Snippets
We have two ripe strawberries on our potted strawberry plant. It’s November. San Diego is a strange place to live after you’ve put in a couple of decades on the East Coast.
Wonderboy had an OT evaluation at the Children’s Hospital last month. I finally got the written report yesterday. It’s full of errors! I’ll have to write a list of corrections and ask for an updated report, because I don’t want inaccuracies in his file. Highly annoying.
But his IEP meeting earlier this week went wonderfully well. I think the school district finally has a read on who we are, this family of mine (especially the obnoxious, mouthy mama), and they’re meeting us where we are, now. Hooray. And oh how I love Wonderboy’s speech therapist. She really is a gem. And I’m not just saying that because yesterday she raved about the progress we’d made at home during the week and told me I should be a speech pathologist myself.
My second-favorite moment from the meeting: when, after listening to rest of the IEP team group-wrangle their statements into educationese for the Official Paperwork, I was asked to contribute the “parent goals” and I figured I’d save time by just uttering it in the IEP jargon to begin with. Moment of silence around the table, then they all burst out laughing. Me, grinning: “Did I nail it?” School district lady in charge of entering everything into the computer: “Say it again, just like that, so I can type it in.” Heh.
Favorite moment from the meeting: leaving, with my little boy’s hand in mine, and his eager voice saying, “We go home now? Go play with my tisters?”
Oh how I love that child.
On Monday, I sat down with a giant pile of picture books to read for the Cybils. Rose and Bean joined me, and we wound up sitting there for hours, reading book after book after book. Passing them around: Ooh, you’re going to love this one! (They know me well: they were right every time.) I’m going to have to write posts about some of them because there are some must-share gems in the stack. Next time you make a library run, look for Chester’s Back! by Melanie Watt. Even if you don’t have little kids. We were crying laughing, even the thirteen-year-old. Especially the thirteen-year-old. The Lucky Star and One Hen just plain made me cry. And Dinosaur vs. Bedtime? Rilla’s new Favorite Book Ever. Bet I read it six times yesterday alone. Roar!
Mary Nix says:
I just want to mention that even though my sister is now 46 and long past speech therapy appointments, she still remembers each of her speech therapists by name when we pass their office. They had a profound effect on her and our lives as they helped us to learn to communicate more effectively with one another.
So glad to hear that your sweet Wonderboy has a wonderful one as well!
On November 7, 2008 at 9:55 am
mamacrow says:
loved all of your post, but just had to comment – 32 wks, hoorah! nearly on the home straight!
On November 7, 2008 at 2:01 pm
Shelly Burns says:
Being an educator, I know how frustrating the ARD process, IEP meeting can be. I am so glad that it went well for you and you were able to give it back to ’em using the correct lingo! Good for you. Good luck as you near the end of your pregnancy!
On November 7, 2008 at 4:35 pm
Sherry Early says:
Ha! you’re getting help! That’s why you’re ahead of me (Cybils database). Also picture books are shorter.
Yes, I have to control my competitive nature which has no outlet in sports or artistic endeavors. Only reading competitions am I tempted to enter.
On November 7, 2008 at 10:05 pm
Penny in VT says:
Such a sweet little guy you have there!
My dh had speech therapy for many years as a child – and now he does voiceovers (for some big ticket clients too) – those amazing folks really do change lives…
Thanks for the book recommendations – because…I…don’t…have…enough…books.
At least *I* don’t think so LOL! 🙂
On November 8, 2008 at 5:43 am
adrienne says:
Dinosaur vs. Bedtime is one of those perfect storytime books–so very much fun to read aloud for all concerned.
On November 8, 2008 at 7:35 pm
sarah says:
So, so glad to hear the IEP meeting was positive. I was anxious for the update. Sorry to cut our PC short this week. Bad day for the babe. No more cruciferous veggies for me!! Not worth it. Hugs. Sarah
On November 9, 2008 at 5:44 am
Melissa Wiley says:
Ha! you’re getting help! That’s why you’re ahead of me (Cybils database). Also picture books are shorter.
Oh, definitely. Big difference between reading 50 picture books and 50 novels! I’ve been amazed at how many books you have read.
On November 9, 2008 at 8:31 am
Elizabeth says:
Glad all went well with the IEP meeting, and it’s lovely to now Wonderboy’s speech has improved.
On November 13, 2008 at 3:06 pm