DANIEL IS COMING TO VISIT TOMORROW! WOOHOO! We're going to just hang out and maybe go to St Augustine. The Beach is on the list of things to do. We're all excited! Daniel - Drive safe!
Tristen cut his first tooth today. He also got shots. First two shots he just smiled and laughed through. The third he cried. But not for long. He started smiling at the nurse as soon as he saw her. What a little flirt lol. I actually took him to the doctor because he had a couple of bites that we thought were mosquitoe bites but then they got hard and red and then over night there were a bunch of them. But he hadnt been outside. Turns out they are flea bites. No, we dont have animals. But that doesnt mean we dont have fleas. The people that lived here before had several big dogs. Wonderful! NOT. And its going to be hard to get anyone to spray our house since we have young children. The rest of us arent getting bit. So I think its just his room. I think we'll just have to remove everything and spray it and let him sleep in our room for a few days. I'll try to get some pictures of his new tooth soon!
Austin and Breanna decided that they work at McDonald's today and have been feeding Tristen and me play food. They even made me use a credit card to pay for my food so they didnt have to count the money. lol I even got a toy with my happy meal! Tristen is enjoying it because not only is he getting attention, but he's got lots of things to teeth on as well. (Matt made 'Mama Burgers" for my mom...well I think I just got a "Slobber Burger' from Tristen.) lol Thank goodness this is all play food. I think Austin has given me 3 happy meals, 4 Big Macs, 6 different desserts and Breanna has given me as many drinks as she has cups...and then she refills them all too. I did like my papa and asked for Frog Legs when they asked me for my order. Breanna ran away screaming and Austin raised his eyebrow like the rock and said, "We dont make frog legs...you have to go to a chinese food place or ask Gramma Susan for some cuz she collects frogs for Tristen." HAHAHA! Gotta love em!
Matt had duty yesterday so he had to spend the night on the boat. That means just me and the kids. I got them all in bed and headed to bed to watch David Blaine on TV. He's kinda freaky. Lights are all off. Austin and Breanna have a habit of banging on the walls when they want something and they're in bed. I heard something and got up to see if it was them. Austin said he thought it was sister and she was up so I put her back to bed. But then I heard it again...it was the door. So I go to the front door and peek out. No one there. I go to the side door...no one there...but there's a van in my driveway. So I RUN back to my room and get dressed and someone knocks again. Im yelling JUST A MINUTE! and Im about to have a heart attack because some idiot is knocking on my door late at night after we've all gone to bed. I open the front door and there's a man standing INSIDE my screen door.
IT WAS MATT! Apparently he's the one that goes bump in the night. He wasnt supposed to be home because he had duty. And he didnt drive our van to the house. He had the ship's van. He scared me so bad I just cried. Funny now, but last night I could have killed him. Why didnt he call? Why didnt he ring the doorbell...geez why didnt the goofball bring his keys? He just came home to get contacts, but he got more than that when he got here. HAHA!
We went to check out the base youth center today. They have an after school program that Austin could be in for 17 dollars a week. And its like childcare with a curriculum. And they help them do their homework too. I would have to pick him up by 630pm. They also have an Open Recreation time M-F after school from 4-6pm and on Saturday 1-5pm. He would be able to basically do the activities that he chooses instead of being in a classroom setting after school getting help with homework and what not. I think that is better suited for him. We should be helping him with homework and let him go the youth center to have fun. Its $18 for 6 months. Not bad.
They also have gymnastics and dance for Breanna's age group. Its $40 a month though. And Basketball starts in January. I think its $40 or $50 for registration...but it includes uniforms. That would be cheaper than his soccer was. And he didnt even play the second season we payed for. We're going to see how our funds are after our pay is settled and see about getting them into this stuff. I think Breanna would be cute in dance. She loves to dress up in her princess outfits so Im sure a tutu is perfect for her. Ahh, taking after mommy!
Happy Birthday Grammers! We love you more!
My baby in first grade is having a lot of difficulties in school. Im so upset about it all, it just brings me to tears. He's got learning disabilities, he's in speech therapy and he's got ADHD on top of all of that. We worked so hard in Kindergarten and were very excited to find that he no longer needed the out of class resources by the end of the year. He was at the same level with his class and ready to move on to first grade.
Then we moved to Florida.
In Texas, 1st graders learn how to read. In Florida, you have to know how to read BEFORE you can go to 1st grade. Their first reaction was to put Austin back in Kindergarten. He's 7 years old and has already been in Kindergarten twice. So it's not an option.
I got an "Elementary Scholarship Warning" from the school today. It says:
At the present time your son is doing unsatisfactory work in the subjects below:
Reading and Math
Teacher's Comments: Austin is working below grade level.
And I get to sign it and send it back...along with his progress report that tells me absolutely nothing and his IEP (Individual Educational Plan) that makes no sense to me what so ever.
I called Military OneSource. They support military and their families in just about any situation...and if they cant, they find someone that can. Or they're supposed to atleast. This is my first experience with them. As I was telling the lady on the phone what was going on and that I needed a tutor or help or a scholarship to a private school or something, I found myself in tears again, and then frustrated at myself because I couldnt spit out the words. He needs help and I cant help him. That is the worst feeling in the world.
She set up a conference call for Wednesday at 230 pm with an education consultant. I think he'll set up testing for Austin to figure out what exactly is his learning disability. So far the school has labeled him learning disabled, but without testing to know exactly what the problem is. They just generalized him. Isnt that lazy? How can you fix something when you dont know what is wrong? She is also having the research department find me resources for tutoring, scholarships, ANYTHING that might help in my area. She said I should consider having Austin see a therapist for the stress that he might be having for being so far behind his peers. Im not sure about that. We went to a therapist to get him diagnosed with ADHD and she continued to see him at my request because Matt had just left for Greece, but after a few visits, it just seemed pointless. I guess I need to talk to Austin and see what he wants to do. See if he feels alienated at school.
I just feel so bad for him. Its not his fault. If we hadnt moved to Florida, he wouldnt be in this position. He would be at the same level with the rest of the class. He basically cant do ANYTHING because he cant read. He's smart. He just takes longer to "get it". And the longer it takes, the harder it is, because of his ADHD...he cant pay attention that long. So it feels like an uphill battle. I mean, I try to help him with his homework, and I just think, "OMG why dont you get this?" We both get frustrated with each other and its hard to continue. I dont know how to explain it without giving away the answers...and he just wants the answers. He's tired of trying to figure it out on his own. Of course he is...its not fun anymore. I dont want him to grow up hating school.
I hope we can find something that will work. We dont have a lot of money to hire a tutor. Its a shame that schools cant be on the same curriculum across the states. Im surprised I did as well as I did in school when I was a military brat. I got lucky, I was always ahead of everyone else when we moved.
I'd consider moving back to Texas with the kids if I thought it was the best thing for Austin. But there's got to be someone that can help us.
Im really missing church these days. It was hard for me to go when it was just me and 3 kids. It seemed like even on the days that I got up to make an effort, by the time all was done, the service was half way over Im sure. So I gave up for awhile. But Im really missing it. When it came down to the move, I didnt even have time to say goodbye to my church family before we left. I've been looking around for a church when we drive around, but the only baptist churches I see are HUGE! Like as big as a high school huge! I really dont want to get lost in a big church. I find that smaller churches are more personable. I like knowing all the families that belong to the church. And I like for my pastor to remember my name if he passes me in the store. I like to have personal relationships with the people at my church. Because they can help you through anything. Its your prayer team.
I was invited to a Church of Christ by my neighbor. I explained that Im a Southern Baptist, but I would be happy to attend with her because I havent found a church of my own yet. And I've never been to a Church of Christ before. I was interested in what they believe. But here it is Sunday, and we're still at home. I tried calling her a few times to find out where it was and when we needed to leave. But no answer. Oh well...maybe I can find one today while Im sitting at home instead of at church.
Speaking of Southern Baptist...I talked to an old high school friend last night....and I use the term old, loosely. WE'RE NOT OLD! YET! Anyways, she lives in Panama City, FL and its about 4 1/2 hours away. Thats not bad at all. Her husband is a Southern Baptist Minister. Too bad they dont live closer, I'd be set lol. Its always good to hear that your friends from the past are doing well. And even better to get in touch with people you havent talked to in quite awhile.
Once a month Home Depot has a Disney Kids Workshop. It's on the first saturday of the month unless there's a holiday. So this month it was the second saturday. We went today and Austin made a birdhouse and Breanna made a planter holder. Austin did pretty good. Matt taught him how to hold the hammer and we had a few crooked nails, but it all turned out really nice. Breanna hammered with the help of mommy hehe. I was afraid she'd hit her own fingers. That wouldnt be good. Of course we had to buy some planting soil so she could plant her "Tigger Lillies". We will be planting those tomorrow. So more pics to come for that ordeal lol. Should be fun. I really like this workshop. It teaches the kids that they can make useful things for themselves. Last time we went, they made Mickey Mouse Media Center. It holds CD's or Playstation games. They get a pin to add to their apron every time they participate in a workshop. And the best part...ITS ALL FREE! We dont even pay for the materials. Im loving this! And so are the kids.
Matt's boat might have to move to another location today. Im not sure where. They're worried about the TD 16 off the coast. It's been really windy and raining off and on here. The problem is, the boat doesnt have its engines lol. So where ever they take it, a tug boat will be taking it there. That's going to be really slow! I hope its not too far lol. It might take all day. I guess I'll have to watch the weather channel today to see what's going on with the Tropical Depression 16. Well, I better run. Time to take Austin to school!