Gamified Group Results

We completed our participation in the movement study with SSU's Kinesiology Department. Although I could not, for various reasons, get James to participate in the week 2 activities, we did return for the follow-up tests and exit interview. Although it did not go as expected, I am still glad we tried it. This is an important issue for those on the spectrum and their caregivers.

Below is a video shared with us about the findings:

ABA again today. They are talking about creating a video on YouTube. It's going to be a music countdown of his favourite songs.

James is giving him all American folk music songs: Polly Wolly Doodle, Shoo Fly Don't Bother Me, and Clementine. I love the fact that he is naming these songs.

I know they are not age-appropriate. Most 14 year olds want to seem as cool and mature as possible.

James is still grooving to his favourite songs, however. He is humming them as he makes himself some frozen waffle snacks. I love hearing him do this.

Movie Review: Finding Dory

Art Imitating Life

This is a movie that we have seen twice in the theatre. Originally we were invited to a private screening from the Swain Center. James liked it so much that we saw it again last month. I am glad I had a chance to see it again because the first time I missed a lot of the soundtrack.

Not that I would have missed that original showing for the world - oh no. I was in a theatre FULL of parents who got a jolt to the solar plexus along with me, watching Dory's parents worry about what was going to become of her. How could she live a normal life? Trying to stay cheerful when they feel caught in a nightmare; trying very hard not to cry. Because your child cannot do something basic that others can do. Because you see how they could be lost or hurt. That this sweet kid has no idea what is out there and you do. The possible consequences of your child wandering off … Yeah. There were a couple of us gripping the arm rests, vaguely comforted that we were in a room of people who would understand. Some parental tears were shed.

I think many of us saw ourselves also in Marlin's role: caring, exasperated, and in need of pausing now and then to remember what really matters. That the quirky person who can drive us nuts is also a unique, caring, special thing. Because this differently abled character has achievements and strengths. Because real friendships are there. While the accomplishments may seem boring and mundane to others, we, like Dory's parents, can stop and appreciate the victories. We all saw our trial and errors at teaching expected behaviors, coaching speech, communication through singing, and coming up with snippets to help stay on track mirrored in their efforts with her.

Review and Semi Spoilers Alert

As for the movie itself, my impression is that the journeys trumped the story. There were plenty of great new characters, as well as refreshers of familiar ones (stay  through the credits, y'all!).

Hank, the cranky octopus (or septopus) stole my heart. Becky was runner up. The colours are gorgeous and the water and ocean effects are amazing. The kids loved the lively sea creatures, such as the possessive sea lions, fallible whales, and traffic-stopping sea otters.

I greatly enjoyed Sigourney Weaver as the voice of the Oceanographic Institute. As a sometime member of the Monterey Bay Aquarium, I recognized some onscreen counterparts to the real thing.

There are many chase scenes! Yelling! Sneaky scenes. Rock stealing. Marine science. Disguises aplenty. Breakups and reunions. A continued message of finding the family of your blood and your heart. The favorite for many was the climactic car chase and dramatic conclusion. Even that had a manageable sound level. Every time a scene felt as though it might begin to drag, there was a quick change of pace or comic scene. In short, this is a really nice movie to see with your kids. While not as fantastic as Finding Nemo, it is still a very solid movie.

Four starfish and a recommended movie for kids, families, and the holiday break.

Trader Joe's and Conversations

James and I made our weekly Trader Joe's run this morning. Later than usual, but we got lucky and hit a lull.

The weather is still damp, cold, and grey. Low lying cloud whisps hovered above the vineyards and hugged the bottoms of the foothills. The air was loaded with moisture. Armed with a grocery list, bags, bottle returns, and a reading test with a 100% grade, we took a cart and headed in.

Wow, Trader Joe's has a ton of holiday food and treats. Despite the awful week, I am comforted by the festive packaging and the helpful crew in our local store. James found Schroeder  (he's in the stuffing section today, Santa Rosa folks) and collected his sucker. He helped me get items from our list. He chose a new type of cookies to try in his lunch.

On our way out, he ran into one of his crew friends, and showed off his history test. Even though the crew member was busy, he took a moment to look at the paper and listen to James. He then gave him a high-five for his grade. Guess who got another sucker?

On the way home, I asked James about his music class at school. He told me they were practicing rhythms with sticks. He said he was alone with his aide. After some more questions about why he wasn't with the mainstream class, I understood: a leaf blower was being used outside the music class, so James got to go to a quieter room with his aide and practice.

Then we sang some of out favourite Christmas carols. Small things. They help.

PS: Trader Joe's is running a Customer Choice Awards contest. Nominate your favourites through tomorrow, December 6th.

Planetary Project

James came home with an unusual homework assignment: choose one of the planets in the solar system to study and report upon. Mmmm hmmmm. Well, we did okay with the ostriches, so let's go planets! How to do this as a real study project? I grabbed my laptop.

James bounced right over "Can I do Decoration Hunt? I want to watch Lazy Town!"

He settled in with me on the sofa and we selected (courtesy of Google search) the following:

1. Martha Stewart creates a mobile!
   James' first choice
2. A "Solar system mobile in action"
   Our second choice; no noise - he was hooked
3. "The Solar System HD"
   James liked the HD; I loved the music. Just the perfect pacing to observe and have the chance to ask questions and talk.
4. "Our Solar System: A poster and index of best available planet images,"  by Dr. Steuard Jensen for the Alma College planetarium;
   this is the image that James used to pick his planet: Saturn
5. The Solar System - Tour the Solar System on Sea and Sky;
   fun to click through, and another eye-catching view of the planets in our solar system

Extra credit: National Geographic Live! Solar System Exploration: 50 Years … Too much talking (and some of it VERY fast) but still a good viewing. Learned some new facts myself.

Right now I am replaying The Solar System HS ... I really am enjoying the music (and the Star Trek connection).

It's really interesting to see how a different approach to starting a report project (more visual than verbal instruction) makes this more interesting to us both.

Courtesy of NASA and Cassini

Magic Marker Monday: Keeping Busy

We've all been lying low, as there's a bug that keeps going around. Last week it was croup. This week it's a quick but deadly stomach flu. I am a hot, sleep-deprived mess, the kids have been wretched, and my husband's staggering.

Today, James took a turn for the better. He even announced it clearly as he came out of his room at 6:30 this morning, waking his tormented sister. He really was very good, trying to entertain himself like I've never seen before as he had a turn as the most energetic human in the house.

Case in point: he asked for paper and I pointed him in the right direction. A few minutes later, he came back with writing, math, and drawing pages. I am so excited! This was all on his own initiative. I had fun talking them over with him.

All by himself, he spelled "Caillou Book," adding a smile to show he likes it and an arrow.
MUGS is from my other life, where it stood for "Maskmakers' User Group Symposium."
Say that one three times fast!

We went over his math sheet together: 1 + 2 = 3; 1 + 3 = ...
"no, no, Mommy. I crossed it out! It's really 4;"  and 2 + 3 = 5

And my favourite: "The Unicycler!"
How he came up with this, I have no idea.

I am glad that James is keeping busy, and that he can make things that we can use for interactions. I keep looking at the unicycle picture. I am sure there's a story in there somewhere.

For more great masterpieces or to share some of your own, visit
  5 Minutes for Special Needs for more Magic Marker Monday.

                           
 

Bike Camp = Boy Joy

James loves bikes and being independent. Even though he adores his Christmas bicycle from several years back, he hasn't been riding it as much as we both hoped. There was the matter of escaping me in the park, where we'd gone to ride (and then not wanting to ride back) and the fact that his low muscle tone makes bike riding both a challenge and a safety concern.

Cone Zone for Cycling Without Limits

Lately, he's grown so fast he's probably outgrown his original bike. When he persists in riding it, the training wheels start to bend up, he's so big now. I have to constantly stop him to tighten the bolts. His balance is way off too, and his hand-eye coordination not steady enough to make bike riding really confident. What's a kid (and parent) to do?

Enter Cycling Without Limits, a wonderful summer bike camp program put on at Sonoma State University, in partnership with Dr. Elaine Hughes (Kinesiology Department) and some of her Saturday Sidekicks crew, and Ann Elias from Cerebral Palsy, and some wonderful volunteers who've come up with some truly inventive ways to get special needs kids and adults up and biking.

Specially modified bike for campers

James and I attended the first class yesterday. Oh my heavens, the look of pure joy that lit up his face! As a parent, you live for these moments - they are so worth what it takes to get there.

He had trouble getting started, fighting putting on a helmet and riding a new bike. Before long, however, his team had figured how to get him moving. One buddy the special rear handle to guide him around a track in the large gym while another ran backwards in front of him, calling for him to come catch her. Off her went! After three laps, he was able to start and stop on his own power.

Getting used to things

Look at him go! I had trouble getting him without a blur.

Thank you, thank you! Go, James, go!

Magic Marker Monday: Final Class Report

Remember the report James did on ostriches? It turned out to be not only a very nice piece to display for Open House, it also tied in with his field trip to Safari West.

This week, final class projects started coming back home in backpacks. Here is the prinout of the PowerPoint slide that James made.

Way to go! And I like that hat.

For more great masterpieces or to share some of your own, visit
5 Minutes for Special Needs for more Magic Marker Monday.

                                 
 

Magic Marker Monday: The $1 Family Calendar

I used to love buying calendars. For years I'd enjoy my 12 months of Kliban Cats, Impressionists, and romantic illustrations. I think it's safe to say I was a sucker for a good calendar.

Then I my job and life took off in many directions and I started buying the giant kitchen wall calendars.

I added a calendar white board when I started working from a home office.

Now that I need to focus on family and keep a tight grip on household expenses, I have discovered the joys of the $1 Family Calendar!

I buy a $1 pad of paper from the Dollar Store, round up all the stray markers, crayons, and pencils from the kids, and spend an hour or two on the kitchen floor, inking in months, days, and numbers. I used to need a ruler, but now I just trace over old moths and go for it! The kids help by adding their own drawings  and sometimes the days of the week and numbers for the month for a unique family calendar we all can use.

Ooops! Did Mommy mis-abbreviate Thursday?
Kiddo #1 to the rescue!

I get to use the wall mount from the $20 kitchen calendars. Using small binder clips, I attach this year's calendar pad to an old $1 blotter/calendar from Target. Using produce ties and a plastic hook with a sticky back, I am able to hook the calendar onto the wall mount.

January is all fireworky and snowy!

Don't forget your marshmallow on a stick and your s'mores!

$1 Target blotter back, with adhesive hook.

Original $20 wall calendar mount and produce ties.

It may not look suave, but it works and the price is right. Plus, it becomes a family activity, which helps teach the kids about the months, numbers, and seasons. Oh yes, and it helps me keep track of our lives, when I remember to look.


For more great masterpieces or to share some of your own, visit
5 Minutes for Special Needs for more Magic Marker Monday.


                            

SOOC Sunday: Fair-well

Summer's wrapping up. James starts second grade this coming week. Yikes!!

I'd promised the kids another trip to the county fair, so they could try rides and games. It turned out 1 Ride for Sister and 2 Games for James. Plus exhibit looking for me. We went early this time, and I think that was a good call, as the day was HOT. Also crowded, because children got in free and adults could get $2 off with a food donation.

So while we had Discussions and Strategy for attending the fair, we had a good time. Here are some highlights, SOOC:

Oh, this is classic. I love my guy!

Amazing Walk on Water "ride" that costs more than regular admission! It looks like a ton of fun, too.

What's not to like about shooting a water gun?

No ride this time - James will not take this well.

Mmmmm, flowers!

Just like this hibiscus.

Eco-Recycled materials room: pure awesome fun for half an hour.

Linking up once more with Murrieta 365 for some SOOC show and share, where it's all straight-out-of-camera (SOOC).

                                                                 

You Put Your Right Toe In ...

We've hit the high 70s this week, and yesterday I took the kids to the pool at the gym to beat the unseasonable heat.

As long as the wind was quiet, we were fine. Once it kicked up, we were reminded it's still February: brrrrr!

I love this photo of James, testing the water with his flexible toes.

He is refusing to wear the larger suit and shirt. He'll have no choice by the end of the summer!

Magic Marker Monday: Calendars

Our home budget is constantly shrinking these days. We've let go of "live" TV, shop thrift stores, and have garage & lemonade sales. So when I went to look for the current year for our big kitchen calendar, the $15 price tag was too much. Time to get creative!

I bought a big pad of newsprint at the Dollar Store and used a ruler and pencil to evenly mark columns and rows for each month. Then I used the $1 set of 10 Crayola markers from the back-to-school Target sales to outline the grid and create custom monthly pages.

 
I checked the correct days of the month (and holidays) against an online calendar and the kids' school calendars. I used whatever ideas came into my head and asked the kids for theirs when I got stuck. I took a few half-hour sessions all spread out on the kitchen floor to make the whole year. The kids were fascinated. We ended up with a nice big calendar for the kitchen that cost $2 in materials.

Even better, both the kids now make monthly calendars in school. It's a great way for my 6 year-old to practice his numbers and my almost 9 year-old to practice her writing. I hang theirs up near the Homework Desk:

 

Best of all:

For more great masterpieces or to share some of your own, visit
5 Minutes for Special Needs for more Magic Marker Monday.
     
  

Sunday Foggy Morning Muffin Run

James and I awoke ... rather forcefully and early this morning. The whole house was full of that muffled silence that ground fog outside somehow brings and spreads with its mist. So we set forth for coffee and muffins at the local Peets. It's been a while.

It was delighfully mysterious outside. James kept telling me about the things he saw out the window, and then asked if we could go see Halloween decorations. That sounded like fun, so off we went.

Normally, there are two housing tracts that are chock full of decorations, each vying to be more overboard than the rest. This year ... well, there's not much out there. And we saw more of the low-end decorations than anything else. Man, this economy's brutal.

So we're going to put up our decorations and show some spirit (ha-ha) ourselves. Well-fortified with muffins and coffee, of course.