Morning Video

This odd jumble is Tyoma working on fractions and multiplication. Sometimes he really gets it, others, it's stream of consciousness, baby!

Happy Valentines Day, Girls

This is one of over 24 hearts that we made for Valentines this year. It was great fun to make the cards together, although it will take me two months to eradicate all the glitter. Tyoma made most of his valentines for girls, since he only has a few male classmates. I think he likes it this way!

Time Lapse Snail - Compilation

All Numbers coloring page

All Numbers coloring page

Your result for The Broad Autism Phenotype Test ...

Autistic/BAP

You scored 116 aloof, 106 rigid and 86 pragmatic

You scored above the cutoff on all three scales. Clearly, you are either autistic or on the broader autistic phenotype. You probably are not very social, and when you do interact with others, you come off as strange or rude without meaning to. You probably also like things to be familiar and predictable and don't like changes, especially unexpected ones.

Dinner

swimming with ashley crab dinner

Another Snow Day

Whew. So here we are again, drifting through another snow day. T seems to be feeling well which is a quite a relief after the series of colds/bugs he has had since school started again. E is downstairs quibbling with T over the next activity to play. I suspect that I need to print out a mid-morning schedule.  Thank heavens for Boardmaker!

I must say, never underestimate the power of a simple toy for a child. I picked up a tally counter for the little guy. I gave it to him as a "snow day treat" and he has been counting everything in sight. My original plan was to use the counter as a motivator to eat, but it's become much bigger than that. This morning he counted up the number of "book cubes" we have as well as items of furniture and socks on the floor.

Papa needs to blow snow out of the drive way, after about five inches our pissy snow thrower chokes.

This is a fun game Tyoma and I discovered today!

Second Playdate

We went for Tyoma's second playdate with Betty today. Loni called a week ago and I immediately went out and stocked up on two dozen stickers and number post-its for the occasion. Betty's brother Bobby was present this time as well. I was looking forward to seeing Loni and having some adult conversation, but Tyoma kept interrupting. Bobby, while enthusiastic and genuinely interested in T, was in his space a bit much and the added stimulation made him clingy. Plus, Loni chatted on the phone for a while adding to his disorganization. Hmm. Forty five minutes into the playdate, Tyoma announced that it was time to go home. I tried reading and playing along to keep him for the whole hour and we managed to make it. I think that It was a good idea to have Bobby along, it will help Tyoma to learn how to socialize better plus, he really needs to have some playtime with boys. Boys are noisier and more active than girls and Loni's place is a safe place to learn.

Today Papa grabbed the camera to document day two of the Great Short Bus Adventure. T gave his goofiest grin for posterity and we cheered as he drove off. I was so worried that he would have problems, but he truly enjoys the ride and he comes home calmer than when I drive him. I think that the boat-like swaying of the bus soothes him. I am so happy this is working out. I feel guilty that the bulk of his day is school. That's eight hours. Eight hours. Eight hours!

When I first realized this, I sunk into a funk. I quit my job to be a mom. I visualized the quality time I would spend with my child and how that would help prepare him for a wonderful and balanced life. After brooding for most of the day, I got over it. He cycles through nine teachers and twelve peers each day. He needs playmates, plural, playmates and structure. I work phenomenally hard to provide structure and routine, but there is no way I can replace the twelve kids that he needs to socialize with everyday.