Good-byes & New Beginnings.......

Well, it is extremely obvious that I need to do some serious catching up on my blog!

But, before I even begin to attempt that grandiose feat........

here is what has been happening the past 2 weeks or so.

For the past 2 years Samuel has been attending Sydney's School.

He has grown in leaps and bounds.

The therapists and teachers there have worked with him, have loved him and taught him.

They have given Jim and I the skills and tools we need to help Sam, and us!!!!

Words will never be able to express how we feel about the changes for Sam over the past 2 years.
Here is a post I did at the beginning of school last year
First Day of Kindergarten
The 4th of August was Sam's last day at Sydney's School.
I cried.
I just realized that I never posted about how and why we ended up at Sydney's school.  I will, but not today.
I put together a little video, I think that will show why Sydney's School will always have a place in our hearts.

Yesterday, 20th August, Samuel started a new chapter in his life. 

Yesterday was his first day at Morning Star School!

His 1st grade teacher is Mrs. Castaneda.

He had a wonderful day. 

 I didn't get a photo yesterday, but I did this morning.  I am glad that I waited, be sure and take a close look at Sam's big smile!!!

I was hoping that it would be a bit more noticeable, but Sam is missing a upper, front tooth!

We are looking forward to a great year for Samuel!!!

Sally-Ann



Mother's Day.......songs, flowers, red hats & more!

On Friday, Sam's school held a special Mother's Day program.

They all sang us some songs.

Here they are all ready to sing

"You are my Sunshine."

In this shot they are performing their closing number......

I was very sad because my memory card filled up.  But, I still managed to get some video! 

Can you pick out Sam???

After a wonderful performance, we went back to the classroom.
There, waiting for us, was some wonderful gifts, handmade especially for us!!!
A card,
memo board,
flower,
necklace,
laminated place mat,
handwritten letter,
and............ 

a BEAUTIFUL red hat with a butterfly magnet clipped to it!!

There was also a wonderful feast waiting for us.

I truly appreciate all the time Samuel's teacher and therapists put into helping make it such a wonderful day.  Two years ago I wondered if Samuel would ever be able to participate in this type of event.  Well, he has, he does and he will.

Sam's letter

"I like to hang out with Mum. 

We like to play at the play ground. 

 I love running! 

After words we go to lunch. 

I like PB and J. 

I love you Mum."

It was a 1/2 day for Sam's school, so Jessica, Sam and I went off to the Florida Aquarium for the rest of the afternoon.  We haven't been for quite some time, so I thought it would be fun.  Sam was most excited because......

at the aquarium........

there is.........

an........

ESCALATOR!!

Sam told me, "It is only one level, not like the escalator in Utah, but that is OK."

A very good day.

Definitely got my  fill of "happy!"

Today was also a good day!

Jim made French Toast for breakfast and I had the treat of having breakfast in bed.

It was a good day at church.  The Primary children and the YM/YW (12-18 year-olds) sang a song for their mothers.  Good lessons taught.  A fairly lazy afternoon.  We all went to the cemetery and put a rose on Emma's grave, she is always in my heart, but on Mother's day.......can't express the feelings today.

Jim made a wonderful dinner, Jessica cleaned up, Joshua called and Samuel.......well, Samuel did what Samuel does! 

After Samuel quizzing us all with "tell the time" flashcards, he is now fast asleep and I am waiting patiently for the video to download!!!  It take sooooo long!  But, I want to share the joy!

I love being a Mum.

I love my husband.

I love my children.

Sally-Ann

Catch-up time again.....Fall Festival

Sam's school has a fall festival every year.

Just the right amount of activities and then they finish with a Thanksgiving Feast.

Building a scarecrow

Sam watches as Avery tries his hand at Scarecrow Toss

 Taking a break

 Table all set and ready for the feast!!

 Yum, Yum!!!

 Ready to eat!!

It was a fun day for all the children.  They made t shirts with their hand print on it and then used their fingerprints to make leaves - a tree with fall colours.

Sally-Ann

First Day of Kindergarten

 When your child goes off to school on that very first day.

It is nerve wracking for a parent.

Well, it is for me.

Doesn't matter how old they are.

I just worry about them and for them on that very first day.

Even my big boy Joshua......

He is 24 and in college.

I worried about him this year.

I don't have a photo of him going off to class on his first day of college.

But, I want him to have a great year never the less.......

 I do have photos of Sam on his first day of kindergarten this year.

 Walking into his school.

Sam was very happy to have a desk with his name on it.

No matter what age your child is on that first day of the school year, as a parent you still have hopes, dreams and wishes for them.  With each child they may be a bit different, but you still have them.

For my big boy Joshua.......he graduates this year, I want him to be successful so he can make his way along the career path he chooses.

For my little boy Samuel......I want him to make great strides like he did last year.

When your child is autistic, your goals may be a little different than the ones you have for your other children.

But, ultimately, they are the same.

You want your children to be happy.

You want them to succeed in the things they set out to do.

You want them to have friends.

You want them to grow and flourish.

Not really sure about that last line......

Not sure what the heck in means.....

Will leave it there.....

I think you understand.

Sam has a tough time with change and the beginning of this school year has been a little rocky.  Sometimes he doesn't want to go, he tells me, "It is so different."  Some old issues have crept back and it is hard as a parent to deal with that.  But, deal we will.

This year I want Sam to continue to find his voice and use his words.  This time last year he couldn't tell me that it bothered him that "it is so different."

This year Samuel gives me a kiss and tells me that he loves me as he heads off to school.

Last year that was a seldom heard phrase and when we asked Sam for a kiss, he would bow his head so you could plant a kiss on top.

There is so much I want this year..........



Mooooonnnnddddddaaaaayyyyyy!!!!!!

Today has been a very good day so far and I don't foresee it turning into a bad day.

Sooo.......HAPPY MONDAY!

This morning we all woke-up wide-eyed and bushy tailed.

Well, some of us not so wide-eyed!

First thing this morning, Jessica headed off with her Dad and finally, finally, finally go her

DRIVER'S LICENSE.

Insert the sound of a heavenly choir singing the Hallelujah Chorus.

I drove Samuel to school.

After dropping Samuel off at Sydney's School for his camp, I met Jim and Jessica at the Westshore Mall.  It had been a very long time since we had taken Jessica anywhere with just us and her, so, today was the day!!  We had decided to go to the movies and see the last Harry Potter movie.

We all enjoyed the movie, all though, the claim that
"IT ALL ENDS"
was a little scary!!
Of course, I know that it refers to the series of movies and books, the battle between Harry and the guy who's name can't be spoken!
But, at first glance.......

Don't feel badly for Samuel, he had fun

Samuel played "Memory" with Miss Katelyn.  Samuel turned over matching "umbrellas" and then proceded to make an umbrella out of the memory blocks.

Samuel also designs microwave ovens in his spare time!

There is a little bit of trampoline jumping in his new Crocs.

A frog and a bumblebee!

For my Sharing Time at church on Sunday, I made play doh for all the Primary kids so they could build Temples like the Mormon pioneers.  For Family Home Evening, we are going to build our own temples with the left over play doh.  Then rice pudding for a snack.

A good Monday.

Sally-Ann

Picnic Time!

Wednesday morning following Samuel's graduation, Sydney's School had its end of year picnic.

It is held at a beautiful park in Hyde Park.

There is a covered playground and picnic area. There is also a water splash area.

I think in this post, the pictures speak for themselves!

 That evening, Samuel had a bubble bath.

He did a fine impersonation of a "Bubble Guppy".

Sally-Ann