Friday, January 01, 2010
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Saturday, December 26, 2009
As Far As it Gets
We're as far from Christmas as we can ever be. Hope you had a good holiday, we certainly did.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Happy Birthday to Me!
I will be spending the day avoiding the Birthday Bird- a story I shall one day share with you guys. Let's just say, this is my Bad Luck Day. Yay, me.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Out Into the World
Well, folks, we emerged from the Snowpocalypse today, little worse for the wear. we were not amused to find our town sucks at clearing roads, while just across the bridge, the arteries are clear and beautiful. We had speech this morning at 9; I left plenty of time, and we did so well, we got to stop and have Second Breakfast before the appointment.
Then, since were out of my driveway and actually in the world, we decided to kick butt and take names with errands.
We did some stuff for my mom at her office. We got folks paid who needed to be paid. We got the holiday cards in the mail (will yours reach you by Christmas? No idea. But Merry Christmas anyway. I feel fortunate I got to write them at all this year). We picked up a few things at the grocery. I even took the boys to lunch!
And what a lunch it was! It is our favorite little place to take the boys, so we had a lovely time. The boys actually got up, got plates, served themselves food, and sat down. By themselves. Without any peeps for help from a mom. It was kinda weird, actually. And when they wanted more food? They got up and got it.
My babies are all growed up.
After such success, we went home and made snowmen and watched movies and ate popcorn and drank hot chocolate and stuff. because that's what you do when it's day 3 of the Snowpocalypse: you just sit back and enjoy the snow.
Then, since were out of my driveway and actually in the world, we decided to kick butt and take names with errands.
We did some stuff for my mom at her office. We got folks paid who needed to be paid. We got the holiday cards in the mail (will yours reach you by Christmas? No idea. But Merry Christmas anyway. I feel fortunate I got to write them at all this year). We picked up a few things at the grocery. I even took the boys to lunch!
And what a lunch it was! It is our favorite little place to take the boys, so we had a lovely time. The boys actually got up, got plates, served themselves food, and sat down. By themselves. Without any peeps for help from a mom. It was kinda weird, actually. And when they wanted more food? They got up and got it.
My babies are all growed up.
After such success, we went home and made snowmen and watched movies and ate popcorn and drank hot chocolate and stuff. because that's what you do when it's day 3 of the Snowpocalypse: you just sit back and enjoy the snow.
Monday, December 21, 2009
The semester is officially done.
Yes! Yes! I have turned in the grades, and Hell Semester is officially over! Now I can get back to the good stuff: Christmas and blogging. Where has the time gone?
This will probably be another thin posting week, but you never know with me. Hopefully I'll be really, really back to everything after the guys go back to school. But then, I have three classes to revamp (especially in light of Hell Semester 2009).
This will probably be another thin posting week, but you never know with me. Hopefully I'll be really, really back to everything after the guys go back to school. But then, I have three classes to revamp (especially in light of Hell Semester 2009).
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Hey, Look! It Snowed!
Hmmmm. I think it snowed this weekend. This was our Saturday Morning Jaunt into the snow. We lasted about half an hour, because the snow kept blowing into our faces- and coats, boots, mittens, hoods...
This is still the morning venture. By the time we went out for the afternoon, Joey was in snow above his knees to go down the sidewalk. He got snow in his boots, which made him very unhappy. But the morning for him was OK.
Boys exploring a winter wonderland like they have never seen.
We got about 18 inches, maybe 20. It hasn't snowed like this here in a while. It was the fluffy stuff, too cold to pack- maybe tomorrow the sun will hit it enough to be able to make snowmen. Or something. Virginia usually gets wetter snow, so the depth is a little deceptive. Rule of thumb is that wet snow is half as deep as dry snow for the same about of water. So this storm would have been 9-10 inches or normal Virginia snow. That would still have been major (in my opinion, more major, as wet snow is heavier to shovel and doesn't blow or sweep as well as dry snow). This was an awesome storm. Think the whole winter will be like this? Spring semester will be a disaster!
Friday, December 18, 2009
It's snowing.
Joey pops his little head down the stairs. He's supposed to be in bed, but hey, its officially Christmas Break! There's a big, lit tree in the front hall, ornaments everywhere, excitement abounds! And now we're being hit with a lovely snowstorm!
"It's snowing!" he announces gleefully. He hops down the stairs.
"Whatcha doin', Buddy?" we inquire, the cue to tell us if something is wrong.
"I want kisses!" he informs us. "Two!"
Happy Snow Day.
"It's snowing!" he announces gleefully. He hops down the stairs.
"Whatcha doin', Buddy?" we inquire, the cue to tell us if something is wrong.
"I want kisses!" he informs us. "Two!"
Happy Snow Day.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Why I Love the Child Across the Street
Coming off the bus, his first question is always, "Can I play with Joey and Andy today?"
"Sure," I usually reply. Andy gets off the another bus, because the friend is slightly older, but he and Andy are quite compatible in terms of energy. Andy likes having someone to run off energy with. We wander over to our house together.
"Where's Joey?" He stops, then says, "oh, I forgot, he's on another bus." That is all there is to that, a statement of fact; his friend is missing, he misses him, he wishes Joey present, but will be patient.
"Let's go outside," he announces; the weather is nice, and he wants to be out in it rather than playing with Andy inside. Besides, my glass is up, so he can't bounce in here. Joey wants to watch the Disney Santa laugh, so he doesn't move. Andy tosses on shoes and coat. "Aren't you coming, Joey?" Joey doesn't respond right away, so the child says, "OK, then," and out he goes; as he reaches the door, Joey finally gets the words out, "I want to watch Santa laugh first. When this is over." The child looks slightly disappointed, but responds with another version of "ok, then."
Andy and the child race up and down the sidewalk with trucks, they are actually playing two different games, but the games mesh nicely. Andy then races off forward, is fussing with a tree; the child glances at our van. He has seen it dozens of times before, but suddenly notices my bumper stickers. He reads them aloud.
"What's autism?" he asks.
"Autism is a different way of thinking, having your brain wired a little differently. It causes kids to have different strengths and weaknesses than people expect. Autistic people often have trouble talking or having a conversation, for example."
"Oh."
"Joey is autistic."
"Yeah." He reads another one. "Autism is not a tragedy, ignorance is a tragedy. What does that mean?"
"It means people often don't understand people with autism, or what autism is, and they think it is a bad thing, or they think autistic people are stupid."
"Joey isn't stupid."
"No, he isn't..."
"He's one of the nicest kids I know!" the tone is one of offense; he is upset that anyone would think badly of Joey. I have seen him struggle with trying to include Joey, trying very hard to play with him, talk with him. I have often wondered what this child thinks of my son, since he has seen Joey react in unexpected ways, answer in unexpected ways, or not react or answer at all. Now there is no doubt, the fierce look, the sharp tone, the grim brow tell me everything. This child finds the idea of JOey being "different" to be perfectly acceptable, and people who think less of Joey as being ignorant.
And he's quite right.
I do love that child. He can bounce through my house anytime he pleases.
"Sure," I usually reply. Andy gets off the another bus, because the friend is slightly older, but he and Andy are quite compatible in terms of energy. Andy likes having someone to run off energy with. We wander over to our house together.
"Where's Joey?" He stops, then says, "oh, I forgot, he's on another bus." That is all there is to that, a statement of fact; his friend is missing, he misses him, he wishes Joey present, but will be patient.
"Let's go outside," he announces; the weather is nice, and he wants to be out in it rather than playing with Andy inside. Besides, my glass is up, so he can't bounce in here. Joey wants to watch the Disney Santa laugh, so he doesn't move. Andy tosses on shoes and coat. "Aren't you coming, Joey?" Joey doesn't respond right away, so the child says, "OK, then," and out he goes; as he reaches the door, Joey finally gets the words out, "I want to watch Santa laugh first. When this is over." The child looks slightly disappointed, but responds with another version of "ok, then."
Andy and the child race up and down the sidewalk with trucks, they are actually playing two different games, but the games mesh nicely. Andy then races off forward, is fussing with a tree; the child glances at our van. He has seen it dozens of times before, but suddenly notices my bumper stickers. He reads them aloud.
"What's autism?" he asks.
"Autism is a different way of thinking, having your brain wired a little differently. It causes kids to have different strengths and weaknesses than people expect. Autistic people often have trouble talking or having a conversation, for example."
"Oh."
"Joey is autistic."
"Yeah." He reads another one. "Autism is not a tragedy, ignorance is a tragedy. What does that mean?"
"It means people often don't understand people with autism, or what autism is, and they think it is a bad thing, or they think autistic people are stupid."
"Joey isn't stupid."
"No, he isn't..."
"He's one of the nicest kids I know!" the tone is one of offense; he is upset that anyone would think badly of Joey. I have seen him struggle with trying to include Joey, trying very hard to play with him, talk with him. I have often wondered what this child thinks of my son, since he has seen Joey react in unexpected ways, answer in unexpected ways, or not react or answer at all. Now there is no doubt, the fierce look, the sharp tone, the grim brow tell me everything. This child finds the idea of JOey being "different" to be perfectly acceptable, and people who think less of Joey as being ignorant.
And he's quite right.
I do love that child. He can bounce through my house anytime he pleases.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Pre-holiday Grabbag
The holidays are upon us.
Santa is working hard to find a large dinosaur, hopefully plastic, articulated, and with a roar, and somewhere in the range of $30. Decorations are going up. Tomorrow's plan: clean the kitchen so I can spent the majority of Tuesday. Wednesday, and Thursday baking. Oh, wait, that would be today's plan. Yes, tis the season for insomnia, too.
Also its the end of the semester. It is much like the huge deadlines faced by folks with real jobs. We all call it Hell Week- no, its not the finals that are the problem. Grading is no problem. The student whining, however, is enough to make your head explode. And this is the time of year when the whining is loudest, and the most useless. It is too late. This year, they went whining not just to me, but to my department chair. There is nothing that feels like a punch of stomach like having the students you have spent the entire semester supporting, giving breaks, coaxing, pleading, pulling out all the stops trying to get them to understand material and perform at the college level complain to your boss that you are "unprofessional." No, wait, how about an email from said boss asking you to "do some soul searching"? It sure makes you feel sorry you have standards. Life would be so much easier if you didn't. Students who get As rarely complain ("getting" and "earning" are two entirely different things).
No, wait, what about realizing you've dropped a ball? I've called the school Joey will be in next year- no, more accurately, I have emailed, as I was told to do that rather than call- three times. The first time I actually got a response from the principal's secretary saying he would call. He never did. The other two messages? No response at all. I should have already been in to see classes, meet teachers, and get the transition process rolling. I should be planning spring IEP now. Instead, I have done nothing, gotten nowhere, and been summarily and consequently ignored. I run the risk of Joey suffering as further consequence. One of those days I planned for baking will likely be swallowed by trying to stand in the office in protest until someone deigns to speak with me. It's a little more important than cookies, don't you think?
I still have holiday cards to send. I haven't even taken a good photo of the boys yet this year. With my computer crash, I lost a bunch of addresses and am still trying to track them down. I pulled out last year's cards, but of course the address I want most is the envelope that is missing.
I need to put together teacher presents. These folks have worked their butts off. Joey's teachers have really done gangbusters for him this year, now that the schedule is settled. This is likely to be the last year to give a present to Mrs. H and Ms. Macy, so I want to have something super-spectacular for them. Joey's speech therapist has been a godsend. Andy's teacher has been nothing short of a miracle.
I ordered some books last month from scholastic. I wonder why I haven't gotten them yet.
The boys have been so good, and got such good report cards, I took them to Charles d'Fromage for dinner. Two ecstatic boys. I signed up for coupons, which made it even better. Andy likes to go up in the tubes, there is a lion cage above where I set up basecamp. It roars when you go in. He can also sit up there and call down to me, and to his brother. Oh, and know when the pizza arrives. It must be a fabulous view. Joey won a bunch of tickets at skeeball, he was so pleased with himself. Yes, nothing like an evening of listening to Chuck and his pals singing classic Christmas carols, like "Big Band Santa" and "The Twelve Days of Chuck E's" .
Two more final exams tomorrow. I already have two who have called in sick. But I got their number. I put up an online version. They can do it nicely from home- where they claim to be as they send me email.
I gotta get these grades done. This semester desperately needs to be over.
Happy holidays!
Santa is working hard to find a large dinosaur, hopefully plastic, articulated, and with a roar, and somewhere in the range of $30. Decorations are going up. Tomorrow's plan: clean the kitchen so I can spent the majority of Tuesday. Wednesday, and Thursday baking. Oh, wait, that would be today's plan. Yes, tis the season for insomnia, too.
Also its the end of the semester. It is much like the huge deadlines faced by folks with real jobs. We all call it Hell Week- no, its not the finals that are the problem. Grading is no problem. The student whining, however, is enough to make your head explode. And this is the time of year when the whining is loudest, and the most useless. It is too late. This year, they went whining not just to me, but to my department chair. There is nothing that feels like a punch of stomach like having the students you have spent the entire semester supporting, giving breaks, coaxing, pleading, pulling out all the stops trying to get them to understand material and perform at the college level complain to your boss that you are "unprofessional." No, wait, how about an email from said boss asking you to "do some soul searching"? It sure makes you feel sorry you have standards. Life would be so much easier if you didn't. Students who get As rarely complain ("getting" and "earning" are two entirely different things).
No, wait, what about realizing you've dropped a ball? I've called the school Joey will be in next year- no, more accurately, I have emailed, as I was told to do that rather than call- three times. The first time I actually got a response from the principal's secretary saying he would call. He never did. The other two messages? No response at all. I should have already been in to see classes, meet teachers, and get the transition process rolling. I should be planning spring IEP now. Instead, I have done nothing, gotten nowhere, and been summarily and consequently ignored. I run the risk of Joey suffering as further consequence. One of those days I planned for baking will likely be swallowed by trying to stand in the office in protest until someone deigns to speak with me. It's a little more important than cookies, don't you think?
I still have holiday cards to send. I haven't even taken a good photo of the boys yet this year. With my computer crash, I lost a bunch of addresses and am still trying to track them down. I pulled out last year's cards, but of course the address I want most is the envelope that is missing.
I need to put together teacher presents. These folks have worked their butts off. Joey's teachers have really done gangbusters for him this year, now that the schedule is settled. This is likely to be the last year to give a present to Mrs. H and Ms. Macy, so I want to have something super-spectacular for them. Joey's speech therapist has been a godsend. Andy's teacher has been nothing short of a miracle.
I ordered some books last month from scholastic. I wonder why I haven't gotten them yet.
The boys have been so good, and got such good report cards, I took them to Charles d'Fromage for dinner. Two ecstatic boys. I signed up for coupons, which made it even better. Andy likes to go up in the tubes, there is a lion cage above where I set up basecamp. It roars when you go in. He can also sit up there and call down to me, and to his brother. Oh, and know when the pizza arrives. It must be a fabulous view. Joey won a bunch of tickets at skeeball, he was so pleased with himself. Yes, nothing like an evening of listening to Chuck and his pals singing classic Christmas carols, like "Big Band Santa" and "The Twelve Days of Chuck E's" .
Two more final exams tomorrow. I already have two who have called in sick. But I got their number. I put up an online version. They can do it nicely from home- where they claim to be as they send me email.
I gotta get these grades done. This semester desperately needs to be over.
Happy holidays!
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Introducing: Godot
Our newest family member, and tankmate: a golden mystery snail. I don't care what the kids decide to name him. To me, he shall be Godot.
Wednesday, December 09, 2009
Wordless Wednesday: Decorating the Cookies
(note that my guys are running about the background of the pic)
Tuesday, December 08, 2009
Is Your Refrigerator Running?
We will know Joey is really on the way to independence when he can really tell a joke. Not the zinger kind (he does that already), but the staged kind, the kind you rehearse and know the lines and deliver. Like a knock-knock joke. Or, as JoeyAndyDad has been working on, the Fridge Joke.
What? Don't know the Fridge Joke? It should go like this:
First Person: RING RING RING!
Second Person: Hello?
First Person: Hello, this is Bob from Bob's appliance repair! Is your refrigerator running?
Second Person: Well, yes, it is.
First Person: Then you'd better catch it!
Hahaha.
This is what it sounds like in our house:
Joey: RING RING! Hello!
JoeyAndyDad: I'm supposed to say hello. Hello!
Joey: Do you have a refrigerator?
JoeyAndyDad: Um... Yeah.
Joey: HAHAHA!
Andy: RING RING RING!
JoeyAndyDad: Hello?
Andy: Do you have some cash?
JoeyAndyDad: Um... I could use some. Do you have some?
Andy: Yes! And a refrigerator! I will buy you one!
JoeyAndyDad: Cash and a free refrigerator! I'm all about that!
JoeyAndyDad: RING RING RING!
Joey: Hello, Daddy!
JoeyAndyDad: This is Al from Al's appliance repair. Is your refrigerator running?
Joey: HAHAHAHA!
But it's coming along. At least they get the idea that something funny is supposed to be happening, and we can all laugh. Laughing is good. We'll take plenty of laughing.
What? Don't know the Fridge Joke? It should go like this:
First Person: RING RING RING!
Second Person: Hello?
First Person: Hello, this is Bob from Bob's appliance repair! Is your refrigerator running?
Second Person: Well, yes, it is.
First Person: Then you'd better catch it!
Hahaha.
This is what it sounds like in our house:
Joey: RING RING! Hello!
JoeyAndyDad: I'm supposed to say hello. Hello!
Joey: Do you have a refrigerator?
JoeyAndyDad: Um... Yeah.
Joey: HAHAHA!
Andy: RING RING RING!
JoeyAndyDad: Hello?
Andy: Do you have some cash?
JoeyAndyDad: Um... I could use some. Do you have some?
Andy: Yes! And a refrigerator! I will buy you one!
JoeyAndyDad: Cash and a free refrigerator! I'm all about that!
JoeyAndyDad: RING RING RING!
Joey: Hello, Daddy!
JoeyAndyDad: This is Al from Al's appliance repair. Is your refrigerator running?
Joey: HAHAHAHA!
But it's coming along. At least they get the idea that something funny is supposed to be happening, and we can all laugh. Laughing is good. We'll take plenty of laughing.
Sunday, December 06, 2009
For My Mom
Was it last year, or the year before? It must have been last year, Andy was in school. Mom called me, all excited- she was driving down the road, when she saw the Budweiser truck parked at a local farm. And lo and behold, there were the Clydesdales! 
And the next day, they were still there, so we were driving down the road and Mom says, "There they are! There they are!" and we stopped. All I had with me was my cell phone, and I had no idea how to take pictures with it. So I poked buttons until it looked like I was taking pictures. 
It was amazing how many folks were just driving by. We were the only ones who stopped. I hope they don't mind us taking pictures, but they are just so gorgeous. 
And then, I had no idea how to get the pictures off me phone, or what quality they would be. But now, I have persevered, and present to you: the Budweiser Clydesdales, resting on a farm in Virginia. 
Wednesday, December 02, 2009
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Overheard at our house II
"Andy, stop! You're scaring my skeleton!"
"Once upon a time, there was a dinosaur and a ghost. And the ghost sneaked up on the dinosaur. So the dinosaur ate him."
"I'm going to let Daddy sleep for EIGHTy HOUrs!" (We wish)
"I’m made of yucky stuff."
"No, you’re made of snips and snails and puppy-dog tails- that’s what little boys are made of!"
"NO! Half of mommy and half of daddy! That’s what boys are made of!"
"Clams do not have heads."
"Ok, Joe!"
"His name isn't 'Joe.' It's Joe-Y."
"Yes, but I call him 'Joe', too. Maybe should ask what Joey likes to be called. Joey, dear, do you prefer 'Joe', or 'Joey', or 'Joseph' best?"
"Urmmm...I like them all."
"Oh, good. What about you, Andy? Do you prefer 'Andy' or 'Andrew'?"
"Panda!"
"Once upon a time, there was a dinosaur and a ghost. And the ghost sneaked up on the dinosaur. So the dinosaur ate him."
"I'm going to let Daddy sleep for EIGHTy HOUrs!" (We wish)
"I’m made of yucky stuff."
"No, you’re made of snips and snails and puppy-dog tails- that’s what little boys are made of!"
"NO! Half of mommy and half of daddy! That’s what boys are made of!"
"Clams do not have heads."
"Ok, Joe!"
"His name isn't 'Joe.' It's Joe-Y."
"Yes, but I call him 'Joe', too. Maybe should ask what Joey likes to be called. Joey, dear, do you prefer 'Joe', or 'Joey', or 'Joseph' best?"
"Urmmm...I like them all."
"Oh, good. What about you, Andy? Do you prefer 'Andy' or 'Andrew'?"
"Panda!"
Friday, November 27, 2009
The Holidays Have Begun
We had a nice, quiet Thanksgiving at Grandma's. The boys got to eat lots of food, and Grandma had a big chocolate turkey for them. We watched the parade and Santa coming to town. Ah, tradition!
We also had some new books to read while we waited for dinner to cook. Andy liked one about drawing dinosaurs. He spent a good part of the afternoon both before and after dinner drawing dinosaurs. But I think the chocolate turkey was the big hit of the day! The boys did really well, even with their schedules being up in the air and our guest (yay, Evan!) Both guys have been doing so well lately, I hate to put them in upheaval for the month, with all the decorating and celebrating and excitement. But then... there's so much decorating! and celebrating! and excitement!
Ah, the yumminess! Now it's time to take down the fall decorations and get moving on Christmas. Right now, it looks like I'll have some spare days to get the decorating done, including some things I haven't had time to do in the past, re-wiring some of the garlands and fluffing out some of the decorations that haven't been used in a while. 
Yes, it is official! the holidays are here!
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Secrets, secrets
"Andy is going to go to Grandma's and make something special for Thanksgiving."
"Really? What?"
"Apparently it's a secret."
"It starts with P!"
"Oooo... umm... parsnips?"
*giggle* "No!"
"Peppers?"
"No!"
"Potatoes? Parsley?"
*giggle* "Nooooo! It's pie!"
"Pie?"
"Yeth! A P pie! Pie that starts with p!"
"Oh. Pumpkin? Are you making pumpkin pie?"
"Aaaa! You guessed it! Daddy, don't tell, its a secret! You're not supposed to guess!"
"Oh. I forgot already what kind of pie..."
"Pumpkin! Pumpkin pie!"
"Really? What?"
"Apparently it's a secret."
"It starts with P!"
"Oooo... umm... parsnips?"
*giggle* "No!"
"Peppers?"
"No!"
"Potatoes? Parsley?"
*giggle* "Nooooo! It's pie!"
"Pie?"
"Yeth! A P pie! Pie that starts with p!"
"Oh. Pumpkin? Are you making pumpkin pie?"
"Aaaa! You guessed it! Daddy, don't tell, its a secret! You're not supposed to guess!"
"Oh. I forgot already what kind of pie..."
"Pumpkin! Pumpkin pie!"
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