Amazing

We took Kenny swimming last night. Maybe you think that isn't a big deal, right? I mean what kid doesn't like swimming. If having playtime in the bathtub gives you any idea then we were in for a big fight. He resists the bath. Horribly. Screams of terror. So what the hell were we thinking?

I had to double check. Was this really my kid? He was splashing around, chasing his sister, with a permanent grin suck on his face! Daddy went into the pool with the two of them and it looked like they had a ball! His sister in the meantime was playing with our friends from our old home. They kept disappearing under the mushroom shower. We could still see them of course so I know that they were ok, but it was funny to watch them ducking under the water fall.

I'm still in shock. Definitely going to look at swimming therapy for him. Maybe even lessons, but it would have to be in a really small group. I'm guessing that therapy is better though, that way we can progress at his pace. The last thing I want to do is scare him away from something that could be such a positive experience for him.

The best part of all of this is he is still sleeping! It's 7:45! What the hell is up with that! This is the child that is usually up before 2am. Then again between 5 and 6 am. Of course I'm programmed to get up with him so here I sit, waiting. I should've gone back to bed, but with my luck he would have been up then anyway. Isn't that how it usually works?

So Monday I will get on the phone to see if there is such a thing as swimming therapy that is covered by the county and if there is, does he qualify. Man I hope so. Anything that will help him sleep better, I'm all over it like a wet rag!

As for today, Saturday, not quite sure what we are doing. Booga has dance class this morning but after that we are unplanned. Another day of hot, humid, sticky weather. Not complaining though, it's not that nasty white stuff. Maybe later we will take a trip to the trains. Another favourite of Dudes. Tomorrow there is an open house at his daycare. So we will definitely be going to that. Oh and also some time we have to visit MIL. That is a whole other post. But not for here.

Busy, busy.

Ok, where to start.

I guess the first thing I should say is we had Kenny's IEP meeting at the school last Wednesday. It went really well and we all were on the same page in regards to getting him the help that he needs. Separation anxiety is going to be one (of many) issues that we will have to deal with, but we are going to start taking him up to the school to play in the school yard, and he is going to get some one on one time with the teacher before school starts. He will also be designated a Teacher's Helper to assist with his learning and following the class routine.

Everyone showed up, including his old Daycare supervisor (Karen) and the new one (Mindy), the speech pathologist, the Trellis worker (Lidia), Mrs. Thomas (K teacher), the board language and speech pathologist, the principal and finally the board special education director (can't remember her name). Oh and both Rob and I were there to input any other info that might be helpful. We are also trying to speed up the OT application to get him help with fine motor skills and coping with change.

Lots accomplished, that's for sure.

MIL had her hip surgery on May 23. I wish I could say all went well and she is well on the road to recovery, but I can't. She was moved to the rehab hospital last Wed and Thursday morning she had a seizure. So she had to be taken back to the General Hospital and spent till Sunday there. They aren't quite sure what caused the seizure but are thinking that a bunch of combined factors contributed to it.

She is now back at the rehab place and hopefully is now going to recover. She has no memory of the seizure or anything really up to Sunday. Doesn't remember fighting the nurses in the ER. According to them she packs a mean right hook LOL. We saw her last night and that was the best I've seen her. She was more alert and 'on' then she has been in awhile. Good sign? Hopefully.

Then came the weekend. Two birthday parties that were planned for different months ended up on the same weekend! So out to Beaverton on Saturday for Ayden's 8th birthday. Had a great time with the girls and around the campfire that night. We stayed the night and on Sunday had to boot home to get ready for Raven's party in Elmira. Fortunately that is only 20 minutes away. Again had a blast catching up on life. Actually caught Raven's Grandpa, Bill, smiling! He is the same person that we hired to do the electrical in the house. Our old neighbours from Arthur.

Now today is the RCMP Musical Ride here in town! Maddy is going this afternoon with her class and then Rob and I are taking the kids to the evening show. Lucky Maddy gets to see it twice! We are looking forward to it, cause none of us have seen it before. Should be good!

Oh and to those that know me...... I HAVE VEGETABLES IN MY GARDEN!!!!! They are really growing, from seed!!!!! That I planted!!!!! Me!!! WOW!!! Although I did loose my beans from the frost, we have re-planted them so crossing fingers! Lets see, we have potatoes, pumpkin, zucchini, carrots, beans, 2 types of squash, tomatoes and sunflowers. If I get 2 or three things outta this I'll be happy.

Gotta motor, time to gather the troops to get dressed and ready for school! Later gator!

The extremes are so hard.

Duders was horrible today. The complete opposite of last week. Poor kid had trouble at school, couldn't focus on what he should have been and had two accidents.

I should have known better than to take him to a grocery store after school but we needed something for dinner and what else to do? I figured we'd be in and out quickly, I know where everything is and it's not really busy on Monday afternoon.

Holy crap what a mistake that was. Screaming fits ensued with pinching and biting to follow. It's like my boy, the one we know and love, just isn't there anymore. You can see it in his eyes, they're empty. And the looks and comments! Crud people, get a life, or help if you think it's bad enough. Especially the employees. Manager got an earful tonight for one of his wonderful, friendly *cough cough* bakery staff members. Nothing like leaving a store in tears for feeling so helpless and out of control.

And what's with the older one! The attitude lately has been so bad. And the temper tantrums! We tried to take them to the park yesterday (Sunday) after seeing MIL in the hospital. But when she didn't get her ice cream, when she demanded, the fits started. I ended up carrying Kenny to the van and Hubby was carrying Maddy. She was trying to choke him the whole way with her screaming. Kenny was doing his best trying to bite me. Do I want to go back now. No, but somehow we have to teach them that when it's time to go, it's time to go, period.

Well how bout that eh, they finally issued a thunderstorm warning (or watch, I haven't checked yet). So I'd better sign off before Maddy panic's. Blah, Calgon take me away!

Really good day!

Wow, these are so rare, I just had to share. Kenny had an excellent day today! From the minute he woke up, to, well he's still up but that is not surprising lol.

He had an excellent day in school. Not only didn't argue going, went right in, took off his boots and coat and ran right into the classroom!!!!! Holy crap!!! He hasn't done that consistently in so long. And this was the second time in a row! And not only that but he had no accidents all day! So he was still wearing the same underwear and pants that I put him in this morning! My God in Heaven! What an accomplishment that is! (Wow, and what a accomplishment that I actually spelled the work accomplishment on the first try! lol) Of course right now he has decided to poop in his night time pullup. Gotta love the grunts.

But that is all for today. It was a really, really good day for Kenny. His older sister, not so much. But Kenny deserves a big pat on the back!

May 2-4 Weekend!!!

It's the un-official start of summer! And would you believe it, it's cold and wet. Figures, but hey this means that all the painting and stuff we've been meaning to get around too, is finally getting done. I spent over an hour this morning trying to finalize our paint colours for the living room/dining room. Something that will go nice with the kitchen colour, flow nicely between the two rooms and can continue into the entrance way. And I think I've found it. The light colour is called stone hedge and the dark accent colour is buckhorn. Very earthy browns/taupes. Looks good together, so I hope that it looks just as good on the walls here.

I have also managed to get a large 10 x 12 garden dug out in the backyard. We have beans, 2 types of squash, zucchini, carrots, pumpkin, sunflowers, chives and baby tomatoes all ready to go. I also have some potatoes that have gone to root, so I'm going to try to plant those as well. Nothing to lose, right?

The front is finally done with all the digging. The city has finally shown up and fixed their water pipe. So now we are left with a huge pile of topsoil and a large yard of dirt. That is until it rains and then it is just a sea of mud. I have bought a few plants (perennials) and have a good idea of what I want to do with the garden. Of course the one thing stopping us from getting everything done is the lack of money growing on the money tree.

Well as for Kenny, he is doing good. We just finished another virus that had attacked his stomach and intestines (happy Mother's Day for me) that forced us to go back to using pull-ups. Poor kid was sharting. You know, a fart with a surprise in it. But we are now back in underwear and, crossing fingers, seem to have not forgotten. We are still waiting for the Dr to assess him and until we get the assessment can't apply for the therapy that he needs. But at least we have the school on track with him. We have an appointment set up to meet with the school, a daycare teacher (hopefully Sarah), the Trellis worker, Lidia and Jen his speech therapist. It's nice to see everyone on board and willing to try to help him, not shove him to the side because he's slightly different than other kids. Sleep is still hard for him. He is still getting up, usually between 2-4 am to come into our bed. I usually get up and leave not long after cause even sleeping, he doesn't stay still. Kenny's car bed is actually quite comfortable.

Because of the lack of news, whether it be good or bad, I'm going to sign off now. Keep smilin, let them guess what you're up too!

Nothing new

When it comes to Kenny anyway. We are still waiting for the appointment with the specialist in Hamilton. So nothing new to report. He has his days, that's for sure. Lately it's not good. But crossing fingers that he has some better one's ahead.

Now to update on the front yard. Yes the sewer pipe is fixed. Yes we had started to get it prepared for a garden and grass seed. Then, the water shut off valve went. So we now have a water feature in the form of a quick moving stream running down our front yard mud, onto the sidewalk, across the neighbours driveway and down the road. Isn't that lovely?

It's amazing too on how many people are angry at us for letting this go on for so long. We have reported it to the county, they know about it, have been out and painted two blue lines and yesterday a yellow line on the mud.....

Yep that's it. In almost two weeks that's it. But we are still catching hell from people. Get a damn life. If it was our responsibility we would have had it fixed immediately. But it's not. The county is responsible. I was joking about the trailer park trash thing, but I guess some aren't looking at it as a joke.

But on the up side, one neighbour came over and offered a pile of topsoil for free! Whoo hoo, that will save us so much money! It is now sitting in the front yard, under a tarp, until we can fix everything up to use it.

Fun times I'm telling ya!

Long time in updating :(

I know, I know, it's been too long since I've been here and updated. I apologize to everyone, including myself for ignoring this and breaking many promises to myself to come here and update.

Well lets see, March break was the last one. Things actually haven't changed much in the whole scheme of life. Well except we had an appointment with a child sleep specialist for Kenny. She wants us to fill out some questionnaires then will get back to us on the results. Basically another waiting game. We are still on the waiting list for the Dr for an official autism diagnosis. Once we get that the ball can really start rolling.

But the good news is since the weather is improving (oh so slowly) I've had both kids out at the park almost everyday. Of course all the running around, sunshine and fresh spring air seems to work wonders in getting them to fall asleep. And the topper is Kenny hasn't been waking up 3-4 times every night, but sleeping right through. What a bonus it is to have a full nights sleep more than one night in a row.

The violence is getting worse though. He used to only hit/bite/kick me and hubby when we said no to him. Now it's that plus he goes after DerDer (as he calls his sister) and anyone that goes near his trains (or whatever he is playing with). Daycare is seeing it more also, so we are kind of hoping that this will help in getting an appointment sooner.

He will be back in speech therapy for another 8 weeks starting next month. Just looking at the normal speech delays now, but the 'clicking' and grunting need to be addressed. We are constantly saying "use your words" to him again.

Potty training. What to say about that. It's shitty. Literally. He is such a little bugger. He holds it for as long as he can, lets a little pee go to relieve the pressure then goes on playing. You have to catch him or else he will do that over and over again and with dark pants, it can be difficult to see. This has to be one of the most frustrating things. He knows what he is doing. He is controlling the amount to relieve the pressure. Stubborn little child, he is. I'll blame Daddy :)

Just this morning he decided to pee twice in his underwear. Frustrating when you are trying to get them ready to go to school and are already rushed.

Spring, man it is slow in coming. But we have little flowers in our front garden (crocuses maybe?) and something called snowdrops in the front yard, so that has to be a good sign right?

And the big news we are now the proud owners of a new sewer pipe leading from the house to the road. The nice big tree in the front on the Blvd (county owned) had all it's roots grow into the pipe. Old clay pipes and tree roots don't get along too well apparently and cause raw, disgusting, stinky, smelly sewage to flood our basement. NOT NICE!!!!! We're not even sure of some of the stuff we've had to throw out. It was sitting in boxes on the ground no more than 3 ft away from the drain pipe. But it was worth it to see our neighbour having to crawl in our shit fixing the city's portion. This would be the same neighbour that complained about our dog. Karma is a Bitch!!!

We are also getting quotes for new windows. The ones we have are orginial to the house (85 yrs) and are leaded. But none open, there are cracks and gaps which means the heat loss is horrible. We had plastic covering them over the winter and you could see them blowing out with the heavy cold winds. So soon we will be a construction zone again. Yah. Wonderful. Great. Can you feel the excitement coming from me? ;)

Hopefully that is all. It's Friday and I'm going to clean the kitchen before getting Kenny from school. Later Gators!