Exhausted from parenting/ASD children/Welcome to Schmolland!

[kampfirekim]

KampfireKim, it's 7:40 here and I don't think I can get to South Carolina in the next 5 minutes!I'll just have to do my own diva treatment today which includes walking/running the dogs, swim lessons, loads of laundry and taking care of just about every kid that lives in my neighborhood! I don't know how I became the official daycare provider but it's been this way for 15 years and I just gave up! Yesterday there were 12 kids at my house all day and that's not unusual!I watch them come in my house like a line of ants! I guess kids aren't afraid to visit Schmolland!They are like foreign exchange students!

I also loved the encouragement you gave Daisy&Max (and me)! I often tell myself it will all make sense in the end! In all situations I am able to rest assured that God is in control but with my Schmutz kids it's hard. My two Schmutz boys struggle the most with being "other-oriented". We are constantly reminding them to think of others because it's not in their nature. I question how this could be God's plan when it goes against what we're commanded to do, which is love God and love your neighbor as yourself. I know we're not supposed to talk religion on this board, so forgive me, but teaching my boys to "love their neighbor" is hard! They are nice and obey the rules but they don't see a need in others and run to help them! On a bright note, maybe some of this is sinking in (after 17 years) because we were eating at my mom's last night during a tornado warning and my dad said "I should have tied the umbrella down." My DS17 (splashed with aspergers and swimming in the pool of ADD) got up and said "I'll do it for you!" My DH and I about died!!! Usually he will help when asked but never as is own idea! There is hope yet!!!

I hope everyone has a good day in Schmolland! Thanks to you all, I'm encouraged and plan to feel "failure free" today no matter what happens!

IWRBND...you've got one ROUGH Diva treatment plan! Don't feel to bad about missing the last day of camp. It went to "you know where" in a handbasket! It started out great. Then they announced that the parent's brunch would be dismissed 1 1/2 hours early and that we could go to the classrooms and see our Schmutches receive their certificates and watch a slideshow of all the pics taken throughout the week. This part was OK. But then......I began to realize....(oh did I forget to mention this was supposed to be a "splash day"?)....that DS was not yet wet! It began to quickly sink in that WE, the poor parents of Schmolland would be responsible for taking our own kids outside to participate in the splashing festivities. Mind you, it was mostly moms who were trying to keep up w/ up to three and four kids at what I will now call a Wet Schmolland Free For All!!!!!! It was horrible! There were 2, yes only 2 small wading pools, 2, slip-n-slides (small size) and one of those silly hoses w/the sprayers attached that go all kinds of crazy ways. This was for all of the camp kids.....at the same time! What in the world were they thinking! There were 3 years olds up to around 18 year olds all mixed together with only the above listed activities! Does anyone else see this through my eyes? My schmutz was standing in a pool with his back turned away from the kids who had now taken hold of the crazy sprayer and were spraying the other kids in the face! My DS began to cry. My NT/DS7 found me and with trembling lips and choking back tears himself let me know he wanted no part of this water day! Schmutch boy was knocked over no less than 3 times by HUGE schmutches running and jumping into the pools w/him! Where was the supervision you ask? Your guess is as good as mine! I looked up at one point and there was one teen schmutch, approximately 180-200 pounds, naked...yes completely naked and everything was eye level to the younger schmutches! I nearly had a heart attack, stroke, seizure and a good old fashioned duck fit! Don't flame yet, I understand that he was severe and could not help it. My upset-ness was directed at the genius who came up with the plan to keep these kids seperated by age...ALL week, then just turn on a hose and cut them all loose! I thought they were going to just let each age group go out for a determined length of time during normal camp time. If I had known, I never would have exposed either of my kids to such a thing! Luckily, there were inflatable jumping things set up in the gym and a nice mom took my NT/DS inside to play. Schmutch melted down when I removed him from the pool, where he was miserable anyway. Now they're serving lunch.....good! This will help put things back on track. Lunch is served in the gym...this is good. There is a basketball goal in there w/a screen behind the goal, unknown by me this was to protect the huge double doors leading to a second parking lot! Which my DS bolted and found. My friend chased him and found him in the parking lot. You would think that a camp that has been so intuned to the needs of kids/and parents of autism that they would secure the doors. My friend and I nearly had breakdowns before this day was over! At least camp staff were blocking the OTHER set of doors. Add in one episode w/a rude parent and VOILA! KFK's final day at camp! I feel like Mrs. Kravitz (the lady on Bewitched who always had a "sick headache")! Felt a little like screaming "AAABBBBNNNNEEERRR" myself!
I am sooooo... sorry this is so long, just had to vent! Vent, don't flame! My new motto!

IWRBND....I'm glad you were encouraged by my previous post....hope this doesn't spoil it! I don't mind God talk, in fact, I personally welcome it. What kind of a rule is that anyway? Nobody's forcing anything on anybody else, just sharing life stories! For many of us that's just who we are and there is no seperating that part of our lives from the rest. Be glad all the kids are at YOUR house....at least you'll always know where your kids are! Great news about your DS, a willingness to help! AWESOME!

iwrnd---Thanks so much. Everyone who knew them is in a state of shock. I'm just looking at my husband and son and thinking how much I love them and how lucky I am.

Oh toodycat! I'm so sorry about your friends husband! You're right, sometimes we need a little perspective to help us appreciate what we have. Someone else always has it tougher. I'm gonna say an extra I love you to my hubby and kids tomorrow!

 

[BreTyPres87]

Daisy&Max I can't imagine teaching to begin with.. after a very busy day of chaperoning my NT son's class for a field trip .... but teaching children with specific needs linked to autism and then having your own child just seems like such a stresser, I agree about asking for a possible transfer and if its not possible getting some additional training

Toodycat i'm sorry to hear about your friend's husband

reading about all this eating put me at ease because my son is the eater of any and everything--elmer's glue has been the snack of the day , every class has a kid who eats glue... that one's mine!!

I just started reading "The Autism mom's survival guide" has anyone read it? I thought it was going to be more of a guide and less of a novel type (2 active boys do I really look like I have the time to sit and read a novel ) but maybe it'll get better

 

[iwrbnd]

Kampfirekim, sounds like your diva day was worse than mine! Sorry your last day wasn't as good as the others! I don't know what the camp was thinking throwing all those kids in together! I would be screaming "AAABBBNNNEEERRR" too! Thanks to another one of your great stories I now have the image of the children's eye level view of the naked camper in my mind!Which is worse, the slide or this?Your life is never dull, is it?

BreTyPres87, I haven't read that book so let us know if it's good. I also don't have time for a novel. My DS17 psychiatrist did recommend a book called The Explosive Child and it was excellent! Very eye opening to me and helped me see my son's behavior in a whole new way. The stories in the book were way worse than what I deal with but the behavioral explanations were relevant to us. It went on the assumption that all children want to do well and when they don't there is a developmental break somewhere. It helped you identify where the break was and what you could do to help. I could see that some of my son's behaviors that seemed like he was just being a *%#* were actually a developmental delay. The other basis of the book was that typical discipline (sticker charts/rewards/punishments) don't usually work on ASD children and goes through specific ways of handling situations. It was really good and helped me A LOT. In fact, I think I need to read it again!

Have a good Saturday everyone!

 

[kampfirekim]

Kampfirekim, sounds like your diva day was worse than mine! Sorry your last day wasn't as good as the others! I don't know what the camp was thinking throwing all those kids in together! I would be screaming "AAABBBNNNEEERRR" too! Thanks to another one of your great stories I now have the image of the children's eye level view of the naked camper in my mind!Which is worse, the slide or this?Your life is never dull, is it?

My DS17 psychiatrist did recommend a book called The Explosive Child and it was excellent! Very eye opening to me and helped me see my son's behavior in a whole new way. The stories in the book were way worse than what I deal with but the behavioral explanations were relevant to us. It went on the assumption that all children want to do well and when they don't there is a developmental break somewhere. It helped you identify where the break was and what you could do to help. I could see that some of my son's behaviors that seemed like he was just being a *%#* were actually a developmental delay. The other basis of the book was that typical discipline (sticker charts/rewards/punishments) don't usually work on ASD children and goes through specific ways of handling situations. It was really good and helped me A LOT. In fact, I think I need to read it again!

Have a good Saturday everyone!

Yes, yesterday was a double doozy! I think from now on instead of running naked and screaming in the streets of Schmolland, I will simply scream "AAABBBNNNNEEERRR! I HAVE A SICK HEADACHE!" After witnessing nudity in Schmolland, I want to be part of the solution...NOT part of the problem! Sorry the image has been burned into your mind. To answer your question.....The Episode of the Naked Camper in Schmolland was definitely worse, def fer sure! The Episode of the Giant Skid Mark doesn't even compare. To answer your second question....NO, NEVER DULL! NEVER, EVER, EVER DULL! In fact a friend wrote on my FB wall the other day..."So what do you do for excitement?!"

Thank you for the book recommendation! I'm gonna look for that one. It sounds like a great resource. I think it will help me now and prepare me for the future. It actually sounds a lot like some of the things our Psychologist told us. We had to stop our sessions due to funds. Insurance just didn't cover enough for us to continue and we have found other sources of support, but this book sounds worthy of a read through!

 

[BreTyPres87]

I'm going to check that one out!! Thanks iwrbnd
I want a book with big letters and colors and short sentences, is that a "Autism parenting for preschoolers" thats about all my brain could handle

 

[kampfirekim]

I'm going to check that one out!! Thanks iwrbnd
I want a book with big letters and colors and short sentences, is that a "Autism parenting for preschoolers" thats about all my brain could handle

AGREED! MAYBE IT SHOULD BE CALLED "AUTISM PARENTING FOR DUMMIES"! DON'T FORGET WE NEED ILLUSTRATIONS TOO. SOMETIMES ALL I CAN STAND TO DO IS LOOK AT THE PICTURES. PERHAPS THE ILLUSTRATED VERSION COULD BE CALLED "PECS FOR PARENTS".

 

[toodycat]

KFK yesterday was a double doozy! I think from now on instead of running naked and screaming in the streets of Schmolland, I will simply scream "AAABBBNNNNEEERRR! I HAVE A SICK HEADACHE!" After witnessing nudity in Schmolland, I want to be part of the solution...NOT part of the problem! Sorry the image has been burned into your mind. To answer your question.....The Episode of the Naked Camper in Schmolland was definitely worse, def fer sure! The Episode of the Giant Skid Mark doesn't even compare. To answer your second question....NO, NEVER DULL! NEVER, EVER, EVER DULL! In fact a friend wrote on my FB wall the other day..."So what do you do for excitement?!" Your recounting of this story was too, too funny, though I bet it was mortifying at the time. I can't imagine who designed that water activity or what the heck they were thinking.

I've been caring for my friend who just lost her husband and helping DS study for the global history assessment all weekend. Does anyone else's kid have a way of picking the correct answer without being able to explain what the question means? DS got 48/50 and 49/50 on the practice multiple choice---essays are another story---but I don't know how he does it. If you ask him to explain how he got the answer, he can't always do it and sometimes he brings up logic that led him to the right answer, but it is flawed. I guess if he passes the assessment, I don't really care how he does it, but I just wonder if he really knows the answer receptively, but because of his expressive issues, can't verbalize it correctly.

 

[kampfirekim]

KFK yesterday was a double doozy! I think from now on instead of running naked and screaming in the streets of Schmolland, I will simply scream "AAABBBNNNNEEERRR! I HAVE A SICK HEADACHE!" After witnessing nudity in Schmolland, I want to be part of the solution...NOT part of the problem! Sorry the image has been burned into your mind. To answer your question.....The Episode of the Naked Camper in Schmolland was definitely worse, def fer sure! The Episode of the Giant Skid Mark doesn't even compare. To answer your second question....NO, NEVER DULL! NEVER, EVER, EVER DULL! In fact a friend wrote on my FB wall the other day..."So what do you do for excitement?!"

Your recounting of this story was too, too funny, though I bet it was mortifying at the time. I can't imagine who designed that water activity or what the heck they were thinking.

I've been caring for my friend who just lost her husband and helping DS study for the global history assessment all weekend. Does anyone else's kid have a way of picking the correct answer without being able to explain what the question means? DS got 48/50 and 49/50 on the practice multiple choice---essays are another story---but I don't know how he does it. If you ask him to explain how he got the answer, he can't always do it and sometimes he brings up logic that led him to the right answer, but it is flawed. I guess if he passes the assessment, I don't really care how he does it, but I just wonder if he really knows the answer receptively, but because of his expressive issues, can't verbalize it correctly.

You are right toodycat, it was mortifying, horrifying and any other ifying you can think of ! I am normally calm, cool and collected in most any situation....but THAT episode nearly put me over the edge! I wasn't the only one either. I got an e-mail from the camp coordinator asking for input....she just might get more than she bargained for regarding that day!

How is your friend doing? I can't imaging the pain she is going through. It's gotta be tough on you as well seeing her hurt so deeply. Your friend and your family will be in my prayers tonight.

I don't think I'd stress over how your son gets the answers right. If he's answering correctly w/out cheating, I'd just be thankful that somehow in his Schmollish sort of way he's getting it. It may very well be that he just can't quite find the right way to express his methods. My NT/DS7 can do that too, especially in math. He will give a correct answer and then his process makes no sense to me...Go figure. I just let it be. . (I don't think he actually got splashed in the pool of Schmolland, but sometimes I think a little mist might have got him.)

 

[Daisy&Max]

Hey gang,

Thanks for all the good thoughts the other day when I was freaking out about next school year. I'm still not sure how I'm going to deal with it, but I'm not as skeered as I was last week. I was talking to my mom about it and she told me that I've read enough and know enough of what to do and that it is just a matter of keeping my emotions in check and not getting so frustrated when things don't go like I want them to. So I just need to work on me and everything should work out!

We had a good weekend. I took the older scmutch on a field trip on friday and I was able to stand back and let him be himself without me trying to correct him. His teacher promised that she would yank me up short and let him be. Everytime the docent would ask a question my kid would want to answer and when they would call on him he would have this lengthy answer that may or may not have answered the question. I would want to shut him up so he didn't look foolish but the teachers said that he does this all the time and that the kids just ignore it and don't think twice about how he is. They have gotten used to him and his "quirkiness".

We were supposed to ride big charter buses (like ME) to the site but J had been sick the day before and so that night before he started showing severe anxiety about the trip. "what if I get sick on the bus? What if I can't stop and go to the bathroom?" etc etc. So I emailed the teacher and asked if he could ride with me since he was showing so much anxiety. The next morning they gave me the go ahead but said to keep it on the DL because they had said no kids could ride with parents.

I'm so glad he rode with me because all the way there he kept asking where his teacher was (she also drove herself), where the buses were, would the bus make it through the tunnel, would we be on time...etc etc. I had to keep reminding him that everything would be just fine. If we had been on the bus it would have been a nightmare!

Oh and his buddy on the trip the teachers told me that got along well with J because he is undiagnosed quirky. So they are quite the pair. Overall we had a good day. I did catch myself at one time about to stop him from walking in circles but then I realized he probably needed that so I left him. So we both survived, but by the time we got home he was sick again and so he couldn't go to the baseball game we were going to that night.

So I took little scmutch with me. He behaved more like he had been splashed. Other than his adhd meds had worn off and he was fidgeting like a crazy person. But he had a good time.

So I'm starting the last week of school relaxed and not worried. We'll see how long that lasts!

Have a great Monday gang,

Daisy

 

[iwrbnd]

We really need to have a Schmolland dictionary! I love some of the phrases you all come up with like "getting misted" instead of splashed or "undiagnosed quirky"! Those are GREAT!!!

Daisy&Max, I'm glad your field trip went well and you stuck to your intuition on taking your son with you in the car!

Toodycat, your son sounds like my Schmutz DS11. He LOVES math and the school says he's "exceptional". He made the math team and is in an advanced math class, however, on the state standardized test his score was in the average range. I was confused until at his IEP mtg they said all the ones he missed were when he had to explain how he got the answer. His answers were actually right he just couldn't explain it. I don't know if this is because he really doesn't know or if it's a language thing. I think it's a language thing since that's where he struggles, especially in writing.

Our school didn't seem concerned about it so I let it go. If he gets the right answer that's good enough for us!

Why is it that Schmutz kids love math so much?

 

[mommatomase]

Hi everyone,
Sorry I have been MIA but end of year and summer have cut into my 'puter time...

The 14 year old I told you about with cancer has completed 8 intensive chemo treatments in six days... needless to say he is VERY sick! Please keep prayers coming!

Am reading a new book called, "Parenting Your Asperger Child" by Alan Sohn and Cathy Grayson. It is Cognitive Social Integration Therapy... so far it is very interesting... lots of work... but... what Aspie is not lots of work?? The end result sounds promising for social issues...

I just have to share my new favorite song... "Smile" by Uncle Kracker... it is soooo my song for Mase... he may drive me nuts but this song says it all!

Have a great day ladies and if I am MIA again....... I'll shall return and try to keep up!!!

Hugs all around!

 

[iwrbnd]

I'll have to check out that song and book! I know a song called "I smile" by Russ Lee. I made a video to my daughter's 3rd year to it.

 

[BreTyPres87]

mommatomase --- Prayers for the little boy with cancer

I remember that Uncle Kracker song or at least the name I have to go google it to see how it went again!

 

[Daisy&Max]

MTM...good thoughts for that little boy. That isn't fair for a child to be that sick.

I love that Uncle Kracker song.

I found my Tony Attwood book today. I had lost it and then couldn't figure out what I had done with it. I thought I had loaned it out but today when I was packing some books in my classroom I found it. So my TA and I are going to begin reading more on Autism and get ourselves prepped for next year.

Only 4 more days of school and then the next week J has scout day camp. I'm trusting him to people I don't know so that will be an interesting thing. I'm hoping that he appears only splashed. But I'll be only a phone call away and about 15 minutes if they need me.


KFK...I'd have been really upset with the nekkid people running around in front of my kids.

I don't know much else. So have a great night everyone.

Daisy

 

[kampfirekim]

Daisy&Max: Sounds like overall the field trip went well. That's great news. It is soooo hard to just step back and let them be themselves sometimes. I have been try to get a friend of mine to do the same. Since her DS is a little less dunked in the pool and appears much more typical than my DS she tends to worry over the "quirks" a little more than I do. She has to worry more over helping him fit into typical situations....I have to worry about keeping my DS from escaping, bolting or consuming something toxic! Basically just keeping him alive and in once piece consumes nearly every waking minute. .......and trying to balance "misted NT DS7" while staying sane in the process.

Mommatomase: Glad to hear from you. Please make sure you pop in every once in a while to keep us updated. I prayed for the little fellow after reading your post.

I will be away for a few days on a camping trip. Hope everything goes well! I'll miss my Dis-Schmutz family!

 

[Daisy&Max]

Daisy&Max: Sounds like overall the field trip went well. That's great news. It is soooo hard to just step back and let them be themselves sometimes. I have been try to get a friend of mine to do the same. Since her DS is a little less dunked in the pool and appears much more typical than my DS she tends to worry over the "quirks" a little more than I do. She has to worry more over helping him fit into typical situations....I have to worry about keeping my DS from escaping, bolting or consuming something toxic! Basically just keeping him alive and in once piece consumes nearly every waking minute. .......and trying to balance "misted NT DS7" while staying sane in the process.

Mommatomase: Glad to hear from you. Please make sure you pop in every once in a while to keep us updated. I prayed for the little fellow after reading your post.

I will be away for a few days on a camping trip. Hope everything goes well! I'll miss my Dis-Schmutz family!

KFK...this is me. I work so hard to make them seem "normal". It makes me sad when I notice the other kids acting differently around my boys. My guys might not notice they differences but other kids do and then I notice them. Last year his best friend (his girlfriend I might add) wrote in his year book. "J I hope next year you don't pick your nose." I was and he just looked at me like I tried to explain to him that this is why I had been telling him for years to stop it. He didn't get really upset by it, he just shrugged it off. But as I sit here thinking about it, I do have to admit that I think the digging has decreased out in public. Bed time is a bloody nose at least once a month.

KFK have fun camping. I hate camping. Its my idea of hell.

I bought my littlest shmutch a bike last night, complete with training wheels and I swear he's the only kid in the world who can fall off of a bike with 4 wheels! LOL I make a terrible dad. i'm no good at teaching this bike thing. I think he should just know how to do it.

Well, off to scouts. Another fun day here.

have a great evening all!

Daisy

 

[toodycat]

Daisy&Max---You're lucky. My guy (16) still can't ride a bike. It's not so much a question of ability. We live on a huge hill and have to go elsewhere to practice. When he was younger, we were so consumed with therapies that there was never time. It is extremely likely that DS will get his driver's license and learn cycling at the same time. Just for a touch more irony, DH LOVES bicycling and cycles many miles every weekend. DS isn't really interested, though.

DS did not leave the global history exam feeling too confident. Two of his teachers have already confirmed that the test was unusually tough, particularly if one had any sort of language deficit. I'm keeping my fingers crossed, but making a contingency plan for him to re-take the exam in August if he must. DS was really funny when I dropped him off to take the test. I told him to kick the exam's a** in a French accent, like the female lead in the John Cusack comedy "Better Off Dead." DS didn't like my imitation, looked at me deadpan and said, "I'm going to get out of this car now and we will never speak of this moment again." LOL!

Went to the funeral of my friend's husband today. I'm trying not to say that I've had a "tough day" ever again. A tough day is burying your 46 year old husband with your 7 month old in your arms. I'm going to try to feel nothing but lucky and blessed from now on.

 

[melissa37]

Went to the funeral of my friend's husband today. I'm trying not to say that I've had a "tough day" ever again. A tough day is burying your 46 year old husband with your 7 month old in your arms. I'm going to try to feel nothing but lucky and blessed from now on.

Toodycat - I am praying for you and your friend. This brings back bad memories when I was in your friend's position almost 3 years ago, except I had 3 and 5yr olds. I'm so glad she has the baby, that will get her out of bed on many mornings when all she wants to do is pull the covers over her head. I'm glad to hear that you are so close, it's wonderful to have friends who you can lean on in the days, weeks and months to come; she's really going to need you.

 

[kampfirekim]

KFK...this is me. I work so hard to make them seem "normal". It makes me sad when I notice the other kids acting differently around my boys. My guys might not notice they differences but other kids do and then I notice them. Last year his best friend (his girlfriend I might add) wrote in his year book. "J I hope next year you don't pick your nose." I was and he just looked at me like I tried to explain to him that this is why I had been telling him for years to stop it. He didn't get really upset by it, he just shrugged it off. But as I sit here thinking about it, I do have to admit that I think the digging has decreased out in public. Bed time is a bloody nose at least once a month.

KFK have fun camping. I hate camping. Its my idea of hell.

I bought my littlest shmutch a bike last night, complete with training wheels and I swear he's the only kid in the world who can fall off of a bike with 4 wheels! LOL I make a terrible dad. i'm no good at teaching this bike thing. I think he should just know how to do it.

Well, off to scouts. Another fun day here.

have a great evening all!

Daisy

OK Daisy&Max, you're gonna have to clear something up for me. Are you Daisy or Max? All this time I've been assuming you were Daisy (mom) and not Max (dad), or could you be Daisy (dad). or even Max (mom)? OR was the "lousy dad" comment a joke? I've not been home long from camping and I'm just not sure.

Don't feel too bad about the booger picking or the bike riding, my NT/DS7 still has training wheels and still picks his nose (to our horror!). While we have a large back yard, it is not level enough for a beginner biker. DS thinks it is hilarious when his back tire hits a low spot and just spins in place as he pedals! As far as a bike and our little schmutcharoo....... We are on a waiting list for one of those OT trikes that are pedaled using feet and hands. He still doesn't quite have the motor skills for reciprocal movement using his feet only.

BTW...our first day camping was not quite hell, but it was at least in the suburbs! Booked the wrong site. Left the TV&converter box remotes (they cannot be controlled without them). Whiney kids b/cause of the no TV idea. Started raining. KFK and DH fighting. Did I mention whiney kids? DH went back home to retrieve the remotes (we live near enough to be worth it). This leaves me alone w/ DS7 and DS5-schmutcharoo and a lake......a great big lake! I decide that since it's raining we'd sit under the awning and wait on DH's return. The rain stopped so I decided to take a couple of pics of the scenery. Mistake! Schmutcher found his moment. He "like a bolt out of the blue", is running down the hill over a very rugged patch of terrain headed for the water. I am running and screaming, "Don't you go any further....stop right now! Don't you dare go in that water!" He went in the water so I continue to scream and chase, "Don't you go any deeper, Stop right there!" Still chasing...I am now up to my waist in disgusting lake water with disgusting mud squishing between my toes and all I could think about other than a drowning schmutch was snakes! My second worst nightmare! When DS was caught he was snatched from the water and dragged to the shore. Now I am mad! NO FLAMING PLEASE AT WHAT I AM ABOUT TO REVEAL. I then snatched his shorts down to his knees and gave him a good old fashioned butt whoopin'! Then I marched him back up the hill to the camper and put him in time out. OK, now we've all calmed down, I didn't actually have a heart attack, stroke or nervous breakdown, so I decide to occupy the kiddos w/bubbles. Did I mention the biting flies that must have been nursing because that's the only place they tried to bite me, and ONLY me.
DS kept looking at the lake as if he was thinking about taking another crack at it, but I gave him "the look" and very sternly said "no, sir". He lowered his head and abandoned the idea. Good decision.

Now I'm tired of being in wet clothes, so we all went inside to change. With wet clothing all over the floor, DH has arrived back at the camper. With the wrong remotes. More whining kids, more arguing. Everything settles down again. A little a/c was proving to cool things off and the cold sodas didn't hurt either. Add in a little dinner and we were all getting along again! Life was once again good in the land.

Next day nearly the entire KFK clan, including kampfiregranny83, arrived for swimmin' (in the designated swimming area of course), fishin' and cookin' out! A great day was had by all. The trip has been saved by a new day! (There's your proof that God's mercies are new every morning!) BTW, I loved having no TV for a couple of days!

Once again never dull!!!!!!!

Daisy&Max---You're lucky. My guy (16) still can't ride a bike. It's not so much a question of ability. We live on a huge hill and have to go elsewhere to practice. When he was younger, we were so consumed with therapies that there was never time. It is extremely likely that DS will get his driver's license and learn cycling at the same time. Just for a touch more irony, DH LOVES bicycling and cycles many miles every weekend. DS isn't really interested, though.

DS did not leave the global history exam feeling too confident. Two of his teachers have already confirmed that the test was unusually tough, particularly if one had any sort of language deficit. I'm keeping my fingers crossed, but making a contingency plan for him to re-take the exam in August if he must. DS was really funny when I dropped him off to take the test. I told him to kick the exam's a** in a French accent, like the female lead in the John Cusack comedy "Better Off Dead." DS didn't like my imitation, looked at me deadpan and said, "I'm going to get out of this car now and we will never speak of this moment again." LOL!

Went to the funeral of my friend's husband today. I'm trying not to say that I've had a "tough day" ever again. A tough day is burying your 46 year old husband with your 7 month old in your arms. I'm going to try to feel nothing but lucky and blessed from now on.

I understand about therapy consuming so much time. Sometimes I just wish I could skip all therapy during the summer! I LOVE the deadpan comment "I'm going to get out of this car now and we will never speak of this moment again." LOL! That is hilarious!

You're friend is fortunate to have you to lean on. Burying a loved one is BEYOND a tough day! We are lucky and blessed indeed, but don't beat yourself up when you do have a difficult day. Raising a spec/needs child is not easy, it's not as hard as losing a loved one, but it is still tough. Don't feel guilty about those feelings. You and your friend are still in my thoughts and prayers.

 

[toodycat]

Hi, everyone. DS came home from the geometry state assessment and said the last problem was difficult, but otherwise he felt OK about it. I hope he's right. He's not always great at gauging his own success. Next up, earth science on Tuesday and after that, DMV for his learner's permit! The boy says he wants my Jeep because it is large and has a back-up camera. His uncle offered to sell us his nearly brand new two door black Honda Accord coupe which is far cuter than my SUV, but DS says a black car will "absorb too much heat."

Melissa37--My heart goes out to you. My friend is doing a little better today. At least she says she has enough energy to be going through the paperwork and starting to work on insurance issues. I told her that I will call every day and she should come here once a week for dinner infinitely and bring the baby. (A friend is giving me a high chair.) I want her to feel like she's got a standing date to get out of the house. Also, since she tends towards depression anyway, I want to keep an eye on how she's doing emotionally. We're teachers and she won't be back at work until September, so I want to make sure she has a little bit of a routine in place. I feel so awful for her.