The Life of a 1st Grader

This week has been a really hard week around our house.  Joel got a promotion at work which is a good thing, but along with that comes more work so basically I have been running solo around here.  Usually the boys take turns running me into the ground but they have both been "on their game"this week.  They are exhausting!  Don't get me wrong I love them to death, but man they have been testing my every nerve this week.  I was recently told by someone that I am the "most patient and laid back person they have ever met".  I still am not sure if that was a compliment or if they were politely telling me that I need to work on my parenting skills.  Either way, this week they would have had a different opinion. 

Charlie is the busiest little guy I have ever been around.  I can't leave him alone for 2 minutes.  It absolutely amazes me how fast he can find things that he should not be getting into.  For instance, as I am typing this he found the butt cream and is eating it.  Yes, eating it!  Seriously.  Enough said.

Tyson has been so different this week.  I am pretty sure he is just exhausted, but I don't even know what to do with him.  We tried flag football this week and he literally quit and cried the entire practice.  I had no idea what to do; he had never done that before.  The next night he cried almost the whole night about everything.  The neighbor girl was over and she said, "I have never seen Tyson have a tantrum before."  That is how bad it was.  I again had no idea what to do about that.

But last night it all turned around!  It was an amazing night.  We had football practice again, and he actually played.  He first sat in the car crying saying "I don't want to!"  But then we came up with the best idea we have ever had.  Alvin (as you know he has a major obsession with the chipmunks) could go play with him.  We literally tied Alvin to his shorts and off he went!  I sat in the car almost in tears watching him have a blast out there.  He did so awesome!  Then we came home and he mastered his spelling words!  It was a great night that I needed more than anything.

Lesson Learned: When you have a child with autism you have to be a very creative parent! :)