There is so much going on around here. I am feeling myself teetering into a sad type of loop. I am trying to steer it into another direction. I am pretty sure it is because I have been doing so much and have not had any breaks or alone time. Well, undisturbed alone time – it continues to be interrupted every time I try. (Oh, I did cave and eat a couple pieces of pizza, maybe the gluten is messing with me.) I am so, so happy about all of the social opportunities for the kids around here though. The kids and I have been going to many different places. I am very happy that the cost is either free or at least reasonable. This keeps me distracted from sad loops… for a little while. 
Where we used to live there was nothing for miles, and miles or the cost was outrageous.
I wanted to take the kids to a corn maze for several years, but it would have cost over $60 and it was about 45 minutes away. Just to go through a corn maze and look at some pumpkins! I am not kidding. Here they have a corn maze right down the street at the Native American museum. I would beg my mom and grandma to take me to it practically every day when I was a child. It is named after me. (Not really, but it does have part of my name.) Ha ha ha I have a kinship to the place. Even as a child it was one of those places that made me feel a sense of belonging. Those places are rare for me – places where I have a sense of belonging. Anyway, the museum is not only an awesome place, has a corn maze for the fall, but is only $5 (each) for the museum and the corn maze.
In addition, they get to do a craft and learn about Mississippian culture, love!
The museums around here have several different things going on as well and they are reasonably priced or even free for some events. There is going to be an animal benefit and music festival this weekend. It is affordable as well, if we feel like going. And guess what? I saved the best for last. Yesterday when I went to get my library card, I discovered that they have a Lego group every Tuesday afternoon. Aaaa! I cannot tell you how happy I am about all of this. Joshua lit up with the biggest smile and jumped up and down so excited when I told him. There is also several library branches, real libraries! Oh, my how I have missed the library ever so…
I took all three of them to Lego group today.
They had a fantastic time and so did I. They were asked to come up with their own idea or to use Neil Armstrong as an inspiration. They all three decided to build a house. I am not sure why, but as they built I read them a book about the moon landing. At the end, the leader asked if the kids wanted to share about what they built. All three of them did. They watched and listened to the other kids and we all ood and awed with excitement at the creations. It made me smile to see them get so excited and tell other kids what a great job they did. They were quite the encouragers.
Daniel raised his hand and shared about his house!
He has never done that before. He did not get frustrated or upset when he could not get the words out. He continued to try to say what he meant, I helped him a little to find his words, and he was able to get them out. Not only that, but everyone understood him. For clarification, his language development is delayed, for a long period of time I was the only one who could understand him. In the past year, it has become easier for David, Ariel, and Joshua, my mom, but still I have been the translator. In recent months, he has been able to communicate with people besides us. I think it has helped him gain confidence speaking to his teacher on the phone. Another component is being exposed to several more family members on a regular basis who have been trying to engage communication with him.
I also think that it has helped him being around other children at the park and other places we have been going.
He was so proud of himself and had no anxiety about it at all. When we got into the car Ariel said, “I normally do not do that. I am supposed to be shy.” I asked her, “Why do you think you are supposed to be shy?” She said, “I usually am so I am supposed to be, but lately I have felt like talking a lot so maybe I am not so much anymore.” I told her that I tend to be shy and talkative a lot of the time. Sometimes I have no words whatsoever and other days they will not stop coming out of my mouth. When we got home, there was a minor meltdown from Joshua, Daniel and then, myself. I think we were all tired from trying to do school. I had to take it a little easy with school today.
We were all in need of a lighter lesson load today.
We have been working on their individualized plan tests, as well as their end of unit tests, and regular lessons. I think that is quite a bit. I also am feeling a bit stressed from all of the phone calls I have been making and appointments I have had scheduled. I have scheduled my first appointment with a psychologist to begin my autism spectrum assessment. (Or whatever she feels; I may need to be assessed for. ) She has “over fifteen years experience working with Autistic, Asperger’s Disorder” (adults) that makes me a little hopeful, we’ll see how everything goes.
I may be asking some of you questions be prepared!
My first appointment is set for the middle of October. Daniel starts his round of evaluations for school next Friday. I am also scheduling my doctor’s appointment for an OB/GYN. I cannot wait any longer, something is wrong and I do not know if it serious or not. I tend to forget about my physical ailments and focus on everyone else. However, it is getting to the point to where even I cannot ignore it. So… I should have that scheduled by tomorrow. Yippie! (I am being sarcastic.)
All right, I had to share those tidbits of awesomeness, just because. Pictures!
Yay for Daniel! I know that must have been hard for him to speak up like that, but it’s so wonderful that he did it once, then was able to feel successful, which will build confidence for next time!
My daughter said something similar to what Ariel did yesterday. She says that she is being much louder while socializing with friends and then she wonders why she behaved so outgoing afterwards. I told her it’s because she is growing up and trying on new ways to be, as teens/kids do. She felt like she was just that shy quiet girl and that was who she was always going to be. It amazes me sometimes how alike our families are.
I still have my checklist that I brought for my ASD assessment if you would like to see it to help you prepare for yours let me know. I’ll send it to you.
Hi Inner Aspie,
I know yay! I could tell that he started to talk without thinking about it, but then he realized that other people were listening. He was hesitant for a moment, but continued to keep trying to get his words out. I was so excited that he kept looking at the woman as a focus to help him not get distracted. That was a challenge for him too, but he did it all on his own. I think it did give him a boost of confidence.
Wow, that is interesting that your daughter said that too. I think we may have this need to analyze behaviors, others, and ours – if anything is different we must know why! Lol! I figured out at some point last year that I continued to live under the labels that other gave me, or that I gave myself. I had placed myself in a box without realizing it. That is awesome that your daughter has the freedom to grow up expressing what she is feeling so she does not have to ponder these things alone. I know that I would wonder things like that and then, have some sort of negative script right afterwards with no one to ask if what I was thinking was true or not. Common thoughts, “Why did you just act like that? You are not supposed to be that way. People are going to think you are a freak.” I have no idea where those thought came from! I am glad Ariel is so vocal too we get to talk about everything.
I do not remember all of her questions on a daily basis, but this morning she was half-awake and asked, “Mom, do cats and raccoon get along?” I told her not usually, she rolled over and went back to sleep. Ha ha (I think I am talkative today! Look at my comment length.
I know sometimes the similarities with our families are uncanny. However, I must I am thankful because it helps me in so many ways.
Yes, yes! I would like to have the checklist. You can email it to me on my Angel Mindretrofit facebook, or my regular one I can pop on there now without having panic attacks.
Thank you so much!