Logan's Birthday

Granted, this video is older (August 19th of last year, Logan's 5th birthday), but it makes me smile.

Special Needs

My poor blog has gone to the toilet, but it's not my fault - well, not completely.

The last couple of months have been focused on preparing Logan for kindergarten. We've quizzed, colored, prepped, sang, danced, and worked with his teachers to get him as prepared and able as he can be. Yet even with the educational requirements being met and knowing our son is more than ready for the academic portions of school, his social interactions and stimulus behaviors are still a concern.

We met for his second semester conference and I knew what was coming. I'm his Mother. I see him get excited by loud noises or images. I know that he'll flap his hands, hit the top of his head, spin in circles, or just plain squeal in delight. Jimbo on the other hand, took it hard. And I understand. This is our son and as much as we love him (and always will) he continues to stay in a certain place developmentally while his younger siblings pass him by.

But like it or not, Logan just isn't ready to be integrated into a public school system without an aide present to assist him.

No big deal, right?

I wish.

Since this new stimulus package by Obama has cut school funding, the aide present at the public school Logan would attend was "let go". So we have no other option but to place him into a program inside a public school (aka special education) with the facilities and funding to give my son exactly what he needs.

Hopefully, he will be given the opportunity to attend the kindergarten classes and will only be removed when absolutely necessary. The goal is to prepare him for first grade at his home school next year, but I'm not thinking that far ahead. Right now is difficult enough.

On a positive note, we took the children to the circus again this year. We had a blast. There is no better feeling in this world than observing awe through the eyes of your children. I'll try to get the pictures cropped and edited and share a few.

I never thought I'd hear...

Vincent and Logan : MOMMY! There's a french fry in the toilet!

**LOUD FLUSH**

Vincent and Logan: Bye bye, french fry!!

Seriously, I never thought I'd ever hear that. As for the real world. My PC finally just went ka-plow and we had to order a new one. The one one arrived and I just have to get my email back up and running. I hope no one has emailed me and I've not responded, if so, you know why. Now I will be back to speed and blogging more often (2 weeks for an entry, blasphemy!!)

I survived fall break but I'm sure some new gray hair is forming under my impressive Feria dye job. I also found out my thyroid issues have returned. At first I thought I needed to lay off the food, but now I know no dieting in this world will help.

And to all you husbands out there (and wives too). If your spouse has snot spread across their shirts from your offspring, gaping at him/her with mouth wide isn't exactly helping. Just lift your jaw and curb your disgust and tell us "hey, you have snot all over you!" Then we can go change and not feel like a total douche when the FedEx guy arrives and stares like we're the most disgusting creature since Smeagol.

And finally, a picture of the baby girl. She's growing so fast!!

5 Years Old!!!

Falling Objects...

Note to self: When you arrive upstairs to yet another mess made in the boys room, pick each toy up carefully. Don't grab toys at random and begin chucking them behind you to make a path. Because you never know, you might accidentally peg your son in the head with something and feel like an absolute douche the rest of the day.

Logan, Mommy is a idiot and she's sorry.

Mess

So I hear it. BOOM!

Then I hear it again only louder and deeper. BOOM!!!!!

I get up and trek up the stairs, as I round the corner to the second set I announce I'm on to them.

"Logan, Vince, time to get up!"

I hear them shuffling around and begin walking up the stairs when they appear at the top.

"Come on down guys...wait get your drinks please," I begin walking up the stairs when Logan places his hands outward, palm toward my body.

"Messy Mommy!" he tells me.

"Oh, messy huh? Well I'm definitely coming up now!" As if to give the go ahead he motions both hands to the left and under, kind of like Vanna White on Wheel of Fortune.

I walk past and the picture above was the sight that greeted me. One things for sure, it's NEVER boring in this house, EVER.

Bubbles

I love the bubble machine. It's a cheap, easy and fun way to spend 15-20 minutes. Annabel enjoyed it too and I have her on video saying "bubble"! It's her first word other than MaMa and DaDa!

Worn Out

Today was spent cleaning, doing laundry, baking and organizing. I'm so exhausted I can barely move.

On the positive side, the laundry is almost caught up (3 loads, 4 if you count laundry from tonight and tomorrow), the house is clean (I won't say spotless and jinx myself), and the boys actually chipped in on the pie making this time around (they usually refrain from pie making as there is no icing to devour). All in all it was a good day. Maybe I can spend tomorrow finishing my book, relaxing and planning our 4th of July. I'm really excited this year, we're having some family over to eat and set off fireworks for the kids.

Oh and before I forget! Annabel had her first pictures made Friday. They came out so gorgeous! I'll share them as soon as they arrive. I have the negatives coming via email within a week or so. I hope you all are enjoying your weekend.

And Nikki, you're suggestion worked wonderfully! Thanks again!

Reminders

Oftentimes I forget I have a child with autism. Since it's something that's such a normal part of our lives we just consider our household "normal". After all, what is normal anyway?

But sometimes little things will happen and I'm reminded that my son isn't exactly like everyone else. This isn't a good thing nor is it a bad thing, it just is.

Today I found him "lining up cars". He does this from time to time. Today he just lined them up but it's not unusual to find him lining up cars by color, shape and type. He does this with blocks as well. I've seen many "rainbow" towers built where the colors are stacked.

When he immerses himself into this kind of "play" you can't get his attention and his focus is 100% on the task at hand. If someone bumps his work or disturbs it he will get extremely upset and can only be calmed when everything is back in it's proper place.

Of course, this kind of behavior is what tipped me off in the first place that something was different. I'll never forget walking downstairs that morning and seeing all of his toy cars lined from one wall all the way over to the other. If you've ever seen the movie "The Sixth Sense" when the Mother walks into the kitchen and all the cabinets are opened, that is how I felt. The hair rose up on the back of my neck and I just "knew".

He's still improving and I'm so proud of him and love him so much. Words cannot express how much he has shown me and taught me about myself and the world.

It's Begun

This is why we can't keep new recliners. I found them doing this while making their snack...

Note the ripped corner...

Thank god for this baby girl or they'd be in sooooo much trouble.

♥ Grease Monkeys ♥

♥ Jimbo + Logan + Vincent + Outside = Grease Monkeys ♥

Bed Head

Poor guy. I shouldn't have snapped a picture but he look so cute, even when half awake.

Late Night Snack

"Mommy?" Logan speaks softly. I'm laying on his bed, cuddling him close to me as he's settling down for the night.

"Hmm?" I say back.

"Yogurt?" He stares at me with those baby blues.

"Awww Bud, it's nini time." I lean in to kiss him on the nose. I settle back and stroke his soft blond hair.

"Please." He smiles at me, my heart aches.

Needless to say, he got his yogurt.

Food Fight!

My kitchen is covered in lemon cake and lemon icing. That was the flavor the boys chose to bake this morning. We baked cupcakes and a one layer before icing them. But at some point Logan nailed me in the face with a half eaten cupcake and that let lose a food fight of epic proportions.

And you know what? In between throwing icing around at each other and cake crumbs falling all over the floor, I had the best time. The mess was so totally worth it. I just wish I had my camera to take some pictures.

I love my little guys, they keep it fun around here. Now where is my mop?

So Far...

I've made...

2 bowls of cereal.

2 bowls of popcorn.

4 sets of carrots with ranch dip.

6 refills of Kool-Aid.

and it's only 10:00am. And that's only with Logan and Vincent home. Tomorrow Arwen begins her summer vacation.

Outside Fun

Another weekend, more stuff to do. This was us pulling down ivy from the front of the house. It has grown so wildly it took all of us, rope and brute force to pull it down. The kids thought it was hilarious.

Big Decisions

It was a hard decision for us. We had to make the choice to send Logan to Kindergarten or to keep him where he is. He's right on the line and ultimately we had to choose if we feel he is 'ready' yet to move forward.

A huge part of the problem is not only the autism but also his youth. He would be a very young Kindergartener at only 5 years old (he will turn 5 during the year). But if we didn't place him there this year he will be an older one next year.

In the end the teachers, Jimbo and I think he would best benefit best from one last year in his class. It's going to be hard, he will be the oldest in the group now and we worry he will fall behind without that challenge from older children. So instead of taking cues from those around him, he will be the leader and it stinks in a way because it means he will get the required work but not that stimulation he's experienced these last two years.

I'm glad he's come so far, and I'm not stupid or selfish enough to dare want for more. Hopefully this last year will see him ready to take that next step in 2009. Of all my children, Logan never ceases to amaze me. He truly is my wonder boy.

Kiddos

Just random shots of the kiddos, Arwen is still at school or she'd be in them. I love the ones of Vincent most. I saw him crying as the bus was arriving and when I asked what's wrong he pushed out his bum and pointed.

Sometimes the unexpected moments are the absolute best part of being a Mom. I can't stop grinning when I picture him with bootie extended.

Waiting for the Bus

And he's here~!!

One of the Boys

Pfffft!...PFFFT!

I turned from the stove and looked to the table. Vincent and Logan were sitting, drinking some milk and eating a small cupcake as I prepared food for dinner later. I couldn't find the source of the noise so I returned to cooking.

PFFFFT...PFFFTTT.PFFFFFTTTTTTTTT!!

I turned around and Logan gave me the biggest shit eating grin. I smiled back as I finally realized what the sound was. As I grinned I and tried to offer a piffle of my own. I didn't succeed but they gave me an A for effort as they erupted in giggles and laughter.

When did flatulence become an entertaining family past time? And when did I become so gross?

Oh well, at least the boys think I'm cool.