March 25, 2009

Budding Self-Advocate

Today was busy (something new?).

Kate's morning report from her CPAP duties was not encouraging. After getting up with Hannah seven times she took the whole mask off and they slept the rest of the night. I'm starting to think that maybe I should research melatonin...

We blew off school this morning, and went shopping for a Graduation dress for Katie. Success, and on sale! I hope it's warm enough in Minnesota at the end of May for this dress....maybe we should hunt up a sweater too. We did find some lovely hats...





And here's the dress....do you think the hat is just enough, or should we consult Aretha?

Hannah had some money burning a hole in her pocket (from her job as her brother's keeper i.e. laundress, and from the old men who paid her for dancing for them at the Moose Lodge last week. Yes, I did not feel quite right about old men hugging and slipping my pubescent daughter a few bucks. I know they were trying to make her day, and contribute to the cause, so it wasn't really that disgusting, but it did make me think twice!). We headed to Target to look at the toys. But she was a shrewd shopper and ended up buying a Scooby Doo DVD on sale.

We hurried home to drop off Kate and the loot before Hannah's piano lesson. Hannah's teacher, Mrs. Hughes, is always so very kind and encouraging to Hannah. Today Hannah worked on her newest piece, "The Lonely Goatherd" (from Sound of Music).

Then Hannah was off to her first ever public speaking event! Not really, she was more of an interactive Exhibit A for my short presentation to a Psychology class at the University of Richmond. This upper level psych seminar was studying short-term memory and how it impacts learning. So I was asked to come in and talk about how individuals with Down syndrome are impacted by smaller digit spans (a digit span is how many pieces of information can be held for the short-term). I did a 10 minute talk, and some show-and-tell with Hannah, showing the types of techniques we use for homeschooling (presentation of new information, flash cards,
spelling techniques, etc). Then Hannah had her turn in telling the class about herself. At first she was a little shy. She had a list of things to tell the class ("I play piano" , "My brother pays me to do his laundry", "I like to cook my favorite food: Pasta", etc), so after a little help getting started, she was off and running. She ended with some of her favorite jokes, which were heartily enjoyed. She did a terrific job!

We battled the rush hour traffic to meet the rest of the family at our favorite Vietnamese restaurant. Yum! We drove into the parking lot. Hannah saw James' car and said, "Oh great, there are those meddling kids!"

And now we're home! Scooby is playing downstairs and I'm ready for some quiet mindless activity. Or sleep. Or maybe that's the same thing.

12 comments:

rx said...

i am so sorry to hear of CRAP ordeal- whoops, CPAP. how great to have kate to help with that - i hope it goes much better soon!!!!

Crittle said...

Love the dress! I wish I could wear hats and get away with it. I always just look goofy.

The fact that Hannah uses the phrase "meddling kids" cracked me up because that's my favorite Scooby Doo quote and I see she's a fan.

Lori said...

That truly is great. I would have been terrified speaking in front of all those people! That is great you not only showed them how to work with smaller digit spans but how it is successful through homeschooling too! I am sure she did a terrific job, give her kudos from us!

My name is Sarah said...

Wow, great hats!!

Beverly said...

What a busy day and such a great job giving a talk in front of a class! Noah has the same stoller and I love it!!! I give Noah melatonin and it helps to get him to sleep, this summer will be two years. We use the slow release kind.

Brandie said...

That is so great she enjoyed talking in front of a class. What a great example of how well adjusted homeschooled kids can be!

My husband has always had a hard time sleeping. He gets up multiple times and needs way less sleep than the rest of us. Anyway, he tried melatonin for the first time this week. It was amazing. He only got up once all night. My first thought was "when will Goldie be old enough for this?"

Anonymous said...

Hey! I found your blog! Love the pictures...oh, I can tell you all about melatonin. I give it to Caroline on occasion when I need to make sure she sleeps.

Beth said...

For you melatonin users, (especially Noah) do you find that the restlessness diminishes? She doesn't have trouble falling asleep, I just want her to sleep more peacefully so she's not knocking her mask off. I haven't heard back from the home health service about the new nasal mask. Argh.

Natalie said...

Those meddling kids! Made me laugh out loud!

Beverly said...

For Noah, the melatonin helps a small bit with his restlessness. With out taking it he would lay in bed for hours before he would fall to sleep. I was scared to start him on it and now we cant live with out it!

exnyers said...

"those meddling kids"!! she's SO funny! i lol-ed for real! :)

Dawn said...

I loved your pictures. It brought a huge smile to my face to see you and your girls having so much fun with hats.

Thank you for sharing. I am going to do a post and answer the questions you posed in your comment. I appreciate your interest.