The Meeting at the Daycare, the Autism Symposium and the Halloween Party Tonight!
Hello Friday! I cannot believe that tonight is the Halloween party. I have a ton to do today because I thought it would be a better use of my time to watch a Modern Family Halloween episode and paint my nails last night. Well, I was absolutely exhausted so I give myself a pass. Kind of.
Before talking about yesterday, I need to to touch briefly on the daycare meeting. As I mentioned before, it always terrifies us to be "summoned". On Wednesday morning, it was time. With a big sigh, we entered the daycare, kissed the Kid good bye and then headed to the office.. which freaked us out even more. Usually we have the meeting in one of the classrooms, sitting on those tiny chairs that make you feel like a giant.. but this time we were meeting in the director's office. GAH!
The child minder/specialist that we both like was there as well as a student. And off we went. It was actually a pretty good meeting. We talked about his recent freak outs. I told them how I use a blanket to restrain and calm him and they were quite excited about that tip. And now I know that the Kid will know we have been talking and he will be pissed. Heh. Blanket trick not just for Mommies now, Kid. Boom! I also mentioned the Autism in Vienna page I started and how I was looking forward to setting up workshops and events and they seemed quite pleased and interested. They also offered to hang up a flyer for me in the kindergarten which is awesome. But now I need to finish the actual darn site! So for a daycare meeting, it was pretty great! And the good news is is that we might have negotiated that the Kid can stay one hour more each day! Woot! Progress!
When I got home in the evening, the Nanny asked how the meeting went and I told her "great" and she said "Oh Thank God! I thought they were going to kick him out again!" I told her we are safe for now and I realize now that we have all been affected by the last couple of years.
So yesterday morning was a bit of an insane morning. I made about 40 cupcakes, 4 pizzas and spinach dip. I should have planned a little better because about 20 minutes before I had to leave for the symposium, I was in the closet trying to find something to wear. I usually give myself more time because fashion is everything. I never said I wasn't shallow. I couldn't decide what to wear so I settled on a mini turtleneck, dragon brooch and my fake fur vest and Tommy Hilfiger red purse and wedge heel boots. The Husband had thoughtfully printed out a map of the hospital for me and had told me very clearly how to get to the AKH with public transportation. I have the WORST sense of direction (re: locked in a garage last weekend) so the Husband always makes sure his instructions are very clear. Also, before I leave the house, I usually right down something like this:
Left on Wiednerhaupstrasse,
Walk about one "pinched" fingers (approx. 50 meters) and then turn right.
Keep walking on the right hand side.
And so on and so forth. So yesterday, with directions in hand, I took a taxi. Heh.
I arrived on time and followed the many many arrows that led the way to the Symposium. Immediately I regretted my outfit choice. There were either suits or jeans but no mini dress and fake fur. I wrote that on Facebook and my friend responded with "That is actually what Elle Woods would have written if she had Facebook on her first day at Harvard." And she was right, so very very right.
I entered the medical lecture hall which was my first time in a medical lecture hall and probably the only time I will be in one until I die 60 years from now and of course, my body will then be donated to science. The room filled up and it was time to get started. It was a very interesting symposium with a lot of interesting facts. I think my favourite quote was "One diagnosis, millions of patients", meaning, autism is fickle. Not one autistic child or adult is the same as the next one and this is very very true. There is a belief that autistic children don't like being touched or have no empathy. Totally wrong in our case. The Kid loves nothing more than to snuggle and when I frown, he likes to try and pull my lips up into a smile. A parent that I met with a couple of days ago made an amazing observation. "Rainman did for autism like Jaws did for sharks." and she is so so right. The first half of the symposium lasted 2 hours and by then, my ass... it hurt. Holy crap! Why must you be objects of torture lecture hall chairs. GAH! I was grateful for the break and then the second half was even more excruciating. My ass still hurts! After 5 hours I was brain dead but definitely walked away inspired. The new "ambulanz" at the AKH will be a diagnosis center and I will post details on the Autism in Vienna page soon. Five hours of complicated German and I needed a drink.
I decided to head to der fuchs und die trauben for some wine and the lovely Ken and Patrick listened to my rambling, shaking their heads in disbelief at all my plans. One plan, which I can never mention here, left them speechless; either because they were silently judging me or amazed at my inability to accept the word "no". I aim to please, guys. After a couple of glasses of Rioja, I headed home, ate Chinese take out and watched an episode of Modern Family. And now it is the morning. The Husband is taking the Kid to therapy this morning so that I can frost some cupcakes, get some grocery shopping done and clean up. 13 hours to go until the big party and I am a little stressed. Tonight's menu is:
Chickpea tikka masala
Baked zitti
Couscous salad
Kraft dinner Mac and Cheese (vintage dish, don't judge)
Chicken fajita stew
Pizza
Spinach dip
Cheese plate
Pork dumplings
(why do I do this to myself every year? Oh yes, I love praise, that is why)
So I better put on a bra and start frosting soon! Happy Haunting EVERYBODY!!
Before talking about yesterday, I need to to touch briefly on the daycare meeting. As I mentioned before, it always terrifies us to be "summoned". On Wednesday morning, it was time. With a big sigh, we entered the daycare, kissed the Kid good bye and then headed to the office.. which freaked us out even more. Usually we have the meeting in one of the classrooms, sitting on those tiny chairs that make you feel like a giant.. but this time we were meeting in the director's office. GAH!
The child minder/specialist that we both like was there as well as a student. And off we went. It was actually a pretty good meeting. We talked about his recent freak outs. I told them how I use a blanket to restrain and calm him and they were quite excited about that tip. And now I know that the Kid will know we have been talking and he will be pissed. Heh. Blanket trick not just for Mommies now, Kid. Boom! I also mentioned the Autism in Vienna page I started and how I was looking forward to setting up workshops and events and they seemed quite pleased and interested. They also offered to hang up a flyer for me in the kindergarten which is awesome. But now I need to finish the actual darn site! So for a daycare meeting, it was pretty great! And the good news is is that we might have negotiated that the Kid can stay one hour more each day! Woot! Progress!
When I got home in the evening, the Nanny asked how the meeting went and I told her "great" and she said "Oh Thank God! I thought they were going to kick him out again!" I told her we are safe for now and I realize now that we have all been affected by the last couple of years.
So yesterday morning was a bit of an insane morning. I made about 40 cupcakes, 4 pizzas and spinach dip. I should have planned a little better because about 20 minutes before I had to leave for the symposium, I was in the closet trying to find something to wear. I usually give myself more time because fashion is everything. I never said I wasn't shallow. I couldn't decide what to wear so I settled on a mini turtleneck, dragon brooch and my fake fur vest and Tommy Hilfiger red purse and wedge heel boots. The Husband had thoughtfully printed out a map of the hospital for me and had told me very clearly how to get to the AKH with public transportation. I have the WORST sense of direction (re: locked in a garage last weekend) so the Husband always makes sure his instructions are very clear. Also, before I leave the house, I usually right down something like this:
Left on Wiednerhaupstrasse,
Walk about one "pinched" fingers (approx. 50 meters) and then turn right.
Keep walking on the right hand side.
And so on and so forth. So yesterday, with directions in hand, I took a taxi. Heh.
I arrived on time and followed the many many arrows that led the way to the Symposium. Immediately I regretted my outfit choice. There were either suits or jeans but no mini dress and fake fur. I wrote that on Facebook and my friend responded with "That is actually what Elle Woods would have written if she had Facebook on her first day at Harvard." And she was right, so very very right.
I entered the medical lecture hall which was my first time in a medical lecture hall and probably the only time I will be in one until I die 60 years from now and of course, my body will then be donated to science. The room filled up and it was time to get started. It was a very interesting symposium with a lot of interesting facts. I think my favourite quote was "One diagnosis, millions of patients", meaning, autism is fickle. Not one autistic child or adult is the same as the next one and this is very very true. There is a belief that autistic children don't like being touched or have no empathy. Totally wrong in our case. The Kid loves nothing more than to snuggle and when I frown, he likes to try and pull my lips up into a smile. A parent that I met with a couple of days ago made an amazing observation. "Rainman did for autism like Jaws did for sharks." and she is so so right. The first half of the symposium lasted 2 hours and by then, my ass... it hurt. Holy crap! Why must you be objects of torture lecture hall chairs. GAH! I was grateful for the break and then the second half was even more excruciating. My ass still hurts! After 5 hours I was brain dead but definitely walked away inspired. The new "ambulanz" at the AKH will be a diagnosis center and I will post details on the Autism in Vienna page soon. Five hours of complicated German and I needed a drink.
I decided to head to der fuchs und die trauben for some wine and the lovely Ken and Patrick listened to my rambling, shaking their heads in disbelief at all my plans. One plan, which I can never mention here, left them speechless; either because they were silently judging me or amazed at my inability to accept the word "no". I aim to please, guys. After a couple of glasses of Rioja, I headed home, ate Chinese take out and watched an episode of Modern Family. And now it is the morning. The Husband is taking the Kid to therapy this morning so that I can frost some cupcakes, get some grocery shopping done and clean up. 13 hours to go until the big party and I am a little stressed. Tonight's menu is:
Chickpea tikka masala
Baked zitti
Couscous salad
Kraft dinner Mac and Cheese (vintage dish, don't judge)
Chicken fajita stew
Pizza
Spinach dip
Cheese plate
Pork dumplings
(why do I do this to myself every year? Oh yes, I love praise, that is why)
So I better put on a bra and start frosting soon! Happy Haunting EVERYBODY!!
Each and every town must have a Daycare for the kids from 3 -4 years old.
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