Today was B's first OT appointment, and as a result, I finally have some better information on what to do to help him!  To be perfectly honest, I'm a bit overwhelmed at everything we are, and will be, doing for Ben. It seems the whole of every day is devoted to him, at the expense of everyone/thing else in my life. I'm hoping that soon it will become rote and just what we do, and not such a Big Thing. Anyway, on to the session!

When we arrived at the OT's B was thrilled to know he was going into The Green Room. When he had his evaluation a few months ago, we were in The Blue Room and he has been desperate to find out what was behind the door with the green square!

He was able to explore the room to check everything out while Emma (the OT) got things sorted for the session.  Then B got to pick out a few activities from a bunch that selected for him.  He chose the tire (big inflated donut hanging from the ceiling), puzzle, bean bin and therapy ball.

The tire, he was able to jump on, and through, and swing on and fall off of - over and over - while Emma and I chatted about things.  He was in heaven. He's VERY much a bump and crash sensory seeker!

Then he had to take apart the puzzle, take all the pieces up to a platform via ladder and sit there and wait for instructions.  She gave him an obstacle course to follow - go down the slippery dip (slide), under the platform swing, over the wedge ramp, and through the tire, then put the puzzle piece in, and start over.  You could just see that he had a great time, and even though he was working his body hard, it wasn't a manic, or frenzied activity.

Then he played in a box full of dried broad beans, looking for little plastic toys, followed by some "funny walking" - like a crab and kicking the therapy ball back and forth from that position.  Then we had some pressure lessons with the brush and joint compression.

You could see he was responding VERY well to what he was doing, which gives me some hope that with repetition, he will be able to organise himself.

Emma was happy to know that we have been using a structured schedule (more on that here), and said that it would be fairly easy to incorporate the sensory diet into the day we have already.  Already tonight, I've seen some success with the addition of brushing and joint compression to our nightly routine. The boys settled into bed far quicker than they have recently!  I have a lot to think about and plan over the next few days!

Which brings me to a bit of a tangent: the Mister and I have our "date night" tonight (on the lounge, in front of the TV. We're such party animals. lol) so I will hit "Publish" and walk away from the computer and all things SPD and kid-related for a few hours.

What have you done for yourself, and/or your relationship, recently? I've recently made a promise to myself that I will make time for myself (via exercise and physio) and for my marriage, via these "Date Nights" when we usually watch NCIS and NCIS:LA. It's a chance for the Mister to get away from work for a bit, and for us to just BE together without doing anything. It's been hard for me, because there is SO much to do...but it will be there in a few hours.

Even if you take just a few minutes, take some time for yourself today. Dance around the house to your favourite song, take a quick walk and get some fresh air, or take a nice bath. Whatever you do, just enjoy it and be IN the moment!

The title refers to me. In reading and learning about what my children are dealing with, I have learned a LOT about myself.  The psychologist who evaluated B said that it was likely that my husband or I were gifted as well. I could see it in my husband, but I just think I have ADD. ;)   However I find that the more I learn, the more I realise I am definitely spirited and sensational!  It helps me be a more compassionate and understanding mother, remembering what I went through when I was younger, and what I deal with now. Being able to say "hey, I don't like this, and I need to stop..." not that they always listen! But modelling proper behaviour rather than throwing my own tantrum is a step in them learning how to do so themselves.

So anyway, I suffer from some perfectionist issues.  I have to physically restrain myself from "fixing" things at times, and let them learn and explore.  I have noticed B has these issues too - has since he was a toddler!  He refused to say a word unless he knew he was saying it right. He can't just leave something unless it's RIGHT. If someone else is doing something different than he thinks it should be, he physically shakes if he can't make it RIGHT.

It's hard, because I know how he feels. How do I teach him to move on, if I have trouble?

Today was a lesson for us and I think it went well. We made ornaments! Salt dough ornaments.

First we measured the ingredients. (omg Messy! *twitch*)
Then we mixed. (more twitching)
Then we kneaded. (I didn't do too well here, I kneaded it for them to a point. hah)

Then we rolled.  (FAILED that one.)
Then we cut two ornaments to be the official ornaments this year, and then I let them go for it. So we all win. I get my "perfect" and they get their fun.

When it comes down to it, my kids are clever, and it all worked out well.

At least, until the paints come out. *twitch*



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If you want to make your own ornaments, here is the recipe!

Preheat oven to about 125°C/250°F

1/2 cup salt
1 cup flour
1/2 cup water

Mix well, knead, roll out to about 3-4mm or so - thick enough to not break, but thin enough to bake evenly.  Cut with cookie cutters.

Bake for 2 hours. (yes, two) Let cool completely, and then paint with acrylic paints.

Yesterday we went on a road trip about an hour south to visit some friends. It's always fun to spend time with someone else who "gets" my kids, and doesn't judge.   We are lucky to have a lot of people in our lives that adore our kids. While planning B's birthday party earlier this year, four of the people he asked to come were *our* friends - who are almost old enough to be their grandparents!

There are no subtle insults, no disparaging comments disguised as jokes.  I find that I can relax and just go with it, and not have to constantly be on guard.  Yesterday, the boys (all four of them) and the two dog, had a blast, but I think us mums were just wiped out by the end of the day. I was in bed by 9:30! That's almost unheard of for me!

I mentioned before that there are things that "normal" families do, that we don't, and that's what we're dealing with now. We don't do outings very much, because as much as we enjoy them, the boys get so worked up and it takes a few days to wind down.

Z slept in with us again last night - "slept" being a loose term, since none of us got much sleep. It was compounded today by the fact that The Mister got up with them and let me sleep until 10am, and then I had appointments today, so I was gone from 11 to about 1pm, and then again from 2:30 to 3:30, and THEN we had to chuck them into the car on a very hot day to head to the bank to sign papers, because we had nobody to come sit with them for 10 minutes.

So they've had two unstructured days, that, while fun, have landed us in a bit of mayhem, and unfortunately we have yet another busy weekend (and week!) ahead of us, so I need to make as much time *structured* (not rigid, mind) so they have those times to fall back on when I need them to just go with the flow.  We also have the added stress of virtual strangers (to our kids) coming to stay the night on Thursday. We haven't seen this couple since we moved here over 4 years ago, so we've already been "coaching" B on the coming events.

Some of the "escapes" I have in mind this weekend include: making our own play-dough (since B ate most of the stuff we had. Ugh.), a trial run of making some Christmas gifts - we're making fudge and caramel!  I will also be pulling out the tunnel and tent for some low-stimulation time, trips to the park with one of us to allow the other parent to get things done - encouraging climbing and hanging for that stretching feeling.  Foot massage and "squeezing out the toothpaste" from their arms. I want to also grab a work-out ball. I forget if they have another name - but you know what I mean. One of those big ones - maybe even two so they don't fight? :P So they can roll around and bounce on them to get that input their bodies need to function.

For more ideas - click here.

Hope you all have a "Sensational" weekend.