morning I told the A-man that I would return his Air Cadet's uniform next week. He looked up at me (from the breakfast table - if he was standing he would have been looking down..) all surprised, and said "Why? I still want to go, you know! I was just sore last night." I wish this boy would make up his mind!
The other morning I had to fight with him to get up, and he ended up missing his bus. Hubby was home that morning, and came out and told the A-man that we were going to start deducting from his allowance if a) the bus had to wait for him or b) he missed the bus completely. The charges would vary depending on the final outcome. This morning the bus had to wait, the A-man did not have his morning shower, and I am not sure if his teeth were clean when he left the house...
This morning I told the A-man that I would return his Air Cadet's uniform next week. He looked up at me (from the breakfast table - if he was standing he would have been looking down..) all surprised, and said "Why? I still want to go, you know! I was just sore last night." I wish this boy would make up his mind!
The other morning I had to fight with him to get up, and he ended up missing his bus. Hubby was home that morning, and came out and told the A-man that we were going to start deducting from his allowance if a) the bus had to wait for him or b) he missed the bus completely. The charges would vary depending on the final outcome. This morning the bus had to wait, the A-man did not have his morning shower, and I am not sure if his teeth were clean when he left the house...
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Nothing to report
It's true. There is not much going on here in our lives.
The A-man went to break up beaver dams with his Outdoors club today. Tried to tell me that he sprained his ankle, and therefore couldn't go to Air Cadets tonight. The same fight, week after week. I guess I will just return his uniform - I am not going to fight him on this any longer. It's just not worth it. I would really like him to find outside interests, but I can't force this on him any longer. I'm too tired.
I think I'm giving in on this because he has actually taken the initiative to join this outdoors club and do things with it. He is also taking a hunting course this weekend, so that may be something for him, too. I knew alternatives would be available in highschool (less team sports-oriented only), and for this I am glad.
S tried a similar thing last night with respect to karate, but that is one thing I am not going to allow him to quit - for a couple of reasons. The main one being - he is really good at it, and, truth be told, I think he really does like it, but the kids that attend the classes with him aren't very nice to him. I've noticed that the teachers aren't all that "warm and fuzzy" with him either. A shame, when you consider he is a natural.
Over the years, S has done so well with other things and then quit when it started getting a little bit harder. Piano was a perfect example. He has a natural ear for music, but when the theory homework got to be too much for him, he refused to practise. Had I known about his reading LD, I would have talked to the teacher about not focusing on theory and just allow him to continue to PLAY. Hindsight really is a wonderful thing.
Anyway, I do have an alternative for the karate classes - a different group of kids, and different teachers - but it is going to take some finagling for transportation. I think my friend (Con) has come up with something that may work - but it will depend largely on her ability to come and pick him up a couple nights a week. We are going to test it out for the next couple of weeks and see if that makes a difference.
Busy season at work has started to go to full boil. New assistant seems to be working out well, but now I've just go SO much going, it's hard to stop and take the time to train someone new! Today I actually saw a bit of wood on my one desk, and left the office feeling like I got a number of things completed. That is always a relief.
No homework again tonight... I don't get it. No matter. I am making dinner right now - a seafood pasta dish - and then we are heading out so that S can spend his allowance money - can't save that up for too long. I think he will get a haircut at the same time. Will be kind of nice to not have the running around on Tuesday evenings...
The A-man went to break up beaver dams with his Outdoors club today. Tried to tell me that he sprained his ankle, and therefore couldn't go to Air Cadets tonight. The same fight, week after week. I guess I will just return his uniform - I am not going to fight him on this any longer. It's just not worth it. I would really like him to find outside interests, but I can't force this on him any longer. I'm too tired.
I think I'm giving in on this because he has actually taken the initiative to join this outdoors club and do things with it. He is also taking a hunting course this weekend, so that may be something for him, too. I knew alternatives would be available in highschool (less team sports-oriented only), and for this I am glad.
S tried a similar thing last night with respect to karate, but that is one thing I am not going to allow him to quit - for a couple of reasons. The main one being - he is really good at it, and, truth be told, I think he really does like it, but the kids that attend the classes with him aren't very nice to him. I've noticed that the teachers aren't all that "warm and fuzzy" with him either. A shame, when you consider he is a natural.
Over the years, S has done so well with other things and then quit when it started getting a little bit harder. Piano was a perfect example. He has a natural ear for music, but when the theory homework got to be too much for him, he refused to practise. Had I known about his reading LD, I would have talked to the teacher about not focusing on theory and just allow him to continue to PLAY. Hindsight really is a wonderful thing.
Anyway, I do have an alternative for the karate classes - a different group of kids, and different teachers - but it is going to take some finagling for transportation. I think my friend (Con) has come up with something that may work - but it will depend largely on her ability to come and pick him up a couple nights a week. We are going to test it out for the next couple of weeks and see if that makes a difference.
Busy season at work has started to go to full boil. New assistant seems to be working out well, but now I've just go SO much going, it's hard to stop and take the time to train someone new! Today I actually saw a bit of wood on my one desk, and left the office feeling like I got a number of things completed. That is always a relief.
No homework again tonight... I don't get it. No matter. I am making dinner right now - a seafood pasta dish - and then we are heading out so that S can spend his allowance money - can't save that up for too long. I think he will get a haircut at the same time. Will be kind of nice to not have the running around on Tuesday evenings...
Sunday, November 11, 2007
And another one down...
Another weekend, all but finished. It is just not fair that they go so very quickly.
Hubby surprised me by getting home last night just before supper time. I wasn't expecting him home until some time today! It was very nice to see him. Of course, I was in the middle of making dinner for the boys and getting ready to head out for the evening, but at least I got to see him for a wee bit, and even got to snuggle a wee bit when we went to bed. 'Course, he was so tired he started to snore about 30 seconds after I got to bed, but no matter - I slept very well with him there.
Boys had no homework - again. S's laptop is still in 'getting fixed,' so I think it's time to start raising a little hell about this. Been far to long, in my opinion.
We went over to a friend's place late this morning to help them move in their hot tub, then I came home to get a bit of stuff done around the house. Laundry never seems to go away. I also started to peel some veggies, etc., to put in the oven for dinner time. I'm making a roasted squash soup for dinner tonight. That wind is just nasty, and it's been a very grey, chilly day. Think I may have to make a cheese sauce and make a homemade mac & cheese to have with the soup. Mmmmm, comfort food of the highest degree...
Hubby surprised me by getting home last night just before supper time. I wasn't expecting him home until some time today! It was very nice to see him. Of course, I was in the middle of making dinner for the boys and getting ready to head out for the evening, but at least I got to see him for a wee bit, and even got to snuggle a wee bit when we went to bed. 'Course, he was so tired he started to snore about 30 seconds after I got to bed, but no matter - I slept very well with him there.
Boys had no homework - again. S's laptop is still in 'getting fixed,' so I think it's time to start raising a little hell about this. Been far to long, in my opinion.
We went over to a friend's place late this morning to help them move in their hot tub, then I came home to get a bit of stuff done around the house. Laundry never seems to go away. I also started to peel some veggies, etc., to put in the oven for dinner time. I'm making a roasted squash soup for dinner tonight. That wind is just nasty, and it's been a very grey, chilly day. Think I may have to make a cheese sauce and make a homemade mac & cheese to have with the soup. Mmmmm, comfort food of the highest degree...
Remembrance Day
I don't suppose it would be most appropriate to say "Happy Remembrance Day," but it is still a day that should weigh heavy on all of our minds today. The freedoms we are lucky enough to enjoy today is primarily due to the men and women that have fought - and continue to fight - for our country.
I am very proud of my brother, and am so grateful for the other soldiers like him that continue to stand on guard for our freedoms. This is a job that not many people would want to have, nor would ever say is an ideal job, but it is something that is so very important for all of us. Regardless of your thoughts and opinions of everything that is going on in the middle east, I think we should all be thankful and grateful that we have people willing to continue to fight on our behalf. And, more importantly, we need to remember those that have not made it home while they were fighting for these same freedoms.
I hope everyone took 2 minutes this morning. It seems like a long time while standing there, remembering, but in the course of a life time, 2 minutes is nothing. I wish all of our troops were back and home, and had their jobs deemed unnecessary. Maybe some day.
Hug your loved ones, and thank a soldier that you can.
I am very proud of my brother, and am so grateful for the other soldiers like him that continue to stand on guard for our freedoms. This is a job that not many people would want to have, nor would ever say is an ideal job, but it is something that is so very important for all of us. Regardless of your thoughts and opinions of everything that is going on in the middle east, I think we should all be thankful and grateful that we have people willing to continue to fight on our behalf. And, more importantly, we need to remember those that have not made it home while they were fighting for these same freedoms.
I hope everyone took 2 minutes this morning. It seems like a long time while standing there, remembering, but in the course of a life time, 2 minutes is nothing. I wish all of our troops were back and home, and had their jobs deemed unnecessary. Maybe some day.
Hug your loved ones, and thank a soldier that you can.
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Brothers
I lay in bed this morning, for about 15 minutes, listening to the boys bantering back and forth with each other - I think they thought I was still sleeping. They always have the most interesting conversations when they don't think I can hear them, I must say. Today is a 'getting along great' kind of day, which is a heck of a lot better than the 'I hate you and everything you do or say' days.
This morning's topic of conversation - "Girls I've had a crush on." It wasn't really an enlightening conversation, truth be told, but it certainly did make me smile to just hear them actually talking to each other, having a real conversation. They are really growing up.
Boss even commented on Thursday about how much the A-man has matured since the first time he met him a few years ago. Mind you, Boss has no children, has never had a desire to have children, and really doesn't understand children, so I'm thinking it's much easier to take a 6 foot tall, 14 year old A-man verses the 4'10", 11 year old A-man all hyped-up about Halloween that he first met when I started working there.
Anyway - they were very cute to listen to. And now, they are sitting together downstairs (in their newly-cleaned-and-reorganized TV room) playing a game together. They had debated working on the puzzle the A-man and I had started last night, but S decided that he would rather let us continue to plug away at that. (He's never really been much for puzzles, but the A-man loves puzzles... I think it was nice of S to pretend to consider that option.)
I'm relieved that they are having a good day this morning. I have a fairly busy day that will actually take me out of the house for most of it, and I won't leave them when S is in a mood. Or if the A-man is, either, truth be told.
Today I am going with my Mom and a couple of friends on a Christmas house tour. It's an annual event in the beach - you buy tickets, and then get to do a self-driving, self-guided tour through houses that have been professional decorated for Christmas. It's always neat to get to see other people's homes (and trust me, they are very nice homes!) but I must say I always enjoy getting to see the new ideas for decorating! Should be gone for a couple of hours.
Then, tonight, its an annual get together with a large group of friends. I would really rather not go, since hubby won't be attending with me, but the friend that organized it has already paid for our meal, so that means I'm somewhat obligated. I may have a 'date' for the evening (waiting for a call back from him) which will be nice because then I won't be out $68 for one meal... The A-man has offered to watch my friend's daughter so that he would be able to go - his wife is away at another daughter's hockey tournament.
So, it's a good thing they are both in great moods. And I am not going to jeprodize that by asking either one of them to do any major chores today. Did that on Wednesday night when I went to my board meeting, and all hell broke loose here at home, apparently. Well, the A-man called me at my meeting, so I knew that wasn't good. S was totally calmed down after I talked to him, and when I got home shortly after 9, he'd had his bubble bath (my recommendation) and was in good spirits. Tender hooks, I tell you - we always have to deal with these two boys so carefully. If not, KABOOM.
Life is fun...
This morning's topic of conversation - "Girls I've had a crush on." It wasn't really an enlightening conversation, truth be told, but it certainly did make me smile to just hear them actually talking to each other, having a real conversation. They are really growing up.
Boss even commented on Thursday about how much the A-man has matured since the first time he met him a few years ago. Mind you, Boss has no children, has never had a desire to have children, and really doesn't understand children, so I'm thinking it's much easier to take a 6 foot tall, 14 year old A-man verses the 4'10", 11 year old A-man all hyped-up about Halloween that he first met when I started working there.
Anyway - they were very cute to listen to. And now, they are sitting together downstairs (in their newly-cleaned-and-reorganized TV room) playing a game together. They had debated working on the puzzle the A-man and I had started last night, but S decided that he would rather let us continue to plug away at that. (He's never really been much for puzzles, but the A-man loves puzzles... I think it was nice of S to pretend to consider that option.)
I'm relieved that they are having a good day this morning. I have a fairly busy day that will actually take me out of the house for most of it, and I won't leave them when S is in a mood. Or if the A-man is, either, truth be told.
Today I am going with my Mom and a couple of friends on a Christmas house tour. It's an annual event in the beach - you buy tickets, and then get to do a self-driving, self-guided tour through houses that have been professional decorated for Christmas. It's always neat to get to see other people's homes (and trust me, they are very nice homes!) but I must say I always enjoy getting to see the new ideas for decorating! Should be gone for a couple of hours.
Then, tonight, its an annual get together with a large group of friends. I would really rather not go, since hubby won't be attending with me, but the friend that organized it has already paid for our meal, so that means I'm somewhat obligated. I may have a 'date' for the evening (waiting for a call back from him) which will be nice because then I won't be out $68 for one meal... The A-man has offered to watch my friend's daughter so that he would be able to go - his wife is away at another daughter's hockey tournament.
So, it's a good thing they are both in great moods. And I am not going to jeprodize that by asking either one of them to do any major chores today. Did that on Wednesday night when I went to my board meeting, and all hell broke loose here at home, apparently. Well, the A-man called me at my meeting, so I knew that wasn't good. S was totally calmed down after I talked to him, and when I got home shortly after 9, he'd had his bubble bath (my recommendation) and was in good spirits. Tender hooks, I tell you - we always have to deal with these two boys so carefully. If not, KABOOM.
Life is fun...
Friday, November 9, 2007
Goofy kid
This morning, S has been acting like a total goof ball. At first, he was just so annoying, but since he took his meds and had breakfast, it has gone from being "smack-your-head-off-the-wall-annoying" to just mildly silly. I just got a great big hug and snuggle....hmmm...that was nice.
Got home from work last night and just crashed on the couch. Didn't take S to karate, didn't make dinner, nothing. I didn't ask the boys about homework - I didn't care. I stayed on that couch all night - then I went to bed. I woke up feel somewhat better today, thankfully.
The A-man saw my blog the other day, and told me he didn't think it very 'internet safe' to have the photo on there, so I have removed it. I explained to him that I thought it would be okay since the photo was quite old, and they have both grown and changed so much, but he still wasn't convinced. I received a lecture about Internet safety, etc., and so it's gone. (I love it when he starts to lecture me on things I have lectured him on - shows that he really does listen to me!! lol)
Thank goodness it's Friday. Been a very long week...
Got home from work last night and just crashed on the couch. Didn't take S to karate, didn't make dinner, nothing. I didn't ask the boys about homework - I didn't care. I stayed on that couch all night - then I went to bed. I woke up feel somewhat better today, thankfully.
The A-man saw my blog the other day, and told me he didn't think it very 'internet safe' to have the photo on there, so I have removed it. I explained to him that I thought it would be okay since the photo was quite old, and they have both grown and changed so much, but he still wasn't convinced. I received a lecture about Internet safety, etc., and so it's gone. (I love it when he starts to lecture me on things I have lectured him on - shows that he really does listen to me!! lol)
Thank goodness it's Friday. Been a very long week...
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Grouch
I'm in a bit of a grouch this morning. Not sure if it's because of the weather, the overwhelming mess of my house, the towering piles of paperwork on my desk at work, or the pile of laundry taking over the basement... whatever it is, I am just not feeling myself.
The A-man did well at the office yesterday. He claims the job I gave him was 'totally boring' - and he's sort of right (lol) - which explains why I've been delaying in doing it myself!
S brought home his revised IEP - must say the SERT has been working very hard at ensuring she gets all of the finer points covered. I have signed off on it with no revision requests. I'm thinking that will surprise her.
Got a call from the mom I was helping - regarding her daughter's IPRC, etc. The school board has actually set a date for a full psycho-ed assessment for her. This girl has been on the 'waiting list' for over 4 years - it's about time. Personally, I think they realized this woman had started to get a little help, and realized they had better do what is within their legal obligations. She told me yesterday that whenever they discussed stuff at the school, the principal would say "...and I know you will want to go over this with your contact." The lady figures they thought I was a professional advocate. No matter - she is finally going to get a bit of understanding with respect to her daughter's learning challenges.
The A-man did well at the office yesterday. He claims the job I gave him was 'totally boring' - and he's sort of right (lol) - which explains why I've been delaying in doing it myself!
S brought home his revised IEP - must say the SERT has been working very hard at ensuring she gets all of the finer points covered. I have signed off on it with no revision requests. I'm thinking that will surprise her.
Got a call from the mom I was helping - regarding her daughter's IPRC, etc. The school board has actually set a date for a full psycho-ed assessment for her. This girl has been on the 'waiting list' for over 4 years - it's about time. Personally, I think they realized this woman had started to get a little help, and realized they had better do what is within their legal obligations. She told me yesterday that whenever they discussed stuff at the school, the principal would say "...and I know you will want to go over this with your contact." The lady figures they thought I was a professional advocate. No matter - she is finally going to get a bit of understanding with respect to her daughter's learning challenges.
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Whining
This morning, before doing much else, I looked at my Singapore Connection's blog, and my heart dropped. No, of course this darling lady didn't do anything wrong! - but do you know that it is 29 degrees in Singapore today? 29 beautiful, wonderful, GLORIOUS degrees! And it's like that all the time!
Singapore Connection - I must tell you - it is not 29 degrees here in Ontario. It is -1, with a wind chill that takes it down to -4. And it snowed last night. Jori is not a happy girl today. Now, I know this is just the beginning, and I know the small skiff of white stuff on the deck is really not much of anything, but it's the beginning!! I hate that. Some day, I will 'winter' in Singapore. (Well, of course I wouldn't be able to come until after Christmas, because it just wouldn't seem like Christmas without snow....) Truth be told, I would be happy if it only snowed for the days leading up to Christmas, and then melted on Boxing Day.
Today is "Take your Kid to Work Day." This is done each year for all Grade 9 students. I'm not really sure of the reason behind it, but no matter. I did laugh, though, when the A-man informed me that he wasn't supposed to actually do any work. He said he was to just sit and observe, and ask questions, if necessary. Yeah, right. With my job, he would simply be watching me either talk on the phone, or type on the computer! I am putting that boy to work! Real hard tasks, too. Like opening the mail!
Ugh...just looked outside...starting to snow again.... (pouting, pouting, pouting)
Singapore Connection - I must tell you - it is not 29 degrees here in Ontario. It is -1, with a wind chill that takes it down to -4. And it snowed last night. Jori is not a happy girl today. Now, I know this is just the beginning, and I know the small skiff of white stuff on the deck is really not much of anything, but it's the beginning!! I hate that. Some day, I will 'winter' in Singapore. (Well, of course I wouldn't be able to come until after Christmas, because it just wouldn't seem like Christmas without snow....) Truth be told, I would be happy if it only snowed for the days leading up to Christmas, and then melted on Boxing Day.
Today is "Take your Kid to Work Day." This is done each year for all Grade 9 students. I'm not really sure of the reason behind it, but no matter. I did laugh, though, when the A-man informed me that he wasn't supposed to actually do any work. He said he was to just sit and observe, and ask questions, if necessary. Yeah, right. With my job, he would simply be watching me either talk on the phone, or type on the computer! I am putting that boy to work! Real hard tasks, too. Like opening the mail!
Ugh...just looked outside...starting to snow again.... (pouting, pouting, pouting)
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
umm... English please??
Here is a copy of an email I received from S's specialist today. It is a forward from the new doctor S will be seeing for the fMRI...
Dr R
I'm planning to set up S's fMRI. As I see it on your requisition, he is a 12 year old with Aspergers syndrome, with anxiety. I'm thinking of doing covert Verb generation, Sentence Completion and Naming paradigms. Do you think he will be able to lay in the magnet for an hour without moving? Do you think he could follow instructions to do these tests? If yes, maybe doing a Diffusion Tensor Imaging to visualize white matter fibers and comparing the Arcuate fasciculus to normals would be of interest as well. If you think he could not handle it please let me know.
Thanks
Dr's name & hospital
Okay, this email has me puzzled for a couple of reasons. Uh...aspergers syndrome? We have never been told he has this disorder. And what the HECK are all these other tests all about??!! I can tell I will be spending a bit of time on the google search engine tonight...
I forwarded this to S's special ed teacher, and she replied very quickly. Her email indicated that if S has Aspergers, we will have to have his IPRC placement adjusted, and she is very upset that the original psycho-ed assessment didn't catch this along with his learning disorders. (This is one disorder she understands well as her eldest child has been undergoing testing for it.)
In the past, S's doctor has indicated that he feels S has a "nonverbal learning disorder." When I sent him a WTF? email about the Asperger's dx, our current specialist's reply email to me indicated that this NVLD would fall within the Aspergers Syndrome spectrum of disorders, and he assured me that S doesn't have Aspergers and the other doctor must have assumed this because of the testing that has been requested. I am not 100% convinced. That is a pretty big assumption for a doctor to make when setting up a very specific, very specialized type of test. Part of me is wondering if Dr R. is wanting to rule out Aspergers with this testing. I am so confused...
Aspergers would definitely explain the lack of social skill's development. I guess we will just have to play the waiting game - again. In the meantime, I have all kinds of new information to research...
Dr R
I'm planning to set up S's fMRI. As I see it on your requisition, he is a 12 year old with Aspergers syndrome, with anxiety. I'm thinking of doing covert Verb generation, Sentence Completion and Naming paradigms. Do you think he will be able to lay in the magnet for an hour without moving? Do you think he could follow instructions to do these tests? If yes, maybe doing a Diffusion Tensor Imaging to visualize white matter fibers and comparing the Arcuate fasciculus to normals would be of interest as well. If you think he could not handle it please let me know.
Thanks
Dr's name & hospital
Okay, this email has me puzzled for a couple of reasons. Uh...aspergers syndrome? We have never been told he has this disorder. And what the HECK are all these other tests all about??!! I can tell I will be spending a bit of time on the google search engine tonight...
I forwarded this to S's special ed teacher, and she replied very quickly. Her email indicated that if S has Aspergers, we will have to have his IPRC placement adjusted, and she is very upset that the original psycho-ed assessment didn't catch this along with his learning disorders. (This is one disorder she understands well as her eldest child has been undergoing testing for it.)
In the past, S's doctor has indicated that he feels S has a "nonverbal learning disorder." When I sent him a WTF? email about the Asperger's dx, our current specialist's reply email to me indicated that this NVLD would fall within the Aspergers Syndrome spectrum of disorders, and he assured me that S doesn't have Aspergers and the other doctor must have assumed this because of the testing that has been requested. I am not 100% convinced. That is a pretty big assumption for a doctor to make when setting up a very specific, very specialized type of test. Part of me is wondering if Dr R. is wanting to rule out Aspergers with this testing. I am so confused...
Aspergers would definitely explain the lack of social skill's development. I guess we will just have to play the waiting game - again. In the meantime, I have all kinds of new information to research...
Movin' and groovin'
S didn't think he needed to go to karate again last night. I have no idea what is going on with him. Last year he LOVED it, and this year, he seems to be hesitating about going, but every time he does - after class - he is in such a great mood. It's strange. I think he doesn't like to go because the other kids haven't really been very accepting of his oddities, truth be told. But, he enjoys the exercise and the actual craft of karate. I hate the fact that social interactions can mar every single thing this wee boy does.
Last Friday morning I noticed that S didn't bring his laptop home. I asked him about that - and apparently there has been a problem with the program for a few days. I asked him about it over the weekend, and he told me it was fixed. He has just informed me that now there is another new problem with it. I am not pleased. This system has been deemed essential to his learning ability, and yet the special ed teacher is taking her time to try and fix the problem rather than calling in a board specialist to have it fixed. I will give it this week, and this week only. After that, I start raising some kane. You would not see something like a lift for a child in a wheelchair being repaired by a teacher, and taking days to repair it, so the same should be true for a computer for a child with a learning disability. We can't 'classify' a disability.
The A-man will be coming to work with me tomorrow for the annual Grade 9 "Take your kid to work day." He informed me last night that he isn't actually supposed to do any work - that is against labour laws or some such thing. Yeah, right. He's just going to sit and WATCH me work all day? I don't think so. The most dangerous thing that can happen in my office is getting a paper cut - that boy is going to work the database for me! He is not going to sit and look at me all day long. Not a chance.
No problemos with homework tasks last night - although I did need to give a reminder. Huh!
Last Friday morning I noticed that S didn't bring his laptop home. I asked him about that - and apparently there has been a problem with the program for a few days. I asked him about it over the weekend, and he told me it was fixed. He has just informed me that now there is another new problem with it. I am not pleased. This system has been deemed essential to his learning ability, and yet the special ed teacher is taking her time to try and fix the problem rather than calling in a board specialist to have it fixed. I will give it this week, and this week only. After that, I start raising some kane. You would not see something like a lift for a child in a wheelchair being repaired by a teacher, and taking days to repair it, so the same should be true for a computer for a child with a learning disability. We can't 'classify' a disability.
The A-man will be coming to work with me tomorrow for the annual Grade 9 "Take your kid to work day." He informed me last night that he isn't actually supposed to do any work - that is against labour laws or some such thing. Yeah, right. He's just going to sit and WATCH me work all day? I don't think so. The most dangerous thing that can happen in my office is getting a paper cut - that boy is going to work the database for me! He is not going to sit and look at me all day long. Not a chance.
No problemos with homework tasks last night - although I did need to give a reminder. Huh!
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Are we getting there?
After I wrote my last blog, I got an email from Cuz asking if I thought that maybe, just maybe, my boys were starting to grow up, and become more independent? She has two sons, both grown now, and told me that when that finally happens, it is almost a bittersweet time of life. I can see that.
For years, I have had to fight and fight for my sons. I was always having either a phone call, or a meeting to go over the latest tidbit of "what he has done now..." and lately, that hasn't been the case. (I probably shouldn't even voice that out loud - oh, I will be SO sorry...) But, maybe not. I remember when I started this blog I was hoping that the 'past' would be over, and I would be able to just talk about day-to-day stuff. I've never really experienced 'normal' day-to-day things, so I guess that is what is going on now. I quite like this change. It has me a bit confused and unsure, but I am willing to adjust!
When I was away, Hubby went to parent/teacher interviews for the A-man. As it stands right now, he is above 80 in all of his classes, with one of them even being in the 90's. But, the one thing that he was told again and again was that he rushes in doing his work, and all of the teachers feel that he would do better in school if he simply took his time in completing various tasks. The A-man was very proud of his marks - as he very well should be - and he even offered the information about the rushing of the work. I am hoping this means he will start to slow down and wee bit and realize that you don't need to be done first - you just need to be done right. Slowly he is getting there.
I would like to see him utilize his agenda more - make notes about what is to be done, and then be able to take the necessary time later. He doesn't like homework, and I don't know how to teach him that homework is part of what makes (or breaks) your highschool training. When you take the time to do homework properly, it is a preparation for secondary education. I think he will get it - eventually. I'm thinking that I will have to talk to the resource teacher about this in the next little while - just to make sure that is part of the learning strategies course.
S was very good to do his Science work today - without any involvement from me. It's amazing what they can do when they realize it has to be done. A shame that I still have to give so many 'reminders.'
Slowly, ever so slowly... is it really true??
For years, I have had to fight and fight for my sons. I was always having either a phone call, or a meeting to go over the latest tidbit of "what he has done now..." and lately, that hasn't been the case. (I probably shouldn't even voice that out loud - oh, I will be SO sorry...) But, maybe not. I remember when I started this blog I was hoping that the 'past' would be over, and I would be able to just talk about day-to-day stuff. I've never really experienced 'normal' day-to-day things, so I guess that is what is going on now. I quite like this change. It has me a bit confused and unsure, but I am willing to adjust!
When I was away, Hubby went to parent/teacher interviews for the A-man. As it stands right now, he is above 80 in all of his classes, with one of them even being in the 90's. But, the one thing that he was told again and again was that he rushes in doing his work, and all of the teachers feel that he would do better in school if he simply took his time in completing various tasks. The A-man was very proud of his marks - as he very well should be - and he even offered the information about the rushing of the work. I am hoping this means he will start to slow down and wee bit and realize that you don't need to be done first - you just need to be done right. Slowly he is getting there.
I would like to see him utilize his agenda more - make notes about what is to be done, and then be able to take the necessary time later. He doesn't like homework, and I don't know how to teach him that homework is part of what makes (or breaks) your highschool training. When you take the time to do homework properly, it is a preparation for secondary education. I think he will get it - eventually. I'm thinking that I will have to talk to the resource teacher about this in the next little while - just to make sure that is part of the learning strategies course.
S was very good to do his Science work today - without any involvement from me. It's amazing what they can do when they realize it has to be done. A shame that I still have to give so many 'reminders.'
Slowly, ever so slowly... is it really true??
Friday, November 2, 2007
Back at it
It is now Friday morning. Arrived back home VERY early Wednesday morning (read 5am) and slept for the better part of the day. Wednesday night was Halloween, so I begged off taking the boys - hubby was able to help out, thank heavens.
Last night was a relative easy night in the homework department. S had a math sheet to complete - which he did with very little fuss or fan fare. The A-man didn't have any homework, apparently. S has a science sheet that is due on Monday, so that will need some attention over the weekend.
Hubby is getting ready for the annual trek up north - it will be just the boys and I for the week. The dumb beagle will be travelling with hubby, so it will be a nice, quiet week! Think the boys and I will do our annual "dinner and a movie" on Saturday. Should be a nice weekend.
Last night was a relative easy night in the homework department. S had a math sheet to complete - which he did with very little fuss or fan fare. The A-man didn't have any homework, apparently. S has a science sheet that is due on Monday, so that will need some attention over the weekend.
Hubby is getting ready for the annual trek up north - it will be just the boys and I for the week. The dumb beagle will be travelling with hubby, so it will be a nice, quiet week! Think the boys and I will do our annual "dinner and a movie" on Saturday. Should be a nice weekend.
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