Rain

We're being barraged here by rain. It's nice to have some, since we've had drought for the last several years running, and no real hurricanes up the coast to bring water. The run-off is far worse than before- al the new asphalt and house seed- but hopefully some of it will get to the aquafers. One can hope.

So a week after an exciting beach weekend, the boys spend Mom's Day Weekend stuck in the house. It's been chilly rain, so going out in it is a definite no. Besides, there are echoes of coughs haunting the night here. Just what we'd need is full-blown spring colds.

We are also entering IEP season here. Well, when it rains, it pours, right? I ran into school to have a quick "pre-IEP meeting" with Joey's teacher, so that she's be aware of things we are concerned about. I think she's learned quick that I do not like surprises at IEP meetings. It was an interesting chat, partly because we were trying to figure out what the school OT could possibly do given her limited skills set, and partly because I got another glimpse of the kinds of things he does at school that he doesn't do for me. Like get his shoes and socks on. Make choices. Voice favorites.

I am looking forward to Joey spending more time in an inclusion room, even for just the more focused activities like reading groups and math circles. We're going to start him in there with the reading group, and then add the math around Christmas. I think we're looking for lots of expressive speech goals, attending goals, social skills, and sensory self-regulation. Things to make him successful in school, and in getting on in the world.

In the meantime, a house has come available down the street that has a basement apartment and a mother-in-law house. Its a bit out of range for us right now, but I thought I might take a peek anyway. Just in case. One must think of possible futures, and with Joey's severe communication issues, we may need the space for him in the long term.