The end is beginning...

Since I last wrote, summer has hit. We've had a couple of days already that were 95, and brother and I run around most of the time without shoes or shirts. It's great, and even better when the odd thunderstorm moves in and cools things off (temporarily). Mom says we're going to freeze when we get back to Aberdeen, but for now we're soaking up the sun.

Speaking of Aberdeen, it's coming soon. Our departure date is July 13, and that's not far away, not that we are not packing in plenty of activity between now and then. Mom and brother are in California right now, visiting Great Granny A and having fun with cousins Micah and Kaitlyn. Great Granny A is very sick and in the hospital, so I am glad that they are there. I've talked to mom a couple of times on the phone, but I've been having so much fun with dad running around the mall (it's been a bit rainy) that I don't have much to say. We'll see them again on Thursday, but not until we've said hello again to Oma and Pappa-Opa from TX this week. Then we all get to drive to Asheville and see the whole of the Brock-Black-Seneff clan at "The Farm".

It's also my last week of kindergarten this week. I'll be sad to say goodbye to all my friends and my teachers, who have been so good to me and taught me a lot. One of the things my friends have taught me is to lie on my back with my hands under my head and bang my feet on the wall...so much fun. Mom is glad they taught me that too. When I go back to Aberdeen, I'll start P-1, the equivalent to 1st grade. That will be a big jump, but I feel ready now (and so does mom!)

In the meantime, all are healthy and happy, and enjoyed a good visit with friends Andy, Amy and Ainsley Odle last week. It was nice to see their shining faces and hang out a bit before they had to head back to Atlanta. Thanks for visiting guys--see you again soon I hope!!

That's all for now. If I don't write again for a while, assume I'm at the park (half-naked!)!
Love, Adam xx

Do you ear what I ear?

Hi folks,

Been a while, I know. Brother had his birthday last week, but was sick with 'ammonia' (I know, it's pneumonia, but try telling that to a new 3 year old!). Anyway, he was so sick that mom was preoccupied a bit, and we lost track of the week with all the antibiotic-taking and bed-hopping. It's usually me that ends up on antibiotics, but this time I sailed on through my little cold with only a bit of ear ooze. No problem! We tried to have pizza for his birthday dinner, but he didn't want any and I decided it was time for climbing practice in the restaurant, so mom and dad cut the dinner short.

The major irritation for me is that last week one of my hearing aids quit working, and we've all found that I still actually like them, even if "they" think I don't need them. I've not been myself, and really it's just that I like having the aids in my ears--they help me process what I hear, and without them sounds just aren't sounds like I like them. I can't explain it, but mom knows what I mean and she's trying to get them fixed. I will have to go for another hearing test, this time a proper one, and that may convince them of what we know.

At any rate, mom sang in a choir concert last Sunday along with a symphony orchestra, and it was great, even without my 'ears'. I liked the part where they played Baby Einstein--mom's telling me it was Beethoven's 5th symphony, you know the one: Bah, bah, bah, buuuuuummm--but to me it sounded like the Giraffe one, as brother calls it. It was great, and every time the music got loud I snapped to attention for a while again. I even tried to conduct with the guy in front, waving my arms in time to the music. Mom said that Beethoven must have had a kid with Autism, since he knew just how long to let the music go soft before turning up the volume again. I think she's a little silly, but I love her.

Brother is well and it's warm for a change, so we're off to the park. Bye for now!
love, Adam x

Happy November 1st!

Of course Nov 1 comes after Halloween, and I would have told you about my Halloween last night except I was bushed! I'd had my whole day at school, and then not only does mom take me to the park and play hard with me for an hour, but then she makes me and brother dress up and puts whiskers on our faces and we go OUT to walk around the streets and ask for candy when we should have been going to bed! What a crazy world. Except I did have fun, and I do think I now like Mars bars! :)

So brother was a lion and I was a tiger, and with our noses and whiskers we looked pretty convincing. I'll put a couple of pictures up so you get the idea. There were hundreds of people in our neighborhood, but mom had lots of candy so it was fine. I just stayed in the front room and listened to Johnny (Cash, that is) while mom and Caleb handed the candy out. It's better that way.

Today we went to a playground where they were trying to encourage children with disabilities to play with children without disabilities. In my opinion it worked, and the pizza was good too. It also helped us get through the day without a nap! Mom got to chat to some people who are trying to start a PTA for parents of disabled kids, which sounds interesting. Knowing her, she'll get involved! Afterwards we went to Costco and had ice cream for a treat, and after dinner we went back to the park since it was only 5pm!

That's all for now. We turn our clocks back tonight so I may be seeing you bright and early tomorrow!

Love, Adam.

Back to normal...for now!

Oma left on Sunday, after a couple of crazy fun-filled days. It was hard to see her go, but knowing that she got a free flight voucher for being delayed by the airlines means we'll see her again soon--yeah!!

I had a nice day at school today, and am still waiting for news about my upcoming transition. Mom will go visit the new school on Thursday--I trust her to give me the real scoop and not hold back, she's pretty good at that. The only real consideration, or so I hear, is that it is in a "rough neighbourhood". What that really means is anyone's guess, but being a good Scottish boy I think I can take 'em! Or to put it another way, I'm sure I'll be in good hands and won't need to worry, but we'll see what mom thinks when she goes.

Meanwhile I carry on at school, at the park, watching Baby Einstein, dancing and learning new words. Today mom and I played with a balloon and she tried to get me to say balloon--it kept coming out like ball, but at least I did the sign too! :)

That's all for now, love Adam.

Thursday

No news really, just wanted to keep up the conversation...

Oma is still here, so today we took her to the park--Oval park--and to Bullock's Bar-B-Que (mom and dad giggle when they say the name, but I don't know what they're laughing about). She liked that place, I think, even though I didn't! Today I wouldn't eat hardly anything--it's too spicy, I tell ya! Mom tried lots of things, but today is just a day for cereal and that's that!

Also, it's colder today...I had to wear a jacket for the first time, and it kind of felt nice. I know my friends in Aberdeen have not stopped wearing theirs, so I won't complain! The sun was out, so that made it nice in the afternoon when we were on the swings.

No more news on my next school placement. Mom is waiting to get a date to visit the school, and we still have to get my hearing checked at some point. I'll let you know when we hear something.

More soon, love Adam.

Happy Thursday!

This has been a week of tests, and it looks to not be over yet. Mom took me in early on Wed. for testing, my vision first, then the "arena style" one: the OT, Speech therapist, physical therapist and psychologists all sat around and watched me and did some general testing of my abilities and developmental level. My teacher told mom I did well and they got a lot out of me--maybe that's why I was sent home early the same day for "bad behaviour"--just plumb tuckered out! I was, in fact: mom took me home and we had a nap together and then I was a good boy all afternoon.

So, the debate continues: Will I or won't I stay at the school where I am now?? I can tell you right off that I like it--the teachers and the class are great. Ms Kincey makes me LAUGH, the other kids give me high-5's and hugs--mom knows it's a good fit for me. BUT, they expect me to trace numbers and letters all morning without a recess break--humph! Who can do that at my age, I ask you?? We'll have a meeting on the first of Oct. to talk about things, and I trust my mom and dad to advocate for me. I'll let you know what happens.

Otherwise, we've had some cooler weather this week, some rain, and nice bright sun today. We went to the park, where I'm getting proficient on the big-boy swings, I tell you!

More later, Love Adam.

Mom had a busy day

Hi folks,

I know I don't talk about mom very much, because my activities are all important in my eyes, but I'll tell you what she told me about her day today.

First, at 11am she met with a man named Steve Harper who coordinates volunteer tutors to help children of refugee families from the mountains in Central Vietnam. She didn't even know these people existed, but there are apparently about a thousand in Durham and some living nearby who need help with school work. One family has a boy about my age who also has Autism, so mom will get to talk to his mom about what that is like. She will do this on Thursdays, and seems to be excited about it. She and Caleb walked to the Duke building where they had the meeting--sounds like they got hot since it was over 90 again today!

Then at 1pm she met with a woman from Blacknall Presbyterian about being a childcare worker on Wednesday nights and Thursday mornings. She might even take Caleb and I with her on the Wednesday nights if things work out.

At 3pm she met with a lady from the ARC of North Carolina, an organisation that coordinates support services for people with special needs. Mom will be assigned a "support broker" who will create a personal needs plan for me and help mom figure out what kinds of services I might need and receive. I think she's most interested in the respite services, but she'll have to call the ARC of Durham for that. I think having a support broker is way cool! I liked the lady too, she was pretty neat and talked nice to me and Caleb.

Then mom took us to Burger King and we had a picnic in the park, since she was too tired to cook. We didn't argue, it was nicer out then and we got to play. Now it's off to bed for us all--whew!

Love, Adam

The fourth weekend since our move...

Hi everyone! I haven't written in a few days, so I thought I'd catch you up on all the weekend's activities. Let's see what I remember...

Friday afternoon we went to meet dad at the pool and go swimming. Sadly, we had just gotten changed and were heading in when the first thunder rolled--that's a 30 minute ban from the pool, and I was very disappointed! My mom and dad thought we should just go rather than wait, so we went to the mall to play around in the fountains instead. We ended up going inside and "killing time" (as they say) and then getting some food and going home. It was nice.

Saturday morning we went to the pool straightaway and had the swim we missed on Friday. It's the faculty pool, so we get in free with dad's ID card. I enjoyed the swim, even though I pooped through three sets of swim pants so mom had to go to the store and get more halfway through. Oops! No thunder this time, just blue sky and 80 degrees (sorry Aberdeen friends!)

In the afternoon we went to the park nearby and had fun playing. Caleb and mom kicked the ball around, while dad and I stayed mostly on the swings (surprise, surprise!) We were pretty sweaty when we got home, I was glad for bathtime! I forgot to say that the bathtub here is full size, so brother and I can take baths together and have enough room to breathe (anyone who has seen our bathtub in Aberdeen will fully appreciate this fact!)

Today we went to the same church as last week, and it went very well if I do say so myself. No problems, except that I tried to knock the garbage can over a few times (he he!) I like to keep them on their toes, and they didn't seem to mind. The pastor made a joke about being one of only three evangelical Presbyterian ministers in the state at the last conference, which I don't get but everyone else thought it was real funny.

This afternoon we drove to another park and played again. Not much more to say--you get the picture already! I'll write more soon--I think mom and I are going back to my school again this week, so I'll tell you how that goes.

Love, Adam.

Having fun with friends at last

Hi all,

Today was a nice day, warm but not hot like it has been, and a little cloudy. I like these days--mom doesn't make us wear sun cream like when the sun is out!

We went to the Oval park in the morning and had a nice time. Mom has met a woman named Sarah there who has twin boys the same age as Caleb. That's enough two year olds for me, so I stay well away, mostly on the swings which I LOVE! I did try the slide and kind of kicked at a little girl there. Mom got cross and I didn't understand why...I was just saying hi! But she made up with me later and pushed me on the swings again, so I think it's OK.

In the afternoon we went to the Eno River state park, where we went with Dad last weekend. It was great, and pretty quiet. I did push my brother down some steps, so I got in trouble again, but overall we had a nice time. This time I did understand, but I still don't like to get in trouble!

Mom took a picture of my brother and I fighting over the juice cup. I think actually he was fighting and I was having a grand time of it!! I'll try to include the picture in this blog.

When we got home, mom got a call from a very nice man who wants to be my doctor. He was recommended to us by some people at the church we went to last weekend (Blacknall Presbyterian), and likes to work with kids like me who have Autism. He said we will have to drive 20 minutes to see him, but mom said his reputation is enough to drive for. So I will meet him next week I guess to do my kindergarten health assessment. Maybe he'll have lollipops for Caleb (or, as he calls them: rollipops)

This evening we went to dinner with some people who are involved in something called New Monasticism. Their names are Jonathan and Leah Wilson-Hartgrove, and they were very nice. There was some good food, and lots of really nice people there. I had lots of fun playing with a girl named Sarah who threw the basketball to me. We are starting to meet people here, and I can tell that makes mom happy. She took lots of pictures again, I'll try to include the best one here too.

Love, Adam.

Sunday was a bright day yesterday...

We had a nice day yesterday, though it started out with a bang! We were all eating breakfast when a big thunderstorm moved in and it rained lots. We sat out on the porch and watched it for a while, then we ate breakfast and got ready for church. By the time we left it had stopped.

We visited our first church in Durham, called Blacknall Presbyterian. It was pretty nice, at least the children's area was since I didn't see much of the rest of it! I liked the people who took care of my brother and I, and the other kids who were there. They sang to me and helped me when brother hit me on the head with a plane. OK, it was an accident, but I did feel better when they sent mom in!

Mom and Dad said the service was nice, and they met quite a few new people. They think we'll probably go there again, and I guess that means me and Caleb too. In the afternoon we met more new people, a man and woman named Alan and Michelle, who were pretty cool. It was their son Mikael who I really liked--he let me tap his face and didn't get mad at me!! We went to their pool club to swim, and it had a big slide too. It would have been great except mom forgot the swim nappies (pants) and I had to wear my diaper. Mom said it held out for two or three gallons then busted all the insides out by the side of the pool, and that was that.

Afterwards we went to their house and had pizza which I really enjoyed. I know mom and dad had a good time because they talked lots to the other grownups and not much to us!!

Today was a park in the morning and another in the afternoon. It's a rough life, I can tell ya! The weather was a bit cooler, only upper 80's mom said, which was nice for a change. I do need to remember that the ground gets really hot in the afternoon, though, and when I go barefoot I can get myself in all sorts of trouble!

That's all for now...more soon.
Love, Adam

Well, this is it: we're officially ON OUR OWN in Durham now. Papa Texas left yesterday, and mom and dad and my brother and I have had a little fun exploring our new home since then.

Yesterday we went to the faculty pool with my dad's colleague Amy Laura and her daughter. There isn't a shallow end at this pool, so my brother and I jumped to mom and dad the whole time. It was a good time, even though my mom got a little cross when I jumped on the back of her head one time when she wasn't looking! We stayed there till dinner, and got food from the store to take home and eat. I was hungry!!

Today we checked out the new park that just opened by our house. It's great, has lots of swings and lots of people. I took a man's hat and tried it on, but decided to take it back to him, it was too big! Then after naps we went to a place called Few's ford in the Eno river state park. It was great--lots of rocks and a shallow creek to walk around in. I saw fish and dragonflies and even a snake! Don't worry, my mom said it wasn't the kind that eats little boys!

Well, that's all for now. I'll check in when there's more to tell.
Love, Adam