Santa is a fireman (Tanner update)

November 11, 2006

Another awesome update!!!

Tanner (who is 10) now goes to a Montessori school for the first

year this year. He had tons of friends at his other school but left

after ignorance we encountered last year with two of the teachers

(check archives) Tanner however still has the same SLP who travels

to his new school. She told me that Tanner is doing amazing and

that the other day he asked her " Lynn did you know about the

Montessori school last year? " And she said " Yes, of course I did "

And then she told me that Tanner looked at her and real serious

asked " Why didn't you tell me about it then? "

And for those who fear social issues in the future for their apraxic

children -Tanner just got his latest report card in which he is

around 90% in all subjects and staying strong -but he

is " accelerated for his age " on social. New school and already

friends with all the new kids. He's like a social butterfly. At a

parent teacher meeting the other night the teacher told us that the

school is going to the Dolphin Research Center for a 5 day trip and

that their class is choosing a dolphin to adopt and Tanner wants

everyone to vote for the dolphin named " Tanner " (you can see him

here) http://www.dolphins.org/whatsnew/drc-meet.htm so the teacher

said that Tanner's made posters he's hanging up and is campaigning

to get everyone to vote for Tanner the dolphin. One of the parents

sitting there said " I'll vote for Tanner " (we don't get to vote, the

kids do, but it was funny) We live on the water in Florida where we

do get wild dolphins in our back yard that play around you when you

ride the jet skis or are on the boat or dock -but this will be a

time that Tanner will get to swim with the dolphins...how cool is

that?! I love this school!!! Oh and since I'm sharing the one

place for swimming with dolphins here in Florida -here's the other

I've shared through the years

http://www.islanddolphincare.org/nonflash/newsletters/0906newsletter/0906news.ht\

m

His teacher told me that Tanner loves to be in front of the group

for reading outloud and any type of presentations " He loves to be on

stage " and I told her that I've noticed that Tanner has become much

more interested in discussing his feelings recently. Of course that

could also be that he's on the vitamin E alpha and gamma. But the

change is a blossom. He now says to me " Mommy let's talk, I like to

talk " and we talk about all kinds of things. He reflects on just

about every subject and has questions upon questions. It's like

he's going through the " why? " stage, but with more complex

questions. He never went through that stage before.

I do have a " he's growing up " moment to share. Tonight we went to

the mall for a friend from school's birthday party we had for them

at our house tonight (yes I am a last minute shopper and love it)

and we ran into Radio Disney doing their Santa launch. Kids were

all standing around in their PJs with their Moms and Dads and it was

all festive -looked like Christmas Day. We were told Santa was to

be arriving by fire truck at 5:30PM and it was already almost 6 and

no sign of Santa. So we didn't hang around -bought our gift quickly

at Hollister and left. On the way out we talked about Santa and

Tanner said how he thinks it's me and Daddy who bring the gifts

because " I went to bed and there were no gifts under the tree and

woke up just a minute later and there were all the presents there "

So I said " Well Santa is magic and he has to work quick " So Tanner

said " Mommy I know it's you and Daddy " and I just smiled.

As we left the mall we noticed that Santa still didn't arrive and

the crowd had grown much larger -Santa was really late now as it was

almost 6:15. Tanner said " Mommy all those kids believe Santa is

real right? " And I said " Yes and you used to too. " We got in our

car and started the short drive home. A few minutes later I saw and

heard two fire trucks speeding like crazy towards us on the other

side of the road with the lights and sirens blaring, so I pulled the

car over to the side as did anyone else on the road at the time.

The first thing I thought of was that there must have been a bad

fire or accident somewhere as they seemed to be speeding faster than

usual. But Mr. Memory Tanner said " Mommy I bet that's the fire

truck that has Santa in it for the mall. " And I said " Wow Tanner

you are probably right I didn't even think of that till you said

it. " Then this is the part that got me. Tanner then said " I bet

one of the firemen dressed up like Santa and he lost part of the

costume or something and are probably late because they had to look

for it " And because it was such a grown up way of looking at the

situation -so " unkid " so unmagical -so unDisney....I said " Yes

Tanner, you are probably right. But..the spirit of what Santa

stands for is what is magic no matter how old you are. " And that

was hard for me to say -because part of me wanted to cry " No not

yet -don't grow up so fast! " Not that I don't want him to grow up -

but it's all gone so fast. In that moment I could cry for happiness

that he's so " normal " and cry because as a little boy he never got

to tell me all the things he can now, and what he thought of Santa,

and all the questions he has in detail like he can now... that he no

longer believes in him. Know what I mean?

Then again I'm the type of person that used to tear listening to

Christmas songs sung by groups of children with gorgeous voices when

Tanner couldn't even say " hi " will be seeing Tanner this

December when she visits Florida -so I'll let her share how well he

talks (and sings) today. And hopefully will get around to updating

his Talking Page. (if Bilker would just visit here in Florida

it would be so easy!)

I hope you all have much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving! )

Tanner's page

http://www.cherab.org/information/familiesrelate/letter.html

=====

November 13, 2006

>

I don't tear at christmas carols...but you got me. -

> Another awesome update!!!

>

> Tanner (who is 10) now goes to a Montessori school for the first

> year this year. He had tons of friends at his other school but

left

> after ignorance we encountered last year with two of the teachers

> (check archives) Tanner however still has the same SLP who travels

> to his new school. She told me that Tanner is doing amazing and

> that the other day he asked her " Lynn did you know about the

> Montessori school last year? " And she said " Yes, of course I did "

> And then she told me that Tanner looked at her and real serious

> asked " Why didn't you tell me about it then? "

>

> And for those who fear social issues in the future for their

apraxic

> children -Tanner just got his latest report card in which he is

> around 90% in all subjects and staying strong -but he

> is " accelerated for his age " on social. New school and already

> friends with all the new kids. He's like a social butterfly. At a

> parent teacher meeting the other night the teacher told us that the

> school is going to the Dolphin Research Center for a 5 day trip and

> that their class is choosing a dolphin to adopt and Tanner wants

> everyone to vote for the dolphin named " Tanner " (you can see him

> here) http://www.dolphins.org/whatsnew/drc-meet.htm so the

teacher

> said that Tanner's made posters he's hanging up and is campaigning

> to get everyone to vote for Tanner the dolphin. One of the parents

> sitting there said " I'll vote for Tanner " (we don't get to vote,

the

> kids do, but it was funny) We live on the water in Florida where

we

> do get wild dolphins in our back yard that play around you when you

> ride the jet skis or are on the boat or dock -but this will be a

> time that Tanner will get to swim with the dolphins...how cool is

> that?! I love this school!!! Oh and since I'm sharing the one

> place for swimming with dolphins here in Florida -here's the other

> I've shared through the years

>

http://www.islanddolphincare.org/nonflash/newsletters/0906newsletter/

0906news.htm

>

> His teacher told me that Tanner loves to be in front of the group

> for reading outloud and any type of presentations " He loves to be

on

> stage " and I told her that I've noticed that Tanner has become much

> more interested in discussing his feelings recently. Of course

that

> could also be that he's on the vitamin E alpha and gamma. But the

> change is a blossom. He now says to me " Mommy let's talk, I like

to

> talk " and we talk about all kinds of things. He reflects on just

> about every subject and has questions upon questions. It's like

> he's going through the " why? " stage, but with more complex

> questions. He never went through that stage before.

>

> I do have a " he's growing up " moment to share. Tonight we went to

> the mall for a friend from school's birthday party we had for them

> at our house tonight (yes I am a last minute shopper and love it)

> and we ran into Radio Disney doing their Santa launch. Kids were

> all standing around in their PJs with their Moms and Dads and it

was

> all festive -looked like Christmas Day. We were told Santa was to

> be arriving by fire truck at 5:30PM and it was already almost 6 and

> no sign of Santa. So we didn't hang around -bought our gift

quickly

> at Hollister and left. On the way out we talked about Santa and

> Tanner said how he thinks it's me and Daddy who bring the gifts

> because " I went to bed and there were no gifts under the tree and

> woke up just a minute later and there were all the presents there "

> So I said " Well Santa is magic and he has to work quick " So Tanner

> said " Mommy I know it's you and Daddy " and I just smiled.

>

> As we left the mall we noticed that Santa still didn't arrive and

> the crowd had grown much larger -Santa was really late now as it

was

> almost 6:15. Tanner said " Mommy all those kids believe Santa is

> real right? " And I said " Yes and you used to too. " We got in our

> car and started the short drive home. A few minutes later I saw

and

> heard two fire trucks speeding like crazy towards us on the other

> side of the road with the lights and sirens blaring, so I pulled

the

> car over to the side as did anyone else on the road at the time.

> The first thing I thought of was that there must have been a bad

> fire or accident somewhere as they seemed to be speeding faster

than

> usual. But Mr. Memory Tanner said " Mommy I bet that's the fire

> truck that has Santa in it for the mall. " And I said " Wow Tanner

> you are probably right I didn't even think of that till you said

> it. " Then this is the part that got me. Tanner then said " I bet

> one of the firemen dressed up like Santa and he lost part of the

> costume or something and are probably late because they had to look

> for it " And because it was such a grown up way of looking at the

> situation -so " unkid " so unmagical -so unDisney....I said " Yes

> Tanner, you are probably right. But..the spirit of what Santa

> stands for is what is magic no matter how old you are. " And that

> was hard for me to say -because part of me wanted to cry " No not

> yet -don't grow up so fast! " Not that I don't want him to grow

up -

> but it's all gone so fast. In that moment I could cry for

happiness

> that he's so " normal " and cry because as a little boy he never got

> to tell me all the things he can now, and what he thought of Santa,

> and all the questions he has in detail like he can now... that he

no

> longer believes in him. Know what I mean?

>

> Then again I'm the type of person that used to tear listening to

> Christmas songs sung by groups of children with gorgeous voices

when

> Tanner couldn't even say " hi " will be seeing Tanner this

> December when she visits Florida -so I'll let her share how well he

> talks (and sings) today. And hopefully will get around to updating

> his Talking Page. (if Bilker would just visit here in

Florida

> it would be so easy!)

>

> I hope you all have much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving! )

>

> Tanner's page

> http://www.cherab.org/information/familiesrelate/letter.html

>

> =====

>

January 17, 2007

-How is the new school going? I wish we all had more school

choices. moved schools last September and things are

somewhat better. I still can't get the school to give him FAPE. We

continue to hire a tutor to supplement his current schools lack of

services. How is Dakota doing? Did he go to a different school too?

Hope things are well with you and your family.

Lorraine

-- In , " kiddietalk "

<kiddietalk@...> wrote:

> Another awesome update!!!

>

> Tanner (who is 10) now goes to a Montessori school for the first

> year this year. He had tons of friends at his other school but left

> after ignorance we encountered last year with two of the teachers

> (check archives) Tanner however still has the same SLP who travels

> to his new school. She told me that Tanner is doing amazing and

> that the other day he asked her " Lynn did you know about the

> Montessori school last year? " And she said " Yes, of course I did "

> And then she told me that Tanner looked at her and real serious

> asked " Why didn't you tell me about it then? "

>

> And for those who fear social issues in the future for their apraxic

> children -Tanner just got his latest report card in which he is

> around 90% in all subjects and staying strong -but he

> is " accelerated for his age " on social. New school and already

> friends with all the new kids. He's like a social butterfly. At a

> parent teacher meeting the other night the teacher told us that the

> school is going to the Dolphin Research Center for a 5 day trip and

> that their class is choosing a dolphin to adopt and Tanner wants

> everyone to vote for the dolphin named " Tanner " (you can see him

> here) http://www.dolphins.org/whatsnew/drc-meet.htm so the teacher

> said that Tanner's made posters he's hanging up and is campaigning

> to get everyone to vote for Tanner the dolphin. One of the parents

> sitting there said " I'll vote for Tanner " (we don't get to vote, the

> kids do, but it was funny) We live on the water in Florida where we

> do get wild dolphins in our back yard that play around you when you

> ride the jet skis or are on the boat or dock -but this will be a

> time that Tanner will get to swim with the dolphins...how cool is

> that?! I love this school!!! Oh and since I'm sharing the one

> place for swimming with dolphins here in Florida -here's the other

> I've shared through the years

>

http://www.islanddolphincare.org/nonflash/newsletters/0906newsletter/0

906news.htm

>

> His teacher told me that Tanner loves to be in front of the group

> for reading outloud and any type of presentations " He loves to be on

> stage " and I told her that I've noticed that Tanner has become much

> more interested in discussing his feelings recently. Of course that

> could also be that he's on the vitamin E alpha and gamma. But the

> change is a blossom. He now says to me " Mommy let's talk, I like to

> talk " and we talk about all kinds of things. He reflects on just

> about every subject and has questions upon questions. It's like

> he's going through the " why? " stage, but with more complex

> questions. He never went through that stage before.

>

> I do have a " he's growing up " moment to share. Tonight we went to

> the mall for a friend from school's birthday party we had for them

> at our house tonight (yes I am a last minute shopper and love it)

> and we ran into Radio Disney doing their Santa launch. Kids were

> all standing around in their PJs with their Moms and Dads and it was

> all festive -looked like Christmas Day. We were told Santa was to

> be arriving by fire truck at 5:30PM and it was already almost 6 and

> no sign of Santa. So we didn't hang around -bought our gift quickly

> at Hollister and left. On the way out we talked about Santa and

> Tanner said how he thinks it's me and Daddy who bring the gifts

> because " I went to bed and there were no gifts under the tree and

> woke up just a minute later and there were all the presents there "

> So I said " Well Santa is magic and he has to work quick " So Tanner

> said " Mommy I know it's you and Daddy " and I just smiled.

>

> As we left the mall we noticed that Santa still didn't arrive and

> the crowd had grown much larger -Santa was really late now as it was

> almost 6:15. Tanner said " Mommy all those kids believe Santa is

> real right? " And I said " Yes and you used to too. " We got in our

> car and started the short drive home. A few minutes later I saw and

> heard two fire trucks speeding like crazy towards us on the other

> side of the road with the lights and sirens blaring, so I pulled the

> car over to the side as did anyone else on the road at the time.

> The first thing I thought of was that there must have been a bad

> fire or accident somewhere as they seemed to be speeding faster than