New Beginnings

Dreams really can come true. ♥️

Big things

I know I haven't been on here. I suck. But life is keeping me busy in the most amazing ways.

We just returned from a much needed vacation in Florida, and in 2 days, I get to marry my best friend. I am a lucky girl indeed. ❤️

Proud Momma

Just look at this weekly report.

In your face, Barmington.

AIM High!

First day of school here.
Usually this means I have not slept, and have probably gotten this far in my day on klonopin and coffee.

However-
Jaysen started a new school last year.

Ugh.I Know! ANOTHER NEW SCHOOL?!?!?

Yes. And this one is amazeballs.
Like bring tears to your eyes, amazeballs.
Like smack-yo-momma, make you cry, amazeballs.

I was going to keep the name of this school anon as well, but it really does deserve recognition.
AIM High is a school for kids like mine. Maybe like yours. But really, all kids would benefit from education like this.
It has literally changed his life.
And mine.

AIM is designed for kids on the Spectrum.
I was freaked out because as a private school, they "don't do" IEP's.  ACK!
In fact, there is not one Special Education teacher on staff! Not one! *cue arrhythmia and sweating*

It was explained to me that they don't need those things. The teachers (and ancillary staff) are so freaking compassionate, this is their passion in life. They don't need IEP's because the whole building is an accommodation. The way the days are laid out and the class sizes (averaging 6-10 students per class!), the individualized instruction, the support of the entire staff, and student body...it's honestly more like a huge family.

But education is still paramount. They use an evidence based education model. They have a full curriculum with core academics  as prescribed by the MMC. They have electives. They have a band. They teach life skills. They teach social skills.You can get an actual diploma and they assist in transition planning like college visits, ACT prep, and job internships. And if the student is not college-bound, they have a 5th year option for dual enrollment at a post secondary school.
They do not give up on these kids.

*Squeeeeeeeeeeee!*

The suck side is it is a tuition-based private school, and VERY expensive.
I cannot afford this school, even with financial aid. ShittyEx has agreed per decree, to a minimal contribution of less than 1/4 of expenses (Gee, thanks).
I will do everything in my power to keep Jaysen at this school, and continue to do so with the help of my family. He is absolutely worth every penny.

The principal disclosed to me, after our first year was coming to a close-
This school was created for kids like Jaysen.
Kids who are lost in the public schools despite the "support and services" they received.
Kids whom the public schools failed, and as a result, do not have an educational foundation to draw on.
He told me he was warned about Jaysen. Did he really want to take him on?? He's a lot of trouble, aggressive, "not teachable". He is "volatile" and a "behavior problem". Good luck with that kid.
The principal wanted to take a chance on him anyway. He ain't no sissy. 
A few months in, he admitted to me that Jaysen was nothing like the prior administration described. He found Jaysen to be sweet, polite, eager, hardworking...Yes, he needed help with self-regulation and managing his frustrations, but he had made so many improvements in that area already.

There were no meltdowns last year.
There were no faking sick days.
There were no tears or arguments.
There was no frustration with homework, because they do their homework after "regular school", with teacher support. I know, right?!?!?
Jaysen actually learned stuff, guys. Not only that, but he learned, retained, and applied stuff!
He was excited for school to start again this year, and that has NEVER happened.

Best.School.Ever.
AIM High School

We love this place.

I am loved...

How do you know you are loved on your birthday?
By awesome birthday surprises like this!



 

No birthday is complete until your toilet is covered in toast.

 

 

They love me in strategically placed toast.

Totally made my day.

 

I love you guys!

And just because you may be wondering...

Compliments of Jaysen.

Thanks, buddy. ;)

 

Got math?

I'm sensing a theme here.
You all know my math skills suck.  I could try to sugar coat it, but really...they just suck.
And I'm okay with that, because I am able to conjugate verbs, spell, and grammarize (yes, grammarize) circles around most people. That being said...

I work for the CFO of my company.
He's actually pretty awesome, but he's a "numbers" guy. I swear there are times we have full conversations and neither one of us understands the other.
He also likes to tease me about my lack of mathematical skill, and purposely asks me questions he knows I don't know the answer to because he finds some kind of sadistic joy in it, I imagine.

Anyway....
In helping Jaysen in his math homework last night, I realize yet again, that my kid rocks.

Example: Jaysen is working on converting fractions, to decimals, to percentages.

 He explains how he has to divide 70 by 100 to get the decimal.

 

And then...

 

 

 

 Me: Awesome job! Now how did you make the decimal a percent?

Jaysen: I butthundred it.

Me: You...what?
Jaysen: I butt-hundred it.
Me: Butt-hundred it?
Jaysen: Yes, you have to butt-hundred it!
Me: Hahahaha! What in the world is butt-hundred?
Jaysen: Look...

 



And there you go.
My boss will be so proud of me.

I Blinked...

....and somebody turned 11.

Happy Birthday, Bear!

I love you.



Little blessings bring big hopes

Omg. Sixth grade.
Crap.

*ring ring*
Caller ID says Jaysen's school
Shiiiiiiit.

Me: Hello?

Person: Hi Jaysen's mom. My name is blah blah...I'm...
*tuning out because this is probably about transportation reminder bs*
I'm Jaysen's teacher....

Me: Wait....whaaaaaat?  Teacher?  I'm sorry, I thought his teacher was Ms. E?

Teacher: Yes, Ms. E is his Resource Room teacher. I'm his homeroom teacher.
 
(pause)

Me: Ohhh.....this is his general ed teacher! Calling me? For.... Wait, who are you again? I'm sorry...

Teacher: Ms. Y. I  was wondering if you and Jaysen would like to come in to meet me and see the classroom.

(Um....his gen ed teacher is calling us in for a pre-meeting? Proactive! and Sweeeet!)

Me: Yes, yes, yes...we will be there next week, awesome yay!

Teacher: Great! I know how important it is to Jaysen, and also to ease your mind. I have a son on the Spectrum too. 

Me: *gasp* Oh, so you "get" it.

Teacher: *chuckles* Yes, I "get" it.

....Wow.

And so it begins.
The first year my son may actually be mainstreamed for real.
I'm a mix of excited, nervous, and proud.

Summer.

Wouldn't you know it- I finally feel motivated to update all of the summer festivities, and my phone is acting up and won't connect to my PC so I can get the pics.

In a nutshell...

Busy summer!  Dollface and the blonde army moved back up here from AZ, and are staying with us currently. It's had it's moments, of course- but it feels really good to have them back up here. I've missed my friend, and the kids. Jaysen loves having the baby around (he's 8 months), and Rylan finally has a rough-n-tumble playmate with T-rex. Ky has been an amazing help to me as well. I finally have "my girl"! Hahaha.

Jaysen has been going to the same summer program as he did last year. Very unstructured, but he prefers that freedom to the super fast paced tempo of a traditional day camp. I became disheartened when he told me all he does there is sometimes play video games and sleep on a couch, but I found out from one of the staff, that when the volunteers come, he plays chess with them! That is so awesome.

Rylan has been attending day camp for the first time. He loves it. They do SO MUCH STUFF, he comes home whooped every day. Canoeing, ropes courses, overnights, tye-dying, water parks.... it's awesome. Again, upon asking what he did that day, the typical answer I get from Ry is "I don't know. Ate pizza".  Then later on, we find out by the camp pictures, that he did all these awesome things.

This morning when I was getting ready for work, Jaysen dropped this on me though-

Jaysen:  So, there was a talent show yesterday at summer program.
Me:  Oh? Was it cool?
Jaysen:  Yeah. I was in it.
Me:  O_o   Um...wait.....what??
Jaysen:  I was in it.
Me:  *stopping everything short of breathing* OMG really??? What did you DO????
Jaysen:  Sing.
Me:  *trying not to fall over*  You sang??? What did you sing??
Jaysen:  Numa numa.
Me:  ........Awesome, baby! I'm so proud of you!!!

Trying to maintain my cool, I ran out and told Companion to ask him what he did yesterday.

Companion:  Hey Jaysen, what did you do yesterday at summer program?
Jaysen:  Nuthin'...
Me: *dramatic eyeroll*

Whyyyyyy do kids do that?!? That's HUGE news!!!

Our summer vacation didn't really go as planned-
There was weak internet connection up north this year, so the kids were unhappy. We ended up leaving early. It wasn't bad, just wasn't great like previous years. We'll have to re-evaluate our vacationing plans for next year.

I'm NOT prepared for the fast approaching school year. I am floored that I have a 6th grader, and that my baby is starting kindergarten. Kindergarten! I still remember Jaysen's first day of kindergarten, and now Supafly is starting? Who gave them permission to get so big so fast?!?  And to top that all off, they're already taking bets on whether or not I'm going to cry on the first day of school. History says yes. Also? My kids know me too well.

And, I believe that's about it in a nutshell.
Hope your summers have been funtastic, and a whole lot of "nuthin"!

Like a rawkstar.

Not to toot his own horn (heh)
But compare Jaysen's 2 concerts he had this year and check this out...

Spring concert

Summer concert

Aside from the spiffy haircut...

Do you see it?

Look again.

That's my boy, sittin' first chair.

Rawk.

 

This is how you rock a first concert.

Jaysen had his first school concert.
I can't even describe how freakin' proud I am of this kid...

Hey! Stop texting....we gots to go!
Oh wait...do those boots look familiar? ;)

Excited!

Practicing...

(Notice the gray blur in the back.
That's the evil ex-principal from the shitty school)

Hey- where's Waldo?
(Back row, right, blonde kid)

Ah! There he is!
*proud*

I have no idea if the video will work, but I had to try.

So there it is, folks.
The big update you've all been waiting for.
Be still my beating heart.
Hang in there, and keep checking in~ I'll be back.
xoxoxo

The big 5 -

Happy 5th Birthday

RYLAN!

You are full of all kinds of awesome.

We love you!

It's a *Red Rider BB* gun...

The kids saw Christmas Story for the first time, and apparently it was a hit,
because now Rylan wants a "Red Rocket Beaver Gun".

Nice.

He may shoot more than just his eye out.

Happy Hallowe'en 2011

Happy Hallowe'en from us to you!



Ewww....pumpkin guts



New hair color for Mom!



Skeery zombie wants brains!



Fear mah zombieface

Happy 10th Birthday!

Happy 10th Birthday, Jaysen!!!
We traveled far and wide to celebrate this monumental birthday, to Jaysen's favorite place in the whole world, where he declared this was the Best Birthday Ever.  I'm thinking it was a combo of the unexpected trip, and the acquisition of the much coveted Nintendo 3DS.

O hai!  A personalized birthday sign on the door to the hotel upon our arrival!

And horseback riding!

                          

And of course CAKE!

 

Jaysen's vegan Aunt passed on chocolate cake, but apparently eating the Birthday Boy's head is PETA-approved.

HAPPY 10th Birthday Jaysen!!!

Mah kids are weird.

It's been awhile, so...

You all know Jaysen:

Awww!



Holy bubbles, Batman!



Kitty love.

And Rylan:


I can haz mohawk?







Look!  Mom gave me liberties!





 



Scariest clown evar.








I wear my sunglasses at night...



Pimpin'.



This be his dance moves, y'all.

And most people think my special needs kid is my handful?

Oy. 

*Keep your eyes open for a special announcement coming soon here at Chez Quirk!