It's summer time!!!

It's summer time and all the trials and triumphs that come with it. I'm sorry its been such a long time since I have had time to post, I don't have an excellent excuse except for exhaustion. I've missed you all!!!

Here are some truths from our summer thus far....

* Yes, that was my child sitting in the hallway crying and yelling today at Lego Star Wars camp. He's almost 11 now and as you can imagine, we gathered quite a few lookie-loos. What was he upset about? One of the groups in the class wasn't finishing their project in a timely manner. This caused a huge anxiety response in Cameron and resulted in his aide taking him out to the hall with his book to calm down which is where I found him at pick up time. [A brief side-note to thank the Autism Waiver in Maryland for covering the cost of his in-home therapist (IISS) to go to camp with Cameron AND a reminder to all parents that your child can go to any camp as long as the camp will allow an aide to go with them (I have never had one say no).]

Helpful mommy words today: You don't know what their goal was for the day, maybe their goal was just to finish half the project. Their goals are not your goals so you don't have to worry for them.

* The hormones have arrived! At almost 11? I'm not ready!!!!! Personal Space and Inappropriate Touching have been BIG issues this summer. Impulsivity in both these areas lead to Embarrassment  which then leads to Anxiety/Anger.

Helpful mommy words used just yesterday: It's okay to be mad, but it's NOT okay to be mean!

*Technology has run amok in my house. I'm tired, it's hot, our schedule is tighter than I would have liked and now I am faced with the task of weaning two boys off of "screens" before school starts. It always seems like a good idea at the time... the boys are bored, I don't have any better ideas so yeah, go ahead and play on the computer (playstation, wii, DS, ipod, ipad... whatever). I get something accomplished, they are not fighting, having fun and occupied, that is until the fun becomes TOO MUCH! Then we are mad at the computer, playstation....etc....etc.... and throwing a huge tantrum. Which makes me wonder, is there any amount of "screen" time that is just enough? I'm starting to think NO but its: 1) One of the few typical things they enjoy 2) Easy and enjoyable (for the most part) 3) they can maneuver all the electronics without assistance so I can cook dinner (fold laundry, clean something) for a chunk of time.

Helpful mommy words: I got nothing. You name it, we've tried it... clocks, schedules, visual cues, restriction..... this is a big ticket item in our household. He who rules the electronics, rules the world!

* I learned this summer that shirts with a collar cannot be worn without a tee shirt underneath. Who knew? Apparently the polo shirt alone rule switched about week 1 of summer, while we were on a 3 week trip to Nana's house where I had packed only polo shirts (they can be worn anywhere!).

Helpful mommy words: Oops! I make mistakes too!

* The Olympics Opening Ceremony CANNOT be watched by my youngest child! Adam screamed for hours and hours and slept with the lights on for 2 nights after the "nightmare" scene in the opening ceremony. I sooooooo did not see that coming! I have no idea what happened after that scene, not only could I not watch any more but he demanded that we stop recording as well. I'm not one to take demands but he was so upset I think I would have done just about anything to calm him down. I'm just guessing that I won't be watching the Closing Ceremonies either.

Helpful mommy words: I asked him to TRY and watch until the "Nightmares" left the screen because I didn't want him to turn it off and only remember the bad when I KNEW the good was coming (Mary Poppins). He had gone to plaid by that point and there was no getting to Mary Poppins. 

Magical mommy words that saved the day: "Adam, tell me all about your nightmare, every detail. Then I will keep it for you so you don't have to have it anymore." Then he *finally* slept.  

It's almost back to school time, we've got teacher assignments, supplies, and shoes. Adam tells me he want's to quit school and just go to camp every day *sigh*, and Cameron tells me that he doesn't like his new teacher (who he has never had before) *double sigh*. I'm hugely optimistic though, we have a new principal who I've heard good things about, I DO know the boys teachers and they are awesome, we start transition meetings for middle school in October....time is flying, lets just do our best to keep up.