Preschool Already?

This little man is going to be going to preschool in just 4 and a half short months.  We started the paperwork yesterday to start his transition into the school district.  They day he turns three he will be a preschooler!  (In case you're wondering, since he has a diagnosis he will start receiving services the day he turns three.)  As I was signing the paperwork yesterday giving my permission to share his information I think I had a little heart attack.  I just kept saying over and over, "Oh my, my baby, a preschooler, what the heck am I going to do?"  Seriously, I can't even think about it.  How is he old enough to be in school?  My baby?  I am having a little heart attack as I am typing this.  I know deep down this is the best for him, but I might die...

The Boys

Spelling tests, math homework, flag football, speech therapy, and K-State football are keeping us on the move these days.  I am very proud to announce that Tyson has gotten 10 out of 10 on both of his spelling tests so far.  So all our hard work has paid off.  Math is a different story, not his strong suit!  I am amazed every day with Tyson.  He is doing so well and working so hard.  Somedays I wonder if we push him too hard because he is only 6, but he seems to be doing ok with all of it. 

Charlie's speech is getting better and better everyday.  He loves going to speech therapy, which makes it so much easier for all of us.  He sits in that little high chair for 30 minutes answering question after question.  It is truely amazing to watch.  I can't get him to do anything for 5 minutes let alone 30!  He gets so excited when he can say something and people understand.  And just so you know he skipped size 3T clothes.  He is already wearing size 4 and they are  not even close to being too big.  He is not a baby anymore. :(

Here are some pictures of my cute little Wildcat fans!

First Flag Football Game

Tyson's first football game was tonight.  He was very excited to go so that he could take Alvin along in his pants (read previous entries if you don't know what I am talking about).  Whatever works, right?  His coach is quite intense and requires them to be there 45 minutes before the game starts so they can practice.  Tyson was tired during practice so we were very unsure of how he would do.  (I later found out Dad promised him a trip to Target if he played so that may have helped a little)  I also think, to our advantage, the game was called early due to lightning, but during the 30 minutes they got in he did awesome.  It was so fun to watch.  He does a lot of running around but enjoys it the only way Tyson knows how, with all his heart!  Videos to come...

If You're Interested...

Autism is a very confusing thing that is such a big part of our lives.  I am constantly reading and researching to be able to come up with some understanding of it.  Some of it is good and some of it is not so good.  I came across a couple articles that were very interesting so I thought I would put them on here for anyone who is bored someday and would like to know more about it.

Autism Genome Project

Fragile X

100 Day Kit (this one is really long but full of a lot of good info)   

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! :)

Tyson and Charlie

I am always trying to get pictures of the boys together.  It is really impossible to get a picture of both of them looking at the camera and smiling at the same time.  Impossible.  Well, yesterday I had success.  Look at those dimples!

1st Grade

Today is the first day of school for us.  Tyson was so excited he could not even fall asleep last night.  He was so ready to go back to school.  Just like last year I thought it was going to be nothing.  As I laid awake last night at 3am I could not stop worrying.  I worry so much about that kid.  He has a new teacher, a new class, a new classroom, so many changes.  I worry about how he will adjust.  But if I learned anything from last year, he is going to be fine, right.  So why do I keep worrying?  Truthfully my biggest fear is that he is not going to have any friends.  I can't move past it and I am not sure why.  So my hope for this year, again, is that everyone will love Tyson for who he is.  Appreciate all of his "little things".  Treat him as an equal.  Be his friend.

His chipmunks are waiting by the door for him to get home from school!