Wah wah wah Wah wah

So, I assume that everyone is familiar with Charlie Brown.  You never see the adults in any of the Charlie Brown movies, just their legs.  You never hear them actually talk either.  All you hear is...

Or, just in case you have never heard it, which I find impossible inconceivable! 

I was thinking about this today.  How many times do we talk, give our opinion, our advice, our heartfelt thoughts and then realize that no one is actually listening?

It has happened to me on occasion and I don't know about you, but, I find it really annoying.

I have written about Samuel finding his voice before.  If you don't know his story, you can read it here - The Power of 3 Words

We always knew that if Samuel could tell us what he needed, that his meltdowns would diminish. 

 After all, don't we all want to be heard?

Today was a lesson for me.

Firstly, it can be a crushing feeling to realize that nobody listens to you.  Well, I guess they listen, but do they hear what you are saying?

Secondly, never assume that others understand what you are saying to them.  Today was the lesson of the pot holder.

Sam and I were doing a science experiment today.  It involved the melting of a marshmallow over a candle and observing the changes.  I forgot to bring a pot holder up to our class room, so I sent Sam down to get it.  I described what it looked like and where he would find it.  I heard Sam down in the kitchen opening the draw that holds all the pots and pans.  "We don't need a pot..." and once again told him where it was and what it looked like.  Sam came up with a pot.  So, I ended up going down and showing him where the pot holder was and what it was.  After all that, we didn't even use the stupid pot holder!!!!

But, it was a lesson for me.  Never assume that people get what you are trying to say.  Sam was listening, but, obviously, I needed to do a better job explaining.  If it is important, make yourself heard.  Way back when Sam had full blown meltdowns, he was trying desperately to make himself heard.  I look at the tv, social media, the news, etc., and see so many people having the equivalent of a melt down.  People think that to get what they want, a public display of aggression is the way to go.  We see this all the time in customer service.  "I want to get a discount, so I will yell at this person until I get it."

Can you be heard and understood using a quiet voice?

I think the answer is yes.

Can we be heard, understood and get what we want using a quiet voice?

I still think the answer is yes.  Just ask my grand-babies!!! 

3 Little Words.........

Do you remember the first time your child told you,

"I love you?"

I do.

I remember where I was and what I was doing the first time Samuel turned to me and told me those 3 little words.

It was long after most children utter those words.

Every day I told Samuel that I loved him.

It wasn't just these 3 words that failed to come from Sam's mouth, but words of any kind.......silence.

Samuel had been on schedule with words.

Mum, Mum, Mum.

Dad, Dad, Dad.

Ball, drink, hot, cold.

Then, gradually, they went away.

Occasionally, he would still say a word or two.

But.......tears, anger and frustration would often occur when our sweet little boy tried to make his needs known.

 With the help of wonderful therapists and teachers.....the words started to come.

With good friends bending down and telling Samuel, "Hello," week after week....the words started to come.

Telling Samuel every day, "I love you".....the words started to come.

The day that Samuel told me, "I love you," I cried.

Sometimes I still do when he tells me.

Samuel tells me nearly every day that he loves baby Tristan very much.

It isn't all sunshine and roses however.

Along with all the words that a mother loves to hear, there are many that I don't!!

Now Samuel can express his feelings more, there is less frustration.  Less meltdowns.

There are a lot of bad jokes that are hilarious to an 8-year old.

There is joy.

This has all been on my mind since Sunday.

Samuel asked a friend at church how come they were so tall.

The reply was, "Because I eat all my vegetables."

Later on that day, I heard Samuel asking someone, "Why are you short?"  "Are you a little adult?"

It just struck me how wonderful it was that Samuel was instigating conversations.

It struck me just how grateful and blessed I feel.

This morning, Samuel came up to me, kissed me on the cheek, and said, "I love you."

Sunday night......Sam ate all his vegetables!!!

 

Sally-Ann



We Had The Slime of Our Lives.........

This weekend we went to Nickelodeon Suites Resort.

By looking at this picture, can you guess we spent most of our time??

L

 If you answered, "Waterslides." 

 You would be correct!!

This is a map of the complex - it is huge.  We were in building 10, which was convenient because Sam wanted to stay in the Lagoon Pool area the entire time.

Check-in was at 4pm.  We arrived a little early, so did everyone else!!!  It seemed that hardly any of the rooms were ready.  We had to wait 2 hours for our room.  Wasn't where we were originally told it was, but it was good.  Building 10, 5th floor.  We were high enough that we didn't get as much crowd noise, but we could still see what was going on.  This was handy when the water areas were closed because of weather, we could see when they were open again, rush down and snag a spot.  Seating, especially under the umbrellas, was tough to come by.  They had tons of seating, but there were tons of people!!!  

Our room was themed with "The Fairly Odd Parents" theme.  Samuel was excited to have bunk beds.  He slept on the top the first night and the bottom on the second.

Much to Samuel's disappointment, we missed the 4:45pm mass sliming because we had just gotten our room key.  But, because of Sam's persuasive powers, we were soon changed and down at the water park.

We met up with 2 other families from Samuel's dance class.  They also played soccer and baseball together.  Sam had been in Kindermusik with Kayla as well.

We all went to TGI Fridays for dinner that evening.  It made for a late night, but the food was great!  The only down side, except for check-in, was that the people in the room on the other side of Sam's room were letting their kids........well, I'm not quite sure what they were letting their kids do........it sounded like a roller derby on steroids.  So, after trying to solve the issue by a polite knock on the door, hey would you please quieten you kids down scenario,  we had to call the front desk.  I understand excited kids......on vacation........blah, blah, blah......

but, it was midnight.

 The next morning was breakfast with Sponge Bob and the rest of the crew from Bikini Bottom.

 Sam with the man himself......

 Kylee, Sam, Kayla and Sponge Bob.

 Sam......and my arm

 Sam loved Sandy Cheeks.

 He was very concerned that she didn't speak.

 He was also concerned about her attire........

  I had to step in before things got a little awkward

 Sam joining in on the cast dance.

 Mmmhh......not sure why I took this.  Great shot of the back of Sponge Bob and Patrick.

 Sam asking Dad, "So, what was it with  Sandy Cheek's outfit??"

 Squidward had a bit of fun with Sam.

 Honestly, who came up with these names??

Squidward Tentacles.

I

It was a good start to the day!!!

We rushed back to the room to get changed so we would be in time for the first sliming for the day.

The lagoon area was wall to wall people.  A nice family took pity on us and gave-up one of their saved lounge chairs to us so we would have somewhere to leave our stuff and have a place to sit and have a break.

 

Everyone is gathere in anticipation!!

 The alarm is sounding!!!
The slime crew is singing and dancing......

 HERE IT COMES!!!!

 YOU'VE BEEN SLIMED!!!!!

Doesn't show up very well, but, take my word for it......

Sam was slimed.......

so was Dad.......

so was I.......

Sam was slimed a total of 3 times.  He missed 2.

We nearly miss Saturday's 4:45pm sliming because the pool had been shut down because of weather.  I was watching out the window and saw the water start back up again and workers heading to the slime area with their neon slime jackets.  Sam and I took off.  Sam flinging his shirt and shoes at me as he bolted to the slime zone.  

Thank heavens we made it just in time!!!!! 

 Jim and Sam exiting one of the water slides.  

I think  you can still see some slime residue.

 Sam hasn't experienced a 3D movie before, let-alone a 4D one!

We went to 4 different 4D movies.  They were short, but a lot of fun.

Each time we went, Sam relaxed more and more.

He really had fun at the last one.

 Waiting for pizza.

 Sam and his echo machine.

 Sam eating his pizza.

 How many slices of cheese and mushroom pizza can Sam eat??

 What was left in the box.

Just so you know, I had a little personal pan pizza.  Sam had a whole pizza

So, in review, it was a fantastic weekend.

Yes, it was a good time,

but it was more than that.

Samuel stood in line and waited his turn.

He only had to be reminded once. 

The noise, the crowds, the craziness, it didn't bother him that much.

It bothered Jim and I more!!!

Sam has a tough time tolerating wrist bands.  It is the feel of them on his wrist and he also cannot tolerate the writing on them.  He kept his wrist band on the entire time with no complaint.  When he was eating, he did wrap a napkin around them.  Sam also doesn't like the writing on condiment items such as ketchup, salad dressings.  Writing on soda cups, writing on t shirts.......I think you get the idea.  When we ate out as a group, it was difficult to control things like that.  Sam didn't make a fuss or compulsively try and turn everything around.  It bothers him the most when he is actually eating his food.  Sam took care of it by closing his eyes as he ate his food.

Transitions were no problem at all. 

Sam talked to people, he asked them questions, he introduced himself.

 

There are many more subtle little things that reminded us of how far Samuel has come.

It is one of the most calm, carefree trips that we have had for an extremely long time.

 

Samuel wants to move to Nickelodeon Suites.

I wouldn't go that far.

But, to see the joy on Sam's face as he took part in everything this high octane place had to offer, made me want to come back.

 

Sally-Ann

Cub Scout Day Camp 2014

This was Sam's first year attending Cub Scout Day Camp.

These photos are in no particular order as far as days of camp go.

I didn't take my camera, so these are of the camp facebook page.

 Every day started with a flag ceremony,

We also ended the day that way as well.

All the different groups did their group cheer at this time.

The cheers were also chanted wherever we went.

Our group was "The Stars."
I don't remember the cheer. 
 I never thought I would forget it. 
I thought it was firmly implanted in my brain for all time.
But.......no.
Sorry.

This is Sam's pinwheel that he made.  The pattern he drew on it is "Minecraft."

Craft time was a favorite.

This is part of our crew, we are missing 2 boys and several leaders.

Presenting the "Stars" poster.  The boys had to make a poster on what they had learned during camp.

This was Sam's favorite craft, wind chimes.

Water rockets was a HUGE hit with everyone.

The much anticipated water gun battle on the last day.

Campers against leaders.

There was no mercy.......

what-so-ever........ 
See that little boy on the left with the bright yellow crocs??
The most merciless of all.

This is Zach Bonner.  He collects school supplies and back packs for those in need through his charitable organization Zach's Little Red Wagon

Camp photo.

Camp photo of everyone being goofy.

 Camp flag.

The days were filled with crafts, archery, bb gun shooting, cooking, camping, water play, fishing, hiking, games and much, much more.
The most important thing??  Sam had fun.

I was quite worried about Sam going to camp. I have been to Cub Scout Day Camp many times before........it is not for the faint of heart!!
I tagged along as Sam's buddy.  Sometimes it all got to much for him, so we just went off to a quiet spot and chilled out for a bit.
The boys and leaders in his group were great.  The boys tried to make sure that Sam was included and that he had a  turn.
It was an expensive week fast food wise!!  Sam would only move out the door in the morning with the promise of McDonald's hash browns.  He always wanted Chick-fil-a on the way home.
I have not had McDonald's since.........
Chick-fil-a is OK.  Sam had a full meal, but  I only had a large Diet Dr. Pepper.......to fortify myself.
I am getting to old for Cub Scout Day Camps.
2 more years to go.
But, if they are all like this one, it will not be so bad.

Sally-Ann