eSpecially Ben

Ben at age 4 A teacher who works with Ben sent me this photo recently. She had taken it a few years ago. Photos can serve as reminders of change and progress. Ben outgrew this Snugseat chair. That summer, the staff at camp  taught him to sit independently on a bench or in a chair. Three years later, I am reminded that I wish we still had that chair. Ben does not need it because he cannot sit in a chair, but because he will not. Progress comes with its own difficulties. I will take the progress and just keep smiling at the irony. Check out other featured photos at  www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com

At the time that I write this, Ben is in his 6th day in underwear. If you have followed us from the beginning, Ben started serious toilet training last August, at the end of camp. He wore a pull-up over underwear. For the entire school year, he has done an incredible job of using the toilet, staying dry and even trying to let us know when he needed the facilities with a Big Mac button, crawling to the bathroom or just yelling his head off. At the start of camp, with the advice of Ben's behavior therapist, Ben went cold turkey wearing just underwear. He is doing a great job. And if nothing else, his little bottom has got to be cooler!

Ben, age 6 1/2 Ben made this lighthouse at school using real sand for the land.  Check out other artist's work at www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com

They look like how I feel. It has been a tough transition for me from school to summer. I play chauffeur for much of the day taking kids to and from camp. During the year, my goal is to get in my car as little as possible. The hardest schedule change has been that Sean, our two year old, has decided to stop taking naps AND he can climb out of the crib. Of course, Sean still needs the nap and his behavior reflects it. My world has changed dramatically. The precious time I had to myself in the past to get "stuff" done and recharge my batteries has diminished. One day, I will learn to change with the tide. I may fight it every moment of the way, but it will happen and I will eventually find peace. Perhaps. At least tonight is "Date Night."

This morning, I was supposed to run a 5K to meet my June goal for the 12 Race Challenge I set up for myself last December. On Thursday, I read an email letting me know that a mistake had been made with the date of the race. It was actually scheduled for October 23. Quickly looking for another race this weekend, I found two options. One was canceled due to low registration. The other was a race in Puerto Rico. Ryan said I could use my birthday money to fund the trip. We have a long standing joke about how the cash gifts I receive for my birthday never seem to run out. Ryan thinks I am pulling a fast one. What can I say, I am frugal! And in fact, I do have some left of said birthday money, but not enough to jet off to an island. Left with the YMCA treadmill or a run in the 'hood, Ryan offered to map out a course for me. I pictured myself tripping over my own feet while trying to read a map telling me which direction to head. I decided to just run my regular 2 mile route twice.

Ben received an award for Excellence in Story Based Lessons at the End of Year Awards Ceremony at school. Check out other photos at www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com

The boys made these t-shirts at our son, Logan's 5th birthday party. T-shirts are from the Dollar Store, paint from Michael's and iron-on lettering from WalMart. Easy and inexpensive activity to do - especially outdoors! Kept the 12 children busy for quite awhile. Ben used his hands to squeeze the t-shirt to get his effect, while Logan used the "squirt the paint bottle" method. Check out other works of art at www.5minutesforspecialneeds.com