Congratulations kindergarten class

The following article was published on our city website. This is Airen's kindergarten class. There were so excited to win a pizza party for the most Box Tops and the same week they won an ice cream party for selling the most chocolates (we sold NO chocolates). I did send in close to 150-175 box tops. We collect these all year long. So family and friends reading this, if you do not have a child who collects these for school please consider donating them to our family. I will send you postage if you have some to mail me!!! Way to go Mrs Duffy's class!!!


03.25.09 Orbitel Congratulates Mrs. Duffy-->

Wednesday March 25, 2009 Maricopa, AZ: Orbitel Communications hosted another pizza party for the winning class of Box Tops for Education at Santa Rosa Elementary School on Thursday March 19, 2009. Mrs. Duffy’s kindergarten class collected 428 Box Tops, valued at $0.10 cents each, totaling $42.80 of generated funds for the school. The entire school collected 3,630 box tops total which means $360 of funds for the school for teaching materials and supplies. Orbitel Lead Customer Service Representative, Crystal Kanouse, attended the party to celebrate their accomplishments and deliver the pizza, drinks and prizes for Mrs. Duffy and her class – all provided by Orbitel. This is the fifth year that Orbitel has sponsored the competition. Congratulations to Mrs. Duffy and her kindergarten class!

FIRST loose tooth

I got Airen from school today and he's in the back and says "mommy there's something weird behind my tooth" What are you talking about Airen?!?! So I get stopped and look to see what is bothering his tooth. He's got his first loose tooth and the new tooth is coming up behind it!!! I asked Airen how long as the tooth been wiggling? He tells me "oh a few days and nights mom". Sure enough the tooth is really loose and probably will probably be out by the weekend!! Cannot believe my little boy is growing up!! Airen had me rush home and find his tooth fairy bear he's had since he was very little. Of course I've not seen that bear in ages so I was a bit worried where it was hiding. Airen said look under my bed with all my other stuffed animals. He wasn't there. So we looked on his dresser where he's got a few small animals and there it was!!! So glad that was found.

Highs & lows

The last few weeks have been a bit busy. So much going on lately that I am starting to feel like I am drowning.

Doug enjoyed his week in CT and the kids were so excited for daddy to be home. Airen was excited as daddy made sure to bring him home some very hard to find lego sets. Others were brought home and added to my gift shelves.

We received word that we had a new support coordinator with DDD. The new person shows up the week while Doug is gone. What a joke this guy was. Seriously was in my home for a 90 day visit for 18 minutes. Walked in my door at 2:01pm and walked out at 2:19pm. Honestly told me he had no idea of Airen's diagnosis or what therapies and such he is receiving. Way to get to know your new clients. I had to tell this guy new behaviors and he decided to call Airen over and ask him ''why are you chewing on your clothes?" Talk about making a deal to a child who is already upset that its happening. I was not happy with this guy. We now have our orginal coordinator back--YEAH!!

The same week I also received a letter from our developmental pediatrician. He is leaving the office and heading to The Children's Hospital of IL. His last day is March 31st. We have a scheduled appointment April 1st. I've been calling each day in hopes of him having a cancellation before his last day. I was fortunate to speak to him this morning on the phone. He is such a kind man. He is so genuine in his caring for my child. Always open about things we can try and giving us articles that pertain to Airen. Speaking to him today he's agreed to write me an updated letter about Airen and his autism diagnosis. When Airen turns 6 in July we need to recertify with the medicaid program so this note is very important. For the time being we will be followed by a nurse practioner that we've seen in the past and also the main doctor of the practice. Unfortunately this doctor doesn't have the same thinking about autism as Dr L or our family so it may be a bit of a challenge if we have to see this new doctor.

Last week I received notice that its time for Airen's annual IEP meeting. I truly hate this time of the year. I haven't been sleeping well as I am worried about Airen going onto first grade. He's fortunate this year as he has a 1:1 aide. I've already been warned that the aide issue is a topic we will cover, basically they want to rid him of his aide. There are pros and cons to this action. With Airen's new behaviors and new stresses an aide would be helpful. Airen still isn't going potty on his own, he has to be told every hour to stop what he's doing and go try pottying. Airen also doesn't speak up if someone is bothering him. I am fearful of bully issues as he gets older. Its been suggested I go purchase a digital recorder for our meeting and I have a friend who can't attend but has agreed to listen to the meeting and offer her thoughts.

Airen is going to take swimming lessons starting in June. Miss W's kids are taking lessons and Airen got all excited. With her boys he does wonderful. He's now having music with her oldest and does wonderful. This past week he didn't make it home from school and Airen had a horrible time at music. So again more behaviors to worry about.

Saturday night Miss W and I went out. We hit Ikea and closed them at 9pm then headed to My Big Fat Greek restuarant. After a wonderful meal we went to WalMart. We didn't get home till after 1 am. We had so much fun and it was much needed for both of us. Miss W has been busy moving the last two weeks and is finally all in the new house but still has a lot of unpacking and organizing to do.

Another high is on Good Friday a good friend of mine is closing on her home here near me. I am so excited for her and her family!!!

My grandfather was here visiting for two weeks. Unfortunately everyone at mom's managed to get pretty sick. I only got to spend two nights with him and was very sad not to have more time with him. The kids love their pop-pop2. Mara kept taking him by the hand and when we were leaving she got very upset and cried. Broke my heart but it was a special evening and one to be remembered by me for a long time. We got a generation photo and it was interesting to say the least!!

Successful playdate!!

This morning Airen got to have his first playdate (outside of therapy). Airen went armed with a new lego set for him and his friend and the little brother. The boys were so excited to see the legos and had a blast building them. The parents were so nice and I had a nice time sitting and chatting with them while the kids played. The boys played hide and seek and ran around with Star War toys. At one point we heard them the boys giggling and the BIG bin of legos was dumped!!! What a mess. Lots and lots of legos all over the floor!!! The mom and I just laughed and went on talking. It was such a pleasure for us to meet another family and for the kids to have such a great time playing. Of course the boys didn't want to end but we know they will get another time to play.

Airen has been busy cleaning up his room and the den/playroom. He really wants to have two of the boys form his class to play with legos. Doug and I have been busy organizing toys and books and suff around the house too. We have a bit of excess furniture in our house and garage. We are looking to get rid of things. Right now we figure we have a futton, a formal dining table & 6 chairs, a kitchen table (from my parents house when we lived in PA, its really old), a huge desk, and possibly a hutch. Doug and I are looking to find a small kitchen table for our tiny dining area. We are also thinking about getting a king sized mattress and bedframe/headboard. I am so excited!! I have wanted a king size bed forever!!!