Who would have thought that a little $3.88 hermit crab with make David so happy. He's been campaigning for a pet for some time now, and finally Peter and I gave in. We travel a lot, split our time between here and upstate, and the pet needed to be something portable, durable and yet would teach David the responsibilities of caring for and feeding another living creature.
He came home from school yesterday on a mission, once again, stating his pet case, this time pushing for a hermit crab. Peter and I looked at each other and smiled, then laid down some rules. He'd have to buy it (and the cage, etc) with his own money, care for it, feed it, etc. As soon as Peter left for work, David and I walked down to 5th Avenue to Petland Discounts. David picked Stripes himself, chose the cage and the other stuff. He peeled the money out of his wallet and was walking on air on the way home.
Who would have thought a pet would also get him reading! Not only did he Google hermit crabs and find out what they eat on Ask.com but he also wisely purchased a book about hermit crabs from the pet store. Then sat down to read it, amazing me with the things he remembered. He's already talking about getting another one and a bigger cage. I've gotten him to wait a week to see how he fares with Stripes.
Stripes, by the way, is one weird looking crab. His shell looks like a bored pet store employee painted it with bright colors. David says we have to get another larger shell for when Stripes grows out of his current one. Also was on a mission to get a mister and learned how to use (well, tried, lefty challenged that he is) to use a potato peeler to give Stripes carrot bits, cut a grape in half and is dreaming up other snacks for his new pet. His first non vegetable pet. His other pet was a Venus fly trap who died from neglect. Hopefully Stripes will fare better.
Why do I see a puppy in our future?!
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Monday, April 12, 2010
David @ 10
This poem I recently wrote pretty much sums up what a (mostly) joy David is at 10. I am convinced he would be a whole different David if MMCL wasn't part of our lives:
David @ 10
is a shock of puppy-brown hair,
big eyes honest, green-blue,
wraps strong, spindly arms
around my neck in hello.
I look forward to meeting
the man you will become,
to watching your story unravel
before me like a good book.
For now, I am busy loving
David @ 10,
content with holding the hand
that still reaches for mine
when we cross the street,
happy snuggling on top of the covers
as we read each night,
savoring your tired kiss on my cheek,
and your unguarded laugh
like unexpected gifts
before they disappear
because David won't be 10
forever.
When I read it to him, he beamed the whole time, then said "Thanks, Mom" an flug his arms around my neck. Makes all of the above (negotiating with the DOE, etc.) well worth it. And then some.
David @ 10
is a shock of puppy-brown hair,
big eyes honest, green-blue,
wraps strong, spindly arms
around my neck in hello.
I look forward to meeting
the man you will become,
to watching your story unravel
before me like a good book.
For now, I am busy loving
David @ 10,
content with holding the hand
that still reaches for mine
when we cross the street,
happy snuggling on top of the covers
as we read each night,
savoring your tired kiss on my cheek,
and your unguarded laugh
like unexpected gifts
before they disappear
because David won't be 10
forever.
When I read it to him, he beamed the whole time, then said "Thanks, Mom" an flug his arms around my neck. Makes all of the above (negotiating with the DOE, etc.) well worth it. And then some.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
The Worst Blogger Ever
Yes, I must be the worst, most remiss blogger ever. It's been December since my last post. Maybe a sign that things have been going smoothly.
David's reading has improved by leaps and bounds and sometimes he just does it for fun, reading us Garfield excerpts he finds particularly hilarious. His spelling, however, remains dismal, and tackles it phonetically, which remains his weak point.
We had a good meeting with the DOE yesterday to build David's IEP for the 2010-2011 school year. David's teacher was on the phone, very honest about his achievements and weak spots. We will probably still have to look at a placement or two in public school but in our experience, these are sadly, and sorely, lacking. Especially middle schools, where he hopefully will be going this September. But I felt the team was very supportive, looking out for the best for David. It was a relief and a pleasure.
Unfortunately, there was no record of the auditory processing testing the DOE gave him last summer, forcing us to stay city-side in late July. Luckily, I keep good notes about who I spoke with/met with, when, why and the results. I was told verbally in August that there was no change to his IEP, which means he didn't need support for auditory issues. A minor inconvenience if he has to be retested.
We will continue to work with David on his spelling and typing, which might make his writing easier. But in all, I feel we've passed over a hurdle, which is incredible.
David's reading has improved by leaps and bounds and sometimes he just does it for fun, reading us Garfield excerpts he finds particularly hilarious. His spelling, however, remains dismal, and tackles it phonetically, which remains his weak point.
We had a good meeting with the DOE yesterday to build David's IEP for the 2010-2011 school year. David's teacher was on the phone, very honest about his achievements and weak spots. We will probably still have to look at a placement or two in public school but in our experience, these are sadly, and sorely, lacking. Especially middle schools, where he hopefully will be going this September. But I felt the team was very supportive, looking out for the best for David. It was a relief and a pleasure.
Unfortunately, there was no record of the auditory processing testing the DOE gave him last summer, forcing us to stay city-side in late July. Luckily, I keep good notes about who I spoke with/met with, when, why and the results. I was told verbally in August that there was no change to his IEP, which means he didn't need support for auditory issues. A minor inconvenience if he has to be retested.
We will continue to work with David on his spelling and typing, which might make his writing easier. But in all, I feel we've passed over a hurdle, which is incredible.
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