at the extreme risk of sounding like a commercial

Our family is loving Zipzicles!  There are some great recipes on their website.  We've tried pureed frozen cantaloupe (which my kids won't touch but somehow frozen makes it different), and the Spinach Surprise.  So much better than the dye-filled and artificially flavored alternative! 

handwriting tricks

 I've been trying Dianne Craft's handwriting therapy with Josiah, and within four weeks we saw glimpses that it was starting to pay off!  This is pretty fuzzy thanks to the phone pictures, but here's a before and after.  The biggest change for him seems to be that writing his letters is more automatic.  The fluidity seems to be transferring from his brain to his pencil!  There are less reversals happening, too.  Another trick I learned recently for "b" and "d" is to have the child pretend that the "b" starts like a bomb dropping from the sky and then explodes into a circle, and the "d" begins with a dog's face and ends with his tail.  It seems to help!  That's not to say we don't have a long way to go, but it's encouraging to get this far so quickly.

 

Yes, it's summer, and yes, we're doing school, but just a little bit.  The funny thing is that before we can do handwriting, Josiah insists on doing everything else, too.  That means we are reading science, history, Bible, doing a finger play, and read aloud all before we do the one thing I wanted him to do that day: handwriting.  Well, worse things have happened.

 

In spite of the Abeka pages, which I used only to compare now to then, I've continued to find Handwriting Without Tears is an effective curriculum for Josiah.  He really remembers the picture cues they give to form each letter.

 

God is faithful to care for our needs, even looking after small details like a young boy's handwriting.  We are so thankful for His love and help!  He so often sends it in ways I don't expect.

 

looking to God

"Our desire, therefore, is not that we might be without trials of faith, but that the Lord graciously would be pleased to support us in the trial, that we might not dishonor Him by distrust."

George Muller, 1840

wisdom in pictures

 

The most popular person is always the one who brings the food.

 

There is nothing like silence and reflection to refresh the soul.

 

Follow in the path of someone wiser, but don't be afraid to be yourself in the journey.

 

Looking up can give a whole new perspective.

 

There are discoveries if you just dig for them.

 

There is no limit to what you can do with cardboard boxes, stuffed animals, and imagination.

 

 

 Play is always more fun when in the company of others.

uncovering a talent

 

 

Ending a great week of camp with awards...these counselors were amazing!

 

"The greatest archery award goes to: Josiah

June 7, 2013"

look again

Josiah has had a terrific week at Camp Takoda, the autism camp hosted by Easter Seals and run by the Autism Society of McLean County.

For good or for bad, I had my hesitations about signing him up, wondering what kinds of behaviors he might imitate or how he would feel about being identified with other kids who were at all ranges of the spectrum.  Before even getting out of the car on our first day of camp, I quickly spotted a camper with a helmet to protect himself from self-injurious behaviors, and walked past children who were humming, rocking, and engaging in self-stimulating behavior.  Counselors wore T-shirts highlighting the symptoms of autism.  One sported a pink shirt with the caption, "start seeing autism."  When I saw my son settled with a friendly group of boys about his age, I felt better and bid him the farewell he was so anxious to get out of the way so he could get on to his day.

Each afternoon Josiah came home from camp talking about the exciting things he had done: the boat rides, the fishing, being afraid of the zipline, the bulls-eyes he made in archery, shooting a BB gun for the first time, the water games, and a scavenger hunt.  What a week of FUN he has had!  He has also shared with enthusiasm the names of the boys he has made friends with.  There have been no questions about anyone's behavior, no wondering why he is at camp with children who may act a little differently (or very differently!) than what he may normally see.  And last night, as I pondered his week and how he has responded, it hit me why.

When Josiah looks at his new friends, his untrained eyes do not see autism.  He sees children with names, particular likes and dislikes, who say things that make him laugh and have shared his exciting adventures.  He sees KIDS. 

I also can't remember when I have seen so many parents gaze upon their children with such looks of love, parents who have learned the lesson Josiah's innocence has taught me this week. Surely, there are times when we need to stop seeing autism.

"For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart."  1 Samuel 16:7

new addition

Cats are like potato chips...you can't just have one.

 

 

Meet Legolas (Lego for short), our 16 week old male tabby.  He is as sweet and affectionate as can be.  So far Prisma is not amused.

candied nuts

A friend served these nuts at a party this week, and they were so delicious I asked her for the recipe.  She makes them in her stir crazy popcorn popper!  Since we only own an air popper, I tried them in a saucepan on the stove top today and they turned out great.  They make a nice GFCF treat with the extra advantage of getting nuts into otherwise picky children--a little protein with the sugar.  If you want to reduce the sugar to 1/3 or even 1/4 cup (along with the water), I think the recipe would still work.

Candied Nuts
1/2 c. sugar
1 t. cinnamon
1 C. nuts (walnuts, pecans, almonds--FG stage 2, etc.)
1/8 c. water

Melt ingredients on stove top or in stir crazy popcorn popper until sticky crystals begin to form.  Spread on waxed paper and let dry.  Store in airtight container.