With his permit in hand, Reese is now ready to learn to drive. He has now completed two weeks of driver's ed - all theory, no actual behind the wheel experience.
Three times this week I took him out in "his" car to drive. "His" car is a pick up truck with manual transmission, so our lessons have been limited to getting the car to go without stalling. Some days he has done better than others. So we start and stop and start and stop and start and stop. No need yet to even leave first gear.
Tonight, I needed my car moved from the garage to the front of the house, so I asked Reese to drive it around for me. I rode in the passenger seat. He had no idea what to do: where is the turn signal, how do I put it in gear? Where does it say drive? Which side of the road do I drive on?
Oh, when I say STOP, he seems to just keep going and going and going.
Lots more work needed.
Friday, June 27, 2008
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Taxi Service
Today, I feel like I am on a road trip. Way too much time in the car and I am not even half way through my day. Isn't this what my last post was about?
Reese is the proud receipant of his driver's learner's permit. Err, well, that was until HE LOST IT. He arrived home with his permit around noon Saturday and by noon on Sunday it was lost, nowhere to be found. How could this happen? We all searched, and searched and searched without finding that darn piece of paper.
Today, Reese and I woke early and went to the DMV. We were in line about ten minutes before opening and were maybe 30th in line. Many, many more joined the line behind us. One person to process all.those.people. 15 minutes in the first line. 40 minutes waiting and listening for number 12 to be called. One we were called, we waited about 10 minutes in the next line and then just minutes to wait for a new permit to be printed. If this copy is lost, Reese will be taking the bus to the DMV.
Fortunately, I do not go to the DMV very often. What a melting pot of people. From two cackling teengirls, moms/dads with their kids there for a fresh drivers license or learner's permit and many, many more from all walks of the world. The most startling to me were the two women in berkas.
From the DMV, home to pick up and take Walker to camp and then Reese to drivers ed. Home for a little work and then to gather the boys back again. Walker and I have an appointment this afternoon followed by swimming and cooking school tonight. Shew!
Reese is the proud receipant of his driver's learner's permit. Err, well, that was until HE LOST IT. He arrived home with his permit around noon Saturday and by noon on Sunday it was lost, nowhere to be found. How could this happen? We all searched, and searched and searched without finding that darn piece of paper.
Today, Reese and I woke early and went to the DMV. We were in line about ten minutes before opening and were maybe 30th in line. Many, many more joined the line behind us. One person to process all.those.people. 15 minutes in the first line. 40 minutes waiting and listening for number 12 to be called. One we were called, we waited about 10 minutes in the next line and then just minutes to wait for a new permit to be printed. If this copy is lost, Reese will be taking the bus to the DMV.
Fortunately, I do not go to the DMV very often. What a melting pot of people. From two cackling teengirls, moms/dads with their kids there for a fresh drivers license or learner's permit and many, many more from all walks of the world. The most startling to me were the two women in berkas.
From the DMV, home to pick up and take Walker to camp and then Reese to drivers ed. Home for a little work and then to gather the boys back again. Walker and I have an appointment this afternoon followed by swimming and cooking school tonight. Shew!
Friday, June 20, 2008
Driving, Driving, Driving
I spent most of this week driving children! Driving is most defintely a major task of a SAHM.
Walker completed his first week at NexGym camp. So far, so good. He has not complained of hating it and camp did not tell him to not come back, so all is well for now.
We started Walk on a new medication which has taken some adjustment. He started the Daytrana patch, which is the same medication he has been taking, just in a different form. I think it is much more effective for him. It took him a few days to get used to the change and a few more days for us to figure out how long to keep the patch on and a realization that I think the dosage is too high. Now that we are at the end of the week, I think we are getting the hang of it.
Reese returned Sunday from vacationing with my parents. He had a fantastic time in Cashiers, North Carolina. Glad it worked out for everyone.
This week and for the next three weeks, Reese is taking Drivers Ed. In my state, the schools do not offer training, so it must be taken privately. Parents may teach with permission of the state: 20 hours theory and 14 hours behind the wheel. I think the Sears Driving School will do a fine job and prevent us from many arguments. We will still have to teach him how to drive the actual car, but not just yet. While he has passed his permit test, he does not have the actual document, so I am off the hook for at least anothe weekend.
Walker completed his first week at NexGym camp. So far, so good. He has not complained of hating it and camp did not tell him to not come back, so all is well for now.
We started Walk on a new medication which has taken some adjustment. He started the Daytrana patch, which is the same medication he has been taking, just in a different form. I think it is much more effective for him. It took him a few days to get used to the change and a few more days for us to figure out how long to keep the patch on and a realization that I think the dosage is too high. Now that we are at the end of the week, I think we are getting the hang of it.
Reese returned Sunday from vacationing with my parents. He had a fantastic time in Cashiers, North Carolina. Glad it worked out for everyone.
This week and for the next three weeks, Reese is taking Drivers Ed. In my state, the schools do not offer training, so it must be taken privately. Parents may teach with permission of the state: 20 hours theory and 14 hours behind the wheel. I think the Sears Driving School will do a fine job and prevent us from many arguments. We will still have to teach him how to drive the actual car, but not just yet. While he has passed his permit test, he does not have the actual document, so I am off the hook for at least anothe weekend.
Monday, June 9, 2008
Camp
Reese returned Sunday from three days at JROTC Leadership Training Camp. He was completely exhausted, but had a great time. Lots of exercises requiring lots of physical activity. Monday he reported at 0615 back to school to participate in a ropes course about an hour away. I woke him up about 5:30 am. He was at the ropes cours all day and returned home about 7 pm. He did not seem as tired as I expected him to be.
Walker and I had our first yoga/strength training/martials arts class. He HATED it. We spent about 30 minutes doing stretching and yoga poses. Then the kids played a game with a ball, where if you got tagged out you had to do 5 push ups. She finished up with some nutritional information. Following class we all went to Cici's pizza for lunch. Hopefully, the game and the lunch made up for the exercising he did not care for. I paid for a 6 week class for each of us so I hope he will be willing to go again.
Walker was signed up for a summer membership and will enroll in Nexgym camp. Nexgym is a combination of virtual reality and exercise. Ride a bike and have a tv come on, DDR, Wii, dodgeball and more activities. He has been before and love it. I hope he will continue to love it as I paid for a 3 month membership.
Walker and I had our first yoga/strength training/martials arts class. He HATED it. We spent about 30 minutes doing stretching and yoga poses. Then the kids played a game with a ball, where if you got tagged out you had to do 5 push ups. She finished up with some nutritional information. Following class we all went to Cici's pizza for lunch. Hopefully, the game and the lunch made up for the exercising he did not care for. I paid for a 6 week class for each of us so I hope he will be willing to go again.
Walker was signed up for a summer membership and will enroll in Nexgym camp. Nexgym is a combination of virtual reality and exercise. Ride a bike and have a tv come on, DDR, Wii, dodgeball and more activities. He has been before and love it. I hope he will continue to love it as I paid for a 3 month membership.
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Saturday Outings
We headed to the zoo today to see the rhinos bowl! How fun does that sound? Once we arrived to the zoo, no one had any idea what we were talking about. By time we decided that it was probably in the regular rhino area, we did not think we had enough time to hike there, so we decided to enjoy the zoo.
Our first stop was the aviary where birds can be fed. So cool. Walker was scared for them to land on him, but still enjoyed the area. Our next stop was a special exhibit, Stingray Bay and a 4D Sponge Bob ride. We decided to pass on the ride, and went right to the stingrays. Not surprisingly, Walker did not want to touch them. Don touched, and pet and fed them. So cool. they were quite friendly (maybe hungry?) and were not afraid of us at all. The stingrays were graceful as they swam and lurched above the water.
Our last stop was to the zoo's monorail that drives through "the wilds of Africa". It is actually a nice, cool ride and a chance to see animals in their natural habitate.
Our zoo used to be quite old and outdated, but thanks to several city 
bond elections the zoo is now fabulous. It's really too bad that many people in Dallas still think of our zoo as old and out of date with terrible caged animals - but that is so not true. I just wish it was closer so that we could go more often. Even since out last visit, many improvements have been made including beautiful grounds, statutes and more. AND we even got a super parking place!
bond elections the zoo is now fabulous. It's really too bad that many people in Dallas still think of our zoo as old and out of date with terrible caged animals - but that is so not true. I just wish it was closer so that we could go more often. Even since out last visit, many improvements have been made including beautiful grounds, statutes and more. AND we even got a super parking place!Our first stop was the aviary where birds can be fed. So cool. Walker was scared for them to land on him, but still enjoyed the area. Our next stop was a special exhibit, Stingray Bay and a 4D Sponge Bob ride. We decided to pass on the ride, and went right to the stingrays. Not surprisingly, Walker did not want to touch them. Don touched, and pet and fed them. So cool. they were quite friendly (maybe hungry?) and were not afraid of us at all. The stingrays were graceful as they swam and lurched above the water.Our last stop was to the zoo's monorail that drives through "the wilds of Africa". It is actually a nice, cool ride and a chance to see animals in their natural habitate.We headed home thorough Downtown Dallas and decided to stop at the Dallas Farmer's Market, as I had never been there. I have only lived here 24 years!! The market was clean and full of people and yummy things to eat. We only toured one "shed" - maybe Don and I will return without Walker. We sampled cantaloupe, yellow watermelon, mango, tomatoes and cherries and came home with cherries, apricots, local honey and tomatoes. Delish!
Friday, June 6, 2008
Summer Break - Day 2
We had a fine day yesterday. We are all enjoying not having to rush out of the house as soon as we wake up in the morning. Also nice to not have the stress of homework, projects and grades.
Spent the day at the pool yesterday with friends. Brand new pool and everyone had fun. Walker is not a strong swimmer - he could be, but choses not to be, as he does not like putting his head under water. He no longer wants to hang out with me, but is not good at finding others to play with. I am sure he will work it out.
Reese got his hair cut in preparation for JROTC camp. He is excited to go.
Today, Reese left for a two night, three day JROTC camp. He returns Sunday and leaves early the next day for a ropes course.
Bryce, Walker and I enjoyed the morning at Chuck E. Cheese and now they are playing Wii.
Summer Rocks
Spent the day at the pool yesterday with friends. Brand new pool and everyone had fun. Walker is not a strong swimmer - he could be, but choses not to be, as he does not like putting his head under water. He no longer wants to hang out with me, but is not good at finding others to play with. I am sure he will work it out.
Reese got his hair cut in preparation for JROTC camp. He is excited to go.
Today, Reese left for a two night, three day JROTC camp. He returns Sunday and leaves early the next day for a ropes course.
Bryce, Walker and I enjoyed the morning at Chuck E. Cheese and now they are playing Wii.
Summer Rocks
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Apples
We have two apple trees. One Reese and I amazingly grew from a seed and the other, a golden delicious, we bought as a twig to cross pollenate the first. They are both growing fantastically.
The golden delicious grows nice apples, and the other lots of tiny apples that never achieve any size.
While we have never sampled, apparently our neighborhood friends have.
A Light Case of Autism
Reese and I were watching Good Morning America together this morning. A segment came on with Jenny McCarthy and Jim Carrey about autism.
Reese said to me. "I have Aspergers - that is Autism, right? I have a really light case, right?"
Yes, you have a light case of autism
Reese said to me. "I have Aspergers - that is Autism, right? I have a really light case, right?"
Yes, you have a light case of autism
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
A Historic Moment
We are witnessing history right now as Barak Obama securs the Dem nomination. Don announces to us all "we are watching history right now. Walker is eating and Reese is pooping"
Walker clarified "Is Reese having private poop or tired poop"?
Walker clarified "Is Reese having private poop or tired poop"?
Monday, June 2, 2008
Counting Down the Days
One and one half day of school remaining this school year. How does the time fly by?
Reese is half way through exams. Walker has checked out already. How does a kindergartener check out? Tomorrow is Walker's class party and then a half day on Wednesday.
Reese is half way through exams. Walker has checked out already. How does a kindergartener check out? Tomorrow is Walker's class party and then a half day on Wednesday.
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Yard Work
makes me hot!! 97 degrees and with a "cool" breeze.
Shew weeee
- Grass mowed
- Weeds pulled
- New playground mulch (only 1/4 covered - need more)
- New mulch for back alley
- Edges edged
Shew weeee
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