Monday, September 29, 2008

Still no explaination

Well I still have no clear cut answer to what is going on. I know I was told Airen would have two different aides helping him. I received a phone call from the resource specialist. She was calling for the director who was out sick today. Explains why I didn't get any answers today.

The resource specialist informed me that there were questions asked about how Airen was doing in the classroom and if the aide was still needed. HE'S NOT POTTY TRAINED so there is your answer about needing an aide. I told the resource specialist that given he's not potty trained and has issues with transitions we have the aide for those reasons and won't be changing that. She agreed. Airen's case worker at school was also consulted and she indicated that in the mornings since he's only in the one class with his peers and his teacher he seems to do pretty good. From lunch time on is where the issues arise. It is noted he has problems transitioning from the different specials (music, library, PE, computer lab or therapies). This is where he really needs the help. Also we aren't potty trained.

This afternoon when Airen got home he told me that he had THREE people working with him. THREE different people throughout the day helping him. WHAT ARE THEY THINKING??? Can I scream yet. I finally received a response from the director stating that Mr "idiot" Principal wanted to rotate the aides around to three different children. WHAT ARE YOU THINKING???? I got the schedule and Doug and I are not happy. I let the resource specialist know that I do not like the idea of a rotation of aides to different students. I also let her know how upset we were in regards to how they decided to communicate these changes to us. She agreed it wasn't in the child's best interest on any of this. She also suggested we as parents call an IEP meeting. Doug and I had already thought about that. This week is teacher conferences this week and fall break is next week. Once we get back from break we do want a sit down meeting.

So there it is. More confusion for me and for our child. THREE people working with him throughout the day is stupid and not happening. Tomorrow I will most likely get the chance to speak to Mr Principal and hopefully he sees where we as parents are coming from.


Saturday, September 27, 2008

Stupid school people

Friday afternoon around 4:25 pm I received a phone call from the school principal. Mr Principal proceeds to tell me that Airen is doing wonderful in school and is really adjusting. Fine just get on with why you are calling me this late on a Friday. Mr Principal goes on to say that on Monday there will be a change in Airen's 1:1 aide. WHAT??? Tells me that there will now be two individuals working with Airen each day. One will be in the morning from either 8-11 am or 9-11 am and the other will step in for the afternoon. NOT HAPPENING. I'm trying very hard to hold it together and hear him out. Mr Principal continues to tell me he would appreciate it if I could help this weekend and get Airen ready for the transition. Hello...Airen's main issues are with TRANSITIONS. Of course a few red flags went off in my head so I kept my mouth shut and knew who I'd be contacting next. Luckily I seem to have a very good working relationship with the Director of Exceptional Students. I emailed her and left her a voice mail at the two numbers I have for her. She is so good!!! She replied to me about 8:30 pm copying me on a message she sent to Mr Principal. She is not aware of any changes to Airen's IEP, as they have to have her in attendance for any IEP addendum meetings. She also sent me a personal message telling me she is going to get the answers for me.

Of course telling Airen that his current aide isn't going to be with him has already upset him. He told me he thinks he's going to be sick for school this week and went off crying. He's really taken to his aide and is finally comfortable with her after 5 weeks in school. We are finally to the point of getting to school with no fights or tantrums. Of course Mr Principal and I always talk in the mornings at drop off so Monday is going to be a bit akward since I went above him on this issue. Oh well. You'd think they school would know not to mess with this momma as she plays by the rules and will file state complaints should she see fit. URGHHHHH!!! I have confrontation so that is my biggest worry come Monday. Oh well don't mess with my son's education and that's what happening now.

So everyone please say a little prayer Monday morning. Say a prayer that Airen gets up and dressed and breakfast with no fights. A prayer that mommy can hold it together when we arrive at the school. A prayer that should Mr Principal wish to discuss this situation that I can hold my emotions in check till after leaving the school. A prayer that since I will have Mara with me that she behaves the right way at the right moments---scream should the time be right!!! Prayers that Airen can make it through the day with no problems. Prayers that this mommy doesn't totally lose it before Monday.

Sometimes I really hate being an adult and dealing with issues like this. So another prayer that mommy has the strength to stay strong and fight the fight for her children.

Thursday, September 25, 2008

Airen amazes me

Airen has been coming home almost daily singing some song or another. His teacher teaches with songs and its working wonders for Airen. He can count to 100. He knows the days of the week and the months. He has also started to sound words out and is asking how to spell things. He just amazes me on how fast he's learning things. His teacher tells me almost daily that Airen is just a sponge and is a joy to have in class.

This weekend we have our first birthday party. It is at a bounce place so I am sure the kids will have a blast. Jumping is a good release for Airen and helps him get back in focus and helps with his outbursts.

Sunday, September 21, 2008

Fall consignment sale

So I do these consignment sales twice a year. This time I took about 500 items and was really disappointed. I only sold 70 items!!! I didn't make nearly what I made in the spring so I was really disappointed. I know it has a lot to do with it was a fall/winter clothes sale and it has been around 100 degrees lately. So I listed things on craigslist and again disappointed as things aren't selling. There is another consignment sale October 4-6 in east Mesa. Its pretty far from us and we have a lot going on that weekend so not sure if I am going to take stuff. Of course the organizer of the sale has said I can bring my items to her and she will take care of getting them to the sale. She also offered to take the items to another sale the following weekend. I did start my tags for this sale but now my printer isn't working. If its not one thing its another. Of course I am getting tired of looking at the stuff in the living room corner and the garage has been taken over by extra boxes of clothes as I try to get pictures by size of the stuff to put on craigslist.

If anyone is looking for boys fall/winter stuff sizes 6-9 months up to 5T and girls stuff newborn to 6-9 months please have them contact me. A lot of Children's Place, Gap, Old Navy, Gymboree, All Mine, Circo, Cherokee, Okie Dokie. All in excellent condition and priced to move!!!

Friday, September 19, 2008

Mara's new shirt!!!

Today Doug was off so we ran a few errands to Target. Well we got Mara a new shirt that is just so fitting for her!! I will include a picture!!
Doug and I also got a Lego set for Airen's classroom. Today was major discount day for employees so we were able to pick it up for next to nothing. I took it to his teacher this afternoon and she was so excited, she was almost in tears she was so greatful. After the kids had afternoon snack and recess they had show and tell back in the classroom. The teacher got to have her own show and tell and the class was so excited!!!

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Taj Mahal


One of the perks of Doug working at Lego is putting sets together for display in the store. And since he's the manager he gets first picks on putting stuff together. The other night he came home with the Taj Mahal. It has 5922 pieces and I am putting it together. I am having so much fun putting this one together. Typically which ever employee puts the display together gets to keep it. We have quite a collection right now. Originally we were going to raffle off the Taj Mahal between his staff but now I am considering keeping this one. Its very impressive.

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Back in the saddle again

So I've been reminded by a few friends that I've not updated my blog for awhile. So I am taking a few minutes to ME time to do just that.

Airen has been in kindergarten for a month. He's doing wonderful. He really likes his teacher and he is making some friends. We have our first birthday party of the school year next weekend. Its at PumpIt up! Its an inflatable place with all sorts of play areas. I will be attending also for the ''just in case moments". I am excited to go and hopefully meet some other parents. Airen is continuing his home therapies, occupational, speech and music. His therapists are adding new goals to challenge him and hopefully work new areas. He's been having music as school and is coming home with new songs. Today it was "This land is your land, this land is my land..." It was so cute. He had hand motions and all. His teacher also does a lot of teaching to songs. We are still waiting for the school district to get an occupational therapist hired for school therapy. Airen has also decided he wants to get hot lunch from school. I am glad he's finally opening up to more food choices. We also go to school in the mornings and have breakfast there. All in all he is doing very well.

Mara is now 15 months old. She's still my little drama queen. She throws some really great tantrums!! She is still a peanut weighing about 18 lbs. She is such a picky eater. This week she had a toasted cheese sandwich that she stole from her brother's plate. At this rate if she eats it I am all for it. Her vocabulary is growing. Her favorite is ELMO and finally is saying ELMO not MELMO. She is funny cause we have one DVD of ELMO and she will go into the den on her pink chair and sit waiting for us to put it on for her. She grabs her ELMO dolls and points to the TV over and over again yelling ELMO!!! She's too cute. She sees pictures of dogs and says ''ruff ruff''. She's too cute. She also calls AIREN all day while he is at school. She misses him so much. When we go to pick him up in the afternoon she sits in the car waiting and calling AIREN. When he finally gets into the car she is blowing him kisses.

Doug is enjoying the Lego store. Currently we are building the Taj Mahal, it is 5922 pieces!! Its been fun to build the last few days. Doug's schedule is nice because he's usually up in the mornings with us and helping to get kids dressed and ready to walk out the door.


Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Remember Me

To all our military and their families. We support you, we love you and thank you for your sacrifices.