Memorial Weekend - come and gone...

First of all....my day yesterday was spent with a group of CCS teachers, staff, and parents, feeding Nascar fans similar to this guy. Gotta love that!

Memorial Day weekend has come and gone. It's now Memorial day and the past week seems a blur to me. The seminar and all sent me into such a different space and I now have to create bigger things for myself. I have that power...we all do. I am inspired to do big things for kids like Greyson, to make a difference in some small way. I am surrounded by some very inspirational parents, one in particular who has always been there for us. She is amazing and I find her strength and passion for things to be unbelievable. So...I need to figure out where the need is and fill it. For now, Greyson is doing well. He is definitely having some issues with meds right now since the whole cat allergy thing is rearing its ugly head. He looks red and splotched all over thanks to his reaction to the dander. he hates the taste of the meds so that is a challenge in itself. Lord...try giving a kid whose taste buds work overtime some medicine that tastes like crap to normal folks. It is not pretty....sometimes resulting in barfing...sometimes not. There is always rebellion regardless and a fight and I can;t much blame him. Can they not seriously find a way to make it a little more tasty or have better ways of administering it? Either way...we are continuing to take it in hopes that his new kitten can stay. He will be heartbroken if we have to give Alex up. I couldn't stand that but if need be I will do whatever we need to for his health. On a lighter note I will share some of his day yesterday. I was at Lowe's Motor Speedway helping with concessions that raises $$$ for his school. Not fun....but I wanted to help and they needed the people to make it happen. So there I was amongst all that fun serving hot dogs and beer to the millions of race fans that infiltrated out city for the Coca Cola 600. Do you folks have a visual yet? If not...let me help you....khaki pants, white polo shirt, black apron, red Nascar coke hat, and working the nacho machine! I also helped keep the hot dog supply at maximum since they were selling like hot cakes. Oh the fun that was had! Now my family on the other hand had a birthday party to attend. Greyson headed off with Michele to Zoe's party and in true Greyson fashion showed his dramatic, funny side. Michele told me he was doing a relay race, and not being very graceful or athletic, had a bit of a hard time. He was supposed to use a hula hoop to get a great big ball to the trampoline, climb on with the ball, hit it into the air 3 times, climb off, get a banana, and run give it to his teammate. He somehow got the ball to the trampoline after a struggle, climbed on hit it once outside of the trampoline, screamed, "Oh my GOD!" while Zoe's grandmother tried desperately and unsuccessfully to throw it back in, not sure what happened but at some point he yelled, "This is freakin' crazy"...or something along those lines. Leslie was howling and laughing thinking he said the other "f" word...Michele was probably about to panic but laughing at him too...He finished by running up grabbing the banana (after he had already lost) and snapped it in half in disgust. Can't remember what Michlele said he said then. He also was blindfolded to hit the pinata 3 times. (Each kid got 3 whacks at it) Once he was done he took off running, blindfolded. Yes...I said blindfolded, and he ran around in circles laughing. Michele said she started laughing and once he heard her he started running in her direction, still blindfolded. She said it was really funny. She finally caught him and took it off so the next person could use it and he could see again. Poor guy...he is not very athletic. He told me this am that he let his team down and I could tell it bothered him. I asked him if he tried his best and he said he did. I told him that that was all that mattered was trying his best and having fun. Needless to say he had a blast. Now I know some of you are thinking, "It didn't sound like he had a blast." Well...if you know Greyson...that's just him. He did all of those things but thank goodness now it doesn't normally ruin his whole time. He may be frustrated for the moment but he recovers soooo much better now than he did a year ago. You have no idea what a difference his school, his teacher, some OT, speech therapy, etc.... have made in his life. Yay! I hate I missed his performance at the party. He lives his whole life like a performance and it is always quite entertaining for us and others. We are used to it but still find great humor in him and how he perceives the world. If we didn't we would be in alot of trouble. So I challenge everyone...find humor in the things that may not always seem funny, laugh more, live life a little less serious this week and see what a difference it can make. (Story may not have been told exactly as it happened since I am desperately trying to remember it from what was told to me-it's pretty close, but Michele has all the details in her head. :)...) Good day all....have fun, and lots of laughs.

Meds on Board and Unruly Behavior

Today Greyson had his last day of mini society and it was a blast. I got my hair done (pulled out) by Az again. This time complete with gel, glitter in pink, blue and silver...and the dryer set on high in a room that could have cooked a ham even before we started. Greyson was a little upset since he decided he wanted a museum and technically he did not have anything in particular to sell. Try explaining that to a child who was so excited about his museum and it's stuffed animal & dinosaur bone collection. It wasn't happening. But today once it was done he got a little sad saying no one liked his museum. I think because most of the other kids had items to sell like food or drinks or tattoos or hair styling and he had nothing. I felt bad but telling him or explaining that is next to impossible until he sees for himself and "gets it". so...I just told him I thought his museum was awesome and that he had done great and left it at that. He still was bummed but recovered fast. Gotta love that!

Greyson has had hives, we think from his new kitten, since Sunday. He is taking a strong antihistamine as well as Prednisone to combat this hoping it will not escalate to the point of him having to give up his new pet. Unfortunately I think my being gone for the whole weekend last week and then him being hopped up on meds has him in a tail spin. He is acting way out of sorts and very needy at times. I guess I have to make up for some lost time last weekend and try to get him back on track. Maybe the meds are effecting him too. I just don't know. It can be frustrating since it is hard to function in the simplest of situations when he gets this way. Michele and I met our friend Elizabeth out for dinner tonight at Azteca and he did fine for a short while. Then it was on...Lord. It is always a challenge but at times, especially when he is out of sorts, it is down right nerve racking. don't get me wrong though. We roll with it and keep moving. He has calmed down now and is relaxing and getting ready for bed. Soon he will be sleepy and I may actually be able to talk to Michele alone for the first time since my return from the seminar. this is very important to me as I think it will help our relationship grow to a new level while also helping our communication. We aren't very good at communicating but I am willing to try and improve that greatly starting now. Well I guess I should get back to G man. He has meds to take and needs to start winding down for bedtime. Goodnight all.

Allergies Abound...

Greyson has been in rare form since I got back. He always gets out of sorts, I am noticing, if one of us is gone for any length of time. Well hopefully he will be coming back to normal soon. I also came back to a boy covered, and I do mean covered, in hives. I took him to his doctor and she is pretty sure it is his new kitten. We had cats before this one, but never a small kitten around him. When he was tested we knew he tested as being allergic to cats, but he had never had an adverse reaction in all 8 years being around them. So.....being the dare devils we decided to give in to him wanting a new kitten. Obviously that may have been a mistake since he seems to be having some serious reactions to the new kitty...Alex. We shall see as this saga progresses.

I have one story from last night that I have to share. I am not sure where Greyson learned this but it made us laugh. We were watching Night at the Museum and it got to the part where Attila the Hun was after the guard. Greyson yelled, "I am Attila ka Hunk!"...and then he made a muscle and kissed his biceps! We died laughing. He kills me...so kills me. So...today I pick him up and he says he didn't do so great at school. He said, "Ms Suzy told us to freeze, and I didn't freeze that good because I can't freeze that fast and so then she told me no more computer until after the weekend." Mommy, I am sad about that and can you blog about it? (hahahahahahaaaaa-I was about to laugh out loud but I kept it in) It was hysterical. I told him, "Honey...you have to listen to Ms Suzy when she says freeze. Those are the rules and you have to follow them." He said to me again, "Yeah, but I just don't freeze that good" "It takes me this much to freeze mommy Lynn"...then he imitated Suzy saying freeze and showed me how much of a delay it takes for him to actually do it. (I was ready to howl!) I hate you missed it Suzy...too funny. Although I imagine when it actually happens you may be ready to pinch his little head off. (hahahaha) Anyway...I am sure he will live and I tried to reinforce the importance of him listening and doing what he should do when he is told to do it. Nothing but a pistol! A pistol with a rash all over his torso! :) Well...we are getting ready for Karate tonight...we shall see how he does. Until next time...

Mommy gone...and G man hanging with momom

Greyson was really sad on the phone last night but also very sweet. He had called once to report he and momom found the cards I left. I also left him a James train. He had called to say that and that he had gotten a big picture he has of me in his room and held it while he cried. He followed up with, "but I am over it now." hahahahaaaa Too cute! I tell you he might be over it but being without those 2 is really hard for me. It makes me crazy...well crazier! :) I finally got to talk to those two last night and he cried again. Bed time, since we co-sleep, is really hard for him. He usually gets so tired he falls off to sleep finally but he does get upset when either of us is missing from beside him. Welcome to our house at bedtime. Nothing but fun to be had... Well...so far things are going pretty good and I will be home by midnight Sunday I hope. I will be driving back after the forum is over and then be back to my world Monday. Have a great weekend folks and I will be checking in tonight or in the am. Hugs...

Day before I leave for 3 long days...ugggggg!

Today stated with a bang....my patience helmet fell off this am when Greyson was working me about leaving the house. So....I said, "I'm done...Goodbye!" ...and I got in my car and drove off. Well mainly I did this because I needed a time out...for myself. Had I not done it I would have blown a head gasket! I felt crappy when I got back though because you should have seen his face...he was ready to go to school for sure then...Go figure. He looked really worried so I explained on the way to school why I drove around the block. I told him I needed to take a mommy timeout so I wouldn't get angry with him for not coming to leave when I asked (more than once). I told him I did not want to yell at him and we talked about what we could do different in the am to help get out the door on time without saying it 100 times. We already give him times and remind him due to this issue of him needing a strict schedule but that doesn't always work. Mostly due to our failing to communicate in ways he gets...not so much a fault of his. So....I asked his opinion this am about what would help him get out the door and go when we ask. We decided on trying a BIG hug for leaving time as well as continuing the time warnings. That way he can get what he needs or wants to take along for the ride in and the BIG hug will get him up and to the door, as well as help him feel the love. It will hopefully diminish the hurrying and tense atmosphere, that as parents, we all tend to create in the am. We shall see how that works....and hopefully on Monday I will remember that! I am getting much older you know! Anyway...his school day went well...I hung out again after lunch and I sooooo enjoy it more and more each time I go. Watch out Suzy...I may be there underfoot all next year! You may never rid yourself of Kathy and me. hahahahaaaa

Back to G man though...I got to see him in action today with Ms Susan too. They played hangman together and that was cool. I watched while sitting with Kathy and some of the other boys playing boggle. I also helped Greyson and some others during writers workshop. It's really fun to help them and challenging to keep some of them on track. Needless to say I have had plenty of experience already with that. :) I wouldn't trade it for nothing though...even if I do feel like pulling out most of my hair some days. Those days don't over ride the good ones so it's all good. He got a new LEGO Star Wars today because I promised him one before I left for my seminar. We put it together and now he is playing Star Wars LEGO to beat the band. I am packing and getting my things together for the trip. I am taking my guitar so I can try to keep my mind off being away for so long. Like that's gonna help! hahahaaa Oh well....You guys keep an eye out for my girl and sweet boy "G man". I am sure they'll be living it up for 3 days. Hopefully he will be fine and won't freak. We shall see. Goodnight everyone...until tomorrow late.

What a great week so far!

"G man" when he was much younger showing his creative and artistic side! LOVE it!

This week has been really awesome. I have been able to spend some time at Greyson's school which has really been fun. I didn't realize it but I think I was having a harder time than he was this year. I never really felt good at his other school when I tried to go in or talk with the teacher. it was always very awkward. This year has been so much better but I have taken a long time to come around and feel really OK with going over there anytime. Now that the year is almost over I am loving going over there to hang out with the kids and Suzy. I think I had some left over anxiety about school in general and didn't even realize it. I have absolutely none now though...that's for sure. I went and hung out today at their mini society trial run and had a blast. I let "Az", the little old lady in a 6 year old's body, do my hair at her hair salon. She is a cute little girl in his class that has the temperament of a little old lady...it's the cutest thing ever! She had me and another little girl did Kathy's hair while another did Suzy's. Well....Kathy and I got the "royal" treatment with gobs of moose, hair gel and butterfly hair clasps....I even had my nails painted orange while my hair was being done! Hot I tell you! Nothing but HOT! You see the kids are learning how a society works complete with banks, jail, museum, (Museum director is Greyson), muffin store, smoothie shop, snow cone shop, strawberry treat store, etc.... They designed and printed their own society money, they get paid each week, and they have money to spend in the other areas in their little society. It is awesome! They even voted in a president and vice president! Greyson is the museum director/tour guide. He even paid a friend to be his cave man in the museum. He has a dinosaur fossil, magnets, a giraffe, stitch from Lilo & Stitch, and a bear. All the kids are too cute and we helped them practice or have a trail run today. My hair was a piece of work I tell you. Only thing missing was glitter! I even got lip gloss, PINK, at the last minute to add the finishing touch! BEAUTIFUL! I will have pics soon to show how awesome these kids are! I am really enjoying Suzy, the school, the class, and all it stands for more and more as each day passes. I am sooo gonna miss being with Suzy next year....Maybe I'll ask her to keep him one more year just because! hahahahahaha I know...I am sooo bad! I think she will be very helpful and instrumental in picking him someone good for next year. I think we have a kind woman in mind already anyway. I just need to go upstairs and check out the situation up there. I so worry about him being bullied at some point so I want to steer clear of anything like that if possible but I will always have that to watch out for. If I can find a good friend in his class to help me watch out for those things as well as having a good teacher on guard then he will be just fine. he doesn't always disclose things to me so I have to find someone who will help me keep an eye out and tell. (Just in case) For now....I so cherish this entire year and hate to see it end. It seems as though it just started and poof it is just days to being over. :( I could not have asked for a better place to come to bring a boy who had been broken. Suzy is the most wonderful teacher and she, along with a wonderful EC teacher and assistant, a great speech therapist, and several OT's helped lift him up and bring him back around. He is doing so much better, not just academically but mentally as well. He still struggles some, but he has made progress by leaps and bounds compared to where he was. Thank you guys for fixing his broken spirit. He is definitely soaring and on his way to much bigger and better things. I am amazed and love seeing it happen before me. Kudos again and again to you all. Hears to our teacher Suzy, she is so very gifted and invested in the lives of soooo many children. She will probably never know just how many lives she has touched and blessed through her years of teaching but I will remind her every chance I get of just how special she is our family not to mention several other families with children in our class. We speak about you alot behind your back...but it is ALWAYS words of thanks and gratitude for the job you do. ...and Lord knows words NEVER do justice to what we feel...but we try none the less to express ourselves. I think this sums up Suzy to a tee. So here's to you o' master of the wee ones. You are a rare one of a kind woman who is loved dearly by all that encounter you! (Well the ones that are sane anyway!) hahahahaaaa

One Hundred 'years from Now
One Hundred Years from now It will not matter what kind of car I drove,
What kind of house I lived in, how much money was in my bank account
nor what my clothes looked like.
But the world may be a better place because I was important in the life of a child.

Here are some of the pics from our fun day at CCS-Mini Society

Not so good Monday...

Greyson informed me today when I picked him up that his day was not so good. I normally do no ask until we have gotten home giving him time to decompress so this must have been bothering him. I asked why and he claimed the assistant in class had gotten mad with him for going to the restroom without permission. Unfortunately he claims he had asked to go and thought the teacher had said yes. I am not sure where the communication breakdown was but normally he wouldn't lie. He is usually extremely honest even when faced with consequences. Oh well...He said she did not believe him and so he went into the coat closet and cried. I think her not believing him was the worst part to him. Normally he tells the truth and is very honest. I have not known him to lie...hem and haw before telling the truth yes...flat out lie...not so much. I took that moment to explain to him about lies and why it is soooo bad to lie. I explained it kinda like the boy who cried wolf. I said this is one reason why it is important never to tell a lie. Because, once you tell a lie and your friends know it, then when you tell the truth, no one will believe you. I also said it is important to always make sure someone is looking at you when you are speaking to them. That way if they are talking to you you know it. If they are talking to someone else they would be looking at them. So...that said I think he is fine now. He is quite a guy and can be very complex in ways unimaginable. He came straight home grabbed his new kitten and squeezed her tight and loved her. Then it was right into some Thomas. I am thinking that the Thomas shows offer him a sense of calm even if he is extremely embarrassed by his renewed love for it. He is playing trains and watching his shows...i am off to prepare dinner. Goodnight all...until tomorrow. Hopefully less rain is in our future.