Safe in Style

Yesterday ended up being an "oh shit" kind of a day. Thank God for Brooks and his ability to be calm, rational, and  completely amazing and loving when his wifey needs it most.

It reminded me of something I had been thinking about for a while, which was getting some sort of ID tag for Taylor. His Developmental Pediatrician recommended this a long time ago, when we first got the diagnosis. I looked around briefly online at the time, but all I saw were really obvious ones and I didn't like any of them. Yes, the kid is a genius. But he also zones out and when he is completely in his own world doesn't listen to his mom screaming at him- for example in a busy parking lot. Oh, and he'll wander. Twice out of his preschool classroom and into the parking lot, and even now out the front door of the house which is enough worry for this mom.

Last night we ordered Taylor some simple dog tags from DogTagsOnline.com . We got the set of 2 with the plastic edging piece for $6.99 + shipping. We also ordered him a bracelet set from My Precious Kids for just $11.99 + shipping. Taylor chose the rocket and the jet, which I think are super cute.

This way I figure the kid has options so everyday there should be something he is in the mood to wear.

I also saw this temporary tattoo on multiple websites:

 I'd like to award this the "WTF Award". Because, really, nothing says OBVIOUS like a tattoo. I'd like to think this was created by a Congressman with no personal experience. Or maybe a well meaning Grandma who thinks you get Autism from not eating your veggies.

I think we have a winner!

I'd like to forewarn y'all that this post will quite possibly be very un-PC.

When people ask how me and Brooks met, I tell the story jokingly that he stood out because he was the only white guy in the room. Truth be told there were four of us of the lighter skinned variety- Brooks, one of his guy friends,  my friend Jessica and myself. We were at a mutual friends birthday party and the room was filled with fellow classmates in the business college at the U of A. Which- let's just say it- is mostly Indians and Pakistanis.

Last week I began looking at other schools for Taylor after being advised by Edu-Prize to have a back-up plan. I went to GreatSchools.net and searched and searched and searched. I wanted to make sure that the school would have a teaching methodology that would work for my little genius who doesn't care to pay attention to anything that is not remotely interesting to him. Since the kid loves science and space and is a whiz at math, I found Paragon Science Academy in Chandler, which seemed like the perfect fit!

We went to the school open house on Saturday and I was sold just looking at the group in the room! Brooks probably had the school pegged from looking at the parking lot. I do believe there was us and one other white family in the room, otherwise it was filled with- ahem- South East Asians. One of the parents even asked a question about a fourth grader doing 8th grade math. As we walked down the hallways to visit the classrooms I looked at the students names on the art projects that were displayed. I could hear a little "ka-ching, ka-ching" ringing in my head. Score! It's great to have Taylor in a mutli-cultural environment. I don't know why Pakistanis and Indians are so smart, but I want my kid hanging out with the smart kids!

We talked to a first grade teacher about accommodations for Taylor, and although I am sure he will have an adjustment period I really think this will be a perfect fit. Today's project: working on his enrollment packet.

Last day of school!

Pulling Taylor out of Santa Cruz and then enrolling him at AZVA has been an experience! Would we do it again? The jury is still out on that one. It has been amazing to see firsthand how Taylor learns. This will make us better advocates for him at the next IEP meeting for sure. But, oh my gosh has it been difficult sometimes. Getting to  him to focus on something that is not interesting is incredibly difficult. I am also not happy at all with the services or lack of services he received because of school being offered in a "virtual" environment. But, all of the boxes of materials they sent were amazing and I can see how this could really work for some families.

As for us? Nah. I have never really been a proponent of homeschooling. My sister home schools and I have friends that do. It works for them, but not for my sanity or that of my wiggly child who needs the structure of a traditional brick and mortar school. I think there are some really great schools and great teachers out there. The next challenge for us is finding the right school for Taylor that will be his permanent school, I really don't want to switch him again before middle school. We submitted an application for Edu-Prize and are checking out Paragon Science Academy in Chandler tomorrow. Paragon has a Lego club- how cool is that?

Fingers crossed we find something good!

Rocky road before breakfast? Yeah, I'm a sucker

We had a "discussion" a few weeks back about my lack of restraint when purchasing (with the Bunny's advice) presents for Easter. At that moment I blurted out something that was probably in the back of my mind but I had never actually verbalized before.

I can't take Autism away. But I can make Taylor happy by buying him things. And, if that's all it takes then by God I am going to do it.

So this morning Taylor decided he wanted rocky road ice cream before breakfast. And I couldn't/didn't say no. I totally get that if I stood my ground and never allowed things like this my kids could be better for it. They'd eventually grow up and be excellent human beings because their mommy loved them so much she was strong and firm.

Ah, this morning I was not that mommy. Sometimes I rather enjoy the look of happiness on their faces when they get some instant gratification. There is a lot in this world that is unpleasant and crappy. As long as my child is not obese or has a dairy or nut allergy,  if a bowl of rocky road makes it even a little bit better- even if only for a moment, then I am OK with it.

Would you like some heart shaped cheese?

I am always good for a little cheese :)

Being married is hard work, but I love it. I saw a quote once that to have a good marriage, you don't just need to find the right partner, you also need to be a good mate. We try.

So here it is...songs that remind me of me and Brooks:

Can everyday be a vacation?

Oh man, I love being on vacation. I love, love, love traveling. I love the smell of the air of someplace other than home. Love it, love it, love it. Like, really.

Get it yet? I freaking LOVE IT!

Thank goodness I married Brooks, who has the same need-to-travel bug. I don't think Brooks just wants to go somewhere cool, he wants to live somewhere cool and hopefully at some point in our lives we can make that happen.

But for now we will get out and about however we can. This summer is his family reunion in Mitchell, South Dakota. We were originally going to fly, but for the cost of the just the plane tickets and the rental car (not even the spending money) we could make it a road trip with lots of fun stops for adventure. This took some convincing, as this would be quite the trip with our little rascals. But, we are both now excited to do this and think it will be amazing!

Here are some pics of us and Little Man the last time we went to South Dakota:

The infamous "Hey Cow!" We'll see if he yells that each time we pass this cow this year




Daddy and Taylor at Lake Mitchell



Storybook Island in Rapid City



Mount Rushmore

hmmm...

When I was in college, I rushed a sorority. It was fun and something I had known I always wanted to do. I made it pretty far into the process, as in they wanted me and I wanted them and was a pledge. The other pledges looked up to me, I was sort of a mother hen of sorts to all the other girls. I always stepped in when someone forgot their pin, wasn't wearing the right outfit, forgot to study- I always had a plan and a way to make everything work out with a happy ending. We had this point midway through where we had to meet in front of the active members and get interrogated. One by one we went in and faced the group of them looking at us completely emotionless and dissecting our every answer to anything that had happened in the weeks prior. After my turn was done I went back out and the other girls all just turned to me. How was it? What did they ask you? How did you do? One girl then came up to me worried. "Whenever you think, I notice you are really quiet." That was maybe the first time I ever really thought about how I had gotten so close to someone that she had figured me out. She was right on the money- I was thinking and worrying.

Later that night I received a phone call from my Big Sis (an active member) and learned my fate- I was fine. A few of the girls did not make it past that night and that only got me thinking more and I decided that for whatever reason, pledging that sorority was not for me. So I de-pledged. I regret it sometimes, but it is what it is and who knows how things would be different now had I stayed in it? Would I have still met Brooks?

The past few months have been a period of us thinking, worrying, thinking. In this world today where everything you say or do is everywhere, it's been hard to just think and not talk about it. So after thinking and thinking, I think we have a plan. I wish our plans were bigger but sometimes for whatever reason things just aren't meant to be. So it is what it is and that means that our big plans will just wait for another day. And this day I am looking at schools for Taylor in the East Valley that are good (the best, I hope), karate class options, soccer for Little Miss and someday soonish a job for me.

And my little family is happy with this plan.

Jazzy Turns 3!

Jasmine's third birthday was quite the adventure! We began with a trip to Disneyland, then had a birthday party at her Tata's house in Tucson complete with two mega pinatas. I came down with something probably what the Plague was like, but Little Miss had a blast! Here is the day, in pictures:

Jazzy and Jessie


Jazzy and Woody


Toy Story cake


Being silly with cousin Zeke and the pinata hats


Taylor as Buzz Lightyear


Brooks and Buzz