Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Topsy Turvy

Yesterday I picked Austin up at school, just like I do everyday, his teacher was waiting to talk to me.  Austin, had not had a good day.  For starters, he got frustrated when playing basketball and did not want to leave the gym; the teacher had to count down to finally get him to leave.  He was not listening to the aide either.  He snuck back into the school during recess to get his coat because he was cold, going back in without permission and was hiding from his teacher under bean bags in the classroom.  Sigh ... poor teacher ... poor aide ... :(

Lately, Austin has been a bit off character.  The last time he presented any "rebellious" behaviour it was because he was being bullied.  That, apparently, is not the case, but I am getting ahead of myself.

After I picked up Austin yesterday, I asked him what was happening, why was he being disrespectful and disobeying the rules at school?  He said "Because my brain is topsy turvy!".  "What?  Topsy turvy?" I replied.  He said "yes".  He went on further to say that he was bored of the school rules and it was almost the end of the year and he had had enough.  Well, that is not how it works I explained to him.  He said that he was so bored of the rules his brain is upside down, "topsy turvy" he kept saying.  I told him that he is to listen to his aide, teachers and staff at school.  He pouted, but agreed.  He is to apologize today to both ladies for his behaviour.

Both my husband and I were talking lastnight about what happened yesterday and decided to ask Austin if he was being picked on again, he said "no".  We asked who he was playing with at recess and he said "nobody" (I ask him this almost everyday.).  He just plays on the structure.  He finally said "I want to play hockey!"  My husband told him he would get a stick for him for next year since school is out in 3 days.  (I am a little scared with Austin taking part in a playground hockey game, I worry he could get hit.  I am not very trusting of other children sometimes when it comes to Austin.  Past experiences have dug in and made me this way.)  My husband seems to think it will be alright.  I pray he is correct.  This may be part of why Austin is acting the way he is lately.  When he becomes frustrated, he acts out and does not want to listen.

My husband and I have an appointment with the psychologist tomorrow, we have been booked for months.  We are going to try and get some answers to why Austin is not listening, hiding, he running around screaming, mocking people and he hits his sister when she "bothers" him.  So much going on and we are looking for answers.  Most of the time, he is so laid back and a very sweet boy.  Something with his development must be happening, we just do not know what it is yet.  I pray tomorrow we will get some answers.

All the best!  *HUGS*

Thursday, June 13, 2013

"I Spread My Wings"

"I Spread My Wings" this was the theme for Kaleigh's preschool graduation today.  Beautiful message and theme, butterflies and balloons everywhere.  It was very special to me, not just to see Kaleigh ready to soar and have wonderful new adventures but what the school and teachers have meant to me, especially Austin.

It was all I could do to hold back tears through everything today.  (Although I did not make it, talking to one of the teachers just did it to me, tears.)  I feel like leaving the preschool is very difficult but I will carry the experiences with me always.  Had I not sent Austin there, who knows how long it would have been before we would have taken him for a diagnosis?  All the tears shed, all the struggles, the hard days and the good days.  The day I heard "Autism".  It seems like so much happened and involved this little school.  I am so grateful for it, forever ...

I am indebted to the teachers at the school.  They are both exceptional women.  So appreciative to both of them. :)

Well, this door is now closing and new one opening.  Just like the caterpillar turning into a butterfly.  Everything will be brand new.  Kaleigh will start school full time in September.  My baby is a big girl now.  Time passes too quickly.  I am lucky that my children were fortunate enough to pass some time with you C & F.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart ... for everything ...

All the best!  *HUGS*

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

S-E-X-Y

You know, some times I think about how my parents used to say to me "Just wait until you have kids!"  In their minds, payback for all the stress I caused them and well, there was P-L-E-N-T-Y!  I was also boy crazy from the get go!  My poor Father, I still have no idea how he endured my craziness, and many boys pursuing too.  If it is any consolation, Austin has inherited that gene and is girl crazy.

Austin has talked in the past about "crushes" and he is going to "marry" a certain girl but not so long ago he came out and said, "WOW!  That girl is SEXY!!!"  I turned around and said to him, "What did you say?" His reply, "You know Mom, sexy, S-E-X-Y (watching him spell it out to me slowly almost made me pee my pants, it was hysterical!)  So I asked, "Okay, what does sexy mean to you?"  He replied something like, "Well Mom, it is a beautiful girl who is blond, tall and skinny!"  Oh my!  I explained that there are many sexy and beautiful women out there and they are not all tall, blond and skinny.  So I asked him, all sorts of questions about different types of women and he definitely makes a distinction between beautiful and sexy.  I guess I was surprised that he had such an opinion on the subject.

Interestingly enough, the little girl he adores, has sandy hair, wears glasses and is just adorable.  He also has admirers and it is cute to see girls batting eyelashes at him.  I always get a giggle when he tells me he is going to marry this sweet girl when he gets older.

My advice to my sweet son is no matter what, when it comes to real love, inner beauty trumps sexy ... as it should.

All the best!  *HUGS*

Friday, June 7, 2013

Situational Struggles

I received a phone call from Austin's teacher yesterday, he really struggles with situational math problems.  We have been trying all year to help but it is very difficult for him.  It really broke my heart to hear that he gave up and did not want to finish the exam even with the teacher there to support him.  It is hard to hear that he is so frustrated and I remember how hard it was for me and I used to give up too.  I pursued getting help for Austin to keep him from feeling the way I did when I was young.  Don't we all want that for our children?  I understand his frustration and we will get him help through the summer to try to overcome this obstacle.

We are, as always, very appreciative for the great support and understanding J gives Austin! :)  Thank you so much!

All the best!  *HUGS*

P.S.  Austin tells me all the time, "Winners never quit and quitters never win!"

The Scale

A little while ago, Kaleigh, who was not in a very good mood at the time, said typical 5-year-old not so nice things to me because she could not have her own way.  As she went on hurling hurtful words at me, I kept tiding up and not responding to her comments.  Austin sat there watching this transpire.  Kaleigh settled down after a few minutes and Austin said to me "Mom, my scale just went higher." "What scale Austin?"  "The scale that measures how much I love you."  "What do you mean?"  "Well, whenever Sissy (Kaleigh) says mean things to you, my scale just goes higher and higher and my love for you gets bigger and bigger (he holds his arms out as far as he can stretch them to show me how much)."  "Oh Austin, you are too sweet."

It seemed so interesting to me that Austin, who is not usually big in the empathy department, witnesses this behaviour and he feels for me.  It is just too cute!  Keep in mind, when I fall on my behind, he laughs his head off!  One thing at a time I guess.  I am not fazed by what Kaleigh says, and well, she is 5.  She is a pistol but she is also a sweet little doll too.  I am very grateful for both my wonderful babies.  My scale is endless ...

All the best!  *HUGS*

Thursday, June 6, 2013

"Wee" Wishes

Austin never ceases to amaze me, he is so sweet!  The other night, Kaleigh, who usually sneaks into bed with us no matter if we put her back to her bed, again and again, finds a way into our bed.  I normally give her a cuddle at night to settle her while Austin reads or watches his iPad.  A couple of nights ago, Kaleigh came down with a nasty cold so she went to sleep early.  A knock on my bedroom door and low and behold, it was Austin.

My husband and I told him to come in and he asked for a cuddle since Kaleigh was not taking up Momma's cuddle time tonight.  No problem, I said, "Come on Dude" and in he hopped!  He has always liked to be cuddled but rarely approaches me for one, goodness, he is almost as tall as I am now!  I was cuddling him when he told me he had a wish, I asked what was the wish?  He said "I wish I was small again so you would cuddle me every night!"  Awwww, my heart just melted!  I told him he does not need to be small again for that ... :)

All the best!  *HUGS*