I'll Be Back...Eventually

I have hardly updated here at all lately. It's been such a fun, relaxing and enjoyable summer, and while I have missed updating here, I wouldn't trade a minute of the time I have been spending with Ryun and the girls. We have spent more time together this summer as a family with Ryun and the kids being home and it had been so nice.

I am getting only slightly excited about school starting next week. It will be nice in some respects to have a schedule back in place. It will be a less hectic schedule since the kids won't be dancing this year which, although I am sad that the reason they won't be dancing is strictly financial, I am not going to complain about being less busy.

Anyway, whether I like it or not, they start next week, and I should be making appearances here more frequently when they do.

Tired

It has been a busy week.

Monday night: BOS meeting.

Tuesday: PTA meeting.

Wednesday: back to school shopping.

Thursday: Jonas Brothers Camp Rock concert (free tickets my sister won on KISS 108).

Friday: Sean Kingston/Justin Bieber concert, overnight in Providence (Happy 13th Birthday Emily from Aunty Suz).

Saturday: friends birthday party.

Today: niece and nephew's birthday party.

So yeah...I have hardly been at home at all. Clearly this was training for the craziness that comes with the school year schedule which is, sadly, right around the corner.

I am really not looking forward to summer's coming demise. I am sure that I will eventually enjoy being on somewhat of a schedule but for the moment, I am just...sad.

Vacation Pictures: The Complete Set

You can find the pictures here. This truly is one of the most beautiful places. Check it out!

Back

Dr. Bottero Road Dennis, MA

In case you were wondering what heaven's address is.

Look...I even have proof.

This Week's Schedule

Monday: Massive house cleaning and laundry

Tuesday: Massive shopping for food and random vacation needs (like loads and loads of suscreen)

Wednesday: relax at the pool

Thursday: packing, packing, packing.

Friday: Dennis, MA and Chapin Beach...watch out! Here we come!

Summer Time=Less Blogging Time

It makes sense, no? The kids are home which means my time is more limited...or at least the time I have online. By no means am I complaining. I am thoroughly enjoying the time with the kids, the free schedule, the day trips to the pool and everything else that summer brings.

Emily and Katherine are off for a couple of days with my sisters. So far they have had pedicures, gone to dinner and gone to a movie. I am sure they are having an awful time! Julia has been enjoying some "Mom, Dad and Julia" time which has been nice. Ryun took her out to run errands this morning and we both took her to "Twilight Tales" at the library which she loved. Tonight was "Pajama Party" night so she went in her pj's. We listened to stories, made a dream catcher and had a snack. I am going to take her to "Story Hour in the Park" tomorrow morning. We may head to my parents to swim after that.

Ryun and I thought about going to see Eclipse tomorrow afternoon but the timing does not look like it will work out. My father was going to watch Julia for us but the movie times aren't coordinating with what will work. We may go Thursday instead but we will have to see. And yes, I briefly considered going at midnight but my brain took over. I can wait to see Edward, really I can.

Your obligatory end of the school year post...

...just wouldn't be complete with out a quick reference to how quickly the school year flew by, how I wish I could stop time, and how it doesn't seem possible that next school year I will be the mother of an 8th and 5th grader, as well as a kindergartner (take 2)!

As in years past, I am sure the kids will come off of the bus cheering summer's arrival and, in keeping with tradition, I will join in with them. There will be many "hooray's", "woo hoos" and screams of joy as we say goodbye to another school year and hello to a summer full of possibilities. New this year will be a an "Aloha To School, Aloha To Summer" party which will be celebrated poolside with my father. The party will include fun things like flower lei's, drinks with umbrella's in them, and a "summer fun" bag filled with all kinds of summer things like bubbles, sidewalk chalk, jump ropes, summer reading books, flip flops, and crayons and coloring books for those rainy days. I am also going to make (tonight because you all know how I love love love the last minute!) "Summer Fun Gift Cards" good for things like trips to the beach, an ice cream cone at the place of their choice (please kids, pick Peaceful Meadows or Erickson's), trips to the library, arts and crafts days at home, and trips to the zoo. I can't wait to see how excited and happy they will be when they see all this.

Oh summer, I have missed you. Welcome back...and please feel free to take an extended stay!

Photography...

...is one of my favorite hobbies; it may in fact be my favorite. Landscape and scenic photography particularly interest me and I am constantly seeking out new and beautiful places to photograph. It so happens that every scenic picture I have ever taken has been in New England.

This is why when Ryun suggested that we just do our annual beach vacation to Chapin (Dennis, MA) and not our usual camping in the White Mountains of NH trip (which would have been in addition to the beach), I literally felt like part of my soul was being ripped from my body. The beach vacation provides just as much beauty and at least as many opportunities to take pictures but there is something about the mountains that speaks to me on a different level. It doesn't have to be the White Mountains either. Another one of my favorite places is in Stowe, VT at the Trapp Family Lodge.

I understood his reasoning of course, with his job situation being so shaky. The beach vacation has been planned for a while but it hardly makes sense to plan another vacation with things as they are right now.

Then, another thought occurred. What if I went by myself, for a long weekend over the summer? It would certainly save a ton of money. I could stay somewhere extremely inexpensive and small. I wouldn't have to spend a lot of money on food either and could in fact pack some of my own. I can see it. Really I can...just me, my camera, and the great outdoors. No time frame, no working around schedules, no need to worry about anything other than my camera and myself. I could pay for it with the money I earn from my job which at this point doesn't contribute to the family finances (it basically just takes care of the extras). This is something I have talked about with my counselor before and she thought me time, completely free of all obligations etc. would be a wonderful thing. I just may look in to this.

In the meantime, feel free to check out some of the pictures I have taken all over New England, and many from both Chapin Beach and the White Mountains Region of NH.

Click here to go to the album.

Disney

What follows was originally written as an email to my parents and sisters. I have copied and pasted it here. It's a bit choppy and all over the place, but I didn't want to re-write the entire thing.

So…I have been doing a TON of reading about traveling to Disney with a special needs child. Of course, most of what I find is related to people with physical handicaps, but I did find one book that basically covers every special need imaginable…from ADHD to Asthma to Autism…and everything else you could imagine. Anyway, I thought it would be fun to share with you guys some of the stuff I have found!



One thing I found out about is called a “Guest Assistance Card.” It is something that is available at all four parks. Basically, it’s a card that might allow specific accommodations for your child…for example a child who has autism might have trouble waiting in long lines with people might be able to go in the handicap access entrance, which typically has shorter lines. It also allows you to use your carriage as a wheel chair, which also allows you access through the handicap line. I don’t know how much, if any of this applies to Julia, but if I decide to go forth with it, I will ask Dr. B to write a note that we can bring with us, and bring it to guest services when we enter the parks. I am still thinking about it because I am honestly not sure if these types of things will be for Julia, but it is something to consider anyway.



I don’t think we have any plans to eat at the following restaurants but this is interesting to know anyway: At the Biergarten in Germany, the table service restaurant in Japan, and the Spirit Of Aloha dinner at the Polynesian you may be seated with strangers.



Another idea which I could use book I am already making for Julia about what we will be doing each day, was to make a picture itinerary and put stickers on things that we have done. I think Julia will like that.



A suggestion from one of the mothers quoted in the book I bought was to bring a small pen light attached to a lanyard. It’s a small enough light that no one else would be bothered by it but just enough so a child would no be afraid in the dark of a scary ride. Along the same idea, have your child wear sunglasses if they are bothered by bright or flashing lights.



Some of the more popular rides in the parks offer something called, “Rider Switch.” If the whole group, minus one or two kids wants to go on a ride, the whole group waits together in line. Then one person stays behind with the kids that don’t go on. When the ride is over, the person waiting behind can go on and doesn’t have to wait in line all over again.



Regarding Julia’s birthday you can call the operator at the hotel and ask for Goofy’s special birthday message. There is also a number we can call to order a cake for her birthday if we want. I think that would be fun maybe for when we come back to the hotel in the afternoon to relax for a while before going back out that night. As you know, we can get her a gift card in place of free admission on her birthday. We can also go to Guest Relations at the park we are visiting and get a special button that says, “Today is my birthday.” Sometimes a cast member or character might do something special if they see that button. Another fun idea was to buy Disney themed birthday cards and sign them in the characters signature (how cool would it be to get a birthday card from Mickey Mouse?!?!). I will just copy and trace pictures of their signatures online if I do this.





This idea will be right up your alley Mom (just kidding!). Bring one of those pop up mesh hampers that folds down to store dirty laundry in for the week. I already bought mine for $1 in the Target dollar section.



One of the suggestions in the book I bought said to have a “sensory bag” available for your autistic child/child with sensory concerns. That way if they are having a “sensory overload” moment in the park, they can direct their sensory input elsewhere…by reaching in to the bag to feel something soft, hard, squishy etc. I have for Julia a small stuffed animal Mickey, a small Incredibles icepack (which I won’t freeze obviously but it will be good for the gooey squishy feeling), a rubbery ball with “fringe” on it, a package of erasers, a small Tinkerbell hard wand, and some small rubbery fish that stretch and pull back. Most of those were in the target dollar spot too…except for the wand which was in the regular toy section…still really cheap.



Someone that she is in dance class with recommended packing a surprise carryon bag for her that will have all kinds of small, entertaining things in it. The idea is not to let her open it until we are on the plane. I am doing this for Emily and Katherine too. For Julia’s bag I have a Cars dry erase board and marker, a Monster’s Inc box (small, like post card size) with notepaper in it, a “princess busy book” that has small magnetic Disney princess figurines in it to put in to the story, a small Incredibles snack container for pretzels or cheerios or other small snack in, Tinkerbell paper and stickers, a princess stationary pack that comes with a pencil, ruler and erasers, a package of crayons and a small Mickey Mouse board book.



For Emily and Katherine I have the following (2 of each) Cars Dry Erase boards, Disney playing cards, an Incredibles snack container (same as Julia’s), princess stationary set (same as Julia’s) a Toy Story box with notepaper in it (just like Julia’s Monsters Inc one) and a Disney Fan book…which is full of quizzes and tests about Disney Channel shows. I also got a book called “Cranium in a Book” which is the same as the game…just downsized, which could be fun in the hotel room for down time or at night or whatever.



Thanks to Michaels’ and Target’s dollar spots, and “Border’s Bargain Blowouts” I have done all of this for very little money over the past couple of months!



I am also going to do a “Disney count down” before we go. I have a few ideas for this. I am going to buy Disney paper plates that we will eat dinner off of that week. I am making little post card size cards for each night with a countdown number on it and Disney stickers/confetti (5 days til Disney etc). I am also going to go to this website (Mouse for Less) and print out free of charge a Disney countdown chain (similar to one you would make around Christmas but pre-printed with pics of the Disney character on it).

Whew. I think that’s it! Can you tell I am having so much fun with this?!?!?

It was difficult...

...but I have managed to pick out 25 of the 220 picture I took while on the Cape and marked them as my favorite. They will be grouped in to the following categories; scenic (two sets) people (2 sets) and art (1 set). I will be posting them here, in groups of five over the next hour or so.

Enjoy!

Oh, and if you are wondering...

...where I will be?

Here.




Chapin Beach. One of my most favorite places in the world.

This may be...

...the last entry for a week, or it may not. I had intended to write, in advance at least a few entries to appear here next week, but this week? I have been a slave to my washing machine, my dryer, my kids (oops did I just say that?) and time has just not allowed. There is still some chance that I might, depending on how much I get done and at what hour, but, there is also a chance that we might have internet access on the cape. We will have a laptop on hand, it's just a matter of whether or not there is a wireless connection available to "snag."

Anyway, check back if you are so inclined. You never know what might miraculously appear.

Vacation Photo's and Commentary...

...can be found here.

Enjoy!

Places We Plan To Visit While In NH

Just in case you were wondering!

...Santa's Village.

...The Flume Gorge.

...Clark's Trading Post.

...Cannon Mountain Aerial Tramway.

...Whale's Tale Water Park.

...The Basin.

...Boise Rock.

Dual

One of the most exciting things about getting our van last year (besides the obvious having a car and all of that) was that it came with a DVD player. It was going to be perfect for long trips with the kids, and maybe, just maybe there would be no fighting in the back seats! The only thing it didn't come with was the wireless headsets that were needed so the audio wouldn't take over the whole stereo system and the only people that could here it were the people who could actually see it. We invested the $120 ($60 er set and we only got two, thinking that Julia wouldn't bother to keep them on her head and it would have been a waste to get the 3rd set) only to bring them home and have them not work. The only thing Ryun could come up with (after trying many different things) that something was wrong with the wireless transmitter thing that would have made it work. We returned the sets, got our money back and just listened to the audio of whatever movie was playing all the way up to NH, on whatever excursions we went on while there, and all the way back to MA. Ryun didn't really mind me? I listen to music while in the car and it was sort of annoying to hear the audio but be able to see the picture (even if one of the movies was Cars, one of the best Disney/Pixar movies ever).

Anyway, Ryun and I were talking last week, as we were preparing to go to NH again, and decided to look into getting a portable, dual screen DVD for the car. We weren't looking to spend a fortune, and in fact didn't want to spend much more than we had spent on the headsets. Our research showed us that the prices ran the gamut...from really inexpensive to "we would never spend that much money in a million years). We went with a Polaroid brand for $150. It came with everything needed to use and mount it on the seats of the car. All we needed were headsets for them to plug in to the units, which we have in abundance around here.

The kids are thrilled and for that matter so am I.

Gone

We are leaving tomorrow bright and early (well, not actually leaving til 10 or so but up and loading the car early). I have managed to write 6 of 7 or 8 posts that I wanted to. Not bad. They will appear here beginning tomorrow and concluding on Friday. I will return on Sunday with an update, and no doubt pictures to share.

Have a great week!

Busy

The next couple of days will involve major packing(we are leaving for our camping trip to NH on Sunday), swimming at my parents, and general house cleaning. I am happy to say, that despite my total lack of motivation this past week, I have actually managed to start the packing process, and, I have written three scheduled posts which will show up here on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday of next week, around 12:30pm. I have a few more posts in my head that I just need to find the time to compose, so if time allows, I may have some more scheduled for the rest of the week. Some topics I want to post about include Julia's appointment with the developmental pediatrician and what the doctor has officially diagnosed her with, Some concerns I have regarding Emily, a few education-related posts that will end up over at the education blog, and probably a few other things that are escaping my memory right now.

Julia Swimming

I took this video with my cell phone yesterday. You can hear her singing some made up song about swimming and who taught her how. Too cute.

Busy Weekend=No Blogging

Busy for sure, but fun nonetheless. On Friday afternoon, we went over to my parents to swim with Jack and Suzanne. It was fun, and as usual, Jack and Julia were so cute together. We came home Friday night and, I stayed up way too late watching recorded tv.

On Saturday we had a birthday party to go to which was nice, although I did have to spend the first 45 minutes or so following Julia around because she refused to go play with the other kids by herself. She warmed up though after a while and was fine. We ended up being invited back to my parents to swim for a couple of hours after the party. It would have been a waste to go all the way home to get suits though, so I told the kids they could swim in their clothes. I might have earned the "coolest mom ever" award, but I can't be sure. It was all good, until we got there, and Julia refused to go in the pool without me. Thankfully, my sister Heather had two suits with her, so I borrowed one and Julia went in. She let me hold her in the water for a few minutes, but then retreated to her usual spot on the stairs and that was that.

Somewhere, between Saturday and Sunday (when we went back to the pool for the day) Julia decided that not only would she let me hold her in the water, but that she would swim by herself all over the shallow end and what the heck, jump off of the side without anyone catching her. It was like a switch in her head flipped, and she suddenly gained the confidence to know that not only could she do it, but that we would all be "right there" if she needed anything. You could tell how physically hard it was for her, but she kept right on going, pausing only to snack and go to the bathroom. It's hard to put in to words how proud I was of her. I will be anxious to see how she does when we go to a pool party on the 4th, not at my parents house and with people there that she knows only vaguely or not at all.

I am not sure what will be going on for week. Tomorrow is my turn to water the garden in the outdoor classroom at the Goode School and I think after that we will run errands. Beyond that? I don't know. But hey, it's summer? We don't need to have a plan now, do we?

Kid Cuteness

From the pool yesterday...

Clearly, Julia was not thrilled with the idea of having her picture taken!