Blogging about the weather!

Well, at this point we're ok with winter. With all the snow, we've found ways to really enjoy this winter... so far anyway. We've had to buy the boys new sleds since the one sled cracked in half and the other just isn't fast enough according to the boys. So now they have 2 new sleds that we tested out in the fresh new 4-5 inches of snow from last night. This was that fluffy snow so it was no good for building anything with. They boys did enjoy building their snow fort the last few days from the snow from the last Noreaster that we just got a few days ago. The forecast for that storm was calling for about a foot of accumulation but since we had a mix of sleet at one point, it kind of packed it down a bit. It didn't help much with shoveling since it made it quite heavy. But with all of the snow we've gotten so early this year we have yet to see any grass below since after Halloween. Thankfully the boys really enjoy playing outside and now that We're ALL winter equipped with snow pants, new boots and long johns, mittens, hats, scarves and anything else to help keep us warm, we can actually try to make the most of our long winters. I refuse to subcome to the "cabin fever" that I've suffered the last few years. Forcing ourselves to get out no matter how the weather is, is a goal for this year. So today we took a trek out into the woods near our house down by the river. There had been a snowmobile that made tracks for us in the deep snow so it was a bit easier going. I would have loved to have had some cross country skis. Wearing those boots in the deep snow pulling the boys on sleds is a great workout though. It was so beautiful out there in the winter. People had been snowshoeing out there and there were lots of animal tracks for the boys to follow. Matthew was a little concerned about mosquitos so we had to explain that they don't live in the woods in the winter and then came the questions about the bears. We had to remind him that the bears hibernate in the winter so not to worry. Last summer when we went out to the trails the mosquitos were so thick they could carry you away... even doused with bug spray. But it really was nice to get out in the freshly snow covered trails with the sun shining through the trees. Thankfully Andrew is still young enough to drag along in his sled, because otherwise we would have never made it as far into the woods as we did. I think at one point the boys were laying on their sleds and were falling asleep!

Besides the weather, we're really struggling to find a place to send Andrew for the summer school break. It seems like any program that we've found is either not enough hours during the day or it is just not the right program for him. The last few programs we've looked into were more like just a babysitting service. For the money that we'd pay, it just does not seem like a worthwhile investment. We're better off to hire a teenager to come over every day. We know that it is quite beyond our control, since in this area there are NO programs available for a child like Andrew. There are many camps in our area but nothing that is full time summer care that is accessible for Andrew. These programs are for the average child and include activities that would not be possible for him to participate. It seems like the older he gets, the less there are for options. Besides just having a place to send him to be looked after for the summer, we're also running into the issues of where he will receive his summer services. We anticipate that he will definitely have PT during the summer but we plan to push for OT also. His academics are suffering since he was behind to begin with, so the ideal program for him would have to be an "educational" summer program... but good luck finding such a thing around here. I know that kids look forward to summer break but we want Andrew to have the most educational experiences that he possibly can now that he's too young to realize the it is "summer vacation". I think the only other option is for us to stay home and work with him, BUT, it's just not an option. It's awful to say that our jobs have to come first... it's sort of like a snowball effect. We can't take the chance of taking summer off from work, mostly because we can't afford it financially, but these days you just can't risk the possibility of not having a job at all. I just don't know what everyone else in the world does in the summertime. Where do all of these kids go in the summer. I assume that they must go somewhere but it seems like everyone I talk to has the same problem. Our community really has to do something about this. Everyone talks about the kids that get into trouble when they can't keep busy, But do you see anyone providing a place for all these kids to go. It may be that just because we're new to this that we just have to learn, but where else do you go, who do you talk to. But realistically, there is no place for Andrew. He needs structure. He needs that 1:1 attention. He needs the education. Never in a million years did we ever think that it would be this difficult to just have someone take your child for the summer months so that we can work. Nothing like making you feel like a horrible parent that there is nothing you can do about it except to just keep trying. In the end I'm sure it will work itself out. But like everything else, nothing with Andrew is simple. It's always a fight to get him what he needs. But we are his advocate and that's what our lives consist of at this point.
Matthew on the other hand is getting excited that he will be going to kindergarten in the fall. It seems so far away but yet so close! He can't wait for kindergarten. He wants to ride the bus. He wants to go to the big school. He wants to pick out his backpack. He wants to have all of his own school supplies and when he visits Andrew at school he goes right to the art area. Andrew told him about art class and Matthew cant wait. Andrew has told him about lunch time and recess and seems to really love school, so now Matthew can't wait! It's a good thing that Andrew rarely argues about going to school. I think that this year has gone by so smoothly so far. It's really unbelievable that he likes school this much still. Matthew has decided that he wants to be a runner like daddy. So we told him since he is good at riding his bike and running, that all he has to do is learn how to swim and he can be like Uncle Jay and run in the Iron Man Triathalon when he gets older. How amazing would that be. It would be so good for getting out his energy. So when the next enrollment for swimming lessons comes up, he will be there.
Speaking of, Sean has really been getting into the running. He goes regularly and has these little spikes that hook up to his shoes so he can go in the ice and snow too. He's trying to convince me to do this marathon in vermont this spring. It's in May and is a 5 leg marathon. He actually thinks I will be ready to do the first leg by May, yeah, whatever. I plan to try and it's something that he really wants to do together. but I really don't think my body can take it. So now it's on... I HAVE to keep active and motivated. He's trying to suck me into his "healthy life", but I swear I will NOT give up chocolate, potato chips or Mountain Dew... I swear!