23 for Thanksgiving

Last Thursday was Thanksgiving. We had invited 21 people for dinner. On the day of Thanksgiving, we were told that two of our guests would not be able to attend. That brought our headcount to 19 guests and our family of four. We were providing a 20 lb. turkey, two 3 lb. turkey breasts, 10 lbs. of mashed potatoes, 4 cups of gravy and all the drinks. (Hey you need A LOT of food when you are having 23 for dinner!)

Our guests were bringing the rest of the sides. They brought stuffing, corn, coleslaw, yams, green bean casserole, buns, salad, pies, cookies and a pumpkin roll. Everything was delicious! We brined our turkey for the third year in a row and it was the best turkey we ever had! Now, the boys don't like any of these delicious dishes. So what did they eat on Thanksgiving Day? Pancakes! I know, I know. They are unbelievable, but I didn't want to get into a great big screaming fight on a holiday.

After dinner, SJ decided that we were going to participate in a Corn Hole Tournament. He made up the brackets and let everyone know when their team was up to compete. It was very fun (even though my husband and I were out in the first round) and it got everyone to participate. It gets dark around 5:30 at our house, so my husband rigged up a temporary flood light to give the playing area some light. I told SJ to have each game only go to 10 (usually it is 21), so we wouldn't be playing this tournament all night. SJ did a great job of notifying everyone when it was their turn to play. Some of the participants were wearing towards the end, but no one usually says no to SJ.

 

While the tournament was going on, the others who weren't playing watched football in our living room or visited with each other in our family room. When the tournament was over (our two nephews won), the teenage boys played some basketball with our boys. It was very nice of them to spend some time with our young boys.

Our guest stayed fairly late, except for the few that had to work the next day. The boys stayed up too, so I was hoping that they would sleep in. They didn't, but what else in new. It was such a nice evening! I hope all of you had a wonderful Thanksgiving too!

 

after school speech part 40

Last Tuesday was SJ's last day of school before Thanksgiving break. He was in a great mood when I picked him and Bob up at the end of the day. However, that mood dipped suddenly when I told him he had speech therapy.

"Why? I am done for the week," he cried. "No, you are not done for the week. It is still a school day, so you still have speech," I told him. "Cancel it, Mom," he pleaded. "No, I am not canceling. We will be there and gone before you know it," I reassured him.

The complaining continued for the entire 30 minute ride. When we arrived, he was still crying and saying that he wasn't getting out of the car. "Yes you are getting out of the car. We are here, so let's go in," I told him. He begrudgingly got out of the car. When I saw his therapist, I told her that he was extremely crabby. She said okay and he would be fine. I knew he would be, but I was hoping his bad mood wouldn't make him too uncooperative for her.

While he was in speech, I ran to the grocery store to get some last minute Thanksgiving items. When I returned, he was in a much better mood. She said he was very cooperative for her.  That was a relief!  She said she almost completed the testing and would give me a copy of it then. She seemed pleased with the results that he was scoring, so that made me very happy. She assigned him two worksheets for us to do for homework.

After speech, we went home to get my husband and Bob. We were meeting my cousin, her fiancé and my parents at a local restaurant. We like going to this place, because it is very family friendly. They also have a pool table and some arcade games to keep the kids busy. We had a very nice dinner and then went back to our house for the evening.

My cousin and her fiancé were in from Indiana State. They were going to be staying with us until Friday. The boys had helped clean the playroom and that is where they would be sleeping. SJ was happy that he didn't have to give up his bed, but I reminded him that he may have to give the bed up when Uncle Greg arrived Thanksgiving night.

The boys love my cousin, but they really love her fiancé. He plays all the video games that they like to play. He also will play outside with them too. Although this day had a rough middle, I am thankful that it began and ended on a happy note.

 

short week at school with a short temper

This is the week before Thanksgiving. SJ and Bob only had school Monday and Tuesday. My husband had talked to SJ about how it was a short week. Since it was a short week, he should not be having any temper tantrums. (Easier said than done!)

At the end of the day on Monday, I heard Mrs. Valentine calling my name. "Oh no," I thought. (It is never good when you hear your kid's teacher calling your name. She handed me a paper and gave me a sympathetic smile. She said, "Sorry." I frowned and said, "That's okay."

I didn't have time to look at the paper, since I was still working. I walked out the students to their buses and made my way up to the office. As I was walking to the office, I looked at the note. It was from his aide and he once again was crying over a writing activity. She documented the time he cried. It was almost 40 minutes.

"Unbelievable," I thought. I see SJ sitting in the office with Bob. He looks at me and he knows he is going to be in trouble. This was a day that I had to watch the neighbor kids, so I didn't have time to argue with him. I told him that I would discuss this behavior with his dad and there would be a consequence.

We drove home and I sent SJ to his room. Bob went to get the neighbor kids off the bus and I discussed SJ's punishment. We took his electronics away from him for the evening. We also told him that crying at school is not something that 5th graders do. He promised that he wouldn't do it again. (I won't hold my breath, because I have heard that promise before!)

Fortunately, Tuesday was a good day for SJ. No note and he got to dress in pajamas for their 5th grade feast. The feast was food that the teachers made and the students brought in food to share. It was a great way for the students to experience a Thanksgiving celebration. They also watched The Little Rascals. SJ enjoyed the movie and the food.

I am hoping when we return to school next week he will be able to keep his promise. At least it is another short week.

 

a houseful of relatives

Two Saturdays ago, my sister's family came in for a visit. Since she was coming, I decided to invite over all of our first cousins' families on my dad's side (I see my cousins on my mom's side all the time!). We hadn't seen these cousins in a long while, so I was excited for their visit.

Since we were expecting company, I had the boys help out with the house preparation. They were in charge of cleaning their rooms (straightening them up and vacuuming them) and cleaning the playroom. I was concerned that my one cousin's two year old would get a very small Lego in his mouth. (I am not prepared to practice my first aid skills already.)

SJ was not too keen on helping. There was a lot of complaining and moaning. After he was done, he did inquire if he would get any extra money in his account. I told him that he would not. That it was already a part of his allowance. That was not the answer he was expecting.

My sister's family and my dad came early in the afternoon. (They came over right after Bob's indoor soccer game.) Then, my mom arrived an hour later. My other sister, who lives locally, came around 4 o'clock. The cousins started arriving around 6. We ate dinner and got a chance to catch up with them.

I brought down some Lincoln Logs for the young kids to play with. SJ and my niece jumped into to join the little kids. Before I knew it, Bob and my nephews Gabriel and Cedar will building too.  It was kind of nice to see my boys rediscovering their old toys even if it was only for a short time.

Everyone left by 9 o'clock. The only ones who remained were Gabriel and Cedar. They were having a sleepover to celebrate Bob's birthday. All the boys played nicely until we told them to go to bed around 11.

I could hear them moving around at 7:30 a.m. I went to get them their favorite donuts (SJ and Gabriel opted for white iced rings, Bob went with powdered cake and Cedar requested glazed.) They played until I had to drive them back to my parents. They were heading back home around lunch time. SJ didn't want to join us, so I left him at home with my husband.

I think SJ enjoyed visiting with the kids and my cousins. Even though he enjoys the company, he also enjoys his alone time.

after school speech part 39

Last Tuesday, SJ had his weekly speech therapy session.  The therapist said he had a good session.  She was doing some testing on him, so I don't have much to report on specific activities.  These tests tend to take several sessions. 

She did tell me that his conversational skills are improving greatly.  She said he was able to continue the conversation for several turns.  This is a vast improvement for him.  He used to only go back and forth once or twice.  He also would frequently steer the conversation away from the central discussion and talk about what he wants to talk about.  I was glad that he is making these improvements.  This will be beneficial in all aspects of his life. 

She went over a facial worksheet where SJ had to identify if these people were listening well.  He was able to identify the three correct choices.  Great job SJ!

She assigned him a Problem Solving worksheet.  I did this with him the other day.  He did very well on this worksheet.  He only needed prompted on one question.  Then, we worked on two Figurative Language homework sheets.  On the main idea and narrative structure questions, he did need prompts with one question.  The last question on the meaning of "sick with worry" stumped him.  I had to explain this to him.  On the second Figurative Language worksheet, he got all the questions correct without me prompting him.  He did have some difficulty with the last question.  He needed to explain what "I can't hear myself think" means.  I needed to explain to him that when it is noisy it is difficult to concentrate. 

The last homework worksheet he had was on Taking Turns.  There were 14 statements and SJ had to determine if it was a clue to tell him when to talk in a conversation.  He had a little bit of trouble with this activity.  I reminded him that when someone asks him a question or pauses between sentences that is a clue that it is his turn to talk. 

Overall, I was happy with how he completed the homework.  I could have used a little less complaining about it, but you can't have everything!

at home reading tutoring session 4

Last Monday, SJ had his weekly reading tutoring session.  Mrs. Banks said that SJ was slow to get motivated.  She said he seemed tired, but after a few minutes she said he began to work for her.  She started off the session with a short story that SJ had to answer questions on.  It was about Thanksgiving.  "Why aren't we doing Halloween anymore?" he asked her.  "Halloween is over.  It is time to move on," she told him.  This is the story.

Derek and the Turkey

by Brenda B. Covert

Derek's family owned the Green Valley Turkey Farm.  The farm was a small one.  Derek had to help raise the turkeys.  They were so big and loud and ugly!  Why couldn't they raise something small and quiet and pretty-like cardinals?

"Because nobody wants to eat a cardinal," Farmer Don said in a no-nonsense kind of voice. 

There was one young turkey in the pen that followed Derek.  If Derek had to sweep out the pen, the bird was behind him.  If he had to fill a pan with feed, the bird was right beside him.  If he was daydreaming, the bird was in front of him looking up in a questioning sort of way.

As Thanksgiving approached...

Then SJ had to answer the following questions.

1.      What could be the best thing about owning a turkey farm?  Making money, lots of food

2.      What would be the worst thing about owning a turkey farm?  Feeding violent turkeys

3.      List three things that Derek might daydream about.  Birds not following him, no going to school and no more rules.

4.      What is special about the turkey that follows Derek?  The turkey likes Derek.

5.      What happens to the young turkey?  The turkey will die at Thanksgiving.

Next, Mrs. Banks asked him if he wanted to something easy or hard.  He choose something easy.  He had to find 10 hidden feathers in a Thanksgiving picture.  She said he did this easily and was ready to move on to something more challenging. 

They worked on another reader's theater.  It was Duck for President.  He was excited, because he knew this story.  He told Mrs. Banks that he knew Duck was from Click, Clack, Moo, which is one of his favorites.  They went through the play and talked about it.  SJ later told me that Duck should just be a duck, since that is much easier than being President.  I agreed!

Lastly, they worked on Persuasive Writing.  Mrs. Banks had SJ write a letter to us, which she scribed.  This is what he wrote:

Dear Parents,

I wish I had a TV in my room.  I am a good boy.  I remember to do my chores.  My chores are cleaning my bedroom, brushing my teeth, taking out the trash and put my dirty clothes in the hamper. 

I do work at school which helps me get good grades on my report card.  I remember to do my homework.  I do not swear at school or home.  I do not get detention because I am good. 

I am old enough to have a TV in my room.  The rule is you must be 10 and I am 10 1/2 years old.  Bob got his TV when he turned 10 in 4th grade.  Bob is rude many times and I am not rude.  We both do our chores and get good grades.

I would play video games on my TV and watch videos.  I would do my chores every day and be good.  I would do my homework first.

Sincerely,

SJ

That was a great persuasive letter.  I may have to really think about getting him a TV (or at least asking Santa for one!)  Although this isn’t technically reading, I am thrilled that she is working on this with him.  This is one of the hardest things for SJ to do. 

trick or treat!

Due to Hurricane Sandy, our trick or treat night was moved to Saturday.  SJ was so excited for this wonderful tradition.  He was dressing up as Super Mario.  Our one neighbor boy was planning on walking around with him.  I asked my husband if he would walk them around, but he said Bob could do it.  Bob is not even 12 yet and he is convinced that he is too old for trick or treating.  (Really, Bob.  I was trick or treating until I was high school.  Now way is he too old!)

When the neighbor came down with his dad, my husband informed him that Bob would be walking them around.  Our neighborhood is fairly small (less than 30 houses).  The dad went home and the boys were off.  It took them less than 25 minutes to do the whole neighborhood. 

We hung out at our house and passed out candy to the other kids.  When trick or treat was over, we went over to our friends' house for another Halloween party.  There were 5 boys and 6 girls there.  The boys were right on their electronics or having a Nerf war while the girls were busy playing together. 

We stayed at our friends' house until after 11.  Around 11 o'clock, SJ was getting pretty tired (I was too, but I was fighting off bronchitis!).  He kept asking us to go, but my husband was having a great time.  I continued to tell SJ we would leave "in a few minutes".  A few minutes lasted almost an hour. 

We said our goodbyes and gathered up all of our treats.  I was so glad that we got to spend more time with our friends.  It was a great way to wrap up our favorite holiday!

a visit to the specialist

Last week, SJ went to see his Autism specialist.  We see him once a year.  I was watching the neighbor kids after school, so my husband graciously took SJ. While he was at his appointment, my husband called home and I had a conference call with them on speaker phone.  The specialist checks SJ’s blood to monitor the metals and nutrients that he is getting. 

His casein (milk) levels were a little too high.  I told him we would try to watch his casein levels closer.  His gluten (wheat) level was way too high.  That is a tough one.  There is wheat in a lot of food, such as bread, pastas and cereals.  I have tried to buy the gluten free products, but SJ hates them.  They are so expensive and he refuses to eat them. 

He also told me that his iron level was low.  He asked me how much red meat he eats.  (That was easy...hardly any!)  I told him he eats some, but not too much.  He asked me if I was buying organic, but I was honest and told him no.  The organic beef is so expensive! 

All of this was normal discussion for one of his appointments.  After this, he got into the tough part of the conversation.  He was very disappointed with SJ's IEP.  He felt it was very flimsy.  I told him that he just has a speech IEP and they are not as detailed.  He didn't seem satisfied with my explanation.  He wanted me to request that the school check SJ's IQ.  He was concerned that SJ is falling behind due to his expressive language deficits and comprehension difficulties.  He suggested that I ask that they administer the WIAT and the Wechsler tests.  He said depending on his scores I might have to his IEP redone to make it more specific.

"What more can the school do?" I questioned.  I mean SJ already has an aide, gets speech and occupational therapy, and gets adaption when necessary.  He said they could provide tutoring. "Oh, I didn't get to tell him that yet, honey," my husband said.  "Doctor, we already arranged to have SJ tutored weekly by a reading teacher," I told him.  "How long are his tutoring sessions?"  he asked.  "Once a week for an hour," I replied.  "Well, that's good, but it would be better for him to be tutored twice a week for 2 thirty minute sessions," the doctor said.  "I don't know if that will be possible, but I can ask," I said.  "What is the difference?" I questioned him.  "Well, the first session is like putting gas in the car.  The second session is pressing down the gas pedal," he said.  "Okay, I will try to get him tutored twice a week," I promised.  He also suggested that his teachers or aide have him use a computer to help with his writing.  I told him that I would pass that suggestion along to them. 

Next, we moved on to what supplements he takes.  Nothing changed there.  He is still to take Magnesium, Zinc, Fish Oil, Omega D3, Calcium, Therabiotic and a multivitamin.  He gave my husband a prescription to get SJ's blood drawn again.  I told him I would take him over the Thanksgiving break.  He told me that SJ was doing better, but reminded me once again to watch the gluten and casein.  I said I would try, but I am not going to make SJ eat things that he hates.  Hopefully, his next blood screening will show our efforts working.  Keep your fingers crossed for me.

at home reading tutoring session 3

Last Monday, SJ had another reading tutoring session.  I thought Mrs. Banks may cancel due to the Hurricane, but she was able to make it.  She started out the session by doing another reader's theater.  It was a play about Halloween.  She let SJ pick his characters.  She said he did very well with the reading. 

Next, she had SJ look at a Halloween "I Spy" type picture.  There were questions SJ had to answer from looking at the picture.  Mrs. Banks said he had a little trouble with this, but she said he was able to answer the questions with prompting. 

After that activity, she worked on analogy worksheets with him.  He had to complete the analogies by using a word bank.  For example:  real: dog :: make believe:___________.  SJ filled in "monster".  She said he had more difficulty with this activity.  I am glad she worked on this with him.  This is something that will be on his PSSA testing, so it is important that he have practice with this. 

She also had him try to find hidden things in a visual jumble.  There were a bunch of jack-o-lanterns, but he was to find the non-Halloween items.  She said he did very well with this activity.

Lastly, I had told her that I had been working on his Persuasive writing with him.  His educational assistant had asked me to work on this with him at home.  I did, but I still didn't feel he was grasping how to persuade.  I showed her the Venn diagram that I had done with him.  She built on that visual aide and got him to list reasons why he should have a television in his room. 

I was so thrilled that she was able to get more information out of him than I could.  Persuasive writing seems to be very difficult for him.  I am not sure if it is because it is more of an emotional process and he seems to not always focus in on emotional cues.  Whatever help she can give him in this area is most appreciated. 

She said he worked very hard and only checked them time twice.  I couldn't be more pleased with how hard he is trying.  I am hoping in a few months we will see the difference in his grades. 

school party and Halloween party

Last Friday, SJ's school had their Halloween parties.  I was selected as one of the party parents.  The kids get their costumes on and then parade around the school.  All parents are welcome to view the parade, but only party parents get to go to their child's room.  After the parade was done, the kids returned to Mrs. Valentine's room.  The other party parent and I had set up games and a painting station.  The kids who brought in snacks passed them out.  We explained the game stations: Monster Candy Corn toss, Ghost Bowling, Pumpkin Painting, Bloody Penny Toss, Put a Ring on The Black Cat's Tail and Guess How Many Candy Corns.

The kids milled around the room and chose the activities that they wanted to do.  Some chose to eat some of their snacks and others just socialized.  I love getting to do a party.  It is so nice for to see SJ interact with his peers.  When I am witnessing this, I almost forget that SJ is on the spectrum.  In those moments, he is just another 5^th grader in a Super Mario costume. 

The party lasts for about 45 minutes, but the time flies during the party.  Before I knew it, it was time to get the kids packed up to go home. 

SJ had a great time.  He loved being in his Super Mario costume (and he looked so cute!)  SJ's classmates had some great costumes.  There were peacocks, old ladies (of course those were boys), witches, reapers, clowns and Star Wars characters.  My favorite was a headless scientist who was carrying a man's head in a jar. 

After the party, we went home to get ready for our Halloween party for our friends.  Our friends arrived around 7.  We had dinner and the girls decorated pumpkins.  (I had pumpkins for the boys too, but I guess they are too cool for a craft!)  We got some pictures of the kids.  The kids then split up.  The boys played video games while the girls watched Hocus Pocus.  Since the kids were playing nicely, it gave the adults time to relax.  It was a great night.  We have great friends, so it is always nice when we can get together.