Clara's Interlude

I want to take just a moment and include an update to something from the September post. I had mentioned that Clara was having a rough time transitioning to her new school. I had, of course, expected that. What I did not expect was that to include behavioral issues that disrupt the class. A call from Clara's teacher brought to my attention temper tantrums, crying fits, hiding under her desk, negative attitude toward routine work and resistance to help. The teacher seemed convinced that Clara would be better suited back at her base school, due to her emotional immaturity. A meeting with the teacher and the special education teacher really turned things around. What I found completely frustrating was that this meeting was the first time that these two educators had sat down in the same room to discuss Clara. As happy as I am that this meeting did take place, I am angry that it didn't take place before school started. I am also a little angry that Clara's teacher wouldn't listen to me when I would mention the Asperger's, her response being that she's had kids with AS before and their behavior was always age-appropriate. Clara's teacher learned so much during this meeting, the biggest lesson being that much of the issues were Asperger's-related. Clara's teacher even went so far during the meeting to suggest, again, that Clara would be better off at her base school, to which the special education teacher replied that if Clara can do the work, then she belongs here. Bingo! Finally, someone on our side!! Anyway, that meeting was back in October and things have been so much better since. Clara still has some rough patches, but she is able to keep it under control and not let it be disruptive. She has also become good friends with a girl in her class, which has been a true help socially. I really see her thriving now and loving school.

Me Myself and I

Once upon a time, there was a blog that was updated weekly. That blog doesn't exist anymore. It was a gradual decline to every other week, then once a month and now it's just a summary of clumps of time using pictures as aids to show where we've been and what we've done. Long gone are the days of actually taking the time to tell a story about one of our adventures or elaborating on the details that made a day special. Although I am trying to come to terms with the idea that it is what it is... I don't know if I like it. I miss the writing aspect of the blog... the littlest piece of me that went into it.

Is it a sign of our busy lives? Or is it just laziness? Or has Facebook firmly taken over... since everybody can see where we've been and what we're doing on Facebook, then it makes the blog obsolete? Or a combination of all three. And does the explanation really matter?

I have decided to take this post and just dedicate it to a few aspects of me, which seems completely out of place in a blog that was designed to keep the grandparents updated on the grandkids. But sometimes, the writer needs to vent.

First off, I want to take a minute and discuss an evolving hobby of mine. I have always been behind the camera, trying to capture (or as my husband would say "document") the moments. Those moments that slip by so fast, sometimes unnoticed, I just wanted to save them in a form I love. Back in November, I joined a neighborhood photography club. This club was the result of conversations between myself and another mom, who had the fortunate experience to work through a couple of classes with a professional photographer. She was looking for a way to share her knowledge while also learning from other hobbyists/amateurs. Her philosophy is that we all have something to share and so the plan is that it will be a group of photographers learning from each other. We've had just 2 meetings so far, but I feel as if I've learned so much. And each little piece that I learn and figure out opens up more questions and things that I need to figure out. Of course, I expected the learning curve to be immense, but I didn't expect that the more I learn, the worse my pictures turn out. I know... practice, practice, practice. I do find that I am more comfortable manipulating my camera now, which is really nice... it's just the results that need much work. It gets me so frustrated. And I don't know how not to let it get me frustrated.

The other thing that I wanted to mention was what life has been like having all three kids in school. I knew that I would love it last year, before it happened. What I didn't realize is how much I would love it. It has been such a freeing experience to have a couple of hours to myself on the days when Eli is in preschool. I thought I would use that time for more personal activities, but I'm finding that volunteering in the classrooms is so fulfilling. I have committed to being a regular volunteer in both Clara's and Lucas' classrooms, which I've never been able to do before. I love seeing them in their environment, surrounded by their peers, under the instruction of their teacher. Lucas' teacher incorporates song and dance into everything and I think my ultimate favorite part of being in that class is watching the teacher and all her students doing the Macarena while singing the months of the year. It is super entertaining... makes me laugh every time (on the inside). I'm always delegated to help out at the art table, but I've talked to another mom who puts in some extra time and gets to help test the kids. I would love to do that! I have stayed after art and played cards with Lucas... which is special to both of us. He loves having me in the class and I love being there. Clara's school is set up a bit different, so the only way to volunteer in the class is to supervise Strategies Lab, which is a parent-run period (once per month) for the kids to come in and play games that require them to think strategically. The most interesting thing that I find while supervising is that these "gifted" kids who are all about a year or more older than Clara still act like little kids... the way they pout and have tantrums when they don't get the spot they want, etc. It makes all that talk from Clara's teacher early in the year seem moot when I see the other kids acting so immature. Of course, what I like most is seeing how Clara interacts with her classmates. After over three years of being helped to learn normal social behaviors, seeing her actually being social in a social setting... it's beautiful.

Well, now that I've got that out of my system I'll go back and catch up with the events from October, November and December.