Like most parents, I sometimes struggle to get my kids to keep their rooms clean and help around the house. Zoe also went through a period where she was stimming without using her therapeutic fidget toy, which is damaging to her hands. I looked for a system to get the kids to do their chores—and…
Monthly Archives: October 2008
Dads Can’t Do Everything, Even Though We Try
Just this weekend I loomed large over my petite baby daughter, holding her close, playing with her hand. Tears rolled down my cheeks, not in a torrent, but rather a slow emotional drizzle which besets me from time to time. “I can love you, I can hold you, I can play with you, but little…
The Coach, The Cheerleader, the Knight and the Evil Gnomes
Halloween is approaching, a celebration with which I have a real love/hate relationship. I have never liked celebrating spooky, evil spirits, and I don’t like having kids ‘beg’ candy from strangers. I do, however, like the dressing in costumes, and especially enjoy the creativity as the costumes get better and better each year. My kids…
Who Will YOU Jump In After?
My Dad served two tours of duty in Viet Nam. His job was enemy surveilance. He, along with a few other soldiers and a native scout, headed out in front of the rest of the squad to gather information and radio back the enemy’s position and fire power. My Dad tells the story of his…
Special Exposure Wednesday ~ Once Upon A Halloween
Special Exposure Wednesday – Share the Photography Fun Scan of 1999 photo Once upon a time there lived three little boys who loved Halloween. Each year they enthusiastically allowed their mommy to make the cutest costumes and dress them up all coordinated and adorable. Then they grew up. The end. Has it happened to you…
The Gift That Gives
Children with disabilities are children first, and children with disabilities farther down the line. Sometimes amidst the therapy sessions, doctor appointments, challenges and frustrations this simple truth is overlooked…even by us as their parents. I so don’t like when that happens. Just remember…we don’t have to look very far to be reminded. Look, really look,…
Try This Tuesday #14: Flip Crayons
To encourage a proper grasp while coloring at school, Michael’s OT proposed a trial of shorter crayons. When she first brought them in, Michael didn’t want to use them, so they made a deal that he could use the regular ones as long as he held them with three fingers. Within a couple of days,…
Crock Pot Beef Stew
Here’s another slow-cooker recipe, this time for a hearty beef stew. This is perfect for a cold evening indoors; just add a DVD and you’re all set! Ingredients: 3 carrots, roughly cut 3 potatoes, cut into large cubes 2 lb. stew beef ½ cup water ½ cup canned tomato sauce 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce (Lea…
5 Minutes for Special Needs Books
Be sure to enter your name in the comments for a chance to win a free copy of this book! Welcome to 5 Minutes for Special Needs Books, a place to discuss some of the many special needs books on the market, and better yet, to share copies of books! There are so many to…
Getting in front of the lens
I know this is Melody’s field of expertise; I’m not going to talk about capturing the best light or composition. I just think it’s a necessary conversation to have with any photo-obsessed mom. I am one. We can smell our own. “Stand there! Turn a little, little more, no, too far. Right there. Smile. No…