If you know anyone that I could help, please send them my way!

Summer care for your Asperger's Child or preschooler? (Garland)
Date: 2011-04-25, 9:29AM CDT
Reply to: comm-n58wg-2344794191@craigslist.org [Errors when replying to ads?]

Need a caregiver who gets the stimming?

Need someone who respects the importance of routine and special diet for YOUR child?

Want your child to continue to work on social skills learned in therapy/school this summer in a comfortable, home setting?

Stay at home mom of 7 year old son with non-specific, high-functioning autism seeks another high functioning autistic/Aspergers child, preferably between the ages of 5-9, to babysit during the summer. It would be great for the kids to play and practice social skills. We frequently read and review from Jed Baker’s The Social Skills Picture book with our son. I also refer to Jed Baker’s Social Skills Training for children and adolescents with Asperger Syndrome and Social-Communication Problems. Would welcome you bringing your ARD goals and planning activities together that may benefit your child. We will also work on academic enrichment and go on outings. (Former homeschooling parent, son was an early reader and continues to thrive academically)

Willing to watch siblings too.

Have a 3 year old neurotypical daughter. Routine, social skills practice, and academic enrichment are highly beneficial for our preschoolers, too. Please contact me if you need care for your preschooler before, during, or after the summer. Is your child going to miss the cut-off for Pre-K this year? Our daughter will by only 2 weeks, but that doesn’t mean we have to wait another whole year to start learning! Willing to homeschool your child with mine and welcome your input on curricula.

Our home is pet-free and smoke-free, with mostly hardwood floors throughout. Allergy friendly! Great for kids who get ill frequently in daycare, too! Will provide nutritious and frequently hot meals in accordance with your child’s dietary needs, (have a great recipe for gluten-free sandwich bread!) If preschooler is not yet potty-trained, we can work on that, too.

10 years babysitting experience, including special needs children: references upon request and willing to submit to background check. (hint: no drugs or criminal past, was a soldier with military intelligence background and TS-SCI clearance before I became a mommy.)

Available Mon-Sat and can work evenings/nights, too.

Please email me or call 2-one-4-eight-6-four-2-zero-0-seven, for more information and to schedule an interview/play date. Not really looking for more than one family, so contact me soon!

Thanks!

Jessica

No time for a full post.

I've been wanting to write a post for a while now.  But, things have just been so crazy.  Anyway, when I watched Sarah's cute little dance on Amy's blog I decided I really needed to upload the videos I have of the kids.  Unfortunately, blogger doesn't seem to like my avi files.  So, I uploaded to Youtube.  Hope you enjoy them as much as I do. :)

Valentine's Day essay

Based on a true story, an essay on love for my writing class.

Descriptive Essay Draft (Bicycle Love)

I want a 2011 Madsen kg271. She is sunshine on two wheels. She is a lady. She indulges my compulsion to

match beauty to function. Smiling coyly, silently – ever the tease, she listens as I press my suit upon her. Judge me not, if you have never felt as I do.

I lust for this machine. Her sleek, slender frame belies her strength, for she’s crafted from the same medium as an AK-47. Dangerous – she stokes a fire within me, a yearning desire for roads not travelled, friends never greeted, cities never truly seen. Spent from her seduction and draped across her, I whisper intimately, “Hello, lover, shall we ride?”

Gently, she reminds me that we can’t – shouldn’t - always be alone together. It would be a waste of her nature to nurture, hold, carry, and guide. The blaze within me calms to a still peace and warm embers. I long to share her with my children. Now, I feel sticky warm hands on my back and cascades of laughter wash over me while they beg, “Faster! Faster!” Damp head pressed against me, I taste salt from the sleepy-head, as I inhale sharply from the tingling in my arm, embracing the small body she carries between us on our 10 mile per hour hug. My lady was made for family life.

“Still,” I insist, “children aren’t forever; my love for you is.” When the little ones leave us for their own steel steeds, it will be us two as it was before they joined us. Long after her sunlight has faded to primer and my knees ache at the mere thought of a lengthy sojourn or races through the park, we will weave and saunter beneath a lavender sky. I’ll place flowers in her bucket, tie ribbons to her bars, and love her even more than I do in our youth. I swear this is true.

Have you ever known love? Was she patient and kind as my Madsen has been to endure my pleas and promises? “I will love you more every day that we share, just say you will be mine.”

Snow Fun!

Now that we have endured our second winter "storm" in 2 weeks, I thought it was time to post pictures of the kids fun in the snow.

Coralie and Manpa hamming it up for the camera!

"Cuh-Cuh-CCCOOOOOLLLD!!"

My Little Snow Angel

SNOWBALL FIGHT!

Michael lasted outside about 3 seconds after that snowball hit his face.  He decided it was too cold and wanted to watch a movie inside. :(

My hand prints with Coralie's underneath.

Coralie on the other hand loved it outside!  She even went out again the next day!  Hope everyone is staying warm.  I'll try to post some video soon.

Catch-up post... oh yeah and Happy Michael's birthday month!

So, there have been some high as kite highs and super down low-lows.  But, we're all still here since last I posted.  Rather than try to fill you in on everything.  I think I'll just focus on the highs and let some pictures speak for themselves.

My guys

Turning 27

Kimball Art Gallery: Mayan Art exhibit because nothing says Christmas like ritual blood letting tools. :)

All about Michael

Okay, I decided this news was more deserving than being placed as the footnote of a long and late post.  No, this is an announcement worthy of a post all it's own!

ATTN. PARENTS EVERYWHERE:  MY KID IS MORE AWESOMER THAN YOUR KID!!!

Just kidding...sort of...lol  :-P
  
Michael earned A honor roll and the Panther's Choice award during the 2nd 6 wks. period, his first at the new school. The Panther's Choice award is the top student in the class award and each awardee is invited to an ice cream party. Yay Michael!

 Now, we just need to practice holding our awards for the camera....

Happy Feast of Saint Nicholas!

And speaking of jolly-fat men, belated-birthday shout-out to Daddy, too!  In honor of your birthday, I went old school for you.  I'm chubbier in this pic!

So much to cover, so little time left that I can legitimately stay in my sweats today...

So, right after the annual candy-gorging festivus, both kids took turns with a nasty winter cold.  But, not before we finally met our new niece/cousin, Abigail Joy, born Oct. 18th.  Baby Joy is so precious and I am sure she will bring her parents and big sisters much joy!

I'm so grateful that the kids and Paul didn't manage to pass any germs before they became symptomatic.  And yes, you read that right.  Paul fell claim to it as well for a short time, leaving me the last woman standing - per usual.  After his and the kids bout with swine flu last October, I'm beginning to fear a new family tradition has taken shape.  Fortunately, we were all better in time to visit Arkansas for Thanksgiving.


There was lots of yummy food to be had by all.  And as usual, I felt more comfortable chatting with the aunts, uncles, and grandparents, while Paul and the kids ran around playing with their respective cousins/second cousins.  I didn't really have a chance to take many pictures because my cell phone camera has officially returned to the hellfires from whence it came.  But, I did manage to snap this lovely gem with Paul's phone during breakfast in front of Grandma & Grandpa Pote's place. Ovaltine and Nutterbutters - breakfast of champions.

And here she is doing her dancing woodland faery impression.  Unfortunately, whilst watching this display I missed seeing my cousins on TV during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade!  Uncle Chris' family was invited to be guests of Step Up for Soldiers at the Macy's Parade.  They stayed in a hotel in Midtown Manhatten and were interviewed while watching the parade from a VIP (indoor!) viewing area.

Uncle Chris, Aunt Christinne, Katie, Moosie, and Austin (clockwise)

     

Upon our return, I headed over to Grandma Mary's so that I could get some old pictures that I needed to complete a Christmas gift that I am making.  First thing to grab my eye was this pic of my mom from when she was about 13.  I guess Katie and Moosie know where their red hair came from now. 

Then, I found these pictures of my grandma and my great grandma when they were young.

Great-Grandma Flora

Grandma Mary

 Finally, people, I have been accused of using the classic tongue-sticking out pose as a picture taking crutch.  Because, as we all know, there are few things I dislike more than having a camera shoved in my face.  I prefer being the photographer - not the subject.  But, I can now, definitively say, "Blame it on Grandma!"