Talents in Art

Being talent in art runs in my family. My mother is good at water painting and drawing, so are my grandmother and my older son, Dylan. I have few talents in art: creating new ideas for my classroom, scrapbook,and coloring pencils. Now, I discovered my other talent in art. Many people in my family (especially on my husband's family while we were on our trip to Oregon) that I have an eye for photography. I frankly could not disagree with them. This is my new love: close-up pictures.

Candy Store

One early afternoon, my extended family and I went out to Powell's Candy Store. There were SO many variety of candies you could not image when you walked in the store. The candy displays were from the top of the wall to the bottom. Frankly, I was astounded whenever I saw the candy that I never thought of them.Each child including my niece and nephew could spend anything they wanted up to five dollars. Of course, there were Pez dispensers. Dylan was delighted but only know he could buy up to five dollars. He was fortunately to get two dispensers because Oregon does not have taxes. Ryan got "Chocolate" pez candy. I honesty could never thought of seeing Chocolate candy from pez, but I was told that it used to make this kind of flavor years ago.

While I was strolling around the store, I could see many funny tins of mints. Not only seeing many funny tins of mints, I saw unique names of band-aids. One of the band-aids reminds me one of my co-workers who likes "Days of Dead."

Another thing I saw was having variety kinds of lip balm sticks. I could go long-listing they provided at the Candy Store. It was good for the kids to have a ball-time there.

Breath taking!

There are one of my favorite winter pictures that I took them while vacationing in Oregon.

A close-up shot of a cherry tree

A beautiful house on the lake

The vacant lovebirds

More pezs

On Christmas Day, Dylan was pleased to more new 27 pezs from Santa Claus and us. So it means the total of pezs he has is 106! He still wants more! (The "kiss fist" means love it in
American Sign Language.)

Waiter

While I served my family a healthy dinner, Ryan wanted more of his favorite "Lime Chicken" on his plate. He decided to put his apron and a chef on him while we were busy eating our remaining dinner. After he put an outfit on, he wanted to serve Dylan more chicken on his plate.

Not only making us laugh more, Dylan decided to give his brother a five dollar tip. What a big tipper! Dylan put the cash in Ryan's apron pocket.

Aren't they making excellent team?

Some of you already know that my older son is nuts about collecitng Pez. As of right now, he collects 79 pezs two years ago. Dylan hopes to get more than 100 pezs by this Christmas.

While he has a dream collecting more pez, he even explored more on the Internet. He found it out that there is actually a Pez Museum up in North California. I was surprised yet happy for Dylan. Knowing that he really wants to go there on our way home from Oregon. Knowing it is not going to give David a permit time to get it back to work. Maybe soon, we will go there.

Like I said he loves pezs, he wrote a letter for a person who is in charge of the Pez Museum. Please read what he actually wrote:

Dear Pez Museum,

Can you make pezs for the new movie, "The Princess and the Frog?" I would buy it the hour, it comes out. (the pez, not the movie.) I want to have 6 pezs. The princess, the frog, Ray, the 197 year old blind lady, the crocodile, and the dark magican. Put it at the price of 9.95.

From,
Dylan McClellan

P.S. I have a lot of pez. I have 79 pezs.

Thought it was too cute to share. See the web link: http://www.burlingamepezmuseum.com/

Jacob's Shell Museum

When I entered Ryan's room, I found he put the tape on the containers and the second place ribbon on the side of his dresser. I asked him what made him putting the tape on the top of the dresser. His reply was, "Jacob, his stuffed horse, is having a museum. It is called, "Jacob's Shell Museum." I thought it was so cute not to take any picture.


What do you think of his imagination???

Habitat Final Report

After two long weeks, Dylan and I worked together on his sardine research. We found some of the information and discussed about sardines before he wrote three paragraphs. Writing three paragraphs are not easy for him because he wrote mixed English and American Sign Language. It was due to that he comes from a deaf parents. Thus, he had a communication from his great aunt who majored in English. She gave him several advices. Thanks goodness for her to help him with the essay.

As for my part, I was able to promote him to create his own diorama. Actually, we talked about this before he started making his own diorama. He was so proud of his work !

The top grade would be four. So, he probably won't know until this Friday, or after the Winter Break. Actually, he had hoped to get a box of "Wizard of Oz" pezs if he gets four.

Sardines

This month, Dylan has been working on his Habitat report on sardines. He had to write three paragraph and created an ocean diorama. His dad has encouraged him to try sardine because there are many positive effects for eating sardines. I admit he was much braver than me!

Posting for the picture before eating sardine for the first time with olive oil.

This was Dylan's first bite of sardine with Ritz cracker.

At the end, he realized he didn't like sardine at all.
He drank a cup of milk to cover the "yucky" stuff.

Glasses

While I was buying few items at Staples, I found Ryan trying something new from the shelves. It was a pair of glasses. In a small way, he looked somewhat look good in a pair of glasses. Wonder if he could see where he was going while he was wearing a pair of reading glasses?

Fake or Real?

I was fooling it around with my cat, Star. I loved the way Star gave us his suspecting looks. He was not sure if Santa Claus was real or fake. Or it may have something to do with my smelly foot.

Colorful Trees

For months, we have had warm weather in Southern California. The last few days ago, the weather starts to cool it down. It is really amazing the colorful trees finally arrived in Southern California. This certainly felt wonderful when I saw these colorful trees on my way to work.

Being Smart Alec

A day after Thanksgiving, we went back to my mother in law's house to meet another family member. There were lots of left over food including soft drinks.

Ryan pleaded to have Cola Cola from his older cousin, Katya. I told him, "No, you had enough soft drinks." He begged me again. Still, I was firmed with a big NO!

A few minutes after he and I walked into different directions, Ryan went outside to play with other cousins from Oregon and Utah. But this time, his cousin Katya caught him being sneaky behind my back. He was trying to get a can of Diet Coke out of patio's refrigerator. Katya was trying to warn him that I did ask him not to take any more soft drink.

Ryan sharply replied with a scolding facial expression:

"No! I'm an evil genius from the invisible summit* and I like Coca Cola and Diet Coke and YOU CAN'T STOP ME!" Katya tried so hard not to laugh with his comment. She walked back in the house and burst into laughter. She then told us what happened.

First, I was surprised he used longer words (21 words total..) Second, Katya happened to have a hood shirt saying, "Summit" because that is her high school. I even asked if there was an expression from T.V. Nope!

Thanksgiving Activities

This past week, I have had lots of Thanksgiving activities. One of the activities was involved in teaching them the surfaces about the masks.

Each of them created their own masks and write from simple sentences to one paragraph. It depends on the student's ability. It took them three days to put all of the masks and writing together before reading their paper to another class.

After they finished reading their paper to another class, the entire Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program started their first Thanksgiving feast. They all loved interacting with other students as well.
At the end, we all have to remind ourselves that there are many things to be grateful. Having the Deaf and Hard of Hearing program open along with a wonderful staff give a second chance for all of us. Many this program continues to many more wonderful years for the students.

Santa Cats

It was time for us to teach Star and Moonlight that there was Santa Claus. No one had taught them while they were living in Human Society for a couple of months. Thus, we thought it was appropriate for them to learn about Santa Claus.

Classroom Observation

On Wednesday afternoon, I received a final report from my coordinator and Special Education Director from the County after finished observing my class. They covered on four parts of the observation: instructional materials and strategies, classroom organization and management, student engagement, and communication. It was a two page worth of an observation, but I'll skim the statements.

Instructional Materials and Strategies:

The teacher did a good job connecting current and new learning to previous learning and across content area. She used a map and a globe to add clarification to details in the lessons.

The assessment materials developed around the story were exceptional. Those provided included excellent vocabulary development materials (including visuals/pictures with the printed words) and appropriate modification to the lessons. Also the student was given questions to respond to regarding the materials covered which required that the student use their writing skills to develop complete thoughts and sentences which included summarizing and making inferences.

Classroom Organization and Management:

The classroom is well organized with clear physical boundaries. Visual cues are used to label different materials, work areas, and expectations. The wall space was used efficiently and clearly delineated core topics by grade levels (math, literature, activities, word wall, noun-verb-adjective wall, calendar, maps, etc.) the classroom rules posted on the whiteboard, it was challenge to read. However, both the teacher and the IA used constant positive reinforcing language with the students, which demonstrates evidence of a positive behavior management system. The students were very responsive to the praise and appeared to be confident learners, as a result of the praise and scaffolded instruction.

Student Engagement:

The children were actively engaged in the direct instruction, and those who were doing independent tasks were engaged and on tasks the majority of the time. By grouping the students at their performance levels and utilizing staff, the instruction time was maximized and use appropriately to keep students on task and eager to learn.

Communication:

The teacher and the IA used very clear communication with t students, including ASL, CASE, sim-com, along with visuals to support language development. Both the teacher and the IA used very positive language, facial expressions and body language while working with the students, providing positive feedback and encouragement. Even when a student responded with and error, the teacher gave praise, and reinforced by providing the correct answer and clarification.

At the end of the meeting, I felt really good that I received an outstanding report especially from the director. Also, I was told that I have a natural talent in teaching.

Walrus

Look what I found Dylan while he was taking a bath!

I'm trying to figure it out why he decided to pretend to be a walrus.

Community Service

This time, my younger son has another project for his second grade class. His class was learning about the Community Services. He chose, "Mail Carrier."

I started helping him to put the blue paper over the little shoe boxes. The rest of the other part of his project, he did on his own.

At the end of his project, he was so proud of his achievement. But I wanted to tell you something funny. As soon as he finished the project, he told me, " I have an idea. Let's going to Ms. Welter's House (his teacher) and bring the cats to her house." (In case you need to review, look at his envelope on the side of his box.)

Triple Tattoos

Guess what I found this evening?

It's Ryan's triple tattoos. Although, I am grateful he did NOT use a permanent black pen.

Complaint Letter/Reply

Here's what happened when I took my younger son for an examination on his right leg (turned out that he torn his femur muscles.) In the letter, I wrote a letter to the Supervisor about the nurse's demeanor.

Dear Ms. Barrera:

On November 9, 2009, I brought my minor son, Ryan McClellan to Eastake Children's Primary Medical Office after he had injured his right leg. We waited in the reception area for two hours.

After we were placed in an examination room, I decided to read my son's medical chart that was placed up in the front of our patient room while we were waiting. Unfortunately, one of the nurses, Gloria Sandoval told me that I was forbidden to read my own son's medical chart. She then removed the chart from the door so I could not access it.

Then, she approached to Doctor Abraham Broudy what had happened before seeing us. She handed the chart directly to him. By that time, Dr.Broudy came to check with my son's right leg. After the visit was complete, I questioned if I had the rights to check my child's chart. First, he apologized. He then said, "Normally it is between the doctor and the patient. You can have all of the copies if you would like."

As Ryan's parent,I have every right to be able to read my son's chart. I should not have to explain my reasons and I do not think that it was appropriate for the nurse to not only tell me that I was not allowed to read the chart but to physically remove the chart from my presence.

I surely hope this will not happen again. I do look forward to getting a reply from you. Please contact me at this above address, or e-mail address.


Sincerely,

Laura McClellan

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This is what I got a reply from her:

Good afternoon Mrs. McClellan,

Thank you for bringing this to my attention. I do want to apologize for the long wait that you experienced the day you brought in Ryan. Patients have been experiencing a longer wait than usual do to it now being the flu season and having one provider out of the office due to a personal emergency. Although we do try to accommodate all of our patients, it also makes it a little more difficult if a patient walks in without an appointment because the staff does not have the appropriate time to prepare the chart. My staff and providers are working as hard as
possible to make this a good experience for all our patients.


Regarding your sons Medical Record the employee is actually correct. It is our policy that parents do not go through the patients chart only because things may get misinterpreted. Although you do have every right to your child's medical record we have to follow a process which is having the parent sign a medical release form and be given copies of medical record. Also as a patient you do have a right to view the
medical records with a provider present. I do apologize for the actions of the employee and for not having her properly explain our company policy. I will make sure that I speak to my staff to ensure this does not happen again. 

Homework

This past week, Ryan was out of school for two days. One was picking him up early for having his right leg check up. It turned out that he had a fermur muscle pulled. That was why he was limping for days.

A day after we visited the doctor, I caught him throwing up in the toliet several time. This made me stay home taking care of him and his "well" brother for the day before Veteran's Day. By the time, Ryan was well in the late afternoon.

But when it was time for Ryan to catch his homework up, his funny comment cracked me up:

"Mom, I am going to give you a report card. You give me WAYYYY TOO MUCH HOMEWORK."

I'm pleased to report that he did a lot. Second, he is speaking more and more longer sentences.

Halloween Night

Right after we finished cutting the pumpkins, the boys were all excited to go out for a trick or treat. However, we had to wait until David came home from Scuba Diving. He came home in time for the boys to go out for Halloween activity.

The full moon showed behind our backyard. It was a PERFECT way of showing Halloween spirit. The kids were out in the neighbor. The more I go out for Halloween with my kids, the less kids were out there. I felt so bad for the kids for not seeing the same thing that David and I went through. But at least they had a good time.

This year, we decided to dress themselves up as a Pirate because we just bought expensive clothes for the Cruises. They accepted my suggestion. Thank goodness. They also liked my idea of picking only ten candies out of a tons of candies from trick or treat. The rest of the candies were passed it out at David's work.

Also, we ended up agreeing that next year we all will be going out to the stores where they pass the candies out-- just like my mom did at her work. It will save our money and time. Not only saving our time, this will be a lot more fun for my kids.

Pumpkin Patch

This is a couple of rounds my kids and I had gone to Pumpkin Patch. But this time, they had not gone to our home area: Bonita's Pumpkin Patch. It is about 15 minutes to drive. It was a perfect excuse to have fun especially on Halloween's afternoon.

The moment we walked in the Patch, Dylan and I were able to go all over the Pumpkin Patch for an hour before we stopped by McDonald's for a lunch. The kids immediately pet the hornless goats by feeding them with the leaves. They also have rabbits. Rabbits eat gourds. Ryan especially enjoyed feeding the animals while Dylan enjoyed exploring every where. Soon, Ryan followed his brother.

After feeding the goats and rabbits, the boys and I joined the Hay-Ride while David was out for a Halloween Scuba Diving. . Dylan survived through because he was holding his breath from the hay. Ryan enjoyed the sight seeing even the dirt was blowing up in the air. On the road, we were able to see the pumpkin patch and several scare crows around the patch.

Once the driver dropped us off at the front of Corn Maze Entrance, Dylan and I enjoyed finding their way to get out of a maze. But to my astonishment, Ryan decided to cut through the maze. He walked through the corn maze. Dylan soon followed his foot step. I had wanted to go back and find the proper way out. Since I am the only adult for my boys, I could not catch them up. I let cheat this time.

As soon as we got out of a maze, we were already in the Pumpkin Patch field. They found a pumpkin that they liked. So I purchased one of each. You could not image how exciting they were to cut their own pumpkin. While they were anxious to cut their own pumpkin, all of us decided to be silly piglets for the picture.

By the time we got home, the boys were anxiously to CUT their pumpkin NOW. I had to instruct them: markers, cut on the top, taking the seeds out, rinse and baked them.

Yet, I thought it was a perfect Halloween afternoon.