Playdate!!

Yesterday afternoon I received an email from a mom of a little boy in Airen's class. Really out of the blue and unexpected. She was writing to ask if Airen could come play on Sunday. I had to re-read the email a few times. I was so excited. Airen is always talking about a few of the kids he plays with but we really don't get a lot of details of their play. So for us we weren't sure if he was just observing the play or if he indeed was engaging in play with these children.

Socialization is a huge challenge for Airen. I cannot tell you the number of mornings I drop him off at school then sit in the parking lot watching how he interacts with children. Most mornings he is running around the playground in a very particular routine, that typically does not involve other peers. These are the mornings that break my heart. Other mornings I watch him jump from one person to another without much interaction.

So back to another proud moment!! I picked up Airen from school this afternoon. As he was walking to the gate so many of the kids were saying ''bye Airen'', ''see you tomorrow Airen''. To hear the kids acknowledging Airen was so great because to me it means he is learning to socialize with the kids in his class. We will work on the playground down the road!! I received another email from the mom. She sounds so excited. I sent her a message back thanking her for the invite and I can't wait for the boys to play Sunday. I am not sure either boy is going to make it through the next few days!!!

Thursday picnic

Last evening I took Airen to urgent care. He's had this horrible cough that comes and goes. I was getting worried because he was was wheezing and having trouble breathing and his little heart was racing. The doctor last night said he has croup. I wasn't sure of the diagnosis though. Overnight Airen was up coughing for about 1-2 hours and just so miserable. Decided to keep Airen home from school and get him into our pediatrician. Like I thought he doesn't have croup. Instead just a respiratory issue. So Airen gets to do breathing treatments as needed. As I type this Airen is starting to cough yet again--urghhh!!!

After our doctor's appointment we went to the store to get his albuterol prescription. Airen asked for a lunchable so I agreed. I knew we probably wouldn't make it home without him getting upset. So we got our groceries and decided to have a picnic. The grocery store has picnic tables outside so we set up and had our lunch together!! It was a gorgeous day. Clear blue skies and sun shining and just a light breeze. It was perfect. Airen and I had a wonderful time talking and enjoying each other's company!!! I love my little guy!!!

SARRC orientation

This past Wednesday we had our family orientation for the Jump Start program at SARRC (Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center). What an amazing place it is. I was pretty much in awe of the facility. They have a preschool program and the classrooms were so great. They also have an outdoor play area for the kids. Airen went right into the Jump Start classroom with no worries. Usually I worry about him in new situations but he did really good. There are only 5 kids total in the program so its very nice. While the kids were in their classroom the parents had their own orientation. Doug and I had to take a quiz on information about autism. Boy was Doug coming up with some great answers--NOT!!! I learned that I don't know all I think I do about Autism. I can't wait to work through the program. I cannot thank the state of Arizona for the opportunity and taking care of the cost of this program!!!

Autism Walk

Walk for Autism

I have a wonderful friend!! She made herself a video for the arthritis walk coming up. I told her what a wonderful job she did and how it would be cool to have something like that for the autism walk we do in the fall. Ms D made me a video. When I received it this afternoon I was pretty much in tears over how great it turned out and how she took the time to make it for me. Ms D I cannot thank you enough for making this video. I hope everyone else enjoys it as much as I do!!!

"What Kind of World Do You Want?"

I am not sure if I've written about this website or not but please take a look at it. www.whatkindofworlddoyouwant.com This evening I received a email from a friend who told me to check out a few new videos on the site. All I can say is WOW!! I just sat watching a few videos and so much I can relate to with my own battle of successes and challenges with Airen and our own trek. Also with this site when you view videos money is donated to organizations...autism speaks being one of them. Once again watching these videos makes me want to get a video together in honor of Airen. I've sat here taking some notes and hopefully I can pull something together. Of course I am not all that creative so anyone has suggestions please send them my way!!!

Fun morning

This morning I had the pleasure to go look at houses with a dear friend. It was fun walking through the houses and seeing how excited she was. For me I was excited at the thought of having a new neighbor--well not exactly neighbors but very close to each other. I hope and pray it all works out with the house she likes and she will be moving here near me!! Good luck my friend!! Keeping you in my prayers and have those fingers crossed it all works out for the best!!!