Magic Marker Monday: For Me

Both kids have been busy at school. On Mothers' Day I got to see some of what they'd worked on:

From my daughter:

Present inside the bag: Notepad with daughter's photo in it.
Top sheet has a very sweet note.

Picture of me. I love my nails & fancy top!

From James:

Me again. Okay, this one actually weirded me out. I look like Mrs. Jim-Jim: the dog-faced Mom. With bread.
I do like my nice green & gold jewels, hovering over my head.

James also wrote me a card, but I could not take a good picture of it. Very basic, with straggling crayon letters: "Happy Mothers Day. James" I can tell by the writing he was not into the assignment, but heck, he wrote it! Last year, I was thrilled he could write his name.

Then there was that year that I cried because he looked at me and gave me a hug and said "I love you." Because he was *able* to finally do that.

This is a nice progression - I'll take it!

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: Blossoms

One afternoon last week, James' aide gave me a heads-up that James was bringing home some art projects in his backpack. We took extra special care of the pack and when I opened it at home I got a lovely surprise:

Not only was a nicely done project, it was timely, because the plum trees have started to really blossom this week. For myself, it has a special connection. I too did a similar project when I was in Kindergarten. My mom saved it, and for years I liked looking at it.

Here's James' artwork with it's outdoor relation:

I think I've found another piece to frame!


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

Special Exposure / Wordless Weds: True Spunk

He'd already been through the morning routine and a day of school. Instead of going home, which is the usual Wednesday Routine, James was whisked into the van and onto a highway full of very bad traffic and construction work. For 65 miles and almost 2 hours.

Then he got to ride an elevator and meet strange people who knew his Mom way back when. He was exclaimed over and offered lemon and ginger ice cream. He took it all calmly and played on my smart phone. Then we made our way to a waiting area, where he broke down in tears and "Nooooo, Mommy!" until I let him shut himself inside the little playhouse and handed his snacks to him through the window. We waited about 15 minutes.

THEN, he was assessed by a physical therapist for almost 45 minutes. This is what he looked like toward the end of that session:

Then we went home. Except for the waiting room (pre-snack), I never saw him unhappy. This boy has True Spunk, and I love him so.



Come see what others have shared for their Special Exposure Wednesday at 5 Minutes for Special Needs. Add your special photos and add some pizazz to the middle of your week.

And while there are a couple of paragraphs on this page, the photos say more. Join the fun and see more stories at Wordless Wednesday            

Sunshine

Hugging James is like Hugging sunshine.

Special Exp./Wordless Wednesday: Boo!

Sometimes you just have to go with the moment and savour the little things in life. Like your son, trying to engage you with a game of peek-a-boo from behind the sofa when you are lying on it, wanting to take a nap.

The boy's got game, and he is lucky he's cute. Well okay -- I am lucky too!

For more great images or to join in the fun, Visit Special Exposure Wednesday at 5 Minutes for Special Needs.

and ... Wordless Wednesday

Adventure is Good for the Soul

I like being able to take our kids to different places, because our children are inquisitive and can enjoy simple things as well as a big show. This summer, we have lots of visits planned to family and friends. We've been to birthday parties, parks, the River, and the beach. Two weekends ago, we attended a big family event about two hours away.

James enjoyed it all: playing around, watching other kids, occasionally joining in a chase, and playing with light switches. But there is a picture that I really like of James right now:


To me it not only shows the person he's always been, but also the sweet, mischievous, fun-loving boy he is becoming more and more each day, as he figures out how to engage more with the world and use his new words.