Wednesday evening and oh soooooo tired is our boy.

Wednesday I headed off to pick Greyson up from school and he had a confession waiting for me. Poor kid is sooo honest that even when he does something he shouldn't he ends up telling on himself. He had taken his Bakugan toys to school to play with at recess. Toys are not allowed and we are pretty firm on him not taking any unless it is something that we OK with his teacher first. I guess the whole Bakugan thing is taking off with his classmates and alot of them love to play it. He did not care for it until he realized it was "the thing" and now he thinks he needs to jump on the band wagon. hahahaaaaa Anyway...he explained that alot of his friends brought Bakugan but Ms Suzy said they cannot play that anymore. No more toys even at recess. I told him I was disappointed that he took them behind our backs and that he had made a bad choice. He apologized and said he wouldn't do it anymore. I figure there will come another time where bad choices arise so I roll with it. He and I stopped at the house to drop off his bag and then headed to OT. He did really well there and played well with some of the other kids. They socialize them on purpose since most of them have socialization issues anyway. It helps them learn to relate better to others and teach some much needed social skills that most of them are lacking. Once we got home he had some wii time with momom and then we headed off to bed. He chose to watch Open Season which was already on cartoon network instead of Bee Movie. I had a bad feeling about it so I asked 3 times if he was sure since we would not have tome to watch Bee movie once the other was off. He claimed it would be OK. Well....my gut told me differently, and boy was it right. We turned off the TV and he started to whimper...he said, "I am sorry... I am sorry...I was wrong and my head isn't right now that I watched Open Season. I saw a bad commercial." Good lord....so.....in went Bee Movie and thank goodness he was asleep in about 2.5 seconds. I woke up to the TV still going and had to tell Michele to turn it off. Bee Movie will be a part of our regimen for a while I am afraid. Well...tonight is another night...he has Karate which he is really doing well at. We shall see how it goes. He has been exhausted lately so maybe it will wear him out really good. Good day all...It's almost Friday!

Monday...Tuesday...here we go.

Well, Well ...we started our week and it has been good. Greyson seems to be doing well at school this week and he has no adverse effects from his head trauma playing wii. i forgot to mention just before mom cloaked him playing wii he had hit his head in the same spot at Monkey Joe's during the birthday party he was attending. Go figure. So Grace....how are things at the palace...huh? I took him to school today and found Cymantha, the assistant busy getting things ready for the day. I stayed and chatted for a moment...and laughed... of course. I so enjoy talking with Suzy and Cymantha...it seems weird after my interesting year last year. I never felt really any warm or fuzzy feelings at the old school. hahahaaaaaa It is all for the better no doubt. Anyway...the week has been pretty normal...nothing crazy or extreme to report so far. He had Karate tonight and he is now a green stripe belt...and very proud of it I might add. He did great Michele said. i stayed home to be Chef Paula Dean...ok....maybe not. I did cook dinner though. I can heat up a mean corn dog and then peel all the corn off for a boy who is extremely particular about what goes into his mouth. hahahaaa. I have mastered the art of heating the dog then peeling the corn off if anyone needs the recipe! hahahaaaaaa... I crack my damn self up. Well...since nothing insane is happening for me to tell you about I shall go. Until tomorrow...sweet dreams and hugs all around. Bee Movie here we come. I do believe the sleep will come early tonight though....he was almost passed out when he got home from Karate. As grandma griffin used to say...Good night, sleep tight, don't let the bedbugs bite! Grandma is dead....Greyson would croak if he heard me say that....we would have to check all the sheets for bugs. hahahaaaa

Night out with Michele...

Disclaimer...pic is old...not from last night!

Michele and I went to celebrate with Steve & Steve last night and several others. Steve C is having his 50th birthday so we had to harass him some. It was a great time being able to hang out with everyone and laugh. Grandma came up to watch Greyson which is always a help since it saves us $$$. But I always worry as she is still not used to his high energy and some of his eccentric ways. I think he totally wears her out mentally and physically. Therefore we only ask her on occasion. Plus as I have discussed before, I don't think she always understands why we do some of the things we do as far as dealing with him and his challenges when they occur. Maybe it's generational...(can't tell you)...but I do not really care. I know we are doing the best we can given alot of professional advice and our own gut instinct. So...when she is staying I do worry but I figure for a few hours it should be OK. Anyway....we got home and he was like a puppy. He heard the car, probably form 10 miles out, and ran out of the bedroom screaming mommy...momom! He was soooo excited we were home. They had played wii and watched TV. The wii playing was probably interesting since mom is very competitive. Oh well...hopefully he isn't too traumatized. hahaha Anyway...we just got back from Campbell's birthday party. Greyson had lots of fun but has a headache due to whacking his head on something. He is watching Grandma get beat in tennis by Michele on the wii. Poor grandma is still trying to learn the whole technique of it. Well...I am going to get off this computer and visit with my family. I still have most of my hair currently...not too crazy yet...my girls Ginger & Jen will get this I am sure of it. Gotta love those who know the best way to do everything...huh? Especially in regards to our children. :)

Ohhhhmmmmmmmmm! Ohhhhmmmmmmmmm! I am visualizing my rope Suzy! Go to the light Carol Ann...go to the light! :)

Thank you for your support Mr President.

While checking the White House web site I found the following information reagrding the presidents stance on Autism...

President Obama and Vice President Biden are committed to supporting Americans with Autism Spectrum Disorders (“ASD”), their families, and their communities. There are a few key elements to their support, which are as follows:

• First, President Obama and Vice President Biden support increased funding for autism research, treatment, screenings, public awareness, and support services. There must be research of the treatments for, and the causes of, ASD.


• Second, President Obama and Vice President Biden support improving life-long services for people with ASD for treatments, interventions and services for both children and adults with ASD.


• Third, President Obama and Vice President Biden support funding the Combating Autism Act and working with Congress, parents and ASD experts to determine how to further improve federal and state programs for ASD.


• Fourth, President Obama and Vice President Biden support universal screening of all infants and re-screening for all two-year-olds, the age at which some conditions, including ASD, begin to appear. These screenings will be safe and secure, and available for every American that wants them. Screening is essential so that disabilities can be identified early enough for those children and families to get the supports and services they need.

I am thankful that we have elected a eloquently spoken and wonderful president that is going to do his best to bring about change in this world we are living in as well as offering hope to those who were starting to think all hope was lost. It won't happen over night, and as we all know, this will take some time. But he can, and he will, get the ball rolling. I realize there are those who beg to differ. That's OK...you have that right. Just remember, a closed/narrow mind is a wasted one! This election was a true showing of what democracy is all about in this country. If you still feel closed minded concerning our president, his abilities, or his race then I feel as though maybe you should step back and reevaluate. This is 2009. You may live in small town or rural area that hasn't caught up with the rest of the country, but times are changing and people are coming together to help make that change. All I can say is...we are all created equal and it is about time!

Great Day...It's Friday and Belt Test Day at Karate!

Today was a most wonderful day for me and hopefully for Greyson. I spent the day with him first at Imaginon watching Clinton play the drum with the Imagineers...and then I took him back to school to be with his class. he asked me to stay for lunch which ended up in me staying until time to leave. it was great though. I had a great time watching all the kids and Greyson while also getting to spend time chatting some with Ms Suzy his teacher. It was really nice and I enjoyed being there. Hopefully I can come by other times and be of some help to her when and if need be. After we left school we came home to do a little of his math sheet homework. We are plugging away at it since homework is not always easy or his favorite...he and every other kid huh? Anyway...at around 5:30 we had to start getting ready for his belt test. Every so often in Karate class...(after a certain number of hours logged) they are ready to test for their next belt color on their way to Black belt. It get s harder as they get closer to black but for now he is coming right along. Still somewhat uncoordinated but they are fine with that and roll with it. Yay....he started at white, then orange, yellow, blue, green and now...green stripe. After green stripe then he will be going for purple. I think he really likes it and he seems to focus very well in there although he still has moments of wondering. If you know what I mean. :) we do love to watch him though and Michele so wants him to succeed at some sport. He is so headed for drama or singing as he does it alot. Ms Cymantha told me today he will be doing assignments or working by himself but there is almost always singing involved. She said she lets him sing unless it seems like he is going to break out into full blown version. Next thing you know he'll be on Broadway or at the very least TV or movies...haha I just hope once he is famous his memories of us are fond ones. Michele is tortured here because he and I both suffer from hearing a word and breaking out into song. Then we usually make up words to fit whatever is happening to us at that moment which brings her to the brink of insanity. Poor thing...I do feel sorry for her sometimes....but mostly not! It's all about the love! Well....back to Greyson...he was awarded his green striped belt tonight and Master Hartsell was very proud of him. He is coming right along. We came home and had his favorite...pepperoni pizza in Yay! I love pizza too but I am burnt out on it thanks to the pizza king. Oh well...now it is off to bed for us here shortly. He isn't feeling all that great and has a little bit of an upset stomach. I hope it doesn't turn into anything more than the usual for him. His little stomach can be a little sensitive at times not liking certain things like chocolate so...I hope that is what is happening. We shall see... good night and sweet dreams to you & yours. It's the weekend and definitely that is cause enough to celebrate. Cheers!

Back to School after the Blizzard that never was...

We headed back to school today after a somewhat disappointing snow fall. You see....it melted faster than we could get out to enjoy it. so sad.... Anyway...Greyson is now determined for us to go to the mountains or the East coast since he heard the storm headed East. :) So...I picked him up at school after a day of working myself, which,...is highly unusual as of late. I actually was busy at the office all day. i picked him up and he seemed to have had a good day. I just never know since he isn't real forthcoming with information all the time. I do try to find out about his day though under the guise of needing information for his blog. Anything to get him to be a little more open. We head to OT and he was in there for an hour. Each week on Wednesday we head off for the same routine...OT (4:30 to 5:30) While he was in therapy I met and chatted with a mother that is new there named Heather. It's always nice to share stories with other moms for support, and validation. Somehow it makes things seem a little easier knowing someone else knows exactly what you feel and are going through. After the hour was up, Karissa his therapist came out to tell me how well he did. He had an awesome day at OT playing the snowman game, which he loved. He also had to stand on a swing while picking up bean bags and handed them to the boy on his left or right to toss into a bucket. Karissa said he did really well and got a great core workout as well. He had about an 80% success rate on that. Yeah big man! He also is working really hard on learning new foods and getting accustomed to different foods. he may not always taste them but he at least touches them...smashes them...and/or places them to his lips for testing and experimental purposes. He paints with apple sauce, chews on twizzlers...then spits them out. I know I know...most kids would so love that....he likes some candy but has never been a big big fan of it. He just recently within the past year had gum for the first time. Not your typical kid in more ways then one. So....he had a great OT session and we head back home for dinner. Now we are done eating....getting bathes, and heading off to bed. He just had some sort of I love you mommy melt down where he says..."I just need alot of your love right now" as he cries these huge crocodile tears. We have moments like this every so often...why neither Michele or I can explain. It started tonight due to chaffed legs...inner thighs to be exact. He says they don't hurt but he sure has hurt feelings if nothing else. How chaffed thighs equate to hurt feelings and needing such large doses of love from mommy I am not sure but I normally oblige. I just discussed this very thing with my good friend Susan tonight. How a child that has alot going on can be sooo sweet almost to their own detriment. To the point where it isn't normal. You want them to be sweet and loving but you also want to know as a mother that they are self sufficient ad able to handle their own situations that arise. You want to equip them with the tools to survive on their own should you not be able to be there for them when certain problems/challenges arise. God forbid that happen but you know what I mean. We discussed the importance of ensuring they are able to do that is and how, even more importantly, we are the ones responsible to give them those tools. At times I feel as though I am failing miserably but I also know how just when I think I am failing Greyson will surprise me with yet another major leap forward. it comes in its own time I suppose but you still have those motherly worries. When they seem too clingy and needy it can be very scary and unnerving. You know as the mother it is not the norm and that they are having anxiety to an extreme. You also know you need to find a way to help them muscle their way through it. It isn't always easy but they have to learn that survival. At least the bare minimum to get themselves through. I pray each day I can give Greyson at least that as well as helping him become the best guy he can be. A successful and productive member of an ever changing world. I want him to grow up feeling loved, respected, cared for, and safe. I never want to let him down as his mother although at times I know it is inevitable. I just hope those times are few and that his memories of us are full of love and laughs. That being said...I am off to bed to dry the tears of one sweet boy and watch...you guessed it...BEE MOVIE!!!!!! Good night all. Love, hugs....and sweet dreams abound! Here's to another day in the life!

The Weekend and Laser Quest Birthday Madness....

This weekend we hung out with Greyson and played on the wii, watched some TV and pretty much had a normal day with nothing too extraordinaire. Michele had gone to Denver to see Maudy a Mystic we see on occasion. Our friends had invited people over to meet with Maudy so Greyson and I hung out at the house while she headed up there. Once she returned we got ready to head over to our friend Marcie's house for an Oyster Roast in her back yard. Since it was freezing cold we bundled up in our ski pants and snow gear....we stayed warm and had a great time. Greyson even went with and did very well...at least long enough for us to visit, eat, have a few beers and then head back home. Once he is done somewhere he is done and we have to head out. Otherwise he could get unbearable. He was pretty funny while we where there running in and out at times and making circles around people as they sat at the fire pits complete with sound effects. Most of them do not know him or us so they have no idea what to think of him. We just watched him do his thing. I didn't even get out of sorts about it. At times it worries me that they make think we are not doing our parenting jobs well...other times I just don't care. Saturday was a just don;t care night. Yay! hahahaaaa...I have to celebrate since those come around so rarely. Greyson did freak one guy out who tried to pick on him about liking the little girl that was there...calling her his girlfriend...Greyson screamed, "You're a liar!" That did get my attention so I had to talk with Greyson on that one. Very literal he is and he doesn't do to well with teasing or picking. Anyway...we got through it none the less and had fun. That's a plus.
Sunday we had a day of relaxing and then it was off to his friends birthday party. It's one of his best buddies at school but I do not think they are very good influences for each other at times. They both have alot going on and tend to help each other get in trouble. They are really good pals so we just pray when he is at school that they are learning to manage and make better choices when one or the other is doing something they shouldn't. It doesn't always go well though. That being said we get the invitation only to realize it is going to be a Laser Quest...a laser tag center here in Charlotte where you play laser tag in the DARK of course. Lots of loud music, black lights, skeletons, monster like things hanging around...etc...etc... Ok....just to give some background here...let me backtrack. Greyson was 5 yrs. old and we headed to Disney not knowing he had Aspergers or any sensory issues...none of the above. We just thought he was rather eccentric and a little unusual. The very first ride we go on at Universal was the Lilo and Stitch ride. Who the hell would have thought that this ride be our ultimate demise for the rest of the trip. We go in and they strap each of us individually into a seat...Greyson between us. They start the story about how they captured Stitch and we all see him in front of us in the glass tube moving around and talking and screaming. Then it happens...the flicker and go out, they scream Stitch is loose...then you feel the shoulder harness on your seat going up and down like Stitch is jumping on your shoulders, you hear him spitting and they spray your face lightly with water, you hear him burping and they spray some God awful smell like chili dog burps in your face and on and on....Can I just say our kid is freaking out and screaming the whole time. Greyson was totally freaked out and terrified and we like to NEVER got him calmed down. He wouldn't ride anything after that if it even looked slightly dark...which is almost everything there by the way. We backed out of more lines than I can tell you. In line only to find that at some point we had to enter a dark area to ride. NOT!!!!! Excuse us...Excuse us...Excuse us....You get the picture! Michele was ill and putting saying how we had wasted all of our money and he was happy as a clam...as long as we stayed out of the dark areas. hahaha. One of those situations where you look back now and its funny but its not. Well that wasn't the only time we messed him up! It was just the beginning....The last time I traumatized him was Disney on Ice-Monsters, Inc. he was soooooo excited saying mommy Lynn....I really want to go to that! I thought great I'll get really good seats and he will be soooo excited. So I go online and get seats in what I thought was the area just above the ice. You know the ones...the boxes right near the ice but not on top of it. So off we go...the day has arrived. we get in and get some very high priced snacks and a souvenir for him and head to our seats. we hand our tickets to the attendant who proceeds to take us down past where I think we are sitting and onto the ice. I tell Michele she is mistaken...we will have to go back up in a minute. NO! I have managed to acquire seats right on the ICE! I could have touched it with my toes! Good Lord! I am thinking well....we might be OK....he doesn't like the dark but we are here and we can get through this. Well...they turn out the lights and he is getting antsy and scared....Then here come the Monsters, Inc guys.....Mike, Randall, and to top it off Sully! all the others were there too skating around and they were HUGE! Then to send him over the edge...Randall...the really mean one stops in front of us waving his 50 arms and his big mouth full of sharp teeth...standing over us at about 8 ft tall, it seems, while Greyson is screaming. Needless to say Michele or I had to take him out into the coliseum several times to calm down. We finally gave up and left at intermission. Unbelievable! 3 Tickets (good seats) to Disney on Ice-Monsters, Inc.-$120 Snacks at major Disney event-$45....Crappy dollar store Disney Souvenirs-$35....Scaring the shit out of your child who has Aspergers and Sensory Issues unbeknownst to you....PRICELESS!!!!!!!! Ahhhhh......I look back now and wonder how much damage we did without even knowing....poor guy. He is being loved to death! :) Now that you know his background with stuff that tingles and tantalizes the senses of most..you will fully understand our apprehension to the Laser Quest. We primed him telling him momom could go in with him and he could play laser with his buddies....well...we get there and it is loud, teenagers mostly everywhere, painted in dark colors with video games all over and he says...I'm scared! So....we still pay for Michele to go in and then wait our parties turn to go. He and Michele play games while they wait. Suddenly it is time...he decides he will go in with momom and they are headed in after being briefed. He follows all of his friends, gets to the door where he sees an big hairy scary monster thing hanging or painted on the wall and he starts to cry and won't go in. He played video games while his friends played laser....after we calmed him down. They came out and told him all about it which reinforced his theory that the place was evil! hahahaaaaa They all ate cake and headed back in for round 2. He was only too happy to patiently await their arrival back since he was not having any part of going into the darkness. Not even his friends could convince him otherwise. He was not happy and talked about how scary it was all night. We started to go to bed and it was very late....he had not watched Bee Movie because he had been preoccupied watching his cartoons. Well....at midnight when we cut the lights out he started freaking out screaming....I can't get that place out of my head....I need Bee Movie! Needless to say Bee Movie was put into the player....whatever it does it seems to work for him...we on the other hand were exhausted and just ready to sleep. Thank goodness he did not last long after that. Long story short...no more laser tag for us! Add one more to our history of taking him to places we know are going to be trouble...and this time we had NO excuses except that it was his buddies birthday and he couldn't miss that...even though he did kinda miss the meat of it! Oh well....add the lesson onto the list and keep going. :) Hope you all have a great week! MLK Day & the Historic Inauguration of Obama! Bring it on! Hugs....