eSpecially Ben

Earlier in the week I actually had time to finish my 2009 Christmas scrapbook pages, something that's been on the "to do list" for, well, 9 months. That fact should have been a clue that something was coming. And of course it did, when I woke from a nap (I had time for one of those too) my friend called to deliver the disturbing news. Our school district announced in a meeting this week that they may be closing schools throughout the county. This means displacing students, moving programs and basically a big headache for families and students, not to mention the staff who work at these schools. For us, Logan attends a public Montessori school within walking distance of our home. This is one of the schools slated to close. They plan to move this program to the school Ben attends, about 20 minutes from our home. And what does that do to Ben? Not sure, but probably displaced to another school in the county. So our neighborhood is on fire, getting a plan together to fig...

Apple Picking at Sky Top Orchard in Flat Rock, NC - At the end of the day, Ben decided to chomp down on one of the apples he found. Although, sitting in this first photo, Ben started out laying down with the apple. When Ben tired of the apple, he let it roll down the hill. (This may seem like an ordinary thing, but for Ben it took a lot of coordination to eat this apple on his own.)

Ben brought this home from school on Friday. The class is doing a unit on friendship. Earlier in the week, Ben's teacher told me Ben got in trouble for putting Lorena's whole hand in his mouth. The teacher said he likes her a lot - I guess that's one way to get her attention.

This weekend I ran my ninth race of the year - Run for Mercy - at Reedy Creek Park. It was a 5K trail race, organized by an international organization, Mercy . They raised over $21,000 for the local chapter. If you are not familiar with this organization, check it out. They do amazing things for girls in crisis world-wide. And they also know how to plan a race. With "door" prizes, kid games, a fun run, kind-of superheroes ( Captain Salvation , Monkey Joe and the Cow from Chick-Fil-A ), food and drinks, the race was a true family event. The race was well-orchestrated with water available on the trails and volunteers directing us at every turn. I have been running these trails with a friend so I was prepared for the terrain. The best part of the race was Ryan and the three boys cheering me on. It was a big boost to know that they were waiting for me at the finish line. The kids took part in the Fun Run. Sean ended up running way ahead. He rounded the bend and the trees...

Ben has ticklish knees and it never fails to get him going! Click here to see other great photos.

Sean is 2 1/2 and his speech is okay, but not great. Probably in time, it would all come together, perhaps needing speech when he reached Kindergarten. But with information and resources at our fingertips, we had his speech tested. As expected, his expressive and receptive language scores were good. Sean's score on the articulation test was  concerning. This was not a surprise because he leaves off the final consonant on most words - Ben is 'Be', Chair is 'Cha' and so on. Another concern is using correct sounds for words. Car sounds like 'Har'. Ben's speech therapist, Kenyatt, can come early and see Sean at our home before Ben's appointment. Sean is very familiar with Kenyatt, and I have introduced the idea to Sean as "his turn" to work with Kenyatt.  When I have tried to show Sean how to make a specific sound, he is eager to learn and tries to move his mouth and tongue to make the sounds. I am glad we have caught this early. I belie...

Sean, age 2 1/2, is beginning to scribble. Click here for other works of art.

It was one year ago today that I started this journey into blogging. I really had no expectations about where this would lead. I didn't know much about it. I know a bit more - there's loads of talented bloggers sharing information, making connections and opening up a new forum for parents with special needs children to share their experiences. Unexpectedly, I have gained more from this experience than I have given: 1.  I am on a roller coaster - Our experience seems more intense, faster paced and definitely mind blowing at times. The posts help me see what our lives actually look like. Finding out about seizures one day, hearing about huge progress in speech or occupation therapy the next can be exhausting. The posts are a reminder that I am on a roller coaster ride of emotions and that it is okay to slow down or even get off the ride for a little while. 2. I feel supported - The connections made through the internet are amazing. To know there are other families facing ...

I attended Ben's school's PTA meeting this week. I am on the board as the Special Needs Liaison. I came up with that title last year, and I am still not sure what exactly my role is. Last year, I spent most of my time learning how the group worked and seeing what the school needed. I know from experience that newcomers with ideas can easily be shot down if they do not know the customs of the group. I planned a fund raiser for the school, made posters advertising Box Top collection, wrote Ben's teacher's monthly newsletter and helped the physical education teacher with Water Day. I feel like I did my time. So this year, I felt more comfortable asserting myself by planning an event for the students with special needs. Monkey Joe's is a place where kids go to play video games and run, jump and bounce through obstacle courses. Or if you are Ben - you go there to eat pizza and drink a slushy. Every third Wednesday night, for one hour, is free for children with speci...

Sean, age 2 1/2 Sean was very aware of his two older brothers starting school last week. He was not sad to see his brothers go as much as he wished he could be going to school as well. On Friday, the day set for him to start preschool, I made sure to remind him that he would be going to school that day. Sean's response, "My turn!" When I dropped him off, he walked ahead of me, never looked back and was not happy to leave four hours later at pickup time. He is the independent one, I should have seen it coming. Click here for more photos.

Since Ben was two or three years old, we have joked about finding a Boot Camp for him. If you keep up with this blog, you will know that Ben is very good at pretending he cannot do certain things. He is tricky and successful in fooling the most seasoned professionals and parents. When Ben was three, he napped in a pack and play, near the window, about one foot away from a table with a few items on it. Ben could not stand, walk or pull up, or so we thought. One afternoon I walked into the room Ben was in and found the items from the table on the floor. I had not noticed them there when I put Ben down for a nap. I immediately blamed it on my husband. Who else would have carelessly left all those items on the floor? It did not cross my mind that it was anyone but Ryan. Next day, same thing happened. The items on the table were on the floor. It was strange and unsettling. And I could not blame Ryan anymore. He had cleared his name. This went on for a few more afternoons. I checked th...

Ben, age 7, made these at school with construction paper, crayons and tissue paper. Click here for more works of art.

Ben is having major turnover in private physical therapists. He is still at the same agency, but the therapists are all moving. To the agency's credit, they have found qualified energetic PTs for replacements. I always give a new therapist my talk: Ben, although super cute, is a conniving manipulative 7 year old. Don't believe anything he tries to get past you. Be firm, yet loving with him. If he rubs his eyes, he is faking tired. If he yawns, it's the real deal. And after saying this, no one believes me until they witness it themselves. Ben pulled a fast one yesterday on a newbie PT and pretended he could do nothing. When it came time to leave, he walked one handed 15 feet, then up and down stairs to the car, and for his finale stood leaning against the car unassisted. Luckily, the therapist was watching.

If I have been neglectful, it is because of my recent addiction to the Twilight Series . I am about to read the fourth and final book. I expect to go into a depression when I am finished. I usually do after a series - I could not read for months after Harry Potter's finale. Hopefully, I will be able to keep going this time. I just need to find out if Bella finally becomes a vampire.

Logan's first day of Kindergarten and Ben's first day of 2nd grade. Click here for more photos.