Educate...Entertain... Oh how I love clocks!!

Michael has been so busy at school this year. He's learned so much and has matured so much this year!!! I couldn't be more proud of the accomplishments Michael has made. He can write his first and last name.(first name he can spell without any assistance). He can write"mom" "dad" and he's working on sissy now!!

But the coolest thing he's learned and RETAINED is counting to five. For a long time it was matching numbers. Michael does fantastic at matching!! But recently, they've taught Michael to count on his hands.
Ofcourse counting on his hands is not like you or me...

He counts one with his right index finger.
Two consists of both right and left index fingers.
Three is the last three fingers on his right hand with his left hand holding onto the other two.
Four is all the fingers on his right hand with his left hand holding onto his thumb.
And then five is easy right?? Yah!!

But what I find so amazing is no matter where we are... The kitchen, the car, anywhere there is a digital clock, Michaels eyes light up when he sees a number he recognizes. But that's still matching right??
Yes and no. Because I watch him, and I see him point to the number he knows and then he puts the next number up... Like he's waiting for the clock to change and when it does, he puts the correct fingers in the air and let's out a yell. Oh yay! He knows he got it right and he wants to make sure everyone knows that he got it right...and it continues every five minutes!!

It's a small step but I couldn't be more proud of him, because it's an accomplishment and no matter how small it seems, it's huge for Michael.
So keep counting little monkey!! I love you buddy!!!

Three little words....

It's only three little words.... But of all the words in the world, they are the sweetest words to hear.
I.Love.You
I say it everyday.. And I never take it for granted... Because hearing it makes a persons day just a little bit brighter!

Today, just like always I said goodbye to the boys, told them to have a great day at school. Walked Michael to Laura's car (my best friend watches the boys for me in the morning.. She's my Rock!)

We were putting Michaels two backpacks in the car when it happened...Ya know the moment that my life got just a little bit sweeter.....

I said," I love you buddy" and without hesitation, he looked up at me and said I love you. And smiled!!!

Now realize that he didn't actually say I love you the way you and I do. But he said it the way Michael only could. There were three distinct words that you could hear. His "I" was more like an "auu" and his "love" was a little lower than the first word and his "you" was high pitched and like a "uuuooh".

I looked at him and said" you love me back??" and he smiled and smiled and shook his fist "yes". He was so proud of himself.
I don't have a doubt that he says those words everyday in his head. But he knew I understood him and he was just as excited as me to know they finally came out!!

I'm so proud of him!!
And it might never happen again, but I'm forever thankful to hear an I.love.you from my son!!!!

Our speech therapist said it will happen from time to time, Michael always has the words in his head, he just can't get them out. So when he feels completely comfortable and relaxed, sometimes we might hear a word.

Three little words.
Amazing how three words can make you feel hope. Feel promise for a brighter future.

Beyond happy today (:

Random acts of kindness....

I've been thinking a lot lately about random acts of kindness. How one person can really make a positive change in your life. How something so simple as " have a nice day" or gestures that show you were thought of..
Even if it was just for a moment... And how nice it is to feel that way.

How one person can really alter another persons' day. I truly believe Michael does that everyday.
He's never met a stranger!
And even though it's a struggle for him to communicate and sometimes even harder to explain to a stranger what Michael is trying to tell them... I feel that every person that is lucky enough to meet Michael, is moved by his random acts of kindness.

So this posts goes out to everyone that takes a moment to stop and enjoy the moment. To demonstrate a random act of kindness.
To say I love you. To make a person smile.

Because I've seen first hand what happens to people.
They light up. They appreciate the little things.
Their life changes... Even if only for a moment.

Disney Channel is for babies....

So we have a routine at our house during the school week... at 8 everyone goes to bed and can watch 30 minutes of tv to unwind. In Michael's room, I turn the tv on to channel 52(Disney Channel) and let him watch a cartoon. Almost always, Michael is asleep when I come to turn off his tv.

Not last night however!

Last night, when I came to turn off Michael's tv, I see Michael laying on his belly, about 3 inches from the tv screen.
In both hands are his 'wrestler guys'.
And on the television is the WWE!!

Michael was mesmerized by the guy in the middle of the ring with his big belt buckle, challenging his opponent!

I couldn't help myself, I had to let Jacob and Cameron see what I was seeing- I called them both in and we all stood there and watched wrestling for a minute. Michael was thrilled- he took his wrestling guys and mimicked the tv, body slamming the guys and hitting his hand on the bed with a 1-2-3 knockout! (ok, yes, I know its not knockout in wrestling)

Even Jacob said that Michael was "adorable".
It was pretty cute- not ganna lie!

I said, "Michael, how did you get to this channel??" and he pointed to the channel down button. He had gone from 52 to 34... ya know...just checking out what was on tv for the night and found a show he wanted to watch!

So I figure, if Michael could have talked last night, he would have said, "Disney Channel is for babies!"
Geez Mom!

Winter brings snowmen...angels.. Hot chocolate and red hands..

So I got a call from the nurse today.. Michaels hands are bright red and ice cold to the touch!!
I told her that it was just part of Michael. Poor circulation ... And she agreed. It also doesnt help that his sensory is out of whack! Any other kid playing outside would put their hands in their pocket. Common sense right. Not Michael :/

Does this kid get any breaks whatsoever??

So I'm on a mission to find 'cool' mittens for a nine year old. He can't do gloves. They won't stay on his hands and mittens seem to keep him the warmest!

If anyone has thoughts please don't hesitate to share!!!

Maybe a valentines gift <3

Basketball basketball basketball....

Sometimes I just look at Michael and wonder.. What are you thinking about? What makes you happy? What do you like to do?? I honestly think if Michael could talk at this very moment his answer for all three would be "basketball".

It's become a bit of an obsession. Hes made up a sign for it. He uses both hands and he looks like hes dribbling the ball. Its stinkin cute!! He's got it loaded on his iPad at dads on his iPod and on the Xbox at my house. His 13 yr old sister even loaded it on her phone!!! And in her own words, "I must love you a lot because that was a $2 game and I could have bought two songs!!'.

It's honestly the first thing on his mind... And I know this because our routine has become him waking me up at 5:30 or 6 and laying in my bed with his iPod and his basketball game on. Every morning!!!

It amazes me that he can figure out the buttons on all devices- play. Restart. Quit. Pick a player.
And he flips through all the screens without hesitation.

So at the end of the day, although Michael has so many issues, he still in so many ways is just like an average 9 year old. So here I sit. Thankful for the little things. And also thankful he fell in love with basketball and not something violent or distructive!!

Happy 2012!! It's been a crazy year but I promise to update this blog more. Michael is doing great!! He's in 3rd grade and loves his teacher and classmates! Some things Michael has accomplished: he can write and spell his first no with no cues!! He can count to 4 with no problem(: He is obsessed with the basketball game on the Xbox and on the iPad! It's amazing to see how fast he can move the buttons and play just like any other 9 year old!!