The Challenge Wall

A few weeks ago I wrote about a new program at Abby's school that celebrated Special Needs Awareness Month. I had to take down the children's challenges as the program had ended (I did save a few) but thought you might like to see how incredible this project turned out.

Spring break

Remember when Spring Break was bikini's, beach, drinks, sun and fun? Yeah, me neither. Going to college in your 30's makes Spring Break very different than when you are barely 21. 

It's even more surreal when you are old, gray and traveling with children.

Without support....

Without support I would be lost. Today, while I have so much to be thankful for, I am going to focus on the one thing most important.

Decisions not made

The best decision I ever made was one I never would have, if given the choice. People make choices all the time. Those decisions have unknown consequences and unknown victories.

A few words of advice....

When your child is born you are overcome with a lot of emotions. Then you get home and realize that you misplaced that instruction manual handed out to all new mothers.  Never fear, help is here!

Truth is, that "what to expect" is a bunch of bull crap. Here for you is the the real story of what to expect.

Paging Dr. House!

Recently I took Boo for a follow-up with neurology. The best part of the visit was when Boo hit the ALARM button in the hospital elevator. In a crowded hospital elevator. The day would have to get better, yes? We were only going for a routine follow-up.

Maybe with other children. But nothing with Boo is as easy as it appears.

Acceptance begins with me

March Madness, forget College Basketball. Dudes the Bruins were on! In all seriousness the month of March was incredible for me. And a bit 'mad' as in crazy busy but for something important.

I joined a fantastic group of people at Abby's school and created Special Needs Awareness Month.

I will miss you

DJ Jen, for personal reasons, is putting the Mix Tape on indefinite hiatus. I am trying to believe it is not because I have this thing of messing with her mix-tapes.

Parent Teacher Conferences According To Abby

We recently had Abby's Parent-Teacher conference. Before leaving I asked her if there was anything I needed to know. What did she think her teacher would report?

She asked why SHE wasn't allowed to do a report on her teacher.

Um....okay, well if you were going to give me a report on your teacher what would you say?

Abby: Oh, he is doing awesome and should keep up his hard work.

Phew, I thought. Back to my question: Do I need to be prepared for whatever he is going to say about you?

Abby: Let's hope not, I don't want to lose riding.

The decision

It wasn't easy....I am sure we will rethink this decision over and over again. We had no choice, really. We thought that we would decide in May if Boo would transition to Kindergarten. But the deadline was mid-March.

The word according to Abby

The other day I jokingly said to Abby, "don't you have the coolest mom ever". 

She replied: "Um...craziest yes. But I'm sure you will be cool when I'm 40."

I never understood

I never understood what the big deal was about milestones. Everyone has them, right? They are called milestones for a reason. Certain things are supposed to happen at a certain time. Abby? She was usually a week or month early on every milestone. Except talking. There she was slightly delayed. However when she began to talk, she talked in paragraphs. Even in her sleep. Sadly, I don't remember any of them but when she walked, a week before her first birthday.

This is one face...

Today is Autism Awareness Day. While I may not (yet) be comfortable with Boo having an added diagnosis of Autism, I am getting there. There is no escaping the fact that Boo was tested and she has been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. But what does this a child with autism look like?

My choice so I am fooling around

About a year or so ago Jen Kehl introduced us to the Mix Tape. Today she has given me the choice to make any choice I want. As you know, there is nothing I want to do more with a mix tape than to mess with Jen. Since it is April Fool's Day that she made it YOUR CHOICE is just asking for trouble.