tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-212265842024-03-13T06:16:37.855-04:00Adoptakid the SagaLife, Joy & Sunshine with Little Man & Miss Missy.Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15910750971537054983noreply@blogger.comBlogger618125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21226584.post-77887475436217984702012-06-14T10:56:00.002-04:002012-06-14T10:57:21.333-04:00Calli has a blog! She's leaving in just a couple weeks to go to Quebec for Guide Dog training. It'll take about 3 1/2 weeks.
The wonderful organization of Mira USA, the only one in the US to provide guide dogs to youth ages 11-17,says that Calli passed her assessment and that she qualified for a dog!!!!
We are all so excited. So, to keep everyone up to date, she or I will be posting on <a href="http://blogtoaguidedog.blogspot.com/">this</a> blog. Join her for her Journey!Heather BThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17417295196847121763noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21226584.post-6368286091774455792012-05-25T19:51:00.003-04:002012-05-25T19:51:48.009-04:00<a href="http://kaybratt.com/2012/05/introducing-lydia-love-petals-a-kay-bratt-ruffled-feathers-giveaway/comment-page-1/#comment-1678">Here's</a> another cute offerHeather BThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17417295196847121763noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21226584.post-2809886217878187862012-04-13T09:50:00.000-04:002012-04-13T09:51:19.061-04:00Great Giveaway at one of our favorite VI sitesCheck it out <a href="http://www.wonderbaby.org/articles/ipad-giveaway">here</a>Heather BThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17417295196847121763noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21226584.post-33291317413379698562012-04-06T22:58:00.003-04:002012-04-06T23:00:38.487-04:00Kids on TV againWe are blessed that the kids take Brazilian Jiu Jitsu lessons from Victor Torres. <a href="http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/dpp/sports/blind-jiu-jitsu-kids">Here </a>is a short clip from the LOTS of film they shot of the kids and their teacher. I think it was shortened because there were a couple football scandals that night :(Heather BThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17417295196847121763noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21226584.post-63619118996593891962012-03-26T17:38:00.001-04:002012-03-26T17:38:20.884-04:002012 Final Blazers Performance<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/iDwXlJEf7WA?fs=1" width="480"></iframe>Billhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15910750971537054983noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21226584.post-15240841790759101572012-03-06T10:47:00.001-05:002012-03-06T10:47:48.075-05:00Life is Cheery!<iframe width="480" height="270" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/RYYOIbP1md0?fs=1" frameborder="0" allowFullScreen=""></iframe><br /><br /><br /><br />Howdy!<br />It's been a while. I spend a lot more time on Fb now, less time here, sorry. We've been busy, the kids have been taking their piano and voice lessons, but have also added cheer as of last June, and as of 2 weeks ago, have added Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Both kids are doing well in school, grade wise, and Acer's finally getting his behavior under control too, so it's a good year.<br /><br />It's been an odd winter here, and I'm on month 5 of a bronchitis battle. I just can't seem to shake it and it has really sapped my energy.<br /><br /><br />Here's a video of their latest cheer competition. Acer starts in the back, up high, then moves to the right, and after the tumbles is on the left. There's another little boy the same size, so look for glasses to see if it's him. Calli starts on the right, and then is front and center for most of the rest.<br /><br /><br />Hope you enjoy the video!Heather BThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17417295196847121763noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21226584.post-44897606029690891592011-09-10T16:15:00.000-04:002011-09-10T16:15:42.056-04:00Recital 8/28 #8<iframe width="425" height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/YDf9vKUjQ5Q?fs=1" frameborder="0" allowFullScreen=""></iframe>Heather BThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17417295196847121763noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21226584.post-13670460088220750902011-09-10T15:13:00.001-04:002011-09-10T15:18:55.207-04:00Recital 8/28 #7I will admit, this is my favorite!<br /><br /><iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/EV1GF5Iox6U?hl=en&fs=1" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br /><br /><br />Bet you can't watch it without smiling!Heather BThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17417295196847121763noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21226584.post-22046168633059457742011-09-10T15:01:00.001-04:002011-09-10T15:01:34.073-04:00Recital 8/28 #6<iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/00htyXuhe_M?hl=en&fs=1" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Heather BThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17417295196847121763noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21226584.post-91811301290739227022011-09-10T14:58:00.000-04:002011-09-10T14:59:03.021-04:00Recital 8/28 #5<iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/E_FQRu-jYqQ?hl=en&fs=1" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Heather BThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17417295196847121763noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21226584.post-71446978758864527992011-09-10T14:53:00.001-04:002011-09-10T14:53:51.154-04:00Recital 8/28 #4<iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/KT70On5gYO0?hl=en&fs=1" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Heather BThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17417295196847121763noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21226584.post-882617706828931862011-09-10T14:50:00.001-04:002011-09-10T14:50:42.801-04:00Recital 8/28 #3<iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/bTPp7X6zUow?hl=en&fs=1" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Heather BThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17417295196847121763noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21226584.post-47750978864727406112011-09-10T14:49:00.001-04:002011-09-10T14:49:54.515-04:00Recital 8/28 #2<iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/6kAsj91HUng?hl=en&fs=1" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Heather BThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17417295196847121763noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21226584.post-88092154966423029352011-09-10T14:47:00.000-04:002011-09-10T14:48:08.135-04:00Recital 8/28 #1<iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/lIvj_U93OA4?hl=en&fs=1" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Heather BThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17417295196847121763noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21226584.post-63359063008998327022011-07-10T22:48:00.000-04:002011-07-10T22:48:46.261-04:00Acer Answers Accordingly #5<iframe width="480" height="295" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/EeOZWdq6Aiw?fs=1" frameborder="0" allowFullScreen=""></iframe><br /><br />The last of the first series, I hope to have the others posted relatively soon.<br /><br />Don't forget to send in your Questions! You never know what the answer will be, Acer may not have all the right answers, but he'll answer anyway!Heather BThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17417295196847121763noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21226584.post-81499051173406455932011-05-15T22:15:00.001-04:002011-05-15T22:16:45.401-04:00Acer and Calli's duet 'Rainbow Connection'<iframe width="425" height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/o58TG-fBm7A?fs=1" frameborder="0" allowFullScreen=""></iframe><br /><br /><br />Here is the best bit from the recital. While it was happening I was laughing so much tears were running down my face. Acer was certainly determined to sing into the microphone directly!Heather BThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17417295196847121763noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21226584.post-77119117750832852152011-05-02T09:04:00.000-04:002011-05-02T09:04:26.962-04:00Acer Answers Accordingly #4<iframe width="480" height="295" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/bSJowv7b2Wc?fs=1" frameborder="0" allowFullScreen=""></iframe><br /><br />Here, Acer drums the longest, and speaks the fewest words, but check out his smile!Heather BThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17417295196847121763noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21226584.post-33128526598004047572011-04-28T09:32:00.000-04:002011-04-28T09:32:15.433-04:00Acer Answers Accordingly #3<iframe width="480" height="295" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/rkuyWSawgKE?fs=1" frameborder="0" allowFullScreen=""></iframe><br /><br />This one is my favorite so far, more drumming than before, and who would guess this would be his answer?Heather BThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17417295196847121763noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21226584.post-55626552760259414502011-04-27T14:40:00.001-04:002011-04-27T14:42:43.629-04:00Acer Answers Accordingly #2And here he is again, with his second question from Charlotte.<br /><br /><object width="640" height="390"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/1uMKttpjO_c&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&version=3"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/1uMKttpjO_c&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="640" height="390"></embed></object>Heather BThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17417295196847121763noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21226584.post-60470601323246939162011-04-26T10:36:00.011-04:002011-04-26T19:38:46.760-04:00Acer Answers Accordingly #1<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/T_rDDEXIH_c" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
Acer loves youtube drumming videos. Recently we've started watching ones called 5 minute Monday; these inspired Acer to make his own videos with questions people send him. Thankfully he feels no need to make a 5 minute video, he just answers the questions and moves on.<br />
A big Thank You to Krystal for being the voice of the videos.<br />
This first series of questions is from Charlotte, Thanks for sending them in!Heather BThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17417295196847121763noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21226584.post-76001612853221590852011-01-01T21:06:00.002-05:002011-01-01T21:23:32.693-05:00New Year and we're so blessed/By Heather<br />We had a blessed New Years Eve, we spent it with friends here, playing games and talking. Chris was in from CA, and had an open evening, Beq was able to make it, her husband Carl was able to stop in before work, Heather P was here, Brandon was still here, Calli stayed up and Acer even made it all the way through, with the help of a new to him box of legos.<br /><br />I like our friends, we talk and play games, have a drink if we feel like it, don't if we don't and nobody get sloshed drunk. We had a pot of Chili in the crock pot, some beans and meat dip for chips, some fancy chips and some bubble juice for Midnight and it was all good. We ended up playing Munchkin until midnight, when the party broke up. Today Acer slept in until an unheard of 9:30, and Bill and I really appreciated that.<br /><br />Today, we went to see the kids' much loved Tia Vicki, my best friend, and drop off their homemade Birthday Cards. Calli is getting better and better at printing, it's incredible I could even read it today, I'm not sure if she's using stencils or what to practice. Acer makes his cards with stickers, it's always interesting because he thinks the big sheet between the individual pieces is the best part because it's the biggest with the most shapes to feel. I'm not sure everyone understands his logic if they get a piece of it, but to him, it's a bonus. At Vicki's, Acer plays with the cat toys, while Calli tries to play with the cat. The cat frequently runs away, but it keeps Calli busy.<br /><br />We went from there to drop Brandon off :( none of us wanted to, but we did it. He has to go back to university and his own apartment. At least he went off with the new blanket so we're sure he'll be warmer!.<br /><br />While we were heading off to Bill's Parents' for the day, my headache kept getting worse, By the time we got there, I basically just went inside to the spare room, and slept for a while. Thankfully I had taken medicine to try to stop it before we'd left our house, by the time I woke up it had taken care of it and I was able to participate. We had god food good company, and are now home settling in to bed. Calli is reading to Acer so that she gets more pages for her Braille Readers are Leaders Contest.<br /><br />Have a great New Year all!Heather BThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17417295196847121763noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21226584.post-6068104265609881572010-12-30T21:15:00.002-05:002010-12-30T22:06:08.582-05:00Catch upBy Heather<br /><br />We had our Alex here from Monday through today. We all love having her here, and wish she could stay longer, but dern that growing up and getting friends and a job and living a responsible life, she had to go back.:( Our house is quieter now, with fewer JieJie Alex! 's filling the air. When she's here, the kids are constantly calling her name, trying to get her attention and to share all the good things they know, with her; toys, food, songs, you name it, they want to share it.<br /><br />Acer, well he loves her so much, that he starts planning all the things he wants to show her, in order, from early morning until she arrives. The instant the car pulls up in the driveway, the bouncing starts, and no one can get a word in edgewise until he has his say. His whole face is one big smile and he wants her to carry him everywhere.<br /><br />Alex has a special place in Calli's heart, I think Alex was the first one of us she bonded strongly with while we were in China. Bill was only there for a few days, so she sort of bonded with him but then he had to leave. Alex was the one who broke through Calli's shell and got her to laugh and play. Calli is as excited as Acer, just calmer about it. Calli has to wait for Acer to go to bed, and the Alex is hers. Calli and Alex share Calli's full sized loft when she's here. It's one reason we got the full sized one, instead of just the twin.<br /><br />Bill was pretty bummed this trip because he was flat out sick for so much of it. Alex only visits a few times a year, and for him to miss whole days.... They talk on the phone frequently but it's not the same as a good visit.<br /><br />Me, I miss our Alex, I wish she could be here all the time, but she has her own life. It's good to see her growing up so well, getting the grades she needs to, making plans for the great unknown of her future.<br /><br />Alex's Christmas was a bit more subdued than normal, as her big gift was her trip to China, and now she mainly gets smaller ones. I did find her a Chinese Tea set, like one we saw at the Bell Tower in Beijing where we saw the Tea ceremony, I also found two ornaments in her High school colors, large ornately decorated ornaments. Other than that, it was the standard stocking stuff.<br /><br />My wonderful Nephew Brandon Joined us on Tues and will be staying through Saturday, much to the kids' delight. When the kids are awake, there is at least one kid near him at all times, and like the JieJie Alex's we hear, the Cousin Brandon's we hear are almost constant. It's always good when we can have Brandon and Alex at the same time, since Bill and I married, we've tried to arrange it that way, and they've grown into cousins who care about each other and talk at least once a week. Brandon's at University now, in his own apartment, so it's harder to get him here now too. Sigh, dern kids growing up.<br /><br />When Brandon is here, Acer never wants to walk, he wants to be carried everywhere by his beloved Brandon. I think, despite 12 years difference in age, they have a special bond. Acer just totally thinks he is the best. Today in the car, Acer wanted Brandon to stop reading so they could have 'Good Conversation'. Acer's first question for Brandon, 'How do you make pools!' yep, never quite sure what exactly is going to come out of Acer's mouth, the things he thinks of...<br /><br />Calli loves her Cousin Brandon, wants to snuggle right up to him and talk to him. If he's not walking and carrying Acer, he's walking hand in hand with Calli. She made him a couple special art pieces for him to take home to his apartment even. She worked really hard on them yesterday and today.<br /><br />Brandon's Christmas present was a huge knitted blanket that took me forever. I'll (probably) never make another blanket that big with such small needles ever again. I actually started it in Fall of '09 but had to take breaks from it as it was driving me crazy at 20 minutes a row! <br /><br />On the way to drop Alex off, we stopped in at Ikea. Calli had only been to Ikea in Guangzhou with Alex and myself, so it was new to her. We didn't have much time to do more than power walk through, eat, and power walk back. Acer was bummed because he wanted to go in smalland, but it was full. I picked up a few things, and then we left. We all like ikea, Acer, Alex, Brandon, Calli and Myself, but we do need more time to be able to enjoy ourselves.<br /><br />On the way back, we stopped in at the church where Bill was practicing with the Praise Band. The kids waited until break time and then sang their infamous duet 'Rainbow Connection'. Calli has a clear voice, easily hitting the notes, Acer has a cute raspy voice, that gives you a warm fuzzy feeling about the song, like when Kermit the frog sang it. Combining them is just wonderful, Calli, so calm and composed, Acer so excited he literally bounces his way through the song (louder parts require faster bouncing). When they were done, the band clapped and whistled and cheered for them, Calli, happy and calm about it, Acer's his face was just glowing with the joy of the feedback of his performance. <br /><br />We did discover a couple things, 1) Acer bounces faster than a camera click, either a cell phone or a stand alone camera, and 2) even in a video, he's a blur.Heather BThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17417295196847121763noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21226584.post-5102600320419576332010-12-29T17:19:00.005-05:002010-12-29T17:32:29.062-05:00Pictures from the Recital<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_g3EIXbveFlo/TRu0-hsJ1iI/AAAAAAAAAZ8/Vg6nHf5lgeE/s1600/39425_475243159683_678294683_5512689_5798636_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_g3EIXbveFlo/TRu0-hsJ1iI/AAAAAAAAAZ8/Vg6nHf5lgeE/s320/39425_475243159683_678294683_5512689_5798636_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556233551580091938" /></a><br /><br />Here's Acer during his "Warm Up's" before he played. He wanted to go first and showed no stage nerves or worries about performing at all. Note: This is his 'Sharp Dressed Man' look.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_g3EIXbveFlo/TRu0-cffSQI/AAAAAAAAAZ0/S3xszTnotdg/s1600/150582_475250279683_678294683_5512790_1783742_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_g3EIXbveFlo/TRu0-cffSQI/AAAAAAAAAZ0/S3xszTnotdg/s320/150582_475250279683_678294683_5512790_1783742_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556233550184794370" /></a><br /><br />Here is Acer at his drumset. You can see how we just moved it down the supports so that it was short enough for him to play. He's too short to reach the Bass Drum pedal on a normal drum throne, so, Thank You Ikea for the perfect sized stool. This was during the "jazz fusion of Little Drummer Boy" which went something like.... Come they told me parum.. crash cymabl, toms toms snares, bass beats Rum Pa Pa Parum, King to See crash, ride, snare snare bass etc. He was having a Blast and grinning from ear to ear at the thought of people watching him. We counted down the songs between his Piano piece and this one, and I think he clapped more at the thought of another one down, than for any performance skills of the other students.Heather BThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17417295196847121763noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21226584.post-9609818100460082732010-12-28T20:55:00.002-05:002010-12-28T21:15:28.438-05:00Standard night around here, more or lessHopefully, I'll be able to post the video, My phone version is okay, but I need to check out my nephew Brandon's video. Both kids sang Rainbow connection to Brandon and Alex. Acer is constantly in motion; jumping, moving, wiggling with excitement. It's just so sweet, Acer's raspy voice with Calli's clear voice, his tigger esque self with her calm.<br />Afterwords, Acer shared a most precious part of his Christmas loot - Lychee Jellys. Yep, Teeny cups of a Lychee jello that his aide had given him, from the Aisan store. He got 5 and shared them all around. He did eat both small tofu pieces she'd given him, both the Hot and Tea flavored earlier by himself, but he was just so excited at the thought of his 'Jelly Party'. He waited and waited for Brandon to arrive, so that all of them could share it together.Heather BThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17417295196847121763noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21226584.post-35075749846331665462010-12-27T11:45:00.004-05:002010-12-28T16:53:08.246-05:00Humor, insights and stubbornness; life with the Little ManBy Heather<br />Our two children compliment each other so well, they bring different spices to our family life. Calli brings sunshine to people, Acer brings joy and humor. Calli is almost always happy; Acer is is frequently grumpy, but his reflections on life make you smile, and his joyful grin just invites you to grin along at life with him. Some examples of his views: He will talk about life "when I was Little" or 'When I was Medium sized", he asks questions like 'How do they make Turkey? in a Turkey Maker?'; When asked about something in his ear 'It's ear grime, it's just the way God made me, to have ear grime all the time'. He makes me smile many times a day with his take on life and the world as he knows it.<br /><br />This year, Acer's total blindness has been of interest to the scientific community. He's in an on going study of sleep habits, he has to do certain things every two weeks, and he earns money towards things that he decides he wants, Toys and Drum accessories mainly. He knows how many weekends it will take to earn the next toy on his list and eagerly counts down until we can get it. This has been a good tool for him to learn fiscal responsibility and I'm proud of how hard he works for these. We also were flown into MIT so they could take an MRI of his brain. Yep, they flew in the whole family, and we spent three days, two nights there and met some great people. <br /><br />Acer was also the focus of a TV show, even if you only saw him for about 30 seconds. The show Noodle and Doodle on sprout/PBS contacted the MPVI, Michigan parents of Visually impaired children. The notice said that the show needed a blind/VI child about age 3-6. Well, who could be cuter than Acer? We drove out to Holland, MI, and Bill and Acer were filmed and shown at the very end of the episode. The whole episode was about cooking something Yummy for him, and designing a card he could touch and smell. It was pretty funny because 2 of the kids didn't eat any of the dessert, they didn't record any of Acer's voice, and they designed a card for him to smell (using jello powder) but he couldn't let it block his face!<br /><br />Acer has always been a bit behind on his social skills, how he interacts with peers in particular. He was really only around them in half day pre-school last year in school; His other half days for the past two years have been pretty much one on one with the teacher and an aide. This, combined with having no kids his age on the street, meant he was used to being the center of attention, and being with grownups all the time. Having Calli at home has helped somewhat, he is more used to sharing now, and he is especially sharing with his food and treats. This fall, Acer started Kindergarten and that has helped his social skills, in fact right now, we think that social skills are about the most important thing he can learn in Kindergarten. He's already spent 2 years in school, his academic skills are not a worry, it's the how to get along with others part we're working on. He's definitely making progress there, slow but steady.<br /><br />Acer is attending a different school this year for the same reason that Calli is, the VI classroom was shut down. The school he is attending is one I have to drive him to, because of a program they didn't want to admit him to. It's a half day Mandarin Immersion Program, all they speak in the classroom is Mandarin. They learn Math and Science in that class (Eastern Class), and the other subjects in the English classroom (Western Class). This is a groundbreaking program, one of very few in the Nation, and they just weren't sure how to teach him. They talked to people all over the country, and even in China to try to figure it out. They really wanted me to pull him from it, but I felt I owed it to Acer to give him a chance to learn this language again. When Acer came home with us, he spoke at least 3 Chinese languages, I wasn't too worried about his ability to pick up Mandarin again. Being a translator is a career field he could go into and do well in, if we can work together to figure out how exactly to teach him, it will continue to head him down the road to a possible job in the future. His Teacher and his Aide are both Chinese Natives, and I know they both care for him a lot, even on days he misbehaves. Acer is totally loving the school, I have heard so many memories of China since he started class. They're memories I never heard before, ones I didn't know he had. He walks around spouting Mandarin words and singing Mandarin songs. He loves to snuggle up with me in bed and ask me to tell him about China. <br /><br />I think Acer gets bored in school, and then think of something interesting to do, and then, because most of those things are loud and inappropriate at the time, he gets in trouble. Slowly he is learning to make better choices, and his 2 teachers and 2 aides are learning that it's okay for him to have fidget toys in his hands, that he really is listening even as his fingers are moving. I had to be 'That Parent' in the beginning of school, as they were actually holding him and stopping him from playing on the play structure. I wrote an email to the principal, and explained that it scared Acer when they did that, and to let him roam the structure like the other kids do. Acer is slowly making friends, he has a girl who is infatuated with him, and the kids in the school have stopped staring at him as he walks by, and just treat him like a regular kid more and more every day. The art etc teachers are getting used to him too, of course music is the best class as far as he's concerned! The gym teacher has a bit of a problem, doesn't even want to have Acer in the class. We're working on this, as Acer is so active, not including him is just cruel. On the other side of the spectrum, Calli's gym teacher is even writing grants to ask for adapted materials. She has also really done a great job on adapting the games that all the kids play and even plans on teaching the kids how to play goalball. So, you can see how great the contrast between the two is. One again, I was 'That Parent' and wrote an email to the principal, slight improvement, but not a great one.<br /><br />Acer is still not a reader, I'm sure he has the tools, but that he just prefers others to read for him. We have lots of books, and he gets a lot of stories, but still hasn't made the leap to liking to read. Calli made huge strides in her reading ability this year, Acer, Not so much.<br /><br />Acer had a great Halloween costume this year, he was Two Patch the Pirate. Yep, two eye patches at once; it was pretty dern cute. We found a pair of Pirate Pj's, added a hat, used foil and a take out cup lid to turn his cane into a sword at there you have it, instant Pirate. He's not the trick or treat maniac like Calli, he's usually only good for a block or so before he is on Bill's shoulders or in the wagon. He likes the idea of it though, when you're little all candy is good.<br /><br />Acer grows very slowly, barely breaking into size 5 at 6 years old. He's pretty balanced, 42" and 42#, much of it muscle. He's the only little kid I know with well developed calf muscles (all that drumming). He is very charismatic, he has a grin that lights up his whole face and makes you want to smile along with him. He is extremely musical, loving all instruments preferring percussion, but delighted in everything that helps him make music. He started taking Piano lessons this fall, and enjoys them but doesn't enjoy practicing or learning the proper fingering. He learned how to sound out songs on the piano by listening to Calli do it, he will then sound out the songs she's practicing but use funny fingering. He prefers her songs to his because his are too basic, he has to play them tho' to get the fingering down for future playing. Because Calli gets voice lessons, he assumes he gets lessons, and happily sings away at their teacher who gives him gentle suggestions and no real practice. He has the cutest raspy voice, and he is always on key. It's not your standard voice, but you have to grin when you hear it. He's so good at learning the pieces that he tells Calli where she missed. She used to disregard it until I told her that he was usually right. For the Christmas Program at church, Acer refused to go up on stage with the other kids until he knew the song they were singing. The first song he went up for, he approached from a different direction than the other kids, because we were sitting in the pews, and stood up beside them, singing away while facing the opposite way. A funny, sad moment for a parent, but it didn't bother him at all. He was just up there singing and happy.<br /><br />For his recital, Acer played 'Jolly old St Nicholas' on the piano. He was supposed to play it twice, but once he got up there he informed everyone that he had to play it 4 times! I guess he was thinking about practice, where he supposed to play it 4 times. He decided he was going to sing too, about two weeks before the recital, much to his teacher's and my surprise, After some discussion, it ended up that he played his drums and sang in his own Jazz Fusion version of 'The Little Drummer Boy'. I bet you could have called that one eh?<br /><br />All in all, Acer is a joy, his NO's are becoming less automatic and he is beginning to be able to do more things because he is more mature and behaving better and better in public so we can stay out longer before his good behavior quota for the day runs out! He still has tons of energy and generally hops and jumps along instead of just walking, but he runs away far less and uses his cane far better.<br /><br />The good Lord Truly blessed us with him. Of course the Lord has a sense of humor, he blessed us with a Morning Person for a son!Heather BThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17417295196847121763noreply@blogger.com2