The Big Day

Hi all,

Well, this is it: tomorrow I start school here in Aberdeen. I'll be in P-1, which is pretty much the same as 1st grade. I'm excited! I met my teacher and assistants on Friday. They got a pretty good dose of me, as I managed to climb on all the tables, find the (off-limits) closet door and open it, turn over a book case of puzzles and throw my banana into the cup of juice closest to me (not my juice, either!). Whew! And the whole class took it all with a smile and a laugh, which bodes well for me this year.

So the summer ended up with a fun two weeks of playscheme with the kids in our community, and a week with mom just doing normal stuff. We've gone to the beach, to lots of parks, to Burger King for a special treat, and to the doctor for our preschool boosters, of course. I have to say, brother cried more than I did! ;)

Caleb starts nursery tomorrow too...Mom keeps talking about being a "free woman" again, whatever that means. But it must be good because she's smiling when she says it!

That's all for now. I'm sorry it's so short, but a boy's gotta play and not sit on the computer all day. I'll let you know how my first week at school goes.

Bye for now,
Adam xx

Summertime in the 'hood

Hi All,

Sorry I haven't written more...mom & dad have kept Caleb and I busy these past two weeks since coming home to Aberdeen! We've been travelling around to lots of parks, playgrounds, coffee shops, regular shops, and pubs. It's been a good time getting to know Aberdeen again, and we've really enjoyed having Dad around. Sadly, he has to go back to work tomorrow, but now that Brother and I know the way to his office, we can go surprise him and take HIM out when it's nice.

We now have a new washing machine, and mom has been doing load upon load all day. Which is good as it keeps raining and brother and I love to play in the rain! We have these cool Wellie boots to wear and splash in the puddles with, only when the puddle gets too deep then the water still goes inside the boot. You should have seen the amount that came out of brother's boot the other day--gallons!!

The other really cool thing is that we're getting to know our neighbours again, better than before. Not only Peter and his mum Grace below us, but the kids who play on the playground and who go to the community church behind our flat. They are really nice, and they are patient with me on the playground, they don't get mad even when I push!! Mom is happy to have friends to talk to, and Dad is happy about the church investing in the local area. I also like the biscuits they have--is that too cheeky to say?

Well, that's all for now. I'm bushed--busy day of playing behind me, another one ahead of me. More soon, love Adam xx

Same year, different place!

Hi All,

Well, we're back in the saddle again--I'm now writing to you from our home in Aberdeen, where we arrived in full force on July 14, 2009. We were sad to leave Durham and the sun, our friends, the rolypops, my summer school, the Eno river, Blacknall Presbyterian, our families (who so graciously came to help us pack and get to the airport), and my shoes, which we left in Rockwood park when I had a nappy explosion two hours before our flight took off!

It was a good year in Durham, full of great memories and experiences. Top of the list, of course, is having perfect hearing for the first time in my life, courtesy of Dr. Hulka, my ENT. Mom says she may make an entry herself sometime to complete my list, or start a blog of her own. We'll see about that...in the meantime, let me give you a rundown of our first week back in Aberdeen:

First off, we got to spend time with Andrew Cameron, our friend from Sydney, who came to see us and cooked us our first meal back in the UK (chicken stir fry). It was fun playing on the playgrounds with Mr. Andrew, and going to see a distillery--even though we didn't get in (that's where the picture is from). Then he left and mom and dad spent the weekend buying stuff. They got new phones, and talk to each other even when they don't need to, silly grown-ups! They also got a new car--it's a Citroen Xsara, but we like to call her "Zsa Zsa". I sit up higher than our old car, and I can see out the window really well. We went for a drive yesterday to celebrate, and had apple crumble at our favourite garden centre in Raemoir (well, I had apple crumble. I seem to have eaten most of it, but I was hungry!) Now mom says the washer is broken, so I guess we'll be going to get another one of those. She says she has lots of laundry to do--I wonder if I'm helping by taking off all my clothes every 5 minutes and weeing all over the floor? Hey, everyone has phases...

We've had a bit of rain, a bit of sun, some walks around the university and town, and lots of coffees. I guess we're off to a great start!

More soon--love to all,
Adam

p.s. THANK YOU to all our family who helped us so much in those last days--Oma and Opa, Papa and Oma from Texas, auntie Lou and cousins Kristin and Reid. We love you all!

June update

Hi all.

We are now on the countdown to the end of our year in Durham. In two weeks we will head back to Aberdeen, and I for one will be somewhat glad to escape the 95 degree heat and mosquitoes! Mom's running around like the proverbial chicken, but she's still managing to take brother and me to the river and Roly-pops. I also have a school program for these three weeks that helps me to stay occupied while mom does her errands, so it's working out well.

I finished my kindergarten program in June and Dad and Oma came to the party. It was fun--they took a picture of me with my certificate as you can see. I will miss my friend Hunter. He showed me all kinds of neat stuff like how to lay on my back with my hands behind my head and bang my feet against the wall. Mom loved that one.

The next day I finished my music therapy with Miss Erika, and Dad and Oma came to that too. I had a great time with Miss Erika, and learned to follow directions, play music, and say "stop" and "I want...X" with my signs. I hope to do more music in Aberdeen. Dad says my rhythm is really good, especially when I'm clapping to the Black Keys (Dad plays it LOUD for me in the car. Should I tell him I'm not deaf anymore?)

The reason Dad and Oma went with me is that Mom and Caleb were in California with my other Oma and Opa and my Great-Granny Argabright (GG), and my cousins Micah and Kaitlyn. Mom said GG died while she was there, on June 9. I'm sad that she's gone, but I know she's happier now. Mom and brother had trouble getting back, but they made it with new tickets a day late (thanks Oma and Opa!).

Then, the next day we went to the Farm with the whole Brock/Black/Seneff clan for the week. I really liked being with all my cousins and swimming at the pool lots. Brother and I learned to float using water wings, which was fun. I jumped in from the side and even went under water. All the boys got "Mo-hawks" for fun, and brother and I joined in. We called ours the "Bro-hawks". Mom thought that was funny. I got to ride on the 4-wheeler with dad a lot, and mom even learned how to drive it. We had a great week.

Now, as I said, we're back and getting ready for our big trip. One extra detail is my passport, which mom forgot to renew. So we are going to Washington D.C. this week to get that done. I hope I don't have to miss school for it, but Miss Jen will understand.

That's all for now. See you soon!

Adam xx

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

May update

Hello again! It's almost the middle of May and time for a quick entry...

We've had a few weeks now of no-jacket weather, with only the occasional (read: two) days of "Aberdeen weather". That means overcast and chilly. Mom gets a little snippy on those days, I think she's not looking forward to giving up all this sun when we go back! Brother and I love running around outside with no shoes or socks, sometimes no shirts. Rarely no pants, though Brother has his off more often than not now as Mom is trying to get him potty trained. I might add that to my in-expert eyes it is not going so well. Judging by the poop stain on the outside mat. And the puddle on the kitchen floor. Twice. In one day. Oh well, as she frequently reminds me (and then sighs and puts her head down): Your day will come, Adam.

Yikes!

Otherwise all is well here. The river is hopping, the parks are full, there are tornadoes and thunderstorms brewing here and there, and we remain happy and thriving in their midst. Music therapy is going well, though I put Miss Erika through her paces today! My teacher Ms. Schadow was gone today, so I was a little out of sorts. Tomorrow is the Special Olympics dance, and mom and Caleb and Miss Amy and Willem are coming so that should be fun. I'll get her to take a picture and post it so you can see me in my gear. I know you'll be waiting!

That's all for now. Brother is crying so I should probably go give him a hug. (don't worry, he's fine)
Love, Adam xx

Numbers

Here are a few of my recent facts and figures from this week:

Number of times I participated in a Special Olympics Track & Field meet: 1.
Number of times I have run down the street away from mom who was chasing me: 10, 000.
Number of times I have gone to the park: 6.
Number of "rolly pops" I have eaten: 2.
Number of times I have removed my shoes: 42.
Numer of times I have removed my shirt after removing my shoes: 41.
Number of times I have removed these articles of clothing at the top of the twisty slide and thrown them down, only to retrieve them and take them to the top again: 32.
Number of times I have slammed the door to the kitchen when coming inside: 27.
Number of times I have watched the Cars movie (or parts thereof): 8.
Number of times I have taken my vitamins: 1.
Number of times Dad has thrown me and brother on the couch/bed: I lost count.
Number of times I have given mom a huge smile and kiss: she lost count.
Number of times I have made mom mad enough to shout: she says 10, I say 1, but I refer you to the kisses and smiles one in case you believe her.
Number of good, healthy days I have had this week: 7.