It's Official

http://www.specialolympics.org/Special+Olympics+Public+Website/English/Initiatives/Young+Athletes/default.htm

With the help, support, and backing of Special Olympics, along with POAC (Parents of Autistic Children), and the Down Syndrome Association we will running a five week program this summer!!!!!!!!!! Every Saturday in August from 9-12. This is SO incredibly exciting. The link above gives you an idea about the program. Lisa and I will be adding to it a bit by incorporating these basic skills into sports like basketball, baseball, soccer, bowling, tag, and putt-putt. This will not only be a great opportunity for Darren and Trevor, but for other families as well. Lots to do to prepare. If anyone is interested in volunteering, please let me know. We are going to need lots of hands to help these little guys and girls:)

Good News!

Ok....here we go!!! Let's see.....where do I begin???? Met with Special Olympics this week to discuss plans for sports camps geared toward the ages of 3-7. The email I got back was so positive. "A pilot program is already in place...equipment and resources in place...let's meet this week"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So we did. And it was probably one of the easiest meetings that I have ever been a part of. When universes collied...it's scary! We were all on the same page. Believe in it, want to make it work, and want to do it together. Done deal... We are trying to incorporate POAC (Parents of Autistic Children) and the Down Syndrome Association. This could be a really big deal. It is very exciting...personally and for the opportunities it could provide for Darren and Trevor. Exciting is not quite the word. We are trying to get all parties together for a meeting to confirm. But things look VERY promising....possibly something happening in AUGUST. Keep your fingers crossed!!!!!!!!!

Updates!!!!!!!!!!

It seems that there is a lot of random updates, so here we go!

• Darren is totally potty trained (OK..he wears a pull up at night) I still find this totally amazing. He rarely has an accident, and if he does it's minor. GREAT JOB BIG D!!!! He is also trying very hard to talk. The approximations that come out his mouth these days are startling!!!
• Just got the licensing agreement from Autism Speaks in regards to the cards. I have to sign it, send it back to them, and they will send the official logo that can be placed next to the cards saying that a proceed will be given to Autism Speaks!! Very proud and excited about that.
• Now that the weather is nice, we are able to play outside much more. Which means sports frenzy for Trevor. It also means a lot more time outside with his friends, which he truly enjoys. We are currently into street hockey, basketball, and baseball...gotta love it!
• Still trying to figure out a way to start some summer sports camps. Just can't seem to find a location yet. Attacking this a little last minute for this summer, but I am still working on it. I really think that this concept is a great one.
• Mark is still traveling back and forth to DE for work. We are managing fine...it's just hard on all of us...but somehow we make it work:)

Lastly, I just feel tired lately. I don't know if it is because I just have so much on my mind, or WHAT. Sometimes I feel like I get ALL of these ideas and questions and theories....and so on and so on and so on. I overwhelm myself. I somehow convince myself that everything can happen INSTANTLY. Not so. But that doesn't stop me from trying. It just teaches me to be more realistic. Whatever is ahead needs to be planned out appropriately and executed perfectly. I am just not that patient when it comes to ideas that I KNOW will work. Maybe I am half the reason why we have moved a million times:) I like to believe in things, I am not afraid of change...I am probably more afraid of NOT trying something. I like a plan....ALL about a plan. Maybe my plan needs some adjustment....maybe that will help. I just think that for the first time I feel a purpose forming for my life....and I don't know how to make it all happen. That frustration of not being able to make it happen NOW is what makes me tired.

One step at a time.

A Special Thanks

The cards are officially being sold at a very cool shop in Leesburg called "The Cottage".

www.cottageatleesburg.com

A special thanks to the owners Linda Campbell and Ann Vaughan (friends of Claudia's) for giving us this opportunity. I am very excited about it!!!! I am putting together baskets to take to some other stores as well. It's a fun and new adventure.

For Sale!!! SOON

I am VERY proud of this new adventure and would like to tell you all about it. This was a simple project that turned into something that I wasn't quite expecting. Again, just trying to roll with it. A couple of weeks again I brought out the Diego neon finger paints and was determined to have both boys sit down on the kitchen floor and do some good old, messy finger painting. Trevor was game as always. Darren wasn't quite interested at first, that's putting it kindly, but once he was MADE to do it...he tolerated it. He likes squeezing the paint out....dipping his fingertip in it....but would them want it off. It took him some time to be willing to let me put his entire hand in it and smear it around. Eventually we completed two very large pieces of paper. They were very colorful and happy...especially knowing the effort it took for the project to be completed!

Couple of days later we ripped up the artwork...on purpose, mind you. My mom is an artist who does this kind of stuff. Every time we are visiting, she takes the artwork created by the boys and turns into neat cards. Feeling somewhat inspired, I thought, "maybe we can do that too!" So they ripped up the art work the way "true artists would" and I told them to just glue the pieces on the cards. When I stood them on the counter to dry...I just kept looking at them. They were really cute! But they needed a little something. A long time ago I had purchase these little stickers at Michael's that had inspiring words and phrases on them.... Believe, Dare to Dream, Make a Wish...etc. PERFECT!!! And as l looked at each card individually, I picked the appropriate title. I fell in love with all of them. On the back of the cards I have added a picture of the boys and this little write up:
This card was created by our "Wonder Twins". Darren is autistic, Trevor is not. Yet, together they live with, battle, and break down the walls of Autism with good ole' brotherly love.
My thoughts are 1 for $5
5 for $20
8 for $25
Something like that???????????????????????????
Any money made would go towards Darren's therapies and expenses. As always...input needed.

We're Playing Bas-ket-ball

Does anyone actually know that song???

Well we have been playing basketball. Darren is definitely a post player and Trevor is a natural gunner. In my last post I was talking about sports camps for kids. So I figured I'd better put myself to the test. Can I teach Darren how to play basketball or any sport? So off to Toys R Us we went. We got a new basketball hoop, plastic hockey sticks, fresh new bouncy balls, and all other necessary equipment. The first day of basketball we were outside. The goal was for Darren to just get the ball and slam dunk it without whining. That took awhile. But it eventually did happen. So then he had to get the ball, dunk it, high five Trevor, and sit down.....with as little whining as possible. Again, it took some time. BUT he can do it. He's also a perfectionist. He has to make the shot...if he misses...he, on his own, will get the ball and try again. I liked that.

Trevor used to shoot baskets all the time as a toddler. Seriously, the kid was so good. Watch the video and see for yourselves!!! It had been awhile since we had really played, so his form was rusty. What I love about Trevor is that he really does listen to what I say...even if he's mad...or determined that he is right...he listens and eventually WILL try.

Round 2: Last night we tried again. My initial goal was to have Darren catch the ball, turn, and dunk. If he did so, he would then receive his beloved frog as a reward. I would say catch and he attempted to say CATCH. Cool. I was even more surprised when he caught it! I then told him to shoot, he did and then went to where is frog was and say, "FR-OGG". For those that have heard him say frog...it's too darn cute!!! Wow, this is working. Next he had to catch it, shoot it, get the ball, and pass it to Trevor. Mission accomplished. "FR-OGGG".

Thank god for Trevor. He is my biggest helper and support. I can't explain to you all how much this four year old helps me on a day to day basis. What a team.

Sword Fight!!

I am going to keep this one brief. Darren's imitation skills are really sky rocketing! When we are with friends now...not only does he hang around them...he is starting to participate in what everyone is playing. Great improvement. We are blessed with friends that are accepting and patient. More video to come...we are working on learning hockey, basketball, and riding a big wheel. Stay tuned!