Cole slaw anyone?

Prior to having a child diagnosed with autism, I didn't care about organic or homemade items. It was all fine but I rarely made anything at home. If you had told me that one day I would make cole slaw with organic vegetables from a buying coop and the farmers market I would have laughed you out of the room
I would have purchased it ready made at the store. If you were really lucky, I took it out of the container and added some pepper to the top. Or maybe salt because I didn't care about sodium intake.
Fast forward to today and you find me in the kitchen making organic cole slaw for lunches and lemon white chocolate puppy chow for the kids snacks. And it's more than edible, it's good. And it's easy to make too!
I've figured out several things that are healthier alternatives (and more economical!!) than the store bought brands. Laundry and dishwasher detergents as well as cleaners are my favorite items right now.
I've had a few failures and that's discouraging. I tried to make lavender bath fizzies for gifts and it was a nasty mess. I'll try it again though Homemade vanilla is also on my list as well as soap and soy sauce. A friend said that she made soy sauce and I look forward to tips from her
One other failure was a store bought more natural shampoo for the kids. I finally realized that my kids weren't being wimps, I bought the type that causes tears. My poor babies. Bad mommy for not listening!
If you make something at home that's typically purchased, let me know. I want the challenge. I want to live a less
chemically enhanced life

IEP Madness

I am forwarning any readers that this is a vent and a way to look for input and advice.

Gabriel and Alexander are attending the k-8 elementary that is .4 miles from our home. We walk to and from school together every day. For the first time in four years, Gabriel LOVES school. There are no tears, no arguments, and no fights about walking there. He tells me that everything is GREAT. I think a big part of this is that he is going with Alex. If you don't know, there were few days last year that weren't a struggle with the boys.
Alex is also doing well. We were going to put him in a transitional kindergarden in Iowa but they don't have a similiar program here. I feared he would get bored in a regular preschool program. I've seen a big developmental growth in him the past six months and he's far more ready than he was after PreK.
I digress..
Gabriel has been through a huge transition this summer and did fairly well. We got through it. We dealt with the autism monster when it appeared. We survived.
Now he's gone through another transition with a new school. Everything is new to him.. the people, the weather, the rules, the building... all of it. He even wears a uniform to school. We spent weeks talking to him about having to wear the uniform colors. Prior to this uniform business, he would only wear a red shirt and blue shorts. It was a lot of work to get him out of blue pants when we got here but I did it. Somehow. Somehow I got him to wear the uniform too. This is a HUGE thing for him and I am so proud of Gabriel.
We do, however, still call him Mario.
I talked to the teacher and wrote a long letter about what to do to help him. He was placed with an ESE (exceptional student education) teacher. She told me that she could handle him. I told her to use his elephant, weights, writing aides, etc to help him organize is world. None of the things have been opened or used this past week. I have been told that everything is going fine this week. In Gabriel's words, he is on green and everything is GREAT.
I see his teacher every morning, despite the fact that the school has fought me about dropping him off at the room.
Gabriel is a runner. If he isn't delivered to a teacher or para (aide), he has the potential of running out of the area. It's in his IEP (individualized education plan - see what you're missing if you have a typical child?) I've been fighting for the right to keep him safe.
Every morning and afternoon I go to the administrative office. I talked to an assistant principal who assured me everything was in place for him and they were working on things. I didn't talk to the special ed coordinator until Friday. FRIDAY... I filled out forms, I left my number and name, and it took until FRIDAY.
And so... another parent didn't show so she had time for me. Apparently the county read Gabriel's IEP and decided he should be transferred to another school because this school doesn't have a secluded room for him. Um, ok. I bit my lip, my way to keep the tears at bay and to suppress my anger. The school is 45 minutes from our home. I asked if Alex would be able to attend the new school - "we think so but we aren't sure."
The option of bussing him was given to me and there is NO way I am putting my anxious child on a bus for 2 hours a day. It's not happening and it's unfair to expect this 6 year old to sit on a bus that long. There are closer schools but they think this would be a good match.
So I explained the importance of having his sibling in the same building. I explained that I can not get them to two places at the same time. I explained that I want Gabriel at an A rated school with a low free lunch ratio. I've done the low income school and it's fine but I don't want to fight with other things besides my child's education. I'm not up for it.
In any case, I was told that Gabriel can only be understood 30% of the time, he is only compliant 60% of the time. He is licking the carpet. He cried. WHAT? NO ONE told me this... why isn't it in his daily planner that he brings home. Why didn't someone tell me so I could help? He "graduated" from speech in Iowa. My guess is that he was anxious or overwhelmed and needed his aides to make sense of his world.
I can not tell if the school is unable to accomodate him or if they are unwilling to do so. They haven't moved him closer to the teacher. They put him next to the speaker in the cafeteria. They refer to him as an "extreme case" which I'm confused because I've seen more profound students in the building.
If Gabriel were in Iowa, he would be in a typical classroom and pulled out for some services. He was in his general ed room 80% of the time. I fear that if he is transitioned to another school, he won't be as happy as he is now. If he's with children who have tougher issues and he isn't mainstreamed, I know we will see him regress. I know my child and this is not a good suggestion for him.
I am having a tough time removing myself emotionally from the situation. He's my first baby and I have to protect him and advocate for him. I had no idea it would be this tough.
I need to figure out what our rights are with his IEP. Do I have to move him to another school? Do I want to keep him at a school that doesn't want him? Should I consider homeschooling? Do I muddle through the year in order to get the McKay Scholarship to send him to a private school next year?

Little Laney

Lane turned two almost two months ago. She has a fun, mostly easy going personality. I've been surprised by how girly she is even though she has two older brothers whom she adores.
She is a great eater now. Lane seems to have gotten past her sensory issues when eating. With lots of therapy and education she now tolerates many textures and temperatures. She still eats lemons


When we walk to the downtown area, she always asks for a new "baby". I think I created a little monster by showing her the toy store and allowing her to get a new doll. She said her first three word sentence that day - Lane want baby. How could I not give in?
Since having the tubes put in, her vocabulary has grown. She says Lane but it sounds like Yaay We think it's adorable.
Lane still likes dressing up and insists on being a firefighter


yesterday.

Walk this way

We are walking distance to restaurants, parks, pools, shops, the school and more. It's one of the things I love about our new neighborhood. (we even get a discount at the shops and restaurants)
This past week Lane has been taking swimming lessons at the nearest pool. She hates it. It's survival type swimming rather than the more fun type. It's a lot of work for her and she's exhausted after her ten minutes








I take the boys in their swimsuits so they can have fun while we are there. They have been playing with another family who has lessons right before us. Today the boys went into the kiddie pool and had a great time.


Last weekend the kids played at the splash pad after dinner. Gabriel wore his favorite boots. I could hear water slushing in them on the way home.

Gifts from Denver

What is it about something delivered in the mail that makes me giddy? A handwritten note, a card, a gift - it all brings a smile to my face. While I appreciate a text or email, there is something more special about getting a message hand delivered to my home. Maybe it's knowing the extra time it took out of someones day to think about me that makes it even more special.
My children feel the same way. Alex and Lane recently received gifts from their Uncle Nik for their birthdays. The box contained baskets with water/sand toys. Lane literally squealed when she saw it!


I filled their water table up on the back deck since we don't have a back yard. I watered the neighbors plants while the children played with their new toys.


By the time I was done watering the plants, the kids had made a slip n slide out of the concrete deck. They were sliding across the entire length of it and slamming into the rail at the end. I had to put their fun to an end when it seemed unsafe - they were bodyslamming themselves into the concrete. I honestly didn't want to explain any injuries to our new doctor just yet.

Blogpress

After changing Lane's swim suit, I put her clothing in the washing machine. As I came back into the room, I noticed she was peeing on the floor and saying "no swim." I don't know if all of this is connected but she peed on my new $600 lap top. I tried the rice trick but the motherboard is destroyed
I'm very disappointed. I have work to do with it. Oh well. I found this app on my iPhone and decided to try it for blogging.
I tried another app but it saved my drafts but didn't publish them. The drafts are still there but aren't fulfilling the blog piece if it won't publish it. Hopefully this will work


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Overripe Bananas?

A good friend told me about making ice cream with overripe bananas. I thought she has a good idea but didn't think it would work for us. Gabriel isn't a huge fan of bananas and I eat bananas but again, not a huge fan. I eat them because I get leg cramps and
I bought a share of veggies and fruit from an organic buying club. We got a TON of bananas. We all ate a ton of them but still ended up with 6 overripe bananas. I couldn't bear to throw away organic produce.
I looked up the banana ice cream recipe. It requires frozen overripe bananas thrown in a processor. That's it. It's cold and creamy. It definitely tastes like bananas but it fulfilled my ice cream craving. I added some peanut butter and YUMM-O! This might become my new breakfast treat!
Try it!

Pinterest

I was introduced to Pinterest.com by the woman who refurbished a table and then a dresser set for us. She does great work and I look forward to getting to know her better.
What is Pinterest? Here is what the web site says:
Pinterest is a Virtual Pinboard.
Pinterest lets you organize and share all the beautiful things you find on the web. People use pinboards to plan their weddings, decorate their homes, and organize their favorite recipes.
Best of all, you can browse pinboards created by other people. Browsing pinboards is a fun way to discover new things and get inspiration from people who share your interests.
I was hesitant to try because I thought I found my favorite web sites and I was content with that... well, I am in love with Pinterest. I found gluten free recipes I want to try. I realized I want to do our guest room in yellow and gray. Gray? I never thought about using that color. I look at things I like and want some day. It's a virtual to do and wish list.
Check it out - you might be surprised at what you find.

Crying is Important Too

One of my new favorite web sites is Pinterest. I was introduced to it by a woman who sold me a beautiful table she refurbished. She just finished a dresser and nightstand for Lane as well. I hope to have her complete more furniture for us and I'll have a home with some shabby chic appeal.
In any case, this woman that is amazing. I add links to things I like and from that she figures out how to paint the furniture. The site allows people to share things they like or are interested in. I love this site.
I found this quote on the site. It really hit home with me because I've heard many times how crying is a weakness.
I am very in touch with my emotions. I have a difficult time hiding them when they are strong. I love intensely and I feel pain just as intensely. This quote says it all - crying is important. It's been important since the moment we took our first breath.

First Visitor - Odessa!

When we lived in Sioux City, we attended story time regularly at the South Sioux City library. Our usual time was Mondays at 2:30 and that was changed to 3:30. We attended many special events, the summer reading program, and the Pat-a-Cake pals for younger children. Through that time, I developed a friendship with the children's librarian. We called her Ms. Odessa. She became my Odessa friend.
We didn't do much outside the library but we had many conversations and followed each other lives through technology. Without her job, we probably would have never met. Her son is much older so we wouldn't have run into each other. Thank goodness the star aligned and she came into my world. Not only is she a great friend, but she's a superb children's librarian and wonderful with my children.
Odessa was given the opportunity to fly here to see the rocket launch. I am grateful she made it here and we were able to spend the weekend together.
We arrived at the hotel Saturday morning only to realize we forgot our suitcase. OOPS! We had to run to the store to get outfits and swimsuits for all five of us. After that, we went to Cocoa Beach to enjoy the sun and surf. How fun to watch the kids jump over the waves!
We had a fun filled day on Sunday. We went on an airboat ride in the Everglades. We saw wildlife including gators, cattle (yes, cattle!!), roseate spoonbills, egrets, and more. It was a GREAT adventure - Lane seemed scared and fell asleep immediately. We even touched a gator after the boat ride. (Odessa held it!)

We climbed Ponce de Leon lighthouse in Ponce Inlet.

It was quite the climb in the heat but we all did it!

After our sweat filled venture, we headed to the jetty and watched the surfers. We asked the boys to only get their feet wet in the water but that was quickly ignored as they were splashing and jumping waves. It was far too cute to stop them. Lane had her tush cleaned twice in the ocean since we ran out of wipes. I'm sure she will be thrilled that we shared that on our family blog.

Alex turns 5 - soon

Alexander Henry was born 4 weeks early on August 9, 2006. The hospital staff called him the "healthiest preemie ever" though I didn't truly consider him a preemie, he technically was one. He was 7 lbs 3 oz and looked like a smaller version of his older brother.
I remember the day like it was yesterday, rather than five years ago. For some reason, he's stuck at age three in my mind. When I reach for clothing and it's a size 5T or 6, I can't believe it's for my little guy.
Until Lane was born, he was my baby. I didn't think we would have more children and tried to enjoy all of his babyhood, even with an active toddler in the house.

Even though it seems like we just brought him home from the hospital, I can barely remember life without him either. Is this a phenomenon familiar to other parents as well? Time is completely skewed.
He is definitely a "big" boy now but I know in the coming years, age 5 will seem like he was still a little guy. It's a challenge for me to move beyond the concept of him being my baby to him needing to be more independent and responsible.
He is a child who is sensitive, stubborn, intelligent, athletic, and comical. I think he will go far in life if he applies himself and takes advantage of things life has offered him. I am blessed to have him as my son.