tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72270984649509221452024-02-02T05:39:18.350-08:00Life of RileyUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger69125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227098464950922145.post-32064420812883064652012-11-29T16:49:00.000-08:002012-11-29T16:49:20.961-08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Drum roll please......</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ZhxYZvthvfEO8ZNAqkUlOd-qZvrxwF-pVCWQn_zfKZ068HNhq36JNtsHKFMjt9bNjgfFuQT7ZSic6BIAWSmHox_pUHWRl5BjznnAi3vmgufNgwxTevV_Vwqfk0nQag3x5w0lD5-FW6w/s1600/IMG_7851.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ZhxYZvthvfEO8ZNAqkUlOd-qZvrxwF-pVCWQn_zfKZ068HNhq36JNtsHKFMjt9bNjgfFuQT7ZSic6BIAWSmHox_pUHWRl5BjznnAi3vmgufNgwxTevV_Vwqfk0nQag3x5w0lD5-FW6w/s320/IMG_7851.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
After two long, grueling years of fighting, asking, testing/retesting, meetings and LOTS of frustration, Riley has an IEP. Whoo hook!! We had our big meeting yesterday. We took our friend with us to the meeting (she's a behaviorist), and we got an IEP! I think they were giving us one anyway, but having someone else (from outside district, and thinking she might be an advocate) helped. He qualified under speech, and Autism. Duh. I had been telling the psychologist at the jr. high that for two years! I KNEW he had trouble with his pragmatic language. Anyone who has talked to Riley can figure that out! Anyone who knows anything about Autism can figure that out. Duh. Social skills issues galore=Autism. The speech pathologist at American conducted her testing, and what do you know? Serious deficits in pragmatic language skills! I had to really restrain myself from yelling "duh!" Except it wasn't this team I wanted to yell that at. I so wish the jr. high team had been present. In any case, he will see the speech teacher once a week, for 30 minutes to work on those deficit skills. He remains in the tutorial class (resource period) that we placed him into this school year. He has goals for speech and goals for turning in his work. He has accommodations (quite a lot-all of them transferred over from the 504 plan). We have a case manager, and now there's a real course of action. As our behaviorist friend pointed out to them, this is a kid who can (and will) go to college, and if he does not get help with the skills he's lacking, he won't make it through college and then won't get a job. She then asked them what they were going to do to help him. The inclusion specialist will be by to see him, and we have a plan! It's all LEGAL now, so they HAVE to follow it. All hell breaks loose if it's not followed. I am not worried. I trust the staff and administrators at the high school. We absolutely love it there. Riley's teachers had nothing but kind things to say about him, and why not? He's not a behavior issue. They are all willing to help him succeed, and the best part is, he KNOWS it! He senses it. We are very happy. We won the education lottery! It was a long, difficult battle (and it may not be over), but it was worth it.<br />
<br />
The above picture is from marching band. Riley is a completely different person with his band friends. It's amazing for us to watch the transformation of him there-it's like when we take him to Disneyland. Pure happiness. <br />
<br />
Now, do I email the superintendent and head of special ed to let them know of our success (and the jr. high's failure)? OR do I let it go? THAT is the question.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227098464950922145.post-53644982982210058922012-10-13T11:11:00.001-07:002012-10-13T11:11:56.483-07:00A First!We got a progress note in the mail yesterday. We are quite used to them. However, this one was different...<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/10/13/1413.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/10/13/s_1413.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />We are smiling very big right now! A progress note for an A+!!! We will take it!! He actually has TWO A+ grades right now. Four As and three Bs in fact. He's rocking it at the high school! Yes, a change in venue has suited him well. We LOVE the high school!!<br /><br /><br /> Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227098464950922145.post-16855702375727786802012-09-28T22:16:00.001-07:002012-09-28T22:16:23.872-07:00Good Sign?<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/09/28/2754.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/09/28/s_2754.jpg' border='0' width='400' height='400' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /> It's very early, but this was in my email today! The high school uses School Loop. It's awesome. I get an email everyday with a progress note and current grades. Just LOOK! We are doing a happy dance. These are the grades he's always been capable of. Amazing what caring and motivating teachers can do.<br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/09/28/2755.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/09/28/s_2755.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />The marching band went to the football game tonight, and played from the stands.<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/09/28/2756.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/09/28/s_2756.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />Riley, playing clarinet. He is a completely different person when he's with his band friends. He interacts!! It's amazing and has been a long time coming.<br /><br /><br />Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227098464950922145.post-6277054677631694422012-09-09T19:16:00.001-07:002012-09-09T19:16:49.247-07:00Marching BandRiley's first performance with the marching band was on Saturday.<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/09/09/3325.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/09/09/s_3325.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />We had to get up at dark o'clock, to be at the school by 5:00 am. <br /><br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/09/09/3326.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/09/09/s_3326.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br />We all took Bart (in the dark) to Berkeley. It was High School Band Day at UC Berkeley. 22 high school bands performed at halftime, with Cal's band. It was a really long day, but fun was had by all. Cal's band is enormous! After the football game, the band got to march through campus. They also got a tour of the campus, earlier in the day.<br /><br /><br />Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227098464950922145.post-33749427763000385132012-09-07T16:49:00.001-07:002012-09-07T16:49:41.113-07:00A Change of VenueI haven't updated here in a long time. I am not sure I will keep this site up. People interested in Riley, just ask me questions. I am not sure I feel a need to constantly update. I think I needed to get my frustrations out over the last two years. I feel less frustrated. I have a great support system, and I am leaning on those people. Things are good right now. We tweaked some things, made some changes, and are using the resources available to us. We are thankful for good healthcare.<br /><br /><center><a href='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/09/07/2513.jpg'><img src='http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/09/07/s_2513.jpg' border='0' width='210' height='281' style='margin:5px'></a></center><br /><br />Riley started high school on Wednesday. He loves it. He's in the marching band (and spent two weeks at band camp this summer-during the day, it wasn't a sleep away camp). He loves it. He has his first performance tomorrow at UC Berkeley. They are playing during halftime of the football game. It will be an early, long day, but we are looking forward to it.<br /><br />I love everything about the high school. They are wonderful. We met with them in May to discuss stuff and everything we came up with has happened so far. I guess the junior high is just a holding tank before high school. A waste of two years if you ask me. It's so much better at the high school. Riley has noticed a huge difference in the attitudes of the kids. So much more accepting and kind. Jr. High kids are just rotten. <br /><br />At the end of last school year I sent a nasty email to the head of special ed and the district's superintendent. They never responded. I wanted them to know how awful the last two years have been. Apparently they don't care. It's fine. I know the high school cares, and as long as they keep caring, it won't be a problem. I think he finally gets an IEP. <br /><br /><br />- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227098464950922145.post-17185939216936127812012-05-08T13:31:00.001-07:002012-05-14T22:39:20.426-07:00Still Here<br />
<br />
<br />
<center><a href="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/show_photo.php?p=12/05/08/2437.jpg"><img border="0" height="281" src="http://photo.blogpressapp.com/photos/12/05/08/s_2437.jpg" style="margin: 5px;" width="210" /></a></center><br />
Things are really crappy right now. 25 days until Riley is out of that damn school. I burned my bridge with the counselor there, after his report card and some very scary words from Riley. She's useless anyway. She has done nothing but fight me on an IEP, and she hasn't helped him at all. I thanked her for that. :-) AND I work for the district!! I can't imagine what would happen if I wasn't a teacher! <br />
<br />
There are just lots of things going on right now. Some I don't care to share. It's heartbreaking and rather stressful.<br />
<br />
Results are almost ready (from the third professional we have seen), and now we have sought a psychiatrist. Anxiety is at an all-time high (school, grades, expectations) and Riley doesn't want to go anywhere. He just wants to be home all the time. He has the appt with the psychiatrist on May 25. We think he needs some meds to help with the anxiety. The not wanting to leave the house is getting old fast. Really very frustrating. I mean he doesn't want to go anywhere (except Disneyland).<br />
<br />
I am contacting the high school for a meeting. It's IEP time and I am done fucking around with this district. Oh, will be contacting the head of Special Ed as well. It's time she knows what is going on. Keep that to yourself as I plan on "surprising" them. I have played their game, tried to do it their way, but it's not helped my kid. That is unacceptable. He has a right to an education, free from constant harassment from peers, in the "least restrictive environment." Done. Playing. Games. We've dicked around for 2 years now.<br />
<br />
<br />
Posted using BlogPress from my iPhoneUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227098464950922145.post-25829018959722432632012-02-23T21:50:00.004-08:002012-02-23T22:10:55.002-08:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyegd8V9clojK9aNCWrZCJeILzwuZep6IcDBikzCWyq5wzZSH_iJkTS52_N4R-flgVtuWrPGCyMAxct43VDXM3p0TXLJ2GHzUq6lH994xPUALEBHs0JWQQBMeftf27noYyjwjQHeFaKVA/s1600/photo.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyegd8V9clojK9aNCWrZCJeILzwuZep6IcDBikzCWyq5wzZSH_iJkTS52_N4R-flgVtuWrPGCyMAxct43VDXM3p0TXLJ2GHzUq6lH994xPUALEBHs0JWQQBMeftf27noYyjwjQHeFaKVA/s320/photo.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5712575488239409090" /></a><br /><div>This picture is from Riley's piano recital in January. He played two songs, Heigh Ho and It's a Small World. He did a great job!</div><div><br /></div><div>There have been a few things going on around here...</div><div><br /></div><div>Riley started a social group after the first of the year. It meets every sunday for a little over an hour. The woman who runs it, works for my school district. She does this as a side job. She is excellent. They are working on the exact things that concern me: being able to see things from another person's perspective, being less rigid, etc. He likes going, and I REALLY like the connection I have made with the other moms. They have the same frustrations. It's kind of comforting to know that I am not alone.</div><div><br /></div><div>Riley has been melting down a lot more lately. About stupid things too: like not being able to find his scout scarf (when he was told to locate it two hours before, but didn't) at the last minute. It caused lots of crying and tears. I think his hormones are raging, but I swear I am waiting for his head to spin around. He never threw fits like that when he was little, so it's kind of new for us. He also had a major meltdown over attending a Superbowl party. He just didn't understand why he should go because he doesn't like football. In the end, he went, but he took a book. I let him since the hosting family has an Autistic child as well, and I knew they would totally understand. Our goal is to try and get Riley out to be social at least once over the weekends. He is happy to just stay home, not talking to anyone. </div><div><br /></div><div>Our lovely neighbor is up to his old tricks. He and another boy threw a rock at Riley when he was walking home from school. He was behind them on the way home, but they stopped and made him go around them, so that they were behind. The neighbor threw the rock. The thing is though that Riley didn't know he threw a rock until the next day when the other boy told him. He sits next to Riley in Math and he said that our neighbor threw the rock to scare Riley. He admitted it. I sent an email to the VP-that whole strand was a joke. Basically they got a warning and that's it. They denied that they threw the rock. Kevin called and talked to the VP, who told him that parents were called, and next time there would be a consequence. I let the VP know how dissatisfied I was with the handling of the situation. It was intimidation and bullying, both are suspendable offenses according to Ed Code. Apparently not the first time though, and now there's a paper trail so if they bother him again, they will be suspended. I suppose they will have to kill Riley in order for something to be done. Next time though, we call the police. That jackass is old enough now to STOP his asshole behavior or risk the legal consequences. I really have no idea why he keeps bothering Riley. I really don't. Riley says nothing to him, doesn't even look at him, just ignores him completely and yet this kid keeps going after him. His parents are horrible. His sister is equally as horrible. Do you know how hard it is to watch your child constantly hurt? It sucks, and I wouldn't wish it on anyone-well, except the neighbor kid. THAT would be great! I would pay money to watch that! I saw him walking down the street the day after all of this came out. He looked right at me (I was driving), with this deer in the headlights look and I looked right back at him and mouthed the word "ASS" at him. I hate that kid. Next time I see him I am going to give him the watching eyes. </div><div><br /></div><div>Today we met with a new psychologist. We are having Riley reassessed and this time they are completing the IQ portion of the test. I think that's important to know in terms of school and services. Riley goes for the first round of testing March 6, then two more sessions after that. </div><div><br /></div><div>High School registration will be coming soon. We have already gotten calls from the HS about programs (the athletic department-LMAO, oh yeah, I am sure they want Riley). He was nominated to do some AVID program, but we are declining. It's a four year program to prepare kids for college. That would be his only elective. I feel confident that Kevin and I can get Riley ready for college. He needs to have his electives. He wants to do band, and we want him to have that experience and meet new friends (we like the old ones too, but he needs more friends). He actually went with the 8th grade band classes, to the HS to listen to their band teacher speak about band in HS. He can actually take 7 periods and can take concert band AND marching band, AND marching band counts for PE!!!!!! I will make an appointment with the HS, at the end of this school year. We need a smooth transition to HS. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227098464950922145.post-91685240097920968072012-01-19T22:30:00.000-08:002012-01-19T22:54:43.928-08:00And Here We Go Again??<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBhf1uh0culpmuKT0ld0MJEwBYCMNH_xeeYdRs3Wwo8MsQhfGN6RIafuHuS6J84fU04tFdvQf68ib0q1n7IngCe793_ev76aO6Ci9-q5RKvsqJb22XXk8TATb13bj-hZM6QXnRY9GgAl8/s1600/photo.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBhf1uh0culpmuKT0ld0MJEwBYCMNH_xeeYdRs3Wwo8MsQhfGN6RIafuHuS6J84fU04tFdvQf68ib0q1n7IngCe793_ev76aO6Ci9-q5RKvsqJb22XXk8TATb13bj-hZM6QXnRY9GgAl8/s320/photo.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5699598107967568594" /></a><br /><div>So we spent 10 days in Florida, after Christmas. We went to Disney World. Riley is always up for a Disney trip. He's kind of a pain in the ass the first couple of days though. Particular about where we should eat, hard on his brother (who lacks the Disney knowledge that Riley has), basically he wants to do what he wants to do. The food thing is a real pain. He gets a "feeling" for a certain food, and if that's not an option on a menu, there are issues. Super annoying. I mean REALLY super annoying. We let him make the choices the first two days and after that, he was SOL (shit out of luck) if he didn't like what WE chose. </div><div><br /></div><div>The meanness towards his brother drives me nuts. He can be nasty mean to Quinn. It's something we are hoping his therapist will work on, IF he can stop talking about Disney TO her. He doesn't talk WITH people, he talks TO them. He just started a social group on Sunday (which Kevin and I get to pay out of pocket for, since the school will not provide the service). We are hoping the group, and the awesome leader (she works for our district and boy does she know what she's doing!), will help with the meanness towards Quinn, in addition to the reciprocal communication. Oh, and the calling us and others by their NAMES. I have heard "mom" a little more often now, so hopefully there's progress.</div><div><br /></div><div>Riley seems a lot more withdrawn lately. He just wants to disappear into his own world. He's not answering questions, the first time. He was doing that before, and I was always all over his case about it. He'd do it to other people though: grandparents, teachers, peers, us. It drove me nuts that someone would ask him something, and he just wouldn't respond. He got better about it, but lately, he's starting to do that again. I am insisting on responses. I won't let him disappear into his own little world. He has to be engaged. </div><div><br /></div><div>School wears him out. I honestly will be surprised if he lasts through high school. He would never drop out, but eventually we may have to pull him out. Especially if we get nowhere with the school, like the junior high. The high school has A LOT of kids, and I've heard the halls are very crowded. He's not going to like that-the crowds or the noise. That may be one area where accommodations are made. There are 1,002 kids at his junior high, but the high school is even bigger. I have concerns. Nobody seems concerned about my concerns except me though. I have sought out advice from an advocate. We'll see what she says, and see if we'll need her services. Riley needs an IEP because he needs some services (social group, maybe even adapted PE). The school won't give him one, but they aren't following the 504 plan either. I'm finished playing with them. </div><div><br /></div><div>We are also seeking another evaluation from a professional psychologist, since insurance will not pay for the Autism Center at Lucile Packard (Stanford). One of the doctors is from a place called Keystone Behavioral Pediatrics. My friend says they look good, so I will be calling over there tomorrow. I still have questions, and since Riley does not qualify for services from Regional Center, there's nobody to answer my questions! </div><div><br /></div><div>To say that I am frustrated is an understatement. It's just never ending. If the school would step up and DO their job, it would be a lot better. I emailed the psychologist at the junior high last week, asking about the social group. Basically she dropped the ball. She told us at his 504 meeting, in October, that SHE was going to run a social group. She said she just needed to get permission from the parents of other kids who needed the service. Nothing has happened. I emailed her about it last week (I gave her quite a lot of time to get her shit together), and she said she is no longer able to do the group but that she was working with the head of special ed, to get one going. Yeah right. Perhaps an email to the head of special ed, from me, could speed things up? I'll try that tomorrow too. I am trying to work (district makes that hard for me to do as well), and I do have another child (what's his name again?), but I guess I will just have to plug on. I can't wait until Riley is out of that junior high, and I don't look forward to Quinn (oh yeah, that's his name) going at all. I am disillusioned with my district. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227098464950922145.post-58739411181520088742011-12-23T20:57:00.001-08:002011-12-23T21:09:59.051-08:00Hmmm<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggKPfhUQS59n4VQAeTBFcSmL44Gzcpxe5UTHsKfiTdS4Dy2y0t3YMWs6XTsEXBD28aHzmE78bKvN6Fsr8ajgGXs_RIRwl0wiAoBwRTmT4uoBXml_RtEVltb56AuIyRjI-6AuVGyunx42Q/s1600/rileyclarinet.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggKPfhUQS59n4VQAeTBFcSmL44Gzcpxe5UTHsKfiTdS4Dy2y0t3YMWs6XTsEXBD28aHzmE78bKvN6Fsr8ajgGXs_RIRwl0wiAoBwRTmT4uoBXml_RtEVltb56AuIyRjI-6AuVGyunx42Q/s320/rileyclarinet.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5689554747658368882" /></a><br /><div>Riley had his first performance with the band, last week. His music teacher is amazing. All of the bands are just spectacular! Riley can actually play the clarinet! He was pretty pleased with himself.</div><div><br /></div><div>So after break we are going to possibly look into an advocate. Riley's 504 plan is not being followed. There are at least 4 accommodations which are not being implemented. One of which, and my biggest concern, is a social group. The psyche was going to look into starting one, but needed to get permission from some other parents. We've heard nothing about it since. We met for the 504 in October. I am tired of playing with these people. My kid needs some accommodations as this disorder is starting to affect his academics. The junior high seems unable to do this, so now we must go forward. I have plans, oh I have plans, and I don't think I will be very popular, but who cares? I have pretty thick skin, and this is my kid and this crappy school district is wrecking him. </div><div><br /></div><div>Riley is starting a social group in January. There's a woman who works for our district, who runs social groups on the side. We will have to pay out of pocket for this, but he needs these skills. Oh, and I did get a phone call from my private Cigna Kelly (when you bitch about Cigna on Twitter, you get results), saying that our insurance will cover a social group (it's in Mountain View though), so I believe we will explore that option as well, and try both groups for awhile. The local one will be good, because perhaps we can connect with some local families who know what we deal with daily, and can relate. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227098464950922145.post-16192556636845190542011-12-02T20:15:00.000-08:002011-12-02T20:28:08.905-08:00Just Checking In<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikPp3IeKHBEDNe68dgHNWmZDgrW2NzrwKzk23tK2S0dR7TSL0VZ_9f2ACLZYchEUUamp3la2r709dRZw4y0-50aOoPJC5P-01-6sZwKNGY6OijAJVFaJ0POGsOXvxhucr83TQZxDgNgB8/s1600/photo-4.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikPp3IeKHBEDNe68dgHNWmZDgrW2NzrwKzk23tK2S0dR7TSL0VZ_9f2ACLZYchEUUamp3la2r709dRZw4y0-50aOoPJC5P-01-6sZwKNGY6OijAJVFaJ0POGsOXvxhucr83TQZxDgNgB8/s320/photo-4.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5681751027630652530" /></a><br /><div>Things are going well in Riley's world. He's working on finishing his walking stick, in Scouts. This weekend they have an all day workshop to finish it up. He's done a nice job sanding it.</div><div><br /></div><div>We had a little crisis at dinner last night. Riley didn't chew his bite of taco very well, and got some shell stuck in his throat. He was freaking out, saying, "I don't want to have to go to the emergency room!" Clearly he was talking, and NOT choking, so that wasn't going to happen. He wouldn't drink any water at first, to try and wash it down, just was hysterical. It finally went down, and he continued to have another taco, telling us he would take smaller bites. Good thinking. It's things like this that just bug me. His reactions are so over the top, and not how a "normal" 13 year old would react. It's very frustrating to try and talk sense into him as he is very hard to persuade. We went to dinner tonight, at a restaurant, and while I was up getting my burger fixings, he had taken his food to his seat. He comes up and says, "Well I can't eat my dinner because I don't have a fork!" I had him turn around and see the "Silverware" sign above. Of course they were out, so I made him track down an employee and ask them to refill it. He just doesn't have the knowledge to figure this stuff out on his own! Again, frustrating, but we plug on. I now see very clearly what we have to work on with him, so that he can function as an adult.</div><div><br /></div><div>Social skills group and Alpha-smart have yet to come to fruition at school. I am cutting them some slack because of the break last week, but I am only going to wait so long, and then I have to call to get things rolling. </div><div><br /></div><div>Riley goes back to see the endocrinologist this month-the day before our Disney World trip. I think the medicine he is taking, is causing him to gain weight. I want to see what the doctor says, and then in January, we are ALL starting a new, healthy eating regime. Is it wrong to put a 13 year old on a diet? I just think he would be a lot more active if he were in better shape. He WILL NOT stop eating though! </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227098464950922145.post-33158524991904478782011-11-16T21:03:00.000-08:002011-11-16T21:21:41.363-08:00504 Meeting<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigsgRhn1o9mM5tfFjgfuFEk9DWYWMUpMrBYKwb1ig452kp2RjB1JvweQ56zKtukqZ1CwQB65f9v0sRRpEOxrVxmj9HzBmzi8Dl1hBCiBxNur6xU7aKOS3ck33CV_27uwGVw9Reutq6ykE/s1600/photo-1.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigsgRhn1o9mM5tfFjgfuFEk9DWYWMUpMrBYKwb1ig452kp2RjB1JvweQ56zKtukqZ1CwQB65f9v0sRRpEOxrVxmj9HzBmzi8Dl1hBCiBxNur6xU7aKOS3ck33CV_27uwGVw9Reutq6ykE/s320/photo-1.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5675826178158453874" /></a><br /><div>So we had Riley's 504 meeting today. 3 of 6 teachers were present, plus the psychologist and the VP. A little funny about while we were waiting. The secretary was calling the VP on the walkie, to let him know we were there, and because they had a new student and wanted to know when she could start. They couldn't get him and couldn't get him, and then someone said he was at McDonald's across the street. With that, the secretary looks at us (because we can hear what's going on) and say's, "He's not eating, he's there for supervision." We knew that. There's a McDonald's right across the street from the junior high, and it's packed with kids after school. He was over there, probably chasing kids away, making sure all was ok. It was funny though.</div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway, Riley still has the 504. The psychologist doesn't think he needs an IEP, especially because they can give him some of the things we want, with a 504. We got everything we asked for: an Alphasmart for Riley to use to take notes (writing is just tedious for him, and his printing is super messy), prompting from teachers for homework/assignments (he doesn't just do what the other kids do-he does his thing), extra time if he should forget to turn in work, prompting to use eye contact, and most importantly, he gets to join a social group. Now that will only be a go if the psychologist can get permission from the parents of some other kids who need that service. If they say no, then we will continue to push for a social group for him. I know there's someone available to run a social group, and has offered to even just take him and coach him. </div><div><br /></div><div>We were happy when we left the meeting, although I do not know why the Math teacher did not attend the meeting, as she was in the office when we were waiting. Riley's English teacher thought it was tomorrow (we saw him after the meeting), and was very apologetic that he missed it. We were not concerned with him as he had Riley last year and is aware of the situation. He's such a nice man. The music teacher plays with the Oakland Symphony, and was out today. That's another one that is fine. Riley is doing well in that class. There are no issues. We could have used the Math teacher being present though, but we'll go tomorrow night, to conferences, and talk to her. We'll also meet separately with the PE teacher tomorrow night. She really wants to help him, and will make accommodations-she already has by having him run one lap instead of two for his mile run. She doubles the time for the one lap. She's going to help us brainstorm ways Riley can earn at least a B. She did inform us that he's been telling her he can't breathe even before he runs. We nipped that in the bud tonight. He breathes just fine. It's the running that brings on the asthma. I think he has anxiety about running and is using that to get out of it. </div><div><br /></div><div>They are really being very accommodating at the school. We even talked a little about high school, and I know who to contact there, at the end of this year, to ensure that Riley has a smooth transition into high school. </div><div><br /></div><div>Oh, and we picked Riley's report card up yesterday: 4 As, a C in PE and a D+ in Math-he has not been completing assignments in there. We will meet with her tomorrow to discuss that. </div><div><br /></div><div>Double OH, I have this awesome paper about PDD NOS, so I copied the important pages about the disorder, and another one I have about Aspergers, and gave a copy to each teacher. The PDD NOS one was very good! LOTS of good information. </div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227098464950922145.post-39225582494084359112011-11-14T18:44:00.000-08:002011-11-14T18:58:29.833-08:00Preparation Time<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF_C2L2bbhwRq10E9q9G_SqlZSHeca_y69OlylJuMOa-6ZI7d09pm7F1d8yr9XJyZH1At1pxYhtiR0akzR03VBNRIVNj_J8Xmem29Nw3PSthyPmzXNhbfN0FFY1WPK3hG8GcG2FK97mBk/s1600/DC3.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF_C2L2bbhwRq10E9q9G_SqlZSHeca_y69OlylJuMOa-6ZI7d09pm7F1d8yr9XJyZH1At1pxYhtiR0akzR03VBNRIVNj_J8Xmem29Nw3PSthyPmzXNhbfN0FFY1WPK3hG8GcG2FK97mBk/s320/DC3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5675048207178429682" /></a><br /><div>This picture has nothing to do with today's post. I just can't post a post without a picture.</div><div><br /></div><div>We are gearing up for Riley's 504 meeting on Wednesday. My friend, who is a therapist/behavioralist and two of her colleagues came over on Friday, to spend some time observing and working with Riley. The three of them are forming their own business, helping parents of kids on the spectrum. All three of them were shocked that Riley does not have an IEP, and they laughed at his 504 (it IS pathetic). I let them look over the testing results from Regional Center, and there was agreement that the diagnosis could still be Aspergers, but really it doesn't matter, because PDD-NOS is an Autism Spectrum Disorder. I think it only matters to me, because the school does not know what to do with the PDD-NOS diagnosis, and Aspergers is easier to understand. Anyway, they really helped me figure out my focus for Wednesday's meeting. I just sure wish I knew if he was going to get an IEP or not-the psychologist never got back to me about the testing results. It should be interesting to see if she shared the results with the VP or counselor. So I have a clear idea of what I want. All of my goals for Riley are social goals. He has to be able to introduce himself to others, and learn to carry on a conversation, a two sided conversation, not just answering questions. He's not good at chit-chat. He can and will answer questions, but he won't reciprocate conversation. If I ask him how his day is at school, he would never then ask about my day, etc. Another goal is to get him to use names. He does not address anyone by name, except for Quinn, and he says that name more than he really should. He does not call Kevin and I "mom" or "dad," and he is certainly NOT using the names of his teachers. He's going to HAVE to use names when he has a job some day. He won't use his teacher's name if he has a question, he'll just start talking. The ladies that were here Friday prompted him to come into the living room and say, "Mom, I decided I want burritos for lunch" (they made him choose what he wanted for lunch, threatening sushi if he didn't choose). He came into the room, walked over to me and said, "I decided I want burritos for lunch." He was then redirected and he said he couldn't do it, that he wasn't good at that. She then prompted him to say her name and that he was not comfortable saying that, which he DID do. There's been a handful of times that Riley has said, "mom," and each time I haven't answered at first because I am not used to him saying it. </div><div><br /></div><div>I will keep you posted about Wednesday's big event-oh I am also asking for an OT evaluation and a social skills group, and for him to be able to use an Alpha Smart for note taking. Ducks in a row, ready to throw down if it comes to it. I am over my district and their lack of helping kids-and not just my kid either. ALL kids.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227098464950922145.post-30593377842530850282011-10-31T18:40:00.000-07:002011-10-31T19:14:46.072-07:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS-9B2dYihnx-UJ6swQNWu4wdufselmjcZSwmz6yKD2vCzklEOpk-as0UKR4M6Ll0H-sMQM9OzceCxNA_qhU2YkbJSyXIig_nyUJd30DOxOJaVws3futP7OXduRWpp08z8eKULzEs1sbs/s1600/IMG_1068.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS-9B2dYihnx-UJ6swQNWu4wdufselmjcZSwmz6yKD2vCzklEOpk-as0UKR4M6Ll0H-sMQM9OzceCxNA_qhU2YkbJSyXIig_nyUJd30DOxOJaVws3futP7OXduRWpp08z8eKULzEs1sbs/s320/IMG_1068.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5669836422265447202" /></a><br /><div>Riley's evaluation from Regional Center arrived this past weekend. It's a diagnosis for PDD-NOS (Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified). It is an Autism Spectrum disorder. When you can't be lumped into one category, but there are issues, this is where they put you. It doesn't really matter, because the people that completed the evaluation, obviously saw things that we have been seeing as well, and clearly there is an impairment which needs addressing. PDD-NOS is what his therapist said early on, as well. I still think that he's Aspergers, because of the obsessions. The observer said the only reason he doesn't qualify there is that you can carry on a conversation with someone with Aspergers, but Riley can't carry on a conversation. He can discuss things, and answer questions, and offer a few tidbits here and there, but there's no back and forth reciprocation. I think it's a really fine line. Again, Autism is Autism, and he can have accommodations for PDD-NOS as well as Aspergers or Autism or sensory disorders.</div><div><br /></div><div>The evaluation itself is very interesting. It's very clearly written, and describes some of the things he was asked and asked to do, during the evaluation. It also includes the observation done at school. Two different people worked on the evaluation. The first was the intake person, who decides if testing continues or not. That's the one with the woman, and Riley spent the entire interview looking at a spot on the wall above her head. He did not make eye contact once with her. The second lady was who he met with in October. Kevin took him to the appointment. She conducted the actual testing, and the observation at school.</div><div><br /></div><div>Some interesting aspects of the testing. Riley was asked to pick 5 objects out of a bag, and to tell a story about them. He was unable to do this, but was able to connect them together in some fashion. He was also given opportunities to engage in a reciprocal conversation, and he was unable to do it. </div><div><br /></div><div>The school observation went ok. The observer saw him make some conversation with other students-only after they spoke to him first. In Science the kids were supposed to find a partner. Riley roamed around, not asking anyone. The teacher found him a partner. In PE he participated to the best of his ability. The observer spoke with two teachers. Both said he was quiet, and made little eye contact. He doesn't chat much with the other kids, but will raise his hand to participate in class. The observer thought he did pretty well at school, but did note a few issues. He doesn't stand out among his peers, and the kids do not avoid him (THANK goodness). The observer felt that he functioned pretty well. I really think opposite. She saw him on a decent day-on a day when he was maybe not as "clouded" as he can be. He will talk to others, but he doesn't initiate conversation with his peers. He will walk over to them and let them start talking to him. </div><div><br /></div><div>The recommendations: This part is interesting to me because the school does not want to give Riley an IEP. They don't think he needs services, but the recommendation is for an IEP, with accommodations in some core subject areas, such as PE (YES!!). It also specifies a need for a social group (double YES). She included resources as well-many I already know of, but a few I didn't, and also, perhaps the most awesome of all, there's some help for Quinn! There's something called SibKids that I can sign him up for, and he can interact with other kids who have special needs brothers/sisters. I am excited for that, because Quinn gets very frustrated and he doesn't understand why Riley does/says what Riley does/says.</div><div><br /></div><div>I think I know what I am going to ask for, when we meet for the 504 plan (or maybe the IEP, if that works out). I simply want compassion and understanding. I want the teachers to just verbally check in with Riley, make sure he's turned in his work that we have worked so hard to get him to complete. I want them to email/call me if they notice anything different, and that's basically all I think he needs. This year is a really good year, but the school has hand-picked most of Riley's teachers this year. I appreciate that a lot, but now I worry about high school. Will they hand-pick his teachers for him? By handpicking, I mean the administration selects the teachers they think will be accommodating to Riley-horrible sounding huh? Some teachers will go the extra mile, some won't. Do I make an appointment with the administrator before school starts-like near the end of this school year-to discuss Riley's situation. I am hoping that this school year will give Riley the confidence he needs to succeed in high school. He really does have a better grasp of the expectations this school year. Is it because he knows what he's doing now, or is it because he has helpful, awesome teachers this year? I am hoping it's a combination of both, and I certainly hope to find that sort of combination next school year. PE is still a constant struggle, and I may try to opt him out in high school. There can't possibly be a PE teacher there, as good as the one he has this year. I love her. I am sure he'll still get a C in PE. Whatever. I'm OK with that (sort of). I'm just happy that we have not received any progress notes for an F in PE so far-in fact, we've had NO negative progress notes this trimester, from ANY teacher!! He's actually running an A in both Science and History so far!</div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway, I am going to try and focus on this year, and worry about high school later. Right now, things are good. His teachers are great. He's happy. All of that equals one happy mom (only a little worried about high school).</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227098464950922145.post-30469149043562792702011-10-17T21:30:00.001-07:002011-10-17T21:53:18.532-07:00Finally!<div>Well, here we are, 8 months and 6 days from Riley's original diagnosis of PDD-NOS (from his therapist), and Riley was finally, officially tested! He was out of school for the day, to get it done. He's already made up the missed PE class too-he wrote a paper about the rules of tennis.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOVCy-n5EFHE0xO7zk_XxekipdJeuMEaMRdiq9-3ggf_86brScVv4LVHVADsbMUfbRz-B95hsQGC3AL1gMlI7nKWnfdG-GzMoJJZI6SsK9k1fvyiTJ3Hrn1h3OjQbZtUNEF_sq5QebLRI/s1600/photo-2.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOVCy-n5EFHE0xO7zk_XxekipdJeuMEaMRdiq9-3ggf_86brScVv4LVHVADsbMUfbRz-B95hsQGC3AL1gMlI7nKWnfdG-GzMoJJZI6SsK9k1fvyiTJ3Hrn1h3OjQbZtUNEF_sq5QebLRI/s320/photo-2.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664685374067417042" /></a><div>I pulled all of this stuff out of Riley's backpack. Tons of wadded up pieces of paper, and he had three books in there for his read time! We cleaned the whole thing out, and he chose ONE book for his read time.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMZ_O7jKlslQgMOx8rpgffhPJxAlViLLyuKCkrSGT_R0SGRBHOB5x9b-VZ-FhA2lgaB0OrY8p5ukfYlHIs8iVvcZ36jrIUii8_lRln5vyZwrTVX3Ns8m47a-LJTu8MGGzbHs22_7jUTkM/s1600/hub.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMZ_O7jKlslQgMOx8rpgffhPJxAlViLLyuKCkrSGT_R0SGRBHOB5x9b-VZ-FhA2lgaB0OrY8p5ukfYlHIs8iVvcZ36jrIUii8_lRln5vyZwrTVX3Ns8m47a-LJTu8MGGzbHs22_7jUTkM/s320/hub.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664685370136261842" /></a><br /></div><div>We went to Riley's happy place over the weekend too! We drove down to Disneyland on Friday (after he got out of school), and we came home last night. I wish you all could see what a different person he is at Disneyland. It's truly amazing.</div><div><br /></div><div>After the testing today, the lady who conducted it, gave Kevin a check sheet. The sheet had three areas for determining Autism, and in order to be diagnosed on the spectrum, a person has to have so many deficits under each of the three areas. Riley more than met that criteria, so we know he IS on the spectrum. We are now waiting to see exactly where he falls. </div><div><br /></div><div>Annoying issue of the day: I got a phone call from the principal at the Jr. High (she is useless really). She was asking about the observation set up for tomorrow-that is part of the testing. This same woman from today, goes to school and observes Riley in action. HE of course knows who she is, and why she is there, but the kids do not. So I set it all up with the VP, counselor and psychologist. I left the principal off of the list, because I figured she didn't need to be involved-the VP is the one who handles the 504 plans. The only reason she was involved last year is when I threatened a child advocate, and there was scurrying going on. </div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway, so she called me today, at school. She wanted more info on the observation because the woman had called her to make sure it was a go. She said she didn't know anything about an observation and she had nothing in writing. I said that I had emailed the VP, counselor and psychologist, and that I had not included her in the thread. She said SHE was the one that handled that (and I was to know this how???). Basically she needs permission from me for anyone to observe. I said I had sent an email to the other three. She then tells me that they don't know anything about it either. (lies lies lies) I, of course, save EVERYTHING and I have the email thread. In fact I have the original email I sent to the three stating when Riley would be tested and when the observation would be conducted. The VP responded that the observation would be no problem, and when would that be? (So AGAIN, I wrote him back stating when the observation would take place). THEN, last Friday I sent him another email, asking when we would meet for Riley's 504, and REMINDING him of Riley's testing and the observations (the teachers need 24 hours notice). He never responded to that email. I sent that to the principal as well. </div><div><br /></div><div>Long story short (I know, too late), THAT woman rescheduled the observation for Thursday, and she sent out a message to all of the teachers. I tried to tell her that the VP had already done that. I know he did because at Back to School Night, his Math teacher told me she was aware of the observation. I think the principal is on some sort of control kick, and is probably mad that I left her out of the loop. I think you can all see WHY I left her out of the loop. Useless. So I guess Thursday is just as good as tomorrow (whatever). I had some snarky comment for her in my response about Thursday, and I almost added, "He'll be just as Autistic on Thursday as he will be on Tuesday," but I refrained. I try to only deal with the VP, who I like. He's a nice man, and I KNOW he did his job. Maybe she needs to feel needed? I NEED her to leave me and my kid alone.</div><div><br /></div><div>So that's where we are right now. Hopefully a clinical diagnosis is very close. 8 months, 6 days.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227098464950922145.post-14645297171862262252011-10-10T21:18:00.001-07:002011-10-10T21:32:00.266-07:00Sort of an Update<div>The four of us went to the Renaissance Faire a couple of weekends ago. It was a lot of fun. We went to see this show, the Broon Show, a comedy, juggling kind of show. Riley got chosen to be a part of the show. I was nervous that he wouldn't want to do it, but he got up, and went onstage!</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBeBj7tT_W332wnR8al2Rx23XQ4D36HzN7Eq6Mrvda0EWOY23K9dWLcFaYZBchAbGMFj5xfv1rln_KgIriVhgfxrGQvotavbYa1OsVl2Am-hkDrnaMlfKTIFmdGUk9LUHaWIlfBbEPwdU/s1600/ren4.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBeBj7tT_W332wnR8al2Rx23XQ4D36HzN7Eq6Mrvda0EWOY23K9dWLcFaYZBchAbGMFj5xfv1rln_KgIriVhgfxrGQvotavbYa1OsVl2Am-hkDrnaMlfKTIFmdGUk9LUHaWIlfBbEPwdU/s320/ren4.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662084460178331410" /></a><div>His job was to hold a bowling ball (and wear a silly hat), and then hand the bowling ball to Broon, so that he could juggle it along with a lit torch, and an apple that someone else from the audience was to throw to him.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFiUx33x_0H_LWe-CrhMVhG5OHoSriDZ4g46uhrvOzZqx9Y9lp-oyP1iBIZbEZwClb-F6An_pYVX562ZAx-Az5P1F85A1U2i-rl-N0_GvzSjmRFEZw83L0QKfokPiIUsTyDmlFmr1mvn4/s1600/ren6.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFiUx33x_0H_LWe-CrhMVhG5OHoSriDZ4g46uhrvOzZqx9Y9lp-oyP1iBIZbEZwClb-F6An_pYVX562ZAx-Az5P1F85A1U2i-rl-N0_GvzSjmRFEZw83L0QKfokPiIUsTyDmlFmr1mvn4/s320/ren6.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662084455083831586" /></a><br /></div><div>He did a great job, and enjoyed himself too. </div><div><br /></div><div>Things at school are going really well for Riley. He's on top of his work (well except for the English homework that he never took out of the printer from Wednesday), and nobody is bothering him. He has a PE teacher who is pretty freaking awesome! She is really trying to work with him. He now goes, every day, to the office to take two puffs from his inhaler (exercise induced asthma) before going to PE. He was having trouble remembering (tell us something we don't already know), but his PE teacher enlisted the help of his 1st period music teacher, to help remind him. He's still complaining that he can't breathe, and his teacher indicated there were good days and bad, but she's not giving up on him. I so totally appreciate that! I think we will have a meeting for his 504 plan, soon.</div><div><br /></div><div>Riley's testing is on October 17, at the Regional Center. Lucile Packard called, and his name finally came up there! Only she called to say that our health insurance wouldn't pay. Kevin was told they would. I was bitching about it on Twitter and was contacted by someone at Cigna, and they are currently working on it. We really don't need them to do the testing any longer, but I want to be able to take him there, because of their research and knowledge on Autism. I need to call the Behavioral Benefits person at Cigna, tomorrow and see what they say. It pays to bitch, and it pays to do it in a public way. </div><div><br /></div><div>So far, so good. Riley feels good about school and most importantly, himself. He is working hard, and we are so proud of him. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227098464950922145.post-42983694251532904772011-09-25T12:17:00.001-07:002011-09-25T12:42:41.473-07:00Dragon Boat Racing<div>Riley joined his new Scout troop and spent the night at the park on Friday night. There were many Scout troops participating. It was part of a bigger Scouting event scheduled for Saturday morning.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO42BOvdCaqToaMEZo4_LwgguZkZaxXQ1YnGRFGo2eiEt8QOsnHy5PLrsESVbL3wq0sRWUQNJlN9NV9HOSrUjV_U2cbdqPbqro8zmyT2oNCEvNGdlwfPJeiz42FM9WJphZyjWiCiW2PEA/s1600/dr1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO42BOvdCaqToaMEZo4_LwgguZkZaxXQ1YnGRFGo2eiEt8QOsnHy5PLrsESVbL3wq0sRWUQNJlN9NV9HOSrUjV_U2cbdqPbqro8zmyT2oNCEvNGdlwfPJeiz42FM9WJphZyjWiCiW2PEA/s320/dr1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656378623018895298" /></a><div>The Boy Scouts participated in Dragon Boat Racing on Saturday morning!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMaSmz1qUFx5mRpDnaOfrnLrBOV6bqHmDYQsiXdNnyOqoc0dM9fyFJEWa7xz64UC4Jjrkd5d83OijRqXOSBHbO7dhAHG5qsQLOSBvHq57nQ44VKeB37LcI6QM-CcxQEB5bdgGBUpsAJoI/s1600/dr4.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMaSmz1qUFx5mRpDnaOfrnLrBOV6bqHmDYQsiXdNnyOqoc0dM9fyFJEWa7xz64UC4Jjrkd5d83OijRqXOSBHbO7dhAHG5qsQLOSBvHq57nQ44VKeB37LcI6QM-CcxQEB5bdgGBUpsAJoI/s320/dr4.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656378619681924626" /></a></div><div>Riley, and that's his friend Brendan next to him, and his troop, aboard the Dragon Boat, ready to sail!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNwk2BFfSzNtPL2jU754WbFXwtvZdJIJyN73-5yU8N-7t9PlHsQBfzQg01GV2x9Q4-LZPrGu7jeZ6K2psIijCA_YfbtjEzpQeqY4TdX00srT3tJoFCl0X_Kknsn583e1PEvDKKDosdgvQ/s1600/dr6.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNwk2BFfSzNtPL2jU754WbFXwtvZdJIJyN73-5yU8N-7t9PlHsQBfzQg01GV2x9Q4-LZPrGu7jeZ6K2psIijCA_YfbtjEzpQeqY4TdX00srT3tJoFCl0X_Kknsn583e1PEvDKKDosdgvQ/s320/dr6.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656378616468410050" /></a><br /></div><div>Getting ready to head out for the race!</div><div><br /></div><div>Riley's troop (and another troop) were aboard the blue boat, and they raced the green boat. The green boat won, but everybody had fun, most importantly, Riley! He had told me that he wasn't going to participate in the Dragon Boat race, but when Kevin, Quinn and I showed up Saturday morning, he was in a life jacket, in line with his troop. He didn't seem nervous at all, and most importantly, he DID IT! He put his fears behind him and got into that boat! It was a happy mom moment.</div><div><br /></div><div>After the race I asked him if he liked it. He said he didn't, because the boy in front of him and behind him were splashing. I will take that answer because at least their boat didn't tip OVER! </div><div><br /></div><div>We really like his new Scout troop. The boys are very nice and they have really made him feel welcome. We are very pleased.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227098464950922145.post-62410418850979393622011-09-22T21:53:00.001-07:002011-09-22T22:10:19.135-07:00Facial Expressions<div>So Kevin told me something interesting tonight. Something I knew, but had forgotten. Kevin has a blog about music through the years, and he is teaching the boys about all different kinds of music and artists. I guess tonight's post was about the band Warrant-genre heavy metal or "hair" metal. He showed them their video, "Cherry Pie." There's a part where the singer (or band mate) smiles, and it's like a huge exaggerated, cartoon smile. Quinn thought it was funny, but Riley said he didn't like the video. He said it's just a white screen behind the band and it wasn't that exciting. The thing is, it IS a simple format video, but if you watch, the facial expressions are quite expressive. Riley doesn't read many facial expressions, so to him, it probably all looked the same. He most likely didn't notice the differences in facial expressions, and the one with the cartoon smile would be very different to him. The post is <a href="http://kevdo.com/rock-history/2011/08/28/cherry-pie/">HERE</a>, check out the video. It's horrible-I share Riley's opinion.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigRA93iCu3qX2rzDD9DjYyvuNDZf4oiYGGd0QwHa5Ij3Zy3hPVawWbrvmSSiKczoPqV9PpAbZsM1pHJbZcRC7QnNelQQ8boLSOLmFzVmBb8m8S3iUaXzn7KLN6T7qu6ed21yn3lqwFIHs/s1600/IMG_7194.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigRA93iCu3qX2rzDD9DjYyvuNDZf4oiYGGd0QwHa5Ij3Zy3hPVawWbrvmSSiKczoPqV9PpAbZsM1pHJbZcRC7QnNelQQ8boLSOLmFzVmBb8m8S3iUaXzn7KLN6T7qu6ed21yn3lqwFIHs/s320/IMG_7194.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655414102575208690" /></a><div>Riley's idea of smiling and/or excitement.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEh2f73SYMG9e77G8KMHHctbmTt4Hu62f2dOx3Ao9KIH4wyG51Uw7nsrl9cuvq8LPJ6PigEEJFD7P9XWyG9iVws9oY5SMJKegkPrCopMI7ObE03dlOtPgGN6GC6paQ_lm3LGgmFFo-Pqc/s1600/IMG_7162.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEh2f73SYMG9e77G8KMHHctbmTt4Hu62f2dOx3Ao9KIH4wyG51Uw7nsrl9cuvq8LPJ6PigEEJFD7P9XWyG9iVws9oY5SMJKegkPrCopMI7ObE03dlOtPgGN6GC6paQ_lm3LGgmFFo-Pqc/s320/IMG_7162.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655414098583388354" /></a><br /></div><div>and Quinn's expressions.</div><div><br /></div><div>Things are going well for Riley at school. He likes his teachers-and I think I LOVE his PE teacher. He is keeping up with his work, and participating in class. He had one incident last week where he dropped his lunch, and the boy behind him thought it would be great fun to kick the lunch bag, only as Riley bent down to pick up the lunch, and the kid continued to kick, he ended up kicking Riley in the hand. The kid apologized all over the place (and also the next day), but it kinda freaked Riley out. Kevin had to go and pick him up from school early because he didn't feel good. The secretary said he didn't look good and that she had kids dropping like flies. He didn't have a fever at all, and not a trace of a cold. I think his hand hurt, and he was worried about that, and that caused him anxiety, and that is what sent him home. His therapist is going to work on the anxiety. That's what kept him home from school a lot last year, anxiety. It really must suck for him. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227098464950922145.post-52955614324196613852011-09-08T20:44:00.000-07:002011-09-08T21:00:29.733-07:00<div>Riley's schedule at school did change a little. Instead of having Math 3rd period, he has it 6th period, with the same teacher. He now has US History 3rd period (but his friend remained in the 6th period class). Riley seems fine with the change. We talked about it being a possibility, last night. The new History teacher is female and Riley said she's very nice. It's actually a teacher I have heard of, and all of it good. Whew. He did like the 6th period History teacher though, but is fine with the switch. He got to go to the new History and Math classes today.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGi-8eE9vJhzneyeQHkjO2dA-SrsiUisJJv_wjKxIXHPu01PghiUPA9E9uCuPHds6BYPxKvIF8h8GmcCd8YKQW4omu_V6btoqg3cEVs6zSGSJ6f2tEICwWAhTFsmFsmPRmlrI1VLCFuqo/s1600/photo-5.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGi-8eE9vJhzneyeQHkjO2dA-SrsiUisJJv_wjKxIXHPu01PghiUPA9E9uCuPHds6BYPxKvIF8h8GmcCd8YKQW4omu_V6btoqg3cEVs6zSGSJ6f2tEICwWAhTFsmFsmPRmlrI1VLCFuqo/s320/photo-5.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5650200906800403394" /></a><br /><div>His History teacher gave him a questionnaire to fill out today-background information to help her learn about her students. I found it in the pile he gave me, for supplies and expectations etc, that I needed to sign. The last question just asks if there's anything else the student wants the teacher to know about them. Can you read his response? "I get upset very easily." He's so sweet and sensitive. I worry that he's overly cautious about this because of me. I was so set on keeping him from crying at school from 2nd grade on. It was a huge focus. I just didn't want him to get picked on because he's sensitive. Kids (and adults) don't always understand a crying boy, and I worried kids would target him because they could make him cry. Some kids did. It's been a problem, but he's much better now. We are much better now about helping him problem solve and work through his frustrations, without the tears. He hardly cried at all at school last year, two or three times maybe. Isn't it sad that you have to try to change something about another person because OTHER people can't handle it? It's so wrong. He should be allowed to be the person he's meant to be, but unfortunately school has not allow that. I think it's probably the same all over. People need to get on board and really take a stand against bullying.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227098464950922145.post-36920143829506186452011-09-07T20:44:00.000-07:002011-09-07T20:53:56.272-07:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyq6HR9qU0d_qIVoox7XEjUdBnEkW-f5lk-BM6pkupDJfy530V0Ms5pqEg66qpKiWbVr4R9VNocFtg6JhZRdJeEvDjEIZR1UxQlPz9gPe-dygg-ar-802XxvIqqgsdPkAbo46wUhuTDHE/s1600/IMG_7295.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyq6HR9qU0d_qIVoox7XEjUdBnEkW-f5lk-BM6pkupDJfy530V0Ms5pqEg66qpKiWbVr4R9VNocFtg6JhZRdJeEvDjEIZR1UxQlPz9gPe-dygg-ar-802XxvIqqgsdPkAbo46wUhuTDHE/s320/IMG_7295.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649829896588732738" /></a><br /><div>Kevin took this picture of Riley while we were at Disneyland. I love it. Such a cute picture.</div><div><br /></div><div>Riley spent the last two days in the Responsibility Center (RC). It seems he (and 10-15 other kids) were placed into the wrong Math class. They all should be in Algebra, and the class they were all placed in is an Intro to Algebra class. The principal told them all today that they should have the schedules figured out tomorrow. We are really hoping that Riley won't have a schedule change because of this. Riley doesn't seem to mind being in the RC (I think it's usually reserved for those who can't handle themselves or kids who have tests to make up from absences). He's busied himself reading. </div><div><br /></div><div>It's been 5 days of school, and so far, so good-other than the Math glitch. </div><div><br /></div><div>The Regional Center called today, and Riley's testing is scheduled for October 17. Finally!!! He will have to miss the entire day of school, but we need to get this done. I am seeking an IEP for Riley, and the school needs the clinical diagnosis to make that happen. The school should be contacting me soon for Riley's 504 meeting. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227098464950922145.post-55375542389882669442011-09-02T21:32:00.001-07:002011-09-02T21:45:13.277-07:00A New Instrument<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJLgZUGLGnuwv6x6aWRvKonN49TuOKQLMC3QPlL9NmuDuXPF_g-a8iYCE5HH_bsjekC8BSloxA-FpoKNPhR-yHWXRlvyRt53zV8HcYaulilKeI_QuW_D3EAsibFh4dL7R0KNsip-06-3g/s1600/photo-23.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJLgZUGLGnuwv6x6aWRvKonN49TuOKQLMC3QPlL9NmuDuXPF_g-a8iYCE5HH_bsjekC8BSloxA-FpoKNPhR-yHWXRlvyRt53zV8HcYaulilKeI_QuW_D3EAsibFh4dL7R0KNsip-06-3g/s320/photo-23.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647986877845883586" /></a>
<br /><div>This is the musical instrument Riley chose for band. It's a clarinet. He wanted something that wasn't going to be heavy. The plan is to stick with this instrument so that he can do marching band in high school. This was his first choice. Trumpet was his second choice. He was pretty excited to bring it home and he's able to put it together too. Now we just have to figure out the logistics of getting it to and from school-band is his first class. He said he could leave it in class, but that his 6th period class "is on the complete other side of school in relation to the music room" and he doesn't want to have to walk that far to have to pick it up. I wonder if he's made the connection that marching = walking? </div><div>
<br /></div><div>Third day of school was a success. Riley said he correctly answered his question in Science during a game, and that his Math teacher actually teaches. Imagine that. He's pretty happy, which means I am pretty happy too. Yay! So far so good. He does have to do that crappy mile run in PE again this year, only this year it's worth 35% (instead of 30%). Great. We'll see how it goes. The PE teacher was hand picked for Riley and he says she is very nice. Fingers crossed. </div><div>
<br /></div><div>Oh, here's a Riley funny: So we carpool with another family. This year the mom has two boys going to the Jr. High, a 7th grader and an 8th grader. She went to pick them up from school, and I guess her boys decided they wanted to walk home. Riley didn't, so she took him home. Riley will never pass up the opportunity to ride in a car over walking.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227098464950922145.post-79713475866917056702011-08-31T21:43:00.001-07:002011-08-31T21:54:19.836-07:00Back He Goes<div>Today was the first day of school!</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfHKRsqivceXGw9zQD4TPc3HqKIBQIpugyx9O0NMdxVb7BggYRVlQFcCdBU0f3xeZF5kvpykID31k90pM693cBJVVi8UI9n5tE5PreOASoZjSHFwjVlZbNVxhnjxcA7n0a3nf-z80wJlU/s1600/first+day1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfHKRsqivceXGw9zQD4TPc3HqKIBQIpugyx9O0NMdxVb7BggYRVlQFcCdBU0f3xeZF5kvpykID31k90pM693cBJVVi8UI9n5tE5PreOASoZjSHFwjVlZbNVxhnjxcA7n0a3nf-z80wJlU/s320/first+day1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647247415928450594" /></a>
<br /><div>Riley was not looking forward to his summer ending, OR going back to school. We got the boys to bed right on time last night, and both got up easily this morning, and were happy to get the first day over with. </div><div>
<br /></div><div>Riley enjoyed his first day of school. He likes his teachers and seems happy to go back tomorrow. He has decisions to make regarding the instrument he wants to play for his band class. He's thinking Clarinet. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227098464950922145.post-298102720889759562011-08-25T22:39:00.001-07:002011-08-25T22:43:55.066-07:00So Very Riley<div>I stumbled upon this today, on <a href="http://pinterest.com/">Pinterset</a>.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUJNcmp45Gu_o-rIW0eW7GS_3iTA84BQ9fMzU1qK8lKrPxTVzYaEknqIEuRNuFzoBg7ovjA4d2DadJAxoO_SmuI4fKRU5uN8Vc7hiFDAPgH3KARa1hrjNWQ99K2KS3DoJayXF55RhZDxg/s1600/137722486_mRsjDUVd_c.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 280px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUJNcmp45Gu_o-rIW0eW7GS_3iTA84BQ9fMzU1qK8lKrPxTVzYaEknqIEuRNuFzoBg7ovjA4d2DadJAxoO_SmuI4fKRU5uN8Vc7hiFDAPgH3KARa1hrjNWQ99K2KS3DoJayXF55RhZDxg/s320/137722486_mRsjDUVd_c.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645035387862610386" /></a>
<br /><div>It is so very Riley. It came from <a href="http://yes-butno.tumblr.com/post/8593434720">HERE</a>.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227098464950922145.post-84738221563246860802011-08-25T19:29:00.001-07:002011-08-25T19:56:07.671-07:00Officially an 8th Grader<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia06qEthEgzLtGmry8AU2T2HTv5pvMSlqyyCdUl0DLu-mcavtt5Mo_KuLYwoX1bW0MbImhGJmkErHaebREI3jnRlTSi_Iewn-szQB-PZzgjp0c1kRpgFdyiVOjCAzL8NwekD34MN622PQ/s1600/photo.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia06qEthEgzLtGmry8AU2T2HTv5pvMSlqyyCdUl0DLu-mcavtt5Mo_KuLYwoX1bW0MbImhGJmkErHaebREI3jnRlTSi_Iewn-szQB-PZzgjp0c1kRpgFdyiVOjCAzL8NwekD34MN622PQ/s320/photo.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644986265362596642" /></a><div>It's official, Riley is an 8th grader. He has the ID to prove it. We are hoping that he doesn't lose this one, like he lost his first one as a 7th grader. He had his Maze Day yesterday, and got his schedule. Kevin went with him, and there were gobs of parents, so it was not unusual for Kevin to go in with him. They split up the tasks. Riley waited in some lines, and Kevin in others, so all was good. I don't know why I was worried. It all worked out well.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>Riley got his schedule, and the first one, they accidentally gave him Honors Math, but since Kevin was there, he was able to round up the VP and point it out. The secretary called me later in the day, and I was able to pick up the revised schedule. Easy peasy. They were able to keep all classes where they were, and just substitute Honors Algebra with regular Algebra. </div><div>
<br /></div><div>He has, in this order:</div><div>1. Beginning Band (same music teacher as last year, he's awesome)</div><div>2. PE (female teacher, head of the PE department-hmmmm, could be helpful)</div><div>3. Algebra 1 (female teacher, new to school)</div><div>4. Science (male teacher, seems organized-I checked out his web page)</div><div>5. English (AWESOME English teacher from last year!!!)</div><div>6. US History (male teacher-Riley should love this class as he loves history)</div><div>
<br /></div><div>I believe the administrators and counselor did us some BIG favors with this schedule. They made it possible for Riley to get Beginning Band, and he got a female PE teacher who is very accommodating and compassionate (a PLUS, and I believe, also hand-picked for him), and I he got the same English teacher as last school year-I believe that was their doing as well. I had jokingly asked to have him again, and they said they weren't sure they could do that one, but he got him, and we are very pleased. I certainly hope the teacher doesn't mind having Riley again. I think Riley is very happy to have him again-it's familiar, and he already knows what to expect. So I am doing a happy dance, and hopeful that things will go a LOT better this year. I think Riley is even looking forward to school now. Oh, and his History teacher is married to the resource teacher at the school, so that could be very helpful as well! Fingers crossed everyone. The way this year goes will set the pace for his high school experience next year. </div><div><div>
<br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227098464950922145.post-69985378608345752011-08-21T23:53:00.000-07:002011-08-21T23:55:24.761-07:00Pluto Fun<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjth-jFxxVMcdZQfiPP_Dldq8KR-IYOUOhJ0iwfa8d_eHQIVDZaUxaPfyFL-jp4IfR6ECKGvs6omoH1qXyFDngP68qyg3UfJh3eSBmdDystvwTetGKIvpVspLpomKILfirMZsG_-sUltUA/s1600/pluto2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjth-jFxxVMcdZQfiPP_Dldq8KR-IYOUOhJ0iwfa8d_eHQIVDZaUxaPfyFL-jp4IfR6ECKGvs6omoH1qXyFDngP68qyg3UfJh3eSBmdDystvwTetGKIvpVspLpomKILfirMZsG_-sUltUA/s320/pluto2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643569977477734706" /></a>
<br /><div>I totally forgot to post this picture. Look at how cute it is! Riley didn't mind being dog-handled by Pluto. Pluto came by our table and grabbed hold of Riley and didn't let go. So adorable. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7227098464950922145.post-21678391124974197872011-08-21T22:35:00.000-07:002011-08-21T23:03:05.980-07:00Home From Disney<div>We are back from our trip to Disneyland. Riley had a blast. He left satisfied that he got to see all of the new planets in the updated Star Tours ride. We rode that ride more than any other ride. It's a really good ride. Riley liked it a lot. Actually, we ALL liked it a lot. There's something like 54 different combinations for the ride, so it's different every time. Really cool. There was much dismay when we still hadn't visited Hoth, but on our very last ride this morning, we got it. Much happiness all the way around.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF0JkQLdO3WanNSszfA5pHQNa3LNkCZkGLP1REexYxy8JqhgUC7dvNGKg5_qwTN2qeWwup0EmlgkeV0H8ETg0Jsz0d2to2uZgHgl6g2dL1PyG-qUQcv6ZzbVKgBAsWREcdkQYo3OAOrBk/s1600/d56.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF0JkQLdO3WanNSszfA5pHQNa3LNkCZkGLP1REexYxy8JqhgUC7dvNGKg5_qwTN2qeWwup0EmlgkeV0H8ETg0Jsz0d2to2uZgHgl6g2dL1PyG-qUQcv6ZzbVKgBAsWREcdkQYo3OAOrBk/s320/d56.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643549972252141250" /></a><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF0JkQLdO3WanNSszfA5pHQNa3LNkCZkGLP1REexYxy8JqhgUC7dvNGKg5_qwTN2qeWwup0EmlgkeV0H8ETg0Jsz0d2to2uZgHgl6g2dL1PyG-qUQcv6ZzbVKgBAsWREcdkQYo3OAOrBk/s1600/d56.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a>Look at the pure joy on his face! We don't see this kind of smile a lot. He really likes the Mickey Silly Symphony Swings.
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1naAli_isI21AfFK5dLawOQbTDOFg3rYrnnOrFdZbkbObTVVfTJvbEB7JLIWWZqfl051EdnkQ-2K0clDRXBNzsu9rNDbjdXBAURNWlkIgM5oxccL-zHtzjpT7kryij9P8puPmtf-xMZA/s1600/d55.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1naAli_isI21AfFK5dLawOQbTDOFg3rYrnnOrFdZbkbObTVVfTJvbEB7JLIWWZqfl051EdnkQ-2K0clDRXBNzsu9rNDbjdXBAURNWlkIgM5oxccL-zHtzjpT7kryij9P8puPmtf-xMZA/s320/d55.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643549968808661234" /></a>
<br /></div><div>Round and round and round we all went. It really is a fun ride. Don't ask Quinn about it though, because it wasn't so fun for him. </div><div>
<br /></div><div>I was looking at <a href="http://www.socialthinking.com/">THIS BLOG</a> tonight, and stumbled upon <a href="http://www.socialthinking.com/what-is-social-thinking/michelles-blog/438-working-through-blood-work">THIS IDEA</a>. I love it!! Next time Riley needs blood work, I am all over that! It's an awesome idea! </div><div>
<br /></div><div>This is the boys last week of summer. Riley needs to be at his orientation on Wednesday. Kevin is going to go with him. I am not sure that he can handle doing it on his own. Waiting in giant lines is not his favorite thing to do, and last year he actually cried out of frustration. I know what you are thinking, then how does he handle the long lines at Disneyland? We don't wait in long lines at Disneyland. We Fastpass all possible rides, and arrive to the parks at opening, which is the best chance of walking onto rides. We don't ever wait very long. Anyway, I digress, so I thought about hiring a teen to help Riley at orientation, but they are busy with their own orientations. I think having Kevin do it will be way more socially acceptable than if I went with him. It's only for 2 hours, and may not even take that long. I will write out all of the checks (yearbook, donations, PTSA, pictures, etc.) and then he and Kevin can drop them all off. The biggest obstacle is the long line to get the ID card, which he has to have, and which he can't Fastpass. I am sure he won't be the only one with a parent there. I hope. All of his friends have names that start with a later letter in the alphabet, so he can't even rely on them helping him. I think this is the only way. Should I try to find a teenager? Hmmm. Perhaps Kevin can just send him in, and wait outside for him, and if Riley has trouble, he can go out and get him. Yeah, maybe that's better. Yeah, that IS better. That's the plan. Kevin will take him, wait for him outside, and let him try to do it on his own. If there's an issue, Riley can simply go outside and ask for help. I feel much better about it now. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0