Wanted: An Exorcism For My Butt

My butt needs an exorcism.  This is not a joke.  I'm in pain.  It hurts to sit, and it hurts to lie down.  Why you may ask.  Because Big Momma had a wee bit too much fun.  No, really.  PACE's first Kid Gymboree happened this past Tuesday.  And it's gonna happen again.

It appears my body is made of muscle that just so happens to be covered in this sheet of bumpy 'adipose tissue' to protect the delicate structure of my gorgeous muscles, especially my six pack stomach.  Oh yes, and around the hips...  Who am I kidding, my arms, legs, heck... even my fingers and toes.

SuperDad literally flew ever so gracefully around the gym, while your's truly kept tripping over her own feet.  At one point I thought taking my shoes off would be a good idea...  Remember Bambi on ice?  Yup, now picture a hippo...  that was me on the gym floor, playing badminton with the girls. They kicked my butt.  Literally.

The most important thing to me was that the kids had FUN!  We had the whole autism spectrum there, all age groups, from four years old to 13.  We even had a really cute respite worker there, compliments of a fellow autism mom who brought her cutie pie son and daughter with her.

We played hockey, basketball, badminton, put puzzles together and just ran around the gym.  There was lots of laughter, lots of action, and SMILES!!!  There's nothing more gratifying than a child's genuine smile.  It just makes me melt.  Their smiles tell me that the pain I'm going through now is worth it, and I can hardly wait to get into the gym again.

It's all worth it.  Look at them!!!

I wanted to go next...

At one point, little Johnny snatched a puzzle piece from me because I was taking too long...

SuperDad plays ball with his girl

Jonathan Toews???  Why, yes...  he's my daddy!  LOL

Looks like I'm not getting a turn...  LOL

I've killed Lou's butt, your turn SuperDad!

Putting together a 3D puzzle...  The girls were super at this!!!

Holla hoops!

Can we combine hockey with medicine ball?!

Hoola hooped out!

If you know of a butt exorcist, please send them my way.

PACE Kid's gymboree meets every Tuesday from 6:30pm till 8pm.  For more information, check out www.pacewithasd.com.


Consider yourselves hugged,

Lou

PACE: What A Hit! Our First Kid's Gymboree!!!

Our first PACE Kid Gymboree on January 28th was a success!

Organising an event for our children on the autism spectrum is not easy...  I had called around at different McDonald's explaining what I wanted:  Reserve the play structure room for 13 kids on the autism spectrum with their parents.  I wanted to make sure that parents would be able to sit in the play structure room while their kids played and didn't need to make the decision of allowing their kids to play or to sit outside with them and having to listen to them whine.

The St. Vital McDonald's could not "accommodate" us.  Seriously?!  So, I made the reservation at the St. James location.  I will never go to the McDonald's in St. Vital, and hope you make it a point of not going there either.

Once SuperDad got to the St. James location, he was told there was no reservation for us...  Fortunately, they got us in, and everything worked out thanks to SuperDad, and we began our very first PACE gymboree!  And what a turn out!!!  7 families!!!  We had an awesome time!  The kids got to interact with each other, the parents got to sit down and have a coffee, intervene with the kids when necessary (which I would like to add was MINIMAL), and we all had a good time!!!

I found the hardest part of this get together was actually getting out of the house and starting the car to get to McDonald's.  When the time came to go home, I was ready to go, but glad we had the opportunity to get out and meet some incredible kids and new friends.  An afternoon well spent!

Some pictures of our excursion:  Note the awesome dad playing with his son.  Another dad going down the slide with his cute little guy.  I love these super involved dads!!!

Daddy knows how to help a meltdown.  What a good daddy!!!

The boy agrees...  He's got the best daddy ever!  What a beautiful moment!

The mid age group wasn't expected to play with the little ones.  Here they are having fun with a board game.  And to think, most of them didn't want to come, look at them!  They didn't want to leave!

Isn't he adorable?  Don't you just wanna grab those cheeks?  What a cutie!

What a happy mom!  The adults are all engrossed in conversations and sharing stories, ideas and encouraging each other.  Everyone's having a great time!

Mike, as always, having a wee bit too much fun!  This is a perfect example of why I call him SuperDad.  He will do whatever it takes to put a smile on the kids' faces.

If you're struggling to meet with people, secluding yourself and your kids in the house, please message me to find out about our next get together.  Spring is coming soon, and I'm hoping to organise more outdoor activities for the kids!

For more information on PACE, visit www.pacewithasd.com.


Consider yourselves hugged,


Lou

A Woman's Week At The Gym

Yes, I'm afraid this post has nothing to do with autism at all.  I had read this a long time ago, and found it in my notes on facebook, and thought it fitting to share.  I have gained way too much weight since my tango with the kidney stone, and now it's time to get rid of the weight.  I hate exercise.  I mean I really, really, really hate exercise, and I really, really, really love to eat, except for anything healthy...  So, I need a good laugh to keep me going.  Hope this puts a smile on your face for the day... 

A WOMAN'S WEEK AT THE GYM - Oh so true

This is dedicated to everyone who ever attempted to get into a regular workout routine.


Dear Diary,
For my birthday this year, my Husband (the dear) purchased a week of personal training at the local health club for me.

Although I am still in great shape since being a high school football cheerleader 43 years ago, I decided it would be a good idea to go ahead and give it a try.

I called the club and made my reservations with a personal trainer named Christo, who identified himself as a 26-year-old aerobics instructor and model for athletic clothing and swim wear.
My husband seemed pleased with my enthusiasm to get started! The club encouraged me to keep a diary to chart my progress.
________________________________
MONDAY:
Started my day at 6:00 a.m. Tough to get out of bed, but found it was well worth it when I arrived at the health club to find Christo waiting for me. He is something of a Greek god - with blond hair, dancing eyes and a dazzling white smile. Woo Hoo!!

Christo gave me a tour and showed me the machines. I enjoyed watching the skilful way in which he conducted his aerobics class after my workout today. Very inspiring!
Christo was encouraging as I did my sit-ups, although my gut was already aching from holding it in the whole time he was around. This is going to be a FANTASTIC week-!!
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TUESDAY:
I drank a whole pot of coffee, but I finally made it out the door. Christo made me lie on my back and push a heavy iron bar into the air then he put weights on it! My legs were a little wobbly on the treadmill, but I made the full mile. His rewarding smile made it all worthwhile. I feel GREAT-!! It's a whole new life for me.
_______________________________
WEDNESDAY:
The only way I can brush my teeth is by laying the toothbrush on the counter and moving my mouth back and forth over it. I believe I have a hernia in both pectorals. Driving was OK as long as I didn't try to steer or stop. I parked on top of a GEO in the club parking lot.

Christo was impatient with me, insisting that my screams bothered other club members. His voice is a little too perky for that early in the morning and when he scolds, he gets this nasally whine that is VERY annoying.
My chest hurt when I got on the treadmill, so Christo put me on the stair monster. Why the he11 would anyone invent a machine to simulate an activity rendered obsolete by elevators? Christo told me it would help me get in shape and enjoy life. He said some other sh1t too.
_______________________________
THURSDAY:
A$$hole was waiting for me with his vampire-like teeth exposed as his thin, cruel lips were pulled back in a full snarl. I couldn't help being a half an hour late - it took me that long to tie my shoes.

He took me to work out with dumbbells. When he was not looking, I ran and hid in the restroom. He sent some skinny b1tch to find me.
Then, as punishment, he put me on the rowing machine -- which I sank.
_________________________________
FRIDAY:
I hate that bastard Christo more than any human being has ever hated any other human being in the history of the world. Stupid, skinny, anaemic, anorexic little aerobics instructor. If there was a part of my body I could move without unbearable pain, I would beat him with it.

Christo wanted me to work on my triceps. I don't have any triceps! And if you don't want dents in the floor, don't hand me the damn barbells or anything that weighs more than a sandwich.
The treadmill flung me off and I landed on a health and nutrition teacher. Why couldn't it have been someone softer, like the drama coach or the choir director?
________________________________
SATURDAY:
Satan left a message on my answering machine in his grating, shrilly voice wondering why I did not show up today. Just hearing his voice made me want to smash the machine with my planner; however, I lacked the strength to even use the TV remote and ended up catching eleven straight hours of the Weather Channel.
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SUNDAY:
I'm having the Church van pick me up for services today so I can go and thank GOD that this week is over. I will also pray that next year my husband will choose a gift for me that is fun -- like a root canal or a hysterectomy. I still say if God had wanted me to bend over, he would have sprinkled the floor with diamonds!!!


For those of you in the same boat as me, consider yourselves hugged!


Lou