Have a Few.....

Minutes-LOLOLOL

Well we just finsished our Birds study and what do ya know-Happy Feet is on-so Ive got a little break today it seams.....
Ive been explaining things throughout the movie and Stinger and Monkey Boy are enjoying it -LOLOLOL. We've discussed Nothern Lights, the nesting period of the penguins( the dad sitting on the egg instead of the Momma and how he has to wait all winter for her to return and the feeding process when the Momma returns( she regurgitates the food)-Stinger said" oh gross!"LOLOLOL
Stinger says "Mom-its a funny movie-you sure we can watch it during school time?"I say " yeah Stinger-thats the great thing abt doing school at home-it CAN be fun!!!!" LOLOLOLHe just smiled so big-it was too cute :)

Happy Feet looks really cute-its about a penguin who cant find his heart song:( His father dropped him during the nesting which is why they say he is so "different" Its quiet sad-brings to mind of all the intolerance I have seen in this world. How "different" is so called "bad" hmpft! Is all I want say!

Since we have been not reviewing so much-no more busy work-things have been going GREAT!!!!!He's so much more attentive and we have been finishing all objectives and hes understanding and not getting frustrated.

Hes still having trouble counting-still insists things are too hard for him not to count on his finagers-he wont group etc.
Ive looked into a TouchMath curriculumn-which looks really cool. It uses dots on the numbers and the kids memorize the dots and then can use them when they see a number. We tried a sample sheet and Stinger likes it alot better. I ordered a free teacher sample kit and DVD etc-so we shall see when it gets here. I think it should help.

Reading.......were do I start? Stinger is doing soooo awesome!!!!!I can really see him improving! So I got some First reading chapter books and hes started reading one- My Big Ball Of String. Totally sounds like a Stinger book-eh? :)
Anyway-I was just thrilled when I brought them home and he said "YES" So we are starting slow-reading one page a day-but hes so happy and excited he can actually read a book he WANTS to read! WHOOT!!!!!

So things are going great! He did tell me hes not interested in doing the BookIt program-as he doesnt want to go in and talk to the guys at Pizza Hut.......he is adamant abt this. So we are still working on this.....LOLOLOLwe'll get there.......

We have started Christmas Pageant rehearsals again this year. Flamingo is thrilled and has two speaking parts and will be an angel. Monkey Boy is going to be a shepard and is excited abt it too. Stinger says everything is even more complicated than last year and doesnt want to be in it. I guess in his eyes it is-its abt a story, but has The Nativity written in the story sort of thing-so yeah...its more complicated. I can see where he is coming from. We arent pushing him this year to be in it. You could see the relief in his eyes when we told him he didnt have to be in it if he didnt want to.

But things are going good here :)

I Am......

Okay-THIS is it-the one poem that says it all-MY FAVORITE I have found out there-was send today and made me smile :)

- *I Am... for Mothers of Special Needs Children ~*~ By Michelle Guppy>>>> http://www.frommyheart.org/view/?pageID=151167>>>>

I am the little engine that did.
When on my journey in life, my tracks led me to a mountain - a diagnosis of (Autism, CP, MR, ...) - I looked at it with defeat - thinking there was no way I could climb over it. I then
pondered the obstacle before me, and I then said to myself over and over, "I think I can, I think I can...," then I slowly started climbing the mountain saying to myself over and over, "I know I can, I know I can,...." and then I made it over that ominous diagnosis and continued my journey. I am the little engine that did.

I am more devoted than Noah's wife. I sometimes feel overwhelmed in my "houseboat" -- 365 days and 365 nights a year, constantly working with and teaching my child. But when the storms of isolation and monotony become most unbearable, I do not jump ship. Instead I wait for the rainbow that is promised to come.

I am Xena. Real life warrior goddess of Autism. With my steel plated armor I can battle anyone who gets in the way of progress for my child. I can overcome the stares and ignorance of those without a disability in their lives - and educate them as to why my child is the way he is, and why he does the things he does. With my sword of persistence, I can battle the schools to have them properly educate my child. Yes, I am Xena - and I am prepared for any battle that might come my way......

I am beautiful. I have hairy legs because I get no time alone in the bathroom, and bags under my eyes from staying up all night with my child.The only exercise I get is the sprint from my house to my car - to take my child to therapy. Dressed up to me is, well - just that I had a moment to get dressed! They say that beauty is in the eye of the beholder - and so even on the days when I don't feel very beautiful - I will know that I am........ because God is my beholder.

I am the Bionic Woman. With my bionic vision - I can see through the disability my child has, and see the beauty in his soul, the intelligence in his eyes --- when others can't. I have bionic hearing - I can look at my child when he smiles at me, and hear his voice say, "I Love You Mommy," --- even though he can't talk. Yes, I am thankful to be Bionic.

I am Mary. A not so well known mother of a Special Needs child who was brought here to touch the souls of those around him, in a way that will forever change them. And it started with me. By teaching me things I would never have known, by bringing me friendships I never would have had, and by opening my eyes as to what really matters in life. Things like the Joy of just living in the moment, the Peace of knowing that God is in control, never losing Hope, and knowing an unconditional Love that words cannot express. Yes, I too am blessed by a special child, just like Mary.

I am Superwoman. I am able to leap over tall loads of laundry in a single bound, and run faster than a speeding bullet, to rescue my child from danger. Oh yes, without a doubt, I am Superwoman.

I am like Moses. I was chosen to be the mother of a Special Needs Child. I may at times question whether I am the right "man" for the job ---but God will give me the Faith I need to lead my child to be the best he can be. And like Moses, God will give me the small Miracles here and there, needed to accomplish my mission.

I am Stretch Armstrong - a mom that can be stretched beyond belief and still somehow return to normal. I can stretch limited funds to cover every treatment and therapy that insurance won't. I can stretch my patience as I bounce from doctor to doctor in a quest to treat my child. I can stretch what time I have, and share it with my husband, my children, my church, >> and>> still have some leftover to help my friends. Yes, my name is Stretch. And >> I>> have the stretch-marks to prove it!

I am Rosa Parks. I refuse to move or waiver in what I believe is right for my child --simply because my view is the minority, not the majority. I refuse to believe "What can one mother do?" But instead, I will write, call, and rally to the government if I have to, and do whatever it takes to>> prevent discrimination against my child and ensure that he gets the services he needs.

I am Hercules. The Greek god known for strength and courage. The heavy loads I must carry would make others crumble to the ground. The weight of Sorrow, Fear at uncertainty of the future, Injustice at having no answers, and the Tears of despair, would alone possibly be too much, --- even for Hercules. But then the Joy, Laughter, Smiles, and Pride, - at my child's accomplishments, - balance the load to make it easy to bear.

I am touched by an Angel. An Angel who lives in a world of his own. And it's true. He lives in a world of innocence and purity. A world without hatred or deceit. A world where everyone is beautiful and where no-one is ugly. A world where there is always enough time. A world where he goes to bed with no worries of tomorrow and wakes up with no regrets of the past. Yes, I most certainly am touched by an Angel, and in some ways, his world is better....

I am a true "Survivor" - the mom of a child, who has faced, is facing, and will face, --some of the most difficult challenges life has to offer. I am ready for the challenge and have God given endurance to last until the end, -- along with a sense of humor to cope with all the twists, turns, and surprises along the way. Oh yes, I am a TRUE "Survivor" - and I don't need to win a million dollars to prove it!!!

I am a mom of a special needs child, all the above, and so much more. Some days I will want to be none of the above - and just be a typical mom with a typical child, doing typical things. On those days I will know it's okay to be angry, and to cry, and to lean on my family, friends, for support. Because after all, ---the most important thing I am, ..... is human.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

-beautiful -eh? :)

Whats Been Going On.....

School is going good......we are struggling I think with this curriculum. I find it nice and full of lots of info-Stinger finds it not very stimulationg-no matter how I go abt doing things....So I guess what they say is true-what you as a parent might like and be comforteable with is not neccesarily what will be right for your child....hmmm.....

He's still not liking the breaking up of subjects-it frustrates him when he sees different subjects we will be doing that day etc. The days I can combine subjects -are really good days. The days I do what the curriculum says-even when I modify it-its a frustrating day for us both....

Ive been looking at Unit Studies and I think this is the Golden Ticket for Stinger. Basically you have a theme and you incorporate all subjects into that certian theme. Say its on eco-systems, you would put math in, science, history, writing, language, spelling-but it would all go together with that certain theme. I think Stinger would like that alot better and it wouldnt be so overwhelming for him-Ive tried it a little with this K12 curriculumn, but it doesnt really work that way...so its difficult to do....

But we will be probbaly be doing something like that next year if things dont look up with this curriculumn. He was happy with it-I think just because it was a "new" thing, but now he doesnt care for it too much....

He is really enjoying the Indian in the Cupboard though-I wish I could incorporate thinsg he is doing into that theme-which would be really nice-see this is what Im talking about-and I cant really do that with K12 as they have their set curriculum. We are also reading Mrs Piggle-Wiggle9part of K12). Stinger thinks these books are sooo funny! He never really laughs, but I see him smiling and he has that Stinger twinkle in his eyes as he looks at me with his grins-LOLOLOL He enjoys listening to what teh naughty kids do and what Mrs Piggle -Wiggle suggests to the parents of these naughty children-LOLOLOL-he likes it when the kids learn their lesson -hopefully hes picking up on some of these lessons-eh? ;)

Flamingo had her last soccer game on Wed. She is upset to be done for the season. She was actually getting really good-getting in there to fight for the ball as at first she was hesitating. They gave all the kids trophies and had a little presentation-MY!!! Was she proud of herself!!!! You can still find her with that trophy in her hands as soon as she comes home from school these days. Cute-eh? She also got a certificate that she has up on her dresser displayed proudly with her trophy:)

Monkey Boy is still acting like a Monkey-LOLOLOL-He's doing really well with his school we are doing-he just LOVES worksheets-and hes alwasy asking me" whats next?"LOLOLOL Hes always wearing a smile and he brightens my days.

Communicating Partners book study notes....

Communicating Partners
by: James MacDonald

Okay-If you haven't read this book-DO!!!!! LOLOLOLOL
Its about Communicating with your children particularly late talkers, ASD, and DS.
I found out about it from C-shes the big guroo when it comes to books and I know if shes recommending something to me I need to just go out and buy it!LOLOLOL Which was the case of this book.

Out of all the books I have read-and trust me Ive read books all abt Stinger and trying to find ways I can help him in trying to have some what of a better understanding of what is going on in that head of his (trying to get in there is like trying to knock down a brick wall sometimes)-this one TOPS them all and Im just starting it-LOLOLOL

So Ive been taking some notes and I thought Id share them-the points that have struck me pertaining to Stinger. Its been an eye opening book to say the least-some parts Im nervous abt trying, some parts Im excited abt trying, some parts are totally gratifying in learning Ive been doing things right, other parts Im finding out Im going abt things all wrong......anyway.....here's my notes so far....

Step 1: enter into routines
-dont teach, be still, be alert, accept

THIS I think is going to be the hardest thing as Stinger so clearly doesnt want anyone ard when he is doing "his" thing-I can see him getting extremely upset with me....

Step 2:( after being accepted) Immitation and Modeling
-immitate him/parralel play-do what he is doing
-goal is for Stinger to eventually do what I am doing when he isnt being told or asked to do it, kwim?

Step 3: Taking turns
-WAIT!!!!! for Stinger to take his turn

I have recognised I talk for Stinger when Dh asks him something or anyone for that matter asks him something-thinking this is helping him, when in actuality it is hurting his progress. :(

So how do we get thsi social habit going you ask?

*Be balanced-do as much as each other
-dont dominate
-stay away from "learned helplessness"
-stay out of the "needs help.....help more" circle
-GIVE STINGER TIME!!!!!

*Be matched-
-what he can do at the moment
this shows support( understanding his world)
-match his playing
-get into routines together: pushing cars, putting toys away,having a snack-
( do what he is doing)
-back and forth routines-will eventually be able to teach him something new to do
goal------> Stinger thinks interaction is worthwhile and FUN! :)

<remember> any interaction is a struggle for Stinger-be grateful for any signs of

-its difficult, frightening, overwhelming for him
-with matched playing we can build confidence-he will finally feel accepted while interacting!:)

<remember>convince staying with people is rewarding and successful

-dont relie on toys-be more exciting and interesting than the distraction

*be responsive
-be patient-not easy for him-celebrate small interactions at first
-for Stinger it might take some time to accept me playing parallel with each other
-will need time fro him to realize Im not imposing changes, but letting him be himself

(I was relieved to see this as I am quiet sure we will have some opposition with this one)
-acting like Stinger enables me to read and connect with him
-Stinger needs to learn to respond to what others do
-peers will not likely stick ard if ignored

*Share control and decisions
-many parenst are pushed away, screamed at, or rejected
-are known for resisting typical kinds of play

*emotionally attached and playful
-appreciate whatever he does
-my job is to be accepted BY HIM
-be silly
---->age appropriate often makes silent and alone
-very sensitive to adult judgements or lack of support
=======>important development:
to BELIEVE they can interact successfully without being judged or told to change

WOW-eh?

Our First Novel......

Well we have embarked on our first voyage of books without pictures-LOLOLOL:)
It has been a HUGE -AND I MEAN HUGE hit!!!!!So much so that Stinger doesnt want me to put it down. "Mom!!!!! Keep going!!!!!!!" This is what I hear every morning. Im soooooooo pleased-can you tell!!!! LOLOLOL:)

We are reading Indian In The Cupboard. I have to admit that I have been getting into it as well. Dh was downstairs and after we had finished he looked at me, smiled, and said" You are trying so hard." With a big grin on his face. I jokingly asked him if he too was enjoying the story-LOLOLOL. So Its been a big hit and everyone is enjoying it. Monkey Boy I can tell is wanting pictures and sometimes gets bored. I just have to keep asking him questions abt it very animated like and he smiles and sometimes I can real him back in. So its a GO!!! WHOOT!!!LOLOLOL:)

School is going well-Ive been having a hard time getting in all the subjects Im supposed to day after day. Stinger seams to think that after lunch school is done......so Ive tried to shorten teh 1/2 hour breaks afetr every subject and it hasnt been working too well. I tried something on Thursday though. I tried to kinda fit everything into one subject-kinda blended things together so Stinger couldnt really tell it was a different subject. This worked and we got everything done.

I think what I need to do is go over the objectives and incorporate some subjects together as this seams to go smoother and all the objectives that need to be covered are-kwim? Which is basically what homeschoolers who are doing Unit Studies do.....so Im going to look into that a bit more and see if I can find anything that wont break the bank, but kinda groups objectives and subjects together with a common theme. I think Stinger would really enjoy that and it wouldnt be so frustrating for him.

What kinda worries me though is if we get to far away from the school curriculum and what if he goes back-then it would be even harder for him.....But no use festering over something like that -the main objective is him learning and enjoying learning-right? So we will do what we need to do to accomplish this.

Something that has been bothering me is how much do I push to get him up to grade level. K12 is so much info and we can barely make it through everything in teh time we have. So I dont know how he ever can get up to level? Is this something I should even be worrying about?

We took his Phonics assesment and for the first time he didnt pass it. He's having trouble remembering diagraphs(ch, wh, th, etc) and trigraphs(tch) this is what made him not pass this last assesment-he did everything else fine-except he missed all the blends in the words. So that was kinda a bummer-we are going to have to review those this week. But do how long do I spend reviewing if he just cant remember it?

I noticed this week that Flamingo is doing this exact same thing-bringing home worksheets with these sounds. So this is 1st grade level material, and hes having trouble with it.

I guess its no big deal as we can just review and he will get it down-which is the great thing abt homeschooling, but this was just the first assesment he didnt master and it kinda bummed me out as a teacher I guess-kwim? Thinking I failed too-kwim?

O-well just gotta figure this out and manipulate it so he can get it down. Maybee a notebook or something and pictures???Anyone have any ideas? Im open for any and all:)

Mothers Overture...

Okay Everyone-I had to share this-its a KEEPER!!!! and oh too funny-yet soooo true!!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OzZJO3ZRNCo

Enjoy! :)