It's Fall Y'All!

I recently read a blog that listed 20 things I Love About Fall. As I mentally made my own list, it began to seem familiar. I looked in the archives, and sure enough, last year at this time I wrote Why I Love Fall. So, in the interest of time, similar feelings and full disclosure, here is last year's list, with the addition of even more things I love about fall. What do you love about fall?

1. Sleeping in the fresh night air, with windows open after weeks of air conditioning.
2. Pumpkins, butternut squash, acorn squash, and gourds.
3. High school football.
4. Watching the tree near our old house, which changes colors from the tips of the branches to the center, making it look like fireworks in the sky, with balls of fire at the tips.
5. Marching bands.
6. Youth soccer on cool Saturday mornings.
7. Planting mums in front of the church sign.
8. Needing a jacket on the way to school in the mornings, and shedding it before the morning is over.
9. Apple pie, apple crisp, apples with caramel, sliced apples . . . .
10. Corn mazes (I haven't through one yet, but this may be the year.)
11. Fall yard decorations: bales of straw; mums; pumpkins, winter squash, gourds; and scarecrows, and more mums.
12. Walking in the yard, with leaves crunching under my feet.
13. Bobbing for apples.
14. Raking up a big pile of leaves, for the sole purpose of playing with Whistle, Teenager, C. and E. in them.
15. Football stew. (A favorite from our childhood - an oven baked stew.)
16. Bonfires: Wood, matches, hot dogs, marshmallows, and song.
17. Pumpkin pie, with real whipped cream.
18. Horses made from cornstalks.
19. Straw bale maze at the Fall Fest.
20. The Hartsburg Pumpkin Festival

Visit with the Dentist

When Whistle came to us he was totally orally defensive and wouldn't let anyone near his mouth -- with or without tools in their hands. He has gradually gotten over that, although he still has problems with foods and eating. Obviously, a visit to the dentist's office is not his favorite way to start the day, but that was our plan for today. One of our first visits to the dentist consisted of counting his teeth. During a recent visit, the dental tech said, "We cleaned 4 teeth today!" Today the report was that all his teeth were polished, "LIGHTLY polished," she said. Big progress! For him, the big news was that two front teeth are loosening; "Right on schedule," according to the dentist. Whistle was very excited, and talked about the tooth fairy visiting, then told the school secretary about it when he checked in at school.

Speaking of the tooth fairy, granddaughter E. told us a story the other day. She wanted to color a picture and put it under her pillow for the Picture Fairy. According to E., the Picture Fairy doesn't exchange money for pictures like the tooth fairy, but she does love pictures.

Another thing E. likes is birthdays. She enjoyed her birthday last month, and had us all "sign up" for her birthday party (writing our names on a piece of paper). Yesterday, she had another paper, and we were signing up for Holly's birthday. Holly is her favorite bear. When I told her mother later that we were having Holly's birthday, she said, "Holly is getting old fast, this is her 3rd birthday since she got her!" (in the spring). What a girl. What an imagination.

The Teacher Said So

Whistle came home from school and announced, "We need a babysitter! Like Amy." It sounded like an instruction from school, but didn't fit quite right.

"A babysitter?"

"Yes - we need a babysitter. Like Amy." (His occasional sitter whom he loves, because she actively plays sports with him all evening.)

I was still confused, and asked if he had a note about it, he thought a second, and said "YES!" and went after his backpack.

Just a Reminder
Kindergarten Curriculum Meeting
Thursday, Sept 4, 2008
6-7 p.m.
Hope to see you there!

Child care will not be provided.


He may not get ALL the facts (or the MAIN fact, even), but he gets something!!

Whistle Tells About the Special School Visitor

Early this morning the house was quiet, and Whistle and I were in the living room. He was talking to himself . . .

Whistle: "Super the hero? Super the hero?? Super . . . ?

Zero! ZERO! ZERO the HERO!"

Other Mother: "Zero the hero?"

Whistle: "Yes - Zero the Hero came to our class." (Then he told me something else that happened but I didn't quite get that part) "Then Mrs. Experiencedteacher said, "Well look who's here!" And it was Zero the Hero coming in the door."

Me: "Did he have a costume on?"

Whistle: "He had hair . . . (as his hand swept in a wide arc). It was all colors. And gloves. Gloves with numbers on them. And if he takes his clothes off, it's not Zero the Hero, it's the PRINCIPAL!"

School is Off to a Great Start

The Alaska photos haven't been blogged yet because of some major computer issues, but at least I could stay in touch otherwise, couldn't I ?!

Whistle has begun his school year, a second year in kindergarten to help him be more prepared for reading and math in first grade. He's been in school a week, and so far -- it looks great! Yesterday he knew all the letters of the alphabet, and if those letter names "stick" he will move on to their sounds. Unfortunately, for kids with FAS, their ability to recall what they know is sporadic. Some days it's there, and some days it isn't. One of the funniest examples of this is the day he wanted to talk about a sheep, and struggled to get the name of the animal. He ended up calling it a chicken. ;-)

Yesterday he also got his first Super Eagle ticket, a special recognition of being caught doing something well. He said he was waiting patiently -- sitting still in line waiting to be picked up after class. You know what a challenge that is for him! Each Friday the principal draws tickets from the Super Eagle ticket box and awards gifts to those chosen. Whistle's on a new dose of medication - looking for something to help calm his brain so he can focus more easily, another thing that causes learning challenges for him. Even in an empty room working one on one, he is easily distracted, just by his own thoughts. Possibly we are seeing some effect from the med.

Our two little guys, Joe and Andy, have left to return to their parents, and we wish them well. We miss them! Time brings changes though, especially in foster care, and this is the best kind of change -- the positive result of kids returning home.

Now -- we have Sarah and C. and E. at home with us, so we won't be having any additional foster children for a while. C. has begun her second grade school year at Whistle's school, and they are excited to go to school together. It took a few days before they crossed paths during the school day, and they were really excited to see each other! This morning they were both wishing they could stay home with E., though. I'm sure E. would tell them hanging out with Grandma is not all fun and games - we still get to do laundry, cleaning, and other household stuff!

As for teenager, she's returned to the Christian school she attended last year. This year she has the added benefit of attending the county-wide Career Center, a high-tech vocational school with lots of educational options. She's taking a digital media class, and a marketing class there. We'll be getting up at 5:30 to get everyone where they need to be on time - today we were ready to leave 8 minutes early!

With the foster care support group, we had a great school supply picnic, and more than enough supplies. It's fun to see the kiddos so excited choosing their backpacks and packing their supplies.

Mmm, Mmm, Good

Today, Whistle and I went to a local blueberry place (is it called a farm? a patch? an orchard?) and picked blueberries. Usually they are ready much earlier than they were this year, and the season has lasted longer than usual, also. I think picking in mid-July is pretty rare here. If you haven't picked blueberries - I'd recommend you find a place to do it -- it's so much fun! It's easy to see which ones are ready to be picked, and they roll right into your palm with a little nudge. No thorns, no mess, just a fun way to spend some time with the kids, and get dessert at the same time!

I can't say that Whistle enjoyed it as much as I did, but he did get a few berries into his bucket before he got distracted. After that, he sat on the ground and sang, looked at what other people around us were doing, and kept checking to see if it was time to go to swimming lessons. In other years, I've been accompanied by Sarah, Hugger, or foster children, and it's always a great experience.

We were blessed with blueberries for the freezer a few weeks ago from the foster care food pantry, but I just couldn't resist a few more to eat fresh. A bowl of blueberries, a little milk or 1/2 and 1/2 (or ice cream) over the top -- it doesn't get much better as far as I'm concerned.

One more note about Whistle's swimming lessons. This is the first year he's been tall enough to be in the "big pool," and once he realized he could touch the bottom and still "breave," he was ready to go. He missed the first day while we took Hugger to camp, but caught up quickly the second day. He tried jumping in from the side, and after two times, wanted to jump in without assistance. He did report later that once he went "way, way, WAY under," but still was very proud and excited. He's also jumping off the board into the instructor's arms, so of course that's fun, too. He's half finished -- 4 more days next week, and although he won't be doing rhythmic breathing when he's finished with this session, he will have gained a lot of confidence in the water, and that's the first step.

This post is dedicated to my friend (you know who you are) who is nagging me about not posting to the blog. Here's to you, my dear! Also - stay tuned for Alaska photos!

Life with the Ferrells

If you have not already caught up with them, please go read Life With the Ferrels and pray with us for their family. God has promised to be with us through all our trials, and we pray for His mercy and loving arms to surround them every hour of every day.

Thanks.