Peach Coglo

Out of Order

Doran gets a little antsy/obsessed with the downstairs bathroom.  It's almost proprietary.  He tolerates his siblings using it, and waits anxiously for their showers and baths to be over.  If we have any guests visiting, he keeps a keen look out on the lavatory.  It's one of his quirks, probably due to his having autism. 

Well tonight things were going along pretty well.  That is until Elijah decided to 'double lock the door so he could shower in peace.  I can't say that I blame him.  Doran was having none of it and had a bit of a meltdown.  Luckily for him and everyone, he got over stopped crying and made this sign:

It is a big deal for Doran to have created this sign-huge.  I love how he took control of the situation and dealt with it in a way that calmed him.  He was able to collect his thoughts and write.  Plus given the situation, this sign was pretty doggone funny.  I know I say this a lot, but I am so grateful.  Doran has come a long, long way.

I hope you had a great weekend!  Be safe in the storm everyone!

 

 

 

So I've Been Painting

Whew! what a whirlwind.  I have been trying to find my rhythm lately or as Amanda wisely put it, "let the rhythm find me".  It's slow going, but I think I see something approaching a rhythm coming at me.

We are in the midst of acclimating to middle school-things are going very well and Doran's teacher is simply awesome.  Eden loves her preschool.  Helena and Elijah seem to be feeling fine about third grade, although there is some question of whether the spelling homework is effective.  Nutcracker Season has definitely started (and with a fundraiser too).

Hmm, so we are having a bit of the fall autism nerves/anxiety-happens every year.  This makes for late nights and some impulsive behaviors.  I think (hope) we are starting to come down from it.  Elijah is enjoying his weekend robot class.  Helena is rehearsing (already) and selling pies, plants, cookie dough and ads.  She definitely enjoys all of that.  This is good thing because mama is not the one.  Also, since it is her gig, I think she should be mostly responsible for it while Greg and I help when needed.

I have been painting - a lot.  I have been painting while Eden is at school and when I can squeeze some time in on the weekends.  Some paintings I like and some look a little craptastic.  I am trying to quiet my mind as I paint.  It helps to have a quiet mind if you want to be creative.  I am imagining some new things to make for the November Open Studio, while trying simultaneously not to freak out (you know the whole quiet mind thing).  There are thoughts of moving this blog to Wordpress, selling on line and breathing life into some creative sparks.  There are a lot of ideas swirling and crashing around in my head, as I try to remember to make dinner, attend meetings, make sure people have clean underwear (including moi) and pay attention to my family.

There are thoughts of Christmas and the need to adjust some of the making to conform to the new ryhthm(?) around here.  I am in the Knitting (and Blogging) Hall o' Shame lately.  You don't even want to know how long I took to finish a thumb for a mitt.  Here's a hint; I am almost done-just shameful.

But in better news, here's a painting I like.

 

What have you been up to lately? Oh and before I take off to catch up with this day, I wanted to let those of you who asked, I am writing up a post about the psychic table.  It involves spirits, intution and green.  It was very intriguing.  Thanks for your interest and questions.

I wish you an awesome Monday and that it gives you a gentle start to the week!

xo,

Ang

 

 

 

Toasty

What the what?  It's already Wednesday, time to join Ginny for yarn along.

Every week I am in disbelief at how fast Wednesday rolls around.  It's absolutely insane.  Well let's get to it.  I finally got started on my fingerless mitts.  It took a while to get the engine going.  May Madness started early and I am bushed already. But I pushed through it and I am happy to say I am moving along on my little project that's just for me.  I also realized that it's almost teacher/aide gift time again.  Not to add anymore to my plate, but there are a few quick projects I am eyeing.

On the book front, we are almost at the end of Then There Were Five.  I did put everything down for a new book called I Wish I Were Engulfed in Flames: My Insane Life Raising Two Boys with Autism.  I haven't decided how I feel about it yet, except that there are some parts I can relate to (constant questions, worry).  The author has a rather, hmm, bawdy tone, so be forewarned.  However, it is plain she adores her kids and would do anything for them.  One of her sons provides poetry and writings for the book also.  He is quite the interesting kiddo.  The author's writing is incredibly honest, and you will get a good peek into different types of autism.  I say that because every child's autism is different from the next.  "Once you meet one child with autism, you have met one child with autism."

I am almost done with Naturally Fun Parties for Kids.  It is a blast.  I cannot wait to try some of these ideas.  Actually, I will wait until after May Madness is over.

Well that's it for me.  What are you making and reading this week?

Sorry for Party Rockin'

Doran loves to write and read.  It's like a light has switched on lately.  The boy just loves language.  We can add this love to his other loves-art and music. 

Doran has been at it on his walls again.  He loves himself a big "canvas".   Greg and I are going to try to get a section of his wall painted with chalkboard paint this summer.  I am sure he will go "out of bounds", but who knows.  It's worth trying.  I think we'll have him help paint his walls too.  Perhaps we'll try a whiteboard-again.  Last time he destroyed it and wouldn't keep it on his wall.  Hmm, this should be very innerestin'.

Some kids have posters of groups on their walls, Doran writes.  Greg and I fell over with laughter when we started reading what he wrote.  Doran is a hoot.  Check out his walls and see if you can spot any songs or groups you like.  Sorry for party rockin'.

 

Give a Child a Marker and

see what he does.

 

It's all worn and washed off now, but boy does he know how to wield a fast marker.

Eleven Years

How this boy got to be eleven years old I will never know.  Eleven super speedy trips around the sun.  I can't believe his growing independence and ever-increasing determination and 'voice'.  He has a 'voice'; he has himself and now he shares himself with us.

He thoroughly enjoyed his chocolate cake.

This year he told me what he wanted for his birthday-such a change. I can even tell what he might like-hence the yoga cd and giant Twix bar I gave him.  Doran is a big fan of what he calls 'Zen and spa music' and the boy just loves himself some Twix.  

What a young man he is turning out to be despite autism and despite all of the "nevers".

Doran even likes a little girl in his class.  I guess this is the age.  He shows his affection by calling her "poopy head".  Rude, but it seems on target for typical 5th grade boy behavior.  We do have to help him refine his approach.

So yesterday, he was celebrated with chocolate cake with a blue balloon (Doran's request), his favorite music (BB King), gifts, kiwi, iced tea, birthday flowers picked out by Eden, hugs, inspiration and wonderment.

Happy Birthday my Sweet!

"Boy" by Doran

Doran, like any child, always surprises me.  I suppose because he can't yet talk to us the way a neurotypical child might, I am always quite surprised by the glimpses he gives me into this world.  Actually though, at this point, I should know never to be surprised by all that Doran is.

Doran loves art and reading.  In the past couple of years, he has been writing poetry at school.

Here is his latest effort:

 Boy

Tall

I like to run outside

Playing ball

Digging dirt

Throwing basketballs and footballs

Eating spaghetti with my fingers

 

 Happy Thursday!

Weekending-January 22, 2012

Joining Amanda for weekending . . . .

The weekend was a quick one.

We watched Lord of the Beans-very funny.

A certain little boy renewed his love of blueberries.  Even though they are way out of season, I got him some.  Autism can do a number on the old appetite, so whenever he is wanting some fruit and I can get it, I do.

On Saturday, we finally had a nice substantial snow.  It was a slow day of going nowhere-no ballet, no errands, just being.

I got to spend some time with Helena working on a jigsaw puzzle.  She rarely sits still so this was a treat.  The puzzle was harder than I thought it would be so we have it neatly rolled so we can return to it another day.  I hope we have more of these times together.

Sunday was sledding in some really cold weather.  Eden decided she didn't much appreciate the outing, but the other kiddos had a blast.  They've been begging for snow.  I have missed it too.  It's soothing to look out the window and see fluffy white instead of brown.  Snow definitely brightens the atmosphere and light.

I tried to remember "to take in the good" several times during the day.  The human brain really does seem to automatically focus on what's not working and dismiss what is.

Elijah got to start tennis again.  He worked on his Legos while Helena "helped".    I was able to get in a row or two of knitting, and for the first time in weeks, I sat at my sewing machine.  I don't know why I have been some remiss.  It was actually fun to sew while the kids filtered in and out to watch.  I worked on a few imperfect cloth napkins.  I have this thing about using fall and St. Patty's Day napkins out of season.  I know, but I had to start rectifying that.

On to start the week.  I am trying to be very positive as we start planning for Doran's middle school transition-uphill battle that one.

I discovered a new addiction-English Breakfast tea.  Oh yes.

And oh man is January rushing by-soon it will be February, Little Eden's birthday and Valentine's Day.  I am almost convinced that there are really 16 hours in a day instead of 24.

How was your weekend?

A Few of Their Favorite Things

Christmas time is almost over and we have tried to savor as many moments as possible.  The kiddos have been playing with their new toys and reading their new books.  It's fun to walk through the house and see what they have created during the day, even if I do say a few questionable words when I step on some errant clay or a toy zebra.  

We were also very excited this season because for the first time in his 10 years, Doran was very interested in presents.  He wanted to receive them, and unwrap them.  He was even interested in the actual gifts.  We could see it on his face.  He has always enjoyed certain things like paint supplies and certain books.  This year though, he "got it".  Doran even asked for more presents, which usually might be annoying, but we were happy that he cared and that he was connecting.  My brother gave him a new nickname-King Christmas.  One of his favorite gifts is Hedgie's Surprise by Jan Brett.  Doran loves hedgehogs and I am so happy he is in love with this book.

Helena has been creating some interesting outfits from some design fabric Greg's mom gave her.  She even put one of the sticker "crystals" on her own forehead.

Some of Elijah's clay creations.  He made some scuba-diving bears, a yellow bird, an ice cream cone and a red clock.  The photo doesn't quite do them justice, but mama was in a big hurry.

This is a doghouse that Eden's cousin MacKenzie made for her.  It's adorable.  It has a family of dogs that she put in there too.  Eden carries the dogs and the doghouse everywhere.

I think my favorite things were creating gifts, having a slower Advent season with my family, wonderful meals and visits with friends and family, and Doran's new-found interest in the season.

 How about you?  What were some of your favorite things?

 

Guesting over at Unplugged Sunday

Hello Friends.  Today I am over at Heather and Adam's amazing space, Unplugged Sunday!  As you know Heather has inspired our family to have a weekly Unplugged Sunday.   She was sweet to allow me to share our Unplugged Sunday experiences on her blog.  You probably know sweet Heather from her lovely and inspiring blog, Beauty That Moves.  If you have a moment, hop on over for a visit.

xo,

Angela