WA Heritage Geo Adventure - Fort Nisqually

This past weekend we got to spend some time with Pappy.  We decided to mark off one of boxes for the Washington Heritage Geo Adventure.  We headed to Point Defiance Park in Tacoma, Washington.  We followed 5 mile Drive. This is a sprawling  park that includes the historic Fort Nisqually.

We started by making a detour to Owen Beach.  It was relatively uncrowded for a Saturday probably because earlier it was rainy and gloomy.  I love the cement sidewalk that runs along the beach.  It was perfect for Pappy's walker. My son found a lot of sea glass against the sea wall. We saw a dog who had found a stick that just so happened to be 5 foot long.  The dog was so proud of it.

After our detour we headed to Fort Nisqually.  Along the way, we saw numerous raccoons.  It appears that people are feeding them.  We struggled a bit to find this geocache but eventually our geo sense kicked in.  It was fun to walk the outside of the fort. Fort Nisqually is a living history museum.  We didn't go into the actual fort for the geocache.

Fort Nisqually Selfie

What I Read June

It is summer and the reading should be easy or least interesting.  I am participating in my library's summer reading program for adults for the summer.  Ours is book bingo.  I managed to get a couple squares filled in.

Girl On The Train by Paula Hawkins

Why did I wait so long to read this one? Wow this was a hard one to put down. If you like twisty and not seeing what is coming, YOU HAVE TO READ THIS ONE! I am bummed that I couldn't count this in my summer reading bingo card but I read it prior to June 4th. 

The House at Riverton by Kate Morton

I seem to be on a Kate Morton kick.  This was recommended to me because I am a fan of Downton Abbey. The main character Grace Bradley was a servant at Riverton House .  Years later a film director comes to ask Grace about her time at Riverton, Grace starts remembering what that she knows a secret about a death of a young poet at Riverton House.  I didn't enjoy this Kate Morton book as much as The Lake House but it was a good read about aristocrats and privilege.

Cinder by Marissa Meyer

This is a take off of the Cinderella story but involves Cyborgs, Androids, and Lunars. Cinder is a mechanic who meets a prince and attends a ball.  Oh and she is a cyborg as well. There is even an evil step mother. According to my library's online book app, I read this in 3 hours and 30 minutes.  I didn't think I would like it but I was wrong. The book was interesting though not in a genre I usually read.  I enjoyed it a lot.

Check out what everyone else is reading over at Modern Mrs Darcy.

School Is OUT Linky!

Children who grow up surrounded by books "earn more as adults"

$50 ALDI Summer Lunch Kids Summer Lunch Plan - I don't have a nearby ALDI's but I like the ideas

Summer 2016 Beach Reads

Post-It War Between Two Office Buildings- Anyone done any post it art? Below is what I did with Post It Notes one Christmas

How to Teach Your Child to be an Includer

24 Easy Summer Science Experiments for Kids - Some fun easy stuff here.  My kids have enjoyed doing a few of these.

Transition from High School to the Real World - Pt 4

This is my personal journal about my son's journey to adulthood.  My son is a High Functioning Autistic. I thought this might be helpful to other parents with kids facing the transition from high school to the real world.

April

Got a refusal for a 3 year evaluation for my son.  Mixed feelings on this.  I am more than a bit confused but evidently that is par for the course. Of course this is best for the district but in the long run is this best for my son.

I am frustrated with the system and lack of communication.  I just want to yell "ENOUGH".  IT took a few emails and calls to resolve some issues.  We got it somewhat sorted.  We ended up having a transition meeting. It was frustrating but necessary. My son is going to walk for graduation with his local High School.  He won't get his actual diploma until he finishes the transition program and the diploma will be issued from his local high school.  My kid attended a local school contracted by several school districts for emotionally disturbed kids.  He met all the graduation requirements including senior project. He is going to get a chance to visit the transition program.

Links galore because it is Autism Awareness Month (lots of feel good stories)

Autism: Whom to Trust and Whom to Avoid like the Plague
When Opera Meets Autism  - Podcast from Only Human - very interesting
Standard Approach to Autism Education May Impair Learning
Adult Transition for Mom

May

It seems like everything is happening at once.  That is not a generalization either. I ended up having to sign a waiver for evaluation. My son decided to after graduation to attend community transitions. We got to visit the program location.  That was essential for my kid. My kid loves a preview.  We also visited the field where the graduation was going to be held.  He gets overwhelmed easily.  I want him to know what the expectations are upfront. This month is a blur of appointments.

Drexel Releases Report on Vocational Rehabilitation

Simplifying Childhood May Protect Against Mental Health Issues - The key word is may.  I think this might be a over simplication of the problem
The One Thing We Shouldn't Tell Children with Autism
Autism Can Be An Asset In The Workplace

June

I love the victory gesture

photo by TT

My son walked for his graduation. There was a lot of contingency plans but he attended his graduation . He was 100% appropriate.  He even had honor cords for maintaining a GPA of over 3.5 for High School. Working on getting connected with DVR.(Department of Vocational Rehabilitation). My son had his intake appointment. I realized that my son being asked a lot of questions puts him on edge.  He can only tolerated this for about 30 minutes.

New Park in Town - Star Park

Photo by CMR

Thought I would do a little review on the new park in our town for locals.  Star Park is located in Ferndale, Washington.  It was built completely by volunteers and designed in part by elementary students.  My middle school student got a chance to help build.  This was definitely a community project.

Cool Swing Thing

I don't have little kids anymore but my big kid (17) wanted to check it out. There were a number of swings even a bucket seat for special needs.  But this yellow disk swing was extremely popular.

Ferndale is well know for it's tagged Metallica Bridge over the Nooksack River so as a parent I appreciated the tagged Ferndale Bridge.  I thought that was a nice touch.

There is huge slide for the little thrill seekers  that comes out through this tree.  This is similar to the park in Lynden. 

There was also a nice Mt Baker climbing wall

If you are in the area, check Star Park out.  I only highlighted a few of the features of this lovely new park.  There is also the bow of a ferry that has a rocking platform, monkey bars of various kinds, fireman pole, smaller slides, and merry go round. It is fenced and has a nice sized toddler area as well.  It is on the backside of Pioneer Park near the ball fields.  After playing ,take a stroll on the river walk and see the totems or play in the fountain near main street.

Graduation Linky Love

In honor of my son graduating from High School, I am posting his favorite song of late.

10 Things Every High School Graduate Should Hear

8 Former Students Thank Their Teachers Who Changed Their Lives

11 Hot YA Novels for your Summer - via Modern Mrs Darcy

Are You Sure There Isn't Something Else I Could Do Before the End of the School Year - Oh parents you must read this. So Funny and So True

T-Shirts : The New Bumper Sticker

One of my favorite past times is to go through the racks at our Value Village and look for t-shirts with funny sayings.  I don't usually buy but take pictures for your enjoyment. I was just thinking to myself that t-shirts are really the bumper stickers of today's generation. People will just about put anything on a t-shirt. These are just some I found enjoyable on my last trip.