Hear Ye, Hear Ye!!!!!

The theme all this week in homeschooling is about Royalty. Kings, Queens, Princes, Princesses, Lords, and Ladies....etc. As we were making crowns, learning about jobs and responsibilities in the castle we also talked about Esther and her road to becoming Queen. Since we have a wide array of Veggietale videos I thought we should all sit down and watch "Esther". We had a wonderful time and they started to grasp the idea.

So, being creative and also seeing if they would catch on, we did a role play. Initially, I just was tired and needed to sit down as they were still going full-speed ahead, yet it seemed like a good idea. I sat in a chair, as they all approached me I would give them a title. "Prince Jeremiah", "Princess Laura", "King Thomas" and last but not least "Queen Mommy!" Jeremiah was catching on to the idea and wanted to pretend all day. Even when his therapist arrived she became "Lady Tracie." I could ask him to do something for me and he'd bow and say "Yes, madam Queen!", "Right away, Queen!", "What can I do for you, Queen!"

I was getting quite attached to my role and more things were being done. They listened better, worked together, even pretended to be one another's servant saying, "Yes, master!" It was kind of thrilling to see how much fun they were having. Even Jeremiah came up later in the evening with a shield and a sword saying he was going to fight off the dragons and rescue me. Just think......I get to do this all week!

Bees!!!!

Thomas says and does the funniest things, too. And since he is also autistic I thought I could add some of his stuff. Tonight we were eating dinner, with the kids eating at the breakfast bar.

As we were finishing up, Thomas hopped off his barstool and ran around the house saying "ouch, ouch, ouch, ouch!" We were wondering what in the world he was doing then he stopped in front of us repeating three times, "There's bees in my foot!"

As a final resort he stomped his foot really hard demanding, "Get them out!" I started laughing when I finally realized he had sat on his foot and now it was asleep. When he saw that mommy and daddy were both laughing he pouted "That's not funny!!!" We explained why he thinks there were bees in his foot and he went happily on his way, playing with his two siblings. So, the next time your foot falls asleep, they are really BEES!

Hushbrowns

Every third Wednesday of the month I teach a craft at a local MOM's group.  We always arrive earlier than the other ladies so today I went to McDonald's drive-thru to get some hashbrowns for the kids.  When we arrived Jeremiah had eaten his but Thomas and Laura were still finishing up. 

 

One of the caretakers said "Jeremiah, what did you eat?"  He muddered "hushbrowns."  "You mean hashbrowns?" "No! Hushbrowns!" he repeated.  I then explained to Jeremiah that they are called hashbrowns.  He replied with a simple, "Oh."  Then the caretaker asked, "Jeremiah, do you know where hashbrowns come from?" In a "duh" type of look he gestured "From McDonald's!"  The caretaker and I tried to contain ourselves, then he asked, "I know you bought them at McDonald's, but do you know how we get hashbrowns?"  Again, as if he asked a dumb question twice, he replies aggitated "McDonald's!" 

 

So, the man thought he'd go at it from a different angle.  "Jeremiah, did you know that hashbrowns come from potatoes?"  "No they don't!... Mommy buys them at McDonald's!"  While I was trying not to laugh I told him, "Hashbrowns really do come from potatoes."  In disbelief, but because mommy said so, he again mudders "Oh." and went off to play.  In short, even when you think hashbrowns come from McDonald's, what mommy says, goes!

Rescue Heroes

One thing our boys love is Rescue Heroes by Fisher Price.  By a cumulated effort, our son Thomas got the HyperJet HQ for his birthday last month.  They play with it everyday and still manage to find something new about it.  We don't have all the Rescue Heroes but they talk about all the characters. (really good play acting/pretend play)  This morning, before getting dressed, the boys were playing and Thomas said "We've got to get Jack Hammer!"  Jeremiah replied "We can't.  He's at Walmart."  I could do nothing else but laugh.  He's got a great sense of humor.  Most of it comes because he's literal but funny none-the-less!

I do believe................HE HIT IT!

During the baseball practice, all the kids stood in line to bat at a pitch. (not tee-ball, a pitch!) I was very apprehensive and kind of afraid he would duck, throw the bat, or drop the bat, but now was the deciding factor.....would he get a hit?  Jeremiah took the plate and the coach asked the other kids to stand farther away.  I guess he anticipated more than I.  The coach said "Jeremiah, get ready."  All of a sudden, it was like it came natural, his stance was perfect and he held the bat with a vengeance.  The coach pitched......

                                             Smack!

                                                         Smack!

                                                                      Smack!

I couldn't believe my eyes!!  He was pitched about 10 pitches and only missed 1 or 2.  I wanted to jump up and down and yet my excitement was unnervingly contained.  For I knew how great of an accomplishment this was, yet others just wouldn't understand.  He "rocked" last night.  Unlike the constant rocking he used to do when he was young.  Just 4 years ago he was non-verbal, only grunting, screaming, yelling, crying.  Self-injurious behavior, as well as, injury to others, especially myself.  This is a far cry from where we started.  Yes, this is a journey WE are taking together.  If possible, let the little things in life bring you such joy, for there is JOY in the journey.  Be thankful in everything, especially, your children!

Baseball cup

Not the trophy, the cup! You know, the one little boys have to wear when they play baseball to "protect" themselves. Well, Little League practice started today and one of the requirements was that all the boys during practice and games have to wear a cup. Equipped with jock strap and all. Fortunately, I found one brief/cup combo at Walmart.

One hour before the practice I had him change into his uniform, socks, cleats and of course the infamous......cup! As he pulled up the brief he says, "What's that?" I explained that all baseball players have to wear one to protect themselves if they get hit there by a ball during practice and the game. "Oh!" After he got all of his gear on I tapped on the cup and he didn't say anything. WHAM!!!!!!!!! He took all his strength and plunged his fist aimed right at the cup and with shock written all over my face, he said "Wow, mommy! It does work!" I was hoping that would be the end of that but then we arrived at practice.

He talked all the way from the van to the coach. Stood in amazement. The whole team went down field and started practicing. In his excitement, after catching one ball from another team mate he thrusted the ball into his groin and did a "happy dance." That happy dance appeared a handful of times during practice. To my liking, that "happy dance" got people wondering who he was and who his parents are, because they actually liked it. Not laughing at him, but sharing in his excitement, it allowed me to share with other parents about him and about autism. Funny how the little things can make us or break us. Jeremiah IS a joy, with every turnaround, thumbs up, wave and a wink to his proud mom on the sideline! What could be better?

Hushbrowns

Every third Wednesday of the month I teach a craft at a local MOM's group. We always arrive earlier than the other ladies so today I went to McDonald's drive-thru to get some hashbrowns for the kids. When we arrived Jeremiah had eaten his but Thomas and Laura were still finishing up.

One of the caretakers said "Jeremiah, what did you eat?" He muddered "hushbrowns." "You mean hashbrowns?" "No! Hushbrowns!" he repeated. I then explained to Jeremiah that they are called hashbrowns. He replied with a simple, "Oh." Then the caretaker asked, "Jeremiah, do you know where hashbrowns come from?" In a "duh" type of look he gestured "From McDonald's!" The caretaker and I tried to contain ourselves, then he asked, "I know you bought them at McDonald's, but do you know how we get hashbrowns?" Again, as if he asked a dumb question twice, he replies aggitated "McDonald's!"

So, the man thought he'd go at it from a different angle. "Jeremiah, did you know that hashbrowns come from potatoes?" "No they don't!... Mommy buys them at McDonald's!" While I was trying not to laugh I told him, "Hashbrowns really do come from potatoes." In disbelief, but because mommy said so, he again mudders "Oh." and went off to play. In short, even when you think hashbrowns come from McDonald's, what mommy says, goes!

Visitation

Last weekend we had my husband's parents come for a visit. No matter who comes to visit, the day they are gone is a day without responsibilities. We have a "down day" where no one is expected to do chores, have a specific schedule or are demanded responsibilities. That way they can relax and try to come down from a "visitation high." The only reason is because the company disrupts "his" schedule. Sometimes we don't know "his" schedule which makes it hard to work around it. During the time of company he puts on his best face, attitude, manners, etc. Then when the company leaves he has a total meltdown. It may consist of yelling, grinding his teeth, hitting/punching, excessive teasing to siblings, and more. Sometimes it's not the time we have company but it's the "after they leave" syndrome. One day, through our consistancy, he will realize that having a "down day" really helps with his ability to handle change. Maybe he will implement it all on his own!

Taebo

Every morning at 9 o'clock Jeremiah and I do Taebo. We don't normally workout on weekends but I was feeling good today and thought we all could use it. So, even though Jeremiah has coordination issues, he works very hard to keep up. In the middle of the 8 minute workout he took off his shirt and flung it to the floor. I tried to keep my laughter to myself but I had to ask, "Jeremiah what are you doing? Why did you do that?" He put his hands on either side of his tummy and said "To show off my body!" I laughed so hard I could barely finish the workout. Maybe the laughter was just what I needed, not the workout!