Initial IEP Process Meeting

We had a meeting about beginning Frankie's IEP process. His EI teacher and TVI were there, so that was great for me. So I understand more about the process. The sad news for me was that his TVI will not be following him when he gets into preschool! Both of his teachers have been with him since he was 5 months old, and I will really miss them. I really want to keep in touch and get together!

Potty

Frankie told me he had to go potty for the first time the other day!!! We had dropped Lizzy off at her violin lesson, and were walking down the hall of the school. He said he needed to go and we went in and he did. That was the first time he had told me and went. So we had banana bread that night for a special treat. : ) He hasn't told me again, but he is consistently getting better.

"Tea House"

I took the kids to the Dunbar Tea Room in Sandwich, MA, on Cape Cod, this past Tuesday, since Lizzy had off from school! We have been going for about 1o years now, and refer to it as the "Tea House". It is a small restaurant with a great menu that serves afternoon tea; tea, scones, sandwiches, desserts. It is delicious!! Lizzy and I, of course, love it. Frankie has been when he was younger, but I wasn't sure how he would sit through it. So I brought some new Curious George coloring sheets, stickers and big crayons. He was entertained while we waited for our food to arrive. Lizzy and I had tea, served in mini tea pots with a cloth warmer, and a strainer to put on top of your cup while you pour. She got the afternoon tea; scones with jam and cream, finger sandwiches and small desserts. I got the Cumberland crumpet melt, a crumpet with chicken salad, cranberries and melted cheese. : ) Frankie ate a bit of scone and some fruit and yogurt. It was a great lunch and Frankie did well.
We then drove to a boardwalk that goes out to the ocean. We walked on it to see a great view of the beach and ocean. It was a great day, we all had so much fun!

Kidtoon Films

Frankie saw his first movie over the summer, with Lizzy and Daddy. They went to see a Thomas the Train movie, as part of the Kidtoon Films program. This program is at many theaters across the country, that have G rated movies for kids for $3.50, every Saturday and Sunday (or Sunday and Tuesday, now, in MA). I hope to go again this Tuesday to see a Barbie Christmas movie. Check it out, it's a good rainy day activity, too.

My Election Thoughts; as Pertaining to Frankie

I voted for life in this election, something that is very important to me. I have always been pro-life and I have felt strongly about it. But now, having a special needs child, it is even more of an issue for me. To think that someone would abort a baby because it has albinism, really makes me sick. Because of this, I needed to vote for life.
So needless to say, I am a little sad from election day. I feel that the unborn will be treated with less respect than before. This makes me sad, and it is hard to explain about having a child with special needs, but it makes it even sadder.
I do hope that one day unborn children will be treated with more respect. And that people of difference in general are treated fairly.

1 2 3 and A B C

Frankie counted to 10 today and said all his ABC's! Now we need to work on colors and shapes. The shapes are coming, but colors are hard. I'm not sure if people with albinism have more of a chance of color blindness? I don't think so.

Some other things that made me happy today:
Lizzy playing her violin
Chicken rice bake
Frankie playing with his friend
Reading together

Election Day

Hope everyone got out and voted today! More to follow later.

Happy Halloween!

I wish everyone a happy and safe Halloween! I am heading out trick or treating soon with Fancy Nancy and Curious George! Later we will have a few pieces of candy and some toasted pumpkin seeds. Our pumpkin had 468 seeds!

LEA Puzzle online

Here is a great website about the LEA Puzzle. Your child can practice with the puzzle on the computer! Another fun way to learn the puzzle and it's relationships. Also teaches colors and spatial awareness. I am hoping Frankie can be tested with the LEA Puzzle when he goes for his next eye exam in December.

Updates and Halloween Fun

Frankie has been doing really well with the potty! He is still in pull-ups, but he goes on the potty almost every time he sits on it. We try to go every hour. So I think he will be there pretty quickly, which surprises me, I didn't think he would be this young. He will be 2 1/2 next week!

I have started things a little with the IEP process. We went to our integrated preschool and his EI specialist has sent in the beginning paperwork. I am happy thing are getting done, yet it is nerve-wrecking at the same time.

The kids are getting quite excited about Halloween. Lizzy is going to be Fancy Nancy and Frankie, Curious George, (big surprise)! We did a pumpkin picking hayride yesterday and a school Halloween party on Friday. Tomorrow is the library parade. It seems like there are many more Halloween festivities then when I was a kid! : )