Back to School

I try not to blog as a means of venting, but right now I can't help it.  As you regular readers know, my 10 year old will be going back to traditional public school... on MONDAY.  I am a nervous wreck.  I feel like I am going to have a heart attack.  Totally FREAKING OUT!

I have met the principle, the psychologist, the vice-principle, and on Monday I will meet his teacher.  The psych. assure me that my baby is getting essentially the greatest 4th grade teacher ever.  Seriously.

I have to go buy big pencils, a rolling backpack, give him a dress code hair cut.  I ordered a fidget toy for him to use in class.  I am fully confident that they will do whatever necessary to educate my Aspie without ruining him, but the anticipation is killing me.  Pray for my baby and for me.  I may need it more.

I am really hoping that his classmates will embrace him in all of his fleece cargo panted, slippered, awkward glory.

Poll: First thing after we became engaged I...

Poll: First thing after we became engaged I...

Schooling with Asperger's

When I pulled my son out of school half way through the second grade, I didn't know it was because of Asperger's.  He was enrolled in a charter home school because I didn't know what else to do.  We finally got a diagnosis in 4th grade.  After a lot of thought and struggle I pulled him out of the charter and began unschooling him.  The main goal was to spend time teaching him social skills, coping skills, and worry about academics when he could handle it emotionally.  I am pleased to say that my method worked.  He progressed from a violent resistance to any structured activity with a preference for a single activity, to moving from activity to activity of his choosing through out the day.  That might not sound like much but for us it's huge.

He has also become much more flexible.  He will willingly try new activities, handles well changes in plans, engages new people in conversation, and makes eye contact when he tells people that he doesn't shake hands.

We moved to a new house so that he could have his own room, more space, and quiet time. Our new neighborhood is near the school where my younger son will attend kindergarten in the fall.  Every time we drive past we say hello to the 4yo's new school.  Two weeks ago we drove past at release time.  My 10yo Aspie said that if he went to school there we could walk, and not even need a car.  I asked if he would be interested in attending that school, he said "sure, if they have a special class for kids like me."

We met this week with the school psychologist and my son will be trying out public school again, by his choice.  I will keep you updated on how it all goes.

Green Pastors! Woo hoo!

http://blog.algore.com/2010/01/green_pastors.html

Grown ups

At 5:45 pm on January 20, 2010 I realized I am a grown up.  It's a small thing, but it hit me big.

I have been trying forever to stop wanting to be someone else.  I have been saying for 30 years that I want to be like (insert cool person's name here) when I grow up.  I was just sitting here musing about the people whose work I admire, wondering how far along they are in life's journey.  Then I started to wonder how far along I am.  I was thinking about who I want to be when I grow up.  I couldn't come up with anyone.  I then realized that I want to be ME when I grow up.  Me.  The best of me.  Me at my best.  It sounds so obvious and I am sure I have been spouting it for years, but this was the first time I realized that the drive to be just me and no one else is truly a part of my thought process.  It's like breathing.  It isn't a struggle.

Perspective: parenting children with disabilities.

I'm sitting in a waiting room with elderly women and their adult children who are developmentaly disabled. Rarely in the world do you see such displays of love and patience as I am seeing now. It makes me so grateful that my children have the abilities that they do, and grateful that these women have given themselves so gladly to caring for their children.

things i learn from csi

never use your gps to guide you to your crime scene. cops know about gps.

My Museum

I was introduced to the Fresno Met, by my 5th grade teacher, Mrs. Ogata. Coincidentally my favorite teacher. I didn't know at age 10 what an impact that institution would have on my life. About 10 years ago my best friend got a job there and as always, wherever she was I was. When they needed someone to sell memberships I was an employee. When they needed a decorator coordinator for Christmas at the Met I was there. I did a tree every year after that until the pros took them over. I made horrible scones for the tea, I photographed kids on Santa's lap. I cut my photographic teeth doing event photography, head shots, copy work, whatever they needed. I met so many people through the Met. I saw so many beautiful things and learned so much. I explored there as a child and watched my children's faces light as they explored.

On Sunday I went to the Fresno Metropolitan Museum of Art and Science for the last time. I had no idea how it would effect me. I didn't anticipate how I would feel making that last pass through the gallery, my eyes moist as they wandered over Matisse.

I think now of the people who are losing their jobs. The Met wasn't just a job for most, it was life. For the volunteers who sweat blood raising the money to open the museum and again over the last 4 years trying to save it they are losing a child. Most people don't understand the commitment of a passionate volunteer. How many children will never see this museum, how many will miss the opportunity to learn from the dedicated staff?

Goodbye, Met. You gave me grief, joy, awe. I will miss you.

NYE

I am riding home in the passenger seat of our van thinking about how blessed I am to have the life I do. The good times and the bad shape us into the people we are. I try to take all of them in as opportunities to grow. I feel like I have grown a lot through 2009. There has been a lot of talk about resolutions this year. I have also seen a lot about declarations instead of resolutions. I can't think of anything I would change. And the next year starts every day. Every day is a new beginning and a chance to start over. I got to spend New Year's Eve with a fantastic assortment of new and old friends. I laughed like I haven't laughed in ages. 2010 has been a great year.