Back Into the Swing of Things

Well it certainly is back to school time and so far, the boys seem to be adjusting well. Many of you know that I had hoped to place the boys is different schools this year in an effort to make our lives a little simpler...but unfortunately those plans did not come to be. But we are making the best out the situation. Trevor LOVES being back at school (Truro). This year he is in the "Transitions" class (which is a little more academically based) and attends everyday from 9:00-1:00. Some of his old friends from last year as in his class, but some old girlfriends are not in his class (Karis and Kathy) which was a bit disappointing for him at first. But was told from Karis's mom the other day that Trevor told Karis on the playground,"I still love you". So it seems that all is well. He seems to really enjoy going to chapel at school, which they do once a week. He was not only quoting bible scriptures in a tone that only Linus would appreciate, but he also said, "How come I am such a good boy at Chapel?.......is it because I am so perfect?" That is a direct quote. He is hilarious. Trevor continues to enjoy playing with his friends. The boys a couple doors down seem to be part of our family...and Trevor a part of theirs. They truly enjoy playing with each other.

Darren is 10 feet tall these days:) He is still in the PAC (Pre-school Autism Class) but this year he is at a different Elementary School. With all the transitions he has had with teachers/bus drivers/etc....we decided it was best to not put him on the bus this year. He was averaging 45 to 60 minutes each way and it just didn't seem fair. Driving and picking up at least provides one constant in his day and let me tell you....he loves it. I think he feels more relaxed with me dropping him off, and is darn happy to see me when I come and pick him up. Seeing that smile is worth it.

He is also really enjoying playing outside with the guys. He has taught himself how to ride a two wheeled scooter....and even wears a helmet!! Just yesterday he dared to put both feet on the scooter at the same time and glide along like the rest....it's amazing to me...because he has learned all of this by watching the kids to do it...not by being told what to do.



Looks like I am going to have to stop working at PVI. With all the driving and picking up at various times...it's just been harder to put in any significant hours. It's disappointing in a way...but a relief in an other. This year is just going to be a little hectic with schedules and so forth. Gotta do what you gotta do:) and Mark is still working in DE during the week. But we are making it work :)

Back to School

Week 3

The Young Athletes Camps are really coming along well. This week was certainly the best yet. I thing that the kids are getting used to the routine and the parents as well. I would like to give a big round of applause to the parents and volunteers. This isn't easy. It's not like sending Trevor to Tae Kwon Do camp for 3 hours, where I drop him and and come back and get him. The parents work their tails off in an effort to get these little athletes to succeed....even if it's one kick, or one rotation without a tantrum. I am soaking wet with sweat after circle time!!!! This week Darren for the first time actually participate in circle on his own. I was shocked. Now he didn't make it the whole time. But he happily did some of it. Then it becomes a game of run away. My strategy is to stay as upbeat as possible and I try not to let him get out of doing what I know he can do. When he starts to drop and kick in an effort to escape...I take him outside and I tell him to calm down because we are going to go back in and do this together. If when we walk back in, he starts to fuss again, I turn him around and try again. My hope is that if he comes back in the gym happy, he will participate. Keep in mind that this is only the first 20 minutes, there is still 6 rotations, parachute, and kickball/and or obstacle course to go!!!! Like I said, it's hard work. I am not the only parent chasing their child down...I am not the only one encouraging them...even when there are fussing out of pure over-stimulation. Structured chaos. I mean that in a very good way. The volunteers have been wonderful with cheering on the athletes and siblings, and parents:)

The most amazing part happened during the second part of the camp. We decided to try a game of kickball. What's amazing is that we actually were able to accomplish just that!!!! I watched each kid kick the ball and run to first. The first time around, they were a bit confused...that's when the parents and volunteers really jumped in. We had a volunteer at each base greeting these proud campers. The second, and third time around...they were AWESOME. I saw these kids running on their own to first...no parents....wow....it worked!!! Then on to second then third then home...hooray!!! And most of them just kept WANTING to go again. It was a great moment. Darren was exhausted by this point. I had worked him hard at each station this time. Lisa did make him kick it once and helped him run the bases....then he was done. He just sat there....yes....sat there and watched. Ha! Trevor, did great as well. He works hard at each station and does what he is supposed to do. Such a good boy.

All in all....it really was great.

The Olympics

There is just something so inspiring about watching the Olympics. This year even Bob Costas isn't annoying me. I was watching a swimming event while running on the tread mill yesterday and I'm the dork who runs faster....like that's going to help the swimmer win the race!!! hahaha. I love watching people compete. I love watching their demeanor. I knew Michael Phelps wasn't happy about something when he finished the butterfly yesterday...didn't know why. Turns out his goggles were leaking during the race. I watched the gymnast that really hurt the USA's chance at gold, falter twice...I think she was just trying to hard. SEE I really watch the Olympics. Like I said, I'm a sports kinda girl. I also find all the different sports fascinating. I get teary when athletes acheive their dreams...and teary when the fall short. Such is life. Life is about hard work...dreams can be acheived...yet you can't win 'em all.

Darren's new favorite word is POOL which accompanied by the cutest pointer finger ever as he points to the Olympic pool on TV. I love that pointer finger. He has just started pointing at things in the last 2 months or so. That finger makes me smile, cause he uses it with such determination and will. His vocalizations are really coming along well. His little voice when he comes in our bedroom to get me, a whispered, "ma-ma" just about melts my heart.

Trevor is my social butterfly. He loves having his friends over the house these days and he hates when the leave. Such strong connections to others. I think he is enjoying the Young Athletes Camps...although he's not quite sure if the camps are for him or for Darren. He originally called it Darren's camp...maybe because he had already been to soccer and tae kwon do camp. But I think that he is getting the picture that its really for both of them. People ask me, " What do you think Trevor thinks about Darren?" At this point, I think that Trevor just thinks of Darren as his brother. "He doesn't talk yet, but he's trying, we're teaching him...right ma-ma (no mommia these days by the way) Or "he's trying hard to talk today" then he'll tell to Darren repeat him...Darren continually repeats Trevor faster than anyone...even me. He clearly hears Trevor's voice above the rest. And as they held hands today while walking to the car, I felt thankful once again that they have each other. They are my little olympians!

Lots to Share!

It really has been a busy summer for us!

The week after soccer camp we headed to Bethany for the weekend where Trevor caught some terrible stomach flu bug. Which of course was then passed on to Darren, skipped me, and eventually got Mark a week later. NOT FUN. When all had recovered it was time to get back to enjoying our summer. Trevor has been attending Tae Kwon Do camp. This week will his third week of camp. Last Friday, he tested and received his first belt. He is officially a white belt master:) He seems to really be enjoying it, mind you that now he karate chops everything and everyone! Great job Master T!

We all survived our first week of Young Athletes Sports Camp this past Saturday. The turnout was amazing....38 kids! When we first planned all of this, I think we had agreed that we should take no more than 20. The response was so great that we hated to turn anyone down. All and all, Lisa and I were thrilled at how it went. We started off in a big group and did some circle time activities, song, dancing, stretching...etc. Then we broke them all into stations. Bowling, Basketball, Baseball, Soccer, Track, and the favorite of the day...the Obstacle Course. When observing all of this as a whole, it seems crazy honestly....and initially I got nervous. But then I started walking and checking on each group, where I was pleased to see that all was going well. Lisa had been doing the same and came to the same conclusion. PHEW! Everyone has asked, "How did Darren do?" I can honestly say that he tried and participated in every station. BUT, he did not stay in one designated area for long. He was so excited, and overwhelmed, and happy...and everything else in between. He was a live wire. Truth is, my main concern was the camp as a total this time around. I wanted to make sure that things were flowing properly and just observing it all. Trevor did great and enjoyed himself very much. Darren had a great time as well.

To me, it was a safe haven. It was great to be around other parents going through the same type issues as we are. I never felt judged....I felt like we were all in the same boat and that there was a understanding that whatever happened was OK. Trust me, I know that I don't always feel that way in public, although I have learned not to care so much about that kind of stuff. But it was nice not to worry about it at all. I watched parents clap at their child's success, and struggle with a transition or two. That's life for all of us. Doesn't make it easier really, but it did make me feel better. The kids were fascinating. As I scanned the gym, I couldn't help but smile, while sweating and trying to keep Darren in one place...there is such a need for this type of program...for the kids, for the parents, the siblings...the community. I just was so happy to be a part of it and afterwards I was SO tired....mentally and physically...but content. Next weekend will be even better:)

My Competitive Soul...Part II

I have got to admit. I am not a big soccer fan. But I also have to admit that when I watch Trevor out on that field...he fits the bill. He's quick, unlike me, and does a great job handling the soccer ball. He looks comfortable out there. This is just a little soccer camp that only last a week. How much could he learn, right??? A lot actually. Not all about soccer though. Sure he learned how to stop the ball with his foot, and knee, and chest. But he learned that there are other kids that want that ball just as much as he does and want to score just as much as he does. And the competition begins!!!! Today I watched these 4 and 5 year old children battle through the typical youth soccer ball huddle trying to get one kick...one score...one high five from a newly made friend...many of which have no idea what the others' name is:) Trevor's strategy was different. He wasn't afraid to enter the huddle of madness...but he choose to observe the madness...when he saw that the ball was going to be knocked free...he attacked. If he judged correctly, he would get the ball and head to the goal to score. If unsuccessful, he would run back to guard the goal. "Wow" I thought, " nobody taught him that". His wounded pride caused a couple of tears when his legs got tripped up with another soccer hungry tyke. I think he enjoyed the coach lowering himself to one knee to check on him. He would then pop up and carry on.

But on this particular day. Trevor did not score a goal. That's not good. As the end of camp became reality....he lingered a bit on the field. As soon as I motioned to him that it was time to find his ball because camp was over...it was time to go, in that instant, the frown appeared. He ran sadly to his ball and by the time he got to me he was crying. As I picked him up and hugged my little competitor, I smiled. I knew he was crying because he hadn't scored. When I asked him that question...he didn't answer...the cry just became more exaggerated. I put his limp disappointed body in the car and decided to try to discuss the issue further. Not as easy as I thought. Trevor is stubborn, like me, and didn't want to hear the good things that I was pointing out. So I said, "Fine then, take your shoes off and we will just toss them in the trash...do you want to quit?" With that there was a moment of silence....then, "No Mommia, I don't want to quit. " Phew!!! I could have set myself up with that question. But I knew it would get his attention...and it did. "

Bet'cha he scores tomorrow!!!

Summer Sounds

This Little Piggy:

ABC's:

I just love hearing his little voice!!!! He is trying so hard to copy Trevor with just about everything. He even picked up the PlayStation 2 remote control yesterday and pushed every button in an effort to play along with Trevor. Like I have said a million times, I am so thankful that they have each other. Our summer has been great thus far. Next week Trevor starts soccer camp and Darren heads back to school. Have a great Fourth of July weekend everyone!!