Living in America....... summer 2010!

[redflipflops]

So.... new thread.... please join me

introductions:

redflipflops - California (central Coast)

I was kicked (accidentally) by stroppy student. I've never had concussion before and it's not nice. I was going to go back to work tomorrow but I'll see how today goes. Work are being understanding (and so they should - they did see it happen and then me slump asleep in the staff room) so that's good.

I had to bow out of that thread Kickass - I tend to get a bit cross about 'teachers have it easy' things, especially when I am covered in scars and bruises and teethmarks. But thank you for sticking up for me and being so kind

Earlybird, I think it's fab that DD still has the toothfairy! My DS (5) is desperate for a wobbly tooth. I don't remember when that starts although my friend's 5 yr old DD has lots 4 teeth already.

I'm going to London for 3 days for spring break. I thought since DS has been to Chicago and various small places in the UK, he should also see London. We're going to see the Lion King. Not sure what else to do there other than Natural History Musem. MMeBucket's trip sounds fantastic.

frikadakahlo - is DD ok now? My dad was very poorly with MRSA.

Sorry about that grockle - sounds like a horrible incident and damn right they should be understanding. How about the Science Museum? Lots of button pressing. The zoo is also great and he may enjoy the Tower, though that is really expensive!

Hello Frida and good luck with the move!
Sorry about your dog Bucket. Hope things settle down jabber. That's lovely about the tooth fairy Earlybird.

Can't wait to have this baby now as the heartburn is really doing my head in.

Yes she is fine now, just been left with another scar to add to her collection from where the drainage happened. She is another five year old desperate for wobbly teeth, inspired by Charlie and Lola I am sure.
What kind of school do you work in Grockle?
Sounds less than fun anyway!
Should go now as I am going to brave the snow on my none abs and non tractioned car, we all need some time out of the apartment.
Wish me luck!

Be careful Frida with that snow!

I work in a special school. Is fab most of the time! Am so grateful we don't have much snow here. 2 snow days was just right!

Grockle I figured it was probably not your run of the mill school. How is special needs education over here out of curiosity? Is it better or worse than the UK? I remember recently reading about an autistic boy who also suffered with epilepsy not being allowed to take his helper dog into school with him. Can't remember whereabouts it was, but I was surprised he was in main stream education. Did you come across that article at all?
tadjennyp when are you due? Do you know what your having?
Everyone told me that my dd would have lots of thick dark hair when I was suffering the heartburn during my pg with her, lo and behold she did! Hardly suffered at all with ds and he is much lighter than her so there may be something in that old wives tale!
Hope everyone is having a good evening!

Frida, I live in the UK now so teach in the UK system but I did work in a special school when I lived in Chicago. It wasn't a typical one though and took children from all over the US and overseas too. My class are all autistic so I am interested in the article you mention - I often think we should have a school dog as the children respond so well to them when we are out. I will have to google the article.

I shouldn't really post here - I just pop back every now and then to say hello.

grockle, of course you can/should post here!
the school dd goes to has dog visits for kids with behaviour problems.

once a week, a couple of owners come into school & sit in the special needs room, then kids come in & read a simple book while they can cuddle/pat the dogs, then the kid gets a treat like pencil etc for reading so well! it's one kid to one dog at a time, and they don't get to come if they have been in serious trouble since last week.

as you can imagine, it is hugely popular - specially the huge, super fluffy blind collie that one woman rescued.
parents help by taking the kids to & from class.

i'm sure you have enough to do, but it may be worth raising it as a possibility to look into.

grockle, of course you should post! I post here and I'm American living in the US so technically a little out of the way too

I have been researching dogs for a while now and have decided to go for a standard poodle this summer. I think it would be great for ds1 and the whole family really. He's doing much better with his sensory issues but still has some things to deal with. A dog could be just the thing. Besides, I have always had dogs and really want one

My boss and I were talking about it Kickass, I think it'd be great. Good excuse, Jabber

Have you used Sue Larkey's book on Sensory Programmes? My copy arrived yesterday but when I looked it seemed that I had many of the difficulties I am meant to be assessing in my children at work

I'm due within the next couple of weeks frida and he's another boy. Can't wait now! I would love a dog too, but think a baby will be enough work at the moment! Of course you should be posting here grockle. Weren't you one of the founder members of the thread?

I saw you on Southseas thread tadjennyp, so I think you said the 8th. One of my oldest friends is due on the same day and my little boy is turning two on the 14th and Southsea will be birthing that week too. So many Feb birthdays.
Grockle there is a reading program run through the local library whereby children with interaction diffulculties get to read to a dog. It's something to do with relaxing the child and the dog not feeding back into negativity. It's a while since I came across it so I'm not entirely sure of the details. Sounded like an interesting concept anyway.
We will be looking into getting a rescue dog when we are settled into the new house (we closed today, hooray!. We will have to sort out some fencing first though and I have a dreadful feeling that will be a tad exspensive!
Good night one and all!

Congratulations on the house! Hurray!

Grockle was THE founding member of this thread. If she doesn't repeatedly post here, I will kick her ass. Or give her another head injury.

I thought of you today, Tad. I was at a friend's house, and we were both talking about how much we hated being pregnant. And then my husband and her husband and my friend were all talking about running some race in Bend this summer.

It's a small world! Were they talking about the Pole, Pedal, Paddle? That's quite a famous race for round here. They seem to be doing lots of USA cycling stuff too. And in my German class I am teaching the Dad of a guy who has just been selected for the USA ski team. It's all a bit sport-tastic and I am a whale at the moment!

I don't remember what it was called, (I hate running. I don't even like talking about it.) But it wasn't that. But we've been to PPP. Probably about 10 years ago or so.

I like that ... Founding member. It sounds very important. These threads saw me through some interesting times. How different life is for me now.

Congrats on hose frida

I'm getting reading for DS early morning swimming session. I am lling in the bath while he helps DP make the tea. I like this set up!

I am rubbish at running, but can do the one minute kind with the stroller when circuit training. Well I hope to be able to do that again anyway!

DP, Grockle????????

Grockle!
you soooooo deserve that, specially if he makes you tea.

is this you 'subtly' dropping it into the conversation, all cool like, when inside you're ?

or am i just about a millennium behind with the gossip?

Hi All.
May i ask a quick question?

Is it normal practice to be asked for your phone number when your paying for your purchases in the stores over here?

Do i give them my phone number or is it ok to say no?
In a few stores ive told the cashier I cant rememeber my ph number(which is true) and then they stand there waiting for me to remember it.

Its beginning to bug me and I'm thinking of just giving them my old Irish mobile number.

quite normal - that or zip code, but you can just say no.
they're trying to work out where their customers live, so they can target advertising.

Thanks kickassangel

I was beginning to think they would add me to telemarketing lists and i'd have endless phonecalls.

i have a cell phone & they appear never to target those - i didn't even get any calls for the elections, whereas several week seems to be the norm.

so maybe i just dodge the bullet by being a cell phone, but i've never had a follow up from it. (email, yes, all the time, though)