School: Day Two

After yesterday, our thoughts and prayers were with Whistle today. We were very thankful to hear that his behavior was improved compared to yesterday, and his "Good Day" award had this note:

Still a work in progress . . . but a Much better day!

I'm the 'mom,' so I'm prejudiced, but after all -- isn't that what we all are? Still a work in progress. . . and hopefully, better today than yesterday. Running with patience the race that is set before us, whatever that race may be. Good job, Whistle! Thank you, Lord, for another day of mercy.

Welcome to Kindergarten!

On Monday evening, Whistle had Back to School Night. For 5 year-olds, it would be "To School Night," wouldn't it? He took his bag of school supplies, and went right in. We found his room and met his teacher, Mrs. ExperiencedTeacher. She provided a name tag, and a list of things for him to do around the room. They included finding his mailbox (with a surprise inside), finding the red basket for important notes, putting supplies away, and locating the drinking fountain and bathroom ("Practice washing your hands. Be sure to use one push of soap and put the paper towel in the trash can"). The final thing was to have his picture taken by Mrs. ExperiencedTeacher. It was all wonderful, until he realized he didn't get to "stay and stay." He was so disappointed! After waiting all day to go to school, he had to go back home!

One more day at home, and Wednesday finally arrived. He was ready early, and it was hard to wait until time to go. Finally, off to school!

Hickety Pickety Bumble Bee
Won't you say your name for me?


Whistle came home from his first day of school with a paper bee-on-a-stick he had colored, saying this rhyme. He said the rhyme, then placed the bee on my head, and said, "My name is . . . ", and I said, "Mom!" He smiled and then said again, "Hickety Pickety, Bumble Bee, Won't you say your name for me?" placing it on his own head, and said "My name is . . . Whistle." (Of course, he didn't really say Whistle - but his real name.) When I picked him up, the teacher said, "It was an interesting day." Interesting? INTERESTING? Not WONDERFUL!!?? Oh, no! She told me a few details, which I will spare you, but suffice it to say that later in the evening we had a discussion on Listening, Talking Nicely, and Resting Quietly. :-) This morning, he got up excited, ready to go, but much calmer than yesterday. When I reminded him about what to do during rest time, he dove onto the floor on his belly, didn't wiggle, and didn't say a word! Yea!!! This morning when I checked in with his special ed teacher (let's call her Miss Baker), she said she thought he was just overstimulated yesterday - keyed up about starting school. We'll see how today goes!!

(Does anyone else think this looks like a ladybug, instead of a bee? However, I don't think you'd want to tell new Kindergartners "Lady bug, Lady bug, fly away home."!)

Self-Advocates with Down Syndrome

One mom said she's sure that extra 21st chromosome contains the "dancing gene." They've ALL got it! :-)

Hugger sings one of his favorite songs.

This weekend, our family went in two different directions (sort of), with three of us going to KC, and the other two on to Nebraska. Father and Whistle were blessed to attend the ordination of Brother Jesse Halbgewachs in Nebraska. Jesse's parents have been very dear friends of ours since before we were married. They were then a young married couple with small boys, and we loved them dearly (and still do!). Besides the love of the Lord in common, they have fostered children at risk for many years, and we love to get together with them. If you're interested in the meeting and a few photos, Liz has some up on Abundant Grace.

Before the ordination was scheduled, Hugger, Teenager and I had made arrangements to attend the annual conference of the National Down Syndrome Association. In addition to the regular informative sessions for families of persons with DS, they provide great sessions for youth and adults with DS, and another one for siblings, also. Since Teenager did not grow up with Hugger as her brother, we thought it would be very good for her to get to know others who have experiences similar to hers. Both groups, Self-advocates (persons with DS) and Siblings had two days of sessions. One day was informative, the other more for fun.

Teenager had a great time sharing with the others in attendance and learning from them; hearing from Karen Gaffney, a self-advocate who has swum the English channel; and the author of The Memory Keeper's Daughter, a novel about a pair of twins, one of whom has DS. (That's one of the books on my nightstand -- I'm hoping to absorb them as I sleep, but it doesn't seem to be working! Teenager has read it though, and was surprised by the author's appearance at the conference.)

I've attended the full conference in the past, but this year I was blessed to volunteer with the Youth and Adult group. Three years ago we wanted Hugger to attend, but they were short on volunteers, so I offered to help then. I discovered that's where the fun is! We haven't attended since then, but if it were up to Hugger, we'd go again next week. They have a great time, and it's very inspiring for them as well as the rest of us. This year I was at a table of 9 self-advocates, and had a blast! The session speakers and worshops are all presented by people with DS, and it's a wonderful experience. There is also a talent show, and some of the talents are amazing. From low to high skill levels, every person is valued for their contribution, and it's a wonderful experience for all. We saw and heard pianists and instrumentalists of all types, lip synch performers, actors, singers, dancers, and many others. It was very uplifting and fun, fun, FUN! Hugger started saying, "I want to go back, next year," shortly after we arrived. Next year it will be in Boston, so as great as that sounds . . . . we'll have to see. Boston is not exactly in our back yard.

We lived in the KC area when Hugger was a pre-schooler, and we looked for old friends from his early years who might be there. The mothers of his ECSE (early childhood special ed) class became very close, and we've continued to stay in touch once or twice a year since then, so we were anxious to renew acquaintances. I've seen some of MY friends, but haven't seen their children in a long while. It was fun for Daniel to renew his own friendships, too. He didn't actually remember them specifically , but they all are familiar with discussions of those times in their lives, and had hugs and high fives all around.

So -- whether in Nebraska or KC -- as they say . . . "A good time was had by all."

Hugger's friends from his pre-school years! Reunited, as if they'd never been apart.

Another friend from pre-school.

A new friend from Hugger's table at the conference, and the table sponsors.

Teenager made a friend during the sibling conference, and (surprise!), he's the younger brother of one of Hugger's friends from pre-school, above! How likely is that, in a group of 250 people?! (Odds of 3/250 to be exact.)

Teenager Goes to High School

After a year of homeschooling, teenager is going 'back to school.' Not the school district she left a year ago, but a newer, different school. She will be going to a small Christian school, where students are expected to work, and expected to WANT to learn. The school considers itself an extension of the Christian home, and doesn't enroll students, but families. Her class is composed of about 15 teens, from ninth to twelfth grades. The school has two other classes to serve the lower grade level students. It seems much like the days of the one room school house, where the teacher works with one grade level or subject, then moves on to another group of students while the first completes their work. One difference from those earlier schools is that her teacher is male. She will have the opportunity to take Spanish from a native Spanish speaker, and will have access to a Career Center for additional classes later.

There are a couple of visible differences compared to the public school. One is that all students wear uniforms consisting of polo shirts and khakis or blue slacks for most school days. Another is that it will be a 4 day school week. Just as homeschoolers can complete a larger amount of work in a shorter time, I'm sure it's true also of smaller classes with a more structured atmosphere. We're all very excited about the possibilities!

We're very thankful we had the opportunity to homeschool Teenager last year, and we both learned many things: academic and otherwise. It was a great growing experience for us both. Now, though, the needs are a little different, and we believe this is the best response for the current needs.

So, Teenager. Go forth and learn -- we're behind you all the way!

Whistle's Birthday, Too

Whistle is 5 years old today. I've always thought of July 25th as my sister LeAnne's birthday, and now we have two to celebrate the same day! Since he's here, and she's in another state, we sent her birthday wishes via email.

We celebrated a few hours early, since he wanted his 'nieces' to come, and they weren't going to be available 'on the day.' We couldn't get everyone together until 8 p.m., but it was worth the wait. We blew up a few balloons, and he excitedly said, "It looks like a birthday party!"

Whistle's been saying he wanted a scooter from Santa for a few weeks now. When he opened his new scooter, he said, "Just what I NEEDED!" Doesn't every active young boy need a scooter at some point?

Yesterday a teacher asked him what kind of cake he wanted. Although we hadn't discussed it, he immediately said, "With chocolate cookies, M & Ms, and a happy face!" That was easy enough to do, so we baked a cake; square layer on the bottom, round layer for the face, oreo cookie eyes, red M & M smile, and 5 crayon design candles. Not professionally done, but he was happy. Blowing out the candles was so much fun, we did it twice!

Now . . . if we could just figure out the secret to getting him to actually eat some of that cake!

Miss H's birthday

On Saturday, we went to Miss H.'s house to celebrate her first birthday. It was a great day (except that she wasn't feeling well), and we had a wonderful time. She is blessed with wonderful parents, and a host of adoring fans (aka relatives). You can read more about it on Count Your Blessings. Also - there are lots of great Miss H. photos there -- Julie has been practicing her photography. :-)

WHAT ARE THEY THINKING?! (Warning - venting!)

Once again -- a story in the news about a mother who intentionally hurt her child: http://www.krcgonline.com/news/news_story.aspx?id=40943 This mom says she was under stress, and wanted him to die. HOW COULD SHE?! Stress is bad, it's difficult, and some can't cope, but trying to kill your child? Come on folks - ASK FOR HELP!! We hear over and over -- drownings, locked in closets, hot water burns. How can they? What is going on??

Also this week was this story:
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2007-07-14-internet-neglect_N.htm
These parents were so addicted to internet games that they didn't feed the children (or do anything else for them, apparently!).

There are many, many families, with and without children, who would LOVE to raise these kids if just given the opportunity. Please folks -- take advantage of community resources available to you! If you can't take it any more, call the police, call social services, take the children to the hospital and drop them off. Get help someplace -- ANYPLACE!. But please, please -- NO MORE HURTING THE CHILDREN!

Some things are just to awful to think about for more than a moment.