We had a day off from school, so I took the boys hiking. They loved it.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Candy for Max's class
I signed up at open house to make the sweets for Max's Halloween party. Instead of the traditional cupcakes, I found these adorable Wilton Pretzel candy molds at Walmart. They went together pretty easily, but it was time consuming. They were a HUGE hit though.
Pumpkin Carving Party 2009
Our annual event was even MORE fun this year as we invited LeAnne and Lisa and their crews to come too. We had tons of food and some really creative pumpkin carving.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Spooky tree craft
I have a ceramic haunted house that was my mother's. I added the plastic pregnant looking ghosts a few years ago mostly because they are plastic and there is pretty much no way on earth that the kids can destroy them. This year, I picked up the little ceramic ghost and we made spooky trees to put around the house. Very simple!
You cut the bottom off a brown paper bag and use a water bottle to help keep the trunk shape while you are working. Cut strips in the paper bag and twist from the bottom . . .up. Midway and near the top cut additional strips to make the branches and twist those separately. It creates a nice spooky tree that you can either leave brown, or spray paint black.
You call that a pumpkin?
Now that is a pumpkin! Our neighbors had this big boy trucked in on a pallet! 295/365
Homework time
The boys get home and get a snack and unwind for a few minutes but then we crack the books. Here they are doing their homework. 291/365
Got Max's costume
He wanted to be something scary so I finally found a grim reaper costume that pleased him.
287/365
The Leaky Cauldron is open with all your potion needs
Eye of Newt and wool of bat . . .
Transformed the entry way with some spooky potion ingredients. We also have some fur of werewolf, vampire fangs,
V (vampire blood), snake juice, zombie virus, and Life Renewal potion.
The Leaky Cauldron does not do love potions, resurrections, or bottomelss purses. :)
I found some of the labels at Love Manor. For the fur of were wolf, I gave Bella a little trim. She did not mind.
Inside the Wool of Bat bottle, I broke up some pieces of dryer lint. The Zombie virus is three drop of green food coloring in a bleach solution. Eye of newt is made with small rubber eyeball toys.
Silly String!
Jacob was giving his teacher a hard time about wearing his glasses. I told him that if I got a good report about him wearing them at school for reading time, I would buy him some silly string. Well, he earned it. A buck, for 2 minutes of fun!
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Waiting Games . . .
As much as I try to avoid it, waiting with children inevitably happens. The question that flits across every mother's mind is "How long do I have to keep him busy?"
Here are some of the tricks I have learned along the way . . .
1)Pocket photo album (either the cloth one you can purchase or laminated photos of family on a keychain). Play the guessing game with little ones- whose picture is this? Ben really loves it when I point to a photo that is clearly Auntie Sue and say, "Is this grampy?"
"Nooooooo", he giggles, "silly mama, that is Grampy!"
2) pocket (non breakable) mirror and dry erase markers. The kids love to draw mustaches, eye patches and scars (hey I have three boys) on their faces and wipe the off again.
3) keep a child's magnifying glass in your purse. The kids love getting a closer look at things.
4) Tape. Plain old scotch tape. Kids love this don't they? Give them a piece to crumple, stick, unstick and just thoroughly enjoy.
5) Keep a spare wallet full of all your old used up gift cards, discount cards, playmoney. If you keep it in your bag, they will enjoy looking at all the stuff for the few minutes it takes you to fill our the insurance information at the pediatrition's office (again!).
6) Hand games: show them the optical illusion of the 'floating finger' when you put two index fingers together and focus on a distant point. Then, try the hole in the hand. Roll up a piece of paper and put it beside your palm . . . look a the distant point and it appears that the hole goes right through your hand,
7) Squishy bags: These were vital when my middle child was little. I put a few teaspoons of hair gel and a few drops of food coloring into a ziplock bag. He loved squishing it, smoothing it out and tracing shapes into it, holding it on his cheek.
8) Emergency Supplies: lollipops
Here are some of the tricks I have learned along the way . . .
1)Pocket photo album (either the cloth one you can purchase or laminated photos of family on a keychain). Play the guessing game with little ones- whose picture is this? Ben really loves it when I point to a photo that is clearly Auntie Sue and say, "Is this grampy?"
"Nooooooo", he giggles, "silly mama, that is Grampy!"
2) pocket (non breakable) mirror and dry erase markers. The kids love to draw mustaches, eye patches and scars (hey I have three boys) on their faces and wipe the off again.
3) keep a child's magnifying glass in your purse. The kids love getting a closer look at things.
4) Tape. Plain old scotch tape. Kids love this don't they? Give them a piece to crumple, stick, unstick and just thoroughly enjoy.
5) Keep a spare wallet full of all your old used up gift cards, discount cards, playmoney. If you keep it in your bag, they will enjoy looking at all the stuff for the few minutes it takes you to fill our the insurance information at the pediatrition's office (again!).
6) Hand games: show them the optical illusion of the 'floating finger' when you put two index fingers together and focus on a distant point. Then, try the hole in the hand. Roll up a piece of paper and put it beside your palm . . . look a the distant point and it appears that the hole goes right through your hand,
7) Squishy bags: These were vital when my middle child was little. I put a few teaspoons of hair gel and a few drops of food coloring into a ziplock bag. He loved squishing it, smoothing it out and tracing shapes into it, holding it on his cheek.
8) Emergency Supplies: lollipops
Corn Maze
We took the boys to Trombly Farm in Milford for a corn maze and hay ride. They had a great time searching for scarecrows and putting together the clues
Sometimes you forget . . .
It is easy to forget, in the safe cocoon of home, that your son is autistic. But, when you take him out and you are surrounded by typical children, in a loud environment and you see how he reacts it all comes crashing back on you.
Last week we took the boys to Chucky Cheese for a birthday party. Mike shadowed the older two, while I stayed with Ben. Upon entering, Ben went to check out the riding aparatuses at the front of the store. It was loud so he put his hands over his ears, but he seemed happy enough. We took off his shoes- another struggle- he prefers his shoes ON thankyou very much. He played in the toddler play tunnel for a while, but refused to sit on the ride on toys. Instead, his little pointer fingers were extended out from either hand and he waddled back and forth, clearly in 'robot mode'. His first attempt to climb the tall Habitrail play tower was thwarted when other kids would climb in . . . he would cower in the corner with his hands over his ears. I was terrified that he was going to manage to get to the top and either freeze, and refuse to come down or start beating on some unsuspecting kid so I lured him away from the tower entrance.
Eventually, he was drawn to one ride with a bike, giant plastic bugs and mushrooms and carefully climbed up on it. I thought, "yes! He is going to ride it". But no, he instead put his chin on the tall, brightly colored mushrooms and bellowed, "Mush-room! Mush-room! Mush-room!" over and over, his chin perched on the top and his neck waggling back and forth with each syllable. As the afternoon wore on, he did climb to the top of the tower and through the tunnels dangling from the ceiling. He would only go on two of the tunnels though, and traveled back and forth between the two racecars and the mesh cage.
I was relieved when it was time to go and crawled up to fetch him from the habitrail. Thank goodness he was dressed to match his brothers, because apparently his stamp was wiped (or licked?) off and I thought for one terrifying moment that they were not going to let me leave with him.
Last week we took the boys to Chucky Cheese for a birthday party. Mike shadowed the older two, while I stayed with Ben. Upon entering, Ben went to check out the riding aparatuses at the front of the store. It was loud so he put his hands over his ears, but he seemed happy enough. We took off his shoes- another struggle- he prefers his shoes ON thankyou very much. He played in the toddler play tunnel for a while, but refused to sit on the ride on toys. Instead, his little pointer fingers were extended out from either hand and he waddled back and forth, clearly in 'robot mode'. His first attempt to climb the tall Habitrail play tower was thwarted when other kids would climb in . . . he would cower in the corner with his hands over his ears. I was terrified that he was going to manage to get to the top and either freeze, and refuse to come down or start beating on some unsuspecting kid so I lured him away from the tower entrance.
Eventually, he was drawn to one ride with a bike, giant plastic bugs and mushrooms and carefully climbed up on it. I thought, "yes! He is going to ride it". But no, he instead put his chin on the tall, brightly colored mushrooms and bellowed, "Mush-room! Mush-room! Mush-room!" over and over, his chin perched on the top and his neck waggling back and forth with each syllable. As the afternoon wore on, he did climb to the top of the tower and through the tunnels dangling from the ceiling. He would only go on two of the tunnels though, and traveled back and forth between the two racecars and the mesh cage.
I was relieved when it was time to go and crawled up to fetch him from the habitrail. Thank goodness he was dressed to match his brothers, because apparently his stamp was wiped (or licked?) off and I thought for one terrifying moment that they were not going to let me leave with him.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
IEP Vision Statement
I guess this in a new piece in the IEP's this year. A place for the parent, amid all those goals and objectives (that are really designed by the teachers although in my son's case anyway- very well thought out and reasonable), to say what they want to have happen. It is very open ended and you could say "we want him to be happy and successful" . . . vague and vaguer. Or you could get real specific.
Interestingly enough, just because it is a part of the IEP does not mean the school district has any legal requirement to see it happen, but I guess it gives them guideline to determine what would make you 'a happy customer' . . . (so go ahead and write that you want him to be entering his pre-med program at Harvard following a traditional public education).
Admittedly, I got the paper on Monday (actually I think they sent me one a few weeks ago and I could not even think about it at the time) at my son Ben's IEP meeting and froze. Me? I have to write? Something coherant that other people, other educators, are going to read? Ugh. Well, I looked around, I called around and I thought about it. Where do I want him to be in 6 years? What do I want his adult life to be like . . . . this is what I came up with.
Our vision for Benjamin is that, during the next five years, he will be placed in a typical inclusive environment with necessary supports. By fifth grade, he will function as a typical child, able to deal independently with novel situations, be flexible in his routines, interact appropriately with peers, and have a couple of best friends that he sees regularly in and outside of school. Benjamin will be more independent in the classroom and during unstructured times such as recess and lunch. Although he may be a very active child and continue to have self-regulation issues, he will be able to show more self-control as needed. He will use his charismatic personality to develop leadership skills and become a strong contributor to his community
Academically, we anticipate that Benjamin will achieve in all subject areas at or above a fifth-grade level with little or no academic support as he has developed his own compensatory skills to adapt to his disabilities. It is our goal that if he does need to access academic or emotional and social support, he is able to advocate for himself without compromising his self esteem. If he finds himself in a situation he can not handle, we expect him to seek out that help and support. We would like Benjamin to develop self determination skills: be able to set goals and work to achieve them. His independent living skills will be on par for his age group.
In the long term, we see Benjamin living independently or with family, but never in a group home. We see him completing his high school degree and taking part in some form of continuing education. We see him participating in employment opportunities and being a contributing member of his community. We see him continuing to enjoy his favorite activities including swimming, reading, family vacations and computers as well as acquiring a few new hobbies and interests.
Interestingly enough, just because it is a part of the IEP does not mean the school district has any legal requirement to see it happen, but I guess it gives them guideline to determine what would make you 'a happy customer' . . . (so go ahead and write that you want him to be entering his pre-med program at Harvard following a traditional public education).
Admittedly, I got the paper on Monday (actually I think they sent me one a few weeks ago and I could not even think about it at the time) at my son Ben's IEP meeting and froze. Me? I have to write? Something coherant that other people, other educators, are going to read? Ugh. Well, I looked around, I called around and I thought about it. Where do I want him to be in 6 years? What do I want his adult life to be like . . . . this is what I came up with.
Our vision for Benjamin is that, during the next five years, he will be placed in a typical inclusive environment with necessary supports. By fifth grade, he will function as a typical child, able to deal independently with novel situations, be flexible in his routines, interact appropriately with peers, and have a couple of best friends that he sees regularly in and outside of school. Benjamin will be more independent in the classroom and during unstructured times such as recess and lunch. Although he may be a very active child and continue to have self-regulation issues, he will be able to show more self-control as needed. He will use his charismatic personality to develop leadership skills and become a strong contributor to his community
Academically, we anticipate that Benjamin will achieve in all subject areas at or above a fifth-grade level with little or no academic support as he has developed his own compensatory skills to adapt to his disabilities. It is our goal that if he does need to access academic or emotional and social support, he is able to advocate for himself without compromising his self esteem. If he finds himself in a situation he can not handle, we expect him to seek out that help and support. We would like Benjamin to develop self determination skills: be able to set goals and work to achieve them. His independent living skills will be on par for his age group.
In the long term, we see Benjamin living independently or with family, but never in a group home. We see him completing his high school degree and taking part in some form of continuing education. We see him participating in employment opportunities and being a contributing member of his community. We see him continuing to enjoy his favorite activities including swimming, reading, family vacations and computers as well as acquiring a few new hobbies and interests.
Thursday, September 03, 2009
9/2 First day of school!
The boys were so excited that we waited outside for 20 minutes :). Have a great day!!!!
9/1 Meet the teacher day
We went to Jacob's school and met Mrs. Landry. First we enjoyed some time on the playground. Max was very upset to discover that they had taken down his favorite piece of equipment and replaced it. But, Jacob came home from the first day of school and said that it was great. (It was all roped off when we went on this day)
Saturday, August 29, 2009
236/365
Hurricane Bill hits Higgin's Beach. The waves were terrifyingly massive. We took the boys down, but could not stay. Jacob got swept off the rocks, but managed to keep his head above water and swim toward the beach with only a scrapped leg. Ben was being tossed around in the giant waves, despite the fact that I was clinging onto his lifejacket. Was Ben licking my lens cap?
234/365
Took the boys back to Humphrey park in Derry. They LOVE the splash pad and the giant tower with the triple high slide!
234/365
Took the boys back to Humphrey park in Derry. They LOVE the splash pad and the giant tower with the triple high slide!
232/365
Day at Auntie Di's house. We got haircuts in the morning and then went over and spent the day with our cousins in the pool. Fun times!
231/365
We drove down to the school today to find out who Jacob will have for first grade . . . . Mrs. Landry!
230/365
Swimming with daddy. The boys love, when on a particularly hot day, daddy comes home from work and they all go in the pool together.
Friday, August 21, 2009
Happy Birthday Ben
The N broke- needed two sticks . . . but here is Ben's 'Cars' cake. He finally understood birthdays this year. He spent most of his morning looking at his cake. So cute.
41 today
Dang- that is pretty old. I made a diet coke cake to have after supper. Happy Birthday to me . . . . .
Lessons at the Pond
We signed the boys up for swimming lessons at Cobbetts Pond. It was perfect. We got there to swim in the morning, and then stayed until lunch time. What a nice way to spend the summer.
Hooray!!!
"Runny" has been missing since before Christmas . . . but we found him- behind the refridgerator. Yay! Happy day!
Future lifeguards?
Well, it is a great summer job, but you need to get back to lessons if you want to do it.
It was wet and gloomy
But still a good day to catch hermit crabs. He had like 15 in there and they were po'd.
Indulgance
These are outrageously expensive kabobs from Hannafords. But, ohhhhhh they are soooooo yummy!
Dishes lesson #1
Emily is 12 and taller than her mom! Well, first night at the beach and Emily was getting a 'lesson' on doing dishes. Very stressful.
Pizza night
I wear my sunglasses at night . . .
I have to skip a few
The ones in between were really just NOT great pictures or particularly great memories- just fillers for the 365 album and I am sooooooo far behind. Love this one though. Last year, I picked my niece up from school and took the kids to Friendly's for a 'last day of school' lunch. Well, she wondered if we were going to do it again, so we did. This time Suellen came along and the kids had a great time. It was a LONG wait though, because it was packed as everyone else apparently had the same idea. Love Jacob's expression in this one. He is a riot. Max has been doing this goofy "I am so sweet" look lately. He is going to HATE those pictures when he is 16 and too cool for words.
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