Back-to-School

Last Day of School

(June 2011---last day of school)

Different gaps in their mouths, glasses upon the noses, and so much wiser!! On their way to 2nd grade.

(September 2010--first day of school)

BUGzzzz

Claudia and Eloise participated in a fantastic first grade musical at school. The students all did an amazing job! Claudia was a bright and glowing FIREFLY. Eloise got to change from a dull grey caterpillar to a beautiful BUTTERFLY. It was very cute!!

Quarry Hill round 2

(the two classes together watching a puppet show on bats)

Despite the cold temperature, the first grade class ventured out to Quarry Hill to continue their learning as scientists by making keen nature observations.

This time they measured live specimens and preserved samples.

Stag beetle getting measured and drawn in the lab.

Time to go back home.

Two friends having a good time all the way home on the bus.

Two more friends full of giggles on the bus.

Thankfully, Claudia's teacher put her foot down with the bus driver, who was balking at the idea of including regularly ambulating children on "Claudia's" accessible bus. Claudia had a much more pleasant experience sitting right next to a buddy. Sometimes it is the little changes that make a big difference.

Erupting Curiosity

I get it

Claudia is on a mission to have a helper dog, and I know why.

We received our first rejection letter from Canine Companions for Independence out of Delaware, Ohio.  I was devastated.  Claudia was amazing.. she said that we'll see what they say in Georgia (Canine Assistants), and we will.

Last night we were talking together while I was helping her get ready for bed.  She loves to dream about what she is going to be when she grows up.  Maybe a doctor, a lawyer or a firefighter, she's not quite sure.  I was mentioning to her that perhaps she would be a good psychologist because she is so insightful and perceptive.  She said that her therapy dog could work well helping people too.  Yes, I replied, and that people would be inspired by all of her hard work and perseverance.  She wanted to know what inspire meant!

It's you babe!  You inspire me every day.  

And today was one of those tough days when having a disability just sucks, and I needed inspiration.

We had an average to stinky IEP meeting.  Nothing major, just not usually productive or helpful.  No one commenting on how wonderful and clever you are.. more of the I can't do that, I'm too busy, we don't have that and that would be too much to ask of the school district.  

But the icing on the cake for me was the call that I received an hour later about you being too "sick" to be in school.  No fever, no running nose, no bodily fluids, just that "the life is out of your eyes" and that you were not yourself.  Apparently you ran into too many chairs in your classroom.

Against my better judgement, I took you home today.  Not your choice I know, I heard the cries.  I see your frustration, isolation and struggle.  I get it.  

I know why that dog would be so nice to have by your side.  Someone that doesn't pass judgement on you because you use wheels.   A dog wouldn't underestimate your abilities or say that you couldn't play.  A dog could love you unconditionally and constantly be there for you. Believe me, I get it, I'm on your side.  Love you Claudia.

Claudia meeting Emily and her service dog Stryde

(plus the sisters Molly and Eloise)

Off to First Grade

Off the girls went to 1st grade.  They had a really great first day.  Tonight both melted into their beds but I'll take that as a good sign.

Eloise meeting Miss Carlson

Claudia with Mrs. Fritcher

Last day of Kindergarten

In between the rain clouds, the girls completed their last day of Kindergarten! It is bittersweet, sad to leave their classmates and teachers but ready for more in 1st grade. Hope everyone is having a great summer.

IEPs, Tantrums, Parental Visits, Morels, Dump Trucks, Dance Recitals, and finally some sunshine

Advocating for Claudia during her IEP meeting this morning, was a challenge. Most challenges I expect and can plan for with Claudia. Almost every year she gets a new team of people to work with, and we have different physical structures to work around. We attempt to handle these challenges with her IEP, in a neat report. It looks good on paper.

But the paper doesn't tell you when how much time Claudia SHOULD spend outside of her classroom doing specials and how many accommodations SHOULD be allowed. How do we allow Claudia to feel like every other classmate but ensure she is getting the education that she needs. It doesn't answer how to deal with professionals that we feel are more harmful than helpful. Big blanks on how to manage a twin sister who is jealous of the "specials" that Claudia needs... not wants but needs. The beginning of this parenting journey wasn't easy either but this is at a whole new level.

To top off the morning, I was asked to leave school because Eloise was pouting about Claudia having her "special" scooter there. Apparently Moms have "heartstrings" that can be pulled. Who knew? So apart they will be for another year to strengthen their own identities.

On we will proceed with a busy weekend. We have both sets of grandparents coming for the dance recital. Papa John will be hunting morels. Vincent is going to be on cloud nine with the Transportation Fair. Think big: school bus, dump truck, cement mixer, snow plow, fire truck. Need I say more? The boy loves vehicles. Julianne humors him.

I'm back to helping sound out short vowel sounds.

First Day

We made it! The girls had a great first day. They checked out their lockers, delivered the milk sticks to the office, met the Principal (Mr. Scripture!), and reviewed the rules. Their teachers were more than kind and enthusiastic with the girls. And to top it all off the principal let us know that the cement around the playgrounds will be replaced and made accessible for Claudia within the next two weeks. Not too shabby for a first day!

Back to School

(Yellow T-ball team of kindergarden and 1st grade students pose for a group photo)

We have joined the PTA, filled in the blanks on the paperwork, met the girls' teachers and opened their lockers... we are ready for school. Or at least the girls are. I, on the other hand, am breathing. I'm trying to relax and let go of my little girls. I have made all the phone calls about the bus, talked about adaptive equipment, written e-mails about computers, attended IEP meetings. Their once 2 lb and 10 oz bodies have grown and matured into little girls who love to read books, draw pictures and make friends. They relish in any independence that we afford them. It's time for me to trust that my BIG girls are going to have a blast and learn a TON. So very soon they will board that yellow bus and off they will go to the first day of kindergarten.

The Wheels on the Bus go...

Contrary to Miss Junie B. Jones summation of the smelly yellow school bus the Rank girls loved their first ride.  Admittedly it does help to have your sister right there with you to ease the school bus jitters.  Claudia was asking this morning what it was like to ride on a bus and Eloise replied "Bumpety bump bump"