The first days of school for both of the boys went extremely well!  Dash went in without hesitation and according to his aide did awesome throughout the day.  He didn't want to do P.E. on the first two days, but if that's the only thing he resisted, I can't complain!  I'm so proud of both of them and how well they do in school.  Crash has a genuine LOVE of school.  He sat up Thursday morning and yelled, "It's the first day of school!".  Who does that??  Only a boy who cannot wait to get to the school he enjoys so much.  Looking forward to another fabulous 178 days.  Hoping for the best for Dash and Crash .... Love them so much!

Challenges of an Autistic Brother

There are challenges to having a brother with autism, and Crash has reached the age where he is beginning to see and feel those challenges.  Crash is aware that certain behaviors draw attention and "embarrass" those around you.  He is becoming aware that not everyone embraces the quirkiness of your autistic brother and sometimes they want to exclude him.  But he's 7 and he WANTS to be included, he NEEDS to be included, so there have been times this summer where he has chosen friends over family.  

As a parent, it's a hard lesson to teach.  You completely understand the feelings of your 7 year old, but you also feel the pain when your 10 year old is left crying because he was excluded. Trying to tell your 7 year old that brother's stick together and defend one another has an extra dimension when your brother is different.  

Until now, we have be extremely fortunate that everyone has ALWAYS included Dash and embraced his quirkiness.  I love my friends for that.  They see only the very best in Dash, even when I cannot.  But now we have encountered someone who has not been taught that everyone is different, and you include those people that don't fit your definition of "normal".  It's been a challenge for sure, but we have all learned a lot.  The reality is that not everyone will be as loving as our friends, not everyone will accept Dash for who he is, and we must be prepared for those moments.  Those heartbreaking moments when he is singled out as the odd one and he won't understand.  I know every child feels those moments at one time or another, it's part of life.  It just hurts a little more when your autistic child is excluded for something that is completely beyond his control and he can't make sense of it all.  

We learn by living this crazy thing called life ... each day brings something new, and each day I'm grateful for my two loving, silly, adorable, sometimes difficult boys!

I'm baaaaaack!!  I figure no sense trying to get caught up on the past few years at this point, but I'll start off right where life brings us today.  Dash is 10 years old now and will be entering the fifth grade on Thursday, and Crash is 7 and will be entering second grade!  Crazy, right?!  I know, it's insane how fast they grow.  Just took the boys shoe shopping and Dash is in a MEN'S size 8!!  
Dash has done exceptionally well the past two years in school.  After a rocky start in third grade, and finally getting assigned a one on one aide, Dash has begun to soar.  His fourth grade teacher was beyond phenomenal.  So much so, that I nominated her for a Special Choice award which acknowledges those from the general education realm who go above and beyond to support those students with special needs.  She was one of the 10 or so selected to receive an award!!  She was thrilled!

Mrs. B and Dash after the awards reception

Dash also received special recognition this past year.  He received an award for Citizenship.  We could not have been more proud.  Everyone was so happy for him.  As a matter of fact, all of the fourth grade teachers got tears in their eyes when they called his name.  

Look at that proud smile!

Crash has done equally well!  He had a stellar first grade year.  He earned student of the week and student of the month!  At the end of the year he was awarded Outstanding Physical Fitness and acknowledged for Perfect Attendance.  How did we get blessed with two such awesome boys!!

Crash did very well academically.  He scored at or above grade level in all subject areas.  His teacher was also phenomenal!  Again, how did we get so darn lucky?

 Student of the Month for February

 End of the year with his BFF, G, receiving their awards

The Fabulous Mrs. M and Crash

 Crash also had a fun year in Little League.  He played several different positions and did pretty good and hitting.  Dash continues his 6th year of Able Rider's therapeutic horseback riding and he still loves it!  I guess that's enough for now.  Still taking one day at a time!

 

We Meet Again...

Gosh, it's been an awful long time since we've chatted.  Summer 2010 came and went and I returned to work, and well, time just slipped away.  I wish I had some big, fabulous excuse, but I don't.  All in all, the 2010-2011 school year went really well  for Dash.  He mainstreamed into a wonderful second grade class.  Mrs. D was such a good teacher for Dash.  She created a supportive, accepting environment and her class knew to help Dash when they could, and to give him space when they couldn't.  His successes became their successes!  By the end of the year he was in the general education classroom full time and doing well.  He will begin 3rd grade in general education and we couldn't be more proud.  Little brother, Crash, has been growing and ever changing, too.  He will be starting kindergarten in the fall, and his words were, "FINALLY!".  
We are gearing up for our five day camping trip to the coast with a big group of friends.  Dash and Crash always look forward to the fun.  Once I return (and get all the camping laundry done), I will visit again and try my best to update you on all our successes, a few failures, and all the fun we've been having in Our Learn by Doing Life!
Until we meet again....

Dash's First Season With Challenger Little League

                                                  Dash & Coach Mark

Dash's first season with Challenger Little League (a unique division of little league for kids with special needs) was a big success!  He started out apprehensive at first, and would only hit the ball ... nothing else.  By the end of the season, he ran all the bases (with Mommy or Daddy by his side) and would play the outfield!!  It was a great experience for Dash, his daddy, and me.  We got to meet new parents and kids with different needs than Dash.  The two coaches were so wonderful.  They were patient and encouraging to both kids and parents. 

It was even a learning experience for Grandma!

 Oh so happy!!

See, he really did have fun!!

Below are some shots of his last game and awards ceremony ... of course, Dash cried when he got his trophy and wanted to give it back.  By the end, he decided to keep his hard earned trophy after all!

Dash's friend A

 Running the bases with Daddy

 Check out that swing!!!!

 Getting his trophy from Coach Wayne

Dash still not too happy about that darn trophy

Dash and A proudly hold their trophies high!

It's Time for Summer Time Fun!!

Well, I've been gone from the blogging world for a while, but the end of the school year is just insanely busy.  Add to that therapeutic horseback riding every Tuesday night for Dash, Challenger baseball on Wednesday night for Dash, and gymnastics on Thursday night for Crash.  So, I finally have time to get caught up!

My first plan of action is to plan some fun activities for the boys and me.  Gavin just saw this on Nick Jr. and really wants to make them. They look easy enough and lots of fun.  They are "Fresh Beat Band Maracas", which are constructed out of a small water bottle, a dowel, some acrylic paint, felt, and rice.  See the link below for complete directions!

Nick Jr. Directions for Maracas

I think we'll make these on Friday, so I will be sure to post pictures of our process.  This will be fun for both boys, and provide some much needed small motor skills practice for Tanner.

I just love summer time!!!

Step 1.  The Supplies ~ we got everything at Michael's

Step 2.  Paint 1 - 2 coats of acrylic paint on to each plastic water bottle.

Step 3.  Allow paint to dry thoroughly

Step 4.  Paint the dowels and allow to dry

We got one long dowel and Daddy cut it down to size (10")

Step 5.  Carefully add rice to each painted bottle

Step 6.  Insert 10" dowel into bottle opening

(I also added a bit of cotton around the lip to seal completely)

Step 7.  Tape dowel into place

Step 8.  Glue felt around tape and tie colorful string around the top.

Step 9.  Enjoy your maracas!!!!

*We are also going to cut out and glue the Fresh Beat Band "labels" onto

the maracas, but I'm going to cover with a coat of Modge Podge, so we are doing

that step right before bedtime, so they can dry overnight.

Gluten Free IS the way to Be!

We have had a lot of success with Tanner's gluten free diet.  So, this weekend we thought we'd let him have a bit of a treat and have PIZZA on Friday night!!  Then yesterday at his fishing day they served pizza.  Guess there was a bit too much gluten ingested because he was WIDE awake at 3:00 am wanting to watch TV or do computer.  After a bit of a battle he finally went back to bed.  We also notice that today he is not nearly as cooperative as he has been and he is a bit more explosive.  We learned by doing that very small amounts may not be detrimental, but too much is just bad news!!  Back to gluten free today that's for sure!