update on trouble with specials

Well, this is a very happy update! SJ had Music class yesterday. I reminded him in the morning about the consequences of disrespecting his teacher, Mr. Clef. I told him that I would be asking Mr. Clef or his regular teacher, Mr. Gold, about his behavior at the end of the day.

I didn't see Mr. Clef, but I did see Mr. Gold. "How was SJ today?" I asked Mr. Gold. "He was fine," he replied. "How was he for Mr. Clef?" I also asked. "No problems. The teacher said he was well-behaved," he said. Whew! What a relief!

When I picked up SJ from the office, I asked him how music was. "Okay," he said. "Mr. Gold said you were good for Mr. Clef," I told him. "Actually, Mr. Clef wasn't here today. We had a substitute," said SJ. "Well, I am glad you were well-behaved for your substitute," I praised him. "Can I have my IPod now, Mom?" he asked. "You sure can," I told him.

Hopefully, SJ learned that good behavior rewards are much better than bad behavior consequences.

puzzle+mom, dad, bob and sj=awesome family bonding

Both boys got a puzzle from Santa for Christmas. They had been playing A LOT of video games and both my husband and I felt they needed an electronics break. We told them to log off of whatever system they were on and come downstairs. We had both puzzles out and they had to choose which one they wanted to do. They opted for one of Bob's (it had the fewest pieces-300). I am sure they were thinking they would be done quicker and they could go back to the video games.

I had Santa bring the boys puzzles for two reasons. Reason 1 was SJ used to build 100 piece puzzles in about 10-15 minutes. He also used to build them from the inside out (which is crazy!). Reason 2 was that I wanted us to do something as a family. So many times, Bob is on the computer, SJ is on the Wii, my husband is watching television and I am reading/scrapbooking/working on a crossword book. I felt we needed to have something for us to do together.

We started the puzzle and everyone had their own method of building it. Bob was trying to find all the pieces of Darth Vader’s light saber, SJ was trying to build Darth Vader, my husband was working on the ships and I was focusing on the borders. It was great teamwork. We had the puzzle down in a little over an hour.  (I think SJ's puzzle building gift may be gone, but he has gained so many more skills to replace that one.)


When we were done, the boys wanted to go back to their electronics. We told them that they were done with electronics for the night. They could play a game together, do Lego’s or read a book. After some grumbling from both boys, I could hear them playing together in SJ's room. That is a sound that I love to hear. SJ and Bob just being brothers like any other brothers. Thanks Santa for giving us the opportunity to have this bonding time!

Santa responds: You’re welcome ;)

after school speech part 16

SJ had his weekly speech therapy yesterday. His therapist worked on Identifying Causes of Events. She showed him a picture and he had to answer 3 questions. For example: He was shown a picture of a very dirty fireman coming into the firehouse. Question 1: This firefighter just got back to the firehouse. What caused him to leave the firehouse before? SJ answered that there was a fire. Question 2: When the firefighter returned, he did something else. What did he do? SJ answered that he had to take off his uniform. Question 3: What causes a firefighter, an ambulance, and a police officer to go to the same place at the same time? SJ answered that there could be an emergency.

He was able to answer question 1 on his own. His therapist had to give him some prompts to answer questions 2 and 3. The most shocking thing about this exercise is that SJ wrote out the answers. Usually, his therapist scribes his answers. SJ hates writing, so my husband questioned why she had him write his responses. She told him that SJ insisted on doing the writing. That is progress in my book!

She also went over some situations that did not have visual aids. For example: Luanne practices the piano for 20 minutes every day. Why? SJ had to give her an answer. Some acceptable responses would have been to learn to play better, to get ready for her piano lesson or because her parents make her practice. The therapist said that SJ had some difficulty giving causes for these situations. That is his homework for this week.

I am going to try to take him next week (weather permitting), because I want to go over his test results with her. (I have asked my husband to have her make a copy, but I have yet to see it!) I know the results weren't great, but I would like to see the areas where he has the most difficulty. I am going to share the test results with his in-school speech therapist, so she can possibly address some of these issues in her sessions. Overall, he had another good session.

trouble with specials

At my son's school, they call art, music, gym, etc. "specials".  A few days ago, I saw one of my son's teacher's and I asked him how SJ was doing in his class.  He told me that SJ was being a little agitated in class and didn't want to listen to him.  I told him that I would talk to him and hopefully things would improve at his next class. 

When I pick up SJ at the end of each day, I usually ask him how his day was.  On that day, I told him I had a conversation with one of his "special" teachers.  I asked him why he was being difficult in that class.  "I don't like sitting next to girls," said SJ.  "I know you don't like sitting next to girls, but you have to sit where your teacher tells you to sit.  The teacher is in charge not you," I sternly told him. 

After we arrived home, I told my husband what the teacher had said.  He reinforced what I had told SJ.  We decided that if we get a bad report next week from this teacher he will lose his IPod for two days.  "What?  That is not fair," cried SJ.  "Well, that is what is going to happen," we told him.

I saw his teacher the next day.  I told him that we had a talk with SJ and he is aware of the consequence that he will receive if he misbehaves.  I told him to feel free to remind SJ that he will lose the IPod for two days and SJ knows that I see all of his teachers daily.  I also told him that SJ said he doesn't like sitting next to girls.  I asked if he switches their seats (some teachers do this monthly).  He said he doesn't, but maybe he would try switching his seat.  Whether the teacher switches the seat or not is up to him.  I just wanted to mention that SJ had said that to us. 

I believe the simple fact that SJ now knows we are aware of his misbehavior and what his consequence will be if it continues is enough to curb his trouble with specials.

skating sucks!

We were invited to join some friends for an open ice skating session at Blade Runners.  They have an awesome deal for the Sunday afternoon open skate.  It is only $5 for skates and skating for 1 hour 20 minutes!  You almost can't beat that. 

My husband loves to skate and so does Bob.  I wasn't so sure about SJ.  Although he loves to ski, he didn't seem to want to go ice skating.  The last time he went skating was at my nephew Cedar's birthday party.  It was roller skating, but he just couldn't manage the balancing (I have this problem too!).  Eventually, he was able to skate (somewhat), but there was a lot of crying and whining before that happened.

When our friends invited us, I feared I would see this same behavior.  When we walked in, SJ and I had to use the restroom.  My husband shouted to me, "Are you skating?"  I replied, "Only if I have to."  I knew I would have a lot of trouble and I was anticipating difficult behavior from SJ. 

I would like to tell you that I was wrong, but sadly I wasn't.  SJ went right out onto the ice and fell.  Then with Bob's assistance, he was able to stand for a few seconds and then he fell again.  My husband finally came into the rink area.  "Where is SJ?" he asked me.  "He is out there with Bob," I said.  "No, he isn't.  Bob is right there and SJ isn't with him," said my husband.  "He may just leave the ice, so we better find him," he added.

I scanned the ice and I spotted him.  He was struggling, but he was still out there.  My husband skated out to where SJ was and tried to help him.  As soon as SJ skated (slid and fell actually) to where I was, he was crying and yelling.  "Skating sucks!  I hate skating!  I want to go home," he yelled.  Here we go I thought. 

I took him out of the rink and asked him if he wanted a snack.  Sometimes a snack is all it takes to cheer him up.  Right then, Bob came out and said his ankles were sore.  "Okay, you are both going to take a break and we'll get a snack," I told them.  Bob wanted a slice of pizza and fries and SJ wanted popcorn.  After they had their snack, I asked them both to go back out to the rink.  "Just give it one more try," I told SJ.  Both boys went back out on the ice.

SJ was doing better the second time, but after five minutes he was done again.  "Skating sucks, Mom!  I am done," yelled SJ.  I took him out of the rink and had him turn in the skates.  When he had his tennis shoes on, we went back into the rink and sat in the bleachers.  "When can we go home?" he asked.  "When Daddy and Bob are done.  They only have 20 more minutes," I told him. "What?  Twenty minutes!  I can't stay here that long," he complained.  "Yes you can and you will.  Drink your Sprite," I whispered to him in a very stern voice. 

When the 20 minutes was up, Bob and my husband left the ice.  My husband was a little irritated that I didn't try to skate, but I told him that I knew I wouldn't have been able to anyway.  He asked me why.  I said, "Where you not there when SJ was throwing a fit?"  He said, "You and he could have both held onto the side rail."  That is good in theory, but I knew that wouldn't have worked. 

Next time our friends ask us to go; I think it will be a Daddy and Bob activity.  SJ and I will just hang up our skates!

hey mom! look at my report card!

Yesterday was report card day at our school.  Bob was fretting all day about showing me his.  Mind you, he got all A's (and some high ones at that!).  However, he was told if he had forgotten to turn in more than 3 homework assignments, he would be punished.  (Last 9 weeks, he had missed 8 assignments.  That is just laziness and it is unacceptable!)  When I picked them up from the office, Bob was sulking and SJ was beaming.  "Well, I missed 4 assignments," said Bob.  "You know what is going to happen now, right?" I asked him.  "Yes, I lose video games for a while," sighed Bob.  "I will discuss it with your dad as soon as he gets home," I replied.  Bob half-cried and complained the whole way home.

SJ was so excited to show me his report card.  He wanted to show me in the car, but I told him to wait until we got home.  I didn't want to crash the car looking at the report card.  I got in the house first.  Bob lumbered up the stairs and ran to his room.  SJ came running up the stairs and pulled his report card out of his book bag. 

"Hey mom!  Look at my report card!  I got four A's (in spelling, social studies, science and math) and two B's (in reading and language arts)!  I even went up in three areas!" exclaimed SJ.  "That is awesome!" I said to SJ. He improved his grades in reading, science and math.  We are so proud of him!  It was so nice to see how excited he was that he is doing well in school.  His teacher is great and he has a few aides in the room that are doing a fantastic job with him. 

My husband and I decided to take away Bob's video games for just two days.  Originally, I thought I would do a week, but I felt that he already punished himself with all the fretting he did in the last few days.  He did get all A's, so he must be doing something right! 

I am so glad that both Bob and SJ are doing well in school!  With all the struggles that SJ's has had, it is amazing to see him in a typical classroom of a typical school doing as well as many of the typical students!  Five years ago, I didn't think that this would be possible.  I am so glad that I was wrong!

after school speech part 15

The weather was predicted to be a little sketchy on Thursday, but it seemed fine enough to make it to speech.  When my husband got there with SJ, his therapist told him she was going to go over the tests results.  My husband said she seemed a little nervous to give us the results, but we are realists.  We know that SJ struggles in many areas.  We would rather know all the facts (even the unpleasant ones), so we know how to help him.  He didn't score very high, so she will continue to work on his comprehension and inferencing skills.  We already assumed this would be the outcome, so now we just have to move forward.

She went over Problem Solving with him at Thursday’s session.  She showed him a picture and there was a two paragraph story.  The story was about a girl who got new skates.  Her mom had told her not to wear them until she got a helmet and pads.  The girl knew they couldn't get the pads and helmet until the weekend.  When her mom was taking a nap the next day, the girl decided to try them out without the helmet and pads.  Of course, she lost her balance and got hurt.  The picture shows the girl crying on the ground wearing her skates. 

Now, SJ had to answer some questions.  First, there were three questions on the main idea and details.  He was able to answer two of the three correctly (yeah!).  Next, there were five questions on problem solving.  He answered 4 out of the 5 questions correctly (a little shocking!).  The why questions gave SJ the most difficulty.  For example:   Why did she fall down so easily?  He should have answered that she wasn't used to her new skates. 

Last, he had to do a writing prompt.  The prompt was "What are some safety rules to follow when you are skating or riding a bike?"  SJ answered with these three items.

1.  Wear a helmet and pads. 

2.  Tell your parents when you are going to ride your bike. 

3.  Look for cars.

We will continue to work on having SJ do some problem solving activities at home.  Hopefully, the additional practice and therapy will improve his test scores in the future.

the crazies are back

The last few days SJ has been a little hyper (I am being kind when I say a little!). My husband and I were trying to figure out what is the culprit. I thought maybe he was eating too much popcorn. I do buy the brand of popcorn with the lowest amount of butter that I can find, but maybe even that small amount is too much. My husband said he didn't think it was the popcorn, since he has been eating that brand for a long time.

Then, I remembered that he had pizza at school on Thursday, on Saturday when we had a babysitter and when he had lunch at the ski resort. Pizza is a very likely candidate for the crazies coming back. Usually, he only gets pizza twice a month when they have it at his school. (They actually have pizza every Thursday. SJ only prefers the homemade school pizza and they only have that every other week. The other weeks they have frozen pan pizzas.) I hope that we won't have to eliminate his twice a month treat.

I also realized that he is spending a lot of time on his IPod (a favorite Christmas present). I asked my husband if he thought the extra electronics time could be causing the crazies to come out in SJ. "Maybe," he said. We may just have to give him a time limit and monitor his behavior.

When the crazies come out, he is very silly and tends to repeat A LOT!!!! This tends to drive Bob, my husband and myself a little crazy too. I don't mind when he does this at home (well, I do mind some), but I don't want this behavior to roll over into school time.

This is what is so stressful about PDD. A typical kid doesn't get hyper from eating a few extra slices of pizza. A typical kid doesn't start repeating dialogue from watching too many videos on his IPod.  If any of you out there are in the same boat as us, any words of wisdom or wizardry that you have found helpful would be appreciated.  I am hoping we can figure this out sooner than later!

saying "hooray" for a typical day

SJ and Bob didn't have school on MLK Jr. Day, but I did have to work for a few hours. My husband had decided that he was going to take SJ skiing (Bob was welcome to go, but he is afraid of the ski lifts!). My husband made arrangements to meet up with a few of SJ's friends' families at the ski resort. After he dropped off Bob at my parents' house, they made their way to Seven Springs.

My husband and SJ arrived about an hour before our friends. They were able to get in a few runs while they were waiting. After the friends arrived, SJ and the kids had a great time skiing. SJ did have some moments of impatience waiting for the non-speeding skiers to make it down the hill, but otherwise was in a pleasant mood.

They had lunch at the ski lodge and then continued skiing for a few more hours. Seven Springs has a lot of lifts and runs, so they were able to do many runs in spite of the holiday crowds. SJ's friends are so great with him. They never treat him any differently than any other kid. To them, he is just their friend and that is what I treasure about them.

Seven Springs also has a terrain park, so SJ was able to ski through tunnels and over some smallish jumps. (It is really aimed at the snowboarders, but skiers are welcome to use it too!) My husband said the kids enjoyed that section too!

On what was SJ's last run, he was racing with his buddy and they collided. My husband said he knew that was going to be it for him. It wasn't SJ's or the other kids fault, just a skiing casualty. My husband said his goodbyes and they headed home.

When SJ got home, he was visibly tired out. He told me a few details about the day and then headed off to get some Wii time in. I am glad they were able to enjoy this holiday day.

after school speech part 14

This Thursday after school speech continued. SJ was not in the mood to go, but I wasn't listening. I knew we were going to have to go straight there from school. (Usually, I go home to drop off Bob with my husband; however, he was out of town that day.) I packed snacks and drinks for both boys. I was trying to be proactive to avoid the predicted complaining about being hungry and thirsty. Neither boy ate their snack, but the drinks were gone within 5 miles of leaving school.

SJ's therapist worked on Cause and Effect. She gave him a picture with an effect (i.e.: a kid with ripped jeans) and he needed to give two possible causes. She said he did fairly well with that activity. She next gave him a picture of kids playing in water coming from a fire hydrant. He had to answer the following four questions:

1. What kind of weather does this picture show?

2. Who opened the fire hydrant?

3. Which children are having fun and which aren't?

4. How do you know this is a city scene?

She said he was able to answer all four questions with ease. I was a little surprised at this. I don't know if SJ has ever seen a fire hydrant or realized that city kids used to play in the water from them.

The last thing they worked on was Sequencing. She gave him a situation and he had to give First, Next and Last responses. An example of one that she did with him was "make a bed". She said he had a lot of difficulty with this activity. She gave me the sheet of examples and that was his homework for the week.

When I was about to make his lemonade flavored Kool-Aid today, I thought this would be a good opportunity to see if knew the steps for making Kool-Aid. (He has seen me do more times that I can count!)  He was able to get through the sequencing, but only after I gave him some prompts. She was right and he definitely needs to work on sequencing.

She also told me that she would go over his test results next week, so I am looking forward to seeing if he is making any significant progress.

pre-orthodontist appointment for the boys

The boys have been having their mouths checked to see if they may need braces. My husband and I don't have the best teeth (although mine are considerably better than his!), so we are trying to be proactive on our options for the boys. They have had two consulting appointments. On Monday, we were back again to see how the boys’ teeth are aligned. So far, so good!

Bob has 11 adult teeth, so he still needs 9 more. The orthodontist said his jaw looked good, but two of his teeth will eventually have to have their alignment corrected. SJ has 8 adult teeth, so he is waiting on 12 more. She said his jaw looked good too, but he is probably going to need some corrective alignments.

SJ was first in the chair. He started chatting away. The orthodontist asked him how he was. He replied, "I am 9 years old. I am in the fourth grade. I have a boy teacher this year." She asked, "Do you like your teacher?" He said, "Why yes. Yes, I do. Bob is 11 and in the 5th grade. He has a girl teacher." The orthodontist laughs and said that was good. "How many grown-up teeth do I have?" asked SJ. (That is why I now know this.) He continued to chatter away, which was a little problematic for the doctor to do the exam. "SJ, that is enough," I said. The orthodontist smiled at me and got through the exam.

When we got home and I told my husband about the appointment, he just thought it was great that SJ was talking so much. "I know. It is great, but sometimes he just chatters too much," I said. "I'd rather have that problem than him not talking at all," said my husband. He couldn't be more right. I will take a talkative child on the spectrum any day, because the alternative is a sad memory that I like to forget.

no fun trying to cook casein free

I was very excited when I spotted a new casein free cheese at our local grocery store.  The brand is Daiya.  It is shredded mozzarella-type cheese.  It was being sold in the dairy department, not the organic and specialty section.  The great thing was that it was only $1 more than the real mozzarella cheese, so I was going to try it.  If SJ didn't like it, we were only out $4 (instead of the $7 from the health food store vegetable cheese).  I decided to use it to try to make SJ some casein/gluten free pizza.  I used rice tortilla, regular pizza sauce (no substitution needed there!) and the Daiya cheese.  It didn't smell like mozzarella.  It had a taste similar to white cheddar.  The bag said it would melt (most cheese substitutes don't!), so I was excited to try it.

I put it in the oven on my pizza stone.  After about 10 minutes, it did indeed melt.  It looked like thin crust pizza, so I was hoping SJ would like it.  I cut it into quarters.  SJ started to eat it.  I was holding my breath hoping he would like it.  After he ate one slice, he said he was full.  I said, "Did you like it?"  He responded, "A little.  It was too skinny."  I took a bite myself and I didn't care for it.  The cheddar taste seemed to intensify after it melted. 

I am going to try again with a thicker pizza crust.  I am hoping that will do the trick.  It is so frustrating trying to make something that your child loves in an unusual way.  If he was allergic, it would be a no brainer.  Unfortunately, he is not allergic to milk products, but his doctor feels they are somewhat harmful to his development.  I understand what he is saying, but sometimes I would just like to give my son a slice of pizza.  Do you see why it is frustrating?

snow and outside play

We still had some snow the other day (it has since melted!).  SJ wanted to play outside with his new sled.  There really wasn't enough to sled in, but he gave it a good try.  He was outside for 15 minutes when I went to check on him.  He was no longer in the front of the house sledding, so I looked out the back window.  SJ was sitting on our outside swing watching the neighbor kids play in their yard.  He looked so peaceful and happy swinging away. 

When I looked outside a few minutes later, he had left the swing and was playing with the neighbor kids in their yard.  They were attempting to make a snowman and SJ was right in there helping.  He played with the kids for about 20 more minutes and then came home.

When he came inside, I asked him what he had been doing.  "I was just playing with the kids," said SJ.  I love hearing that!  I would have killed to hear that 5 years ago and now it just flows out of his mouth like any other kid.  The kids in our neighborhood are so accepting of SJ.  They hardly ever look at him as the boy with Autism.  He is just SJ, a boy who is their friend!

carrots! are you trying to make me barf?

The other night I made the family meatloaf. SJ can't eat the mashed potatoes (I use butter in them!), so I made fried potatoes (made with olive oil) for him and Bob. I asked my husband to open a can of veggies. He said, "How about mixed vegetables?" I replied, "No, I am not in the mood for them." He asked, "What about green beans?" I said, "No, we just had them. Just make carrots." Now, the only person who really likes carrots is my husband, but I am trying to get the boys to eat some different vegetables.

My husband has them in the microwave when the king sniffer comes down. (SJ is always running down the stairs asking "what is that I smell?") "What is in the microwave?" asked SJ. "Carrots," I replied. "Carrots! I hate carrots! Are you trying to make me barf?" yelled SJ. "That is what I am trying to do. It won't kill you to eat a few carrots," I said with an eye roll.

We are all at the dining room table when the complaining begins again. "Why do Bob and I have to eat carrots?" asked SJ. "Because they are healthy and good for you," said my husband. "Just eat them." He ate his meatloaf and potatoes. "I can't eat those carrots," said SJ with tears in his eyes. "Yes you can," I said trying to stay calm. "Can I put ketchup on them?" he asked. "That is fine with me. Just eat them," I said. He put some ketchup on his plate and began dipping a carrot in the ketchup.

I was finished, so I started to rinse out the pots and pans. As I was doing this, I heard Bob yell to SJ to just go spit it out in the sink. SJ's mouth was completely full of carrots and ketchup and he was making himself gag. I thought he was going to throw up and I told him to stop it. His gagging got worse, so he threw up in my sink. It was so gross! I told him I was so upset with him for making himself sick over a few carrots. I told him to go back in the dining room and finish the carrots he had. I also told him if he threw up again I would take 5 plushies.

He managed to finish the rest of the carrots and kept them down. He came into the kitchen with his empty plate. He said, "I promise to eat something else healthy, Mom. Please don't make me eat carrots again." So sad and pathetic over a few tablespoons of cooked carrots. I must be the meanest mom in the world.

new year's eve celebration-part 2

On New Year's Eve, we were invited over to a friend's house.  There were five families there with kids that the boys go to school with.  We arrived a little after 7 p.m.  There was tons of food and treats.  The boys were keeping themselves busy playing Wii with the other boys that were there.  There were girls there too, but they mostly played upstairs in the one girl's room.

The adults retreated to the family room in the basement.  It was very nice to have some adult conversation while the kids had the freedom to play with their friends.  Periodically, SJ would come down the stairs to tell the adults how many more minutes we had until the new year.  Then, he would promptly run back upstairs.  When it got close to midnight, the host's daughter gave out party hats and noisemakers to the kids.  They started to come down to the basement about 10 minutes to midnight. 

I was a little concerned with SJ's reaction to the noisemakers going off at midnight.  To my delight, he was counting down with the rest of the kids.  When the clock struck midnight, all the kids were cheering and blowing their noisemakers.  SJ joined right in, but I did notice he was plugging his one ear.  (At least he wasn't screaming for the kids to be quiet.)  They all took off upstairs and ran outside to ring in the new year.  They stayed out there for a few minutes and then made their way back into the house. 

I knew the boys were going to be tired, so I was surprised when they didn't want to leave immediately at midnight.  Around 12:45 a.m., SJ came to get me.  "Mom, I am getting tired," he sighed.  My husband was having a great time with the adults, so I told SJ we would leave in few minutes.  "Three?"  he asked.  "Maybe a few more than three," I replied.  At 1:00 a.m., I told my husband that the boys were ready.  We said our goodbyes and thank yous and headed home. 

That was the first time in years that we had been out for New Year's Eve.  I am thankful that we were invited by our friends and I am thankful that the behavior was great that evening.  Maybe 2012 will be a year filled with typical behavior from SJ!  Happy New Year!

new year's eve celebrations-part 1

We had our monthly get together with my husband's high school friends. I always thought it was so nice that he has had this core group of friends for such a long time. We went over to Jim and Masie's house. They have slightly older girls, but there are younger kids from the other friends. As usual, the boys (very picky eaters) didn't want to eat what was already prepared. Masie, who is probably one of the kindest people I know, wanted to make something special for them. I told her that my husband and I decided that they have to eat what is offered or be hungry. Bob and SJ are old enough now that they should eat if they are hungry.

Bob was willing to try Jim's sweet and sour meatballs, but SJ was not eating anything. There was chicken dumpling stoup (not a misspelling), meatballs, ham bbq's, onion potatoes, salad, cranberry relish, and various chips, pretzels and crackers. There was also cookies and Carrie Lyn's chocolate mousse pie! I was fine with him not eating, but my husband broke down. He made a peanut butter and jelly for SJ.

After dinner, the adults and kids started playing games. My husband and I participated in Pop 5, which is a Cranium game. Bob and SJ participated in Tetris Link. They were both very fun games. Some people were also playing Connect 4. (We have that game at our house, but it doesn't get touched. Isn't funny how appealing something is at someone else's house!) We played games the remainder of the night, as well as caught up with each other.

SJ brought his knock-knock joke book. He was reading these out loud to the adults and they were good sports about it. Then, he broke out the You Might Be a Redneck game and began asking the adults those questions. Everyone was laughing and having a good time, but after a while I asked SJ to stop. (He tends to get loud and doesn't get the social clues that people have had enough.) We stayed until after 11 p.m. and then headed home.

On the way home, my husband told me not to worry about SJ going on too long with the jokes. He said his friends don't mind and they are very proud that he is interacting. I know he is right, but sometimes as the mom I don't want SJ to be bothering people too much. I sometimes forget that we aren't the only ones who love him. I am very thankful that we have such supportive family and friends. If you are one of them and are reading this, know that your caring warms my heart!