happy being trevy

hall pass to pout

2012-01-27T13:21:00.001-08:00

I know I should be happy that he's screaming "NO NO NO" every time I look at him.

It shows that on some level he understands he shouldn't be pooping in his pants.

I should be happy about that.

But mostly, I am just sick to death of changing poops and urine drenched undies and pull ups and bedding almost every night.

And today, I'm giving myself the liberty to be sick to death of it. I'm giving myself the freedom to not "look for the silver lining". I'm giving me a hall pass to pout. For today.

Tomorrow. Back to our regularly schedule programming.

…danielle

Trevy’s February Montessori/Tot School Trays

2012-01-26T06:04:00.001-08:00

Sensory Bin

We shout out to the month of looooove with all things red and pink. In our bin, Trevy and Bristel will find magnetic (I already have gobs of these, I just had to sort out the red/pinks) and sticker (Target $1 bin) letters, music makers (pink harmonics in Target $1), whistle lips (Michaels) and little red or pink cars and other odds n’ ends we have around the house.

I don’t have any real focus with the sensory bin other than to expose Trevor to a variety of sensations. He’s a sensory seeking guy.

Bristel loves our sensory bins the most, though. She made super cute little necklaces out of yarn and the sticker letters for herself and a friend. She is amazingly already…but playing in the sensory bin just gets her juices flowing even more! Which can be dangerous for a not so crafty creative mommy!

T for Trevy Tray

I’m still using our sand tray because it’s still a hit! I found the most adorable little open-up-able hearts (Target $1) to hide the letters of his name. I’m always trying to combine OT/PT with our activities! Because Trevy still isn’t able to independently spell his name, I used a sentence strip to help him out. As he finds the letters he can place them on the sentence strip matching letters. He loves matching things. And once he’s done matching all the letters we’ll spell his name together.

All About Reading Tray

I am SO thrilled to be part of the TOS All About Reading review team! They granted me a special Trevy review – and gave me Pre Level 1. I believe with all my heart that Trevy CAN and WILL read. If there is anything I’m going to pour myself into the most…it’s this and his speech. I spent the weekend organizing the worksheets (I like to hole punch and keep them in a binder for ease of use) and laminating the alphabet cards (because Trevy likes to eat random things ). Next up, is adding the music to iTunes so we can use our iPad to listen to our lesson’s music/poems. CDs are not off limits, when it comes to Trevy munching. I did mention he’s sensory seeking, right? Much of it oral! Which is why I cannot say enough how essential the iPad has been to our homeschooling/theraplaying! Seriously, if you’re wondering if it would help you? I’m giving it a resounding YEEEES!

For Trevy’s AAR tray, I have Ziggy the Zebra plus a couple other puppets hiding inside. Because I know Trevy (and Bristel, she <3’s “helping” me teach Trevy) will enjoy playing with his own puppet too. Everything else is my adorable AAR tote in a closet. Some things just aren’t safe in Trevy range!

Music Lovers Tray

Grams & PopPop gave Trevy his cd player for Christmas and he still LOVES it!

Counting to 10 Tray

We ~~were crazy fools and~~ took all three kiddos to the last Home Depot workshop. Where Trevy ~~almost impaled me and everyone else within reach with his hammer before he~~ made that super cute little piggy bank shed. I had been thinking to make something with a slot for fine motor work anyway…so it was GREAT! Even if I did swear – NEVER AGAIN! Seriously, you haven’t seen the kid swing a hammer! Trust me. You want to be at the far end of the table!

I’m using (in red, of course) 10 counting stix. We count them as we put them in.

Speech Therapy Tray

Ah, the good ol’ speech therapy tray. Where keep all things speech-y.

For pre flash card or PECS work, we use a variety of oral motor fun tools.

Bubbles (in a spill proof bottle)

Whistle lips (Trevy totally loooooves them)

Newborn brush (rub cheeks and lips and face to wake up the muscles)

Straws

Cotton Ball (Trevy loves this one too. I’ll place the cotton ball on my hand and he has to blow it off.)

Inside the binder I have a plastic folder holding his current and past flash cards. I try to do them all each time we work.

A pencil hold is GREAT for all those loose PECS cards!

Trevy love love loooooves just rifling through all the cards.

I have his I want _______ strip hung permanently on the white board. He’s mastered I want, so I don’t emphasize him using the strip any more. But he still enjoys seeing it and using it.

More ABCs Tray

(because there’s no such thing as too much!)

Recycled from last month’s trays. Letter Recognition of Upper and Lower Case A & B.

Big Bigger Biggest Tray

I printed these super cute Big Bigger Biggest Hearts. One for Trevy. One for Bristel – cause she is all about this kinda stuff!

We’ll find the biggest and littlest and the middlest.

And then tear up bits of tissue paper to paste on. Tearing tissue paper is great fine motor work and gift tearing into prep!

Fun With Friends Tray

Super cute Sesame Street workbooks found at Michaels. But I also saw them at The Dollar Store too. I *heart* these! For just a buck…I don’t get psycho mommy when Trevy scribbles in them rather than letting me hand over hand help him!

And that’s what we’re doing for February!

ps. I’m using and loving the IKEA Trofast system for Trevy’s Trays.

We only have the small green bins that fit them but it would be GREAT to have some bigger ones for bigger toys/projects. To be entirely transparent, when I first switched to this system out in open Trevy reach…I was terrified! I thought he’d be munching and ripping and throwing and spreading things EVERYWHERE! But so far so good. He’s doing great. I’ve found that having things broken into trays helps him understand the concept of First Then. First finish this tray Then we do that tray.

…danielle

ABA update

2012-01-23T07:20:00.001-08:00

I had to advocate hard (read: get an attorney involved) for Trevor to receive ABA therapy through school. In our state, ABA therapy is primarily a Medicaid approved home-based program. Which is great. If you have Medicaid. And also, if your child’s primary needs are self care or behavioral. Which Trevor has as well because by God I want the boy to dress himself eventually! However, I passionately believe that the ABA model is what he needs to receive and retain academics. Almost more important (to me) than dressing himself.

With the help of RI Disability Law Center, the school agreed.

Trevor has been receiving 8 hours of ABA instruction as part of his Individualized Education Plan for a little over a year now. He goes to school about an hour and a half before his friends. And the remaining half an hour is in class to help with generalization (layman’s terms: being able to use the skills gained in ABA in other settings as well).

At this point, I think it safe to say – MOMMY WAS RIGHT!

Every gain Trevor has made can be traced back to his ABA program! Every gain. Which is not my way of saying ABA is the right choice for every child. I don’t believe that at all! In fact, I don’t use the ABA model when I work with him at home because I think children learn best when they have a variety of learning input/output avenues. But I do think that ABA (which has shown great success among those with Autism) is a good model for children with brain injury. I also think, when in doubt, try it it out! I’m not sure how other ABA providers collect data. I only know our provider. And our provider is AH-mazing! In fact, I’m going to show you some of the data right now. That’s how impressive it is!

Trevor was given and ABLLS-R evaluation in September 2010 (blue) and again in September 2011 (green). So what is ABLLS-R? Lucky you…I’m linking in this great explaination .

Trevor has 25 lessons on a variety of skills. If you’d like to know more specifically what skills…just shoot me an email.

The number of lessons completed each day really depends on him. Some days his focus is spot on and he’s flying through lessons. Other days he’s seizure-y or more distracted (which Dr. Neuro believes means spiking in that pesky right frontal lobe) and his momentum is less organized. The next day, lessons will pick up where he left off. And they continue through the cycle.

Remember blue is last year green this.

We’ve seen the largest growth in his receptive language!

Amazing.

Considering.

When they took our his left hemisphere that included removing his SPEECH CENTER!

A week or so ago, I had the joy of playing 1:1 Aide with Trevy for a whooooole week! During that week I was able to capture some cute little clips of him working hard in his ABA sessions. How could I not share?

He’s getting pretty darn good at spelling his name!

One of my fave things about ABA (Montessori does this too) is the simplification process. I love how she have the squares drawn on the board for him. And is only giving him one letter at a time! Which promotes success NOT stress. Success, in turn, promotes LEARNING! Also, a super happy Trevy! He loves being praised for a job well done.

And he’s a super pro at shapes. If you’re not a Seizure Mommy or Daddy, you probably didn’t notice. And then even if you are more seizure educated than you ever wanted to be…but maybe not a Trevy expert…chances are you missed it too. How sloooow he was moving in the Shapes lesson. The way his words were slurring. How his eyes look confused. Grips the air right out of my heart.

That is one of the seizures we’re seeing more often than we’d like.

He earns a token for each correct response. After earning 5 tokens he gets to choose a fun activity. The timer is set for 2 minutes. When it beeps he is allowed to ask for one more minute. <3 His favorite choices include using the iPad or Pod and walking to the gym where he can run and be crazy. Or maybe just roll some hotwheels around.

There is SO much more I want and could say about Trevy’s ABA…

but alas. I’m mommy of more than one. And the other two happen to need my help with their language arts right now. You’ll give a wink at any typos or scrambled thoughts, right?

…danielle

app(s) of the day

2012-01-22T16:41:00.001-08:00

DialSafe Pro

FREE today and works for both the iPad and iPod! I can’t say enough great things about this app! I’m working on Bristel and Trevy with learning our phone numbers and this app is just the perfect fit! One of the best perks is that you can record little messages so they feel like they’re talking to you. What little one isn’t over the moon for recorded love notes from daddy while he’s at work?!

Wood Puzzle USA Map

FREE today! Only iPad. This is the PERFECT Geography app!

Color Uncovered

is FREE today! Only iPad friendly. A great little app for the science geek or budding artist in your house. Also, a cool supplement if you’re studying the stars with Apologia as they explore colors a bit too.

LEGO App4+

FREE today! Compatible with iPad and Pod. Cause even virtual legos are fun.

Montessori Counting Board

FREE today! Works on iPad and Pod. I’m a sucker for anything Montessori and I have to say this app is SOOOOO great! Especially, for Trevy who doesn’t catch on to counting things easily. Counting is Montessori-fied which makes it easier to digest.

Gube

FREE today. Works with iPad and Pod. I have been WAITING for this app for, like, ever! Trevy is a YouTube-ing fool. But somehow he always finds disturbing videos. I mean, seriously, people…do we really need to see Barney killing Dora?! Sheesh! Gube solves that! Only safe YouTube videos are accessible! The only downside is Trevy loooooves watching videos of himself and they’re not Gube approved. But other than that…this app is PERFECT!

Enjoy your Pad!

…danielle

how we survive being snowed in

2012-01-21T13:00:00.001-08:00

Well, so much for that 2-3 inches.

Says the mom. Cozy on the couch. Watching the Hubs and Firstborn dig the family out.

The weather guessers haven’t given us the total accumulation yet. But watching them wade through drifts over their knees, looks to be more than we expected.

The kids are loving it! And the quiet this morning while all three plus the mutt were outside playing inspired me to make pancakes for breakfast. To the delight of all!

But mostly, day like these…

Have me dreaming of moving to Florida. Warm year round. And discounts to Disney! Sounds like paradise…

Since moving is out of the question for now, I decided comfort food was the next best thing. And since Little Caesar's is also out of the question, I opted to crock it.

My faaaaave easy-peasy dinner has been slow cookin’ all day. The picture does not do it justice!

Steak (whatever is on sale)

Smothered in a blend of cream of mushroom soup and steak sauce.

On low for 8-10 hours.

Served over mashed potatoes (or rice. or pasta). Yuuuuuuum.

Later, I’m thinking to whip up a batch of brownies. To go with the 4 gallons of milk we picked up last night. Storm food prep. Or with the ginormous box of Swiss Miss. The Keurig is SOOOO amazing for quick cups of cocoa!

And then tonight, I’m scheming for The Hubs and I to catch up on our Netflix que after putting the snow-loving-thoroughly-exhausted kiddos down early.

Maybe being snowed in once in a while really isn’t that bad?

If you’re in the North East like me. And a big snow baby too.

Let’s enjoy today…and think warm, melty thoughts tomorrow!

…danielle

peek at a homeschooling moment in our house

2012-01-20T11:05:00.001-08:00

I like to consider myself an eclectic homeschooler.

We have some structured learning. Hence the passion for workboxes. I’m addicted to anything that smacks of Montessori . I like to sprinkle in some Read Aloud-ing. Cause really, is there any such thing as too much couch cuddling?

And of course there’s some un-schooling-ish…or kid imagined…things happening here on a daily basis as well.

For instance, I walked into the therapy/school room to find Bristel – who is ever trying to practice her learnin’ on her baby brother. She was armed with the iPod Touch. Trying like crazy to catch a clip of Trevy playing with his puzzle. The trouble with Trevy is that he needs a lot of assistance to complete a task from start to finish. She was getting a little frustrated. So I stepped in to help her accomplish her goal – create a “documentary” to help give other parents “good ideas on how to work with their special needs kids”. Her real life words are in the quotes.

I keep telling her she’s going to make an amazing therapist or teacher someday! Or maybe pediatric specialist of some kind…like neurology?

Anywho…

We were finally successful! So it’s a two for one clip.

1) You get to see me working with Trevy. I like to get him on his tummy as much as possible. This clip is an example of an extended attention span moment.

2) Bristel working on her producing and editing (you did hear her whisper coaching at me?) skills for some (un)school learning.

…danielle

2012-01-15T09:21:00.001-08:00

The Tractor Fairy (who happens to live two streets over) left Trevy a surprise while we were at church this morning…

It was super deliciously adorable when Trevy ran in the yard and cried…

Ohhhhhh WOOOOOW!

It’s also adorable that Bristel is sneaking in a ride while he’s napping.

…danielle

you know you’re a special needs mommy when…

2012-01-12T03:43:00.001-08:00

you pause to admire the fine motor skills he's flaunting

for a few moments

before telling him to stop pickin' his boogies!

…danielle

Grams

2012-01-09T06:37:00.001-08:00

I haven’t shared much about it for a multitude of reasons. I don’t want to sound like a cry baby when I blubber that life is just so much harder without her help. I want to protect her privacy. I believe that my family…and all their unique needs… was Given to me and I should be able to care for them on my own. I’m stubborn sometimes. I also thought we’d be back to our “normal” routine by now. It’s been months though. And I didn’t know what to say. Or how to say it. Mostly, because I’m worried and I tend to hold my worry close to my heart. It makes me uncomfortable sharing this, and I’m not sure why.

So I’ve been quiet.

For the last five months my mom (otherwise known as Super Grams) has had a significant decline in her health.

Five months ago she helped at least three days a week with Trevy. They practically spent the summer in the pool together. She gave me a weekly “errand day”. Helped corral the kids whenever we had doctors appointments or what not. Would be a substitute teacher when I was sick. If I wanted spontaneous company on an errand, I could call and she’d be ready to join me in a heart beat. And was always there to fill in any time I had a need. She (and my dad) are the only family we have in the area. And I really don’t have any one else who will volunteer to help. Or that I feel comfortable asking. Trevy does qualify for some “helper hours” so I can pay someone to help here and there. But it’s not the same.

And something happened to Grams.

Almost over night.

Suddenly she was struggling to breath. Her left side extremities are all weakened. And a whole constellation of symptoms which surely must be connected and yet the doctor she was seeing didn’t seem to be putting it together. And as a result she has yet to have a diagnosis or treatment plan.

And she has yet to move back towards health.

I’ve been telling her for months that just because a doctor is the “chief of xyz” doesn’t mean he has a clue! In fact, if we’d listened to the chief of pedi neurology at our local hospital Trevy never would have been a surgical candidate. I do have a little experience with navigating murky medical issues. Alas, she followed my advice but only when it came through another source. My dad’s employer offers a service called Best Doctors which they are using now to help guide their medical direction. The nurse advocate told my mom she needed to be her own health advocate which meant aggressively pursuing a diagnosis and treatment plan. And finding a new doctor.

I was like, duh, I’ve been telling you that for months!

Sheesh…moms…

She has found a new doctor. Who has ordered yet more tests. More thorough tests. One which is happening today.

I’m hoping and praying that this test at least gives her more information than she had yesterday. And brings her one step closer to health again. Cause we want our Grams back!

…danielle

I handsome

2012-01-06T14:23:00.001-08:00

Holy Moly…this iPod touch is dangerously addictive!

I can’t stop taking video clips. Which are inevitably too cute not to share with the whole wide world! God help us, if they start limiting our digital airspace usage!

His “handsome” move is too much!

And that giggle. I mean. For real.

:: wink ::

…danielle

see this cute face?

2012-01-05T07:49:00.001-08:00

This little cutie is Jadon, and he needs your prayers today especially. He’s in an operating room in Detroit with Team Rockstar Neuro-Surgery right now.

You can follow his surgery journey at his blog: Jadon’s IS Story.

you know you’re a special needs mommy when…

2012-01-03T11:26:00.001-08:00

Grams calls BEFORE you drop the kids off for the sleepover…

to tell you NO she won’t forget his meds.

:: wink ::

…danielle

Trevy’s January Trays

2012-01-01T11:20:00.001-08:00

January Trevy Trays

VIEW SLIDE SHOW

DOWNLOAD ALL

I try (don’t miss the key word: try) to spend 30 minutes daily working with Trevy. Using the Montessori inspired trays has become the easiest way for me to stay consistent. But the whole point is just to spend a little time working with your munchkin in whatever way works for you! I just like to share what we’re doing to hopefully idea inspire other mommies of Special Kiddos. One of the best idea resources is to observe and ask the therapists who work with your child for “homework”.

Sensory Tray

We always try (there’s that word again: try) to start with a sensory activity. Don’t ask me which one, cause I couldn’t tell ya…but I remember reading a book which philosophized that sensory activities “wake up the brain”. I have no idea if it’s really true, but I bought into the idea.

:: smile ::

There are all kinds of wonderful sensory bin ideas out there! I’m gonna steal this idea to put the bin on a big blanket – makes for easier clean up! In our January bin you’ll find: Cotton Balls; Snowflakes – since Trevy is loving any thing alphabet-y right now, I added letters to the backs; White Wintery Erasers –recycled from our Christmas bin; Clothes Pins – wonderful for fine motor work! For now I’m just letting Trevy pick up what he wants how he wants. Towards the end of the month I hope to move into more organized clothes pinning. Ex: Trevy, find the letter A. etc.

Pre-Reading Tray

Trevy spied a Hooked on Phonics kit that I had purchased for Bristel aaaaages ago. He LOVES it! So in the trays it goes!

I’m crossing fingers that I get chosen to review All About Reading. It’ll be added to this tray if I do!

Music Tray

Everybody knows that music is good for the soul! It’s good for learning too! Especially, for children with neurological issues. Or missing left hemispheres.

:: wink ::

Trevy adores his Christmas cd player. My goal for this tray is to start teaching him how to properly handle discs. He’s already a pro at pushing all the buttons. But if I can teach him how to change cds without destroying them, my life will be SO much easier!

Like Skills Tray

Learning how to dress for the weather with a great book and a felt friend!

Physical Therapy Tray

Another recycled goodie. The kids looooooved the Christmas movement flashcards SO much – we’re using them again!

Speech Therapy Tray

We always start with an oral motor workout. This is where I fully disclose, I am NOT (currently) trained in oral motor activities. These are just little tricks that I have observed “real” therapists using, or have read about during my wee hours of the night info surfing and put into practice in a non-certified-home-grown method. My goal is to wake up all the muscles of his mouth prior to starting our speech therapy homework. Trevy loves whistles of any kind, but especially those little whistle lips!

Our outpatient Speech Therapist gives us photocopies of flashcards she is currently working on with Trevy which I keep in his PECs binder which lives in his Speech Therapy Tray.

Here’s a cute little video of us Speech Therapy-ing…

One of my favorite Speech Therapy online resources is Mommy Speech Therapy. Lots of great stuff to read and even free worksheets to help guide your work at home! Oh…and she also developed my fave speech therapy app – Articulation Station.

Letter Recognition/Phonics Tray

Trevy knows most of the letters of the alphabet. We’re beginning to work on sounds now. And I found this most adorable little snowman game to use in our Letters Trays! Rather than having Trevy color in the squares, I’m having him place the Upper/Lower Case A or B on the appropriate square. I just use the Leapfrog classic “the A says ahhh…every letter makes a sound…” to reinforce the phonics.

Fine Motor (n’ Math) Tray

Another super cute printable (from PreKinders my newest fave Trevy teaching resource). Even better that it includes a yummy snack! Trevy was too busy eating the Fruit Loops to count or graph them. We’ll get there though!

I always try to find ways for Bristel to be involved. She looooves getting her crafty on. And actually, has pretty fantastic ideas! Like in the photo album above you’ll see she added “snow” and even “frosty” to the picture! I keep telling her she’s either gonna grow up to be a teacher or a therapist.

Number Recognition and Counting Tray

Trevy can now count to 10 successfully (most of the time). I’m just using an old Abeka Button Bear workbook to reinforce what he’s learning at school. Nothin’ fancy. But he does love coloring!

Hoping you have fun working with your little one this month!

…danielle

microphones are yummy

2011-12-31T11:14:00.001-08:00

I caught Trevy rockin’ out with one of his fave Christmas gifts. Please pardon my messy Therapy/School Room. That’s what happens when it gets used.

:: smile ::

I love how he pats his chest when he sings “me”.

Also, how he turns his head away so he can keep chomping on the microphone. Cheeky. But smarty too.

I do think it’s super cool that Allison Cruz thinks he’s cute. She doesn’t just have a smashing voice…but super good taste too.

…danielle

tebow lovers live here

2011-12-30T05:28:00.001-08:00

**warning – content may be offensive to Tebow haters**

**double warning – this post has absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with catastrophic epilepsy. Unless of course, you count all the “Tebowing” we’ve done over Trevy. All our kids actually. Or the fact that Trevy looks stinkin’ cute in the prayer warrior pose **

My men-folk love sports. Even Trevy. In fact, he’s been wearing his Special Olympics medal around the house lately. Maybe hinting that he’s ready for our Winter Season to get on with it already! Bristel’s the only hold out. In fact, she told me the other day that she’s going to marry for love. Because if he loves her…he won’t watch sports. lol I didn’t have the heart to tell her…if she loves him…she’ll learn to enjoy them.

Toby is an all around athlete. He’s not a super star at any one sport…but solid in all of them. He has played for more than one of our community’s All Star teams. I’m saving the shirts to make a quilt someday.

He’s actually sitting behind me right now playing something or other sporty on the x-box.

He’s a sports addict.

And a Tim Tebow fan extraordinaire.

And so am I. Because, really, what mommy doesn’t love a handsome wholesome super hero athlete for her boys? More than ever our boys need strong men of integrity to look up to. Sure he has his daddy. And a couple other dads we know. But let’s face it, guys. You’re just not as cool as Tebow. And I’ll just go ahead and admit that I’m a sucker for Tim Tebow too. If there’s a fan club…sign me up! I already “liked” him on FB. Hung his poster in Toby’s room. And am fully intending to buy a certain somebody’s Bronco’s jersey for a certain soon to be 11 year old’s birthday.

Yep. Tebow lovers live here. I should make a car decal or something.

Unless you’re Peace Corps-ing it in the middle of nowhere, you’ve probably heard about the whole “Tebowing” incident. I rolled my eyes. Not at the kids.

And totally loooooved this pinned picture with the caption: Tebowing?

Ever since I was a kid…I liked to go against the flow. So go on and hve fun with the Tebowing kids…

This principal gives it two thumbs up!

…danielle

impressive

2011-12-29T12:01:00.001-08:00

Are you ready to be impressed?

Like, blow your socks off impressed?

Like, stop the presses impressed?

Well…then you’ve come to the right place. Because I’m about to blow your mmmmmmmmmind!

I got dressed today!

No, seriously. Not in sweats. But like, jeans and a real shirt and a fresh…um…hold em’ upper. I even put on some tinted moisturizer and blush! Stacy and Clinton would be proud.

I am so impressed with myself that I had to share.

What inspired this ground breaking event?

Trevy (who has been in a bit of a potty slump – but then maybe potty training for almost a YEAR now is the very definition of a potty slump :: sigh :: ) filled his whole pee pee chart with stickers today! Don’t ask about the poos. Ever since “the incident” we’re not talking about poos. The incident referring to Trevy stripping after his nap the other day. And not wanting to stay in bed with his soiled diaper, throwing and smearing it around the room. Gross. I know. Which is why I got married. I like to delegate the groady stuff. Anyway…back to the peeps. Filling his whole peep chart = lunch at Mickey Dees. And since Toby and Bristel were in tow and are now old enough to be embarrassed if mommy looked like a bum, I sacrificed on their behalf and got myself presentable. I hope they appreciate it someday.

But just in case…I’m totally rockin’ pee jays for the rest of the week.

…danielle

everybody’s favorite (cheerios) mouse

2011-12-28T07:22:00.001-08:00

So Trevy was eating a bowl of cheerios for breakfast. He lifted the spoon (trust me...not gracefully, as evidenced by the milk slosh-age!) and said, "Mickey Mouse!"

I took a peek and sure enough there were three little circles in the shape of everybody's fave mouse!

I said, "don't eat it! TREVOR…don't eat it!" as I ran to get the camera...because if this wasn't a Kodak moment, I don't know what is!

I came running back - camera poised for a quick snap.

And sure enough...Mickey had been happily chomped!

Oh well. It's still a cute story.

…danielle

What can I say? I’m a sappy head.

2011-12-28T07:14:00.001-08:00

If you’ve spent any time here at all…

you know I’m a big fat sappy head! No, like, seriously. My eyes water at the drop of a hat, sappy. I told a friend recently, that if my sappy annoys him we should probably never do Disney’s opening ceremony together. Because. Well… Let’s just say…you’d better pack extra Kleenex!

One thing that makes me extra sap-a-licious is when hearts outside the world of epilepsy knit with ours. I always love when non-epilepsy peeps connect with us. Because it helps me feel like I’ve accomplished part of my passion for spreading awareness.

So when Tricia of critters and crayons left a very heartfelt comment a few months ago, I responded by blubbering for awhile. Because when you have years of emotions invested – heartfelt comments do that to a girl. I then left her a little thank you note over at her place.

(if you’re looking for a new mommy blog that will make you laugh and give you some great ideas…I highly recommend critters and crayons)

Tricia is to blame for even more mascara running (if I had time to put some on, I mean) moments too…

Because she mentioned Happy Being Trevy as one of her five fave blogs during an interview with before the baby wakes.

AND

posted about us recently

AND

added us to her blog roll!

I’d complain about all the blubbering that she’s inspired but I hear that a nice sappy fest every now and then is good for the soul.

…danielle

you know you’re a special needs mommy when…

2011-12-28T06:07:00.001-08:00

You tell your typically developing ten year old to keep working through his lego frustration because the more he practices…

the better fine motor planning he’ll develop.

Yeah. He didn’t appreciate that so much. But it’s true!

…danielle

just like yours

2011-12-27T14:45:00.001-08:00

In case you ever start crazy thinking our home is all peaceful cuddles and super cuteness miracles…

I’m sorry to break the news…

but I’m betting it looks an awful lot like yours!

Also, I’m beginning to rethink the iPod for Bristel gift!

…danielle

too cute to choose just one

2011-12-27T12:13:00.001-08:00

Not the best quality…

but…

Note the almost long enough to put in a pony tail mop on his head.

Also…the mouse in his pocket. Too cute. A Miss. May May Christmas gift from If You Give a Mouse a Cookie. Trevy’s fave book!

That was moppy headed Trevy this morning. Looking all ragamuffin.

This is deliciously adorable Trevy now!

After a successful visit to Master Cuts in the mall.

Because mommy can’t schedule a hair appointment to save her life.

For my own self…never mind them!

The girl who worked this magic was WONDERFUL with him! SO patient. And sweet. Even with all the mad wiggling going on. Picture Trevor frantically trying to wipe all the falling hair off as soon as it landed. Not a fan of loose hair. Or sitting still in general.

I probably should have chosen just one post hair cut picture. But being sappy me…I couldn’t pick just one!

I mean, look at all that cuteness!

Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas!

…danielle

12 years ago today

2011-12-21T05:08:00.001-08:00

12 years ago today, I woke up with butterflies in my tummy and stars in my eyes.

12 years ago today, I wore my veil with jeans everywhere!

12 years ago today, I said I wanted to spend the rest of my life loving and living beside my best friend.

12 years ago today...I had no idea what that would mean...or that our life together could be so amazingly crazy.

No. Seriously.

AH-mazing. And CAH-razy!

I ♥ you, honey!

Happy anniversary!

ps. you’re still my BFF and you still give me butterflies XO

Trevy <3’s The Muppets

2011-12-19T09:59:00.001-08:00

When Miss. May May asked if she could take Trevy to see the new Muppets movie…

My lips smiled and said,

Sure!

While my head laughed hysterically…

Hahahahaha! Yeah. That’ll be fun! I want to a fly on the wall!

Um.

I think Trevy heard inside my head because not only didn’t he sob (too much) but he also sat through THE WHOLE THING! And is now in love with The Muppets. And I’m now in love with his love of The Muppets.

Also, anything he says with the letter “l” in it.

Which inspired the following clippies:

Today’s your lucky day! Trevy went bowling yesterday with his Special Olympics team. Which means bonus clipage! And drat if he doesn’t look SO cute that it makes me want to renig on my my very passionate (if not somewhat manic) cry of “NEVER AGAIN!” on the way home.

…danielle

random-nings

2011-12-17T08:01:00.001-08:00

Bristel holding a pair of Toby’s boxers in hand on our last laundry day with a disgusted look on her face says:

Whose X-boxers are these?

She didn’t know what she said wrong which just made Tobes and I laugh all the harder!

**********

Took the kids on a field trip last week to see The Spindle City Ballet’s Nutcracker. Bristel and I were over the moon. A perk of homeschooling is getting to pick the field trips! I’d never been to a ballet before! On the way home I asked the kids what their favorite part of the performance was. Toby without hesitation responded:

THE END!

*****

Another perk of homeschooling…

She can dress like a ballerina to the ballet if she wants to.

**********

While we were sitting in the que (they ~~herded~~ put all the homeschoolers together ) waiting to be seated for the Nutcracker…

A private school friend saw Toby and shouted hi to him.

I mentioned how nice it was that his friend recognized him and said hi. To which Toby responded:

Well, mom, I have a pretty obvious face.

**********

Bristel asked me why we don’t have any junk food in the house.

You know…

like oatmeal!

******

You know you’re a special needs mommy when…

The pharmacist leaves a Merry Christmas sticky note on your bag!

…danielle

mini miracles and big ones too

2011-12-09T10:38:00.001-08:00

Trevy can be very cheeky.

No. Seriously, though.

Very.

Cheeky.

The more he’s told “no-no” - the more his (not-so) little body becomes convinced that it must be a “yes-yes”!

I’m not sure…but maybe this is a phenomenon of little boys (or kids) in general? Or maybe it’s connected to his missing impulse control center? IDK…

Anyway…

He was put in Time Out yesterday at school for his ~~lack of impulse control~~ cheek-y-ness. Evidently, he pulled the plug out of the bottom of the sensory table. Allowing “snow” to pile into a mess on the floor. He was told not to pull the plug again. Which of course could mean only one thing. He couldn’t live another second without pulling the plug again!

Miss. May May informed me that not only did he pull the plug twice. He made sure to show the teacher what he’d done. Laughing all the way.

Hence the Time Out.

I told Jonathan all about it when he got home last night. I always share cute stories of the day with him. His reaction surprised me. I thought it was cute (in a cheeky sorta way). I thought (and still think) the Time Out was much deserved and exactly what I would have done here at home. Jonathan, on the other hand, was worried that the teacher might have been mad at Trevy. Not mad in the moment…but the kind of mad that sticks. That hardens the heart towards a particular student. Meaning…Trevy. Jonathan is worried that Trevy’s cute is wearing off. Oh, he’s still super adorable right now. Though, people are always surprised to learn how old he is. They think he’s maybe just tall for his age. And Lord knows, the cute doesn’t negate that he’s also a lot of work. No. Seriously, though. A.Lot.Of.Work. It was really interesting to see Jonathan’s heart reaction be so protective of Trevy. Worried that his behavior would be misunderstood as willful rebellion rather than mischief driven curiosity.

Trevy loves the Cause & Effect feedback.

I push button. Beep happens.

I kick dog. She yelps.

I pull plug. Teacher responds x,y,z.

I’m not explaining away cheeky behavior. Not by a far cry. And trust me…my time out pillow has two little worn patches exactly the size and shape of Trevy’s bottom-side cheeks. I am a huge advocate of obedience! In fact, Trevy knows how to spell obey. We chant “O-B-E-Y…obey” every time he doesn’t. Which is all the live long day.

But his behavior isn’t driven by ugliness. It’s mostly curious mixed with distractibility and mobility. Which still needs correction. But when I correct him…there is always an underlying layer of love. God, do I love that boy! The cuddles and kisses far outweigh the time outs and corrections. Which is not to say that he doesn’t get that at school. I’m sure he does, in fact! It’s just…

ugh.

Jonathan…who rarely says these kinda of things…expressed concern that the balance may be tipping. Or at least that eventually it will tip. Trevy will not be the apple of everyone’s heart.

I’m sure it’s linked to over hearing someone mocking a special needs adult in our community recently. A guy that Jonathan and I have both said aloud to each other “he reminds me of Trevy”. Do you do that too? See a disabled adult and wonder?

I can’t even express how that hit us in the gut. To just be reminded that there are mean people out there. And that we can’t protect him from all the mean people. Trevy’s cheeky is the complete opposite of the driving force in the hearts of mean people. His cuteness has been a force field. But we all know that children…like puppies…eventually lose the cute.

This is totally not where I was going to take this post, by the way.

I was going to tell you how Jonathan was convinced that Trevy would head straight to that sensory table and pull the plug today. I didn’t argue. Although waaaaay down deep, I hoped.

And wouldn’t ya know…mini miracles do happen…cause Miss. May May emailed me…

Guess who went to the sensory bin and left the plug in?! He went to go pull it, stopped, pulled hand back, said "plug stay in"

I’m celebrating the mini non-plug-pulling miracles of Trevy today. And praying for some major ones for sweet little Sophie…

who just came out of surgery, actually. You can follow her progress at her blog.

…danielle

pray for Sophie…

2011-12-05T17:10:00.001-08:00

They are probably already in Detroit.

The emotions living through something this radical and huge are more than words could ever hope to capture. More emotions than are even documented fill your heart. And though mine are just a fraction of what Elaine and Brandon are feeling…I can’t seem to keep dry eyes.

I don’t know if you remember, Elaine. When it was Trevy’s turn. You said it was harder on your heart than when it was Sophie. There was no way I could understand at the time. I do now.

The following weeks…days…hours…minutes…seconds…

Will be spent in prayer. The kind where Someone else helps to express my heart…

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. Romans 8:26

I hope you join me in wrapping Sophie and her family up in prayer throughout this week.

…danielle

ironic?

2011-12-05T12:24:00.001-08:00

Jonathan wants to know…

if you think it’s ironic that Trevy’s snowman was missing half a hat?

…danielle

free appvent alert!

2011-12-05T02:49:00.001-08:00

Hurry…

get em’ while they’re free!

Topo USA

we haven’t played it yet so I can’t rate it. But the developer claims it helps kids learn and practice the States and Capitals.

Snowman Builder HD

Bristel LOVES dressing up games!

Toca Hair Salon – Christmas

Another Bristel goodie! She loooove the original Toca Hair Salon. But seriously? Even better when you’re stylin’ the big guy!

Tic Tac Phonics Interactive

A LakeShore Learning app!

Beginning Sounds Interactive

Another LakeShore treat!

Letter of the Day Interactive

An app for everybody’s favorite phonics program! By LakeShore Learning.

…danielle

trevy’s trays: tis the season

2011-12-02T07:46:00.001-08:00

I feel like such a dork but I’m SO giddy about these trays! They’ve turned out super cute and they were super cheap to put together! Now I can’t wait for him to come home from school to try them out.

Also…I’m taking a MAJOR risk and moving Trevy’s Trays from the closet (where they were locked away safe n’ sound from Trev-dini’s curious fingers) and into our IKEA Trofast system right smack in the middle of our school/therapy room! Within reach of curious little fingers!

Yikes!

Am I totally nutso?

I am, right? I know you’re thinking it!

But back to the crazy cute trays… First up we have…

Gobs of Garland Sensory Tray

I was torn between using the realish evergreen-esque garland or this blingy alternative. But an awesome idea hit me while I was milling through the Family Dollar aisles. If I use the garland above…I can add (saftey) scissors to the bin and let them snip…snip…snip too! I love sneaking in OT!

Hidden in the garland are adorable Christmas erasers which came 12 per pack at the dollar store. Jingle Bells which Trevy will L-O-V-E. Safety scissors. And Christmas cookie cutters.

Gift Giving (transferring) Tray

Again…a twelve pack for just a buck at the dollar store. I’ve been saving up egg crates for just such a project. For transferring I put in a couple spoons and a little cup. If the work is too hard Trevy has a tendency to give up quickly. Spoons are hard work for him. I thought maybe pouring with a little cup might be easier.

Linky-doo (fine motor) Tray

I loooooooove these little linky doo thingies that I found at…

you guessed it! The Dollar Store! Miss. Outpatient OT will be proud. She put this on my homework list ages ago but we didn’t have any at home and I didn’t want to spend gobs of money. This was the perfect solution!

Cheerio Christmas Playbook (and yummy snack) Tray

Everybody has at least one Cheerio playbook, right?

Snowflake Races (this is gonna be SO fun) Tray

Straws and lightweight snowflakes at the Dollar Store (you’re seeing the theme, right?).

Trevy and his siblings will each take one snowflake and one straw. They will line their snowflakes up on our (we have hardwoods) floor. On my GO they’ll blow-race their snowflakes to the finish line.

This is totally one of my favorites! Bristel and I already sampled it! Well, actually, Bristel has sampled everything…but this was her fave. Trevy has Dysarthria (weak tongue muscles) and blowing is a wonderful exercise to strengthen them!

Mail from Santa (physical therapy) Tray

Sometimes my hoarding ways come in handy. Like keeping that little Santa mailbox! I just knew I’d use it one day!

And what could be better than opening it up and drawing cute little activity cards from Santa out? Trevy and Bristel (and even Toby when he’s not trying to be cool) LOVE this game! Each card has a different action like:

Sneak like and elf

Twirl like a snowflake

Laugh like Santa

And so on. Since I know you’re gonna want to print your own…I’m linking my source right here!

The Christmas Story Tray

A cute little Nativity book and some Nativity shaped cookie cutters.

Trim the Tree Tray

Confession. I’m not brave enough to keep the glue stick or the crayon in the tray. The idea is to color the Christmas tree and then hole punch “ornaments” to paste on the tree. If hole punching is too difficult for Trevy, I’ll get some tissue paper to tear ornaments from. I also have a length of beaded garland that I thought we could just string but not glue.

Spell Your Name in the Sand Tray

He has tons of fun with this tray so it’s a carry over from last month’s trays.

…danielle

printable nativity project

2011-12-01T09:27:00.001-08:00

We’re enjoying unusually warm weather lately. Typically by this time of year, I’m complaining that we live in the arctic.

The thing with warm-ish weather is that it tends to make it hard for the kiddos to concentrate on academics. Mommy too.

So today we started with a fun crafty project (thanks to Amy over at Are We There Yet?) instead of the run of the mill Math First rule.

I was going to have Trevy help color…

…but since ~~I procrastinated~~ time got away from me and I need it done today I opted to just let the big kids at it.

Random but Cute: Bristel made that little wreath on the table out of garland scraps she salvaged before daddy could toss em’. She’s SO creative! One of these days I’ll have to write a post of all the little games and such that she comes up with for Trevy.

I’ll cut the pieces out to be laminated while they work on their CORE subjects.

Each day from now until Christmas we’ll add another piece to our Advent Story Board.

I haven’t decided yet if I’m going to use the pieces on a flannel graph background or with magnetic tape on the whiteboard or even painter’s tape (because I happen to have some handy and it’s awesome and doesn’t damage walls or other surfaces that I’m prone to sticking things on and that totally makes the Hubster happy).

I don’t usually share homeschooling stories here…but this is just such a cute and easy peasy project. You don’t have to homeschool to try this at home! Plus, I love when I find projects include not just Trevy but his siblings too. Building family memories.

Click here for directions on how to print your own Advent Calendar

…danielle

love my Pad: christmas apps

2011-12-01T06:23:00.001-08:00

apps in my Christmas folder

The 12 Days of Christmas
xmas Activities – free today
Toys R Us Toy Catalog – free today
Sing Along With Santa – free today
Alphabet Advent Calendar - free today
Who's Hiding? Christmas – free today
Call Santa – .99 cents
Christmas Countdown – .99 cents
Jingle All the Way by Hallmark – free today
Into the Snow – $2.99
Santa’s Helper - .99 cents
The Nativity, the Story of the Birth of Jesus and Christmas – .99 cents
The Children's Bible: Jesus is Born in Bethlehem – free today
My Christmas Nativity Scene – free today
Nativity Storybook – free today

…danielle

local yokel (spend less on clothes so you can spend more on christmas gifts) shopping tip

2011-11-30T05:53:00.001-08:00

Are your kiddos growing like weeds too?

Do you live in my neck of the woods?

Then you might be in love with this

photo credit: childrensorchard.com

See you there!

…danielle

updated app love list

2011-11-28T08:32:00.000-08:00

Our iPad is by far the best therapeutic (and everything in between) gift we ever purchased for Trevy! And I love to share great apps as I stumbled on them. I even have a tab way up at the top of my page where I've listed them. But it needed some sprucing up. I'm still working on it but in the meantime. Here ya go! Enjoy!

Mommy's Tools

Trevy's Top Ten

Youtube
Netflix
Pandora
PBS kids
Anything Sesame Street
Talking Friends - all of them!
Jumpstart Preschool
Sonoflex (but we got it during the .99cent sale)
My Underwear

ABCs

123s

RedFish Balloon
iTouchiLearn Numbers
Dots 4 Tots
Infant Arcade Numbers
Big Red Barn

ABA

Anything Kindergarten.com
Adam's Game
Model Me Kids Going Places
Natural Learning Concepts Sort and Categorize Game
DTT Words
SeeTouchLearn

Animals

Vocal Zoo
Peek a Boo Barn
Peek-a-Zoo
Puppy Pals
Farm Sounds
Farmyard
Pocket Zoo

Books

Christmas

Fave Friends

Music

Virtuoso
Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes by Rosemary Wells
Glow Tunes
6 Little Ducks
Baby Piano
Orchestra by Geni Kids

Puzzles

iPuzzleWords
My First Puzzles
Puzzle Play
Swapsies
RedFish Shadow Bug
Red Fish

Shapes

DTT Shapes
Baby Shapes
Color and Shape
Let's Make Shapes

Speech Therapy

Sonoflex
Articulation Station
Any of the Kindergarten.com apps

See more of my app recommendations by clicking the links below

Enjoy your Pab (Trevy Speak: iPad)!

…danielle

the perpetual dilemma of what to buy Trevy for Christmas?

2011-11-26T08:56:00.001-08:00

It’s always a task to present shop for Trevy. In fact, I pretty much dread it. I want to balance therapeutic benefits with fun with not wasting money. We have a knack for buying things that just don’t interest him. And I have a knack for getting sappy when I spend too long looking at the age brackets. It doesn’t help that right now he’s in a therapy funk. Anything that even hints of educational or therapeutical annoys him. You should see the battle of the Trevy Trays we’ve been having lately! And really…can I blame him? The kid has been in a variety of therapies since he was SEVEN months old! He can smell a therapist from a mile away.

But alas Christmas is coming. And he’s starting to notice things. In fact, his newest fave phrase is “I buy that!” while flipping through toy catalogs or the toys r us app which silly mommy downloaded or the ever marketing of young minds tv commercials. Last year we might have gotten away with only re-gifting him a present or two. This year? No way Jose!

So anyway…I thought I’d share some of the gifts we’re thinking about or have already bought him. You know. Just in case you have a Trevy-ish kiddo to buy for this year and could use some ideas. I’ve linked all the pictures to places I found them – and since I’m a cheap skate these are where I found the best prices too. You’re welcome.

*****

I’ve been drooling over some of the the (you should investigate them for yourself and not let my opinion influence you otherwise) child tablets on the market these days. Jonathan is totally anti the Leapfrog learning tablet or Vetch's innotab (our local TRUs has displays out to fiddle with). He hates that the games are so expensive. And typically these systems have a whole slew of cords and cases and paraphernalia to go along with them. Which inevitably gets lost and needs to be replaced. For a pretty penny. We have two other kids who’ve educated us in this matter. Besides, we LOVE our iPad. Buuuut…I’m nervous about taking it with us when we go out and about. I’d love to get Trevy something more mobile. If we ever do…it’ll likely be an iPod touch. Since that’s the only thing daddy’ll go for and we already have gobs of apps waiting in iTunes.

*****

Learning to ride a tricycle has been one of Trevy’s IEP goals for the past two years. He’s now up to pushing the pedals two times in a row. Which is great but totally not enough for us to splurge on buying him one since I know chances are it’ll sit in the back yard getting rusty.

So instead…I have my eye on Bike 1

A battery powered Mickey Mouse scooter (ages 2-6) from Walmart. Cutest thing ever, right?! Can’t you just see him cruisin’ around on it. Curls to the wind! It’s friendly on the budget too!

And then we have Bike 2.

The Plasma Car is just too cool! I think Trevy would love that there is no foot pedaling required. Mommy loves that there is arm movement required which means that we can still sneak some therapy in. Tobes and Bri would love that they can use it too! There is no age limit for use of this and the weight limit is 250lbs. Which means he’ll never outgrow it!

*****

It’s a tradition for me to buy a puzzle of some kind each year. I tried to convince Grams to buy it this year. She laughed. Cause she knows her grandson well enough to know that this would probably be his least fave gift. It looks too much like work! She refuses to buy something he ain’t gonna love. But I’ve had my eye on this Melissa and Doug Latch Board puzzle forever! AC Moore usually has a 50% all M & D products around this time of year.

*****

All of the sudden Trevy is totally into books. If You Give a Mouse a Cookie is his current fave. I’m a big fan of book apps and the library to prevent cluttering up the house. But sometimes a book is worth buying. I’m thinking this might be one of them!

*****

I bought this Elmo set MONTHS ago when it was on super clearance at Target. Any Play-Doh set would be fine…but having a fave character in the mix makes it that much better.

*****

Binkies have been the stocking stuffer of choice for the past four years. But since we’re trying to wean the bink…

*****

It’s a toss up between this…

or this…

Because what Christmas is complete without unwrapping your fave snack foods?!

*****

Toby is way into legos. Trevy is way into anything that Toby is. Duplos by Lego are the perfect solution. I hope. Cause we did buy him a Toy Story set the other day.

*****

Trevy has always been a lover of tunes. Which makes sense when you understand that the right brain is the primary music digest-er. Trevy would totally love a cd player of his own! Complete with cds, of course. Which (because we’re smart like that) would be copies of the master.

*****

If you’re a blogger mommy or daddy and have shared your ideas too – leave a comment and I’ll link your post in here. Because the more – the merrier!

Hope you all had a lovely relaxing Thanksgiving. We did!

…danielle

do you ever just need a good cry?

2011-11-22T10:08:00.001-08:00

Yeah. Me too.

My heart has been so weary and heavy lately.

I’ve seen all these Thankful Lists floating around everywhere. FaceBook. Blogs. Forums.

And to be quite honest…I don’t read them. In fact, I deliberately click away from them.

I’ve even randomly contemplated writing a Crab List alternative.

Because I’m tired and feeling sad. I’ve been calling it the Post MMR Blues. I held my breath and had Trevy vaccinated (not without biting the nurse’s head off when she asked if I wanted to just get him all caught up though). Now I get to freak out on the inside for the next two weeks.

Of course, I’ve been feeling sappy for weeks now so blaming in on yesterday’s vaccination drama doesn’t really work. And I know it’s a good thing to count your blessings. I also know that I am blessed. Very. But knowing your blessed doesn’t anesthetize the pain of heartbreak. I know too…that Trevy is a miracle in so many ways. But sometimes even miracles aren’t without heartbreak. Trevor is a heartbreaking miracle. And even the parts of me that have (somewhat) healed still ache at times. Phantom pains. That sneak and squeeze sadness up when I least expect it.

I was remembering the other day how four years ago we spent Thanksgiving in the hospital. During Trevy’s first round of ACTH.

The four years since that Thanksgiving have been such a roller coaster. Of events. And emotions. And everything in between.

Most of the time now…I’m okay. My puddle on the floor days are so rare any more that it’s always surprising when I feel the need to just cry my little heart out. Tears that used to fall at the drop the hat…now slowly build up inside until one day the dam that I didn’t know was even there – breaks. And I have a puddle day.

Most of the time…I really don’t notice how baby-like he still is. I mean, of course I know how very dependent he is on me. For everything. He weighs 43 pounds now after all. But most of the time…it’s okay. So what if he needs my help to eat? Brush his teeth? Go potty? Play safely? Get dressed? When out of nowhere exhaustion will hit. And I have the urge to lock him in a room with a pile of his clothes and not go back in until he has learned how to get himself dressed. Or by God…just to put his own pants on. Or shirt. Or socks. Most of the time…it’s okay if I have to help him get dressed forever. Most of the time…I remind myself there are others out there with deeper cares. But sometimes…my heart is selfishly weary. And exhaustion is oh so saturating.

Most of the time…I’m okay seeing a little seizure here – a little seizure there. My heart accepted long ago that Trevy’s path will always be strewn with seizures. And most of the time it’s okay. I’ve learned how to survive and even feel blessed as a Seizure Mommy. I’ve learned how to live with a broken heart. But sometimes…it feels like more than I can bear. Like the weight of worry I’m going to carry until we’re well past the two week strong MMR danger zone. Or the unspeakable heartache I feel every time I think about Sophie.

How is it possible to love someone so deeply that you’ve only hugged once? To feel so deeply that tears spring up every time you let your heart think about what this month holds for her. And her family. Sophie is scheduled for a second brain surgery the beginning of December with Dr. Rockstar because the first only worked for so long. Not long enough.

My heart just feels so heavy. So bleh. So in need of a puddle on the floor day.

What a paradox. To include things like brain surgery or at least it was just a little seizure in your blessing list.

Anyway…

I’ll probably be sappy like this for a while. Until Sophie is safely on the Healing Side again. And Trevy has made it through two weeks without any vaccination complications.

Unless of course, Trevy somehow miraculously learns how to dress himself and comes prancing down the stairs ready for school like a big boy. I’d even be okay if everything was on backwards. That would probably perk me up a little.

:: smile ::

…danielle

a little blue rice with your oral motor workout?

2011-11-20T16:45:00.001-08:00

Dysarthria

Just one of the mile long list of labels that make up the Trevy Medical Portfolio.

In mommy lingo, it means that Trevy’s tongue muscles are weak. And because they’re weak, we need to engage him in activities that force him to use them. Using them makes them stronger. And the stronger his little tongue becomes…the more his articulation will improve. And I needs me some better articulation because sometimes I just can’t crack the Trevy code. Also…he’ll be a better kisser!

So I came up with this…

I used an old wooden puzzle tray that wasn’t being used. I knew I wanted him to blow through a straw. I knew because Miss. Speech Therapy told me so. But just blowing can be boring.

So to spice it up…

I hid pictures under died rice (which btw is a super easy DIY project).

Throw in a funky straw…

and huff, puff and blow the picture out!

But not without your fireman’s hat, of course.

Oh…and lots of slobber. Lotsa Lotsa slobber. Ew…I know. But slobber means it’s working!

It held his attention for a handful of minutes any way.

…danielle

Love your Pad: free app alert!

2011-11-19T05:19:00.001-08:00

JumpStart my ABC book – FREE today!

Mr. Turkey, where are you? by Visual Works – FREE today!

Articulation Station by Little Bee Speech – FREE today!

Christmas Activity Book HD by BabyFirst – FREE today!

For more great free (and discounted app alerts) be sure to check out Digital Storytime!

…danielle

christmas motion cards

2011-11-18T09:46:00.001-08:00

Cutest thing E.V.E.R.

Miss. May May (Trevy’s school aide) printed and laminated these up for me. The plan was to add them to our December Trevy Trays. But they were too cute to wait!

Trevy and Bristel are looooooving playing with these cards. And it’s just too much (cuteness n’) fun watching them act out all the motions.

My personal fave is Sneak Like an Elf.

Trevy actually pulls off the elf look rather well. The sneaking part?

Yeah…not so much! Not a sneaky or quiet bone in his body!

In fact, I think Trevy could give Will Farrell a run for him money!

Print (so you can play too) your own here.

…danielle

trevy bear

2011-11-16T07:38:00.001-08:00

not image of the actual traveling bear…but I think it’s too cute

A cyber (and special needs) mommy friend emailed me recently.

Asking if she could use Trevy’s Story as the inspiration for a beautiful (and stinkin’ adorable) awareness project she’s working on.

I said…

Ummmmm…lemme think about that…

YES!

I was surprised and honored and happy and all sorts of emotional responses. Which did not exclude sappy.

Trevy has an extraordinarily rare and catastrophic seizure disorder. Playing a part in spreading awareness has become a passion for me. And in a way…is intricately woven into the fibers of my healing process. We all heal in our own ways.

Evan Bearowitz (Trevy’s aka) is now accepting come-play-with-me requests! In fact, I’m pretty sure his first destination is going to be England. We may need to have a little safety awareness training first though. Last time I visited, I was almost smooshed by a taxi. They totally drive on the wrong side of the road over there!

You can read Evan’s (Trevy inspired) story here. The last paragraph was the one to really get my sappy really flowing…

Before I was born, my parents lived in Africa to bring people Hope. Taking care of me and helping me grow has been a very big job for them. They said I am now brave and strong enough to travel all around the world to bring people Hope myself. I want to teach people about seizures and show them that I can still do lots of fun things in life. I’d love to go back to Africa to meet my parents’ friends and I would love to meet friends of my very own everywhere else. Can I come visit you?

…danielle

DIY easy peasy handwriting without tears(ish)set

2011-11-14T07:49:00.001-08:00

This project was inspired by a recent thread on one of the various forums I belong to. Like a good homeschool mommy…I took the idea and stirred in a bit of my own flavor.

I printed all my templates here.

I looooove when someone else does the work for me! The only issue I ran into was the mystery of the missing “W”. It’s an easy-ish fix if you just print an extra template sheet with the pieces needed to make W.

I then cut the templates out and glued them onto bright colored card stock. I just used the materials I had on hand. But I really like how the contrast pops.

For extra sensory input I used felt (again…something I had on hand) for my puzzle pieces. I really want to make sandpaper pieces too.

I like to have pieces in a ziplock bag for two reasons…

1 – keep things neat

2 – it’s a great fine motor activity

I was going to be lazy and not laminate.

However, Trevy blowing slobbery raspberries right off the bat convinced me otherwise. That’s his non-verbal-ish cue that he’s either bored or it’s too hard.

It’s for the best, I’m sure. Because already the 1st Grader is using them too!

The whole project took me about 2 hours from start to finish. Only possible, of course, with the hubster’s babysitting help!

…danielle

be sure to check out

for some other super cute Montessori-ish ideas!

all he talks about lately

2011-11-13T17:03:00.001-08:00

Non-stop.

I would say it was at inappropriate and random times but really…it’s every other word out of his mouth! For instance…

**********

Me – Trevy, what would you like to eat?

Trevy – pooooop

**********

Me – Trevy, let’s say our prayers. What are you thankful to Jesus for?

Trevy – poop

**********

Me – Trevy, what song would you like mommy to sing for bedtime tonight?

Trevy – poop song!

*********

Random Guy At Church – Hi, buddy.

Trevy – Hi, poop!

**********

He went out with a friend recently and she reported as they passed a table of strangers he happily informed them…

I poop potty…

Which is a bald faced lie. Clearly we need to work on that. The lying and the poopin’ in the potty.

************

Bristel – Trevy let’s play!

Trevy - Play poooooop!

**********

Or like tonight when Jonathan was letting him play angry birds on the iPad. They had the following conversation:

Jonathan – How ya doing, buddy?

Trevy – dooood (good)

Jonathan – You like this game?

Trevy – yes

Jonathan – what’s your favorite part?

Trevy – poooop

**********

Okay…okay…

I’ll admit it.

The first time he said it I laughed. Like totally outright belly laughed. Cause he’s a funny guy.

A regular Last Comic Standing in training(pants). He totally gets it from me!

He happens to delight in making people laugh.

I keep trying to convince him if he made his poo go in the potty mommy would give him the best laugh ever.

He’s not buying it.

Now if I could just stop snickering every time he say the “P” word maybe we’d get somewhere!

…danielle

free app of the day: JumpStart Preschool Magic of Learning

2011-11-13T04:26:00.001-08:00

Click here quick to get your free JumpStart app! Trevy and Bristel are already in love with it! Lots of great preschool goodies. And the hot air balloons get two mommy thumbs up!

…danielle

a very special saturday

2011-11-10T06:17:00.001-08:00

I’ve been putting this post off because I want it to be perfect. I want to capture all my thoughts and feelings in a glass jar for you to experience with me.

But I just don’t think it’s possible.

I’m not a skilled enough writer. But more so because some things are just too precious to be fully expressed. So instead, I’ll just share little snippets of special moments and keep the rest marinating in my sappy soul.

The Variety Club hosts a special day for special families twice a year at a very special place which Trevy likes to call “Elmo’s World” but you might know as Sesame Place.

We’ve been invited to attend in the past but for one reason or another it just never worked out.

Until this year.

And the best part is…

some really amazing and beautiful friends were coming to join us!

Sophie and her mommy

Emma and her mommy

and

Ryan and his mommy

Four IS kiddos and their families together. Talk about making sappy flow! I choked back tears more than once.

We got to the park before the others. Cause we’re all a little crazy in our family and wake up at the crack of dawn when we go to sleep excited about the next day! So when Elaine called to say she and Emma’s mommy were at the gate waiting for us…I couldn’t wait to see them. It’s funny, though. Thoughts that flit through hearts n’ heads. I wondered what if I didn’t recognize them in person? And we should have told each other what we wearing. Then when I saw them – I thought how could I ever have thought that! Of course I’d know them! That was the first time I choked back tears.

I choked back tears when we hugged each other tight. Like we’ve been friends forever. Sometimes hugs say more than words ever could.

I choked back tears when I squatted down to say “hi” to the two cutie pie little girls in their strollers.

I choked back tears when I snapped this shot. Elaine and I say Sophie and Trevy are gonna get married someday! And told her this is the engagement photo…

I choked back tears during the first show we saw together. Three little IS buddies all in a row. So beautiful. So cute. So miraculous…each of them.

I choked back tears when Emma lifted her hands to groove with the music.

And laughed every time her mommy had to run after her! I’m allowed to laugh…because not too long ago – that was me! And still is on many an occasion!

I choked back tears when Sophie put her little hand in mine to let me take her up the BIG slide.

Although (I didn’t even tell you this, E!) about half way up the steps I remembered that I’m terrified of heights! My knees were knockin’ the whole way up! And poor Sophie’s little hand was getting’ the squeeze of it’s life. She didn’t seem to mind though. And then up at the tippy top, when she said she didn’t want to do the slide…

I choked back tears as she let me hug her. And she played with my hair like she does her mommy’s. Sheesh…I’m choking back tears now just remembering. There are moments that are just so special. Hugging Sophie and being hugged back til’ it was her turn down the slide was one of those moments.

I choked back tears when Bristel declared Sophie her BFF.

If you could have seen them together…oh my cuteness…the two of them!

One of my fave moments was when a little boy tried to cut in line in front of Sophie and Bristel pushed him back in place letting him know that Sophie was there first! And when Sophie was trying to cut in line…the way Bristel pulled her back again! Just precious.

Bristel says she and Sophie were just made for each other.

(I stole the pic above of Bri and Sophie riding together from Elaine!)

I choked back tears when I hugged Ryan and his mommy for the first time. Beautiful Beautiful people.

I choked back tears when Toby shared during the long ride home how meeting Ryan gave him so much hope for Trevy. He’s still talking about how amazing Ryan was!

It’s hard to describe how special that Sesame Place visit was.

Seeing all these kiddos together. Hugging their mommies.

All of us share a common bond of living through IS and brain surgery journeys. Sophie and Trevy even had the same hemisphere removed by the same surgical team!

I think it will always be one of those memories. The kind that fills my heart up and squeezes until the sappy comes out.

Love you guys!

…danielle

Trevy as a cuddly snuggly bear

2011-11-03T06:59:00.001-07:00

Aidan’s mommy has become a sweet cyber friend over the past year. And she has a beautiful and exciting opportunity to join the Awareness Bear team! And not just join the team, but also write stories for the newest awareness additions – Emma & Evan the Epilepsy Awareness Bears. And Aidan’s mommy has asked to use Trevy’s story as her inspiration for Evan!

Gosh…talk about making my sappy leak.

I know most of my readers have children with Infantile Spasms. But Mama Aidan is looking for a girl bear inspiration too. Because Trevy already represents the IS community she’s hoping to find a little girl with a different shade of epilepsy. Click here to read more about it…

And now…

If you’ll excuse me…

I’m gonna go find the nearest box of Kleenex!

….danielle

Trevy’s Montessori Trays (with special needs flair)

2011-11-03T06:46:00.001-07:00

Trevy’s Trays

I’ve been a little lazy on the Tray front for awhile. Trevy has been muddling through a cranky stretch…which with the help of Dr. Neuro we finally discovered was seizure related. Being mommy to a child with catastrophic epilepsy, my first instinct is to think seizures. Sometimes to a fault. So I try really hard not to jump there too quickly. I’d been working really hard to convince myself he was getting sick…he was tired…he was this…he was that. For weeks. In fact, I had myself SO convinced it wasn’t seizure suspicious that when Dr. Neuro shared her thoughts…I was surprised. And then sad. Sigh. Meds are being adjusted and already we’re having happier days!

So I’m hoping to hop back to it more consistently with the trays.

In the mean time, they wait patiently in the closet…like so…

See the cute little zebra puppet up there?

I’ve been using him to encourage Cranky Boy to play. He’s very into puppets lately. Even when he’s crank-a-licious!

I purchased my trays at Target and Mr. Zebra from Ikea.

Apple Picking Tray

cause it’s…you know…Autumn-y

My idea was to roll the dice and pick that many apples off the tree. Um…yeah…mommy was totally over thinking this one. We modified by just picking the apples off and then sticking them back on. I do try to count as we go. I’m thinking we need to get one of those a pair of those big dice thingies that you can change the pictures on each side. He needs something bigger and more simplistic.

Apple game pictures are part of the Abeka Kindergarten materials and were things I already had from Toby’s K days

Left Hand – Right Hand Tray

We just read the little poem together and do little mommy-made-up actions movements with it. It’s really important for me that Trevy learn his Right from Left because he has Right sided weakness. It will be SO much easier to tell him “use your right hand” or “kick with the right leg” and have him understand it without needing physical help.

Abeka again

Peg Board Tray

This is a fave with both Trevy and his sister! They’ve had tons of fun building towers over their heads with the pegs.

Speech Tray

Out Patient Speech Therapy flashcards to work with annunciation. And little kazoos and a pinwheel to work those tongue muscles.

Miss. Speech copies flashcards that she’s working on during sessions for at-home practice. The kazoos and pinwheels can usually be found at Oriental Trading Co.

Bean Bag Toss Tray

Working on over & under hand tossing. Soft & hard tossing. Fast & slow tossing. Far & near tossing.

Clearly homemade. But…I must confess…not by me. I don’t have a crafty bone in my bod!

Physical Therapy Tray

More outpatient therapy homework. Trevy had to lay down, raise his knees, and then lift his bum up & down. I’m sure there is a yoga vocab for it but I just call it “lift your bum”! He does this several times quickly and then several times with holding up for a count of 10. We use a little matchbox car as a prop to drive under his “bridge”. He also has to do a toe pointing exercise with the tension band.

Tension band and practice sheets are provided by Trevy’s outpatient PT therapist.

Color Match Tray

I’m using little color cubes. And to spice it up with a little Math concepts, I’ve made a counting sequence. 1 – green 2 – orange and so on. To help Trevy, I have the colors in numerical order. I also like how the crayons have the word on the front to promote early reading concepts.

Looove these Abeka crayon pictures

Puzzle Tray

This puzzle is a little ambitious for Trevy. But he loooooves puzzles and has fun working with mommy.

Big and Little Tray

When he couldn’t answer any big vs. little at his Developmental appointment, I decided we needed to start working on this concept at home. Hence the big-little tray.

Turns out, he actually does know the difference! He did this perfectly the first time we tried!

Bonus Pictures

cause he’s too cute not to snap snap snap all the live long day!

…danielle

potty training update

2011-11-02T07:25:00.001-07:00

Tinkles have been happening more and more in the pot.

(Poos…don’t ask!)

Though it’s still by schedule. Meaning…he doesn’t tell me he has to go…I tell him he has to go!

It was promising yesterday, when I had Toby (who’d been babysitting him upstairs for me) bring him down to use the potty…

Trevy said, “Uh Oh”, and grabbed his Pully (Pull Up). He’d had an accident and that is the very first time he ever even made any sort of indication that he knew he shouldn’t have pee pee-d in them.

His teachers thought we should start trying him in undies at school.

I agreed. But made sure he was wearing Crocs…cause they’re rinse-able which means mommy doesn’t have to pack extra shoes. Which would inevitably be forgotten. Which would mean an emergency trip to the school. Which would totally upset our home schooling jive. Which would then make for a stressy rest of the day. Crocs are just SO much easier, ya know.

So today…as I was getting him dressed in his big boy pants he says the cutest thing.

I wear undie pants

Undie Pants. SO cute I should patent the name and create my own brand!

…danielle

our first Young Athletes season was a success…

2011-11-02T06:20:00.001-07:00

And you can read all about it right here!

…danielle

the astronaut, the fairy, and the baseball boy

2011-11-01T09:17:00.001-07:00

Trevy caught on to the Trick or Treat concept super quick

No sooner would he be down the front steps of one house…

than he was persistently saying “new one” ready for more loot at the next.

Did you see that little post going around FaceBook about special kids coming to your door and taking more candy than they should?

Trevy was that kid!

Double Dipper extraordinaire!

Evidently, a cute astronaut is allowed to get away with it!

He also tried to go INSIDE of a couple homes…

Sometimes I sure wish I could read his mind.

We went candy picking with a group of friends.

It was SO much fun!

And Jonathan was great with Trevy. Going to every door. And even running with him to the next house – so he could be like “one of the kids”.

I happen to love Halloween. I love the costumes and makeup. The smiles and snickers. The sense of community. It’s all just sooooo…

fun.

Also…

Candy happens to be an excellent motivator. For the astronaut, the fairy, and the baseball boy!

…danielle

he’s gonna impress ya!

2011-10-28T13:36:00.001-07:00

Trevy Christmas shopping and serenading you with a lil’ Swahili too!

Look who’s flying to the moon!

…danielle

the best five dollar pun-kin field trip ever

2011-10-24T08:19:00.001-07:00

It was a beautiful day for a Simcock Farm field trip.

I’ll be honest. I don’t usually do field trips with all three kids. Or rather without a Trevy Helper and all three kids.

I went a little crazy this time. Not only did I bring all three kids minus a Helper…I also invited a friend for Tobes!

But five dollars for a hay ride, corn maze, pumpkin and ice cream?

Well…that just invites crazy, right?!

You have no idea how fitting the Trevy Monster is!

Unless you have a Trevy for your own, anyway.

The kiddos had SO much fun.

They just love being around friends and exploring nature.

Except Trevy. He’s in this weird phase where he’s scared of everything. My best guess is it’s some Sensory Processing funky business. Meanwhile hoping in my heart there’s not some seizure storms brewing under the growing back in curls. And there’s the rub with having a Non-Verbalish kiddo. He can’t tell me what’s going on. I’ll be chatting with his OT about it at our next appointment. He was having a sensory day and everything was freaking him out. He’d be okay for a few minutes and then it was cranky city. And the only thing that made him happy was mommy cuddles.

Thank goodness a girlfriend was there to help out!

Seriously, Jen, I couldn’t have done it without you! Or at least I couldn’t have done it without having a mommy melt down the whole way home without you!

I refuse to do any field trips without you ever again!

While I schlepped a cranky Trevy…

she helped schlep the pumpkins!

Have you ever tasted pumpkin ice cream?

Yummo!

And really…

it was a beautiful day for a Pun-kin Picking field trip.

see how other homeschoolers are field tripping

…danielle

time timer in 3D and iPad app versions

2011-10-20T10:12:00.000-07:00

(photo credit)

If you have a child in Special Education, chances are you’ve heard the word Time Timer come up once. Or a thousand.

Chance are there’s a Time Timer hanging out in your child’s classroom. There certainly is in Trevy’s. We’re using it to help him understand the concept of centers. And staying in a specific center for a specific amount of time.

We use a timers at home too. A lot. Time Out much?

:: wink ::

And I know I totally sound like an infomercial right about now. But when I love something this much…I’ve just gotta share it with other parents that might be needing something to love this much too!

You can buy the 3D version of Time Timer here.

You can purchase the app for just $1.99.

And I just thought maybe you might appreciate the share.

…danielle

filter

2011-10-19T09:58:00.001-07:00

Jonathan and I have been chatting recently about filtering out the clutter in our lives. The things that are requiring too much (time, energy, money…yada yada) from us (and our kiddos) with little to no benefit.

It’s been talk mostly.

Because it’s hard to filter. For various reasons. People pleasing. Inner conflict. Stuck in a rut. Averse to change. Pick your poison.

But…

A good old fashioned detox is good for the soul.

It’s easy to get caught up in doing things. Doing good things. But not every good thing is the right thing. And sometimes finding my way through to the the right (for our family) things can be a murky voyage.

Until there’s clarity.

Clarity comes in an array of ways.

Hearing over the weekend from a daddy blogger that I’ve grown to deeply admire and care for gave us a burst of clarity.

A seizure during the night caused their young son, Kade, to stop breathing. And Kade is now with Jesus and Trevy’s Babu on the true Healing Side. Where there is no more sorrow – no more pain. No more seizures. And complex medical conditions. I hope you’ll take a moment to read the beautiful Eulogy written by Kade’s mommy and daddy here and offer some words of comfort. Or wrap their family in prayer.

That email reminded us anew of what is most precious in our lives.

It doesn’t squeeze my heart every night. Especially now that Trevy’s seizures are more controlled. But once a week or so, the thought will flit through my mind – what if Trevy has a seizure in the night. When the Tylenol PM is at full effect. And the white noise machines are buzzing in our ears. We still use a baby monitor. On occasion have hem-hawed about buying a video unit. He used to wake multiple (and by multiple, I mean at least 5) times a night with clusters of seizures. We haven’t seen any night seizures (though, that doesn’t mean he hasn’t HAD any) post surgery. But it could happen. And twice a month or so I wake up in the wee hours of the morning sweating…worried that it did. And that I slept right through it. Fear sits heavy on my chest as my heart throbs in my ears. I’ll hold my breath by the monitor waiting to hear something. Anything. Praying that he’ll toss in his sleep and kick the wall so I can relax again. Life is fragile. And seizures don’t sleep. And while it’s true that anything could happen to Toby or Bristel too. The reality is…anything is much more likely to happen to Trevor. I’ve read the statistics of those affected by catastrophic epilepsy.

Those night sweats nights provide clarity too. Filter out the unimportant from the truly important. While I’m lying in bed willing my heart to stop throbbing in my ears. Which she does a little more each time I hear him toss or breath deeply. It’s easy then…in the still of the night…to weed out the things that shouldn’t matter so much but we’ve allowed to. Rather than sleep I’ll form cleaning out the Life clutter action plans. Ready to implement in the am. And then the sun is working its way up the skyline bringing a new day with it. Where the grind of everyday life is waiting to murky it all up again. Funny that. How things can be so clear in the dark and so muddled in the day.

Anyway.

The bottom line is…we need to detox. And detoxing isn’t easy ever. But it is necessary. There are things (sports, meetings, therapies, projects, etc.) in our life that are strangling the joy outta us with nothing in return. And we need to stop adding more clutter. I’m a good one for bringing in more clutter. Just yesterday I called a clinic 2 hours away and seriously considered registering Trevor. Because a 2 hour drive in one direction 3 times a week is realistic. Right? Go ahead. Roll you eyes at me. I’ll be joining you! Clutter takes up space and energy that we don’t have to give. Which means we have little to nothing left to give to the ~~more~~ most important things. We’re not cutting everything out. But we deeply believe the choices we make need to be purposeful and fit into our philosophy of Life as a whole. And we’ve been hashing out together what fits where. And what needs to go.

Jonathan made a phone call the other night. Check.

To be honest, I’m not really sure why I’m even blabbing all this out loud. Must be the dreary weather. It always coaxes the sap outta me. So does knowing that a family from our Seizure Community is grieving. If heart hugs can be felt…I hope they feel the squeeze…

…danielle

why make it when you can buy it?

2011-10-15T15:11:00.001-07:00

Several weeks back I posted an awesome craft that I was totally gonna do.

Someday.

Then…I stumbled on a premade version at everybody’s fave discount supply store…

Because Oriental Trading Co. seriously has everything.

Including a set of 12 make your own brain hats for just ten buckaroos!

…danielle

randomnings

2011-10-12T15:06:00.001-07:00

Bristel wanted to make “daddy’s dream’s come true”

by making her bed and getting dressed first thing in the morning.

Without being asked!

**********

Toby described Trevy’s shyness at Special “Pim-picks” (Olympics) as

People Fright

**********

Our new family motto:

It’s all fun and games until Trevy sits on your head

***********

Trevy and Bristel have been getting very physical in their arguments. It’s not uncommon for me to walk in on them slapping faces or pulling hair. Which explains why the following holler from Toby didn’t phase me…not one bit:

Mooooooooooom…

Bristel’s kicking Trevy in restricted areas!

***********

Speaking of Toby. You know you’re a Seizure Mommy when your 5th grader not only includes but correctly spells the word…

Hemispherectomy

…in one of his recent reports.

***********

Trevy has been putting all of his toys in Time Out lately.

I guess cheeky rubs off after all.

**********

Bristel and Trevy are playing super heros.

She’s Mrs. Lizard

and he’s

Mr. UnPottyTrained Man

lol

**********

Trevy <3’s this song

It’s super catchy cute. And VERY funny when Trevy changes the lyrics to things like:

People…I love People

Poop…I love Pooooop

**********

Hope we made you laugh a little!

…danielle

backyard therapy: iSpy whiteboard remix

2011-10-10T09:49:00.000-07:00

Surely I’ve mentioned before how much I love my whiteboards?

I use them for everything. Everything, I say!

Because they’re magnetic, I’m also a big fan of magnetic tape. Anything magnetic-y really. When I happen to be magnetic tape-less…I supplement with painter’s tape on the back of flashcards and other laminated goodies that I want stuck on the board. I *heart* painter’s tape too.

Prep

Stick a bunch of random items to your board. If you don’t have a whiteboard…painter’s tape works great for sticking things to walls without damaging them.

I used:

Flash Cards (A,B,1,2,3)

Magnetic Bears & Clothing

Alphabet Pieces

Number Pieces

A foam clock

The key is to use items that your child will recognize. Be as creative as you dare!

Play

I played this game with Trevy and Bristel. Bristel adores helping me teach Trevy!

We sat together on one side of the room facing the whiteboard. I tried to be far enough away to make it fun, but close enough that he wouldn’t get (too) distracted in route.

I would ask him to find an object and bring it back to me.

Trevy, find the umbrella

Trevy, find the number 5

And away he went!

He loooooooved running to the board and trying to find what I’d asked for! And then zooooooming back! Boys are very into running, you know. He needed some coaching to scan ALL the objects before choosing. Trevy is blind in right the perephrial field of both eyes. He tends to ignore anything to the right.

This game was SO much fun I’m sure we’ll be playing it daily for the next several weeks!

Skill Building

This play activity is great for Receptive Language Development, Gross & Fine Motor Movement, Social Skills (turn taking with sibling) and Preschool Academics

Be sure to check out…

…for more GREAT playful ideas!

…danielle

2011-10-09T10:52:00.001-07:00

Listen to the mustn’ts, child.

Listen to the don’ts.

Listen to the shouldn’ts, the impossibles, the won’ts.

Listen to the never haves,

then listen close to me…

Anything can happen child.

Anything can be.

-- Shel Silverstein

99 cent blitz sale but ONLY until midnight so quick!

2011-10-07T15:50:00.001-07:00

Sono Flex by Tobii Technology

This communication app retails for $100 and is on sale until midnight tonight only for just 99 cents!

Just thought you might wanna know…

…danielle

amazing + cute

2011-10-07T12:47:00.001-07:00

Trevy had an augmentive speech evaluation this morning. We’ll be trialing two different communication devices over the next couple of months. I really liked the SLP. Although she talked a mile a minute. And can I just say – information overload!

But anyway…all of that is neither here nor there.

Because it has nothing to do with the cute or the amazing. Other than that our trip to the capital (why are Children’s Hospitals always located downtown??? Ugh.) had us passing by daddy’s work enroute to home. Spur of the moment I called to see if he wanted to do lunch together.

We let Trevy pick.

Mack-Don-ooohs (McDonalds)

Of course.

I’d packed a little bag of “keep me happy” goodies. Included was a zebra puppet. Ikea, oh how I love thee.

Anyway.

We pulled into the lot and parked the car. In the back seat, Trevy had donned the zebra puppet and to our absolute glee had Mr. Zebra say…

I eat too!

Clear as day!

And we laughed all the way to the register! And maybe even over nuggets and fries.

Amazing + Cute

…danielle

I hope he never outgrows them

2011-10-04T10:17:00.001-07:00

Trevy is a little snuggle bug.

Every afternoon. Before I lay him down for his nap.

We cuddle in the denim blue glider.

The one that Grams & Pop Pop bought when we were expecting our first. It’s 10 years old now.

It creaks. And moans. And groans. With each back and forth motion.

Creak

He wraps his little boy arms tight around my neck. Lays his head on my shoulder. Heart to heart we snuggle. Thump. Thump. Thump. He sings. I can feel it vibrating against my chest. Mostly in tunes I can make out. Although the words are usually garbled. Still, he couldn’t be cuter.

Heart to heart.

And the rocking chair creak…creak…creaking out a melody too.

I’ll catch myself smiling. Soaking in the moment. And thinking how wonderful these snuggle times are. When he’s sweet and sleepy. It’s so much easier to appreciate the miracle he is in those tender moments. The miracles are harder to see when he’s driving me bonkers with his insatiable curiosity and out of the blue hair pulling and outlet licking and crayon on the walls drawing and raspberry blowing and dog kicking and food throwing and water splashing and potty training…

Yes.

Much easier when we’re heart to heart. Swaying. So peaceful. So happy. Content. Loved. And Loving.

Sometimes, the sweetness is so intense I chide myself for ever being sad or overwhelmed. I’ll chide myself for a moment or two. And then laugh. Because I know he’ll remind me when he wakes up.

Something about that time draws out my heart thoughts. Things that lay dormant in my soul because Life is too busy to allow room for them to surface. But in the quiet. They bubble up.

Not always swirling solely around him either.

During those few moments, my heart has room to flow wherever she wants.

And as she flows, I find myself praying.

For him, of course. For his brother. Who is growing and facing challenges of his own. Becoming a little man. Moody sometimes. Dealing with things that are stressing him to his core. Surprising me with his thoughtfulness at the most unexpected times. And I’ll pray over him. Peace. And Wisdom. And Courage. For his sister. All spice and sass. I pray that her love will deepen as she grows. For the path that is unfolding before her. That I’ll learn how to be her mommy. His mommy. Trevy’s mommy. I’ll think of Jonathan. My best friend. And soul mate. Steady and strong. Such a wonderful man he’s grown into over these past 11 years we’ve been together. And I’ll pray over him Strength and Wisdom and Courage too. My soul seeping from the corner of my eyes.

Creak

Thump

Heart to Heart…

I love our snuggle time.

I know he’s growing up. Life is marching on. But in a way, I hope he never outgrows his naps. So we can share a snuggle and soul fest every day. For the rest of his life.

…danielle

early christmas find

2011-09-28T12:54:00.001-07:00

I have NO idea if this is on sale at your local Target…

Unless of course you live locally. Then by all means…I suggest you hit up the Dartmouth Target where I snagged…

Shape & Find Elmo Play Do set for just $8 buckaroos!

I’m stoked! I’ve had my eye on this for aaaaaages!

Can’t wait to see his little face when he peels back the paper!

…danielle

backyard therapy: Trevy Trays

2011-09-25T11:00:00.001-07:00

I draw a lot of inspiration from other blogger mommies. A LOT.

When I ran across the idea of Tot Trays I immediately knew I needed to get something similar-ish going for Trevy. I add the ish because…well…Trevy is Trevy and because he’s Trevy we have to be creative in how we implement such a system.

For one thing…I could never (or at least not in the near future) have his trays out on the lower shelves where his curious little fingers could get into them without supervision. While in many ways Trevy has grown into an easier to manage place…he still needs 100% supervision 100% of the time to keep him safe.

My goal (I repeat GOAL) is to go through all of our trays each day. The reality is…most days we’re lucky to work through 3 in a row. And weekends are just that. Weekends! But I figure if we keep plugging along eventually it’ll become a routine.

I set a timer for two minutes (sometimes five if Trevy seems to be extra interested) and we work on ONE tray until the timer beeps. When the timer beeps we put that tray on the bottom…and take the top tray to play with. And of course I always have my super cute sidekick peer model Bristel to help us out!

For awhile I had the trays (which I bought at Target for $1.99 each) up on a high shelf. But when they started falling off…I moved them to a closet!

So what exactly’s on these Trevy Trays?

Speech Tray: flash cards of words we’re working on and little kazoos to wake up those mouth muscles.

Color Match Tray: Match the clothes pins to the color square. A great fine motor activity.

Puzzle Tray: I keep forgetting to add batteries. I think if the animals make sounds it’ll hold his attention longer.

Dress the Bears Tray: I have these cute little felt bears (Betty Lukens) that have little matching clothes. Right now we’re just working on putting the clothes on appropriate body parts. But in the future we can work on what to wear in what weather. I actually super love felt for learning activities!

Coloring Book Tray: it is what it is.

Make My Name Tray: I have magnetic letters already spelled out. The goal is for him to use the foam letters spell his name. Most of the time this activity is more about keeping him from EATING his name. lol

Lacing Tray: I found the cute little Mitt and Ball printables here. Print and use a hole puncher to add as many lace points as you’d like. Bristel laced the Mitt. Trevy can lace a hole or two.

Brown Bear File Folder Color Match Game: I use M&Ms to match with Brown Bear cut outs. Click me to print your own.

Brown Bear Book Tray: The idea is to read the book and have him match the picture (velcro on back) to the page in the book.

If you’re interested (or would it be overwhelmed? ;) by the idea of Tot Trays…click here for more inspiration.

…danielle