Zemiel's Favourites

For all of you who have way too much time on your hands, here's a little puzzle about Zemiel's favourite things that could help you procrastinate...



Good Luck!!

Progress Report

We've been really impressed with Zemiel's progress over the last few weeks. He is certainly progressing much faster than anyone could have hoped he would. Zem is now making 'ar' and 'mm' sounds.

We are working hard to ensure that he will hear and use different pitches as well, as that is something that deaf children have trouble with. Sharlene has also been kept busy talking to representatives from different deaf groups and other parents who are all very interested in Zem (mainly because he signs) and he is interested in them (mainly because they give him food). Zem's main party trick, wherever he goes, is to beg food.

We have also been given a number of Auslan DVDs and other resources on loan. These have come at a great time. Several weeks ago, Sharlene and I began a basic Auslan course. For 3 weeks we had a hearing teacher who went through some basics, but last week and for the next 3 weeks our teacher is deaf and the class is 'voice off' - signing only. This week coming there will be an interpreter present and we will be able to ask some questions.

Several weeks ago at the Morisset Show, Sharlene signed Zem up for some professional photos. In the week up until the photos, Zem got 2 fat lips, 1 puffy eye (which didn't go black thankfully), and chipped a tooth. The photos turned out very nicely though. Zem now has a proper black eye, given to him (with love of course) from a draw that opened too quickly.









Last Sunday we organised and planted out 2 of our garden beds for this coming season. Mainly beans and peas in at present with some spinach and cauli Rabi thrown in. Our capsicum plants are doing well, we have one in particular which is 1 and a half years old and still going great. We will be doing the other beds tomorrow hopefully.

This week we found out that our dog has gotten a taste for stolen eggs. So we just need to be a bit more vigilant about closing the chook pen when the chickens are out. Composting and worm farms are going great. We've decided that instead of turfing the backyard, we are going to try spreading the compost over it and planting the grass that we pull our of our gardens into it. It may take a bit longer but should have the same effect...if we can save it from the chooks.

Our next project in planning stage is to build a greenhouse where we can get seedlings growing and keep some of our garden supplies. Hopefully it will also use up some of the excess wood that we still have from our back yard retainer wall.

Anyways, you are now up to date...'til next time.

Water...

One day of rain when I'm riding my bike to work is okay. Even 2 days of rain is okay... but 3 days of wet while riding to work...?? Nope....I'm catching a lift in tomorrow.

Today's swimming carnival turned out very well also. Even the parent-teacher interviews afterwards went well. Got to meet an old friend that I hadn't seen for 11 years.

New sounds, beds, courses and operations

Well, school has started up again. This year I am teaching Year 2 children and that is really keeping me on my toes. Not just in trying to talk at their level but also ensure that I know the new curriculum and having all the activities ready for them to do. On top of that, I have been riding my from Gosford train station to the school. It has certainly made me more tired over the short term, but I know that I have already lost some weight and my fitness level has risen, so I am looking forward to keeping that up - except on rainy days.

Last Tuesday, Sharlene and I started our Auslan tuition course. We knew most of what was mentioned already. I was the only bloke there, and most of the ladies were from an educational background. We are constantly amazed at the intensity of the rivalry between Signed English and Auslan.

Zemiel has started at Kindergym on Tuesdays and is reported to be enjoying it very much. He is now making "ar" sounds, which is more exciting than I could express right now. Although he is picking up all frequencies when internally stimulated, Australian Hearing want to find out what he is hearing externally. So they want to give him another puppet test in the next couple of weeks. Sharlene also took him to a child surgeon today to have a look at his hernias. He has 3 at the moment. 2 of them definitely need to be operated on and the other might heal itself up. In any case, they will have to be seen to before he turns 3 years old.

Zem is now sleeping in his big bed. He has given the cot the flick and has decide he is a big boy now. It is really nice to see him make the transisiton now, rather than forcing him to do it when the new baby arrives.

Not much happening in the garden. It has been too hot to plant. Hopefully now that March is near we can start our Autumn/Winter crops. I have asked to see what I can do school concerning some nearby bushland that the school owns. I think I might end up having to write a proposal for a grant to do some of the things I want. All that is a scary concept for me, but I still want to do something.

Sharlene is still very tired and now hitting 19 weeks! We have been spending quite a bit of time getting our Adventurer club up and running again this year. We have been promoting it at the local Show, Pathfinder registration day and with friends and neighbours. Hopefully the club will be a significant size this year and others will see that it is worth being involved in.

Finally, Sharlene has also found the time to give some Bible studies to some friends of ours, whom we met through Pathfinders. It is very exciting to see these lovely people grow in the knowledge of God and his love for us.