Yippee!!!!!

Last December I began the attempts to acquire safety equipment for Alex.  Due to Alex's autism he is a "wander" or "runner".  He has been lost many times, you know you hear parents say that they loose their children in department stores or grocery stores...Alex doesn't hide under the close rack he just keeps running and has no fear of people, cars or anything else that could harm him for that matter.  He has even broken strollers (seat belts/stitching)when he is freaked out or overwhelmed.  The fact that he isn't proficient in his speech can be a problem as well because once someone finds him or stops him he can't communicate with them.  I have really come to hate automatic doors, this past year (age three) he figured out how to climb over our cement block 6 foot fence, but I digress!  Alex has been able to get out of his car seat while fully buckled while I have been driving.  When he is in his seat his feet dangle and for him that makes him a little nuts.  He needs his feet to be touching something at all times (that is why sitting at tables for meals is hard as well).

I began by trying to get his equipment through our personal insurance.  Research was done to find out what car seat and stroller would best fit Alex.  We needed a car seat that provided a foot rest and a buckle with a cover.  Alex needs deep pressure as well and so extra padding was a plus.  The stroller needed to be sturdy enough to not break.  We also needed something that would grow with him and provide support for his feet and head. After finding what our doctors and therapists thought would meet Alex's needs we filled out all of the paperwork as well as doctor and therapist letters and sent them in.  Cigna even gave us a customer service representative to walk us through the process and ask questions.  We were denied and so we appealed and were once again denied.  Car seats are considered safety equipment and not medically necessary and the stroller wasn't approved either because it wasn't deemed medically necessary either.  

Our next step was to go through the state and Alex's second insurance.  The first support coordinator sent Alex's paperwork to a hospice.  Luckily the man that received the paperwork called our occupational therapist who contacted me.   The second support coordinator sent our paperwork to a person in the Department of Disabilities instead of the insurance company.  I didn't find this out though until I had waited the normal thirty days that it takes the insurance company to make a decision.  I called our "support coordinator" and she told me that it would take her a day to get the insurance companies phone number to me to check on the progress.  I googled the number and called within ten minutes.  The insurance company told me they had never heard of my son.  I called and left a message with the supervisor and three days later I heard from her.  I continued to get the run around and was sharing my frustration with my Mom.  She was able to get contact information that allowed people to up their game and get things where they needed to be. 

Alex was approved on June 1st and I was told that his equipment was being expedited and I would have it in 10 days, they would call me as soon as it came in. I called last week and they hadn't received it as of yet.  I called again on Tuesday and not only had they received it, but it was just sitting in the storage area.  Today I received a call from a man saying it was his job to bring me my stroller.  I asked him about the car seat and he said he wasn't told about a car seat.  I asked him to contact his office and he said he would go back to the office.  He called again and said that after speaking with a manager and the manager finding the car in the back of the unit they loaded it on the truck.  

This journey has taken over six months, but Alex now has his equipment and his little sister is very jealous of his new stuff!  I honestly don't know how some of these companies stay afloat and as for the State of Arizona...they are cutting insurance and support for special needs as we speak.  Maybe if they trained their employees and became more efficient they wouldn't be so hard up that they take money and assistance from people that can't fight back!

Summer Reading Challenges!!

Adam brought a three page summer reading list home from school this year.  I was a little taken back, but I knew that we needed to work on the reading to keep up with what he had worked so hard at this past year.  I began to look into reading reward programs that companies were sponsoring.  The city of Phoenix is doing a huge reading program with the Diamondbacks.  Reading for 15 minutes each day and totaling at least 20 books.  When you read five you make it to a base on your handout and you get a duck.  Each of the kids have two ducks and we are working on earning the final two.  Once you have completed the program you earn a ticket to a ball game!  We are also participating in the Pottery Barn Kids program that give us a list of award winning books that need to be read to earn a free book.  Barnes and Nobles as well as Boarders are also doing a summer reading program that earns the kids a free book.

Adam and I decided to start the Harry Potter series this summer as well.  We have already finished the first book and he enjoyed the reward of watching the movie on Saturday night after the kids had gone to bed!  Six chapters into the next book he is already talking about the next book and the Legos that go along with the book!!  Today he read along with the book for two hours, I couldn't be more excited for the great success this is taking on.  Addison has even been sitting down in the mornings and listening to the CD's as the book is being read.  The kids are loving the free ducks and looking forward to their books and ball game tickets, but I am thrilled with their excitement about reading.  We have already talked about our next big series being the Narnia series :)

Truly Inspired!

A month ago I was sitting on the couch and received a call from our church asking if our Bishop and is councilors could visit Adam and I the next night.  You never know if callings are coming when those types of calls are made, but we were ready for anything.  Bishop Tanner (above) and his first councilor sat on our couch and started asking about Alex and Addison.  As the conversation continued we started talking about our Sundays.  You know in the past year Adam and I have have only attended the entire block of meetings maybe five times.  Questions were asked to figure out what they could do to help.  Words truly can't express the feelings I was having during this conversation.  We spoke about how Alex has a hard time with new things, how loud places with a lot of people over stimulate him and how he has a hard time in confining places.  They were truly surprised when we expressed how hard Sunday's were.  Dadam mentioned that he has more stress and grief on Saturday nights before church than he does on Sunday's before returning to work on Monday.  We explained that it is hard to wrestle Alex, deal with our other little ones and then stress for the next two hours about how they are doing in Primary.  The poor Primary has lost Alex three times this year already!  He is a runner and when he is uncomfortable he bolts!!   The Bishop then said that they wanted to call someone to assist Alex.  Not only would they like them to help Alex in Primary, but their goal is to have the person sit with Alex during Sacrament meeting and come to our home and play with him so that they become a familiar, consistent part of Alex's life.  When talking about having repetition and consistency the Bishopric offered to reserve a pew for us each Sunday.   If this wasn't enough the Bishopric started talking about Adam going to school and how the ward could help with doctor appointments and anything else our family might need.  I was truly overwhelmed and as we ended our chat with prayer and they returned to their families I stood in my kitchen after hugging my husband and cried.

Not a week before their visit our rehabilitation person was talking to us about helping Alex with church.  She asked if we had considered not going to church for a while.  I told her that church was a big part of our family and that not going wasn't an option for us.

As we have attended church these past few weeks our pew has been reserved.  Alex has been able to put his PECs on the pew as he sits down.  He still has a hard time with church and Primary has been a no go for the past three weeks, but we have been able to partake of the sacrament!  The young lady that has been called to help Alex is newly married and experienced with Autism.  She used to be a res-pet worker for the state, she was called on Sunday and we hope that this week will go well.  The Primary President came over last week and learned how to use the PECs and see what she could do for Alex as well.  We were asked to fill out paperwork on Addison and Alex with things that help them and what they can have as treats.  She has even volunteered her husband to help Dadam build a chair for Alex.

I have always said that God is truly in charge and aware of me.  Our family is truly blessed and as I reflect on our past two years I know that God's hand has been a guiding force in our lives.  I think that is what makes everything else okay.  How grateful I am to have leaders that are inspired and follow the promptings that they receive. 

This To Shall Pass...RIGHT!

Warning...This isn't an update!  This is being added for Journal Purposes, Read at Own Risk!

Holy Hanna... I feel like I am truly ready to get off the train.  The past few months have been, for a lack of a better word lonely.  I know that this might seem weird since I have four children and a husband, but it truly has felt that way for me.  I believe that having children with special needs and behaviors you can often be marked as a black sheep.  People don't know what to do or say when it comes to your children and the diagnosis/treatments that they have to go through.  They also don't want their children to be treated badly (Alex has a hard time with people in his space or playing with his things) or to mimic the behaviors my children. Alex has brought toys to primary to try and make it through and a mom ended up having to take her son home because he was so upset that Alex had toys and he didn't get any.  I was in a store (Costco) with my kids and we were checking out.  Alex was in the back of the cart, Amelia was in the front of the cart, Addison and Adam were with me.  There were two men helping us and the person bagging our items said while looking at Alex "I'm scared to go over there.", the checker then followed up with saying, "So, how long does that last?" while gesturing his head towards Alex.  I often get dirty looks from people in stores and I am sure comments are made.  You would hope that when you are in church and around people that know you that the feelings of being judged and poor thoughts wouldn't be felt, but sometimes they just are.  Even more crazy is having to make other people feel better or okay about your children when in reality there really isn't anyone comforting you!  People often make comments about life being ruff or my little ones not being able to participate in something...lots of things really and it becomes my job to become the comforter and allow them to know that all is well and things will be okay.  Sometimes I wish that I had that person that would just let me spill my guts, not judge me and tell me everything is going to work out.  I think most people like that charge though!

We spend so much time going to and from doctor appointments and dealing with services and rehabilitation that attending mommy groups or play dates rarely happen.  Last week is a great example...We had appointment everyday and they weren't all on the books.  We were supposed to see a movie on Friday, but Alex's reaction to his shots prevented us from attending that as well.  We have missed the first three movies...hopefully we will get there this week!  As if this wasn't enough we had a baptism to attend on Saturday and because Alex had a reaction to his shots we were asked not to attend just in case it was contagious.  I understand once again, but it becomes very painful for me.

Being avoided is becoming a new part of life as well. You know I do get it though.  Why would people want to be around all the drama?  I think it recirculates back to the not knowing what to do or say thing as well.  I feel that my own family members feel this way so why wouldn't adequateness or friends.

Speaking of drama...today was a day full of the stuff.  Addison had a very hard night last night and today started off just as rough.  Alex came home from school and after the kids had lunch they went swimming.  After swimming I was upstairs and heard Adam talking to Addison about stitches and cuts.  As I tuned in more closely I realized that Addison was playing around with a knife.  I came down stairs and she was trying to hide behind the couch.  I sent her to her room and the boys and I began to clean the toy room.  Addison spends a lot of time in her bed room and usually she falls asleep.  Today on the other hand she walked out our front door with out making a sound.  I had an unusual knock mid day on the door and when I answered it a white SUV was in front of my home with another neighbor shading at my door with Addison by her side.  Addison had run away and was on the main road.  So many emotions run through your head at the moment someone is returning your child you didn't know was missing.  I will admit it has happened to me before.  Alex is a runner as you know and clever at that.  Today however it was Addison and I was embarrassed, scared, mad and frustrated.  I had Addison return to her room (the safest place for her at that moment) and I sat on the couch and sobbed.  I don't think Adam knew what to do about Mommy crying.  About ten minutes later there was another knock on the door.  My heart sank and my mind raced as I walked to the door, police...social services...anything is possible right!  My neighbor had returned to check in and see how everything was.  After thanking her again and being embarrassed again more tears came.  Addison did fall asleep this time and it was now time to deal with the rest of the afternoon.  Realistically if this would have been the only event of today I would have been okay!  Amelia had a very hard day too though and her nap was a true fight of wills.  She finally gave up though and we continued to clean the toy room.  3:30 rolled around and Ms. Irene came to do rehabilitation with Alex.  He was playing Legos Dadam and I were upstairs talking with Addison.  We asked her why she ran away and her response was that I am always mean to her.  I asked her if I am mean to her because I do something wrong or if she did.  She gave the right answer and we continued our conversation.  I cried some more, we hugged it out and tried to continue with our day.   I can only hope that the quote in the collage above is true and both Addison and I will grow in our compassion for one another. Irene headed home for the day and I began to make dinner.  Alex was going through detox or pent up energy and the other little ones were not ban to the playroom anymore so things were loud.  We ate dinner and the kids and Dadam hit the pool.  I started the laundry folding party and the others joined me for the put away process before bed.  10:15 p.m. rolled around and Addison is still up trying to come down stairs for anything she can possibly think of!   So as you can see I totally get wanting to avoid the drama!!

Wondering why my feet are in the picture above?  I am having the amazing pleasure of blisters all over my feet.  Any time I wear shoes of any sort my feet get blisters, even flip flops.  The doctors say it is eczema.  Amelia stepped on my foot yesterday and tears came to my eyes along with shocking pain in my foot. As if blisters on my feet weren't enough my skin is starting to separate from underneath my fingernails.  I am telling you...fun times :).  I guess it just goes along with the loneliness I am feeling a little bit like a leper in life so why not have the scares to prove it! 

I wish that I could say that these are my only worries or stresses that I have in my life right now, but that is not the case.  I haven't figured out the typed invisible ink though and this isn't an outlet for my other stresses.   I am pretty sure the above stuff should have stayed within my little brain as well, but I have truly felt like I was going to explode, and I hope that as my kids read this as adults they know that being a parent is hard, but the rewards are so worth it.  Just like anything in life worth having, you have to work for it to appreciate what you have.  I know that I am blessed and grateful for my blessings and I am most positive that this to shall pass!

. 

A Very Dadam's Father's Day!!

 Our morning started unusually today!  The kids were very excited to give Dad the gifts that they had created for him!  Alex loved his art work so much that he picked a place in the living room for it to hang today :)  As you can see from the pictures above Amelia not only enjoyed painting she tasted it as well too!  The kids painted with acrylic paints on actual canvases for Dad to take into work and put in his cube/office :)

Our family gift to Dadam this year is a smoker.  Our Dad loves to BBQ and now he can smoke his meats in style. 

 Dadam won tickets to a Mercury basketball game through Intel.  Our family had a fun time in the Gorilla's Green House (children's play area).  They had the 2 National Championship Trophies for people to enjoy photo opportunities in the play area as well.  Intel had rented the area for the day with free hot dogs, nachos, popcorn and soda for their employees & families.  The Mercury players even did a Q&A session for the Intel fans after the game!

During the game the kids had a great time screaming D-FENCE!!  They all wore their purple fingers (a gift from Intel) and cheered for the home team.  The game was up and down and towards the end became very interesting...it even went into double over time.  Amelia loved having her own seat with cup holders containing popcorn and soda at her disposal :)  Dadam and I both took turns walking the younger two during the game and by the end we headed home instead of waiting for the Q&A session.

On the way to the car the kids were twirling, singing D-Fence and truly savoring the experience!!

WHAT A GREAT DADAM!!!!!

Our family is truly lucky to have our Dad.  I am truly grateful for the amazing man that Dadam is and the father that he is to our children.  As I watch our children grow (and wow is it going by fast) I marvel at the love that they have for their Dad.  He is truly their Hero.  Adam and Addison have noticed as of late how strong Dadam is...they asked me why he has so many muscles and I told them that he works at it and plays hard.  These past few weeks they have started doing sit-ups and push-ups with their Dad and have tried swimming laps like him in the pool.  

They truly watch him and admire the person that he is.  How lucky I am to have a husband that not only provides for his family, but truly loves and cares for them as well.  You know not just any Dad would get up and take you to a midnight showing of a movie!!  For all of the love, sacrifice and dedication to our family...I am truly grateful.  Happy Father's Day Adam ox Jennie

I'm Published!!

Our blog has been published!  When I began this blog in 2008 our family wanted our extended family and friends to be able to keep up with us.  A few years later we now have a great family history started for our future generations to enjoy :)  I am thrilled with the final products and can't wait to add to our collection.

Spending Birthday "Tickets"

 Adam and Alex both received gift cards and money for their birthdays.  Alex calls his money "tickets" and he was over the moon excited to turn them in for a toy!  They had a great time walking through the isles today selecting what they truly wanted.  Alex went through a few items before he wasn't willing to change again!  Adam however knew that the Lego isle was for him, though I was surprised when his choice was Harry Potter instead of Star Wars.  He and I have been reading/listening to the first book of the seven book series this week.  I am excited to know that he has taken such a great interest!  By the time Addison and I were home from her appointment this afternoon his new set was built and safely above the T.V.

 A few weeks ago I asked Adam why he slept on Alex's bed at night instead of his own.  He told me that his mattress was poking him during the night when he moved!  We got a new mattress and now the boys are set with their new Star Wars and Pirate bed spreads that they received for their birthdays.  Now they can sleep poke free!!!

Addison has been counting down the days until Amelia can share a room with her like the boys do!  She asks quite often and so we have set up bunk beds in her room preparing for that special day!  Amelia even took a nap on her new bed this afternoon.  

I moved the bed that was in Addison's room to Amelia's old room and hopefully within a month the girls will be officially sharing a room :)

Yearly Check-ups and More

Yesterday we took Adam (just turned 8), Alex (just turned 4) and Amelia (early 18 month) for their yearly/bi yearly check-ups.  Adam was first to be weighed in!  He is in the 97% weighing 70 lb 4 oz.  His height is also in the 97% measuring in at 53 and 3/4 inches.  He will be seeing an eye doctor to have an eye exam and working on new hobbies such as sports trivia with his Dad this summer.  Amelia was next in line...remember to take in mind that she was seen a month early :)  Her weight 23lbs 4 oz is in the 25-50 %, height wise she is 32 inches and within the 50-75%.  Her head is in the 75-90 % measuring in at 18 3/4 inches.  Dad picked up Alex from school and met us at the doctor so that he wouldn't have to be there as long.  He was weighted and measured as well though!  His weight is 39 lbs which is in the 75%, height is 41 inches and is in the 50-75%.  Both Amelia and Alex received shots as well.  Alex went first getting 5 shots, three in one leg and two in the other.  Amelia was lucky and only received 3, two in one leg and one in the other.

Alex had a rough night last night.  He got up three times and ended up sleeping next to me in our bed.  When I changed his diaper this morning he had a rash on his upper legs next to his bruises from the shots.  Of course we took him into the doctor and the two doctors that saw him had never seen a reaction to shots like this before!  One of the doctors said that it looked like he was having a reaction to penicillin, but of course he wasn't taking any.  He never even took Tylenol for pain because he hates taking medication.   They agreed though that due to the rash only being around his vaccines that it was a reaction. They said that it should go away within 7-10 days and to try allergy medication and cortisone for the itching.  I tried the cortisone and he flipped.  He hated having it on his skin, so he is toughing it out.  What else can possibly happen to this little guy, I mean really!

Birthday Mania

Addison was extremely busy this weekend!!  Besides attending her big brother's birthday party she went to a few friends birthday parties as well.  Saturday she and her Dad attending JoJo's party.  It was held at Pump It Up which is huge building full of bounce houses for the kids to enjoy.  She had a great time and enjoyed seeing all her friends from school.

Sunday she was able to attend James's Birthday Party.  She and James have developed a very close relationship this year.  Both Addison and Alex have enjoyed riding the bus to school with James, since the first day he started riding the bus he and Addison would hold hands during the ride to school.  James is battling brain cancer and has needed to make a few trips to California for surgeries and treatments.  Alex and Addison created a care package for him to enjoy during his drives and stays in the hospital.  James had a magician at his party to entertain all of the kids.  Addison had a great time and was able to bring home her very own magic wand.  She tried to change her big brother into a frog and wasn't successful as of yet...she did however change her baby sister into a princess!!

As you can see from the photos James and Addison are special friends and we are glad that she was able to help him celebrate his special day!!

On a side note!!!!  As Addison was getting ready for her party on Saturday, she used Mom's razor in the shower thinking it was a toy.  If you enlarge the photo (double click on the photo) and look at her right eyebrow you will see that she is looking very 90's fashionable!!  She was truly devastated and didn't think she could attend the party. I put a little concealer on her eye and some eyeshadow to try and hide it as well as I could.  We also put some special care into her hairdo for the party.  She is sporting a zigzag part as well as birthday ribbons in her hair!  

When she woke up on Sunday she said to me "It still isn't fixed".  I told her it will take a few weeks...In the end, I am grateful we learned this lesson without getting cut and without loosing more hair than we did :)

Eight Is Great!!

We have an eight year old!!!  What a wonderful young man he is too!  We are so proud of our Adam.  Our Adam is such a well rounded young man.  He is a BIG help to his Mom and Dad.  His obedience and helpful attitude is truly a strength for Adam.  He is comfortable in his own skin and knows who he is and what he wants to be.  His brother and sisters truly love him because he is a fantastic big brother.   I think that the relationships that he is building with them will truly last for all eternity.  

Mrs. Sander wrote on Adam's final 2nd grade report card that he has become a wonderful student.  She even said that he is becoming a great mathematician.  His standardized testing results also showed his outstanding math abilities.  Summer reading is in full swing as well and he has already finished a 188 page chapter book!

What a truly great guy he is...we are so blessed :)

Since today was his 8th birthday the Bishop wanted to meet with him and talk about being baptized and confirmed.  Our Bishop sat next to Adam in his office and walked through the process and reasons for being baptized and confirmed!  Adam had a few responses that were cute...The Bishop was asking Adam who we follow and he said right away "Jesus".  The Bishop continued to talk about how Jesus was baptized and how he was perfect.  The Bishop then followed up by asking Adam if he was perfect, Adam's response..."A little."  As they continued to talk about the convents and blessing the Bishop asked talked with Adam about keeping the Work of Wisdom, having his thoughts be good and always watching, listening to and speaking good things.  Adam's response to watching good things... "My Dad covered my eyes during the mermaid part." (I explained that he was talking about the scary part in the new Pirates of the Caribbean movie!)  When the speaking only nice words came into the conversation Adam's response was "I heard Addison say the "S" word twice yesterday."  ( I once again needed to explain that the "S" word in our family is Stupid!)  

The interview was great and at the end the Bishop asked Adam to help him fill out his paperwork for his living ordinance.  I enjoyed watching Adam give his personal information and guess at his dad and moms.  So...we are set for July 9th and would love to have everyone attend that can :)

What meal was chosen to celebrate Adam's special day???? Spaghetti of course, with peas and fruit salad with homemade bread-sticks (I am still trying to work out the recipe so they were flat).  We sang Happy Birthday and enjoyed a few left over cupcakes :)  You can also see in the photos that Amelia was playing peak-a-boo with her big brother at the dinner table!

Adam enjoyed opening all of his cards and family gifts as well.  It is really fun to watch him not only open the cards, but read them out loud now.  This is the first year that he has read them for himself!!  He received a lot of loot too and after figuring out his tithing he is excited to add to his Lego collection!!

As you can see Star Wars continued to be the theme!!  Adam received a new bed cover and lots of Lego sets to  keep him busy this week :)

Adam, May The Force Be With You!

Adam and 11 of his friends (siblings included) enjoyed a fun Arizona afternoon swimming and celebrating his turning 8.  Dadam played fun water games with the kids and as you can imagine the kids LOVED it!  They would have stayed in a lot longer if I didn't make them get out for treats and presents :)

I had a lot of fun with the theme as you can see!  I created light sabers using pretzel sticks and dyed white chocolate with aluminum foil at the end.  A little lime sherbert and Laughy Taffy creates a fun Yoda treat to go along with cupcakes and juice!!  Each of the guest took home a personalized candy bar of their choice with stickers, Star Wars Lego key chains and a beach ball to remember the day.

Once the kids dried off a little bit they came inside for a demo on creating their personal Yoda and to sing Happy Birthday to Adam.  If you watch the video you will see that Alex is now a pro at blowing out candles and beat his older brother to the punch.  Luckily though we were able to recreate the scene and Adam made his wish :)  

I think the kids enjoyed a few battles with their light sabers and creating their refreshing Yoda creations.  I know that Amelia did :)

 

Friends and Family of Adam sure know him well :)  Adam received many wonderful gifts that he is already enjoying.  As he would unwrap the gifts his little brother and sisters were eying the gifts as well and looking forward to playing too!  Alex actually got into a box of Legos and had them spread out on the carpet before Adam was even finished opening his gifts.  What a lucky guy he is!

 

After all of Adam's friends from school and church left for the afternoon the party still continued!!!  Adam is having his friend Hayden stay the night and they spend hours building Lego sets and swimming.  Amelia even enjoyed being thrown in the air and playing with Daddy in the pool.  This was by far the longest she has been in the water this summer.  What a fun and exciting day. 

Oh to be 4

Our Alex is 4 today!  The smile just gets me every time.  Alex truly is an amazing young man.  This past year he has grown so much.  I have been amazed with his hard work and efforts as well as the efforts of his great team.  Alex has such a sweet spirit, our family has grown in so many ways having him in our family.  With each new day I gain perspective, patience and love not only for Alex, but in general.  He is a great teacher and when we slow down and truly see him and his experiences we are able to grow so much as a family and as people.  My dearest Alex..."I will Love You Forever, I will Like You For Always...As Long As I'm Living My Baby You Will Be"  May your 4th year be your best yet!! ox Mommy

Alex had a big day...He came downstairs this morning at 6:00 am and I told him to hurry and get his clothes!  Adam and Amelia followed suit, but after trying to wake Addison up three times we hurried on our way without her.  Where were we going at 6:00 am you ask???  Krispy Kreme Donuts of course...The boys were able to get their free dozen donuts for their birthdays!  We brought the donuts home for the kids to enjoy!  I don't think I have ever passed up a Krispy Kreme in my life until today!!  Yeah Me :)  Anyways, the little ones enjoyed their donuts and Alex took his donuts to school to share with his new friends.

Alex arrived home after school at 11:40 am and by 11:50 am he and I were in the van headed to Phoenix Children's for an evaluation.  We headed home after the evaluation and he had therapy with Ms. Irene until 6:00 pm.  By the end of the day he was truly beat, but he was still willing to blow out some candles and open a few presents!!  We had held a few back from his party the earlier Saturday :)  All in all he had a busy, but great day!!!

Off and Running!!!

 Summer is here and today was hopefully a one of a kind day for the rest of the summer!  Alex started his day by going to a new school and meeting his new teacher and class.  He wasn't a fan...he was very upset and crying when I was leaving the classroom.  He was screaming VAN, VAN.  The aid took him and I sadly walked down the hall hearing him crying for me.

After we dropped Alex off the rest of the crew headed over to the library.  Adam and Addison received their very own library cards and picked out great books to enjoy this week.  Amelia enjoyed the toddler reading group.  Nanee recorded a few videos for you to enjoy.

Amelia had quite a ruff afternoon.  She was playing at the table and stood up on a kids chair which tipped over.  She fell to the tile and as you can see she broke her lip open in two places.  We had a lot of blood and tears.  When the Popsicle didn't help we ended up taking a bath. 

Amelia is sure growing up fast though.  She is now not only going up the stairs by herself, but she can cruise down them now as well!!

After a day like today the only way to end it was with pie!!  I went into Addison's room around 8:00 p.m.and told her to get dressed!  We slipped out of the house and headed to Marie Callende'rs.  Addison ordered a hot coca (the high was 101 today) and we ordered coconut cream pie.  As I began eating mine I found a bug!!!  Figures right :)  They gave us a new pie which we brought home  and now here I am typing the blog wanting to eat some pie, but fighting the urge!!!  
So as I said when I began...hopefully this is a one of the kind day, and tomorrow will be a little better for us all!!

Alex's Pirate Euphoria/Birthday!

Alex has been over the moon excited about his birthday party ever since he saw the invitation!  When he woke up this morning his banner was hanging and that was all it took to get the house up!!  The wait from 6:30 a.m to 10:30 a.m. felt longer than the past three weeks!!

As you can see Pirate Legos were the theme and I had a great time trying my hand at creating not only the invitations, but the decorations as well.

Alex's banner was double-sided...he had Happy Birthday Alex on one side and on the other he enjoyed maps, characters from

Pirates of the Caribbean Legos. 

Alex had 7 friends from his school and Sunbeams class come to help him celebrate!  The little one created their own Treasure Maps/Placemats! We put our placemats to use by enjoying a lunch of hotdogs & Pirate's Booty.   

After lunch we headed right into candles & cupcakes!!  Alex started off his own singing of Happy Birthday which I loved!!  The little ones enjoyed their dairy free, gluten free, nut free cupcakes!  I was a bit worried before I served them but only a few didn't really get eaten :)

Presents were challenging in some ways for Alex.  He had a hard time transitioning from one gift to the next.  By the end of the gifts he was starting to understand!! 

We thought that going from gifts to the pinata would be fun for Alex...You know hitting the treasure chest to get to the treasure and all... For the first time in history we had a child (Alex) break the pinata on the first turn!!  We had to improvise and go parade style!! Alex didn't even pick up one piece of candy!!!  He just sat and looked intensely at his gifts waiting to open them.

He has enjoyed all of his gifts today and is even having a slumber party with a few :)

Alex's Lego set was a big project and Adam was more than willing to help conquer the project with his little brother!  The funny thing though was after over an hour a work most of the project was taken apart by Alex within minutes.  Good thing we took pictures!!
 

Summer Decorating!!

Summer is here in Arizona and the temperature is the proof! Alex has been having a ruff time with the lack of structure and is looking forward to school starting up again for him on Monday. As for filling the time until then... My mind has been spinning with creating more PEC's for the house, trying to create activities etc. As I was cleaning the front room the other day I wondered if we could possibly fit the bounce house for Alex's birthday party???? Dadam said we would need to test it before Saturday....so this morning I broke it out searched for the fan (really had to hunt) and moved the furniture and pictures from the front room. I had to turn it around, but as you can see it fit :) The kids had fun and I remembered the fan was a bit loud! The good thing is that it inflates quickly and they only jump for about a 1/2 hour at a time. I am sure the kids will have fun on Saturday, but we will he how much longer it lasts after that!