Wednesday, October 28, 2009

milestone

We had a party to celebrate Mom & Dad's anniversary back in August when we were all in PEI, but today is THE official day. Here is a picture of them on October 28, 1959, at their wedding at Long Creek Baptist Church. Congratulations, Mom & Dad, on this special day. We love you!

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

say it isn't swine!

The flu season has come early to Kingston. There are so many people sick -- many classes in the kids' school are down to half attendance. H1N1 is widespread in the city right now and I'm just hoping this isn't what the kids have. I don't think it is, I think it's just a bad cold or regular flu. Not fun, though!

Last week Allison missed Monday and Thursday with a stomach bug -- no vomiting, but she was running to the bathroom constantly. In fact they both missed school Thursday because Jonathan came down with an awful cold and cough. Friday was a PA day so they were both home. Allison was better Saturday, but Jonathan was worse and couldn't go to his Extend-a-Family Saturday program. On Sunday Allison had come down with fever and a cough, so neither of them went to church; Rich went alone to the 9am service and then I went to the 11am. Yesterday Allison couldn't go to school (she slept all day for the 2nd day in a row), but Jonathan seemed a bit better so he went. But he had to come home in the afternoon only a half-hour after I'd taken him back to school after lunch. So they are both home again today -- better, but not 100%. The school does not want them back till they've been better for 24 hours. Allison is missing photo day today; fortunately Jonathan got his taken yesterday.

So needless to say it's been a long week. Allison is never any trouble, but when Jonathan is in that almost-better stage he is, by turns, really mischievous (trying to climb on top of Allison while she is lying on the couch) and really whiny (wanting to go out and do all the things he'd do when he's well). Hopefully tomorrow everyone will be feeling better and back to normal; everyone's happier when they're in their regular routine.

Friday, October 02, 2009

postscript

Here's a little p.s. to the post I published a couple of days ago.

Allison's teacher has told us that Allison has been so much happier and more involved in the last couple of days, since my presentation to her class. Group work is going better; other students are talking to her more and showing more interest in her; and she is smiling and laughing more than ever before. Today Jonathan had a morning field trip, so after school I asked Allison what she did instead of playing with him and she said, "Oh, I just played with a couple of girls from my class." In most cases those would be ho-hum, same-old-same-old words; but for Allison this simple thing--playing with girls from her class--is a major step.

Her teacher also told me that she has arranged for a student from the Autism Program at St. Lawrence College to do a placement in their class for a few weeks in the fall and in the spring. This student can not only assist Allison, but provide resources for the teacher and the rest of the school as well.

Good news!