Homework time. The time where I've heard some mothers say they love because it gives them time to themselves, or time to do some laundry, or time to do the dishes, or time to have a pedicure... Not in this house!
We've sat down to read a challenging book for Dayton; just the right amount of challenge, not too easy, and not so difficult where he starts head butting me (and yes, I'm talking literally). The book is titled 'Wild, Wild Hair,' and it's about a little girl who's got some major knots in her hair... the kind that would make me want to shave her head if she was my daughter, poor girl.
Anyways... we get to the part where the author says that "her mother's fingers flew," (brushing and braiding the girls hair into twenty braids) when Dayton looked at me all confused...
"How did her fingers fly? Did they go on a plane?"
"Ummmm, no babe..."
"But why they say her fingers fly?"
"It's just an expression babe. It means that her fingers worked fast."
"Worked?"
"You know, brushed the girl's hair and braided it. Her mamma worked very fast."
"Why not say fast then?"
"To make it more interesting. It's a figure of speech."
"I didn't find it interesting at all."
"Lets finish reading, maybe it will get interesting soon."
Don't get me started on the part where the little girl is ready to "crawl out of her skin." We just can't get away from euphemisms. They're so common! Oh well. Please, don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining about the choice of book sent home for home reading. I LOVE IT! While yes, Dayton struggles with euphemisms, the book gave me the opportunity to at least discuss them with Dayton, explaining what they mean. I even asked for the book to be sent home again because I wanted to see if Dayton would remember my explanations. Awesome practice for us.
We finish the book, and Dayton needs a break. This normally means a few very, very hard high fives for doing a good job. My hands throb after about eight of them, and I'm begging him to stop. Then we stand up and do a little victory dance. I'm not going to begin to describe it, it's just too embarrassing. The things us moms do to make homework interesting.
I used to read the book to Dayton first, then give it to him to read back to me. I thought I'd shake things up a bit by reading the book to him first, then taking turns reading from the book: I read one page, Dayton the next then me again... you get it, right? Bad move...
Routine, routine, routine! Rule number one that I thought we could just get around, but apparently not. Oooops. Oh well, worth a shot. I should have asked him first, lesson learned by mamma. Won't happen again.
After the super hard high fives and victory dance, we sit down again to do spelling. This week we're trying something new, I'm praying he's cool with it. We're giving Dayton a sentence to to study along with his spelling test. Just a short one. This little change he didn't seem to mind... whew! After an hour of this, we did more hard high fives... ouch for the mamma, giggles for the babe. Yes, I love him, and there's little punishment I don't put myself through just for him. Because I can be having the worst day of my life, and Dayton will give me a big hug and kiss and suddenly everything's all right with the world once again.
I've tried and failed at many things in life but I will NEVER stop giving 100% at being the best mom I can be.
Consider yourselves hugged,
Lou
Showing posts with label reading. Show all posts
Showing posts with label reading. Show all posts
Friday, 9 December 2011
Monday, 5 December 2011
T'is The Season Baby!
Ahhh Christmas, my favourite holiday of the year. I love the atmosphere, the Christmas spirit, where even people who don't believe in Christ have to admit there's a certain kind of magic in the air. I love it!
"Mamma, I want Christmas spirit."
"Well babe, Christmas spirit is in your heart."
"No mamma, I want it in my room."
"Ok... you want to decorate your room for Christmas?"
"Yeah!"
"Ok..."
So one day as I was grocery shopping, I came across this cute little baby fir tree with a snowman wearing red ear muffs and a red and green scarf. I thought it would look great in Dayton's room, on his dresser, or on his night table. And it did, for about a day or so. Then he brought it out to the living room instead.
"I thought you wanted Christmas spirit in your room babe?"
"I do, but not like this."
"You don't like the decoration?"
"I do, but I don't want this decoration."
"Well what kind do you want?"
"I want baby Jesus."
And here I thought Christmas was just about the presents!
My jaw dropped. I've been doing my best to teach Dayton about our heavenly father, reading a great book called the Lamb that my dad Paul Humphreys had a hand in creating. It's a fantastic book (which comes with an audio CD if you feel too lazy to read), which teaches young ones (about ages 8-12) about the message of the bible. After each chapter, there are a list of questions for the young one to answer. Let me know if you want a copy so I can direct you to the organization or go ahead and look it up for yourself at http://www.goodseed.com/products/lamb-eng-book/. Reading it to Dayton, I find it ministers to me as well... things that I've forgotten, I'm gently reminded about again. Anyways....
My baby's a believer. I know this now in my heart. Whenever I ask him if he believes in God and that Jesus died for our sins, he always answers with a yes, but kids are funny that way, answering the way they are expected to answer sometimes. Especially kids with autism. Dayton knows how important my faith is to me, and doesn't want to disappoint me. But now I know for sure. There was no coaxing on my part, this was all his idea.
So this weekend we got out our Christmas decorations along with the tree. What a pain! We have one of those pre-lit Christmas trees, and for the life of me, I could not figure out how to get all the lights working. Finally I just gave up. The lights work on top and bottom, but not in the middle. Think anyone will notice?
I've allowed Dayton to decorate the tree by himself, to make it all his own. I helped out here and there, but for the most part, the tree is a representation of his artistic vision. And what a vision! It may be an eye sore to others, but to me, it's the most beautifully decorated Christmas tree ever!
Consider yourselves hugged, and I hope you all find your Christmas spirit!
Lou
"Mamma, I want Christmas spirit."
"Well babe, Christmas spirit is in your heart."
"No mamma, I want it in my room."
"Ok... you want to decorate your room for Christmas?"
"Yeah!"
"Ok..."
So one day as I was grocery shopping, I came across this cute little baby fir tree with a snowman wearing red ear muffs and a red and green scarf. I thought it would look great in Dayton's room, on his dresser, or on his night table. And it did, for about a day or so. Then he brought it out to the living room instead.
"I thought you wanted Christmas spirit in your room babe?"
"I do, but not like this."
"You don't like the decoration?"
"I do, but I don't want this decoration."
"Well what kind do you want?"
"I want baby Jesus."
And here I thought Christmas was just about the presents!
My jaw dropped. I've been doing my best to teach Dayton about our heavenly father, reading a great book called the Lamb that my dad Paul Humphreys had a hand in creating. It's a fantastic book (which comes with an audio CD if you feel too lazy to read), which teaches young ones (about ages 8-12) about the message of the bible. After each chapter, there are a list of questions for the young one to answer. Let me know if you want a copy so I can direct you to the organization or go ahead and look it up for yourself at http://www.goodseed.com/products/lamb-eng-book/. Reading it to Dayton, I find it ministers to me as well... things that I've forgotten, I'm gently reminded about again. Anyways....
My baby's a believer. I know this now in my heart. Whenever I ask him if he believes in God and that Jesus died for our sins, he always answers with a yes, but kids are funny that way, answering the way they are expected to answer sometimes. Especially kids with autism. Dayton knows how important my faith is to me, and doesn't want to disappoint me. But now I know for sure. There was no coaxing on my part, this was all his idea.
So this weekend we got out our Christmas decorations along with the tree. What a pain! We have one of those pre-lit Christmas trees, and for the life of me, I could not figure out how to get all the lights working. Finally I just gave up. The lights work on top and bottom, but not in the middle. Think anyone will notice?
I've allowed Dayton to decorate the tree by himself, to make it all his own. I helped out here and there, but for the most part, the tree is a representation of his artistic vision. And what a vision! It may be an eye sore to others, but to me, it's the most beautifully decorated Christmas tree ever!
Consider yourselves hugged, and I hope you all find your Christmas spirit!
Lou
Friday, 20 May 2011
What Do You Do All Day?!
I stole this from a friend of mine who posted this little skit on facebook. It made me laugh and totally reminded me of my life, in the current state it is in...
A man came home from work and found his three children outside, still in their pajamas, playing in the mud, with empty food boxes and wrappers strewn all around the front yard. The door of his wife's car was open, as was the front door to the house and there was no sign of the dog. Proceeding into the entry, he found an even bigger mess. A lamp had been knocked over, and the throw rug was wadded against one wall. In the front room the TV was loudly blaring a Cartoon channel, and the family room was strewn with toys and various items of clothing. In the kitchen, dishes filled the sink, breakfast food was spilled on the counter, the fridge door was open wide, dog food was spilled on the floor, a broken glass lay under the table, and a small pile of sand was spread by the back door.
A man came home from work and found his three children outside, still in their pajamas, playing in the mud, with empty food boxes and wrappers strewn all around the front yard. The door of his wife's car was open, as was the front door to the house and there was no sign of the dog. Proceeding into the entry, he found an even bigger mess. A lamp had been knocked over, and the throw rug was wadded against one wall. In the front room the TV was loudly blaring a Cartoon channel, and the family room was strewn with toys and various items of clothing. In the kitchen, dishes filled the sink, breakfast food was spilled on the counter, the fridge door was open wide, dog food was spilled on the floor, a broken glass lay under the table, and a small pile of sand was spread by the back door.
He quickly headed up the stairs, stepping over toys and more piles of clothes, looking for his wife. He was worried she might be ill, or that something serious had happened. He was met with a small trickle of water as it made its way out the bathroom door. As he peered inside he found wet towels, scummy soap and more toys strewn over the floor. Miles of toilet paper lay in a heap and toothpaste had been smeared over the mirror and walls. As he rushed to the bedroom, he found his wife still curled up in the bed in her pajamas, reading a novel. She looked up at him, smiled, and asked how his day went. He looked at her bewildered and asked, 'What happened here today?' She again smiled and answered, 'You know every day when you come home from work and you ask me what in the world do I do all day?' 'Yes,' was his incredulous reply. She answered, 'Well, today I didn't do it.'
Why does this remind me of my life? Well, maybe this couple had a child with autism? Sounds like my house, for sure!
It just seems to me that since I've been off work, my life's been actually busier than it has been while working. All the appointments that I've had, the advocating for Dayton in his school and with CFS on board advocating beside me, I've just earned two additional appointments a week, not including the behavior specialist and CSS worker appointments or Dayton's child psychiatrist appointments which take place once a month. Check my post on How Autism Changes One's Life for more info on just how many appointments happen for a family with an autism diagnosis... Then I get home in time to pick Dayton up from the school bus, and he wants to play outside. I can not leave him unattended for even a second, which means I'm out there with him. By the time Glen comes by after work, I feel super guilty because he's worked all day, and now he has to make supper. On the odd occasion, I'm able to BBQ something and convince Dayton to play by the patio so I can make supper and still keep an eye on him and his friends.
There are days where I feel like I need to take a day off. I just feel overwhelmed. I wish I could lay in bed all day and let Dayton do as he pleases, but that's just not possible. I have however taken advantage of the sofa and my kindle, allowing him to watch TV or play a couple (or a few more, or a lot more) video games so I can "catch a break" and read. Naturally, Since I got myself my kindle, I've downloaded 11 books on education or autism... so, even reading, I'm not really "catching that break." Let's not even begin to say how much time I spend blogging. It's as though I've replaced my passion for curriculum work with blogging, LOL. I just can't seem to settle down. Then I wonder what Dayton's problem is... Poor kid never stood a chance between Glen's and my own genes.
There are days (most days) where my home looks like someone broke in but didn't find anything worth stealing. I do try to keep up with it all, but it seems as possible as shoveling snow during a snow storm. There's always someone behind me "helping" me not be bored while they're away during the day. While I appreciate their concern for my boredom, I wish they would be less concerned with my boredom and more concerned with their own.
And then Glen arrives, looks around and asks "so, ummm, what did you do all day?"
At the end of the day, I'm just grateful for the little things in life: medication, naps, and multiple personalities to help deal with it all.
And on this note, I bid you a farewell for the long weekend my friends. I'm going camping ;)
Wendy promised to take care of you all for the weekend, and I promise to have more to write on Monday. Let's hope I have some interesting topics waiting for me in my email box, so email me with a request on the topic you would like me to discuss.
autism.diva.help@gmail.com
Consider yourselves hugged,
Lou
Why does this remind me of my life? Well, maybe this couple had a child with autism? Sounds like my house, for sure!
It just seems to me that since I've been off work, my life's been actually busier than it has been while working. All the appointments that I've had, the advocating for Dayton in his school and with CFS on board advocating beside me, I've just earned two additional appointments a week, not including the behavior specialist and CSS worker appointments or Dayton's child psychiatrist appointments which take place once a month. Check my post on How Autism Changes One's Life for more info on just how many appointments happen for a family with an autism diagnosis... Then I get home in time to pick Dayton up from the school bus, and he wants to play outside. I can not leave him unattended for even a second, which means I'm out there with him. By the time Glen comes by after work, I feel super guilty because he's worked all day, and now he has to make supper. On the odd occasion, I'm able to BBQ something and convince Dayton to play by the patio so I can make supper and still keep an eye on him and his friends.
There are days where I feel like I need to take a day off. I just feel overwhelmed. I wish I could lay in bed all day and let Dayton do as he pleases, but that's just not possible. I have however taken advantage of the sofa and my kindle, allowing him to watch TV or play a couple (or a few more, or a lot more) video games so I can "catch a break" and read. Naturally, Since I got myself my kindle, I've downloaded 11 books on education or autism... so, even reading, I'm not really "catching that break." Let's not even begin to say how much time I spend blogging. It's as though I've replaced my passion for curriculum work with blogging, LOL. I just can't seem to settle down. Then I wonder what Dayton's problem is... Poor kid never stood a chance between Glen's and my own genes.
There are days (most days) where my home looks like someone broke in but didn't find anything worth stealing. I do try to keep up with it all, but it seems as possible as shoveling snow during a snow storm. There's always someone behind me "helping" me not be bored while they're away during the day. While I appreciate their concern for my boredom, I wish they would be less concerned with my boredom and more concerned with their own.
And then Glen arrives, looks around and asks "so, ummm, what did you do all day?"
At the end of the day, I'm just grateful for the little things in life: medication, naps, and multiple personalities to help deal with it all.
And on this note, I bid you a farewell for the long weekend my friends. I'm going camping ;)
Wendy promised to take care of you all for the weekend, and I promise to have more to write on Monday. Let's hope I have some interesting topics waiting for me in my email box, so email me with a request on the topic you would like me to discuss.
autism.diva.help@gmail.com
Consider yourselves hugged,
Lou
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