Just Joy.

Today I am writing about Joy. She is such a great girl- I don't think I can give her enough praise. She is an amazing artist

This is one of her creations. 

She is funny! She is kind. She stood up for one if the younger kids on her bus when she was being bullied. She has become shy- I don't know why- we'll say Middle School Moodiness. She had great   grades this year too.

She has started going to a Sibling Support group at the Glen Koch Agency-and it's a time just for her.  It's important because it's hard having an autistic sister. Alot of times the other child feels like they are in the background. But not Joy.   She never complains-- well only if Grace attacks her treasures! Gracie loves her and I know she loves Gracie- sometimes it's hard to though ( but isn't that the way it is with all siblings?) More after the pictures....

She's always been a one of kind and I just want her to know that her dad and I appreciate her even more since Grace came along. She is really our HERO.

Gracie goes to Vacation Bible School!

 This is a picture of Gracie sitting with other kids at vacation bible school tonight. We went with Norma, one of her therapists and I tagged along in case there were behaviors. It turns out she didn't even know I was there!!
She did so well!!! We were prepared to stay to the side and let her go in gradually, but she just went right in and sat with the rest of the kids!  She transitioned from classroom to crafts to snack almost seamlessly! There was only one little speed bump which Norma expertly guided her through and avoided any outbursts.

It was interesting to sit and watch her with the other kids. There were times when she behaved much better than a few of the other kids. As a parent of a child on the Autism Spectrum, you attend any social outings with the knowledge that your child is going to behave different from the others. But, as an observer, my child blended in with the rest. Most of the kids there had their own quirks. One boy did not stop talking. Another boy decided he could do whatever he wanted during craft because his mom wasn't around. Another boy went to the front of the class and stood in front of the aide who was reading to the class so no one else could see.
Gracie had her stickers and her same markers and crayon colors that she has to have but she was very controlled for the most part.

 THEN there was Little Gym. We just had our SECOND session there this past Friday. She decided that it looked like fun and went and joined in.This time she went in right at the beginning and stayed till the end! The best part was at start when all the kids ran around the room. I wanted to get a picture of her but I was too busy enjoying the smile on her face. To see her just being a kid, with other kids, made my heart fill up!

 To see her enjoying herself just felt like pure joy.
Ok. There are days that are more challenging than others. But to get to see that smile and hear that laugh is worth all the rough spots that we have to go through.

We are all so proud of her. Her therapists are just thrilled with her interactions with other kids. They are so supportive of not just her, but all of us, as a family.  I think we are in for a fun ride!

July 4th in Boston.

Off to an early start today- 4AM early- but Gracie did sleep 13 hours yesterday. So we were up and out to breakfast early and we decided to finally go up to the Old State House for the reading of the Declaration! 

Then Chris decided to head to Boston Common because I always wanted  to see the Make Way for Ducklings statue. It was breezy but Hot and by the time we got to the Common we were all sweating. They had a little sprinkler park by a shallow pool that was posted No Kids or Dogs. Grace wanted to get out so I let her go to the sprinklers with Joy-- as I was looking for a spot to take pictures- Grace takes off for the No Wading pool- and I am the only one who sees her! I am not a runner, ( not even a walker, really)but when she goes I can move pretty fast but not as fast as her. So I snagged her and put her in the stroller because she ran off .

Gracie and the No WADING POOL.

Then 10 minutes later , they take away the signs and EVERYBODY is in the water. You should have seen her face. So I made her ask to go in and made sure she held onto Chris. He said she was Soooo happy! 

Then Commander Chris made up push on the the Public Garden. This was better. But for a park area there weren't a  whole lot if trees! But I did get to see the ducks!

During this whole time Grace didn't fuss at all! She was super!

After the park Commander Chris got us a   can to the Boston Children's Museum. ( Fluttershy yay!) and  , wonder of wonders, Grace was having fun!

She climbed,

She spun...

She laughed!!!!!

And laughed! It was so nice to have us ALL enjoy something!!!

Then we went upstairs and after the gears, something set her off. Or maybe it was being up at 4 AM ! But she got cranky

But came back when we went back to the first floor.

I can't explain how great it felt to have everyone be - how else can I say but normal. 

Gracie took some huge steps these past couple of days. We didn't really think we'd make it till today . But she was so good- more than we could have expected. She even made

It through dinner! We are learning to adjust 

On an odd note, Joy actually ended the night on a sour note. Poor kid ended up with a sour tummy from too much heat and too much calamari. Oh well. Happy Independence Day!

Boston Day 2

K

Y

Gracie slept for 13 hours!!!!!!!

I was afraid she'd be up at 3 but wow! I didn't expect that!

The day started well-the girls and I went to breakfast while Chris worked and Gracie was great. We ALL ate together and Joy and I even relaxed and talked and watched the boats in the harbor.

Then we went to the pool while we waited for dad and Gracie discovered the hot tub. Uh oh . And she liked it!

Then came ( dunh dunh dunh) THe Aquarium.

Yep. That face says it all.

Too dark. Too loud. Yuk. Many tears.

She actually DID come out of her cocoon when we went out to see the deals but I think she was looking for an out because she did try to run!

However, after the aquarium, we went to Little Italy for dinner and she was GOLDEN! We ate at Villa Francesca and we were able to get her out of her stroller to eat. And she was good WHILE we ate!

So after that we HAD to go to Mike's Bakery ...

That says why.

Them its back to the room- a little early but she was in such a good mood and now she's out..,

So, overall, it was a good day. She was not happy at the Aquarium but Joy and I love it there so we couldn't Not go. And we survived. Sometimes it doesn't feel like you will but you always do.

Boston with Autism(yay!)

This is our second trip to Boston forJuly  4th with Gracie ( and Autism) since Chris has business, we tag along. So far, I

must say, it's been going pretty well. 

After our beach "vacation" it's actually -going really well. 

Breaking news: just as I was writing this the kid opened the door to our room, flipped the latch AND the bolt and went OUT of the room!! I bolted after and she was just standing outside the door but after she saw me- SHE bolted down the hallway!! SHe is lucky she is so damn cute!

Anyway- she did great on the drive! We made a point of showing her pictures from last years Boston trip and it seems to have made a difference. There was a little fear when we got out of the car at the hotel but that was it. I showed her the pictures again while dad was checking us in and she seemed almost happy. So while dad worked, we went to Quincy Market for something to eat. She was great.

Them we went to the playground and she went on one slide then back to the refuge of her repaired stroller. Then she saw a fountain! Gracie loves fountains so I let her run around a while. Then back to the room till dad came home.

Then we went to dinner at Joe's seafood and she was golden-- until dessert time when she did The Scream and this told us she was done!

So it was back to the room ( it's freezing anyway- 66 degrees. Hello? Isn't it July?! And the she tried to run for it- so we will have to barricade the door and hope she doesn't wake up in the middle of the night !