Let the Madness Begin.....

What a rollercoaster of a summer. School starts TOMORROW! I can't find the freakin first day of school shirt, where could it have gone in one week? I knew I should have saved it for the first day. Hard to believe just a few months ago there was the possibility of "P" going to a different school, many miles away. I know God has something different in store for him. This year could be different, this could be the year we find that magic something that can reach him. When it comes to learning he seems so sealed up, best way I can think of to describe it. He seems a little more eager to learn this year though. Not overly excited about going back to school like some kids. I think he thinks about all the things that cause him anxiety, which is a lot of things, many we are probably not even aware of. Well start sending up words, my IEP meeting is Friday morning. Theres so much I'd like to say. Hopefully the school counselor has looked over the evaluation from childrens and will already have some suggestions mapped out. I need to be organized and prepared. 2 things that are not normally in my nature. I do not want my kid to be one of those kids who are funnelled through the system just to get him moved to the next grade. I want him to be challenged and learn the way other kids do. I want him to discover what makes him unique and work extra hard on that so folks will take notice and say hey this kid is special...I see it, but I'm his mom. I know others see it, but someone who can make a difference needs to see it before we lose him in the sea of bad self esteem those days are coming.

Tired

Sure if I went to bed at a reasonable hour I wouldn't be so tired. But what's so fun about that anyways? I'm kind of ready for summer to be over, as horrible as that may sound, but this running to my moms everyday or Perry spending the night there 2-3 days a week is getting very old. It'll take a while to undo the damage Geegaw has done. Ha!!! Actually it's not too bad, he seems to be able to differentiate what is ok at home and what is ok at Geegaws.

Scene from this evening:

Perry's new chore, taking in the empty garbage can (thanks Julie). So if I don't make a big deal about his chores, he does them as if they are just part of life and no yelling at all. Love that. I was helping him with the garbage can (which is ginormous by the way), and he says..."you know what mommy, I love Garbage Trucks." "Oh yeah what do you love about them?", "they take our garbage." I have to wonder if he's like me, and can watch the simple art of mechanical things and be in awe, of something simple like a garbage truck. Sure you could drive on by and be like gross that's a yucky job, or you could be like dang who ever came up with that invention is brilliant. Call me crazy but I do that sometimes, enjoy the simple mechanical nature of everyday things, as if they are art. For instance I love a good crane. Or the rawness of a half built building. Or those cool rolling vehicles, that press out asphalt....dang those are cool. Or the super cool suckage of a carpet cleaner. Holy cow.......the ingeniousness that is the littermate....best birthday present ever. Now that you people thing I am off the hook crazy....I've got to pack for camping.

Never Easy!

I wish I could give other people what I have. Patience, discernment, understanding....for some reason I have it. Sometimes it's a gift sometimes I see it as a curse. I try to explain to other people and I can't seem to form the words to describe it, and I get puzzled looks. If it was up to my husband we'd avoid situtations that show that Perry's quite different than his peers. But my theory is if he doesn't see that others see him as different and the environment is somewhat controlled and safe for him, let him experience these things in his own way. Sure I hear the other parents whisper, or even talk loudly about the clueless kid who is looking rather unaware, and it hurts sometimes because they don't realize that's my kid they are talking about and it's ok if he's clueless, he's out there and thats all that matters to me. It gives other kids the oppurtunity to learn compassion, and to help kids like him and some of them do....not many, but some are helpful. Or it gives the dad who has volunteered the oppurtunity to use his obvious gift to pin point a kid whose got some major issues with focusing and help him feel included and remind him over and over again where he needs to be, never seeming to get tired of it and happy to help. These people all exist in the world. The whispering parent, the gifted volunteer, the compassionate peer, and the clueless little boy. Unfortunately it often seems like theres only one clueless little boy, and he happens to be mine.

Perry did the basketball clinic tonight. It was great Terry Nelson led it he's a former UC Bearcat from their Final Four days back in the early 90's. It was so so good for Perry, these christian based sporting activities are awesome. Terry was good at making most of the boys feel important and included including Perry. Who was sporting his super cool Bazooka Joe high tops, which all the little boys thought were super cool.

So Perry had some moments of frustration this evening. When he gets frustrated he squeezes his little lips together and gives a little growl....to me it's just what he does to other it may appear to be a bit odd...and he hits too forgot that part. Not hard just a slap on the arm from being frustrated, it's how he copes. Although this is annoying and frustrating to me in public....hello people don't get that. So we had some time after we got home to discuss these anger outbursts. We were in the car chatting. And we agreed on a "control your anger technique", I even included a little role play so he'd know when it was appropriate. Instead of hitting he's decided to take a deep breath. And if he's really, really, really (I think he included 5 really's here) angry he'll take 3 deep breaths. So cute, he even demo'd it for Geegaw......lets hope it works and he's able to follow through.

Busy Busy weekend!

A girl can never have too many stamps. Just ask my friend Connie....LOL....Just kidding, but her collection is actually much larger than mine. She is far more successful in her stamping endevors than I. Sometime folks even pay her to create things. Nutty, I know, I am not that successful, but I sure do like to buy me some rubber! Another fun and tiring year at Stampaway...I think it's as exhausting for us shoppers as it is for the folks working. You spend hours looking the place over sure not to miss anything cool. Then you make a mental note of where you need to go back to. I was quite proud of myself this year I spent far less than I have in years past, and I was way more choosey. I still got some stamps I love and found hard to resist. Heres my lute.....much of the rubber is in a grab bag, so it doesn't look like a lot. But theres $50 worth of rubber in there, paid only 10....ahhhh yes....the grab bag. My trades are seen here as well. Finally folks have caught on to the ATC's, makes life so much more fun. There was some snooty older women who didn't want to give up the pin trading, and refuse to trade for an ATC....claimed they were only trading for pins. Crazy young folks creating a new thing and not making pins. I'd venture to say they got very few pins. Times have changed. And heres the coolest buy of the weekend. This stamp although mounted on wood, makes me very very happy! Wonder if Audrey ever imagined her face as a rubber stamp would be a very hot thing?

Than last night I hung out with Connie, Julie, Jen and Abby, Julie and I mounted our rubber, Jen and Connie scrapped. Abby watched Jane Austin movies, and discussed them with Connie in great detail. I'd venture to say they are Jane Austin nerds....or shall I say enthusiasts....much like Star Trek has their Trekkies......ha ha ha....I'm not there yet, although I do love me some Pride and Predjudice. Except I do not share the love they have for Mr. Darcy, I do stand firm on my opinion too, no matter how dreamy he looks in his blue coat, in the rain professing his love. Fun weekend....hung with the fam today.

Middle Aged Fat Women Trend.....

You watch it's going to be a thing. Middle aged fat women in black crocs will start riding Razor Scooters. Oh you think I'm crazy? Tony Hawk can't be young forever, and I bet he has a fat wife! 

DOODLE PANTS

You got to love some doodle pants. Run they're at Target, I wouldn't suggest letting them wear them to school with the markers in them, but to make them original before they go to school is very fun. I draw the line at getting rude t-shirts about hating homework, and kids not listening. As if teachers don't have enough trouble with kids, now they have shirts that express the messages. I try to find the funny ones that express something cute and positive.....like "It seemed like a good idea at the time." or "Small but Mighty" or "It's my boyish charm" These pants are heaven for a kid who loves to draw. We had fun with them last night.






Oh the escape artist has returned thank goodness. Someone found her and took her to our vet this morning. Crazy dog!

Runaway...

Well Maizy's run off again. I come home after school shopping for P, and I sit down to eat some pizza and Ron says Maizy ran away....and I'm like WHY ARE YOU IN THE HOUSE SITTING DOWN EATING? He made some excuse like what was I suppose to do go look for her with Perry.....holy crap he's not a freakin toddler, even if he was going to walk or drive around the block Perry can't stay in the house by himself??? So he went looking was gone 20 min. Not long enough if the dog I actually like a little bit ain't back with him. So I cruised the neighborhood. Nothing! So Perry and I went around the block, me on my scooter him on his big wheel. Nothing.....argh....Perry's decided not to talk to daddy because he lost Maizy. I'm with him. It's an all out protest!

Excersize Awaits.....

So I have 2 legs why not take a walk? That's boring and requires me to stand up off my large ass. When your ass is as big as mine it's just more comfortable to sit on it. And we don't even want to discuss me on roller skates, good Lord what was I thinking? Wasn't pretty that's all I'm saying. I'm sure it gave people plenty to talk about on their way home. Whatever! That's why I got this sweet Razor Scooter Pro hook up. If I got a handle attached to those wheels well you better believe there is fun to be had. We are now a 2 scooter family, and if we can get Perry to actually scoot on his and not walk it like it's a dog I imagine we'll need another one. Wish I had something profound or witty to say, but I don't. Need to go get something started on some ATC's.....countdown to stampaway! 4 more days......I can smell the rubber already!

Hot Husband??

Yes that's what it appears to be. I know I know, all you women are gasping....."ah dag that man is fine!!" But you need to take a closer look. Yes that's right he's flipping me off. Why do grown men act like this? At a 6 year old birthday party no less.....UGH!

 

Week in Review

Trip to the family physician, always a waste of time if you aren't sick. Thankfully the new doctor doesn't deem (is that a word) it necessary to see her once a month in order to prescribe a controlled substance. Love that! I know if he needs it or not, trust me...he (I) needs it! So won't be seeing her until it's turkey time.....SWEET!

Had my review, something about increasing my productivity by 50%. I got a raise, I don't hate my job, that's all that matters. I learned from reading Dooce if you like being employeed do not discuss your job on your blog. So I won't....shall we celebrate me getting a raise though, nothing monumental, but maybe I can use it on the man to up my allowance for stampaway, very little rubber can be bought for $20. Any ideas on raising that a bit, or increasing it, in just one week would be most appreciated. As long as it doesn't involve me getting naked!

Visit to a new counselor. Specializes in Language Based Learning disabilities. I like him, I think he might be able to dig into Perry's little mind that can seem closed up tight at times. I also think he's going to be instrumental in helping me pull together a decent IEP, one that makes sense, and getting the teachers to communcate in a way that makes sense. He recongnizes we've been on quite the journey already. It really feels like a good fit.

Trip to boomerang bay after appointment, 2 hours of clorinated water....just hanging out with my boy, getting wet. Does a girls heart good to hear the words...."Mommy this is the best time ever." He doesn't have to be flying down some nutty slide getting a wedgey, or circling a giant drain to be content just hanging out in a shallow pool with strangers, and he's perfectly content. I just love his sweet face!

God is Good

How is it that one child can consume so much of my time? Other people have more than one kid and their time is consumed, what if I had other kids? I'd clearly be CRAZY! I am reading "It's so much Work to be Your Friend" by Rick Lavoie, I hope this guy is not a quack, and knows what he's talking about, much of what he says about kids with language based learning disabilities is dead on. I just read so dang slow it's taking me forever to get to the solutions. Spoke to a mentor in another district, she was extremely informative and helpful. I just need to either pray, I can either be assertive, or pray that an advocate or mentor will pop up who will have my back in the IEP meetings. I can't help but feel intimidated no matter how much I think I know.

I just don't know what it is that I want? He needs to be challenged more. The teachers need to teach using alternative methods, and not just be a talking head in the front of the class. These kids can't learn that way. I have an appointment with the counselor that works at Springer, he has a private practice so I scored an appointment with him. He's an expert on kids with Language based learning disabilities, hopefully he can be of assistance to me so the big ugly school district doesn't eat me alive and my kid doesn't get lost in the system of proficency tests, and getting money for being successful on those and the kids just become a test score.

So speaking to a mentor. New counselor, I feel like I'm on track....I deserve a much needed break.....good thing STAMPAWAY is next weekend.....yippeee....mucho uncut rubber awaits to be sniffed.

What happened?

Kipper is now 4.5 months old....he's so dang big, he could eat a toddler at this point. And he enjoy's peeing on your foot when he's excited......nice....my crocs have been clorox wiped so many times it's so wonder they have color. Who's idea was this anyways? 

I love Shoes!

I love Bazooka Joe High Top sneakers, that's what I love! You have to admit these are dang cute! Called the man from Walmart and said do you think kids would beat Perry up if he wore Bazooka Joe gym shoes? He's like um...yes....do not buy those. Hung up and put them directly in my cart. Hello they were $5! Got to the register....$3, the man can shut the hell up. Perry loves them, and I think he can hold his own if someone trys to woop up on him.....actually he'll be like his mama and be a trend setter.....WHO CALLED THE CROC PHENOMINON. Thank you! I bet Crocs are Oprahs "My favorite things show...." Who knows she might have Bazooka Joe Sneaker....it's even a brand, how cool is that?
SUESSICAL THE MUSICAL

We saw Suessical this weekend and it was awesome. Perry loved it, now I need the soundtrack. It was so colorful and lovely. Really funny, and incorporated a lot of Dr. Suess's books. The main character Horton is my favorite, and from my absolute favorite Suess book. Horton Hears a Who, and now I can't find mine. It was my favorite when I was a kid, grandma used to read it too me, along with if you put me in
the zoo...and the Sleep Book....But I remember Horton, because he said "A persons a person no matter how small", cause I was always the shortest. Ok this could be a first here on my blog.....

"Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday, dear Cyndi....Happy Birthday to you!!!! She's 35 today everyone wish her a happy birthday....dang she looks good for 35!

I should really consider going to bed now good Lord it's almost 2am.

Cincykids 06

Good Times! I think it's going to be a huge thing someday like SOS. I am sure that's encouraging to VCC staff, as long as it's just 3 evenings and not 5 entire days. They pretty much live at the church during SOS....long crazy days. It was wonderful, for it's inaugural year. Perry had fun. Such cute stories from the block party today. Block party= Vineyard providing everything needed to throw a block party in an low income neighborhood, everythings free, lunch included. Music, games, prizes, raffles....love on a neighborhood for an afternoon. I didn't get to go, I was at work so I sent Geegaw. Signed her up to take tickets for prizes with Perry. I was curious how this would work to attempt to get 6-12 year olds to help, when you'd know they'd want to play. And play they did, although many of them helped a little. I guess the best part was that our kids were basically playing alongside the kids from the neighborhood, Hartwell for those local folks. That's when the ministry started to happen. Just for our kids to who can experience that stuff often, experiencing it with kids who wouldn't normally get to do that kind of thing.

They were sharing prize tickets, sharing prizes, and all having a blast together. So many cute stories shared this evening from the block party. With the help of some hand genstures, and strategic stomping Perry learned his bible verse.

Acts 1:8 "but the Holy Spirit, will come upon you and give you power, then you will tell everyone about me, in Jerusalem, in all Judea, in Samaria, and everywhere in the world." One of the best scriptures ever!

They did a little salvation prayer thing at the end. So cute. It was after the awesome juggler evangelist named Jessie. He was great. So they had a little altar call, and almost all the kids went up. Perry didn't, he stayed in his seat, but as she was saying the prayer of salvation. I looked over and he had his little praying hands on, with his little eyes closed, repeating the prayer right along with her, all by himself no prompting. Yeah it got me a little misty myself, so sweet. The interactive prayer rooms were probably my favorite part. Perrys favorite was the super cool juggler. I'll post more picture tomorrow....I'm wore out.

Hands and Feet

I know I've been a blog slacker all week. I throw in one activity, and my life is consumed. Perry and I are doing Cincykids. The Vineyards version of VBS sort of, but not really. They never do things that are normal, but always good stuff. Good God stuff going on with the kids. Worship songs, a memory verse (Act 1:8), bible lessons about Peter and John healing the lame man, and all sorts of fun stuff. My favorite part by far has been the interactive prayer rooms. So cool, it really grabs the kids attention to show them that prayer is truly dialogue between you and God and it can be totally interactive. I took some pictures tonight of parts of one of the rooms. Stuff like praying about taking a leap of faith and loving those who are different than you. At which point the kids got to hop on some pillows. Praying for kids who like to do the same things you like to do, and while you pray for them draw a picture on this big banner of what you like to do. Perry drew a picture of a TV, I drew a scrapbook. Praying for those who haven't been nice to you or may have said mean things to you, while doing that they got to write their prayer on a heart and stick it to a picture of a bully. Those are just a few examples. So cool. I hope to take more pictures of of some of the things tomorrow. Tomorrow, mom and Perry are headed out to help with a block party in Hartwell as part of Cincykids, to show God's love in a practicle way. So if you aren't busy head over to Vine and Galbraith to the Hartwell Community Center to play some games and hang out and have fun with some kids from a different neighborhood. It's from 11 to 2pm........If you can't make it, send up some words the weather is nice and not too hot, my mom's an old lady.

Amazing!

We sat in awe of these ginormous Hot Air Balloons, lauch right over top of us. Simply Amazing. This was my favorite shot of the day.....so cool, they inflated them right in front of us in a large field, in Middletown, Ohio. This was the final launch of the weekend, all the others were in an airfield farther away from the park. How lucky we chose the final launch to check out.




 

It's a Date

So I have a date with a younger man at 9:30 pm. So I guess you are wondering whatever for? Well it's this little thing called Toontown, it's this game you subscribe to, and in so doing you get to defeat Cogs (robot bad guys), with a toon you created yourself. And you can interact with other toons who are hanging out in toontown.....CRAZINESS.....You get toon tasks to complete and with each task you complete you get access to more of toontown....SWEET! I have a Toon, P has a Toon, and Ron has a toon....not to mention, my co-worker and her family, they all have toons. So her son is super excited that I am a resident of Toontown....so I am to meet him at the Gagshop at 9:30....cool....if I make him my friend he can use his Jellybeans to buy me a present.

Ok I just read through all of that and I am a little bit scared of me.....

Art Love....

At the end of my first successful small group, I asked everyone to write down things they liked about everyone in the small group and give it to them. Or they could be creative and do something fancy. I can't remember what I did honestly it was like 2 or 3 years ago. 2 of the guys in the group got really creative. One made us all magnets with our names on it and the other made me this flippin sweet bowl. He's got major pottery throwing skills. This is amazingly cool, he's so creative. And me the non-hugger......gave him a hug, in front of a crowd of people at church. This is definately something for Stacies Art and Faith blog! 

I Scrapped....

Yes I know it's nearly 3 am....but it's what I do. I scrap, then I post what I scrapped, it's how I role. It's almost that time again to start making ATC's for Stamp Away. I got some practive for a RMH swap, and I used Connie's Art Declassified stamps....love them....need to get me some, or hang out at Connies more often.




With the creation of this 3 page spread. I am officially done scrapping last years summer camp. Now on to this years. It never ends.....and Thank God for that!

God's Plan....

So when you are in the midst of a crisis, you don't necessarily consider, hey this right now may not be part of God's plan. You just keep thinking "I" have a plan and this is how it goes. Forgetting that God is the one clearly in control. Duh! Boy I was somewhat of a pathetic mess 2 days ago. I got my hopes up and had told myself I wouldn't do that. I heard back from Springer and she mentioned briefly that we'd be better off waiting until the following school year. So the doors not completely shut. I still haven't a clue why, as in details, I know he has a borderline IQ score, which makes it difficult to label him for sure. Funny when he started school I was reluctant to even go down that road of labels. But once you know what it is that is wrong with your kid and know how to treat it, it makes a world of difference. That doesn't mean I am always willing to inform folks upfront that theres something "different/special" about Perry, because they then form an opinion about him before they even meet him. Which I think is what happened with Springer partially, and it could have very well effected her approach to him. I'm sure he picked up on that vibe. She had access to his entire file before even meeting him. There are people he warms up to immediately, and isn't shy around at all upon first meeting others, he is shy around. His basketball coach, was very warm to Perry and Perry responded positively to him immediately, because I think the coach could tell Perry was going to be some extra effort on his part, and he took that time to be one on one with him, this really helped Perry feel like a part of the team.
So now I get on my armor to take on the public school system. Prepare myself to be assertive and make sure he gets the help he needs. Possibly throw in a parent advocate for good measure. Keep prayin.

Why I do what I do....look at that silly grin....