This Is Where I Belong

AJ and I joined the Audubon Society. It's our plan to do all the hikes in our area. So, on Monday, we headed out for our first one. AJ loves the woods. It's quiet, with very little stimulation. Also, AJ HATES bugs. HATES! And, he is terrified of them. But, in the woods, he decided not to be scared anymore. Being there was more important to him. More important than the hated and feared bugs. That is amazing.

I let him use my digital camera. He was taking the most beautiful pictures. He's got a great eye. I was so impressed. I'm thinking he's getting a digital camera for his birthday in August. He has a "kid" one, but the resolution sucks, and he knows it. He's just so good, and it makes him so happy to take pics. He's really gentle with the camera, and knows how to use the macro features, and turn off the flash.

Anyway, the point was, as we were walking around, AJ was just so happy. He kept saying "This is it, Mama. This is where I belong. This is my place." And it is. Everyone has a place - a place where they feel whole, and comfortable. Nature is his. We are going to spend more time there - in his place, where he belongs.

Peace out.

What Are You Doing?

Lately, whenever we are together in a room hanging out, AJ will ask me "What are you doing?" He's sitting next to me. He'll be watching a video, or reading. I'll be doing one of three things - working on making jewelry, checking my e-mail, or reading. It's not hard to figure out. So, at first, when he started doing this, here's how it went.

AJ: "Mama?"

Me: "Yes?"

AJ: "What are you doing?"

Me: (calmly) "Reading, sweetie."

I was thinking that if I just answered, eventually he would figure out that I was doing exactly what it looked like I was doing. Nope, it didn't work. Here's what I tried next:

AJ: "Mama?"

Me: "Yes?"

AJ: "What are you doing?"

Me: (calmly) "What does it look like I'm doing?"

AJ: "Reading?"

Me: (really trying for calm) "That's right, reading, sweetie."

I was thinking that if I asked him what he thought, and he found that he was right, he would stop asking, and just look. Strike two. Here's next:

AJ: "Mama?"

Me: "Yes?"

AJ: "What are you doing?"

Me: (as sarcastically as possible, cuz it's the only way he gets sarcasm) "Wrestling aligators, sweetie." (or trekking the great northwest, or voting for the president - really, I've got millions of them)

AJ: "Mama, come on!!! You're reading."

Now, I'm thinking I won, but two minutes later:

AJ: "Mama?"

Me: "Yes?"

AJ: "What are you doing?"

Strike three! AARRGGHH!!!!!!

Peace out.

When You Notice That They Notice (Especially When You Forgot)...

When you have a child with special needs, you don't forget about it very often. I am alway researching on line, reading about autism, taking AJ to his appointments, etc. So, I don't "forget" that he has autism very often.

But, last week, AJ and I went to the Children's Museum in Boston. He LOVES that place. LOVES!!! So, he was playing in the climbing structure. Being a kid. And I was just being a mom. Just a mom. Hanging out, watching him. He came out of the structure all excited. He made it all the way to the top and back. He was so proud. He couldn't do it last time, so I was so proud of him.

He was doing his happy AJ thing. He was flapping hard. When he flaps like that, you can actually hear his bones. And he does this "Stevie Wonder thing" with his head. Like when Stevie plays piano. Just freely moving his head. I'm used to it. Just AJ being happy.

I happened to look to my left for a minute. And, BOOM. I noticed that they noticed.

I heard and saw the other mothers staring at my kid.

I heard someone say "What's wrong with that kid?"

Another mother said "Probably a retard."

First mom "Glad that's not my kid."

Me: "Yeah, he's glad too."

It wasn't nice of me, but I think they had it coming. Because he's just a kid, just being a kid. Since when is that a bad thing?

Peace out.

Is He Always Like This?

"Is he always like this?" This is a question I've heard, sometimes in slightly different wording, since AJ was an infant.

I always ask: "Like what?" just to be annoying. Their answers have varied, depending on AJ's age, stage, development, mood, or the person asking the questions age, stage, development, or mood.

Basically, is he always so: cranky, clingy, chatty, loud, energetic? Ummm, yeah. He's intense. He's all those things. And whatever mood he's in, he's in it 200%. So, yes, he's always like THIS. Whatever THIS is - that's what he is. He's also ALWAYS intelligent and engaging.

Where am I going with this? I don't know - but I'm so sick of that question. It just seems weird to me. It's weird enough when people who know us ask this question, but it's freaking weird when complete strangers ask this. What difference could it possibly make to them. I don't know - maybe I'm being cranky and I just need a nap.

Peace out.

Words, words, words

I've not blogged in a looooong time. We are not at a loss for event, but more at a loss for time, energy, and words. I've got so much in my head, but I just can't seem to make it come out.

We've been homeschooling since January. It's had its ups and downs. It's difficult to impossible at times. But, I know he's so much better off with me. I know that he's not being hurt or abused, and I'm not nervously waiting for/dreading the phone ringing. It's better all the way around.

He graduated on Friday. I gave him a choice. Write a 2 page book report, or continue with 2 more weeks of our regular curriculum. Truthfully, I was hoping he'd choose the book report. He's getting so far ahead on the curriculum. He's supposed to be in 3rd grade, but all of our work has been 4th or 5th grade work, some 6th grade.

He did choose the book report. It was incredible. He described the settings, the characters, the beginning, middle, and ends. He gave opinions on each section, and how he felt reading it. A+++ work all the way. We're going to give him a graduation party - he deserves it.

We took him to a carnival a few weeks ago. He had a really good time. And, as it turns out, he's quite good at carnival games. You know the balloon one, where you throw the dart, and if you hit 3 balloons, you win? Well, he won. The guy running the game was shocked. He kept saying "the little kid popped all the balloons - all of them!" AJ was so proud. We were stunned and proud. Who know he had such good aim?? He didn't get it from me, that's for sure.

Anyway, lots more has happened, good and bad, but it's just stuck in my head. There'll be more blogs when the words shake loose.

Peace out.