It's Official: I am a Soccer Mom!

There are some things that you take for granted when you have a typical child. He or she will have friends, probably do things like go to the prom, date, etc. The same is true when you have a kiddo with special needs but you sort of put it in your mind there are some things that you won't do. I don't mean for that to sound like I am not an optimist. Those of you that know me know that my glass is always way more than half full. It's just that you have so much to get done on your "short list" that you rarely have time to look at the "long list". For me one of them was seeing my son play sports on a team. I never, ever thought that I'd be a "Soccer Mom". Well maybe that was because Curly is not a soccer guy.....he's a football, tough-guy-sport dude....lol. Today, it happened.

An awesome man and his wife in a neighboring community who also have a child on the "spectrum" formed a league called "Soccer 4 All" where anyone can play. High school students from the area team up with the kids and are their buddies on the field (it's called a field right?? I don't know sports at all....lol). We worked on getting Logan used to the idea for a few weeks now and he was stoked! He had his shorts, spikes, shinguards.....he was ready to rock. We woke up to sunny skies here in Cleveland today which was awesome because the 1st game, last week, was rained out. Those of you that know Logan, know that he is extemely sensitive to light. We hooked him up with two pairs of glasses and Daddy's baseball hat and he took to the field like a champ. A really sweet girl named Molly started to engage with Logan by working with him and showing him some moves. It was awesome! They warmed up and then started the game. He was so focused and in to the game unlike anything I have ever seen. He loved it, he really, really loved it.

Wanna hear the "kicker" (pun intended...lol). LOGAN SCORED A GOAL!!!!!!!! It was so sweet and special seeing him do it and also seeing how excited he was after he scored. My baby!! It was a great day!

We ended the day by going over to Curly's sister's house to celebrate her 50th B-Day (Rock on Weezie the Geezie!.....lol) and Mother's Day with my Mother-in-Law. We had a really nice time just hanging out and talking. My BIL, makes a mean margarita! Y-u-m-m-y!!

Before the game giving "The Fonz"

Molly helping Logan with his laces

Molly and Logan (how cute is she???) Wonder if she babysits???

Running down the field with the ball

He's going in for the shot!

Getting ready to........

SCOOOOOOOOOOOOORE!!! (if only that kid in the red pants wasn't blocking my shot) Hi-5's from Molly

Little Miss Sunshine

Oh wait....she's eating rocks! But she sure is cute doing it, huh?

We All Scream for Ice Cream

Oye! What a week! Curly was out of town at the beginning, it was Grandma Jan's B-day, Logan started with a new OT (LOVE HER!!!) and we had his IEP meeting on Thursday. It was a big one because he needed to be re-evaluted every which way before starting Kindergarten in the Fall. I really liked the new SLP and Sp. Ed teacher and look forward to meeting his new teacher (we are going to miss his pre-school teacher big time!).

We went to a pretty cool Latin American restaurant called Paladar for Grandma's b-day. It was pretty good and was more of a nuevo Latin American cuisine. The chef kindly made chicken tenders and fries for Logan (not on the menu) and Devon feasted on black beans and rice and sweet plantains (I helped her out with those!!! They brought me back to Guat). After dinner we went back to my brother and SIL's house to open presents and have cake and ice cream. Tiffany made this awesome cake called a Hummingbird Cake (??). She said it was Southern.....I said it was AWESOME! Devon just enjoyed the ice cream :) Yummy!
Ahhhh, ice cream soup!
Sweet Logan, my brother and Yukon (he has the big "C" and might not be with them much longer :( )
Logan and his Aunt Bannie
Logan lovin' on Grandpa

Devon had a really cool 1st on Thursday night......Her 1st ice cream truck frozen confection! Boy oh boy did she love it!! Logan of course went for a Spongebob popsicle. I am in so much trouble when they hear that tune-ful truck coming down the street playing that electric circus song. Can I tell you that there are 3 ice cream truck trolling my neighborhood??? Do they take credit???? LOL

Me likey
Me lovey
Me messy!!
Logan Squarepants

Sunny Days.....Everything is A-OK :)

First, I wanted to say thank you to all of the wonderful people that posted and emailed me about the JERK bus driver. Curly called the next day and filed a complaint with the head of transportation. I couldn't do it because I was WAY too emotional and would have jut blubbered on the phone. They were appalled and even the regular (and NICE) driver apologized for his actions. My sweet friend Ruthanne wrote an awesome social story that we are now reading to Logan. I've also pulled out the old ones on appropriate bus behavior.

The weather here in Cleveland has been A-W-E-S-O-M-E! Curly took the day off on Friday and we worked in the yard together. Ahhhh, we have so much to do and are both horticulturally challenged (can I get an IEP for that???). My dad, who is one green thumbed dude, came over and helped Curly take down a tree that had roots that were starting to foul up our stamped concrete patio that we had put in a few years ago. I was inside with my mom and the kids and I heard Devon say "PaPa Monkey". I looked outside to see my dad IN the tree. No, he was not wearing work boots but Birkenstocks.
Doesn't it look like Curly is flying a kite here?? Nope. Just making sure that the tree landed in the yard and not on our roof! LOL Thank goodness my dad was over to direct this deal or we would be filing a claim with our home owner's insurance company right about now! LOL
So pretty in her dress :) She can wear them now that she is walking. It's too hard when they are crawling because they get all stuck and jumbled up.
OK, this is a close up of my son wearing nail polish (yep you read that right!) as lip stick. I polished my toes for literally the 1st time in months so I could wear sandals without being mocked by the fashion police. I made the mistake and left it on the kitchen counter. Curly walked in to seeing Logan applying it to his lips and saying "Look Daddy. I'm pretty!".

Mommy's sunshine sweetie :)
Logan driving grandma's Prius. Funny thing with this car is that since it is a Hybrid it doesn't make noise when it is on. Good thing he didn't drop it into "D".
Dancing to "We Did It" ala Dora.
Can you hear me now?? Wearing brother's socks as ear muffs because it grosses mommy out.
Touching Mommy's Laptop......things that will get you in a time out for sure! I'm pretty easy going but touching my buttons PUSHES my buttons!
Can you get over this Vogue pose?? Eat your heart out Madonna!

Bite Me, Bus Driver Bob

Or whatever your name is. As if my day couldn't get crappier and I've been fighting back tears all day I had to deal with another insensitive fool that just doesn't get it. Here's how it went:

I see the bus coming down the street, it stops in front of the house. There is a new dude at the wheel.

Logan: Mommy!
Me: Hey sweetie! How was your day??
Bus Driver: Oh, so Logan belongs to you.
Me: Yes. I am the proud mom of this guy
Bus Driver: Logan got yelled at today on the bus
Me: Yelled at? For what?
Bus Driver: I had to stop the bus and yell at him because he stood up on the bus.

(Like this is a death penalty offense!)

Me: (In shock...the last time this happened he had a panic attack and threw up everywhere!)
Bus Driver: He wouldn't even look at me. (Dumb ass, he has autism. He doesn't look at ME!)
Me: Sir, I am not sure if you are aware but Logan has autism and part of the disbility includes an inability to maintain eye contact or to act as if he can't hear you.
Bus Driver: Well, whatever he has. I had to stop the bus and yell at him. I don't care what he has.

So to you, Bus Driver Bob, I say.....BITE ME!

Seriously, look at this little button. I've had it with people today!


Edited to add: He did end up throwing up from nerves. All over the table at a restaurant tonight. Thank you very little Senor Jackass!

Today Is WORLD Autism Day!

I am humbled to say that today has been noted as "World Autism Day". Across the globe people are getting the word out that autism really is an epidemic and that it effects millions across the world.

Most of you know that autism has touched our life with Logan. My sweet, smiling Logan. He is 5 now at was officially diagnosed around 2 and a half however I knew something in him changed at around 15 months old. He went from being a gregarious and engaging little soul to fixating on ceiling fans seemingly overnight. What he was gaining in terms of development was lost. I was told by the "smart people" (ie. Dr's) to wait because boys develop later. What did I know? I was a 1st time Mom and only had my instinct to go on.

We started therapy before his diagnosis because we decided to act on instinct instead of the medical mainstream mantra. We started and never looked back and it was the best decision we could have ever made.

Those early days were often dark and seemed bleak. Looking back today, Logan has come so far. I remember the 1st time he said "Mom". I cried so hard to hear his beautiful voice say my name. I promise you that I will never tire of hearing him call my name. It still makes me smile. We have rough patches but we have so much to celebrate and so much to look forward to.

A diagnosis of autism isn't the end. It's just the beginning of a long road. A road filled with triumphs, tears, making new friends that "get it".....a road to life viewed a little differently, through the eyes of someone you love with autism.

Peace!