School Days

I used my day off work on Friday to visit my former students and school. I got there when they were at lunch. I got some hugs, smiles, and a cold shoulder. Yes, a cold shoulder. The student I was most worried about dealing w/ another transition actually handled it pretty well and has adjusted with no major problems. I've talked to her on the phone a few times. She's a hoot. Anyhow, she looks over at me when I walk in, and then quickly looks away. No reaction. A minute later, she says to the girl across the table, "Did you know Ms. B got a new JOB?"
It took her about 20 minutes to warm up to the fact that I was there to see her. I was cracking up. It's sort of what I'd expect from her. She just needed some time to process is all.
Anyhow, it was good to see them and get those hugs and smiles. I miss that.
I also was surprised that my advisory class (homeroom 6th graders) slowly came up one by one until I had about 8 or 9 of them around me, but none talking. I felt like a celebrity! LOL. I had some good kids in that group, and it was good to see them as well. The boys would come up and say, "Hey Ms. B." The girls came up and hugged me. I did get a few, "Are you coming back?"
Sorry kids. I'm not.

I also got to visit with former coworkers a bit. It was about a 3 hour visit all together. Fun times.
Do I miss it? I don't miss teaching. I do miss my kids and the daily interaction with them, the chance to see them grow and shine, to "get" new things. I don't miss the stress of feeling like you are never doing enough, juggling so many things and wondering when exactly you're supposed to do them, dealing with some teachers who don't want spec ed kids in their class (fortunately, I didn't experience this often), and working till 6 or 7 regularly. No, I don't miss it. My current job has its own set of stresses, of things you just have to deal with, but all in all, it's a much easier job. Yes, I do leave exhausted some days, the travel can be difficult, but it's nothing like the trenches.

What's a Coming?

My last day as a TEACHER, at least in the traditional sense. I am ready to move on, but I also feel these ropes holding me back. I know it's what I need to do, but sometimes question if its what I want to do. I'm excited by the opportunity before me, yet wondering how to hold on to those little moments of today.

I'm torn, but I know my kids will be fine. Will I?

Tales From the Trenches

I *heart* my kids. They continue to make me smile, to make me glad for my job, to make me sad to know I'll soon be moving on. They make me laugh, they frustrate me, they inspire me.

Last week, one of my students had a rough end to the day. She hit another student (loud tears ensued), she calmed down, I walked her to the bus area, turned my back for just a minute to talk to a parent, and then she went after another student (not mine) who is in a wheelchair and defenseless. She got her pretty good 2x. I intervened once I realized what was going on. She sat on the ground and then went after me! I still have 4 scabs on my hand and 2 on each leg (I was wearing a skirt) to show for it! She calmed down, a parent had to come get her because we couldn't put her on the bus with the way she was acting. This was 3 days ago.

This morning, she arrived at school and immediately apologized. We started working and she then saw I was wearing slacks and said, "Oh, I'm glad you are wearing pants today. Remember how I scratched you last time?" Ummm, yes I do! I asked if she wanted to see where, and of course she did. However, she didn't really notice because her thoughts were interrupted with, "Oh, those boots are really cute." Giggle. It really just cracked me up that her thoughts seemed to be, "Thank goodness you wore pants in case I have a bad day again--that way I won't scratch your legs again."

Later today, another student went to the bathroom, came back, and was very serious. She asked me if I had any baby wipes. Of course, I don't. She said she had to poop, and it was (Held hands out far). I said, "Big?" She agreed, "Yes, it was big and I don't think I got it all. I want baby wipes so I can get clean."
We decided to go to the nurse to see if she had anything we could use, but she didn't. Deep breath. I asked her if she needed me to help clean her, and of course she said yes. (I changed diapers the first 3 years I taught--2 of those were for middle schoolers. Some were girls. Some had reached puberty. So, while not pleasant, this is something I can do). We went into a faculty bathroom. I put the gloves on. She looked at me and said, "Drop them?" I said, "Yes, drop them." Let me tell you--those are not words I ever thought I'd hear in my teaching career! She then said, "I'm sorry to have to make you help me with this." Awwww, so sweet. After all of that, her bottom was clean as clean can be! Now THAT confused her. Whew, crisis averted.

Quotables

"I know you're really pissed at me."

OK, that quote along doesn't say much. But if you heard her tone, saw the look on her face, you'd have wanted to laugh as well!

And I wasn't. I told her I was not mad at her, but wasn't happy with the way she was acting.
For the record, this is an 11 year old girl w/ intellectual disabilities. She's been a pill the last two days. Things only got worse today about 15 minutes later. It was interesting to say the least. Thank goodness tomorrow is a new day!

The Magic of a Penny

This is book fair week. Our wonderful librarian has ties to a certain Book Fairy, who bestows $6 book passes to unsuspecting students school wide. Of course, teachers were able to give the librarian suggestions as to who might need the pick-me-up of a free book or two!

I have a student who has been complaining about never getting to get books and oh, how much he wants one. I sent notes home, but he didn't bring any money. So, I enlisted the Book Fairy. I was a little bit late as she hadn't visited him before our book fair visit yesterday. He found books he liked, but was so sad. Our librarian gave him a "lucky penny" and said just maybe, he'd receive the luck of the Book Fairy. Little did she know what she made the rest of my day like.

We discussed how long it takes luck to happen--1 day, 2 days, 3 days, etc. He asked me if luck meant his mom giving him money for the book fair. He decided to wear his good luck penny in his shoe. We were walking down the hall to the computer lab, having one of our many discussions about luck. He stopped suddenly and said, "Now wait a minute. Oh no. I don't really believe in magic!" I explained that luck and magic are not the same thing. Eventually, he quit talking about luck.

This morning during announcements, guess whose name was called? He was in his homeroom, so I didn't get to witness it, but I heard that he was beside himself with excitement. He then took his shoe off and showed everyone his lucky penny. He got his book this afternoon and was just happy as could be.

The Magic of Good Luck Penny. Would he have been as excited if he hadn't connected the thought of getting Book Fairied with luck? Was it the luck that was magical, or just the free book? I wonder.

Can You Handle More?

About how my kids melt my heart? They do. They really really do.

Today during 1st period, we were doing math. Like most "typical" kids, my kids are not fond of math. One of them finished an addition sheet I gave him (2 digit no regrouping) and got them all correct with no prompting. During the first week of school, he couldn't add 8+5 and it took him all hour to miss 3 similar problems. Today he finished a sheet with 100% accuracy, and then did more! Of course, now I have to try something else for his portfolio for that standard because he did too well for the first "official" trial for it to count (and my opinions on this I'll save for an entirely different post). Anyhow, once he saw he got 100%, he said he was finished. Ummm, no. There is time on the clock--you are NOT finished for the period. There is always more work to be done. I pulled out a sheet, and he said, "No thank you." Again, "Yes, thank you. You will do THESE problems (I circled the ones he was to do) and then if I say you are done, you are done. Do you understand?" His reply? "I'm sorry teacher. Yes teacher." He then sat down, did what I asked him, showed me, and apologized at least 2 more times for "talking to me that way". My TA whispered to me, "I LOVE our class so much. Last year...." What was unsaid? Last year, I likely would have been met with any of the following:

"You can't tell me what to do. You're not my momma."
"Stupid bitch."
"You're the worse teacher ever. I wish you never would have come here."
"I don't care what you want me to do," followed by pandemonium that might include throwing books, cussing up a storm, tipping chairs, etc.
Silence and refusal to comply
Getting up and leaving the room

This is exactly why I prefer to teach students with intellectual disabilities vs. students with emotional disturbances. Now, students with ID do tend to have behavioral problems, but it's nothing I am unable to handle. Students with ED? I am so not equipped for--patience, understanding, training, and so forth. It's not anything I feel like any education or experiences I have had prepared me for--and I knew this going into it, but didn't really have a say so. And when you mix these two populations of students? It's a double whammy.

I'm so thankful that if this year is my last time in the classroom, it is with the group I have now. They are precious. They warm my heart. They inspire me. They make me glad I became a teacher.

Always an adventure

Today was a field trip day. My class joined with another to go up to a camp for special needs youth and adults for a field day. I was sad that 2 of my kids were sick and missed it, along with one student from the other class. We still managed to have a fun day. I really think this was the first time some of these students had ever been out "in the country"! They thoroughly enjoyed it.
We played games, had a picnic lunch, took a hike through the woods, and then went paddle boating.
Some quips and quotes from the day:
I drove one of the vans, and our speech pathologist rode with me. As we got onto the interstate, she said, "I'm sure glad I'm not driving. I'd be a nervous wreck." From right behind us, K quips "I'm sure glad you're not driving either!"

M was singing from the back of the van, "We're going to the country, the country, the country, we're going to the country...."

M said to B on as we passed a farm pond, "Hey. When we grow up, let's go fishing there."

"That was the most fun I've ever had!"

"Let's hunt for bears in these woods."

I think this was the first time on a boat for many of our kids--priceless memories!

Two of the students from the other class decided I was their buddy today. They walked with me, held on to me, and oh yeah--one of them tried to kiss me right before he got onto his bus. He got within inches (he had come from behind me), and pulled back, and he turned and ran to his bus.
Middle schoolers. Hormonal middle schoolers. Hormonal middle schoolers with intellectual disabilities. Never a dull moment!

Finally, I end this with a picture. No, not of our group. I took this from the back of a paddle boat, sitting in between 2 kids who were starting to try to stand up as we were about to dock.
I just thought it was cool looking.

They Melt My Heart

Daily.

My students, my kids. They are precious. The things the say, the things they do, the way they help each other out and are proud of doing the right thing. Sure, they have their quirks (who doesn't?). Some of them throw tantrums--actually it's just the girls. Hormones maybe? I love these kids with all of my heart-and will miss them so when I move on to the new job, likely in January.

I've been sick this past week, missing 1 1/2 days of school. One of my TAs was out sick Friday. I haven't felt great at week, and Friday decided to have a low key day with math games, manipulatives, sight word bingo, books online, etc. so as to maintain a distance from them (due to this massive sinus infection), and let them have a bit of a relaxed day. I am off last hour, and 2 of my kids were in another resource teacher's room, visiting with their elementary teacher. I was leaving early to go to the Dr. and stopped in to see how the visit was going. When I said good-bye, K looks at me, asks very seriously "Where are you going? Why?" and when I told her, she said in her most grown-up serious voice, "Sweetheart, goodbye. I really hope you get to feeling better."
I almost lost it. Precious.

Maybe I'll try this again

So many thoughts, so little time. I've had a lot on my mind lately. I really want to try getting them down again, so we'll see if I make the time.

In my latest news, I won't be a classroom teacher much longer. Life is a changing. As soon as a replacement is found-you know that will be hard because hello, it's me, J/K, I will be moving on to the state department of education as a Special Education Coordinator. I'm excited about the opportunity, anxious, and sad. I love my kids this year--they are so much of why I came to this profession. Some of them are the age my nephew Dakota would be if he were alive. He would be 11 on Sept 11. It's hard to believe the time that has FLOWN by. Anyhow. My kids. Precious. Sweet. Lovable. Goofy. Entertaining. Where do I start? I have so many funny little stories that I need to get down so I don't forget them. They just really make me laugh and it does my heart good.

After last year--yeah, I didn't blog did I? That was a part of my quest to try and be positive as possible to make life a bit more bearable. It worked, because I am here and sane today. Anyhow, after last year--which I would describe as my worst year teaching and the only time I've ever questioned the decision to switch careers--the year is such a breath of fresh air. And now I will be leaving MY KIDS. Sigh. My reasoning? Financial. I think I am too old to do the 2 jobs thing, at least if my 2nd job was bartending like I had thought about earlier this year. I can't imagine the toll that would take on me, mentally and physically. Yes, I did it when I was in my early 20s, but I was in my early 20s! And it was rough then. Nothing like ending your dad with a liter of beer, a melatonin, and then 6 hours of sleep and 2 jobs and college classes. Yeah, I couldn't do it again. So anyhow, it's about money. I had decided that this would be my last year teaching in Oklahoma; I was either going to have to move back to TX (Yuck) or go back to the corporate world (Yuck). This job enables me to stay in OK (making what I would be making in TX as a teacher but 12 months vs. 10 months a year) but continue to work in the field of special education, which is truly where my heart lies. I won't be working with kids, but I will be working FOR kids, so I think I can live with that.

My anxiety lies with the things I've heard about how political things can be there. Really though, there are politics in any work place. Politics, cliques, favortism, etc. It's a part of life. I can handle that as that's nothing new to me. My philosophy is to just go in, do my job the best that I can, be nice/cordial, and let things play out as they will.

That's all I have in me now. I'll see if I can continue this and actually blog about entertaining stuff!

I'm back!

OK, so I think I may be ready to get back to this blogging business. I still have another blog for school related stuff--anonymous, so email me if you want the URL.
This blog will continue to be random musings--about life, love, the pursuit of happiness, and an occasional recipe or three. I still like to cook; it's just usually the sort of RANDOM throw something together with the ingredients I have on hand. See the random theme here?

So, my summer has flown by. I've volunteered at 3 camps--one for individuals with Prader-Willi Syndrome, one for youth with disabilities, and one for kids with or in remission from cancer. The first two are at the same location here in OK. The last one is in TX (I've blogged about it previously). All were so much fun, but so different! I hope to continue to do all of them.

Let's see, in other news--I've moved schools. I'm going back to middle school and am SOOO excited. The people there have been so friendly and welcoming. I'll be the mild MR teacher. My caseload is about 10 students and I'll be teaching the four content areas--social studies, language arts, math, and science. I'll also have an advisory class full of typical 6th graders. I can't say how excited I am about my class!
To that end, I've spent several days cleaning out my classroom. I think I've eliminated enough stuff to fill a couple dumpsters. It seems like the wonderful teacher I am replacing (after 9 years!) was a pack rat. So, I've been unpacking. And unpacking. And so forth. Wow. I finally feel like I've made a dent in things. This evening, my roomie came up and helped me hang some fabric. It's a deep crimson color and looks great! I've taken some before pictures of the room; I'll take some more once it's all done.
I'm heading back up there tomorrow to continue going through all the books. I'm eliminating a lot of things. As a rule, anything that is older than me goes. Actually, anything from about when I graduated from HS and sooner goes. Anything that is redundant goes. Things that have yellowed paper are gone. Anything that has a substantial amount of missing parts-trash. I think I have all of my social studies/geography/map reading books in order. Tomorrow I'm going to work on the literature books.

That's all for now...it's been a long day.

Kids these days

"I'd be rid of 80% of my discpline problems if we we able to paddle them."
The above is a quote from a school administrator I know. It was seconded by another administrator. I know there are plenty who are against paddling, spanking, etc. because how can you teach w/ violence? However, as I see more and more kids (not my own students...they're really too young and have so many other issues) who have no respect for authority, who constantly torment their teachers and other kids...I can't help but wonder what a good old-fashioned paddling might do to stop that behavior in its tracks. After all, suspension doesn't do anything but reward the kid with a day home. In school suspension doesn't work either--what fun it is to not have to listen to the teacher all day!

I sat around and listened to my 60 year old dad and the above mentioned administrator talk about the good old days--when they were in school. They got into their share of mischief, but got the paddlings for it when they got caught. They have some dandy stories to share, like the one that resulted in my dad running outside and bawling because he got whipped so hard. But you know what? Neither of these men were scarred by this. They both have led productive lives; both served in the military (one for 20+ years). They admit that those licks were enough to send a message. They can sit back and laugh about it now, and admit that they deserved every last one of them!

What kind of messages are today's kids getting? I still see a lot of good kids out there, but there are some who you can just imagine wearing stripes in their future because they are continually allowed to be slapped on the wrist and then sent out to wreak more havoc...over and over and over...

Do you wear it on your head?

Or sit on it?

That is the question. One of my dear, precious, and cute kids (a 3 year old) got one of these stuck on his head today. He went to the restroom to wash his hands, and came out with the training seat on his head. It took a stiff pull and a loud 'pop' to get it off.

A recap...something to be thankful for!

Reference my post from 8/10/2006: It Does the Heart Good for the whole story.

I received word from his mom that this former student of mine sat down and ate Thanksgiving dinner with his family for the first time ever. He was able to feed himself his food while everyone took in their traditional Thanksgiving dinner. I have to admit, I got teary eyed when I read this. I still remember his mother expressing to me something to the effect that it was a dream of hers for him to sit at the table and eat dinner w/ his family.
It makes my heart dancing happy to hear of this precious student's continued progress. It definitely makes all those days I went home with baby food (sometimes mixed with dried oats) caked on my clothes. :)

I was supposed to head to Dallas this weekend and was going to visit him. However, the weather put a dent in my plans (see pics below). I'll head down there in January and a visit with him and his family will definitely be on my itinerary.

I admit, sometimes this path I've chosen has been difficult, most notably financially. of course, I can afford a car and home so in that I'm fortunate. However, I've had to scale back my way of living a couple times now. It's hard. I'd love a real vacation--I need it! Right now, it's not in the books. However, any times I miss the 'things' I used to have, I am quickly humbled by the notes I get like the one I mentioned above from my former student's mother. The knowledge of what he's now accomplishing is worth more to me than any vacation or expensive pair of shoes. :) I am fortunate.

Friday Funny

Conversation w/ a parent of a student today:

Parent: They make these vibrators that he likes; his outside therapist uses it with him.
Me: (thinking, do not look at TA or else you'll burst out laughing. Not that my mind is in the gutter or anything.)
Parent: Oh, that didn't sound so good (looks around).
Me and TAs: Burst out laughing, along with parent.
Parent: He likes it around his mouth.
Us: More laughter.
Parent: SOme of them even have smiley faces on them.
TA: Wow, that's even better!
Me: More laughter.

Thankfully, the parent was laughing with us. Not the kind of conversation you'd expect to find in front of a school. We all got a kick out of it.
You probably had to be there. :)

School Days...and a picture

Here is our chili cook-off picture. Woohoo! 1st place won $100 and 2nd was $75. We are both donating the money back to Santa's Workshop in memory of a long time friend of dad's who recently passed away.

I just finished spending $1,500 last night. It was more difficult than I imagined it would be! I got to buy things for my classroom, courtesy of the district. My classroom is HUGE and there is a ton of stuff in there, but it's mostly a potpourri of hand me downs (so it seems). Some is not appropriate for 3-5 year olds. Some is not appropriate because it's so old and worn out! So, I'm looking forward to reaping the benefits of this little spending spree. From what I hear, the opportunity won't likely happen again in my time!

That being said, I've been thinking a lot about the discrepancy in the school district I am in vs. the one I came from. It's actually more of a state to state thing, though I was in a 'tax rich' district in Texas (Plano). I'm in an old building. I just had original pipes replaced in my room today-lots and lots of rust. Our school is about 40 years old? I don't think it's ever been updated. My former school is 26 is was updated around year 24 and feels brand new. It took me 9 weeks to get a ballast replaced (hence, part of my room was dark) at my new school. My student computers are still running on Windows 95. Granted, I did have some old Macs at my former school, but they had some great software for the level of students I teach. My room smells like funk most of the time. It's just sad. Then I think further back to my days in the banking world. We had art (photography) in our bank that had about a quarter million dollar price tag. It was beautiful to look at, but I think of what that $$ could do for a school! Wow.

OK, so it's not all that bad. We have a wonderful and active PTA who are very supportive. Our principal takes the time to listen and is a strong leader. We have some very caring, giving staff. We even have OU athletes give time out of their already busy days to come volunteer with our students. Of course, the most important reason I am there is for the kids. I'm up to 14 now. Some still try my every day. Some have families that don't hear enough positive about their kids. Some amaze me with the little glimpses they show me every now and then. And all of them now have a little piece of my heart. Poor district or not, high paying job or not, I'm right where I need to be.

Now, does anyone have a working computer they'd like to donate? Need a tax deduction? Have some old dolls that you want to get rid of? Old dress up clothes? I know where you can send them!

Halloween

So, my 3 TAs and I have been trying to figure out what to dress up as for Halloween. I've never been good w/Halloween. My creative juices just don't flow. We want to do something themed amongst the 4 of us. The three blind mice and the farmer's wife was thrown around, but that might be construed as a bit insensitive because I have a student who is blind. His mom would probably find humor in it....but I don't want to do there. Another is a jailer (me) and my inmates, but that one isn't appropriate either.
Someone suggested a Farmer in the Dell theme--I'll be the cheese! The others can choose between a mouse, cat, dog, farmer, his wife.

Any suggestions?

A great group

This past Friday was our Jog-a-thon at my school. The students have been busy taking pledges and practicing for their big day to job. A benefit of being in a college town is that we get volunteers from the university to come help with student functions. Our liaison at the school knows many of the athletes and all it took was a simple phone call and they were there signing t-shirts and letting the students give them their 'autographs' as well. Too cute! Yeah, I know some teachers got autographs as well. I only got one picture--with a Jr. safety-Marcus W. I got autographs from a few more. All were very nice, polite young men.

God must be laughing at me OR My perception was FAR from reality

So, when I accepted the offer of my current position back in March, I had concerns. I knew that the children with autism were primarily going to be placed at different campuses from mine and that I would get the overflow. My class is a Developmentally Delayed preschool class. Most of the kids are speech delayed. I thought my class would be made up of kids who were slow to talk, maybe a syndrome or two (Downs, Williams, Fragile X). I was worried that I would miss the challenge of working with the kids like I had previously. Get that? In other words, I was worried that my new job wouldn't present the challenges that I wanted. Oh my, how WRONG I was! My morning class is a potpourri of students and personalities. None fit into any kind of mold anywhere near another student in that class (not that I expect them to be alike). Each is 180 degrees different from the next. While I thought I would miss the challenge of working with students with autism, I didn't realize the challenges I would face with students with such different needs. I don't really know what I was thinking earlier this year--maybe I just wasn't thinking!
What brings all this up now? I was reading a report on a potential new student and just had to start laughing. Of course we'll get him-he fits right in to my morning class, which is to say he doesn't fit in at all! Bring 'em on! I'm ready for the challenge. :)

Soup!

So, lately I only bring my camera home on weekends--it's in a locked cabinet at school the rest of the time. However, I have gradually begun getting acquainted with my kitchen again! We're still having hot days, but the nights are getting cooler. To me, that means soup season! I've made soup 3x the past week--the tomato soup posted below (it wasn't as good as I remembered it being?), Spicy Sweet Corn and Poblano Soup (first made by Lula at a Supper Club and repeated by me many times since), and a Creamy Rosemary-Potato Soup created by me. I'll attempt a recipe below.
There's something about the crisp cool air that just screams my name. I love this time of the year, and living back in Oklahoma somehow makes me savor it more.

I have another new student coming next week, and yet another one coming soon. My students are all so DIFFERENT. Yes, of course they are, right? But more the underlying reason for their developmental delay...one is as of yet undiagnosed as to any medical condition that might explain his actions and behaviors. It's driving me crazy. I feel like I can't help him unless I know more, because what I know isn't enough. Right now we are dealing with a child who screams whenever he doesn't get his way or is put at a table for any 'teacher time' activities. He basically wants to run around like a tornado and do whatever he wants, otherwise he screams. He screams loud. We've tried ignoring-not reinforcing the behavior that gets attention. We've tried redirecting. We've been stern. We did turn off the water fountain he likes to play in. He didn't scream when he realized it doesn't work, but he did look quite perplexed. :)

On to the soup. All measurements are approximate (as anyone who has seen me cook can imagine). At first, I didn't think I was going to like it on account of too much rosemary, but when it was said and done, I was quite pleased. Nothing gourmet...but stick to your ribs good.

Ingredients
1 T. olive oil
3/4 pound of white potatoes, diced
1/2 small yellow onion, diced
3 cloves garlic
5 cups vegetable broth (I used water+Better than Bouillon)
1/4 c. half and half
1 cup fat free milk
1 t. dried rosemary
S&P to taste
cheese for garnish (I used cheddar, but was tempted to use smoked Gouda)
bacon for garnish

Heat olive oil and garlic cloves. Add onion and cook until tender, about 3-4 minutes. Add diced potatoes and stir to coat with oil. Cook, stirring often, for about 10 minutes. Add broth and bring to a simmer. Cook until potatoes are tender. Add rosemary. Use a stick blender to puree soup to desired consistency. Add half & half and milk and heat. Season to taste. Garnish with shredded cheese and bacon.

Guilty confession: I also added some of the bacon grease to the soup. It really helps the flavor.

Snippets from my classroom

What a week! I got 2 new students this week. They are both in my morning class. Typically, my new students will start on their 3rd birthday, which is when they become the school district's legal responsibility per IDEA. Both of these students are about 4 1/2 which makes me sad for a couple of reasons. One is that they've missed 4+ years of early intervention services, and they really could have benefited from having help sooner. The second is that their time with me will be limited! I'll still have them for the rest of this year and next, so hopefully will be able to see much progress. One is a girl (poor thing, she's the only girl). She has no effect at all. I've yet to see her smile or laugh, which really makes me sad for her. The other is a cute red headed blue eyed boy. I almost got teary when I met him--he is too cute and unfortunately his delays are human induced. I know it happens in our world, but seeing the results of child abuse up close is heartbreaking. He is a very engaging and sweet little boy.

I had a meeting with some parents today that left us all in stitches. They were asking who K is. They thought it was a student. K is one of my TAs. Turns out there son really likes K and talks about her all the time. Funny that her name has stuck so well because the first two weeks of school he called her Leo! Anyhow, one night he was talking about her and said "Ms. B (me) changes K's diapers. K has big titties!" I don't know which is more hysterical--that he said this or that the mom felt she had to share this bit! I was giving this child an assessment recently. I asked him to draw a person for me, like his mom or dad. He proceded to draw a bunch of lines and circles. When I asked him to identify the parts he drew, he pointed to one circle and said, "That's my daddy's ass!" I had to look away and take a deep breath. He doesn't know what a chin, thumb, elbow, or knee are but he knows his daddy's ass!

I'm happy to report that Harley came home on Wednesday and so far is doing OK. He's still on meds, and has a checkup next week. I hope once he's off the meds that the same issues don't arise again because my checkbook can't handle much more! Still, Peanut and I are so glad that he's home and getting back to his normal self!