More Zoo pictures

this sea lion was diving down to get some fish...
This primate.. was just sitting in it's nest-- when I took the picture, the animal didn't seem to be happy... just un-intrested

This was also a primate of some kind-- I forget the name and the picture I took of the information plaque is not readable! It had a really long white furry tail

This... was two hippos-- at least that's what the sign says!

I'm going to Walmart to see if some of my pictures can be re-worked-- there are pictures on the camera that the computer didn't down-load... hummm...

The Zoo

First let me say that a lot of prayer happened before this trip to the Zoo...

first I prayed that we(Shane and I) could go, then I prayed that I would behave...myself... then I prayed that I wouldn't loose my patience... then I prayed that I would have guidance in using my tongue...

Finally... I prayed for God's will be done!

God... well he rocks!

It wasn't a bad trip, but it wasn't all sunshine and roses-- Shane only really had about 4 moments that could of became time-outs...

I wanted to take a picture of the teacher and Shane...

She didn't want me to--

she said, "Yeah, right then you would use it to throw darts at! "

(She read my mind...!)I did get a picture of her~

Even though the animals looked sad and lonely, all caged up and behind glass...not to mention un-happy with the off and on rain~

It was a mostly fun trip, none of the kids got lost, although one of the girls' lost a tooth during lunch... I really hate being female while at a huge Zoo -- without enough bathrooms to go around!

It was wonderful to be home and have dinner made, -- and then strawberries,fat free whipped cream,a bit of sugar-free Carmel sauce, and fat free Angel food cake! Ah, Joy! (The two glasses of wine helped me to see things better also!)

pictures from the ZOO

Pictures from the Zoo...






It was nice to see the animals...
but when you looked in their eyes~ you saw sadness.
It was a LONG trip and before I write about how things went, I am going to rest and think...

Expectations not met

So, last night the weather outside, thunder,lightning,wind and rain seemed to reflect how I was feeling emotionally---
I thought that I was doing a good helpful thing, I had a friend Bethany create two social stories for me/and Shane-- It took her such a short time, and yet -- everyone who read the story thought it was simply marvelous!
I went to the school to see if they would laminate and bind it... I was also willing to even let them keep it to use -- for the whole school--
The secretary said that the school was out of materials to laminate and bind it... the counselor suggested that I go to Office Max... at Office Max they said a teacher would get a better deal....
and so I thought... that I should give the [evil] teacher the benefit of the doubt and ask her if she could make it into a book...
So, I went to pick Shane up and I shared the book's with her... she said that "yes.." she thought she could get it made into a book...(that's what she gets for thinking...)
She ended up taking the book back the secretary and then this poor secretary had to give it back to me... GEEZ --- (and then there was concern.... that because the subject of the book was Curious George -and there were illustrations used.. - the school would have to worry about copy write fees... -- ) This book was only going to be used in school -- and it would not be for public use.

Then, later I find out that I have to PAY $9.75 to get in to the ZOO.... -- apparently there are too many chaperons... (It is about an 2 hour drive one way...)
I had to beg and call a special meeting just so that Shane could go on this field trip... and now I have to PAY? I have to drive him,stick by him,pay for parking,pay for my entrance into the Zoo... and Why? because this teacher or the school --- won't.
Shane is being looked at for Autism, they are attempting to get him an IEP and so he is covered by IDEA technically.... the school should be paying for me to go, and also my gas and time....

I guess I am a bit, bitter and annoyed... this school and the teacher are just not meeting even my minimal expectations.

Went to a meeting, about the ZOO...and ~

I was so very nervous this morning, I drank my coffee without eating any food and so I was shaky and hyper-- I felt like a gunslinger from the 'ole Wild West--
I knew I might have to fight, and I was prepared, however the enormity of the task was simply overwhelming! My advocate was un-able to attend because she was at a staff meeting, and since this meeting date had been changed twice, I didn't feel like I should ask for a date change-- and risk not having everyone there!

That's when a certain Speech teach came to my rescue!

She took a few precious moments and calmed me down,

she reminded me of what my true purpose was --

she... ROCKS!

(you know who you are so, I won't name names...)

Shane and I get to go to the ZOO!~ I do have to drive him in my car, and I do have to stay near him the ..."whole trip"-- Both the teacher and I will be responsible and able...(willing?) to administer time-outs... Oy vey.... I made it clear that if Shane needs a break I will stop and stay with him, I also made it clear that I will take Shane and leave early if things get really bad.

I was so convinced that I would be told no, that Shane couldn't go that I don't know how to feel about the fact ... that we are going! -- boy... my expectations are out-of-whacked! (bad grammar?)

We also took some time to talk about hugging and such at school...
although I don't think anything was put on official record we do have some key phrases that we will be using around this topic. (finally)
hugging is for home, hands and feet to yourself, High fives are fine, if permission is given...
There is this really,super AWESOME teacher that is creating a personal social story for us...
Since our school district cannot seem to get this done.... Thanks Bethany!

So, I guess my prayers for help were answered, I don't know that I am over the moon happy yet... but maybe I will get happier as the field trip gets closer.

There were things that were said during the meeting that got my dander up... but I choose not to respond--- and now I really have to pray that my choices, or decisions won't bite me in the butt...!

Tomorrow is another day! hummm...

The Zoo,Alaska,Field Trips, and fish~

Jessica had loads of fun at the zoo~ she also had a really great teacher that helped to remind her to go pee! All those worries ~ and for naught!

She pet a snake,an armadillo,a dead snake skin and a dead beaver skin...(her words...) She got to see the worlds' largest owl, giraffes,she got to see the butts of some baboon's-- and she saw a black scorpion! She had the chance to pet some goats, but she didn't because she knew they had higher rate of E coli...(I love it that Jessica listened to my words of caution and she followed them! yahoooo!)

As I was leaving my house to go and get her, my parents' showed up and wanted to talk about their trip to Alaska on a cruise-- There was 400 or so pictures to see, and gifts to receive.

I am very confident that my family can do a great job of advertising for Alaska~~
from the hats, to the t-shirts, to the socks, to Jessica's backpack, and to many different colored bracelets all saying ALASKA... Shane got a train whistle that he has a hard time using...my kids may be full of things to say, but not full of enough air to get that darn whistle to make any noise-- and ... I'm not annoyed... quiet train whistles make me happy !

When I did finally get Jessica at the school, I don't know if she was happier to be home, or happier that Grandma and Grandpa were at the house!--

My parents tried really hard to convince me that I need to get a bunch of money together-(thousands of dollars)- and then convince some friends to go with me and my husband on a cruise-- I don't wanna... really I would rather save my money for a bigger house-- or something that would help me in my day to day life. (a maid!)



Shane's day went okay... although I got angry with a comment the teacher made -- about an upcoming field trip for him and the other kinders to the same Zoo that Jessica went to. I ended up writing an email to the principal and the teacher and the "professional" (Bruce) -- hopefully that email will bring the results I desire! until then I will try not to dwell on the negative. (as I stamp my foot and then tap it repeatedly to hurry the process along!)



Jerry showed up really late this evening empty handed, apparently there was one fish caught, but I think it went home with his brother. The guide did make a new deal with the guys to do another guided fishing trip with a cut rate price.-- Today, Jerry is fishing for bottom fish at the coast, this time his work is picking up the tab...

I just got an email from the professional(Bruce) and Shane can go on the trip, but we will all have to meet before the trip--- they (the staff) are worried that I can't keep my son safe! Geez...
I don't get why my skills are being held in question!
AGhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh


By the WAY --- My sister-in-law (Sara)and my brother(Peter) have been married
now for 4 years and I am very proud of them, and the lovely family they have created!
congrats! yahooooo!

From a circus, to a zoo???

Well, you saw the post about the circus kids in the front yard-
This is what happened in the back yard~!

Late last night -- my husband was watering our..."garden" ~
We saw a Quail in our back yard....
and a Nutria--- the Nutria wasn't very shy-- it was happily eating the grass !
yup, that little furry dark colored thing... is a Nutria

Agh!
A nutria is the same animal -- that my husband,
before he was... my husband Once..
caught,cleaned and cooked in the crock-pot!
I plan on being super aware of the food that I eat... --- LOL!
I am not planning on letting my dear, loving, husband cook ANY mystrey meat!
I did try to get a picture of the Quail-- but they are very fast and very good at hiding in plain sight!

Last year my husband saw on the local news program --- an idea to get more tomatoes ~
by planting the tomatoes upside down--- that way the tomatoes wouldn't weigh down the plant--
- Nice idea...I guess-- but that just "helped" the nutria have a nice meal of our tomatoes!
(lucky, darn Nutria)
So, last year the tomatoes were on the green rack--- this year Jerry moved them to the white rack!
As, long as the sneaky,greedy,fat annoying little Nutria doesn't figure out how reach up ... we might just have some tomatoes!
(I do love animals... just not sneaky,greedy,fat annoying ones..that steal MY tomatoes! } LOL!

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On another topic... please stop by Slurping Life
Take a look at her most recent post --- leave a comment ~ This topic needs more conversation!