Dear Noah...

I ALMOST FORGOT! Yesterday at the park you finally mastered the skill of hanging from that pulley thing that swings you across a long bar......suspended by your own arms holding your body weight. You have been too weak in the upper body to do it before.....not able to even hang from the bars by yourself.

Yesterday you finally were able to not only hang from the bar by yourself....but push yourself across back and forth many times......hanging......holding yourself suspended by your own hands and arms!

HUGE progress for you. I have noticed since school your body is growing and developing more muscles and tone.....so that is great. You are becoming a lot stronger and filling out!

I am very proud of you and love you!

Mommy
xoxoxox

Dear Noah...

We went to your Aunt Melissa's house yesterday for a visit and we ended up going to their local park so you and Audrey could play. It is a very nice park there. You ended up falling off the swing (I think you fell when trying to jump off it but you said you did not do that). You fell on the SAME already-injured left bashed up knee......and cut it up again BELOW the old injury.....so now you have TWO injured areas on your knee. Last night you could barely walk around it hurt you so bad.
Today it is much better and we will likely end up at Brumbaugh's Fruit Farm to go check out their fall festival stuff. They have so many fun things to do out there......and the weather is perfect for it. We will then end up at grandma C's house again and check on her and the cat. Stay for a visit. Then back home cause tomorrow is another school day and week already!

We will need to get some pumpkins today if we can.......somewhere!

I LOVE YOU!!!

Mommy
XOXOXOX

OH......I think I am going to postpone your surgery 6 months......so you can have it done once you are OUT of school. It would be easier on you to not have to miss any school and risk doing a activity while there which could mess up the surgery. The surgeon said it would not increase your risks for testicular cancer or infertility much more by waiting...only 1% perhaps. SO....I think that would be easier for you and would ensure proper healing time after the surgery.

Dear Noah...

You are continuing to do pretty well in school and enjoying it. You are having a very difficult time with all the writing. Since you basically only mastered the skill of writing about 18 months ago...and it still is a struggle for you......along with your weaker hand muscles....it has become a chore. BUT you get through it and I do see improvement each time we practice more and more.

We have made friends with a stray cat at grandma C.'s house that we both just love. He has become a lot more tame around us and grandma and our hopes are to give him a good home one day soon.

Here he is checking out your camera and Doodle Pad. You two play together a lot......



the difference in this cat has grown over time......he has progressed from a very scared hopeless little cat to one who became hopeful but remained a bit apprehensive to one who is now a lot more trusting...at least of us. He now allows us to pet him and he rubs all over us and grandma C. He also plays with us a lot. He is a sweetie. Here you can see the change in his face and demeanor over time...






Anyway.......I love you a lot Noah....

mommy
XOXOX

MORE RECALLS...

1. RC2 Corp. Recalls Additional Thomas & Friends Wooden Railway Toys Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard
2. Target Recalls Children's Toy Gardening Tools and Chairs Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard
3. RC2 Recalls Knights of the Sword Toys Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard
4. Children's Toy Rakes Sold Exclusively at Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores Recalled Due to Violation of Lead in Paint Standard
5. Guidecraft Inc. Recalls Children's Puppet Theaters Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard
6. Children's Spinning Wheel-Metal Necklaces Recalled By Rhode Island Novelty Due to Risk of Lead Exposure
7. TOBY N.Y.C. Expands Children's Metal Jewelry Recall Due to Risk of Lead Exposure

NEWS from CPSC
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Office of Information and Public
Affairs Washington, DC 20207

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 26, 2007
Release #07-308

Firm's Recall Hotline: (866) 725-4407
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

RC2 Corp. Recalls Additional Thomas & Friends Wooden Railway Toys Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Various Thomas and Friends Wooden Railway Toys

Units: About 200,000 (1.5 million other Thomas & Friends railway toys were recalled on June 13, 2007)

Importer/Distributor: RC2 Corp., of Oak Brook, Ill.

Hazard: Surface paints on the toys can contain excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: The recall involves five toys from the Thomas and Friends Wooden Railway product line: the all-black cargo car, toad vehicle, olive green sodor cargo box and all-green maple tree top and signal base accessories. The front of the packaging has the logo "Thomas & Friends Wooden Railway" in the upper left-hand corner. A tracking code may be located on the bottom of some of the products. Toys marked with codes containing "WJ" and "AZ" are not included in the recall.

Recalled Product Name & Tracking Codes

All-Black Cargo Car - Included only in the Brendam Fishing Dock Set. The car is labeled "CARGO CAR" and has either no tracking code or one of the following codes on its undersides: 26833i 28233i 23243i00 24643i00 25343i00 27443i00 32043i00 34743i00 01553i00 04553i00 13353i00 14753i00 15453i00 18353i00
Cargo cars sold in other sets are not included.

Toad vehicle with brake lever - The vehicle is labeled "TOAD" and has the tracking code 16560W000 on its underside.

Olive Green Sodor Cargo Box - The side of the cargo box says "SODOR", the box was included only in the Deluxe Cranky the Crane Set.

All-Green Maple Tree Top and Green Signal Base Accessories - Included only in Conductor's Figure 8 Sets.

Sold at: Toy stores and various retailers nationwide from March 2003 through September 2007 for between $10 and $40.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should take the recalled toys away from young children immediately and contact RC2 Corp. for a replacement toy.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact RC2 toll-free at (866) 725-4407 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday or visit the firm's Web site at http://recalls.rc2.com

To see this recall on CPSC's web site, including pictures of the recalled products, please go to:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml07/07308.html


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NEWS from CPSC
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Office of Information and Public Affairs
Washington, DC 20207

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 26, 2007
Release #07-309

Firm's Recall Hotline: (800) 440-0680
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

Target Recalls Children's Toy Gardening Tools and Chairs Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Happy Giddy Gardening Tools and Children's Sunny Patch Chairs

Units: About 350,000

Importer: Target, of Minneapolis, Minn.

Manufacturer: Starite International Ltd., of Taiwan

Hazard: The surface paint on the recalled gardening tools and chairs contains excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: The recall includes the Happy Giddy Gardening Tools and the Sunny Patch Children's Chairs.

Gardening tools: caterpillar trowel with an orange and multi-colored handle; kitty cat broom with pink flowers and green handle; pink and green cultivator with a solid green tool portion and pink flowers on the handle; orange and green wood handle hoe and rake with orange flowers; pink and green shovel and trowel with pink flowers; green, orange and light blue snail push broom; multi-colored trowel, hoe, rake with orange on the tool body; multi-colored shovel with solid red on the shovel and eyes on the top of the handle; red and blue owl shaped broom with bristles painted blue, with yellow and black large eyes on the face.

Children's Chairs: multi-colored children's Sunny Patch chairs with a giraffe, monkey, and elephant on the back. The cloth seat and back are striped in orange, yellow, green and blue. The chameleon, butterfly and lady bug chair are not included in the recall.

Sold at: Target stores nationwide from August 2006 through August 2007 for between $3 and $10.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the products away from children and return the item to the nearest Target store for a full refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Target at (800) 440-0680 between 7 a.m. and 6 pm. CT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's Web site at www.target.com

To see this recall on CPSC's web site, including pictures of the recalled products, please go to:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml07/07309.html


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NEWS from CPSC
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Office of Information and Public Affairs
Washington, DC 20207

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 26, 2007
Release #07-310

Firm's Recall Hotline: (866) 725-4407
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

RC2 Recalls Knights of the Sword Toys Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Britain's "Knights of the Sword" Series Toys

Units: About 800

Importer/Distributor: RC2 Corp., of Oak Brook, Ill.

Hazard: Surface paints on the toy knights contain excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: The three recalled silver knight toys are mounted on red horses sold individually in see-through blister cards. "Britains" and "Knights of the Sword" are printed on the top of the card in the packaging. The recalled toys include a mounted silver knight on a red horse with an axe; a mounted silver knight on a red horse with two hands on a raised weapon; and a mounted silver knight on a red horse with a lance.

Sold at: Specialty toy stores nationwide from April 2004 through March 2006 for about $8.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should take these recalled toys away from young children immediately and contact RC2 to receive a full refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact RC2 toll-free at (866) 725-4407 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm's Web site at http://recalls.rc2.com

To see this recall on CPSC's web site, including pictures of the recalled products, please go to:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml07/07310.html


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NEWS from CPSC
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Office of Information and Public Affairs
Washington, DC 20207

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 26, 2007
Release #07-311

Firm's Recall Hotline: (888) 739-4120
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

Children's Toy Rakes Sold Exclusively at Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores Recalled Due to Violation of Lead in Paint Standard

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Children's Toy Rake

Units: About 16,000

Importer: Jo-Ann Stores Inc., of Hudson, Ohio

Hazard: Surface paint on the handle of the rake can contain excessive levels of lead paint, violating the federal lead paint standard.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: The recalled children's rake has a green handle with a yellow duck head attached to the handle. The rake has seven purple tines, also known as teeth. The rake is about 24 inches long. "Robbie Ducky(tm) Garden Collection Rake" is printed on a tag attached to the handle.

Sold exclusively at: Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores nationwide from January 2007 through September 2007 for about $7.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the recalled toy rake away from children and return it to any Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Store for a full refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Jo-Ann Stores Inc. toll-free at (888) 739-4120, option 7, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, email the firm at guest.services@jo-annstores.com, or visit the firm's Web site at www.joann.com

To see this recall on CPSC's web site, including a picture of the recalled product, please go to:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml07/07311.html


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NEWS from CPSC
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Office of Information and Public Affairs
Washington, DC 20207

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 26, 2007
Release #07-312

Firm's Recall Hotline: (888) 824-1308
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

Guidecraft Inc. Recalls Children's Puppet Theaters Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Floor Puppet Theaters

Units: About 10,000

Manufacturer: Guidecraft Inc., of Englewood, N.J.

Hazard: Surface paints on the puppet theater's wooden panels contain excessive levels of lead, violating the federal lead paint standard.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: The recalled puppet theater has a chalkboard surface on the front and colored side panels. The puppet theater measures about 35 inches in length, 14 inches in width and about 52 inches in height.

Sold at: Specialty toy stores, gift shops, catalogs and Web sites nationwide from June 2006 through August 2007 for about $90.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the recalled puppet theaters away from children and contact Guidecraft to receive a replacement theater or another product of equal value.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Guidecraft toll-free at (888) 824-1308 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's Web site at www.guidecraft.com

To see this recall on CPSC's web site, including a picture of the recalled product, please go to:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml07/07312.html


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NEWS from CPSC
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Office of Information and Public Affairs
Washington, DC 20207

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 26, 2007
Release #07-313

Firm's Recall Hotline: (800) 528-5599
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

Children's Spinning Wheel-Metal Necklaces Recalled By Rhode Island Novelty Due to Risk of Lead Exposure

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Children's Spinning Wheel-Metal Necklaces

Units: About 850

Manufacturer: Rhode Island Novelty, of Cumberland, R.I.

Hazard: The clasp on the necklaces contain high levels of lead. Lead is toxic if ingested by young children and can cause adverse health effects.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: This recall involves 30"-inch-long link necklaces with a spinning wheel pendant. The wheel pendant, designed to resemble car's spinning tire rim, has rhinestones attached to the front, a silver base and measures 2 ¾-inches in diameter. The item has a clear plastic hang tag with a UPC code of 0 97138 68502 5.

Sold at: Family entertainment centers, redemption centers, and small discount stores nationwide and at www.rinovelty.com from November 2006 through May 2007 for about $2.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the recalled jewelry away from children and return it to the store where purchased or to Rhode Island Novelty for a free replacement jewelry item.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Rhode Island Novelty at (800) 528-5599 between 8:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's Web site at www.rinovelty.com

To see this recall on CPSC's web site, including pictures of the recalled products, please go to:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml07/07313.html


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NEWS from CPSC
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Office of Information and Public Affairs
Washington, DC 20207

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 26, 2007
Release #07-314

Firm's Recall Hotline: (866) 235-0588
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

TOBY N.Y.C. Expands Children's Metal Jewelry Recall Due to Risk of Lead Exposure

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: TOBY & ME Jewelry Sets

Units: About 23,500 (about 14,000 jewelry sets were recalled on August 22, 2007)

Importer: TOBY N.Y.C., of New York, N.Y.

Hazard: The recalled metal jewelry sets contain high levels of lead. Lead is toxic if ingested by young children and can cause adverse health effects.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: This recall involves jewelry sets sold in different styles: a pink and clear crystal bead necklace and bracelet set with a painted metallic crown pendant; a pink and white pearl necklace and bracelet set with a painted metallic poodle pendant; and a pink pearl necklace, earrings and ring set. This recall is expanded to include two additional styles: a pink crystal and wood bead necklace and bracelet set with a monkey pendant; and a pink and clear crystal bead necklace and bracelet set with a heart pendant. All sets are sold in a pink gift box with "TOBY & ME" printed on the front and "TOBY & ME" hangtags attached to the packaging.

Sold at: T.J. Maxx, Marshalls, A.J. Wright, Cracker Barrel, and Shopko stores nationwide from August 2006 through August 2007 for between $8 and $15.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the recalled jewelry away from children and contact TOBY N.Y.C. for information on receiving a full refund or replacement item.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact TOBY N.Y.C. toll-free at (866) 235-0588 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or email the firm at info@tobynyc.com

To see this recall on CPSC's web site, including pictures of the recalled products, please go to:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml07/07314.html


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The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from more than 15,000 types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. Deaths, injuries and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $700 billion annually. The CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard or can injure children. The CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products - such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters, and household chemicals - contributed significantly to the 30 percent decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years.

To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, call CPSC's hotline at (800) 638-2772 or CPSC's teletypewriter at (800) 638-8270, or visit CPSC's web site at www.cpsc.gov/talk.html. To join a CPSC email subscription list, please go to www.cpsc.gov/cpsclist.aspx. Consumers can obtain this release and recall information at CPSC's Web site at www.cpsc.gov.



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This message is from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission,
an independant federal regulatory agency, located at 4330 East West
Highway, Bethesda, MD 20814 Toll-free hotline: (800) 638-2772

Thank you.

Dear Noah:

I don't believe there is anything as precious as hearing you YODEL in your bedroom while practicing a new song you are learning in music class.

I love you.


Mommy

XOXOX

In Memory Of....

The local fire that killed a mother and 4 children really hit me hard. To help me cope I made this memorial slide show...please continue to pray for the families involved and community. And pray for the 10-year-old little boy who set the fire which as a result killed his own mother and sister and 3 live-in playmates.

The song I chose was "Jubilee" sung by Alison Krauss, not because the outcome was anything at all to be happy about....but because I still hope throughout all this tragedy and grief that the families and community can pause and reflect on the lives of their loved ones and some of the happier times spent while they were still here. The song expresses both the horror of loss and tragedy......and jubilee at remembrances of happier times with loved ones and how we all should embrace them while they last for we never know when they could be taken away from us.

Click here to watch 'Fire-Memorial'

Dear Noah...

We stopped by grandma C.'s house again tonight....and you were trying to chase off a cat from another cat hanging around her house we have made friends with......and you ended up falling down pretty hard on the sidewalk......cut up your knee.....came in.......saying you were going to bleed to death if I did not get the blood stopped and you thought you broke your camera!

I tried to calm you down....you were crying pretty hard......and there was a lot of bright red blood on your knee and hands......and your elbow. I took you to the bathroom.....checked the camera too and said it was fine......on and on you went....about bleeding to death. I explained that a few scrapes on the knee and cuts you would not bleed to death. I could clean you up and fix you up in no time. We got a cool wet washcloth out and wiped you all up......wiped the tears away.....and finally got the blood to stop enough where I could put some antibiotic cream and a Band-aid on your knee. Your elbow was mostly bruised......and abrasions were on your hand.

While doing all this you proceeded to tell me how it all happened...and the fact that you were running at least 35 MPH. I told you that you could not have been running 35 MPH.....grandma said "I don't know.....he was running pretty fast!" I smiled. I said maybe you were running closer to 5 MPH........you said it had to be at least 14 MPH. For some reason I found all the exactness of the MPH of your running a bit amusing.

Anyway.......I cleaned you up....and we enjoyed the rest of our visit. Uncle Sonny and Uncle Mike stopped in. I took KFC to grandma C's for supper and everyone ate. That made me happy. You were happy.

And all was right in your world again.

Mommy loves you.......forever I will.

XOXOXOX

Dear Noah:

You did pretty well last week in school. I am scheduled to go over all the school assessments of you with the staff and come up with any specialized plans you might require on October 3. I really think it seems things are going much much better than it ever did in the past, but you are also much older now and have changed a lot. So this is very good.

Not much else new. Mommy has been so scatter-brained lately......I cannot focus or concentrate on much for a long period of time. I cannot always recall things as quickly as I did. This is extremely frustrating. Many variables contribute to this I am sure and I am working on resolving them.

Today is Sunday and I personally don't feel like doing much of anything. At the same time I want to do everything. Weird I know.

And for readers out there who might be interested. Noah used to be scared to death of toilets...especially FLUSHING toilets. He still does not like automatic toilets or toilets that flush loudly in public places. I have to be the one to end up flushing them in most cases. He also never would use a Port-A-John.......but he does now. He loves them. Now he has gone off to the other end of the spectrum......where he is obsessed with toilets and flushing......even though there are still some he refuses to get near let alone flush.

Anyway.........I should get off here for now and get something accomplished. We still have to put the rest of our decorations out for fall. Guess we could start there.

LOVE YOU!

Mommy
XOXOXOX

Dear Noah:

The last 2 days you were in the "yellow zone." You were not very happy about that. One day you apparently tried to kiss your parapro on the arm and she had you put yourself into the yellow zone....because they are trying to get you to break those impulses and learn about personal body space and others' personal space......and privacy...etc.

You have a CRUSH on your parapro. When I asked you WHY you tried to kiss her you said very loudly like I should know......."because I have a crush on her!" YOU are too cute for words sometimes.

I forget the other reason for being moved to the yellow zone.

I am a bit scatter brained today.

Your friend's name is apparently TRAVIS not Trevor..and he is a FOURTH grader! You met him playing basketball on the playground. You and him seem to have really hit it off. I am thrilled you have made a new friend and when walking to our truck at the end of the school day Travis is usually there to say goodbye to you.

I also noted on the way to school in the mornings you are always on the lookout for 2 little girls. One walks to school and we usually pass her or her us in the mornings. The other day you wanted me to pull over quickly once you saw her coming so you could get out and walk in with her. BUT she was fast and kept moving though you did roll the window down fast and told her good morning. She just shyly smiled at you. YOU also always wave and smile to another little girl on the playground. Yeah....I don't think you are going to ever have any problems winning female over. It seems to come very natural to you.......and most everyone else seems to like you a lot too.

The parapro even admitted to just loving you. BECAUSE........you are so adorable and lovable she said.

We went to see 2 houses for sale in the area last night. Nice big older homes. The second one was very very nice. I could see us living there......wow.........no garage however......though there is plenty of room to add one on later. We met up with our former realtor and your real estate lingo has not faltered. You could easily take prospective buyers on tours of homes! You know more than some real estate agents I have worked with. We had a ball and you want to look at more homes tonight. I explained we were only just starting to keep our eyes open for a place......and all the circumstances would have to be right before we could buy anything. This second house was very nice....and the price was not bad. BUT......unless I can move my butt faster typing......I am still only officially working part-time. Unfortunately that could limit what we do. SO I am working on changing that.

OH......I remember the reason you were moved to the yellow zone the second time. Because during a class project when you had to use scissors to cut paper words out and glue them onto another paper......you also purposefully it appeared....cut your shirt. A brand new shirt.....you took the bottom and apparently wanted to see what it felt like to use the scissors to cut it......which you did. A nice-sized hole too.

I still love ya. Since you are fascinated with toilets......you had to have me film us flushing the toilet in the home that was for sale. Lately you have been sitting and watching videos like this on You Tube for hours.......

Mommy

XOXOXOX

That' s All For Now Folks!

Dear Noah......

Your friend Trevor was in school today. So it was not him that died in the fire. The school did place large green tarps up on the playground fence so you cannot easily view the house across the street anymore from the playground or the classroom windows. That is probably best.

When I dropped you off this morning and was sitting in the truck waiting till you went inside the building I noticed another little boy behind you.....actually a couple hovered around you..but the one......ended up pulling and jerking you around from behind with your backpack. It was all I could do to sit there and not try to intervene. I am fully aware kids will be kids and kids have to learn how to stand up for themselves and handle situations like this. You will be no different. BUT you are different in the fact that your emotional maturity is at least 2 years behind everyone else.....perhaps even more. Sigh...... this means if someone more emotionally mature and WITH it than you catches on you are different in any way..they can sometimes purposefully choose to pick on you or set you up......by provoking you in this manner to get you to react and if and when you do......you are the one who ends up in trouble.

I thought to myself perhaps you were all just playing around.....horsing around like little boys will sometimes do. I know you do not like to play too rough and have never played that way......and I for one never encouraged it.....because a few years back if you got too rough you could sometimes misinterpret actions from other children and explode......or get hurt......or hurt someone else and get into trouble. I always found it easier to just remove you from the situation entirely......and told you to always just get away from kids like that.......to avoid them. I began preaching to you how we "do not play that way" and you willingly agreed and it made you feel better and safe.

You have done very well and have also learned to not react with physical reactions to other children even if they do things to tick you off. I saw you stand there......hands to your sides like you have been coached to do. NOT reacting......and finally when the kid almost knocked you down and I almost got out of the truck to scream to the top of my lungs......you did turn around and smiled but tried to push him back. You missed as he moved out of the way......and that is why I thought maybe you were all playing. I know you do not always understand if someone is playing or actually trying to harass you. This makes it extremely difficult. This makes you an unfortunately easy target. I know YOU sometimes seem to ENJOY being shoved or being pushed around. It is a sensory thing. I have worked hard to teach you to not shove or push.

So......this was disturbing. Your parapro who is normally on the playground right by your side which would likely always thwart off this type of activity..was not present this morning on the playground. This is another reason why I think it important that someone is always present to monitor you and your situations.....to prompt and direct you on how to respond........to coach you. It is a constant thing. I think sometimes people do not understand the consistency and constant repetition required to have things make that connection of synapses within your brain that you can call upon later all by yourself if the same situation came up. You really do need someone to be there all the time.......even if from afar which is fine. If the parapro had been there today you would probably not have had this issue come up at all.

AND I talked to you about it today after school. You were in a very grumpy mood......not wanting to talk about it. This is NOT your character. You are always such a happy, lovable boy. I know you are changing and getting older and it can be difficult at best for anyone. I finally got out of you the name of the boy.....and the fact that you said this boy has told you he hates you. When I asked you how this made you feel......you said it makes you nervous. I can totally understand that.

You also told me you moved from the Green zone to the Yellow zone because you tried kissing your parapro on the arm. I know they are trying to get you to break that. I asked you WHY you tried to kiss your parapro's arm......you confessed "because I have a crush on her!" which I found so adorable.

In many ways you are growing up....or trying. You are not always sure how to react to these changes. I imagine it can be very confusing at times and disturbing to you.

I did send an E-mail to the teachers just to let them know what happened today so they can make sure to keep an eye out. I would hate to see this kid provoke you to some sort of physical outburst where you get yanked from school or in big trouble. I do not want you to be separated from the class either if you do not have to be. I am still very hopeful this will continue to go pretty well and they can finish assessing you this week so we can all meet and set up any special plan for you that needs to be set up. I apologized to them if I came across as the mom from hell because I have contacted them a couple of times already this year via E-mail. I said nothing bad or inappropriate. I just wanted to send them an FYI. BUT I doubt many other moms do that. They probably just let the kids work it out for themselves. BUT this is one of those areas where I cannot sit back and just let you all work it out among yourselves. The outcome is not predictable......and you honestly do not always understand what is going on let alone how to respond back to someone. THAT makes me very nervous.

I know I cannot protect you all the time. I do pray and ask God to watch over and protect you whenever I am not there beside you. I also ask that He watch over your teachers and classmates. I am not sure what to do with a child when another child at a school physically picks on them. I suppose if it escalated into a big problem something would need to be done. As far as I know it has not been like that.

I am anxious myself tonight......very difficult for me to concentrate. I have not been able to get all my work done yet and I have been sitting here off and on all day long.

I love you Noah....very very much.

Mommy
XOXOXOX

prayer request.....

This is the view from inside Noah's playground looking across the street at the house that caught fire. The house is directly across from the school's playground.


Noah is still doing pretty well in school. Sunday morning however there was a really bad fire in a duplex across from his school and 4 children died in the fire. I have heard 5 people died......4 were children. I am pretty sure at least 2 of those children went to Noah's school.

Without going into details.....I just ask for prayer. Prayer for the children in the school who are now being subjected to seeing this every day......with the police and news crews all around......as well as immense prayer for the families immediately affected by this tragic loss of loved ones.

I think that about sums it up.

Thank you

Dear Noah: TWO days in the green zone all day long!

YEAH! You did very well staying in the green zone both on Thursday and Friday at school! I am very proud of you!

Yesterday you played with the neighbor girls for 3 hours outside. You all had a very nice time and played very well together.

I met with your teacher on Friday and she remarked about how loving you were......and how she adores you and the fact that you are such a loving child. I have had many comment on this recently. They have all not discouraged it......which I am thankful for....because in the past in Colorado at the public schools there....you used to get into trouble for hugging or being loving. I can understand they have to teach you to respect personal space with the other kids.......which we will have to continue to work on even here in this school now......but the teachers also were standoffish. Here they are not. They welcome your embraces and hugs. I am very thankful for that because I worked very hard with you for a very long period of time to teach you to show your emotions and compassion and to let those parts of you out for the world to see.

They have also remarked about your wonderful "eye contact" and "expression of emotions, including facial expressions." This caused me to reflect back to a time when you had neither of those skills. At best they rarely occurred and you could not tell the difference between crying and laughing. You did not understand happy, sad, mad, crying, laughing....and anyone looking at you would cause you to shriek or head into a major major meltdown moment.



I bought EMOTIONAL CUE charts from school supply stores.......and lifesize kid pictures that had them expressing different facial expressions with the words describing those emotions beside their faces. I checked tons of books out from the library which we would read describing happiness, sadness, that had visual pictures of those emotions. I would physically act out little social stories with you...showing you the proper responses for specific situations.......and the WHYS of those specific responses. After a couple of years doing this.......over and over........very consistently......it all clicked in one day! After prompting you to express yourself......verbally.........how to physically show your emotional responses to specific things without a temper tantrum.......you GOT IT!

It is almost funny to me now.......when I sit talking with a teacher who goes on and on about your wonderful eye contact.....and facial expressions........or verbal expression......because I realize those parts of you that used to not do those things......are no longer visible or noticeable to anyone else around you....because you have moved past that point. SOME I am sure think you could not possibly have some of the issues you do.......because you have such wonderful eye contact now.....and are very lovable and emotionally expressive.

I do have some videoclips from years gone by.......and I have old reports and physician evaluations.........which all state what you used to not be able to do......or could not do. NOW that would be my only PROOF of what you used to not be able to do........because now you have moved so far past that point......that old part of you would no longer be recognizable.

That progress is HUGE. That should make you feel good. I am thankful you have moved to the next point......and can use words to tell someone how you feel........combined with expressiveness. WHAT tremendous progress you have made in just the last 2 years. It is incredible.

I guess my message to anyone else out there struggling with these same issues would be this. THERE IS HOPE that your child can do what any other child would do instinctively. The only difference is.......our kids have to be taught what some other kids just seem to instinctively know and understand. This is very time consuming...I will not lie about that. It is running constant repetitive drills over and over and over......constant promptings.......but....THEY CAN be taught and they CAN learn and they CAN succeed. They deserve the chance to learn. They deserve the chance to have those connections made inside their little brains.

I love you my little man! FOREVER I will.

Mommy
XOXOXOX

Dear Noah.........YOU STAYED IN THE GREEN ZONE!!

YES! Yesterday you were so happy to tell me you remained in the GREEN ZONE all day at school! I treated you to KFC for supper since you did so well! You also reported you sneezed all morning long and had a runny nose......but those are just some allergy symptoms. Seems we get them about this time of year.......and you have a very strong immune system and can get rid of them or adjusted to them pretty quickly. I gave you some Benadryl once you got home and you were fine after that!

The fascination with toilets continues........which is not uncommon for you. You have a select few things you remain fascinated with all the time......but I have noticed you sometimes rotate them as far as the amount of time you invest in any ONE thing.

You have always been fascinated with trains.......and then highways and maps......road signs......etc. ANYTHING to do with real estate......home construction.........blueprints...floor plans......looking at model homes......toilets and bathrooms, LOWES' appliance center, cameras and making movies.....ALL fascinate you. NONE of these subjects ever gets totally tossed out of your life......but sometimes you put a few on the back burner and pick up another one you have not frequented as often.

Anyway.......this is a BIG HIGH FIVE for doing so well in school! Today I am meeting with your homeroom teacher because I asked to.......so I could find out what she might be teaching in school this year so I could reinforce those studies here at home.

I love you..........way to go Noah!

Mommy
XOXOXOX

Dear Noah...

You are continuing to do well in school. We are both loving this cooler early fall weather! It has been gorgeous outside!

Your broke out your long pajamas last night......to stay warmer. You wanted to turn the heat on......I told you it was too early for that.

Last night when we stopped to see Grandma C. you were sitting beside her with your Doodle Pad and drawing toilets....and explaining the different types and the sounds they make. You said the automatic flushing toilets have an "EVIL EYE" that is red that watches you and knows when you are finished to flush the toilet. I had never heard you describe it like that before.....or thinking that the toilet had ONE EVIL EYE.

Today you wanted to take this book that records to school so you could record the URINALS flushing. The sound......I imagine you would then listen to it over and over again here at home. I have become an expert at tuning out most repetitive Chinese Water Torture type sound effects coming from you or your room. HUNDREDS of times I have listened to toilets flushing on You Tube videos.....or trains and their horns or just the trains moving down the tracks.

I told you that you could not take the book to record anything in the bathroom as that would only wind you up in trouble.....but maybe you could take a small dollar store pocket recorder to school hidden in your pocket to take with you to the restroom...to record the sounds......stick back in your pocket or put in your backpack.....till you came home.

MY only problem with my idea is that you might want to start replaying the sound effects immediately in class.......etc. OR you would not place the recorder in a locked position once you finished and it would erase all the sound effects before you got home.

SO......maybe we can go together and you can record it......one day after school or before......and then I can take the recorder home for you to have something to look forward to after school.

A few more of your quirks surfaced again today at the end of the day when I picked you up. You snuggling up into my boobs....running awkwardly toward me......then going to the gate and chains/lock at the gate at the playground fence.....waiting on me while I talked to your Parapro......picking up the chain and continually smacking it against the gate......over and over again......droning on......and on.......and on...... I called out to you to stop it once.....and it continued. Then I saw another teacher standing at the gate nicely tell you to stop it and redirected you toward me.

I stand there and wonder if anyone else is noticing the things I do.....or if they are all unconcerned and not paying attention. I know for me it feels like all eyes are on you.......but I doubt that is reality. I don't really care either way.......but those are thoughts that cross my mind while I stand there watching you.

AND for anyone else out there who might want to hear a variety of toilet flushing sounds.......check this site out and CLICK on PLAY on each one. I scrounged online to find some toilet sounds for Noah to listen to. When I showed him the site......he grabbed my face and started kissing it squealing "thank you thank you thank you!" SO........enjoy........I hear flushing and special effects coming from Noah's room as I sit here and type.

TOILETS FLUSHING

I love you Noah........so very much.

Mommy
XOXOXO

Dear Noah...

You are continuing to do well in school although you have had a few of your quirky ways surface. For example you are very touchy/feely and love to kiss and hug...although you still have definite times when you want no one to even SEE you let alone kiss you.

You love women and love to kiss or hug up to their breasts......which I have been working on teaching you is something you just cannot go around and do with anyone, any place, any time you feel like it. I totally understand these are sensory issues. I totally understand you like how a breast feels and how it looks jiggling around and how it feels to snuggle up to them.

Teaching you appropriateness of personal space and socially acceptable behavior around other people and their bodies has been an ongoing issue. You have improved tremendously over time......but today......you slipped up. Your Parapro told me when she brought you out to me at the end of the day that you were kissing and licking a girl's arm in class. You told me you were just "sniffing/smelling" it. AND the Parapro said you pinched her butt when she had her back turned to you and you apparently wanted to get her attention. She is aware you are NOT aware that anything you are doing is wrong.....or inappropriate.....so she ignored you and did not make a big issue out of it.......perhaps that is why it is so difficult to get you to realize personal space and not invading other's personal space. She does not want you to stop being touchy or wanting to give hugs and be loving.......but we do have to work on teaching you there are certain people you can do that with and certain places or times it is appropriate and other times will only grant you 10 minutes less on recess. Like you can hug people in your family.......but maybe not kids at school. Although I have seen the teachers here allowing you to hug them which I think is great.

So the consequences you face tomorrow.... 10 minutes less recess time. You will already be going in the hole starting the day off.

However, I love your acceptance of this. SUCH HUGE progress there. No getting upset or meltdowns. You accept what is handed down to you.....and pretty much do so without saying a word. I think because you do realize when you have done something you are not supposed to do....especially if you have been warned. AND that is one of the first steps in changing your behavior.

Anyway.........NO MORE GOOSING your Parapro!! No more smelling and licking kids on the arms or necks or any body parts!! I know you went through this stage before and I am sure it resurfaced because of starting school again......as that is where it surfaced the first time. AND NO MORE biting your arms either! It never ceases to amaze me how teeth marks and bruises do not bother you but a paper cut........you think it is the end of the world and you are dying!

We must continue to really work hard on your social skills and teaching you what is appropriate and what is not and trying to get you to understand the WHYS of it all.......when sometimes we don't even understand it ourselves.

I love you my little man!

Mommy
XOXOXO (I guess this means I need to stop goosing you too here at home because you will think it is acceptable behavior to do to someone else!)

Award time again!

Drama Mama from Like A Shark voted Noah's blog for the "Nice Matters Award"......be sure to check her out at the link! THANKS again Drama Mama.




This award is for those bloggers who are nice people; good blog friends and
those who inspire good feelings and inspiration. Also for those who are a
positive influence on our blogging world. Once you’ve been awarded please
pass it on to 7 others who you feel are deserving of this award.

SO I now have to PASS the torch so to speak to 7 others who I feel fit the above description. SO my nominees are:


Drama Mama (at above link......yeah I know I cannot vote for her again probably but I am anyway......she is a faithful reader and wonderful at leaving encouraging comments.......as are the moms listed below.........and the blogs all do fit the criteria above......so check them out.

Kristi in Texas at: Living Life In Texas

Kyra, mom to Fluffy at: This Mom

Tina, K.C.'s mom at: Autism Schmatism

Lora at: My Beautiful Child Griffin And Autism

Estee at: The Joy Of Autism

and finally:

Sam I Am

and Wendy at: Party of Six

and a bonus one:

Whitterer On Autism

Dear Noah...roaming and fascination with urinals...

Well you have had another successful, happy week in school. You are doing very well......but they finally realized something at the school that I had told them about before...that you are a "roamer." If you want to get up and go somewhere you just get up and go. You do not get permission or tell anyone what you are doing or where you are going. SO I guess a few times you have come up "missing in action" during school which I was not thrilled to hear.....because those things happened in the past when you went to a public school and I don't want you to end up missing or wandering off. Because of this they did assign a full-time paraprofessional to be with you all the time in case you need help or direction or just another set of eyes watching you to make sure you don't wander off! They call them a "parapro" at your school.

MOST times they have found you down in the bathroom. Your obsession with toilets has returned...which I was thinking it might once you started school. You are really obsessed this year with "urinals" and the boy's bathroom in general and apparently after you go to the bathroom you then spend a lot of extra time playing in the sink or flushing the toilets over and over again. I can only hope your hands are not ending up in the urinal. SO they thankfully found you in the bathroom many times....once you somehow escaped from lunch altogether to go to the playground. I am not sure what else has happened. They have never called me to tell me anything of the sort...and I only found out today because I had already decided to talk to the parapro a bit after school. We have not yet had our official meeting with the staff or any official plan drawn up for you at this school. I gave my permission for you to go ahead and start school now without all that in place ahead of time because I did not want to delay you starting school.

You do seem to be enjoying it.....and you are doing really well sitting and do your best I am told in the classroom. The problem now is just the wandering and bathroom issues which we all will have to work on.

Lately you have spent your free time watching video snippets on You Tube about toilets. ANYTHING about toilets. You can watch it for hours if I let you. ANY time the Travel Channel does their Top 10 bathrooms or top 20 whatever it is.......we all watch it together. I have to admit even I enjoy seeing all those different bathrooms all over the world!

You somehow think watching all the toilet videos is bad.....or something to be ashamed of or something you have to hide from me because anytime I walk into your room and a clip is on you cover it up with your hands or tell me "don't see me!" I asked to see what you were watching tonight and it was nothing bad at all....strictly a clip about different toilets. I told you that it was okay to watch it. You then shared it with me.

They moved your lunch to an earlier time and it sounds like you go with a group of kids in other classes you do not even know. They did this to work out a schedule so someone would always be around you to keep an eye on you. The problem is now your lunch is super early and you get super hungry before you come home. NOT sure how well this will work out.

I am still thrilled your body is adjusted to going before and after school as far as your bowel movements are concerned. AND otherwise all is going very well.

I love you very much Noah......to the moon and back again! Forever and ever and ever!

Mommy
XOXOX

Dear Noah...

You have been doing very well in school thus far. I am thrilled and you also seem to be very happy!

Each morning when I drop you off I drive around and park so I can watch you on the playground and then wait until you get inside the school safely. I know there are a few monitors on the playground but my being there to watch the backside of the playground is not a hindrance....if anything I am just another helper and set of watchful eyes.

During these mornings I watch you rush to the swings to wait your turn to swing. You have been waiting very patiently and have been very polite about waiting on swings or taking turns. I saw you today wait a long time......and you finally got on a swing.....and some other boy came up and I am not sure what was said....but you got off after putting your hands to your eyes (maybe almost crying or upset....I don't know).....and you allowed him to swing.

This meant you were again without a swing. You stood waiting for what seemed like forever.....and my anxiety built up......as I knew you were not liking this and I was afraid you might eventually explode! Three little girls all got off their swings.....but only to turn around and face the other direction to swing....and as each one did......you ran up thinking they were going to get off the swing and you could hop on. I have to admit my stomach started churning with anxiety about you getting too worked up and frustrated and how you would handle it...or if you would soon lose it as you used to do in the past. I continue to try to put all those thoughts out of my mind now......and keep them out......but they do creep in and make appearances regardless. Constant reminders of what used to be....intertwined with how things are now....which is NOT like they used to be. I live in an almost "too good to be true" world and it feels like I am walking on eggshells. I can almost hear myself asking "will this be the day I get a phone call?" and I scream at myself to shut up and cancel that out! THINGS WILL BE FINE......ALL WILL BE WELL..........YOU WILL CONTINUE HAVING GREAT DAYS!

You patiently stood there.....and I was praying that the one girl who was not really swinging anyway would just get off the swing so you could have a chance.....you only had 1 minute till the bell rang. She did......you had just gotten on the swing....and only started to pump your legs.......when the bell rang. I was hoping you would not have a fit......and I was amazed you DID NOT....you hopped off the swing and ran with the other kids looking back towards me waving and yelling "Bye mommy.....see you after school!"

I sighed with relief........but the churning in my stomach continued. I remember drills like this a couple of years ago. It would not have gone down like it did today. You are making such tremendous progress....but also over the last couple of days I have once again been reminded of how "EMOTIONALLY IMMATURE" you are......and socially NAIVE about things in general. Especially inappropriateness of some things.

This only adds to my worries though I know I should not worry. BUT I do. As I wait in the parking lot every morning I pray for your safety as well as all the other children's safety and the teacher's safety. ALSO for safety within the building itself. Across the street from the playground is not a great area and there is an apartment complex that houses a not-so-great clientele. Yesterday when I went to pick you up there was a policeman at one of the apartments. Oh great........more crap to worry about.

BUT back to your emotional immaturity. EVEN physical maturity.....with your muscles and such. Today in the morning when you were sitting in bed you told me you could not swing as high as the other kids could. I had asked you about another little boy pushing you on the swings yesterday before the bell rang and why he was. You told me because you wanted to swing as high as all the other boys and girls but you could not.....and you got teary eyed. I explained to you that your muscle strength was not yet as strong as some of the other kids because first of all you only just learned how to swing about a year or two ago.......and really only by yourself within the past year. I told you to keep swinging every day and your arms and legs would become stronger and you would be able to go higher as your body became strong enough to handle it. You wiped your tears......and accepted that. You asked if stretching every day would help your muscles become stronger. I said it would help.....but so would lots of exercise.....where you actually USED your muscles to do things.

This is something we will work on at home. You no longer receive occupational therapy but they are going to try to incorporate that and physical therapy into your school time which is really needed. I think part of your therapy really needs to be time swinging. I will suggest that. I know it will sound dumb to some.....but it was very helpful for you in OT before. It maintains your sense of peace and calm.

BUT back to the emotional part again. I realized again today when we were working on homework.......that you will have some struggles. You do not like to write and it is very difficult for you to explain things let alone write them down sometimes. The homework was taxing but we got through it. You take everything literally.....which will be a continual problem for you to overcome. I must explain to the teachers and staff that you do this so they can remember that.
One of the highlights of your day is going to the bathroom where you can "play with the urinal." I have told you to not spend too much time playing in the bathroom....to go in and take care of business and get back to the classroom. I know you did get caught playing in the bathroom at least once.......so you will have to overcome urges to be obsessed with the water and playing with the sink in the bathroom. You are also obsessed with urinals. These are the things that stand out noticeably at times showing me you are yes not the typical 8-1/2-year-old boy. I am fine with that......really I am. I do not care about the things you are obsessed with. BUT for you to succeed in life in the public realm......you will have to learn there is a time and place for your obsessions. That you cannot just act on them any time you wish.......much like you had to learn about your sounds you make or your stimming.

Every morning as I sit watching you.....I see other boys running around playing football and kicking balls......while you stand at the swings all morning if need be just for a chance to swing. You do not always understand all the other kids let alone participate in their conversations. You are just obsessed with getting on the swing and swinging where you remain in your own little happy world for hours if they let you. I also do not wish for you to ever be taken advantage of.....which yes, I also worry about. It would be easy for other children to zero in on the fact that you are naive about certain things and could be coerced into doing things for them which would get you into trouble. OR you could be made fun of and not really understand why anyone was making fun of you or what they meant.....etc. This has happened before in kindergarten in Colorado.

One of the assignments last week was to make a "ME BAG"...which you took back to school the next day to share with the class and teachers. You and your classmates were to fill your bags with five objects about you......so they could get to know you better. One of your objects was one of your rulers. You now own about five rulers....you love them......never go anywhere without one if you can. You use them to stim with......running them back and forth close to your eyes and making sounds. You say they are sounds of RR tracks and cars.......trucks.....things like that. The sound those vehicles make on the roads.......tracks. I asked you what you would say when you stood up and told about the ruler. You said you would tell them you use it to make sounds of roads. I am not sure how that went or if anyone understood it.......and to other kids I doubt they could grasp the importance of a ruler to you. But it is one thing you must have just to make it through the day securely.

Yesterday you apparently skipped lunch to instead run out to the playground and be FIRST on the swings...as they combine a recess after your lunch time. I guess you were on the swings that entire time. THEN when the bell rang and it was time to go in you told me you cried a little bit because you missed lunch. SO at 1:00 p.m. which was much later for you and lunch time, you got to go to the teacher's lounge and have a late lunch.....and they told you that you would need to always eat first before going out to play. I have to wonder who was watching you or making sure you do what you are supposed to if you slipped out and were on the playground first.

You are learning about the Tasmanian devil in your class. Not sure why but you are. You KNOW all the stuff the story said.......but getting it back out of you in written form was extremely difficult. I know you prefer typing over writing but you will have to learn to write. I know they have machines out there to aid children with difficulties writing......where you could basically just type in things. I have mixed emotions about that. It is good but really will not ever teach you to become better at writing.

sigh........

SO many times I look at you.....and see such a sweet little precious boy. Your naivety and emotional maturity is 2-3 years younger on average than most other kids. I think that is one reason you get along better with children younger than you......and you never like to play too rough so you always seem to prefer girls over some boys because you say they don't play that rough. The doctor had recommended you NOT play contact sports....not sure how long that will be for.....and I am not exactly clear on the reasoning. I can see where now it would make sense. Yesterday in PE you played what sounds like soccer but you said soccer/dodge ball. THAT you had to each take a number and then take turns kicking a ball to make a goal but you said you did not do well because other kids took the ball away from you....etc........yes......I worry about silly crap like that too. I don't know if this was considered contact sports or not. I don't know if some kids were allowed to TOUCH you physically and I know in the past (YES IN THE PAST)......you would LOSE it if someone continued to hit on your or grab/kick a ball away from you. I think you could handle it now......as long as you got a turn and were given a chance. Sometimes I know I worry about things that do not concern you at all. For this I am thrilled. I don't want you to be concerned about these things. Holy crap there would be no room in your world for much of anything else.

I am happy that the one para who works with you told me she thinks you are an incredible little boy and that she has grown very attached to you already. THIS makes me happy...because if someone else other than me has to work with you and watch you.......I would want it to be someone who cared about you like I do.

AND I am not posting all this dribble to downplay any of your progression and huge successes already. You are extremely smart........and I know you have tons of information stored up in your brain! Especially on subjects you really enjoy! You are like a sponge soaking material and information up. You LOVE sharing it with other people when you can. You at times almost seem bored with all the "trivial" stuff you are required to learn in school. I say trivial only because that is how it appears to me sometimes.....almost as if you are thinking 'okay I will learn all this but only because I have to.....but I really would rather think about highways or trains or roads or houses, etc.' SO you listen and absorb......but almost always also remain focused on whatever your interests are that you keep ongoing in your mind even while you are learning something else. Many times in the past teachers did not think you were listening because of this.....but you not only showed them you were listening......but you heard all they were saying. Chalk all this up to simply mommy worries and concerns......nothing more.......and I vow to make it nothing more and never any issues for you to worry about.

Anyway my most precious little man.........I need to get back to work.

I love you very much!

Mommy
XOXOXOX