Farm Visit

Willow and I went to a farm today. It finally feels like autumn around here, and I was so happy to see some actual colors on the trees.

One of the few advantages of being unemployed is that I can spend a day like today with her. And I was reminded many times of the many such trips I have taken with Michael when he was that age. It is funny, because when they are both around I don't think about those times long ago with him. I guess I am in the moment (and my memory, alas, sucks). But, when it is just me and her--I sometimes get hit with a sudden memory of toddler times with Michael. Usually, it is more sweet than bitter. I am just happy I have a chance to do it all again with her.

Okay, enough of the sentimental stuff...onto the pictures! (cuz, of course, y'all haven't seen a farm before!)

So, we saw sheep:

This is one of the few that got close to us.

And we spent an extraordinarily Long time in the Hen House:

Looking in on the chickens.

A Fluffy Chicken. That black and white stuff--that's the head full of feathers.

A rooster getting ready to crow.

And then a staff member came out with a red rooster. And we got to pet a rooster!

And touch his alarmingly scary clawed foot!

Willow insisted on seeing the pigs. And the cows were very very important to go see.

We got to see one of the new calves getting milk. (And later, as she would tell EVERYONE who asked about it, she saw the calf eliminate said milk)

We ended our trip on an appropriate vehicle:

Fun Concert on a Saturday Night

Last night we went to another Weird Al concert. Last year we went at the beginning of summer, this year it is the middle of autumn. (and closer!--last year was quite the drive!)

I have always liked taking my kids to live performances and I strive to give them different experiences. We have seen silent movies and plays, musicians and comedians. As Michael has gotten older, he has started to have favorites and is starting to be able to go to more mature material.

And his love for Weird Al has started to exceed our own. He listens to his music on his MP3 player, he requests it in the car. We were one of the first people to have his new CD. So it was wonderful to get a sitter and take our first born to his second Al concert. He had his 2010 tour shirt on, he was bouncing in his seat BEFORE the concert even began. Watching him watch the concert was half the fun!

And, as usual, Weird Al did not disappoint. The man PERFORMS and it is a thrill to watch him go through the many costume changes and characters on stage.

Talkn' about CNR.

Of course, the FAT suit!


Not only the audience participated on the Saga...




It was one of those experiences where you can tell the people on stage are enjoying what they are doing and where you feel a part of their joy in performing. And I love having my son feel that joy.

Thanks, Al!

It is so worth it...

She is a handful and sometimes I am exhausted by her. But often, so often lately, I am so, so grateful to have her in my life.

Deciding to take a quick bath, I realize too late that she is not distracted anymore and now wants to join me. The water is too hot for her, she is dressed already, and I wanted a little soak on my own. [sigh] Quickly, too quickly for me to notice, she is taking off her clothes and after getting the water a little more suitable for her--in she comes. I look at the water on her back and her hair. How she has grown. I inspect her, this amazing being that is her. We play with the bubbles and the water together. I asked her if she liked this. And she says that should like to do this "forever and ever, momma".

A big box to play in. And she snuggles right into it. She calls it a rocket ship and I lift it up every so often and she giggles. Today I got out markers and crayons and we decorated her ship. It has squares and circles and "buttons" and "levers" and all sorts of things on it. And she loves it more because I helped her draw it. And my melancholy about my job hunt is gone because this is time I have with her.

We are going to meet someone for brunch. She hurries to get ready...the backpack with tons of toys on her back and a pink hat to match her backpack. And she has put her shoes on (the wrong feet).

As we drive in the rain, I ask if she wants to hear some music. She says she wants the lady singing "oooohhhaaahhhhhhh"...I know what she wants. "Grove is in the Heart" and Deelite are singing--my daughter and I are both grooving and making moves in our seats.

Fall Time

Mid October and I find that fall seems to just be starting in earnest here. This past weekend it was warm like summer and it was bizarre to feel like that summer I really wanted to hang onto had decided to do just that.

But this week I have just started noticing some fall foliage around here--it is a little late this year and so far not as spectacular as usual. As usual, I look and look for the first sign of fall...and finally see a tree change color--and then there are beautiful colors everywhere!

I am looking forward to playing in the leaves and listening to them crunch under my feet. And I look forward to waxing some leaves with the children and putting them up on our kitchen window. (Reminding me of waxing leaves with my Grammie and putting them up on her kitchen mirror)

We have the kids Halloween Costumes already and I am looking forward to my two zombies (graveyard zombie and zombie princess) haunting our neighborhood soon.

Some Halloween decorations are up and I have been reading Halloween themed books. There is a Band Halloween Party, a preschool Harvest Party and a Weird Al concert in our future. Michael wants a Halloween themed sleep over (the boys watch scary movies in his room).

It seems appropriate that we are continuing with our Buffy marathon, started season three tonight.

Fall is here to stay, I think. And the holidays in all their bittersweet joyfulness are just around the corner.

A Day Off

This week is going to be a busy busy week. I have three interviews (one for an actual job, two others for staffing agencies), Michael has therapy and a band field trip that ends in playing with the high school band during the football game on Friday. And then on Saturday--a Weird Al concert!!

It was nice to have the day off with the kids and just relax. My energy was lacking today, mainly because Willow kept getting up last night (I think that the tours of the many Halloween themed stores yesterday actually had an impact--oops!)

However, we were still able to have a nice reflective time at the pond.

Dress Up

Yesterday, Willow and I went to a cute little museum that has toys, dolls and trains on display. I knew she would like it, but I was surprised that during the dress up station, she spontaneously said that Santa could give her dress up clothes for a present. It was so wonderful to see her having fun with the clothes AND also make a connection about Santa Claus and gift giving.

I have researched a little on line and trying to find something that works as a dress up trunk is kinda hard. One can either find cheap, small wardrobes, expensive ones. I have looked on E.b.a.y and Cr.ai.gs.li.st to no avail yet. I think I will try some thrift shops next.

The gloves were the Hardest to get on!!

Note the fashionable Chiquita Banana sticker from her morning breakfast.

Buffy Moment

It is one of the best episodes of the second season and he is watching it for the first time. I try hard not to inform him in any way about the surprises coming (he is kinda spoiled about the series in general so for him to not know what is coming is different).

Chewy is upstairs putting Willow to bed, and I had to start the episode without him, because we don't want Michael up too late (it is a school night afterall).

But, I make sure to get him to come down before the climax of the episode. And we all watch intently. We watch Michael figure out what is going on and gasp.

And we enjoy watching something special and dramatic with him. It is so nice that he is old enough to really enjoy this with us. It reminds me why we love watching movies with him, to watch him enjoy something for the first time.

And he goes to bed only a few minutes past his normal bedtime.

I love this Buffy marathon.

One Job, Two Job

It would be nice if I could actually have a choice in the job I want. They ask me what my "perfect" job is in interviews, and it is not like I ask too much. Really, I really don't ask too much.

But it seems that in this economy, with employers having the upper hand, the little I do want is hard to find.

What do I want?

Hmmm...

I want a job that I can be challenged in. That recognizes that I have a brain and I would like to use it.

I want a job that I can leave at the office. I have a rather hectic, complicated life and I would like to have my "off" hours be my "off" hours.

I want to be able to pick my kids up from daycare/afterschool care at a decent time, so that they are not in a scheduled environment for longer than I have been. (this seems to be the most elusive)

I want respect and a respectable wage to go along with it.

Long Distance Week

This week has been pretty disjointed, with Chewy seven hours ahead of us and communication spotty at best (having to use IM and Facebook as main communication).

Between a sleep over, Buffy marathons, doctor's appointments, dropping offs and pick ups, visits to the new playground, homework, on demand Disney movies, going out to lunch with friends/family, and counting seven hours ahead to figure out where Chewy would be in his day...its been pretty hectic here.


Playing at the New Playground near our house. (It was an old playground--totally new equipment has been put in now.)


Other things I have done this week -- bought some of the new DC comics, got the kids haircuts, did some bills, applied to some jobs, picked up some library books, painted some of the upstairs bathroom, did a phone interview---

and tomorrow, a job interview and another phone interview.

Not surprisingly, I have not had much down time. I had had thoughts that I would be catching up on some reading, some internet surfing and some movies. Not so much...but I have gotten some Judging Amy episodes in.

Chewy comes home on Saturday.

While kids and I will be at the Museum of Science.

Buffy Marathon...

Chewy is safe in Romania now. His luggage is missing, but traveling 3 different planes for almost 24 hours drains you enough that you don't care until you get some sleep(!) So, now we hope he gets that luggage tomorrow!

Meanwhile, Michael and I are "celebrating" dad's business trip to Transylvania by having a Buffy marathon. Since we have not been remiss and have already indoctrinated him in the arts of Buffy--we have started with Season 2. Tonight we are watching the Halloween episode--the first episode I ever saw.

Michael is really into two things right now--Buffy and Mine craft (videogame). So...we spent a whole bunch of time with his friend last night playing that videogame; and then time with Uncle John playing the videogame.

While we watched a Buffy episode this morning. Willow watched with us. And kept asking--where is me? Is that me? Where is the Willow? Did she just kill that demon? Oh, no, she is the geek/witch, hon. Yes...that is Willow. (Very fun!)

I am really enjoying rewatching Buffy. And I am glad I can share this with him.

Anxious

Chewy took today off so we could just relax a little before he goes on his business trip. Tomorrow we will start seriously packing him up; Friday evening he leaves.

While I am used to his wacky hours and being the main parent at home during the week, both of us are experiencing anxiety about this coming week.

He hates traveling and it is a Looooong flight(s); me because I will be holding down the homestead (I really give kudos to those single parents out there--seriously!)

While he has been having some long hours the last month, he has still been within reach (not to mention he has usually given me a break during the weekends). After Friday, he will be 7 hours ahead of me. He has been on business trips before, so I know the drill. However, this is going to be the first time soooo far away and first time with Willow too.

I know he has the harder week coming up and I worry about him--which is hard to do with kids around because I don't want them to worry too...so--

Plans for the coming week--

--Get out of the house and enjoy the fall weather (please don't rain!)

--Buffy marathon with the boy

--Frequent Skyping with Chewy for all our sanities

--Chocolate

--Judging Amy

--IMs and emails to that guy I love

Changes...

I hate doing nothing for hours. I hate trying to do small talk. I hate spending money and time on something I think is superficial.

And I had to do it nonetheless.

I needed my hair updated. I needed a change. For interviews mainly--but also because I have kinda had the same style for many years.

(Oh, and I hate putting my picture up...but here goes)

Before:




After:



Not sure if I can keep up the 'do...but I like it!

He is going here...

Chewy is going on a business trip for a week HERE, starting on Friday.

Eeep.

UPDATE:

Chewy looked at my link and said this was a better (re funnier) link. This is where he hopes to VISIT while there. (note the site has not been updated for quite a while...)

Random Summer Photos

Just retrieving some pictures from my cellphone from this summer, thought I would put them here.



Going to the Community Pool.

Random weekend hug (I can tell, cuz she is still in pjs)

One of the first things we did this summer--camping with Ana!

Walking around in Lexington Minuteman park...

Swing time!

Labor Day Lobster!

Play Time

Lately Willow likes to play at being the "mommy" and I am the child. She takes me to the couch and tries to put me to bed. She gets me a toy to sleep with, a blanket. She reads a book or two. This is often fun because I get to see what she really retains from the book readings.

This book becomes the book about "the man who hates monkeys". It was amazing to watch her read this book to me (one of those times when you wish you could grab the video camera, but you are kind of stuck there in the moment with her and you know if you went to record it, the moment would end). She did the voices and the imitations of the monkey see, monkey do exchange and she understood the concept of the peddler needing to rest against the tree and the caps, etc.

Then it is time for me to go to sleep (which usually I CRAVE and have no problems with, but I know she is playing and wants a more realistic exchange). So, I claim that there are monsters under the couch; she gets them away. I ask if she will sit with me a while. She exasperatedly says yes (she is good at playing my role!). Then I ask for water. Then she sighs and agrees to get me water, but I have to go to bed.
She stays with me for a bit.

Then she says "good night" and then leaves the room.

I rest my eyes and start to drift...

And then its "morning time!" time to get up, honey! And we go through a routine of a day. Repeat. And now...

She wants to play "me be the mommy and you be the honey" again....maybe I will get about 2 mins of rest?!

Trying To Find My Fall...

On Monday I was at the beach with my friend. And I got a sunburn (the first of summer!) Hanging on as tight as I can to summer...

Which is so unlike me. Usually I love to embrace autumn. It is one of my favorite times of year. I love the fall colors, I love grabbing a sweater and sweatshirt, love playing in the leaves.

For some reason, I have not gotten my head around fall yet. Perhaps it is because I have been laid off since the start of summer. I have definitely made this summer count and I have had a great time doing it. Maybe it was because this summer in New England was pretty much perfect (well, aside from the tornadoes, earthquakes and hurricanes). I spent some wonderful times with my children--and I think I found time to enjoy those things people talk about doing in the summer, but don't always find the time to do.

Perhaps it is specifically because of that that I am having a hard time in letting summer go. I think that when I first became an adult, summer was bittersweet--because I realized that as an adult (unless you are lucky to be a teacher or some other profession that has summer's off) I still had to work...and looking out at the perfectly blue sky while in an office--not so fun. But with my time with the children, we had the time to enjoy those blue skies.

I might also be a bit bitter that there are already Halloween displays out. I love Halloween, but it comes at the end of the fall. And I want to have the fall...I want those changes to come slowly.

I guess I need to see those leaves changing...to have that slight chill in the air--the crispness...to remind me that there is so much of the season that I do indeed enjoy...

[[Breathes]]

OOookaay, Autumn...come on in!

Labeling...

"Clearly the label we use has extreme importance, and we need to make every effort to be accurate. Getting the label right is important for many reasons, not the least of which is that diagnosis often drives treatment planning, selection of medication, educational programming, and the way we conceptually and emotionally view our children."

Earlier this week we went to our second appointment with a new doctor. As was his procedure, I had spoken with him previously the week before so that he could be brought up to speed with Michael and his diagnosis. From now on he will be meeting with Michael and then with me as we work through how we can help him function better in school and with others.

This has been a wild ride for us as a family. And it continually brings up changes in diagnosis and treatment. This is sometimes because we are focusing on one thing (behavior) or the other (focusing and attention) and these different goals do not always fit together. Sometimes a medication that works for his attention skills, causes him to behave in ways that mark him as different (OCD behavior). Sometimes if he is not on his focusing medication, he is hyper-active and will not stop talking to you about his latest obsession.

Sometimes we get stuck on the labels too. For the longest time I have been saying he is ADHD. But there has always been the other label of Aspergers. I have always shied away from that label as every professional we have seen has said that while Michael has some symptoms of Aspergers he seems to be, if anything, on the high functioning end of that spectrum. And, frankly, it seems that when using one label versus the other--more acceptance is shown with the ADHD label.

However, with this new doctor, the first point he wanted to make was that he believed his diagnosis could be Aspergers. Part of me says--who the hell cares what he is, just help me help him! But the other part of me wonders if I should pursue the other diagnosis through the school system to see if there are other accommodations that they could be giving him.

And then there is the whole labeling thing in the first place. I hate that I often have to point out that he has ADHD--I have gotten into a habit of doing so and I had started out not ever pointing it out, but as time has shown me that people seem to be very mean and intolerant of people who are different or quirky, it has been my default button to push to try to make sure he doesn't get hurt (or at least not get as singled out).

In the end I will have to just see what this school year brings. I hope it brings not only learning but some understanding of how to fit into this society which can get very hung up on labels.

"Whatever their profile, whatever their label, both the child with ADHD and the child with Asperger’s syndrome require us to change our assumptions about relationships and our expectations about behavior. They are both demanding, confusing, exhausting, and frustrating. Inside, each is a child who needs tolerance, our informed understanding, our thoughtful interventions, our patience, and our love."

Quotes from this wonderful article.

Here it is -- 7th Grade!!

This year is another year at Middle School. Last year was a year of firsts and now this morning, he was pretty weary and only slightly anxious (mainly to just get going).

Last night we went through all the supplies, we packed them into his new backpack (its HEAVY) and then realized that we did not know where his combo lock was. After a few minutes searching, I decided to go buy one after he went to bed. So, this morning he practiced on his new combo lock.

He has his lunch, his supplies, his book and book list from the summer. He has a note in his lunch box and he knows we are picking him up from school.

And I got him there late (me--of all people!) and on the first day (!) It was because he used the restroom just before we were going, it was raining hard, AND I went the wrong way out of habit (I was going to the elementary school!).


Since he has been in kindergarten, the pictures are the same...situations change and time moves so fast!


Waking up this morning. Hardly any words...just stumbled into the shower...

First picture of breakfast--(Yay, school?!?)

And then a smile!

And out the door!

Some extra things this year--

A hug from Willow...

Who then dragged his (very HEAVY) backpack over to him.

Small Things

Playing "this little piggy" with her and remembering when her piggies were so small. Then she comes up with a variation on her hands; and I come up with a variation using both feet and both hands.

Listening to a CD with her that was his favorite from when he was her age. Bittersweet in the fact that I can play it again to a new audience while he is upstairs playing with his friend, blaring Weird Al.

While we are doing errands in the car, she wants to hear "Werewolves of London" which is on daddy's music player. Then he says, well, we don't have it right now, but we can sing it. She starts going "whooooo whoooo, Werewolves of London" and soon the whole car is out of tune and singing "whooooo! Werewolves of London".

He is upstairs with his friend, I am amusing her so that she doesn't bother them. I go to check on them--and find that they were playing a Le.go battle with Bio.nic.als and throwing them at each other. His room is in a mess...but is so wonderful to see him playing with toys with a friend. Because I know this stage is fading, fading away.

I take him to a Chinese buffet on this last day before school starts. At first he says that he is not too hungry. Three plates later, he has filled himself--but has room for jello. I think of toasting him -- happy 7th Grade -- but my small cup of tea and my timing is inadequate.

Giving Summer a Good Good-Bye

Went to the beach today. It was wonderful and sunny and warm but not too warm. We found tide pools and we hunted hermit crabs and snails. We climbed rocks and got into the water.

I am blamed for sunburns...I mean, I did allow Chewy to apply the sunblock, didn't I? So, both the kids have slight (well Michael's is not as slight) sunburns...first time in years...I guess a good reminder of the summer?

Then we clean off the sand and go into town. Eat some wonderfully priced lobsters and walk along the pier.

Willow had three tantrums--one at the beach (she did not want to GOooooooo!!) and one when I told her that she was not getting that expensive toy and one more time on the way back to the car (she wanted to go back to see the Bunnies--there was a woman with bunnies in town).

Lastly, we have ice cream and look at the water. Take the long walk back to the car. Tired and burned and thirsty (and tear-streaked--well, at least one of us).

The drive home...I think, how perfect it was.