hide-n-(sensory)-seeking

Saturday is our Library Day. We go every week when possible. Everybody loves it. We have two bags now that we take with us. Returns. And Recheck. Daddy goes down the list calling out titles, and little people scurry around the house digging books from under pillows and piles of paper, matching DVDs with the correct covers, and sweeping arms under the couch in search of strays. Kit squeals with delight as she asks every person in the family if "you're coming too?" and we all say "YES!" Even Grandpa is easy to get out the door on Library day. Upon arrival, Daddy sees to the business of returning items, picking up orders that have arrived, and rechecking the ones we aren't quite finished with. The rest of us fan out in search of this week's adventures. The rule is the kids must select at least one item before getting on the computers. Really, this is mostly a rule for Grace. While not our biggest techie at home, she L...

We had one of those days recently where we were just seriously getting on each others nerves. It had the makings of a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. So instead of moping around and snipping at each other until Daddy came home, I decided we needed a change of view. I gathered a few supplies and had the kids help haul them outside to the back yard. Which is where we spent the rest of the afternoon. I ordered a pizza and we ate cross-legged and picnic style under the shade of our pecan trees. We played games. The kids climbed up and down the slide, in and out of the sandbox, and when they got bored with those we pulled out the paint. I don't remember the last time all three were that quiet at the same time without being asleep. We go outside a lot. And we have fun. This day felt different though.  A few toys, s...

A little over a month ago Victor cane home with a handful of discount DVDs. Many of these were movies we used to own on VHS, but got rid of after we no longer owned a VCR. One of these movies was An American Tail. I grew up on this movie. I knew every word to Somewhere Out There .  And somewhere in there, I did kind of know that it was a story of immigration. But I don't recall that being of any great interest to me as a kid. So imagine my surprise when during our most recent viewing, my kids were pelting me with questions relating to the plot line, but of course launched into the much larger and messier root discussion about immigration.  There was a lot of pausing happening, and a lot of we'll look more up on this later. Over the course of the next few weeks our discussions were amazing. We made a trip to the library, and nearly gave Daddy a hernia when he carried the bag loaded with books that a very nice young man at the research desk helped me track...

This has kept her busy playing by herself for close to twenty minutes now. I got to eat my meal in one sitting. Amazing! Cars + Ladder on it's side = Awesome! She's even making them have conversations! So so awesome!

Erin Clemens is a remarkable young woman whom I've gotten to know a little bit through an Autism support network as well as her blog . Erin found out she had Asperger's in her teenage years. According to her writing, she would have much preferred  to find out even younger. She had many of struggles growing up, but determination, learning to listen to her own body signals and feelings, and a supportive family have helped her find much success as well. In her writings, and I'm sure in person as well, she is frank and open about how becoming familiar with her Asperger's has contributed to her struggles and her triumphs. Erin is certainly a unique individual, but she is one of many who is leading a successful, fulfilling, though not quite challenge-free life as an adult on the Autism Spectrum. But then, do any of us really have a challenge-free life?  One of her biggest passions is to help educate others about Autism, and supporting those on the spectrum. ...

Welcome back for a few more tidbits about Play Therapy! I love good ideas, and some of the best sources for good ideas come from other family's trial and errors. I can't even count how many inspirations I've gotten from reading blogs by other moms, from experiences of friends, and many other nifty suggestions from different ones. Often we tweak these and tailor them specifically to our own family's needs. Sometimes they work awesome, sometimes only so so, others not so well, or we put it on our maybe later list. Below is an idea I got from another mom, whose daughter is autistic, from  her post  about using our kids stims to help them learn new skills. Kitty Bitty loves things that spin so I loved this idea as soon as I saw it. I liked the simplicity of this set, and figured it might be a good way to encourage her to let the big kids help, and eventually she might enjoy it more independently. She has fun telling me which gears to add, though she...

Thanks to a sweet sweet friend who gave a little girl a big ride! She was so excited to bump along on the big kid bus! ((Big Hugs)) Beep! Beep! Beep!