Happy Belated Valentines Day!

We don't really celebrate the day. It's Patrick's birthday for one. And honestly, hubby and I try to be "romantic" throughout the year so this one day just doesn't seem to be a big deal. Sometimes we plan a date a couple of days after...as an excuse for a date to be honest. And of course this year he's not even here.

Patrick had a fabulous day. The actual celebration is Sunday so I'll post pics after that. It's just a small family party. Should be fun though. Except I just heard we're expecting a Winter Storm Warning for that day. So I guess we'll see how that goes. His heart will be broken if everyone doesn't come so...I dunno...can I pray for the storm to miss us?

On a side note, I spoke with the LST (Learning Support Teacher) at the school. I jokingly said to her "so, you'll be hearing from me soon to discuss next year". We laughed. But a conversation did follow that pleased me. It sounds like I'm going to have input on which class he's in, which teacher, etc. She also seemed very "Patrick-centric". She kept saying things like "best for him" and "your opinion on the fit". Have I mentioned how much I love this school? Obviously we'll wait and see what ACTUALLY happens next year but this definately seems like a positive start.

A parting of the ways.

Let me set the scene for you.

A small house hidden back away from the road. A long laneway winding its way to its destination. It meets a small country road in what some would call the middle of nowhere. Snow banks towering along the sides. Trees abound.

A lone figure, bouncing, flapping, plodding his way to the road to meet the beloved school bus. The school bus that will stop on the other side of the road. A mother follows not quite quickly enough. She hesitates. Run or watch? She chooses watch. Since a near-miss last year she knows the school bus schedule for any that pass through the area. None will pass at this moment. Her ears tune to the road and she hears no telltale crunch of gravel indicating an approaching car. She waits as her breath catches in her throat.

The figure reaches the road and...stops. A small head turns first to the left, then to the right, then checks the left one more time. Mother hears a voice as loud and clear as if it were right next to her. "No cars mom!".

And the bouncing continues accross the road.

I miss my husband. I'm doing well but I'm a bit lonely. The snow has been unbelievable and I'm having to shovel our super long country laneway with a shovel because when I pull the tractor out and give it a go I just make a big mess. So my back isn't very happy with me.

The boys are doing really well. Patrick had another dentist appointment and we had absolutely no problems whatsoever. Older brother's getting a bit lippy. He's going to be 8 though so I imagine it's the age. He's been taking over chores though, inlcuding helping with the aforementioned shovelling.

Patrick's speech has been amazing lately. Lots of sentences, lots of back and forth conversation, even talking on the phone to his dad.

The school sure expects a lot too. I have no idea how I'd keep up if I was working. Send this in for M's class, that in for Patrick's class, money for fundraisers, trips, food.....it's enough to make my head spin. It'll get worse too when Patrick's in school full time next year.

We're slowly getting ourselves into a new routine. I feel like I'm busy all the time but then nothing seems to be getting done.

The boys are adapting surprisingly well to our big change of schedule. Amazingly well in fact. All I can really say is that daddy is travelling for work.

Patrick is practically running his swim lessons. He is such a fish. He'll hop in the water and tell his instructor what they should do next. She's very very good with him. Allowing him to make choices but also keeping him safe. If I can keep getting the difference between group and private lessons covered I'm going to send him every quarter. He thought the indoor pool (in someone's house no less!) was fantastic. Needless to say he wants one.

We've been spending more time at the library which is a love/hate kind of thing. Patrick being quiet and choosing books can be exhausting. But I love to read and big brother is learning and needs as much encouragement as possible so...we go. It's really not that bad. No more "you have your hands full" comments since the last time.

I've been a bit cranky about my blog posts lately. I have all these half finished posts about something...therapy, adult autistics support, etc. but I can't seem to find the time to sit down and do them justice. *sigh* So I end up posting "how our day went" posts. There's nothing wrong with those of course. It's just I have more substance inside of me wanting to get out.