Magic Marker Monday: Letter Things

James is settling well into his new school year and program. He is much more verbal than before and asks now to do activities. Yesterday it was Play-Doh. Another day last week he wanted to play music on the little instrument set that we got him. Many times it's also TV program requests (like Caillou, Curious George, and Danger Mouse).

Lately he's been watching his big sister start doing first grade homework, and he has shown more interest in using markers and paper, and trying to write letters like she does:



This is what his sister is doing:


She wants them to go to the moon. James can do the countdown. She says I can call up the space rocket people and borrow a rocket ship for them. I tell her okay, but they have to be back for dinner!



Visit 5 Minutes for Special Needs for more Magic Marker Mondays.

SOOC Saturday: Play Date

It's been terrifically hot this past week, but the kids are plenty active nonetheless. So this Saturday I was lucky enough to connect with another mom and her kids for an early morning play date at a local park.

When we arrived at 10, it was already over 80*


James did not mind, even though he heats up easily. You can't tell from these photos, but his cheeks are about as red as raspberry sorbet:



Did I mention it was also humid? Unusually so for this area. Never mind that -- James still loved the sensation of sand on his limbs (and in his mouth --- yecccchhh!).



We had popsickles and cracker treats, plus water galore. It was over 100* when we left for lunch, but it was totally worth it. Check this out:



James is with a group of friends, and they are all playing together! This is an answer to a hope of our hearts. And when we left, the kids all said good bye to each other ... and one friend said, "I love James!"

Dang, I am tearing up again. But in a good way!


The Slurping Life is inspired! Visit Melody and check out SOOC Saturday/Sunday entries past & present!



  

Man With a Nap Plan

When James is tired, he'll let you know. First he'll bring out his two baby bankies. Then he'll arrange them carefully over himself, and then he'll tell you "ni' night!"




Jame will still take naps in the afternoon. It used to be an absolute, but now there are days when he will stay up until bedtime. A few times after dinner on a napless day, he'll compose himself and go to sleep on the sofa. I then scoop him up and put him right to bed.

In the picture above, James and his sister played for over an hour by running around. It was around lunch time, and he was ready to check out for a bit and recharge with a nap. So he found his spot and set up nap camp on the living room rug.

It made me think of the Noggin commercials: "If real life were like preschool ... there'd be nap time." Cue the lone phone ringing, and the mail person asking "Can anyone sign for Cooper in Accounting?" among a crowd of office workers snoring gently on the floor, with bankies and teddy bears. That just sounds so sensible!

Letter for James

To my Son:

Thank you for being you. For waking up each morning with a happy smile and bringing joy to meet each day. For trying new things and making the most of them. For making friends and softening stressed faces. For chuckles and kisses. For your hugs around my neck. For the light in your eyes when you see the people who mean the most to you.

I love you, Mom

Special Exp./Wordless Wednesday: Guy Toys

Cousins were up visiting Oma and Apu, and many many photos were taken. I have a small Olympus point & shoot; my brother has a nice camera. James was fascinated. Guys and their toys!


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

and ... Wordless Wednesday

Try a Little Pretenderness

Today was about as normal a day as James has had in a while. He got on the bus this morning eagerly and had a good day at school. I did hear from his teacher that he is back to eating sand, though: gah!!!

I picked him up after school and we did the weekly shopping together, with a potty break in the store. May I just say here that I am in love with the bathrooms at Trader Joe's? They are on the ground floor, look homier than my own bathroom, are clean and large enough for a mom with 2 kids under 7 for a family bathroom break. But I digress ...

James spent a bunch of time in the cart pretending he was in a rocket. He kept counting down from 10 in the checkout line and yelled "Blast off!!" at the end. This is the first time I have seen him this playful while shopping. The test cooker loved it and gave him a juice box. The bagger cracked up and gave him a balloon. Both tried to engage him in conversation.

I gave him a few seconds to respond and then prompted him with a leading question so he could respond. It was so different from him being silent or making the eternal "eeeeeee" sound. He seemed so calm and happy, and I was too -- just more excited on the inside.

He also kept saying "Mom! Mickey Mouse!" At first I thought it was because he wanted to go home and finish watching some cartoons from earlier in the day, but then I realized he was talking about my new purse, with Mickey Mouse designs. We had fun counting them, and saying "peek-a-boo, Mickey!" when we came across a partial mouse in the design.

After a nap, his sister told him they were going to have a party! Her teacher is very big on parties as a reward for successfully following instructions. James said "yay" in a low voice, then grabbed a birthday party hat from the table, voluntarily put it on his head and said "yay ... happy birthday! Happy birthday!" This is all new and fun.

And at bed time, he now likes to put his stuffed animals on his head and sing the Laurie Berkner song "Pig on Her Head."

I am loving this playful, pretending side coming out. It's like I am seeing more of James, and he's a really fun-loving guy.

Magic Marker Monday: Life Coaches

I decluttered my son's room this morning while he was off at preschool and found some of the art work he did while at summer camp last month. It shows a nice progression of how James has grown with everyone's help.

This is a prime example of how James used to work when he had to be coaxed to draw or paint in class:

Not much going on, right? Oh, I know it's good for doing the fine motor control work and pinging parts of his brain, but artistically it's, well, lacking in joie de vivre.


Somewhere in the second summer camp session, something caught fire. Instead of bringing home a couple of specimens like the one above, there was a great ramping up in participation and exploration. I think I see the hand of someone inspired to help James to give more than going through the motions:

Notice all the colors? The glitter? Increase of area covered? Someone was having fun, and I hope it was both of them.


Now here is what James likes to do if he's happy, excited, and left to his own devices:

As a doting mother, I am pleased to see energy, glee and passion in this masterpiece (or, messterpiece). A joyous, riotous expression of "Whoopee!!"


I think I am going to turn these into photos, and have them mounted in a frame with 3 windows. I shall call it: "Summer of 2009, With Life Coaches"

Visit 5 Minutes for Special Needs for more Magic Marker Monday.