Stormy Night

I HATE STORMS. I especially hate them over night. I cannot sleep through them. Who will take care of our house if it is stuck by lightening? Or rescue or neighbors if their house is struck by lightening? ---- Yes, I am completely aware that my thoughts are, for the most part, completely irrational, but, they are mine….

So, two nights ago was stormy all night pouring rain, thunder crashing, lightening, the WORKS….

I got 20 minutes of sleep here and there. Brooklynn came in our room around midnight and snuggled up next to me (this was a relief to me, like I had a teddy bear --- not rational, but who cares). Owen joined us around 3:00. I moved Brooklynn to the middle and I was sandwiched between my two little snugglers, I don’t think I got another wink of sleep, but they were safe and that was all that mattered.

When I got up to take a shower, they made due…. This is what I came back to:

I woke them up to show them the picture. I expected Owen to flip out, irritated that I would have visual proof that he touched her and had her germs. Nope… this was the reaction they had.

My morning was great!!!

Then last night....no storm, but they still came to my bed.  When I got up, this is how they were laying...

Boy Scouts

What an amazing night I had last night. It is quite possible that it meant more to me then it did to Owen (but I think that could be said for a lot of things in your kids lives).

It was his advancement ceremony from being a Tiger Cub to a Wolf Cub. Having no prior experience in boy scouts I had no expectations. It was great. The charter organization (the group that hosts our pack) is our church so each meeting starts with a prayer for our boys (awesome).

Owen didn’t sit with me, he wanted to sit with his Den… also AWESOME. Anything he decides he wants to be with his peers, I am so excited. He sat quietly and paid attention to the various ceremonies and skits.

He got activity beads.

And then his advancement was very moving (I almost cried!!!) Each parent took of the old neckerchief and put on the new neckerchief, Owen was really excited. You could tell that it meant a lot to him.

I would describe my mood as gitty after it was all over….

When we got home I asked Owen what he thought, he said it was the best day of his life. WOW!

First Grade Field Trip

Today I accompanied Owen's class on his 1st grade field trip to the Zoo.  It was great.  It is such a blessing to be able to participate it your childs life like this. 

I can still remember my parents going on my field trips as a kid (I remember my dad riding the bus to a house and orange grove when I was little and it being a really big deal that my dad rode a bus!!!)

Here are some pictures from the day.

Last night the kids school had an Art Show.  It was really cute.  It looked like the art teacher held back a project from each student over the course of the year and it was all on display.  I loved it.

Brooklynn's work

Owen's Work

The other thing that came home yesterday was Owens project from Horizons (the gifted program at school).  It shocked me that my 7 year old first grader did a "project" at this age, SO PROUD!

Eye Drops...

My Jokester

Owen is a boy of few words.  But this weekend he busted out the jokes.  For the full effect, you have to picture them from a seven year old Aspy...

Knock. Knock.
Who's There?
Gorilla.
Gorilla Who?
Gorilla me some hamburgers, I'm hungry.
-----
What is the worst kind of vegetable to have on a ship?
A leek!
-----
Why do they always invite the mushroom to the party?
Because he's a fungi.

Church...

I took the kids to church for the first time today (the first time they would really remember).  It was just the three of us.

I got the kids up and dressed and on our way.  We sat toward the back, just in case the music was too loud for Owen and we needed to sit outside the sanctuary to hear the message.  How unnecessary, we sat down and the music started and the words went up on the screen and Owen began to sing.  I was so filled with joy.  His enthusiasm continued with the children's message, he walked to the front of the church and sat with the other kids and listened (no problems).  It was amazing to see him settle into it so comfortably.  The only time he showed signs of panic was when the people sitting next to us tried to shake his hand during the "welcome your neighbor" portion of the service.  He did not partake...

Brooklynn was a different story, she was antsy the entire time.  She was afraid to go to the front for the children's message, even though Owen went.  She didn't like the music. 

We are going to try an earlier service with kids Sunday school next week.  Brooklynn should feel better when she is in her kid element.

Behavior Stamp

Each day of first grade Owen's teacher stamps and sends home a calendar that lets us know that Owen has followed his schedule and behaved.  No stamp means Owen didn't behave...

We set a rule at the beginning of the year that if Owen didn't bring home a stamp he didn't get to play any of his games. No Wii, No DS, No computer.  This punishment was meant to be the deterrent of all deterrents.  One day without his beloved games and he should fall in line.  For the most part it has worked.

This past week was a bad week for Owen.  No stamp two days in a row.  This was the first time this has ever happened so I felt that something had to happen.  Not just the "standard".  So I came up with sentences.   (His solution was to take a day off).

I made him write "I will follow teacher directions" 20 times.  It took him nearly an hour.

In addition to the sentences Owen had to apologize to his teacher.  I followed up with her and her response was:

Owen had a much better day today! He did come in this morning and apologize. I know that writing those sentences must have been hard for him. Thanks for your support at home and helping him understand that his actions have consequences. He has come so far this year! He mentioned his "break day" as the field trip May 6th a few times today. 

Talked to the Girl...

The day after I talked to Owen, Brooklynn asked me why I was still wearing the bracelet.  We were in the car (just me & Brooklynn) and the conversation when something like this:

Brooklynn: Why are you still wearing that bracelet?
Me: Because it's Autism Awareness Month.  Do you know what Autism is?
Brooklynn: No
Me: Autism is a disorder.
Brooklynn: What's a disorder?
Me: Well, you know how some people have brown hair and some people have black hair, and some people are tall and some are short? Some people have Autism, it just makes them different.  And Owen has a type of Autism.
Brooklynn: Then why do I need a bracelet?

Okay.... this is Brooklynn saying, these bracelets aren't in support of a cause, but a way to tag people with Autism to let others know they are different.  SHEESH!!!

Me: Because you love Owen and want to support him.
Brooklynn: Oh.