The sky is falling...

[Guest guest]

I left for school at about 7:40 this morning, taking Karrie with me.

Kate was to walk the block to school at 7:50. Thank God she didn't

listen to me (this time)...

I got to Karrie's daycare at 8:05. As soon as I walked in, the disaster

alarm started. I grabbed Karrie and a little girl (don't know who she

was!) and headed for the shelter. After about 15 minutes, the all-clear

sounded. I called Kate's school and was told she got there ok.

At noon, several people came into the lunchroom at the facility where

I'm doing my fieldwork. The conversation went like this:

Lady, " Did you hear about the tornado in Grafton this morning? "

Me, " I live in Grafton. Where abouts in Grafton? "

Lady, " Along the riverfront: "

Me, " I live along the riverfront "

Lady, " In the historic part of town "

Me, (Guess you've figured it out by now...)

I called the police dept. and found out that the roof was gone off my

garage. Thankfully, the rest of the damage was minor...siding ripped

off, trees down.

What makes me sick to my stomach is the thought of Kate walking through

it. She was supposed to leave at 7:50--the tornado hit at 7:48.

God is watching over us...

Sue mom to Kate 11 (who thought the whole thing was kewl) and Karrie 4.8

w/ds

[Guest guest]

Good going, !

It took us some time time to get all of our kids through their first movies. My two oldest sons spent most of their first viewing of Jurassic Park hiding behind or under theatre seats, just as I did when I saw 101 Dalmations (decades ago, when I was cerca 5 years old and thought that Cruella DeVille was the meanest character in existence). Our youngest son, Bobby, who was very sensitive to sounds, crowds etc. took some time to get used to IMAX movies. "Free" admission to IMAX movies was part of our Ontario Science Centre membership. However, when Bobby was younger, we could not get him to settle in a dark theatre with its huge screen and loud "surroundsound" system. No matter how interested he may have been in the subject matter of the movie, he needed "outta there" usually shortly after the start of the movie, sometimes even before the movie started.

Those outings were a major headache for me in those years. My husband always made it look like he was doing the hero's duty by looking after our 3 older guys in the theatre (who were always cooperative and quiet). I was usually in charge of Bobby and his equally wily and unruly (at the time) younger sister. Back in those days, when the two of them were not ready to sit through a 40 minute IMAX movie, I was going through hell with them while my husband was "sitting pretty" with our other kids in the theatre. We usually went there with a double stroller and when I was on my own at the Science Centre, Bobby and his sister would both want to be out of the stroller and they both knew the place well enough to find their favourite exhibits (which unfortunately for me, were usually in separate locations). I would be spending the next 40 minutes or so, either chasing after them with both of them heading in separate directions, or looking for one or the other

(or both) after they managed to give me the slip. Needless to say, that was no fun for me and made me dread our outings to the Science Centre.

Thankfully, Bobby and his sister are also fine with movies now. They even enjoyed the latest Harry Potter film that their school recently took them to, on an excursion for Grades 4 to 8 students. It's a "biggie" when our kids who have challenges, manage themselves well in public or on outings. I think what helped with Bobby was, our having family memberships at various places. When he was younger, he could not deal well with family outings. Finally, I decided to take him to these same places on my own, just the 2 of us. That way, it was easier to explain or show to him how his behaviour/misbehaviour may impact on the duration of our outing (at least I did not have 4 other children, plus husband to deal with). It took some time and effort but Bobby is no longer a "nightmare" on family outings. It still gives me the creeps when I remember how a child psychiatrist suggested that I exclude him from upcoming outings, if he has "acted up" on a previous

outing. That was when he was 4 years old and had no conception about how his behaviour was connected to his actions and ensuing consequences. I am happy that I have been able to solve some of our problems on my own and am happy to see you celebrating your success with your son in the theatre! All the best!!

Aasa

"christine@..." <christine@...> wrote:

Big day today.I took my 6 year old to see Chicken Little- his FIRST movie.And he made it thru the WHOLE THING.I was amazed.He wasn't freaked out by the noise or people.At one point he was kicking the chair infront of him andtalking loudly and I got our stuff (after warning him once or twice)and said "we are leaving". He yelled (everyone heard him) "I want chickenlittle".and then he sat thru the rest of the movie with his hands in his lap.I went in there with no expectations, a bag full of snacks and drinks,and willing to blow $13 on 5 minutes of previews. But, he did it.I'm so proud of him and glad I didn't not go because my sister cancelledat the last minute.Next kid's movie that comes out- we are there. I like going to the Cinemain Holtzville, NY right of the LIE (near Nichols rd)- if

anyone wants tojoin us.