Let the Holidays Begin!

Once again the Holidays are among us.  I'm excited because Kaden seems more aware of whats going on.  Halloween he was all for getting tons of candy and having a reason to walk around looking like Mario with his big Sister sporting a Luigi costume just to make her brother happy.  Even though I secretly think she wanted to wear it anyway.  HAHAHA

And Thanksgiving kind of came and went with nothing too exciting to share.  I cooked, they ate, we passed out until the next day and then I shopped until I passed out again!  HAHAHAHA  Kaden was very particular on what he would eat or even taste for that matter.  And I was fine with that.  I usually have him take at least one bite of everything unless it's something totally different.  Like I wouldn't make him eat sushi if he was dead set against it.  Believe it or not, he loves sushi but wont give tomatoes a try.  :)  So, basically he ate mac and cheese, some turkey and enough rolls to build a road to heaven.  :)

Now we are decorating for Christmas and this is our Families Favorite Holiday of the year!  We love to decorate, back cookies and cakes, make homemade cards, build gingerbread houses, put together puzzles, sip hot chocolate and curl up to watch Christmas movies.
Normally since Kaden has been old enough to know whats going on he has stayed in the background.  Hanging out in his room or just not participating.  This year I have a feeling he is going to be a tad more involved!!!  So far he helped with the tree.....on his terms.  He said he wanted to organize the branches by size and color.  And he wanted to put up the ornaments, that was it.  So sure enough after the branches were sorted out he ran up the stairs to his room and played.  When it was time for the ornaments he came down and was the biggest help ever!

All the homemade garland for the room and strands of popcorn and cranberries he wants no part of.  And I am ok with that.  I'm so proud of him and how he has grown, adapted to whats going on around him.  That was one of the things that I found difficult, him not being able to relate and participate with the world around him.  Even if he just picks one or two things to do with the family everyday I am thrilled.  Progress people, it's a Beautiful thing!

Schedule Happy!

  We started a new schedule around here for each of the kids.  Mahala's is in the form of a softball diamond with her things to do at each of the bases.  Skylar's is just a generic list since he mostly knows what to do, he just needs a reminder here and there.  Kaden's schedule was thought up by me and put together by his ABA therapist.  She nicely laminated it and it has the Velcro that I asked for.  The one thing I didn't remember to say to her was to use some color.  Being the OCD and controlling person that I am, it has taken all I have to not redo it.  I am so grateful and thankful, please don't get me wrong.  And I would never say anything, but It might accidentally get coffee spilled all over it or just go missing all together.
His schedule has proven to be both helpful and a Huge pain in my caboose!  I like to be able to map out my day and allow him some security.  He thrives off of knowing the whole days plan.  He is not as anxious and seems to enjoy the day more.  But, life changes....a game may be longer to play, dinner takes longer because I didn't thaw the meat.....damn me!  I do this all the time!  All the time!!
So, when life hits and it takes longer or shorter to do something and the schedule gets a little off, Kaden goes crazzzzzzzy! 

I love the Velcro and clear labels so I can add things and then wipe it clean.

I have been gathering a few extras in a bag....games, books, clay to help if it's a short wait.  But, the Major problem is when he can't do something because there is no time left.  Like last night he didn't go to sleep until 11pm, because we had to finish the schedule.  I definitely need to work the bugs out because he does really well when it works.  Thursday I will be meeting with the whole ABA team, so hopefully we can work it out with some guidelines for when the schedule doesn't work out like planed. 
Off to make some lunch!

When he completes something on his schedule he pulls it off and sticks in on the back.

Got Kind Words?

My sweet Kaden is such a neat little guy. And those that know him well know that he is the most straight forward, no nonsense kid and his emotions are limited to say the least. I have been struggling with that for a few years now. Because it is hurtful to not get hugs when wanted or to have your child ask u to leave his room because it's his "alone" time. He's very rigid and demanding of himself, he really could care less to ever interact with others unless he absolutely had to. So, this is hard for me.

This morning Kaden comes to the table and sits down like hes expecting a response from me. I was like hey!!! He looks at me.....crickets, crickets!!! So, Kaden do you want to hang out, maybe play a game? He says, I guess we can, but only because there is nothing better to do right now. Now, a typical child I would think of it as rude and my child would probably get punished for saying that or at least talked to. But, Kaden said it so dry and monotone, not in a rude, ugly way. He couldn't tell it even bothered me.

So, I did say to him that he should reword his sentence to be more kind towards others feelings. I gave a few softer approaches that he could have used. He responded back to me that there in no need to use useless flatter on people in your family. But if I need that then he would try harder....so would you like to play monopoly now?
That's my Kaden, how I love him sooooo much! :)

Got Nothing But Time on My Hands

 Time flys when you're having fun!!!  Or should I say time flys when you spend half your day in a car.  HAHAHAHA  Actually the day can go very slowly when you have to sit around and wait for therapy to be over or for one of the kids to be done with one of their million must do or die things.  I swear, it seems like I have a full time job as a taxi driver.  Minus the cool, bright yellow car.  I'm stuck with a blue van filled with half eaten Mc Nasty meals, game pieces, puzzle pieces, clothes, towels, sports equipment, books and did I mention game pieces.  I'm telling you I don't know how we can actually play any of the thousands of games we have in our house. 

 So, I had to share just a few of the tons of photos I have of Kaden in the back seat of the van.  I know it might seem a bit odd to have s-e-v-e-r-a-l photos of your kid either strapped into his car seat, dangling off the front seat or snacking on food. 
What do you do to past the time while you wait for your kiddos?